(Mentions of blood and gore, very VERY long chapter)

"Brotherrrrr! Can I come to the market with you and Papa?" A 4-year-old little girl called out eagerly, her big purple eyes shining with excitement. "Shiori, you must stay here and accompany Mama," replied her 11-year-old brother gently, bending down to her level. "Don't worry, we'll bring back food when Father and I return."

The little girl pouted, her bottom lip trembling slightly. "But I want to come too!" Her brother simply smiled and ruffled her fluffy pink hair affectionately. "I know, Shiori. But Mama needs your help today. You can help her with the garden, and when we come back, I'll bring you your favorite strawberry-filled pancakes!"

Little Shiori's eyes brightened at the mention of her favorite treat. "Promise?" "Promise," her older brother said, holding out his pinky finger. Shiori hooked her tiny pinky around his, sealing the promise they made. "Okay! I'll help Mama really well!"

"That's my brave sister," her brother exclaimed, giving her a quick hug. "See you soon, Shiori."

"See you, brother!" Shiori waved enthusiastically as her brother and father set off, already imagining the tales he would have to tell and the special treat he would bring just for her.

Little Shiori merely gazed at them until they were out of sight. With a resigned sigh escaping her lips, she turned around and made her way back to their humble home's garden. 

The garden, bursting with vibrant colors of pink and yellow and the sweet scent of flowers, was her favorite place. Shiori knelt down near a patch of daffodils, her fingers lightly brushing the delicate petals. 

She could hear her mother humming a soft tune from the kitchen, the sound mingling with the chirping of birds soaring in the sky. 

Shiori's small hands busied themselves with arranging pebbles into a circle, her imagination transforming them into a magical moon ring. She envisioned herself as a moon goddess, protecting their garden from foes. 

"Shiori, please be careful! Mama will be preparing lunch," Shioiri's mother said. The little girl exclaimed, "YES, MA'AM!!" Her earlier disappointment slowly melted away as she lost herself in her play.

She picked up a twig, brandishing it like a sword. "I am the guardian of this garden!" she declared to no one in particular, her voice filled with determination. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, as if in agreement with her declaration. 

Shiori smiled to herself. She knew that while her brother and father were away, she had an important role to play here, making sure everything was just as they left it when they returned.

- - - - -

"Mama... it's already late. Brother and Papa haven't returned yet?" Shiori murmured, her voice tinged with worry as she clutched her mother's hand. As she looked up, her wide eyes mirrored her mother's anxious expression. 

Her mother cuddled her closer and gently stroked Shiori's hair. "Don't worry, my dear. Sometimes the market can be very busy, and it takes longer than usual. They will be back soon." She gave Shiori a comforting smile, though her own heart was heavy with concern. 

"Why don't we sing a song together? It will help pass the time." The little child nodded, trusting her mother wholeheartedly. Together, they sang softly, a soothing melody in the quiet house. Eventually, the gentle rhythm of her mother's voice lulled Shiori to sleep, her small head resting on her mother's chest.

Just as the serene silence of the night settled in, a noise at the front door broke through the stillness. Shiori's mother tensed, her heart pounding in her chest. Carefully, she laid Shiori down on the futon and stood up, her steps cautious as she approached the door.

"Honey? Sabito? Are you two home?" she called out, her voice a mixture of hope and apprehension as she reached for the door handle, her fingers trembling slightly.

- - - - -

"Hey, Father," Sabito whispered as they headed home from the market to sell veggies, "We should hurry, it's already late." The two hurried their pace through the rough path exiting the town. The sky was tinged with the deep hues of twilight purple; casting shadows that seemed to follow them.

"That's strange. Did Mother forget to lock the door?" the younger boy inquired, noticing the front door slightly ajar. The normally warm and inviting home was now completely dark inside with a sense of foreboding hanging in the air.

As they pushed through the entrance door, his father whispered, "Sabito, move aside... Something's wrong..." The faint light from outside illuminated a scene of horror. Blood was splattered all over the floor and walls, tables and chairs were smashed, and the metallic scent of blood filled the air. 

A voracious, slender-looking demon scarfed down a weak and dismembered woman, its eyes flickering with a predatory gleam and hunger. The woman's lifeless eyes, wide with terror, stared blankly at nothing.

"MARECHI!" the deranged demon screamed as it caught sight of Sabito and his father standing by the entryway. With a speed that was almost too fast to follow, it lunged towards them, its bloodstained claws outstretched and its wide mouth open in a ghastly grin.

"SABITO, RUN!" His father shouted, pushing Sabito aside and drawing a dagger hidden beneath his cloak. The demon's eyes gleamed with excitement, savoring the challenge of delicious fresh prey.

Sabito stumbled on his feet, his heart pounding hard in his chest. He could hardly breathe as he watched his father bravely stand between the demon and him. The room seemed to close in around him, the darkness becoming an almost tangible force.

"GO AND GET SHIORI!" his father commanded, his voice steady despite the terror of the situation. But poor Sabito remained frozen, tears streaming down his face as he took a shaky step back.

The young boy's mind raced. He knew he had to do something, but fear had a tight grip his limbs. His father's determined face flashed before him, and he knew he couldn't leave him alone.

"SABITO, TAKE SHIORI AND RUN AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE!" Father cried as he shoved Sabito away from the demon, only to be seized by the monster himself.

"In the room... Your sister is... in the bedroom... please protect her... and live..." Mother's final words echoed in his ears, her tears glistening in the moonlight, the lone source of illumination.

The demon focused on Father, giving Sabito the precious moment he needed to sneak into the bedroom. He found his younger sister, Shiori, trembling in the far corner of the room.

Silently, he lifted her into his arms and slipped through the window, the night air chilling against their skin as they fled into the darkness of the forest.

- - - - -

Sabito's heart raced as he ran, every step heavier with the weight of fear and grief. Tears blurred his vision, and exhaustion threatened to overtake him. Yet, he pushed himself to keep moving, knowing that stopping meant death for him and his sister.

But his sprint abruptly stopped as they were cornered. The demon caught up before them, its presence suffocating and its eyes glinting with hunger. Sabito's breath caught in his throat, and he held Shiori close, shielding her with trembling arms.

In that moment of desperation, Sabito's mind raced, searching for any possible escape. He knew he couldn't fight the demon, not with his limited strength. But he couldn't let it harm Shiori either. 

He knew they were trapped, but he refused to give up. He steeled himself to face whatever came next; his only thought was to keep his sister safe at all costs. 

Sabito knelt beside Shiori, gently placing a hand on her quivering shoulder. "Shishi, listen to me," he whispered, his voice strained but firm. "I need you to stay quiet and keep your eyes closed, okay? I'm going to keep you safe, no matter what."

Little Shiori nodded, tears still streaming down her flushed cheeks as she obeyed her brother's instructions, clutching tightly onto his tattered cloak.

"Brother... where are you... I'm scared..." Her small form trembled as she crouched behind the thick bush Sabito has hidden her, the darkness offering her a slim veil of safety. 

"I found you~!" Their short moment of respite shattered as a husky voice pierced through the night air, sending shivers down their spines. The demon had found them.

Sabito tightened his grip on Shiori, his heart pounding with fear. He couldn't let this monster take his sister. Not after everything they had already lost.

"Now is the time to let your sister join your parents, little boy. She has marechi blood, right? Do you know how delicious they are? Give her to me, and maybe I'll think about sparing your life."

With a heavy heart, Sabito rose to face the demon. His eyes narrowed in defiance as he braced himself for whatever came next.

"OVER. MY. DEAD. BODY," Sabito declared, his voice wavering but resolute. "I won't let you harm her or anyone else."

The demon's snarl grew fiercer as it lunged forward, claws ready to strike.

Sabito was more than willing to put his life on the line for his beloved little sister. He was well aware that he was in a disadvantageous position, yet he refused to let them die without fighting for their lives.

In a desperate moment, Sabito took out his dagger and steeled himself to fight against the monster that had shattered their lives.

Sabito's excruciating scream echoed throughout the dark woods as a loud thud smashed against the nearby tree, causing a murder of crows cawing through the dark foliage. 

As her heart pounded against her chest, Shiori leaped from hiding behind the thick bush. Fresh blood squelched freezingly cold underneath her bare feet as her voice came out hoarse, calling for Sabito. 

The demon had crept up and pranced from behind, unbeknownst to her, "I FINALLY GOT YOU!". Frenzied laughter filled the heavy atmosphere upon the predator catching its prey. The demon was unable to contain its appetite and ultimately indulged, having made herself wide open and falling into its trap.

Its massive, crooked jaw gushed blood, and its ruptured skull exposed a hanging eye with a glare that wanted nothing but a taste of the delicious aroma of her flesh. 

The child shuddered helplessly beneath the massive beast, the foul smell burning in the back of her throat.

Try as she might, Shiori couldn't break free of the monster's clutches. A blistering sensation spread across her quivering small frame, caused by the razor-sharp dagger she stumbled on as she fell into the claws that punctured both of her arms.

"BROTHER!!" Shiori screamed, her voice raw with pain as it tore through her body. Desperately, she looked around, but her brother was nowhere to be seen.

When all hope seemed lost, Sabito courageously pierced the demon's tough exterior on its neck with the blood-stained blade. "Do you want to die?!" the demon hissed. 

"Get away from my SISTER!!". He may be too young for violence, but he will stop at nothing for the sake of his sister's safety, even if it means turning into a monster himself.

With great effort, the brave boy forced the dagger deeper into the demon's jaws. Using all of his remaining strength, Sabito wrenched it out, causing the demon to stand and force its head to fly off its body.

The night has gone deeper. The headless body slumped like a puppet with no strings. A cold exhale left Sabito's chest, quivering as he dropped the dagger on the bloodstained ground. The demon's corpse had turned to ash as if it were lit up by a nonexistent fire. 

The brawl seemed to stretch into eternity, every second was a battle for survival. Sabito had never felt more acutely the fragility of life than in those moments. 

The deep gash on his cheek was a witness to his desperate struggle, a mark to shield what little remained of his family from harm.

He rushed over to his sister, who was trembling uncontrollably on the ground. "I'm sorry, Shiori... I'm sorry you had to see that," he whispered in her ear, his voice filled with regret.

"Don't worry, big brother promises to protect you and will never ever leave your side," Sabito cried, cradling Shiori in his arms. He held her tightly, as if holding her loose would make her disappear. The two children offered each other comfort as they cried.

Sabito held his sister close as they searched for a safe shelter to spend the night. Fortune dawned upon them as they stumbled upon an abandoned cottage.

With gentle care, Sabito tended to Shiori's wound on the sole of her foot, using portions of his white haori as makeshift bandages. Then, he attended to his own injury, wrapping the gash on his cheek to stop the bleeding. He remained awake throughout the night, keeping watch over his sleeping sister. 

Without the comforting presence of their parents, the cold midnight air felt even more daunting. Memories of warmer nights, when he and his sister would cuddle between their parents, now served only to deepen his loss.

Despite the exhaustion gnawing at his bones, begging him to hit the hay, Sabito remained alert for any sign of danger. After the incident, sleep seemed like an impossible luxury. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, replaying the events over and over again. 

Every creak of the floorboards, every rustle of the wind outside the house, sent a shiver down his spine. How could he rest when danger still loomed over them, and the responsibility of protecting his sister weighed heavily on his shoulders?

As the rain poured heavily, casting a veil of darkness over the outside world, the two siblings grieved yet grateful for their survival. 

In the safety of the abandoned cottage, they clung to each other, finding comfort in their shared determination to continue living.

- - - - - 

As morning light filtered through the dripping-wet trees, Sabito flinched at the soft sound of footsteps approaching. His heart raced as he turned his gaze towards the sound, his eyes landing on a lady in a purple kimono with her hair elegantly styled in a tight bun. She was carrying in her hand a basket full of fruits and vegetables.

"Please help us!! A demon attacked our home. Only my sister and I were able to escape!"  
Desperate, Sabito cried out for help, his voice cracking with urgency. He didn't care who heard him, even if it was a total stranger—they needed help.

Startled by the young boy's desperate plea, the lady quickly approached the small, weathered cottage. "Oh my—" Upon seeing the injured children inside, her eyes widened in shock and concern. 

Immediately, she rushed over to them, kneeling beside the children as she assessed their wounds with gentle care. "Don't worry, I'm here to help," she assured them, soothing them despite the situation.

Her big sapphire eyes softened as she gently lifted Shiori into her arms, her touch gentle and reassuring. With her other hand, she clasped Sabito's trembling palm, providing comforting for both siblings. Guiding them out of the wilderness, she led them to an orphanage in a nearby town.

The warmth of the orphanage contrasted sharply with the cold, wild forest they had left behind. Marian, the kind-hearted caretaker, approached the children. "What are your names, and how old are you?" she asked softly with a gentle smile.

"My name is Sabito," he replied, his voice was barely audible. "And this is my younger sister, Shiori. She's four years old."

The horror the kids experienced has become embedded in their memories. With the filthy sensation of blood on their skin, the painful struggle of striving to stay alive, and the horrifying sight of bloodshed happening right in front of their eyes, these children had become aware of this demon-infested world.

- - - - -

As the morning sun painted the sky with hues of pink and gold, a man clad in a vibrant cloud-pattered kimono cut a striking figure against the quiet orphanage. The soft rustle of his attire drew the attention and curious gazes of the children. 

Marian stepped forward with a warm greeting, "Welcome, Mister Urokodaki."

The man with a red mask bowed respectfully, his eyes hidden behind its crimson facade, "I received your letter and came to offer my assistance." Marian smiled in reply, thankful to hear the purpose of his arrival. 

 "We would be honored to have your help," Marian's voice swelled with gratitude, sensing a kindred spirit in his willingness to ease the burdens of the young kids under her care.

Meanwhile, in the orphanage courtyard, Sabito watched the scene with curiosity and skepticism. Unlike Marian's brimming hope at the stranger's arrival, Sabito had a different intention.

The memories of that night, the pain and loss of his parents left only a desire for vengeance. With his sister, Shiori, by his side, the young boy vowed to destroy the demons that stole everything from him.

As he observed the red-masked man, Sabito wouldn't be swayed by empty promises and hoax consolation. His purple eyes narrowed with grit and determination. For him, becoming a demon slayer was the only redemption that lies in the pursuit of justice, even if it costs his life.

"SABITO!! PLEASE DON'T LEAVEEE," Shiori sobbed out, gripping her older brother's leg with all her might. "LET ME COME WITH YOU!!"

"Sorry, Shishi, you need to stay here in the orphanage for your safety. Once I finally become a Demon Slayer, I promise I'll come to get you, okay!"

Sabito knelt to her level, his voice gentle as he smiled assuredly, caressing her head with a tenderness that belied his resolve. Tears streamed down Shiori's little face as she clung to him, but Sabito welcomed her into his arms, holding her close. 

"I'll be back, I promise," he whispered, trying to hide the quiver in his own voice and feeling the weight of his vow settling in his heart. They stayed like that for a moment, a brief moment of comfort in the storm of their circumstances. 

Shiori clung to him, feeling the warmth and protection that her only brother could provide. "Promise?" She mumbled, her voice muffled against his chest. "Promise," Sabito replied, pulling back to look into her eyes. 

The same purple eyes filled with tenderness that he and Shiori inherited from their Mother.

"Be brave, Shiori. I'll come back for you." With one last hug, he gently pried her hands from his shoulders and stood up. 

And after one last, longing look, Sabito turned and walked away, his silhouette gradually fading into the distance. 

Shiori's sobs echoed softly in the empty hall of the orphanage behind him, clutching the wooden moon charm he had carved for her tightly in her hand.

- - - - -

Ten years have passed, and all the other kids found a home, but she refused to go without her brother. A young 10-year-old girl tiptoed