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Chapter 20

"You did good. Don't worry. We'll do our best to bring back your brother."
Tanjiro reassured them, a determined smile on his face.

"Is that true? You'll help him?"
The little girl talked now, and I gently pat her head, giving them both a hand up to stand.

"We will."

"Hey, guys..."
Zenitsu spoke up, his hands over his ears.
He must have really fine hearing if it bothers him that much.
"What is that strange sound?"

"I can't hear anything, Zenitsu."

"It's really unnerving. And it never stops. It's like... A drum..."

"A drum? I don't hear anything."
I nod with Tanjiro's statement, until the loud echo of a drum could be heard.

We all listen closely as it repeats, getting faster until a body flies through the open door. Before it hits the ground I cover the children to prevent them from seeing such a thing, hearing the little girl scream at the crunching of bones.

"Shhh, just don't look, okay?"
She clung to me tightly, and I could feel her and her brother shaking in my arms.

Tanjiro ran to the body from what I could see.
"Are you alright?! Can you hear me?! Just hang on!"

I could already see the glossiness overtake his eyes, and I felt rather mournful that we were too late for him.
Who knows how many more people are stuck in there?

"You two stay put, and stay out sight, okay? We'll get you back your brother. Avatar's promise, ok?"
I whisper the final part, smiling at them for reassurance.
They nod, and I leave before they could ask, going to Tanjiro's side.

I can't get a word out before a loud growl breaks the silence, the taps of drums echoing them. Zenitsu shook in fear, the kids trembling as well.

"You two! What did you brother wear when he was taken?"
I ask, hoping it isn't the man that just died in Tanjiro's arms.

"A-An orange colored kimono."

I nod in slight relief.
"Remember what I told you, out of sight and stay put!"

"Zenitsu, Y/N, let's go!"
Tanjiro calls, and I nod looking over to Zenitsu who... shook like a leaf...

"Zenitsu, we're the only ones who can help them right now. The more of us there are the bigger the chance we might save more people and defeat the demon."

He still refused to move, trembling.
"C'mon, Zen, do it for me at least?"
I rub his back, trying to soothe him.
"Please?"

He shook his head, Tanjiro looking downward, glaring at him.
"Alright, then. Have it your way. Y/N, come on."

I nod and follow him, Zenitsu now running up behind us.
"Tanjiro! Don't be so scary! Fine, I give in, you win! I'll come along with you!"

Before we enter, Tanjiro leaves Nezuko's box to the kids, and I smile, knowing they'll be safe past night. But... hopefully it won't take us that long.

We step inside, the dark and dusty long halls greeting us. From inside, the house seemed far bigger, and it was quite dark, but the door we opened let enough light through to provide some visibility.

Every light we passed was dim and flickering, Zenitsu clinging to my arm in fear as he looked around.

"Calm down, please."
I whispered a few times, to avail however.

"Hey, Y/N? You said you'd protect me, right? Will you protect me from whatever's in here?"
He sniffled.

"Of course. A promise is a promise."

Tanjiro spoke up though, probably to warn Zenitsu.

"Zenitsu, in our last fight, I broke a leg and a rib, while Y/N shattered her shoulder. Neither of our wounds fully healed yet, and-"

Zenitsu broke out in a loud screeching cry again.
"WHAAAAT?! YOU HAVE BROKEN BONES?! WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO ME?! IF YOU ARE BOTH IN THAT CONDITION, THEN MY FATE IS SEALED! I'M GONNA DIE!"

He rambled on as I covered his mouth.
"Shut up, you hog-monkey! Do you want every demon in here to come after you?!"
I whisper-yelled.

"You're gonna be fine! I'll keep you safe, damn it!"

"Stay away! You two shouldn't be here!"
Tanjiro yelled, and I see the two kids run up to us.

"We're sorry! There were sounds coming from that box!"

I sigh and let go of Zenitsu, drying my robe yet again.
"Still, you shouldn't be here! It's too dangerous! That box is more precious to us than our own lives!"

A rumble startled us, the ground shaking beneath our feet. I hold the little boy close in case of falling debris, but before I can comprehend, Tanjiro was gone, and so was the little girl!

"Tanjiro?! Hey!"
No answer. Damn it! The room turned into a thick wall too!

It then turned into another empty room again and again with each drum strike. Was this demon... changing the rooms, somehow?

Both the boy and Zenitsu clung to me, afraid.
I sigh and take a deep breath.
"Okay. We may have gotten separated, but Tanjiro is a very capable swordsman, he and your sister will be fine."

"W-What do we do?! Are we gonna die?!"
Zenitsu panics.

"First, you shut up. Then, we just have to figure out our way around. Hold my hands so I don't lose either of you."
I keep the boy in front of me, dragging behind a much more silently crying Zenitsu.

"I need neither of you to worry. I can protect us all. But if I ever tell you to run, then you run, got it?"

The boy nodded, Zenitsu's mixed and mumbled cries also agreeing.

"I'm gonna die...!"
He cried yet again.

"Zenitsu..."
My eyes glare at him to force him to quiet down.
"What did I tell you to do? Do you want me to leave you here at the mercy of whatever finds you?

He instantly quieted, holding my arm as he walked by my side, still sniffling.
"N-No! Please... Don't... you said you'd protect me, Y/N!"

I shake my head and sigh.

"I am going to protect you."

《 •|• 《♡》 •|• 》

End
● Chapter 20 : ●
● "Tsuzumi Mansion" ●