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Chapter 21

"I wonder if Tanjiro and the girl are okay."
Zenitsu mumbles.

"Tanjiro is a very good swordsman, I'm sure they're doing fine. We'll find them-"
I can see something heavy move right around the corner, and I reach for my sword.

"D-Do you hear that...?"
Zenitsu whispered, shaking.
"It sounds so... slimy..."

It feels like the presence of a demon... A very weak presence, however. Shouldn't be too hard.
It turns around and sees us, and I only grip my sword tighter, glaring at it.
The massive blob of a demon showed me a grotesque and slimy grin, its beady, bright red eyes piercing right through.

Wait... They're not looking at me.
It's aiming for Shoichi!

"Stand back! I'm a Demon Slayer!"
It threw me back, hitting me against a far wall, and I could feel my bones crack.

"AAAA! WHAT WAS THAT SOUND?! DID YOU BREAK YOUR RIBS TOO?!"
Zenitsu screamed.

I get up as fast as possible, seeing the demon try to hurt them, and my eyes already locked onto the opening thread. My body moved on its own, my glowing blade now stained with demon blood as the head rolled by my feet. That was... awfully fast. Even for me.

As soon as it was dead, the glow went away alongside the now evaporated blood, and I turned to the two boys as I sheathe my sword once more, sighing.

"Are either of you hurt?"
I smile.

They shake their heads.
"WHAT WAS THAT SOUND, Y/N?! DID YOU BREAK A BONE?! ARE YOU OKAY?!"

"Shhhh! What did I say about keeping quiet, Zenitsu?!"
I shake my head to answer his question, and he seems very relieved.

Calmer, I put my sword back in place, and we continue walking, checking every room for any sign of either Tanjiro, Shoichi's brother, or just another living person in general.

It's awfully silent until Shoichi speaks up.
"Uhm, excuse me, can we stop?"

Startled, Zenitsu screamed, dropping to the floor.
"AAAAAA! You gotta warn me first! You gotta warn me before speaking up like that! My heart nearly jumped out of my mouth just now!"

"Zenitsu, you're fine. Stop being so dramatic."
I grab him up by his haori, sighing.

"Is something wrong, Shoichi?"
I give him my best smile, Zenitsu mumbling incoherently to himself.

"I'm just a little tired. Can we maybe take a break?"
Shoichi rubbed his eyes, clearly sleepy.

"Hmm... We should keep moving... But, if you're alright with it, I can carry you?"

He nods and I drop Zenitsu before lifting Shoichi up on my back, his little hands holding on tightly.
"Comfy?"

With a small nod, we continue walking, Zenitsu paranoid beyond belief. If I even sigh too loud he starts to have a tantrum. Did he annoy the demons to death? I have no other hint as to how the hell he made it through Final Selection. At one point, his screams did attract a demon, and he held on so tight I was just dragged along, unable to do anything.

"Zenitsu! Let me go so I can fight, damn you!"
I try pulling away, but he just ignored me and kept yelling.

"We don't taste good! I'm sure I taste awful! You don't wanna eat them either! They're all skin and bones, eat me first!"