Inei's POV. Red Light District.
Night is almost here. All right, we got to prepare.
I decided to scout ahead and see anything suspicious, but none as of the moment.
Inei: Hm?
I noticed that Tengen-san is running from roof to roof and we met to our usual meeting spot.
Tengen: I already located Hinatsuru, and also, the information about the suspicious events that surrounds the Kyogoku House, it seems like your theory was right.
Inei: I see. Also, according to Inosuke, there is a demon lurking underneath the Ogimoto House.
Tengen: Hmmm........
Inei: All right, I'm going to continue my rounds. Go to Hinatsuru-san.
Tengen: Yeah.
Tengen: Saito, don't die.
I just smiled.
Inei: Like hell I will. Shinobu won't forgive me if I die.
Tengen: Heh. That's why you got to go back alive.
We split up. Tengen-san went to where Hinatsuru-san is, while I'm still scouting.
Nothing out of the ordinary for a few minutes.......until........I heard some crashing across the street.
I followed the sound and.......
I found Tanjiro is about to be attacked with multiple sashes.
I quickly jumped into the fray, and cut all the sashes.
Inei: Shadow Breathing, Second Form: Phantom Draw.
Tanjiro: Nii-san!
Inei: Looks like you discovered our target.
Inei: And even manage to hold out this long.
The demon then glared at me, and her murderous intent is all over the place.
Demon: What........? I thought there are only five of you........
Demon: But, it doesn't matter, you're not even wearing a Demon Slayer Uniform.
Demon: Yet you still managed to cut my belts.......
The demon was a woman with pale skin, long black hair, her belts are like tails, and on her eyes, the words Upper Rank Six was written.
So, we were right all along. The enemy is an Upper Rank Demon.
Inei: So you're the demon who is lurking around these parts.
Inei: Unfortunately for you, you're in big trouble.
Upper Rank Six: Huh? What the hell are you talking about? You're not even a Demon Slayer, don't be cocky, you bastard!
She manipulated her belts to attack me, but through the Transparent World, I clearly anticipated her attack, and so, in the gap of her multiple belts, I exploited them and tear the belts into shreds.
Inei: Shadow Breathing, Fifth Form: Midnight!
Upper Rank Six: What........!?
Inei: You know what, you're the one who shouldn't be cocky.
The Upper Rank Demon was still shocked to the point that she's shaking.
Upper Rank Six: I-I see..........a swordsman with pale blonde hair, clad in a red haori and a scarf, a swordsman having a crimson blade........
Upper Rank Six: The one who humiliated my Master and my fellow Upper Moons..........
Inei: I see, so you do know me.
Upper Rank Six: It doesn't matter, I'll kill you right here, right now.
Inei: Then let me see you try.
Inei: My name is Inei Saito, the Shadow Hashira. I am your Shinigami, and I'll bring to the Sanzu River.
Daki: My name is Daki, Upper Rank Six. I'll make sure YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S GOING TO HELL!
Daki: I'm sure that person will be pleased, once I cut you to pieces!
As much as I hate to fight here, we don't have any choice. Now that she gave herself away, it's now or never!
And so, our fierce battle began, as Tanjiro is supporting me.
Inei: Tanjiro! Get your breathing under control! Use the kagura!
Tanjiro: !?
Inei: I'll also use it as well!
Daki unleashed her belts but I anticipated it once more.........
Inei: Hinokami Kagura, Raging Sun!
I blocked her attacks.
Daki: Wha—
Tanjiro: Hinokami Kagura, Clear Blue Sky!
Tanjiro came from above as he attempted to attack the demon, but the demon evaded it, making Tanjiro's attack missing the target.
Tanjiro: This is bad—
The belts went for Tanjiro, but I defended him......
Inei: Hinokami Kagura, Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance.
Tanjiro: Wha—
Daki: What the—
I didn't let her recover as I began to press the offensive.
Inei: Shadow Breathing, Fifth Form: Midnight.
I quickly severed all of her limbs and it took her a few seconds to realize my attack.
Daki: Wha.............
Inei: Shadow Breathing, Eighth Form—
But she quickly regained her composure as she used her blood demon art to manipulate the belts to surround me.
Inei: Tch.
I had no choice but to back down.
Inei: Hinokami Kagura, Fake Rainbow.
The demon somehow managed to gain some distance. But the thing is......
Her regeneration, it became slow.
Daki: It hurts, as if it's burning me.......
Inei: Was it because of my Crimson Nichirin Blade? If that's the case, then........
Inei: All I have to do is finish her off.
I was cut off my thoughts as another sash is coming towards me. I evaded it completely, but somehow, it entered Daki's body. She also regenerated her severed limbs and her hair began to turn from black to white.
Daki: Ahahahahahahahahaha! Two pillars! This is great!
Daki: That man will be even more pleased!
Tanjiro then went to my side.
Tanjiro: Nii-san, I had a bad feeling about this. Her smell became even more sinister.
I entered the Transparent World and I noticed that she really did became somewhat stronger.
But, I discovered even something more disturbing.
There is something or someone laying dormant within her.
Inei: What is that? There is something inside her body.........
Inei: Great......all the more reason to tread carefully.
Daki quickly went on top of a roof.
Daki: Fufufufufufu.
Daki: Say, Inei..........
Daki: I think killing you will be a waste.
Daki: Why don't you become a demon? And become my husband?
Inei: Like hell I will!
Inei: Also, I reject your marriage proposal!
Daki: Agh! Y-You........!
Inei: Sorry, but I already have someone, and she's the girl I want to marry.
Daki: *sigh*
Daki: Then I have no choice but to kill you, then.
???: Hey, what are you doing there!!
Tanjiro: !?
Inei: Crap!
Tanjiro: We caused a ruckus!
Civilian: Don't go arguing in front of other people's stores!
Daki: Tch. How annoying.
Inei: Shit! We messed up!
Tanjiro: No! Get away from here! Don't leave the building!
Inei: Everybody, get down!
Daki used her sashes and she inflicted massive damage to the area.
Inei: What the—
I barely dodged the attack and fended off some of them.
When the attack was over, I saw Tanjiro got caught up in the attack and the man behind him, got his hand severed.
Inei: Crap! Tanjiro's been severely wounded.
But I didn't have the time to worry about others, the shockwave came and the buildings around the area came crashing down.
Inei: *cough* *cough* *cough*
The dust was too thick. What the hell happened?
When the dust eventually settled, I saw the aftermath.
It was horrifying.
Inei: What in the world.........?
I can hear the screams of other people, I can sense their fear..........
Inei: So this is what an Upper Rank Demon can do, huh? Well, I never fought an Upper Rank Demon in a place like this.........
Inei: Just, how far.......are they willing to go..........
Inei: Muzan, you and your demons.........
Inei: I won't forgive all of you, for what you've done for this people.
Inei: Tanjiro, rest up for a bit, you're badly injured.
Tanjiro: Huh? But.......
Inei: That's an order! You won't be able to fight properly in your current condition.
Inei: Put bandages on your wound, then use your breathing technique to stop the bleeding.
Inei: While you do that, I'll keep the demon occupied here.
Tanjiro: U-Understood.
Inei: Also, tell the other survivors to evacuate.
Tanjiro followed my orders, and evacuated the people around the area.
I jumped to the roof and confronted Daki.
Daki: You're not wounded..........you managed to dodge my attacks. Very impressive, I would say.
Inei: You..........
Inei: How dare you laugh at other people's despair, how dare you laugh when you killed countless humans.
Inei: How dare you look down upon them like trash!
Daki: Isn't that how you humans are?
Inei: *sigh*
Inei: All right, that's it.......
Inei: I'm done playing games.
Inei: Also, I've never been this angry before.
Inei: Besides from killing those people, you dare hurt my little brother.
Daki: So what, he was weak.
And that was the last straw.
I drew my wakizashi and brandished my two Crimson Nichirin Swords.
Inei: All right. You want to play it this way, then I'll play.
Inei: I'll give you a painful hell.
Daki: Then let me see you try, Inei Saito!
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Maya's POV. Butterfly Estate.
Although that guy told me that I'll arrive at this Butterfly Estate within two days by walking, I managed to arrive here within a day because I managed to board the train in the last minute.
I looked upon the house and it was big. It is really a mansion.
Maya: This must be the Butterfly Mansion.
Maya: Hmmm........
Maya: I should just knock.
I knocked on the door a few times, until the door was opened by a girl with black short hair that fades to purple, wearing some kind of a uniform and a haori that is patterned to a butterfly.
???: Hm? It's rare for visitors to come here. What can we do for you, ma'am?
Maya: Um, I wanted to ask something.
???: About what?
The girl had that beautiful smile.
Maya: Do you Inei Saito?
???: .........!?
She suddenly slammed the door shut when I spoke the name of my little brother.
Maya: E-Eh!? W-Wait! Someone told me that I may find him here!
???: And what do you need from him?
Maya: W-Wait, from her response alone, it seems like I'm in the right track!
Maya: I-Inei is my little brother!
Maya: ................
There was silence......until the door was opened once more.
Maya: Um.........
???: Little brother?
Maya: Y-Yeah! He's my little brother! Someone told me that he is here at this estate.
???: And who gave you that information?
Maya: A guy with pale blonde hair, wearing a red haori and a scarf.
???: ..............
???: Come in.
Maya: Thank you very much!
She let me enter the mansion and it was beautiful.
Maya: Woooaaaaaah!
Maya: This place is so big.
???: Fufu.
Maya: By the way, what's your name?
Shinobu: Shinobu Kocho. I am the owner of this estate.
Maya: I-I see.
Maya: I am Maya Saito.
Shinobu: Saito, huh? So you must be related to Inei.
Maya: You know my little brother!?
Shinobu: I wanted to confirm your identity first.
Maya: I-I know may come under suspicion but trust me, I won't lie when it comes to my little brother.
Shinobu: ............
Shinobu: Follow me.
I followed Shinobu and she lead me to a guest room. We sat facing each other as she asked me.
Shinobu: If you know Inei, then do you know what happened before he was found by the orphanage?
Maya: ..............
Maya: So, when I placed him in the basket, someone found him. I'm just so glad that he was safe.
Shinobu: ..............
Maya: All right.
Maya: Before I tell you what happened, how come do you know my little brother?
Shinobu: So, he never told you?
Maya: Huh?
Shinobu: The one who gave you the directions to come at my estate.
Maya: What about him?
Shinobu: .............
Another long pause...........
I can see from her face that she is somehow worried.
Until she broke the silence.
Shinobu: How come you never recognize your own family?
Maya: Huh?
Shinobu: If he is your little brother, you would've recognized him right away!
Maya: It's not my fault! My I lost my little brother when he was just a month old! I never knew his hair color immediately! But all I know is that he inherited my mother's eyes!
Shinobu: Then I'd like you to think about the events before you came here.
I did just that and I thought about the guy who gave me the directions..........
Wait, pale blonde hair........bright purple eyes that are like amethyst........
Maya: ..........!!!!!!!!!!
Maya: No way..........
Maya: I.......already met him..........?
Shinobu: When you mentioned his appearance, I knew it right away.......
Maya: Now that I think about it, he got father's hair, but got our mother's face.........
Maya: So, the one that I met in the Red Light District.........was my little brother...........?
Shinobu: It seems like you finally got it.
Maya: I see.........so I finally found my little brother...........
I couldn't help but be glad.
Maya: I see, I'm really glad that he is safe........
Shinobu: ..........
Shinobu: So, tell me, Maya-san. What happened?
Maya: Right.
Maya: What am I about to tell you, is the story on how I was separated from little brother, and how a demon killed our parents.
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A/N: Maya's appearance 18 years ago.