┌── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──┐
Bad
└── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──┘
It's been a few seconds just after the duo entered the mansion and you stared at the two kids like a hawk.
Blank gaze but piercing anyone under it as the kids nervously held onto each other.
Just then something started scratching from the inside of the box Tanjiro carried..or should I say..someone.
The eery noise coming from the box effectively spooked the two kids as they yelped and tried to run inside the mansion to follow the duo because apparently they trusted the mansion filled with bloodshed more than you.
You immediately stood up to go after the kids as you firmly but gently held them back from opening the door to follow the two boys inside.
They let out small gasps as you held them back with a nonchalantly eery look on your face which unintentionally triggered their fight or flight responses even more as they tried to break free from your firm grip with fearful noises.
"Hey..Hey! Stop struggling, you can't go in there!-" you tried to warn them as you refused to let go, your intention was to reason with the children so they would not go in and cause further injuries to both boys inside but the children took it as a threat.
A perfect description of what the children heard and saw was :
"Hey..HEY! Stop struggling, You're staying here with me and whatever is in that box and you both are the sacrifices." a very much demon looking version of you in their head that radiated a very suffocating aura as they screamed and struggled against your firm hold even more.
They had no chance to break free against your hold as they let out noises of distress, the other victims that were still resting looked at the scene with concerned faces as you looked at them with a blank expression that said 'please help me.'
The injured demon slayer was the first one to understand and opened his mouth to speak. "Hey..kids!..don't give her any trouble, if you go in there you'll be in more trouble!.."
He warned the children with a stern look as he winced at the feeling of his aching throat due to the volume he used.
"It's true..I've..we've seen what horrors live inside of that mansion..please just listen to the kind lady..." One of the civilians added as the other civilian nodded along with a stern expression. The window man was sound asleep next to them as he snored softly, unaware of the scene ensuing.
The children seemed to calm down at their words as they slowly glanced up at you then at the mansion's doors with reluctant expressions. You sighed in relief as they stopped struggling as you let go of their wrists.
"Thank-"
Just as you thought you succeeded in convincing the children to stay outside, your petty crow had other plans as it glared at you from the treeline and lunged at you with loud squacks, flying straight to your face and started getting its revenge as you grunted in surprise as you backed away and blindly tried to get the crow off of your face.
The sudden attack of the crow spooked the children once again as they ran into the mansion screaming and crying. You reached out a hand to try and stop them but it was too late as you gritted your teeth and grabbed your crow by the legs and threw it at the newly closed door of the mansion.
The crow managed to avoid its fate by flapping its wings as it safely landed on the ground and started pointing its wings at you accusingly whilst scolding you for trying to hurt it.
You only scowled down at the crow before pinching the bridge of your nose with closed eyes. You sighed as you threw your hands in the air in an 'I give up' fashion before turning around and walking where the other victims sat with their jaws agape.
"I- Miss aren't you gonna go after them??" One of the civilians asked as I shook my head in response.
"No sir, I sense that they've run into the two demon slayers so they'll be fine under their watch." I spoke reassuringly as they reluctantly nodded in understanding.
"But what will you do while they fight the demons inside and protect the children at the same time?.." The injured demon slayer asked with genuine curiosity as I glanced at him nonchalantly.
"I'll be here watching over that box and all of you. You'll never know what could attack all of you unexpectedly..most specifically who would attack the kid inside the box..." You said, mumbling the last sentence to yourself as you scratch your head and deadpanned at your crow that still continues to scold you for trying to hurt it.
The civilians could only watch in fear and amusement as the crow proceeded to use its colorful vocabulary to scold you.
This continues on for a few more minutes as you paced back and fort impatiently as you kept track of their auras inside the mansion.
Tanjiro POV :
I blinked in shock as I heard the beat of a drum over and over again. The room changing each time just like [Last name]-Sama had warned us about as I looked around with furrowed brows.
When the rooms stopped changing and the drum stopped beating, I felt a sweat drip down my cheek as I warily scanned the new room we were in.
'The room changed..or were we moved?....I've got to follow the drum.' I thought to myself as I felt the little girl trembling in my arms which immediately caught my attention and soften my expression at the sight of her scared figure.
I gently grabbed her arms as I looked down at her with a soft smile. "I'm sorry you got separated from your brother.." I slightly pulled away to look at her tearful eyes as I moved my hands to hold onto her shoulders reassuringly.
"But I promise I'll protect you!..and I'm sure Zenitsu will protect your brother too.." I reassured her as I gently wiped away her tears with my calloused fingers.
The little girl sniffled as she looked up at me with her lips pursed, still slightly scared but much calmer than she was before.
"What's your name?" I asked as i watched the little girl blink and reply with a small shaky voice.
"..Teruko.."
"So it's Teruko.." I felt my smile widen as I softly caressed her cheek. "That's a nice name!.." I complimented before perking up at the stench that suddenly evaded my senses as i turned to the open door with a wary expression as I sensed the demonic scent coming closer.
The heavy footsteps got closer as a large demon with drums sticking out of its body revealed itself through the opened door. I gritted my teeth as I moved my hand over Teruko's mouth that silenced whatever noise she almost made just now.
'of all the scents around..this one is all over the place..." I thought as I stared at the tall drum demon with furrowed brows.
'It must have eaten many people!..he's also the last of the house..' I narrowed my eyes at the demon as I watched it stand there as if it was trying to track something down.
This is bad..
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[A/N : Here's an accurate chibi art of your uniform and backpack because I don't think I've ever given it a proper description. Why don't you have a Haori? Well do you really want more weight to be added to your body with your already heavy bag?..that's all, thank you for reading this chapter of Time tells! Have a nice day!]
Chibi base was taken from ibispaint and the rest was me :]