"E-Excuse me?!"
An inexplicable look washed over Shinobu's pale face.
Were her ears not working properly?
Or had her mind endured one shock too many, causing her to hear impossible things?
Tanjiro clearly noticed her ludicrous expression and immediately covered his mouth.
But he couldn't hold it in. "Pft! Haha…"
He knew it wasn't the right moment to laugh, yet the situation demanded it.
Her face was simply too comical, even for someone as freakishly composed as him.
Nearby, Kanae let out a sigh mixed with a complicated smile.
"Mm, she'll need time to settle her mind, ha… She's been through enough shock for one day. Any more, and I think she'll truly lose it." Kanae spoke to Tanjiro with sincere worry.
Forcing down his amusement, he nodded mentally.
Shinobu's eyes remained blank as she drifted between past memories and the overwhelming present.
A few minutes passed before she slowly returned to reality.
Now, both were running through the outer forest beneath gentle moonlight, a humming ghost trailing behind them.
"Say, why would a demon reveal another demon's hideout like that? Isn't it too strange?" The raven-to-purple-haired girl asked, brows raised in confusion.
'Hoh, she's too smart… Unlike her easygoing, gullible sister.' Tanjiro thought.
As Shinobu questioned, Kanae tilted her head cutely. "Right…! It's strange, mm…"
Seeing both sisters' gazes fall on him, he remained perfectly calm and replied in his usual kind voice. "Well, you also saw how cowardly and fearful that demon was, right? The moment it realized there was no chance of winning, it chose to run away pathetically."
Knowing that much, both nodded.
"And when it was cornered by me with no escape, it started begging for its life. Tch, that was really upsetting. So I took advantage of the situation and asked about Upper Rank Two's location, and surprisingly, it answered just like that. Was it out of fear, hope to be spared, or some feud with other demons? We don't need to know. And since we already have a location, it doesn't really matter. We'll see if it's real or false sooner or later, no?"
Hearing his reasoning, a quiet Shinobu inclined her head downward in acceptance.
'Hmm… It doesn't matter… But if the location is real and that demon is truly staying there, I…'
As understanding dawned, she stole a glance at Tanjiro's Nichirin Sword before fixing her purple gaze on his relaxed, carefree face, a face that radiated overwhelming, unshakable confidence.
"You know, I really underestimated the effects of a Nichirin Sword that has turned bright red… Haah, if only everyone in the organization could have such a method, we'd have butchered every single demon with almost no casualties. The more I think about it, the more I realize how different you are from everyone else. Rendering an Upper Rank demon's regenerative powers completely useless and scaring the hell out of it so badly that it could only think of escaping… Who would believe such a ridiculous thing?" Midway through, a bitter smile flashed across her face.
"Yes, yes… What my sister said!" Kanae approved enthusiastically.
Perceiving the dark emotions in her unique scent, Tanjiro's eyes softened drastically. "You…"
While running beside her, his hand reached out and ruffled her messy, blood-streaked hair affectionately, causing Shinobu to puff her cheeks in mock anger.
Though she didn't pull away or try to push his hand off, already used to it.
She deemed it like receiving a reward for fighting a powerful demon and surviving.
Being headpatted by someone far superior to anyone she had ever known was not a bad feeling after all.
'What is it… My heart feels safe by his side…' she thought.
Noticing she was enjoying it yet hiding her true feelings, Tanjiro smiled faintly.
Kanae watched the scene with a tint of jealousy and longing. Whether she wanted to be the one patting or the one being patted remained hidden in her mind.
Suddenly, Tanjiro caught her arm and halted their run. "Unsheath your sword, Shinobu. I'll show you something amazing," he said with a slight, knowing grin.
'…Hm?'
"Something amazing?" She wore a confused look.
Tanjiro unsheathed his pitch-black sword, gripping it tightly.
Under his immense strength, the blade instantly turned a blazing bright red, releasing faint mist into the chilly night air.
Shinobu and Kanae stared in marvel.
'What does he intend to do?' they wondered.
Seeing she was taken aback, Tanjiro urged, "Come on, hurry, take it out."
Left with no choice, and because she was also interested in finding out what he was up to, Shinobu unsheathed her modified stinger Nichirin Sword. The top of the blade was replaced by a rod with a needle-like tip. The sword guard was shaped like a butterfly with four-petaled flowers. The handle was orange, wrapped in crystal teal cords, and capped with an orange kashira.
Evil Demon and Destruction kanji were engraved on her black sword, similar to his own, though hers had a pale lavender outline.
Honestly, even her sheath was modified to hold poison and mix it beforehand or mid-fight. Truly the work of a master blacksmith!
"Now what?" she asked, curious.
Tanjiro showed an amused smile. "Hold it tightly. Pour all your strength, okay."
'Eh…? Is he trying to…!?'
Thinking, she did what he told her.
Putting all her strength, she gripped the handle as tightly as she could.
Next, Tanjiro brought his bright red sword close to hers and placed his blade over her black-lavender one.
'Hmmm?' The instant he did so, Shinobu felt a powerful sensation course through her hand to her entire body.
The heat from the joined swords could actually be felt by her!
WHAT?
"It's… it's making my sword bright red too!?" Her eyes widened instantly, brows raised.
Kanae's lips parted in surprise. 'That's possible?'
Tanjiro separated his own sword, and even after a few seconds, Shinobu's sword remained affected by his shared power.
Heartbeat rising, Shinobu lunged with her sword, hearing a swoo sound as her blade cut through the air. She thrust it a few more times.
As expected, she was thrilled by possessing the same kind of sword as Tanjiro's.
Though after exactly half a minute, her sword returned to normal, the red fading back to its original black.
Shinobu exhaled slowly before she heard Tanjiro's smooth and steady voice.
"Heh… Now with this method, when you'll be fighting by my side against Upper Rank Two, you'll be able to deal quite some damage, negate its regenerative powers, and poison it at the same time."
Flashing a big smile at her while leaning forward next to her face, he added, "Now where's my thank you? Hm? I even got that damn demon's location for you. I deserve some reward, right~?"
'...' An indescribable look appeared on her face.
Was he aware of her desire for vengeance all along? All this time?
The corner of her lips parted unknowingly.
They had literally just obtained the location, and he was already planning things so far ahead.
'But if he's fighting, I think he won't need any teammates. He can destroy that demon all by himself, hah…' She chuckled dryly in her mind, clearly knowing how unfairly strong this man standing before her was.
Shinobu understood that he was doing this all for her sake. To let her fight against the demon who killed her sister. To take revenge!
She knew her weakness. Poisoning might have some effect on an Upper Rank, but to kill it? It was nowhere enough. It was impossible…
Having a bright red sword would be much better than relying solely on poison.
Even so, if she fought, she would become a hindrance. She was aware of that. Yet, despite that, Tanjiro wanted her to be there…
As she thought things through, her chest felt like it was burning. The heat reached her face. Her eyes moistened without her realizing it.
At that moment, her mind forgot all the hatred hidden inside and the constantly repeating past memories.
Her lips curved upward naturally as a genuinely lovely smile blossomed across her face.
"Thank… you, Tanjiro…"
'Ah…' His pupils shrank instantly. Even Kanae covered her mouth in shock.
~~<>~~
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