Chapter 35 – Tamayo and Yushiro
The next morning.
Shinobu had already left.
No goodbyes. But none were needed.
It was only a temporary farewell.
They would see each other again—soon.
When Hikaru opened his eyes, the futon beside him was already empty.
Sunlight poured gently through the cracks in the window, warm and golden. Outside, the fresh spring breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the scent of life blooming anew.
He sat up, stretched lightly, and after a quick wash and change, left the Wisteria House behind.
No destination in mind.
Just walking.
Just moving forward.
That day, Tokyo's streets were as lively as ever.
Crowds bustling with energy, the heartbeat of a city alive and awake. The air buzzed with excitement, driven by a world on the cusp of change.
Hikaru walked quietly through the sea of people—
—and slowly, gradually—
He drifted away from it.
Away from the crowds.
Away from civilization.
— — —
Evening fell.
The sky dimmed into hues of violet and crimson.
A kasugai crow circled high above, wings slicing through the wind.
Hikaru stopped.
He looked up.
The black crow hovered, and for a moment, their eyes met.
In the reflection of the bird's eyes, a shadow flickered—
Someone else was watching.
Hikaru narrowed his gaze.
His hand quietly slid toward the hilt of his katana.
— — —
Night descended.
Elsewhere—
Someone was being hunted.
Someone was running.
In the forest's edge, under a blood-red moon, two figures sprinted through the trees.
Leaves rustled underfoot. The wind howled softly.
But it couldn't drown out the sound of desperate footsteps.
"Tamayo-sama… I'll protect you! No matter what!"
A determined voice echoed in the woods.
"Yushiro, please… don't push yourself."
A gentle reply followed—worried, calm, yet urgent.
"I can do this! Even if it's one of the Twelve Kizuki… I won't let anyone lay a hand on you!"
The two figures continued their escape.
One in the lead, the other struggling to keep up.
The young man, Yushiro, wore pure white clothes, his indigo hair flowing as he ran. In the moonlight, his crimson eyes glowed fiercely.
The woman beside him wore a black kimono adorned with elegant patterns. Her long hair was neatly pinned, framing a face full of grace.
But tonight—that calm had vanished.
Only fear remained.
There was no mistaking it—
They were both demons.
And the one chasing them…
Was also a demon.
High above, a shadow moved among the branches.
A dark figure slithered like a beast between the trees, laughter sharp and malicious.
"You think you can escape…?"
The voice hissed through the darkness.
In the very next instant—
A blast of force tore through the forest.
The ground ahead of them erupted.
Yushiro pulled Tamayo aside just in time, barely avoiding the sweeping strike that almost took off their heads.
A gust of wind followed, razor-sharp and violent.
Trees on either side were cleaved in half, crashing to the forest floor like fallen giants.
Yushiro's eyes trembled.
Moonlight reflected off his sweat and blood.
"Traitors…! If I capture you, Muzan-sama will acknowledge me!"
"I'll rise from the Lower Moons… and take my rightful place as an Upper Moon!"
From the shadows, a figure stepped forward.
His frame wasn't large, but muscles rippled beneath his skin like coiled serpents.
His eyes burned crimson—and on his left iris, the kanji 「下参」was etched.
Lower Rank Three.
He stared down at them, bloodlust radiating from every pore.
A savage smile curled on his lips.
"Damn you…"
Yushiro growled and struggled to his feet.
But his body felt unbearably heavy—like molten lead had seeped into his limbs.
Even lifting an arm was a challenge.
What is this…?
"Blood Demon Art…"
He gritted his teeth, twisting his body, trying to break free from the paralyzing grip of the spell.
"Hahaha! Futile!"
The demon laughed maniacally.
"I am Byouha! Lower Moon Three!"
He bared his teeth.
"Tamayo—you betrayed Muzan-sama."
"You should feel honored… You'll be my stepping stone to greatness!"
He stepped forward, crouching low in front of her.
"What do you think you're doing—?! Don't touch her!"
Yushiro roared, voice shaking with fury.
He reached out, trembling, trying to stop the demon—
But—
"Silence!"
With a casual flick of his hand, Byouha swatted him away like an insect.
Yushiro's body was hurled backward, slamming through several trees before crashing into the ground with a sickening thud.
Blood gushed from his mouth.
The earth turned red beneath him.
"Yushiro!"
Tamayo's scream broke through the night, her voice trembling.
She tried to move—
But a hand gripped her hair and yanked her head back.
Her terrified eyes locked with Byouha's twisted grin.
"You have such a pretty face…"
He licked his lips slowly, eyes gleaming with perverse delight.
"A perfect trophy."
"I'll bring your head to Muzan-sama myself."
Tamayo's eyes widened.
Frozen in despair.
For hundreds of years, she had hidden.
Fled.
Evaded pursuit.
And now… it seemed her time had run out.
The clawed hand rose—bathed in moonlight, a blade of death curved like a crescent.
Tamayo closed her eyes.
She felt no regret.
No hatred.
If only she hadn't panicked when she sensed Muzan's aura returning to Tokyo a few days ago—
If only she hadn't fled so hastily—
Then maybe she wouldn't have been discovered.
But "if only" didn't change anything.
Time moved forward.
And it didn't forgive.
So this is how it ends…
— — —
CAWWWW!
The shriek of a crow echoed through the sky.
And then—
Wind churned in a sudden gust.
A ripple tore through the air.
CLANG.
A sharp, metallic note rang out.
Silver light flashed.
Tamayo opened her eyes.
Before her—
A blade had appeared.
Intercepting the deadly strike.
A figure stood between her and the demon.
Black hair flowed in the wind.
A black cloak fluttered behind him.
The Nichirin Blade shimmered under the moonlight—like ripples on water.
At his waist, a familiar emblem swayed gently.
The mark of the—
Demon Slayer Corps.
…A Hashira?
Tamayo's eyes widened.
She recognized that symbol immediately.
"You…"
Byouha stumbled back a step.
His body tensed. Eyes narrowed.
"A Hashira… from the Demon Slayer Corps!"
A kasugai crow landed on the shoulder of the one who had appeared.
And of course—
It was Hikaru.
He glanced briefly at Tamayo, eyes glinting with quiet clarity.
So it really is her… Tamayo. And Yushiro.
He'd seen glimpses of them earlier—through the eyes of the crow.
And now, there was no doubt.
Hikaru turned his gaze forward again.
Toward the demon still trembling beneath the weight of his invisible pressure.
The red kanji for Lower Rank Three burned in the demon's left eye.
"…I've been getting real familiar with Lower Moons lately," Hikaru muttered.
He stepped forward.
Each footfall stirred the air like the center of a storm.
"You bastard…"
Byouha's lips curled back in a snarl.
"Damn Slayer…"
He roared, humiliated and enraged.
He could feel it.
This man was dangerous.
Terrifying.
But his pride wouldn't let him run.
He'd kill this Slayer.
And drag Tamayo to Muzan-sama.
Even if it meant death.
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