"It's him! It's him! It's him!"
The black crow perched on Kocho Kanae's shoulder, jumping and squawking, its voice a frantic cry in the wind.
Kanae felt the tension leave her body. She'd been holding her breath, a silent prayer for the best.
The crow's words confirmed it. The threat was gone.
She had a dream, a fragile hope for harmony between humans and demons.
But she knew the reality.
Humans hated demons, feared them. Demons saw humans as food.
There was no easy path to peace.
But this demon... He was different.
Kanae's eyes shone, a flicker of warmth in their depths.
She hadn't sensed any malice from him, no hint of the darkness that clung to most demons.
The crow's report said he'd killed demons. He'd told it to bring help, to save lives.
Everything pointed to a creature apart, a soul caught between two worlds.
It was a shame he'd left so quickly. He hadn't wanted to talk. He'd vanished like a phantom, leaving only questions in his wake.
Kanae searched Mt. Natagumo, a systematic sweep through the snow-covered woods. She found no other demons. She didn't see the golden-eyed demon again.
She left, a thread of regret tugging at her heart.
Back at the Butterfly Mansion...
Kanae finished treating the wounded, the hours melting into a blur of bandages and soothing words. It was almost evening.
Even she felt tired, the weight of the day pressing down on her.
"What's for dinner?"
Kanae walked out of the infirmary, saw a familiar figure walk through the gate. A gentle smile touched her tired face.
"Shinobu! You're back!"
Kocho Shinobu asked, "I heard you had a mission last night, Sister?"
Kanae nodded, smiling. "Not a demon hunt. Just a rescue."
Shinobu nodded, her face thoughtful.
The Butterfly Mansion was the Demon Slayer Corps' most important medical facility.
Saving lives was part of their mission. It was her sister's calling.
Kanae felt a sudden urge to share. She spoke, her voice eager. "Shinobu, I met an interesting demon on this mission."
Shinobu blinked. "You said it wasn't a demon hunt?"
Kanae said, "I didn't kill him."
Shinobu looked surprised.
Her sister felt compassion for demons. She wanted peace.
But she was a Pillar. She did her duty.
Letting a demon go... It was new.
Kanae knew her sister well. She tapped Shinobu's forehead, teased, "What are you thinking, Shinobu? It wasn't like I let him go."
Darkness fell. The world was swallowed by the night.
Kanae and Shinobu sat on their beds, each holding a cup of tea.
"He's a strange demon," Shinobu said, her voice quiet.
Kanae had told her everything. Killing demons, devouring them, saving humans... It wasn't the way of demons.
Kanae said, "If you meet him, be careful. He's powerful. I think he's as strong as a Lower Moon." Her voice was soft, but her warning was clear.
"A Lower Moon-level demon?"
Shinobu nodded, serious. "What does he look like?"
She wasn't like her sister. She wouldn't trust a demon.
Kanae thought. "He's tall, handsome. He looks human. His eyes are the most striking thing. Golden, with slits."
"Golden eyes?"
Shinobu froze, her teacup still in the air.
"What is it?" Kanae saw her sister's face, her worry flared. "Have you seen a demon like that?"
"I haven't seen him. I heard something... No, that's not right."
Shinobu didn't know what to say. She started over.
"Sister, remember that mission I had a while ago...? I went there, investigated. There were no demons. Just humans, hurting people in the demon's name..."
She told Kanae about her time in Azabu, the darkness she'd found, the twisted cruelty of men. She finished, "I thought that man, Aomura, might be a demon. I investigated. Then, I learned he went out during the day. I didn't think a demon could do that."
Kanae had heard the story. She hadn't heard all the details. She frowned, thoughtful.
"There are two possibilities.
One, it's a coincidence. Aomura isn't connected to this golden-eyed demon.
Two, Aomura is the demon I saw on Mt. Natagumo. He found a way to overcome the sun."
Shinobu's face was serious.
This was big. A monster that could walk in the sun?
It was a disaster!
Nichirin Blades killed demons because they were made from sun-absorbing metal.
If a demon could stand the sun, a Nichirin Blade might not kill him.
They might not be able to kill him at all.
Kanae's voice was calm, a counterpoint to Shinobu's fear. "Don't worry so much, Shinobu.
If Aomura is that demon, he might be fighting other demons. He might not hurt humans."
Shinobu wasn't optimistic.
Aomura had killed hundreds of humans at Yagihime Society.
They were monsters, but Aomura had killed them. He was dangerous.
If he was a demon, he was ten times more dangerous.
Shinobu thought. She set down her cup, spoke firmly. "We need to tell Oyakata-sama!"
"I told Oyakata-sama about the golden eyes when I got back. I'll tell him what you said tomorrow morning," Kanae said.
She had hope for the golden-eyed demon, but she wouldn't be reckless.
Shinobu nodded, her face troubled.
A demon who could stand the sun, as strong as a Lower Moon, who could move like a ghost... If he existed, what could they do? How could they kill him?
"It's okay, Shinobu. Don't worry," Kanae said.
She stroked her sister's hair, smiled gently. "It might be nothing. It might be a coincidence.
I think that's more likely.
Even Muzan Kibutsuji can't stand the sun.
If a demon beat the sun, Muzan would be hunting him.
We haven't heard anything."
Shinobu nodded, a small concession to hope.
It was the only comfort she had.
Shinobu thought of her new friend, Mitsuri Kanroji.
Mitsuri was learning a Breathing Style.
She had great talent, a strong body.
Mitsuri might become a Pillar.
What would she think?
Mitsuri had joined the Demon Slayer Corps to help people, like Aomura.
What if she knew Aomura was a demon?
Shinobu hoped it was a coincidence.
---
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