"I don't have a problem," Tanjiro said quickly, raising his hands in surrender. "You actually… have a really nice face."
Inosuke's eyes blazed. "I'M GONNA KILL YOU!! Say that again! Come on, if you've got the balls! FIGHT ME!"
Tanjiro groaned. "I'm too tired to fight you…"
"Hmph!" Inosuke crossed his arms. "Fine! But remember this name Inosuke Hashibira! Got it?!"
"How do you spell that?!" Tanjiro yelled instinctively.
Inosuke blinked, confused. "I dunno! It's written on my pants!..."
Then suddenly, without warning, Inosuke stiffened. His eyes rolled back into his skull. He fell backward with a thud, foam bubbling from the corners of his mouth.
"HE FELL OVER!" Zenitsu shrieked, scrambling up. "Is he dead?!"
Tanjiro crouched over the unconscious boy. "He's not dead…just has a concussion…"
A little while later, after making sure Inosuke was stable, Tanjiro, Willow, and Zenitsu helped Shoichi, Teruko and their brother. Together, they buried the remaining bodies left behind in the mansion. Inosuke eventually regained consciousness, and with farewells, the siblings went their separate ways.
The crow appeared soon after, guiding the now four Demon Slayers toward a distant house, its doors bearing the symbol of the Wisteria.
Inside, they were treated for their wounds. Willow, being a girl, was led to another room with a female doctor. Cleaned up, bandaged, and dressed in soft night kimonos, they all settled on futons for rest.
"All three of us have broken ribs," Zenitsu groaned, already half-buried under his blanket. "And Willow has fractures in both arms…"
"My bump really hurts," Inosuke added, touching the top of his head like a wounded animal.
Tanjiro bowed deeply. "I'm really sorry about that."
Inosuke crossed his arms. "I guess I should apologize to Wallow. Sorry." He turned away with a scowl. "But not to the crying baby"
" Wallow…Really!? " Willow Thought.
Zenitsu twitched. "You jerk…"
Despite everything, the room was calm. Even Inosuke's animalistic eating habits didn't faze Tanjiro anymore. He simply smiled and passed the wild boy more rice.
But Zenitsu eventually broke the peace.
"Tanjiro… Willow…" He sat up, serious for once. "I want to ask you something… Nobody's asked yet, but why are you two lugging around demons?"
Tanjiro froze. "Zenitsu!!"
But then he softened, smiling gently. "So… you knew all along. You were protecting me because you knew. Zenitsu… you really are a good person. Thank you."
Zenitsu turned bright red. "I-I-I didn't do it for thanks!!"
Then suddenly— click —Tanjiro's box creaked open.
Zenitsu shrieked. "It's opening! Tanjiro, protect me!!"
Nezuko slowly emerged, her expression sleepy and innocent.
Zenitsu's jaw dropped. "Huh?! You've been walking around with a cute girl in your box this whole time?!"
Tanjiro shook his head. "She's my little sister."
Zenitsu looked like his soul left his body in joy.
Then his gaze snapped toward Willow's box.
"W-Willow…? Who's in your box?"
Willow flinched. "Don't worry. He's… harmless," she said with a nervous laugh. She knelt by the box and tapped lightly.
"You can come out now…"
A ripple of power, heavy and ancient, made the air shiver as Kokushibo stepped out…
Tanjiro froze. Zenitsu let out a quiet squeak.
"This… is my father," Willow said slowly. "Former Upper Moon One… Kokushibo."
Zenitsu screamed.
"Wh-Wh-Wh-What kind of terrifying family are you from!?!"
Willow quickly cupped a hand over his mouth. "Please, calm down!"
Kokushibo bowed his head slightly, closing his eyes. "My apologies… I did not mean to frighten you."
Tanjiro's eyes narrowed, gears turning behind them. "Wait… Willow. If your father is a demon… that means…"
Willow looked away, then back removing her mask. "I'm… half demon. But I'm immune to sunlight."
She winced, expecting fearful looks.
Instead, Tanjiro grabbed her hands, startling her.
"That's incredible!" he exclaimed. "If you're a half demon immune to the sun, and your dad is former Upper Moon One demon, then if I send both your blood samples to Lady Tamayo, maybe we can find a cure for Nezuko even faster!" He then smiles at Willow, sparkles practically emanating off of him.
Willow jumps. " Too bright. "
"Please," Tanjiro pleaded. "Will you… will you help us?"
Kokushibo's eyes widened at the name.
"Tamayo… Muzan's fugitive?" he asked, voice low. "How do you… know her?"
Tanjiro's smile faltered. "Oh no…"
Willow stepped in, grabbing Tanjiro's hands back. "I'll help. I'm okay with it." She looked up at her father. "Are you?"
Kokushibo hesitated, then nodded.
"Very well."
Tanjiro quickly took the samples. As if on cue, a small, calico cat appeared in the room, collected the blood and a note from Tanjiro, and vanished just as quickly.
The room was silent for a moment.
Then Zenitsu collapsed backward onto his futon.
"I don't know what's scarier—giant demons, the random appearing cat, or the fact that I'm apparently sleeping next to the daughter of a war god."
Willow smiled softly.
As the house settled into silence, and the moonlight filtered through the paper walls, they all prepared to sleep—resting, for the moment, in peace.