For the next twenty years, I searched for Doma's traces.
Muzan occasionally summoned the Twelve Kizuki. But the method was very special.
Akaza said a demon woman beside him used Blood Demon Art that could swap demons' positions.
Each time, he'd be in his original location. Suddenly summoned to a mysterious city. Moreover, the castle's location constantly changed. He couldn't determine where Muzan actually hid.
Therefore, he couldn't judge from where Doma would be teleported.
However, this demon loved operating cults under the guise of saving the world. Also counted as his weakness.
I could only start from the human side. Borrow the Ubuyashiki's influence to investigate illegal cults.
This was somewhat troublesome. The Demon Slayer Corps wasn't an officially recognized organization after all. Though the Ubuyashiki had some influence over the shogunate, could only act in the shadows.
The Ubuyashiki advised me to be patient. After calming down to think, I still held back and did nothing.
Doma was also cautious. For a long time, didn't appear.
Probably thought I'd finally given up hunting him. Only then appeared before people. Started assembling cults again.
He seemed to have learned his lesson. The method of accepting cultists became more cautious. Also wouldn't easily show himself.
Undercover agents took a long time to confirm the cult leader was a demon.
I mobilized on a heavy snow day. Specially invited the Flame Pillar and Wind Pillar along. Planned to solve this troublesome guy in one move.
Snowy days favored Doma. No choice—this cunning guy only personally hunted in winter. I really had no options.
Don't know if I was really that unlucky. Every time I chose, the timing was too poor.
When we tracked this demon on the street, before him still lay two people. He was gulping down something.
Blood.
This guy was creating new demons.
Sensing our appearance, Doma sighed lightly. "Ah, knew you'd come. I knew you wouldn't let me go so easily. But... which side will you handle first?"
The woman dragged in his hand still had breath. He forcefully hurled her into the air. Iron fan swung out a slashing attack.
Forced the Wind Pillar to temporarily adjust his blade stance. Block this strike. The Flame Pillar hurriedly leaped up to catch the injured.
Only I attacked Doma. He remained unhurried. Grabbed the charred body at his feet, threw it toward me.
That was one person who drank demon blood. Full of burns, couldn't make out features anymore.
"Ume!"
My blade paused. Didn't manage to behead this person already turned demon. After catching her, looked toward that youth crawling toward me.
The shameless Doma had already vanished. Only left this pitiful pair of siblings he'd turned into demons.
Yes, siblings.
Seeing the youth's face covered in dark spots, I recognized them.
Several years ago, I'd passed through here. That day's wind and snow were especially heavy. This pair of siblings huddled under a corner. Tightly wrapped in quilts woven from straw. Only exposed two faces.
Compared to the youth, his sister was quite adorable. Round eyes stared at heavy snow falling from the sky. Pretty like glass pupils.
At that time, I was chasing a fleeing demon. No time to linger long. Hastily removed the cotton coat on my body, covered them. Also placed my money pouch in the youth's hand, then left.
Though only one meeting, this pair of siblings differed greatly. Left quite a deep impression on me.
I judged through the scent of blood—this person burned all over was his sister.
She was struggling painfully. But because her vocal cords were destroyed, could only make hoarse sounds.
I held her tighter. That youth had already crawled before me. Fingers grew sharp nails. Bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at his sister.
"Ume... Ume..."
"Lord Chihaya!"
After the Flame Pillar rescued the injured, hurriedly rushed to a nearby clinic. The Wind Pillar stood not far behind me. Urged in a low voice.
I understood his meaning. Should give them release before this pair of siblings killed anyone. Also spare them from committing sins.
The burned skin on the sister's body already began slowly healing. She withstood Muzan's blood. Before long, would recover mobility. Start hunting humans.
Seeing I didn't move, the Wind Pillar said understandingly, "If you can't bear it, let me do it."
He drew his blade. That youth seemed stimulated. Viciously turned to pounce at him.
The girl in my arms suddenly grabbed my hand. Large teardrops rolled from her beautiful eyes.
Those eyes looked around frantically. Didn't know to whom she wanted to confide. Could only hold this stranger and cry loudly, "It hurts—it hurts so much!"
CLANG—
I blocked the Wind Pillar's blade. Stopped him from severing that youth's neck.
"Stop," I said. "I can still give them another path."
The matter of turning Koyuki and Hakuji into demons—even Tamayo didn't know.
After Keizo passed away, no one else in this world knew.
But this time, before the Wind Pillar, I transformed two demons belonging to Muzan into demons belonging to me.
He never expected I could do such a thing. Also never expected I'd actually do such a thing. Went mad with anger.
All the way back, he yelled loudly. Made the Flame Pillar who returned utterly confused.
I ignored him. Had the Flame Pillar help carry that unconscious youth. I held his sister. Went home.
The Wind Pillar stormed off angrily. Probably went straight to the Ubuyashiki to report me.
I'd just settled people at home when the Ubuyashiki's crow cawed and landed on my windowsill.
"Chihaya—the Ubuyashiki—requests you—go to headquarters—bring—the demon siblings!"
Its voice was sharp and hoarse. Tone drawn out especially long.
Go then. Was I afraid?
I went imposingly, dragging my whole household along.
Then cowered timidly, started writing a self-criticism letter with sniffles.
"Just asking you to reflect and review. Promise me you'll never act recklessly again... As the price for me persuading the Nine Pillars, already very light."
This generation's Ubuyashiki was calm and restrained. Acting style very rational. He didn't like complaining about meaningless things. Didn't waste time blaming me. But forced me to write a guarantee letter.
"This time, let it pass. This pair of siblings haven't eaten people. As long as verified they don't need to eat people, can stay. But you must bear supervisory responsibility."
After speaking, looked at me thoughtfully. "You haven't turned others into demons, right?"
I guiltily shook my head. Decided to keep Koyuki and Hakuji's matter buried even deeper.
Fortunately, after spending so many years with the Demon Slayer Corps, I still had credibility.
The Ubuyashiki searched clan records. Found experimental records using my blood from generations ago. Confirmed this pair of siblings didn't need to eat people. Didn't detain them for observation. Let me take them back.
But before leaving, I still had to loudly read my self-criticism and guarantee letter at the Pillar meeting.
How humiliating.
I went home aggrieved. Ate three whole plates of confections before recovering.
This pair of siblings slept for three days before waking.
Feared they didn't know their limits. After waking during the day, would run out to accept sunlight's torture. I laid bedding in their room. Watched over them sleeping.
I heard them wake. Momentarily didn't move. Wanted to observe more.
They were different from Koyuki and Hakuji. I wasn't familiar with their temperaments. And afterward, had to bear responsibility watching them. Whether we could get along was very important.
I pricked up my ears. Heard the sister rustling as she climbed up. Seemed to quietly come look at me. Ran to her brother's side. Two people huddled in a corner whispering.
"Brother, were we adopted? Who's this woman? Did she heal my injuries too?"
She probably had no memory of nearly being killed. But her brother obviously remembered. Held her sitting in the corner. Very vigilantly observed me.
But he didn't deny his sister's guess. Softly comforted, "Probably. Ume's so pretty. She definitely wants you as a daughter."
The sister smiled sweetly. "She's also very pretty. I can be her daughter. I feel someone always held me. Was it her?"
"Yes. She also brought us back."
"She's guarding here—does she want to see me first thing? Brother, I'm hungry. Can I eat the confections on the table?"
"Wait until this lady wakes. Ume, be good. Don't make her angry."
Lady??
Do I look that old!
Too angry to keep pretending to sleep. Rolled up in one motion. Woodenly looked at two children I'd scared silent.
"I'm called Tachibana Chihaya. Don't call me lady. If you want to eat what's on the table, eat. If not enough, have the kitchen make more." I said listlessly.
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