Chapter Text
Tsukumo tilted his head impatiently, not very fazed by the demon mother's words about Rui being up on the mountain, as he had already known. He waited patiently, however, as Tanjiro had a quarter life crisis about Kibutsuji's blood.
Tsukumo was still uncomfortable now knowing the truth about Muzan's infatuation with him, at first Tsukumo believed that perhaps the reason Muzan wanted him because he had seen Muzan's face before and he then wanted Tsukumo dead.
Or maybe, Muzan wanted him because he was familiar with Tanjiro, who Muzan was targeting for unknown reasons. Tsukumo would've never guessed Muzan wanted him for different reasons, what else could there be?
It irked Tsukumo in a way, he shook his head with a look of uncomfortable confusion as he peddled around after Tanjiro, the young slayer running to find Inosuke.
Tsukumo was calm and truthfully very worried about the boar head. Tsukumo followed Tanjiro along the disrupted and eerie pathway.
"So, did you defeat it?"
Tanjiro ignored him, "Are you all right, Inosuke?"
Inosuke huffed out, mildly embarrassed by the boy's kindness, and infuriated with his lack of acknowledgement towards his curious words, "I asked whether you defeated that thing or not!"
Tsukumo smiled with kind eyes, crossing his arms, making a strong and protective grip around his own chest, "Inosuke, yes, he did. Now, how are you feeling? You did get slashed, and you are losing a lot of blood there."
Inosuke intwined his arms above his head, waving his swords dramatically as he yelled out, "You two don't go showering me with your sensitivity and kindness! You hear me? Got that?"
Tsukumo smiled and pointed out Inosuke's injuries again, "You're rattling and slurring your words like an old drunk, you're severely wounded, Inosuke. Allow Tanjiro to wrap it in peace."
Tsukumo's ears perked up as he heard gentle scratches coming from the box, he looked at the two quarreling boys and then back at the box, noticing that no one else seemed to take attention to the noises hidden beneath the heavy atmosphere of pain and confusion.
Tsukumo whispers a sweet melody under his breath, gentle enough for the gracious wind to carry it amongst the box, but controlled and strong enough to will it never to go further into any leering ears. Tsukumo smiled slightly as the noises ceased, and all he could focus on was the delicate sound of a swift move of rattling wisteria charms.
Tsukumo brows furrowed, just as he was to look into the direction of a gorgeous purple aura, he heard the snapping of trees and the burning smell of grass, did lightning just strike? Tsukumo smiled brightly, tilting his head to the side proudly as he then felt the demonic presence seem to waver.
"Good job, Zenistu..."
"What was that sound? Did lightening just strike?"
Inosuke scoffed, the soft twinges of his boar mask flowing as the wind seemed to get thicker around the trio, "How should I know?"
Tsukumo titled his head, "Are you serious?"
Tanjiro took no literal meaning towards Inosuke's words, as he was genuinely focused on the lingering scent of an acrid odor weaving itself through the mountains range, "I am not smelling any thunderclouds, but... the acrid odor in the air is stronger now, so I can't tell."
"Tanjiro, you should learn to-"
"Inosuke! I think I will go that way!"
Tsukumo - 0
Tanjiro - 1
"HAH? Go ahead and do whatever you want!"
Tsukumo looked between the two boys with mildly hurt feelings, they were literally just ignoring the demon. Has Tsukumo not been enough help for them? Were they getting annoyed with Tsukumo's uninvolvement?
Maybe Tsukumo should start actually helping, but he has! Truthfully, Tsukumo has saved both boys from a collective 37 different timelines in which they could have died.
Was that enough?
"Onii-chan! The father demon is here!"
A loud, deep, and guttural growl emitted from a large demon seated in front of a small, petite, and almost scared looking demon girl. Her eyes widened as they laid upon Tsukumo, he smiled at the father demon, not sparing her a glance. Which to her, his natural beauty and personality, was so gorgeous.
"Father. Rui instructed you don't hurt the pretty one, with the black haori."
Tsukumo turned his head gracefully to look at the demon sister, his long hair tussled in the humid air, curlier that it usually is and rustically messy. Giving him an edge, his eyes were sleek and masculine, his form was muscular and strong, he was beautiful.
Though such a kind and gentle gaze, she never thought could be produced by those wonderful red eyes, such a lack of fear and more of a kind look in his eyes. The demon sister blushed as she realized he was still looking at her, she giggled and waved.
As his smile turned soft, his eyes narrowed and his jaw formed an attractive dip. His lips, so pretty, utter horrifying words, "Such a shame, I really wanted to kill you both."
"Don't come near my family!"
The father demon yells out deeply, almost groaning as he readies to attack Inosuke, Tsukumo shielding the boar with his arms. The force of the shield sends the father demons backwards, skidding across the ground.
"You can't hurt me, right?" Tsukumo rolls his wrist around, stretching it, "If you want these kids, come get them."
The father demon grunts and goes for a side attack against Inosuke, in Tsukumo's seemingly blind spot. Though before he could, Tanjiro swooped in for an attack.
"Water breathing, Second Form! Water Wheel!"
His arm would not slice, even as Tanjiro put as much sheer force as he could amongst his blade, his attack was futile.
Tanjiro groaned as he tried his best to slice the demons arm, Tsukumo stood quietly, defending Inosuke lazily.
Tanjiro hissed out, "It's no good! The blade won't go through!"
Tsukumo's eyes widened slightly. He had never felt such a fear as he did when he saw the father demon aim an attack at Tanjiro. As quickly as Tsukumo moved, his worry was gone as he ran at the father demon. Tsukumo's hand catches on fire, he jumped up and flips over the demon, burning his arm off.
Tsukumo quickly grabs Tanjiro midair and skids back away from the demon.
"Urah... URAAHHH!!! Don't come near my family!"
"Hey! What are you looking at?! I'm over here, curse you!"
Tsukumo frowns, "After all I've done to keep you alive, and this is how you repay me?"
