@xAlter@Taka@Haha@Arminwraith
Collab Part 1

---

Jae-eun didn’t think, didn’t process anything but the demon using a Breathing Style, albeit it being modified. His body moved on instinct, stepping in front of Kousai. ”Dragon Breathing, Fourth Form: Imperial Castigation!” he thought, stepping into Koedis’s guard and striking upward with a palm strike to the radioactive demon’s jaw. With his free foot, he had kicked his naginata into the air from where it rested against the fence he was leaning on.

Spinning out of Keodis’s guard, he caught the naginata, turning to stand between the two combatants, demon slayer and demon. He slammed the butt of his naginata into the ground, his hearing picking up the sounds of movement from inside the onsen. “Yah… everyone please!” he said, smiling with a tired huff of air. “I said no fighting outside! It would be such a shame if the proprietress of this fine establishment were to intervene on our behalf!”

He turned his head to Kousai, eyes half closed in a too pleasant smile. “While I appreciate the enthusiasm, Agatsuma-dono, there are things we must consider before we try to rip each other to shreds!.”

"Her judgement will be at the hands of those who love Guen, not a demon.

The moment he finished his sentence, Keodis had already begun his attack. Kousai stood firm, his eyes watching the demon intently, knees bent slightly, every leg muscle tensed, and prepared to react. For a moment his perception rapidly sped up, the world slowing to a crawl in his eyes, watching every movement, calculating every counterattack, his body poised to strike out against Keodis.

Kousai gripped his katana tight, almost pulling it from its sheath, before the surprise of Jae-un intervening caught him.

"I don’t intend to kill him, but I refuse to hand Guen over to a demon. One who speaks of her being a mass murderer, and yet here is the pot calling the kettle black. I do not care for how you choose to repent for your own sins, but we will handle the sins of our own.”

Kousai would keep a calm demeanor as he stared down Keodis, before taking time to bow to Jae-un as an apology and acceptance that he would follow the man’s word if the other demon would do the same.

Landing from his jump, Keodis looks across the ground at the three faces looking at him. Jae-eun, at the forefront. Kousai, ready to spring into action. Muragarasu, impassively staring from the stoop of the onsen. He taps an index finger on the pommel of his blade, the asphalt under his feet bubbling slightly as radiation-induced heat melts the road tar holding the ground together. After a tense five seconds, he sighs, and sheaths the blade slowly, the rasp of sunsteel whispering like a broken promise. A genial smile is plastered on his face, but the absolute flatness of his normally expressive eyes speaks of his frustration at the situation.

”Fine, fine. A mile away it is. Far be it for me to spread the suffering, right? Not like her. Hmm… say, Kousai. If you truly feel like dying stupidly, would you be so inclined to follow along? I won’t stop at just this, you know? The shadow of what she’s done will be clinging to her harder than her vengeance for her husband. Of course, if she only played the game, she could have gotten her information, and even some help…”

He sighs, and shakes his head theatrically while laughing.

”But no, no, she just had to burn one more bridge. Shun her own kind, shun the helping hand of an old demon, and walk a lone path that’ll sputter out long before she reaches the feet of her brother’s murderer.”

Turning around, Keodis extricates his boots from the tar pits that his feet made. He starts to walk away, the sheath swaying behind him.

”I’m not joking, you know? The second she gets a mile away from the onsen? A blade is tasting blood.”

The onlooking eyes of a thousand old ravens gathered and at the ready weighed heavily upon the small ensemble of demons and slayers. Muragarasu had not expected to be outed so swiftly, nor with so many innocents being involved— but as the youth liked to say [shit happens]. Her irises burned crimson and the white of her sclera reddened as vessels of demonic blood rippled violently with sputtering of anger flowing through them.

”Organizational, familial, personal, all problems presented here and now, yet none shall involve the countless innocents that frequent my establishment or the streets that I watch over. You may collect your blood tithes, but do so elsewhere.”

The white and gray snout of a wolf squeezes its way out the paper door behind Mura, with only its head unveiling itself briefly with the same glowing red eyes as those many birds that spiraled above. A low guttural growl would reverberate within the creature’s throat, creating a frequency that vibrated the thin bamboo and oak that kept the door intact. The elder demon’s hand would float down gently before resting itself atop the canine’s head, scratching through the matted fur with pointed red fingernails as her unblinking eyes scanned each individual who opted to disregard the innocents of this road— there wouldn’t be any discrimination in the woman’s scrutiny and a sneer drew along her red painted lips.

”Spill blood if you’d like, paint the earth red with your bickering viscera. But know this, there is not a single thing that I cannot see, so with whatever powers you might cling to— tread carefully upon the small domain that I call my own. For this creature bites rarely, but when it does… the bite is always lethal.”

Jaeeun just threw his hands in the air in relief. He let out a sigh of exasperation. [color=red]”Great!” he thought. [color=red][i]”The pretty proprietress was a demon!”[/i[/color]] At least he got both Kousai and Keodis to wait before eviscerating each other and for Keodis to wait for Guen to be at least some distance away from the onsen. He turned to Mura and flashed a toothy smile.

“Thank you, kitsune-san!” he said. “It would’ve been such a shame to see this wonderful onsen reduced to rubble or a radioactive crater!” He subtly positioned his naginata behind him, failing spectacularly to hide the large polearm. “Since Keodis-san denied me a drink, perhaps you and I can share?” he offered, hoping to use the chance to isolate and eliminate a threat, or perhaps gain an ally.

”Perhaps one day, child. Kousai is the lone pup of your litter that I care for at the moment, but one day, when you wish to remove that awful mask of yours— maybe.” The proprietress remained hostile, if only for a moment though, she would offer the silver-tongued hashira a cursory glance and wink of her long-lashed eye.

But again, it was a fleeting expression that returned to a ferocious anger of a mother protecting her den.

Humming to himself while a block away, Keodis opens his phone back up.

”Ah, Petryov, my friend! I need you to draft a letter for me, then send it about 5 feet above the front door of the Torigoya Onsen. Alright, tell me when you’re ready.”

---

To the lovely proprietess,
A thousand apologies for the conduct, but I believe we both know you would have done the same if our roles were reversed. As a means of apology (because we both know words are wind), I will offer you something rarely given. A boon. Any time, any situation, any issue. A one time, one use pass to any resource at my disposal. Anything, from monetary wealth, to the most protected information, to my physical hand in combat.

Your Unruly Counterpart in Information,
Keodis Verintichadaar, Former 7th Heaven, the Sunfury, the Western Dragon, Lord of Hiroshima, Regent of Western Tokyo, Patron of Arts Sanguine, Curator of the Muzan Era Daemonic Artifact Collection

Closing the phone, he listens for the telltale pop-whoosh of the spatial warp, then continues onwards to the border enforced by the proprietress.

Such is the scene that Xaku finds herself entering.
“... The Demon Slayer Corps has truly fallen far.”
Her voice is soft, but steely, her tone neutral. Yet, her eyes tell a different story. Cold, like a winter wind. The air seems heavier with her presence.
“I apologise, Muragarasu-san, but if what Ryūnoko-san said is true, then I cannot allow Tomioka Guen to walk away without answering for her crimes.”
Her eyes sweep across the rest of the Demon Slayers present. “Out of respect for Muragarasu-san, I will allow you to leave so long as Tomioka Guen remains behind.”

Kousai only watched as the demons conversed with each other. Jae-un, having stopped the fight for now, was one of the few he trusted and that was as far as he could throw him. The one that truly surprised him was Mura, a woman that he had met several times and could say that held respect for. Confusion spread through his mind on how to feel but, he figured they would get a chance to talk after this.
"Keodis, was it? Lead the way. There’s something about you that annoys me beyond the norm. This is a fight I’ll gladly take. Jae-un, Mura, do me a favor, watch over Guen, and let my sister know where I’ve gone. It’s rare I get to test myself against an Upper Moon.”
Kousai reached down to touch the hilt of his brother’s katana, his mind at ease again. The one thing he wanted in this world was to end the demon menace. The few that helped the Corp were the exception, but even they walked on thin ice. Keodis, on the other hand, was not on that list as to the Rumble Hashira that demon was one of the worst. The context clues were enough for Kousai to realize who Keodis, a demon so dangerous that towns could be evaporated in an instant, formally was. In his mind, this demon couldn’t be trusted.
Once they began their walk, Kousai would stare at Keodis, watching every step, calculating every move from what he saw earlier, and analyzing the demon down to the minutia.

@Lewascan2@TimelessParagon@Digmata@JrVader@13org
Let’s just get out alive - Hinotora [color=f7941d][/color]

Summary: The Battle of the “Strongest”, Ryunosuke v Ryoshu ensues, as Mirage Hashira Kairi and Tsugoku Hinotora also involve themselves in the clash.

---

The explosive aftermath left Ryunosuke in a state of hiding his pain under the pressure he just experienced.

He recalled having to dodge all those thorns, as its erratically omnidirectional hits would've killed him at one point. Ryunosuke didn't say a thing as each movement was crucial to the fight, he cannot die here. Steeling himself to his resolution – the Transparent World Vision granted him the reaction time to keep up with the onslaught.

However, it wasn't enough, the more evasion is done, the faster his stamina is depleted.

Ryunosuke mustered his lungs to perform a state of constant flux of recovery breathing & even though he received minor hits, he didn't show any signs of flinching.

Hinokami Kagura: Fake Rainbow. he said in his mind, his speed, agility & dexterity were all nimble, he applied Kairi’s method of Mirage Breathing, having only seen it once & since Sun Breathing alongside the Moon was the precursor to all Breathing Styles, doing it was a walk in the park.

Sun Breathing, 13th Form: Dance of The Sun God!” he uttered to himself once more & delivered omnidirectional flames of the sun against the BDA of Ryoshu with the final form of the traditional Sun Breathing.

The sheer power of the Sun Hashira, melted the cement floor like as if lava, melted it and an immense heat, radiating brilliant mixture of magenta and blue flames, like the summer sky.

---

Hooooooolllyyy shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitt!!!!! Hinotora screamed internally, squinting her eyes against the solar glare of the Sun Hashira’s attack, as her fingers desperately dug more tightly into melting tarmac to avoid being blown straight off the building. A sharp inhale and exhale expelled a film of flames to partially blunt the force of the omnidirectional attack. Fifth Flame Form: Flame Tiger!

But even so, tempered flesh sizzled under the heat with a crackle akin to meat on a grill, as the Tsugoku grit her teeth and intensified the depth of her breathing, filling her cells with energy and dredging it back up just as fast to heal her scalded flesh back a bit tougher than before. Of course, thanks to her Phoenix Breathing Style, her body was already quite resistant to extreme temperatures, but this was her first time being exposed to something as immensely powerful as Sun Breathing. And needless to say, the experience was certainly raising the bar.

As Ryunosuke’s attack finally died down, Hinotora quickly sheathed her sword in order to free up her right hand to also grasp at the melting roofing, giving her some leverage to wrench the fingers of her other hand free of the mess they had gripped into with a sharp but quiet hiss of discomfort. Now clinging by her other hand, she silently shook out her rather more scalded hand, waiting for the feeling to come back to it with her Recovery Breathing.

What a reckless attack…! she mused internally, even as she acknowledged the probable necessity of it given the Upper Moon’s own assault. Doesn’t he have any concern for how much attention that might draw… or for collateral damage? Well, I suppose I can’t really blame him. The demon was the first to escalate to that scale…

Despite herself, Hinotora could help but be a bit begrudgingly dazzled. It was her first time witnessing Sun Breathing in its full glory, and she could say with certainty that she would be searing the sight into her memories to pick at later. Well… I suppose I can’t complain too much… She smiled lopsidedly, as she finished shaking out her left hand and hauled herself back up enough to see the rest of the roof. I did ask to be shown the ‘realm of the Strongest’, after all…

Yet… despite that mighty and impressive show of power, when Hinotora focused her gaze back on the battlefield, she felt a certain unease grow in her gut.

---

“Excuse me? What the heck were you sayin’! Cuz I didn't hear any of that. If you're looking to kill cockroaches, the RentoKil HQ is right behind you, that building over there.” Ryunosuke smirked with full confidence despite all the pain he's feeling.

“Are you a Demon Lord or Pest Control?”

The onslaught only tore his kimono off, and that left him shirtless, with only his sarashi underwraps, covering his chest, Ryunosuke felt his stamina, exhausted.

“If that was supposed to be your best, you've only torn my clothes off, it's not even enough to kill an infant.” Ryunosuke gloated and went with his mocking more.

The Demon Slayer Mark was deactivated as it was clear that it ate a lot of his stamina, as his body’s filled with battle scars that he just breathed away with Total Concentration, as the wounds closed, preserving whatever he got left.

“I don't even need my mark to beat you.”

---

That’s a lie.

The thought crystalized with a certainty that unnerved Hinotora. All of a sudden, the tiny ugly curdling in the pit of her gut became ominously realized with a sudden growing understanding of the situation’s reality. It was an all too familiar sensation that struck her now, as she peered at the seemingly outwardly unphased Sun Hashira. And yet, the longer she looked at him, the more she picked at the small details in his mein…

It’s a bluff...

She dared not voice the thought aloud, primarily for fear of the Upper Moon also picking up on what she had, even as her eyes widened with a fresh shot of adrenaline, a chill crawling down her spine despite the steaming air.

With her enhanced senses laser-focused on Ryunosuke’s now exposed physique, the Doctor in her paid far more attention to her physical state than the words tumbling arrogantly out of his mouth. The beading of sweat on his skin… The subtle heave of his shoulders and hitch in his breath between words, quiet gasps that pitched his voice in a way just slightly off from steadiness… And most poignantly of all… the deactivation of his Demon Slayer Mark… It all pointed to one dreadful conclusion.

But how is this possible…? The battle’s barely even begun, so how is he already running out of steam?!

Hinotora scowled in a combination of disbelief and frustration, as the answer stared her right in the face. With a kind of dreadful, terrible certainty, she suddenly realized exactly why the Sun Hashira, the man hailed as the “Strongest” of the living Demon Slayers, was truly in danger of losing his life in this battle, the reason why Takaya had given her the task of helping him. And the worst part of it all was…

It makes too much sense. Fuck me, that makes way too much sense! He's so powerful that his opponents usually die before he ever has to waste as much energy as he already has! All this time, he’s been riding along on raw power, counting on his opponents to fold immediately, rather than giving him an actual challenge! He’s like a body-builder, focusing on raw muscle at the expense of cardio! This guy-!

Hinotora’s teeth grit so tightly that they might have broken had she even an ounce less restraint.

He’s never actually experienced what it means to face a true worthy opponent, has he?! Or else, this flaw of his should have been obvious long ago!

She was going to have to intervene, Hinotora realized. Far sooner than she would have liked, she was going to have to get involved. Unless something changed the tide in Ryunosuke’s favor fast, the Demon Lord unleashing another attack of that scale would absolutely necessitate her interference. If this battle became a game of stamina, then Ryunosuke was already on the backfoot. Even if he managed to buy himself time to, well, breathe in both a literal and metaphorical sense, that he had already been forced to stop using his Demon Slayer Mark did not say promising things for the longevity of his performance.

Hinotora was borderline incredulous to see such a glaring flaw in the man lauded by so many as the pinnacle of Demon Slayers. The worst part to her was that it was a foundational flaw too. One of the first things any Demon Slayer learned about fighting demons was that they should never let it become a battle of stamina, because a demon would always win.

That’s part of why I developed the Phoenix Style, wasn’t it? To take away that advantage, to give a human the ability to compete with demons and avoid being simply outlasted. For me, that kind of strategy is fairly viable, but for almost anyone else? It’s nothing but irresponsibly reckless! And you’re telling me the so-called “Strongest” has such a glaring weakness?! How was this never addressed?! Could he truly be so arrogant?!

Her grip tightening on the still hot concrete of the rooftop’s edge, Hinotora resisted the urge to edge up a bit further, wary of attracting the Demon Lord’s attention just yet, as she braced her feet against the wall below, body tensed like a spring and ready to act. She resisted the urge to play her own hand further, even as she reevaluated her options and decided that the element of surprise was still worth preserving.

Come on, you blowhard. You always act like you think the sun shines out of your ass, so don’t you dare go down that easy! Surely there’s more to what makes you worthy of the title of Hashira than the bullshit of a Slayer Mark!

Even so, she couldn’t help but glance at her watch in trepidation, lips pursing tensely at the glare of 8:30 through the lens. Well… that just about settled the likely unfeasibility of dragging this battle out till sunrise as a win condition. Given that the sun had barely even finished setting at this time, a battle till sunrise with an Upper Moon would be akin to asking the impossible from even the Demon Slayer Corps’ strongest. It was the sort of legendary feat only attributable to the likes of the late Moon Hashira, and while Hinotora was at least confident in her ability to maintain her core stamina for that long, she didn’t anticipate the idea of spending the next twelve hours straight enduring the assault of an Upper Moon level demon without taking some kind of unacceptable injuries along the way.

In other words, there was no other option but to somehow finish this fight before the sun rose!

---

Ryoshu..Ryoshu. I did not send you to be a playmate of Tsugikuni Yoriichi's descendant, nevertheless, you have my gratitude for this impulsive display, the last Sun Hashira before Kamado Ryunosuke was a lot more challenging. Go back to the Daikaku Shrine, seize the Blue Spider Lilies, if you can't, you might as well kidnap Daikaku Kōshin. No…bring me Daikaku Kōshin. Do not entertain insects. I want Intel on how exactly they are mass producing them.

The Demon King of Takamagahara, the sole progenitor of the Blood Moon Demons, resonated within Ryoshu, having seen his prized subordinate, Tsugikuni Michikatsu, the Demon King asserted with urgency towards their objective.

The Blue Spider Lily. Michikatsu reminisced on how even Muzan, his former Master, was so desperate to find it, that in itself is the shared longing for perfection that he ought to achieve.

Prioritizing objectives. If one fails to set sight on their ambition, then it's nothing more than fiction. Entertaining one's vanity will lead one's path astray. Do you understand that Ryoshu?

Michikatsu disengaged telepathic blood.

While his words were reprimanding, it was also empowering.

If word got out in the Criminal Underworld of Demons about the Daikaku Shrine and its vast coveted items, many other Progenitors would challenge my standing. Michikatsu thought to himself.

Progenitor. A term used by Devils aka Demon Kings, a Progenitor is someone who amasses their own demonic race, and as such, if a Progenitor dies, that demonic bloodline ends with them.

---

A sudden shift in the air and Kairi paused a little, realizing that she is no longer dealing with the hypothetical archer alone. The sight of rainbow-like flames gave her pause as the swordplay felt familiar, intimately familiar.

Did he come up with the breathing style independently? Or he just skimmed her notes and used it as inspiration. It seems she needs to turn things up a notch.

‘Not here though.’ her mind chided as she used her first breathing to disappear before everyone’s eye. It is subtle as she makes her way to the demon’s blindspots maintaining a respectable distance that she can reach in an instant. Let everyone be distracted with the epic battles and techniques, she will land the decisive strike in a single swing.

She didn’t like using her peers as bait but a shinobi uses all tricks in her sleeves, no matter how detestable or unsavory. She will draw the line at letting them die though.

GM Update 1
Meanwhile...Awakening of The Sleepless Devils

Feilian of Taiwan, Michikatsu of Mainland Japan, Jinwoo of Korea & Alexei of Sakhalin

The Devils of The Japanese Empire!

The culmination of the two world wars reached a distant echo — the Empire of The Sun, Japan in both its rise & fall — maintained some of its annexed territories and stabilized through the passage of time.


Whereas the Empire of Japan is known as the Land of The Majestic Sun, behind closed doors, specifically in the Demonic Underworld - the Empire is known as Land of The Burning Moon.

---

The Four Devils Summit
Word spread like fire regarding the incident at Daikaku Shrine, although allied as the sole Demonic Front of East Asia, the Sleepless Devils rose from their slumber upon hearing about the Blue Spider Lilies.

Michikatsu received a transfigured crystal moon transmission from his BDA, thus ushering the Four Devils Summit.

"Oho~ It has been since 1945 we last gathered." A jestful masculine yet angelic voice said. The Demon King was wearing a Hanbok, traditional Korean clothing.

"Michikatsu-dono." He teased.

"Park Jinwoo — Devil of Kogen Province, Korea. It appears that you've been stalking the Fatherland. However, I'm not surprised, before Ryunoko Keodis retired, he has told me of your doings. Explain your actions, my fellow Demon King — lest you fall unto my blade." Michikatsu's anger leaked, realizing what Keodis has warned him about, to be true.

A feminine voice stroke like lightning, almost frying the crystal moon ball transmission.

"Boys...don't get too rowdy, be gentle enough that I'm here in the room." She teased.

"Yo-ho~ Mao Feilian! Beautiful as ever!" Jinwoo greeted.

Feilian retorted.

"Don't talk to me. You Saja Snake. I'm here to make business with Kacchan~" Feilian had love speech bubbles in her text, if this was a manga.

Michikatsu assessed the situation.

"Mao Feilian, Devil of Taihoku Prefecture, Demon King Progenitor of Taiwan, she's the least to betray me. I've known that ever since I met her, as the relationship between Taiwan and Japan has been prosperous, I will still be cautious. Park Jinwoo on the other hand, he's been spying on my turf ever since, he's the one I shall be cautious the most. Alexei Rasputin, Devil of Karafuto, Demon King of Sakhalin, he's an enigma..."

"Children. Stop bickering among yourselves. I will mediate this conference." The Russian Demon King arrived.

"True, be it so that Park Jinwoo has violated our covenant, we can talk about the punishment later. For the sake of clarity, I have no interest gaining the Blue Spider Lily, I am here only to mediate, knowing that you three want it most."

"Gekido. Calm yourself, there is no need to show animosity to our video conference." Michikatsu calmed his subordinate.

Michikatsu sighed, controlling his anger.

"I have an inkling on what shall be the desires of you lot. So I will just say it." Michikatsu glared.

Jinwoo laughed. "Hahahaha! We're all older than you, and you got some nerve talking this big! I'll humor you, Sengoku Brat."

"Feilian and Alexei want no part of your supremacy. What you want is a Bloodrite Battle on who shall be the Demon God that rules the Japanese Empire. Isn't that right?"

Feilian and Alexei were in shock of the revelation that Michikatsu found out.

"Insightful as always, Michikatsu. As expected of being under Ubuyashiki's wing back in the Sengoku Era....yes you and I will fight on who shall be the Demon God that will rule the Empire of Japan. The winner take all and the loser is absorbed."

"The Demon God shall take command of The Hyakki Yagyo, The Night Parade Army of Demons. I don't indent to split our countries, knowing our historical ties. What I want is someone to be the face of all Demons."

Jinwoo mocked.

"And you clearly are a failure like Muzan. Seriously, do you not know how to treat women right? The Hierarchy of your Blood Moons are unstable! The Four Consorts kept dying left and right and here you are, wanting to die an honorable death, by battling your Four Demon Lords and leaving the responsibility to whoever succeeds. Talk about insecurity!"

"You're so blessed Michikatsu, you got Sakhalin and Taiwan backing you, it's unfair if we look at this another angle. I don't need their help, I can take you all." He boasted.

Alexei clapped his hands.

"Keep your words to yourself, Jinwoo. We need rules to this Bloodrite Battle. Even the requests to be made. Before looking further into it, I suggest you three talk about the Blue Spider Lily Business, we are all Sleepless Devils after all. So you better make sure not to count until your eggs are hatched. Make sure Ryoshu gets it otherwise, someone else would. Michikatsu."

Michikatsu used his BDA and changed the terrain, gathering all his fellow Demon King Progenitors in a secluded dimension, surprising them.

"Let's make a deal. No one will set food in each other's turf for now. I have no doubt that Ryoshu will gain the Blue Spider Lily, if not I have the rest of my Blood Moons as I will deploy them if necessary. I can guarantee you that once we are in possession of the Blue Spider Lily. We can talk about business."

Michikatsu made them feel the presence of Moon Breathing, stinging and revulsing them.

"Not bad, Michikatsu-dono. You truly are on our level. The three of us has existed since the Heian Era. To think Muzan would have gotten such a worthy successor, I prefer you more than him, he doesn't bother talking to any of us." Jinwoo laughed and found a bit of respect to Michikatsu's terms.

"Very well, I will honor your covenant. However. Fail to get the Blue Spider Lily, you know that I'll be taking it." Jinwoo asserted his terms.

Meeting Ends

---

With the Daikaku Shrine finally exposed, Demons across the Japanese Empire want a piece of the Blue Spider Lily.

Whereas the Demon Slayers began uniting, the Demons also began uniting upon their blood sworn Bloodrite Battle and through division, will they be united.

A quick timeskip worth 20 minutes...

Guen suddenly found herself distorted by a spatial attack – evicting her out of the Torigoya Onsen's premises, by a man with a Bear Noh-Mask.

As she clashed with this unknown foe - their blades turned bright red — by friction alone for a moment. Pound for pound, their blades clashed as the loud clanging of steel reverberated. "I see." Guen reacted nonchalantly – regarding the implications of the sword it carried.

Their swords quickly returned to normal, Guen with her cyan blade and the Bear Demon with a fuscia blade.

One of her henchmen came to her aide, teleporting out of the Waters – issuing her clothes. "You sure leave quite the mess!"

Dressing up in the middle of her encounter.

"Good work. Suihou. Now withdraw." However, her subordinate refused, because it prioritized her safety. "I won't leave until youre safe ya."

Guen and the Demon with the Bear Mask, briefly locked eyes.

_{Muragarasu's Right — Bear Demon, Murakumo}
Sheathing his blade – Murakumo reprimanded Guen of her actions while offering sanctuary.

"You've disrupted the peace of her Proprietress. However, I cannot let you leave as Ryunoko Keodis is outside." Murakumo sat down Japanese style unto his knees.

"Ah...so that punkrat is after me. I don't really care, if he wants to kill me, that's his issue for being emotionally weak."

"Yeah you tell him! Guen-sama!" A dark red haired young man started glazing Guen.

"How dare you tell Guen-sama what to do! Besides, we'll be the ones to kill Keodis."

Suihou mocked her comrade. "Eh? I thought you didn't have romantic feelings for Guen. You're into cougars!"

Rinka then got angry and beat the crap put of Suihou. "Shut up you Water Demon!" Suihou survived Rinka's assault as she's made of water.

"Keep that up and you'd be a woman beater, Ka-kun." Suihou teased.

"Stop it. The both of you." Guen commanded her subordinates to stop arguing.

Shōwa Secret
Suihou – Water Demon
Daikaku Rinka — Rogue Monk from the Daikaku Shrine
Shinazugawa Ugoji – Rogue Demon Slayer from Tokyo Branch

Fukuro aka Owl is the name of Guen's gang.

Suddenly Murakumo clashed with a demonic steel hand. It was Ugoji. "I CANT WAIT TO SEE WHATS UNDER THAT MASK HAHAHAHAHA, WHETHER YOURE A MAN OR WOMAN! I WILL PULVERIZE YOU!"

"Ugoji. Calm down." Guen radiated her bloodlust.

Her subordinates kneeled before her.

"Tell Muragarasu, I've chosen her as my new infobroker, she will be obligated to Fukuro's demands. If Keodis wants my head, that can wait, I will kill Demon Lord Rikyo!"

Team Fukuro disappeared as Suihou used her BDA to teleport them out.

Somewhere in Ikebukuro
"Thank you, Kim" Guen thanked the man named Kuze for the Intel he told her.

---

@Digmata@TimelessParagon@13org@JrVader@Lewascan2
As Takaya was about to pull the trigger on Ryoshu, he was met with the Blade of a Demon Slayer, of Korean Descent.

"Don't get the wrong idea, Oyakata-sama." Kim Suga's blade pointed near at Takaya's neck. "So you're part of Guen's turf." Takaya figured.

"Do I look like I'm one of your lackeys who'd answer? Kogen Prefecture, Korea has business here aside from that woman (Guen). Let's make a deal." Suga then sheathed his blade.

Moments after they talked, Takaya was distraught and quickly calmed down.

"In exchange, I'd help your precious Sun Hashira to keep that Upper Moon at bay."

He smirked.

He silenced Takaya with a grin. Takaya then thought. 'Kogen Prefecture, Korean Demon Hunters won't normally set foot on our Turf unless...

Suga hopped into the fray.

"Drunk already, Kamado-paisen? Cuz I'm not!" He aura farmed, arriving in the scene, as if he's gliding with his twisters.

He sensed quite the presences in the area.

"You there. Woman." He identified Hinotora's presence.

He gets into fighting position.

"Make me a Sandwich, after this battle finishes." He said with a thick Korean accent while speaking in Japanese.

Ryoshu's Mind
Michikatsu spoke to Ryoshu and relayed the events of the Four Devils Summit. "Gekido will be assisting you, destroy the rest! Retrieve what you can."

---

After the fiasco with Guen. The girls moved out of the Onsen and settled for a Bar. Little do they know, it's owned by Muragarasu.

Miyuki was blushing all around Himari & Tenko, having treated them Ramen, and the girls were quite unaware of the ordeal outside. "It's amazing isn't it, a lot has happened today and gosh, I've always wanted sisters."

Miyuki breaking the ice as she's learned to be more opened to Himari and Tenko, pouring her out and vulnerabilities, showing her painful solitude as she finds solace with her newfound friends.

"Ouch-ouch." Miyuki felt the hot ramen soup, scalding her a bit as she tried to blow to cool it.

"Bear in mind though, whatever you do, whether it's talking to people and just throwing hands, every moment of your life is Training, that's how Soryu is."

She slurped the noodles. "Even now, we're training. Himari. Your Selfless State, it doesn't seem so absolute, you can cloak your presence & be like some Invisigirl, I know it's all basic for you, though it could be more, the giveaway is always the intention, whether to kill or not or whatever fleeting thoughts. Tenko, you told me back at the Dojo, you got some sensitive skin, reminds me of a certain Boar Hashira in the Taisho Era, who's sensitivity can perceive danger. You two see where I'm getting at?"

Miyuki pointed her finger to their surroundings to Tenko and Himari.

A lot of people were passing by and just moving along.

A woman, passed and suddenly she got noticed when she screamed after stepping on her son's Lego.

"Just a quick Segway, Taihoku Prefecture has quite the weapon supply, though they're Demon Hunters like us, they're quite hostile unless you speak Taiwanese. No, I'm not asking you two to sneak with knowledge I'm about to equip you. I'm just saying, the Demon Slayer Corps are way too branched out than you think. Then there's Kogen Prefecture, you still need to speak Korean, they sell the best Kimchi just like the Ramen I'm eating. I'm buying tickets to Kogen for next week, it's the perfect training spot for Soryu, high mountains, big waterfalls, and many more!"

Miyuki gets more chatty and friendlier as the more time she spent with Himari and Tenko.

"Watch this." Miyuki nudged Himari and Tenko to focus their eyes on the Waiter.

"If you look closer, you may just decipher every move in their body, like muscles contracting, as if Transparent."

Before they could fully immerse in the training, Miyuki didn't notice, she got her hair wet as a clumsy girl spilled iced tea on her.

She pouted and tried not to get angry.



A familiar voice from school and a common friend.

"Oh? Miyuki? Tenko? Yo girlies! I didn't know you're chilling here in Torigoya as well. Oh...Hima, sup girl. Haven't seen you since Kyoto, 2 years ago. It's such a fine coincidence, you three know each other?"

Mammushi apologized to Miyuki.

Mamushi, Student at Wasedai, part time Bartender here at Seikishi. Bartender. She's not a Demon Slayer but an employee of Muragarasu.

"Gurls. Why do I smell bitch ass blades here. It's not safe, follow me though."

Mamushi revealed her demonic snake eyes. All this time she was a demon trynna look like a human.

Shōwa Secret
Mamushi is a Snake Demon, who can easily conceal her presence and use shape shifting high level to pass as a Human.

She's African American.

She likes boiled eggs.

She likes grass jelly.

Later in the VIP section.

She's on the same class as Tenko.

She met Himari in Kyoto during a cultural exchange trip.

Miyuki was someone she met months ago, as that popular first year girl, who got so much simps and because she owns the Dojo.

"Yo...you three are Demon Hunters? I feel bad already. After everything we've been through? Like the first rush hours, the second rush hours. This is a lot to take in y'all. I can see Yushiro's Talismans, hiding those bitch ass Nichirins."

What a turn of events.

---

Later...The Demon with a Bear Noh-Mask, Murakumo reported to Muragarasu.

"Tomioka Guen has been evicted of off Torigoya. However, she escaped and got something for you." Murakumo handed a brief case to Muragarasu.

Revealing it was fat cash of Yen and a letter.

"I'm ditching Keodis. Let's work together. Sorry about the blood. Tell me everything you know about Uppper Moon 2 Rikyo and the Aum Shinrikyo Faith.

P.S meet me in Ikebukuro, alone. I will also come alone. On Friday." — Guen

Throughout the whole summit, that was the one question echoing through Gekido's mind. A rhetorical question, yes, but a question he couldn't stop thinking about.

As the 3rd Upper Moon of four, one could argue him to be not the third strongest of the Chairman's demons, but the second weakest of his elites. The First Upper Moon, the Captain of the Clan, should be the one standing next to Michikatsu as he meets with others just as dangerous. Should anything happen, he's not going to be much help here. As much as he loathes to agree with a jackass like Jinwoo, Gekido really doesn't belong here.

But at the same time, he already knows the answer to his own question. Unfortunately for both the Clan they run in the shadows of the day, and the demon horde they lead in the bright neon night, Gekido seems to be the only one Michikatsu can count on. And honestly, by all logic, that should concern him. For all intent and purpose, Gekido is the De'facto "Captain" of Michikatsu forces. UM2 and UM1 are more powerful, yes, but unfortunately for this organization, that's all they are. They're both so focused on their own passion projects that they can't be bothered to be of actual use to Chairman Michikatsu themselves. They're less his superiors and more human-shaped weapons of mass destruction Michikatsu keeps close as aces in the hole.

Thus, he had little choice.

Truth be told, Gekido had no real interest in the politics of his kind, he has no real loyalty to any single demon so much as to the position itself, and his only ambition in regards of the hierarchy he's in is to rise to the top as a measurement and testament to his own strength, nothing more. In a hypothetical scenario where he'd he'd become a Demon King like these four, replacing Michikatsu, it wouldn't be long before he passes the burdens and responsibilities of such a position on someone else.

All that to say, when he sees and listens to these three other so-called Demon Kings, and at the same time thinks of the two demons leering over him on the food chain, it isn't out of a sense of blind loyalty to the Chairman - or even really loyalty at all - that makes him realize that Michikatsu, needs to be the Alpha of this little pack, or everyone - EVERYONE, demon and human alike - is biblically Fucked!

Michikatsu sees these three demons and seems to have some trust for Feilian and not much for the other two. Gekido sees these three demon kings, and trusts absolutely none of them.

Park Jinwoo is probably the most obvious demon king to see as an enemy. The Korean Demon King is an arrogant asshat - reminds him of a certain higher-up - practically begging for the others to just murder him. Confidence in his own strength? Perhaps, but how the other three treats him tells Gekido everything he needs to know; the ones who bark the loudest seldom ever bite the hardest.

To a point where even someone as low on the totem pole as Gekido was is confident enough to spell out how the Saja boy broke their covenant without any fear of retort. The Chairman told him to calm himself, but he was perfectly calm, merely pointing out the problem child amidst the peers. Still, he knew what the Chairman really meant, and stayed silent, putting his focus on the other two.

Mao Feilian... It's true that out of the three, she does seem the most reasonable and affable to the Chairman's design. The demons of her prefecture has been a tremendous help to the Clan from day one. However, she's still a queen among demons, a progenitor like the rest of them, and as Jinwoo put, they're all older and more experienced in this position compared to the Chairman. In Gekido's eyes, she's the most capable of putting Michikatsu in a bad position and stabbing him in the back. Between her and Jinwoo, she's more the threat to keep an eye on...

But then there's the most threatening one in Gekido's eyes: Alexei Rasputin of Sakhalin. Gekido's heard about that one in particular, a spider in holy garb who all but changed the face of Russia with mere manipulation and whisper. While Gekido would be willing to admit that his suspicions of Feilian is based on conjecture and assumption, one would only look at what happened not too long ago to the "Russian Revolution" to see proof of Rasputin's machinations. It certainly doesn't help that Gekido can't really get a read on the guy and what he truly wants, and judging by the Chairman's interactions with him thus far, he's not alone in that. If it came down to a war against these three, he's the one they should worry about most of all...

Gekido stood silently and listened to the meeting, hard as that was when Jinwoo's barking kept interrupting the grown-ups.

It seems there was gonna be a war after all, thankfully it was just between Michikatsu and Jinwoo. Good. The sooner they can shut him up, the better. But it's all to become a demon god? To reside over the rest of Japan... Gekido couldn't help but look at the other two progenitors who aren't participating in this Bloodrite battle.

"...What are you two getting out of this?" He suspiciously thought, ignoring Jinwoo's boasts and rants as static noise.

He then saw as the Chairman pulled them into a dimension of his making, not to mention his Moon-breathing; a necessary show of power, if only for the one that won't shut up about how old the rest of them are over the Chairman.



Of course by "Rest of the Blood Moons", what he actually meant was Gekido and Gekido alone, a thought that made him sigh under any normal circumstance, and he has no doubt that will probably be the first thing he'll get on as soon as the meeting's over.

After a bunch of brown-nosing on Jinwoo's part due to now being shown up by the Chairman's BDA, and mentioning how the Chairman's predecessor not talking to them back when he was alive - something Gekido can sympathize with - the Meeting ends with an empty threat on the Saja dog's part, with Gekido finally able to let out his sigh now that this intimidating task was over.

But it probably won't last long. He didn't need to say or hear anything, he knew already what he had to do next, giving Michikatsu a shrot bow and an "If you'll excuse me..." before heading out.

---

Tenko smiled and nodded as Miyuki started talking. Though outwardly, she was giving the impression she was listening carefully, in truth, her mind was elsewhere.

She arrived too late when the whole debacle with the demon outside the onsen went down. She had cautioned them to be wary before entering the onsen, but ultimately relented, and as a result, Jae-eun and the rest had to take on the demon themselves.

Maybe she should have pushed more to not take their guard down earlier?

Jae-eun and the rest were her superiors as Hashira, but, well...

She held back a sigh. There was no use pondering what-ifs right now. She still felt the presence of demons. And it would seem...they were heading in their direction...?

Tenko opened her mouth, about to warn her companions, when a familiar face called out to them.

A classmate at Wasedai University...and...

Tenko's eyes widen, for a split second, before she composed herself, her hands immediately reaching for her ribbon.

...and the source of the demonic presence she was feeling.

Just how many demons were in this area? And since when was Mamushi...? She had been taking a leave of absence from classes for some time now. To think that this was the reason why...

Tenko shifted her ribbon, entering her 'demon slayer state', if she hadn't, her face would give away that something was wrong immediately.

She was not particularly close to Mamushi, but because they had taken some of the same classes, Mamushi was far from a stranger to her either.

This would be her first time facing a demon that she knew personally.

Certainly, she had mourned the death of every demon she had killed. She had gone out of her way to try finding out their names and remember each and every one of them in her prayers.

But there was a difference between mourning the death of strangers she had not known who had tragically lost their humanity to demonic forces, and now having been confronted with the possibility of having to fight and kill someone she had known personally.

Tenko's ribbon shifted.

Indeed, had she not turned into Tenko the Demon Slayer, her sadness would have shown in her face and given away the fact that something was wrong. Thus, on the off chance that Mamushi was not aware of their status of being demon slayers yet, it would throw away the element of surprise. Hence, the logical step here was to pretend that nothing was wrong.

"I'm glad you're all right! I haven't seen you in a while. You're going back to classes soon? I'll lend you my notes if you want," Tenko said with a smile, as if nothing was wrong. Though her mind was on overdrive, analysing every minute expression on Mamushi's face, looking for any signs of hostility or an awareness of their status as a demon slayer.

As Mamushi grimaced, saying something about blades and asking them to follow her, Tenko knew that she, at the very least, suspected something was wrong.

"Blades? Not sure what you are talking about...but if you say it's not safe here, then...sure, let's go somewhere else."

Demon Slayer affairs were to be kept secret; thus, it was to her benefit that Mamushi seemed to be taking them to a more secluded place.

It would also be imperative for her to keep up the facade of not noticing anything is amiss. At worst, nothing would change except maybe annoying Mamushi; at best, it would make her let down her guard.

Tenko followed Mamushi, her hands gripping her gun and sword, ready for a fight at any moment.

As soon as they reached a secluded place, she acted.

"Catharsis Breathing...First Form..!" She uttered as she breathed deeply, her body already moving.

"Ignis Purgans!"

She fired the gun with her left hand, before closing the distance and striking with the sword on her right. Finally, using the new technique she had learned from the Soryu Karate, she launched her left foot in a kick.

None of her attacks were aimed at the neck, and instead were aimed at her limbs, meant to incapacitate, so she could question Mamushi; even her kick, which was meant to emulate a red Nichirin sword, was aimed at Mamushi's legs, meant to sweep her into the ground.

Demons could regenerate anyway.

Therefore, Mamushi should survive even if all her attacks connected.

Mamushi might not have attacked them, but demons such as Kenzo, Yanagi, and the rest that had allied with the corps were the exception, not the rule. Hence, statistics suggested that Mamushi was more likely to be hostile than not, and as such, the logical and 'safe' course of action was to incapacitate her and determine her innocence later.

It would be safer for everyone that way. Better than risking dangerous demons escaping and claiming potential victims.

Of course, this was the first time Mamushi would have seen Tenko outside of class, thus such a ruthless utilitarian calculus would run contrary to the Tenko she had known.

But this was not Tenko Thompson, classmate of Mamushi.

Currently, this was Tenko Thompson, the Demon Slayer. Someone who would follow such a ruthless utilitarian calculus, with her not aiming for the head being the only concession she had allowed for herself and Mamushi.

---

What
A
Terrible
Evening…

Thankfully for her, the bear-masked familiar would tend to Guen’s distraught transgressions. It was fitting, perhaps not morally, but fitting nonetheless despite Guen’s lack of knowledge about her predicament. That sensation of having knowledge that others did not was something that Mura quite enjoyed, but there was no room for jubilation with the swirling of anger still remaining in her gullet. Enjoyment would have to wait.

“Robin,” Mura quietly spoke, and from behind her the young human woman would swing the door open with her head low in respect for her proprietress

”Yes, proprietress?” Robin had known Mura for a number of years, which was long enough to see through the facade of warmth and composure that she often masqueraded with.

“Take a trip around town, let the locals know that we will not be allowing anyone wielding a nichirin sword within our borders for the foreseeable future.” Venom laced Mura’s words, spite and anger dripping from her tongue and running down the cherry painted lips— almost enough to draw the beast of hunger out of her. But it wouldn’t.

”At once.” Robin nodded once, somber and slow, before closing the paper door in front of her and dashing to grab her sandals and take off through the front door running swiftly, covering ground faster than a mere keeper of baths should.

If there were some aspect of fire to her, smoke would be pluming out from her nostrils— that thought crossed her mind and slowly she would return to the room that the police chief once rested within. She was gone. With an event like this, Mura couldn’t blame her and simply sat down onto one of the cushions with her legs sprawled out and reached for her still smoldering pipe. She chewed and suckled ‘pon the wooden end as she struggled to keep her thoughts in order just as the massive wolf that typically rested within the Onsen’s attic came to rest at the proprietress side. Her eyes flickered red, the glow of her familiar vision fluttering alight as heat singed her lashes, crackling and sizzling as once again something pushed her.



The great wolf sensed its mother’s anger, and without a word spoken he rose to his legs and began rushing to make its way out of the Onsen. Out the window, leaping high into the air, onto a rooftop— and then another, faster than a bullet to make its way to a kindred of Muragarasu. It wouldn’t take long, a few minutes would pass at most before the wolf arrived at the Seikishi Bar. Whatever damage had been done to Mamushi was akin to harm upon the wolf itself, and with a singular glowing red eye it glared with teeth awry as a low growled rumbled like thunder within the beast’s throat.

Wolves in Japan were — unusual to say the least? The last of them had gone extinct decades ago, so what onlookers would be seeing with their eyes could only be described as a ghost of the past. That is precisely what he was; the ancient canid had a coat was clean, fur patches might’ve been matted from exposure to the elements but the, but strikingly was the clear arrowheads peaking through the beast’s back. He was also strapped with a pouch near the rear of his body, within it were small kunai, a spool of wire, and a pocket full of something?

The beast would not spring into action just yet, but he paced closer to the kindred demon and licked at her wounds.

^{And Mura watched through his eyes.}

---

Of course. Just when things couldn't possibly get any more complicated, they did.

For a single, precious moment, Jae-eun felt the tension in his shoulders ease. Keodis had paused. The negotiation had worked—or at least delayed the inevitable. A small victory, but in a night like this, he'd take what he could get. His smile remained fixed, pleasant, as if he hadn't just talked down a demon with a six-foot nodachi from storming an onsen full of his juniors.

Thank god for small mercies," he thought, the relief flooding through him like cool water.

And then the world seemed to warp.

A sound that wasn't quite a sound. A displacement of air. A subtle pop of pressure, like reality folding in on itself. His eye widened fractionally. Inside the onsen, where Guen had been moments ago—where her suffocating bloodlust had been radiating like a winter storm—there was now nothing. No heartbeat. No breathing. No presence at all. Gone. Not faded, not suppressed, but completely and utterly gone, as if she'd been plucked from existence. A spatial Blood Demon Art. Jae-eun had heard of them, but never encountered one. He didn't know whether to be relieved or terrified.

"Of course she was," Jae-eun thought, his internal voice dripping with exhaustion. "Because tonight couldn't just be simple. Someone had to intervene. Someone had to—"

Crack.

The sound was distant, but his enhanced hearing snatched it from the night air with horrifying clarity. A gunshot. Unmistakably. It came from within the district. The sound was unmistakable. Tenko, her custom firearm that Jae-eun thought was archaic and undignified for a Demon Slayer. Call him old fashioned, call him an old man, but there was something satisfying about the feel of steel parting flesh and bone.

"Tenko-chan," he breathed. Dread, cold and visceral, crashed over him like a tidal wave. His pleasant mask slipped for half a second—just long enough for his expression to go blank, his eye wide and unblinking. Tenko had fired her weapon. Why? At what? Was she hurt? Was someone attacking her? Was she? "I should be with her," is internal voice cracking with frustration. "I should be protecting them. That's my job. That's what a Hashira does. That's what—"

Then, a new wave of pressure rolled out from the onsen, but this one was different from Guen's. It wasn't the icy malice of a grieving killer. It was hot, furious, and ancient. The proprietress, Muragarasu. The proprietress. The demon who ran this place with a veneer of hospitality and carefully restrained power. That veneer was cracking. No—it was shattering. Her anger was a palpable force, a promise of retribution. The edict went out like a silent scream: no nichirin swords. A declaration of war against the Corps itself, or at least a severing of ties. The woman whose territory they had so thoroughly disrupted was now an enemy. The woman he had jokingly invited out for a drink despite this night's craziness.

Then, another sound. Paws on stone. Heavy, deliberate. The low rumble of a growl. A massive wolf, a creature that shouldn't exist, leaped from the building, a ghost from a bygone era carrying a vendetta. Jae-eun watched it go, his mind racing. He'd heard stories about the Onsen proprietress. About her network, her influence, her demons. And now her wolf was here, glowing and angry, and Jae-eun could feel the shift in the air like a storm front rolling in. Muragarasu was sending her familiar somewhere. To a kindred spirit? To enact her revenge? He didn't know. He didn't care.

He was tired. So profoundly, bone-deeply tired of this night. Tired of rogue Hashira and vengeful demons and political maneuvering. Tired of being the calm, smiling center of a hurricane of other people's problems. His own grief, the ever-present weight of his sister's memory, felt like a distant hum beneath the blaring sirens of the immediate chaos. He wanted to laugh. He wanted to scream. He wanted to sit down on the cold pavement and just stop. Stop smiling. Stop negotiating. Stop pretending he had any control over the chaos spiraling around him.

"Whatt a terrible evening." he murmured aloud, his voice still light, still pleasant, but edged with something brittle. "Really, truly, what a night." Guen was gone. Tenko might be hurt. Muragarasu had just declared Nichirin wielders persona non grata in her territory. And somewhere, in the back of his mind, Jae-eun could feel the scarlet ore dust in his bloodstream starting to burn, a reminder that even his own body was a ticking time bomb.

"Stupid," he thought. "So, so stupid."

"I really just wanted a drink." he said, and for once, his tone was completely, utterly sincere.

_{Mentions: @Dane @Randomguy}

---

Xaku does not waste her energy on things such as anger. Disappointment, sure. Perhaps even a modicum of annoyance, but never something as intense as anger. Such meaningless emotions were long cast aside even before she had become a demon.

That will not change.

However... there is only so disappointed one can possibly get before there is nothing left to hope for.

The altercation at the onsen was one thing; there was no significant damage done. But to fire a weapon in a public area? When she is present, no less? Along with the fact that apparently a Hashira was responsible for a mass shooting just a scant few hours ago, that implied a pattern she is not fond of.

It seems as if her presence hasn’t quite had an effect on the criminal populous yet.

It’s about time she rectified that.

Human or Demon. All are subject to the law, and if they believed they weren’t? If they believed they were somehow exempt?

Well, she is more than capable of proving them wrong.

She arrives at the scene before anyone else, of course. Even as ‘fragile’ as she is now, there were still few who could outpace her. She had, of course, heard one of Muragarasu’s familiars on her way to the location of the gunshot, an observation she filed away for the moment. It was irrelevant to the situation at hand.

The Demon Slayer with the firearm is within her sight and has long since been within her range. Killing her would be easy, effortless. She would never even know an attack was forthcoming.

That thought never even crosses Xaku’s mind.

Rend.

The attack isn’t spoken into being, it simply is. Before Tenko’s slash can even hit Mamushi, her sword is blocked by seemingly nothing. The only indication of another attack is the faint trench carved into the pavement. Nevertheless, the recoil from having her weapon deflected is brutal, even for a Demon Slayer. Disinclined as Xaku is from spilling blood in these streets without reason, she will not hesitate if her hands are forced.

She lands between the Demon Slayer and the demon she had just attacked.

“That is enough, Demon Slayer Thompson-san. I suggest you come quietly.”

This was not Xaku, the demon. This was Xaku, Police Chief of Osaka, and she would not offer another warning to a lawbreaker.

Either Tenko would surrender without resistance, or her blood would paint the streets first.

_{@Aku the Samurai@Haha@Randomguy@Dane}

---

Himari was not expecting to end up back outside after bringing Miyuki back to the dojo, but the energetic girl insisted that they'd go out to a bar and enjoy some ramen after waking up. All Himari wanted to do was go home, but she couldn't leave her two kōhai out in the streets alone with all of the chaos going on.

She listened to Miyuki, but her mind was elsewhere back in Kyoto. She hoped her little one wasn't getting restless with her being gone so long. She hadn't expected to still be here in Tokyo. Himari's attention was grabbed once Miyuki started talking about Transparent World. It was something Himari had been working towards, but hadn't fully figured it out quite yet. But of course once she was interested they got interrupted by someone spilling their drink. She looked up to see a familiar face. One that she hadn't seen in two years. Himari became alert when Mamushi mentioned their blades and revealed herself to be a demon. She didn't feel any hostility coming off her, so she followed her with the others.

Things quickly changed however when Tenko took it upon herself to attack Mamushi as soon as they reached a secluded era. She could feel Tenko's anxiety and hostility as they walked, but she didn't think that she was that against demons. How could she so callously attack one unprovoked? Especially one that had been her friend. This reaffirmed her decision not to disclose to the Corps that she was raising a demon child herself. All they saw at the end of the day was bloodthirsty creatures.

Himari acted quickly unsheathing her blade and slicing the bullet in half before it had the chance to reach its mark in Mamushi's leg. She was going to move to deflect Tenko's blade, but something else did. Then she appeared...

Himari was pissed and rightfully so. She had commanded Tenko not to engage in any combat and she deliberately disobeyed a Hashira's orders so close to the onsen that was already a place of chaos. If they managed to get out of this alive she was going to reprimand the kinoto and suggest to Takaya that she get benched until she learned how to act like a proper Demon Slayer.

A ghostly wolf appeared after the police chief did and made sure to comfort Mamushi after the attempt to incapacitate her. They were not going to be able to fight their way through this. Himari sighed internally as she wondered how she'd get them out of this.

"Hey, Chief." Himari said trying to break the tension a bit. "Please excuse Tenko for her unceremonious display just now. She's a bit jumpy from tonight's events. Our rest at the Torigoya Onsen was interrupted by the former Hashira, Guen's, blood fued. We've been avoiding fights and making a disturbance all night, so when she sensed a demon and was called out for being a slayer her shoot first, ask questions later mentality kicked in. You know Americans."

@Torigoya Franchise - Seikishi Bar
@Haha@King Kindred@Randomguy@Aku the Samurai@The Jest@xAlter

"Always the prosecutor, aren't we, Xaku?" Urami sipped her red wine, one that was implied to be human blood. Given her elegant etiquette, all the way from her fit to make-up, her eyes glistened in platinum gold, revealing her rank as Consort 1 – as t'was characterized in her eyes. Her skin glistened like no other beauty, not since a certain conjoined Upper 6 from the Taisho Era. In here, we saw drunken men & are outcold atop the Lover's Lounge, more like they had a good time.

Their ruined briefcases were filled with cash, ledgers, calculators, nichirin guns and certain secret files — Urami fulfilled her espionage mission.

"I will let Muragarasu know of this delicate information. It seems that the Japanese Government aren't so guillable of our existence after all."

No one noticed, not even a single one.

"Big Sis Xaku, quite rare for you to be here in Funachi, well... Shinjuku as they'd like to call it nowadays." Nonchalant about the situation, Urami savored the tenderloin she chowed. Relishing its insatiable taste, and the content it nurtured, none other than a human marechi. Its odor — so mouthwatering that even Mamushi wanted a piece of it, this came from the demon only menu that she ordered from.

Shōwa Era Secret – Upon the establishment of the Blood Moons, Xaku was meant to be Consort 1, but because she chose her own path to walk, Urami was bestowed upon instead. Urami would often discard her rank and give it to aspiring Consorts – only to retake it, after they served their purpose. Not a single Demon Hunter has ever defeated the real Consort 1.

Blood War — The Fated Battle between Demon Slayers and Blood Moons.

She glared so calmly at the Demon Slayers, so heavenly yet demonically, there was no shred of killing intent and neither malice, only endearment.

"Ara~ara, Hashira-chan. Lower your blade & control your subordinates as I have no intent to start a Blood War. Judging from the cells of you three, I understand not to belittle Tsugikuni Hikaru, Soyama Kenzo & Rengoku Amaya's successors. How nice it is to gaze upon three separate generations of Hashira and their adorable munchkins."

She wiped her mouth with a nice handkerchief.

"Calm down." She gestured, telling her men to stand down, Yakuza Demon Henchmen, surrounded the perimeter of the VIP section, revealing themselves and out of the shadows, half naked, revealing their tattoos and missing pinky fingers & then they dissipated into nothingness by Urami's command, ceasing any tension and hostility.

"This might even be a good business opportunity, Xaku onee-chan, my husband — Blood Moon 3 is coming, will you let these cuties go or detain them? I personally just wanna have a chat, Rikyo-kun sure is so infamous these days."

---

As a Demon, He can't go out to check on things during the daylight cause the sun is now an all-encompassing deadly laser for them. On any other day, he'd wait for the sun to fall and day to go into night to do what he needed and wanted to do for himself and his clan. But this night in particular was special. For he found out that Daikaku Shrine, a holy place he actually visited on his spare time, just happened to be laden with probably the most important flora for all of demonkind, the Blue Spider Lilies. An Emergency meeting was called for the Demon Progenitors, and because Blood Moons 1 and 2 are fucking useless to the organization, it was up to him to help manage things in preparation, including taking care of his own Yakuza Family - thank God for Urami's help with that in particular - then escort and serve as mediator for the Chairman in said summit. Since Ryoshu is the only one besides himself that actually contributes, he had no choice but to have him go to the shrine in his stead.

As the Meeting concludes and he leaves to help with that, he gets a report of what's going on there...

Like Ryunoko Keodis-Senpai, Gekido has a certain...anger to him, and so his family has a rule to them: When the place heats up, run for cooler grounds.

Everything he has read can be summed up as "Tonight was just a big shitshow", which is amazing considering the night is somehow still young.

It's hard to even establish a timeline of events because everything he read was so chaotic, but for the most part, surprisingly, the perpetrators were Slayers of all people. It was enough to make him place his palm on his forehead and push it down to his chin so hard, you'd swear he's trying to tear his own face off.

First, the Western Dragon gets shoot up by a Slayer and her team. Approximately 133 injured and 22 dead, none of which were demons themselves. The Perpetrator came to Ryunoko-Senpai's joint and threatened information out of him, he kicked and banned her, then she retaliated in kind.

The Perpetrator's name was....Guen Tomioka? That was interesting, and immediately the dots were connecting. He's never truly seen Guen, but he knows her by association; she was the husband of the recently deceased Moon Hashira, Hikaru Tsukigumi, someone he remembers all too well and who he heard recently got killed off - by Rikyo of all demons. Gekido couldn't help but scoff at that, knowing that however he did it, it couldn't have been by any fair or noble means. In any case, One look at Guen's actions tonight after Hikaru's passing and he knew what her motivation was, he knew because it was the same fire that burned in him...Revenge.

It seems Guen was also the perpetrator of the Onsen Incident, and the key motivation behind Ryunoko-senpai's fight outside of it. Even went as far as to literally put blood in the water for other Demons to come to potentially cause a ruckus in the hot springs. All this combined has put her in the Corps' crosshairs, a rogue criminal slayer they want captured and put to death for her frankly unhinged actions.

It's actually impressive to Gekido just how Tame she made his own obsessive vendetta look in comparison. He doesn't need to be around the area to know Mama-san must be utterly pissed.

But that's not the worst part for him...The worst part was what was happening over at Daikaku Shrine.

Seems Ryoshu couldn't get into the shrine himself, so he decided to shoot up the place and the people in it. Daikaku Shrine was a place of particular interest to Gekido, having been associated with the former master there himself, as well as the current caretaker. He should have been the one to go there and get those spider lilies out of that shrine instead of any other demons, would've given them the chance to settle it peacefully and without the carnage Ryoshu made for them. He's gonna have to get a few boys down there to assist in fixing it up in the morning. "Community Service" helps with reputation, after all, and it's not like he can do it himself when there's only so many hours in the night.

But then he saw that Slayers were there at the time, One of which was a name he knew very, very well...

It seems Ryunosuke Kamado was a part of the team that went there... and one of the targets Ryoshu's Arrow Rain. From the looks of it, they're still fighting...and Ryoshu was Winning? He...didn't know how to feel about this.

On the one hand, a part of him is happy about this, laughing on the inside, knowing that the "great" Ryunosuke Kamado is potentially getting wrecked out there, it's practically laughable, and in a way it's probably the best part of this report.

On the other hand...

"...I Refuse to believe Ryunosuke is going to die to fucking RYOSHU!" He thought. Ryoshu was probably the least unlikable of the terrible trio that is his fellow demon Lords - which is not saying much - and his long-range skill not to mention his loyalty has been especially useful for the Chairman, but everything Gekido's done has been to make Ryunosuke suffer, and he can't very well do that if Ryoshu actually kills him!

...Deep down, he knew this was something he brought upon himself. Ryunosuke is undoubtedly the strongest slayer now that Hikaru bit the dust, and because of that, he was confident he could survive and deal with any demon that came his way. So Gekido never bothered telling anyone not to go after his Prey. To be put in a position where he could very much die by any demon, let alone Ryoshu, was something that never crossed his mind before now. But that was because he never saw a demon Ryunosuke couldn't beat. It's strange knowing that someone like Ryoshu was giving him such a hard time. ...Has he been overestimating Ryunosuke this entire time, or is it simply that Ryoshu's set of skills is something he can't deal with...?

Or is it something else?

...He'll need to investigate this, but that unfortunately comes later. He had to go to Daikaku Shrine to deal with the Spider Lilies, with the coming War between that Prick Jinwoo, they needed them now more than ever.

But just before he left...



His own Cell phone started ringing. No idea who'd call him at a time like this, but he picked it up anyways.

"Yes? ...Well well, this is a surprise. I'd ask how you got this number, but that's hardly relevant. So, what do I owe the Pleasure, specially given your current predicament? ...I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you right, could you say that again?" Gekido's eyes narrowed for a few seconds, than widened, as if hearing something he couldn't properly believe.

"...Well, that's...umm...That's rather generous of you, what's the occasion? ...All too well, what about him. ...What!? ...And you're certain of this? ...No I, I believe it, it's certainly sounds like something he'd do, but I never thought he'd actually stoop that low. ...Does the Chairman know about this? ...And this conversation we're having? ...I see, and what's in this for us besides the obvious? ...No, I agree with you wholeheartedly, actually. It's just that what you're asking us to do for the sake of dealing with it is... I see. I guess shoudn't be surprised you know about that. ...Very well, you have yourself a deal. ...Oh, and one more thing, Even if we do this, there's still an elephant in the room we have to settle. I just read the report about what happened tonight... Let me put it this way, we're cleaning up on our end, so in return, it's only fair to ask you to do the same. ...Alright, I'll head over there now. Oh, and while you're over there, make sure he doesn't get killed out there. ...I expect nothing less, Sayonara."

With that phone call done with, he looked out at the city, with his hands pressed against the window. The window cracked and began to melt by his hand.

---

Did he just arrive as quickly as it seemed? Or was he there all along and the slayers somehow didn't notice his presence? Either one should be concerning for any of them. Regardless of when he arrived, he took one last sip of his glass before he got up from the bar, put his black coat back on, and casually walked in to the secluded VIP area. He put a gentle, tattoo-ridden hand on Urami's shoulder, a gesture to show that he can take it from there.

"Close off the area to any civies. The VIP section has been exclusively reserved for us tonight. But if there's any other slayers that walk into the bar, bring them here as well." He whispered into Urami's ear. He then took a step forward and grabbed a cigarette out of his pocket, putting it to his mouth with one hand, and with the other hand making a whipping motion like lighting a match. During that motion, that hand's thumb was ignited with white flames, using it as a lighter as he let it burn the tip of his cigarette, blowing smoke from his mouth as he makes another hand motion to put the fire off his thumb.

With that same hand, he then simply snapped his fingers, and some of the Yakuza in the room walked away without a word, standing outside as bouncers to the area in question.

Throughout it all, his eyes never wavered from the situation at hand. It was probably at this point that Tenko would be able to sense him as a demon, but not just any Demon, the aura he was giving off would have told her just what kind of "monster" he really was.

Miyako, however, would probably be very familiar with this one. That is, if she was anywhere near the battle that ended her father's career as the Wind Hashira.

As for Himari, well, he didn't know if she had the same kind of sixth sense for Demons her friend has, but if she's anything like her brother, he'd guess that her instincts were probably going into overdrive right about now.

Looking around and assessing the current situation, he started to speak.

"Hey Chief. Thanks for the save, but you mind letting the girl off with a warning for first offense this time around? You can bag her next time she does something stupid, but for now, it's best to let it go. It seems like you and the other cops got bigger fish to fry anyways. That berserk slayer's still on the loose, yeah? I can take this from here while you go on the hunt for the psycho and her posse." Xaku, the newly appointed chief of police, keeping law and order in this world, standing opposite to the de'facto Captain of the largest and most dangerous crime syndicate in Japan today. Most of the rivalry is played up for the masses, since they both directly answer to the same demon, but it wouldn't surprise him in the slightest if she saw him as an irritant nonetheless. She plays her part well, after all, it's only fair he does the same.

He then turned to look at the slithering victim of an almost-assault by one of her high-school buddies.

"Don't really know what you were expecting to happen, Mamu-chan. That was kind of reckless of you to just show off to slayers that you're one of us, high school buddies or not. You're lucky the Chief and I were here when you did, ...even more so that one of them actually tried to get in the way of the hunt as well. Still, I appreciate at least getting them in here. Run along now, back to work, I'll give you a nice tip when I'm done here." He said to the Snake demon with a wink and a smile. His attention then turned to the wolf that attempted to protect the owner's employee, knowing that Muragarasu was seeing and hearing everything that was going on there through it.

"I heard you had a rough night, Mama-San. Sorry I couldn't be there to help out, but things are getting hectic at work. I'll send some boys in the morning to help clean up over at the Onsen. Can't send all hands on deck, since it seems like this whole city needs a damn clean up, but we'll make sure it's ready to reopen by tomorrow night. In the meantime, least I can do is take this situation off your hands. Go get some rest, I'd say you've earned it." He said with a smile.

That was every immediate concern out of the way, save for the lady slayers themselves. Assuming the lady demons don't start opposing the situation at hand, he can now turn his attention to said slayers.

...And if they are opposed to it, well they can take it up with Urami.

Once the other three were out of his sight, and the door to the area closed, that was when he let out a big sigh and stared at the three slayers. A fiery white - ironically almost heavenly - aura enveloping him.

"Hmm...Two relatively ranked, and the new Hashira of the Moon. ...Well met, Slayers. I'm Gekido, Demon Lord of the 6th Heaven. Or if you'd prefer, Blood Moon 3. More Importantly right now, I am the Acting Captain of the Tsugikuni-gumi, and you guys have made us very, very busy tonight. ...That's not even including what just happened here." he said, grabbing a glass cup and having one of the yakuza demons still in there pour him a drink, which he then sipped up immediately.

"You know, I love this place, this whole area... Mama-san's businesses I see as a sanctuary of no-man's land for demons and slayers alike. A sacred place of neutrality where others, demons or human, can just relax, forget about the hardships of our lives, and a few precious moments of respite. The only trouble places like this bar and the Onsen have, are what you bring to them. ...And, you guys brought a lot of trouble tonight. You're lucky this VIP room's sound-proofed, or else that shot you fired would have scared everybody out of here. Parts of the city are running scared over what Tomioka-san did, and as we speak, Ryuonko-Senpai's forced to street fight one of your Hashira boys, and that's no doubt causing even more social unrest in the city. ...The irony of all this is you've made us... fucking demons, be the ones who have to calm the city down. Heh... It'd be laughable if it wasn't so sad." He said as he drank, placing his cup on the round table and sitting down on the circular couch, turning his attention to the Hashira of the group.

"Honestly, I'm impressed, It took Hikaru Tsukigumi months, years even, to establish the stable connections he did with demonkind, connections that helped you lot more than any of you know, and your cold-blooded hashira pal burned the whole web down in one night, ...with help." He then took the cigarette out of his mouth, pressing it into the ashtray before he continued.

"But that's neither here nor there. I'm here on business first and foremost. I'd like to make an offer to you, to all of you. So, by all means, take a seat, get comfortable. We can begin now, or wait until more of your friends arrive, either way's fine by me." He said, gesturing at the chairs on the opposite side of the table to him and the couch, Gekido himself laying back on the couch with one leg crossed over the other.

@Haha@King Kindred@Randomguy@Aku the Samurai@Dane@xAlter

---

After 30 minutes, Keodis and Kousai arrived at the Bamboo Forest, the beauty of the forest outdid anything man made, giving a dead calm that surrounded the two men. Kousai stared daggers into the demon, his mind running wild, his breathing staggered, and his balance off just a bit. A voice echoed through his mind, matching the voice of his deceased twin.

”Brother please. You are not in your right mind. Don’t let your grief consume you.”

”Too late.”, Kousai whispered to himself as he placed his hand on the hilt of his Rumble nichirin katana.

Without hesitation, his legs bent for just a moment before he placed all his strength into his legs, and shot forward. To the normal eye, he would have vanished, reaching his max speed before using any breathing form, the sake in his system affecting his movement with every step. A frontal assault was the plan, gauging just how Keodis would react, Kousai’s blade sliding from the sheath as he performed an iai slash. Block it, dodge it, or die to it, did not matter to Kousai.

”Bold. I’ll give you that.”

Whipping his sheath to the side, Keodis lets the blade bite into the wooden sheath, the splintering of wood from the impact cracking the sheath clean in two. From within, the blade of sun metal gleams as the ruined sheath falls off of it.

”Unfortunately, boldness isn’t going to win the day for you. It didn’t with the last Stone Hashira, it didn’t with Guen, and it won’t with you.”

Letting the bind rest at his side, a single hand holding the hilt of his nodachi, Keodis shakes his head.

”I probably won’t even kill you. You’re not who I’m pissed at. However, it’s going to be nice blowing some steam off while I shatter that stick of yours.”

Breaking the bind with a quick blade-check, Keodis whips his sword upwards in the motion of Flame Breathing Form 2, noticeably without the hiss of Total Concentration Breathing.

Kousai’s hand flew backward, Keodis’s demonic strength was an attribute that he couldn’t stalemate. Taking a step to the left, the rumble hashira narrowly avoided the attack resembling Flame Breathing Form 2, a technique Kousai was so used to seeing when his brother was alive. His mind could only think over and over why this demon knew Flame Breathing.

”Why does this demon know Flame Breathing? Can he? No. It’s just imitation…it has to be.”

”Thunder Breathing: Thunder Swarm.”
Activating Total Concentration Breathing was a bit harder to do in the state he was in, his thoughts shifting, the alcohol messing with his senses, with no time to purge himself but, he pressed on. Kousai began moving rapidly, circling around Keodis, slashing at the demon, lightning coalescing around the blade. Each lightning enhanced slash was followed by an afterimage, showcasing just a bit of why he was the fastest hashira.

Letting one foot anchor on the ground, Keodis pivots slowly, letting Kousai slam into him over and over, sparks flickering off his blade, interdicting strikes one after the other.

”No real force… come on, you got to hit HARDER! Flame Breathing, Fourth Form. Blooming Flame Undulation.”

The air seems to ignite, a disc of reddish orange flame appearing vertically, nearly 15 feet in diameter as Keodis rests in the center, spinning the nodachi in a circular slash. He looks up, his eyes tracking the erratic movements of Kousai, before narrowing slightly.

”Unless speed is the only thing you have to offer? If so…you’ve made a horrible mistake challenging me. Flame Breathing First Form Modified, Seeking the Unknowing Fire.”

A puff of flame, and a burst of air. Suddenly, a blade swinging at neck height, a streamer of fire following its tip. The modification of the first form is built around chasing down fast opponents, boosting the attacks' already ludicrous closing speed with more movement control. The tradeoff is direct impact power, but it won’t take the power to derail a train to remove a human’s head.

Kousai hesitated for just a moment as he watched a demon pull out a flame breathing technique. If this had been any other technique, maybe Kousai would have been fine, just maybe he wouldn’t have broken the calm that he was known for. His brother spent his life perfecting flame breathing to kill demons and now some demon is using it. It felt like a mockery.

His eyes dilated as he entered an intense focus, perceptions speeding up, and the world around him slowing down. Every movement Keodis took slowed down to a crawl, every detail processing in the hashira's brain at once, thoughts gathering to figure out his next move. The timing of the attack was off just a bit, but not enough to confuse Kousai. He had seen this form before in its unmodified state, so the modification was easy enough to dissect, or so he thought as only with his ability could he figure it out before it cut his head clean from his shoulders.

His foot touched the earth, his body ducked low right under the blade, his perception slowing giving the advantage to foresee attacks like this and process his next option. To Keodis, it would look like Kousai’s entire body just stopped, muscles tensing for a single second before relaxing. His hand already on his hilt, having sheathed it for the next attack. A hiss echoed from the man’s mouth, finally bringing out his fullest.

”I am the fastest under heaven. First Form: Thunderclap and Flash. Godlike Speed.”

What most knew about Thunder Breathing is that the user’s legs were powerful, allowing for bursts or extended usage of high level speed. Most didn’t realize that it was not just the legs that were augmented, but their arms needed to match to generate the types of attacks produced by Thunder Breathing. For years Kousai cultivated the level of speed necessary to surpass his grandfather, not only in his legs but within his arms.

As Keodis’ blade passed overhead, lightning would shoot outward from the tsuba as the rumble hashira initiated his first form. The attack would happen the very moment that blade passed, striking within the split second before the demon could retreat his arm back for a continued offense or defend himself. Kousai pulled the blade outward from its sheath, lightning surging outward into the air, aimed for Keodis’s elbow. He knew as a demon, being a high level one, that this type of injury would be healed in moments, but the attack would flow into the next bit of offense he had planned.

Using the momentum gained from first form, he spun his body around, raising his right leg upward to chamber it. The soryu training from the other day raced through his mind, his leg tingling from the addition of the scarlet in his blood, before throwing that leg forward aimed at the demon’s stomach. Even if he managed to blade, there was enough force from that kick to move a grown man several feet, and if he used his body to block then he would have to deal with the fact the kick was based in Soryu.

”Ah… there you are, Hashira.”

Lifting the stump of his right arm, Keodis looks back to his blade, stuck tip down in the ground behind him. Dealing with Thunder users is always a question of stamina. Provoking an attack like… that, is a big win, even if you lose a few pieces in the process. Now, the leg, on the other hand, was a much more interesting prospect. It seems that Kenzo’s style has proliferated a bit further than expected.

”Good trick with the Soryu, too. Had fun learning from Kenzy? I remember when he first sprang that fun little tidbit on us. Good times… of course, you aren’t nearly as good as him, but, you take what you can get.”

Brushing off his chest, which doesn’t seem to have taken damage beyond a displaced collar line on his undershirt, Keodis smiles while his right arm erupts back into shape. He shrugs slightly while turning to retrieve his blade. While it looks casual, Keodis’ left hand rests slightly behind, not swinging while he walks. If Kousai makes a move, the hand will dart to intercept and divert.

”That being said, I can’t quite match you on even ground using Flame Breathing alone. Well, nothing to it, let’s see if there’s something new I can show you.”

Lifting the blade with near contemptuous ease, he sets it in a high back guard, and smiles.

”I wonder if you’ve seen this one before.Flame Breath, 9th Form.”

He sets his other hand on the hilt, and digs in his back foot. Ephemeral flames swirl around his feet, and a maniacal grin stretches across his face, as scale patterns ripple across the flames.



A wave of force, a blistering wind. Force personified, in a single forward vector that moves at a comparable speed to the Thunder style. One single strike, in a diagonal downward cleave that carries the roar of a dragon and the force of hundreds of Flame users.

”BROTHER! DON’T! USE MINE!”

The visage of his brother screamed at him, his brain telling him to take the smart option. Unfortunately Kousai allowed himself to fall to his anger, something so uncharacteristic that no one would believe it. The anger that boiled inside him watching a demon perform that penultimate technique of flame breathing, a technique his brother never got to learn. Instead of playing it safe or fighting back with a technique of similar level, Kousai enacted the first form of thunder breathing enhanced with godlike speed.

The sound of a clash, blades touching at the point of impact, Kousai sliding backward with blade stuck into the earth. The clash broke in two the nichirin blade, never meant to clash with techniques like 9th form, a mistake that Kousai knew but ignored. Broken in the middle, the top half sat in the dirt before him. His breath was labored, his right hand reached across his chest to grab his shoulder, blood spewing from the wound, only narrowly avoiding major damage to his body.

”Damn it.”

His eyes moved downward to his brother’s nichirin blade sitting at his hip, wondering if he should use it. He may be wounded but it didn't mean he was down and out. The problem being that Kousai had practiced only a few times with it, having not adjusted for its weight and length. What a fool he had been, and he almost felt the need to prove himself. He allowed him to be upstaged by a demon but maybe there was still a chance to win this. Maybe.

”Tsk, tsk, tsk. No good, huh?”

Keodis stands up from the low ending position of the 9th Form, blade swinging forward to rest on his shoulder. He looks at the shattered blade, before smirking slightly

”Well, I guess that’s that. Now, I’m going to be a bit… saccharine, if you will. Consider this the dregs of my sympathy for you. Leave. Now. Run away, and come back with something that’ll actually give me a warm-up. Like four of you. Clutch that little memento of yours, burn this day into your memory, and always remember.”

A pressure bursts into existence. The world tastes like copper. There is no moon. Only HIM, standing there, wearing the smile of a fox who’s snuck into a hen coop. The spectre of bat-like wings rest behind him, and it hurts to tell if they’re really there, or a figment of imagination.

”You live because I let you. I have not really tried once today, and you are kneeling before me, blade shattered.”

He turns around, and walks away. The pressure disappears, and the world comes back into color.

”What a disappointment of a Hashira. Didn’t even get good practice in. I hope Guen at least makes me try.”

”Next time, I’ll cut your neck.”

His head hung low as he spoke, his body wanting to continue, fight through the pain like he’s done so many times before, but his mind told him to stop. He needed a restart, to ease his own grief before he could fight Keodis again. To bring out your best, one needed to know who they were, a statement that the Rumble Hashira once held close to his heart. Turning his back to his opponent, he began walking back to town. Next time, he’d bring not only his own strength, but his brother’s.

---

"Tsugikuni-san...Are these demons whose authority we recognise?" Tenko asked Himari as her eyes remained fixed on the demon that had intercepted her attack and the rest who had come along shortly after.

It was said that an experienced Demon Slayer of old could even tell how many humans a demon had killed at a glance, thus gauging how dangerous their adversary was. Tenko was certainly not at that level, but nevertheless, she could sense that these demons were powerful.

A far cry from the 'average' demon drunk on their power, they gave no sign of reckless overconfidence that would lead to an opening.

Dangerous group of demons to be sure.

The one who had introduced himself as Gekido mentioned Tsugikuni Hikari making connections with demons, but...surely that was done behind the corps' back?

Surely the Demon Slayer Corps was not aware of her? Because if they were, then it raised the question of why they were not targeted for elimination, or if they had proven to be cooperative and were an asset, why they were not briefed before being brought to this area, which would seem to be more and more likely to be demon territory.

Well...if they fought here, Tenko had no illusion that she would surely die. Himari, too, actually.

She wasn't afraid of death. It was something she had accepted the moment she took up her nichirin blade, after all.

If she died as a demon slayer as a vanguard against the demons, so that innocent people would be protected, she had no qualms about that.

If she had to die to protect her comrade, then so be it.

If she died to enact some sort of miracle to give a demon their humanity back, she would do so gladly.

But dying foolishly here would not accomplish anything.

Thus, Tenko sheathed her blade, accepting the offer of a ceasefire.

"If you have some sort of arrangement with our Oyakata-sama or the higher-ups of our corps for this place or area to be a neutral zone, then I regret to inform you that I, at the very least, have not been informed of such things. Thus, when confronted with an unknown demon, considering our duty and the mutual historic hostility between demons and slayers, I acted," she started.

She looked around. They were outnumbered and possibly overpowered. Nichirin armaments or no. Soryu, Karate or no. They were, after all, humans. And demons were exactly demons because they possess preternatural ability.

Even if all the Hashira were to fight together, it would still result in heavy casualties. Casualties that they cannot afford at this time.

She continued, "But regardless, I understand that some of you may not be satisfied with that information. I was still the instigator in the case with Mamushi, after all. Therefore..."

She briefly glanced at Himari. From her expression, it was clear that she did not approve of what Tenko had done. Tenko had her own thoughts on that, but it did not matter at this point.

Tenko stepped forward, her face resolute, no doubt or hesitation as she uttered her next words, "Guen-san aside, if my compliance is enough to allow the rest of the slayers' safe passage out of this area tonight, then I will lay down my arms and come with whoever you think has authority here. And if that is not enough, you can have my head as recompense."

Dying foolishly would not accomplish anything.

But dying as a 'sacrificial piece' would have value.

The people around this area tonight were Hashiras, Tsugukos, and the heiress to Soryu Karate, which was pivotal for the fact it allowed slayers to emulate a red Nichirin blade, and finally, herself.

Just like in chess, where the Queen is valued at 9 points, Rooks at 4, Bishops and Knights at 3—Well, Fischer and Kasparov had Bishops be valued higher at around 3.5, but that was beside the point—and Pawns at 1...It was clear she was the piece with the lowest value here.

At worst, the demons would go back on their words and attack the rest after killing her, but even then, at least there would be clarity for the demon slayers that a demon's words could not be trusted. If she had to be martyred for that, then so be it.

But those were merely the thoughts of Tenko the Demon Slayer.

Tenko, without being in the current 'demon slayer state', would still say the same.

But not because of cold utilitarian calculus.

The Demon Slayers Corps were her comrades, and if her life could save theirs, then that was enough reason.

After all...

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

---

Jae-eun left his naginata propped carefully against the outer wall, the lacquered shaft catching a faint sheen from the lanterns. For a second his hand lingered on it, thumb tracing an old nick in the wood, a small, private ritual of reassurance, before he let it go. Going in armed would send the wrong message. Tonight needed less steel and more words, whether he liked it or not.

He exhaled slowly, smoothing the edges of his smile as he sought out the proprietress. “Proprietress-san,” he called gently as he approached, bowing with impeccable courtesy. “Good evening. Or… what’s left of it, at least.” He straightened, eye studying her with that unfailingly mild curiosity of his, as if he hadn’t just been standing between a demon enforcer and a rogue Hashira.

“This has been a very unfortunate night for hospitality, hasn’t it?” he went on, voice soft and almost apologetic. “You have my apologies on behalf of the Corps. Things have… spilled over more than they should have.” He tipped his head, the smile turning a shade more wry. “If you’re still permitting problematic customers, I’d like to impose with a drink. Nothing strong, just something to sit with, if you don’t mind. Talking goes down easier with tea. Or sake.”

He folded his hands loosely in front of him, leaving plenty of space, making no move to crowd her or push. “I’m not here to argue jurisdiction,” he added, tone calm, almost weary. “You want Nichirin out of your borders, I’ll respect that. I left mine outside, and I’ll leave if you ask. I just want to make sure my juniors are safe, and that this place hasn't become another crime scene on the evening news.”

“So… may I sit for a while? We can discuss how to untangle tonight without any more bodies on the floor. You’re very good at keeping the city’s threads in order, Muragarasu-san. I’m hoping we can weave something together that doesn’t end in an execution in your lobby.” He let a small, tired chuckle slip out, barely there. “And if we manage that, the first round’s on me.”

The proprietress looked to her returned guest with the ire of this entire night weighing heavily within her eyes. The masquerade of a dignified business had long slipped this evening, falling further and further until what remained now was what could now only be described as a disheveled mess. The blood red sheen of her eyes transfixed upon Jae-eun, looking then to the location of where he left his demon felling weapon outside and releasing a short-but-exasperated sigh. Were she anyone else, the man would be bisected where he stood and it would be left for her employees to clean up his viscera before turning to their duties.

”Your bravery is commendable, Jae-eun, I’ll offer you that.” Mura snorted before she turned her back to him and swiftly fixed her hair, tying it back with a small red elastic tie.

The onsen was at this point, emptied out, for the safety of both human and demon customers' own well-being. All that remained were the crows outside and the few employees that remained to clean up the mess. Muragarasu glanced over her shoulder and extended out a hand, her scarlet painted fingernail extending out with her digits to gesture toward her left to a wooden door, which opened from the opposite side for the pair to enter. Within that room, the older human girl that worked as her right hand ‘Robin’ remained and stood in a corner with an entirely different wardrobe than before. The onsen work attire shed for a completely black yukata bound by silken red ribbons, and harnessed at above her rear at approximately waist height was a sheathed tanto artfully adorned in black feathers.

”If you would please follow me?” Mura quietly requested as she entered the room and sat at a small table with two cups prepared with, not sake, but black tea.

The proprietress entered first, taking a seat along the tatami mat gracefully before tucking a small brown blanket over her legs and scooting underneath the wooden surface. The tea was fresh, filling the room with a strong aroma and enveloping that small area with the slightest bit of steam. Before she took a sip of the tea, a small cup beside the one filled with the tea would be poured into it, the rich scent of iron would sweep outward as Mura took a sip of the concoction. The only thing that could put her a bit more at ease would be her pipe, but in the chaos she misplaced it somewhere?

With a small, almost relieved sigh, Jae-eun followed Muragarau into the room, and took off his haori, baring his arms and the myriad of tattoos that marked them. “My bravery, Muragarasu-san?” he laughed. “I am not sure if what I am doing is brave. Foolish, perhaps.” His eyes flicked over the room as he sat, taking in exits, entrances, details, and more, a habit born of paranoia and routine.

He accepted the tea with a grateful nod, cradling the cup with both hands. He let himself get lost in the moment, only for a second. He brought the cup to his lips and took a slow, measured sip. If it was poisoned, well, Jae-eun was too deep for regrets. The taste was soothing, grounding, and offered him a point of clarity in this chaotic evening.

“I will be blunt, Muragarasu-san,” Jae-eun said, smile falling from his face for what was perhaps the first time this evening. “I do not have time for candor or excuses. There is blood running on the streets, innocent blood. Tomioka Guen, I can not forgive, nor will I forget what she has done. It is unconscionable. Despite what the Ubayashiki-sama may say, despite his requests, as the senior most Hashira in Tokyo, Tomioka Guen will be punished for her crimes. I will make sure of it.”

He set the cup down, hands folding neatly into his lap. After a pause, he continued. “I do not wish to be your enemy, nor continue to be if that is already what I am. Lines are blurring in this long night, between demon and slayer, civilian and yakuza, business and duty. I came inside to make sure there are no more martyrs, no more deaths, no more catastrophes.”

He allowed himself a small, rueful smile. “If I can keep the corps and your business from burning down together, I must try. That is all this is. My regret, my apology, and my hope that despite everything, you and I can work together. Not the Corps, not as Slayer and Demon, simply Jae-eun and Muragarasu.”

He brought the tea to his lips again. “Name your price, Muragarasu-san. Bravery and foolishness go hand in hand, and I feel like a brave fool tonight.”

Muragarasu watched, unblinking, calculating, measuring, like a predator scaling its prey. She listened carefully, making sure to absorb everything that her company had to say before she offered a reply. When doing business it was best to allow both parties time to fully explain themselves, their offerings, wishes, what debts would be trusted or unpaid could be discerned after the fact. Jae-eun had been under her watchful eyes for some time now, and while tonight’s circumstances changed things, good game was difficult to come across.

”Blunt—?” She begins, her own smile equally wry, but different, like a vulpine beast baring their teeth in an equally inviting as if threatening way. ”A blunt blade is typically in need of sharpening, so that is what shall happen here and now.”

What Jae would see in the room wouldn’t raise any eyebrows, there were some tapestries of traditional artwork along the walls, a few urns on small display tables. What he might clock would be just above Robin in the corner, a hanging bookshelf with a number of books organized neatly; beneath those books at the bottom was a photo of her and what appeared to be six human children at a temple’s entrance. To any normal person it would just appear to be a shrine maiden with some local youths capturing a moment to remember, but for a demon it was… strange.

”Guen is, not a priority to me— dragon. She is a simple nuisance and her machinations may have ripple effects in the future, but that rippling water simply isn’t even in my pond.” It seemed as if she was going to say something else in that moment, but she cut those words short and struck her tongue along one of her sharpened canines, drawing some blood before the wound closed in an instant.

”On the contrary, your foreigner did something that I deem as unforgivable. The powers that be, present, may share lineage with me— but dragon, I assure you, this fox is capable of far less grandiose but much deeper cutting wounds than any Moon or Yakuza filth are capable of.” Her smile remains all the whilst those venomous words dribble from her lips, remaining resolute she simply scoots closer to him, leaning forward so the slit pupils within her eyes can stare inward.. deeper than the flesh, into his very soul.

Her index finger floated up from the table, pointing to the hashira’s false eye with a red painted finger. It drew a circle in the air while the proprietress imagined removing it in her mind, wondering what beheld the empty tunnel into the man’s skull. Those wandering thoughts would cease the moment Robin, in the corner of the room coughed, breaking the rising tension in the air in an instant.

”Jae-eun, I have no doubt that you are an intelligent man— more so than you wish to display for others, so let us cut the facade and be earnest with one another.” The smile vanished, leaving a blank expression upon Muragarasu’s face as it remained not too far from Jae’s own.

”[You] are not my enemy, nor is your Rumble compatriot, me and Kousai have spoken not too differently than this in the past.” Her head slowly tilted, warping her expression to nigh inquisitiveness but might have come across as scrutiny. ”No— poor choices, mistakes, those are seemingly more and more so my enemy in this turbulent age.” She sighed once again as loose strands of her raven mane fall into sight, blowing them away and adjusting in her seat once again.

She sat back, creating that distance and imaginary barrier between the two of them. Her crimson sclera flashed, indicating the activation of her demonic talents, but no sign or indication of danger would follow. Instead, out from a floorboard a rat would crawl out before making its way towards the two, putter-pattering towards Mura specifically and dropping a simple knife at her side.

”My lady, are you sure you shou-“ Robin would speak out loudly, swiftly stepping out of line at the corner of the room to cease whatever it was that Muragarasu intended to do. Unfortunately, that same hand that pointed to Jae would find itself pointed at her.

”Would you like to see another senpai wounded?— or are you fine having strangers dirty the bath water that you painstakingly prepared for our customers?— Robin, what did I say about questioning my judgment?” Mura’s words might’ve come across as a threat to the young, seemingly innocent, human girl in the room with them. But there wouldn’t be any fear in this girl, Robin’s expression.

Instead, the girl returned to her corner with a frown and where she once stood, she melted down to plop onto the floorboards in a sullen thud. Muragarasu’s attention was now on her, matronly glancing upon the stranger with a knowing gaze and shaking her head before returning her vision to Jae-eun. That blade would be taken from the rat’s teeth, it seemed old, not necessarily rusted or grimy but the steel of it tarnished over centuries of use.

”You said you’d like to make a deal?” She raised her brows at Jae-eun.

Jae-eun listened attentively, letting Muragarasu’s words settle over him like ash over coals. He took in everything, the rat courier, Robin, the knife, the casual way she shifted from docile proprietress to a vixen who wouldn’t hesitate to rip his throat out if he inconvenienced her. She too, contained multitudes it seemed. Jae-eun could respect that.

His eyes tracked the rat though, his mind whirling with the possibilities of what appeared to be her Blood Demon Art. Familiars? Puppets? Possession? Which was the truth? Jae-eun just watched, a small smile on his face as the girl, Robin, would fall to the floor with a dramatic thud. He nearly let out a laugh as he recognized the signs of admonishment accepted, albeit with the cheekiness of a child.

But his mind wandered back to other words, other things, other statements that caused him to think, not as a man fascinated with this creature in front of him, but as a leader who was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. “Foreigner?” he asked, voice light. “You must mean dear Tenko-chan.”

Tenko, whose firearm’s report had sounded through the district. Tenko, who was under his watch and mentorship. Tenko, who was not Guen, not a rogue Hashira on a revenge quest.

“You know,” Jae-eun said, his tone carrying an idle lilt of lightness masked over steel. “Perhaps I read the situation wrong. I thought I’d be negotiating on behalf of the blizzard that swept through, or perhaps the rumbling of thunder that has disturbed the peace. I did not foresee myself trying to cauterize a bullet wound.”

“I am glad to see that I am not considered an enemy, nor is the muscle-brained thunder head in Kousai.” he concluded. “It does make me feel at ease to know there is no ill will between the dragon and the fox.”

His eyes tracked to the picture again. He let out a ‘hmm’ of intrigue, of thought, of curiosity before he went back to looking at the vixen in front of him. “Do forgive me if I overstep with callous statements. You’re a den mother, aren’t you, Muragarasu-san? A protector of the innocent, perhaps? Or is it the youth of children you safeguard? Don’t feel pressured to answer, a little mystery always makes a flower more captivating.”

“And if I am right, dreadfully so, Tenko-chan’s actions have spurred you to act,” he concluded. “A mother watching out for her children, or one of her charges.” He finished his tea, setting the empty cup down on the table between them.

“Whatever that foolish girl has done, let me make it right. It is, unfortunately, my responsibility to administer the proper punishments to my juniors, just as you have admonished your own.” he said, waving a hand towards Robin. “If she has crossed a line, which I can already tell she did,” he remarked with a huff. “Then I will ensure she faces the consequences as befitting the crime, but under my discretion. Despite her rashness, Tenko-chan is still my dear junior.”

“As for a deal, there are three proponents I would like to include on my end.” Jae-eun said, raising three fingers.

“One, I am in need of an informant myself, one that is not bound or restricted by the Corps outdated dogma. Keodis’s services may be lost to me, I have not yet asked, but I shall. Our relationship will be between you and I alone, Dragon and Fox, not Slayer and Demon.” A finger went down.

“Two, Tenko-chan is to be punished how I deem fit. I unfortunately can not let you kill a Slayer in retaliation. However, if you were to describe a punishment and I deem it suitable, perhaps it would soothe her bloodlust to see the punishment come from a fellow slayer rather than a demon.” Another finger went down, leaving only one remaining.

“And finally, three.” Jae-eun said, letting his final finger fall. “I would very much appreciate a story, mayhaps about you, or perhaps about the photo you keep. Clearly it means something. Clearly it is important, and as a sign of good will, mayhaps we have our first exchange of information, hmm?”

“How— a d o r a b l e.” The words spilled out of Mura’s mouth slow, and all the same would Jae’s hairs stand on end, as the air in the room dropped in temperature.

”To weigh your own demands on the scale, after causing such a mess in my domain.” Her thin black pupils swelled, blotching out the red of her iris as the faintest spill of hostility escaped her presence for only the briefest moment.

But just as swiftly as this storm arrived, it departed, and Muragarasu lifted her cup of now lukewarm tea to her lips to take a sip for herself. The red stained trickle of what she mixed into that tea would be just one of many reminders to Jae that, civil as this woman might’ve been, she was still a demon. Her nostrils flared with the huff of a deep exhale, sucking in the scent of the Hashira, enjoying the sensation for a moment before beginning to fiddle with that old knife.

”You know very little, dear dragon. Until today, I’m certain that my presence was hardly on your mind— as is always my intention. Voyeurs don’t like to be seen.” The words spoken are heavy, not like that of a bludgeoning iron, but like a red-hot poker left in a furnace far too long.

”I know of that eye, and its origins, and many other things I’d like both of us to keep to ourselves.” Her smile returns, broader than before, stretching from her cheeks as she leans back in and lowers her voice to a hushed whisper.

”On the contrary, young man— your wagers mean very little here. I care not for your punishment of the foreigner, nor am I desperate for your information. Rather, if you’d like to give me useless offerings?.. I’ll take a few vials of your blood, that would suit me better.” Venom returned to her tongue, and even beneath the rather well behaved costume that Muragarasu wore, Jae would see that fire beginning to reignite.

The fox reconstituted herself, sitting back before spinning the old knife between her fingers. The flourish wasn’t intended to impress, instead to keep her idle hands busy until the blade would be offered to Jae-eun, handle-side. It wasn’t necessarily a threat, but the atmosphere in the room might present the message that if the blade wasn’t taken, there would be no business done between the two— and Mura would explain as she awaited Jae's response.

”You humans like to mystify the cursed blood techniques used by us demons, yes?.. Well, I’ll tell you the name of mine— and your behavior moving forward will determine how we handle things. Understood?” She parroted that fabricated wink of an eye along with a coy smile that Jae-eun likes to do so much.

Jae-eun laughed, bright and quick, but not hollow. It bubbled up from somewhere genuine, cutting through the tension and chill like the blade offered. ”Forgive me.” he said, eyes crinkling at the corner. “To be called adorable by someone holding my life, my reputation, and my future in their hands, is quite refreshing. Truly, I am the most foolish of fools today, are I not?”

He didn’t flinch from the hostility, didn’t react to her pupils changing, nor the charged energy in the air. This dance of words was exactly what he needed, beyond the clang and clash of steel, beyond the physical fight. This was what he loved, a contest of words, not actions.

“Ah, the fake eye,” he mused, tapping it. “That part is hardly a secret. It’s a good conversation starter. The poor boy who lost his eye and failed to protect his sister. The Hashira who chose the color to hold onto the memory of what was and not what will be. Quite tragic. Yes, people know the tale, they know the whos and hows.But why it happened, what was the cause for this… indiscriminate violence? That’s a less popular story that few, if any know at all.”

He watched Muragarau flourish the knife, his eye tracking the movement. Skilled, he noted. The handle was held out to him, and Jae-eun knew what he did next would matter the most. Accept, or deny? Was information worth a few vials of blood? Was the danger of giving a demon his blood worth the risk?

Without hesitation, without debate, Jae-eun accepted the offered blade with an incline of his head. “Vials of blood for the continuance of this conversation.” Jae-eun mused. “You really do know how to flatter a man.”

Once the blade was in his hand, he flourished it himself. He turned it once, twice, spinning it over knuckles and in his palm with the familiarity of someone who had grown up with steel and blade as a second language. The balance, the center of gravity, it gave information not verbally, but the stories were there for any who knew how to listen.

Then, once the blade was held in a reverse grip, sharpened edge against his wrist, he leaned in, mirroring her. But whereas her smile was coy and fake, Jae-eun’s was genuine and intrigued, as if he was sharing a secret.

“You are correct. I know very little beyond what is public knowledge to the Corp.” he whispered, tone playful. “But that’s what's fun. You’ve seen more of me than most in these scant minutes, than some will in lifetimes.” He slowly dragged the blade across skin, into flesh, crimson welling up at the cut.

“If you want my blood, you can have it. You have my face, my name, and far too many secrets that I would love to dive into. A few vials of blood, seems a small price for my insolence. I am but a man who stands amongst a pantheon of Demons and Angels” His smile widened, sharp, bright, enjoying this spectacle entirely too much. Where once sat a man, now lounged a Dragon as blood ran freely from the wound.

“A demon who prefers precision of spectacle, and blood as contract ink? A woman after my own heart, Muragarasu-san.” he chuckled. ”As for your Blood Demon Art? Consider me intrigued. I know of very few demons who can possess or puppet others, if that is what is, anyhow.”

If only it was so simple.

Forgoing words for the moment, Muragarasu swiftly extended her hand to grasp Jae-eun’s, interlocking her fingers between his own. Where he had struck the blade along his wrist, the wound would mirror itself onto the proprietress own wrist, and where his blood began to streak out along his arm her own blood would travel outward to connect with it.

“I won’t be taking any vials of your blood Jae-eun, instead you will be taking some of my own.” She smiled before almost silently the hashira’s intrigue would be answered. ”Blood Contract: The Tie That Binds,” In an instant Jae’s mind would be flooded with thoughts not of his own.

He would see visions of a bygone era, where a much different looking Muragarasu wore tattered clothes as she rapidly bounced from the earth to tree as she fled from a no longer living Hashira. And then another sight, of her at a village where a group of warrior monks cornered her at a temple, while behind her a number of young human children stood and stared at them in fear. The sensations, the sights, the sounds, the smell, even the taste of human blood coating his tongue would overpower the senses he currently held in that small room that he sat within. A splitting sensation would briefly take him back to that room for a fleeting moment, where his eyes would find strange thorn like patterns branching out from Muragarasu’s arm and onto his own.

“My curse is one of unrequited love, of kinship, of connection, with all things lived and deceased.” Her words would sound as if the two of them were in a tunnel that extended endlessly connecting one abyss to another, and with each word she spoke it would sound as if she was further-and-further away. “It would be best if you closed your eyes and waited for the undertow to take you.”

After those words were relayed, Jae’s mind would depart from his body once again. In reality, Mura could not control what it was that the person she formed a blood contract saw, that was part of the deal. So Jae would then would himself in a room of complete and utter darkness that snatched the sense of sight from him completely; he could hear though, heavy breathing, the smell of liquor, and smoke.. fire, at first the subtle glow of orange along the edges of the room. But after some time, it would be difficult to breathe, yet there was no motion within the room of anyone intending to flee from the approaching inferno. ”We’ll die here together, as fate decided.” An unfamiliar male voice would say from beneath slowly burning bed sheets. ”I wouldn’t have it any other way my love.” That voice, though different in its tone and even the way it was spoken— all too familiar as the person Jae was just speaking to, Muragarasu.

The perspective would change, once from sky like a fly on the wall, he was drawn in as the room fully came to ignite. He stood just a few feet away from the two individuals sleeping beside one another, until the crackling sound of burning skin could be heard. And the smell? Few things could turn the stomach like burning hair and flesh, but unfortunately for the onlooker only one person was fated to die on this day. As Muragarasu began to weep, another unknown voice would enter the scene as a much older sounding woman spoke from the inferno. ”Some things are just not meant to be.”

In nothing but the smoldering bedsheets, the proprietress of the past rose from the floor with rage in her eyes. The eerie glow of demonic blood sputtered in the flames against darkness as her clawed hands reached out for this other feminine stranger, only to be cut short by a nichirin blade skewering through her stomach. Pain— it was almost as if it was Jae’s own? The thoughts of betrayal and an unseen attack crippling the woman past the point of response. She stared out into those flames, despondent, until a swirling feeling of nausea churned in Jae’s stomach as he found himself flying backwards.. hours, months, days, years, decades, flew past him in a moment until once again he was back at the table with the proprietress.

Jae-eun stared intrigued at their intertwined hands with curiosity, before the world snapped away. The first thing to hit him was the smell.

Acrid ash, burning hair and flesh, and the suffocating thickness of smoke filling his lungs. Jae-eun’s breath caught, not in far, but in visceral, gut-wrenching horror. Every instinct told him to close his eyes, to look away, to shield himself from taking another’s burdens unto himself, but he couldn’t. He was trapped in a memory, a memory not his own, and forced to watch as flames consumed everything, as life burned, as love burned.

”No. No this is…” his thoughts were cut off as the blade came, as a slayer’s sword came, through her stomach, through his stomach.

Pain exploded, white-hot and immediate, stealing breath, stealing sight, stealing reason. Pain was a friend, pain was familiar, but this was intimate in a way it shouldn’t have. It wasn’t her pain alone. It was theirs now, whether he wanted it or not, while his nerves screamed out in agony and hate.

”Betrayel?” Jae-eun though. ”A demon slayer without honor? A demon slayer attacking from behind, while she grieved, while she…” The horror shifted, his mind always analyzing, always cataloguing everything despite the trauma and fear and horror. A demon who loved a human? Who chose to die with him? Who chose to fight against her nature for Love? Who was prevented from dying with him.

Clarity crept in, unbidden, but wanted. This wasn’t… assumptions he tried to keep away were washed away in the tide of understanding. Jae-eun understood, or whatever he rationalized was his understanding.

When he crashed back into the present, decades flying past him, years of living, hiding, watching, all slamming into him. Years of survival flowed into his head, it should’ve killed him, or maybe make him go insane. He was insane already, wasn’t he? Were they two sides of the same coin, wearing masks, hiding behind a picture they tried so hard to present, but so easily burned away because of Love?

[color=red]“You tried to die with him.” he said quietly. “Tried to burn and go together… but someone decided you didn’t deserve mercy, decided you weren’t allowed peace. So you were left with ashes and a curse and the weight of everything you wanted, but could never get.”

His eyes were wide, breath uneven, and for the first time in years, no smile was worn, tears fell from his eyes. “Unrequited love.” he whispered, voice hoarse, understanding. “You built your curse around it, around loving someone when the world wouldn’t allow him to love you back.” he stared at their hands, his was trembling. The thorn-like patterns remained.

“Dragon Breathing…” he said like a confession. “I created it from Love Breathing. Do you know what that means?” he paused. “Love Breathing is gentle, flexible, it is passion that protects and embraces. And I took that… corrupted it, twisted it into something possessive, that holds tight and hoards, that would rather destroy what it loves than let it slip away, because I would rather love and destroy everything around me than to never love at all.”

“The masks I wear, the pleasant faces, the flowery words, they’re all walls I built because the alternative was feeling that loss again. I’m still that child, terrified, who couldn’t save the people he loved, who created a weapon from his failure, and called it strength.”

Jaeu-eun sighed, once more, eyes returning to their joined hands, to the thorn-like patterns. “You were betrayed by someone, or your moment of vulnerability turned into a moment of pain. I don’t know which yet, don’t understand fully yet. Perhaps I never will..”

He exhaled, long and weary. “Are we both prisoners of our pain? Are you cursed to keep forming bonds when the one you wanted was stolen? Or are you trying to fill a hole that can never be filled?”

“Tell me, Muragarasu-san, now that I’ve seen your heart, now that we are tied by blood and memory and pain, what do you need from me?”

”Save the poetics, slayer.” The fox’s hand retracts and just as quickly those thorn-like patterns vanish from Jae’s arm.

Somehow, the blade that he once used to strike his arm was now on her side of the table again. Just as strangely did the hashira’s wound close without a scar to remind him of their transaction. What would remain? He could carry with him a strange sentimentality of seeing glimpses of the wearied woman’s past, but something else was different.

”Love is both sanctimonious and sacrilegious, it is a seed, nascent and unmolded until a practiced hand gives it shape.” Muragarasu’s mood was completely different at this point, seeming tired as small beads of sweat formed above her brow.

”For now, I simply ask that you tell your Tenko; whoever breaks the hedge, a serpent will bite them.” An exhausted sigh would hiss out from between the woman’s teeth as she flexed the hand that joined with Jae’s, and then grumbled.

Robin would leave her place to make her way to Mura’s side, sitting with her legs crossed and head down for some reason. The proprietress would then leave over to rest her body weight onto the young girl’s shoulder, panting before using Robin’s body to assist her in standing. The strong-willed demoness was visibly weakened, shaking at the knees as her bare feet slid back into her sandals. A weak smile and nod of her head would be offered to the dragon hashira, then a deep breath would be drawn in before she spoke again.

”You will learn of your end of the bargain soon enough, but for now— I expect your stormy compatriot will be arriving soon. I need to compose myself before he does.”

Jae-eun blinked, realizing his cheeks were wet. How strange. He brought his hands up and wiped away the tears with the distant curiosity one might wear for discovering an unexpected bruise. “Ah.” he said softly, a breathless sound. “How embarrassing. I usually don’t leak like this.” He wiped his face again, and then with his sleeve.

His mask reassembled itself piece by piece, a slight tilt of the head, the gentle curve of his mouth, his shoulders relaxing just a smidge. By the time he was done, Jae-eun Yoshihide was the carefree Dragon Hashira once more. Almost. His eyes met Muragarasu’s and something quieter was there, respect, clarity, something.

“Whoever breaks the hedge, a serpent will bite them.” he repeated, carefully, committing the words to memory. “I’ll pass that along to Tenko-chan. She’ll understand that, or if she won’t, I’ll make sure she learns. Either way, the message will be delivered.”

He watched again as Robin helped her to her feet, nothing the tremor, nothing the vulnerability that wasn’t there earlier. He did not comment, nor did he stare. He averted his gaze to nothing, to everything, but he understood enough.

“Muragarasu-san,” he said gently, making no move to stand or approach. His hands remained folded in front of him, posture respectful and still. “Thank you for the tea, the conversation, and well… for showing me something you didn't have to show.” His smile softened. “Please take your time recovering. I shall wait here until the thunder head arrives, and besides…”

He looked down at his pristine wrist, where thorns and blood no longer marred the skin. “I think I need a moment to myself, to let everything settle.” He bowed his head, a gesture of respect. “I hope your recovery is swift, proprietress-san. I look forward to learning what my end of our bargain entails.”

He stayed exactly where he was, seated at the table with an empty cup of tea.

Mura looked down towards Jae-eun for a moment with a deadpan expression, silently gazing for some extended period of time before Robin began to lead her out of the room.

”Nichirin will remain banned in my territory until my anger subsides, I’ll be sure to inform Kousai the same.” She smiled warmly, to reciprocate the respect to some degree before finally making her exit.

---

_{Mentions: @The Jest @Randomguy @King Kindred}

---

Good grief...

Xaku had sensed Gekido before, but his presence was of no consequence then. Now, however, his decision to make himself involved, for reasons she does not care for, is of consequence.

For a moment, Xaku remains silent. Contemplating.

Not an answer, of course. That part isn’t even worth a second’s consideration. She simply contemplates the intelligence of the one known as Gekido to ask such things of her as if she were simply one of his “colleagues”. Were she any other demon, she might have been willing to at least humour the man. Unfortunately for him, that was one of many things Xaku now lacked.

“... I refuse.”

Her answer is soft, final.

Two simple words.

She doesn’t wait for a response, turning her back to Gekido and facing Tenko once more, raising a pair of handcuffs from her waist. Her attention remains entirely on the Demon Slayer even as she continues speaking to her fellow demon.

“Letting a problem run loose simply due to a larger one also existing is inefficient.”

Xaku doesn't react immediately after she takes in Tenko’s words. “... Surrendering is the correct choice. However, Thompson-san, I must correct a misunderstanding.”

She walks towards Tenko and flicks a single finger, a superfluous motion with no true effect that anyone could see.

A few delicate strands of Tenko's hair fall to the ground, severed by an unseen force. It was an attack that was never going to hit. It was never meant to.

It was simply a demonstration of how meaningless her death would be, of how utterly worthless her existence was to the being before her. If Xaku truly wished to take her life, she wouldn't need something as useless as permission. That was only a privilege of the strong.

“Something like your head... holds no value here. You do not possess the strength to make it so.”

Xaku pauses briefly in her approach, turning her crimson gaze upon the third ranked Demon Lord. There is no anger in her eyes, no annoyance.

“And you, Gekido-san. Do not presume to command me. Even half of me... is still worth more than you.”

With that said, Xaku inclines her head just slightly, listening.

“Yaguchi-kun.”

A shadow moves, and a woman appears from the darkness, hair as black as night. She approaches Xaku wordlessly and takes the handcuffs from her and proceeds to go to cuff the unresisting Demon Slayer.

“Now, then... you.”

She turns to Himari.

“I suggest you leave.”

---

"It's not that my head has any value," Tenko started saying, correcting the demon who was behaving like one who had authority, "It's a matter of justice. I speak of retributive justice in the sense that I am willing to accept the ultimate punishment for retribution for my perceived crime. But only if you allow the others to leave. I don't know what circumstances led to one of the Hashira fighting the demon outside, but they and Guen-san aside, I am the only one responsible for the matter with Mamushi; the others should be allowed to leave. If not even my death would be enough, then you are no longer acting justly."

She looked at Xaku, who had been throwing her authority around straight in the eyes, even as she accepted the handcuffs, "You act as if you have authority to enforce the rule of law here, but if you're not acting based on the principle of justice, then you are nothing more than a hypocrite who uses law and regulation as an excuse to enforce your will."

As the demon urged Himari to go, Tenko nodded and spoke again, "...I see. Thank you. Though I hope that if any demons, those here or otherwise, should impede my comrades from leaving this place, you or your men will intervene. That's what it meant to enforce the law, no?"

@The Jest@King Kindred@Aku the Samurai@HaHa@Taka@xAlter
Miyuki wasted no time & used Soryu against the shadow demon, her thunderous speed, speedblitzed them before anything happened to Tenko. She's no Hashira, and she knows that well, but she will not sell out a comrade. Kenzō's words gets to resonate within Miyuki at this challenging moment.

'It's ok to follow rules, but those who sell out their comrades are scum!' Kenzō's words be like.

Leaving the demon in agonizing scarlet pain from those explosive sun-like taps.

Now, the successor of the Soyama Dojo & Soryu Techniques, fearlessly and proudly stand before the incarnation of Ryomen Sukuna. Miyuki is in between Tenko & this police bitch, Xaku, police or not, a Demon is a Demon. At the same time, she had murderous glare towards Gekido. Demons are unfair, always has been, if she were to play the game, it's already rigged from the start. They heal but Humans don't, as they can only decisively match their cunning, and rarely power.

She recalled her childhood friend, whom she failed to protect against the Student Council back in Middle School, it was an unpleasant memory.

In an instaneous heat of a moment, Miyuki, crushed Xaku's arm, gripping it, with her Soryu.

"I don't care what your position is, if you're a Police, act like one. If you're a Demon, act like one. You can't have both. If you wanna arrest my friend here, arrest me as well!" She glared and hissed at Xaku.

"Those who break the rules are scum but those who abandon their comrades are worst than scum, if you kill me now, then you're no champion of justice, you are nothing but a bitch in sheep's clothing! A coward who abuses their authority! You must be pretty weak when you were human! That's why you delight in the brutality and suffering you cause others!"

Mamushi got up and stood beside Miyuki, vowing to protect Tenko as well.

"You tell em' gurl. If this crazy bitch kills any of us, she's just proving Tenko's point!" Snakemen servants then surrounded the area.

"Human or Demonz it don't matter. We were humans too! Too cowardly of death and became Demons just so we can continue living! I chose to become a Demon to pay for my father's medicine! And now I choose to protect my friends and if you're gonna arrest us, do it then."


"FYI, Muragarasu is surely gonna be angry if you done fucked up this place!"