CHAPTER SIX: REMAINS OF THE FALLEN

❝ Tear at your own flesh. Undo the seams of your heart. ❞

(name) took a deep breath, the fresh air of the neighborhood filling her lungs as she leaned against the wooden fence. She watched the sun dip lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the peaceful surroundings. It was almost surreal, this moment of calm amidst the chaos of her world. Despite everything—her past, her nature, the demons she hunted—it was these quiet moments that gave her a strange sense of clarity.

Her thoughts drifted to the people she had met today. Tanjirou Kamado. The boy was different from the others. There was a sincerity in his smile, an optimism that reminded her of something she had long since lost. The world was full of warriors hardened by their experiences, their hearts thickened by the bloodshed they'd witnessed. But Tanjirou... he still had that spark. The way he talked about memories, about keeping the stories of those lost, resonated with her. Perhaps that was why she had stayed to talk to him.

She smirked to herself, wondering what this conversation might bring. But for now, she had to focus. She could feel something pulling at the edges of her awareness, something she couldn't ignore.

As she waited, her mind wandered back to the Rengoku household. She had learned much from the elder Rengoku and his family—more than they probably realized. The younger Rengoku, the one who had headbutted his father, had a presence about him that was intriguing. She had been careful not to reveal too much. The air around her was always thick with unspoken truths, and she wasn't about to spill everything just yet.

The sound of footsteps broke her from her reverie. She looked up and saw Tanjirou approaching, his face a mix of curiosity and warmth.

"Sorry about earlier," he said, scratching the back of his head. "I didn't mean to make it awkward."

(name) chuckled, her brown eyes twinkling with amusement. "No harm done. It's not every day I get to meet someone who actually listens to me. Not many people are like you."

Tanjirou smiled, his cheeks flushing a bit. "I just think it's nice to hear that the stories of the fallen won't be forgotten. There's a lot of pain in our line of work, but it helps knowing that their memories live on in other ways."

(name) nodded, feeling an unexpected pang of something—perhaps nostalgia, or a deeper understanding. She could relate more than she wanted to admit. "It's a heavy responsibility. But you're right. It's the only way their sacrifices mean anything."

Tanjirou's expression softened as he looked at her, sensing the weight in her words. "You... you seem like you've been through a lot."

She looked away, her gaze momentarily distant. "I have. But we all have our battles to fight. Some are just more... visible than others."

The conversation lingered for a while, the two standing in comfortable silence as the sun finally dipped below the horizon. The peacefulness of the neighborhood around them felt like a temporary reprieve from the harshness of the world they both lived in.

Finally, Tanjirou broke the silence again, his voice hesitant but sincere. "So... you said you were working with the Demon Slayer Corps?"

"Not yet, but soon," (name) replied, her voice steady. "I've been writing for them. Recording the stories of those who fall, the warriors who fight the demons. It's important that their memories aren't lost, even if they can't be saved."

Tanjirou's eyes lit up. "That sounds incredible! I think it's amazing that you're doing that. Maybe one day, people will read your books and understand what we went through."

(name) smiled, a small, genuine smile that didn't happen often. "Maybe. I'll make sure of it."

Just as the conversation began to flow easier, the sound of a door creaking open interrupted them. They turned to see the younger Rengoku walking out, his gaze sharp and watchful. He stood a few feet away, silent, observing them both.

"Is something wrong?" (name) asked, her tone casual but with a hint of caution.

The younger Rengoku hesitated for a moment before speaking. "No. Just... curious. You seem to have a lot of interest in my family." He glanced at Tanjirou, then back at (name). "And yet, you haven't explained why you're here."

(name)'s smile faded slightly, though her eyes remained sharp. "I could ask you the same question, Rengoku," she replied. "But for now, I'm just a visitor, taking in the view."

The tension in the air shifted slightly, but Tanjirou, ever the peacemaker, stepped forward with a bright smile. "We were just talking about memories and stories. (name)'s been really kind to listen to me."

The younger Rengoku studied them both for a moment longer before nodding curtly. "I see. Just... keep your distance. My family has enough to deal with."

With that, he turned and walked back inside, leaving (name) and Tanjirou standing in the fading light.

(name) watched him go, a quiet laugh escaping her lips. "You know, I think that's the most we've heard from him all day."

Tanjirou chuckled, though his smile was tinged with uncertainty. "Yeah, he's a bit hard to read. But he means well."

(name)'s eyes softened as she turned back to the path leading deeper into the neighborhood. "We all have our walls to climb, Tanjirou. Some just take longer to bring down."

With that, the two of them walked together in the twilight, their footsteps merging with the quiet hum of the world around them. The night was still young, and for now, they had time.

(name) couldn't help but chuckle at Tanjirou's sudden bashfulness. She had a way of making people react in ways they didn't expect, but there was something endearing about how genuine he was. His discomfort only made her more curious about the boy, and the odd connection that seemed to form between them in just a short span of time.

She gave a lighthearted shrug. "Well, I was planning on wandering around a bit before heading back to write. Maybe I'll check out the Butterfly Estate after. I hear they take in a lot of people there... demons, too, from what I gather."

Tanjirou looked at her in surprise. "You... you don't mind that?"

(name) blinked, surprised at his question. She tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful. "Why would I mind?" she asked, her voice even but curious.

"I thought... well, I thought people might have trouble with demons," Tanjirou muttered, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Even if they're not dangerous anymore."

(name) gave him a small, understanding smile. "It's complicated, but I've seen things that make me understand them better than most would. Not all demons are born that way, after all." Her voice softened slightly as she spoke. "Sometimes it's just survival, or being caught in circumstances beyond their control."

Tanjirou's eyes widened slightly, a mixture of surprise and thoughtfulness crossing his face. "I never thought of it that way," he admitted. "But I do understand that. Nezuko... she didn't choose to be a demon, and she's still my sister, no matter what."

A sudden realization struck (name) as she observed him. The loyalty he felt for his sister, the way he spoke about her with such unwavering conviction—it reminded her of something familiar. Something she had almost forgotten about herself.

"Nezuko," (name) repeated quietly, almost to herself. "That's her name?"

Tanjirou nodded, smiling gently. "Yeah. Nezuko Kamado. She's... well, she's one of a kind."

"I can imagine." (name)'s gaze turned distant for a moment, the weight of her own memories creeping up. She quickly pushed them down, focusing on the present. "That's a bond that's hard to break, huh?"

Tanjirou nodded again, his expression both determined and gentle. "Yeah, it is. I'll protect her no matter what. She's everything to me."

(name)'s smile was softer now, less playful and more sincere. "I can respect that," she said quietly.

They walked in comfortable silence for a few moments, the sound of their footsteps almost blending with the ambient noise of the world around them. The air was cooler now, the sky painted with hues of pink and purple as the day began to give way to night.

"I really appreciate you talking to me, Tanjirou," (name) finally broke the silence. "You've got a good heart. Don't let the world steal that from you."

Tanjirou looked over at her, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. "Thank you, (name). I really appreciate it too."

She nodded, her eyes scanning the path ahead. "You've got a long road ahead of you. Just remember that it's okay to lean on others, even if it doesn't always seem like it."

"Yeah," Tanjirou agreed, his voice carrying a hint of hope. "I'll try."

Before they could continue, the Butterfly Estate came into view, a serene haven tucked away amidst the trees. (name) stopped walking for a moment, her eyes sweeping over the landscape.

"I think this is where I part ways with you for now," she said, her tone a little lighter. "But it was good to meet you, Tanjirou. And don't forget—you're not alone in all of this."

Tanjirou smiled brightly, bowing slightly. "Same to you, (name). Thanks for everything."

As she turned to walk toward the Butterfly Estate, (name) couldn't help but glance back at him one more time. There was something in his smile, something that made her think he would be okay, no matter what came his way.

Maybe she was wrong about being too distant from people. Perhaps it wasn't so bad to let a few people in after all.

(name) felt the sudden change in Tanjirou's demeanor as he stopped in his tracks, his gaze intense and focused. Her amusement faltered as she realized something was wrong.

"Tanjirou?" she asked softly, concern creeping into her voice. His eyes were no longer bright with curiosity but clouded with something darker. He wasn't the type to scare easily, so this reaction was new. "Anything wrong, dear?"

His eyes flickered to her, and his face flushed with a mix of confusion and something else—fear, perhaps. "(name)-san... Why do you smell like blood?" His voice was trembling ever so slightly, and she could see the hairs on his neck standing up.

(name)'s hand instinctively went to her side where the bloodied remnants of her past were hidden under her kimono. Her face remained neutral, but internally, her mind raced. Tanjirou's sensitive nose had caught a scent she couldn't easily hide. His intuition was sharp, far sharper than most.

"I—" (name) began, but before she could finish, the world seemed to slow.

Her thoughts drifted back to what happened earlier in the forest.

The boy she had met, blood dripping down his face as he devoured the remains of the fallen, still stood amidst the carnage. His eyes locked onto hers the moment she walked into the clearing. The stench of blood, fresh and sickening, hit her senses even before the boy's figure emerged from the shadows.

She knew who had done this. The massacre. The unmistakable marks of a demon in his form, twisted and monstrous. The same scent, the same blood that Akaza had left behind in his wake. It was as if the whole forest had been painted in death. And worse, she could feel that presence lingering—a cold, calculating force not too far away.

As the present snapped back into focus, (name) blinked and forced a smile at Tanjirou. "It's nothing," she said, a bit too quickly. "You're probably just imagining things."

Tanjirou's eyes narrowed, not convinced, but before he could press further, a sudden chill ran down Himura's spine, and a surge of dark, foreboding energy swept through the air. She turned abruptly, feeling the weight of something heavy in the atmosphere.

There, in the distance, she saw it. The unmistakable silhouette of a demon—Akaza, the Upper Moon Three. His eyes gleamed with lethal intent, scanning the forest as if seeking out his next prey.

Her pulse quickened, and she moved to pull Tanjirou back, but he was already standing in front of her, sword in hand, prepared to fight.

"Stay behind me," he whispered to her, the fierce determination in his eyes now matching his posture.

(name) hesitated for a split second. But she knew. She knew this wasn't just another encounter. Akaza wasn't just another demon. This was a force of destruction, a demon capable of wiping them out with the mere flick of a wrist.

"I'm not letting you face this alone," (name) said, her voice steady despite the weight of fear that gripped her heart. "We both fight. Together."

Her hand rested lightly on her blade, ready to face what was inevitable. The blood scent still lingered in the air, and Himura could feel the weight of the forest closing in around them. She had been around demons long enough to understand their tactics, their hunger—but this... this was something else entirely.

Akaza's eyes narrowed as he noticed them both. His lip curled into a smirk, recognizing them for what they were. "A demon slayer, and one of her own kind," he mused, his voice dripping with mockery. "How quaint."

Tanjirou's grip tightened on his sword, and (name)'s pulse quickened as she stepped forward, prepared for the fight of her life.

The battle that would follow would be nothing short of deadly, with the stakes higher than either of them realized. But (name) knew one thing for sure: She wasn't about to let Akaza get away with this. Not while she could still stand.