"Excuse me!"

The farmer who was tending to the crops stood up and turned around, seeing the young man walking towards him and waving at him. The boy looked... strange to say the least. He wore a blue kimono and his eyelashes were even stranger, being a bright shade of pink.

"That basket of yours! Do you mind if I take it along with some straw and bamboo?"

The farmer scratched the top of his head as he spoke to Hakuji. "Umm... sure. You can take it, but... it's not in the best condition." He gestured at the bamboo basket that had holes littering the sides of it.

Hakuji squinted his eyes at the basket and looked back up at the farmer. "It's alright. I can simply fix it myself."

"Oh?" The farmer tilted his head at Hakuji. Meanwhile, Hakuji was beginning to get impatient. He just wanted to take the damn basket and get back to Koyuki already.

"Well, I guess if you think you can fix it, go ahead and take it." The farmer shrugged.

"Great! How much do I owe you?" Hakuji dug around for any change he may have had on him.

"Oh, no! That's not necessary at all! Really, it's just an old basket. You'd be doing me a favor by getting rid of it. The straw and bamboo's for free too.

Hakuji nodded and picked up the basket and supplies, slinging them over his shoulders. "Well, if that's all, I'll be on my way! Take care!" He then ran off with the basket on his back as the farmer and his wife looked after him.

"Hmm. A strange one, that boy is." The farmer scratched at his head, raising an eyebrow.

***

Hakuji ran as fast as he could through the woods. He knew she'd still be there, but he couldn't help but feel worried about her. They had been traveling for the past two days. Though, their journey to Mount Sagiri had been a long one. Hakuji took the swordsman... Tomioka, was his name? He took Tomioka's advice to heart and kept Koyuki out of the sunlight. Unfortunately, keeping her out of the sun meant that she had to stay in one spot for an entire day and they could only walk during the night. Hakuji wanted a way to keep traveling during the day while also not having to worry about Koyuki getting hurt. Of course, now, he'd have to fix the basket. He rolled her eyes in annoyance. This was going to take a while. At least he now had a good reason to take the extra supplies with him.

Up ahead was the cave he hid Koyuki in. He made his way to it and squinted his eyes as he looked inside, searching for Koyuki. He started to get worried when he couldn't spot her.

"Koyuki?" He called into the cave as his eyes scanned the dark space for Koyuki.

A head suddenly poked out from the ground. Hakuji's eyes met with Koyuki's. She looked nervous. She dug a hole? Hakuji pouted at her. Koyuki's turned into a mole. She probably got her kimono all dirty. Hakuji looked out of the cave. She must really not like the sunlight.

Hakuji set down the basket and began working on it. Twenty minutes later, he managed to put something together. It wasn't much, it was pretty shoddy even, but it would keep her safe from the sun... probably. For good measure, he tied several large leaves he found around it. He looked inside it to check for any holes that the light shined through, but couldn't see anything. He looked back towards the cave and stepped inside, placing the basket on the ground in front of the hole Koyuki made.

"Koyuki!" Hakuji gently called to her, making her look up at him. "Think you can fit inside this basket?" He pointed to the basket sitting in front of her. "I want to keep moving during the day too. I'll carry you, okay?"

Koyuki made no move to get inside the basket, simply staring at it and tilting her head in curiosity. One thing Hakuji noticed over the two day period of their journey was that Koyuki acted... strange to say the least. She no longer acted like her usual reserved and easily flustered self anymore. The best way Hakuji could describe Koyuki's current behavior was that she acted more like a big puppy. She seemed to look at everything with childlike curiosity and wonder. He knew she still recognized him, but she shed no tears for her father when they were at his grave, instead staring at it mindlessly. Hakuji suspected that becoming a demon had erased most of her memories apart from the memory of him specifically. She couldn't even remember how to talk. He tried speaking to her without her muzzle on, and instead of producing actual words, she just grunted and babbled incoherently.

It was like she wasn't the Koyuki he once knew anymore. He knew it was her, but it wasn't the same Koyuki he grew up with. This Koyuki felt like... a shell. It made him feel so terrible to think of her that way, but it was true. They couldn't have conversations anymore and they couldn't do a lot of the things they used to love doing together. She forgot everything except for him. He knew a part of her was still in there and that it would take a lot of work to bring her back to her old self, but he already missed her so much. He wanted to talk to her and have her understand what he was saying. At least that way, he wouldn't feel so alone despite her being the only thing he had left. Still, he could always look at her and have hope.

"Can you fit? In here?" He said, patiently saying each word to where he hoped she could get an idea of what he was saying. "Basket." He emphasized the word by pointing at the basket in front of her.

Finally seeming to get what Hakuji was saying, Koyuki climbed out of her hole and slid head first into the basket. The only problem now was that the lower half of her body still stuck out of the basket. She lazily tried pushing the rest of her body in, but all that did was push herself and the basket forward.

Hakuji frowned. She kinda protrudes, huh? I had a feeling this would happen, but... hold on. When she turned into a demon, she got bigger! Maybe, she could do the opposite and get smaller? That might work!

He smiled as he crouched down next to her. "Koyuki. Remember how you got big? Can you get smaller?"

Koyuki didn't budge. Hakuji sighed before patting her on the back. "Smaller!" He said in an encouraging voice. "Get smaller, Koyuki!" He believed encouraging her would do something. She acted like a small child, so treating her like one might do something, right?

His eyes widened in surprise as she stood the basket back up. Her legs were still sticking out of it. "Koyuki!" He blinked once, and Koyuki immediately disappeared into the basket. He could hear Koyuki rolling around inside before her head suddenly pops out from the basket. Hakuji looked inside and saw that Koyuki had shrunken down to the size of a child.

"You did it!" He cheered. "I'm so proud of you!"

Koyuki looked up at him and smiled behind her muzzle. Hakuji felt his heart melt seeing her smile like that. She looked so adorable this way. Even as a demon, her smile lit up his entire world. Somehow, it made her seem more innocent than she already was as a human. Hakuji understood now that seeing that pure smile on her face made him willing to annihilate every demon in the world in order to protect it. Hakuji smiled back and patted her on the head, which made her close her eyes and lean into his hand. So, she's a fan of head pats now... noted.

Hakuji nodded as he wrapped a large cloth around the basket to better conceal her and picked her up. Now that she was small, she was even easier to carry around than before. The two of them left the cave, ready to finally make progress during the day.

***

It was late afternoon by the time Hakuji had reached the foot of one of the mountains. He wasn't sure if it was Mount Sagiri, so he planned on asking anyone he happened to cross paths with. Thankfully, he didn't have to wait too long for that as he saw a woman and her child outside of a small house. He approached them with a gentle smile.

"Excuse me. I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of Mount Sagiri." Hakuji said.

The woman looked at him quizzically. "Mount Sagiri?" She asked, making Hakuji nod. "If you want to go to Mount Sagiri, you'll have to cross over that mountain, but..." Her expression looked more worried. "The sun's about to set. Are you really heading there with all that luggage? It's dangerous, you know?"

"I'll be careful." Hakuji assured her. "Thank you!" He bowed in her direction before walking away.

"People have gone missing lately!" The woman warned. "Try not to lose your way!"

That worried Hakuji a bit. Would he encounter a wild animal or a demon? He wasn't sure, and he was worried that he wouldn't be ready to fight it. He felt Koyuki move slightly in the basket. Could he protect her? Was he ready to face demons?

***

It was nighttime. Hakuji could finally let Koyuki out of the basket. They walked together on the path holding hands. Just further up the path, Hakuji spotted a small temple. The light inside appeared to be still on.

"We should check out that temple and see if anyone's inside." Hakuji told Koyuki who nodded in response. If anything, he hoped the people in it could give him an idea of what Sakonji Urokodaki looked like.

The two of them walked up the stairs leading to the temple. Something's wrong, Hakuji thought. As they got closer, Hakuji's senses could pick up movement inside the temple, but from what he could sense from their Fighting Spirit, it was a deep maroon color, like old, stagnant blood. It made his stomach twist uncomfortably. He could hear his heart beating in his chest. Whoever... or whatever was inside this temple was making Hakuji's body react in a way he'd never felt around another living thing.

He ran up to the door and braced himself. But, no amount of preparation could have prepared him for the sight in front of him. There were bodies, three of them, all human, all dead. Hakuji gasped and dropped the basket as he saw a fourth figure crouched over their bodies. This man was the source of the dark aura he sensed before. It was oozing off of his body like an infection. Hakuji knew... that this man... was a demon.

The demon turned towards them, showing its full appearance to Hakuji. Its skin was pale. He noticed two green markings on each of its arms. Its sleeveless blue tunic was covered in blood, same with its face. Its eyes looked bloodshot and its pupils were small. As it licked its lips clean of the blood staining them, Hakuji could see its sharp, pointy teeth.

The demon grunted in irritation as he turned to look at the two of them. "What the hell? This is my turf!" He said before standing up and looking down at them. "If you break into my territory, I'll make you pay!"

It's a man-eating demon! Hakuji thought as he continued to shake in place. The demon's presence along with the corpses was making him sick. Next to him, Koyuki was also shaking in place, but not from fear. Instead of focusing on the demon, her eyes were trained on the human corpses. The sight of them, the scent of their blood... it was making her drool. Her pupils turned into vertical slits as their scent seemed to awaken something inside of her.

The Temple Demon stood up and licked his fingers as he glared at the two of them. "Huh? There's something off about you. Are you both humans?"

Hakuji didn't answer. This... is a demon... this is what killed Keizo... these are the monsters that-

Hakuji suddenly finds himself getting tackled out of the temple at a shocking speed. He was beyond shocked by how fast the demon was. Using his quick reflexes, he delivered a fast left hook to the demon's jaw, tearing it off. The demon then let go of Hakuji, letting him continue to fly through the air and land on the stone covered ground a few feet away from the temple. He coughed as he shakily stood back up, his head still ringing from the impact.

He looked ahead of him, seeing the Temple Demon holding its hands over its mutilated face. He then looked towards Hakuji and let out a gurgled chuckle. Then, to Hakuji's amazement, the bleeding stopped. What is this?! I punched his jaw off, and he's just... walking it off?!

The Temple Demon then lunged towards Hakuji again, but missed. Hakuji dodged out of the way in time, standing off to the side and getting into a Soryu stance. He watched as the bone sticking out of the demon's face suddenly slowly started to regrow. His eyes widened in shock and disgust. What the hell?!

The Temple Demon leaped at Hakuji yet again, this time, managing to catch Hakuji off guard and pin him down with incredible force. He's so fast! And strong! Are all demons like this?!

You're pretty interesting, but you won't get me twice, brat! The demon thought with a chuckle. Alright! I'm gonna snap your neck! He then wrapped his hands around Hakuji's neck, intending to break it.

Koyuki stood in the temple. Her arms shook as she tried her hardest to hold back.

Do it.

Koyuki felt a hand touch her shoulder, a hand that was not actually there. She could feel two glowing red eyes staring down at her.

Aren't you hungry? You must be starving, surely.

That voice... there was something about that voice. She didn't just hear it, but could feel it, in her blood, her bones, every part of her shook from the sound of it. It made her want to melt. And yet... why is it that she felt like she heard it somewhere before?

Who... are you?

You are a demon. Demons eat humans to get stronger. Isn't that what you want?

I... I don't...

You know you want to eat their bodies. It's in your nature. You should learn to not ignore your nature.

Koyuki stepped forward, her hand reaching towards the bodies. She was hungry, so hungry. There was nothing wrong with eating them, right? They were already dead anyway, so it's not like they could refuse. Koyuki felt the urge to spit her muzzle out. This felt right, she knew it did.

That's right. Devour their flesh and give in to your natural urges.

Koyuki held a bloody arm up to her face. Her eyes looking at it with desire. She knew she had to eat them. It was part of her nature. She pushed the muzzle off her mouth with her tongue and pulled the arm closer.

This is what you are, child. You are a demon, a being not far from being perfect.

That's right. She was a demon. This was what demons did. She opened her mouth and hovered her teeth over the delicious flesh.

Outside, a scream made her look outside in curiosity. She dropped the arm as she saw Hakuji being attacked.

Who is he again? That face... that voice... do I know it from somewhere?

He was being pinned down to the ground. Hakuji... that's his name, right? I... I know him, but... how?

Irrelevant. He is a human too. Your food.

Food? But... Hakuji is not food! He is... who... is he?

Your memories only hold you back. Abandon them. Move forward and grow stronger.

Koyuki blinked, continuing to stare at Hakuji who was still struggling to shake the demon off of him.

How will you get stronger if you hold on to a bond as weak as the one you have with that boy? He will only hold you back.

No... I... I... I want to remember!

Why? It will change nothing.

It... no! I want... I want... I want Hakuji! I want Hakuji!

In that instant, the menacing voice inside her head faded away as she leapt into action. She sprinted next to the Temple Demon and then proceeded to kick his head with such force, that it tore off. The severed head flew through the air and hit a nearby tree.

Hakuji gasped in shock as he pushed the headless demon off of himself in disgust. He was bewildered by Koyuki's display of strength. She looked up at her and saw that she looked tired. Her muzzle was also off. Strange...

Koyuki... killed him! But, wait! He's a demon! Hakuji looked over, seeing the headless body of the demon reaching for Koyuki.

"Koyuki! Look out!" Hakuji exclaimed.

Koyuki wasted no time kicking the body into a tree as well.

I don't believe this! Demons can move without their heads?! Then, how the hell do you kill them?! Hakuji thought.

"YOU BASTARDS!"

"Huh?" Hakuji turned and spotted the demon's head shouting at them even though it's still severed from the body.

"One of you is a demon after all?! You gave off such a weird vibe!" The Temple Demon shouted. "What's a human and a demon doing teaming up?!"

Hakuji stared at the head in both shock and disgust. It's actually talking... I don't believe this... Hakuji thought.

The demon's body suddenly stood back up and leaped at Koyuki.

"Let's see how you like getting kicked, demon girl!" The demon yelled with glee as his body kicked at Koyuki, only for her to block it. Regardless, she had to take a few steps back. The demon's body didn't stop its assault, continuing to kick her back. Hakuji went to help, only to sense another presence rapidly approaching.

He turned to see the Temple Demon's head running towards him using a new set of arms it grew out of the sides of the head.

"EW!" Hakuji said in disgust before kicking its head away, cracking the skull open.

The Temple Demon was disoriented by the blow. What the hell? That kid's feet... are like steel!

The Temple Demon looked up and saw a foot coming down upon him. At the last second, the Temple Demon used its head arms to grab his foot and keep it away from its face. This guy's something else! Maybe if I eat him, I can-

The Temple Demon had no time to complete its thought before Hakuji suddenly did a backflip and slammed his foot into the ground, completely crushing the demon's head. Hakuji lifted his foot up again and brought it down on the crushed head and stomped down on it again. He then repeated the process again and again. He didn't care that there was nothing left to crush, he just wanted to keep stomping it. These things were the reason why he ended up breaking his promise to the ones he cared about. They're the reason why his new family was dead, they're the reason why Koyuki's been turned into a monster! They're the reason-

A muffled cry breaks him out of his state. Koyuki! He couldn't believe his thoughts distracted him from watching over Koyuki. She was still fighting the demon's body! He looked around and saw no sign of them, only the sound of distant, muffled yells. It was coming from the forest. Running as fast as his legs could possibly take him, Hakuji sprinted through the forest, jumping over rocks and tree roots alike. He panted heavily as he did so.

Hakuji!

That voice...

Hakuji!

A memory of a night similar to this one played in his mind, a memory of... fireworks.

Will you be my husband?

Hakuji gritted his teeth and started running faster. That memory... the promise that he made on that night... both things he held close to his heart. Now, here he was failing to protect her. All because he lost control of himself. How pathetic. He couldn't even focus on what he had to protect now!

He could see them both now. The headless demon was laying into Koyuki, throwing powerful punches into her body. Hakuji roared as he leaped off a rock and swung off a tree branch above him. His foot landed on the demon's side, kicking it away from Koyuki. Hakuji looked further behind the demon, seeing the steep cliff right behind it.

Good thing I saw that cliff at the last second, otherwise I would've just tackled the demon and not kick it.

The demon tried its best to recover, nearly stumbling off the cliff but quickly regaining its balance, but Hakuji would not let this demon have the chance.

LEG TYPE: EXPLOSIVE FLURRY!

Hakuji turned to the side, lifting up his left leg to deliver twelve consecutive kicks to the demon's side.

The demon couldn't even block the boy's kicks, they were so fast. The demon stumbled backwards, closer to the cliff's edge. Hakuji yelled as he punched the demon in the sternum. It finally flew backwards, tumbling off the cliff. It tried to reach towards Hakuji, but Hakuji stepped back at the last second, kicking its arm away. Hakuji watched the demon's exposed neck stump hit the ground with a squelch and a thud. Meanwhile, the demon's head screamed as its body hit the ground before passing out.

"Koyuki!" He rushed to Koyuki's side, grabbing onto her shoulders in case she were to collapse. He looked her over with worry. He grabbed the bamboo muzzle around her neck and put it back into her mouth.

"You okay?" Hakuji asked, to which he received a nod from Koyuki. He smiled and hugged her. "Good."

Koyuki blinked in confusion at this before leaning into the hug. Feels... nice.

When they walk back to the temple, Hakuji sensed another fighting spirit. This one was calm, but not weak. No, far from it. It was like a peaceful ocean that at any moment, can become furious and deadly. It felt... weirdly similar to the swordsman, Giyu. Was this a Demon Slayer?

"You did good, boy."

Hakuji turned to his left upon hearing a raspy voice and saw a figure on his knees, praying before three buried graves. Hakuji was confused. Did he bury the bodies of the priests in the temple? How did he do it so quickly?

Hakuji took in the appearance of the figure. He was wearing a blue colored, cloud themed kimono and black baggy pants. A white scarf was tied around his head like a hood.

"Crushing the demon's skull was a smart move. Now, it's unable to return to its body. Good work." The man spoke. His tone sounded monotone and rough, as if he wasn't trying to congratulate him.

Hakuji silently and skeptically stared at the man in front of him. He made sure to stand in front of Koyuki for good measure. He knew that if Giyu had sent him here, then the man would likely not harm her, but he couldn't be sure just yet.

Suddenly, the man stood up and turned to face Hakuji. His face was covered by a tengu mask.

"You are the boy Giyu Tomioka had sent my way, correct?" The man spoke.

Hakuji tensed at the mention of Giyu. So, this was Sakonji Urokodaki... He was odd to Hakuji. While Hakuji did acknowledge the man's fighting spirit, he carried no sword like Giyu did. How powerful was he that he didn't need to carry a sword?

"I am! Are you...?" Hakuji inquired.

"I am Sakonji Urokodaki." He introduced.

"My name is Hakuji Nagahi! This is Koyuki!" Hakuji gestured to Koyuki, who suddenly ran inside the temple to Hakuji's confusion.

"K-Koyuki?!" He called out to her. Urokodaki was unmoving as Koyuki ran past him. As Hakuji was about to chase after her, he felt something warm on his back. When he turned around, he understood why Koyuki ran. The sun was starting to rise. As the light shone on the demon's remains, they caught on fire and burned to ash in a matter of seconds. Hakuji was surprised that it burnt so quickly.

Ah... this one has a strong scent. His will to fight is impressively high. Giyu... you've done well sending this boy my way. He may prove to be a fine Demon Slayer yet.

Hakuji ran inside the temple to check on Koyuki. When he looked inside, he smiled when he saw her hiding inside the basket and covering herself with the blanket.

"Hakuji..."

Hakuji turned back towards the doorway of the temple and saw Urokodaki standing there, the rising sun shining behind him. He almost looked like a mystical figure with the way the sun outlined his figure.

"What will you do if Koyuki eats a human?"

The question stunned Hakuji. For a moment, he was caught off guard. There was no world in which he could imagine Koyuki eating someone. No. Not Koyuki. Not kind, fragile Koyuki.

"That won't happen!" He shouted.

"And, why not? Who's to say she won't give in to her demonic instincts?" Urokodaki challenged.

Hakuji clenched his fists. "Me! She won't eat anyone because I won't let her! It's that simple!"

"And, what if you fail to stop her?" Urokodaki asked.

Hakuji's eyes widened, and it felt like the veins in his face were ready to burst from anger directed at Urokodaki just for saying something like that. Did he doubt his ability to keep Koyuki under control? Was he saying he was too weak?!

Hakuji winced as he felt a hand slap him in the face. His hand reached up to his cheek and then he looked up at Urokodaki.

"Too slow! In that amount of time, your beloved Koyuki could've already killed someone! You're so unprepared for that possibility, that you were too slow to come up with a proper answer! If Koyuki ever kills a human, there are only two things you can do! First, you must kill her and then cut open your belly and die! That is what it means to be a Demon Slayer who travels with a demon! It will be your duty to protect humans, so you must never let her take the life of an innocent human! Ever! Do you understand?"

Hakuji let the words Urokodaki was saying sink in as he stared at him in disbelief. While he couldn't see Urokodaki's face, he could hear his voice, and he could hear that he was speaking in a serious tone. His mind wandered to Koyuki. The possibility of her eating a human seemed impossible to him, but... Urokodaki was right. What would he do if Koyuki did eat a human? What would happen?

To Hakuji, the answer was simple: he would've failed to protect Koyuki, and then his promise would truly be broken. Koyuki's humanity would be lost, and... she wouldn't be herself anymore. At that point... death for both of them was the only way Hakuji could ever atone for his failure, and he could accept his death with dignity. If he died, he'd never have to fail anyone else. That would be the only thing he did right in his life...

"Yes." Hakuji answered.

Urokodaki hummed as he could smell Hakuji's resolve grow stronger. He was glad his words were able to get through to the boy.

"I swear to protect her and keep her from inflicting harm. I'll be the only thing that keeps her human! And, if I fail... I will atone for it!" Hakuji swore with a look of determination in his eyes.

Wordlessly, Urokodaki turned and walked down the stairs of the temple. Hakuji ran after him.

"Now, I'm going to test you to see if you're fit to become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Carry your fiancé on your back and follow me!" Urokodaki commanded. And, just like that, he ran further down the mountain. Hakuji was taken aback by how quickly the old man moved, but he soon snapped out of it. He grabbed the basket Koyuki was in and took off after Urokodaki.

***

The two of them were running across a rice field. They had been running since dawn, now it was noon. Hakuji was far behind, gasping for air. All the while, Urokodaki was still ahead of him, showing no sign of fatigue.

He's so fast! Just how old is he anyway?! Hakuji thought. Not to mention I can't even hear his footsteps at all!

Hakuji kept panting heavily, staring ahead in amazement at Urokodaki. He was in disbelief at how skilled he was. Even as an old man, Urokodaki had immense power. If this was what an experienced Demon Slayer looked like, then Hakuji had to work hard to achieve that kind of strength. With it, he could protect Koyuki far better than he ever could!

He looked over his shoulder at the basket on his back, internally apologizing to Koyuki for the bumpy ride. He was sure the constant movement felt jarring to her. He felt bad for keeping her awake like this.

No... Hakuji slowed down, his thoughts breaking his focus. If anything... Koyuki would be the one to apologize for making me carry her.

***

Hakuji gently placed the wet towel on Koyuki's forehead. She was bedridden. Her face was red and covered in sweat due to her body temperature rising. Her breaths sounded shallow and her eyelids flickered as she tried to remain conscious. She was sick again. Hakuji frowned at her. She'd been getting worse again. He gently held her hand and felt it trembling faintly.

"Ha... ku... ji?" Koyuki spoke slowly, taking breaks between syllables for every time she breathed.

Hakuji's eyes widened at the suddenness of Koyuki's voice breaking his concentration. He had gotten so used to tending to her, that every time he did it, he would let his guard down. Everything else around him was just a blur. He wouldn't focus on any other fighting spirits nearby. It would just be the two of them.

"Koyuki?" Hakuji spoke carefully. "Koyuki, please don't speak. You might make it worse."

"I'm... sorry." Koyuki breathed weakly.

"Koyuki, please stop." Hakuji warned. "You'll hurt yourself."

"I'm sorry for... making you... take care of me all the... time." Koyuki coughed.

Hakuji sighed. She always said that. No matter how many times he told her he was fine with taking care of her, she always apologized. Why did she do that? Why do sick people always do that?

***

Hakuji gritted his teeth, determination filling his heart.

I swear I'll turn you back into a human!

Hakuji put more force into his legs, pushing himself harder. He had to push himself! Just like he did every other time! He had to adapt to the new direction his life was taking!

I swear I'll keep taking care of you! I swear I will always protect you! Everything I couldn't do before! For father! For Keizo! I'll do it all for you! I will not break my promise to you!

Hakuji starts to keep up with Urokodaki again. He is pushing himself beyond his limits, breaking the chains holding him down, all in the name to protect his sole reason to live in this world.

***

It was now the afternoon. Hakuji's lungs burned. His feet felt like they were going to melt. He tried his best to control his breathing, but all he could do was collapse to his knees and try not to throw up. They finally made it to Urokodaki's house. It was more like a small shack, really. But, Hakuji supposed he didn't receive much company, so it made sense.

"Have... have I..." Hakuji breathed hoarsely. "Have I passed the test?"

Urokodaki was facing away from him. If Hakuji could think coherently, he would be in disbelief at the fact that Urokodaki was still not tired. How could he possibly be still standing? Hakuji was finding it hard to believe that the man was even human. If Hakuji could become that strong... he couldn't even imagine what he could do!

Urokodaki removed the scarf from his head, revealing a head of short grey hair.

"The test... starts now."

Hakuji couldn't believe his ears. He felt like he wanted to die on the spot.

"We're going to climb a mountain."

Hakuji shook his head in disbelief. Climb up another mountain? Didn't they just run here from another mountain? What was this man's angle?

"Before we ascend the mountain, take your fiancé inside. I'll watch over her after I take you up.

Hakuji looked up at Urokodaki and nodded. Slowly, he picked himself back up and carried Koyuki inside. The interior of the house was just as small as the outside. A small fire pit was located in the center. A futon laid on one side while there was another room to the side with another futon in it. Hakuji carried Koyuki to the other room and placed her on the futon. She seemed to be asleep. Hakuji was surprised given the rough journey she must've endured.

"I'll see you later... okay?" Hakuji said quietly. At least she would be safe here with Urokodaki until he returned.

***

Hakuji and Urokodaki walked up the path leading higher up the mountain. It was dark and foggy. The sun had set quite some time ago now. Hakuji's imagination ran wild as he tried to determine what kind of test Urokodaki had in store for him.

Suddenly, Urokodaki stopped ahead of him. Hakuji breathed in relief. It felt like his legs were about to buckle.

"Now, from here, go back down to the house at the foot of the mountain. This time, I will not wait until daybreak!" Urokodaki instructed sternly. Out of nowhere, the surrounding fog covered him and as Hakuji moved closer to see him better, he noticed he was gone.

So fast! He thought. He looked around, but couldn't see him anywhere. He couldn't even track his fighting spirit. Just how was he doing that?

Hakuji looked back down the trail they walked up the mountain on. So... he just wants me to go back down the mountain? Is running the only thing this guy can teach? Hakuji sighed in annoyance. Whatever. He then looked around at the fog shrouding the forest. Hmm... so, he thinks I might get lost in the fog on the way down? He smiled to himself. This is going to be easy. I'm not stupid. I know the way back down.

Hakuji started walking down the trail. If this was the test, then his expectations were certainly subverted to say the least. How disappointing...

Hakuji then gasped as he tripped over a tripwire that he couldn't see. As he regained his footing, three small rocks hit him in the face. He winced in pain as he stumbled to his left before suddenly falling into a hole in the ground.

A pitfall?! Hakuji thought in surprise. I see... so, he's set up traps all over the path?! That's the test?! Damn...

He climbed out of the hole and looked further down the path. Dammit! I can't see any of the traps through this fog!

As he took another step forward, he triggered yet another tripwire. This time, he tried to look around for whatever trap would come his way. When he turned around, he saw a log attached to a rope swing down towards him, and at the last possible second, Hakuji blocked it by holding his forearms out in front of himself. It protected his body from getting hit directly, but it didn't stop the log from crashing into him and sending him crashing into the ground. Hakuji's forearms ached in excruciating pain and the fall knocked the wind out of him.

Dammit! I'll never make it down the mountain if I keep stumbling around like this! Hakuji thought as he stood back up. And, this air!

Hakuji put his hands on his knees and kept gasping for breath, but found it much more difficult to do than usual. It felt like he was going to throw up. The air's thinner up here! It's harder to breathe normally! Hakuji thought to himself. Now, he was beginning to understand the purpose of the test. The point was to force him to focus his other senses. He had to be completely aware of his surroundings in order to dodge the traps. Normally, Hakuji would simply look for a fighting spirit, but inanimate objects like traps have no fighting spirit. They had no presence that Hakuji could detect. It was especially hard since the air was thinner on the mountain. Hakuji had never felt more out of his element than he did right now. Keizo's training could never have prepared him for this. Nothing could have prepared him for this. Could he really make it back down to the bottom of the mountain? Could he pass the test? Was he worthy of being a Demon Slayer?

Hakuji!

Hakuji looked straight ahead to see Koyuki standing a few meters away, looking at Hakuji with that same bright, kind smile on her face.

Do you... want to marry me?

Hakuji gasped. That's right... the promise... I made to her. If I give up here... what kind of person am I?! Why should I get to live?!

He got back up to his feet and stumbled past the vision of Koyuki as it faded away into the fog. Koyuki... I won't give up on you! I will make it back! I have to!

Hakuji stood in place for a moment. He knew he couldn't rush this. Every trap he triggered was more time wasted. His ability to sense fighting spirits won't help him here. He needed to focus his other senses. He had to see the tripwires through the fog, listen for the slightest movements. His eyes scanned the forest floor for the tripwires, but couldn't see anything. He tried squinting his eyes and forcing them to adjust to the darkness of the forest, but it was just too dark for him to see anything. He groaned loudly, that groan turning into a frustrated cry as he punched a nearby tree. "Dammit!" He shouted.

"Come on! Focus! Look closer!" He bent down and looked as close as he could. He could see the next tripwire ahead, but not the ones after that one. It was hard, really hard, to focus on, but if Hakuji focused hard enough, he could see the light of the moon faintly reflecting off of the tripwire. It was hard to focus on and he'd only be able to see it if he were right on top of it. That's why he needed to keep his reflexes up and move fast enough to evade the traps as soon as he spotted them. It would be hard, but if he stayed on the move, he could pull it off. Even if he did get hit by the traps, he wouldn't stop. He'd get up as soon as possible and bear the pain. He had to make it down for Koyuki.

Hakuji stepped over the tripwire and took a deep breath as he started to run. He simply jogged at first, trying to give himself time to focus on the location of each tripwire, but as he continued running, he started to speed up, feeling more confident in his reflexes. He kept running, jumping over tripwires and evading pitfalls whenever he spotted them. It hurt like hell. The tendons in his feet ached every time he had to make a sudden last second jump and his muscles in his legs threatened to rip in two every time he had to change direction, but he still ran. The burning sensation in his legs wasn't enough to slow him down. He tried to go faster, but he couldn't take in enough oxygen. After some time, it seemed like he was getting better. Of course... that didn't mean he was able to dodge every trap.

Hakuji then stepped on a tripwire he failed to dodge in time and then a bamboo stalk came out of the ground and sent him flying through the air. With a thud, he landed on his face. He quickly spun back up to his feet and kept running.

I've got to make it back! No matter what!

Hakuji kept repeating that thought to himself as he kept leaping over tripwires, his feet screaming in agony from his movements. Pain like that... is nothing compared to what he'd endure if he failed Koyuki.

Koyuki! I won't fail you!

***

Urokodaki sat still as he stared at the sleeping figure of Koyuki. It was strange... never in his history of slaying demons had he ever seen a demon sleep. As creatures with infinite stamina, they never got tired. This girl... she truly was strange, just as Tomioka said in his letter.

Forgive my abruptness, Mr. Sakonji Urokodaki.

I'm sending a boy your way who wants to become a Demon Slayer swordsman.

He was brazen enough to attack me unarmed, and yet he displayed incredible skill in martial arts. He was able to break my sword simply by striking it with the back of his hand.

His sensei was murdered by a demon and his fiancé who survived the attack has become one, but I have determined that she will not attack humans.

I can sense something different about these two. The boy was keenly aware of his surroundings, indicating a heightened sense of some kind. Perhaps he'll find a way to break through and become your heir apparent.

I'm asking you to train him. I realize that this is a self-serving request, so please forgive me. I hope that you will take good care of yourself in your endeavors.

Yours truly,

Giyu Tomioka

Urokodaki thought about the note and about what he had seen from the two so far. Hakuji's bond with Koyuki was indeed a strong scent, but something like that could hinder him as a Demon Slayer. Urokodaki looked out the window and saw the sky slowly start to light up. The sun was starting to come up. Could Hakuji make the cut? Could his bond... be what sharpens his blade or breaks it?

Urokodaki's head turned to see Hakuji open the door. He was beaten. His lip had busted open, there was a deep gash on his forehead, and his body was covered in dark bruises. He used the door frame to support his body. The boy was completely out of breath. He clearly had a great deal of difficulty with the test, just as Urokodaki had intended. Fortunately, he made it just before the sun rose.

"I... have... returned." With those three hoarse words, Hakuji lost his grip on the frame and his body fell to the floor.

Urokodaki stood and walked up to Hakuji's unconscious body, the eyes of his tengu mask glaring down at him. "Hakuji... I accept you as my student."

TAISHŌ ERA SECRET:

Once a demon is created, their memories become repressed. This is to ensure that the demon will eat humans without any previous attachments getting in the way. Eating humans directly after transforming will help a demon recover. Directly after transformation, demons are driven solely by instinct and aren't capable of higher thinking, making it harder to remember their former lives. In the case of Koyuki, Hakuji was able to hold her back long enough for her to suppress her primal instincts. She was able to do this because thanks to Hakuji's encouragement, she was able to remember him. She doesn't remember who he was to her in her human life, but simply remembers that he was someone close to her. That is why she refused to attack him.

NEXT CHAPTER: THE DEMON SLAYER CORPS