~Y/n pov~

"We'll be heading out now." Tanjiro told the lady.

We were stood at the entrance off her house.

"Thank you so much for everything." Tanjiro bowed.

Me and Zenitsu bowed too.

"Now then, for good luck." The lady made some sparks with flint and steel.

"What do you think you're doing, old hag!?" Inosuke exclaimed.

Tanjiro was quick to hold him back to stop his from charging at the woman.

"Calm down, Inosuke." I told him.

"She's striking sparks for good luck!" Zenitsu yelled at Inosuke, "It's a purification ceremony because we're going on a dangerous mission!"

We thank her one last time before leaving.

~*~

"Zenitsu? What's wrong?" Tanjiro asked.

"I'm scared." He was curled up in a ball on the floor.

It was nighttime now and we were just at the entrance of a forest.

That's probably we're the demons are.

Sounds like there are tons of spiders... could that be related to one of the demons?

"Why the hell is his ass on the ground? How creepy is that?" Inosuke stated.

"Who are you to talk, Pig face?" Zenitsu retorted.

"I'll stay here and try to convince Zenitsu to come in. You guys go ahead." I told them.

"Are you sure?" Tanjiro frowned.

I nodded, "We'll be fine don't worry."

He gave me a nod before heading off into the forest with Inosuke.

"Don't make me go into the forest, Y/n." Zenitsu whined, clinging to my waist.

I sat on the floor so we were face to face.

"I know you're scared but it's a demon slayers job to kill demons and protect the weak." I told him sternly.

"But I'm the weak!"

He wasn't weak at all... he's far from it.

He's strong both physically and mentally.

"Hey.. calm down." I pulled the shaking boy into my lap and wrapped one of my arms around his waist tightly.

My other hand sifted through his blonde locks in an attempt to calm him down.

He sniffled and sobbed.

"I don't wanna die!"

"You're not going to die. I won't let you and besides you can protect yourself."

"No.. no I can't!"

"It'll be fine because I'm here to protect you aswell."

Zenitsu sniffled, "Really?"

I nodded, "In reality, you have nothing to be afraid of. So let's go."

"No way." He rapidly shook his head.

I sighed.

I didn't want to be out here when people I could protect are being hurt.

There have to be at least three demons in there. Tanjiro and Inosuke can't fight them all at once.

So that's why... I have to help before anyone innocent has to die.

After a few more moments, I managed to calm Zenitsu down again.

"Let's go." I lifted him up bridal style and headed towards the forest.

"No!" The boy struggled for a few seconds before realising it was futile.

I cradled him close to my body in an attempt to soothe him.

Zenitsu shifted and curled into me, resting his head on my shoulder.

He wasn't asleep but he was relaxed at least.

~*~

We had started walking into the forest.

Somehow, I had convinced Zenitsu to walk himself.

It would be hard to fight if I was carrying someone.

He was walking on his own, however, he was clinging tightly to my sleeve and pressing himself into my side.

The boy jumped when I placed my hand in his.

"It's okay." I squeezed his hand lightly.

Zenitsu smiled, his cheeks turned slightly pink.

Was he cold?

I heard his heart rate increase.

A twig snapped and made Zenitsu jump.

I could still hear the spiders.

The sound was eery and getting gradually louder.

Zenitsu took off into a run, pulling me with him.

"Oi. Calm down, Zenitsu." I told him.

He ignored me and continued to yell in a panic while running.

I yanked on his arm and pulled us to a stop.

"You need to calm down. The key to winning a fight is being calm and confident." I told him.

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he stared at me with an expression of fear.

"It's okay." I gently wiped the tears from his eyes.

Zenitsu sniffled and nodded, "I can do this.. wait.. no, no I can't."

"Zenitsu..." I pulled him into a tight hug.

I felt his body go stiff before he returned the hug.

Suddenly, I felt a slight stinging pain on my hand as if something just bit me.

I rubbed soothing circles on Zenitsu's back.

Pulling away from the hug, I grabbed his hand and continued to walk down the path.

Zenitsu walked as close as he could to me.

Was he seeking protection?

I froze as I saw what looked to be a treehouse.

There were webs coming from other trees all leading to the house. It was the centre point.

Hanging from the webs was what looked like spiders.

It was so dark I couldn't be one hundred percent sure.

My eyes adjusted slightly and I realised that humans were hanging from the webs.

They seemed weak and half-conscious.

Where is the demon?

I looked around but couldn't spot anything. I couldn't feel his presence either.

Zenitsu stated in horror.

I squeezed his hand gently, "Stay calm."

A huge spider suddenly came down from the treehouse.

It had a demon head but a spider body. It was hideous.

Zenitsu screamed.

It was then the demon noticed us.

"What do we have here? Two weaklings?" He smirked, "It seems like one of you are already poisoned. This will be easy."

That pain earlier. Was I bitten by a spider?

I've been poisoned... I have to end this quickly.

Zenitsu stood there trembling in fear.

I took a deep breath. I can do this.

Pulling out my sword, I got into a stance, ready to perform my breaths.

Snow breathing second form : Jagged icicle

I managed to hack off two of the spiders legs.

The demon screamed in pain.

I flipped over it and got ready to charge again.

Leaping into the air, I spun towards the target.

Snow breathing sixth form : advancing snowflake

The demon managed to dodge most of my attack.

However, I managed to get a few clean cut on it.

My eyes widened as I noticed the demon charging towards Zenitsu.

Can I make it in time?

I pushed my legs to go faster as I ran towards them.

Jumping in front of Zenitsu, I took the attack head on.

One of its legs made a deep gash in my stomach.

I gasped as blood poured out the wound.

But I still remained standing.

It seemed like Zenitsu wasn't going to fight.

I wouldn't be able to protect him if he keeps standing in the way.

"Run, Zenitsu!" I yelled at him.

"What? No I can't... I can't leave you.." He sniffled violently.

"Zenitsu..."

He squeaked and I heard him run off.

The demon smirked at me, "I'll kill you and then I'll go after that boyfriend of yours."

I felt my cheeks flush... but now wasn't the time.

My breathing was laboured but I pushed on.

Snow breathing fifth form : snowy lining

The demon managed to dodge again. I just couldn't get its head.

I can feel myself loosing blood by the second.

If I push myself too much, I might die.

I coughed slightly, clutching my stomach.

Thunder breathing first form : thunderclap and flash

Zenitsu singlehandedly took out the demon.

He landed on top of the treehouse.

I slowly made my way up there to see him.

His breathing was laboured.

I noticed his skin going a funny colour.

Was he poisoned?

"Zenitsu? You fought well." I smiled weakly at him.

He gazed up at me with a confused expression.

"You're poisoned. Slow your breathing to stop the poison from spreading too much." I instructed.

I laid down beside him and slowed my breathing to try and stop the poison.

I sucked in a breath because of the pain.

If I didn't stop the bleeding on my stomach, I'd probably die before help came.

Closing my eyes, I concentrated as hard as I could on my breathing.

My eyes opened again as I gasped.

More blood spewed out of my wound.

I felt a hand grab mine and squeeze my hand.

Turning my head, I saw Zenitsu giving me a weak smile.

His eyes were half lidded, "You can.. do this.."

He muttered weakly before continuing to slow his breathing.

I nodded weakly and closed my eyes again.

I had a newfound confidence. I could do this.

Concentrating my breathing, I tried to locate the source of the bleeding.

Concentrate. You can find it....

There it is.

Grunting in pain, I managed to stop the bleeding.

Now all I can do is concentrate on slowing the poison. If I don't... I'll surely die.

I noticed someone land on the treehouse where we were resting.

"Hello. Are you all right?" She called to us.

She knelt by me first and inspected my injuries, "Wow, I'm impressed. You managed to stop the bleeding from your stomach. That's really skilful. You'll be climbing the ranks before you knew it."

She muttered to herself for a few seconds.

"Good job on slowing down the poison." She addressed us both.

I noticed people assisting the other people who were hanging from the threads.

Weakly, I closed my eyes and slept.

~*~

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1582 words

A/n already close to the end of the first season damn.