The next morning arrived with the soft glow of dawn breaking through the trees. You woke to the sound of birdsong, the sakura blossoms falling gently around you. Tanjiro was already awake, tending to the fire and preparing a simple breakfast. Nezuko's box sat nearby, its presence a silent reminder of the life you were fighting to protect.

"Morning," Tanjiro said with a smile as you sat up, rubbing the sleep from your eyes.

"Morning," you replied, stretching. Your muscles still ached from the battle with the demon, but the rest had helped. "What's the plan today?"

Before Tanjiro could answer, Urokodaki stepped out of the house, his movements deliberate as always. His mask seemed to radiate authority as he addressed you both.

 "I've received word of a nearby town experiencing strange disappearances," he said. "Your next mission will take you there. It's a larger settlement than the village you just returned from, so you'll need to be vigilant."

 "Understood," Tanjiro said, standing and bowing respectfully.

You followed suit, determination burning in your chest despite the nerves fluttering in your stomach.

The journey to the town was longer than your previous mission, the road winding through forests and hills. The two of you walked in comfortable silence for the most part, occasionally breaking the quiet with conversation.

"Do you ever wonder what life would be like if things were different?" you asked, your voice thoughtful.

Tanjiro glanced at you, his expression softening. "Sometimes. I think about what it would be like if...if everyone was still with us. But then I remind myself that they'd want us to keep moving forward, no matter what."

You nodded, your heart aching at the thought of your family. "You're right. We owe it to them to keep going."

The town came into view as the sun dipped below the horizon, its streets bustling with activity despite the growing darkness. Lanterns cast a warm glow over the cobblestone paths, and the air was filled with the sounds of merchants calling out to customers and children laughing as they ran through the streets.

"It's hard to believe anything bad could happen in a place like this," you said, taking in the lively scene.

"That's what makes it dangerous," Tanjiro replied, his tone serious. "The people here might not even realize they're being hunted."

The two of you began your investigation, asking discreet questions and listening for any signs of demonic activity. It didn't take long for you to hear whispers of disappearances—young women vanishing without a trace, always at night.

"They say the last girl who disappeared was walking home from the market," an older woman told you, her voice hushed. "She never made it back."

Tanjiro thanked her, his brow furrowed as you walked away. "It sounds like the demon is targeting specific people. We need to figure out why."

That night, the two of you took positions on opposite ends of the market, keeping watch as the crowd began to thin. The air grew colder, the lively chatter fading into an eerie silence.

Hours passed with no sign of the demon, but you stayed alert, your hand resting on the hilt of your blade.

Just as you began to wonder if the demon would appear at all, a faint sound caught your attention—a soft, almost melodic humming.

You turned toward the sound, your heart pounding as you saw a shadow moving along the rooftops. The figure was barely visible in the dim light, but its movements were unnaturally fluid.

"Tanjiro!" you hissed, signaling to him.

He turned just in time to see the shadow leap down into the street, landing silently in front of a young woman walking alone. The demon's pale, elongated face twisted into a sinister grin as it reached for her.

"Not so fast!" Tanjiro shouted, sprinting toward the demon with his blade drawn.

The demon hissed, its red eyes glowing as it abandoned its prey and lunged at him instead.

You moved quickly, intercepting the demon with a slash that forced it to retreat. It let out a guttural growl, its body twisting unnaturally as it prepared for another attack.

"Be careful!" Tanjiro warned, positioning himself beside you.

The fight was unlike anything you'd experienced before. The demon was faster and more cunning than the others you'd faced, its movements almost hypnotic as it darted between the shadows.

But you and Tanjiro worked together seamlessly, your training guiding your actions. When the demon lunged at him, you struck from the side, forcing it to retreat. When it turned its attention to you, Tanjiro countered with precision and strength.

Finally, you saw an opening. "Tanjiro, now!" you shouted.

He moved in a blur, his blade cutting through the demon's neck in a single, decisive strike. The creature let out a final, piercing scream before disintegrating into ash.

As the dust settled, the young woman who had been the demon's target emerged from her hiding place, her eyes wide with fear and gratitude.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I thought...I thought I was going to die."

"You're safe now," Tanjiro said gently, his expression kind. "But you should be careful walking alone at night."

She nodded, tears streaming down her face as she thanked you both again before hurrying away.

The walk back to Urokodaki's mountain was quiet, the weight of the night's events hanging over you.

"Another life saved," you said, breaking the silence.

Tanjiro nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "But there are so many more out there. We have to keep going."

"You don't have to tell me twice," you replied, a small smile tugging at your lips.

As the sakura trees came into view, their blossoms glowing softly in the moonlight, you felt a sense of peace settle over you. The road ahead would be long and dangerous, but as long as you had Tanjiro by your side, you knew you could face anything.