Taste of Eternity - 🖤Muzan✖Tanjirou🖤

⚜ Chapter Thirteen ⚜

The moment the alarms sounded, Tanjirou knew he was limited on time. Without his haori, it was odd for him. He'd left it in the cell, something he would get one day from Giyuu. Moving down the hall, he focused his senses to assure no one was before him. The pathing of the estate was something he knew well. Turning one of the corners, he slipped into one of the rooms that was vacant, footsteps shooting past in a hurry. Exhaling a slow breath he glanced around for anything of use. The tube beneath his tongue was oddly uncomfortable, but he pushed that aside as he glanced to the window. Cutting at the fabric with Giyuu's katana, he kicked it out of the way. The noise wasn't too loud, but in the silence, it definitely echoed. Hearing more footsteps, he hurried to get out the window. His gaze only lingered back when he was standing outside, the breeze shifting his maroon locks as his eyes met the countless others. He swore under his breath before moving once more, not risking giving them a head start. 

Breaking through the wisteria trees, he could smell the other Hashira still on his trail. There anger was potent to his nose, leaving him more fearful should they catch up. He took an abrupt turn hearing something shoot through the air. The thick ball slammed off a tree, splintering the wood as Tanjirou swallowed the lump in his throat. At this point, he was aware death was all that waited. There was no order to bring him alive. Dead would do. Cursing once more, he dodged another attack before steadying his breathing. He weaved through the thick foliage, glad the trees offered as a shield at times. Once outside the purple flowers that would ultimately harm him should plan B need to unfold, he noticed that a few Hashira were missing. His smell couldn't pick them up either. Glancing around, he caught notice of something gleaming from the sunlight on the sides of him, leaving him to understand they'd circled around.

"Tanjirou, quite running!" Kyoujurou's voice was stern, his golden orbs meeting Tanjirou's. There was a steady silence, Tanjirou grasping the blade on his waistline. He didn't need his smell to know their plan. They hoped he'd let his guard down, but he wasn't a fool. He knew the risk of one slipup. 

"I'm not going back. I have people to return to, you know that!" Tanjirou put some venom in his voice, something that took most by surprise. They had only ever known the sweet and kind Tanjirou. But the one before them was hostile, knowing that one wrong move would end his existence. 

"We understand that now. We didn't come to take you back, it ends here. You betrayed us and took up arms with Demons. You're a disgrace to our name and we are to take your head. Struggling is pointless and futile." There was a long silence before Tanjirou spoke, his voice a hushed a whisper, but loud enough for Kyoujurou to hear.

"We'll see about that." Without taking a moment, he dodged as Sanemi came at him. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't terrified. He was against the best. The pillar responded to the miss by striking once more, Tanjirou blocking with the stolen katana. He was pushed back slightly, his foot shooting forward before meeting Sanemi in the knee. The kick was hard and precise, leaving the pillar to fumble forward as a slight crack echoed out. He hit the dirt before Tanjirou was once more dodging another Hashira. He was almost glad the pillars fought him one at a time. Whether they didn't think much of him, or were being respectful, Tanjirou didn't entirely care. 

"You're pretty fast on your feet." Tanjirou ignored the words as he dodged a strike from Uzui. The pillar was grinning widely, the end of his blade nicking Tanjirou's shoulder. Hissing from the slight pain, he dodged once more before breaking the distance. His katana flashed through the air, water dripping from it as the blade almost connected, a cut tearing through the pillar's eye. He stumbled back, blood falling to the ground as he scowled. Tanjirou took in a deep breath, his stance changing to ready a strike for good. It was a matter of life or death now. He couldn't show mercy or it would kill him. Taking a step forward, he breathed in before stumbling back as flame shot past him, metal shimmering brightly. The heat left a slight discomfort as Kyoujurou readied another attack. Each one was relentless, Tanjirou barely keeping up with his water breathing. Readying to prepare his own attack, he felt something grab his leg. The whip like weapon tore at his leg, sending him stumbling. His gaze shot upward as red flashed into his view. The flame scorched his face as he ducked nearly too late, his teeth gritting as pain erupted in his body as Kyoujurou quickly angled the sword the opposite direction. Without much time to react, he used his Sun breathing, melting from the attack before appearing a couple feet away. The Hashira looked at him cautiously, none truly aware he possessed two breathing. Nor that Tanjirou had been secretly practicing the first breath.

Blood fell to the dirt below, his gaze looking to the wound and cuts throughout his leg. His face felt on fire and his lung burned. Holding the sword tighter, he readied for Kyoujurou's next attack, keeping aware of the other. At this point, they'd given up on underestimating Tanjirou. His little show made him more the risk. Tanjirou noticed Obanai ready to strike as Kyoujurou's blade was near. Ducking from the line of Kyoujurou's swing, he kicked the Hashiras hands, sending the blade in the direction of Obanai. The other pillar moved swiftly, scowling as Tanjirou kicked Kyoujurou back some. With such awkward movement, he was left unbalanced as Mitsuri struck once more. The blade warped into a longer whip like state once more, this time hitting just beside Tanjirou's head. He'd dodged, but not soon enough. The sharp edge struck the side of his neck, his hand shooting to stop the bleeding as he stepped back and dodged yet another strike. At this point, the Hashira were surprised the youngster was still holding his own. 

"Just accept defeat. There is no escape, not with that wound." Tanjirou know they were right. Scowling, he met Kyoujurou's gaze as the Hashira moved swiftly. He moved his tongue, pushing the tube out as he rested it between his teeth. This was the only way. His only chance. Grinding his teeth, he felt the glass give way. Fragments embedded themselves in his gums, but he ignored the pain as he swallowed the broken glass tube. It cut him on the way down, but he didn't care. As Kyoujurou's attack came closer, Tanjirou knew what had to be done. He leaned back far enough for the blade to miss his neck, the metal tearing into his shoulder. He cried out as he brought his sword up and pierced himself, pushing up to meet the other's swing. The blade stopped moving as Tanjirou spit up blood, his lung weak as he pulled free from Kyoujurou's blade. His legs gave way at the end, knees hitting the ground as he panted. Pain engulfed him as the blood loss caught up quickly. Finding the strength to meet Kyoujurou's gaze, Tanjirou couldn't help but smile. He had all reason to. He'd lasted long enough.

"Take his head Kyoujurou." Sanemi hissed those words, the flame Hashira raising his sword to the youngsters neck. At this point, Tanjirou was out of it. The lack of blood decreased his body heat and his hearts usual melody. His thoughts were fading from him along with his vision.

"Any last words?" Kyoujurou said that out of respect. There was no denying Tanjirou was formidable. He held his own well, though outnumbered. On one on one fights, Kyoujurou knew he's have the advantage. Him and that unknown breathing. He focused on the Demon slayer before him, Tanjirou finding the strength to smile as red trailed his lips and dyed his attire. 

"See you soon."

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Hope you've enjoyed the chapter. This was an emotional rollercoaster for me to write, not gonna lie. Either way, leave me your thoughts. I appreciate any and all feedback! (✿◠‿◠)