⚔ His Protector - Demon Giyuu X Tanjirou ⚔

⚜ ~ 14 ~ ⚜

With another couple days, another teammate joined them. It only raised Giyuu's irritation, being hidden for such long periods. But that was simply how it was. He knew that as well, just preferred being stubborn. Which brought them to their very first mission where they would work together. Tanjirou had practically left Zenitsu behind after his whining got unbearable. In the end, the blond was left running his own track through the mountain. Even if it was wrong, Tanjirou believed in him. The blond merely needed to believe in themself. They were too timid, especially for Demon Slaying. 

As for Inosuke, the Demon Slayer had separated without much worry. One of the larger enemies had made their presence known. While they dealt with them, Tanjirou had gone off for one of the many others. It gave Giyuu a chance to come out. He basked under the glow of the moon as he followed suit. The closer they got, the more Tanjirou could smell the genuine hate and sorrow. It broke his heart, being able to see how a Demon truly felt. As he cleared the tree-line, he stopped moving as those tearful eyes met his own. She seemed hesitant, attacking him for a single moment, not before Giyuu took the string and ripped it away. Letting it fall to the floor, she gave a look of defeat.

"Giyuu, stay back for now." The female Demon narrowed her gaze, seeming to recoil seeing such kind eyes. It was far different to what she was used to.

"Go away! You're not welcome here!" Tanjirou sighed, only stepping closer. Even as he got closer and attacking would be simple, she found she couldn't. Her body was frozen. Not of fear, but hope. The sword sent her a chance to truly be free. Tanjirou of course had sensed that. His words drew a surprise, but showed her true feelings buried deep in her heart. She simply desired to be free.

"Do you wish for a painless death? A peaceful one?"

"I do... Please let me out of this nightmare. I never wanted this, not for a single moment." Tanjirou smiled, readying his sword. His swift movements brought an end, leaving her to view the slight glimpse of sunlight. Since she was dying, it didn't hurt. If anything, it was a blessing. To be able to finally glimpse the morning sun. She had missed it dearly. Her eyes watered as she looked toward Tanjirou seeing him pray for her. Her voice was soft, but reached his ears before she vanished, the clouds rolling over the area once more. "Thank you."

Tanjirou had sheathed his weapon before looking back at Giyuu. The Demon gave a soft smile, never ceasing to be amazed at how kind the Demon Slayer was. He was genuinely one of a kind. He affected even the darkest of hearts. He was easily able to make an enemy a friend. It was a gift.

"Shall we get moving? There should be at least two more, I believe." Giyuu simply nodded, following Tanjirou once more. He remembered a time he'd have refused to follow others. A time when he was so detached and cold. But Tanjirou truly was like the sun. He warmed Giyuu's icy heart completely. With such warmth and genuine care, there was nothing in the world Giyuu wouldn't do for Tanjirou. He had simply become the center of it.

The two moved slowly through the dense area, not really worrying about an ambush. Giyuu was assuring there was no danger. Sometimes Tanjirou felt he took the other for granted, but whenever he tried to speak against help, Giyuu would give it anyway. Whether he desired to aid the Slayer, or simply was bored, Tanjirou couldn't figure out. Either way, it worked out well in the end. Both were whisked from their silence and thoughts as they came to the location. There was countless dead around them, all related to the main issue. Tanjirou knew he was required to kill the Demon, but he wasn't expecting a kid. It had indeed caught him by surprise. Even Giyuu was speechless. Neither knew what to do. Tanjirou couldn't entirely strike the Demon, who resembled the size of one of his siblings. 

"Who goes there?" Tanjirou was ripped back to reality as he dodged an attack, Giyuu scowling. The Demon spotted Giyuu before noticing the Slayer, confusion washing over their features. It was a look Tanjirou had grown accustomed to. "You Demon Slayers are pests, you know that? You come to my home and attack my family?"

"Family? They are not here of their own choice. The last one desired to be free, which makes me ask this. I will only ask once. Did you force this on them?" The Demon hesitated, seeing the calm look that leaked from Tanjirou. 

"If I did? What does it matter? I wanted a family, something anyone wants!" Tanjirou sighed, refusing to draw his sword as he straightened his back. His smile was genuine, soft. It was soothing, even for a Demon who had blood on their hands. In the end, they were still a child in Tanjirou's eyes, just as he would always be an older brother by heart.

"Even if you desire a family, those bonds are forged by trust. Should the trust cease to exist, there is no bond. It becomes brittle and can crack and crumble swiftly. If you seek bonds such as family, it is brought about by both sides seeking such an outcome. For example, I would be willing to offer you that bond. I have no family anymore, so I understand the desire to fill that gap. It is unbearable, hence my travels with Demons. Even if I must slay them, I will show the same concern to both parties. That is merely who I am." The demon was taken off guard, stepping back slightly. It was hard for them to believe, leading to their little fit.

"You're lying! No Slayer would willingly accept a demon with blood on their hands. I've killed. This is a trick." Giyuu had remained cautious as Tanjirou shook his head. He stepped forward, startling the other.

"I do not lie. I offer you that bond, on the chance you leave these wicked ways. Come with me as my family and you gain the bond, but you must cease harming humans. That is the only way it will work." There was still slight hesitation. The demon had been used to being let down, betrayed. But even he could feel the genuine truth behind those words. It truly was an offer without a single lie stitched into it. It brought tears to the surface as the Demon lowered their gaze, letting Tanjirou close the distance. Arms pulled the Demon close as the hug brought memories surging to the surface. It left a desired warmth circulating them. "Call me Tanjirou. From today on, I am your older brother. That is a promise. I will not leave you."

"Rui... My name is Rui." Tanjirou chuckled brushing his hand over the others head. His smile was like the sun in Rui's opinion. Breathless and bright. 

"Welcome to the family, Rui. Giyuu is going to put you somewhere safe, okay? There is the chance Hashira arrive, so I am going to assure you remain unharmed." The Demon nodded, Giyuu approaching. He was not as nice to Giyuu, but that could be said the other way around. With ease, Giyuu slipped Rui into the shadow, where he would remain until Giyuu pulled him out. Tanjirou met his gaze offering a soft smile. 

That smile had faltered the moment metal met metal. Tanjirou hadn't noticed Giyuu snatch his sword until sparks went flying. The Demon slayer glanced to the assailant, his gaze widening as purple hair was in view. Those eyes were as dead as Giyuu's once were. To make matters worse, her voice was broken as shock and confusion washed over her features.

"G-Giyuu?"

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