𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐬 - 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐮 𝐊𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐮 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐

Tanjiro grits his teeth, looking down from Shinobu's gaze and glancing at the rest of us. He's searching for a reasonable answer that would set him and his sister out of here alive, but that's not very easy to give during this situation. Every word you say might veer you straight to a painful and agonizing end, and every breath you take here might be your last- so it would only make sense that he took his time. He looks at me, and we make a short eye contact- and I think he recognizes me still, although the only time he would have gotten a clear view of my face would be when I knelt to check up on him and he was half concious. He's got to have a good memory. 

I smile at him, and remain wordless as the interrogation continues. 

"Tanjiro Kamado," Shinobu speculated, "Why are you travelling with a demon when you're a demon slayer?"

Tengen took a hard grip at both his swords fastened at his back, head tilted up while his eyes looked down on the boy. 

"No need to ask," he scoffed.

"You can take your time," I encouraged him softly, in hopes that he'd answer to me if he wouldn't answer to the others, "Just tell us why."

I felt it was quite ironic of me to say that, considering that I too, almost fell and defended Nezuko. None of the other pillars knew about this, I think. I'm not sure if Kanao had told Shinobu or reported that something happened- but I shrug those thoughts off of my head. Knowing Kanao, she wouldn't have said anything if she knew I was having a moment of vulnerability or an emotional conflict. Although I felt that I shouldn't have done what I did, I'm glad I spared Nezuko. Or delayed her death.

Tanjiro opens his mouth to speak.

"She's my younger-" he stopped abruptly. Was it because of his restraints? Or did a wound's effects resurface? The boy rocked back and forth in pain as he coughed, his throat dry and his body pained.

Shinobu walked forward, a bottle of water in hand, and she knelt down on one knee. She held her hand out for him and gently smiled as she nudged the water and got ready to help him drink.

"I do believe you need some water," she said.

Tanjiro gasps out for air and catches the tip of the bottle between his teeth.

"You've injured your jaw, so please drink slowly." 

Was that the impact of Kanao's kick? I've never quite been stepped on the head by Kanao, so I'm not sure how much it would hurt if she did- not that I want to try getting hit like that though, she's got such a strong leg.

"It contains a painkiller, so it will make you feel better," Shinobu informed the boy.

Tanjiro lowers his head, the water drooling down his chin and falling into the pebbled ground, creating little droplets. His eyes are shut as he recovers from the pain, swallowing away the rest of the stinging, piercing feelings on the surface of his skin.

"It's not as if your wounds are healed," Shinobu chimed softly, "So you musn't push yourself."

"Now then, Tanjiro Kamado..." she smiled at him.

"That demon is my younger sister!" he cried, "While I was away, my family was attacked by a demon, and when I got home, they were all dead! My sister got turned into a demon, but she's never devoured anyone!"

"She never has..." he trailed desperately, "and never will!"

"She'll never hurt humans no matter what!"

Iguro waves his wrist, flicking his pointed index finger again. 

"Spare us your absurd ravings," he pointed coldly, "If she's family, no wonder you're defending her."