𝔸 𝕋𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖 𝕆𝕗 ℍ𝕦𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕪 - 𝕋𝕒𝕟𝕛𝕚𝕣𝕠𝕦 𝕩 𝕌𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕞𝕠𝕠𝕟𝕤

꧁༒☬𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝔀𝓸 - Updated☬༒꧂

By nightfall Tanjirou was once more headed out of the village. He had a pocket full of coin and an empty basket clinging to his back, left barren from all the sales. There were a couple pieces that rolled along the bottom with his steps, but it was easy to ignore as he wandered toward the path he'd arrived on. His gaze had been pressed to the full moon overhead, leaving him unaware of where he walked. That had been his first mistake. Not watching where he stepped, he felt himself stumble as he hit into something solid, leaving him to nearly fall backward to the snowy ground below. That was until he felt his checkered haori be snagged. It kept him from falling, allowing him to steady himself once more as those maroon eyes shifted through the dim lighting to who had aided him. 

He knew nearly everyone in the village over the years, so seeing an unfamiliar face left a rather odd feeling. Whether good or bad, he wasn't entirely sure. All he knew was that the stranger didn't seem of ill intent. He smelled a bit like a flower, though one Tanjirou couldn't quite name. There was also a bit of a lingering smell of evening. It was a strange combination, but not unwelcomed. Of course, that wasn't the only thing that caught Tanjirou's attention. His maroon gaze had meet with such vibrant eyes, like droplets of blood. Eyes that seeped with a vitality. It left him speechless for a time, at least until his mind finally caught up. It left him bowing a bit, his voice echoing in the evenings silence. 

"I deeply apologize for running into you! I wasn't looking to where I walked, so I happened to stumble into you. Are you alright, sir?" The male before him, taller and rather mysterious remained silent for a time before a nod was offered. Hearing the voice left Tanjirou to glance once more, with how calm and eerie it seemed. Though, Tanjirou could also sense the wealth behind those words; like syllables of speech laced in gold and silver.

"I see no harm, after all; we both are still standing. Just be more aware of your surroundings." Tanjirou nodded, rubbing his neck as he finally looked away from the stranger. He couldn't help but admire the features of the other. The pale skin like winter. The ruby shaded eyes that seemed so filled with history. Even the attire of the stranger was so rich in quality. Fabrics made of silks and threads that Tanjirou had never seen before. "What had caught your gaze, if you don't mind me asking? It seemed so distracting, I do assume; especially causing one to forget that others travel this pathway as well."

"Oh! I uh- I ended up watching the full moon. It's one of my favorite sights, having lived on this mountain for so many years. The sights are limited after all." The stranger raised a brow, looking a bit down on Tanjirou. He gave a short chuckle, leaving the other to relax a bit more. 

"The moon is a wonderful thing, isn't it? A cold gaze that never wavers and remains unchanging." Tanjirou nodded, peering to it once more. 

"I adore the bright nature of it, how even in the nights, it offers a light. Its glow is far warmer than the sun, I feel. It gives a calming air to each evening, while being so mysterious and majestic to gaze. So- Free..." There was a silence before Tanjirou finally shifted his focus once more. He let his gaze fall back onto those eyes that shimmered in the moons lighting, leaving him to fall into them as well. "You know, your eyes aren't much different. They may differ by color, but they are rather calming to see. Unique, if I may add. Yet they also seem to hold much, like a mystery yet unraveled. Eyes that hold a lengthy history."

"Oh? Those are some strange comments on my own appearance. Most comment poorly; claiming my skin is that of death's icy grasp. Or my eyes are demonic in nature." Tanjirou tilted his head, smiling warmly. It made the stranger widen his eyes briefly, before he forced himself to return to a blank expression.

"I don't think there is anything bad about your appearance. Your skin is such a unique color, like winter's during the first snowfalls. It's suits you well. Makes your eyes seem all the brighter and the wealth of your attire seem more elegant." Once more the stranger was speechless, leaving him to shift his head a bit. He ran his hand along his chin, a partial smile tugging along the corners of his lips. Even when he spoke, his words held a bit of a warmth.

"You're the first to say such things, so I'm not sure how to take it... I have yet to introduce myself, such is poor manners of me." Tanjirou shook his head, offering his own smile once more.

"It's no worries. I should have given my name as well. I am called Tanjirou Kamado." 

"Such a nice name for someone as kind as you. You may call me Muzan, as strange as it sounds." The maroon haired male placed his hands together, smiling brightly as he spoke up. Those eyes were gleaming, offering such a foreign feeling to Muzan in that moment. 

"That name is wonderful in my opinion. One I've never heard of before." Muzan felt himself finally smile openly; his eyes relaxing.

"I was wondering, but do you live in this village? It isn't everyday someone of your age travels in the evenings alone. After all, there could be bad men about, Tanjirou." Tanjirou shook his head, shifting the basket once more along his shoulders before he fixed a strand of his hair. 

"I live up the mountain, a few hours walk from here. I often come to sell the coal we make." Muzan once more widened his eyes, shifting on his feet a bit. At least before Tanjirou spoke once more. "As for the other thing, I've never had issues. This path usually is barren during evenings; at least until today. I can tell you're not someone bad, sir."

"And how can you tell this?" Tanjirou tapped his nose, looking past Muzan to the emptiness up the mountain. 

"You smell of a calmness and shed a kind scent. My nose has never once deceived me, sir. You're a good person." Muzan was at a loss for words, his shock noticed. "Did I say something?" 

"Oh... No. I just wasn't expecting such honesty. You really are a strange lad. Might I ask if you live alone on the mountain? Any family?"

 "I live with my mother and siblings. A family I adore most in this world." 

"And none of them travel with you?" Tanjirou nodded, leaving silence between the two. Muzan had just met the youngster, but somehow, he felt conflicted. It was an odd feeling for him, but it also wasn't entirely a bad one. Bringing his finger to his chin, he cleared his throat before catching Tanjirou's focus once more. "How about I escort you along the trails. Night is hardly a place for someone so young to travel alone, no matter the times you've walked these trails."

"I couldn't bother you with such troubles!" Muzan waved it off, standing a bit straighter. 

"It's no problem, I assure. I was headed along this trail anyway. I needed to get to the other side, so it's easier to walk with you. Not to mention, company often makes long treks more barrable." There was a calming silence between them before Tanjirou finally responded, his eyes so gentle and kind. It truly made Muzan feel even the slightest hint of warmth in his cold heart. 

"If you're headed that way as well, I see no reason to refuse. I would be happy to have company on this walk." Muzan gave a nod, his gaze shifting to the coin the shimmered in the snow below. Bending low, he picked it up before holding it toward Tanjirou, who gratefully took it. A smile was traded between them before both set off into the eve, heading along the snowy trails together. It was the first time Tanjirou wasn't alone and while he didn't know the stranger, he was oddly satisfied with the company. It truly did make the walk more peaceful. 

If only peace was permanent.

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Chapter two is now updated.

(Updated: 02/06/2024)

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