𝔸 𝕋𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖 𝕆𝕗 ℍ𝕦𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕪 - 𝕋𝕒𝕟𝕛𝕚𝕣𝕠𝕦 𝕩 𝕌𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕞𝕠𝕠𝕟𝕤

꧁༒☬𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓔𝓵𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓷☬༒꧂

~~~~~~~~~ Months Later ~~~~~~~~~

It was hard to believe that his life had truly changed. That he'd become someone different from his past. After all, he had become a part of a new family that held so many secrets. Secrets he was welcomed to over time. It wasn't hard for Tanjirou to understand that those around him weren't normal; granted, he never anticipated Demons were real. But they were still kind to him. They had chosen to care for him, so it left him without doubts. Even when Muzan offered to let him leave upon the truth being revealed, Tanjirou couldn't. He wouldn't. He simply saw those around him as the family he sought. The ones who saved him from himself in his darkest moments. 

That said, he had also been introduced to the natural enemy of the Demons. He'd been taught on Demon Slayers and while he never saw others as enemies, the concept that those humans sought to harm his newfound family, it irked him. Made him consider the worth of keeping from the troubles. He owed much, if not everything to Muzan. Not only for the kindness, but for avenging his family; a secret Muzan himself revealed at one point. It was hard to stomach at first, but it was for a good cause. It simply left Tanjirou to forgive and forget. He couldn't hold a grudge nor place blame. Muzan and the Uppermoon were his beloved family since the accident.

With everything, Tanjirou had also made a choice of his own. He'd gone back to his family home twice. The first time was to grab some things, the second was to burn it to the ground. In a way, it sealed his choice. That he planned to remain with Muzan and the Uppermoon. It was a sort of promise to himself as well as them; that he'd not turn away from those he viewed as important. With no sign or knowledge of Nezuko, he'd given up on finding her. He was simply at peace with his current situation and content with it as a whole. 

Granted, peace never lasted forever. 

It had been during an eve with a celebration that Muzan had taken Tanjirou outside to the festival area. Daki had tagged along, her brother hiding away like normal as they made their ways down the crowded streets together. Due to the crowd, Tanjirou had ended up holding onto Muzan's hand through the travel, leaving a somewhat jealous Daki; though Muzan was quick to silence her. 

They had gone from cart to cart, buying an assortment of things; simply enjoying the moment. It wasn't until the fireworks began that things fell apart quickly. Tanjirou was in his festival clothes, watching the lights illuminate the sky when he heard a voice that caught his attention, leaving his focus to shift. Slowly, his eyes landed on a frame that he knew. One that he'd spent months searching for. It left a sense of confusion that was picked up quickly by Daki, who had stayed with Tanjirou after Muzan had things to take care of. 

It would have been simple to leave, but that wasn't the case when those eyes fell onto Tanjirou, frozen with a sort of disbelief. Without hesitation, those footsteps traced toward him before he found his sister before him, her shock just as apparent as his. Even her voice broke a bit with her words. "Tanjirou? Where have you be-" 

Her hand reached out, brushed aside by Daki, who wore a glare openly. Arms tugged Tanjirou closer, pressing him into her chest as she spoke toward Nezuko with complete disdain, leaving Tanjirou to note the appearance of his sister. To notice the sword pressed to her side that only meant a single thing. She was a Demon slayer; a danger to Daki. "I don't believe he knows you, isn't that right?" 

"I- Uh, yea..." His words failed to leave him as he felt a sense of dread. To think he looked for his sister in all the wrong places. That she was an enemy to those that Tanjirou owed everything to. It was an irony that tasted bitter. Bringing his arm up, he tugged along the sleeve of Daki, staying composed to the best of his ability. "I think we should leave. Go to the meetup location."

"Are you sure? The festival isn't done yet, though..." Daki frowned, obviously upset her little outing with Tanjirou was being interrupted. But she also noted the worry pressed heavily to Tanjirou's expression. "Tanjirou?"

"We need to leave, Daki... Trust me." The other paused, giving a short nod before she turned on her heels, only stopping when a hand snagged Tanjirou before he could leave. 

"Tanjirou, wait! Where are you going? I finally found you after thinking you were dead and now you're pretending not to know me? What happened to our family that night? Where have you been?" Tanjirou chewed his lip, tearing his arm free before he shook his head, letting his eyes fall. He may feel Demon Slayers are his enemy now, but Nezuko was his sister. HE still felt responsible to assure her safety as well. 

"I don't know who you are but bothering me isn't helping the situation. I apologize something happened to your family, but you've got the wrong person." Turning as well, he only stopped when he heard the sounds of the sword being drawn, the metal glimmering as it pointed toward Daki. Pointed toward someone Tanjirou cared for. It left him stepping before her, feeling the metal touch his chest lightly.  

"Move Tanjirou! She's the reason, right? You're being held by Demons, forced to lie. You're being used."

"You're wrong, Nezuko!" His words caught her, leaving her to waver long enough to not realize another presence was close by. The moment her sword was hit, the weapon fell to the ground with a clank. It left her wide eyed as she shifted her focus to a new face, a number marked in the eye. It left Tanjirou aware it was Akaza. He shifted his focus, glancing toward Tanjirou before speaking calmly. 

"Master sent me to get you. We're headed back since Demon Slayers are in town. If we stay, there will be a fight without a doubt." Tanjirou nodded, peering to Nezuko once more. He kneeled long enough to grab her sword, laying it next to her before she tried to reach out to him once more. Only this time, Akaza tugged Tanjirou back. "Who's this, Tanjirou?"

The silence felt heavy as Tanjirou weighed his words. As he chose his next words to speak, leaving the air hard to breath for Nezuko. "She's no one important, so there isn't a need to waste your time on something futile. Let's just leave." 

"If you say so. Hold on." Tanjirou listened, holding onto Akaza as he tapped his foot, Tanjirou peering toward Nezuko once more. He gave a soft wave, one she saw, leaving water to gather in her eyes as Tanjirou vanished. As her last hope and joy seemed to fade into nothing as she stayed on the ground, defeated. Lost to the present.

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I feel a bit bad about doing this to Nezuko, but oh well. It is what it is. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and leave feedback. Always appreciated. <3