Fluttering Lotus Petals

Chapter 15: Return to the Earth

Under the moonlight, Kanao's feet led her to the grounds outside of the Butterfly Estate. She had slipped away from the warmth of the bed to take a walk outside. Perhaps it might cure her restlessness.

The words "final act" had crossed her mind many times, despite her best attempts at repressing it. Whenever the thought resurfaced, her body always began to shake and tremble. Either with anger, anticipation, or fear—she didn't know.

The centuries-long fight against Muzan Kibutsuji could come to an end very soon. The Demon Slayer Corps owed it all to [Name], who came with the secrets and strategies necessary for Kbutsuji's defeat.

Each Corps member received a copy of various notes on the Upper Ranks. [Name] had included fighting styles, weaknesses, and bad habits of his former comrades. He also outlined several ways to exploit said weaknesses.

The Corps began to train under those guidelines after completing their Pillar Training, honing their skills to take down the Upper Ranks. The antebellum era was filled with sweat and tears as the members worked themselves down to the bone.

Apparently, according to her sisters as well as the demons working with them, the Slayers were to coat their blades in the poison they crafted, as well as carry vials and syringes of the poison. [Name] suspected that all other demons would receive power roughly equal to those of the Lower Ranks. After the Pillar Training, thanks to [Name]'s insistence, most slayers could easily defeat Lower Rank demons.

[Name] had also listed every power of Kibutsuji he had seen, either with his own eyes or through memories. A plan was crafted in order to combat every move of his, fueled by [Name] careful planning and desire to end everything once and for all.

He had taken everything into consideration and Kanao's admiration grew. Years before the Kocho sisters had rescued her from poverty and abuse, she managed to hear one of the villagers excitedly tell everyone about how the Wandering Traveler visited her sick children the previous night.

Young Kanao, straining her ears to hear the villager, had hid in the shadows of a nearby alley to eavesdrop. The villager had described how gentle he was and how he calmed her children with his soft, reassuring voice.

She often dreamed of a visit from the Wandering Traveler when her father hit particularly hard. He would be able to rescue her, to shower her with affection. He would heal her wounds, and the aching pain that constantly plagued her tiny body would vanish.

Years later, when she first heard of the demon that saved Kanae, she was extremely grateful. Kanae had relayed his description to Kanao, and something inside of her began to rise. It was small, so small that she had not initially recognized what it was.

Now, she had realized it was admiration. During the day, she would often visit the demons' room, where Kamado Nezuko and [Name] would reside. Prior to conquering the sun, of course. She was far too shy to actually talk to him, but Nezuko would bound over and drag her in anyway.

She was a taciturn girl and did not try and make conversation, though [Name] didn't seem to mind. He didn't try to make conversation either and simply watched as she played with Nezuko, who seemed particularly taken by her.

But now as she spotted [Name] in the gardens, she felt she was finally ready to speak to him. After years of suppression, her heart opened as her emotions came as easily to her as her breathing forms.

[Name] noticed her far earlier that she thought he would and beckoned her over. When she reached him, he suddenly snatched her hand and took off. Kanao blinked, and she was in front of Tomioka's estate. She blinked again and they had returned to their original position. The difference was that in [Name]'s other hand was covered in a splatter of blood.