Outside His Flames - Kimetsu No Yaiba

Prologue

Night had fallen over the butterfly estate. Crickets chirped and night birds sang their songs.

Peace had descended over the mansion for a period of time. Of course there were missions to slay demons, but nothing too daunting had arisen.

Nezuko sat surrounded by the flowers of the guarden, the moonlight gave Zenitsu the light to tell the demon girl about his day. The pair sat by the small pond.

The other members of the corp slept quietly in their rooms, save for the few on watch around the mansion.

Tanjiro had snuck his way into Tsukiko's room. The duo had taken to the pattern of sneaking into each other's room to sleep curled up to the other. Tanjiro laid with his arms wrapped around Tsukiko, her head nestled into his chest. Moonlight shown down on the pair through the open window.

Tsukiko groaned out in her sleep and moved in discomfort. The movement woke Tanjiro up and his eyes opened with Tsukiko groaned out again.

The redhead shifted slowly and gently laid Tsukiko on her back. Tanjiro leaned on his elbow next to her, petting the girl's head softly to try to comfort her in the vision she was having.

Gazing down warmly at the woman he loved, Tanjiro wished that Tsukiko did not have to see horrible things in the future. All he wanted for her was happiness and beautiful days ahead. He hoped that one day there would be no more demons for her to dream about.

The comforting action seemed to work for a moment as Tsuiko's face and breathing relaxed. Then it didn't.

Night sky eyes flew open, but Tanjiro knew the demon slayer was not awake. Sporadic gasping for air and choking sounded out from Tsukiko. Her face contorted in pain as her back arched and body stiffened.

"Tsukiko," Tanjiro cried out in panic, "Tsukiko I'm here!"

Strangled, snuffed out screams ripped their way through Tsukiko's throat in response.

Tanjiro threw his calloused hand over Tsukiko's eyes, shielding them from the moonlight. Her connection to the clairvoyance from the moon god was cut off.

Finally, Tsukiko awoke from her vision. Tanjiro's hand fell away as the girl shot to a sitting position. Her head fell between her knees as she gripped her hair in both hands. Tsukiko's small body shook with anguished tremors.

"Please," she whimpered out, "please no. Spare him."

Tears fell onto the bedspread beneath her as sobs racked Tsukiko's body.

"Tsukiko," Tanjiro whispered out before touching the girl's back, "I am here for you."

A whine sounded out from Tsukiko. After a moment, she moved into Tanjiro's arms. The redhead rubbed his love's back as he held her. Tanjiro had learned not to ask what Tsukiko had seen. She would tell what needed to be and the boy knew he could not soothe her fears with words.

No, Tanjiro knew to hold Tsukiko and support her in the ways he had learned.

Eventually Tsukiko's breathing calmed in her sobs. Tanjiro continued to hold her, rubbing comforting circles on Tsukiko's back for as long as she needed.

Tanjiro could smell the utter despair coming from the light of his day. From the state of Tsukiko, he knew that peace that they had enjoyed would soon come to an end.

That the peaceful nights of sleep Tsukiko had so enjoyed were over.