Star Girl (Tanjiro X OC)

Audrey Harding: Thriving Willpower - Chapter 14

Are those...temari balls? I think as I stare at the round toys decorated with geometric patterns, aghast at their immense power. If I remember correctly, Kanari and Mayumi were given temari from their mothers when they were able to afford the silk fabric and threads needed to make them, wishing them a brilliant and happy life. I think that was about 5 years ago on a New Year's Day.

But the temari that the demon girl has are made out of rubber and can bounce thanks to her unbelievable strength. Every bounce is destructive, and I have a bad feeling this whole house is going to fall down at this rate.

She laughs as she throws them yet again, and we all brace ourselves for the impact. I cover my head as they ricochet against the walls, feeling very tense. A lot of dust is created from each ricochet.

"Lady Tamayo!" Yushiro cries from behind me. I turn around just in time to see the ball smash his head off, splattering a lot of blood.

"Yushiro!" Tanjiro cries in despair, and I gag, my stomach rolling up into a ball.

"Damn!" He curses. "Nezuko! Get the lady sleeping in the back and take her somewhere safe outside!"

She gives a grunt of agreement, but Tamayo tells us, "It's too dangerous! We have a basement, so take her there!"

"Understood! Nezuko!" Tanjiro gestures for his sister to move, and she grunts in agreement before doing so.

The temari demon laughs and gives a haughty smirk. "One down, four to go!"

My eyes are wavering with a load of apprehension. This demon clearly looks strong. Is she part of the Twelve Kizuki? Where is the other demon? Is he going to help her take us out for Muzan? Will we be able to defeat them at our current strength?

Both temari return to their owner, making a ringing sound upon her catching them. She begins to bounce them up and down, the noises of little bells filling the silence.

"Hmm. The Demon Slayer who wears hanafuda earrings...is you, isn't it?" She asks, referring to Tanjiro.

He gasps, and I slowly lay eyes on him. They're targeting him?

"Miss Tamayo! Please find a place to hide! They're after me!" He orders her.

"Tanjiro. I want you to focus on the fight. Please don't worry about us. We'll be fine without your protection," The demon lady assures us. "We're demons, too."

"Well then," The temari demon says as she prepares to throw a ball at the dark-haired boy. "It's all over for you!"

"Step back, Audrey," He tells me, and I take three steps back just before the ball is thrown at an alarmingly high speed. I watch him draw his sword back and concentrate as the temari nears him. He then performs a quick thrust and stabs it, stopping its movement.

I glance at the demon who has a smirk on her face before I hear rattling coming from Tanjiro's sword. I see the temari hit his head with little force and slide off his blade, returning to her.

How did it move like that? It's not spinning or anything like that. Does she have anything to do with its movement? If so, then she can easily kill us with one blow as she did with Yushiro!

"Yushiro! Yushiro!" Tamayo calls to the beheaded demon boy in her arms. I turn to her, and as I'm about to say that he's gone, I hear sickening noises coming from his body. I can see his head regenerating, starting from his chin and reforming his mouth.

"La—" is what comes out first. Repugnance contorts my face. "Lady Tamayo! I tried to tell you, didn't I? I said not to get involved with those Demon Slayers, and I was right! My concealment spell isn't perfect! I know you're well aware of that yourself! I may be able to conceal buildings and people, and their scents, but it's not like I can completely hide their existence!"