The Water Tsuguko

Chapter 12

Takeo seemed to have come at a great time, seeing as the screaming boy from before was fast asleep, his snores filling up the room.

"Takeo," Tanjiro smiled at him, though his face was covered up with bandages due to the wounds that he had sustained while fighting lower moon five. "How have you been?"

"Big brother," Takeo smiled. He felt tears burning in the back of his eyes- whether from joy of reuniting with his brother or from shame of separating in the first place. "I've been just fine. In fact, it should be me asking you."

"Yeah," Tanjiro chucked. "I am pretty messed up right now, aren't I?"

"You should have seen me after final selection," Takeo laughed. "Aoi-chan and I fought this giant demon with hands all over its body. It was gruesome. Didn't get to kill the bast- jerk, though."

"You fought him and survived?" Tanjiro looked like he was about to burst into tears.

"Woah," Takeo didn't know what to do, or even why Tanjiro started crying like that out of the blue. "Chill out, big bro."

"Sorry," he sniffled. "I just knew a few people that died while fighting that horrid thing. And I'm glad that I was able to allow them to rest in peace by killing that awful creature."

"You were able to kill it?" Takeo was practically leaning out of the chair.

"Yeah," Tanjiro smiled. "I was able to avenge the souls that have been taken by that sorrowful being."

Takeo just nodded, remembering the horror he had felt when he went up against the beast. Him and Aoi had just barely been able to get away without any serious injuries. They were lucky to only get a few scratches and maybe a small concussion.

"How was Nezuko? Did you two have fun?" Tanjiro changed the subject to something a little less gruesome.

"Yeah," Takeo smiled. "We played together for a bit and then she fell asleep so I laid her down."

"That's so cute," Tanjiro smiled. "I'm glad you two got to spend time together for a little bit. I know how long it's been since you even saw her."

"Speaking of Nezuko," Takeo stuttered out, remembering the conversation that he had with Shinobu right before he came over to talk with Tanjiro. "I had a talk with Shinobu-san, and she seemed really interested in Nezuko."

"Well, that's natural," his brother replied. "She's probably the first demon any of the hashira have seen that doesn't need human flesh to survive."

"She seemed very interested," he continued. "She asked me for permission to take some of Nezuko's blood so that she could experiment on her."

"Some of her blood?" Tanjiro put a finger under his chin. "Well, how- much blood."

Takeo's eyes widened. He hadn't expected his older brother to be so calm and collected with this. He hadn't even expected him to even consider the idea.

"I think she said a pint, or something like that," Takeo stuttered out.
"Well, then she can take it as long as Nezuko seems okay with it," the older boy came to his decision. "It might even help to figure out a cure for her to help turn her back into a human."

Takeo was just about to speak again when he heard the squealing of Tanjiro's friend, something that Takeo had decided that now was a good time to somewhat tune out whatever was about to be said.

"You're actually agreeing to let poor Nezuko-chan give up her precious blood?" The blonde screeched. "That's absolutely insane! How could you?"

"Zenitsu, quiet down. This is a hospital wing," Tanjiro scolded. "And it's to help turn her back into a human, and potentially help the demon slayers beat Muzan."