The One We Couldn't Save

.+* Chapter 18 ~ In the Charcoal Shed *+.

PoV: Zenitsu

Zenitsu sat in silence, his breath forming small clouds in the air before him. His arms ached from being held above him for so long, and his back and neck felt stiff as a board.

He rolled his neck, letting out a quiet sigh as it cracked, giving him only some relief. With every movement, the shackles on his wrists seemed to cut against him, rattling quietly.

In fact, everywhere along his face ached as well. Small yet deep cuts littered his features that stung with every movement. 

Outside, the cold wind screeched and howled, blowing flakes of snow under the door. When the pristine flakes landed, they would rather quickly be turned to an ashy grey.

The charcoal dust in the air seemed to linger across every surface, scratching his parched throat and staring both him and his clothes black.

Zenitsu's hair flowed behind him, the long locks tangled and knotted. The pink ribbon he used as a hair tie had fallen out some time ago, leaving the uncomfortable weight on his shoulders.

He thought about the ribbon for a few moments, bringing his thoughts back to the one who'd brought him here. Nezuko.

It was her ribbon, the only piece of her he'd had left since the battle agasint Muzan. Since the day his already shit life took a dark turn for the worse.

She'd been coming to visit him every night to chatter about her day. It was the only way he'd been able to keep track of how long he'd been held captive.

Eight days, this was day nine.

Zenitsu knew the Corps had most likely assumed he was dead. That was the smartest option after all, he didn't want them to come looking for him. They'd only get themselves killed.

Atleast, they probably would. He hadn't been killed, but he'd hardly call his situation lucky.

Perhaps it was only wishful thinking, but he truly believed there was some humanity left in the Kamados. Not only had Nezuko, Uppermoon One, spared his life.

So had Tanjirou. The literal Demon King himself. He'd spared his life, and hadn't killed him. And Zenitsu had no idea why.

The red head had said it was "Because of his sister." But that felt like a lie. A cover up.

He knew that technically, Muzan was in control of Tanjirou's actions. One way or another. And perhaps, that horrid man was disgusted by the humanity his friend still possessed.

Perhaps he was trying to hide it, lie his way out of it.

Zenitsu had hope that there was still humanity left in Tanjirou and Nezuko. Even just a fraction.

There had to be.

Besides, Tanjirou would never do the things Muzan did. He wouldn't harm the innocent, he wouldn't kill just for the sake of it. He wasn't a merciless monster.

… Right?

No, of course he wasn't. It was Tanjirou for crying out loud. The one person with the sweetest sound Zenitsu had ever heard. Just his presence used to make Zenitsu feel like singing his praises loud and clear for the whole world to hear.

He was forced out of his thoughts as the door creaked open, the rusty hinges groaning and making Zenitsu wince.

A woman stepped inside, he was simultaneously glad to see her and wished she wasn't here. She had long, unruly black hair with fiery orange tips. She wore a patterned pink kimono with a makeshift green and black chequered cloak. On the top of her head, sticking out between a few locks of hair, was one singular horn. It curled up and inwards, and aside from the kanjis in her eyes, it was the only indication she wasn't human.

"Hello, Nezuko." His voice was quiet, raspy, and devoid of any real happiness.

"Why hello, Dandelion!" He cringed at the nickname, but kept his mouth shut about it.

Nezuko stepped closer, then sat down across from him and crossed her legs, grinning at him. She held a bowl of hot, steamy soup up to his lips, tipping it back gently.

"Eat." She commanded him, and he did as she asked. He was hungry, in fact, he was starving. 

She smiled, tipping the soup down into his mouth.

"I'm sorry, it seems I forgot to feed you this past week!" Her words came out with a giggle, but Zenitsu didn't find this funny at all.

He grunted in response, almost choking on the soup. Nezuko giggled at that too, using a handkerchief to wipe away any dribbling.

She soon pulled away the empty bowl, dabbing the handkerchief along his lips then planting a small kiss directly on his forehead.

"There we go, was that good?" She peered down at him, waiting for his answer.

Zenitsu knew that disagreeing with her wasn't an option, and he didn't want to risk angering her. "... Yeah, it was nice." He looked away, feeling as though he was walking on eggshells around her.

"Wonderful!" Nezuko exclaimed brightly, clapping her hands.

"Now, onto some more serious matters… I am going to ask you some questions, and you are going to answer them. Honestly."

She added the last part rather threateningly, raising an eyebrow.

"Mhm." He answered quietly, averting his gaze from her's.

"Good! Now, first question." She smiled, shuffling closer. "How many Hashira are there currently? Including you, Dandelion."

"Nine."

"Alright then, second question. Where is the Master's house? It's not where it used to be, that's for sure!" 

Zenitsu frowned, pursing his lips.

"I don't have all night, Dandelion. So get on with it." Nezuko spoke with a smile through gritted teeth.

"I can't answer that question."

She grabbed his chin, forcefully pulling him forward to look her in the eye. She scowled, leaning down, their faces inches apart.

"You will answer these questions." She snarled, the tips of her clawed fingers digging into Zenitsu's chin, drawing blood which began running down her hand.

"I won't." He could feel himself trembling as he stared up at her. She narrowed her eyes, pulling her hand away and scraping the flesh on his chin in the process.

She licked the blood from her fingertips, then made an almost disgusted looking face at the taste.

"Very well then." Nezuko stood up slowly, turning away from him.

"I'll be off now. I won't be forgetting about your defiance, Dandelion." 

The sudden change of her tone made him shudder.

She walked out the door without another word, locking the door behind her and leaving Zenitsu alone in the dark.

A/N: A little early to post the next chapter, but I finished it and couldn't resist lol