𝔸 𝕋𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖 𝕆𝕗 ℍ𝕦𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕪 - 𝕋𝕒𝕟𝕛𝕚𝕣𝕠𝕦 𝕩 𝕌𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕞𝕠𝕠𝕟𝕤

꧁༒☬𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓷☬༒꧂

Months having passed, Tanjirou found his stay with Muzan and the Uppermoons a bit different. Not really bad, but different. From the training he began to take part in under Kokushibo's guide, to even greater freedoms, Tanjirou had found his daily life was rather suitable and if anything, desired. He spent most of the free time with those that were his 'family', including Douma; an Uppermoon that was a strange individual. He was quite eerie, as Tanjirou had admitted aloud. But Douma was still just as kind and in a way, his personality was easy to get along with. An Uppermoon who was just simply bored and sought out some fun. It had left Douma offering on multiple occasions to allow Tanjirou to come along on his hunts. However, Kokushibo was always quick to cut down the offer and ultimately drag Tanjirou away.

Another change was Kokushibo himself. With the training, Tanjirou had been able to get closer. Learned a little bit of the first Uppermoons brother, who had apparently had connection to Tanjirou's family. From the earrings to the Hinokami Kagura, Kokushibo had admitted Tanjirou was somehow a replica of his past brother. Luckily, it never caused any rift between them and if anything, Tanjirou could tell Kokushibo had become gentler to him. 

The biggest change in Tanjirou's life was that Muzan had become more openly honest. He'd told Tanjirou of the path he'd be set on. How his life would become at risk and in the worst case, Tanjirou would someday become like Muzan and the other Uppermoon; a Demon. It was of course last case scenario, but Tanjirou wasn't too keen on the idea originally. He'd withheld his thoughts, but he currently considered it. If it would keep him able to remain with those that had become his world. 

It was a fact Tanjirou noted. Each day he got older, every year seeming to appear older. The Uppermoon, they remained constant. Sure, Tanjirou wouldn't mind growing old, but it would mean that someday he'd leave them behind. They'd watch him wither away and even if it bothered them little, it meant much to Tanjirou. Afterall, he'd offered everything to Muzan and his cause. 

Taking a long breath, Tanjirou remained laid on his bed, head hanging over the edge as he merely basked in his thoughts and the silence of the room before him. He'd not had much to do in the past days beyond think over things, truthfully. It was something that irked him a bit; just how much time Tanjirou truly had. Back on the mountains he was constantly doing something, but here, he was always in a near bored state beyond the times the Uppermoons were around. But they also had tasks set up by Muzan himself. Not every moment could be used to satisfy Tanjirou's boredom. 

Even Kokushibo had been given something to do. It left his maroon eyes to shift to the door that usually was blocked by the Uppermoons large frame. With him not guarding Tanjirou, he was aware he could wander if he so desired. However, Tanjirou had tried to do so alone before, and he'd got lost for hours. It wasn't something he wanted to do, such as cause trouble for Muzan. 

However, Tanjirou's patience was slipping with every moment he was suffocated by the silence. He simply wasn't accustomed to having nothing but his own thoughts. It ultimately left him sitting up and tossing his legs over the bed. Rising to his feet, he wandered toward the door before peeling it open and glancing down the long length of hallway. One thing he was grateful for was that he'd at least memorized which way led to Nakime. 

Taking to the left path, Tanjirou moved in slow motions down the halls, simply letting his gaze wander upward. He'd never truly thought to look up, leaving him to view the display. How there was no ceiling and instead, Tanjirou could make out endless shifting places. It was open and made him wonder if he was the one upside down or not. 

Pressing the thought away, Tanjirou found himself taking note of the Biwa sounding in the distance. It always let him know that Nakime was aware of his presence. After he'd got lost, she was more attentive to where he roamed. However, should she be busy, it was all on Tanjirou. Luckily, this wasn't one of those cases. 

Stepping onto a big platform, the Biwa left it rising, Tanjirou steadying himself. With all the time he'd spent at the fortress, he'd learned how to stay standing each time the platforms shifted. It left him rising to where he could make out Nakime. Wandering closer, he lifted himself over the raised edge, shifting on the platform before he stood beside Nakime. Took in how her head shifted his general direction. 

"Morning, Nakime... Well, I suppose it's 'Good evening' truthfully. How have you been today?" She seemed to consider before her gaze shifted elsewhere. Took in the room the was placed above, door opened just slightly as words made the moment tense. The voice of Muzan, lacking much sincerity that made Tanjirou's question go ignored. 

"Send him to me, Nakime. I've words to discuss with Tanjirou." Glimpsing to the space, Tanjirou sighed lightly, offering a small wave as he sauntered to the next platform. Stepped on it as Nakime strung the Biwa, sending him rocketing forward as the platform met with the door. Left Tanjirou to fit through as he stepped toward the area that Muzan was working on. Multiple vials noticeable as Tanjirou withheld his questions. It was one thing he'd learned; questions were dangerous to him. 

"You wished to speak with me?" Muzan, who was in the midst of shaking a vial, lowered the glass piece before his gaze held Tanjirou's. Where the cold expression once was, it seemed to vanish as a small smile formed. One that was kind.

"I do. I have decided on a task to offer you. It should be easy to complete, since you're human after all." Tanjirou nodded, simply waiting for Muzan to continue. The other seemed to step from the beyond the vials as he approached, his hand falling to Tanjirou's head gently. "I trust this task to you and am positive you'll do it well." 

"If that's what you wish, how could I refuse?" Muzan let out a small hum of amusement as he turned on his feet, shifting back to what he'd been doing beforehand. However, his words still reached Tanjirou. 

"I wish to have you infiltrate the Demon Core, Tanjirou. I seek intel and you're the best shot I've got. I've been training you for this, truthfully. I expect great things from you, as does most of the others." Tanjirou couldn't help but smile momentarily. It was a cure to his boredom, though he was aware it was no doubt risky. "Nakime will be dropping you in the spider demon's forest. It's simple. Just act as if you're caught. From my knowledge and information, that woman from before should be present. I'm sure she'll take note of your presence there."

"You mean Nezuko?" Tanjirou's words made Muzan nod, those blood red eyes glimpsing his way.

"Indeed. That sister of yours you so abandoned. Use her to infiltrate." There was a lingering silence before Tanjirou nodded, his eyes holding steadfast. This was simply as Muzan desired, so if he had to use a few Demon Slayers, who was he to argue? 

"As you wish. What if I am found out, as I assure, I'll not leave with my head." Muzan already seemed to know of this, leaving the other to saunter once more over. He held a vial up, grabbing Tanjirou's hand as he placed it in his hold. Offered a calming smile that stilled Tanjirou's beating heart. 

"You are important to us all. Should danger be close, and your cover blown, take this and drink it. It will turn you into a Demon, but it will give you a small chance to get away. DO NOT take it, should it not be necessary. Am I understood, Tanjirou?" The maroon haired male nodded, feeling Muzan ruffle his hair just slightly as a hand landed along his shoulder. Words like a chorus left to flood his mind as hands gently pushed Tanjirou through the doors opening as his world seemed to blur and eventually faded to black. "You MUST return, no matter what."