Muinezu- The Journey (ON HOLD)

Planning at Day.

Muichiro would never make it to the Butterfly Mansion on time. Right as he had passed through a village he used as a shortcut to get to the Butterfly Mansion faster, the sun had begun to rise. He knew he needed to get Nezuko into a spot away from the sun before she burnt. He quickly grabbed Nezuko's hand and pushed her into a hole he had spotted just at the moment the sun became visible. He watched as Nezuko crawled further into the hole.

Muichiro was feeling a bit frustrated he never made it to the mansion on time. He was running so quickly as well. How did the night pass so fast? Well, hopefully, Tanjiro could wait a little bit longer before help comes his way. Either that, or Muichiro was hoping that one of the Hashiras would pass by, and then he could explain everything. If anything, he hoped the Hashira was Kyojuro, or maybe Mitsuri, since they seemed like they would understand the situation a bit more than the others. And he hoped that the Hashira that would pass by wasn't Sanemi. Muichiro already knew the outcome of what would happen if that were the case.

Muichiro really didn't like the idea of spending the whole day in the village. He could see the exact forest where the Butterfly Mansion was located, and it wasn't that far from where he was now. Demons also really like the forests around the Butterfly Mansion's forest, and since that's where he needs to head to actually get to the forest he needs to be in, it's likely he's gonna run into a demon, which like before, he doesn't want to have that happen.

Muichiro should probably start making a plan on what he was to do. He crawled into the hole where Nezuko was sitting cross-legged on the ground.

"I'm just going to put your brother in here with you. You don't mind that, right?"

Nezuko shook her head as she pulled Tanjiro close to her. As Muichiro crawled out the hole, a weird feeling came over him. Seeing the two siblings like that... made him feel nostalgic almost. It was like he used to do that...it was like he had a sibling at one point as well. Muichiro shook those thoughts out of his head. Now wasn't the time to think about that. He grabbed a stick near a bush and started to draw on the ground.

Muichiro was staring at the three drawings on the ground, all based on his plans. Now he just needed to decide which one was the best.

His first plan was to just wait until night came and just find another route to the Butterfly Mansion. Muichiro thought long and hard before scribbling the drawing out with the stick. It would probably take too long, and either way, he would probably still somehow run into a demon. His second plan was to just get Tanjiro up to the Butterfly Mansion and then come back down to the village for Nezuko. He scribbled the drawing out. Again, the trip from the village to the Butterfly Mansion would take at least 45 minutes, and Muichiro has forgotten what time it is. And he doesn't want to risk leaving Nezuko alone for too long. He looked at his third plan, the only plan he had left. His third plan was to find something that he could carry Nezuko and perhaps even Tanjiro in. This was the only logical plan that wouldn't take too long since he's in a farming village. It's likely he's going to find some kind of basket lying around. Hopefully, it will be with something to cover it as well. Muichiro decided that this was the plan he was going to go with. It was easier than the rest. Muichiro crawled back into the hole. He should also probably tell Nezuko where he was going.

Just as he entered the hole, he was met with a sleeping Nezuko, curled up comfortably against Tanjiro, who was lying next to her. Muichiro crawled back out of the hole. He should probably just leave her. It's not like he's gonna be that long anyway.

Muichiro was about ten minutes into his walk when he saw what he needed. A green basket sitting next to a farmer. It looked like he wasn't using it, so Muichiro took the chance.

"Excuse me, sir?"

The farmer turned his head to face Muichiro.

"Can I borrow this basket from you?"

"Why, yes! You can keep it if you want!"

Muichiro was surprised by his answer. I guess the farmer didn't care. Muichiro picked up the wooden basket before turning to the farmer to ask another question.

"Do you have anything that can cover the top?"

"Yes, but it's unfortunately broken."

"I can still make use of it."

"Great! I'll go get it for you."

The farmer proceeded to run inside his house to get the top. As he did,  Muichiro looked back at the path where he had just come from. He wondered if Nezuko was still sleeping or if she'd woken up. Muichiro hoped she hadn't because if she woke up and Muichiro wasn't there, that might worry her. Besides, she did look cute when she was sleeping... Muichiro quickly shook his head. He can't be thinking things like that. Especially of a demon.

The farmer ran out of the house with the green top of the basket. Muichiro now knew what he meant when he said it was broken. There was a huge chunk of bark ripped out of it in the corner.

"Are you sure this will be fine?" The farmer asked.

"Yeah. It'll do."

"Okay. Safe travels, young one!"

"Thank you."

Muichiro waved at the farmer as he began to head back to his resting spot.

Muichiro set down the basket before crawling back into the hole where Nezuko and Tanjiro were. Nezuko was still fast asleep, holding Tanjiro in her arms. Muichiro was contemplating whether or not he should try to wake her up. Then again, she has been asleep for a while now, so surely she's replenished her energy now. And well, Nezuko has a lot of time to sleep later.

Muichiro pinches Nezuko, and she wakes up instantly.

"I've got a basket. It might be too small for you and Tanjiro but we could try to fit you in...."

As if she read his mind, Nezuko crawled towards the basket and slid straight into it. She tipped the basket upwards, and...was she getting smaller?

Muichiro watched in awe as a small Nezuko got herself comfortable.

"Huh. I guess I don't need to worry about the basket if you can do that."

Nezuko smiled.

"And you've left just enough space for your brother to fit in as well."

Nezuko nodded. Muichiro looked at her, then looked back at her brother. Muichiro dragged Tanjiro into the basket.

After a few minutes of Muichiro and Nezuko's efforts, they managed to get Tanjiro into the basket.

"Okay, I think we're ready to go."

Muichiro looked up at the sky. He was shocked to see it was almost time for sunset.

"Looks like the sun is ready to set. We need to get a move on."

And just like that, Muichiro zoomed away and into the forest.

So, I hope you guys are really enjoying this story so far! Just to clarify one thing: Nezuko doesn't have her bamboo muzzle yet. I've decided to have Giyu make it again for this story, because Giyu needs to bond with people, even if they are demons.😃.

Anyway that's all for now! See ya!