Till The End. // Kokuzan.

2.

Muichirou let out a heavy sigh, staring at Sanemi as the wind pillar spoke. "We must all be insane to be going along with this.." he muttered.

Mitsuri shrugged. "It's gonna be hard, but we're Pillars! We have to go!"

"That's all nice, but Kamado leading us into this?" Iguro raised one eyebrow. "Who decided that was a good idea?"

"Uzui's joining in, by the way," Muichirou cut in. The remaining Pillars stared at him. "But he retired! He only has one hand!" Mitsuri gasped.

"I know. But other retired Pillars are joining, too, so that's something." Muichirou sniffed. Sanemi sighed. "Like it or not, Uzui's not gonna give up fighting in a time like this."

Mitsuri squeaked and hugged Iguro tight. "I hope he'll be alright.." she mumbled.

Iguro hugged her back and blinked. "Uzui'll be just fine. He was the second strongest Pillar here, after all," he soothed. Mitsuri sighed. "Well, okay. I guess I'll have to trust him."

—————————

Kokushibou sat in Kibutsuji's office, watching his Lord mix potions. But all of a sudden, Kibutsuji stood up and walked over to Tanjirou's head, still on display in his office.

Kokushibou froze. Kibutsuji placed his hand on top of the severed head and dug his nails in. Kokushibou knew what he was doing.

Tanjirou was going to come back as a demon. Kibutsuji wanted to use him against his friends.

Before Kokushibou could think twice, veins sprouted from Tanjirou's neck. Slowly but surely, the Slayer's body was regrowing, and his spirit was soon sure to join.

———————

Tanjirou opened his mouth to say something to Giyuu, but his shoulder started tingling. He held his hand up to it, only to feel there was nothing there.

Giyuu opened his mouth but stumbled over his tongue, finally managing to stutter out, "Tanjirou.. y-you're— fading..!"

Tanjirou gasped, but before he could say anything, his surroundings changed. He was no longer in Akaza's room; he was in Kibutsuji's study.

He looked around, icy horror gripping his body as he realized what happened. I'm a demon..! He glared at Kibutsuji, who grinned slyly back.

"That you are, Kamado. That you are." The Demon King's voice was smooth as silk. Tanjirou shuddered. "You can read my mind..?"

"I can." Kibutsuji grinned. Tanjirou felt sick. His thoughts weren't private anymore. He couldn't even think about his revenge plan. Kibutsuji would know.

He had to be careful now not to think anything that would alert Kibutsuji of his plan. But that really limited him on what he could think. Maybe about missing his family. Maybe he could think about how bad he felt for leaving his family behind. But he'd been trying so hard not to think about that..

Then it clicked. He didn't have to think anything at all. He could silence his mind, as he'd always done when he was in battle. No thoughts meant Kibutsuji wouldn't be able to tell what was going on, and his plans would be kept secret.

But that posed another issue. How was Tanjirou supposed to lead all those Demon Slayers into battle without Kibutsuji finding out?

He sighed. He'd have to take the risk, even if meant he might disappear forever. That was the risk all these dead Slayers shared, so why should he be any different? It wouldn't make sense if he was more privileged than the rest because he was leading them. Regardless of that fact, he was younger than them. It wouldn't be fair.

Then, Tanjirou saw someone out of the corner of his eye. A ghostly figure, looking almost identical to himself. But before he could call out, the figure disappeared.

--------

Giyuu doubled over, sobs shaking his body. Urokodaki hugged him tight, but watching Tanjirou fade had been more painful than Giyuu could describe. Tanjirou's fading away could mean one of two things; either, 1. Tanjirou had somehow been killed a second time and would never come back, or 2, Tanjirou had been turned into a demon.

Both options were horrible, but Giyuu hoped it was the latter. He couldn't bear to think that Tanjirou was dead for good, and that he'd never hear his voice or see his face again.

A new figure approached him then. A ghost that had solidified itself, Giyuu supposed, as most now could. It sent shivers down Giyuu's spine, how alike the ghost looked to Tanjirou.

The ghost held his hand out and spoke softly and calmly. "Please don't be afraid. I promise, Tanjirou is alright. He's been turned into a demon, but he's keeping himself calm."

Giyuu blinked at the ghost. "Who-- who are you..? How do you know..?"

"My name is Sumiyoshi. I am Tanjirou's ancestor." The ghost replied with a soft smile. Giyuu gasped quietly. "But-- how do you know Tanjirou's okay..?"

"I saw him. He seems panicked, but his air is calm. Chances are, he's hoping to trick Kibutsuji into thinking he's panicked, but he's really doing just fine," Sumiyoshi answered. Giyuu sighed. "If you say so.."

"I heard about this gr--" Sumiyoshi cut off suddenly. He turned around, as if he felt someone were watching him. He gasped when he saw who it was. "Y- Yoriichi..!"

Yoriichi looked sad as Sumiyoshi jumped into his arms. "It's been a while.. Sumiyoshi." He whispered. Sumiyoshi sniffled. "I didn't see you.. up there.." he blinked.

"Yeah, I.. couldn't face any of you." Yoriichi replied. "Hey.. why do you seem sad?" Sumiyoshi asked softly. "Yorii..? Is something wrong..?"

"You want to join Tanjirou's group, don't you?" Yoriichi looked down at Sumiyoshi, who nodded. "Why? Are you not joining them?"

"No. In fact, I.. I'm fighting against them." Yoriichi answered, pursing his lips. Sumiyoshi gasped. "No, you- you can't..! You're a Demon Slayer! You're supposed to- oh my God.. Yorii.." he started to cry, ghostly tears that sizzled against his skin.

"Oh.. no, no, Sumi, don't cry.. please.." Yoriichi gently wiped his tears away. "I'm doing it for my brother. I.. he needs me. I left him behind before, and I can't bear doing that again.."

"But you can bear to fight against me?! Yorii, we.. we were so close..! We were supposed to spend our lives together, even after death, and you.." Sumiyoshi backed away, falling to his knees as he sobbed.

"Sumiyoshi, I.." Yoriichi sighed. "I have to go. I'm.. I'm sorry." He turned and left the room. Sumiyoshi curled up on the ground, a sobbing mess. He couldn't believe this was happening. He couldn't believe that the man he loved was so set on betraying everything they knew.

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woah.. chapter.

ive gotten so distracted and im honestly falling out of demon slayer again, so i think this is gonna be the last demon slayer book i ever write. i cant promise there's going to be any more after this.. sorry.

enjoy this while it lasts <3