Demon Slayer 3 (kny x oc)

16- The Mu in Muichiro

Muichiro stands up as he pulls the sticks out of his face.

The numbness is so severe. These needles. I may have escaped the water pot but I'm not-

Muichiro says as he spots Kotetsu laid on the ground.

Kotetsu-kun. My strength is sapped. There's nothing I can-

Muichiro says as the multiple fish jump at him.

I know you can do it, Muichiro. Now, on your feet!

Muichiro remembers his Father's words.

Father!

Muichiro says as his eyes light up.

--- in Muichiro's past ---

Muichiro falls to the ground, the wood from the trees on his back as his arms and legs shake. Muichiro builds up the strength as he manages to stand up.

That's right. My Father was a woodcutter. And as his son, I would help him cut down trees. I- I liked helping my Father work.

That night, Muichiro's Father leaves the house in order to go find some medicine for his wife as Muichiro stays by his Mother's side as she shivers due to the fever from her illness.

"Mother, are you alright?" Muichiro asks worriedly, "Father's out getting you herbs right now, so- Mother!" he says as he moves the old cloth from her forehead, placing his hand there instead, "you're burning up" he says as he puts a new cloth on her forehead.

He runs over to the cupboard as he takes out a blanket, laying it over his Mother.

"Here, take my blanket" Muichiro says as he kneels down to her, "how's that, Mother?".

"I'm cold" Muichiro's Mother manages to get out.

"Father will be back soon, alright?" Muichiro says as he hugs her.

Outside in the rain, Muichiro's Father manages to find the herb he needs as he makes his way up the mountainside. Suddenly, his foot slips and he falls, hitting his head, resulting in his death.

I lost both my Mother and Father, people dear to me, at once. My parents died when I was ten. I found myself alone at ten.

"Muichiro" someone says as they come over to Muichiro.

No, that's not right. I was eleven when I found myself alone. I- I had a twin. My brother's name was Yuichiro.

"Compassion does no good for no one" Yuichiro says as he pulls Muichiro away from their parents' graves, "doing something for others won't get you anywhere".

"You're wrong" Muichiro says sadly, "whatever you do for others comes around to help you, as well, in the end. That's what Father said".

"You can't trust the word of a man who died trying to help someone else" Yuichiro says as he passes Muichiro some wood to carry.

"Why would you say that?" Muichiro asks as he puts the wood on his back, "it was for Mother's sake-".

"As if some herbs would have healed her in that state" Yuichiro says as he puts some woof on his back, too, "it's beyond stupid".

"That's an awful thing to say, Brother!" Muichiro says upset with Yuichiro's words.

"If he hadn't have gone out in the middle of the storm, or if that Doctor he contacted would have made it in time, we might still have both parents" Yuichiro says as he rolls his eyes.

"Don't say things like that! It's going too far!" Muichiro says as he starts to cry.

"I'm only telling you how it is" Yuichiro says as he looks at Muichiro, "don't yell. It's noisy. You might attract the boars. The Mu in Muichiro stands for incompetence. This conversation is meaningless. You can't change the past. The Mu in Muichiro stands from meaningless".