Nobility (Kimetsu no Yaiba x OC)

Chapter 15

Enmu doesn't remember fear for fear's sake, perhaps he may have felt it in the presence of Kibutsuji Muzan before, but that quickly became something associated with ecstasy, to see his lord become something all-powerful, all-consuming. It is in this moment, when he relives a memory that was not even one that belongs to him, seeing a colder, more cruel version of the silver haired woman he stands in front of right now, though not as beautiful as when she was splattered with Muzan-sama's blood, that a delighted grin spreads across his pale face.

"You would look prettier when drenched in blood..."

He mostly says it to himself, but Kanjō's ears pick up on the sound quite easily.

"This Kanjō would rather not dirty such pristine clothing. Especially with the blood of vermin."

The kimono, the one she changed into to avoid attracting more attention, made it hard for her to move as easily. Even hiding the blades she usually carried was harder, so they too were left behind at the Rengoku estate.

But since when did wild dogs ever need weapons.

Enmu takes a careless glance to the side. "They're having trouble. I wonder what happened."

Kanjō trusts enough in Kyojuro's abilities to not worry, though there's a subtle ache in the pit of her stomach she can't erase. The wind swept her hair every which way as the train followed its tracks, the cold soothing on her skin, but this unease would not let her settle.

"Maybe they haven't destroyed someone's spiritual core yet....." He blinks slowly, without a care in the world. "Well, they're buying time, so it's okay."

An eerily serene smile grows on his face.

"I suppose I should deal with you first."
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Kamado Tanjiro wakes with a shout, cold sweat running down his body after escaping from the dream.

'So I must slit my throat to wake up.'

He turns to his sister, who was startled by his loud voice. "Nezuko!! Are you okay...?"

Raising his hand to reach for her, he notices the rope tied around his wrist.

'What's this? It's burned off...'

'Did Nezuko set her blood on fire?'

Tanjiro brings the rope close to his face.

'It may be slight, but it smells of demons.'

He reaches an epiphany, taking out the train ticket and smelling it as well.

'As I thought, there's a slight demon smell here too.'

He must've been put to sleep when the man from earlier checked his ticket. A demon's blood technique can do so much even with such a faint scent, he was slightly impressed by such an ability.

"Rengoku-san!!" He yells when he catches sight of the Hashira choking a girl with his eyes closed. "Zenitsu! Inosuke!"

His comrades have been put to sleep by the demon's technique and he scrambles to grab his sword from under the bench.

"Kanjō-san?"

She was the only one not present, but Tanjiro has no time to wonder where she is.

He quickly assessed the situation, noticing the strangers who had been connected to the slayers by rope, and instinctively feels that using his blade to sever the bind was a bad idea.

"Nezuko, please, burn the ropes off!"

In a way, Tanjiro's instinct had saved the people who intruded upon the dreams of his friends, for if the rope, a connection made with a demon's ability, was severed by a Nichirin blade...those who were not dreaming would never regain consciousness again.