Bonds Beyond Twilight

Chapter 1: Unexpected Encounter

After returning from the swordsmith village, Nezuko and her brother, Tanjiro, made their way back to the Butterfly Mansion. The crimson of the setting sun bathed the landscape in a warm, soothing glow, and Nezuko was grateful for the fact that she no longer had to wear that confining bamboo muzzle. She had conquered the sun, and the weight of the world was lifting from her shoulders.

Tanjiro, ever the protective brother, had set off on a mission with his friends, Inosuke and Zenitsu. He left Nezuko in the care of the Butterfly Estate, promising that he'd be back soon. As he departed, Zenitsu's enthusiastic pleas about wanting to see "Nezuko-chan" echoed through the air, accompanied by vows to present her with a bouquet of flowers. Nezuko, hidden inside her box, could only react with an exasperated expression that could be summarized as 😶😑😶. Zenitsu's antics always left her dumbfounded.

Nezuko sighed and allowed herself to drift into her thoughts. So much had transpired in recent times – the battles against Upper Moon 4 Hantengu and his clones, their newfound ability to withstand the sun, and the relief that came with surviving those ordeals. As she rested in the quiet room with flat sleeping mats and blankets, her mind wandered, and she found herself longing to see Mitsuri again.

But then, something unexpected happened. The sliding door to her room gently opened, and Nezuko turned her attention to the entrance, eager to see her brother. However, it wasn't Tanjiro who stood at the door. It was Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira.

Nezuko recognized him immediately, having met him twice before, once before the battle with the Upper Moons and again afterward. Their brief encounters had been innocent and, Nezuko thought, rather cute. Muichiro, ever the analytical one, had commented on her looking oddly familiar during their first meeting, and they had mimicked each other's movements, a silent display of curiosity.

Now, as Muichiro entered the room, Nezuko couldn't help but be surprised by his sudden appearance. Their gazes locked, and Muichiro's cyan eyes bore into hers with a piercing intensity. He seemed to be studying her, his eyes transitioning from a vacant emptiness to a newfound light. Nezuko had to admit; he was quite handsome.

Before their silent interaction could go any further, their moment was disrupted by the overwhelming and frightening presence of Hantengu. Nezuko heard Tanjiro's voice urging her to run as she watched him confront the demonic menace. Mitsuri, their friend, came running to their aid, and the relief at their reunion led to a joyful group hug. They had vanquished Upper Moons 4 and 5, and their success was a cause for celebration.

As they prepared to leave the Swordsmith Village and returned to the Butterfly Mansion, Nezuko's thoughts drifted back to her encounter with Muichiro. The unexpected interaction left her with questions, and she couldn't help but wonder about the Mist Hashira.

Back at the Butterfly Mansion, Muichiro surprised Nezuko by sliding open the door to her room. Her eyes widened in shock as she noticed him and mumbled, "Huh?" Muichiro simply looked at her with an expression that seemed to say, "Oh, it's just you, Nezuko. Do you know where Tanjiro is?" Nezuko shook her head, indicating that she didn't.

As Muichiro turned to leave, he paused, as if something had struck him. He walked back toward Nezuko and settled on the floor in front of her, invading her personal space. His hand gently reached for her right cheek, and Nezuko's heart raced. What was he doing? She observed him closely, admiring his beautiful features and those captivating cyan eyes.

Muichiro's gaze locked with Nezuko's as he inspected her eyes, his lips curving into a faint smile. "Huh," he mused, "your eyes... the pupils change shape. They looked different when you were out in the sun... so that's what's been going on with you."

Nezuko had no idea what Muichiro meant, but she found herself entranced by his handsome face and those azure eyes. She silently admitted to herself, "He's so cute."

Muichiro eventually released his hand from her cheek and stood up, preparing to leave. As he turned, Nezuko couldn't resist grabbing the hem of his baggy pants to prevent him from going. She struggled to speak, her voice unfamiliar since she had been turned into a demon and wore the bamboo muzzle.

"W-Wait!" she stammered. "H-How... o... oh-old are you?"

Muichiro looked at her with a surprised expression, and it seemed like this was the first time he had heard her voice. Her words, though hesitant, sounded rather cute to him. He observed Nezuko struggling with her speech and her grip on his pants and couldn't help but smile.

"Fourteen," he replied, his voice gentle. Nezuko's eyes widened in disbelief. Muichiro was just as young as she was. He looked older than her brother, Tanjiro, but certainly younger than her first younger brother, Takeo. She released her grip on his pants, allowing him to leave.

As Muichiro exited the room, a warm blush formed on Nezuko's cheeks, and she couldn't understand the feelings that were welling up inside her. She gently placed her hand over her chest, feeling her heart racing.

"What am I feeling?" she whispered to herself, confused by her own emotions.

Suddenly, familiar voices grew louder, and Nezuko recognized Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu. They were approaching her room. As much as she wanted to see them, she decided to retreat into her box and listened to the comforting sounds of her brother and his friends entering the room.

The story continued, and Nezuko's world was filled with new experiences, battles, and emotions. The unexpected encounter with Muichiro had left an indelible impression, and she couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her, her brother, and their companions in this ever-evolving journey against the demons.