Midnight's Reign

Chapter 14

What the fuck.

Asami reaches for her sword again, but Dina clings to her arm. "No! Please Asami, just listen first!" She pleads.

Asami's eyes still stare at it. At Devin. He pulls against the chain, growling at them like a wild animal. She rips her eyes away from him to look at Dina.

"Explain yourself." She says sternly.

"Promise me you won't draw your sword." She begs, her eyes wide with desperation. Asami ignores her request.

"How did this happen?"

Dina lets go of Asami's arm. "A demon attacked my brother while he was doing evening farm chores. I didn't know what was happening to him at first. When I rushed to his side, he lunged at me. I managed to knock him unconscious and dragged him down here. I didn't want to chain him up, but I didn't have a choice."

Asami looks back at Devin. His once fair skin is now an ashy gray. His hair is still blonde, but his eyes are pitch black. They used to be a beautiful baby blue. Sadness creeps into her heart. He was only a few years older than her. He used to play with her along with Dina when they were little.

Her gaze flickers to the floor. Bones were scattered around his feet.

The sadness quickly turns into dread.

"...What have you been feeding him?" She says slowly, but she already knew the answer.

"Please Asami, you have to understand. Maybe there's a cure! You're in the Demon Slayer Corps, can't you figure something out?"

Her thoughts immediately go to Nezuko. The sister who was turned into a demon. No, that's different. She's different. And she's never harmed a human being.

"I'm sorry, Dina. I really am. But there's only one thing that can be done."

She draws her sword. The red blade glints in the lantern's light. She takes a step towards Devin.

"No!" Dina screams.

Asami raises her blade, but before she can swing, a cloth suddenly covers her mouth. Her eyes widen and she gasps in surprise. But that was a mistake. She inhales, a strong, sweet odor wafts into her mouth and nose. She stumbles back slightly, dropping her sword as her limbs begin to lose feeling. Her eyes droop as she begins to lose consciousness.

Dina holds onto her tightly, cradling her body as she slumps to the floor.

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

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Kyojuro stands outside of his favorite restaurant, holding a bouquet of flowers. He and Asami have a lunch date planned. He bounces lightly on the balls of his feet, butterflies in his stomach as he thinks about her.

He waits. And he waits.

He looks at the sun, measuring what time it is. He had the right place, didn't he? She's usually never late. Maybe Mitsuri needed her for something.

His nerves quickly shift into worry as more time passes.

Where is she?

He decides to walk back to headquarters to see if she's there. On his way to her estate, he sees Giyu. Kyojuro jogs up to him. "Have you seen Asami?"

Giyu shakes his head. "I haven't."

Kyojuro frowns as he continues to walk towards her house. A confused Giyu watches after him.