Staring at the bright glow of the moon, Tanjiro found himself drawn once more from the shadow's embrace. He stared deep into the moon's silver glow with no recollection of his surroundings and what lay near.
"Hah," he sighed, "I'm bored."
In dark contemplation, Kokushibo’s stealthy approach went unnoticed by Tanjiro, who remained lost in thought.
"Troubles?" Kokushibo’s deep voice rumbled, devoid of accusation but filled with a plain statement of fact.
A mild curiosity flickered in Tanjiro's crimson eyes at Kokushibo’s unexpected silence. The Twelve's interest, coupled with an underlying amusement, hinted at a rare moment of engagement. Tanjiro glanced at Kokushibo, then turned his gaze back to the moon’s ethereal light.
"I find the meddling of you and the other Twelve Kizuki unnecessary," Tanjiro said, his voice reflective.
Silence followed.
Tanjiro’s thoughts drifted to Hanako. "Hanako... I don't deserve her kindness." Affection softened his features as fond memories of her gentle ways filled his mind. "Yet she is my reason for enduring—" He stopped, realizing he had spoken more than he intended.
A sharp interruption from Kokushibo cut through his reverie.
"You're scared."
Tanjiro lunged abruptly, extending his claws toward Kokushibo's face. Yet Kokushibo's hand caught his wrist firmly but calmly. Their eyes met, and within Kokushibo’s unreadable gaze, Tanjiro saw only another obstacle in his way.
"You’re interestingly good at annoying someone despite being so quiet," Tanjiro mused with an amused yet sinister smile, his glare taunting. He offered no further explanation for his outburst, and Kokushibo asked no questions. Their brief communion ended as silently as it had begun.
---
Tanjiro's POV
As I walked through the forest, Kokushibo's words echoed in my mind. To admit fear would undermine everything I had built up, so I chuckled lightly at the thought.
"Ah, as I thought, leaving the Twelve Kizuki as they are will be troublesome," I mumbled to myself.
A cliff soon came into view, and below sprawled a human town. Though I have no memories of my past life, my heart raced at the sight. Then a sweet scent wafted through the wind—
...
"Blood,"
I uttered with a smile as my eyes glowed brighter red. Hungry thoughts began to overwhelm me.
Suddenly, a sword touched my neck. I spun around, ready to defend myself, only to find the strange human’s sorrowful gaze. As his blade fell aside, he pulled me into a hug. It was only then I noticed wetness on my cheeks—
...tears.
No, that can't be.
Am I weak?
The human extended kindness where none was owed. In the end, I had shown him my weakest moment, and I don’t know...
"Why..."
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Erased (Demon Tanjiro)
FanfictionTanjiro rushed back to the house in shock as he saw his family lying on the cold dry floor covered in their blood lifeless, his eyes lost colour and his blood boiled with anger, he wasn't angry at the ones who killed his family but at himself for n...
