Unexpected Demon Encounters

Chapter 9

Tanjiro's eyes widen. "Lyla. Don't joke around. This isn't funny." I have the angriest look on my face. My eyes narrow as I speak in a serious tone. "I'm not laughing either. He didn't harm my parents. We've been together this whole time. He had no reason to. I decided to become his bride."

Tanjiro takes a step back. "You didn't! Why?"

"Because he loves me. He cherishes me. He's not forcing me to do anything I'm not ready for. He also wants to help me get my revenge without asking for anything in return. Rengoku. I haven't forgotten what you did five years ago! I'll never forget. I'll kill you!" I scream. "I will become stronger."

Tanjiro jumps over us and stands beside Giyu and Rengoku. Tanjiro looks at Rengoku with a confused look. "What is she talking about?" Tanjiro probably won't even get an answer. Giyu isn't much of a talker. Rengoku sighs as I face them. I hold Muzan's hand, standing beside him.

"Akaza. Time to go. I'm not ready for my revenge yet." I say, making up my mind. Akaza backs up towards us. "Are you sure?" Akaza asks. You can tell he's ready for a fight. I watch him crack his knuckles in a threatening manner, a taunting grin etched on his face.

"Yes. I'm sure. Let's go, Muzan." I reply and watch as Akaza backs up.

"Tanjiro. The truth is...my older brother and I were attacked by a bandit. My brother risked his life to protect me. Upper Rank 6 of the Kizuki killed the bandit and saved my brother's life. Yes by turning him into a demon. But he controlled himself. Always willing to put his life on the line to protect me."

I feel Muzan's hand squeeze mine. I squeeze back reassuringly. I look at Rengoku and Giyu.

"A few months later, demon slayers appeared when we were in the woods. It was a cloudy day so we could play during the day. Giyu held me back." I take a shaky breath. "I-I watched as Rengoku fought my brother. My brother Kai fought his hardest to get to me. To save me from Giyu."

I have tears in my eyes at this point. I wipe a tear away with the back of my free hand. My heart is breaking at the memory.

"Giyu told me it had to be done. Rengoku was able to trap Kai against a tree. Kai's last words to me were 'i love you. Stay safe.' Rengoku cut off his head as Kai cried." I wipe at my eyes.

Tanjiro looks at me. "Let them leave."

Rengoku and Giyu draw their swords. Rengoku speaks first. "We can't let them leave. They must be killed. They're still demons!" He screams.

Giyu looks at me. "Your brother was a monster. He needed to be dealt with."

My eyes widen. "How dare you! He never hurt anyone. He was protecting me!" I scream at him. Rengoku gets in a fighting stance.

I see how it is. Tanjiro screams out words that take me by surprise. "Inosuke. Zenitsu. Stop Giyu from going after them." Tanjiro draws his sword. Standing between Rengoku and us.

Inosuke and Zenitsu appear, swords already out, standing in front of Giyu. My eyes widen. Tanjiro is helping me. He's going against them. That's dangerous. He's always been too reckless when it came to me.

"Tanjiro, you'll get in trouble." I yell out. Tanjiro smiles. "I'm sorry I didn't know about your brother. Get out of here. I'll be fine." Tanjiro gives me that classic smile of his.

"Thanks BoarHead. Thanks Zenitsu." I watch as Inosuke laughs, getting into a fighting stance. "Don't worry about it, lady. You'd do it for us. I know it." Inosuke says, laughing loudly. I can tell he's smiling under that head of his. I chuckle. Zenitsu smiles nervously.

"Let's go, Muzan." We're suddenly standing back in the infinity castle. I release Muzan's hand and fall on my knees. I start breathing heavier. Akaza kneels and holds my hand. Doma rushes over and rubs my back. I look up at them, smiling. I feel overwhelmed by all that's happened. My parents are gone.

"I'm fine. You two can go do whatever you want to now." I shake my head. "I just need to rest a moment." I lie. I'm not fine. I don't want to burden them. They both nod and vanish.

Muzan lifts me into his arms. "They've seemed to take a liking to you. I'm glad." I smile.

"I'm easy to get along with." I look down at my hands and sigh. My lip trembles. "M-Muzan." I utter his name softly. I start to cry as Muzan carries me into his personal room to the side. I grip onto his clothes and whimper, crying into his chest.

"Please. Help me find out who killed my parents. I want them to pay. Can you do that?" I ask him, hiding my face. "I want them dead. I want to be there when they're killed, too."

Muzan snaps his fingers. I look towards the end of the bed. Two demons appear. I don't recognize them.

"Enmu. Find out who killed Lyla's parents. Be careful. Demon slayers may be in the area. Don't engage."

"Yes, Master. I will make sure to find the culprit. It excites me to know you trust me for this mission. I'll be sure not to kill them." He laughs, and they suddenly disappear. I shiver.

"What's wrong, Lyla?" Muzan asks in his deep, soothing voice.

"He is definitely the weirdest one I've met so far." I say, laying my head against Muzan's chest. My stomach growls. Muzan looks down suddenly.

"When did you last eat, Lyla?" He asks me with a concerned-filled voice.

"It was the night I...ran into Doma. I had dinner. How many days have passed?" I ask, slightly concerned when my stomach growls and I feel like I haven't eaten for a week.

"That was almost three days ago. Dammit! We were focused on other things, I didn't even realize." He says, in a frightening tone.

Without saying anything, Akaza appears out of thin air with a tray of various foods and snacks. He carries the tray over to the bed.

Muzan sets me down next to him so I can eat. I start eating. I'm not sure I want to know how he got food prepared so quickly.

"Do you have telepathy between each other?" I ask in between bites.

"Yes. Focus on eating." Muzan says. I look over at Akaza as he nods my way and leaves.

Muzan sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.