Twilight, Sanemi Shinazugawa

nine, resolution

A/N: Rewritten cs I didn't make the demon strong enough 😭

-☆-

"You ready to go?"

You nodded, not meeting the wind pillar's eyes as you stomped out the fire. He retrived the wisteria charms from the branches, holding them out to you. You carefully took them from his open palm, tucking them into your pocket.

"I'm sorry about what happened to your sister. I know how it feels."  Your curiosity piqued, you tilted your head at him. "You have siblings?"

"I did." You bit your lip. "I had no idea, Shinazugawa." He nodded, "It was a long time ago. But, I'm sure your sister will be okay."

You gave him the biggest smile you could muster. It wasn't big at all, but he understood.

It was silent for the rest of the walk. No smart comments, no bickering, just silence.

As you delved further into Biei, the unsettling atmosphere intensified. The townsfolk moved with a mechanical precision, their actions devoid of the usual spontaneity and warmth that characterized their interactions. It was as if their minds had been seized by the demon even more, puppeteering their movements with eerie precision.

"Fuck," you muttered under your breath, a knot of dread forming in your stomach as you watched the villagers scurry past you without sparing you a glance.

You should have never abandoned your mission. Oyakata-sama entrusted this to you. You let him and this entire village down.

Sanemi noticed that you were overthinking. "Yoshida." You looked at him with shaky eyes. "We need to kill this demon today." You didn't argue, instead nodding in agreement.

"Where would it be..?" You asked, beginning to walk again. "Don't know, but we're gonna look everywhere."

☆

After wandering Biei for what felt like an hour, you two found yourself in the largest building in the town.

You were certain this was it. The way the windows were boarded up, the dried blood on the walls. You were upset you hadn't noticed this before.

Your senses heightened as you heard banging emanating from within the building. Your gaze snapped towards the end of the hallway, fixating on the door that was about to burst open.

Sanemi's stance tensed, drawing his sword in anticipation. You mirrored his actions, drawing your spear as well.

The door exploded open, but it wasn't demons on the other side.

A horde of villagers came rushing towards you, their movements erratic and frenzied.

You made the split-second decision to sheath your weapon, opting to immobilize the civilians with your bare hands. With precise strikes, you swiftly knocked them out, each blow delivered with force to subdue but not injure.

Sanemi did the same, just a bit more violently. "The fuck is this?" You grit your teeth, trying not to trip on the bodies below you as you continued to fight. "Probably a defense system."

Once you had finished, you ran to the next room. Your eyes narrowed as you glanced at the dismembered people on the ground. You drew a sword, quickly decapitating the demon that ran towards you.

As you and Sanemi ventured down the hallway, the air seemed to get thicker. He gave you a stern look, "If this demon gains control of our mind, the entire village is fucked."