What If...? | Giyuu and Tanjiro vs. Doma

Proceed with contain that this story contains spoilers for those who hadn't read the KnY manga. You have been warned. Otherwise, please enjoy.

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As Kocho Shinobu was fighting against Doma, the Upper Rank 2 Demon, she knew that her fate would come to an end. When Doma was grabbing hold of her, as if he was giving her a hug, Shinobu's fate was at first in the risk of being sealed. Despite her sister, Kanae's encouraging words to defeating the Upper Rank Demon, Doma was just too strong for her. No poison would affect aforementioned Upper Rank Demon. Not even her attacks didn't do a thing.

"Do you have any final words?" Doma joyously smiled, despite the crocodile tears falling down his face. "I'm listening."

Shinobu tried to break free from Doma's grasp, but couldn't. "Go to hell." Shinobu said, grunting with effort in an attempt to struggle to free herself from the demon after being caught by his ice vines.

Everything went silent. Well, almost silent. Until that moment...

SLASH!

Doma's arms were cut off, and Shinobu was falling down from the ceiling, free from Doma's grasp, thanks for the slash of the sword. That attack seemed familiar to Shinobu, as she could see water streams around her right after Doma's arms were sliced off. As Shinobu was falling to the ground, Giyuu Tomioka came just in time to catch her. Shinobu opened her eyes and saw that Tomioka was carrying her. At first she was defiant despite her overwhelming injuries, but now that Tomioka was here just in time to save her, she would no longer had to suffer the same fate as her sister before she become a Hashira.

"Mr. Tomioka? Why are you here?" Shinobu said, exhausted and heavily injured.

Tomioka took a moment to answer, "The last I want is you in danger. That is all."

Suddenly, Kanao Tsuyuri rushed in, in a hope of saving Shinobu from Doma, but arrived just in time, when Tomioka was carrying an injured Shinobu.

"Master!" Kanao cried, as she went over to Shinobu, who was resting in Tomioka's arms. "Master, are you okay?"

Shinobu coughed before taking a moment to answer. "I'm fine... I'm just a little tired, that's all. I appreciate you coming to my rescue."

Kanao smiled at Shinobu, but was caught by surprise when Tomioka gave Shinobu to her, in the result of carrying her in her arms. Kanao looked down at Shinobu and tried to explain to Tomioka, but he advised her to make an escape from Doma.

"Go." Tomioka demanded, his eyes focused on the Doma. "Get her to safety. I will take care of him myself."

Kanao was speechless at first when Tomioka trusted Shinobu in her hands. The reason for that is because he just anteed to keep Shinobu safe. After seeing why, Kanao nodded in response before taking her leave, carrying the exhausted Shinobu in her arms, inquiring to get her to safety.

"Wow, another Hashira!" Doma joyously greeted, having his arms grown back in their places after they were sliced off from the ambush. "I thought this was supposed to be a good night after my feast, but oh well... I suppose that can't be helped."

"My name is Giyuu Tomioka." He introduced himself calmly, pointing the tip of his blade directly at the demon, "May I request you something before we start?"

Doma calmly smiled as he giggled. "Be my guest. However, our fight will not be easy as you think it would be regardless. If I can't have my butterfly that I lost a long time ago, perhaps you shall be my fish from the ocean instead~."

"I regret to inform you," Tomioka stated calmly, "that the butterfly you are about to absorb is not yours. She is coming back home, where she truly belongs. Moreover, why do you force yourself to laugh? I wanted to help you, with any way I can to see that you're in the wrong in order to forgive yourself and repent for your sins."