Into the Darkness (A Demon Slayer Fanfiction)

Chapter 51: In Every Life...

Disclaimer:

I do not own nor claim all the rights to 鬼滅の刃 | Kimetsu no Yaiba | Demon Slayer; all rights are reserved to its respective creator, Koyoharu Gotōge. This is purely a work of fiction; names, characters, businesses, events, localities, and occurrences are all extrapolated from the author's writings and imagination or utilized in a fictitious manner. As such, any direct or indirect references to actual entities, dead or alive, or events do not, in any shape or form, resemble the opinions of the author.

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"..." = Dialogue

'...' = Internal monologues

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What had been.

..

..

Within the narrow, but welcoming, halls and corridors of mahogany brown, a young girl was approaching her destination with great haste.

Though her eyes were fixed with a stern and determined view, her mind was in turmoil and her heart ached with worry.

As she walked through the maze that was the Butterfly Manor, she swiftly arrived at a subsection of the medical infirmary—where patients were delegated private rooms in the event of an extended convalescence.

Frantically perusing the individual nameplates on each door, she endeavored to locate a specific room.

Finally, her purple irises caught wind of her intended destination.

As she stood before the shoji screen door, however, she experienced a dreadful wave of trepidation, nervousness, and general anxiety at what was to come.

But, realizing the exigence of the situation, she mustered her courage and took a deep breath.

Then, with her eyes not averting and her resolve unwavering, she slid the door open.

Rattle

She came barging in, her concerned state of mind conspicuously on display due to the irregular subtleties in her movements and mannerisms.

After all, she couldn't hide her worries: "Tomioka-san are you okay—?!"

"Open your mouth wide~" Another familiar voice requested.

"Eh?" Shinobu stopped.

Thereafter, the young demon slayer's eyes widened upon witnessing the bizarre scene before her, "N-Nee-san?!?!"

Before she could deliver the spoonful of soup to her patient, Kanae—who was seated on a stool situated adjacent to the bed—halted her movements and glanced to the side.

She grinned widely upon seeing her sister, "Ah, Shinobu! You wanted to see how Tomioka-san was doing?"

Giyuu, still reclining against the bed, acknowledged her presence by way of a simple nod, "Kocho-san."

Shinobu didn't know why, but she felt quite irritated at the notion of Kanae tending to Giyuu instead of her.

Especially considering how she's been personally treating Giyuu during their weekly medical checkups, this imagery of another individual—much less her own sister—helping the Water Hashira appeared, at least purportedly, to be an affront to her pride as a doctor.