Keeping Up with the Demon Kamado Family

an empty house of bloodied floors (part 2)

Promises

Tanjiro knew that his family was probably worrying about him as he trekked up the mountain. Saburo provided him shelter over the night, so he wouldn't get hurt during the night on the way home.

Tanjiro's nostrils caught the smell of something rusty yet old. It smelled like

"Blood." Tanjiro said out loud, phasing in his step. One step. Two steps. The basket fell from his shoulders as he ran ahead to his home as the blood smell only got stronger.

Please no. Please no no no no. Don't let it be them please. God, don't take them—

Blood. It invaded his senses as all he could see was the red leaking out into the snow and splashed onto the wood of his home. He fell to his knees as he stared at the unmoving bodies of his family who perished when he was away.

Tears began to fall from his eyes, blurring his vision as he took in the nearest sight. His sister's pink kimono stained as her hair hung loose from the bun she had it in before he left. Nezuko—

Wait. Her chest is moving. She's breathing! He might not be too late!

"It's okay, Nezuko. Your older brother has you," Tanjiro reassured softly as he gathered his sister onto his back. He stiffened as he pulled her away from Rokuta's body with a grimace.

Nezuko, I'm gonna save you no matter what! I swear your big brother will save you.

His thoughts were halted when Nezuko suddenly moved on his back and tackled him to the ground, sending both of them tumbling down onto the snowy ground.

"Nezuko, are you alright?" Tanjiro called out, seeing his sister taking deep breaths. Gurgling sounds from deep within her throat greeted him. God, maybe she was sicker than he thought.

"We can make it to the town doctor. Just hop on my back and I'll carry you," Tanjiro said, opening his arms for his sister.

Yet when his sister turned around, all he saw was pulsing veins on her face and pink eyes locked onto him like a predator.

No. His sister was a demon just like the old man said. His sister. His family got killed by a demon when he was away. God, if he had taken them all to town for the day, they could have lived on. They wouldn't have suffered at the hands of the being who did this.

When his sister launched for his neck, he grabbed onto Takeo's ax and intercepted her attempt. Her teeth locked around the wooden handle with a snarl.

"Nezuko, I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you. But please hang on. Don't turn into a demon," Tanjiro reached out to his sister despite her teeth trying to get around the stick he placed between them. "Stay here. Stay with me."

Nezuko's eyes slowly blinked, tears began to pour down her cheeks. Her whines and whimpers made him remember the times they were younger when she crawled her knees and needed his comfort. All he wanted to do was make her happy again. Make her smile again even if her smile was filled with fangs now.

But then she suddenly tensed. Tanjiro saw the man before she could, pulling her away as a sword slash sent both of them flying back into a tree.

A young man who looked a few years older than him stood before them with a sword raised, his cold gaze never leaving his. "Why did you protect it?"