Cruelty

Rescue and Escape

-Zenitsu-

I'm finally back from my mission. Man, do I miss Tanjiro and Nezuko! I can't wait to see Nezuko's cute little face and Tanjiro's heartwarming smile. I'm so happy to be back that maybe I even miss Inosuke a little too.

As I make my way to the butterfly mansion (where Tanjiro is supposed to be resting) I am greeted with 5 sorrowful faces.

"Is everything okay? You guys look so glum. Are you happy I'm back?"

One of the little girls sniffles. "Nezuko d-died and Tanjiro is o-on trial for his l-life."

WHAT!?
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I'm too shocked to know what to do. So many emotions are flooding through me. I'm mad at Tanjiro, but I also don't want to lose him, too. I wish I was there. What happened? Why is Tanjiro on trial? How did Nezuko die? Why did Tanjiro let her die? If Tanjiro is found guilty I'll have no one but Inosuke, and I don't think he likes me very much.

Alone again, I suppose

-several hours later-

The trial begins tomorrow. We have to do something. I've been given context, and, in my opinion, it is fully, 100%, not Tanjiro's fault. Well, he could've saved the villagers, but family comes first. Still... what a terrible thing to happen.. after all he's gone through too...

Me and Inosuke are taking action. We're going to save Tanjiro, and run away!

I feel pretty bad for Inosuke too, he doesn't seem to understand what's going on. He knows we lost Nezuko and he's taking that pretty hard, but the fact that somehow Tanjiro is the bad guy is really messing with his head. It's messing with mine a little too.

Well, I may just be taking to myself, but wish us luck.

-the next day, halfway through the trial-

There're taking a break, and now's our chance. Me and Inosuke have Tanjiro, but he hasn't said a thing yet. Inosuke keeps trying to talk to him, but he's not answering. I remind Inosuke that he's going through a lot, and maybe he's too stressed so it might be better to be quiet. On top of that it's just a good idea in general, we're sneaking out in the middle of the day. The least we can do is be quiet.

While we are walking, I hear footsteps. Oh no. Oh nonononono. It sounds like they are trying to be quiet in an effort to not be noticed by us.

Suddenly, they speed up, and all of a sudden hands are covering both me and Inosuke's mouth.

"Who are you and what are you doing with Tan- OW!"

Inosuke has bitten the attacker's hand and he lets go. We both turn around, and, to my surprise. It's the guy from final selection! But he's changed, and now looks like he could easily beat us to a pulp.

"YOU CAN'T HAVE TANJIRO!!"

"Inosuke, shut up! If we take out this guy, the rest will just hear anyway because of how loud you are!" I whisper-yell.

"Look, just tell me what you guys are doing with him! I won't hurt you otherwise."

"We're never telling y-!" "WE'RE RESCUING HIM! Duh!"

Inosuke is going to be the downfall of this operation.
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"You guys are rescuing him? Actually, I didn't think it was fair to put him on trial either, but I figured there was nothing I could do about it. Are you guys his friends?"

"Yeah, if you could let go of us I could tell you more! I'm Zenitsu, and this is Inosuke. We're all from the same final selection."

Turns out this guy is good and he met Tanjiro at the village. He said his name is Shinazugawa Genya, and if I'm not mistaken, that's the wind hashira's surname. Yeesh. I'd hate to be related to that guy.