Without You.. || Obanai Iguro X Reader

Chapter 17-𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

Y/N's heart raced as she sprinted through the dense forest, her breaths ragged. The sun setting low in the sky, casting beautiful light pink and orange light across the forest floor. This was it—the moment she'd been training for. Her first mission as a demon slayer.

"You can do this," Y/N whispered to herself, her katana on her side. The words echoed in her mind, a mantra to drown out the fear. She had to be strong, for the others, for the villagers who depended on her.

The village lay ahead, its thatched roofs peeking through the trees. Y/N burst into the clearing, her boots kicking up dust. A few curious eyes followed her, but most were too busy with their own struggles—tending to crops, repairing fences, or mourning lost loved ones.

She approached an elderly woman sitting on a wooden bench, her face etched with worry lines. Y/N bowed respectfully. "Excuse me, ma'am. I'm Y/N, part of the demon slayer corps. Has anything strange been happening here?"

The woman's eyes widened, and tears welled up. "Oh, dear child," she said, her voice trembling. "My son… He was taken away. Every night, we hear eerie noises—the kind that make your blood freeze. And then one night, they came for him."

Y/N clenched her fists. She was determined to bring down the demon who was causing trouble amongst these villagers. this was her chance to prove herself. "Do you know where those sounds come from?"

The woman pointed straight ahead, her bony finger trembling. "By the old shrine. They say it's cursed. Please," the elder woman held onto her arm.
"Bring him back.."

Y/N nodded and her hands reach the hilt of her sword, she bowed.

"I'll do the best i can ma'am!" Y/N ran towards where the woman was pointing, her speed quickening as she neared the shrine.

As nightfall settled, Y/N stood at the shrine's entrance. The air crackled with malevolence, and the moon's glow painted the ancient stones in silver. She gripped her katana, ready for whatever awaited her.

A rustling sound alerted her. The demon emerged from the shadows, its eyes glowing crimson. Its skin was like cracked obsidian, and its fangs dripped with venom. Y/N's pulse quickened.

"A slayer, hm" the demon hissed. "You dont seem strong enough to be a hashira.. tho you'd make an delicious meal!" He said, he was about to bite into the stolen boy's arms before y/n leaped and stole him back.

Gasp. "The audacity! Now you must die a slow and painful death!" He giggled, charging at her.

Y/N's resolve hardened. She easily dodged the attack, landing on her foot.

"Please, run back home! Tell everyone to take shelter inside their homes!" She looked at the boy who was trembling.

"T-thank you.. s-so much!!" He bowed before running away.

The demon lunged once again, claws slashing through the air. Y/N danced backward, her training kicking in. She parried its strikes, the clash of steel ringing through the night. "Moon breathing, First form: Dark moon, evening palace!" she yelled out, performing a singular horizontal slash following a crescent shape, creating numerous chaotic crescent blades along its path. She cut off it's limbs.

Their battle intensified. Y/N's blade sliced through the demon, trying to find an opening each stroke fueled by determination. The demon's laughter grated on her nerves. "You're just a child! There's no way you'll defeat me!" it sneered.

"I'm a demon slayer,"Y/N retorted. "And I'll end you. Dont underestimate me you disgusting creature. "

"DISGUSTING?.. OH YOU TAKE THAT BACK YOU BRAT!" The demon yelled, sending thorns her way.
Their final clash sent shockwaves through the shrine. Y/N twisted, her blade finding its head, decapitating it. The demon's head rolled, its body crumbling to ash. The forest sighed in relief.