The Eternal Paradise Arc (Demon Slayer)

7 - Tanjiro Kamado vs. Paradise Pt. 1

Yumiko sat quietly in her room, her heart pounding in her chest.

The instructions Tanjiro had given her ran through her mind. Subtle signals, nothing overt. A glance, a nod, a small gesture—each would convey a specific meaning. She practiced them repeatedly, ensuring she could execute them flawlessly when the time came.

There was a knock at her door, causing Yumiko to jolt. When she acknowledged her visitor, knowing full well who it was, the door creaked open, and Tanjiro entered, his face a mask of determination. "Hey," he whispered, "the service is starting soon. Are you ready?"

Yumiko nodded, her eyes meeting his. "I think so."

Tanjiro smiled reassuringly before inching forward and sitting at the edge of her bed. "You missed breakfast," he commented.

She sighed. "I wasn't hungry." They then began speaking at the same time, stopping abruptly in response.

"You first," Tanjiro suggested politely.

Yumiko hesitated, bringing her hands to her face in embarrassment. "We could just... leave."

Tanjiro was surprised by this—not by the idea, but by the thought of them running off together. He blushed slightly but shook it away, returning to his usual mindset. "You know I can't do that," he replied, his shoulders sagging. "But I won't stop you from leaving. More than anything, I want you to be safe."

Did she not hear him?

Regardless, Tanjiro admired Yumiko's strength in the face of her background and the circumstances.

"What if... instead, I lure Lord Douma away from here, and then you attack him?"

Tanjiro chuckled nervously. "It's a brave plan, but I think he's quicker than you realize, and I—" He hesitated, searching for the right words to convey his concern for her well-being. "—I can't risk that. If something goes wrong, we need to be where we can expose Douma's lies in front of everyone—not isolated in the middle of nowhere."

"Right," she said, shifting uncomfortably as he placed his hand over hers. "But wouldn't that pose more danger?" Tanjiro considered her question. Before he could respond, she spoke again. "I mean, there are over two hundred of us. Do you really think Douma would kill us all on the spot?"

"If you ask me, he's difficult to read."

Tanjiro envisioned Douma's cold, calculated eyes in his mind.

"There's something very off about him compared to other demons. He doesn't kill just for pleasure. It's like he enjoys the methodical approach behind it—like it cures boredom or something. Either way, I don't see him initiating an all-out bloodbath."

"I hope not..."

There was a moment of silence before Tanjiro intercepted it.

"We'll get through this," he assured her. "Follow the signals and trust me. I'm hoping everything will go as planned and swiftly. If things go awry, I'll do everything I can to lead Douma away from those who are innocent."

༺•━✧━•༻

Side by side, they grabbed their mats.

Side by side, they laid them out.

Side by side, they fell to their knees and bowed.

As the other followers gathered, the long-awaited scent of demon filled Tanjiro's nostrils, grabbing his attention. Not long after, Douma's voice echoed through the area.

"Beloved disciples, I stand before you today with a heart overflowing with gratitude and pride," Douma announced, reciting his familiar spiel. "Each of you has chosen the path of purity and righteousness, forsaking the chaos of the outside world for the serenity we have cultivated here."