Chapter Nineteen: Hinokami

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As Nezuko attempted to slash the incoming thread with her sword.....the threads sliced cleanly through the steel, she barely dodged it and sustained a cut across her face. As she stared in shock seeing her weapon destroyed, Rui looked at his downed opponent.

Elsewhere, back at the suspended house, Zenitsu saw Shinobu ask if he was alright.

'Gra....Gra....Gramps' muttered Zenitsu, that made Shinobu a little worried about him so she asked Zenitsu who he was calling to. Zenitsu said that he appeared and told him not to give up. Shinobu said that it was because he saw his life flash before him, stating it was probably a way for his body to avoid dying, by going through previous memories. But she didn't know for sure, she then commended Zenitsu for slowing his breathing, she then injected Zenitsu's now shrunken arm with an antidote, Zenitsu then turned his head and saw numerous black-clad workers helping the transformed Demon Slayers.

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As Nezuko continued her battle with Rui, the demon noted that his threads are even stronger than Father's body, whom was able to fling Nezuko. Nezuko realized that her inexperience was what led to her sword breaking, she apologized to her father and to Sakonji and Haganezuka. Rui then launched several threads at her but Nezuko was able to dodge them. She was thinking of a plan but the threads continued to prevent her from getting close. Rui asked if she still refuses to take back her words but Nezuko showed her defiance. With her answer, Rui went for another attack.....if this girl was indeed who he thinks she is then she will survive his attack.....Rui launched his threads in the form of webs ready to slice Nezuko to pieces. The webs hit Nezuko and violently chopped her up to pieces...if it weren't for her demon side she would have been killed.....Tanjiro then appeared...he had found his sister by tracking her sent....Tanjiro immediately ruched to his sister's side and examined her wounds. As Daughter noted that they had the auras of demons, Rui shuddered at what he just witnessed....Rui asked if they were siblings, Tanjiro answered that they were indeed siblings....Rui saw Tanjiro's concern for his younger sister....the older sibling careing and protecting the younger sibling....the genuine bond that he has longed for for so long!. Daughter saw the sudden change in Rui's personality and begged him not to desert her, but Rui angerily dismissed her and launched several threads at Daughter slicing her body to pieces.

'Non of you ever managed to fulfill the roles you were given!' Rui declared angerily as he rejected his family. Daughter claimed that she had become the sister that Rui had wanted, begging and pleading for a chance at redemption.

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Rui decided to relent.....giving his older sister the task of killing the Demon Slayers on the mountain, promising to forgive her when she does. Daughter acknowledged Rui's wishes and left. Rui then called out to Tanjiro and claimed that he was moved seeing the bond between him and his sister, with nothing left but death for Tanjiro. Rui gave the swordsman an ultimatum, hand over Nezuko and he will spare his life.....but this left Tanjiro confused, he didn't understand what the demon wanted. Rui then tells him that Nezuko will be his new sister, starting now, but Tanjiro vehemently refused....Nezuko wasn't a thing!, she has her own feelings and will. Rui responded by claiming that he can make a bond between them believing himself to be much stronger than Tanjiro.

Tanjiro raised his blade in anger!.... using fear to hold someone isn't a familial bond!.....the boy said that Rui's lack of understanding is what's denying the demon from getting what he so desires. Rui became irritated by Tanjiro's loud rebuttal and claimed that they don't see on the same level. Tanjiro then stepped out of the bushes to face his opponent.

'I'll never hand Nezuko over to you!' Tanjiro said bravely....he will never gave away his sister!.

Rui claimed that he can just kill the Demon Slayer and take the girl, but Tanjiro wasn't going to allow it....he will cut off that demon's head first!

Rui became excited at the young swordsman's spirit and arrogantly stated that he can try, and then Rui revealed the engraved number in his eye...the mark of Lower Moon Five.

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Rui thought about his demon family and their roles, the parents protected their children and the elder siblings protected their younger siblings even at cost of their lives. To Rui not understanding that role gave you no reason to live. Rui stated that it was Tanjiro's role to give him Nezuko, and he cannot defy it because he cannot kill him. Tanjiro realized that his opponent is a true Twelve Kizuke.....thinking how he can defeat him if his neck is tougher than his threads....Rui saw the hopeful glimmer in Tanjiro's eyes....what a foolish boy believing that he has a chance at killing him....the fifth lower moon of the Twelve Kizuke!.

Rui then proceeded to pull several threads from behind Tanjiro and he took Nezuko and trapped her inside a cage of his threads right before Tanjiro's eyes, he then grabbed Nezuko and asked Tanjiro if he finally understood his role.....Tanjiro was furious and demanded the demon to let his sister go. Rui reminded Tanjiro that he offered to spare him if he doesn't fight back....Nezuko angrirly clawed at Rui's face in defiance and desperation.....as the Demon Slayer got colser.......Lower five flings several threads at Tanjiro forcing him back....Tanjiro then saw that Nezuko had vanished!....and then a splash of blood fell on the ground....he looked up and saw his sister strung up in the trees, with horrific cuts throughout her body!.

At that moment Tanjiro took a fighting stance.

'That stance?! are you a user of Moonbreathing?!' Rui asked a hint of fear in his voice.

'My father's name is Michikatsu Tsugikuni ' answered Tanjiro.

Rui tried to flee and escape...he now feared for his life...but Tanjiro was quicker than him

'Moon Breathing First Form: Dark Moon Evening Palace ' uttered Tanjiro as he swiftly slayed Rui.

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Author's note: Thanks for reading and commenting on my story, your support means so much to me

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