Arms of Amaterasu

I: Us Spiders

“Spiders,” Tanjirou turned around swiftly, Nejire was still bleeding and the spider demon was dusting away. “I hate spiders.” He turned around again, red blood blocked his right eye.

The leaves ruffled. He filled his lungs with air and held his sword up, there were no options left. He can't smell whatever hid in the trees, Nezuko's healing is going slow, Inosuke and Zenitsu are far away.

He hadn't seen the Water Hashira in a few minutes now. “Don't,” a pale hand peeked around the trees, small and pale. “Don't you hate them,” blue eyes shone as the sun slowly rose, “I hate them very very much.” A boy slowly walked out from the forest.

Dusty yellow hair with dirty blue eyes. He squinted to see it clearly. Tanjirou stood in front of Nezuko protectively. Cracked lips smiled back at his tightly closed ones. “They spin webs,” it continued.

“...that ensnare little insects.” The sun crept closer to the feet of the demon. It stepped forward again, the shade was small, far too small for another step. “Waiting until they're too tired, and then they pounce,” the sun slowly came from behind the clouds.

He and Nezuko were below the thick canopy, he had a few minutes until he needed to return her to her box. “I cannot stand them,” it mocked with teeth as pale as his skin.

“They nip at the poor little bugs,” the shade got darker as the sun met its peak. “Sucking them,” Tanjirou’s eyes stared as its foot stepped out of the safety of the leafy covering.

He waited for the burnt smell of smokey ash, or the yells of a hurting demon. Until none came. His eyes widened, he filled his lungs with air and ignored the faint sensation of exhaustion. “Ah,” it marveled, “you thought that I—”

It tisked as it stepped out fully, features grew more prominent. “—was a spider?” Shattered blue eyes lacking any symbol. But it wasn't as comforting as Tanjiroi wanted it to be. He's tired.

“Lucky for you,” and then it disappeared, not even the grass flickered. Tanjirou looked around, his heart raced in exhaustive breaths.

Until his eyes laid on the demon…crouching down in front of his sister: “Thunder Clap,” he lowered his stance, legs tensing like cold irons. “And Flash!” Compressed steam exited his mouth, the world blurred into obscurity as he blitzed across the ground.

He strengthened his arm as much as he could, his sword—stopped. His sword stopped, “I myself,” the demon spoke softly and turned to face the man who's sword was stuck in his neck. Jagged teeth formed into a smile.

“Cannot stand spiders,” lines of blood suddenly sprouted from its neck and tightened around the blade. “It's ironic,” the demon stood up, “because I am one myself.”

Silk strands zipped from the pores of its skin and burst for Tanjirou’s neck. The boy let go of his sword and ducked below the strands. He rocked his wooden sandal upward and striked it in its jaw. The head didn't budge.

“Leave her alone,” he clenched his teeth, “and fight me!” He didn't let it catch its breath, he caught his footing and grabbed it's neck and clashed forehead.

“Stay away,” the demon sneered and waved his hand, wind knocked Tanjirou back. “You are an insect,” it mocked with a finger wave. “I do not need to lis—” red and boisterous flames enveloped his body.

Nezuko's small hand let go of its ankle and hurried to the side of her brother. He spits blood from his mouth and grabs her hand held out towards him.

“Thanks,” she nodded mutely, they both turned to face the fir—he looked away. “We're leaving,” he croaked, “Inosuke’s not that far.” His legs shook hotly. They turned around to run, and they did.