I'll Protect You, I Promise

Chapter 1: A Changing of Fates

It was New Years eve, and like clockwork, Tanjurou Kamado was performing the Hinokami Kagura.

Kie always thought that his dance was beautiful. Staring in awe at the way his body moved; he'd twist and turn in a way that made him look more akin to a spirit. She carefully carded her hands through her youngest's hair. When she looked down, she noticed Tanjiro, looking at his father with stars in his eyes.

He must've woken up sometime during the night, Kie thought to herself, smiling slightly. As she looked at the sky, which made Kie notice that the moon was nearing the horizon. Gently shaking Nezuko awake, she prepared herself for the finale.

But as Nezuko started to stir, Kie noticed a sound.

Rustle, rustle

Tanjiro shot up pupils dilated and slightly shaking. He turned his head to one of the bushes nearby. Looking at the bushes, Kie saw nothing... until, a blood red eye shone in the dim firelight.

It lunged.

"TANJIRO!" Kie shouted. She only saw a blur as the creature from the bushes launched itself at her son.

Kie felt helpless, as she could only clutch onto Nezuko. But she felt a resolve build up within her, as she pushed herself to interfere. She sprinted to intercept that... Monster, from hurting her son. She squeezed her eyes shut as she stood in between her son and that thing.

But before she felt any pain, she felt blood splatter on her face. Opening one eye she saw Tanjurou, his sword looked like it was aflame as she saw the monster's head fly off. But before she could feel any relief, she saw the thing continue to move.

"WHY YOU!" It started to scream, "HOW COULD YOU BEHEAD ME, YOU'RE, YOU'RE, you're just some–"

"You will not harm my family." Tanjurou spoke, now talking in a tone she never heard from him.

The thing – no, Demon continued screaming, "you know... I should use my new art, just because of what you did. to me!"

The demon's head looked to be regenerating, Kie almost wretched at the sight of it. Her husband shifted into a stance. Before anyone could react, it surged forward. As it reached to her, some of its blood flew onto Tanjiro's face. Instinctively, Kie had wiped off any blood on her face, but when she moved to do the same to Tanjiro, it just smudged. The blood seeming to repel away from her fingers. Tanjuro raised the ceremonial sword up towards the demon. Half of its face regenerated already, Kie noted.

No, not right now, Kie thought, I need to get the kids out of this. She scooped up Tanjiro from behind her, as she started to run towards the house.

But before she could get there, the demon started saying something,

"Blood Demo-"

The blood on Tanjiro's forehead started glowing, nearly making Kie drop him. She felt his body start to shake, Tanjiro looked like he was going to start to bawl. Thinking quickly she tried to soothe him.

"Shh, it'll be okay, your Kaa-san is here" she whispered, "it'll be okay, I promise." Before she could see him calm down though, she heard the demon finish its sentence,

"-n Art: Changing of Fates!"

The blood on Tanjiro's forehead glowed brightly enough to blind, shutting her eyes. Kie Clutched onto Tanjiro and Nezuko like it was her only lifeline. She started a mad-dash to the house.

It wasn't until she reached the engawa that Kie had opened her eyes. When she did, she saw that the demon was now no more. Looking down to her arms she and found Nezuko sleeping soundly, and Tanji-

Where's Tanjiro?

Where's Tanjiro?

Where's Tanjiro?

Where's Tanjiro?

Where's...

Her baby... 

"he's gone."