Muichiro Tokito's life had been filled with simplicity and warmth until the tragic day when his world was torn apart. Born into a family that radiated love, Muichiro had once felt safe in the presence of his mother and father, surrounded by the sound of laughter and the warmth of home. But that all changed when his mother fell ill. At first, it was just a cough, then it progressed to something worse. His father, desperate to save her, traveled far and wide in search of a cure-a flower said to possess miraculous healing properties. But fate was cruel, and as his father's journey took him over dangerous cliffs, he slipped and fell to his death, leaving Muichiro and his twin brother, Yuichiro, orphaned.
The day his father died was also the day his mother succumbed to her illness. Left alone in their once joyful home, the twins tried their best to survive. However, the laughter, the warmth, the love-they all seemed to vanish in the wake of their parents' untimely death. Their home became a hollow shell, cold and quiet. The bond between the brothers grew even stronger as they leaned on each other for support, but even that couldn't fill the emptiness in their hearts.
Despite the loss, life moved on. The world outside was filled with demons-creatures that roamed in the darkness, seeking to destroy humanity. One day, as Muichiro was alone in the house, a demon appeared. It was like a living nightmare, a beast with claws and teeth that glinted in the moonlight. Muichiro barely had time to react before it lunged at him, its claws slashing through the air.
His heart pounded in his chest. He was about to die. But just as the demon's claws were about to strike, a figure appeared. Yuichiro, his brother, stepped into the room, his body an unyielding shield. He blocked the blow, but in doing so, he lost his arm. The pain was immense, but there was no time to mourn. Yuichiro struggled to stand, blood pouring from his wound, but he still managed to shout, "Run, Muichiro!"
Muichiro couldn't leave his brother. His heart raced in panic. Without thinking, he grabbed a nearby sword, his hands trembling. He rushed to defend his brother, striking out at the demon with all the strength he could muster. The demon recoiled, and Muichiro seized the opportunity, plunging the sword deep into its heart. The demon let out a blood-curdling scream before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
As the sun began to rise, Muichiro stood over the demon's corpse, panting heavily. His clothes were stained with blood-his brother's blood. He turned to Yuichiro, who was lying on the floor, his face pale and contorted in pain. His brother's blood seeped into the floorboards as he tried to move his remaining arm. Muichiro rushed to him, tears blurring his vision.
"Brother!" he cried, his voice shaking. He reached out, but as his fingers brushed Yuichiro's hand, he realized his twin was already slipping away. The blood loss was too much. Yuichiro's eyes were vacant, his breath shallow. The pain of losing him was unbearable.
Muichiro held onto him, trying to keep him alive, but it was no use. Yuichiro died in his arms, leaving Muichiro alone once more. His heart shattered. His mind went numb as he held his brother's lifeless body, too grief-stricken to move. As darkness closed in around him, Muichiro lost consciousness.
---
When Muichiro awoke, the world around him felt strange. He blinked in confusion, his head pounding. The familiar scent of his home was gone, replaced by something sterile, clean-unnatural. His eyes scanned the room. It was a spacious, well-kept room with elegant wooden floors and paper walls.
Where was he?
He tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness overtook him, and he collapsed back onto the bed. A soft voice called from the door. He turned his head and saw a woman standing there, her white hair flowing down her back like a waterfall. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant kimono, her expression calm but warm.
"You're awake," she said, walking toward him. She held a damp towel in her hand and gently pressed it against his forehead. "How do you feel?"
Muichiro blinked at her, disoriented. "Wh-where am I...?"
"You're in the Ubuyashiki mansion," the woman replied. "It's a safe place. You've been here for a week, recovering."
The words didn't register at first. Ubuyashiki? What was that? His mind was still clouded with the trauma of what had happened. The death of his parents, his brother's sacrifice-it all felt like a dream, but the weight of it pressed down on his chest.
The woman's gentle eyes softened with understanding. "I know this must be difficult for you. But you're safe here now."
Safe? How could he be safe when his brother was dead, and he was alone in the world?
She seemed to sense his despair and continued, "You were brought here by the Hashira, those who protect humanity from the demons. They found you after you passed out."
"Demons?" Muichiro whispered. His thoughts were racing. "But... my brother..."
"I'm sorry," she said, her voice full of sympathy. "I know it's hard. You're not alone, though. We're all here to fight together."
Muichiro closed his eyes, the memories of his brother's face, his bloodied body, overwhelming him. He squeezed his fists in frustration. The pain of losing Yuichiro was unbearable, but there was nothing he could do. He was powerless to stop it.
---
Months passed, and Muichiro adjusted to his new life in the Ubuyashiki mansion. His mind began to blur the edges of his past. He had joined the Demon Slayer Corps, an organization dedicated to eradicating demons and protecting humanity. The days blurred into one another as he trained and fought alongside others who shared his mission. They were his new family, a bond forged in battle.
But despite his new purpose, there were nights when he would wake up, drenched in sweat, hearing his brother's voice echoing in his mind. Yuichiro's final words, his final act of bravery-saving Muichiro at the cost of his own life-haunted him. He could never forget.
One evening, as the Demon Slayer Corps gathered for a meeting in the Ubuyashiki mansion, an urgent message came in. The leader, the head of the organization, spoke gravely.
"There is word of a demon traveling with a human," the leader said, his eyes narrowing. "This is highly unusual. We must investigate."
Muichiro's heart skipped a beat. A demon traveling with a human? How was that even possible? He thought about the demons he had encountered-the mindless creatures that tore through villages and slaughtered innocents without hesitation. He could hardly fathom the idea of one being accompanied by a human. What kind of twisted bond could such a creature have formed?
He exchanged a look with his comrades, and although his mind was clouded with uncertainty, one thing was clear: he had to find out what was happening. He had to face the demons that haunted his nightmares, not just for his own sake but to ensure that no one else would have to experience the same pain he had.
As Muichiro set out on his next mission, he carried the weight of his brother's memory with him. Yuichiro was gone, but Muichiro would fight for him-for all those who had lost their lives to demons. He couldn't undo the past, but he could shape the future.
And so, with sword in hand and a heart full of resolve, Muichiro Tokito began his journey as a Demon Slayer, knowing that his fight against the demons would never truly end. Every demon he slayed brought him one step closer to avenging his brother and finding peace.
