The sun hung high in the sky when Yuji spotted a farmer struggling to load a sack of grain onto a cart. He quickened his pace, adjusting the basket strapped to his back where Nezuko sat hidden beneath a cloak.
“Excuse me, sir!” Yuji called out, his voice steady despite his exhaustion.
The farmer paused, squinting at the young man who jogged toward him. “What can I do for you, son?”
Yuji gestured to the basket on his back, its patched-up sides barely holding together. “Would it be okay if I borrowed a basket? Maybe some bamboo or straw to fix this one?”
The farmer eyed the tattered basket before chuckling. “Boy, that thing’s already seen its last days. Just take what you need—it’s not worth anything.”
Yuji’s shoulders relaxed, but then he reached into his pocket, pulling out a few coins. “I’ll pay you for it.”
The farmer frowned, waving a hand dismissively. “It’s not worth a yen! I’m offering it for free.”
“Then I’ll pay you for the bamboo and straw,” Yuji insisted, holding the coins out.
The farmer shook his head stubbornly. “I said it’s free! No payment needed.”
Before he could protest further, Yuji grabbed the materials, slapped the coins into the farmer’s hand with surprising force, and ran off. “Thanks a lot!” he shouted over his shoulder.
The farmer winced, rubbing his hand. “That kid’s strong enough to break rocks… What kind of life is he living?”
---
After patching the basket, Yuji crouched by the edge of a dirt tunnel. Nezuko had instinctively burrowed herself into the ground, her face barely visible in the shadows.
"Nezuko..." Yuji's voice softened as he tilted his head to meet her gaze. "Think you can fit in here?" He tapped the newly repaired basket, his movements slow and deliberate. Even though she hadn't spoken since her transformation, Yuji hoped she still understood him.
Nezuko tilted her head, her wide, inhuman eyes studying the basket. Then, as if answering his unspoken question, her body began to shrink. Her limbs contracted unnaturally, and she slid into the basket without a sound.
Yuji adjusted the straps, the familiar weight settling against his back. "Good," he muttered, brushing the dirt from his hands. "This'll keep you safe."
---
The forest darkened as night fell, the air growing colder. Yuji pressed on, every step steady despite the ache in his legs. When he spotted a small temple in the distance, relief washed over him. "Looks like we can rest there for a bit," he said to the basket on his back.
But as he approached, a sharp, metallic scent hit his nose, and his stomach churned. He froze mid-step, his grip tightening on the straps.
"Blood..."
He sprinted the rest of the way, throwing the temple doors open. The sight froze him in his tracks.
Corpses littered the floor, their blood pooling in sticky rivers. In the center crouched a demon, its glowing red eyes locked onto him. Its grotesque form was illuminated by the pale moonlight, every inch of its twisted features oozing malice.
“Well, what do we have here?” the demon sneered, licking its claws. “A fresh meal, and you’ve even brought a demon to the feast. How thoughtful.”
Yuji clenched his fists, his breath shaky but steady. The sight of the carnage sent a wave of anger and disgust rolling through him, but he forced it down.
“Step away from them,” he said, his voice low but firm.
The demon chuckled, rising to its full height. “And if I don’t?”
Yuji’s stance shifted, his body coiled like a spring. “Then I’ll make you.”
The demon lunged, its claws aimed at Yuji’s throat. But Yuji dodged with inhuman speed, twisting to the side and delivering a powerful punch to the demon’s torso. The impact sent it flying into the far wall, cracking the wooden beams on impact.
“Not bad for a human,” the demon growled, pulling itself to its feet. Its chest wound began to close, the flesh knitting itself back together in seconds. “But it’ll take more than that to kill me.”
It disappeared in a blur of motion, reappearing behind Yuji. He spun around, but not quickly enough—its claws raked across his shoulder, tearing through his shirt and grazing his skin.
Yuji winced but didn’t falter. “Regeneration, huh?” he muttered. He squared his stance, his fists raised. “Fine. Let’s see how many times you can heal before I take you down.”
---
From the shadows, Sakonji Urokodaki watched the fight unfold. His sharp eyes narrowed as Yuji countered the demon’s relentless attacks with raw speed and power.
“This boy… he’s no ordinary human,” Sakonji murmured, crossing his arms. His gaze flicked to Nezuko, who crouched protectively near the entrance. Despite her transformed state, she didn’t attack her brother or the corpses.
“She’s resisting her instincts,” Sakonji noted, his tone thoughtful. “And the boy… His strength is unnatural. He fights like someone who’s been training for years, but his movements are wild. Untamed.”
His mind drifted to the letter Giyu had sent. ‘He's strong enough to attack me head-on,’ Giyu had written. ‘But strength alone isn't enough to survive in this world. He'll need a mentor.’
Sakonji’s gaze sharpened. “Strength like his could be a blessing—or a curse. If left unchecked…” He trailed off, watching as Yuji drove the demon back again. “I’ll have to test him myself.”
---
Yuji’s fists connected with the demon’s jaw, sending its head flying. He thought for a brief, hopeful moment that the fight was over, but the severed head sprouted spindly arms, crawling toward him with terrifying speed.
“Of course it’s not that easy,” Yuji muttered, grabbing his hatchet.
He hurled it with precision, pinning the head to a nearby tree. Turning quickly, he spotted Nezuko near the edge of the cliff. The demon’s body, still mobile, loomed over her, preparing to strike.
“Nezuko!” Yuji roared, sprinting toward them. He tackled the body with enough force to send it tumbling over the edge. His momentum carried him dangerously close to the drop, but Nezuko grabbed his arm, pulling him back to solid ground.
The first rays of sunlight crept over the horizon, illuminating the demon’s head still pinned to the tree. It let out an ear-piercing scream as its flesh began to burn, disintegrating into ash.
Yuji collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. “Finally… it’s over,” he muttered.
The sound of deliberate footsteps made him look up. A masked man stood a few paces away, his arms crossed and his presence commanding.
“You’re the boy Giyu sent,” the man said, his voice calm but firm. “You did well to survive this far.”
Yuji forced himself to his feet, his body aching. “Who are you?”
“Sakonji Urokodaki,” the man replied. His sharp gaze flicked to Nezuko before returning to Yuji. “If you want to save your sister, you’ll need to prove you’re strong enough to endure what’s coming.”
YOU ARE READING
Crimson Bonds
Fanfiction(ART IS NOT MINE) After a brutal demon attack leaves his family shattered, Yuji Kamado embarks on a harrowing journey to save his sister Nezuko, who has turned into a demon. Armed with only his incredible strength and unbreakable resolve, Yuji enter...
