Justice is Blind |『 Female OC 』• Kimetsu no Yaiba

Act 46: It's Where My Demon Hides

The battlefield lay in ruins, and its silence was pierced only by the crackling of distant fires and the cries of the injured. Amidst the rubble, Tanjiro crouched, his monstrous form outlined by the morning light. His fangs bared, claws flexed, and crimson eyes gleaming with unrecognisable hunger, he stared down Inosuke.

The boar-headed slayer stood firm, his chest rising and falling heavily as blood trickled down from fresh wounds. But his eyes weren't angry or fearful. They were quiet, searching, filled with pain. "Tanjiro," Inosuke muttered, his voice low but steady. "What...what happened to you?" he asked.

Behind him, Zenitsu's trembling form was supported by a kakushi. His wide eyes darted between the monstrous figure and his comrades. "Tanjiro... everyone's exhausted...we can't keep fighting," he said before frowning.

"Think of Nezuko. She...she wouldn't want this," he said, his voice breaking as tears streamed down his face. For a moment, Tanjiro didn't move. Then, with a guttural snarl, he leapt forward, claws extended toward Inosuke.

The sheer speed of his attack sent a shockwave rippling through the air. Inosuke didn't flinch. His instincts kicked in, his blades rising to intercept the attack. "You idiot..." Inosuke muttered under his breath.

*Clang*

The impact rattled through Inosuke's arms as he blocked Tanjiro's strike. His thoughts drifted, unbidden, to moments they had shared. Tanjiro's unwavering kindness. His quiet strength. His determination to protect those he loved.

'We're comrades,' Inosuke thought. 'Like brothers. If one of us starts going down the wrong path...we pull them back,' thought Inosuke. His jaw clenched as Tanjiro snarled again, pressing against his blades.

"No matter how tough it gets..." Inosuke murmured, his voice resolute. "We always...walk the right path," he said as he raised his blades, aiming for Tanjiro's neck. But just as he was about to strike, a memory flooded his mind. A memory of Tanjiro smiling and offering him fish during one of their early missions.

The blade froze mid-swing, trembling. Tears welled up behind Inosuke's mask. 'Damn it...damn it! I can't!' he thought. 'I can't hurt you, Tanjiro!' he admitted, but his hesitation cost him. Tanjiro's clawed hand swung with brutal force, ready to tear through Inosuke.

*CLANG*

Suddenly, Kage appeared, his blade intercepting Tanjiro's claws just before they reached Inosuke. The force of the clash sent shockwaves rippling outward. "Snap out of it, Tanjiro!" Kage roared, but the strength behind Tanjiro's strike was overwhelming.

*Crack*

Kage's sword shattered under the pressure, fragments scattering across the ground. But Tanjiro didn't pause. With a feral growl, he raised his claws for another attack. Kage barely had time to brace himself.

*Whoosh*