Demon slayer: Breath Of The Eclipse

Chapter Thirty Eight: Tonight

In the Tokito House, Koinatsu Oiran's assistants, two little girls had asked her to read them books, and before she did so, Koinatsu graciously gave them two treasured Hirauchi kanzashi hairpins that were meant for her, saying that she wanted them to have it. While elsewhere in the Kyogoku House, a chaperone informed the owner that "Zenko" went missing, but he angrirly refused to let anyone search for her, for fear of upsetting "Warabihime".

____________________________

Above the Yoshiwara rooftops, Tanjiro, Nezuko and Inosuke were discussing their situation. Nezuko and Inosuke informed him that there is a demon in their house, Inosuke tried to describe the demon, but his unusual way of describing the creature had left Tanjiro confused, so he asked Nezuko who gave him a much clearer description. Unfortunately the two weren't able to see the demon, all they could hear was noise that the demon made as it escaped. They were then joined by the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui. The Shinobi stated that Zenitsu would not be arriving. When Tanjiro asked what he meant by that statement, Tengen only tells them of his regret in making them join him in this mission, his urge to rescue his wives had led to Zenitsu going missing. The Sound Hashira dismissed the young Demon Slayers as he believed they were incapable of handling an Upper Rank demon should they face it. When Tanjiro tried to voice his support, Tengen only tells him that there is no shame in leaving the mission and then he vanished before the three Demon Slayers.

____________________________

But Tanjiro thought otherwise as they were the lowest rank, only for Inosuke to inform the siblings that they have in fact gone up, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu and Inosuke had made it to the rank of Kanoe. Inosuke then displayed his rank by flexing his arm and saying his rank with the mark appearing on his forearm, he then reminded Tanjiro and Nezuko that they have one too and that it is sign that they are now Demon Slayers. This helped re-motivat Tanjiro who told Inosuke that he must wait for the Tsugikuni siblings so they can investigate the Ogimoto House together, but Inosuke disagreed, leading the two to quarrel until Tanjiro cleared up his statement by explaining that the demon in his house is still nowhere to be found and Zenitsu is still missing, and Tanjiro had a theory that there is a passageway between the three houses, allowing the demon to travel between them, Tanjiro also believed that the demon was disguising itself as human and that it would be careful about killing people to avoid blowing cover, and Inosuke concurs that murder and bloodshed would be challenging to clean up, and due to the district's nightly activity being convenient for demons, Inosuke believed that Zenitsu and Tengen's wives were still alive. With the plan set, Tanjiro told Inosuke to look for them and stay alive, with Inosuke agreeing to the terms.

_____________________________

In the Tokito House, Koinatsu's assistants gave her tea before she dismissed them for dinner. Left alone, Koinatsu was suddenly joined by Tanjiro, who was re-equipped with with his uniform and Nichirin Katana, had thanked Koinatsu for the care he received during his stay and gave her his payment to the master for his time spent in the house, Tanjiro informed Koinatsu that he had to be disguised, and that was a huge shock for Koinatsu who up until now had thought that Tanjiro was a girl. Tanjiro told her that he will be rescuing all those who have gone missing. The Oiran was visibly relieved at his words as she will be leaving the district soon to get married, to Tanjiro's joy. She mentioned that she was worried about the missing as she was about to leave, telling Tanjiro to stay safe and not disappear too. Tanjiro bid her farewell and wished her happiness, Koinatsu thanked "Sumi" and returned the sentiment. As the Oiran continued preparing, she heard something and wondered if Tanjiro left her something, only for Daki to appear, threatening to devour the young woman before she leaved the district, her scent was detected by Tanjiro, he was running to the Ogimoto House but stopped when he detected the scent of a demon near by.

____________________________

In the Kyogoku House, the owner was staring at his wife's bloodied Kimono only to hear a voice ask about Zenko and Hinatsuru's whereabouts. Tengen appeared and threatened the man with a kunai to the neck. Terrified the owner stated that Zenko had disappeared while Hinatsuru had fallen ill and was taken to Kirimise, the poorer section of the Yoshiwara district. Tucking his blade, Tengen said that he can be trusted and asked for everything that he knows. The owner told him that the Oiran named Warabihime is in the room on the north side without sunlight. With all this information, Tengen disappeared and left the man bewildered at his sudden visitor. Tengen entered the room and upon seeing it empty, Tengen surmised that the demon is now hunting and ran across the district roofs, heading to where Hinatsuru likely was, reasoning that she might still be alive with information, Tengen also believed that the demon should return to the room in daybreak, and declared that he will kill it!.

_______________________________

Returning to the now dark Tokito House, Tanjiro opened the window to warn Koinatsu,only to meet Daki instead. Daki was a tall and beautiful woman with white hair with green highlights and green eyes with the Kanji, "Upper Rank Six" written in them. "Well look at this!. The son of that traitor Kokushibo has come to me, i will kill you and your sister and deliver your heads, your weapons and your ear rings to my master" said Daki unleashing her bloodlust. Daki didn't care about the other Demon Slayers or even the Hashira, the Tsugikuni siblings were a much more valuable target, if she succeeded she will have her master's favor lavished upon her!. Daki then stared at Koinatsu who was absorbed in her Obi sash, she then turned to Tanjiro and said that she doesn't eat dirty, old or ugly people, Tanjiro gazed into Daki's eyes and realized that she is the UPPERMOON Six and with the transparent world, Tanjiro was able to see what looked like an other demon hiding inside her!. "Let Koinatsu go!" said Tanjiro as he drew his blade angering Daki, she tried to swat Tanjiro away but with the transparent world, Tanjiro saw the attack coming and was able to dodge it in the nick of time.

__________________________________

Tanjiro realized that his enemy's main weapon was her Obi, with the ability to absorb people, he realized that it was the reason why he was unable to find a secret path big enough for a human, since it only needs a thin crack to pass threw and absorb someone. Daki saw that her enemy had dodge the impact, she complimented Tanjiro's speed as well as his red eyes saying that she planned to gouge and devour them later, Tanjiro had to free Koinatsu so using the third form of MoonBreathing, Loathsome Moon Chains, Tanjiro leaped into the air to face his enemy. Daki tried to retaliate by sending her Obi but with the third form's two large crescent slashes, Tanjiro was able to cut the Obi and separate the sash that contained Koinatsu. But then Daki punched Tanjiro towards the ground, and as he slowed down his fall, " You're impressive but you are nothing compared to your father, you can't even generate the crescent moons, i don't know how Akaza lost to you, you are an easy kill." said Daki mocking and taunting Tanjiro, and while Daki's words had hurt and angered Tanjiro, he was not going to fall for her trap. " Don't you dare mention my father. I'll make you regret those words" said Tanjiro as he raised his blade and prepared to face his enemy.

_____________________________

Author's Note: Tanjiro vs Daki has begun, Daki is about to know what happens when you miss with Tanjiro.

Thanks for reading and see you soon in the next chapter.