The Hidden Demon Slayer (DEMON SLAYER X OC)

Chapter 20.2: Enough Truth to Lie

The forest felt heavier as Nariko approached the old trail again, flanked by the two Hashira. Mist threaded through the trees like a living thing, curling around their boots as the scent of moss and damp earth thickened. Nariko kept her eyes forward, steady and sure, even though her heart pounded against her ribs.

"It ran this way," she said, pointing through a break in the trees. "I lost it somewhere near the abandoned cottage." The Flame Hashira's eyes narrowed. "And you didn't engage?"

"I was going to," Nariko answered without hesitation. "But I sensed something off. It was too strong. The pressure it gave off... I thought it might be one of the Twelve Kizuki. I didn't want to get killed without alerting the Corps."

There was a beat of silence. Then, the Mist Hashira spoke quietly, "Wise. If true."

They arrived at the clearing moments later, the cottage bathed in moonlight. It was quiet and still. The same as it had always been, except now, every shadow carried weight.

The Flame Hashira stepped forward and took in the surroundings. He sniffed the air once, then again. His brows furrowed. The Mist Hashira did the same, eyes narrowed. "Wisteria," the Flame Hashira murmured. "It's heavy in the air. Enough to burn a demon to ash."

Nariko exhaled silently through her nose. Hanabi had done well to coat the area thoroughly — just as they'd planned before they left.

A flicker of memory flashed in her mind.

"Hanabi," she had said quietly before parting ways, pulling the girl aside. "I need you to coat the entire area with wisteria. The doorframes, windows, the outer trees. Don't leave a single spot untouched."

Hanabi's eyes widened. "Wouldn't that make it impossible to come back?"

"It's not forever," Nariko replied. "It's a cover. If they come snooping, they'll believe no demon would enter, much less hide there. It's the only way we keep Kenzhou safe without raising suspicion."

There had been a pause, and then Hanabi had nodded. "I'll take care of it."

Back in the present, Nariko stood still as the Mist Hashira stepped closer to the door. "Strange," he muttered. "If a demon passed through here, it wouldn't have gone inside."

"Unless it was suicidal," the Flame Hashira added. "No Twelve Kizuki would walk into a cloud of wisteria willingly."

Nariko folded her arms, feigning frustration. "Maybe it sensed the wisteria and fled before I got here."

The Flame Hashira looked at her again. Too long. Too hard. "Then check the cottage."

Nariko blinked. "What?"

"Go in," he repeated. "Just to be sure."

The Mist Hashira said nothing, his gaze unreadable. But Nariko felt the pressure behind it.

This was it. She had to prove that she was still one of them. A human, and a Demon Slayer. She nodded once and stepped forward, fingers brushing the door as she opened it. The wisteria scent hit her like a wall - thick, sweet, overpowering - but she didn't so much as cough. Her lungs had long since learned not to protest. She walked in calmly.

Inside, the room was exactly as Hanabi had left it. Blankets. A lantern. Nothing out of place. No Kenzhou. No trace of their presence.

She waited a few seconds inside the wisteria-laced cottage, then stepped back outside and closed the door behind her. "Empty," she said simply, her tone calm and neutral.

The Flame Hashira's eyes narrowed slightly, studying her face. "You didn't cough once." Nariko tilted her head, as if confused. "Excuse me?"

The Mist Hashira spoke this time, his voice low and unreadable. "You were surrounded by concentrated wisteria. Most slayers would flinch at that much exposure. You didn't even blink." There was a brief pause, the tension almost palpable.

Nariko met their gaze without wavering. Then she gave a small, rueful smile. "I'm used to it." The Flame Hashira crossed his arms. "Used to it?"

She nodded, the answer already prepared. "Back when I was younger, my friend's family planted wisteria all around their home. They lived deep in the mountains and were paranoid about demons. The vines climbed the walls, covered the fences. You couldn't even step into their garden without brushing against it." She looked away for a moment, as if recalling something bittersweet. "I trained there, slept under it, and even played around with my friends. Eventually... my body got used to it."

There was silence. A long, measured moment of nothing but wind rustling through trees. Finally, the Flame Hashira gave a quiet hum. "Unusual... but not impossible."

"The trail ends here. I suggest we sweep east," the Mist Hashira declared.

The Flame Hashira gave her one last lingering glance, the kind that searched for something unspoken, but finally nodded. "Stay alert, Nariko. If you were right about a Twelve Kizuki, this area might not stay quiet for long."

"I'll be ready," she replied.

With that, they disappeared into the mist. Only when their presence vanished completely did Nariko allow herself to sag and exhale the breath she'd kept pinned in her lungs. She turned her gaze toward the silent, empty cottage behind her. The scent of wisteria lingered like a barrier between two worlds. They bought it. Just enough truth, to protect the lie.