Puzzled || Kimetsu No Yaiba • Kamado Tanjiro x OC

05

The female stared down at the demon's corpse, watching it fade away as anger filled her veins, an uneasiness slowly drowsing out of her body as she took in what was happening.
"To think a demon slayer is the last thing I'll see" The demon complained,  watching as Kioko stared as its head with an emotionless expression.
Tanjiro standing beside her, a hand on her shoulder as he directed his attention to the demon.
His eyes were filled with sadness, and a certain gentleness the demon couldn't pinpoint. His stare was filled with a kindness no one could explain.

Tanjiro walked up to the decaying corpse, taking in the scent that it was emitting, his gaze transmitting everything he was feeling as he took the demon's hand into his. "What a sad scent" The boy mumbled as he brought the hand up to his forehead.

"God, please, the next time this man is reborn, please make sure he doesn't turn into a demon" He prayed, a crack playing among his voice as the demon's body finally vanished. Kioko stared intently at the rests of the demons, the tears that decorated her eyes now falling down her cheeks, leaving small stains in its tracks, "Sabito, Makomo, everyone. We made it, he won" The girl muttered, bringing her hands together as if in prayer, "You can rest now" She cried out loud, "I'll see you back at home, Sabito" The girl smiled in between her tears as she looked up into the sky. Reminiscing about the old, and wondering about the new.

Giyū, you can stop burdening yourself.

Kioko nodded, as a way to let the burgandy haired boy know she was alright. Taking a deep breath she took place next to him, keeping up with the exam with a heavy feeling in their heart.

As the exam continued throughout the week, Kioko keeping herself concentrated when the time arose.
Tanjiro didn't waste any opportunity he had to talk to the demons concerning his sister, almost pleading for the answers before leading them to their fatal end.

Kioko noticed the way he managed around, always keeping a gentle stare as he wisely strategized their attacks, knowing which one to use and which ones to save, he treated them as if they were still human. Kioko admired that in him, it was something she valued in people who wished to become big in the swordsmen ranks.

"Kamado, the sun is rising" Kioko pointed at the rays of sun that shone through the leaves, a yawn escaping her lips before sitting down near a boulder, "We should rest while we can" She suggested, struggling to keep her eyes open at this point.
Tanjiro hummed in response, sitting next to the female, a tired look on his face as he stared intently to the ground, "Ka-ma-do" Kioko mouthed out, trying to gain the boys attention or at least distract him from his troubles, "We're going to be okay, we'll make it back" Kioko reassured, bringing her knees up to her chest flashing the boy a quick small smile.

The burgundy haired male returned the gesture, before turning back his attention to the lonesome forest they were stranded in, "We'll learn something eventually, Kamado" Kioko smiled at the male, hoping to pass down the hope she bared for Nezuko. 

---

The end of the final selection came around, the duo bruised up and exhausted from the non stop fighting they had  endured the past seven days, a sigh escaped the female's lips "We did it, Kamado!" She cheered noticing the wisteria blossoms that surrounded the starting area, Tanjiro smiled back following the chirpy female.

Arriving to the center, looking around at the survivors of said test, "Only five?" Tanjiro asked in disbelief, confused at the amount of people, "We were so many at the beginning.." Kioko added to his statement, coming to a halt once she noticed the blonde she had encountered before, dozing off in his self misery.

"I'm gonna die, I'm a goner. Even if I survive now, I'm gonna die in the end anyway" He mumbled under his breath, running his hands through his hair.