Another

Chapter Eight: Muted

Tanjiro's POV

The moon's glow was beginning to sink in the distance. Soon, the sun would take its place in the sky. The fallen leaves of the trees rustled under my feet. It echoed in the forest.

"Urokodaki-san, why did you decide to train us?"

I kept my eyes forward. For a moment, only the slight crunch of the forest floor filled the air. Urokodaki-san cleared his throat beside me. "There was something about you that stood out, the way you looked me in the eye even though you were afraid for you and your sister. Not many can do that."

"You knew I was afraid?"

"Tanjirou," Urokodaki-san adjusted the pile of fabric in his hands, "you aren't the only one with a sharp sense of smell."

Warmth spread through my face.

"Oh."

The forest fell quiet once more, but I could hear the animals waking up. Birds were rustling in their nests. Squirrels were beginning to scamper across the branches above us. It was a comfortable silence.

But something felt wrong.

"We should be almost there." I could barely hear these words. The forest was beginning to dim in my ears.

I couldn't see straight.

"Tanjiro?"

Branches grabbed at my clothes as I left Urokodaki-san behind. Everything was a blurred mess of color. A moment later, I felt the roughness of the forest floor fade to the clearing's smooth dirt. Only the faint smell of the forest registered in my mind. The familiar scent of vanilla and cinnamon wasn't around.

Where was Nezuko?

"Nezuko! Where a-" my foot snagged on something, sending me sprawling across the clearing. Dirt covered my face, and flew into my eyes. I couldn't get up. My whole body felt so heavy and numb. I couldn't see no matter how wide I opened my eyes.

"Tanjiro! What are you doing?"

I couldn't reply. The faint whisper was already fading away. Everything felt so heavy, as if my body was being dragged down. It was dark. So dark.

"Ne..zuko..."

*Urokodaki's POV*

"Tanjiro?"

The boy next to me was still. His earrings were barely moving to meet the rigidness of his sputtering gasps. His slitted eyes could barely resemble that of a demon. They looked like the eyes of one about to be eaten.

Air pushed at my face. There was nothing but space where Tanjiro once stood. A far distance off, the splintering of wood could be heard.

"What is that boy doing?"

I quickly followed the path of broken branches. The large bundle of fabric was tucked close to my chest. Why was he in such a rush? There was still a good half-hour until sunrise.

The clearing quickly came into view. The sky was still dark, so they should still be out. But I didn't see them anywhere.

"Tanjiro! Nezuko!"

Only silence.

I placed the bundle of fabric on a small boulder. There was a faint trace of cinnamon and cloves, but still no reply.

I dashed up the slight hill of the clearing. The scent of cinnamon got closer with every stride. When I reached the top, it was strong. I looked down.

Nezuko was curled up against the slope of the hill. Her eyes were closed. The bokken was still gripped tightly in her hand. There was no movement.