Chapter Text
Kanae could have sworn she heard her heart skip a beat as the blade of her sword snapped in half.
She knew in the first place that she was no match for this demon. From the moment she saw him, she understood he wasn't anything close to the demons she once faced before. Once she locked eyes with him, she almost froze in fear.
Almost.
“Tell me your name, what a beautiful woman you are! It's a wonderful night, isn't it?” The demon grinned. Kanae’s grip on the hilt of her sword instinctively tightened.
Kanae shot him a sympathetic glance, a soft smile gracing her lips.
“Kochou Kanae, may I also know your name?” Douma observed her, finding the demon slayer amusing.
“Oh my, you're the first slayer who has answered me so gently! How fun…”
Kanae knew from the tone of his voice that he was simply faking this… friendly personality of his. She doesn't hate demons, in fact she pities them. Uppermoon two or not, he was no exception.
“Let me introduce myself to my new friend! I am known as Douma.”
Uppermoon two, one of the twelve kizuki. Kanae knew right then and there she had to at least try and stop him. This war against Muzan has been stagnant for years now, this is the closest they have ever been in making progress!
With a strengthened resolve, Kanae unsheathed her sword.
Sunrise would not be arriving anytime soon. She had no choice but to stall… Douma was it? To be able to ensure her sister's safety. Kanae breathed a sigh of relief that the two of them decided to split up. Had her little sister gone along with her… She would rather not imagine it.
Fourth form: Crimson hanagoromo! Kanae tried to use speed as an advantage the moment his eyes blinked. He was momentarily taken aback before dodging, a chuckle escaping his mouth.
Kanae tried once more the second she got closer to him, first form: Falling camellia! The blade landed on his neck, yet he managed to lean back just in time. The wound quickly closed up but his gaze towards her now held a dangerous glint in them. What will he do now? Kanae prepared herself to counterattack.
“How cute you are! It's the first time I've ever seen this breathing technique. Did you make it yourself? Maybe I should also show you a creation of mine!”
Douma activated his blood demon art, targeting Kanae.
Freezing Clouds.
She barely managed to block the attack, scratch that, she couldn't block the attack. The cold wind quickly spread and reached her, injuring her lungs almost instantly. It doesn't matter.
“Does it hurt? Don't worry, I'll help you! Once I eat you up, you'll no longer feel any suffering!” His cheerful expression filled Kanae with nothing but sorrow. Not hatred, never hatred. After all, He sincerely believes in his words. To think that he was once human before… Kanae couldn't help but try to understand him.
Is there no more morality left in him? Demons are indeed pitiful creatures.
Kanae ran to close the distance between them, sixth form: whirling peach. The demon smiled, looking carefree as he countered it with
Barren hanging garden.
Kanae blocked the ice hurling towards her on time. Wrong move. Her stamina was quickly depleting due to her injury, therefore she must use her remaining energy wisely. She has to stall him. She must. The second she falls, the safety of the people here, the safety of her sister… will inevitably be jeopardized.
Their fight went on for far longer than Kanae expected. He was going easy on her.
The chill in the air felt like daggers piercing on her lungs every time she inhaled it.
It had been hours now since they fought. Back then, she naively thought she would actually have a chance of defeating him… But the cold made breathing…no, everything, so much harder.
Second form: Honorable shadow plum!
Douma countered it with ease. Something about his smile filled Kanae with dread. She knew she would not survive this encounter.
Still, she perseveres.
Uppermoon two attacked her continuously, smiling through it all. She could barely make sense of his words as she focused on fighting him. She managed to block lotus vines using the fifth form: peonies of futility.
Barely.
He was already too fast for Kanae to see, his attacks were filled with great force too.
But he was easy to read. Kanae saw through his pattern and realized he was simply toying with her. In this battle, in this demon's eyes, she was nothing more than prey.
Perhaps she should be grateful. He could've killed her the moment she was weakened but no, he decided to play with her. She can stall him longer this way.
Another one of his attacks. Scattering lotuses. In her current state, she has no choice but to…
Dodge!
She must survive until sunrise. Oyakata-sama… the demon slaying corps must learn of this demon.
Breathing was becoming impossible for her now. Her lungs are failing her. Inhaling the air felt like torture, exhaling only worsens her fatigue. Douma activated his blood demon art once more, Kanae deflected it with her sword.
He had no openings whatsoever. Kanae could no longer sneak an attack in. Due to his frequent assault, her weapon was already becoming chipped.
Douma reveled in her pain. His mouth moved again, saying something to her that she could no longer hear. His delightful facade only enhanced her resolve. He’s far too dangerous to be left alive.
Cold White Princesses. He used his blood demon art again.
Third form: Fragrant spark of Osmanthus. She used her breathing technique once more. For the last time.
The two of them collided, the force of his attacks far too great for a single hashira. Douma knows that, so does she. Kanae used his confidence to her advantage. She quickly evaded what should be heading straight towards her. Using the smoke to cover herself up, she sneaked in from behind, her blade almost reaching his neck.
Kanae only heard the sound of her blade snapping in half.
The demon, Douma, used his fans and slashed her across her torso. It was a fatal wound, even if the kakushis arrived now, there was nothing they could do. She had been playing it safe ever since their battle started, her eyes never leaving his figure as she tried to predict his next attacks. That way, she hadn't been too injured, unless you count her lungs.
Had her sword remained intact, could she have dodged it? Since she lost focus, she couldn't avoid his attack and suffered a major injury.
She could hardly stand up anymore.
“Oh no! Your sword is ruined… your body is bleeding a lot too… it must be excruciating for you!” Douma, with his smirk and fake sympathy, cried for her. with tears streaming down his face.
He was mocking her, she knew that. Or maybe he did try to empathize with her. Yet she can't bring herself to feel anger nor hatred towards him.
Her body gave up on her as soon as she collapsed on the ground.
“Oh dear! You must really be in pain… Fret not, everything will be alright. Once I absorb you, all your misery will cease to exist! Alongside you, of course!”
“...”
Kanae drew a sharp breath.
“...”
Douma’s eyes sparkled.
“...I…had always dreamed of a future where humans and demons could live peacefully together…” Kanae whispered, casting him a warm gaze.
“Oh? How compassionate of you! I shall fulfill your dream and gobble you all up! Then we'll be able to live in peace and harmony!” But before Douma could take a step, a sudden burn stopped him from advancing.
Kanae let out a long breath. The sun had already risen long ago, however, due to the clouds, he didn't seem to notice until now.
“Such a shame… I really wanted to consume you…” He glanced at his body, the sun bringing him more injuries than Kanae ever did. “Yet it seems that I lost track of time…” Thanks to his… careless actions, she was able to survive until dawn.
Kanae was truly unfortunate.
Had two hashiras come along in this mission, perhaps she could have survived despite major injuries.
If three hashiras came along, maybe she could have continued being a demon slayer.
But Kanae was all alone.
No amount of training could ever make it possible for a normal person to defeat an uppermoon demon like Douma.
When her sister and the kakushi appeared, it was already too late for her.
“Shinobu… leave the demon hunters.”
Kanae’s desire was for her little sister to find happiness and grow old. As much as possible, she doesn't want her to follow in her footsteps. But her sister pushed her for answers.
“NO! I won't ever quit! I will avenge you for sure! Who was this demon that beat you!?” Shinobu clutched her hand, tears pouring out as she stared at her older sister. Seeing Kanae's eyes close, Shinobu’s voice rang louder.
“Just tell me, nee-san! I can't live a normal life after a demon did this to you!” She pressed, hoping for her sister to answer her.
Kanae described him as best as she could, “It…was a smiling demon. With a friendly and calm demeanor.”
Each word that left her mouth seemed to slowly fade in volume.
And his blood demon art…
Her voice seemed to vanish. It seemed like her vocal cords could no longer produce the words she wanted to say.
Ah. Her consciousness has faded away.
Kanae had once hoped to leave this world with no regrets.
However, this was nothing more than an unachievable dream to most demon slayers.
Kanae wished she would have lived a little bit longer.
Long enough to at least watch her sisters grow up.
With a heavy heart, she stepped into the light, anticipating her late parents’ embrace.
…
"Good heavens! There's someone heavily injured here!”
“Hurry! Take her to a priest!”
A place where she can rest with her mother and father…
…Hm..?
Kanae woke up with the worst migraine of her life. Where was she? This didn't look like the Butterfly Mansion.
The what—?
Kanae groaned as she tried to sit up, alerting her caretaker.
“Take your time, young lady…don't rush it. There, there…” He rushed to her side, supporting her with patience. He looked like… a priest. Yes. Kanae once saw this type of attire before. She's fairly certain, anyway. She ignores the question of where.
“You were lucky that the villagers saw you in time. Had you come in a little later, not even the magic of the goddess can save you.” He glanced at her, her eyes downcast as she tried to make sense of it all.
Her migraine was certainly making everything much worse. Magic of the goddess? Just as she was about to ask, she broke into a coughing fit, startling them both. The priest immediately handed her a glass. Seeing her quench her thirst hastily, he felt relieved he brought a jar of water.
“You’re currently inside this town’s church, in case you're wondering. What’s your name, traveler?” the man asked, handing her a handkerchief.
“Kochou…” No. For some reason, it feels wrong.
“Kanae Kochou. That is my name.” Kanae answered the man with a tender look on her face. The priest found the name strange, but decided not to ask. While she still wonders how she got here, she first has to express gratitude. With a slight bow of her head, she promised, “Thank you for your care, I'll be sure to pay you back.”
“...No need to.” he murmured, putting the glass back on the tray. “You were in critical condition when they brought you here. Whatever you were fighting must have been a great foe.”
“Still…”
“Don't fight me on this. Since you had a sword with you, I'm assuming you must be a warrior. It's only thanks to your courageous efforts that this town is safe.” He concluded, not letting her argue back. “You seem to be alright now, as expected of a warrior. I'll leave you alone now, call me when you need me.” As the man got up to leave, Kanae couldn't find the strength to speak up.
Kanae peaked through the window, seeing green pastures alongside people walking past. They all wore unusual clothing, which made Kanae wonder whether she's in a different country altogether. The odd part was, she couldn't even remember what country she was from in the first place.
While observing through the small opening of the window, she noticed some people using…magic? She was certain that was unnatural. Although her memory is hazy…
She probably had just forgotten about it.
“...”
No.
No matter how much she tried to remember, this definitely felt off. Even with her vague memories, she knew deep down humans cannot use magic!
With a grunt, she tried to stand up, her eyes darting towards the small shelf of books near the exit. Using the wall as leverage, she managed to limp across the room and pick the book she was looking for. She ignored the fact that she understood letters that weren’t kanji and read the contents of the book.
Magic is indeed normal here. But what does that mean for her? Kanae knew for sure she wasn't supposed to be here.
Or was she? There must be some sort of explanation, a reason as to why she's here.
One thing’s for sure, she is now here and she has no idea how to get home. Kanae still wasn't sure what that meant for her. Should she find a way to go back home? Is there a reason why she even left home? With her lost memories, it’s difficult to find the right course of action.
Kanae brainstormed for a long time. She knew she wouldn't get answers if she was just stuck here. While whispering to herself, the door opened and the same man she first saw here came back, carrying something. He flinched, seeing her on the floor. She didn't even realize she sat down and apologized for alarming him.
The man helped her back towards the bed, scolding her lightly. Kanae simply smiled back at him.
He sighed, passing to her a butterfly haori. Hers. “Your…upper garment was slashed and torn to pieces. Not even the dressmaker in this town could mend it. You'll have better luck if you bring it to a mage who knows a spell that can restore it to how it was.”
“I see…” She appreciatively accepted her haori, holding onto it tightly.
“Thankfully, your coat seemed to be just fine. There were a few bloodstains, but nothing too severe that we couldn't clean.”
Kanae was genuinely grateful for them, truly grateful. Although there's still something missing… Is it her butterfly hairpin? No, they're currently on the table. Then it must be…
Her pants. The hakama. She wondered if it's still with them or if they're currently patching it up, after all, it wasn't too badly damaged compared to her top uniform. It's probably possible to sew it back to how it was before. As she asked him about her pants, his head tilted slightly in confusion. She looked down…ah, she was wearing them.