Chapter Text
Ridiculous. A demon that can be redeemed? Disgusting. Kanae Kocho, believed that very thing. She sympathized with demons, and people who heard of her opinion? Didn't believe it. It was nothing more than a figment of her imagination. Right?
Every breath Kanae took, it felt like her lungs were about to explode. Her panting became faster and harsher, fatigue slowly catching up to her as she locked eyes with an Upper Moon she was currently fighting, and still complete unharmed and smiling in her direction
"Aw... poor thing... Why struggle dear Hashira-chan? End this fight, I can make it easier and less painful for you~" The Upper Moon said, his voice light as a feather, as if every person he met was a friend
Kanae gritted her teeth as she coughed up blood. The injuries and blood loss could take over her determination any minute now, the bolts of pain never ending. Her legs, could literally collapse, and her hands, could drop the sword she gripped very tightly.
"My my Pillar-chan, sunlight is close, you're quite powerful aren't you? Well... I'm sure you will taste very good~ Oh I can't wait to get this over with" He said as he licked his lips, his smile still not dropping
Kanae shakily took her stance. She sympathized with demons, and will continue to do so, but this demon has lived long enough
"Flower Breathing, Fourth Form: Crimson Hanagoromo!" Kanae said as she dashed forward and unleashed the single sword slash
Douma didn't need to put in effort at all, and as he simply backed away and put his arms up, he swiped his fan towards Kanae, she managed to barely evade
"Flower Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirling Peach!" Kanae used most of her remaining strength as she spun her body and went for the neck
Douma successfully avoided her strikes, and with another swipe of his fan... Kanae was sent stumbling backwards, coughing more amounts of blood as she almost fell to the ground
The slash from the fan hit her chest, Kanae almost completely dodged it with what strength she can muster after using two forms back-to-back. The cut wasn't deep enough for a mortal wound, but it certainly was deep. Kanae was wheezing at this point as breathing became much more difficult, especially with the air around her.
(Concentrate Kanae... you have to live... just concentrate on your breathing-) Kanae thought but was interrupted as Douma appeared right in front of her. Kanae collapsed to the ground, coughing more blood
Kanae was filled with possibly the most fear she had ever felt, she didn't have enough time to think. Douma knelt down and sighed as he continued smiling
"Don't worry my dear Hashira-chan~ After this, you will feel no more pain, because you will be staying with me! Forever~"
(I... I can't move...) Kanae thought, her instincts screamed to move, but she has lost all her strength, and all she could do was watch as Douma put her hands on her cheeks. Kanae closed her eyes, tears started to steam down her face
(I'm so sorry...) Kanae cried, the feeling of helplessness and not being able to fight back taking over her. She cried for her sisters, for not being able to see Shinobu and Kanao grow and look after them as they grieve for their older sister. She cried for all the memories she spent with her fellow demon slayers... Uzui... Himejima... Sanemi... and even though this Upper Moon is about to eat her, she cried for Douma, a miserable yet somewhat pitiful creature who was turned into a demon. Kanae waited for the inevitable as she can slowly feel the pressure of the Upper Moon's sharp teeth...
But all of sudden, the pressure disappeared
For one moment, she was about to face death, then the next moment... the icy hands on her face were gone. She was pulled back, a loud crash and the sound of flesh being destroyed rang in her ears
Kanae burst her eyes open as she was panting, she saw her apparent savior... first thing she saw was pink hair, second was blue markings
"Douma..." The unknown person said, surprisingly young, and the voice was full of sheer disgust
Kanae could see Douma's mouth completely gone as it regenerated
"Ah, Akaza-dono! Nice to see you again, but I didn't expect I would meet you here!" Douma said while waving his hand
"A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one, I must admit~" Douma said as Akaza scoffed
"You know I need an explanation Akaza-dono~ Why did you distract me from devouring this slender, and beautiful young lady~?" Douma asked as Akaza visibly had angry veins popping out
It was obvious at this point. This pink-haired man was a demon. And if he knew Douma, then he had to be an Upper Moon as well
(H-He really needs to calm down... anger i-is not good for mental health) Kanae thought as winced in pain as she sat up against the wall
"You disgust me" Akaza said
"Huh" Douma said with a couple of blinks
"Leave, Douma, or else I will make sure to drag you out into the sun and burn you alive" Akaza said
"Jeez Akaza-dono... you really are no fun... oh wait! I have an idea! Why don't we share-" Douma was then interrupted as Akaza quickly punched Douma's face, completely obliterating his right side
Kanae just gasped in surprise, trying to stay awake as the tried to control the blood loss with breathing
"Did you forget or is your brain that deadbeat? I. Don't. Eat. Women." Akaza said with a growl
Kanae blinked in shock
Was he telling the truth? Kanae hoped it was true. Was it the discovery of the century for Demon Slayers? A demon not wanting to eat women was a first
(Maybe... just maybe... he could be redeemed... just maybe... there are more like him, if not better...) Kanae thought
Douma sighed again
"Juniors don't really respect higher-ups huh..." Douma said as his head regenerated and he looked at Kanae with a smile
Akaza prepared, willing to fight Douma to save the heavily wounded Demon Slayer
"Welp, Hashira-chan~ You are lucky Akaza-dono came by like a knight in shining armor~ But next time... don't count on luck! I look forward to our next meeting, if we ever meet again~ Bye bye~" Douma said as he disappeared
Dawn was approaching, the sun is almost up
Akaza turned to Kanae, the kanji for "three" reflecting in his eyes
Kanae was a bit biased, but she felt more comfortable, probably (definitely) because this demon just saved her life
Akaza looked to the distance. The sun began to rise
Akaza looked back to the flower Hashira. Kanae defensive instincts made her grip her sword... but Akaza just nodded his head... as if he was saying "farewell" or as a sign of respect... he started walking away, and then...
"W-wait!" Kanae said as she coughed and winced in pain as she tried to stand up
Akaza stopped
"Thank you..." Kanae said
Akaza stayed silent
Then he vanished
Kanae collapsed back to sitting on her back against the wall again. She looked to the distance, the sun was now slowly rising in the sky.
Kanae stared at it, she thought she would never see its beauty ever again. The Hashira sighed as she started to tear up again. She survived.
"NEE-SAN!" A familiar voice to Kanae yelled
Kanae looked towards the direction of the voice, Shinobu with a clear look of worry on her face. Kanae just smiled. She survived to see the sunrise. She survived to see Shinobu, and Kanao once she recovers. She survived, she can see her fellow demon slayers once more.
Shinobu knelt down to Kanae's level
"N-Nee-San..." Shinobu said as she took Kanae's hands and started to tear up
Kanae was smiling
"KOCHO!" Another familiar voice yelled
Kanae looked over to see Sanemi rushing towards her, sword in hand
Sanemi stopped and looked at his fellow Hashira's condition. Shinobu brought him just in case... and Sanemi...
"OI! GET OVER HERE FASTER DAMN IT!" Sanemi yelled at the Kakushi
Sanemi brought kakushi's... just in case
Kanae started to giggle but started coughing afterwards
The kakushi arrived momentarily and began to put Kanae on a medical stretcher
"Y-You're going to be fine Nee-San" Shinobu said as Kanae barely nodded
Kanae looked up to the sky and closed her eyes
Seeing a demon that refuses to eat women, Kanae wondered why, and if there's a demon that refuses to eat humans... well, a specific gender but there has to be a demon that refuses to not eat humans at all. Either way, Kanae was being carried through the hospital, she recovered, and she can't wait to meet another demon like Akaza, hopefully one that doesn't eat humans and who knows, maybe the demon will be a girl that everyone could adore and love. And she has been hearing about Shinobu hanging out with this Tomioka fellow, Kanae wonders what that is about.
