"Ningerundayooo"- talking

'Ningerundayooo' - thinking

"Ningerundayooo"- a powerful being

"Ningerundayooo"- any other language.

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1ST POV
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I found myself in a small cave, observing Nezuko morph into what looked like a little diglett. She had dug a hole and was now hiding inside, seeking refuge from the scorching sun.

As we continued our journey, it became clear that we couldn't make much progress with Nezuko in her current state. Tanjiro and I discussed our options, and it was decided that he would go search for a basket while I stayed behind to keep an eye on the little demon. I could have easily brought a basket using my powers, but I thought it was a good opportunity to spend some time with Nezuko.

However, there was one thing I hadn't taken into account.

'Doshiyo asore doshiyo...'

Being unable to have a conversation with a speechless demon, my mind wandered aimlessly. I let out a sigh and glanced outside, wondering if Tanjiro would suddenly pop out of a bush with the basket. The anime didn't mention how long he would take, leaving me waiting with the restless demon for what felt like an eternity. It had been 10 minutes already, and I considered pulling out my phone to pass the time, but before I could do that, a gentle tug on my haori caught my attention.

I looked down to see pink, wide eyes staring back at me. It was Nezuko.

"What is it, honey?" I crouched down to her level, gently patting her scalp as only her head was visible above the hole.

She responded with a happy "hm!" and pointed to the hole with one finger.

"Ah, you're proud of your hole-digging skills, aren't you? Well, it's well done!"

I smiled affectionately at her, but she shook her head and tugged on my haori with insistence, then pointed at the spot in the hole beside her. I looked at her inquisitively, trying to understand what she wanted to convey.

I made an 'oh' with my mouth, finally understanding what she meant. "Oh, you want me to come inside too?"

"Hmpf-mh!" She quickly nods, still tugging on my clothes.

"But Nezuko, I'm not a demon...?" It struck me then that I wasn't human either. Not anymore.

'Must be the reason why Giyuu almost offed me and why Tanjiro keeps sniffing with a confused look when near me...' I thought, contemplating the nature of my existence.

I facepalmed, to Nezuko's confusion. "Of course..." After placing my hat on the ground next to the hole, I got near the demon child who, in the meantime, made room for me. I slipped into the hole next to her, not disturbed by the dirt.

She had unconsciously shrunk a little in size to allow me to fit and almost immediately clung to me like a koala on a branch, which amused me. "Wow, it's pretty cool here. I understand why you're here now."

The feeling of my hand on her scalp made the demon child sigh out in glee.

"So what do we do now?" I was rewarded by a cute dot-like stare, and I hummed. "What about a song, ne? Would you like that?"

Nezuko's eyes creased into an eye smile. "HMF!"

"Alright, alright!" Racking my brain for any ideas, I finally got one. "What about some Steven Universe, hm?"

Obviously, she had no idea what Steven Universe was and therefore couldn't reply to me. Not that she could with her bamboo muzzle. Clearing my throat a bit, I began singing the intro in English.

"If you're evil and you're on the rise

You can count on the four of us taking you down

Nezuko's eyes brightened up in curiosity at the foreign tune. She didn't recognize it nor the language, but it sounded nice and happy! She wondered what I was singing and wished she could understand the meaning behind the melody.

'Cause we're good and evil never beats us

We'll win the fight and then go out for pizzas

My voice was pleasant to her ears, reminiscent of her mother whose voice rang like soft bells, soothing and comforting. Nezuko found herself lost in the melody, as memories of her family slowly flooded her mind, making her feel a sense of warmth and peace.

We are the Crystal Gems

We'll always save the day

And if you think we can't

We'll always find a way

Feeling the demon child curl up at my side, I gently lifted Nezuko onto my lap, cradling her in my arms like a protective shield. Her presence felt delicate and fragile, and I couldn't help but hold her closer as I continued to sing, my voice enveloping her in a cocoon of comfort and safety. With every note, she seemed to relax further, finding solace in the simple act of being held and listening to the melody.

That's why the people of this world believe in

Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, and Steven!"

...

As the songs came to an end, I noticed Nezuko's lack of movement, and it almost startled me until I heard the soft sound of her gentle snores. Glancing down at her peaceful sleeping form, I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and protectiveness towards the little demon. Stroking her hair affectionately, I made sure she was properly settled, cocooned in my arms. Her relaxed sigh of ease brought a fond smile to my lips.

Feeling a bit tired myself, I contemplated taking a nap. After all, I hadn't taken a break since arriving here. Resetting my body would be beneficial, but I decided against it. Instead, I gently rested my head against Nezuko's, embracing the serenity of the moment. Soon, I drifted into a light, dreamless slumber, knowing that Tanjiro would be there when I woke up, and that the little demon in my arms was safe and sound.

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3RD POV
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It had been quite a while since Tanjiro and Colith-san parted ways. The young boy had managed to purchase an old basket from a kind farmer, who insisted on giving it to him for free due to some damage. However, Tanjiro was raised with good morals and politely paid for it, leaving the farmer a bit dismayed.

Now, as he made his way back to the cave where the foreigner and his baby sister were, Tanjiro's heart raced with anticipation. The thought of the dark-skinned girl made his cheeks flush slightly. She had appeared out of nowhere, showing kindness and not turning her back on them despite their difficult situation, which would have driven many to ignore their plight. Her scent was different, intriguingly unfamiliar, and it caught his attention deep in the forest. She neither smelled like other humans nor like a demon, and that left him utterly puzzled and confused.

Tanjiro's mind was consumed by worry as he remembered Tomioka-san's warning about keeping Nezuko away from the sun. The mere thought of what could happen if she got exposed to it sent shivers down his spine. He didn't want to imagine the consequences.

But his thoughts quickly shifted back to the enigmatic stranger with the straw hat.

'Where did she come from? Who is she, really? And why does her skin have such a dark hue?' The questions swirled in his mind, adding to his confusion about the mysterious girl who had appeared out of nowhere to help them.

Tanjiro's knowledge of the outside world and foreigners was limited due to his family's secluded life in the mountains. Their focus was on selling coal and odd jobs to make a living, with little exposure to the changes happening in the country. They rarely interacted with outsiders, and any information they heard from traveling merchants was often confusing and hard to grasp.

He had heard mentions of "europi...eupean" and "Ame...Ameki...rican" people with different cultures coming in and out of the country, but he had never encountered any of them personally. Colith was the first foreigner he had ever seen, and her appearance puzzled him. He wondered if all foreigners were like her, and his curiosity about the outside world grew as he tried to make sense of the new and unfamiliar presence in his life.

As he continued to reflect on the stranger's intense reaction to the discovery of the deaths, Tanjiro couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The pieces of the puzzle began to fit together, leading him to a haunting realization that left him breathless and his steps faltering.

'Could it be that she, too, was a victim of this demon?' His heart sank at the thought, feeling an unexpected wave of empathy for the mysterious girl. 'Perhaps she was on the demon's trail and stumbled upon us during her pursuit...yes, that must be it.'

As Tanjiro continued his journey back to the cave, his heart felt heavy with sorrow and empathy for the unknown victims of the demon's wrath. He couldn't help but imagine the pain and suffering that they might have endured, and the thought weighed heavily on him.

'How many lives have been lost at the hands of this demon in particular...?' His mind was filled with haunting questions, and the despair of those who lost their loved ones to such a cruel fate haunted his thoughts. He felt fortunate that Nezuko had retained her willpower and recognized him, but he couldn't ignore the countless others who might not have been so lucky.

The mere thought of someone devouring their own kin made him shudder, and he questioned why such cruelty was allowed to exist in the world.

'What had they done to deserve this? Past sins?'

The answers eluded him, leaving him feeling helpless and frustrated.

As he walked on, the weight of the tragedy surrounding him was almost suffocating. 'Why was this happening? How could someone inflict this on innocent people?' His emotions swirled in turmoil, and he was reminded of the countless dangers lurking in their world.

He knew that he couldn't bear the burden alone, but the resolve to support others in need, just as the stranger had done for him and Nezuko, strengthened his determination to become a slayer.

As the small cave came into view, Tanjiro pushed those heavy thoughts to the back of his mind, determined to focus on the present. Clutching a basket and bamboo sticks in his hands, he quickened his pace, wiping his face to conceal any lingering tears.

'I can't keep them waiting...'

Upon reaching the entrance and setting down his newly acquired supplies, Tanjiro turned his gaze inside the cave, his trademark warm smile ready to greet his newfound companion.

"I'm back, To-Colith-San, Nezuko! Sorry for making you both wai-"

His cheerful greeting faltered, replaced by a knot of worry in his stomach as his eyes adjusted to the darkness within. All he saw was Colith's abandoned straw hat lying on the ground, with no sign of the girls who had been there before.

"Huh?! C-Colith-San! Nezuko ?! They're not here!!" Tanjiro's heart pounded in panic, his mind racing with various far-fetched scenarios as fear took hold of him. However, his frantic thoughts were interrupted when he saw a dark-skinned hand shoot out of the ground, playfully waving in a lazy manner.

"We're here, Tanjiro~" came a slightly drowsy voice, and the boy blushed as he recognized the owner of the voice. It was indeed C-Colith-San!

'She said my name again...' Tanjiro blinked rapidly, trying to collect himself.

"Nezuko dragged me in here with her.."

At that moment, Nezuko's head popped out alongside Colith's, blinking slowly with sleep still present in her eyes, giving him a scowl before acknowledging her big brother standing in the sunlight like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Hmf!" she greeted happily.

"So we took a nap," Colith continued, gently nudging her head against Nezuko's. Tanjiro stared in amazement at how fast the two girls had bonded. "Not a big fan of the sun, huh, Nezuko?"

"Hm-hm!" Nezuko nodded, her eyes narrowed in distaste at the sight of the exterior where Tanjiro stood.

"Yeah, what she said," Colith added with a playful grin.

As Colith tried to get out of the hole, she was met with Nezuko's adamant refusal. The demon child, having regained her normal size, tightly wrapped her arms around Colith's waist, making it clear that she didn't want her newfound friend to leave.

"Wesh..?"

Colith looked down at Nezuko with a puzzled expression, then turned to a taken aback Tanjiro who was busy gaping like a fish. She sighed dramatically, "Oh no~ my free will, it's broken~! Seems like I cannot escape my fate, for I am trapped by this adorable child~."

Tanjiro couldn't help but let out a small laugh at her theatrics. "Are you okay with it, Colith-San?"

"Yeah," she waved at him, "She's a baby, so I ain't complaining~," Colith stifled a yawn, "Do what you have to do, we'll wait here." With that, she disappeared into the hole with Nezuko in tow.

Tanjiro shook his head, amused. His heart felt light for some reason. "Alright, I'll be quick!" And he quickly got to work.

A few minutes later, he returned with the repaired basket in hand. His approaching footsteps caught both girls' attention, and they looked up from their hand-clapping game that Colith had begun teaching Nezuko to pass the time. The demon child was surprisingly picking it up quickly, enjoying the new, unfamiliar game.

"I fixed the basket so we can travel by day." He placed it in front of Nezuko, who blinked innocently. "Can you get in there? I will carry you," he said softly.

Nezuko glanced at her new friend, who shrugged easily, before returning her attention to the burgundy-haired teen. They stared at each other, Tanjiro squirming under her long gaze to Colith's growing amusement, while Nezuko didn't budge. The teen sent a pleading look toward the cocoa-skinned girl, who only gave him a toothy grin in response. Not helpful at all.

'But, Colith-san!'

'Your sister, your problem,' she was thoroughly enjoying this.

Tanjiro's shoulders sagged at the unmistakable scent of pure amusement coming from the foreign girl, who chose to remain a spectator to his dismay. The boy let out a small sigh before entering his big brother mode. Colith leaned forward in interest, having never witnessed such interactions despite having two older sisters. They didn't live together for long due to family problems, but that's beside the point!

"You. Going in. The basket.."

A snort from the gold-eyed girl made Tanjiro's cheeks redden in embarrassment, but the teen kept up with the baby talk, which ended up being pretty effective because Nezuko hoisted herself up with a soft huff and went headfirst into the basket, her upper body inside. For a second, Colith could've sworn she saw Nezuko's shoulders shake with laughter, but she couldn't be sure. Tanjiro gaped at the scene with a bewildered expression. He hadn't taken the height difference into account.

"She did what you said, bruh. Don't look at her like that," Colith chuckled while she too hoisted up and placed herself in front of the desperate boy, Nezuko's body horizontally separating them, as she removed the dirt accumulated in the hole from her clothes.

Tanjiro smiled fondly, recalling a time when the demon in front of him was not higher than their mother's knees. His smile faded a little at the memory of his mother, but an idea popped into his mind at the image of a small Nezuko, shifting his expression into one of realization.

'It's about damn time.' Colith watched the boy's change of expression because lo and behold, Tanjiro just had the greatest idea of mankind! 'SMOL NEZUKO!! Even though she already did it earlier. Heh.'

"Nezuko, you're an adult's size right now, right? Can you reverse that and make yourself tiny?" The boy's tone held some excitement.

Nezuko didn't react one bit.

Colith's giggles made Tanjiro's ears turn red.

Was she doing this on purpose?

He began patting her back in a playful manner. "Tiny, Nezuko, make yourself tiny!" The please was left unsaid.

Nezuko, feeling pity for her older sibling, obliged, much to the latter's relief.

He was beginning to wonder if she couldn't understand him anymore or if she was annoyed by something, which wasn't the case.

She simply concluded that being a little mischievous would amuse the kind girl, so she tried it, and it worked because she was rewarded by amused laughs.

Nezuko lifted herself in the basket, legs in the air, to the surprise of Tanjiro before shrinking to a more childlike size. A second passed before her head popped out, barely passing the basket. Colith immediately squealed, startling both Kamados, who looked at her with wide eyes.

"SHE'S SO FREAKING CUTE!!! LOOK AT HER, TANJIRO, SHE'S TINY!!" she gushed, swaying left and right with a joyful expression. "SHE MUST BE PROTECTED!! Oh god, I can die for you, you know I will die for you? Because I ain't gonna let anything happen to you, bubey!!" she glomped smol Nezuko, who, of course, returned the embrace.

Nezuko closed her eyes in mirth, basking in the girl's comfortable embrace. Demons were creatures of the night who naturally feared the sun, and anything related to it should've made her scramble as far away as possible. But this girl... No [Mother]'s embrace had ever felt so warm and welcoming. Nezuko felt drawn to it, like little moths to a flame, wishing to bask in its warmth forever, even though it eventually led them to their demise...

Tanjiro chuckled, appreciating the vision of pure innocent bliss on his sister's face. Somehow, he could sense her giddy feelings through her scent. Nezuko seemed happier around the foreigner, and Tanjiro couldn't be more grateful for it. Her scent had been lost and confused, causing him a certain degree of pain as he struggled to find ways to comfort her properly. He would never forget her anguished cries and whines of agony as she fought to restrain herself from succumbing to her demon instincts. Now, however, she appeared at ease and calm. He was genuinely glad that Colith chose to tag along, even if she was technically a stranger. She made Nezuko happy, and that made him happy too.

"Indeed, she did a great job!" Tanjiro reached out to affectionately pat Nezuko, who leaned into the brotherly touch. "Now we'll be able to get there early!"

Agreeing with a nod, Colith got up, ending the hug to Nezuko's dismay, and stretched. She let out a satisfied sigh as her bones made little 'pop!' sounds. Retrieving her hat, she placed it on her head, and the long white fabric strands unevenly fluttered in the gentle wind as she confidently marched out of the cave. Before leaving, she placed a tender peck on Nezuko's forehead, earning a delighted "HM!" from the demon child.

With a pleasant smile, Tanjiro quickly wrapped the basket containing Nezuko with a thick cloth, which Colith had discreetly thickened with her powers, ensuring Nezuko's comfort and protection. They were all set to resume their journey, and with newfound confidence and warmth in their hearts, they ventured forward.

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EDITED