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1ST POV
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"Are you certain you wouldn't like to extend your stay a bit longer? There are ample available rooms," Amane asked gently as she stood by her husband at the estate entrance, surprising both the guards and some onlookers.

'Oyakata-sama and Amane-sama are outside in this weather?' Their gazes then shifted to me. 'Who is that?!'

Ignoring the curious stares, I shook my head while still donning the mask and cloak, fully concealing my identity. "No, thank you. I wouldn't want to inconvenience anyone. Besides, I need to inform Tengu gramps about the news before embarking on my journey!" I could hear gasps and muffled reactions from the crowd.

"In that case, we'll arrange a guide for you while we search for a suitable kasugai crow for your future travels," Kagaya said, his voice smoother than usual. The curse had done a number on him, fortunately now, his health had improved considerably, allowing him to stand unaided.

I let out a sound, "Don't worry, I'll manage! Can't I just have a regular crow?" I was taken aback when they both shook their heads in response.

"No, this is the least we can do for what you've done for us. Your kasugai crow will arrive at Mount Sagiri in three days. Please wait until then," Kagaya bowed slightly, his wife following suit, garnering various reactions from the onlookers. Annoying, right?

I shrugged and said, "Sure thing! Then I'll be on my way. Take care, guys!"

"DID HE JUST CALL THEM 'GU-" someone shrieked before being swiftly silenced. Whoever that was must have been a dedicated follower. Sheesh.

The three of us exchanged awkward glances as we watched a group of Kakushis restrain the unruly one. Amane turned to me with a warm smile, seemingly unfazed by the commotion, as if it were a common occurrence. Maybe it was.

"Thank you for the gifts. Nichika and Hinaki were thrilled. But if I may ask, how did you know they loved cats?" she inquired, tilting her head slightly.

I let out a soft hum and flashed a peace sign. "I simply asked them," I explained, though they appeared somewhat surprised. I continued, "And please, go easy on them, alright? I have kids too, so I understand how pressure can affect them. I know they're heiresses, and your situation isn't simple, but try engaging in parent-child activities or something. Oh yeah, here..." I conjured more plushies out of thin air, causing a Kakushi to pass out and be dragged away with a crash in the background. I handed the plushies to the two of them. "I don't know what your other children like, but these are for them!" This time, it was a purple puppy to match Kiriya and two pastel yellow/pink rabbits for the second set of twins.

At this point, they didn't question how I knew about the three children and accepted the gifts with grateful smiles.

"Don't hesitate to return whenever you like; the Ubuyashiki family will always welcome you with open arms," Kagaya said, to my surprise. He and his wife performed a deep bow, displaying immense respect and gratitude. Those who had been eavesdropping, including myself, were taken aback. After assuring them that it wasn't necessary, I took my leave.

"Ah, and don't forget about what I mentioned!" I concluded, waving one last time before touching two fingers to my mask's forehead. With that, I disappeared, leaving behind a bewildered crowd.

The couple remained fixated on the spot where I had stood, seemingly oblivious to the commotion around them. Amane turned to her husband with a perplexed expression. "How come we never thought of distributing those charms to every village?"

Kagaya blinked for a moment before a chuckle escaped his lips. "I... have no idea either, dear," he admitted, shaking his head. "Although I find myself hopeful about our victory. I believe we will be the generation that finally brings an end to Muzan's reign of terror, allowing those who sacrificed their lives for our cause to find peace." He looked up, his hair swaying in the winter breeze. Amane watched him affectionately.

"I'm glad that our prayers were finally answered," she said, reaching for his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. His ability to return the gesture left her pleasantly surprised. "I'm glad you're okay, Kagaya-kun. I'm grateful to be your wife."

Kagaya's cheeks flushed slightly, but Amane continued with a thoughtful expression. "How should we explain your sudden recovery? Colith-san wishes to remain anonymous. What should we tell them?"

"A friend," Kagaya replied, his hand hovering wistfully in front of his now functional eye. "A friend stopped by..."

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"I'M BA-ACK!" I barely had time to complete my sentence before a sudden blow struck my temple, followed by a loud snap. "WHAT THE HELL?!"

"C-COLITH-SAN?! KAMI-SAMA, ARE YOU HURT?!" Tanjiro exclaimed in horror, dropping his katana, or rather, what remained of it, as he rushed to check on my well-being.

"Not really, just a bit surprised, honestly," I muttered while massaging the throbbing spot. Thank goodness I could withstand the blow; otherwise, it might have been bye bye to my head. First Giyuu, now Tanjiro - I'm seeing a pattern here.

Tanjiro let out a sigh of relief upon confirming I was unharmed. However, his relief quickly turned to shock as he did a double-take. "EEEH?! HOW DID YOU GET HERE?!" he exclaimed in alarm, finally realizing that I had simply appeared out of nowhere.

"instant transmission."

"isutan...?"

I chuckled at his efforts before giving a lazy wave of my hand. "Don't worry, kid! So, how's the training treating you? Not too tough, is it?" I playfully ruffled his hair and removed my mask, revealing a grin aimed down at him.

The boy's cheeks turned a shade of red at the sight of my face. "Uh, y-yeah! It's challenging, but I won't give up!" he declared with determination, doing a guts pose. I smiled at his resolve.

"I have no doubt about that. This is just the beginning, and I'm certain you'll become a formidable slayer in no time!" My words seemed to uplift his spirits. Then, with a pointed gesture toward the broken sword on the ground and a bemused expression, I added, "By the way... didn't Tengu gramps mention he'd snap your bones if you ever damaged a sword...?"

The teenager froze, a horrified expression overtaking his face as he slowly turned his gaze towards the katana he had been using and proceeded to let out a terrified scream.

With a chuckle, I decided to bail him out of this one, especially since I was the reason for the broken sword. I repaired it with a quick snap, and Tanjiro didn't even question the how of it. He simply thanked me profusely, well aware of how serious Tengu gramps could be with his threats. Trust me, that old man was no pushover.

However, it wasn't long before Tengu gramps found out the truth, given that Tanjiro had the world's worst poker face and his guilty scent was a dead giveaway when the old man came to inspect. As a consequence, Tanjiro ended up with twice the training for his punishment, and I sheepishly stood on the sidelines. Well, I figured it would only make him stronger in the end, right.

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That evening, during dinner, I recounted the day's events. This time, I took on the role of the cook because I wanted them to experience my culinary skills. Needless to say, they thoroughly enjoyed the meal, which gave my ego a little boost. Tengu gramps understood my decision, recognizing that I was essentially a sitting duck, while Tanjiro expressed some sadness but couldn't blame me for wanting to explore while he continued his training. After all, who knew how long it would take for him to complete it? Besides, with Nezuko in slumber, I lacked a companion for conversation, which explained my desire to go.

To lift Tanjiro's spirits, I made a promise to send him letters every two weeks, and that brought a smile to his face. He truly was a ray of sunshine!

Three days passed, and as Kagaya had foretold, there was a tapping on the window of the washizu Tengu gramps and I shared. At that moment, we exchanged a look - well, more like me staring at his mask, contemplating what might be outside, especially considering it was nighttime. Tanjiro was sound asleep in his room, exhausted as usual, so he missed the audible gasp that escaped me upon opening the window. I had anticipated some random bird or creature, given that crows were apparently not suitable for someone like me (their words, not mine). However, imagine my surprise when I laid eyes on a magnificent snowy white owl, complete with golden eyes that matched my own!

"LE GASP! YOU'RE SO BEAUTIFUL!" I exclaimed with joy, extending my arm for the owl to land, and to my pleasant surprise, it did so gracefully. "Do you have a name?" I inquired eagerly.

The owl fixed its gaze on me for a moment before extending its talon, revealing a neatly tied note. I formed an 'O' shape with my mouth.

"Maybe only crows can communicate," I mused, recalling Zenitsu's Chuntaro, even though Tanjiro seemed to understand the bird. Humming softly, I carefully untied the note and began to read.

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Good evening, Colith. Thank you for your patience as we searched for a suitable bird for you. As you can see, we've chosen a snowy owl. While she may not possess the gift of speech like crows, she is incredibly swift and stealthy, making her an ideal travel companion, whether it be during the day or night. She is well-versed in the layout of every town and village and can guide you wherever you desire. Simply ask, and she will lead the way.

Furthermore, she remains nameless for now, as we believe it's best for you to grant her a name of your choosing.

Once again, we extend our gratitude for everything.

Best Regards,

Ubuyashiki Kagaya

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I let out a whistle and turned my attention back to the bird. "So, you don't have a name yet? Would you like me to give you one?" I asked, looking directly at her. To my surprise, she tilted her head to the side and gently bumped it, confirming her understanding. Impressive!

"What's going on?" Tengu gramps inquired from his spot on the floor, surrounded by carving tools. He had been diligently crafting masks in recent days, possibly for Tanjiro. I turned to him with an enthusiastic smile, introducing the owl.

"This is my guide! Isn't she stunning? I never expected them to send me an owl of all creatures!" I ran my index finger over her head, and she leaned into the touch with a soft coo. Such an affectionate bird. "Although I need a name for her, my naming skills are quite terrible. Would you mind helping me out, please?"

The old man pondered for a moment, observing the owl. "Seppen," he finally suggested.

I deadpanned in response, "Snowflake? Seriously?"

He grumbled, "I never claimed to be skilled at naming either," then gathered his tools and rose, heading to his room while quietly bidding me 'Goodnight,' leaving me alone with the owl.

I let out a sigh and mused, "Old people, I swear," shaking my head. Then, I turned to the bird, wearing a gentle smile. "Is 'Seppen' alright with you? I think it's rather cute! Do you like it?" The owl responded with eager wing flaps and coos, causing my smile to widen. "Seppen it is, then!" I giggled.

Back in my hometown, people often harbored a fear of owls due to a saying that claimed they'd snatch the eyes of unsuspecting individuals if they ventured out late at night. As the gullible child I once was, I believed it wholeheartedly, and as a result, I never ventured outside our house after 7 PM for fear of... well, losing my eyes. Our house was surrounded by numerous trees, which only heightened the fear of nocturnal creatures. So yes, I used to be afraid of owls. Quite a contrast to the present, as I was now having a conversation with one!

'Oooh! I'm so excited to begin my journey! Who knows what I'll discover?'

The following day, I stood at the entrance of the house, all set to embark on my journey.

"Well, here we go! Take care, gramps, Tanjiro. I'll see you both soon!" I waved energetically, momentarily acting like a 14 years old, realizing I should probably return to my real age. I didn't want to stay like this forever. With a final wave, I started to turn away, mask in hand, ready to leave when I heard Tengu gramps call out to me.

"Colith."

Intrigued, I swiveled to face him, wearing a puzzled expression, but I let out a surprised yelp as he flung something toward me, which I barely managed to catch.

"Take this with you," he stated, arms crossed firmly.

"Huh?" I blinked, his words leaving me puzzled until I glanced down and let out a gasp, my eyes widening.

It was a black kitsune mask adorned with golden eyes, and what astonished me most was its striking resemblance to my titan form, [Mother]. I vividly recalled showing him drawings of her, never imagining he'd take it into account!

"I've noticed your particular fondness for masks, so I carved one for your upcoming journey," he revealed.

So, this was what he had been crafting all week! I had assumed he was working on one for Tanjiro, never imagining he'd go to such lengths to create this for me. My vision blurred as tears welled up in my eyes, deeply moved by this unexpected gift. I never expected him to make something like this for me... I wasn't even his student, for Allah's sake!

"That's it!" I declared.

Both men jumped in surprise as I hurried over to them and enveloped them in a heartfelt hug.

"Thank you! It's absolutely beautiful! I'll cherish it for the rest of my days!" I exclaimed dramatically, tears streaming down my face. Tengu gramps sighed wearily but didn't push me away, instead patting my back, while sunshine stuttered in surprise, attempting to calm me down gently.

After expressing my gratitude one final time, I departed with a joyful grin, wiping away lingering tears that still clung to my cheeks from the emotional gift. It was the first time I had received something so meaningful from an elder, considering I'd never had the chance to know my grandparents. But enough dwelling on the past!

"Seppen!" I called for the owl, and she gracefully emerged from a nearby tree where she had been patiently waiting. I had introduced her to Tanjiro, so he wouldn't be startled when I decided to send him a letter. She circled above me, seemingly inquisitive, as I donned the new mask, causing the old one to vanish. No Tobi for a while, I guessed.

"I'd like to visit a beautiful temple! Can you lead me to one? And there's no need to go slowly; I'll easily keep up!" I informed her cheerfully, already planning my sightseeing and other places to explore. Of course, using Google would be crucial since I wasn't yet familiar with most town names.

Nodding purposefully, she took off in a random direction, her wings moving silently as she glided with grace. I effortlessly kept pace, and thus, my journey through ancient Japan began. Who knew what discoveries awaited me...?

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[1 year and 8 months before canon.]

It had been four months since I embarked on my journey, and things had been relatively peaceful. I had the chance to explore a variety of places, from traditional temples to towns that could be considered "modern" for the year 1912. It was fascinating to witness the blend between traditional and modern Japan, with the country gradually transitioning toward modernization. This transformation had begun in the late 1800s, introducing new modes of transportation like steam trains, even though cars weren't yet widespread, with early models being introduced primarily in the capital. In essence, there was a charming old-western vibe while still preserving Japan's unique ancient essence, giving the Taisho period a distinctive character. However, I found myself more drawn to the traditional aspects of the country, focusing my visits on the less modernized regions.

During my travels, I never crossed paths with any familiar characters, which wasn't all that surprising, given that I had no clue where they might be. Besides, I wasn't actively seeking them out; I was too engrossed in experiencing Japan as a tourist to go demon-hunting. That's not to say I didn't encounter demons or, more accurately, demons attempting to ambush me. They often mistook me for an easy target, especially when I traveled at night. Don't judge me; walking amidst nature at night was strangely satisfying and reminiscent of my nighttime strolls in the forests of AOT. Yeah, having powers can make you a bit cocky and willing to do things you typically wouldn't. Anyway, encounters with demons usually went something like this:

"So, give me one good reason why I shouldn't just wipe you out and be done with this shit," I muttered wearily, kicking a pebble aside. I found myself standing in front of what I could only describe as random demon #12, who had the audacity to disrupt my peaceful stroll. I might have been more polite if this guy didn't resemble an unholy fusion of a lizard and a cockroach. It was a combination that I despised with a passion. This dude looked like something straight out of my old CE2 (fifth-grade) doodles. It was as if Muzan couldn't care less about their appearance. Poor things.

"PEH! YOU?! BEAT ME?!" I stared blankly as it proceeded to unleash a hideous laugh. "Don't make me laugh! Unless you're a demon slayer, I have nothing to fear from a puny little human like you!" it boasted, its hunger barely concealed as it licked its lips while eyeing me up. Berk. "I almost mistook you for one of us, though. Who knows what kind of abilities I'll gain from devouring you? You must be some rare human..!" it exclaimed with excitement. "I might even ascend to become a Lower Moon... who knows..!"

I couldn't help but snort. "You, a Lower Moon? Yeah, right."

The demon gaped at me in disbelief before exploding in rage. "WHAT DO YOU KNOW?! YOU MASKED FREAK! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO DISRESPECT ME, HUH?! YOU PATHETIC HUMAN! I'LL DEVOUR YOU-"

"Alright, I'm not dealing with this..." Unimpressed and not in the mood for a debate, I simply walked past him, ignoring his existence as I continued on my way, as if he were nothing more than a passing shadow.

Predictably, this infuriated the demon to the point where he attempted to attack me in a blind rage for being dismissed. And, unsurprisingly, his efforts were met with a simple backhanded punch that sent him hurtling in an indeterminate direction. His head might have been obliterated in the process, but honestly, I wasn't too invested in finding out.-

So, it went down like this almost every time I decided to enjoy a nighttime stroll. Can't a woman have her peaceful walks? Geez! Anyway, Seppen had been an excellent companion throughout my travels, guiding me to intriguing locations. True to Kagaya's assurances, she was indeed knowledgeable about the terrain, which alleviated my concerns about getting lost. Speaking of Kagaya, we kept in touch, and apparently, his 'recovery' had caused quite a stir within the Demon Slayer Corps, to the point where it had eventually reached the Pillars' ears. It turned out Kakushis were quite the gossipmongers. Who would've guessed? Sweet Enoki, whom I also stayed in contact with, never spilled the beans about my true identity. As a token of appreciation, she woke up one day to find a mountain of taiyaki in her room. Yeah, I rewarded her for being a good friend, even though some of her comrades questioned how she'd acquired such a haul, given that she was perpetually broke. Heh.

But getting back to the point, there was apparently a meeting last month. I didn't get all the details, but I heard that some of them were interested in meeting the mysterious 'friend,' which was me, of course. Oh well, it's not like I was opposed to the idea. The only Pillar I was personally acquainted with was Giyuu, but since I'd bumped into him on day one thanks to plot convenience, unless I decided to crash their next gathering, the chances of me encountering any of them were slim. That is unless the autho- Well, never mind that!

Ah yes, I reverted to my adult form after the first month. Nope, wasn't interested in dealing with mood swings and wild hormones for the third time. Anyway, today, I had a particular interest in trying out hot springs. You know, after watching so many anime characters relax in them, I wanted to give it a shot myself. Just to see what all the fuss was about! Of course, visiting public ones was out of the question for obvious reasons, and I certainly wasn't keen on being butt naked around strangers, even if they were fellow women.

"Seppen!"

I called out for my feathered companion. I had grown quite attached to this bird, who had been a tremendous help throughout my journey. I always made sure to reward her with mice whenever she guided me to the right places.

She paused her previous pursuit of whatever creature she had heard in the tree line and gracefully landed on my outstretched arm, cooing curiously. With a smile, I inquired whether she was aware of any natural hot springs in the area and asked if she could lead me to one. Being a bird, she didn't question why I didn't just go to towns famous for their onsen; instead, she simply nodded in agreement. I marveled at how incredible this bird was, essentially serving as a living GPS. It was no wonder they were often used as guides.

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The approaching night cast its gentle shadow as Seppen skillfully guided me to my destination. Surprisingly, the place appeared to be untouched by human hands. It wasn't difficult to understand why, considering the sheer inaccessibility of this remote spot. I wouldn't have been shocked if no one had ever stumbled upon this hidden gem before. To reach it, I had to navigate from tree to tree, emulating a certain ninja from a popular anime, just to access this secluded location.

I took a moment to survey my surroundings, using a burst of aura to scan the perimeter for any signs of human presence. Apart from Seppen, a few rodents, and myself, there was nothing that seemed out of place. That was reassuring. With the certainty that no humans were nearby, I expressed my gratitude to Seppen with a well-deserved reward. I watched as she gracefully took flight, presumably off to engage in her owl activities, while I situated myself.

"Alright!" I turned my attention to the inviting water, giving it a careful scan to ensure there were no unexpected surprises lurking beneath the steamy surface. After verifying the water's temperature, I decided it was perfect for a relaxing dip. With a quick removal of my gloves, I confirmed that it was indeed a welcoming temperature.

Before immersing myself, I conducted one last thorough check of my surroundings. Consciously, I began to disrobe, folding my clothes neatly and placing them on a nearby rock. My mask found its place atop the pile. In a matter of seconds, I conjured up a water bucket, a wooden stool, and some soap, and proceeded to cleanse myself thoroughly. It was a well-known rule that entering a hot spring with grime, soap, or dirt on your body was a major faux pas. I had no intention of incurring the wrath of ancient Japanese spirits by violating this tradition, so I made sure to follow it to the letter.

Once I was squeaky clean, I slowly and carefully eased myself into the inviting water, letting out a blissful sigh as my body sank up to my neck in the soothing warmth.

"This is it... I'll die here," I muttered to myself as I leaned back against a warm rock, feeling the tension in my muscles gradually melt away, its warmth successfully taming this beast into a house pet.

To be perfectly honest, I had greatly underestimated just how satisfying it would be to soak in a natural hot spring. I couldn't help but chastise myself for not trying this sooner, considering how readily accessible it was. Better late than never, I supposed. In that moment, I felt like I could spend the rest of my life right here, although that would indeed be quite a long time.

As time passed, the sky gradually darkened, casting my serene surroundings into deeper shadow with each passing moment. The moon hung as the only source of light, urging me to refine my vision in some way. However, I chose to keep my eyes closed, basking in the comforting warmth of the water without a care for the passage of time. I allowed my mind to wander, contemplating potential future destinations and items to acquire. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that I had access to my house-well, a version of it, considering I hadn't yet crossed paths with the other Colith. To enter, I had to conjure a door in the middle of nowhere, which never failed to amuse me. Heh.

Two years felt like an eternity to wait for the canon events to settle in. I had nothing better to do, after all. This wasn't my story, and I knew I wasn't the protagonist here-just an intruder thrown into this fictional universe, perhaps to satisfy some cosmic curiosity. As a Muslim, I had always held firm beliefs in the existence of paradise and hell. When I died, I wondered where I would have ended up-hopefully heaven. So, finding myself abruptly transported from one fictional world to another after death was not at all what I had expected. Maybe it was a reward from Allah? Paradise, as everyone described it, was indeed a place. Could this be some sort of reward for a life well-lived? Or maybe I was just letting the excess steam from the hot spring mess with my brain.

But returning to the main topic, I considered the possibility of collecting blood for Tamayo. It seemed like a practical way to assist the siblings. After all, I was shit with chemistry-JESSICA- so finding a cure by myself wouldn't be possible. While I could attempt to replicate what I did for Kagaya, I couldn't be certain if it was possible for others like him, especially since he was still human and didn't face the same risk of being obliterated by me.

I found myself absentmindedly tracing my fingers along my collarbone, lost in thought as I hummed various tunes. Gradually, my humming transformed into soft singing, and I began to croon the melodies of various anime openings.

"Dan Dan Kokoro hikareteku

Sono mabushii egao ni

Hatenai yami kara tobidasou Hold my hand..."

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"kimi o matta

boku wa matta

togirenai ashita mo sugiteitte

tachitomatte furikaette

tomedonai kyou o nagekiatta..."

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"Hikari no naka de yureteru

Omae no hohoemi

Ashioto dake wo nokoshite

Yami ni kieru SHIRUETTO

Mitasare habataki

Megami ga senaka mukete... Ima

Dakara kyou yori asu yori ai ga hoshii

Yume yori aisuru kimi ga hoshii subete ga..."

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And so, I continued singing for what felt like an hour, the act itself proving to be quite soothing. The background symphony of crickets, combined with the almost ethereal atmosphere created by Ufotable's art style, tempted me to simply close my eyes and surrender to the ebb and flow of it all. You know that tranquil sensation when you've spent too long immersed in water, and your body naturally begins to sway with the gentle currents? Yeah.

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My extensive anime knowledge had taught me that the most common time for an intrusion, especially one involving girls in their most vulnerable state-naked in hot springs-was when some hapless character, often the pervert or the main character, stumbled upon them. So it came as no surprise, really, when I heard the unmistakable sound of a twig snapping. My singing ceased abruptly.

'Honestly, this is getting too cliché,' I grumbled inwardly.

Annoyed and genuinely offended that someone or something had the audacity to disrupt my well-deserved "me time," I snapped my eyes open. I tilted my head in the direction of the noise, fully prepared to chase away whatever intruder had dared to interrupt my tranquility. To my surprise, I found myself locking eyes with not two, but six eyes.

"..."

This must be a joke.

__________

EDITED