Tanjiro attempted to cut the thread, but his sword broke when it made contact leaving him in shock as the thread cut his face and Tanjiro rolled on his side, looking at his broken sword.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: No way. My sword.)

Tanjiro got back on his feet and re-took his stance as the little demon looked at him.

With Inosuke and Tomioka.

The Father disappeared into ash as Inosuke was still staring at Tomioka with amazement.

Inosuke: (Thinking: Incredible. He's on a whole other level! The force of his strike alone is in a class of its own! He cut through that tough-as-nails monster like it was tofu! Amazing! That was absolutely amazing! Who even is this guy? I still have goose bumps!)

Tomioka sheathed his sword and looked at Inosuke admiring him, but showed no interest. He was about to leave when Inosuke shouted.

Inosuke: Hold on a second! Fight me, Mr. Mismatched Outfit! You beat that member of the Twelve Kizuki! And now, right here, I'm gonna beat you! If I can manage to do that, that'll make me the most powerful of all!

Tomioka: I have a better idea. Go train more.

Inosuke stood there for a bit before shouting again.

Inosuke: What did you say to me?!

Tomioka got rope out of nowhere.

Tomioka: That wasn't one of the Twelve Kizuki. Could you not even tell that?

Inosuke: Of course I could tell! For your information, it was Tanjiro who was saying it was one of them! I was just repeating what he said to me earlier! I knew that amateur couldn't have been one of those guys!

Inosuke was tied up to a tree as Tomioka walked off clapping the dust from his hands.

Inosuke: (Thinking: What the hell? When did he tie me up? I see it's not just a sword he's quick with.) Hey, you! Get back here!

Tomioka: If you are not aware of what state your body is in, you shouldn't be fighting.

Inosuke: Huh? I can't hear you! Your voice is too soft, and you're walking to fast! I said hold your horses! Untie these ropes right now! Get. Me. Down!

Y/n heard the yell.

Y/n: It seems Master Tomioka was able to safe Inosuke, now it's Tanjiro's turn.

With Zenitsu.

He was still laying on the house and using his Breathing to slow down the poison as Shinobu was still watching him.

Shinobu: I said, "Hello there!" You can hear me, can't you?

Zenitsu: Thanks, Gramps...

Shinobu: Are you calling me, "Gramps"?

Zenitsu: Just now, Gramps showed up and told me not to give up.

Shinobu: Ah. Your life flashed before your eyes. You know, according to one Theory, the reason you see images like that just before death is because you're searching for a way to avoid death by going through all your past experiences and memories.

She got out a syringe with a liquid in it.

Shinobu: Truthfully, I can't speak from experience since it's never happened to me. (Quietly) Except that one time.

She thought back to a time a silhouette of someone with long hair stabbed her in the right side.

Zenitsu: What was that?

Shinobu: Don't you worry about it. I can tell you slow the Poison by adjusting your breathing. If you weren't able to do that, you would've already turned into a spider. I'll inject you with the antidote now.

She rolled up Zenitsu sleeve and injected the syringe into his arm. Zenitsu saw people taking care of the Demon Slayers tied up before passing out.

Back with Tanjiro.

He was panting heavily while holding his broken sword tightly.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: My sword's been broken! I can't believe it! Are those threads he's controlling even tougher than that demon's body I couldn't cut through? Urokodaki, Haganezuka, forgive me. Thanks to my inexperience, my sword is now shattered.)

A thread came at Tanjiro, but he dodged it.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: Now's not the time to feel sorry for yourself! Now's the time to think!)

Tanjiro went right for the demon.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: If I can't cut those threads, then I'll just have to meet him head on!)

The threads kept coming at him, so he could get close to the demon.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: It's like those threads have a life of their own, and are refusing to let me get close! Even though he's holding back so it's not to kill me, he's overpowering me all the same!)

Demon: What now? Do you still refuse to take back what you said earlier? You refuse? Fine, I'll put an end do you now.

The demon summoned two gaint webs.

Tanjiro: I can't dodge this!

Blood was shot into the air, but both the demon and Tanjiro were wide eyed when they saw Nezuko took the shot for Tanjiro.

Tanjiro: Nezuko!

With Y/n.

He felt his heart sink with mixed emotions of shock, sadness and anger.

Y/n: What is this feeling?

Back with Tanjiro.

Tanjiro grabbed Nezuko before she fell over and took her behind a tree.

Tanjiro: Nezuko, hang in there! You protected me! Thank you!

Girl demon: The girl emerged from that box and defended him. But I'm sure she's one of us!

The smaller demon was trembling in awe.

Demon: That girl. Is she... is she your sibling?

Tanjiro: And so what if she is?!

Tanjiro was trying to force the cuts shut.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: The cut is so deep! Her left wrist is about to fall off! Come on! Heal up already! It has to heal!)

Demon: Siblings... Siblings... his sister's been turned into a demon.

Girl Demon: R-Rui.

Rui: Yet, she stays by his side. She risked her own life to protect him. That is a genuine bond! It'll be mine.

Girl demon: Rui, hang on a second! Please, reconsider! I'm your elder sister! You can't abandon me!

Rui: Shut up!

Rui threw threads at the girl demon which cut he body to pieces and cut down some trees.

Rui: None of you were ever able to fulfill the roles you were assigned. Not once. In your entire life.

Elder sister: Wait, brother. Wasn't I the elder sister that you wanted? Give me another chance.

Rui: Very well then, go kill the humans wandering all over this mountain. If you do that, I'll forgive you for what just happened.

The elder sister's body reassembled itself and picked up her head.

Elder sister: A-All right. Yes, I'll do that!

She ran off.

Rui: Boy, let's talk. Just the two of us. Come on out.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: Why is he being so friendly?)

Rui: The truth is, what your sister did, I find it genuinely moving to behold. I doubt any words exist that describe exactly how I felt. However, your fate now is death. A disagreeable conclusion for you, no doubt.

Rui put a finger to his mouth.

Rui: So, listen close. I'll in part to you how you can escape your fate. It involves your sister. I want you to give her to me. If you do so, then I will spare your life.

Tanjiro: (gasp) I have no idea what your talking about!

Rui: As of today, instead of being your little sister. She's mine.

Tanjiro: You don't actually think I'd ever agree to that, do you?! First off, Nezuko's not a thing! She has her own will and feelings! There's no way she'll ever be your sister! And I know Y/n would never forgive me if I ever gave up Nezuko!

Rui: Y/n? Is that another one of your siblings?

Tanjiro: It doesn't matter! What matters is that Nezuko will never be your sister!

Rui: It's all right. You don't need to worry. I'm stronger than you. I will create a bond with her. One made of terror. She'll know what happens when I'm defied.

Tanjiro got really angry at that point.

Tanjiro: I've had enough of you spouting this nonsense! Using fear to keep someone shackled to you isn't the bond of a family! And until you're able to figure that out, you'll never get what it is that you desire!

Rui: So irritating. Would you mind not shouting? It's clear we don't agree.

Tanjiro came out of hiding.

Tanjiro: I'll never hand Nezuko over to you!

Rui: Very well then. I'll just kill you.

Tanjiro: Not if I manage to cut your head off first!

Rui: Now that's the spirit! I would love to see you try it.

Rui moved the hair that was covering his left eye which revealed the kanji for "Lower Five" and he grew a psychotic grin not too dissimilar to Y/n's.

Rui: Let's see if you can take down a being like me, one of the Twelve Kizuki!

With Y/n.

He was still walking.

Y/n: (Thinking: Damn. I still can't run. What was that feeling I felt? I only felt something similar three years ago, but this feels more...)

He clinched his chest where his heart was.

Y/n: (Thinking: Intense. Could this be Nezuko? Why do I feel this way about her? And why do I get mad at Zenitsu whenever he just talks to her.)

It was at that moment Y/n remembered a talk he had with Kanae.

Y/n: Lady Kanae, I sometimes see boys and girls that aren't related hold hands, hug, and even kiss. Why is that?

Kanae: Well, my dear. Those people have a very strong feeling of love for each other. And one day, you two shall fall in love, but you have to be careful with who you fall in love with.

Y/n: Who should I fall in love with?

Kanae: Well, who's your favorite woman in the world right now?

Y/n: You

Kanae: Aww! And what about me do you like?

Y/n: You're very beautiful, you have a kind and gentle nature, and you have beautiful long hair like mama did.

Kanae: Okay. That is someone that sounds like would make you happy.

Y/n: I'll keep it in mind, Lady Kanae.

Back to present.

Y/n: (blushing) (Thinking: I love her?)

Y/n started to pick up the pace.

Y/n: I gotta get to her now!

With Tanjiro.

He was face to face with Rui who turned out to be Lower Five of the Twelve Kizuki.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: His eye says "Lower Five." As I thought! This power... he really is one of the Twelve. It won't be easy to cut those threads. What do I do if his neck is even tougher. Not to mention, my broken sword.)

Rui: That stall look in your eyes, I don't like it. Don't tell me... Do you actually think you'll be able to defeat me?!

Rui used his threads to pull Nezuko from behind the tree.

Tanjiro: Nezuko!

Rui caught her and held her by the neck with his free arm.

Rui: It's settled, I'll be taking her. You understand your role now, don't you?

Tanjiro: Let her go!

Tanjiro rushed at him.

Rui: Did I not tell you that I'd spare your life in return for your obedience?

Nezuko used her claws to slash Rui across the face. As Tanjiro rushed at Rui, who threw threads at Tanjiro who avoided them, but when he looked at Rui again he didn't see Nezuko.

Tanjiro: Where'd she go?

A huge amount of blood landed on Tanjiro's broken sword, when he looked up to see where it came from, he was horrified to see Nezuko hung up with multiple threads.

Tanjiro: Nezuko!

Rui's face healed the scratches on it.

Rui: Quiet down. This won't be enough to kill her. She's a demon. But it does appear I'll have to teach her a lesson. I'm going to let her bleed for a while. If she won't learn to be obedient, I'll just leave her like that until Daybreak... and then let her burn.

Tanjiro: I won't allow it! Let her go.

Tanjiro rushed at Rui who threw threads at Tanjiro that cut up his haori, then he kicked Tanjiro into a bush and as he spat blood, Rui punch him in the face.

Rui: Now, I may be mistaken here, but you think if you get close enough to me, you can chop my head off, don't you?

Rui walked up close to Tanjiro.

Rui: Well then, here. Give it a shot.

Tanjiro tried to slash at Rui's neck, but Rui ducked and punched Tanjiro in the face twice. Tanjiro twisted his body to slash Rui's neck, but it couldn't even cut the skin.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: The blade... it won't go through!)

Tanjiro still tried to cut his neck.

Rui: Didn't I tell you? You have no chance against me.

Rui kicked Tanjiro, sending him far away.

Rui: My body is more durable than any of the thread I can manipulate. If you can't even cut those threads, then you'll never be able to cut my neck.

Tanjiro stood up.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: He's incredibly strong. His strength is beyond any other demon I've fought so far! So, this is the might of the Twelve Kizuki. A power of a demon closely related to Kibutsuji.)

Nezuko was growling in anger as she tried to break free.

Rui: You're noisy. If you don't quiet down.

Rui tightened the threads on Nezuko which made her bleed more.

Tanjiro: No, stop that!

Rui: As of today, I am her elder brother. And I command she sease that noise.

Tanjiro grabbed his wrist tight.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: Calm down! Don't get emotional. Remember what Y/n said, keep a leveled head.)

Nezuko passed out from the blood loss.

Rui: What happened to her? Did she pass out? This demon has a unique aura. I haven't seen anything quite like it. Fascinating.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: Concentrate! Control your breathing! Unleash the most precise final form! Total Concentration...)

Tanjiro rushed at Rui once more.

Rui: Don't you see this is futile.

Rui threw more threads at Tanjiro who surprised Rui by either hitting them or twisted to avoid them.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux!)

The water that was following Tanjiro took the form of a Japanese dragon as Tanjiro cut more threads.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: I did it! I cut the threads! If I can keep closing the distance between us, I can defeat him!

Rui: Boy...

Rui's hands became blood red along with his threads.

Rui: You don't think these threads are at maximum strength, do you? Blood Demon Art: Cutting Thread Cage!

A cage of red threads surrounded Tanjiro.

Rui: I have no more use for you. Farwell.

The cage came closer to Tanjiro.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: Not good! I can't get enough rotations in to cut these threads! They're giving off a totally different scent than the other ones! This can't be how it ends, can it? Am I really going to die here?)

Tanjiro's life began to flash before his eyes until he got a memory of a man that looked like him right down to the same scar on his forehead and same Hanafuda earrings. The only difference is that the man looked more frail, and his checker haori was orange instead of green.

Tanjiro: Father.

Tanjuro: Tanjiro, your breathing. Master your command over it and then become more like Hinokami.

Tanjiro got another flashback where a younger him was watching his father dance with a wooden sword that had bells on it. Kie was also with Tanjiro with Nezuko sleeping on her back.

Kie: Look, Tanjiro. That is your Father's kagura dance. Our family works with fire, so to ward off injuries and disasters we offer this dance to Hinokami along with our prayers, at the start of each year.

Young Tanjiro: Mommy, Father's always been pretty sick, right? So how can he be out in the snow and still keep dancing and dancing? If that were me, I bet my lungs would freeze.

In another memory, Tanjiro was talking with his Father.

Tanjuro: There exist a Breathing Technique. One that will prevent you from ever exhausting yourself.

Young Tanjiro: Really?

Tanjuro: Yes. If you can master the correct way to breathe, you'll be able to dance forever, too. Even the cold won't bother you. Tanjiro, this ceremonial dance and pair of earrings, I wish for them to be passed down to you. This is my gift.

Back to present.

Tanjiro started to use a different breathing technique as his water dragon turned into fire.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: Hinokami Kagura: Dance!)

Tanjiro effortlessly sliced through the threads and kept rushing at Rui despite more threads coming at him and cutting him.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: Don't stop! Keep running! If you hesitate and switch between different breathing techniques, there'll be repercussions! If that happens, I will be rendered immobile for a time! That's why I need to keep pressing on! Run! You have to protect Nezuko!)

Tanjiro kept on going until he saw the opening thread.

Tanjiro: (Thinking: I see it! The Opening Thread! You have to take him down now! Even if it means getting slash in the process!)

While Nezuko was sleeping, she heard her mother's voice.

Kie: Nezuko. Nezuko. Wake up, Nezuko. You have to save your brother. You're capable of doing so. I know you are. Nezuko, help him. Your brother will be killed if you don't!

Nezuko's eyes shot open as she opened her hand which made her blood that was on Rui's threads glow.

Nezuko: (Thinking: Blood Demon Art: Exploding Blood!)

She closed her palm and pinkish red fire went down the threads and burned them, which let Tanjiro hit Rui's neck.

Tanjiro: The bond between Nezuko and I cannot be severed! Not by anyone.

The blood on Tanjiro's blade began to ignite and Tanjiro was finally able to decapitate Rui.
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Preview.

Tanjiro: I wonder what made me think of the ceremonial dance just now. Thanks, Father. Also, thanks to you I was able to slice through that Demon's neck with my blade.

Nezuko muffled happiness.

Tanjiro: I guess I also have Y/n to thank for helping me keep a leveled head.

Nezuko muffled worriedly.

Tanjiro: Don't worry, we can go look for him now. This time I have a Taisho-era secret about the Kamado Family! After every Festival, Father and Mother would always toast rice crackers for us.

Nezuko muffled happily.

Tanjiro: I have fond memories of the cracking sound they made while we ate them.

Nezuko grabbed his hand.

Tanjiro: You're right. This isn't the time to dwell in the past. Please look forward to Chapter 20, "Pretend Family"! Did I really defeat one of the Twelve Kizuki?

To be continued.