The story continues...

The group of young slayers regrouped in the safety of the medical hut their bodies beaten and battered but still intact much to Kojis relief. His bottom lip quivered as he exhaled letting go of the deep breath he didn't realise he was holding on to he felt the corner of his dark eyes begin to well up with tears, the salty water stung his eyes, he weakly began limping towards the group of his peers who gathered themselves around the mistress of the medicinal hut.

He noted the way lady Tamayo pale thin lips curled upwards into a soft smile as he embraced the three rookie demon slayers (y/n) squirmed in his arms groaning in annoyance trying to hide her faint smile, Tanjiro gleamed brightly as a childlike grin broke out on his bruised face and Nezuko made a giddy grunt as she leaned into his warm embrace.

''I'm so glad you're all okay!'' Koji exclaimed tightening his firm grip laying his head on top of Nezukos. The group groaned in disgust as his nose began to run tears falling down his toned cheeks Nezuko lifted her arms towards Koji, a faint chuckle escaped his lips as he picked the young girl up placing her on his hip ruffling her dark hair with his free hand.

he felt her place both her thin pale hands on his face cupping it firmly her pink eyes studied his face closely furrowing her brows. He smiled as she wiped his tears ''Thank Nezuko, but I am alright I promise.'' he reassured her, he carried her on his hip like a child wiping a smear of blood off (Y/N) face nodding in approval as he cleaned her face.

''Yushiro and I will leave this region.'' Lady Tamayo said bringing the raven-haired boy back to reality. The seriousness of the situation dawned on him he felt a lump form in his throat he began to study his young friends tightening his hold on Nezuko, He realised how different the world was outside the temple he knew demons were dangerous yet in his blissful ignorance he underestimated how dangerous they were.

He promised granny (L/N) that he would protect his granddaughter but now he feared he wasn't strong enough to protect the young heiress. He trained harder when Lady (L/N) died he pushed his body to the limits day today with the young heiress in mind, his dark eyes narrowed in determination as he inwardly vowed to do whatever it takes to keep his promise he made to the elderly woman on her death bed.

''We've gotten too close to Kibutsuji, we must conceal our whereabouts soon or the risk will be too great.'' Lady Tamayo said he studied her closely he noted the way her shoulders seemed relaxed but her brows were furrowed deeply as she spoke, Her head tilted sidewards ever so slightly staring down at her feet as she spoke this time with a slight edge in her voice.

''Not to mention, Even if I think I've concealed my identity, when I interact with humans as a doctor.'' he noticed the way her breathing became rigid and uneven as she explained she twiddled her thumbs avoiding eye contact ''People sometimes see through me as a demon, the young and the elderly are particularly perceptive.'' she lifted her head making eye contact with the Burgandy haired boy.

She placed a hand on her chest ''Tanjiro... Would you like us to take Nezuko in?'' Koji's raven eyes widened he instinctively wrapped both arms tightly around the young raven haired girl protectively. Yushiro, Tanjiro and (Y/N) seemed taken back by her offer he opened his mouth to protest but he was cut off by the mistress of the house.

''I can't give you an absolute guarantee that she'll be safe, but I believe it will be less dangerous than taking her into battle.'' Koji shoulder dropped as he swallowed the lump in his throat. he glanced down at the floor hugging the young girl close his brows furrowed together as he held her as close as possible, His body stiffened as Nezuko wrapped her arms around his neck nuzzling into him like a small child.

''That may be true...'' he said catching the attention of the others making him look away as he spoke through gritted teeth ''But we are a family and you don't separate a family.'' he paused for a moment taking a deep breath exhaling ''yes it is dangerous but Nezuko protects us and we protect her because that is what a family does protect each other.'' Yushiro, Tanjiro and (Y/N0 looked at the young boy their eyes wide and lips parted.

He relaxed as the young girl clung to his body looking up at him with pair of sparkling pink eyes a sense of childlike innocence about her. Tanjiro turned back to Lady Tamayo the corners of his lips curled upwards into a soft smile ''Miss Tamayo, Thank you so much for your concern but...'' he paused for a moment, Koji watched as the young boy took (Y/N) hand in his intertwining their fingers.

He bowed curtly towards the mistress of the house in a respectful manner ''But...Koji is right we are a family and a family stays together.'' he finished (Y/N) looked away a faint blush on her cheeks. Lady Tamayo bowed her head a faint laugh escaping her thin lips she placed a hand on her chest as she smiled warmly, ''Very well... In that case, I wish you a long-lasting good fortune in battle.'' Yushiro crossed his arms puffing his chest his nostrils flaring as he looked away.

''Alright, we'll be leaving after we erase all traces of ourselves,'' he said a disgruntled expression on his pale boyish face, still not making eye contact with the young slayers. He wrinkled his nose making lady Tamayo smile faintly Koji noticed a gleam in her soft purple eyes ''You lot get going now!'' he ordered in an authoritative voice.

''Right!'' Tanjiro exclaimed a warm smile on his face Koji chuckled as (Y/N) rolled her (E/C) eyes in response pursing her lips. They began to disembark on the rest of their journey lining up to say their goodbyes ''Okay, Miss Tamayo, Yushiro, we wish you well!'' Tanjiro said bidding the Mistress of the house a goodbye with a courtesy bow, Koji watched as (Y/N) stepped up to bid her mentor farewell.

''The student is slowly becoming the master, your grandmother would be proud.'' He watched as tears welled up in (Y/N) eyes she nodded quietly in response bowing to her mentor. Yushiro scoffed in response before stepping forward embracing the girl in an awkward hug ''Don't die out there dummy'' he said before pulling away, finally Koji made eye contact with Lady tomayo his weak body carrying Nezuko,

The mistress of the house smiled faintly placing a hand on his shoulders ''I always knew you would make a good big brother.'' she said giving his strong shoulder a reassuring squeeze. ''don't you die either.'' Yushiro said crossing his armed his violet eyes staring deeply into Kojis dark ones the young raven-haired boy smiled ruffling his green hair with his free hand.

Koji wrapped the young Nezuko in his cloak shielding her from the sunlight that began to creep over the City ''Ready little one?'' he asked a small smile gracing his face as she grunted in response, he stepped outside protectively clutching the young girl smiling as Tanjiro and (Y/N) walked ahead of them hand in hand, he could not brush off the eery feeling something dark awaited them on the path of their journey.

The only comfort he had was the soft snores escaping the muzzled girl that slept on his chest under his warm cloak. he lifted his head ever so slightly smiling as he thought of the temple and his mother how she would carry him just like this as a child, ''Koji! hurry up!'' (Y/N) exclaimed impatiently making Tanjiro chuckle as she puffed her cheeks like a disgruntled child a grin broke out on Koji's face as he hastened his pace.

He wondered what tomorrow would hold for them...

_______________________________
NOTE

Dear readers.

The story isn't finished. It has been a difficult year my family said goodbye to two people who we'll see in the next life, I'm sure many of you have had your own battles and struggles I am sure some of you thought about giving up.

But we're still here. No matter how many intrusive thoughts cross our minds we keep marching on just as time does, they say time heals everything but it takes more than just some time it takes persistence on our part to keep going and I'm proud of those of you who have kept going.

I apologise for my emotional note but seeing so many wonderful DMs about the joy my story has bought many of you. In a very dark time in our young lives it made my heart leap and I would like to welcome my new readers, I have yet to read all your comments but I see many wonderful comments (and the odd not so wonderful) I am grateful for your encouragement and support.

Another chapter will be in the works soon I apologise for this one being so short, I just wanted to finish the previous chapter off and let you know this story isn't finished yet, but in case the next chapter isn't released as soon as I hope to release it I want to leave my well wishes.

To my Christian Readers, Merry Christmas.

To my Hindu/Sikh Readers, I hope you're having a blessed Diwali.

To my Muslim Readers, I wish you and your family an over abundance of happiness this December and forever.

To any Jewish readers, Happy Hanukkah!

And a happy blessed December to all my readers!