Beads of sweat rolled down Kazumis forehead dripping off his pointed chin the young mans lanky body trembled uncontrollably from the weight of the situation, his dull brown eyes studied the face of the unconscious girl he was ridden with guilt, he watched with a face full of horror as the demon emerged from a dark swampy puddle "that's it give her here and you'll be reunited with your beloved," he carefully limped forward,

Shake arms cradling her firmly in his grasp tightly as he swallowed the lump in his throat the unnerving gaze of the demon shook him to his core, "now give me Satoko," he said he thrusted the girl into the arms of the demon, "of course," the demon purred menacingly his brittle lips turned into a sinister grin, Kazumi's  eyes widened in horror as a pile of bones floated to the surface of the dark murky waters,

The villager fell to his knees covering his mouth with his clammy hands he screamed into his palms tears sobbing uncontrollably, "Oh dear did you think I'd give her back to you alive?" The demon cooed comically a look of amusement on his sickly pale face, Kazumi started to hyperventilate a hand clenching his chest as he slumped over sobbing loudly,

Their eyes widened when a tall broad figure emerged from the water the shape of a sword could be made out in the moonlight, "Nezuko!" Koji called out his brows furrowed together in anger as he swung his blade trimming the demons locks, a loud thud could be heard the frail demonic girl kicked down the door to her box with ease,

The demon let out a disgruntled cry he was cornered like a rat caught in a trap his red bug-like eyes narrowed as the girl was snatched from his grasp swiftly, he watched the raven-haired boy through wide eyes his mouth agape he opened his mouth to call forward his companions but nothing came out, he felt the cold steel of a blade remove his head from his neck a look of disbelief on the demons,

"If you're looking for your friends I've already dealt with them," Koji said coldly as the demons head rolled down the dirt road of the back alley, the young grieving man pinned down the demons head beneath his foot he stared down at it with an enraged expression on his face holding a large rock above him in his tight grip  "this is for my Satoko" he cried out bludgeoning the demon,

Tears streamed down his beaten face as  he repeatedly hit the rock over the demons dismembered head, thin arms shaking as he grew tired his sloppy movements became slower and slower until he could no longer hold his arms up, he thrashed in the eldest of the trios arms as he was suddenly pulled back wailed crying like a banshee, "I got you, let it all out," Koji pulled him into a tight embrace letting the weeping boy sob into his shoulder, his tear stained face smeared in the demons blood,

"I'm sorry," he choked out between sobs in a broken voice clutching his uniform like a small child would hold on his mother, he violently shook in his warm embrace he gazed up at him through puffy red eyes wiping his runny nose with his sleeve, "I couldn't save Satoko and I almost handed an innocent girl right into a demons clutches," he said with a pained look,

"(y/n)," tanjiro whispered groggily he weakly pulled himself up into a sitting position wincing as he rubbed the back his head blood coating the palm of his hand, he surveyed their surroundings his vibrant burgundy eyes lit up, Nezuko cradled the young girl in her protective grasp rocking her back and forth gently brushing her fingers through her hair resting her head on top of the unconscious girls head,

"Good job Nezuko," Koji praised pulling the young man to his feet giving his shoulders a reassuring squeeze,  "Go check on the other girl," he said gesturing to the girl who was slumped up against a wall, Kazumi nodded his head in response wiping his tear stained eyes with his sleeve as he limped towards her his shoulders slumped forward,

She appeared to be unscathed other than a few scratches inflicted by the demons talons his just puffed up as he inhaled a deep breath the corners of his lips curled into a weak smile he let out a sigh of relief,

"Koji she isn't waking up," Tanjiro said in a worried voice he shook her by the arms his face twisting into a panicked expression "please wake up," he choked out in a pleading tone tears threatening to fall, he hugged her against his body rocking back and forth, "move," he ordered his brows knitted together tightly as he laid her on her back gently examining her abdomen with his hands pressing down ever so slightly,

"Two of her ribs are shattered one pierced her organs," he explained falling back cradling his head in his hands rocking back and forward hyperventilating in his seat, "what does that mean?" Tanjiro muttered in an uncertain voice his bottom lip trembled he carefully brushed his fingers through her hair fighting back tears,

"it means she has internal bleeding," Koji choked out burying his face in the palm of his trembling hands, "she'll die once she bleeds out," he whispered in a low tone wiping his tears away with the back of his hand sniffling, "the demon said that she might be more human than demon but she's still demon," Kazumi spoke up they looked at him through glossy eyes,

"demons can heal can't they?" He said in a candid tone his brows furrowing together, Koji looked at him through wide  eyes as a light bulb went off above his head he studied (y/n) closely, "he's right but it's too slow," the raven haired male explained tapping his finger against his chin thoughtfully as he pondered momentarily,

He studied Nezuko through sharp eyes reaching his hands out gently cupping her face between the palms of his coarse hands brushing a thumb along her cheek offering her a warm smile, "you care about her right?" He asked in a soft tender voice as their eyes locked she nodded slowly a silent response,

"Than you need to help me save her Nezuko," he explained carefully holding the young girls hands firmly in his grasps rubbing his thumb against the back of her palm, "than let's help her together okay?" He said she squeezed reassuringly holding them gently in the palm of her hands, "You're planning to use her blood," tanjiro said a look of dismay on his usually bubbly face,

"The more demon blood she consumes the stronger she becomes," he explained in a toneless voice a vacant expression on his face, "and the less human she becomes," tanjiro argued through gritted teeth as he placed a strong hand on his shoulder forcing the taller boy to look at him, "I know but if we don't she'll die which one would you prefer?" Koji spat back venom in his voice,

Tanjiro was taken aback by his attitude he hung his head low a grim expression on his face," Nezuko glanced between the two with a soft expression she looked down at the girl with a loving gaze as she studied her, a feeling of fondness overcame her she carefully traced a finger from her forehead down the side of her face,

Snippets of memories flooded her mind she could smell the sweet treats the girl would bake for her when she was little, feel her fingers brush through her hair when she'd braid her hair, hear her laughter in the back of her thoughts she carefully pulled the girls chin down they watched as she made a small cut in the palm of her hand letting the blood drip into her open mouth,

"Look," Kazumi said in a bewildered voice his mouth agape, her (e/c) eyes slowly fluttered open her face scrunched up as she tasted the metallic flavour in her mouth, she spat the blood out grimacing in disgust as she shot up smacking her lips together as she tried to get rid of the taste on her lips,

"(Y/n)!" Tanjiro and Koji cheered simultaneously she tensed up as she was engulfed by the three in an airtight hug Kazumi smiled tilting his head watching them through puffy eyes, "Koji, Tanjiro, Nezuko..." she whispered in a raspy voice her lips were dry and cracked "you're dehydrated we need to get you somewhere you can rest," Koji said in a brotherly voice (y/n) looked at him through half lidded eyes disoriented from the ordeal,

She grunted as she tried to pull herself up on to her trembling legs her knees buckling under her, Nezuko wrapped her frail arms around her waist before she could hit the floor holding her up "she's too weak to stand up," Tanjiro said concern lacing his boyish voice he carefully lifted the girl into his arms bridal style the corners of his lips curling into a soft smile,

He admired the way her plump lips formed a perfect pout, the way her face was sprinkled with light (blemishes/freckles/moles), the way her (small/big) nose scrunched up like a rabbits nose in discontent, "alright Nezuko," Koji said slapping his hand on the top of her box gesturing for her to climb into the safety of her wooden sanctuary,

"I don't want you to turn to dust in you go," he instructed the girl ushering her in gently placing his hands on her shoulders as he guided her into her wooden box, Nezuko shrunk down into a compact size as she crawled into her box like an infant grumbling quietly to herself,

ꕥ ꕥ ꕥ

"I hope your fiancé feels well soon, I can see why you fancy her," the young man complimented a sincere smile on his brittle lips, Tanjiro scratched the back of his head sheepishly he glanced over his shoulder eyeing the young girl who chatted quietly with her raven haired companion, "I always said the man who wins her heart will be so lucky, I never imagined I could be that man," he replied a hearty chuckle escaping his mouth as he offered the young man a close eyed smile,

He turned to the eldest of the four who quietly lurked over the bridge waiting for their departure he hung his head in shame a look of guilt on his face, "I'm sorry for my actions," he said apologetically a look of remorse glancing up at him, Koji felt his lips twitch upwards as he raised a scarred hand brushing his apology off

"You just wanted Satoko back I would have done the same," he replied placing a hand on his shoulder giving it a reassuring squeeze, "before you go Koji someone asked to meet you," he said introducing the young girl who the raven haired male pulled from the dangers of the swamp demons grasps, she offered him a warm smile he studied her she appeared to be petite and plain looking he bowed respectfully,

"I am pleased to see that you have made a full recovery," he said in a empathetic tone, "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you," she replied tilting her head her brunette locks swaying as the wind blew through her hair, "that is why I am here to ask for your hand in marriage," Koji shot up gagging as he choked on thin air a flustered expression on his face he eyed her in disbelief,

"I beg your pardon," he asked in a raspy voice uncertainty plain as day on his pale face, the corners of her lips pulled upwards into a glowing smile she stared at her feet shyly tapping them together "well I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since I woke up," she replied in a bashful tone, Tanjiro and (y/n) exchanged awkward glances their jaws hanging down their faces,

Koji awkwardly cleared his throat coughing into his hand his eyes darting away a dark blush crept across his pale face, "I'm afraid I must politely decline your proposal," she perked up looking at him through glossy eyes an embarrassed look on her face, "why?" She asked her voice was high pitched and cracking he bit his lower lip looking away,

"I'm sorry but how do I put this I'm not interested in...women," he whispered the last part under his breath, she looked at him with an "oh" expression as she pulled away a small smile "you must have a special man in your life," she replied sadly tears threatening to fall from the corners of her eyes the corners of his lips formed a half grin he looked at her sheepishly scratching the back of his head "No," he replied nonchalantly,

She tilted her head cocking an eyebrow "than what do you like," Koji pondered for a moment tapping his chin thoughtfully, "food," he replied simply slapping a hand on his stomach firmly she let out an airy giggle revealing a basket full of bento boxes and fruits "than it's a good thing I prepared this," she replied,

Kojis eyes lit up as he took the basket from her grasp he bowed gratefully his mouth watering from the scent of the home prepared food, "thank you," he said Tanjiro and (y/n) smiled as he approached them they exchanged good byes raising their arms up waving goodbye as they walked over the bridge leaving the village behind them,

ꕥ ꕥ ꕥ

Next update:
Australian date: 21st/Mar/2020
U.S.A date: 20th/Mar/2020
U.K. date: 19th/Mar/2020

Note:

I JUST realised that I had been writing Satoko's name wrong, if you notice I am mispronouncing a characters name or writing it wrong please feel free to correct me I am dyslexic if you don't know what that is, it's a learning disability that effects my writing sometimes I read or write things the wrong way without noticing it,

I.e. I once read "it was raining confetti," as it was "it was raining spaghetti," I do not take corrections as personal offences I know I am dyslexic so I know I make mistakes, I'll of course go back and correct those mistakes as I'll re-edit her name in the last few chapters,

I am also glad to say that the wattpad support team manually verified my email! So I am able to DM and write public messages now! If you're wondering about the reveal of Kojis sexuality I did try to subtly hint to it in earlier chapters 2 or 3 where Yui said that he loves the idea of love but he has no desire for it,

I can't imagine Koji being with someone sexually or romantically to me he's a big brother and he's first love is 'food' he'll be a great god father but I can't see him marrying or having a family of his own so I figured why force it by writing it in? Nothing wrong with a character who has no love interests other than satiating his  appetite,

Special shout outs to!

@ILoveVandTaehyung
@cookie_color
@Aiko_Frost
@Arte_Moon
@XxItsArianaxX
@TWERKINGMYTHICCNESS
MendokusaiYami
@Pattypatter11
lookbehindu
@my_ugly_ducklings
MissneonKst
@AstrxWiitch
@wowshademuch
@Littledevilzxxo
@MrLeviSunflower
@BlackKnightRadiant
@Allmight_jr
Huerenat3

You may wonder why I do these shoutouts, the honest answers is readers leave funny, insightful and supportive comments unfortunately I can't answer them all so I do these shoutouts so said readers know I acknowledge them and see them, I am blessed with awesome readers who leave me feeling encouraged, make me laugh or make me improve my writing,

Will I mention this in future chapters probably rarely because I don't think his sexuality is important but I wanted to add it because ships and concerns he may interfere with the relationship between the reader and Tanjiro,

Now for all you who are awake pass 11pm and have busy days ahead of you this is for you,