━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Chapter 22 ━☂

❁ཻུ۪۪ ━ ❝ Remembered Passion

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Doma always thought of humans as weak, feeble little things. This was also correct when he first met (Y/n). Just another demon slayer, assuming they can make a difference whilst praying to their so-called "almighty gods". Everything that (Y/n) did, Doma thought of it as pitiful; varying from his beliefs, to being noticeably insecure about his strength and capacities to where it hindered him.

Yet he could not forget the distressed voice that resounded in his senses as he battled to remain far away from the sun as it scorched his skin, hastening to hide in the shadows for consolation after he lingered too long outside recruiting new humans. The tender touch of (Y/n) sturdy arms that enclosed around his body, carrying him carefully as (Y/n) rushed to find sanctuary for him, gave him passion that he thought he could never understand. Oh, and those eyes... so generous of purity and love. He didn't feel deserving of such affectionate gestures, but he still relished in such actions gratefully, soaking up every second that he invested in his presence.

Never could he recall someone being so kind to him to where it made him feel lively. It was a peculiar feeling, but he enjoyed it enormously. Then his mind drifted over to what his followers would characterize as "love".

Love? Was he... in love? And as that thought went through his mind, when he gawked down at the shorter figure of (Y/n), who was still carrying the miso soup, utterly oblivious of his presence behind him, did he subsequently feel more conscious. It was like his body had finally been introduced to feelings, because that was very much the case. His followers constantly told him how you should never hurt the person who you love, and that you should cherish them for the rest of eternity.

So, what to do in such a situation where the person who you loved was charging at you?

Flipping open his fan, Doma swatted the spike-tipped fan towards where the tip of (Y/n) nichirin blade was going to strike him, this forcing (Y/n) to back away as he graciously landed on his feet, readying his sword in front of him as a tranquil expression replaced his once frazzled one. Not even blinking as a ball of fire encompassed him, melting his skin, Doma clapped his hands loud enough for the stimulated (Y/n) to hear.

"Good job! Oh, how splendid these blue flames are! It looks just like a fire show!" Fanning his spiked fan once the fire cage speedily dissipated made (Y/n) reel back in confusion, suspicious of how he escaped granting that the fire was pinned to his flesh and bone. However, no thoughts could be puzzled over as Doma popped up right in front of him, eyes glistening in delight as an affectionately sick smile adorned his pink lips. "Gotcha ya!" Going to capture (Y/n) Doma pouted in sadness as he was able to escape just in time, skipping far away from him as the fire that roared around his blade soon dissipated.

"Please, take this battle seriously. I was not able to execute you in my first mission, so I intend on making this the last failed task for my career as a Demon Slayer." Touching the tip of his sword on the ground Doma's smile widened as he could no longer see (Y/n) from where he once stood but saw him everywhere as dozens of flashing forms of (Y/n) circled him as the dull sound of metal grinding against concrete forewarned him of his next move.

Doma was always excellent at figuring out someone's next move.

"Darling, I don't wish to hurt you, you know!" Landing on top of a building, (Y/n) nodded his head in agreement. "And neither do I! However, you had just murdered two innocent humans right in front of me, and so, I can no longer presume you are innocent in the eyes of a Demon Slayer. Please forgive-" Time froze as (Y/n) breath hitched, his once warm body now cold as he peeked over his shoulder, only to see the beaming face of Doma as stakes of ice whirled his way at unimaginable speeds.

"I'm only doing this for your own good, darling. You're just too insecure about your strength!" For what Doma meant when he said that, (Y/n) was not so sure, but as of that moment, all that was shooting in his mind was his next defense action.

"God's Breathing: Second Form-Trapped Lamp: Third Stage." All it took was a hushed murmur as vein-like things swathed around him forming a huge ball, shielding him from the first wave of attacks only for the ball to speedily succumb from the ice shard's strength as holes were now being made from them, most of them running too far in as some managed to injure (Y/n) in the back. Hissing in pain (Y/n) glanced around as he could figure out Doma's next plan of attack; let me tell you—(Y/n) was positive that "doing this for your own good" remark was more like a death threat at that moment.

(Y/n) wasn't certain on what to do next as he was now stuck in a corner with most of his eyesight being covered away from the world, making him panic as the thing that he relied on most was being blocked. However, as the ice shards proceeded to plunge inside of the defensive ball, what Doma said earlier came to mind. Perhaps he was a bit too rough on himself sometimes. Now that he looked back on it, all he did was grumble about not being more qualified than another than actually doing anything about it.

He was a Demon Slayer. The chosen from among the gods who invented all and the student of his beloved Sensei. He also had family waiting for him back home! Home! Yes! He was here to fight for everyone in the world, for then they too can get back to their loved ones! He is a defender of the weak! So, he must become formidable even if he almost perishes every single time! Limits are nothing but fiction, and so—he will proceed on writing his story! Weak or not, (Y/n) made a vow in that Final Selection Day that he would forever defend humanity and its stages, and so he will stand by the numerous vows that he has made throughout his life, and if he doesn't—he shall strike himself down to hell with his own hands!

Drawing up his sword (Y/n) knocked down the ice shards with his sword as red and white light shimmered around it, breathing new determination into (Y/n) as an enormous smile spread across his face. "Thank you, Ma-chan! It seems I was feeling a tad bit too afraid, but I'm good now!" 'God's Breathing: Ninth Form-Heaven's Beam: First Stage.' Smiling as the sky instantly dimmed a light beam shattered his protective ball and the ice shards that were coming his way as he observed Doma step back a few steps, sidestepping the light sources as his pale skin turned burnt.

Breathing heavily (Y/n) brought his sword up once more as an accomplished smile spread on his face, ready to achieve another blow only for him to faint soon after, smacking head-first on Doma's chest as the amount of energy that he used on such a powerful attack impoverished him of all of his energy.

Gazing down at the unconscious male, Doma rubbed his head, struggling to hold down a smile as he reveled in the feeling of his skin burning from that brilliant beam of light that came from one of (Y/n) previous attacks. Doma cherished anything that gave him pain, but the suffering that (Y/n) gave him just transferred him into an exclusively new high. Yet he frowned as he felt the pain go away as his skin hastily healed soon after, leaving no trace of any attack at all. How he yearned to feel (Y/n) affectionate touch on his face once again... yet, holding him, for now, would do.

If this new, pleasant, and addicting feeling was hailed "love", then he would prefer to feel it for the rest of his immortal life-

Letting go of (Y/n) by circumstance Doma jumped far away from him as a figure soon arrived behind (Y/n), a gleaming blade mirroring the appearance of a concentrated Muichiro as he scowled at the Upper Moon with such repulsive emotions that no words could interpret; but I could try: Muichiro just really, really wished for this Upper Moon to live in a world crowded with un-connected legos with no shoes or clothes one for the rest of eternity with his bedding and pillow always being uncomfy and hot.

"Fifth Form: Sea of Clouds and Haze..." Without giving time for his crow to comprehend his movements Michio dashed towards Doma at uncomprehensible speeds as he prepared to deliver a flurry of attacks only for the wave of Doma's fan to stop him in his tracks.

"Blood Demon Art: Wintry Icicles." Numerous shards of ice hurdled towards Muichiro at breakneck speeds to where Muichiro couldn't defend him and the unconscious (Y/n) at the same time making him grit his teeth as he got away from the striking attacks as soon as possible only for his eyes to slightly widen as vein-like things concealed his visions, forming a ball around him as the morning sun could be seen just seconds before it all went obscure.

"God's Breathing: Second Form-Trapped Lamp: Third Stage." Peering behind him Muichiro heaved a sigh of alleviation as he saw that (Y/n) was alright and somewhat awake-

Seeing the drained (Y/n) fall face down once again on the rooftop floor, Muichiro just stared at him blankly as he gradually calmed his figure as he could no longer identify Doma's presence as the morning sun's rays dribbled through the small gaps left by the veins.

Muichiro knew he wasn't exactly powerful enough to face an Upper Moon just yet—but he was certain to become stronger soon. But for now, he had to reprimand such an inadequate Demon Slayer for being too soft-hearted that he granted such a demon to roam around liberally without not once, but twice! Or so has he been told by (Y/n) crow; Sho.

Sighing, Muichiro observed as the veins untied themselves and retreated into (Y/n) sword, with him now able to entirely view the rising sun as a wave of gladness spread in his heart. Another night has passed.

He had survived.

Picking up the unconscious body of (Y/n), Muichiro fled from the rooftop. His next destination: A home with a Wisteria Crest.

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"I thought you were going to die!"

How did Muichiro find himself being unwillingly smothered by an injured (Y/n) as he was being hugged close to his chest, a vacant expression on his indifferent face as (Y/n) continued to cry big fat tears and happiness and hopelessness.

"Don't ever scare me like that, Mint-san!"

'I feel like I saw that leaf before...'

𑁍┊𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐑 ˎˊ˗

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⠀⠀┊ ⊹ ⋆

⠀⠀┊. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

⠀⠀✧ ⠀ 

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ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴅᴀʏ/ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴍʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇꜱ!

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