━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Chapter 25 ━☂

❁ཻུ۪۪ ━ ❝ Koharu Village

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 "So, do you like, love kitsunes or something?"

"No—this mask was given to me by my sensei before I left for Final Selection."

Wandering through the open road, the sun cast its evening light down upon the two walking slayers, both of them seemingly in a serious discussion as Sho sailed up ahead calmly flapping his glistening wings.

"Wow! That's so cool! I know someone who also has a kitsune mask—oh, wait, never mind; they used to have a kitsune mask. Now it's gone." Remembering the face of Tanjiro, (Y/n) face brightened, delighted to have met such a delightful youth. Seeing how cheerful (Y/n) looked while talking about this other person, Sabito remained silent, his eyes behind his kitsune mask beaming straight at (Y/n) face as said male continued on talking. "I don't think the two of you have met before, but his name is Tanjiro! Though I like to call him Sunshine-chan! Both he and I first meet in Final Selection, and he seemed really cool! He was nice, friendly, helpful, and just one of the sweetest people ever!" A joyful atmosphere enveloped him as he reminisced about his brief time with Tanjiro. Oh, how he missed him!

Once learning the name of the acquainted slayer, Sabito faltered in his step before immediately recouping his stability, not wanting for (Y/n) to notice. Unfortunately for him, (Y/n) eyes can see all. Turning his head to look at Sabito's masked one (Y/n) questioned: "Is there something wrong, Sabito-san?" Speaking these words with a concerned voice (Y/n) brows furrowed in bewilderment as he watched Sabito sway his head 'no'. Even so, (Y/n) didn't believe him, but he didn't think that he was in any position to ask, so he only nodded his head haltingly and looked ahead.

"If I have to say, the highlight of the entire Final Selection was when this huge multiple-hand demon attacked us—don't worry! We could defeat him in the end. However, others still died because of demon-sama, so it wasn't all that great-"

"Caw! Caw! You have arrived!"

Both of them paused in their tracks as they stared ahead, only to discover the desolate town of Koharu Village. There was no sign at the gate of the village to reveal its name as the only thing that was there was a dangling lantern hanging off from the top of a long pole that stood lofty in front of the end of the slender bridge. Peering over at the calm Sabito (Y/n) spun his head back to the front as a determined expression glazed over his face, eyes blazing with boldness as he took the first step towards entering the isolated village.

After (Y/n) took the first step, his foot grazed the pebbled ground for just a second before he hastily stepped back, his hand securely folded around the hilt of his sword as an uneasy look passed his eyes. Turning his head to the fixed (Y/n), Sabito eyed him worriedly as he reached his hand out, yearning to console him only to stop as the tender hand that belonged to (Y/n) clutched his own strongly, not exhibiting signs of letting go as the both of them lingered in complete and utter silence.

"(Y/n)... what's happening?" Gradually turning his head to meet the attentive Sabito, (Y/n) (e/c) eyes shuddered with an emotion that is only present whenever Fumio or Keiichi would either cook or shout: "Facial Time!"—fear. The two of them remained hushed afterwards, finding consolation in the warmth of each other's gaze. At that moment, a flicker shot across (Y/n) brain.

'... a scar by his mouth... pinkish hair...'

"No way..."

"Did you say something, (Y/n)?"

Jerking out of his thoughts (Y/n) glanced back at the kitsune mask that was turned to him. The deep and troubled gaze he was giving (Y/n) was already understood by the male slayer. Waving his head, (Y/n) smile reassuringly, backing away from the closed-in male as he turned his concern back towards the deserted village. "No, nothing's wrong—I just thought I saw something." Not wholly persuaded by (Y/n) response, Sabito instead decided to question it later as he picked up (Y/n) hand, his mouth trembling in delight as his blue eyes twinkled behind his mask. Not understanding the state that he put his newfound friend in (Y/n) simply peered over at him and grinned, looking back as he again strode inside the grounds of the village, and again did a shiver go down his spine—this time, he easily disregarded it and returned to his journey, struggling to hype himself up as his senses went haywire once more.

Everywhere he looked, he could see the previous form of the demon. From what he can tell, it was a charming female demon who was ravaging the tongue of a young woman. But that was just in one spot—in another, was the same demon. Albeit this time it was biting an aged man. Everywhere he turned his head, his eyes captured the afterimage of the demon eating someone or mutilating them. Its trail was everywhere—there wasn't a spot left untouched. The thing that alarmed him the most was how late he was to see it. It was like the entire village was under a spell—that only upon entering could you even sense the demon, and anything beyond the borders, nothing could be revealed.

This was an influential demon, so to speak.

"Hey, (Y/n)—I think I found something. Come here." Jerking his head up once he heard the voice of his friend, (Y/n) bent his head and raced towards Sabito who was inclining his head down, investigating a fractured sign that read 'HARIMISE'.

"There seemed to have been a brothel here before..."

"Before everyone disappeared."

"Exactly. I think we're too late."

Even when the thought already whirled around in (Y/n) mind, he still tried to deny it. 'There's no way everyone can be gone; there must still be others here! It has to be! If I look hard enough, there will be someone there, waiting for salvage—meaning that I didn't entirely fail!' Mentally nodding his head (Y/n) skittered away from a confused Sabito as he stepped inside the abandoned architecture as he was instantly met with the hanging body of a youthful girl, her hair messily cut short with eyes sewn open. Not daring to move from his spot (Y/n) gawked at the girl, his light smile fastened to his face as the scene before him dawned on him.

"(Y/n)..." Mentioning his name with a worried voice, Sabito prodded closer to the frozen male, bringing his hands on top of (Y/n) eyes as he himself didn't dare to look at the petrifying body of the deceased girl. "She... she had her entire life ahead of her... she had so many more sunsets to see... why... why is life so cruel?" Glowering behind his mask by the heartbroken voice of his past lover, Sabito shook his head. "I don't know, (Y/n), but even so, we have to move forward—for we have many more sunsets to see. Together." Receiving the soothing voice of his friend, (Y/n) lip quivered as a subdued sob left his mouth, tears streaming down his cheeks as his hand immediately went towards the hilt of his sword.

"God's Breathing..."

"(Y/n), what are you-"

"... Sixth Form- Burning Love: Second Stage!" With eyes boiling with resentment and fury (Y/n) shot through Sabito's hold, unsheathing his sword from its scabbard as a stunning blue color coated the red and white surface of the heated blade, the fire dancing around passionately as it flames licked around, desperately trying to locate the skin of a demon to consume. Bolting up, (Y/n) infuriated expression meet face-to-face with an astonished demoness who thought that they couldn't be uncovered via the help of the spell that was cast throughout the entire village.

Receiving the approaching intensity of the blade the demoness sought to move out of the way only for her to seethe in agony as she could only escape only half of the attack, her arms dropping to the ground as the sore discomfort of the heat pained the demoness. "You bastard! How dare you cut my precious, delicate arms! No one in the entire village could compete with them, so how dare you challenge me!" Hopping away from the standing slayer, the demoness scowled bitterly at his still form as the flames extended to rub towards her, fervently seeking to mark their opponent.

"(Y/n)! Back away, I can help you-"

"No! Stay back! She's mine! She had no right to ruin that poor girl's life—to ruin the very chance of living peacefully and normally without a care in the world! Sabito, please, do not step in!" Startled by the spiteful tone of voice that (Y/n) had, Sabito could only step back in shock, his unsheathed sword dangling by his side as he upheld his wish—only until things get too violent. "Okay, just promise me not to get hurt." Not troubling to look back at his partner, (Y/n) braced his sword in front of him, the fire highlighting his face as his provoked (e/c) eyes burned as vivid as the fire in front of him. "I'm not weak, Sabito."

Taunting laughter rang throughout the brothel as the grinning demoness glared down at the smaller male in amusement, her greedy purple eyes glowering precisely at the angered male. "It seems like the slayers have sent me a fresh snack. At this point, the entire Demon Corps just seems like a carry-out restaurant—dropping me my meals whenever I run out. Well, you look well built and succulent, so don't think too much of this-Ack!" Falling to the ground as a hole was punctured through her stomach, the demoness peered down at the gaping hole as it instantly mended itself. "You bastard! You're ruining my beauty! You're wrecking everything!" Yelling out in fury the demoness sneered at the dashing (Y/n) as he prepared for another attack only for him to be propelled back as a multitude of dancing fans flew his way, their acute ridges cutting into his flesh as he could only deflect a few of them.

Observing this take place Sabito scowled at the demon, his mouth turning into a frown as he ran to the side of a wounded (Y/n), his hands reaching up to his face as he caressed the left side of (Y/n) cut cheek. "Don't worry, I'm here now—please, be more alert (Y/n); you're getting hurt!" Feeling the icy hand of his friend (Y/n) wholly overlooked his attempts of compassion and instead casually strolled forward before hastening his pace into a full-on sprint. Spotting the sight of a rushing (Y/n) the demoness rolled her eyes, already agitated by the persistent slayer.

'That's it. I just want to eat! I need the power—I need more beauty!' Shooting another brigade of dancing fans (Y/n) used his sword and deflected the fans in incomprehensible speeds, his eyes not faltering once from their stare upon the demoness as he continued to commemorate the figure of the hanging girl, her eyes wide open as she swayed back and forth softly, a chunk of her shoulder gone. Again and again multiple fans advanced towards him with Sabito standing in the sidelines as he knew he couldn't do much—there was only so many things that a deceased man can do, there's just so limited power they may assert in such small amounts of time. Even so, he still didn't choose for (Y/n) to ever experience discomfort.

Already figuring out that this conflict was going nowhere, the demoness stopped her endless attacks and instead lunged at him; the fans reversing direction as they merged and turned into a rapid tornado, tearing everything around them. With two threats approaching his way (Y/n) inhaled deeply, his grip on his sword tight as he stared up at the grinning demoness. "You think you can compete with me?! You will never be enough to defeat me! To win over me! You will never be enough!" Chortling in glee, the demoness disappeared and appeared on top of (Y/n) her fans and nails outstretched as they neared (Y/n) skin.

"I know."

'God's Breathing: Fourth Form - Falling Grace.'

Twisting his body down to where he almost brushed the sullied ground, (Y/n) blade gleamed a pleasant white, illuminating the gloomy room.

𑁍┊𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐑 ˎˊ˗

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ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴅᴀʏ/ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴍʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇꜱ!

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