I used the smokescreen as an opening to switch places with a shadow clone, dispelling it right after.
Right after switching, I used one of my item's abilities: Synchronized Souls, thus creating a safe distance.
But it was close, very close.
If Douma had noticed…
If he had realized that switch…
I would be dead.
Having Muzan after me because of my abilities is the last thing I need.
Not yet.
Not until I manage to become a true Demon Slayer.
The mist was fading when I arrived at my base hidden in the mountains.
I placed Kanae over the furs covering the ground and only then realized how out of breath I was.
The sun was beginning to rise , and, for the first time that night, I felt warmth touch my skin.
I took a deep breath, letting my body relax.
She was still alive, and Douma... far away.
The story had officially begun to change.
"Damn arrogant Oni…" I muttered, wiping the dust from my forehead.
He simply ignored the poison.
No reaction, it didn't weaken him, actually, he completely ignored it.
That pissed me off.
I knew the effect would be weak, but absolutely nothing?
That hurt my pride.
I would create a poison that even Upper Moons couldn't ignore, for sure.
The anti-healing effect wasn't enough to stop his insane regeneration either.
Sure, I only managed scratches and superficial cuts with normal blades but… it was still frustrating.
Part of me wanted to go back, to finish the fight…
But I knew I would die if I tried, even using my powers.
I needed a Nichirin blade, and a breathing technique.
Without that, I was just an intruder with tricks among these monsters.
I looked at Kanae, her face pale, covered in blood and dust.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Her voice came out weak and hoarse.
"That technique…" she murmured.
"What was that? You... are you an Oni?"
For a moment, my body stiffened.
But my presence detected it, nothing in her indicated hostility.
No trace of fear or killing intent, only curiosity.
I smiled faintly.
"I'm not an Oni."
I stood up and walked to the entrance of the base, letting the sunlight touch my face.
"See?"
The golden light covered me, and no smoke or burns appeared on my skin.
Kanae watched in silence, then sighed in relief.
I walked back to her and made a motion with my hand, grabbing the nothing.
A small potion appeared between my fingers, glowing with a faint bluish light.
Kanae's eyes widened.
"Where… did you get that from?"
I removed the mask, revealing my sweaty and tired face.
"It's a long story." I drank, and an open wound on my hand began to close before her eyes.
I took another potion and held it out to her.
"This one's yours."
My young face seemed to stun Kanae more than the potion appearing out of nowhere.
"You're young… Around my sister's age, perhaps?"
She hesitated as she looked at the potion in my hand.
"Is this… safe?"
"You already trusted a stranger to carry you in the middle of the night," I replied, giving a slight smile.
"You can trust a little more."
Kanae let out a soft, weak laugh.
I supported her head and helped her sit up, bringing the flask to her lips.
She drank slowly.
Soon, her body relaxed, and the sound of her breathing became smoother.
"The pain... decreased," she murmured.
"My lungs... haa… I can breathe properly."
I remained silent for a few seconds.
"Thank you very much"
Then she spoke, her voice softer and more stable:
"I… must ask something, even after you saved my life."
"Go ahead."
"The master of the Demon Slayer Corps… he is sick, with a serious illness, practically a curse..."
"Could you… heal him?"
I looked at her, surprised.
"I can try."
'She worries about others even in her current condition…'
Kanae smiled, relieved.
"Thank you."
"But don't create too many expectations," I added.
"The potions regenerate each day, but they're limited."
"They heal injuries, poisons, and fatigue… but I'm not sure about severe diseases, dismemberment, or curses."
I didn't mind explaining that much, I would end up joining them anyway.
Her eyebrows arched.
"Even so… this is incredible." She looked at the empty flask.
"Is there no way to store the liquid outside of it?"
"I've tried." I crossed my arms, sighing.
"The liquid won't come out unless the intention is to drink it. If the flask breaks, it reforms."
"And spitting it out doesn't work. It seems enchanted to be used only as direct healing."
"Fascinating…" Kanae murmured, thoughtful.
"It feels like a divine gift."
"I hope it is…" I gave a half-smile.
We spent some time talking, until the sound of hurried footsteps approached.
A sharp voice echoed at the entrance:
"Sister!"
Shinobu entered, out of breath, her eyes wide.
She ran to Kanae, completely ignoring me.
"Sister! Are you alright?!" she asked, checking every part of the Hashira's body.
Kanae laughed, tired, gently patting Shinobu's head.
"I'm fine, Shinobu… I just need to rest a bit."
Only then did the younger one notice me.
His eyes narrowed, and his hand went straight for his katana in its sheath.
"Who are you?!"
Before she could move, Kanae grabbed her arm.
"He is not a threat, Shinobu..."
"He saved my life..."
Shinobu blinked, surprised, then blushed slightly in embarrassment.
"I-I'm sorry!" She gave a quick bow.
"Thank you for helping my sister."
"No need," I replied, scratching the back of my neck, not used to people bowing to me.
Shinobu analyzed me from head to toe.
"You don't look like a Demon Slayer."
"How could I repay you?"
"Repay?" I repeated, slightly confused.
She crossed her arms, raising her chin.
"Yes. Consider it a debt to be paid."
I observed the two of them for a few seconds. Kanae looked at me amused, almost laughing.
Shinobu, however, seemed… nervous.
And when I noticed, she crossed her arms over her chest in an instinctive gesture.
I smiled.
"I'd like to see…"
Shinobu blushed a little, looking ready to curse me at any second.
"The forms of your breathing technique," I finished.
"What she used against the Oni."
Her face turned even redder, but this time for another reason.
"Ah… that." She took a deep breath, composing herself.
"I understand."
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Kanae holding herself back from laughing, covering her mouth with her hand.
Shinobu stepped back, adjusting her katana.
Then she began to move.
Each step was like a dance, a bit more awkward than Kanae's, but still graceful.
The air around her filled with glowing petals, pulsing in rhythm with her breathing.
Flower Breathing.
The name did justice to its beauty.
I watched in silence until she stopped.
"Impressive," I murmured.
"It looks more like art than a sword style," I added.
"Thank you," she replied, trying to hide her smile and keep up appearances.
The Shinobu I saw there was different, without hiding emotions or faking smiles, not yet wounded by loss.
This was Shinobu before losing her sister.
Minutes later, I sensed new presences approaching.
Slayers, coming to investigate the ruins of the village.
Some spread out, others came straight toward us.
Kanae tried to stand, but stumbled slightly, so Shinobu supported her.
"Let's go back to the Butterfly Mansion," she said.
"There we can test these potions… and rest."
I looked at the two of them, then at the mask in my hand.
Maybe it was time to retire the mask for a while.
I took a deep breath and stored it away.
"Alright." I smiled.
"I'll go with you."
─── ◆ ───
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