Elsewhere
Zenitsu's world swayed like a paper lantern in the wind. His vision was hazy, the world tinged in gray and gold, shadows swimming in his periphery. When Shinobu's soft, musical voice reached him again, it sounded distant, like a dream he wasn't sure he was ready to wake from.
"Moshi moshi… Are you alright?" she asked, kneeling beside him, her butterfly-patterned haori fluttering faintly in the mountain breeze. Her eyes—gentle yet sharp—studied his colorless face and trembling lips.
Zenitsu blinked slowly, his mouth parting as if to answer, but only a hoarse whisper came out. "…Gramps…"
Shinobu tilted her head slightly. "Hm? Who are you calling, I wonder?"
"Gramps…" Zenitsu breathed again, a faint smile crossing his cracked lips. "He was here… told me not to give up… that I still have people to protect…" His words came in fragments, carried on labored breaths.
For a moment, Shinobu said nothing. Her expression softened—not with pity, but with quiet understanding. "I see," she murmured. "That's because you're seeing your life flash before your eyes."
Zenitsu's fogged eyes shifted toward her weakly, confusion flickering within them.
She continued, her tone calm and clinical but kind. "Sometimes, when people come close to death, their bodies try to protect them. They revisit their strongest memories—the ones that kept them alive. It's a way of fighting back, even when they don't realize it." She smiled faintly, a rare warmth threading through her voice. "Though, I can't say for sure. I'm not one to speak on the mysteries of the human spirit."
Zenitsu chuckled weakly, the sound breaking into a cough. "Heh… guess even dying won't stop me from thinking about him yelling at me…"
Shinobu chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I'd say that's what kept you alive. You did well, Zenitsu Agatsuma." She gently brushed his tattered sleeve aside and examined his arm. The limb was shrunken and discolored, veins swollen and blackened from the venom's spread. Without hesitation, she pulled out a slender vial and filled a syringe with a clear, faintly shimmering liquid.
"This will sting a bit," she warned quietly before injecting it into his arm. Zenitsu barely flinched, his senses dulled beyond feeling.
As the antidote began its slow work, Shinobu spoke softly. "You slowed the poison's circulation on your own. That's remarkable control for someone in your state. Most would have died minutes ago."
Zenitsu's eyes fluttered, barely managing a faint smile. "Guess… breathing training finally paid off, huh?"
Shinobu's lips curved upward. "It did. And I think your 'Gramps' would be proud."
He turned his head slightly, vision clearing just enough to glimpse the scene below. Numerous black-clad Kakushi were already tending to the fallen and freed Demon Slayers, helping the wounded and carrying those too weak to move. The air was heavy with the scent of blood, silk threads, and smoke—but there was also the quiet hum of relief.
The boy managed a tired grin before his eyes closed, surrendering to a peaceful, poison-free sleep at last.
"Since he has started to heal. Let's find the rest of the demon and kill it." Shinobu said.
•••
Tanjiro carefully knelt beside Rui's lifeless body, his breathing heavy yet steady. From his uniform pocket, he took out a small glass tube, the one given by Tamayo for collecting demon blood. With utmost precision, he collected a small amount of Rui's blood before sealing the container tightly. The faint red glow inside shimmered for a moment before fading—proof that it was indeed the blood of a Lower Moon.
Albedo approached, her golden eyes gleaming with admiration as she lowered her head slightly. "Splendid work, my lord," she said with her usual grace. Even though her voice was calm, pride resonated in her tone.
Yuri, standing beside her with a faint smile, nodded. "Yes, it was clean and efficient. You didn't even give him time to react."
Tanjiro turned toward me, awe and respect written across his face. "Alastor-san, you make slaying a Lower Moon seem so simple," he said honestly, wiping a bit of soot from his cheek.
Before I could answer, the wooden box Tanjiro carried began to tremble. We all turned just as the lid slightly opened and a small figure peeked out—Nezuko. Her curious pink eyes locked on me, and I couldn't help but smile faintly.
"Ah… so you are as cute as I imagined."
~~~