BREAKTHROUGH (autoplay).

He can’t help but let out his own laugh as he hears that little giggle, taking her hand and standing from the sands. Though it doesn’t do much to assist him in standing, he appreciates the gesture anyway. It’ll be nice to let her help. He reaches out a hand to pat her on the head just to get the sand out of her hair and grins, not even mentioning that he technically tagged her with that.

“what’s a sweet kid like you doin’ out here in a place like this?”

It’s not like he hasn’t seen children growing up in dangerous places. Still, it’s rare that those kids maintain their innocence in those places. She must be strong, or good at hiding. He doesn’t seem to notice her status as a Hollow, as he’s never been good at sensing reiatsu.

A SWEET KID ? An awfully presumptuous assumption to make ; but, not one Nezuko would correct. It is perhaps to her benefit that this shinigami is unaware of her Arrancar status. ( Though, it`s surprising he didn`t catch the hint at all based on their current location alone. Perhaps the man is a bit slow on the uptake... ). Would he have treated her the same, as the sweet kid he so plainly described? Enjoying their silly game of tag? Acting as her sole beacon in such a dreary and desolate place? Or perhaps ...

Warding off the last thought, the worst possible scenario from her mind, she answered with a smile. Not saying a word. If she removed her mouthpiece to speak, it would reveal her ripped mask, unveiling her true nature entirely. 

sleep . anyways...!! back again to talk shit. because that ending was pure ass, and letting everyone know: THIS IS AN ANTI-KNY ENDING ZONE! chapter 205 did not happen, will never happen, is completely irrelevant here. thank you for your time.

I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND ! ( accepting )

'NOTHING IS GOING TO HARM you... Not while I`m around.'

The mantra, the promise, she swore &. kept locked within herself, within her bones, between her ribs in an expanse that continues to beat, repeated itself in rapid succession. 'Not while I'm around... Not while I'm around...-' Running desperately through the woods without aim or direction squeezed her lungs tight, a scorching feeling that burned like the sun igniting her entire body into flames.

Her brother... Tanjiro... He was in danger. Far away from her reach, she knew he was in danger ; their mother said so! She didn`t need her eyes to see the truth. Instinct forced her to run, with bare soles that touched soil &. felt the world beneath her feet. Her world ... It was beginning to crumble.

So, Nezuko ran. She ran even when her legs grew sore &. bruised without the promise of relief. She ran even when she started to wheeze, air struggling to reach her lungs, as she was forced to regress &. fall on all fours, hunched over as a wild beast as she ran &. dug through the Earth with sharp claws. But still, she ran. Only to stop once she reached a town, remembering where she was, who she was, as she restored her gait to something more human.

'This town ... It`s already destroyed.'

She was too late.

Nezuko was too late, unable to protect Tanjiro from the harm that razed an entire town.

But, he kneels, like a boy whose heart was set aflame. He was kneeling, sword propped up by his hand, impossible to surrender the fight. Even in death. Those that bore uniforms similar to him surrounded him, even the unique haori-clad hashira that spared her life all those years ago, weeping, a chorus of sorrow. A great victory, but also a great loss ; here lies a great soldier, powerful enough to fight a king &. never waver. But still ... He was still a child. &. Most important of all, he was her brother.

Death &. sorrow surrounds them, a stench so putrid it could clog up her lungs &. make her eyes water. A scene like this could make old wounds resurface ; the trauma felt so fresh, she was sure she never fully healed &. allowed her psychic wounds to scar now that her memories were a full picture rather than the blurry snapshots from before. Her family... Her entire world ... She wanted to weep ; she wanted to join the others &. weep &. howl &. shout &. fall down to her knees, wailing &. dry heaving before cursing the entire world for taking away hers. But, the young demon didn`t. No ; Nezuko would spiral if she cried now. &. There`s no telling if she could dig herself out of the pit if she were to fall in a downward spiral now.

Ignoring the strong urge to succumb to a breakdown, ignoring the astonished gasps at her sudden attendance in the aftermath, the questions, the anxious babbling over what has transpired &. what she already knows as truth right before her very eyes, Nezuko splits the crowd that surrounded Tanjiro in two from her sheer presence alone. She ignored it all. Tunnel-visioned, there was only one place she want meant to be. Standing right before Tanjiro, right before her brother, eyes looked down with love, shining with a glossy sheen. 'Tears?' She failed to maintain her composure. Though, that was no fault of her own.

In his company, she allowed herself to crumble, granting internal forgiveness for being weak as she fell to her knees. Though tears fell from her eyes, shining like gems, &. cascaded down her cheeks, swollen from despair, she wore a smile on her face, a smile so bright it could rival the rising sun, looming over the horizon.

&. Yet, the other girl doesn`t disappear --- she was as real, incredibly visible, &. right in front of her, like popping out of one of those American comic books her brother used to read, from the colorful pages to real life.

There was only one thing Nezuko can say, “I won`t asthk. I won’t tell.” She, of course, has to reassure this mysterious girl that her identity will remain a secret. Though, it would be short of a miracle if she could understand her behind the muffle of her face mask, let alone her noticeable lisp. Matter of fact, does she even understand Japanese? Nezuko just initiated their conversation, &. she already figured there would be a slew of problems attached.

“. . .”

HER GAZE REMAINED fixated on the boy, the mysterious delinquent boy, as he strut past her in the hallways after she bought melonpan in the nearest vending machine, just now making his appearance to school after their class’ dismissal. Even though they don`t speak much to each other on those rare occasions he does decide to attend class, Nezuko felt compelled to at least say something about his aloof &. carefree behavior. At least he would know someone was actually paying attention to him.

“You could at least show up for homeroom,” she began, taking a bite of her sweet bread after speaking, before continuing mid-chew, “Then, you can sthkip during lunch break. If you like.” 

She doesn`t necessarily approve of Killua playing hooky, but she`s not going to pretend like she`s aware of his situation outside of school. Maybe he`s going through a lot at home &. this is his way to cope, she thought. &. Really, who is she, or anyone, to judge?

Black Mamba.

He sat alone, appearing downcast, on the steps of her favorite Shinto shrine, the same shrine she often goes to pray to alone in the midnight hours, when the moon serves as her only source of light &. when the humans sleep. Paying no mind to the intrusion, Nezuko approaches the man, holding a branch full of cherry blossoms, before using her free hand to pat the top of his head. Offering solace &. a friendly face during a time reserved for solitude.