setting sun

PROMPT. send me ✧ and i’ll bold all that apply to your muse. ACCEPTING !

PROMPT. send me ✧ and i’ll bold all that apply to your muse. ACCEPTING !

PROMPT. send me ✧ and i’ll bold all that apply to your muse. ACCEPTING !

PROMPT. send me ✧ and i’ll bold all that apply to your muse. ACCEPTING !

PROMPT. send me ✧ and i’ll bold all that apply to your muse. ACCEPTING !

It was his own self-doubt that had him believing Tanjirou would just… give up on him. There was no reason to keep being… to keep being sympathetic to Rui, no matter what had happened and changed. Despite everything Rui had done, Tanjirou still looked at him with a smile.

Like he might have still been human.

The hands on Rui’s shoulders just have the tears falling faster. It could have been cathartic, maybe, if it at all took any of the pain away. Instead, it just made it sting more. It could have been his parents comforting him. It should have been.

But he wouldn’t wish this on them. Of course he wouldn’t. Him being stuck like this, as a Demon, was just more proof of that. Rui was meant to suffer here. So why is Tanjirou being so nice? Why is – why –

“… th… they…           … they shouldn’t…”

He hadn’t understood it when Tanjirou had stayed so devoted to his sister despite her own affliction, and he certainly can’t understand it now. He couldn’t understand why his parents wouldn’t have given up on him – considered him a lost cause – and why – why –

It all becomes too much at once. Rui wails, and stumbles forward, arms extended and wrapping tightly around Tanjirou’s body. His fingers clutch at the fabric on Tanjirou’s back desperately.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

     tanjiro is left in a state of shock, completely paralyzed as the other drew him into a hug. there was no ill intent, no blood thirst——  only a profound melancholy that renders him immobile for a while. that, until he snapped out of it, gently wrapping his arms around the inconsolable demon.

     his pain. his struggles. the way he's sobbing and shaking; it’s just too much for tanjiro to brush off. in that moment, rui wasn’t a demon in his eyes, but a child who needs guidance. the words of a certain pillar fills his head; words of advice, that he should be careful with his kindness... but here, witnessing just how much regret and pain this demon bears, the boy can’t help but offer a helping hand.

there’s still time for this one.

“Yes, I’m okay. I’m definitively fine. Are you?” I reach for my face, which likely caused the trouble. I might appear a tad too scary when laughing, forgive me. Worrying about me was a bit of a waste, generally I had no idea what to feel or think. My heart hurt just thinking how kind he was. It was probably showing on my expression.

“I’m a duke’s daughter but I can definitively stand my ground as a farmer!” Nobody has ever asked me to teach something! I feel so happy! Shining in society was not necessary if someone out there appreciated my out-of-the ordinary skills. Nobles were irrelevant and so was my social status, which really eased my worries. Mother, forgive me. I know your daughter could do better.

“I’d love to! No– it would be my honour to teach you! Please rely on me for all your vegetable needs!! I will not disappoint you! Katarina Claes is at your service!” He could say ‘jump’ and I’d do it without hesitation.

     ‘ yes!! i’m perfectly fine–– don’t worry about me ! ’  with that out of the way, he finally has a bit of time to dwell on what the other is saying. despite not having a clue of what a duke may be, he knows it sounds quite important! maybe something like a noble? how humbling!

     ‘ wah... you’re so full of surprises-- oh ! ’  despite his excitement, he proceeds to dip his head in a respectful bow.  ‘ i’m kamado tanjiro, but just tanjiro is fine. it’s a pleasure to meet you, claes-san! please, take good care of me. ’  even if he tried, putting a stop to his energy felt like too much of a hassle when he’s always so ready to learn new things.  ‘ where do we start? ah, maybe–– ’  that’s when an embarrassingly loud grumble escapes the boy’s stomach. tanjiro froze in place. he’d been so caught up with this new place, he hadn’t realized just how hungry he was.

there is no god. 

there would be no servant of religious existence to usher him into some peaceful, patient land. there would be no reaper to carve his neck thus force his knees to buckle in atonement for that heavy weight of sins. if such creatures and fantasies did exist, he would surely know by now. he would have met them; buddha, satan, any. all. delivering him from the mortal realm into the immortal after world. to another life, free of pain. free of blood. but no such day came. 

spirale was not hell. hell was something he could create, he could conjure. muzan had imagined how hell might look for some time, for the owner of those earrings. for tanjiro. for the demon slayers. pain beyond belief, for there was no real pleasure in a quick and simple death. a decaying, endless torture was far better. skin pulled at the speed of a bandage from a wound. agonisingly slow to draw every last scream ripping from the deepest crevice of the throat. 

chimes tinkled upon the wind. charms made in an effort to ward the demons away fluttered, the ink of their prayers long since dried. for a moment, it seemed the protective spells of the cotes ward was working. not a creature moved nor spluttered. not a abnormal soul crept in the dying light of the paper chouchin lining the walkways. only the few scattered humans moved on their journey home, closing the last of the stall windows down and sealing the kiosk bars with padlocks for the night. 

no, there was no need for god in this world. this was just another side of the same coin after all, muzan noted as he wandered past the charms and broke into the sacred grounds. though the trinkets were arranged purely for halloween festivities, he still eyed the dancing scraps of scroll with disdain. these pathetic spells had no use, no hope at all, against the master of his own fate. against he, the original demon. 

a voice caught his attention, but instead of hiding muzan listened. the familiarity caught upon the wind. he could never doubt himself, never able to question what his own ears had overheard, but that voice.. it seemed impossible. however, the sight of those earrings as the owner of such a voice soon came into view, appearing beaten from his day of work and dragging his feet through the well-lit street. 

anger seethed and boiled beneath his skin. veins protruded from his scalp; eyes wide with an intense fury so vile that were he human he might have vomited. tanjiro. he was to blame. this weakness. this vulnerability !! he had done something. twisted something. but it did not matter. here, he could finally crush his skull as a human might crack an egg. destroy this pathetic vermin of a demon slayer in one easy swoop. rips those arms from the socket and watch him DIE. reason was fast abandoning him to make way for pure rage. almost shaking from it, muzan walked out before the very object of his frustrations and rolled his head high, peering down at the boy with nought but murderous and foul intent embedded deep within his plum gaze.

“ YOU… “ fangs bared he seemed almost manic, but he remained back from lunging immediately at the boy. he paced slowly as if approaching from the back of his prey, but there was no mistaking that the other had clearly seen who it was that blocked his path. “ I CAN KILL YOU HERE AND NOW… TAN~JIRO ! “  ——— @solisbreath ✘

     arduous is the life he had always led no matter where. so to wish for that to change upon entering a new world made little to no sense—— wishful thinking at its best. hard work is something those calloused hands of his never denied, and so, just like in his past, he would accept odd jobs here and there; anything to make sure he and nezuko could have some spending money.

      it is yet another day of work finally coming to an end, and all he has in mind is coming back home to his dear sister— who should be awake by now. being here allowed the boy to be a little more carefree despite the demons he’s faced coming back one by one; they all seemed to have regrets and a glint of hope within this new place. and who wouldn’t once free of a certain demon’s unforgiving grip?

     as if mere thoughts could conjure one’s presence, tanjiro hears him. weariness evaporates from his body, reaching for the wooden sword he has on his person at all times. muzan... when did he get here? and why would he be here? there’s no redeeming him... there’s no forgiveness for such vile being.

     ‘ you—— ’   

     at the sight of personified cruelty, the youth can’t help but see red.the causer of all of his misery and of many other, the root of evil. ivories clenched, grinding in such painful manner he tasted blood.

     ‘ you piece of shit. ’   his voice, usually a soothing and welcoming tone, sounded more like a warning. violence, an emotion so alien to him, seeped through his words with ease, it promised vengeance.  ‘ ...i’ll put you down. you hear me? muzan... ’

     always such an advocate for sympathy, it’s alarming how the boy had none to spare as he drew his sword.

         TOTAL CONCENTRATION BREATHING—

a story, hm? to hear this from someone so young … what a mature answer. but also what an innocent answer, it … continued to remind him of his brother. how even despite how much he ignored yoriichi, deeming him a useless child. he surpassed this … it was his pride that began to cause his life to spiral, this was his mistake to carry. and yet every waking moment, yoriichi thought about him, he cared and yet  — michikatsu stewed in his hatred and jealousy. did he deserve this path … ? as someone who, since his youth had been so cruel and disgusting?

perhaps he did deserve this. perhaps … this was his fate, to suffer for what he had done and atone for what he continued to do to live. to stay a monster and live as such. to live in shame. and when the question is directed to him, kokushibou could only stare in silence. thoughts flooding his mind one after another, asking himself over and over, did i? was my life fulfilling? yes, i’d like to believe so … i have grown stronger than the fragile human body  —  but did i feel … fulfilled? n … no … no  —   ❛   i …   ❜   it was like the realization all on its own was searing his skin. but no, it was … the sense of shame and anger with himself that enticed his skin to boil.    ❛   i didn’t …   ❜   admitting it was like a weight that dropped onto his shoulders. 

it … crippled him. 

❛   i could not … watch my own child grow … because of my selfish fear —   ❜   my son … as if the looming fog over the last of his memories cleared with such a simple question. what was it about this child that brought such … clarity to his mind? his words … they came to him better than his prior wonder.    ❛   i lived a grotesque life … thriving off the deaths of innocent people … i have lived … for centuries, growing stronger yet … no one there … to witness it …   ❜   he lost. in the end, for all he has done. kokushibou lost to the hands of his own blood, muichiro … perhaps only one good thing actually came out of it … meeting his own descendant right before his eyes.

❛   i left … no story, no mark … but that is something … i must live with.   ❜

     in his silence tanjiro searched for words that could this sorry story a tad brighter. the harder he looked for a new perspective, the heavier his shoulder felt. deep down, perhaps he already knew that looking for the bright side here is useless... yes, useless. there is a story here, one that might not be remembered with fondness. but that’s the price for walking down a path filled with nothing but selfish goals and blood of the innocent.

     still, he can’t help this melancholy weighting on his shoulders. this is by no means his fault, nor it’s his duty to make it up for it. however, this rock lodged in his chest wouldn’t go away if he just let it be. at the very least he had to try.

Genya paused, mid shout; his hands were still gripping Tanjiro’s shoulders, and the teenager could not help but hesitate once his question was answered.

Ah, that made a lot of sense, he finally thought.

“O-oh…”

A few stray tears overflowed from Genya’s eyes; it was clear that the teenager was overwhelmed. Sniffling, Genya needed a moment. Then, he leaned forward, bringing the other boy closer for a hug.

“I don’t– I don’t understand any of this… it’s so weird!”

“Are you okay? You’re not hurt, right?”

     there no resistance on his behalf as he’s pulled into a hug — it does take him a good minute to shift gears, eyes prickling with fresh tears the moment he’s struck with the realization of just how much he is cared for. the toll of standing strong at all times finally catching up with the boy as he hugs genya back.

    ‘ i... yeah. i’m okay. i——  are you okay? ’  with trembling hands, tanjiro gently pats his back. it’s so warm. he’s so tall. for a moment it just feels like everything is going to be alright. and.. why wouldn’t it be? they’re all here.

     that’s right! drying the tears away with the hoari’s sleeve, he offers genya a bright smile, one filled with hope and promises of better days to come.

for someone so young, there was a strong fire of resolve that surged in their chest. the will of a human who was determined to thrive against the raging cold, kokushibou would applaud it. as here he stood to be the very image of what a human pushed to their knees with fear and dread, with no other to turn to … he could remember it rather vaguely, how he was near death.    ❛   … indeed. after all … the world did not simply come to existence with demons in tow … they were a product.   ❜   and he admits this well without complete mention, but absolute implication. 

❛   even now … i try to remember what caused such thinking … perhaps it was the fear. or maybe the hatred of an unfulfilling life …   ❜   he says in wonder, to die and leave nothing behind, to be a name and face long forgotten  —  that was how he viewed it. why … in comparison to his brother, yoriichi was blessed by the gods in each step he took. the divine sought to raise this man to higher limits, limits that would leave this weak soul behind as he crumbled under the weight of collapsing lungs and plagued coughs.     ❛   what would you leave behind … in our world. if you were to pass come the expiring year … ? would to continue to chase after a man of shadows … surrendering your being to duty without once seeing the world around you … ?   ❜

he did not speak with bitterness, but wonder and deep thought.    ❛   yes … i became a demon … to escape my fate of death. so i could live my life … rather than succumb to a fate most sorrowful and unfair.   ❜

     in absolute silence did the boy listen to the weary and wise demon. and so, attempting to understand the one before him, he detected something: melancholy, ebbed in the demon’s speech, seeping through words; one that tanjiro doubted he was aware of. unfortunately, more often than not, they seemed to be. . . numbed to the more delicate emotions, as if a connection had been severed  —  their humanity.

     what makes a life unfulfilled? the question sat at the bottom of his gut, heavy like a rock, as he wondered which answer would better suit the mishap that led such powerful swordsman down this path. what’s that someone as powerful as kokushibou could fear? of all things, he didn’t expect mortality to be it.

the next question is sure to catch him off guard. it left him in deep thinking. his selfless goals never left space for him to wonder what the world would think of him should he come to an end.

     ‘ a story. ’  he answers, simply.  ‘ i’ve met and touched the heart of many in my journey to cure my sister. living through the memory of others... through their hearts— that’s what i want. ’  

     that person– now so up-close he can tell she’s not the pillar insect. but the resemblance is so uncanny that paralyzed  tanjiro for a moment. 

     ‘ ah- so sorry! ’  slowly letting go of the haori, tanjiro took a step back to pull himself together reassess the situation.  ‘ your haori– it reminds me of someone else’s. ’

send ‘look into my eyes’

not accepting !!

send ‘look into my eyes’

not accepting !!

:)