Maiden Of The Moon

Maiden of the Moon

What if Kokushibo had a pupil, whom he taught the original Moon Breathing before he deserted the Demon Slayer Corps?

Mochizuki Yua was born only for these reasons: To become a Hashira and make her family a respected one in the Demon Slayer Corps.

But if you only live for the expectations of others, who are YOU truly?

What will it take to find yourself?

A long, hard journey awaits.

I made some Yua family members, as we will see in this chapter with a Rinmaru Medieval Avatar.

Please take a look on my DeviantArt

Chapter 11: Home of the Moon

After being sent off in the early morning by their friends Yua and Tanjiro with Nezuko in her box made the journey to the Moon Mansion, the home of Yua family, the Mochizuki.

They were making a good tiSlayersey even met a nice man with his carriage and he drove them in the direction of the Mochizuki Estate.

The two Demon Slayers passed their time with talking and singing. They couldn’t slack off in Tanjiro’s Total Concentration Training, now could they?

Yua quite enjoyed the journey to her home with company. This was the first time she brought a friend over.

She felt a bit like a normal 17-year-old. It was a nice feeling.

“Your family will be okay with Nezuko?”, asked her Tanjiro right now.

His worry wasn’t without reason.

They would enter a home full of Demon Slayers.

Tanjiro knew how hostile the Hashira’s had reacted to Nezuko before Oyakata-Sama told them that he recognised Nezuko as Demon Slayer so she wasn’t to be killed.

Entering a home full of people who could kill his sister in one instant, made him nervous.

“Don’t worry, I wrote about your situation to my father.”, reassured Yua with a small smile. “He promised my family wouldn’t go against Oyakata-Sama orders. Nezuko is safe. Also, I would help you protect her from them if they attacked her.”

The boy stared at her in disbelief.

“You really would go against your own family for me and Nezuko?”

As an answer, Yua reached out and petted his shoulder.

“I love Nezuko like she is my own sister and I’m fond of you too. For me, you guys are family too.”

Her confession made Tanjiro feel all tingle and happy. He felt the blush rising in his cheeks, how his heart beat faster and the butterflies in his stomach flying wildly.

His crush on Yua just got bigger.

Shyly he squeezed the hand on his shoulder.

“You are for us family too.”, he told her.

For a second he imaged Yua as his bride, didn’t need to know nobody or how it filled his heart with happiness.

Yua gave him a thankful smile. She was also happy that the Kamado siblings loved her as a sibling. She would ignore this vision of herself as a bride with Tanjiro as her groom on her side.

Nope, not thinking about it all or what it meant.

Soon they entered a little forest of Wisteria trees.

It reminded Tanjiro of the forest on Mount Fujikasane where Final Selection was held. Just as pretty and mysterious.

They passed under a Torii with a half moon on it, following the way up a little hill.

After a few minutes, Tanjiro could see an old, traditional house which had also a half moon and the Kanji for Mochizuki over the entrance door. Around it grow beautiful flowers of any kind. You could tell that the garden was tended with love.

Before the house stood a tall man. He was wearing the Demons Slayer uniform with a green Haori with swirls on it. The man had long midnight blue hair in a ponytail and grey eyes.

That must be Yua’s father.

They looked alike.

“Otou-San!”, called Yua and raced up to her father.

He smiled happily and twirled his daughter around as they hugged each other tight.

Tanjiro was touched by the loving scene and had to fight his tears. This made him miss his father.

“Oh moon bunny, it’s so good to see you. Did you grow a bit?”, asked Yua's father, petting her head.

“I don’t know, maybe.”, answered Yua, then turned to Tanjiro and waved him over. “Otou-San this is my friend I told you about. Kamado Tanjiro, following swordsman of the corps and in the box is his little sister Nezuko. Tanjiro this is my father Mochizuki Haruto.”

Tanjiro bowed before the man.

“It’s an honour to meet you Mochizuki-San.”

“Ah, young Tanjiro it’s okay to call me Haruto. I’m happy that Yua found some friends. Any friend of hers is welcome here.”

“Alright, Haruto-San.”

Then Haruto got all sober as he told his daughter: “Your grandfather is expecting you in the Tea Room, moon bunny.”

Of course, Yua got scarred. She had stayed away from home for months and was only raised to Kinoto.

Her Grandfather would give it to her.

“Yua, are you okay-”

“It’s alright Tanjiro.”, she interrupted him. “Just go with my father, I’m sure one of my aunts is currently making lunch.”

With that, she stepped into the house and made haste to the Tea Room.

“I’m back, Grandfather.”, she announced as she entered the Tea Room.

Like she was taught she made a deep bow, waiting till her grandfather gave her permission to raise and sit before him.

It was eerie quiet.

Yua felt the sweat dripping down from her forehead.

Thanks to her Aura-Sensing she knew her Grandfather was not happy.

He was pissed off.

What hurtful words would he hurl at her?

“Ah, the lost daughter has returned.”, he spat, not even letting her rise from her bow. “You stayed away a long time from home.”

“I’m sorry, Grandfather.”

“Did I give you the permission to speak, girl?!”, he growled.

The girl started to shake in fright, she felt all clammy and like throwing up. She never had seen her grandfather like that.

She knew she had to tread carefully, but she couldn't help but ask, "May I know what I have done wrong, Grandfather?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Mochizuki Makoto let out a deep sigh and finally gestured for her to rise and take a seat. She did so hesitantly, trying not to make any sudden movements.

"You dare to stay away from home for months," he said sternly. "Then you have the gall to send a letter asking about the Hinokami Kagura Dance, not even telling us what Rank you are now."

Yua felt a pang of guilt in her chest.

He was right -when she was healing from her wounds, she actively avoided sending letters home. She was scared of telling her she was only a Kinoto now and what would happen as punishment. Then when she finally wrote them, again she didn’t tell her Rank because of this fear and asked for something.

"I apologize, Grandfather," she said sincerely with a deep bow, her forehead touching the Tatami mats. "I was in the wrong, I will do better."

He nodded slowly, still eyeing her critically.

"You better," he warned. "The future of our family depends on it. Now your Rank."

The midnight blue-haired girl stayed in her position, not daring to raise. Maybe if she stayed demure, her Grandfather wouldn’t verbally hit her.

Yeah, right.

She was just scarred looking into his cold grey eyes and saying hatred in them.

“Kinoto.”

It was still for a long time, Yua started to feel pain in her body because she had stayed in the bow so long, till her grandfather shouted: “Kinoto! KINOTO?! You dare to show your stupid face into this house after months, daring to ask about the Hinokami Kagura Dance and you are only a Kinoto?! You are a disappointment! A waste of space! Oh, why are you the only one who can use Moon-Breathing? Why have the gods punished me with a talentless granddaughter like you? You are not worth it to be a Moon Breathing User!”

Yua felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

She knew her grandfather was harsh, however, this was a new kind of harshness.

"I understand, Grandfather," she said softly, still not daring to look up at him. "I will work harder and strive to become better."

Mochizuki Makoto let out a snort of disgust.

"You better," he said coldly. "Because if you don't, you will bring shame upon our family."

She nodded silently, feeling the weight of his words on her shoulders. She knew she had a lot of work to do if she wanted to prove herself worthy of being a Moon Breathing User.

But no matter how hard it would be, she was determined to make her grandfather proud and show him that she was not a waste of space after all.

What else was there in life for her?

She was born to become a Hashira and make her family a respected Demon Slayer in the Corps.

This was her only right to existence.

Suddenly both inhabits of the Tea Room nearly jumped into the air as the door opened.

“I’m sorry to disturb you!”, it was Tanjiro.

In disbelief, Yua turned to him.

Tanjiro fixed her Grandfather with such an angry look, that Yua wasn’t even sure if this was really the Tanjiro she knew.

This was a completely new side of him.

“Who are you boy?”, hissed her Grandfather angrily. “You dare to disturb me and my granddaughter talking.”

“With all due respect sir, you didn’t talk to your granddaughter you insulted her! And I will not stand around hearing you insult Yua. Yua is my friend and one of the strongest people I know! You are in the wrong about her!”

Makoto narrowed his eyes at Tanjiro, clearly not pleased with the interruption. Yua watched in shock as her friend stood up to her grandfather, defending her honour. She had never seen anyone do that before!

"How dare you speak to me like that," her grandfather growled. "You are just a mere Demon Slayer. Probably not higher than Kanoe."

Tanjiro didn't back down, his expression was unwavering. "I may be a lesser Rank, but I know a good person when I see one. And Yua is one of the best."

The room fell silent as the two men stared each other down. Yua held her breath, unsure of what would happen next.

Then her grandfather gasped and pointed at Tanjiro Hanafuda-Earings.

“You have the earrings?! Of course, this red hair, red eyes and the scar on your forehead...you are a Sun Breathing User.”

Both teenagers were more than confused.

“That’s why you asked about the Hinokami Kagura Dance.”, mumbled Grandfather rubbing his chin. “Now it makes sense.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about, sir, but apologize to your granddaughter.”, growled Tanjiro angry, his red eyes ablaze like the sun. “She doesn’t deserve your harsh and unnecessary words.”

This only made Makoto laugh nasty.

“You may be a chosen one of the Sun, but you have no authority here, boy. This is the realm of the Moon and I’m the clanhead. I can do as I wish.”

To show Tanjiro he meant it, Makoto suddenly grasped Yua by one of her hair buns. The 17-year-old shouted in pain, tears streaming down her face.

Tanjiro could only stare in shock. He never saw how the family treated each other this way.

“She is merely an extension of my will.”, told Makoto. “She was only born to be a Hashira. She doesn’t have any other reason for existing: I can do with my Granddaughter as I wish!”

Things happened fast then.

From one moment to another, Yua felt like her grandfather would rip her hair out, then suddenly his hand got slack and a terrible crunch was heard.

Tanjiro had headbutted her grandfather.

Yua's mouth met the floor, while her Grandfather was knocked down by Tanjiro's headbutt.

The room fell into stunned silence as Yua's grandfather lay on the ground, clutching his nose. Tanjiro stood over him, his fists clenched at his sides. Yua couldn't believe what had just happened. She had never seen anyone stand up to her grandfather like that before.

"You can't treat people like that," Tanjiro growled, glaring down at the older man. "Especially not your own family."

Makoto looked up at him, his eyes filled with anger and disbelief.

"You dare to strike me?" he spat out, wiping blood from his nose.

"You deserved it," Tanjiro said firmly. "No one deserves to be treated like that. You are a bitter old man who bullies his own family to his enjoyment because he couldn’t become a Hashira. You should feel ashamed of yourself. Instead of seeing what great progress Yua made, you are obsessed with her becoming a Hashira. Even dirt is better than you! I met demons who showed more humanity than you...you piece of shit!"

With that, Tanjiro helped Yua to her feet.

Yua felt a rush of gratitude towards her friend. She had been so scared and alone at that moment, but Tanjiro had come to her rescue without a second thought. She knew she could always count on him to have her back.

As they left the Tea Room together, Yua felt a sense of relief wash over her. She knew there would be consequences for what had happened today, but she didn't care anymore. For the first time in a long time, she felt free - free from the weight of her grandfather's expectations and free from the fear that had held her back for so long. With Tanjiro by her side, she knew she could face anything that came her way and come out stronger for it in the end.

Maybe that’s why she did what she did next.

No one has ever defeated her honour quite like that.

She must show him her thanks.

Softly she called out Tanjiro's name, he turned to her, opening his mouth, probably to ask her if she was okay, however, Yua leaned down, wrapping her arms around his neck and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

Tanjiro was shocked by Yua's sudden gesture, but he didn't pull away.

Instead, he wrapped his arms around her curvy waist and deepened the kiss.

Yua felt a warmth spread through her body as she kissed him, grateful for his unwavering support and protection.

As they finally broke apart, Yua looked down at Tanjiro with tears in her eyes, both of them breathing heavily.

It was madness that she had done it, love had no place in her life, but...how could she not love Tanjiro after he faced her, her biggest fear?

Maybe she could love him and be a Demon Slayer.

She only knew she always wanted to be on his side.

This was the only sure thing in her life.

Softly she smiled and Tanjiro returned her smile and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.

Yua nodded, feeling a surge of love for him in her heart. "I'm more than okay," she whispered back, leaning in for another kiss.

This time she slipped her tongue in his mouth.

They continued to kiss passionately, lost in their own world.

Yua couldn't believe how natural it felt to be with Tanjiro like they were meant to be together.

Like two pieces of a puzzle.

Like Yin and Yang.

Like the Sun and Moon!

As they finally pulled away from each other, Tanjiro looked up at Yua with a deep sense of love and admiration.

"I don't know what the future holds for us," he said softly, "but I do know that I want to spend it with you."

Yua's heart swelled with happiness as she heard these words.

"Me too, Tanjiro," she whispered softly. "Thank you. For everything."

Tanjiro smiled up at her, his eyes filled with affection and admiration.

"I'll always be here for you," he promised.

And with those words, Yua knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead of them, they would face them together - as equals and as lovers.

“Wow, that was some hot, sappy shit.”, called a female voice, which Yua know really well, while Tanjiro nearly jumped to the roof.

It was Sayako, Yua's younger black-haired cousin with pretty green eyes.

Deadpanning Yua looked over Tanjiro's head to her younger cousin.

“Hello you pain in my butt, you have splendid timing as always.”

While Tanjiro resembled a tomato, Sayako giggled with a shit-eating grin.

“I’m a lesbian, but even I got hot seeing you both making out with each other. Leave something for tonight.”

“You are so weird, Yako, also don’t you mean wedding night?”

“Oh please, you gonna deflower the little redhead the first chance you get YuYu.”

“Charming.”

What did Sayako think, that she had no self-control? Tanjiro was still two years younger than her, she wouldn’t overwhelm him with that!

Poor Tanjiro resembled a teakettle with the sounds he made and how red in the face he was.

Kissing his temple, Yua took his hand to calm him down.

“Ignore my stupid cousin, Tanjiro, Sayako likes to rile people up.”

“I’m here, you know.”

“Sadly.”

Huffing Sayako walked up to them and made a little bow.

“Whatever, it’s nice meeting you Tanjiro-Kun. I’m as Yua said Sayako, her cousin, 15 years old and Kakushi of the corps.”

Seems like Tanjiro calmed down enough to greet Sayako back with a bow and a smile.

“Ah you are a cutie.”, cooed Sayako, petting his head. “Take good care of my cousin, please?”

“I will, I promise!”, he shouted.

“Also did you break our shit grandpa's nose or something, everyone heard a loud crunch?”

“He did.”, confirmed Yua proud of her love. “Grandfather is licking his wounds, I don’t think he will come out of the Tea Room.”

“Then we will have a nice lunch. Come you two, food is ready.”

So they followed Sayako to the dining room where the rest of the Mochizuki was already waiting in excitement.

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

So Tanjiro and Yua kissed and are kind of together, aww.

Wouldn’t it be terrible if all would go to shit after they leave the Mochizuki? *whistles innocent*

But what I’m saying, all is good. ;D

Maiden of the Moon

What if Kokushibo had a pupil, whom he taught the original Moon Breathing before he deserted the Demon Slayer Corps?

Mochizuki Yua was born only for these reasons: To become a Hashira and make her family a respected one in the Demon Slayer Corps.

But if you only live for the expectations of others, who are YOU truly?

What will it take to find yourself?

A long, hard journey awaits.

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

I’m still in search of a Beta-Reader. I need someone with Discord who is online often so we can also talk about plotpoints if necessary ^^

Also more pic for Yua family members.

Chapter 12: Under the Moonlight

Laughter and the klir of chopsticks against bowls could be heard in the dining room of the Mochizuki family.

It was a happy and warm atmosphere.

Not all Mochizuki were participating in the lunch.

Their clanhead still nursed the broken nose their guest Tanjiro had caused him and Aunt Chiyako, her oldest son Daku and Uncle Keitaro were on missions.

Even if they were missing the lunch the other Mochizuki would tell them all about how Tanjiro had stood up for their Yua.

For them, the red-haired boy belonged already to the family.

Yua, herself, was holding Tanjiro's hand under the table and looked with loving eyes at how Tanjiro (Her love? Boyfriend?) interacted with her family.

He was gentle to her little cousins Kaito and Hikari.

Charming and thankful for the lunch she had made to her Aunt Miwa.

Talked with Uncle Hansuke about their work as Demon Slayers.

Laughed at Sayako jokes.

And gave the utmost respect to her father Haruto.

Even more, after her father came back from talking with her grandfather and had told his father if he ever touched her again in a harmful way, he would move out of the mansion with her.

Everybody saw Haruto’s bloody knuckles and applauded him for hitting their father/father-in-law/grandfather.

Then when Nezuko came out of her box, the younger Kamado fit in just as easily.

She played with Kaito and Hikari, who were fascinated by the good demon, while Tanjiro told her family, their tragic story.

Aunt Miwa gave the Kamado siblings each a big hug after that, while the other said words of comfort.

All in all, it was an amazing lunch.

The Kamado felt again like a part of a big loving family and the Mochizuki already saw them as their own.

In Yua's eyes, it couldn’t have gone better.

Sure, her Grandfather gripping her hair and saying these harmful words to her, she could live without it, but beggars can’t be choosers.

After lunch, it was time to do the thing Yua and Tanjiro had come to the Mochizuki Mansion.

It was time to research the Hinokami Kagura Dance in the archives.

Nezuko stayed with Miwa and the kids, while Haruto led his daughter and their guest to the archives.

“Here.”, said Haruto and laid an old scroll on the table in the archive. “This is what I found about the Hinokami Kagura Dance. It was written by Mochizuki Meiyo.”

“Mochizuki Meiyo?”, repeated Tanjiro, gently opening the old scroll. “Wasn’t he the one who founded your family?”

“Yes, young Tanjiro. I will leave you two to your research.”, with a forehead kiss to Yua and a shoulder squeeze Tanjiro Haruto did just that.

“This should be interesting.”, said Yua, eyeing the scroll.

“Should I read aloud?”, asked Tanjiro his love. He needed to ask her if she wanted to be his girlfriend soon.

The midnight blue-haired beauty nodded and sat down on the table.

“Let’s see what my ancestor has written about the Hinokami Kagura Dance!”

Mochizuki Meiyo knew what people thought about him.

Especially his brothers-in-arms in the corps.

After...after his Master left them..they thought he would follow him.

Betray them.

Betray humanity!

What a nonsense.

Tsugikuni-Sama may have saved him, a lowly orphan, from a life on the street and sure death, had treated him like a son, but Meiyo was his own person.

He...he knew his master was in the wrong.

Not only because he was also close to Yoriichi-San, Tsugikuni-Sama's younger brother, no, but because he remembered what demons had done to his beloved parents.

What they did to humans any day.

He would never betray his race.

Yes, he still used Moon-Breathing, but it would be nonsense to not use the second powerful Breathing Style against their enemies, only because his master was now one of them.

Meiyo signed and looked up the mountain trail he was going up.

He would soon reach the home of his friend.

“Otou-San.”, called his pride and joy, his daughter Nozomi to him. Her tiny hand squeezed his big, callous one. “When are we at your friend's house.”

He chuckled.

Nozomi was already tired, he could see it clearly.

“We are nearly there, want me to carry you, moon bunny?”

She frowned and shook her head. She wanted to show him what a big girl she already was.

He was so proud of her.

Meiyo was sure she would be the first woman in the Demon Slayer Corps, she already could copy Moon Breathing in a playful dance.

“A there it is!”, Meiyo pointed at the little hut before them. “There lives my friend. Sumiyoshi!”, he called loud for him...

...The two men and friends were sitting on the veranda of the little house enjoying a cup of tea as they watched how Nozomi played with little Sumire.

“So...a dance?”, Meiyo asked a bit in disbelief at Kamado Sumiyoshi.

The man in the checkered haori, laughed sheepishly.

“I thought this was the best way to preserve Yoriichi-San Sun-Breathing. It’s really fluid if you think about it. One Kata goes to the next like, well, in a dance.”, laughed Sumiyoshi a bit embarrassed.

Meiyo huffed and hit his shoulder playfully.

“I was just pulling your leg. Nozomi...when she sees me doing my Kata’s, she copies them in dancing moves too. My wife is actually freacking out about that, she wants Nozomi become a lady of the high society, but Nozomi wants to be a Demon Slayer too.”, explained the blue-haired male.

“Oh dear.”, laughed the red-haired male. “I don’t know how I would feel about if Sumire or my son wanted to join the Corps. Don’t get me wrong I’m grateful for what you guys do, but...”

“No, I get it.”

Both looked at their children.

“No one wants their child in that danger, but I think I can’t forbid Nozomi to follow me into the Corps. She is my only child, my wife sadly can’t bear any more children...My Master betrayed the Corps...It’s our duty to stay loyal to the Corps and serve them with the Moon-Breathing.”

Sumiyoshi put a hand on his friend's shoulder.

“It’s not your fault that your Master betrayed the Corps.”

“But it’s my fault that he could leave...Sumiyoshi...When I fought him, begged him to stay with us...I could have done it...I could have killed him...but I only saw the man who raised me after my parents died, the man I loved like a father...I just couldn’t.”

As an answer his friend wrapped an arm around his shoulder and gave him a squeeze.

“Old friend, who could blame you for not raising your sword against the man you loved like a father? The one who saved your life?”

A bitter laugh escaped Meiyo.

“Oyakata-Sama and all my fellow Demon Slayer. They cursed me and Yoriichi-San out for our weakness for Tsugikuni-Sama.”

“Then they are fools.”, told Sumiyoshi sure. “Everybody with a heart understands how painful it would have been for you two.”

“Enough with this.”, decide Meiyo. “Tell me how are you gonna call the dance.”

“The Hinokami Kagura Dance.”

“Fitting for a family of coal makers. You know...I think I will turn Moon-Breathing into a dance too, it’s a good way to see if someone can do it. Nozomi showed me that. It just needs a name also.”...

Surprised Yua and Tanjiro looked at the scroll.

“Wait, that’s it?”, asked Yua shocked. “Is there more?”

Tanjiro flipped the scroll, but there was nothing.

“No, it ends with the naming of the Jihibukai Tsukigami No Mai and Meiyo and Sumiyoshi saying goodbye to each other.”, told Tanjiro, equally shocked.

“Wow, what a disappointing ending.”, grumbled Yua, crossing her arms.

The red-haired boy closed the scroll and gave her a tiny smile.

“But I think we learned the most important things.”

“Like my ancestor and yours were friends!”, shouted Yua, still in shock about that discovery.

Who would have thought that?

And who would have thought that 300 years later a Kamado and a Mochizuki would be friends and maybe lovers?

“And both were friends with someone named Yoriichi, who used Sun Breathing, which is my Hinokami Kagura Dance.”, added Tanjiro.

The girl nodded.

“Still, some things are still missing. Like why is Sun Breathing so powerful, when we all thought for a long time that Moon Breathing was the strongest?”

“I agree. You sure there is no more in the archives.”

“If there were, Otou-San would have found it.”

Both Demon Slayer signed.

Well, at least they have found something.

Now what to do with it?

***

Since it had taken them half a day to reach the Mochizuki Mansion, Yua, Tanjiro and Nezuko stayed the night over.

They would return back to the Butterfly Mansion tomorrow.

So they enjoyed the rest of the day with the other Mochizuki.

Then even Aunt Chiyoko, her son Daku and Uncle Keitaro came home and met the Kamado Siblings too.

Yua was happy to see all her family, besides the death and the missing Noritaka, together and treating Tanjiro and Nezuko as their family too.

She could see how it touched the Kamado Siblings a lot.

More than once Tanjiro had to wipe away his tears.

Anyway, it was time to sleep.

Tanjiro and Nezuko would sleep in her room, as would Kaito and Hikari.

Her younger cousins didn’t want to leave Nezuko.

It was so cute.

Nezuko lay in her futon, one arm around each child and both gripping the demon girl's clothes with their tiny fist.

Yua and Tanjiro put their futon together and automatically their hands found each other.

They stayed awake watching the moon outside Yua's window.

As they lay there, Yua and Tanjiro couldn't help but think about the scroll they had found earlier that day. They had learned so much about their ancestors and the origins of their respective Breathing Styles. But there were still unanswered questions lingering in their minds.

"Why do you think Sun Breathing is so powerful?" Yua asked, breaking the silence.

Tanjiro thought for a moment before answering. "Maybe it has something to do with the fact that it's based on the sun. Sunlight destroys demons in one instant."

Yua nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. But I wonder if there's more to it than that."

"Maybe we'll find out someday," Tanjiro said optimistically.

Yua smiled at him, grateful for his positivity. She was more of a pessimist.

They complemented each other nicely.

So there was one thing left today before they could fall asleep.

Yua turned sideway in her futon and reached with a hand Tanjiro's head. She turned it towards her.

Automatically Tanjiro was on his side too.

“Tanjiro.”, she whispered quietly under the moonlight. “What are we?”

The boy blushed cutely, putting his hand over Yua and squeezing.

“I want to be together with you.”, he confessed. “Like a real couple. I know it will be hard, us being Demon Slayer, but...I like you so much Yua, I will regret it if I don’t ask you to be mine.”

Yua's heart skipped a beat at Tanjiro's words.

She had been hoping he felt the same way she did, but to hear him say it out loud was still a shock. She took a deep breath before answering.

"I want that too, Tanjiro," she said softly, her hand still on his cheek, gently stroking it. "I want to be with you, even if it means facing danger together as Demon Slayers."

Tanjiro smiled at her, relief and happiness evident on his face.

He leaned in and gently pressed his lips against hers in a tender kiss.

It was brief but sweet, and Yua couldn't help, yet it felt like everything was falling into place.

As they settled back into their futons, Yua snuggled up closer to Tanjiro, feeling safe and content in his arms.

They drifted off to sleep with smiles on their faces, excited about what the future held for them as lovers.

The next morning, Yua and Tanjiro woke up early to prepare for their journey back to the Butterfly Mansion.

Nezuko was still asleep with Kaito and Hikari in her futon.

Yua and Tanjiro quietly got dressed and packed their bags.

Then they woke up the sleepy Nezuko and helped her get into her box.

Hikari and Kaito they let sleep. It was still too early for the four and five-year-old.

As they were about to leave, Haruto came to see them off.

"It was nice meeting you Tanjiro. You and your sister.," he said warmly. "Be sure, that you will have always friends and family in the Mochizuki’s."

"You are so sweet Otou-San," Yua replied with a smile.

"We are really grateful, Haruto-San. Nezuko and I enjoyed staying with your family and thank you for letting us research the archives," added Tanjiro.

Haruto nodded. "Of course, anytime. And be careful on your way back."

"We will, Otou-San" promised Yua.

Father and daughter hugged each other tight, putting all the love they had for each other in it.

They didn't know when they would see each other again.

As Tanjiro and Yua walked out of the mansion gates, hand in hand, the girl couldn't help but feel grateful for everything that had happened during their visit.

They had learned so much about their ancestors and themselves and had strengthened their bond as a couple.

She looked down at Tanjiro, who was smiling up at her with love in his eyes. She knew that whatever challenges they faced as Demon Slayers, they could face them together as partners.

Yua squeezed his hand tighter as they made their way back to the Butterfly Mansion, ready to continue their journey together.

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

And with that, the little Arc is over, now we will get into the Demon Slayer storyline back again.

Also who all are interested in how the others reacted to Yua and Tanjiro being a couple...

“I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!”, shouted Zenitsu, as he watched how Yua and Tanjiro cuddle together in one of the beds of the Butterfly Mansion Patient Room. “HOW THE HECK DID YOU SCORE A GODDESS LIKE YUA-SENPAI?! WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TANJIRO, TELL ME, TELL ME, I MUST KNOW!”

The blond-haired boy crawled up to their bed, tears and snoot flying everywhere and was met with Yua's fist.

He crumpled on the ground like a cheap firework.

Inosuke hollerd, while Tanjiro tutted at his girlfriend.

“What, he was being annoying.”, she defended her action.

From the ground, you only heard pathetic groans.

“So you are mates?”, asked Inosuke to clarify. “Does it mean when mating season is you two will breed?”

The red Tanjiro turned needed a new name, while Yua just deadpanned.

“Boarhead, you don’t ask such things couple normally.”

Meanwhile from behind the door of the patient room the four little girls celebrated that their favourite couple, become one, Aoi was busy explaining to Kanao what was going on and Shinobu?

Giggling she put a hand on her mouth.

“Ara, are, what a nice surprise. I wish you, kids, the best.”

And if she thought about a certain Water Hashira, no one, but Shinobu needed to know.

Now we really are done!

So I beg you please leave A COMMENT!

The more comments I get, the faster you will get chapters ;D

Maiden of the Moon

What if Kokushibo had a pupil, whom he taught the original Moon Breathing before he deserted the Demon Slayer Corps?

Mochizuki Yua was born only for these reasons: To become a Hashira and make her family a respected one in the Demon Slayer Corps.

But if you only live for the expectations of others, who are YOU truly?

What will it take to find yourself?

A long, hard journey awaits.

!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

After a long while I had the urge to update this little FF. 

That’s me.

Writing, stopping for a few months and then going back to writing. XD

The song today Yua sings is I’m on My Way by Phil Collins from the fantastic movie Brother Bear.

Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Mt. Natagumo

Time flows fast and Yua and her three idiotic comrades and wonderful Nezuko have been staying at the Wisteria House for a good six weeks.

Today the doctor declared them finally being healed.

The day started well.

It even got better as Kaguya and Tanjiro’s crow, Matsuemon, brought them new orders.

Their little group shall go North-northeast to Mt. Natagumo.

Finally, Yua could work on her goal of becoming a Hashira. She was starting to get crazy doing nothing but healing in the Wisteria House.

On one hand, she should really first go home and check on her family, yet the disapproving look and the lecture her grandfather would give her, how she managed for six weeks to do nothing and not at least raise a few ranks stopped her from doing so.

She would go back home when she at least levelled up a good three ranks.

Was she a coward?

Yes, she was.

The midnight blue-haired beauty was not ashamed to admit that.

She would rather fist-fight a demon than be criticized by her grandfather. That man could make you feel so bad about yourself, it should be a torture method.

Or better not.

Anyway, our group of four Demon Slayers stood ready before the door of the Wisteria House, Hisa was with them, seeing them off.

Today, Yua had decided to wear her long hair in two long pigtails. As she fixed one, Tanjiro, undoubtedly the one with the best manners, bowed before Hisa.

“We’re heading out now. Thank you for everything.”

The old kind lady smiled and had a stone and grinder in her hands.

Oh how nice of her!

“Now then, for good luck.”, said Hisa.

“Thank you so much!”

Yua, Tanjiro and Zenitsu turn their back to Hisa, as she strikes the stone against the grinder a couple of times, little sparks flying in the air.

And again it shows that Inosuke really only ever lived on a mountain surrounded by animals since he freaks out seeing that.

Only Yua's fast reflexes stop the boar-headed boy from attacking the old lady. She has him in a headlock, while he shouts: “What do you think you’re doing, old hag?!”

“What are you, a moron?!”, shouts Zenitsu back.

“Is that a rhetoric question, Agatsuma.”, deadpans Yua, gripping Inosuke tighter. “Stop struggling so much, Hashibira!”

The blond-haired boy explains: “She’s striking sparks for good luck! It’s a purification ceremony! Because we’re gonna go on a dangerous mission!”

“So stand down and accept it.”, adds Yua.

Still confused the boar-headed boy does as he was said and Hisa can complete the ritual.

All beside Inosuke bow before her in thanks.

“Always live your lives with great pride. I wish you luck in battle!”

The older girl thanks her in the name of the group and with that the Demon Slayers and one Demon Girl in a box set off.

It’s exactly quiet for five minutes before the wild boy speaks up.

““Great pride”? “Luck in battle”? What does that mean?”

Zenitsu can’t help himself and think what a moron Inosuke is, while Yua fights off the urge to facepalm.

Hard.

Like she said.

Idiots, besides Nezuko.

“Well, yeah, now that you mention it, it’s kind of difficult to explain.”, try however Tanjiro to explain to him. ““With great pride”… I guess it means that you know your place and that you behave properly so that you’re never ashamed of yourself.”

“Huh?”

“And the old lady is also praying for our safety.”

“So what is this “place”? What do you mean, “never ashamed”?”

“Well, it’s…”

“What exactly does it mean to “behave properly”? Why in the hell would that old hag pray for our safety, anyway? She has nothing to do with us, so why?”

“Ahh…”

“She has no clue what her own place is, does she?”

Before someone gets an aneurysm, most likely poor goodhearted Tanjiro, Yua step energetically forward and starts to sing.

“Tell everybody I'm on my way

New friends and new places to see

With blue skies ahead yes

I'm on my way

And there's nowhere else

that I'd rather be!”

This earned her a confused huh from Inosuke, Zenitsu fangirling and Tanjiro bilking at her surprised.

Neither one of them ever heard this type of song.

After six weeks they were used to the beautiful songs Yua sang, but they were more from their folklore, besides the one she called Gurenge and didn’t tell them who had taught her that.

“Tell everybody I'm on my way

And I'm loving every step I take

With the sun beating down yes

I'm on my way

And I can't keep this smile off my face!”

Also, she only sang in the morning, while she combed Nezuko's hair.

Suddenly starting to sing was new.

But not unwelcome.

“'Cause there's nothing like seeing

each other again

No matter what the distance between

And the stories that we tell

will make you smile

Oh, it really lifts my heart!”

All the boys, even Inosuke, loved her singing.

Yua had an amazing voice.

“So tell 'em all I'm on my way

New friends and new places to see

And to sleep under the stars

Who could ask for more

With the moon keeping watch over me!”

As Yua finished singing, the group looked at her in confusion.

She shrugged and said, "It’s a good song while you walk. Your squabbling didn’t really help us."

"Well, THAT was useless.”, snorted Inosuke “We still don't know what that old hag meant."

The midnight blue-haired girl just rolled her eyes.

She had hoped singing her wandering song would also stop this stupid discussion.

Inosuke was trough and trough boar-headed.

"Look, Hashibira, it means that we should be proud of who we are and what we do. We should behave properly and not bring shame to ourselves or our comrades. And Hisa prayed for us because she cares about us and wants us to come back safely."

 Zenitsu nodded in agreement, "Exactly! And we should appreciate her kindness and good wishes."

Inosuke grumbled but seemed to understand a little better now. Or maybe they all hoped it.

Tanjiro smiled at his friends and said, "Let's go then! Mt. Natagumo is waiting for us!"

And with that, the group set off on their next mission with determination and pride in their hearts.

***

In the evening Yua, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke finally arrived at the base of Mt. Natagumo.

The Aura-sensing girl hissed as she felt the vibes of the places.

Yes, demons alright.

And pretty strong ones too.

“Hold up! Would you mind waiting a second?”, screeched Zenitsu from the back of the group.

“Zenitsu? What’s wrong?”, ask Tanjiro worried.

“I’m scared, all right?! Now that we’re nearing our destination, I’m so scared!”

“Here we go again...”, mumbled Yua.

This was the Demon Mansion all over again.

“Why the hell is he sitting?”, pointed Inosuke on the ground cowering Zenitsu. “How creepy is that?”

“Who are you to talk, Pig Face?! Don’t tell me you’re not getting any vibes from that mountain!”

Okay, that was surprising.

“You feel it also Agatsuma? The Aura of this place is full of malice and I bet we will find some strong Demons there.”

Tanjiro and Inosuke turn to the mountain but it’s clear that they sense nothing.

“Still, what good will it do to just sit there?”, wondered Tanjiro.

Yua fixes one of her pigtails.

“That place may be full of malice aura, but I’m not afraid like Agatsuma. We should get going, guys.”

“I told you, he’s creepy.”, reminds Inosuke them.

“I am not in any way creepy! I’m normal! I’m the normal one! You guys are abnormal! Erm...I mean Yua-Senpai is special, not creepy at all she is just erm...”

“Agatsuma nothing you ever will say will get you into my pants.”, deadpans Yua with her hands on her hips.

Suddenly Tanjiro becomes all rigged and turns to the direction of the mountain. His companions look at him confused.

Zenitsu ask him what's wrong and Tanjiro's answer is that there is a smell.

This makes Yua reach out with her Aura Sensing, in the six weeks with the boys and Nezuko she learned, how good Tanjiro could smell and how fine Zenitsu's hearing was.

This means if Tanjiro smells something it must be important.

And she is right with her guess as she feels an Aura full of pain crashing against her senses.

It’s human!

“Follow me, boys!”, she commands and runs towards the direction of the painful Aura.

Tanjiro and Inosuke are right behind her and after a few seconds, Zenitsu joins them.

When they get closer to the mountain, they see a wounded Demon Slayer.

“Ngh… Ugh…Ah… H-Help me.”, cries the wounded boy.

“He’s got our uniform on. He’s a Demon Slayer!”, shouts Tanjiro. “Something must’ve happened!”

Yua can’t help but sass back. “Really? What tipped you off, that he is a bloody mess?”

Nonetheless, Yua, Tanjiro and Inosuke run up to their Demon Slayer comrade, while Zenitsu begs them to wait for him.

Tanjiro is the first by the boy and asks him if he is okay. Again Yua wants to point out what a stupid question this is when suddenly the wounded Demon Slayer rises in the air by fine strings. He shouts for help, but sadly he gets pulled back into the direction of the dense forest of the mountain.

The Hinoto gets a determined look on her face.

“Guys, let’s go!”

“Of course, Yua-Senpai.”, agrees Tanjiro.

“I’ll go on ahead. You can follow me, shivering.”, tells Inosuke. “This is making me hungry.”

Yua snorts.

“Strange time to get hungry, but let’s get moving guys. You listen to my word, since I’m the highest rank here, alright.”

Both boys agree, even if Inosuke grumbles.

The three run into the forest, leaving a scarred and crying Zenitsu behind.

They run up a trail when Inosuke suddenly stops.

“Huh? What the hell is this?”

Tanjiro and Yua stop to see what is with Inosuke.

That’s really strange.

“A spider web?”, wonders Tanjiro for them aloud.

“Jeez, this place is full of spiderwebs! What a pain!”

Again Yua lets her Aura Sensing sweep around to get what is going on, while Tanjiro thanks both her and Inosuke for being here with him since alone he would be afraid.

The girl waves it just away as she pit-points two auras before them.

Two familiar aura.

One is a welcome sight the other not.

“Murata-San, Katsumi.”, she greeted the two scarred Demon Slayers. “What is the situation?”

Murata, the black-haired male, seemed happy to see her, while Katsumi Tomita, the brown-haired one, looked like someone had killed his cat.

“Yua-Senpai! I’m so glad to see you. At least a Minoto! Tell me do you have a Hashira with you?!”, babbled Murata, tears streaming from his eyes.

She couldn’t even answer, before Katsumi hissed: “You want to lay your hope on the Moonlight Beauty, Murata? She and her whole family are cursed! We are totally fucked!”

Lovely, still the nicknaming asshole Yua had the displeasure of ever meeting. She could have gone her whole life without seeing the brown-haired young man ever again.

She grounded her teeth together and tried to talk herself out of it to just kick Katsumi's ass.

“You know Yua-Senpai?”, asked Tanjiro, joining them with Inosuke.

“I have met and killed with Murata-San a few Demons.”, revealed Yua. “Katsumi and I just know each other from one occasion.”

Katsumi scoffed.

“That one occasion was enough. You, Mochizuki’s, only bring bad luck and death with you!”

The midnight blue-haired girl takes a deep breath and tries to remain calm despite Katsumi's insults. She knows that getting angry won't solve anything, and they need to focus on the situation at hand.

"Murata, tell us what happened," she says, turning her attention to the tearful Demon Slayer.

Murata sniffles and wipes his eyes before speaking. "Th-The crow gave us the order! And ten of us Demon Slayers came here. Not long after we entered the mountain, the Slayers…the Slayers started killing each other! Tomita-San and I barely escaped with our lives.”

Yua nods, understanding the gravity of the situation. Behind the killing under the Demon Slayers was surely a Blood Demon Art responsible. What kind of Demon could take nearly over a full group of Slayers was the question?

They needed to go on with caution.

“Who is with you, Moonlight Beauty?”, spat Katsumi, eyeing Tanjiro and Inosuke. “A boy barely weened from his mother and a boy hiding behind a mask?”

Tanjiro and Inosuke both didn’t like how this Katsumi called their Yua-Senpai by the nickname she hated so much. She seemed ready to murder the brown-haired man. Normally she was calm and collected.

There was history between them, so much was clear.

 “I’m Kamada Tanjiro and he is Hashibira Inosuke, rank Mizunoto.”, answered Tanjiro for them.

He didn’t like this hostile attitude towards Yua-Senpai. He hoped he could turn the attention like this to them and away from Yua.

It worked half since Murata yelled: “Mizunoto… Mizunoto?! Why didn’t they send a Hashira with Yua-Senpai?”

“I told you Murata!”, groaned Katsumi. “The Mochizuki bring only bad luck with them. It would have been too much for the Moonlight Beauty to have other Minoto with her or even a higher rank.”

“No matter how many Mizunoto they send, it won’t help! Even with a Minoto now. It’s pointless!”

“It was pointless from the start with the Moonlight Beauty!”

Suddenly Inosuke let out a loud yell and punched Murata and Katsumi in the face.

Yua felt a sick satisfaction seeing Katsumi getting punched, she was only sorry for Murata.

“Inosuke!!”, scolded Tanjiro.

Violence against their brother-in-arms was surely not it, even if a tiny part of him thought Katsumi deserved a punch in the face for being so rude to Yua.

“Shut up!”, hollerd Inosuke. “As far as pointless goes, your existence itself has no point at all!”

“Who the hell is this guy?! Did you forget that Tomita-San and I have seniority?!”

“Of course, the Moonlight Beauty would travel with freaks?!”

“What is your problem with Yua-Senpai!”, now Tanjiro was nearly yelling. “You keep calling her by the nickname she hates and say her whole family is cursed. Why?!”

“Kamado, it’s fine. I don’t give a shit what Katsumi thinks of me or my family.”, tries Yua to calm him down.

Tanjiro's disbelieving look says it all. Of course, he must smell how she is ready to commit murder.

A little evil chuckle leaves Katsumi's lips.

“So you don’t know that the Mochizuki learned the Moon Breathing from a Demon? And not any Demon either. Michikatsu Tsugikuni was a Demon Slayer once and betrayed the whole corps. The first and only one who did this!”

Yua bit her lips and looked down at the ground. Sadly it was true.

“You can’t trust a family who won’t stop using the Breathing Style of a Demon. Their loyalty lies surely with the Demon who taught them!”

The Minoto takes a deep breath and looks up at Katsumi with a cold expression.

"My family's loyalty lies with the Demon Slayer Corps and protecting humanity from Demons," she says firmly. "We may have learned the Moon Breathing from someone who turned Demon, but we also learned how to kill them and protect innocent lives."

Tanjiro nods in agreement, understanding the weight of Yua's words. Inosuke just grunts, still angry at the insults towards his comrades.

"We need to focus on finding the Demon who uses the Blood Demon Art responsible for the killings," Yua continues, trying to steer the conversation back to the mission at hand. "We can't afford to let our personal feelings get in the way."

Murata wipes his tears and nods, grateful for Yua's leadership. Katsumi just rolls his eyes, not convinced by her words.

But he knows deep down that they need to work together if they want to survive this mission.

Suddenly they hear a strange sound. Murata tells the newcomers that it sounded also before the other Demon Slayers started to kill each other.

Immediate Yua sweeps with her Aura-Sensing the clearing they are in.

“They are coming!”, she tells the four boys, reading her Katana. The white blade seems to shimmer under the moonlight. “Get ready!”

A group of Demon Slayers hobbles toward them, ready to attack.

Murata and Katsumi dodged the attacks. The Demon Slayers attack Inosuke and Tanjirou, but they also dodge.

“Haha! These guys are all morons!”, laughs Inosuke. “They don’t know that it’s taboo for us Demon Slayers to fight each other!”

Swift and with grace Yua counters the sword strikes of the two Demon Slayers before her, upper-handing them, taking their Katana’s from them and throwing them far away into the forest.

“They don’t do it of their free will Hashibara.”, yells Yua, locked in a sword fight with a new Demon Slayer. “They are like marionettes, someone forces them to fight!”

“Yua-Senpai is right. Something controls them!”, agrees Tanjiro.

This only makes Inosuke take out his katana, ready to slice up the other Demon Slayers, only Tanjiro and Yua yelling at him that they can’t hurt their follow comareds since some of them are still alive, stop him.

“Do it like me. Upperhand them and throw the Katana far away!”, advised Yua, before she fully concretes on the opponent before her.

Tanjiro slices through the air above a Demon Slayer’s back, severing spider strings. The Demon Slayer falls to the ground motionless.

“Good eye, Kamado!”, praises Yua and cuts the strings on the Demon Slayer before her.

“They’re threads! They’re being manipulated by threads! Slash the threads!”, spells out Tanjiro for the rest of the group.

They continue to fight, cutting threads, till Yua Aura-Sensing tickles her.

She looks down at her arm to find two small spiders crawling over it.

“Spiders?”, she mumbles and then has enlightenment. “They are controlled by these spiders!”

As to prove her point her arms lift themselves from alone, thankful she can cut the threads again.

“Guys, we need to find the Demon fast. The spiders are so tiny and just put the threads we cut back on!”

“So, all we gotta do is kill those damn spiders, huh?”, wonder Inosuke.

It’s Tanjiro who answers him: “That would be impossible! Those spiders are tiny, and I’m sure there are tons of them! We gotta find the demon who’s controlling them!”

“My Aura-Sensing is at its limit I can’t find the Aura of the Demon.”, admins Yua frustrated.

She really needs to train it more! When they get out here alive, she will do so.

“Inosuke, if you have some kind of power that can pinpoint the demon’s location, then help me out!”, turns Tanjiro to him. “This weird smell has been flowing in, and my nose isn’t working great! Ngh… And also, um…”

“It’s Murata!”

“I’m Tomita!”

“Murata! Tomita! Yua-Senpai. We will find a way to deal with the people being controlled! Inosuke, you…”

Exactly at the same moment, Yua feels a terrible Aura. Shivering she looks up.

There on fine spider treads stands a Demon in the form of a young boy with white hair, red markings on his face and a simple white kimono.

“Don’t disturb my family’s peaceful life.”, tells the Demon boy in an eerie voice. “Mother will kill you all right away.”

Inosuke doesn’t seem to care and tries to reach him. It fails spectacularly.

“Damn you!”, curses the masked boy on his back. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?! Fight me! Fight…!”

The Demon boy just walks away.

“Inosuke!”

“Hashibira!”

“Why did he show up, anyway?”, ask Inosuke Tanjiro and Yua.

“That kid probably isn’t the demon pulling the puppet strings!”, tells Tanjiro.

“But we should be careful of the kid, it’s Aura is sicking!”, warns them Yua.

Tanjiro nods.

“Right, so first, let’s…”

“Okay, okay, okay! I hear you, all right?!”, shouts Inosuke. “You want me to find where that demon is at, right? Shut up already, Forehead!”

Inosuke sticks his swords into the ground, kneeling down and putting his arms up and sideways. Yua and Tanjiro protected him from the incoming Demon Slayer puppets.

“Ngh… Beast Breathing, Seventh Form, Special Awareness! Grrr…”

He takes a deep breath, feeling his way through the forest, finding the location of the Spider Demon Mother

“Found it. There you are!”

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

Maiden of the Moon

What if Kokushibo had a pupil, whom he taught the original Moon Breathing before he deserted the Demon Slayer Corps?

Mochizuki Yua was born only for these reasons: To become a Hashira and make her family a respected one in the Demon Slayer Corps.

But if you only live for the expectations of others, who are YOU truly?

What will it take to find yourself?

A long, hard journey awaits.

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

My loves I’m sorry the chapter came out so late. I had written the first version but forgot to save it. *facepalm*

Then it needed to be Beta-Read.

But here you have it now. :D

Check out my DeviantArt or Wattpad to see some AI Pics of Yua ^^

Chapter 15: Lower and Upper Moon

Long the couple can’t try to wake up their friends, since they get attacked!

Thankful both Yua and Tanjiro sensed it by a mile and jumped to safety with Nezuko.

The one who attacked them was a girl in a green kimono with two braids holding an ice pick.

What the...?

“What are you doing?!”, shouts Tanjiro confused.

Why is a human attacking them?

“Get out of our way!”, growls Braids. “Thanks to you guys, we won’t be able to have dreams!”

Soon she is joined by a boy, and two other females, one being blond, the other wearing a bow in her hair.

Are they controlled by the demon...or acting on their own free will?

“What do you think you’re doing? If you’re awake, you’d better help us out!”, yells Braids to a sickly-looking boy. So they do it of their own free will, but why wonders Yua? “You may have tuberculosis or whatever, but if you don’t do your job, I’m going to tell him, and then he won’t show you any dreams, you hear me?!”

Ah, the man is sick and his fellow passage might be too or have another tragedy they want to forget in the beautiful dreams the Demon creates.

Yua and Tanjiro share a glance.

They can understand them, however...

“Sorry. We have to go fight.”, says Tanjiro for them.

Fast as lighting the couple takes out the four hostile passengers with a chop on the neck. Only the sickly boy remains.

The couple looks sad down at the fainted passenger. This was not fun at all.

“You want to stay inside a happy dream, don’t you? I know. I wanted to stay inside my dream, too. If only this was the dream…”, signs Tanjiro.

Fast Nezuko run up to her brother, as Yua takes her boyfriend's hand.

“I understand you Tanjiro, but my mother once told me happiness and tragedy are the same sides of a coin. Without tragedy we wouldn’t know happiness, without happiness, we wouldn’t endure tragedy. The world is cruel and yet so beautiful.”

Her boyfriend gifts her a soft smile, tears sparkling in his eyes.

“Thanks, Yua, I needed to hear that.”

“Anytime.”

Then they turn to the sickly boy asking him if he is alright. He seems okay, even thankful, from what Yua can sense of his Aura. He won’t attack them.

He even wishes them Good Luck.

Whatever he experienced in Tanjiro's dream/soul/subconscious changed him.

The young woman could understand this well, Tanjiro already changed her a lot first with his friendship, now with his love.

With Nezuko they leave the cart in search of the demon.

Out of it, Tanjiro can smell him and Yua feels the demonic Aura formally twisting in the air.

Surprisingly, they didn’t sense that demon before.

“Tanjiro, I bet with you this must be one of the 12 Moons.”, shares Yua her theory. “We have to be careful from here on.”

“Right! Nezuko, don’t come here! Stay away from us and wait! Go wake everyone up!”

As the demon girl does as her brother says, the couple swings themselves onto the roof of the train car.

They run along the roofs, till they find the suit-wearing demon with a bobcut.

He turns to them, in his eyes are the Kanji for Lower Moon 1.

At least not an Upper Moon.

The Demon is surprised to see them and even has the gall to greet them friendly with a Good Morning.

Both Demon Slayers get their Katanas ready.

“Why did you two wake up? Didn’t I show you sweet dreams?”, wonders Lower Moon 1. “I could’ve shown you a dream where your families were being slaughtered. Would you have liked that one better? No, of course not. Too distressing, right? All right, next… why don’t I show you a dream where your father comes back to life? And you girl I show a dream of the sibling you always desired.”

“Don’t you dare intrude on our souls! I won’t let you… get away with this!”, shoots Tanjiro back.

“You disgust me.”, states Yua simply.

That’s when the Lower Moon notes the Hanafuda-Earrings of Tanjiro. He gets all excited since the Demon King told him to kill Hashira and Tanjiro. He talks about how he will get more blood from his master if he brings him their heads so he can challenge an Upper Moon for their position.

“Enough with the monologue!”, decides Yua and starts to run up to the Demon. Her attacks work best close to the enemy.

Tanjiro behind her gets ready to with Water Breathing… Tenth Form… Constant Flux which forms a giant water dragon that follows him.

Lower Moon One counters them with his Blood Demon Art....and Yua is back in the dream Mochizuki Estate.

“Damn it!”, shouts the midnight blue-haired beauty. “How can I wake up again? Before, something triggered my Aura-Sensing, maybe like this...?”

She concretes and tries to feel for Tanjiro's familiar, warm, beloved Aura and the repulsing, narcotic Aura of the Lower Moon.

It takes her a few seconds, but she wakes up.

Yua is sitting on the roof and watches how Tanjiro decapitates the demon.

However, she jumps up and gets herself battle-ready.

He didn’t turn to ash.

This is not a good sign.

“Tanjiro, get ready!”, she alarms her boyfriend. “This is isn’t over yet!”

And she was right as a mass of flesh forms under the Lower Moon Heads.

Cackling the demon tells them how the body they saw, wasn’t his body anymore and he managed to fusion with the train.

Now he makes clear how the passengers in the train aren’t not only his food but his hostages.

He formally challenges them to protect them all from him.

Tanjiro tries again to decapitate him, but sadly the head and mass just vanish into the train.

“Tanjiro, you go after the Demon, I will take care of the wagons!”, tells Yua her plan.

Her boyfriend looks astonished at her.

“Yua, these are too many wagons for you alone to protect! You can’t keep an eye on the whole train.”

She grits her teeth. He is right of course.

“Yes, but I can protect at least 5 alone, this is better than nothing. Someone of us needs to go and end the Demon or this nightmare never ends.”

Anyone could see on Tanjiro's face how he didn’t like this plan, yet what else could they do?

They were only in two.

However, it seemed the kami wanted to help them.

A train roof breaks open and Inosuke jumps out of it!

“Follow me, damn minions! All right! Explosive awakening!”, hollers the wild boy. “Comin’ through! Lord Inosuke’s comin’ through!”

It’s like a giant weight falls from their heart.

At least they are in three now.

“Inosuke! It’s not safe anywhere on the train anymore! We have to protect the sleeping passengers!”, informs Tanjiro. “This whole train’s turned into a demon! Can you hear me? This whole train is a demon!”

“I knew it! So, I was right on the money! That means I was a total stud as a leader!”

“Yes, yes, now help us to protect the passengers!”, deadpans Yua.

You don’t have to tell this the wild boy twice and he jumps back down the hole he came from. They hear how he slices something fleshy.

Yua lays a hand on Tanjiro and makes me take some steps.

“Inosuke can alone protect the two. You go five wagons up. I will take care of them.”

Her boyfriend nods, squeezes her hand and starts running.

Elegant Yua kicks in a window and gets inside the carriage.

Already it’s consumed in the flesh mass and fleshy-like tentacles reach for the passenger.

Like she is a whirlwind Yua cuts through any tentacles she sees. She runs her five wagons up and down, cutting tentacles on her way, using her Breathing Style in the best and most efficient way.

She feels at one point a thunderclap, this surely means Zenitsu is awake now too.

But she can’t miss a bit or her passenger are meals!

So she continues with her task.

Suddenly an explosion gets off, sending Yua tumbling. She can catch herself in the last moment.

“What the???”, she asked out loud confused.

What was that?

“Young Mochizuki!”, yells surprisingly Rengoku in her ear and okay she jumped a little.

The Flame Hashira stands beside her, grinning.

“I see, you protected five wagons on your own. The yellow guy and the demon girl are taking care of the three. I shall proceed with the remaining five. Young Mochizuki, let me tell you how proud I am of you and I will pledge to our Master to make you a Hashira.”

The young woman doesn’t even get a word out before Rengoku vanishes as fast as he came.

Blinking she looks at the dust cloud and writhing tentacles he left behind.

Slowly she registered what he said to her.

“THANK YOU!”, she shouts back, then gets back to her work.

If she had to tell you, You couldn’t tell you how long and how many times she ran up and down her five wagons sliced up tentacles.

It seemed like an eternity.

Then all hell broke loose!

A giant explosion occurred and the train jumped off the trails.

Gritting her teeth, trying to stay on top, Yua has her hands full with keeping her passenger safe and sound. She uses some of her Breathing Techniques to catch them or to destroy harmful things.

Finally, the train stops!

“Oh thank Tsukuyomi!”, she gasps happily.

She was getting worried she couldn’t keep up anymore.

Careful she checks on her passengers. Slowly she helps them up, gives the wounded First Aid and then helps them get out of the train.

Out of the train, Yua lets out a deep breath, looking up in the sky. The sun will be up soon and it seems the Lower Moon is history.

This long nightmare has found an end.

Now she can try to find her precious people.

The first ones she finds are Nezuko and Zenitsu sleeping side by side near the train. After checking that both of them are alright, she lays her dark blue haori with the big crescent moon on the lower sleeve over them.

She will let Zenitsu sleep, he isn’t touching Nezuko in any way that isn’t okay, so she will let them.

Next, she meets Inosuke and he tells her all about how he and Tanjiro managed to behead the Demon Train.

Then he tells her that her boyfriend is wounded.

And from Yua, you only see a dust cloud.

Inosuke runs after her.

However, the closer she gets where Tanjiro is, the more she feels Rengoku Aura, wild and fiery, against a powerful demonic Aura.

No...it can’t be.

After the Lower Moon an Upper Moon appeared?!

The young woman ran faster!

She needs to check on Tanjiro and help Rengoku!

Together with Inosuke she reaches Tanjiro and sees Rengoku against the Upper Moon fighting.

Yua kneels, helping Tanjiro sit upright.

They look into each other eyes, they don’t need words to tell the other that they are okay or in Tanjiro's case okay-ish.

Then she stands up and wants to unsheathe her Katana like Inosuke, but Rengoku calls out to them: “Stay where you are! If that wound reopens, it’ll be fatal! Stand back!”

“But Rengoku-San!”, protested Yua.

“That’s an order! Mochizuki, you hear me?!”

Gripping her Katana Yua doesn’t know what to do. Can she help Rengoku? He told her he saw a Hashira in her, but now he wants her to stay out of the fight.

What should she do?

Meanwhile, the Upper Moon mocks Rengoku telling him he shouldn’t waste his time with weaklings.

Upper Moon moves to hit Rengoku’s eye, but Rengoku knocks him back. Rengoku slices at the Demon again. The two are locked in battle, and Rengoku sends Upper Moon flying into the forest. He goes after him.

The three younger Demon Slayers call out for Rengoku as he comes flying out of the forest!

“Rengoku!”

“Ol’ Google-eyes!”

“Rengoku-San!”

The Upper Moon tries to sway Rengoku to his side, he should become a Demon, but, Rengoku makes clear that he won’t.

They fight longer and harder.

Yua shakes from nerves.

It was to stay down, but...she had a feeling if she didn’t help Rengoku he would die!

What should she do?

After a long and hard beat down, both opponents jump away from each other.

With the last attack, it seemed Rengoku got the demon.

“Ohh… Did he do it? Did he win?!”. ask Inosuke.

The only girl checks the Aura of Rengoku and gasps.

“Oh no!”

“Oh no? What’s wrong Yuna?!”

She doesn’t need to answer as drops of blood stream down Rengoku and he breathes heavily.

“Okay, enough!”

She ignores Tanjiro and Inosuke shouts to not do it as she runs up to Rengoku and the demon.

Surprised the demon looks at her and...is that hesitation in his eyes?

Whatever, Yua will stop!

“Moon Breathing! Sixth Form: Everlasting Night, Populous Moon, Intermittent!”

She rapidly performs a multitude of curved slashes several meters in front of her that release a wild barrage of crescent moon blades capable of slicing up the surroundings.

The Upper Moon can dodge some of her blades and heal himself, however, he doesn’t attack her.

Why?

“Young lady, my fight is not with you.”, tells her the demon. “Please, leave.”

“You made it my fight when you attacked my Senpai!”, she growls and runs up to him.

She tried to slash him, but he only dodged her, never attacking.

What is going on?

“Why aren’t you fighting back?!”, she shouts. “I’m not worth it, you sexist demon?!”

The Demon grits his teeth.

“I don’t fight nor do I eat woman. This goes against my code!”

“You are a demon, an Upper Moon! And you tell me you have an honor code?!”, she screams, slashing widely, getting a few cuts in. “If you don’t fight back your head will be mine!”

He jumps back from the big slash she wanted to perform on his head, while Yua again uses her Moon Breathing.

“Moon Breathing! Tenth Form: Moon shines on the Bambus Cutter!”

She creates three rotating circular saw-like slashes with crescent moon blades following their path.

They managed to cut the arms off the Upper Moon, so she jumped high in the air, aiming for the head, while he dodged the saw-like slashes.

Her Katana finds his neck!

Yua growls and tries to sink it deeper.

It slices a quarter of the neck.

The Upper Demon, also known as Akaza, knows if he doesn’t do something the young woman will take his head!

But he doesn’t hurt women.

Never will he do this!

And the sun is nearly up! he thinks rapidly. I will be as gentle as possible...

Surprised Yua feels how the Demon grips her under her arms and throws her away. He throws her so away that she lands in a bush, not hurting at all.

“What the hell?!”

“He is running away!”, yells Inosuke.

Yua tries to get out of the bush, however, the branches are twisted in her clothes.

The Upper Moon got away.

Angry Yua lets out a scream.

***

The Kakushi have finally arrived and are giving all the Demon Slayer First Aid before they move them to the Butterfly Mansion.

Rengoku, Yua, Tanjiro and Inosuke lay side by side to get the treatment.

The sun shines warm down on them.

“That was dumb and unnecessarily risky if you, young Mochizuki!”, scolds her Rengoku. “You have gone against my orders.”

“With all due respect Senpai, but you weren’t anymore cable of fighting and I will be damned if one of my brother or sister-in-arms dies when I can prevent it.”, rebuts Yua.

She feels how Tanjiro grips her hand to calm her down.

“Young Mochizuki I respect your passion and blazing heart for your comrades, but you have gone against my order!”

“You would have done the same for us!”, she shouts back, which makes Rengoku stop. “It said that People who don’t follow the rules are trash, but I think the one who doesn’t help his friends is worse than trash!”

It’s still for a few minutes, only the Kakushi talking, before Rengoku lets out a quiet laugh. “I suppose you are right, young Mochizuki. My worries for you young ones have made me forget how we all would lay down our lives for our friends. You will make a formidable Hashira.”

A little blush forms on her cheeks and she thanks him.

“I’m happy that we all are fine!”, cries Zenitsu who sits beside them with Nezuko's box. “After a Lower Moon and an Upper Moon, this was too much.”

“At least we all are alive and none of the passengers die.”, adds Tanjiro, also crying.

Loving Yua strokes the back of the hand with her thumb.

“Still, I wonder why the ball head didn’t want to fight Yuka.”

“Maybe we will never find out this, young Boar Boy, but we all did our best. I don’t think I can be Hashira for some time with only one eye left, I have to adapt to that, so I think young Mochizuki here will be an amazing addition to us.”

“You honour me with your words, Senpai. If Oyakata-Sama makes me a Hashira I will thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s all nice and stuff.”, interrupts Sayako in her Kakushi uniform. “But you guys are ready for the Butterfly Mansion, you can be sappy there.”

“It’s always a joy with you, Yako.”

“Just telling how it is YuYu. Just telling how it is.”

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

Rengoku is alive, Rengoku is alive!

He will be out for a while as Demon Slayer but I think when we get to Infinity Castle he will be back :D

This is the first big canon divergent of the story, let’s see what else will change.

Until next time my loves!

Here are the Pics!

Maiden of the Moon

What if Kokushibo had a pupil, whom he taught the original Moon Breathing before he deserted the Demon Slayer Corps?

Mochizuki Yua was born only for these reasons: To become a Hashira and make her family a respected one in the Demon Slayer Corps.

But if you only live for the expectations of others, who are YOU truly?

What will it take to find yourself?

A long, hard journey awaits.

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

Chapter 8: The Butterfly Mansion

The young woman didn’t know how long she slept.

She just knew it was still not enough as she woke up.

With a loud yawn, Yua stretched herself and blinked into the sunlight that streamed into the Butterfly Mansion Patient Room.

She knows the room well.

Wasn’t the first time that she was here for cures after a heavy battle with a demon.

You never quite forget the smell of the flowers and antiseptic in the air.

“Uurgh, what time and day is it?”, she asked into the room.

She hoped that Aoi-San was in the room or the least one of the little girls.

Luck was not on her side since a well-known and shrill voice shouted: “Yua-Senpai, you are awake!”

“Agatsuma...”, she growled, turning to him, a vein popping up on her forehead. “I just woke up, I’m cranky and ready to commit murder, I don’t need your shrill voice! Keep it down.”

A little shriek escaped Zenitsu, till he noted what he did and clapped his tiny arms over his mouth.

Huh...?

“What the heck happened to you?”, she asked astonished. “What’s up with your arms?”

The blond-haired boy started to cry softly.

And with a lot of snoot.

Urgh.

“It was terrible Yua-Senpai. I followed your guys up the mountain to protect Nezuko-Chan and one of these Spider Creeps injected me with venom! I nearly turned into a spider myself! That’s why my arms and legs are shrunk! With my breathing style, I could stop the transforming process long enough till Shinobu-Sama could give me an antidote. But I need to drink disgusting medicine till I’m back to my old self again.”, he told her all teary and winy his woe.

Yua just deadpanned.

“Woman-up, Agatsuma! Be glad you are still alive.”

He didn’t woman-up and whined into his pillow.

That’s when Yua saw Inosuke in the bed next to Zenitsu. The wild boy Aura was all gloomy.

Okay, now that was terrifying.

“Do I wanna know what happened to Hashibira?”

“I heard he lost his voice or something.”, answered Zenitsu anyway. “I don’t have all the details, but I heard he, like, got hit in the neck, and when he yelled at the top of his lungs at the end, that finished it off, and that did a number on his throat. He’s depressed now, so it’s made him gentle, and it really cracks me up! Hehehehe… Hehehehe!”

“Stop it with the creepy laugh or I will suffocate you.”, promised the midnight blue-haired girl.

Immediately the blond stopped to laugh.

He could smell how murders Yua was feeling. Better not to go on her nerves.

“Where are Kamado and Nezuko?”, she asked.

“I don’t know. They wouldn’t tell me. I’m worried.”, admitted Zenitsu.

With a sign, Yua got again comfortable in her bed.

“Then we can only wait and pray.”

***

Somehow Yua managed to fall asleep again.

The Spider Demon did really a number of her if she still was so sleepy and feeling weak.

When she woke up again, Yua felt a bit better.

She sat up and looked around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings.

It was quiet except for the sound of Zenitsu's soft snores. She glanced over at him and saw that he was asleep, his arms and legs still shrunk from the venom.

Inosuke was laying in his bed still as a statue, his Aura gloomy.

That didn’t fit him at all, but Yua didn’t know how to raise his spirits.

She wasn’t good at this kind of thing.

Yua sighed and leaned back against her pillows, wondering how long they would have to stay here before they were fully healed.

She missed being out in the field, fighting demons, rising in Ranks and finally becoming a Hashira. However, she knew that she needed time to recover after her latest battle.

It was just awesome.

After six weeks spent in the Wisteria Mansion, now she was in the Butterfly Mansion and who knew how long this time it would take to heal?

Her grandfather would give it to her, if she returned home and wasn’t at least a Kinoe, for all this wasted time in his eyes.

She flexed her arms, saying the secret password and watched the Kanji appear on her skin.

Kinoto.

She raised two Ranks.

Normally she would be proud, however, she could only think that if she raised one more Rank she would have been a Kinoe.

So close and yet so far.

How long would it take before she became one?

How long till they would offer her the position of a Hashira?

The midnight blue-haired beauty missed her family, besides her grandfather, and she didn’t want to stay away longer from home.

Yet it seemed she had to.

She would not face her grandfather like that.

Never.

As she lay there, she directed her thoughts away from this and to Nezuko and Tanjiro.

She hoped they were safe wherever they were, and that they would be able to join them soon.

Yua closed her eyes and said a silent prayer for their well-being to Tsukuyomi.

After a few minutes of restful silence, Yua heard a knock on the door.

She opened her eyes and called out, "Who is it?"

"It's me, Aoi." came the reply.

A little smile formed on the midnight blue-haired young woman.

“Long time not seen, Aoi-San," she greeted her.

Aoi entered the room with a tray of food.

"Indeed, Yua-San. Good morning," she replied with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"A little better," Yua admitted as she set down the tray on her lap. “So tell me, how bad of shape I am?”

“You have significant muscle strains all over your body, your cousin Sayako said you used the forbidden technique of the Moon-Breathing?”

She just nodded.

“It did a number one you, but Sayako-San said you could have broken bones too. Anyway, you need to rest, we bandaged both your arms and one leg, there were the strains the heaviest. The compression should help the swelling. Also, you need to put ice on the muscle strains. It should take more than a few weeks till you are good again. We will see.”, explained Aoi her.

Yua didn’t realize that Aoi had the ice packs in her hands.

“Eat and then put this on your arms and leg.”

“I will, thank you, Aoi-San.”

The girl with the pigtails nodded before turning to leave the room. "If you need anything else, just let me know."

Yua thanked her before digging into her breakfast.

After finishing her meal she put the ice packs where Aoi had said she should.

She noted how the area started to feel better.

Yua sat back against her pillows. It was somehow good to have some normalcy in her life again, even if it was just breakfast in bed.

She wondered what the rest of the day would bring.

A yawn left her mouth.

Well, she still was tired.

No problem to take a nap again.

And she did so.

***

Zenitsu's creepy laughter awoke Yua suddenly from her nice dream of her beloved late mother.

Angry she gripped her pillow and threw it in his face!

That shut him up!

“AGATSUMA, STOP IT WITH THE LAUGH!”, she screamed.

“Yua-Senpai!”, called her Tanjiro voice.

Surprised Yua rubbed her eyes to fully wake up.

There really was Tanjiro, kneeling beside Zenitsu's bed, a Kakushi was also there, but that wasn’t important.

“Kamado-San!”, called Yua back a bit too happily even for her taste.

She long ago decided that it would be bad to fall in love with Tanjiro, so why did she feel and sound so happy seeing him?

This feeling needed to die.

So she cleared her throat.

“I mean, Kamado, good to see. I assume Nezuko is alright too?”

Pointedly she ignored the looks of the two boys and no she didn’t think that a confused Tanjiro was cute!

Perish that thought!

Thankful Inosuke directed the attention to himself as he said in his crooked voice that they should forgive him for being weak.

“Hang in there, Inosuke!”, encourages Tanjiro. “It’s not like you to get depressed!”

“Come on, you did good! You’re awesome!”, added Zenitsu.

“Your Aura is creeping me out, that’s not like you Hashibira.”, tried Yua her luck to cheer him up.

It showed how bad she was at this since Tanjiro and Zenitsu (Even the Kakushi!) gave her WTF-Looks. The young woman may shrunk a bit into her bed.

“What?”, she crooked out. “It’s the truth...”

“Anyway...”, said Tanjiro into the awkward silence and turned back to Inosuke. “I’m just so happy that you’re alive!”

All of a sudden Zenitsu screamed about whether he took his medicine, if someone had seen him taking it.

A vein popped up on Yua's forehead.

“You took it before I fell asleep the first time. Can I have my pillow back, please?”

Tanjiro was so nice to throw it back to her and the girl didn’t waste time to put it over her head to block out the noises.

Could she get a single room?

Please?

***

She had fallen asleep again because the next thing she knew was that she needed to breathe. Slowly she put the pillow away and looked around the room.

It was sunset, and beautiful red and orange light falling into the patient's room.

Zenitsu was snoring away and even Inosuke seemed to sleep.

Only Tanjiro was missing.

Like her thought made him appear, the red-haired boy entered the room.

“Ah Yua-Senpai, you are awake.”, he greeted her as he made his way over to his bed.

“Kamado, from where you you coming from?”, she asked a bit curious.

“They were so nice to give Nezuko her own room. All dark so we don’t have to worry sunlight will hurt her.”, he explained, crawling into his bed.

Yua nodded.

It was probably for the best that the Demon Girl had her own room.

Yua closed her eyes and settled back into her pillows.

She felt a sense of relief knowing that Nezuko was safe and being taken care of.

It was good to see Tanjiro again too, even though she tried to hide her happiness at his presence.

She couldn't let herself get too attached or distracted from her goal of becoming a Kinoe and then a Hashira.

As she lay there, Yua couldn't help but think about the future and what it held for her.

She knew that there would be more battles and challenges ahead, but she was ready for them. She had worked hard to get where she was, and she wasn't going to give up now.

With a deep breath, Yua opened her eyes and looked around the room once more.

She saw Zenitsu snoring away, Inosuke still as a statue, and Tanjiro settling in for the night.

It was strange...even if she didn’t want to get too attached to people, these three and Nezuko had somehow wormed their way into her heart.

Sure most of the time she wanted to hit them for their stupidity, but...it was nice being with familiar people in the patient room.

This happens if you spend six weeks with the same people, she supposed.

Yua knew that it would take time for her body to fully recover from the Spider Demon's attack, yet she was determined to come out stronger on the other side.

And when that day came, she would continue on her path towards becoming a Hashira.

“Yua-Senpai.”, called then Tanjiro out for her. “You have fallen asleep before I could ask, but how are you feeling? How did the fight with the Spider Demon go?”

She turned to face Tanjiro.

"It was tough, but I managed to defeat the Spider Demon with the help of my strongest Moon-Breathing technique. However, it did a number on me." The young woman gestured towards her bandaged arms and leg. "But I'll recover soon enough."

Tanjiro nodded in understanding before settling back into his bed.

“I’m glad, me and Inosuke were worried when we left you alone to face her.”

“All is good Kamado, don’t worry so much. You will get grey hairs this way.”

This made Tanjiro laugh, till he held his ribs with a pained expression.

“I have a feeling your fight was a whole other number.”, guessed Yua.

And it was.

The red-haired boy told her, how he managed to kill the Spider Mother, but had to leave Inosuke behind in the arms of the Spider Father. Then it turned out that the Spider boy they had seen, was one of the Demon King Lower Moons.

Only with Nezuko's help and a new Breathing Style Tanjiro managed to keep fighting till the Water Hashira Tomioka Giyuu took care of the Lower Moon.

With only one technique.

That was impressive.

However, Yua was more fixed on the new Breathing Style that Tanjiro had suddenly used.

“The Hinokami Kagura Dance?”, she repeated surprised. “And it’s dedicated to the fire god? Huh...”

Cutely Tanjiro titled his head and now Yua didn’t want to pet his hair.

No!

Forget it!

He was not cute at all!

“Do you have heard of this Yua-Senpai?”, asked Tanjiro curious.

The young woman got comfortable in her bed, crossing her arms. It hurt a bit, but she could manage.

“My family has something familiar. It’s a dance called Jihibukai Tsukigami No Mai (Dance of the benevolent moon god). All children have to learn it.”, she starts to explain. “It mimics Moon Breathing. If you learn the dance without problems it means you are fit enough to learn Moon-Breathing.”

“Huh, what a coincidence.”, mubled Tanjiro.

“Kamado, I don’t think that it’s a coincidence.”

“What you mean Yua-Senpai?”

“A dance that turns into a powerful Breathing Style? And you are really sure your family was only coal makers? This sounds more like an ancestor of yours wanted to hide his Breathing Style in the dance.”

Tanjiro frowned and scratched his head.

“No, I’m pretty sure we were only coal makers, but I agree it’s strange at that Dance turned into a Breathing Style and then your family has something familiar for their breathing style...”

“Hey, don’t try to crack it now.”, advises Yua. “It mimics Flame-Breathing from what you told me, if I’m not mistaken one of the Hashira uses it. You should talk with Shinobu-Sama about it. Maybe she knows more about this.”

Now Tanjiro was smiling brightly, which did not make Yua blush. However cute and handsome Tanjiro looked.

No.

She probably had a little fever not more!

“When we are better, we can visit my home.”, offered Yua, stroking her hair to distract herself from Tanjiro's damn handsome face. “The Mochizuki Mansion isn’t far away from the Butterfly Mansion, but it will take us at least half a day. We need to get better first. Maybe we have something in our archive about the Hinokami Kagura Dance.”

“Really Yua-Senpai you want to help me?”

Oh no, was he going to start to cry from thankfulness?

Yua’s heart wouldn’t take this!

“Now, no tears, even thankful one!”, she admonished. “I’m not doing this out of the good of my heart or some sappy shit, I’m curious myself what’s up with this dance.”

This made Tanjiro only laugh quietly and send her a soft smile.

Okay, maybe she did blush now and felt shy.

Why did Tanjiro need to be so handsome and have a beautiful soul and heart?!

“You act all tough and rough, but I can smell how kindhearted you really are Yua-Senpai.”, told Tanjiro, pointing at his nose. “Don’t hide behind your anger, we are friends you can be yourself around me.”

“Be me?”, she repeated confused.

The midnight blue-haired beauty had to admit she didn’t know who she really was.

She was what people wanted her to be.

And when she didn’t get what they wanted, she reacted with anger, sarcasm and homicidal tendencies.

Probably not sane, if one thinks about it.

Eager Tanjiro nodded.

“I can see and smell that you are confused but...we are friends. I will help you to find out who Mochizuki Yua really is like you will help me with the Hinokami Kagura Dance.”

This made her snort.

“Seems like you got the worst deal. I’m a handful.”

“Not for me...not when it’s you.”

Did...did she hear right?!

Shocked she looked up his face.

Was she imagining things or was Tanjiro blushing?

He was playing shyly with his blanket at least.

In turn, this made her feel all mushy and clammy inside. Yua had never felt like this.

So she fell into her default behaviour.

Avoid, ignore and get pissed.

“Enough with the mushy stuff, Kamado.”, she hissed and let herself fall on her bed. She closed her eyes, so she couldn’t see him and his Aura. “Let’s just sleep. I’m tired.”

It was still for a few seconds till Tanjiro quietly agreed and she heard how he lay himself on his bed.

The older girl let out a breath and ignored the burning in her eyes.

Becoming a Hashira, and bringing her family honour was all that mattered, she repeated to herself.

Then why did feel these words like bitter medicine in her body?

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

Maiden of the Moon

What if Kokushibo had a pupil, whom he taught the original Moon Breathing before he deserted the Demon Slayer Corps?

Mochizuki Yua was born only for these reasons: To become a Hashira and make her family a respected one in the Demon Slayer Corps.

But if you only live for the expectations of others, who are YOU truly?

What will it take to find yourself?

A long, hard journey awaits.

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

Also, I want to make clear, that we may be talking about sex, but I will never write smut for Tanjiro and Yua.

Both are minors.

Just no.

But we also know how horny and hormonal teenagers are and that most people, not all of course, have their first time as teenagers.

So if both one day will do the deed, I will only hit on it.

No smut.

Hope everybody is comfortable with this ^^

Now on with the story.

Season 1 ends and in the next we are in season 2!

Yuhu!

Chapter 13: The first steps in a new journey

There was tension in the air.

Yua felt how sweat dripped down her temple.

The honourable Hashira, Shinobu, just stood before her with a calm smile.

On the side were Aoi and Kanao, the four little girls, her boyfriend (still amazed her that Tanjiro felt for her so much) Inosuke and Zenitsu.

All were looking at the showdown and what was about to happen.

The day had started like normal, with rehabilitation training against Kanao. 

Tanjiro had made incredible progress and out of 20 times, he could win 10 against Kanao. After he wanted to go on a run, trying to motivate Zenitsu and Inosuke to come with them (Yua didn’t need an invitation, she was always ready), Shinobu came into the training room.

At first, all thought she just wanted to check on the four Demon Slayers and their progress, but playful she had turned to Yua saying: “I heard from Aoi-Chan and Kanao-Chen how fast and strong you got, Yua-Chan. I would like to see for myself.”

So here she was about to be playing Tag with a Hashira. Yua had a feeling this was a test. 

Maybe...maybe they were scouting her out to see if she was ready to be a Hashira?

The midnight blue-haired girl had worked all her life for this goal. How much sweat, tears and blood did she shed? It seemed nearly unbelievable that this could happen. She wouldn’t lie, after what had happened at home with her grandfather, a part of her wanted to pull a Noritaka and just leave the corps, another part wanted to show the old bastard who called himself her Grandfather she could become a Hashira.

Also, she didn’t want to leave, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Inosuke and also Zenitsu hanging. They were a team now. She would feel like a traitor if she left the Corps.

If this was a test to see if she was ready to be a Hashira, she would give her all against Shinobu.

Yua took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand. She couldn't let her thoughts wander, not when she was about to play Tag with a Hashira. Shinobu's calm smile didn't reassure her, it only made her more nervous. 

As they started running, Yua felt the tension in the air increase. She had to catch Shinobu as fast as she could. The boys and the four little girls were cheering her on from the side, while Aoi and Kanao were watching intently.

The Kinoto couldn't help but feel grateful for their support. They were more than just teammates, they were family now. And she couldn't let them down.

Shinobu was fast, but Yua was determined. She ran left and right, trying to anticipate Shinobu's next move. The sweat dripped down Yua's temple again, but she ignored it. This was her chance to prove herself.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of running and dodging, Yua managed to tag Shinobu. 

The Hashira smiled even wider and patted Yua on the back.

"Well done," she said. "You have great potential."

The 17-year-old felt relief wash over her as Shinobu walked away with Aoi and Kanao following behind her. She looked at Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu before she was suddenly stormed by Ema and her friends. The little girls all hugging her.

“That was amazing Yua-Nee!”, shouted Ema.

She laughed and hugged each girl. Then she felt how someone picked her up and twirled her around.

It was Tanjiro.

“You were incredible!”, told her boyfriend. This made her laugh even more, hugging his neck tight, leaving kisses on his head.

The girls cooed, while Zenitsu mumbled to Inosuke: “Lucky Bastard. He has her amazing breasts in his face.”

“What’s so special about this?”

Zenitsu made a facepalm.

“I’m surrendered by stupid virgins.”

For that Inosuke hit him over the head.

“I have no idea what ya talking about Monjirou, but I have a feeling I must hit you!”

The blond faceplanted on the ground and only pathetic sounds came out of him.

***

Since they weren’t any more patients of the Butterfly Mansion, but guest the four Demon Slayers were moved into one of the guest rooms.

Tanjiro and Yua liked to share their futons, the girl often spooning her younger lover. For both, it was the best sleep they had in ages in each other arms.

Still...Yua was 17 years old and she had...erm...some urges..hust.

So it was a blessing and a curse that they shared the room with Zenitsu and Inosuke. You couldn’t do more...mature things couples do with an audition. Yua bet Zenitsu, the pervert, would enjoy watching them. Only kissing and cuddly and okay she may have given Tanjiro one or two hickeys, however, they didn’t do more.

In her head, Yua cursed Sayako out. Her cousin was right...she already wanted to go the next big step with Tanjiro...why was she such a horny individual?

Love did weird things to you, she decided. Also, she remembered that her parents were affectionate to each other, maybe she got it there?

Just...it was hard in words to express what she felt for Tanjiro...she was better with physical affection.

Maybe that’s why she wanted to do it.

However this was all just thinking, they were a fresh couple, and they had still months before this subject should come up.

So sleeping was just sleeping.

But today their peaceful sleep was interrupted by Kaguya, Yua crow.

“Morning children, morning Yua-Chan.”, cawed Kaguya. 

Sleepy Yua raised her head from where it was buried in Tanjiro's hair, as her boyfriend sat up.

“What the heck?”, shouted Inosuke pissed.

“Huh? What’s going on?”, wonders Zenitsu also sitting up.

Yua turned on her stomach and held out a hand for Kaguya to sit on.

“Morning my princess.”, she kissed her crow on the head, which made the bird caw happy. “I assume you have a mission for us?”

“That’s right. The casualties of the Infinite Train are increasing. More than 40 are now missing. You are to join Rengoku Kyoujurou on-site. Head west at once!”

Yua looked at her boys and smirked.

“Looks like we are back in the game boys!”

***

Meanwhile, one Kocho Shinobu talked with Oyakata-Sama about how she had recommended Tanjiro for this mission and then about the Fire/Sun Breathing they had talked about and how maybe Rengoku Kyoujurou could help him.

“Now my child about the the favour I asked you about.”, said Oyakata-Sama in his calm voice. “What do you think about Mochizuki Yua.”

“Her strength and abilities are on Hashira Level no question.”, answers Shinobu. “Like you asked me Oyakata-Sama I tested her and she could bet me. I also sensed a change in her behaviour thanks to entering a relationship with Kamado Tanjiro. Both complement each other nicely, caring for each other but never forgetting their other important people.”

“This sounds all very good. She may be ready.”

“You mean master?”

The man nodded.

“I will wait how Kyoujurou is going to evaluate young Yua in this mission, but we may have finally found a new Hashira and the first of the moon.”

***

In the Butterfly Mansion of course no one knew what was going on in the Masters Mansion. The four Demon Slayers were more occupied to prepare for their mission.

Yua had already said her goodbyes, so she had taken Nezuko with her. They took a bath and then in Nezuko's room they got ready.

It felt good wearing again her Demon Slayer Uniform. It was such a part of her...maybe she was forced into this life, but...leaving it?

Maybe when Tanjiro and her would start one day a family...long in the future, hopeful there weren’t any more demons.

Under no conditions wanted Yua to birth a child into a world full of demons. Her and Tanjiro's children should grow up in a world without fear of them. Also, she was too young to be the mom of someone.

A big blush formed on her cheeks, which made Nezuko poke them in curiosity.

Did...did she really think she wanted to start a family with Tanjiro one day? Was she already that gone for him?

Again, love was so weird.

But beautiful.

To distract herself she braided two thin braids on each side of Nezuko's head and then together fixed them with a cherry blossom hair clip.

The demon girl cooed and touched her new hairstyle in wonder.

She was so cute, that Yua couldn’t help it and kissed Nezuko on the head. Nezuko started to purr and Yua now needed to cuddle her.

That’s how Tanjiro found them.

The two most important girls in his life are on Nezuko's bed cuddling each other.

“Hello love.”, greeted Yua with his pet name. She only used it when they were alone or with Nezuko. “Said goodbye to the others?”

“I did, dearest.”, he answered with his pet name for her. “Did you know that Kanao needed a coin to decide what to do? I hope I could help her make now-alone decisions.”

This made Yua sit up, while Nezuko still embraced her. She stroked the younger girl's hair.

“Yeah, I know it. We all just rolled with it. From what Aoi-San told me Kanao-San did not have the best childhood. You are amazing you know that. Always so helpful, I’m a disaster at these things.”

“Don’t say this.”, tutted Tanjiro, stepping towards them.

He petted his sister's hair, while he kissed his girlfriend on the forehead.

“You have your way of helping, you are kind and gentle and don’t try to deny it, I can smell it.”

Huffing Yua patted his cheek.

“Won’t say a thing. Now get dressed. We need to go.”

Tanjiro nodded and gave each of them a kiss on the cheek.

“Dearest, I like this new hairstyle, didn’t know your hair was so long.”

Grinning with a blush Yua stroked her hair. She had decided to keep the buns but left most of her hair free. Now one could see that it passed her curvy hips.

Soon the four Demon Slayer and one Demon in a Box were outside the Butterfly Mansion with Ema and her three friends.

Yua stood beside the little girls and watched how Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke blew into the big guards.

They all cheered them on, till the boys managed to make them explode!

This made the girls cheer louder. 

“Amazing boys, you did it, I’m proud of you!”, congratulated them on their Senpai with a lovely smile.

The boys blushed under her praise. Some more than others.

It’s then Kiyo holds out a basket of rice balls to the four.

“Here you go.”

Tanjiro thanks her and Inosuke reaches for a rice ball, but Zenitsu stops him.

“Don’t eat it now!”

The four little girls chorus: “Please go out and defeat tons of demons.”

“We’ll do our best.”, promises Tanjiro, then he sees the Water Pillar Tomioka Giyuu and runs up to him, while Zenitsu and Yua try to stop Inosuke from eating the Rice Balls.

“Boarhead, stop it!”, shouts Yua.

“I told you not to eat it now!”, reminds him Zenitsu.

Inosuke only tells them to shut up.

An angry mark forms on Yua's head and faster than lighting she hits Inosuke on the head and catches in the some moment the basket with the rice balls. Inosuke is just a whimpering flat form on the ground. A little crater formed around him.

Zenitsu's mouth meets the floor and the little girls are in aww.

“Yua-Nee/Lady Yua is amazing!”

What strength!, thinks Zenitsu scarred to the bones. Yua-Senpai was strong when we met, but now she is a force of nature! I hope you never forget any anniversary Tanjiro or she will kill you!

Soon Tanjiro joins them, wondering where Inosuke got a new bump from, Yua innocent standing there with the basket and Zenitsu is terrified.

The red-haired boy can just smile.

Yeah, these are his precious people.

And he would do anything to protect them and Nezuko.

The Demon Slayers say goodbye to the little girls and make their way to their mission.

***

At sundown, they reach the train station.

It’s a while since Yua has been in the more modern parts of Japan, but she is excited to drive on a train for the first time.

Her excitement gets a bummer as she sees how Inosuke is freaking out about the train.

“Hey… Hey! Hey! Wha… Wh-Wha… What the hell is this creature?! I bet this is that thing! The master of this land! The ruler of this land! See how long it is? So intimidating! No mistake! It looks like it’s asleep right now, but don’t let your guard down!”

“Uh, no, it’s a train.”, deadpans Zenitsu at him and Yua the queen of Deadpanning is a tiny bit proud. “Haven’t you ever seen one before?”

“Shush! Calm down! I’ll lead the charge!”

Inosuke prepares to fight the train.

“Hold up, Inosuke!”, stops him Tanjiro.

At least her boyfriend isn’t some country bumpkin.

“Huh?”

“You never know, it might be the guardian spirit of this land. Also, you shouldn’t attack all of a sudden.”

Yua takes it back...and are these sparkles around Tanjiro?

“Tanjiro, babe...”, she says exasperated, rubbing her forehead. “A train is a vehicle for transporting people. It’s not gonna eat us.” (A sentence she would regret later)

“Both of them are country bumpkins, Yua-Senpai.”, huffs Zenitsu with crossed arms.

Well, she can’t say something against it.

It makes her feel dirty.

“Huh? A train?”, repeats Tanjiro surprised. “So is that what Kaguya was talking about?”

Suddenly Inosuke walks toward the station building, while his friends stare at him in confusion.

What is he planning now?

He charged the train and headbutted it!

“Stop it! Talk about embarrassing!”, scold Zenitsu and Yua together.

Of course, two station attendants saw all this and ran up to them. They start to shout for the police when they see all of the group's Katanas.

“MOVE IT GUYS!”, shouts Yua.

Fast she throws Tanjiro over her shoulder, while Zenitsu drags Inosuke by the arm away. They managed to hide from the station attendants and police.

The moon is raised as Zenitsu gives it to Inosuke: “Thanks to you, we went through hell, Inosuke! Say you’re sorry!”

“Huh?! In the first place, why did we have to run from the police?!”, he asked.

It’s Yua who answers him, hand on her hips. “The Demon Slayer Corps isn’t an officially recognized organization by the government. Walking in broad daylight with our Katanas out is dumb, it only gets us in trouble. We can’t tell the normal mass about demons, they would think us mad and probably look us up somewhere.“

"Even though we’re working so hard?”, ask Tanjiro a bit sad.

His girlfriend pats his shoulder. 

“It can’t be helped, Tanjiro. It’s how it is. People don’t wanna know the truth about what lurks in the dark. Being ignorant is a blessing.”

“For now, let’s hide our Katana’s on our backs.”, adds Zenitsu.

The three hear how Inosuke giggles, then the wild boy stands up and shows them his back... where you can see his Katana’s clear as daylight.

All three are deadpanning. Yua feels again proud.

“You can see them. Put on some clothes, idiot.”, advises Zenitsu, still deadpanning.

However, they don’t have time to look for clothes since the train starts to drive away.

“Oh crap, they are driving away without us!”, shouts Yua.

 “Are the police still around?”, asks Zenitsu.

“We’ll have to go even if they are.”, tell Tanjiro.

Like the maniac wild boy he is, Inosuke jumps out from their hidey hole and challenges the train to a race.

“Oh kami, that guy!”, shouts Yua, but races after him and the train. “Guys let’s go!”

She can hear how Tanjiro and Zenitsu follow them.

Inosuke, Yua and Tanjiro jump on the train while Zenitsu trails behind. He calls for his friends and the three manage to pull him onto the back of the train.

“Haha! Man, it’s fast!”, laughs Inosuke excitedly.

“I know what you mean.”, agreed Yua, her long midnight blue hair dancing in the wind. “That’s my first time on a train too.”

Zenitsu turned to Tanjiro asking him if it was right to bring Nezuko with them if she would be safer at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. Tanjiro told him that it was fine and that no one would separate him and his sister.

The red-haired boy feels how someone takes his hand and squeezes it.

He doesn’t need to look to know it’s his girlfriend.

And what she is telling him with this.

I will be on your side too. Always.

He squeezes with the same feeling back.

And so the Mugen Train rolls into the night, the four Demon Slayers and a Demon Girl none wiser what nightmares they would encounter on it.

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

Next Chapter: UMAI! :D

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