10. Kasugai Town

The sun hung low over Kasugai Town, Hana walked beside Tanjiro, her eyes scanning every alley and doorway with sharp focus.

As they passed through the street, villagers whispered nervously about a man stumbling by.

"Poor Kazumi... he looks so dreadful."

"Wasn't he with his fiancée the night she disappeared?"

"Yes. Satoko vanished right before his eyes, they say. It's horrifying."

The man shuffled forward, his face streaked with dirt and blood. His eyes were lifeless, he looked distraught

Hana's eyes softened, but her tone stayed steady. "Tanjiro."

He nodded, already moving to approach the man. Together, the siblings exchanged a glance slowly walking towards the man.

Hana's throat tightened. She slowed, studying his downcast eyes, that hollow look of someone who had lost everything. She knew it too well.

Kazumi flinched, his fists clenching. "You... you wouldn't understand." His voice cracked. "I was right beside her, holding her hand and in the blink of an eye, she was gone. Vanished. Like she'd been swallowed by the darkness itself.

"We're here to help to. You can trust us"
Tanjiro sad.

He sadly nodded and he led them to the spot where Satoko disappeared. "This is where she vanished, You may not belive it" he said quietly.

"We do belive you," Hana said, crouching slightly to sniff the air. Tanjiro following, letting their sense of smell guide them through the streets. The villagers stared in curiosity and concern, but they ignored them following their lead.

"There's something strange. The scent is uneven....broken." Hana wondered.

Tanjiro crouched beside her, inhaling deeply. "Yes. It's faint, but it's here. A demon's scent.

As night fell, Kazumi's nerves grew sharper. "I want you to believe me... she really disappeared!

"We do believe you," Hana assured him, standing tall and resolute. "That's why we're here."

Kazumi looked at them with wide, desperate eyes. "You're going to keep searching even now? It's already late. Shouldn't you rest and try tomorrow?"

Hana's gaze softened slightly. "Demons are more active at night, Kazumi. If we wait, more will vanish."

Kazumi crouched, his voice breaking. "D-demons... don't tell me you're seriously saying demons?" He looked at Hana.

Yes," Hana said quietly, but firmly. "It was a demon."

Her senses sharpened suddenly. She straightened, her voice low. "Tanjiro. There it is. I smell a demon... and a human."

Tanjiro's eyes widened. "Let's move!"

The siblings leapt onto rooftops, their movements silent as the night wind brushed against their faces. Hana led, her blade ready, following the stench. They slid down onto a roof where the scent was strongest.

"I smell both the demon and the girl, but they're hidden," Tanjiro whispered.

Suddenly, a hand shot from the darkness at Tanjiro. He stabbed the ground, black liquid gushing out with a sickening squelch. A girl's green kimono floated in the ooze. Hana reacted instantly, pulling the limp girl into her arms.

The black liquid ruppled violently, then burst open. A grotesque demon erupted from the muck, three horns curling from its head, wild blue hair thrashing as its jagged teeth clattered together.

"Where are the girls you kidnapped?!" Hana demanded, tightening her grip on her sword.

The demon snarled and sank back into the liquid, leaving ripples

Kazumi rushed forward, pale and shaking. "What... what was that?!"

"Take care of her" Hana instructed, gently pressing the girl into his arms. Her tone left no room for argument. "Stay close. Don't move."

Tanjiro dashed ahead, using his Fifth Form, sweeping water techniques to slash away at shadowy hands reaching from below. The demons hissed and retreated.

"You insolent brats!" one demon sneered, its voice echoing. "That girl is already sixteen! If I don't eat her soon, she'll lose all flavor!"

"Satoko, Where's Satoko? What did you do with her? Return Satoko to me. The one you abducted the night before last!" Kazumi cried.

"Satoko? Who are you talking about? If her hairpin is among the collection then I've devoured her" another demon emerged from a rooftop, its coat stuffed with hairpins and ornaments- including Satoko's red bow.

Kazumi froze, knees trembling. His voice cracked. "Satoko... She's already...?" His words broke into sobs, his entire body buckling

His eyes gleamed with hunger the moment his eyes landed on Hana. "Eighteen.." he murmured, grinning. "That's just the right age...Still tender, but not for long... I'll have to eat you quickly, before you spoil." He said his voice dripping with urgency.

His words made Tanjiro sick to his stomach as he lunged at the demon. His blade flashed through the air, striking with fierce precision, but the demon twisted away with unnatural speed disappearing into the ground

"Where did he go?" Tanjiro wondered frantically looking around.

"Tanjiro, watch out!" Hana yelled as the demon lunged at him.

"Tanjiro!" she shouted, but before the demon could reach him, Nezuko burst from her box, delivering a brutal kick that snapped the demon's jaw sideways.

"Nezuko!" Tanjiro gasped.

The demon recovered, sinking back into the liquid. Nezuko turned slowly walking towards Kazumi, placing her hands gently on Kazumi and the girl, her eyes fierce.

Hana remembered Urokodaki's words echoing in her mind:

"This may be only to comfort but while Nezuko was asleep, I used hypnotic suggestion on her"

"Suggestion? Hana asked

"All humans are your family."

"Demons are the enemy!"

"Never forgive any demon who harms humans!"

The demon leapt for Nezuko. She dodged, standing protectively in front of Kazumi and the girl.

Timeskip

The siblings fought side by side finally defeating the demon.

But their hearts still ached. Once again, despite the fight, they had failed to gather any information about Kibutsuji Muzan.

Kazumi sat on the ground, eyes wide, still trembling. Hana and Tanjiro approached him slowly.

"Are you alright?" Tanjiro asked softly.

"I've lost my fiancée. How can I be alright?" he cried, his voice breaking.

"No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living. No matter how devastating the blows may be" Tanjiro said softly, Hana's heart clenching at her brother's words.

Suddenly Kazumi rose and grabbed Tanjiro's haori with trembling hands. "What do you know about it, kids like you?" he cried desperately.

Hana stepped forward, placing her hand gently on his shoulder. Both siblings gave him sad, understanding smiles. Kazumi's eyes widened, and slowly he let go of Tanjiro's haori.

Hana reached into her haori and gently placed Satoko's bow in Kazumi's hand. "I hope you'll find something of Miss Satoko's in there," she said softly.

She looked at Tanjiro, then took his hand, guiding him away from Kazumi.

"I'm sorry...that was an awful thing to say," Kazumi's voice broke behind them.

They turned and kindly waved at him.

"We're leaving that woman in your hands!" Hana said quietly as they walked away.

As they disappeared into the night, Hana's thoughts hardened:

'It's not just us! How many people have you killed, tortured, and tormented, Kibutsuji Muzan? I will never forgive you. As long as I live, I will never forgive you.' Hana thought as her eyes darkened.

Her hand tightened around her sword. She vowed silently to take Muzan down to avenge her family and her siblings' pain.

Suddenly, Tanjiro's crow fluttered over them.

NEXT STOP --ASAKUSA, TOKYO! RUMORS OF A DEMON LURKING THERE.

"Ehhh Already?" Tanjiro murmured, glancing at Hana.

Hana and Tanjiro looked at each other and nodded moving towards their next mission.