"You see," Rui began, voice eerily calm, the moonlight gleaming faintly off the threads that shimmered around him, "I don't think there's a need for those who don't understand their own roles to live."
Tanjiro's eyes narrowed. Willow stepped closer to his side, her hand tightening around the hilt of her blade.
Rui continued, tilting his head slightly, gaze fixed on Tanjiro. "How about you, boy? What's your role? Your role is to hand your little sister to me, then disappear." He then turned to Willow. "And you, girl. Your role is to be my nee-san . If you can't understand that... then you have to die. You can't defeat me."
Willow felt a sharp pang in her chest. Not from fear—but from something deeper. Sadness.
Tanjiro tensed beside her. "We're not playing your twisted family games, Rui."
"...What a spiteful flame in your eyes. How foolish," Rui said, his eyes narrowing with contempt. "Could it be… you plan on winning?"
Threads sliced through the air.
"Watch out!" Willow shouted.
One of Rui's strings whipped toward her, aiming to snatch both her and Nezuko. With a deep breath, Willow surged forward, blade aglow with red-hot energy.
"Dragon Breathing: First Form – Fiery Breath!"
Her katana blazed as it met the threads, cutting through the ones aimed at her—but the threads intended for Nezuko were too fast. They coiled around her limbs before Willow could intercept.
"NEZUKO!" Tanjiro shouted, lunging forward.
Rui appeared beside Nezuko, looping an arm around her neck possessively. "I told you. I'd spare your life if you didn't oppose me."
Suddenly, Nezuko's claws flashed and raked down Rui's face, drawing deep lines of blood.
He didn't flinch.
Willow raised her sword again and dashed toward him—but Rui's threads intercepted her, forcing her into defense. Tanjiro tried to follow but leapt back as threads sliced into the ground before him.
Then he heard the drop of blood.
He looked up, horror-struck.
"No…" he whispered.
Both Nezuko and Willow were suspended mid-air, bodies cut and bleeding. Nezuko was worse off—her limbs slashed deeply, blood soaking her kimono. Willow's haori was torn, the golden dragon designs stained crimson. Her head drooped, teeth gritted. She still held on to her Katana.
"NEZUKO! WILLOW!!" Tanjiro cried.
"Shut up," Rui said coldly. "They won't die from something like this. Your sister's a demon. And that slayer girl... she's not entirely human, is she?"
Tanjiro's eyes widened.
"I'll let them lose blood for a while," Rui went on. "If things don't play out, I'll keep this up until sunrise. They'll warm up a little."
But Willow… She wasn't afraid of the sunrise. She was immune.
Still, she dangled helplessly, vision blurry from blood loss. How do I get us out of this? she thought. I need to help Tanjiro… but Rui… I can't let him die either. He's just—
Suddenly, the threads around her and Nezuko ignited in pink flames.
Willow's eyes widened. That's—Nezuko's Blood Demon Art!
The flaming threads disintegrated, and as she fell, she caught a glimpse of Tanjiro launching forward, blade glowing with determination.
With a final yell, Tanjiro sliced through Rui's neck.
But Willow didn't celebrate.
She hit the ground hard, groaning as she rolled to her side. " He's… not dead. That wasn't it. He cut his own head off. It was a trick… "
"You thought you defeated me?" Rui's voice echoed, laced with venom. He stood, unharmed, threads swirling around him. "You sad fool. Were you happy with your delusions?"
His gaze darkened. "I cut my own head off with my own threads before you could. Enough. I'll kill you, your sister, and your friend. It's been a while since I've been this pissed off."
"STOP!!" Willow shouted, stumbling in front of Tanjiro.
"Willow!" Tanjiro gasped.
Her breathing ragged, blood dripping from her wounds, Willow raised her left arm.
" Demon Blood Art: Ancient Revival Modified. "
A shimmer of ethereal energy sparked from her body.
Rui flinched. "What are you…?"
Willow stared at him, eyes burning like molten amethyst. "Do you even remember what a true bond is? It's not something you steal. Or force. A bond is something built with love, kindness… and care."
As her voice reached him, something inside Rui cracked.
Glimpses flashed through his mind.
A sickly boy confined to a bed. Gentle hands brushing his hair. Parents crying, holding him close. Unconditional love. Warmth.
Tears welled in Rui's eyes.
"What are these memories…?" he whispered, clutching his head. "What have you done!? GET AWAY!!"
He screamed holding out his hands with threads connecting, " Demon Blood Art: Cage of Murdering Eyes! "
A web of razor-thin threads formed a deadly dome around them, rapidly shrinking.
Then—slash!
The cage was cut clean apart.
Willow looked forward.
" Giyu… "
The Water Hashira stood before her, blade drawn, silent and still like a lake at dawn.
Rui trembled, tears still streaming as he dropped to his knees. "Why…? Why did I do that… to my parents?"
Willow's instincts kicked in. Giyu was about to strike.
She sprinted forward, katana clashing against his.
"Stop!!" she cried. "Please—don't!"
Giyu blinked in surprise. "You're protecting… a demon?"
His eyes shifted—catching Willow's cat like eyes and the faint fangs in Willow's mouth. "Wait… are you—?"
"I'm not here to hurt anyone," she said quickly. "I know Rui almost killed us. But he's just a child. He's confused. He's starting to remember. To feel guilt. He deserves a chance to atone."
A beat passed. Giyu's expression didn't change—but his blade lowered slightly.
"Willow!!" Tanjiro called.
Giyu turned—eyes narrowing at the boy holding a demon girl in his arms.
"You're…"
He didn't finish.
A figure suddenly tried to slice Nezuko.
But Giyu blocks the attack.
"Tomioka-san, what are you doing?! You're the one who always says we can't coexist with demons—so why are you protecting one now? Don't be a hypocrite. If you keep pulling stunts like this, people are going to despise you!" The figure said.
It was Shinobu. Wait… The HELL!?!
" What the hell happened to Shinobu? " Willow thought.
"Move, Tomioka-san. Now," Shinobu snapped.
"I am not hated," Giyu said calmly.
Shinobu scoffed. "Unbelievable... You really don't get it, do you? I'm surprised no one's had the guts to say it to your face. Guess I'll be the first—sorry, but someone had to."
" Ok, What the f**k. " Willow thought, baffled by the scene.
"You're seriously protecting a demon, boy?" Shinobu said sharply. "She's dangerous. Step aside."
"N-No! You're right, I know, but... she's my little sister! So—" Tanjiro stammered.
Before he could finish, Shinobu cut in coldly. "Tch. Is that so? How unfortunate." Her eyes narrowed. "Fine, then. I'll make it quick — a poison that'll kill her without pain. You should be grateful."
"Tanjiro. Run," Giyu said, eyes flicking toward him.
In the chaos, no one noticed Willow disappearing into the shadows with Rui.
She ran, ignoring the pain, Rui burying his face into her shoulder like a child clinging to safety.
Tanjiro ran with her with Nezuko and her box in his hands. But Kanao intercepted.
She dropped onto Tanjiro, pinning him. Her blade gleamed, poised to strike Nezuko.
"WILLOW, GO!!" Tanjiro screamed, grabbing Kanao's cape.
Kanao slammed a foot into his head, dazing him.
Willow turned, struggling to hold onto both Rui and Nezuko.
"DAD!" she shouted desperately.
A blur of motion—and her father appeared.
In an instant, he grew to full size, standing between her and Kanao.
Kanao froze, fear seizing her limbs.
Then—
"CAAWWW!! MESSAGE!! MESSAGE!!" a crow cried overhead.
"RESTRAIN TANJIRO, NEZUKO, WILLOW, FORMER UPPER MOON ONE, AND LOWER MOON FIVE! BRING THEM TO HEADQUARTERS!!"
"Tanjiro has a scar! Nezuko bites bamboo! Willow wears a dragon haori! Kokushibo has six eyes! Rui wears a spiderweb kimono!"
Kanao lowered her blade. Kakushi swarmed in, binding Tanjiro and Nezuko.
They approached Willow, Kokushibo, and Rui cautiously. Willow raised a hand at the two demons.
"Don't hurt anyone. We'll come quietly."
Tanjiro blinked as light filtered into his eyes.
"Wake up!" a voice barked. "You're in the presence of the Hashira!"
His eyes adjusted looking around outside—and across the gravel, under the shade of the engawa, he saw Willow.
Her arms, legs, and mouth all restranted—yet calm. Her eyes met his, full of quiet sympathy.
His chest tightened.
This… was far from over.