AYA'S SAVIOR Location the Demon Slayer-verse, Japan-Mount Natagumo: Aya's Stone Resting Area
As Tanjiro managed to slashed through the Headless Demon. Right through it body killing it. And shocking Aya. She realized she'd failed. Weeping with fear. As Inosuke used a special tracking technique. Stabbing his blades beside him. As he stretched out his palm, sensing the entire area. Taking a breathe. Inosuke spoke his technique, "Beast Breathing; Seventh Form: Spatial Awareness." After a bit, he found the silhouette of a woman, sitting on a rock. He found the enemy. Telling Tanjiro, as rushed towards the location that Inosuke told him. Tanjiro using the trees to hasten his charge, and preparing to behead the demon. As he got closer. Tanjiro could finally reached her. Seeing the slayer, ready to attack. A strange sensation watched over her...freedom. She'd suffered endlessly under Rui and this family. As she one the least bloodstained of the Spider Family. And had several painful punishment, for thinking of her passed life. Lost loved ones. So she released her stread, spread her arms as a act of welcoming death. Tanjiro saw this. Changing his technique, as he breathed out water, and his blade released a gentle surge of water. As he thought, "Water Breathing; Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought." Just as the blade was about to behead Aya. A clank of steel striking against each other. Gain the attention of Aya, while Tanjiro was shocked. Standing beside her a blackish-green and neon green haired man. No a demon. With a flesh covered kama. Blocking Tanjiro's blade. Gyutaro saved Aya. With a light flick, Gyutaro knocked away the Demon Slayer protagonist. His yellow eyes, turned to Aya. At first she was afraid of this demon, that clearly seems stronger than Rui. If he could enter the mountain, without anyone noticing him. He reached out, and affectionately rubbed her check. Gyutaro spoke tenderly, "Poor soul. I'd had a bad mother, I've seem many bad mothers and women. But I don't see that it you. (continue to show tenderness, and even adjusted her hair, making Aya blush) There, there, don't cry. I'll save you." For some reason Aya fully believed this demon. Meanwhile Tanjiro who gotten back on his feet, after this unknown demon appeared. He could smell it. The scent of blood, soo much that it shouldn't be possible. Tanjiro is afraid, but pushed away that fear, standing ready for a fight. Gyutaro then picked up, Aya making her let out a cute squeak. Turning to Tanjiro, giving him a look of disinterest. Gyutaro speak, "Hey kid. You know a ranked demon, here right?" This shocked Aya and Tanjiro, as Gyutaro took Aya away. Before Tanjiro could demand answers. Gyutaro disappeared. Using devil mind magic to ease Aya's worries. Plus blocking Muzan from seeing or accessing Aya's memories. First he'll take Aya to safety, then he'll return to fight against the infamous Rui. The only one of the lower moon, currently that Muzan likes, it's Rui. Letting him form a small group of demons. But Muzan admired his twisted, sadistic nature. Because of that Gyutaro wanted to fight the brat. But so Tanjiro can grow, and start unlocking the Hinogami Kagura. Thus keeping that, and the Demon Slayer Mark to still be obtained. As that one if the few things of the plot, that Gyutaro and the others wanted to keep going. So for now, the newest Peerage King has to wait for a bit.
RUI VS. GYUTARO Some time later. After Rui overwhelmed Tanjiro. Threatening Nezuko. As desperately as Tanjiro fought. In the end, his blade broke and his techniques couldn't cut through Rui's spider web. That was when Tanjiro remembered the dance, that his father taught him. A dance called Hinogami Kagura. Tanjiro's broken blade, burst with crimson flame. As he started following the moves, and spins of his father's dance. Slashing and burning through Rui's blood-soaked silk, once Tanjiro managed to reach Rui. He slashed, unknowing using the technique, Hinogami Kagura: Dance. Tanjiro beheaded Rui...or so he thought. As Rui revealed himself, still alive. Confessing that he cut his own head off, so he can survive from that attack. Rui was about to kill him, and take Nezuko. When Rui spat out blood and spit. As the gaunt body of gray skin. With some black demon marks, wearing red bands on his arms and collar. Lastly wearing a bluish-gray baggy pants. Gyutaro has returned. He just now kicked Rui on the stomach. Blasting Rui away, smashing through some trees. Once again this unknown demon interfered. Gyutaro then freed Nezuko, as he glance over his shoulder. Telling Tanjiro, "You know your quite pitiful. She's your little sister, you have to protect her, not let her get hurt so much." Tanjiro looked at Gyutaro, confused that such a powerful demon, isn't killing him. Or shows the desire of killing him. Gyutaro spawned his blood kamas, walking forwards. Heading towards Rui. Who has already regenerated from all the broken bones, from the previous attacks. Rui cold look, locked on Gyutaro. Rui spoke, "You...what are you here?" Gyutaro chuckled, saying in a mocking and manner-of-fact way, "Isn't it obvious spider boy? I came to fight!!" Rui scoffed, as he made a small spider web, entangled by his fingers. Saying in a cold and contemptly, "Filthy traitor, I'll kill you in ""his"" name." before Rui could react. Gyutaro appeared in front of him, already his kama slashing down. Saying to Rui, "Yeah, yeah wannabe Michael Jackson!! Just shut up... (slashing across Rui's body, gushing with blood)...and fight!!!" As the two demons started their battle.
Meanwhile as Inosuke was at the mercy of the Father Demon. A huge behemoth, with a monstrous spider head. He has Inosuke in a literal death grip, just about to crush his skull. When a stoic swordsman appeared. A black haired, with a unique haori. Split down the middle. On the right half being a carmine color, the left half decorated rhombi consisting of green, dark green, orange, and yellow. In a flash. He not only he killed the Father Demon, but saved Inosuke. Before Inosuke could realize it. This slayer, bounded in rope and left him hanging from the tree, beside the river. Back in the forest. Gyutaro was clearly overwhelming Rui. As they attacked each other. Rui was angry and confused that a Upper Rank. The most favored by Lord Muzan, dares betray him. But it was clear, as this fight progress that Rui is weaker. His silk webs, couldn't cut either Gyutaro's flesh or weapons. Even using his Cutting Thread Cage attack on Gyutaro. Rui created a web-shaped strings. Completely surrounding Gyutaro, so he can cut Gyutaro to pieces. Only for Gyutaro in a wild frenzy of slashes, he cut all of web from Rui's attack. Smirking triumphantly at the spider demon. Blasting forward. Gyutaro slashed Rui again. Even cutting off his left arm, below the elbow. It took a bit for Rui to regenerated. Upon him back to prime condition, Rui struck. Only for him to suddenly cough up, thick dark blood. His vision is blurring, and he...he actually felt sick. Something that should never happen to a demon's body. Then Gyutaro appeared before him again, planting a brutal kick to lower five demon. Rui was sent flying. Smashing into another tree. Rui realized, that even as his body regenerated, he was still coughing blood, and felt wrong. Gyutaro noticed this, and started laughing. Thinking that Rui must have realized what's happening to him. Gyutaro was correct. Rui did find out, what's happening to his body. He was poison. Which should be impossible, the only poison that can effect a demon is wisteria. And wisteria should be impossible for another demon to use. Meaning that whatever Gyutaro used on him, it might be as deadly as wisteria. Rui stood up. Only for Gyutaro to rush him again. Their battle was still going.
SHINOBU ENCOUNTERS KYOKO As the battle was ongoing. In another part of Natagumo. Shinobu just dealt with Sister. Another of Rui's family members. That has cocooned several people. Only to fall to the Insect Hashira, unique blade and technique. Shinobu the smiling swordswoman, looked down at the struggling demon. As she was clutching to her throat. With a sweet tone, Shinobu explained she doesn't possess the ability or strength to cut off demons' heads. So instead she focused on mastering poisons. As she explained to the demon, she's experiencing a special deadly wisteria concoction. She gave a little, "oops", as she realized that the demon was already dead. Shinobu turned to the cocoons. Planning to contact the Kakushi to help her recover the wounded, and treat the victims of these demons. Just like that yellow-haired boy, that called her grandpa. As she was about to do, as she's planning. Shinobu noticed something or someone has gotten close to her. Suddenly several injured, but still alive slayers, appeared near her. Unconscious. Then she looked to a spot, seeing a pinkish-purple kunoichi. Just like Tengen's wives, leave a unconscious girl. But Shinobu even with her "smiling" face. She was clearly on guard. Reaching to the butterfly winged hilt of her blade. As it was clear to her...this ninja isn't human or a easy opponent. Shinobu spoke, "My, my. This is a surprise. A demon bringing it prey, all in one spot? Quite a ambitious one." Kyoko didn't turn around. She only said, "I only came to bring these slayers to you. My dear, he doesn't want to blame for needless deaths. So if you excuse me, I have to be off." The moment Kyoko said that, Shinobu struck. Drawing the stinger-like rod of her special sword. Shinobu saying out loud, "My, my sorry but I'm afraid I can't allow that. Insect Breathing; Butterfly Dance: Caprice." A huge swarm of purple and white butterflies, manifested around Shinobu as she struck. Stinging at Kyoko multiple times with her blade. Inject poison in what appears to be one strike. But to her utter shock. Not only did this kunoichi demon, block all her stabs. With a light flick of her kunai wielding hand, disarmed Shinobu. A look of shock is spread across the hashira. As she leap away from Kyoko. Looking for where her blade, was knocked to. Only for then, she felt someone behind her. Kyoko using her unbelievable speed. She swiftly moved behind Shinobu. Turning her head, she saw Kyoko holding her Nichirin Blade. Actually inspecting it. Without any issue, even if Shinobu couldn't inject her poison. At direct contact, that should be impossible for a demon to grasp her blade. Kyoko spoke, "Beautiful design, truly a blade worthy of a graceful swordswoman like you." Then Kyoko tossed the blade back to Shinobu. As Shinobu catch the blade, and looked at this demon. She'll admit her enemy is beautiful, and clearly fast. Not only in reflexes, but pure speed and agility. Maybe a very bad opponent for to face, especially since their still in the starts of this night. Then a thought hit Shinobu. She thought, "Could she be one of those demons, that were with that Setsuna?" this thought only serves to make her more nervous. Kyoko could tell, that Shinobu is completely on edge. She gave Shinobu a polite bow, bidding farewell. Disappearing completely from Shinobu's senses. Still on guard. Shinobu looked around, seeing that there's no longer a threat. She sheathed her blade. Took a deep breathe. Looking at all the wounded, she knows her top priority is to secure the mountain. So the kakushi can come in safely. Well at least, she can trust Kanao to be safe. Aside that kunoichi, Shinobu doesn't doubt that Kanao can't handle the remaining demons in the mountain. Shinobu immediately cut free, those still alive in the spider cocoons, and went to stheroly check on the downed Corp members. Another thing that eased, Shinobu's worry. Even if he's such a annoying man, Tomioka is still strong. That's when a crow reported. Repeating "A powerful demon has appeared in the area!! A powerful demon has appeared in the area!!" Just when she was calming herself. This happens. Taking a breathe, she called for her own crow. Telling it to bring in the kakushi. Normally she wouldn't risk the lives of the support members, but these people. And fellow slayers could die, if left unattended. Plus that young yellow-haired boy. He's poison, he needs immediate medical attention. So with a grave heart. She called the kakushi earlier than she originally wanted. With that Shinobu rush further in the mountain, searing for Kanao, and Tomioka. Together they'll at least have a better chance of survival.