The wind howled as Tanjiro and Willow spiraled through the air—debris flying, tree branches snapping. But just before they crashed into the dense underbrush, both regained control midair.
"Water Breathing—Second Form: Water Wheel!"
"Dragon Breathing—Ninth Form: Flowering Snapdragon!"
Their blades cut through the wind as their feet landed softly on the forest floor, bending the grass underfoot. They slid to a stop, eyes scanning their surroundings.
They had landed far from the others, near a clearing cloaked in a heavy, unnatural mist.
A bloodcurdling scream shattered the stillness.
Ahead of them, a demon girl cradled her face, blood pouring through her fingers, her body shaking. Standing in front of her was a boy with snow-white skin and crimson eyes—Rui. Thin threads of webbing stretched from his hands in intricate loops, forming a deadly cat's cradle.
"What're you looking at?" Rui asked, his voice flat and cold. "This isn't for show."
Tanjiro's eyes widened in disbelief. "Isn't she your ally!? What are you doing?!"
Rui blinked. "Ally? Don't liken it to something so shallow." He turned slightly, still gripping the threads. "We are family. We are tied by strong bonds… Besides, this is between me and nee-san. If you're going to meddle in this needlessly, I'll dice you up."
Willow stepped forward, fury brimming in her eyes. "You're wrong. Bonds aren't forged by blood or fear—they're built on love and trust."
Tanjiro nodded, his jaw clenched. "All I can smell from your 'family' is fear. Hatred. Disgust. That's not a real bond. It's fake."
Rui twitched. But before he could respond, another Demon Slayer stepped into the clearing, arrogant and unbothered.
"Seriously? These are just kiddy demons," he scoffed. "I'll take care of this in no time—"
SLASH.
A blur of silver threads. A splash of blood.
The Slayer fell to the ground in pieces—cut apart before he could react.
Willow gasped. Tanjiro froze.
Rui turned back toward them, voice low, trembling with rage. "What did you say?... What… Did you just say to me?"
Tanjiro tightened his grip on his katana, despite the pressure crushing down on him like a mountain.
"I'll say it over and over again," Tanjiro declared, voice steady. "Your bonds are fake."
Willow raised her katana beside him. "A true bond is made through choice—through mutual care. Not through pain and control."
Rui's fingers twitched. "Then I'll kill you slowly. But if you take those words back… I'll make your deaths quick."
Tanjiro and Willow replied in unison.
"We won't."
Rui snarled—and flung a string.
Tanjiro slashed. "Water Breathing—First Form: Surface Slice!"
The string cleaved his sword in half.
Willow moved to intercept. "Dragon Breathing—First Form: Fiery Breath!"
But the thread was too fast.
It sliced clean through her kitsune mask, tearing across her cheek. Blood streamed down her face.
More threads came. They dodged—but two were too fast.
Nezuko burst from the broken remnants of her box, arms outstretched—shielding Tanjiro.
SLICE.
She screamed as the thread cut deep into her flesh.
Willow tried to jump clear, but one thread tore across her left arm—cutting straight to the bone.
"Aahhh—!" she choked, stumbling back.
Ignoring the pain, Willow grabbed Tanjiro and Nezuko, dragging them behind a nearby tree. She gritted her teeth and ripped the strap from the shattered box still strapped to her back, tying it tightly around her wounded arm as a makeshift tourniquet.
" Even though I can regenerate it is too slow to stop the bleeding. "
Tanjiro held Nezuko close. "I'm sorry… Nezuko…"
Rui tilted his head. "Are you… siblings?"
"SO WHAT OF IT?!" Tanjiro shouted.
Rui's voice cracked, trembling with bitter longing. "Your sister's a demon. And the girl beside you isn't even related. And yet… you all protect each other…"
His red eyes glistened. "These genuine 'bonds'… I want them…!!"
From behind, the demon girl screamed. "Rui!! I'm your nee-san!! Don't abandon me!!"
"Shut up." Rui hissed. With a flick of his fingers, he sent a razor string flying—severing her head.
The trees behind her fell with it.
"If you go and kill the other slayers scattered around this mountain…" Rui said without turning. "I'll forgive you for that… incident a while ago."
The demon girl's head, still alive, murmured, "Yes… I understand…" as her body ran away with her head.
Rui turned his gaze back to Tanjiro. "Boy. Let's have a talk…"
His fingers twitched. His threads gleamed.
"I was moved watching your 'bonds.' My body quivered. I think… there's no word to describe what I'm feeling."
Willow tensed.
"But I have to kill you," Rui said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "It's sad… but there's only one way to avoid it."
He paused.
"Give me your little sister… and you slayer girl become my nee-san. If your sister and friend come over quietly… I'll spare your life."
Tanjiro stared, speechless.
"…I don't get what you're saying," he finally said.
"I'll make your little sister and friend mine," Rui said, still smiling. "Starting today."
Tanjiro tightened his grip around Nezuko and reached toward Willow grabbing the sleeve of her haori. "Don't expect that to happen! Nezuko and Willow aren't objects! They have their own emotions!"
Rui tilted his head, unfazed. "It's okay. You're connected by unaided 'bonds.' But my 'bonds of fear'—they're stronger. I'll teach you what happens if you oppose me."
"You're wrong!" Tanjiro shouted. "Poisoning your family with fear isn't a bond!"
Willow's voice rang out beside him. "If you don't understand what a real bond is—then you'll never find the one thing you truly want!"
Rui's eye twitched. "How irritating… Could you not raise your voice so loud? It doesn't suit you."
Tanjiro stepped forward. "I won't hand them over!"
"It doesn't matter," Rui said. "I'll kill you and take them."
Willow raised her katana despite the blood soaking her sleeve. "You won't. We'll defeat you."
Rui smirked and slowly brushed his silver hair aside.
"Someone sure is mighty. Come get me if you can... You can't beat me... One of the Twelve Demon Moons."
Beneath it, his right eye gleamed—etched with the kanji:
Lower Five.