Well-Adjusted Barely Traumatized Demon Slayer (Murata SI-ish)

[DeeplyoftheWorld]

Huh, do you have any images for Seiko? Like, any characters you'd say she looks like?
She is a member of the Iguro family, so does a genderbent Iguro sort of work?

Click to shrink...

It works with slight differences. She is taller and less malnourished. Also doesn't have the heterochromia. Basically as nondescript as the rest of her family. Well, besides not having part of her tongue.

Spoiler: Iguro Family Manga Panel

 

[DeeplyoftheWorld]

Renewing the grind of missions, Murata fought demons, saved people, and finally received pay again.

Before he knew it, he turned seventeen.

After finishing a particularly quick mission, his crow, Nobu, landed on his arm. Murata wanted to honor the late Nobunaga. So, he named his next crow after her.

Nobu did not object at all and he even relished the silly nickname.

Murata, seeing the missive on the crow's leg, untied it.

Possible Lower Moon presence in northern Chubu.

Murata stopped to think. If he was the only who received this mission, then this could be his chance to become a hashira.

The prestige of the rank didn't tempt him. Actually, the most important thing about being a hashira would be the increased freedom. He would have to respond to the most difficult missions, but beyond that, the Ubuyashiki family let the hashira go their own pace.

As most hashira were extremely loyal to the cause, they would work harder than other demon slayers. Yet, there were cases throughout the organization's long history where several hashira either abused or slacked off on their important duty.

Needless to say, those types were quickly weeded out by their fellow hashira, or killed in a mission.

The pillars of the organization were many things, but being indolent was extremely rare.

-

When Murata arrived at the nearest town to resupply and sleep, he met Sanemi.

"You got the same letter?" Sanemi shoved his piece of paper towards Murata's face.

Murata sighed. "Yes, but I'm surprised you knew. I thought you couldn't read?"

"I had the crow read it to me," Sanemi's veins palpitated.

Murata nodded, accepting the explanation. "So, you still can't read?"

"Of course I can't! Masachika didn't finish teaching me, that clown."

They traveled together, running to get to the location in question. After days of sprinting, they reached an empty town.

There were still people, but its seen better days. A sad case in many of the poorer villages, where the young people move to cities and the older people remain as they live out the rest of their lives.

It was a surprise to both of them when Masachika greeted them.

Normally a cheerful and positive person, his shift in tone conveyed the seriousness of the mission.

"To send two kinoe and a hinoe for this," Masachika said, "it means that several demon slayers have gone missing, at the very minimum."

"What are we waiting for then?" Sanemi began walking. "Let's just find that damn demon and kill it."

Masachika held on to Sanemi's arm, stopping his advance. "I got here a day before both of you. I've already staked out the house."

"Were you waiting for us? I was under the impression I had a solo mission until I saw Sanemi," Murata explained.

Masachika turned to him, nodding. "Yes, I'm in charge. My crow told me of two people coming. Now that you're both here, let's go."

Making their way into the half-abandoned town, they noticed the hollow atmosphere. The only sounds included their footsteps and breathing. The crows flew above them, observing the area from the air.

The largest house at the end of the main village road was their destination. Seperated from everything else, it resembled a mansion more than a house. Three stories tall and a stone wall to surround the manor, Masachika explained the situation.

"I've talked with some of the people here. Not all of them, but the ones I've spoken to had nothing good to say about this place. It's been abandoned for decades and no one dares move into it because it's cursed."

Murata furrowed his brows. "Cursed? In a literal sense or does the place just feel wrong?"

"Does it matter?" Sanemi scoffed. "It's probably because a demon lives there."

Masachika agreed. "I'll go first, then you two follow me."

Walking into the property, Masachika entered through the gate. Sanemi walked next, with Murata covering the rear.

Opening the door and keeping his sword tightly gripped, Masachika set foot into the mansion.

He barely reached the end of the hall before he found himself outside again.

Looking around, Masachika tried to reorient himself before stumbling. A harsh, foul smell hit him. He covered his nose with his sleeve.

It reeked of rot and death. It wasn't just a rot from spoiled food or a decomposing animal. An utterly unnatural scent assaulted his nose. The smell made him lose focus on his breathing for a moment.

He retreated away from the property. Observing the wall and its surroundings, it left him confused. Why was he lingering in a place like this?

Walking around the other neighborhoods of the town, he met an old man.

"I appreciate the help, young man," the old man said, taking the bucket of water from Masachika.

Masachika laughed, shrugging off the thanks. "It's my pleasure. How long have you lived here?"

"My whole life," the old man's eyes gleamed with clarity.

Wanting to untangle the fog in his mind, Masachika asked him a question about the manor separated from the other neighborhoods.

"What would possess you to go in there?"

Masachika stood straight and composed himself. It took effort, but he was able to remember his reason for going. "I was sent to investigate the abandoned home."

He added, "if there's any information you know, it would greatly help us."

The old man nodded, not suspicious at all of Masachika's nature. The young man shined bright with righteousness.

"When I was a boy, I heard stories about that place. There was a woman known as Yae?"

The old man shook his head. "Yae lived with her husband. Though, when she gave birth to their daughter, her husband became more and more abusive."

Sighing, the old man continued. "Years later, her husband drowned by the nearby river, and her daughter became sick shortly after that. Yae tried her best, but the girl died. I even remember there being a small funeral for her daughter, but the body was missing. Yae left our town around that same time. Out of grief, I'd say. After the death of her husband and daughter, I don't blame her."

The old man lit up, reminiscing. "She left everything behind, including a prized dresser that the family owned for generations. My mother said that Yae should've sold it but apparently, it was a family heirloom meant to protect the house and keep out thieves."

Masachika, upon hearing the story, regained his clarity and realized that Murata and Sanemi were still inside the manor.

Thanking the old man for his time, Masachika rushed back.

-

Sanemi and Murata walked through the rooms and halls of the manor.

The first thing they both noticed was the repulsive smell.

"What the hell? It reeks of corpses," Sanemi complained.

Murata had to agree, but it was sadly not the worst thing he encountered. "It does. It reminds me of when I faced a demon whose entire ability was to smell horrible."

The second thing they noticed was Masachika's disppearance.

"Maybe it's related to a blood demon art?" Murata guessed.

Sanemi quickened his pace. "Then we got to hurry up!"

Plunging further into the strange home, they endured the horrible scent.

In one of the larger rooms, they found a row of beds. Its original purpose looked to be a medical ward, a place to tend for the sick. Seated next to one of the beds, a beautiful woman with long, black hair was humming quietly.

Upon closer inspection, they saw the twisted room for what it really was.

A death trap.

Six beds were occupied. Four children and two demon slayers. Two of the children were decomposing, and one of the demon slayers did not move.

The remaining children looked barely alive. One suffered from a fever while the other gazed at the ceiling with empty eyes.

The other demon slayer was groaning in his restless sleep while clutching a missing arm.

Turning towards them, the lady smiled. Her eyes opened, and they both saw the writing engraved in her eyes.

Lower Moon One

Steeling their resolve, Murata and Sanemi charged.

 

[TheDanny]

Turning towards them, the lady smiled. Her eyes opened, and they both saw the writing engraved in her eyes.

Lower Moon One

Click to shrink...

Ruh ro.

 

[Jubjub3000]

Thank you for the chapter!

I wonder how many demons murata has killed so far?

Would be funny if he develops the habit of running into powerful things, recruiting the humans and running away from demons. So the demon slayers consider his presence both a blessing and a curse, cause he's always running into future hashiras, and upper/lower moons.

 

[Hadiz]

So Smell[Could Be More Decay & The Location.], Perception & Possible Teleportation are in the cards of this Freak.

And their also handicapped from using their more destructive Techs thanks to the Living Civilians & Comrades.

 

[Contract_Of_Sorrow]

Lower Moon One

Click to shrink...

Given that the Lower Moon One in canon is Enmu, we can guess what will happen to this one.

Thanks for the chapter!

 

[DeeplyoftheWorld]

Ice Breathing, First Form: Glacial Storm

Wind Breathing, First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter

The demon parried both of their attacks while she chided them in mock disapproval.

"A child shouldn't attack their mother."

Sanemi ignored her rambling. "Where is Masachika?"

The demon laughed. "I sent him away. I'm more interested in you," she pointed at Sanemi.

Gazing at Murata, she looked confused. "I thought I sent you away…?"

Murata stood silent, not entertaining the demon's conversation. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a little offended.

Losing interest in Murata quickly, she turned back to Sanemi.

"I'm glad to have you in here," the demon said, staring at him. "I see it in your eyes. Your parents were cruel, weren't they?"

Sanemi, angered, leapt towards the demon.

She jumped, dodging his attack and reaching out to caress his face.

Ice Breathing, Second Form: Wintry Hail

Murata's sword struck true, cutting off an arm and causing her to hiss in pain.

"What an ungrateful brat. How could you bring yourself to hurt a caring mother?"

Murata held steady but inside, he was burning with rage.

"A caring mother wouldn't hurt their child," he said.

She stared at him in pity and gestured to her patients. "You know nothing of the world. As for these children, I am healing them. The children are sick, so it is my responsibility to help them."

Sanemi gripped his blade tighter. "I'll help you with my sword!"

Wind Breathing, Second Form: Claws Purifying Wind

The demon deflected his attack, then grinned wildly.

"If you do not see it my way, then I have nothing but pity," she said, before the room pulsated and turned into living flesh.

"It's okay, you'll be a part of me forever."

Murata rushed to grab her victims. The feverish boy immediately grabbed onto his back. Murata tucked the girl with empty eyes under his arm.

Sanemi rushed towards the injured demon slayer who woke up and begged for help.

"Ungrateful," the demon said, instantly killing the injured demon slayer.

Enraged, Sanemi unleashed a barrage of attacks against the demon.

–

Masachika gave a message to his crow and entered the house again, doing his best to remain focused and ignore the awful smell. It was likely related to her blood demon art.

He found the dresser the old man was speaking of in a dusty room.

Ornate and elaborate, there was a small mirror standing on top of the dresser. Below it, incense burned. Observing the handles, he recognized nichirin metal.

Looking at the mirror, he saw glimpses of Murata and Sanemi fighting.

Adrenaline spiking, Masachika turned around, only to face nothing. Turning to the mirror again, he saw the demon try to claw Sanemi's torso.

But again, turning to the back of the room, he found nothing.

Her blood demon art induced illusions. Not only could she affect what people see, but she can lure what she desires while pushing away others.

The incense helped spread the illusion. Perhaps the demon infused her blood with the incense, helping it propagate in the air.

Masachika wasn't the best detective or problem solver. When in doubt, destroy it.

Wind Breathing, Second Form: Claws Purifying Wind

The dresser exploded in a shower of splinters. The mirror shattered and the incense broke in pieces. A terrible shriek echoed in the house, and Masachika watched the room shift and change.

A moment later, the room fluctuated between wood and flesh before settling into an ordinary room. He found himself next to Murata.

"How did you get here?" Murata shook his head. "I saved those I could, but we need to cut her head off."

Masachika nodded. "Leave it to me."

He rushed towards Sanemi. They both shared a glance of silent understanding, and began their assault.

The lady adopted an expression of frustration, venting her words. "What don't you understand? I am here to provide, to take care of these suffering children!"

Wind Breathing, Eighth Form: Primary Gale Slash

The house trembled under the stress of their attacks.

Masachika fell into a rare fit of rage. "How could you say those things? Did you take care of these children just like your daughter, when you were Yae?"

Hearing her old name, she flinched. "That is no longer my name. I am Ubume. And yes, I provided for my daughter. If she always remained sick, then I would always be able to take care of her. After getting rid of my husband, it was easy to play as the heartbroken caretaker."

Ubume continued parrying their attacks.

"We need a plan," Sanemi said.

Ubume rushed at them, trying to punch through their torso or tear off a limb.

Positioning himself to receive a wound, Sanemi began flaunting his blood.

The marechi blood wafted in the room. Ubume immediately recognized the rare blood, its potency affecting her senses.

With Murata jumping in and rejoining, the three of them were slowly pressing their advantage.

Ice Breathing, First Form: Glacial Storm

Wind Breathing, Seventh Form: Gale, Sudden Gusts

Murata clashed head to head with Ubume, and Sanemi jumped to unleash his attack.

Dealing with the frontal assault, Ubume was pushed back. Masachika approached from behind, swinging his sword towards Ubume.

Suddenly, one of Ubume's victim snuck through and stood in front of her. The small girl became the barrier between Masachika's sword and Ubume.

Masachika faltered in his trajectory, changing it to avoid the girl. Ubume took advantage of this small moment of hesitation.

Reaching out to lacerate his chest, Ubume aimed for a killing blow. Murata pushed himself towards Masachika, pulling both of them away from the attack.

Masachika's arm flew up in the air, causing him to howl in anguish.

A moment later and Masachika would have a hole where his heart was.

Snarling in anger, Ubume pushed the girl away and leapt towards Murata and Masachika.

Sanemi dashed recklessly, acting as a whirlwind of violence and taking adavantage of Ubume's lack of focus on him.

Wind Breathing, Sixth Form: Black Wind Mountain Mist

His sword sliced Ubume's head off. The force of the attack blasted the small girl away. Grabbing Murata's hand, she narrowly avoided smashing into the wall.

Hearing the building groan and twist, they evacuated as quickly as possible. Murata kept a tight, painful grip on the girl. Sanemi grabbed the sick boy and supported Masachika.

Leaving the manor, they watched it collapse and turn into a pile of debris.

Masachika's crow arrived, trailed by several kakushi.

-

Most of the kakushi focused on treating Masachika's blood loss and missing limb. The rest began evaluating the children's health.

Sanemi stomped towards Murata. "If that girl was part of the Demon Slayer Corps, we would be right to punish her for treason."

"Since she's just a shocked little girl that's not part of the corps, we don't have to do that," Murata said without missing a beat.

"How the hell did she get in our way? I thought you took care of them."

Murata sighed. "I hid them in the closet and told the boy to keep an eye on her. It'd take too long to guide them out the building and seeing how the girl acted, she probably wouldn't listen unless I forced her to leave. By that time, you'd both be dead. It took three of us to kill Lower Moon One, and now one of us is going to have to retire."

Sanemi remained silent. His jaw stiffened and and his hands trembled from fury and shame.

Nearby, they could hear the girl crying endlessly. The boy stayed quiet, his fever dying down as the kakushi administered him medicine.

-

Since Masachika's loss of limb constituted as a severe injury, they were escorted to the Butterfly Estate for more thorough medical examinations.

The Flower Hashira, Kocho Kanae, conducted the inspection.

"You should be good, just keep an eye on the stitches," she said to Sanemi.

"As for you," she pointed towards Murata's left torso, "two of your ribs cracked. It shouldn't take too long to heal, though."

"What about Masachika? Is he going to be alright?" Sanemi impatiently asked.

"He will live, but will most likely have to retire. Loss of limb is not something that can just be overcome with training."

Murata agreed on principle, but when you had people like Gyomei, everything seemed possible.

Sanemi thanked her, calming down.

She left, leaving the three of them in the room.

-

When Masachika regained consciousness and began his recovery, his amicable and friendly nature still shined.

Reaching out to grab his chopsticks, he sheepishly realized that his right arm was gone.

The three of them were eating together in the medical ward of the Butterfly Estate.

"I plan to retire," Masachika announced. Murata understood, but Sanemi still denied it.

Masachika laughed at Sanemi's suggestions. "It's unfortunate, but I can't adapt Wind Breathing with just my left arm. Also, our teacher isn't getting any younger. I can help guide the new generation and carry on his wishes."

Sanemi became surprisingly gloomy about his friend's new path in life. Masachika, sensing Sanemi's guilt, patted him on the back.

"I got a letter from the master." Taking the paper out of his sleeve, he handed it to Sanemi. Murata hovered behind Sanemi to read the letter.

"The master has summoned both of you," Masachika summarized.

Sanemi threw the letter on the ground. "I don't give a damn about that. Why does he want to see us?"

"It's an order. You wouldn't want to give a bad impression of our teacher or me, right?" Masachika teased.

Sanemi huffed and walked away in annoyance.

The door slammed, leaving Masachika and Murata alone.

"Whatever Sanemi does, make sure he doesn't offend the master and hashira."

Murata's eyes widened. "The hashira are going to be there? Why's that?"

Masachika leaned in, pretending to share a secret. "The master wanted to promote everyone involved in fighting Lower Moon One. The last one was killed fifty years ago. He wanted to personally congratulate both of you."

"That doesn't explain the hashira being there."

"Nope! I don't know why they're coming," Masachika laughed.

Murata sighed. It meant he was going to have a very large headache soon.

 

[CriticalFailure]

The Flower Hashira, Kocho Kanae, conducted the inspection

Click to shrink...

Flower? Not insect? I thought the poisoners were insect themed.

Well, either way, I wonder if he can save the big sister...

 

[Jubjub3000]

Thank you for this! And didn't they kill a lower moon earlier in this fic?

 

[Hadiz]

Suddenly, one of Ubume's victim snuck through and stood in front of her. The small girl became the barrier between Masachika's sword and Ubume.

Masachika faltered in his trajectory, changing it to avoid the girl. Ubume took advantage of this small moment of hesitation.

Reaching out to lacerate his chest, Ubume aimed for a killing blow. Murata pushed himself towards Masachika, pulling both of them away from the attack.

Masachika's arm flew up in the air, causing him to howl in anguish.

Click to shrink...

Looked up Masachika.

Bruh. This where he was supposed to die in the Original Timeline.

Bright side a lot of Sanemi's Close Friends are actually living in this Timeline. For now.

Well, either way, I wonder if he can save the big sister...

Click to shrink...

I'll laugh if how Murata gets involve with that is trying to survive the Happiness Cult Rogue Gallery after his ass.

Douma's just in the area of it to have front row seats .