Demon Slayer : Heir to the Moon

The sun had long since disappeared behind the mountains by the time we reached the village. Only the last slivers of gold clung to the sky, soon swallowed by deep blue. Her kimono was stained and fraying at the edges, her sandals caked in dirt. We hadn't spoken much since the last stop. The silence wasn't awkward—just heavy. Tired.

I had already explained Yuki everything. Demons, Demon Slayer Corps, What happen to family, My current duties. She understood everything. But still doesn't believe why I was so fast while escaping with her from the wedding. Well It's undebatable. The speed and strength I gained from demon slayer training is inhuman.

However, I didn't want to go home. Not yet. What would be the point? My home was just a house now—no one waiting in it.

The village was small, nestled between pine-covered hills, quiet and still under the dim lanterns swaying in the wind. Not many people walked the roads.

"Let's ask someone," Yuki said softly, her voice hoarse.

I nodded.

A small house sat at the edge of the path, lit from within by a flickering oil lamp. An old woman was sweeping the porch with slow, careful strokes. A girl—maybe ten—sat nearby with a wooden toy, humming off-key.

I stepped closer and bowed. "Sorry to disturb you. We're travelers. We've had a rough journey. Is there anywhere we can stay the night?"

The woman looked at me, eyes sharp but not unkind. She sized us up quickly. Her gaze lingered on my sword for a moment too long.

Then she smiled, thin but warm. "Bandits?"

I nodded.

"Well, come inside then. No need to stand around looking half-dead. I'm too old to turn people away."

I exhaled. "Thank you."

The house was small but neat. Worn tatami, a single hearth, the comforting scent of steamed rice and simmering vegetables. It felt like something from another life. The kind of life demons hadn't shattered.

We sat down at her low table and devoured the food she offered—rice, pickles, miso soup. Nothing fancy, but it tasted better than anything I'd had in days. I caught Yuki looking at me with amusement once. Rice stuck to my chin. I didn't care.

"You two seem close," the old woman said after a while, folding her hands in her lap.

Yuki and I exchanged a quick look.

"We've… been through a lot," I said, keeping it vague.

"Mmh." She nodded slowly. "Well, you're welcome to sleep here tonight. But mind you, the house is small. The guest room only has one futon. And the walls…" Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "Let's just say they don't hide much. Try not to make too much noise, alright?"

Yuki nearly spat her tea. I froze, bowl in hand.

"Grandma!" the little girl chirped. "What noise?"

"Never you mind," she chuckled.

Yuki's face turned scarlet. I tried very hard not to look at her or say anything stupid. That failed, obviously. My ears were burning.

We helped clean up, then followed the woman to the side room. It was just as she said—bare except for a single folded futon in the center.

"I can sleep on the floor," I blurted.

The grandma just waved her hand dismissively. "Don't be silly. You both look like your bones are about to snap. You'll manage."

She left us with a wink, and I felt my soul leave my body.

Yuki didn't say much as we prepared for sleep. I laid the futon out, then we both lay down—me stiff as a board, her quiet. We faced away from each other, our backs inches apart.

The silence buzzed like static. I couldn't stop thinking about how warm her presence felt behind me. The soft rustle of her sleeve. The smell of her hair—faint lavender and rain.

After what felt like forever, her voice broke the quiet. Barely a whisper.

"Coward."

I blinked.

My heart kicked in my chest. Of course I knew what she meant. And she wasn't wrong. I've fought demons. Watched people die. But lying here beside her… I couldn't even turn around.

Yeah. I was a coward.

I didn't answer. Just let the fire in my face burn hotter. Eventually, my eyelids grew heavy, and the weight of exhaustion dragged me down.

Until something pulled me back.

A scream.

Not just any scream—a raw, panicked, full-lung bellow that tore through the night.

I sat bolt upright. My hand flew to my sword.

Another scream followed, distant but loud enough to rattle the paper screens. Then the scuffle of feet. Confusion outside. The village was waking up.

"Ryo?" Yuki's voice was groggy, confused. "What's going on?"

"Stay here," I said quickly, already pulling my haori on. "Don't open the door, no matter what."

She started to rise. I turned to her. "I'm serious, Yuki. Please."

Her eyes locked with mine. She nodded once.

I stepped outside.

The night was cold and sharp, wind carrying a stench I knew too well. Blood. Fear.

Demons.

Dark shapes flickered between houses. Screams came from the west side of the village, near the rice barns. One of the voices sounded familiar—deep and strained, someone yelling in panic.

I took off toward the sound.

Around the corner, I found them. Three demons, lean and fast, were tearing through a house, dragging someone out through the door. Their claws were slick with blood.

The man struggling in their grip was huge. I recognized him—a street performer we'd passed earlier who sang with a booming voice. It explained the scream. But now, he was terrified.

"Demon Slayer Corps…" I muttered, sliding my blade free.

They turned, hissing.

Then I felt it—an aura darker than the others. I turned my head, and there it stood.

Tall. Pale. Masked with a grotesque grin.

I looked on his eyes.

Lower Moon Four.

Its presence chilled the air like a grave opened too long.

"Oh?" it said in a warped, sing-song voice. "Another one with a pretty blade. Let's see what color your blood runs."

My breath slowed.

No time to think.

I dropped into stance.

"Shadow Breathing: First Form."

The night snapped.

I moved.

To Be Continued…

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Important Note : In the original story, Muzan had killed all the Lower Moons before Mugen Train Arc. This chapter takes place after Mugen Train Arc, So there shouldn't be any lower moons. But I took liberty. So in this timeline, Muzan creates a new lineup of Lower Moons which is slightly better than the previous disappointed lineup.

Also from now on, I will upload 1-2 chapters every week. Don't worry, You don't have to wait too long to see the end of the story. This is a very fast paced story and probably will end in around 50-60 chapters.

I am also outlining my new original story that isn't a fanfic. But If I get free time, I might add more frequent updates in this Demon Slayer Fanfic. I am writing this story as hobbyist and don't wanna make writing this story a chore by forcing myself to upload chapters daily. I had already written a lot chapters of this fanfic but it all got scrapped after I got a better story direction. I learnt a lot by writing this fanfic and still learning, I think I am getting better little by little but still no way near an average Novel Writer.