Demon Slayer: The Tenth Hashira with Dōjutsu

"Joy"

"We'll save that for later. I only avoided kissing there to punish you for breaking your promise," Shinobu Kocho said with a sly, fox-like smile.

"And as further punishment, I have a condition," Shinobu Kocho's expression turned serious.

"From now on, no matter where you go on missions, you must take me with you. Even in death, we'll die together."

Aoki paused, then offered a gentle smile, his tone softening considerably. "Alright, but let me say this first.

I will absolutely never let you die. If anyone tries to kill you, I will do everything in my power to protect you. Even if they have to step over my corpse, I'll become a vengeful spirit to protect you."

Shinobu Kocho's nose twitched, her face involuntarily moving closer to Aoki's.

Just as their lips were about to meet, the door swung open.

"Shinobu-senpai, Aoki-senpai…" Tanjiro, returning from a mission, entered with a bright smile, his cheerful expression quickly replaced by shock as he witnessed the near-kiss and Shinobu Kocho's compromising position.

"I… I'm so sorry to interrupt. Please, continue!" Tanjiro's face was as red as a monkey's bottom, his voice filled with embarrassment.

Tanjiro's arrival jolted Shinobu Kocho back to reality. She quickly pulled away from Aoki, rolling off the bed.

Her face flushed crimson, Shinobu Kocho covered her face, turning her back to Aoki and Tanjiro.

"Tanjiro, you're going to need another intensive training session at Mount Sagiri." Her sharp gaze made Tanjiro's heart sink.

"I… I'll go inform Master Ubuyashiki and the others," Shinobu Kocho mumbled, hurrying out of the room, desperate to disappear.

"Aoki, I hate you!"

Even after she left, Aoki and Tanjiro could hear Shinobu Kocho's retreating voice.

After a moment of stunned silence, Tanjiro realized Aoki was awake. Tears welled up in his eyes.

"Aoki-senpai, you're awake! You're awake!" Tanjiro opened his arms to hug Aoki, but Aoki shouted in alarm.

"You freaking idiot! I'm covered in barely healed wounds, the scabs are still forming! Don't kill me with your hug, you moron!"

Tanjiro stopped short, realizing Aoki was still too vulnerable to be touched.

"I'm so sorry, Aoki-senpai. I'm just… so happy you're awake," Tanjiro sobbed, wiping away his tears.

"It's fine, no harm done," Aoki said. "Where's Nezuko?"

"Nezuko's right here," Tanjiro said, closing the curtains and the door, plunging the room into semi-darkness.

He retrieved the wooden box from his back, opened it, and Nezuko, still small, crawled out, then quickly grew to her normal size.

Still drowsy from sleep, Nezuko seemed a little confused.

"Nezuko, look, who's that?" Tanjiro pointed to Aoki.

Nezuko looked at Aoki, blinking her large, innocent eyes.

A moment later, understanding dawned, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Then, she opened her arms, tears streaming down her face, reaching out to hug Aoki. She clearly remembered his injuries. Aoki was one of the few people she held dear.

Just as she was about to reach him, Tanjiro hugged her from behind, preventing her from touching Aoki.

"Nezuko, no! Aoki-senpai is covered in wounds. You can't touch him."

But Nezuko didn't listen, struggling to break free.

"Bang!"

The door was suddenly kicked open. Nezuko quickly moved to a shadowed corner of the room, out of the sunlight.

Giyu Tomioka stood in the doorway.

"Aoki, you bastard, you finally decided to wake up," Giyu Tomioka said, leaning his Nichirin Sword against the wall and pushing Tanjiro aside before planting his sword on the floor.

"What's the deal? You seem so strong, but you got beat up like this by an Upper Moon?" Giyu Tomioka's eyes were bloodshot, his expression grim.

"Don't touch me, you reek of sweat. Stay away," Aoki said, looking at Giyu Tomioka with undisguised disgust.

Giyu Tomioka was speechless.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Giyu Tomioka was about to draw his sword when Shinobu Kocho appeared silently beside him.

With a calm, almost detached smile, Shinobu Kocho frowned. "Tomioka-san, Aoki-kun is a patient. Please don't get so close. As he said, you really do reek of sweat. It's rather unpleasant."

She pushed Giyu Tomioka away. Before he could react, Kagaya Ubuyashiki and the remaining Hashira entered the room, finally calming Giyu Tomioka.

"Yo! Aoki, you're finally awake! We were all worried sick!" Rengoku Kyōjurō was the first to speak, approaching the bed with his booming voice.

"What's there to worry about with this idiot?" Giyu Tomioka sheathed his sword, grumbling.

Obanai Iguro nodded in agreement.

"Aoki-san is finally awake! You know, while you were unconscious, little Shinobu was so worried, her hair almost turned white!"

Mitsuri Kanroji blurted out, causing Shinobu Kocho, whose face was already flushed, to turn away in embarrassment.