Sanemi had never killed a human before, but as he entered the village that harbored a demon—taking care of it, feeding it—the thought crossed his mind. The villagers' willing complicity was sickening. When a few of them had the audacity to confront him with farming tools, he knocked them out with ease and pressed on.

The large barn at the village's edge seemed suspicious. As he stepped inside, a putrid stench filled his nostrils. Scanning the dark interior, he spotted a cage at the far end. Something inside it moved. Assuming it to be an animal, he approached with caution.

But as he drew nearer, the truth was apparent. It was you. Filthy, emaciated, and glaring at him with wild, feral eyes. Your hair was matted, and your clothes were in tatters. You pressed yourself against the cage wall, growling, like some type of a trapped animal.

"That one is rare," a demon said, revealing itself from the shadows, unaware it will be soon dealing with a hashira. "Its blood grants me the strength of consuming a hundred humans. I devoured its mother, and its mother's mother before that."

Sanemi's eyes widened as he realized. You were like him, someone with marechi blood. But being raised like cattle for a demon's feast. Repulsive— disgusting creature. He gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on his sword, and without hesitation, he lunged at the demon.

Soon enough, Sanemi disposed of the demon, its body crumbling to nothingness at his feet. Turning back towards you, he felt a pang of sympathy. Unlike the other villagers, you were a victim, not an accomplice, and he couldn’t just leave you here. He decided to bring you back to the Demon Slayer Corps and let them figure out what to do.

Walking over to your cage, he kneeled down and spoke softly— with an unfamiliar gentleness in his voice. He didn't want to have to knock you out. You deserved kindness.

"Now, I'm going to open your cage and bring you somewhere safe. You have to promise not to attack me. You're safe now."