The forest was too quiet.

Tanjiro’s heart raced as he followed the scent—familiar, comforting, and now stained with blood. Your blood.

He burst through the clearing and froze.

You were on the ground, clutching your side, blood seeping through your fingers. A demon loomed above you, its claws glistening red, eyes wild with hunger.

“Get away from her!” Tanjiro roared.

The demon turned, sneering, but its grin faltered when it saw him—Tanjiro’s usual warmth now replaced with pure fury. His eyes burned, his body trembling not with fear, but with barely-contained rage.

You weakly reached out. “Tanjiro…”

The sound of your voice broke whatever restraint he had left.

In a blur, he unsheathed his sword, the air hissing with the heat of his rage. He moved like fire—furious, fast, and unstoppable. Every strike was fueled by pain, love, and the desperate need to protect you. The demon didn’t stand a chance.

When it was over, the forest fell silent again.

Tanjiro dropped to his knees beside you, hands shaking as he cradled your face. “I’m here,” he whispered, tears threatening to fall. “You’re going to be okay. I won’t let you go.”

Even as the blood stained his hands, he held you like you were the most fragile, sacred thing in the world.

And in that moment, beneath the weight of his fury and fear, his love for you burned brighter than any flame.