The late afternoon sun cast long shadows as Tanjiro trekked down the dusty path. Sweat beaded on his brow, and the worn wooden box he carried felt heavy on his back. It wasn't the weight that bothered him so much, though. It was the unknown.

He glanced down at the box, a sliver of worry creasing his brow. Inside, Nezuko slept, swaddled in layers of cloth to shield her from the setting sun