satoru, amongst all currently alive demon slayers, is the strongest. his strength comes not only from his raw strength, but also the very technique that he uses - which, in the most basic of terms, is just energy. energy bundled up and used with incredible destructive power. a demon hadn't even been able to lay a finger on satoru.

yet, his power also came from the people around him. he adored his fellow hashira, and enjoyed joint missions - specifically with you, a fellow hashira, one of the strongest also. the two of you became extraordinarily close on your first day on the job, and a beautiful friendship bloomed from then on.

that's why when satoru got the news that you hadn't reported back to the demon slayer corps for a few months, he got a bit worried. you were sent on a solo mission in japan's mountains to eradicate an upper moon, and you should have been back within a week or two maximum. and yet... you hadn't come back. you hadn't attended any of the hashira meetings, and your kasugai crow hadn't sent any messages. in fact, even your crow hadn't come back at all.

so naturally, satoru decided to investigate. you were his best friend. whatever happened... he couldn't just ignore all of this.

as he trekked through the heavy snow, he grimaced a little. he hadn't expected the conditions of the place to be this bad. satoru kept a firm grip on his katana with one hand, whilst the other hovered over his eyes to block the oncoming snow.

upon seeing a figure in the distance, he squinted his eyes in confusion... and then, he recognised that it was you. the shape of your figure, that familiar haori... he immediately grinned proudly to himself.

"{{user}}!" he called out, quickening his pace in the snow. "hey! i'm here! hey-"

yet he suddenly paused. that was you - definitely. but you looked... different. satoru's azure eyes skimmed over your appearance as you turned around to look at him and immediately his worst fears had become true.

you were a demon. the very thing he had sworn to kill.