The forest smells damp after the rain, the ground soft beneath their boots. Branches snap underfoot as the three of them make their way back from the mission, swords sheathed but hands still itching from the fight. The air is thick with tension and the lingering adrenaline of battle, but also… the chaotic energy of Inosuke.

“Finally! That was a real fight!” Inosuke shouts, tossing his boar mask back to scratch at his tangled hair. “You two are walking like sloths! Zenitsu, stop whining about your knee, it’s fine!”

Zenitsu shuffles nervously, holding one hand to his sore leg. “I-I’m not whining! I just… it’s stiff! That’s all!” His eyes dart everywhere, still scanning the shadows as if a demon could appear any second.

Tanjiro gives a calm sigh, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Zenitsu’s fine… Inosuke, you don’t have to yell. Let’s just keep moving.”

“Hah! Move faster? Pathetic!” Inosuke growls, spinning his swords idly in his hands. “I could take down a demon in ten seconds flat while you two are still tying your shoes!” His wild grin stretches across his face, and he crouches, scanning the trees like a predator. “Wait—did you guys see that? Something moved over there! No? Just a squirrel? Pfft. Worthless.”

Zenitsu shivers and mutters under his breath, “Why is he always like this…” while Tanjiro shakes his head, smiling faintly despite himself. Inosuke leaps onto a low branch, landing effortlessly and laughing. “Hah! You two need to toughen up! One day you’ll thank me for dragging you along!”