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Chapter Text

Inosuke was flummoxed.

Sure he was raised by boars, but this was RIDICULOUS.

He couldn’t have actually given birth, right?

“This is all YOUR fault.” Inosuke glared at the small boar farrow nestled on his pillow. 

Ok so maybe his first thoughts upon seeing Kurai were a bit weird. He’d named her Kurai. It meant “dark”, and she really liked the dark. When he found her, she’d run under the bed in fear of him, and it had taken a lot of coaxing, and only with the hide on, to convince her to come out (he’d gone outside and nosed at her from the window).

But if there was a time in his life Inosuke needed a friend, this was it. The humans who had taught him to speak and read were moving. Actually, they’d left the day he met Kurai.

Inosuke had wanted to “abandon all hope” and leave, go deeper into the Mountain. And he’d tried. But just as he’d put on his hide—Kurai was there. She was standing there, in the way. She looked at him and tilted her head, and just whimpered.

Then Kurai had pranced into his den and sat on the bed. Inosuke had looked helplessly at the other boars, then at Kurai, then trudged back into the house.

The boars had watched, smiling knowingly.

“That’s another thing that gets on my nerves.” Inosuke said, looking at Kurai, who nodded every once in a while like she understood. She was a good listener. “Everyone who sees her just looks at her like they know something I don’t.”

Kurai showed her teeth, grinning fangishly at him.

It took a boar like Inosuke to recognize a smile from a farrow like Kurai.

“Aw cmere.” Inosuke grabbed her and wrestled with her a while, then fell asleep with her in his arms.

Chapter Text

Inosuke ran through the woods.

He had finally made it to the northern mountains, near the peak.

He had to get as far away as possible from the place he’d once lived.

They had all left him without a word.

He growled as he lurched forward, struggling up the mountain. He knew he had left Kurai behind, the farrow struggled to keep up. He paused, let the farrow come closer.

He had to get away. 

To be free.

“Really? And what will you do then?” A voice, feminine, sounded in his mind.

It wasn’t human. 

A full grown boar, grey with blue eyes, climbed down from the mountain. It was Kurai! And now she was a talking boar, like him! 

“Who are you?” Inosuke asked curiously. 

Same shape as the other boars, but as big as he was.

“I used to be a girl.” She said, pain lacing her thoughts. “Then came the heat, the anger, and I was like this. And I’m so angry all the time—“

Her voice ripped out.

“You can’t change back.” Inosuke finished for her. “Your a real one.”—Acknowledging that he wasn’t a real shapeshifter— “Your a Shapeshifter. What’s your name?”

“That’s not it.” She responded. “After I transformed, there was nothing. No memory, no anything, just the boar. And a name.”

Inosuke stared at her, trying to imagine her as a girl. As a human.

“What name.”

“Yoro.” The boar turned to the mountain. “Yoro of the Northern Mountain.”

Chapter Text

Inosuke snort-laughed. “Not Kurai?”

She nipped at him affectionately. “I cannot remember my human name, so I accepted that.”

“Why were you a farrow?”

“I got weak and assumed that form.”

“You are...Yoro...” Inosuke said softly. “What do you want with me?”

“I understand your pain.” York said. “I too lost someone I loved. I loved someone and he betrayed me.”

Inosuke grimaced in silence. She could never understand his pain. They were the only humans he had ever known.

“You are a strong and wise boar, as I am. Do not worry. This pain will not be forever.”

Yoro nuzzled his face again.

Inosuke felt the weight lift from his heart.

Chapter Text

Soft steps in the winter snow of the Northern Mountain. How long had it been? She didn’t know. 

Oh. She paused in her icy cold steps. That’s right. It’s “Yoro” now.

She continued trudging, tracking in the pure white snow. He sighed. As usual, leaving a trail.

She sneezed. Would it never end?

But…

She looked at Inosuke. At least she had him. Now she was not alone. They traveled in silence, hoping for something at the top.

Ku—Yoro had traveled here into the mountains, fighting the heat, the haze, on the fringes, not human or wolf…

And now she didn’t know why she kept going up the mountain. Maybe she hoped there would be something beautiful on the other side. Maybe she could be human again?

And stop Inosuke from losing himself to the beast as she had. Someday he had to cool down and be human again, or he wold burn forever.

They strode fruitlessly to the top. The snow and wind seemed to stop around them, and a hush descended. At the base of the mountain was a shrine.

Yoro gasped, and Inosuke stared at her. The memories of her human life returned, and the spell almost failed.

As they passed through the wisteria and they became human in the sanctuary of the shrine—

Inosuke looked around irritably. Unfortunately, despite his anger, he was actually happy to be around her. 

Yoro smiled as she showed him around. 

Inosuke shivered. It was so cold here. Maybe that’s why it was  so easy to remain human. He couldn’t burn anymore. His body was hot, but he world wasn’t.

The haze had lifted, and she was the ice cold moon.

This wasn’t the romance he’d expected. He'd seen mating dances before, and they didn't look as good as this felt.

Inosuke was still in intense pain from the loss of his human family. But now he felt…better. 

As he looked around the Final Selection, he felt like he could find a home here. Fighting monsters, eating as much as he wanted, having a place to rest…being with her…

Inosuke wondered if Yoro was using her power to end his pain. He had to know. He couldn’t cause her pain.

Inosuke grabbed Yoro’s shoulder. She whirled, and…

They kissed.

And then she began to disappear. Inosuke growled at her.

“You tricked me, Yoro or Kurai or whatever your real name is!”

Yoro bristled. “My name is Kuri, INOSUKE BOAR HEAD HASHIBIRA!”

“That is NOT my name!”

Chapter Text

Inosuke tightened his grip on her shoulder, unwilling to let her fade. His fingers sank into her cloak, the thin barrier of cloth doing little to hide the pounding heat of his desperation.

She met his wild eyes, hers a chilling, steady blue—like an endless winter that had seen too many battles and had forgotten warmth.

“Kuri,” he muttered, tasting her real name. The syllables felt foreign, as if they could shatter on his tongue. She was something more than he’d realized, a woman with hidden depths and ancient scars. He had been drawn to her strength, her mystery, but this… This was different. She was disappearing, slipping through his fingers like the snow beneath them.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded, voice rough and low. “You think I can’t handle knowing who you are? What you are?”

Kuri sighed, her gaze softening, and for a fleeting moment, she seemed almost vulnerable. “Inosuke,” she whispered, “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to get hurt. My world… it isn’t kind. It’s why I left it to be out here.”

“I don’t care!” he roared, his voice echoing through the hushed mountainside. “You’re with me now. Nothing else matters.”

She shook her head, her icy resolve beginning to thaw. “But it does. It will… You’re not like me. You have warmth, Inosuke. You can still feel the fire of being human. I don’t want you to lose that.” Her voice cracked, just slightly, enough for him to hear her own doubt, her own fears.

Inosuke’s mouth twisted into a snarl. “I’m not scared of losing anything! I’m scared of losing you!”

The silence that followed was heavy, hanging in the air like the snowfall that blanketed their path. For the first time, Kuri looked uncertain, caught between the wraith she had become and the woman she once was. Her hand slipped from his grasp, and she took a step back.

“Inosuke,” she whispered. “Being with me… it comes with a cost.”

“Then I’ll pay it,” he replied, stepping closer, his voice a vow.

Kuri’s breath hitched, and her resolve began to fracture. She wanted to pull away, to protect him from the darkness that had consumed her, but Inosuke’s fierce gaze was unrelenting. She took a shuddering breath and closed the gap between them, her hand brushing against his, cold fingers entwining with his rough, calloused ones.

“Then come with me,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “If you’re truly ready, let me show you… my world.”

They walked together toward the shrine’s inner chamber, an ancient doorway hidden beneath layers of frost and wisteria petals. As they crossed the threshold, a wave of bitter, biting cold washed over them, and Inosuke gritted his teeth. He could feel Kuri’s power at work, a frigid aura enveloping them, but it was no longer a burden. It felt… right.

The shrine’s heart was a vast, open hall, illuminated by the faint glow of moonlight filtering through icy windows. Ancient carvings adorned the walls, depicting wolves and shapeshifters, warriors and spirits. Inosuke’s gaze settled on a mural—a wolf with eyes like fire, standing beside a woman cloaked in shadows.

Kuri stepped forward, her eyes tracing the mural’s lines, lost in memories. “This is where I come from,” she murmured. “Where my family comes from. The North has always been harsh, and only those who could become wolves survived here. But with survival came… sacrifices.”

She turned to face him, her expression raw, stripped of the icy shield she wore so well. “The power to shift, to protect… it requires us to let go of our humanity, little by little. I was afraid of what it might do to you, Inosuke. I’ve seen too many lose themselves in the beast.”

Inosuke held her gaze, determination burning in his eyes. “I’m not gonna lose myself,” he promised. “Not as long as I have you.”

Something within her melted. She stepped closer, pressing her hand to his chest, feeling the warmth radiate through his skin, the fire she had long forgotten. Slowly, she leaned in, resting her head against him.

The world was silent, the mountain’s chill retreating as the warmth between them grew. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Kuri felt something stir in her—a spark, a glimmer of the humanity she thought she’d lost.

Inosuke wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He didn’t need words; he only needed her, here, now, with him.

And as they stood together in the heart of the shrine, a strange, ancient peace settled over them. The mountains seemed to breathe, to sigh with relief, as if the land itself recognized the bond they’d forged—a bond between fire and frost, warmth and shadow.

For the first time in a long time, Inosuke felt at home.

Chapter Text

Inosuke glanced at Kuri as they descended the mountain, leaving the sanctuary of the shrine behind. The morning light filtered through the trees, casting shadows on her face that danced over her expression—a blend of curiosity and apprehension. Though the snow had thinned, the chill lingered, but it didn’t bother him. He was too focused on the journey ahead, the unfamiliar thrill of having her beside him.

“So, this is… the Demon Slayer Corps?” Kuri’s voice broke the silence, tentative yet steady.

Inosuke grinned, an almost feral excitement flashing in his eyes. “Not yet. You’re gonna love it. Or hate it. Probably both.”

Kuri arched an eyebrow, amusement touching her otherwise guarded features. “Why bring me there?”

“Because,” Inosuke said, unflinching, “they need to see what you can do. And… I want you to meet them. You’re not just some wolf out here in the wild anymore. You’re part of something now.”

Kuri blinked, taken aback. It had been years since anyone looked at her as anything other than a drifting spirit, a distant shadow on the mountainside. Her life had been a cycle of isolation, a path she had walked alone. Until now. Until him.

They moved quickly through the forest, the Demon Slayer Corps’ base drawing nearer. As they entered the Corps’ grounds, eyes turned their way, whispers trailing behind them. Inosuke led the way with his usual confident stride, but his fingers brushed Kuri’s hand as if to reassure her. She noticed the way his chest puffed slightly, as though her presence meant something he wanted everyone to understand.

Ahead, the Corps’ pillars stood in a loose semi-circle, their curious, appraising eyes landing on Kuri. Among them was Tanjiro, who tilted his head, a faint, welcoming smile on his face. Zenitsu hovered behind, wide-eyed and wary

“Inosuke!” Tanjiro called out, stepping forward. His gaze softened as he took in Kuri’s presence, sensing the air of quiet power around her. “Who is your friend?”

“This is Kuri!” Inosuke announced proudly, with a fierce grin. “She’s one of us now!”

Kuri felt every gaze on her, each assessing, measuring. She drew in a steady breath, the icy calm of the mountains within her helping to brace against the scrutiny. She could feel her wolf’s presence rising within, its protective instincts flaring as a reaction to the attention, but she held it back, trusting Inosuke’s judgment.

Tanjiro approached her with his characteristic warmth, his expression gentle but curious. “Kuri, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Inosuke doesn’t bring just anyone here. You must be… very special.”

Kuri met his gaze, searching for any sign of skepticism or doubt, but found none. There was only a quiet acceptance that stirred something inside her, a vulnerability she’d tried to keep buried.

Zenitsu, however, wasn’t as calm. He edged closer, eyeing her nervously. “Wait… she’s not a demon, is she? She has… that look… like she could turn into something any second.”

Kuri smirked, her expression mischievous as she cast a sidelong glance at Inosuke. “Don’t worry, Zenitsu. I don’t bite… unless I’m provoked.”

Inosuke chuckled, finding a strange satisfaction in her defiant tone. He squared his shoulders, meeting the gaze of every Pillar around them. “She’s strong, and she’s got a beast inside her that makes her even stronger. I want her to fight with us.”

Kyojuro Rengoku, with his flaming intensity, stepped forward, his eyes blazing with intrigue. “A warrior with a beast spirit? Fascinating. We could use someone with such resilience in our ranks.”

Kuri looked around, feeling the weight of their acceptance settle over her like a warm mantle. In the mountains, she had been a lone wolf, neither human nor beast, drifting without purpose. Here, beside Inosuke and among these warriors, she sensed the possibility of a different life—a life of belonging.

Tanjiro’s voice cut through her thoughts. “If you’d like, Kuri, I could show you around. And maybe… you could tell us about your powers?”

Kuri hesitated, glancing at Inosuke. But his proud expression—so unlike anything she’d seen from him before—bolstered her courage. She nodded. “I’ll show you. But it’s… different. It’s not just power. It’s… something ancient.”

As the sun rose higher, casting golden light over the Demon Slayer Corps, Kuri stepped forward, allowing herself, for the first time, to be truly seen. And with each step, Inosuke’s steady presence at her side reminded her she was no longer alone.

Inosuke’s voice, low and gruff, cut through her thoughts. “I told you,” he said, glancing at her with a rare softness in his wild eyes. “You’re one of us now. No going back.”

Kuri took his hand, her grip firm, as the unfamiliar warmth of belonging washed over her, melting away the frost that had long encased her heart.

Chapter Text

The sun had barely set beyond the mountains when the first signs of trouble crept through the woods surrounding the Demon Slayer Corps' base. The wind carried an acrid scent, the unmistakable tang of blood. Inosuke's senses sharpened, his body coiling like a spring. Beside him, Kuri's eyes glinted with an icy edge, her breath visible in the cooling air.

"Demon," Inosuke growled, baring his teeth. His boar mask was strapped tight over his head, but Kuri could still see the wild determination in his eyes.

They moved as one, darting through the trees with lethal precision. The forest seemed to shudder as they charged, the quiet breaking under the thunder of their footfalls. Ahead, a clearing opened up to reveal a grotesque demon, its skin a sickly gray-green, eyes glowing like embers in the dusk. The beast towered over them, arms ending in jagged, blade-like claws that glistened with fresh blood.

Kuri's breath caught, her wolf's spirit rising from within like a tide. The power she had long tried to suppress surged, a cold, relentless force. For a moment, everything seemed to slow. The demon's twisted face leered at them, teeth bared in a feral grin.

It lunged, its claws slicing the air with a sound like ripping silk.

But Kuri was faster.

With a snarl, she launched herself at the demon, her body blurring into motion. Her fingers curled, nails elongating into sharp, black claws. She moved like the wind, slipping past the demon's attack and driving her claws into its side. The beast howled, its voice a mix of pain and rage.

Inosuke watched with awe as Kuri fought. She was feral, a flurry of claws and teeth, her blue eyes glowing with an unnatural light. She was no longer just the cold, quiet woman he'd found in the mountains-she was a force of nature, an embodiment of the wild that had always called to him.

"Get its head!" Kuri shouted, her voice edged with an icy command. She tore her claws free, leaving deep gashes that oozed a dark, viscous blood.

Inosuke didn't need to be told twice. He surged forward, blades at the ready, the familiar rush of battle filling his veins. The demon roared, swinging its wounded arm in a last-ditch effort to stop him, but Kuri was there, intercepting the blow with a speed that defied logic. She sank her claws into the creature's arm, ice spreading from her touch and freezing the demon's flesh in a web of frost.‘

"Do it, Inosuke!" she yelled, straining against the demon's strength.

With a triumphant cry, Inosuke leaped, blades crossing in a deadly arc. He felt the satisfying resistance of muscle and bone before his swords severed the demon's neck. The head fell to the ground with a thud, eyes still wide with shock. Its body staggered, then collapsed in a heap, black blood seeping into the earth.

The silence that followed was deafening. Inosuke stood, chest heaving, blood splattered across his mask and arms. He turned to Kuri, who released the demon's frozen arm and stepped back, her eyes still wild but softer now.

"You're a beast, Kuri," he said, a grin splitting his face beneath the mask. "An unstoppable one."

Kuri let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. Her claws retracted, leaving her fingers trembling. For a moment, she looked at Inosuke, their eyes locking as the last of the moonlight glistened on the frost she'd created. The cold around her began to dissipate, leaving only the warmth of their shared victory.

"It takes one to know one," she replied, a small smile breaking through her stern expression.

Inosuke barked a laugh, the sound ringing out into the forest as the tension finally broke. They stood together, surrounded by the fading remnants of their battle, a testament to the bond that had been forged in the ice and blood.

But as they looked at each other, a silent understanding passed between them-this was only the beginning. More demons lurked in the shadows, and together, they would face them all.

Chapter Text

Inosuke could remember the first time he heard the old tale. The reason why those bound by the Beast’s Curse were forbidden to leave their mountain sanctuary.

The sun was setting over the wisteria-shrouded Demon Slayer Corps estate, the air heavy with the scent of summer blossoms. Shinobu, the Insect Hashira, stood at the edge of the forest, her raven-black hair flowing like ink in the wind, her eyes piercing. She was the keeper of the secrets, the one who spoke for the spirits that bound them to this cursed life.

“Inosuke,” Shinobu voice was like tempered steel, cutting through his mounting frustration, “I know it hurts, but you cannot follow her.”

The Spirit Voice in her command burned through his primal blood, shackling him. It hurt to move, to even breathe. But the beast in him wouldn’t yield completely. With a low growl, he forced the words out.

“How can you say that? How can you abandon her like that? You heartless witch!” His claws curled against his palms, his trembling fury barely contained.

A hand rested on his shoulder. Calm, steady, familiar. Tanjiro.

“Inosuke, I understand how you feel,” Tanjiro said softly, his tone imbued with empathy. “Kuri is—”

Inosuke snarled, shoving Tanjiro’s hand off. “YOU don’t get to talk, Tanjiro! You have Nezuko! You have your sister! I have NOTHING!” His voice cracked, hot tears spilling down his face despite his best efforts. “I NEED her!”

“Inosuke!” Shinobu’s voice rose sharply, cutting through his tantrum. He froze despite himself. Shinobu was always composed, aloof—cold as the snow-capped mountains that sheltered them. Hearing the uncharacteristic pain in her voice startled him enough to pause.

“Why?” he growled, his body trembling with the effort to keep his anger contained.

Shinobu’s eyes locked on his, a rare flicker of vulnerability surfacing. “It’s… the heat.”

“What?!” Inosuke snarled, furious at her cryptic answer. “What are you even talking about?!”

Shinobu’s composure cracked further, her voice trembling now. “It’s the heat, Inosuke. Here in the sanctuary, the wisteria blooms and the mountain air keep the curse in check. The cold balances the fire inside you., But if you go to her…”

Tanjiro stepped in, his expression grave. “Your body, Inosuke—it’s different because of the Beast’s Curse. Your blood burns hotter than humans’. That’s what gives you strength and speed. But it’s only stable here, in the cold, or in the presence of demons. If you leave and the heat rises unchecked…” He hesitated. “You could lose yourself.”

“What?” Understanding began to dawn on Inosuke, but his anger still simmered. “So what if I get mad? I’ll deal with it! Kuri needs me! I’ll keep myself together for her!”

Shinobu groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You don’t get it, Inosuke. It’s not just anger. If your body overheats, the curse will take over completely. You won’t just be a man with a beast’s strength—you’ll become the beast. You’ll lose your humanity, and Kuri will suffer for it.”

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut. For a moment, he was silent, his mind racing. He clenched his fists, his claws digging into his palms. “I don’t care,” he finally said, his voice quieter but no less determined. “I’d rather lose myself than lose her.”

Shinobu sighed heavily, her cold demeanor returning. She stepped forward, shoving a bundle of herbs and scrolls into his arms.

“The hell is this?” Inosuke asked, glaring at the bundle.

“It’s a potion,” Shinobu said, her sharp tone back. “A cooling elixir. It’ll keep your body in check for a while, but it’s not a permanent solution.”

Tanjiro gave him a pleading look. “You have to make more as soon as it runs out, Inosuke. If you don’t…”

Shinobu cut him off, her voice sharp. “Kuri’s natural cold aura will help stabilize you for a little while, but it’s not enough. You’ll need to…” She hesitated, a rare blush creeping across her pale cheeks. “You’ll need to solidify your bond with her.”

Inosuke blinked, confused. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Shinobu rolled her eyes. “You have to kiss her. And then… Seal. The. Bond.”

“KISS her?!” Inosuke shouted, his face flushing beneath his boar mask. “What kind of stupid—”

“Don’t act like you haven’t thought about it, idiot,” Shinobu snapped, her usual smirk returning. “It’s the only way to keep the curse from consuming you. But you better not hurt her, Inosuke, or you’ll answer to me.”

Inosuke stared at the bundle in his hands, his mind racing. He hated feeling this conflicted, this vulnerable. But when he thought of Kuri—of her cold touch and steady presence, the way she had fought beside him against the demon—he knew there was no choice. He would do whatever it took to protect her.

With a resigned snort, he shoved the bundle into his satchel and turned to leave. “Fine. I’ll do it. But don’t get in my way.”

Shinobu and Tanjiro watched as Inosuke disappeared into the forest, heading south toward Kuri and the unknown dangers that awaited them both..

Chapter Text

Shinobu hadn’t been exaggerating. The fire in Inosuke’s blood became unbearable the moment he crossed into the flat, open plains of the south. By the time he reached Kansas, it was no longer just an itch under his skin—it was an inferno, crawling through his veins and threatening to consume him.

Inosuke ran in his Beast Form, a massive boar, his powerful hooves pounding against the earth. His tusks gleamed under the moonlight, and his wild, untamed mane whipped in the wind. In this form, he was raw power—faster, stronger, but also harder to control. The fire fed his strength, but it also fed the rage simmering beneath the surface, making his mind blur between man and beast.

He stuck to back alleyways and fields as much as possible, his hulking form too obvious in the open. The cornfields, endless and golden, offered him some cover, but the suffocating heat of the south gnawed at him constantly. His skin felt like it was burning, his body always too hot, the sweat soaking through his fur offering no relief.

The fire made him snappish, his temper flaring at even the smallest inconveniences. He tore through fields when they slowed him down, leaving a trail of crushed stalks in his wake. He avoided humans altogether, knowing his feral instincts could snap his already fragile control.

The potion Shinobu had given him was the only thing keeping him grounded, but he rationed it carefully, knowing he didn’t have time to stop and make more. He drank it sparingly, each dose just enough to dull the flames and allow him to keep moving. Kuri needed him. He couldn’t stop—not for long.

When the fire burned too hot, he forced himself to stop in streams and rivers, submerging his boar body in the icy water. In towns, he risked sneaking into motels, shifting back into human form just long enough to take freezing showers. These brief moments of cold relief gave him enough clarity to keep going, but they were never enough to extinguish the flames entirely.

The journey stretched on for six months, the fire growing harder to control with each passing day. Normally, he could have crossed the distance in weeks, but the constant need for cold relief slowed him down. His determination was the only thing keeping him going.

Finally, he reached Dallas. The city sprawled before him, a maze of buildings and streets bathed in the pale glow of the moon. The air here was different—cooler, sharper. For the first time in months, he felt a flicker of peace.

Kuri’s scent was faint but unmistakable, leading him through the city’s quiet streets. He followed it, weaving through alleys and shadows, his massive boar form silent despite its size. The fire inside him began to ebb, the oppressive heat retreating with every step closer to her.

When he found her, she was in a small apartment, her window slightly open. Her cold aura spilled into the night air, wrapping around him like a soothing balm. For the first time in months, the fire in his veins didn’t burn—it simmered, quiet and manageable.

Inosuke stood beneath the window, his hulking boar form hidden in the shadows. He could see her inside, sitting on the edge of her bed, her blue-green eyes distant and thoughtful. She looked stronger than he remembered, her presence filling the room like a calming storm.

His heart thundered in his chest as her gaze shifted, her eyes locking onto his glowing amber ones. She rose slowly, her expression a mix of surprise and recognition.

The fire inside him rippled, and his massive form began to shift. His tusks receded, his mane softened, and the bulk of his boar body shrank. Moments later, Inosuke stood naked in the dark, his human form trembling but steady. The cold night air kissed his skin, grounding him in a way he hadn’t felt since leaving the mountains.

He was himself again.

Kuri moved toward the window, her movements cautious but steady. She pushed it open further, letting the cool air flow between them. Her eyes softened as she took him in, her cold aura brushing against his burning soul.

“Inosuke,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He swallowed hard, his throat tight. “Kuri,” he rasped, his voice raw.

The moonlight framed her face as she leaned slightly out the window, her cold breath mingling with the night air. Inosuke stepped closer, his heart pounding.

“I found you,” he said simply, his voice quiet but filled with emotion.

Her lips curved into a small smile, her usual sharpness softened by relief. “It took you long enough,” she said, a hint of teasing in her tone.

Inosuke chuckled softly, the sound rough and broken but real. “Yeah. Stupid fire slowed me down. But I’m here now.”

She reached out, her hand brushing his cheek. Her touch was ice-cold, but it didn’t sting—it soothed, calming the embers that still smoldered in his blood.

“You’re late,” she murmured, her voice trembling slightly.

“Sorry,” he said, his voice softer now. “But I’m not going anywhere.”

Her gaze held his, and for a moment, everything else faded—the fire, the journey, the Curse. There was only her, and the calm she brought to his chaos.

As they stood there, the balance between fire and ice settled into place, their connection forging something stronger than either could manage alone. Together, they could face whatever came next. Together, they could survive

Chapter Text

Zenitsu paced back and forth across the room in the Demon Slayer Corps’ estate, his nervous energy crackling in the air like a brewing storm. His golden hair fell messily over his forehead, and his hands trembled as he wrung them together. He had worn a path into the floor with his relentless pacing.

“Zenitsu,” Tanjiro called out from where he sat cross-legged, his calm voice cutting through the room.

Pace, pace, pace.

“Zenitsu.” Tanjiro’s voice grew firmer, but Zenitsu kept moving, his mind too tangled in knots to process the words.

“ZENITSU!”

Zenitsu stopped in his tracks, jerking upright as if struck by his own lightning. He blinked at Tanjiro, wide-eyed and jittery.

“What?” he snapped, his voice higher-pitched than he’d intended.

Tanjiro’s face was grave, his steady brown eyes fixed on his friend. “It happened.”

The weight of the words hit Zenitsu like a punch to the gut. He froze, his breath catching in his throat. “What… happened?”

“The Matriarch is dead,” Tanjiro said quietly. “Kaori is gone.”

Zenitsu’s knees almost buckled, his whole body trembling as the truth sank in. “She’s… gone?” he whispered.

Tanjiro nodded solemnly. “It’s time, Zenitsu.”

Zenitsu’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. His body trembled, not from fear this time, but from the storm building inside him. He took a deep, shuddering breath and nodded. “Gather everyone. I have something to say.”

Xxx

The Demon Slayer Corps had assembled under the ancient wisteria trees. The moonlight spilled through the blossoms, painting the group in hues of silver and violet. Zenitsu stood in the center, his usual jittery demeanor replaced by a tense, simmering energy.

The group watched him in silence, their faces a mix of curiosity and concern. Kanao stood near the back, her delicate hands folded in front of her, her soft gaze steady but sad. Genya leaned against a tree, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his sharp eyes observing Zenitsu closely.

Zenitsu’s throat tightened as he looked around. The sight of his comrades—many of them paired off, sharing quiet moments of connection—tore at his heart. It wasn’t their fault, but every shared glance reminded him of her.

Her.

Reiko.

Zenitsu’s fingers brushed over his chest, his heart aching as he thought of her touch. Her cold hands, always grounding him, always steadying his storm. He could still hear her laugh, see the fire in her emerald-green eyes freckled with gold. Her red hair, burning like the sunset, framed a face he had longed for every day since she had left.

“Zenitsu.”

Kanao’s soft voice snapped him back to the present. She had stepped forward, her violet eyes calm but filled with understanding. “You don’t have to explain,” she said gently. “Just go.”

Her words hit him like a lightning strike. Kanao, who had always been so quiet and reserved, was giving him permission to leave, to chase after the one thing he needed most.

Zenitsu’s eyes stung, and he looked away quickly, trying to hide his emotions. “I—I’ll go,” he managed, his voice choked. “Thank you.”

He turned to Genya, who nodded silently, his usual gruffness softened. The younger slayer had taken over Zenitsu’s responsibilities, keeping the Corps organized and focused. They both knew Zenitsu wasn’t needed here anymore—not like he had been before.

Zenitsu swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet their eyes one last time. “Take care of things,” he said to Genya, his voice steadier now.

Genya smirked faintly. “Don’t get yourself killed, Thunderhead.”

With that, Zenitsu turned and walked away, his footsteps growing quieter until they faded completely.

Xxx

The journey south was relentless. The farther Zenitsu traveled from the wisteria grove, the harder it became to control the storm inside him. The Matriarch’s death had unbalanced everything—without her aura of cold stability, the fire in his veins burned hotter, the lightning crackling within him surging unchecked.

The potion Shinobu had given him was the only thing keeping him from losing control entirely. He rationed it carefully, each dose buying him a few hours of clarity. But even with the potion, the lightning made him volatile. His temper flared easily, and every step felt like a battle to keep himself grounded.

When the storm became too much, he stopped in rivers and lakes, submerging himself in the icy water to cool the fire. But the relief was fleeting. The moment he stepped out, the heat returned, the electricity crackling beneath his skin.

He pushed himself harder, running until his legs ached, the storm building with each passing day. He became a blur of light, his body flickering as he moved through the open plains and thick forests. He didn’t stop—not for food, not for sleep.

Finally, after six grueling months, he reached Dallas.

The city buzzed with life, but Zenitsu hardly noticed. The air here was different—cooler, sharper. And then he caught it: her scent.

It was faint but unmistakable, cutting through the chaos of the city like a lifeline. He followed it, weaving through streets and alleys, the storm inside him calming as he drew closer to her.

When he found her, he stopped. She was in a small apartment, sitting by an open window. Her fiery red hair caught the moonlight, framing her face in soft, glowing waves. Her green eyes were distant, thoughtful, and so achingly familiar.

The storm inside Zenitsu rippled, the lightning surging as his emotions overwhelmed him. His body began to shift—light streaking through his veins, his skin glowing faintly as he became one with the storm.

And then, as her eyes met his, everything stilled.

The lightning receded, his body returning to human form. He stood in the shadows, his chest rising and falling as he tried to steady his breath. For the first time in months, the storm was quiet.

Reiko turned toward the window, her eyes widening as recognition dawned. She rose slowly, her movements cautious but steady.

“Zenitsu,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“I found you,” he said, his voice raw with emotion.

Reiko moved to the window, opening it wide. The cool air spilled out, wrapping around him like a balm.

“You’re late,” she said, a faint smile curving her lips.

Zenitsu let out a shaky laugh, his body relaxing for the first time in months. “Yeah. Took a few lightning storms to get here.”

She reached out, her hand brushing against his cheek. Her touch was cool, grounding him, soothing the last remnants of the storm.

“You’re here now,” she said softly.

Zenitsu covered her hand with his, his golden eyes meeting hers. “I’m not going anywhere,” he promised.

In that moment, the fire and the storm found balance, their connection forging something unbreakable

Chapter Text

Inosuke had a problem.

After that first day, He had crashed. He’d spent six months battling the fire inside him, clawing his way across plains and forests, only to find himself here, in a small apartment next to hers. Every night, he stared up at her window, her silhouette etched against the pale glow of candlelight. She was so close, just a few steps away, but every time he tried to approach, his courage failed him.

After all he had endured to find her, after every burning mile and sleepless night, he couldn’t bear the thought of messing it up. What if she didn’t want to see him? What if he wasn’t enough?

But now, the Texas weather had turned, and with it, his fragile control.

The heat came swiftly, settling over the city like a suffocating blanket. The air was heavy, humid, and stifling, and the fire in his veins surged in response. His blood felt like molten iron, his skin crawling with the relentless itch of the Beast’s Curse.

At first, he tried to endure it. He stayed in his apartment, downing the last of the potion Shinobu had given him. But it wasn’t enough. The burning grew worse, searing through him in waves that left him gasping for breath.

He started blacking out.

It began with flashes—moments of clarity shattered by the heat. One moment, he’d be curled up on the floor of his apartment, desperately clinging to the cool tiles. The next, he’d wake beneath her window, naked and trembling, his body still smoldering from the fire.

Each time, shame gnawed at him. He felt like a stalker, a failure. He should have approached her by now, spoken to her, done something. Instead, he was spiraling, the Beast inside him clawing closer to the surface with every passing day.

He should have known his luck wouldn’t last.

Inosuke woke with a sharp, searing pain in his neck. His senses were disoriented, his vision blurred, but the unmistakable scent of blood filled his nostrils. He groaned, his hand flying to his throat.

Something had bitten him.

A low growl caught his attention, and he turned his head just in time to see her dog—a massive, wolf-like beast—snarling at him from the corner of her balcony. The bite was deep, and his wound refused to close, blood pouring freely down his chest.

“Damn dog,” he muttered weakly, his voice hoarse. He pressed a shaking hand to the glass door, smearing it with crimson as he tried to pull himself upright.

The fire surged again, hotter and more ferocious than ever. His muscles spasmed, his body teetering on the edge of shifting, but he couldn’t phase. Not here, not so close to her.

The world around him blurred, the edges of his vision darkening. And then, suddenly, a wave of frigid air washed over him, cutting through the heat like a knife.

Cold. Sweet, blessed cold.

He blinked up, his bleary eyes struggling to focus. She was there.

Kuri.

She knelt beside him, her icy presence radiating calm and control. Her hand rested gently on his shoulder, her touch cool against his fevered skin. Her blue-green eyes, filled with a quiet kindness, locked onto his.

“Hold still,” she said softly, her voice steady.

Inosuke scrambled back instinctively, his blood pounding in his ears. Fear surged through him, primal and unrelenting. He didn’t want her to see him like this—weak, bleeding, and barely holding onto his humanity.

But Kuri didn’t flinch.

With a surprising strength, she caught his arm, pulling him toward her. He struggled weakly, but the fire had drained him, leaving him powerless against her calm determination.

“You’re burning up,” she murmured, her voice edged with concern. She pressed him back against the cool surface of the balcony, her hands steady as she examined the wound on his neck.

Her touch was cold—so cold it made him shudder. But the fire inside him responded, receding ever so slightly as her aura enveloped him. She swabbed the wound with a damp cloth, her movements efficient and careful.

The pain began to fade.

Inosuke’s breath hitched as he realized the wound was closing, the bleeding slowing to a stop. Her aura, her touch, her presence—it was healing him.

He blinked up at her, his vision finally clearing. For a moment, all he could do was stare.

“Priestess…” he whispered, the word slipping from his lips before he could stop it.

Kuri paused, her expression unreadable. “You’ve been following me,” she said softly. It wasn’t a question.

Inosuke swallowed hard, shame washing over him. “I—I didn’t mean to…” he stammered, his voice trembling. “I just… I couldn’t…”

Her gaze softened, and she placed a hand over his chest, her touch steadying his frantic heartbeat. “You’re burning alive, Inosuke,” she said quietly. “Why didn’t you come to me sooner?”

“I didn’t…” He hesitated, his voice cracking. “I didn’t know if you’d want me to.”

Kuri sighed, her hand lingering on his chest. “You’re an idiot,” she said, but there was no malice in her tone. “You fought through all of this—just to be near me—and you didn’t think I’d help you?”

Inosuke’s throat tightened, and he looked away, unable to meet her eyes. “I didn’t want to mess it up,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kuri’s fingers curled gently against his skin, her touch as cold and steady as ever. “You’re not messing anything up,” she said firmly. “But if you keep burning like this, you won’t have anything left to give.”

Her words struck something deep within him, and for the first time in weeks, the fire inside him truly quieted.

“I’m here now,” he said softly, his voice raw.

Kuri’s lips curved into a faint smile, and she nodded. “Good,” she said. “Because you’re not going anywhere.”

Her cold aura enveloped him completely, and for the first time in months, Inosuke felt at peace.

Chapter Text

Another sleepless night was coming to an end. Kuri stood silently on her balcony, watching the stars blink out one by one as the sky began to lighten. The moon dimmed, its silvery glow fading into the warm hues of dawn.

She didn’t know why, but this morning felt different. The usual weight that pressed on her chest every day had lessened, like the fog that constantly clouded her mind was beginning to lift, giving way to a softer, hazier clarity.

Kuri stretched her arms above her head, though the action was unnecessary. She sighed, a small sound of contentment that seemed strange even to her.

And then, without really thinking, she smiled—a rare expression that hadn’t graced her face in what felt like years. For the first time in ages, she felt light, as if the oppressive darkness she carried had momentarily loosened its grip.

It was time for a song.

She began to sway, her feet moving gracefully across the balcony. Her voice rose softly, a melody of joy and longing intertwining as she sang to the fading night. Her crimson hair, illuminated by the first rays of sunlight, glowed like fire, catching the breeze as she spun and danced with the rhythm of her song.

For a few precious moments, there was nothing but her voice and the warmth of the rising sun.

She didn’t notice the boar at first.

It was a boar.

The creature was massive, its body rippling with muscle beneath a thick coat of dark fur. Its tusks glinted in the early morning light, and its amber eyes were wide, filled with a mixture of fear, confusion, and something else—something familiar.

The snarl died in Kuri’s throat as she stared at it, her instincts warring with her curiosity. Its scent reached her, sharp and wild, yet strangely… comforting.

She hesitated, her defensive posture softening as she took a cautious step forward. The boar flinched but didn’t run.

Kuri’s heart pounded in her chest as she extended a hand toward the creature. She was fully prepared for it to lash out, for those tusks to slash through her skin. But she couldn’t stop herself.

Her fingers brushed against the coarse fur of its shoulder. The boar stiffened, its body trembling beneath her touch.

Inosuke’s thoughts were a chaotic mess, loud and unfiltered in the haze of his beast form.

“Is she really touching me?! What do I do?! Should I bite her? No, I can’t just bite her. What if I mess it up? GOD, she smells SO GOOD!”

Kuri chuckled softly, her breath visible in the morning air. “Easy, Inosuke… easy…”

The boar’s reaction was immediate. His body jerked back, and a low, guttural growl rumbled from his throat. “Don’t treat me like a fucking PET!”

Kuri blinked, startled by the force of his thoughts. She withdrew her hand, the sting of his rejection sharper than she expected. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, her voice unsteady.

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She couldn’t believe she’d actually stammered.

The boar hesitated, his amber eyes flickering with regret. He took a step forward, his movements cautious but deliberate. Before Kuri could react, he leaned in and nuzzled her face, his rough fur brushing against her skin.

The unexpected gesture made her laugh, the sound light and genuine. Her hand found its way back to his shoulder, stroking gently as the tension between them melted away.

For a moment, the world seemed to blur, the edges of reality softening as a strange calm settled over them. The fire in Inosuke’s blood dimmed under the coolness of her touch, and the frost in Kuri’s heart began to thaw.

But the stillness was shattered by the distant sound of bells.

Kuri’s hand froze mid-stroke, her body going rigid as the faint clang of warning bells echoed through the air.

The boar let out a sharp snort, his ears twitching as he lifted his head to listen. His instincts roared to life, the haze of calm replaced by a surge of adrenaline.

Kuri stepped back, her gaze shifting toward the horizon. The bells tolled again, louder this time, their ominous sound reverberating through the air.

“The Corps,” she murmured, her voice tight.

The boar turned to her, his amber eyes now sharp and focused.

Kuri clenched her fists, her calm slipping away as the weight of reality crashed back over her. “They’ve found us.”

Inosuke’s beast form tensed, his body coiling like a spring. He didn’t need words to tell her what he was thinking.

Together, they turned toward the sound of the bells, the fragile peace of the morning already forgotten. The battle was coming, and neither of them could run from it.

Chapter Text

It wasn’t like they officially began to see each other after that moment on the balcony. Not even close. Neither of them had said anything concrete or defining about what was happening between them. But somehow, it didn’t matter.

They were tied to each other now, like two souls bound by an invisible thread.

Inosuke didn’t fully understand it. He wasn’t the type to think about relationships or bonds or anything like that. But every time Kuri stepped out onto the balcony, he was there, standing below, his sharp amber eyes tracking her every move. And whenever she entered or left the building, he was there too—at the door to the mailroom, the entrance, or even the stairwell.

It wasn’t intentional. At least, that’s what he told himself. He wasn’t following her. He just… happened to always know where she was. And he couldn’t help but be close.

Kuri wasn’t any better. She didn’t question it when she saw him waiting, his usual wild demeanor softened slightly in her presence. She didn’t hesitate when he appeared at the door to hold it open for her, or when she turned a corner and found him there, silently watching. She didn’t even question it when his arms instinctively wrapped around her when she was upset, his strength grounding her when she felt like she might break.

There were no words between them, no grand declarations. But it was like the universe had tied them together with a thread of red silk, pulling them closer and closer despite everything.

But the world wasn’t kind to fragile things.

Something dark loomed on the horizon, an approaching storm that neither of them could yet see.

The Kizuki.

The Twelve Kizuki—the Upper and Lower Moons—were the most fearsome demons in Muzan Kibutsuji’s ranks. They were his enforcers, his assassins, his instruments of destruction. And now, they were coming.

XXX

The first sign of trouble came late one night.

Kuri was sitting on the edge of her bed, her room bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. She had been restless for days, a strange unease curling in her chest like a cold wind. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching her, something ancient and malicious.

Across the hall, Inosuke felt it too. He was pacing in his apartment, his senses on high alert. His skin prickled, the Beast within him growling in the back of his mind.

Then it came—the sharp, metallic scent of blood on the air.

Kuri froze, her heart racing as the smell invaded her senses. She stood abruptly, crossing to the window and looking out into the night.

Inosuke was already there. He had phased into his Beast Form, his massive boar silhouette blending into the shadows. His glowing amber eyes locked onto hers for the briefest of moments before snapping toward the distant treeline.

They came without warning.

The Kizuki were elegant in their terror. Their presence was palpable, the air growing heavier as they approached. From the darkness emerged Upper Moon Six, a lithe figure with a twisted grin and deadly grace. The scent of death clung to her, mingling with the sharp tang of wisteria she had crushed underfoot.

Daki.

Beside her was her hulking brother, Gyutaro, his emaciated form no less threatening than her elegant cruelty. Together, they moved like predators, their steps silent and calculated as they emerged into the moonlight.

Inosuke snarled, stepping forward to place himself between Kuri and the intruders. His tusks gleamed in the pale light, and his fur bristled as the fire in his veins surged.

“Ah, how charming,” Daki purred, her voice sickly sweet. Her green eyes glittered as they fixed on Kuri. “Muzan-sama was right. There’s something special about you.”

Kuri stepped out onto the balcony, her cold aura radiating outward as she met Daki’s gaze. “Leave,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear twisting in her chest. “You’re not welcome here.”

Gyutaro let out a raspy laugh, his twisted grin widening. “Not welcome? That’s funny. Do you think you have a choice?”

Before either of them could move, Inosuke charged.

He was a blur of motion, his massive form crashing through the underbrush as he aimed straight for Daki. His tusks gleamed, slicing through the air with lethal precision. But she was faster.

Daki sidestepped with ease, her sash whipping out to wrap around one of Inosuke’s legs and yank him off balance. He hit the ground with a thud, but he was back on his feet in an instant, his growl echoing through the night.

“You’ll have to do better than that, piggy,” Daki taunted, her voice dripping with mockery.

Inosuke didn’t respond with words—he never did. Instead, he lunged again, his movements faster, more unpredictable. This time, his tusks grazed her arm, drawing a thin line of black blood.

Daki hissed, her playful demeanor faltering.

Kuri watched the fight with wide eyes, her hands clenched at her sides. The cold within her rose, her instincts screaming at her to intervene.

Gyutaro moved toward her, his sickles gleaming in the moonlight. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you, little priestess,” he rasped, his voice like nails on glass.

Kuri raised her hands, frost forming at her fingertips as her icy power surged. The temperature plummeted, frost spreading across the ground as her aura expanded.

Gyutaro sneered, unaffected by the cold. “Oh, this’ll be fun.”

The battle raged on, the quiet night shattered by the clash of powers. Inosuke and Daki’s battle was a whirlwind of motion, his brute force colliding with her deadly precision. Meanwhile, Kuri and Gyutaro circled each other, her frost meeting his poison in a deadly dance.

But the Kizuki were not easily defeated.

Daki’s sash wrapped around Inosuke’s torso, slamming him into a tree with enough force to crack the trunk. He snarled, shaking off the impact as blood dripped from his side.

Gyutaro’s sickles sliced through the air, narrowly missing Kuri as she dodged, her breath visible in the freezing air. Her frost was slowing him, but not enough to stop him.

It was a losing battle.

“Run!” Inosuke bellowed, his voice more a growl than words.

Kuri hesitated, her eyes darting between Inosuke and the Kizuki. She couldn’t leave him—not now, not after everything.

“Inosuke, no!” she shouted, her voice cracking.

But his amber eyes locked onto hers, fierce and unyielding. “GO!”

Tears stung her eyes as she turned and ran, her cold aura fading as she disappeared into the night.

Behind her, the battle raged on.

The red thread that bound them strained against the scissors of fate, threatening to snap under the weight of what was to come.

Chapter Text

The night air was still as Kuri ran, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The world around her blurred into shadow and frost, the weight of Inosuke’s command pounding in her ears. Run.

But every step away from him felt like tearing that red thread apart, strand by painful strand.

The echoes of the battle behind her—a clash of snarls, sickening laughter, and the screech of steel meeting power—cut into her like shards of glass. Inosuke was still there. Fighting. Bleeding. Alone.

Her steps faltered.

She couldn’t leave him.

The frost at her fingertips began to swirl, a growing storm of icy power. Her cold had always been a curse, an isolating wall between her and the world. But now… now she would wield it for him. For the boar who refused to be tamed, who refused to let her face the world alone.

Kuri turned back, her icy aura expanding as she moved with purpose toward the heart of the battle.

Inosuke slammed into the ground, a guttural growl ripping from his throat. Blood pooled beneath him, staining the earth. His body trembled, his Beast Form flickering in and out of control as the fire inside him surged against the onslaught. Daki’s sash coiled around his leg, pulling him toward her with mocking ease.

“Still fighting, piggy?” Daki sneered, her voice filled with contempt. She tightened the sash, yanking him off the ground with a sickening crack. “You’re pathetic. And you stink.”

Inosuke roared, his tusks glinting as he swung his head, slicing through part of the sash. He hit the ground hard, his vision blurring with pain, but he pushed himself up.

The fire in his veins burned hotter than ever, threatening to consume him, but his amber eyes still burned with defiance. He wasn’t going to stop. Not until Kuri was safe. Not until they were both free.

“Come on, ugly!” he bellowed, his voice ragged. “You think I’m done yet?!”

Daki’s expression darkened, her composure slipping. She sent her sashes flying at him again, their edges sharp enough to cut through flesh and bone.

But before they could reach him, the temperature plummeted.

A wave of frost surged across the battlefield, freezing the sashes mid-air and shattering them into icy shards. Daki recoiled, hissing in surprise and rage.

“What—”

From the darkness, Kuri stepped into view.

Her crimson hair whipped around her, glowing against the moonlit frost swirling at her feet. Her blue-green eyes were cold and unyielding, her aura spreading like a blizzard. The ground froze beneath her steps, and the air around her shimmered with the weight of her power.

“Kuri…” Inosuke rasped, his chest heaving.

She didn’t look at him, her gaze fixed on Daki. “You’ve hurt him enough.”

Gyutaro, who had been watching the chaos unfold, let out a rasping laugh as he stepped forward. “Oh, the little priestess wants to play hero. How precious.”

Kuri lifted her hand, and frost erupted outward like a storm. The ground cracked and groaned as ice crawled up Gyutaro’s legs, freezing him in place. “I’m not playing,” she said, her voice steady. “This ends here.”

Daki screamed in frustration, sending more sashes hurtling toward Kuri, but they froze before they could reach her, breaking into shards of crystal. Kuri advanced with slow, deliberate steps, her cold aura growing stronger.

Inosuke watched her, his body trembling as he tried to stand. The fire inside him raged, but something about her presence—her cold—soothed it. She wasn’t running. She was standing beside him.

“You…” he growled, a mixture of anger and relief in his voice. “I told you to run!”

Kuri glanced at him briefly, her expression softening. “And let you get yourself killed? You’re a fool, Inosuke.”

“Look who’s talking!” he shot back, forcing himself onto his feet. His tusks flared, and the fire in his chest burned with renewed purpose.

Together, they faced the Kizuki.

Daki lashed out again, her movements frantic as frost spread across the ground, slowing her attacks. Gyutaro struggled against the ice binding him, cursing Kuri’s power as he tried to claw his way free.

Inosuke charged, his Beast Form crackling with fiery energy, the heat meeting Kuri’s ice in a chaotic harmony. His tusks tore through Daki’s sashes, his movements wild and unpredictable, while Kuri moved with calculated precision, freezing Gyutaro further with each step.

The battlefield became a clash of fire and frost, their combined powers overwhelming the Kizuki.

“NOW, INOSUKE!” Kuri shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

With a roar, Inosuke lunged for Daki, his tusks glowing with heat as he struck. The blow shattered her sashes and sank deep into her neck. Her scream pierced the night as her body dissolved into ash.

At the same time, Kuri raised her hands, frost engulfing Gyutaro’s body completely. His sickles shattered in his hands as the ice consumed him, and with a final, agonized cry, he too crumbled into nothing.

Silence fell over the battlefield.

Inosuke collapsed to his knees, his body shaking as the fire inside him finally cooled. He looked up, his amber eyes meeting Kuri’s. She stood in the moonlight, her chest rising and falling as frost slowly faded from the air around her.

“You’re… amazing,” he muttered, his voice hoarse.

Kuri smiled faintly, walking toward him. “So are you, boar-head.”

She knelt beside him, placing a cool hand against his burning cheek. The touch grounded him, soothing the last of his pain.

Inosuke blinked at her, his gaze softening. “You stayed.”

“Of course I did,” she said softly. “You’re not fighting alone anymore.”

Inosuke grunted, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Tch. Good. ‘Cause I wasn’t planning to.”

She laughed, the sound light and clear, like the first breath of spring after a long winter.

And in that moment, the red thread that bound them—tested by fire and ice, threatened by fate itself—held strong.

Unbroken.

Together, they stood in the pale glow of the moon, the frost and fire settling into balance at last.