Demon Slayer: Guardian of the Forest

"Beyond the first seven forms of Forest Breathing, there's little more this old man can teach you. Over the past year, Shinichi, your progress has far surpassed my expectations."

Under the soft glow of the moonlight, Shinichi and the elderly Moriki walked side by side along a narrow countryside path. The elder's voice filled the night air, recounting Shinichi's many accomplishments in painstaking detail. While Moriki's words brimmed with pride, Shinichi had long since grown accustomed to his mentor's ramblings and tuned them out, letting the monologue drift past like the evening breeze.

The pair eventually arrived at their destination: the renowned Butterfly Apothecary.

Knock, knock, knock.

Moriki rapped on the wooden door gently. Moments later, it creaked open, revealing a small figure with vibrant violet eyes. Upon seeing the two visitors, her eyes widened, and she turned to dash back into the house.

"Big sister! Moriki Grandpa and that cold-faced boy are here again!" Butterfly Shinobu called out breathlessly as she gestured animatedly to her elder sister.

Butterfly Kanae let out a soft laugh, pressing a finger lightly to Shinobu's forehead. "Shinobu, it's impolite to speak about Shinichi like that. Go fetch Father while I greet them."

Soon after, the apothecary's cozy living room was illuminated by soft, flickering light. On the tatami mats sat Moriki and the Butterfly family, all poised and formal—except for Shinichi, who sat cross-legged with a casual air. Shinobu, from her little corner of the room, glared at him, muttering, "Rude, cold-faced boy…"

Swish!

It seemed Shinichi heard her muttering. His piercing peach-pink eyes turned sharply toward her. In that fleeting moment, his lips curled back slightly, revealing lengthened fangs, and his serene gaze flared an unsettling crimson hue.

"Eek!" Shinobu yelped, breaking the adults' conversation with her startled cry.

Butterfly Medicine, the family patriarch, frowned and addressed his younger daughter sternly. "Shinobu! That was highly improper. Kanae, take her to bed."

"But he—! He just—!" Shinobu began to protest, pointing at Shinichi. Yet before she could finish, Kanae had already taken her by the hand.

Kanae offered an apologetic bow to their guests. "I'm terribly sorry, Moriki Grandpa, Shinichi-kun. Shinobu can be a bit mischievous at times. Please don't take her behavior to heart."

As Kanae led the reluctant Shinobu away, the younger girl continued to resist, her voice full of indignation. "But it's true, Big Sister! He really changed! His teeth—his eyes—!"

Shinichi, sitting in his usual unperturbed manner, cast a fleeting sidelong glance at the departing sisters. A faint, amused hum escaped his lips. Of course, he had deliberately frightened the little troublemaker. Did she really think he hadn't overheard her snide nickname for him—cold-faced boy?

And the final straw? That defiant child had dared to call his beloved Shiba Inu, Marutaro, un-cute. Outrageous. Children these days simply had no taste.

Over the past year, Shinichi had accompanied Moriki on numerous visits to the Butterfly Apothecary. Their purpose wasn't idle chatter but rather to secure a steady supply of wisteria-based medicines. To suppress the overwhelming power of his demonic transformation, Shinichi had to regularly ingest wisteria tea and other extracts. Thanks to this regimen, his outward appearance had become indistinguishable from that of a human—just as Shinobu described, he merely looked like a cold-faced young man.

Moriki chuckled warmly. "I hope our late-night visits haven't been too much trouble for you, Medicine-dono."

Butterfly Medicine returned the smile. "Not at all, Moriki-dono. On the contrary, we owe you thanks for being such a loyal customer. By the way, the wisteria pills you requested are ready, though I must warn you—they're exceedingly bitter."

"That's no issue. Bitterness is nothing to us." Moriki shot a sly glance at Shinichi, who remained expressionless. After all, Shinichi's dulled taste buds could barely register anything aside from sweetness. Bitter or not, the pills would be effective.

Medicine tilted his head slightly. "Still, I can't help but wonder—why are you so fond of wisteria, Moriki-dono? I have plenty of other remedies that are more potent and cost-effective."

The elder stroked his snowy beard, his voice tinged with wistfulness. "Ah, wisteria has long been a symbol of protection and prosperity. Legend says it wards off demons and brings good fortune. Beyond its medicinal properties, it holds a special place in my heart."

Medicine chuckled softly. "How fascinating. I hadn't realized you held such traditional beliefs. Truly, I've learned something new today."

Though he responded politely, it was clear Medicine didn't take Moriki's explanation seriously. After all, demons? Such creatures were nothing more than tales to frighten children.

Once their supply of wisteria medicine was secured, Moriki and Shinichi prepared to leave. Medicine saw them off, lantern in hand, his smile warm as he bid them farewell.

Meanwhile, inside the apothecary, the light still burned in the sisters' shared room. Shinobu sat cross-legged on her futon, her face scrunched in frustration as she relayed her earlier experience to Kanae.

"I'm telling you, Big Sister! That cold-faced boy—his teeth grew long like fangs! And his eyes turned red—scary red!"

Kanae, ever patient, offered a gentle smile. "Alright, Shinobu. I believe you. Now let's get some sleep, alright? Tomorrow we have to help Mother organize the medicine."

"You're just saying that to humor me!" Shinobu huffed, her indignant voice carrying through the quiet house.

From the hallway, Medicine shook his head with a soft sigh. "That child is as stubborn as they come."

Back on the moonlit path, Moriki and Shinichi trudged along, each carrying a large bundle of supplies on their backs.

"Shinichi," Moriki asked, his tone curious. "You didn't really frighten the Butterfly girl on purpose, did you?"

"Does it matter if I did?"

"Not really. But scaring children isn't exactly something to be proud of."

"Hmph. I enjoyed it."

Moriki gave his young pupil a sidelong glance. Moments like this reminded him that Shinichi, despite his maturity, was still very much a teenager—stubborn and mischievous in his own way.

The elder let out a soft chuckle. "Ah, this old man truly is past his prime. The future belongs to you young ones."