Ice Cold [Demon Slayer x Male Reader]

Poison

Y/N couldn't help but smile as the brutal battle came to an end. His father's old friend arrived just in time to save him and Kanae. But most importantly, she and Kyojuro were alive. As Y/N watched Shikichi kneel down to help Kanae stand, he couldn't help but feel relieved that it was all over.

But that feeling didn't last long. Zankoku snapped, "That's not fair! You caught me off guard!" One of his arms reached out to his altar. "I... I'm not done yet!" Slime oozed up his fingertips as he screamed, "I'll show you, you damn Hashira! I am strong enough to protect my family!"

As purple slime shot out of Zankoku's arm, Shikichi's calm demeanor faltered. He reached for his swords and began to stand, but there wasn't time; he was with Kanae on the opposite side of the temple. Only Y/N was close to the demon.

Without a second of hesitation, Y/N pushed himself forward. He didn't have the energy to stand and run, only enough to make a short leap. With all the strength he had, Y/N pushed off the ground. He got positioned in front of the slime and braced himself. Then he blocked it with his face.

The acidic slime felt like it was melting his face, but when it tried to crawl off, Y/N held it in place. He screamed in agony as he convulsed on the floor. I can't let go! If I do, it might get in the altar and make another demon! He reached to where he dropped his blade earlier. If only I didn't drop my sword!

Y/N started slipping from consciousness as the burning got in his tear-filled eyes. Due to his instinctive screaming, the ooze was seeping into his mouth. Like a thick poison, it clouded his body and mind. Soon he gave up and closed his eyes just as he heard Shikichi yell, "Y/N, stay still! I'll get it off!"

~~~~~~~~~~

"Strong. Healthy. Provide."

Y/N came to consciousness as a strange, yet familiar voice ringed in his head. It continued, "Family. Protect. Save." Y/N tried to open his eyes, but they were frozen in a murky darkness. Hey, disembodied voice. Will you please shut up?

"Demon. Hashira. Kill. Avenge." The voice paused for a long time. Then the pitch black started to fade as a dim light came into sight. Now, in a much humbler tone, the voice said, "God, please bless me with good health."

Y/N fully opened his eyes to see himself kneeling before an altar. How did I get here? But then he uncontrollably stood up. What? Why did I stand? He bowed before heading towards the door. Is someone else controlling my body?

Whoever was in control opened the door and left the temple. Just outside was  a carrying pole holding two buckets of water. As Y/N bent down to pick it up, he saw his reflection. But it wasn't his. This... can't be... The face in the reflection was much weaker, older, and less monstrous looking but it undoubtedly belonged to Zankoku. Or... is this Zankoku as a human? He lifted the pole onto his shoulder and strolled away under the deep orange glow of the setting sun. Am I seeing his memories?

It wasn't long before Y/N felt a pain building up in his chest. Or is it Zanokoku's chest? Who's feeling this pain? Zankoku froze as he loudly cleared his throat. He stood in that spot, taking deep breaths in and out for what must've been at least ten minutes before beginning the walk again.

Inside Y/N's head, he heard Zanokoku think, "I need to get home. My family needs me." He glanced at the water in his buckets. "It's pathetic that this is the best work I'm able to do... I'm supposed to be the father..." He grit is teeth before glaring at the sky and shouting, "So why am I so weak?!"

Just as he finished that sentence, he dropped the buckets and fell to his knees. That horrible pain returned and climbed through Zankoku's throat until it escaped in a hoarse fit of coughs. When it was over, he gazed at his hand; it was covered in crimson. He wiped the blood on his dirty clothes before attempting to stand.