Demon Slayer: Tanjiro becomes a ghost, Nezuko becomes a pillar!

Chapter 12 Bamboo Basket

The next day, the wind and snow stopped abruptly, the sea of ​​clouds dispersed, and as the first rays of sunlight shone down, a warm breath entered the cave.

Mizuko was also awakened by the blinding light, and then she opened her eyes abruptly, her mind filled with Giyu Tomioka's warning.

Oh no, the sun is out today...

"Brother...brother?"

Nezuko immediately sat up, trying to find Tanjiro, but when she opened her eyes, she saw Tanjiro kneeling behind her, using his knees as a pillow for her head.

Midouzi looked at her brother, her eyes slightly moist. Even as a ghost, her brother was still smiling gently at her, and even used her legs as a pillow for her head.

"Oho, brother!"

Nezuko blinked hard, suppressing the tears welling up in her eyes, and gave Tanjiro a bright smile, greeting him just like countless mornings before.

Tanjiro remained kneeling, saying nothing, only nodding slightly, his face beaming with a warm smile.

"Brother, does your leg hurt?" Mi Douzi reached out and gently touched his knee, her voice full of concern.

"Mmm~ Mmm!"

Tanjiro shook his head and mumbled a reply, his voice soft but soothing.

"You've been sitting like that all night without moving?"

"Mmm~" He nodded vigorously, his smile still gentle.

"Thank you, brother."

"Mmm~"

Tanjiro made a lighter, nasal sound, as if responding to her thanks.

But soon, Mi Douzi frowned again, thinking about the journey, her tone filled with worry.

"Mr. Yiyong said you can't be exposed to the sun, how are we supposed to travel during the day?"

"Hmm~" Tanjiro tilted his head, his eyes somewhat blank, but he still responded to her words earnestly.

"Brother, can you wait here for me for a while? Please don't go out, okay?" Mi Douzi held his hand, her eyes earnestly pleading with him.

"Hmm..." Tanjiro hesitated for a moment, his gaze falling on the sunlight at the cave entrance, then quickly returning to Nezuko's face, and he nodded gently.

"Don't worry, brother, I'll be back soon, everything will be fine!"

"I'll go out and look for something to shield you from the sun so we can continue on to Mount Sagiri!" Mizuko said firmly.

"Hmm~"

Tanjiro looked at her quietly, responded slowly, and gently squeezed the hem of her clothes with his fingertips, as if silently reminding her to be careful.

After leaving the cave, Nezuko looked at the white snowscape below and didn't know what to look for. However, she was worried that Tanjiro would leave the cave, so she couldn't go too far.

However, she soon discovered with delight that there was a house in the distance.

But after estimating the distance, she still looked back at the location of the cave with some unease.

"It's a bit far, my brother probably won't come out!"

The beans murmured softly.

As soon as he finished speaking, the sun rose higher overhead, its golden rays becoming even more intense, reflecting a blinding light onto the snow.

Midouzi clenched her fists instinctively and looked towards the other side of the mountain.

That place is the Sagiri Mountain that Giyu Tomioka mentioned.

The thought that Mr. Yiyong had specifically mentioned that place, even if he hadn't explicitly said it could save her brother, must have held some hope, made her heart race.

She was willing to do anything, no matter how difficult, to turn her brother back into a human.

Mi Douzi gritted her teeth, suppressed the unease in her heart, and without further hesitation, turned around and ran quickly towards that house.

She ran quickly, her skirt fluttering in the wind, leaving a trail of hurried footprints in the snow beneath her feet.

She didn't even realize that she was moving at a speed far exceeding that of ordinary people, her mind and eyes were filled with the thought of finding cover and getting her brother on his way.

In no time, she rushed to the door of the cabin, leaning against the door frame and panting heavily. Her cheeks were flushed from the intense running, and sweat dripped down her face, instantly melting into small puddles on the snow.

Just then, the door of the wooden house was pushed open, and the lady of the house was carrying her tools and preparing to go out to do some work. When she looked up, she saw Mi Douzi panting and looking disheveled at the door. She quickly put down what she was carrying and went over to her, her voice full of worry.

"Child? Whose child are you? Why are you so out of breath? Did something happen?"

Midouzi gasped for breath, trying to steady her breathing.

"Child, slow down. What's wrong? Tell me slowly."

The woman of the house also stepped forward with concern, patting Mi Douzi's back to help him catch his breath.

"Um... um, ma'am, I... I wanted to ask if you have anything in your house that can store things, or anything that can provide shade?"

For a moment, Mi Douzi didn't know how to ask for these things, so she could only awkwardly describe them.

The hostess looked at Nidouzi with some curiosity, not understanding why a little girl would want such a thing.

Midouzi seemed to realize that her question was a bit strange, and quickly explained.

"Um, my brother... he... he's sick and can't be in the sun, so I'm looking for something to shade him from the sun so I can take him to Mount Sagiri for treatment!"

Nezuko dared not describe Tanjiro's transformed appearance, and could only explain it as illness.

When the mistress heard about this, she looked at Ni Douzi with some heartache.

"Good child, thank you for your hard work. I'll help you look for it."

Midouzi nodded and thanked her quickly, watching the hostess walk into the house, her heart filled with gratitude.

She subconsciously turned around to look in the direction of the cave, but her gaze was suddenly drawn to a large bamboo basket in the corner of the yard.

The bamboo basket was a bit tattered at the edges and the bamboo strips were worn out, but it was big enough to fit my brother perfectly.

A thought suddenly popped into her mind, and her eyes lit up instantly.

Not long after, the woman came out carrying a thick black cloth and handed it to Midouzi.

"Son, how about this piece of cloth? It blocks out light quite well; we usually use it to cover grain."

"Yes, yes! Thank you so much, auntie!"

Mi Douzi nodded quickly, then looked at the bamboo basket and mustered up her courage to ask.

"Um... Auntie, could you sell me that bamboo basket in the yard? I have money here; I'll pay for both the cloth and the basket!"

"A bamboo basket?"

The hostess followed her gaze, smiled, and waved her hand.

"That's what my husband used to carry timber up the mountain. He hasn't used it for a long time, it's all broken and tattered. If you can use it, just take it, no need to pay. Your brother needs money for medical treatment, so be careful with your spending."

"No, no, auntie, you must accept it."

"You silly child, that's just a broken bamboo basket..."

"Auntie, this is the money for the cloth and bamboo basket I bought from you. Please accept it."

The hostess wanted to refuse, but Mi Douzi quickly took the black cloth and bamboo basket and bowed deeply to her.

After repeatedly expressing his gratitude, he hurriedly carried the bamboo basket towards the cave, his steps even more urgent than when he arrived.

The woman stared blankly at the money in her hand, then looked at Mi Douzi's retreating figure, and sighed, "What a good child!"

"Brother! I'm back!"

Mizuko ran wildly with a bamboo basket on her back, rushed into the cave, and saw Tanjiro still sitting in the same spot, not moving an inch. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was finally completely relieved.

When Tanjiro saw her return, he immediately stood up and walked over quickly. He raised his hand and gently touched her head, then carefully wiped the sweat from her forehead with his fingertips. His eyes were full of heartache, but a gentle smile still lingered on his lips.

"Hehe, look, brother!"

Midouzi raised the black cloth in her hand, her tone full of excitement.

"I traded a bamboo basket and a black cloth with a kind old lady. As long as I wrap the bamboo basket tightly with the black cloth, I can carry you on my back in the sun, and we'll get to Sagiri Mountain very quickly!"