Animeverse Slayer!

Leo felt as if the world was crumbling. His mind wandered through the memories he head with them, Aunty Kei's kind smile, the kids playful antics... gone. They were all gone.

"Leo...

Shinobu's heart ached when she saw him.

Leo snapped back, "Ah... oh... Shinobu... can you... I want to be alone for some time."

Shinobu wanted to say something but in the end she didn't. She took Nezuko and walked away.

Leo sat there in a daze. He lost everything in his last life, he watched his family die in this one and now... those he considered close to his heart were gone...

In despair his mind was on the verge of breaking. He didn't get up nor move, the day passed into night. He sat there completely still and void of any emotions.

The moon's glossy shadow fell on him. Leo raised his head and looked up. Seeing the dark sky embedded with innumerable stars and the moon soothed his heart.

As his mind replayed everything he experienced he felt something vague, he was so close to it but yet so far. Subconsciously he closed his eyes and relived his past.

His mother, father, uncle Tanjuro, Aunt Kei... the time he spent with them, their deaths... everything played endlessly through his mind.

Slowly his spirit was undergoing a change. He was no longer drowning in despair when everything cleared up.

He opened his eyes, they contained serenity.

...

Outside his room Shinobu, Kanae and the other Hashiras were gathered.

Gyomei was the first one to speak, "How long has it been?"

Shinobu was worried, "Since this morning. Gyomei-san, should I go in?"

Kanae was the one to answer, "No. This is something he must go through."

Shinobu couldn't help but argue, "Sis, you know what happened to him in the past. He once lost everything and now... again."

Kanae sighed. She knew about Leo's past and she also felt horrible about what happened then and now.

Sanemi who was also surprisingly there scoffed, "He isn't weak. He will get over it."

Shinobu glared at him, she was almost about to draw her sword when the door slid open. Leo walked out with a serene look on his face.

"Leo!"

Shinobu raced and hugged him. She teared up, Leo patted her back and said, "I am alright. Sorry for worrying you."

"Um."

She sniffled.

The rest also let out a sigh. No one except Gyomei noticed the changes in Leo, his spirit couldn't pick up anything, all he could sense was a vast calm ocean.

His realm of mind broke through!

He also smiled. With this man alive the Corps will never fall!

To celebrate his return a massive feast was organised. Leo heartily ate while Shinobu sat to his side, like a dutiful wife she placed food on his plate from time to time.

Nezuko was running around the place, after a while she shrunk herself and snuggled into Leo's arms.

"This little rascal."

He laughed. Her actions also evoked laughter among the others.

"Ah, right, where is Giyu and the rest?"

Leo didn't find his friends after so long so he couldn't help but ask.

Kanae took a bite from her plate and said, "They were tracking Upper Moon Two. They left just two days ago."

Leo felt it was a shame he couldn't see them, well, he had plenty of time now.

Kanae had a beautiful smile on her face when she left. Shinobu blushed when she saw her sister's knowing smile.

Leo held her hand and sat outside. They didn't speak, they just silently accompanied each other. Shinobu found this rare moment of silence comforting, she leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

Leo said nothing and faintly smiled.

...

Two days after, Tanjiro and the rest healed from their wounds.

Rengoku was quite happy to see Leo again. He said some polite words and left.

Tanjiro and Zenitsu asked about what happened to him. Leo told them everything, Tanjiro and Zenitsu had a longing expression on their face.

While the two were happily chatting with Leo Inosuke was slowly trying to sneak away. Hell, he still remembered how this demon beat him black and blue during training.

"Where are you going, Inosuke?"

Inosuke went stiff, he turned his head around and saw Leo's genial smile, however a chill went down his spine when he saw that smile.

"I-I was going to get some-some fruits? Yes! I was going to get some fruits!"

Leo cracked his knuckles, "It's been more than a year since I last saw you, let's see how much you progressed."

Zenitsu could imagine the ugly expression behind Inosuke's mask, he clutched his gut and laughed heartily.

Leo heard him and said, "You too, Zenitsu."

Zenitsu stopped laughing and stood there like a frozen statue.

...

"You b**tard! You had us worried!"

Sabito, Giyu and Makomo hugged Leo and complained.

Leo curled his lips, "I won't die that easily."

Giyu agreed, "Yeah. Evil will always find a way to survive."

Leo smacked his head and asked, "Did this guy not learn anything these two years."

Makomo asked, "Does finding trouble count as one?"

Leo rolled his eyes, "Of course not!"

Makomo threw her hand into the air in defeat.

They chided among themselves for some time when Sabito asked, "Hey, I am leaving for the blacksmiths village, anyone wanna come?"

Giyu chewed on something and asked, "Who is in your group?"

Sabito hung in head down in despair, "Sanemi-san."

Giyu almost spilled what he was eating, he patted his shoulder and comforted him.

Leo asked curiously, "What's this about the Blacksmiths village?"

Sabito raised his head, "Oh, yeah. You don't know about it, our swords are made by blacksmiths from that place. They are very important to our Corps so every week two Hashiras will be allocated for security."

He sighed and continued, "This time my partner is Sanemi-san."

Leo tilted his head, "What's wrong with him?"

Sabito grabbed his head, "That guy is too rigid. He doesn't even smile, and when he does it scares the crap out of me."

Hahaha.

Everyone laughed seeing Sabito's plight.

Just as they were speaking Shinobu came in. Leo asked with a smile, "How were those things?"

Shinobu has an excited expression on her face, "Whoever made those drugs is a genius!"

Sabito was curious about what they were talking, "What drug?"

Shinobu pulled out a vial from her coat, "This one. He brought it from the west, it's incredible. If a person took this they can heal from wounds by consuming stamina. A small dose would heal small wounds, a higher one could even theoretically regenerate limbs."