A/N: My attempt at an Inuyasha x Demon Slayer mash-up. I make no promises in where this one will go but hopefully my plot bunnies stay on my side and we actually get somewhere with this one. I do not own these characters or anime/manga(s), they are the sole property of each individual author and creator, I am simply adding a twist and fulfilling my own little fantasy. I may or may not put much effort into introducing the characters, depends on my mood if I can be honest. And with that said, here we go!

Intro:

Alarms blared as the castle came to life, the sound of screams and panic rising in the air as shadows of different bodies filtered the hallways. Each individual with their brows furrowed and foreheads dripping with sweat as they ran around trying to make sense of what had just happened. The only calm amidst the storm standing in the middle of a study surveying the grounds as a pair of golden orbs flashed red for a moment before turning towards a door.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Lord Sesshomaru! The jewel of time has been stolen! The Gods are assembling and calling for you and the lady of the western lands!" An impish creature cried out as he ran into the study frantically. In a flash he was gasping for air as slender fingers wrapped their way around his neck successfully hindering his ability to breathe as a snarl was let loose from behind gritted teeth.

"I am aware, Jaken." Were the only words uttered as Sesshomaru freed the impish creature in time to turn around and gaze into the icy blue and green eyes of his wife.

"Sesshomaru, you know we need to make haste. Now is not the time to strangle Jaken." Her voice was like honey to his ears but her eyes carried an emotion far less sweet as she moved past him and assisted Jaken up. "We are all frustrated with what has happened but we need not waste time choking people. Shall we head to the meeting?"

"Hn." Was his only retort as his icy facade made its way back on to his face, his handsome features not betraying a bit of the rage he felt in realizing what this could mean for everybody. He could sense the worry in his mate as she stood close to him and laced her fingers with his, the blood bond they shared transcending all logic despite their equally cold exteriors. With the theft of the jewel there was one, inevitable option that they would be faced with.

"Sess, we both know what will happen from here. Before we even walk through those gates and speak with the Gods you and I are well aware of what this may mean." He tensed up a bit as he cast a glance towards his mate and wife. She was everything to him and the thought of what was to come shook even the great lord of the western lands to the core. The responsibility of keeping the jewel of time and the jewel of four souls was the sole responsibility of hers. She was always the chosen one, hand picked by the Gods to carry such a blessing and a curse. Although for centuries they had lived peacefully, lately reports of mysterious happenings have emerged and with one of the precious stones taken a lot was at stake.

"I will always be with you." Was all he could think of to say as he pulled her close to his tall frame and held her. "You need only call and I will come, Kagome."

An ominous feeling filtered through the air, a foreboding of some sort as the small group settled in for the night. Lately, demon attacks had almost doubled making it strenuous on the small group as breaks were few and far between. Not only had the demon attacks grown in occurrences, they had also grown in strength making it harder on their young bodies to keep up despite the rigorous training received. Something was turning the tide of the war between humans and demons and the scale was tipping in the favor of the later. A miracle had to happen soon or else they didn't know how much more they could take. The demons, even lower-class ones, were getting powerful with each encounter and each time they barely won the fight. Many lives had been lost in the process and the fighting spirit of many corps members was dwindling, some had even gone as far as running away to escape what would inevitably await them – death.

"I don't know how much more I can take of this! I'm so hurt! Everything is sore! Gahhhh!" A young, blonde boy cried out in tears as he moved to try and cling to his friend.

"Get off me! I am your lord and leader! Did I say you can touch me?!" A young man in a boar mask grunted out before attempting to push his friend into a wall. Crimson eyes looked on fondly at the two before moving towards the print of the blankets given to them by the keeper of the mansion. Worry coursed through his veins as he tried to hide what he was feeling, it was times like this that he usually relished in the company of his comrades but lately everything was off. There was a foreboding feeling in everybody's stomach that became heavier with each day that passed and with each new demon they encountered.

"Tanjiro, are you alright?" The blonde one inquired as he caught sight of the distraught emotions swirling in his friend, despite each of their attempts to hide what they were feeling they all knew each other well.

"I'm fine Zenitsu, thank you for worrying about me. Are you okay? Do you need some more of those leaves Shinobu had made for us to take to help ease the pain from battle?" Tanjiro offered a small smile and a container filled with medicinal leaves and herbs, successfully straying the attention from him on to his friend.

"You two are weaklings that is why I, Lord Inosuke, am the leader." Zenitsu rolled his eyes before thanking his friend for the medicine and jumping under the covers of his mat.

"Let's all just try and get some rest, you know the crows will be back with news again in the morning." All three looked at one another hesitantly before nodding and settling in for the night, completely unaware of the events about to unfold for them.

[Late into the night, about early morning – 3:45 am]

"Must. Kill. The. Demon. Slayers." A grueling voice growled out into the darkness followed by a symphony of beady red eyes that filtered all around the trees surrounding the mansion. Wisteria incense filled the night air causing discomfort amongst the demonic hoard before a small figure went out and snuffed each flame rendering the building before them unguarded. The many spells and enchantments surrounding the area were reduced to nothing as the same figure lifted a dainty wrist and flicked it to the side causing the sutras and spells placed around to disperse into ashes. The demons shouted in glee as they awaited their next command and within a split second, they infiltrated the mansion successfully taking out anybody that came their way. Lights immediately turned on as the occupants inside stirred back to life in a frenzy, their peaceful slumber interrupted as death approached the door. Nobody was able to react quick enough until the commotion awoke the slayers inside.

"Zenitsu! Inosuke! Get up! The mansion is under attack!" Tanjiro shouted as he grabbed his belongings and sword, with quick haste he donned his wooden case behind his back and rushed into the fray.

"Who dares ruin my sleep! I will kill them all!" Inosuke shouted as he followed after Tanjiro.

"Whoa! Wait for me! Don't leave me behind!" Zenitsu cried as he struggled to wake up and catch up to his two friends.

"Help! Please! Someone help!" A feminine voice rang out, the smell of blood was heavy as Tanjiro willed his legs to move faster.

"Water breathing, fourth form; striking tide!"

"Beast breathing, eight fang; explosive rush!"

Simultaneously Tanjiro and Inosuke delivered their individual attacks wiping out a hoard of lower-class demons just as Zenitsu rushed in to help the young woman stand. Tanjiro and Inosuke were at their side immediately making sure they were alright before turning back around as another hoard appeared.

"Something feels off here." Inosuke huffed as Tanjiro raised his arms to swing.

"I can't pin point exactly what but I agree, lets continue to do our best and save who we can." Tanjiro shouted back, Zenitsu could only watch his comrades as the goosebumps ran up and down his back. Something was definitely off and not being able to know what struck a greater fear in him than before.

"Try and stay hidden. I have to help them." He whispered to the girl they had just saved. His pupils widened as the fear in him deepened, the girl they saved was no human but a decoy as he noticed the life drained from her eyes. A maniacal laugh sounded through the air as a tall figure emerged from the shadows, a beast that was grotesque and hard to describe was shrouded with string and thorns as two pairs of eyes watched the blonde fidget under his gaze.

"You humans are so gullible." A voice that felt like nails scratching a chalk board cackled as Zenitsu backed away, hand on his sword and forehead sweating profusely. "Gullible and frail like the strings on this puppet, you are not good for anything but eating."

"Quit toying with the food Aku, the lord wants their heads on a platter before sunrise." An equally grotesque figure emerged from the shadows, blood staining his razor-sharp teeth as he curled his crimson lips into what seemed to be a smile.

"Always here to ruin the fun Akui." The one named Aku scowled before raising a hand up. "Blood demon art, strings of fate."

"Watch out!" Tanjiro shouted as he jumped back in time to dodge the blade like sharpness of the strings being controlled by the demon Aku. A single cut on his cheek was all it took for the three to understand the gravity of the situation as Inosuke's chest began to bleed, a long slash dancing across his flesh as Zenitsu yelped in surprise.

"You humans are quite fragile little things." Aku teased as he reeled his strings back and tasted the blood left on them. "But that's what makes you even more delicious to eat in the end."

"Blood demon art, sea of tortured souls." The second demon made his attack as a group of the mansion's tenants and keepers emerged from the shadows successfully surrounding them. Their eyes a blank, dark canvas as their lifeless bodies were contorted and strung up into the air.

'Their blood demon art is similar to Rui's….' Tanjiro thought as he looked around him in an effort to analyze the situation. 'We're surrounded by the dead bodies and these two are closing in…wait…. what's that!'

The floor beneath them trembled as a loud roar erupted, all fighters were currently on edge as they jumped away to keep from getting sucked into the dark abyss beneath them.

"So terribly sorry for being late." A voice so menacing their blood ran cold called out from below as their attention diverted to the emerging figure.

"Akuma! Finally, you decide to make yourself known; did you take care of those other demon slayers?" Aku questioned his comrade as the fight paused momentarily. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke glanced at each other for a second before turning their attentions back towards their opponents.

"Some got away but obviously you two haven't taken care of the most important pests. The master wants those Kamado siblings and he wants them before day light strikes. Let's hurry this shall we? Stop toying with the food." Akuma growled, his whole body was twice the size of the other two demons and his appearance just as, if not more, grotesque than the two combined. The power radiating off of all three of them was something that they didn't sense even from Rui. Zenitsu gulped audibly as Tanjiro gritted his teeth in frustration.

"I will kill you before I allow you to take my underlings!" Inosuke shouted before charging head first at the biggest demon.

"Inosuke!" Tanjiro and Zenitsu cried out as a tentacle came out of nowhere.

'We can't be taken and we can't allow another corpsman to fall, especially Inosuke!' Determination set into him as he swung his body forward to combat the tentacle.

"Water breathing, second form; water wheel." Tanjiro swung his sword successfully taking out the tentacle.

"Tanjiro! BEHIND YOU!" Zenitsu cried, Tanjiro turned his head for a second and narrowly missed another tentacle.

"Thunder breathing, first form; thunder clap and flash!" In a blink of an eye Zenitsu was behind Tanjiro as Inosuke took his place with them. Three powerful demons with powerful abilities was tough especially after the ones they had been dealing with the past few months.

"How are we going to get out of this?" Zenitsu trembled.

"We kill them all! Lord Inosuke refuses to let these ugly monsters take his underlings!" Inosuke replied despite the voice in his head telling him to run. He had never been one to evade a fight, especially when it meant people he cared about were in danger.

"Though I can admire the tenacious fighting spirit you little brats have I am afraid we have no more time to play with the likes of you." The demon Akuma cackled as the other two joined him.

"What a kill joy, I wanted to at least show one of them how I intend to pick my teeth out with the bones of their comrades." Aku pouted.

"Now is not the time, we have to fulfill our master's bidding." Akui retorted as he raised his arms up once again. "But that does not mean we can't enjoy these last moments they have."

"Blood demon art, rise of the puppet master." The trio could only watch as a hoard of dead human bodies came out of the walls and ground, mangled in ways unimaginable as the demon before them maneuvered their anatomy and structures in painful ways. The boys could only pray to the Gods that they weren't suffering in the afterlife as the first demon flicked his wrist and sewed thousands of strings into them.

"Blood demon art, battle cry of the damned." Akuma's forehead radiated a blood red color as he lifted his arms up and called forth another gang of fresh demons to his beck and call.

"I can smell the fear in you little humans rising." Akuma grinned in satisfaction.

'We're cornered and surrounded. Think! Think! How do we get out of this mess?' Panic was slowly setting into his belly as Tanjiro surveyed their surroundings trying to find a weak spot.

"Cat got your tongue little mouse?" Aku teased as he relished in the scent of fear and panic rising within the three boys.

"Never!" Inosuke cried as he jumped forward and drew his swords. "Inosuke the great will never bow down or admit defeat from the likes of you!"

"INOSUKE!" Tanjiro and Zenitsu wailed as multiple tentacles came at the boar headed male from every direction. Inosuke's eyes bulged behind his mask as he realized the predicament he placed himself under. There was no way he could escape or evade this attack without taking some serious injuries.

"That is enough from you vermin." A soft voice called out before a massive explosion of light and magic poured out from around them. Everybody stopped in their tracks as a petite figure emerged from the rubble, the tentacles that were once in pursuit of Inosuke crumbled to dust as the woman stepped forward.

"You bitch!" Akuma cried out in pain as he reeled his multiple arms and tentacles back. They were burned clear off and not generating as the woman flicked her wrist and wiped the blood off her katana. The boys could only stare in awe as the woman walked out into the moonlight, the roof over their heads completely blown off as she furrowed her brows and eyed the demons down.

"That's no way to talk to a lady." Another voice growled before a flash followed suit. Before anybody could register it or blink Akuma's head rolled off his shoulder and on to the ground below. A tall figure took shape beside the mysterious woman just as a roar escaped from behind a tree, a small, feline type creature emerged and propped itself on the woman's shoulder just as realization set in for the remaining two demons.

"That's impossible! We didn't even see them move." Akui and Aku gasped in disbelief. They turned to their comrade and soon realized what they were up against as his body dissolved into nothing but dust in the wind.

"Who are they?!" Zenitsu wondered out loud as he stood frozen into place beside Tanjiro. The woman's eyes landed on them and almost immediately they calmed down, her eyes holding a motherly sort of warmth that made them feel at peace instantaneously. The colors of the ocean clashed in her orbs with specks of sunlight and silver as she offered them a smile.

"Shall we save the introductions for later?" She offered in the sweetest voice before turning back to the enemies in front of her. "Kirara, Shippo, make sure to circle the perimeter and ensure none of these fledglings escape. If there are any survivors, we must heal them quickly before they turn."

"Yes mother." The tall, male figure stated before disappearing along with the small feline.

"Who the fuck are you? What the fuck are you? You don't smell of human or demon yet your very presence makes my innards crawl with hate and loathing." Aku's voice was seething with rage as he demanded answers from the mysterious beauty in front of them.

"It doesn't matter! We need to kill her and bring those two brats back to the master." Akui growled in frustration before raising his hands up once more.

"Enough of that." She growled underneath her breath before raising her arms up and calling upon her own powers. The wind around them suddenly changed as she moved her fingers and hands in one motion.

"Breath of light." She whispered as streaks of pink and gold manifested around her, the glow in her eyes intensified as she jumped up and ran full speed towards them. In an instant the two demons were turned to ash and the hoards around them cried out in pain as they were purified. Nothing but dust particles rained down on them and disappeared into the wind as dawn broke over the surface of the horizon. Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu could only stare in amazement as their jaws hit the floor. The demons they struggled with for what seemed like an eternity was taken out by one move. Whoever this woman was, they were grateful she was on their side.

A/N: I did not want to leave you guys with a cliff hanger so there you go! Hope everybody is enjoying their Memorial Day and time with friends and family while keeping safe during this pandemic. I have no clue when I will release chapter two but will work on it diligently. In the mean time I hope you guys enjoyed my attempt at a Demon Slayer x Inuyasha crossover! Until next time!