It had been 2 years since Kie and Tanjiro had begun their training under their respective Masters. And now, they had finally mastered their Breathing Techniques enough to be considered ready to take the Final Selection. Both Kamado's had been told what that was shortly into their training. And they felt ready to go. Today was the day before they were due to depart for the Exam, and both Kie and her Son were in their room, discussing their plans. "Well, it's a little hard to make plans when we don't know what the Exam will consist of," Kie began.
In the 2 years they had been training, the Kamado Matriarch had let her hair grow out, and it was now tied into a pony tail that trailed down her back, reaching her waist. Tanjiro had also grown his hair out and had it tied into a high Pony tail, just like his Father's. The 15-year-old teen nodded to his Mother's words, "that's true. For now, let's just agree to be careful, okay Mom?" Tanjiro asked. Kie nodded in agreement, "of course, that's a given," she glanced down at Nezuko, who had been sleeping all this time, "we have to come back alive for Nezuko. Even if she doesn't wake up until she's human again, I will not abandon her," the woman looked up at Tanjiro with a smile, "just like I won't abandon you Tanjiro" she promised.
The 15-year-old smiled. His Mother was a wonderful, strong person. If anyone could find a cure for being a Demon, it would be their Mom. "We will come home together. No matter what" he swore.
PF
When the two of them got outside, it was to find, to their shock, Kanae, Kanao, Kyojuro and Senjuro all standing in the courtyard with smiles on their faces. "What's this?" Tanjiro asked, confused. Kanae spoke up, "since our students have completed their training, we decided to celebrate together. So, let's go back inside, it's too cold out here" Kanae suggested. "You know you didn't have to do this. We wouldn't have minded if you didn't" Kie said, humbly. "We wanted to though, it's important to celebrate when you've achieved something big!" Kyojuro exclaimed cheerfully. Tanjiro smiled, "thank you for caring, but don't you have important things to do as Hashira?" he asked. "Not today. We haven't been given any missions" the Flower Hashira explained. "So, let's celebrate. It's not every day that someone survives a Hashira's training regime" Kyojuro said. "Yes" Senjuro added.
"Then we appreciate it" Kie replied with a grateful smile. "Tomorrow you are both going to head out to Final Selection. As such, we have something for you. I hope you like it" Kanae said with a smile. She brought out a box and presented it to Kie, "this is for you. As my student, I hope you will wear it with pride" the Flower Hashira explained. The woman took the box and opened it. She gasped. Inside the box was a beautiful black Haori with Lavender flowers decorating it. "Oh my, it's beautiful. Thank you Sensei" Kie replied gratefully. She slipped it on, "it fits perfectly" she said. "This is my gift to you Tanjiro, for managing to complete my training!" Kyojuro said, giving the teen a similar box. Tanjiro opened it, to reveal a red and yellow flame-patterned Haori. "Wow! Thank you Sir!" he said happily. Looking at the Haori, it reminded him of the Ceremonial outfit his Father used to wear every New Year when performing the Hinokami Kagura. 'Hopefully, one day I'll be able to perform that Kagura myself on New Year for both Mom and Nezuko' he thought.
Tanjiro bowed, "thank you so much for this. I promise I'll take good care of it" he said. Kanao watched the others giving the two Kamado's gifts. 'I wonder if I should have gotten something for them too' she thought. The young girl looked over at Kie, noticing how she had her hair up. Then she reached up and touched the purple butterfly hair-clip attached to the side pony-tail she wore. It had belonged to her older sister Shinobu, and Kanae had given it to her to keep after the woman had been killed. But, she was sure- the young girl walked up to Tanjiro's Mother, who looked down at her, "is something wrong Kaneo-Chan?" she asked. After a moment of deliberation, with her hand hovering over the pocket with her coin in it, Kaneo reached up and pulled her hair-clip out of her hair. Kanae froze when she did. The younger girl looked down at the accessory, then back up to the woman and held it out, "this is my most precious thing. It belonged to my older sister Shinobu. But I think she would want you to have it" Kaneo explained.
Kie's eyes widened in shock, glancing to her Sensei, who seemed to be frozen, then back down to the clip, "oh, no Kanao-Chan. If it belonged to your sister who died, then I couldn't possibly take such a precious gift. You should keep it, to remember your sister by" she replied, trying to get the girl to take back the pin. "No," Kanae finally spoke up. The woman looked up questioningly at her Sensei, who was walking over to them. When she stopped in front of them, the Hashira gently took the precious item from Kaneo's hands and placed it through the hair-tie in Kie's hair, "I'm sure my younger sister would want you to have it" she said with a gentle smile. Tanjiro stared in awe at the item now adorning his Mother's hair. It was as precious to the 'Butterfly sisters' as his earing's were to him. He was sure that she would keep it safe. Kie bowed low in gratitude, "I'm truly grateful for the gift. I will treasure it and do my best to keep it safe, I promise" she said.
Kanae nodded, "I know you will" she replied. "Kaneo will be joining you during the Exam. Make sure you all come back" Kanae said seriously. All three of them nodded, and the rest of the day continued until night, when both of the Kamado's had to go to bed and everyone else had to go home. As she fell asleep, Kie stared at the gift she had been given, the purple butterfly sitting on the set of drawers in their bedroom, 'I swear to you, I will come back!' she thought in determination.
PF
The next morning Kie and Tanjiro got ready to leave. They bathed and got dressed in the new Haori that they had been given. Kie looked down at the butterfly hair clip, before gaining determination and tying her hair up in a pony tail. Then she put the purple clip on over that. Staring at herself in the mirror, the woman almost couldn't recognise herself. Gone were the soft hands of a woman, and replaced with hands hardened by constant training. Though she still had her kind and gentle deminer around most people, she could quickly become serious. And her eyes, while still able to become softened by maternal care and love, were now hardened and determined. She knew Tanjiro had gone through a similar transformation. Though he still held the same kindness that made him such a loving Older Brother, his eyes held a determination she had never seen in him before.
'I suppose two years of training would end up changing us' Kie thought. With one last look in the mirror, she turned and left.
(Timeskip)
After breakfast, both Kamado's and Kaneo now stood outside the Butterfly Estate, being seen off by Kanae and Kyojuro. "Make sure to set your heart ablaze Tanjiro! Show those Demons the strength of your resolve and your flames!" Kyojuro ordered. Tanjiro smiled at his Master, "yes Sir, I will" he replied firmly. The Flower Hashira looked at her student, "make sure you all come back home. I'll take care of Nezuko-Chan for you while you're gone" she said. Kie nodded, "We'll make sure we will" she replied. Then, the three were off. Headed for Mount Fujikasane to take the Exam that would determine the rest of their lives.
PF
As they travelled, guided by a crow, Kei couldn't help but wonder just how dangerous this Final Selection Exam would be. Glancing at her oldest and only remaining Son, she swore that wouldn't let anything happen to him. If she did, that would make her even more of a failure as a Mother. No more. She would not let another of her children die! They travelled all day, before they reached the foot of the mountain where the exam would be taking place by nightfall. Both Kamado's stared wide eyed at the scene in front of them, but Kaneo simply smiled calmly like she normally did. "Wow! Look at all the Wisteria! Beautiful!" Kie exclaimed in wonder. Tanjiro looked at some of it, "I thought it was out of season? How could this much Wisteria grow here?" he asked, amazed by the amount of Wisteria trees surrounding them. The three of them continued up the mountain, before finally reaching some steps. Climbing them, they found nearly 30 teenagers- all prospective Demon Slayers standing around.
"There are so many people here. I wonder who trained them all" Kie said quietly. "Good Evening," two children holding lanterns said at the same time. They looked like twins, both with purple eyes and the same Wisteria hair ornament on opposite sides of their hair. They wore matching wisteria-patterned kimono as well. The only differences was that one twin had black hair and the other white. The white-haired twin also had a red sash to tie their Obi, while the black-haired one had a blue sash. 'Twin girls? No, the black-haired child smells like a boy' Tanjiro thought. They began to speak at the same time again: "tonight, you've come to enter the Demon Slayer Corps Final Selection. Thank you all for being here" they said. "Here on Mount Fujikasane, there are several Demons that were captured alive by Demon Slayer Swordsman," the white-haired girl began to explain, "they are kept here for this event" she continued. "The Wisteria Blossom's prevent them from leaving. They bloom on this mountain year 'round. And they cover everything from the base to halfway to the top" her brother continued.
"But the Wisteria ends here, so Demons abound from this point on. And they're very hungry" the white-haired twin added. "In order to complete Final Selection, you must survive for seven days beyond the Wisteria's protection" the black-haired boy continued. "Now, your trial begins" both said in unison, bowing. Kie and Tanjiro looked out at the exam site in determination, before walking forwards into the forest.
PF
The two Kamado's ran through the forest, the howls of Demons echoing through the air. Both had a hand on their swords, "we just have to survive. That's all we should think about Mom" Tanjiro said quietly. His Mother nodded in understanding, "right. I agree. With who knows how many Demons are in here with us, it would be best to travel as quickly as possible," Kie looked around, before pointing to the East, "we should head that direction then. The sun will rise in the East, and if we go that way, we should be hit first by it's light. The Demons will have to back off then, and we can focus on resting and gathering food during the day." His Mother explained. His Son smiled slightly and nodded, "good plan Mom" he agreed. The two began to run again, before a scent reached Tanjiro through the trees. Kie's skin prickled and both skid to a stop. The two Kamado's got in stances, gripping the handles of their swords tightly. Tanjiro looked around warily, sniffing the air, 'Where's the scent coming from? I can't pinpoint It's location!' he thought. His Mother trembled slightly, but calmed herself with a breath.
'Focus. This is no time to panic. You've been training for this for the last two years!' Kie thought. Suddenly two Demons leapt out at them from the trees 'two of them right away?!' Tanjiro thought, drawing his sword and preparing himself, while his Mother did the same. He blocked an attack from one Demon and Kie blocked the other Demons claws. The Demon who had attacked Kie, aimed a kick down onto her head. "Mom!" Tanjiro cried, dodging another attack from the Demon that was going after him. "Flower-Breathing, Second Form: Honerable Shadow Plum!" the woman cried, slashing in several rotating sword slashes, blocking the Demon's attack and sending him flying away. Tanjiro saw his chance and rushed forwards.
*Flashback 2 months ago*
Tanjiro was training with Rengoku. Of course the Flame Hashira was going easy on him, having slowed down considerably, but was still too fast for the 14-year-old to get an attack in. Tanjiro managed to dodge an attack, and sniffed the air. Suddenly he saw a thin thread connecting from his wooden sword to the Hashira's side. Immediately he leapt forwards, until he was right in front of his Master. Rengoku's eyes widened when, before he could react, his student sent a powerful slash across his stomach. The fiery-haired man stared at Tanjiro as he panted in exhaustion, 'I got a hit in. it took everything I had, but I managed to hit him!' he thought. As that realisation dawned on him, he saw his Master smile with pride, "well done young Kamado! I am truly impressed! To think, that even if it was only training, you were able to land a normally fatal blow on me! You have a true talent for Flame-Breathing!" he cried, before laughing. Tanjiro felt tears well up in his eyes, and he hid his face behind his arm. Suddenly a hand was on his head.
"Never forget this. This outcome came from your own hard work and dedication. Now lift your head, and set your heart ablaze!" Kyojuro cried. Tanjiro dried his eyes and looked up at his Master, "yes Sir!" he cried.
*End flashback*
Tanjiro sucked in a breath as the Opening Thread appeared in his mind, "Flame-Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!" he cried, as his sword sliced through the Demon's neck as he attacked the young Demon Slayer hopeful. Now seeing that her Son was safe, Kie went in to end her attacker. She sucked in a breath, "Flower Breathing, Fifth Form: Peonies of Futility!" she cried, attacking nine times in what looked like a singe movement to the Demon. "What the- how is she this powerful?!" he thought, as the woman cut him into pieces, sending his head to the ground. As the Demons faded away, Tanjiro walked up to his Mother. She seemed to be doing fine so far. "Wow! That was amazing Mom! You're so strong!" he cried softly. Kie went to respond, before a terrified scream tore through the air: "AAAAAAAHHHHHAAAAAA!" both Kamado's were instantly on guard. 'That sounded like a young girl! Is she alright?' Kie thought, Motherly instincts instantly kicking in. Both she and her Son watched from behind trees as a young girl with long, dark hair ran frantically through the trees, tears of terror welling in her eyes.
"NO! PLEASE, SOMEONE HELP ME! SOMEONE SAVE ME!" She screamed in terror as a huge, hulking mass of a Demon slowly made it's way after her. Tanjiro clenched his nose at the horrible smell, but his Mother couldn't take her eyes off the young girl, who looked to be only around 13 years old. The girl sobbed and gasped, before tripping with a cry. The Demon laughed, and stretched out one of it's many arms and grabbed her leg. She screamed again as she was dragged back through the air. Suddenly Kie saw an image of all her dead children. As the Demon prepared to eat the girl, a flash of fury burned through the woman. She gripped her sword tightly and leapt for the Demon's arm. "Mom!" Tanjiro called behind her, but all Kie could hear was the rushing or her own blood in her ears. 'Flower-Breathing, Second From:' she sucked in a huge breath, 'Honorable Shadow Plumb!' she thought as she slashed off the arm holding the girl, causing her to drop to the ground. Kie stood in front of the young girl, as she began to recover a bit. Tanjiro ran over to them, his own sword ready. The Demon turned it's gaze to them, "huh? What do we have here? Normally I would eat brats like you, but right now, I have a score to settle with that girl behind you" he said.
The girl whimpered and trembled harshly in fear, trying to crawl away backwards, but her limbs were shaking too much for that to work. Glancing back at her, Kie noticed that she looked about ready to pass out from fear, her face was pale and she was beginning to hyperventilate. She set her stance and glared at the Demon before her, "there is no way I am letting you eat this child" she said sternly. Strangely she didn't feel any fear. Only a cold fury. Kie glanced back at the girl, "you need to run now!" she barked. But the child could only tremble and gasp, her arms and legs moving but not doing anything, "I can't, I can't move!" she cried, panicking. The Demon reached out for her yet again, but the older woman sliced the arms off. She grit her teeth as the girl began to sob, "please I'm sorry! I don't want to die here!" she cried. Kie leapt for her as the hulking Demon, that seemed to be comprised of nothing but arms reached for her again, "no you don't!" she cried, slicing off the arms as they came. "Mom!" she heard her Son cry and she instinctively turned to look at hm.
That was all the time the Hand Demon needed to send a punch to Kie's head that sent her flying into a tree. The woman fell to the ground with her head bleeding. "MOM NO!" Tanjiro screamed in fear. The Hand Demon laughed and began to reach for the Kamado Matriarch, but Tanjiro leapt in front of her, "Flame-Breathing, Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!" he cried, cutting the Demon's hand in two. He landed between his Mother and the Demon, before turning to look at the girl from the corner of his eye, "hey you!" he called. The black-haired girl turned her head to look at him, "what's your name?!" he asked. "Ah! I-It's Makomo" the now known Makomo answered, still trembling. "Makomo! Take my Mom and get out of here!" Tanjiro demanded. "W-what?! And leave you to fight that thing all by yourself?!" the girl cried, as he dodged a punch. "Go now!" the burgundy-haired teen yelled. He lunged at the Hand Demon, while Makomo strained to lift his Mother into her arms. The girl didn't look back as she ran as fast as she could.
PF
Makomo ran as fast as she could while carrying the woman in her arms. She had never been that strong physically, but the black-haired woman and her Son had risked their lives to save her. She had to at least save her! Eventually she stopped in front of a large tree, putting her down as gently as she could. She pulled out a cloth and tried to wipe the older woman's forehead. Meanwhile, in Kie's mind, she was unconscious on the ground. "Mommy!" a familiar voice called, but it was too quiet to tell who it was. "Mommy!" it cried again, frantic. Who was it? She was sure- "Mommy!" Hanako, her baby girl. The spirit of the little girl knelt over her Mother, desperately trying to wake her up, "Mommy! Please wake up! You have to! Or big brother will die!" Hanako screamed, tears in her eyes. Kie woke up with a gasp, "Tanjiro!" She cried, startling Makomo as she did. "Oh! Thank goodness you're alright! You hit your head and it was bleeding pretty hard" the young girl said in relief.
Kie looked at her, "where is my Son?!" she demanded.
PF
Tanjiro faced the Demon, determined to keep it from killing his Mother. He sucked in a breath, "Flame-Breathing, Third Form: Blazing Universe!" he cried, rushing forwards and cutting through the arm that tried to attack him. He dodged another two attacks, panting, 'this is really taking everything I have,' he thought as the Demon's arms regenerated. 'He heals so quickly!' he thought, cutting another three arms off. Tanjiro grit his teeth, 'is my Mom okay?' he wondered, before shaking his head when the Demon nearly grabbed him, 'I have to focus now, or I'll die!' Tanjiro thought. Suddenly an attack came from below. The teen barley smelt it in time to jump away. The Demon then attacked him in mid-air. 'I have to deflect the blow!' he thought. Before he could do anything though, another sword cut through the arm. Kie glared hatefully at him, "don't you dare touch my Son!" she cried, skidding back and taking a stance in front of Tanjiro.
"Mom!? What are you doing here?! I told that girl to get you out of here!" he cried. "I won't leave. You are my Son, and it's my job to protect you!" Kie replied, face serious and eyes fixed into a fierce glare. "Mom" Tanjiro muttered. She took a stance, "I won't let you hurt my Son again!" Kie cried. She remembered what Makomo had told her while they had been coming back: "Th-that Demon, h-he, he told me that he'd, k-killed and eaten, a-all of my Masters other students! *sniff* and he was going to eat me too! *sob* h-he'll probably eat your Son too!" Kie clenched her fists in fury, 'how many children had this Demon eaten? Children like mine' her mind flashed to the image of all of them, smiling and happy. 'I won't allow it. I won't allow another child to be sacrificed to this monster!' she thought. Kie dodged another attack then ran up the arm, 'I have to end this! Or he'll keep killing more people! More children' she thought determinedly. Kie sucked in a breath and began to leap up, but the Demon sent out more arms from it's main arm. Kie cut apart the mini arms, before jumping. Another hand was sent towards her head, but the Kamado woman reeled back and head-butted the arm out of the way.
"What the-!" the Hand Demon yelped in shock. Kie sucked in a breath, 'This is for all the people you've killed! Flower-Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirling Peach!' she thought, spinning her body around to cut the Demon's head off. 'It doesn't matter! She can't cut my head off! My neck is too thick!' the Demon thought. "No don't! His neck is too thick! He'll kill you!" Makomo cried in terror. Suddenly Kei noticed multiple transparent hands pushing on her sword. She gasped and glanced back to see the Spirits of several young teens pushing on her sword, adding force and speeding it up. "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" She screamed in determination. Then her sword sliced right through the Hand Demon's neck.
To Be Continued