One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Zero
This story continues after the Mugen Train Arc. But for the story, instead of Regoku dying, he only suffered serious injuries that will heal completely with time. And Tanjiro did not tell Rengoku about the Hinokami Kagura. (I DON'T SHIP!)
Tanjiro's Pov:
There's a rumor of a demon lurking in this unsuspecting city, so Master Ubayashiki has assigned me to investigate. I clutched the straps of my backpack(box?) tightly as looked around the city, staring at the wonderful sights. People streamed passed, down the road at the night market. "This is facinating! I wish you could see this Nezuko!" I sighed. Maybe she could... Upon that thought I immediately searched around for an abandoned alley. When I found one, I set the box down, coaxing Nezuko out, "Come out Nezuko! Come see the city lights!" Nezuko poked her head out and stared at me with her crystal pink eyes of hers. Slowly, she grew to normal size and looked around. "Now, let's go!" I headed towards the main street, with Nezuko following right behind. I sniffed in the air, no demon scent yet... So I decided to take a break and head towards a ramen store. "One bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen please!" I ordered. While waiting for my bowl of noodles, I looked around the area, trying to detect any scent of demon, just a whiff, or even just a feeling... And suddenly, there it was, as clear as day, a scent of a demon. And a rather strong one thats almost blocks my whole nose. I immediately stood up and told nezuko to follow me. She hopped off her seat and quickly followed after me as I held my nose high up, trying to trace that demon. This scent, was somewhat similiar to Muzan's, Enmu's and Akaza's scent. I squeezed myself through the crowd as I kept my mind focused on the demon and only the demon's scent. Some people uttered curses as I pushed them away but I did not care but instead uttered a half-hearted, "Sorry,". These people could die at any moment now! The demon's scent continued down the street for a few hundred metres before taking a turn into a dark alleyway. The demon was quite near. When I made sure that no one saw me, I reached for my Katana and rook a stance. The scent is definetely getting stronger... I drew my sword and watched the cool, metal surface glint in the dark. As I walked deeper into the alleyway, I suddenly realized that the scent grew less vivid. Above! When I realized that, the demon had jumped down and the next thing I knew, I blacked out.
3rd Person Pov:
Douma jumped down as Tanjiro looked up, knocking out both Nezuko and him. Perfect, he thought to himself, now I just have to get back to the infinity castle. He placed Tanjiro and Nezuko seperately in bags and jumped to the top of the building before heading off in a flash. Douma reached a specific knarled, big tree and snapped his fingers twice. "Nakime, let me in, I've completed the task that Muzan-sama has sent me out to do." A strum of a Biwa was heard before a red-coloured sliding door appeared right in front of Douma. "Just remember," Nakime told him, "This does not mean that I forgive you for calling me 'Cyclops'," Douma let out a silent grimace as he stepped into the infinity castle.
Tanjiro's Pov:
What happened...? I remember being attacked... Oh yes, I was attacked by a demon who attacked me from above. I slowly opened my eyes before realizing that I have been blindfolded. I tried to move my hands, but they were chained behind me, and so were my feet. "Nezuko! Nezuko where are-" I didn't finish my sentence before someone hit me on the head very, very hard. "Don't talk, brat!" An all-too-familar voice hissed. I felt something wet and slick drip down my nose. I could only assume it's blood as I started to feel a stinging pain on my cheek and nose. I grit my teeth and continued, "Where's Nezuko?" "Shut up!" He hissed before sending a blow to my stomach. I gagged, almost spilling my guts out. I coughed the same warm, wet and slick substance onto the ground. "Now now, you don't want Muzan-sama to find the very person he was pursuing for a few years to just die, won't you?" Another voice spoke up. Muzan? Don't tell me... "Pht. Nonsense, Muzan-sama would never want such a weakling to be turned into a demon would he?" Turned into a demon...? No way... After everything I've been through? Just to be turned into a demon by the very person who murdered my family? I grit my teeth, no. Never. If it meant dying, I would not obey my family's murderer. "I heard he's coming in a few minutes, so don't mess him up just yet." The other demon said. A few minutes? Oh no... I decided to try one more time, "Where's Nezuko?" I heard the one who attacked me hiss as the other one let out a soft chuckle, "She's safe, so you don't have to worry," Can I really trust the word of a demon? "Ah, there he is, Akaza," The second demon said, "Muzan-sama is finally here."
3rd Person Pov:
Akaza? The person who injured Rengoku-san, Upper Moon Three... Tanjiro heard footsteps approaching, and a sudden rustle of clothes, which he could only assume that Akaza and the other demon kneeled before Muzan. Tanjiro lets out a silent hiss, his top enemy, right in front of him and yet he isn't able to do anything. "Akaza, open the door and remove his blindfold." Muzan commanded. "Hai, Master." Akaza opened the gate and removed Tanjiro's blindfold with an upward flick before scowling at him like he was mould on a pure white surface. "Tanjiro," Muzan stepped into the cell as he stared at him with his piercing-red eyes. "Muzan," Tanjiro growled. In a split second, Muzan kicked Tanjiro on the chin and sent him flying to the opposite wall of the cell. "If you disrespect me, or fall out of line, your sister dies, understood?" Muzan crushed Tanjiro's shoulder to the wall with his foot. He gulped, he wouldn't want Nezuko to die so soon! "Now, tell me, who is the person who controls the whole Demon Slayer Corps?" Muzan pierced Tanjiro with his gleaming red eyes. What should he do? Nezuko... Finally, Tanjiro decided to not tell Muzan and instead shook his head. Muzan pointed a clawed finger at Tanjiro. I you won't tell me, I shall turn you into a demon and make you suffer. If it meant defending Ubayashiki-sama, he would never tell Muzan. Akaza flinched at Muzan's words. Master would really want such a weakling among their ranks? "So, are you going to tell me or not?" Muzan touched Tanjiro's forehead with a claw and threatened to push deeper. Tanjiro clenched his fist, "Never for as long as you live!" Muzan frowned, and pushed his finger into Tanjiro's skin.
Tanjiro's Pov:
I never thought he would actually do it. A sharp and stinging pain reached my forehead as I realized that Muzan had pierced my skin. I couldn't move my head, so I turned my eyes up. To my horror, I saw a vein in his hand flow and slowly, into my forehead. As soon as the first drop of Muzan's blood entered my head, the pain was so immense that I could not help but scream. But I soon realized that I could not do that either. It felt like my lungs were filling with water, or rather that I was drowning. The pain felt like a wildfire, burning hot and quickly spreading over my entire body. When the pain reached my neck, I could not help but pass out.
3rd Person Pov:
Tanjiro passed out, but Muzan persisted and held his finger into his head. When it reached the point of time where the human body would normally start to disintegrate, Tanjiro still held up. Instead of melting into a gooey puddle, he twitched and flexed his hands, convulsing. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, and his teeth started growing sharp, deadly canines. His short-nailed finger grew into sharp, curving claws. The red mark on the left side of his forehead spread into a fire-like pattern in different parts of his face. When Akaza realized that Tanjiro was getting an amount of blood that was far more than the human body could comprehend, he started getting worried and excited at the same time. The boy would be more powerful than Kokushibo, and yet, he would make an excellent opponent for Akaza to train. Muzan held his finger there for another minute or two and finally pulled his finger out. As soon as his finger was out, the wound in Tanjiro's head healed in an instant. "I changed his brain a bit," Muzan stated, "I made him absolutely loyal to me, and would never dare to disobey me," Muzan smirked, "He's almost like an extension of me," Akaza and Douma looked at each other, this was something they had not experienced before.
Giyu's Pov:
We sent a Kasugai Crow to deliver a message to Tanjiro. The crow did not come back. I sighed, did something happen to Tanjiro? Well, let's hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. "Excuse me, Tomioka-san?" I turned my head, it was Zenitsu. "Any news about Tanjiro?" I shook my head, "The Kasugai Crow didn't come back." Zenitsu sank, he was obviosly worried for Tanjiro. I sighed, I'm not good at this kind of stuff. I made my back face Zenitsu and said, "Don't worry, I'm quite sure Tanjiro's gonna be fine. He's quite strong after all." Zenitsu stayed quiet and decided to go back to his bed. I sighed, ever since the Mugen train, Inosuke was badly injured, and Zenitsu was to tired and requested a break of a week. After a day, Tanjiro healed up and set off for his next mission. He promised that once he was done with the mission he would return to the Butterfly Mansion and rest until Inosuke was all healed up. But after a week-and-a-half, he still hasn't come back yet. I hope he's okay.
3rd Person Pov:
"Tanjiro," Tanjiro turned, "Yes, Muzan-sama?" "One of the doorways to the Infinity Castle has been discovered, I want you to guard it," Muzan told Tanjiro. "Of course," He replied. "And after that, you are free to roam. To eat, kill and get stronger," Tanjiro bowed, "Thank you, it will be my utmost pleasure to serve you. I will not let you down." Muzan smiled, "Of course you won't. Nakime, send him to the location." A strum of a Biwa was heard before a red door appeared before Tanjiro. He immediately slid the door open, and stepped out into the cool and dark night.
Tanjiro stepped out into the night and put on a mask. It was a Kitsune(fox), but the part which the mask covers the mouth was missing, so his mouth and part of his mark can be seen. When he came out of the door, he faced 4 rank Kinoe demon slayers. "Oh, right on time," He said, "First, let me get it straight if you step above this line-" Tanjiro drew is sword and in a split second, a line was cut into the ground appeared before Tanjiro's feet. "You will leave losing something a little bit bigger than your pride," The demon slayers hesitated, before taking a stance. Tanjiro stepped over his line, before drawing his sword and taking a stance too. Then, everything happened in a flash. The 1st demon slayer charged and tried to slice Tanjiro, but was knocked back by him. The 2nd demon slayer used a breathing technique, which Tanjiro countered using his own water breathing technique. The 3rd demon slayer tried to slice Tanjiro's feet while the 2nd demon slayer attacked him, but he jumped ever so slightly, landing right on top of the demon slayer's blade, breaking it. The 4th however, tried to make it past the line, which he did, but Tanjiro kicked him into a tree, with an angry "What did I say?", breaking 5 of his ribs. "Shinami!" The second demon slayer yelled. The 4th couldn't breathe, every breath hurt his lungs and all his air was knocked out of him. Tanjiro felt sorry for him as the second demon slayer rushed to help him. "Take shallow breaths, don't use any breathing techniques or take deep breaths. You'll be able to breath afterwards," Tanjiro advised him. The demon slayers looked at him incredulously, but the demon slayer with the broken ribs still followed his advice. Slowly, he was able to breathe again. "Why are you helping us?" The 3rd demon slayer asked Tanjiro. "Well, I used to have 3 broken ribs, so I thought how I could breathe when I had it could help..." Tanjiro scratched his head and looked at the ground, like he was shy. The demon slayer thought at first that Tanjiro was mocking them. But when he heard how sincere he sounded, he threw the theory aside. "Are you even a demon?" Tanjiro nodded and smiled that warm smile of his, "Yep!" The demon slayers have never seen or felt such warmth from a human, let alone a demon. "But I think you should focus on your friend there instead of who I am. And Shinami, if that's your name, I'm sorry," Tanjiro did a slight bow and climbed up in a tree near the doorway to observe the demon slayers.
(Still 3rd Person Pov):
"That's impossible! A demon that shattered Shinami-san's ribs and then apologised not before telling him how to get his breathing under control, that's utter nonsense!" Sanemi threw the report down on the ground. The third demon slayer replied, "With all due respect, Shinazugawa-san, it's true! You can ask Shinami himself, it's all true! His smile was so warm, it was like the sun, despite being a creature of the night!" Sanemi, Giyu, Zenitsu and the demon slayer were reading and dicussing the report. As warm as the sun... Zenitsu thought, and suddenly something he said hit him, "The sounds I hear from you, Tanjiro, are so kind that it makes me almost want to cry," His face turned paper white. It can't be...Giyu seemed to notice as he asked, "Agatsuma, is there something bothering you?" Zenitsu's teeth chattered so loudly he was sure everyone could hear it. "To-Tomiok-ka-s-san... I d-do h-have a theory-y..." Giyu raised his eyebrows, "If it could get us nearer to knowing who this demon is, it's worth hearing," Zenitsu gulped, took a deep breath and continued reluctantly, "The-ere i-is onl-ly o-one p-person i-in th-the world-d th-that fi-fits th-this des-description..." Giyu's face turned to stone. Tanjiro. The demon slayer looked at both Giyu and Zenitsu anxiously, "Who is it?" Giyu stared straight ahead, "Tanjiro Kamado," Sanemi was also very surprised, "That demon-carrying Brat?" Zenitsu shook violently as he thought about what hell Tanjiro must have been through with Muzan. Only the demon slayer seemed confused, "He-man-who-now?" Giyu got up, "I have to report this to Master," he then left swiftly. When Ubuyashiki-sama heard Giyu's theory, he nodded and replied, "Okay, I shall send in a Hashira. I will send Uzui Tengen,"
(Still in 3rd Person Pov):
Tanjiro lay on a tree branch and caressed the hanging flowers. He plucked a tiny petal and admired it's tender pink colour before it decayed into dust in his hands. "It'll be better for you and the flowers if you leave those petals alone, they'll only rot in your hands," Tanjiro sat up, "Ah, Uzui-san, Ubuyashiki-sama finally decided to send a Hashira," Ubuyashiki-sama? How did he know? This is bad... He got off the branch and pointed to the line he made before, "It's the same for you, cross the line, you'll lose something much more than your pride." Tanjiro drew his sword and took a stance as Tengen rushed forward with miraculous speed towards Tanjiro. Tengen used a technique and cut off Tanjiro's arm but it immediately grew back. He then punched Tengen's chest but he used his sword to block it. Tanjiro then used a water technique to drive Tengen further from him. Tengen quickly doubled back and dodged Tanjiro's attack. "Blood demon art: Fire Crystal Edge" Bright red crystal-like giant spikes emerged from the ground as Tanjiro pressed his palm into the ground. Tengen tried to dodge to the side, but the crystals followed him, and he tried to cut it, but he soon realized it was not a good idea as the crystals just exploded into a burst of fire. So Tengen waited for the crystal to hit him but instead used it as a boost to make it to the door. "NO!" Tanjiro yelled, before cutting Tengen's arm.
A deep gash appeared on Tengen's forearm. He let out a stifled grunt as he hopped back to try and stop the bleeding. Tanjiro looked as Tengen tried to stop the bleeding with a sad look on his face, almost wistful. "Perhaps I made it too deep for your own good... Sumimasen(so sorry)..." He reached into a pouch on his belt and took out a roll of bandages. Tanjiro unwrapped some of the bandage and approached Tengen slowly. He flinched away, and tried to get away from Tanjiro. "Uzui-san, you need the bandage..." He shook his head violently, "No! I don't need anything from a demon!" Tanjiro stepped back, a bit taken aback by his words. He then bit his lip and let a drop of blood ooze out. "Forgive me for doing this Uzui-san... Demon blood art: Paralysis," A deep purple gas emerged and Tengen could no longer move once he breathed the gas in. Tanjiro then stepped forward, holding out the bandage. When Tengen expected him to lap up the flowing blood and kill him, Tanjiro instead tenderly wrapped the bandage around the wound and tied a spare piece of cloth above the wound. Tengen watched in utter surprise as Tanjiro snapped his fingers, calling off the paralysis. "The bandage contains a painkiller, so you should feel slightly better." He then smiled his very warm smile of his, and Tengen knew how the demon slayer felt that night, at peace. He then turned to leave, not before hearing a voice call out to him, "And rest well, Uzui-san!"
(Still in 3rd person Pov):
Giyu could not believe what he had heard. Firstly, Tengen lost in just a few minutes to the demon. Secondly, the demon bandaged and healed Tengen's wound. Third, Shinobu just confirmed that the painkiller that was used in the bandage was indeed one she had taught Tanjiro. "So, Tanjiro's a d-demon now? Does that mean we have to kill him?" Zenitsu asked while shaking violently. Honestly, Giyu could not answer that question, so he just replied, "If he has killed someone, then we have to kill him. but if he hasn't, maybe we can leave him alone..." Tengen shook his head, "Can we even kill him?" Giyu shrugged, this was one pickle. Then, Giyu suddenly said, "I'll go. I will face him," Tengen pulled Giyu back down to sit, "Don't act irrationally, Giyu!" He shook his head, "No, I'm going"
(Still in 3rd Person Pov):
Giyu headed to the small forest where the demon was first spotted. Tengen-san described Tanjiro who had superior strength, speed, agility, regeneration and Demon art. It was very likely that he was a Waxing Moon. But he sounded way stronger than any Waxing moon he's heard about so far. Giyu finally came across the door, the line and the boy sitting on a branch nearby, swinging his legs while humming a tune. Tanjiro noticed Giyu and waved at him, "Ohio(Good morning), Giyu-san!" Giyu drew his sword, "I know the rules," Tanjiro jumped off the branch, "I'm glad, if not I'll have to explain it the 3rd time," He also drew his sword and took a stance. Then, Giyu stroke first. He used a breathing technique and rushed forwards, slicing off Tanjiro's foot. His foot immediately grew back and he used a breathing technique in return. Giyu dodged the attack and landed on a tree, launching himself towards Tanjiro, slicing his head off.
(Still in 3rd Person Pov):
Giyu looked at the head, and found it not moving, the body too. Then he started to sheath his sword, but as he was doing that, he heard a sound, a chuckle. It was coming from Tanjiro's head, "Giyu-san, you have been training. I admire that," The body started to casually stride towards his head and picked it up, attaching it back to the neck stump. "So, as a reward, I will like you to see how much I have been training," With that, he scratched his palm and uttered, "Demon Blood art: Intensify," With that, he disappeared running. Giyu could barely see him as Tanjiro ran circles around him. Suddenly, Giyu felt a blow on his waist, he gagged and got hit to the side. Before he had the time to even stumble, he was hit another time on the shoulder, sending him to the other side, but Tanjiro kept hitting him so he kind of floated mid-air as he Giyu got hit again and again. After half a minute of that, Tanjiro stopped. "Giyu-san, this is what Akaza's blood demon art feels like, if you want to even hope to defeat him and avenge Rengoku-san, then you'll have to be able to withstand that and get back up to fight."
Giyu's Pov:
I can't breathe. Whatever the demon did, it was painful and it prevented me from using any breathing techniques. It was like all my stamina was leeched off, and replaced with pain. "Giyu-san, this is what Akaza's blood demon art feels like, if you want to even hope to defeat him and avenge Rengoku-san, then you'll have to be able to withstand that and get back up to fight." Is this... Really Akaza's power? No wonder Kyojuro couldn't defeat him... I used my sword and straightened myself up. You cannot die here Giyu. I got up and took a stance. Then the demon launched himself off of a tree heading for me with a sheathed sword, so he does have no intention to kill... But it would be shameful if Tengen got to the line and yet I did not. I clenched my teeth and swung my sword with all my might.
Tanjiro's Pov:
As I launched myself towards Giyu-san, not sadness, grief or fear crossed his face. But anger. And all of a sudden the dam was broken, Nezuko, Giyu-san, Urokudaki-san, Zenitsu, Inosuke and the hashira came back, this... this was, no is, my memories. I am... Tanjiro Kamado. I quickly stabbed my sword that was sheathed into the earth as I jumped backwards, careful not to hurt Giyu-san anymore.
Giyu's Pov:
As I held my breath, expecting pain, but the demon suddenly stabbed his sword into the ground in order for him to change direction and jumped back. He landed in a crouched position, and... grabbed his head? Then it hit me, this demon remembered, there's no other explaination. He looked up, and stared at me for a minute before saying, "G-Giyu-san?" He said it like he was a totally different person. I pitied him. Then the demon continued to stare at me under that Kitsune mask. But I gritted my teeth, he's a demon, after all. I launched forward using a breathing technique. The demon was so fazed he didn't jump back, not at least for a while. He jumped back quickly enough so I did not cut him face, but instead split the mask in two. When the wood fell apart sideways like curtains, it revealed a face.
3rd Person Pov:
The mask split in two, revealing a face that was all-too familiar to Giyu, but the expression on it was not. Tanjiro's face was a mix of horror, realisation and regret. The expression was not natural on the boy's face. Tanjiro used to be so cheerful, never breaking a sweat, and always tolerating every person he has come across, even demons. But he did not look like the Tanjiro Giyu knew. And the eyes. The eyes. They were pale green, with Kanji written on them, which say "Waxing Zero". Tanjiro's eyes widened, he immediately jumped back, and closed the mask back together. He held the pieces together and stared at Giyu for a while, before dashing back into the forest, no trace of him left whatsoever. Giyu's sword was still suspended in the same position when he finished the cut and sliced Tanjiro's mask. He did not believe his eyes, or Tanjiro's. Literally. Tanjiro, a waxing moon? That idea was absurd, beyond the wildest of imagination, but Giyu had just seen physical proof, and there was no doubt about it. Giyu lowered his sword slowly, how was he supposed to explain this to the Master? He sheathed his sword and headed back to the Butterfly Mansion. But what Giyu did not realize was that Tanjiro hid behind the large tree, pondering his new-found memories. So Muzan captured him... And worse he hurt Nezuko... Tanjiro put his head atop his knees, and slowly fell alseep.
Yep that's the first chapter. (A little short) And my updates depend on my mood lol. I still am working on other fics. :P