walk steady on this cruel world's path

By: Aviantei

Part Twenty-One:

"New Lightning, Ancient Thunder"

Maybe I shouldn't have had opinions on how to better structure the Demon Slayer Corps. Yes, I was a part of it, but I'd just turned nineteen a handful of months ago, and it hadn't been all that long since I'd been just a normal teenager in a world that had nothing even close to a literal demon problem. What did I even know about organizing a couple hundred people into controlling the threat of man-eating creatures? Barely anything, save for the on the ground fighting stuff.

Which begged the all-important question of—

"Why me?" I asked, and thus started the countdown to my impending death. Good thing it was a regular practice in the Demon Slayer Corps to draft your will before you started service—not that I had much to my name to distribute aside from my belongings still at Sensei's home. Kanroji let out a quiet little gasp, Iguro turned an even more fierce glare on me, and Rengoku kept on smiling. Oyakata-sama's serene expression didn't so much as twitch. "No offense, Oyakata-sama, but I'm just a Corps member without any notable accomplishments behind them. Why would you trust my opinions on the matter?"

"Hey, you," Iguro said, his snake hissing from his shoulder, "do you understand who you're speaking with—"

"Don't worry about it, Obanai," Oyakata-sama said, and Iguro pulled back at once, but I could feel the murderous aura leaking out of him, even with the buffer of two other Hashira between us. "Rairi asks a fair question. However," he continued, turning again to me, "you also were the one that brought up the issues with the Final Selection testing process before, so I'm willing to trust that you'll have some good insight into what we could do to further help out the children of our organization."

Oh, shit, that had gotten all the way back to the leader? I mean, sure, his kids were the ones that I'd spoken to, but I hadn't thought anything would come out of that. All I ever wanted to achieve since I'd landed here was do Sensei's Thunder Breathing proud, not get caught up in—in whatever in the world was going on here!

Well, too bad, Rairi; you're in it now. So go big or go home, I guess.

"If that's the case," I said, already knowing that I was going to regret every ounce of this so hard afterwards, "then I'll speak without holding back." Hey, he'd asked for it; I was just giving the man what he wanted. "I understand that it's the job of Cultivators to ensure that the sword wielders they produce are up to a bare minimum standard. However, a test like Final Selection can skew the results. The rules do nothing to prohibit test takers from cooperating, so it's possible for a handful of weaker people to band together to make it through, or for a stronger person to clear out so many other demons that there isn't a clear indication of the actual skill level of the other contenders.

"That's a problem you could solve by having a proctor on site to observe or even by changing the testing structure completely. I suppose a week-long gauntlet does have some benefits in that it helps replicate some of the harsher conditions of working in the Demon Slayer Corps, but is that necessary? I saw how many Nichirin ores there were at the test; you're planning for losses. Not to mention you couldn't even be bothered to scout the area and make sure no demons became powerful enough to wipe out a new class of test takers. Do those potential Demon Slayers deserve to die just because they're not ready to enter Corps service?

"Of course, I could say the same thing for how Mizunoto are treated. They get sent out on solo missions right out the gate, so the current test format isn't compatible with the actual work. What if one of them encountered a member of the Twelve Kizuki on their first job? Do you just chalk that up to bad luck? Someone who's just gotten started, has never fought anything outside of a controlled environment goes down just like that? They could have a great level of potential that goes nowhere because they were thrown into something they couldn't handle. I understand that it's difficult to tell the strength level of a demon before a Slayer has gone to check it out, but it's not like you can't account for that. Mizunoto and Mizunoe should receive some extra training before being approved for solo missions or at least have someone of a higher rank with them their first few times they get sent after a demon."

Iguro scoffed, but this time I met his gaze with brazen confidence. Amazing what I was capable of once I got worked up. "Demons are a constant problem," he said. "You think that we can afford to reduce how much area we cover by pairing them up?"

Oh, you think you can trap me with that bullshit logic? Not a chance! "I'd say it's a fair enough trade-off for having more surviving Corps members who have the skill to handle higher level demons without turning a bunch of them into cannon fodder at the very fucking least." Whoops, the profanity was out. I was super stuck in this, then. When Iguro didn't retort (oh, he didn't look pleased, but I wasn't hearing a counterargument, so nyeh), I turned back to face Oyakata-sama. "I would say that anyone who's reached Ki—no, anyone who's reached Hinoto at the very least has the potential to help out newer Slayers, maybe even down to Tsuchinoe. If they encounter a demon that's possible for a new Slayer to handle, their trainee can gain experience that way. And if not, then the higher-ranked Slayer can judge the situation and help keep them safe while defeating the demon. Even in a worst-case scenario, you could have the trainee escape and give a report back on the strength of the demon, and if they couldn't make it, then that's an indication that someone much more capable or a larger fighting force is required to do the job.

"Not to mention there needs to be a more widespread system for teaching skills like Total Concentration: Constant," I continued, somehow still not yet out of breath. I wouldn't have been surprised if the others were just listening because they were too surprised that I could talk this much and still not shut the fuck up. "Yes, Demon Slayers learn basic Total Concentration through a Cultivator, and I understand that there are risks for overtaxing your body. That's why a system that allows for tutoring would help balance out that control.

"There's no goddamn reason we shouldn't be teaching that skill across the board seeing as how it increases a person's physical capability—which is just what we need if we want to reduce losses in battle and defeat more demons. Not to mention techniques like using Total Concentration to help with healing are just super fucking obvious to teach, but it's not even common knowledge amongst the Corps." Someone like Kanao had to have learned Total Concentration: Constant from Kochō as her Tsuguko, and I'd only found out and mentioned it to Kaigaku and the Protag Squad since Shimizu had taught me it. Come to think of it, where had Shimizu even learned about it? Maybe by pure luck, considering the circumstances. "I'm sure that you Hashira have also further refined the Total Concentration, and you could even teach others how to use it more efficiently, so what the fuck's stopping you from doing that?"

Whoops. I hadn't meant to toss questions on anyone—you know, self-preservation instinct working for once in my life—but it had snapped out. I was pretty sure it was only Oyakata-sama's lack of offended reaction that had stopped Iguro from drawing his sword on me. The others had more subdued expressions, with Kanroji's brow furrowing as he put a hand to her mouth.

"I would like to help out more," she said, "but there's so much that we Hashira have to take care of, and it's hard to keep multiple students on top of that…"

"We do have Hashira Training sometimes," Rengoku said, "but it's been quite a while since any of us hosted a session. Like Kanroji says, things do get busy."

"Well, I don't know about that," I said, because I didn't know what all the Hashira were responsible for. "I'm sure you all have important things to take care of. But there's also only nine of you now, right? How much of that duty could be spread out to members who've made it up to Kinoe or Kinoto?" I shrugged. "Again, these are things I don't know about in this whole system. But those are at least some of the issues that make no sense to me considering how long the Demon Slayer Corps has been around." Like, how were we even still standing when there was so little we did to help new recruits survive? Sure that I'd gotten out everything that had been bothering me over the past year, I turned back to our leader. "Thank you very much for listening to me, Oyakata-sama."

I punctuated the sentence with a bow, knowing full well I was making myself prone to whatever retribution the Hashira planned to dump on me. Maybe, if I didn't try to defend myself, my death would be painless?

Sorry, Zenitsu, Kaigaku, Sensei. Your senpai and student here is too much of a disaster to not know how to behave. I just hope none of this reflects back on you. Only I should have to pay for my mistakes.

"No, thank you very much for being so open and honest with me, Rairi," Oyakata-sama said, and I sighed in relief. I didn't dare raise my head, though, not wanting to even see the looks that the assembled Hashira must be giving me. "I do apologize, but you've given me much to think about, and changes of this nature take a lot of structural reorganization, so I can't make any promises about how much of your ideas we'll integrate." Which was the nice way of saying that he was never going to think about these things again, just as I expected. With how serene his presence was, though, I wasn't even mad, bro. "That said, I feel that transporting you back to Butterfly Manor today would be a strain on your recovery, so you're free to stay at headquarters tonight. I'll make the arrangements for a room and for your journey back to Butterfly Manor tomorrow."

Which means I'll be an even easier target for the Hashira to murder me tonight. Fabulous.

Rengoku escorted me to the guest room that I'd be using, which I found out happened to be just a few hallways down from where the Hashira had permanent rooms set up for their visits, so hooray (read with the highest levels of sarcasm possible). Well, at least if I died in my sleep, the medicine that Kochō had given me was effective enough that I didn't have to worry about nightmares anymore, so at least I'd have a good final dream.

"Well, I've shown you the way, Rairi, my friend," Rengoku said, patting my back with way too much force again. I may have been approved for rehabilitation, yes, but I was pretty sure my spine was still at risk enough that touching it like that was a no-go! If Kochō was upset with me when I got back to Butterfly Manor, I knew just who I was going to sell out. "You're free to stay put, but there's plenty of other places to pass the time here. Just ask for help if you need it!"

"Wait, you're leaving?" I asked, and Rengoku nodded. "Is there any chance I could maybe come with you? I don't know what else to do, and I've kind of had enough of lying around and resting." Kanroji and Iguro hadn't come with us, but it sounded like they would be here at least through dinner. Rengoku would make for an excellent combination of company and protection.

But, to my utmost despair, Rengoku shook his head, his hair fluttering like flames with the movement. "I normally would not have issues with such a suggestion, but I'll be headed back to my family's estate to try to find some more information for Kamado. Taking you with me isn't quite recommended at this point, though I'd love you to come visit someday, Rairi, my friend!"

Oh, so you're abandoning me, huh? Wasn't it you that dragged me into this mess in the first place, Rengoku-san? I have no problems with selling you out to Kochō-san if necessary, then! Man, the stress was doing a number on me. I had way too much pent-up energy in me from all the bedrest. "Is there any chance there's a place for me to practice, then?" I asked instead of venting my complaints. If there was anything I'd learned about Rengoku since I met him, it was that he wasn't malicious so much as sometimes (okay, maybe a lot of the time) clueless to the social cues around him. "Kochō-san said I had permission to at least do the basics on my own, so long as I stop before I push too hard."

"I like your spirit, Rairi, my friend. That sort of determination to keep going is the kind that's necessary for those who want to become Hashira!" Pardon you, Rengoku-san, but I don't recall ever saying I wanted anything even close to becoming one of those. I mean, if I had to in order to perform Thunder Breathing on the same level as Sensei…no, no, no, not a fucking chance. Don't you dare get caught up in that, Rairi! Rengoku pointed down one of the halls that looked like all the others I'd seen at headquarters so far. "If you follow me, I'll drop you off before I leave!"

"Much appreciated, Rengoku-san."

Rengoku showed me the way before heading out, and I opened up the door to gape at the place. As expected of headquarters, there was a training hall which was several times over the size of the one at Butterfly Manor. The floors were nice and polished, so I couldn't help but wonder how much use it got on a regular basis—or maybe it was just that well maintained since you had to keep headquarters looking good?

If they care so much about appearances like that, I thought, pulling on the side door that opened to the surrounding porch and settling into a stance in the closest yard to take advantage of the nice weather, then they could at least make sure they keep their damn Corps members alive long enough to show off to.

A fresh round of frustration bubbling up in me, I went back to the basics, getting used to the standard swing of my sword. There wasn't any difference in feel between my reforged katana and the new one, and I thought several words of gratitude in Hanai's general direction for being so incredible at their job. It didn't take too long before I felt the familiar burn of muscle since I'd been out of practice for so long, but with some focused Total Concentration I was able to keep going, though I longed to be able to do a bit more than just standard drills.

Maybe I could get away with the Inadama? That one's all sword movements and it really doesn't strain the body much. Kochō-san said my heart wasn't at immediate risk now, so if I just push the oxygen a little, then—

I breathed, only to have a hard force knock right into my stomach. I doubled over, grimacing from the familiar pain, and I pressed my palm over my now stinging abs. "Come on, Sensei! Is that how you treat someone who just got out of the hospit—" I paused, blinking once at the cane I'd recognize anywhere, as well as the person holding onto it. "Sensei?! What the hell are you doing all the way out—gah!"

Yup, that cane strike was so distinct that it pretty much had Sensei's copyright on it, though it wasn't at its full strength. Sucking in a breath, I started to help along the bruises already forming on my stomach and knuckles. Sensei looked at me expectantly, and I had no problems with sheathing my sword and bowing to him, my braid slipping over my shoulder.

"I'm glad to see you again, Sensei," I said, realizing that it had almost been a full year since he'd seen me off on my first mission. "Judging by your cane technique, you're in just as good health as ever. What was all that nonsense about needing to name a successor because you wouldn't be able to handle another student?"

And that earned me a fist to the back of my exposed head, but the bop was more affectionate than anything serious—or maybe my fight with the Upper Moon Three had skewed my pain threshold past the point of recovery? Either way, I didn't mind so much, since seeing Sensei again was such an unexpected treat that I hadn't even been considering could happen here.

"Ha! To think I was worried about you upsetting your recovery. You're doing fine if you can still spout off nonsense like that," Sensei said, pulling his hand back. I stood up straight again and returned his grin with a smile. "Though I shouldn't be surprised. I came all this way because I heard that a certain student of mine was kicking up a fuss." I flushed; it was bad enough that all the Hashira now knew I was a troublemaker, but having Sensei hear about it when he wasn't even among active Corps members anymore was even worse. "Still, it's nice to see that you're doing well, Child. Now, humor this sensei of yours with a talk over some tea."

"Yes, Sensei."

While I'd already long forgotten the way back to my guest room, Sensei had no problem navigating the halls until he reached a kitchen, the air thick with the enticing aromas of dinner. (At least I'd get a good last meal before my untimely demise at the hands of Iguro, it seemed. God, they were never going to find my body, were they?) A member of the kitchen staff recognized Sensei, accepted his request for a teapot and some leaves, and even offered to set the thing up for us in a nearby room where we both settled down on some very plush cushions.

"It seems you've been getting into as much trouble as always," Sensei said to start, which was beyond fair enough. Still, his tone was much gentler than I'd expected as he began to pour our drinks. "Not many people can say that they were able to return to service after an encounter with an Upper Moon. You're lucky."

I nodded, the newest lump pressing into my throat as warmth sunk into my fingers from the fresh teacup. Sensei, a man who had once been a Hashira, retiring from service because of his lost leg. Zenitsu, unconscious on the ground, a puddle of blood forming under his head but able to recover.

Tires screeching, screaming voices, a deafening crash, impact.

"Yes," I said, my voice just above a whisper, "I know."

Sensei sipped from his tea and hmmed. "So long as you understand that." Blowing away the steam clouding over from the top of my own cup, I took a drink, the somewhat bitter blend giving way for a faint tang of fruitiness at the end. The staff even had Sensei's favorite flavor of tea down without him saying a thing, and he was retired from the front lines. "Well, I see that you've recovered well enough, and your basics haven't suffered, so you should be able to get back into shape soon enough. How's Zenitsu been holding up?"

I smiled, thinking of mornings with music forming between us, of the wonderful way he wielded his sword now. "He's been doing well. I'm sure he already wrote you about what happened on the train?" Sensei nodded, so I skipped over those details. "Well, knowing him, he didn't tell you about how well he's been coming along. His Hekireki Issen is incredible, but he insists he wants to make it even better." Well, that was how mastery worked, didn't it? You kept pushing and pushing to reach greater heights. I smiled, thinking of all the progress both of my kōhai had made. "Kaigaku's the same, too. He's improved a lot, but he's always talking about how he's bumped up one of his techniques or how he's aiming for the next promotion."

Sensei's bushy eyebrows raised closer to his receded hairline. "You've heard from Kaigaku?"

"Um, yes? I mean, we had a mission together, and he started writing back to me a few months ago." I could understand him not answering Zenitsu, given their distaste for each other, and I had struggled to write to him before we'd made up, but had he not even kept in touch with Sensei? "You haven't heard from him? I thought he'd want to let you know how he's improving. Though I guess he gets awkward when he writes replies, so maybe he just overthinks it and doesn't get anything down?" Fun fact: Every Karasu Crow I'd ever met was a damn gossip, and even Momo liked to tell me Kaigaku's embarrassing stories whenever she dropped a letter off—though he'd just been letting Tadashi bring back his responses right away as of late, so it had been some time since I heard any good tidbits.

"Ha! That would be like him. Well, I'm glad to hear that he's at least reaching out to you. That's one less worry on your sensei's mind." Sensei took another long sip from his tea, and I mirrored the action, so glad for the little piece of home amongst the rest of the chaos I'd gone through. "Take care of those boys, will you, Rairi?"

"Of course, Sensei. Leave it to me."

[Author's Notes]

We haven't seen Sensei in a hot minute, so here he is. I didn't wanna just ignore him! Every member of Thunder Family is important in this house.

This time, thanks go out to gg (Guest),DCosmicSage38, Saint-Mj, NovaMey96, ReginaLucasQueenRed2017, ILikeFoxes828, The Black Kraven, Freddie4153, NiYuNess, impressivetoken, ryu9082, yehet26, Commonwealth1991, HelenWord, kusaru kazuki, and zimrose03 for the favorites, follows, and reviews! We've somehow managed to break my all-time review record for a fic, so I'm just overwhelmed all over again. Congratulatory Shimizu art is available on my Instagram, aviplotbunny, so check it out there.

Haha, I noticed a lot of people waiting for the next Kaigaku encounter. I didn't intend to have such a long gap of appearances for him, but that's how it panned out. He'll be showing up soon, I promise!

Also a bonus shout out to beta Punk Trash Noiz, who has been doing excellent work despite being super busy with schoolwork and moving. They're the best.

It's time for a Taishō Era Secret! Kuwajima heard that Rairi would be going to Headquarters because of one of Zenitsu's recent letters, which is how he knew to come make a visit and check in with Rairi. Kuwajima was worried that Rairi's mouth might get them in trouble, so he was prepared to use his influence as a former Hashira to help, but he was both surprised and pleased to find out that wasn't necessary.

Next Time: "Ah, I see what's happening here," a significant squabble, and a sea demon. Please look forward to it!

-Avi

[10.09.2021]