Coco: Hey, guys, I'm back like I said I would be, and I hope you're having a wonderful holiday wherever you are. I did get a little behind on some of my work. So, everything but Bright Like a Diamond was finished and I am so sorry about that. I unfortunately got sick and it slowed me down. But I am better, and I promise you that I am still working on that story to all of whom are you reading it.

So, the other two rewrites will be posted tonight. I have them all typed up and ready to go along with the chapters I promised and I hope you're ready for them. Now without further ado, let's get started, shall we?

Tengen frowned as he looked at all the corpses surrounding him. Though the demon responsible was slain, a lot of lives were lost.

"Tengen-sama, this couldn't have been the work of just that one demon," Hinatsuru said.

Tengen had to agree. Kibutsuji had to have been here or at least one of the Kizuki. This village had been under the protection of a Hashira. The Dragon Hashira. A long-standing veteran, and Tengen was standing beside his body right now. His now cold corpse was knelt on the ground and his hand looking as if he had been gripping a sword at his death, but the sword was missing. Both of his swords, actually.

"The demons wouldn't have taken his weapons," Tengen said. "Maybe a villager took them to try and protective themselves."

"We haven't found any survivors yet." Hinatsuru said sadly.

She looked down at the bodies. Young...old…no one was spared. And none of the bodies were whole.

"Tengen-sama!"

Tengen's head snapped in the direction Suma's call came to see her and Makio hovering over something. He went over to where the two were and saw them leaning over a girl. She couldn't be that old and she was clutching a sword in one hand as her other was wrapped over the remains of what might have been a child. She was covered in blood and had visible bitemarks and other wounds on her body. The girl's eyes were wide, and tears leaked down her cheeks as she shook.

"The poor thing is in shock." Suma said as she sniffled.

"We tried moving her, but she brandished her sword." Makio added.

Tengen frowned as he crouched down next to the girl. She seemed vaguely familiar.

"Tatsuo," he said as he finally remembered the girl.

He saw her before with her father when he brought her to meet the other Hashira. Her and her siblings. At the sound of her name, the girl looked up.

"I…I couldn't protect them…" She croaked out. "I tried…but they…they're all dead…"

She let out a sob as she clutched what was probably the remains of one of her younger siblings. Tengen's frown deepened as he reached out to pry the sword out of the girl's hand before she could hurt herself or someone else.

"We need to get her to the Butterfly Estate," Tengen said.

His wives nodded as Hinatsuru coaxed the girl to release her hold on her deceased sibling. She just curled even tighter and didn't look as if she was moving anytime soon. Tengen crouched down and put his arms under the girl, which caused her to flinch. Otherwise, she didn't move and allowed herself to be tucked against his chest as he picked her up.

"Let's blow this place, little dragon." Tengen said as the Kakushi arrived. "You've seen enough of it."

"She has several bite marks and other wounds on her body," The doctor told Tengen. "I'm surprised she survived considering the amount of blood that she had lost."

Tengen didn't comment at first as he studied Tatsuo who his wives were trying to coax to eat. They had already latched onto the girl, and while Tengen was just going to leave her here, his wives insisted that they stay. They didn't want to leave the girl until they knew she was going to be okay.

"She'll carry the wounds as scars once they heal." The doctor continued. "When I told her this, she wasn't upset. In fact, she said that was a good thing as it'd serve as a reminder."

"Reminder?" Tengen repeated.

The doctor sighed as he looked over to Tatsuo as well as Hinatsuru finally got the girl to try the rice at least.

"Yes," The doctor said. "She said she wanted to be reminded of her failure to protect her family…so that she may never repeat it again."

Tengen's expression remained unreadable. He remembers the brief time he had met Tatsuo before. The girl had been so smiley, and her father had had trouble keeping track of her. She was all over the place that day she and her siblings came to headquarters for a visit. Now, he didn't see a trace of that girl in the one sitting on the bed in the infirmary.

"Uzui-sama, what is going to become of the girl?" The doctor questioned. "She'll undoubtedly train to become a demon slayer like her father and brother before her."

"She'll have to be given to a teacher then." Tengen said as he looked away from the girl.

The doctor sighed since he hoped Tengen might try to persuade the girl to move on. Maybe try and have a normal life. She already lost so much. The doctor didn't want dying young to be added to the list. Though if she was going to go on and become a demon slayer, the doctor could only think of one person to teach her.

"Then perhaps you should be her teacher," The doctor suggested.

"Heh?" Tengen asked as if he hadn't heard the doctor right.

His wives seemed to hear just fine, however, since they were soon surrounding their husband.

"Yes, Tengen-sama, you should take in Tatsuo-chan!" Suma said with a nod.

"We can teach her some things too." Makio added with a grin.

"She does need a new home, Tengen-sama," Hinatsuru reminded him.

Tengen frowned then looked back to Tatsuo who was watching them with curiosity. It was the most life he's seen on her face since they found her.

"This girl isn't flamboyant at all!" He said shaking his head. "How could she possibly keep up with training? Especially with someone with max flamboyance such as myself?"

The doctor and his wives' expressions didn't change as they kept staring at him.

"I think if you'd give her the chance, she might just surprise you." Hinatsuru pushed gently.

Tengen still looked unconvinced, but as he looked at the small girl, her eyes met his. Her eyes showed so much. They were like a book to everything the girl has lost. But he also saw a small spark there. She wasn't gone. There was still fight there. Also, he respected her late father. The man had—does mean a great deal to the Corps. He trained a lot of the Demon Slayers currently serving. He's even worked with many of the younger Hashira. Tengen included, so the ex-ninja did owe the man. Besides, the best teacher for Tatsuo would be a swordsman who uses two swords like her family's breathing technique.

"I will take her," Tengen finally gave in with a frown.

His wives seemed surprised for a moment, but finally snapped out of it. Suma cheered as she hurried back to Tatsuo to squeeze the girl tightly. Makio even ruffled the girl's hair affectionately.

"Isn't that wonderful, Tatsuo?" Hinatsuru asked the girl. "I'm sure you will enjoy working with Tengen-sama."

The girl blinked as she kept her eyes on the large man who knew he had his work cut out for him. He then blinked himself as the girl finally opened her mouth since being brought here.

"Thank you, Tengen-sama." She said as she bowed her head. "I will strive to do my best."

She spoke so formerly and while her soft voice was pleasant, it held no emotion. Tengen shook his head as he wagged his finger at her as if scolding.

"Try saying that again," he said. "Say it with some flare! No student of mine is allowed to be so drab. You are now the student of the ex-ninja, the man of flamboyance—Uzui Tengen!"

Tatsuo tilted her head curiously at the large man as Hinatsuru chuckled behind her hand. As Tengen continued to try and get Tatsuo to speak with a more upbeat tone, his wives stood back to continue watching. The doctor watched as well and smiled.

"At least she'll be in good hands," The doctor said.

"I hear you have a tsuguko now, Uzui," Kanae said with a smile. "I also hear she's the same age as little Kanao. Aren't you worried about training her so young?"

Tengen looked down at the smaller Hashira as she was watching Tatsuo. The girl was going through the exercises he gave her, and honestly the man was surprised the small girl hadn't given up yet. The doctor had said to take it easy since she was still recovering, but Tatsuo dove right in.

She currently had her hands behind her back, and they were tied to two large heavy stones. The weight held her back as she fought to do sit ups from the branch she was hanging by her legs from. She was obviously struggling and in pain if her expression was anything to go by. However, she kept going and made no noise of complaint. While they showed pain, her eyes also burned with determination. Sweat rolled off of her and fell to the ground as she continued.

"She wanted to train, and no student of mine is going to sit around." Tengen said. "I'll make her a demon slayer with some real flash! Your brat won't be able to keep up with her once I'm through with her! She'll be like dazzling light that everyone will stare at in awe."

Kanae just smiled at the man's words as Shinobu, who was standing next to her sister, frowned. She watched the younger girl as she managed to do another sit up. She stiffened when the girl looked like she might lose her grip, but Tatsuo held on. Shinobu had heard of the girl coming to the Butterfly Estate, but she and her sister had been away, so one of the doctors had looked at the girl instead. If she had been there, she wasn't sure if she would have let someone like Tengen take the girl. He was obviously pushing her too far.

"Ah-ha! I see the rumors are true!" A boisterous voice called. "Uzui indeed has a tsuguko."

"Tch, does he really think that tiny brat can be a demon slayer?" Another voice added with a scoff.

The group turned seeing Kyōjurō and Sanemi standing there. The prior looked intrigued by the girl as he watched her finish the set amount of sit ups and dropped to the ground. She flipped in the air and landed on the ground in a crouch.

"Now pushups!" Tengen ordered.

"Yes, Tengen-sama," Tatsuo replied.

She untied the ropes from her hands then moved to begin her pushups as Tengen moved over to place one of the rocks on her back. She began the exercise as Tengen stepped back.

"I don't know," Kyōjurō hummed as he cupped his chin. "That little girl seems to be doing quite well."

Sanemi scoffed as he watched the girl continued to exercise almost in a trance light state. It was like she wasn't focused on anything but her training.

"I'm just worried he might be pushing the poor thing too hard," Kanae fretted. "She's still young. She could even have a normal life if given the chance, I'm sure."

"I doubt that." Sanemi said. "I heard it was the girl's mother who gave her those wounds."

He nodded to her bandaged form as Tengen knelt beside the girl and told her to go faster and show a more dazzlingly form than she was currently using to do pushups.

"There's no going back to normal after that." Sanemi said as he narrowed his eyes.

Kanae sighed though supposed Sanemi was right. The Hashira had all heard about the tragedy and how the Dragon Hashira met his end along with most of his family. Even the village had been wiped out. All except for Tatsuo.

"Still don't think someone her size can cut it though," Sanemi continued.

"She still has plenty of time to grow!" Kyōjurō pointed out. "We must nurture those who will come after us after all. I'm sure she'll make a splendid demon slayer! Only the future will tell."

Sanemi didn't look to convinced, but Tatsuo paid them no mind as she continued her training. Tengen watched her closely as she forced herself to do the next pushup and the next and so on. She couldn't do much yet, but with this determination of hers…Tengen grinned.

'She'll become one of the best.' Tengen thought. 'An astounding force to be reckoned with.'

PRESENT

Tengen watched as Tatsuo tested her new swords that were delivered to her as of this morning. Her movements were fluid and a show of how much training she's forgone to master such control.

"They're beautiful weapons, Tatsuo." Makio complimented.

Tatsuo, who finished her next motion, held her swords out in front of her. The hilts were light green, and the handguards were a circular shape with black cores and gold serpent-like dragons curled up in the middle around the hilts. The blades were pale green as a reflection to her breathing technique.

"Yukimura-san did a fine job," Tatsuo agreed. "I'll be sure to take great care of them."

She then spun them around before placing them in their sheaths. She turned to Tengen after that expectantly.

"When will our first mission be, Tengen-sama?" She asked him.

"Now, now, don't be so eager." Hinatsuru, who was repairing her haori, cautioned as she answered before Tengen could. "I'm sure we'll receive one soon enough."

Tatsuo frowned since she wanted to go out now. Though she supposed no missions meant low demon activity, which was good.

"How did you even manage to cause so much damage to your haori, Tatsuo?" Hinatsuru asked curiously.

She lifted up the piece of clothing after she finished the adjustments. She was going to take the sleeve off the other side to make it even, but Tatsuo had said she didn't mind having only one sleeve. So, Hinatsuru touched up the ripped side, so the material was sewed neatly up where her arm went through.

"I had to use the sleeve as bandages," Tatsuo told her as she took the finished product from Hinatsuru.

She slipped on the haori and while it felt odd at first with only one sleeve, she was sure she'd adjust. Besides, she wasn't too worried about her arm getting cold since her gloves covered most of her arms.

"Bandages? But you weren't hurt," Suma said confused.

"There was an idiot boy who had a head injury." Tatsuo explained. "I found him as he passed out and helped him out."

Tengen perked up at the sound of a boy, but before he could question it, Makio was in the girl's face.

"Boy?" She asked as she squished Tatsuo's face between her hands. "What boy?"

She stared intently at Tatsuo asked she asked, which caused Tatsuo to sweat-drop. Though before Tatsuo could answer, the sound of caws caught their attention. The group looked up and saw Tengen and Tatsuo's crows. Nijimaru landed on his master's shoulder as Tatsuo's crow—Tsubasa—landed on the girl's head.

"Uzui Tengen and Sano Tatsuo, you have been summoned." Nijimaru announced.

"Oyakata-sama requests you speak with him at his home." Tsubasa continued. "Please, hurry!"

Tengen frowned wondering what could be wrong if the master wanted to speak with them in person. If it was a mission, it had to be something serious.

"Let's go, Tatsuo," Tengen said. "And make it quick!"

"Yes, sir!" Tatsuo said with a nod.

Tengen disappeared in a single leap and Tatsuo was right behind him as their crows followed behind. As Tatsuo followed, her heart raced.

'It's finally time,' She thought.

'How could this be my first mission?' Tatsuo though heatedly as she packed a very small pack of rations to bring with her. 'I respect Oyakata-sama wholeheartedly, but I don't understand this. He wants me to observe a demon…protect it even if things come to point where it needs protection.'

The very idea made her ill. Demons were meant to be killed on sight. They were monsters. All they want is to kill and eat humans. Some even get sick pleasure of toying with their food. She didn't understand how the master thought this one would be any different.

—FLASHBACK—

Tatsuo, who had had her head bowed, lifted her gaze to the master as her eyes widened in shock. Her ears not believing what they had heard.

"Oyakata-sama, with all due respect, do you realize what you are asking of my student?" Tengen asked. "Not to mention, I flamboyantly disagree with the idea of letting this demon live. It and the boy carrying it should be put to death. I can dazzlingly perform the deed myself."

Kagaya just kept that calm smile on his face as he sat across from the two slayers.

"I know what I ask is a heavy request, but I believe Tatsuo to be the perfect fit for the job," Kagaya explained his reasoning. "The training she has went through with you and your wives will come in handy as she tries to keep a close eye on and gain the trust of Kamado Tanjiro. Not to mention, being of similar age should put the boy more at ease around Tatsuo."

Tatsuo couldn't argue with that logic, but she still didn't understand. Kagaya hasn't even met Tanjiro or his demon sister. So, how could he be so lax about letting her live? Just because he received a letter from a former Hashira?

"I believe this is all worth looking into." Kagaya continued. "Both Urokodaki and Tomioka have sworn to commit seppuku if they are wrong about Nezuko being different from other demons. They stake their lives on this demon and her brother."

"Forgive me for my rudeness, Oyakata-sama, but I don't care if they're staking their lives on it." Tatsuo said fiercely. "There hasn't been one demon in history to forgo their basic nature, which is to consume human flesh. If we just let this one demon live based on a hunch, we could be putting several lives at risk."

All it took was one slip and she could kill dozens of lives before she could be stopped. Especially if her brother is so convinced, she's different. Tatsuo would bet her life that Tanjiro wouldn't be able to finish his sister off even if it meant saving human lives. He's too attached. She made the same mistake as well, and it cost her so much.

"Which is another reason why I want you monitoring the two," Kagaya said. "If Nezuko does show any signs that she might or will harm a human, I trust you will be able to handle the situation for its unlikely Tanjiro will do it himself. I know I am asking a lot of you, but I hope you will take my request."

Tatsuo bit her lip harshly as anger coursed through her. Though she soon took a breath to calm her nerves. She bowed to Kagaya once more.

"If that is what you wish, Oyakata-sama, I will do what you ask of me," Tatsuo assured him. "I will befriend Kamado Tanjiro and keep an eye on the demon."

And kill it the moment it even tries to hurt a human.

—END OF FLASHBACK—

So, now here she was, preparing to leave so to eventually come into contact with Tanjiro on one of his missions. She didn't dislike the boy, but she couldn't believe his choice to let a demon live. Sister or not. Tatsuo has learned firsthand that family ties won't save you when a demon is hungry. Maybe his sister has resisted her urges, but it won't last forever. The hunger will win out and she will be there when it does so to end the demon.

'Which means I need to hurry and find them before that happens,' Tatsuo thought as put away her rations into her small bag, which she then put on over her shoulders to rest on her back.

She then left her room to head outside where Tengen and his wives were waiting. Suma was already sniffling, and Tatsuo was sure the waterworks would start up soon enough.

"Do you have everything you need?" Hinatsuru asked as she adjusted the collar of her haori.

"Yes," Tatsuo said with a nod.

Hinatsuru smiled then gently moved her on to Makio who gave her hair an affectionate ruffle.

"Make sure to keep aware of your surroundings and take care, alright?" Makio told her. "You come back with any serious injuries, and we'll have some problems, you hear?"

"Not even a scratch," Tatsuo assured.

Makio grinned in reply before frowning when Suma snatched up Tatsuo and began crying.

"I don't want Tatsuo-chan to leave us!" She cried. "She just got back, and it'll be too quiet without her!"

Tatsuo just stood there stiffly as she wasn't sure how to respond as Suma wailed against her shoulder. Makio finally got fed up and jerked the longer-haired woman off of Tatsuo who was quick to get out of reach. As Makio yelled at Suma for being dramatic, Tengen placed his hand on Tatsuo's head, which had the girl tilting it back to look up at her tall master.

"I have a gift for you before you go, Tatsuo." Tengen said.

Tatsuo blinked wondering what it could be since it was rare for Tengen to dote on her. He does like to show her off sometimes and brag to the Hashira about how well she turned out because of him. But gifts weren't common. At least not from him. Hinatsuru, Makio, and Suma usually bring her something home constantly.

"A gift?" Tatsuo repeated.

Tengen nodded his head then held out a cloth that was wrapped around something. Tatsuo took it carefully as if it might break before unwrapping the gift. Her eyes widened slightly to see a white cloth that looked like Tengen's headband and had smaller pinkish-white gems aborning it.

"It's beautiful, Tengen-sama." Tatsuo said. "Thank you."

"No student of mine is going to run around looking drab," Tengen said then took the cloth away from her to right around the arm that had the missing haori sleeve. "Now you have some style."

Tatsuo smiled as she admired the band on her arm after Tengen was done tying it there. He knew she wasn't much for headbands or other hair accessories since she preferred to keep her hair short anyway, which is why he had the cloth fitted for her arm.

"You need to get going," Tengen told her as he poked her forehead. "Remember what I told you, little dragon. If things go bad, prioritize your own life first then the lives of the good humans."

Tatsuo, who had her own list of whose safety mattered most, nodded her head to appease her master before giving a final farewell. She then hurried off since she needed to find her targets as soon as possible. Before Kamado Nezuko gave into her hunger and harmed a human. Like her poor naïve brother. As she got farther away, Hinatsuru gave a sigh.

"It doesn't seem right, does it?" She hummed. "Just yesterday we were bringing her home and she was beginning her training."

"Yeah, and now she's getting her own missions," Makio said with a chuckle. "Time sure moves quickly, huh?"

Suma just sniffled as she rubbed at her eyes. Makio shook her head at the woman but did pat her on top of the head in comfort anyway. The three then went inside their home to prepare lunch as Tengen remained outside even after his student disappeared from view.

—FLASHBACK—

"Uzui, I think your tsuguko has finally tired herself out," Kyōjurō told the taller man.

Tengen, who had taken is eyes off of Tatsuo, turned his head and saw her laid out on the ground with her eyes closed and her chest rising and falling at an even pace. She lasted longer than what he had originally thought she would. The sun had set moments ago casting the sky in a pinkish-purple hue and it was only growing darker by the second.

"She did well today," Kyōjurō complimented. "You lucked out by getting such a hardworking student! I am envious."

Tengen didn't reply verbally as he went over to Tatsuo and crouched beside her. He reached out and brushed her hair back as she let out a small snore. He snickered at the ridiculous expression she wore in her sleep.

"She still has a more to do before she'll be even half as flamboyant as me," Tengen said as he picked the girl up.

Easily moving her to rest in one arm with her arms going around his neck and her head laying on his shoulder.

"But it's not a bad start," Tengen admitted.

—END OF FLASHBACK—

'There's still room for her to grow,' Tengen thought as he turned away to head inside. 'But's she's getting there.'