The Raven Pillar

by AcjmonkeyAJ

Tori Kamado is the older sister of Tanjiro Kamado. She goes off on a journey to become to a demon slayer to protect her family. She rises through the ranks with a breathing style that is unknown to anyone. This breathing style is unique to her. During her journey she encounters the demon king Muzan Kibutsuji. He sets his sights on her. Will she make it out of this alive?

7. Return Home

If their was a prize for the fastest and longest cross country marathon in Japan, that prize would have to go to Tori. Tori crossed many miles of the country in such a short amount of time. She arrived at her mountain at midday. When she entered the village at the foot of the mountain, she saw her brother Tanjiro with Hanako and Shigeru almost right off the bat. She covered her hair so that they wouldn't recognize her. But just as Tori was about to walk away, Shigeru ran up to her and he spoke.

"Hey, miss. Are you new here?" Shigeru asked, "Do you want to buy some charcoal?"

"Shigeru! I told you not to wander off." Tanjiro scolded as he walked over, "I'm so sorry, miss. My

little brother has a habit of going off on his own."

Tori was now in a huge pickle. Her siblings had come up to her while she was trying to be low key and avoid them. She didn't want them to know that she had returned yet. She began thinking about what to do. Then she decided to slightly change her voice so that they wouldn't recognize it. She then finally spoke.

"It's quite alright. I'm not offended in anyway." Tori replied, "While I'm not here to buy charcoal, I'll

give you a small tip."

"Oh, you don't have to do that, miss. I don't want to take any favors." Tanjiro responded, "I'd just

wonder how I would return the favor."

"But, I want to give you a tip and there's no need to return the favor." Tori explained, "However, if you

must return the favor, you can do that by answering a question that I will ask later."

She pulled out some change and she grabbed Tanjiro's hand and placed the change in it. Tanjiro couldn't comprehend on why this stranger was being so nice to them. He couldn't accept this, but she close his hand and removed hers and he already knew that she was insisting on him take it. So he spoke.

"Thank you, miss. If you're that insistent on me taking this, I will. However, you really didn't have to

do this." Tanjiro said, "I just wish I could give you something back in return for your kindness."

"I do not need any kind of material gift." Tori complied, "You do not need to repay me. And as for you,

young man. Mind your elder brother and don't wander off again, okay?"

"Okay, miss." Shigeru agreed.

"Now before I go, I have just one small question for you. Have you seen a young man with a missed-

match haori, with blue eyes, and black hair that's tied in a ponytail?" Tori questioned, "He's a colleague

of mine and I was told to meet up with him here."

"Yeah, I've seen him. He's over there at the local restaurant." Tanjiro answered, "He seemed like he

was waiting on someone."

"Oh, well how convenient. Thanks, young man." Tori nodded, "Now we're even. See you around."

She waved them goodbye and began walking over to Giyu. Then she sat down next to him and he welcomed her. Then Sanemi showed up and offered to help kill the demons that had been spotted on the mountain. They both nodded as the extra help may be needed for this mission. Then sun began going down and the three demon slayers started to walk towards the mountain. Tori's younger siblings had already left town hours ago. They then walked up the mountain and they made it to the area where Tori's family lived just as night was upon them. Tori then left to patrol the perimeter. Sanemi and Giyu stayed behind to watch the house that was in the target area for demons. They were watching as the young children were playing in the yard of their home. This only brought concern to Giyu and Sanemi. Nighttime hours were the hunting hours for demons and yet, the kids were out playing unaware of the danger they were in. They saw the two older kids watching the younger ones play. They seemed to be looking out for them. The oldest had a hatchet right next to him, so they were aware that demons were on their mountain. Then as the kids were about to head inside to get ready for bed, a swarm of demons attacked.

The screams of her terrified siblings echoed through the forest. Tori heard them and she first cut the head off of a demon she managed to pin down. Then Tori unleashed her breath style. Total Concentration. Breath of the Raven, Fourth Form: Raven Speed Air Step. Tori leaped high into the air and raced through the forest canopy. When she arrived, she saw the swarm of demons attacking her home. Giyu and Sanemi were holding their own pretty well and slaying every single demon that came close to her family, but they couldn't get to the boy being strangled by a demon. Tori was almost pushed to her breaking point. Then she maintained her focus and concentration and unleashed her attack. Total Concentration. Breath of the Raven, First Form: Black Soul Talon Crush. A giant raven appeared on the battle field. Giyu and Sanemi were relieved to see the giant raven because it signaled that Tori had returned. They thought she was using the second form of her breathing style, but, when the raven grabbed the demon off the boy, they quickly realized that this wasn't the second form. Then the raven began squeezing the demon and crushed almost every bone in its body. The sound it made was so loud that everyone heard it, even the demons stopped fighting after hearing their fellow demon's bones crack. Giyu and Sanemi were shocked at how brutal and ruthless Tori was. They had never seen this side of her. Everyone watched as the demon struggled to free itself from the raven's talons, but it wasn't having much luck and the raven continued to crush the demon's bones. Then Tori appeared from within the surrounding forest and lunged towards the demon while it was distracted. When the demon saw Tori about to cut off its head, it read her mind and learned her thoughts just before she successfully killed him. In her mind, Tori thought, You thought you could attempt to kill my brother and get away with it. Well, think again, demon. With every action, there is a price. And you out lived yours. Tori then cut the demon's head off and the giant raven disappeared, while the demon's body crumbled away.

There was now a long silence between the humans and demons. Tanjiro, who had just finished catching his breath, looked the demon slayer in front of him. He gasped in complete shock to see who had saved his life. Both he and Tori exchanged glances and Tanjiro was able to tell that Tori hurting. Just when he was about to speak to her, a demon broke the long silence and charged towards Tanjiro. Tori then quickly moved in and she cut the demon's head off without a problem. Then the demons all at once started to get angry and were about to attack Tori. Giyu and Sanemi killed the demons that they had been fighting and tried to go and help back up Tori, however, they were confronted by more demons. They knew Tori could handle herself, but she was facing a lot of demons at once. Giyu and Sanemi knew they wouldn't be able to get to her in time. Tori unleashed her breath style once more. Total Concentration. Breath of the Raven, Third Form: Black Wall of Feathers. Another giant raven appeared behind Tori and created a gust of wind by flapping its wings. Tanjiro watched as Tori took out a bottle and opened it. She then splashed the chemical into the wind and it spread the chemical into the air. Once the demons were exposed to this particular chemical, they saw a wall form in front of them and they couldn't get to Tori. Then Tori turned to her brother and Tanjiro spoke to her.

"Nee-san?! Is it… really you? How can this be?" Tanjiro said, "I thought you weren't going to come

back here. Does that mean you were the stranger we ran into back in town?"

"Yes, my dear brother, it's me. I have finally come home to you." Tori replied, "Fate must've allowed

our paths to cross and yes you did see me in town. I'll answer more questions later, but first these

demons have to go. I can't focus my attacks with you out in the open like this. I'll bring you over to

mom and the others. That way, you'll be safer and I can focus my attacks."

Tanjiro nodded and Tori sheathed her sword for the moment and she picked up her brother. Then she jumped over the invisible wall that between her and the demons. Tori then landed just inches in front of the house. She then put Tanjiro down and their mother ran up to Tanjiro and embraced him. Then Tori unsheathed her sword and she walked forward and confronted the demons. She didn't say anything all she did was allow the demons to catch a glimpse of her burning rage. While she didn't openly express that she was angry, the demons could feel it in her aura and see the fire of rage in her eyes. Tanjiro could also smell Tori's anger, but he could also smell the pain that lied within the depths of her heart. Giyu and Sanemi dodged the attacks from the demons and regrouped to where Tori was and Sanemi was the first to speak.

"Nice of you to finally join us, Tori." Sanemi said, "We were very concerned about you."

"So sorry I came back late." Tori replied, "I'd love to fill you in on what happened, but right now these

demons have to go."

"Agreed." Giyu responded, "We need to finish this fight now. Tori, why don't we use your second form

to get rid of these demons all at once?"

Tori then thought this over. She had never used the second form with others before. If Sanemi and Giyu planned to follow and copy her style of fighting, she wasn't sure if the shadows could hide them. She never tried to use her form in conjunction with others, so she didn't know if she could control the second form or not. This very thought never even crossed her mind. Tori then glanced at her family and she saw the terrified looks on their faces. If she didn't act now, they wouldn't survive and she knew it. Left with no other choice, she decided to put a lot of faith in herself and trust in her newly gained strength. She then nodded to Giyu and she unleashed her attack. Total Concentration. Breath of the Raven, Second Form: Feather Fall Gems of Darkness. Once more, the giant raven appeared. It flew across the battle field and its feathers began to rain down in between the demons and the hashiras. The feathers then transformed into bright red gems and were scattered all over the battle field. Then a pitch black darkness surrounded the house and the forest around it. The youngest siblings were frightened by the darkness, but the mother reassured them that there was nothing to fear. Giyu and Sanemi then stepped forward, but they soon realized that the shadows could only hide Tori. Tori, however, reached out to the shadows and telepathically asked, Please hear and grant my request, Shadows of Darkness. Allow my comrades, the wind pillar and the water pillar, to join me in hiding in plain sight from our opponents. Then the shadows responded to her, Mistress of Ravens, we shall grant your request. Giyu Tomioka and Sanemi Shinazugawa will be welcomed into the shadows and they will share in the effects of the second form of your breathing style. These effects will further enhance their own breathing styles and make them stronger. It doesn't matter what form they use. They will get stronger because you are giving them power. Tori gave the shadows her gratitude and she disappeared into the shadows. Giyu and Sanemi then followed her only to find that the shadows were hiding them. Not only that, their speed and agility had been increased. Tori was now sharing some of her power with them. Putting it to good use, they charged at the demons. Tori, however, was appearing in all directions to distract and confuse the demons. Then they cut the heads off of several demons just before Tori's second form terminated.

Only half of many demons they faced remained, but now the playing field was more even. The three pillars could now finish of these demons without too much of a struggle. They fought the demons and killed them, however, the last few put up one last fight against the pillars. Giyu, Sanemi, and Tori started to struggle against these last few demons. Tori came extremely close to getting hurt by these demons. She was greatly outnumbered and Sanemi and Giyu were also in a bind. Tori then decided to try and analyze and form a strategy to defeat the demons. She opened distance between her and the demons. Then she took one step and leaped high into the air. She discovered the demons' weaknesses. They were vulnerable to the speed and strength of a Thunder breath user. They developed resistance to the other breath styles and they even adapted to her Raven breathing. She remembered after the ceremony, in which she was named the Raven Pillar, that Master Ubuyashiki had discussed with her about learning a second breathing style. They had learned that she had the compatibility to use the Thunder breath style. Tori looked at the terrain and formed her strategy. She decided she was going to use the Thunder breath style. From what she learned about it, the thunder breath style focused on the users legs. So if she focused on increasing the strength in her legs, she would be able to perform the technique. She began her free-fall and she aimed for a certain spot. Once she successfully landed, she began taking up the stance of the first form of the thunder breath. She repeated the stance ten times in a row while dodging. During all of this when Tori finally reached the tenth time, Giyu had received a major blow to the head. Sanemi was in shock of this incident and tried to aid him, despite the grudge he held against the water pillar. Sanemi, however, did try his best to aid Giyu, but the demons prevented him from getting to his comrade.

Tori, seeing all of this go down, now was ready to unleash her secret attack. Total Concentration. Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash-Tenfold. Tori then lunged and slashed ten times. She used the terrain to her advantage by bouncing of the trees and the house itself to gain momentum. She cut the heads off of all the demons finishing the battle instantly. She even managed to aid her fellow pillars. Once the battle was finally over, all three pillars let out a sigh of relief. Tori sheathed her sword and then was met by the embraces of her younger siblings, who all had tears streaming down their faces. Tori embraced her siblings and the family reunion started. The all hugged and cried together except for one. Nezuko stayed back unwilling to go to her older sister and welcome her home. Tori then looked over at Nezuko and she already knew why her little sister was being reluctant to welcome her. There was an unresolved conflict between the two of them. Tanjiro then looked at the two of them. He knew what was going on. Nezuko had openly expressed to him that she hated Tori. He knew that's not how she really felt, but he did understand that she was angry. He remembered that Tori left home without an explanation and up till now she never came back. Tanjiro, himself understood that Tori had a reason for leaving and he knew they would one day learn what it was. Now looking at her, he realized that she left to become a demon slayer. She wanted to protect their family. He again though back to the day she left. He smelled a lot of pain coming from her, but hidden in that pain was a strong desire. He didn't know what that desire was, but looking at her now, he finally realized that her desire was to ensure the survival of their family.

Tori then broke off her embrace with her other siblings and walked up to Nezuko. Their was a long silence between them. The tension between them was clearly obvious, even Giyu and Sanemi were in suspense waiting to see what would happen. Nezuko was now visibly sweating because she wanted to shout, scream, and let her anger out, but for some reason she couldn't. Then, out of nowhere, Tori embraced her younger sister and just held her. Tori then broke the silence between them.

"Nezuko, I know you're mad at me. You must hate me." Tori said, "I left you without an explanation.

I'm so sorry, Nezuko."

Nezuko then started to cry and she clinged to her elder sister's haori. Just to hear her sister acknowledge her mistake and to see that she hadn't forgotten about it was enough to make her realize that she too suffered all of that time she was away. Nezuko, however, wanted to know why she was been away for so long. So, Nezuko spoke to her with tears streaming down her face.

"Nee-san, why? Why did you stay away for two years and not write to us or come back?" Nezuko

asked, "Don't you know how much we've needed you? How much I needed you? How could you just

leave us? How could you turn you back on your own family?"

"Nezuko, I never turned my back on any of you. I left because I wanted to protect our family." Tori

explained, "After our family was attacked by demons, twice, I just couldn't live peacefully knowing

that demons existed and could strike at any moment. And so, I made the hard decision to leave and

become a demon slayer. It was hard on me though. Just saying 'Goodbye' and leaving was definitely

the hardest part about this decision. But even after leaving, I still felt the pain of leaving you guys

behind. Not a day went by, that I didn't think about you. All of you. Everyday, I thought about you."

"So you left us behind because you wanted to protect us?" Nezuko repeated.

Tori nodded and Nezuko finally understood why her elder sister left she then welcomed her back and was now able to forgive her. Finally, the conflict had been resolved. Tanjiro was able to understand Tori's reasoning for leaving. Once the family finished reuniting, Tori then went over to her fellow hashira. Sanemi was trying to press a cloth to Giyu's head to keep him from losing too much blood. Giyu, on the other hand, was trying to convince Sanemi that he was fine, but of course, Sanemi was stubborn and paid no attention to Giyu trying to brush him off. When Tori finally came over, Sanemi was relieved and spoke.

"Kamado-kun, please help me. I was never the best at playing doctor." Sanemi said, "I don't know

what to do."

"You don't need to do anything. I'm just fine." Giyu retorted, "Please stop fussing over me."

"I'll be the judge on whether or not that you're fine, Tomioka-san." Tori replied, "Shinazugawa-san,

move you hand for a second so I can see how bad the wound is."

Sanemi removed his hand and Tori looked at the wound. It looked like that the demon only lightly grazed his head, but a lot of blood was dripping from his it. If it wasn't bandaged up right away, Giyu could pass out from the blood loss. Knowing what to do, Tori began digging round and found her bandage roll. Then Tori spoke.

"Looks like the demon just lightly grazed you're head, but you still could suffer from blood loss if not

bandaged up." Tori explained, "I'll bandage it up right quick and that should cover you so you don't

end up passing out."

"Tori-san, you really don't need to-" Giyu started to speak.

(POW!)

"Stop being brave for one minute and let me help you!" Tori scolded, "Sheesh, Tomioka-san, I don't if

I've either rubbed off on you, or that you're always like this. Sanemi-san can you hold the cloth to his

forehead while I wrap the bandage around?"

Sanemi nodded as he was still shaken by what just occurred. Tori had just pounded Giyu on the head and scolded him. It wasn't hard enough to hurt him, but it was hard enough that it made a sound. Tori continued to wrap the bandage around Giyu's head. Giyu looked at Tori and saw his sister in her. This made him blush ever so slightly. He began to wonder if it was Tori that he was in love with. He looked back at all the evidence. When her first met Tori, he, himself, said that she was cute out loud. He was also able to open up to her rather quickly. During the days he was training her, he found that he enjoyed having her around. He also enjoyed having conversations with her. Not only that, he loved sparring with her. There was no doubt about it, Giyu had strong feelings for Tori and he didn't even realize it until now. Then Tori finished and she suggested that they stay for the rest of the night so that they could rest.

Later in the night, Tori came out to the place where her father had been buried. Upon finding out that he had passed away, Tori didn't cry because she had expected that if she ever came back that her father may not be there. After mourning the death of her father, she sat on the porch and read the letter he left for her. Sometime after she finished reading, Tanjiro came out to join her and he spoke to her.

"Can't sleep? Or are you keeping watch for more demons?" Tanjiro asked, "Either way, I still don't like

you sitting out here alone."

"I suppose I could keep watch, but Sanemi is taking the first watch. I'm just reading Dad's letter." Tori

answered, "But, I could use the company."

"Everyone was very shocked and confused on the fact that you didn't cry when you found out that Dad

passed away," Tanjiro explained. "To be honest with you, I feel that same. I thought you'd be

devastated."

"I am sad that he's gone, but at the same time, I expected this. The day that I left, I knew father would

probably not be here when I returned, if I returned at all." Tori replied, "I guess I did all of my crying

and mourning before I came back here. It's not that I don't care, but I let it all out early I suppose."

"Well, either way, I'm glad that you came back sis. Even if it's only for a short awhile, I'm glad that

you're here." Tanjiro said, "I proud to have a strong elder sister like you."

"I'm proud to have a kind and understanding little brother. In fact, I'm to have all of my siblings." Tori

responded, "When I leave here, I'll start sending letters to you and the others."

"Nee-san, there's something I've been meaning to ask you for the longest time." Tanjiro commented, "I

want an honest answer too."

"What is it that you want to ask Tanjiro?" Tori inquired.

"Was it really that hard for you to leave us? And, how long did the pain of leaving us behind last?"

Tanjiro questioned, "I've been wondering about that for the past two years."

"Yes, leaving you and the rest of our family, was the hardest decision I ever made." Tori complied,

"Nezuko's screams echoed loudly in my head for those two whole years. There were some days that I

was barely able to stay focused while training. The pain was almost unbearable, but I did have ways of

coping with the pain. But even with the methods I used to cope with the pain, I still missed you all so

much that it would hurt. Saying goodbye to you, Tanjiro, that was the hardest thing to do. I've been

with you almost my whole life up till now. I was there the day you were born and I watched you grow

up to be fine gentleman. You still are a fine gentleman, by the way. But when I left you, I felt that I was

missing apart of your life. That hurt me more than anything."

Tanjiro could clearly see how much his sister suffered for the choice she made, bur was surprised by how well she dealt with it. She was able to train hard and rise to the pillar rank within two years. His sister now had the strength to protect their family. Tanjiro couldn't be more proud to know that his sister would be watching over them. Then Tori spoke.

"Tanjiro, there's something I want to tell you." Tori said, "I've had a dream where I saw you in a

demon slayer's uniform."

"Really? Does that mean I'll become a demon slayer?" Tanjiro asked.

"Most likely, but the thing is…. I don't desire for you to walk down this path." Tori explained, "The

path of the demon slayer is a path of vengeance, revenge, pain, and even death. You never know when

you're going to die, if you're going to die at all. I think you're better off not getting involved in the war

with the demons. But if there comes a time when something really bad happens to our family and that

something is what's driving you to become a demon slayer, I won't stop you. I'll help you in anyway I

can. I've written journals for you in case you need tips on training. There's also one journal in

particular that I want you to read. I've bookmarked the page so you can open it to that entry. I've

written down our family ritual and it's forms in that journal. I've also provided tips on how to perform

it correctly. I think you can master it in no time at all with a little practice and discipline. I used it to

help with my training and I had huge positive results after doing it. So, I'm leaving the knowledge to

you."

"Thanks, Nee-san. I'll be sure to read it if I become a demon slayer." Tanjiro said.

They both hugged each other, but unannounced to them, Sanemi heard every word of their conversation and he could only smile on how passionate Tori was. The two siblings then went inside to go to sleep. Tori slept very lightly and maintain her Concentration: Constant technique. Then she, Giyu, and Sanemi departed that next morning. She said her goodbyes and she then headed off descending the mountain. While her younger siblings were sad to see her go, they had a feeling that one day they would see her again.

Meanwhile, in a place that was far away and secluded, stood a man in nice clothes and a fedora on his head. His red eyes glowing in the dark and his aura was constricting everything in his path. Then another joined him. The man spoke.

"What news do you have for me?" Said the man.

"My king, a new pillar has arisen in the demon slayer ranks. She uses a raven-like breath style." Said

the second man, "I think she would be a great demon because she's not like most humans I've seen."

"Well then I suppose we'll have to come up with a plan to kidnap this new pillar." Said the king, "I'll

destroy any hope the demon slayers have of defeating me."

Then other man nodded and he left shortly after. A new challenge now was awaiting Tori and this would be one challenge that she would never overcome. A fated encounter was now on the way and Tori would have to struggle and fight her way out of a situation that should never come to pass.