Argentum: Back again! Hope all those reading have enjoyed things so far.
Slayer: I know I'm enjoying it. Though I think all of us can still improve on the grammar. Need to read it even more thoroughly.
Argentum: Won't argue about that.
Grel'Slyfer: Give me more death and carnage!
Tanjiro: Aren't you playing up your character a bit too much?
Grel'Slyfer: I will neither confirm nor deny such accusations.
Slayer: All of you Darkwraiths are insane I swear.
Shadow: Hey! I'm right here!
Slayer: And?
Shadow: Ugh... Well guess I'll give the announcement. To all of you out there any review that has bove pg-13 language will be deleted.
Argentum: Yep! Already deleted some cowardly guest reviews that told me to go well do something to myself which is technically physically impossible. But hat's enough of that! Tanjiro! Go ahead and start us off!
Tanjiro: Uh sure! The Dark Guard production owns nothing but Oc's and reality building concepts. Everything else belongs to their respective owners. Now without further delay…
Everyone: Here's the story!
Hello= Regular talk
Hello= Thoughts
[Hello]= Radio
(Hello)= Telepathy/Mind reading
Chapter Forty: How I gave a lesson on instincts or… How I gained my third knight…
Seeing what had happened back at the mine, we had quickly left the area and made our way back to the estates. We needed to rest and plan our next course of actions. I for one had already begun thinking of the events prior. First off, I really hoped we hadn't become wanted criminals. Secondly! I needed to find my bodies limits and get my own mark. And thirdly! I needed to get up to Kyojuro's level. I had some ideas on how to at least get us to his physical strength. However his skill with a blade still surpassed mine by far.
I know that last thing wasn't something I could do by just training. Kyojuro had honed his skills and talents through years of combat. I for one have only three and a half years at most. Thinking I'd start with at least getting to his physical level I looked over to Tanjiro. I knew that he was my best be to quickly increasing my strength. Not that he wouldn't be benefiting either though.
Deciding to save that conversation for when we were alone. I looked on forward, hoping that the incoming scolding wouldn't be too harsh. We did just blow up one of the corps' mines after all. Honestly the scolding I got from my girls through their letters was bad enough. The two of them certainly had a way with words. Senjuro on the other hand could only express how cool we and his brother were. I was beginning to hope that we weren't a bad influence on him.
When we arrived back our first stop was with Kagaya, who expressed more worry about our wellbeing then worry over the mines. His wife however did scold us a bit over what had occurred, but was more or less understanding of the situation. Also being one of the few who knew how to contact Judan, the head of the corps told us he'd contact him about the recent development. The new info on the demon slayer mark, was also something that would be discussed later at the next Hashira meeting. A meeting that was going to happen in two weeks time.
He had then proceeded to give us those two weeks to train. This latest incident proving just how much farther we all needed to go. I had to keep quiet when Tanjiro and I were invited to the meeting. I seriously wanted to joke about how the meetings weren't really "Hashira" meetings anymore.
After that we left to the butterfly estates where we were dissec- I mean treated. Though as I had been noticing Mukago was being much gentler with Kyojuro. Her obvious liking to the flame Hashira, was obvious to everyone except to the Hashira himself. Though I couldn't help but give a rather unimpressed look towards Shinobu who whispered a comment to me.
"He's rather oblivious isn't he?" When she saw my look Shinobu frowned. "What? What?!" After a few moments I stood up and began stretching. "What did I do?!" Deciding to not answer her question I turned to a treated Tanjiro.
"Can I talk to you for a bit?" Though confused on why I was signaling just him out, my pseudo younger brother nodded. When Kanao and Nezuko got up to follow I held a hand up. "Sorry but this is more or less just dragon business." Nezuko looked upset yet understanding while Kanao gave me the stink eye. I decided that the better part of valor at that moment was running away from her ire. So that's exactly what I did, grabbing Tanjiro's shoulder and making our way outside.
Once alone Tanjiro folded his arms and looked at me. "Okay so what's this about? You usually are fine with saying whatever in front of everyone." Taking a breath I began to explain myself.
"That is true, however what we are about to discuss is only for us right now. Mostly because it's just a theory, and secondly because I feel as if we are the only ones who can benefit from this. Well at least at the moment." Tanjiro seemed to understand what I was saying, and used his hand to gesture for me to go on. "Alright first off I need to ask you about your mark, when you use it is your heart and temperature greater than what Tomioka San said his were at?"
Putting a hand up to his chin Tanjiro thought for a moment. "Actually now that you mention it, I'm pretty sure it is. I'm guessing you believe that to be thanks to my dragon side?" I couldn't help but smirk, Tanjiro might be a goofball a lot of the time. But he was seriously smart.
"Right on the money~! In fact I believe that's why it's so hard for me to acquire the mark. I mean I've literally mastered physical meditation, so getting my body up to that point should be easy right? Well based on what you just said, I'm now one hundred percent sure my limits are much greater than even yours." Tanjiro hummed in understanding as I moved on. "Now with that topic out of the way, there's something I need from you." He looked at me curiously as I sighed. "We have two weeks to train right?" He nodded. "Then as much as I might want to train with the others, we will need to train ourselves. Just the two of us constantly sparring with one another."
He looked at me in confusion at my declaration. "Hold up! Why is that? I mean with Sensei and Mitsuri San being the two strongest of our squad. Wouldn't it be better to train with them?" I sighed at his question before asking one of my own.
"Tanjiro… when the two of us spar what do you feel?" At his confused look I pressed on. You feel something pushing you harder than ever right? You feel a desire to simply continue fighting even when exhausted right?" At his hesitant nod I put a hand on his shoulder. "I feel the exact same, but I also know that when we spar the gains we receive are much greater. I know you haven't felt this yet because you're always sparring against them in a group. But whenever I spar against a Hashira alone I feel the same way."
He seemed to be putting together a few things in his head though he was still a little confused. "If that's the case… why can't we just spar with them alone from time to time? However what's wrong with sparring with the others? I'm sure we'd gain something from that." I nodded my head patiently before putting the final nail in the coffin.
"True… and they'd also gain something from it. However! That isn't what we really care about now is it?" He looked a bit to the side, a slightly guilty expression on his face. "Our desires is to protect everyone, to help everyone we can. And while we want our friends to get stronger as well. We have a desire ingrained in us to want to develop more and more power. Not for evil, but for good! And I feel that the most when I spar with you. It's as if our blood is resonating, making our desire for not only a good fight, but also power increase."
Clenching his fist Tanjiro spoke in frustration. "I've wanted to deny that part for a while. But I can feel it even now!" I nodded slowly while putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Same here kid, but why not use that to push ourselves further?" Tanjiro narrowed his eyes in thought, smiling I decided to give him one last push. "Besides! I'm sure we'll be able to help the others get stronger much faster, at least once we are at a good level of power." Sighing Tanjiro seemed to finally relent.
"I understand, so what should we tell the oth-" He was interrupted as we heard a cough. Looking over we saw Kanao looking at us, her expression was one of determination.
However before I could say anything she walked up to us. "First you two get distracted easily when talking about something serious. So I did in fact overhear your entire plan." Me and Tanjiro could only look at one another sheepishly before looking back at the flower girl. "Secondly I've talk with Nee San. She was understanding of my reasons and my desires, and even supported me in this. So I want you to become a Dragonknight and then join you in your training."
This time all eyes were one me and I couldn't help but sigh. "It would be useless to ask you if you are sure right?" She nodded as I rubbed the back of my head. "Even after overhearing our ingrained desires for combat and power?" This time while she nodded her eyes softened as she took Tanjiro's hand.
"I'm sure, for at least this way I can help Tanjiro Kun deal with the burden on his shoulders." As Tanjiro smiled warmly at her I did so as well.
It's like they were made for eachother. Shaking my head I clapped my hands and the two turned back to me. "Alright! We can do this before you go to bed, that way we don't waste the entire day." She smiled at that and then bowed her head.
"Arigatou Michael San."
It is time for boot camp all you maggot line breaks!
The next day I found myself looking at Kanao and Tanjiro in amusement. For the former was leaning on Tanjiro's shoulder, her body still a little sore from the change. Now unlike Tanjiro who's most notable change was the reddening of his eyes and hair. Kanao's changes were a bit more noticeable. For not only did her eyes become a more vibrant shade of purple, the tips of her hair were now the exact same color. She now also exceeded Tanjiro in strength. Though I think Tanjiro's sun breathing and mark evened the playing field. In fact she was now as strong as I was! Her weights matching my now seven and a half tons. Tanjiro was only at six and half. So he was rather determined to catch up to us.
Shinobu upon seeing her younger sister's new looks only nodded appreciatively. "So not only does dragon blood make you stronger, it also enhances ones looks." She then gave her a thumbs up with a bright smile. "You're looking good imouto~!" Kanao only blushed and nodded her head shyly. Once finished I spoke up to everyone.
"Alright! Having discussed this with, well mainly Tanjiro, but also with Kanao. We have decided that we would spend the next two weeks training with just one another. Using our dragon blood to push us higher than ever." Kyojuro rubbed his chin before nodding.
"That makes sense! I'm sure there are things that only you three can do at the moment as well. So training your talents in such a way will be a boon to you all! And by extension all of us!" I couldn't help but grin at my mentor's understanding.
Looking at me curiously Mukago spoke up. "Hmm, what kind of things will you be training in? Anything I might be able to benefit from?" At that I shrugged.
"Honestly it depends on mostly you. We'll be focusing a lot on sparring as we train. I'll probably throw in some magic lessons here and there, so I guess those who want to learn more can join in on those."
Mukago nodded her head before making a decision. "I see… well I'm not exactly a physical combatant, never really have been. So I'll just continue to work on my magic and medicine. Though I might join in for the magic lessons, depends on how busy I am." Shinobu spoke up next with her trademarked smile.
"Same here actually, speaking of keeping busy… you'll all be happy to know that thanks to all of our hard work. We are getting closer to the medicine that Nezuko wanted made. Shura San has been a huge help in these matters."
Nezuko perked up at that. "REALLY?!" Shinobu nodded as Nezuko grinned. "I can't wait then! It'll be soo nice to finally eat again!" While most of us could only nod, agreeing that would be a nice thing for anyone to have back. Mukago was the one who nodded in understanding.
"I completely understand what you're getting at! Not eating just sucks!" That got Nezuko to nod enthusiastically.
"I know right?! Once I'm human again I'll never take food for granted ever again!" As the two bonded some more the rest of us instead talked about our training. Honestly times like that always put a smile on my face every time I remember them.
Moving on, after our rather lengthy breakfast we left to go train. My little group consisting of the two strongest teens, I.E Tanjiro and Kanao. Ended up training in the butterfly estate, everyone else separated to the love and flame estates. Watching us to make sure we didn't kill each other was Aoi and Shura. The butterfly girls were also there, but they were more there to just watch. Being the oldest there I was once again put in charge of training.
So seeing how we were ready I gave the schedule for the next two weeks. "Alright here's how things will go down, first after breakfast we will just straight up spar. After lunch we will cool down with some magic lessons for two hours. After that we will meditate to try to either unlock our demon slayer marks, at least for Kanao and I. However for Tanjiro he will try and get his body used to the mark. Finally after dinner we'll train some more before getting ready for bed. You two got that?" The two teens nodded as I grinned and unsheathed my sword. "Alright then! Let's get to it!"
As the two copied me we all jumped back, preparing for the fight to come. Charging in we began our training for the next two weeks. It wasn't going to be tough, but I knew all of us were determined to see it through. I just hoped that we would all be ready for ever may lay ahead once we were done. If only I knew what our next challenge would be, then I probably would've focused some time on mental exercises.
It is time for boot camp all you maggot line breaks!
Argentum: Okay that was a short chapter, however I wanted to kind of move past this.
Slayer: Want to get back to the good stuff?
Argentum: You know it!
Shadow: And how would one define the good stuff?
Argentum: I don't know.
Shinobu: Why am I not surprised?
Shadow: You're just unfortunately getting used to this.
Shinobu: Sounds like a bad thing.
Slayer: Like you inability to realize your own feelings for Giyu?
Shinobu: I don't like him!
Grel'Slyfer: Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
Kanao: Can we please not?
Shinobu: Fine… but only for you imouto~!
Kanao: Thank you.
Grel'Slyfer: Aww…
Argentum: Okay enough of all that. Shinobu it's your turn to end this all off.
Shinobu: No problem~! Ahem… This has been a Dark Guard production now signing off~!
Everyone: Goodbye!