Argentum: Alright I will admit this is more of an intermediary chapter.

Kagaya: Least I am back, even for a little bit.

Grel'Slyfer: Yeah while important you kind of don't do much on screen.

Kagaya: I am blind and dying.

Tanjiro: It's not your fault for that.

Mitsuri: What Tanjiro Said!

Kagaya: You all are too kind.

Grel'Slyfer: Ugh…

Argentum: Well before Grel'Slyfer kills us all for infringing on his zero tolerance for mushy stuff policy. We should start the chapter off. Kagaya if you could?

Kagaya: Certainly. We Here at the Dark Guard productions do not own any of the intellectual properties shown. We do however own original characters and reality building concepts. Now without further delay…

Everyone: Here's the story!

Hello= Regular talk

Hello= Thoughts

[Hello]= Radio

(Hello)= Telepathy/Mind reading

Chapter Fifty Two: How Tanjiro remembered a bit more things about his father or… How we started planning for the future…

I was seriously regretting my decision on letting Inosuke lead our way out of the forest. For while he could easily survive for like… well… ever in the forest. He didn't quite know how to lead people out of it. So for about a week we were running around and hunting animals, all the while a half-naked boar man laughed like a lunatic.

"HAHAHAHA! Finally everyone shall know the greatest of the great Inosuke Sama! HAHA!" Though I was honestly both impressed and terrified to see Tanjiro head butt a wild boar to death. That's when he said something that made me wonder how Muzan killed his family in the first place.

I heard it when he was answering one of Mitsuri's questions. "I actually inherited my skull from my Okaa San. I actually watched her head butt a bigger boar to death once." The only ones truly terrified by his words' implications were Genya and I. Everyone else, besides Muichiro, simply started asking him questions about his mother. Still… I couldn't help but smile as I saw how fondly he talked about his family. I could also see Nezuko talking happily with everyone.

Eventually even I grew a bit curious about his family so started asking a few things. "You know… your Otou San was the one who taught you the Hinokami Kagura right?" Tanjiro turned to me and nodded with a smile. "Well did he ever tell you about it? Or maybe even taught you anything else?" For a few moments he put his hand up to his chin, thinking on it heavily.

"You know… he probably did, however it's been so long I've forgotten so much. But now that I think about it. There was this time where I watched him kill an enormous bear once. I think I was about… four? Somewhere around that age."

Nezuko looked at her brother as if he was crazy. "He killed a bear?! Our father may have been the kindest and smartest man I've ever known. But he was also one of the frailest! How in Kami's name did he kill a giant bear?!" Everyone was looking at Tanjiro for an answer now. The kid gave us a wry grin before shrugging.

"I think that was the first time I watched him use the Hinokami Kagura in a fight. He did always say it filled him with the strength to dance all night long." Nezuko nodded a bit hesitantly but seemed to agree at least somewhat. That's when Tanjiro frowned. "Though now that I think about it, I think he was also doing something else. When I saw him kill the bear that had already killed six people… there was no hesitation, in fact I couldn't even pick up on Tou San's presence. Then there was how he seemed to know exactly what the bear would do. Can't believe I've forgotten about all of that."

Though everyone seemed in thought about what Tanjiro said, Nezuko seemed to be in conflict. Her memories of how her father was, compared to what Tanjiro just told her created a small conflict inside her mind. I picked up on that by simply looking at her confused and muddled expression. After a few moments she looked up at her brother.

"I think I remember something about the bear… and I remember having a lot of bear meat for quite some time. But I never knew it was Tou San who killed that bear, do you think he was trying to teach you something that night?"

Tanjiro shrugged. "Probably, but I don't know what he might've been trying to teach me. I mean the day before I had asked to do the dance for him; I was worried for his health after all. But he told me that I filled him full of strength. He told me that in order to truly use the dance I had to get rid of any unnecessary movements. To empty my mind to see the transparent world. Didn't understand him then, and I still kind of don't. He said a lot more but I can't quite remember everything." Nezuko nodded and then sighed.

"Kind of wished we paid more attention to what he was teaching you back then. Also kind of wished I learned how to use the Hinokami. Maybe… maybe I could've protected the others that night." Tanjiro smiled sadly while taking her hand in his.

"Honestly I wish for the same thing, but even so I know I would've have been able to take Muzan on." As Nezuko nodded Mitsuri came up behind them and hugged them both.

"Tanjiro is right, as sad and painful as it might be. Without proper training I don't think either of you could've even scratched Muzan. In fact after our encounter with the uppermoon one, I'm still not quite sure we can scratch Muzan."

Surprisingly it was Zenitsu who gave some comfort. "Well I like to think that we've gotten strong enough to scratch him. Though killing Muzan is a whole other issue." Genya nodded in agreement.

"After fighting Akaza along with those other uppermoons myself… well I can only hope that we can continue to get stronger. For that to happen we need to hide Nezuko's sun immunity for a bit longer." Said demon girl sighed in exasperation at that.

"I really hate being forced to hide you know! I can fight to…" Zenitsu comforted her by squeezing her hand. "Thank you Zenitsu." The boy blushed and nodded with a big smile, though while that was happening Tanjiro seemed to be struggling. No doubt he still wanted to kill the guy for kissing his little sister during the fight with Daki. So as Mitsuri cooed at how cute they were, and Kanao calmed Tanjiro, and Inosuke still led the march unaware of what we were talking about. Me and Genya could only shake our heads as Tengen laughed, truly our group was the strangest there was.

Muichiro on the other hand didn't even seem to care. Instead just looking up at the night sky as we hiked, looking at everyone's appearance I smiled. Despite what we had just gone through it seemed as if we all were still fine.

Now if only we can find out way out of this forest. Hopefully it doesn't take too much longer. I really should've learned to watch my own words by then; Kami knows I berated Tanjiro for it.

The line breaks go marching one by one hoorah! Hoorah!

We finally made it to a village one week later. By then everyone, besides Inosuke, were ready to call it quits and take a break. Unfortunately we still needed to check in and tell everyone we were alive. So we only stayed for two days, enough to rest up and clean our clothes, as well as clean our filthy bodies. Two weeks out in the forest was something that didn't promote clean hygiene. Though I doubt that is a surprise to anyone. Fortunately as I questioned the villagers, I was able to learn that we were pretty close to the Hashira estates.

Sure they didn't know that was where they were, but I was able to get a pretty good idea as to where we were thanks to them. Honestly should've known what would happen when we arrived.

"I am overjoyed that all my apprentices are alive!" With tears coming from his eyes, Kyojuro practically crushed Tanjiro, Mitsuri, and I in a bear hug. Next to us Tengen was surrounded by his wives and Kanao was being crush by Shinobu. I was actually surprised by that last one, the insect Hashira couldn't even cut off a demon's head. So seeing her almost crush the younger girl was funny to watch. Or at least it would be if I myself wasn't being crushed.

We were then hugged by three crying little girls. Now that I felt bad about, I also felt bad for worrying Senjuro. Thankfully he wasn't as bad as the three butterfly girls. Now I just needed to get in touch with Oniki and beg for her forgiveness. Then beg for forgiveness from Cassandra and Eris. Now those two were the ones I was honestly worried about. Because they were literally the only two I was legitimately afraid of upsetting.

I wasn't even that worried about Kagaya despite him technically being my boss at the moment. Guess the difference was that my girls were the ones I planned on living the rest of my life with. However long my life was that is.

"Kanroji!" As I was contemplating my impending doom on our way to the meeting with Kagaya, another voice called out towards the love Hashira. Turning towards it I saw Obanai approach Mitsuri.

Upon seeing him she gave her classic big smile. "Oh~! Iguro San! I'm glad to-" She cut herself off as the snake pillar hugged her. All of us watching were in some shock; none of us had ever seen the snake show such concern before. Mitsuri in particular seemed to have some trouble before she simply smiled and hugged him back.

"I'm glad you've come back safe." The love Hashira nodded before giggling as the white snake Obanai carried "kissed" her cheek. After a few more moments he seemed to finally realize what he was doing and let go. Clearing his throat before turning around. "Well seems as if you've all been through some trouble. I can't believe that all of you are so roughed up!" Tengen snorted as I simply grinned. "What's so funny Uzui?" The large ninja simply raised his hands up in defeat.

"Nothing Iguro San! I just find it amazing how much you care about us."

The snake Hashira scoffed now back to his normal self. "I don't didn't care about any of you, Kanroji San is a good friend so she was the only one I cared about. Rest of you can die for all I care." Everyone even Tanjiro knew he was lying through his teeth, but decided to just let him be himself. "Now you all have a meeting with Oyakata Sama, you should not keep him waiting." Seeing how his words were true we simply said farewell and left him. Though remembering what Genya said to Kyojuro about how Mukago felt. I walked up to Mitsuri.

The little interaction had made me realize something that I doubted she realized. "Hey… is it just me or does he seem to really like you?" Though unlike Genya I decided to ease my friend into understanding, never was one to "rip" the bandage off so to speak.

"Mhm~! He's always been so nice to me, in fact when I first got my uniform he was the one who got me my socks!" Looking down at her blue and layered striped lime colored thigh socks, I couldn't help but blink.

"Wait… he got you those?" At her nod I couldn't help but rub the back of my head. "Huh, normally those wouldn't match with anything. But they work for you." She seemed to beam as I continued. "Well continuing where I left off, remember that talk we had about you wanting to get married?" She nodded now curious as to what I was saying. "Well remember when I said that there might have been someone that already liked you?" Another nod as some understanding seemed to seep into her eyes. "I think Iguro San is that one person I was talking about. That hug he gave you kind of solidified it."

She went a bit rigid despite still moving forward. Next to her Shinobu looked at her best friend before looking at me. Her right eyebrow was raise and I couldn't help but give her a wry smile and a shrug. Mitsuri's face however… well it looked as if her brain was currently crashing. She was this way even when we entered Kagaya's estate and meeting room. In fact Shinobu and I had to help her sit down.

Upon seeing her Kagaya's wife, who I felt bad for never learning the name of, looked at her in confusion. "Is the love Hashira alright? She seems to be in a state of shock."

As everyone looked to me I laughed nervously. "Haha… well I may have told her something that has just shattered her world view. She'll be fine soon enough." Though blind even Kagaya blinked at me in confusion. "Don't worry about her; though be prepared for when she recovers. Because I'm fairly sure she'll run out the door in a panic. If she recovers that is." More confusion though Kagaya being the ever professional decided to move things along.

"I see… in that case I hope the rest of you are up to the task of reporting what happened?" As I expected everyone looked to me, something that made me sigh.

Don't know what I expected.

The line breaks go marching one by one hoorah! Hoorah!

After my rather lengthy explanation Kagaya was left quiet as he mulled over my report. Also yes Mitsuri was still in a state of shock, if any of you were wondering. As he thought on this new information I looked at everyone else's faces. Or the faces of those who weren't on the mission, and both Shinobu and Kyojuro were looking quite serious now. Not that I blamed them, our story was full of bad news. I was personally dreading telling Eris that Judan was actually a demon. She seemed to hate all of them; well the exceptions were those who joined the corps. Though even then she seemed to simply tolerate them, even Nezuko was looked at with some scrutiny. Though not nearly as much as the other three.

After a few minutes Kagaya finally nodded. "I understand the situation; however I do not believe we need to overly worry. I doubt the twin Darkwraiths you encountered will bother us much anymore. The defeat this Hunter gave to them should keep them clear of us, or at least for a while. As for Judan I already knew about his origins, and I can promise there is no need to worry. He is securely on our side of the war." He then looked at those of us with damaged swords. "However your broken blades are a problem. Especially yours Michael, there were many starting to believe your sword would never even be damaged."

I couldn't help but sigh as I looked at my sheathed sword in front of me. "Honestly I was starting to believe that as well, however having had the chance to think on it more. I do understand that this was simply the first one of its kind made. A prototype if you will, I can now only hope they've refined the process. And while I know my strength does play a factor, a stronger sword is always better." He nodded before speaking to all of us once more.

"I suggest all of you who have need of weapon repairs personally go to the blacksmith village. Once there you'll be able to personally speak to your blacksmiths." He then smiled. "As for Tanjiro and Michael they do need to have engravings done on their swords. It is a tradition for the Hashira after all." The two of us couldn't help but grin and nod in understanding.

""HAI Oyakata Sama!"" He smiled at our exuberance before addressing all of us again.

"Now then, those of you in need of repair please let us know now. I'll need to make preparations for all of you." It was then that Muichiro, Genya, Tanjiro, Kanao, myself, and even a still catatonic Mitsuri wrote our names down before handing the list to Kagaya's wife. Having received the list she smiled at us.

"A good number of you, though I think it might be for the best. A larger test group for the new swords being produced will actually be a help to the corps." Nodding at his wife's words Kagaya smiled.

"What Amane said is true." I couldn't help but perk up at learning her name. "You will be informed when it is time for you all to head on out. The rest of you will continue on missions without them as they repair their equipment." Then if sensing a question from Nezuko he smiled. "And yes this does mean that I've decided to trust you enough to be without a Hashira's supervision." She couldn't help but beam and bow her head despite how he couldn't see her do so.

"I am honored! I will make sure to not break your trust and do my best to keep proving myself." Nodding he addressed all of us once again.

"It has gotten late, and I'm sure you all wish to sleep on something than the hard ground tonight. Once more I thank you all for your work and bid you a good night's rest." We all gave a loud "Hai!" before starting to leave the room. As we did so I helped Mitsuri up and handed her to Shinobu.

"Best that you look over her until she recovers." Though still confused at what I may have told her friend Shinobu agreed anyways.

As we walked back for dinner Kyojuro clapped a hand on Tanjiro's and my shoulder. "Seems as if we have some time before all of you leave! I'll be making sure to put you all through some good old training before then!" There was no complaint from any of us; our last fight had shown us that we needed a lot more strength to deal with our enemies. Leaving us I noticed that Muichiro seemed to have a thoughtful expression on his face. Making me wonder as to what he was planning. Though I couldn't help but smile as Shura ran up to him and started up a conversation. She seemed rather relived to see him in good condition.

Eventually we were all sat down and eating. "Hey Michael San?"

"Hmm?" Looking down at Naho I smiled at the young girl. "Yes? Something you need?"

She shook her head. "No I just have a question." Taking a bite of rice I gestured for her to go on. "I'm simply curious as to why you can't fix your sword. I've seen you fix up your uniform and Haori with magic. So why can't you do the same with your sword? Or anyone else's sword for the matter?" Taking another bite I saw how everyone was now looking at me. Swallowing I gave a shrug before answering.

"Well maybe in the future I can, however the enchantments on my sword make it too complicated with my limited understanding. Plus with everyone else's swords they'll want the same enchantments, so I figured better to start from scratch. That and I have no idea on how to repair metal objects yet. Will need to invent a magic for inorganic material for that one." Question answered Naho nodded in understanding, her mouth forming an O as she went back to her food. I couldn't help but pat her head before looking up at Kyojuro.

"So anything interesting happen as we were-" I was cut off as a weight landed on my head. Looking up I saw Oniki glaring down at me. "Ah! Oniki! Glad to see you're alrigh-OW!" She started pecking my head angrily. For like I had predicted she did not enjoy seeing all of us disappear. "Ack! Okay I get it! OW! I'm sorry! Please stop with the pecking!" After a few more pecks she finally acquiesced. She then landed on the table before showing me her back. Understanding I opened up her back pack and took out two letters. "These are from Cassandra and Eris aren't they?" The crow seemed to grin before flying off. "Oh that bodes ill for me."

Everyone besides Inosuke who was kind of confused on what was happening. Simply laughed at me as I sighed and opened up the letters, and unfortunately for me the letters both had the same thing on them. For in blood red inked characters were the words…

"Well… that bodes worse for me." Que more laughter from everyone. "You traitors!" Unsurprisingly that only made them laugh more.

The line breaks go marching one by one hoorah! Hoorah!

Argentum: And that's that for this smallish chapter.

Grel'Slyfer: Really was a transitory chapter.

Obanai: I can't believe you actually told Mitsuri how I felt!

Argentum: It needed to be done.

Obanai: No! No it did not!

Argentum: Would you have rather you blank at blank's hands before telling her again?

Obanai: No…

Grel'Slyfer: What was with the blanks?

Argentum: Manga spoilers.

Grel'Slyfer: Ah.

Amane: Least I actually had my name mentioned in this one.

Argentum: Yeah sorry about that.

Amane: No harm done.

Argentum: Well with that out of the way how about you end us off?

Amane: I would be happy to. Ahem, this has been a Dark Guard production now signing off.

Everyone: Goodbye!