"You want to visit the different cultivators?" Obanai asked Kamado, frowning.
The time-traveler nodded firmly.
"Haven't you already?" he asked. "In one of your previous lives?"
"Well, yes. But that was just for physical training. Now I want to go for breathing training."
That… made no sense. "Don't you already have the original and supposedly strongest form?" He distinctly remembered that being in the information they'd received about him…
"Yes," the demon nodded. "But it was a dance passed down in my family for generations, not used as a fighting style. My father made charcoal to sell during the winter and we grew silkworms in warmer months*. He didn't come from a Samurai family. His ancestors just happened to know the original creator of breathing well."
Obanai stared at him, blinking. Because what?
"That sounds… convoluted."
The boy rubbed the back of his head. "It… kind of is? But the thing is, I was sparring with Rengoku-san and he recognized some of the forms in my Sun Breathing style from his own. He thought they looked a little off. So we went over those that he recognized and fixed little things: hand placement and footwork mainly. I can already tell a difference in those forms, so I wanted to go to the others and see if they could find discrepancies in the style."
Obanai frowned, thinking about that. Each style was based off of a different aspect they focused almost exclusively on: lightning for speed, stone for strength and power, quick multiple strikes to swarm for wind, dexterity and movement for flame, defense and steady attacks for water… true, each form had their exceptions, but each style focused on one particular aspect and pushed that aspect to the extreme, then filled in gaps as best as they could to make each style more well-rounded.
Combining the strengths of all of those into one style…
What a terrifying thought.
"I've already had Sanemi look over my forms, and he found some places I could improve as well. I'm going to speak with Urokodaki-sensei tonight, but I'm writing Ubuyashiki-sama now to get permission, and I wanted to know if you wanted to come along or if I should request another Pillar."
The Serpent Pillar actually thought about that. Honestly, he didn't see what the point in escorting them at all really was. He knew Kamado could take both him and Shinazugawa easily, without using whatever weird control he had over the other demon even. The Wind Pillar had already been a difficult fight before he turned into a demon. Now that he had a blood art (even if he was just learning how to use it) on top of his wind style… and they'd even gotten him a new blade, so he could learn to use both in tandem…
The only good Obanai was doing here was training to get stronger himself.
He withheld a sigh and scowled instead. "If Ubuyashiki-sama requests I go with you, I will, but I don't think it's necessary."
Kamado cocked his head to one side, confused. "Why not?"
Obanai considered telling him the actual truth, but figured that would just give him a big head. He also didn't want to deal with that kind of embarrassment.
"I'm here to train with Urokodaki. Leaving before he says won't help me." Well, it had the benefit of being true.
He swore he could see sparkles enter the demon's eyes. "You're right!" he said, dropping one fist into the palm of his other hand. "Your dedication is amazing!"
No, seriously, what was up with this kid? Because Obanai didn't think it was a demon thing. Scratch that, he was sure it wasn't a demon thing. He didn't think it was a human thing, to be honest. People weren't born that earnest.
"I'm sure you'll manifest your mark soon!"
His mark. Like Kamado's mark. Like Shinazugawa's mark. Like Kanroji's mark.
"Have I… manifested it before?" he asked, trying not to sound too sheepish or curious and probably failing miserably.
"Yeah, you did! You and Mitsuri both helped in that final battle against Muzan my first loop."
He contemplated not asking his next question but… he had to know.
"And did we… get together… afterwards?" Was that why Kamado seemed so certain about the two of them?
Instead of a resounding 'yes' (or 'no'), Kamado's face went blank and he didn't answer. That raised warning bells in Obanai's head and he opened his mouth to push, but the other boy spoke first.
"You died. Both of you."
The Serpent Pillar's mouth snapped shut. On his shoulder, Kaburamaru hissed in displeasure and worry.
Kamado's eyes lost focus as he went on. "I… didn't get much mentally from Muzan, thank the kami, but I distinctly remember two separate view points regarding that fight… and I don't see a way either one of you could have survived it." He looked down. "It's something I'd like to prevent this time."
His gaze moved back up to meet Obanai's as he went on. "It's one reason I'm encouraging you to make that Omiai. Mitsuri has only ever wanted to be accepted unconditionally by the person she marries – accepted for all of who she is. I know you can and will be that person. I know you care for her and she makes you happy… and I'd like to see you both get that happiness before…" He faded off and looked away. "Just in case," he muttered.
It was actually refreshing to see the boy acknowledge something that wasn't sunshine and roses. A little terrifying, but refreshing.
Still, his little speech brought up a couple of questions.
"Why?" the Serpent Pillar asked.
Kamado's attention snapped back to him, looking puzzled. So Obanai clarified.
"Why me? Why her? You sound like you supported… us," (why did that make him blush so much?! He hoped Kamado couldn't tell…) "before this loop. Did you know us that well? Why do you support that?"
To be fair, Obanai wasn't used to support and encouragement like this. It didn't make sense.
Kamado shook his head. "I didn't know either of you extremely well, but… well, you were my comrades then, you're my comrades now. I'd like my comrades to find happiness. The world can only benefit from more happiness in it."
The Serpent Pillar just stared at the demon boy in front of him for several seconds. Someone wanted him to be happy? Just because he knew them? How… strange. And wasn't it sad that such encouragement was a foreign concept to him? This was the kind of support a family was supposed to give, right? Or maybe this was more of a friend thing? He didn't know, but that seemed closer…
"I will… take your words into account," he finally muttered, referring to the Omiai.
"Thank you!" Kamado said happily, then turned to run back to the house. "I'll write Ubuyashiki-sama now. Good luck training!"
Obanai could only stare after him wondering how that boy seemed to upend all logic with his sunshine smile and sincerity.
xXx
Takeo looked at the ground, shuffling his sandal-clad feet in the dirt of the road leading to Urokodaki-sensei's house. Beside him, his siblings crowded around their older brother and sister, clamoring for their attention as the younger ones asked them why he had to leave and when he would be back. Takeo, however, just kept quiet.
"We'll be back to visit soon," Nezuko promised, patting everyone's head. Rokuta had latched himself to her leg, tears and snot streaming down his face as he turned his puppy-dog eyes up at his sister. Takeo could tell she wanted to give into his silent plea to stay, but she remained strong. He could respect that. (He'd always respected his older siblings.)
"Exactly," Tanjiro agreed, "but we have to go to keep you all safe. I have to train elsewhere to get special instruction, while Nezuko, Inosuke-san and Zenitsu-san have an assignment." Takeo glanced up at him and noted his brother's attention turning in his direction. He looked down again.
Then he felt a warm hand on his forehead.
"Hey," his brother said, nudging his head so he would look up again. "What's wrong?"
Takeo opened his mouth to say, but realized that there was so much and it would be exhausting and tiresome and embarrassing to explain… so he snapped his mouth closed and looked down again. "Nothing."
"Doesn't seem like nothing," Tanjiro pointed out in that too-soft, too-understanding voice of his.
Takeo couldn't really resist that, so he gave in and tried to put his thoughts into words.
"I thought you'd accompany me to the Final Selection next month," he muttered. "Since… mom and Urokodaki-sensei decided having her and me going at once would be a bad idea." It had surprised him, really. His mom was better than him, as much as he hated to admit it. Him going before her seemed… weird. He had to admit, he was a little scared to go, and having his brother there would help immensely, even if he couldn't actually help.
"They decided to start it up again?" Tanjiro asked, sounding both concerned and pleased. "Well, there will be other Hashira there to make sure you make it through just fine. Besides, I have faith in you. You'll do great."
Takeo shook his head. He was disappointed that his siblings were leaving already, but the idea of going to the Final Selection alone after he thought he'd at least be able to walk there with Tanjiro, especially after such a dangerous demon had been seen in the area…
"Will they know me by sight?" he asked.
His brother blinked in surprise. "Who?"
Takeo bit his lip and looked down. "The demons. They're after our family… what if… what if Waxing One…"
He faded off and Tanjiro continued to stare at him for several seconds. "You… have a point. I don't know if they'd recognize you on sight. I don't think so, but… I'll send a letter to Ubuyashiki-sama and speak with Urokodaki-sensei before we go. If you need someone to accompany you, you have one former Hashira and two current Hashira who will definitely be around then." He looked up at the house where the three people mentioned sat in discussion with Rengoku-sensei. Takeo followed his gaze and relaxed a bit. It wasn't as good as having his brother there, but it was better than him walking to the Final Selection and running into the same being that had almost killed his brother, or those who had almost turned his sister into a demon.
Finally, he nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Onii-san!"
"And here you go," their mother's voice broke through as she came up behind the group, three bentos tied neatly in her hands. "Your lunches for today."
"Thank you, Okaa-san!" Nezuko said enthusiastically as she took them and then handed one box each to the yellow-haired boy and the boar-headed boy respectively. Tanjiro watched them for a moment, looking both satisfied and longing. Takeo felt for him. He didn't know what he'd do if he couldn't eat his mom's bentos anymore.
Then the oldest Kamado sibling deliberately turned and made his way over to the house. Takeo followed, a little nervous.
"I can't believe they're letting you go off on your own," the white-haired demon muttered just loud enough for Takeo to hear as they walked up to the group of older men. He huffed, wanting to punch the guy.
"There just aren't enough Hashira to look after me when they have their own missions and training," Tanjiro said with a shrug. "Anyway, Takeo brought up a problem that I think needs to be addressed."
They went on to explain Takeo's fears and, thankfully, the Hashira listened intently.
"I'll definitely try to be at the Final Selection, but that depends on Ubuyashiki-sama," he said. "But at the very least, Urokudaki-sensei, I was hoping you or one of my fellow Hashira would accompany him, just in case. I know it's traditional to let the potential slayer go on their own, but these aren't normal circumstances."
"Hmm," Urokodaki-sensei said thoughtfully.
"Or I could accompany him on the way back to the Rengoku estate," the former Flame Pillar volunteered.
Everyone turned to look at him in surprise. "That would be very far out of your way," Urokodaki-sensei pointed out.
"But worth it," the yellow-haired man countered. "We'll have to stay a little longer, but if you are amenable, Urokodaki-san, I think it would be beneficial for everyone."
The man in the tengu mask was silent for a couple of seconds before he nodded. "Yes. That is a good idea."
"Great. I'll let you all work it out," Tanjiro said before turning to Takeo. "See, we'll take care of you as best we can. All of us." With that, he ruffled his brother's hair.
Takeo stepped back with a scowl on his face as he batted Tanjiro's hands away. After a moment, however, his frown melted into a soft smile. "Thank you, Onii-san."
"Always, Takeo," he replied, drawing his brother into one last hug.
"Ganjiro! Let's go!" a rough voice called out. Tanjiro turned to look at his three traveling companions.
"You'll do great, Takeo," he assured once more before he turned to meet with the group he'd be traveling with for a short while. He waved behind him as everyone bid their goodbyes. Takeo waved his own hand, face set hard as his determination to live up to his brother's faith in him solidified. He'd have to keep training hard to make sure he was more than ready for the Final Selection.
"Senjiro-san! Let's train!" he said enthusiastically to the blond boy who had been leaning against the house, watching the entire exchange quietly.
(It wasn't unusual, he did everything quietly.)
"Eh?!" the boy said as Takeo dragged him off.
xXx
The sun had just overshot it's peak and the fields and forests around them rang with life. It was lovely and felt wonderful to not have the entire clearing fall silent as Tanjiro stepped into it. Either the wildlife of the daylight didn't comprehend the presence of a demon (understandable, he supposed) or the insects and birds flitting through the nearby tree tops didn't care. Either way, he loved it; loved every second of sunlight and natural noise, so different from his usual experiences.
"Be safe, Nii-san," Nezuko's quiet voice reached his ears and he turned to look down at her. They'd reached the fork in the road where they would need to part to go on their separate missions. The older sibling smiled softly.
"Always, Nezuko. You be safe too…" he paused and looked up at the two demon slayers who had once been his best friends. It hurt to see them still wary of him – not like they had been, but the friendship he remembered and had cherished was gone. He doubted it could come back at this moment.
That didn't mean he didn't care for them. So he leaned forward and whispered to her, "Make sure you take care of those two – keep them alive." He knew very well that Zenitsu at least could hear him, but that didn't bother him.
She huffed a little, but her eyes sparkled warmly. "I'm working on it! By the time we're done, Inosuke will know some manners and Zenitsu will understand his worth!" she whispered her answer back, giggling.
Zenitsu shuffled uncomfortably.
"And have their back in battles," Tanjiro went on. "They can hold their own, but you're all fighting together for a reason."
Nezuko blinked and then nodded. "I promise, Nii-san."
"Oi! Dezuko! Let's go! I wanna fight a demon!"
The younger Kamado sighed and shook her head, though she smiled fondly.
"Coming." She gave her brother one last hug before turning and heading off with them.
"When I get back, I'll be stronger than you! Just watch!" Inosuke yelled at Tanjiro, pointing at him dramatically.
The demon in question grinned. "I look forward to it!"
Inosuke nodded in satisfaction, then turned and stomped off in a way only Inosuke could.
Tanjiro watched them go until they'd gone quite a ways down the road, his heart both light and heavy. He missed his friends. He missed them so much his heart hurt. But this was worth it. He had his family back and alive and he was well on his way to defeating Kokushibo. Then he could start on training to defeat Muzan. And he'd also gotten permission to turn any demon he came across into his own demon if he felt it beneficial. (He still hated that… so much, but it would be better for them, he had to remind himself.)
With a sigh, he finally turned and began to head towards the Lightning Cultivator's residence. He'd never met Zenitsu's 'Gramps' and was looking forward to it. He hoped the man could help him with his speed. He'd already spoken with Urokodaki-sensei and Sanemi about their relevant portions of his style and both had found areas to correct once they studied his movements (Sanemi with far more colorful language than the former Water Pillar, but he would take it). He'd fixed so many problems already and he could tell that his forms were better – faster, easier to flow through and definitely more deadly.
He wasn't entirely sure what to do about the Stone Pillar though. Ubuyashiki-sama had asked him to let him know when Tanjiro would be heading over to train there so he could order Genya somewhere else.
(Tanjiro sighed. Did he always have to be on the bad side of one Shinazugawa brother or the other? Or both… In every life? He couldn't remember when he'd been on good terms with both of them… had it ever happened? He didn't think so. Was it even possible? He hoped so.)
The problem was, even if Himejima-san wanted to help him, he was blind. Could he tell with sound or feel or something like that if Tanjiro's movements were off? Well, if not, he'd just have to take what he could get and find other ways to get stronger.
And he would.
Muzan would die this loop. He'd make sure of it.
xXx
Muzan looked down at Kokushibo blankly. He knelt in seiza with the other Kizuki (except Nakime, as she needed to retain her position) on the floor of the Infinity Mansion in front of him, as they had for the last several minutes while he contemplated their position.
His highest-ranked demon had made more or less a full recovery, but… it wasn't enough. He had all six Waxing Moons again, but as powerful as Nakime was, she didn't have the kind of attacking power he needed against the demon slayers. It was too evenly matched right now, which meant they were somehow catching up!
That infuriated him.
He either needed to take down their Hashira or build up his own ranks. He didn't want to pit his kizuki against marked Hashira right now, though. Most of them could defeat said Hashira, but he hadn't gotten where he had by taking unnecessary risks. He'd only do so if the potential reward significantly outweighed that risk.
He looked over his remaining Kizuki.
Of course, if he sent them against former Hashira… the human body did tend to deteriorate. And while he couldn't always have complete control over the memories a potential demon lost in the turn, he could influence it. It usually helped to have a willing – or at least semi-willing – prospect, but he needed strength right now. If that meant forcefully taking unwilling servants, then so be it.
And if he could get the Kamado kid or any of his siblings (preferably the former), so much the better. He was positive now that the family would be able to conquer the sun for him.
So… if he could hit two birds with one stone…
"Kokushibo, if you would like to get back in my good graces, I have an assignment for you and Nakime."
xXx
AN: Thanks to TimeLordTim, Quathis, Kaylessa and Found for their help with this.
*Charcoal would be a 'winter' trade, and silk worms, a 'summer' trade. According to the information I found, arrangements like this weren't uncommon. It would also explain why they lived so far away from the village because silkworms would need a fair amount of space to grow.
Discord: discord. gg/xDDz3gqWfy (no spaces)
