Disclaimer: I do not own Demons Slayer/Kimetsu no Yaiba. If you are unfamiliar with the manga and/or anime, I suggest you read the manga first. With this in mind, you should know the feelings towards the story within question will not be accurate. With this in mind, the creator of this story has no intention offending the creator, Koyoharu Gotouge, its franchise, the series itself, or anyone who like the series. Without further a do, enjoy the story.
Hello everyone, I saw Demon Slayer a while back and became infatuated. I just started reading the manga, getting ahead of most people and I am enjoying it. In case anyone gets confused, I'm using an OC to join the world of Demon Slayer/Kimetsu no Yaiba.
This is the story takes place the same year Tanjiro takes the Final Selections Exams.
Japan. Also known as the Land of the Rising Sun. A country that is surrounded by sea and is known throughout the world for many things such as mountains, traditional arts, ceremonies, sculptures, food, swordsmanship and lots of of other things. The only way an outside could get to Japan is by ship. The people that live in Japan, or Japanese if you wanna call them that... I would say eighty percent of them are nicer. Japan sounds like a great place to live, right? That couldn't be farther from the truth.
You see, there are these creatures that hide within in shadows and only attack at night. They're called demons. They've been roaming Japan for centuries, causing death and terror through the hearts of thousands. But only one organization is capable of stopping these demons.
The Demon Slayer Corps. An organization of swordsmen that existed since ancient times, which had sworn to protect humans and to wipe out demons entirely. Their goal is to hunt Muzan Kibutsuji and pent an end to his terror. Technically, they're not recognized by the Japanese government. But that's why I want to join them.
"My name is Natsu Rengoku. And my goal is to turn my dream into a reality. I want a Demon Slayer like many before me, but not just any ordinary Demon Slayer. I want to become a Demon Slayer that people can depend on, instead of looking for fame or fortune. I want to become the kind that will put a smile on people's faces, so they could know that help is on the way. I want to put hope in Japan. Long story short, I want to become a Demon Slayer!"
He wears an orange, sun pattern jinbei-styled kimono with long black pants. He wore white socks with red sandals at the bottom. He carried a regular white katana with him by his side.
Flashback
Fifteen years ago, the moon was full, the night was young and the towns people were having a festival. Suddenly a crying baby was left on the Rengoku Residence door, that was wrapped in white cloth with a wisteria flower in its small hands. No parents, no guardians. It cried because it was all alone.
Luckily, a couple with two kids of their own was coming home from the festivals early."
The man was Shinjuro Rengoku. He had golden hair with red tips at the end, golden eyes with orange, he had on a black colored yukata for men. He carried their firstborn son, who was sleeping named Kyojuro Rengoku on his shoulder, who was a toddler at the time. The woman's name was Ruka Rengoku. She had long dark hair and dark eyes. She wore a white colored yukata for women with a purple sash. The Rengoku family were walking home until they heard a cry from a baby.
"Shinjuro, do you hear that?" Ruka asked her husband.
"Yeah, I do. It sound's like..." As the Rengoku couple made it to their residence family door, they were shocked to see a baby lying by their doorstep as they arrived. The couple stared at the baby for a few seconds. "What the heck?" that was Shinjuro's only response.
"Oh, pour thing." Ruka said as she picked went and up a young redhead infant. "There, there. No one's coming to get you."
"I can't believe it. Someone left a baby at our doorstep." Shinjuro frowned.
Ruka rocked the baby in her arms a bit, as cried. "Shh... there, there. No one's coming to hurt you." the woman calmed the infant down with her soft voice, which made the baby cry less. Ruka's eyes saw a piece of flower petal hanging from the baby's cloth. "Honey, look at this."
Shinjuro looked at the flower petal and knew what it was. "It's Wisteria."
"There's also a note." Ruka pointed at the a note.
Shinjuro immediately picked up the note, which was written in kanji.
"What does it say?" Ruka asked.
"It says..." Shinjuro is about to decipher the note left with his child.
"Please forgive me for bothering you this evening. As you are reading this, my body is long gone from the living world, but my spirit lives on. As you can see, I, a single mother am incapable of protecting my child alone from the demons. I am now leaving my son, Natsu into your care, Shinjuro Rengoku. You are his only hope of protection. Please. Protect my child. Train him to become a powerful Demon Slayer. I have faith that you will do the right thing." - Taiyoko.
Shinjuro gasped and gripped the letter to where it crumbled. "No way... Taiyoko is... dead?"
"Who is she, honey?" Ruka asked.
"My younger cousin. We were close when we were kids. We both wanted to become Demon Slayers. When we took the Final Selections, she became terrified of demons. She survived and passed because I was there to save her. Afterwards, I was promoted to the rank of Hashira almost instantly, and she dropped out. After that, I never heard from her again." Shinjuro explained, as he temporarily break down. "I can't believe she's gone now."
Ruka looked at Shinjuro with sadness, then looked at the baby. "What do you think we should do?"
Shinjuro took a deep breath. "There's only one thing we can do. Pray and respect her wishes."
Ruka caught the baby smiling at her, then smiled back. "Yes. We will raise this baby along with our son, Kyojuro... and our unborn child as well." Ruka said as she placed a hand on her pregnant belly. Ruka is eight months pregnant with their second born child, Senjuro.
Natsu was taken in by the Rengoku Family and was treated like he was their own. A few weeks later, Senjuro Rengoku was born. As years gone by, the three boys grew up like brothers forever. They would eat together, train together, sleep in the same room together.
About seven years later, tragedy struck as Natsu's foster mother, Ruka fell ill from sickness and disease. She passed away with her husband and sons, including Natsu at her side. After the funeral, Shinjuro became bitter and bitter over the years, berating his kids about wanting to become Demon Slayers and help people. Senjuro gave up, but not Natsu and Kyojuro.
One day, Kyojuro decided he was going to take the Final Selection Exams and become a Demon Slayer, which he passed. Not too long after that, Kyojuro was promoted to the rank of Flame Pillar, Hashira. Natsu hadn't seen Kyojuro much, since the promotion. This gave Natsu the motivation
End Flashback
It was a bright sunny day. The sky was blue, the sun was shining and no clouds. Natsu had stood in front of his brother, Senjuro Rengoku who stood outside of the Rengoku Residence sending him off. Natsu had worn his natural attire and was ready to go take the exams.
"Today's the big day." Natsu said out loud.
"Yeah," Senjuro smiled, then frown a little. "I wish father and big brother Kyojuro were here, too."
"Nah, father isn't the best choice, with his drinking habits. And knowing Kyojuro... he's off handling his duties as a Hashira." Natsu assumed. "Otherwise, he'd be here, sending me off too." Natsu then thought about something. "Uh?"
"What is it?" Senjuro asked.
"Senjuro, do you remember when Kyojuro went to took the Final Selection Exams and we cheered him on?" Natsu asked, dragging Senjuro down memory lane. Senjuro then remembered himself and Natsu waving goodbye towards Kyojuro six years ago. Both Natsu and Senjuro were nine years old and Kyojuro was fourteen at that time. Kyojuro had a smile of determination and eagerness as he left. "Yeah. I remember."
"I also remember that exact same face he made when he came back home. Like this." Natsu imitated Kyojuro by closing his eyes and put on a huge grin on his face. It wasn't perfect, but close enough. He pointed at his grinning mouth.
"Oh yeah. He came back as a Demon Slayer with a grin on his face." Senjuro recalled.
"That's what I'm gonna do, too. When I pass, the first thing I'm gonna do is come back here and put on this huge grin, like this." Natsu grinned as big as he can.
"Yeah, I wish big brother was here, too." Senjuro wished.
"Oh really?"
"Huh?" Natsu's grin wore off as he heard a voice from above. Both Natsu and Senjuro looked up and saw Kyojuro standing on the roof. Kyojuro wore his Hashira uniform consisting the regular Demon Slayer Corps uniform along with his white-yellow gradient pattern with flame-like ridges at the end. He also wore flaming shin guards, black socks and red sandals.
Natsu gasped happily. "Bro, you made it!" He smiled at Kyojuro who was looking downwards at them.
"Big brother!" Senjuro called.
Kyojuro jumped down from the roof and landed on his feet with ease and stood in front of Natsu. "Of course I did. I wouldn't wanna miss my own brother going to take the Final Selections." he smiled.
"Thanks, bro. It means a lot to me."
"Big brother, I thought you said your mission was going to take two days to complete." Senjuro mentioned as he little worried.
"I did. But seeing off my kid brother going to take the Final Selections is more important in my book. Also, I had someone to step in and take the mission in my place, so now I owe them a huge favor."
Kyojuro plays a big part in Natsu's life. He is the older foster brother, trainer and mentor. Despite the duo not being related by blood, Kyojuro still treats him like family. After the passing of their mother, Kyojuro and Natsu trained like hell everyday to make themselves better swordsmen. After becoming a Hashira, Kyojuro trained Natsu to become his Tsuguko/Successor and taught him Total Concentration Breathing.
Kyojuro placed hands on Natsu's shoulders. "Do you remember where the Final Selection Exams this year?"
"On Mount Fujikasane!"
'That's right. And when you come across a group of bright Wisteria trees this season, that means you're real close to the Final Selections Exams.'
"Really?"
"When you get to the Exam, shout out your name and your goal."
"Why does that matter?" Natsu asked, curiously.
"Because, you want to let world know who you are. It's traditional to the Rengoku Family. I once heard father did it when he was young, and I did it once, myself."
"Alright, I'll remember to do that when I get there."
"Now remember, Natsu. The Final Selections is no walk in the park. It'll be one of the hardest tests you'll ever encounter in life. No one will be there to save you, you will encounter ruthless demons in the future, if you want to be a Hashira. Remember. Always stay on your guard. Especially against demons."
"Thanks. I'll take those words to heart, big brother. And I'll try my hardest." Natsu smiled.
"That's the spirit!" Kyojuro and Natsu fist bumped.
"I'm off now!" Natsu said as he was ready to leave the residence. He ran towards Mount Fujikasane. He suddenly stopped and waved back to his brothers one last time before the Final Selection Exams.
"Take care!" Senjuro yelled.
Kyojuro stared and smiled proudly as he watched Natsu run off to the exams.
Hours had passed since Natsu's departure. The moon was crescent and the night was young. Natsu walked and walked down a a road that lead to Mount Fujikasne. He was not tired, nor scared. He was eager to take the exams and pass and had the face of determination. At some point, Natsu walked into a small field of bright purple trees.
Natsu stopped to examine the Wisteria trees. He looked closely at the trees. 'This is Wisteria. But, it isn't spring. So why are they blooming in this season?' he gasped and remember Kyojuro's words.
'When you come across a group of bright Wisteria trees this season, that means you're real close to the Final Selections Exams.' Kyojuro's words.
"That's right," Natsu stopped examining and continued to travel on the road to the Final Selections Exams, until he saw a number of stony stairs up ahead. He could smell something up those stairs he's walking on. "I'm almost there. The Final Selection Exams is just a few steps away." Natsu carefully walked up the stairs and looked up. As he walked all the way up, he saw a bunch of decorations of red shrines, hanging paper, pointy green trees.
There were two kids dressed in purple kimonos. The kid that stood on the right was a boy with pale skin, a black blunt bob haircut and large purple swirly eyes. He had a headpiece made of wisteria flowers on the left hair. His name is Kiria Ubuyashiki. And the one on the left was a girl with a similar attire, but her hair was white and wore a headpiece made of wisteria she wore on her left hair. Her name is Kanata Ubuyashiki. The duo carried red lanterns attached to a stick. They were the proctors for the Final Selection Exams.
Natsu saw dozens of competitors wearing kimonos and wielding katanas, wanting to become a Demon Slayers as well. Most of them were silent, alone, bruised, mean looks and scars on their faces. 'There are so many people, here.' Something had clicked within Natsu's mind. He remembered what Kyojuro told him to do when he made it to the Final Selection Exams.
'When you get to the Exam, shout out your name and your goal.' Kyojuro's words.
'Oh yeah. I almost forgot. Big brother Kyojuro wanted me to shout out my name, proud and with my head held high.' Natsu clapped his hands together. 'Here I go..." He then took a deep breath through his nose. Without anyone's notice or fair warning, Natsu shouted. "HELLO, EVERYONE! MY NAME IS NATSU FROM THE RENGOKU FAMILY! MY GOAL IS TO BECOME A DEMON SLAYER JUST LIKE ALL OF YOU!" Natsu panted.
That shout was loud enough to cause birds in the area to freak out and fly away elsewhere, it also caught the attention of dozens of competitors, it could've even alert some demons in the woods. Most competitors looked at Natsu like an idiot, a freak or a fool before the exams had started. Such as Genya Shinazugawa. The only ones he did not catch the attention of was Kanao Tsuyuri, who was staring at a pretty butterfly on her index finger, and the two female proctors. A boy named Zenitsu Agatsuma suddenly snapped out of depression and looked around like 'What just happened?'
"Sorry about that, everyone. Heh." Natsu nervously laughed and rubbed his own back.
Final Selection competitors started talking among themselves about Natsu.
"Dumbass."
"What an idiot."
"What was he even thinking?"
"Idiot."
"I bet he's gonna die first."
"Who let this clown take the exams at all?"
"Don't come near me, freak."
Natsu could here the competitors talk among themselves about him, but Natsu didn't care. Natsu was more focused on competing in the exams instead of listening to people taunt him.
"Excuse me." one boy said as he walked passed Natsu.
"Huh?" Natsu looked to see a boy coming up the stairs and that he was in his way. "Oh, Sorry." he moved out of the boy's way.
The boy's name was Tanjiro Kamado. He wore a blue kimono with clouds, hanafuda earrings, black baggy pants, a katana and a white fox mask on the side of his head. He has matching dark brownish red hair and eyes with white pupils.
"Who was yelling all of a sudden?" Tanjiro asked as he looked around.
"That was actually me." Natsu confessed.
"But, why were you yelling?" Tanjiro asked curiously.
"Just trying to make a first impression to everyone." Natsu said, a little embarrassed.
"There's no need to feel embarrassed. You're just doing what you think is right." Tanjiro encouraged.
"Oh, thanks." Natsu offere a handshake. "I'm Natsu Rengoku."
"Likewise. I'm Tanjiro Kamado." Tanjiro accepted his handshake.
As they shook hands, Natsu suddenly spots Tanjiro's hanafuda earrings. This caused Natsu to think back a little about the legend of the hanafuda earrings.
"Hey, Tanjiro..."
"What's the matter?"
"Are those hanafuda earrings?" Natsu pointed at one of his earrings.
This catches Tanjiro's attention. "Why yes. These were passed down in my family."
Natsu was a little surprised. "Really? Because I heard that-"
"Greetings, everyone." the Ubuyashiki siblings said.
'They're the proctors.' Natsu thought as and Tanjiro walked closer to the crowd of competitors.
Kiriyo and Kanata would take turns speaking a single sentence. "...Thank you for gathering here tonight for the Final Selections..."
"...Mount Fujikasane holds demons that Demon-Slayer swordsmen have taken alive and trapped here..."
"...Demons hate Wisteria flowers, which bloom here even out of spring."
"...They cover the mountain from its foot to halfway up the slope."
"...However, from that point on, the wisteria does not bloom. So demons roam free..."
"...You must survive there for seven days..."
"...If you do, then you will have passed final selection..."
"Now go." Both twins said as they stepped aside from the Final Selection Entrance.
Natsu's eyes lit fire as he took a deep breath. 'It's happening. It's actually happening. I am about to take the Final Selection Exams, right now!' Natsu then thought about his family back a home. Kyojuro, who is currently going on a mission hunting demons. 'Kyujoro...' Senjuro, who is sleeping in his bed. 'Senjuro...' And Shinjuro, who is drinking sake before bed. 'Father...' And last but not least, his deceased foster mother, Ruka. 'Mother.' Natsu grit his teeth, gripped his katana.
Not a single second has been wasted, since the exams had started. Dozens of Demon Slayer wannabes passed the Final Selection entrance into the dangerous mountain, including Tanjiro. Natsu then followed after. 'Wish me luck, because I pass... when I return... I'll be a full fledged Demon Slayer!"
I will be making oc's character in this story. I want to make my oc character follow his own path instead of what the plot demands. Yes. Natsu is going to have encounters with Tanjiro in the mere future.
Kyojuro is one of my favorite characters in Demon Slayer. He's the type of role model people need in life.
My main oc character was inspired by Fate/stay night's Shirou Emiya. I'm planning on making oc characters along Natsu's path in the future.