Training

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Guest review answers

Guest: Thank you~ I hope it was worth the wait!

honhonca: ¡Gracias! Me alegro mucho tu comentario, y en serio muchas gracias por todos los cumplidos~

Desde que inicie la historia sabía que quería cambiar cosas, no hay razón para hacer un fanfic y escribir todo igual, me pone una sonrisa saber que te gusta tanto y que los cambios que voy haciendo estan bien hechos.

Y si, Genya va a estar mucho mas involucrado que en el manga, simplemente me cae bien.

De nuevo, muchas gracias por el comentario, ¡espero continues disfrutando la historia!

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Alright, I'm back with another one!

Sorry for the absence but there is a good reason for once; a friend made 'TanKana Spookytober' on twitter, basically you get prompts for each day of October and have to do something for it.

I didn't manage to write for every single day but I did quite a few and that took a good chunk of my time.

Also

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

I made a discord server for TanKana; if you're interested in joining, please send me a PM at my account (Manu259) or the twitter account 'TanKana Estate ( TankanaW)'

It's still new but I hope to make it grow with time!

Plus, you get to go there and ask me how the next chapter is coming along! Hahaha.

END OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

Alright, without further ado, on with the chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Kimetsu


After getting a good distance away from HQ, Makomo and Goto let Tanjiro and Genya down and removed their blindfolds so they can walk the rest of the way on their own.

The Kamado asked a few questions about where they're going, finding out that it's the 'Corps' unofficial hospital' and the Insect Pillar he met earlier is in charge of it.

"It looks similar to your house." Genya mentioned when they saw the place.

"I know." Makomo nodded. "It's my third favorite place, I'm sure you'll like it too." She added.

The four moved to the entrance and Makomo knocked a few times but got no response.

"They must be busy." The woman thought out loud. "Let's go see if there is anyone in the back." The four did just that and arrived at the backyard.

A girl was standing there, wearing the corps uniform with a white cape over it, her hair black with the tips turning pink and a butterfly ornament holding it in a side ponytail, a few butterflies flying around her.

'She looks familiar.' Tanjiro thought as he looked at her.

"Tsuyuri-chan~." Makomo called out as she approached. "Shinobu asked me to bring these two here, is it alright if they go in?"

The girl just stared in silence, a smile that did not reach her eyes plastered on her face.

"Oh, now I remember." The Kamado muttered. "She was with us in the Final Selection."

"Hm?" Genya stared for a moment when his eyes widened in recognition. "Oh yeah, now that you mention it."

"Who are you?" The two turned around and saw a girl around their age with black hair tied in twin pigtails and blue eyes, wearing a white overall over what looked like a corps' uniform.

"Ah, Aoi-chan~." Makomo called out. "Nice to see you."

"Oh, Makomo-san, nice to see you too." The girl, Aoi, said with a bow. "Do you need something?"

"Not really, I just came from the Pillar Meeting and Shinobu needs to do a check-up on these two; I didn't have to stay so I offered to get them here." The older woman explained.

"I see." She turned to the two swordsmen. "I'm Kanzaki Aoi, nice to meet you."

"I'm Kamado Tanjiro, nice to meet you as well." Tanjiro said with a bow.

"Shinazugawa Genya." The taller teen said next.

"Sorry to interrupt but I should get going." Makomo said to the three. "Take care, feel free to visit our home any time."

"Thank you, take care Makomo." The red haired teen smiled while Genya nodded as they saw her leave.

"Oh, Makomo-san, if you can, please come back when you have some free time; the girls wanted to show you something." Aoi called out.

"Ok~" She answered before leaving the Butterfly Estate.

"As for you two." Aoi addressed the two boys. "Are there any injuries we should take care of immediately?"

"No, I already had a doctor look at them, Shinobu-san is just going to give me a follow-up." The Kamado answered.

"I don't really have any injuries, the check-up is for… something else." Genya said next. 'It's not exactly a secret anymore but… I'd rather not go around speaking about it.'

"Alright." She turned around. "Follow me."

"See you later, Tsuyuri-san." Tanjiro said to the girl standing behind them; staring at her curiously when he didn't get any response.

"Hey, she's leaving." Genya called out and the two quickly moved to catch up with Aoi.

"I can lend you a room so you can rest until Shinobu-san comes back." Aoi explained. "There are some-" She frowned. "-patients here, so I ask that you don't disturb them."

"That's alri-" The Kamado stopped mid-sentence. "This scent is…!" He suddenly dashed forward, following his nose until he reached a room and opened it without even knocking. "Inosuke! Zenitsu!"

"Eh, Tanjiro?" The blonde asked in shock before realizing it's him. "Tanjiro!" He suddenly started crying. "Please help, the medicine here tastes so bad!"

"I'm so glad you're both okay!" The red haired teen said before he noticed his other friend hadn't moved. "Inosuke, is something wrong?"

"…don't worry about me…" He said, his voice hoarse and very quiet in comparison to his usual boisterous tone.

"Eh, Inosuke, is that really you?"

"He is." Zenitsu assured him with a chuckle. "His voice sounds really funny, he apparently got it hurt because he screamed a lot after getting his throat hurt."

"In any case, I'm so glad you're both okay." He turned to the teen with the boar mask. "I'm so sorry that I couldn't come back to help you."

"Don't worry about it."

'…this feels weird, I'm used to Inosuke being loud not… like this.' Tanjiro thought. 'I guess he is still recovering.'

"I take it you know each other." Aoi mentioned, standing at the door.

"Ah, I'm sorry for running off like that, I caught the scent of my friends and rushed over without thinking." He apologized.

"I don't mind." The Kanzaki said with a sigh. "Just please be more mindful in the future, there aren't any other patients here at the moment but that won't always be the case."

"I understand."

"As for you two, I'll come pick you up for the recovery training in a few minutes." Aoi addressed the two bedridden swordsmen. "Zenitsu-san… did you take your medicine?"

The blonde recoiled in fear and started trembling.

"…you have to take your medicine if you want to recover." She said with a mild glare.

"Aoi-san is right Zenitsu, you should listen to what doctors say." Tanjiro supported.

"But it's too bitter!" The Agatsuma whined.

"The bitterer the medicine, the more effective it is." The Kamado said back, his expression completely serious.

"My mom used to say the same thing." Genya chimed in.

"…Tanjiro, who is he?"

"Oh, right, you haven't met yet." The red haired teen realized. "This is Genya, we met in a mission some time ago and he helped me out in Natagumo."

"Nice to meet you…" The Shinazugawa trailed off with a frown.

"Tanjiro, he is scary." Zenitsu half shrieked, trying to move him between himself and Genya.

"Calm down Zenitsu, Genya is a good person." The Kamado assured him. "And he is Zenitsu, I met him in a mission after we parted ways the first time; you already met Inosuke." He gestured with his head to the other teen in the room.

"In any case, follow me, I'll bring you to your rooms, you can leave your stuff there." Aoi called out.

Tanjiro and Genya said goodbye for now to the other two before following her.

"Aoi-san."

"Yes?"

"What is this 'recovery training'?" The Kamado asked.

"It's a way for them to get back in shape, or stay in it, while they recover from their injuries." She explained. "Members of the corps can't afford to lose their strength due to injuries."

"That makes sense." Genya nodded.

"Can I take part in it?" Tanjiro asked, making the girl turn her head to look at him. "I've been trying to keep myself in shape while recovering but it sounds like this 'recovery training' would be better than what I was doing."

"…not today, I want to wait until Shinobu-san checks your condition, if she says it's okay, then feel free." Aoi answered. "You can watch today if you want."

"Ah, I'd like to do that, thank you." The red haired teen smiled. "What about you Genya?"

"I… I guess I'll go look as well, not like I have anything better to do." The taller boy answered.


While Tanjiro and Genya were being introduced to the Butterfly Estate, the Pillar Meeting continued.

"I still don't like it." Sanemi voiced his concerns. "Having that demon around."

"Nezuko refused your blood, isn't that enough to convince you she isn't a threat?" Sabito said, keeping most of his reproach out of his tone.

"It refused my blood while surrounded by all the Pillars, each of us… most of us, ready to kill it if it did." The Wind Pillar said back. "I am willing to think that it thought better than to attack and have its head roll."

"'She'." The peach haired man said back with a mild glare. "And she passed your 'test', so shouldn't this conversation be over?"

"Now, now." Kagaya chimed in. "Sanemi, I can understand why you are so against the idea of sparing Nezuko but I do believe she isn't a threat to humans, which is further reinforced by the fact she refused your blood, has any demon ever done that?"

"Oyakata-sama, every demon I've encountered has immediately jumped at the idea of devouring me." The white haired man answered. "But even so, I am still hesitating in accepting this."

"I am with Shinazugawa on this." Iguro added. "Even if that demon refused his blood, it doesn't mean she will never attack humans."

"'But you can't prove that she will attack them, either', I believe those were Oyakata-sama is words." Sabito chimed in, only to get a pair of eyes glare at him.

The Water Pillar pretended not to notice.

"I can see that we won't be able to reach an agreement on this." Kagaya spoke again, gaining everyone's attention. "Very well, I would like to propose a compromise then; but first, I wish to hear your opinions on Nezuko." Despite his blindness, the head of the corps moved his gaze towards the Pillar sitting at the most left.

"I believe that it's worth a try to let Nezuko-san live." Shinobu spoke.

"I don't really care either way." Muichiro said next with an apathetic tone.

"I am still flamboyantly cautious of her… but I am willing to give her a chance."

"I am reluctant but after what happened earlier, I will give the girl the benefit of the doubt!" Rengoku declared.

"I have reservations but I will abide by what you decide." Gyomei said.

"I have made my position clear."

"As have I." Sanemi and Obanai said in turn.

"I feel like we can trust those two! I'm a bit hesitant… but I want to believe in them!" Mitsuri gave her opinion.

"My position hasn't changed." Sabito spoke last, Giyu nodding almost imperceptibly in a show of support.

"Very well, thank you for speaking your minds." Kagaya said with his usual calm tone. "I suggest we have Tanjiro and Nezuko be supervised by a Pillar." There were some mixed reactions at the suggestion but everyone waited for him to continue. "This will serve two purposes; first, keep an eye on Nezuko's development and see what happens to her in the future. And the second one… when Sabito first suggested the squad plan, he also mentioned that there probably wasn't a need to assign a squad to a Pillar since most demons don't warrant sending one to defeat them; while that is still mostly true, after some deliberation, I believe that assigning a squad to those willing could be beneficial."

"What do you mean?" Himejima wondered.

"Ever since the 'squad system' was implemented, the fatality rate has fallen by around 10%." Oyakata-sama began. "Not only that, but morale seems to have improved all around so a thought crossed my mind: swordsmen are still dying in this battle, and will continue to do so as long as demons exist, regardless of effort." That was a sad truth, even if having a team could minimize the danger somewhat, a strong enough demon can still wipe out entire squads, the battle at the Natagumo Mountain is a good example of this. "But, if each team had someone as strong, or almost as strong, as a Pillar, then the fatality rate will fall even more." That sentence got curious and strange glances from all the Pillars and the only Tsuguko present. "Of course I am aware that getting that strong is not so simple but if a Pillar has a squad of promising swordsmen under them and they help them get even stronger, then those members could then go to other squads, or even lead their own, and further reduce the casualty rates." Kagaya finished before giving a somewhat embarrassed smile. "Well, I am aware that the way I said it sounds too idealistic and it won't be that easy… but I do believe there is merit in trying this out. I won't force any of you to agree of course but I would like to ask that you keep an eye out for any promising members that you think could help in this."

"Understood." All the Pillars said in unison.

"Now, I would like to assign Tanjiro and Nezuko, as well as Genya, to a squad supervised by one of you; you are free to choose any other members or keep just those three if you wish; as for who will supervise them…"


Butterfly Estate, the next day.

Tanjiro noticed that the atmosphere had changed somewhat when he arrived at the training hall.

He wasn't surprised, Shinobu had come back late that night and asked him and Genya to come to the main hall where every member of the Butterfly Estate was waiting and explained the Kamado's situation.

It wasn't that bad, considering that it was revealed that he travels with a demon, he couldn't feel any animosity directed towards him, a bit of wariness but nothing major.

"Shinobu-san gave the all clear for Tanjiro-san to join the training so the three of you will participate together from now on." Aoi said, wearing the corps' uniform. "You saw it yesterday but do you need an explanation of how it goes?"

"No, I think I'm good, thank you." Tanjiro answered.

He was a bit surprised yesterday, the three girls helping Inosuke and Zenitsu stretch wasn't strange but the other two parts of the training looked like games at first; he quickly re-evaluated that notion when he saw Inosuke and Zenitsu lose against Kanao completely, he is pretty sure that he couldn't catch her movements if he were to blink.

"Where is Genya, though?"

"Shinobu-san is still performing an examination on him." She answered. "Well, let's begin."

"Yes!" The Kamado nodded while Inosuke and Zenitsu didn't look as enthused.

The three 'caterpillars', Kiyo, Naho and Sumi, helped the three stretch before they began with the recovery training proper.

The three swordsmen formed a line to 'play' the cup game against Kanao with Zenitsu going first, Inosuke second and Tanjiro at the end.

The Tsuguko simply waited, her small smile never wavering.

Like Tanjiro had seen yesterday, his two friends lost immediately against the girl, barely able to grab a cup before she covered it and then raised a different one to splash them with the medicinal water.

"Thank you for the help." The Kamado said as he sat down.

Kanao didn't say anything and simply waited for the signal.

"Ready? Begin!" Aoi declared.

Splash

And Tanjiro was immediately drenched.

'So fast! I saw how fast she was yesterday but I didn't think I couldn't even react!' The red haired teen thought before shaking his head to get rid of some of the water. "One more time, please."

"Alright." Aoi nodded as she prepared to give the signal again.

'Focus.' The Kamado took a deep breath and prepared for the signal.

"Begin!"

Tanjiro's hand shot out to the nearest cup.

Kanao covered it before he could lift it up and moved to grab another with her free hand.

Tanjiro barely managed to cover it and let go of the first cup but before he could move to grab another one, Kanao had already done so and splashed him with water.

"Hmm… I need to go faster." Tanjiro muttered. "Hm?" Then noticed that Kanao's smile had disappeared and was now staring at him with a neutral expression. "Is something wrong?"

The Tsuyuri didn't answer.

"…can we go one more time?" He asked when he didn't get any response.

Aoi nodded and prepared to give the signal again.

Despite his best efforts, Tanjiro couldn't manage to cover more than one cup from Kanao before being splashed with water and wasn't even able to pretend to catch up to her when it came to playing tag, she constantly dodged him or simply outran him.

"Kanao is really fast." He said as the three walked back from the training hall. "Inosuke? Zenitsu?"

His two friends simply continued to walk with a vacant expression before reaching their room and going in.

'Weird…' Tanjiro thought. 'Maybe they're tired.'

"Hey, Tanjiro." Before he could think on it further, someone called out to him.

"Oh, hi Genya." He said back as the taller teen approached. "How was your check-up? It took a long time."

"Y-yeah, Shinobu-san wanted to make sure there wasn't any issue with my… condition."

"And?"

"Honestly? It's inconclusive." He answered while scratching his head. "It's not like there is some precedent for this, I did tell her what Tamayo-san told me about it, though... but I'm not sure if it helped."

"I see." The Kamado frowned.

"That being said, she allowed me to continue going on missions." The Shinazugawa revealed. "I'm apparently in perfect health, strange condition aside."

"Really?"

"Well, more like… she said it might be because of said condition." He explained. "Anyway, enough about me, how was the training?"

"Hard, Kanao is incredibly fast." Tanjiro answered without missing a beat.

"That bad?"

"Yeah, I thought I was a bit prepared after seeing her beat Inosuke and Zenitsu yesterday but it's really different when I'm in front of her, I could barely react." He explained. "I can't help but wonder how there is such a large gap between us."

"Any ideas?"

"I haven't really thought about it yet, although…"

"What is it?"

"Her scent reminds me a bit of the scent Sabito and the other Pillars have." Tanjiro said. "I'm not exactly sure how to explain it but that's the feeling I get."

"…I swear… we fight demons that can quite literally bend the rules of the world as we know it yet your nose seems as supernatural as any of their Blood Demon Arts." Genya chuckled.

"…you know, when you put it like that… you have a point." The two shared a laugh as they walked to their respective rooms.


Three days later.

Tanjiro had continued to go every day to train but today.

"Only you?" Aoi asked when he was the only one that showed up.

"I'm sorry." He apologized for his friends; he had tried to bring them along but Inosuke just lay in bed depressed while Zenitsu simply said 'I did my best, let's just go for a walk' before going somewhere while murmuring something about a Kakushi and tea. "I'll bring them along next time."

"No, forget it, you don't have to bother with those two." The girl said sternly. "You don't have to come either if you don't want to."

Blinking once in surprise, the red haired teen turned to Kanao.

"Please help me with the training." He said before they began.


For the next five days, Tanjiro continued to come to train and for the next five days, he was utterly defeated by Kanao.

"Still nothing, huh?" Genya asked as a soaked Tanjiro walked out of the training hall. He had opted out of the training, knowing that there is no way for him to compete in his 'normal state' when he can't even use Total Concentration Breathing.

"Yeah, as hard as I try, I just can't compete at all." He nodded as the two began to walk.

"Did you get any more ideas as to why at least?"

"Sort of, aside from what I said earlier about her scent been similar to a Pillar's, I think there is something with her eyes; they're… different somehow."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, I'm not sure… it's just a feeling I have."

"Excuse us." The two stopped and turned around to see the 'caterpillars', Kiyo, Naho and Sumi, standing there.

"Do you need something?" The Kamado asked calmly.

The three fidgeted for a second before offering him a towel.

"Here, so you can dry yourself."

"Ah, thank you!" Tanjiro exclaimed happily. "That's so kind of you."

The three beamed at the compliment.

"Ne, Tanjiro-san."

"Yes?"

"Do you do Total Concentration Breathing at all times?" Kiyo asked.

"Oh, I try but I still can't manage it." He answered.

"The Pillars and Kanao-san already do that." Naho followed up.

"We were told there is a big difference between those that can do it and those who can't." Sumi finished.

"Oh, she can do that already? Kanao really is amazing; I didn't think she would be that far ahead since we took the Final Selection together." The Kamado said before smiling at the three. "Thank you for telling me, I'll train harder so I can do that too."

"Do your best!" The three said in unison before leaving to do their tasks.

"…hey, speaking of training." Genya said after the three turned the corner.

"Yes?"

"I was called by one of the Pillars."

"…your brother?"

"No, Himejima Gyomei-san." The Shinazugawa answered before frowning. "He… mentioned something about training me."

"That's great!" The Kamado exclaimed but his smile died down when he saw the unsure expression his friend has. "…isn't it?"

"I guess…? It's just… I don't get why he called me of all people…"

"Are you thinking of not going?"

"No, no, I'll go, I want to know what he wants to say if nothing else; I leave tomorrow so I wanted to let you know." His face turned serious. "If he really is going to train me… then I'll take the chance."

"I see…" Tanjiro offered a small smile. "Let's both do our best in our training."

"Yeah."


Tanjiro felt a bit lonely after Genya left but still saw him off and wished him the best before going back to his own training.

Aside from the functional recovery training, he had gone back to train the basics Urokodaki-san had thought him; going for a run, holding his breath under water, sword drills and so on.

While he did that, Inosuke had gone to play around the mountain near the Butterfly Estate and he heard Zenitsu had been caught stealing some snacks and got a scolding from Aoi-san.

Seeing how hard hard Tanjiro was trying, Kiyo, Naho and Sumi had brought over some gourds that they said he has to blow on to make them explode. He was more than a bit surprised when he heard, more so when he heard Kanao can already break them, but, thanks to been training Total Concentration Breathing constant for a while before coming to the Butterfly Estate, he was able to break the smallest of the gourds.

While he trained all the time during the day, he used the night to rest, going to the roof of the Estate and sitting down to meditate.

'Urokodaki-san said that meditating helps improve my breathing, I'm already straining my lungs during the day so I'll use the night to recover; next time, my sword won't brea…' His focus wavered when an image of his swordsmith entered his mind, berating him for breaking the sword. 'I'm sorry, Haganezuka-san.' The teen offered a silent apology as he tried to recover his focus.

"Hello~… hello~"

"Hm?" He opened his eyes and turned to his left to see Shinobu's face next to his.

"You're working very hard." The Pillar said, her usual smile on her face, before taking a step back and sitting down. "Aren't you lonely? Genya-kun left and your two other friends aren't training with you anymore."

"No, I'm sure Genya will come back stronger and I can help Inosuke and Zenitsu after completing the training." Tanjiro answered immediately.

"You're a very kind soul."

"Thank you."

"…"

"…"

An awkward silence, at least from the Kamado's perspective, set between the two.

"Thank you for bringing Genya and I here to check our injuries." He said to fill it.

"Don't mention it~ This place works as a sort of unofficial hospital for members of the corps." She answered. "Besides, I wanted to see if I could entrust my dream to you."

"Your dream?"

"A dream for humans and demons to get along."

"…"

"…"

"…are you angry?" That question immediately shattered the smile he had always seen on her face. "You always smell like you're angry, even though you're smiling."

"…yes." She nodded, looking down. "I'm always angry." For the first time, Tanjiro felt like he was actually seeing the Insect Pillar. "Since my older sister was killed by a demon, every time I see someone that lost a loved one due to them… the anger inside me grows. There is a bottomless hate inside me… I think the same is true of the other Pillars."

The Kamado simply stayed quiet and listened, a sad look on his features.

"We all saw that Nezuko-san refused to attack humans and we will respect Oyakata-sama is wishes so you don't have to worry." Shinobu looked up but not at the Kamado. "My sister was a person as kind as you. She felt sympathy for the demons, I'm sure she did so even after she died at the hands of one... although I didn't get to ask her… or say goodbye." The young woman looked like she was about to sigh but didn't. "I can't think like that… feeling pity for them? It's something I can't do. Still, those were my sister is feelings and I want to honor them, so I keep looking for a way to get along with demons while maintaining the smile she always said she loved but… I'm… a little tired."

Tanjiro couldn't do anything but listen, he almost wanted to mention Tamayo and her treatment so demons only need some blood but… he hadn't told them about Ito during the Pillar Meeting so he held back.

'I hope I can tell them one day… maybe after Oyakata-sama reads that letter and comes to a decision.' Mentally shaking his head, he focused back on the present.

"I hope you continue to work hard Tanjiro-kun and please protect Nezuko-san to the end." Again, she held back a sigh, before getting up. "Knowing that you're working hard in my stead… is a weight off my shoulders."

"…"

"…you stopped the breathing technique." Leaving those words, the Insect Pillar disappeared from the roof.

"…I'll do my best."


Meanwhile.

"Gah!" Genya let out a yell and laid down on the rock covered floor as he panted for breath. 'What the hell…?'

Himejima's home happened to be in a mountain and, after he got here, the Stone Pillar offered to train him like he had explained on the letter.

The teen was surprised and almost asked why but… he refrained, he wasn't sure if he wanted to know the answer, so he simply nodded and accepted the help.

That was five days ago and, as much as he tries, he just can't keep up with the Pillar's training regimen.

'I think… I'm doing better… than when I started… but…' He looked at the two rocks he is supposed to lift with one hand, each one about three times the size of his head, and he has to do a hundred repetitions of it. 'I can barely manage twenty… I told Himejima-san that I can't use Total Concentration Breathing… isn't this the sort of training someone who can use it would do?' As he thought that, he looked at his master, lifting two rocks at least twice the size of Genya's and he isn't even gonna pretend to be keeping count of how many repetitions the man has done.

The Stone Pillar had been doing the same training as him, albeit to a much larger scale, but Genya had yet to actually finish the entire thing even once.

'…' As he recovered, the teen stared at Gyomei, trying to understand why he was putting a training regimen that seemed honestly impossible for him.

"…"

"Hm?" The Stone Pillar's mouth was moving. 'What is he…?' He wasn't talking to Genya, it looked like he was just muttering something to himself. 'That… is he chanting a sutra? Now that I think about it, he is always doing that isn't he?'

"Excuse me, Himejima-san."

"What is it?" The man asked, not stopping his training.

"Were you chanting a sutra just now?"

"That's right."

"Why?"

"It makes me focus." Gyomei answered. "By repeating a certain action while I train, it becomes second nature and my body starts remembering that action to make my body focus on using all of its strength."

"That… isn't that Total Concentration Breathing?" He asked with a puzzled look.

"I use it alongside Total Concentration Breathing." The Pillar said. "I don't believe you will stop fighting demons and since you can't use the breathing technique, I thought this could be a good alternative; there are demons that won't let you take a bite out of them after all."

"That's…" Genya's eyes widened. "Thank you."

The Stone Pillar nodded.

"Can I ask you one more thing?"

"What is it?"

"Why didn't you tell me about this when we started?"

"…"

"…"

"…namu amida butsu."

"Himejima-san…" Letting that go, Genya got up and grabbed his rocks. 'Alright, chanting sutras… I think I learned one when I was a kid but I'll need to refresh my memory if I want to use this.' With his mind made up, he began the training once more.


Genya lay exhausted on the floor of the room the Stone Pillar had lent him.

Despite his best efforts, chanting sutras didn't really help him complete the training.

'Himejima-san said that it has to be a 'repeated action' so maybe I just need to keep doing it for some time before I manage.' The teen thought. 'I don't know any sutras and I forgot the one I learned when I was a kid...' His body protested as he got up but he ignored it and walked to the living room where Himejima was sitting.

"Is something the matter? I thought you would be sleeping."

"…would you happen to have a book of sutras?" Genya asked him.

"Yes, wait for a moment." Gyomei stood up and walked out of the room, coming back a few minutes later with a worn out book. "These are all the sutras I've learned."

"Thank you, I'll take good care of it." The Shinazugawa said as he carefully took the book. "…Himejima-san."

"Yes?"

"Why… why did you offer to train me?"

"…there is no grand reason." He answered. "I just didn't want to turn a blind eye to your situation… it was more for self-satisfaction than anything."

"You didn't even know?! A freaking demon almost kills me and you wouldn't even have known that I wasn't in that damn temple?!"

"Himejima-san? Is something wrong?"

"It's nothing." The Pillar assured him. "I suggest you start learning the sutras starting tomorrow, the exhaustion from the training won't let you focus properly."

"I… will do that… can I really learn how to use those 'repeated actions'?"

"That will be up to you." Gyomei smiled slightly. "But, even if you aren't able to finish, you haven't slacked off on your training so far, I believe you can."

Genya stared and swallowed a lump in his throat.

"What's the matter?"

"…not many people have said those words to me." The teen whispered before bowing at a perfect ninety degree angle. "Thank you, Himejima-san, I won't waste what you're teaching me."

The Stone Pillar's smile widened slightly.

"I will believe those words."


At the Butterfly Estate.

After his talk with Shinobu, Tanjiro doubled down in his efforts to use the breathing technique at all times, from increasing the difficulty of the training itself to asking the 'caterpillars' for help, asking them to hit him with some futon dusters while he sleeps if he stops using the breathing technique.

And now, six days later.

'Here I go.' The Kamado took a deep breath, the second biggest gourd that he has to break in his hands. 'Break!' he began to blow inside it.

"You can do it!" The caterpillars cheered him on.

'Come on! Break!' Cracks began to form on it and a second later.

Crack.

"…"

"…"

"Yay!" The four jumped in the air in celebration.

"It broke!" Kiyo said.

"Great job, Tanjiro-san!" Naho added.

"Now you only need to break this one." Sumi said, holding the largest of the gourds.

"Yes, I'll do my best!" The teen declared. "Ah, it's about time for the recovery training, right? We better go to the training hall."

With that, the four made their way there.

"Thank you for your help with the training." Tanjiro said with a bow as he entered.

Kanao stood in the middle of the room, her small smile in place.

"And Aoi-san?"

"Ah, she told us earlier she needed to take care of some things today." Sumi answered.

"We'll act as the judges in her place." Naho added while Kiyo nodded.

"Alright, give the signal when you're ready." Tanjiro moved and stood a few feet from Kanao. 'Calm down, take a deep breath and prepare; I need to focus a lot to maintain Total Concentration Breathing an entire day yet but I'm close, I can feel it.'

"Ready? Begin!" The caterpillars said in unison.

Tanjiro immediately dashed forward, missing Kanao who jumped to the left.

"You can do it!" The three girls cheered.

Not surprised that she dodged, Tanjiro quickly stopped his charge and began to chase after her.

'I can follow her!' He realized. 'I could barely keep going after her at first but now I can follow her, I can catch up!' With each dash, the distance between them shrunk, Tanjiro's hand coming closer and closer to hers. 'My body has changed, I want to hold my sword, with my hands, hold my nichirinto!' With one more dash, Tanjiro caught Kanao's left hand with his right. "I did it!"

He let go of her hand and jumped in the air happily, the caterpillars joining him in his small celebration.

"…" Kanao stared at her hand, her smile replaced by a neutral expression.

"Can we get started with the reflex training, please?"

"…" Without a word, the girl moved to the table where the cups were prepared and sat down.

Tanjiro did the same.

"Ready?" The 'caterpillars' began, wide smiles on their faces. "Begin!"

Two hands dashed out to a cup only for them to be blocked by another one, they each went for a different cup but the result was the same, again and again and again.

"It's close! Don't give up! Do your best!"

'Ahhh, don't let up now, I can do it!' Tanjiro blocked a cup and immediately grabbed another one, lifting it up just a moment before Kanao could block it. 'I did it! Go!'

'This medical water stinks, it would be bad to splash her with it.' His conscience whispered to him.

'Ah!' Instead of splashing Kanao, he gently sat the cup down on top of her head.

"…"

"He won!"

"That counts?"

"Splashing her or resting the cup on her head, it's the same either way!" Kiyo, Naho and Sumi celebrated.

"Yay! I did it!" Tanjiro and the caterpillars celebrated as Kanao blinked, the cup still on top of her head.

'…why didn't he just splash me with it?' She asked herself, looking at the Kamado for a moment. 'Should I ask… no, it doesn't matter.'

"Kanao."

"Hm?"

"Can we go again?"

"…" The girl stared for a moment before taking the cup off her head and put it on the table, staring straight ahead as if waiting.

Taking it as a yes, Tanjiro sat down again.

"Ready? Begin!"

Like before, the two moved to grab the cups and continued to block each other, their hands looking like blurs at the speed they continued to move them.

'Almost there… crap!' Tanjiro was just a second late at blocking Kanao and she raised the cup; he closed his eyes waiting to be splashed but, after a second, he didn't feel anything so he opened them. "Hm?"

Kanao was holding the cup she had just grabbed in the air and simply set it back down on the table.

"…thanks!" The Kamado smiled at the gesture. "One more time, please."


And another one!

I really missed writing this story but a mix of not finding the motivation and what I mentioned in the notes at the beginning kept me from it.

Anyway! More canon deviations are approaching, who do you think gets assigned the Kamaboko Squad (soon to be renamed 'Sense Squad' haha)?

I hope you don't mind that I glossed over most of the recovery training, I honestly didn't feel I needed to go into too much detail about it and just focused on the important parts of it; plus adding the bit with Genya and Himejima.

Alright, I think there is only one more thing I want to say, it's repeating the announcement at the beginning.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

I made a discord server for TanKana; if you're interested in joining, please send me a PM at my account (Manu259) or the twitter account 'TanKana Estate ( TankanaW)'

It's still new but I hope to make it grow with time!

Plus, you get to go there and ask me how the next chapter is coming along! Hahaha.

END OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

With all that said, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please don't forget to comment~

Until next time!