Hinokami's Blessing

Chapter 6

12Thirtypain03

WARNING: This story is rated M for mature-rated content. If some acts of violence, blood, or anything easily triggering make you uncomfortable, please leave and do not read. Any change to a character, when introduced, killed, changed into a demon/human, or more will be labeled in the chapter of occurrence. If a character has died in a chapter, that chapter will give a cause of death to that character.


Urokodaki's POV


The first thing Urokodaki did when he gave Tanjirou the gourds was to merely relax. He had focused on analyzing Nezuko's progress. Whilst Tanjirou was an unsure question, Nezuko was more of a promising act.

Considering everything with the struggles Tanjirou had, Nezuko was a breath of fresh air. That wasn't to say Tanjirou was unskilled or anything, but rather, his unique characteristics made him quite the tough nut to crack.

It was more than Nezuko wasn't as much of an enigma as Tanjirou was. Seriously, Tanjirou was a first for Urokodaki, who was able to easily break gourds without being able to perform a breathing style.

Likewise, despite the issues Tanjirou had, he did have another student, which was the younger sister of the Kamados.

Unlike Tanjirou, Nezuko was managing to progress through the water-breathing forms pretty well. Maybe it was due to her being a newly trained fighter, but she suffered very few side effects from using the forms, which made her an acceptable candidate. It was quite a shame she was a demon, like her brother, but alas, they had figured a way out regarding this issue.

Whilst Nezuko was making progress, being extra determined due to Giyu's condition with being able to access a new technique.

However, whilst Nezuko was beginning to feel confident about her progress, the same could not be said for Tanjirou.

Perhaps they may be due to his inability to progress in water breathing at a similar rate to his younger sister, or perhaps he was feeling somewhat unsure about his abilities in general. Regardless of the reasons, Tanjirou was feeling down.

"I do need to find a way for Tanjirou to fight alongside his sister. Alas, for because Tanjirou is now a demon, he won't be able to live a normal life outside the demon slayer corps. If he is unable to fight for the demon slayer corps, then he may be executed for being a demon, regardless." Urokodaki thought as it was something he didn't want.

Urokodaki could understand why Tanjirou was upset, but it was something that the demon Slayer went through. While not every demon slayer may not be able to perfectly perform a breathing style, especially whether external factors played a role in a demon slayer's growth.

Therefore, Urokodaki was not really that surprised when Tanjirou continued to struggle, especially when both he and Giyu continued to fail when finding out more about Tanjirou's own breathing exercises.

The boy's breathing was similar to total concentration breathing, but Giyu had apparently asked everyone, including Ubuyashiki about the specific properties, but even they didn't know.

This could mean two things.

Either Tanjirou knew a breathing style from before, or he's creating a new breathing style.

Or…

His current breathing style is simply incompatible with everything else that is currently being taught, and it will never be able to, or until he finds his own way of fighting demons.

For a moment and time, specifically, the week since Urokodaki gave Tanjirou the gourds, he was unsure which part to believe. For a bit, he was thinking about the latter.

However, what he saw after a week, made Urokodaki second guess what had happened.

He merely was cleaning up some swords that both Tanjirou and Nezuko were using, when he heard a loud shatter go off within the field where Tanjirou and Nezuko were.

Quickly rushing out, fearing the worse, he noticed Tanjirou had fallen to the ground, unconscious.

"What the…" Urokodaki mumbled as he noticed the entire this, especially the worried look Nezuko was giving her brother, standing over his unconscious body.

In all of Urokodaki's experiences in his life, he had never once seen what had just happened, happened.

"How did this…" It was then Urokodaki noticed the shattered remains of the gourd Tanjirou was holding. To his surprise, he noticed the missing gourd on the size 7.

"Why did he use a seven scale?" Urokodaki mumbled before his eyes realized. "Wait, he broke the gourd?"

Urokodaki's eyes widened, albeit behind his mask. Not noticing the confused look Nezuko was giving him, as Urokodaki was in thought.

"This kid…" Urokodaki mumbled to himself, "He cannot even use a breathing style properly, yet can perform total concentration to the point of breaking one of the larger-sized gourds. What is this kid?" Truth be told, even Urokodaki couldn't answer the phenomenon that he was observing.

"Giyu was not joking. This kid's breathing technique is among the most unique ones I've ever seen. Just who is this child?" Urokodaki asked himself, as he eventually picked Tanjirou's sleeping body up, and placed him carefully on the bunk bed of the spare room.

As he placed Tanjirou's own body on the bunk bed, that's when he noticed his breathing was ragged and irregular, almost back to a relaxed state.

"Seems he broke his constant breathing… Considering he's unconscious, I guess we'll have to fix this." Urokodaki noted. While the boy was unique, he was still rather new to everything, and as such, needed some more practice.

Sighing, he looked over to notice Nezuko's concerned face. She was concerned for her brother. Not just because he fell unconscious, but also because of her brother's apparent struggle right now.

"Don't worry about your brother, he's just learning something else." Urokodaki tried his best to reason with Nezuko, "Sometimes, some people will struggle more with this than the other. Perhaps your brother is having a more difficult time learning this, but it's something he will and hopefully will overcome."

Nezuko looked unsure but eventually decided to continue outside her breathing form. Urokodaki gave a small smile behind his mask, glad Nezuko was being serious.

Nezuko had the smell of someone, who whilst outgoing and free, was also angry, having a deep sense of morals, undoubtedly from the tragedy of her family. She seemed to be angrier, and more outgoing. He sometimes smelt a sense of distrust Nezuko had towards him, but also a tad of fear...

However, it was Tanjirou that Urokodaki was confused about. Also being able to smell well, Tanjirou was an enigma. Rather, what Urokodaki could smell from Tanjirou was somewhat tragic.

The boy was full of doubt and inferiority, as well as a deep fear of failure. Something he unfortunately was having right now, considering he was struggling to perform a proper breathing form without having a side effect. He could also smell a deep sense of regret and pain from Tanjirou. The pain he could smell from both of these siblings was bad enough, but for Tanjirou, it was amplified over Nezuko.

And unlike for Nezuko, who managed to remain happy, despite being unable to talk, Tanjirou seemed like a changed individual.

He could tell that Tanjirou used to smile more, something he could smell. Nezuko, by contrast, seemed more like herself. What Urokodaki meant, was that Tanjirou seemed to have lost apart of himself, and seems to be hiding something underneath himself. To Urokodaki, Tanjirou looked as broken as Giyu, when he first took them in.

That isn't to say Tanjirou smelt somewhat troubled. Urokodaki could smell that Tanjirou was more troubled, whilst Nezuko smelt angrier than Tanjirou. What did this mean?

It meant that Tanjirou was suppressing his emotions, whilst Nezuko seemed somewhat angry. Urokodaki knew why. The reason, was because Tanjirou had to act as a model to Nezuko. But Urokodaki, whilst understanding Tanjirou, he ultimately knew Tanjirou is risking his sanity. Even as humans, emotions can change an individual drastically. However, for a demon, the change is more apparent and drastic. While Tanjirou was also seeming to be human at the moment, any intense emotional cascade could cause him to revert to a demonic presence.

As for Tanjirou, he was the enigma of the group. Whereas Nezuko was the more typical demon slayer story, as she was managing just fine with the breathing technique she was learning.

For Tanjirou, he was the more difficult of the two.

The possibilities that could happen can vary. For one, Tanjirou or Nezuko may develop a hatred for one another due to either's jealousy or inability. For Urokodaki, it was his goal to train his pupils properly, and even if they're demons, they are his pupils regardless. The simple fact was that with any irrational acts, demons were more vulnerable.

For a brief period, Urokodaki was considering moving Tanjirou to a different trainer. However, this was before Urokodaki could see the potential in him. Whilst this was promising, the pure side effects water breathing has on Tanjirou's body said a lot for Urokodaki. As of now, Tanjirou's breathing seemed to be interfering with the breathing style.

And now, seeing as Tanjirou was able to at least use total concentration breathing techniques to at least break a gourd of a larger size, Urokodaki was intrigued, yet confused, by Tanjirou.

Tanjirou Kamado was Urokodaki's most unique student, but also his most confusing student to date. And for Urokodaki, it was quite the entertainment he needed in his life. Even if it was rather a dilemma, it was something Urokodaki wanted to decipher.

Urokodaki sighed, as he noticed the sun was rising. He yawned, ever since the two demons became his students, he had to adapt his sleeping to match that of the two demons. Now, he woke up even earlier, two hours before the sun rose at six in the morning, to at least train them and allow them to spar.

Urokodaki noticed ever since the two had joined them, not once had they tried to eat him. Not once did they ever show any sense of bloodlust or thirsty desires. It was as if they were not demons at all. They were almost as if they were humans. The only thing that made Urokodaki remind himself they were demons was the fact that they would burn in the sunlight.

But that was it. No human eating, no salivation, it was almost as if they were human again, living their lives as demon slayers. Urokodaki did not know how this was possible. He had never met demons like this.

At least for Tanjirou, Urokodaki could sense that he had control of his demonic instincts. They may change if he's in battle. As for Nezuko, she is probably more demon-like than her elder brother. Regardless, the fact they seemed very human-like really made Giyu's previous statement come to life.

Whether it was them being so focused on their training that they never had time to realize their nature, or that they slept to regain their energy instead of eating human meat, Urokodaki was unsure.

But he was glad. Glad that Giyu was not wrong about his intuitions. Giyu was right to see something within the two siblings, and considering two months after training, Nezuko was almost able to do every water-breathing form, and Tanjirou was successful in breaking his first gourd, and it was a larger one already. In short, one knew a breathing style efficiently, and the other has begun their journey to total concentration breathing.

Urokodaki looked onward, as he noticed Nezuko coming inside the bunk bed, and immediately falling asleep.

Nezuko, seemed to be under a strict schedule throughout the entire day. She would get up at around six, when the sun would set, and then would immediately spend the entire twelve hours she was up, and practice the breathing forms.

Urokodaki was not sure if this was how demons interacted, or if because both were demons this was all they could do. He sighed, feeling bad for both the individuals he was training, but for now, he allowed the two to sleep.

He would take the time to send a message to Giyu, informing him of the progress both Tanjirou and Nezuko were making, all the while stating his concerns for the two.

"Hello Giyu Tomioka,

This is Urokodaki, sending you this journal and message to update you on the progress of both Tanjirou Kamado and Nezuko Kamado. I may inform both individuals to start writing journals themselves, so that they may go out of their training box.

The main notable concern I have for both now includes their training regimen. Whilst I did plan on making it extra difficult, this was only meant to adapt to their expectations as demons, since they will not suffer from the same fatigue as humans. On the other hand, this has the unfortunate side effect of making this the only thing they do. Perhaps this was my end, for making the regimen extra difficult specifically for them, but the results are rather mixed to work for it.

Anyways, Nezuko Kamado is perhaps the most promising prospect of Tsukuba. She has managed to properly use the ten forms of water breathing that I've taught her. Eventually, I will have finished everything I can teach her on. She seems to be extra adept at swinging and twisting her body, which makes her utilizing water breathing technique for her extra potent. In the meantime, I will allow her to rest for at least a day, as she has managed to make such progress in a short amount of time.

As for Tanjirou Kamado, he is somewhat of an interesting case. While he can perform water breathing, he suffers from adverse side effects due to the strain. As for his breathing techniques, once again it seems that for now, it inhibits his ability to perform water breathing. On the other hand, he is performing total concentration breathing, constant relatively well. He is still new to the concept, as he will sometimes break his constant, but in many circumstances, he can use it well. This is best shown by the fact that within the week of starting in blowing gourds, he has not only managed to break one of the gourds, but it was also a size 7, one of the larger ones. In short, whilst we are still struggling with Tanjirou, he is making progress.

Also, one last thing I would like to mention to you about these two reveals a potentially darker secret about the two siblings. As I've trained them in breathing techniques, and with them starting to learn water-breathing, both Tanjirou and Nezuko seem to react too strongly at the prospect of failure. Every time I tell them their form is wrong, or when telling them they need to refine their posture, they immediately tense, almost as if they anticipate me hitting them. I'm not too sure why this may be the case, but it seems that even as demons, they retain some memories of their past, which may influence their current personalities now. Please look into this unusual response, as I've never had my students respond this strongly to failure before, unlike Nezuko and Tanjirou. This is especially strange, considering the two are demons and would be endured to handle such punishment regardless.

Regards,

Sakonji Urokodaki.

Once Urokodaki finished, he sighed as he looked across a nearby mirror. Perhaps he was the lucky one when it came to hiding his face, as he was respected in the entire ordeal of autonomy.

For Tanjirou and Nezuko, when they eventually, and sadly have to perform missions, they will be strictly assessed for wearing a mask. While they could be passed off as being students of a former water pillar, it was also not ideal, especially if one finds out they are demons.

In the meantime, Urokodaki had brought out some masks. One plain white and black mask. For now, he was planning on creating a mask for both Tanjirou and Nezuko.

For Nezuko, he was no doubt going to make it a mix of white and pink, as for what exactly he was going to put? Perhaps some flower that Nezuko likes.

Tanjirou was going to make it a mix of black and red. And while he was debating on just putting flaming marks, he decided to instead use a specific katana design. If Urokodaki was being honest, he was having a more difficult time deciding for Tanjirou than Nezuko.

In the meantime, he was going to allow the two to sleep, and thus, allow Giyu to train them for the day, as usually when Urokodaki mails Giyu, he comes to the estate to observe the development and progress.

It took around two days for Giyu to come, and he seemed as serious as ever.

"So, it's come to my attention that Nezuko can perform all ten forms of water breathing?" Giyu asked.

Urokodaki nodded, "Yes, she can."

"And for Tanjirou?"

Urokodaki looked pensive, which was hidden behind his mask, "He is still struggling, but he can perform some forms. His more impressive progress comes with his total concentration, and how he's able to break the gourds. It seems that the breaking of the size 7 was a fluke, but he is regularly breaking the size 4s, now working onto size 5."

"That is rather impressive." Giyu commended, "Especially in such a given time. Whether they're demons or not, it is rigorous and hard training to do. Anyways, I guess I'll allow you to check on Tanjirou, and I'll look over Nezuko, and see what she is doing. Make sure Tanjirou does not use many breathing forms."

"Why is Tanjirou able to perform an advanced form of a breathing pattern or style, yet unable to perform a single breathing technique?" Urokodaki asked as he knew Giyu was probably having the same kind of technique.

Urokodaki nodded in response, "I cannot guarantee that, as Tanjirou is a very stubborn individual. Even when I tell him not to, and he hurts himself, he continues to do it."

Giyu sighed, "Very well, I'm going to test Nezuko and see where she falls in her training."

With that, Giyu set out to look for Nezuko, who was training in quite a different place. She was in a wooded area, whilst Tanjirou was more outside, with his wooden sword. Urokodaki could see the complicated and conflicted look on Tanjirou, and it did suck.

Falling way behind your family member, while the other is going places, Tanjirou probably felt stuck, trying so hard to make the smallest improvements.

Why do the hardest-working people always have to suffer so much?

Why do the kindest people always get trampled on so much?

Urokodaki could probably wonder a lot of questions, but for now, he had to continue his training. At the end of the day, he was told to train Tanjirou for a demon slayer role, and that was what he was going to do.

Whilst Urokodaki continued to train Tanjirou in total concentration breathing and how to perform it well, he did notice a difference in Tanjirou's spirit.

Albeit by a little, Tanjirou's battle spirit was a bit less. This was somewhat promising, as this may be helping him incrementally perform a breathing style.

The fact that Tanjirou was able to manipulate his battle spirit a bit just by his breathing technique, was phenomenal. Tanjirou was clearly advancing in his overall breathing technique and yet has fallen so far in his breathing style.

Eventually, after around thirty minutes, Nezuko came back, looking happy.

"Well, it seems she does indeed know the ten forms. While they aren't polished well, they are capable. Therefore, I will begin to teach you my form." Giyu's head patted Nezuko, who gave a smile, before looking to Tanjirou.

Tanjiru, too gave a small smile, and a thumbs up, clearly showing he was happy about her progress. However, Nezuko could tell Tanjirou was feeling sad, about his lack of progress.

It was clear to her that Tanjirou was feeling rather glum due to his lack of progress. And it made Nezuko upset. She wasn't even sure why Tanjirou wasn't able to perform a breathing style as well as her.


Tanjirou's POV


"I'm fine Nezuko, please don't worry about me," Tanjirou responded calmly.

Nezuko didn't budge, and Tanjirou sighed, "Don't worry."

Eventually, Nezuko's mind was preoccupied with something else, and that was Giyu speaking.

"Nezuko has made some progress with the personal form," Giyu said kindly.

"Oh wow! What's it called?" Tanjirou asked.

"Perform the ten water-breathing forms well, and I can show you." Giyu explained, "It is a personal skill, and while I would show it out to others, it requires the user to be in an ideal state of mind and peace. In short, with your current struggles, you may face a worse adverse effect by utilizing it."

"Oh…" Tanjirou mumbled. Yet again, he couldn't do anything because of his stupid side effects.

He kind of hated himself for being unable to perform the breathing technique as well as Nezuko.

Just like his family, Nezuko was seen as superior. Tanjirou, by contrast, was the failure. The useless brother, who failed at everything he did.

Could it be that he may never be able to properly perform a breathing style? He didn't know.

"Well with this being said, I cannot teach you anymore," Urokodaki explained finally.

"What?" Tanjirou asked. He seemed somewhat in disbelief. If this was all Urokodaki could do, then he was done for... He wouldn't be able to perform a breathing technique... And if he couldn't do that, then...

"You heard me," Giyu responded. "This is all we can teach. The most you both can do is continue to train and exert yourself, either by training or experience, and so once you both can reach that level, you will be able to break a large boulder."

"A large boulder?" Tanjirou asked. He seemed somewhat nervous and full of disbelief.

"Yes." Urokodaki responded.

"But I've yet to even perform a proper breathing style!" Tanjirou exclaimed nervously.

Urokodaki sighed, "Whilst it may be a bit difficult for you, we hypothesize that your breathing technique may at least allow you to strengthen your breathing style. As a result, we think you will be fine. Perhaps you may take a bit longer than Nezuko, but we think you can complete it with time."

Tanjirou gulped, as he was led to a wooded area, where he saw two large boulders. Both he and Nezuko looked nervous.

"We have to destroy this?!" Tanjirou mumbled to himself as he looked very shocked. "I guess I won't be able to continue..."

"This is your final test for this training regimen, if you complete this, you will in short be able to go out, exploring and test your strengths as demon slayers," Urokodaki responded in kind.

Both Tanjirou and Nezuko looked at the boulder, relatively uneasily, as they were unsure of their strength.

"Now, to officially join the demon slayer corps, you must survive the final selection at Mount Fujikasane. That is usually the case for demon slayers." Urokodaki explained, "However, for the both of you."

"It'll be more complicated than that. So, you will first complete this, then we will find a way for you to prove your worth to the demon slayer corps." Urokodaki added on, lastly explaining what to do, and then leaving the two siblings together. "Also remember to get back in the house when the sun is rising."

A couple of weeks went by after that, yielding three months of total training. Whilst it may seem like not a lot, considering it was all they did, for twelve hours at the very least, it aggregated to quite the time.

Despite both being rather adept at their respective skills, they couldn't break the boulder.

"We're doing everything he practiced for…" Tanjirou mumbled as he was breathing heavily. "I don't think I can do this..."

The different forms of water breathing were still causing straight into Tanjirou, and it was getting infuriating for him.

He was heaving in air, and waiting for his lungs to regenerate from the strain, whilst Nezuko looked on, clearly angry with herself.

"Pathetic…" A third voice echoed throughout the forest. "Why must you whine considerably… It's something a man should not do."

Both Tanjirou and Nezuko turned around to see an individual, a man, with a white warding mask, which seemed to have been carved.

"Are you one of Urokodaki's students?" Tanjirou asked.

"Hmmm…" All the individuals responded with, "Whatever suffering you are dealing with, remain silent." The individual responded.

"Or…" He added, "Are you still a baby?"

Tanjirou looked rather shocked, as he was unsure what to say. However, something foreign began to brew up in Tanjirou's mind.

"Well, that's slightly better, remaining silent, but considering you and your sister are both demons, shouldn't you be used to egregious pain by now?" He continued.

Before Tanjirou had a chance to counter his claim, the unknown man swung his sword towards him, and Tanjirou only had his demon instincts to thank that he raised his sword to block the strike.

"You have no right to talk to me about pain..." Tanjirou grumbled as he stared the individual down. Despite this, the mask the individual wore meant he couldn't see how the individual reacted.

Nezuko looked rather shocked and quickly rushed the third individual.

"Ahh, the other one, I've heard some good things about you. Remaining silent all the time? Now that's impressive. I'd say, Nezuko is more of a man than you are, Tanjirou." The individual responded.

Tanjirou was hurt by this, but he was too busy gripping his blade as he was trying not to lose the stalemate he was losing.

The stalemate was broken when the boy kicked Tanjirou down. "Pathetic, a demon, falling so far from a mere kick."

"Who are you!" Tanjirou asked finally.

"Sabito." Was all the individual responded with?

He couldn't continue onwards as he felt the pressure of another figure, that being Nezuko.

"Well then…" Sabito commented before he too began toward Nezuko.

"Is Nezuko, really more advanced than I ever could be?" Tanjirou asked himself, as Nezuko charged Sabito, her blade raised.

"So useless... So worthless... What did I ever see in you? Why did I ever respect you?" The words began to haunt Tanjirou yet again, as he was forced to grit his teeth and the underlying emotions he was feeling.

The inability to perform a breathing technique properly, the inability to do anything properly, and the predisposition of his past, being abused for being a failure, it was all accumulating in Tanjirou's mind and body.

All he wanted to do, was to be something. He wanted to be the big brother of the family, and he couldn't even do that right. All of his siblings, except for Nezuko were all dead because he failed to protect them.

While many thought they could be a man of no worth, Tanjirou felt something different.

"I'm a man... Of no value..." Tanjirou thought to himself, as he looked down.

Right now, Nezuko stepped forward with a swift, aggressive, yet graceful movement.

Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirlpool

Nezuko continued to twist her body, with the blade becoming surrounded by a blue form of water.

Sabito, noticing the technique, responded in a similar vein, using the same breathing style as Nezuko, managing to cancel each other's strikes, and launching each other away.

Nezuko quickly closed the distance, her sword flickering, as she executed a quick series of strikes, only for Sabito to carefully check the sword strikes, colliding with his own, powerful strike, a strong overhead swing, that Nezuko was forced to back away from.

He started his own offensive, using a quick flurry of jabs, that got stronger and faster with each consecutive strike. All Nezuko could do for now was block them, but she was beginning to struggle.

Tanjirou looked on, not wanting to leave her doing nothing, so he charged forward. He would take the humiliation of his sister to save her if he needed to.

"Come on, you stupid child, don't be so useless!" A voice came upon Tanjirou, as he gritted, his own mind calling at him for arms.

"Don't be a failure, again!"Tanjirou yelled to himself as he got into the battle.

Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Trust

Gripping his sword in a downward strike, Tanjirou used his nose and eyes to pinpoint a proper thread, which he managed to find through Sabito's sword arm. Going as quick as he can, Tanjirou precisely aimed for Sabito's sword arm, thrusting his blade as fast as he could.

Sabito noticed this and quickly evaded both of them. Forcing himself to back away so that he wouldn't get tagged teamed by Nezuko and Tanjirou.

"So then... He is able to perform the breathing style it seems… No matter, he's still very weak and naïve." Sabito thought to himself, "Nezuko seems capable, however."

Sabito stepped back to gather his strength for another attack, focusing his breathing.

Tanjirou knew this wasn't the time to let him just breathe.

"Just keep the pressure on him!" Tanjirou thought to himself. "I won't be a failure... I will protect you Nezuko!"

Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance

Tanjirou gripped his handle more, meeting Sabito head-on, trying to continue the pressure.

"Keep going! Just keep going! Ignore the strain water breathing puts on your body Tanjirou, just keep going, don't stop!" Tanjirou continued to tell himself.

It seemed to work for a bit, as Sabito was forced to be on the defense.

Tanjirou's sword flickered a watery hue as it accumulated with each passing strike Tanjirou continued to perform, he felt weaker. His body was giving up on him, and he knew he had to eventually stop.

"Nezuko! Take the opening!" Tanjirou gasped as he suddenly collapsed in pain, the strain of using the water breathing style consecutively catching up to him. He breathed in heavily, as he felt Sabito kick him into a tree.

Sabito was confused by this but realized Nezuko was quickly approaching him. Sabito gritted his teeth as he began to push himself to the limits, breathing heavily to match Nezuko.

But Nezuko continued her assault after Tanjirou gave her the opening.

Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux

Now it was Nezuko's turn to be on the offense as she ruthlessly stroked down at Sabito.

However, just as suddenly as she started, it ended.

When Nezuko blinked, she was shocked at what she saw.

And so was Tanjirou.

"Where…" Tanjirou was asked, "Where did he go?"

"You did well, Nezuko... I applaud you.

But despite this, none of this was the main surprise. The main surprise was the boulder Nezuko was told to break.

She had ended up breaking it in half.

"Nezuko… You did it!" Tanjirou smiled hugging Nezuko, before he went down on a knee, cringing from the strain as he took his time to calm his body down.

Nezuko looked down at Tanjirou in concern.

"I'm fine Nezuko… I'm fi—"

Tanjirou did not get the chance to properly tell Nezuko he was fine, for that was when Nezuko suddenly collapsed.

"N-Nezuko?" Tanjirou asked, clearly concerned.

"Nezuko!" Tanjirou exclaimed in shock and horror once he realized she wasn't waking up.

He then turned to the figure that had fought Nezuko, Sabito, which apparently was his name.

"You failed... Again, Tanjirou. You failed at protecting your very own sister. How does it feel to be a failure, no matter what you do, you can never complete your own goal?" Tanjirou's eyes widened, as he eyed Sabito, who despite the mask, remained still, and was probably shocked at what happened to Nezuko.

"Such a failure... Why were you ever born? When your sister can do everything you do better. She can perform Water Breathing better, she can take care of her siblings better than you did, and what did you do? You failed and took all the blows, even the burns, across your skin the scars reside."

Sabito had just hurt Nezuko, and that was unforgivable.

He gritted his teeth, staring at Sabito, "Nobody hurts my sister, and gets away with it!" Tanjirou yelled in rage, as suddenly, his appearance changed.

His eyes became more slit, and bloodred, his claws lengthened, and his face...

The jagged mark on his left forehead expanded to touch his nose, with two more jagged red marks appearing on Tanjirou's right side of the forehead, and jawline.

It was his demonic form.

Sabito looked a bit alarmed, before he somehow disappeared, causing Tanjirou's appearance to quickly change back.

"Where did he go?" Tanjirou asked.

"Not even being able to slay the person who hurt your sibling, such a failure you are. How useless and slow to action are you truly?" The voice inside Tanjirou's head came back, and Tanjirou yelled and screamed in pain while begging Nezuko to get up.

With quick thinking, Tanjirou lifted Nezuko up and brought her to Urokodaki's house.

Urokodaki looked rather confused, smelling the panic in Tanjirou's body, "What's-"

"She just collapsed! She's not waking up!" Tanjirou exclaimed in shock.

Urokoarly took this seriously and likewise was most definitely getting some town doctor to check on her vitals and health.

It took an excruciating day for the doctor to arrive, and when they finally arrived, couldn't figure it out either.

They said Nezuko was still alive and her vitals and functions were fine. However, she was in a coma-like state, resting.

"How do I wake her up?" Tanjirou asked the individual.

"That's the thing, you just have to let her rest for as long as she needs to." The individual responded and answered for Tanjirou, who merely looked worried for his sister.

Tanjirou sighed, as he was beginning to get very nervous.

His sister had just managed to cut the boulder in half, after a fight with Sabito, but now she was not waking up.

Would she be able to use it after she wakes up?

Tanjirou did not know what to think.

"There's still a lot of time left to train for you, Tanjirou, perhaps take this time to catch up to Nezuko, so when she wakes up, you both will be able to perform the final test together, and even explore and slay demons together." Urokodaki told Tanjirou, who perked up.

"But, that is, if she wakes up…" Tanjirou mumbled.

"The doctor said she will, just give her time, maybe her body is changing." Urokodaki tried to calm Tanjirou down, but no matter what he did, he knew Tanjirou would be worried sick.

And so, he told Tanjirou to get some sleep as well and to continue training to distract himself the next time the sun sets.

Once Urokodaki left, Tanjirou did not leave his eyes off Nezuko's sleeping figure. What was he going to do if she was gone? He couldn't stand to see him as well as the only remaining family member left.

Tanjirou sighed as he finally closed his eyes, hoping whatever Nezuko was doing, he would do as well.

Unfortunately for Tanjirou, that was not the case.

He woke up and was sad to realize he woke up when Nezuko did not. What he did wake up to, was the sounds of Urokodaki.

"Urokodaki, what's going on?" Tanjirou asked.

"I'm moving some stuff, to make sure the sun does not intrude on the two of you." Was all Urokodaki responded with.

"Right… Haha, I won't keep you waiting too long!" Tanjirou exclaimed as he ran out to the moonlight. Immediately upon going in the moonlight, he sighed. How was he going to perfect a breathing style he just couldn't get down?

Tanjirou sighed, as he continued to think about his sister, a feeling of dread filling him.

He was always having to be the bigger brother, always taking everything in for his family. As an older brother, he felt helpless about Nezuko's issue. He wanted to help her, but now he couldn't.

The thoughts of his family immediately began to overwhelm him. The sounds of being hurt and whipped because he failed to perform a breathing-style form. The memories were still evident. The paranoia, nightmares, and constant stress and fear he received because of his mother and father were strife. It didn't matter if his mother at least fed him after a hard day, she still participated in the beating and failed to stop it. And his father.

Tanjirou growled in anger, punching his fist on the ground, not caring that it was hurting. He would regenerate and heal. Just like how he healed from the other injuries he sustained. Just like how he healed after that man tortured him, ripping his body apart with the intent to kill him.

But through it all, Tanjirou not only hated his father and Muzan... He hated himself.

Tanjirou had failed and had been called the opposite of what his father had been. He thought about his father, Tanjuro. Knowing his father, Tanjuro would probably tell him to just breathe like Hinokami, as he would label this a stressful event, and thus being calm in the event of something so stressful would always help him. Even then, his father would also hurt him.

That was the origin. Before Tanjirou turned five, his father had been calm, always telling him about the Hinokami Kagura. However, once Tanjirou was five, he became more ruthless. He became more violent, but condescending.

He became obsessed with the art of sword swinging and the styles and also breathing a certain way. That, and also the Hinokami Kagura. However, his father refused to teach him that directly, even beating him severely when he wanted to wear the Hanufuda earrings. All Tanjirou wanted to do was learn the dance that his family did and passed down. Instead, he got punished for it.

Whenever he was allowed to perform it, his father and mother would kick him out of the house, giving him a book about the Hinokami Kagura, with the hanufuda earrings in the last page pocket, before giving instructions to perform it in a village church.

Tanjirou hated his father. He hated his mother. He hated Muzan. Because of them, his siblings were dead and lived a life of fear. Even Nezuko lived and suffered through it. Tanjirou would never forgive his own family for abusing his siblings.

Tanjirou sighed, and just when he was about to conform to the idea that he was a constant failure, and useless child, a bright light came to him. Something that acted as a crutch for him when he was at his lowest.

"That's it!" Tanjirou exclaimed in his head. Before he knew it, he quickly began to run down to town. He took some spare coins he had and quickly went to buy some clothes and the props required. He had gathered the torches, the wood, everything he needed to perform it.

"If I can't do anything, then I'll do the one thing I've learned to perfect." Was all Tanjirou thought as he began and determined, to buy all the materials, whilst opening the case of the clothing, and the book he was given to learn the very thing.

It was here did Tanjirou know what he would do.

He would dance the Hinokami Kagura, every day from sunset to sunrise, from 6 pm to 6 am, to pray to the sun god to help and pray for Nezuko to wake up.

Tanjirou looked determined, and a bit confident.

"The Hinokami Kagura was the only thing Father had praised me in, even then I could smell shock because Father was surprised at how well I did it... I did it better than him, and he never told me that. But even then, I impressed him... I did something well and excelled immensely at that. The best part? It was something you indirectly taught me! You didn't teach me this, you only showed me this when I was very young. I learned through this book!" Tanjirou smirked.

"If you don't see me as a man of any value, or as a failure, then I will do the one thing you could never call me a failure on... I will continue on the Hinokami Kagura, as it was the only thing you praised me for, Father..."

Even if it tired him out, even if it destroyed his body, and even if he was immobilized, or risked burning in the sunlight, he would continue to. He wanted his sister to be awake, and he would ask the sun god for that prayer.

He had his body scarred and tortured before. He could handle anything coming to him. A dance that makes him tired will not be something that will stop him. Not when those men had done much worse to him.

As he took off his clothes, seeing some muscle across his body, he stared down at the countless burn scars he had accumulated across his body. One on his upper side, near his left armpit, one on the right side of his chest, another just below his ribcage, some on his hips, thighs, and back especially, Tanjirou had a lot of burn scars that he would carry, even as a demon.

That was beside the scars of whips, and the occasional puncture scar, which was usually not too deep.

Once he got up the mountain in his clothing, he ignored Urokodaki's weird facial expression, via his mask, and made his way to the wooded area. He didn't care nor bother about Sabito or the other girl. He had to focus on praying, and hoping Nezuko woke up.

"What are you doing?" Urokodaki asked, finally catching up to Tanjirou.

"I'm going to dance," Tanjirou answered firmly. Unlike this time, Urokodaki could smell as sense of ease and determination in Tanjirou.

Now it was Urokodaki's time to be confused.

"Dance?" Urokodaki asked, yet again.

"Yes, it's a ritual dance." Tanjirou explained, "Every New Year's Eve, the eldest male of the family would dance from sunset to sunrise as an offer to the Sun God to help ward off diseases and threats. I will dance every day until Nezuko wakes up."

Urokodaki looked confused but also intrigued. "What about your demon slayer training?"

"I'm a failure at that, Urokodaki, face it. I don't see putting in continuing my training... Not when I haven't been able to do a breathing style when Nezuko had so quickly progressed." Tanjirou sighed, which shocked Urokodaki.

"You've managed to do something Nezuko couldn't," Urokodaki explained, "Your breathing has improved immensely. You just need a bit more work."

"You see me as a hindrance, don't you?" Tanjirou asked, shocking Urokodaki with the claim. "I get it, I'm a failure... And I will always be... But at least... This one thing, I could do perfectly."

"Tanjirou, you are not a failure, for I've never called you one, nor thought that. I've told you my opinion of you multiple times before, now come up, let's continue your training." Urokodaki explained, "If you keep up with your breathing technique, you can master total concentration breathing constant."

Tanjirou shook his head, "I can't, Urokodaki... I can't do anything right... Nezuko was always the talented one, and I was always the failure... This dance is the only thing that makes me feel worth any value... Please, Urokodaki..." Tanjirou looked up at Urokodaki.

"Please... Let me do this..." Tanjirou was pretty much begging his teacher.

For Urokodaki, he was beginning to see the insecurities of Tanjirou first hand. How the elder brother thought he was a failure. Urokodaki was able to smell it, but he didn't realize it ran that deep into Tanjirou's brain. It was hurting Tanjirou, to the point of giving up.

Urokodaki sighed, "If you try and continue your training, I will allow it. But please, don't see yourself as a failure, Tanjirou."

"I will focus on that once Nezuko wakes up. I'm sorry Urokodaki, but I must focus on my siblings, and right now, Nezuko needs me." Tanjirou explained.

Urokodaki merely looked onward, conflicted on whether he should stay to make sure Tanjirou would be safe before he left.

Before Tanjirou could properly set everything up, he was approached by a small woman.

"Hello, Tanjirou. Are you alright?"

Tanjirou looks at the girl, "Who are you?"

"My apologies, I'm Makomo," Makomo revealed. "And I'll be taking care of you to eventually match Sabito."

"Why? I decided to quit." Tanjirou responded.

"That's not what you said to Master Urokodaki." The female replied. "Besides, I sense a strong soul in you. I think you can become a very strong demon slayer."

At this, Tanjirou remained frozen. The fact someone was believing him, saying that exact statement, gave him a bit of hope. And so, he asked, "Are you sure I can do it?"

Makomo smiled at Tanjirou, "I don't think you can do it, I know you can do it."

"A-Are you sure? You don't see me as a failure?" Tanjirou meagerly asked, not wanting to reveal it.

"How about you show me your breathing?" Makomo asked. "There is never a failure in the way to breathe, else you would be dead. Besides, your breathing may be contributing to your side effects."

"W-what?" Tanjirou asked. "H-How do you know-"

"Your breathing may be interfering with the water-breathing technique," Makomo explained.

"Urokodaki said that to me before, but I can change how I breathe, at least not quickly…" Tanjirou mumbled.

As Makoma began to listen to Tanjirou's own breathing, Tanjirou went back to how he would think when he breathed. The very same breathing he was trying to use this entire time. He had forgotten about it when Nezuko had collapsed, so he was somewhat shocked at how different it felt.

It made it more evident when Makomo gave a face of shock and confusion. "Your breathing…"

"Yes?" Tanjirou asked.

"It's so different, yet vaguely similar to water breathing…" Makomo explained.

"Vaguely similar?" Tanjirou asked.

"How do I explain? Well, it seems you are performing total concentration breathing, even when you are trying to sleep and the likes, however, the actual breathing is too different to be compatible with water breathing." Makomo explained. "In a sense, you breathe differently from the rest, but are able to hold it involuntarily."

"That makes sense…" Tanjirou mumbled.

"Not all hope is lost, however. When you were fighting Sabito, he was impressed with your ability to hold onto water breathing before you collapsed." Makomo praised Tanjirou, who smiled shyly. "Don't tell him I said that."

"Thanks…" Tanjirou gave a weary look. He was simply in a bad mood to smile, after remembering what his father, mother, and Muzan did to him and his siblings.

"With that being said, I do think your breathing style is interfering with it. I would recommend trying to fix your current breathing technique to fit that of water breathing." Makomo explained, "But then again, your breathing technique is unique, where did you learn to breathe in that form?"

Tanjirou himself had to think before he could answer, "I got it from my Hinokami Kagura."

"Hino-what?" Makomo asked. Tanjirou sighed, knowing he's have to explain everything again.

"It's a ritual dance I do for my family every year. A tradition I'm about to break for Nezuko." Tanjirou smiled sadly. Only talking about his siblings could make him happier. "Self-taught..."

"I see, but why do you have to breathe differently to perform it?" Makomo asked.

"Well, the reason is to allow the person dancing to dance from sunset to sunrise," Tanjirou explained. He was not aware of the surprised look Makomo was giving him.

"Uh…" Makomo mumbled, "Isn't that similar to that of the other breathing styles you see?"

Tanjirou shrugged before he stopped abruptly, thinking about it, "Now that you mention it, you are right…"

"If you are dancing and breathing a certain way like that, you may have already designed yourself to some form of breathing style," Makomo revealed.

"What?" Tanjirou was confused, "Are you saying, my Hinokami Kagura could be a breathing style?" Tanjurou was not sure if he was hearing that properly.

"I don't know." Makoma answered, "All I know is that the dance you are telling me about has a specific breathing technique you have to perform to utilize to the best of your ability, you could theoretically turn it into a breathing style."

Tanjirou's eyes widened. Is this was Urokodaki was talking about? Could he turn the Hinokami Kagura into a sword technique? Was that the reason why he couldn't really do breathing techniques and styles like his siblings...?

"Could I actually be able to fight alongside my sister?" Tanjirou was asking himself, hope to return to his once lost body.

The better question, was, did he want to do it?

The Hinokami Kagura is meant to protect, not to fight with. It was something Tanjirou did not feel like using. However...

"I mean, if it does help me stay with Nezuko, then I guess it could work." Tanjirou mumbled, "But I want to use water breathing with Nezuko. I know it sounds very picky, but I don't want Nezuko to feel left out or anything."

"That doesn't make any sense." Makomo facepalmed. "Weren't you the one who was jealous of your sister for her accomplishments?"

"I just feel dirty deciding if I want to use a dance used to protect from danger, to kill others," Tanjirou revealed. "You see... My mom and dad, when I was five started to teach me stuff very similar to this... But..." Tanjirou was trying to tell Makomo about his struggles without revealing the trauma he went through.

"I wasn't able to perform a breathing style, unlike my siblings... All I could do was the Hinokami Kagura... I was always called a failure by my parents, except when I did the Hinokami Kagura... that's why it's so close to me... As for Urokodaki, he may just be able to help me push past my struggles..." Tanjirou revealed, looking down with a sad expression.

Makomo, for her part, let the words sink in. To think both Tanjirou and Nezuko already had experience with demon slaying... "I can't imagine what it's like to live in that environment, as for your Hinokami Kagura, I would think this is as Hinokami's way of protecting you and your sister," Makomo explained.

"But how… By killing people? Is that really what Hinokami or my ancestors would have wanted?" Tanjirou thought. He wasn't sure.

But.

If it was going to help him use a breathing style, and it would help him be with Nezuko, then it could work out.

"So you wanted to dance?" Makomo asked. "For your sister?"

"Yes! From sunset to sunrise, until my sister wakes up!" Tanjirou revealed, feeling determined.

"That's quite the goal you have there, and especially if you need a certain breathing technique for you to be able to properly go through twelve hours of nonstop dancing…" Makoma mumbled. "I might watch this to see it for myself."

"I know, but if it's to wake my sister up, I'd do it for the rest of my life," Tanjirou explained. "Plus, maybe using the Hinokami Kagura as a sword style may benefit me."

And so, he proceeded to get his stuff on, and the wooden blades Urokodaki had stored. Turns out the dude has over two dozen wooden blades, with him making new ones every day now.

Regardless, Tanjirou knew what he needed to do.

"I know this is selfish of me, but I will offer this dance every day, from sunset to sunrise for the hope that my dear sister, Nezuko Kamado, wakes up. Please, Hinokami, accept this for as long as my sister sleeps." Tanjirou chanted to himself. "And forgive me for my parents' neglect of this. I will dance every day if I have to, to make it up to you."

And so, once Tanjirou began to dance, he began dancing according to how the book his father would give him, showed him. He breathed how he was taught, and he performed the same moves he was shown.

He performed, the one thing that he was praised for, because he was able to quickly learn, and excel at it.

What differed from the other times Tanjirou danced this time, however, were the sudden bright yellow, orange flames that surrounded his body. Despite this, he kept dancing. When dancing the Hinokami Kagura, he could not be distracted at all.

He couldn't afford to be distracted when giving a gift. He had to focus on his breathing technique so that he did not get hurt, and to properly perform the moves. He couldn't be distracted when he was gifted a gift of meaning, and purpose.

All the while, Makomo was watching, and even she could point out the obvious yellow, or orange flames that surround Tanjirou as he danced to the Sun God.

"This has to be a breathing style… May not be water breathing, but it surely has sword swipes and swings in them…" Makomo thought in awe, finding the dance beautiful. "Perhaps this is the breathing style Tanjirou was meant to learn this entire time..."

She was going to have to talk to him about her observations when he was done. That is, if the sun didn't get to him first.

And so, as Nezuko sleeps, Tanjirou dances.


A.N / So we're starting to get into the second major plot involves in Urokodaki's traits. As I said, this one would be a bit longer than the previous part, and that was because it will have some notable different forms than the canon. As for Makomo and Sabito, they will remain ghosts, but continue to play a major role for Tanjirou. Makomo with helping Tanjirou with his breathing style problem.

As of now, you probably are getting an idea of why Tanjirou is having a tough time learning Water Breathing, and no it's not just because it doesn't fit his body, his breathing technique just doesn't match that water-breathing user, that's all. And how Tanjirou will be able to concur with r this will be revealed in the next chapter, I hope.

This also goes past making a different Tanjirou. I don't want to get rid of the main characteristics of what makes Tanjirou himself, but I do was to showcase a more troubled, and mentally stressed character. Nezuko too will have her struggles, but the psychological impact this has on Tanjirou is already showing. For, the Hinokami Kagura's become a crutch for Tanjirou whenever he feels worthless. He's similar to Giyu, yet his own character regardless.

This is what I was talking about the difference, is the fact Tanjirou decides to dance to the Hinokami Kagura every day he gets until Nezuko wakes up. I feel that it fits his character type with how caring and protective he is of Nezuko, and always wanting her to be alright. I feel like this is something Tanjirou would do.


Character Profile:


Sabito: Male, 13 years old.

· Status: Dead, Human (Spirit).

Makomo: Female, 12 years old.

· Status: Dead, Human (Spirit).


Abilities: Breathing Styles


Tanjirou Kamado:

· Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash

· Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance

· Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide

· Water Breathing, Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought

· Water Beathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Trust

· Total Concentration Breathing: Constant (Learning)


Nezuko Kamado:

· Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash

· Water Beathing, Second Form: Water Wheel

· Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance

· Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide

· Water Breathing, Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought

· Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirlpool

· Water Beathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Trust

· Water Breathing, Eight Form: Waterfall Basin

· Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent

· Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux

· Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm


Makomo & Sabito

· Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash

· Water Beathing, Second Form: Water Wheel

· Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance

· Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide

· Water Breathing, Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought

· Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirlpool

· Water Beathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Trust

· Water Breathing, Eight Form: Waterfall Basin

· Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent

· Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux