Hinokami's Blessing
Chapter 7
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.
Tanjirou's POV
The Hinokami Kagura has been performed for many generations before Tanjirou himself. He was taught the dance in a very disturbing manner. He would be thrown out of the house sometimes with a book about the Hinokami Kagura, and he had to learn it for New Year's, at the village, expected to dance throughout the night.
Even when his father's body was weakening, Tanjurou was still able to perform the Hinokami Kagura. And as Tanjirou himself learned, he would practice a month from his father, so that he was able to perform it properly in the New Year's ritual.
He was thankful for his own achievements, and as his body danced, he felt a sense of peace, and when he was 8 years old, he had learned it mostly.
He says this mostly because there were some moments when he would prematurely collapse before the intended time. But for Tanjirou, it all was worth it.
His movements were fluid, and he felt the energy coursing through his veins. He felt the warm glow around his body as he danced, colliding with the cold, natural wind that was blowing currently, and Tanjirou was protected from the coldest and cruelest of nature's elements.
His figure roared in the fire, the yellow-orange flames surrounding him, much more than what he recognized, but it did not burn him. It did not harm him, it emboldened him. It enlightened him, more than the church he danced at back in the day.
Tanjirou remembered the close ties he had to the church, and even learned a bit of some prayer, to help him with peace of mind, as the priests could tell Tanjirou was troubled mentally, suffering from his own demons. However, as Tanjirou danced the Hinokami Kagura, he felt at peace. He felt like he was defeating the demons inside of his mind.
The flames were flickering and dancing, casting their warm glow over Tanjirou's body, which Makomo was easily able to see. Whilst it was purely visual, the bodily motions Tanjirou had shown and performed were enough to let anyone know how complex it was.
Especially considering the sake of Nezuko, Tanjirou knew he had to perform to the best of his ability, especially when he was going to continue doing this until Nezuko would woke up. He had to do this for Nezuko.
One thing Tanjirou noticed as he danced, was his lack of tiredness. While this was something he expected when everything was going well. While before, Tanjirou would struggle a bit to get his breathing intact, whilst dancing smoothly, he was noticing he was having an easier time for once.
Tanjirou would always feel sore whenever doing it, as the fatigue would hit his body afterward, but he would never get tired, out of stamina. Now, his fatigue was decreased... He would still feel it after hours of performing it, but he was having an easier time he felt.
"This is strange, Normally, I would have to take deep breaths, but by using this particular breathing, I don't need to do that. It makes me performing my movements much easier…" Tanjirou analyzed, clearly surprised.
"Is it perhaps the training for constant breathing helping me perform the Hinokami Kagura?" Tanjirou asked himself. "Or Perhaps it's because I'm a demon?"
Regardless, he couldn't think too much, as he was focused on the dance. Regardless of the questions he had, it mattered very little to him, for all he cared about was bringing Nezuko back, to wake her up.
"I promised Nezuko and Hinokami I would do this every day, so I mustn't give up now!" Tanjirou mumbled to himself. He thought about the abuse he went through by his father and mother. How he was tortured by Muzan before he thought he was done for. Only to be resurrected from the dead, as a demon.
Tanjirou thought that at this exact moment, when he woke up a demon, he was resurrected from the dead, with the purpose of killing that man who tortured him.
Unbeknownst to them, Makomo was observing him, noting the resemblance to some breathing techniques.
"Perhaps it's just what I assumed…" Makoma mumbled, but for now, she decided to let Tanjirou do what he wanted to do.
Once Tanjirou finally finished, he took a sigh of relief. However, despite this, he did not find himself as tired as he usually was. While his body was sore, that was it.
Tanjirou sighed, as he gave a small smile, "I hope you wake up soon, Nezuko."
Once Tanjirou finished, he noticed Makomo staring at him.
"Well, that certainly is interesting." Makomo explained, "I did notice something, however."
"And what is that?" Tanjirou asked.
"I've noticed there's a small little error in your breathing technique, especially when you are trying to amplify your movements," Makomo revealed.
"What?" Tanjirou asked, not getting it. He thought he was doing the Hinokami Kagura correctly.
"Well, usually when you are using a breathing style, you need to breathe a certain way. As I noticed you performing your dance, you were telling me how you have to breathe a certain way to properly be able to perform the move to the best of your abilities." Makomo explained as the two remained seated.
"I see… So are you saying, my breathing is not perfectly adapted to the dance? Likewise, it may not be adapted to Water Breathing." Tanjirou asked.
"Yes. I'd say, perform the Hinokami Kagura more to strengthen and properly use your breathing constant. With time, you may be able to use Water Breathing without suffering the side effects. Who knows, maybe it'll be more powerful than Nezuko's." Makomo answered.
"Alright!" Tanjirou exclaimed, clearly content about everything. He had a chance to properly perform the breathing style, and perhaps even beat Sabito finally. He felt determined and for now to catch up. "So, if I just fix my breathing style for the dance and water breathing, I may be able to perform it well?"
More importantly, Tanjirou had a chance to be useful, with the very thing that made him feel like he was worth some value.
Makomo nodded.
"So worthless, so useless... So weak... Why did I ever feel threatened by you?" Tanjirou momentarily stopped, as he heard those words echo in his mind, yet again.
He shook his head, "No... I have a use... To destroy that man..." Tanjirou scowled as he focused on his sister. "I won't fail at being a big brother again!"
After that, and making sure he was inside once he noticed the sun was rising, he began to properly plan everything, all the while maintaining his breathing constant. Just in time to quickly get inside the building before the sun's rays would onslaught him.
And so, Tanjirou performed the Hinokami Kagura every day. He did not care how much it hurt him. He did not care how much it tired him. He did not care. He didn't even care if it helped him get up the ranks. All he did this for, was for his sister. To pray to the Sun God that his sister would wake up.
Some way sees this as a violation of the family tradition, but Tanjirou didn't understand why he just didn't do it whenever. He was dancing much more for the Sun God. He was making up for the troubled household he and Nezuko grew up in.
And so, the next day he did the same thing.
And then the next day.
The next day.
On the fifth day, he was tired, starving, and out of energy. He was surprised he had lasted this long, but he was beaten.
"It's no use… Without this, I'm not sleeping, and regaining any energy…" Tanjirou mumbled, clearly tired after he performed the Hinokami Kagura.
As he tiredly made his way around the Urokodaki house, he was breathing heavily.
"Tanjirou?" Urokodaki looked towards the tired boy, "Why haven't you been sleeping?"
Tanjirou looked down, "I want to make sure Nezuko wakes up."
"Eh?"
"I was performing my dance to the Sun God, to pray for Nezuko's recovery," Tanjirou explained.
"Ah, right, you mentioned this to me." Urokodaki responded, "But that doesn't mean you shouldn't sleep."
Tanjirou sighed, "To be honest…"
"I'm afraid I'll fall into a coma, like Nezuko. I worry that if I sleep, I may not wake up for a long time, or ever…" Tanjirou revealed.
Urokodaki sighed, "Well then. You have to understand something."
"What?"
"You and Nezuko are both demons." Urokodaki explained, "For a time, there was only one method known for demons to regain their energy."
"What is it?" Tanjirou asked.
"Eating human flesh and blood are the usual ways demons survive and gain energy," Urokodaki explained.
Tanjirou gave a sound of oh, clearly saddened by this.
"However, that was, until both you and Nezuko showed up," Urokodaki revealed. "It appears some demons can regain their energy through sleeping."
"I see…"
"Yeah, in a sense, it is less sufficient for demons than that of human flesh, however, what I've learned about both the human body and demons, is how adaptable they are," Urokodaki explained.
"Adaptable?" Tanjirou asked.
"Yes, the ability to change one's own body and lifestyle to manage and thrive in a different environment. Both you and Nezuko may have been able to adapt your body to gather energy through sleeping." Urokodaki explained.
Tanjirou was thinking hard about this. Perhaps he could find a way to adapt his body to find a better way to regain energy than just sleeping, or even…
Tanjirou was looking around before he noticed the load of bread on the nearby counter.
"Can demons eat food?" Tanjirou asked.
Urokodaki shook his head, "No, their digestive systems are only able to eat human flesh and blood. Regular foods will make them vomit it out."
Tanjirou looked at the loaf of bread, deciding against Urokodaki's statement, and chose to gulp the bread down.
Urokodaki looked at Tanjirou, a bit anxious about what Tanjirou was about to do.
Tanjirou, for his part, forced the break down his mouth, ignoring the feeling of wanting to vomit. Urokodaki was not joking. Tanjirou wanted to throw up from the food. Despite this, Tanjirou continued to keep the food inside him.
Urokodaki looked a bit intrigued but remained quiet. "Very well, if this is what want to do, then I shall support you."
"Really? Why?" Tanjirou asked.
"Well, I certainly cannot let you eat other people to regain energy. If this is a possible way for you to regain your energy, then I and the rest of humanity will immensely rather that." Urokodaki explained
Tanjirou smiled sadly, hugging Urokodaki, hugging him, before he belched. "Excuse me…"
And when Tanjirou went out, to throw up the loaf of bread he hate, they both knew a lot of work needed to be done for this to go well.
By the next week, Tanjirou's own body was at its most strained. He thought the side effects from water breathing were bad enough, but this was something else. His body felt depleted, almost to the point of exhaustion. It was getting to the point where his demonic instincts were coming into effect. He started salivating, whenever near Urokodaki, and Tanjirou knew this.
Still, he held back, holding his instincts and trying to retain everything about being a human, the most he could. Tanjirou was human. He was a human, and he would get through this.
Instead, he rushed to the kitchen and stuffed his mouth with fruits and vegetables. A sense watermelon peel, or even a small cracker, anything that was human food, he would eat. He just wouldn't eat the flesh of a human.
He couldn't sleep much, because he needed to train his breathing. His breathing, with the help of Makomo, was undergoing huge stress. Considering the body depended on oxygen, the smallest change to someone breathing could cause a large strain on the body, and it seems for Tanjirou, was no different.
Despite this, he was beginning to retain his constant breathing technique. Giyu had been the one to tell him to perform this and was something only the strongest demon slayers could use. Therefore, it explained why Tanjirou was having quite a difficult time performing.
The longest he could perform it was whenever he was performing the Hinokami Kagura. That was the time, his breathing felt the most at peace and its peak. Even then, he was still getting a bit fatigued, and a bit of pain in his chest. Considering Makomo said he had to alter his breathing a bit to match and properly adapt to Hinokami Kagura to the best of his abilities, it made sense.
The next day, when Tanjirou performed a water breathing technique, he was shocked.
Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel
Tanjirou spun his body, leaping it and performing a single, vertical slash in a circular motion. Once he completed, to his shock, the strain he usually felt after using a breathing form, was less.
"Do you see that father? I did it. After a couple of months, this man Urokodaki was able to teach me how to properly perform water breathing... But you couldn't even teach me throughout your life... Am I so useless, now?" Tanjirou thought as he asked himself. "I'm not useless... I will be something!"
"I did something... I actually did it..." Tanjirou was smiling, after having proven his own doubtful mind.
Granted taken, it was still there, but it was bearable, and Tanjirou was excited. Even if the strain was there, Tanjirou was finally making some improvements as he was now able to perhaps perform a bit more without needing to recuperate.
"I will be useful for people..."
If he continued this, he could maybe, and rise the ranks alongside his sister.
By the second week, Tanjirou had continued to dance the Hinokami Kagura, retaining his promise, that he would dance for twelve hours every day until Nezuko woke up.
Makomo was always there to watch, observing the improvements Tanjirou was making. Whilst to the naked eye, it may seem nonexistent, to the demon slayers, she was able to notice how Tanjirou's breathing style had improved. She noticed he underwent less fatigue and less strain.
The same could have been said with him performing water breathing.
Tanjirou, whilst still undergoing the training, and using water breathing underwent some small strain, it was bearable for him and thus was able to use them a lot better.
The only problem was learning the other water-breathing moves, but it was something he could manage. He was now elevating his training and may be able to reach Nezuko's level when she hopefully wakes up. Now that he was able to get through the side effects of water breathing, it was just a manner of adapting his body to the movements now.
As for his eating, Tanjirou, to Urokodaki's shock, Tanjirou was managing to maintain the food in his stomach. It was difficult for Tanjirou, and Urokodaki could smell the uncomfortable yet strong will Tanjirou had to maintain and keep the food under his stomach.
There were times when Tanjirou felt like throwing up, and times when he could manage and focus on something else.
For now, Tanjirou was making progress in his training, more than he made for the longest time.
And his brief tussles with Sabito proved it.
Even Sabito had given him some praise for his improvement, mainly in his ability to tie the moves together.
"Seems like you're growing into a man, and not a child, or a demon." Sabito had remarked to Tanjirou. Tanjurou remained quiet at that, not choosing to get overworked over that.
However, the main sign of improvement from Tanjirou, or rather interesting development came in the form of Tanjirou's breathing.
By the third week, Tanjirou was successful in his Hinokami Kagura, perhaps the three weeks Tanjirou had done with his training regimen was allowing him to adapt to the ruthless strain it put on his body, or that even his demonic body was helping his matter, he did not know.
All he did know, was that the breathing technique and form he was now using, was benefitting both his Hinokami Kagura and water breathing.
Maybe Makomo was right, maybe he could create a sword technique with the Hinokami Kagura.
But then again, he was told many stories of how people could use different aspects of their style and incorporate it into a breathing style.
As for Urokodaki and Tanjirou, they had made some progress in getting Tanjirou to eat proper human food. Regardless of how Tanjirou felt, the food was helping him regain energy, and even in the times when he vomited, some of the contents were missing, indicating that his body was digesting the food, albeit slowly.
The hopeful idea was that with time, Tanjirou's body would be able to adapt and eventually digest human food as well as any normal human. But it would take a while. No other demon has been confirmed to be able to eat human food before, so they were trying something unthinkable. Not just to the nature of demons, but also to everyone's perceptions of them.
"It seems you are capable of digesting the food, Tanjirou," Urokodaki explained.
"I know, I may be able to live a mostly human life again…" Tanjirou smiled, glad at the progress he was rapidly making.
"I've also heard from your practicing that, you can perform water breathing better, without much strain, is that right?" Urokodaki asked.
"Yes actually! And I found the reason! You and Giyu were both right, my breathing technique has some small errors in them that were making it very difficult to perform water breathing with!" Tanjirou explained.
"Well, I'm glad you can use it better and flow it together," Urokodaki commented afterward.
"I know, and I think the Hinokami Kagura is helping me with my breathing!" Tanjirou explained, happily.
"This Hinokami Kagura, why exactly is it significant, in helping you breathe?" Urokodaki asked.
Tanjirou smiled a bit, "Well, I knew it before I was 5, and father always used to say that you need to properly breathe a certain way to be able to dance until sunrise. It's just when I was being taught to learn Water Breathing, it reminded me of that, and so I started incorporating both to help the other."
Tanjirou decided to add, "But while he and Mother tried to teach us, I had to learn the Hinokami Kagura dance on my own. I had to read a book to learn all the moves properly."
At the end of the mask, it seemed Urokodaki remained the same. However, Urokodaki was pondering. He could smell a bit of a spike when Tanjirou mentioned his parents.
"So he did have some issues with his parents before they were murdered, huh?" Urokodaki thought to himself, "It does go back to the suspicion that Giyu has when it, at least comes to Tanjirou. However, if it is correct, then no doubt Nezuko has gone through the same."
That assumption was confirmed when, while the doctor was checking Nezuko's body, Urokodaki noticed the scars across her body. Most of them seemed to be simple bruise scars, which said a lot considering it had to bruise badly for it to scar. And some of them... Looked like whip-scars.
The doctor did confirm to Urokodaki that it closely resembled scars of abuse...
As for why they remained even when she turned into a demon? Well the scars occurred before she became a demon, and so her body was unable to fix what her body originally was.
"Perhaps I should look at you dance tomorrow," Urokodaki responded after a bit. He wanted to ask Tanjirou about his family issues but decided it needed to wait. Not when he was at a critical level when it came to training.
Tanjirou looked rather shocked that Urokodaki was willing to watch the Hinokami Kagura, but considering everything, he guess he could allow it.
After all, he has miraculously been doing it for over three weeks now.
"Uh, Tanjirou you can't do it now, though." Urokodaki pulled Tanjirou away preventing him from going outside.
"Oh right, I forgot…" Tanjirou mumbled, very sad that he was unable to go out.
After waiting for the sun to set, Tanjirou began to dance, this time with another audience, Urokodaki.
As he said, he wanted to watch and observe the dance Tanjirou was going to do.
To say he was shocked was exactly what could be said.
It seemed like a breathing style, and considering Urokodaki himself was a former pillar, it held a lot of weight.
"This kid. Is this what Giyu meant by seeing the breathing technique?" Urokodaki asked himself, clearly observing some notable sword-like movements incorporated into the dance.
And so, while Tanjirou danced, Urokodaki decided to do some planning. After seeing the dance, Urokodaki knew that what Tanjirou was doing the entire time was some form of a breathing style. Perhaps a long lost one that perhaps was sent down from his ancestors, he was unsure.
Urokodaki could see a hidden breathing style hidden in the dance.
What he did know, however, was that this was the breathing style Tanjirou was more adapted to use. If he had been dancing like this since he was 6 years old, no doubt would it just be a matter of properly adapting the movements to incorporate them into sword strikes, would he finally be able to perform a breathing style.
"So, he's been doing this since he was six, and those flames surrounding him. No doubt are those the flames of a breathing technique. Perhaps it's similar to flame breathing?" Urokodaki thought.
But alas, he didn't know. What he did know instead, was instead to switch the breathing style Tanjirou would use. Even if Tanjirou was improving on his water breathing, Urokodaki could see that Tanjirou had an affinity for this dance.
And if this dance was something Tanjirou would excel at, then as a demon slayer teacher, this could benefit Tanjirou immensely.
Once Tanjirou finally finished, he went inside, as the sun was rising. To Urokodaki's surprise, he was mostly strained and a bit exhausted, but not on the ground. It seems that dance still gave him some strain. For now, Urokodaki knew what to do.
"Tanjirou," Urokodaki called out to him.
"Yes?" Tanjirou answered back.
"It seems that this dance of yours has quite the sword techniques you could use to help you slay demons," Urokodaki explained. To the truth, Urokodaki had observed Tanjirou's improvement. It seemed that after Tanjirou began to dance the Hinokami Kagura, his improvement was finally apparent, and the rise in improvement was very rapid.
"I guess… I've kind of had a nagging thought about it. I mean, why would I use a dancing ritual to help me slay demons?" Tanjirou asked Urokodaki, who was in his own thoughts.
"That's the thing, I can see some sword techniques within the dance, and I think with some small improvements, we can incorporate your dance into the breathing style," Urokodaki revealed.
At that, Tanjirou's eyes widened, "You want me to use the Hinokami Kagura as a sword style?"
"Yes, perhaps this is more meant for your body," Urokodaki explained.
"But, I now can do the Water Breathing just fine, I've gotten my breathing style under control, why would I learn a new breathing style now?" Tanjirou asked.
"You may be able to do it, but I feel that this Hinokami Kagura would be more suited to all. It is your choice if you want, but I think to try and use the Hinokami in your sword moves." Urokodaki explained.
"Alright, I'll think about it…" Tanjirou mumbled, as he then noticed Urokodaki was bringing back some small foods for him to eat. "I will use it eventually, but for Nezuko's sake, I'll learn water-breathing with her."
"You seem unsure about using it, even if you are stronger and more fluent with the Hinokami Kagura, why do you openly choose to use water breathing?" Urokodaki asked. "Even if I want you to use water breathing, the point of training my disciples is to make them capable of killing as many demos as possible. So will you limit yourself?"
Tanjirou looked down, clearly trying to think.
"I can think of two reasons," Tanjirou answered back, and Urokodaki nodded, motioning for Tanjirou to continue.
"I guess, it's because I worry about Nezuko, and that I feel too weak to use it." Tanjirou started, "Like, I said, I worry that Nezuko will think I'm straying away from her if I use a different technique. I want Nezuko to have no feelings of inferiority if she wakes up and sees me using a different technique than what she does. Plus, since I'm only brand new, even if the Hinokami Kagura is strong, it won't be strong unless the person performing it is just as capable as the technique itself..."
Urokodaki patted Tanjirou on the head, with Tanjirou smelling the pleased sense of Urokodaki.
"You are too humble for your good..." Urokodaki mumbled, "They do say that a blade is only capable if the wielder is strong-willed and skilled... I guess I can understand your reasoning..."
"Just remember, Tanjirou." Urokodaki warned him, "Never get jealous of Nezuko, and vice versa, especially if you two are demons, we don't want a divergence of paths." Urokodaki told Tanjirou, "Always keep yourself humble."
Tanjrou smiled sadly. "I know I should be using and focusing on the Hinokami Kagura, but I want my sister to be just as capable as me. Sister was always more capable than me, even Father said that..."
"Father? You mean you've been taught this before?"
Tanjirou sighed, "Very poorly compared to you, but yeah. Nezuko was able to use water breathing the best..."
"Huh..." Urokodaki mumbled at what he was being told by Tanjirou.
And so, they continued. Even if Urokodaki wanted Tanjirou to focus on his Hinokami Kagura, he respected Tanjirou's wishes to use the same breathing style as his sister.
Tanjirou gulped. Even if it's been almost a month, he still struggled to eat a bit. It was quite a struggle, but it was something he would do.
"How is it?" Urokodaki asked.
"Mostly fine, I feel a bit nauseous when I eat it, but I can keep it down," Tanjirou explained.
"Once again, that is progress. But keep in mind everything, alright?" Urokodaki responded, and Tanjirou nodded before he went to sleep, a reward for everything he has done for almost a month.
Urokodaki looked on, seeing the constant breathing he had told Tanjirou to do, he was now performing in his sleep.
Urokodaki silently congratulated Tanjirou, before he went on his way. It seemed that under peace and in the absence of intense emotions and stress, Tanjirou was finally able to achieve total concentration breathing constantly. Now, what was left, was for Tanjirou to maintain it throughout different situations.
When Tanjirou got up after the multitude of times, he was thankful yet again it was only a couple of hours, and not weeks or months. He looked at the sleeping figure of Nezuko, and rubbed her face gently, making sure to clean her up.
Even if his sister was sleeping, he would do everything to take care of her.
Once he finished, he then went up. It was a bit early, but because of the winter time, the sun would set much earlier this time.
Tanjirou took the time to properly think as he was contemplating everything.
After managing to properly figure everything out in his thoughts, he began to ponder everything. In particular, the dance and incorporating it into a sword style.
"Should I do that?" Tanjirou asked himself, "I already am making progress on water breathing…"
Tanjirou sighed, as he decided to once eventually he completed the ten forms of water breathing, he would then start training the Hinokami Kagura. The main problem with that, however, was Urokodaki would be unable to teach him that. That was something Tanjirou had to do self-made, on his own.
So, if there was an existing breathing style that used this, he would probably be doing it wrong, or be making up his moves.
In the meantime, Tanjirou looked on. By his desk remained a scroll and book that he had been keeping there. It remained alongside the contents of his father's belongings that he took with him. Therefore, he was looking into it.
Once he opened the book, his mind was shocked. He had decided to keep the Hanufuda earrings on him since he no longer had his parents beating him for wearing them.
"Wait. What?!" Tanjirou mumbled to himself as he read the contents of the book. In all of his years, he hadn't seen this part of the book. There were multiple volumes that Tanjirou was figuring out. The book his father had given him was the first volume, which was the teaching and basic steps for starting the dance, including the breathing technique one had to perform to not suffer the adverse effects for the dancer.
But the second volume of the many that Tanjirou had taken with him, of the multiple possible ones, included something he hadn't expected. In essence, their expectations were correct, and it was only because of them did Tanjirou look more into the Hinokami Kagura.
Our ancestors, having met with someone who described themselves as a sword practitioner became friends with a member of our family back then. Through tragic means, both lost their wives and were forced to raise their children alone. Eventually, both children grew up and married, interconnecting our blood together. Our ancestors wanted to retain their sword style in the population, and so the tradition was that the eldest brother would dance, a ritual incorporated from a sword style, to help protect from the bad and threats the world had to offer. To give the strength to protect our family, and the strength of wisdom, and calamity.
Tanjirou continued to read the script, as he was learning some new things. His father had prohibited him from learning directly from him, so Tanjirou had to learn through a book. But now, it all made sense. Why his father was teaching him to swing a sword, and the Hinokami Kagura.
"Tch... Why did you make me do these things..." Tanjirou hated it. He didn't know what or why his parents did what they did.
It was a mere coincidence, somewhat that it held significance to the dance Tanjirou committed to. He had a gnawing feeling about it, and with the book being labeled the origins of the Hinokami Kagura, it gave Tanjirou a better understanding.
This was related to the story that his father had told him about.
"So the demon attack, they probably defended themselves by using the Hinokami Kagura…" Tanjirou hypothesized. It wasn't necessarily mentioned in the book, but considering everything he was learning, he was confident about that statement.
"Wait… There!" Tanjirou looked near the end of the book to find some descriptions of what appeared to be some breathing styles.
"So these are the sword techniques?" Tanjirou thought as he read through all 13 forms possible. All the while he began to understand everything that was coming to him. The Hinokami Kagura was a dance that could also be incorporated into a sword technique. However, despite this, Tanjirou was unable to find the 13th form of the Hinokami Kagura that he was looking for. While Tanjirou was looking over the 2nd volume, he was debating whether to read the next volume, only to decide against it.
"Perhaps I should understand the 2nd volume before I read it all and get overwhelmed." Tanjirou thought to himself.
Immediately, Tanjirou could remember himself performing some of these moves during the dance, as they were all used to contribute to the dance.
"Perhaps using the dance may make it easier for me to perform the techniques, and vice versa... Maybe there is a purpose for using it…" Tanjirou mumbled to himself, as he was thinking about the possibilities.
"Beat that father... I'll become stronger than what you ever saw in me..." Tanjirou gritted his hands in his fists, as a new sense of strength and determination enveloped him. It wasn't bloodlust or revenge. It was determined to prove those who saw nothing in him wrong.
When his whole family, called him useless, beating him for not effectively learning a breathing style and agreeing with someone for how much of trash he was... After everything he did, his parents thought so badly of him. Who wouldn't want to show their parents, the ones who neglected them for so long, how much stronger they've become?
That was what Tanjirou was feeling right now. He had a sense of vengeance and justice to prove those wrong.
"And I will first start with my parents, and then finally you... Kibutsuji Muzan..."
Before he could think, however, he had to focus on the Hinokami Kagura, as he was to do this until Nezuko woke up. He would. He was still weak, but only for now. He will get stronger. His soul was pure, but also tainted.
He had gone through a troubled upbringing, made worse by being tortured to death. However, by a miracle, he survived. He resurrected. No doubt would his soul not be so pure. Even if one person has a pure side to them, behind that everyone is malicious in their own way...
Tanjirou was no different. If the nice part of him and the one he showed was the daytime sky with clouds, then behind and underneath was the nighttime, a stormy atmosphere that would wash anyone away, striking them with the debris of trees and nature, killing them instantly.
But now, he had to properly learn the Hinokami Kagura as a sword technique and style. Perhaps after, if he had a bit of time, he would try to learn it.
And that's what he did. He focused on everything. Once he finished the Hinokami Kagura, he continued, trying to incorporate it into his sword style. He used breathing techniques he used for the dance, manipulating it to better dance, to then onto his sword.
In short, the manipulation he did in breathing with the dance, he was incorporating into his sword attacks. And this showed massive improvements, as he was starting to perform Water Breathing without many issues now.
It was more difficult than he anticipated, however, he was able to make improvements.
He sighed, as he quickly went to get some food. He was able to keep it down, but he would have to rest immediately after to avoid throwing up. Tanjiou was a bit upset he had to do this, but it was what he expected. He was making progress, and that's all that mattered.
Urokodaki, for his part, looked pleased, behind his mask, as Tanjirou was telling him the progress me was making.
Once a month passed by, he was able to consume and eat the food, albeit needing half an hour of rest to make sure he didn't throw up.
He was finalizing the ten forms of Water Breathing properly, was able to use total concentration constant most of the time, and by using the Hinokami Kagura, he was now training to use it in sword fighting.
It was the most improvements and progress he had made within the whole time he was here, and he was glad he was catching up. He did feel a bit guilty that Nezuko would wake up and maybe see her brother have made so many improvements. However, he needed to do this if he wanted to be able to protect her.
But then again, this is, if Nezuko manages to wake up.
As Tanjirou continued on his journey, he was developing a sense of dread. He was nervous about his future, considering he was a demon.
Even if he felt confident about proving his family wrong about his worth, he was still insecure.
"Even if I tell myself I'm improving, will it ever be enough to finally satisfy Father...?" Tanjirou looked up, before he realized what he was doing, and grunted.
"WHY THE HELL DO I CARE WHAT YOU THINK, FATHER? ALL YOU DID WAS HURT ME FOR EVERY FAILURE!" Tanjirou yelled to no one in particular, as he punched the ground with his fists, not caring how much they hurt. The memories of abuse alone hurt more than what he did right now. This combined with the stress of potentially being ostracized in the corps, reminded him of being ostracized in his family... He didn't want that to happen again...
While he had not thought about it now, he was beginning to take into account that he was a demon. Despite being able to eat human food, and retain his thoughts, he was unfortunately unable to stand out in the sun. He was unable to do a human thing and that was explored.
Because he was a demon, he was stuck in one place. Because he was deemed useless, he was stuck trying to get stronger. Because he was alone with his currently comatose sister, he felt hopeless.
It sucked, but it was something he had to live with.
"It's fine Tanjirou... Even when you are down in life, it can only go up from here... It's like a sling, pulling you back a bit before you are launched forward... Just bear with it..." Tanjirou sighed. He was at least glad Urokodaki didn't hear him, but knowing the mentor, and former Hashira, he can probably smell the trouble coming from Tanjirou.
In the meantime, Tanjirou had to focus on living, and hoping Nezuko would wake up.
By the time the next month rolled around, Tanjirou had managed to perform a breathing style, a new one.
Hinokami Kagura, Twelfth Form, Flame Dance
Tanjirou, with a deep breath, began to vertically slash a wooden doll, before following it up with a horizontal slash, slicing the small wooden cylinder cleanly.
Tanjirou smiled, happy at his progress. He was glad he was excelling at something. He was smiling genuinely for the first time in a bit, considering he was able to do something without fail. He didn't feel like a failure for once.
He was happy that he was able to do something, after years of being told how useless he was, and how worthless he was to everyone. How he failed his family and sister. He was beginning to show his worth.
"You better prepare for yourself, Kibusuji Muzan, I'm coming for you."
The next month flew by, and he continued everything.
He practiced water breathing, able to do the ten forms finally. He practiced eating human foods, being able to mostly digest them, and he was now practicing the Hinokami Kagura with a sword.
And as for the dance, he continued. Nezuko still had not woken up yet, so he continued.
For Tanjirou, the sun was beginning to annoy him, and he began to wish for days of rain or cloudy days, as it prevented Tanjirou from burning up.
He had unfortunately received the first bout of burns from the sun after overextending himself in his training. He had to be careful when the sun was near.
Tanjirou continued regardless.
Hinokami Kagura, First Form, Dance
Tanjirou merely performed a downward vertical slash by arcing, yet again slicing a small wooden frame he had built. Tanjirou was smiling. He was so close, and he knew it.
"Seems you are willing to fight again, huh?" Tanjirou turned around and faced Sabito.
"Yes." Was all Tanjirou responded.
"Don't act like you can surprise me. Makomo and I have witnessed everything you've done. The progress, the breathing, I've also heard you've been practicing another breathing style?" Sabito casually asked.
"Yes." Tanjirou responded in kind, "And while I may be using the Hinokami Kagura to train right now, with the plan to gain another breathing style to use, that is currently third to my main priorities."
"And what are they?" Sabito asked sword raised.
"The first is to dance to the fire god in hopes my sister awakens. And the second." Tanjirou looked at Sabito right in the eyes of his mask, "Is to defeat you."
Sabito looked a bit amused, "Couldn't even make me your priority huh? Guess family is close for a reason."
"Sorry Sabito, but my sister comes before you all." Tanjirou explained, "But that doesn't mean I'll neglect you compared to that." Tanjirou eyed Sabito, "I will beat you, today."
Sabito merely looked unimpressed. Regardless, he did know Tanjirou was improving, so their fight would be fairer.
Almost immediately, Tanjirou charged toward Sabito, taking charge.
Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirlpool
Tanjirou swung his body as fast as he could striking Sabito in his side. However, Sabito backstepped. Tanjirou continued to swing beyond a 360 angle, adjusting his orientation to strike in a more vertical fashion.
Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel
Striking downward, Tanjirou sent his sword down toward Sabito, who dodged raising his blade to block any residue from Tanjirou's strikes.
Sabito eyed Tanjirou and noticed he did not show the same signs of strains as last time.
"Seems he's managed to eliminate the issue of strain, respectable," Sabito commented as he observed before he too charged alongside Tanjirou to get in the fray.
Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust
Aiming directly for Tanjirou's eye, Sabito charged forward as fast as he could stabbing Tanjirou in the eye. Tanjirou saw this coming and quickly adapted. Twitching his head to the left, he gripped his sword.
Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent
Tanjirou lashed out, running out of the distance, with each footwork making a splashing sound as he made the distance. Once far, he gathered the strength and went for his strike toward Sabito.
Sabito did his best to dodge but noticed the sword was a mere centimeter away from his arm.
"That speed…" Sabito mumbled as he quickly used the close distance to make use of it.
Water Breathing, Seventh Form, Drop Ripple Thrust
"Shit!" Tanjirou mumbled as he knew the sheer quickness of the move would make it difficult to dodge.
"Doesn't matter! I need to end this here!" Tanjirou exclaimed to himself. The remnants of his previous breathing technique were still there, and so he flowed.
He did what he did best. He danced.
He danced across Sabito's attack, gracefully and doing his best to pinpoint the proper thread. He could smell the apprehension from Sabito, but he remained calm. He was breathing properly, and he felt powerful.
Sabito could tell the change in tone from Tanjirou, and even he was mildly shocked.
"What's this? Why's his battle spirit dropping?" Sabito asked himself, as this was making it more difficult to tell what Tanjirou was doing.
Tanjirou took the time. "Now! While he's confused! Use your breathing to increase your speed! Push the limits!" Tanjirou yelled to himself.
Water Breathing, Third Form, Flowing Dance
Tanjirou closed the distance from Sabito, as he was using his breathing to go as fast as he could. He was managing to get closer to Sabito before he could dodge, and Tanjirou knew he had to take the chance now.
"This is it!" Tanjirou exclaimed to himself, as he swung his sword in a sideway motion.
Just before he swung his sword, he made sure to keep the sword a distance from hitting Sabito's face deeply. He was going to at least snap the mask off Sabito.
As he swung his sword, he noticed the thread. He could smell the threads, and he used it.
"There's the thread!" Tanjirou exclaimed to himself as he made the motion.
Upon the motion being done, Tanjirou could see the results of his actions.
Looking straight at Sabito, his face was shocked at what he saw.
He saw the sad smile of Sabito. A smile filled with pain and agony, but also worrisome.
"What…" Tanjirou mumbled, clearly confused.
Makomo, who was looking at the background also shared the same, sad smile.
"What's going on…" Tanjirou mumbled.
Sabito was a boy, with a noticeably large scare running from the right side of his face to the right side of his lip.
"Good job, Tanjirou." Sabito smiled a bit. "You won against me."
Makomo, who ran to hug Tanjirou, then added to Sabito's statements. "Win against them too. For us."
"Win against who?" Tanjirou asked, clearly confused.
However, to his shock. He saw both Sabito and Makomo disappear.
"What the…" Tanjirou mumbled.
However, before he could ask more, he looked with his eyes.
What Tanjirou noticed, was that he did not cut through Sabito's mask, but rather, he broke through the boulder.
"I did it…" Tanjirou mumbled, clearly shocked at his finality. The true extent of what he was capable of, was now showing.
The boulder, he managed to cut through, finally.
After three and a half months of training, at the same time, Nezuko fell asleep, Tanjirou had finally managed to catch up to her.
"I did it!" Tanjirou exclaimed proudly.
However, before he could celebrate more, he heard and smelled something.
He heard a door from Urokodaki's house open, but the smell was different. Immediately, Tanjirou ran to make sure it wasn't a demon.
But when he got there.
There was a demon, awake, and alive.
And it was his sister, Nezuko Kamado.
Tanjirou couldn't believe it. After three and a half months of nonstop Hinokami Kagura dancing, training to perform water breathing, battling Sabito, trying to eat normal human food, and everything else.
Nezuko was finally awake.
"Nezuko!" Tanjirou exclaimed in shock as he hugged his now awake sister tightly. It was a bittersweet moment, as Urokodaki, was already out, having observed Tanjirou's progress.
He saw the cut boulder on Tanjirou's end, and his face, with a mask, gave a smell of distress.
"He finally did it. They both finally did…" Urokodaki thought. "I guess it's time to tell Giyu to activate their next test."
However, he heard Tanjirou crying. Quickly running, he saw Tanjirou hugging his now awake sister, who was hugging back.
Urokodaki walked closely up to them and brought the two of the close.
"Good job, Tanjjrou, you finally broke the boulder." Urokodaki praised Tanjirou. He was truly shocked that Tanjirou was able to. Within the course of three months, Tanjirou had improved, immensely.
"I did…" Tanjirou mumbled, smiling, "I did!"
However, that wasn't the only thing they had to celebrate. Tanjirou had managed to compete and beat Sabito. He was able to do everything that his sister had done before she fell asleep.
"Why did you fall asleep for so long!" Tanjirou cried into Nezuko's shoulders as he was looking to make sure nothing was wrong with her.
Urokodaki looked at the scene, clearly letting the siblings have their moment. He had no reason yet to annoy and interrupt them.
Considered, this gave him some time to think about the future of these two. No doubt were they now eligible, having completed Urokodaki's training, that he tried to make harder, in a matter of nine months.
And so, Urokodaki was a bit suspicious of letting them go. But regardless, seeing the two siblings, kind of looked human.
"We brought a doctor and they said they didn't know when you would wake up!" Tanjirou exclaimed, clearly letting everything out.
Urokodaki could see. The boy had worked so hard while his sister slept, just to make sure he was ready for her when she woke up.
Now, he was more than ready. They both were, and that was all that mattered right now. Nezuko was alive, Tanjirou had managed to learn the breathing styles, fixing his straining issue, and was now ready to undergo the next stage of their training.
But still, some obvious questions needed to be answered, before the two were let off to fight demons. They were especially a risk due to them being demons, to both demon slayers and demons.
They would be hated and feared by both. Maybe they didn't care, but it would make their entire life difficult now.
Urokodaki looked a bit apprehensive, but he did tell them the truth.
"They did manage to complete their training, and so I will follow through with this."
Before Urokodaki and Tanjirou could move inside the house, something unexpected happened.
"What happened…?" That voice, very feminine, could not have come from Tanjirou or Urokodaki. The two of them looked at each other in confusion, before turning their head to Nezuko, who was confused.
"Why are you worried for me, brother?" Nezuko asked.
Urokodaki and Tanjirou both were shocked, that Nezuko was talking again.
A.N / So much has happened in this chapter, and it was somewhat difficult writing everything. This was probably the most action-packed I've made so far. There'll be much more. As for Nezuko, she will retain everything she was capable of before she fell asleep for months, instead of the 2 years in the training.
As for Tanjirou, while he will know the Hinokami Kagura right now, he won't be using it now. For now, they both manage to cut the boulder and thus will now be onto their next training part. It won't be anything major, and Tanjirou and Nezuko will eventually be on their way toward demon slaying.
Just right now, there are some small problems due to both of them being demons. This is final, but Makomo and Sabito are confirmed dead, whilst Kanae is confirmed to be alive. It's the overall plot and context of this story that'll make it different from the canonical manga. This story will eventually branch out to its unique plots, and arcs. Because there are parts of the canon story I don't like. Don't get me wrong, I like Demon Slayer.
Character Profile:
Tanjirou Kamado: Male, 14 years old.
- Status, Alive, Demon
- Height: 5'5" (165cm)
- Weight: 125 Ibs
Nezuko Kamado: Female, 13 years old.
- Status: Alive, Demon
- Height: 5'2" (157cm)
- Weight: 110 Ibs
Abilities: Breathing Styles
Tanjirou Kamado:
Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash
Water Breathing, 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 Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust
Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin
Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent
Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux
Hinokami Kagura, First Form: Dance
Hinokami Kagura, Second Form: Clear Blue Sky
Hinokami Kagura, Third Form: Raging Sun
Hinokami Kagura, Fourth Form: Burning Bones, Summer Sun
Hinokami Kagura, Fifth Form: Setting Sun Transformation
Hinokami Kagura, Sixth Form: Solar Heat Haze
Hinokami Kagura, Seventh Form: Beneficent Radiance
Hinokami Kagura, Eighth Form: Sunflower Thrust
Hinokami Kagura, Ninth Form: Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance
Hinokami Kagura, Tenth Form: Fire Wheel
Hinokami Kagura, Eleventh Form: Fake Rainbow
Hinohami Kagura, Twelfth Form: Flame Dance
Total Concentration Breathing, Constant (Learning)
Nezuko Kamado:
Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash
Water Breathing, 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 Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust
Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin
Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent
Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux
Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm
