Summary:

Muichiro is sad, so Yuichiro cheers him up... And then they kill some more demons.

Yuichiro

I'm exhausted as we descend the mountain. Muichiro is just as tired. He hasn't said anything since we got our crows assigned to us… He's barely even talked back to his crow, Ginkgo. Normally Mui would be all sparkly-eyed with the chance to talk to a crow, that's when I get an Idea for how to cheer him up.

"That was pretty tough back there, huh Mui?"

"Yeah, it was, wasn't it Nii-san"

I suppress a sly smirk. "Yeah, it was terrible I say, I almost miss Kobe and his mutts"

Just as I had hoped would happen, Mui's eyes light up "There were dogs Nii-san!?"

I feign an exaggerated shudder. "Not just any dogs Mui! Tosas! You've never seen such giant dogs! I often trained late into the night cause I was waiting for those mutts to fall asleep. Otherwise they'd tackle me and cover me in their disgusting slobber"

"Nii-san!" He says giggling "Did that actually happen to you!?"

His giggles turn to laughs. The same laughter that once annoyed me is now music to my ears. There were so many times in these past two months when I thought that I might never hear it again.

Once again, I don't know which God exactly I am supposed to pray to, but I say another silent prayer of thanks that Muichiro is still the same.

"Nii-san!" he chirps again, "How many where there? Were there any puppies?"

"A few puppies" I answer. They grew fast though. By the time you see them They'll be big enough to eat us" (and I'm not exaggerating either. I'll never understand why we bred such beasts in the first place)

"Haha! Say, Nii-san… nnno nevermind."

"What is it? Ask me."

"No Nii-san, you'd think I'm stupid for asking."

I turn around and let him see the best good-humored face I can put on. "Oh yeah? try me."

"Well in that case," he says casting his gaze down but still looking hopeful, "do you think that maybe Kobe-san would let us adopt one of his-OW! OW!"

His stupid bird has started pecking at his head!

"Get away from him!" I shout as I swat at his crow, who dodges.

"Wwraaack! I will not allow Muichiro-Bocchan to have other pets! Not allow! Not allow! Not allow!"

I'm still not used to these birds talking but, "Bocchan?"

Now my stupidly named crow, Ryokucha, lands on the ground in front of me and bows. "Please forgive my sister Yuichiro-Bocchan. She gets carried away. Can you blame her? Krwaaack! We have been given the honor of watching over the adorable descendants of a most noble bloodline. Wraaawk!"

I don't like these birds.

"C'mon Muichiro, lets get going. I wanna rest."

"Hai" he agrees as he begin to walk back, our crows flying behind us (and keeping a safe distance from me) Hearing that crap about my bloodline again from that crow has worsened my mood, but Muichiro is walking with a lighter step. Good.

I was harsh with him back there at the mountain. A small part of me even thinks that he'd be better off without me. But a more sure part of me knows that he needs me. Even if he's strong enough on his own (which I think he is) I don't want him to have to change. I want him to be able to stay how he's always been. Happy, affectionate, optimistic and nice. The opposite of me.

Muichiro and I both got the same set of instructions from our respective teachers, on where to go after we finished our final selection. It's directions to a house owned by a family which has worked very closely with the Ubuyashikis for many years. There are many families like that apparently, all across Japan and even a few in the colonies. Some are descendants of former demon slayers who still want to help. Some are descendants of rich folks who were saved by the demon slayers. Needless to say, it doesn't exactly warm me up to the corps. They shouldn't have even let Muichiro join them when he's this young.

We get to the house, and the people there are very welcoming. We get our minor injuries treated, we get baths, we eat. They also tell us that we are by far the youngest demon slayers they have ever seen.

Muichiro blushes with pride, but as for me… by now you already know how I feel about that.

We are given sleeping Yukatas, and clean, comfortable beds (which I haven't slept on since I started training with Kobe) and I'm about to go to sleep when Muichiro pops the question.

"Nii-san, could I… please sleep with you in your Futon?"

I am a bit surprised. Muichiro is a big baby, but he's always been a good sleeper. It's after I agree to let him climb in next to me that I realize he was asking for my sake.

"Please go to sleep Nii-san." He whispers when I'm still awake after lights out. "I'm really worried about you."

I'm fine Muichiro. I lie.

"But your eyes are bloodshot Yui-Nii!" His voice is barely above a whine. The truth is. My eyes are bloodshot because of the training I did to master the breathing techniques. My left arm will forever have a scar running down it's length from my shoulder to my elbow. The demon's claws sliced it right down the middle.

To master the breath of the moon, Kobe had me become one with it. From the time the moon was up just before sunset, to the time it went down, I meditated underneath it. Using total concentration breathing and concentrating… concentrating on nothing but the pain.

Kobe tells me that the breath of the Moon is one of the most powerful breathing technique known to the Demon Slayers. And he tells me that I am only the second person to be able to learn it.

I'm not surprised. It was really hard, I didn't have the vocabulary at the time but I today I describe it as 'excruciating'.

I still can't sleep during the night. I'll get enough sleep by sleeping in the day when my pain goes down, and I don't have to work. My arm feels better when the sun's out anyways.

I want to tell Muichiro the truth, that I'm sleeping fine, and that my eyes are like this because of the pain I'm currently hiding, but I that will probably worry him even more. And besides… having him here with me is actually helping. Him resting his head on my arm… really helps ebb the pain.

"Yeah, let's go to sleep." I say.

It's not long after doze off that I wake up. Muichiro's dug his fingers into my arm, he's already kicked the cover off from his feet thrashing. He's wriggling like crazy, and whimpering. "Please don't die! Please don't die! Please please please!"

"Oi, Muichiro" I say as I shake him gently, and he awakens with a start.

"You were having a nightmare" I say evenly.

"I… umm… I need to go to the washroom."

Shamefaced, he darts off, leaving me alone as I sigh. I already know what he was dreaming about. I had the same reoccurring dream. It's the dream where we relive those agonizing days. No. It's worse for Muichiro than it was for me. For me it was only a few hours before I lost consciousness from blood loss. But for Muichiro, it actually was days. Days where he was unable to move. Days lying in his own blood, piss and shit, watching me as I died… I can't even imagine how scared he was.

The door slides open again as Muichiro returns with his head down. He slowly climbs back into his own Futon.

"Oi, where are you going?" I ask him.

He looks at me, almost looking surprised that I'm inviting him back after he woke me, and then I feel my cheeks grow red.

"C'mon. Your Nii-san will keep the bad dreams away" I hope the darkness of the room hides what I'm embarrassed for him to see. I'll bet I'm blushing harder than mom did when dad's late parents gave her compliments.

I think we're both equally embarrassed, but I need him just as much as he needs me.

My arm feels like there's a rusty Katana where my humerus should be, and I want him to rest his head there again.

We wake up around the same time. We both slept well.

Muichiro and I go into the living room together, but when we get there, rather than the civilians who were taking care of us; I see a grinning bastard with a stupid hat, and his damn mutts!

"Go on boys, go get 'im!" Kobe says, and two Tosa's come charging straight at me!

"SIT!" I command, and the dogs halt, and obey.

Muichiro is now looking at me as if I just lifted the Ruyi Bang. "Nii-san," he says, his eyes glowing. "Your amazing!"

Muichiro looks like he's eager to play with the dogs, when his attention is caught by the man standing next to Kobe… a guy in a clown mask that Muichiro apparently knows.

"Tetsuido-san? Is that you?"

"C'mon, Tetsuido-sanyo." Kobe says. Two of us here have already seen your face"

Muichiro's face lights up as the man pulls down the mask. He's at least 20 years older than Kobe, but he has a smooth, calm face with not too many wrinkles. Even before I know how much my brother loves him, I like this Tetsuido.

"Tetsuido-san!" Muichiro cries as he runs to him and jumps into his arms with a hug.

Kobe turns from them to me with a sly smile. "Alright Yuichiro" He says opening his arms as if he expects me to run into them the way Muichiro did.

"Bite me!"

"I just can't have any fun with you" Kobe laughs and then softens his gaze.

I turn back to watch Tetsuido and my brother. It looks like there are tears in the old man's eyes.

"Well done Muichiro" he says. "Well done." I wonder what kind of bond those two developed.

Muichiro .

The people here were incredibly nice to Nii-san and me, but they can't be here right now, because Tetsuido-san can't have his identity known. I feel kinda bad. It's like we're kicking them out of their own house.

"What kind of an organization makes the identities of it's sword-smiths more secretive than it's actual fighters?" Nii-san asks. It's in a kinda confrontational tone of voice.

"I see you are exactly" as your little brother described. Tetsuido-san says. I try to hide from Nii-san's gaze for a few seconds. He's probably thinking what a blabbermouth I am right now. I'm sorry Nii-san, I couldn't help it.

Tetsuido-san was like a father to me, and I just got caught up in the moments. I had to tell him everything. When I cried for you Nii-san… when I cried for our parents… and when I laughed because I looked forward to seeing you again. Tetsuido-san was there for all of it. I know Kobe teases you a lot, and I know how you don't like that, but I might feel hurt if you look at Tetsuido-san with those eyes.

I'm brought back to reality as Tetsuido-san answer's Yui-Nii's question. "The sword-smiths come from a different culture as the slayers. While the slayers are all volunteers, the sword-smiths are mostly born and raised on a hidden village… I probably shouldn't be telling you this yet, since you've only just joined the corps. But Kobe-san and I have high hopes for you two."

"So you became a slayer first and then became a sword-smith after you retired?" Nii-san asks.

"Well…" Tetsuido-san gives a soft smile. "I just fell in love with the craftsmanship. I already have the designs for two beautiful swords I'll be making for the two of you."

"You mean you'll be our sword-smith!?" I cry excitedly.

"That's the plan. I'll leave tonight but I'll return here when they are complete."

"As for me" Kobe-san says. "I probably won't be back at that time. But I look forward to catching up with you two later. But boys! Tell me, how was the final selection?"

I can hear Nii-san grit his teeth. I didn't want to think about that again. I was so happy just to be talking to everyone.

The final selection… and those who died in it… I just don't want to think about that now.

"The final selection is rough for everyone, Kobe" says Tetsuido. "But the important thing is that these boys are here. They made it out in one piece."

"Once they get their swords things will be a lot harder for them." Kobe says. "But I know you can do it, can't you Yuichiro-chanyo?"

There was something about the way he just said 'You' that made me feel naked. Like he wasn't talking about me. That's when Nii-san spoke up.

" We will be ready for them Kobe."

That makes me smile. Nii-san is right. We can do this, even if Kobe-san is mean.

I remembered hearing that it can take three months for a Katana to be forged. But Tetsuido-san comes back in just over a week. During that time, Nii-san and I have been trying to learn how to read. Amane-sama actually already taught me a little when I was staying with her.

The Nichirin swords he brings us are beautiful, and I identical, except for the color scheme of the handle. Mine is black and mint green like how Nii-san always wears his Yukata. His is white and turquoise blue like the clothes I wear. I like it a lot!

As we hug goodbye, he whispers to me, "You know I worry about you boy" I nod "your big brother is a good kid. Stick closely to him." And I assure him that I will.

As Nii-san and I follow Ginko and Ryokucha, I finally have the courage to ask him. "What did you think of Tetsuido-san?"

Nii-san looks up at the sky for a minute, before he answers; "I like him."

I turn away and try to hide how silly I probably look. I'm smiling hard. Our first mission together is going to be tonight I gotta be serious.

But I still try to enjoy moments like this for as long as possible. Moments where I am really happy.

The two of us are waiting now. I'm really excited… No, excited isn't the word. Nervous is more like it.

Nii-san sees me tugging at my collar.

"Muichiro?"

"It's nothing Nii-san. These Uniforms are just really tight."

Nii-san inspects his own sleeve. "Yeah, they are." he agrees.

The village reported a demon coming out of this swamp every night and taking people from the village, mostly children… It's unforgivable. Yui-Nii is sitting on the bank watching the water. I'm too nervous to sit, so I stand behind him.

Just then I notice it, something is bubbling Under the water's surface. "Nii-san!"

"I know!" suddenly red jets shoot out of the water right at where we are standing!

Nii-san jumps to the right, I jump to the left, and more jets of a gooey liquid shoot out from the swamp splattering all over the forest.

I notice some of it is stuck to right foot… My foot is stuck to the ground.

"Nii-san!" I cry, "be careful! This stuff is sticky as tar!"

"I know!" he says coming out from behind some of the trees. His uniform is ripped, it looks like the his sword got stuck to his shirt, and it's still wrapped around it.

"Ridiculous!" I hear him grumble. "I made the mistake of trying to block it with my sword." I just know he'll be blaming himself. Nii-san's sword is covered in that sticky stuff and pieces of his uniform.

I quickly get rid of my right Tabi sock and Zori, and rush to Nii-san's side. Make sure to keep my eye on the demon as I do… It looks like a man, but it's head looks like a toad's head, and it's skin is rough and tough looking. "Rrrruuuuugghhhhhh!"

It makes such an unsettlingly low gurgling! It's already scarier than any demon from the final selection!

"Stronger!" It shrieks in a deep voice that gives me chills. "Stronger! I will get stronger! More children!" It narrow's it's gaze at us and says more menacingly… "More children… two children right there." His throat expands like a toad's and more of that sticky red goo comes shooting fourth! But this time it's covering a wide are and it's much faster!

There is no way I can dodge it! That's when Nii-san jumps in front of me, Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Chains!

Even with his sword covered like that, I am in awe of how fast and fiercely Nii-san can swing his blade. His blade however catches most of the goo as it sticks to him, and a little bit remaining hit's him hard!

"Aggh!" He cries out as it sends him backward! That stuff's not just sticky, it's coming at us fast.

The Toad-demon jumps over him faster than I can see him do it, and shoots his tongue out at me! This is bad! It's wrapped around my wrists! I can't swing my sword like this!

Nii–san calls out my name as I'm yanked up into the air like a yo-yo!

I'm shooting towards the demon's open mouth!

I hit him with the only move Ii can perform. First Form: Low Clouds, Distant Haze!

I get him right in the mouth!

The demon lets out a sickening, gargling scream as we fall to the ground. Then he looks at me, his eyes are furious. Before I know it, I'm being lifted up into the air again…. Really high!

I feel my stomach drop! This demon is swinging me around in mid-air before it finally lets go… And I go flying upwards.

Then I feel my momentum stop, and I immediately begin to plummet back to the ground.

"WAAAAAHHHHH!" This is bad! This is bad! Even if I land in the water, a fall from this height isn't something I want to think about!

What I do next, I do purely on instinct.

Sixth Form: Lunar Dispersing Mist! Right before I hit the water!

But it still hurts as I skid across the water's surface, and my body hit's the mud on the bottom of the swamp. It's shallow enough for me to stand over here. From where I am, I can see Nii-san fighting the demon.

He hit the toad demon in it's giant mouth with his sword! Brilliant! Now the demon's mouth is stuck shut! The bad news is, Nii-san doesn't have a sword.

The demon is in a muffled rage as he attacks my brother! Yui-Nii is really fast, he masterfully dodges the demon's blows, but the demon is fast too, and the more Nii-san moves, the more sticks and clumps of grass get stuck to him!

Nii-san is slowing down!

I can feel a rage start to build up inside me, If that disgusting demon gets a hold of my brother I-

I'm already out of the swamp! And running as fast as I can along it's bank! The demon almost has Nii-san! But Nii-san jumps onto it's forehead and leaps back into the air! And he has his sword back in his hand! He pulled it out! Brilliant! the demon's mouth is still stuck, but Nii-san managed to get back his sword!

The demon jumps to get him, but Nii-san flips in the air and hits him with the coolest-looking attack!

Moon breathing, Fourth form: Falling crescent insanity!

Nii-san slashes downwards with a series of crescent-shaped strikes. I can almost see the shapes of crescent moons left by his blade as he does in the moonlight (so cool!) The demon's arms are slashed off and he screams as he comes falling back to the Earth.

He's enraged now! And breaks the sticky seal on his mouth!

"Nooo!" He bellows! Not to a pair of blasted Kids! I was going to be stronger! I was going to…"

Mist breathing, Second form…

"Become one of the twelve Kizuki!"

Eight-Layered Mist!

My sword cuts cleanly through the demon's neck. Our first mission as slayers… It was a success!

"Go to hell you stupid toad" Nii-san says as it's body disintegrates.

I'm bruised all over. I'm out of breath, but we did it. WE DID IT! "Nii-san!" I cry with joy as I run and hug Yui (which probably annoyed him, but I'm thrilled.) "We did it!"

"Mui..." he says, "Your wet."

"Oh, sorry." I say as I back off.

Nii-san put his hand on my shoulder and smiles. "You did it" he says.

"What? No, Nii-san, we beat him together."

"Yeah but you proved Kobe wrong. Now c'mon. Let's get some new clothes already." I beam as we sheath our swords and start to make our way back.

"And when I see that guy again" Nii-san says holding his goo-covered shirt with his fingers, "I'm gonna throw this in his face."

"That's so rude Nii-san!" I'm laughing, I just hope Nii-san is joking when he says that.

Notes: So... I have been taking some liberties with the moon breathing (Since Yuichiro just has a regular Nichirin sword and can't do what Kokushibo does) but! I think it came out good. What did you all think? I enjoy reading your comments. In the next chapter the Tokito brothers meet the Kocho sisters.