Warning(s): Violence and some swearing

Kimetsu No Yaiba is not owned by me

it is owned by its author, Koyoharu Gotouge

Ikumi Village

Satow had been staying at the local inn until night came he had already asked the villagers about the disappearances, but majority had little to no knowledge, and some unfortunate few had lost some loved ones from the "mysterious" disappearances, but he knew what most likely was happening, a demon had stumbled upon this village, but he was curious on why the demon was being so obvious about it, he knew that demon's weren't the smartest but even the dumbest demons knew what happened if they stayed to long in villages and made themselves known. Satow continued walking down the dimly lit dirt-road as he passed an alley he saw a woman cornered as a demon slowly approached her prone form.

Wind Breathing First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter, Satow rushed forward and would consecutively swing his sword in a circular-cyclone pattern, cutting off its left arm in the process.

"Ma'am, stay back your safe now." Satow would reassure the absolutely frightened woman, and he couldn't blame her first being cornered by a deformed monster and then seeing a man do a crazy sword technique and cut off said monster's limb would shock anyone.

"Heh? How dare a lowly human interrupt my feast! Well I guess it can't be too bad because now I have two morsels instead of one." The three-armed demon taunted, with a massive shit-eating grin plastered across its face.

"Well it's going to be very surprising for you when this lowly human beheads you." Satow spoke calmly as he honed onto the demon's neck rushing forwards and doing a basic horizontal slash towards the demon's neck.

The demon would quickly step back as all across his body eyes would open "Since you're so eager to die I'll be generous and allow you to witness my blood demon art." The demon spoke slowly in it's egotistical tone.

"Heh, that's your blood demon art? Really just extra eyes? I've seen Waaaaay worse." Satow would lazily comment, as he changed his stance and breathed deeply feeling the lungs enter his lungs as he prepared his next move.

Wind Breathing Seventh Form: Gale, Sudden Gusts, Satow would rush forwards towards the demon, jumping in the air to dodge a glob of poisonous blood, while mid-air Satow would swing his sword circularly causing the demon to be thrown across the dirt-road of the village from the high-speed winds.

Not letting the demon recover Satow would unleash another move upon landing on the ground he would speed towards the demon focusing the air in his legs to propel him forwards Wind Breathing Third Form: Clean Storm Wind Tree, Upon closing in on the demon, the creature would shoot out giant globs of poisonous blood from each pupil of the eyes across his body. Satow seeing this would swing his sword around in multiple slashes around his body causing the poison-infused blood globs to be blasted away by the gale winds. Not letting this chance go to waste, Satow would perform a basic 180 degree turn using the momentum to cleanly behead the demon.

The demon would stare at the night sky in absolute confusion, then followed by dread and horror at the realization of his current state. His last thought being his memories resurface to his family as he eventually turned to ash and faded away.

By the time the demon had faded Satow was already walking away until.

"W-What was that!" He heard from behind him, quickly turning around he saw the young man from before wasn't his name Masato?

"Well since you've seen it I can't lie my way out of this can I? "Before continuing Satow would sigh this would just be more things for him to deal with. Hopefully the guy wasn't the pushy type and just listened to what he said and went on about his life. "That thing you saw was something called a demon, man-eating creatures of the night, and I am a demon slayer as the name suggests me and my comrades go around fighting these monsters." Satow spoke calmly, clearly having to give a similar explanation to individuals beforehand, and from what Masato could tell from his tone he sounded completely apathetic as he explained.

"B-But, then how did you do all those movements? A-And how were you even able to kill it! I saw it regenerate it's arm in record time!" Masato spoke frantically, almost nonsensically, but Satow seemed to still most understand what he was saying, keyword being most as Satow took a few seconds to respond thinking about his next words carefully; he didn't want the teen to faint, that would just be more work for him.

"We, slayers to be able to keep up with the superhuman capabilities of demons, have developed something called 'breathing styles' . I personally use the breath of wind, but besides that there are multiple others, and for how I could kill it." Satow would stop his pseudo-lecture as he would lift up his blade showing it to the teen who was captivated by the way the bright emerald green sword flashed and glowed in the moonlight. "This is what is called a nichirin blade, it is made when ore from atop a mountain is soaked in sunlight. You see demons cannot stand sunlight as it actively burns their cells. Understand?" Satow would finish speaking, leaving the last word to hang in the air.

"I think I understand the gist of it all, but why lie? Why not just say you're a demon slayer, and why haven't I heard about these creatures?" Masato spoke rapidly, he needed to know these questions after all. It could be his father or mother in the jaw of one of these monsters, and he wanted to know everything he could know for their safety.

Satow looked at the teen with an ever growing annoyance "Why doesn't this kid just take a hint and mind his own business." Satow begrudgingly relented. "I lied to protect you and other civilians if the notion of demons got out how do you think the public would react? If you think they'd react kindly then you are surely mistaken. Even though the demon I just killed looks clearly inhuman there are demons whose appearance looks human, and the only definitive way to tell is by having them walk out into the sun, and furthermore false rumors could spread about ways to test if humans are truthfully demons. So for the safety of everyone this is the best solution, and as for why you've never heard or encountered one, the progenitor of all demons Muzan Kitbutsuji has been noted to kill demons who actively make their presence known. Is that all you have to say?" Satow spoke with clear and unforgiving apathy towards the whole subject one could mistake him and claim he truthfully didn't care such a statement would be incorrect he did care, but he never cared for the specifics or especially telling someone who wasn't in the know.

"I see..." Was all Masato could respond with he could already tell Satow was getting annoyed at his questioning and he didn't want to anger the man who had just almost effortlessly taken out that monster, but one question remained in his mind and he wouldn't allow himself to let this opportunity go even if it meant he would be putting himself into harm's way. "I remembered you said for people to join they had to have certain requirements right?" Masato spoke slowly watching as Satow stopped moving and turned and faced him directly with a confused look on his face.

"Yes, that is correct, why do you care though?" Satow spoke with the remaining calmness he had left.

"Does the demon slayer organization pay well? And if so could I... Join it?" The last word hung in the air as an awkward silence settled into conversation, all that could be heard was the light rustling of leaves from trees and the sound of wildlife throughout the forest.

"hehehe, hahahaha, HAHAHAHAHAHA!" The last thing Masato was expecting to hear was laughter coming from this seemingly stoic man, but it did help relieve some anxiety that had accumulated.

"How about this kid? If you can survive the final selection, I'll give you a reward. I'll even tell you where you can find a cultivator." Satow responded, but you could tell by his voice that he was at least amused by what Masato had just suggested.

"Really? You'd really do that for me?" Masato spoke warily he didn't really know this guy at all, but if this so called "Demon Slayer Corps." paid well-enough he would without a doubt work for it as a slayer, plus the added bonus of learning these special fighting techniques, he would definitely join the organization.

"Sure kid, you're pretty funny and I think you've got spirit, I can tell by the way you talked when we had that conversation." Satow commented as he sheathed his sword and gave a hand gesture for Masato to follow him, Masato seeing that he's already pretty much agreed to at least go to a cultivator he followed behind having to speed walk just to keep pace.

After Satow had returned to the alley way and ensured the lady was alright physically Masato saw something he never thought he'd ever see in his life. "No fucking way! Is that a talking crow!" Masato looked on in with nothing but bewilderment he had thought he had seen it all, demons, superpowered humans, but this takes the cake he reasonably deduced that he was either A. In a fever dream, B. Had accidently inhaled some sort of drug, or C. Has officially gone insane he was quickly taken out of his internal ravings by Satow.

"Hey, Earth to Masato." Satow spoke, snapping his fingers in front of Masato's face quickly exiting him from his trance. "I thought the realization of everything had gotten to you, but it looks like you're just an idiot." Satow spoke unenthusiastically as he did a 180 and continued walking towards Osaka, Masato realizing he was going to certainly be left behind quickly ran after him eventually catching up.

Outskirts of Osaka

A pair of individuals could be seen entering a rather impoverished neighborhood as one of the two men had been clearly running, while the other seemed perfectly fine.

"How...Can...You...Run...SO FAST!" Masato finally blurted out he had never ran that hard and far in his life, he was sure that not even a quarter of the way there he felt that his heart was going to explode, and now he felt as if he was about to cough up an entire lung.

"Stop being such a baby it wasn't even that far." Satow remarked as he looked to have barely even a sweat going, contrasting with the practical ocean covering Masato as he fell on the ground taking deep almost gulping breaths.

"Th...ats...Easy...for...you to say!" Masato coughed out as he began to finally feel his heart rate slowly die down and his lungs stop aching.

Satow eventually feeling second hand embarrassment helped Masato up and onto his feet again as he asked. "So, where is your home?" Satow spoke calmly as he waited for Masato to respond.

"Should I really bring this guy into my home? I mean sure he did save that lady, but even still he could try to extort us for money or maybe he wants to abuse us and make us his slaves." Masato thought rapidly as he began to hyperventilate, he never trusted anyone entering his home, hell he got skittish even when his own dad entered. There was almost no way he would be comfortable letting a complete stranger into his home, but then he thought more about it "sure he was a stranger but he did save that lady from being eaten, and he hasn't done anything to me, plus if I want to join this organization I'm going to have to be at least a little trusting of some people... I hope I don't regret this."

"Um, Sure I'll show you the way. Follow me." Masato finally said to him, causing Satow to look a little confused as to why it took so long for him to tell him where his house was.

Eventually they had reached a relatively small poorly-built house and entered, as the door closed the hallway that was brightened by the moon had returned to darkness, as Masato led his new... Co-worker? Senpai? Down the dark hallway.

"Masato? Is that you?" Called a feminine voice from down the hallway, as worry oozed out of the sentence, Masato felt absolutely terrible for not arriving homer sooner, he knew that his mom always no matter what stayed awake until at least he came come if he could tell her to stop he would, but he didn't have the heart to tell her.

"Yes, mom, it's me and I've brought some company." Masato said as his voice became clearer to the woman as he approached the door, sliding it open Mrs. Okudo was met with the sight of firstly her son, and a different face behind him, the man wasn't to out of the ordinary besides most alarmingly the sword by his left-side, but besides that the only sort of abnormal thing about him was his uniform attire and his emerald green eyes.

"Mom this is someone I met on my way home, and I saw him save a lady's life today, his name is Hotaka Satow." Masato spoke as Satow moved into the room allowing the lantern to better show his features, as he bowed to the mother.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Okudo-San." Satow spoke, his voice calm and gentle, he didn't want to make a bad impression on the lady she was already dealing with her own physical and financial problems. He didn't want to have her worry anymore than she already has to.

"The pleasure is all mine Hotaka-San, and please just call me Tsubomi." Tsubomi responded, in her usual soft voice before turning to Masato and continuing. "Masato dear, why did you bring Hotaka-San."

Masato felt conflicted between telling his mother the truth or lying to her, he knew he shouldn't lie to her but it's not like he could just tell her he was trying to go out and fight superhuman, man-eating monsters and that apparently some could even destroy entire villages, he knew she would freak out and he didn't want to have her worry daily. Before making his decision Masato would slightly turn his head and would look Satow in the eye hoping that he understood what he was trying to convey.

Satow returned the stare and then nodded his head, Masato sighed before beginning. "This man works for an organization that you've probably never heard of, and I was hoping to join it to try and get more money for us." Masato spoke calmly and slowly he wanted to make sure his mother understood everything he was about to say.

Tsubomi simply nodded before waiting for Masato to continue speaking. "This organization is like a mercenary group. They mainly fight criminals and traffickers, and it's a pretty dangerous job, but they'll train me and I'll have to take a test before I can officially join." Masato stopped before continuing his heart rate was beginning to pick up pace again and he was worried how his mother would react to the information. "I was hoping you would give your blessing for me to join the organization." Masato finally finished his sentence feeling dread as he waited for his mother's answer.

"Masato... Do you truly want to join this... Organization?" Tsubomi started, this slightly surprised Masato who was expecting his mother to just outright deny him and that he'd have to do a lot more convincing.

"Yes, mother, I truly want to join this organization." Masato replied firmly, and looked at his mother with confidence, he knew that even if his mother permitted it he would have to tell his father, but they hadn't talk much since mother had gotten this terrible disease.

Tsubomi looked at Masato for a few more seconds then turned to Satow before asking. "This organization, and please be honest with me, is it very dangerous? or is it not so dangerous." She said fighting back a cough, she didn't want to look so frail in front of a guest.

"Ma'am I will not lie to you, the organization is very dangerous many die during testing, and many more die during missions, but I do think that your son could have what it takes to join the corp." Satow replied calmly, but with a firm tone and waited for the mother's reaction.

Tsubomi after hearing what Satow had to say turned to look back at Masato, looking at him for a few moments before speaking. "Masato... I trust that if you truly want to join this organization then I see no problem in you joining it, however." Tsubomi stopped, Masato could feel the dread that went away at her allowing it, resurface as she said 'however'. "Please write to us, and stay safe that's all I ask." Tsubomi finally finished, surprising Masato he was expecting her to decline the offer with something along the lines of "However, as a mother I cannot let my son enter danger." or something along those lines, but he was mistaken.

"Thank you, mother, I won't let you disappoint you." Masato responded as he got up he felt his shoulder grabbed by Satow.

"Gather anything personal, don't take to much you won't really need it." Satow said as he let go of his shoulder and walked out the room, and leaving the house.

Masato wouldn't waste anytime he would grab his signature purple haori and would slip it on, but before leaving he heard his mother call for him.

"Masato, before you leave, I want you to have this." Tsubomi said before using what strength she had to try and stand up, almost falling down if it wasn't for Masato rushing over and holding her up.

"Mother, you don't need to stress yourself!" Masato exclaimed, but couldn't say anymore as his mother's voice entered his mind again

"I refuse to stay bedridden while my son is going off, I will at the very least give you something to remember us by." Tsubomi stated her voice raised but raspy, most likely from her coughing fits she would have.

Masato relented knowing he couldn't tell his mother no, and helped her to get to a drawer, upon opening it he saw, a maroon and purple scarf, that once both colors meet blended together in the middle. Masato could only look as his mother took the scarf and tied it around his neck.

"I was planning on giving this to your fifteenth birthday, but I think it would be better to give it to you now." His mother said as she embraced him, eventually the embrace stopped and Masato led his mother back to her futon. Before he was about to leave he stopped at the room's entrance thinking about his father.

"You don't need to worry about me or your father. When he comes home I'll tell him everything. I'm sure his opinion will be the same as mine." Tsubomi said softly, and then urged him to go "Goodbye, Masato." "Goodbye, mother." both said solemnly, as she watched her child close the door and could hear his footsteps down the hallway start to fade away, she could only hope she made the right decision.

Upon leaving the house Masato saw Satow waiting for him a few paces away from the door.

"I thought you had changed your mind. I was planning on leaving you if you didn't come out in a few minutes." Satow said in his usually apathetic tone, making Masato pretty annoyed.

"Yeah, yeah whatever, just show me where is this 'cultivator.'" Masato responded lackadaisically, he really didn't want to entertain this guy anymore than he already had.

"Just follow me, and try to keep up." Satow said before walking off. Masato would turn to his home one more time, holding the scarf, "There's no going back anymore, I've made this decision and I need to stay firm to it." After resolving his internal dilemma he would notice Satow was now a few yards away, and began to run as he tried to catch up to him.

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