The next morning, when Takeo woke up, it was to find his two Older Brothers sprawled out on the floor next to them, covered in minor wounds and dirt. The 11-year-old frowned. Gyutaro and Tanjiro were already working so hard to become Demon Slayers, for so many reasons. To avenge their Mother's death, turn Ume and Nezuko back into humans again as well as protecting all of them. Takeo felt so useless. He wanted to help protect their younger Brother's and Sister too, but he was sure that his Older Brother's wouldn't want him in that much danger. Still- Takeo was their Older Brother too, and he wanted to keep his family safe. He eventually decided to ask Urokodaki for training as soon as the chance arose.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
That night Takeo helped Urokodaki look after his Siblings while his Brother's were off training. He was just helping with Bathtime when Gyutaro and Tanjiro stumbled inside, a little less exhausted than the day before. "Welcome back you two. You'll have to wait for your baths, 'cause right now I have to supervise Rokuta to make sure he's safe" Takeo said. As Tanjiro poked his head through the doorframe, the 3-year-old squealed excitedly and reached up for him, "Tanjiro!" he cried. The second oldest boy smiled and walked over, "sorry Rokuta, it's your Bathetime now, I can't play with you yet" he said apologetically, gently rubbing his baby Brother's head.
Tanjiro looked down at his little Brother, "okay, I'll talk to you later then Takeo. I'll let you get back to what you were doing" he said with a kind smile. After the younger kids were washed, dried and dressed, Takeo went to find Urokodaki. The man was chopping firewood. "I can do that for you if you want Sir?" he asked. The older man nodded and handed the Axe to the 11-year-old. It was heavier than what he was used to, but Takeo took a bracing stance and began to chop. "I wanted to ask you something Sir!" he began, while he worked. "Oh? And what might that be?" Urokodaki asked. "I wanted *grunt* to ask you to *pant, pant*" he propped the Axe on the ground by his feet and turned to look at the masked man, "please train me too!" he asked firmly.
Urokodaki seemed to examine him, "you do know that what I'm training you Older Brother's to do is extremely dangerous and may cost them their lives, correct?" he asked. "But that's exactly why I want you to train me in the first place!" the spikey-haired boy cried. Unwillingly, tears began to fill his eyes as he remembered the pale, still form of their Mother's dead body. "I'm an Older in this family too, and I know that other people won't always be there to protect us" Takeo clenched his fists, "if something happens, I have to be able to protect Hanako, Shigeru and Rokuta. I have to!" he looked down at his hand as it trembled, "because I don't know what I'll do if I can't" he muttered, feeling tears sting more at his eyes and trying to force them away. The young boy stayed quiet for a long time, waiting for the old man's reply.
"Alright, I'll train you too," Takeo looked up hopefully, "if you tell your Older Brother's and get their permission first" he replied. And just like that, the third oldest Kamado Son's hopes crashed to the ground as he hung his head in despair, 'I'm doomed!' he thought.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
The next evening (he had stalled because he was definitely not nervous) Takeo waited at the house for Gyutaro and Tanjiro to get back from training. Shigeru and Hanako were playing in one of the safe area's of the mountain, while Rokuta took a nap with their Older Sisters. Urokodaki had assured him that his two Younger Siblings would be safe, so here he was, sitting here waiting. Finally, hours later (and he wasn't falling asleep, thank you very much!) he heard the sound of voices. "*sigh* You know, not that I'm complaining about having to train, but I really think that old man has gone senile Tanjiro. I mean, throwing us off a damn cliff into a lake his idea of training!?" Gyutrao yelled indignantly, sounding exhausted. Tanjiro sighed, "well, whatever we have to do, I'll do it, as long as it means that we can protect our Siblings and turn our Sister's back into humans" he swore in determination. The green-haired young adult nodded, thinking of Ume and Nezuko.
They would turn them back into humans! Finally they reached Urokodaki's house again. "I'll go get our Bokken's!" Gyutaro called, moving inside to get the wooden practice swords. "Okay!" his younger Brother replied with a smile. Once he was gone, Takeo slipped around the house and ran up to Tanjiro, "Big Brother!" he called. The burgundy-haired 13-year-old smiled at his younger Brother, "hey Takeo! What's wrong?" he asked in slight concern at the very nervous look on his little Brother's face. Takeo clenched his fists, "I want to train too!" he forced out, tensing afterwards. Tanjiro looked shocked, like he hadn't even thought about that as a possibility, but then he frowned. "Why?" he asked. The 11-year-old looked down, "I want to help protect our family. Even if I never become a Demon Slayer, I can at least protect everyone while you're both away on Missions or whatever. I just feel so useless right now. So please, let me train too" Takeo asked sincerely. Tanjiro looked down in thought, "I suppose that training to protect our family isn't so bad. But I don't want you facing Demons, okay?" he asked gently, placing his hand on his little Brother's head.
Takeo sighed, "fine. But if I have to fight them to protect everyone I will" he replied. His Older Brother nodded in understanding.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
While his two Older Brother's went up the mountain the next day, after Takeo had taken care of his younger Siblings, Urokodaki had his start different strength building and breath control exercises. Takeo didn't complain though. This was to protect Hanako, Shigeru and Rokuta. So he was determined that not on complaint would come from his mouth, no matter how hard it was. Despite the fact that he was easily annoyed by his family, he did love them a lot. With all of his Older Siblings either training or sleeping, it was left up to him to take care of his family now. Since he'd only just started, the old man allowed him to come inside to have lunch with the rest of his family. Shigeru waved from the table with a big smile on his face, "hey Big Brother! Lunch smells great!" he said. Takeo looked around with a frown, "so our Older Sister's are still asleep then?" he asked in resignation. It had been a few days now since they'd come to live at Urokodaki's house, and both Ume and Nezuko had yet to wake up.
Hanako looked down, "yes, they're still sleeping. But I've been brushing their hair for them, so that it's not knotty when they wake up!" she said firmly. Shigeru nodded, "yeah! And I've been painting pictures of all those girly things they like, like flowers, and putting them up on the wall of our room, so that when they wake up, they'll have lots of pretty things to see" he added. "I sang Mama's song, so they have good dreams!" Rokuta added with a smile, wanting to show that he'd been helping his big Sister's too. Knowing that he had to say something to his Siblings, Takeo thought of his Older Brothers, 'what would Tanjiro or Gyutaro say right now?'
"You've all done a great job looking after our Sister's. And being strong for them. I'm sure they'll appreciate it when they wake up" he said. Hanako beamed, while Rokuta gripped onto his Haori, "really?" the 3-year-old asked. "Yeah. But right now, we have to eat lunch. If Ume or Nezuko learned that we weren't eating properly, they'd be so worried" Takeo said. "Okay!" Hanako cried as she and Shigeru went to go prepare for lunch. Rokuta tugged on his Haori, making the fifth oldest Kamado Sibling look down at him. The Toddler held up his arms, wanting to be held. So, with a sigh and a small smile, Takeo picked him up and held him. "You're good at that" Urokodaki said as he began dishing up their food. When the spiky-haired 11-year-old looked up at him, he elaborated, "at taking care of your Younger Siblings" he said, But the young boy shook his head, "no, I'm not good at this stuff at all. Despite having such a large family, I was never the affectionate or gentle one. That was always my Older Brother's and Sister's role.
I was told a couple of years ago, that Gyutaro and Ume were adopted into our family a little while before Tanjiro was born. And that they'd been all on their own before that. They hadn't had a good life. Then Father saved them and he and Mom made them part of our family. Big Brother Gyutaro didn't know how to be a good older Brother aside from protecting his little Sister. But he learnt, no matter how hard it was. Maybe Father and Mom taught him, but he also had to want to change." Takeo clenched his fists, "I grew up in this family, and yet, I'm still not a good big Brother to them. I have to try harder. With Gyutaro and Tanjiro training for so long, and Ume and Nezuko asleep, I have to be the big Brother now. No matter how uncomfortable I am about it, it's the truth. I am the Older Brother of Hanako, Shigeru and Rokuta too, and I need to start acting like it. After all, if Gyutaro and Tanjiro leave to go on Missions after becoming Demon Slayers, I'm going to have to take care of them anyway, not the least being possibly protecting them from Demons. So from now on, I'll work harder to be both!" he declared. Then, after eating, he went outside and started on the exercises that Urokodaki had given them.
The older man watched Takeo training silently, while also keeping an eye on the other children. It had been a long time since he'd had so many children to take care of. He knew that he had his work cut out for him.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
Rokuta was crying. So everyone was awake. "MAMA! WAN' MY MAMA!" he wailed. Tanjiro cringed. He knew that their youngest brother didn't understand, couldn't understand that their Mother was dead. But still. And neither Ume or Nezuko could soothe him this time. He held the Toddler close and rubbed his back, bouncing him slightly, "there, there, it's okay Rokuta, shhh, big Brother's here" he tried. Shigeru held his hands over his ears, "he's too loud, make him be quiet!" he demanded. "Shigeru!" Gyutaro reprimanded, appalled, "Rokuta is your baby Brother and he's upset! Show a little compassion!" Eventually, Tanjiro decided to take the 3-year-old and walk around nearby Urokodaki's house. He made sure to stay close in case of Demons and he patted his baby Brother's back softly. "I know you miss Mom Rokuta. I do too. But she can't come now. So we have to try and be strong for each other, okay? You don't have to be upset or scared, because we're all here with you.
You're not alone. And I promise, I'll always protect you and our other Siblings. Because that's my job as your big Brother, and I love all of you so much. If I ever lost you, I don't know what I'd do. So please, try and be a brave boy for me, okay? I will too" Tanjiro said softly. Rokuta, now calmer, whimpered and clutched at Tanjiro's Haori with his tiny fist. His Older Brother held him close, cradling his head to his chest, "we'll make sure everything will be okay Rokuta" he said softly, stroking his hair, while gently rocking the Toddler. Eventually, Rokuta calmed down and fell asleep.
Tanjiro smiled gently at his baby Brother, carrying him inside and quietly putting him to bed. Hanako and Shigeru clutched at his Haori as he came back, "can we sleep with you tonight big Brother?" the little girl asked softly. "Sure, I don't mind at all. I guess you guys are feeling Homesick too, huh?" he asked quietly. Hanako nodded, while her younger Brother looked shy. "Well, let's go then. Gyutaro and I have more training to do tomorrow" Tanjiro said. Soon Tanjiro was laying next to Nezuko, with Hanako, Shigeru and Rokuta curled up around him. Gyutaro and Takeo were sleeping beside Ume. Urokodaki silently watched the 8 of them as they slept. He knew that he needed to have a talk with the two eldest boys tomorrow. He just wasn't sure how the family would react.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
The next day after Breakfast, Urokodaki took Gyutaro and Tanjiro aside. "I've been monitoring your training so far. And I'm afraid that neither of you is suited to Water-Breathing. Continuing to train with me won't make you stronger. It will only hurt your development and progress. I believe you would be better suited to seeking out another Breathing Style instead" Urokodaki explained. Tanjiro frowned in worry, "but what about our Siblings? Ume and Nezuko in particular? The only reason they're not dead is because you accepted them. How many other Demon Slayers who could teach us would accept our Demon Sisters and not just kill them on the spot?" he asked. "It will be hard to convince others of Ume and Nezuko's innocence and lack of threat to humans, but in the Months I've been training them, I've also been using Hypnotic Suggestion on them. Nezuko will see all humans as members of her family, while Ume will see humans as something not to be eaten, and Demons as a danger.
This should help when they wake up" Urokodaki explained. Gyutaro frowned slightly but said nothing. "Now, I'll write a letter to the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps explaining everything. Hopefully, your Sister's will be spared" he said. The two Kamado's looked at each other. Hopefully?
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
It took a few weeks for any information to get back to them, during which time the two Brothers continued training and taking care of their younger Siblings. Eventually, when a reply did come. It wasn't by letter. Tanjiro was just coming back from a day of training when he noticed a new scent. "Huh?" he began, turning to look in the direction the smell was coming from, only to see a man with fiery hair, who was wearing a white cloak with a flame-like pattern on the bottom edges and it was coloured red, orange and yellow. To his credit, Tanjiro didn't yell out. But he did jump in shock at the sudden appearance of the man. "Greetings! My name is Kyojuro Rengoku! Would you happen to be Tanjiro Kamado?!" he asked loudly. "Sssssshhhhhhhh! My baby Brother is taking a nap! It took nearly an hour to get him to go to sleep, so don't wake him!" Tanjiro hissed.
"Oh! My apologies! I have trouble hearing well due to an old injury! Perhaps we should go somewhere more private then!" Rengoku replied as quietly as he could. The 13-year-old thought for a moment. He focused on the man's scent, 'I can't smell any ill-intent. He seems Ernest and honest' he thought. "Alright, let's go then" Tanjiro agreed. The two then left the house and went into the shade of the forest. "Urokodaki wrote to the Master and told him that his two new Students weren't fit for Water-Breathing! And since I have been trying to find a Tsuguko for a long time now, I volunteered to come and see these new Students for myself!" Rengoku explained. Tanjiro was still lost, "um, you haven't really told me who you are Sir.
Or why you're here. My family are Coal-burners, I've only known about Demon and the Demon Slayer Corps for the last few months" he explained. "Is that so? I apologize for not being clearer then!" Rengoku replied. He then stared Tanjiro right in the eye, which was a little unnerving since he wasn't blinking. "Tanjiro Kamado! I have been told of your courageous actions and burning determination. I want to take you on as my Student!" Rengoku said energetically. Tanjiro blinked, then took in the man's scent. His eyes widened in shock, "WHAAAAAAAT?!"
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
Tanjiro stared at the man in shock, blinking rapidly. Kyojuro Rengoku on the other hand, simply stared at him calmly with that same smile on his face, Finally, Tanjiro snapped out of his stupor, "but, but- I-I can't just leave! I have to take care of my younger Siblings! My youngest Brother is only 3, and he cries if I'm not there, a-and then there are Ume and Nezuko-" he snapped his mouth shut abruptly, aware that he'd nearly told this Demon Slayer about his Sisters. But Rengoku nodded and crossed his arms, "I have been told about your Sisters by the Master. Urokodaki wrote him about them. Apparently, their first actions as Demons was to protect you all from Tomioka. And they didn't even try to eat you after a brief panic when they first turned! That is incredibly impressive for two Newborn Demons! I was told your Older Sister could even speak soon after awakening! Imagine that!" and he began laughing.
Tanjiro wasn't sure what to make of this man. "So, you're okay, with Ume and Nezuko?" he asked tentatively. Rengoku stopped laughing, "as long as they don't harm humans, I see no problem with them. After all, the only reason we kill Demons in the first place is because they eat humans. If these two Demons don't eat any humans, then there is no reason for us to kill them!" Tanjiro winced at the volume. Despite that, he smiled gratefully, "thank you, truly. We've already lost our Mother. I don't know how everyone would react if we lost our Sister's too" he said, bowing in gratitude. Rengoku nodded, "right, let's talk about you becoming my Tsukugo, and perhaps you Older Brother training under another Hashira" he moved on.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
Eventually it was decided that both Gyutaro and Tanjiro would go with Rengoku. He would test both of them and see if they would be suited to Flame-Breathing instead. The green-haired young man was suspicious of the Hashira at first, but after an hour spent around the man, even he was warming up to him. "My Estate is huge! If you are both suited to Flame-Breathing, you are all welcome to come and live there! Don't worry, I would never dream of separating such a close and loving family!" the flame-haired young man said. "Well, let's go!" he said. "Hold on! We haven't said goodbye, or even told everyone that we're leaving yet! Plus, we can't leave Rokuta here, he's too young, and our other Siblings can't look after such a young child!" Gyutaro cried, shocked that the other man wanted to leave so suddenly.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
Rengoku, told Urokodaki about his decision. The old man nodded, "alright. If you're sure about training both of them. Listen, I know you've had a Student before, but you've never had such a young one as Tanjiro. Push them hard, but don't kill them, understand? And you take care of yourself too young man. You're only 18 after all" Urokodaki chastised. Guytaro choked on air at that bit of information. Rengoku looked at him in worry, "are you alright young man?" he asked. "Young man?! You're younger than me?!" Gyutaro cried, shocked. Rengoku- no, Kyojuro, quirked an eyebrow, "how old are you?" he asked curiously. "I'm 25! Are you seriously 8 years younger than me?!" he cried in shock. The Flame Hashira blinked, then laughed brightly, "it would seem that I am! How remarkable! Hahahahahaha!" he replied. Tanjiro stared in shock between his Older Brother and the Hashira. This man was only 5 years older than him, and already one of the strongest Demon Slayers?! Incredible!
How much did he have to train to become so strong in such a short time?
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
Hanako and Shigeru were crying and clinging to Tanjiro. Takeo was calm this time. "Please don't go! Stay here, please!" Hanako begged, gripping onto Tanjiro's Haori tightly as she sobbed. Shigeru was quiet, but his tears were falling thick and fast. The 8-year-old trembled hard as he tried to hold them back, to no avail. Gyutaro smiled sadly and picked up Rokuta while Tanjiro pulled Takeo, Shigeru and Hanako close, "we're not leaving forever. You can all come live with us soon, Mr Rengoku said so. But right now, I need you all to stay here and take care of Ume and Nezuko for us. It's a big, important job. Do you think you can do it?" he asked softly. Hanako sniffed, "but, why can Rokuta go with you?" she asked. "Rokuta is too young to be alone. He's only 3-years-old, and with everyone so busy all day, it would be too dangerous to leave him here" Tanjiro explained calmly.
He wiped the tears from his little Sister's eyes, "we'll both write to you all the time. And send presents" he promised. "Promise? You won't forget about us right?" Hanako asked. "We would never forget about any of you. You are all so precious to us. I wish you could all come too. But-" he sighed, "you all have to be brave from now on and look after your Older Sisters while they're sleeping, okay?" Tanjiro asked. All three of the young children made an affirmative gesture or sound. But it was clear, that they were really not happy with these arrangements. "Hey!" Takeo spoke up for the first time. Gyutaro looked down at the boy, "I swear, I'll become stronger. And I'll protect everyone here for you!" he swore. The green-haired young man smiled and nodded, "I know you will Takeo" he replied.
Then the group of four left the small house at the foot of the mountain as well as most of their family. 'We will become strong enough to protect our family this time. And we'll make our Sister's human again!' Gyutaro thought with conviction.
To Be Continued