The Leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Master Kagaya wasn't available to speak to them the next day, so Kyojuro decided to start training the two boys. Rokuta was sleeping in a futon on the Engawa, where his two older Brother's could see him. Gyutaro wasn't too thrilled about the fact that his baby Brother would still be around the adult Rengoku. He knew just what drunks were capable of, especially when angry. He had vivid memories of running from them in the Entertainment District more than once in his younger years before the Kamado's found them, clutching a wailing baby Ume in his arms as he desperately tried to find a safe place for them to hide.
Thinking of Ume made him wonder about their other younger Siblings. How were they doing? Were Ume and Nezuko still sleeping? How was Takeo doing with his training under Urokodaki? Were Hanako and Shigeru fighting again? Or were they behaving themselves for Urokodaki? It had only been a week and a half since the three of them had left the older man's care, but he couldn't help but worry. He resolved to write a letter to their Siblings after training. And he would also suggest the same to Tanjiro. He was sure the young teen was also thinking of their Siblings as well. The only problem was finding a way to send it. Oh well. He'd think about it more later.
He turned his attention to his new Master. Kyojuro had his usual smile on his face today. "Alright! Are you both ready to start training?!" he asked loudly. "Yes!" Tanjiro answered immediately. "Yes Sir. Whatever it takes" Gyutaro replied firmly. "Excellent! The first thing you will do are some exercises. I was told by Urokodaki that you'd been working on getting into shape and raising your stamina as well as control of your breathing. So that is what we will continue with for now! First give me 20 laps around the Estate! I will watch your Brother for you! Go! And set your hearts ablaze!" Kyojuro ordered. The two Kamados began to run around the perimeter of the Estate.
Gyutaro was ahead of Tanjiro, who tried to speed up to match his Older Brother's speed. "Tanjiro! You don't have to try to keep up with me! Keep up a pace that suits you! I'm older, so I'll be the faster of us!" Gyutaro called back. Tanjiro made a face, but slowed down to a more manageable pace for himself. Quickly his harsh breaths slowed and evened out a bit. The two Brothers ran around the Compound 3 times before they began to tire. Gyutaro was glad to notice that, after pacing himself, Tanjiro was able to keep a steady distance behind him, even if it was a fair one. As the laps went on, both the young man and teenager noticed that it was harder to take a full breath.
'I should try to focus my breathing, so I don't exhaust myself too much' Gyutaro thought. He tried to breathe as deeply as possible so he could keep running. He knew that the more Oxygen you took in, the slower you would tire. It's how Father had been able to dance the Hinokami Kagura for so long every New Years, despite being so sick, so he tried to take deep, even breaths as he ran. Finally, Tanjiro collapsed, panting. "Brother!" Gyutaro cried, going back to check on him. He was panting and his legs were trembling. "Tanjiro, why don't you try keeping your breathing deep and even, like you did when we were going up and down Urokodaki's mountain. I know the air isn't thin like it was there, but it'll help keep you from getting exhausted so quickly. Like Father's breathing technique" he suggested.
Tanjiro wiped his sweat, "control my Breathing" he said quietly in thought. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply for a few minutes, trying to take in as much oxygen as he could. Soon, he had recovered enough to keep running. Except this time, he continued trying to keep his breathing the same, taking in more oxygen and slowly catching up to his Older Brother.
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By the time they'd finished their laps, there was a teapot and several cups now sitting on the Engawa next to Kyojuro. Thankfully, the young man had the foresight to have the tea on the other side of him and away from the Toddler, who thankfully hadn't woken up and started crying again. The 18-year-old beamed at them, "welcome back! I see you've already started trying to control your Breathing. Excellent! I was going to wait before I started teaching you Total-Concentration Breathing, but it seems you've worked it out on your own!" Kyojuro praised. "Our Father used to do something similar sometimes *pant* before he died, so we just decided to try it and see of it helped" Gyutaro explained.
"Ah! So your Father knew a breathing Technique as well! Perhaps he was a Demon Slayer in his youth!" the Flame Hashira declared. Tanjiro didn't correct him on that, since as far as he knew. Their family had always been Charcoal makers. "What Breathing form did he use?" the fiery-haired young man asked. "He called it the Hinokami Kagura" Tanjiro explained, "he had been sick for most of my life, so he would use it when he would dance that Kagura, our family's Traditional Dance during New Years. He taught me it a bit, but he never got the chance to see me dance it before he died," he looked down, "hopefully our younger Siblings will be able to watch me perform the dance this New Years Eve".
Upon hearing silence from his Teacher, the 13-year-old looked up, only to blink in surprise at the look on the young man's face, "what is it?" he asked in confusion. Gyutaro was confused as well. what was with that look? Kyojuro shook himself out of it, but his smile didn't return, "there have been many Flame Hashira over the Centuries, lust like myself. But I have never heard of this Hinokami Kagura before." He explained. The look passed a moment later and Kyojuro smiled, "well! you learn something new everyday! A family Breathing Style not meant for slaying Demons, but for dancing! I did not know that Civilians had Breathing Styles of their own in their families! I believe that this Kagura may help you. If your Father passed it onto you, and if the Breathing style that goes with it is suitable for you to use, then by all means, train with that instead!" he paused.
"However, I believe that you should still begin with Flame-Breathing, if that is alright with you young Kamado?" Kyojuro asked. "Ah! Yes, I understand Mr Rengoku" Tanjiro replied. Kyojuro turned to Gyutaro, "are you going to train with this Hinokami Kagura too?" he asked. The green-haired older man shook his head, "Father tried to teach mee the breathing style and Dance, but it wasn't suitable for me. I wasn't able to do it" he explained. Kyojuro nodded in understanding, "perhaps Flame-Breathing will be suited to you then. Well! Have some tea and stretch for a bit, then I will tell you the next exercise that you are going to do!" he said. The Kamado Siblings nodded, then moved to take a cup each as their Teacher poured some tea for them.
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Kyojuro worked the two Brother's until lunchtime, when Rokuta woke up hungry. So the four went to the dining hall, where Senjuro was just coming to the door. He startled for a moment, before smiling at them, "I was just about to come and get you all. Lunch is ready" he explained cheerfully. Tanjiro smiled in appreciation, but Gyutaro looked around warily, "is your Father going to be joining us for lunch?" he asked carefully.
Senjuro's smile wavered, "I went to tell him that lunch was ready, but he had drunk himself into unconsciousness already. I'm going to make his lunch and take it to him later, when he's awake again" he explained, trying to keep the friendly tone in his voice and smile on his face, but Tanjiro could smell the disappointment, Gyutaro, however, was fine with this arrangement. If the man was going to stay in his room, that meant that he wouldn't try to harm his younger Brother's again. Tanjiro, meanwhile, was curious about something, enough that he didn't care if he came off as rude: "if he knows that he has problems with drinking, enough that it's affecting his attitude and behaviour towards his own children, why doesn't he try to quit?" he asked.
The Rengoku Brother's were silent for a moment, before Kyojuro spoke up, "Father didn't used to be like this. I believe it only started after our Mother died of illness when we were young. He is still grieving, and he is probably using the Alcohol to deal with his pain. But, I agree that he needs help. I just don't know how to help him" he replied. Both Gyutaro and Tanjiro's expressions softened. They understood that. It had been very painful for all of them after their Father had died of illness. That pain was compounded by their Mother's recent slaughter. Even so, both knew that they couldn't let that pain consume them. "Our Father died of illness last year. Even thought she was in pain, our Mother never let that pain stop her from looking after her children. And Tanjiro and I haven't let her death stop us from taking care of our younger Siblings.
Even if it's painful, as long as you still have precious people around you, who you love and who love you, that should be more than enough reason to stand up and keep living. I hope that your Father can realise that too" Gyutaro said. The Rengoku Brother's looked down in thought. After that, everyone ate on silence.
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That afternoon, after finishing training, Gyutaro requested materials to write some letters. He didn't have time to write them until nighttime, however. Dear Takeo, Hanako and Shigeru. We have made it safely to the Flame Hashira's Estate. Tanjiro and I began training today, but I already know that Flame-Breathing isn't right for me either. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever find the right form for me. Mr Rengoku has told me that he is going to speak to the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps about finding a new home for us all around here. I hope he finds it soon, because I really don't like living here right now. It's not do with Kyojuro, it's his Father. He's a drunk and he hit Rokuta just for crying!' Gyutro paused and crossed that last part out. No need to make their younger Siblings worry about them.
I hope he finds it soon, because I really don't like living here right now. It's not do with Kyojuro, it's his Father. He's a drunk and he hit Rokuta just for crying!' 'Anyway, how is everyone there? Is your training going well Takeo? And I hope you are behaving yourselves for Mr Urokodaki, Hanako, Shigeru. How are Ume and Nezuko? Have either of them woken up yet? I've been told that Demon Slayers have messages delivered by Crow. When you write us back, make sure you ask Urokodaki for permission to use his. Please reply soon. I'm sure Tanjiro will also send you a letter with this one. I love you all. Your Older Brother Gyutaro' He signed off his letter and laid it out to dry.
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At the same time, Tanjiro was just finishing writing a similar letter. He looked down at the sleeping Rokuta with a frown on his face, 'was it a mistake to bring him with us? He definitely wouldn't be in danger of being hurt back at Urokodaki's. But considering how he's been, Rokuta would probably have been even more upset if we had left him' he thought, before frowning in determination, 'I'm just going to have to protect him. It's not like I'm going to let him get hurt, but it might be difficult if I have to train a lot too' Tanjiro sighed, 'well, that's about it for now' he put the writing utensils away and got into bed. 'Hopefully the Master of the Demons Slayer Corps will be able to give us a new place to stay tomorrow' he close his eyes, trying to go to sleep. A few minutes later, Gyutaro silently entered the room. He climbed into the futon set out beside his Brother's. With his Older Brother beside him, and holding his baby Brother close, Tanjiro breathed out a sigh of relief, relaxing in bed and falling into a, thankfully, dreamless sleep. Gyutaro watched his younger Brother's sleep for a moment with a content smile on his face, before closing his eyes and falling asleep himself.
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The next day, Kyojuro took Gyutaro first to meet the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps. He brought Rokuta with him. The Mansion belonging to the Corps Leader was even bigger and more extravagant than the Flame Hashira's Estate. "Wow!" he couldn't help but breathe in awe. "Our Master lives here with his Wife and children. This is also where the annual Hashira Meetings take place!" Kyojuro explained. He led Gyutaro to the front of the Mansion and knocked on the door. A pair of twin white-haired girls answered the door. "Good morning! I have brought Gyutaro Kamado to speak with the Master!" he said. The girls bowed to him, "oof course," they said together, as they both turned to look at the young man, "the Master has been expecting you" one of the girls said.
"That's me. I hope it was okay to bring my baby Brother, I was worried about leaving him alone". It wasn't a complete lie, or truth, but it got the message across. "That is fine. Please follow us" one of the girl's replied. The green-haired 25-year-old removed his shoes at the Genkan and followed the twin girls inside. When they reached a door, one of the girls spoke up, "Master, Gyutaro Kamado is here to see you" she said. "Thank you Hinaki. Please let him in" a gentle voice called from the other side of the door. Gyutaro blinked, finding the man's voice really soothing as tenseness he didn't even know had built up in his body flowed away. It remined him of his Father. The other girl opened the door, revealing a young man sitting up in a futon.
The green-haired young man blinked as an image of his Father in the same position flashed in his mind. The image faded away and Gyutaro took in the appearance of the man in front of him. He had chin-length black hair and kind purple eyes. He also had what seemed like cancerous skin forming on his forehead, starting at his hairline and bleeding down. The young man smiled at him, "welcome Mr Kamado. It's nice to meet you" he said. Gyutaro suddenly realised that this man was the Leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. He hurriedly bowed in greeting, "it's, uh, nice to meet you too Sir" he replied. "Now, now. There's no need for such formality. You aren't a Demon Slayer yet, and I believe that you are also older than me. So please, for now let's just speak as equals" the man replied. Gyutaro let out a nervous breath, "alright, if you insist" he replied.
"You may call me Kagaya, at least until you become a member of the Corps, alright?" Kagaya asked. "Um, alright. Well then, you can call me Gyutaro. Mr Kamado makes me feel weird, since no one has even called me that" the older young man replied. "Alright then Gyutaro. I was told that you wanted to speak with me. Since that's the case, please, speak freely" Kagaya invited with his hand outstretched. Gyutaro looked down at the sleeping Rokuta, closing his eyes as he hoped that the Master of the Corps would accept his request. He took a deep breath, then opened them again. "My younger Siblings and I have recently been orphaned by a Demon attack," he was careful not to mention that two of his younger Sister's were now Demon's themselves. "Most of them are currently living with the former Water Hashira Urokodaki, (Kyojuro had told them that on the way to his Estate) but I was hoping to eventually find a new place to live with all of them- one that is a lot safer than our old home, which was isolated on a mountain.
Except my family barely had enough money to survive when my Younger Brother Tanjiro and I were both working, never mind enough to buy a new house that is big enough for 8 people." He explained. "So you want a house nearby the Demon Slayer Corps, so that we can protect your Siblings while you and your Brother Tanjiro are out on Missions" Kagaya summarized for him. Gyutaro looked down, "if it's not too much trouble" he replied, rubbing Rokuta's back when he showed signs of waking up. The man smiled kindly, "did you know most Demon Slayers are orphans, whose families were killed by Demons?" Kagaya asked. "Does that mean the Corps took them in?" the green-haired adult asked. "Yes. You are incredibly fortunate to still have as much of your family as you do. Most Slayers are left with only themselves and their broken hearts." The Ubuyashiki replied.
Gyutaro looked down, "our survival was only a coincidence. Our Mother was sick, and she didn't want our Siblings catching it too. Since all of our younger Siblings were going, I went too, in order to help Tanjiro look after them. Ume and Nezuko stayed home to take care of our Mother, and that night, our neighbour, who lived further down the mountain, managed to convince us to stay with him for the night. That's why we all survived. If Mom hadn't been sick, she wouldn't have let us take everyone, because of the snow. And most of our Siblings would have died that night" he replied, clenching his fists. Kagaya frowned, "I see. I don't have a problem with sheltering your Siblings. But Ume and Nezuko will have to stay with Master Urokokodaki, otherwise they would be in too much danger, since they're Demons" Kagaya explained.
It took Gyutaro a moment to realise what the younger man's last sentence had been, and he blanched, "you-you know about that Sir? I mean, Kagaya?" he stammered fearfully. The Leader of the Demon Slayer Corps nodded, "yes, Urokodaki wrote me a letter explaining the situation some time ago. He mentioned that your Sisters hadn't eaten any humans since they'd been turned. And that Giyu told him that they had fought to protect you all from him" he explained. Gyutaro nodded, "yes Kagaya. Despite a moment immediately subsequent to their transformation, both our younger Sisters soon recognised us and calmed down. Then, when Giyu appeared to be a threat to our family, Ume fought to protect us, while Nezuko stayed to shield our young Siblings. Neither of them harmed us, and before Giyu arrived, they had been sitting in our house with us, both perfectly calm" Gyutaro explained.
"I see. There has never been a record of docile Demons, and even less of Demons actively protecting humans instead of eating them. The fact that both of your Sisters managed to fight against their hunger and instincts to protect you all from danger is remarkable. It could even be called a sign of great change in this war against the Demons" the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps explained. Gyutaro's eyes widened in shock. Their Sisters were really that important to the fight against the Demons? "If I may change the topic, Kyojuro has told me that you family knows a Breathing technique that your Father called Fire-Breathing, is that right?" the Master asked. The green-haired young man nodded, "that's right. Our Father used this Breathing Technique with a traditional dance called the Hinokami Kagura, that was supposed to be passed on the eldest Son, but I couldn't even perform the dance steps themselves, much less the Breathing technique that went with it."
He looked down in self-disappointment, still upset that he couldn't learn the Dance or Breathing Technique that was so important to his family. "Father taught it to Tanjiro instead, but he never got the chance to perform it on New Years like he should have" Gyutaro explained. Kagaya gave a small, knowing smile, "I see. Perhaps he will be able to perform it someday soon" he replied. One of the children opened the door holding a tray with a teapot and cups, "would you like a cup of tea Gyutaro? My Wife has prepared some for our meeting" the younger man asked. "Oh, thank you, and would you please thank her for me?" the oldest of the Kamado children said gratefully. After that, the conversation turned back to the kind of house that they would need.
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Finally, the meeting concluded, and Gyutaro bowed gratefully to the Master, "thank you very much for your time and hospitality Kagaya. And thank you very much for your generosity in giving my family and I a new home and the Corps protection" he said. The man smiled warmly, "I was happy to help. If my resources can prevent more innocent lives from being lost, then I don't need any thanks. Just knowing that children like your Siblings are safe and alive is enough for me" Kagaya nodded. As Gyutaro got ready to leave, the younger man spoke up one last time: "good luck to you Gyutaro, and to young Tanjiro as well. If you can find a cure to return your Sisters humanity, then we may be able to save many lives instead of taking them". Gyutaro turned to look back at Kagaya, to see him giving him that same, knowing smile.
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After leaving the Mansion, the oldest and youngest Kamado Brothers found Kyojuro to be waiting for them, "how was it?!" the blond and red-haired younger man asked once he caught sight of them. "Well, the Master, who insisted that I call him Kagaya until I become a Demon Slayer, since I'm older than him, agreed to have a house prepared for our family to live in. We also talked about some other things as well. It's- a little hard to explain" Gyutaro replied. But instead of being annoyed or disappointed at the lack of details, the Rengoku nodded in understanding, "don't worry about it then! Let's say it was a good discussion and leave it at that!" he then turned away from Gyutaro and Rokuta, "now, let us be off! I told Himejima that we would meet with him before it became too late!" Kyojuro proclaimed.
But the green-haired young man was only confused, "wait, who is Himejima?" he asked. the two began walking, "he is a colleague- a fellow Hashira! I believe his fighting and Breathing-Style will suite you much better than mine will!" Kyojuro explained. Gyutaro nodded, rocking Rokuta as he began to whimper from all the noise, "shhh, shhh, it's okay" he soothed. As he walked beside the Flame Hashira, he wondered what this other Hashira was like. He hoped that he wouldn't mind Rokuta being there. The rest of the walk to the new Hashira's Estate was thankfully silent and peaceful.
To Be Continued