The Dancing Star
Chapter 18
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
Tanjirou could not believe it.
The large amount of time that had passed.
When he was only 13 years old, he was accidentally turned into a demon.
Tanjirou Kamado was supposed to be dead. But just like every plot armor, he lived, but with a cost.
He was now a demon. Alongside his remaining family member, his younger sister who was also a demon.
They were a demonic sibling who fought for a demon's supposed enemies. Instead of consuming humans, they fought to protect them.
It was almost unheard of by many demon slayers, because of the general views on demons.
Many demon slayers thought all demons were bad.
And it wasn't a farfetched idea or view. There were genuine reasons.
Many within the demon slayer corps fought against demons out of retaliation, vengeance, or purpose.
Many within the demon slayer corps were formerly living peaceful lives as humans until demons came in and took the connections they formed.
Who wouldn't feel enraged at the beings who had done this?
Tanjirou didn't blame anyone who hated demons.
But after fighting and witnessing the plight of demons, Tanjirou and Nezuko learned that there was much more than what meets the eye. Perhaps that was always the case with everything and when you perform a judgment immediately.
Not every demon was inherently a being of chaos. Not every demon, wanted to kill humans.
Some still wanted to be close to others. Some genuinely wanted to retain the connections they had.
Of course, others seemed to have no redeeming qualities, but both siblings found that the former was much more common than the latter.
And that spoke volumes. Many of these demons just didn't want to fight. Sure, when their lives were being threatened, it always changed, but wasn't that the case with everyone?
Isn't that the case with every living being?
Whenever something is close to death, they explode, being able to perform acts that can seem impossible. Humans can do it, other animals can do it, notably wild animals when you get too close to them, and likewise, demons too.
Tanjirou knew this, firsthand from watching other demons realize they had no choice but to fight.
Demons were tragic beings. Tanjirou and Nezuko were both demons and the only reason they were probably not being hunted, was because they never once ate a human. Instead, Tanjirou consumes the flesh of other demons to get stronger, and by sleeping and eating human food to maintain his desires.
Nezuko was even more specific, only needing to sleep to both regain energy and maintain her desires. Of course, that meant she slept a lot, but Tanjirou never minded that.
He had eventually gotten a rather large box. So large, it was an extra large.
And Nezuko would always sleep in that box. To a human, the box would be impossible to carry on their back with a tight wrapping keeping it over his back.
But thankfully, he was a demon, and to make matters better, he was finally seeing the benefits of being a demon.
He got an extra large because if they couldn't go anywhere when it was about to turn day, Tanjirou could get inside and fit inside the box.
Of course, that's when Tanjirou realized Nezuko seemed to have another special ability as a demon.
Manipulating her body.
She was able to manipulate her body to become younger, smaller, older, or larger.
This made it somewhat redundant, but since Tanjirou struggled a bit more, and it wasted energy on the transformation, especially when trying to turn himself bigger, he decided to not try that.
Tanjirou was not as fluent as Nezuko was in body manipulation. And like that, Tanjirou was now stronger, after eating countless of demon flesh, but Nezuko still was stronger than him.
That wasn't to say that Tanjirou was weak.
He was strong, by human comparison, but by a demon, he was still between the line of human and demon strength. He was intermediate, at least in his human form.
At this point, Tanjirou accepted that this was a consequence of choosing his human side over letting his demonic side win over him all those times ago.
It made sense, but it was also weird how some stuff like limb regeneration and stamina regeneration was much faster.
But Tanjirou realized that it was the most notable because limb regeneration was nonexistent in humans. If a human and almost any other animal lost a limb, that was it for that limb. A demon was one of the fewest of the few beings that could regenerate limbs and the fact alone that Tanjirou was able to was remarkable on his own.
Even then, Tanjirou realized that it was slower than Nezuko's. Once again, made sense because Nezuko was more a demon compared to him.
Therefore, Tanjirou hypothesized a lot about his own body. Being in the fight for over a year at this point, it made sense for him to ponder.
He quickly assumed that even though he could regenerate quickly, he could probably die by human methods, albeit a lot more difficult than a typical human, since he could regenerate.
Once again, Tanjirou attributed this to him maintaining his human side, so at least he would have some human characteristics and vulnerabilities. As Tanjirou looked up, he sighed, silently wishing that even if he was still some semblance of a demon, he had hoped he could still stand in the sun.
He had tried, but it was like holding your breath and trying to suffocate yourself.
It was just impossible. Tanjirou's innate response was so strong that he couldn't even go near the sun or its rays. That meant he would need someone to unexpectedly push him into the sun, but that was not a good idea.
But going back to the whole ordeals with demons, his adventure and mission with slaying the demons who have killed previous and young demon slayers, continued regardless.
He and Nezuko had been killing demons for around just over a year at this point. It was quite tiring, but both knew this was them showing their morals. Even if they were demons, their records over the past year would display the reputation of their actions.
After all, would they protest if two demons were killing other demons whilst not eating a single human?
Tanjirou hoped that was the case.
"Nezuko? Are you still asleep?" Tanjirou asked in his mind. It was something he and his sister was able to do after a particular fight with Miyasaki.
He and his sister were able to communicate through their minds. At first, Tanjirou mistook the method by accidentally speaking out loud, which he didn't need to do, even though Nezuko heard that too.
But the main point was that Nezuko was able to communicate with Tanjirou in his mind. Whether that was a good thing because it meant he could talk with his sister now, or a bad thing, since that meant his sister knew what he would be thinking, he didn't know.
"Geez brother, why does your mind race on…?" Nezuko asked Tanjirou all of a sudden.
Tanjirou chuckled, "Sorry Nezuko, I like to reflect a lot." Tanjirou responded.
"Man, I'm just turning my perception off to you, at least for 20 minutes…" Nezuko mumbled as she was still wanting to sleep.
During her sleep, she could still mentally communicate, but it did tire her out, even when she slept. And so, all Tanjirou did was let her sleep, as he remained quiet, albeit his mind was racing.
After all, those who were the quietest, had their minds racing the most.
Tanjirou sighed, as he continued to make his way towards a place to rest.
He and Nezuko had been doing this for just over a year. Combined with the time from when he completed his training he and Nezuko had been going on this mission for just over a year.
This combined with both siblings killing a combined total of around twenty demons. Nezuko had been the one to decapitate more than Tanjirou since he emphasized trying to consume them. Nezuko slayed around twelve, and Tanjirou eight.
But Tanjirou didn't mind giving Nezuko the praise. She was the stronger of the two by a long shot.
Although, Nezuko would disagree with that…
Tanjirou shudders when he remembered the stern argument she had with him over using his natural breathing technique and style.
"Brother, I appreciate you using water breathing to be able to fight with me, but I think you should use the Hinokami Kagura." Nezuko had explained through Tanjirou's mind.
Tanjirou sighed, "I know, but I feel too weak to be using it."
"What is the thought process behind that?" Nezuko asked, "Of course, you will be weak to use it! And you will always be if you never start using it!"
This caused Tanjirou to flinch, causing Nezuko's eyes to widen in realization, "Shit, sorry brother… I just don't want you to hinder yourself…"
"I know, Nezuko… I know…" Tanjirou gave Nezuko a sad, small smile.
Nezuko hated it though. She didn't like how her brother's smile was fake. He was trying to smile through the pain he had.
He wasn't faking the smile but rather was smiling to let everyone know he was alright through the pain.
Perhaps that was faking, she wasn't sure. But it was the same smile Tanjirou always had.
Nezuko silently sighed. She wished she could see the day her brother could smile genuinely. She would be so happy to see that.
"I hope you can at least be happy with what you do, brother…" Nezuko responded.
"Thank you Nezuko, but you are my priority at the moment. I'm doing this to turn you back into a human, and to defeat Muzan." Tanjirou explained.
"What about yourself? Who will care for you if you don't?" Nezuko asked.
Tanjirou sighed, "You will, right? Just like those times…?" Tanjirou responded, and with such a heavy tone, it made Nezuko stop in her thoughts.
She hadn't thought Tanjirou would say that… "Of course, I will, brother, if you let me…" Nezuko responded after a bit.
Tanjirou nodded before he continued with his journey.
All the while, Nezuko tried her best to talk to her brother, to try and get him out of his shell.
But alas, even she knew it was a struggle, and a very long road to recovery, for he had lost himself and who he had been since he was young.
Since he had suffered, her brother was never the same. And no amount of care Nezuko gave was enough. And she couldn't blame him, for everyone changed.
In the end, here they were, and they had to make the best out of their current predicament.
All they knew, was that they only had themselves, Urokodaki, and Giyu to trust.
Any other demon slayer they had to avoid, and any demon, they told themselves to slay on sight.
Most of the demon slayers just looked at them funny before going on with their day. It was to the point that all Tanjirou did was just walk past them confident, and that was that.
The demon slayers just saw him as a fellow demon slayer, and that oddly made Tanjirou feel less worried.
For the most part, he was seen as one of them and not some monster.
But after a year of this mission, Tanjirou and Nezuko both wondered, if this was it.
When would they complete their test? When would it all be over?
Well, it turns out, that it would be soon.
And it would not be the way they expected.
As for the demons both he and Neuzko slayed, they both learned of the tragedy of many of them.
Tanjirou would have to be the one to tell Nezuko, but Nezuko trusted him, for he was never the type to lie, at least about others.
Needless to say, both of them learned of the tragedies that were the demons, and most of them.
Those regretful for their actions, Tanjirou consumed. While he knew it might've hurt them, he eventually knew that at this point, when the demon was already decapitated, they lost their feelings as their bodies shut down.
It was the perfect time for Tanjirou to eat the flesh before it disintegrated.
That way, all the demons that were regretful in becoming demons, serving under Muzan, would play a role in helping Tanjirou slay him.
For he had every demon he encountered, every demon that was turned against their will, stripped from their lives, contributing to the very blade Tanjirou held.
However, the ones who showed no remorse weren't so lucky.
Here, Tanjirou wouldn't care for them and would bite them how he wanted. He also didn't eat them when they were decapitated. They didn't deserve to die accompanied.
They deserved to die alone and in darkness.
But even though Tanjirou didn't consume the body of the demons he hated, that didn't mean he got their strength. He did, but almost insignificantly. Just a bit of their flesh and blood, that was all he needed to get stronger.
Besides, he could easily find other demons who were regretful.
Of course, that did not excuse their behavior and their actions. At the end of the day, they both knew they would be going to hell. They knew they all, regardless would walk the same, fiery, dark path.
But what made the difference, was that they would be with the ones they cared about, at least feeling at ease. Those who weren't would be damned if they had a painless death.
As Tanjirou and Nezuko made their way towards a nearby village, a crow had decided to fly toward them, with a panicked tone. At least from what Tanjirou could smell.
"Caw! Tanjirou and Nezuko Kamado! You are to return to Sakonji Urokodaki!" The crow called out to the two siblings.
Once again, the worried tone the crow had made Tanjirou concerned.
"What's going on? Are Urokodaki and Tomioka alright?" Tanjirou asked the crow.
"Caw! Yes! Orders from them!" The crow explained. Tanjirou got the gist.
Resetting his tracks, he began to run towards Urokodaki's cabin on the mountain, to hopefully get there before the sun rises.
It was here did Tanjirou wish, that like during the times he had been traveling village to village from far distances, was there a train.
Yes, Tanjirou finally learned the name, after hearing Nezuko tell him what it was.
As for how Nezuko heard? She eavesdropped.
"Girls." Tanjirou sighed,
"What was that?" Nezuko asked in Tanjirou's mind.
"Nothing."
Giyu's POV
"Where is Kanao?!" Giyu turned up his head to see the worried expression of Kanae Kocho, and Shinobu Kocho, all frantic.
It wasn't just them, but all of the other butterfly mansion girls, looking very worried and concerned.
"Kocho's. What's going on?" Giyu asked.
"It's Kanao! She's gone missing!" Kanae exclaimed. "We've been looking for her for over an hour!"
Giyu sighed at them. It was never a quiet day without them. Never a day of tranquility whenever the two came to see him.
But then again, that was the case whenever anyone was here. Giyu pondered, regardless, hoping that if he at least solved this, he could get back to napping. In the meantime, he pondered, before he realized.
"I see. Was any of her belongings taken?" Giyu asked.
Kanae and Shinobu pondered before Aoi was the one to speak, "Her nirchirin blade and haori were gone. But other than that, everything else remained in her room."
Giyu sighed, with that confirming that he thought, "Then I think I know where she went."
"Where?!" The two sisters asked, clearly getting their faces closer to Giyu, who backed up from discomfort. "Both of them have no personal space." Giyu thought to himself as he tried to find the words to explain. Should he be blunt or let them figure it out to loosen their worries?
"Do you both realize what today is?" Giyu asked.
He knew very well since he was preparing to mourn and visit the graves of some friends he lost through the final selection.
It would be around a day or two after would he have to pay his respects and mourn the deaths of Sabito and Makomo, who died almost exactly a year apart.
He would always remember the days of it…
"Um, I don't know?" Kanae mumbled.
"Himejima's tsuguko has left as well… For the Final Selection." Giyu explained. "If Tsuyuri and her nichirin blade are gone, then there is a high chance she went to the Final Selection."
This caused both to panic in shock at what Giyu had told them, "WHAT?! We need to go and stop her!" Giyu sighed, a bit frustrated with how loud the two girls were, not to mention the three smaller sisters crying in worry. Aoi just stood there, clearly worried.
After all, Aoi had also participated in the Final Selection. She even revealed she was in the same one as Muichiro, and because of her poor performance, she chose to stop being a demon slayer.
"It's too late." Giyu explained, "Once you enter, you have to wait seven days to see if they return or not."
"Since when was Kanao this rebellious?!" Kanae asked, clearly trying to calm down. Shinobu however, wasn't as calm. After all, she was an angrier person in general.
"It's because you gave her that coin! No doubt she asked the coin, it said yes, and she went!" Shinobu yelled at her sister, clearly worried. "I told you that coin wouldn't be of help! She might die now!"
Kanae sighed, clearly trying to calm herself down, "It's alright Shinobu, we should be glad we have someone here who's been through Final Selection, how was it?"
"I was the only one of my friends to survive," Giyu explained.
Aoi also spoke up, "I and three others were the only ones to survive, out of like thirty newcomers."
Kanae's smile disappeared as a sense of panic set in for her.
Shinobu scoffed, "Please, sister, he's probably lying. There's no way he had friends."
"Perhaps, but Aoi did participate in the Final Selection a year before…" Kanae explained. "There's a high chance…"
That hurt Giyu, but he sighed, "Well if your sister dies, don't come crying to me." With that, he began to walk off, but not before he felt someone grabbing the back of his haori. Giyu turned his head to see an angered Shinobu, her face contorted with a frown.
This caused Shinobu to flare in anger, "I outta poison your food~"
"Please do. I'd rather die than continue living a constant battle." Giyu responded. The statement once again shocked Shinobu, causing her to take her hand off of him.
Both the girls were quiet at that, and Shinobu's threat quickly changed to one of worry.
"You got to stop that," Kanae responded after the silence, clearly not liking what Giyu had spoken.
Giyu sighed, "I'll try. But for the record, Himejima's tsuguko had left for the Final Selection as well. It was clear during the meeting that Oyakata-sama expressed an interest in this year's Final Selection, for he hoped more tsuguko's would be picked up."
"Very well… Sister, what do we do?" Shinobu asked after a bit of silence
Kanae, with a smile, responded, "Nothing. We wait for her to return."
This caused a bit of silence before Shinobu broke it.
"Are you sure?" Shinobu asked. "What is she gets herself…"
"She won't." Kanae smiled, "She's a Kocho by heart, and you know how tough we are. Kanao is strong, and I know she will excel."
"I hope so…" Shinobu looked down, her smile gone with one of a bit of anger, and worry. "But when she gets back, she's on house arrest."
"Shinobu!" Kanae exclaimed before she laughed. But even if Kanae thought it was a joke, Shinobu probably was being serious.
Giyu looked at the two, wishing he still had his sister to talk to. It made him feel a bit jealous of Shinobu.
She still had her sister…
Once they had decided to go, both Giyu, Kanae, Shinobu and the rest of the Butterfly girls went off back to their mansion.
Around seven days later, Giyu's crow, Kanzaburo had called out to Giyu, clearly with a panting expression, and spoke in a worried tone.
"Caw! All Hashira's are to meet at the Ubuyashki Mansion! Emergency!" The crow exclaimed, immediately causing the group to stop.
"Look at that, Tomioka, we should head out," Kanae explained, motioning for Giyu to follow her. He had to go once again for a medical checkup by Shinobu.
This was rather strange because Giyu knew Shinobu didn't perform medical checkups on other Pillars to the same degree of frequency as Giyu himself underwent.
Perhaps this was Shinobu's way of caring for him? As if, maybe she was slowly injecting him with poison.
"Be careful, sister," Shinobu called out, watching her sister and Giyu head towards the Master's Estate.
All the while hoping everything would work out, and be fine.
Just like before, when Kanae had a mission, ever since the incident with Upper Moon Two, barely surviving her encounter, Shinobu had been trying to be closer to her sister. Even Kanae noticed this and was conflicted with it.
But Giyu saw this, and immediately thought about how clingy he was to his sister…
Once again, Giyu made it to the front of the Ubuyashiki Mansion, noticing that many of the Pillars were rushing to make it toward the area.
It was perhaps such a surprise that Giyu himself, who was usually among the latest of the Hashira, was actually on time by comparison to the rest of the Hashira.
"O-Oyakata-sama! What's wrong?" Mitsuri, one of the newer Pillars asked in worry, as she had not had the time to dress up.
Needless to say, Obanai was blushing behind his mask.
"It's good to see you in proper health, Oyakata-sama, but what is the emergency about?" Gyomei asked, as he clasped his hands together, "May I hope this emergency is not severe."
"Unfortunately, it is," Kagaya explained, in a very serious tone. He didn't have a smile, which immediately worried most of the Hashira.
"Oyakata-sama, what is the emergency?" Kyojuro asked, clearly with a small smile on his face.
Tengen for his part raised an eyebrow as he was taking everything in.
"Unfortunately, it is with deep regret to tell you that Mount Fujikasane has been set on fire," Kagaya explained.
This immediately caused the pupils in Kanae's eyes to dilate.
"W-What?" Kanae asked, clearly horrified to believe what she was hearing. This immediately caused Sanemi to eye her in concern.
Gyomei too was a bit on edge, as tears began to fall down his face. "How tragic. Are the children in the Final Selection doing fine?"
Oyakata-sama sighed, "Unfortunately, I'm unsure about this."
Kanae was a bit worried now.
"B-But Kanao's in the Final Selection?!" Kanae exclaimed.
"Not just Kanao, Shinazugawa also is participating on the mountain," Gyomei explained.
"Hey!" Sanemi called out, "I'm right here!"
"He means your little brother." Giyu then spoke up, trying to clarify this.
"I don't have a brother, you dipshit." Sanemi toxically called back Giyu.
Giyu sighed, "Can you shut up so that we can plan quicker what to do with this circumstance?" Giyu retorted back to Sanemi, clearly not wanting to put up with his act right now. "You may continue, Oyakata-sama."
Kagaya gave Giyu a small smile, "Thank you, Tomioka. As for the issue regarding Mount Fujikasane, and for those in the Final Selection, there is unfortunate news that a large number of demons from the outside have made their way inside, for the fire has burned down the wisteria protecting the newcomers from outside demons."
This caused Kanae to gasp in shock, "No… Kanao…" She called out mumbling.
"I'm sure she's alright…" Sanemi soothed her, clearly not wanting to see her cry.
"Kanao is a strong individual. I'm sure she is at least holding her own." Giyu added.
"Oyakata-sama, can I please intervene?" Kanae asked.
Kagaya nodded, "Of course. This was what I was going to have you all do, for there have been reports by the crows that a Twelve Kizuki was within the mountain."
This only made many of the Hashira more worried.
"Upper or Lower?" Sanemi asked, clearly wanting to get some blood to spill.
"Once again, unsure." Kagaya explained, "But to maintain a degree of safety, I'll have two Hashira's willing to go toward the Final Selection to rescue any remaining demon slayers stuck inside the Final Selection. The sad reality is that many of the newcomers will not be capable of standing up again stronger demons from the outside."
"Of course! I'll go!" Kanae exclaimed with no form of hesitation or argument.
"Master, I'll be willing to go," Sanemi added.
"Likewise here!" The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro exclaimed. "I must protect those who need it! It was the morals I told myself I would act when I took this position!"
"Me too!" Mitsuri exclaimed with a confident and beaming smile.
Giyu for his part looked a bit uncertain. Mainly because he didn't want to go back there, for it had bad memories. He had just come back from mourning and visiting the graves of his sister, Makomo, and Sabito. He was not mentally strong enough to go back there so soon after that.
Not to mention spotting the very demon that was responsible for killing Sabito…
Wait, that demon… What if some other demon slayer killed it?
Giyu couldn't allow that. He wanted to be partially responsible for the death of that demon that killed his friend.
Sure, Giyu would be happy if that Hand Demon was dead, but he also wished it would be one of Urokodaki's children to slay the demon.
Then, it gave Giyu the idea. Maybe Giyu couldn't go back to the Final Selection, but perhaps he could get Tanjirou and Nezuko to intervene, and slay … that demon perhaps even…
Giyu sighed as he properly planned what to do.
"I'm very content with the fact that almost all of my children are willing to risk their lives for our soon-to-be demon slayers. It warms my heart to hear that, but alas, I can only send one of you with Kanae." Kagaya explained with a smile.
"Gyomei? Would you like to go?" Kagaya asked. "I know you are very good with children, and I think you would be able to care for many of them."
Gyomei clasped his hands together, "Of course, Oyakata-sama, I will treat them like they're my own."
"Thank you, is there anything else to be discussed?" Muichiro asked.
"There is. There have been reports of another Twelve Kizuki outside. This one is more easily defined to be one of a Lower Moon." Kagaya explained, "Would one of you want to go and check it out?"
Obanai nodded, "I'd wish to go there."
"Perfect, would you like to take anyone with you?" Kagaya asked.
At this, Obanai immediately looked up, his mood getting a bit better as he stared at a specific woman.
It was clear to him too that this woman wanted to go as well, and so he obliged. "I'll take Kanroji with me," Obanai stated at last.
"Shocker," Sanemi mumbled, causing Obanai to stare him down.
"You pick a fight with me? Or are you jealous I get to go with-" Obanai was cut off
"Alright, I get it, shut up," Sanemi grumbled, clearly not wanting to get into an argument.
"You two can argue when the meeting is finished," Giyu called out to the two, making Obanai and Sanemi glare at Giyu right back.
But alas, Giyu ignored the stares he got from the two of them.
Kagaya then clasped his hands, "Great. Himejima, Kocho, you two can head to Mount Fujikasane, and Iguro and Kanroji, you both head to Ikinoshima, where the Twelve Kizuki is last seen."
"It seems we are seeing an increase in demon activity, so I hope the best for all my children. We don't know what Kibutsuji is doing, but we must act and be prepared." Kagaya stated to the rest of them one final time before all the Hashira split up.
However, one individual remained, one that Kagaya knew would.
"You wanted to talk, Tomioka?" Kagaya asked.
"Yes, Oyakata-sama." Giyu nodded. "I would like to ask for permission to allow Tanjirou and Nezuko to enter the Final Selection. Since the Wisteria was our main barrier, it would act as a perfect lesson and test for the two."
"How so?" Kagaya asked. In truth, he was willing to allow the demon siblings to enter, to help slay the demons coming from the outside of the Final Selection, all the while protecting the demon slayers stuck inside.
"Well, not only would this help us get rid of those out-of-control demons, but it would also serve as a test for them, to see if they can truly control their desires, and slay demons," Giyu answered Kagaya's question.
"Well, I think it's a good idea. After all, if they do lose control or fail, they will have to worry about two of the strongest Hashira of the time." Kagaya smiled. "I allow you to let them go."
"Thank you, Oyakata-sama." Giyu bowed down, "I will send a crow to inform Tanjirou and Neuzko of the sudden change in plans."
"Of course, I'll allow you to head to Urokodaki's to recuperate." Kagaya responded to Giyu's recommendation. "I can send a crow to let them meet up with you at Urokodaki's cabin."
"That works. Urokodaki and I will explain everything to them." Giyu answered as he planned it out.
"Well then, Tomioka, if they succeed in this mission, I will allow them to become official demon slayers," Kagaya revealed.
At this, Giyu bowed, clearly not believing this could happen. Even if they were demons, they were managing to successfully become demon slayers.
"Thank you, and please take care of your health, master," Giyu told him before he walked off.
"You too, Tomioka…" Kagaya smiled looking closely at Giyu before he went inside his mansion.
Giyu Tomioka sighed, now deciding to visit Urokodaki once again. Kagaya had sent a crow to inform Tanjirou and Nezuko about the new mission they would have.
As Giyu continued on his trek toward Urokodaki's cabin, he had a sense of nostalgia. Ever since he discovered the demonic siblings, he had visited Urokodaki a lot more often than he ever thought he would.
All the while he would visit Urokodaki occasionally, Giyu still had the thought of whether he should return back or not. Meaning, if Tanjirou and Nezuko never came back, should he?
The truth was, he never once planned to return, but after he stopped getting messages from the crows about the progress of the Kamado's, Oyakata-sama had told Giyu to visit Urokodaki then.
Of course, Giyu ended up doing that. Perhaps it was all his doing, or it was a genuine coincidence, Giyu was unsure.
But what ended up happening, was that he ended up staying more than he had anticipated, every time.
Each time he visited Urokodaki, he would try to leave as quickly as he could. The first time he visited Urokodaki alone, it was only for a brief hour before he went back to the Water Estate.
But after the third try and visit, Urokodaki successfully managed to convince Giyu to stay the night.
Once Giyu went inside, he was planning on putting his baggage down in the room he would sleep.
That was when he opened the room he would stay by as a kid…
And it was the same as he left it. Three futons. One for himself.
And the others… Giyu looked down, with a hint of shame, regret, and loss.
The nostalgia alone made Giyu feel a sense of longing. He saw the futon of the room he used to sleep in as a kid.
He was much bigger now; he was now an adult. He couldn't fit on the futon, for he had grown out of it. He had left after Final Selection and had never returned to Urokodaki ever since the Kamado's came.
However, the fact that Urokodaki had kept the three futons there made Giyu feel a bit emotional.
"Even after I never came back to see him, he kept it all there…? Why?" Giyu asked as he felt a bit of tear threatening to break out of his eyes.
Rubbing his eyes from the water, he walked into the room, and stared at the futon.
"They're at the same spot as last time, to… And yet, it looks so clean, as if he still cleans up the room…" Giyu noted as he felt like he was looking back into his past…
At least, what was the happiest time of his life… The brief highs he had in his life…
Which always were accompanied by the lowest of the lows.
He missed them so much…
He missed Sabito's fatherly presence. How he would encourage Giyu to be himself. How he would teach him how to be strong, and how to train.
Sabito felt like someone Giyu could look up to, and while he was a bit aggressive, he was also very kind-hearted to Giyu. Giyu remembers the times he would sneak some snacks for the two of them…
He missed Makomo's motherly presence. How she would care for him, she could sense whenever Giyu felt down. She was always good at making him feel happy and content. Even if Giyu hadn't seen much of her, the little time he spent with her was very memorable to him.
He also found it funny that even if they were his friends, he saw them more as a married couple, even if Sabito vehemently denied it, whilst Makomo would smile with a sly expression, clearly teasing Sabito more.
Giyu never knew his parents. He and his sister were orphaned at a young age, and that was that. He lived in an orphanage where she would take care of him.
But when she died, and he was shunned and labeled as mentally unwell, he was sent to go to an asylum.
Giyu shuddered, as he did not want to relive the next memories. They weren't significant for what he was feeling right now, seeing the room he, Makomo, and Sabito would all stay in.
When Makomo died, it was just Sabito and Giyu, and even if she was no longer with them, the two decided to leave the futon there, as if to remind them of their lost motherly figure, and friend.
But to see that Urokodaki kept it… It made Giyu feel guilty.
Almost like Urokodaki was sleeping, imagining the three kids he watched grow and die, were still with him…
Giyu wanted to cry at that. This entire time, he was suffering, and yet he failed to realize that Urokodaki was suffering too… He saw the empty containers of alcohol on the floor, and even then Giyu left Urokodaki after Final Selection.
"I'm such a failure of a human being and a demon slayer… I should've been the one to die that night… At least Urokodaki and Sabito would keep in closer contact…" Giyu sighed.
He missed the teacher that Urokodaki was.
But perhaps he was partially the blame for that.
He shouldn't have left him when Urokodaki was also at his lowest…
Perhaps he played a role in changing Urokodaki…
Maybe if he had stayed for just a bit longer… Maybe if he answered Urokodaki's notes back…
Giyu sighed, wishing he would have done things differently.
But he had lost almost everything… To the point that he had forgotten he still had someone. Someone else who was hurting as much, if not more than him…
Giyu felt like a failure…
And so when he made it up to the cabin, he nodded to Urokodaki. The truth about not looking at Urokodaki was that he felt ashamed. He was scared that if he apologized, he would be judged by him.
He was a failure, and he knew it. That was it. He didn't need to confirm that with Urokodaki.
"Giyu. How've you been?" Urokodaki asked once he noticed Giyu had returned.
"I've been fine. Kocho's blood test came back normal, but she did, after months of convincing, manage to find some abnormalities within my blood." Giyu explained.
"I see. Is it of any concern?" Urokodaki asked.
"Not that I know of." Giyu explained, "It just seems to be the opposite of marechi."
"That's a relief. When you wrote to me that they found something abnormal about your blood, you had me worried." Urokodaki responded, and almost immediately Giyu looked down.
He didn't want to worry Urokodaki once again.
"My apologies." Giyu apologized. "But part of the reason is that Kocho just wouldn't leave me alone."
"I can imagine since you told me about it in your notes," Urokodaki explained.
Giyu nodded.
The two remained silent before Urokodaki spoke back up.
"Giyu, have you ever thought about having a diary?" Urokodaki asked.
"A what?" Giyu asked.
"A book of empty paper where you can write your thoughts about a day," Urokodaki explained.
He then got up and showed Giyu a relatively large book full of paper.
"Is this a diary?" Giyu asked.
"It's mine. I do this every day." Urokodaki explained.
"Oh, I see," Giyu mumbled, seeming a bit unsure. Plus, he did feel a bit intrigued to read Urokodaki's diary.
Urokodaki gave Giyu the diary. "I think writing in this diary could act as an appropriate way for you to clear your mind."
Giyu stared at the book, "Huh?"
"Tanjirou and I had the idea of giving you this. The two of us could smell a deep sense of pain from you, and he decided to spend the first bits of money he got from a thankful bystander of a demon attack, for you. He said it was a thank you for rescuing him and Nezuko." Urokodaki explained.
"But…" Giyu looked down, "I didn't save them… If I did, they wouldn't be orphans nor demons…"
Urokodaki sighed, "Regardless, you saved them from a darker path. You should be proud of yourself. Now take this diary, and write how you feel every day."
Giyu sighed, "For you and Tanjirou, I'll try."
With that, Giyu got up and decided to head to bed. It was strange, but as he passed up, he spotted the room with the three futons once again.
Staring a bit, and with a conflicted expression, he eventually decided to go inside and lay on the futon he used to lie on as a kid.
He may have been bigger now, but he didn't have a problem sleeping here…
And for a second, Giyu felt like he was with Makomo, and Sabito all over again.
…
When Giyu woke up, he was met with a look of confusion by Urokodaki.
"S-Sorry… I just had a brief sense of nostalgia…" Giyu mumbled, looking a bit down from embarrassment.
Urokodaki eyed Giyu with his mask, "No, it's fine. I just came to let you know that I've made breakfast."
"Oh, I see. I'll come after a morning routine." Giyu answered back.
"Take your time," Urokodaki explained before he went to consume his breakfast.
All this time, Giyu sighed.
He felt awkward being like this around Urokodaki.
He had hoped Tanjirou and Nezuko made it back.
And to his surprise, they were back. Albeit a bit tired they were back.
"Giyu!" Both Tanjirou and Nezuko were happy to see him.
At this, Giyu hugged the two back, albeit it was somewhat awkward.
"Tanjirou, first off, I heard you got me a journal?" Giyu asked.
"Yes, I did. Urokodaki and I thought it would be appropriate to give you something like this." Tanjirou explained. "I decided to use the first earnings I got, from generous people to buy you this. I hope you like it."
Giyu sighed, "Thanks, I appreciate it." He didn't smile, but he was grateful for him.
"No problem! Now what was the crow wanting you both to tell us?" Tanjirou asked.
Nezuko was behind him, nodding to this.
Both Giyu and Urokodaki eyed each other before they turned their eyes back to the two demons.
"How was your mission of slaying the demons given to you?" Urokodaki asked.
"Most of them were relatively easy, thankfully enough, but there were a few that were incredibly difficult," Tanjirou explained.
"I see, in 14 months, you both have managed to kill a total of twenty-five demons." Giyu eyed the report given to them.
"Is that good?" Tanjirou asked.
"It's decent. For example to become a Hashira, after leaving the Final Selection, one must slay fifty demons, and kill a Twelve Kizuki. Both requirements must be met." Giyu explained.
"Oh, so theoretically, if we were official demon slayers, combined we would have met half of the first requirements…" Tanjirou mumbled.
"Indeed, but the fact you have had some difficulties with slaying some of the demons perhaps means you still need a bit more training." Giyu pondered, before he pointed to Tanjirou, "Have you been performing total concentration breathing constantly?" Giyu asked.
"O-Oh… No…" Tanjirou mumbled.
Both sighed. "It's very crucial for you to be able to do so. For Nezuko, her demonic physique is adequate for her to perform, but since you don't seem to have a demon physique similar to your sister, you'll need to use it." Urokodaki warned him.
"G-Got it, I'll try and make sure my breathing is that from now on… It's just that my emotions cause it to falter." Tanjirou explained.
"Well, get used to it. That is the struggle." Giyu explained.
Both of them nodded.
"Yeah, even if we have the experience of real-world practice, we aren't that strong, to easily take down even the weakest of some demons…" Tanjirou sighed.
"They aren't necessarily the strongest demons out of all," Urokodaki explained.
"How so?" Tanjirou asked.
"The demons we are sending you and Nezuko to slay, have all killed demon slayers who have completed the Final Selection," Urokodaki explained.
"Exactly, so these are demons who can beat established demon slayers that completed the Final Selection course," Giyu added. "So for the two of you, since you haven't even done the Final Selection, it makes sense you would struggle."
"Oh, I see…" Tanjirou mumbled, "So are the demons inside the Final Selection easier than the ones we've faced?"
"Usually, yes." Urokodaki nodded, "But sometimes even the demons there can be very difficult."
"I see…" Tanjirou sighed. "But, why did you guys call us back? Did we fail?"
"No! You didn't." Urokodaki answered, "We have called for the two of you specifically about an event that has happened."
"Oh, what event? What happened?" Tanjirou asked.
"We've unfortunately had an unexpected development occur." Giyu started, clearly getting serious, which made Tanjirou and Nezuko immediately recoil at the seriousness.
But perhaps Tanjirou was accustomed to this.
"What's going on?" Tanjirou asked, his tone becoming more serious. His face contorted to show a sense of focus, which made it easier for both Giyu and Urokodaki to transition into everything.
"As you both probably know, there is currently the annual Final Selection going on, where trainees go to prove their worth to become demon slayer members. This same Final Selection area, located on Mount Fujikasane, has unfortunately been attacked by demons." Giyu revealed.
This caused both Tanjirou and Urokodaki to look on in shock.
"A-Attacked, but demons? But how?" Tanjirou asked. "Isn't the wisteria keeping them out?"
"They were." Giyu explained, "But it seems that the demons have found out where they go to become demon slayers… As a result, they had burned down the wisteria allowing them to enter within the mountain."
"The wisteria was the main defense against external demons, whilst trapping internal demons inside. Unfortunately, it seems some external demons managed to subdue and kill the wisteria out, lighting it ablaze." Giyu further explained.
"H-How are the participants?" Tanjirou asked.
"We have heard that around thirty-five participants have entered this year's Final Selection, among the largest attendances. But this makes them all vulnerable…" Giyu revealed.
"W-What is going to happen?" Tanjirou continued to ask. "Are they all dead?"
"Highly likely, but regardless, we'll need someone to enter in regardless," Giyu revealed. "And I'm entrusting you with that."
"But what about our test?" Tanjirou asked.
"Let's just say that your test has a new purpose," Giyu answered. "You both will be assisting the many trainees in managing to contain and slay any demons that have gone loose within Mount Fujikasane." Giyu started. "In doing so, you will be tested appropriately, for not only your abilities in slaying the demons responsible for the deaths of many but you will also be tested amongst the demon slayers in keeping your demonic presences quiet."
"I know this is a switch-up, but Giyu and I believe in you. I've seen the sheet you both have accumulated, and I'm impressed. And these are demons that have killed demon slayers that passed the Final Selection." Urokodaki added, trying to boost both Tanjirou and Nezuko's confidence. "This will be your final test. Once you complete this, you both will become official demon slayers."
Both Tanjirou and Nezuko looked at each other, realizing the severity of this. They were now at the home stretch. A pivotal point for being tested. Serious one they were working up to all this time.
Whilst the circumstances were not ideal, Tanjirou and Nezuko would gladly take full advantage of this.
"This may seem nerve-wracking, but just remember to keep the face masks on you, zip up your mouths, and make sure you evade any demon slayer, especially when trying to hide in the daytime," Giyu warned and advised the two.
"And finally, the demons in the Final Selection should not have any blood demon arts, unless you are unlucky enough to run into an external demon." Giyu explained, "However, those will be countered and taken care of by the higher-ranking demon slayers."
"So, we're going to the Final Selection to slay and contain some demons who have escaped because of the wisteria burning?" Tanjirou confirmed, to which Giyu nodded.
"It is somewhat concerning that the demons are deciding to burn the wisteria away… It may make other protected places not as protected." Urokodaki then brought up.
"Don't worry about that, our expert in medicine and poison, Shinobu Kocho, is working on it."
Tanjirou then recoiled, before he stared at Nezuko with a deadpan look, but sighed. "Is Shinobu your girlfriend?" Tanjirou asked, causing a tick to appear on Giyu's forehead.
"No." He bluntly said, and Nezuko's eyes brightened, while Tanjirou made a noise of shock and slight shock, as if he was being surprised.
"Nezuko thinks she is. She says your body heat and face have denial all over it." Tanjirou sighed, clearly not wanting to speak for Nezuko. Of course, Giyu and Urokodaki were both informed of Nezuko's voice being activated and unlocked to connect with Tanjirou, which was likely thanks to their similar sibling blood.
This meant that if they wanted to talk to Nezuko, they would have to hear from Tanjirou's mouth.
And what Nezuko was saying was typical.
"Why are girls like this… She's not even my friend… I have no friends, as she would say…" Giyu mumbled to himself.
"Anyways, if you both manage to succeed in the demands, then you shall start your journey as demon slayers," Giyu explained.
At this, Urokodaki looked a bit uncertain. "Is there anything else you need, Urokodaki?" Giyu asked.
"Yes." Urokodaki nodded, "I need you to specifically defeat a demon for me."
At this, Giyu's eyes widened.
This was what Urokodaki had in plan, and it was something Giyu himself thought about.
He hadn't expected Urokodaki to share the same sentiments as him. Both had a sense of vengeance and even if they couldn't defeat the demon with their own hands, the best bet was to let Tanjirou and Nezuko fight and defeat the demon.
"Sure, what is the demon's appearance?" Tanjirou asked.
"This demon was described as grotesque, large, green, and bloated. He's best described by his green, large, hands." Urokodaki explained.
Almost immediately, Tanjirou's eyes widened before they narrowed.
Nezuko had a similar sentiment, which surprised both Urokodaki and Giyu.
"Is there something wrong?" Urokodaki asked.
Immediately, Tanjirou snapped back, controlling his breathing back to the way Giyu had informed him.
"That's a start, he realized he broke it, and is resuming it." Giyu thought to himself.
"So, a green-hand demon," Tanjirou confirmed. Both nodded.
Unbeknownst to both Giyu and Urokodaki, both Tanjirou and Nezuko had the images of Sabito, and Makomo, pop up. Of course, they turned into ghosts and dissipated. Tanjrou got the memory of how they died and how they were eaten by a hand demon.
"So even they know of the demon that killed Sabito and Makomo…" Tanjirou thought to himself, without the knowledge, both Giyu and Urokodaki assumed they didn't know.
"I understand." Tanjirou nodded, "I will slay the green hand demon for you and the rest of your students that died to him."
With that, both Urokodaki and Giyu had properly prepared Tanjirou and Nezuko for their first, official mission. They would be sent inside a torrent Final Selection, to not only slay demons but to also save potential demon slayers stuck inside of the large mountain.
Both Tanjirou and Nezuko wore the proper attire.
Tanjirou had on a blue and white haori with waves symbolizing water, alongside his mask consisting of a red and orange katana, on one side, and the rising sun on the other side. Interestingly, Tanjirou decided to this time, officially wear his hanufuda earrings, which Urokodaki revealed was the inspiration for that side of the mask.
Tanjirou had also kept his hair length how it was, with it passing just past his shoulder. It wasn't long, but he planned on growing it out if needed.
As for Nezuko, she had the same haori as Tanjirou, but that was underneath a brown coat. It was relatively simple, but that was how she liked it.
Not to mention her mask was a mix of flowers, and vines, on one side, and a similar, blade on the other side.
Both of them were finally ready, and with that, Giyu had decided to take them, inside a box that Tanjirou had brought back. He obviously couldn't head to the entrance of the Final Selection, but because of the high presence of demon slayers highly likely during the night, Giyu had to properly get the timing to let Tanjirou and Nezuko in.
"I was very surprised you came back so quickly, how did you get back?" Giyu asked Tanjirou, who alongside Nezuko, was inside the box Giyu was piggybacking.
"We took this large moving thing called a train," Tanjirou explained.
At this, Giyu nodded, "I see. Those are called vehicles, and you can use them to get to places very quickly. If you had a map that showed you routes and the likes, being able to get to many villages, towns, and even cities was easy."
"It was… But we almost got arrested because our blades were out. We only got lucky when I told them it was a prop for a club." Tanjirou chuckled, reliving the memories of that.
Even Giyu let go of his frown, deciding to entertain Tanjirou.
"I'm glad you didn't," Giyu responded.
They remained a bit quiet before Tanjirou spoke up.
"Hey, Tomioka?" Tanjirou asked back.
"Yes?" Giyu asked.
"If the demons only come out during the night, then why can't many of the new demon slayers try to escape during the day?" Tanjirou asked.
"It's very simple." Giyu explained, "You see, if you flee the Final Selection before the seventh day, you don't qualify and thus you would have to redo it the next year." Giyu explained. "So many new demon slayers know of the importance of staying inside the area no matter the circumstances."
"Especially this?" Tanjirou asked.
"Yes. That's just how some people are. The demon slayer corps wants individuals who will fight no matter the circumstances. Better to not burden human society since demons and the demon slayer corps are not recognized by the government. Only some local governments will set up charities for us." Giyu explained once again, providing some details about the demon slayer corps.
"I see." Tanjirou responded, "So even if there's a breach, they had to stay inside for a total of seven days?"
"Yes."
"Is that why some of them have stayed inside despite the chance to get out?"
Giyu nodded, "Indeed. What we are doing is to try our best from letting demons inside of the Final Selection, to let the demon slayers from the inside have as normal of an experience as every other year."
"That makes sense…" Tanjirou sighed, "Though I think after this, it should be moved elsewhere. Now that the demons know, it could jeopardize everyone. Not to mention if you have other places protected by wisteria, then it could act as a pinpoint for demons to let them know this is where the demon slayer corps are."
"We already know that, but I appreciate the concern. Like I said, Shinobu Kocho is already dealing with it, knowing her."
"Knowing her?" Tanjirou asked. Giyu sighed, that had to be Nezuko to bother her brother about that.
"Yes," Giyu answered back, not wanting to get back into this.
"What is your relationship with her?" Tanjirou asked.
Giyu sighed, "She is just someone who bugs me."
"I see." Tanjirou decided to not continue this.
In the end, both Tanjirou and Nezuko were eventually allowed to go in. It was now evening, and the sun was down.
Giyu had let the two demons out.
"Alright you two, just enter the entrance and let them know you are the Kamado's. The kids who allow them in are Oyakata-sama's children, so they should allow you in." Giyu told the two of them.
"Thank you, Tomioka." Tanjirou gave Giyu a nod before he and Nezuko made their way in.
As Giyu was walking back, he heard something he didn't expect to hear from Tanjirou.
"Nezuko and I will avenge Sabito and Makomo for both you and Urokodaki," Tanjirou told Giyu.
When Giyu turned back, shocked at what Tanjirou said, he was a bit upset that the two had already gone ahead.
"How do they know about them?" Giyu asked himself, shock present on his face.
Nezuko's POV
Nezuko eyed the place known as Final Selection. It was relatively beautiful with all of the wisteria.
Or what was supposed to be.
Right now, it was as chaotic as he had imagined.
The once purplish wisteria plants were now gone and replaced by the charred smell of smoke.
This made everything worse for Tanjirou since his sense of smell was being clouded by the smoke.
Not to mention that the flaming pillars of the fire would cause Nezuko trouble with her sight.
As Tanjirou and Nezuko walked through with their uniform, both of them watched as they noticed the entrance of the area.
The kakushi were trying their best to contain the fire that was going on, and even through it all, two individuals were standing at the entrance.
Kiriya and Kanata Ubuyashiki. Tanjirou and Nezuko knew of the two.
"Brother, that's them. Just do their thing." Nezuko told Tanjirou, as he nodded.
"Hey, are you two Kanata and Kiriya Ubuyashiki?" Tanjirou asked.
The two children nodded, "I'm assuming you both are Tanjirou and Nezuko Kamado?"
Both Tanjirou and Nezuko nodded. "We are."
The two children opened the entrance, allowing both of them to go in. "Take care, and be safe."
"Thank you," Tanjirou told the two as both he and Nezuko entered the Final Selection.
Almost immediately, both of them were mesmerized by the sheer destruction that was happening.
"We're somewhat lucky we were let in," Tanjirou spoke to Nezuko out loud.
"I agree, but I think because the Master knows of us, it played a role in us being allowed in," Nezuko explained.
"Fair enough, but for now, let's try and find some demons. However, I can't smell any demons or humans because of the smoke in the air." Tanjirou explained.
"Same, the heat in the air is messing with my vision," Nezuko explained back, agreeing that the smoke was messing with their senses.
"Well then, what are we to do?" Tanjirou asked.
"It's simple, we find any demons, we slay them. Find any demon slayer, we protect them." Nezuko explained.
"That is easier said than done, Nezuko." Tanjirou deadpanned.
But Nezuko didn't respond.
"Nezuko?" Tanjirou asked this time in her mind.
"I hear something," Nezuko mumbled.
Immediately, the two quieted down and unsheathed their blades.
They tried their best to hear any form of noise, but the noise of the flames flickering was just so much.
"My god… These flames…" Tanjirou mumbled.
"Agreed," Nezuko responded.
"Wait, Nezuko, I sense something…" Tanjirou mumbled, clearly trying to keep his voice quiet.
"What is it?" Nezuko asked.
"Over there…" Tanjirou pointed before he turned his head up.
"On the tree!" Tanjirou yelled to Nezuko quite frantically.
"Huh?" Nezuko looked up, only to see a figure trying to claw her.
Hinokami Kagura, Third Form: Raging Sun
Tanjirou quickly unleashed two consecutive slashes horizontally, while Nezuko backed up, clearly not wanting to get hit by both the demon and Tanjirou's strike.
The demon gurgled as he felt his throat being split apart.
The demon in question eyed Tanjirou in shock.
"Curse you!" The demon yelled, but Tanjirou didn't care.
He merely eyed the demon with pity, before he started to consume the demon by its body.
The demon gasped in shock, seeing Tanjirou consume him bit by bit before he dissipated.
Tanjirou carefully wiped the blood away from his mouth before he nodded.
"You ready to continue?" He asked.
"How do you eat demons…?" Nezuko asked, "And what if you eat me?"
"That sounds mild… Disturbing…" Tanjirou commented, clearly confused by the whole ordeal.
"Now that you mentioned it, you make a fair point," Nezuko responded, clearly not liking the image.
"But you know, you've gotten a bit taller ever since you started eating demons," Nezuko commented.
Tanjirou raised an eyebrow at that, "I have" He asked, a bit shocked, before he realized Nezuko did seem a bit smaller. "Maybe it's because we as demons can change our body shape… I don't know."
As the two continued, any demons they found they sliced with relative ease.
At first, the two were a bit nervous about whether they would be able to handle the demons inside the Final Selection, but after quite a bit of engagement with some stray demons, they found most of them to be easier than the other demons they previously fought.
Of course, that didn't mean it was entirely easy, or a walk in the park.
But compared to the first bits of fighting against demons, Tanjirou and Nezuko both found slaying the demons inside the Final Selection slightly easier.
While they weren't sure why, Tanjirou theorized it was because they were hungry, having been stuck inside the area for so long, no demon would have been able to fight properly without their instincts running wild.
Therefore, they usually charged at them, allowing Tanjirou and Nezuko to slay them before they struck.
This was quite the conundrum both of them had.
"Nezuko?" Tanjirou asked.
"Yes, brother?" Nezuko asked, clearly hearing the confused expression of Tanjirou. "is something wrong?"
"I can't smell anything. No demons, no humans, nothing." Tanjirou informed Nezuko.
"Then that means we've hit an area that was cleared out. Either the flames killed everything or they evacuated." Nezuko theorized.
"Well, then that means we need to go somewhere else," Tanjirou answered.
"I think so," Nezuko responded.
Tanjirou quickly looked around. They had three total ways to go.
"Let's see, this way…" Tanjirou ran a bit, clearly trying to smell everything. "Nothing again, perhaps this is near the boundary of the Final Selection…" Tanjirou assumed.
He then ran over to the other side, and Nezuko did as well.
"There!" Tanjirou exclaimed, "I can smell something faint!" Tanjirou told his sister.
"Brother, I smell something as well on that way," Nezuko told her brother.
"Wait, I smell something now…" Tanjirou whispered to Nezuko yet again.
"Wait, what? How?" Nezuko asked. "That means someone's approaching us…"
"Indeed, be careful, Nezuko," Tanjirou warned his sister, as he and Nezuko quickly got into position, as the two could sense something, but weren't aware of where it was.
"Wherever you are, come out!" Tanjirou unexpectedly yelled out toward whatever being was near them. It seems that regardless of the proximity, Tanjirou could at least sense that they were spotted.
To make matters worse, the smoke and plume made it impossible for both to use their senses to find out the positions of their opponents.
It wasn't until Tanjirou and Nezuko felt the air above them switch rapidly, did they both dodge the strike from the unsuspecting figure.
"AHAHAHAHA! You managed to dodge my strikes!" The unknown figure exclaimed out towards Tanjirou and Nezuko.
Almost immediately, Tanjirou quickly felt his blade slashing on two different sides. With a small grunt, Tanjirou extended his blade out, causing the figure to jump high in the air, before landing back on the ground.
"Who are you?" Tanjirou asked before he stared up.
Nezuko, who was very confused, after dodging the strike, had finally faced both Tanjirou and the mysterious attacker.
But to her surprise, their attacker…
Was it a boar?
"Who the hell are you?" Tanjirou asked.
The boar for his part raised his dual chipped blade, before laughing.
"I'm Inosuke Hashibira!" The boar's head revealed as his laughter echoed within the Final Selection.
"What… The… Fuuuuu-" Was all Tanjirou could respond with.
A.N / So we're done with the one arc, and we are now in a new arc. Specifically the Final Selection Arc. I've decided to have multiple different plots happening at once. The first is the upcoming fight with Tanjirou and Nezuko versus the Hand Demon, I told you they would fight, but I didn't mind. But then there's also the threat of Douma and the issue of Kanao. Not to mention, we introduced Inosuke!
Bet you didn't think they would meet Inosuke before the others, huh? Yes, I decided it would be comical and a nice time now to introduce Inosuke. In the previous story, I kind of felt that Inosuke's introduction was overlooked and forced. At least here, it can be seen as forced, but it's not overlooked. He gets some time in the spotlight to at least be noteworthy for both Tanjirou and Nezuko.
One of the things I'll probably have to mention is the personalities of characters perhaps being a bit different, due to some character dynamics. It's in essence a butterfly effect. Inosuke, for example, he'll probably remain the same, but Zenitsu's pervert side will be toned down, at least from his expression, and instead, it'll be more silent, rather than him just saying outrageous things. This is because I might tweak Zenitsu's past a bit to make it a bit more tragic. Kanao will probably be a tad bit more open since Kanae is still alive, and helping her come out of her shell, but alas, it's not a full recovery. Likewise, making Shinobu a bit different is also a bit difficult. On the one hand, it's easy to just make her tease Giyu, but on the other, now she doesn't always smile since she doesn't have to act like her dead sister, so there's that. For the most part, the other characters will remain the same, probably with a bit more OOC.
Also, sorry for getting this chapter out a bit late. I wanted to take a break for a bit, that's all, but I'm back now, so let us continue.
Characters:
Tanjirou Kamado: Male, 14 years old
Status: Alive, Demon
Height: 5'5" (165cm)
Weight: 144Ibs
Nezuko Kamado: Female, 13 years old
Status: Alive, Demon
Height: 5'2" (157cm)
Weight: 125Ibs
Giyu Tomioka: Male, 18 years old
Status: Alive, Human
Height: 5'10" (178cm)
Weight: 155Ibs
Kanae Kocho: Female, 19 years old
Status: Alive, Human
Height: 5'7" (170cm)
Weight: 132Ibs
Shinobu Kocho: Female, 17 years old
Status: Alive, Human
Height: 5'0" (152cm)
Weight: 92Ibs
Kanao Tsuyuri: Female, 15 years old
Status: Alive, Human
Height: 5'2" (157cm)
Weight: 112Ibs
Gyomei Himejima: Male, 26 years old
Status: Alive, Human
Height: 7'3" (222cm)
Weight: 290Ibs
Abilities:
Tanjirou Kamado:
Hinokami Kagura: At this point, Nezuko had a deep talk with Tanjirou about using the breathing styles that are best for him, and not conforming to what standards he placed on himself. As a result, Tanjirou will now use the Hinokami Kagura more often. For now, it seems that the Hinokami Kagura does not specialize in any specific attribute, but perhaps it makes it very unpredictable, albeit with high body strain.
Water Breathing: While not using it as much as Nezuko, Tanjirou will still occasionally use water breathing when he sees fit to. He does not know the eleventh form.
Demonic Consumption: Whilst consuming demons, it seems that it results in some bodily changes for Tanjirou.
Nezuko Kamado:
Water Breathing: Unlike Tanjirou, this is Nezuko's main breathing style, and she knows the eleventh form. Water Breathing is a derivative of Sun Breathing. Water Breathing specializes in flexibility, endurance, and stamina, using respectable speed to fluently dodge attacks, whilst also counterattacking. Water Breathing excels at counterattacking and defense, making it amongst the most powerful defensive forms, thanks to the user's emphasis on endurance.
Demonic Strength: Unlike Tanjirou, Nezuko in her human form has more reserves of demonic strength compared to Tanjirou.
Gyomei Himejima:
Stone Breathing: A derivative of Sun Breathing, Stone Breathing is a breathing style specialized by the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima. It is meant to represent that of a stone, or rock, in emphasizing sheer strength and defense in exchange for being immovable. Meaning it sacrifices speed for among the most potent offensive and defensive capabilities combined. Gyomei's weapon of choice also is different as a result of this breathing style.
Kanae Kocho and Kanao Tsuyuri:
Flower Breathing: A derivative of Water Breathing, Flower breathing instead trades the endurance, and stamina of Water Breathing to instead focus on deciphering the weak points of an opponent, using the user's vision to strike using intensive, yet still flexible forms, that require even more bodily movements than its predecessor. Flower Breathing focuses on agility, precision, and flexibility to strike opponents' weak points.
Shinobu Kocho:
Insect Breathing: A derivative of Flower Breathing, Insect Breathing is exclusively a stabbing or thrusting style that emphasizes agility and speed. Shinobu Kocho is the only user and thus uses wisteria poison to be able to inflict damage on a demon with every strike. As a result, it is one of the few, if not, only breathing style that does not require the blade to decapitate a demon for it to kill them.