The Dancing Star
Chapter 13
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.
Urokodaki's House (Tanjirou's POV)
It took exactly two weeks.
It was what Urokodaki had told Tanjirou, and estimated how long it would take for Tanjirou to successfully perform the twelve moves.
All twelve forms of the Hinokami Kagura, which both the book and what Urokodaki noticed were sword strikes, were finally performed by Tanjirou.
Over the course, he stopped performing the Hinokami Kagura, in favor of performing it during his sword skills. While Tanjirou felt a bit insecure, worrying that the Fire God would punish him for degrading a dance to a mere fighting style, that would ultimately harm others, demons or not, Urokodaki made the same argument to Tanjirou, unbeknownst to him that Makomo had told Tanjirou the same thing.
"Wouldn't this be Hinokami's way of protecting you and your sister?" The voice of both Makomo and Urokodaki told Tanjirou as he continued to ponder.
All the while he returned to the physical strength training regimen since Urokodaki noticed that despite the training, Tanjirou's physical strength was limited to even that of demons.
While for a while Tanjirou was confused, specifically asking if he was physically weaker compared to demons.
That was when Tanjirou realized. Even if he was eating human food, it did little to help give Tanjirou physical strength. It seemed that the only way for Tanjirou to gain proper demonic strength was to consume flesh.
Whether it be a demon… or a human…
Tanjirou knew that eating human flesh was a no-go, and thus he had to put up with it, and thus feel like a human when training. The only thing that seemed demonic for Tanjirou in a physical sense, was his regeneration. Whether it be limb regeneration or stamina regeneration.
All the while Tanjirou continued, and got up, he finally made his way to practice performing all twelve forms he did.
He gave a for once content sigh, as he felt accomplished. More so than for a very long time.
All this time, the Hinokami Kagura was the answer to his struggles.
And yet… It also inadvertently caused some problems for Tanjirou, in learning the proper breathing techniques.
"I must say, you progressed extraordinarily well." The sound of a girl caused Tanjirou to turn and see the figure of Makomo.
"I guess." Tanjirou sighed before he looked up. The nighttime sky was something Tanjirou was beginning to enjoy and get used to.
He used to miss the daytime, but now he's grown accustomed to it. Maybe in the future, when he turns back into a human, he could bathe in the sun once again.
"Your breathing style looks as elegant and powerful as your dance." Makomo complimented Tanjirou's dance.
And this caused the burgundy-haired boy to refrain from his frown and turn it into a more neutral expression. "Thanks. I worked very hard to perform it."
This shocked Makomo, for she hadn't seen Tanjirou give an expression like that before.
It was a neutral expression, but it didn't have any forms of sadness or imperfection.
Even if the smile itself wasn't seen with the naked eye, it was seen by the aura and the tone of his voice. He was genuinely smiling, without showing it.
"Odd… When I complimented him about the Hinokami Kagura… That's when he accepts the compliment." Makomo thought to herself.
Tanjirou looked towards Makomo, his head tilting, "You alright?"
Makomo blinked, before she nodded, "Yeah, I am. Thought I saw a ghost." She gave a dazed smile wanting Tanjirou to forget that she was caught dazing off.
"But this is the first time I've seen you without a frown… Almost like you were smiling." Makomo started, "Why now?"
Tanjirou shrugged, "Because I advanced the Hinokami Kagura… Now, I can use it to fight demons, and for dancing." Tanjirou explained.
"That must be intriguing to have different uses for the same premise, huh?" Makomo asked. "Who knows? Maybe the next time you can use it to catch ghosts."
Tanjirou turned his eyes to face the girl sitting next to him, "What is with you and ghosts?" He deadpanned.
Makomo, for her part, shrugged, "Always found them interesting when I was read about them as a child, that's all."
"I see…" Tanjirou shrugged as he looked up into the night sky.
All this time, he had learned that some of the things he knew about his life, were a mask.
Even with all of the progress he's finally made, he still had some smaller problems.
Especially with his mindset.
"Beat that Father… I'll become stronger than what you ever saw in me…" Tanjirou gritted his hands into fists, as a new sense of strength and determination enveloped him.
It wasn't bloodlust or revenge. It was a sense of determination to prove to those who saw nothing in him, wrong.
Tanjirou was something. He was able to do stuff other people could do.
He did have value.
And it was all thanks to Hinokami Kagura.
The very thing that got him through the toughest times.
The very thing that now helped him, yet again.
He was respected, and a fighter.
He sighed in contentment again.
"Who would have thought that accomplishment feels this good…" Tanjirou thought to himself, clearly unsure if how he was reacting was even appropriate by societal standards.
Who cares?
Tanjirou had gone through a troubled upbringing, made worse by pretty much being tortured to death by that individual.
And he was ridiculed… Ostracized, and hated… After everything he went through, who wouldn't want to show off and be cocky to the world that had once looked down on the very being who was now rising?
Tanjirou felt he deserved to boast a bit about how far he's come from the world he was neglected, for so long. He's become much stronger.
But did that mean, he deserved happiness? Did that mean he deserved to be content? Or did he need to become stronger?
While Tanjirou could fall under that for quite a time, he decided that whatever he felt, whatever his strength, and whatever his progress was, as long as he could protect his sister, then that was all that mattered.
He didn't care for strength. He didn't want unmatched power that made it so that nobody could ever defeat him.
All he cared about and wanted was unlimited protection for Nezuko. He wanted to protect and not fail, on the very and only individual, to not neglect him, to always believe in him, and the only one to give him food when he needed it.
That was what repeated in Tanjirou's mind.
He didn't see himself as a malicious boy.
But then again, isn't everyone malicious in their way…?
Tanjirou was just as human as everyone. He had multiple different and complex things going on about him that made him like everyone else.
He didn't consider himself special in any way, shape, or form.
The atmosphere of his mind was a clear testament to that. While he had a clear blue sky, with the sun shining brightly, it also contained the occasional fire tornadoes, and more recently, the occasional nighttime skies he'd see.
That was odd, but Tanjirou had very little time to observe, especially since he rarely slept these days.
Now, things were different.
He properly learned both water breathing, and the Hinokami Kagura, as a sword technique, and breathing style.
He focused on everything he could. He continued. He fought through it all, and now, here he was.
All because of simple manipulation of his breathing technique.
However, it was the breathing technique his father had taught him…
So why? Tanjirou asked himself.
"Is something bothering you?" Makomo asked.
At this, Tanjirou sighed, "You know the original breathing technique I had? Before I was able to properly perform water breathing?" Tanjirou asked.
Makomo nodded, "Yes, the time you would be strained from using the breathing style."
"The breathing technique I used, originally was for the dance, so I was accustomed to it… But my father told me never to breathe like that when I was using a sword…" Tanjirou sighed.
"Another example of my father teaching me the wrong things," Tanjirou added with a clear depressed look.
This made Makomo feel a bit sad for the boy. "Do you know why he did that?"
"No," Tanjirou told her. "All I know is that he taught me, indirectly how to breathe when performing the Hinokami Kagura… But he never wanted me to perform it close to our house… When I did…"
"What did he do?" Makomo asked.
"Bad things," Tanjirou responded, choosing to keep the actual punishment vague for her. She was just too happy of a soul to tell her something dark.
"I see," Makomo responded with, knowing not to push it more than it already was. "So your father was teaching you some stuff that went against everything you were taught?"
"Somewhat… He taught me some stuff, but they sometimes hindered me… Almost too well…" Tanjirou explained.
"So you think your father purposely sabotaged your learning progress with this?" Makomo asked.
"Maybe it's indirectly… But I'm realizing that everything, or at least a lot of stuff…" Tanjirou explained. "Almost like he didn't want me to find out my affinity."
"Well regardless, you know now, right?" Makomo asked.
Tanjirou nodded, "Yes. I do now. Seems that whatever he did, it didn't matter… I ended up learning it regardless."
"Well there you go, Tanjirou. I'm glad you were able to get passed that hurdle." Makomo smiled. "However, you should try and face the other hurdles in your life."
"My other, hurdles?" Tanjirou asked.
"Yes. I can see in your mind the large amounts of hurdles you will face and encounter. I wish to see you perform them all and succeed in finding peace in this world, you've not managed to enjoy." Makomo gave Tanjirou a hand on his shoulder.
A soft hand that made Tanjirou sigh. "Thank you, Makomo."
With that, he stood up and began to walk to the specific place he started everything with his training.
This was the place in the forest where he started his journey to dancing, finding peace, and wishing for Nezuko's arrival back, after what is now a couple months' worth of sleep.
Even when Tanjirou had a lot of progress made, he found himself thinking back to everything.
But even he couldn't deny letting himself rest.
After those two weeks of him learning properly the Hinokami Kagura and properly aiming to perform water breathing.
Not only did Tanjirou have to learn how to alter his breathing technique, but he also had to relearn and perform water breathing. This would take him over a month, considering all of the tasks he had to do.
Then the next two weeks were spent on Tanjirou focusing on his Hinokami Kagura.
This took two months in total.
Two months since Nezuko fell asleep, and five months since his family was murdered…
If he had a strong memory, that was.
And finally, he decided he would spend another month to train.
And you might ask why?
Well, it was for this exact moment.
Once Tanjirou finished the three months of learning both water breathing, Hinokami Kagura, learning to consume human food, and altering his breathing to fit demon slayer fighting, he now needed to train them.
That meant going back down to the traps.
The traps were the closest thing he could use towards actual demons that may charge at him.
Some were knives that were thrown at him, some were papers that acted as a feint, and others were meant to get him to be proactive.
Urokodaki did say he was done teaching him, but after seeing the potential in him, he realized that more was needed for Tanjirou to reach the point where he could rise the ranks on his own.
In addition to being a demon, Urokodaki realized he couldn't just let that two leave without his supervision, not yet.
They couldn't entirely trust them just yet. Not because of Urokodaki or even Giyu, but because of other demon slayers who may see them as threats and try and slay them.
For if Tanjirou and Nezuko slay a demon slayer, even in self-defense, they would probably be executed and wanted by everyone.
But regardless of this, Tanjirou took the time to practice.
He was feeling a bit more confident.
That wasn't to say he was cocky or anything. But he finally felt somewhat accomplished.
He almost felt like he concluded because he was finally able to perform the breathing forms and styles his father always told him he would never be able to.
And so, he spent three months training.
Considering everything he was learning and altering, he thought that three months was the perfect amount of time for him.
It was enough time he felt.
And so, that's what he did. He continued to train himself with the proactive nature of his breathing styles, deciding to use a mix of water breathing and the Hinokami Kagura.
However, he realized that switching between the forms immediately was incredibly daunting for his body, and even if it was a demon, even it couldn't handle the switch immediately.
In the end, Tanjirou realized that unless he was in a dire situation, he would have to stick with only one specific breathing style, to conserve his energy.
The energy was something Tanjirou knew he was limited in.
He had the energy that managed to sustain his body and maintain it how it was, but then there was the energy to become stronger.
The latter was something only demons had. Tanjirou didn't have much of the second, since it seemed that the only way for him to gain this, was the consume flesh, preferably demonic flesh.
The other and former energy, one to maintain his body so that he doesn't get tired or deprived of food, could be solved by either sleeping or eating other foods.
He had a lot of choices, but considering he wasn't strengthening his demonic body, he was limited in his physical capabilities as a demon,
No doubt by pure raw strength, Nezuko could beat him. But that was fine, for Tanjirou.
He didn't care for his demonic strength. Though, eating demons who were not sympathetic toward hurting humans would make Tanjirou very satisfied.
In the end, he wasn't sure how he would tackle fighting actual demons. He would have to see and find out himself.
But even if he felt confident, having learned the forms he had sought after for so long, would it be enough?
Tanjirou shook his head. He didn't want to think like that. Makomo believed in him… Urokodaki believed in him.
And Nezuko believed in him…
He could do this.
He was ready.
Six months total had gone by since Tanjirou and Nezuko had both been brought over to Urokodaki's. Three months since Nezuko fell asleep.
And Tanjirou was still thirteen years old, though, he was almost fourteen.
He had learned from Urokodaki earlier in the month that demons don't age, at least physically. However, instead, he found that he could switch his appearance at will.
Whilst Tanjirou was not doing much to experiment on this apparent body transformation he could do, he did find it cool. Plus, it allowed him to retain a sense of his actual age in human years.
Because as weird as one could take it the wrong way, Tanjirou wanted to die at some point in his life.
Death is just a natural cycle of life. If you stop and prevent one of the stages of the cycle, then the cycle is stopped, and everything accumulates.
Plus, Tanjirou feels that living too long could just make life boring when it should be enjoyed, or something like that.
But as Tanjirou stared down at the individual in front of him, a large boulder in the middle, not intruding on their actual vision towards each other.
Whilst Tanjirou didn't change much in appearance, he did have longer hair, that once passed his shoulders a couple of months ago, now passed almost to his back.
His red hair was now in a ponytail as he didn't want any form of distraction for the fight he was so waiting for.
As Tanjirou eyed him up, Sabito began to speak.
"So, it took you six months, but I've heard you've made a lot of progress, isn't that right, Tanjirou?" Sabito asked.
Tanjirou grunted. If he could see past the boy's mask, he could get an idea of what his deal was. But alas, even the mask smelled of something strange, preventing Tanjirou from deciphering him.
But as Tanjirou was facing Sabito, his doubt, and inferiority began to once again flare up.
"Am I good enough to do this? Can I do this? Will I be able to defeat him?" Tanjirou asked himself.
"Remember Tanjrou, remember to breathe…" Tanjirou's father had once again come into his mind.
"Damnit father… Even if I'm improving… Is it enough? Will I ever be able to satisfy you?" Tanjirou asked before he realized what he was doing, and he grunted in response.
"Goddamnit father, why the hell do I care what you think? All you did was hurt me for every failure!" Tanjirou yelled in his mind, to only his father, punching the ground mentally with his fists.
The memories of abuse alone hurt more than what he did right now. Combined with the stress of potentially being ostracized in the corps, reminded him of being ostracized in his family…
He didn't want that to happen again…
He was starting to tremble at the reaction, and before he knew it, he had to remind himself to calm down.
"It's alright…" Tanjirou thought to himself. "Even when you are down in life, it can only go up from here… It's like a sling, pulling you back a bit before you are being launched forward… Just bear with it, and you will reap the benefits of your lows." The voice of Urokodaki brought on some quotes that helped Tanjirou.
He calmed himself, as he once again looked at Sabito.
"The biggest wall that you have to climb, is the one you build in your mind." The voice of Sabito once again entered Tanjirou's mind.
"He's right… This is something I must endure and jump over… I can't let my mind burden me this much. I'm going to fight Sabito, and that's that." Tanjirou sighed, taking a deep breath as he was making sure he was as mentally ready as possible.
"I'm ready, Sabito," Tanjirou said at last. He pushed back any sense of hesitance he had.
Any sense of hesitance was not needed right now.
Right now, he needed to be determined. He needed to be strong.
For Nezuko.
He had to be strong, and formidable so that he could protect Nezuko. Even if he still struggled with his capabilities, he would try.
Just like how he tried against Makomo, and in the end, defeated her.
It was time to perform this again, just for Sabito.
"Seems you are willing to fight once again?" Sabito asked, "Seems you don't hesitate as much as a kid anymore. Even though you still look like one, I guess your demonic body is preventing you from developing."
Tanjirou nodded, "Yes. But alas, regardless of whether I show aging or not, for the moment, I'm still growing. When I turn human, I will hopefully do everything in my power to convert to the age I've lived for."
Sabito smirked, "Interesting morals for a demon."
"Demon or not. I will defeat you as a demon slayer." Tanjirou firmly spoke to Sabito.
"Is that so? I've seen your progress. Don't think you can surprise me with it." Sabito bluntly explained, trying to downplay Tanjirou's progress. "Makomo and I have witnessed everything you've done. The progress, the breathing, I've also heard you've been practicing another breathing style?" He casually asked and added.
Tanjirou firmly nodded, "Yes. However, me using the Hinokami Kagura to train right now, and the plan to gain another breathing style, that is my fourth main priority."
"And what are your other priorities that go before that?" Sabito asked, raising his blade.
"The first…" Tanjirou started. "Is to dance to the fire god until my sister awakens. The second is to be able to maintain and consume edible foods that are not flesh, and the third." Tanjirou looked at Sabito right in the eyes of his mask, "Is to defeat you."
At this, Sabito looked a bit amused, despite the mask, "Couldn't even make me your priority huh? Guess you are close with your family for a reason…"
Tanjirou flinched at that response before he looked down, "It's only Nezuko whom I'm close with. The rest of my family, not so much…"
Sabito raised an eyebrow at this, and he turned to Makomo, who only gave a sad smile.
"I see…" Was all Sabito mumbled?
But despite this, Tanjirou eyed Sabito yet again, "Today, I will defeat you, Sabito."
Sabito looked unimpressed with his mask, but he knew that Tanjirou was improving, meaning their next fight would be more interesting.
And this was confirmed when Tanjirou and Sabito both, with equal speed, began to charge toward each other.
Almost immediately, the two clashed their blades, equaling in strength. However, this was where Tanjirou had the advantage. He knew it.
"This time, I'll beat you, Sabito." He kept telling himself. He couldn't afford to let his mind make him hesitate.
In a battle like this, any form of hesitation would be enough to cause him to lose.
He wanted to treat himself like he was a human in these kinds of fights.
He may have been a demon, but he was human at heart.
Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel
Sabito was the first to activate his breathing style, as he twirled his body vertically to strike Tanjirou, but Tanjirou was ready for this.
"If Makomo emphasizes speed and flexibility, then Sabito emphasizes power in the most surprising of circumstances. He wants you to believe he can't strike at certain places with the number of twirls his body… In reality, he can strike in very obscure places… That's what specializes water breathers, is how flexible they can strike, with their large coverage in the medium range." Tanjirou analyzed as he watched Sabito roll towards him.
Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide
Tanjirou quickly responded to the vertical strike with a perfectly angled horizontal strike of his own. He had angled the strike to properly be able to block the attack without it causing much strain on him.
Tanjirou couldn't rely on his demonic strength, considering, that he was limited, and lacking flesh, preferably demonic to utilize it. As a result, he has to rely on his humanistic strength and mind.
But then again, Tanjirou didn't know about the actual consequences he might suffer if he eats a lot of demonic flesh.
The result is that he would have to result purely on his human sense. This sucked because he still suffered from the rays of the sunlight hurting him, and the poisons of certain flowers.
Regardless, he still had some advantages, and in the meantime, he successfully launched his blade out, causing Sabito to leap away from Tanjirou's immediate range.
Tanjirou took the time to charge toward Sabito, who responded in kind.
"Sabito likes to remain aggressive in his sword style. He specializes in an aggressive and flexible form of water breathing." Tanjirou confirmed, "That is if his personality reflects his sword style."
Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance
Tanjirou successfully fleshed out another sword style, perfectly blending it to strike his blade toward Sabito.
All this time, Sabito was eyeing Tanjirou's forms with skepticism.
"It seems this kid's preferred breathing style isn't water breathing… It seems well adept regarding no longer having their strains, but even then, he would be better if he used his other form." Sabito thought, "This kid wants to be weak, or what?"
Tanjirou was shortening the distance, all the whole Sabito rolled away.
Water Breathing, Eight Form: Water Basin
With Sabito on the ground from his roll, Tanjirou tried to jump and strike him down with a downward strike.
Sabito rolled back slightly, as he felt his side being sliced. He gritted at the sudden strike, as he thought he had successfully moved out of the way. He didn't realize he was struck.
"What the hell? How did he almost strike me?" Sabito thought in his head. He looked to his right side and saw a bit of blood coming on the ground. Considering how much he and Tanjirou were moving and maneuvering, he wasn't sure if it was his blood or Tanjirou's.
"I rolled to my left, and the kid must've anticipated it…" Sabito thought to himself. "Very well, Tanjirou, I guess I'll take you more seriously this time. I should have finished you down when Makomo told me about your progress…"
And so, Sabito took the charge to Tanjirou, clearly wanting to see him go more. Tanjirou of course dodged, but Sabito swung his sword across himself, trying to catch Tanjirou off guard.
Tanjirou's eyes widened before he swung his blade up to catch it, slowing it enough for him to roll to the side.
Sabito, ready to jump in the air to perform a vertical strike, was stopped, by a low leg swipe by Tanjirou. Sabito felt his leg being hit, and swiped across, as he fell.
Tanjirou took some time to get up.
Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash
Perhaps that was Tanjirou's own doing, but he had tried to slash Sabito low when he had the chance.
"So, you've decided on using your limbs?" Sabito asked.
Tanjirou nodded, "Decided I should take advantage of my unique abilities." Tanjirou responded.
Sabito once away got out, and almost immediately, tried to charge at Tanjiro, with speeds that almost were instantaneous.
Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide
After around three strikes of striking, then backing up, Sabito activated his form and charged it toward Tanjirou.
Tanjirou, clearly accustomed to the pattern of the strike, was unfortunately struck by the tip of the blade on his torso. However, it was mere millimeters deep, and thus not noticeable.
Tanjirou hissed, before he kicked Sabito away, knocking the wind out of him briefly.
"You idiot," Sabito grunted. "Never get accustomed to the patterns of an opponent."
Tanjirou looked down. "Well, that was what you're doing for putting that pattern in."
"MY doing? How hilarious. Who is the one who had to back up?"
"Well then, we're merely even. If you are the one complaining to me about how I fight, then who here is truly the man? Weren't you the one to tell me that complaining is not a strong man thinking?" Tanjirou clapped back, eyeing Sabito with a fiery expression, a serious one, with a frowned expression, and eyes that focused purely on him.
Sabito looked a bit shocked at this, before he smirked, "Looks like even if you didn't age physically, you've at least aged mentally."
Tanjirou sighed as if now he was the one charging.
Gripping his blade in his two hands, Sabito clenched his form to the ground, as he tilted himself back.
Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux
Utilizing the continuous strikes of the tenth form, Tanjirou continued to strike across Sabito, He dodged and struck back. However, he knew that Tanjirou's strikes would get stronger and stronger with each strike.
Coupled with Tanjirou's demonic strength he could have hidden from the rest, Tanjirou's strikes with time could become beyond strong for Sabito to handle.
Eventually, he managed to strike Tanjirou's form off, as he launched Tanjirou away, trying to run to catch Tanjirou and his landing.
Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent
However, Tanjirou knew what to do here, as he used the footwork of the form to land properly, reducing the landing time, and before Sabito could expect it, Tanjirou slashed the arm of Sabito.
He cursed silently, as he continued to strike towards Tanjirou.
Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust
Sabito, with a quick strike, thrust his blade forward, managing to graze the side of Tanjirou as well.
Tanjirou tried to dodge, but he didn't get out of the strike fully.
The two eyed each other, as they seemed evenly matched compared to last time. They quickly backed up, as the two stared at each other.
The only bystander, Makomo, was looking in intrigue, clearly impressed with the progress Tanjirou had made, and the fact he was now competing with Sabito.
Sabito, continued to strike, however. Despite the strike, Tanjirou was unable to stop the boy from his onslaught.
"So now he's showing what I anticipate was his style in water breathing… It is affordable and hard to find an opening!" Tanjirou thought to himself, as all he could do was leap away and block any strikes.
Water Breathing, Eight Form: Waterfall Basin
Sabito, in the air launched upwards and forwards and tried to strike towards Tanjirou in a downward motion.
Tanjirou pressed himself onto the ground, as he held his blade up high.
Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel
However, to Tanjirou's surprise, Sabito flipped his body across, as he spun his blade in a circle. Tanjirou had to adapt very quickly, and so he did.
Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirlpool
Because of their close distance, he decided to use what Makomo had used against him before.
Especially useful since Sabito was currently within close range of Tanjirou.
Before he knew it, Sabito was being engulfed in a whirlpool of air, with Tanjirou right in the middle, slashing in a multitude of directions around him. Sabito had to properly maneuver himself to not be struck.
However, he found himself getting struck three times. But because of his cautious twirling and reflecting, none of the injuries were severe. Many weren't that severe, but they were slashes, indicating he had gotten hit by Tanjirou.
"This kid is improved…" Sabito mumbled to himself, as he focused on Tanjirou's blade.
Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux
Tanjirou noticed, as Sabito was now charging towards himself, as he was wanting to tire and strike Tanjirou down.
Striking around, Tanjirou had to deflect from every possible angle, considering how skilled Sabito was, Tanjirou knew this wasn't an entirely perfect strike. He could dodge and get out of this unscathed.
Tanjirou twirled his body around, as he knew that horizontal slashes to protect himself were a priority.
And that's what he did, Tanjirou struck back out horizontally to block many of Sabito's ruthless strikes.
However, one strike made Sabito twirl his body to the side.
"Now! Strike him whilst he's twirling himself!" Tanjirou yelled at himself, as he tried to strike Sabito right there, right now.
But he couldn't get it properly. He was still too slow, as Sabito successfully counterattacked.
Tanjirou backed away, but Sabito continued to run towards him.
"He's trying to keep the pressure onto me…" Tanjirou thought to himself. He grunted as he blocked the strike using his blade, holding both hands onto the helm.
Sabito and Tanjirou were both in a stalemate.
"You think you can beat me?" Sabito asked as the two were now close to each other.
"Perhaps," Tanjirou responded.
"You lack confidence. How can you defeat someone like me?" Sabito asked back.
Tanjirou gritted his teeth, "Don't tell me about who I am… I've gotten strikes on you before, I can slash you more."
Sabito chuckled, and Tanjirou could hear that, "You think this is funny?"
"Of course." Sabito smiled behind his mask.
Tanjirou backed away, clearly not wanting to let Sabito get the strike thereafter.
"Though I will give you the benefit of the doubt, you've managed to rid the strain you suffered from when you learned water breathing, guess I'll congratulate you for that," Sabito mumbled as he charged towards Tanjirou.
Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent
Sabito started to rush out towards Tanjirou, using the footwork that made a splashing sound in the distance. Sabito felt his legs growing in strength as he went to strike Tanjirou.
Tanjirou clenched his wrists as he slashed at Sabito's blade. Once again, the two clashed, their faces showing completely differing expressions. Although, the only difference was the mask Sabito wore.
Tanjirou continued to dodge, managing to barely get out of the way of the sword, a centimeter away from his arm.
Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust
Tanjirou's eyes widened in surprise, as he saw Sabito's sword thrusting right towards his face.
Tilting his head, before he ran low, he spun his leg around, performing another leg swipe toward Sabito.
Sabito backed away this time, clearly knowing of the close-up combat Tanjirou could do.
Tanjirou quickly recuperated, as he took the time to take charge.
Crouching down to his knees, Tanjirou eyed Sabito and launched himself toward Sabito.
Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel
Tanjirou's front flipped, as a circular wave of water was around him.
But Tanjirou was not done, still falling, Tanjirou skidded across the ground, his sword low, before he struck back up towards Sabito.
"Combining two different froms into a continuous strike? Impressive, Tanjirou." Sabito thought as he blocked the attack, with a blade clinging towards Tanjirou's.
All the while, Sabito twirled his body, twisting his own body to allow for another coupled number of strikes.
Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance
Sabito bent his blade in a winding motion, which alongside his body, made it seem that Sabito was dancing whilst striking Tanjirou in the process.
Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide
However, Tanjirou responded with his strikes, a multiple consecutive amount, as he was able to block them all properly.
For the moment, it seemed like the two were evenly matched, and they both knew it.
Neither of them was getting anywhere regarding this battle.
This was supposed to be a battle of both showing their points and values.
Sabito believed that the way Tanjirou acted, and his values inherently made him a weak person. All the while Tanjirou was trying to prove Sabito wrong.
Tanjirou eyed a weak spot in Sabito's style, clearly knowing what he would do now. He had to try and think outside the box since they both were able to anticipate each other's strikes and forms.
That was unless Tanjirou used the Hinokami Kagura.
But should he?
Tanjirou was unsure… But in the process of fighting demons, he knew that they would not be willing to treat this like a spar.
All the while Tanjirou knew that perhaps he should be utilizing everything at his disposal.
But through it all, Tanjirou knew he had to do this at a sustainable rate. Switching between breathing styles was very energy-consuming, and that was something Tanjirou knew very well. He had to conserve his energy, especially if these fights would last in the long run.
For now, Tanjirou had to worry about Sabito's style, as his aggressive style meant that he was unable to think for a long time while dodging.
Water Breathing, Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought
This confused Tanjirou. Why was Sabito using a rather slow strike? It was a strike that yielded little or no pain, but it was, strength and speed-wise, the weaker of all the other forms.
However, Tanjirou knew exactly what Sabito was doing once he got closer to Tanjirou.
Sabito was using the elegant style of the form to maneuver himself skillfully past all of Tanjirou's strikes.
And so, Tanjirou knew that backing up was his best option.
But even then, he knew Sabito would combine it with another form, that would ultimately make him have to quickly adjust to the new strike that was bound to come.
Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide
Sabito quickly struck out his blade, which quickly turned into a multitude of strikes, all in another consecutive form.
Tanjirou blocked them all, as he carefully maneuvered himself through, gritting as he could feel the aggression coming from all of Sabito's strikes.
He continued to block, and all the while Sabito continued to strike.
Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux
Sabito turned it right into another form, as he continued to follow Tanjirou even as he dodged.
"I see, so he combined the consecutive slashes of both fourth forma and tenth form so that he can continue the pressure whether I block or dodge… I must find a way to block and counterattack, that is if the intervals between each strike don't increase… No matter the angles he slashes, he rarely goes for thrusts… He does see this as a spar…" Tanjirou thought to himself, analyzing the strikes Sabito was performing.
Thankfully, after around a minute of blocking and dodging, Tanjirou managed to find a small space for a counterattack.
He noticed that Sabito's attacks were mostly coming from the left side of Tanjirou, slashing to the right.
"So, there's the opening… Whenever he's managing to start a new strike… Of course, it takes time for him to reflex his arm back, but even then, with his breathing, he's able to reduce the time it takes… However, no matter what, his muscles still need time to reflect, no matter his breathing." Tanjirou thought, and so his mind quickly came up with a plan.
Seeing Sabito once again strike towards him, he had anticipated that Sabito's sword would end up to the right this time.
And Tanjirou acted right then and there. Curving himself to come to the right, he kicked the blade of Sabito's, shocking the boy, before he gripped it hard with his right hand. That left the other side of his body vulnerable to Tanjirou, as he clipped the left side of Sabito's body.
The boy himself knew of his sudden vulnerability as he was forced to back up.
But Tanjirou wasn't done there. He had the upper hand, and he wasn't giving it all away just yet.
Water Breathing, Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought
Preparing a single strike towards Sabito, he reacted instinctively to the strike to his left side, twisting his body, and tilting it so that his right side faced close towards Tanjirou.
That was exactly what Tanjirou had planned, considering Sabito had left himself within the distance for Tanjirou to strike him. And now, Tanjirou could strike Sabito right there.
Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust
With a blinding speed that even Sabito couldn't respond to, Tanjirou thrust his blade toward the right side of Sabito's body.
The aim was to knock the blade out of Sabito's hand, and that's why Tanjirou wanted to create that divergence so that he could guarantee he'd be at the advantage.
And just as he anticipated, Tanjirou's blade struck Sabito's unexpectedly, knocking it out of his hand. The blade in question flew quite a bit away.
Sabito stared at Tanjirou, before turning back at his blade.
Tanjirou couldn't necessarily see the look Sabito was giving him now due to the mask Sabito wore, but Tanjirou could smell the shock coming from Sabito.
"This kid just managed to knock my blade out my hand…" Sabito looked at Tanjirou in shock.
"This entire time… I thought he was trying to slice me with an incapacitating strike, either to be the one to strike first, and that was that, or to slash my mask off my face… But the entire time… He was trying to knock my blade off my hands…" Sabito was shocked.
Tanjirou sighed, as he charged once again to Sabito.
Or so Sabito thought.
Instead, Tanjirou picked up the blade of Sabito's…
And threw it right back toward him. The sword's tip stabbed into the ground, right in front of Sabito.
Sabito stared at the sword, then back up at Tanjirou.
Both were slashed multiple times, but because of the nature of the battle, neither could determine when either received the strike or thus not when either of them was struck.
None of the strikes mattered since they were both still able to fight.
And now, Tanjirou had certainly gotten the true strike, managing to decapitate his opponent, in a way that didn't harm him in any form.
Sabito looked on, clearly eyeing the blade.
"How did this weak kid defeat me?" Sabito asked, clearly eyeing the blade, just outside of his reach.
"This kid was able to defeat me… This weak kid!" Sabito grumbled, as his fists clenched down.
"This entire world is divided between the strong and weak! Those in a world full of demons will only survive because of the strongest! If there was no strong being, then the weak would all die! The weak cannot protect themselves! They are vulnerable!" Sabito continued as his thoughts were running through his mind.
"The strong always dominate over the weak… If that's the case, then how did I lose to this kid? He's even weak to the point that he couldn't use any of his demonic advantages against me? Not only is he a weak human, but he's also a weak demon!" Sabito grumbled, as his thoughts and his core beliefs were clashing with his reality of believing that Tanjirou had fairly beaten him.
"People earn their success, respect, and social status by their talents and efforts… The strong naturally rise to power, and the weak run the intensive but less ideal parts of life… The strong deserve their positions in the world because of their contribution… They go through so much… No matter what people think, not everyone is made to be equal…" Sabito grumbled.
All the while, Tanjirou could tell, by his smell, the internal struggle Sabito was having in his mind.
"Every… The individual is inherent in their standings… in society…" Sabito grumbled as he got up, looking away from the blade Tanjirou had thrown at him. "Some are born weak from the start due to their position… others… they grow up and through their actions, grow strong…"
"So tell me, Tanjirou. How can you label yourself strong?" Sabito asked. "Even if you beat me, I can't call you a man. You have so much in this world to live through, to become strong… Your feats are not sufficient to be called formidable, or strong…"
Tanjirou merely looked down, as Sabito continued.
"You said it yourself. You don't even value yourself, and you see yourself as worthless." Sabito added. "So why do you keep fighting, and how do you get so far? The powerful deserve the success they get, not the punishment for their supposed success."
Tanjirou sighed. "Humans are cooperative and collaborative species."
"Eh?" Sabito asked, "Didn't you forget you are a demon, boy?"
"I'm a human." Tanjirou firmly told Sabito. "But I've had a tragedy that has turned me into what I don't want to be. And even then, I'm still human in my thoughts. Every day, I struggle with my bodily instincts. Every day, I live a nightmare because of what happened to me. I'm stuck with a body that is the result of my weakness!" Tanjirou raised his voice at the last part.
"But what you fail to see in people… Is what I see in everyone…" Tanjirou added.
"And what is it?" Sabito asked.
"Potential." That was all Tanjirou responded with.
"What do you mean, potential?" Sabito asked.
"The potential for the weak to become strong. You say that the weak are inherently weak, I say you are wrong. Are there such things as weak babies, or strong babies? Perhaps you can think of their health when they are born, but if you mean in their potential, they all need to be nurtured before they can show their worth." Tanjirou explained.
"You say that the strong have to take care of the weak, which are all inherent. So if there are no strong babies, then wouldn't everyone in this world be called weak? Wouldn't that make you weak, Sabito? What about you, Makomo? What do you think?" Tanjirou asked, turning to Makomo.
Makomo smiled, "I have no opinions on the matters Sabito believes in. I see in Sabito someone who is clouded in his beliefs to be strong, but is holding a façade."
"Is that so?" Tanjirou asked.
"Yes, he likes to play that he's strong, but he hides himself with doubt and guilt," Makomo explained. "It begs the question, why? Did you fail to protect someone?"
This caused Sabito to flinch, "Shut up Makomo… You promised to never tell anyone about this…"
"But that's the thing, Sabito. You failed to acknowledge your weakness in saving those you cared for… You were orphaned because your parents said you were weak… You failed to protect your infant sibling, from a demon… You didn't want to believe that your parents called you weak, so you pursued strength… You believed your personality had to emanate strength so that you could hide the past you held." Makomo explained.
This caused Tanjirou to look at Sabito in a different light. For the first time, Sabito remained quiet, with a scent of sadness and loss.
This was something he never expected from Sabito.
"Are you orphaned too?" Tanjirou asked Makomo.
Makomo nodded, "Both Sabito and I are, taken in by Urokodaki. Alas, I merely lived with my grandmother, but when she died, I was left nowhere to go."
"I see." That was all Tanjirou could respond with.
He sighed before he looked back at Sabito.
"Sabito." Tanjirou started. "If the world was divided between the strong and weak, then why do the strong help the weak?"
"Eh?" Sabito responded, clearly confused.
"I ask you, if I'm so weak, and Nezuko is strong in your eyes, then why did she help me? Why was she the only one to care for me, when everyone else didn't? Not even my parents…?" Tanjirou asked.
This caused Sabito and Makomo to look up in confusion. "What do you mean, only your sister cared for you?"
"Am I weak because I couldn't stop my parents from abusing me? Or is it because I failed to meet their demands?" Tanjirou asked, looking for them to answer. He wanted their views on that.
This caused Makomo and Sabito to stare at Tanjirou.
"Didn't know the kid was abused… No wonder he acted tense around Urokodaki when being trained." Was all Sabito mumbled and sighed? He could see now that he might have hurt Tanjirou more than he intended.
"I-" Makomo was cut off by Tanjirou.
"I ask. If Nezuko was strong, and the only one to care for someone weak like me, how does this go with your belief that the world is divided between the strong and weak, Sabito?" Tanjirou asked.
Sabito remained quiet. He didn't know what to say, or how to answer.
"Nezuko believed in me. She saw potential in me." Tanjirou explained. "The strong don't want to see a world full of weak people, perhaps, but that doesn't mean they'll look down on them. They'll help build them up so that they can become strong."
"You become strong when you fully utilize the resources you got and convert them into actions that result in success and achievements." Tanjirou started, "But some people never have those resources to begin with. Can you call those people weak because they never had the chance or resources to prove themselves?"
Sabito looked down at that. "Resources are needed for action… He's right…"
"For example, these blades, for slaying demons. Only demon slayers have them. Can you say that normal people who live their lives are weak because they don't have a blade to defend themselves against demons?" Tanjirou asked. "And if you think that, why would demon slayers bring them in to fight other demons, and to become strong?"
Sabito and Makomo both flinched at what Tanjirou was saying.
"You need resources and training to, 'become strong.' But normal people don't have those resources. They can't defend themselves because they don't have the resources to fully utilize their actions, to prove their strength. So, you thinking new demon slayers are weak is not sufficient, for they are new to the resources they are being bombarded with." Tanjirou explained, before he let out a breath, whether that was from an ironic chuckle, or a sigh, was unsure.
"If this world was truly divided by the strong and weak and had your opinions, then the demon slayer corps would never be able to continue." Tanjirou firmly stated. "Sure, the weak and strong are divided, but the strong are there to give the weak resources so that they could reach their potential."
"And not everyone is born weak, or strong," Tanjirou added.
This caused Sabito to flinch before he sighed too.
With a pensive form, a bit forward, as if he was bowing to Tanjirou, Sabito raised his hand.
To take off his mask.
What Tanjirou saw, shocked him.
Sabito had a large scar running from the corners of his mouth, to perhaps past his hair, on the right side. His hair, was very peach-coloured, reaching his shoulders, and yet was spiked in such a way...
His eyes were of a pale purple that seemed to have lost their glint.
And behind that appearance… was a sad, small smile. A smile like what Tanjirou would give when he tried not to let others worry about him.
A sad smile that held a lot of pain within it. A smile that, from what Tanjirou could describe, held loss and a sense of tiredness, from the energy needed to hide sensitive information… A tired face from holding up a mask for so long.
And Tanjirou could see the tears threatening to leave Sabito's eyes.
This was enough to catch Makomo's attention, and her eyes quickly widened before she went to hug Sabito in concern.
"I didn't do anything bad, did I?" Tanjirou asked, a bit worried about why Sabito was crying.
All this time, whenever Tanjirou saw someone crying, he had learned that the best thing to do was the get them to stop crying as quickly as possible.
Based on experience, not crying was the best thing he could do within his family's home. And that went alongside the rest of his siblings.
But seeing Sabito cry full of pain… It hurt Tanjirou too… Seeing Makomo hug Sabito, trying to soothe him… It felt empty to Tanjirou.
Nezuko didn't hug him whenever he cried, because of fear that their parents might hear, and so Nezuko would try her best to stop her siblings from crying.
Tanjirou couldn't even do that, because his siblings didn't want to be near him, out of fear of getting hurt.
And so, seeing this interaction conflicted with Tanjirou.
But in the end, he just stood there, trying to tell Sabito to stop crying.
"Hey, you should stop crying, or else you may be seen as weak," Tanjirou told Sabito, causing Makomo to flinch at what Tanjirou had spoken.
"Tanjirou!" Makomo yelled in opposition.
Tanjirou blinked, before he tilted his head, a confused expression on his face, "Did I do something wrong?" He asked, a bit nervous at the loud yell Makomo had given him.
Makomo realized how loud she had yelled and apologized.
"No, I'm sorry…" Tanjirou quietly responded before he eyed Sabito.
The boy had finished crying but was clearly in a pensive mood.
"I'm sorry… I failed my parents… That's why they abandoned me… I failed to protect my little sister…" Sabito revealed. "She was only two years old, and a demon ate her… In front of my own eyes… I was only four, and my parents were expecting me to take care of her…"
Tanjirou's eyes widened at that.
Sabito failed to protect his sister… His family… And he was abandoned for that.
Tanjirou's worry about Nezuko momentarily rose, as he feared something similar would happen to him.
However, a hand placed on his shoulder, from Sabito calmed him down.
"Tanjirou… You are right… The world is not necessarily divided by the strong and weak… It is much more beautiful than that… I just failed to see it after everything…" Sabito looked down.
"If anything… You're the strong one for being able to still be with your little sister…" Sabito sighed.
"No… I am weak… You are right about that… Nezuko was the one who had to protect me… And now, I want to do the same. I want to repay what the strong had done for me… The weak… I'll show you, what the weak can do once they access their resources to reach their potential and achieve their goals." Tanjirou told Sabito, a small smile emanating from his face.
A similar sad smile that was full of uncertainty, but it held just enough hope for Sabito to smile back.
"I believe in you Tanjirou." Sabito responded.
"I do have one question for you, however?" Sabito asked.
"And what is that?" Tanjirou asked.
"Do you think that sometimes, no matter how hard a task is, or how well one prepares, is it enough?" Sabito asked.
This caused Tanjirou's mind to flinch.
Was anything in this world possible?
Were there limitations that the world had set up for humans to be unable to perform something?
"Perhaps… There may be something natural that causes some events to be predetermined… But there may also be enough randomness and unpredictability for a lot of stuff that could happen…" Tanjirou explained, clearly not thinking too much about it.
"Is it fruitless to achieve some goals?" Sabito asked Tanjrou back.
Tanjirou scratched his head. He was not the type to think of these kinds of questions. "I don't know Sabito… I truly don't…"
He sighed, "Everything I did, no matter how much I tried, no matter how much I pushed myself… I believed in what you said for a while…"
"When Nezuko was able to perform water breathing better than me… I lost hope… I thought that she was a strong person, and I was weak and worthless. Destined to live a life of no value…" Tanjirou sighed.
"That's why I'm doing this. Yes, I may be weak, and Nezuko may be strong, but she's my sister, who has cared deeply for me for so long… She cared for me when nobody else did. And I would be damned if I let her explore this world alone. Because at the end of the day, I'm her big brother, and I cannot fail her, or else I failed my family…" Tanjirou told Sabito.
And the boy merely sighed, before smiling yet again. "Seems we are more similar to each other than we originally thought, huh?"
"Seems to be so…" Tanjirou sighed.
"You are a phenomenal individual, Tanjirou," Sabito told him.
"How?" Tanjirou asked. "When I have someone like my little sister going better than me, am I worth being noticed?"
"Of course." Makomo jumped in. "She doesn't know the Hinokami Kagura, does she?" She asked.
"No, she doesn't… But that's the only thing I can do…" Tanjirou explained. "That at least gets me acknowledgments and praise."
"I see." Sabito sighed.
"Sometimes I believe that no matter how hard I try if my sister does it with me, she'll be able to do it better than me… Sometimes I feel like there's no point, and that the event is already set from the beginning." Tanjirou sighed.
"I feel you…" Sabito looked down as well, clearly remembering a certain demon that he felt was impossible to kill. No matter how hard he tried… He couldn't kill him… And this was a demon that haunted Urokodaki…
But if what Tanjirou was telling him was true, then there was statistically a possibility that the demon was killable.
No matter the chances, sure there was a chance the demon would live for every single slayer he killed, but that chance always decreased the more it went on.
Sabito thought back to the idea of unpredictability.
Perhaps that was the beauty of the world. Some people liked to be surprised, but others liked to remain calm.
So that was where something that the world is already predisposed to.
People had different beliefs about the word, and Sabito knew that he was going to be seen as someone who had a different view than the others.
But isn't that the beauty of the world? How different everything could be?
Sabito looked on before he eyed Tanjirou.
"He thinks he too is weak… And yet he is here, able to do something I wasn't able to do myself… He was able to protect his sister. Even if he denies it, her living is an accomplishment, especially after a demon attack. How else would the two of them be demons?" Sabito looked on, "If anything, I'm the weak one here…"
"But maybe… We're weak in some aspects of life… And strong in others… is that what Tanjirou was trying to get across my head…?" Sabito asked, as his eyes once again shined. The small glint of purple briefly returned in Sabito's eyes. (This is like with Muichiro, Genya, Kanao, and Aoi, all their eyes).
Sabito looked at the world in a different light, as the information that was clouding his thoughts finally made sense. With this new sense of outlook, he decided to trust Tanjirou on this.
"Tanjirou, I have a request for you." Sabito started.
"Why me? My sister was able to beat you before me. Why not her?" Tanjirou asked.
"Because this is something only you can do," Sabito explained.
"How? My sister does everything better than me." Tanjirou responded.
"No, she doesn't. I believe you can do this." Sabito told Tanjirou, who immediately went quiet.
"I believe in you." Tanjirou's mind raced at that thought.
"A-Alright, what is it…?" Tanjirou asked.
Sabito looked at Makomo, who only smiled and nodded, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"I know you are afraid because this might jeopardize his life, but I also believe Tanjirou can handle this." Makomo knew what Sabito was going to say, and she wanted to encourage Sabito to give Tanjirou this challenge.
"And what is it?" Tanjirou asked at last. He was hesitant to take on a challenge or goal that Nezuko could probably do better than him, but he digressed.
He didn't know if his sister would wake up, or even if he would be allowed to go with his sister.
He had to prepare for anything now that he was very close to becoming a demon slayer.
But throughout this, he was confused.
How was he going to achieve this goal?
The only closest thing to a goal he was given, was to either sell coal or to perform the Hinokami Kagura.
He's not used to goals from other people.
"If you ever go to the Final Selection Mountain, there is this giant, disgusting, green demon with large hands. If you see him, please defeat him. Not just for us, but also for Giyu, and Urokodaki." Sabito smiled at Tanjirou yet again.
"Wait, why?" Tanjirou asked.
But before Tanjirou could ask further, something surprising happened to both Makomo and Sabito, that Tanjirou couldn't believe.
They began to fade.
"The monster's running wild inside of me… I'm faded…"
Tanjirou's eyes widened at this.
"W-Where are you going?!" Tanjirou asked in pure shock, as he tried to grab both Sabito and Makomo, but their hands were gone.
They were fading away… Like ghosts.
"Please! Don't go! Who else is going to believe in me?!" Tanjirou yelled out, clearly not wanting the two to leave after talking to them and getting close to them.
"Makomo? Sabito?" Tanjirou asked as all he could see was the two faces of Makomo and Sabito smiling at him.
"No…" Tanjirou begged. "Please… Don't take them away from me… I just learned to care for them… Why…?"
But it was quiet. There was no noise.
Nothing that made it known that Sabito and Makomo were never heard. It was as if their body and their contribution were gone.
Only the teachings and sparring Tanjirou had done with the two of them.
"Where are you, now?" Tanjirou asked.
"Makomo! Sabito!" Tanjirou yelled out, as he was wanting them back.
But alas, they were nowhere to be found.
He collapsed on the ground from exhaustion, and tiredness, from everything that was happening.
"Please… Someone… Someone believed in me…" That was when Tanjirou felt something.
Two hands on his back.
When he turned around, he saw that there was no person there.
But the touch of their palms… They felt so much like Sabito and Makomo…
"Where are they? I don't sense them…?" Tanjirou asked himself yet again.
However, that was when he noticed something.
Where his back was facing, was the boulder that Urokodaki told him to cut.
Nezuko's boulder was still there…
But the boulder that was Tanjirou's…
It had a large cut vertically and directly in the middle.
Tanjirou's eyes widened at that. "Is this why I felt Makomo and Sabito place their hands on my back…?"
Before he could think more, he saw the figure of Urokodaki.
"You did it…" Tanjirou nodded at last, at the voice of Urokodaki.
He truly did do it, after nine whole months, and three months of Nezuko sleeping, he had finally done it. He had finally managed to catch up to Nezuko and had completed his training.
"I... I did…" Tanjirou blankly explained.
Urokodaki placed a calm hand on Tanjirou, "I'm proud of you… You are perhaps my most impressive student to date… Able to use two breathing styles, one that is exclusive to you… Able to consume human food, and able to control your demonic instincts… You are remarkable, Tanjirou."
This caused Tanjirou's eyes to widen, his pure black pupil shaking in his red iris as he felt moved by the compliment Urokodaki gave him.
"T-Thank you, Urokodaki…" Tanjirou struggled to get the words out, as it was quite the time he felt a compliment.
And as Tanjirou was about to make it back, he heard something coming from the house.
He immediately ran, Urokodaki not too far behind him.
But once he reached the entrance, he stopped.
Tanjirou's eyes widened in surprise for the millionth time today.
"No way…" Tanjirou mumbled.
It was shocking to him.
All he could do was fall to his knees and cover his eyes and chest. He was breathing heavily. "You're awake!"
"Nezuko!" Tanjirou yelled in glee and relief, as the two siblings hugged each other, not seeing each other being themselves for three months.
"Why did you sleep for so long? We brought you a doctor and they said they didn't know when you would wake up!" Tanjirou exclaimed, letting all of his pent-up emotions and stress escape his body.
All this time, Urokodaki watched the two siblings hug after this reunion.
But even though then, Urokodaki noticed, that Tanjirou wasn't crying. He was being emotional, but he was showing his emotions, putting a hand on his chest, and the other covering his eyes.
His whole body shivered as the stress was pushed out, as he held tightly onto Nezuko.
But no tears. No sounds of crying, other than his voice being very shaky.
But even through that, Urokodaki knew that Tanjirou and Nezuko were incredibly happy.
And so, Urokodaki knew that the next couple of days would be interesting, with a lot to catch up on.
In the meantime, Urokodaki would let the two siblings catch up.
That was the plan until Urokodaki noticed Tanjirou lying on Nezuko's lap, as he began to sleep, for the first time in three months.
"Guess they'll need the whole week." Urokodaki thought as he let the two siblings comfort each other.
A.N / This chapter was somewhat difficult to get in. Creating a fight scene, character analysis for both Makomo and Sabito, even if it wasn't a lot, and the final of Tanjirou's emotions, the poor kid can't get enough of what is happening around him. But I feel like this was an important milestone for Tanjirou. He finally has people believing in him, and he's starting to be called strong and the like.
Also, Nezuko is awake! If you remember, Tanjirou doesn't fall asleep ever since Nezuko went into her coma out of fear, but now that she is awake, he too sleeps, but he won't be in a coma, don't worry.
The next couple of chapters will be interesting, for we'll see more fighting and demon-slaying between Tanjirou, Nezuko, and other demons. And this is where I want your opinions. Many of the demons they'll fight will probably not have blood demon arts yet, and/or are very weak in their blood demon arts. But expect more fight scenes now that training is finally over. Sorry if it was long, but I took this time to emphasize characters and stuff.
Final point, Nezuko, and Tanjirou's demonic questions. That is explained by their abilities, and also, for the moment, Tanjirou and Nezuko will stick together. I don't necessarily have plans on making either evil, but anything can change.
Character Profile:
Tanjirou Kamado: Male, 14 years old.
Status: Alive, Demon
Height: 5'5" (165cm)
Weight: 135Ibs
Nezuko Kamado: Female, 13 years old.
Status: Alive, Demon
Height: 5'1" (155Ibs)
Weight: 115Ibs
Makomo: Female, 12 years old
Status: Dead, Human
Height: 5'1" (155Ibs)
Weight: 112Ibs
Sabito: Male, 14 years old.
Status: Dead, Human
Height: 5'5" (165cm)
Weight: 128Ibs
Abilities:
Tanjirou Kamado:
Demonic Physical State: Currently, is very limited due to consuming flesh being his only way of strengthening his body, which is something he hasn't done, yet. Even then, he is still stronger than many humans, with his most remarkable ability being his regeneration, both for his limbs and stamina. He is physically weak compared to other demons, and those who are around Tsuchinoe can defeat Tanjirou physically. Still, his regeneration allows him to be resilient. He gains more strength in his demonic form, but yet again is limited.
Two Breathing Styles: Tanjirou has learned two breathing styles: water breathing, and the Hinokami Kagura. Despite being highly efficient in the Hinokami Kagura, he doesn't want to use it out of fear that Nezuko feels inferior, but also because he feels he needs the experience to use it.
Nezuko Kamado:
Demonic Physical State: She is more akin to a typical demon's strength, making her more powerful than Tanjirou. Despite this, she doesn't use it much in favor of her blade. She prefers a blade because her brother is using one, and so she wants to be with her brother. Regardless, especially in her demonic form, her strength is potent.
Water Breathing: Nezuko is highly efficient in Water Breathing, more fluent and elegant than that Tanjirou. She also knows the eleventh form of water breathing, taught by Giyu Tomioka, unlike Tanjirou.