The next day, surprisingly to the younger children, Tanjiro and Nezuko were still asleep when they woke up. Those two were normally early risers after all, getting up before all of them to help their parents. But now, they were still sleeping. Tanjuro easily placated them by explaining that they'd both worked very hard the day before after they all went to bed, and needed more rest today. More concerning to them, however, was the fact that their mother was still asleep. Tanjuro himself was concerned about this, as he didn't feel tired at all.
Upon discussion with Urokodaki, he'd discovered that Demons didn't need to sleep. They were immortal, and as long as they had human flesh and blood, they would get stronger. This just led to more confusion about both Kie's condition, and his own. Demons were supposed to be man-eating monsters, yet Tanjuro hadn't been the slightest bit hungry since becoming a Demon, and definitely not for human flesh. Then, there was Kie. If Demons didn't sleep, then what was this? Some kind of hibernation? He had no answers to give to his children, and tried to reassure them that everything would be fine.
It was his job as their father after all. After Breakfast, Urokodaki stood up from the table, "Tanjuro, come with me. You said that you wanted to learn how to use a Sword, didn't you?" he asked, holding one out to him. Tanjuro smiled and walked towards him, "let's see just what you can do with this 'Kagura' of yours" the older man ordered. The Demon stood up, "yes Sir!" he replied, hurrying out of the house after the masked former Demon Slayer. His children followed him, "can we come watch?" Shigeru asked excitedly. He was still too young to stay awake during the night to watch his Father's Kagura dance during New Years Eve. So this was a big opportunity for the 7-year-old.
"I see no reason why not. Nezuko, can you take care of Rokuta for a bit?" Tanjuro asked. The little girl in the pink hemp-leaf Kimono smiled and nodded, "sure" she replied softly, taking the two-year-old from her father. She cradled Rokuta gently, stroking her baby Brother's hair. Urokodaki handed him a Sword. "Alright now, this won't be the full dance, I'll just do it once and go through all the forms" Tanjuro said. And Tanjuro moved. The forms and breathing technique easier than ever, the Demon practically felt at one with the dance. Falling into the familiar rhythm, the Kamado Patriarch closed his eyes. He didn't even realise that bright flames were trailing his movements.
Tanjiro and Nezuko watched, more mesmerized than ever before, as their Father danced with flames under the sunlight. Finally, after performing all 12 forms Tanjuro stopped and relaxed his body. Then he opened his eyes. Only to be met with two amazed gazes and one masked one. "What're those looks for you guys?" he asked in confusion. "Tanjuro, were you aware that you had already developed a Blood Demon Art?" Urokodaki asked him. "No, what's that?" Tanjuro asked in confusion. "A Blood Demon Art is a Supernatural ability that Demons acquire over time. Usually though, only after consuming many humans" the masked man explained.
"Oh! So those flames are a Blood Demon Art? That's so cool!" Tanjiro said with a grin. "Didn't you use those when you fought Mom for a bit back home?" Nezuko asked. "Yes, I think so. Honestly, I was so focused on trying to calm her down and keep her from hurting you, that I wasn't really paying attention to myself" Tanjuro replied in thought. "But what I don't know, is how you got one so quickly, without even eating humans. It shouldn't be possible" Urokodaki said. After a moment of silence, the masked man sighed, "alright, try to find out what those flames can do, and I'll see about getting you a sword" he agreed.
"Yes Sir" Tanjuro replied in thought. He had an idea, and entered the house. He took the small knife from the fire pit that Urokodaki used for cutting small branches off the logs there and walked into the bedroom he shared with his Wife. Kie was still asleep, and he tried to shake off the worry building in his heart. He took out the knife and cut two small pieces of her hair off. He held his hand, hair flat on it, and ignited his flames. The hair burnt up in the flames. Then he walked back outside. "Dad? What are you doing?" Nezuko asked in confusion. "An experiment" he replied, as he held out the other lock of his Wife's hair.
As soon as it was touched by the sunlight, the strands burned up, exactly like the hair had when burnt by his Blood Demon Art. Tanjuro frowned, and went to find Urokodaki.
Ң
"Your Blood Demon Art is Solar Flames? Are you sure?" the older man asked. Tanjuro nodded, "yes Sir. I tested it on two pieces of my Wife's hair, one held in the sun, and one engulfed in my flames. Both pieces burnt in the same way." He explained. "I see. If that's the case, you may not need a Nicherin Sword at all" Urokodaki replied. "With all due respect Sir, I'd prefer to have one than to not. After all, I might not be able to use my Blood Demon Art all the time". Tanjuro said. "Hmm. True. Alright, I'll write a letter to the Master of the Corps, and see if he'll give you permission to become a Demon Slayer Tanjuro. After all, you're not a danger to humans" the Trainer replied.
(Timeskip)
6 months pass, and Tanjuro trains with his son, while Nezuko works on Water-Breathing. As he does, the Demon notices that some of the Kagura's movements aren't as good as they could be- an extra step here, a slash that's too wide to use practically. Wanting to make the Kagura a proper fighting Style, Tanjuro decides to change some of the movements, and take out a few others. Finally, the Kamado Patriarch decides that the forms are adapted well enough to start teaching Tanjiro. Meanwhile, Nezuko had mastered all of the 10 Water-Breathing Forms in record time, but found that they weren't as suited for her as she felt comfortable with.
So she started doing some adjusting of her own. Altering a form here to make it easier to use, altering a form there, so that it's less strenuous on her body. And as she does, Urokodaki begins to recognise the crude changes that the girl is making. It's not as refined, but there was no mistaking it. Those forms are the same as one of his old Students. A Student who went on to create her own Breathing style out of Water-Breathing, and would later become a Hashira. Nezuko has recreated Flower-Breathing all on her own, without any prior training or even knowing that the Style exists.
Making up his mind, Urokodaki began to write a letter to another former Hashira.
Ң
A couple of weeks later, a young woman is seen on the road to Urokodaki's house. Tanjuro and Tanjiro were continuing to work on the Hinokami Kagura together, when Tanjiro smelled someone new. He lowered his Sword, his Father turning to look at where his Oldest Son was as well. They saw a woman, who had long black hair and light purple eyes. She also wore a Civilian's Kimono and Haori. But despite the lack of a Nicherin Sword somehow, both Tanjuro and Tanjiro could tell how strong this woman was. Finally she stopped in front of them and bowed. "Good evening. My name is Kanae Kocho. I am here to speak with Mr Urokodaki" she said politely.
Just then, said man left his house and saw them, "Kanae. I'm glad to see you're doing well" he said as he walked up to them. The woman kept glancing at Tanjuro, but trying to focus on her conversation with the Older man. Urokodaki, of course, noticed this, "alright, let's all go inside" he suggested. Once they were inside the house, they found Shigeru and Hanako getting ready to go play outside. "Hey you two. Going out to play today?" Tanjuro called. His children nodded, "yep!" Shigeru cheered, "Hanako has agreed to go exploring with me!" he replied excitedly. "I just don't want you to get hurt Shigeru! I am your Older Sister after all!" Hanko replied.
"It's okay. You can go play together. But Shigeru, listen to your Older Sister, alright? Like her, I don't want either of you getting hurt" Tanjuro replied. "Okay Dad!" Shigeru said with a grin. The two children left the house, and the adults and Tanjiro sat down at the table. "Where's Nezuko? This matter concerns her after all" Urokodaki said. "Nezuko? How come?" Tanjiro asked in confusion. "I think she's brushing my Wife's hair right now. I'll just go get her" Tanjuro replied, standing up and leaving the room. Kanae's scent suddenly shifted, making Tanjiro look at her, "so Urokodaki. I never suspected you to have a Demon living with you" she said casually, making Tanjiro's heartbeat stutter.
"Two Demons actually. Both Kamado parents were turned. Their children were all out of the house that night, so they all survived the attack." Urokodaki replied. Kanae's face fell, "what an awful thing to happen. And yet, it was also a miracle. After all, both of them recognised their children and didn't attack them. You know, I've always wished to become friends with Demons. So this might just be the opportunity I've been waiting for" Kanae replied. Just then Tanjuro came back with his oldest daughter in hand. Kanae smiled at the little girl, "so, this is Nezuko Kamado, is it? The girl who pretty much replicated Flower-Breathing without any instruction?" she asked.
"Yes, this is my oldest daughter Nezuko." Tanjuro replied. The 11-year-old breathed through her shyness, and bowed, "hello Miss. My name is Nezuko Kamado, it's nice to meet you" she replied. "Awe, aren't you sweet. It's so nice to meet you too dear. My name is Kanae Kocho, and I'm the former Flower Hashira. If you don't know, the Hashira are the strongest Demon Slayers in the Corps. And, as the name suggests, I use Flower-Breathing, a style I created all on my own, branching off from Water-Breathing.
Mr Urokodaki here tells me that you have replicated Flower-Breathing all on your own. That is quite a feat. If you would like to, I would be glad to take you on, and you can even train with my youngest Sister. What do you think Nezuko?" she asked. Nezuko's eyes widened, and she struggled with words for a moment, "m-me? You want me? B-but why? I'm nothing special. I'm just a Charcoal Seller's daughter?" she asked. Tanjuro placed his hand on Nezuko's shoulder. She looked up at her Father, "it's okay. Ever since you've started training, you've been amazing Nezuko.
Both you and Tanjiro are stronger than you know. If you train under this girl, you will become strong enough to protect your younger Siblings, and help cure your Mother and I. But you have to believe in yourself so you can take that first step, okay?" Tanjuro asked. Nezuko looked down in thought. "If I go with you, can I come visit my family sometimes too?" she asked. "Of course Nezuko. You don't have to worry about that dear" Kanae replied. The black-haired Kamado gained a determined look on her face, "alright! Please train me Master!" Nezuko cried with a determination that could match her Older Brother.