Chapter 27: To the Swordsmiths' Village!
Notes: Named Shinobu's crow 'Niji' (虹), which means 'rainbow'. Don't ask me why. I have no answer to give you. Besides 'weirdly adorable'. The name was chosen way before I found that Uzui's crow is named Nijimaru (虹丸).
And so started Tanjirou's Rehabilitation training.
"Nghh. This sucks. Yeah, as expected, my stamina's not coming back." Tanjirou groaned as Naho-chan helped him stretch, "I can't stretch flat out~!" he bemoaned, "Oh, I know! Did I get a new katana while I was sleeping? I chipped my old one. And I think I lost my wakizashi as well…"
"Oh!" Naho-chan stopped, "Your swords? Well…" she didn't seem like she knew how to answer that, sweating, worried as if caught in mischief.
"Haganezuka-san sent some letters. W…would you like to see them?" Kiyo-chan asked with some trepidation, as she poured them all some tea.
He could pick up their hesitant scents.
"Yes…?" he wasn't sure he wanted to see, seeing their reactions.
Sumi-chan brought him a handful. He sat with Kiyo-chan and Sumi-chan at a small table, taking a break as Naho-chan brought some rice crackers to snack on.
"I HAVE NO SWORDS FOR YOU"
"HATE HATE HATE YOU CAN GO TO HELL I CURSE YOU"
"FUCK YOU FUCK YOU GO TO HELL FUCK YOU FUCK YOU"
Cold sweat ran down Tanjirou's spine.
'This…is not good… Yeah…'
"He hasn't sent any swords here for the last two months…" Kiyo-chan said, clearly worried and disturbed.
"Oh… Okay…" Tanjirou was depressed, "But I only chipped my katana this time! Maybe it's because I actually broke it last time? Oh, I did lose my wakizashi, didn't I?"
"But people often damage their swords, right…?" Sumi-chan wondered, "Maybe Haganezuka-san's the one who's being difficult here…"
"How about you head out to the swordsmiths' village?" Kiyo-chan suggested, "I think it would be best if you met him in person and talked things out."
"I'll ask Oyakata-sama if I can. But first, I need to visit my family." he said, standing up, "I haven't seen them in a long while."
"Shinobu-sama said you could, if we deemed you healthy enough to make the trip!" Naho-chan said, happily.
"My family lives thirty minutes away." Tanjirou deadpanned.
"Shinobu-sama's orders!" Kiyo-chan said.
"And your verdict?"
"You can go." Sumi-chan replied.
"Thank you." he smiled at them.
He got dressed and made his way to the Kamado Residence.
"I'm home!" he called.
It didn't take long for his siblings to swarm him and tackle him to the ground, crying in relief to see their elder brother well.
"Tanjirou-nii! We were so worried! Why did you have to get hurt like that?" Hanako cried, "Nobu-chan was so pale… She looked worse than after Natagumo!"
"She did?" he asked softly, worried, "I haven't seen her at all since I woke up."
"She is avoiding you." Nezuko said.
"How am I supposed to apologise, then?"
"Oh no, she isn't avoiding you because she is angry with you. She was scared for you."
"I still need to apologise. I promised her I would be more careful. And then I am in a coma for two months!" he said, "And I'll be leaving for the swordsmiths' village soon. Haganezuka-san isn't fixing or giving me new swords, so I am going to talk to him."
His siblings looked at each other.
"We'll help you find her." they promised.
"Thank you. Oh! Before I forget, I need to see Tamayo-san, too." he said, going to the basement.
He knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Yushirou asked.
"Ah, hello, Yushirou! Is Tamayo-san here?"
"Yes, come in, Tanjirou-san."
"Hello."
"How are you feeling?" Tamayo-san asked him.
"Very well. Your antidote worked wonders."
"I'm glad to know it worked." the demon doctor sighed in relief.
"Of course. Can you make some more, just in case, for future usage?" Tanjirou asked.
"I have enough blood to work on it, yes." Tamayo-san replied.
"Thank you." Tanjirou smiled and got up, "You'll have to excuse me, though. I need to prepare for a trip."
"Of course. Take care."
"Thank you."
"Brother! Come quickly! We found Nobu-chan!" Hanako called out.
Tanjirou ran. Her scent reached him long before he reached the yard.
"Hanako! Everyone! Please!" Shinobu's voice reached his ears.
"Shinobu!" he called, practically crashing into her, "I am so sorry!" he cried, "I made Shinobu-san worry again! I'm a horrible, horrible friend."
"N-no…! Tanjirou-kun! What are you even saying?"
"I was in a coma for two months! And I never saw you after I regained consciousness. Could you forgive me for not taking better care of myself? I want to be friends again."
Shinobu sighed.
"You'll always be my friend, Tanjirou. I am sorry we didn't meet during your rehabilitation. I was…scared." she said quietly.
"I promise, so long it's in my power, you won't lose me." he whispered.
"The girls said you'll be going to the swordsmiths' village?" she inquired after he let go and they sat down inside.
"Yes. Haganezuka-san is being stubborn, I think. It's just some maintenance." Tanjirou paused, "And a replacement." he added.
"He seemed an interesting person." she smiled.
"Haganezuka-san?" Takeo asked, with a smile, "Yeah, he is. When he first brought nii-san his swords, he sat down on the road and started explaining the ores used and the history of the swords, while Tanjirou begged him to just come inside first."
"Really?"
"He just sat down and started explaining. I was trying to offer him some tea and invite him inside, but it was like he wasn't even listening."
"The two times I saw him he was trying to kill Tanjirou."
"He is very passionate about his swords." Tanjirou defended him with a sheepish smile.
"Have you asked Oyakata-sama permission to go yet?" his father asked.
"Not yet. I was going to send Tennouji after visiting you and hoping to find Shinobu-san before the answer came."
"I asked him for you." Shinobu said.
Just then, Shinobu's crow landed on her shoulder.
"Caw! Permission for Kamado Tanjirou to travel to the Swordsmiths Village granted! Caw! A Kakushi will be sent shortly to guide him! Caw!"
"Ah, thank you very much, Niji." Tanjirou smiled, giving the crow a few seeds.
Not too long after, a voice could be heard from the door.
"Hello?"
"Ah, I am coming!" Tanjirou called out, "I'll see you all soon." he smiled.
A female Kakushi was waiting for him outside.
His family and Shinobu came out to see him off.
"Hello there. I will be your guide to the village, as per Oyakata-sama's gave his permission."
"Very nice to meet you." Tanjirou bowed his head, "I am Kamado Tanjirou. I hope we can get along."
"I can not give you my name, since I am serving as your guide, but it is very nice to meet you, too. Okay. Here."
She handed him a blindfold and earplugs.
"Thank you." he said, putting the blindfold on, "Is it okay if I put the earplugs a little later?" he asked.
"Yes. Also, here." she put a pair of noseplugs in his nose, "I heard you had a very good sense of smell, so these noseplugs are necessary."
He could hear his family behind him laugh.
He glanced back and smiled at them.
"Brother looks silly!" Rokuta laughed.
"A little more to the left, Tanjirou-kun." Shinobu chuckled.
"Let's go." the Kakushi said, helping Tanjirou on her back.
"Sorry, I am a little heavy." he said, apologetic.
"It's fine. I can manage."
They talked a little before he put the earplugs on. He thanked each Kakushi for their hard work, carrying him all the way to the village.
Suddenly he was set down and someone took the earplugs off.
"I'll take these off now." the Kakushi said, taking the blindfold and the noseplugs off.
"Wow." he looked around the village, "These buildings are amazing! And I know that smell! There's a hot spring nearby!"
"Yeah, there is one." the young Kakushi smiled, "There's a large house if you turn left here. Make sure you greet them first and foremost."
"Okay!"
"Well, I'll be taking my leave now." the Kakushi bowed.
Tanjirou bowed back.
"Thank you very much!" he said excitedly, his voice echoing.
He watched the Kakushi go and then he himself turned towards the path and to the house he had directed him towards.