ATTENTION: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING OF DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA OR DEVIL MAY CRY. ALL CREDIT BELONGS TO THE AUTHORS, CREATORS AND THEIR CORRESPONDING PARTNERS!
A Demon's Cry
[(1)]
Tanjiro Kamado. Anyone could describe him as an ideal adolescent kid. A young boy blessed with an incredible sense of smell, opening the gateway for talent. Born into a beloved family, Tanjiro was quite the popular visitor in his village. Venturing in often to get supplies acquainted him with the locals as a family of their own. Most importantly, Tanjiro held others above himself no matter the circumstance.
That was the reason for this trip to the village.
"Tanjiro!" A female's soft voice called out.
The scarred brunette turned towards his mother, surprised.
"Your face is covered in soot. Come over here." Kneeling down in front of her son, she brought a wet napkin to his face to gently rub away the charcoal ash. "It's dangerous in all this snow. You don't have to go, you know."
"Well, I want everyone to eat their fill on New Years. So, I'm going to sell as much charcoal as I can!" He proclaimed. The relaxed expression on his mother's face encouraged him to return the smile.
"Big Bro!"
"You're going into town again?"
"I'm going with you!"
"Eh?"
The sudden entry of his other siblings turned Tanjiro's attention towards them. Quickly, their mother intervened, shutting down their ambitions to follow their brother and leave the homestead. "Oh no you're not. You can't walk fast like Tanjiro."
"Mom!" The younger brother bickered.
Not stepping down, their mother waved her finger and closed the distance between those two. "Because he can't use the cart today, Tanjiro won't be able to give you a ride when you're tired.
Despite the begging and pleading from his younger brother and sister, Tanjiro just smiled. His hand landed on their heads, patting them gently. "Thanks Hanako." He comforted his sister. "But you're staying home with Shigeru. But I'll bring you tons of goodies, okay? Promise!" His siblings' collective giggling was a reassuring boost in motivation.
"Thank you, Tanjiro." His mother briefly nodded her head.
"And Takeo." Tanjiro called. "Chop as much wood as you can! We're all counting on it!"
The sibling resembling Tanjiro the most just pouted. Accepting the words from his sibling, he kept his cheeks puffed until departure. "Sure, but I was waiting to do it with you."
"There there" Tanjiro smiled through patting his brother's head, getting a flustered reaction from him. With the rest of the family calling out Takeo, he continued to pat him more. Laughter erupted among the siblings, attracting a young girl wearing a pink kimono. On her back was a young toddler, sound asleep.
"Big Bro!" She called.
"Hey Nezuko!" Tanjiro approached her amid his route towards town.
Nezuko smiled, "I was putting Rokuta down for a nap, or else he'd make a scene when you leave. "He misses dad a lot after he disappeared. And everyone follows you wherever you go."
Tanjiro instinctually began to pat Rokuta's sleeping head.
"You're going to wear that out again?" Nezuko asked. She cocked an eyebrow, eyes falling on the silver chain around Tanjiro's neck.
Turning away from the rest of his family, he pulled on the chain, retrieving a beautiful pink amulet from under his cloth. After staring at his own reflection in the amulet, Tanjiro lightly sighed with a smile. "Ah, I just think today would be a good day to wear it in the village. I usually wear it around the homestead, but I think the other villagers will like it."
"Just don't lose it!" Nezuko warned. "That's the last thing dad left behind. If you lose it, we'll never forgive you."
"I know, I know. I promise I'll return with it. As for now, I'm off!" Tanjiro waved off his family, descending down the snowy mountain and towards the village. Looking back one last time, he smiled at his waving family. This New Year was surely going to be the greatest! All he had to do was return with an empty charcoal sack and pockets worth of money! Simple, right? Let's see what the village has to behold.
His life was never easy, yet Tanjiro and his family remained happy. Life could always change suddenly like the weather. But, it shifts and moves on. It isn't always sunny. At the same time, it isn't an endless snowstorm. Life was dynamic! On top of that, whenever happiness is destroyed…
… there is always the scent of blood.
"Well now Tanjiro! I can't believe you came down from the mountains on a day like this! You truly are a hard worker!" A villager called out to the newly arriving boy. "You might catch a cold, you know?"
"That's alright! By any chance, did you need any charcoal?" He asked the woman.
"Hey Tanjiro! Can I get some charcoal!"
A distant voice rang out not far from his current position. This wasn't the first instance. More followed soon.
"Tanjiro! Can I get some as well?"
"Thanks for fixing my sliding door the other day! I'd like a few pieces of charcoal!"
"Woah, that's an awesome necklace, Tanijiro! When you get the chance, a few pieces of charcoal please!"
A smile crawled from ear to ear as the town began to liven up with hungry customers; all for charcoal! Oh yeah, it was all coming together now. This truly was going to be the best new year!
"Tanjiro!" A battered teen stumbled out of his house with a bloody nose. Behind him was an older woman wearing a disturbed expression. The boy gripped onto the scarred brunette's kimono with haste. "Oh man! Perfect timing! You gotta help me! I was accused of breaking this plate! Please! Sniff it!"
Sniff Sniff
"I smell a cat."
Smell. While many see this sense of a blessing or a curse, Tanjiro used it as an asset! His sense of smell could be described as incredible or even that above human capabilities.
"Oh my, so it was a cat." The woman calmed herself. Seems it wasn't this boy who caused such damage to her antiques.
"Hey, Tanjiro! Can you help me out with this luggage?" Another townsfolk called.
"Jeez, it's late already."
Tanjiro huffed, walking along the snow-covered path in the dark. Since he was running around town helping out anyone he could, time seemed to skip the mind of the boy. The result? Returning home in the dead of the night. It wasn't all bad though. The charcoal had left him with an empty inventory and pockets loaded. On top of the compliments on his amulet, being sold out was quite the morale booster. Tanjiro felt as if he could take on the world itself with his energy.
"Hey Tanjiro!" A voice called out. Looking toward the right, he spotted a house with an open window. A man was calling out his name. "Are you headed back to the mountains tonight? It's too dangerous. I wouldn't if I were you."
"Ah, it's alright!" He reassured the older man. "I've got a great sense of smell so I'll be fine!"
The villager wasn't taking no for an answer. He even went as far as to command Tanjiro to not argue. But, in return he offered to feed and shelter the boy for the night. Despite these offers, Tanjiro was just fueled to go back home. It was something the stranger said which willed him inside.
"Come inside! ...before the demons come out."
Warm, hot udon. What a relaxing transition from the merciless cold weather. If food wasn't the greatest thing a human can consume, then what was? A hot meal was the perfect way to end off such a nice and efficient day! Placing down his bowl and chopsticks gracefully, Tanjiro smiled towards the villagers who took him in. "Thanks for the meal!"
But then that word crossed his mind again.
DEMONS.
They were always a vast thing in this region of the world. Yet, Tanjiro only knew so much about them. It wasn't like he was going to go out of his way to study them! No need. But as they say, curiosity killed the cat.
"Grandad Saburo." Tanjiro addressed the older man. "What are demons like?"
The elder retrieved a futon and pillow to provide for Tanjiro. He began to recite an answer as if practiced a hundred times. "Man-eating demons have always prowled the land after dark. That's why you should never stroll around at night. If you're done eating, go to bed. You can set off after first light."
'Man-eating demons. That sounds terrifying. But, I feel like there must be more. Is there?' Tanjiro thought while climbing into his futon. After staring at the ceiling for a moment more, he broke the silence. "These demons wouldn't come inside your house, would they? Are there more kinds of demons?"
"Yes, they'd come in." Elder Saburo responded. "There are different kinds of demons. Ones who have been around since the beginning. Some who have done more than man-eating."
But that didn't make sense! How was he and his entire village still alive and well? "I mean, then everyone would get eaten up by the demons. Demons that have done more?"
The elder rolled his neck. "That's why we have the demon hunters protect us by slaying them. Since way back when. Some people fear demons as they do nothing but kill. But, there are a select few who are worshiped for aiding humanity. Few who's name stains the passing of time. Now, lights out! Go to sleep."
It made sense why old man Saburo was a bit of a grouch. Despite his caring heart, he bears the weight of losing his whole family. The result was loneliness. Tanjiro considered bringing his brothers and sisters to visit him. Maybe next time. Maybe they can tell him that he doesn't have to be scared; that there are no demons and that he's safe. But that did ring the question. There were demons who were worshiped? Aided humanity? Which demon would aid humanity? Did such a thing exist?
These thoughts swirled around Tanjiro as he slowly drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, light shined through the window to remind Tanjiro of his next quest to return home. After a quick breakfast and redressing, the scarred brunette was sent on his way back up the mountains. His ascension started calm and collective. There was no need to rush. He would be ready to show his family the empty carrier and a pocket full of assets! Hell, he can even show Nezuko that the amulet was still around his neck! Seeing it as a build up to an 'In your face' moment, Tanjiro held together his composure as best as possible.
Whenever happiness was destroyed, there always was the smell of…
…BLOOD.
Stabbing into his nostrils like blades, Tanjiro became struck with a sinking feeling. Bloodscent overpowered his senses and swelled in his mind. That wasn't good. None of this was good! He had to get home! Fast!
Tanjiro ran up the mountain, pushing his physical prowess to the very limits.
Arriving at his homestead, the smell of blood iron was overpowering. Despite such a heavy presence on the property, it was quiet as a mouse. Heavy breathing and eyes watering, Tanjiro's eyes fell upon Nezuko and his youngest brother. They remained still, lying in a pool of their own blood.
"U-Uuuaaaaaaghhh!" Tanjiro shrieked, rushing over to their lifeless corpses. "N-Nezuko! What happened?! What's going on?! What happened here-?!"
Step.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Glancing towards the sounds of distant footsteps, Tanjiro followed the noise and bloodtrail towards the inside of his home. The doors remained blown open; forced entry. Standing near a distraught Tanjiro remained a tall figure, concealing its face. Yet, Tanjiro noted his outfit. The stranger's long, blue coat bore three separated coattails. A white, serpentine pattern ran around the collar, with a snake's head hanging over the coat's left shoulder, and its tail slinking down the right, all the way to the bottom of the coat. It matched their white slicked-back hair and fairly pale skin. "W-Who are you?"
Once the stranger turned to face Tanjiro, the boy's eyes landed from the man's blue eyes, down to his navy ascot and finally to the giant sword at his hip. It was a fairly long katana. Longer than any he had ever seen.
Then he saw them.
"Mom… Hanako…" The lack of air made Tanjiro buckle to the floor on his knees. "Takeo… Shigeru… Nezuko… Rokuta…" Looking back up to the man standing between them, Tanjiro whaled out in emotional agony.
"WHO ARE YOU?!"
He didn't smell like everyone else. There was a lack of a scent. Tanjiro couldn't put his finger on it. Not while he was whaling over his family's death. Worst of all? He could only assume it was done by this stranger. Tanjiro cowered as the taller man approached him with emotionless eyes.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Step.
This stranger scanned the youngster, immediately spotting the amulet on his chest. That one! The amulet that freed itself from Tanjiro's running and bouncing about. 'What is this?' They thought. Reaching out towards the traumatized boy, he only met resistance once Tanjiro tried to run. "How curious, but taking this from you has no meaning. There is always a time and place. This isn't it."
The scarred brunette quickly bolted from his home, falling to Nezuko's side. The girl had begun breathing again! There was a chance! There was a chance she could be saved! She just needed to get to a doctor! But what about the stranger? What was he doing?
Just as Tanjiro hoisted Nezuko onto his back, he didn't look back. Tanjiro began to run. He ran down the mountain as fast as his legs could take him. The cold breeze and falling snow only made the descent more unforgiving. Yet, that didn't stop him! He needed to save Nezuko! She was still warm! Her breathing had restarted! There was a chance she could live!
'Why? Why the hell did all this happen?! Why did that man do that?! Why them?! Who was he?! I- I can't breathe! The air is so icy, my lungs are hurting!' The winter continued to brutalize Tanjiro as he ran down the mountain. 'Keep moving forward! Move your legs faster! We still have a long way to go before reaching town! Hurry!
"I won't let you die! I'll save you no matter what!" Tanjiro kept pressing on despite the hellish winter. His focus was so tunnel visioned that he didn't even notice Nezuko's hand begin to twitch. He didn't even notice her start to rise. "I swear! Your big brother will save you no matter what!"
"rrrrrrrrRRRAAAUUUUUGH!"
Nezuko's teeth sharpened, her eyes blank as snow. Her movements became violent, grabbing Tanjiro's shoulders and shaking him with vigor! The shaking became worse and worse until Nezuko redirected them off the side of the mountain. "Whaaa!"
BOOF!
Falling to earth, dead smack into the snow, Tanjiro faced the sky with the wind knocked out of him. The snow softened the landing, preventing any serious injury. Yet, it was also the reason he believed he slipped. "N-Nezuko? Nezuko!" He called out. Looking side to side, Tanjiro spotted her maybe 20 feet ahead of him.
Nezuko rose to her feet, taking one step in front of the other.
"Nezuko! Are you alright?! Please! You don't have to walk!" Tanjiro pleaded, quickly closing the distance between them. "Quickly! I'll carry you to town! Okay?! Nezuko!"
Something was off. No. Something was terribly wrong.
Veins popped out the sides of her head. Nezuko's pupils shrink, possessing a monstrous glare. The girl suddenly lunged at her brother with sharp fangs.
CHOMP!
CHOMP!
Missing both attempts to rip into his flesh, Nezuko was pushed back by Tanjiro. When she went in for a third bite attempt, her teeth clamped down on the handle of his ax.
Had it not been for quick thinking, Tanjiro's end would have been right then and there. It still wasn't over. With a few more roars and growls, Tanjiro found himself forced to the ground by the newly created demon, Nezuko. 'She- She's a demon! I remember what old man Saburo told me. Nezuko is a man-eating demon? No! Impossible! She's been a human ever since she was born! But, her scent is gone. This whole thing wasn't her doing! She was lying there, protecting Rokuta from that man! There was no blood on her mouth or hands. But there was a third scent! A scent that wasn't like that man! What was he doing there?!'
Amid all his thinking, Nezuko began to grow in size. Her strength increased as well, keeping Tanjiro pinned down to the ground. Any chance of throwing her off and freeing himself was tossed away. Not in these circumstances.
'While I carelessly slept at Saburo's house, my family was brutally murdered without a hint of remorse!' Tanjiro felt himself begin to cry. "It must have hurt, didn't it? I know you suffered. I'm so sorry I couldn't save you.." If only he could help Nezuko, but her demonic strength was pushing back on him! "Nezuko! Hang in there Nezuko! Don't give in! You gotta hang in there!"
Pleading with watery eyes, Tanjiro kept yelling.
"Don't turn into a demon! You gotta stay strong! Hang in there! Hang in there!" Tanjiro gasped once a liquid hit his face. A teardrop. And then another. And another. A river of tears poured from Nezuko's eyes.
"Nezuko?"
"Jackpot!"
BOOBOO-BOOM!
Nezuko quickly grabbed her brother before they were both sent tumbling across the snow in a sudden shockwave. They stopped rolling once they hit a tree, the siblings holding each other tightly. 'What the-? What the hell is happening?' With Nezuko returning to normal size, Tanjiro was able to hold her and her now bloodsoaked Kimono. "E-EH?!"
Nezuko bled from multiple holes in her back and missing a chunk of her neck and shoulder. The cracks he heard before sounded like rolling thunder. The smell was stronger than the blood. It was heavy and brittle. Similar to burnt charcoal, but more of a fiery punch to it. Firecrackers. Fireworks.
Gunpowder.
Getting a good look at this new stranger, Tanjiro let out a gasp. It was a familiar scent. Or, a familiar lack of a scent; just like the one he encountered moments ago. What put him more on edge was the resemblance in facial structure and hair. That glacier-white hair. The new stranger wore the opposite of what the previous being sported. Instead of blue, this man's trench coat was red. Rather than slicked-back hair, he wore his own hair down to his shoulders.
'Who is this person? He resembles the stranger with the sword! W-What are those in his hands? Firearms?!' Tanjiro read the gold plating on the sides of one of the pistols. The three words?
Ebony and Ivory
With a black turtleneck to compliment his biker gloves, the stranger held fast to both his heavy caliber pistols. "Guess Krampus came late this year. Were you a naughty boy?"
"E-Excuse me?" Tanjiro remained confused at the stranger's carefree attitude.
"Look, I know how you kids get with your gifts but trust me, you don't want that one. Welcome to customer service, let's make a return. " The white-haired hunter kept his gaze trained on Tanjiro and Nezuko.
"She's not a gift! She's my sister! My younger sister!" Tanjiro pleaded. "Please don't shoot!"
His eyes slightly widened. Now this was a tough situation. If Dante knew himself best, it was that these kinds of situations required a very delicate approach. 'Alright, maybe the kid's gone absolutely crazy bonkers! Or maybe he's just following his heart. But there's a job that needs to get done and bills to be paid.' "She's your sister? Yikes. Giving 'devil-child' a whole new meaning."
Nezuko's kept fidgeting around while roaring endlessly. Her gaze fired from the landscape, to Tanjiro, to Dante and back to the landscape. It wasn't convincing the devil-hunter. "Nezuko! Nezuko!"
"She seems like she's fun at parties. Here, lemme help!" With a single step, Dante disappeared.
Tanjiro suddenly felt Nezuko absent from his grasp. He quickly looked around for his sister until he spotted her in the white-haired stranger's grasp. Nezuko kept growling, attempting to break out of his grip. All her attempts were meaningless as Dante held her like a human to their pet chihuahua. "Nezuko!" Rising to confront the man, Tanjiro's boldness was oddly commended.
~Sigh~ "Listen, kid, don't take this personally. My job here is to slay these nasty critters. Sister or not, they're a real threat, ya know?" Dante shook Nezuko around a bit, seeing if that would stop her growling. Her struggling continued as previously, along with her growling. "Someone's grumpy."
"I know they are! But hold on! Nezuko hasn't killed anyone!" Tanjiro pleaded.
"How long has she been a demon?"
"S-She just turned into one a moment ago!"
"Rough." Dante shrugged. "Alright then. If she's your little sister, why don't you tell me how the little lady ended up like this. If you can give me a creative enough story, I'll turn her over to you. No strings."
"Back at my house there was a scent I've never smelled before! A scent that was different from yours!" Tanjiro was quick to inform the devil-hunter.
Dante raised his arms and got two quick sniffs of his own armpits. "Gimme a break. Tell ya what. Next time I'll try and wear some cologne, okay?"
Tanjiro remained frozen. How could this stranger keep playing this whole thing off like it was nothing? Why were they busy cracking jokes while holding their firearm to the back of Nezuko's head?! "That's not what I meant! Please! Wait! There was a man with a large sword! He's probably the one who did it! But his smell was also lacking- like you! I mean- It wasn't Nezuko!"
"Cut to the chase, will you?" Dante lightly groaned. Now this is starting to get old.
"I Don't know why she was turned into a demon- but-" He felt as if this devil-hunter wasn't paying attention at all. The yawn from Dante confirmed his suspicions. 'Does- does he not care?'
"Well, that happened because your little sister's wounds got mixed up with some demon blood. That's how they multiply, kid; contrary to the ole mommy demon daddy demon rumor." Ignoring Nezuko's struggling, Dante did pay good mind and time towards Tanjiro.
Something was keeping him from pulling the trigger immediately.
"Nezuko would never eat anyone!" Tanjiro beckoned.
"Really?" Dante cocked a brow. "Cause it kinda looked like you were about to be her first and last meal."
"You're wrong! She surely knows who I am! I promise, I won't let her hurt anyone! I'm going to turn Nezuko back into a human!" The scarred brunette declared. "I swear! I'll heal her."
~Sigh~
"Give it up already! Are you blind, deaf or dumb? Dr Dante thinks it may be all three." Dante lowered his gun, Ebony, from Nezuko's head, letting it rest at his side. Taking a deep breath, the hunter's voice was far lower than it was before. "Kid, there's no healing her. I'd give her back to you and let you spend some quality sibling time together, but it would be the last moment of your life. Then hers. I'm sorry about your family. If you want, I can take you to a doctor once this is done, free of charge."
"Once what is done?" Tanjiro remained shaken in his voice. Maybe he was getting through to the hunter. All he needed was for them to release Nezuko.
'This kid lost his whole family like that and he's still sane? Well, regarding us arguing over a literal demon, that's up for debate. But do I really wanna be the one who traumatizes him again?' After another sigh, Dante shook his head. "Once I put your sister down for a nap. Cranky girl is begging for one.."
Click!
"No! Stop!" He squealed once the hammer was pulled back on the gun. "I'll find a way! I swear! I'll cure her! I'll hunt down the man who slaughtered my family! I'll make everything alright! Please! Please! Don't do it!"
Plop!
"Don't take everything away from me!"
Dante's eyes shot open. He tensed up with a frozen glare towards Tanjiro. It was the reflective glare in the snow that caused him to halt his actions. Curiosity drew over Dante as he mustered the courage to speak. "Hey, where'd you get that necklace?"
This whole situation was messed up. Dante was being pleaded with not to execute a demon. A young powerless boy had nothing left to cling onto life but his sister. That sister was a demon. Dante knew he didn't have the heart to rob this boy of everything. 'Hey kid. Please don't cry. I know it's devastating. It's hard. But at least get up. Quit groveling man, you're making the wind cut onions up in here.' But his focus shifted to the necklace. A pendant identical to Dante's.
"I- I don't know. My father always had it. He gave it to us. He was close friends with another swordsman who said it was a gift of their friendship. I barely remember the man's name. But we held onto it ever since dad went missing. I never saw his friend either." Rising from the ground, Tanjiro witnessed Dante lower his weapon again.
…
…
"Heh. Hold that thought for a Second."
CLANG!
Drawing his sword and swinging behind him, Dante blocked an ambush attack from an incoming swordsman. Tanjiro didn't even see or hear him until the white-haired hunter stopped the attack. As a result, Nezuko was released and tossed into the snow to avoid the sudden danger. Dante then back flipped onto a tree branch, gazing at the new arrival. "Well, well. I thought I'd recognize that weirdly patterned kimono anywhere. Grandma must be really happy you're wearing it."
Giyu Tomioka landed across from Dante, sporting his casual, expressionless face. Not even a playful bit of banter revived his dead eyes. Great. Not only did he have to haul himself all the way to the mountains, but of all the people he had to run into on a job it was HIM. "What's taking you so long, Dante? Did you come out here to fool around?"
"Grrrrrrrrr..."
"Not this time, I'm afraid. You know I went private. Got a job out here doing a little lost and found. Seems I got sidetracked. Found a young man protecting his sister, that's all." Dante shrugged.
"Rrrrrraaaaaaaugh!"
"His sister, who is a demon? And you let her go! You idiot! Now she's slaughtered her brother! You gave a damn opportunity for the enemy to kill more people?!" Giyu fired his harsh outburst right towards Dante. It seems by the shocked expression on his face, he was equally aware that he messed up. The blame landed on both hunters as they mistakenly took their attention off the newly-transformed demon. Giyu hitched his breath at the sight before him. Dante equally couldn't believe his eyes.
"Well I'll be damned…"
To
Be
Continued...
Don't kill me guys. I know. I got into demon slayer recently. I have also been a huge fan of Devil May Cry. I just don't really open up about it. Anyways, I know I have like 5 active stories. I swear in time I will update for all of them! Life is busy and I am getting back into writing! I really am. I love it. With all the new content I'm coming across I owe a lot of chapter updates. Of course Heaven's Shining Diamond will get one. Unlimited Stand Works. And soon Excommunicado Voyuer with the new release of the fourth John Wick movie in the franchise. Lots of good things!
But lets get into the details.
The story sets place in WW1 Era Japan where we run into our main protagonist, Tanjiro and his lovely totally going to blossom and grow Family. After disaster strikes, Tanjiro meets a new set of interesting characters that will mold and shape his journey. This meshes in with the storyline of Devil May Cry 3 which should also line up well with the events of Demon Slayer.
I hope to see you all and that your likes, follows and reviews will keep me... motivated.