Chapter 25: Brother and Sister

Rozu: and there we go!

After a couple of minutes, Rozu had finally removed the last of the bandages off Kaoi's body as the doors open revealing a young boy with flame-colored hair holding a trey full of food.

Senjuro: How are you doing Kaoi?

Kaoi: Fine, Senjuro. Hmmm… That smells good.

Senjuro: I'm glad breakfast is to your liking.

Rozu then puts her arm around Senjuro. Startling the poor boy.

Rozu: Stop being so modest! You know that your cooking is always to our liking.

Senjuro: Hah! [Blushing] Rozu! Stop it! I'm holding breakfast!

Rozu: [chucles]

Kaoi: [chucles]

?: That smell,... breakfast is ready!

With a strong force, the doors were slammed wide open revealing a boisterous man with similar flame-colored hair as Senjuro. He wears a demon slayer uniform with gold buttons instead of the standard silver. His smiles immediately brighten up the room.

Kaoi: Rengoku-sama!

Rozu: Rengoku-san!

Senjuro: Elder brother!

Rengoku: [Laughter]

Time-skip

Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!

Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!

Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!

Kaoi/Rengoku: TASTY!

After one last declaration of their meal being tasty, both men slammed their bowls on the table.

Rozu: [sighs] How come you've lived with him longer but Kaoi is the one that pick up that habit, Senjuro?

Senjuro: [chuckles] I don't know. I guess that will become one of life's mysteries.

Kaoi: Like why haven't Rozu told you that-

A blushing Rozu clamps her hand over Kaoi's mouth.

Rozu: We have to do chores! We were waiting for you to finish breakfast, obviously. Come, Senjuro!

The young girl then grabs the arm of the boy to drag him out of the room.

Senjuro: [blushing] Rozu!

Kaoi: [Chuckles] Oh those two…

Rengoku: Ah, to be young and innocent!

Kaoi: You said it, Rengoku-sama.

Rengoku: Now with breakfast done. Meet me outside in thirty minutes, young Kaoi!

The Flame Hashira said as he gets up to leave.

Kaoi: I know the drill, Rengoku-sama.

Scene Change

The Hashira and his Tsuguko stand across from each other as they bow before raising their wooden swords. Kaoi dressed in his short sleeve uniform. Their crows standing on the roof to watch as their younger siblings stood in the middle. Rozu then raises her hand.

Rozu: Ready…

Kaoi's hand gripped the bokken sword tightly.

Rozu: Set…

Rengoku's hand had smoothly grasped his bokken sword.

Rozu: …Go!

Like that the two demon slayers went at each other at incredible speed! The sound of wood clashing littered the ears of everyone watching.

Kaoi makes a thrust at the Hashira, who deflects the bokken sword and then swings his vertically. However, Kaoi was able to recover and block the incoming blow.

After a brief struggle, the two split and then engage each other again as they move around the sandy floor.

[wood clashing]

But this bout did not last long as Rengoku broke Kaoi's bokken sword.

Rozu: Alright, you two! It's time to rest before you have to go tomorrow.

Kaoi: Okay.

Rengoku: I concur!

Scene Change

After the brief sparring session, the two demon slayers sit while their younger siblings complete their chores around the estate.

Rengoku: I'm glad to see how much you've improved since the last time we sparred. This just shows how much you've come in the last four years. I can still remember when we first started.

Kaoi: Yeah, I remember all the times you would knock me to the ground.

Rengoku: Now look at you, able to clash swords with me over 90 times before your weapon is broken.

Kaoi: I still can't believe you are able to count each time our swords hit.

Rengoku: It will be something you will be able to do in due time.

Kaoi: …Rengoku-sama, do you really think I'll be able to be at your level someday?

Rengoku: Of course not!

Kaoi: Huh?

Rengoku: I expect you to surpass my level! Young Kaoi, when I saw you four years ago, I saw someone of vast potential. I didn't choose you to be my tsuguko to replace me but to continue the mission of countless demon slayers before us.

Kaoi: I see.

Kaoi couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the sense of pride coming off Rengoku.

Kaoi: He really has high expectations.

Rengoku: You come a long way, young Kaoi. Both you and Rozu.

Kaoi then turns his head to look at his sister while she was doing the laundry.

Rengoku: The two of you have both become fine people.

The tsuguko's mouth turn into a smile as he heard this.

Kaoi: Yeah, I guess so.

Time-skip

In the orange hue of the evening sun, Rozu wipes the sweat off her forehead with a towel as Kaoi approaches her with cuts of melon.

Kaoi: Here you go, Rozu.

Rozu: Why thank you, brother.

Kaoi simply watches as Rozu consumes the juicy pieces of melon. Rozu notices and with a mouth full of melon asks

Rozu: What? Do I got something on my face?

Kaoi: No, nothing like that. It's just that Mother and Father would be proud of you if they could see you today.

Rozu: Mother? Father? Kaoi, what are you talking about?

Kaoi: Four years. Four years, Rozu since that night back at the village. I still think about what might have been if-

Rozu then places a hand on Kaoi's.

Rozu: I know. There hasn't been a day that I didn't think about them, too. But they would've wanted us to move on.

Kaoi: As they would've wanted you to tell Senjuro that you like him.

The blushing sister retaliates against her older brother by lightly slapping his arm. Speaking in between slaps.

Rozu: Would… You… Stop… That…

Kaoi: [Laughter]... Come on… You know it's true.

Rozu: Like you are in any position to give romance advice. Do you even thought about spending the rest of your life with another person.

At that last sentence, Kaoi suddenly gained a headache and visions of a short pink-haired woman.

Rozu: Kaoi?! Are you okay?

Kaoi: Yeah, I guess I was just thinking of someone.

Rozu: [Gasps] Who is it! Is it Mitsuri-chan?

Kaoi: No! You know Iguro-san would kill me if I ever thought of Mitsuri-senpai like that!

Rozu: Well then, who is it?

As Kaoi spoke his next sentences, the woman in his mind gave a smirk that while others would find smug. Kaoi found it somehow charming.

Kaoi: She's pretty standoffish so I don't know a whole lot about her. However, I know at the very least she's a good person who cares very much about the people close to her.

Rozu: She sounds like a kindhearted person.

Kaoi: Yeah, I guess she is.

Rozu: I guess that settles it.

Kaoi: Huh?

Rozu: If you can confess to this mystery girl and bring her here. Then I will consider telling Senjuro… I like him… that way…

Kaoi: [Chuckles] Okay Rozu, sorry for teasing you. It's just that I worry about you if something were to happen to me and Rengoku…

Rozu: Kaoi, I know the life of a demon slayer is very dangerous and I made peace long ago that you might never come back. I will still cry tears for you but I will never make you regret becoming one. You don't need to worry about me, Kaoi.

With each word, Kaoi can sense Rozu's worry but also her recognition of her brother's life.

Kaoi: Even when you living with him…

As Kaoi said that, the sibling can hear the footsteps of a certain man stumbling his way to the cellar to retrieve more sake.

Rozu: Him I can handle, so Koai…

Kaoi: Yes?

Rozu: You don't need to keep looking back anymore. Senjuro and I will be fine.

Kaoi: Okay, Rozu. I'll have faith that the two of you will do just fine.

Rozu: Thanks Kaoi.

As the sun sets the siblings embrace each other. Staying still for a moment for it may have been the last time or at least a long time for them to do so.

The Next Morning

As Kaoi walks to the dining room to eat breakfast. He came across Senjuro carrying a tray of food for a certain resident.

Senjuro: Good morning, Kaoi.

Kaoi: Good morning, Senjuro. Bringing breakfast to him I see…

Senjuro: Kaoi…

Kaoi: [sighs] I know, I just can't stand how he speaks to you. I know he has been through a lot but no father should ever speak to their child like that.

Senjuro: I'll keep that in mind.

Kaoi: …Look, I'll bring it to him. You just get started on today's chores with Rozu.

Senjuro: Really?! You'll really bring it to him?

Kaoi: I promise you. He'll get his breakfast today.

Senjuro: Hmmmm… Okay Kaoi, I'll trust you.

After handing Kaoi the trey of food, Senjuro makes his way to Rozu. Kaoi contemplated throwing the food away but sighs as he remembers his promise to Senjuro.

Kaoi: Even if he doesn't deserve it.

Kaoi kept his promise as he left the food outside the door of the former Hashira.

Time-Skip

Kaoi waves goodbye to his sister and friends as he makes his way to his next mission.

Kaoi: A train?

Teruo: The location of your next assignment is quite far. So you will have to take a train to be there efficiently! Caw! Caw!

The demon slayer now sits in an empty train car. That is until he felt someone come up behind him. Putting their head over his shoulder.

?: Well look at you. You had some time to confront your past. Tell me, what did that experience did for you, Kaoi?

Kaoi: …

[Shink!]

No words were said as Kaoi's blade went through the woman, now revealed to be Echidna. With the sword piercing through her skull her soft expression did not change. Instead, she simply snapped her fingers, and soon Kaoi's sword disappeared into light.

Echidna: Oh you naughty boy.

Kaoi: If anyone's naughty, it be you Echidna.

Echidna then moves to sit across from Kaoi. Where he notices that instead of her black dress, Echidna dons a black kimono.

Echidna: How so?

Kaoi: You erased my memories despite giving you my word to keep what happened at the tea party a secret.

Echidna: More like put your memories on hold. I just found it easier to meddle with them than to trust you to keep it a secret.

Kaoi: Whatever. So I'm guessing this is the Graveyard's trial.

Echidna: Correct! This world is a fabrication created from your memories. For the purpose of facing your past. So back to my question, what did you think?

Kaoi: …It's realistic and accurate I'll give you that but I can tell you that most of this was not a fabrication.

Echidna: [hums]

Kaoi: With the exception of a few details including the train ride. I remember that day clearly. It was the last day I saw everyone. I would come across Mitsuri-senpai later who told me about Rengoku-sama's upcoming mission and weeks later I would be transported here. Up until now, I wanted to go back so badly because I was worried about Rozu, but reliving that day made me realize that she's going to be okay.

Echidna: Well then you'll be glad to know that you've passed the first trial. I look forward to seeing how you handle the next question.

Kaoi: First? Wait! Do you mean there's more than one trial?

Echidna: There are three graveyard trials in total. You must pass all of them to set the Sanctuary free. I'm so glad I finally got to tell you this! Seeing you so surprised makes my heart leap.

Kaoi then notices everything around them starting to fade away.

Echidna: It's already starting to disappear. Soon you should find yourself back in the graveyard.

Kaoi: … Echidna…

Echidna: If you want to strike me again. It is your right, but I'm a girl. My face is—

Kaoi: Thank you.

Echidna: Huh?

Kaoi: Thank you for allowing me to see my sister's face again. To see all their faces again.

Echidna looked at Kaoi confused before smiling again.

Echidna: You are a very intriguing human. I just can't comprehend you. It actually frightens me.

Kaoi: Good.

With that Kaoi closes his eyes as the world completely fades.

Scene Change

The demon slayer slowly woke up on the floor of the graveyard.

Kaoi: [groans]

Soon he starts to get up.

Kaoi: What happened? Right! I took the trial.

His eyes suddenly snapped open as he remembers.

Kaoi: Emi!

Looking over to see the fallen half-elf. Kaoi goes to her, seeing that she is crying in her sleep.

Kaoi: Emi! Wake up!

Placing a hand on her immediately woke her up frightened. The demon slayer quickly lifts her upper body.

Kaoi: Emi! It's over. You can calm down.

Emilia: Kaoi? Right... I was undergoing the trial... and...

Kaoi: Emi?

The half-elf's teeth start to chatter and her pupils dilate.

Emilia: I-I'm... It wasn't me!

Kaoi: What?

Emilia: It wasn't! And yet... I keep telling you it wasn't me, and yet...

Kaoi: Emi! Breathe, Emi! Breathe!

Emilia: No! No! It wasn't me! No! Don't look at me like that! No! No! It wasn't me!

Kaoi: Emi!

Emilia: Father... Help me! Puck... Puck!

Like that we'll end this chapter. I wanted to cover more in this chapter but the Trial ended up taking up more pages than I expected.

On that note, what do you think of it? I didn't expect to write a nearly original chapter that didn't follow the episode.

Feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments. Otherwise have a good day!

Omake:

Back on the airship!

TokuJensen: Oh! Hello there! Been a while since you saw us. Things… went a bit crazy in the Twilight Realm and…

?: Wow this place could use a make-over.

A black and white imp comes into the frame. With bright orange hair and a strange stone mask that covers one of her eyes.

Midna: Oh! Are you talking to your audience?

TokuJensen: … and we picked up a stow-away.

Midna: Stow-away! I'll have you know that I'm the princess of the Twilight Realm! I just decided to grace your journey with my presence.

TokuJensen: So who is running your kingdom then? If you are busy "gracing our presence."

Midna: Don't worry, I left a good boy in charge.

A lone twilight wolfos sit on the twilight throne.

Good Boy: … Woof!

TokuJensen: Can't wait to see how that turns out. So while we figure out how to deal with her. Come back next time for Chapter 26 of Re: Slayer - The Game Begins

Midna: Where is Purple Pointy Ears?

TokuJensen: Oh crap!