Life At The Estate
Hello everyone and welcome to the latest chapter of The Heart Of The Asura! Things are slowing down a bit for this chapter but that doesn't mean some fun isn't in store. And speaking of fun, check out what we got going on this week on my Pat reon along with scene samples and even exclusives! Let me tell you, it's one nice thing to have on a Monday. But I digress, so, since we've no guest review questions this week, on to the story!
Nighttime: The Butterfly Estate
"Ha, that feels a lot better," Ozaki sank down into the warm waters of the bath, "To think it's been so long since I got to rest in a hot spring." She'd stopped by earlier in the day to check on everyone and see if they were alright. Since she'd arrived in the evening Shinobu had offered for her to stay the night and get to traveling to her next mission tomorrow. Obviously she'd accepted.
"I never saw the appeal," Susamaru shrugged from her own position in the hot spring, "whenever I needed a bath I just changed into a human form, snuck in, and then cleaned myself up for a couple minutes before leaving."
"Then you should stay longer this time," Mitsuri suggested happily while getting up in her face, "a nice soak can restore all kinds of positive energy, your mood might even change!" The pink-haired girl had taken a mission which wound up putting her close to Shinobu's district, so she'd also stopped by for a quick bath. The demon girls had recently learned the title of all the hashiras and Mitsuri Kanroji's personality certainly lent to her title of the Love Hashira.
"My personality is fine," the Temari Demon frowned, "I'm a tomboy and I'm not apologizing for it."
"I still think you should consider staying a little longer," Gimiko suggested, "I've only been able to wash up in the mountain rivers for the last few years so this is the first time I've been in a hot spring in a very long time."
"Oh, you've only been washing up in mountain rivers," Shinobu cooed from behind the demon girl while feeling her long white hair, "then we'll have to work hard to make this hair of yours nice and silky." The spider girl felt a chill go down her spine from the way she said that despite being in a hot spring.
"Oh, let me do your hair, Susamaru," Mitsuri requested happily.
"Sure, fine, just don't press those gigantic things into my back," she grunted.
"Jealous," Ozaki snickered.
"Why would I be jealous," Susamaru put her hands on her hips while sticking out her chest, "I'm a shapeshifter, I could make these things bigger if I wanted." Not that she was small by any means. Even with her tomboyish attitude no one would mistake her for a boy.
"Do you not because it draws too much attention," Gimiko asked, glancing down at her own modest chest while the Insect Hashira worked on her hair. She too could change her appearance but had found being cute surprisingly useful for several situations.
"Draws too many idiots," the Temari Demon huffed, "then I have to start punching them and that made my job harder when I needed to go after someone specific."
"You should really learn a bit about the subtle art of manipulation," Shinobu giggled slightly while pushing up her own surprisingly large chest, "you'd be amazed how easy it is to misdirect them with the right words and actions."
"You can teach Gimiko if you want but that sort of stuff isn't for me," Susamaru crossed her arms, "I like my way of doings things and I-fuckin' A! How big are those things?!" Despite her best efforts Kanroji had wound up pushing her chest into the demon girl's back.
"Oh, sorry," she laughed, "I have to eat a lot to maintain my strength but some of it seems to go to my chest. The ones who gave me my uniform said it had to be specially modified because of how large my breasts are."
"How many times have I told you those perverts are lying to you," Shinobu frowned, "There's a reason I burned my uniform."
"Aren't our uniforms supposed to be fire resistant," Ozaki tilted her head in confusion.
"Never underestimate the power of an angry woman," the Insect Hashira smiled, "I'm certain you'll surprise yourself one day when you get angry."
"For some reason the uniform fitters at the police station always seemed angry when I came around," Honoka spoke up, "I never figured out why." The entire group stared at the tall woman and found that it wasn't a mystery at all. More than likely they hated having to size a uniform to accommodate for the two massive round melons that had found perch on her chest.
"Damn, woman," Susamaru voiced the thought of most of the girls there. Kanao found herself briefly glancing down at her own medium-sized chest. 'Are breasts really that important,' she pondered. Aoi would have to deal with a couple of odd questions from her later that evening.
"Perhaps they simply aren't used to fitting a uniform for someone of your height," Gimiko politely suggested.
"You think so," the policewoman stood up higher and turned around while looking at her body, "I'll admit I am a little on the tall side." Unbeknownst to her, she'd just revealed her behind was also pleasantly plump which gave her hips quite a nice shape.
"On the shapely side is more like it," Ozaki remarked, voicing the thought on most of the girl's minds, "what did your parents feed you when you were growing up?"
"Oh, I grew up in the mountains, so it was a high protein diet," Honoka laughed while rubbing the back of her head, causing her tremendous mounds to bounce and sway. The group watched them move like cats watching a light on the wall. Nezuko took this moment to pop out of the water, having been submerged for the last minute or so. Upon seeing the standing policewoman and her bountiful assets, she quickly mumbled several words in surprise.
"Yeah, Nezuko, I get it," Susamaru and the others all looked down at their chests, "some people just got all the luck."
The Next Night
"What in the world happened to you guys," Susamaru asked while looking at Tanjiro and Inosuke in their beds. It had taken some time and convincing but the demon girls were gradually being allowed more freedom to wander around the mansion at night. For obvious reasons the trio couldn't go out during the day but it had been a question for a bit if it was safe to let them out at night. Susamaru and Gimiko probably had Nezuko being cute to thank for them being allowed to leave the room at all.
She'd given Aoi the sad eyes when she tried saying only Tanjiro's sister would be allowed to wander at night. Now that they had freedom to wander around, though, Susamaru was starting to wonder if they were in some kind of madhouse. "We've been doing something called Rehabilitation Training," Tanjiro answered weakly from beneath the covers of his medical bed, "it's….. somewhat painful."
"No kidding," the Temari Demon shook her head, "you look like you're getting worse and not better." She based this on his current haggard appearance and obvious exhaustion.
"Do you think you could still introduce me," Gimiko asked, "I've not actually met these other two boys."
"I'm Inosuke Hashibira," the boar boy groaned from beneath his covers, "don't mind me."
"And I'm Zenitsu Agatsuma," he was suddenly in front of the spider girl with a goofy smile, "it's really nice to meet you!" He was also holding her hands, but it was awkward because his sleeves were covering his own hands.
"Oh, you encountered Elder Brother," Gimiko noted, "I'm amazed someone was able to find an anti-venom for his Blood Demon Art."
"Wait, you're related to that giant spider," a 'huh' expression crossed Zenitsu's face as his smile turned nervous.
"Not by blood," she informed, "I don't know if Tanjiro told you but all of us were invited into what Rui called a 'family'. I was the eldest sister. I've no idea why but I've retained the spider features and powers even though he's been defeated."
"Wait, so you aren't wearing a ton of makeup," the blond asked as his smile fell.
"Nope," Gimiko gave a closed-eye smile, "I'm a demon just like Susamaru."
"Tanjiroooooo," Zenitsu's head slowly turned to his friend before he yelled out, "you let the sister of the thing that nearly turned me into a spider in here?!"
"Gimiko wasn't allowed to leave once she joined Rui," he explained weakly, "he tormented them and forced them into certain roles. Now that he's gone, Gimiko's promised to help us."
"But how do you know she isn't working for Muzan or something like that," the blond questioned.
"I couldn't say Muzan's name if I was still under his control," the spider girl revealed, "I don't know how but I've been freed thanks to Susamaru."
"Thanks again for asking before taking a bite," the Temari Demon rolled her eyes.
"Sorry," Gimiko gave an apologetic smile, "I thought you might say no."
"Well how about this, if the mood ever strikes me I'll bite a chunk out of your ass," the demon girl remarked.
"Will you tell me before you do," the spider girl laughed nervously.
"Maybe I will and maybe I won't," Susamaru grinned evilly.
"Please try to get along," Tanjiro groaned, "this is basically your home now."
"I was just teasing," the Temari Demon shrugged, "you've got nothing to worry about from us."
"Yes, and it's very nice to meet both of you," Gimiko bowed, "I wish you a speedy recovery."
"Okay," Zenitsu nodded nervously, "do you, uh, drink tea?"
"I might," the spider girl smiled, "I'm still learning about some of the changes I've undergone. Would you be willing to help me with that?"
"Yeah, I can do that," he pointed a small thumb at himself, "I'm a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, after all." He looked quite proud to make that declaration so naturally Susamaru thought a reality check was in order.
"It's whiniest member," she quipped, "you want to tell her why she never saw you on the mountain?"
"Oh come on! I was just being cautious!" Zenitsu defended, "and of course I went on the mountain, how do you think I nearly got turned into a spider?! Honoka can back me up, she was there!"
"Her side of the story isn't the most flattering for you," Susamaru shrugged, "anyway, we came to tell you guys that Aoi's offered us some work here. Since we don't have to sleep at night we're gonna be taking care of whatever they can't get to during the day."
"I'm happy to hear they trust you enough to offer you work," Tanjiro smiled.
"I wouldn't say they explicitly trust us," Gimiko glanced at the door, "that Kanao girl is keeping watch on us for the time being. It'll still be a little while before they feel safe having us around."
"I suppose that makes sense," the boy swordsman admitted, "they don't know either of you very well and it goes against centuries of tradition for the Corps to trust a demon with anything. But I know you're both good at heart and you'll convince them in no time."
"I'm not a good girl," Susamaru looked to the side, "but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth, either. You gave me a second chance so I might as well do something with it."
"We'll both do something with it," Gimiko added with a small smile. The conversation became less serious after that, though it didn't last long due to Tanjiro still being exhausted and pretty soon the girls departed for their room. The trio would start on their official jobs the next night as the newest attendants of the Butterfly Estate.
A Few Weeks Later
As it turned out, Rehabilitation Training was…. Tough. It involved the three little attendant girls; Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho, stretching out one's bedridden body, which hurt, playing a game of grab and throw the tea, and then tag. Zenitsu, in a weird fit of anger at the fact that Tanjiro and Inosuke had been training with girls, managed to endure the stretching and won both the cup game and tag against Aoi. This accidentally motivated Inosuke who also won the cup game and tag against her.
While this would ordinarily mean Tanjiro was falling behind, the trio ran into an impassable wall known as Kanao Tsuyuri. As a Tsuguko, the pony-tailed girl had the potential to become a hashira and it became clear why as she continually beat the boys at both games. Her speed and reflexes were on a completely different level and her stamina was higher too. Susamaru and Gimiko could personally attest to that last one since she didn't seem too tired to watch them at night even after a day of training.
It truthfully creeped both of the demon girls out because she always seemed to have a small smile on her face but neither of them could tell if she was actually thinking happy thoughts. For all they knew the Tsuguko could've been imagining all kinds of creative ways to kill them! Eventually Susamaru decided to ask about it. "Hey, Tanjiro," she spoke up while bringing him hot tea to replace the one he'd already drank, "do you ever talk to that Kanao girl?"
"Not really," he admitted while taking a sip of his tea. Thanks to his body healing he looked less haggard these days when he returned from training. "Why do you ask?"
"It's just, I don't know what to think of her," the Temari Demon admitted, "I get why she's watching us all hours of the night but she's, how do I put this, does she seem like she's planning to off us to you?"
"Huh, off you," Tanjiro blinked in slight surprise, "she wasn't ordered to do that unless you showed obvious hostility. Did something happen last night?"
"No, no," Susamaru assured, "I just have no idea what's going through her head. But you're good at reading people, does she seem hostile towards us?"
"No, she isn't hostile to either of you," the slayer assured, "I haven't smelled any sort of anger or hatred from her when she's in the room with you two. She is admittedly very mysterious but I don't believe she wishes ill-will to either of you."
"I still don't know how you can just smell these things," the demon girl sighed, "but your nose usually isn't wrong so I guess we have no reason to worry. Gimiko, you about done over there?"
"Yes, one minute," the spider girl called back before dropping some medicine into the teacup she was about to serve, "alright Zenitsu, it's time."
"I still say they could give me a better tasting medicine," he grumbled.
"Are you trying to accuse them of favoritism again," Gimiko smiled mischievously, "I'm wondering if I should take offense to that. After all, you're getting your medicine served to you by a lovely maiden such as myself. What more could you ask for?"
"Oh, you're not a problem in the slightest," Zenitsu gave her a goofy smile, "the only reason I've been able to bear the harsh treatment from the others over the last few days is because you're here."
"My, how flattering," the spider girl held up the teacup, "then you should have no problem taking this."
"I'll," the blond slayer hesitated, "I'll do my best." He accepted the teacup then and began slowly moving it to his mouth. It moved closer and closer, the speed at the amazing pace of a snail. After a full minute the teacup had not touched his lips.
"Any day now, thunder dick," Susamaru remarked.
"Hey, this takes a lot of courage to do," Zenitsu shot back, "you try swallowing a bitter concoction everyday-AH!" Gimiko had taken his moment of distraction to kiss him on the cheek. The blond was so surprised by this turn of events that he gaped, allowing her to shove the drink in his face and pour the medicine down his throat. "Oh, so bitter! SO BITTER!"
"But it's done," the spider girl gave a closed-eye smile, "and you're one step closer to never having to take it again. Be a good boy next time and I might kiss both cheeks."
"Your wish is my command!" Zenitsu yelled while bowing to the demon girl who giggled at his antics.
"God help us if that screaming moron ever reproduces," Susamaru shook her head.
Another Week Later
Life continued like this for a little while but there was a definite change after a certain point. Tanjiro would come to learn from the little attendant girls about something called 'Total Concentration Constant'. Apparently, it was possible to use Total Concentration Breathing all the time, morning, noon, and night. In fact, the little girls claimed it was possible to use it while sleeping?!
Apparently, all the Hashira were able to use this technique and so was Kanao. This meant the start of a whole new training routine for Tanjiro as he attempted to hold Total Concentration Breathing for as long as he could while also performing exercises to increase his lung strength and capacity. Upon hearing about this particular set of circumstances, Susamaru only had one question about the whole thing. "Why in the world don't more slayers know about that," she asked bluntly as they sat in the room which had been lent to them, "centuries of demon fighting and you think that'd be a commonly known technique."
"I wish I knew," Tanjiro shrugged while patting Nezuko who was sitting in the floor next to the bed he was on, "Murata said the Hashira interrogated him on the drop in quality of this generation of slayers. Urokodaki worked me extra hard and put me through a test I shouldn't have been able to pass before he allowed me to go to Final Selection. Even then, I came close to dying a few times. I don't know if the other cultivators are under pressure to turn out as many slayers as they can or if they simply don't care as much as Urokodaki did."
"Whatever the reason it would've been helpful to have that against Rui," the Temari Demon sighed in annoyance, "we can't count on you getting lucky every other battle. Speaking of, did you ever find out anything about that new Breathing Form you pulled out of your ass?"
"I haven't had the chance to ask Kocho," The boy slayer shook his head, "Hinokami Kagura was just supposed to be a dance passed down through my family as a way to send prayers to the fire deity. I never imagined it could be used to fight demons."
"If your blood is anything to go by you don't come from an ordinary family," she remarked, "your sister is an unconventional demon, your blood severs Muzan's control through some mutation weirdness, and whatever that funny dance is it let you overpower a Lower Moon despite him possessing far more power than you."
"It is strange," Tanjiro admitted, "as far as I knew my family had been charcoal sellers for a long time. Unfortunately, my father passed when I was young and my mother-."
"You can stop there," Susamaru held up a hand, "I didn't mean to take you down that road."
"No, it's alright," he assured, "the memories don't hurt as much anymore and I know you meant no harm."
"Do you, uh, do you think you might find something if you look up your family history?" She mentioned the first idea that came to her mind.
"It's possible," Tanjiro put a hand to his chin, "though I still think the Corps is our best chance at finding out anything."
"Well we could send some of those Kakushi on an errand to look them up, just in case," Susamaru mused, "not like they're all that busy right now."
"Hey!" One of said Kakushi popped up at the open window of the room, "I'll have you know us Kakushi are very bus-OW!" He was silenced by a Temari to the face.
"You're free enough to be skulking around outside our window," she remarked while tossing another handball up and down.
"Please don't injure our comrades," Tanjiro sweat-dropped despite the amused smile on his face.
Daytime: Another Couple Days Later
Tanjiro's progress with Total Concentration Constant was coming along. He was now able to sustain it for several minutes at a time and his stamina was increasing as a result. His body, while not fully recovered, was now in good enough shape that he was given permission to start practicing his Breathing Forms again. He was on the way to do just that when something unexpected happened.
As he was exiting the estate to head to the nearby woods, he was suddenly tackled. "TANJIROOOOO!" A familiar voice sounded as the slayer found it hard to breathe due to a pair of slender arms around his neck. "It's so good to see you again after so long!"
"What? Kagabara," Tanjiro responded in surprise upon recognizing the surprisingly tall girl's signature hair and copper eyes, "what are you doing here?" His fellow slayer, thankfully, released him in response to that and pulled up part of her uniform on her left leg.
"I got a nasty cut on my last job," she explained, "the demon wasn't super strong but he was tricky and went down swinging. I bandaged it up quickly enough but since I was in the neighborhood I figured I'd stop by and get it looked at. What about you, you also get injured?"
"A lot, unfortunately," the boy swordsman rubbed the back of his head, "I got several cuts and bruises and a few broken bones. I just now recovered enough to start practicing my Breathing Forms again and there's this new one I'm going to be doing today."
"Oh, can I see it," the copper-eyed girl asked with a smile.
"I… guess that would be alright," Tanjiro wasn't sure it would be all that exciting to watch but Kagabara seemed insistent for some reason. So the two of them trekked out to a woody area near the estate and found a nice clearing. It was there where he performed the second of the forms of Hinokami Kagura. "Clear Blue Sky!" He twisted his body in a circular motion, unleashing a three-hundred-sixty degree slash that spread a circle of flame around him.
"Raging Sun! Burning Bones Summer Sun!" He unleashed two consecutive horizontal strikes around himself after that followed by back flipping into the air and performing a single horizontal cut, all accompanied by flames. When he finally landed, however, he collapsed to one knee.
"That was amazing!" Kagabara clapped, "did you switch styles to the Breath of Flame?"
"No," Tanjiro coughed a little as he got back up to his feet, "this is something passed down by my family. It's called-." The both of them stopped talking as a pair of presences alerted them. Turning towards a thicker section of trees, the elder Kamado sibling suddenly felt his hair stand on end. Partially hidden by the foliage was a pair of deathly looking figures.
"Tell me," one of them asked, "what style was that just now?" The twins known as Shigaraki had come to the Butterfly Estate.
Just when everyone seemed to be settled into life at the Butterfly Estate, a new duo has come to shake things up! But why are they here and what are their intentions? Find out that and more in the next chapter, so in the meantime feel free to leave a comment or review about what you liked/disliked or if you've got any neat ideas for future chapters! And as always swing on by my Pat reon if you want news, scene samples, or a possible exclusive! Last thing, stop in next time as our heroes contend with the newly arrived Shigaraki Twins! 'Til then.