The next day, Tanjiro woke up to find his family still asleep. That was fine. Not only did they tend to sleep during the day now, they also slept to regain energy and heal. So they should sleep as much as they could. As he got up, he stroked his younger Siblings hair or pat their heads, adjusting the blankets of their Futon's. Tanjiro then wandered around a bit to find the bathroom. He wanted to have a bath before getting dressed today. When he found it, Tanjiro realised that it was huge. "Woah! This is like a Hot Spring indoors!" he said in awe, "I'll have to bring my family here when they wake up later. They would probably like a nice bath" Tanjiro said to himself with a smile.
After washing himself and his hair, Tanjiro dried himself and pulled his clothes on. He was about to head back to his family, when a voice called out to him. "Oh! Tanjiro wasn't it?" he turned to see the Love Hashira walking up with a big smile. "Yes. Thank you for your hospitality Miss" he replied with a bow. "Oh, there's no need for that. Please, just call me Mitsuri. Where is your family?" Mitsuri asked. "They're asleep. They heal faster that way." Tanjiro explained. "I'm glad then. Are you hungry? Breakfast is ready!" the pink and green-haired young woman exclaimed happily, taking Tanjiro's hand.
As she led him through the house, Mitsuri talked excitedly about the food he had made him. 'Hold on, pancakes? What are they?' Tanjiro wondered. He soon found out that they were delicious! "It's so yummy and sweet!" Tanjiro said with a dreamy look on his face. "Aren't they?! Pancakes are some of my favourite Western foods!" the Love Hahira replied. "I bet Hanako and Shigeru would love these! It's just too bad they can't eat any because they're Demons" Tanjiro said sadly. "It's okay! You're trying to make your family human again, right Tanjiro? I'll give you the recipe so that your Mother can make them after they're all human again!" Mitsuri replied.
"Really? Thank you! We never really had sweet treats before. We were able to buy Konpeito sometimes though" Tanjiro explained. "Konpeito is nice too, but the portions are usually too small for me" the Hashira replied, as Tanjiro continued eating. "Too small?- huh?" he wondered, before watching in shock as Misturi went and grabbed another huge stack of pancakes for herself. 'After Breakfast I should add more to my journal, the, then do some training' Tanjiro thought.
ĐŚ·ĂÙ
'It's been a month since I became a Demon Slayer. My family is still doing well, none of them have eaten anyone. Right now they're sleeping off the injuries the Wind Hashira inflicted on them. I'm still angry at him for stabbing them, but these people have fought against Demon's who've wanted to kill them and other's for years. Honestly, it's surprising that Mr Tomioka accepted all of them so fast.
Anyway, since becoming a Demon Slayer, I've fought lot's of Demons, but with my family by my side, we've been able to defeat all of them so far. We've also met a Demon Doctor named Tamayo, and her assistant Yushiro. They're going to create a cure to turn my family back into humans, but I need to collect as much Demon blood as I can. Specifically blood from the strongest Demons under the Demon King.
I've managed to get several of the Lower Rank Demon's blood, and sent it to Miss Tamayo. Hopefully those samples will help. And also, the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps wants to make me a Hashira, because I killed those Lower Ranks. If I become one, I can protect my family better. I'll do anything for that to happen'. Tanjiro left the writing to dry, then got to his feet again. After checking on his family, to see they were all still sleeping, Tanjiro took his Sword to go train outside.
He was still thinking over what the Master had told him during that meeting. He was qualified to become a Hashira. Him. It was a lot to take in, but he knew it would be helpful. Not only would he be able to protect his family, as he acknowledged before, but he would also be sent on Missions that were more likely to have him encounter the 12 Kizuki, meaning he could collect more blood for the cure. It would also be more dangerous though. He wasn't scared of fighting stronger Demons, but he was scared of dying and abandoning his family.
He hoped someone would continue getting the cure made and turn them all back into humans at least, but what would his family do then? Would they even be told what had happened to him? Tanjiro shook his head. He came out here to train. He remembered how much better he was at using Hinokami Kagura than Water-Breathing. 'Let's try that then' he thought. Tanjiro sucked in a deep breath, 'Hinokami Kagura! Dance!' he thought as he performed a downward Slash. 'Clear Blue Sky!' Tanjiro then twisted around to make a 360 degree vertical attack around himself.
Tanjiro slowly went through each form of the Hinokami Kagura, finally ending on the 12th form Flame Dance. He was surprised to find that he was only slightly out of breath at the end of them all. "I guess all that training I did with Mr Urokodaki really paid off. The Hinokami Kagura does seem easier to use than Water-Breathing for me. Maybe I should use it from now on?" he wondered to himself. He decided to go check on his family. Plus lunch should be ready soon, so he should wash up. Tanjiro went back inside and had another quick bath, then went to the room they'd been given.
A couple of his Siblings were awake, namely his younger Brothers. Shigeru and Rokuta ran up to him, squealing happily, while Takeo walked up slower, making an annoyed grumbling sound, probably because he'd had to watch over his excitable Brother's alone. "Sorry Takeo. Thank you for looking after them for me" Tanjiro apologised, patting the grey-haired Demon boy on the head. "Ah! Ah!" Rokuta called, holding his arms up to him. "Here we go Rokuta" Tanjiro said with a smile, picking his baby Brother up in his arms, and hugging Shigeru when the young Demon wrapped his arms around his middle.
Tanjiro's smile fell when he looked over at their Mother, Nezuko and Hanako. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect Mom and our Sister's. But after they sleep for a while, they'll be all better, okay?" he assured. Shigeru frowned and moved over to Hanako. The two of them were always close, what with Hanako being only one year older than him. They usually played together after Hanako finished her chores, and so for the young Demon boy to see his Sister hurt was deeply upsetting to him. Shigeru whimpered worriedly. "Don't worry Shigeru, they'll be fine in no time, something like this will heal quickly" Tanjiro assured him.
"Anyway, while they're sleeping, why don't we go look around, huh?" the oldest Kamado Brother suggested.
ĐŚ·ĂÙ
Tanjiro carried Rokuta on his back while he held Takeo and Shigeru's hands, exploring the Love Estate together. It was certainly much bigger than their old house or Urokodaki's house. Shigeru wanted to look at everything (meaning touch everything) in the house. But Tanjiro kept a firm grip on him, not wanting his little Brother to accidentally break something with his Demonic strength. Just then Mitsuri came around the corner, "oh Tanjiro! Are these your little Brother's?" she asked excitedly, gently stroking Rokuta's black and dark red hair.
The Toddler Demon reached out for her hand with his tiny clawed ones, babbling at her, "they're so cute!" she said happily. Takeo grumbled, and the noises sounded vaguely like: "not cute". "Where are your little Sister's and Mother?" Mitsuri asked. "They're asleep, recovering from their injuries" Tanjiro replied, before he noticed Rokuta had fallen asleep on his back. "Was your youngest Brother injured?" Mitsuri asked with a frown. "No, he was too small, the sword only stabbed Mom" Tanjiro replied, scowling at the memory of the white-haired Hashira hurting his family. "I'm sorry about that. Most of the Hashira have had horrible encounters with Demons. The fact that your family isn't like any other Demon is something that we've never encountered before" Mitsuri replied.
Tanjiro looked down, "I understand that. I was so lucky, I've thought that numerous times now. That my family isn't like other Demons. That they don't eat humans. That they still remember me. That they recognise me as their family," he smiled, patting Shigeru on the head, "it really was a miracle. And I thank Hinokami every day. My family means everything to me. I don't know what I would have done if none of them had survived." Tanjiro looked up at the Love Hashira, "That's why I accepted the promotion to Hashira. So I could protect everyone until I could cure them" he said.
"You're something special Tanjiro. All of you are. I can't wait to meet your family as humans" Mitsuri said with a soft smile. "I can't wait either!" Tanjiro replied. They went their separate ways as Tanjiro continued exploring with his Brother's. They had to deviate several times from an open window and the sunlight shining through them. Shigeru and Rokuta didn't care, and were happy to run around the large rooms. Eventually they returned to the rest of their family. They were awake by now, and Hanako ran to hug Tanjiro. "Hanako! I'm glad you're healed now. You too Nezuko, Mom" Tanjiro said, hugging his little Sister's. Kie walked up and stroked back his hair. He was so glad they were alright.
ĐŚ·ĂÙ
Lunch was filled with chatting, Mitsuri wanting to know more about his family, and his life before he became a Demon Slayer. "It wasn't that interesting really. Our family were wood burners. We would make and sell Charcoal in the town at the bottom of our mountain. It was mostly me who did it after our Father died. Sometimes in the warmer seasons, my younger Siblings and I would go to the town together. But that day was in Winter, with lot's of snow. I couldn't take my Siblings. I think about that a lot. If I had just taken them-" Tanjiro paused, trying to keep from crying. There was no reason to! His family was alive and safe right now.
Mitsuri put her hand on his shoulder, "I'm sorry about what happened to your family Tanjiro. But I am happy that they're all still here with you" she replied sympathetically. "Anyway! I'm starving! Let's eat!" she said happily.
ĐŚ·ĂÙ
A few months later, Tanjiro was called to see the Master. He knelt in front of the man and one of the white-haired girls, along with the black-haired boy who were both kneeling behind him. "Tanjiro Kamado" the Master began. "Yes Sir!" Tanjiro replied, sitting straight. "You have defeated two Lower Rank Demon's, and have therefore qualified to become a Hashira. Do you accept this promotion?" the man asked in his soft voice. "Yes Sir!" Tanjiro replied firmly. The Master nodded, "very well. Here" his daughter handed over a new Uniform shirt. As Tanjiro took it, he unfolded it and saw that the shirt had gold buttons instead of silver.
"Your Sword will also be reforged to reflect your new status. I hope that you'll take this responsibility seriously and do your best to kill Demons to protect human life" the Master explained. Tanjiro bowed to the man in gratitude, "I will do my very best Master!" he said. "I expect much from you Tanjiro Kamado, Fire God Hashira" the man replied.
ĐŚ·ĂÙ
Tanjiro walked back to the Love Hashira's Estate, looking down at his new Uniform top that showed how far he'd come since that day. He really was a Hashira now. It was hard to believe it had only been two years! As soon as Tanjiro arrived, he found a party popper going off. "Congratulations on becoming a Hashira Tanjiro!" Mitsuri cheered. "Oh! Thank you very much Miss Kanroji!" Tanjiro replied, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Ah! Ah! Ah! We're fellow Hashira now! Call me Mitsuri!" the pink and green-haired young woman said with a grin. "How about Miss Mitsuri instead?" Tanjiro asked. "Good enough for now. Now! Let's eat!" she cried with a fist pump to the air.
ĐŚ·ĂÙ
Later that day, after their feast, Mitsuri sat with Tanjiro, "now that you're a Hashira too, I wanna teach you something Tanjiro" she said. "Okay!" Tanjiro replied excitedly. 'What could Miss Mitsuri want to teach me?' he wondered to himself curiously. "It's called Total-Concentration Constant. Basically it's using Total-Concentraition Breathing all the time. If you want to keep up with the stronger Demon's, it's something you absolutely have to learn!" she explained. "Oooh!" Tanjiro said excitedly, "I'm ready!" he replied. The woman looked sheepish, "yeah, um-" Mitsuri said with a laugh.
ĐŚ·ĂÙ
"So you need me to teach him how to do Total-Concentration Constant as a new Hashira?" Shinobu asked. "Please Shinobu! You know I'm no good with teaching!" the Love Hashira pleaded. "I suppose I have time" the Insect Hashira replied with a smile. "Thank you very much! I hope to learn a lot from you Miss Shinobu!" Tanjiro said with a bow. "Oh, there's no need for that! You're a Hashira now yourself! Speaking of which, do you want to change?" Shinobu asked, nodding down at the new Uniform Tanjiro still held in his arms.
"Oh! Yes!" he agreed, before turning back to Mitsuri, "while I'm training here, would you please take care of my family for me?" Tanjiro asked. "Of course! Don't worry about them! I'll also write when your Mother and Sister's wake up!" Mitsuri agreed. Soon she was running off towards her own Estate, "I'll see you later Tanjiro!" she called back while waving. After seeing her off, Tanjiro turned back to Shinobu, "I'm in your care Miss Shinobu" Tanjiro said. "Alright, follow me Tanjiro" the Insect Hashira said, leading him to a spare room so he could change.
Tanjiro pulled on the new Uniform shirt, doing up the gold buttons. He looked at his reflection in the mirror in the room. He almost didn't recognise himself. 'I, look like Father' he thought, noticing how much longer his hair had grown. He hadn't cut it due to being so busy, but it really was getting very long, being down to his waist now. "Maybe I should cut it?" Tanjiro wondered to himself. Something stopped him though. He decided to just brush it and put his hair up in a high ponytail. After tying it back, he left the room, ready to begin his new training.