Demon-Slaying Demons

~-CRUELTY-~

The day started off just like any other. Tanjiro has just hoisted the basket full of charcoal onto his back when his mother calls him over. "Tanjiro? Your face is covered in soot. Come here." Tanjiro goes over to his mother, closing his eyes as she wipes the black powder off of his face. "It's dangerous with all this snow. You don't have to go, you know?" Tanjiro smiles as his mother retracts her hand, " It's alright, I want everyone to be able to eat as much as they want on New Years," He opens his eyes, "So I'll sell as much charcoal as I can."

"Arigato, Tanjiro." His mother says as she leans back. Tanjiro's younger siblings, Shigeru and Hanako, run up to their older brother, "Niichan!!" Shigeru calls, "You're going to town again, today?" Hanako chimes in, "I'm going with you!" Their mother, Kie, stands up, "Oh no, you're not. You know you can't walk a fast as Tanjiro can." The young boy pouts, "Okasan!!!" Kie walks over to the younger children, "You cannot. Since he can't use the cart today, he won't be able to give you a ride when you get tired." The young boy looks down, grumbling in frustration. He then lunges towards Tanjiro, hugging him. "Niichan!!" Tanjiro grunts in surprise, having not been expecting Shigeru to jump at him. Hanako runs after her brother, though she stops in front of him, instead. "I wanna go with you," she begs, "I promise I'll be helpful!!"

Tanjiro pats his sister's head, "Arigato, Hanako." She smiles, hopeful. "But.. You're staying home, today." The young girl makes a noise of disbelief as Tanjiro kneels down in the snow to be face to face with the young boy, " You, too, Shigeru. But I'll get you tons of treats (it says goodies but ehh-), okay?" The young boy's face lights up, "Really?" "Yeah," Tanjiro replies as Shigeru giggles excitedly, "And Hanako, I'll read for you when I get back." The girl's sad look instantly melts into a smile, "Okay!" "That's a good girl," Tanjiro says. "Arigato ne, Tanjiro." Tanjiro stands up, looking at his mother, "No problem(It says sure here but like- no♥)." He tilts his head, smiling slightly, "Okay, I'll be heading out now," He looks over to Takeo, who has just rounded the corner of the house, "Will you chop as much wood as you can?" Takeo looks confused for a moment, "Sure I will, but..." He turns his head to the side and mumbles, "..I was hoping we could do it together."

Tanjiro walks over to his brother, "There There." He pats the black haired boy's head. "What are you doing??('what's with that all of a sudden' is a mouthful)" Shigeru points at his brother, a mischievous grin on his face, "You're blushing, Take!" Takeo jumps towards Shigeru, "Hey! Shut up!!!" Tanjiro smiles, patting his embarrassed brother's head with both hands this time, "There there." Takeo jerks back to his original position, "I told you to cut it out!!" Tanjiro holds up his hands in surrender, his smile widening as Hanako, Shigeru, and Kie start laughing.

As Tanjiro finally begins leaving, his siblings wave him goodbye. "Hurry back, okay??" Shigeru yells, "Be safe, okay??" Hanako yells as well. Tanjiro smiles, waving as Nezuko approaches him, holding their youngest brother on her back. "Oniichan!" Tanjiro stops in front of them, "Hey Nezuko." She smiles kindly, then explains, "I was putting Rokuta down for a nap, or he'd have made a scene when you leave." The two oldest siblings look at their sleeping youngest sibling. "He misses dad a lot since he passed away," Tanjiro reaches out and gently pats the sleeping child's head, "And everyone follows you wherever you go." Tanjiro smiles, then after a few minutes he begins his journey again. "See you later!" Nezuko calls after him as he passes.

Tanjiro's POV

As I descend the mountain, I watch my surroundings. The entire mountain has been covered in snow and ice, a female bird of a species I can't recall watching me warily from a distance. I take a deep breathe, smiling at the thought of my five siblings and mother. We don't have an easy life, but we're happy. Though.. life could change just as suddenly as the weather, which shifts and moves on. Besides it's not always sunny, nor will it endlessly snow.