Brothers Through Ashes(Complete)

Survival(Edited)

Nezuko was currently being trained by the Insect Hashira. Shinobu Kocho. Tanjiro was willing to leave her in Shinobu's care since Kyojuro spoke highly of her. 

Now, for the first time in 16 years, Tanjiro was going to meet his baby brother, Senjuro Rengoku. They both journeyed to the Rengoku Compound. When they arrived, they a miniature version of Kyojuro sweeping casually. "Big brother! Welcome home!" He welcomed. "Senjuro! You look well." He complimented.

Senjuro put down his broom and rushed to meet his brother when he noticed Tanjiro. "Oh! Hello! Are you big bro's student?" He questioned. "Um, Senjuro." "Yes?" "Remember when I told you that mom had another son?"

"..."

Senjuro began connecting the dots. "Hi, my name is Tanjiro Kamado. I'm your half brother." He introduced. Senjuro had a worried expression. "So... are you my brother?" He asked. "Basically. I hope we can at least be friends. I understand if you..."

Tanjiro felt an attack on his legs. "I've always wanted another sibling!" Chimed the young boy. "At least I have a younger brother again..." Tanjiro thought.

Suddenly an older version of Kyojuro exited his cave. "And who are you!?" The man asked. "Father! This is Tanjiro Kamado." Kyojuro announced.

"And? Why is he at my house?"

"He is the son of Tanjuro Kamado and Ruka Rengoku. His family, excluding his sister, were murdered by a Demon. I've been visiting him for the past 5 years. And now I want him to have a chance at interacting with his baby brother... The last one he has."

Shinjuro glared at the halfbreed with disdain. Furthermore, he wasn't even in the right state of mind to process this. "Whatever. As long as he doesn't annoy me... He can visit." He said with a gruff and uncaring tone.

They were somewhat relieved.

So. As said, Nezuko has been training with her new master in the art of Insect Breathing. She stayed at the Butterfly Mansion while Tanjiro lived at the Mansion Of Fire. So far no one other than the Hashira and their Okayata knew of the relationship between the Kamandos and Rengokus.

Kyojuro has not publicly announced his relationship with Tanjiro because he's afraid he may not return from the final selection.

The day of the final selection came quite quickly. Tanjiro and Nezuko dressed in their ordinary clothing and had swords strapped to their waists. The rules were read and the contest was underway.

As Tanjiro traversed around the mountain, his nose pointed him to his first target. "Tasty! I smell quality blood." Spoke the demon.

Tanjiro readied his sword. "Breath Tanjiro. Breath. You can do this!" He encouraged. He drew his sword.

"Ash Breathing! First Form!"

Tanjiro rushed off with a burst of speed. He went low and swiped up in a diagonal line, cleaving the Demon's head off. "Rising Cinders."

He looked down to see the decomposing corpse. "I-I did it!" He screamed mentally. His knees were shaking. "Alright. Just need to keep this up for a week."

With Nezuko, she was having similar success. "Ooooh. Pretty girl." The monster croaked. Nezuko then screamed mentally, "Insect Breathing! First Form: Leaping Grasshopper!"

She jumped in the air and when she reached the apex, she did a small rotation with enough force to separate the head.

The orphaned siblings carried on for the entire week.

At the end of the selection, they were gathered with the other survivors. "We congratulate you remaining 4 on behalf of Okayata-sama. Now, please choose the ore of your desire." Said a young girl.

Tanjiro looked around. "4? We started with more than 20." He thought. All that remained was him, Nezuko, a blonde boy who was shivering and another boy with jet black hair and familiar eyes. He looks like the Wind Hashira. Maybe his sibling?

They were called up to choose their ore. Sparks arced from one piece to the boy in yellow. He was a bit jumpy but reluctantly took it. A bird came and the ore was wrapped then taken away.

Then, a caterpillar randomly appeared on another. Nezuko chose it. Tanjiro began smelling like air. He smelled something similar to charcoal. His hand instinctively move towards it.

After the ores were chosen, their respective crows came and took them away.

Now, the survivors dispersed. Tanjiro and Nezuko traversed the long way to their respective now homes. "How was it for you?" He queried. "Hmm." She hummed. "Yeah, it was kind of easy for me too. Those demons have no chance. Makes me wonder why so many died."

The carried of 'conversing' until they split. Nezuko carried on towards DS HQ where the Butterfly Mansion was situated while Tanjiro went uphill to the Mansion Of Fire.

When he arrived, he was met with a large cobblestone gate that melted into the landscape and had fire symbols engraved on it. He entered to see a grand housing complex.

On the porch of the main building was Kyojuro. He was meditating. "Elder Brother!" Tanjiro hollered, gaining the attention of everyone. "I'm still not dead yet!" He added. Everyone looked back and forth between the Hashira and the boy claiming to be his brother.

Some saw a simple boy. Some saw a survivor. But, what Kyojuro saw was reality. This

Using his blinding speed, Kyojuro appeared in front of his little brother and enveloped him in a bear hug. "Tantan! I'm glad to see you survived! You have made me proud." He congratulated earnestly. "Thank you." Said Tanjiro after being released from the hug.

"Forgive me, Kyo, but the Final Selection was terribly easy. I mean, the Demons were surprisingly weak yet only 4 of us, including Nezuko, survived. It's puzzling." He confessed.

"Of course it was! Final Selection tends to be easy for Tsugoku. They see it as a walk in the park!" Kyojuro answered. "But, I'm not a Tsugoku, Kyojuro." Tanjiro corrected.

Kyojuro wrapped on arm around Tanjiro's shoulder and began leading him into the Mansion. "You are now, little brother."

"Hey! I'm not little! I'm as old as you when you became a Hashira!" Tanjiro spat with a pout. "Yes. But! You are not a Hashira yet! And until then, I will publicly address you as my younger brother! Now, we eat!" Kyojuro said energetically, tryin his best to be a prick. "Fine."

Tanjiro was led down the halls. As he traversed he got looks of respect and jealousy. Being escorted by a Hashira has its perks, especially when said Hashira is your brother and you are his successor.

Tanjiro was escorted to the mess hall. They got some food and sat at a table along with another Hashira. Mitsuri Kanroji. Why is she here? Love Breathing, her forte, is a variant of Flame Breathing so she qualifies. "Kyojuro-kun! How are you?" She squelled.

"I'm alright!"

"Oh. This is your brother, right? What's your name cutie?" She asked with a blush. "Tanjiro. Kamado or Rengoku. Depends on where I am." He answered. "What do you mean?" She inquired cutely. "Publicly, I prefer to honor my family name, Kamado. In private, either name is fine." He explained.

"Ah! So it's okay if I can call you Tanjiro-kun?" She queried. His mouth was full so he simply nodded. "Eee! I have new friend!" She professed happily.

"Oh crap." Kyojuro cursed. "Tantan, I forgot to get your uniform from Aoi-chan." He added, cursing his insufferable memory. "No worries. I can go get it. I might stay the night with Nezuko."

"No, Tantan. Comeback before sundown. I want you to meet a close friend of ours. You and Uzui have some things in common." He responded. "Okay, Kyo."

Mitsuri thoughts: EEee, that such a nice nickname. Tantan is sooo cute. And Kyo has this husbando vibe.

Words 1299

Posted 23/5/2021

Half the original was deleted but I rewrote it and it's better now