Brothers Through Ashes(Complete)

Moving Smarter, Moving Harder

Tanjiro was, for a lack of words, tired. He was drenched in and stained by blood. The blood of those disgusting demons. He was in a daze. If it ran at you, kill it. That was his mode. He hasn't slept for 7 days straight. He was always slaying, being a father, being a faithful partner and guarding not one but two sectors. The word tired is a gross understatement.

He was currently walking into a town, drenched in blood that didn't belong to him. His mask on the left side of his face flowed idly in the wind as he trudged. Nana, seeing Tanjiro's affliction, decided to follow him in secret. "Oh my goodness, sir are you okay?" Screamed a woman seeing his crimson-stained face. "Yeah. I'm okay."

"No, no you are not."

Nana revealed herself. "You should be back at the mansion with Ruka," Tanjiro said walking past her. "Sir, wipe your face. It's all bloody." She monotoned, offering him a rag. He took it and wiped his face clean of the liquid. "Thank you but I'm fine."

"Kamado-sama. You have not slept in days." She argued. "And? It's my job to protect people. Sleep or no sleep. My life and well-being don't matter." "It matters to the people who love you. You've been like an elder brother to me and a lot of your subordinates. We're worried."

"You don't understand. I'm doing this so you all don't have to work so hard. I alone must bear the heavy burdens. My sacrifice will ensure their victory." He recited.

She sighed. "The sleep in your eyes is evident. A week is a long time to be awake. It's not healthy, Kamado-sama."

"I don't care! God damnit! I need to protect my child her mother, my friends, my subordinates." He exclaimed grabbing her by the shoulders. Some people took notice. "Kamado-sama! You haven't slept in days! You can't be serious about doing this to yourself!" She shouted back. "Just rest a little. That's all I'm asking." She added calmly.

Tanjiro was about to answer but was interrupted by two local officers. "Is there a problem here, Miss?"

"No. Just convincing my master to get some rest. He's been hunting for days."

"Your master? Hold on. Why do you have a sword?" Asked officer 1. "None of your business. I should be leaving now."

"No no. You can't just he walking around with a sword. And what's all this blood?" Said the other officer, placing his hand on Tanjiro's shoulder. "Take your hand off me before I add your blood to my Haori." He threatened. "You dare!?"

The officer produced a baton and went to beat him but the baton was already in half. Tanjiro raised his blade in the air and was carried it down when they all heard a clang. Nana had caught the blade in her palms. "Kamado-sama. You are not in the right state of mind. We do not kill decent humans. Sheath your blade, please."

Tanjiro listened and sighed. "You said something about sleep, ey?"

"Can you still move properly, Kamado-sama?"

"Yes."

"We travel by treetop. Follow me."

They both disappeared instantly like they had been erased from existence. Next, they traversing the trees when suddenly, Tanjiro lost all coordinative ability and fell to the ground. "Tanjiro-sama!"

She descended and helped him up. "Mmm, I'm fine. I didn't fall that bad." He reassured. Nana carried him to the cabin where his team had been resting

Inside, Zenitsu was resting and Kyoka was meditating when she sensed a presence. "Zenistu-san, I sense two presences approaching. Powerful presences. One of death, the other of silence." She warned. "D-death?" He whispered. "Shh."

They took positions on either side of the doorpost. Zenitsu quaked in his books while Kyoka held a stern expression. The door opened. Zenitsu, who could process information quickly, held back his blade Kyoka slammed it down. It was only moments before impact she noticed it was her master. The blade unexpectedly stopped. "Even in his sleep, he is abnormal." Sighed Nana. Tanjiro held the blade of the sword through the grasp of his hand. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry Master." Kyoka jolted, withdrawing her blade. "W-w-why is Master covered in blood? Is he injured? Is he okay?" Zenitsu questioned. "No, he hasn't slept in a week. He's been hunting for at least 120 hours. He needs rest." She explained.

Tanjiro was laid in the only bed so that he could rest and was bandaged. "So, he hasn't slept?" Zenitsu asked. "He's been slaying while caring for his lover and child. He slays from morning to evening. He returns and cares for his child. Then he does it all over again."

"Master... truly is amazing." Kyoka marvelled. "Yes, he is. Even while unconscious, he's still able to stop a blade." Nana agreed. "Mmhm. He rarely gets injured and is so modest." Zenitsu added. 

Hours later

Everyone was sleeping. They were on the floor, exhausted. Tanjiro just happened to awake. He saw them all passed out and smiled. "Poor souls."

He got up and respread the sheets. He then proceeded to put Nana and Kyoka on the bed. They were both half his size so they fit. He then walked over to Zenitsu and gently woke him up. "M-master?" He dosed. "Wake up, my boy."

Zenitsu was released from his stupor. "Let's get some training done."

They strayed a little bit away from the cabin. "Zenitsu, you've grown. I'll admit it. But, you are being left behind by your peers." Tanjiro blurted. "..."

"You only use the first Form of Thunder Breathing. It limits your abilities in a fight. Yes, you have perfected it but... It will not be enough."

"I-I know. I've tried mastering the other forms but I just can't."

"I'm not telling you to... Did I ever tell you the secret of Ash Breathing?" He queried. "N-no sir."

"The Kamado natural affinity is Water. We have a preference for water breathing and it's variants. But, I'm half Rengoku. Did you know that?"

"Only rumors. Some think you are called brother because you were his Tsugoku." He answered. "I see. Well, I have Rengoku blood flowing in my veins meaning I have a genetic disposition for fire. The Water in my chest quenchs the flame of the stomach since it's stronger."

"I understand that much. So, you're the only person alive with such an ability?"

"I'm the only person who has lived with such an ability. And as such, I had to create breathing forms of my own. I copied the actions my peers and modified them. I used my special training to amplify them. And now, thanks to you, I have refined them."

"Me? What did I do?"

"You told me to breath out. Apparently I breath smoke. All of that was poisoning my body."

"O-oh. I'm glad I could help."

"Now let's talk about something... Important. Nezuko."

"..."

Words 1170

Posted 6/2/2021