Erased (Demon Tanjiro)

My Fault

I'm not the author of Demon Slayer, and all respects go to them. This is just a fanfic. I don't own the images or music.

Tanjiro's POV

H-How could this have happened? Why? Please tell me it’s not true. It’s all just a dream. Haha, wake up, guys, stop the antics. This isn’t funny. Please...

1 Day Before

"Tanjiro, come here. Your face is all black." "It's okay if you don't go; it's extremely dangerous, especially when the snow is falling," Mo.ther explained worriedly.

"It's okay. It's almost New Year, and I want everyone to eat to their heart's content. I won't be gone long. I'll only go sell a little charcoal," I responded with a smile.

Though I couldn't deny that it was really cold.

"Ehhhhhh."

"Nii-chan, you're going to the village today?"

"Not fair! I wanna go too!"

Even as my siblings bombarded me with questions, I could only stand there, frozen stiff. It wasn’t easy answering every single question directed at me.

I glanced towards my mother before she smiled and responded on my behalf.

"No way, you can't walk as fast as Tanjiro can," Mom bluntly said.

"But Mom!"

"No."

"He can’t pull the cart today, so you can’t rest while he gives you a ride," she said firmly.

"Takeo, because you can do it no problem, could you chop down a few trees?" I asked confidently with a bright smile once again.

"I guess I could," he sighed. "I thought we'd all do it together."

I started walking towards the forest, waving goodbye to them.

"Please come back quickly."

"Be careful."

They all shouted.

Honestly, it felt exhilarating to have such an amazing family. I’ll definitely give them a huge feast when I come back.

"Onii-chan," a familiar voice called out.

I looked ahead.

"Nezuko." She seemed to have Rokuda on her back.

"I just lulled Rokuda to sleep. He'll start making a commotion if you leave again. He’s been lonely ever since Dad died. Please be careful." She sighed.

"Everyone has a deep attachment to you, brother. You have to make it back safely."

"Yeah," I responded.

After that, I ventured off to the village.

"Life isn’t easy, but it's a blessing. Life is like looking at the sky—it changes and moves."

"Because there aren’t times when it stays clear for too long, there also aren’t times when it snows for too long."

"Thus, when happiness is broken, there is always the scent of blood."

I reached the village, glancing side to side. It looked lively as ever. Everyone was working hard; I should work just as much.

"Well, if it isn’t Tanjiro," one of the villagers called out.

"You came down on a day like this? Good work, but you’ll catch a cold. Make sure not to overwork yourself."

I bowed as a sign of respect for their concern, smiled, and continued walking.