Demon Slayer Oneshots

🎃Kamaboko Trio/Reader: The Obon Spirit Part 1/2

Halloween Special! I originally wrote this to be a Youtube Exclusive narration, but my pal Lisa wanted me to transpose it into writing. So if the flow is a little less elegant than usual its because it was made to be acted out.

If you want to hear the narration I will leave the Youtube link at the bottom of the story!

"Uh... not to interrupt... but... you're not supposed to have garlic tonight, Zenitsu..." Tanjiro phrased gently, glancing at the snack in his hand. "It's said to deter the spirits of the ancestors."

CRONCH CRONCH CRONCH

Zenitsu's snacking went on without pause.

"You know..." The brunette continued. "...because it smells bad?"

"Whut are yuh on about? Shounds like shum bumpkin folklore tuh me." Zenitsu chimed with a full mouth. The water swordsman's lips curled slightly at the comment but his curiosity overtook his mild irritation.

"...How did you used to celebrate Obon in the city?"

"Just festivals and food and stuff." Zenitsu shrugged. "Its like the Tanabata but less romantic. And the costumes are creepy..."

"The Tanabata?" Tanjiro sounded out each syllable with deliberate slowness, indicating his ignorance.

"You've never heard of it? You really are uncultured..."

"Ehhh, I've never heard of it either, Zenitsu. You admitted bashfully and his eyes widened in alarm.

"Buwah! W-well I... guess it's not THAT common of a holiday! Heheh. I'd love to share the story with you if you'll listen, F/N-chan!" You blinked at Zenitsu's entertaining loss of composure but chose to let it slide.

'Smooth...'

"Oh. Sure."

"Well..." Not so subtly he stepped closer, walking shoulder to shoulder with you. "Legend has it that there was a princess named Orihime who wove clothes by the bank of the Amanogawa. They were very beautiful... but she was sad. Because she was too busy weaving that she could never have the chance to fall in love." He pouted wistfully, he empathy for women emanating from his being as it always seemed to do. "Her father arranged her with a cowherd named Kengyu, who lived on the other side of the river. And it was love at first sight. But..." Zenitsu's tone became more somber. "Their passion and romance distracted them. Orihime stopped producing clothes and Kengyu's cows were wandering all over heaven. The princess's father became angry and forbade them to be together, except one day of the year.

...Unfortunately when they met again there was no bridge for them to cross to embrace. So the princess cried and cried, until finally a flock of magpies pitied her and carried her over to meet him. ...They say if it rains on Tanabata, the river rises too much for the magpies to carry her over, and they have to wait one more year to meet."

"That's... very sad." Tanjiro frowned down at his sandals.

"Its not all bad." Zenitsu's casual voice rang out. "Because of that tale Tanabata is considered the luckiest day of the year for finding love. Which is why boys and girls write their wishes and hang them up in the festival stalls."

"What do you usually wish for, Zenitsu?" Tanjiro inquired, causing Zenitsu's eyes to sparkle with giddiness as his answer sat restlessly, waiting to pass his lips.

"My own destined soul mate... written in the stars..."

"Sap." Inosuke poked but Zenitsu ignored him, grinning playfully in your direction.