𝕭𝖔𝖓𝖉𝖘 [Tanjiro Kamado X Reader] (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

~chapter thirty-nine~

3rd Person Pov:

The Demon let out a low growl, staring at the flame Hashira. "Why, you..." he said, trailing off. The pillar didn't hesitate a single second. He got into his fighting stance, holding his sword out towards the Demon.

"If you want to kill my apprentice, you have to kill me first." he spoke firmly, readying himself to attack. "Tch. Hashira or not, you'll be just a corpse once I'm done with you." spat the Demon, a cocky smirk on his face, snapping his fingers.

In that moment, he had disappeared from view. It was obviously a Blood Demon Art. And based on how he acted before, it seemed like one that didn't suit him at all. Rengoku looked around, not being able to find a single clue on to where that Demon might be.

"He's still here. I can still see him." said (Y/N), pointing to the right. She was able to see the tiniest of traces of his silhouette, barely able to make them out. The flame Hashira didn't hesitate to attack, saying: "First form: Unknowing Fire."

The unnamed Demon was hit, resulting in him being thrown back, now visible again. "Tch. Your pretty eyes truly are a threat, (Y/N)." he said, standing back up to his feet, his glowing, blood red eyes practically glued onto the girl.

He was bleeding rather heavily from several wounds, but that didn't stop him from smiling creepily. "I'm not willing to risk my life just yet. Sucks to fail, but it's better than dying." he admitted, snapping his fingers once more, activating his mysterious Blood Demon Art.

(Y/N) watched how his mostly invisible figure fled into the woods, then let out a heavy sigh. She dropped to her knees, saying: "He-He's gone... He's finally gone..." Then, tears started to fill her vision. "(Y/N), did you get hurt?" asked the Hashira, putting his sword away.

He held a hand out to her, which she gladly took. "Just a bite. Not too deep, though, thanks to you." she said, wiping the tears that were slowly flowing down her cheeks. Rengoku let out a quiet sigh, then put a hand on her head, saying: "You did well to defend yourself." "Thank you..." she muttered, smiling through her tears. "I'm... just glad that he's finally gone."

They went inside, where he checked on her wound. While he did so, he asked: "How long was he here?" She looked to the ground as she answered: "Not long. A few minutes only." "He mentioned that he failed. Do you know anything about that?"

Hesitating for a moment, she looked into his golden eyes. Then, she spoke up: "He was ordered to kill me." "And why is that?" "My father... He was able to master more than one breathing technique. Kibutsuji wants to erase that ability by killing off my bloodline."

"Your father?" asked Rengoku, gently putting a bandage around the girls shoulder. "His name was Kei (L/N). He was killed when I was around five." "Kei-san was your father?" he asked, receiving a curious look from the girl.

Rengoku let out a small chuckle, saying: "He used to help me train. He was truly a kind person. To think that he had a talented daughter like you..." He trailed off, remembering the fun times he had with his training partner.

"Thank you. But I only learned that he was a Demon Slayer today." she said, sighing. Then, she closed her eyes, saying: "And that it was all my fault." "What was?" asked Rengoku, finishing to wrap up her wound.

She looked back at the ground, answering: "My mother and brother died when I was seven. He killed them, all because of my bloodline. Because of the ability I hold." Tears were starting to fill her eyes as she continued.

"Shinya-nii never had this ability, but he was killed anyway... Wh-Why am I the only one that gets to live?" As she asked that question, she looked up at the flame Hashira. He felt sad for her. Thoughts like that should not be on such a young mind.

"Listen." he told her, making her face him. "It wasn't your fault. You couldn't have known about that ability." She hesitated, then said: "But they still-" Rengoku cut her off: "(Y/N), don't resent that ability of yours."

At that, her expression turned into one of shock. How could he know that she already hated it? "Instead of resenting that power you got, you can use it to grow even stronger. Your father was a role model to every Hashira, he was incredibly strong. You could be just as strong, even stronger if you want to." explained Rengoku, watching how her (e/c) eyes slowly got their usual glow back.

"I guess I could..." she muttered out, a slight smile on her lips. "If I get stronger, I can protect Nezuko better. I can even help defeating Kibutsuji. Yeah, I'll get stronger." Then, she bowed to the flame pillar, saying: "Rengoku-sensei, please teach the fire breathing techniques!"

He smiled, proud at his apprentice. He laughed, then said: "Under one condition." She nodded, her eyes shining as she waited for him to continue. "You'll become my Tsugoku!" He announced proudly.

The girl hesitated, tilting her head slightly. "Tsugoku? Oh, now I remember! Onii-chan once said I'll be his Tsugoku once he becomes a Hashira." she said, smiling lightly at the memory.

"So you're the water Hashira's Tsugoku?" he asked, receiving a nod from her. "I am! But I'll gladly be yours, too! Unless there's a rule preventing that." she told him, making him think for a second.

"Well, you can learn multiple breathing styles. I'll send a letter to Oyakata-sama to ask about this first thing in the morning." said the Hashira, making the girl nod. "But until then, you'll be my Tsugoku!" he announced, laughing once more. (Y/N) chuckled, saying: "Fine with me."

It didn't take long until (Y/N) got tired, obviously exhausted from the sudden fight with that Demon. She excused herself to bed, where she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, hoping that she would never have to meet that Demon ever again.

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Picture from:

https://www.zerochan.net/3106622