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

~chapter fifty-three~

(Y/N) Pov:

"Here, I'll help you." I said, placing Tanjiro's arm over my shoulders. He was panting, clearly exhausted from the long walk. I wanted to go to the Rengoku estate on my own, but he refused to let me go by myself. And that's how we ended up here.

He said: "But you're already carrying Nezuko's box..." I nodded lightly, saying: "I know. My injuries aren't nearly as bad as yours, so it's fine." "But-" "Tanjiro. You always help me out so much. And now, I want to help you out, okay?" He hesitated to answer, then did: "Alright. But if it gets too exhausting, you have to tell me." Nodding, I replied: "Will do!"

After another few minutes of walking, we had finally reached the Rengoku estate. I immediately felt the tears filling my eyes. "I thought I'd be coming back here for other reasons." I said, more to myself than anyone else.

"(Y/N)?" I looked to our left, where Senjuro was, holding a broom. His golden eyes were wide as he asked: "What are you... doing here?" I couldn't look into his eyes, instead, I looked to the ground.

"Have... Have you heard about Rengoku-sensei?" I asked, my voice barely audible. He nodded, saying: "Yes, I have. Why are you..." He trailed off, being able to guess what came next. "We're here to tell you his last message." I said.

"From my brother? I- Are you okay? You both look really pale." he said, placing the broom to the side. "Oh, I'm fine. Just a bit tired. And Tanjiro's still injured from our last mission." I answered, finally looking up. He seemed genuinely worried, which warmed my heart a little. He's just as nice as Rengoku-sensei.

"Stop! You've just come to tell us useless crap anyway!" We all turned to face the sudden, loud voice. It belonged to their father, who was glaring at me and Tanjiro, yelling: "It's because he became a swordsman despite having no great talent. That's why he died! Pathetic. Kyojuro's just a fool of a son!"

My eyes widened. Is he serious? I mean, he has never once been kind to me, and I've never seen him smile while I was here, but this? This is ridiculous! He took another sip of his alcohol, saying: "People's powers are decided upon the moment they are born."

"A small fraction of people have talent, the rest are just riffraff. Garbage without any value! Kyojuro was like that, lacking in any great talent. Of course he was going to die." This man... I'm so close to fighting him.

"Senjuro! The funeral's over! How long are you going to make that pathetic expression?!" he yelled, causing anger to rise within me. "That's a really cruel way to phrase it. Please stop talking that way." said Tanjiro, stepping forwards.

"What's up with you? Get the hell out! And what are you doing back here?" he said, his last words meant for me. I glared at the man, saying: "You're the one being pathetic! You're here, drinking, and yelling at your son who's mourning over the loss of his brother! Rengoku-sensei was an amazing man, and a strong Hashira!"

He grew quiet, the anger clear on his face, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. I've tried to supress my emotions for too long. I just can't hold it in anymore. "He died while he was protecting us! He saved me, Tanjiro, and everyone else on that goddamned train! How could talk about your own son like that?!"

I was breathing heavily, tightening my hands into fists. "Rengoku-sensei is the most amazing person I ever met. Please don't talk down on him like that." I finished, turning to walk away. "Wha- (Y/N)?" asked Tanjiro, but I continued walking, having to get rid of this anger.

3rd Person Pov:

Tanjiro stood there, wide eyed. Never once had he imagined that (Y/N) could burst out in anger like that. But he would be lying if he said he didn't understand where she was coming from. This whole situation caused his anger to fume, too.

Deciding to try and calm the situation down a little, he said: "I'm from the Demon Slayer Corps, and-" Before he could continue, however, Shinjuro dropped the bottle of alcohol he was holding, then said: "You... I see, you're..."

Tanjiro didn't know what was happening. He turned to look at Senjuro, who couldn't really help him out, since he, too, didn't know what was happening. "You're a breath of the sun user!" "Breath of the sun? What are you talking about?" asked Tanjiro, now utterly confused.

Suddenly, too fast for Tanjiro to comprehend, Shinjuro jumped onto Tanjiro, pushing the poor boy onto the ground. "Father, please stop! Just look at him! His body is in a bad state!" called Senjuro, trying to pry his father off of Tanjiro.

"Shut up! Silence!" called the man, hitting his son, which caused Tanjiro to snap. He threw Shinjuro off him, yelling: "That's enough! (Y/N) was right, you are pathetic! Just what the hell have you been doing?!"

He stood back up, saying: "Badmouthing your son who gave up his life! And hitting your other! What's your goal in this?!" "You and that girl are just making fun of us, aren't you?" asked the adult, his gaze sharp, almost piercing Tanjiro's very soul.

"Why would you think that? I have no idea what you're saying! Don't accuse me!" replied Tanjiro, returning the glare he was receiving. Shinjuro pointed accusingly at him, saying: "Because you're a breath of the sun user! I know those earrings! It was written in that book! And that girl... Born with the ability to master every breathing technique without any drawbacks..."

He took a deep breath, then said: "The original breath. The breath of the sun is the godly breath that was the first one ever created! And the one which every other breath is derived from. Every other breath is nothing more than an imitation of the breath of the sun! They're not only blatant copies, but also inferior versions! Flames, water, wind, everything!"

Tanjiro thought about what he had just heard. A breath of the sun? If such a thing really existed, then why hadn't he heard anything of this before? Besides, his family has been coal burners for generations.

"Don't you dare get full of yourself just because I said you're a breath of the sun user, you brat!" called Shinjuro, ready to attack. Tanjiro yelled back: "I can't ever get full of myself! Do you know how badly I've been beaten down just now? Shitty old man! Don't speak ill of Rengoku-san!"

Senjuro, watching all of this with wide eyes, tried to warn Tanjiro by saying: "Watch out! Father's a former Hashira!" But it was too late. They were already fighting, with Tanjiro taking more hits than he could deal out.

Getting frustrated with himself, Tanjiro spun himself around, headbutting the former Hashira, knocking him unconscious. Senjuro stood there, his eyes still wide. Getting up, Tanjiro turned to walk away, saying: "I'll go get (Y/N)." Senjuro was only able to nod, not believing what he had just witnessed.

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Picture from:

https://aminoapps.com/c/kimetsunoyaiba-es/page/user/senjuro-rengoku/6P5W_VpMiafKNjbo6LR4vmNjPdJMLPXLKdv