Tanjiro Kamado : The Spirit of Vengeance

Chapter One: Tanjiro

If you've already read the story go to the authors note below.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The morning rose on the snow ridden forest, the sun's beams barely seeping through the heavy blanket of clouds covering the sky. A small traditional Japanese cabin stood in the woods, not a sound to hear. The cabin had obviously been left for a while as a hole in the roof that seemed to protrude from in the house had let the elements in mold and animals had taken residence instead of the humans who built it. Six mounds of dirt rested a few feet away from the cabin, but a wooden stake with an old ribbon which had once been pink stood next to them. A fox laid in the entrance, the overhead roof protecting it from the snow. It was resting before it's ear perked up to the sound of crunching snow. A man was walking up the path from the forest, the man's torn checkered pattern kimono swaying in the shuddering wind. He approached the cabin scarring off the fox and stopped in a cross section leading to the mounds of dirt and entrance of the cabin, and got on his knees. He raises his hand to lower the scarf covering his head, and rewraps it around his neck. A kabuki mask with red lines following a tear like pattern from dark holes he see's from is on his face one though has a soft orange glow illuminating the dark pit. The man puts his hands on the buckle of the strap holding the mask in place, and unlocks it, releasing the mask from his face. He holds the mask gently in his hands caressing the cheek with his thumb while he does this a figure hides in the trees caressing a sheathed katana on their hip. The man seems to notice but pays no mind as he puts the mask in front of him. The man reaches into the small bag he had on his back and pulls out seven candles, the figure notices and gets closer hopping to a branch a few feet away from the man making no sound. The manplaces the candles in an arched position above the mask. The man holds a hand up and snaps his fingers causing a small flame to manifest on his index finger, the figure notices and grabs the hilt in preparation. The man uses the flame and slowly lights the first one, "Mother." The man says in a soft tone. The figure seems confused as he continues to the next one, "Father." The man continues to the next three lighting them simultaneously, "Brothers." He continues to the last two candles and stops for a moment as he glances at the mound closest to the stake with the ribbon and continues lighting them both, "Sisters."

The man shakes his hand and the flame disappears. The figure breaths in and out exhaling a visible breath. The man picks up his mask and puts it back on. He puts his hands together in silent prayer as the figure unsheathes the katana revealing a bluish hue and holds it in a stance. The man sits there as the figure breathes in and lunges with so much force they destroy the branch they sat on. The figure holds their sword with two hands and aims for the man's neck. The sword came closer and closer only a few inches from the man's neck. Snow flew everywhere from the shockwave of the hit from the figure obscuring the area. They look where the man's decapitated head should be and sees nothing. They immediately survey their surroundings and see the man standing next to the tree they were originally perched. "Giyu Tomioka, Demon Slayer." The man said venom lacing Giyus profession. Giyu looked at the man with a neutral face but he could see the glare Giyu was giving him. "Demon, you won't survive much longer." Giyu says, pointing the katana at him.

"Really, Demon? If you're gonna call me anything, at least call m-" The man was saying.

Giyu darted towards him "Water Breathing: First Form Water Surface Slash!"

Giyu expected the sword to connect with the man's neck but was a little surprised to hear the grind of metal against metal. The man had pulled a hatchet out and clashed with the Hashira. "Can we at least not fight here? This is a burial ground." The man said with a little annoyance in his voice. Giyu didn't respond simply jumping and kicking off the man's chest back flipping several feet away. Giyu landed and rushed at the man and raised his sword "Water Breathing: Fourth Form, Striking Tide!" Giyu rushes the man and sends multiple strikes but most of the strikes were avoided with a taunting swagger. The final strike was a downward slash that was faster than the other attempts to cut the man. The man was caught off guard at the slash and was cut, adding to the many cuts and tears on the kimono, Giyu didn't let up switching grips and slashing at the man in an attempt to cut him again. The man was dodging most of them, getting cut by every other slash. The demon slayer thrusts forward with his sword and pierces through the man's chest, "Ok, I'm done trying to be nice." The man said in a monotone voice. The man punches Giyu, sending him into a tree hard enough to destroy a few layers of bark. Giyu seems almost unphased by this, getting back to his feet and looking at the man who was now holding his sword. The man held the sword by his side and walked towards Giyu. He got in a stance ready to disarm the man and get his sword back. The man twirled the sword in his hand as it set on fire. Giyus stoney expression broke as his eyes widened, truly shocked 'Was this the Demons blood art?' he thought. The man got closer and the chain wrapped around his arm slithered to the hilt of the sword wrapping around it as a snake wrapped its prey. The man launched forward ready to slash the hashiras torso, Giyu dodged out of the way the sword instead slicing through the tree cutting it in half, a heavy thud echoed through the forest scaring the crows. Giyu got next to the man and kneed him in the side, and got backhanded as a result. Giyu flew into another tree. Raising himself leaning onto a tree, he coughs and looks back at the man. The man is standing a few feet away from him, he raises Giyus sword and plunges it down. Giyu stands there shocked. He glances to his left and sees the sword embedded in the tree inches away from his head. "I won't kill you. But that doesn't mean I'm merciful, come after me again and I'll put you in a more unfortunate scenario." The man says. He begins to walk away before he stops and looks back at Giyu "By the way. I know you don't care what my name is but since I know yours I feel you should know mine." he removes the mask revealing his face and glowing orange eye "My name is Tanjiro Kamado."