Drinking from the Fountain (Demon Slayer x Male Reader)

Ch. 4 - A New Fight

I search her face for a hint of pity, or fake kindness, but find none. She's so kind...

I find myself smiling back at her, embracing her kindness, "Right."

We sit like that for a few more moments, until she catches herself letting her hand linger on mine for too long. She looks away and sits back at her seat, a small blush tints her cheeks. I feel a small laugh escape me, "Anyway... I guess that means we'll be moving together from here on," she says.

Wait.

Fuck.

I bring my hands up, "Oh! Well, we don't have to, NOT that I wouldn't want you to, but I don't typically travel with other..."

I trail off when I notice she's giggling at me, she looks up at me again, "You're too nervous. Plus you said it yourself, I can probably do a better job protecting her than you can."

"W-well..." I sigh, "Yes. I suppose you're right."

She nods, "Of course I am! I wasn't taking no for an answer." How blunt!!

I put a hand to my face, what did I get myself into? That being said, I have a fair bit of recovery to do. I should be resting, or eating. Food sounds so good right now.

No matter, I have other questions.

I lean over the table, "How are you so strong? You can't be but maybe a year older than I am."

"Well, have you taken up Constant Concentration Breathing yet?" She says with a curious glance.

"Constant what?"

She sighs, "I will take that as a no. I assume you know that your breathing techniques are Total Concentration Breathing techniques," I nod. I nod again to notion for her to continue, "Well, Constant Total Concentration is just as it sounds. Holding Total Concentration at all times, morning, noon, night. Even while sleeping. Though only hashira can do it at that level."

I wave a hand and wince, stupid ribs, "Wait, so you can do that? Hold your Total Concentration permenantly?"

She shakes her head, "No, not quite. I have had some training in it recently, as I was injured in a fight against a demon. The people of the Butterfly Mansion helped me try to master it, I never quite got it."

She's this powerful and she didn't even master the technique? I stand up, a new determination filling me, "How do I get started?! I must get stronger!"

With a small huff she looks down, "You can't. Not here. Only the people of the mansion have the materials in order to help you train for it."

Oh.

Ouch.

I fall down, my hopes shot down. How upsetting. Still, I must keep training myself as much as possible. I give Yorokobi a wave, "I guess I'll have to keep training how I have been."

She sighs, "I suppose. Do not push yourself today, I mean it."

I wave off her concern, "I'll be fine. I already feel good as new!" I say poking at my bruised side hiding a wince.

"Yea yea, whatever, go."

"Right! I will see you soon," I stand, give her a bow, and exit the room closing the door behind me. How odd. I feel so comfortable while talking to her.

Well, anyway!

I make my way back to the room I was in, Hayashi has left, good. I can relax, and then get to my training regiment.

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I throw one final exausted slash through the air, "First form: Unknowing Fire!"