"The Story Of The Thunder God" - A Demon Slayer RoleSwap Fanfic

Chapter 1: Loss Of The Precious

Third Person POV:

As Zenitsu walked down his home mountain, he could already hear and see people going about with their daily business. At last, after a long period of time, Zenitsu made it to his work, and just on time, too.

Mikan was just beginning to open up shop, and he waved to Zenitsu as the boy approached the restaurant. For the whole workday, Zenitsu played his shamisen and occasionally helped with arriving customers at the tables and the bar. It was late at night by the time Zenitsu was finished with work. "I'm so sorry for keeping you overtime, Zenitsu." Mikan said, bowing to the fourteen year old boy as he cleaned up his things.

Zenitsu was preparing to leave, but then Mikan's eyes widened, as if the man remembered something. "On second thought....Zenitsu, why don't you stay here for the night?" Mikan said.

Zenitsu looked down, a look of hesitancy spreading across his face. "I'd like that, Mikan-san, but tonight isn't the night." Zenitsu said, now shaking his head. "My family, especially Kanao, would most likely worry about my not returning home ."

Mikan shook his head in protest. "It's dangerous on mountains during the night, Zenitsu." Mikan insisted. Zenitsu shook his head again. "I have good ears to hear trouble. I'll be fine."

Mikan sighed. "No, you're staying here...the demons must already be out." Zenitsu tilted his head in confusion at the mention of demons. Then he laughed. "Mikan-san, with all due respect, why are you believing the stories that drunkards come up with at the bar?"

Mikan didn't reply. Only a look of concern spread across his face. "You're staying here, even though you think you can handle yourself." Mikan said stubbornly, causing Zenitsu to sigh.

Zenitsu followed Mikan up the stairs, and he sat quietly as Mikan pulled out an extra futon. The silence between the two continued. Only when Zenitsu was tucked into his futon, he spoke. "What exactly are demons, Mikan-san?" Zenitsu asked out of curiosity.

"Demons...are man eating creatures that only come out after dark." Mikan began slowly, as he pulled out a cigar. "They're ruthless beings that don't hesitate to murder people just to eat. The only weakness of those vile creatures is sunlight, they can't stand it. The sun and special weapons made from a metal known as nichirin are the only ways to kill demons" Mikan finished, now smoking his pipe.

"Ah," Zenitsu said. A thought began to cross his mind as he began drifting off to sleep. "Mikan-san...the demons can't come inside houses, can they?" Zenitsu asked groggily, as his eyes closed.

"Yes they can," said Mikan. Zenitsu now began to sleep, but a thought crossed his mind before he completely lost consciousness due to tiredness. The stories that Mikan hears at the bar must be very over the top, Zenitsu thought.

Next time, I'll bring my siblings, and tell them there's nothing to worry about...

Zenitsu POV:

As the sun was rising above the town, I woke up and began to prepare to return home. My family was most likely worried about my not returning yesterday.

Mikan-san was also awake, and he accompanied me to the front shoji door. I told Mikan-san, "Thank you for your hospitality, but I must leave so as not to worry my family."

Mikan-san chuckled before replying "Yes of course, I know very well what a worried family is like." I smiled before waving goodbye and turning around to begin my journey home. Just then, before I could take a single step out the front door, Mikan-san called out to me. "You forgot your mochi Zenitsu, you should take them back as a gift to your younger siblings."

I let out a sound of surprise. How could I have forgotten about the mochi when I promised my younger siblings some? I stepped forward and took the neatly packed parcel from Mikan-san's hands. I rechecked all of my supplies before finally giving my final goodbyes to Mikan-san and beginning my journey back home.