Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hinokami Flames

Chapter 1: A stranger of darkness

Years have passed since Tanjiro began his training. Now at the age of thirteen, he continues to provide for his mother and five siblings Nezuko, Takeo, Hanako, Shigeru, and Rokuta by selling charcoal to the village below the mountains.

Tanjiro plans to head down the mountain, Kie stops him. "Tanjiro. Your face is covered with dirt. It gets dangerous when the snow is falling, so it's up to you if you don't want to go." she says as she wipes Tanjiro's face. "I understand that mother, but it's almost new year and everyone wishes to eat with happiness. So, I'll just sell so more charcoal." Kie smiles. "You are very kindhearted."

"Wait Tanjiro, you're going to village today?!" Shigeru asks. "Can I come with you?!" Hanako begs. Apparently, they overheard their conversation, and wanted to go with Tanjiro. "No, you can't run like Tanjiro can." Kie stated. "Mother please!" they both continue to beg. "I'm sorry. But Tanjiro's unable to pull the cart today. So, he can't give rides while you're resting." Shigeru and Hanako were sad they couldn't go with Tanjiro. "Takeo, could you chop down a few trees down since you can do easily?" Tanjiro asked. "I guess I could." Takeo groaned. "And here I thought we'd do it together as a team."

Tanjiro leaves for the village, but not before bumping into Nezuko. "Brother." "Nezuko." "I just lulled Rokuda to sleep. Just to keep him from making an uproar." she says with Rokuda sleeping on her back. "He's been feeling lonely ever since dad died. It seems like everyone is stuck to you. We'll see you soon."

As Tanjiro walks down the mountain, he thinks about the past few years. 'Life isn't easy, but it's a blessing. But concerning life, is like looking at the sky. It changes and moves. Because there aren't times where the path stays clear forever. Thus, times where happiness is broken, there's always the scent of blood.' Now halfway down the mountain, he uses the breathing techniques to increase his speed, making it there in half his average time.

Tanjiro arrives at the village and proceeds to sell charcoal. The villagers happy purchase the charcoal in his basket. While Tanjiro helps and sells, a looming person watches from the distance. "Can that child possibly deemed a threat?" he says talking to himself. The wanderer then feels a voice giving him orders. "Very well. I'll keep a close eye and see if he's what you believe he is." He leaves and heads into the forest.

After selling all of his charcoal, Tanjiro heads back up the mountain to his home. 'I can't believe I sold out in under two hours. If I make it back, I might have enough time to eat, train, and play with everyone.' But as he continues to run, he fails to see a traveler and bumps into him knocking them both down. "unghh! I'm sorry. I didn't see you there. are you ok?" Tanjiro then looked up to see a middle-aged man wearing a purple pattern kimono, a bamboo hat, and bandages all over his face. "Yes, I'm fine young man." The traveler soon picks himself back up and starts to walk down the mountain, but Tanjiro stops him. "Are you going back to the village?" Tanjiro asked. "Yes. I require shelter and warmth from the snow."

 "Then come spend the night at my residence." The traveler's eyes widen. "Are you sure? I don't wish to take advantage of your gratitude."  "We would welcome any visitors." Tanjiro said with a smile. "And it's getting dangerous to walk down with the snow falling." "I suppose, I'll take you up on your offer." "Great! Let's hurry." Now Tanjiro and the Traveler made their way up the mountain. "By the way, my name is Tanjiro Kamado. what's yours?" "Michikatsu Tsugikuni." 

Tanjiro and Michikatsu make it back to the Kamado home, and Tanjiro introduces Michikatsu to his family. Soon Michikatsu was watching Tanjiro play with his siblings from inside as well as Takeo organizing the wood he chopped. "So, how did you get those injuries?" Takeo wondered. "People who accused me of massacre set my house on fire with me in it." Michikatsu answered. "I was able to escape, but my face was severely injured." Takeo felt his heart sink. "Oh. I'm sorry." "It's not your fault. Some people are just cruel in this world."