The Sound of Fire (Demon Slayer Fan Story)

Episode 1: A Tale of Two Hashira

Rengoku

"I don't like it," Kaname sqwaked, the usually reserved crow circling over head to voice his concerns for the fourth time in about as many minutes. "I don't like it, not one bit!"

Turning my attention upward, I let out a hearty laugh, "Come now, Kaname, don't be like that! There's nothing to get so worked up about."

"Nothing to get worked up about," he cried. "It's this teaming up with him of all people! Why did the master send two hashira on this mission in the first place?"

"He must have concluded that this was a task even a pillar could not handle on their own. The master has never led us astray before, so I see no reason to question his judgment."

Huffing, Kaname swooped down, alighting atop my shoulder as I followed the forest path. "Be that as it may, why couldn't he send Giyu to accompany us? I have the highest regard for his silent nature."

Doubling over I clutched my sides as I broke into further amused laughter.

"Wh...what's so funny, Rengoku?"

"It's just...I've never heard you go on like this. Like Tomioka, you're not exactly known for your expressive personality. Not that I am disheartened by your usual sensibilities. I find they provide a great counter balance to my own blazing spirit!"

"Here we go again with the blazing spirit," Kaname muttered, raising a wing over his beak. "Can we get back to the problem at hand? It's Tengen, and in particular those rambunctious wives of his! Every time they see me they ooh and aah and try to get me to sing for them!"

"Is that so terrible," I asked playfully.

"I am not a song bird! I am Kasugai Crow and a proud member of the Demon Slayer corps, not some source of their amusement!

Stroking my chin thoughtfully, I nodded along as he spoke, "I see your dilemma. But rest easy, I don't think Uzui's wives will be accompanying him on this particular mission. I believe they were tasked with another objective by the master."

"Humph. Even if that is the case, it's not as if Uzui doesn't ruffle my feathers. He is so... brazen and obnoxious. Always doing things his way with no regard for teamwork!"

"He is quite the head strong soul," I agreed. "But that is something all of the pillars share. A burning determination to protect people, and shed light upon those who would prey on them under cover of dark. Tengen may be a bit brazen as you put it, but at the end of the day he is just as committed to our cause as any member of the corps."

Kaname fell silent, seeming to mull over my words before spreading his wings and hovering over me once more. "You may be right, Rengoku, time shall tell. And though I remain unsatisfied with these circumstances, I accept my duty same as you. Let's just hope we make it in time to be of service."

Nodding, I scanned the dusk laden sky as the last rays of the sun fell warmly on the forest. It would be dark before too long, and the demon we had been sent to confront would very likely be on the hunt again.

While I did not share my avian friend's worry about teaming up with Uzui, I would be remiss to not acknowledge his comments about the master sending two of us in the first place...

From the limited information we had been able to piece together, this particular demon had potentially been lurking about the Akita prefecture for centuries. The locals had myths featuring the monster dating back to the late Edo period. Tales of a demon that attacked everyone from disobedient children, to lone visitors of the renowned Akita hotsprings, or a multitude of other fables involving this entity. Some even believed their famous Kanto festival was secretly a ceremony to ward off the demon