𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃 | 𝗸𝗻𝘆.

The Fading Sun Surpasses the Night ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

Mount Kumotori. Known centrally for its peaks and especially its cold climate.

As such, it's a barren landscape, littered by its tops with snow and sleet. No one would dare to live so high and in a place so cold. No one, but a certain family of charcoal sellers, kind-hearted and gentle-natured in every stature you can imagine. Just a little ways away from their home, stood a young boy with a basket of charcoal upon his back. He wore a checkered black and green haori, over a white robe and black pants, along with that of a turquoise scarf around his neck. In addition, he held black ruffled hair tipped with faint reds, and dark reddish irises surrounding a white pupil.

Tanjiro Kamado, that was the boy's name. As he finished gathering charcoals into the basket, a familiar soothing voice called his name.

"Tanjiro?" The young boy turned to face his home, seeing his mother slowly stepping out of the doorway, gazing at him with a concerned but soft expression. "Your face is covered in soot.. come here." She told him, furrowing her brows a little. He nodded quietly, walking over to his mother, who leant down onto her knees and raised a cloth up to his face, gently wiping away the mess on his skin. "It's dangerous with all this snow. You don't have to go, you know?" She reminded him. Kie Kamado, a dearly caring woman and mother, with an extremely hard head, in both meanings. A light smile formed upon his lips.

"Well, I want everyone to eat their fill on New Year's, so I have to sell as much charcoal as I can." Tanjiro assured his mother. Her lips widen into a smile in return, gently cupping her son's cheek.

"Arigatou.." She nodded, letting go of him.

"Nii-chan!" A smaller voice yelled from his left, making the both of them turn in surprise. Two younger figures rushed up to them, one a little boy and the other a young girl, both of a similar age. Shigeru and Hanako Kamado. These two were always the cheeriest two in their family, especially with all the attention they sought. Tanjiro couldn't help but quietly laugh as the faint memory of Shigeru crying when he hadn't been talked to for a few minutes as a baby flashed into his mind. He'd nearly fallen out of their mother's arms with how much he wiggled and squirmed around. "Are you going into town again???"

"I'm going with you!" Hanako pleaded, wanting to help her older brother out this time. After all, she couldn't help but feel a little guilt knowing that Tanjiro was only taking it upon himself to sell the coals. Behind them, a surprised Takeo Kamado poked his head around the corner, an axe in his hand.

"No, you're not." Kie refused, shaking her head. "You know you can't walk fast like Tanjiro can."

"K-Kaa-chan!" Shigeru whined, throwing his hands into the air.

"You may not." She said again, walking towards the two. "He won't be able to bring the cart today, so he can't give you rides when you're tired." Shigeru frowned immediately, his head tilting his head towards the ground, sulking, before leaping ahead towards his elder brother.

"Nii-chaan!!" Shigeru whined, tightly hugging Tanjiro by the waist, making him grunt a little in surprise.

"I wanna go with you!" Hanako interjected, stubborn to join her elder brother. "I promise I'll help you!" However, Tanjiro only chuckled, gently patting his little sister's head.

"Arigatou, Hanako." He said, making Hanako's eyes light up as she believed she could join him. "But you're staying home today." He shut her down.