Demon Slayer Swap AU

Chapter 4: Nezuko's Journal, Part 1

"There are a few hundred members of the demon slayer corps. The organisation isn't fully recognised by the government, but it has existed since days of old and still hunts demons today. However, the identity of the demon slayer corps is shrouded in mystery."

"Demons. Staple food: humans. They kill humans and eat them. It is unclear when or where demons first appeared. They have impressive physical abilities, and their wounds heal quickly. They can reconnect severed flesh and grow new limbs. Some demons can change form. Others possess strange powers. The only ways to kill them are by exposing them to sunlight or cutting off their heads with a special sword."

"The demon slayer corps fights demons face-to-face. They are human. So their wounds heal slowly, and lost limbs do not return. Nonetheless, they fight demons in order to protect ordinary people."

"I am a trainer. Just like it sounds, I train swordsmen. There are many trainers in different places, they use various training methods. In order to join the demon slayer corps, you must survive Final Selection at Mount Fujikasane. I decide whether you may attempt Final Selection."

....

Starting today, I have decided to write this journal for Tanjiro. Again, today, I descended the mountain. I train as hard as I can so I won't die during Final Selection. I go down the mountain repeatedly, day after day. I've become quite good at avoiding traps. I'm growing stronger, and my nose is even sharper at picking up scents. But the traps are getting much deadlier. It's like he really wants to kill me.

Today, I went down the mountain with a katana. It really gets in the way, so carrying it got me caught in a lot of traps.

Today, I practised swinging the sword. I say "today," But lately I do this every day. After descending the mountain, I swing the sword so much it feels like my arms might fall off. The first thing he taught me was that a katana breaks easily. It's strong against force lengthwise but weak against force from the side. With a katana, you must attack straight ahead. When you swing a katana, the direction of the blade and the direction of the force you apply must be exactly the same. Furthermore, if you damage the sword, he'll damage you! In other words, if I break it, he'll break my bones. His threats are cold like the mountain.

Today, I did nothing but fall down, training to break my fall and get up quickly. I swing my sword and face Keizo with the intent to strike him down. Keizo stands against me, unarmed, but he's ridiculously strong. He easily throws me to the ground.

Today, I learned breathing and some standard forms. He said I didn't have enough strength in my core, then he got angry and hit my stomach.

I've been writing for six months, Tanjiro, and you still haven't woken up. Keizo immediately called a doctor to look at you, but he found nothing wrong. Yet it's clearly strange for you to keep sleeping like this. I was scared. I thought I'd wake up one day in the morning and find you dead, and that's still how I feel every night.

And every day I go higher on the mountain for my training, each place more dangerous and with thinner air. Many times I thought I would die.

"I have nothing more to teach you." Keizo had said.

About a year after I arrived at Mount Sagiri, that was all he said.

"The rest is up to you. Can you take what I have taught you and bring it to the next level?" Keizo asked, walking over to a large boulder with a thick rope tied around it, Nezuko following after him. "If you can split this boulder, I will approve you for Final Selection."

A boulder..? Nezuko thought, staring at the boulder. Can that even be split?! Can you split it with a katana? I don't think I can. The blade would break.

Keizo then began to walk away from Nezuko and the boulder.

"Keizo! Wait! This.. Keizo!" She shouted, but Keizo didn't even turn his head to look at her as he walked into the fog.

Since that day, Keizo hasn't taught me anything. Still, every day I practice what I learned from Keizo. Holding my breath, flexibility, and the most basic things too. I'm glad I wrote everything in my journal.

But even after half a year, I can't split the boulder. I'm beginning to worry. It isn't enough. I haven't had enough training. I have to do more. More! What if.. I'm no good? Will Tanjiro die like that? I have no answers! I'm losing hope! I'm going to fail!

"COME ON! TRY HARDER!" Nezuko yelled, banging her head against the boulder.

"SHUSH!"

Nezuko looked up, and sat on the boulder was a short, young woman wearing a circle-patterned, pink kimono that faded into a snowflake pattern tied with an obi. She also wore a fox mask, which covered her face, with three snowflake pins in her black hair, which was tied into a large bun.

"Oh, sorry! Did I scare you?" The girl asked, her tone much softer than before as she stepped off the boulder, holding a wooden sword. "Anyway."

The girl then clashed her wooden sword against Nezuko's, then booted her with her leg, sending Nezuko to the ground.

"You're rather slow.. and weak." The girl said. "You'll need to work on that if you want to become a demon slayer."

Word count: 935