??? POV
I sneak into the room, seeing the demon girl. I stand above her. I raise my katana, take a deep breath.
Tanjiro POV
I open the door to Nezuko's room after a hard day of training. I see someone standing over her sleeping body with their sword raise above their head. I quickly rush them but all of a sudden he disappears. I smell him behind me. I turn around, he smells strongly of sake.
Tanjiro: get away from Nezuko! Who are you?
I notice his butterfly haori.
Tanjiro: a butterfly haori?! Who are you?
All of a sudden he dissappears again. I turn around to see his sword moving towards Nezuko's neck. How is he so quick?
Tanjiro: STOP!
He stops his sword just above Nezuko's neck.
???: you're too weak! How did you pass the final selection? You expect to protect your sister and cure her with that? Just commit seppuku from now. You can't even keep up your concentration breathing at all times. You are an embarrassment to Urokodaki-San. He wasted his time training you. You've burdened us all with this demon. How do you expect for people to accept her into the demon slayers if you're so weak?
The door opens and I turn around and see Shinobu.
Shinobu: is everything alright, Tanjiro?
Tanjiro: Who is-huh? Where did he go?
I turn around to face the mysterious man but he's nowhere to be found.
Shinobu: what are you talking about? Maybe you should go sleep. You must be tired.
I look at Shinobu then turn back towards Nezuko. Was I hallucinating? It felt so real.
Tanjiro: I probably am. Sorry for the disturbance, Shinobu-San. I'll just talk to Nezuko then go to sleep.
...
Y/n POV
I hear the door open.
Y/n: get out.
Shinobu: I know it was you. Why did you attack Nezuko?
Y/n: I know of no such thing.
Shinobu: I heard you.
I take another huge gulp of sake.
Y/n: Fine, I was just testing him. He's weak. He can't even to total concentration breathing. Now leave me alone.
Shinobu smiled then left the room.
Tanjiro POV
I sit on top of the butterfly mansion meditating.
Tanjiro (thoughts): I've regained most of my strength. And now I can run farther than before, and my lungs have gotten stronger! I'm making good progress! During the day, I run all over the place and put my lungs into overdrive with swift movements. So now, I'll breathe in slowly. Take slow, deep breaths and send air all the way to my fingertips. Meditation boosts concentration. Master Urokodaki said so himself. Master Urokodaki...
Haganezuka: How dare you break my sword! (pulls out a knife)
Tanjiro (thoughts): please forgive me. They're reforging my sword for me now, but... I apologize from the bottom of my heart. That man... Who was he? Why did he attack Nezuko? Concentrate! You need to concentrate! Concentrate on your breathing!
yoo-hoo!
yoo-hoo!
yoo-hoo!
Tanjiro: yes?
I realize someone was talking to me. It was Shinobu-San! Her face was right beside mine.
Shinobu: I can see you're working very hard. Even though your friends ran off somewhere.
My cheeks heat up at how close she was. She sits back down. Putting space between us.
Shinobu: Don't you feel lonely all by yourself?
Tanjiro: No! Because once I've mastered it myself, I can teach them how to do it, too!
Shinobu: you really are one of pure heart.
Tanjiro: hey, why did you take us here?
Shinobu: Nezuko's situation has been officially acknowledged, and the three of you were injured so horribly. And besides that, I'd like to entrust my dream to you.
Tanjiro: dream?
Shinobu: yes. My dream for humans to befriend the demons. I'm sure that if anyone could do it, it'd be you guys.
I sniff from the strong scent coming off her. The scent of anger and misery. Reminds me of that man... We look at each other
Tanjiro: are you angry?
Her smile disappears as she's shocked by my words.
Tanjiro: I always pick up this angry scent from you, but you're always smiling.
Shinobu looks away.
Shinobu: yes. You're right. It might be true that I'm in a constant state of anger. Ever since a demon slaughtered my beloved sister. Every time I see the tears of those who've lost their loved ones to demons, every time I hear those cries of despair, the rage building up inside me grows a little bit stronger. Deep down in the innermost depths of my body, there a revulsion that I can't fight. I'm sure the same holds true for the other hashira. This time, they saw nezuko, who's never devoured a human, with their own eyes. And they can tell her apart now. Out of respect for the master's wishes, I doubt anyone would raise a hand to her. My sister was a kind-hearted person, much like you. She, too, felt sympathy for demons. Even on the brink of death, she never stopped pitying them. But I was never able to feel that way. How can you feel sorry for something that kills humans? I've never heard of anything so ludicrous. But if that was how my sister truly felt, then I must carry on that feeling. If there's a way for us to no longer have to kill those pitiful demons, then I must continue searching for it. All without losing that smile my sister always loved. But in exhausted. Demons do nothing but lie. Losing all reason out of self-preservation, they murder humans with their instincts laid bare.
Tanjiro: Shinobu-san
Shinobu: hm?
Tanjiro: that night where you asked if I was alright, there was somebody there who attacked Nezuko. He was so fast and strong. I thought he was gonna kill her but stopped just before he hit her neck. He was wearing a butterfly haori similar to yours. Do you know who he is?
Shinobu: (giggle) that's my brother. He's the molten hashira. He was my sister's husband. He had the kindest soul. He'd do anything for her and me. He loved to keep us happy and make us smile. He was overprotective of everyone. Even when he just met Kanao, he spent a lot of time trying to get her to talk to him. Unfortunately, after my sister got murdered. Unfortunately, he didn't lose just my sister that night, she was pregnant with a little girl. It was my sister's last mission and he didn't know about it. I blame myself for letting her go on that mission and I'm sure he does too. After that night, He locked himself in his room. I knew he was there before I entered the room. I heard him, that was the first time he came out of his room in a while. I know he Said some harsh things to you Tanjiro. He did it because he cares under that facade of his. Just like he did with Kanao, Aoi, and the three girls, he thinks of you two as family. As his little siblings and he wants to protect you and Nezuko... Tanjiro, please continue doing all that you can. Please be there for nezuko until the bitter end. Knowing that you're working so agrd in my place reassures me to no end. It helps me rest easier. Your breathing has come to a halt.
I gasp in shock. She then stood up and disappeared.
Tanjiro (thoughts): I'll do my best. Total concentration breathing! Mom, Hanako, Takeo, Shigeru, Rokuta... I'll restore Nezuko's humanity no matter what!
3 chapters in 2 days! I'm coming back to my prime where I did a chapter a day! Ig that's what happens when you graduated from school and is free 95% of the time. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Ik this was shorter than normal but this is a Segway into the next arc!
