Dispassionate

4

4) Worry

Tanjiro had been training for a few months by now. He'd gotten injured a lot, and his hair had gotten even longer to, it grew fast. He had to tie it in a bun at times.

Urokodaki had told him he could keep it down for today though. Weird. He had also brought him to a waterfall. The fast water rushed past his head, some drops hitting his face. He turned around to look at his trainer.

"To master water breathing you must be able to control your breathing, even in harsh circumstances." Tanjiro was confused, until he felt a hand grab his arm and flip him over. He lost his sense of gravity as he fell into the water. He landed with a loud splashed and lifted his head above the water.

It was more shallow than expected. Standing up he could just get his head above the water. He looked up to get a few of his trainer looking down at him from the ledge. He deadpanned at the red tengu mask that stared down at him.

His eyes thinned in annoyance as he disappeared from his plan of vision. He looked over to the waterfall that harshly flowed behind him. Harsh circumstances, was he supposed to get between the water and the rocks?

It would make sense. This guy was crazy after all. He looked at the forest behind him. Sure enough, Urokodaki stood there. "I'd assume you already know what I'm going to say." And with that he began to leave.

"I'll return later. I have matters to attend to." He turned around and began his walk back to the now familiar path. Tanjiro had gotten so used to it at this point.

Urokodaki didn't quicken his pace, but rather slowed down. Should he check on Tanjiro before he leaves him alone? To make sure he doesn't drown? Yeah, it's just around the corner. He's not that far away, what's the worst that could happen.

He turned around and sped to his student. He was met with Tanjiro being knocked out of the waterfall, and popping his head out of the water almost instantly. He should be fine on his own. But just as a precaution, he'd stay there for a few more moments, nothing bad would happen. It was just to be safe.

He watched Tanjiro attempt to get back under the rushing water, just to be knocked out again. He angrily burst his head out of the water, wet hair falling into his face. He just swan back to the rocks, and tried again. Urokodaki had to say he admired his persistence. Tanjiro would be fine now, he was sure of it.

He needed to ask Giyuu something anyways, and this kid somehow had the energy to stay up most of the night.

He neared his home, and slid the door open. He didn't have a lot of time to write it out, because he still had to check on his student.

Giyuu Tomioka,

I hope you're fairing well. I'm writing to you about the boy you sent to me. He's not dead don't worry, but that's one of my concerns. I'm aware of the injury you mentioned on his shoulder, but when he came to me his leg, back, and head were injured as well. It's easy to notice that he injures himself easily. Intentional or not. I fear he might injure himself to the point he kills himself.

He's refused to see at doctor at points, saying he's fine. Not to mention he's nearly mute, I don't know if he's spoken to you before, but he hardly makes a noise when I hit him during training, I'm afraid his voice might strain and he might not be able to talk at a point. I know you're busy, but find a way to look after him whenever you can.

My regards,
Sakonji Urokodaki.

He looked over to the older crow that belonged to his old pupil. He carefully tied it to the birds leg and gently caressed the feathers on the top of its head, before sending it off. He watched it fly off into the distance, a feather or two slowly drifting down.

"My, my, Tomioka! What's that? Someone wrote to you? And here I thought you had no friends!" A cheerful looking woman clasped her hands together as she stared at the crow.

She was currently taking bandages off my hand, which had looked like it just healed. "Oh, never mind! It's just your old trainer, huh?" I shied away. "I do have friends."

"You're not denying it's your trainer!" She grinned, finally taking all the bandages off. "There! Your hand is good as new, be more careful next time!" She waved me off as I mumbled a quick and quiet 'thank you'.

I could hear her laughing behind me. I looked at the neatly folded paper in my hand, opening it up. The contents didn't shock me . He seemed like a quiet kid, and my crow reported that nasty fall he had.

But I didn't know this kid was that quiet. And not seeing a doctor for wounds? If Sakonji called a doctor, it must have been bad. This kid really doesn't take care of himself. Should I write something back? He probably doesn't want to hear from me anyways.

I might as well send an affirmation.

Sakonji headed back to the waterfall, to see Tanjiro sitting underneath, he looked irritated. Must have taken a while to get to this point. And then he got thrown out again. He poked his head out of the water.

"Ugh," he groaned. "Damnit...." He looked over to see his trainer watching him. "That's enough for today. We can try again tomorrow." Tanjiro nodded, swimming out of the water. He was thoroughly drenched.

"And we can get you a change of clothes. It getting dark anyways." He started walking down the path, and Tanjiro followed after him. The water weighed his steps down, so Urokodaki slowed down to walk by his side.

Tanjiro glanced at the man a few times, not saying anything. Urokodaki stared at Tanjiro's unruly hair. It could be a potential hazard for him in the near future, and he most likely won't cut it. Should he try to convince him to? Would he even agree if he tried?

It's always worth a shot.