Solar Blade

Fox Mask: Pt II

Tanjiro kept his eyes fixed intently on [Name]'s boulder, the sight of it struck him with an unexpected chill. It wasn't just a rock; it was a boulder cut into 10 pieces, shrouded in a thick layer of frost that glistened in the light, creating an enchanting picture that left him both curious and apprehensive. But why was it frosted over like this? This was not an ordinary occurrence; it was peculiar and stirred a flicker of anxiety within him. He took a cautious step closer, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

With a low, deliberate motion, he ran his hand over the surface of the ice-encrusted rock, his fingers gliding smoothly over the icy texture. The moment he made contact, a startled jolt coursed through him as the frost visibly reacted, beginning to creep up his fingers like an insidious vine. What on earth was this phenomenon? Tanjiro furrowed his brow and brought his nose closer, inhaling deeply. The cold air was infused with the unmistakable scent of [Name]'s blade, the metallic tang of steel mixed with something almost floral. Of course, he thought to himself, it made sense — they must have used their blade to carve this out. But the how and why of it left him yearning for answers. Just as he was about to delve deeper into his thoughts, a boisterous voice broke through the tranquillity of the moment.

"Oi, Tanjiro! Your sibling beat you to it, huh? Well come on, let's get yours sliced!" Sabito's voice rang out, cutting through the silence like a crisp wind, playful yet encouraging.

Startled, Tanjiro turned his head to find Sabito perched casually on his own boulder, a confident figure silhouetted against the backdrop of the serene mountainside. Even with the mask obscuring his features, Tanjiro could sense the warmth of Sabito's smile beneath it, a silent gesture of encouragement that bolstered his spirits. It was as if his presence alone was a reminder that he was not alone in this journey; there were others by his side, fighting for the same goals.

Sabito's words reignited Tanjiro's determination, reminding him of the vow he had made. He was resolute in his desire to complete Final Selection, to prove himself, and most importantly, to ensure that [Name] would not have to face the trials of this world alone. With newfound zeal flashing in his eyes, Tanjiro swallowed his fear and stepped away from the frost-kissed boulder, ready to embark on this next phase of his life alongside his steadfast mentor, feeling that today's challenge would only bring him one step closer to his ultimate goal.

"Right, let's do this!" Tanjiro exclaimed, unsheathing his blade.

Sabito hopped down from the rock, bringing out his wooden sword. Would this be the day? The day when the boulder was finally split in half? He knew that he could probably only manage one slice at this moment in time, but he needed to do it. Out f the corner of his eye, he saw Makomo, standing next to a tree. She flashed him a soft smile and a thumbs up.

Tanjiro stood firm, his blade raised high against the backdrop of a vibrant sky, the cool wind playing playfully with his dark hair, sending wisps dancing around his face. He could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat in his chest, a calm contrast to the anticipation thrumming in his veins. Usually, it was Sabito who seized the initiative, darting forward with a flash of determination, his wooden blade striking with precision and speed that often left Tanjiro hardly a moment to react. Sabito's strikes were relentless and sharp, reminding Tanjiro of how far he had yet to go on his journey to become a true swordsman.

Yet, as the days wore on, a transformation began to manifest in Tanjiro. With each passing training session, he became increasingly aware of his own improvement; his swings were becoming faster, and more powerful, and he could feel the energy coiling within him, like a spring ready to unleash itself. It was as if he was no longer just reacting to Sabito's attacks, but instead, felt a growing sense of control and purpose in his movements. The training ground was alive with the sounds of their sparring, the clash of wood on wood echoing around them, and Tanjiro could see the determination reflected in Sabito's eyes—a silent acknowledgment of his progress.

In the solitude of his thoughts, Tanjiro couldn't help but think of [Name]. Their skill in wielding a blade was legendary, and he imagined their slashes slicing through the air with a speed that rivalled the very flashes of lightning that illuminated the night sky. He envisioned the raw power in their strikes, as fierce and unyielding as a raging storm, leaving no room for hesitation or doubt. The memory of their grace and strength fueled his resolve, pushing him to hone his techniques and strive for greatness with each practice swing.

With a deep breath, Tanjiro focused on his stance, drawing from the lessons learned through hard work and each encounter with Sabito. He was ready to embrace the challenge, transcend his limits, and become a warrior worthy of facing any foe that might threaten those he loved. This newfound determination swelled within him, a force urging him not just to keep pace with Sabito, but to push beyond, to become the strongest version of himself possible. In the quiet moments, when time stood still, Tanjiro knew that each day brought him closer to achieving his goal, not only for himself but also in honour of his memories.

"For [Name]! For Nezuko!" Tanjiro thought as he brought his blade down with a guttural sound.

In a second, his blade was to his feet, and Sabito's was still held in the air. Makomo gasped, seeing that Tanjiro had actually been faster. Suddenly, he looked at Sabito. A second later, a slash appeared in his fox mask, revealing his true face. Soft purple eyes gazed back at Tanjiro, and Sabito's head was encased in spiky tufts of orange hair. His smile was one of the most precious things that Tanjiro had ever seen.

"Well done, Tanjiro. You did it," Makomo spoke.

She disappeared into the trees, leaving Tanjiro with Sabito. Sabito stood straight, as did Tanjiro. They both sheathed their blades as Sabito smiled. He had a large scar on his cheek, but Tanjiro's attention was drawn to Sabito's eyes. Eyes as deep as [Name]'s and as sincere as Nezuko's.

"It's done," Sabito spoke.

When Tanjiro blinked, Sabito was no longer in front of him, but his blade was still in front of him. Before him, he saw that his boulder was now split in two. So, it hadn't been Sabito's which he split, but the boulder!

Now, [Name] and Tanjiro could go to Final Selection...

A/N

Yayyyyy! Final Selection time! Now, I'm really stuck. Should [Name] give the strange blade back or take it to Final Selection? Oh well, you'll find out tomorrow. Imma try to do three chapters tomorrow and sunday, but just know that it might not be possible (I've got too much schoolwork to catch up on). If you liked the chapter, let me know! 

Taisho Era Secret: When [Name] was younger, Tanjiro said they smelled like dewdrops and honey. Now, they smelled like nettles and frost.