The Beginning of A New Era (DKT AU)

A bright red sword

(Nezuko POV:)

The next day, I woke up around noon. I was tired from the previous day, but I hurried to get up anyway. Urokodaki was just cooking. We quickly ate together, and shortly after, my crow arrived. It was carrying a large package. The teacher said that inside was the uniform I would be using from now on while hunting demons. I was excited and rushed to open the package. Inside, there was a brown shirt and a skirt. I went to change and put on the uniform. It fit me perfectly. After a brief hesitation, I cut my kimono to resemble a haori and put it on. I looked even better this way. Urokodaki advised me to wear casual clothes, as I wouldn't need the uniform until I received my sword and started going on missions.

***
One morning, two weeks later, there was a knock on the door. Urokodaki told me it was most likely the swordsmith and asked me to open the door for him.
I opened the door. Standing there was a man wearing a Hyottoko mask.
"I am Haganezuka, and I’ve brought Nezuko Kamado's sword."
"Yes, that’s me! Please, come inside!"
The man ignored me and started pulling something out of the box he carried on his back.
"The sword I’m giving you is called a Nichirin. It’s forged from a special metal that can kill both day and night demons. This material is—"
"I understand, but please, come inside!" I repeated. He didn't seem to hear me and continued talking about the material until Urokodaki came and invited him in.

***
Haganezuka handed me the katana he had forged and told me to grab it. I held the handle with both hands and waited. According to the swordsmith, the sword would change color depending on the person who wielded it.
At first, the sword remained gray, and I started to worry. But just a second later, the same flames that appeared when I used my Blood Breathing technique suddenly burst forth from it. I was startled and almost dropped the blade. I looked nervously at Urokodaki and Haganezuka. Was this normal?
Suddenly, the swordsmith lunged at me, and I dropped the sword for good. To my surprise, however, the fire didn’t burn anything.
"You!" Haganezuka yelled. "What did you do to my sword? Do you know how long it took me to forge this? You’re just like your brother! He kept ruining my blades too!"
"Ow!" I cried as the man pinched my cheeks with all his might. "I’m really sorry! I don’t know why it happened! I didn’t set it on fire on purpose, I swear!"
"Haganezuka! I think you need to see this!" Urokodaki suddenly called out.
The swordsmith turned, irritated at being interrupted, and looked at the katana. He gasped. I looked over as well. The flames were still there, but now the blade had turned a bright red.
"A red sword!" Haganezuka yelled again. "Are you kidding me?!"
"I’m really sorry!" I said desperately, hoping he wouldn’t attack me again.
"Sorry? Do you even know what you’re saying? That’s one of the rarest colors for a sword! Only the strongest demon slayers have red blades!"
"Really?" I was surprised. That didn’t make any sense. I couldn’t possibly become that strong; after all, I didn’t even have my own breathing style, just some variation of my Blood Demon Art. I was just about to say what I was thinking when Haganezuka stood up, turned, and left the house. I was startled by his sudden departure. I called out, "Goodbye!" but he didn’t pay any attention to me.
"That’s just how he is," Urokodaki told me. "Don’t be surprised."

***
(Zenitsu POV:)
Today, we had a Hashira meeting, and even though I was feeling lazy about going to the master's house, I still had to go. Inosuke came with me, bothering me the whole way, but overall, everything was fine. When we arrived, the other Hashira were already there. I nodded in greeting to some of them, and Inosuke made sure to yank on Aoi's hair as hard as he could (earning a slap in return). Just before a quarrel could start, the master arrived, and we all immediately knelt.
"Good day, Kiriya-sama!" I greeted him. "How are you?"
"Good day to you too, Zenitsu!" he replied. "I’m well, thank you."
His two younger sisters, Kanata and Kuina, sat beside him. Kiriya smiled and announced, "Today we have gathered for a very special occasion. From today, the Hashira will grow by two. Please, let the new ones step forward!"

***********

(825 words)
Sorry for the delay, I was really busy irl, and I also had to redraw the cover! (I just changed it)
My hands hurt because of the cover (this is the hardest drawing I've ever made!), that's why there is not a drawing for today. 😓
Just kidding, here is a drawing of Shinobu I made yesterday!