Tanjiro sees [Name] sleeping soundlessly. He smiles, not ever recalling seeing them so peaceful. Once he finishes cutting his hair, he shuffles over to [Name], moving their sword out of the way so that he can sit down next to them. However, when his fingers touched their scabbard, it was cold. He used his fingernails to push the sword out of the way, ignoring the prickly sensation it brought.
As Tanjiro sits next to [Name], he pats their head as they sleep. His knees were curled up and his body felt so calm in that moment. His attention is stolen from [Name] as Urokodaki opens the sliding door. Tanjiro smiles, continuing to pat [Name]'s head.
"You're awake?" Urokodaki asks, his voice a blend of surprise and curiosity as he steps into the room.
"Just finished cutting my hair," Tanjiro responded, running a hand through his freshly trimmed locks, the shorter strands brushing softly against his fingertips. The act felt refreshing, a small yet meaningful way to mark a new day and move forward from yesterday's challenges.
"I see. Did you enjoy that meal?" he inquired further, tilting his head slightly as he leaned against the doorframe.
Tanjiro nods emphatically, a broad grin spreading across his face. Of course! It was such a big meal that he could not have finished it all by himself; the sheer volume of food was enough to sate even the heartiest of appetites. Without [Name]'s help, he mused, it would probably still have been sitting untouched on the table, a monument to a meal half-enjoyed. The memory of the food lingered pleasantly in his mind, the rich flavours dancing on his tongue as if trying to relive that special moment.
He recalls vividly the expressions [Name] made as they both sat together, sharing laughter and stories over their plates, savouring each bite of the ohagi. [Name] hadn't been able to indulge in it for a while, and the mere thought of it saddened Tanjiro. It felt important to him that they shared that experience together. Ohagi was not just a dessert; it was something that held sentimental value for [Name], something they cherished deeply from their past. The delight in their eyes when he surprised them with it was a memory he would carry with him—a reminder of the simple joys that could be found even amidst the turmoil of their lives.
"Growing children like you, with a hearty appetite, should naturally get stronger the more they eat, accumulating both strength and size along the way. This principle applies equally to demons, so keep that in mind," Urokodaki informs him, his tone serious yet filled with a pearl of underlying wisdom.
Tanjiro's brow furrows in thought as he processes this information. "So, the more they eat, the stronger they get?" he asks, seeking clarity in Urokodaki's words.
"That's absolutely right," Urokodaki responds, nodding. "There are demons who don't just gain mere physical power; they become capable of transforming their bodies in extraordinary ways, and even harnessing strange and mystical spells," he concludes, his eyes narrowing as if recalling the potential horrors these creatures can wield.
Tanjiro's eyes widen in shock and fascination at the implications of Urokodaki's words. In the midst of this conversation, Urokodaki pulls out two intriguing masks that catch Tanjiro's attention immediately. They bear a striking resemblance to the masks worn by his late friends, Sabito and Makomo. The first mask boasts vivid colours of white and red, swirling together in an artistic display; the white forms a base that looks almost like delicate porcelain, while the red is bold and fierce, accentuating the edges in sharp, jagged patterns that evoke a sense of both beauty and danger.
The second mask, contrasting sharply with the first, features intricate blue patterns on a pure white background. The blue lines twist and twirl gracefully, resembling the gentle flow of water or the branches of trees swaying in a breeze, with an elegance that
seems almost ethereal. Tanjiro couldn't help but think how much [Name] would adore the mesmerizing blue one; it seemed to radiate a calm strength, a stark contrast to the fierce nature suggested by the red and white mask.
"With your sense of smell sharpening, you will eventually be able to tell how many humans a demon has devoured," Urokodaki states, his voice returning to a tone of teaching as he hands the two masks to Tanjiro.
Holding the masks gently in his hands, Tanjiro examines them closely. They share the same fox-like shape as Sabito and Makomo's masks, yet the differing patterns imbue each with its own unique personality. The masks not only serve as protective gear but also as reminders of the lessons he must learn and the strength he seeks to embody.
"What are these?" Tanjiro asks.
"It's called a warding mask," Urokodaki explains, "I've charged it with a spell to protect you two from harm."
"A warding mask..."
A/N
Hiiiiii! Chapter 26!! Thanks for reading it means a lot to me. I really love the warding masks. I think they're so cool! I like Sabito's mask better than Makomo's because I feel like it's more memorable. If this chapter is a little short, I'm sorry but I wrote this late at night and I can't really put much more in. I can't wait to write the final selection! Also, credit to JULIA GONZALEZ on Pinterest for art. https://au.pinterest.com/pin/197102921184825404/
Question: What's [Name]'s name that you're using? Honestly I just refer to them as [Name]
Taisho Era Secret: Tanjiro can't smell Doma's scent on the blade or [Name]. If he did, he would've pointed it out.
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Solar Blade
Fanfiction˗ˏˋ What if there were 3 survivors from the Kamado Family? Tanjiro, Nezuko and [Name]. Tanjiro is the optimistic, determined older brother. Nezuko is the strong, caring younger sister. And [Name]? That's to be decided. Will they all survive?'ˎ˗ ╰┈➤...
