𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙 | 𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙟𝙞𝙧𝙤 𝙠𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙤

𒆜 11 𒆜

   The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the tranquil forest. The rustling leaves whispered secrets as a gentle breeze danced through the air, creating a serene backdrop for the day's training. Tanjiro stood with his back straight, his body poised and alert, while you stood across from him, your expression deadpanned but determined.

"Today, we can focus on our footwork and agility," Tanjiro instructed, his voice calm yet encouraging, as he motioned for you to take your stance.

   You nodded, heart racing slightly. You'd had been training diligently, yet the shadows of your past still lingered at the edges of your mind. As you shifted your weight from one foot to the other, you could feel the weight of your thoughts pressing down on yourself. Tanjiro, however, radiated a warmth that made you feel somewhat at ease.

"Let's start with some basics. I have to remember to keep my movements light and fluid but you do better than I do," he advised, demonstrating a series of precise footwork patterns. You focused intently, trying to mimicking his movements more gracefully. His eyes twinkled in delight at your footwork, and he tried echoing your motions.

   As they practiced, the sounds of the forest enveloped them—the chirping of birds, the rustling of animals in the underbrush, and the soft crunch of leaves beneath their feet. Suddenly, the tranquility shattered as a low growl reverberated through the trees.

   Without hesitation, Tanjiro's eyes sharpened, his instincts kicking in. "Stay close," you urged, and he nodded, drawing his sword with a fluid motion. The air thickened with tension as a trio of demons emerged, their grotesque forms twisted and menacing.

"Aw great..." Tanjiro sighed, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. You felt your heartbeat evening out in your chest, anticipation igniting within you while you waited, nodding again, gripping your own blade tightly.

   As the demons charged, Tanjiro moved with precision, his strikes a symphony of skill and power. You followed quickly after darting out and jumping on the branches of nearby trees. The face of the demon swiftly made you hesitate however, and you lost your footing on the branch, images flooding your mind from your abusive parents.

"[Name]! Focus on your breathing!" Tanjiro called, his voice cutting through the chaos. The sound of his encouragement sparked something within you, and your body immediately came back to life, your wings spreading and flapping immediately. Drawing on his strength, you pushed through the freeze, channeling your thoughts into action.

   With each blow, you felt herself becoming more empowered, your movements becoming fluid and instinctual. The battle raged on, but amidst the chaos, you began to understand the weight of connection. They fought fiercely, and as the last demon fell, Tanjiro gasped for breath, exhilaration coursing through him.

"We did it!" Tanjiro smiled, his eyes shining with pride. As the adrenaline faded, you felt a warmth spreading in your own chest, a burgeoning sense of belonging.

   The forest was eerily quiet after the chaos of battle, a stark contrast to the earlier adrenaline-fueled confrontation. You and Tanjiro stood amidst the remnants of the fight, making sure to breathe properly as the weight of what had transpired began to settle in. The scent of smoke lingered in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest.

   As they walked through the clearing, the aftermath of the battle became painfully apparent. Fallen trees, scorched earth. The tranquility that had once enveloped the forest now felt heavy.