I'll Protect You, I Promise

Chapter 6: Rengoku Shinjuro

It had taken Saburo from dawn to past noon for him to reach the Kamado family home. As he panted, he forced himself to breathe evenly.

Gods, I don't even know how Tanjurou and Kie make this trek in the first place, He thought as he made his way to the entrance. Raising his fist, Saburo lightly brought his hand to the door.

Knock, knock, knock

After a few seconds passed, he heard Kie's voice let out a tired response. After hearing that, Saburo let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. As he waited, Saburo could hear shuffling within the cottage, until the door eventually opened.

There was a man inside. He looked very odd, with hair that resembled flames, and bright red eyes. But the most striking of all was the sword strapped to his hip.

"Kie, who's that man?" Saburo asked. After the question was asked, the man snapped his head towards him.

"I am Rengoku Shinjuro, Flame Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps," was the first thing Saburo heard the man say, before he turned back to the table, sipping at his cup of tea.

Huh, Saburo thought, he seems odd...

...

TWO WEEKS EARLIER

Rengoku Shinjuro was in a hurry.

When he got his mission, he was in the middle of a forest, close to a mountain. His crow didn't seem very urgent, so when he made his way to a town, he had rested for the day. When it neared dusk, Shinjuro headed out of the inn he was staying at, trekking up the mountain while following his crow.

There a thick layer of snow was covering the ground, which made a crunching sound as he continued on. But as he continued on, he felt a demon's presence around the strength of a lower moon.

Shinjuro speeded up, running towards the demon's presence.

But when he got there, the presence was gone... he was getting rusty.

As he scanned the area, he saw a man and woman, who was nearly curled into a ball. Slowly he made his way over to them. Sheathing his sword and making his presence as non-threatening as possible.

"Hello? Are you okay, miss?" Shinjuro said, resting his hand on the woman's shoulder.

When she turned around, he saw that her eyes were red and puffy. She also was holding a baby, clutching them close to her chest, almost like if she loosened her grip only for a moment that the infant would cease to exist.

When she opened her mouth, the only thing that came out was a weak croaking sound, it seemed that she was screaming just moments prior. A few more seconds passed before the man spoke up.

"We'll tell you what happened... Just... come inside," the man struggled to get the words out, but nonetheless, Shinjuro followed them in.

This attack must've been terrible, Shinjuro thought, If only I had been faster.

...

The couple were the Kamados, a family who sold charcoal to the village below. After the man by the name Tanjurou Kamado had recalled the demon attack, Shinjuro had felt a large amount of sympathy.

To lose your child in your arms, I wouldn't wish that on any parent.

After hearing the man's tale, Shinjuro spoke up "I'm truly sorry for your loss, I myself have a family of my own, so I couldn't imagine how much you are suffering in this moment." Shinjurou started to bow, before Tanjurou interrupted him.

"I appreciate the concern, but I don't suppose you are just here to offer condolences," Tanjurou started, "after all... Not many people visit this part of the mountain during that hour.

Shinjuro raised his head, "Yes, you are correct," he paused, "I was on a mission with the demon slayer corps, I was tasked with killing that demon that attacked you last night." Seeing that the other man didn't make an indication to speak up again, Shinjuro continued, "My name is Rengoku Shinjuro, I am the current Flame Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps."

"So mother was right..." Tanjurou mumbled

"I beg your pardon, but what do you mean by that?"

"I'm sorry, it's just that my mother told me stories of demons and those who slayed them," Tanjurou remarked, "I always had thought they were folktales though..."

"Ah, I see."

"Rengoku-sama?"

"Yes Kamado-san?"

"Is there any way that we can help track down that demon... I wish to be of assistance."