A demon slayer story

Chapter 11: Final Selection Part 2

I crouched for a second, catching my breath.
I picked up my sword again, clutching it tight as I got into stance.
"Water breathing, Third form:Flowing dance!"
I chanted before twisting my sword intricately and seeing the water spill from my sword and when I opened my eyes, the demons head was splattered across the grass.

I smiled, flicking the blood off my sword.That one wasn't all that hard, there's still more to come though...

I took a look at my hand, frowning slightly at the large callouses.I hated having such rough hands, even back at the farm my hands were always soft.
I turned back to the demon, watching it evaporate.

Now, where was I...

Oh yeah, heading east.I started to walk towards the east, sheathing my sword.
"A demon is weakest at the neck.However, a normal sword is useless even upon the neck..."I remembered Urokodaki saying during our training.It was honestly a key moment in my training.

I wasn't watching where I was going, inevitably bumping into that blonde from the beginning of the trial.He practically fell to the floor, kneeling and tugging on my kimono."Oh my god!Were all gonna die!Why did I ever decide to become a demon slayer?!"He screamed in terror.Been there.
"Woah woah woah, I'm sure we're all gonna be okay!"I tried to comfort him, helping him to his feet.We stood opposite each other, his hands gripping mine tightly.
"What's your name?"
"Z-Zenitsu...Zenitsu Agatsuma"
"Well, Zenitsu, my names Anza Fumikage...You look like you could use a friendly face and so could I" I smiled softly.It was true, since I'd split off from Tanjiro I was already yearning for human companionship.I get lonely very quickly.
Zenitsu nodded, trying to calm his breathing.
"Deep breaths, in and out"
He followed my instructions, closing his eyes and taking a deep inhale.I smiled, stroking one of his hands with my thumb.
"T-thank you..."he sighed and I smiled."I think it'd be better if we stuck together for the remainder of Final selection, it'd give me some peace of mind"
He nodded, and I explained where we should go if we want to be in direct sunlight.He agreed with my reasoning, and we quickly started making our way east.

"AHHHH!What the hell?!I didn't sign up for this!"Some guy screamed, sending me and Zenitsu into a look of confusion.

Our eyes flicked between the trees, clocking in on something huge moving through them.Zenitsu's breathing picked up and I turned to him.
"Find somewhere to hide, I'm sure if I know Tanjiro correctly he's already caught the scent"
Zenitsu nodded."Careful, I can hear that things huge even before I could see it"
A look of surprise flashed across my face "You...you hear that too?"
"You can hear it?"
I nodded and we both smiled.
"I guess we have one thing in common, see you around Zenitsu"
I smiled and he smiled back, before I patted his back and he ran off into some trees the opposite direction.

I caught a glimpse of red hair in the distance, quickly making my way over towards Tanjiro.
At least, I was, until a hand clamped over my mouth and I was being pulled backwards with a maniacal cackle sounding behind me."Oh no ya don't, there's no saving him from the hand demon" a gruff voice snared.
I managed to look up, the eyesore of a demon blurring my vision.It's face was sort of drooping some sort of green sludge.
I pulled at its hand, trying to get away from its grip.

It threw me to the floor, kicking me straight in my lower back."Ahh!God Damn it!"I whisper shouted, unsheathing my sword and swiping at the demons legs, momentarily leaving it stunned just enough for me to get into a fighting stance.
"Water breathing, Second form:Water wheel!"
I chanted before creating a vertical, circular attack at the demon.
"Aaaghh!"It screamed, holding one of the cuts on its stomach as i side stepped into a better landing position.
I put up my sword, preparing for another attack when the demon lunged forward, pinning me to the ground with its claw to my cheek.
"I'd put that sword down if I were you miss, there's no getting out of this"It taunted, as it started to dig its claw into my face.
I grimaced, trying to keep a straight face despite the crippling pain I was in.

I raised my sword, only narrowly stabbing the demons neck.I was in so much pain it was a little hard to put much energy into it but I started to decapitate the demon, watching as it's head rolled to the side and cracking my jaw.

I had no time to dawdle, though, Tanjiro was still facing off with that-
Oh...

The demon that Tanjiro was facing off with seemed to have disintegrated into nothingness, nothing but a memory, a bad dream.