Memory [Tanjiro X Reader]

Validation

"(Y/N), this is my sister, Nezuko."

"Your. . . sister?"

"Yes, my sister. She was turned into a demon when both of our families were attacked. But she hasn't killed anyone!" He said. It almost sounded like he was pleading.

"How does that even work? Tanjiro, we're demon slayers! Our job is to kill demons!"

He sighed, exasperated. "I know, I know! But I'm trying to turn her back into a human. That's why I became a demon slayer. Please, (Y/N). She wouldn't hurt anyone. She remembers you too!"

I paused, and glanced at Nezuko. Her eyes were big and soft and she kept them on me. Her nails were no longer claws, and she made no motion to attack me.

"She remembers me?"

Tanjiro nodded, relaxing a little. "Yeah, she does. I told her about you when I returned home after Final Selection."

My heart warmed. After a few more seconds, I finally sheathed my sword. Tanjiro exhaled a breath he had been holding, and sheathed his as well.

If Nezuko truly was a threat to anyone, I don't think Tanjiro would be treating her like this. Now that I think about it, I glance at the other two people and finally put the pieces together - Nezuko had been protecting them.

"Is there another demon?"

He shook his head. "Not anymore. You killed the last one."

I nodded and sighed. Tanjiro removed the wooden box he had on his back, which I only just noticed. He placed it down, and it swung open. Nezuko calmly crawled into the box, and Tanjiro closed the door and lifted it back onto his shoulders.

It looks heavy, he must be really strong.

Tanjiro finally turned and approached the young man Nezuko had been protecting. He was kneeled on the ground and stared blankly at the ground.

"Are you alright?" Tanjiro asked gently.

His eyes welled with tears. "I-I lost my fiancée, how can I be alright?"

My heart lurched at his grief. My own eyes felt watery as I remembered waking up and learning that my loved ones weren't real, that they weren't here and that they'll never be here. Learning that my only loved ones here were dead and I couldn't remember them anyways. Everyone but Tanjiro and now Nezuko.

"Mr. Kazumi. . ." Tanjiro said softly.

His heart must also be hurting right now.

"Mr. Kazumi. . . no matter how many people you lose, you have no choice but to go on living. No matter how devastating the blows may be."

Suddenly, Mr. Kazumi grabbed the front of Tanjiro's shirt. "How the hell would you know anything about that!? Some kid like you??"

The heaviness in my heart hardened into rage and in an instant I was by Tanjiro's side. How dare he speak to him like that? He has no idea what Tanjiro's been through, how many people he's lost.

But Tanjiro gently grabbed my forearm with his warm hand. When I glanced at him, he had a sad smile. With his other hand, he gently pulled Mr. Kazumi's off of him. He stood, helping me up as well. I watched him intently.

"We'll be on our way now." Tanjiro then handed him a piece of clothing. "Here, there might be something of hers in here."

Mr. Kazumi opened it and started to sob. The rage inside me shifted back to heart-wrenching grief.

He's grieving, he never meant any ill-will to Tanjiro. He's hurting.

Tanjiro, still holding my arm, let go and grabbed my hand instead. It was worn, hardened by years of training with his sword. My face warmed as he turned and started to walk away from Mr. Kazumi, guiding me alongside him.