The Demon's Apprentice || Rewrite

Fire

Kokushibo couldn't help but appreciate Tanjirou's discipline and dedication. The boy was so eager to train and improve, yet he also had a sense of discipline and a willingness to listen and obey when told to stop.

He had met many people throughout the years, and most of them had some kind of flaw that annoyed him. Whether it was arrogance, disobedience, or just plain stubbornness, Kokushibo had grown tired of dealing with those kind of people.

But Tanjirou was different. The boy was obedient and respectful without being meek.

Many of the demons Kokushibo has encountered were loud, obnoxious and annoying. They lacked discipline and composure, and they acted like impatient children most of the time.

Tanjirou, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. He knew when to speak up and when to stay silent. He could be energetic at times, but he also knew how to keep his cool and behave properly. And he listened, which was a quality that Kokushibo appreciated.

Tanjirou had paused to put the wooden sword down nearby, and then looked up at Kokushibo.

"Sensei?" The boy spoke up, a hint of hesitant curiosity in his tone.

Kokushibo turned his attention towards Tanjirou, tilting his head slightly in curiosity at the boy's hesitation.

"Yes?" He responded, his voice calm and gentle. He could sense that Tanjirou had something on his mind.

"How come I've never been outside?" Tanjirou asked with a headtilt. "You leave the Fortress a lot, but you never take me with you. Why?"

The last time Tanjirou had been outside was when Kokushibo had turned the boy into a demon, which was a while ago.

Kokushibo sighed, he had been expecting this question to come up eventually. Tanjirou was observant, and the boy certainly noticed how he never taken him outside of the Fortress.

"There are... several reasons." Kokushibo began, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "First of all... it would be... dangerous for you... to venture outside. There are... powerful slayers... and Hashiras... out there, and many of them... will not hesitate... to kill a demon, no matter... how young... or weak they are."

"Hashiras?" Tanjirou tilted his head curiously, not recognising the term—not anymore. The boy would've recognised it before, back as a human that is.

Kokushibo nodded, understanding Tanjirou's unfamiliarity with the term.

"Yes, the Hashiras." He answered. "The Hashiras... are the elite... of the Demon Slayer Corps. They are... the strongest and... most capable... Demon Slayers. And many... of them are... ruthless, especially... when it comes... to demons."

Kokushibo paused for a moment, choosing his next words carefully. "They will... not show mercy, and... they will not... hold back. They will... not care that... you are young... and inexperienced. They will... slay you without... hesitation."

Tanjirou blinked, then nodded.

"Can I still come with you outside some day?" Tanjirou asked after a moment.

Kokushibo looked at Tanjirou for a moment, contemplating the request. The idea of bringing Tanjirou outside the fortress did not sit well with him, he was very protective of the boy-

Nope. Kokushibo immediately shook that thought off. He was not feeling protective of all things. Absolutely not.

But seeing the hopeful expression on Tanjirou's face, Kokushibo let out a soft sigh.

"I will... consider it." He relented, his voice slightly gruff. "But only... if the circumstances... are safe enough. Understand?"