~BRAVE~ (Tanjiro X Reader)

Dance

We wandered out of the station then Zenitsu lead the way to the Butterfly Estate. Thankfully, not caught by the police. Somehow...

It was just the beginning of the fifth day that I had known this group of friends. We traveled across Japan with each other so far. I wondered where else our missions might take us. I was a tad upset that I had to continue to walk.

Every so often I would look down and remind myself that I was wearing Tanjiro's haori and I couldn't help but smile at his generosity. After the friendly reminder of the haori, another not so friendly reminder came after. Diakoku would lend me his haori on missions as well.

It related to another story. One of prosperity for a family. Mulan. Have you heard of it? I wanted to be like Mulan when I was little. Always wanting to wear more masculine clothes. Mother always scolded me for being unlady-like. I wonder where we've heard about all of these legends. I know my ancestors were the great keeper of scrolls but I didn't know stories could pass down from generation to generation like this.

"How long until we reach that witch's hut? My chest hurts." Inosuke complained. I hadn't heard anything from him since the train station. I was glad of it too.

"We'll arrive there by sundown that's for sure." Zenitsu kept on walking with Nezuko. Although his voice sounded exhausted, I could tell just being near the fair princess, Nezuko made him a lot happier.

"Would you like me to carry Nezuko in a little bit? Tanjiro seems to do it just fine even when he's hurt, but that doesn't mean I'll let him." I offered. I shot Tanjiro a quick glance. His attention stayed fixated on to the path ahead. I'm pretty sure he was more focused on the pain than any conversation. That wasn't good. If you were focused on the pain, it washarder to make it go away.

"Don't worry (Y/n) I've got it!" Zenitsu said peachily. "Unless Nezuko has something to say about it?"

"..." Nothing came from the box and Zenitsu's smile grew bigger.

"Ahh well, I'm glad to hear she doesn't mind!" He chirped. Yeah, she said nothing, she was asleep. But I wasn't gonna tell him that.

My smile grew at the boy's excitement. I could tell he really liked her. The question was if she liked him. There were pros and cons for everyone.

My pace slowed down and Inosuke passed me, clutching his ribs. I continued to speed up once I was closer to Tanjiro. "Thank you for your haori. Do you want it back?" I asked him. Reluctantly taking off the clothing but Tanjiro held up his hand.

"No that's okay! You can wear it if you'd like." He smiled at me. My face began to sprinkled with specks of pink and I looked away, Putting his haori back on.

"Ah. Okay then." I smiled.

"HOY! Zenjutsi! Are we there yet?" Inosukes voice interrupted the bird's song in the air.

"I told you it's Zenitsu!"

🌸

"Dance of the fire god?" I questioned. Tanjiro had once again continued his tale of adventures on demon-slaying. He had mentioned a bit of his childhood throughout and asked me about his family's dance.

"My father was trained in the dance, and trained me to but he passed away. If you know anything about it that would be great." He smiled softly at me as we walked. I put my finger to my chin and look up to the sky with contemplation.

"The title reminds me a lot of the dance of the fallen petal. Something my family was trained in for generations, like you. Though it's something to celebrate the beginning of spring. Legend has it that if it's not performed each year, spring will be stolen and swallowed by winter."

"A stolen spring? Are you the one performing the dance?"

"Fortunately no. My mother is still alive and refuses to give up the dance until the oldest is married." I giggle at the thought of my mother's words. 'Your brother can perform the dance when he's older. So that I know someone will make him do it instead of him forgetting and letting winter swallow spring. Ya big nut.' " I thought it was a bit silly. My mom thought Diakoku would forget about it."

"Do you think I could talk to your mother someday? If you don't know anything about the dance of the fire god then I think she might." Zenitsu started to turn up a path from the main road. That must've meant we were getting close to the estate.

"Oh yes! She would love you guys. She's always loved visits from people. It's quite lonely over at her side of the town. Ah. Actually, we should head there as soon as we can. I need to tell her..." Tanjiro's eyes looked at me in sympathy as I clenched my hands into a fist. He didn't like the sight. So he changed the subject as soon as he could.

"Are we almost there Zenitsu?"

"I've been answering that question from pig's feet over here ever since we got off the damn train! YES! We're almost there." He cried out, waving his arms in the air dramatically.

"Pigs feet? Have you ever eaten pig's feet? It's the grossest thing in this world! You wouldn't know you... you lemon!" Inosuke retaliates Zenitsu's screaming. It took Inosuke a while to try and think up a word to describe Zenitsu that might sound offensive.

"At least lemons smell good." Tanjiro joined in. I covered my mouth at his insult towards Inosuke. I did'nt think he even knew it was an insult. Zenitsu straightened his back in pride.

"Well if Tanjiro thinks I smell good then I'm clearly better than you." He degraded Inosuke's confidence with his snarky self.

"But Inosuke smells like an actual man." Tanjiro said. Commenting on the boar-like man. I couldn't contain my laughter and I breathed out for air. Does Tanjiro even know what he was saying? How it affects other people?

"Hah! Ya hear that? Lemon head! I'm more of a man than you! So no. I'm the better one!" Inosuke crosses his arms over his chest but instantly regretted it. He clawed at his chest soon after with slight pain.

My laughter stopped as I realize how childish this situation really was. Why am I laughing at something this stupid? Really (Y/n)? You're an S-class slayer. Get your stuff together.
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Original release date: May 3 2020