Breath of the Tailed Beast (Demon Slayer)

04- Trainer Sakonji Urokodaki

It's super rough but here's a little design of Atsuko for reference so that you guys can have a vivid picture of what she looks like. I'll probably post multiple pieces of her :)

And I also decided to skip the part of when Tanjiro and Nezuko vs random demon because I be lazy 99% of the time so I hope it doesn't effect you guys greatly

Enjoy

"That knife isn't going to do the job." A deep voice cut through the suffocating atmosphere.

Earlier after Tanjiro, Atsuko, and Nezuko left to continue to search for the one that the demon slayer told Tanjiro about, they've quickly encountered a house. And in the house, held the corpses of the slaughtered family, done by the work of a hungry and bloodthirsty demon. The fight ended with the demons decapitated head locked in place on a tree with the boy's hatchet, and it's body long gone. Now the three stood in front of the demon, Tanjiro holding a knife shakily as he contemplates whether or not he should kill the demon. Atsuko glanced at him with great concern as she watches her best friend panic and began to hyperventilate, a scratch lay decorated on her left cheek, given by the demon.

Now, a hand laid on the burgundy haired boy's shoulder, giving him and Atsuko quite the scare.

'Where the heck did he come from?!' Atsuko thoughts as she took more of a defensive stance

'What's with a mask?'' Tanjiro thoughts as he continued to stare at the man, 'And...I couldn't hear his footsteps..'

"Uh...okay, how do I kill him then?" Tanjiro asks.

"Think for yourselves. Or are you incapable of solving your own problems." The man answers sharply.

"Hey! This is our fist time killing a demon! Go easy on us!" Atsuko exclaimed with mild irritation. The old man just glanced at her though it was hard to tell weather or not he was staring because of the mask. Without a word he turned his attention back to Tanjiro who was going over the possibilities on how to finish the demon off. 'Stabbing the head won't work. So I'll have to crush it.' The thought as he caught sight of a small boulder.

Both the old man and Atsuko were silent as Tanjiro once again appeared before the demon, this time with the rock in his hands. He took a hesitant step forward. 'I'll probably have to crush his skull completely. Which mean that hitting this rock over and over. I bet he'll suffer. Isn't there any way to finish him off with one blow?' Tanjiro started to shake again.

'Ah, this boy is not going to cut it.' The man thought annoyingly, 'He's far too kind and far too indecisive. He stands against a demon and yet the scent of kindness remains. He still has empathy. Even for a demon. Giyu, this boy will never make it. I could say the same for the girl as well, but there's something about her that's different. It's familiar...could it be?'

The demon regained consciousness and quickly began to angrily rant about having his revenge and devouring the two before him. All Atsuko could think was how much he talks.

The two friends averted their attention to the sun, peaking through the horizon, shedding light upon the world once again.

"Tanjiro, you took too long. The is coming up." Atsuko pointed out with a frown.

With screams of agony, the demon suddenly burst into flames as soon as the light touched it's skin. The ashes of the now dead demon traveled with the wind, leaving no evidence of it's existence. It was quiet as both teens began to process what happened with equally mortified expressions.

"Nezuko..." Atsuko muttered solemnly muttered. 'No wonder why Nezuko hates the so bad. If it so much touch her she'll...'

Shaking out of her thoughts, Atsuko walked towards where the old man was, Tanjiro trailing behind her after checking up on his little sister. The old man was seen praying over the burials of the family that was killed.

"Excuse me?" Tanjiro spoke up as he took a couple of steps forward.

The old man stood up, "My name is Sakonji Urokodaki. You two are the ones Tomioka sent my way, correct?" He said, back still facing him.

Both Tanjjiro and Atsuko gasped with surprise, "We are! I'm Tanjiro Kamado!"

"And I'm Atsuko Takao."

"My sister name is Nezuko."

"Tell me Tanjiro." The old man said as he turned to face him, "What do you plan to do if your sister eats a human?"

The question caught the boy off guard so he was hesitant to answer right away. Atsuko allowed her face to harden, for she knew that this question was going to pop up sooner or later. The man walked up to Tanjiro and without a second thought, slapped him across the cheek. Atsuko flinched at the harsh sound.

"You're too indecisive!" The old man scolded heavily, "You must learn to make your won decisions quickly. That's why you failed to kill that demon before daybreak. Do you know why it took you so long to answer my simple question? Because your resolve is too weak. There are two things you and your friend must do if your sister eats a human. First, you kill her, then slit your own bellies and die. That's what traveling alongside a demon like your sister means. But you must never allow that to happen, no matter the cost. Your sister taking the life of an innocent person is the one thing that can't happen. Ever! Have I made myself perfectly clear?"

"Yes!" The young children answered quickly, a new fire burning in their eyes.

"Very well then. I will test whether or not you two are fit to become a member of the demon slayer corps. Carry your sister and follow me!"

--------------------

The sun has risen as the three began their small journey to their desired destination. Urokodaki led the two on, running the fastest, Atsuko was behind him, with Tanjiro, carrying his sister trailing behind.

Tanjiro panted heavily as he stares at the backs of both his best friend and future teacher, his mind swarming with astonishment, 'So fast! But I thought he was an old man! And when did Atsuko get this fast? Sure, she's always been physically active, but this!? And still, I can't feel his footsteps at all! And Atsuko isn't as tired as me. Could it be that she was like this before she lost her memories?'

Atsuko glanced over her shoulder to check on the male behind her, she felt bad leaving him in the dust but she wanted to prove herself to Urokodaki. To be honest, she was shocked at how her body is currently working, how she's running so fast without so much as breaking a sweat. Just who is she?

'Nezuko, the ride may be bumpy but just hang on. But then....you always knew how to be patient...didn't you? When you taught Atsuko how to sew. You would spend hours with her and Atsuko would always celebrate, fingers wrapped in bandages. One time, you tore your kimono again. I offered to buy you a knew one, but Atsuko was the first to refuse, offering to fix it all by herself. "Come on Tanjiro! We could use the money to feed the family, not spend on clothing we don't need. See, Nezuko even agrees. So don't worry, I'll fix it myself! It'll be good as new!" It took days and many tries for Atsuko to get it right, but you were patient and supportive the whole. Both you and Atsuko wouldn't hesitate to put your family before yourselves. I swear, I'll turn you back into a human, and I'm gonna buy you the most beautiful kimonos you could ever ask for!' Tanjiro declared in his mind, tears welling up in his eyes as continues to run.

'And we'll be happy, Atsuko! Everything I wasn't able to do for the others, I'll do all for you! I'll keep you safe! I want to remain by your side!'

Oof talk about a long break! Sorry guys i have no excuses except procrastination :))))

Published Date: 5/26/20

Edited Date: N/A

Word count: 1396