Another

Chapter Six: A Vow

Tanjiro POV

"Again."

Sweat slivered down my face as I swung the bokken down once more, the air pushing back against my lungs. The moon gleamed in the sky, staring down at us. A few feet away, Nezuko swung her own. Her eyes were trained forward.

"Again!"

The bokken whistled in the air. It has been 6 months since the three slayers left us here in Urokodaki-san's care. He has been drilling us nonstop, from sunset until the first ways of sunrise begin to shine over the horizon. Training has become increasingly difficult and painful, but Nezuko and I have grown stronger.

The bokken continued to chafe against my hands. We have been training with the wooden swords for about a month now. Each day we swing the swords at least a thousand times.

Nine-hundred-ninety-eight...Nine-hundred-ninety-nine...one thousan-

"Three-Hundred more!"

I could feel my body tense. My arm's were prickling with every strike. They feel numb.

I have to keep going.

The crickets chirped, the sound filling the air. Sweat dripping from our brows, I could feel Urokodaki's eyes studying us quietly, analyzing our every movement.

He's been very kind to us. At first, it was a bit difficult. He would sleep with his blade close by, mask tied securely to his face. However, after the first four months, he became more relaxed with us. He ate his meals with us, listening to our conversations and inputting here and there. Although we were demons now, he still treated us like people.

"...298." The bokken cut the air, our breaths puffing against the cold air. "...299." Urokodaki glanced at me, Nezuko straining behind him. "300!"

We both looked to Urokodaki-san. He nodded. I straightened my back, coaxing feeling back into my hands. Nezuko glanced up at me, her hands red.

"Good job with your training," Urokodaki held out his hands for the bokken, "we will resume tomorrow."

I handed my stick to him. Nezuko and I have come a long way since that winter day. We were no longer children. Sensei had taught us how to properly wield a sword, and how to kill demons.

I can finally protect Nezuko, for the sake of our family.

I felt a hand slip into my own. Startled, I looked to the side. Nezuko was staring at me, her steps following mine. Her slitted eyes looked into my own.

I cracked a smile at her. She nodded up at me, and looked forward. She hasn't spoken a single word since that cold day. Lately, it seems as if she is in another world, lost in her own thoughts.

My mind went back to the conversation I had with Urokodaki a few weeks ago. He has said it was possible that Nezuko had forgotten most of her life, remembering only pieces of our family.

I let my hand tighten around her's.

"Nezuko."

She stayed quiet as I slowed our pace to a stop, her eyes staring ahead at Urokodaki's cabin.

"Nezuko," I stepped in front of her, letting the words tumble out of my mouth, "I know you are probably growing tired of my apologies, but let me say this." Her hands were rough, the months of training replacing the hands of an innocent.

It's all my fault.

"I can never forgive myself for not being there for you and our family, and for failing as your eldest brother."

I could feel my throat tightening. The events of that night haunted me each and every day. I wasn't able to lift even a finger against that man. That monster-

A hand caressed the top of my head, brushing against the earrings oto-san had given me. Nezuko stared up at me, her other hand still in my own. She was quiet, ignoring the sobs erupting from my chest.

"Nezuko." I pulled her closer, burying my face in her shoulder, "I swear, I will become stronger!"

My younger sister stayed quiet, her hands rubbing circles on my back. She didn't deserve this. Nobody did.

"I will become a demon slayer, and I will turn you back into a human!"

No words had passed from her lips, but I could tell she understood what I said. We both lost our happiness that night. And, for whatever reason, the gods had decided to spare us.

I cried, my younger sister rubbed my back soothingly. We are oni, it's impossible to change the things that already happened.

However, Nezuko is still alive. She is here with me. Even if we are demons, we remain family. I still have my duty as the eldest son.

"I swear on my life," I coaxed Nezuko's arms down, my eyes locking onto hers, "I will keep you safe."