Little Devil - Inotan

Prologue

Like every day, Tanjiro got ready to leave to go to a nearby town to sell charcoal. He loaded his backpack with the product, making his hands turn dark and even having some go under his fingernails. He didn't mind doing this daily, he loved his family, and he loved his community. He was a humble young man. When he was done filling up his backpack, he stood up to wear it, but only to be stopped by his coughing.

"Big brother! You're sick; you might pass out on your way to town!" His younger sister, Hanako, spoke with worry.

"N-No, I'll be alright, please don't worry about me, Hanako, it won't take very long-" Once again, he coughed loudly, so loud his mother and his other two brothers heard him.

"Tanjiro! Please stay home. I'm begging you! One day without working could do you good." His mother insisted.

"As mom said, Tanjiro, you look pale, please stay!" Shigeru encouraged.

"But who's going to sell the charcoal in my place? I don't want to interrupt your plans for the day to do my work, mom."

"I'll do it!" Takeo yelled, holding a hatched with his left hand.

"You're cute, Takeo, but you're too young to take care of your big brother's responsibilities." His mom said, crunching down to ruffle his hair.

"Stop it already! I'm not a little kid anymore; I can take care of myself!"

"Maybe if we all go together, we can sell all the charcoal before sundown!" Shigeru announced.

"No, you can only do so much at your age. Tanjiro will stay home for the day, and so will you three."

"B-But, mom!" Hanako begged.

"No, Hanako, you heard me." Her mom refused.

"Ok..."

"What about me? I could do it!" A voice spoke in an unknown direction.

"Nezuko!" Tanjiro blurted as Nezuko walked in front of them to be seen.

"I'm sure I'll be able to handle it. Besides, I don't have much to do today."

"Are you sure, Nezuko?"

"Of course, mom. Here, Rokuta, you can stay with Tanjiro until I get back, ok?" She told the boy handing him to Tanjiro.

"Brother! You're sick, are you ok!?" Rokuta cried.

"Now, Rokuta, don't cry, it's only a bad cough, I'll be better in no time."

"Very well then, you may go rest now, Tanjiro. And Rokita, please go easy on your brother, he's not feeling well."

"I will!"

"Thank you, Nezuko, you're a lifesaver." Tanjiro thanked his sister, walking inside their home.

"I'll go back to chopping wood, if you guys need me, I'll be there." Takeo left the room.

"I wanna help!" Hanako and Shigeru said in union, leaving with their brother.

"Heh, he has been glued to his side ever since his father died." Nezuko started.

"He has, we are all still in pain from that event, but we have to move forward, and I know Rokuta will understand that as well when he gets older."

"I don't think we will be seeing him for the rest of the day; he is already attached enough to my big brother, but even more now that he is sick. He's afraid to lose another loved one. I feel sad for his current state of mind. He's heartbroken."

"But we will not lose anyone else. we'll work hard while still maintaining ourselves healthy. Tanjiro's objective right now is to collect enough money to give us a good new year, but he's been overworking himself, and he needs a day off. He can be so stubborn sometimes."