Another

Chapter 13: Design

Urokodaki POV

    Today is Nezuko’s birthday. She's turning 17 this year. It’s been nearly 2 months since they've opened their eyes. Tanjiro’s scar now covers his cheek and almost his jaw. Nezuko’s calves, mid-way up to her knees, have vines all over them.

    Both of the Kamados have also grown. Judging from how their growth had been stunted for the past year or so after changing, I believe they may be sleeping to regain their energy, since they don't eat humans. This time spent sleeping has probably given them the energy needed for their bodies to adjust and continue its growth. But it's just a hunch for now. 

    They'll probably be asleep for a while. The energy they took to transform was already great, but on top of the training they went through and their mental states, that are undoubtedly strained, it would be a long time before they took the Final Selection. I just hope they'll still be the same. 

I ran my brush against the mask one last time. It was Nezuko's warding mask, proof she had fulfilled her training and was ready for the Final Selection and a life as a Demon Slayer. It was also her birthday gift, for whenever she woke up. 

It's a white kitsune mask, with pink tipped ears and a lotus emblem between the eyes. I am still a bit uncertain about the design for Tanjiro's mask, but I have enough time to paint his before the next Final Selection. This year's bunch wasn't the best. Only four out of the near 100 applicants passed. 

I set Nezuko's mask into a box with tissue paper, and set it into the drawer. Tanjiro's half-finished mask was beside it. As of right now, it only had the eyes and mouth done. 

The cabinet rattled against the wall as I pushed the drawer back in. The kid's haoris were neatly folded in the top drawer. I had barely finished patching it up a few days ago. 

I was planning to start on their uniforms next week. The Kamado's were a special case, and since only the Ubayashiki family really knew what was going on, I had to make sure their identities were kept secret, during the selection and after. Plus, that also meant that I had to make sure their clothes were sun-proof, or their comrades would become suspicious.

Meaning, I was their personal tailor. 

I felt the mask slightly swing as I shook my head. These kids were knocked out, and here I was putting together their closet. What a mess. 

The fire crackled. It was beginning to sputter out. I tightened the mask around my face and threw more wood on it. Little sparks flew, the wood crumbling as it burned. It flung shadows onto the walls, making light dance across the room. 

I let myself drown in my thoughts. These kids were family now, like all the other kids I trained. Demon or not, it is my duty to make sure they are safe and prepared for the world. If I failed, they died. Simple as that. 

Tanjiro snorted, his fangs gleaming as he drooled. I felt my lips curl. These kids never fail to amaze me. After all this time, after what they've been through, they never let anything hold them back. They're driven. 

I undid the knot behind my head. The tengen mask slid from my face as I inhaled. These kids were going to change the world. I just knew it. 

The fire was steadily burning now. Tanjiro was still facing Nezuko as he slept. The fire cast a glimmering light on his scar, making it come alive. It seemed as if the scar itself was flickering.

A thought popped into my head. 

I think I may have come up with a good design for Tanjiro's mask.