Chapter Text
You had just passed the Final Selection for the Corps, and only a few of you had remained over the twenty to thirty or so trainees. You’d pray for their safe journey toward the afterlife soon after the announcements were made by the strange children up front. The only people left were, you noticed in the peripheral of your eyes, about… Well, there wasn’t much to count. There were only three of you who went.
Your hair was unkempt, with stray bulks of dark midnight hair. Already removed at the seams of the red kumihimo that kept your single thick woven hair together. You briefly thought about having to brush it later on as you moved amongst the trees of wisteria to have a place to stand in. At the same time, you and the others waited to see if there would be any more trainees left. Until the children announced that you were the last to arrive at the vicinity. And that all the other slayer candidates had lost their lives, just as you suspected.
“Welcome back, everyone. We are happy that you have come back fine.” The two children moved synchronously towards the center to stand next to each other, all three of you now paying full attention to them.
“Congratulations. To begin, let us first distribute the uniforms. We will take your measurements, and soon after, your ranks will also be engraved.”
You were then told of the ten ranks present in the Corps. Kinoe, Kinoto, Hinoe, Hinoto, Tsuchinoe, Tsuchinoto, Kanoe, Kanoto, Mizuno, Mizunoto. From top to bottom was the list. So, was Kinoe the highest rank you could reach? You had no additional knowledge about the Demon Slayer Corps since you only joined once you’ve encountered a demon, luckily only crippling your father. Then getting training from a former slayer whose highest rank was apparently that only of Hinoe before retiring. She mastered the Thunder breathing technique and taught you the forms. After she made you recall all the physical training before doing so, she left you to your own devices after teaching you all that was introduced to her. Apparently, you were a natural Thunder breather. At least as natural as learning how to do all the forms. You couldn’t say that you were the best at all.
Snapping out of your daze, you hear, “Now, for the steel that’d be used for the sword-making, you will choose an ore today. The smithing will take ten to fifteen days for completion.”
You felt your sweat drop at one side of your cheek. Ahh , I don’t know anything about metal and ores. The quick clapping almost startled you. You realize it was only the light-haired child. Immediately followed by the wings flapping, you smiled, remembering your senpai telling you about them, already holding your arm out for yours to land on. But it just chose to land on your head, tilting its head sideways in a cycle.
“They will be your kasugai crow. They will continue to follow you starting now. They’re primarily used for communication.”
It was the first time you finally heard a few sounds and bouts of greetings from the ones left to survive. Both appear to be your age, both men. One of the children pulled the cloth covering the table, revealing the ores you were supposed to pick, prompting all three of you to draw closer. At the same time, the children waited for your decisions.
“You may now choose an ore, everyone. The steel of your sword will be used to kill demons and protect yourself and many others.”
Moving forward and standing next to the others, the first one to go was the guy on your left. Though he seemed timid, he appeared confident in his knowledge of ores. Looking back, your eyes scanned through the choices. Unable to tell the difference, you opted for one, absentmindedly reaching out for it. Though, the moment you grabbed it, it felt less like stone and more like… a hand. So you glance to your side, immediately feeling the burn of his gaze with his equally bright irises.
“Ah, sorry. You can have that.” You apologize after noticing that neither of you moved away seconds later.
Then, you hear his loud laugh, ending with a big smile. “No. If you want it, then I can simply choose another.”
“You can take it. It’s alright.” You reply with a cheeky grin, “You have warm hands. Beautiful eyes too!”
The affair was quickly over, with you failing to realize your reply was… Quite unorthodox. Soon, all of you were to be sent home from Fujikasane Mountain, only to wait for your swords, to rest before the assignment of your first mission, and to see whether you’ll survive. But until then, your hands felt like they tingled and crackled as if something was dancing on your skin.
Rengoku Kyojuro, though bold in his adolescence, figured during your first encounter: My hand is tingly. She’s strange. He thinks, walking down the mountain, smile put to rest, his curious eyes now begin towing down on you as you step down the hill. She had pretty eyes too.
A few hours later, the sun was about to set, but in just a moment, you saw your family’s house as you trekked with tired legs, almost ready to fail their job. Though you say house… It’s pretty like a mansion. Your father was waiting for you, sitting on the porch. The gate was open. You thought to visit here first to greet your father before you head to your senpai’s abode, where you currently reside.
And the moment he spotted you, with his crutch, he limped to meet you halfway. Opening his arms, his grip on your dirty komon incredibly tight when he embraced you, stained with the blood of the other students you tested with.
“I’m happy. My daughter has finally returned.” He says gently; though you can’t see his face, you can imagine his complex features donning such a soft gesture as he would with you. His other hand dropped the crutch that allowed him to walk, your instinct acting quickly to support his weight as he caressed your hair. “You’re safe.”
You smile, nod, laugh, and say, “I’m safe. Don’t worry about me.”
“ Oh— I’m hungry.” He finally remarked. Pulling away, you handed him his crutch that fell to the ground, which you used your foot to catch and retrieve.
“You should go eat. You’re starting to look like the straws the helpers use to make baskets! Hah! I bet I could eat more cold Udon than you do now.”
“Huh? You brat, you just started to train, and now you think you can beat your old man? Pathetic, pathetic, I say. If anything, I was only made like this, so I don’t go off running and beating your weak ass.”
You look at him and scrunch your whole face while your eyes dart off in the opposite direction, showing your lack of belief in whatever he is saying. Before he began to lead you inside the gate any further, you tapped him and stopped. He grimaces as if in pain but shifts it into a slight nod of understanding.
“Still not visiting them ?” He asks in a melancholic tone.
You shake your head lightly, “No… Maybe in the future.” Your father pats you on the back before you hug one last time, letting go and once again leaving his grasp. Leaving the village where your family lived.
The morning that your master, though more a friend, hastily woke you up from your sweet futon, screaming, was not the best start in your day. Simply put, if she was still in the Corps, you would be her kouhai. But, your difference in years was no more than ten. She was still young. You believe Haia was just four or five to six years older than you. You were not so sure. Women don’t like getting asked their age, apparently so. She was your senpai, somehow teacher, and yet she wakes you up like a child in need to go to school.
“(Name)! Your sword has arrived!! Oi, wake up!” She continued to shake you violently. You nodded, and Haia let you go to tend to the guests.
You rubbed your eyes, which were incredibly groggy. You then swiftly prepared enough to politely present yourself to the swordmaster that was to deliver your katana today. You opened the door, seeing the Hyottoko -clad swordsmith sitting with your sword on the table. You bowed to the swordmaster and his companion. They acknowledged you, allowing you to sit across them as Haia-senpai sat beside you; getting over the brief introductions, you looked down at your sword curiously. Perhaps the first thing you noticed already was its length. This was definitely longer than the standard katana provided. Your hilt was tailored to be white and blue. The Ito were mainly the color of its midnight blue, lined in the middle with pale yellow. At the same time, the Sa-me were white themselves, ending on the Kashira with pale yellow.
“It’s pretty.” You say while observing, your fingers nimbly brushing through it. Feeling its quality. “The hilt.”
You almost hear steam from the swordsmith’s mouth from his hyottoko in front of you like a train.
“I am the one who made your sword. It is one of the first few Nichirin blades, one of which absorbs the sun greatly due to its ore… The length was increased based on my judgment and the information the kakushi provided regarding you. Your tsuba, as of now, is still plain. Send me a letter via crow if you wish to readjust your sword in time.” And so he says.
“Though I’m sure it’s perfect already.” Haganezuka praises himself.
He stops for a second before making a loud inquiry. He pushes his face close to yours across the table, observing your features.
“Interesting… Interesting. You will bring great honor to this sword. Now let me see its color, quick!” The way he said that you will bring great honor to the sword he had forged sounded more like an order than it was a compliment, honestly.
You nodded and took hold of your sword, taking notice of its length more now while you run your hand across it. The sheath was even more beautiful. It was also white, layered, and thinly lined with the same shade of blue matching the hilt. It was accompanied by a light shade of yellow that shone with the light coming from the open window originating with the sun. Then, you removed the blade from the sheath, and when the whole thing came out, it reflected and absorbed more light than it seemed. Though just when you tilted the edge, waiting for the color to change as you were told, it turned into a humble yellow, the same as your hilt earlier. The blade was borderline white, not the harsh, shimmering gold, but the yellow remained warm yet pale.
Haganezuka Hotaru and Kozo Kanamori hooted funnily at the sight of the color, rejoicing. You thanked them and promised your swordsmith Haganezuka-san that you’ll take care of it. You’d better! He said. His energy was lovely. You heard his slayers would constantly be reassigned to new swordsmiths due to this, especially when you break your sword… But! You appreciated his passion for creating swords.
“My cravings are satisfied! The color of your sword shows that my suspicions earlier were confirmed. You’ll be great at Thunder Breathing, I assume. Hopefully, I am correct. My swords are great after all; Hohooo!” Haganezuka-san crossed his arms with his head tilted very high, his hat slightly tipping, and his floral chimes rang loudly.
“Break it, and you’re dead.” He shifts his attitude, promptly getting pulled back from his threatening stance by his companion, Kanamori.
“Weirdly, the color yellow is very light compared to the usual users of the technique,” Kanamori-san stated. “I wonder what that means.”
Your mouth began to twitch upward, grinning greatly and proudly. “The blade is wonderful, Haganezuka-san, Kanamori-san. I love it! Absolutely! Then, before you leave, we’ve actually got some mitarashi dango. Take some before you leave.”
That was when you found out that Haganezuka Hotaru absolutely loves Mitarashi Dango. He and his companion left with their snacks, and you and Haia bid them farewell. Haia was quiet the entire time, in shock, when your sword was revealed, more so the blade and its color!
“My sword definitely didn’t change color immediately when I first started. I remember it means we haven’t mastered any specific sword-fighting skill. I’m surprised yours have already shifted! That must mean I’m a good teacher and senpai? Hehehe~” Haia says smugly as she chuckles. Her smile was small and mischievous as she touched your blade herself.
“I’m probably just that good.” You shrugged as you laughed, turning back from her. “I’ll reach the highest rank in the Corps. By then, I’ll be able to prevent more people from getting hurt or killed. And I can use my life more since I can’t find a husband.” You say, more of a reminder for yourself while you look out the window at the sun high in the sky now.
Haia looks at you sympathetically, “Hey… Don’t believe what your mother says. You’ll find someone. Just be who you are, you know, happy and loud. There’s a person for everyone. And you’re still so young! Stop thinking about those things.”
You turn back to her, your eyes conveying the emotion you feel every time you recall your mother and everyone else in your family besides your father. “Where can I get one?” And it shifts as fast as it comes by. “I could really use some reassurance. Maybe I’ll go and set off to find one myself. Is there one by the market? Okaa-sama said I’d be happy if I did find one, though.”
She laughs and messes with your hair, the loose braid already getting looser. Messier.
“Mission! Mission! Gushi-ken (Na-me). Mission!” Your kasugai crow announced as it flew close to you. “I bring a mission!”
You pet his head with your index finger as he comes closer while he stands on the frame, continuing his announcement.
“Head to a village directly east of here! You are assigned to patrol the area for a demon! Hurry! Hurry! Directly east from here!” He finishes. You and Haia look at each other, seeming to have the same thoughts. You got up and quickly got into your demon slayer uniform. Haia was bustling around to help you prepare for your journey.
The uniform delivered two days before when your nichirin blade arrived consisted of a below-the-knee black skirt, then the standard top sleeve to boot. You heard it was customary, Haia didn’t seem to have thought it was abnormal, so you cast your doubts aside. Luckily were informed that you can ask for specific uniform changes, Haia. So you asked the kakushi that delivered your uniform if you could get protective tights to cover your legs if you weren’t given pants. Since it was given only two days ago, it would take a bit longer to arrive after your measurements, so you used Haia’s, which were a little loose. But you could move with it, and it was alright. After you quickly rushed to get on with your zori, you were basically done as you moved to braid your hair with your kumihimo.
It was quick before you upped and left; outside the door already, after you glanced at your getup, Haia gave you a little pack to bring food for the journey and a little first-aid. She looks at you, standing before her tiny house, door wide open as the wind gently blows inside; the sun is high above you.
“Be safe, okay? Come back. For your father.” She starts.
“I’ll be fine. I’m not leaving anytime soon. I mean, at least not leaving… Living, dying.” You shake your head as you get confused by your statement, “I won’t die!”
“I know… I just can’t help but feel like you’re growing too fast. Faster than me, that’s for sure! Don’t get too complacent, alright? I know you’re pretty good, really fast in learning, and you train even harder than when I first started. I just passed on whatever my master taught me, he kept boasting about his ancestor being a past Hashira, oh, but that was so long ago—”
“Hey, hey! Haia-senpai. I’ll be okay. You’re rambling. I’ll bring you a gift from whatever the village has there.” Your rough, calloused hands held unto hers that, already healed perfectly, almost back to its smooth state while you smiled. She stopped and stared at you before you quickly hugged her, running off to leave for East.
Matsutani Haia smiled gently while you finally took off, your crow in tow, probably giving you additional information, accompanying you on your journey.
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“East from here, rumors are starting about a demon that lurks at night. Tunes come at the time as well. Ask the residents when you arrive; it’s killed nine demon slayers in the time it’s been terrorizing the area.” Your crow talks while he flies overhead.
You make a sound of acknowledgment towards your crow. You speak of thought while looking around at the rice fields surrounding you.
“You seem very serious, crow-san. I think you might actually need a name. I thought of one while we were traveling! I will call you Rintaro (倫太郎) since you’re my companion!” You exclaim while you look up at him fondly.
He doesn’t respond, but he flies slower, closer to you, as he makes a meek sound.
“Haha, do you like it? Do you want a snack? You can sit on my shoulder while you eat. You must be tired. You left immediately when we finished picking our ores. I wonder how you found me? Is it just a keen sense, or does the association give you my address? Such a smart crow.” You kept talking.
So, Rintaro remains quiet as he chooses to land on you, though instead of your shoulder, he lands on your head and pecks you softly, probably to make you stop talking. You chuckle and reach for the pack that Haia gave you. You piece off a little rice from your tenmusu, a shrimp-tempura-filled onigiri, and provide it to Rintaro, which he accepts kindly.
The trip continued, and it seems that Rintaro liked you during it. You thought it would hurt when he landed on your head, what with his claws. But he was quite the gentle bird, he was lean now, but you were curious what a plump crow would look like. It would be adorable, you think! And so, the night arrived, and you were a tad closer to the village. Sure to arrive before noon the next day should you choose to rest now.
“Should we rest now, Rintaro? It’s best to arrive at the scene with full energy, right?” You ask your crow who made a nest on your head.
He opens his beak to say, “Yes. There is a small house in the area.”
You smile and nod, looking for the house. Your hand was on your sword’s hilt attached to your uniform, still running your fingers at the newly-made material. Satisfying in its own right. On your way, you saw a crow flying, and it seems your crow has also seen him flying over and appearing to exchange quick information. Rintaro returns to you to relay what information he’s gotten from the kasugai crow.
“Gushiken (Name), you are assigned to pair with Rengoku Kyojuro to exterminate the demon terrorizing the eastern village of Kinamidaito.” He finishes off by flying over to your head once again as he relays the information as a crow loudly would. But then he adds, this time quieter as if he were indulging you inside knowledge. “He is also a Mizunoto-ranked slayer right now… His crow is annoying. Kaname.”
“Haha, thank you, Rintaro!”
“You must be Gushiken-san?” You see someone familiar ambling towards you with the male uniform with his hand in a similar position to yours. You just didn’t quite acknowledge it before. But you wouldn’t mistake his hair. A bit short, but it was lively blonde with orange tips.
“Hello, Rengoku-san!” You greet back with a wave, “Your hair is beautiful. I didn’t quite take notice the first time.”
He stopped for a second, about a meter from you, before he roared with laughter. “You truly are strange, Gushiken-san.”
“Hm, that is quite rude. Was it because I said you had warm hands?” You tease.
Rengoku retracts, realizing he may have been too blunt. “Ah, sorry. That wasn’t what I meant!”
“Though what you say is true.” You finish with a gentle tone. “So, have you found where we will be staying?”
He nods with a hum, “Yes. It is just right around the corner, then we will be able to see it. I came to fetch you since Kaname was scouting the surrounding area.”
“Oh, your crow is named Kaname? That’s cute! I’ve named my Rintaro since he’s my companion. I believe we’ll be working alongside each other for a long while, so I thought it would be nice to call him something.”
“You named yours? Kaname informed me that he had his name given since birth by Oyakata-sama. How interesting.”
“...They already have names?” You stop as you look at your crow, who ignored you and nestled more on your head while his eyes were closed. “How embarrassing.”
Rengoku noticed you look away while your palm reached your forehead, the tips of your ears changing their tint in the dark night. Your short walk together ended briefly when you arrived at the tiny house you were informed to stay in. The lights were already on, and you both went in.
“I was just about to start cleaning since it’s a little dusty, but I got hungry, so I wanted to cook first!”
You nodded, walking around the simple house, a small dining area, and a simple connecting kitchen. You ran your index finger on the low table and picked up some dust.
“Seems you’re right. Let’s work together, then. I can prepare the shikibuton and kakebuton where we can rest so we can wake up just before daybreak and travel to Kinamidaito, arriving early before high noon. I will also clean up a little, and you can cook your meal?”
“Hm! I have no objections!” He says before heading off, you as well fulfill your duties. There was only one room, but a closet contained the futons you would use, more than enough for two. You get them and set them both up next to each other. It was a quick and easy task, so you swiftly moved on to dusting the rooms a little, already reaching the dining area and finishing up just as Rengoku did.
“There were only a few ingredients, so I heated up some of the food my little brother made for my trip, but I managed to make miso with the kombu and tofu I found. They don’t look and smell like they’re bad.”
“Thank you, Rengoku-san. The miso still smells great.” You bow lightly in gratitude, sitting yourself down as the bowls are set on the table.
You both sat down to eat in silence, he shared some of his packed food with you, and you shared yours with him.
“This is tasty! Your brother makes onigiri very well!” You compliment him, and he grins with his white pearls.
“Right! He is incredible. I admire him very much.” He says as he continues eating.
“How old is your brother, Rengoku-san?” You inquire.
He replies with rice on the sides of his mouth and a little on both cheeks. “He is still very young. Right now, he’s six. I am seven years older than him.” He finishes before going back to eat.
“Ah, we’re the same age, I think! That’s nice. Then maybe I can address you like that in the future?” You suggest, aside from Haia-senpai, he would be your first friend in the Corps. It would be great to have friends.
“I don’t mind, we were selected on Mt. Fujikasane, and we’re the same rank and age.” He smiles.
“I’m the youngest of our siblings. I have a sister who’s the eldest.” You share, and Rengoku nods at your information. Then it proceeded to the both of you sharing tales about your siblings. Still, you avoided more topics about yours, making him happily relay counts from his brother. Rengoku would make impressions, raising his hands and whatnot.
Both of you effectively chow down the remnants of a simple dinner before heading to bed in your uniforms, not bothering to change since you were to head out immediately. The total darkness of the night engulfs the environment. Rengoku would lie down on his back, immediately falling into a deep slumber. While you lay on your own separate futon, your smile dissipated. Your stare was stuck on the ceiling for some time, occasionally hearing the sounds of bugs and leaves rustling outside. Closing your eyes for a few seconds, you failed to realize that perhaps your earlier agenda was not such a short experience after all.
The sound of stirring right beside you made you open your eyes again. Rengoku yawned as he sat up from where he lay. And you looked out as the dark night was already shifting slowly into a coral hue; you didn’t feel tired. You could feel Rengoku’s gaze on you, which prompted you to look back at him while you rubbed your eyes.
“Good morning, Gushiken-san. You wake up on time. Amazing! Have you slept well?” He would ask.
What else could you say but “Yes.” You smile.