Chapter Text
Summary: You've arrived at the Swordsmith village. There you are desperately trying to find Haganezuka but he keeps avoiding you, since you broke your sword, soon you realize he's also been hiding from you for a different reason.
(This'll be a short book being written through Demon Slayer 3rd season. If you enjoy it let me know do I can continue writing.)
*********
It's been about two years and a half since I became a Hashira. In my time as one of the Pillars I came across many demons, good and bad, I would get injured a lot often than I would've liked to but it's part of the job. Though, not only I would take damage but my sword as well.
As soon as my sword would be broken I would have it repaired without question, though lately I got a very threatening letter from my swordsmith.
I clenched onto it and got weirded out by all the cussing and not so readable other letters if was spread across. I sighed and decided to take matters into my own hand, to go to the village myself.
Unfortunately I would not be able to head on my own since the village is hidden and I would have to be blindfolded and carried all the way there. God knows how long the trip was going to take.
"So, tell me who is your Swordsmith?!" The female Kakushi who was carrying me asked. We had been talking for a while.
"Mr Haganezuka! Thought I don't know if he'll want to make another sword for me."
At the mention of his name I felt the female Kakushi tense. "H-He's your Swordsmith?! I do hope he doesn't kill you."
"There's no way he'll kill someone like me!" I exclaim and held my cheeks and blushed. I began to remember the first and few times we had met up with each other, when I first became a Demon Slayer.
*****************
"(Y/N), your Swordsmith is here." My master the one who taught me all about slaying demons said picking me up from my room since I was resting since I was all bruised with a broken rib due to my training.
I quickly got myself up on my feet and met up with my master in the backyard garden and saw a tall man hiding his face.
"Mr. Haganezuka this is (Y/N). (Y/N), this is the man who from now on will forge your swords-"
"That depends is she won't be a brat and break my precios swords."
"Huh?" Both my Master and I hummed and were taken back when Haganezuka all of the sudden stared at us and pointed at me with his finger then at the sword.
I blushed under the man's gaze, unsure is he was indeed glaring at me. "This sword was made with the best minerals I could find closest to the sun and made with rich-"
Wow is this man dedicated at making swords, and telling how they're made in detail. "Great! So tell me what to do!" I clapped my hands together and realized we were alone since my Master probably went to fetch something for Haganezuka to eat.
"Grab it the sword. Depending on the color is reveals your sword will be strong or weak."
"I don't believe in such things since the Slayer must be the powerful one, sure the blade helps but-" I shut my mouth when I felt his eyes on me as if telling me to shut up.
I decided to not say anything further on and instead grabbed the sword and held it in my hands, it changed almost nothing, just a light silver colored almost white. I jumped up when Haganezuka let out a scream saying how dull and not interesting the color was.
"Haganezuka calm yourself down." My Master said not fazed by his sudden outburst.
That was the first time I had met him....
*****************
"So you're a Hashira now?" Haganezuka calmly said setting my new sword down and handing it to me.
I nodded my head smiling, "Yes, i didn't expect it to happen but it did. I fought a strong upper demon. I swore to protect those less stronger than me, besides, I just found out I have a cousin who just started his demon slaying practice."
"Congratulations. Though don't get so confident just because your a Hashira now." I watched Haganezuka unveil the new and beautiful sword.
I held it up and examined how beautifully it was made. "Though my fighting skills wouldn't have been impressive without your swords, this will surely scare the demons. Thank you Mr. Haganezuka."
I bowed my head and raised it back up and saw him staring at me through the odd mask, he said nothing.
"Though this'll be the last time I'll do it! This if the fourth swords I made and it can't get any better than this." He threatened.
I started to remember my Masters words and the one of the other Swordsmith. "Haganezuka is an awful temper, if things were to get out of hand, tickle his sides."
I hummed at the memory of those words but decided to say nothing and I smiled at him.
"And what are you smiling for?!"
"Oh nothing!" I sang.
I reached out and grabbed a bento I did with mitarashi dango since I've seen Haganezuka is a fan of it. "Here, I did these for you!"
I held out the box and saw Haganezuka open the box and examine it. "I've seen you always enjoy it, and don't want you leaving on an empty stomach."
I was taken back when I saw light bubbles coming from out of the mask. What the hell?? I commented against it and smiled.
"Why not eat just one here?!" I suggested wanting to see behind the mask. I carefully reached out and lifted the mask just a bit and I felt him gripping the wrist tightly, slowly not applying pressure.
"Quit it Hashira! if you know what's best for you, get working and quit minding other's business." Haganezuka huffed and started walking away.
**************
The next time I had seen Haganezuka was when I was leaving for another mission and stumbled upon Tanjiro Kamado. I have heard from him before, Giyu was the one who informed me of him and his demon sister Nezuko.
They intrigued me especially since I had learned that they are my long distance cousins. I had written to Tanjiro once congratulating him when I learned he passed the exam.
When I was still a little girl I was adopted to a family, since my real parents were killed by demons trying to protect me and their village. I don't remember anything about them but I am grateful that I was adopted into a loving home. Unfortunately, they were also taken away from me. But now I'm happy to know that I have a bit of family left.
"Hello Tanjiro!" I exclaimed smiling at the dark red haired boy.
"(Y/N)! I received your letter. Thank you your words were if help!" I smiled at the boys enthusiasm.
"We only have each other left, might as well keep encouraging each other's work." I said giving him a thumbs up and I looked over and saw Haganezuka with another Swordsmith.
"Haganezuka!" I cheered and saw him flinch at my sudden shout. "Long time no see, I guess I'm always lucky that I run into you." I laughed and saw the man looking away from me and murmuring something at his partner.
Tanjiro looked at me then Haganezuka. "You both know each other?" He asked tilting his head.
"No"
"Yes we do!" I said ignoring Haganezuka's words as I blushed. "Anyway I have a long missions ahead of me. See you later." I gave a peace sign to Tanjiro and Haganezuka and started running off to my mission.
********************
"I genuinely think he's a great and kind man despite being so loud and frightening at times." I recalled as the Kakushi continued to carry me.
"I do hope you are right, Miss (Y/N)." Anyways we are here."
The Kakushi placed me on my feet and I began to unwrap the bandage around my eyes and I stared in awe at the village in front of me.
"Wow it's so beautiful!" I gasped.
The Kakushi next to me chuckled and bowed her head. "Glad to know it exceeded your expectations. I hope for us to meet in the future once more."
"The pleasure has been all mine." I smiled and bowed my head as well.
I kept staring at everywhere the further I began to walk into the village. I saw many people working and kids playing around, I still wonder why they keep hyotokko masks on their faces. I started walking towards where I assume is the chiefs place, I walked up the stairs and was greeted by two men in masks and they took me in to see the chief.
I patiently waited for the man to speak when I saw knelt down on the tatami floor. "Miss (Y/N). I had been expecting you, young lady."
I hummed and bowed my head down the floor and greeted myself to him. "It's an honor to meet you Chief Tecchin!"
"My what manners and dedication. You remind me of the young boy that came earlier today."
"Boy?" I ask raising my head back up.
The man nodded his head, despite the small stature I could tell he is highly respected here and he looks sorta cute too.
"He had a green and black haori with hanafuda earrings."
So that means Tanjiro is here as well. "I assume you are here for Haganezuka am I correct?"
"Yes, sir. You see Tanjiro is my cousin and we both were assigned to Haganezuka. My sword broke easily this time though it was my fault for-"
"No. It wasn't your fault, he didn't forge a sword with his best intentions which is why it breaks easily." The man said in a serious voice. He suddenly got scary like Haganezuka.
"I-I don't think-"
"We'll give him a beating for not working correctly and denying to make a sword for a lady as yourself." The man next to the Chief said with the Chief eagerly nodding his head.
So scary.
"Where is he anyways?" I asked wanting to see Haganezuka.
"Hotaru has run off as of lately. Wanting to be alone as usual." The Chief told me.
"Hotaru? Is that his first name?" I ask intrigued to know a bit more about him.
"Mhm I picked it myself! Though Hotaru doesn't like his name saying it's to cute for a man like him."
"I think it's such a cute and lovely name." I blushed and held my face together. Firefly. That's what his name means. Though he surely isn't as fragile as one.
"Happy to know someone else agrees with me. I adopted the boy when he was just a child."
I sat just a bit closer paying attention to his words and finding myself wanting to see Hotaru again. So we have more in common that I thought. He also lost his parents like me.
"Did Hotaru lose his parents as well?"
The Chief stared at me and shook his head. "Nope. His parents couldn't keep up with his anger so I took him as my own."
Oh damn. My body froze since I didn't expect that.
"You did lose yours did you not? Do you have any memories of them?
I stared down at my lap and back at the Chief to show respect. "Unfortunately I don't have any memories of them. All that I know if that they protected the village they had been living and everyone was massacred by a demon, I believe it was Muzan Kibutsuji."
"You are (Y/N) (L/N) are you not? I remember your parents, they were a part of this village you see. Your father was born here and while trusting outside he met your mother, she agreed to move to the village with him but over time they left, you were born here (Y/N). That means that this is your home as well and you are welcome to stay for as long as you'd like."
I stared at the Chief surprised that he knew both my parents. A few years escaped from my eyes and I cleaned them with the sleeve of my haori and thanked the Chief to telling me all he knew about my parents.
"You are more than welcome to also enjoy of our hot springs. It can heal any wound or broken heart." The Chief sang and moved his hands around.
What does he mean by that?
"If Hotaru isn't seen in a day or two I'll be more than happy to assign a new swordsmith for you." The man said bowing his head. He's the one who made Shinobu's sword.
"I understand." I frowned not wanting to have a new person making my sword, but I have to put my feelings aside and be focused on my mission, to get a new sword done.
"Follow me." I bowed my head to chief Tecchin and followed one of masked men who was with him.
I silently started to follow him and noticed the sky was turning darker as well. "Do you wish to eat first or take a bath?"
"Bath is fine since I feel filthy." Though being in a bath while eating sounds like a great idea.
"Is there something bothering you?" I glanced at the masked man.
"It's about Hotaru isn't it?"
I flinched and froze when we stopped by a few stairs and I felt his eyes on me. "You're worried that a new swordsmith might not make your sword as you want to."
"..Right..of course." I breathed out thankful that he doesn't know the real reason.
"Well, the hot springs is just above the stairs. You're more than welcome to take your time and join us for dinner once you are finished." The man bowed his head and started to leave.
I heard a familiar caw and felt my crow land on my shoulder. "Might as well relax for a bit right" I asked and saw my crow flap it's wings when I began to climb up the stairs.
I felt like my legs were about to give up. I started to take my belt off along wiith my haori and began to unbutton my uniform when I heard another caw from my crow.
"Don't worry I won't take long, there's no one here anyways. You really are a hungry bird." I sighed glaring at the bird and beginning to undress myself completely until I was bare and submerged myself further into the hot waters.
**************
"Food always tastes better while eating with someone else."
I nod along to Tanjiro's words. Right after taking a bath I arrived to meet up with Tanjiro and Nezuko. I hadn't realized that Mitsuri was here as well until Tanjiro told me about it, Shinazugawa's younger brother was also at the village.
"Indeed. So are you saying that you also came here for a sword?"
"Mr. Haganezuka seems to be avoiding me." Tanjiro pouted.
Glad to know I'm not the only one thinking about it. "Don't worry we can both go looking for him. I'm sure he isn't far off from the village."
I noticed Tanjiro's stare on me and looked at him surprised when I saw a blush on his face. "You've always spoken fond of Mr. Haganezuka. Is there maybe-"
"I just feel high admiration for his work! Nothing more!" I blushed as well and tried brushing the topic off.
Can't believe I'm having this conversation with someone younger than me. I continued to rambled on, "Besides as slayers we can't get close to people."
"I disagree!" Tanjiro exclaimed earning a hum from his sister. "That's what makes life beautiful as well, meeting new people and forming a close bond."
I smiled at Tanjiro and nodded once. "Seems like Kyojuro taught you well." I sadly said remembering my best friend.
"Tomorrow morning let's train and go out bets then." I gave him a thumbs up and earned a nod from him and Nezuko.
******************"
The next morning Tanjiro and I met up with s boy from the village, Kotetsu, and the mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito. As Hashira we have encountered with each other many times, but he doesn't seem to remember me that much or talk at all only when necessary.
Muichiro was aggressive and broke down the ancient doll the village boy had in his possession. The three of us fixed it up a bit and I let Tanjiro train with the doll since I had fought with it but was extremely hard.
The doll was designed after the first demon slayer. If fighting the doll was hard enough, I couldn't imagine fighting him in the flesh. I decided to stay with Tanjiro just for a bit, to cheer him on.
I made Tanjiro stand up straight in a certain position and hold the wooden katana he had right. The young masked boy gasped when Tanjiro was swept to it's feet and was knocked out. I was nearby going over back to Tanjiro when I heard a familiar voice.
Is that Hotaru?!
I began to quicken my pace and run over calling out his name. I noticed the young boy turn around looking at me in a panic and I saw Haganezuka's tall figure running fast away from us.
"Haganezuka! Come back here you coward." I shouted and stared at the direction he left and pouted.
I clenched my fists together and glared at where he left, also feeling a bit heartbroken that he didn't face me. I moved quickly to look at the masked boy, Kotetsu.
"You! Why didn't you say anything?!" The boy shrieked when he saw my cold expression.
"I-I don't know what you mean Hashira!" He shouted back.
"I lowered down a bit and glared at the boy and pointing at him, "I've told you my name is (Y/N)!"
The boy looked back at me and said nothing, "(Y/N)...right no wonder I've heard the name before. Mr. Haganezuka has spoken about you."
Tilting my head to the side I could notice Kotetsu muttering something to himself and a blush across the mask. Is everyone is this village weird?
"Good things I hope." I huffed and decided to go back and help Tanjiro up to his feet. "Anyways there's no time for me to be chasing that childish man, better help Tanjiro back up."
I helped Tanjiro up and gave him at least a sip of water since Kotetsu refused to give him any. "Ready to do this Tanjiro?"
My cousin Tanjiro was weak but he refused to give up. I gave him a thumbs up and watched Tanjiro begin to continue training.