Chapter Text
“Rengoku-san!”
A wide smile brightened Rengoku’s face. His brightness wasn’t hampered by the eyepatch covering his left eye at all, and Tanjiro couldn’t smell any falseness in his joy. “Hello everyone! Did the visit with Oyakata-sama go well?”
Inosuke immediately puffed out his chest. “We all got promoted!”
“Kaigaku’s gonna be so mad when he finds out I’ve already caught up to him,” Zenitsu snickered.
“Onii-chan even became a Hashira!”
Rengoku’s booming laughter filled the room. “What excellent news! No wonder everyone is in such high spirits! I take it there will be a promotional meeting soon?”
Shinobu nodded. “Likely within a week or so. Before you can ask, you’ll be safe to attend. I want you to stay here until you readjust to living and fighting with limited depth perception, but so long as we watch out for infection, you’re perfectly healthy. Just a bit battered.”
“Thank you, Kocho-san!”
“Oh, honestly, Shinobu is fine. We’ve become closer lately, no? Besides, any friend of Tanjiro’s is a friend of mine.”
“He truly has a way of bringing people together, doesn’t he? You may call me Kyojuro as well! In fact, all of you can! Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, did you still want to train with me? It may take some time before I’m back to where I was, but I would love to teach you all once I’m able!”
“That sounds brilliant, Kyojuro-san,” Tanjiro answered with a smile as his friends nodded with equally excited scents.
“And you, Nezuko?”
“Water Breathing and Flame Breathing are too different from one another for me to learn much from the style, sadly,” she sighed. “But I appreciate the offer! Take care of these knuckleheads, would you?”
“You could always join Kanao and I in training, Nezuko. Our forms are derived from Water Breathing, after all.”
“Really? I’d love that!”
Kyogai, Hayase, Rui, and Harumu had gone to help the girls with chores around the estate, but Akaza had trailed behind their group, finally working up the nerve to join them in the infirmary.
“Hello, Akaza!”
Akaza bowed deeply, nearly bent in half in the blink of an eye, and kept his eyes trained on the ground. “I am so, so sorry, Kyojuro. Because of me, you lost an eye and will have to go through rehabilitation training and–”
“No harm done!” Akaza froze, blinking in shock as he slowly stood upright and looked Kyojuro in the eye. “Everyone was saved, we gained new allies, we gained a new Hashira… Our mission could not have been more of a success! This will not hinder me long, I assure you!”
“He’s been almost disturbingly cheerful about all of this,” Shinobu chuckled. “But he’s right. It’s a life-changing injury, yes, but not one that demands retirement. Things could have been far worse.”
“Precisely! I’ve been thinking about getting an eyepatch that matches my haori…”
Tanjiro was smiling so widely that it hurt, fighting back laughter at Akaza’s dumbfounded scent. “Never change, Kyojuro-san.”
He could get used to this feeling of belonging.
-
Tanjiro and Kyojuro were practicing their katas out in the courtyard when Kanroji and an unknown but somehow familiar scent approached the Butterfly Estate.
“Aniue!”
Kyojuro stumbled out of his form and looked up with a massive grin. “Senjuro! Thank you for visiting me!”
‘Man, the family resemblance is strong. Even their scents are similar. Kyojuro’s is just wilder while Senjuro’s is more like a campfire than an inferno.’
“Of course, I visited you. How could I not after what happened? Are you alright?”
“I’m quite fine, as you can see! With a bit of time to adjust, I’ll be back on the field in no time!”
“I’m glad!”
Tanjiro’s heart stopped. Senjuro was beaming like the sun itself, smelling of nothing but happiness and relief with the undertone of fire that made him a Rengoku, and it took Tanjiro’s breath away.
Something clicked into place.
“And you must be Kamado; Kanroji-san was telling me about you. Thank you for saving my brother!”
“Of course, it was the least I could do.” Tanjiro could barely manage to whisper the words, growing redder in the face by the minute.
“It really wasn’t.”
Thankfully, Tanjiro was saved from his embarrassed floundering by Kanroji asking Kyojuro a question. “Do you know why Oyakata-sama asked us to gather here?”
“We have a new Hashira!”
Kanroji gasped with excitement, turning to Tanjiro with sparkling eyes. “Wait, wait! You killed Waning Moon One on your mission with Kyojuro, didn’t you?! Then that means–?!”
“We have a Sun Hashira again!”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! Congratulations, Kamado-san!” Kanroji tilted her head with a hum, smile still not fading, as she asked, “Is someone retiring? I don’t think we’ve ever had more than nine Hashira before.”
“Not that I’m aware of! Come to think of it, though, I do believe it is tradition…”
“Kagaya-san said there wasn’t a hard rule against it, and since we’re gearing up for war against Muzan, we need as many advantages as we can get. I’m just a tenth Hashira.”
“Well, I look forward to working with you, Kamado-san!”
“And I you, Kanroji-san.”
“You became a Hashira after your first big mission? That’s impressive.”
Tanjiro flushed further at Senjuro’s praise. “I’d argue that Mount Natagumo was my first big mission since a member of the Twelve Kizuki was involved there too, but I guess that was a coincidence rather than an intended mission…”
“It’s impressive either way!” Senjuro huffed playfully. “I could never even get my nichirin blade to change colors. Seeing people my age become a Hashira is inspiring.” Senjuro clenched his fist, and his scent radiated the same steady determination that Kyojuro had while defending the wreckage of the Mugen Train.
“I’m going to help however I can! Even if I can’t fight, there are other things I can do to prepare for the battle against Muzan.” Senjuro faced Kyojuro with a smile. “Aniue, I’m glad your recovery is going well so far. I believe in you! Forgive my rudeness, but I need to go ask Kocho-san something.”
Senjuro bowed before swiftly leaving them, and Tanjiro watched on, thunderstruck.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so driven before, not even when Tokito-san became a Hashira,” Kanroji murmured. “I wonder what he’s up to?”
“What he believes is right!”
-
Most people didn’t know this about Senjuro, but despite never cutting it as a swordsman, he had an enhanced sense too. With the exception of his brother, even those who did know about his sense of taste didn’t realize the extent of it.
Senjuro’s taste buds didn’t only benefit his cooking skill. He could taste the emotions of people around him through the air. Negative emotions tasted like the burn of alcohol, and the exact type varied depending on the severity. Senjuro very carefully avoided thinking about why that was, just as he avoided thinking about whether the taste of his father’s emotions was drowned out by the sheer volume of alcohol he consumed or…
Positive emotions varied from person to person. His brother reminded him of a hot pot with slightly shifting ingredients day by day, always warm, nurturing, and safe even when hints of sourness or bitterness popped up.
Kamado had one of the most complex blends of flavors Senjuro had ever experienced. Unshakeable kindness added a sweet note to the predominant, savory taste of protectiveness. There was a tiny thread of sourness, a fear of not being good enough, that was entirely too familiar to Senjuro, and he couldn’t help wondering how the demon who’d done so much for the demon slayers in a short period of time could ever feel that way. Determination blazed within him, adding a spiciness that burned those who got in his way, who threatened those he protected, to the mix.
The closest thing Senjuro could think to compare him to was ramen. Kamado was made up of a blend of uniquely powerful emotions that all came together to form a greater whole, and despite the sheer variety of flavors, his emotions were still an overwhelmingly positive thing to experience.
And maybe he was imagining things, but he could’ve sworn the air around Kamado grew the slightest bit sweeter while they spoke. He was comforting, far more so than he’d ever imagined a demon could be, and inspiring, and Senjuro had finally worked up the nerve to do something he’d been meaning to for years.
“Kocho-san?”
Two girls flew around the room, blue and pink swords clashing as they danced around one another. One of the girls he recognized as Tsuyuri, Kocho’s tsuguko, and Senjuro was shocked to realize that there was a subtle flavor to the air around her now. Fragile, hopeful sweetness was radiating from her, and the slayer she was sparring with had the same hints of sweetness threaded throughout her overwhelming spicy blend of emotions.
“Oh, hello Senjuro! It’s good to see you again. I’m surprised you’re not still with your brother.”
She couldn’t have asked a silent question any louder. “Aniue is obviously doing well. I came to thank you and… To also ask you a favor.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“Can I… Will you teach me about medicine? I know that I’m a lousy fighter, but this is a way I can help! If I can handle Father when he’s… I can do this; I know I can.”
Kocho chuckled, and for a moment he feared she would refuse him, but her genuine smile dissuaded him of that notion. “It’s getting so busy around here. I may not always be free, I have to prioritize training Kanao and Nezuko, but I will still teach you. I’m sure Aoi will be happy to step in when I cannot, and Rui has learned incredibly quickly as well. If this is what you want to do, then I will support you in every way I can.”
Relieved tears welled up in his eyes. “Thank you, Kocho-san!”
“None of that. All my students call me Shinobu.”
-
Tomioka was the next Hashira to join them at the Butterfly Estate. He stumbled across Tanjiro and Nezuko practicing their joint attacks, watching from a distance as they turned to one another, nodded, and got into the proper stances again.
“Tenth Form: Constant Flux–”
“Ninth Form: Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance–”
“Twin Dragons!”
Dragons made of fire and water twined around one another, roaring in sync as they flew toward the same target. Smoke billowed from Tanjiro’s dragon as Nezuko’s boiled, and finally, finally, the dragons did not dissipate before they reached their destination.
“Yes! We did it!”
“It’s a bit weak right now, but there’s something there, onii-chan! And all the smoke could serve as a good cover for a follow-up attack too…”
“You’re creating your own moves already?” Tomioka’s eyes widened slightly in shock. “And combinations of breathing styles, no less.”
“Um, yeah? Onii-chan and I have been doing this since we first started training. Did Urokodaki-sensei not tell you?”
“No.” Tomioka sulked. “Why would he not…? He knows I’ve been looking for…”
Nezuko burst into laughter. “Well, now you know, Tomioka-san!”
“Nezuko.”
His sister straightened up at the seriousness in Tomioka’s tone. “Yes?”
“Will you be my tsuguko?”
“R-really?!”
“You will make an excellent Water Hashira, of that I have no doubt. I would… like to help you get there if you’ll allow me.”
Nezuko’s scent exploded with happiness. “Yes! Yes! Oh, thank you so much, Tomioka-san!” A flicker of hesitation. “Oh, but… I already promised to train with Kanao and Shinobu-san. That won’t interfere, will it?”
“... I don’t see why we couldn’t train here instead of at the Water Estate. You’ve already become one with water under Urokodaki-sensei’s training, so…”
That excitement surged forth again. “I won’t let you down, Tomioka-san!”
“I know you won’t. I’ll go speak with Kocho-san about your training schedule. Do you want to come?”
Nezuko nodded eagerly, and Tanjiro sighed as he was left in the courtyard by himself. Any faint disappointment he may have felt for not being able to practice moves with his sister was quickly overcome by his excitement for her.
‘Everything is going so well! It’s hard to believe that we only became official slayers a few months ago. Everything is changing so quickly.’
“Oh, it’s you.”
Tanjiro perked up at the familiar, airy voice. “Hello, Tokito-san! How’re you?”
“... Fine, I think. Are you busy?”
“Nope! Do you need anything?”
Tokito was silent for several long moments. His scent was riddled with confusion. “Have we… met before?”
Tanjiro blinked, furrowing his eyebrows as he thought about it. “I don’t think so. Your scent isn’t familiar to me. Why?”
“I don’t remember anything before being a slayer.” Tanjiro’s breath caught in his throat. “And your eyes feel familiar. I thought that maybe we’d met before you became a demon, but…” Tokito sighed. “Oh well. It doesn’t matter anyway.”
Tanjiro couldn’t imagine not knowing who he was. The thought of forgetting his family, his goals, his everything… It was terrifying. It was part of why he felt such pity for Muzan’s demons, even the ones he had to kill. He’d had no idea that Tokito was in the same boat as them.
“You can’t force memories, but…I’m happy to hang around and see if I can help you remember anything if you want!”
“... I’d like that.”
Muichiro didn’t wind up remembering anything, but the two of them slumped over into the grass together and watched the clouds rolls by until sunset.
They grew closer through peaceful, idle chatter, and Tanjiro knew long before they parted ways that he’d already claimed another Hashira as one of his.
-
The rest of the Hashira joined them over the next few days. With the arrival of Iguro, Kagaya was guided to the Butterfly Estate by Kakushi, and the meeting was underway.
“Hello, my children. It is a most wonderful day.”
“Hello, Oyakata-sama!”
Tanjiro simply smiled and dipped his head, not wanting to agitate anyone by using Kagaya’s name so early on.
“Pardon my rudeness, Oyakata-sama, but why is the demon brat here? I thought this was a Hashira matter.”
“That is precisely why Tanjiro is here, Sanemi.”
Iguro blanched with fear. “No, you cannot mean…”
“Tanjiro killed Waning Moon One, the last surviving Waning Moon, on the Mugen Train. With that, he qualifies for the position of Hashira.”
Tomioka’s scent lit up with hope. “Are you asking one of us to step down?” That question would sound accusatory if Tanjiro didn’t have the sense of smell he did, but somehow, Kagaya knew exactly what Tomioka meant.
“No, Giyu. Our Sun Hashira will simply be our tenth. I must ask you to maintain your position a while longer. We are steadily approaching the final battle. Several factors can alter this slightly, but… I believe we have less than a year before Kibutsuji moves on us.”
“Even still, I must protest this, Oyakata-sama! It’s hardly an accurate test if the demon was accompanied by a Hashira for this mission! It would be most unflashy to give him an undeserved promotion like this.”
“I was the one who insisted it was offered, Tengen!” Kyojuro smiled, oblivious to the shock he’d plunged Uzui, Iguro, and Shinazugawa into. “I’m sad to admit that I was very little help on the Mugen Train itself, and if it weren’t for Tanjiro… I doubt that we would’ve been able to escape Waning Moon One’s dreams at all. His promotion is absolutely deserved!”
“He’s a demon!” Shinazugawa spluttered. “It’s bad enough that he’s fighting among us, but this?! Giving him a position of power and influence over our people? Have you gone mad?!”
“Those who risk their lives to fight demons and protect humans are demon slayers, no matter what anyone else says! Tanjiro is one of us. Not only that, but every single demon that fights alongside him is too! You did not see them on that train. You did not watch the former Waning Moon Five save everyone’s life as the train derailed, straining himself so badly that he was bleeding and collapsed the second everyone was safely on the ground!”
Kyojuro’s scent flared with determination. “You did not watch these demons put themselves between Waxing Moon Three and the passengers! You did not watch them shield young Inosuke, Nezuko, and Zenitsu from a demon far beyond what any of us were prepared for!” The scent of shock permeated the courtyard. “... You did not watch Waxing Moon Three beg for me to become a demon so that he could spare my life. You did not watch the tears bead in his eyes when he believed he’d have to kill me, nor did you watch the hope and fear warring in them when he was offered a place at Tanjiro’s side.”
“We were wrong,” Kyojuro whispered, though in this silence he may as well have screamed it. “I was wrong! Muzan’s demons are tragic creatures. And Tanjiro? Tanjiro is our ally! His demons maintain everything that made them human! Even Waxing Moon Three cried upon regaining his memories… Some demons are too far gone, but not all of them are. I will not disavow those who genuinely wish to turn over a new leaf and begin to make up for any lives they have taken! Those lives can never be regained, but eventually, in time, perhaps they will save more than they hurt. And is it not more valuable to give them that chance rather than killing them after they become unable to devour a human ever again?”
“Now that’s a flamboyant defense!” Uzui’s scent was a loud blend of excited and intrigued. “How did only one mission with them change your views so drastically? Talk about passing a trial by fire with zeal!”
“Hold on, go back a step. Did you say that Waxing Moon Three has become one of Kamado’s demons? And you don’t have any concerns with this?”
Kyojuro waved his hand dismissively. “When I left him, Akaza was braiding Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho’s hair. Those girls adore him, and they have more reason than most to distrust demons, Iguro-san.”
“He’s been quite the help in the infirmary as well. It’s clear that he’s familiar with taking care of the sick and feeble.”
“You’ve both lost the plot,” Shinazugawa growled as he looked between Kyojuro and Shinobu. “There’s no way in hell anyone else will be okay with–”
“Tanjiro is… nice. I like him.” It was rare to hear Muichiro voice his opinion during these meetings without prompting, much less to interrupt someone else.
“Yeah! Kamado-san has been nothing but helpful. You guys can’t keep trying to punish him before he’s even done anything wrong!”
Iguro’s shoulders hunched higher and higher the longer that everyone spoke.
“I’ve seen no indication that Kamado is anything but what he presents himself as. His family has grown and so has the trust we hold in him; I am grateful that he is able to spare some of these poor souls from a miserable fate.”
“I made a choice that day at the Kamados’ home, and I have not regretted it once.”
“It’s a trick!” An awkward silence fell at Iguro’s desperate outburst; even Shinazugawa looked taken aback, if only because of how unlike Iguro it was to yell. “Can’t you all see it?! Demons like Kamado don’t hunt so directly! They weave traps and watch their prey struggle to escape from them to no avail! They convince an entire family to commit atrocities in their name!”
“Oh,” Tanjiro breathed. “I am so sorry, Iguro-san. I didn’t mean to bring up unpleasant memories.”
“Oyakata-sama, may I present my recent findings to you all?” Shinobu asked. “I believe this may be a reassurance to even those of us who remain reluctant.”
“Of course. What have you discovered, my child?”
“Tanjiro’s demons are the complete antithesis of Muzan’s in every way; it goes beyond the resistance to wisteria and the ability to walk in the sun. Every demon that he’s turned has grown at a much faster rate than the blood they receive can explain. Rui had no previous indication of having a fire aspect of his Blood Demon Art, correct?”
“No, he didn’t. I thought I saw him break himself out of his dream though, and the only way I could do that was…” Tanjiro’s eyes widened.
“Precisely, he tapped into your Blood Demon Art. He lit his threads on fire without even thinking about it while sparring with Hayase the other day, so he definitely has some access to the ability, somehow. I have another theory that I still need to test, but I’ll need your family to send me samples of their blood for that one.” Shinobu shook her head slightly, recollecting herself. “Anyways, my point is that Tanjiro and his demons are different from Kibutsuji's, even on a biological level. They’re not deceiving us, Iguro-san. Tanjiro cares so much about his demons that he’s instinctively sharing his power with them, and that speaks volumes of his character.”
“Fine. Fine,” Iguro snarled. “I want to see those samples, but I’m willing to give you one, tiny chance. Don’t fuck it up, Kamado.”
“I won’t let you down, Iguro-san.”
Slowly, each Hashira turned to face Shinazugawa. He looked away from Tanjiro with a scoff. “I will never accept you or anything you do, demon.”
Despair and jealousy clung to Shinazugawa like a toxic perfume. Tanjiro turned away from it. He couldn’t allow himself to dwell on those who refused to be helped, regardless of if they were human or demon.