Chapter Text
Chapter 2: Trainer Sakonji Urokodaki
10th January 1914 - 10:03pm - 5 hours after Tanjiro buried his family.
Almost a whole day has passed since the Kamado family was murdered by a demon.
Tanjiro and his demon sister Nezuko make the long journey up Mount Sagiri to meet his new teacher Urokodaki Sakonji.
Tanjiro had walked down the mountain with his sister. He noticed many people in uniform, with the Demon Slaying Corps insignia on them. Most likely here because of his family.
Tanjiro ducked behind a tree, not letting them see his demon sister.
Tomioka was right. The demon slaying corps was all over the place.
There is probably 20 of them just in that one village at the foot of Mount Sagiri asking questions about demons, or strange occurrences in the night.
As Tanjiro hid behind a tree waiting for the Demon Slaying corps members to leave. His knees were starting to cramp as he hid behind the tree just outside the village.
The Demon Slaying corps members were mixed rankings, most of them were there to teach the lower ranks about how to conduct missions in a suitable manner, such as what they were allowed to ask locals and where demons would be found, and what kind of demons they were allowed to kill.
These groups were made up of Mizunoto to Tsuchinoe, members of the corps move up ranks from the number of demons they killed.
1000 years ago during the Heian period during the 7th century a terrible demon was born causing destruction everywhere. This demon was determined to consume every person he saw. After this horrific tragedy and the deaths of thousands of people during the night, the government recognised demons as a threat to humanity.
All of highest ranking demon slayers work in pairs, commanding 10 high ranking slayers with them that are practicing that breathing technique. The higher ranking slayers patrol the area first, then the lower ranking slayers are sent in afterwards to pick up any stragglers or weak demons that are left behind.
Ever since the demon slaying corps was made 1000 years ago, the government have recognised it as an official organisation, comparable to the military in terms of importance and have the civil liberties of the police in terms of power.
The only good part about the demons is that they burn in the sunlight.
The Demon Slaying Corps orders are to destroy all demons no matter the cost. There are no second chances, no mercy. All demons must be slaughtered where they stand. They are an eyesore to humankind. The evil they wish not to see. The part of humanity they wish to hide.
Just as Tanjiro was going to risk it all and try to run for his life through the village square to the mountain. A murder of crows came swooping over. An omen of death. The crows silhouettes were darker against the dark blue sky. They came to give a message to their demon slayers.
"Go West, West towards the Red Light District in Yoshiwara, news of an Upper Rank Demon, many have been injured. Your orders are to help the Kakushi get the injured out of the rubble and treat them. And to slaughter any other demons, or any that have recently been turned into demons. Go now!"
In a blink of an eye all the demon slayers looked at each other, politely bowed to the civilians and left. They ran so fast, Tanjiro almost lost his breath, that burst of explosive power, and these were supposed to be the lowest ranks of the demon slaying corps.
Just how strong did he have to get?
Tanjiro finally stood up from behind the tree and walked through the village square when everyone had closed their doors. It was night time after all.
The villagers had put wisteria flowers on their doorsteps outside of their homes. Most likely given to them by the Kakushi when they passed through the area after the demon's attack. Just as a precaution, in case another demon comes. They smell blood after all, they're attracted to it. Whenever there is one demon attack, others normally follow. Unless the other demons are killed or subdued right after the demon attacks then more will occur. The Demon Slaying Corps is already suspicious that there aren't any demons after this attack. A demon kills a family of 6 in one night and none of those people coming out as a demon is very unlikely. They will most likely be looking for him and Nezuko.
We need to get up that mountain, quickly.
While trudging along the dark, sandy path. Fireflies started rising from the marsh farmland on both sides. Tanjiro's feet and legs started hurting, dragging his sister along the path was taking it's toll, despite carrying coal on his back and getting a fair bit of strength from that alone, he was still quite inexperienced in dragging people with him. Seeing the farmland and the reeds surrounding it. He decided he was going to make a basket. He leaned down and softly rubbed the reeds between his thumb and first finger determining how strong the reeds were. This basket had to be strong enough to carry a 14 year old girl, perhaps even bigger. Given that she was able to make herself bigger than him on the mountain just after she turned. Tanjiro walked along the path backwards and forwards pulling out reeds all the while holding his sister's hand. He took around 33 long reeds to make the basket, he took a few more just in case he didn't correctly calculate how strong the reeds were. He contemplated just knocking on the farmer's door and asking, but he decided not to.
After collecting to the reeds, he found a dark cave in the distance.
This would be a good place to stay the night.
Tanjiro was about to walk towards the entrance, he smelt a strong iron smell.
Blood. A lot of blood.
But it smelt different.
This can't be human. A demon, maybe. An animal?
I hope it's an animal.
Tanjiro let go of his sister's hand when they were about 50 metres away, while he walked towards the cave. He put the reeds down near his sister's feet then took out his hatchet holding it with both hands, shaking but ready to fight. He heard a choking sound.
That sounds like a human.
Tanjiro dropped his axe down a bit and walked slightly inside. As he walked forwards, he saw something that made him reel back in horror. It was a head, but it wasn't human. The cat-like pupils said it all, it's tongue was salivating and hanging out. It's head was off, however it's body was twitching and turning like it was in shock. The sun hadn't come up yet that was why the demon hadn't been burnt yet. Tanjiro threw up just outside the cave by a tree. After a few minutes of retching, he caught his breath and mustered enough courage to walk towards it again. He grabbed the demon's head by it's hair, the demon was staring at him all the while, or trying to at least. Tanjiro grabbed it's hair so it's face was facing the floor because Tanjiro didn't want to look at it, he was already being smothered by the smell of it's blood, it was making his eyes water. Tanjiro threw the head down the mountain, into the farmland below. Then Tanjiro turned around and went back to the cave, to throw the body down the mountain as well. The smell of blood had gotten slightly weaker. Tanjiro ran towards the entrance, there was bloody footprints out of the entrance of the cave, past his sister Nezuko, down the mountain towards the village.
All demons, when they're heads a cut off, will naturally follow where their head lands to try and reattach it, that's why Demon Slayers are ordered to leave the body after their head is cut because their body stays in shock after being beheaded if their head isn't moved, if they're head is moved further away, the more determined the body will be to get back to their head.
The higher ranked the Demon Slayers are, the stronger their strikes to the head will be and the shorter the demon will stay on Earth, this is why when the higher ranks behead demons the demon starts disintegrating right away or start disintegrating after 10 minutes to an hour.
The lowest rank Mizunoto when they behead demons, the demon will not disintegrate until the sun comes up. Which is why Mizunoto is normally accompanied by other stronger slayers on missions to keep them safe.
Tanjiro panicked. He ran after the demon without thinking. He just didn't want people to get hurt, Tanjiro saw the body without a head stumbling down the path towards the village. Tanjiro ran towards the demon, jumped and buried the hatchet in it's back, the body fell down, it was flailing it arms and legs around, clearly confused. Tanjiro sliced the body with the hatchet again and again. It's back was riddled with hatchet cuts, Tanjiro then stepped on it's back to keep it still, he took a sideways stance towards it legs, his foot still on its back, he struck the hatchet at it's legs, after 3 cuts it legs were off.
Like cutting down a tree.
Tanjiro then cut the other leg off. It's arms started violently dragging the ground desperate to get away, It was going to crawl away by any means necessary. Tanjiro then took his right foot and placed it on it's back swapping which foot was on the demon's back, then he took the hatchet and cut it's arms off too. At this point the demon's torso was the only part that was writhing. Tanjiro was horrified by the sight but knew it wasn't going to move much further. Satisfied with the incapacitating the demon, he went back up the mountain towards his sister. He quickly grabbed her hand and the reeds and took her into the cave. Her eyes were looking at the ground and absolutely blank. Their pink colour was still prominent, but a cat-like slit replaced her once human eyes. Devoid of emotion. He took her into the cave and sat her down deeper into the cave, away from the blood on the floor of the cave. She knelt on her knees for a while, swaying, almost looking off-balance, she looked like a drunk person trying to walk. She eventually swayed sideways and lay down on the floor, her mouth agape and breathing peacefully, showing her now fanged teeth.
Tanjiro sighed, and began making the basket.
11th January 1914 - 2:03am
While Tanjiro was making the basket, he remembered the techniques that his father taught him. Weaving in and out, making sure the reeds were flat as this made the basket better for carrying materials. Even though his dad was gone, he still carried the lessons he taught him deep in his mind.
Thank you, Dad. Please give me the strength to continue.
After a few hours of hard work, Tanjiro had created the basket, it took a few more reeds than he was expecting. Luckily he had plucked extra.
Now, for the test.
Will Nezuko fit in the basket?
Tanjiro slowly crawled up to his sister and patted her gently on the side of her head to try and wake her up. After a few tries, he pulled her up so she was sitting upright facing him and then shook her a few times. Her eyes sprung open in shock.
"I am sorry, Nezuko I had to wake you up." Tanjiro apologised.
Nezuko had a look on her face like a tired toddler. An annoyed, tired look on her face. Even though she had been sleeping for more than a day. Tanjiro knew that Nezuko could sleep for a whole day and still be tired, his family had experienced this a few times, just after she was born she slept for almost two days. Tanjuro and Kie were very worried, so they went down to the village Doctor, who concluded that everything was fine, and that Nezuko just loved sleeping. Nezuko could sleep anywhere, one summer's day she slept on the ground while hanging up sheets from their futon and stayed there until night time when Kie shook her awake as the sheets had dried out. It made Tanjiro hopeful that a part of her was still in there.
Tanjiro showed her the basket. Nezuko tilted her head in interest, Tanjiro motioned with his hand for her to try and get in. He held it up with he left hand to stop it from rolling away, while Nezuko crawled on all fours towards the basket and pushed her head in. She couldn't fit.
Oh no. What am I going to do?
Just as Tanjiro was panicking, Nezuko had shrunk herself down, she climbed in again and fit perfectly. Once Tanjiro saw that she could fit by shrinking he was quite confused, but delighted that this could work. After all it was almost morning.
Tanjiro put the basket on his back and made his way up Mount Sagiri, it was going to be a very long walk, it would probably take another day. But Tanjiro was determined to do anything he could to save his sister.
13th January 1914 12:08am
Tanjiro started walking with his sister on his back up the mountain, his legs were cramping and aching. He stopped a few times up the path during the day to take a nap in the dirt before moving again. Tanjiro was thinking about how he could get stronger, how one day he may be able to walk and run all day with his sister on his back without any issue. Tanjiro's path up Mount Sagiri was complicated, as not many people lived up here, many were old men in retirement, hid away from society. Most were ex samurai this was shown from the swords that were hung up on their walls that could be seen from outside of the window. A little light from their lamp near their beds to scare away demons
Samurai had been banned in the 1870s when the feudal system was banned. The demon slaying corps was a way for samurai to still have power over commoners, however the leader of the Demon Slaying Corps made it clear that anyone abusing their powers as Demon Slayers will be immediately removed and forced to commit seppuku out of shame. The reason why samurai were banned was because many of them just used this as a power trip to take over villages and make the commoners that lived there slaves to their every whim because they were of higher class. The demon slaying corps have written in their rules that although the slayers have powers of the police, abuse of this power is frowned upon and will not be tolerated. This is another reason why the crows watch over Japan, it is a way of keeping the citizens safe and the demon slayers in line. This is why Tomioka Giyuu told Tanjiro to hide his sister inside of Subaru's house instead of outside, he did not want to risk any crows hearing or seeing him speak to Tanjiro. As it would immediately be reported back as a 'breaking of the rules' and Tomioka would immediately be dismissed and forced to commit suicide along with his master Urokodaki. Tanjiro would have been forced to give his sister to the Demon Slaying Corps and live alone forever.
Tanjiro has an incredibly strong sense of smell. Tanjiro had guessed that due to how isolated this training place was that not many people would be walking up the hard mountainous path. He could smell how many people had walked this path and decided the path that smelled the least like humans. He continued down this path a few were walking around with their children. There were a few that were holding swords in their hands because of the threat of demons and wild animals, as the sun had not risen yet and despite how isolated they were demons could still be a threat.
Even the women with children had a hatchet strapped to their back. Especially in a remote part of Japan the fear of demons may be lesser, but still quite strong compared to Tanjiro's mountain. Barely any demons come up that mountain because of the cold. Cold is known to deter demons.
Demons tend to enjoy the winter months more as the sun goes down earlier in the day and there is more night than day, however the cold deters demons as they could freeze to death if they don't have winter clothes. Despite not being able to feel pain, demons still have a sense of danger. So more demon slayers are trained during these months and are trained to deal with longer nights and use concentration breathing to deal with sleep deprivation.
On Mount Sagiri there was barely any snow, despite it being winter. Mount Sagiri faced the sun to the east which is why there was less snow. Tanjiro wondered what the cities were like, he had never been to the city. And he never had any reason to ask as he had grown up in an isolated house on the outskirts of a village in a valley that he had to climb out of just to get to Mount Sagiri. And the location that Tanjiro was trying to get to, was not known. Tanjiro figured that he shouldn't ask anyone for directions as he was worried that people would ask what was in the basket.
Tanjiro wanted desperately to get up the mountain before nightfall as he was afraid of the demon slayers and the demons. Either one could decide to kill him. The true terror of the situation Tnajiro was in was beginning to sink in.
I need to get up that mountain!
Tanjiro ran for it, trying to be as smooth as possible for his sister. But ultimately, Tanjiro knew that this was life or death situation. And with the sun setting and it almost turning to 1 o'clock in the morning the dawn of a new day. Tanjiro knew that his life depended on it.
What was that teachers name again? Urokodaki isn't it?
Yes I think it is.
Idiot. Why would a Hashira tell you a fake name?
Unless he was trying to kill me?
Tanjiro stopped abruptly in his tracks. Questioning why he was even here. His mind was a mess of emotions.
Stupid. He was genuine. He cares, you know he does. He wouldn't have gone through all this trouble to tell you where a trainer was just to kill you.
Tanjiro shook his head. Making the doubtful thoughts leave his mind.
Calm down. And just keep walking.
Tanjiro kept walking. Trying to not let any thoughts cloud his judgement. As to stop moving could mean death.
13th January 1914 2:00am
Tanjiro huffed as he ran up the mountain as fast as he could large pebbles under his feet. His feet and head hurt. His legs were cramping and even his back hurt. Something that he never thought was possible. For some reason, his chest was also in pain, whenever he breathed he felt like a snake was constricting his lungs to the point where he could only make shallow breaths the air only reached halfway down his throat and stopped there. He also felt a burning sensation on his chest as if he had been scratched. The lower parts of his legs on his shins also started burning as Tanjiro made his way to the plateau of the mountain.
This is my body telling me that it is time to rest.
As Tanjiro finally reached a plateau on the mountain, there was a small house, incredibly similar to the house he grew up in. A sense of familiarity washed over him. Maybe he could rest here. The lights of the house were on. The inhabitant wouldn't mind if he slept on the porch would they? He will probably be gone in the morning.
I am so tired.
Tanjiro slowly stumbled up the stairs, slowly getting his bearings, while his vision was closing in from all sides. Tired and drowsy from the journey up the mountain he collapsed on the porch outside with the basket Nezuko was in, weighing down on his back. While falling asleep he briefly heard a door sliding open, but he lost consciousness before he could find out who lived in that house.
13th January 1914 1:03pm
Tanjiro woke up to a wooden panelled ceiling. A lot like his home. There was a fire crackling near him, he could feel the warmth of the fire on his face and the smell of food. Tanjiro's mouth almost started watering on the spot realising he had not eaten in a few days. His stomach started rumbling, he clutched his stomach underneath the knitted cross stitch blanket on top of him. He felt embarrassed as he could smell that someone else was here, the smell of dirt, blood and sweat was almost overwhelming. He slowly sat up to take in his surroundings his eyesight was blurry and his eyes were going in and out of focus, despite his crippling hunger all he wanted to do was sleep. As he straightened out his arms behind him to sit up properly. He saw someone sitting cross legged by the fire on the right side looking down at the flame on the ground and the food cooking, except you couldn't see his face. On top of it was a scary looking mask, it was bright red and had a long nose.
Why is he wearing that? And why does he feel the need to hide his face?
Tanjiro leaned over to take some weight off of his aching arms. He wondered why they hurt so much. He brought them in front of his face and realised that his arms were covered in bandages. He in a panic looked down his chest to see more bandages, he kicked the blanket off to check his legs and found even more bandages wrapped around his legs. The only part the bandages left uncovered was his neck, face, tops of his legs, his feet and hands. Suddenly as he looked down, every part of him started hurting. His eyesight started getting worse as a head splitting headache decided to show itself. As Tanjiro held his head in pain while looking at his bandaged body he realised that there was someone sitting next to him. His eyes slowly looked to the right of him, he would've jumped in shock if he wasn't so tired. The man in a mask handed Tanjiro a cup full of liquid. Tanjiro drank it fervently as his throat was incredibly dry from the mountain air. After he drank he wiped off his lips realising how cracked they were. His skin was also cracked and dry, shown by the plasters that littered them.
The man spoke quietly and softly to Tanjiro.
"You have a headache because you are dehydrated from climbing the mountain. Your body was also cut up, I don't think you noticed because you kept moving, but you had deep cuts on your chest arms and legs like something had scratched you."
Tanjiro froze. It must have been from the demon he fought at the mountain. How could he not have noticed?
I am an idiot.
"Were these scratches from a demon or animal?" The man asked.
"Demon." Tanjiro replied. Not wanting to look at the man's mask.
The man nodded.
"I am impressed that you managed to walk up here with those wounds, not many would have been able to do that." The old man said in an appreciative tone of voice.
Tanjiro looked away sheepishly.
"To be honest..." Tanjiro said in a small voice. "I did not notice the wounds until I reached the flat part of this mountain."
Tanjiro explained still looking away this time putting his head down and looking at the floor in shame.
"That's okay. I'm glad you were able to make it, Tanjiro Kamado." The man told Tanjiro placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
Tanjiro twisted his head to look at the man in shock.
The man chuckled at the boy's shocked face.
"Are you Urokodaki-sensei?" Asked Tanjiro.
"Yes I am." Urokodaki replied happily. Even though the smile couldn't be seen, it was felt by Tanjiro.
I feel safe here.
"Where is my sister?" Tanjiro exclaimed.
Urokodaki pointed to the wall on the left side of Tanjiro across his bed. Tanjiro turned his head to see Nezuko, peacefully sleeping on a futon only a few metres away from him. Somehow Tanjiro and Nezuko have always been able to feel when the other is near. They have always felt safer together.
Tanjiro was going to get up and move towards Nezuko, but his wounds and headache pain stopped him suddenly. Urokodaki placed a firmer hand on Tanjiro's shoulder to keep him from moving.
"You shouldn't move so much, you are still injured, you need to rest." Urokodaki said concerned. Tanjiro stilled his attempts to move and nodded sadly still looking at Nezuko. Tanjiro laid down to rest still looking at Nezuko.
"I will begin your training when you regain your strength." Urokodaki then stood up and walked back to the fire and knelt down to finish his meal this time his back facing Tanjiro. Now he was comfortable with Tanjiro's current state. He knew he did not need to watch him anymore.
Tanjiro was laying down watching Nezuko, he could see his sister breathing slowly and peacefully, as his eyelids became heavy and he drifted off to sleep the fire crackling in the background.
I promise I will turn you back into a human.
Please hang in there, Nezuko.
Stay strong for me.
20th January 1914 4:06pm
Seven days have passed and Tanjiro's wounds have almost healed. All that is left are the wounds on his chest. Unfortunately the scabbing has been very itchy for Tanjiro making it hard to sleep through the night.
I have been lying here all night and almost all day and I haven't been able to get any sleep.
Nezuko is sleeping as usual.
The thought that Nezuko was sleeping as her usual self made Tanjiro happy and hopeful for the future. Most times.
25th January 1914 6:00am
Urokodaki woke Tanjiro up early that morning to begin training.
"I am going to teach you breathing techniques first of all, as using breathing techniques can increase your durability, healing and strength as you will need that when you are fighting supernatural beings such as demons." Urokodaki said sitting cross legged by the front door.
Tanjiro sat cross legged opposite him as Urokodaki told him about the water breathing technique.
"The important aspect to know about water breathing is that it is all about keeping a steady and calm mind, leading to a calm body and soul, like a pool of water you must keep the water still and not let it the water ripple or the water may spill out and cause errors while fighting." Urokodaki continued.
Urokodaki really like metaphors it seems.
But it did make sense, as Tanjiro recalled that Tomioka seemed to be completely calm and stoic until pushed and prodded by Tanjiro. However, that wasn't while in a fight with a demon. He wondered how Tomioka fought demons with such a calm face as Tanjiro had fought a demon on the mountain and only out of pure luck was he able to cut the arms off, and he was in no way calm during that fight as he was using all the strength that he had.
Urokodaki continued to teach Tanjiro the basics of water breathing, meaning stamina, strength, durability and resilience training.
I am so nervous. What do I do if I mess up would I just be sent out in the forest to die?
It would make sense right?
I mean Urokodaki told me it was the end of the training season. Which is why I am being trained at his own house and not at a temple owned by the Ubuyashiki family or a Hashira family like the rest of the demon slayers.
I really don't want him to think I am just a waste of time. After all, I have nowhere to go. And I need to find a way to cure Nezuko.
But in order to find something even close to a cure I will have to find a doctor that works closely with demons the Insect Hashira?
However, she was angry there was always underlying smell of contempt and anger with her even as she was smiling she may just be focussed on killing demons rather than curing them.
"Urokodaki - sensei."
"Yes Kamado?"
"I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"Are there any other doctors that work closely to demons other than the Insect Hashira?"
"Hmmm." Urokodaki thoughtfully put his finger in an arch shape over his mouth and his thumb underneath his chin, thinking deeply.
"Unfortunately, I do not know many of the Hashira or the medical proffesionals within the Demon Slaying Corps as all of the doctors that we used during my time as a demon slayer have either retired or passed away, but I do know about Kocho Shinobu the Insect Hashira as you know I was Tomioka Giyuu's teacher, he writes to me fairly often. All I know is that she runs that sector of the demon slaying corps, however I heard a rumour that she may be stepping down from that role and handing it to her younger sister."
"Urokodaki-sensei do you know the name of the younger sister?"
"Unfortunately, I do not know her name, Kamado."
"All I know is that balancing Hashira training, being a Hashira and running the medical sector has become quite strenuous for her so she is training her younger sister to be her replacement."
Urokodaki thought about his next sentence while taking a sip of tea, and putting the cup down gently. He leaned forward to Tanjiro while whispering.
"As you may know most demon slaying corps members die young."
Tanjiro nodded meekly. Urokodaki went back to his normal tone and volume of voice.
"Which is why it is important that there are as many trainers as there are demon slayers. My boy, Tomioka would've taught you, but as you may know your rescue and your sister being alive is against the rules."
"My boy took a huge risk saving your sister, but it doesn't mean we are out of sight of the crows so keep your head low and don't mention your sister to anyone at all."
"Yes sir." Tanjiro replied loudly.
The two of them ate the rest of their dinner in comfortable silence.
I hope I survive this training regime tomorrow. If I don't then I won't be able to find a cure for my sister.
Taisho era secret:
Rumours say that: Tanjiro and Nezuko used to cry when they were separated from each other, from birth to 10 years old. Nezuko and Tanjiro were practically joined at the hip making it easier for their parents to find them as when you found one of them it was guaranteed that the other was right next to them.