十四

⌜ The Following Event happened when Hishiro [Y/N] was still deceased ⌟

Katsumi Tsukino and Hishiro [Y/N] were both sitting down in front of one another. [Y/N] was busy thinking about some few things that seemed to be distracting her at this point. Katsumi had looked at [Y/N] as she sighed getting [Y/N] attention.

"[Y/N]"

"..Yes?"

"Something seems to be distracting you,what is it?"

"..I was thinking about some things"

"..Well then let me tell you something!" 

As [Y/N] had stayed quiet listening to everything that Katsumi was telling her,she paid attention to everything she said not missing any details at all.

"During the Sengoku Period,the first swords men who also used the first breathing had manifested marks that appear on them. The cruel thing was,some of the people who didn't get the mark had tormented themselves. They thought that they weren't good enough to get one. I wouldn't be surprised if you had one [Y/N]. Someone like you is special to be alive at this rate,I'm sure that you would be able to defeat Kibutsuji Muzan and the rest of the demons"

"Did you have a mark?"

"Oh,As a matter of fact I did. Although I think it's better for you to find out yourself how they look like [Y/N],besides your already special in my state"

"Oh,I forgot to ask. What would happen if I died once more?"

"...Well,I honestly wouldn't allow that to happen"

"How will you stop it from happening?"

"Normally I don't do these type of stuff,but ever since I first saw you..I already knew what to do. So if you die again..I'll be sacrificing my soul..so that you'll live again once more"

"I understand but..why though? Would you rather not go and be with your loved on-"

"[Y/N]..that's the thing..in order for me to go and be with my loved ones..I have to sacrifice my soul first"

"..Oh,I see"

Katsumi had smiled before hugging [Y/N] while tears were already streaming down her face and [Y/N] had hugged her back as Katsumi was rubbing her head. "I'll be with you until the Final time comes,I may not be with you fully but my spirit will be"

Tears were even streaming down [Y/N] face "..Katsumi..thank you" 

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⌜ Back into Reality Present World ⌟

"You may have heard such tales..but now you know that they are true"

"This is the first time I've heard of it. Why was this information hidden?"

"Because many have tormented themselves over why the marks haven't appeared on them too,that's why. Most of the details regarding the marks are unclear,perhaps because it didn't seem important at the time or perhaps the information was lost in one of the many times the demon slayer corps suffered near destruction."

"But the only clear records we have say.."When the marked one arrived,the mark will appear on other around that person as if in resonance"  Those words appear in notes left by a swords men who used first breathing"

"Now at this time..the first to manifest the mark..did not have the rank of a Hashira. Tanjiro kamado was the first marked one. However,it turned out that he had no idea what caused the mark to appear..so we didn't pursue it,but now two Hashira's have also awakened it,so please teach us how it was done.Kanroji and Tokito" Lady Amane said before her and both the twins by her side bowed down.

Mitsuri was started to fangirl over how Lady Amane was wonderful before explaining."S-sure! Oh! That one time? Well,my body was super light! Um..! um..! It hit me like waaaah! Like whoom! Fwaah! My heart and stuff was all Ba-dump Ba-dump and my ears rang like ping! Crick- crack- Pop!" she explained while Lady Amane and her daughters looked her confused.

Muichiro,Shinobu, and Tomioka all had stared at her dumbfounded of what she just said while Sanemi stared at her like she was crazy with irk marks appearing on him and Obanai had face palmed himself as [Y/N] had sighed at this.

"I'm deeply sorry,I'd deeply crawl into a hole and disappear if there was one!" Mitsuri had spoken while she bowed all the way down with her forehead touching the floor.,just like how Tanjiro would do. Then Muichiro had finally spoken explaining about how he had gotten the mark.

When he finished explaining Lady Amane had explained some few things "However,there is one things I must tell you regarding training for manifesting the mark"

"What it is?"

"For those who have already manifested the mark,it's too late..those who do manifest the mark,without exception will all─"

When Lady Amane had finished speaking her daughters and her had left the place leaving only the Hashira's.

"I see..but in that case..what about me? Damn it!" 

"Since Lady Amane has left,I'll excuse myself" Giyuu said before getting up to leave the place "Hey,wait! Don't be rude! We have to do decide what we're going to do" Sanemi said while staring at Giyuu.

"Go ahead and discuss it without me,I'm not involved"

This made Obanai also stare at Giyuu in a frustration way "What do you mean you're not involved? you don't take your role seriously enough! or do you just want to skip the meeting,and start your training?"

Tomioka didn't even bother to listen to Obanai but instead he just got up heading towards the exit. This also made Sanemi get up "Wait!"

Then Shinobu had also spoken "Explain yourself Tomioka,as usual you explain only a little"

Tomioka had stopped walking before speaking "..I'm different from you guys"

"I'm not buying that! you said the same thing once before,Tomioka.Do you look down on us?" Then Sanemi had got heading towards Tomioka. Mitsuri had stood in front of Tomioka trying to prevent any violence going on.

"D-don't fight! Stay calm.."

"Stay where you are!"

"Gyah! No don't!"

This whole situation that was going had made [Y/N] tense up a bit since they were all starting to get loud. [Y/N] then had slammed her blade down on the ground like how she did earlier to help her stand up a bit. This had startled everyone as it had also caught everyone's attention on her.

Then Gyomei had spoken "Sit,let us continue talking..I have a proposal"

The special training had begun,it was called the Hashira Training. Those ranked lower than the Hashira trained with them,one after the other. Hashira's usually don't train anyone but their Tsuguko protegees,simply because they were too busy. 

In addition to providing security for large regions,the Hashira's had many other responsibilities.including gathering information on demons and training to further improve their own skills. However,after Nezuko conquered the sun..demon's appearances stopped completely. 

It was like the calm before a storm,but as result..the Hashira's could do their security activities at night,and focus on training during the day. 

Uzui who was busy helping the lower rank demon slayer train he wasn't really that easy on them. "You're late! You're late! For one thing you're completely out of shape! Even when it comes to simply running! What're you doing? I don't get you guys! If you're doing things this slow,beating an upper rank demon is just pipe dream! Enough! Enough! Stop licking the ground! It isn't break time yet! Get back to running!"

Uzui who seemed to be angry at this point was hitting the lower ranked demon slayer's bare back.

Hashira training First Trial─Total losers

Hashira training begins with grueling basic physical fitness workouts with Uzui. Then it goes to Kanroji Mitsuri who helps with Hellish Flexibility and Muichiro Tokito in High-Speed movement. Next comes swordsmanship with the serpent Hashira. Then the lessons in making Infinite Strikes with the Wind Hashira and strength training with the Stone Hashira. 

Sparring with the corps members one after the another for hours on end should further improve  the Hashira's physical strength as well. If this raises the heart rate and body temperature,making it possible to manifest the mark,that would also be ideal. In preparation for the upcoming battle that was about to happen.

Except one man who was Tomioka Giyuu.

[Y/N] had stopped by his place waiting outside his door, "Tomioka..are you there?" Then the door slid open revealing Tomioka. As [Y/N] had walked inside sitting down in front of Tomioka who was sitting down in front of her while looking down.

"Giyuu,what's going on with you?"

"..I'm not the Water Hashira,someone else is"

"Giyuu,what are you talking about?"

"I didn't even pass the Final Selection"

"...Then,how did you become a hashira?"

"There was a boy like me who had lost his family to the demons,his name was Sabito. He had flesh colored hair,we both went to the Final Selection together. The both of us were 13 years old..the same age and alone,we quickly bonded with one another. 

Sabito had a strong sense of justice and was also a kind boy. He was also the only one who had died in the Final Selection that year...he killed all the demons on that mountain almost single handedly...and yet everyone but him passed. I was injured by the first demon that attacked and I fell into a daze..Sabito had came to my aid. 

He entrusted me to another boy and left in the direction of voices calling for help. The next thing I knew,the Final Selection was over...I somehow survived the seven days of the Final Selection and passed,but..can you really say that someone who hadn't defeated a single demon and had to be saved by someone else "passed"?

I can't even stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the Hashira's. I'm different from them,I don't deserve a place in the demon slayer corps"

[Y/N],who was listening to everything he had said she couldn't help,but feel pity for some reason. She then sighed before speaking "Giyuu,do you think that Sabito would be happy at this time of how your saying that you don't deserve to be a Hashira?" this had made his eyes widened an perk his head up to face her.

"Tell me Tomioka,what do you think will happen if you do die? Do you think that he would be happy?"

"...No"

"Exactly,so don't go thinking and saying that you're not the Water Hashira,you're the Water hashira for a reason. I hope you can finally forgive yourself while I go and see how Obanai is treating the demon slayer corps members"

[Y/N] had got up and left his place walking towards where Obanai and the members were. When she finally arrived,the first thing she saw when she walked in was a bunch of people tied up. Their mouths were covered and some were even tied up against the ceiling and floor.

Tanjiro and Obanai were also there standing in front her also facing the people. "Obanai" [Y/N] called out to Iguro making him and Tanjiro turn around to face [Y/N] who was standing behind them. "Oh,[Y/N] what're you doing here?"

"I came to see how you were doing with the..members"

[Y/N] couldn't help but sweat drop at the members being tied up. Then Tanjiro faced Obanai "Did these people commit some sort of crime?"

"Yes,that's right"

[Y/N] had sighed before stepping inside the room looking at all of the people before turning around to face Obanai again "What crime did they commit?"

"The crime of being weak! The crime of Not Learning! The crime of being A pain in the butt! and The crime of Irritating me!"

Tanjiro couldn't help but sulk at this,and so the extremely horrible training had begun. Tanjiro had used a wooden sword,but had to hitting the people would cause great injuries. Iguro's attack weave between these poor corps members,and because of Iguro's style his attacks bend in a strange way. Even Iguro had a wooden sword like Tanjiro but Tanjiro couldn't help and think why Iguro's wooden sword was bending so much.

His attacks slither through narrow openings just like a snake. It's already been four days and Tanjiro still haven't passed through Obanai yet. [Y/N] would come and visit to see how Tanjiro was doing. It turns out Tanjiro was able to strike more accurately than ever,when an attack of his had cut the hem of Iguro's haori he announced that Tanjiro was able to go.

"Alright! Die,you scum! but don't get too friendly with Kanroji!"

As [Y/N] was walking along side Tanjiro leading him where Shinazugawa Sanemi dojo was."Umm...was Shinazugawa dojo this way?" Tanjiro asked while [Y/N] just shook her head in response.

"No,but we're almost th─" she was cut off by Tanjiro screams making her look at him to see Zenitsu who looked tired and a bit creepy.

"GYAAAGH! AAAAAH! ZENITSU?!"

"H-H-HELP ME ESCAPE! TANJIRO TANJIRO TANJIRO! WHY?!"

"Escape? from what?!"

"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! I F-F-F- FINALLY RAN AWAY! I CRAWLED UP THE FENCE AND DISAPPEARED LIKE A LIZARD! MY LIFE IS IN DANGER! THEY'LL KILL ME! "

"Who will?" [Y/N] asked making Zenitsu turn his head to face her and he held both of her arms "[Y/N]-CHAN! PLEASE HELP M-" then suddenly a hand was on the back of Zenitsu's head.

The three of them looked up to see Sanemi glaring down at him "choose! Return to training..or die!"

"HAVE MERCY! GYAAAH!"

Then Sanemi had knocked him out while Tanjiro caught him as [Y/N] stood there sweat dropping at what he just did. "Carry him" 

"Oh..okay"

As Tanjiro was carrying Zenitsu on his back [Y/N] was walking along side Sanemi "Long time no see? Today I start training with you! I'm looking forward to this!"

"Don't get carried away! I don't like you"

"That's totally fine,I don't like you either! you stabbed Nezuko!"

Then Tanjiro had started jogging away from [Y/N] and Sanemi while carrying Zenitsu still,"Of all the nerve!" 

Shinazugawa's training was so grueling that it was understandable why Zenitsu was like that. It was a simple striking exercise where Tanjiro would attack Shinazugawa. Each session continued without rest until he vomited blood and passed out. Even Iguro gave Tanjiro more break time, Shinazugawa seemed to be harder on Tanjiro than the other people. If Tanjiro lost concentration for even a moment then he would get seriously injured and would end back up in recovery.

[Y/N] was just walking around the place until she turned around the corner to see Genya and Sanemi. "I want to speak with you.."

"you just don't give up,I don't have a little brother.If you don't knock it off,I'll kill you! Don't talk to me all friendly like! and from what I've seen,you have no talent! Just quit the demon slayer corps.Someone who can't even use any breathing  technique shouldn't call himself a swordsman"

"....But" before Genya could even finish another word Sanemi had walked off leaving him there standing by himself. "w...wait! Sanemi! I've wanted to apologize to you for a long time."

"Seriously,I don't care..so get lost"

"But...I...fought so hard.I even ate a demon!"

This had made [Y/N] eyes widened while Sanemi eyes had also widened and he turned around to face Genya. "What? What did you just say? A demon? you ate one?"

Then Sanemi had moved a fast speed with two of his fingers out about to pluck Genya eyes,but then Tanjiro had came out of nowhere saving Genya. Although when he did saved Genya the two of them had hit the wall falling down to the ground outside. 

"What are you doing?!Do you want to kill Genya?!"

"I won't kill him,that'd be easy,but it's against corps rules.I'll damage him beyond recovery instead! However..if he quits the demon slayer corps right now,then I'll forgive him"

"Knock it off! you don't have the right to do that! you can't force him to quit! Didn't you say earlier that you didn't have a little brother?! Then keep your mouth shut about what Genya chooses! Whether he has talent or not,he decided to risk his life to fight demons! If you say you're not his older brother,then I won't let you interfere with Genya! If not for him,we wouldn't have defeated that upper rank demon! and I won't let you hurt him..beyond recovery!"

"Ohhh? Then first I'll hurt you beyond recovery!"

As soon as Sanemi was about to punch Tanjiro,someone else had caught his fist quickly making Sanemi get an irk mark at this. "Sanemi,that's enough" a voiced said to him making him look up to see [Y/N] who had a shadow over her face.

"What do you think you're doing [Y/N]?!"

"Me? Why don't you ask yourself first? Weren't you the one who caused this mess?" Tanjiro who was on the ground with Genya was staring at [Y/N] in awe for saving him.

After a few hours of cleaning the mess up both Tanjiro and Sanemi weren't allowed to see each other of what happened. 

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Katsumi who was still in that dark black pitch place wasn't too happy with what was about to happen. 

"[Y/N]..please don't give up. The real battle between mankind and demon's are about to happen at this point. I'm sorry for not being there with you at this moment...[Y/N] I believe that you'll be able to defeat Kibutsuji Muzan for me..no not for me,but everyone. I know you can..I know you will"

Katsumi couldn't help but cry at this point,tears were falling down from her eyes to the ground. 

'God..if I could just see [Y/N] and tell her the warnings of the future..please let me! I can't bear to see someone else special die! I understand that if she dies then I'll give her my soul but that isn't enough for her! or for me! Just please let me be able to spend one last time with her!'

Then Katsumi had closed her eyes and when she opened them again.

She couldn't believe it.

There was daylight along with flowers around the place and she kept looking around her surroundings until someone familiar had called out to her.

"Katsumi?"

Katsumi had turned around to see [Y/N] who stared at her with wide eyes until she started crying. "[Y/N]-" before she could say anything [Y/N] was already hugging her tightly not letting go at all.

"Katsumi!"

Katsumi could only smile and pat her head while hugging her back also, "[Y/N],it's nice to see you again too"

Would Katsumi be able to teach [Y/N] everything she needed to know?

Maybe she would be able too.