Chapter 8: A Strange Feeling

Thus the meeting ended,

"Ah Tokan, where would you like to stay? We don't have a frost estate." said Ubayashiki-sama.

"I'll stay at the butterfly estate, I want to train my stamina for a bit and see Tanjiro for a too. But for now, do you know where the Love Estate is?" I asked.

"Head North-West and you'll reach it. You'll be staying at the Butterfly Estate then." said Ubayashiki-sama.

Heading North-West, I reached the Love Estate. She wanted to thank me for saving her back then when I helped her. We talked for a while and ate sakura mochi, dangos, and dim sum. She was surprised since I didn't make fun of her when she was a girl and ate that much. She explained that people would look at her with disgust because she was a girl eating more than a boy, but I didn't mind. How were you going to be a strong demon slayer if you limit your eating? After saying that, she had an aura of gratitude. I developed a thing for sakura mochi. It was almost sunset soon and decided to check on Tanjiro when,

"Where are you going? You still have that cut on your arm , follow me." said Shinobu.

"Alright." I replied. I didn't mind since I'd see Tanjiro after all. I had confidence by arm already healed a bit but, I was wrong.

"You're arm's cut is infected, probably because you kept moving the arm around. Now sit, I'll disinfect it for you."

I was sitting in a arm as she started gathering medicines,

"It'll sting a bit a bit, endure it, or else as your doctor, I won't allow you to train." she said.

"Alright." I said but I had one question on the back of my head, I wanted to ask.

"Even though you are always smiling, you are always angry. Why is that?" I asked.

She gave a surprised look, "You can tell?" she asked.

"Un, I can see the auras of emotions around people. You have this red aura around you." I said.

"See the aura? Well, it's true. Behind this smile, I'm always angry." she said.

"Your story?" I asked.

She looked at me and paused before continuing, she once had a older sister. They had a very close and lovingly sister relationship, they spent their childhoods together happily with their parents. They were very close and even made an oath to protect each other from took an oath to protect others from demons and ensure no one else goes through their tragedy upon the two of them surviving the Demon attack that killed their parents. But when they came across the demon Doma, Kanae was killed, she even pitied the demon that killed her, and swore eternal vengeance against whoever killed her sister.

Even at her death, she did not hate demons. She pitied them and smiled. Kanae's dream was to make a world where humans and demons get along, so as her little sister. She would become her to make that dream come true, smiling just like her sister.

"That's why I'm always angry, angry at the demon who killed her, angry that she wasn't strong enough." she said.

Listening to the story, I thought she,

"You live a very hypocritical life Shinobu." I said.

She looked at me with an aura of confusion.

"You seek vengeance, I'm not saying it's wrong but you're seeking vengeance as your older sister. You know you're older sister would never seek vengeance but here you are becoming her sister and seeking it. Why don't you live for yourself? Wouldn't that be easier?" I asked.

(Shinobu POV)

Live for myself? I thought then remembered something.

"Shinobu, it seems I don't have very long."

"Kanae, please don't leave me. What would I do without you?"

"You are my little sister, take care of Kanao will you?"

"Of course! Which demon killed you? Atleast me that!"

"His name is Doma, but do not seek revenge Shinobu, live happily Shinobu. Live for yourself."

"...live for myself?" I whispered as my older sister went limp in my arms.

(Tokan POV)

She looked as if she remembered something before crying in my arms, I could not provide sympathy so I comforted her. I had to say, her hair is smooth and silky.

After a while, she got herself together,

"Sorry for that Tokan-san, letting my weak state show." she said.

"It's fine. I don't mind, you are human after all."

"Thank you." she said before heading towards the door. Before she left, she gave a genuine smile that did not contain anger.

Strange, I feel weird in my stomach. Was it because of the medicine? I'll go check on Tanjiro in the morning,

(A/N: BuTtErfLiES iN hEr sTomacH?)

I woke up after getting a good night's rest. The Butterfly Estate is quite silent and calm at night. I was living her for now as I don't have my own estate. The rooms weren't bad, one decent sized bed, a closet and a hanger for my uniform, and books. I didn't mind, after all, I never slept in a room bigger than his before.

Cleaning up, I decided to check on Tanjiro. It seems the yellow hair boy and boar boy are his friends.

"Hey Tanjiro." I said.

(Author POV)

"Hey Tanjiro." Tokan said.

"Ah Tokan-san! It's been a while. This is Zenitsu and Inosuke, he's quite injured so he can't move for a while."

"I see. The boys from the Final Selection Exam, I'm glad you're doing well."Tokan said.

"WHO'S THAT TANJIRO? WHY DO YOU KNOW SUCH PRETTY GIRLS? WHY?WHY?" Zenitsu yelled.

"She's trained me for a while, we met before the final selection exam. She's also my sensei's disciple, she's been traning under him for 5 years." Tanjiro said.

"Is that so? She's pretty and her eye-" before Zenitsu could finish, Tanjiro closed his mouth shut.

'What was he going to say?' Tokan thought.

"Tokan-san!Tokan-san! Head to headquarters for the Hashira meeting!" said the crow.

"It seems like I have to go now, nice seeing you again." Tokan said before leaving.

"Why did you cover my mouth Tanjiro?" Zenitsu whined.

"You were going to say something about her eyes! Remember how it looked." Tanjiro said.

As Zenitsu recalled, he was shocked. Her eyes were an empty abyss, but something was strange. Deep inside, there was darkness roaming around.

A darkness she herself doesn't realize.

"Now you know?" Tanjiro asked.

"Un, it's quite scary." said Zenitsu.

"She's strong Gompacho. That Furoku Tokan easily killed the demon we had trouble with before I threw you." said Inosuke.

"I know, she even defeated the demon of the twelve Kizuki easily. Wait, you remember her name!" Tanjiro said.

"Of course. When I looked at her eyes and told me her name, it was as if she imprinted her name in my head. Listen Monjiro, as a beast, I can detect when there is another beast. I felt it when I met the Hashiras, they were strong. But Tokan was different, she had a monster or a demon deep inside her. It was as if it was sleeping and the outside is just a facade. AAGHHH! NEVERMIND TOO MUCH THINKING!" Inosuke said before heading back to sleep.

'A monster deep inside her?' thought Tanjiro.

Hashira Meeting.

"Just as you've all reported, the demon's carnage seems to be rising. The threat to human life is greater than it's ever been. We'll have to bolster the ranks of the demon slayer. What do you all think?" asked Ubayashiki-sama.

"The incident on Mt Nagatumo made it clear. The demon slayers skill's are pathetically weak. Most of them are useless.You'd think they were a little bit competent." said Sanemi.

"That kid today seemed competent. He did land a flamboyant blow on you Sanemi." said Tengen.

"The times have changed considerably this era." said Shinobu.

"Other than the ones who got their families brutally massacred, and joined the corps. Or those who've hunted demons for decades, asking them to harness such skill is too much." said Gyomei.

"Considering that boy ran into the Twelve Kizuki so soon after joining the corps. We might get to draw one! Even we rarely get to confront one, it makes me envious!" said Rengoku.

"Agreed. But the fact that Lower 5 made such drastic move on Mt Nagatumo, it means Muzan is nowhere near there. After all, whenever Muzan wishes to hide something, he would create a diversion to throw us off, what are your thoughts Tokan? As you've become a Hashira not long joining the corps and encountered Upper Demon 2." Ubayashiki-sama said.

The Hashiras gave an aura of surprised.

"There are 2 Upper Demons 2. I went against one of them, her name was Chiaki and used Autumn Breathing. I can beat her. As long as it isn't dragged out." Tokan said.

"Thank you for the information. For the sake of those who've died, there is only one thing left for us to do. I believe that among you Hashiras present, I've assembled the finest unit since the First Breathing swordsman of the feudal era. Tengen Uzui, Kyojura Rengoku, Kocho Shinobu, Kanroji Mitsuri, Tokito Mitsuri, Shinazaguwa Sanemi, Himejima Gyomei, Iguro Obanai, Tomioka Giyu, Furoku Tokan. My children, I look forward to your success." said Ubayashiki-sama.

(Tokan POV)

'First Breathing swordsman?' I thought.

"Now then, let's get to training." I said.

Somewhere in heaven

"She seems to be developing a deep darkness and she doesn't even realize."

"When I used the Frost Breathing, this has never happened. It is probably something she developed herself."

"I hope she follows the right path, as her mother I must look after her."