Chapter 1 - Hinokami -

3rd Person Pov

"I see the Opening Thread!" The dragon of water gracefully turning into a burst of fire and sun. The Breathing Style that had been passed down to his family for generations, was powerful enough to cut Rui's strongest threads. "I gotta take him now!!" Rui started to panic after seeing this. He started to back away from Tanjiro while he counterattacked with more threads. The clash between threads and Hinokami continued.

Nezuko then wakes up, and she unlocks the ability to use Blood Demon Art: Exploding Blood. Nezuko turns the blood on Rui's threads that were entangling her into pink and crimson red flames that incinerated the threads that were about to strike Tanjiro, while also leaving a few drops of Nezuko's blood on Tanjiro's Nichirin Sword. "Impossible! The threads were burned away!" Rui panicked, having Tanjiro's sword striking his neck.

"The bond between Nezuko and me... cannot be severed by anyone!!" As he exclaimed this, the drops of Nezuko's blood on the broken blade turned into fire and then the heat of the fire is absorbed by the blade, allowing the color of the blade to briefly turn crimson red from black. Tanjiro then severs Rui's head from his body with his blade. As he crawls towards Nezuko, he realizes that Rui wasn't giving off the ash-like smell when demons disintegrate. It is then revealed that Rui quickly cut his own head with his threads before Tanjiro could.

"Thanks for getting me enraged." Rui has veins running on his face. "Blood Demon Art: Murderous Eye Basket!" Just as Tanjiro was about to be cut into pieces, someone slash his way to the threads until he is with him.

"Flame Breathing..."

Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation

Shi no kata: Sei En no Uneri

Y/n swings his blade around them and cuts Rui's threads. "Hey, you did a good job holding this out until I got here." He whispers, with a grin. Tanjiro heard him and was surprised to see someone beside him. "Leave the rest to me."

"You low-lifes... always standing in my way!" Infuriated that more Demon Slayers had shown up, prepares his most powerful attack. Blood Demon Art: Cutting Thread Rotation.

"Flame Breathing..."

First Form: Will-o'-the-Wisp

Ichi no kata: Shiranui

Before Rui could release his attack, Y/n had landed behind him and cut Rui's head in one slash, then flicks off the lower rank's blood from his sword.

"That technique seems familiar, Kamado-boy. We really need to talk. but I gotta go. stay here. the Kakushi's will arrive soon." Y/n said, before dissappearing into sparkles of flame. "Yes!" Tanjiro said, crawling up to Nezuko.

<>

"Time to dream." Struggling to withstand the poison, he also knows his time is up. Sad, Chuntaro weeps and flies away to find help. Zenitsu's sensei's voice reminds him not to give up. he decides to use the breathing technique to slow down the venom's effects for as long as he can. After a long while, Zenitsu began to difficult his own breathing and letting the venom to poison his body until he is out of conscious.

"Don't give up! Don't ever give up!" A strange voice echoes on Zenitsu's head. The wounded demon slayer's sight was blurred, goes normal again after. Until he sees the moon was on fire, and it began to feel warmer like the heat was getting onto him. "Who..?" Zenitsu whispers. Y/n brings him down to the Kakushi's to aid his poison. Y/n did tried to save Inosuke too, but he was already tied up to a tree for some reason. So he did ignored his shouting and make his way back to Tanjiro with Giyu after stumbling into him on the way.

At a moment, butterflies surround Giyu and Y/n, though they quickly understands the situation and lowers their stance. from the trees, Shinobu speeds in and attempt to kill Nezuko;

Y/n steps aside, but Giyu blocks her.

"Oh my..." Shinobu regains her feet back and was concerned. "Why would you get in my way? But, I guess that's why... no one likes you, Tomioka-san." She grins, her carved katana saying "destroy demons" in kanji.

"Now, Tsugi-san, why don't you get out of there or I'll tell Rengoku-san about this." Shinobu grins, threathing him. In response, Y/n shows a defeated face, but was hestitant. "I'm not... I'm not disliked by people." Giyu Interrupted, which surprises the three of them.

"Tanjiro.." Y/n have decided.

"Y-yes sir!"

"Run." Giyu readies his stance. "Eh? Isn't that againts the corps rules?" Shinobu still has a straight smile, but they both know it was something else. "I see you're dead serious." Shinobu and Y/n clashed swords, with her still in disbelief.

<Major Timeskip>

"Tsugi-san. what you are doing is a violation to the corps rules." Y/n pins Shinobu to the ground after Giyu went to find Nezuko. "Is it because I'm protecting a demon or is it just because I'm dominating you right now?" Y/n grins, Shinobu's eyes widened.

"N-not like literally, atleast..." He continues, the hashira giggles. before it continues to get more awkward for the two, a kasugai crow gives a message from headquarters; Tanjiro and Nezuko are to be taken into custody and brought back. later, Tanjiro, still asleep, lies on a stone garden when Y/n tells him to wake up. he jolts awake and finds himself before several swordsman; Y/n telling him he is in the presence of the Hashiras.

"Where am I?!"

"This is the Demon Slayer Headquarters." Shinobu told him, while Y/n walked away, then stands in silence behind Kyojuro Rengoku.

"You are on a trial-"

"There's no need for trial! Protecting a demon is clearly a violation of the code! We should handle them to ourselves!" The hashira said. Y/n can feel stares crawling up to his face.

Flame Hashira

Rengoku, Kyojuro

"In that case, I'll decapitate them with a style. I'll show you the most flamboyant bloodspray you've ever seen." Another hashira gets closer.

Sound Hashira

Uzui, Tengen

"You'd kill such an adorable child? That pains my heart... poor soul..." A female one looks closer.

Love Hashira

Kanroji, Mitsuri

"What a pitiful sight this boy is... I pity him for having been born at all." He brings his hand together.

Stone Hashira

Himejima, Gyomei

"...What was the shape of that cloud again...? What was it called again?" Another looked up at the sky. "Those are cirrus clouds." Y/n answered the hashira's unique question "...Huh. Thank you, Tsugi-boy." He thanked. "I'm older than you..." Y/n, concerned.

Mist Hashira

Tokito, Muichiro

"Forget that for now. what do we do with Tomioka and Tsugi?" another one seems to be sitting on a tree. "Based on what Kocho said, Tomioka and Tsugikuni is just as guilty after breaking the corps rules. don't you two have anything to say?" Obanai points at both Y/n and Giyu.

Serpent Hashira

Iguro, Obanai

"..."

Water Hashira

Tomioka, Giyu

"Well, atleast they come without resisting. We should come up with the penalty later." Shinobu said, with her calm tone.

Insect Hashira

Kocho, Shinobu

She plainly asks him why he is travelling with a demon as a Demon Slayer. though he is given ample time to explain, the demon is his younger sister. when he was away, his family was attacked by a demon and Nezuko was transformed. Despite this, she has never devoured anyone. Obanai doesn't believe him, stating it is simply because she is family that he is defending her.

Tengen finds his story "drab" and states that not eating anyone then doesn't prove she perhaps might. Muichiro ignores them, instead looking and wondering about a bird he sees flying above him. however, Mitsuri is unsure they can proceed, not believing "the master" is unaware of the situation and asking if they can act without his permission.

"Well, well. I see there's some fun brewing here." Comes Sanemi, holding Nezuko's box. "Is that the idiot who brought a demon along with him? What the hell are you trying pull up here?"

Wind Hashira

Shinazugawa, Sanemi

"Sanemi-san, please don't act out of line." Y/n walks behind Tanjiro. "Who is this demon to you, Tsugoko?!" Sanemi takes out his sword, stabbing into the box, wounding Nezuko in the shoulder. Inrage, Tanjiro got up. "Ugh! hashira, or not... I'm not going to let you get away with it!!" Sanemi laughs at his threats, causing Tanjiro to run towards him.

Tanjiro leaps into the air and head butt him square in the forehead, knocking him down since he can already feel the master's presence. Y/n noticed and get out of the situation since the meeting was only for the Hashiras. "I hope they're not going to execute him." He whispers. after awhile, he gets rid off his thoughts and go back minding his own bussines playing with the trio girls of the butterfly estate.

<Major Timeskip>

The kakushi and Tanjiro eventually reach the Butterfly Mansion, but find no one at the front. they decide to walk to the back and find both Y/n and Kanao. 'He's the one who saved me.' Tanjiro realized.

"That's the tsugoko's. a Tsugoko is a swordsman being trained by a hashira. only the most talented and capable get selected. and they both are still young. impressive, huh?" the kakushi told him, while the other kakushi bows.

"Please forgive us, Tsugikuni-sama, Tsuyuri-sama. we come with orders from Lady Kocho. may we enter the mansion?" She is ignored by Kanao not speaking a word. Slightly confused, she asks her if she minds but receives no answer again. Y/n gives a tiny grin. "Sure, you can."

"Forgive us." The kakushi's and Tanjiro ran off. After, a crow landed on Y/n's shoulder, delivering a massage. "Caw! caw! caw!! Y/n Tsugikuni, you are invited to the Hashira's meeting! Caw! caw! caw!!!" It yells near his ear. "I promise I'm going to feed you to a demon someday.." He said, threatened his crow.

-__-__-Another Timeskip-__-__-

"For the sake of those who have died, there is only one thing we can do."

"I believe, that who are present today, the Corps' Hashira. Tengen Uzui, Rengoku Kyojuro, Kocho Shinobu, Kanroji Mitsuri, Tokito Muichiro, Himejima Gyomei, Shinazugawa Sanemi, Iguro Obanai, Tomioka Giyu."

"Me and Kyojuro-san have decided that we are terminating the Flame Tsugoko title from Tsugikuni-san" The master told them, which made him frowns. he grips his plain haori from all the stares he is getting. he was dissapointed by himself. "-And promoting him as a Hashira.

A Sun Pillar." The master told them, which surprised almost all of the pillars. "I look forward to your success."

After the so-called hashira meeting ends, some pillars walked off and some congratulate Y/n for his success. "I knew you can do it, Tsugikuni! I've always been so proud of you! also, Sun? that's just way better than Flame could be!" Kyojuro shakes his hand, proud of his student. "I will do my best from now on, Rengoku-san! thank you for this guide book!!" Y/n hands him the papers back, but Rengoku didn't accept it.

"No! this book is yours from now on!" He declines. "But big brother, I'm not allowed to use this breathing move anymore...!" He hands it to him back. "Someday, Tsugi-san, someday you'll need it, I promise!!" Kyojuro forcefully hands him the guide back, Y/n does the same as they argue about it.

"Ara~ they are really going all out." Shinobu was embarassed that the two had to fight for a book infront of other kakushi's. "Now that I think of it, he does have such well trained body." Mitsuri shares her love to the new pillar too. "What a flamboyant hashira! although, I still am the most flamboyant one!" Tengen shouts out his nonsensity again. "I'll forget about all of this anyway... congratulations, though." Muichiro said. Giyu gives a silent nod, before dissappearing in a flash.

-__-__-Another Timeskip-__-__-

"Can't be. but there might be a chance that your moves is actually the same as mine. It's just that your family re-made it so it can be like a dance... I guess? They probably did it because my version was alot violent."

"Hm."

"Well, I can't quite confirm what was it. but as a brand new Hashira, I would like to take you as my Tsugoko." Y/n and Tanjiro was seen having a conversation on top of the mansion's roof. "I'll do my best, sir!" Tanjiro was excited, as he feels pretty confident that a Hashira choose him to be their Tsugoko. "Sounds weird. just don't call me sir."

"I'll do my best, big brother!"

.

.

.

Silence falls, as Tanjiro smells a scent. "Are you mourning? for some reason, I always picking up a guilty scent from you." Tanjiro said, out of the blue, as Y/n accidently dropped his nichirin sheath. The hashira reached his hand, but the sheath falls off the roof, a small 'poof' was heard. he takes his arm back.

"Well, you're quite right. It's true that I'm in a constant state of guilt. ever since my family was slaughtered. every time I see the tears of those who've lost their loved ones to a demon, every time I hear cries of despair, the guilt keeps building up inside me. deep inside, I mourn."

"But there's one thing that kept me going. My dream."

"Dream?"

"My dream was to live a quiet life with my family in a small house where we would sleep side by side. I would be close enough to see the beloved faces of my wife and child and close enough to reach out and take their hands. That would have been enough. But even that... did not come true. Because demons exist in this beautiful world."

"Tsugi-san, do you have a wife and a child?" Tanjiro questions. "Nah. atleast not yet. I do have a crush though." Y/n said, surprising him. Tanjiro was curious, but was scared to ask him and it would be very rude. As an awkward silence falls again.

.

.

.

"It's who you think it is." Y/n looks away, embarassed. "I knew it. how you act very close to her and how you talk, I can sense it! no, everyone might know that you have a crush on Lady Kocho!" Tanjiro excitedly mentions. "Really?!" Y/n yells, before dissappearing in sparkles of fire.

Tanjiro smiled and reasserts himself to continue working hard and regains focus on his total concentration breathing. He remembers the murder of his family and uses his pain to push himself, remembering his promise to turn Nezuko back into a human.

-_____-______-_____-_____-

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@Ren_Nobu