10 The Test

[Third Person Perspective]

In the early mornings, above a farm of rice paddies, the figure of three people could be seen running at a face pace. At the front was a man wearing a light blue colored kimono with cloud patterns over it. On his face was a red Tengu mask. This was Sakonji Urokodaki, and behind him were two young boys trying to keep up with the man by running at full force.

*hff hff*'H-he's so fast! Just how old is he anyway? He's not making any sounds when he runs' *hff hff* Hiroto thought to himself, trying to run as fast as he can to keep up with the man while also carrying Nezuko on his back adding on to the wait.

'Crap, I hope Nezuko won't mind all of the shaking when I run, just hold on Nezuko.' Looking behind him, Hiroto could see Tanjiro struggling to keep up, but still pushing himself to stay as close as he can to the group.

[Very brief Flashback]

Looking back, Hiroto can remember a time when he came back from town, Tanjiro was talking to Nezuko who seems to be stitching up her pink kimono with some spare threads. Hiding behind a corner, Hiroto eavesdropped on how Nezuko responded when Tanjiro told her that she should buy a new one.

"No, no… I'm fine!" She responded with what Hiroto could only assume as her trademark smile. "I like this Kimono! It's my favorite one. Instead, I use that money to give the younger kids plenty to eat."

[End Flashback] (told ya it was brief)

*sigh* Hiroto thought to himself, 'looking back, all Nezuko thought about was how she could take better care of her siblings. She could've at least acted more spoiled for her age.

'Don't worry Nezuko, once we turn you back I'll make sure to let you live the rest of your life as a normal girl again. I promise you that.' Hiroto made a promise to himself as they passed by some curious onlookers.

[Dusk]

After running the whole day, the pair of brothers knelt down on the ground, breathing hard trying to recover as best as they could from the arduous task.

*hff pff* *hff hff* Heavy breathing was heard from the two, as Hiroto opened his mouth to say something, "S-So… *wheeze wheeze* Did we… pass the test? *hff hff*" Shaking with sweat dripping down their faces.

Sakonji opens the door to his house and takes off the cloth covering his head, exposing his aged white hairs. "The test begins now. We're going to be climbing the mountain.

*high pitched gasp* was heard from the two kids as they heard this, eyes almost popping out of their sockets. 'Then what was all that running for' Hiroto and Tanjiro thought to themselves, as they begin to feel like dying.

Walking inside and tucking Nezuko into a futon, Hiroto covers her with a blanket and strokes her head before standing up.

"I'll make sure to take care of your sister for you two, don't worry." Sakonji's rough voice sounds from behind the two.

"Thank you/Thank you," The two boys said as at the same time, bowing a bit.

[Several hours later]

As they two followed Sakonji up the hill, where it is now almost pitch black with only the moon as their source of light, they walked for what seemed to be several hours up the mountain.

The mountain climb took them up higher than they have ever been before, causing trouble in the two's breathing as the air is so thin. Coupled with having run the whole day before, their legs begin to shake from the pain their muscles had to endure.

[Leg Muscles POV]

"IF WE HAVE TO MOVE ANY FURTHER IM KILLING MYSELF!!"

[Hiroto POV]

*shivers* 'why did I just get an ominous feeling?' Hiroto thought to himself, as he tried to level his breathing.

Sakonji stops moving before turning to face the two. "Now, you two must descend to the house at the foot of the mountain." He says as the heavy fog starts to roll into view, obscuring his figure.

"This time, I will not wait until sunrise…" With those last words, Sakonji disappears from their sight.

"Huh/Huh?" Both me and Tanjiro responded questioningly.

'Is that all?' *hff hff* I thought to myself, wiping the sweat off my face.

"He thinks we'll get lost in this thick fog," I said looking towards Tanjiro next to me.

"Well *hff hff* We just have to get back before sunrise then. That's easy! I have a sharp nose! I've already memorized Urokodaki's scent." Tanjiro said.

"Let's go then," I said, as we pushed through the fog running towards the direction that Urokodaki left.

*snag*

Just as we started moving, Tanjiro seemed to have tripped over something, I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings as the fog was too thick.

*rattle* 'What was that' I thought looking around. Concentrating my eyes to the fullest, I try to see where the source of the sound came from. Looking down I immediately cut down the bamboo tree underneath Tanjiro's feet.

"Tanjiro move!" I yelled out towards him, but it was too late *FWOOSH* as the bamboo moved with a powerful ark, carrying Tanjiro with it and flinging him to another part of the forest.

"Tanjiro!" 'Dammit, I was too slow' I thought, at least he knows the path back down the mountain with his nose. This is going to be hard for me.

I look around carefully, trying to see the slightest of footprints or any indication to where Sakonji might have run off to.

'There!' I thought in joy, as I started following the faint path back towards the foot of the mountain.

*Foom* the sounds of something being hurled towards my direction sounds out, I quickly look towards the source of it and can see arrows flying towards me.

*Swish* *Swish* Swish* I quickly predict the trajectory of it and move out of the way. *Thunk thunk thunk* The arrows lodge into the trees behind me. "Is that old man trying to kill me?!" I shouted out loud.

[At the foot of the mountain]

*Achoo* *sniff* Sakonji looks up from Nezuko and thought 'Which Demon is plotting against me?'

[Hiroto POV]

'This must be a challenge Urokodaki set for us.' I thought, spotting the ropes on the ground and dodging them all while running down the mountain.

'This will be harder for Tanjiro, he has to rely on his nose to get out of the traps.'

As I jump over the dead tree log, my foot unluckily lands on a piece of rope, 'crap' I quickly move out of the way and can hear a noise from behind.

*whish* I look back to see a tree long attached to some ropes flying towards me, quickly rolling out of the way the log grazed past my face.

*hff hff* 'I need to slow down my breathing, I'm panicking. The air is a lot thinner here than back home.'

Closing my eyes, I concentrate to steady my breathing to a pattern, increasing my lung capacity. Thinking back to what he saw his father doing once, he tries to mimic it.

[Brief flashback]

Back in their old home up in the mountains, on a path back up their home was a tall man who appears to be a bit sickly, as his skin is dull and pale. His appearance is similar to that of Hiroto and Tanjiro.

A small child was walking behind him, trying to keep up with the man. This was his father Tanjuro, who is currently wearing the earrings that he passed down to Tanjiro, with the black bracelet on his right wrist.

"Ahhhh fatherrrr." The small boy, who is a mini version of Hiroto, complained. "How can you keep doing this every day when you're so sick? Mother keeps complaining you know." The small boy pouts.

"Hahaha." His father laughs, "I'm alright Hiroto, I'm not that sick I just get tired sometimes." his father says looking back at his son before picking him up.

"People can use a specific and concentrated breathing pattern, to increase their lung capacity and the amount of oxygen in their blood. This can increase their physical and mental concentration. Remember this well Hiroto. Relax and…" Hiroto's father's voice trailed off as he starts to fall asleep in his arms while being carried, tired from the journey down.

[End of Flashback]

[Hiroto POV]

'Just like father said, I need to concentrate my breathing into a set pattern.' I thought as I began to regulate my breaths. Putting strength into my abdomen, I flex my muscles and breathe out.

*wheeze* "hooooo" A very small, yet noticeable, stream of steam comes out from behind my teeth.

Being able to breathe properly again, I open my eyes and look around. I can feel my senses being heightened as everything seems clearer to me. Looking back to the path I was following, I can see finer details that Urokodaki left behind compared to before.

'Alright, I need to hurry up.' Running back down the path, I realize that I can move faster now and start dodging all of the traps. Some still get me as I wasn't accustomed to the changes in my body yet, making my movement feel stiff and clunky.

[A few hours later]

[Third Person Perspective.]

Back at the foot of the hill inside of this house, Sakonji Urokodaki was kneeling beside Nezuko who is currently asleep inside of a futon. Watching over her, the man was lost in thoughts.

*sniff* A scent rolls into his nose as he sniffs the air, he recognizes it and looks towards the door as hurried footsteps and be heard faintly from outside getting louder.

Sliding the door open, the figure of Hiroto covered in mud, leaves, and grass was seen. One thing that surprised Urokodaki the most, was the lack of wounds on the boy. 'He managed to avoid the majority of the traps I laid out. He made it back before his younger brother too, who has the same ability to smell scents like me.'

*wheeze* "hffff* The boy breathes out as he relaxes his breathing. Hiroto, after making it back doesn't have to maintain that method of breathing anymore as he can now relax and lose focus.

"I… I made it back… *hff hff* before dawn...." Hiroto says groggily, the strain could be heard in his voice.

Walking up and kneeling beside Nezuko, Hiroto realized Tanjiro is not back yet and looks back out. 'You can do it Tanjiro, we're waiting for you'

Urokodaki waits silently seeing the scene ahead of him. 'Giyu brought me a good seedling…'

[Several minutes later]

Hiroto relaxes and waits patiently besides Nezuko's sleeping body, as Urokodaki looks up towards the door again. Seeing this Hiroto shifts his attention back to the door and finally sees the figure of Tanjiro opening up the door.

Hiroto's eyes widen as he sees all the wounds on Tanjiro's body. 'What the hell happened to him…' Hiroto thought to himself.

*pant pant pant pant* "I… hff am… back…" Tanjiro struggles to say as his muddied and wound covered body collapses down onto his knees by the entrance.

Hiroto moves to support Tanjiro back up. "I… did it… big bro…" Tanjiro said, smiling up towards Hiroto.

Smiling back, Hiroto responds, "Yea, you did."

Urokodaki seeing this finally made a move. "I've recognized your abilities, Hiroto and Tanjiro Kamado." Before standing up.

"I accept you two, as my students"