Chapter 27: Secret

It was the day for Pillar training for demon slayers ranked below Hashira.

They had to go through hellish training in order to become stronger although I think my training was the most harsh.

My training was placed in the forest I used to train, it was sealed off because the deeper the forest, the colder it gets. It starts off at 10 degrees all the way down to -50 degrees, they had time to get used to it. If they were normal humans, they wouldn't survive but they're demon slayers. They simply needed to breathe.

My training consisted of improving your nervous system, organs, and breathing. The freezing weather can cause your heart, nervous system, and other organs to enter a state of shock, putting a person at risk of a heart attack, respiratory system failure and possibly death. Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, slurred speech, slow breathing, lack of coordination and confusion.

But I won't allow them to die since it would bring me punishments. I decided to leave but I spotted a familiar presence and decided to say hello.

"Hello Nezuko." I said.

She looked a bit startled since I appeared out of nowhere.

"Sorry for startling you, is there something you need?" I asked.

"Tohkhan!~ Hwere!~" said Nezuko as she handed me a lunch box.

I opened it and it contained of rice, meat, vegetables, and even sakura mochi.

"Thank you for the food, did you make this with the girls?" I asked.

"Un" she nodded.

"I see, then would you like to eat with me?" I asked.

"I'll tell you stories."

She thought about it for a moment before nodding her head.

"Let's go then." I said patting her head.

We sat on a nearby bench as I ate and told her stories. I also taught her words since she didn't really know how to speak. It seemed like she enjoyed the stories and even fell asleep on my lap. Stroking her hair, I really wondered if demons could get along with humans. Nezuko was a demon, she didn't need to eat humans to survive, and she wasn't hostile towards humans either. Nezuko was proof that Shinobu's dream would be able to come true but Muzan was the problem.

"Message! Message! Ubayashiki-sama has ordered you to come to the Ubayashiki Residence!" said the kasugai.

"Okay." I said carrying Nezuko back to the Butterfly Estate.

I was sitting across from Amane and Kaguya was lying in bed sick.

"I will speak for Kaguya since he is immobile due to the illness." said Amane.

I nodded and prayed.

"This information can't be disclosed to anyone else, this is related to your ancestors." said Amane.

My eyes widened in surprise.

"My ancestors?" I questioned.

"Yes, your ancestors or the Furoku family was one of the strongest First Breathing swordsmen in the past eras. Due to demon slayers not being able to learn this breathing, they had been long forgotten. There is a secret I had been able to dig up, as you may know, the frost breathing seals away your emotions. You're able to bring those emotions back but that depends on you. The secret is what happens when you bring back those emotions, when all your emotions awaken in you. You'll become unable to use Frost Breathing again, this was why there had been no Frost Breathing swordsmen seen. It is your own choice to bring those emotions back but just know that you'll never be able to bring back those emotions. That is all, you can be dismissed." said Amane.

I thanked them and went towards the Butterfly Estate. I stood in front of the pond and wondered. If I were to bring back my emotions, does that mean I won't ever be able to slay demons again? I could learn other forms but it would be hard to adapt, in the future what if I awaken my emotions and demons appear? I wouldn't be able to protect anyone or myself.

"What are you thinking of? You're knuckle is white you know?" said Shinobu.

I looked down at my first and they were clenching hard. I didn't even realize it,

"Hello Shinobu, I'm just thinking about some things."

"What're you thinking of so intently that your knuckles are white?" asked Shinobu.

"What if one day I became unable to protect you guys?" I asked.

"If you're worried about protecting us, don't worry. We're strong and there's plenty of demon slayers. Believe in us and yourself." said Shinobu.

I couldn't reply to that since it was true. That's right, if one day I became unable to slay demons. There would be other demon slayers to slay them,

"Thank you Shinobu." I said.

"Now come." as she opened her arms wanting a hug.

I gave in and hugged her.

I felt safe in her arms, like everything was going to be fine. I liked her warmth despite being in the cold all the time, my face was slowly turning red, and my heartbeat was slowly increasing.

Though I drifted off to sleep before she could realize what effect she had on me.

Soon, demon slayers would experience my training hell.