Preparation For Tanjuro's Labour

(2181 Words!)

(AN: "This is the continuation from the Kamado Family chapter. Since the previous chapter was the aftermath of the fight, this chapter will be everything Tanjuro has done during the past month in preparation for the labour Anos had given him.")

Tanjuro: 'Tomorrow I'll have to talk with Kei about my upcoming labor but also to begin training Tanjiro.'

---------------(Scene Break!)----------------

(Tanjuro's POV)

It's been exactly 1 month since I had lest met that demon Anos Voldigoad. I have been training Tanjiro total concentration breathing constant, and although it took more than a week, Tanjiro has finally mastered it. And as I stare outside, I notice Tanjiro outside practicing the Hinokami Kagura. And yet only after using 1 of the 13 techniques, he's already gasping for air. Seeing this, I approached Tanjiro who was still gasping for air. By the time I arrived before him, he has already fixed his breathing.

Tanjuro: "That is enough Tanjiro. You go and clean yourself and have breakfast before going to take care of your siblings."

Tanjiro saluted his father with a childish smile as he rushed to clean himself. Tanjuro smiled as well seeing Tanjiro with that childish smile on his face as he house. Tanjuro smiled as he muttered.

Tanjuro: "Hrrm, I can't wait for you to become strong enough to protect your family. But till that day comes, I will continue to be the one protecting you."

As Tanjuro also made his way into the small hut they called home, his eyes landed on his wife who was preparing breakfast for the family as he remembered what happened after he had told her about the deal he had made with Anos.

(Flashback)

It was the next day after Anos had left, and Tanjuro had woken up earlier than he usually would, before going about his daily routine. Once he was done, he entered the kitchen where he saw his wife Kei Kamado preparing breakfast. Kei noticed him entering the kitchen with a rather surprised expression as she spoke.

Kei: "Tanjuro? you're up surprisingly early."

Tanjuro took a seat in front of the small table as he spoke.

Tanjuro: "I need to talk to you about something very important."

Kei seemed to become slightly worried indicated by her eyebrows furrowing as her husband's tone although still calm and serene, carried seriousness she couldn't ignore. So she left the stove with their family breakfast on low heat to allow it to simmer and stay warm for a bit before she sat before her husband, and she spoke.

Kei: "Does it have anything to do with that strange person who made the Kochou Sisters dissappear out of nowhere?"

Tanjuro nodded his head and explained.

Tanjuro: "In a month's time, I will be sent to fight off demons."

Kei frowned slightly in confusion as she spoke.

Kei: "But killing demon's shouldn't be too difficult of a job for you right? And more importantly, why did you accept such a deal?!"

Tanjuro: "While killing demon's shouldn't be too much of a problem for me, the demons I will be fighting are most likely the elites among normal demons. And as for why I accepted his offer, is because when the day I pass, there will be no one to protect all of you anymore. So in exchange for me fighting the demon elites, Anos Voldigoad will protect all of you until Tanjiro is strong enough to do it instead."

Tears started falling from Kei's eyes as she hugged her husband feeling sad that she can't do anything to help him. Tanjuro had felt this sadness from his wife, so he reciprocated her hug as his soothing voice spoke.

Tanjuro: "It's alright Kei. Just knowing that I have such a loving wife and a beautiful family is more than enough reason for me to do this."

Kei: "But, what about the necessary nutrients for Tanjiro? Based on what we have, it's just enough to feed our family. But it won't be enough to allow Tanjiro to start training."

Tanjuro: "I will start selling more coal to make us more money. That way we can allow Tanjiro to grow stronger."

Kei: "Absolutely not! Your body is already very weak and sick. It's fine for you to do the Hinokami Kagura Dance once a year, but to force yourself to work even more than you already are will be very bad!"

As Tanjuro sighed at his wife's worry, a letter appeared out of mid air startling Kei. Tanjuro looked at the content of the letter, before letting out a light chuckle as he muttered.

Tanjuro: "What a generous demon you are Anos Voldigoad."

Kei looked confused at Tanjuro's chuckling as she read the letter before going wide eyed. The letter said that in their food shed was dozens of different ingredients to cook with that never runs out and never rots. The letter also said that now Tanjuro had no excuses to not start training Tanjiro. Kei immediately rushed to their food shed where the most shocking scene was laid before her eyes. Various types of meat, poultry, vegetables, and fruits were all around her. And there were even dozens of other condiments as well!

Kei then heard Tanjuro call out to her as he spoke.

Tanjuro: "I guess that takes care of our food problems."

Kei was then gently embraced by her husband, and they continued embracing each other for more than an hour before she reluctantly let go of him when Tanjuro told her that the kids were approaching the kitchen. Kei returned to the pot in the kitchen her expression was one of an internal conflict. On one hand, they don't have to worry about food anymore, on the other hand, her husband will soon be sent to fight elite demons. But Kei rid herself of these thought's as her kids made their way into the kitchen before sitting down on the table.

Kei then began serving everyone their breakfast before Tanjuro spoke.

Tanjuro: "Tanjiro."

The young Tanjiro looked up to his father with his innocent yet curious eye's as Tanjuro continued.

Tanjuro: "After breakfast, I will begin teaching you how to do the Hinokami Kagura dance."

Tanjiro's eyes widened in shock before shining brightly with joy as he nodded his head. But he paused before looking at his mother with worry.

Kei smiled gently as she understood what Tanjiro was saying even without him speaking.

Kei: "I'm fine Tanjiro, just a little stressed out this morning. But, great news everyone! Tonight were having a luxurious dinner! We have received a great gift from our guest's from yesterday. So I hope your all excited for dinner tonight!"

All the kids eyes shined with joy hearing their mothers words. And Tanjiro was happy as well that his mother seemed so happy and excited as well.

Tanjuro looked on at this scene of his family smiling bright and happy smiles as his resolve to survive this upcoming battle began burning with a passion and vigor that matches the heat of the sun.

(Flashback End)

After breakfast was done, a knocking was heard on their front door as Tanjuro's gaze landed on the person outside before he turned his gaze to his wife and nodded his head indicating it's safe to answer the door. As Kei opened the door, she was met with a strange elderly man who is partially bald on the crown of his head, but has white, shoulder length hair. Despite his face being obscured by a hyottoko mask, he has noticeable wrinkles which can be seen from above his mask and along his neck.

The elderly man wears a diamond patterned kimono with a white juban underneath, and a black haori on top. His haori has the kanji for "chief, leader" on the back. And what was even stranger was the dozens of other masked individuals behind him.

Kei blinked in surprise, but she wasn't scared at all. The reason being she trusted her husband wouldn't have sent her to greet them if they were a danger to their family. So she gave a polite bow and spoke.

Kei: "A pleasure to meet all of you, my name is Kamado Kei. May I ask what is the purpose of this visit?"

The elderly man who is obviously the chief amongst the others spoke up.

Chief: "Ah, what a polite woman. I'm terribly sorry to bother you, my name is Tecchikawahara Tecchin. And I am the leader of the swordsmith village. As for our purpose in coming here, it is to meet with Kamado Tanjuro and bestow upon him his own Nichirin Blade."

Kei looked confused as she questioned.

Kei: "If it was just to bestow upon him a weapon for his upcoming Labour, why are there so many of you?"

The leader of the swordsmiths Tecchin spoke up with an extremely serious tone.

Tecchin: "It's because this is a blade forged with the help of everyone in our village. It is a masterpiece beyond masterpieces, and we want to see what's so special about this man that Anos-Sama personally watched over our forging process to make sure this blade came out perfect!"

Kei blinked even more confused.

Kei: "Anos-Sama?"

Tecchin: "Indeed! Anos Voldigoad-Sama graced our village one day challenged us to a forging battle, destroyed our prides without mercy and helped us be reborn as swordsmiths that out even our ancestors to shame! And he even managed to get the entire village to forge a single sword! He is the god of forging! Our God of forging!"

All the other blacksmiths nodded their heads in agreement. And before Kei could get even more confused by the situation, Tanjuro walked out, dressed in the clothes he'd usually wear when performing the ritual dance of the Hinokami Kagura. And alongside him were the other kids who looked at the situation with curiosity as Tanjuro spoke.

Tanjuro: "I will take it from here Kei. Bring the rest of the kids inside. It seems like the Labour is about to begin."

Kei said nothing but nodded her head as she muttered in a low voice enough only for Tanjuro to hear.

Kei: "Please come back alive."

Tanjuro smiled slightly as he nodded his head and approached the swordsmiths who were all silently judging him. When he arrived before the chief of the swordsmiths, Tecchin told the others to bring the box that held the blade as he spoke.

Tecchin: "This is a weapon so detailed and refined to be the most powerful that if under normal circumstances I would never have allowed anyone to so much as glance at it. However, Anos-Sama helped us forge this beauty for you. I'm not sure what is so special about you, but I hope that you do not get so much as a single chip on this blade or you will have the entire swordsmith village after your head."

Tanjuro merely nodded his head. His face hidden behind the scarlet veil as a box made of wood with carvings made to look like a divine offering was placed gently before Tanjuro. And when he opened, he saw a regular Katana with no handguard. But even Tanjuro could tell, it was a beauty that seemed more likely forged by a divine entity then a human being. But yet, it was forged by humans.

Tanjuro gazed upon the blade before speaking.

Tanjuro: "What is its name?"

Tecchin smiled at Tanjuro's question as he answered.

Tecchin: "Tsumukari Muramasa. The blade that cleaves all that stands before it."

Tanjuro: "A beautiful blade worthy of being called divine."

Tecchin: "Hohoho. You truly have a great eye for details. Now then, don't leave us hanging in suspense, pick the blade up."

Tanjuro's hand lightly stroked the blade as he could still feel the heat emminating off the blade. He gripped the guardless blade and under the watchful eye's of every single blacksmith, the blade changed colour. From the colour of normal steel, it turned black with a red edge. The blacksmiths all screamed in joy! They did it! They forged a red Nichirin blade! However, their excitement was then replaced with shock as the crimson blade now glowed brightly as if it had just come out of the forge.

Then they heard a voice speak. That immediately caused all the bladesmiths to bow in respect. It was Anos Voldigoad.

Anos: "I see that you are ready?"

Tanjuro nodded his head.

Anos hummed slightly before he spoke.

Anos: "Then, Kamado Tanjuro. I would recommend you to say your final goodbye to your family."

Tanjuro: "That won't be needed. I will survive this battle."

Anos's smile grew slightly as he snapped his fingers and Tanjuro disappeared. Anos had already teleprted all the blacksmiths to their village, and even returned to the demon slayer headquarters where all the Hashira's were gathered as an illusionary screen appeared showing Tanjuro who had just appeared within the infinity fortress. Anos's smile became so wide it turned into a cheshire smile as he spoke.

Anos: "I hope you're battle will entertain me."

{Next Chapter: "HINOKAMI KAGURA!"}

An: "by chapter 40 Anos will leave the demon slayer world."