Chapter 8: The Blacksmiths Village

After finding out the information about Akumu Nikushimi, Hana Shimizu the Poison Astral informed the other Astrals of what else Akumu was capable of. Meanwhile, Takeshi eventually healed and finished his last training before heading out on his first demon slayer mission. Unfortunately, he would have to leave Arakaki which made Takeshi heartbroken, but it had to be done.

"Goodbye… Arakaki. Thank you for everything I have a huge debt to owe you. You're like a father figure to me." Takeshi looks at Arakaki with tears.

"Go on son, make me more proud. Save mankind, stay safe. I'll be here waiting for you. I love you." Arakaki choked back, he was now sobbing. They hugged, maybe for the last time. "Here take this haori, to remember me." Arakaki tightened the haori that Takeshi was wearing. Takeshi nodded then smiled. "Just in case, I'll see you in heaven and if not see you later Arakaki! Father?" Takeshi shouted waving his hand at him. In Arakaki's eyes, it was as if he was going to school. He stood there waving back. His own haori now covered with tears, tears of joy, tears of sadness.

"Whatever is out there, please keep Takeshi Hasegawa safe. Make him return to me." Arakaki prayed and then turned around into his home, he was alone. Again.

I don't know where I am going- As soon as Takeshi thought that, a cat, specifically a black cat, just appeared in thin air.

"AHHH. Oh, it's just a cat that comes out of thin air. Just not creepy at all."

Takeshi screamed in fear. He smiled and petted the cat. "Hey, what's that in your mouth?"

"Meow." The cat opened its mouth and dropped a letter.

Hello Takeshi Hasegawa,

This is your assigned shadow cat. It can appear and disappear whenever you want it to. Your first destination will be to the Blacksmith's village not far into the north from where you are now. From there you will be handed your sword. PS: We couldn't give you the cat before since you were basically knocked out.

"Well duh, I was attacked by the demon king." Takeshi made an expression that read 'really'. He shook his head and headed north.

"Hmm, What should I name you?"

"Meowshi would be a good name." a voice replied back. "What was that?" Takeshi was startled and looked around, getting ready to leg it back to Arakaki's.

"It's just me your cat dumbass, I can speak." The cat said looking at Takeshi.

"WHAAAAAAA!" Takeshi just stood dumbfounded. The cat might be a cat but it wasn't hard to read. "Okay, you're creepy, very creepy." "Wait is that my new name. Very creepy? If so, I do not want it." The cat said in an apologetic voice. Takeshi smacked his head off a nearby tree.

"Now why would I call you creepy?"

"Because you just did."

"OH MY GOD GET THIS THING AWAY!" Takeshi ran as fast as he could but the cat managed to keep up.

"I'm not a thing I'm a cat, and I'm a girl." The cat responded.

Takeshi just ran and ran trying to get away from this weird talking cat.

After a few hours, Takeshi found himself at the gates of a highly secured village.

"This place is secured very tightly."

"No shit Sherlock, of course, it's where they house all the demon slayer swords." The cat was sassy, it said putting Takeshi in his place. "How long do I have to spend with you?"

"I can leave now. You could have told me to leave ages ago." Meowshi told him. "WHAAAAA! I COULD HAVE SENT YOU OFF AGES AGO?!" Takeshi finally sat himself down he had had enough of the surprises. "Your fault for not reading the letter. Meow Meow." After those two meows, Meowshi simply just disappeared into thin air. What is this world, demons and now talking cats. What's next a man wearing a ridiculous mask for fashion? Takeshi thought his mind was still blown off Meowshi.

"Takeshi Hasegawa?"

No, this can't be real. In front of him was a man… with a ridiculous mask shouting at him from above the gate. Takeshi couldn't respond he just stared at the man.

"If you're not Hasegawa then please leave." The man said his voice sharp and annoyed.

"NO! My name is Takeshi Hasegawa, I was sent by someone who sent this letter.

Erm…

The Demon Slayer Corps Member."

Takeshi quickly ripped the paper out from his pocket and read the name.

"You may enter. Open the gate guards!"

As the gate opened there stood men in masks with different designs, looking at Takeshi. "Hello, Hasegawa nice to meet you. I am Kurayami Fukunaga, The leader of this village. Nice to meet you." The leader extended his hand out to Takeshi.

Takeshi bowed deeply then took the man's hand.

"We will make our way to my home, you can have something to eat and drink."

He enters the village. Every single blacksmith had a mask. It was as if Takeshi's thoughts were true.

They arrive at Fukunaga's home, it was so warm and welcoming. Takeshi hadn't felt like this since the previous world he was in. Everyone- maids, servants, officials, higher-ups- practically the whole village was welcoming.

Takeshi was then led into a room where he was able to drink and eat.

"So Hasegawa you came from the Arakaki family? So how come your name isn't Takeshi Arakaki?" Fukunaga asked politely.

"Well not really sir, I don't know how I ended up here. I just remember one moment I closed my eyes on the concrete floor and then the next I was on a straw mat, in the middle of a demon invasion. I couldn't even get the name of the village."

The room was silent, too silent. Fukunaga did not know what to say. He was speechless.

"How absurd and unusual. I've heard nothing of it." Fukunaga stroked his long grey beard. "Every demon slayer that has entered my village, Astral or not, has never told me about teleportation." Fukunaga took a bite of his food.

Takeshi shrugged. I've never talked about how I ended up here before, have I? It was only to Arakaki.

"Well I'm sure you'll end up with a mission tomorrow so I want to tell you you're blacksmith. His name is Kagayaki Hanada. You may find him in the east of our village. Just ask." Fukunaga informed Takeshi. No escort? I just came here for the first time I don't even know this place. I don't even know this world! The words were punching Takeshi's brain, just eagerly wanting to come out. But Takeshi didn't let his thoughts win and kept quiet.

After he was done he left, thanking the leader. He headed east to the village to find this Kagayaki Hanada. "Mr Kagayaki Hanada? Hello? Anyone called Hanada?" Takeshi called out. He saw a man sitting on the side of the road and decided to ask. "Hello, sir! Have you heard of Kagayaki Hanada?" Takeshi politely asked.

"Yeah, kid he's another two houses ahead on your right." The man replied drinking something that smelled like booze. "Thank you so much, sir. May peace and blessings be upon you." Takeshi bowed and continued to walk, no longer calling

for Hanada.

"Found it."

Knock. Knock.

"What do you want kiddo?"

"Hello, sir Are you Kagayaki Hanada? If so, I was sent here for a sword." Takeshi said with a warm smile. His voice tender and welcoming.

"Oh yeah you're the demon slayer, haven't gotten one of em' in a long one. Come inside." Kagayaki said gesturing for him to come inside.

Takeshi gulped. In a long one?