The Crow's Master (Kimetsu no Yaiba Fanfic)

Chapter 22

I had just finished repaying my debt by testing out a new sword with non stop training. That woman was more than harsh as she compared me with Itsumi countless times. It made me go blank more than once, to which the old woman helped me 'fix'. The two apprentices of hers dealt with no less hardships as one was constantly having to reforge my sword to the point where chipping isn't even remotely possible. While the other had to spend day and night trying to replicate the process of making the fan blades with the right engravings and symbols to better suit Aoi's preference. At least I'm no longer so rusty and had possibly retained the strength of my youth though I highly doubt that.

" Is he even alive?" I asked the young swordsmith as I saw Tanjiro flat on the ground, completely worn. I leave this kid for about a week and, he's at death's door. " The fu--uh, I mean the hell is that?" I pointed at the six armed mechanical doll.

" It's a mechanical doll...based off the first breath user...." Tanjiro picked himself up as he explained. " Sorry, I broke the sword I borrowed." He apologizes to Kotetsu.

" I'm pretty sure you hit it pretty hard." Kotetsu said right before the doll's head started to crumble and fell to the ground with a gentle thud. No one paid any mind as the head rolled down slowly before halting completely. All eyes were fixed upon the object that was sticking out of the doll's body. " Something came out!" The boys cheered and were humbly thanking each other while complementing the other.

" Kids, calm down. You're so excited that you're panting. Why don't you two pull it out? See what happens." Honestly, I was pretty excited myself. A three hundred year old sword hidden within an old mechanical doll, swords from that period are of incredible quality. How interesting. " It's rusted..." Logically, it's centuries old and was hidden. This should've been expected. Kotestsu apologized for getting Tanjiro so worked up.

" It's nothing." The boy said with eyes brimming with tears. Clearly it wasn't nothing. A strange figure began to move towards us, a man with a large build stumbled through the trees, huffing and puffing.

" What in the hell is that?" The buff man tried to take away the sword from the kids while repeating the same words.

" Leave it to me." I couldn't decide to intervene out of one reason. He's a swordsmith isn't he? I couldn't tell if he was taking it or trying to help. After the matter settled, I decided to head back to Haga-san to see how the blades were doing. The result being they weren't done yet, so I got kicked out. Literally. However I couldn't say I didn't expect this. Two days later, I saw Tanjiro get kicked out of one of the guest rooms.

" I wonder why he's so angry." Tanjiro asked mostly for himself. " Maybe he's hungry." I walked over to him and was surprised to find me right behind him.

" I don't know, Tanjiro. Let me try asking. Close your ears, alright?" I told him as I opened the door and shut it behind me. " Well, hello you little shit."

" The hell are you doing here? Just who the fuck are you?" The boy tensed. And it seems, he can't use breaths.

" I'm the Crow Master, Arakawa Hisao. I'm here, to ask you some questions and maybe fix that terribly foul mouth." The kid gulped a bit but tried to keep his facade.

" Why the fuck would I care about you or what you have to say?" He growled.

" Oh, so you don't know. I'm also the Feather Pillar. While you my boy, are the Wind Pillar's foul mouthed brother." He gulped and clenched his fists. " I'd prefer if started by apologizing for the language."

" I'm sorry for swearing." He said softly as he lowered his head. I paused, seeing him suddenly so soft feels strange. " What's with that look?"

" Nothing. You're so polite, it's weird."

" Shut up!" I gave him a quick glare and his lips were sealed. " Sorry."

" You know, Tanjiro is a very persistent person. It wouldn't be wrong to befriend him." I told the boy. He only shrugged and mumbled something to himself. " What was that?"

" I just want to be a pillar so that my brother accepts me." He said in a pow voice. Of course, I've never heard Sanemi even speak of his younger brother. How sad. However, perhaps he's trying to protect his brother, I'm not sure. But for his younger brother to go so far, he must've been nice at some point.

" You'll get your chance.