|·Idiots With Swords·| Inosuke X Reader

26

By our third day there, both waterfall and the log training was complete. We had moved onto the final part of Himejima's training. Moving the rock through town.
And I struggled with this the most. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't even budge the boulder.
The training was hard, but it wasn't compulsory. If you wanted to quit, you could always go down the mountain and give up. And most demon slayers did just that. They simply apologized and backed out of training like cowards.
Right now, those who remained, went inside and made rice balls with the rice Tanjirou had made.
"You know.. I kinda realized from the training why there are so few pillars now." Murata grumbled, taking a huge bite from his food.
A boy called Yoshoka nodded in agreement, "I kinda know why too.."
"Its so hard that everyone runs away." Nagagura frowned, his eyebrows, as nearly non-existent as they were, furrowed.
Shimamoto nodded in exhausted agreement while Noguchi yawned at his food, tears welting behind his eyes. "Yeah, and just like the blonde dude, getting beaten down by the difference between us and the pillars breaks our hearts."
Inosuke rolled his eyes and whispered to me, "they're all weak."
"Yeah, I got that." I huffed sarcastically as I leaned up against him with a sigh.
"You good?" He asked quietly.
I shrugged, "mentally or physically?"
"Huh?" Inosuke looked puzzled. "Baby, you know I'm not good with big words."
I chuckled lightly, "sorry. I'm okay though I guess. Just some shit went down at San.. Shinazugawa's place."
"Isn't that the old fart that trained you?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Ha, yeah. But um.. Lets just say, he and I got into a fight and he's cut me off completely." I said with a forced smile.
Inosuke narrowed his eyes at me, "why smile if you're not happy? Isn't that bad for you?"
"I guess so. But whatever." I laughed quietly.
"Lay in my lap." He said bluntly. "It'll make you feel better."
I rolled my eyes and complied to his request. "Fine, but if any rice falls onto me, I'm finding your left shoe, and im shitting in it."
He stuffs another rice ball into his mouth and with his free hand, he runs his fingers through my hair. "Bold of you to assume I wear shoes."

After six days, the rock still hadn't even moved. I threw my hands up in the air and made my way over to where Tanjirou was laying in the dirt. And next to him, sat Genya.
"So you're on the rock training?" He asked Tanjirou. "Me too."
"Its not budging at all." I complained as I flopped down into the dirt on my back.
"Oh hi, Ubuyashiki. Good to see ya." He said lightly. "I've been banned from my brother so the next time you see him, apologize for me."
"I would if i could. But he's cut me off as well." I shrugged, ignoring the twinge of pain in my chest. "He wants nothing to do with me anymore. So we're in the same boat, buddy."
He visibly winced, "then I apologize to you. Because that only happened because you were protecting me."
"Don't worry about it, you asshat." I snorted softly, "I guess you're my goddamn friend or whatever, so its in the job description. Anyways, can you move your rock?"
"Oh yeah, I can. Just... Not as far as I'd like." He said calmly, scratching his chin. "Don't you guys know about repeating actions?" Tanjirou looked clueless, so Genya continued. "So you don't.. Himejima- San is a good guy, but he sucks at teaching. So you gotta watch him closely or you'll fail. He's actually doing a set of predetermined movements in order to maximize his concentration. In my case, I chant my prayers."
"So Himejima does it too!" Tanjirou said brightly.
Genya chuckled lightly, "yep. That 'namu namu' thing he says."
"It unlocks all 5 senses.." I said, sitting up in realization. "You can't use breaths, but thats how you've been able to use full focus breathing in battles!"
Genya nodded, "yeah. I remember all my anger and my painful memories and it makes my heart rate and body temperature increase."
"But still no mark.." Tanjirou said sadly.
"I think I'm gonna go try that then." I stood up and brushed off my skirt. "It was good talking to you two meat heads. Good luck!"
I made my way back towards my boulder and thought back to my most painful memories and what makes me angry. The first thing that came to mind, was when Rengoku died. Then my anger towards Muzan for killing my real mom. The fact that Kagaya was dying and I couldn't do anything about it. The fact that Sanemi and I are no longer friends. The fact that i couldn't save that boy at the Natagumo Mountain from the spider demon. I glanced down at the worn down fabric bracelet on my wrist. The fact that I couldn't save Yoruba.
I couldn't move it my first attempt. Or even my second. But I was able to use all the strength I had by doing these repetitive actions. And after several tries, I felt the fiery sensation of my marks appearing again, and I moved the rock. I let out a battle cry as I pushed the rock infront of me, across the length of an entire town.
As soon as I did, I collapsed into the dirt out of breath. "H..holy shit.." I didn't let up, even for an instant, and because of it, I'm severely dehydrated. As my marks vanished again, the rest of the energy left my body. I guess this is it then. I'm going to wither and die out here like a dead plant. What a way to go..
I sputtered incoherently as water is suddenly poured onto my face and I sit up after a moment, coming face to face with Himejima. "T..thank you very much."
"Here. Drink." He hands me his canteen and sits down next to me in the dirt. "The rock pillar training is now complete. I just want to say, that even if you have the blood of a demon in your veins, I won't look at you differently. Let me tell you a story."
I drank the water and looked at him patiently. Himejima isn't one for telling stories, he never has been, so this is a very rare occurrence.
"Long ago, I raised some kids who had no family in a temple." He said calmly. "Our affinity in having no blood connection helped us bond together very well. I raised them like my family. And I wanted to keep life that way forever."
"What happened?" I asked quietly, taken by the pained energy he suddenly released.
"One night, a kid who disobeyed the temple rules and didn't come back after the sun set, ran into a demon." He said, calmly, but he looked hurt. "In order to save himself, he told the demon to eat me and the eight kids at the temple."
My eyes widen and my hand flies to my mouth, "oh my God.."
"In the area that I lived in, the threat of demons was very well known, and I always burned wisteria incense at night." Himejima said, sorrow lacing his voice. "That kid, put out all of the wisteria incense and invited the demon into the temple. Four kids were killed immediately. I tried my best to protect the other four, but three of them didn't listen to my words. Back then I didn't eat a lot, so I was skinny and weak. And my voice was soft so I couldn't shout loudly. On top of that, a blind person like myself wouldn't be of use to anyone. The only one who listened to me was the youngest child, Sayo. She was the only one who hid behind me. The other three kids didn't stay by my side and ran.." He was upset, but bitterly continued. "They all had their throats ripped out in the darkness and died. I fought, because I had to protect Sayo at all costs." One of his prayer beads cracked under the pressure from his hands. "Punching a living being felt like hell to me. It felt so disgusting that I will never forget it for the rest of my life. I punched the demon's head in again and again until the sun came up. I lost a mountain of things that night. I was wounded, but I managed to protect Sayo. Then when people came to help, she told them 'that man's a monster. He killed them. He killed everyone.'"
The color drains from my face and I stare at the ground in front of me. "N.. No way.."
"I was imprisoned, and charged with murder. But I bare her no ill will. She was only 4, and was scared." Himejima said softly. "If it wasn't for Oyakata-Sama, I would've been executed. And after that, I began to doubt just about everything, except for you. And when you opened up about being half demon, I doubted momentarily you as well."
".. I'd doubt me too." I said weakly, "but I understand your distrust."
He rested a hand on my head and smiled softly at me, "I apologize for doing so, (y/n)."
I chuckled and grinned up at him, knowing he wouldn't see it anyways. "Its alright, Himejima- Sama. Thank you for training me."
"You have done very well."
"Himejima.." I said softly.
He turned towards me, "yes? What is it?"
"The boy.. The one that took your family away.." I said hesitantly, treading lightly. ".. What if he became a demon.. How would I recognize him?"
"... He had an energy towards him.. Like static almost.. Very arrogant and cowardly all at once." The man said quietly, as if waking up from a dream. "And around his neck, is a golden Taoist symbol. But I suppose if he became a demon.. It would be darker."
I nodded and nudged him with my arm lightly. "... Those kids would be proud of you."
"..I know.. Thank you."

Genya, Tanjirou, Inosuke and I were sitting down inside enjoying a celebratory pot of hot noodles for completing training.
"Himejima- San is a pretty good person in his own right. Despite the fact that he said he won't make me his successor because of having no talents, he figured out I was eating demons, so he made me his disciple." Genya said, staring down at his noodles. "That way I wouldn't end up getting destroyed in every fight."
"Yeah, he's a good guy." I mused lightly, taking a bite of my food.
"He introduced me to Kouchu- San and had her check on my condition." He continued.
"Oh really?" Tanjirou asked with a grin, just happy Genya had mellowed out some.
Genya nodded with a sour expression on his face. "Yeah, but everytime I see her, she puts on a disgusted face and scolds me. I bet she scolded you too, Ubuyashiki, because you're so stubborn."
"Oh definitely, but I don't complain about it." I shrugged, resting my hand on Inosuke's so he'd slow down.
"Well, if I wasn't able to use breaths, I'm sure she would've treated me the same way." Tanjirou said lightly. "She's worried about your body too, Genya."
"I'm gonna go see Giyuu- San once I'm done eating this. Do you guys want to join me?" Tanjirou asked with a grin.
"Yeah, I have nothing better to do I guess." I retorted with a shrug.
Genya looked deflated, "no. I haven't moved the boulder across town yet."
"I'm really close to it!!" Inosuke cheered himself on loudly.
"Aw, good job sweetie." I said softly to him, finishing off my food.
"Well, I can't use breaths." Genya said sourly, "so that makes you pretty lame."
Inosuke lost it. He laughed loudly and exploded into a fit of mocking cheers. "You can't use breaths?! Shrimp!!"
Genya and Inosuke locked eyes, and instantly attacked eachother. Luckily, Tanjirou was there to assist me. He pulled Genya away, who was fuming angrily, and I pinned my boyfriend to the floor, sitting on his back.
"Babee! Lemme go!!" He grumbled as he wiggled below me, hitting the floor harshly.
I sniffed with annoyance. "No, you're acting like a little kid! Get your shit together!"

Tanjirou and I left Himejima's training grounds and he followed me towards Giyuu's residence. I led him through a stone path, surrounded by tall bamboo. Sunlight filtered through some of the gaps, landing onto the stones.
"I hope Zenitsu is okay. And Nezuko too." Tanjirou said suddenly. "She's been under someone else's care this whole time, so maybe she's lonely.."
"She'll be fine." I uttered dismissively pointing towards a building. "Here we are." I faultered as I took another step. Theres another energy here besides Tomioka's.
"(Y/n)?" Tanjirou asked quietly. "What is it."
"Green." I said blankly. "Sanemi's energy is green. And he's here. I can't see him."
"Why? Isn't he your friend?"
"He was.. After what happened, he doesn't want to see me anymore." I said tartly. "If he see's me, I'll be killed on sight.."
"Then wait out here. I can see what's going on!" He said with a sympathetic smile, patting my shoulder. "I'll call you if I need you to intervene."
"Yeah, sure, whatever." I grumbled, sitting down on the path. Within 5 minutes, I was pacing back and forth impatiently before throwing up my hands in defeat and walking in, just in time to see Sanemi punch Tanjirou across the face.
He turned to face me slowly as Tanjirou hit the ground unconscious behind him. "Oh. It's you." He spat bitterly, balling up his fists.
I steadied my stance and stared him down. "The one and only."
"Look. I don't need to take shit from a filthy little rich kid who likes keeping secrets!" He shouted as he dove towards me with killing intent.
I blocked his attack for the most part, still getting struck in the face. In a moment of rage, I spat blood at his feet. "That wasn't my secret to tell, shit for brains!"
He swept my legs out from beneath me and I hit the dirt harshly. Sanemi swung his fist downwards, creating a small crater an inch from my head. ".. Stay away from me. You're no longer my successor. You're just a nobody. Keep that in mind." He stood up and walked out of the property without another word.
My body sagged with relief as I layed in place, blinking back tears. I stared up at the sky and smiled shakily at the clouds before whispering to myself. ".. I know.. Goodbye Sanemi.."