The trio made it to the last destination of the final selections the sun slowly began to set as they stepped outside the eerily ominous forest relief washing over their weak bodies, three figures stood where the survivors of the test were to gather two unfamiliar young men and a woman (y/n) studied the faces of the strangers noting every feature.

A lanky boy with an uneven bowl cut he was dressed in a traditional yukata adorned in a bright orange and yellow coloured Haori he seemed to be absently muttering to himself to (y/n) he seemed almost unstable his frail body trembled erratically, she turned her head noticing a girl who stood to the side admiring a butterfly she had plain features her long dark hair was tied neatly into a side ponytail pinned up by a bright pink and green butterfly clip her dull purple eyes held a vacant look as she stood off in the distance.

The most notable of the three was a tall broad-shouldered male with a slicked-back Mohawk an unsettling scar marked the right half of his face he stood off to the corner with an exasperated expression, (y/n) glanced over her shoulder her (e/c) orbs locked with a pair of warm burgundy eyes.

Tanjiro felt the corners of his lips curl into a soft wistful smile as their eyes met her (s/t) cheeks became flushed dusting her cheeks with a dark blush, she hid her face bashfully a gleeful smile crossed her lips as she recalled the magical moment they shared in the warm glow of the campfire.

"Alright, I'm going to look for more wood to keep the campfire burning." The raven-haired male announced pulling himself up onto his feet he placed his hands on his wide hips studying their surroundings, searching for any signs of danger lurking in the shadows "be on alert demons are crawling all over this forest." (Y/n) warned using a branch to stoke the campfire,

Koji waved his hand dismissively as he made his way into the forest leaving the two alone she shivered the cold crisp air stung her flesh making her body trembled in an attempt to produce body heat "Here." Tanjiro removed his Haori from his shoulders throwing it over her body pulling her into his chest, he tightly wrapped her body in his arms pulling her closer she hid her face in his chest casting her (e/c) eyes aside shyly.

He smiled warmly using his fingers to carefully brush her hair out of the way to reveal her beautiful face, studying the features of her delicate face that was lit up by the warm glow of the campfire he gazed down at her lips his eyes lingered they called out to him he felt desperate to feel her lips on his,

His glowing burgundy eyes drifted close as he slowly started to lean taking in her floral scent he felt his body shiver in delight as the sweet smell washed over him she stiffened as she felt a pair of soft lips on hers, her (e/c) eyes widened until she felt herself relax in his arms leaning into his lips deepening the kiss, Tanjiro felt himself melt her lips were addictive he craved more his rugged hands cupped her face.

He caressed her cheek with his thumb as he pulled away his vibrantly coloured eyes held a gleam in them "I've been waiting to do that for two years." he said in a low whisper resting his forehead on hers, an elated smile spread across her face as she stared up at him her heart raced excitedly "than why don't we do it again?" She replied daringly wrapping her arms around his neck pressing her lips against his passionately, He gasped startled by her actions (y/n) felt him loosen up as he wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer.

"We made it," Koji declared breathing out a deep sigh of relief the Shinto shrine was a welcomed sight he felt his muscles relax, "I thought we'd be swallowed up whole by the forest and never see sunlight again." He murmured under his breath running his slender fingers through his raven locks, his dark eyes admired the wisteria trees that circled the clearing of the mountain his bangs barely covering his eyes.

(Y/n) felt a warm hand brush against her palm she watched as tanjiro intertwined their fingers a look of melancholy on his face, she felt herself flush fifty shades of red she looked away with a timid expression, "I'm grateful that forest is behind us." (Y/n) muttered solemnly in a hushed tone, it was then that the eldest kamado son studied their surroundings "only six of us?" He said assessing the situation.

"There were twenty of us," Koji mumbled in disbelief inspecting the disheveled appearances of the remaining survivors, he swallowed the lump in his throat his shoulders dropped as his brows furrowed in confusion a perplexed look on his face, (y/n) clutched his bicep in her hand giving his arm a reassuring squeeze offering him a consoling smile he relaxed to her touch.

"I don't see that guy here either," Tanjiro spoke his vibrant burgundy red eyes studied the unfamiliar faces, (y/n) recollected the story he shared by the campfire his first demon kill, she placed her delicate hand on his smooth cheek "you did everything you could." she said staring into his eyes affectionately "it's all because I blacked out at that moment, I couldn't save him." He replied in a pained voice with his fists clenched tight.

He perked up as their eyes met her actions lifted his weak spirit a little higher the corners of his lips curled into a sincere smile, "I'm going to die, I'm a goner" a shaky voice said the two pulled apart glancing over at the trembling blonde his bottom lip quivering, his honey-brown eyes were glossed over tears threatening to fall "Even if I survive now, I'm gonna die in the end anyway." He muttered with a dim expression,

"Welcome back," two familiar women greeted eerily standing idly in front of the Shinto shrine coy smiles on their faces, "Congratulations," they declared in celebration "We're pleased to see that you're safe." (y/n) studied their vacant expressions and dull eyes, "what am I supposed to do now?" A familiar cocky voice said impatiently.

"Where's my sword?" He asked through gritted teeth a large hand resting on the hilt of his samurai sword dark brows furrowed together, "first, we shall issue all uniforms." One presenter replied nonchalantly glossing over the boorish nature of the boy, "We will take your measurements, after which your rank will be engraved." she announced turning her attention back to the crowd "There are ten ranks in all."

They listened carefully as she began to list the ten ranks of the demon slayer corps "Currently, you are at the lowest rank, Mizunoto" the trio exchanged a glance before turning back to the young maidens, "And our swords?" The boy sneered growing more impatient with every passing second "today we will let you choose the ore for your swords." Koji placed his hands behind his head his brow twitched in annoyance,

"However, the swords will take ten to fifteen days to complete." She clarified apathetically the scar-faced boy threw his head back brushing a hand through his Mohawk "are you kidding me." he spat bitterly, "But first," one of the presenters said clapping her slim hands together summoning a flock of birds,

(Y/n) perked up as a tiny white ball of fluff made itself comfortable atop her head chirping cheerfully ruffling its feathers "I have never seen a bird like this before," she said absentmindedly to no one in particular "That's a Long-tailed tit bird." Tanjiro clarified carefully scooping the small critter into the palm of his hand holding it up to her, Koji stiffened as a crow perched itself on his shoulder.

she carefully cupped her delicate hands together, a small smile spread across (y/n) face as the bird hopped into her hands chirping happily "She likes you." Tanjiro said gently patting the birds head with the tip of his finger, "we will now assign each of you your own Kasugai crow." Tanjiro perked up as a large crow landed on his arm grooming its feathers contentedly.

"Kasugai crow?" Tanjiro murmured cocking an eyebrow he watched the crow nip at its feathers with a look of uncertainty, "These Kasugai crows can be used primarily for communication." they explained with a deadpan expression "did you say crow? Isn't this a sparrow though?" The blonde said unsurely examining the sparrow that perched itself upon his head.

"don't give me that crap!" He hissed angrily scaring the cowardly boy as he trotted over towards the Shinto shrine "who the hell cares about some stupid crow!" He said in a furious tone.

they watched in disbelief as he boldly grabbed one of the maidens by her hair his fingers tightly gripped her white locks, (y/n) pushed past the crowd her nails digging into the palm of her hands as she marched over to the boy she firmly grabbed his wrist, "Let her go." She ordered stoically "What did you say to me?" He sneered as they locked eyes,

"I said let her go or I'll break your arm." (y/n) replied her words dripped with venom, Tanjiro took a step forward only to be pushed back by Koji "Don't get in her way." He warned apathetically his bangs cast a shadow over his eyes

Pained screams echoed from a dark alleyway in the crowded village the drunkard cried out as another clear snap could be heard (y/n) looked at him with an apathetic expression "So you think it's okay to try and take advantage of helpless women?" She said muttered coldly, her hair casting a dark shadow over her eyes,

Koji held a frail disheveled girl in his broad arms sobbing, he put his Haori over her frail shoulders "it's okay he can't hurt you now." He whispered to her soothingly "Koji take her to a healer I'll deal with him." (Y/n) said venom in her voice he carried the scared girl out of the alleyway.

Had it not been for (y/n) keen senses they would have never heard the girl screaming for help, he swallowed the lump in his throat he watched her break every finger on the culprits hands.

They never spoke about what happened in that alley after he left the alleyway as she instructed he could still hear the screams of agony, "eh? I know you the one with the cursed demon blood you've been training at the lotus temple." (Y/n) looked at him blankly "that's me." She replied in an uncaring tone.

"you're famous in the demon slayer world," he said grazing the tip of his tongue along with his top teeth a sly Cheshire grin spread across his face "it's been a hundred years since someone from the (l/n) family branch held the power of the demon blood." (Y/n) felt her jaw tighten her nails dig into his skin as her grip tightened around his wrist "I said let her go." She replied apathetically with a vacant look on her face.

He grimaced his face contorted into a look of agony as she squeezed down harder "This must be that famous demon strength." He snarled sharply, the remaining survivors the blonde observed the situation with a look of horror as he contemplated whether or not he should interfere Tanjiro crept up behind her placing his broad hands on her shoulders.

"(Y/n) let him go." He whispered into her ear his warm breath tickled her skin. She felt her grip loosen around his wrist Tanjiro smiled out heaving out a sigh of relief as she let go of his wrist "Are you finished chatting?" The scar-faced boy spat on the ground beside her feet as he trotted away muttering profanities under his breath.

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The group of survivors gathered around the wooden table with their eyes narrowed sharply as they unveiled the pile of ore "now please select an ore." The maiden instructed a vacant expression on her colourless face "the steel for the sword, that will annihilate demons and protect you will be for your choosing." they moved closer to the table carefully examining each piece of ore

(Y/n) watched as Tanjiro tilted his head back slightly sniffing the air with his eyes shut a look of realisation dawned on him as he carefully reached out plucking a piece of ore up in his coarse hand, she turned to the table inspecting the table her eyes landed on a piece that sat idly in the corner of the table she picks up the piece of ore keenly examining it, Koji reached his hand out grabbing the smallest piece of ore tossing it in his hand like a handball a satisfied smile on his face.

The trio made their selection a sense of gratification washed over them as they handed the ore over to the petite porcelain doll women "so you're leaving." The burgundy haired boy asked sheepishly scratching the back of his head, Koji nodded "The temple is a three-day journey through the valley," he said nonchalantly raking his fingers through his hair "maybe you could spend the night at Mr urokodaki's hut?" He suggested bashfully.

Scratching his cheek with his index finger a small smile on his lips, she glanced up at her raven-haired companion a hopeful look in her eyes Koji sighed "I could use a hot meal and goodnights rest." He caved, a wistful smile on his pale face Tanjiro and (y/n) exchanged delighted smiles she bounced gleefully on her feet, the burgundy haired boy felt elated as they set off on their journey home.

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Next update:
Australian date: 08/03/2020
U.S.A date: 03/07/2020

Note: I hope the updated version of chapter eight is an improvement from the last previously published chapter, I will begin work on chapter nine and release it this Saturday. Feedback on the latest chapter is welcomed if you have any suggestions or requests for the next chapter.