Previously on Chapter 17

I gasp at his action. 'He's really fast... those were no amateur moves' I thought to myself. Tanjiro looks in pain as he's being held down. I have to do something. Tanjiro is still hurt. I can't let him get hurt any further. But what can I do against this man? He's obviously not an ordinary person. What should I do?!

-He Wasn't Always Like That-

Y/N P.O.V

Senjuro tries to help Tanjiro, only to be pushed back. I clench my hands into tight fists. At this moment, I don't care if he's going to hate me more. I rush forward and kicks him off Tanjiro.

I turn my head slightly to look at Rengoku-San. I send him an apologetic smile, apologizing for attacking his father. He just shakes his head, letting me know that it's fine. His eyes reflects sadness because of the way his father talks to him.

"You're both mocking us, aren't you?" Rengoku-San's father said, while glaring at Tanjiro and I. I just stay silent, worried that I might make it worse if I talk back to him. "That's because you're a wielder of the Sun Breathing technique! I know all about those earrings! It was in the book! The first breathing technique ever created! The most powerful one of them all! All others just mimic Sun Breathing. They're just cheap imitations, retrograde version of the Sun Breathing!" He said, pointing at the earrings Tanjiro is wearing.

Tanjiro clenched his hands. "First, you insulted my girlfriend. Now you're just slandering me!" He said. I move closer towards him, gently slipping my hand in his. He turn his head to look at me. He give my hand a gentle squeeze.

"They're right, Father... you shouldn't be so rude to these two. They saved my life" Rengoku-San said. His father turn to look at him and glares. Rengoku-San flinched at the way his father is staring at him. He looks down, not saying anything else.

"You're useless... you have no talent! And now you lost your Breathing Technique!" His father said. I notice the look of sadness in Rengoku-San's eyes. I turn to look at his father as he keeps badmouthing him. I clenched my hands into tight fists. I can't hear another bad thing from his father's mouth. How could he say all those stuff to his own flesh and blood.

"That's enough!! You miserable, old fart! Your son have been trying his best. None of the passenger lost their lives and it's all thanks to Rengoku-San!! I don't give a damn if you hate me. But don't you make fun of Rengoku-San!" I yelled angrily. He turns his head to look at me and glares angrily.

"What do you know?? Don't think I don't know about you, you half-breed monster! I can't believe what had Demon Slayer Corps have become. Just what are they thinking welcoming a monster like you!" He said, while pointing at me. My eyes widened at what he said. Tanjiro let out an angry scream at what he just said.

"That does it! No one makes fun of my girlfriend and get away with it!" Tanjiro yelled angrily. He rushes forward. I hear Senjuro yelling out a warning that their father is a former Hashira. My eyes widened at what he said.

"Tanjiro, stop!" I yelled. He didn't listen and continue to advance. Rengoku-San's father easily catches his attack. He starts to repeatedly punch him. I rush forward to help, but Tanjiro already make a move by head-butting him. I watch as Rengoku-San's father collapse on the ground, unconscious.

I rush towards them and kneels down. "You're going too far on this, Tanjiro..." I said. I reach inside my satchel and grab a paste. I take the lid off and start to apply it on his forehead. There's a visible lump on his forehead from Tanjiro's head-butt.

"He was mad mouthing you. I can't just stand back and do nothing" he said. I let out a sigh at what he said. I kind of feel bad for what happened to Rengoku-San's father. But, at the same time, I understand why Tanjiro did what he did. He was doing it for my sake, because of the insults this man gave me.

***

We're now in a room with Rengoku-San and Senjuro-Kun. "I'm sorry about what I did to your father. I just couldn't stand the way he talks about Rengoku-San and Y/N..." Tanjiro said.

Senjuro-Kun serves a cup of tea for the two of us. "Thank you, Senjuro-Kun..." I said. He smiles at me and nods his head.

"Thank you too... for standing up for us" he said. I just smile at what he said. I hear something that sounded like a book. I turn my head to look at the sound to see Rengoku-San placing a book on the ground in front of Tanjiro.

"Here... this book have everything you need to know about the Sun Breathing technique..." he said. Tanjiro scoots forward and grabs the book. He opens the book and gasps. I furrow my eyebrow in confusion and scoot closer to him. I take a look over his shoulder. My eyes widened at the state the book's in. The pages are ripped.

"Father must have ripped it. I'm sorry, Tanjiro-San" I hear Senjuro-Kun said. I turn my head to look at him to see a look of guilt in his eyes. Tanjiro turn to look at him too and smiles softly.

"It's alright. I'm sure with a hard training, I'll be able to figure something out" he said. Senjuro-Kun just smiles at him. "And don't worry about your father okay? If he keeps on making your lives harder, just tell me. I'll head-butt him!" He said, the last part confidently.

"Eh... no. I don't think that's a good idea..." Senjuro-Kun said, while I just let out a nervous laugh. I turn my head to look at Tanjiro to see him looking flustered. I let out a giggle at his face and gently pat his shoulder.

"Now, Tanjiro... we should probably head back. Don't you think? You're still hurt... so you need plenty of rest" I said. He turn to me and smiles, nodding his head. I turn to look at Rengoku-San and his brother. "We'll be taking our leaves then..." I said.

Rengoku-San walks the two of us to the front gate. I turn to look at him and bow. He lift his hand, gently patting the top of my head. Ever since the day I became a Hashira and joined the Butterfly Estate. He's been like a brother to me.

"Thank you once again for saving my life, L/N. Please don't beat yourself up for what happened..." he said. I just smile sadly at what he said. He smiles brightly at me and turn to look at Tanjiro. "As for you, Kamado... I want you to have this..." he said. He reaches inside his haori and takes out something that is wrapped up in fabric. He opens it to reveal his sword's guard.

"W-Wha... I-I can't accept something so valuable" he said. Rengoku-San let out a chuckle. He steps forward and grabs Tanjiro's hand, making him accept the sword's guard.

"Please, I insist... I can no longer be a Demon Slayer. By bringing this with you. It would feel like you're carrying on my dream. Train hard and be the best Demon Slayer. Both of you..." he said, smiling at the two of us.

I gently slip my hand in Tanjiro's and smiles at Rengoku-San. "I promise, Rengoku-San. I will try my best to be the best Demon Slayer" I said. He smiles at what I said.

"You already are, L/N. You're already a Hashira... and you're already one of the strongest Demon Slayer our corps ever have. Half-demon or not..." he said. I hum at what he said and nod my head. I look down a little.

"But it's still not enough. I want to be stronger. So I don't have to use my healing affect on anyone else and risk the same thing happen again..." I said. He just smiles and pat my head again.

"I believe in you. I will root for you... for both of you" he said. I smile brightly at him. I feel a gentle squeeze on my hand. I turn my head to look at Tanjiro. He smiles softly at me.

"Let's get going, alright? The faster we go, the better it is. It would be best if we arrive at the Butterfly Estate before the sun sets. It would be bad for us if we come across a demon on the way..." he said. I smile and nod my head, agreeing with him.

"Well then... see you around, Rengoku-San. Senjuro-Kun..." I said. Tanjiro and I bow at them. Rengoku-San smiles brightly at the two of us, while Senjuro-Kun bows back. I smile softly at the younger Rengoku. We turn around and starts to walk. I promise, Rengoku-San... I will be stronger.

*to be continued*