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6.72% Animeverse Slayer! / Chapter 23: 23. A Place To Return To

Chapter 23: 23. A Place To Return To

Winter was just around the corner, days slowly turned cold. Trees have started to shed leaves and looked mellow. Mountains that were active through the year seems to be going to sleep.

A group of youngsters were walking through the rough paths of a mountain. They bickered among themselves destroying the silence around.

"Hey Leo, are we there yet?"

"Will you shut up!? Don't you get tired blabbing like that? Anyway we are almost there."

"You said that an hour ago."

"An hour journey is considered short. Just shut up, we are already there."

Sabito who was pestering Leo all this time raised his head and looked into the distance.

A simple house came to his view, infront of the house stood an amiable man. Five kids played around him, three just barely reached his knees. The man's eyes were filled with love when he looked at the kids.

Sensing Sabito's gaze he turned around, realising who it was he showed a smile.

"A little late."

Leo rubbed his head and said, "Sorry uncle Tanjuro, some stuff came up."

"Big brother!"

Just as he finished speaking the kids yelled and ran towards him. Tanjiro and Nezuko hugged Leo while the rest couldn't do the same and hugged his knees. A bright smile adorned Leo's face, he rubbed their head and asked.

"Did you guys miss me?"

"Yes!"

Hahaha

Leo laughed lightly, he took out a small cloth bag inside his kimono. The younger kids eyes brightened when they saw it, Leo poked their nose and handed the bag to them. They immediately showed a delighted expression and thanked Leo before running off.

"Big brother, what about me?"

Nezuko looked at Leo with expectation.

"Would I forget you? Here."

He took out a beautiful hair pin and gave it to her. Nezuko smiled like a kid and snatched it from Leo. She traced it's body and giggled. Tanjiro however didn't ask anything, he just smiled. Leo looked at him and took out a pair of shoes, he gave it to him and said.

"Be a little selfish Tanjiro."

Tanjiro just smiled in response, Leo knew what this kid was like, as long as his siblings were happy he was happy. Leo was stunned when he met Tanjiro for the first time, his soul was bright, pure and without blemish, he was the purest person Leo had ever met.

Tanjuro said, "You don't have to bring something every time."

Leo shook his head seriously, "That's won't do uncle. They call me big brother so it's my duty to act like one."

Tanjuro shook his head with a smile and looked behind Leo.

Leo introduced, "Uncle Tanjuro, these are my friends. The dumb looking one is Giyu, this idiot is Sabito and that's Makomo."

"Hey!!!"

Sabito and Giyu grumbled before bowing to Tanjuro.

"Nice to meet you sir."

"It's fine, just call me uncle like Leo does."

"That's...

Sabito and the rest looked at each other and hesitated. Leo smacked their head and said.

"Just do it."

Both of them growled at Leo.

"Uncle Tanjuro."

"Good. Come in, it's almost time for lunch."

"Alright."

Leo and company walked in, Kei served them some water before putting a bowl infront of them. Makomo hurriedly took out a sack she was carrying and gave it to Kei.

"Aunty, please take this."

"Silly child, what are you doing? You are our guest, so it's only right we provide you food."

"But aunty...

Makomo was in a dilemma, no matter what she said Kei didn't accept her gift.

"Aunty just take it. We are gonna be here for a few days, it's rude of us if you have to provide food for all four of us and it will wait on our conscience if you don't take it."

With no other choice Kei accepted it with reluctance. However during the meal she kept filling their bowls with more food, Leo smiled wryly and didn't say a word.

Sabito looked at Kei and her family, he felt something he had never felt before, he felt as if that final piece of his life was placed back.

The meal wasn't extravagant however all of them were felt extremely satisfied with each bite. After the meal was done the younger ones felt sleepy, Nezuko and Tanjiro put them to bed.

Leo and Sabito were seated outside, Giyu talked with Tanjuro while Makomo helped Kei with chores.

"I can see why you looked forward to coming here."

A smile outlined Leo's face as he leaned back, he looked up to the sky and said with a smile.

"When I first came here I too found it hard to believe. Uncle Tanjuro's, Aunty Kei, Tanjiro, Nezuko... all of them treated me with kindness. They gave me food, a place to sleep, unknowingly I found something I always longed for."

Sabito listened without saying a word, his eyes focused on Tanjiro, he was making crafts under his father's guidance. Nezuko also helped them.

"It's really nice here."

Leo agreed, he found a shade, sat down and closed his eyes. Slowly his mind lost focus and entered dream land. The sun was almost setting by the time he woke up, opening his eyes Leo felt something and looked over.

Tanjiro and Nezuko leaned on his shoulder on both sides and were fast asleep. A smile crept onto Leo's face. Maybe sensing Leo was awake both of them woke up rubbing their eyes.

"Haaaa, Big brother Father asked us to wake you up."

Nezuko said while yawning. Leo smiled and rubbed her head, he asked in a teasing tone.

"Then why are you sleeping here?"

"Tehe, Big brother looked so comfortable so I joined you."

"Is that so? What about you, Tanjiro?"

"It's nice to sleep under a tree."

Hahaha

Leo laughed out loud, Tanjiro was Tanjiro. He got up with both of them and walked back inside, Nezuko pulled his right hand while Tanjiro pulled the other. A content smile outlined his face while the setting sun bore witness to this moment of happiness.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
DreAm_b0At DreAm_b0At

If you like my work, please support me by donating 1$ on

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Cheers and enjoy✌

Chapter 24: 24. Makomo's Test

Whoosh! Smack!

"Ow!"

Tanjiro held his head and squatted down in pain, rubbing his head he looked at Leo and said.

"Big brother, why did you hit harder?"

Leo was holding a wooden sword, he poked Tanjiro's head and said seriously, "You head is like a rock, If I don't hit you harder you won't feel it."

Tanjiro mumbled, "But that hurts."

Leo knocked his head lightly and said with a grin, "The whole purpose of our training is so that you can dodge effectively. If you dodge well you won't get hurt, simple, right?"

"Uh-huh."

Taking his own wooden sword Tanjiro swung at Leo. Dodging to the side Leo tapped his shoulders. Seeing his attack miss Tanjiro bent his waist and kicked up.

"Not bad."

Leo flicked his palm, deflecting the kick. He then moved forward striking Tanjiro's waist. Hastily putting his sword up for defence Tanjiro took a few steps back from that strike.

Leo instructed while moving for another strike, "What did I tell you Tanjiro, connect the moves uncle taught you. It may come forcefully at first but with practice it will flow as smooth as water."

"Ok big brother!"

Whoosh! Smack!

"Ow!"

Smack!

"Ow!"

Sabito and the rest were resting under the shade of tree, all of them found it amusing to watch their sparring.

"Tanjiro is making progress."

"That's a given, he has zero battle experience, with his understanding of Fire God Dance any form of fighting will take him leaps and bounds into mastering the techniques."

"Yeah. Though I gotta say he sure has a hard head."

"That's for sure."

"I agree."

Without a single objection all three of them agreed. It was at this time Tanjuro walked towards them, he still had that amiable smile on his face.

"Are they still at it?"

"Ah! Uncle Tanjuro. Yeah, Leo seems particularly adamant about teaching Tanjiro, he isn't overly hard nor is he too soft, just the right level of difficulty in his training."

"Hmm...

Tanjuro hummed and sat down. He watched their sparring from the side until it was time for lunch. Tanjiro was out of breath and trembled from time to time, however a bright smile was on his face.

"Let's go, lunch is ready."

"Yup! Let's go."

Sabito took charge and marched forward. Leo and the rest palmed their face when they saw that fool. But they have to admit aunty Kei's food was delicious.

A hearty meal was prepared for them, eating their fill all of them laid down comfortably. Suddenly Nezuko asked something.

"Big brother are you really leaving?"

A tinge of sadness laced her words. Leo strokes her head and said with a smile, "Come on, I don't want to see a snotty Nezuko when I go. Don't worry, I will visit often like I always do, alright?"

Nezuko stared at him and said seriously, she looked cute with her puffed up cheeks, "That's a promise!"

Leo laughed lightly when he saw her all so serious.

Sabito and the rest smiled when they saw this. It was only when he is with these kids would Leo be so utterly powerless. He had to coax all of them yesterday and today so that they won't cling to him when he leaves.

"Nezuko won't you miss big brother Sabito."

Nezuko answered truthfully, "I will miss you too, but not as much as big brother Leo."

Crack...

All of them heard something break at that point, Sabito wormed his way to a corner and sulked. Tanjiro and the other kids walked to him and said earnestly.

"We will miss you big brother."

Sabito teared up, he rubbed the little ones head and asked.

"More than your big brother Leo?"

The kids went silent, Tanjiro took took out a rice ball and handed it to Sabito.

Crack...

Again everyone heard something break. Sabito ate the rice ball while tearing up, this time for a different reason.

Giyu clutched his stomach and banged the ground while laughing his heart out. Makomo also trembled trying to hold her laugh. Leo showed a disdainful smile and ignored him.

Soon time went by, a few hours before the sun set all four of set off.

"Visit often."

"We will."

Leo and the rest bowed to Tanjuro and Kei and started to descend the mountain, the kids waved to them till they couldn't see their shadow.

...

"Are you still sulking Sabito?"

"Who is sulking!?"

Giyu teased Sabito who jumped up like a cat who got it's tail stepped on. Makomo saw his reaction and said.

"Could you atleast act like you don't care? Idiot."

"Makomo, I am your brother!"

"So?"

"Shouldn't you side with me at all times?"

Instead of answering him a scornful look climbed on her face and she continued to walk. Leo also shot a glance at him and chose to remain silent. Giyu however seemed to be excited, he asked questions again and again making Sabito not know whether to laugh or cry.

Leo looked at Giyu and said to himself.

'This guy... he will never make another friend.'

Makomo also thought the same.

All four of them continued towards their destination, the site for Final Selection, Mt.Fujikasane. Makomo was supposed to take her test in two months. But before that Sabito and the rest agreed to let her have some practical training.

Of course practical training implied hunting demons. Right now all four of them were heading towards where a demon was sighted.

Soon all four of them reached a abandoned village. The houses were dilapidated and worn out, smell of decay spread through the air. Leo spread out his sense and found their target.

"Alright. Makomo, remember no matter what happens always remain calm."

Makomo seriously nodded and went forward. Sabito, Giyu and Leo separated and took different directions just in case the demon escaped.

Walking forward Makomo gripped her sword tightly, no matter how calm and mature she was she was still a young girl with no real experience fighting demons. Just as she was about to take a turn the wind whistled to her right side. A feeling of danger engulfed her body.

Instinctively she dodged. Taking a close look she saw a demon with long arms covered in black hair. It's eyes were filled with killing intent, drool dripped down the corner of its mouth when looking at Makomo.

For a second she froze, her heartbeat got faster, her body seemed to be trembling when subjected to that sharp killing intent. Sabito, Giyu and Leo were watching for a distance, Giyu was anxious and looked at Sabito and Leo for advice.

However both of looked at ease and watched intently. Giyu calmed down and watched.

Makomo seemed to have realised her condition, she took a deep breath. Her tensed body relaxed, her eyes filled with panic settled down. Her aura went through a subtle change, like how water settles down, reflecting everything.

Leo and Sabito heaved a sigh of relief, both of them looked a each other and smiled.

Let the hunt begin.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
DreAm_b0At DreAm_b0At

If you like my work, please support me by donating 1$ on

www.patr...eon.com/sonuameer.

Cheers and enjoy✌

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