Chapter Text
Your eyes slowly open, blinking a few times as they try to adjust to the bright light of the sun shining overhead. You find yourself lying on the ground in a serene setting, but something feels off. There's a slight gust of wind as you push yourself up to take a moment to assess your surroundings, noticing that you are surrounded by an expansive plain of lush green fields stretching out as far as the eye can see, with forests and mountains dotting the horizon. You instantly notice one thing as you look around: that this place is unfamiliar... you don't recognize a single piece of this land.
You're sitting just off of a dirt road underneath a lone tree, which had kept watch and somewhat protected you from the elements while you were unconscious. Confusion floods your mind as you try to recall how you ended up here. But to your dismay, your memory is as blank as a canvas, devoid of any recollection of the past. The absence of any recognizable landmarks or signs leaves you feeling disoriented. Isolated. Panic begins to creep in, and questions buzz inside your mind like a swarm of bees.
'Where am I? How did I get here? And more importantly... who am I?'
You're only able to recall your first name... but anything more than that is a complete mystery. You groan as you sit up even more and try to move, but your head begins pounding insistently, and your leg aches with soreness. You try to straighten out your leg since it was bent uncomfortably, and you feel pinpricks as circulation rushes back into the limb. You also notice that your blouse and pants are fairly dirty, with a few places scuffed up but luckily not torn. Your throat also feels dry and scratchy, and you're left to wonder just how long you've been out here.
Sighing, you try once more to stand up, but seeing as your leg won't cooperate just yet, you give up on that thought. You opt to just sit there with a dejected frown for the time being until your head is no longer pounding and your leg is no longer dead asleep. You want to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible, so you pray that, by some miracle, someone will come along to help you, and you can only hope that it's someone who you may know.
But seeing as you have absolutely no idea where you are currently or who you even are, you try to keep your expectations low.
However, it seemed like luck was on your side as a loud squawk rang in the distance, sounding a lot like the call of a crow, which was then followed by a few yells. And those yells were definitely human. You squint and spot the ebony-feathered bird flying above in the distance, then cast your eyes downward to find a figure running below it, both of them heading right in your general direction. You couldn't tell for sure, but it sounded like a man, given the way their voice sounded as they yelled. You didn't care whether they were a man or woman; as long as they could help you, nothing else mattered.
Hope flares in your chest as the person seems to finally spot you, veering off of the dirt road to swiftly make their way straight towards you.
The crow lets out another loud caw and circles the air overhead as it reaches you, the person not far behind it. Once they get closer, you can tell it's a man. He seems to be wearing some kind of uniform, with a black and green checkered coat. His hair looks to be a dark reddish brown, which is swept back and slightly messy, with a few looser pieces framing the sides of his face. Once he comes more into view, you also notice a plum-sized scar on his forehead. Dangling from his ears are a pair of rectangular earrings that swing with every step he takes, and your eyes are immediately drawn to the interesting pattern. He shouts once again, and you're slow to realize that he must be speaking to you because he's looking right at you and waving his hands around.
However, you don't understand a single word that escapes his mouth.
"Hello!"
You tilt your head forward, furrowing your brows as you try your hardest to understand what he's saying. But even as you strain to take in every word with immense concentration, not a single syllable makes sense to you as your brain tries to pick them apart and put them together again. What was happening? Why couldn't you understand him? Did you hit your head really hard or something?
"Are you okay? What—"
He comes to a halt in front of you, his words quickly trailing off as his eyes scan you up and down, confusion mixing with the concerned look in his eyes. He's never seen anyone like you before. A sheepish smile breaks out as he stops himself from staring, scratching his head as he quickly crouches down to your level.
His tone grows worried as he looks at you more closely, but he speaks softly so as not to scare you. "Ummm, why are you... out here? Did something happen?"
You keep trying to focus and dissect the words to the best of your ability, but still... nothing. You shake your head, and the hope you had felt earlier dwindles down with nothing but a few sparks remaining. This was not good. You don't know what he's saying; the words sound completely foreign to you, which could only mean that he was, in fact, speaking another language right now and that you didn't hit your head so hard that you had completely forgotten your own language. Considering that you're very much mentally and physically lost, this was not how you wanted this scenario to unfold, and the realization that you are stuck in the middle of nowhere with a stranger who doesn't speak the same language as you only adds to the growing turmoil inside your mind right now.
"I... I don't know what you're saying," you say slowly, the words catching in your throat as you speak for what feels like the first time.
He appears a little shocked when he hears your voice. You not only looked different, but you also spoke differently. His confusion and curiosity grow by the second as he continues to silently observe you. It's not every day that he comes across a foreigner. Sitting back on his heels, he looks to the sky and gains the attention of his crow by waving his arm around and calling out to it, and the bird swoops down to land on the outstretched limb. Once he starts to speak to the bird, your hope of being saved from this peculiar situation you've found yourself in dwindles even further until there's absolutely nothing left.
This whole thing was starting to become a little too much for you to process right now, especially in your current state.
You're dehydrated, and you probably haven't eaten in a while, which would certainly explain why you feel so weak. You desperately needed help and to get to the bottom of things right now! But how can this man help you if you don't speak the same language or even remotely understand each other? Not to mention he's talking to a bird, and you're pretty sure that... that's not normal. Sure... crows, ravens, and other corvids were very intelligent birds, but they wouldn't be on your list of things to talk to. After a few moments, the man turns to you and speaks again, giving you a puzzled look, but all you do is just stare back at him. Only when he gestures with his free hand, opening and closing his fingers together as he mouths words to you, do you get an idea of what he may be trying to communicate.
"Oh, do you… want me to speak?"
The crow perched on his arm watches you intently, its wings flapping up as it caws loudly after you ask your question. You grimace at the loud noise, growing a little agitated when the sound makes the pounding in your head worse, but it's quickly forgotten in the next moment. To your surprise, you're absolutely shocked and intrigued when the crow starts speaking as well, and not in just any language... but in English nonetheless!
"Girl, not from here? English! English is what you speak, yes?"
"Wh-What?! Yes, correct... how did—"
Before you can even finish your sentence, though, the crow caws loudly once again and then speaks to the man in the other language, which your brain is now slowly recognizing as Japanese. Wait... Japanese? Then does that mean you are in Japan? Why are you here, and more importantly, how did you get even here? You may not remember much, but you know for a fact you were not from Japan. You can only watch as the man rubs his chin thoughtfully while he nods along to the bird speaking to him, and then he turns his attention back to you.
"Ehh... Eng-lish?" he stammers a little, his brows slightly furrowed as he gazes at you.
You stare at him with a dumb expression, your mind a little slow to catch up to what he had just said, but once it clicks, you nod and quickly try to get up in your newfound excitement. But the rushed movements cause you to clench your jaw and settle back down after causing some mild pain and discomfort to your tired and aching body. However, with the flames of hope rekindled, you can't stop grinning and ignore the pain as best as you can. He just said 'English'! Could he understand you? Maybe there is a chance that you'll find your way out of this terrifyingly confusing situation and figure out who you are, how you ended up here, and where you live so that you can possibly go back home.
He notices the way you subtly wince in pain and fretfully raises his hands in concern, a frown making its way onto his face as he stops you from moving anymore. He swiftly stands back up and holds his hands out towards you, lightly pushing them forward in a gesture for you to take hold. Instead of watching you try to painfully get up on your own, he's offering to help you. He's patient as you hesitate for a moment, slowly placing your hands in his as you look up at him momentarily to give him a curt nod, signaling that you are ready to stand up. He hoists you up with a lot more ease than you were expecting and keeps you steady with one of his hands lightly sliding to your arm. He loosens his grip around your joined palms, but he doesn't release his hold entirely so that you don't lose your balance and fall over.
"Thank you..." you mumble.
After a painfully awkward and very silent minute, you lightly pull away, giving a hint that you feel strong enough to stand on your own now. He lets go of you with a small smile, happy that you seem to be fine for now. You can practically see the gears turning in his mind as he then looks off to the side for a moment, lost in thought. He slightly startles you as he suddenly perks up and turns back towards you with two fingers pointed down, making what appears to be a walking motion. You're much quicker to understand the new gesture, so you give another short nod and grin a little as he eagerly nods along.
You're still a little shaky after being on the ground for so long, so you sway a little as you both start to walk, but he's quick to offer his arm for you to hold onto for support. Although you don't want to lean on a stranger too much, you're way too tired to be rejecting the support he's so kindly offering, so you reluctantly grasp onto him in fear of falling down and potentially hurting yourself. With your hands firmly secured around his bicep, you carefully walk away from the tree and head towards the dirt road. It proves to be... difficult. The ground is uneven, and your legs are still trying to get used to being active again after who knows how long you've been out, but you slowly start to get the hang of it.
As he continues to help you walk forward, you become lost in your thoughts once more. The dragging of your feet and the subtle change in your scent catch his attention. He unexpectedly stops walking, turning to face you as his expression shifts, quietly observing you. His gaze holds a gentle kind of warmth that you're entirely unfamiliar with—sympathy and genuine care gleaming from within deep pools of red. For some reason... you don't think that you've ever had such kindness directed at you before. Not even from a person that you might have known in the past, which is a sad thought. And... odd, when you think about it. And yet, here he was—a total stranger—looking at you as if you had value. As if... you actually mattered.
'Why? How can someone be so gentle, compassionate, and warm... to a complete stranger?'
You truly don't know why, but these thoughts and feelings nearly make you want to cry; however, you manage to hold yourself together and maintain eye contact for just a few more moments. But it almost feels too intimate to have someone look at you in such a way, as if they were trying to look past what was right in front of them and peek into your very soul. You don't believe that your soul was meant to be viewed with such closeness and care. It makes you nervous... as if something deep down inside was telling you that you weren't worthy of such things.
So, you quickly look away and try to appear as nonchalant as you possibly can.
But you're unaware that the man has a keen sense of smell, and though your scent is fairly faint, he's able to pick up on your emotions—a swirling mix of confusion, anxiety, fear, and sadness. He's always been sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others, and you were no exception. Even if you were harder to read. He glanced in the direction that he was heading towards before coming across you, and then his gaze slowly fell back onto you. You were very clearly lost, so he couldn't just leave you here. Not that he had planned on doing so anyway.
But he isn't quite sure what to do in this situation.
He was heading on a mission and needed to focus on it, but you would be safe with him for the time being. Though you don't understand each other, he thinks it would be best to make sure that you are okay with following him around since he's hoping to find a nearby village or town where he could take you so you might be able to receive better help. Seeming to have some luck communicating with you by using his hands and making simple gestures before, he tries once more to get your attention and convey his intentions.
"Do you," he begins by pointing at you, then pointing to himself, "want to follow me? I'm on my way to a mission, but maybe we can find a town along the way, and you can get help there?" He makes the same walking motion as before as he continues to speak, then points at you again before holding his hand up to his chest and clenching his fist. "You can accompany me, and I'll make sure you're safe until then. Would that be alright with you?"
You watch his actions as closely as possible, focusing intently on the controlled gestures. While spoken words may be difficult to understand, tone of voice and body language are fairly easy to decipher if you pay close enough attention, which is exactly what you do. And you think that you get the gist of what he is trying to tell you. He must be asking you to follow him, and while he is a stranger and you should probably be much more wary, you are extremely tired, weak, and very much lost. You have no idea where to go from here. But this man most likely knows where the closest town or city is located, so it only makes sense to follow him. He's also been very kind and helpful thus far; he didn't have to go out of his way to help you, but he chose to spare his time to come and check on you—a random person that he found lying on the ground in the middle of nowhere—when he could have easily just minded his own business.
Sadly, not a lot of people would have shown such thoughtfulness and sympathy as he has.
If someone else had come across you, it's very likely that they would have just left you to rot by the tree. All things considered, you're quite lucky that he was the one to find you. As you see it, there really isn't any other option, so you nod and give a quick thumbs up. He grins once more and slowly leads you down the road, heading in the direction of his mission, where you will hopefully find a village and receive more help. After around half an hour of walking, a slew of shouts and wails can be heard in the distance. You both frown and slightly pick up your pace, curious to find out what the noise is coming from.
The shouting gets louder as you make it to the top of a little hill, and in the near distance, you see two figures in the middle of the road. It appears to be a woman and a man, who's dressed all in yellow and orange, his hair just as brightly colored as his outfit. He's on the ground, his hands clinging to the woman's clothing as he grovels at her feet in an obvious state of despair. The woman, however, seems frazzled and more annoyed than anything. It looks like she's trying to shake him off without having to get too physical, but to no avail.
"I'm begging you, please marry me! I'll die any day now, and I really don't want to die alone!!"
Was this… a lover's quarrel? In the middle of nowhere? You and the man with the checkered coat briefly glance at each other, confusion sweeping over both of your faces. This day was only getting stranger and more confusing by the second. What else could possibly be in store for you?
"Marry meeeee," the blond in the distance warbles pathetically. The woman tries to break away from his grasp, but he doesn't budge. "Please, find it within your heart to give me a chance before I inevitably die!!"
A little sparrow quickly flies over, chirping wildly as it lands on your new companion's hand. It seems distressed as it hops around in his palm, its small wings flapping about frantically, causing a look of concern to cross his face.
"Oh?" His brows shoot up as its chirps grow more desperate. "Huh...? Okay, I'll try to help!"
The sparrow gave an indignant flap of its wings and let out a sharp chirp of agreement as if seconding the scolding with righteous fury. The blond, however, didn't seem to be listening to your new companion and continued his pitiful display, crying and yelling loudly as he desperately tried to grab at the woman once more. She turned her face away, taking a deliberate step back, her body language radiating disgust as she pointedly ignored his pleas. Blubbering incoherently, the blond's words were barely understandable—yet somehow still managed to strike a nerve. Whatever he had managed to sputter out was evidently enough to set the woman off.
She screeched furiously, her voice slicing through his wails as she jabbed her finger in his direction.
Her anger was palpable, her body trembling with barely restrained fury. For a moment, it looked as though she might lunge at him, her clenched fists shaking by her sides, but somehow, she managed to rein herself in. Her restraint was impressive, though the fire in her eyes burned brightly enough to make even your companion glance her way in mild alarm. After a few moments, your new companion slowly released the blond as his wailing began to finally subside into soft, pitiful sniffles. The blond staggered back slightly, blinking up at him with watery eyes and a tilt of his head. He sniffled, wiping at his nose with his sleeve as though trying to pull himself together.
"Wait…" the blond suddenly muttered, his tear-streaked face shifting into one of faint recognition. His gaze darted over the man's uniform, and his eyes widened slightly as realization struck him. "That uniform… you're a Demon Slayer. Aren't you the guy from... Final Selection? I know you!"
Your companion blinked, caught off guard. "What? Don't go pretending like we know each other—'cause we don't.. 'kay? You're not getting out of trouble by trying to associate with me."
"HUAAAGH?! Don't act like you don't remember!" the blond cried, pointing at him with dramatic urgency. "I was standing right next to you when we picked out our ores for our swords! Don't get mad at me when you're the one with a terrible memory!!"
You zone out and look over at the other woman, who has quickly been forgotten now that the two men were too caught squabbling with each other. You catch her eye, and she gives a strained smile, so you offer one back. Her expression was one that all women could, unfortunately, understand at one point or another in their lives; it was the look of a woman who has been dealing with a man for far longer than she'd like.
She was trying her best to be polite, but it only made matters worse, and he wasn't taking the hint that she was not interested. Some men were absolutely clueless and persistent, and as she glared at the blond who was still arguing with your new companion, you knew without a doubt that she felt he was insufferable, and she wanted nothing more than to strangle him.
With a quick glance at the men, you turn back to her and nudge your head to the side, wordlessly telling her that this was her chance to leave now without being noticed. She gives another smile, slightly bowing her head as she quickly and quietly walks away and heads down the road. You turn back to the men and become startled as the blond suddenly realizes that the woman is leaving, yelling once again. You're not sure how his vocal cords haven't given up yet; it's almost impressive how loud he is.
"HANG ON, WHERE IS SHE GOING?!!! HOW DARE YOU INTERFERE! THAT GIRL WAS MADLY IN LOVE WITH ME!! THE TWO OF US WERE GONNA GET MARRIED!!!"
He tries to follow her, but he's stopped once again as your companion sighs in exasperation. "Would you give it a rest already... she wasn't in love with you."
"How do you know? And why'd you have to get in my way?! This had nothing to do with you!" When your companion only stares at him with a strange look akin to disgust, it sets the blond off into hysterics. "Why are you looking at me like that?! STOOOP IT!!!! You're staring at me like I'm some sort of pitiful creature or something!!"
A sudden gust of wind swept through the area, sending a chill through you. Your arms instinctively wrapped around yourself in a weak attempt to stave off the subtle chill. Before you could even process what was happening, the blond seemed to vanish from your sight, only to reappear directly in front of you. He clung to your legs with an almost frantic grip, shaking his head in excitement as he squealed in delight.
"Woahhh, so cute! Where have you been all my life?! Please… I beg of you!! You're the only hope I have left of not dying alone!! I promise I'll be the best husband you could ever have if you could just give me a chance!!"
You gasped, flailing your arms in a futile attempt to keep yourself steady as his sudden movement threw you off balance. The force of his clinginess almost sent you stumbling, but before you could fall, you felt a strong hand grab the back of his collar and yank him away with incredible speed.
The other man's voice rang out, more stern than you had heard it before. "Hey, don't grab at her like that!" he scolded, his eyes flashing with concern as he held the blond at arm's length.
His brow furrowed in frustration, his irritation barely masked beneath his normally calm demeanor. He was clearly displeased at having to keep the blond man restrained so much, but despite his efforts, the blond didn't seem to hear or care. The moment his grip loosened even slightly, the blond squirmed free, his eyes locked on you, and he lunged forward, eager to grab onto you once more.
Before you could react, your new companion darted in front of you with a speed that seemed almost too fast for his usual composed nature. He blocked the blond's path with a deeply disapproving scowl, a clear warning in his stance. The collision came in a blur—two heads colliding with a muffled thud. The blond yelped in surprise and pain, his body losing balance as he collapsed backward. He landed ungracefully on his backside, legs sprawled out awkwardly beneath him as he groaned, rubbing his head in discomfort.
"Agh! Go away! Stop interfering with my proposals! Just who do you think you are?!" The blond screeched, pointing an accusing finger at your savior as he scrambled back to his feet, his face red with frustration. "What exactly is your name anyway, huh?!"
"My name is Tanjiro Kamado," Tanjiro stated firmly, placing a hand on his chest in a calm, almost dignified manner. "And you are?"
"Okay, Tanjiro Kamado... my name is Zenitsu Agatsuma! Now, go away and let us get married in peace! I need her to be my wife so I don't die as a complete nobody!!"
Tanjiro's expression hardened as he crossed his arms, his brow furrowing slightly. "No," he declared firmly. "Aren't you being a bit dramatic? Why did you even become a swordsman, anyway?" His tone softened almost to a pitiful one as he added, "You're acting utterly pathetic right now..."
Zenitsu's eyes widened at the words, stunned by the bluntness. But instead of retorting, he just... deflated. A long, miserable groan escaped him as his shoulders slumped. He knew Tanjiro was right. He was being pathetic—making a total fool of himself!
"Well, you see..." he began, his voice trembling with shame and panic, "I got conned by a woman and racked up a lot of debt. Then, this old geezer took over my debt. Turns out he was a Demon Slayer instructor! He made me train every single day like my life depended on it! It was so hellish I thought I'd die!"
Tanjiro blinked. "Wait, what—?"
Zenitsu sniffled, tugging at his hair with both hands as his breathing grew more frantic. "I was honestly hoping I would die during Final Selection. That would've been easier! But no—I survived! And now I'm stuck in this nightmare!" He looked up at Tanjiro with wild, tear-glossed eyes. "I'm not strong! I'm not brave! And you know what we fight, right?! Demons! I don't want to fight demons—I'm going to get eaten!"
"Zen—"
Zenitsu's voice cracked as he dropped to his knees, hands still gripping at his hair. "I really don't want to die, okay?! But if I am gonna die, I at least don't want to die alone! That's why I have to get married to a beautiful woman before it happens!"
Tanjiro sighed deeply, his gaze softening as he observed Zenitsu's distress. "That's—Umm, well..." He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly at a loss. "Look, I'm sure you aren't going to die. You're a lot stronger than you may think. I mean, you've made it this far, right? You passed the Final Selection, so that has to prove something!"
Zenitsu's eyes dropped, his posture slumping further as doubt clouded his mind. "Yeah, I guess…" he replied hesitantly, his voice weak. "It was just dumb luck..."
They stare at each other for a few moments before they seem to calm down even more, turning their attention back to you. You feel so awkward standing there, not understanding a single thing that has been going on. And the guy who was yelling and crying at your feet just a few seconds ago now stares at you with a curious sort of gleam in his eyes. His voice is slower and quiet, a startling contrast compared to before, as he squints and leans around both sides of your figure, closely observing your features.
"Hey, now that I really look at her, she doesn't exactly look like she's from here...?" He raises an eyebrow. "Who is she? Where is she from? Why are you two together?"
"I... actually don't know..." Tanjiro rubs the back of his neck, his smile sheepish. "My crow spotted her out in a field a while ago, and she seemed lost, so I'm watching over her while I head to my next mission. I'm hoping there's a place along the way where she can receive proper help." He then glances at you, his tone softening, his eyes filled with gentle curiosity. "I'm sorry, I didn't get your name before. Could you tell us?"
You blink, and the confusion on your face must be obvious because Tanjiro repeats his question, this time slower, his voice laced with patience. But even as he tries, it still doesn't make sense. You can't understand him. The words sound like an incomprehensible jumble, and despite his best efforts, the language barrier feels impossible to bridge. The frustration hits you like a wave. You feel so helpless, so lost.
Despite standing in front of these two men—one, kind and reassuring, and the other, a bit of a mess but still sincere—you've never felt more alone. You don't know them. You don't know this place. You don't even know yourself. The overwhelming sense of confusion is slowly replaced by a deep exhaustion. You're tired. Your body aches, and all you want is something familiar, something that feels safe. You just want to go home.
But where is home? And how can you even get there when you don't even know where "there" is?
Tanjiro's eyes widened slightly as he took in your expression. His smile faltered, and a pang of panic fluttered in his chest. He slumped just a little, guilt washing over him as he realized too late that your inability to understand him is likely very distressing for you. And you didn't realize that you had started to cry until he cautiously stepped closer, his expression shifting to one of concern. The tears slide slowly down your face, and you wipe at them with shaky hands, your breath uneven and choppy, as if each exhale carries the weight of your turmoil.
"AHHH!" Zenitsu shrieked. "WHY IS SHE CRYING?! WH-WHAT HAPPENED?! DID—"
Tanjiro quickly raised a hand, his voice calm but firm. "Zenitsu, please. She doesn't understand what's going on, and yelling isn't helping."
He turned his gaze back to you, his eyes softening. For a moment, he hesitated, his hand hovering uncertainly near your shoulder. When you don't pull away, he lightly rests his hand there, offering a comforting presence. Seeing your distress, Tanjiro's heart aches with an urgency to help you. He wanted to find a way to effectively communicate, to reassure you that you were not alone and that he was there to help. Leaning down, he tried to get a better look at your face, but you were reluctant to let him fully see you cry, stubbornly keeping your head down to hide your expression.
"Are you alright?" Tanjiro asked softly, his voice gentle and soothing.
He knew you wouldn't answer him because you couldn't understand him, but he still felt the need to ask. Even if you could understand, you likely wouldn't have answered him anyway. But he wouldn't have taken it personally; he understood that you were very stressed and not in a talkative mood, given the situation. He just wanted to make sure you were okay, at least physically, as you clearly weren't feeling well emotionally. He had yet to detect the strong, distinct metallic smell of blood or the sourness of sickness, which was a good sign that you didn't have any vital injuries or illness.
Still, he leaned back, his eyes sweeping over you from head to toe, just to be sure.
He hadn't been able to fully pick up your scent before, but now that he was closer, he wanted to make sure nothing was missed. The absence of any apparent wounds was a relief, but it didn't ease the worry in his heart. He understood that emotional pain could be just as debilitating, if not more so, than physical injuries. After a quick scan confirmed your well-being, he spoke once again, hoping to calm your rising emotions.
"Hey, everything will be fine. Don't worry, I'm here to help, okay?" Tanjiro's voice was calm and filled with reassurance. His eyes reflected genuine concern and determination. "Whatever you need help with, we'll figure it out."
As your quiet crying slowly turned into full-blown sobbing, his face fell with growing uncertainty. He had come across a few odd situations throughout his life, but this one was certainly different. He found himself feeling unsure of what to do, which wasn't a usual occurrence. He had dealt with emotional people before—whether he knew them or not. And growing up in a fairly big family with younger siblings, he was no stranger to tantrums or crying outbursts, though they were few and far between. He had quite a bit of experience in comforting others, and while he didn't always know exactly what to say, he had a natural knack for making people feel better.
But... how does one comfort someone when there are language barriers?
As Zenitsu put a finger in his ear and twisted it, he exclaimed, "Huh... what? I didn't understand her at all! Wait, are my ears still working, or does she not speak Japanese?!" He stared at you, his voice growing louder as he maneuvered closer to speak directly to you. "Hey, where did you come from?! What language are you speaking?! Whatever it is, it sounds nice! Do you—"
You could feel the tears trying to surface again as he continued yelling in your face. Damn it, not again! You didn't get the feeling that he was yelling at you in an angry way; it was more like he was just a very loud and enthusiastic person. However, you were quite sensitive to someone yelling directly in your face, and it started to overwhelm you to the point of making you want to cry again. Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, you couldn't help but wonder why you were reacting this way.
Zenitsu wasn't acting scary or mean, but some subconscious impulse seemed to trigger your emotional response. It left you feeling pathetic and weak, a combination that only fueled your frustration further. You were acutely aware of how challenging it must be for them to deal with a random stranger who had become a blubbering mess, especially someone who couldn't even speak their language. The tears threatened to fill your lash line once again, and you struggled to keep them under control.
As Tanjiro fretted, waving his hands around and shooting Zenitsu a subtle glare to stop him from rambling on, he pleaded, "Please, don't cry... I really apologize if we did something to upset you!"
His apology was genuine, and he bowed down low to the ground in a traditional gesture of contrition. Zenitsu squeaked in surprise as he quickly followed suit, adding to the confusion of the situation. You didn't quite know how to react; this sudden display of remorse caught you off guard. The two of them looked a little nervous and frazzled themselves, which momentarily took your focus away from the building pressure inside you that was threatening to burst. You blinked a few times, your voice a little strained as you tried to make sense of it all.
"Uhh...? No, no... please, don't do that!" you managed to say, feeling a mix of surprise and awkwardness at their sudden bowing.
Despite not knowing much about their culture, you were aware that bowing was a significant gesture in Japan, used for greetings, showing respect, apologizing, or expressing gratitude in various social or religious contexts. You didn't know why you knew this, given your lack of memory about any experiences related to Japanese customs, but the knowledge was there nonetheless. And you didn't want Tanjiro and Zenitsu bowing to you, especially in this situation where they didn't need to apologize.
As you grabbed their arms to make them stand back up, you sighed morosely, "I'm sorry. I don't know what's going on... I don't know where I am. I'm tired and overwhelmed. And I just..."
Your voice trailed off as your body seemed to give up, slumping down with a heavy weight of exhaustion and confusion. You fell silent, except for the occasional sniffle as you tried to regulate your breathing once again. Tanjiro and Zenitsu reacted quickly, helping you back onto your feet with concerned expressions and strained smiles. They exchanged uncertain glances, both feeling the frustration of the language barrier and the difficulty of the situation.
They knew they had to keep trying to communicate with you somehow; otherwise, none of you would make any progress. Tanjiro remembered that communication wasn't just about words; earlier, he had managed to convey some understanding to you by using hand signs along with his words. With that in mind, Tanjiro stood in front of you again and repeated his question, this time using gestures.
He pointed to himself, saying, "Tanjiro Kamado," then pointed back at you, silently prompting you to introduce yourself in return or at least acknowledge that you understood the exchange. His expression was hopeful yet tinged with empathy, understanding the overwhelming nature of the situation for you. As Tanjiro kept repeating himself slowly, trying his best to help you understand that he was giving you his name and asking for yours, his expression showed his desperation to assist you.
He wanted to help you, especially now that he could sense your frustration and loneliness through your scent. You blinked a few times, your face scrunching up slightly in concentration as you tried to process his words. He had said something similar earlier, but this time, he was pointing at himself as he repeated a few syllables that sounded like "Tan-jiro Kama-doh."
Could that possibly be his name?
You hoped so. It seemed to make sense, especially with him gesturing to himself and pointing at you afterward. Did that mean he was asking for your name? The lump in your throat made swallowing difficult as you desperately hoped that was indeed what he was trying to convey. Otherwise, the thought of not being able to communicate and get the help you need left you feeling completely doomed.
Being lost without any company or any memories weighed heavily on you, and while it might have been an exaggeration that you'd be lost out here forever, your current mood wasn't the most optimistic or bright. You wanted to figure things out as soon as possible. Constant confusion and uncertainty were unbearable, threatening to drive you mad. You took in a shaky breath, pursing your lips as you gathered your courage.
"Are you asking for my name?" Your voice carried a hint of uncertainty as you pointed at yourself, hoping Tanjiro would understand.
His eyes lit up in response, nodding enthusiastically while repeating, "Tanjiro Kamado," and pointing at himself, then back at you with an expectant gleam in his eyes. You could only assume from his reaction that you both had understood what each other was trying to convey, so you smiled a little in hope.
Taking another deep breath, you spoke slowly at first, enunciating as clearly as you could while you pointed at yourself. "My name... is Y/n..."
You repeated your name a few times, and Tanjiro smiled wider each time as he echoed it, committing it to memory. As the smile on your face began to grow, he pointed back at himself and repeated his own name a few more times, ensuring clarity between you both about your identities. It wasn't much, but being able to communicate and understand each other, even if only a little, was enough to make you excited. Tanjiro then turned to Zenitsu, speaking for a few moments before having him do the same thing, which Zenitsu did happily.
You felt a little lighter now that you at least knew their names—Tanjiro and Zenitsu.
It was a lot better than referring to them by their appearances or behaviors. Knowing their names helped you feel less lonely and scared. They felt more personal now, more real, if that made any sense. It was like a small anchor in the swirling chaos of confusion and uncertainty that surrounded you. And for the first time since waking up in this strange place, you felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, things would start to make sense eventually.
You let out a soft breath, feeling a sense of relief, and smiled. Once they see the change in your demeanor, they start speaking amongst themselves. You catch Tanjiro saying the word 'English,' and Zenitsu peers at you curiously while nodding along. You're definitely curious about what they're discussing, but you don't pay much attention to it and continue standing off to the side, your gaze drifting up to the sky. After a few seconds, they stop their conversation and gain your attention again. Tanjiro clears his throat while Zenitsu tilts his head, looking at you both.
Tanjiro smiled at your response, visibly relieved. Your little grin made him feel like they were making progress. He nodded, confirming what his crow had apparently already told him, though he'd wanted to be sure himself.
Zenitsu leaned in a little, eager to know more. "So...?"
"Well," Tanjiro began, glancing at him, "it seems my crow was right. She speaks English. I already asked if he'd be able to help translate earlier, but… he said he can't really speak it well—he's a bit rusty in his English. He just understands a few basic phrases."
"You said you were taking her with you, right?" Zenitsu muttered, frowning thoughtfully.
"Yes," Tanjiro sighed softly. "Do you think we'll be able to find anyone who speaks English?"
"H-Huh? Uhmm… yes…?" he stammered, cheeks dusted pink. "I mean, I can agree. She… she is very cute," he admitted, scratching at his cheek and looking away as if the admission embarrassed him more than it should have.
Zenitsu's shift from love-struck to laser-focused was so abrupt it was almost comical. One second, he was floating on a cloud of infatuation; the next, he was glaring at Tanjiro like a man betrayed. His grin vanished. He sat up straighter. And with a low, suspicious squint, he peered at Tanjiro, dead serious.
"So…" he began slowly, voice tinged with suspicion. "You think she's cute too, huh?"
Tanjiro blinked. "Ah, well—" he started, trying to explain, but it was too late... Zenitsu exploded.
"LISTEN HERE!!" he barked, suddenly on his feet, pointing a dramatic finger at Tanjiro like he was delivering a court ruling. "I asked her to marry me first! You got that?! FIRST!!"
Tanjiro waved his hands frantically in defense, his eyes wide. "Wait—Zenitsu, I didn't say I was trying to marry her! You're jumping to conclusions!"
"I can forgive you for ruining my first proposal with that other woman!" Zenitsu continued, undeterred, voice rising in pitch with every word. "But I will NEVER forgive you for trying to steal her away from me!! She's the only hope I have left for a happy future!!"
"W-What? No, Zenitsu, I wasn't trying to—" Tanjiro stammered, clearly flustered and unsure how to respond to Zenitsu's sudden outburst.
As Zenitsu continued yelling, Tanjiro accidentally made eye contact with you. His eyes widened with a flash of panic and embarrassment before he quickly averted his gaze, shoulders stiffening. He turned back to Zenitsu, frantically waving his hands in a desperate attempt to calm him down.
"Zenitsu, slow down! That's not what I meant at all!" Tanjiro insisted, his voice rising slightly with urgency. "There's no way I would marry her! No—I mean, not that I wouldn't marry her because she isn't cute or anything—she is cute! B-But that's not the point!" he blurted, his words stumbling over each other as he scrambled to explain.
But Zenitsu's glare remained locked on him, sharp and unwavering, as the tension between them thickened.
"That's not what I heard at all! You were practically gushing over her!" Zenitsu retorted, crossing his arms and maintaining his defensive stance. "So, you admit she's marriage material? I knew it!"
"I-I didn't say that either!" Tanjiro's voice cracked slightly from the panic. "I just meant she's objectively cute! I'm just being honest! That's not a crime!"
"Objectively?!" Zenitsu scoffed, throwing his hands in the air as if Tanjiro had just committed an unforgivable sin. "She's angelically cute! Heavenly! Don't reduce her to 'objectively!' That's an insult to her divine aura!!"
The silence lasted only a few seconds before it was shattered once again by Zenitsu's loud screech. "WHHHHAAAT?! LOOOOOVE?!?!?! DID YOU JUST SAY THAT YOU LOVE HER?!?!"
"N-No! I just met her!" Tanjiro choked out as Zenitsu grabbed him by the collar and started shaking him around wildly. "Where did you get that idea?! I couldn't love her—well, not that I couldn't, just... not right now! Who knows what could happen, r-right?"
Tanjiro's hands shot up in a futile attempt to keep Zenitsu from shaking him anymore. His voice was strained from the pressure of trying to explain himself while simultaneously trying to escape Zenitsu's enthusiastic grip. Zenitsu, in the meantime, seemed to suddenly calm down, loosening his hold on Tanjiro's collar. He tilted his head thoughtfully, narrowing his eyes in a way that made Tanjiro gulp.
"Hmm, I see, I see. So... you're saying you think you have a chance?" Zenitsu's voice was sharp, almost accusatory, as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Tanjiro's cheeks flushed even deeper, his embarrassment plain as he struggled to gather his thoughts. "N-No, that's not what I meant at all! I-I just meant that... um, love can happen unexpectedly, right? But that doesn't mean it will happen!" he stammered, tripping over his own words in his frantic attempt to explain. "I was only saying that if I got to know her—or anyone, really—and then fell in love, it would make sense to get married at that point!"
He clamped his mouth shut the second the words left him, his face burning as he turned sharply away, slipping out of Zenitsu's grip in a flustered retreat. He'd had enough of this conversation. It was absurd, uncomfortable, and completely out of nowhere. He didn't know where Zenitsu was pulling all this from, and frankly, he wasn't about to make it worse by trying to explain himself further.
Yes, he could admit that you were cute—he wasn't blind. But thoughts of love? Marriage? That hadn't even crossed his mind. Why would it? He had just met you.
To Tanjiro, a person's outer beauty was secondary to the contents of their heart. He could acknowledge someone's appearance, sure—but what he truly valued took time to see. Real affection, the kind that could lead to love or marriage, was something that blossomed slowly, rooted in connection and understanding. Not that he thought Zenitsu was being shallow exactly... but the blonde definitely seemed head-over-heels already, and Tanjiro could sort of see why. Still, he didn't feel that way. Not now. He simply thought you were nice... and yes, admittedly, very pleasant to look at.
And that, as far as he was concerned, was the extent of it.
Tanjiro hadn't given much thought to relationships—at least, not since becoming a Demon Slayer. There simply wasn't the time or luxury for such things, not when every day could bring another life-or-death battle. His focus was consumed by the path he'd chosen, by the weight of responsibility he carried, and by the mission that drove him forward.
Still, if he was being honest with himself, there had been a time—before all of this—when the idea of love and marriage had crossed his mind. Back when he lived peacefully with his family on the mountain, those thoughts had seemed distant but possible. Someday, he'd imagined, he might grow older, fall in love, and build a life with someone kind and warm. Back then, it was a quiet hope tucked away in the corner of his heart, something that felt natural to dream about.
But that was a lifetime ago, in a world that no longer existed.
Now, Tanjiro was at an age where most people might begin to think seriously about their future. Yet his was a future steeped in blood and battle, shaped by a relentless pursuit of justice and survival. There was no space for romantic whims or the comforts of a normal life. His priorities were crystal clear: protect the innocent, sharpen his skills, and see his mission through—no matter the cost. The path of the Demon Slayer was grueling and all-consuming. And death wasn't some distant, abstract idea—it was a shadow that loomed over every mission, every fight. It didn't knock politely or give time for goodbyes. It came suddenly, violently, and often without mercy.
Tanjiro knew that all too well. And in a world like this, dreams of love and a peaceful future felt like fragile things—things he didn't dare hold onto too tightly.
The thought of love was a distant concern, easily eclipsed by the weight of more pressing matters—avenging his family, finding a way to turn Nezuko back into a human, and ultimately facing the terrifying force that was Muzan Kibutsuji. Those goals defined his every breath, his every step forward. Compared to that, anything else felt like a dream too far away to reach—something that belonged to a different life filled with warmth, laughter, and innocent hopes. A life that was now little more than a bittersweet memory.
He refused to linger on those thoughts. There was no point in yearning for what couldn't be—not now. With a sharp shake of his head, Tanjiro cleared his mind and straightened his posture, pressing forward with quiet resolve. The world was heavy enough without the weight of old dreams clinging to his heels. Zenitsu, of course, was still behind him, ranting and raving with dramatic flair, entirely consumed by his own delusions. But Tanjiro didn't look back. Instead, he welcomed the peace of his own thoughts, however brief they might be, as he prepared himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
"Come on, guys, let's go!" he called, his voice steady and calm as he marched ahead.
You found the whole interaction amusing, even though you didn't understand a word of what was said. The expressions on their faces were priceless. Gathering your bearings, you hurried to catch up with Tanjiro, who was already walking away with purpose. Zenitsu, finally quieting down and subdued, followed closely behind, the previous commotion settling into a peaceful silence. Despite not knowing where you were headed, you felt a sense of trust and camaraderie with Tanjiro and Zenitsu. They seemed like genuinely good people; you were willing to follow them wherever they led.
Besides, they were the only people you know right now, and you definitely aren't going to go out on your own, especially since you can't speak Japanese.
Though the path ahead remains uncertain, you take solace in the fact that you are not alone and won't have to fend for yourself in unknown territory. You were going to stick with them, and with the help of these two kind-hearted, albeit peculiar men, you hope to unravel the mystery that has enveloped your existence and reclaim the fragments of your memory. So, with newfound hope, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and you set out on a journey together. You have a feeling that things are only going to get more interesting from here on out. You smile lightheartedly, excited to see where this new path takes you in life.
This was just the beginning...
✦ ☀ ✦
Taisho Secrets
* The Kasugai crows are specially trained birds, as they are the main method of communication among the members of the Demon Slayer Corps. English is one of the many things that they may choose to learn, although it is fairly basic, as they will rarely encounter people who speak the language. Tanjiro's crow was one of the few to pass the test with flying colors (compared to some of the others...) and can understand the language quite well, however, his speech is somewhat limited.