Tradition

Hello and welcome to another one-shot.

First of all: SPOILER ALERT IF YOU'RE NOT UP TO DATE WITH THE MANGA. (Chapter 173 at the time this was posted)

Consider yourselves warned.

This takes place after the fight against Muzan and the demons inside the demon fortress.

It can be considered a continuation of my first fic for this fandom 'Visiting the fallen' but it can be read on its own as well.

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy.

On with the chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kimetsu no Yaiba.

As he walked along the new headquarters of the demon slayer corps, Tanjiro couldn't help but notice how similar it was to the previous one, if it wasn't for the fact that he was present when the old one exploded he would think that it was the same one.

'I see what they mean by the headquarters been well hidden.' He thought, remembering how he had to travel to get here.

Similar to when he was taken to the village of the blacksmiths, several kakushi kept exchanging him after making sure he was blindfolded and that the ear and nose plugs were placed correctly.

The major difference was that every once in a while, he was left in what he can only assume is a box inside a train that another kakushi will open and retrieve him from. He counted this process been repeated five times before the final kakushi placed him down, removed the objects that blocked three of his five senses and told him to follow a crow's indications for the final stretch.

While he was remembering his strange journey he had made it to a replica of the garden he was brought to back when everyone first found out about Nezuko.

"Oh, Tanjiro!" Someone called out.

"Uzui-san!" Tanjiro said as he waved at the retired pillar. "How have you been?"

"Can't complain, retirement life suits me." The 'god of festivities' replied. "That's not to say that I don't keep myself in shape, I am still the most flamboyant around these parts."

"Ah, Tanjiro-kun." Someone else said his name and he turned to see a pink haired woman waving at him.

"Kanroji-san." He waved back and felt a chill down his spine when he saw the snake pillar, Iguro Obanai, glaring at him. The two must have been talking as he was standing near Kanroji.

Aside from them, most of the pillars and other people that were invited were there.

The wind pillar, Sanemi, seemed to be having an argument with Giyu, although the latter just kept a blank face and…

'Oh, Giyu-san is offering him ohagi.' Tanjiro noticed as he picked up the scent of the bag the water pillar was holding. 'They should be able to get along better with this.'

While he thought that the younger of the Shinazugawa brothers seemed to be trying to stop the older one from starting a fight.

Himejima was standing near the three while praying, probably in case things get out of hand.

The only pillar that wasn't present was Tokito Muichiro, since Tamayo was still tending to his wounds.

Aside from them there was also the former flame pillar Rengoku Shinjuro, Kyojuro's father.

"Is this everyone?" Tanjiro asked the former sound pillar.

"Nope, we're still waiting for three more people, they should get here soon enough."

Almost as if on cue, everyone felt a presence quickly rushing towards them.

"Alright, I'm first-" Inosuke stopped mid-sentence as he saw every person there, his masked face turned to Tanjiro. "Oi, how did you make it before me, Tanpachiro?!" He yelled and got up in his face.

"I just followed the kakushi's instructions." He replied calmly.

After Inosuke, two more people showed up.

"Ah, Zenitsu, Kanao." Tanjiro called out.

The blond looked at him before starting to tremble at having every pillar's attention momentarily on him while the tsuguko to the late Insect Pillar Shinobu didn't seem bothered and simply smiled back as a way of greeting, they were both wearing their usual uniforms with the exception of an eye patch over Kanao's left eye, the damage to that eye was worse than the one done to her right one so Tamayo said that it would take a bit longer for it to heal.

"This should be everyone, right?" The love pillar asked.

"They are." A new voice called out from the house.

Almost everyone immediately formed a line and kneeled to greet the new leader of the Demon Slayer corps.

Dressed similarly to his father and flanked by his two sisters, Ubuyashiki Kiriya walked forward and sat in seiza in front of everyone.

"Who the heck is the kid?" Inosuke asked, been one of the two that didn't immediately kneeled.

Zenitsu was the other one but had quickly followed the others' example and now looked at the guy with the boar mask as if he was crazy.

Well, crazier than usual.

"He is the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps." Tanjiro answered him.

"Huh?! That kid?!"

At this point, more than one pillar seemed ready to teach Inosuke a lesson; he was the son of the man they all respected and appreciated and proved himself capable of the position he now holds during the battle at the demon fortress so if Inosuke didn't stop with the comments soon-

"It's fine." Kiriya said. "I just got my position, I won't expect everyone to just accept it." He looked at the teen with the boar mask. "Can I ask that you listen to what I have to say? You are free to go afterwards."

Everyone looked at Inosuke, to hear his answer.

"Okay, sure." The Hashibira said and sat cross-legged.

"Thank you." With that, the leader of the demon slayer corps moved his sight towards everyone. "And I thank you all for coming in such short notice, I called out this meeting for a few reasons, first; to appoint new pillars at the currently empty seats."

The current pillars all looked at the ones that aren't ones at this, guessing why they were there.

"Tsuyuri Kanao." The black haired girl looked up at him. "You were already next in line to take the place of the late Insect Pillar, I am only sorry that you take the place because of her passing." Kanao nodded with a sad smile. "That been said, you have more than earned your place by contributing to the defeat of Upper Moon Two, are there any objections to her taking the place?"

No one raised their voice.

"Then I hereby appoint you as the new Flower Pillar."

"Thank you." The girl answered with a nod.

"Next, Hashibira Inosuke."

"Huh?" The aforementioned said.

"While not a Tsuguko you were also instrumental in the defeat of Upper Moon Two, not only that but it is my understanding that you developed your 'Breath of the Beast' on your own without even knowing about Full Focus Breathing, for that as well as your service prior to the most recent fight, I'd like to offer you a place as a Pillar, do you accept?"

"…" The usually loud teenager stayed silent and stared at the kid half his age before letting out a laugh and stand up with his arms akimbo. "So you recognize that I am one of the strongest, hahaha." He then turned towards his red haired friend. "Did you hear that Monjiro? I became a pillar before you."

"Good for you, Inosuke." The Kamado said sincerely.

"Actually." Kiriya called out. "Kamado Tanjiro, I would also like to offer you a place in the pillars."

Inosuke immediately stopped laughing.

"Ugh, I still became one before you, just so we're clear." The breath of the beast user said while pointing at his friend.

"Yes, that's true." Tanjiro answered with a nod before returning his gaze at the head of the Demon Slayers.

"Before I continue, any objections about adding Hashibira Inosuke into the Pillars?"

Unlike Kanao, some of them seemed a bit put out by the idea but they couldn't deny his achievements so in the end they stayed quiet.

"Then I hereby appoint you as the new Beast Pillar."

Inosuke crossed his arms and one could almost feel the grin behind his mask.

"Now then, Kamado Tanjiro." He looked towards him. "I'm certain that most if not everyone here is aware of your accomplishments but just to list some of them, you participated in the battle against Upper Moon Six and dealt the final blow along with Agatsuma Zenitsu and Hashibira Inosuke with the help of the former Sound Pillar Uzui Tengen." Kiriya nodded towards each of them as he spoke. "Then helped in the defense of the Blacksmith Village and dealt the final blow against what was then Upper Moon Four. During the battle at the demon fortress you, along with the Water Pillar Tomioka Giyu, defeated Upper Moon Three. Finally, while you were unable of finishing off Kibutsuji Muzan, you rescued Tamayo-san and she has been invaluable in the treatment of our injured members, including but not limited to, the Mist Pillar Tokito Muichiro." The head finished his summary. "For all this reasons, I would like to offer you a place as a pillar, do you accept?"

"Yes." Tanjiro answered.

"Are there any objections? And the fact that his sister was turned into a demon and he didn't kill her isn't acceptable as one since she never hurt any humans, not to mention that she may become human again any day now."

As he said the last part, Sanemi and Obanai closed their mouths, since they were about to voice that exact complaint.

"Then it's official, there is something I'd like to ask you though." Tanjiro raised his head to meet his eyes. "What do you want your title to be? The seat of Water Pillar is already occupied and you use your Dance of the Fire God more than you Water Breathing."

The newly appointed pillar thought for a second before looking towards Shinjuro.

"If it's okay, I'd like to inherit Rengoku Kyojuro's title."

Kiriya nodded and looked towards the father of the aforementioned.

"Would that be acceptable?"

"…I'm sure Kyojuro would be happy." He answered with a small smile.

"Then it's settled, you'll be known as the Flame Pillar."

Tanjiro nodded.

"Now, Agatsuma Zenitsu." The Breath of Lighting user yelped at hearing his name. "I'll be blunt, while you have achievements rivaling Inosuke and Tanjiro your… personality is a bit of an issue." The ones that know the guy couldn't help but sweat drop at that. "I don't expect everyone to act the exact same way but having a pillar that seems as reluctant as you to go into battle could be detrimental for the moral of the Demon Slayers, I would have offered you a place as a pillar as well if it wasn't for that."

'No, no, no, I don't care about being a pillar, I'm completely fine where I am thank you very much.' Zenitsu thought.

"That been said, your achievements speak for themselves and if thrown into battle then, like I said before, you have accomplished feats rivaling that of the newly assigned pillars so I hereby grant you the rank of Kinoe."

The blond paled at hearing that.

'Higher rank, more difficult missions… ahh, Gramps I'll meet you soon.' While he thought that he simply nodded, not wanting to go on one of his tirades in front of the other pillars since he doesn't know how they'll react to that.

"Finally, Shinazugawa Genya."

"Yes."

"You're another person that has achievements rivaling that of pillars and I thought about offering you a place as one but… your method of fighting could cause trouble among other Demon Slayers, not to mention that some may try to imitate you thinking that this would let them grow stronger quickly, so like Agatsuma Zenitsu, I'll give you the rank of Kinoe instead."

"…I understand." Genya answered, holding in a sigh.

"Thank you." Kiriya said with a nod. "Now, onto the second point and the reason why the two former pillars are here." Tengen and Shinjuro perked up at hearing this. "I wish to continue the training that was put in place prior to the most recent battle but I know that pillars are busy and can't afford to keep that training at all times so I'd like to ask you two to become the trainers instead."

The two former pillars exchanged a look.

"Do you mean you want us to teach them our Breath Styles?" The former Flame Pillar asked.

"No, just the basics of full focus breathing, your respective styles are more or less unique to yourselves so others would have a hard time learning them, to say the least." He answered. "If you see some Demon Slayers that you believe could learn them and want to teach them, then by all means go ahead but it would be foolish to expect every Demon Slayer to learn your two Breath Styles."

"In that case, I accept." Uzui said.

"As do I." Shinjuro followed.

"Thank you." The head said. "Next, about Kibutsuji Muzan." The entire placed was suddenly filled with killing intent but they managed to reign it in after a second. "He managed to escape along with Upper Moon One and Upper Moon Four but we have undoubtedly land the biggest blow against him since the Demon Slayers were formed, not only that but we also know about his fortress now so we can tack it down."

"Hmm…" Kanroji raised her hand. "But isn't Upper Moon Four capable of teleporting everyone around."

"I thought that as well, but no." Kiriya answered, signaling to one of his sisters and she took a report. "This is a report by Kamado Tanjiro after he faced a demon that had a similar ability to that of Upper Moon Four, do you remember?"

"Yes." Tanjiro answered with a nod.

"According to your report, the demon was able to make the rooms spin as well as teleport them around." One of Kiriya's sisters said. "While Upper Moon Four is ability was clearly stronger the similarities lead us to conclude this, that fortress is located somewhere, it isn't just an isolated space."

"The reason for this is that the house that was the territory of the demon Tanjiro faced was, from the outside, a normal looking house, so it stands to reason that the space of Upper Moon Four is similar to it."

"So you want us to track down the place and storm it?" Inosuke asked suddenly, earning more than one annoyed look.

"Essentially, yes, but if anyone finds it then I want them to retreat and call the rest of us." The seriousness in his tone at the next words seemed out of place in someone his age. "I can't stress this enough but do not, under any circumstances attempt to attack the place alone. It is almost certain that aside from Upper Moon Four, Upper Moon One will be there and I don't think I need to explain just how difficult it was just to make him retreat during the last battle."

The ones that fought him couldn't help but shiver as they remembered their battle.

"If anyone wishes to bring up a topic, please do so now, if not I'll continue to the last reason for this meeting." Some exchanged looks to see if anyone wanted to say something but no one raised their voice. "Then I'll go to the last point; as I mentioned before I believe we have dealt the greatest blow against Muzan since the creation of the Demon Slayers but the battle was not without its casualties and injured and since New Year is approaching, I believe you have all earned a break." The kid smiled sadly at this. "To be honest, the break is also for me… I wish to prepare the funerals for my family."

Everyone who knew the previous head grimaced, a few even let out some tears at the remainder while others bit their lip to the point it draw blood.

Taking a deep breath, Kiriya continued.

"I'll let you know if there are any urgent missions but other than that, you are all free to relax until New Year, after that." Once again, the serious expression on the eight year old seemed incredibly out of place due to his age. "We will hunt Muzan down and finally end this long battle."

"Yes!" Everyone answered in unison.

"That is all, I thank you once again for coming here in such short notice, the meeting is adjourned."

With that, Kiriya left the garden and walked back inside the house, flanked by his two sisters.

Everyone stood in place until the doors were closed before getting up and leaving the headquarters.

After the meeting, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke and Kanao all made their way back to the Butterfly State.

Inosuke quickly began running around bragging about how he became a pillar while Zenitsu kept murmuring something about 'higher rank, higher risk of death' the entire way until he reached his room and locked himself in there.

"Those two never change." Tanjiro thought out loud with a chuckle before turning to Kanao. "By the way, I'll be going for a while."

"Eh?" The black haired girl turned to see him and blinked.

"There is… somewhere I want to go… now that we have a few days off." The newly appointed pillar said.

"To your sister?" Kanao asked.

"There too but first… to my old home." He answered. "I haven't been there in a long time."

"… I see." Was the only thing she could think of saying. "When will you leave?"

"Tomorrow, there is something I want to get and… things I wish to tell my family." Even a blind person would have noticed the sadness in his expression as he said the last part. "Anyway, I just wanted to give you a heads-up, I'll be leaving first thing in the morning so I probably won't be able to tell everyone."

"It's alright, I'll tell the others."

"Thanks." They made some more small talk before Tanjiro retired to his room.

Kanao stared at the door for a moment before nodding to herself and walk away.

The next day.

Tanjiro quietly closed the door of the Butterfly State but before he could make take a step, Kanao jumped over the wall and landed next to him.

"Kanao?" The swordsman asked, surprised at her sudden appearance.

"Tanjiro…" The girl shifted in place a bit before taking a deep breath. "Can I go with you?"

"…eh?"

.

.

So now, the two were going together to Tanjiro's hometown.

It was a rather quick trip thanks to the use of full focus breaths. They took a few breaks every now and then to rest and eat but other than that they continued traveling at a speed that made any passerby they encountered wonder if they were seeing things.

.

.

Soon enough, they made it to the forest that led to Tanjiro's old house.

"There is a lot of snow." Tanjiro commented absentmindedly. 'It was like this on that day as well.'

"Is it not the usual for this area?" Kanao asked.

"Yeah, it used to be difficult for me to walk between my house and the town when there was too much snow." He answered.

The black haired girl was about to say something else but stopped, seeing the slight difference between his usual bearing and his current one.

'He must not want to talk right now.' She concluded. She didn't know exactly what happened to his family but since his sister was turned into a demon and he mentioned having other siblings before, it wasn't hard to put two and two together.

They walked the rest of the way in silence until they reached a somewhat small house.

Tanjiro stopped walking for a moment to look at his old home with a fond look before taking a deep breath and walk again.

Kanao followed him in silence until they reached the back of the house and grimaced at seeing the graves there, five in total.

The swordsman simply kept walking forward and kneeled in front of them while the newly appointed Flower Pillar kept some distance and simply looked.

"Hi… sorry for not visiting before I… have been busy." Tanjiro began, forcing down a lump in his throat. "Nezuko is getting better, any day now she will turn back into a human, I…" Kanao heard a sob and couldn't help but flinch. "I've gotten stronger and we, the Demon Slayers, almost managed to defeat Muzan." He continued after taking a deep breath, trying to force his voice to come out evenly.

He wasn't successful.

"I know you don't want me to apologize, you would say that it wasn't my fault I wasn't here when he attacked, that I couldn't have known and that I would have ended up dying if I was but… is it okay if I apologize anyway?" A few tears began to spill in the snow below him as he said the last part.

Before he could force himself to say anything else, Tanjiro felt someone hug him from behind.

"It's okay." Kanao said softly. "It wasn't your fault and I didn't know your family but from everything you've said… I'm sure they would accept your apology anyway."

The red haired teen gritted his teeth and let the tears fall freely from his eyes.

.

.

A few minutes later, Tanjiro sniffed and used his sleeve to wipe away the remaining tears from his face.

"Thank you, Kanao." He said quietly.

"Don't mention it." The swordswoman answered with a small smile before letting him go. "…do you mind if I ask their names?"

Tanjiro smiled fondly and pointed to one of the graves.

"Our mother was called Kie." He began. "My siblings' names were, from oldest to youngest, Takeo, Hanako, Shigeru and Rokuta." With each name he pointed to a different grave. "I'm the oldest, followed by Nezuko." The swordsman finished before standing up. "This is Kanao, a friend of mine and another member of the Demon Slayer Corps." He said while gesturing to the girl with his right hand.

Said girl fumbled a bit trying to decide what to do at the sudden introduction, she settled for bowing in greeting.

"I'll come back to visit again, it may take a while since we'll be busy after New Year but I'll make sure to make the time." He placed his hands together in prayer and Kanao did the same, after they finished Tanjiro led the way inside his old house.

The inside was more or less the same as when he was last here, the blood had long since dried and some animals seemed to have been using it every now and then but aside from that and the accumulated dust and dirt, it looked more or less the same.

After looking around for a moment, Tanjiro walked towards what used to be the main room, opened the closet there and smiled as he saw a large chest there, seemingly untouched.

"What's that?" Kanao asked curiously.

In response, Tanjiro opened the chest and showed its contents, there were what looked like ceremonial clothes inside, with red been the prominent color, present in the shirt and hat, the latter had some black at the side and the pants were white.

"These were the clothes my father used to perform the Dance of the Fire God." He explained. "I loved watching him dance, he was a sickly person with a weak constitution but… when he danced, he looked like he could go on forever." Tanjiro remembered fondly.

"He must have been a nice man." She said with a smile of her own.

"He was." The swordsman nodded in agreement. "We were coal burners so it was a tradition to offer the dance to the fire god to ward off injuries and disasters… we didn't have many things but after everything that happened, I wanted to retrieve his clothes. It's a good thing no one took them."

"…are you going to perform the dance yourself?" The Flower Breath user asked.

"Eh?"

"I mean, you said that he did it every year and New Year is coming so…" She explained, while looking away with a blush.

"…I'll think about it." Tanjiro answered while looking at the clothes inside the chest.

Giving it another fond look, he closed it and held it up.

"Let's go back."

Kanao nodded in agreement.

The two exited the house and began to walk back.

"You are a great child, Tanjiro."

The swordsman suddenly turned back.

"…is something wrong?" Kanao asked, looking back as well.

"…no." He answered her before smiling. "Everything's fine." He said turning to her.

The black haired girl looked at him and smiled back before they resumed their walk back to the Butterfly State.

And done.

Well, this was a fun thing to write, I hope you enjoyed.

One quick thing, I am not certain as to the exact date in the Kimetsu no Yaiba universe but considering that there were four months between Rengoku'd death, another two months until Tanjiro woke up after the fight against Upper Moon Six and the things before and after the two events, I think saying that New Year is approaching should be somewhat accurate.

I could be wrong though but I like the idea so I'll just leave it like this.

Anyway, once again I hope you enjoyed.

Until next time.