The air was still and quiet after the battle, save for the soft rustling of the wind through the trees. Bell and Tanjiro stood in a clearing outside the ruined mansion, the faint scent of earth and rain in the air as they dug graves for the victims of the Drum Demon. The sky above them was painted with the fading colors of dusk, casting long shadows across the ground. It was a solemn task, but one they both believed was necessary.
Tanjiro's hands were covered in dirt as he dug, his brow furrowed in concentration and sadness. He placed each body with care, wrapping them in simple cloth as a final act of kindness. "They didn't deserve this," he murmured, his voice soft. "They were just innocent people caught in a demon's cruelty."
Bell, standing nearby with a shovel, nodded quietly. "Demons like him... they've been corrupted beyond reason. It's hard to imagine what they've done over the years, how many lives they've ruined." His silver eyes darkened slightly as he spoke, a flash of righteous anger crossing his face before he buried it again.
As they finished, they both stood in silence for a moment, looking at the row of freshly made graves. Tanjiro, with his usual empathy and grace, knelt down and offered a prayer for the souls of the victims, wishing them peace in the afterlife. Bell, though less spiritual in nature, followed his example, closing his eyes and offering his respect.
Once the prayer was complete, they made their way back to the children they had saved. The two siblings, who had been trembling in fear just hours before, were now happily reunited with their older brother, who had been trapped inside the mansion. Tears of joy streamed down their faces as they held onto each other tightly, grateful for their reunion.
Tanjiro knelt down to the children's level, smiling warmly. "Take care of each other, okay? Your brother is safe now."
The youngest child looked up at him with wide eyes. "Thank you, mister! Thank you for saving him!"
Bell ruffled the older brother's hair, a small smile on his lips. "You're tough. Make sure you protect them from now on."
The boy nodded, his eyes filled with admiration for the demon slayers who had saved them. With one last goodbye, the children waved and hurried off, their silhouettes disappearing into the fading light of the evening.
As the sky deepened into twilight, Bell and Tanjiro continued their journey, their minds still on the victims they had buried and the children they had saved. After a while, they came upon an old lady standing outside a small, humble home. Her weathered face softened when she noticed their demon slayer uniforms and the exhaustion that clung to their bodies.
"Oh, demon slayers!" she exclaimed, bowing respectfully. "Please, come in. You both look like you need rest."
Tanjiro hesitated for a moment, not wanting to impose, but Bell gave him a reassuring nod. "It's fine. We've earned a little rest."
The old woman ushered them inside her modest home, which, though small, was warm and welcoming. The faint smell of cooked rice and tea lingered in the air, and the tatami mats felt soft beneath their feet.
"These mansions," she explained as she served them tea, "are scattered throughout Japan. They're safe havens for demon slayers. You're welcome to rest here for as long as you need."
Tanjiro's eyes widened with gratitude. "Thank you so much, ma'am. This will really help us recover."
Bell stretched out, feeling the fatigue in his muscles begin to ebb away. "A network of safe houses... It's good to know we have support out here. Thank you."
The old woman smiled softly. "It's the least we can do for those who protect us from demons."
That night, after a much-needed meal and some time to rest, Bell and Tanjiro found a quiet moment to train together. Bell was fascinated by the constant training regimen of the Demon Slayer Corps, and he had been using the breathing techniques and Sun Breathing forms he had learned to push his own limits even further. Tanjiro, always eager to improve, practiced alongside him.
As they trained, a familiar face showed up at the door—the swordsmith, looking slightly out of breath. Behind him was Inosuke, wearing his boar mask as usual, oblivious to the annoyed expression on the swordsmith's face.
"I brought Inosuke's sword," the swordsmith grumbled. "But the boy barely seems to care. How can he not appreciate fine craftsmanship?"
Bell and Tanjiro watched as the swordsmith handed over the swords to Inosuke, who, without hesitation, immediately began bashing the blades with a rock to give them jagged edges.
"What are you doing?!" the swordsmith shrieked in horror. "You idiot! Do you know how long it took me to forge those?!"
Inosuke, unfazed by the swordsmith's fury, shrugged. "Sharp blades aren't fun to fight with unless they have some bite to them!"
Bell chuckled at the absurdity of the situation while Tanjiro tried to calm the swordsmith down. Inosuke, on the other hand, seemed perfectly content with his newly customized weapons, completely oblivious to the swordsmith's outrage.
As the sun began to set the next day, the small squad of Tanjiro, Bell, Zenitsu, and Inosuke set off toward their next mission—Natagumo Mountain. Nezuko, as always, was tucked safely inside her wooden box on Tanjiro's back, her presence giving him strength.
Zenitsu, however, was already starting to panic. "Natagumo Mountain? That sounds terrifying! Why are we going to a creepy mountain? I don't want to go! We're going to die, I know it!"
Inosuke, eager as always for a fight, simply growled, "I hope there are strong demons there. I want to test out my new blades!"
Bell smirked, glancing over at Zenitsu. "Relax, Zenitsu. We've handled worse. Besides, we've got each other's backs."
But Zenitsu, tears streaming down his face, grabbed onto Bell's arm in a desperate plea. "But what if I get eaten? I don't want to die before I've even had a chance to confess my love! And you—you're so strong, Bell! What if I'm the weakest one and just slow everyone down?"
Bell gently peeled Zenitsu off of him, offering him a reassuring smile. "You'll be fine. We're all in this together."
Tanjiro, despite his own worries about the upcoming mission, couldn't help but smile at the dynamic between the group. As the four of them marched on toward Natagumo Mountain, the setting sun cast long shadows over the path ahead, a reminder of the challenges that awaited them.
But with Bell by his side, and the strength of their newly formed team, Tanjiro felt ready to face whatever came next. Even if the mountain held powerful demons, they would stand strong together, with the bond of their comradeship guiding them through the dark.
And so, they pressed forward, ready for whatever dangers lay in the heart of Natagumo Mountain.