9. Color Changing Swords

Nezuko, immediately, ran forward and pulled both siblings into a tight embrace, wrapping her small arms around their heads.

Hana hugged her sister tightly, tears freely flowing as she finally exhaled the tension of the past two years. Tanjiro, sobbing openly, clutched Nezuko as though he'd never let go.

"Why... why did you fall asleep all of a sudden?" Tanjiro cried. "Why wouldn't you wake up? Hana and I..we were so worried you'd die...!" His voice cracked.

Hana rubbed her siblings back in comfort, letting her soft sobs mingle with her brother's. "We were so worried..." she whispered.

At that moment, Urokodaki appeared, firewood in hand, eyes wide with both relief and pride. Without hesitation, he enveloped all three siblings in a warm embrace.

"You've both done well to come back alive," he said, his voice trembling. "I see....you even killed that deformed demon."

Urokodaki crouched slightly, looking at them with solemn eyes. "There are many kinds of demons. Some possess special techniques Demon Blood Arts which grant them supernatural abilities. You will face them from now on, and battles will be far more dangerous than anything you've faced in the mountains. But I have faith in both of you."

Hana nodded firmly. "We'll be ready."

Tanjiro frowned slightly. "Master, do you think Nezuko's different? She didn't behave like the other demons. Could it... could it be some kind of Blood Art?"

Urokodaki shook his head slowly. "No. I don't think so. I would not call it an example of the Demon Blood Arts. She's recovering her strength through sleep, rather than consuming flesh. Trust in her."

Fifteen Days Later

A soft knock echoed on the wooden porch of Urokodaki's house. The figure of a man wearing a straw hat jingling with tiny bells approached slowly. His gaze was sharp, and a small case rested in his hands

Hana and Tanjiro stood outside Urokodaki's house, the mountain breeze brushing past them looking at the man approaching them.

Tanjiro tilted his head nervously. "Um-"

The man cut him off sharply. "My name is Haganezuka. I have forged Tanjiro Kamado and Hana Kamado's swords. I am here to deliver them."

Tanjiro blinked. "Oh! I'm Tanjiro Kamado, and this is my older sister, Hana Kamado. Please, won't you come insi-"

Again, Haganezuka interrupted, dropping down cross-legged on the ground without hesitation. "This is the Nichirin Sword. I forged it myself." He began to untie the case quickly.

The craftsman set the case on the floor with care. "These are your Sun Blades. The materials scarlet crimson iron sand and ore, as well as black iron sand come from the mountain closest to the sun. Steel forged from them absorbs sunlight, making them deadly to demons."

"Wow..." Tanjiro breathed. "Mt. Youkou, right? It's bathed in sunlight all day..."

Haganezuka's eyes scanned them. "And you both children of fire, born with reddish eyes are blessed. It is considered lucky." He tapped Tanjiro's hair and then examined Hana's face. "There's a chance your swords will glow red!"

Hana smiled faintly, letting her hand rest lightly on the case. Her own excitement was tempered by the calm that always accompanied her presence.

"Open your swords," Haganezuka ordered, and Hana carefully lifted hers.
Examining the sword.

"Sun Blades, also called color-changing swords," Haganezuka explained, "change depending on the bearer's spirit. Let's see what you wield."

Tanjiro drew his sword first. From hilt to tip, the blade turned jet black. "Black..." he murmured.

Haganezuka huffed in frustration. "Black! Not red! That's unusual..."

Urokodaki, standing beside them, shrugged gently. "Black isn't bad, just uncommon."

Hana carefully unsheathed her own sword, it turned black as well. Haganezuka's voice cracked in exasperation.

"No! Not black! Damn it! These blades open them properly!" he jumped and grabbed both of your shoulder shaking you furiously.

"Hey! Stop it" Hana exclaimed trying to get him off.

"Please, Calm down! How old do you think you are?" Tanjiro cried.

"I'm thirty seven." The man said pulling Tanjiro's cheeks.

"Stop it, you're hurting him!" Hana said pushing the man away from Tanjiro.

The sound of crows filled the air as two Kasugai crows landed. One spoke.

"Hana Kamado! Tanjiro Kamado! Here are your orders!"

Tanjiro's eyes widened. "It talks?"

The crow continued, "Night after night, young girls have been disappearing in the town to the northwest. Hunt down the demon responsible. This is your first assignment as Demon Slayers."

Hana and Tanjiro shared a glance slightly nodding at each other.

---

In the quiet of Urokodaki's house, Hana slipped into her uniform black with fabric resistant to fire, claws, and fangs. She strapped her sword to her hip and wrapped bandages around her hands. Tanjiro did the same, adjusting the haori over his shoulders.

Hana took a deep breath. "Nezuko... we'll protect you" she whispered, carefully placing her sister in the specially crafted wooden box Urokodaki gave them. The box, made from lightweight cloud-mist pine and reinforced with rock lacquer, was sturdy enough to carry her through even the toughest missions.

"Ready, Tanjiro?" Hana asked, looking at her brother.

"Always," he replied, offering his hand. Hana smiled and took it.

Urokodaki adjusted Tanjiro's shirt, then gave them both a firm nod and a shoulder pat. "Go carefully," he tells them.

Hana's voice was steady and resolute. "Of course, Master Urokodaki. We won't fail."

As they prepared to leave, Urokodaki quietly pulled Hana aside, stepping a little away from Tanjiro's view. His expression was gentle, almost worried.

"Hana," he began softly, "I see the weight you carry. Always protecting your brother, always worrying about your sister... you're strong, yes, but you don't need to be so hard on yourself."

Hana's gaze fell, the tip of her sword resting lightly against the floor. "Master... I just... I feel responsible for all of us. I can't let anything happen to them."

Urokodaki placed a hand on her shoulder. "I understand. That sense of responsibility... it's admirable. But remember, even the strongest swordsman cannot carry the world alone. You don't have to bear all the guilt or fear by yourself."

Hana took a deep breath, her eyes softening. "I... I'll try...."

Urokodaki nodded approvingly. "Good. Trust in your strength, but also trust in those around you. You are remarkable, Hana, and that includes caring for yourself."

Hana managed a small smile. "Thank you, Master. I... I'll remember that."

With a final nod, Urokodaki stepped back. Hana rejoined Tanjiro, her shoulders a little lighter.