Work Text:
Tanjiro Kamado (age 12) POV:
Father and the leaders of each tribe are in the meeting. Another tribe attacked by demons.
I know demons exist. I know the harm they cause. They kill and take the choices of the innocent. They commit heinous acts to save themselves.
But some beg to be killed. But some let themselves be killed. The others don't stop to see why they are like this.
They are like this because they are products of the worst pieces of humanity. They are the mirror to what we in the tribes protect.
Not every human isn't good...
...and not every demon is evil.
I believe they don't realize this because they don't want to acknowledge we too are like humans except we have one less limit.
Humans hurt, hunt, kill each other.
Just as demons do to humans.
Even if we eradicate demons, humans will still be this way.
Even if we have the power to, I don't think we can win against Muzan Kibutsuji.
I stand up and stretch my knees.
I believe we need a few more people to help us, but if they don't want to help we can't force them.
People in the tribe say cogs started turning when I was born. They say I might be the chosen one and I need to put down the books and start training more to make sure Demons can be history.
I don't believe I was the only one chosen for that. I don't believe it is my responsibility alone.
The cogs are still turning but they don't think anything in books is helping.
The sun is particularly annoying today. I wish it was night already at least the stars aren't begging to be seen.
I slide down from the roof and land in a crouch.
It's odd the stars predate the sun, but why are humans and demons both are unaffected by its light?
Do they know something the sun doesn't?
Probably...
...maybe that's a good thing.
Maybe because of what they know they don't punish the demons and humans who cause harm...
...or maybe they're too far to do anything...
I walk the familiar path to the library.
I've never understood why demons eat human flesh. I makes no sense to me.
What could have caused it? I don't believe its natural, so a murder, maybe?
That would match Kibutsuji's inability to control his emotions and react.
Unless Muzan Kibutsuji isn't the original demon.
I snort silently at the thought.
Why am I this way?
People say I am in my head too much
They say I would be to soft because I don't train as often as my older family members.
I wonder why they don't look beyond the surface.
I wonder why they don't understand that the only safe time to train for me is in the dark.
They doubt I can take my fathers place.
They doubt I can understand and bare the responsibility
I doubt they know I've heard them say what they say in their doubt of me.
I doubt they know the responsibility I took at eight.
However...
In times of doubt, I look to the stars when they look to the sun.
And I fight until daylight.