Chapter 11: The Journey Back To Mount Sagiri
Tekeo, Aoko, and Asuma began their journey to Mount Sagiri early in the morning. The sun had just risen, casting a warm golden light over the landscape. The three of them walked in a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Tekeo was excited about reuniting with Tanjiro, Nezuko and Urokodaki, while Aoko was eagerly anticipating the new training sessions. Asuma, on the other hand, was contemplative, thinking about how best to support Tekeo in his final preparations.
As they traveled through forests and across rivers, Tekeo couldn't help but admire the beauty of the world around him. Despite the constant threat of demons, there was a certain tranquility in the untouched nature around him, completely different from how his timeline was. Birds sang their morning songs, and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze provided a soothing background.
After a few hours of walking, they reached a small village. Asuma decided they should rest and replenish their supplies. They found a quaint inn and settled down for a hearty breakfast. The innkeeper, an elderly woman with a kind smile, served them steaming bowls of miso soup and freshly cooked rice.
"Traveling far?" she asked, placing the bowls on their table.
"Yes, we're heading to Mount Sagiri," Asuma replied, accepting a bowl of rice.
The innkeeper's eyes widened in surprise. "Mount Sagiri? That's quite a journey.
Tekeo nodded. "Yes, ma'am. We're on our way to meet our family."
The innkeeper's expression turned serious. "I see, I've heard many stories about the dangers of traveling alone around those areas recently, rumor has it that at night demons hunt for people around those parts. You three must be very brave."
"We're just doing what we must," Tekeo said, smiling politely.
As they ate, Aoko noticed a group of children playing outside. They were chasing each other around, laughing and shouting. Aoko's eyes softened as he watched them, remembering his own childhood before he became a demon slayer.
After breakfast, they thanked the innkeeper and continued their journey. Asuma led the way, following the path that would take them through the mountains and eventually to Mount Sagiri. The terrain became more rugged as they climbed higher, and the air grew cooler, Tekeo was already used to the place so he took the lead as they travelled.
Tekeo and Aoko walked side by side, talking about their training and what they hoped to achieve. Tekeo shared his tales of him and tanjiro, how they met giyuu and urokodaki. Unlike Aoko who was forced into becoming a demon slayer due to his background Tekeo and Tanjiro were motivated and determined to hunt demons. Aoko let a sigh as he looked at the clouds questioning what he truly wanted.
As they neared a dense forest, Asuma suddenly stopped. He raised his hand, signaling for Tekeo and Aoko to be quiet. The forest was eerily silent, and the atmosphere felt tense.
"We're not alone," Asuma whispered, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
Tekeo and Aoko immediately went on high alert, their hands moving to their swords. Tekeo could sense it too—the presence of demons nearby. The three of them stood still, waiting for the demons to reveal themselves.
Suddenly, a group of four demons emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing with malice. They snarled and hissed, their sharp claws gleaming in the dim light. The leader of the group, a particularly large and menacing demon, stepped forward.
"Well, well, what do we have here? A trio of demon slayers wandering into our territory," the leader sneered.
Asuma stepped forward, his sword drawn. "Leave now, and you might live to see another night."
The demon leader laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "You think you can scare us off, old man? We'll feast on your flesh tonight!"
With a swift motion, Asuma attacked, his blade slicing through the air. The other demons lunged at Tekeo and Aoko, who met them head-on. Tekeo's movements were fluid and precise, his Wind Breathing techniques cutting through the demons with ease. Aoko fought with determination, and his own training was evident in every strike.
The battle was intense but brief. Asuma dispatched the leader with a powerful slash, while Tekeo and Aoko quickly took down the remaining demons. As the last demon fell, the forest returned to its quaint silence.
"Is everyone alright?" Asuma asked, sheathing his sword.
Tekeo and Aoko nodded, catching their breath. "We're fine, sensei," Tekeo replied. "That was a good warm-up."
Asuma chuckled. "Let's hope we don't encounter too many more of these distractions. We need to reach Mount Sagiri as soon as possible."
They continued their journey, the encounter with the demons fresh in their minds—a clear reminder of the dangers ahead. For Tekeo, the fight had sparked something new. After so long, he had faced a demon—not with fear, but with courage.
This time, he didn't back down. He stepped forward, ready to face his fears with a newfound determination. The road ahead would be tough, filled with challenges and risks, but Tekeo felt stronger now.
With Asuma's strength and Aoko's steady support beside him, he knew they weren't just traveling together—they were a team. Together, they could face anything that came their way.
As the sun began to set, they finally reached the base of Mount Sagiri. The familiar sight of the mountain brought a sense of relief to Tekeo. They set up camp for the night, knowing that the next day would bring new challenges and opportunities for growth.
Under the starry sky, Tekeo lay in his sleeping bag, reflecting on the day's events. He was grateful for his friends and the guidance of his sensei. With a final thought of the future and the promise he made to himself, Tekeo closed his eyes and drifted into a peaceful sleep, ready for what awaited them on the path to becoming true demon slayers.