The days after the battle had been a blur for Tanjiro. Ravenscroft, once a bustling village filled with life, was now a ghost of its former self. The Demon Slayers had done their best to protect it, but the damage was evident in every corner. Buildings lay in ruins, and the air was heavy with the grief of those lost. The survivors moved like shadows through the broken streets, their eyes hollow with the weight of their sorrow.
Tanjiro walked through the wreckage with Nezuko by his side, his thoughts heavy with the events that had unfolded. The demons had been pushed back for now, but the cost had been high. Many had fallen—slayers, villagers, and innocent bystanders. Even though Muzan had been defeated, his demons had left deep scars on the people of Ravenscroft.
As Tanjiro passed by a group of injured villagers, he felt a pang of guilt. He had sworn to protect them, and yet, so many were lost. His grip tightened on his sword, and he quickened his pace, not wanting to dwell on the pain.
Nezuko noticed his discomfort and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. Her eyes, though filled with sorrow, conveyed the same determination she had always shared with him. She didn't need words to comfort him—her presence alone was enough.
"Let's go check on the others," Tanjiro said, his voice tinged with both exhaustion and resolve. Nezuko nodded, and they made their way toward the training grounds where the surviving Demon Slayers were regrouping.
When they arrived, the atmosphere was somber. The Demon Slayers, though triumphant in battle, were weighed down by the loss of their comrades. Tanjiro saw Inosuke, his usual brash energy replaced by a quiet sadness, sitting off to the side, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Zenitsu stood nearby, his eyes puffy from crying, but he was trying to put on a brave face, trying to force a smile for the others. Kanao sat apart from the group, her eyes distant as if lost in thought.
Shinobu and Giyu stood at the forefront, their faces unreadable as they made plans for the next steps. The battle had been won, but the war was far from over. And now, they had to rebuild—not just the village, but their spirits.
Tanjiro approached the group, his presence drawing their attention. Despite the heavy atmosphere, there was a sense of quiet respect in the air, a recognition of the hardships they had all endured. They had faced the darkness together and survived, but now the reality of their situation was settling in.
"We've lost so many," Tanjiro said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "But we can't let their sacrifice be in vain. We need to keep moving forward."
Shinobu nodded solemnly, her eyes tired but resolute. "We will rebuild, Tanjiro. But we must remain vigilant. The demons will return, and we must be ready for them. It's not just about fighting; it's about ensuring that what we've done here hasn't been for nothing."
Giyu stepped forward, his expression as stoic as ever. "The battle is not over. Muzan may be gone, but there are still many demons who will try to take his place. We cannot afford to relax."
Tanjiro's heart sank at the thought, but he nodded. "We won't stop. We'll keep fighting."
As the conversation continued, a sudden commotion broke out on the far side of the training grounds. Tanjiro turned to see Inosuke standing, his fists clenched in anger. "I can't stand this!" Inosuke shouted, his voice carrying across the grounds. "We're sitting here, mourning our losses while the demons are still out there, still killing! I'm not going to sit idly by while they destroy everything we've fought for!"
Zenitsu tried to calm him down, but Inosuke was beyond reason. "We have to keep fighting, not just wait for the next attack! I won't let them take anything more from us!"
Tanjiro stepped forward, his voice steady despite the rising tension. "Inosuke, I understand your anger. But we have to be smart about this. Rushing into battle without a plan will only get more of us killed."
Inosuke's eyes flared with frustration, but the raw emotion behind them was clear. He had lost so much, and the weight of it was finally breaking through. He slammed his fist into the ground, causing a cloud of dust to rise around him. "We can't just sit here, Tanjiro! Not anymore!"
Before Tanjiro could respond, Kanao, who had been silent until now, stood up and walked over to Inosuke. Her eyes were steady, but there was an underlying sadness in her gaze. "We will fight again, Inosuke," she said quietly. "But we have to heal first. We need to take care of ourselves before we can continue."
Inosuke's anger seemed to deflate at her words, but the frustration lingered. He gave a frustrated grunt and sat down, his fists still clenched.
The group fell into a heavy silence, each of them grappling with their own emotions. Tanjiro felt the strain of their journey more acutely now than ever before. The road ahead was long, and there would be more battles, more losses, and more sacrifices. But they would continue. For their fallen comrades, for Ravenscroft, and for each other, they would keep moving forward.
Nezuko squeezed his hand, her silent support giving him the strength he needed. Tanjiro looked around at his friends—his family—and nodded. They were broken, but not defeated. And as long as they had each other, they would never stop fighting.