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Finally, FINALLY I did a Gojo. Took way too long. Has one, two minor mistakes, but overall, I am quite happy with it.

#jjk #jujutsu kaisen #satoru gojo #gojo #satoru

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At the beginning of the episode: My poor kokoro. (That "thank you Saga" man...)

At the end of the episode: MY POOR KOKOROOOO!

#saint seiya #seiya #aiolos #aioros #sagittarius aiolos #sagittarius aioros #aiolia #aioria #leo #leo aiolia #leo aioria #gemini saga #saga #gemini #sagittarius #sagitario #sagittario #sagittaire

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What do you think Grumblemon would be like with Teppei's influence?

That would heavily depend on Teppei's own development. Remember, Teppei was a bully and a huge jerk at the start of the series. And during the episode he and the other three appeared in, he wasn't a decent person yet either. He was the one dropping the comment of the Digidestined at least being good for collecting trash if they don't have Digimon with them that are strong fighters. And he caught Tommy alone again and bullied him. At least after seeing the Digidestined digivolve, he seems to have learned his lesson. So, at the beginning, I can see Grumblemon behave pretty much as we see him do in the series. Maybe fighting for the good side, but with pretty much the personality and methods of anime Grumblemon. Only if Teppei himself becomes a better person does Grumblemon become nicer too.

#digimon #digimon frontier

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If Digimon Frontier had been airing at the time of the release of the first Digimon Rumble Arena, how do you think Digivolution would have been handled for the kids in Frontier?

Unfortunately, I never got to play Rumble Arena. So I don't know its mechanics. And I am not sure if I understand what exactly you mean by "handling Digivolution". However, I believe that it is questionable wether the Frontier kids could have been integrated in the first place. Main issue is, that four of the six only have gotten only two evolutions, whereas Takuya and Koji got both a Double Spirit and Hyper Spirit digivolution. Well, there are Double Spirit evolutions for the others, they could have taken those. Even though the only good design that is also consistent with its H and B Spirits is Raihimon. Problem is the Hyper Spirit digivolution, if we treat the H Spirit like a Rookie level, B Spirit as Champion and so forth. They'd have needed to create specific Hyper Spirit Digimon for the other four. Or they'd have had to create four pendants to Flamemon and Strabimon, which could have served as the Rookie level equivalents. So, to sum it up, I think it comes down to how much work they'd want to put in. I hope this answers your question. If not, I can watch some Rumble Arena and give a more accurate response. See ya, and thank you so much for your ask. 😉

#digimon #digimon rumble arena #digimon frontier

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Partners for the Digimon Frontier Digidestined

In Episode 47, the Digidestined land on the Yellow Moon, courtesy to an attack from the freed Lucemon. There they meet the Baby Digimon and Digimon Eggs they had previously encountered, which had been under Swanmon's protection. And each of the Digidestined picks up a newly hatched Digimon, holding them in their arms. One day, I had the idea of making a list. Based on the Digimon they each picked up, what would each Digidestined's partner be if they had partners instead of Spirits?

I went according to what each Digimon would evolve in according to Wikimon, which contains all kinda official evolutions throughout all the different media (be it Pendulums, games, or whatever). At the same time, I tried to stick to each kid's theme where possible, like electricity for JP and wind for Zoe. Only ones that were impossible were Takuya and Tommy, since none of the Digimon they picked up had anything with ice or fire in their evolution trees.

Also, the Digivices would be the D3 from Adventure 02, cause I like the idea that these partners would also be able to Armor Digivolve - into armor Digimon we didn't see in anime yet as well (or at least not with the 02 kid's Digimon. We got Sagittarimon appearing shortly twice, but I'd loved to see Veemon actually evolve with the Digimental of Hope in an anime).

So, have fun, and if you have any ideas, don't hesitate to let me know with a comment. ;) Enjoy the list!

Takuya

Digivice color: Dark blue

Chibomon - Demiveemon - Veemon - Veedramon - Aero-Veedramon - UlforceVeedramon

It would have been quite tempting to put the evolution line of Davis's Veemon. However, Paildramon and Imperialdramon are Jogress Evolutions, and we don't know what Exveemon would evolve into without Stingmon. Luckily, we have a very cool alternative option in the line of Tai's (probably) Veemon from the V-Tamer manga. So I went with that. Speaking of Tai - it's interesting that they gave him Chibomon and not Botamon/Koromon. The Agumon line would have kept the fire theme. But honestly... I would love to see the Veedramon line in anime one day. Or why not animate V-Tamer?

Koji

Digivice color: Light blue

Poyomon - Tokomon - Patamon - Angemon - MagnaAngemon - Goddramon

What can I say, with him getting a Tokomon...? Of course I had to pick the Angemon line. I only switched up the Mega level, picking Goddramon instead of Seraphimon. For... multiple, sometimes obvious reasons.

Koichi

Digivice color: Dark purple

Poyomon - Tokomon - Tukaimon - BlackGatomon - LadyDevimon - Mastemon

Oooff... my favourite Frontier kid, and he was the hardest to do. I wanted to keep a dark aestetic, since he does have the Spirits of Darkness. And I wanted to do like a dark counterpart to Koji. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of dark colored angel or angel-like Digimon that aren't evil. I think there are even none of those. That's why I was reluctant to pick LadyDevimon, since she usually is an antagonist when she appears in the anime. Isn't the only good LadyDevimon the one from Cyber Sleuth? But I think this is the list I feel most content with from all the option that I checked out. And Mastemon is pretty cool-looking. n.n I also could have gone with a cat aestetic, since, well, AncientSphinxmon, Löwemon and KaiserLeomon, but that worked out pretty badly as well.

Zoe

Digivice color: Pink

Poromon - Hawkmon - Aquilamon - Sylphimon - Valkyriemon

Thank god they gave her Poromon. This made her list pretty easy. I mean, as holder of the Spirit of Winds, what better for her than a bird Digimon? Unfortunately we don't have a proper Ultra Level for Aquilamon, so I had to pick the Jogress Evolution Sylphimon. But I am not sad; it visually fits quite well with Aquilamon, and is also a perfect segway into Valkyriemon.

J.P.

Digivice color: Dark yellow

Motimon - Tentomon - Kabuterimon - Alturkabuterimon Blue - Herakleskabuterimon

Another veery easy pick. Tentomon line. Elektric bug. Need I say more? I only switched Izzy's red Alturkabuterimon its blue variant to pay tribute to the blue in Beetlemon's color pallet.

Tommy

Digivice color: Light yellow

Upamon - Armadillomon - Ankylomon - Shakkoumon - SlashAngemon

No ice for Tommy-boy here. However, I think he'd be very cute with Armadillomon, especially if it were anything like Cody's Armadillmon from 02. Here, I too had to pick the Jogress Evolution Shakkoumon for Ultra Level. But with SlashAngemon as Mega, I don't mind, since Shakkoumon serves as a good segway from earth to steel (and angel).

#digimon #digimon frontier #takuya #kanbara #takuya kanbara #koji #minamoto #koji minamoto #koichi #kouichi #koichi kimura #kouichi kimura #J.P. #Junpei #Shibayama #Tomoki #Tommy #Himi #Zoe #Izumi #Orimoto

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P.P.S.: I forgot the German release! Since I am Swiss, I did watch of course the German dub (except for when on summer holidays in Italy, where of course I watched it in Italian). And that was released in August. Alright, let's get started on a picture for then. n.n That ways, I still will have been able to do a birthday pic to one of my childhood memories.

It's March 7th! A happy friggin 25th birthday, Digimon Adventure!

P.S.: Wished I could have done a drawing myself, but I did not have the time, unfortunately. All I can do now is prepare for the 30th birthday...

#digimon #digimon adventure

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It's March 7th! A happy friggin 25th birthday, Digimon Adventure!

P.S.: Wished I could have done a drawing myself, but I did not have the time, unfortunately. All I can do now is prepare for the 30th birthday...

#digimon #digimon adventure

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Digimon Adventure Week Day 3 - Favourite dynamic

In hindsight, I don't know if Gabumon and Matt were the right choice. In my mind, I always liked how well they clicked together, Gabumon being like the only one aside from T.K. whom the lone wolf Matt let get close to him. The issue is, this week is about the original Adventure, and I am not sure if most of my impression of their dynamic is from throughout all the seasons about the Adventure kids. However, I already started this picture when I did my re-watch, after which I was not sure about the choice anymore, but I did not want to change it anymore either. No time. I guess an honorary shoutout goes to Izzy and Tentomon and Joey and Gomamon. The reasons I already specified in the previous entry, Day 2.

#digimon #digimon adventure week #digimon adventure #matt #yamato #ishida #gabumon

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Digimon Adventure Week Day 2 - Favourite Digimon Partner

...

...

I'm so sorry! T.T I know there are five mons on here. But I really struggled to choose, even worse than who to pick for favourite Digidestined. And that despite me re-watching the entire season beforehand to help me choose. But by the end of it - I couldn't.

Just like the Digidestined, each of the Digimon are great in their own way. As for the designs, that's of course a matter of taste for each person. So, I put Gomamon and Tentomon on here because of how mega supportive they are to their partners. Each of the Digimon is, but these two more so than the others, encouraging their partners in moments of self-doubt and reassuring them how much they like them. I really like their dynamics with Izzy and Joe. And while I really hate insects and bugs in real life, Tentomon's design and those of his digivolutions have grown on me a bit. And he's too nice not to like, even for insect- and bug-haters. Also, I love Gomamon showing some smarts by getting it and Biyomon out of the Bakemon prison by tricking the guard. Gatomon is on here because I like her design (plus those of all her digivolutions through all seasons of Digimon), backstory, and personality. Agumon and Gabumon are just cool overall, both in designs of their Digivolution trees and their personalities. Okay, though, the entire Koromon pooping everywhere thing is kinda lame. Didn't like that at all.

Now for those I did not include. Patamon... I do love its Digivolution tree designs. But I was severely annoyed how late in the series it evolved ot MagnaAngemon - even after Gatomon evolved to Angewomon, and Gatomon appeared like around episode 40!!! Patamon really got done dirty. I mean, come on, in the second or third last episode of the series is just way, way too late. And yes, MagnaAngemon is crazy strong, but still. I'm sure they could have brought him earlier. Also, I really hate it how much he and T.K. argue. I can understand the time when DemiDevimon tricked T.K., even though I still don't understand how T.K. believed some shady, evil-looking Digimon above the partner who actually sacrificed his bloody life to save everyone. And the arguing afterward, back in the human world? You should think they would be much more harmonious after Angemon sacrificed itself against Devimon. I really don't get it. In Adventure 02 we even learn that T.K. got a near trauma from it! So why all the arguing? Palmon I did not include because out of its Digivolutions, I only really like Lilymon's design. And it is somehow less supportive of Mimi than the other Digimon, like, Palmon is not even trying to keep Mimi from exploiting the Gekomon before Tai and Joe arrive. Her personality in general just doesn't stand out. And Biyomon, I like her Digivolution tree designs, and she sure is loving and cares for Sora. But other than that, her personality doesn't really stand out either.

#digimon #digimon adventure week #digimon adventure #agumon #gabumon #gatomon #gomamon #tentomon

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Digimon Adventure Week Day 1 - Favourite Digidestined

A little late to the game, but oh well. Here goes day 1.

So, I went with Tai and Izzy. I don't really dislike any of the Digidestined. Each do have their qualities they bring to the team. Some I like for their personality, some for their design. Like, I do like Mimi's design, but I am not the biggest fan of her character (especially that time she abused the Gekomon's hospitality). And each of the other children have some really low moments. But Tai and Izzy gave me the least moments where I was frustrated with them. And I think they also show the most growth during the show. I like Izzy's smarts, and I like how Tai truly has leadership qualities. And that without the annoying dumb but overpowered protagonist shenanigan going on as other series have. He can be smart too, actually, like when he wondered who send the rocks flying that time when Leomon and Ogremon attacked them and Devimon sent some boulders their way. And he also listens to the others' advice 95 percent of the time, not trying stubbornly to have his way no matter what. And Izzy... oh boy, how well he handled the news when he found out he was adopted. Other children might have reacted far worse. But no, Izzy goes on loving his parents just the same, nothing changing from before. And how understanding he is when they finally tell him. Major props, my boy.

#digimon #digimon adventure week #digimon adventure #tai #taichi #yagami #izzy #izumi #koshiro

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Something nice and easy to get back into drawing. n.n Let's have some nice Black Lion brew coffee with our boyo Koichi.

#digimon #digimon frontier #koichi #kouichi #kimura #koichi kimura #kouichi kimura

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I love how the conclusion is to enjoy not only one, but both series. If one likes one better than the other, that's just a matter of taste and doesn't mean that one series is better than the other. Both series have their strenghts and their weaknesses (like, Pokémon getting too repetitive over time, or the fact that in Digimon Adventure, we lamentably only see Tai's and Matt's Digimon digivolve to Mega but not the others). Although, I personally am Team Digimon, at least in terms of the anime. But again, I like the message here. Both shows have something to enjoy, and instead of their fandoms fighting over which one is better, why not enjoy both? Not that there has been a huge fight in the internet, but I am sure that a small handful of hardcore fans argued about it with each other.

And thank you so much for sharing this very interesting tidbit, @theanimationalley. ;)

#digimon #pokémon #pokemon

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Thank you so much to everyone who voted! n.n And with the winner declared, I am off to start working on Lady of the Takeda. There are two points I need to mention, however.

The first is, that I might actually switch the story from first to third person. Or perhaps just from OC/reader to only OC with a proper name and background and stuff. Because I don't know if I am comfortable to write a story of that lenght without mentioning the MC's name at least once. Would feel so unnatural. If you want, you can leave a comment on what you prefer, first or third person, but it will be an OC now. I will include a brief character overview before starting the chapters, because there will be differences to the MC of the games.

Secondly, on the side, I will be working a bit on Rose of the East, just with a lesser priority. But I will make some thoughts on the story, and if I have a flow of ideas, I will work on the chapters themselves. Or at least getting chapter 1 finished and polished until I am content with it. Cause I am rather eager to write a historical story set in the Sengoku (as close to correct as I can get it compared to IkeSen).

So, thanks to everyone again, and keep looking forward to chapter 1 of Lady of the Takeda in January! Cheers!

LONGFIC INTEREST CHECK

So, there are several longfics that I have started working on. Talking about stories that are most likely gonna reach light novel lenght. And I like each idea equally. However, I think I need to focus on one at a time. Otherwise I might get nowhere. So, I would like to ask you guys what you would be most interested in. Here's a description of each.

Lady of the Takeda (Ikemen Sengoku)

Set after the end of Shingen's route and is set in the I-perspective of either an OC or reader. Just because there's peace between the Takeda and Oda doesn't mean that nothing's gonna happen. And being THE lady of a clan like the Takeda brings its very own trials with it.

Rose of the East (Saint Seiya x Sailor Moon crossover)

This one is set in medieval Japan, shortly before the country shut its borders to the rest of the world. Albafica is a Swede who by circumstances gets stranded there. However, he meets Makoto Kino, and love blossoms between them. However, Japan's anti-foreigner stance at that time doesn't make it exactly easy for them.

Inkmaster (Naruto modern AU)

Ino stumbles into Sai's tattoo shop one day, determined to get one. However, she found more than only a tattoo. And there is more to the pale tattooist than meets the eye.

Angel of Winter (Bleach angel AU)

I have already written over 10 chapters for this. My plan now is to do a quick overhaul, include what I forgot to include and then to repost it and also finally finish it. It is a HitsuKarin story set in an angel AU, where the characters are angels/nephilim instead of Shinigami.

I will keep working on other fics too, but with these big ones, it might be a good idea to focus on one. So here's a poll to see what you guys would be most eager to read. n.n They can be found on my AO3 account. If necessary, just ask for the link and I will send it to you. Am curious to see what you're going to vote on!

#ikemen sengoku #ikemen #sengoku #shingen #takeda #shingen takeda #sai #naruto #yamanaka #ino #makoto #kino #makoto kino #jupiter #sailor jupiter #albafica #pisces #saint seiya #seiya #toshiro #hitsugaya #bleach #karin #kurosaki #toshiro hitsugaya #karin kurosaki

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LONGFIC INTEREST CHECK

So, there are several longfics that I have started working on. Talking about stories that are most likely gonna reach light novel lenght. And I like each idea equally. However, I think I need to focus on one at a time. Otherwise I might get nowhere. So, I would like to ask you guys what you would be most interested in. Here's a description of each.

Lady of the Takeda (Ikemen Sengoku)

Set after the end of Shingen's route and is set in the I-perspective of either an OC or reader. Just because there's peace between the Takeda and Oda doesn't mean that nothing's gonna happen. And being THE lady of a clan like the Takeda brings its very own trials with it.

Rose of the East (Saint Seiya x Sailor Moon crossover)

This one is set in medieval Japan, shortly before the country shut its borders to the rest of the world. Albafica is a Swede who by circumstances gets stranded there. However, he meets Makoto Kino, and love blossoms between them. However, Japan's anti-foreigner stance at that time doesn't make it exactly easy for them.

Inkmaster (Naruto modern AU)

Ino stumbles into Sai's tattoo shop one day, determined to get one. However, she found more than only a tattoo. And there is more to the pale tattooist than meets the eye.

Angel of Winter (Bleach angel AU)

I have already written over 10 chapters for this. My plan now is to do a quick overhaul, include what I forgot to include and then to repost it and also finally finish it. It is a HitsuKarin story set in an angel AU, where the characters are angels/nephilim instead of Shinigami.

I will keep working on other fics too, but with these big ones, it might be a good idea to focus on one. So here's a poll to see what you guys would be most eager to read. n.n They can be found on my AO3 account. If necessary, just ask for the link and I will send it to you. Am curious to see what you're going to vote on!

#saint seiya #sailor moon #ikemen sengoku #shingen takeda #naruto #shingen #takeda #sai #ino #yamanaka #albafica #pisces #pisces albafica #makoto kino #sailor jupiter #ikesen #toshiro #hitsugaya #toshiro hitsugaya #bleach #karin #kurosaki #karin kurosaki

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Sagittarius weeks are back!

My sincerest apologies for the tardiness of posting this. It's been a crazy year. And I wasn't even sure if I want to do them. But last year they already were on hiatus, and I don't want to wait another year. So here you go - Sagi weeks are back, baby! Feel free to participate, wether written or drawn, and it doesn't matter if you don't manage to do all of them. I don't even know if I myself manage to do them all. Would be nice though.

On that topic, sorry that there are a couple of repeats. But I properly want to participate in my own weeks, so I will keep bringing back some words until then.

Here are the lists. Have fun!

#saint seiya #sagittarius #gold saint #gold saints #sagitario #sagittario #sagittaire #aiolos #aioros #micene #sagitter #sisyphus #sisyphos #sisifo #seiya #gestalt

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KojiKoichi week time check

#digimon #frontier #digimon frontier #koichi kimura #kouichi kimura #kouichi #koichi #koji minamoto #kouji minamoto #koji #kouji

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Survivor

"Fuck…"

This had been the first word he had said after briefly waking up from unconsciousness. After his keen mind had given him the dire assessment of the situation. And it was the word still repeating itself in his mind hours later, now that he lay properly treated in a bed in the Butterfly Mansion. Occasionally, just like now, it found its way out of his mouth.

Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck.

Sanemi gritted his teeth. Luckily, he was assigned a small single room to himself. This way, nobody saw the tears welling up in his eyes.

The entire time, the Wind Hashira had tried to come to terms with what had happened. Sure, they had won. Muzan had been defeated, and with him his entire wretched demon brood. The Demon Slayer Corps had achieved its goal at long last. Only… fucking hell did it not feel like a victory. The price was unbearably high.

"FUCK!"

With a scream, Sanemi slammed his fist down onto the mattress. Then he began crying in earnest. The pain in his heart was just too much. It had been years since he had shed a single tear. Was it the loss of tension after Muzan's defeat that made the iron dams finally break? Damn, it really, really hurt.

"WHY?!!", he screamed, giving a shit about who heard him. "WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE STILL ALIVE?!! WHAT GOD IS SO CRUEL?!!"

Everyone he cared about even a little bit was gone. Starting with his father. The fucking asshole was the only one he didn't mind being gone. But he left their mother to provide alone for seven children. His poor, dear mother and his five youngest siblings were the next ones to go. And in a most gruelling manner, too. That left only Sanemi and Genya behind. With the latter not having understood what had happened and wrongfully calling Sanemi a murderer. Next one had been Masachika. He had been the one to find Sanemi on his lonely demon hunt and had brought the boy into the fold of the corps. A bond of friendship, almost brotherly feelings, had formed between the two – only to be torn apart by the then Lower Moon One. After that, Kanae. The Flower Hashira's life had been snuffed out by Upper Moon Two, Doma. Kanae… a woman he had liked a lot and at whose side he could have imagined spending the rest of his life. But as so much else, this fleeting chance at happiness had been torn away from him.

Next to go had been another fellow Hashira – Rengoku. Turned out, the Flame Hashira's death had been but a prelude to the nightmarish final battle against Muzan and his remaining Upper Moons. One after another they fell. First Ubuyashiki Kagaya. Leader of the Demon Slayer Corps and an exceptional man Sanemi had come to admire greatly after a rather unfortunate start. The other Hashira too had fallen except for one, leaving himself and Giyu as the only surviving Pillars.

But worst of all… his little brother, Genya, who had survived the massacre of their family all those years ago, had been killed too in this final battle.

Only few months after they had met each other again.

"Baka ototo…" Sanemi tried to wipe away his tears with the back of his hand. It was futile; they seemed to flow even stronger when he remembered Genya's last words. "Baka ototo… that's why I didn't want you to join the Demon Slayer Corps in the first place! Now look where it got you!"

It had been harder than he let anyone know to be so, well, almost cruel on his little brother. As if life wanted to rub salt into his severely bleeding heart, it had all been for nothing. Genya had stayed in the corps and now he was dead. When he had been supposed to live a quiet, happy life. After which he ought to have died peacefully at an old age.

"DAMN IT! IT'S NOT FAIR!"

This time, Sanemi's fist slammed into the wall. Punched even a hole right through it. Then he turned and lay there, staring at the opposite wall, while his heart ached and the tears kept flowing. And he was so terribly, terribly angry. Unfortunately, he had nobody left to direct that anger at. Both Muzan and Kokushibo were dead.

"Why…", he muttered. "Why does it always have to be me…"

Why indeed. A question that seemed more relevant than ever, now that he had nobody to live for anymore. He was tired of being left behind. Of being the only one who survived while all those he cared for died around him. And the helplessness. The helplessness was as painful as the losses themselves, driving him almost crazy with rage. Especially coupled with the realization that despite him giving it his all, despite him becoming a Hashira, it had for some reason never been enough to protect those important to him.

"This is one fucked up joke… what god is so cruel? Please… just let me die too…"

Cause maybe then he might be finally reunited with his loved ones. After the fight against Muzan, he had already stood at death's door. Only to be denied once again. He still could see his father's twisted face as he pushed him back towards life. Away from the mother whom Sanemi had wanted to join in hell. The bloody bastard was even an ass in death. Then again, it wasn't like Sanemi had much time left anyways. Four more years. Until he turned twenty-five. Then the Demon Slayer mark would claim him. However, having lost everything, to him those four years seemed to become four years of hell on Earth.

No god replied to his question. Of course not. Instead, after a short while, the door to his room slid open.

In stepped another white-haired man. Only his hair was long and straight where Sanemi's was short and spiky. It was Uzui Tengen, former Sound Hashira. The lucky bastard had retired from that post after losing both his left hand and eye in his fight against the demon siblings that had been Upper Moon Six.

"Yo, Shinazugawa. Feeling well enough already to tear down the building?"

"Shut your fucking mouth."

Sanemi turned away from the other man. Tried not to be too angry at him. After all, he had never hated the Sound Hashira. In fact, he was like the elder brother Sanemi had always wanted to be. Not that he would have ever admitted that out loud.

A scraping sound told the injured Hashira that Tengen had pulled over a chair. And indeed, when he looked, the eyepatch-wielding man was sitting at his bedside.

They stared at each other in silence for a moment. Then Tengen grinned.

"Well, glad that you're awake and recovering nicely."

Sanemi stared at his hand that now was missing two fingers and covered in bandages.

"Pfft. As if."

His body may be healing splendidly. His heard and mind were a whole different story. He was damaged, and the missing fingers represented that perfectly.

Tengen sighed. "Don't worry. I was referring to your physical state. The girls, they heard you scream and punch the wall. That's why they came to get me."

"Hah. You thought I was losing it?"

"No. Not at all."

There was sincerity on Tengen's serious face. One that made Sanemi bite back any retort that might have been on his tongue. Instead, he sat up and waited silently for what Tengen had to say.

"I don't know everything you've gone through in your life", the former Sound Pillar promptly continued. "And I get that you're angry and frustrated. But I just thought you might want someone to talk to."

"And why the hell would I want that?"

"Let's see…" Tengen lifted a finger. "Putting a lid on your negative emotions is bad. You gotta let them out now and then." A second finger. "Because there are people who want to help you. But we can't do that if you don't tell us what's wrong. " A third finger. "And lastly… because you're not the only one suffering. We all lost much."

At that last point, it got quiet inside the Wind Hashira. However, he had to admit that Tengen was right. Sanemi may have suffered more than most. In his pain, he must have forgotten that other people had their losses too. Kagaya's family. Shinobu, after Kanae was killed by Doma. Kanao, now that both sister were gone, on top of losing sight one of her eyes. All the losses not just from this one final battle, but those who had happened years ago.

"Besides", Tengen added, tearing him out of his thoughts, "others might be glad to talk to you too."

"As if."

Sanemi knew full well that with his angry demeanor, he was scaring off many people. He couldn't think of anyone who would willingly talk to him about the fight against Muzan in particular and losses in general.

The former Sound Hashira smiled knowingly. "You'd be surprised. I know at least one handful of people who would love to have a chat with you."

"What?" For a few moments, Sanemi tried to guess who it could be, but without success. Suddenly, it dawned on him. "The Kamado boy and his group."

Tengen grinned. "Bingo."

Kanao's face flashed in front of Sanemi's eyes. He ought to talk to her as well. She was, after all, Kanae's and Shinobu's adoptive sister. All he could do for the two was making sure that at least Kanao was doing well.

When he remained silent, Tengen said: "And if I may suggest… you should go talk to Tomioka too. You two are the last remaining active Hashira, after all."

"That shut-in? What makes you think he suddenly developed a talkative streak?"

"Well, if anything can break through his hard shell, it's your thick skull."

"Shut it, Mr. Look-at-flashy-me!"

At that, Tengen laughed. To his own surprise, Sanemi felt a slight urge to join him. Could it be that despite the grim losses, the defeat of Muzan had lifted that much of a weight off the world?" That with the threat of the demons gone, the world was such a brighter place?

When the laughter subsided, he waved a hand. "Fine, fine, I'll try talking to Giyu."

Who knew… he might actually be able to crack that shell in his new world.

Tengen nodded. "Please do. I tried already, but I failed miserably. And, Sanemi…"

"What?"

"Just because it looks like you have no purpose right now, it doesn't mean that there is none for you out there. Heal up. Then go forth, explore the land and find that purpose. Be free, like the wind that you are."

With that, the white-haired man stood and left, leaving behind a very speechless Wind Hashira.

Sanemi sat in silence for a long while. Let Tengen's words sink in. Pondered them.

A new purpose… could there really be one for him out there? Then again, if he never tried to find out, he would never know. Perhaps Tengen was right and he ought to go on a journey.

Strange… he was even looking forward to it a little. Curiosity also tugged at his heart. Curiosity about how a world without demons looked like. What a world without fear of the night was like. A journey would be the perfect occasion to find out.

He looked out the window, where he saw trees swaying gently in the wind. As he watched, he noticed that he was far less angry at Tengen and his patronizing lecture than expected. Suddenly, a gust of wind carried a leaf into the room – and onto Sanemi's lap. The white-haired demon slayer picked it up.

He had never believed in such stuff. But for some reason, he felt as if the wind was trying to tell him something. The wind… was there a possibility that he, Sanemi, could one day be free from the shackles of hatred… free like the wind?

He clenched his fist. A new resolve blossomed in his heart. He was going to visit everyone once they were well enough. He was gonna talk, like that blasted Tengen had suggested. Fuck it, he was going to earn his freedom. Screw the question whether he was destined to be free or not. For the sake of those he lost, he was going to live the rest of his short life as happy as possible. They surely would wish that. And who was he to deny them. For them, he was going to explore this new, bright world without demons, for they had never gotten the chance to witness it for themselves.

As much as he wanted to see everyone again, they would have to wait a few more years.

Because he was a fucking survivor.

Author's note: Kinda an introspection on what Sanemi might have gone through after waking up from the coma he fell into after fighting both Kokushibo and Muzan. Poor bastard has gone through so much. Lost everyone who meant something to him. And yet he mellowed out after Muzan is dead. I wanted to catch that.

#sanemi #sanemi shinazugawa #demon slayer #kimetsu no yaiba #tengen uzui