#Mugen Kitchen

[demonslayedher]

"So what did you do this weekend?"

"Took glamor shots in my kitchen."

[sailorstarr-chan4]

Note: Yes, there is technically a Library Wars anime, however, it doesn't adapt the manga so much as the light novels.

Let's give some love to lesser known titles! ❤

[strawberrymochin]

A Letter.....Long Lost!

kyojuro rengoku x fem!reader

word count- 12.2k

synopsis- the discovery of an old letter from kyojuro rengoku's room shakes the world of tanjiro. he thought he fulfilled every wish of rengoku. however he missed one. tanjiro needs to deliver it to the one it was written for; but the letter has nothing written except a name 'y/n'. who is y/n and how will tanjiro find her?

genre/warnings- post war timeline/ mentions of death/ slice of life/ angst/ fluff/ lots of flashbacks/ kamaboko trio going on a quest to find reader/ emotionally unavailable parents/ just read it i swear it wont disappoint/ comfort/ scenes of rengoku and mitsuri training/ mentions of mugen train

a/n- i had this idea in my head and i literally wrote this in two days. Loosely based off a film I'm obsessed with...this is my first time writing a long fic. im hella nervous. it will have a sequel with a reincarnation au and smut. not fully proof read, ignore small errors.

Nezuko chimed in as urokodaki made his appearance. Soon more people will join in. Kanao and aoi are helping in the kitchen, making several dishes while inosuke is trying to get aoi give him some to taste.

Tanjiro and zenitsu are spreading out the mats for people to sit and get comfy.

“urokodaki sensei! Please come and join.” tanjiro said noticing his former teacher, carrying a huge basket wrapped in a cloth with water patterns similar to his haori. Nezuko trails behind him bringing another basket.

“i brought some mitarashi dango and some hanami-zake for everyone.” said urokodaki with a soft voice, that made nezuko wonder if he was smiling under his tengu mask.

It's been 2 years since the war ended. People lost their dear ones with a pain bearing smile. Some endured injuries that would sustain through out their life marking them as ‘crippled’; while some sacrificed themselves for the greater good.

Seasons changed since then.

So did several people.

People who turned their hearts into stone, heavy from guilt of their family dying; who suffered from the culpability of being protected…

“giyuu san’s here too, please sit inside with the others while we get the stuff ready.”

“yeah how's your sister? I brought her some new kimonos”

A mild smile forming on his lips.

Tanjiro’s eyes widened a bit. It's kinda still new to him seeing such a soft side of the guy who barely used to smile.

……have let their guard down, allowing themselves to move on, now that there's no more threat hanging in the air.

People who had been afflicted by the remorseful long sleepless nights of trauma; killing the one who once bore them in her womb; whose eyes had become dull and frantic, dying inside in agony…..

“oi tomioka! Move outta my way!” grumbled sanemi, throwing a box wrapped in a delicate green cloth in tanjiro's direction as he catches it with difficulty. Having a hand crippled like an old man is sure a poor thing, not that tanjiro minds that.

“ahh the scary guy's here again! Don't touch the box tanjiro. It must've been poisoned!!!” shouted zenitsu, panicking around, hiding himself behind tanjiro.

“What did you just say?” Sanemi’s eyes narrowed at zenitsu, veins becoming more prominent, ready to throw a first at the blonde head's face.

“Goddamn shinazugawa! Don't scare the kid…” said giyu, grabbing his wrist and pulling him inside. “Wh-you’re such a creep tomioka!”

“Kk.”

“Stop giving me that kanroji face!” sanemi said as shivers ran down his spine. Somehow a smiling tomioka was scarier than muzan to him.

…have let go of their distraught, accepting the dreams which they wanted for their loved ones. Fulfilling it in their place.

“Both of them are creeps!” Zenitsu said digging his nails into tanjiro's skin as he spit curses on them. “Zenitsu they are gone now, can you please give this box to kanao san, it smells of fresh ohagi.”

“I'm telling you…it's fuckin poisoned”

“It's not, zenitsu…don't be like that” tanjiro pushed him away with the box. He then took up a broom and started sweeping any other leaves that fell down from the trees.

Pink flowers blossomed everywhere, now that another peaceful season had arrived.

Kanao had suggested nezuko and aoi that they should spend time together this hanami festival. Nezuko and aoi agreed to that instantly. Thus this is how they ended up inviting everyone at tanjiro's, whose house was surrounded by a lots of cherry blossoms.

Kiyo chan naho chan and sumi chan were playing with tengen’s baby as Suma kept pestering urokodaki san for loosening his face mask (I can't blame my lil curious mommy). Makio was sure annoyed at her behavior while hinatsuru just chuckled. Murata sat stiff in the presence of four former hashiras.

Almost all of them had arrived. Except the rengokus.

Aoi brought them some appetizers, as they kept on chatting. After decorating the food all of them would join outside admiring the moment of bliss.

“Senjuro Kun and shinjuro san ain't here yet right?” Asked tengen.

“They haven't made their arrival yet” announced aoi, “however tanjiro san is waiting outside for them, the food is almost done, we can start after they get here”

“HAHAHAHA…. RUSHING IN LIKE A BOAR!!!” inosuke dashed in with a sakura onigiri in his mouth, from the kitchen. “WAhahhh scar guy!! Fight me!” As expected from inosuke, nothing could ever stop him. At first he was a bit spooked seeing a lot of people at once and sticked to aoi till his normal composure returned.

“Still that dumb boar head! Will he ever get mature?” Sanemi grumbled lazily. “I agree” said giyu, smiling at sanemi, which almost made his stomach churn. Tengen bursted out in laughter, “I see you are still in spirit huh? Quite flamboyant of you.”

“YEAH THE GOD OF MOUNTAINS INOSUKE SAMA IS ALWAY—” Aoi smacked him on his head and dragged him away while muttering some apologies to the hashiras.

“He's still much of energy…and his voice has become much hoarse ain't it? I still remember taking those kids on that mission. And this kid in particular was such a ruckus.” Said tengen, stretching his arms.

“Isn't it good to see all of us after so long without having to fear losing someone?” Said hinatsuru, makio and Suma smiled at each other.

“But we had already lost many people.” Sanemi sighed. He wished he could apologize to genya. If life ever gives him another chance he would like to be a little less aggressive.

“If you keep sulking like that, your brother will definitely curse you from heaven.” giyu took a gulp of the matcha tea, sanemi sent at tanjiro's a month ago.

“Now that there are no demons, you two get along with each other quite well don't you think so?” Tengen threw the snarky question at them.

“what the—”

“I wish rengoku could have seen you guys like this…remember the one time himejima san told us that oyakata sama wanted to see giyu smile….”

“See me smile?”

“Yeah, what a waste of time i swear.”

“Rengoku disappeared for a while to buy glasses in order to make giyu smile.” laughed tengen.

“It didn't work though and then kochou emotionally blackmail me to make him laugh.”

“Oh so this is why you wanted to have sake daikon with me?” Giyu smiled again at sanemi.

“I swear if you make that kanroji face again at me, I will kick you on your balls.”

“Everyone food’s ready, let's go and sit outside!!” Said nezuko halting the heated nostalgic conversation of the two.

Murata finally lets himself relax a bit as the hashiras start moving out. Urokodaki slammed a hand at his back, as he felt his stiff posture return. “Don't be so stiff we aren't gonna ask you to duel.” murata’s cheeks reddened in embarrassment as urokodaki laughed off at the kid's nervousness.

These days are indeed peaceful.

Senjuro made his appearance a bit late. He apologized for his fathers absence, blaming on his health. It's not been that best for a few days.

“Oh goodness, is he really going to be fine, we can go run a check up on him you know?” Kanao offered an idea, worried about the shinjuro’s health.

“Thanks a lot. Actually there's something that has been troubling us for a while.”

“Is everything okay?” Tanjiro's asked with concern lacing his eyes. Sanemi noticed, he had always been kind. He was kind to his brother. During hashira training when tanjiro stepped over the line, it actually made sanemi kinda happy and relaxed. Atleast genya had someone in life he could rely on.

Shinjuro's put down his bowl and chopstick on the mats as he brought his hand to his knees.

“There's something we found a month ago….while cleaning aniki’s room.”

Not only tanjiro but tengen, giyu, sanemi, zenitsu and inosuke froze for a second. The untimely death of the young guy was such a sad event that has ached their hearts for a long time.

Tanjiro could smell senjuro’s emotions and it was odd. It wasn't sadness, or guilt, or anger. It was pity. And somehow it stinged tanjiro, the same way it did years ago.

Senjuro took out some bunch of old papers from the sleeves of his yukata.

Tanjiro's throat felt dry and uneasy. It were a bunch of letters.

All of them looked like they were forgotten for months. The letter envelopes had stained yellow and some even have their edges teared off. But it sure emitted a strong smell. The smell of kyojuro rengoku. Tanjiro's still remembers the distinct hints of his aura. And it somehow still lingered around these letters. Especially the one which was sealed.

“What is it?” asked aoi, finally breaking the deafening silence. A strong gust of wind blew the pink petals along with the letters from senjuro's hand. It's scattered around the mats as all of them tried to collect them.

“Y….y/n?” read nezuko aloud. She hold the sealed letter in her hand as tanjiro extended his palm to grab it. It had tear stains. One side of it had brush marks written ‘to y/n’. The ink has now blurred a bit. But it was still readable.

“What's the meaning of all this?” Tengen asked, grabbing one of the opened letters in his hand. Giyu had hold of one reading in pure shock, while sanemi pondered from the side. Eyes as shocked as giyu’s.

“What happened tengen-sama?” asked makio, seeing all of their disturbed expressions. Zenitsu tried to snatch away the papers from inosuke who was trying to eat it.

“We found these letters from aniki’s room. A lady named y/n had sent those letters to him. An—?”

“And that lady was his lover?” asked giyu.

“What nonsense!”

“He never mentioned any of that to me.” frowned tengen.

“Nor did aniki said anything about it at home. At that time our father didn't pay us any attention. He was drowned totally in despair from the death of our mother. Seeing us only infuriated his anger and sorrow. Aniki would train or be at missions and he was rarely at home. He never told me anything about that….”

‘A letter?’ thought tanjiro. He started sweating all of a sudden. He thought he fulfilled all his wishes but—

“Rengoku san! Please think about yourself, can you stop the bleeding with your breathing technique?” Tanjiro has muttered those words back then, panickingly, devastatingly.

He wanted rengoku to say yes. He wanted him to live beside him, fight beside him, eat beside him. But he didn't get that as an answer.

“No, very soon i'll be dead. Before that happens, i need you to hear me out. I have a younger brother named senjuro. Please tell him to follow his heart. And walk down the path he feels is right.” Rengoku’s face had the same content smile, which warmed their hearts up. He continued, “And tell my father to look after himself…and lastly…”

Rengoku went on and expressed his views on nezuko. It felt like a warm hug. Someone has accepted nezuko. Not because they pitied her but since they saw her true potential and that she was no harm to humans. And now when he remembers it clearly, there was something rengoku whispered before his heart stopped pumping.

It was a faint whisper. So subtle that tanjiro thought it was his ears ringing. But now that he recalls, after he said he trusted them as a slayers, he whispered a few words

“and the lette—”

Rengoku stopped mid sentence as tanjiro kept weeping. He wasn't looking at tanjiro but something behind him. It made him smile as he took his last breath.

“Oni-chan? What happened? Are you okay?” Nezuko pulled tanjiro out of his daze. Everyone was looking at him worriedly. Even sanemi was worried.

“I've not fulfilled rengoku san’s last wishes. I- i haven't. I haven't delivered…how can I be so dumb!!”

“What? Tanjiro san! Calm down! You told us everything aniki wanted to say to us.” Senjuro tried to comfort tanjiro.

“No…before dying he whispered something. I thought my ears were ringing but he did whispered something. It was about a letter.” tanjiro kept on babbling as everyone felt dead silent even senjuro couldn't move his hands.

The sealed letter stayed in tanjiro's hands.

Something that belonged to the girl named y/n.

Something probably dear to kyojuro rengoku.

Some words which were waiting since 3 years.

But…..who is y/n?

The rest of hanami festival gathering went by silent. Senjuro entrusted the letter to tanjiro as per as his request before leaving early since he need to be home before sunset to check upon his father. Murata and urokodaki san accompanied him on the way.

“That's completely ridiculous. None of us have any idea who the fuck this y/n is? how are the fuck are you even planning to find her?” Sanemi spit out bitter words at tanjiro, sitting on the porch, watching the sun slowly turn a deep shade of orange. It reminded him of rengoku’s odd hair colour. It's funny how not only he, but his tsugoku also had weird hair colour— a colour which was dear to Iguro obanai.

Tanjiro lowered his head, smiling a bit. Sanemi changed a lot, even if he speaks harshly, he can only smell pure concern. “But I can't start a new life without paying my debts. Rengoku san saved my life. Whoever lady y/n is….I need to deliver this letter to her.”

“I get what you're saying…but there's no address in any part of the letter. Moreover you are being hesitant on opening it. How do you think you will find her then?” Tengen spoke from the back, alerting the former wind hashira and tanjiro. Both wondered how long he's been eavesdropping them. They expect nothing less. He was a hashira and before that he was a ninja. Even after losing one arm and one eye, he still holds the same power.

“Honestly, I've no idea. But I just can't sit and let it slide.” said tanjiro.

“you’re getting married to kanao next year. Better focus on that. Don't get into useless troubles hanging her off.” sanemi said lazily, yawning and getting up to his feet, stretching a bit. “I will be leaving then. Take care.” Tanjiro didn't reply to him.

Tengen shared a look with sanemi. His eyes shooting a mischievous look filled with pride. Tengen has been in a mission with tanjiro and he knows how stubborn he can be. He knows how pure of a heart he had. And how he even had empathy for demons. He knows sanemi have to surrender infront of him.

Annoyed, sanemi rolled his eyes, “if you're that insistent on finding the girl, then why not refer to kasugai crows. Rengoku's crow might know something about the girl.” He suggested as tengen was in literal awe. He never thought sanemi could ever think logically with his brain. Tanjiro’s head perked up in joy at his idea. Now he finally has a path to look up. Sanemi felt awkward and took his leave, avoiding to look in their eyes.

“Ah! Shinazugawa san! Thanks for the idea!!”

“That brat finally seems to work a bit humane ain't he ?!” A deep laugh bubbled up tengen’s throat.

“I’m happy that he has softened a little now that demons have perished. However, about rengoku san’s kasugai crow, do you know where do I get in contact with it?”

“About that, i would recommend writting letter to kiriya sama. I'm sure he would know.” Tengen patted his head with a reassuring smile.

Soon he took his leave with his wives and giyu, since they were going to an onsen. Basically makio Suma and hinatsuru dragged him along forcefully. Giyu looked a bit tired but he was happy.

Things changed and improved rapidly in a short time. Zenitsu and nezuko got married last year. Murata also got engaged. Tanjiro couldn't help but wonder if the lady named y/n had moved on or not? Will rengoku san be happy if she found someone else? Will he be sad? He looked at nezuko smiling at zenitsu as he played with kiyo, naho and sumi. He looked at inosuke giving his shiniest acorns to aoi. He looked at kanao, smiling delicately, just like shinobu did.

He was happy.

But was the lady named y/n happy in her life?

Kanao looked at him and smiled. She came near him and took his wrinkled hand in hers. “Tanjiro san, you know I would really like you to deliver this letter to y/n san before we start a new life.”

“Even if it takes time?”

“Even if it does. I will wait for you for an eternity.” Tanjiro chuckled as red tints his cheeks. How pure kanao’s heart is? How did he get so lucky to have her in his life? God knows.

“Then I will write a letter to kiriya.”

After a few days, a letter arrived from ubuyashiki's. Along with that two kasugai crows were found circling over the house. Among them one belonged to tanjiro, when he was a demon slayer— tennoji.

The other was the one who accompanied rengoku till his last breath. Kiriya felt sad for rengoku and wrote his kind regards to tanjiro sending the crow to him. His name was kaname.

The crow looked pretty much normal and wasn't as hot -tempered as tennoji.

This was the first time tanjiro had seen him. “Hello, kaname san. Sorry for summoning you all of a sudden. But I wanted to ask you something…” the crow didn't reply, but tilted his head at tanjiro.

“I-ahh- do you know anything about a lady named y/n?”

The crow remained quite for a while, as if reminiscing the days which followed great sorrow. “Master's…y/n sama…master's lover…letters…”

His words were what tanjiro was expecting. Tanjiro finally saw a path clear.

“Can you tell me where she lives?” Asked tanjiro hopefully.

The crow shaked his head,“i don't know.”

Slightly disappointed, tanjiro started asking how she looked. The crow wasn't exactly able to describe her. Accepting his defeat, he asked the crow where he saw her for the first time. Maybe if he goes there, he will be able to find her.

“tokyo…capital…mission..”

the crow wasn't that helpful, they only got to know two things.

First- whoever this y/n is, she was rengoku's lover.

Second- rengoku's crow saw her in tokyo, the capital.

This indicates maybe rengoku and the people who went to the mission in tokyo as said by the crow, if alive, they might know something about it. Tanjiro wrote updates to the others.

A few days later, giyu’s letter came along with some sweets. In that he wrote that rengoku went to tokyo for a battle with lower moon 2 back then. Oyakata sama had assigned him to that mission, before he was a hashira. There were a bunch of people accompanying him, one of them being kanroji mitsuri.

Oh! Mitsuri kanroji was his tsugoku, tanjiro almost forgot about that, he got excited to ask her when reality struck him down. She died after the war. Even if she knew y/n tanjiro couldn't ask her.

He continued reading the letter from giyu as the path which formed in his mind started getting blurry.

Upon hearing from tanjiro, kanao dropped by at the kamado’s. She said she might have one way to get to know about y/n. Tanjiro's eyes perked up at kanao’s remark, which almost made kanao’s heart jolt since he was so cute.

Kanao explained, when shinobu was alive, she had once told her that mitsuri was close to a kakushi couple. She further said that mitsuri used to write letters to them about her missions on a regular basis. Those two even came to congratulate her when she was promoted to hashira. She said it was nice to see that a girl around her age so lively.

Tanjiro wrote a letter to kiriya again. And next week when tanjiro went out with inosuke to sell some charcoal in the city, a couple came to visit them.

Nezuko welcomed them, while zenitsu narrowed his eyes on them, especially upon the male.

When tanjiro returned home he was delighted to find the kakushi couple still waiting for him. They didn't hide their faces anymore. Dressed normally as regular citizens. Honestly they were pretty young, and tanjiro admired how they served the corps group keeping them intact.

“I'm so glad you both came.” Tanjiro bowed infront of them in gratitude.

“Oh no, that's completely fine. We are happy to be of any help. Oyakata sama said you wanted to know about mitsuri.” said the woman.

“Ahh not exactly about her, but for instance, do you have any idea if she ever mentioned a name called ‘y/n’?” tanjiro said pulling inosuke back beside him as he kept munching on the snacks for the guests. The guy gave him a creeped stare as he focused back on tanjiro's words.

“y/n? No I don't think so….she ever mentioned that name. Did she tanaka san?” The woman said.

Tanjiro felt anxious as the guy named tanaka tilted his head to think a bit.

“Nope I don't think she did.”, he clarified.

“Oh….” Tanjiro's voice was barely a whisper, that even inosuke sat straight checking if he's alright.

“Is there something else we can do, tanjiro kun? You look upset.”

“No no…it's fine. I was just trying to deliver a letter to rengoku san's love—”

“Rengoku san? Kanroji san’s master ain't it?” Tanaka spoke before tanjiro could finish his sentence.

“Yeah.”

“Oh my god? The one whom rengoku san loves was y/n?”

“You guys know her?” Hope shined bright in tanjiro's eyes. So did a fervent fear. Fear of disappointment. Fear of not being able to pay his debts. Fear of not fulfilling rengoku san's last wish.

“We didn't know about her name but kanroji san used to tell us about her…isn't it shimi san?” The guy turned to his wife with a fuzzy smile on his face.

“Yeah, she seemed so happy, wanting to have a love like them.” Said the wife.

And for the first time till now tanjiro wasn't let down. “Really? Did she lived in tokyo? Rengoku san's crow said he saw her for the first time during a mission.”

“A mission? No.” The wife let out a chuckle, “it started way before that. Kanroji san said….. ”

“Ahh! Master! Can we please have a break! I'm tired from hitting the sword, my limbs are sore.” Mitsuri cried barely holding another strike from her master.

“Haha you got tired this fast, we haven't even started.” the blazing hair resembling fire, moved swiftly as the guy attempted another strike on mitsuri, but thanks to a call outside, he stopped midway.

“Wait a bit, I will be back in a while.” Said kyojuro rengoku, her master. ‘i will be happy if you don't come back for a while.’ she thought as she collapsed on her knees, to exhausted to move.

“Ahh senjuro kun! Bring me some snacks please!!!” She shouted hoping for the little kid to hear.

A bit later, rengoku comes back. Senjuro looked at his elder brother, frowning while holding a letter. Mitsuri sat beside senjuro, who brought her some onigiris.

“What's that master?” She asked, stuffing another onigiri in her mouth.

“Even I'm confused. It's a letter but it wasn't delivered by a kasugai crow but by a postman.”

“Huh? Maybe it's from some neighbour wanting to lower your voice while eating.” Senjuro said shrugged off his shoulders as mitsuri suppress her laugh bubbling on her throat, almost choking on rice. It wasn't an irregular thing that neighbors anonymously complained about kyojuro shouting ‘umai’ every time he ate.

“Open it.” Said senjuro, curious what type of sarcastic words they might have chosen now.

Kyojuro did as his little brother requested. However kyojuro didn't reacted after reading the letter.

“Today's practice is over. You can relax.” He, then ordered senjuro to boil him some bathwater, shooing him away.

Senjuro obeyed his brother, while mitsuri felt kinda odd, yet she was happy to have a day off.

As soon as both of them left the backyard, rengoku blushed like crazy. The letter was still in his hand as he tried to digest the words.

“A love lett—” a big palm shut mitsuri’s mouth, preventing her from shouting. Yet she was squealing. “I thought you left! You've gotten quite quick in sly footing didn't ya? I'm impressed.” He finally removed his hand from mitsuri's mouth.

“Ofcourse you made me practice for 23 hours without sleep. Anyways, what's written in that?”

“Do you want me to make you practice for 2 days straight?”

“Naah I'm fine! But master, I'm happy.”

“Okay.”

“And curious too. Please let me read it.”

“No!”

After shooing mitsuri out of the backyard he tucked the letter in his sleeves. This letter was sure weird.

“Rengoku san thought that she didn't read the letter, but she had a strong memory and could remember each word after seeing it once. She was so excited telling us about that.” said the wife, looking outside the window at the moon.

The flame of the lantern flickered a bit. “So that might mean that the letter should be among those papers…”

“Woah zenitsu! I thought you were asleep?!”

“How am I supposed to sleep if you're talking that loudly idiot!”

Yeah the paper. There were a lot of papers. Some were smudged and unreadable, so they didn't read all of them. Tanjiro went over their cupboard and brought the bunch of papers.

“Can you identify the letter among them?” He asked the guy to inspect. The couple looked at each other. “Maybe we can try but the writings aren't clear.”

“Please if you can. I need to deliver that letter.” tanjiro bowed his head down begging to the couple.

“You're a nice kid, Tanjiro kun. We will surely help you.”

It's been more than twenty minutes since they are reading each and every paper. Inosuke got bored and slept on the tatami mats. Nezuko was already asleep so they didn't wanted to bother her.

“Yeah maybe this one. From what Kanroji san had explained, this seems to be the one.” The guy tanaka handed the delicate piece of paper to tanjiro.

“However, in each of these letters, she referred herself as his wife…I didn't know he was married…?”

“Huh?” Tanjiro frowned upon the man's words. ‘what?’ he checked the letters again. And the guy was right, y/n did refer herself as his wife. They didn't read the papers as carefully since they were long, they just assumed she was his lover. But rengoku san wasn't the one to hide such crucial information.

Tanjiro was confused, they were so focused on finding the address of y/n that they ignored reading the letters, which could provide information about her.

Tanjiro spent the entire night reading each word carefully. Fingers running across elegant handwriting and smudged ink. As he kept reading those with a pain in his heart. There were in total 7 of those letters, which were written to rengoku. And the one which tanjiro kept seemingly in care— the sealed one; one which has a strong smell of rengoku’s aura; one with tear stains.

The couple spent the night in their house and left the next morning after breakfast.

This helped but not that much. However the path had become clearer.

He knew that the girl was from a nice family who had hands in education from the curves in each characters of her words.

Second, she had mentioned that he had saved her and her friends from a fire, in yokaichi.

“I'm leaving for yokaichi.” Said tanjiro during breakfast.

“Eh? Oni- chan?”

“Don't worry nezuko, oni-chan will be back soon.”

“I will also go!” Said inosuke, “inosuke-sama will protect kamaboko gonpachiro, his minon from any harm.”

Tanjiro chuckled at how inosuke shows his care for him, “fine then.”

“Zenitsu san you also go with them…”

“Ehh, but nezuko chan won't you be lonely without me? I know you will be lonely without m—”

“I won't. You guys will be back soon. Till then I will be at butterfly mansion.”

“B-but nezuko channn!!!!” Inosuke dragged him away as nezuko watched the poor soul. She felt bad but she wanted him to be with her brother. She just felt that the three of them should go together.

The three of them finally reached yokaichi town. It was small but quite dense in population. Tanjiro felt that this was an advantage for them since they stories and folks might spread fast in a vast social surroundings.

“Inosuke, zenitsu let's ask the older citizens first, since they might be living here for a while, they must have known about any fire incidents.”

“I was about to say the same thing as you.” Snorted the board masked guy rushing off in the east direction. Zenitsu simply nodded and went in the opposite direction, sulking. He has been giving tanjiro silent treatment since he had to leave nezuko alone.

Tanjiro sighed as he started finding old citizens nearby asking about a fire incident.

After asking a few of them, he sighed, it didn't really do any help, since many weren't able to hear and some weren't able to remember. When he asked the youngsters, they ran away seeing his old crippled hand.

Tanjiro, let down, returned to the spot where they had started searching. Inosuke was already there tapping his feet as he was waiting for the others.

“Did you find anything?” Asked tanjiro.

“Nahh! They were mere cowards. Running way from me. Though I liked it! Everyone should fear the great inosuke sama.” As expected from inosuke, zenitsu was yet to return. Both of them decided to wait till he comes back.

After a while, zenitsu came back. His sulking still hasn't tailed off. “Ahh zenitsu! Did you find anything? You took so long!!”

Zenitsu didn't reply.

He stared at him with dead eyes.

Oh god! Zenitsu’s moody phases are the worst, especially if it's an urgent task. The whining and sulking from a few years ago flashed in front of tanjiro’s eyes.

“You turned mute or what?” said inosuke, already having enough of zenitsu’s tantrums.

But the only reply that came from the blonde was an eye roll. Inosuke got pissed, ready to throw hands at him if not stopped by tanjiro.

“Zenitsu, I will get nezuko chan make sweet washagis for you when we get back home.”

“Really!! You better do that. I can't even explain how much I've missed my dear wife nezuko chan. She must be so lonely without me.” Babbled zenitsu, finally speaking for the first time till they left home.

“She won't.”

“Stop making snarky comments you stupid boar head. What do you even know about pure love between me and nezuko chan?!!!”

“Ahh zenitsu! Did you get to know anything?”

Zenitsu considered tanjiro a while, before giving in, “At the very west of this town, there's an inn. People said it almost burned down about four years ago…I looked for its owner but they said he will be back late.”

Tanjiro let out a breath. If that's the case, then the owner might remember the incident clearly. If only he could provide any useful information.

“Btw do you really believe whoever this y/n is…she's still alive?” Zenitsu scratched the back of his neck, shooing away the mosquitos ready to feed upon his blood. It's been long three of them are waiting in front of the inn for its owner to arrive.

“Let's just not lose hope.” The inn did looked like it suffered severe consequences from whatever happened 4 years ago. Most of it has been repaired but the aura and the smell can still be recognised. There are still some wooden planks with burn marks which are yet to be repaired.

“May I ask who you three are?”

A chilly voice turned their attention. There stood a thin, frail boy, barely an adult. His eyes were small with hair falling down on his brows. He speculated about them with a suspicious look in his eyes(especially on the boat masked guy). Was he the owner? He looked too young for that.

“Ahh good evening! I'm tan—”

“If you're wanting to stay the night, go somewhere else, I'm not opening the inn today.” He replied coldly before tanjiro could even introduce himself.

“Ahh no, you're misunderstanding…. actually we are here to ask you something about the incident four years ago…”

The look on the boy’s face changed from suspicion to disgust.

“Well…I don't wanna talk about it. You guys can leave.”

“No please, at least hear our questions. It's really important.”

“As if I care.”

“Hey fucker! If you don't answer I'll break each and every bone in your body.”

“Stop it inosuke!” This isn't going any better. It's almost night, they also need to find a place to stay.

“tanjiro can you move aside a bit” said zenitsu, without waiting for his reply, he went to the kid. Apparently he whispered something in his ears which seemed to have creeped the guy out.

Tanjiro gulped. He must be desperate to go home and see nezuko. Sometimes he forgets that their coward friend can be hell scary when it comes to nezuko.

“Okay. He's ready to spill anything he knows.” The look on the kids face made it clear he didn't wanted to recall anything about that incident. However tanjiro had no choice but to push him off the edge.

“Hey I'm sorry if we're causing you any trouble, but you know we really need to know anything you know about a girl named y/n.”

“Y/n?”

“Yeah. Heard it before?”

“No. There were none with this name.”

“Eh? Can you try to recall. There must be someone. A girl who was saved by rengoku san. A guy whose hair was similar to fire.”

“Kyojuro rengoku you mean? He pretty much saved everyone. The inn you see here, is small. Before the incident also it was small and not that popular. Only a few people stayed here occasionally. So I can be sure there was no one named y/n.”

An ‘oh’ is just what tanjiro could manage. The boy got inside the house behind the inn. The night fell and they were still in the same position as before.

Inosuke was throwing tantrums in hunger, so they decided to go to an udon shop nearby. Perhaps they should not lose hope. Thinking empty stomach is not always the best option. This they were sitting in the shop waiting for their order to come.

“But she did mention in those letters that she was saved by him. How come the owner doesn't know anything about that?”

“I already told you we should have broken his bones, monjiro.”

“I think it's useless, let's just go back home to my nezuko chan.”

“Zenitsu! What if you were in place of rengoku san? Would you be happy if your last words don't reach nezuko?” zenitsu went silent at that.

They stayed silent till three bowls of hot udon were placed infront of them. Tanjiro and zenitsu thanked the server for the food whereas inosuke just shoved his head into the hot udon bowl. “You guys seem a bit tense, is everything okay? Asked the old man, the owner of the udon restaurant.

“Yeah we're just a bit disappointed.” Said tanjiro. “Haha and why so? Got rejected by a girl? Can't blame her, it's your hand.” The old man pointed at tanjiro's crippled hand. “What happened that's it's such in a bad condition?”

“Oh! It's…from…from a fight.” Tanjiro smiled, it's hard to offend him anyway,“ i already have a fiance and we are getting married soon.”

“Oh my god! Please forgive my mean words then. I wish you both happiness.”

“Thank you.”

“Then why pull a sad face. My udon tastes the best when you eat it with a good mood, ya know?!”

“Haha, I'm sure it will still taste good. Actually we were here wanting to acquire some information about the fire incident 4 years ago.”

“Oh that was such a bad one. If there wasn't that guy everyone would have lost their life…”

“Rengoku san? You mean?” Tanjiro's eyes perked up. “I see, you know kyojuro. Yeah, that boy was a regular in my shop. Although it's been more than three years since he last visited, i wonder how he's doing? Tell him to visit once, the old man misses him.” the man bursted in laughter while the three of them couldn't even managed to smile even once.

How are they even supposed to tell him, tell him that, “rengoku san died three years ago while saving us from…” zenitsu's voice trailed down into nothingness. So did the old man's. They didn't knew if he's aware about demons so they didn't exaggerated it anymore.

No one spoke for a while.

“I see. What did you guys want to know then? I'm sure you were close to him if he gave up on his life for you all…”

“do you know anyone named y/n? I need to deliver this letter to her.” tanjiro took out the yellow stained letter and handed it to the old man, who squinted his eyes on the writings, drawing a wrinkled finger tracing it's shapes.

“Y…y/n…..yeah she asked me to send some letters to his residence. The kid was young and beautiful.” he returned the letter back to tanjiro.

“She did?!”

“Yeah…that kid almost begged me to not tell kyojuro anything about that.”

The three of them looked at each other. “Can you tell us more about her?” “Do you know where she lives?” “Can I get a refill?” The three of them threw questions at the old man's face, whose lips creaked a bit. “Hmm, I don't know where she lives but I can tell you about her.” He said taking inosuke’s bowl to the counter for another refill.

The restaurant was almost empty so they went and sat on the round seats opposite of the counter.

“It was about four years ago when she appeared in my shop after kyojuro left….”

“umm excuse me…” you said

“Yeah young lady, what would you prefer?” asked the owner pointing at the chart hung on the wall which displayed all the items on the menu.

“I will take a hot tempura udon please.” said the girl beside you.

“And you miss?” The owner directed the question towards you. “Umm I will take anything you prefer.” “Ehh is that so? Fine, I'll make you the tastiest bowl of my special udon.”

“Just tell already…!” The girl beside you whispered into your ear, which was audible to the owner, he chuckled a bit. “Can you shut up….!!”

“I will if you say it…!”

“Okay fine!”

“Umm…if you don't mind, is there any way you can ask the address of the man who just left a while ago?” you asked hesitantly, fiddling with your fingers.

“Kyojuro you mean? I already know his residence, he made me deliver udon to his place before.” the owner said trying to keep his composure, young kids are just so bold nowadays.

“Is that so?” your eyes shined dreamily.

“Why harbored a crush on the man you saw a few mins ago? Hahaha!!” you felt blood rush to your cheeks as you couldn't find words to answer his question.

“She wants to thank him for saving her.” said the girl beside you. “Atsuko!” Atsuko just gave a smirk, ignoring how she threw you in such humiliation.

“Ah…if you don't mind then can you please deliver this letter to him anonymously. Don't tell him I asked you to send it. Please…I can pay you for that..”

“I don't need any payment. I will do that. You can just come and enjoy my special udon sometimes.” the owner accepted the letter from your hands, tucking it in his sleeves. “And maybe watch that man you talked about…he comes here around weekends.” The man hinted you the place which kyojuro normal has his lunch. And if you weren't blushing any harder, you felt your entire face burn with embarrassment. But you want to do it anyway.

Atsuko giggled beside you excited to see what happens next.

“So you delivered the letters in her stead?” asked zenitsu.

“Yeah…she kept coming back with letters for a good six months, if i remember correctly. Maybe kyojuro replied to them…”

It fell silent for a while. The only sound echoing was of inosuke slurping on the noodles.

“So, while you delivered letters rengoku san didn't knew her?” The guy with red eyes pointed the question at the owner.

“No i don't think so, she never came when he used to visit, that is, the weekends.”

“Can you tell us what was the name of her friend again?”

“Atsuko…if I remember correctly..”

“Can you describe how she looked?”

“Ehh? I can't really remember people's faces clearly, but she was very beautiful, big eyes with a nice soft skin. Her hair was long and dark. She had a soft voice. She looked like she belonged from a privileged family. So did her friend.”

“Oh is there anything specific you remember about her?”

“Hmm…let me think…if I'm not wrong rengoku once mentioned her name to a boy who tagged along with him. If you go to him i believe he could provide you some answers.”

“Really? Who was he?”

“His name was….daisuke I guess. He used to wear a similar black sort of uniform like kyojuro.”

After finishing their meal, tanjiro payed for everyone and thanked the old man for all that information. They went to a nearby inn and spent the night.

Tanjiro wrote some letters updating each one of their current status. And he sent a crow to kiriya requesting him to take a look if there's any former slayer named Daisuke and used to frequent his missions with rengoku.

The next day around afternoon, tennoji returned from ubuyashiki's. He said there was indeed a slayer named Daisuke. He had suffered severe injuries from the war and now lives in his village.

As directed by tennoji, tanjiro's crow, they went to the south east from their current position. After two days and one night of sleeping in the jungle without the fear of demons, a village appeared. It wasn't that populated. After asking a few kids, they showed the path which led to Daisuke’s hut.

“Umm excuse me? Daisuke san?”

“Yes, wh— ta…tanjiro….aren't you tanjiro?” the guy said, he was blind from one eye similar to tanjiro, with a missing arm and a limp leg. Tanjiro felt sorry for him.

“Yes, they are inosuke and zenitsu. Sorry for being a bother….”

“Oh no please come inside. I will get tea for you…” he said excited.

“Oh, you don't have to. It's fine. Actually we wanted to ask something….”

“Yeah? Please come in. I will surely help you as much as possible.”

They entered the hut and sat on the tatami mats. Even after pleading not to bring any snacks, Daisuke brought some rice crackers for them.

“Please have them.”

“You didn't have to.”

“Oh it's nothing. Now what did you wanted to ask about?”

“It's about y/n.” Tanjiro said as the rest simply focused on rice crackers. A hint of familiarity glistened in Daisuke's eyes. “Y/n? You mean the one rengoku san was madly in love with?”

Madly in love with? Tanjiro felt a pinch in his heart. Rengoku san must have adored you. The sealed letter had tear stains. Did rengoku cried while writing that?

“Ah…yeah…I need to deliver this letter to y/n but I don't know where she lives. Did rengoku san ever mentioned where she lived?”

“A letter? Why sent a letter when he was so adamant about that?”

“Adamant?”

“Yeah…he said that the pages limited his words to her. He was so desperate wanting to see her that he spent like 2 weeks searching for her without taking rest after his missions.”

“Seriously? So how are you supposed to recover from those injuries?” Daisuke said to his senior with an exasperated expression.

“It will heal when I get to see her face.” Said rengoku, bandaging the cut from a demon's blood arts whom he just killed.

“You're gonna exhaust yourself from build up fatigue.” The sun rays kissed the soil painted in crimson from the shedded blood.

“I will be fine. You go and take rest.”

“I can't believe you're going to find the creepy girl sending you creepy letters claiming herself as your wife.” Daisuke let you a sigh at rengoku's stubborness.

“In that case I gotta meet my wife.” Rengoku's laughter echoed among the vast field.

It still echoed in Daisuke's memories.

“So rengoku wasn't married…?”

“Naah. Honestly I think, after rengoku san’s mother died, he had faced severe neglect from his father. He was the oldest son of the family, so he had to be strong for his sibling. But sometimes we forget, even the strong needs someone to back for them. Even they need some kind words to let go all their tiredness and have a tight sleep. Even they need someone who assured them that they have a bright future…”

That's right. Tanjiro had seen how shinjuro, rengoku san's father, disrespected his sacrifice. He was so lost and depressed in his wife's loss that he forgot about the ones who need the most care— his kids.

Daisuke continued, “when the letter came from y/n, rengoku san must have read comforting words for the first time since that. He used to reread those letters a thousand times when he was free. Sometimes I wondered if he ever got bored doing that…but I knew he didn't. A starved man will eat anything. And I knew he was emotionally starving.”

Zenitsu and inosuke stopped eating rice crackers. Rengoku's death solely hurted them as much as it did to tanjiro, but they never thought it was that deep. That it was something beyond his life as a demon slayer.

Zenitsu could relate. After all he was an orphan. And rengoku was too, being in a situation similar to him, where his only parent was emotionally unavailable for him. He felt sorry for him.

No one dared to say anything. The silence was piercing their hearts like splinters of iron.

“Fun fact was that he did find her,” Daisuke chorted a bit before continuing, “and he literally begged her to marry him…”

Rengoku searched from cabin to cabin in the steam train. In the last letter you mentioned you were going to aomori to visit your relatives by train.

After a bit of negotiation he learned that there was only one train which was going to stop at aomori. This is how he ended up buying tickets at the last moment getting in the train, to find you.

He hasn't seen you before. He wondered how you would look. Even more beautiful and kind than your letters. Even more beautiful than the slight hooks of the curved kanjis you had written his name. Even more beautiful than the blazing sun.

He had checked almost the entire train. The content smile on his face has now thinned into pursed lips. He was nervous. What if he fails to find you? What if he never gets to find you? What if he never gets to see your face?

What if he didn't recognise you?

He flashed all the passengers in his head before lowering his head. None of them carried the same demeanor your letters did. He couldn't imagine any one of them being you.

He entered the last cabin. It was empty. However this cabin seemed a bit different. It had a narrow passage on the right with doors while the opposite side had small rooms. It seemed private. One previously booked by someone.

Rengoku turned back to return to his cabin when the door beside him shot open.

Inside was a girl, who seemed to have frozen for a while.

“Y/n?”

The girl’s eyes widened at the name which left rengoku's lips. She shut the door close, but it didn't closed, something was blocking it. The girl looked down, realizing rengoku had slipped his feet in to prevent her from doing that.

He barged the door open. “Y/n right?”

The girl remained silent for some time.

“I apologize to you with all my might rengoku san. Please forgive my intrusiveness.” you said, lowering your head, nervous at the sudden appearance of him.

“God you're even more beautiful than I thought…” you shoot your head up only to see him looking with such dreamy eyes at you as if you're the only thing he's ever wanted to look at. And it made your stomach churn. Guilt rushed in each of your veins.

“Rengoku san, i shouldn't have wrote those letters to you.” You say. Your friend had warned you before. You didn't listen.

“Why?” He took a step closer.

You gulped before answering,“i wrote nonsense, pretending to be your wife I'm very sorry yo—”

“Then don't pretend anymore.”

“Huh?”

“Be my wife.” Rengoku suggested. His face now inches away from yours.

“And then she ran away?” Said daisuke, barely containing his laugh.

“Yeah…did I do something wrong?” Rengoku said with visible confusion plastered on his face. It was rare to see any expression other than his smiling face.

“Of course she would run away.”

“and why so?”

“Rengoku san, a girl thinks about her future first after marriage. She knows nothing about you.”

“But she wrote me lett—”

“Which you didn't answered….since you thought you couldn't fit your words in papers.” Rengoku couldn't say anything in his defense. It was true rengoku never replied to any of your letters. When he received the first one he thought someone was pranking him. But then the letters came continuously, one each month. He slowly fell in love with those. He fell in love with your letters. And somehow, he fell in love with you.

“Then what do I do?”

“Be honest, tell her about your salary and your job, tel her you can take care of her needs.”

“Yeah? Kk I'm going then…”

Rengoku stood at the aomori station waiting for you to get on the train for your return. Upon spotting you, he called out for you. The train had a delay and he had a good 1 hour to make things clear.

“Eh? R-rengoku san!”

“I work in demon slayer corps. And currently I'm in the highest rank which is kinoe. I get a decent salary of 42,500 yen. I live with my younger brother and father. My mother died a few years ago from illness. I spend my day training, slaying demons and rereading your letters,” guilt rushed through your veins again. “I promise, I will fulfill all your needs and treat you like my queen.”

“rengoku san...”

“sorry i didn't replied to any of those, I just couldn't express myself much in writing. If possible I would like to crawl into a hole. However you don't need to worry. I will make sure that I keep you happy.”

You frowned at his words, unable to explain him. How could you do that to him?

“Y/n san, let's make the words on the letters true. Let's be husband and wife. I know that I work in an organization that isn't approved by governm—”

“Rengoku san, shall we walk while talking? We are blocking the road.” you change the topic, not wanting to talk about it.

“Sure.”

Rengoku continued telling you everything…everything about him. From his childhood till his mother's death. From his father's neglect, to his way up to kinoe, from his sword to the number of demons he slayed. You didn't believe in demons before, but now that rengoku tells you about this, demon folks is something you want to believe. You wanted to believe in everything he said. Even if he's telling the dumbest thing, far from reality, you wanted to believe it.

“Y/n san! Look here!” You turn back to rengoku.

Click.

“And did she said yes?”

“Maybe. He didn't mention her answer. He was so happy that finally he met her.”

“You must have seen her then…can you tell us how she looked?”

“I think I might have a photo of her. Rengoku san, asked to recieve a photo delivery, since he had a mission from the previous oyakata sama.” Daisuke got up limping to the one of the backrooms of his hut. He returned a few minutes later, handling a black and white photo to tanjiro.

Inosuke and zenitsu peeped from the sides to take a look at the long awaited moment, when they finally get to see y/n.

The photo was black and white, but tanjiro felt it was still colorful to rengoku san. In the photo there was a girl, young, with long beautiful hair, in a loose braid. She wore a flower hair ornament, which must have shone in gold back then. She was just how the udon owner described her, big doe eyes, pretty mouth, she looked educated. She was dressed in a floral patterned kimono. Zenitsu wondered what sort of colour the kimono would have been. He wondered if he could get a similar one for nezuko as a souvenir.

The girl was beautiful. Inosuke thought, she had similar smile to shinobu, he wondered if his mom’s smile was like that.

The girl's reflection reflected in several mirrors behind her, and one of the mirror had caught the reflection of the one clicking the photo— kyojuro rengoku.

“The last I heard from rengoku san, he said she wanted to meet him before taking the mugen train mission. He seemed happy, maybe she agreed eventually to marry him….if only he didn't…” Daisuke didn't finished the sentence, considering his surroundings.

They sit in deafening silence for a bit.

A bit later tanjiro thanked Daisuke for the rice crackers and his help. He asked if it were okay to take the photo with him. Daisuke had no problem with that. After bidding farewell they continued their journey, unsure what to do next.

After two days of staying at an inn, cluelessly with no idea how to find y/n, inosuke suggests to go to the station from where they got on mugen train.

“If we go to that lord's land and ask the people over there and show this painting of this long haired girl, then some might recognize her.” He had said.

“First of all that's a train station, second it's a photo. How can you still be the same stupid even after 3 years?” zenitsu cringed hard.

“wha—”

“Inosuke’s right zenitsu, we should go there and ask the people over there.” tanjiro said halting the cat and mouse fight which was about to start between the two.

Daisuke had said rengoku was about to meet her before the mission, which means before getting on the mugen train. Even if it is difficult, some locals must have seen even one glance of her.

The next morning, as per inosuke's idea, three of them left for the station.

“Umm excuse me…” said tanjiro, forwarding the photo in front of the local he stopped on his way, “can you tell me if you've seen this girl?”

The man gave a disgusted look at tanjiro. “no I haven't.”

“Ehh? Are you sure you haven—”

“I don't have time for bullshit.” He went off ignoring tanjiro. Strange. People here are less friendly, some even get irritated if stopped on their way.

It's almost lunch time, zenitsu and inosuke had tried to stop the locals as tanjiro asked them about you. It was clear that this ain't ending soon. Especially when they've got nothing good in hand.

“Let's go buy something to eat.”

“YEAH! I'M HECK HUNGRY!!”

“I saw a kid wearing glasses, selling bentos…let's buy some then…she went in that direction.”

Upon seeing the kid, tanjiro asked her to give them three boxes of bentos. It seemed similar to the ones they had three years ago. The girl was about to leave after receiving her payment, but tanjiro's instinct told him to stop her.

“Wait!” The girl turned back to him as zenitsu and inosuke watched him, confused. Tanjiro put his hand inside the sleeves of yukata, taking out the only photo they had of you.

“Have you ever seen this girl around here?”

The girl squinted her eyes behind the round glass frames,“y/n san! Isn't she y/n san…”

Zenitsu’s eyes popped out, he wondered if tanjiro's a mind reader or something, how can he be so quick?

“Yes! You know her? Can you tell us where she lives?” Tanjiro asked desperately.

“She never mentioned that to us…” the girl said frowning her eyebrows.

“Oh…how did you know her then?”

“Well, a demon slayer who saved us three years ago, requested…”

You waited for kyojuro to come. The sun shone brightly above you. The empty roadway started getting crowdy. You've had enough.

“Y/n san. You wanted to see me?” kyojuro had become a hashira now, and amongst his tight schedule he barely had time for you. It's not like you were disappointed, but still…you and kyojuro often talked through phone booths, after you've suggested that casually one day while strolling with him. Last week when he called you, after what felt like years, you said you wanted to meet him soon. ‘fine meet me at the near hinakawa station, I will be waiting.’ he'd said.

Though it was you, waiting for him to come. You've felt distant from him. And you didn't like it.

“I ran away.” You announced looking in his honey drizzled eyes. Though you aren't sure if it were your overthinking but those eyes seemed a bit dull today.

Kyojuro didn't say anything, maybe confused how to interpret your words.

“my family's against us. And I'm against them. I left the old relations to form a new one. With whom I love. Let's get married.” You said taking his hand in yours.

Kyojuro said nothing but wrapped you in his arms. You hugged him tighter, never wanting to let go. “I'm not alone anymore.” He said before nuzzling his face on the crook of your neck.

Yes. You've always wanted to hear these words from his lips. You've wanted to let him know that he's not alone even when he thinks he is. You wanted him to know that there's someone who will always support him even if he's father thinks he has no talent. This was the reason you wrote him letters in first place. This was the reason you let yourself get tangled in a world far different from yours— in the world of kyojuro rengoku.

He left soon saying he will be back after completing a mission. He said he will send someone to you and asked you to wait for him till then. And you agreed gladly. About half an hour later a girl wearing round steel rimmed glasses along with her grandmother appeared.

“Y/n?” You nodded your head at them. “Rengoku sama asked us to keep you safe till he gets back. If you don't mind then you can come home with us.”

You got to know from the grandmother, how the rengokus had saved their lives two times. You've never seen kyojuro fight, but you knew he was hella strong. Still your heart sinks into your stomach whenever he mentions a mission. You've never encountered demons, once you didn't even believed in them, and now here you are nodding at each of those demon tales of the grandmother.

It didn't mattered anyway as long as he comes back safe. You have to wait for a while for him to comeback….after all you weren't done….you still had an important thing to say.

“Then?”

“Then days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, the slayer never made its return. She left eventually, thanking us. We told her to wait for a while more…but she was too stubborn.” said the girl, fixing her specks again.

Tanjiro couldn't believe what he heard. Rengoku had so many things going on in his life. He had more priorities than him and his friends. Someone who was more important. Someone who left her entire family for him.

Yet.

And yet.

He chose to save them sacrificing himself.

He wondered if the you hate him now.

Zenitsu and inosuke were too stunned to speak. All of them were on the verge of crying. To think…that he couldn't return because of them. To think that they played a role in ruining you happiness. That he died saving them.

“She said she was going to asakusa at her friend’s house, named atsuko.”

Tanjiro bowed at the girl, he couldn't manage thanking her, since he knew if he draws one more breath trying to talk, he would break down right there.

The three of them took a train to asakusa after eating those bentos. They looked similar because rengoku had bought the same boxes from that bento girl 3 years ago.

Inosuke was oddly quiet inside the train. The other two also barely chatted before reaching their destination.

Tanjiro had visited asakusa before and he didn't liked that experience very much. Especially the narrow lanes. This time the city looked more developed than before. And it was more crowdy too. They made their way as the girl has previously informed, that atsuko works as a teacher in a big school for aristocrats.

Coincidentally, tanjiro found the same vendor from his last visit. Back then nezuko wasn't able to savor his ramens since she was a demon. He wished he brought her along. They ordered a steaming bowl of ramen, as the vendor was delighted seeing tanjiro again.

“Where that bamboo girl you carried along with you?”

“She's at home right now.”

“Don't give my wife stupid Nicknames.” ,shouted the blonde at the vendor. Tanjiro apologized in his stead as he kept fuming. “So why are you three here all of a sudden? It's been long ain't it?”

“Yeah we're looking for a girl named y/n. She has a friend who teaches in a big school named atsuko.”

“Y/n never heard that sort of peculiar name…”

“are there any big schools in this area, where aristocrats study?”

“Umm…there are a lot of big schools, you could go and ask at the library. There's only one library here and all the school students or teachers borrow books from there. They must know something about that.”

“Oh really! Thankyou very much.”

Without any further do, the three of them went to the public library after eating.

“Woah this is so big.” Tanjiro said.

“It has so many books shall I borrow some for nezuko chan” zenitsu got lost in his dream world. Inosuke was quite whenever he gets in a new environment with a lots of people, so tanjiro didn't bother checking at him.

However, inosuke tugged on tanjiro's yukata pointing at something with his boar mask tugged on his head. Tanjiro could see his eyes popping out.

“What happened tanji—” zenitsu choked on his spit. Tanjiro’s jaw dropped, his mouth open wide. Inosuke was pointing at a picture hung on the wall. Tanjiro took out the photo hurriedly from his sleeves.

There's no mistake. This was indeed the same girl. Underneath the painting was written ‘princess akiko’ in bold letters carved carefully on metal.

“But isn't her name y/n?” Said zenitsu. What's going on? Before tanjiro could say anything, a woman in her twenties bumped into them while rushing.

The photo slipped out from tanjiro’s fingers.

“I'm so sorr—” the women's words halted as she looked at the photo lying on the ground in front of her. She picked it up before tanjiro could.

“Where did you get this picture from?” She asked as if it were a taboo to have this.

“Ahh you know y/n?”

“Y/n?”

“She looks similar to the girl in that painting” the boy with the boar mask declared.

“For the hundredth time inosuke it's a photo.” said zenitsu.

“She doesn't looks like her. She is her. She is princess akiko. The youngest daughter of the imperial family.”

What?

Three of them couldn't believe their ears. “But her name is y/n…” whispered tanjiro in a low voice.

“Just who are you?” She looked at the picture carefully, as if hiding it from the world, “isn't this rengoku?”

“You know rengoku san?”

“That's the man who saved us from a fire incident in an old town. And then became the main reason of the storms in akiko’s life.”

Tanjiro's eyes widened at the mention of the fire incident “Are you atsuko?”

The women nodded, surprised they know her name. Tanjiro, then explained the whole matter.

“I see.”

“This isn't right akiko…you shouldn't have continued writing letters to him in first place.” Atsuko said trying to persuade her not to run away.

“I can't. I can't live here. They will never accept him. And I can't live without him.”

“Akiko, try to understand…rengoku loves y/n.”

“And i am y/n!” The sound of the rain pouring down increased.

“You are princess akiko. Y/n is just a fake name, you created to hide your real identity when decided to write him letters. I supported you then since i thought it was a one time thing.” Atsuko shook the girl's shoulders trying to bring her to the path she considered right.

“But I don't wanna be akiko. I wanna be y/n…y/n rengoku.” Tears fell from the eyes in front of her as sobs escaped her lips.

“You're playing with rengoku’s feelings. Even if you run away, how do you intend to tell him the truth? You can't pretend to be y/n your entire life akiko.”

The girl didn't answered atsuko. That day slowly came to an end along with the rain. And Akiko did run away to rengoku, away from her pointless life, being a puppet in her family's hands.

“She returned a month after she ran away. When I asked him about rengoku she said nothing. Soon her brother came and took her away.” Whispered atsuko in a voice so doleful, that it was clear, it hurted.

“Did rengoku san knew she was a princess?” Zenitsu asked.

“He probably didn't. Akiko's family arranged several politicians later to set her up but she caused such a ruckus that her family gave up at last.”

“Do you know where she is now…i need to deliver this letter to her.” Each word tasted like bile to him. He couldn't even imagine how miserable it had been. You literally rejected a crystal palace only to live a normal life with him. Which didn't even come true. How feverishly would it have hurt? How apathetic fate was…

“She lives in osaka, running an orphanage. You would find her there. Shall I get someone two drive you three over there?”

“That will be very thoughtful of you” said tanjiro.

Atsuko arranged a driver, who would drive them to the orphanage, they expect to find you in. The car ride was even more silent than the train one. Inosuke, even, didn't make any fuss seeing a car for the first time.

‘So this is where princess akiko lives.’ thought tanjiro. The building was similar to butterfly mansion, nothing that luxurious but quite spacious. The driver left soon after dropping them.

They crossed several corridors of children buzzing like bees. Laughter echoed among the hallways. How wonderful of a place for someone who lost their parents. Similar to them. They wondered if they would have grown up in this orphanage if they were born here.

Finally they reached to what seemed like an office. Similar to one shinobu used when researching herbs, the one which kanao uses now. They entered with a knock.

“Y/n san?”

Your head perked up at the name, which once your beloved used to refer. That beloved who never came.

Your heart ached a bit expecting kyojuro. A melancholic smile forms on your face seeing three kids infront of you. Of Course it wasn't him.

“yes?” you said gently, trying not to give in to your emotions.

But tanjiro could smell it. He smelled the intense grief bubbling within you. He could imagine how long you've bottled up your emotions.

Without saying much, he took the letter out of his sleeve placing it on your desk.

“It's been waiting for 3 years.”

“Huh?”

“Rengoku san wanted me to deliver this to you. Sorry this took so long.” your hands froze at his name. Your chest heaved without even you realizing as you grab the letter.

A single drop of tear fell on the spot which had been previously stained with tears. Tears of kyojuro rengoku.

Your fingers shaked tracing your name on the letter. The name which he used to call. Y/n not Akiko.

You teared the seal, taking out a paper. It was filled with words. Words, he never thought he could express on paper.

Dear y/n,

If you're reading this, then I'm sorry. I might have broken my promise of protecting you forever because by the time you read it— I will be dead.

Y/n i wanted to tell you, that I've loved you. I have loved you from the very beginning. Before even I saw you. You were the one who protected the flame in my heart. While others told me to set it ablaze, you made me learn how to keep the flame burning.

You were as beautiful to me as the rising sun. So bright, so clear. You were the epitome of my life. I wanted to live a peaceful life with you, in which my father let's go of his depression. In which your family accepts us. In which we don't have to hide from others. I wanted you to have my surname.

Your words were like the first rain of summer to me. You saved me from quenching my thirst by your words. I have been starved…. starved for so long that I forgot what being hungry for love feels like. Until you came into my life. you healed my heart, handled it as if it's porcelain.

I thought papers were something I would never choose to express myself with. But look at me now. Haha. I don't know why I'm writing it now, but I just feel like, the time’s soon going to be over. And I feel like I will be gone without seeing your face.

Please don't hate me for that.

If I get to spend my life with you I will probably burn this off, but if this letter somehow unfortunately finds you…I want you to know, I gave my best. I gave my very best to save the ones surrounding me. That I fullfilled my duty till the end. So don't feel sad.

I still can't believe you chose to love me. If possible I would like to meet you in another birth, in another universe without demons, where I will be yours, completely yours. You're the best thing that happened to me, y/n. You're just perfect.

But I must say….you’re dumb for choosing a man who bets his life for others, leaving the silver spoon you had in your mouth.

Sadly, our time was limited in this birth. Good bye princess akiko.

~ your kyojuro

The letter fell from your hands. Your lips quivering as you barely contained your tears, which stained the letter.

You just managed a smile at the kids who brought you this letter. He was no more. And you couldn't believe that. He knew you were Akiko not y/n. The truth you weren't able to tell him.

“I'm sorry for making this long. Rengoku san died saving us from a demon, 3 years ago” said tanjiro, tears staining his cheeks. So do the others, barely containing their emotions.

“oh! But i-im glad you all are safe. H-he fulfilled his duties right?”

“Does it hurts?” Tanjiro asked.

“A lot.” And if he wasn't seeing things, he saw rengoku for one second with a silly smile on his face, maybe wondering how to comfort you.

The second he blinked his eyes he was gone. What remained was his letter. Tanjiro handed the photo to you before leaving. He wondered if in another birth he gets to see the both of you reconcile.

He took a deep breath wanting to return to kanao. Maybe he would just ask her to marry him this year. He doesn't want to waste anymore time away from her.

“Where were you?” Asked zenitsu to inosuke, who went missing for a while. They are currently waiting for a train to go back home.

“To buy this.” Inosuke showed a butterfly hair pin decorated with blue crystals. It was beautiful.

“Woah. Who did you buy it for?”

“Aoi.” Tanjiro chuckled at his bluntness, while zenitsu smirked. It's funny how inosuke still gets both of their names incorrect but he never made a mistake in saying aoi’s name correctly. Who knows they might have two weddings…

Now that tanjiro had finally payed off the debt, he wished you happiness as he looked forward to a happier future. He will remember you, not as princess akiko, but as y/n.

“Let's go! I can't wait to see nezuko!!”

“Zenitsu watch out your way!!”

© strawberrymochin 24 | plagiarism won't be tolerated | comments are reblogs are appreciated | banners are by me |

[ssailormoonn]

❛ LEMME TAKE CARE OF YOU !! ❜

Rengoku Kyojuro X Fem!Reader

WC; 1.6k+ | !MDNI! | TW/CW :: reader isnt a demon slayer, wife!reader, oral -> male receiving, blowjob, sub Rengoku, dom!reader x sub!rengoku, soft teasing? soft praise?

*ੈ✩‧₊˚𝑅𝐸𝒬𝒰𝐸𝒮𝒯 :: (filled request) Rengoku coming back from a mission (mugen train lets just say he survived cuz i like being delulu) and he's really tired so reader gives him the reward he deserves? 👀 something along those lines? I imagined it to be sub rengoku but if you dont Like that its absolutely fine!! - ANON

m.list | demon slayer m.list

You were in the kitchen preparing dinner for the family. It had been weeks since Kyojuro's mission began, and with every day, a little more of your heart swelled. You kept up a good face with Senjuro and Shinjuro, but sometimes it was just too much to bear.

Senjuro walked into the kitchen, giving you a small smile. "Need any help, {Y/n}?"

"Sure, could you set the table?" you replied gratefully, appreciating that his company was a good form of distraction.

You worked together in easy silence for a while until Senjuro suddenly spoke up. "I'm sure he's okay, you know. Brother is strong. He'll come back to us."

You smiled at the little boy; he was so pathetic in his attempts to reassure you. "I know, Senjuro. It's just hard not to worry."

Before Senjuro could reply, a flurry of cawing pierced through the air. Both of you turned to see the crow approaching with wingbeats in desperation, then settling onto the windowsill with a worried look exactly the same as yours.

"""Kyojuro Rengoku is gravely injured and in the Butterfly Mansion. Immediate assistance needed."

Your heart dropped, and your hands shook. "Kyojuro…"

Senjuro seized your hand with his; his eyes wide with alarm just as yours were. "We have to see him."

  You nodded at him, managing to steady your racing heart. "Yes, we must." At this moment, Shinjuro appeared before you; his normally cool face replaced with a concerned expression. "I'll set up an escort for both of you immediately to the Butterfly Mansion."

Within minutes, one Kakushi came to take you to Kyojuro. As you were leaving, Senjuro squeezed your hand for the last time, and his lashes pooled with tears. "Bring him back to us, {Y/n}."

"I will," you lied, forcing down the bubble of fear welling inside of you. You are already afraid for your husband, and now that fear has reached rocket size.

The path to the Butterfly Mansion seemed endless as your mind was consumed with thoughts of Kyojuro. Images of his bright smile were all that would flash across your mind, throbbing at the chest in a pained way because you did not know how badly he had been hurt—only that it was serious.

You finally arrived at the Butterfly Mansion. With the help of Kakushi, you pushed your way through and finally reached a place with a heart that was racing in your chest. A kind nurse guided you to the room Kyojuro was being treated in.

You had paused at the door, taking a deep breath before stepping in. There he lay, bandaged and pale on the bed, alive. His eyes flickered open at your approach, and a weak but real smile spread across his face.

"{Y/n}…" he whispered, barely audible.

You went down on your knees beside him and took his hand in yours. "Kyojuro, I was so worried," you said with sobs.

He squeezed your hand weakly at once; his smile still did not leave. "Sorry. I worried you. But.I'm glad you're here."

You brushed a tear from your cheek and bent low to place a light, gentle kiss on his forehead. "I'm here now, and I'll take care of you.".

The yellow and red in Kyojuro's eyes gleamed with love as he smiled upon being close to you physically. He was also very concerned about the struggle against Upper Rank 3, fearing that he might not be able to see you again—his beautiful wife and lovely wife. "Thank you, my love."

It was only a mere two weeks that you stayed at the Butterfly Mansion, but every day felt longer as you watched over Rengoku. Although he didn't verbally express it, you knew he wanted you there. Shinobu, with her perceptive nature, frequently advised you to go home for the sake of your mental health, but Rengoku's silent plea kept you by his side.

As the days passed, Rengoku's health gradually improved, and the time finally came for him to return home. The morning of his departure, you helped him pack his belongings, feeling relieved that your husband was safe and alive. Rengoku was visibly tired but tried to mask it with his usual enthusiasm, but nothing slips past you. 

Once everything was ready, he turned to you, his gaze softening. "Thank you for staying with me," he said, his voice laced with exhaustion. He took a step closer, closing the distance between you.

Before you could respond, he cupped your face in his large, warm hands and pressed his lips to yours. The kiss was tender yet passionate. However, you felt the weight of his fatigue in the way he leaned into you.

As the kiss deepened, Rengoku's hands moved to your waist, pulling you closer. The warmth of his body enveloped you, and you could feel his heartbeat through the thin fabric of your clothing. His kisses trailed from your lips to your jaw, then to your neck.

"You mean the world to me," he murmured against your skin, his voice husky and filled with need. His hands wandered, exploring the familiar curves of your body, and you couldn't help but respond to his touch. The room seemed to grow warmer, the air thick with anticipation.

Rengoku's exhaustion was evident, but so was his desire. "I need you," he whispered, his breath hot against your ear. 

Good thing that Rengoku was assigned a private room.

"Let me please you," you breathed against his lips. "You are so tired, let me cater to you."

"My flame-"

"Kyo, please," you asked, but either way, you were going to be the one pleasuring him. 

Rengoku lets out a sigh and nods, stroking the back of my head before continuing, "Alright, please don't feel pressured."

A smile rose onto your lips at his kindness knowing that Rengoku always makes sure that you're comfortable even if you're always the one topping him. Your knees ached softly against the oak-slatted floor while Rengoku sat on the edge of the bed. It wouldn't usually be like this, everytime that the two of you have engaged in any intimate acts it had always been in the Rengoku estate and on the futon, so doing this on an actual bed was different.

Although, the position to take his cock into your mouth and suck him dry was absolutely perfect. 

Rengoku hesitantly entangled his fingers into your hair, gently gripping the strands making sure not to hurt you. Your eyes widen at the growing bulge in his underwear and you palm his hardened erection causing a soft whimper to leave his mouth. A smile rises to your lips at the sight of his head tilted back, watching him as he swallows the lump in his throat.

"You're so big, Kyo," you tease, placing a kiss on his clothed twitching cock and the grip in your hair tightens when a shaky moan leaves Rengokus mouth.

Rengoku had a flush growing on his cheeks and it made your heart swell at the pretty sight of your husband. You pushed yourself up on your knees and forced your tongue quickly through his lips, engaging in a heated kiss before pulling away, a string of saliva connecting before it broke. 

You let yourself down and pulled the underwear down to reveal Rengoku's long and thick cock, your mouth almost watering at wanting to pleasure this man, you loved to hear his moans and whimpers. His cock hit his stomach and you gently gripped his base, angling the throbbing length towards you, admiring the pre-cum leaking out of the tip.

Placing a wet kiss on the red tip of his cock, a moan trembled out Rengoku's mouth as his chest was shaking from the short and ragged breaths he was intaking. "You're so pretty, Kyo," you coo before dragging the flat of your tongue up the underside of his shaft, feeling the veins that sprung up to the head of his cock, a stream of whimpers leaving his mouth at the contact.

Rengoku's head threw back, his grip tightening on my hair as a gasp came from his lips. His mouth hissed as your fingers toyed with the slit in his shaft, spreading the pre-cum that spilt from his swelled tip before finally taking his throbbing length into your mouth. Your tongue swirled around his swollen pink tip before you took his cock further into your mouth.

"Please," Rengoku whimpered and you hummed in response, spreading vibrations through his cock. He moaned helplessly in response, causing you to want more of him. 

You let your mouth slip off of his cock, placing another whimper to emit from his lips. "'M just giving you the reward you deserve, Kyo. Always providing for me," you coo before taking his dick back into your soft and wet mouth. 

You were trying to take him as deep as you could without gagging on his cock, using your hand to jerk off the reminder that didn't fit into your mouth. Rengoku's whimpers and moans grew louder before he struggled to maintain a still stature. Rengoku began to move your head through the tuffs of your hair, your movements not your own as you removed your hand and let him take control.

He moans, "Feel so good."

When you take him carelessly and put him into your mouth, tears well up in the doe's eyes. Your cunt was soaking wetter by the moment, and the whimpers coming out of his mouth made it even more likely that he would soak your pants.

Rengoku started moving more quickly, which made you start crying even more. When you hollowed out your cheeks, he let out a stifled sigh that made him hesitate to approach further. He pulls away from you, his load spilling into your mouth.

Rengoku's eyes were wide when he looked down to see the tears slipping from your eyes. "My Flame, are you alright?" he asks worried and you nod.

You swallow the sticky come and you reply. "I am, Kyo. Just was overwhelming. 'M happy I made you feel so good," you hum standing up and wrapping your arms around him. "I love you so much."

He wraps his arms securely around your waist, burying his head into your chest, still with heated cheeks. "I love you more."

Do not copy, steal, modify, etc. Relogs and like are appreciated.

m.list | demon slayer m.list

i hope this was okay 🧍🏼‍♀️

[flametrashiraarchive]

Hey👋🏾 ! Can I request Shinjuro x Widowed Reader who lost her husband and child to a demon attack years ago and is now remarried to Shinjuro after after Ruka passed. And how Shinjuro deals with being in love with another partner while also being in love with his late wife still grieving her after all these years. Also I’d wonder how Kyojuro and Senjuro would take to having a new mom🤔.

Hey! Thank you so much for the prompt!

So, this story ran away with itself, but I think this had to be a longer piece because there are so many emotions at play here. I wrote this as if the events of Mugen Train never happened and Shinjuro never had that moment of clarity after Kyojuro's death. (Kyojuro will never die on my watch)

If you prefer, it's on AO3 here

Content warnings for: alcoholism, recovering from alcoholism, death of a spouse, death of a child, and Shinjuro just being awful at the beginning of the story. It is kind of a slow-burn but there is an explicit sex scene so minors DNI. 

A Rekindled Flame

Shinjuro Rengoku x F!Reader

Shinjuro curls his lip as you approach. "What do you want now?"

Your husband reeks of sake and stale sweat, his yukata falling open, exposing his broad chest and thick thighs to the neighbors as he sits on the porch. 

Enough is enough.

You hold your breath, "You know what I want. I've asked you every day since the day we got married; I want you to give up the drink and be a father to your sons. Kyojuro left for his mission brokenhearted."

"So?" 

"So… what if he doesn't come back?"

"Why should I care? He's a grown man. He can make his own damn mistakes."

"You're vile. You're shameful!" You were raising your voice to him now, which you never did. You would take shit from Shinjuro all day long, but when it came to the boys, you would defend them tooth and claw. Your fists coiled at your sides. "How dare you!"

Shinjuro's shock at hearing your raised voice buys you a second to snatch the sake bottle from the former flame hashira.

"Give that back!" He growls, trying to stand. He sways and stumbles back down. "I'm not finished."

You defiantly pour the alcohol onto the earth and hand him the empty bottle. "There. You're done."

He simply stares at you, too drunk to form a reaction. "You… my…"

You turn on your heel and walk back into the house, heading to your room. Throughout the year you've been married, you and Shinjuro have never once shared a bed. Not even on your wedding night. He'd barely even made it through the ceremony before he was passed out in a drunken stupor. If not for Kyojuro and Senjuro, you might have run away there and then. Your marriage is loveless by every definition.

"SENJURO!!" Your husband bellows through the house, looking for his youngest. You know exactly what for. He's too drunk to go and buy sake himself, so he'll send the lad to do it. You step out of your room and find Shinjuro staggering through the kitchen. "Where's the boy?"

"Not here." You weren't about to tell Shinjuro, but his youngest son was at the butterfly mansion, where he would stay until he was ready to come home. You've had enough. You have all had enough.

Shinjuro closes his eyes and his throat flexes. He's either holding back from yelling or vomiting or both. "When you see him, tell him I need more sake. Some hell bitch threw mine away." And then he stumbles off to his bedroom and slides the door shut. A few moments later you hear a thud, and then snoring. 

All things considered, it didn't go too badly. 

Before you finish your chores you head over to Ruka's shrine. It has been a decade since Shinjuro's first wife passed, and you know how much he's hurting. You've lived through it yourself. 

You had thought that having both lost your spouses, you would have been a compatible match and bonded over your shared loss, but Shinjuro had only ever reluctantly accepted you as his wife. You were more of a nanny and maid. 

"Ruka… I'm trying," you whisper as you kneel and light the incense. "I'll keep trying, for the boys and for him."

~

The next day, Shinjuro is in a foul mood as anticipated. He trudges from his room and instinctively heads to the porch before remembering the events of the previous day. 

"You owe me a bottle of sake," he grumbles, his voice deep and rough. 

"You owe me a year of my life. Let's just call it even." 

His thick black eyebrows furrow. "Where's Senjuro?"

"Gone."

"Gone where? There are chores to be done…"

You take a breath. "Senjuro left here yesterday morning. He's gone to stay with friends. Kyojuro and I thought it would be best." 

"What the hell is this? My whole good for nothing family turning against me?" He shakes his head, furious tears forming in his eyes. "Why did you take my son away?"

"I didn't send him, he wanted to go," you try to keep your voice firm but calm. Your heart is racing, and as much as you want to get the hell out too, you need to do this for Kyojuro and Senjuro. "Don't you see what you're doing to this family?"

Shinjuro scoffs. "You're the one breaking us apart. The boys are all I have!"

"Senjuro flinches when you walk into the room. Kyojuro works so hard every damn day to make you proud and all you ever do is drink and tell him he's worthless. I don't want to drive your family apart. I want to fix it. I need to fix it, because you have two wonderful sons who deserve the world. And all you're giving them is hell."

He stares at you. A tear runs down your cheek and you quickly wipe it away. He knows you lost your own son, that you blame yourself for failing to protect him from the demon who killed both him and your husband. If Kyojuro had gotten there just a second later, you would have died too. 

He steps toward you, muttering the first syllable of your name before he shakes his head. For a moment you could swear he almost showed you empathy. "So… what you're telling me is that I need to quit drinking, and then I'll get my boys back."

You nod. "I know how much you're hurting Shinjuro. I know Ruka was your world and you love her so much the pain is unbearable. But the drink isn't numbing it, is it? You're still hurting, and all the drink does is spread that pain to others." You take a step toward him and lay your hand on his forearm, gazing up at him with desperation in your eyes. "Let me help you, because you truly have such wonderful, kind sons, and they deserve a father. And you don't deserve to drink yourself to an early grave."

His jaw tightens and he looks away. "There's nothing left of me for you to save."

"That's not true." Your racing heart is breaking as you look into your husband's eyes and see there's no light in them at all. "Shinjuro, we'll get you back."

"It's impossible–"

"We're Rengokus. We do not give up. Please Shinjuro… let me help you and then… then I'll leave. You'll never have to see me again. But do this for your sons."

His eyes snap toward you. "Why would you leave?" 

"Because I know you don't love me. You never have, and that's fine." A bitter chuckle leaves your lips. "I don't love you either. Let's just do this one thing. If all we ever do is get you through this, I'll consider our marriage a success."

He stares at you for a moment before his gaze drops to the floor. "Alright. I'll do it. For the boys."

~

The first weeks are hell. 

The withdrawal keeps Shinjuro up at night. He shakes and sweats, throwing his guts up and snapping at you constantly. His irritability is worse than ever and you start to doubt either of you has the strength to keep doing this. 

Every night you pray at Ruka's shrine. It's a comfort to feel like you're both trying to help. The photograph of her gazes back at you with endless patience and grace, and you try your best to draw strength from the hope that she's watching your efforts.

You wash the sweat and vomit from his clothes, you brew tea to help his nausea and let him swear and grumble at you all he wants. But he doesn't touch a drop of sake. 

One morning, three weeks after his last drink, Shinjuro emerges from his bedroom and walks to the table where you're eating breakfast alone.

"Good morning," he says, his voice as deep and growly as ever but lately it's a little gentler. 

"How was last night?"

"Better…" he pulls in a breath and walks to the pot of rice gruel on the table, ladling out a bowl for himself.

"You're eating breakfast?" You've never seen him eat breakfast in the whole year you've been married. 

He nods. "Yeah… I'm hungry."

For the first time, your husband sits beside you and eats. He doesn't smell of sweat and sake anymore, he just smells like… Shinjuro. 

"I'm going to cut firewood today," he tells you as he eats. "I noticed we're getting low, with the boys being gone."

Your eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Shinjuro has never done chores. "Oh, thank you."

"Don't thank me. I live here too. It's only fair I do my share." He finishes his breakfast and sets his bowl down. His eyes are downcast. "I'm sorry." 

Silence hangs between the two of you. 

You aren't sure how to respond. There are no words to describe the tangled web of feelings you have for the man. There's so much resentment and anger. But you're proud of him too, so very very proud. And truth be told, though your marriage exists in name only, you're attached to him. 

His hand rests on your shoulder, so big and heavy and oh-so warm. "I've been a terrible husband and an even worse father."

"Yes."

He bows his head. "I know words mean less than actions, but I will atone for what I've done and become worthy of the name Rengoku once more." He pulls in a long breath and turns to face you. "My wife… will–" He shakes his head, composes himself, and says firmly, "Can I hold you?"

His request takes you by surprise. "But you hate me."

"No," he shakes his head. "No, I've never hated you. How could I? I've watched you keep this home running while I've sat idle and useless. I've watched you be a mother to the boys and put up with the hell I dragged you through with grace and strength." His gold and crimson eyes are fixed on you. "You are a remarkable woman, the strongest I have ever known. And I know I'm unworthy of claiming the title of your husband, I'm beyond honored to call you my wife."

You can only stare. This man is so different from the one you've been married to this past year. "Shinjuro…" his name emerges as a whisper before your lips curve and you smile at him for perhaps the first time ever. 

Words are unnecessary as you lean into your husband's embrace and his strong arms wrap around you as he buries his face against your shoulder. 

And God, it shouldn't feel this good to finally feel appreciated and loved by him, but it does. You hold each other as if your embrace could heal the deepest wounds, bringing your hand up to softly stroke the back of his head and his wild fiery hair.

"I'm so proud of you," you say at last. "I know nothing has been easy these past ten years."

"It hasn't been for you either, and I've made it so much worse." He pulls back from the embrace and looks into your eyes. "I'm going to be the husband you deserve, if you'll have me. But don't answer yet. Let me earn it." 

He stands and takes your bowls to wash them. When he's done he silently heads outside and it isn't long before you hear the rhythmic thump of an ax hitting wood. 

You go about your daily routine, keeping the Rengoku homestead together as best as you can. You clean, maintain, fix, and finally cook.

When dinner is ready you head outside to tell Shinjuro, but the sight which greets you knocks the air from your lungs. 

He's still hard at work, his torso completely bare and his yukata gathered about his hips. His body is so big and burly, softened by age yet still so strong even though years have passed since he quit his hashira training. He's sweating and his cheeks and chest are flushed a warm shade of pink. He's slightly breathless. The golden sunset highlights every curve and muscle of his body. 

You just… stand… transfixed. 

Your body knows what it wants immediately.

He finally notices you standing on the porch and wipes his brow on his forearm. "Everything okay?"

"Mhm… yeah…" you nod as heat creeps across your cheeks and pools in the pit of your belly. "Dinner's ready."

He nods. "Almost done." 

The heat in your belly seeps lower as you watch him swing the ax again. 

You have to turn away. It has been years since you felt anything close to desire, and the sudden onslaught to your senses is more than you can handle. Heading inside, you splash cold water on your cheeks and add the noodles to the pot, ready to serve.

"Mmm…"

Your heart flutters as you hear Shinjuro's low hum of approval as he steps into the house a few minutes later. "Smells like miso."

"Miso ramen."

"My favorite!"

"I know." You chance looking around and instantly regret it. 

His yukata is back in place but he must have quickly washed up outside as his hair is wet and scraped up into a ponytail. And though he's clearly made an effort to be presentable, the fact remains that his yukata is hardly big enough to fully cover his chest. You can't tear your eyes from the hypnotic sight of water droplets sliding down over his skin.

"Oh~" you clear your throat and turn back to the pot, fixing two bowls of ramen. "It's a shame Kyojuro isn't back yet. He loves this dish."

"Kyojuro loves every dish," Shinjuro chuckles as he sits at the table. "Feeding him costs a fortune. But your ramen is very good." A pained sigh escapes him. "I do miss the boy. I expect he and I will have a difficult conversation upon his return. Difficult but necessary. And as for Senjuro, I can only hope he wishes to come back home."

You set the bowls on the table and sit beside him. "He will. He wants his father. And I've written to him telling him how well you're doing, though it may take a while for the letter to reach him, since Kyojuro has the kasugai crow on his mission." 

Shinjuro pauses with his spoon mid air. "You did that for us?"

You nod.

He reaches out and puts his hand on yours. "I would marry you again, you know. I know you probably can't say the same and I don't blame you for that one bit. But I would marry you without hesitation." 

His hand completely covers yours; large, firm, and warm. You rotate your wrist and turn your palm upward to interlock your fingers with his. 

"It hasn't been easy, Shinjuro, but I would do this a thousand times over to meet the version of you I see today." His stubble rasps against your palm as you reach out and affectionately cup his chin with your other hand, lifting it ever so slightly so he sits a little prouder. "I knew there was a good man beneath all those snarls." 

He chuckles and smiles at you fondly. "Thank you. Ah, I should probably shave, shouldn't I?"

"It's up to you, I quite like the stubble."

"Oh you do?" He raises a thick, dark eyebrow. "Then I'll keep it."

Your cheeks heat. You're flirting with your husband! He laughs softly and continues eating his ramen. 

"It's good. Thank you. You're an excellent cook and an even better wife."

When evening comes and it's time for you to go to bed, you stand together in the center of your house between the two doors.

"Goodnight, sweet wife," he says, squeezing your hand affectionately.

"Goodnight, husband who is trying very hard."

He laughs before he turns and heads to his room. 

~

From that point on, each day gets a little easier. You sit and eat meals with your husband and both spend the day working around your home. You become a team, a family. And every day he recovers more of himself. Every day he becomes the man his family deserves. 

When he's a month sober, you prepare a special dinner; a little banquet just for the two of you.

"Oh my!" His smile beams as he sees all your hard work. "My darling wife, you really are wonderful."

"Thank you." Your heart leaps as he leans in and gently kisses your cheek. 

"No, no, thank you." He chuckles and sits down to eat. He'll never admit it, but since he sobered up it's very apparent that Shinjuro absolutely shares the same voracious appetite as Kyojuro. "Mm… tasty."

You sit together, shoulder to shoulder as you eat, discussing the day and what still needs to be done around the house tomorrow. When he's finished eating you hand him a letter. "It's from Senjuro." 

His smile falters and he suddenly looks timid. His fingers are shaking as he opens the letter. You already know the contents, you know it's nothing but sweetness– of course it is, it's Senjuro– but you know how terrifying this must be for Shinjuro. 

You put your arm around his back as he reads and a few moments later you feel him start to shake as he grits his teeth and a sob bursts out of him.

"Senju–" he cries, bringing the letter to his lips and closing his eyes. "Oh my sweet boys. I miss them."

You pull him into an embrace,  wrapping your arms around him; one around his back, the other cradling his head to your chest as you press your lips to his hair. "It's okay. You're doing so well, Shinjuro. They'll be back soon and they'll be proud to call you their father."

He nods and wraps his arms around your waist, holding you as his tears subside and he composes himself. "You're right. They'll be back and they'll have a father they can be proud of." He keeps holding you, keeps resting his head against you. "Thank you. I can never thank you enough for what you've done for our family." 

"I would do it every day, a hundred times over." You kiss the top of his head, letting your lips linger in his hair. The scent of him is so comforting now, so you draw a deep breath.

He raises his head to look at you, smiling softly, and leaning in to  place a gentle, loving kiss on your cheek. 

His lips are soft in contrast to his stubble which rasps over your skin and stirs a cloud of butterflies in your belly. 

Your heart races as you close the space between you once more and kiss his cheek in return. Your kiss lands a little lower, a little closer to his lips.

He mirrors your gesture, exchanging another chaste kiss at the corner of your mouth. And another. And another.

The air between you grows thick and hot as those chaste kisses become loaded with a deeper need. And with every kiss your heart beats a little faster.

Your faces are just inches apart, his shallow breaths fluttering against your lips as the lids grow heavy over golden hued eyes. His gaze drifts to your lips. "Is it…okay if–?"

"Yes." 

He chuckles, brushing his fingertips against your jaw and gently clasping your chin to bring your lips to his. His kiss is soft and tender, his lips slowly and tentatively caressing yours, as if he's rediscovering a path he once knew so well. 

But once he finds the rhythm his kiss grows more intense, and a deep, desperate moan rolls through his chest and echoes in you. The moment his tongue slips against yours you're both gone; lost to the heat and the pleasant tingles shooting through your bodies.

He pulls back for a moment, checking in on you, but you quickly close the gap once more, kissing him with all the passion and adoration you've craved for so long.

Your fingers graze over his stubble as you cup his face between your hands.

"Oh, my wife," he whispers against your lips as he switches from deep, hungry kisses to feathery, gentle ones. "My sweet wife."

He presses his forehead to yours as he traces your lips with his fingertip, making you shiver. 

"I should have told you every day; you're so beautiful," his voice is low and quiet and just for you. "I want to spend the rest of my life cherishing you as you deserve." He places a soft kiss at the corner of your lips. "I never thought I'd feel this way again."

You can hardly breathe; his tenderness is lovely and overwhelming. "I know I'll never replace Ruka. I don't intend to, and I would never expect you to stop loving her."

"You're right, I'll always love her, but I love you too, and there's room for both of you in my heart." He tucks your hair back behind your ear and kisses your temple. "I would never expect you to stop loving your late first husband either. The ones we lose, they're a part of us, and they would want us to be happy." He caresses your cheek and it isn't until he wipes away your tears that you realize you've begun to cry. "Before she died, Ruka begged two things of me: to take care of our boys and to find love again. And you've made both her final wishes possible. Ruka was my first love, but you are my last."

Your heart squeezes at his words. You caress his stubbled cheek before leaning in and letting your kiss tell him everything you can't find the words to express. His lips are addictive, and every kiss fans heat through your body. When you pull away you gently suck his lower lip, pulling a deep, needy groan from him.

"Oh~" his eyes flutter closed. One of his hands is at the back of your neck, the other drifts down to your waist. "You're making me weak, wife."

You can't help but smile as you lean in again and kiss him even deeper. That you can reduce this big, strong former hashira to whimpers with just a kiss is more thrilling than you ever imagined.

His cheeks are a deep shade of pink as he gazes down at you. "We have a lot of time to make up. I want to take care of you. Tell me how to do that."

"Well, we never got a wedding night," you say as your heart pounds.

"You're right." He kisses you again, runs his fingers through your hair. It seems he can't get enough of the sensation of you. "Would you like me to make up for that tonight?"

Your throat is dry, your breath stilted as you nod. "Yes. Shinjuro, right now I want nothing more."

You can see in his eyes how much this means to him. And you feel it too. It's not just the physical pleasure, but the intimacy, the outlet, the emotional release. He carries you to his bedroom and sets you down on the bed, his lips curving into a genuine and grateful smile as he kneels between your knees and leans forward, pressing his body against yours and kissing you. 

It's been so long since you felt anything like this, and your body drinks it in. Before long you're kissing like teenagers, both flushed, your bodies heating. You wrap your legs around him, grinding your hips against his, seeking friction as his tongue strokes yours. 

He chuckles softly. "Easy, little spitfire. I said I'd take care of you and I want to do it thoroughly." His fingers make short work of your clothing, laying you bare as his breath catches in his throat. "Beautiful," he whispers, his voice thick with reverence as he gazes down at you.

He kisses your neck, your collarbone, your breasts, latching onto your nipples with a wanton moan. 

There's so much time to make up for, and he loves you. He desperately does. Never once during that year of lonely hell did you ever suspect that Shinjuro was a man who loves to fuck, but as he kisses his way down your belly and over your hips, he can't hide the curve of his lips or the gleam in his eyes. 

His stubble rasps against your inner thighs as he teases you with hot, hungry kisses, inching closer and closer to where you so desperately need him.

"Just relax," he tells you in that soft, growly voice as he lies between your legs, his lips just inches from your pussy. "Let your husband take care of you."

And God, he does just that. Shinjuro eats your pussy like it's his first meal in forever, licking, sucking, groaning as he devours you. He's experienced; he knows exactly what he's doing, and he's enthusiastic about it, wanting nothing more than your pleasure and your fingers tangled in his fiery hair.

He listens to your moans, he pays attention, figuring out what works for you. Hooking a large, warm hand behind your knee, he lifts your leg and puts it over his broad shoulder and seals his lips around your clit, softly sucking as his tongue flutters. He's spurred on by your cries, your gasps, the way your legs tremble.

"Shinjuro…I'm close." 

It's music to his ears. He doesn't stop, he keeps the same pressure, the same pace, letting your pleasure build and build until you fall apart, bucking against his skillful mouth as he laps up every drop of your essence. When your trembling subsides he gently and affectionately nuzzles your clit with the tip of his nose. 

"God." You lie there panting as he kisses your inner thighs once more. 

"Do you want more?" He asks, lifting your leg and trailing kisses down your calf.

"I never want it to end."

He laughs quietly, shifting his body so he can lie on top of you. You kiss him deeply, tasting yourself on his lips as you run your fingers over his back. His muscles flex and relax beneath your touch.

"Do you want me to fuck you?" He whispers in your ear. 

"Yes." There's so much desperation in your voice. 

A low, approving moan emerges from him before he rocks up onto his knees and stands to undress. His body is just as strong and burly as you remember and just the sight of him makes your breath catch. His cock is hard and standing straight out, curved slightly upward toward the tip, and thickly veined.

His eyes are soft as he looks down at you, but the shallow rise and fall of his chest tells you he's anything but calm.

Raising up, you sit on the bed and put your hands on his hips, pulling him toward you. He smiles and obeys your silent command, stepping closer to you to lay back down on top of you.

"I can't tell you how good it feels to know you want me," he whispers close to your ear. "My God, I have such a beautiful wife."

He trails kisses down your neck, pressing his lips to your throat as you run your fingers through his hair.

"You feel so good, Shinjuro."

"I want to make sure you're good and ready for me first." He reaches down between your legs, his fingers gliding over your overstimulated clit and down to your entrance. He gently pushes his finger inside, gasping at the wet warmth of your pussy squeezing him. "Ohh~ my girl, you're so wet already."

You're out of your mind with desire and pleasure as he finds the exact spot to curl his fingers against. "Shin… oh…"

"Hm? Is that good?" He adds another finger, circling your clit with his thumb and watching your every reaction. 

He fucks you with his fingers deep and slow, stretching you out in preparation, enamored with your whimpers and the way you moan his name.

Lowering his head, he takes your nipple into his mouth and laps at it with his tongue. "Are you going to cum for me again, my love?"

"Y-yes."

"Good girl, I know you've got at least one more for me." 

You're damn near feral as he keeps coaxing out your pleasure, that big, warm body of his pressing you down against the mattress. Your inner muscles flutter and clench around his fingers. 

"That's it, my love. There it is. Let's get this pretty pussy all wet and ready for me." 

Your orgasm tears through you and you cry out in pure bliss as he keeps on praising you in his deep, rough voice. 

"That's my girl. Oh you look so beautiful; so ready for me. You want it now, huh?" 

All you can do is nod. He chuckles and pulls out his fingers, bringing them to his mouth before he sucks them clean. "Mm~ I'm never going to get enough of your taste."

"Shinjuro," you moan as your hips involuntarily buck toward him. Your need surpasses all other sensation. You need to be fucked and you need it now. 

Shinjuro's lips curve into a grin. He strokes his cock between your folds, coating himself in your slick essence before he presses his tip to your entrance. 

"God, you're so big," you gasp as he pushes into you. Even with all his preparation there's still a little resistance. 

"Nice and easy, little spitfire," he grunts, his brow knitting together as he slides slowly deeper. "Ohh, you feel so damn good."

He buries his cock to the hilt inside you,  leaning forward so his chest is pressed to yours and he can rest his weight on his forearms as he caresses your face and strokes your hair sweetly while grinding his hips against yours.

"Look at you, my pretty wife, taking my cock so well."

As your passion grows, his vocabulary dwindles to nothing more than grunts and gasps. He rolls his hips, aiming to hit every pleasurable spot with each slow thrust. He's patient, savoring the sensation of you as he kisses every inch of your face.

His restraint starts to fray as you rock your hips beneath him, hinting that you want more. 

Those golden eyes of his flutter shut, and his lips part around a silent gasp. "If you keep that up I'm not going to last, my love."

You kiss him, deeply, your tongue dancing slowly with his as you keep on rocking your hips. As much as you want this to last forever, you want him to feel good too. Watching him start to lose his composure is a beautiful feeling.

He groans against your mouth. "Do you want to get on top?"

"Yes." 

He rolls you over and lies back, letting you align yourself properly to ride him. Putting one arm behind his head, he reaches out with the other and touches the base of his cock, sliding up until he touches your pussy, tracing the seam where your bodies meet, with a deep, approving moan. "So perfect." 

You place your hands on his belly for balance and start to roll your hips, taking him slow and steady, rocking forward so your breasts are just a few inches from his face. 

"Ohh~" He's in bits as you ride him, his cheeks flushed, his eyes heavy-lidded.

Ever-desperate to please you, he strokes your clit with the pad of his thumb, watching the way you move like he's bound by your spell.

As your pleasure grows you start to move faster, taking him harder and deeper until you're riding him with desperate abandon. 

Your backs arch in sync as the pleasure becomes too much to bear, as waves of pleasure wash over you and you fall apart, he cries out, gasping, thrusting his hips up into you as he finishes. 

And then you collapse, fucked-out and blissful in the arms of your husband. Finally, finally after all this time.

You both lie there gasping for air, exchanging soft laughter and gentle kisses.

"I love you, wife." He pulls you to him, wrapping his strong arms around you as if he intends to protect you from the world. 

And finally you speak the words you've longed to feel since the day you married him. "I love you too."

You mean it. You truly do.

For the first time in your marriage you and Shinjuro fall asleep holding each other. And that's how you sleep every night thereafter. 

~ 

~A year later~

"YOU'RE HOME!" Senjuro is only fifteen and probably only half Kyojuro's weight, but he barrels into his older brother with enough force to knock the man flying onto his ass. The boys' loud, contagious laughter rings through the house. 

"Careful! Careful!" Shinjuro chuckles, ruffling his youngest son's hair before helping the eldest up from the ground.

"Thank you father," Kyojuro beams as he dusts off his hashira uniform and places his hand flat on Senjuro's head, measuring his height against himself and widening his eyes when he finds Senjuro is at nose-height. "Goodness! When did you get so tall?! You must stop growing. I'll be the shortest in no time."

"Then I'll call you 'little brother' instead." Senjuro grins.

A laugh shakes Shinjuro's chest as he places his hand on his eldest son's shoulder. "You may be the shortest soon but I'm still proud of you. I'm proud of you both. I have fine boys." He smiles affectionately. "How was the mission?" 

"Successful." Kyojuro lifts his chin proudly. "We prevailed, and the demon's would-be victims are safe. He won't hurt anyone again."

A moment later, Kyojuro is damn near swept off his feet a second time as his father pulls him into a tight embrace.

You can't help but smile from the doorway before heading into the kitchen. It's late spring, the air is fresh and pleasant, and everybody's home. It's as good an excuse to prepare a feast as any. 

Getting to this point took some work. There were many tears and long conversations. But in the end the family has come together and emerged from the darkness stronger. The Rengoku house is once again filled with love and laughter.

Kyojuro walks into the kitchen and wraps his arms around you. He knows what you endured throughout his father's recovery, and he'll never stop showing you how grateful he is. 

"I'm so glad you're home," you say softly as you hug your stepson back. 

He pulls back and his smile is beaming. Both Kyo and Senju have their father's hair and eyes, but Kyojuro is the spitting image of Ruka; his presence just as calming and comforting as the picture on her shrine. 

"How is he?" he asks. 

"Your father?"

"No, no I can see he's well. I mean…" his eyes dart downward to your stomach. 

You laugh, "Oh, you're so certain you have a new little brother?" 

"I'm positive, there hasn't been a girl in our family as far back as records go. Could you imagine a little girl with these eyebrows??" He laughs loudly. 

There's nothing wrong with our eyebrows," Shinjuro interjects as he enters the kitchen too. "Now, if you don't mind, your stepmother and I have a feast to prepare. You and Senjuro have a lot of catching up to do, I'm sure."

Your husband rolls his sleeves over his muscular forearms and gives you a wry smile as the boys head off, chattering between themselves. 

"We all love you, you know?" he says quietly as he begins chopping vegetables. "You brought this family back from the brink, and I can never thank you enough." 

"You thank me plenty."

"It's still not enough." 

He sets down the knife and stands behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist and leaning around to place a dozen little kisses on your cheek. 

You laugh– as you do so often these days– and kiss your husband, proud to be his and proud to love him so openly. Because Shinjuro Rengoku is a man to be proud of. 

The end

[insideliascrazyhead]

High & Low Couple Headcanons

Todoroki,Shibaman and Tsuji

-Overprotective as fuck

-patching up after fights comes with extra scolding about don´t get yourself hurt unspoken: don´t make me worry like that

-Todoroki trying to pretend not to be totally fond of Shibaman and Tsuji´s typical little behaviors that everyone has that would piss others off but not your loved ones cause they´re used to it

-Todoroki smiles.A lot more.

-He also loves it when Shibaman and Tsuji get a Ichigo Milk scolding

-When they´re not at Oya they´re usually at Shibaman´s since his sister isn´t home a lot

-They all met his sister though and Todoroki is her favorite

-and he loves it there,it´s a lot more home-y than his own

-domestic as fuck

-try to get into each others interests

-Todoroki going on a concert with them

-Shiba and Tsuji reading one of Todoroki´s books,failing miserably to understand that complicated shit and ask if there´s a movie for it instead

-especially during date night,where they switch up what they do

-shockingly stumbling across Murayama in the early morning on his way home form Cobra

Tsukasa and Fujio

-Fujio´s mom loves Tsukasa

-two domestic bitches

calling each other on face time speaking until fall asleep

-trying to be romantic then laugh about it

-god Tsukasa loves when Madoka scolds Fujio

-movie night dates

-dates in the amusement park

-clingy and adorable

-protective

-love language are probably gifts and quality time

-cuddles all the time

-inseperable

-bickering like old married couples

-soo many nicknames from Fujio

-patching up each others injuries after every fight

-probably adopted Jamuo as their child

-cooking dates until Fujio cut or burns something and get´s banned from the kitchen so he sits on the counter as emotional support and even tried cheering Tsukasa on once,who just shoved some food into Fujio´s mouth

Yasushi and Shidaken

-they´re normally at Shidaken´s since he lives alone

-horror movie nights even tho Shidaken´s doesn´t necessarily like them and nearly vomits sometimes

-gross food and candy combinations,also dare each other to eat it

-sneaking around thinking they´re good at keeping it a secret

-teasing like crazy

-any romantic couple things,yeah matching brain damadge

-lovingly insult each other

-kicking each others ass on occasion

-Shidaken loves when Yasushi goes crazy on some random thugs

-Shidaken bickering constantly with Kiyoshi

-always eat takeout,they tried to cook once.The pan caught fire and they started fighting and screaming,not knowing what the fuck to do.If odajima wouldn´t have come by that day,the flat would´ve burned down.Dumbasses still fighting while being open flame grilled

-Yasushi probably drowns in Shidakens clothes so he hits him with the sweater paws,always when he least expects it.

-The most agressive mother henning ever

-he met Shidaken´s mother,she thinks Yasushi´s a total sweetheart -You can behave?Yeah you can go eat me.Maybe later.Yasushi violently choking on nothing.

-Probably say fuck you instead of I love you

-You hate this guy.Nah we hate this guy.That kinda loyality.Now it´s on sight for the two.

-When Yasushi fell in love he thought the fluttering in his stomach is the flu.

Cobra and Murayama

-Murayama shamelessly flirting with Cobra and freezing like a deer in the headlights when Cobra flirts back

-road trips with the motorcycles together

-will probably get married on a roadtrip down the route 66

-would be the cool childless tequila uncles

-shovel talk by Yamato and Noboru get´s interrupted by Naomi who scares the shit out of Murayama

-Seki and Furuya try to intimidate Cobra too

-Kohaku nearly pisses himself laughing meeting Murayama cause of course Cobra falls in love with a guy thats so much like his old self

-Cobra get´s nicknames by Dan:cougar,sugar daddy etc.

-sexual jokes in revenge telling Dan that he´s still single

-mother henning Cobra into eating more,taking care of himself

-Murayama would mature a lot and Cobra would be happier

-wanna hear stories from Mugen and early Sannoh Rengokai

-first time he hears Cobra laugh he probably drops whatever he´s holding

-domestic routine quickly but when Murayama learns about Mugen Cobra he tries to bring him back out.

-Crazy date ideas by Murayama and Cobras weirdly always down

-Murayama tried to out eat Yamato once and nearly died

-also Dan and Tetsu are so happy to get a better chance with woman but still fail

Todoroki and Odajima

-comfortable silence

-fishing dates

-private and reserved in public

-cute couple selfies

-Odajima tries reading books Todoroki is interested in,sleeps in

-ass kicking as date

-they´re actually the best at sneaking around

-Yes,Todoroki sometimes carries a exhausted Odajima like Jinkawa does

-Odajima is cuddly and clingy

Yasu-Kiyo

-screaming instead of talking even tho they´re not fighting

-they all think they´re fighting and threatening each other.No that´s flirting

-crazy overprotectivness

-total ride or die

-violence as love language

-so many hickeys

-make out sessions after fighting other gangs

-think they´re sneaky.they´re not

-inseperable as usually

-move in with each other without noticing

-Jealous as fuck if you come up towards their boyfriend so help you god.Run.

-Possessive like crazy

-“at least this way no one stabs Kiyoshi anymore!“

„Nah.Did you even met this guy?“ „Stabbing each other is probably their foreplay.“

[babbiweeb]

it's always been you-kyojuro rengoku

(anime in gif:unknown)

tw:arranged marriage, short mention of abuse (shinjuro rengoku)

initial tags:pre-established reader background, kyojuro rengoku, female reader, demon slayer:kimetsu no yaiba, kyojuro rengoku lives au

genre:romance, slow burn (attempted), angst (if you squint. maybe?)

story playlist:

let you break my heart again-laufey ft. philharmonia orchestra

here with me-d4vd

in the embers-sleeping at last

tv-billie eilish

i’m with you-vance joy

authors note:the last few days have just been filled with so many potential ideas that i haven't exactly fleshed out (yet). today is the day i (hopefully) feed my moots with more kyo content! talk to you later! enjoy!

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

Morning breaks as it brings a sheer glimpse of hope for the new day. The first rays of subtle light pour into the windows of two separate bedrooms. The marriage of two young souls illuminates in such a way that would shock many. Two bedrooms across from one another. One holds the secrets of a man who is shrouded in complete mystery. While the other, holds the heart of a woman who yearns for more. 

They married in the fall with hopes that in the upcoming new year, a child would be conceived. However, the pair still hadn't even shared their first kiss. A marriage with an empty marital bed and empty hearts. A constant reminder of what was always meant to signify their relationship-

Simply an arrangement.

__

Walking along The Flame Estate halls, a woman of poise and grace emerges. You would expect nothing less from such a woman born into such prominence. Perhaps this is what annoys him? Perhaps she is overwhelming while in his presence? For over a year, each conversation they surprisingly had was always filled with slight tension. As if her mere existence brought pain to the man of the house. She never understood why, her mind just filled with constant doubt-

”Why marry someone you don't entirely agree to?” ”How can one hate me so much?”

Her thoughts echo throughout her mind. Despite this, she is determined to remain by his side. Playing the role of his perfect wife-

Because while he would never admit it…you are the perfect wife.

You are perfect for him.  

__

My mind races as I walk towards our kitchen. My fingers trace along the hem of my robe, before finally grabbing hold of the soft fabric. Ruby red that compliments my delicate skin-the red boosting the radiant fire within my heart. I was a fool to think this would catch his attention. Nothing seems to ever do just that. Oh how I wish to be more than just strangers. 

Breathing deeply, I prepare a few bowls and place them on the countertop, careful to keep the noise to a minimum. However, before losing myself, he makes his presence known. At this moment, I take time to watch him. Pulling a chair out from the dining table, he takes a seat.

“Good morning Kyojuro! Perfect timing, I was just about to start breakfast!”-I spoke with a familiar fondness. I can’t help but crave for more, my voice makes that abundantly clear. 

A grunt of satisfaction for my duty leaves his lips. As if this is my queue, I begin to cook-

All for him.

__

His father was estranged for a time from the young boys of the home. Senjuro, being the youngest, had a hard time remembering his mother. As if the young boy couldn't go through any more hardship, his father grew distant and abusive after her passing. Though, from my understanding, the relationship between the three grew recently. 

Kyojuro, after dancing with death, had survived the events of The Mugen Train. The battle with an upper moon demon had changed his heart according to many. During his recovery however, the light grew brighter on the other side. While he lost the battle, he gained what their dear mother would have wanted. 

Now, though not officially retired, he still takes on light missions to remain active duty. I never pried where I felt I couldn't, at least…not to him. His father approached my family over a year ago, believing marriage would help ease his eldest  son into a more relaxing life. I was deemed the perfect match for such an outstanding man. A young woman who was raised in the same prefecture as the Rengoku family truly would have been the ideal fit-

If only he had seen it sooner.

__

  Serving his breakfast on a tray, I place it in front of him as he sits patiently at the table. I took the time to make his favorite. Most mornings, while he never explicitly said, I cook his breakfast and excuse myself. 

“There you are.”-I speak softly with a hint of disappointment. The same disappointment he is far too familiar with. 

“Thank you Y/N”-He spoke,

Kyojuro didn’t know what was wrong. Thoughts running wild as he catches her every movement. The sunlight that grows and pours into the window captures her skin beautifully, illuminating her purity. He looked down at the tray as he caught that familiar sense of tension, though it seems as if it isn't as prominent this morning. His heart feels warm.

“You’re welcome Kyojuro”

“Please let me know if you plan on leaving for duty today…I will pack your things.”-

Her voice was alluring, even with the slightest hint of sadness. Kyojuro watches intently as she removes her apron. Her kimono underneath is now on full display. 

“You are gorgeous. You always inspire awe within me.”*-His thoughts ran.

“I-I…-He stayed quiet for a brief pause. He was about to ask you to stay. To not leave him, for once. He wanted to ask you to stay by his side until he left…but he knew he couldn't-.

“I’ll be going out for a mission today”-He tried to ignore the sadness growing on your supple face.

Before leaving, Y/N looks into his eyes with a softened gaze. Her words flowing freely-

“O-Oh…a mission? Again? I-I mean of course! You are The Flame Hashira! I will pack your things right away! When will you be leaving?”

With a sigh, he responds.

“Within the hour.”

“I see. Well, if you’ll excuse me”-

Another day without him. It seems this is all we are meant to be. Two people sharing one roof without any love. 

Walking to the back of the Estate, I enter his own bedroom. Immediately, I pack all while my eyes trail to his room. His unmade bed with blankets teasing the floor. 

“Such a large bed…and yet we don't share”-I thought as my hands placed firmly atop his bed. My fingers trace his sheets. The bed smells like him-I like it. I wish we could be more. I wish he would try.

Eventually, I grow weak with emotion-I find myself sitting on his bed, caressing what little bit of him I can have.  

Kyojuro-

The developing feeling of warmth quickly becomes bittersweet. My mind fills with thoughts of her and grows immensely each time we meet. The past year has been difficult for us both, moreover, it has been incredibly unfair to her. 

Growing up, my parents loved one another deeply. Their electrifying love inspired me to find something similar-

“Will I ever have love?” “Of course sunshine–you’ll never be alone.”

__

I haven’t even touched my food. The food she made. My thoughts became too overwhelming-

“So much for ignoring my feelings.”

Soon, I get up from my seat and slowly find my way back to my bedroom. She’s there, I know it. She’s in my bedroom, taking care of me even if we live separately. 

Quietly, I round the corner nearing my room. I don’t want to startle you. Entering the cracked door, I see you running your fingers through my sheets. 

“My body is stiff, why? My cheeks are hot? Why?”

I can feel myself growing, almost…jealous? Why am I feeling this way? Taking a deep breath, I speak-

“Y/N? What are you doing…?”

An audible gasp leaves her beautiful lips as she frantically finds her own words. Something about losing her train of thought? How cute-

__

Y/N-

“I-I finished packing y-your bag!”-My voice is frantic as I slowly approach him with his belongings in hand. Slowly, I bite my lip, nervously attempting to rationalize my desire to be close to him. I want to be husband and wife. But it’s clear he doesn't feel the same. 

Kyojuro was silent for a moment. Although, I would take his silence over his single word any day. A single word that further sends me down my own spiral. 

“...Okay.”-He speaks.

As I stand a mere few feet from him, I hold out his bag and keep my head low. The embarrassment is all too much for me to handle. A sigh releases from my mouth-

“I-I know you don't like me, and it seems that you never will. I’m sorry for pushing the boundaries this morning.”-Without looking up at him, I walk past him and out the door. My heart stings ever so faintly at the prospect of such a sad excuse of a marriage. 

For a moment, I felt the release of tension. A pause that abruptly ended as the sound of movement echoed behind me. My wrist turns hot as I feel his hand wrap around me. 

“Wait”

This is the first time he’s touched me. The warmth of his hand travels down. His fingers lace with mine perfectly. The calloused hands signify the hardwork and dedication he carries with him. My heart skips one, two, three, maybe four beats- 

“...I…I don't dislike you-”

That came out awkwardly, and I think he noticed. His hand shakes slightly. This innocent touch was enough to make me do the same. 

“I don't dislike you Y/N.”-While the facade of confidence stuck out like a sore thumb, his awkwardness was rewarded by my own delicate smile. My body straightens as I look into his eyes. Slowly, he starts to shy away. 

“O-Oh I see…”-I whisper softly as I relish in the feeling of our warmth combining. 

“Kyojuro? T-Thank you for telling me that.”-Hesitantly, I removed my hand from his. As I walk away again, I whisper.

“You should get dressed. You must leave soon-your mission? Remember?”

With this, I begin to calm myself from such a high. A simple touch from him is enough to send me over the edge. He’s never been so forward before. We’ve never touched each other before. I can’t help but feel…happy.

__

Kyojuro-

Shocked. I couldn't grasp the sudden quick action I had just taken. I can’t stop the way my heart is racing. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I can’t do this to her. But what if? What if I had one more touch? What if I hugged her? To feel her frame against mine? To feel what they had? The idea of being alone never worried me. I was always confident love would find me. Now…I fear for my future. Simultaneously, I’m bringing her down with me-

Confused. I enter back into my room, sliding the door shut. My hand still has her lingering warmth attached to it. My lips curve into a smile as I begin to feel euphoric. The emotion she brings out of me makes me feel like I still have a chance to earn her affection. Those few seconds when I touched her hand, and that smile that appeared subtly on her face. 

I didn’t realize this at first, but my heart yearns for more. I want more of this. 

I want her. I do.

__

As the morning continues to build within the home, the once apparent loveless void is finally growing. The cracks in the foundation being nurtured with the first touch of romance. Suddenly, being apart for now doesn't seem all that bleak. 

Y/N silently sits by the open deck. A book in hand as she awaits her husband. Though, she fools no one. She wears her heart on her sleeve proudly. The flush in her face never fading as a certain glow fills her to the brim. 

__

Y/N-

Moments pass and soon, the faint sound of his door sliding open and shut can be heard. While the thought of him sacrificing himself weighs heavily on my heart, I can’t help but feel honored to be by his side. As Hashira, he is responsible for our safety. He dedicates his entire being to protect the weak, and this is just one of the many traits I fell for. His manhood is defined by protecting those that deserve to lead simple, full lives. Yet, there is a part of him that remains gentle. 

“I’m ready, Y/N.”

As those words ring in my ear, somehow, I feel different. My lips release a soft hum as I slowly stand from my spot. Book in hand and feet moving, my fingers brush against the spine nervously. 

“So that you are…”-I smile to hide my growing disappointment. The last thing I want is for him to view me as a sad burden. He has gone on many missions since we were wed. Most of them lasted longer than a week! But this? This time it’s different. Our hands touched, and we held each other for just a moment. We had shared the first blossom of a new found bond. Just once, just for a moment, I finally felt as though we were meant to be. 

“How long will you be away this time?”

To my surprise, he smiles as his voice becomes bright-

“Just a day. I’ll be back tonight…Y/N.”-Just like this. Every time he leaves, we remain in this dance. Almost as if we both have more to say. But, that’s impossible-he still doesn’t see me as his wife. Biting the plush of my lip, I nod my head as my words fail me for now. 

He’ll be back tonight. This is enough to bring me some comfort-

__

Kyojuro-

As we sit in a short, yet peaceful silence, our eyes meet. Words no longer deemed necessary. Taking one last glance at her, I grab my bag. My lips relax as my smile begins to fade-

Content. It has been such a long time since I felt this liberated. She makes me feel as though I am more than capable of letting go. 

Reaching the edge of our back garden, my hand goes for the latch. Almost gone-until she calls out for me. As I stop completely, I turn around and meet her gaze. 

“Yes, Y/N?”

Once more, the air grows thin as I feel entirely lifted. Two simple words that I’ve heard over and over again. But this time, it’s different. The subtle desperation in her voice send tidal waves of emotion to overflow within me. 

“Be safe.”

I have nothing to say. Nothing seems to be enough. I can’t help but just simply stare back into her eyes. The same eyes that I have come to adore so much. Everything about her makes me feel…oh so many things. I’m supposed to leave now…but would it be so bad to stay? Would it be so bad to hold you close? Her words. Two simple words drive me crazy. They make me feel as if all that truly matters is…your love.

“I will…”

I finally said. 

__

The hours for each of them had played out differently. For Y/N, her morning had quickly gone. Her morning after he departed was spent taking care of the home. Every detail must remain unchanged and perfect. Perfect for him. She never minded all the housework-

“Always a pleasure to take care of the man that provides for me”-

Despite the relationship, Y/N had always found herself taking care of their every need. Including taking care of his father and brother. Senjuro had grown quite close with Y/N. Always wanting to be near the pair, and each time he visited, Y/N could not help to wonder when it would be her turn to experience motherhood. A woman with big dreams, yet grounded to the prospect of having her own family. Senjuro truly fueled her passions.

Ruka would be proud. 

For Kyojuro, time slowed. His mission sent him off to a nearby village. Sightings of a low ranking demon lurking within the shadows. Thankfully, during the report, Kyojuro was relieved to find out there hadn't been much damage to the community. As always, he is still determined to fight till the bitter end. 

The wonders of her plagued his mind. But, he did not mind it. In fact, he welcomed his emotions to take over his mind. How could he let her roam this life alone for so long? To be married but not welcomed? The never ending fear of leaving someone behind due to his responsibility conflicts with his true feelings. 

“I could not forgive myself if I left her alone”-

Dancing with death truly changes a person.

__

Kyojuro-

Home. That’s what I see. The sun is setting behind me as I clutch my bag tightly. My nerves begin to rise the closer I get to home, to her. I wonder what she’s doing? Is she resting? Have I crossed her mind today? Perhaps she thought of me as I did her? Everything I felt then, I crave to feel again. 

As I approach our Estate, my feet begin to pick up the pace slightly. The excitement grows as I shed away the feeling of secrecy. To fall for her is my greatest pleasure. I just hope she accepts. 

Just then, a shadow passes in front of a window. It’s her. She’s pacing back and forth, seemingly frantic. A small chuckle escapes my lips. She seems nervous. Reaching our gate, I haven’t once left her. My eyes feel full as I watch her every move. I can't help but stare. 

“Y/N?”-Calling out to her as I enter our home, she stops in her own tracks.

“God she’s radiant”-

__

Y/N-

Just then, a familiar voice echoed, my lips curving slowly. There he is, my husband. His uniform is slightly dirty and wrinkled. His hair flowing down behind his broad shoulders. His face was soft despite the hardships of the day. 

He doesn't seem injured! No blood, no scratches! Good. 

Walking towards him, now standing a few feet in front of him, my eyes finally reach him. 

“Welcome home Kyojuro.”-My voice is soft and gentle as I take in him completely. A certain fondness hidden within my demeanor. His eyes stare back at mine as we take in each other's peace. He took a step closer now-

“Y/N.”

Nervously, I stutter. The way his smooth voice says my name brings joy to my full heart. 

“K-Kyojuro! H-How was your mission? Was it successful?”-Shyly, I begin to fidget with my hands, a nervous tick. 

“Yeah, it was. And now, I’m back home safely.”-Home? Home? He’s inching closer now. His warmth reaches my core as his arm reaches forward. He looked at my hand briefly. He’s never been so close before. I’m enjoying every moment with him, however I can't help but feel myself slowly shy away. To spend an entire year with my husband, and not have any form of contact, to then suddenly be given a bit of affection? How strange? 

“May I…hold your hand?”-My ears ring as I flush red. As if we could just simply ignore the sudden call to such intimacy, I attempt to change the subject. Poorly might I add. 

“I-I’m glad to hear it! Oh! Before I forget! I-I made you a small dinner. You must be hungry!”-Biting my lip, I await his reply. I do not know if this is okay for us to do. This all feels so foreign. 

__

Kyojuro-

Inching closer to her, allows me to feel her warmth. Her being captivating me as I look at her soft supple skin. Her small hands that work tirelessly for me. My lips curve before I can even think. To hold her hand would be a divine pleasure I would love to indulge in. A simple touch. That’s all I ask. 

My shyness is killing me, but she shamelessly makes me weak and brings me to my knees. An uncharted wave of feeling that I want to explore with only her. 

“Changing the subject? How cute.”-I thought.

“Thank you, I definitely am hungry…”-For just a moment, I tease her with a bit of relief. A pause allowed me to capture her once more. Her lips. The temptation becomes my downfall as I feel myself grow impatient. I want to hold her hand–so, so badly.

“Hold out your hand, Y/N.”

An audible gasp escapes as her cheeks glow a faint pink. A small simple word melts me-

“Y-Yes…”

Her delicate hand lifted in front of me as her eyes shone with anticipation. She’s eager. This is everything I had imagined about. Soft, puppy love taking hold of us, finally. My calloused hands reach for her, as we meet, I smile. A true, genuine smile. One that signifies my readiness. I want to fall for her-

“May we walk together?”-There is nothing else on my mind but you.

__

Y/N-

“A walk? B-But your dinner? It’s getting late Kyojuro!”-My blush deepens. I can feel it. His hand squeezes mine slightly. This affection he is granting me–everything I have been craving for is finally mine. He finally sees me. 

He wasn't listening to you. He couldn't bring himself to hear your words. Your lips, your soft and delicate hands. He wanted nothing else than to just have your company. The bright smile creeping on his face told you enough.

“Let’s just walk, just for a while”-With his words came a sudden rush of pure euphoria. My shy skin sheds as my comfort grows. He is all I need. And I’ll be damned to lose this opportunity. He is mine. I simply nod my head as he takes the lead. Time had slowed as he took gentle care of me. Our garden being the perfect spot for a time such as this. The moon is now rising as remnants of the sun slowly disappear. 

The long silence, while calm and inviting, breaks as we make time to sit side by side. 

“Y/N…”-His voice trails before he lets out a short sigh. His body shifts as he turns to face me. His knee brushed against mine. Yet another foreign touch-

“...why haven't I held your hand until now?”-His question stumps me as I look up at him. Could he be genuine? Shall we take the next step and break these walls? To be honest and undone? 

Making up my mind quickly, I speak in a hushed tone.

“I-I do not know Kyojuro. Your mind is a mystery I’ve wanted to explore for a while. However, you're not alone…”-I pause to catch my nerves. My words carry me as my thoughts try to catch up.

“I’ve spent many nights wondering why we are the way we are. You have brought me a great sense of relief asking me such a simple question. Thank you.”

The sound of the night beginning to fall upon us amplifies as the silence becomes apparent once more. Flickers of light begin to pop like small fireworks. Lightning bugs surrounding the nearby shrubbery. The sound of rustling brush fails to hide the feet of critters passing through. Oddly enough, I feel no tension. The air is clear and so is my mind. 

His hand squeezes mine as if to let me know he’s still here. Right by my side. 

“O-Oh…you’re welcome. I-I feel as though I really didn't do much. In fact, I know I haven't done much…”-His voice lingers for a bit before continuing his train of thought out loud. 

“This marriage must have been difficult for you. I’m not exactly a man that you would be proud of.”

He’s right. This marriage has been difficult. I had such expectations for us. I fantasized endlessly during the weeks leading to our wedding. I always chalked up his cool demeanor as just nerves. Though, my dreams finally broke apart the evening after we had announced our nuptials. The heartbreak I felt gradually took over, until eventually, I allowed myself to get lost within my own marital duties. That was all I had. Although, the Rengoku family as a whole still welcomed me and made me feel somewhat comfortable. His father kept reassuring that his son's behavior truly was out of the ordinary. Being a veteran to the corps, Shinjuro understood all too well the pain his eldest son felt. Shinjuro suffered just as much-

“Just give him time, he’s been through hell and back. This second chance has been granted to him while feeling as if he isn't deserving of such a thing.” 

“Kyojuro, you may not be the husband you expected yourself to be. But please, do not cut yourself short. I am still proud of you. You are a man worthy of praise and admiration. You have been blessed with the perseverance of a true warrior–your mother would be proud.”

Treading lightly, I speak from my soul. I’ve waited an entire year to finally have a moment to share with the man I married. His father shed well deserved light on the hardships of their livelihood. Shinjuro lost his wife to terminal illness. Losing the spark to his flame, he burnt out. Turning to alcohol as a way to temporarily forget his pain. Senjuro grew up having only faint memories of their mother. His brother, having to sacrifice his own youth to raise such a gentle boy. Regardless of such tribulations, I firmly believe Ruka Rengoku would be immensely proud of her son. 

I am wholeheartedly proud of him. 

Slowly, my gaze returns to him. Not knowing what to expect, I began to admire his eyes. His eyes filled with a spark I had never seen before. Wide and bright, I smile softly as my eyes soften. This is all I need. His attention directly focused on only me. As if I am the only woman in the world. 

__

Time is frozen as the two share a slice of heaven on Earth. At this moment, Kyojuro had finally seen Y/N in all her glory. Reminisce of his mother found in her. The woman he had neglected had given him yet another chance to prove himself worthy of her love. They are absolutely smitten. 

Kyojuro-

Her words tug playfully at the strings of my heart. She’s delicate and careful with me. She doesn't see my behavior as something to fear. She sees the man crying out for something, someone–she sees me. My waterline stings painlessly as I feel the flow of water. Looking at her, keeping her hand within mine, I can’t help but feel seen. The soft curve of her face that carries the many expressions yet to discover. Her lips curve into a smile that I never want to fade. The bridge of her nose that my eyes follow to meet her caring gaze. 

You are so beautiful-

“Y/N? C-Can I ask you something?”-With a smile, all I have now is the aching thought of her lips against mine. I don't know where to go from here, all that is certain is that I crave her more. She is my undeniable cure to my own loneliness–I’ll be damned to ever let her go. Without hesitation, she speaks-

“Y-Yes! Of course”-Our faces close as the setting of such serenity illuminates the ethereal beauty that sits before me. Tightly, I grip her hand and lead her towards my chest, laying her palm flat. My heart is pounding-

“Do you-As the hardest question undoubtedly brings back the tension within me, I breathe in and out deeply before asking. My heartbeat skips as her fingers tease the buttons along the front my uniform-

“Do you…love me Y/N?”

Intimate and vulnerable. How I want to be with her always-

__

Y/N-

Do my ears deceive me? Perhaps the otherworldly glow of the moon hazes me. No? If that were true, why does he hold my hand against his chest? Why does his heart beat so quickly? Why do I feel so dizzy? So lightheaded…

“I-I am unsure if answering will benefit us in any way…considering the state our marriage is in…”-Taking a deep breath, I lower my head. Looking at my lap, my one lone hand clenched the hem of soft fabric. I feel myself choke up, full from the intensity of such a telling question. 

But–

“H-However, if you must know…Kyojuro. I do. I do love you.”-My voice just above a whisper as I close my eyes. My confession out and in the open air. The moon and stars as my witness. 

The way his hand slowly lets go of mine, I keep my hand firmly upon his chest just for a moment longer before swiftly reuniting my hands with one another. My body heat rises as I begin to realize how absolutely vulnerable I am now.

“Y/N…”-He whispers my name as he moves even closer. The space between us is almost non-existent. His hand travels up my arm as his finger trails the fabric of my sleeve. Soon after, he reaches the curve of my face. Caressing my cheek gently-A foreign touch welcomed.

“Y/N? May I kiss you?”-His voice melting me once more as a hint of pure love falls from his beautiful mouth. Looking up cautiously, his touch became needy. 

“W-What? K-Kyojuro? The sudden shift…the affection? Why now? This isn't like you!”-

As they sit together, the touch of his hand becomes needy as he pulls her close, alluding to his desire. If you would let him, he would love nothing more than to touch your skin all night long. 

“Y/N, I’m only doing this because of you. You’ve changed me. Your touch, your skin, your lips–everything about you is a never ending addiction. I’m affectionate because of you.”

My face is filled with anger, confusion, and love. All hitting me at once. My slight anger stemmed from the surprising shift of romance. To have me wait for what felt like an eternity, is truly cruel. My confusion gives me up with the furrow of my brow. Why now? We’ve never kissed, and yet…

“I’ve been holding myself back from you. I was such a fool to treat you so coldly from the very beginning. You deserve a man. If you would allow it…Y/N, I want to be that man.”

And all at once, my doubts and questions fade away from my mind. In an instant, my dreams of being his piece back together. The water that had built along my waterline trickled down in short streams. One tear, then two, now three-

All he could do is just look at you. Every inch of you is becoming more and more addicting. Why hadn't he noticed your beauty before? You made him feel so intense, and yet it took him almost too long to finally acknowledge this love. Dipping his face closer to yours, he wipes your tears as he stays mere inches from your lips. 

Kyojuro daring to not move an inch closer until he knows. His eyes peered into yours silently begging for this. And as the angel you have become in his eyes, you had blessed him-

Your lips meet each other as you both close your eyes. The warm, foreign feeling of velvet melting together perfectly brings you both to each other's complete devotion. He kept quiet as he wanted to hear more of that gentle whimper. For once, he allows his heart to take over-

Our lips move in sync as now both of his large hands caress my face. Drawing me closer to him, leaving no room for us to leave. As if I ever would. 

The dance we share is more intimate than anything we had ever shared before. Our first kiss together is electric. His soft tongue running against my bottom lip as our continued passion exposes our hidden desires. The sound of almost lewd noises fall from my mouth and pour into his. The crisp night breeze being the only thing that cools me down–chills raising the hairs along my arms. In an instant, he pulls away, whispering against my lips. 

“Y/N…”-His hands fall from my face as they drop to hold my frame. His embrace reassuring me. 

As I whisper his name back almost breathlessly, I rest my head gently on his shoulder. My face is glowing with love. 

“I love you too…”

__

As if a part of Y/N had already known this, she let out a deep breath of relief. Nuzzling close to him, her face buried into his warmth. You had done something to him truly. Your warmth against his body felt perfect. He couldn't get enough of you, he never wanted to stop having more of you. This was all his soul needed. The beat of his heart now belongs to you. 

Their long awaited love now slowly unraveling before their eyes. Neither wanting to ever let go of the pure joy they’ve been blessed with. Kyojuro had finally found the one to set his heart truly ablaze. 

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

authors end note:not gonna lie, i had such a hard time ending this. i knew i wanted to leave it quite open, (just in case i decide to write a smutty pt. 2 teehee), but whew my head hurts. re-reading, me thinks this is just fluff wanting to be something it's not (angst). oh well, as long as you enjoy it, i’m happi! did anyone catch the callback i did to the infamous kyojuro comic done by @/kammi.lu!? i adore their art omgggg! the rengoku family deserves such happiness. it’s what ruka would of wanted. oh, and i tried switching pov’s. not really sure if i did good. i’m telling you, it’s been so long since i’ve written ficccss! this is harder than i remember! props to the authors that pump out stuff daily! y'all work harder than the devil. okie! goodbye for now! (kyojuro brainrot is real)

word count:5763

many thank! -babbi₊˚⊹♡

-08/05/23 (my birfday)

[kyojurismo]

Bravo on 1k rin! I thought I would partake in your event <3

I was thinking a little scenario where rengoku just got back from a long mission with either one or both of these prompts I couldn't choose. Have fun! <333

🪼 1K CELEBRATION EVENT

— kyojuro rengoku x gn!reader

— fluff, kissing, not proofread we die like kyo in mugen train arc.

— HI ARCHER OMG THANK YOU FOR SENDING SOMETHING !! i wanted it to be longer but i couldn’t write lmao 😭 i failed you kyojuro-san ,,, anyway, this is my last work for this event guys, so yeah i’m very grateful for those who sent a req & joined me in this celebration. i hope to do better and a lot more in the next one <3

you knew kyojuro was coming back that day, at least he told you so in his last letter, so you were cooking his favourite dish.

then you heard the main door opening and you dropped everything and exited the kitchen in a hurry, reaching the main entrance. there he was.

“hello!” his voice as loud as always. your eyes filled with tears of joy and you ran to him, jumping into his arms. “kyo… i missed you so much!” you held him tightly, making him chuckle as his warm hands caressed your back gently.

“i missed you too, my flame,” he held you close for as long as you pleased and when you let go he did too, smiling at you. “hi,” you murmured before going in for a kiss, kyojuro copied you and you two bumped your noses a couple of times and then you two started laughing.

“sorry,” he said before cupping your cheeks to hold you there and leaned towards you once again, this time your lips met without incidents.

— thank you so much for taking your time to read my work. have a good day / night and remember that you are loved !! ♡

🪼 CHECK THE MASTERPOST OF THE EVENT

[starlitcorgi]

Hi......If you don't mind, can I ask, what are your top 10 (or top 7) favorite media (can be books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series)? Why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before......Thanks....

Hmmm 🤔 my favs are always changing but at the moment.

1. Gokurakugai: Alma is a precious cinnamon roll who loves his mentor Miss Tao like a sister. I really love their platonic relationship and the fact that Alma is incredibly emotionally balanced. Like he's not this typical macho guy. Probably because he's surrounded by strong female role models. It's really refreshing for Shonen and I really hope it gets an anime series because I think it has the potential to be as big as JJK and Demon Slayer.

2. Jujutsu Kaisen: I love Yuuji as a ML and I'm usually a side character gal. So it's great to actually like the lead character. I've noticed in this current generation of Manga and Anime that our Male Leads are becoming much more well rounded and likeable. I love Yuuji's strength and his resilience, he definitely deserves all the love and hugs. I also of course love Gojo and I kind of hope Mappa deviates from the manga in regards to his fate because man that hurt.

3. Demon Slayer: I read the manga start to finish and loved every minute of it. The anime series is just as good. I love all of the characters in this in their own rights. From the protagonist to the villains for me at least the author got everything right. It's Shonen at its best. To be able to make your audience love Rengoku in such a short time is an amazing feat. To care so much that you feel as devastated as Tanjiro to me the Mugen train arc is a masterclass in story telling. It's sad that the series will be coming to an end soon but I think for me this will always be in my top 5.

4. Ghost in the Shell: This is the movie that started my love of anime/manga. It's a cinematic masterpiece and everyone should watch it at least once. It was well ahead of its time and it's not surprising that it inspired the Matrix.

5. Hells Paradise: I love the manga and the anime. Gabimaru is so relatable to me, I think we share the same sarcastic and apathetic nature lol. I love it as well because it gave us one of the best disabled characters in current manga generation. Shion is an epic character for the disabled community, being partially blind myself it's nice to be represented you know? And he's not full of loathing or self pity, he embraces his blindness and uses it to his advantage. He's funny, kind, strong and handsome. He never questions Sagiri's competence, he doesn't try to send her of to the kitchen like his colleagues. He recognises her talent and encourages her to achieve her goals. In short Shion needs to be protected at all costs.

6. Chainsaw Man: when I first saw this pop up on Shonen Jump I didn't have high hopes. It seemed like a crack series but this is exactly why you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. I love this series even though it hurts me 😭. Denji is a typical hormonal teen, power is a ball of chaos and Aki is just trying to keep everything together. Plus Angel 😇 is one of my fav characters of all time maybe because he reminds me of my daughter lol.

7. Elfen Lied: this is another classic anime the violence is on par with AOT but once you get past that you have this heart wrenching story. Lucy is a monster created by her environment and the abuse she suffered. This is also one of the most beautifully animated series of all time. The art is phenomenal.

8. Solo Leveling: I fell in love with the Manwha and was so excited when it got picked up for a series. I'm loving the anime so far, though I'm two episodes behind. Due to my sight loss I have to wait for the English dub but dubs have gotten way better than when I first started watching anime in the early 2000's. I love Jinwoo's tenacity and the fact that he just cuts through the villains. He never really worries about whether that makes him a bad person. Sometimes you just want to see bad people get what's coming to them. Plus this has some of the most epic fight scenes, I can't wait to see them animated.

9. Tokyo Ghoul: I spent most of Tokyo Ghoul crying ugly tears 😭. Ken Keneki has one of the most heartbreaking storylines in all of anime. It's just painful to read/watch Gege definitely took a leaf out of the Tokyo ghoul book when writing JJK. Yet still I couldn't put it down, I'm a sucker for punishment. It's a great mix of characters as well, I love that we see goth culture mixed in there as well. You do get those Crow vibes the way it's so gothic in inspiration and the art work is stunning. I think the only illustrator that tops it is Yuta Sano.

10. Attack on Titan: AOT has been deemed controversial because of it's fascist themes. However I think it's only problematic if you think Eren is the hero in this story. I actually really can't stand Eren, it's pretty obvious that he's been radicalised by his experiences early on. The foreshadowing is strong with him you know he's not going to turn out well from the start. The real protagonists for me are Armin, Levi and Hange. Like these three are definitely trying to save their comrades and people. Whereas Mikasa is constantly having to save Eren and Eren jumps to mass genocide pretty quick. Levi almost feels like he's representing the audience with his snarky commentary. I also love Levi and Hanges platonic friendship. They really get each other and their banter is a joy to watch especially in the first season.

[demonslayedher]

I had a friend over for tea in the Mugen Kitchen. As she threw away her napkin and crumbs, she started singing the opening lyrics to Homura.

I approve.

[fairy-writes]

OMG Thank you for allowing us to do two! I greatly appreciate it. I couldn't help but want to ask for Ghost by Justin Bieber for Kyojuro Rengoku. Thank you again!

GHOST

Reblogs and Comments are greatly appreciated!!

__________________________________________________________________________

Requester: trfanglophile

Fandom(s): Demon Slayer/Kimetsu no Yaiba

Pairing(s): Rengoku Kyojuro x Gender Neutral!Reader

Song: Ghost by Justin Beiber

Genre: ANST

POST-MUGEN-TRAIN

This was inspired by a scene from Death Parade. Like the dialogue, later on, is pretty close, so you know it’s gonna be sad lmao.

__________________________________________________________________________

Rengoku Kyojuro woke up to the sound of chirping birds and sunlight streaming into his face. 

Where was he? The last thing he remembered was fighting upper moon three. What was his name again? Akaza?

Looking around, he realized he was home. 

Your home. 

Where he would go every night after defeating demons and fall asleep wrapped in your embrace. Where you would bandage his wounds and kiss him whenever he tried to act tough. Because, of course, he would; he needed to protect you.

He got up from where he was lying on the ground. Why was he on the floor? He brushed off his haori and headed through your garden—carefully stepping over your cultivated plants by walking on the stone—and towards the engawa.

However, he stopped when he reached the open door. Something good was wafting out from the kitchen. Something delicious. Was that sweet potatoes he smelled? His belly started rumbling, and he realized he hadn’t eaten since he first got on the train. There was a pep in his step as he entered your home. Sweet potatoes and getting to see you? Had he died and gone to heaven?

You were bustling about in the kitchen as he entered. Your kimono sleeves were rolled up to your elbows as you scrubbed and washed the sweet potatoes before baking them. He grinned. Oh, how he loved you and your cooking.

But something felt off. 

Youngblood thinks there's always tomorrow.

I miss your touch on nights when I'm hollow

I know you crossed a bridge that I can't follow

Why hadn’t you noticed him yet? You always saw him the moment he stepped in the door. You always turned around with that brilliant smile on your lips and welcoming words on your tongue. You always wrapped your arms around his waist and pulled him in for a kiss.

So why hadn’t you?

Kyojuro called your name softly, hesitantly, as he waited for you to turn around.

You did. And his heart dropped. 

Since the love that you left is all that I get

I want you to know that if I can't be close to you

I'll settle for the ghost of you

I miss you more than life (More than life)

Your eyes were red-rimmed, and you looked like you were holding back tears as you took a batch of sweet potatoes and started prepping the rest of dinner. Kyojuro called your name again. This time he was worried. You still gave no indication that you had heard him.

What was going on? Were you mad at him? The silent treatment wasn’t something you usually did when you were upset. Typically you left for a while before coming back and talking it out.

Abruptly, you turned, a plate of steaming sweet potatoes in your hands as you headed towards him.

And walked straight through him.

And if you can't be next to me

Your memory is ecstasy

I miss you more than life

I miss you more than life

Kyojuro felt cold. Had he died? Really, truly died?

But he couldn’t have! 

He promised you that he would make it home safely. That he would run back home to you.

He couldn’t have died… Could he?

There was a pain in his chest as he followed you out of the kitchen and towards the living area where the kotatsu table was kept.

What were you doing?

Youngblood thinks there's always tomorrow (Woo)

I need more time, but time can't be borrowed

I leave it all behind if I could follow

The ground dropped out from under his feet, and his stomach twisted as he saw what you were doing.

A small shrine. 

With his picture on it. 

You knelt on the pillow before the altar and set the bowl down.

“Here… It was your favorite, right?” Your voice cracked as you adjusted how the bowl sat on the little shelf, “You know… I just can’t shake the habit of making so much. You know?”

Kyojuro watched silently as you pressed your hands together and closed your eyes, praying to whoever was listening.

Since the love that you left is all that I get

I want you to know that if I can't be close to you

I'll settle for the ghost of you

I miss you more than life, yeah

“Kyojuro… I’m—I’m so—” You whispered but cut off as your voice cracked again. Slowly, ever so slowly, your shoulders began to shake. Tears welled up and flowed over and down your cheeks. Kyojuro couldn’t stop his own tears from welling up. He swallowed them down. He hated seeing you cry. It was his least favorite thing in the world.

And he could do nothing about it.

But he wouldn’t let his tears fall. Even in death, he had to be strong for you.

And if you can't be next to me

Your memory is ecstasy

I miss you more than life

I miss you more than life

“I’m upset.” You said after gaining your voice back. Kyojuro looked up from where he was staring at his clenched fists. “I’m upset you weren’t able to keep your promise. That you would come back to me. I know you fought valiantly. I know you fought bravely. But—” You stopped again, swallowing thickly. 

“It’s okay.” He tried but couldn’t find the words to comfort you, even if you couldn’t hear him.

“But I failed you!” You exploded, and he had to clench his teeth to keep from crying.

Failed him? How could you have failed him?

Whoa, oh, oh-oh

More than life

Oh-oh

“I failed because I didn’t stop you! I know countless people would have died, but it kills me not to have you around! I miss you, Kyojuro!” You sobbed, digging your fingers into the fabric of your kimono. Tears darkened the fabric, and his heart and soul splintered into pieces. 

“You didn’t fail me!” He cried, rushing forward only to pass right through you as he tried to pull you into his arms. 

So if I can't get close to you

I'll settle for the ghost of you

I miss you more than life

There was a knock on the doorframe, and you whirled to see whoever was standing in the doorway. Kyojuro turned to see young Kamado Tanjiro. Agatsuma Zenitsu and Hashibira Inosuke stood behind him. Tanjiro had a look of sympathy on his face as he took in your crying appearance. He said your name softly, and you waved the boys inside.

“It’s nice to see you, boys. Please, come in. I just prepared dinner.” You said, wiping the tears away with your kimono sleeves.

Even Inosuke was subdued as the four of you ate your sweet potatoes. No one commented on the fact that it was the only thing you were eating. 

A warm feeling began in Kyojuro’s chest, and he dried his tears. 

And if you can't be next to me

Your memory is ecstasy

I miss you more than life

I miss you more than life

As much as it killed Kyojuro to leave. 

To pass on.

He knew you would be taken care of. 

[real-s4lmonid]

roblox mugen headcanon cheeky has a pretty bad pineapple allergy and that's pretty much the basis of why him and cyclops have beef. cyclops loves pineapples cheeky hates them so they are in eternal prank wars

cyclops consistently fills cheeky shrouse with pineapples (don't worry the allergy is only when he eats them so he is able to safely get them outta there with no issue) and cheeky occasionally wrecks cys kitchen

[queer-and-dear-books]

Title: Beating Heart Baby

Author: Lio Min

Genre: YA Fiction | Romance | Friendship | Music | LGBTQ+

Content Warnings: Transphobia | Homophobia | Mentioned Abuse

Overall Rating: 9.9/10

Personal Opinion: There is so much to love in this book. The diverse cast, the chosen families, and the sweet romance of reconnecting with someone you had once lost. If you don’t fall in love with this book then there’s something wrong with you. Although it can be hard to keep up with and differentiate the friends at times because there are so many of them. But overall, I really enjoyed this book.

Do I Own This Book? No.

Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:

Likes:

- Diversity win! Pretty much the entire cast is in some way a person of color, queer, or both. We have Black kids, brown kids, Asian kids, trans kids, gay kids, non-binary kids, and so many more. But best of all, they are all thriving. We have Cola Carter, a Black lesbian who is a top star and creating new stars that are queer and POC like her. Aya is Latina and queer too and she gets to live her dream making music and even inheriting Cap’s legacy of leading the Sunshowers. Suwa and Santi are both gay Asians and they are in love. Suwa is a rising star making music that matters to him and Santi is just living his best life painting and teaching art to kids. Everyone is thriving and I love that for them.

- Found/chosen family is just so important in this story. Santi and Aya are not blood related but they care about each other very deeply. Aya is so cool too, giving Santi enough freedom to explore while also being heavy-handed enough to discipline him when he needs it. Suwa, on the other hand, lives with Cap, who took him in when home became unsafe for Suwa. He even refers to Cap as “Dad” sometimes and that is so cute to me. Cap is honestly the best, he really cares for all his students and wants the best for them. Even after retiring, he still wants to give students a love of music. I love that.

- But we also have so many friends! Every single one of them are so kindhearted and cool. Mira, Octavian, Ari, Reva, Feli, and I’m likely forgetting someone but they’re all good people. They care for Santi and Suwa and the way they plot to get them together was hilarious. But I just love how easily they accept Santi into their group and how easy it is for them to forgive Suwa for leaving them for a year and a half. They’re ride-or-dies, really good friends.

- The scene where Suwa goes (to his dad’s) home after that interview just makes me tear up. Especially when he went into his old room to get the hanbok his dad gave him. It was just so precious to see his relationship with his dad mending. Even though it’s far from perfect and his dad was abusive in the past, I love seeing them both grow.

- Mira was absolutely right, Santi is a hunk. He’s clearly athletic and he’s covered in tattoos so that already makes him physically hot. But then he’s also an artist and a chef! A perfect package! Not but seriously, when Suwa messed up in the kitchen and Santi jumped in to help him, I felt my heart grow three sizes. The love was still there! The care was still there! The domestic tenderness was still there!

- Suwa being Memo was not at all surprising but it was also enough of a twist to really have an impact. By which, I mean, I was also rationalizing to myself like “No, it can’t be.” But when it was confirmed, I was like, “I fucking knew it!” It’s good, like a loose end being fixed.

- I also love all the references in this book. Mainly the Agumon bobblehead. Digimon is one of my favorite animes so of course I was going to love that. But also, Mugen Glider. The way they describe it in so much detail made it sound like an early, Showa-era Ghibli-esque show. I genuinely thought it was real! But it’s not! But it sounded so real and that’s what I like about it. I just wish I could watch it.

Dislikes:

- One thing I don’t like? Suwa abandoning his life in LA for Japan for a year and a half after dumping Santi. Bruh. I just, it was so bad. Suwa was acting so toxic too when he came back, reeling Santi in while also keeping him at arm’s length like Santi was the poisonous one. But at least Suwa apologized for his behavior. Because otherwise, I would not have wanted them to stay together. And I hope he does get serious about therapy again like he said he would.

[flametrashiraarchive]

You don’t have to do this! But I would ask for a reader x rengoku where the reader struggles with d3pression? Just am curious how he would handle or help them out :,D

Hello! Okay, first off, I just want to say that I fangirled SO HARD when I saw you in my asks and I want everyone to check out your art because it's beautiful and you're one of my very favorite Kyojuro-drawers.

Second, I hope I did this okay. I know depression is nuanced and different for everyone.

Love to you! Continued under the cut!

Kyojuro Rengoku x Depressed Reader

SFW. GN!Reader.

Kyojuro is often oversimplified as a big, loud, silly man.

And while he certainly can be that, he's also more than capable of being quiet, thoughtful, and so, so caring.

He is excellent at reading people and understanding what's going on beneath the surface

In a very real way too (not only can he tell that Tanjiro has internal bleeding at the end of Mugen Train, but he knows the exact moment Tanjiro manages to close the wound and stem the bleeding using Breathing.)

So, he absolutely knows something is up.

As when training his tsugukos, he does have a tendency to push a little harder than perhaps he should at first, but he quickly learns what works and doesn't work for you and adapts his approach.

He'll sit with you and just talk, offering you his hand to hold or his embrace to rest in.

And he will pay so much attention to what you have to say, whether it's about your feelings, or an unrelated topic to distract you for a while.

Or if noise is too much for you to handle, he'll stay by your side in comforting silence

Either cuddled up to you or giving you room to breathe, whatever works for you.

If there are any tasks you haven't felt up to, he will absolutely pitch in. Watering your plants? Check. Cleaning the kitchen? Yep. Making sure you've eaten and you're hydrated? Quadruple check.

He'll help you bathe if you permit him to, patiently washing your hair, untangling it if need be, taking care of you physically so you can heal mentally.

He's there for you for whatever you need.

If you like, he'll read to you in his soothing voice. Or encourage you to come outside with him for a while and take you to places he knows you enjoy.

He will reassure you that you're not weak, or useless, or any of the other things you call yourself.

Everything you do requires strength and he recognizes that in you.

He's big on positive reinforcement.

For every negative thing you say about yourself, he'll gently counter it with three things he adores about you.

Kyojuro knows what it feels like to be lonely, overwhelmed, and inferior, and in times like that he sets his heart ablaze

But he knows that sometimes it's enough that your heart is simply beating.

[stagmalinay]

Session 02 part 2

Didn't mean to leave you guys hanging, but Author sort of got married a few days ago, so yeah. Congrats! And moving on.

Alright, so Dirt Guy finally stops and tiefling lady talks to him for a bit. Mugen catches up to me and I just sort of wait until everything's okay and the two start to return. We all took a long walk out of town for nothing. Sort of disappointed about that, but it's okay.

So we get back to the tavern and the tiefling takes us up to her private room overlooking the rest of the bar and asks what's been going on. Dirt Guy and Mugen are just so chatty, 😒, so I jump right into how we're supposed to go and catch this guy except no one knows what we're doing. We've no weapons and no one seems to know where to go to get them, nor do they know how to get to where we're going. I can't even read, I have an excuse, but what's up with these guys?

Curious, the tiefling asks if I can't even read dragon-something. I told her to just assume I can't read anything, I skipped school. Technically true regardless of which realm we're talking about, but I didn't feel like explaining the whole bit about how I'm from another world to her and we apparently write differently there.

Upon hearing this, she offers us drinks. I turn it down initially because I don't really care for alcohol, but she ushers us on and I finally drink it.

It tastes nasty as fuck!

But, you know, after a while she motions out to the bottles of drink behind her and asks me if I can read them. I laugh, knowing that I can't, but take a look anyway. And I did not expect what I saw. It was like I was reading Theran, but it didn't look like Theran. I just instinctively knew what it said when I tried to read it.

I immediately pulled out the wanted poster and the note she left me earlier and read them, fascinated. Not entirely sure how a drink can do that, but that is seriously cool.

She tries to get Dirt Guy to drink his, which is a different color, and he does, and then it looks like Mugen has the same drink as mine, but he refuses.

She gets a little more information out of us and in the midst of it all, I bring up all the shenanigans Mugen was up to earlier with making the drunks more drunk. She got pissed! But I tried to remedy the situation by telling her about my weird bottomless pit purse. She was confused and asked to inspect the purse asking what else I'd put in there. (I wasn't going to tell her what I wanted to put in there.) Afterwards, she came to the conclusion that anything I put in wasn't coming back.

"That's the solution I'm offering you. Dump the bad water in the coin purse and replace it."

She didn't buy it and handed the purse back to me.

At this point, she started to realize what I'd started to realize, we were screwed. I am an idiot because I don't know anything about this world and the other two aren't much better and they're from this world. Which is fine, I guess, because my ultimate goal is really just to keep busy. You know, keep my mind off of things, so this is what I'm doing: walking around picking up odd jobs that clearly none of us are skilled enough for. But to be honest, at least this one gets me out of town too. It's kinda small.

Probably taking pity on us, Adelaide, the red tiefling, sets us up. She has Dirt Guy hole up in the kitchen learning how to cook and allows me to help out at the bar.

Over the next three days, I get real popular and breathe a lot of life into the place. Everyone likes me and offers up information, happy to talk about whatever their livelihood is. I learn all about "domesticated" animals and crops. I don't really care much about the plants, but they seem really proud of their stuff and often bring me free food. The others tells me all about their animals and other kinds that aren't in the village and I even get to meet some of them.

I gotta say, horses are really interesting. An animal that lets you ride them. Amazing.

I will say that I learned what sort of red berries they threw at that one drunk guy back in the oasis. It's called a tomato. Such a weird word.

At the end of the three days, a lot of the townspeople show their obvious bias against me leaving, but I've already gotten kind of tired of this place. Adelaide hooked us up though. She got us two horses, one for me and one for Dirt Guy, and some supplies to last a few days. Also got a couple of tailor made outfits for me so now I'm not wearing those tattered and oversized clothes from before. These are actually flattering. And after all that, we head off.

All I gotta say is that riding a horse is like flying through the air. My horse and I were completely in tune with each other. Dirt Guy seemed to be having issues though. It kept wanting to graze instead of run. Not like we weren't feeding it. And Mugen kept up by running. He's pretty fast for his size, but then again so's the horse.

The second day of our journey wasn't as fun. For whatever reason, a bunch of watch dumped out of the sky. My horse really wasn't liking it and I don't blame. The fuck was up with the sky? And what was dumping water on us? None of it made sense.

But then the third day... I don't know what the fuck is up with this realm but my face hurt and I couldn't breathe. Dirt Guy was fine, but Mugen and I couldn't stop coughing and sneezing and no matter how much shit I got out of my nose, it just wouldn't stop! I don't know what's wrong with me, but clearly anything coming from the sky is bad! Super fucking bad!! Mugen kept trying to explain that we were sick, but that just don't make any sense. I didn't eat anything that would upset my stomach and this is my face we're talking about here. My face! At one point, I gave up and cried because I've never felt so horrible in my life.

Thank god it got better the next day.

I really wasn't riding all that quickly that day and kept my eye on the sky for any more water dumping. I do not want to go through that again. And I felt better, but Mugen was starting to look a little less green and didn't talk as much. He always talks, but I didn't question it because I wasn't exactly in the best mood either. This trip sucks!

But anyway, the fifth day is mostly uneventful, but we manage to reach the town later in the afternoon. And that is what I'll be talking about next time. Don't worry, I won't make you wait too long for another update. Don't trust the sky, people! Especially if it's gonna dump water on you!

Context: Thera doesn't have weather, so the sky being anything but clear is a huge abnormality to me. Also, people don't get sick on Thera. Disease has been eradicated for years. You just don't get sick, okay?

[icharchivist]

It sure is a good thing that Orologia raised us in their simulations because I wouldnt trust any of the other dragons with a baby. Yes including Bahamut. They genuinely are the only good parent in their family.

FOR REAL, i don't trust ANY OF THEM.

Bahamut hasn't even been here for his MULTIPLE CHILDREN, how on earth would anyone believe he'd be a good dad to us. how about he starts trying to be a good dad to Vyrn instead of fucking his mind up like he did in his Transcendance FE.

Ewiyar is too self absorbed to take care of a child.

Wamdus is all play mostly. She works out well with Mugen but I feel like she learns more from him than the other way around for instance. She wouldn't be awful, but i wouldn't say she'd be great.

Wilnas would have set the kitchen on fire with us in it. I feel like Wilnas would be too accidentally careless. Like sure let's endanger the child if they have fun??? why not??? he'd really need someone to remind him of human limitations because his eagerness could end up being the best way to endanger a child.

Fediel, i'm not really sure, with the vibe i got from her she feels like she gets lost in her own head pretty easily and might get lost into her own fun, but i think she can be responsible in a way? perhaps too much "fun wine mom" type. wouldn't 100% trust her with a child but i wouldn't say she'd be awful at it.

Galleon probably has more of the nurturing aspect we could expect from a parent, but maybe i still judge her over Old Bonds but she seems likely to take decisions "for the good of the child" that isn't completely thought through and could be too much for her, and instead of asking for help she'd try to bear it on her own and cause more damages as a result.

Lu Woh perhaps has the authority and serious edge to be a parent, and for all the seriousness, he tends to be very easy to sway. like Tsundere but with less resistance about it? Like How in his FE he says he doesn't care for the old woman but he keeps coming back to her and firmly take care of her and actually indulge in everything she wants to do despite acting stoic about it. He probably gets the most kudos about trying to be a parent in the sense that he showcases that if he believes he's missing something out, he will reach out to discuss with people and get opinions and learn from it to adjust his behavior.

Lu Woh could be a good dad on paper, i just feel like he doesn't want to be one. Like, he has other, more important things to do. If he ends up responsible for a child, he will do everything well and by the book, and he'll care in his own way, but he wouldn't have Orologia's enthusiasm about it for instance.

and we can include the Speaker into that and by god do Not Let Shalem near a child, i feel like this is a catastrophe waiting to happen. And for Sahar, i feel like he'd easily be an absent dad (taking after his dad <3) or end up keeping so much away from his children and lying to them for fun that it would backfire eventually.

I don't think they would all be godawful but none of them screams like they would be good parents to me.

Orologia, meanwhile, is the Greatest Parent Ever.