Chapter Text
Since the terrible incident happened on the Mugen Train, Tanjirou has always been haunted by feelings fear, anxiety and restlessness. Until now, he still struggles to sleep, so Shinobu is forced to give him sleeping pills so Tanjirou can sleep peacefully.
Kyoujuro was still unconscious for more than three months making Tanjirou even more scared. What if the Flame Hashira couldn't survive his coma? Why was he just lying weakly staring at the battle between the Flame Hashira and Demons? Why didn't he help then? Even if he's injured.
Tanjirou sighed while tilting his head to enjoy the clear blue sky. His stomach still hurts from the stab on the Mugen Train. Plus he was secretly doing breathing exercises without anyone else knowing, especially Shinobu. It made his stomach throb, luckily the wound didn't open.
The sound of footsteps from behind caught Tanjirou's attention, he turned and saw his younger sister trying to walk towards him. However, she stopped when she feet almost hit the sun.
Tanjirou smiled, stood up from engawa and walked slowly towards Nezuko. He hugged his sister gently, making Nezuko who was in his arms happy. At least, all of them survived and no one died.
"Ara? It's like I'm bothering you two huh?"
Tanjirou let go of his embrace (immediately getting protests from his sister) and turned to Shinobu who was standing in the hallway, "Konnichiwa Shinobu-san. You're not bothering me."
Shinobu chuckled, "Really? But judging by the look on your sister's face, she seems to be bothered."
When Tanjirou turned to Nezuko, the younger sister had already entered her box to sleep. It was like Nezuko was mad at him.
Tanjirou shook his head, "It's okay. I'll deal with that later. By the way, is there anything I can help you with?"
"No, you are still recovering. I just wanted to say that Rengoku-san has awakened-"
"Really?!" Tanjirou immediately covered his mouth and bowed quickly, "I'm sorry for cutting you off! Can I visit him?"
Shinobu nodded and started walking, "Of course. That's why I'm telling you. Tell Rengoku-san to eat the food!"
Tanjirou hurriedly ran to Kyoujuro's room which was a bit far from him. During the journey his stomach began to beat rapidly making his running slow. He was forced to walk than his wound opened again.
After arriving at the door of Flame Hashira's room, Tanjirou took a deep breath trying to calm his heartbeat. For three months he kept praying for Flame Hashira to survive his coma, he didn't want to lose the person he loved again.
He knocked on the room door, waiting for an answer from inside. An excited voice telling him to come in made Tanjirou nervous. He hadn't heard that voice in a long time.
Slowly he opened the bedroom door, his eyes stared at Flame Hashira who was writing a letter accompanied by a crow. Flame Hashira stopped writing and turned to Tanjirou, he smiled and told Tanjirou to come towards him.
Tanjirou started running again ignoring the pain in his stomach. He jumped into Kyoujuro's arms, he started to sob in the warm embrace.
Kyoujuro tried to hold back the pain in his chest as Tanjirou burst into his arms. Hearing the pitiful sobs beside him, he stroked Omega's back. He gave comforting words so that Omega who was in his arms stopped crying. He didn't want to attract the attention of passersby in front of his door.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you defeat the Demon. If I wasn't hurt, and if I knew how to use Hinokami Kagura well, then you-"
"Tanjirou."
Tanjirou let go of his embrace, looking up at Flame Hashira's wide smile. The bandaged left eye made the Flame Alpha look gentle, "Let bygones be bygones. Look! I'm still alive! Even though I lost my left eye, it doesn't make my spirit go away!" He laughed then stroked Tanjirou's head, "After I recover, come with me!"
"Where to?" asked Tanjirou.
"Rengoku's house."
"Why? Why should I come?" Tanjirou asked again, but this time his tone was filled with nervousness.
"The Rengoku family has a record of Fire Breathing that has been passed down for generations and is well preserved! Maybe it can help you to use the Hinokami Kagura you speak of!" Kyojuro replied excitedly.
Tanjirou smiled widely and began to bow, "Thank you very much! I will train as best I can!"
The Alpha nodded, then rolled up the letter he wrote earlier and handed it to the crow beside him, "Please give it to my father."
The crow flew to bring Kyoujuro's letter to his father. He suspected that his father would not read the contents of his letter, but it was his wish to tell his father and brother that he survived the incident.
"Rengoku-san! You still have two months left for your recovery period!"
"Don't worry about me! I feel excited again!"
Shinobu sighed tiredly dealing with that Flame Hashira. She didn't want anything to happen to the Alpha on the way to his house. This morning the Alpha of Flame had experienced a headache, which made Beta the insect panic. It was clear that Hashira's Flame still needed some rest.
Tanjirou lightly patted Nezuko's head, trying to persuade his sister to enter her box. The younger sister shook her head and walked away from the box. Tanjirou continued to coax him into the box, he didn't want Kyoujuro to wait any longer. In the end, Nezuko was forced into the box and began to fall asleep. Tanjirou had pinched Nezuko's cheek making his sister protest.
"Kamado-shonen! Are you ready?" Kyoujuro started to summon that Omega.
"Yeah! I'm ready!"
"Umu! Let's go!"
Before leaving the Butterfly Estate, Tanjirou did not forget to say goodbye to Shinobu and said that they would be fine on the trip. At least it made Hasira Insect breathe a sigh of relief and wish them well.
On the way Tanjirou enjoys the beautiful scenery. People pass and greet when they meet. The situation during the day is so peaceful, in contrast when it is late at night. Where Demons enjoy eating delicious human flesh.
Apart from enjoying the view of the river, Tanjirou stealthily stole glances at Kyoujuro who was beside him. Afraid of being caught Tanjirou occasionally looked away, his face turned red without him noticing. He also didn't understand why he was like that.
"We have arrived!"
Tanjirou looked up in confusion, he was so busy with his thoughts that he didn't realize that they had arrived in front of the Rengoku family's house.
The figure of a child sweeping their backs caught Tanjirou's interest. The child had yellow-red hair tied up, just like Kyoujuro's hair.
"Senjurou!" Kyoujuro exclaimed and started walking towards his little brother.
Senjurou quickly turned his head after hearing his big brother voice which he missed. He dropped the broom and ran without a second thought, "Ani-ue!" in an instant he was in his brother's arms, "I missed you. I thought you didn't survive!"
Kyoujuro smiled as he patted his little brother head, "Of course I came home safely! Didn't I promise you?"
Senjurou nodded and let go of the hug. Now his eyes were on the boy wearing a black green plaid haori who was behind his brother,"Who is he?"
Tanjirou bowed "I'm Kamado Tanjirou. I-"
"He is my Tsuguko!" Kyoujuro interrupted Tanjirou's introduction. Both Tanjirou and Senjurou were surprised to hear that.
"What's the commotion in front of my house?!"
An adult voice interrupted their conversation. There in front of the main door, the head of the Rengoku family was holding an urn filled with sake. Kyoujuro and Senjurou looked tense when their father appeared in a state of disarray.
"I'm home, Chichi-ue!" said Kyoujuro now putting on a serious face.
"You think I care you damn bastard? Why don't you just die? You living also won't do me any good!" piercing words kept coming out of the man's mouth. He took the time to drink sake, "Then who is behind you? Did you bring a prostitute?"
Tanjirou was angry when he was called a prostitute by Kyoujuro's father, "I'm Kamado Tanjirou! I'm a member of the Demon Slayers!"
Shinjurou snorted in annoyance, "You're the same as Kyoujuro. Useless! There's no point in you being a member of the Demon Slayer and dying in vain without knowing any truth!" his eyes accidentally saw the earrings that Tanjirou was wearing causing himself to drop the jug of sake without him realizing it, "Those earrings! I see! I know those earrings! You're a Sun Breathing user, right?!"
"Sun Breathing? What do you mean?" asked Tanjirou in disbelief.
The three people hearing this were shocked. And even more surprised when the old man ran towards Tanjirou and slammed him mercilessly. Kyoujuro stared in disbelief at what his father had done to his future Tsuguko.
Tanjirou was trying to breathe when his head was pressed hard by the old man above him. He couldn't move at all, even just moving his head required a lot of effort.
"Chichi-ue! What are you doing? Let go of Tanjirou!" Kyoujuro tried to get his father's hand off Tanjirou. Even though he has entered old age, his father's strength is still great, making it difficult for Kyoujuro to handle him considering that he is still not fully recovered. Senjurou also helped to release.
"Shut up you all you bastards!" Shinjurou slapped Senjurou quickly making his youngest son fall down in pain.
Seeing that Tanjirou's blood was boiling, veins started popping up around his temples, "That's enough, you bastard!" then he kicked Shinjurou. The old man easily dodged the kick from the boy.
Kyoujuro helped Senjurou get up. He gave words of reassurance so his little brother wouldn't tremble for fear if his father tried to slap him again.
Then Tanjirou got up while holding his dislocated left hand, "What's wrong with you? You insulted your son who almost died! Then slapped your second son! What do you really want!"
Shinjurou silently stares at Tanjirou, "You're trying to insult our family aren't you?"
Tanjirou rolled his eyes, he was struck with a feeling of confusion hearing this, "Why do you think like that? I don't understand what you're saying. Don't be so accusatory!"
"Because you are a user of the Sun Breathing. I know the earring. It's written on the notes!"
Tanjirou tried to digest Shinjurou's continuous words. Starting with the Sun Breathing is the mother of other breaths. He kept thinking that Hinokami Kagura wasn't the Breathing of Fire, but the Sun Breathing that the old man was talking about.
"Don't be arrogant just because you use the Sun Breathing, you brat!"
Tanjirou gritted his teeth, tears starting to roll down his cheeks. He looked up angrily at Shinjurou, "How can I be arrogant! You have no idea how helpless I am right now! You..." he started to get up from his seat and ran to hit the old man, "Damn old man!"
"Watch out! Chichi-ue he..." Senjurou shouted for Tanjirou to stop his reckless actions.
"A former Hashira!"
Hearing that Tanjirou changed his plan from wanting to punch him now butting his head into the old man's head without a second thought. Making them both fall down and unconscious.