03. Dried Leaves
There was this distinct stench of anger- along with a flash of disbelief and horror.
"You, what the hell are you doing here." A child with long, black hair said, face riddled with cuts and scratches and a sword gripped tightly in one hand.
Tanjirou blinked rapidly, a confused smile plastered on his face.
"Hm?"
He smelled familiar, though. His scent.
A year had passed since Tanjirou first met Lenalee. Kanda Yu has joined the Black Order.
There were rumors about a general coming back after traveling around the world. Apparently, he had a new apprentice, perhaps a new exorcist. The sword in the child's hands said a lot.
"A new friend!" Tanjirou said brightly. The scientists from the science division shivered slightly.
"Well, I heard he came from the Asian Branch," Reever said, scratching the back of his head. The bags under his eyes were dark as ever. "General Tiedoll took him under his wing, apparently. So technically he's not an exorcist yet, I guess. The new guy, I mean."
"I thought he was a girl," Lenalee said absentmindedly, fiddling with the corners of her clothes. "But then he said he wasn't, so I said sorry."
"I see," Tanjirou responded with a nod. Lenalee went to get lunch.
"Anyway, Tanjirou. The director said to-" Reever paused, looking over his shoulder. Tanjirou was nowhere to be seen. Sighing, his shoulders drooped. "Whatever, I'll tell him later…"
A year had passed since Tanjirou first met Lenalee. Lenalee had become his first friend in the European Branch, something Tanjirou would always be grateful for. On a regular basis as exorcists, they went on missions. Even though it would sometimes become very tough, and many lives were lost or nearly got lost, Tanjirou could endure it!
Pushing pass the crowds of people along the halls, Tanjirou made a sharp turn to the left- nearly crashing into someone.
He blinked.
A child with dark eyes- and a stench of anger.
"What the hell are you doing here."
He smelled familiar.
"Now, now, Yu," a deeper voice said. Tanjirou's gaze drifting upwards, his eyes were met with a uniform of black and gold. A general. "Oh," the older man said, his eyes slightly widening. "You must be Kamado?"
Immediately, his back straightened. "Yes! I am Kamado Tanjirou, It is a pleasure to meet you!"
The general chuckled. "No need to be so stiff! It is also a pleasure to meet you as well, Kamado. I am Froi Tiedoll."
"Yes! I have heard of you! You are very amazing!" What the heck was he saying.
Tiedoll chuckled again.
"I also have heard of you, along with your deeds, Kamado," Tiedoll's gaze softened. "You have worked very hard. How about we go get some lunch? Yu and I here haven't got anything to eat."
Eating with a general! A once in a billion chance! Tanjirou nearly jumped.
"Of course!"
They went to the cafeteria, the child - Yu, that was his name - glaring daggers at him.
The food was still very grey and bland. Biting into his bread, Tanjirou grabbed for his soup, taking a quick sip. Even though the food was grey, it was still food. Some people out there didn't even have food to eat! It would be rude to them if Tanjirou wasn't grateful with what he had!
Glancing to the side, he noticed Yu, who have yet taken a bite.
"Are you not hungry?" He decided to ask.
Yu glared at him.
Tanjirou sweat marked.
"Uh, oh right!" He clasped his hands together, "I haven't properly introduced myself, have I?" Smiling brightly, he held out a hand. "I am Kamado Tanjirou, it is nice to meet you!"
The stench of anger grew stronger.
"Screw off."
Yu stood up and left.
The plate of untouched food sat forsaken on the table.
"... Maybe he dislikes bread," Tanjirou concluded. Tiedoll coughed quietly at the side.
"Lenalee," Tanjirou was frowning. Lenalee fidgeted under his gaze, her head lowered. Sighing, he bent down, examining the new scratches scarring her knees. There were even more around her arms and elbow, not to mention her face.
Looking up to her, he gave her a soft smile. "Let's get this treated, okay? Later, I'll teach you about meditating!"
Pausing for a moment, Lenalee nodded, her head still lowered.
"... Promise?"
Tanjirou beamed at her.
"Promise!"
As the Head Nurse treated Lenalee's wounds, Tanjirou stood at the side, back leaning against the wall. The Head Nurse, while very stern and strict, was very kind at the same time. Smiling to himself, he recalled the time he came in to the medical wing with broken bones and ribs- the Head Nurse had this blunt look of disapproval.
Tanjirou~ It was so scary! I was surrounded by so much venom, and that lady over there kept nagging at me~!
A rustle. Pigtails brushing past. Oh you! Quiet down, will you?! You're too noisy for goodness sake!
Tanjirou stared ahead, a smile remaining on his face. Glancing down to his sword, he gazed at the hilt.
"... Hm."
"Tanjirou?" Tanjirou jumped, quickly looking down to meet the other's gaze.
Upon seeing Lenalee's wounds now cleaned and bandaged, Tanjirou smiled brightly.
Untended injuries were no good! It might get infected and- Tanjirou looked over his shoulder, watching as the nurses swiftly treated the patients. The nurses and doctors were here for a reason. It would be sad if they learned that there were people injured but not treated to.
Honestly! Can't you be more like Tanjirou? At least he doesn't scream all day long! Geez!
He wondered who did those voices belonged to. It felt very nostalgic.
Upon sliding open the door to the training room, Tanjirou was met with another surprise.
There was Yu, sitting cross legged on the floor, back towards the door.
"Yu!" Tanjirou earned a loud tch coming from the small body. Chuckling to himself, a brilliant idea (at least, he thought so) came up to his mind. Taking Lenalee's hand, they sat next to Yu, legs also crossed and hands rested on their knees.
Yu did not bother moving. It was silent.
Eyes closed, they meditated.
For a moment, Tanjirou thought he smelled grief. Pondering to himself, he shook his head.
They continued to meditate.
Yu seemed to tolerate Tanjirou's presence a little more now, the taller exorcist sighing in relief. Even though Yu wouldn't talk to him much, Tanjirou never minded! Yu might just be shy, after all! Tiedoll did say that Yu didn't like to talk a lot in the first place, too!
"Meditation raises your concentration level. Breath slowly and deeply, imagine the air encircling your body," Tanjirou said, eyes closed and shoulders relaxed. "My teacher said this a lot."
Lenalee glanced at him, eyes curious. "General Yeegar?"
He hummed. "I think it was someone else, not the general."
"Who?"
Water.
"... Not sure," opening his eyes, he beamed at Lenalee. "Hey, why not we try befriending Yu-"
A huge thud was heard behind them, Tanjirou and Lenalee looking back with wide eyes. Yu stood there, the door slammed closed behind him.
A very strong stench of annoyance and irritation filled the room, and the rest of the meditation session went on with cooling silence.
"... Still worth a try, though." He whispered.
"Shut it."
And thus, it became Tanjirou's personal goal to befriend the one known as Yu.
It was really difficult, however. Every time Tanjirou made an attempt to get closer to the smaller child, Yu would throw strings of insults and storm off.
Reever said to maybe give Yu some time to cool off. After all, Yu only recently joined the Order. Just earlier, he had been traveling all over the world for a year with the general. Tanjirou nodded, he would keep note of that.
But something in his mind was nagging at him- the thought that he shouldn't leave Yu alone. Being at a place without friends or people you could trust was something very lonely.
"That being said," Reever patted his shoulder, "the division chief said that the director said to get your check up, already. The Head Nurse haven't said anything about it, right? Might as well give you a heads up."
Tanjirou smiled. "Right. Thank you!"
Reever and Tanjirou was around the same age, Tanjirou believed. So in a way, they were like buddies!
But… Check up. Indeed, it has been some time since he last got his check up. The director… Tanjirou thought of the injuries riddling all over Lenalee's small frame. Frowning, he headed towards the medical wing. He could always befriend Yu later- eventually! Let's just use this time to brainstorm some ideas.
The Head Nurse sighed. "So, the check up."
Tanjirou grinned sheepishly. "Even though I was here with Lenalee earlier, we must've both forgotten, huh!"
The older woman paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Indeed. Get changed out of your uniform, you can leave your weapon at the table over there."
"Right!"
"Sometimes, it's really hard to imagine. You know, that-" Reever sighed, "kids half my age going to war. You and I are like, I don't know, eighteen. But Lenalee and Kanda, along with all the others? Barely half our age."
Tanjirou nodded solemnly. "Lenalee is eight this year, she got more bruises and scars than I could count already. The CROWs were really rough when taking her back..."
Reever frowned, pondering for a moment. "Hey, y'know? I'm just an apprentice working in the science division- but just remember," he looked directly at Tanjirou, "whenever you need someone to talk to, talk to somebody, yeah? Head Nurse or me… Though I still have to go back and forth from here and the other branches, but…" He sighed again.
"You get what I mean?"
Gaze softening, Tanjirou nodded. "Yeah, I get what you mean." Fixing the bandage around his arm, he stood up. He grabbed for his uniform and sword.
"I'm going to go try befriending Yu, again, before the next mission! Talk to you later, Reever!"
Reever made a laugh, shaking his head. Returning a grin, he waved.
Reever was a good friend. Tanjirou was glad that he got to know him.
Slowly pushing open the door, Tanjirou peeked into the training room, noticing Yu sitting there again. Smiling to himself, he proceeded to take a step forward- only to stop at the sound of breathing.
That breath.
Burgundy eyes widened. "That breathing style, you know it?!"
Jumping at the sound of Tanjirou's voice, Yu immediately turned around with a look of surprise. Their eyes met- and Yu shot a glare at him.
Tanjirou, on the other hand, never noticed the glare nor the look in Yu's eyes. "That style… It's the Breath of Water, where did you learn it from? I know it, too!" Tanjirou could recognize it from anywhere, it was something he thought only he knew. Seeing Yu do it really surprised him- where did Yu learn it from? Excitement and surprise settled in Tanjirou's heart, it was so cool-
Nose twitching, Tanjirou blinked.
A scent of disbelief. A scent of denial. The smell of hurting. Yu looked horrified.
"Yu…?"
"Shut up, won't you?!" Yu thrashed out, teeth gritted and muscles tensed. He looked… Betrayed? Hurt? Tanjirou wasn't sure. "Just leave me the hell alone! Don't call me Yu! Scram!"
"Hey-"
"Stop talking to me already!"
Dark blue eyes. Long hair and a calm voice, wearing a haori and the uniform-
"Then, can you be friends with Lenalee?" Tanjirou said calmly, a smile on his lips. Yu stared at him dumbly.
"... What."
"It's okay if you don't want to talk to me, but it's still important to talk to people, right? At least a little bit. Lenalee won't bother you very much! She's a very kind and gentle child, I'm sure you two will get along!"
"What the hell."
Tanjirou grinned.
"You see, you and Lenalee are like younger siblings to me. Even if you say to go away, I couldn't bring myself to. But if I'm really bothering you," he bowed, "at least, please get along with Lenalee."
"... What the hell."
The smell of… Sadness.
Grief.
Yu was crying.
"Don't just come and… Sprout nonsense about siblings…"
Tanjirou patted his head. Yu actually let him.
"Seriously… Don't just sprout nonsense about stuff like that… In a place like this… Or in a place like that..."
"Sorry, I just can't help it," Tanjirou said with a soft smile. "But hey, at least we can all meditate together, right? Without bothering each other," he paused. "Say, can I still call you Yu? Or do you want me to call you something else? If it makes you uncomfortable."
"... Whatever you want. Don't care."
Tanjirou grinned.
"Alright, Yu."
Yu was crying silently. Tanjirou said nothing, his hand still placed on top of Yu's head.
Only the sound of breathing and soft sobbing could be heard, and minutes passed.
It went on like that. Tanjirou never saw Yu cry again.
In the end, Yu never told him where he learned the breath from. Tanjirou, however, wasn't curious anymore. It was what it was. During breaks between missions, the three of them ended up meditating together. Tanjirou, Lenalee, and Yu. Together, in that quiet, empty room.
This was all Tanjirou could ever ask for.
Thank you for reading! I am happy that many of you enjoyed it, this is Kanda's part of the story!
ko.
omake
Tanjirou: Hi there! I am Kamado Tanjirou, it is nice to meet you!
Yu left chat.