The Bonds that Unite Us

After everyone had finished with their lunch, and the kids had played a little while, Giyuu decided to go visit Akira's shrine since today was her birthday and every year, the family went to the shrine with gifts for her, he needed to go back home and changed himself and the children in the traditional black kimono that was what in Japan people wore when going to visit the dead.

"Thank you, Tomioka for this kind invitation. I look forward another one together!" Rengoku waved goodbye at his friend, holding a sleeping Hinoko in arms.

"Next Friday do you have it free? I plan on doing a big feast to celebrate our years of friendship." Giyuu nodded, him and Rengoku had a very close bond and friendship, ever since he was a teenager, right after the death of his very first friend, Sabito. One night when he thought life was getting hard and that he didn't have a purpose he decided to commit seppuku and that was when Rengoku appeared to stop him and encouraged him to keep living for his friend and sister. He had been in Rengoku's debt ever since that occasion and always had tried to help him back in all he could.

"Oh, is it been a while of friendship, isn't it?" Rengoku chuckled and patted Giyuu on the shoulder. "Yes, I'll put it on notes, so I can remember next Friday is a big day. Later then!" He grinned big and started leaving with his wife and children, as the Tomioka/Kamado siblings all waved and said their goodbyes behind the leaving family

Then Giyuu, led his troop back home where they all searched for their black kimonos. He helped the younger children into them and dressed Rokuta in a small black baby yukata. He grabbed the candles and took a deep breathe, leading the children to the shrine room where with a sad smile, Giyuu walked over to his wife's picture and bowed his head, Mizu and the twins walking by his sides, Kiyuu and Miyuu were still pretty young when their mother died, but they could somehow, remember her voice and touch. The Kamado siblings did see her as their mother as well, giving they lost theirs when they still were in the toddler age and they loved her as if she was their own mother.

"Akira, my beloved, it's been two years, and we are staying strong, we came here to wish you a happy birthday." Giyuu started with the words and knelt in one knee, pushing forward the present that was Akira's favorite flowers.

"I'm keeping strong and smiling, I try to Mama, I really, do but sometimes if so difficult..." Then Mizu moved forward and knelt as well, her present to her mother was a new kimono and as well a flower bouquet of the same flowers. The twins who were expected to be standing since they were still pretty young, watched, their faces having sad looks.

Tanjirou came last to say some words, kneeling and pushing for ward the small card with some origami tsurus, Akira's favorite specie of bird. "Thanks for caring for me and my siblings enough to treat us as your own children, Kaa-san." he bowed his head and his other siblings did just the same.

Giyuu closed his eyes and he was facing his wife in a sort of afterlife dimension. "Akira," he smiled.

"Giyuu-kun," Akira in her blue and gold kimono walked over and embraced Giyuu. "You're doing a splendid job raising our children. And I can't thank you enough for it."

Giyuu felt how his eyes were starting to water at just hearing and feeling his beloved wife in his mind and his astral self being able to hold her there. "Akira... my beauty, I try my best always, to raise them well, protect them, giving them a loving home and security... but my darling, I miss you always..."

Akira gently wiped away a tear from his eye and smiled warmly at him. "I miss you too, anata. But this was inevitable, the Demon managed to take me down... but do not blame yourself for not being quick, you were saving another poor family from them. I'm just glad you're still going and our kids are safe and sound, and healthy."

Giyuu gripped her a little more tighter, this was the only way he could feel her, when he did afterlife jumps. But the little trips he did over time, lasted shorter and soon after returning back to reality, he felt so down, but not to the point of breaking, he remembered himself that he had nine kids to look after.

"Goodbye, Aki-chan..."

"Later, anata,"

Giyuu opened his eyes and smiled, then stood and turned to the children, as they stood and left the shrine room, going back home to rest for the rest of the evening.

"Tomioka? It's urgent, we need you."

It was past two in the morning, and a phone call was dialed to Giyuu, he groaned and slowly sat up. "Oyakata-sama? What is it?" He inquired a little groggily, not fully awake.

"Demons attacking a mall."

Giyuu immediately stood by start. "I'm on my way." He rushed to get his Officer Slayer uniform on, taking off his night kimono.

"Kocho Shinobu will be your partner this time, she's waiting by the Hanakuza street."

"Got it, Oyakata-sama. On my way." The Officer hung up and then went through his contacts and dialed Rengoku's number.

"Tomioka?"

"Rengoku, I apologize for calling at this time, but it's an emergency, Demon attack, Kocho and I are needed. Can you watch the kids?" Giyuu asked, as he fumbled with getting dressing and ready for going into action, but not before he explained his friend where the things were around the apartment to handle the handful of children.

"Of course Tomioka! It's no issue, I'll be there shortly." The Flame Officer replied with his usual cheerfulness.

"I thank you, Rengoku." Giyuu hung up and walked out, giving a little visit and check to his sleeping children, all of them in their rooms under their covers, they looked so peaceful. He smiled a little, and then grabbed a paper and a quill, then started writing a note and pasted it on Mizu's room door so when she woke she'd know why Rengoku was there and he was out.

The Officer raced out and nodded at his friend. "Hey, I'm glad you made it here quickl"

Rengoku walked inside after taking off his shoes and just being in his socks. "Don't mention it, Tomioka. I'll always come lend you a hand when you need it." He smiled brightly and patted his friend on the shoulder.

Giyuu smiled faintly. "Well, thank you. You already know how things work here, the supplies in the kitchens, the emergengy numbers to call if something happens and where Rokuta's diapers are."

Rengoku winked. "I have it under control. I also brought cake for tomorrow."

"They love cake, it'll be a great surprise for them. I'm not sure how much I'll take to come back, but I'm sure you can handle the whole house. Remember don't be a pushover, the kids have their ways to get out of trouble, be firm but also be fair." Giyuu nodded and exited the house, walking a few steps to the parking lot and saw Shinobu inside the car in the passenger's seat and he went for the driver's seat.

"Kocho." the Officer nodded curtly at her as he initiated the car, backed and went in the street.

"Tomioka, as quiet as ever. How are your little troop doing?" The female Officer inquired, as she was using her make-up, like she often did.

"Okay. Asleep. Rengoku's watching over them."

"You really trust that fiery man, don't you?"

Giyuu didn't look other place than the front as he was driving. "He is of trust. He hasn't betrayed my trust."

Shinobu closed her make-up with a quick "clank" and hummed. "It's just surprising, you actually talk to someone and trust them so much to leave your children under care. I always knew you were a unreachable wall of ice. Tomioka you never opened up that much, even after Akira died."

"I have my reservations. This is a mission, not a life talk. Focus." Giyuu answered curtly and pressed the accelator going quick to the mall, while Shinobu smiled and shook her head, Tomioka, Tomioka. Always Tomioka and his air of coldness, she supposed it wasn't really her business meddling in the man's personal life, he had his kids to raise, his own problem.

After a moment, though. Shinobu wondered something. "Ne, Tomioka?"

"...Nanda?"

"Have you ever planned in finding love again? Giving your kids another mother to love?"

That question left Giyuu very thoughtful. For one, he did all the work in raising the kids, sometimes it got so tiring. And for two, Akira was his one and only. He had swore that was never going to fall in love with some other woman that wasn't Akira, he wouldn't betray her, although in his small astral trips, she had told him it was okay for him to find love again, she didn't mind, long as he was happy. Still though, Tomioka Giyuu was a man of word, he still didn't have desires to find new love.

"Akira was and still is my only wife."

"She's dead—"

"We're here, get ready!" Giyuu quickly got out of the car, with his blade. Shinobu shrugged, she'd still insist in this conversation when this is done with. For now it was action that the two needed to take. She enjoyed picking on the quiet Giyuu, that was obvious, sometimes she got disappointed she couldn't get to him, when he had already walked off before she could say something snarky.

At the mall, many people was surrounded by the Demons, who had corralled them against walls and some inside the elevators. Giyuu quickly took out his blade and hopped in, easily slicing off the heads of six Demons in a row. Shinobu really envied him, she could only inject them with potent venom she made herself, the two kept striking fiercely and evacuating the people, with the help of some of the assistants from the Organization helped evacuated the people.

"I'm going right, you go left, Kocho." Giyuu said and with his partner they went to those directions, both taking down the Demons which were there all spread around.

When the place looked spotless at least to Giyuu he shook off the blood off his blade. "We're done here."

"Those Demons are really becoming stronger, makes them more hassles to deal with." Shinobu commented, resheathing her blade as her partner did the same.

"It didn't take that long, I guess I can return home-" However when the Officer almost declared it done, a new presence was sensed, it gave bad vibes, that Giyuu narrowed his eyes.

"I don't think our job is done yet, Tomioka."

"I feel it too." Giyuu slowly approached the dark area, his blade pulled out, with a blank look.

Shinobu was right behind him and her eyes widened. "Tomioka watch out!"

Giyuu's eyes widened as he could only see a blur flash past him, and his throat was sliced open...

Back at the Tomioka household, Rengoku was laying down on the small couch from the living room, petting the Tomioka-Kamado's bird pet. Watermelon, a small bobtail cat, smiling softly, he thought he could close his eyes for a bit, knowing the kids were asleep, he only was keeping awake for when Rokuta called when needed something.

It was an hour later, when the Officer was asleep, that Rokuta started crying. Rengoku slowly woke and hurried to the baby's room. "Rokkun, it's already." he cooed, walking over to the crib and lifting up the wailing child, cradling him in arms.

Rokuta wailed. "Paaaa!" that was his word for Papa. Rengoku rocked him gently, caressing his head.

"Papa is out busy, but Rengoku-Jichan will stay with you and your siblings." he said softly, pacing around the room, feeling the baby's tummy growl. He smiled and pulled out the bottle from his pocket, removing the cap and gently feeding the little baby. He smiled softly as he fed Rokuta, this sure brought him memories of when he'd Kaen and Hinoko. His two little fire children, both of their names meant fire and they were just perfect. The rest of the team of the Organization thought Rengoku was just a children person, it wasn't enough watching his two kids, he had to watch other people's kids, he didn't mind it. He loved kids and kids loved him back, who could not really, the man was a sweet sheep, full of merry life and fun. Giyuu's kids enjoyed spending time with him.

Rengoku gently took the bottle from Rokuta, wiping off his mouth and supporting him against his shoulder, lightly patting his little back and humming. Rokuta sleepily let out a burp and yawned, feeling tired but happy that he had tummy full. Then his Uncle cradled him in his arms and hummed a small lullabye, one that he remembered his mother singing to him and his brother, which he also hummed to his two kids. It was a soft tune.

Rokuta blinked sleepily and yawned, balling his small hands into fists as he closed his eyes and and snuggled a little and fell fast asleep. Rengoku smiled softly and gently layed him down, tucking him in, moving his little arm a little to put his small hand-cotton made Giyuu doll, before leaning and kissing his forehead as he turned and slowly slid the door close but not completely.

The Officer blinked when his phone buzzed and he pulled it out. "Moshi-moshi, Rengoku Kyoujurou speaking."

"Rengoku... Tomioka got attacked severely. In the hospital currently."

Rengoku could never be prepared to hear this. "N-nani? How is his state?"

"Not good I may say, sliced open throat and some broken bones and ribs."

Rengoku cursed under his breathe. How was he going to explain this to the kids? He felt a huge heartbreak, this was his friend after all. "I see. I'll see how I'll tell his kids..."

"You must tell them. This is their father, keeping it hidden from them won't do good."

"I know Kocho. I know full well..."

"What happened to Papa?"

Rengoku gasped and froze, turning to see Mizu standing by the stairs, horrified look on her face.

"Mizu-chan, I-"

Mizu didn't even give him time to explain himself, before she was quickly out of the house, tears rushing down her cheeks going to the hospital. Rengoku grit his teeth. "Kocho... the eldest heard us, I must go after her. Can you cover up for me here?"

"Yes, Rengoku. I'm here." Shinobu entered the Tomioka-Kamado household, putting her phone in her pocket and so did Rengoku.

"The other kids are asleep, so all you have to do is watching them. I must go." The Flame Officer rushed out after Mizu.

"Mizu!" he called over, speeding-up. The girl burst into the hospital.

"Tomioka Giyuu. Where is Tomioka Giyuu's room?!" she asked the receptionist desperately. "I'm his daughter, please tell me where is my Papa!"

The lady receptionist looked down at the desperated girl with a sympathetic room. "Currently being rushed to the O.R. He'll be in the recuperating ward in a few hours the most.

Mizu abruptly turned her head, seeing the medical staff rushing her father in the stretcher to the O.R and his state horrified her more. "PAPA!" she wailed and ran after the staff. "Stop, let me see my Papa! Stop!"

Rengoku quickly caught up with her and held her tightly in arms. "Mizu... let them take care of your Papa. He'll be fine, they will fix him up." he soothed, over Mizu's cries. He held the girl tightly, letting her cry on him. He rubbed her back and whispered reassuring words of courage.

"Papaa..." like when she was four and crying for Giyuu when he needed to live to meetings, she was crying. It was breaking Rengoku's heart.

Giyuu though, being sedated and currently out of service, could barely hear his daughter crying.

Mizu... my brave little raindrop. Hang in there... I'll be with you soonest. But you gotta stay strong for Papa...

"No, I already lost Mama, I can't lost Papa too. I'll die if I lose him!" Mizu kept bawling and sobbing heavily. Rengoku lifted her up in arms and walked over to the waiting room chairs, sat down and held Mizu in arms, rocking back and forth, resting his chin on her head. He felt tears welling up his own eyes... he couldn't let Tomioka go and leave his kids behind. He prayed to Kami that his friend made it out and back to his family that loved him.

"You won't lose him, Mizu-chan, you won't. Your Papa's stronger than that, have faith that he will be back soon with you... with his children." he said softly, even if Mizu was so hysterical she wasn't listening, so he just oughted to hold her close and wait until she fully calmed.

Eventually, Mizu cried herself to sleep, she was exhausted from the run long to the hospital and all the emotional breakdown, he ended up crashing asleep against Rengoku, who rubbed her back and wiped away her tears with his sleeve and cradled her gently.

"Be fine, Tomioka... your children need you to be fine." He whispered and stared up at the ceiling, frowning worriedly. He noticed a nurse walking closer and rose a hand. "Excuse me, M'am but do you happen to know about Tomioka Giyuu's condition? Are they operating on him?"

"Currently on surgery to fix his throat and other broken bones. He had an internal bleeding that needs to be taken care of."

Rengoku frowned and looked down, nodding. "Thank you M'am..." he sighed and cuddled Mizu close, worrying every second for his dear friend.

The rest of the midnight eventually went on and now dawn started to come, the sun slowly rising and illuminating everything, Rengoku had fallen asleep sat with the sleeping girl in arms and resting his head on hers, when a nurse lightly shook his shoulder.

"Hm?" Rengoku slowly woke with a yawn, turning to see the turn doctor. "Doctor, how is Tomioka?"

"Recovering at the recovering ward, we worked on his for the rest of the midnight until recently. But he's stable." the doctor reasurred and the Officer smiled relieving, lightly petting Mizu's smooth black hair.

"Thank you, Doctor. I'll tell the good news to his daughter and rest of his family at home. When can we go see him?"

"Shortly. They're still stabling his banages and i.v's." The doctor informed, then nodded and walked out.

"See, Mizu? Papa's just fine." Rengoku whispered and cuddled his niece close. Then picked his phone and called Shinobu. "Kocho, Tomioka's doing fine. Out of surgery and recovering."

"That's a relieving news, because his other kids are crying for him." Shinobu said, between relief and awkwardness, by the other end of the line, the little kids were crying for their father, saved from Tanjirou who was currently helping Shinobu try calm the others.

"Bring them here, soon the doctor will allow visits."

The two ended the call. Mizu slowly stirred awake, and looked around. "Papa...?"

"Ohayou, Mizu-chan." Rengoku smiled softly at her.

"How is Papa, Rengoku-Jisan?"

"I got you good news, he's stable and soon we'll go see him!" he rubbed the girl's head and she was a little more relieved, she managed a tiny smile.

"Yokatta... Papa..." the girl nodded.

"I told you he was going to pull through. He's stronger than he seems." The Officer smiled brightly.

"He is my stronger Papa... our stronger Papa," Mizu nodded, then wondered how her siblings were faring without Giyuu.

Just then a nurse came to announce that Giyuu had woken and that he could have visits, right as Shinobu was walking with the other eight children.

"Where is Papa?!" Kiyuu and Miyuu sniffled, being the ones held in Shinobu's arms, while Tanjirou held the sleeping Rokuta in arms.

Mizu stood and walked over to Shinobu and took her twin brothers from her holding them. "Papa's okay and waiting for us.

"Tou-san..." Tanjirou frowned, he had been pretty worried, since he was announced by Shinobu about the situation.

"Chichi-ue..." Takeo was the same and so Nezuko, Hanako and Shigeru.

Rengoku stood and followed the nurse to Giyuu's room with the children and Shinobu in tow. When opening the room, Mizu's eyes watered.

Giyuu turned feebly by the anesthesia to them with a smile. "C-Children..."

"Papa!" Mizu ran over and gently took her father's hand sniffling. "I'm glad that you're okay..."

Giyuu placed his other hand on her head. "I was coming back, my brave raindrop." He smiled softly at all his dear children. "For all my small ones..."

Shinobu walked over to the bed and sighed, shaking her head. "Even the strongest of the Officers can get roughed up, I see,"

"Of course Kocho...I'm not made of steel," Giyuu replied dead serious, causing Rengoku to laugh, ah his friend and his usual air of coldness.

"As usual, you'll be such a serious Squidward." Shinobu rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Oh how very funny." Giyuu deapanned, using Squidward's voice, causing the children to giggle at that.

Giyuu was still pretty tired, his eyes were fighting to keep open, all he wanted to see was his children.

"Tomioka, you should rest, you still are recovering." Rengoku adviced, his brow wrinkling with worry.

"But I want to see my children-"

"Later, after you have rested." Rengoku said firmly, he wasn't getting out of it, he wanted his friend to get well soon. "I'll take the children to get some ice cream."

Giyuu frowned woefully, he had been out for ours during surgery and his kids had been teary messes.

Noticing the woeful expression on his friend's, Rengoku sighed. "Fine, stay awake for a little longer and then you rest. Deal?"

"Deal. I just want to see them, it's been hours since I have." Giyuu whispered, petting his twin son's heads, as they were sat by his side and the other kids stood by as well.

"Fine by me. Just promise me you'll rest afterwards." Rengoku smiled, patting his friend's shoulder, walking out with Shinobu to leave the kids and their father have a moment.

"I'm just glad I made it back, just to be with you, my beloved small ones..." Giyuu smiled and felt how a tear made its way out his eye, he was gently hugged by all nine kids.