Rest At Last, In A Butterfly Mansion
Hello everyone and welcome to another chapter for Breath of the Rifleman! And to answer our guest reviewer: I think your ship is about to cast off. And I'd also like to give a shout out to g roche9655, Noble Eight and Lonetaker for their input in this and the previous chapter! Now then, onto the story!
Demon Slayer Headquarters: Garden
The moment seemed to stretch on for minutes as Subaru fell to the floor with the weight of the demon girl on his chest. He was so surprised that he simply just laid there for a moment, waiting for the now seemingly inevitable sword stroke to fall and sever his head. When nothing happened, Subaru let out a cough as he looked up and noted Nezuko was nuzzled against him and rubbing her head affectionately on his chest. "Geez Nezuko, take it easy," Subaru finally managed to grunt out, "I got at least one broke rib and a large cut across my chest that needs to heal up right now."
The demon girl simply looked him in the eye with a cute smile before lightly hugging him and letting out a few, what some might call, chirps. "Oh you heard me say that," said Subaru as he scratched his reddening cheeks, "I mean it was kind of a heat of the moment thing, but yeah I pretty much meant what I said. Now come on, you know you're not supposed to have this off." The Matagi managed to sit up with Nezuko moving back slightly so that he was able to locate the bamboo muzzle hanging around her neck and secure it back over her mouth. "There we go, now you're presentable for some of the more jumpy sword hands around here."
Nezuko waited patiently until the muzzle was in place before putting her hands on either side of Subaru's head and pulling him in closer. The Rifleman wasn't quite sure what was going on at first until she nuzzled his nose with hers before pulling back, her eyes twinkling in a way that said she was smiling. Subaru could only stare dumbfounded for a moment before breaking out into a light smile of his own before patting the demon girl on the head. "Please tell me, what happened," said the Master suddenly, breaking Subaru and Nezuko out of their own little world.
"The demon girl tackled Subaru Genjirou," replied one of the white-haired twins, "but only as a form of affection. Even despite Sanemi's unique blood being on the slayer, the demon has not attempted to bite him or even to taste the blood. Currently, they are sitting peacefully and smiling at each other." The Master nodded his head before turning back towards the gathered Hashiras and Tanjiro.
"So has this display been enough to prove that Nezuko won't attack humans?" He asked. When none of the Hashiras spoke up, he addressed his next statement to Subaru's friend. "Tanjiro, even after this there are certain to be those who still cannot accept Nezuko. Starting now, you and your friend both must prove that you and Nezuko can fight together as demon slayers." Subaru didn't know why, but the man's calming voice only magnified the gratitude he and Tanjiro felt as both Slayers and Nezuko bowed down to the ground.
"Go and defeat one of the twelve Kizuki," continued the Master, "accomplish that and you'll be accepted by all. Your words, too, shall carry more weight." The three raised their heads a bit then as Tanjiro spoke next.
"Subaru, Nezuko and I," said Tanjiro, "we will defeat Muzan Kibutsuji! All of us will deliver a strike which will stop the chain of grief!" 'Well it's not like we weren't going to face the man eventually,' thought Subaru.
"It would be best if we just settled on a Kizuki for now," said the Master, "as you're ill-equipped for such an undertaking at this time." Tanjiro got a bit red in the face at this comment, feeling a little embarrassed now that he'd made such a bold statement. Subaru could only sigh while spotting Mitsuri doing her absolute best not to laugh. Shinobu didn't even try as she let out her own little laugh. "It goes without saying that the Demon Slayer Corps Hashiras have phenomenal skills. One could say they have defied death by training themselves to death, and have defeated some of the twelve Kizuki before."
"A good attitude to have!" Commented the Blond Hashira.
"It is because of these accomplishments that the Hashira receive respect and preferential treatment," continued the Master after the short interruption, "So it'd be best if you both mind your manners when you speak."
"Y-Yes sir," said Subaru and Tanjiro at the same time. In a way it was infuriating how calming the man's voice was.
"And one more thing, for Sanemi and Obanai," said the Master, "don't torment the younger ones too much.
"As you wish," said the two Hashiras with a little hesitation.
"Now then," said the Master, "Tanjiro, Subaru. We have concluded our business here with the two of you, so please step back."
"Um, I actually have one more question before they go," said Mitsuri as she raised her hand. The Master acknowledged her with a nod before she continued by pointing at Nezuko's hairpiece. "Did you give that hairpiece to her, Subaru Genjirou?"
"Yeah I did but there's-," Subaru tried to explain the whole situation but was quickly thwarted by Mitsuri's sudden squealing in delight.
"Oh what a wondrous heartfelt story!" Exclaimed Mitsuri as she put her hands to her cheeks in glee, "A boy becomes a demon slayer to save the girl he loves! Oh may your wedding be a wondrous one!" The Hashira quickly realized she was getting more than a few sideways looks, with a couple of the other Hashiras outright gagging at the thought of a human and demon together, before quickly taking her place back in the line of Hashira.
"Mitsuri's antics aside," said Shinobu as she too raised her hand, "I do actually have a proposition. Allow me to take the Kamados and Genjirou into my house." Neither Subaru nor Tanjiro were quite sure what to think of her suggestion, but since the Master didn't object Shinobu clapped her hands twice as another Kakushi entered the garden to assist the two who were already there. "Take them away please!"
Subaru might've inquired a bit more about her intentions, but given the situation and the fact that his wound just might have been reopened by Nezuko's loving tackle, he instead helped the demon girl back into her box before one Kakushi each, after bowing to the Master and Hashiras, picked them up and took running positions. "And do give Miss Tamayo my regards," said the Master. Neither of the Slayers had time to react to that statement before the Kakushi rushed off, moving at a fair speed despite the weight on their backs.
A Fair Distance Later
It wasn't the most comfortable ride Subaru had been on, but then again it was hard to ride comfortably when one had numerous injuries. But at long last they arrived at the apparent home of Shinobu Kocho, which turned out to be a mansion very similar to the Wisteria family mansion, but with a second story and the garden was replaced by what appeared to be a training field of sorts. "Hello! Is anyone home right now?!" Called the Female Kakushi that was carrying Nezuko's box.
When no response came, the Kakushi tried calling out a couple more times as they entered through the open front door. "It doesn't look like anyone's coming to greet us at the door," said the Male Kakushi as his companion took a moment to catch her breath.
"Let's see if there's anyone in the yard," suggested the Female Kakushi as she dusted her hands off for a moment before turning and heading back out the door.
"Any reason you can't just drop the three of us in whatever passes for a medical room here?" Asked Subaru.
"Any reason the two of you can't walk on your own?" The Male Kakushi asked back in slight annoyance.
"Sorry, we're pretty beat up right now," said Tanjiro in his normal apologetic tone, "If our bodies didn't ache like crazy, we would've run here alongside you both."
"If you're gonna complain to anyone it should be whoever's bright idea it was to not treat our wounds first before putting us on trial," Said Subaru, "for such great demon slayers most of them seem like absolute dick-."
"DON'T SPEAK ILL OF THE HASHIRAS!" exclaimed the two Kakushis at the same time before the female continued for the both of them. "You both really don't know how lucky you are to be alive right now! If you had even the slightest idea just how terrifying a Hashira can be you wouldn't have said hardly a word during your trial."
"Given that all it took was me and Tanjiro to surprise one, about the only Hashira I'm gonna give any respect too is Tomioka," said Subaru, "I've actually seen what he's capable of. As for the rest, we'll just have to see."
"Well don't expect us to carry either of you if you do wind up injured for mouthing off to one," said the Male Kakushi as they took another turn around the outside of the enormous mansion into an area with numerous blue-winged butterflies.
"Is this why I heard someone call this place 'the Butterfly Mansion'," questioned Tanjiro as he and Subaru looked around at the many gathered species of flying insects.
"Ah, it looks like someone is here," noted the Male Kakushi as Subaru and Tanjiro noted the girl from Final Selection was standing among the many butterflies with a happy but vacant expression on her face.
"She's the, oh what was it again," said the Female Kakushi as she took a moment to ponder, "Ah right, she's the Tsuguko."
"It's Master Kanao Tsuyuri," said the Male Kakushi, "she's the girl that stomped on both of you last night."
"Oh we remember," said Subaru, "but why's she called Tsuguko? I thought that title was only when a Hashira was passing their title onto someone."
"A Tsuguko is a swordsman or woman trained by a Hashira," corrected the Male Kakushi, "and they only select those with mind blowing talent and/or skill. She may look petite, but Master Kanao is awesome." 'I guess we really are getting into a different league of warriors now,' thought Subaru as the Female Kakushi approached the girl and bowed.
"Please forgive us Master Tsuyuri," she said, "we were ordered to be here by Master Kocho. Do we have permission to enter the mansion?" Kanao appeared to be listening to what was being said, but she didn't respond. Instead she simply stood there with a butterfly on her finger. "You, uh, don't mind right?" Her answer was more silence as the girl simply continued to smile.
"Hey if she's being trained by Kocho then I doubt she can countermand an order," Subaru pointed out, "so let's just go inside alrea-."
"WHO ARE YOU!" Said a Girl's voice from behind the group, startling all of them as they turned around to find a girl with blue eyes and dark hair done up in two pigtails with butterfly hairpieces. She was surprisingly short and wore a white medical robe over her black uniform.
"Oh, we were ordered here by Master Kocho," said the Female Kakushi in a slight panic.
"Ah, you're both Kakushi," said the girl, "that must mean the two you're carrying are injured."
"We sure as shit ain't that healthy right now," commented Subaru. Fortunately for them all, the girl was professional enough to ignore the Matagi's remark.
"Please come this way," said the girl, who Subaru now suspected was some sort of nurse or assistant. But he didn't dwell on it much as the Kakushi were led away from the yard and into the mansion. Though Subaru didn't miss the look Tanjiro was giving Kanao. Teasing his friend would have to wait, however, upon their next discovery.
"FIVE TIMES?!" Exclaimed an all too familiar, and annoying, voice. Zenitsu was in the house. "I have to take this stuff five times a day?! And on top of that I have to take this medicine for three months straight?! It's already an ordeal because of how bitter it is, I can't hardly eat when I take this!"
'Now why did he have to be here,' thought Subaru with a groan as they entered into the medical area. It was a pretty basic but long room with half a dozen beds on either side and wooden cabinets likely containing medical supplies in the corners. Though at the moment, the Matagi wouldn't have minded just getting basic medical treatment in a regular room given it's current occupant. Fortunately, the blond hadn't noticed them yet as he was currently complaining to another short girl who also had butterfly hairpieces in her hair. Though unlike the girl who lead them to the room, her outfit consisted of a white, long-sleeved medical dress with a red sash around the waist.
"But you're really sure my arms and legs are going to get better just by taking medicine, is that for real?" Asked Zenitsu in his usual 'not' inside voice. "I mean how exactly are these gonna heal anyway?"
"Will you please stop shouting," the little assistant girl said in an almost begging manner.
"So that guy is still making a commotion," said the Head Assistant Girl as they all entered the room. She took a deep breath before walking over to Zenitsu and relieving the other assistant. "Please quiet down! We've already explained the medicine to you numerous times, so stop this nonsense now or we'll be forced to tie you up!"
While this succeeded in getting him to stop yelling, the blond slayer was still trembling and making several noises resembling a bad engine. "Zenitsu," said Tanjiro, causing the jittery boy to let out another startled cry, "are you okay? What happened to you? If you're hurt that must mean, you came up the mountain after all."
"Or fell up it," remarked Subaru, "I didn't see him the whole time I was walking around the area."
"T-Tanjiro, S-Subaru," said Zenitsu as he turned to them before suddenly burying his head in the uniform of the Kakushi holding Tanjiro. "Tanjiro! You're never gonna believe what happened to me! I got stung by this giant stinky spider and its venom really hurt, and now that girl's been yelling at me the whole time I've been here! I hate my life!"
"That girl's been yelling at you because you won't stop bitching at high volume," remarked Subaru, "but I guess that explains why you've got your hands inside your sleeves." To be more precise, it seemed that Zenitsu's hands and arms had gotten a good deal smaller and were currently unable to go all the way out of the sleeves of the white button-up medical pajamas he was wearing.
"I just want you to let go of me," said the Male Kakushi to Zenitsu, "I've got nothing to do with any of this."
"Well I almost got turned into a spider," explained Zenitsu as he pulled back from the Kakushi, leaving a rather long and nasty trail of snot running from his nose to the uniform. Needless to say, the Male Kakushi was not pleased about that. "It wasn't just my arms but my legs are also really short right now."
"Too bad the venom didn't constrict your throat any," commented Subaru before Tanjiro shot him a look. The Matagi sighed as his friend turned back to ask his next question for Zenitsu.
"Where are Inosuke and Murata?" Asked Tanjiro, his voice tinged with concern.
"I haven't heard anything about a Murata," answered Zenitsu, "but Inosuke's right here next to me."
"Hey you're right," said Tanjiro as he finally noticed the boar mask wearing slayer was under the covers of the other bed, still wearing his mask but also with medical pajamas on. "He's been here all this time and I somehow didn't notice!" It was at this point the Kakushi decided they'd had enough of trying to hold onto the two slayers and promptly dropped them in the floor. And while this annoyed Subaru a bit, it did little to deter Tanjiro as he used Zenitsu's bed for a support to pull himself up where he could see his friend.
"I'm so glad you're alright Inosuke," said Tanjiro as some tears began welling up in his eyes, "I'm so sorry! I couldn't help you or Subaru when you needed me the most!"
"Oh don't start the waterworks up now," said Subaru as he also supported himself by leaning on Zenitsu's bed, "you nearly cut off the head of one of the twelve Kizuki with a technique you somehow pulled out of your ass at the last second. If that didn't get the job done then I haven't the faintest idea what else you could've tried."
"He's right," said Inosuke suddenly without hardly moving, "it's okay anyway. Don't worry about it."
"Your voice," said Tanjiro, noting how deep and unnatural it sounded, "did something happen? Is that really you Inosuke?"
"I heard he lost his voice or something," explained Zenitsu, "he got, like, hit in the neck and then finished the job himself by yelling at the top of his lungs at the last part. It really did a number on his voice and he's been depressed ever since. It really cracks me up to see him acting so gentle right now!"
"Why couldn't you both have taken one in the throat," muttered Subaru as Zenitsu started laughing in a strange wheezing manner.
"I get that you find it funny," said Tanjiro, "but do you have to cackle in such a weird way?"
"I'm sorry," said Inosuke, "for being so weak." The boar fighter let out a long sigh as Subaru and Tanjiro tilted their heads in slight confusion.
"Now just hang on Inosuke," said Tanjiro, "It's not like you to act depressed!"
"You really did good," encouraged Zenitsu, "you were awesome out there!"
"I doubt I could've beaten that massive spider demon without your help," offered Subaru, not really used to encouraging people.
"And we're just happy that you're alive," added Tanjiro.
"Ah wait, did I take my morning meds?! Did somebody see me take my meds this morning?!" Said Zenitsu as he got completely off track. Subaru sighed as he and Tanjiro were led away and allowed to change into the medical pajamas that the other two were wearing. The rest of the afternoon up until sunset was spent with all four of them resting in the beds as the mansion assistants came by from time to time to check up on them. One blessing, at least as far as Subaru was concerned, was that Zenitsu fell asleep shortly after they'd taken their spots next to them, making for an extra-relaxing rest.
When sunset arrived, Subaru and Tanjiro found they could get up and move around well enough without needing assistance and took that opportunity to take Nezuko's box to a more private room with a single window, two beds, a wood stool and a storage shelf with several cubbies. Tanjiro set the box down while Subaru drew the curtains to keep the waning sunlight from entering the now relatively dark room. "It's all right, you can come out now Nezuko," assured Tanjiro, "they said you can use this room while we stay here."
The two slayers moved to sit down on the beds, grunting in pain a bit as they felt their still healing injuries. "We got messed up pretty good on that mountain," commented Subaru as Nezuko opened her box and poked her still childlike head out.
"Yeah, everything hurts like crazy right now," admitted Tanjiro as he looked at his sister, "but it's thanks to Nezuko and you that I didn't get hurt worse. And who could've guessed that Mr. Urokodaki, and Tomioka were risking their lives alongside Grandad Saburo for us. They've been taking care of us this whole time, so we need to get stronger. Even just today all of us were more or less saved by the Master."
"I just wish he could've gotten there a little sooner," said Subaru, "I actually had to waste one of my most poisonous rounds because a 'child' of his was acting up. Kinda makes me wonder if there isn't some secret to the way he talks?"
"He does have an incredibly soothing voice," agreed Tanjiro as Nezuko came up and hugged him for a bit. He reciprocated by lightly patting her head. "It's such a mysterious thing, my head felt light just listening to him. I wonder what kind of person he is when he's not running the Corps?"
"Thankfully an intelligent and reasonable person at the very least," said Subaru as he leaned back with his hands on the mattress supporting him. Nezuko took this opportunity to end her hug with Tanjiro before growing to full size and crawling onto the bed to curl up next to Subaru. Even with the muzzle on, one could tell she had a contented expression on her face as she closed her eyes with her head resting against the Matagi's side.
"This just keeps getting tougher for the both of us," said Tanjiro, "and I keep dragging you, my oldest friend, into the thick of it. I'll understand if you don't-."
"You," said Subaru as he held up his hand and pointed at Tanjiro, "can just stop that sentence right there and not bother bringing it up again. In fact, banish that entire line of thought from your head. I never let myself get dragged into anything by you. Every fight, every challenge, every obstacle we've faced thus far were all things I chose to do of my own free will. Sure it's been tough and we've basically been assured that it's only going to get tougher but don't think for a second I'm just gonna abandon my best friend and the girl I love all because of a couple of near death beatings. Would you be proud to call someone like that a worthy man for your sister?"
"That's right, we'll both be grown men someday," said Tanjiro as he too leaned back a bit, his friend's words striking a strange chord with him. "And then we'd become old men and die soon after. And then the demon known as Nezuko, would be left all alone. But I don't want to see her become lonely, I want her to be able to walk in the sun again, to be able to have friends, to get married and have a family of her own. Most importantly, I want my sister to be happy and I know that's what you want too, Subaru."
"For a long time now, that's all I've wanted," said the Matagi as he lightly stroked the sleeping girl's hair. "Even before all of this began, the closest thing I could call to having a goal in life was making Nezuko here happy."
"Which is something I've been wondering," said Tanjiro, "how long have you loved my sister as more than a friend?"
"That's honestly a little tough to say," replied Subaru with a bit of a sigh, "I've always been fond of Nezuko, even if I never wanted to admit it in front of your family. She's the type of person to think of others before herself and worked hard to help you and your mother take care of the rest of the family. That kind, selfless and understanding nature of hers made it impossible for me to ever be angry or upset around her, and what's more, it made me want to become a better person. But it was also because she was such a wonderful person that I didn't want to admit that I loved her, because she deserves much better than a guy like me."
"I don't think that's quite true," said Tanjiro with a gentle smile, "you might not be the most well-mannered person out there, but you've done so much for the both of us since this all started. You not only became a demon slayer alongside me, you were willing to go against the wishes of your own father to do so. You've fought and bled beside us without hesitation or complaint and you've been saving my life even before then. Looking back on it now, you were always the kindest to Nezuko, even winning her favorite pink Kimono for her. After everything we've been through up to this point, I'd honestly be proud to call you 'brother'."
"Well let's not get too ahead of ourselves," said Subaru, trying not to feel overly flattered by the compliment, "we got to turn Nezuko back into a human first and then we have to ask her if she's even capable of tolerating me." Tanjiro was about to comment on that when said Demon Girl suddenly sat up and put her hands on either side of Subaru's head. Her eyes stared into his with a sense of what might've been longing as she slowly closed the distance between the two of them and rubbed her nose against his once again. She then cuddled up even closer to him with a contented sigh as she went back to sleep.
"I think she just gave you her answer," said Tanjiro with a happy smile on his face, "and it's obvious to me now that you love her even despite the fact that she's a demon. I don't think there's anyone else she'd rather share her life with than you. So let's keep working towards our promise, so that we can all live happily again." Subaru's answer to that was a smile of his own before laying down on the mattress with his arms securely but softly wrapped around the girl of his dreams.
"We will find a way," whispered Subaru as he lightly kissed the top of her head, "just wait a little longer." They would soon come to find that the waiting was the least of their problems when it came to their journey.
And here we are again at the end of another chapter. As you all are no doubt aware the action will be slowing down for a bit in the next couple of chapters, but that doesn't mean I won't still try to make them entertaining. In the meantime, feel free to leave a comment or review about what you liked/disliked or if you've got any neat ideas for future chapters. Be sure to stop in next time as our heroes take their first step to becoming even better demon slayers, with the somewhat questionable training methods of a former Hashira. 'Til then.