Author's Note: I think I'll write about one or two more chapters of MC's training with Mitsuri and Senjuro, her first solo mission, and THEN the red-light district arc! So look forward to that! 333 Thank you for supporting me, I love you all! Enjoy 333

Warning: Swearing

Disclaimer: Bruh, I don't own Kimetsu no Yaiba, all rights go to Koyoharu Gotōge. Please support the official release!

Continued...

"It's okay if you can't do it yet! There's so many days to practice and practice! I know you can do it!" Mitsuri smiled kindly at me, standing up as I huffed from self-anger. I sighed, grasping the wand in my hand as I tried calming down. "Yeah, sorry. I'll keep trying," I told her as I placed the wand down on the floor. "Don't worry about it. Now, let's go get ready for bed, yes?" "...Okay."

Right as I changed into a comfortable yukata, the door slid open, revealing Mitsuri with Morishi perched on her arm. "Lana-chan, your crow came with a letter!" she informed me, leaning into the room. I smiled at her and held out my arm, Morishi obediently flying over and landing on my forearm. "Thank you, Mitsuri! I appreciate it," I told her gratefully, nodding. She smiled and slid back into the hallway, waving, "Goodnight! Sleep well!" "You too! Night!" I called back, looking down at my beloved crow and settling into my futon, untying the folded paper tied onto his legs.

I stroked his fluffy feathers thankfully, cooing at him. "Thank wu Morwishiii, bwest bwirdy in da worldd!" He preened at my touch and jumped up and down cutely on the covers, excited. "Now, let's see what I got," I nodded to myself, unfolding the paper. "Dammit! I forgot I still don't know how to read! Urgghh, I'll ask Mitsuri to give me lessons or something, I hope she doesn't mind," I groaned to myself, slapping a hand to my forehead.

After getting Mitsuri, she agreed to read my letters for me, along with beginning Japanese courses. There we sat in the middle of her room, plopped on some cushions she took out. "Let's see what they say, shall we?" she eagerly smiled at me. I returned the smile and nodded, settling into the pillow below me. "If it's embarrassing, please promise this never leaves the room!" I nervously added, fiddling with my fingers. The pink-haired beauty quickly nodded, furrowing her brows as she gave me a reassuring smile. "You got it! You can trust me!" She beamed, unfolding the parchment. I hesitantly sighed and waited for her to begin, feeling myself grow eager at what my boys wrote to me.

"Dear Lana,

It's me, Tanjiro! It's already been a day and a half, and yet I find myself missing your touch-!" At her words, I immediately flushed a beet red, my face steaming as Mitsuri let out an loud squeal, shaking her head side-to-side in absolute excitement. "OH MY GOODNESS! YOU'RE SO LUCKY TO HAVE SOMEONE WITH SUCH A WAY OF WORDS, LANA!" she squealed, face just as flushed as mine. "Oh my god, Tanjiroooo," I squeaked, feeling flustered that Mitsuri was reading something so personal, but at the same time I was absolutely swooning over his sincere words. "Oh! Um, let me continue!" Mitsuri snapped out of her excitement and eagerly continued to read.

"I hope training is starting to go well! I believe you can do it! Although, I think you're already getting stronger by the second, you never give up despite how frustrated you get. I can just imagine that you've already gone close to exploding during training, right? But I know you're just going to keep trying, even if you get pushed to tears. That's just how you are, and I admire you for it." My face was getting redder from the second as Mitsuri had a giant grin on her face. "Awe, Lana-chan! That's so adorable!" she squealed.

"Recovery training is going good for us as well! Although the stretching exercises are just as painful as ever, I can only imagine what you're doing. Don't worry about Inosuke and Zenitsu, I'll make sure to push them!" At this, I smiled, remembering our first time in recovery training. "Nezuko is upset, however. You didn't say goodbye to her. I tried assuring her that you must've forgot in the excitement of getting an amazing opportunity to get stronger, I know you're not the type of person to do that on purpose. She'll calm down about it, but she's gotten a bit fussy lately." I frowned, mouth gaping in horror when I remembered- 'FUCK, I DIDN'T SAY GOODBYE TO NEZUKO! FUCKFUCKFUCK, GOD I'M SUCH A SHIT PERSON! FUCCKKK!'

I felt immensely guilty for my lack of actions towards her, I knew she'd be the first letter I'd write in the morning. "Don't worry too much, though! She already forgave you. Anyway, I don't want to make this too long, as I know Zenitsu and Inosuke want to have their share of words as well! Just know that I love you, take care of yourself!

Hoping to hear from you soon, Tanjiro." Mitsuri looked down at the letter and said, "There's another section right here! Ahem,

Lana-chan!

It's your beloved future husband, Zenitsu, here! I miss you so much! Every second without you nearby, my heart is in agony! Please return to me soon, dear wife!" Cue Mitsuri screaming her head off like a banshee as I stuffed my steaming face into the cushion I was sitting on in embarrassment. "Love you! I love you so much! My light, my love, my goddess, my wife!" I smothered my face in the pillow, squeezing my eyes tightly as I felt my heart swell up in love for the lightening breath user, who seemed so far away at the moment. "Train hard, take care of yourself! It's so cold and lonely here without you, even that idiot boar head Inosuke seems less annoying than usual. Tanjiro's trying to keep high spirits, but it's obvious to anyone who sees him that he's become a bit glum. Plus, I can hear the small dwells of sorrow in his heart." My brows furrowed in worry. That doesn't sound pleasant...Imagining a bummed out Tanjiro and Inosuke isn't a pretty picture at all. Although it did warm my heart to know that I was that important to them, it was still concerning. I really hope that they return to normal, I'd hate to have them stuck like this and getting distracted during training! I need them strong and happy!

"Anyway, did you eat today? I hope so. We ate well, so you don't have to worry about us. Make sure to get plenty of rest as well, the thought of you collapsing from overworking yourself brings me to tears! I'm running out of things to tell you, as nothing much has happened since you left. Remember, I love you! Write back!

With Love, Zenitsu," Mitsuri finished, a happy look on her face. "Oh, Lana-chan! I'm so jealous, they really care for you!" she exclaimed, looking over at me with a smile. I smiled softly to myself and rested my cheek into my hand, my elbow resting on the cushion on my lap. "Yeah," I said softly. "And I, them. Did Inosuke have something?" I questioned. "Oh, yes! Here, I'll continue reading! Oh? I think Tanjiro-kun wrote this, it's in his handwriting," Mitsuri said, looking down at the parchment questionably. "Heh, Tanjiro must've wrote it for Inosuke, then. He doesn't know how to read or write either," I giggled as Mitsuri nodded in understanding.

"Dear Lana,

Tanjiro here, again! Inosuke wants to say a few things too. He wishes that you train hard and that he's ready to fight you anytime. I'd rather not use such violence in this letter, but I know you wouldn't mind if Inosuke's true personality was in the letter. He might act really harsh and aggressive, but we all know how he really is. He's eating well, as to be expected, and he hasn't changed much! He's a bit more quieter now, which I'm not sure is from your absence or he's become less aggressive than the first time we met. It's a bit worrying, if I'm being honest. But sleep well, Lana! Best wishes from all of us at the Butterfly Estate.

Inosuke, Tanjiro, Zenitsu."

By the end of the letter, my body was warm and my heart thumping in my chest. I unconsciously let a fond smile form on my lips, thinking of my boys. "Here you are, Lana-chan! It was a lot of fun reading your letters for you! Aww, you three are just so cute!" Mitsuri beamed, handing me the letter. Blinking tiredly, I smiled gratefully and took the letter, standing up. "Thank you for reading it, I really appreciate it!" I thanked her kindly, making my way towards the door.

"Goodnight, Mitsuri!" "Goodnight, Lana-chan! Sweet dreams!" "You too," I waved, sliding the door shut behind me and making my way back to my room, where I'd place my letter in a small drawer and then head to sleep, ready to train again in the morning.

The next day consisted of more drills before ending with the ribbon exercise again- only for me to fail, again. "Aw man! Master, how long did you take you to do this?" I groaned, slumping over as the ribbon fluttered to the floor. Mitsuri looked off as she pondered to herself. "About...a month, maybe? Ah, I'd have to ask Rengoku-san!" I sighed and wiped my brow, sweating from both my excessive arm movements and frustration. "Lana-chan, I think the problem is that you're too forceful with your movements. It's actually something I really struggled with as well when I started!" Mitsuri said, walking over to me and nodding to herself.

"Actually, now that I think about it, you really do remind me a lot of how I was when I was beginning training. I think this will make things easier to help you, then! Seeing as how I had the same mistakes!" Mitsuri gasped, beaming at me. "Really? But don't you have, like, a different muscle composition than me?" I questioned, tilting my head. My pink-haired teacher shrugged, "Well, have you ever really tested your strength? Like picking up a large boulder or something? This might or might not be the case, but maybe you might have a similar form as mine."

I blinked dumbfoundedly at her. "I mean, I guess we can try," I said, nodding reluctantly. 'Do you think...it might be possible that I can learn love breathing as well? Like- I know it's only suited for Mitsuri because of her unique body structure...but if she's right, and I SOMEHOW by SOME weird coincidence, have a similar body structure to hers, that would mean I'd be able to learn it and master it myself, right? PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE, I'M BEGGING, PLEASE LET IT BE TRUE!' I internally pleaded, hoping to god that Mitsuri's hunch was correct.

"Well, we'll try it next time! How about we take a break, yes?" She smiled reassuringly at me. "Yes, please. I'm kinda hungry," I smiled back gratefully, following her into the kitchen for a snack. By the way, her place was a whole storage unit of food, there seemed to always be something to eat here! Makes sense since Mitsuri's always ate more than an average person, which I could definitely relate to. 'PLEASE LET THAT NOT BE JUST A COINCIDENCE!' I pleaded.

"Tomorrow is your first day with Senjuro-kun, right?" Mitsuri asked me, humming in delight as she bit into a slice of a milk bread. I nodded eagerly, eyes lighting up at the reminder. "Mmf, yeah! I'm really hyped-! Er, excited!" I beamed, biting into my own bread. "Have you already worked out the first lesson?" I paused, freezing as my eyes widened. "Well, I mean...I think he already knows the basics and stuff. I think I'll just have him do some drills that he's learned beforehand and then find out what the problem is. Be it his form, the way he wields his sword, etcetera," I nodded to myself, chewing on the bread. "Good idea. I can tell that you'll fit into the role of a teacher right away!" Mitsuri smiled proudly at me, biting into her bread.

I flushed and laughed, "I sure hope so! I would hate to make a promise to someone as sweet as him, only to be a failure...But you know what? I think I'll be able to do it! Yeah!" I grunted in determination, a fire in my eye. Mitsuri cheered, "That's the spirit! Rengoku-san would be so proud!" She beamed, patting my shoulder. I smiled widely, feeling eager to begin tomorrow.

"Oh, yes! I've met him plenty of times while I was under Rengoku-san's wing! He's a very sweet boy, as you already know. I wasn't able to see when he was training, so you're all on your own, Lana-chan. I'll add anything if you need any help, though!" Mitsuri beamed at me as we walked past different houses. She told me all about her first mission with Kyojuro when she was a Mizunoto. I was amazed and horrified at some parts, bristling in anger when she told me about the cruel words she'd been told about her hair. "HUH!? THAT FOUL WOMAN, I'LL SLAUGHTER HER AND HER CHILD, I DON'T CARE! I'LL THROW HANDS WITH A BABY FOR YOU, MASTER!" I squawked angrily, thrashing my arms around and punching the air as an example.

"Lana-chan! We never hurt innocents! You should know that by now!" Mitsuri lightly scolded me. I wilted and sighed, flopping my arms to my sides. "I'm just joking, but I would 100% throw hands for you," I said seriously. Mitsuri gave me an exasperated expression but chuckled and pulled me into her arms. "You're such a handful sometimes, but I can see why you attract a lot of people to you!" she laughed as she embraced me. I huffed in amusement, flushing and hugging her back. "Just for yoouuu, Mitsuriii," I chuckled.

After a while of walking, we finally approached the Rengoku Estate, walking up to the front entrance and going inside. "He should be in the back training area, this way," Mitsuri said, leading me around to the back of the property. There, we found Senjuro grasping a wooden sword in his hands, looking down at it. His back was turned towards us, so I couldn't see his expression. "Senjuro, hey!" I said, trying not to alarm him. He jumped and turned around, only to see me waving towards him as Mitsuri grinned at him. "Senjuro-kun! It's been so long!" She greeted, running over and giving him a hug. "Mitsuri-san? I wasn't expecting you here? N-not that it's a bad thing that you're here, of course! I'm just surprised. It's good to see you as well," he said, giving her a small smile as she let go.

"Lana-san, hello! I'm ready to begin training with you. Thank you for taking me as your student, I'm deeply grateful," the youngest Rengoku said, giving me a deep bow as I walked up to them. I glanced over at Mitsuri with wide eyes before clearing my throat and beaming at Senjuro, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Of course! I'll do everything I can to make you into an acceptable swordsman, I promise!" I nodded, smiling at him in determination as I pulled a fist to my chest. He stood back up and stared at me before nodding and giving me a smile. "I'll do my best."

"Alright, so show me what you know so far! Stances, moves, anything that you've learned so far," I instructed him, standing in front of him as Mitsuri stood by a few ways away. Senjuro nodded, gripping his wooden sword before proceeding to show me the different forms and stances he's learned. I was thoroughly impressed with his knowledge, seeing that he's already got a good grasp on being a swordsman. Although, the only problem was that he struggled with flame breathing forms. Which I had an idea as to why. "And yet...Despite knowing all of this, I..." Senjuro said softly, trailing off as he glanced down at his sword in frustration.

I walked over to him and placed a hand on his fist, causing him to look up at me. "Senjuro. Listen to me. I promised to help you, and I will. There has to be some reason as to why your nichirin sword didn't change color. And I'm determined to make it change! Blue, purple, pink, red! Even black! Any color, but you'll eventually find out, because I'll make sure you do!" I told him, narrowing my eyes firmly. He blinked at me with wide eyes, his eyebrows slouched sorrowfully before he slowly nodded, shaking himself off. "Yes. I'm sorry, master. Let's continue," he said, taking a deep breath and exhaling. I smiled and nodded, walking back to my spot.

"Now, have you ever been taught water breathing?" I questioned him. He paused before shaking his head, causing my jaw to drop. "No? What? It's the most simplest breathing style, which is why almost all swordsmen start off with it! Well, actually..." I muttered to myself before snapping my fingers in realization. "Oh! I'm guessing since your family is all about tradition and sticking to flame breathing, that's the only breathing style you were taught, right?" At my words, he nodded in confirmation. "Yes. My brother and I were taught flame breathing as soon as we were handed a sword. Kyojuro managed to easily adapt to it, while I struggled to do even the first form." As he said this, he tried appearing nonchalant about it, but I could see the disappointment in his dampening frown.

I nodded and hummed as I thought to myself. "Alright, then there you have it! Let's start off with learning water breathing, and see how you work with it. It wouldn't hurt to try, no?" I gave him a small grin, to which he nodded at before waiting for instruction. "Alright then! Well, I remember the first thing my Dad taught me about water breathing was-"

We trained for hours, and it didn't take long for Senjuro to get the hang of performing the first water form. "Amazing job, Senjuro kun!" Mitsuri cheered by my side as Senjuro panted, leaning his body on his knees as he continuously repeated the first form. I grinned, walking over and patting his sweaty back proudly. "First day and you've already mastered the first form! See?" I exclaimed eagerly, congratulating him. He nodded and gulped, standing up and wiping the sweat from his brow. He gave me a smile that warmed my heart, reassuring me that I was doing something right. "Y-yeah! I can't believe I really did it!" he said breathlessly, his soft tone light and proud. "Let's go eat to celebrate!" Mitsuri chirped as we all smiled for Senjuro's accomplishment.

"Oh, um, well as much as I'd rather not ruin the mood, would your dad be okay with it if we took you out for a bit...?" I hesitantly asked. "I'd just rather not get you into trouble if that's the case," I quickly added. Senjuro faltered and pursed his lips as he looked off to his home. "I'm sure Father won't mind if, if I left the compound for a while. I'll just tell him I'll be away for a while, and then I'll change. I'll be back, please wait for me in the front," Senjuro said, timidly. I could see how he became nervous at the idea of speaking to his father, which I could not only relate to, but you can't blame him, seeing as how shit his dad is towards him and his brother.

"Nah, don't worry about it! Mitsuri and I will tell him, you just worry about cleaning up, okay?" I smiled reassuringly at him as Mitsuri looked over to me with a face that said, 'We are?' "W-well, if you're sure..." Senjuro said nervously as he led us inside the building. "Don't worry about it, we got your back," I said, shooing him off to clean himself up. "Lana-chan, you do know how- erm, aggressive his father can be, right?" Mitsuri asked me with a worried look on her face. "Yeah, my boyfriend jumped his ass, it's whatever. I'm not scared of him," I snorted, turning around and walking down the hall to search for Senjuro's father.

Mitsuri trailed after me, holding a fist to her lips nervously as I knocked on room after room before finally, a gruff voice sounded through one of the shoji doors. "What is it?" "Excuse me sir, we wanted to take your son Senjuro out to eat. Is that fine?" I asked firmly. There was a pause before the door slid open, revealing Shinjuro's towering form over us, a disgruntled look on his face. "For what?" he asked lowly, the smell of alcohol wafting from his breath and reaching my nose. I was about to reply before he noticed Mitsuri. "Kanroji," he acknowledged her begrudgingly. "R-Rengoku-sama," she gulped.

"As I said, we wanted to take your son out to eat. We wanted to tell you beforehand," I said, drawing his attention back to me. He squinted at me, scratching his scruff. "And what makes you think I'd let you?" he grunted. I smiled at him with raised brow. " I mean, is there a problem with a master taking her student out to eat?" I said as-a-matter-of-factly. He scoffed, "Master? You? You're just a worthless mizunoto, you have no qualifications to be teaching my son." "On the contrary, I think I'm very much qualified to be teaching him, despite my low rank. After all, I do have a pillar observing the lessons, so I don't think it's too much of a problem for a mizunoto like me to be teaching your son," I shot back, keeping a calm façade despite my snarky emotions.

Shinjuro grit his teeth before taking a swig of his sake grasped in his hand. "Whatever," he grumbled, wiping his mouth before retreating back into his room. "We'll have him back by sunset, don't worry!" I called out into the paper walls. Hearing the lack of a reply, we took that as our cue to leave with his reluctant approval.

"Uwaaahh! That was so scary Lana-chan!" Mitsuri whined, clutching onto my arm as we walked out of the home. "I'm just glad that was a fairly civil conversation. Holy shit, I know damn well I wouldn't be able to stand a chance again an ex-pillar like him," I uncontrollably laughed out of nervousness, shaking off what just happened. "Eh!? You mean you were actually scared?" Mitsuri questioned. "I mean- I just hate confrontation like that. One wrong move, and I probably could've earned myself a restraining order," I nervously chuckled. "Well- good job! Whew, at least we got it over with!" she smiled at me.

"Am I allowed to go?" Senjuro asked us as he stepped out of the building, wearing a casual white jinbei shirt tucked into a pair of brown hakama pants. "Yeah! Your dad is okay with it," I beamed at him, waving him over. He looked at me in surprise as he made his way over. "Really? Thank you so much, master!" he said gratefully. "Senjuro, outside of training, you can just call me Lana! I might be your teacher, but we're friends as well!" I smiled, patting his shoulder. He flushed and gave me a shy smile that melted my heart. "O-okay then, Lana..." I smiled warmly at him and followed Mitsuri out of the compound and into the dirt road.

"I think today went well!" I chirped, running a hand through my hair as Mitsuri and I finally got back home after dropping Senjuro off. "I think so too! Senjuro seemed really happy with himself!" Mitsuri beamed, patting my head. "Oh yeah, that remind me! Uh, you mind writing my letters for me?" I ask her, unbuttoning my uniform jacket. "Of course!" she eagerly replied.

At the Butterfly Estate that same night...

Inosuke, Tanjiro, and Zenitsu were each plopped onto their beds, getting ready to head to bed after a long day of training. Zenitsu was whining at his sore muscles from the neglect of using them for so long. "If only Lana-chan was hereeeee, she'd massage my arms for me!" he complained, flopping into his pillow. "If Lana was here, she'd probably be just as tired!" Tanjiro replied, drying his hair with a towel after washing up. "She'd probably still do it, though. Knowing her, she wouldn't be bothered," Tanjiro smiled to himself, thinking about his dear girlfriend.

"Message for Kamado Tanjiro, Kamado Nezuko, Agatsuma Zenitsu, Inosuke Hashibira," a smooth male voice said from outside the window. In flew in Morishi, Lana's kasugai crow. "A message?! Lana-chan must've wrote back!" Zenitsu exclaimed, jumping up from his bed in excitement as the bird dropped three rolled-up pieces of paper in front of each of the boys.

Tanjiro eagerly unrolled his message, reading through the letter.

'Tanjiro,

I still can't read or write, but Mitsuri helped me write these letters and read your letters to me! I miss you too, and I hope you and the other boys are also taking care of yourselves! Training is going pretty good! Yeah, you're right about my frustration. You know me so well!' He smiled to himself, chuckling as he imagined how red she must've been at herself.

Zenitsu excitedly read through his letter, not wanting to miss a single kanji as he memorized the words written for him.

'Zenitsu,

I miss you too! I love you a lot, my love, my life, my future husband! And I'm glad to know you three are doing well. It saddens me to know that things are glum since I left, but please try to keep high hopes! I'm alive and well, and the next few months will probably just fly right by! So don't be so sad, okay? I like you more when you're smiling!' He flushed and felt his chest warm at the sweet words, feeling himself swoon over every sentence before he continued to read.

Inosuke, in his attempts to hurriedly open the letter, crinkled and tore the parchment a bit, leaving him slightly upset at the state of his first letter from Lana. He still looked into the sheet, only to squint and falter when he realized he couldn't read any of the characters written. Which only meant one thing he had to do. Begrudgingly, he called over Tanjiro to read the letter for him, flushing in embarrassment as Tanjiro agreed with a smile.

"Inosuke,

I'll definitely train hard, so prepare to get your- um, ah, ass kicked! I know you're eating well, so I hope you're putting every inch of your willpower into training with the other two if you really want a chance at beating me!" Inosuke grinned ferally, exclaiming, "Yana better be training her ass off if she thinks she can beat the Great Inosuke!" Tanjiro chuckled and continued reading, which was basically a retelling of what he and Zenitsu had read as well, including Lana's training and her day with Senjuro as well as her impressions of Obanai and Mitsuri.

And even farther away, into the mountains, an old man wearing a hand-carved red oni mask smiled to himself as he scanned through a letter, sent to him by his reckless, yet compassionate, daughter.

'Miss you, Dad!

It's been so long since I last saw you, it's making me feel really sad. But don't worry too much! Everything's been, for the most part, okay! I have big, big news! Not only have I become a teacher myself (just like you!), but I've been luckily taken under the wing of a pillar (who is currently writing this for me)! So, the past few days have been like this-'

...To be continued...

(lmao I didn't know what exactly to write for each person, and I didn't want to write paragraphs basically repeating the same thing about her training and mitsuri and senjuro, but I'm sure you get the idea! Thank you for reading, loves! 3333)