Author's Note: HEYYY! I missed my boys sm and now I'm ready to get back into writing! :DD Anyways, enjoy this chapter! P.S., I think I'll start working on a new cover for the fic, so look forward to that! :))) ^^ALSO DRAWING THIS MADE ME SO HAPPY BROOOO /333 (6/23/21 edit: HEYY! SO THIS IS THE MOST RECENT CHAPTER IN MY FIC! WE'RE ALL CAUGHT UP NOW :))) If y'all were getting email after email about me updating, it's because I was reuploading and fixing previous chapters and replacing the (Y/n) thing with an actual name, lol. So yeah! This is the most recent chapter that I uploaded two days ago on my quotev and ao3, so I'm glad I don't gotta keep spam-uploading! :DDD )
Warning: Swearing, suggestive jokes, Lana's bullshit LMAO
Disclaimer: Bruh, I don't own Kimetsu no Yaiba, all rights go to Koyoharu Gotōge. Please support the official release!
Continued...
"Jesus...christ brutha..." I said with a disturbed expression before suddenly bursting out into laughter. "BEST LOVE LETTER I EVER GOT! AAAAAHAHAHA!" I wheezed, slapping the floor while Tanjiro and Kiyo looked horrified. "L-love letter?!" Tanjiro cried out. "This is a love letter to you?" "I'm kiddinggg! You know the love letters you send me are my favorite," I snorted with a flirtatious wink.
"Er, anyways. You ready to get, like...murdered?" I joke half-heartedly as Tanjiro gave me an exasperated look.
After finding out that Haganezuka-san hasn't sent in any swords for the last two months, Kiyo suggested we should go to the village where all the swordsmiths live in order to talk things out with him personally. I shivered at the thought, remembering the manga panels of Mr. Haganezuka all...beefed up and ready to whoop Tanjiro's ass- and mine as well, considering how we're both gonna be in that position this time. Tanjiro immediately agreed, eager to head over there, we went and got ready, the only thing on my mind is how I'm gonna survive Haganezuka-san if he should grab me by the ankles and drag me down to hell itself! Shit dawg, I am not ready!
After putting on our uniforms and gathering our things, Tanjiro and I, as well as the girls, went out to the front gates of the Butterfly Estate, where two kakushi were awaiting us.
"Hello there, we will guide you to the village since Oyakata-sama gave his permission," one of them told us, her large eyes blinking at us.
Tanjiro and I bowed as a greeting, "Very nice to meet you!" Tanjiro exclaimed. "My name is Kamado Tanjiro, I hope we can get along!" "A-And I'm Romero Lana, th-thank you for coming all this way," I added politely, stumbling over my words out of nervousness. 'Ugh, I hate being so anxious around people! It's embarrassing to stutter all the damn time...' I internally groaned, cheeks flushing at my actions.
"We cannot give you our names since we're serving as your guides, but nice to meet you as well," the other kakushi said before the pair pulled out some white cloths, holding them out to us. "Okay, here," they urged.
'Ohhh yeah, 'cuz it's a hidden village,' I thought to myself as Tanjiro and I took them without a word. Well, until Tanjiro decided to ask them what were these things they gave us.
"A blindfold and earplugs," one of them told us as we looked down at the bundle of cloth in our hands. "The village is hidden, so we'll be carrying you there on our backs."
"Wha...?" Tanjiro said in a confused tone, clearly unexpecting that the village we were going to would be so closed off. The kakushi shoved two tiny bundles of cloth into his nose, and boy was I relieved the other didn't do the same!
"I heard your sense of smell is really good, so here. Noseplugs," she bluntly explained as Tanjiro yelped from the strange feeling of cloth forced up his nostrils, disabling his best sense.
"Alright then, now that that's settled, hop on our backs. We'll take you to the village," I heard the kakushi say after securing the strip of cloth around my head, successfully blocking my eyes from even seeing the sunlight. "Er, okay then," I said unsurely before hesitantly holding out my arms, trying to feel for their back. I felt someone back into me, crouched down. I blindly moved closer, slowly placing my hands on their shoulder and snaking my arms around their neck, under their mouth guard. "Okay, lift one leg up," she instructed me, and I complied, nervously lifting one leg up and around their waist until my calf was pressed against the side of their tummy. Eventually, Tanjiro and I both managed to be secured onto the kakushis back, and off we went after tossing back a farewell to the three girls who shouted their goodbyes behind us as we ran off.
After a moment of listening to their feet hit the ground as we moved, I eventually spoke up. "So, uhhh...how long is it gonna take for us to get to the- um, uh, the village?" I stuttered, once again internally cursing at my uncontrollable shaky nature. The kakushi below me adjusted their grip as they answered, "I can't say for sure since we're gonna be switching you guys around. You'll just keep being passed on until the last pair take you to the village. It might take a while, that's for sure."
"Ah, really? Well, that's alright, we only need to speak with someone so it's not exactly an urgent matter," I heard Tanjiro say to my right in a reassuring tone. I smiled a little to myself, suddenly feeling my chest grow light at hearing him beside me. 'Ahhh, this mufucka always makes me feel so damn- happy! Just hearing his voice makes me- ughherrrhmmmuuhhhh,' I internally squealed, my chest tightening at my sudden excitement. 'I'm literally the BIGGEST simp for Tanjiro, and Zenitsu as well! Oh my god, I miss him too dawg. I MISS HIM A LOT!' I squeezed my eyes shut from under my blindfold, lips pursing in a silent pout as I thought about my other beloved boyfriend.
I didn't really listen in to the conversation after that, mainly just getting lost in my thoughts about Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and everyone else I haven't seen in a while. I faintly tuned in to hear the kakushi explaining a bit about the village we were heading to, but for the most part I just remained quiet.
It took maybe about 10 minutes before I felt us slow down and come to a stop, and I assumed that it was time for us to be passed on to the next pair.
"Thank you so much! Thanks for all your work!" Tanjiro exclaimed, even if he couldn't see the kakushi who passed us on, he made sure to thank them. I followed with my own exclamation of thanks before I was secured onto another persons back, ready to begin another mini-journey down the road to the village.
This repeated about 6 more times as we went on. Each kakushi, path, and even the crow leading said kakushi, switching each time. There wasn't exactly much to talk about since the village is very secluded and secret to most of the corps, which I guess is very useful since swordsmiths are very valued and respected to the Demon Slayer Corps, understandably so. However, I guess I did learn that the mansion where Oyakata-sama lives is extremely more hidden than even the village, which, honestly? I'm very grateful for. I'm sure everyone feels the same way, since Oyakata-sama and his family are the foundation of the corps. It makes me really sad to remember that I can't do anything to prevent his illness from killing him, especially since his only son has to take on the burden of leading the corps...
Okay, maybe I should stop thinking about the things I can't control for now. I don't want Tanjiro to smell my depression once the noseplugs come out, that shit has happened so many times.
I'll tell y'all about it another time, but anyways!
Once we were told this would be the final trip, I was very eager to be let down after being carrying for such a damn long time! And once that blindfold was untied from my head, I wearily blinked my eyes opened, noting with surprise that it was already about to be nighttime.
"Whoaaaa! Those are amazing buildings! And I know this smell, there's a hot spring nearby!" I heard Tanjiro gasp in excitement as my eyesight adjusted to the light. After hearing his last phrase, my eyes immediately snapped wide open. "Aw- HELL NAW!" I said loudly, my brows furrowing as I threw a horrified look at Tanjiro, who tilted his head in confusion at my sudden disapproval. 'DAWG, I AM NAWT ABOUT TO WITNESS MY BOYFRIEND SEEING MITSURI NAKED! HELLLL NAWWW,' I groaned in my head, trying to remember what I had read in the manga..
"What's wrong, Lana? I thought you said you loved going to the hot springs with Mitsuri-san?" Tanjiro questioned, wondering if he said something wrong. I quickly broke eye contact and looked over to the side on the ground awkwardly. "Wellll, ermmm..." I muttered before shaking my head, bangs swishing around my face as I did so.
"I mean, I do! It's just- uh, y'know what? We- we can go in a bit, let's just say goodbye first," I played it off, knowing damn well he wasn't convinced. The concern on his face lingered before he dropped it and opted to follow what I suggested and turned to the kakushi pair to say goodbye. We gave a grateful bow and thanked them, although Tanjiro more or less yelled his thanks enough for it to echo throughout the village.
Just as they left, the three of us (don't think I forgot about Nezuko!) were escorted to the village chief, and I was a bit surprised to see how tiny the old man was. I nearly forgot how he looked like, but can you blame me? I haven't seen the manga in like...four years, plus my memory isn't the best!
"Hello there, I am the chief of this village, Tecchikawahara Tecchin. Very nice to meet you both," the man told us behind his mask, just like everyone else in the village wore. No shade, but my eyes just kept drifting to the bald patch of hair peeking just above the large mask.
"I may be the smallest in this village, but I am also the best at my craft. Now, bow your head so low that it touches the mat," the chief calmly instructed.
I was a little confused and disorientated at the moment for some unkown reason, so I had to snap out of a daze in order to follow Tanjiro, who had slammed his head into the tatami mat. I winced at the thump sound but gently pressed my head into the mat. "Kamado Tanjiro, very honored to meet you!" "Romero Lana, honored to meet you!" The two of us exclaimed respectfully.
"What good children. Now come over here and take some dough cakes," Tecchin said, suddenly holding a basket of what looked like to be tamarinds, although I knew he did say they were dough cakes.
Tanjiro and I got up, taking the basket gratefully and began munching on the treats. "Thank you so much!" Tanjiro said beside me as we remained seat on the mat, the chief in front of us. "Shank yoo," I said with a smile, voice muffled from the food in my mouth and cheeks stuffed with cake rolls.
"Hotaru has gone missing right now. We're doing our best to look for him, so please be patient," Tecchin informed us.
"Hotaru?" Tanjiro questioned as he held another treat to his mouth. "Yes, Haganezuka Hotaru," the chief replied. "What a cute name!" Tanjiro smiled, eating another dough cake. "I'm the one who gave it to him. But he keeps badmouthing me since he says it's too cute," the chief said in an irritated tone.
I watched as Tanjiro's brows slumped in pity at his words. "That's pretty sad," Tanjiro murmured with a dejected sigh. "Mm," I hummed, giving another nod but otherwise not saying much. The chief further explained that Haganezuka, or Hotaru, has always been that way, even as a child. He's rather known to throw tantrums and run off afterwards.
"Sorry about that," the chief apologized for him to us before Tanjiro shook his head. "Oh, no, no! I'm the one who ends up either breaking the sword or chipping it-" "No, you're wrong." The chief interrupted, making the two of us turn to him.
A shiver went up our spines as we felt a strong, almost ominous, aura come from the small old man.
"It's his fault for creating a sword that could actually break," the chief said in a low tone, giving me the sense that he was actually very displeased by Hotaru-san, which honestly made me feel bad for the murderous swordsmith assigned to us for once.
Tanjiro and I went silent as we glanced at eachother, unsure of how to respond. It wasn't until one of the chief's bodyguards threw his arms up and exclaimed, "As soon as we find him, we'll seize him and bring him over. So don't worry about anything!" that we sorta jumped and shook our heads. As much as Haganezuka-san scared the shit out of me, I didn't want him to get in trouble over something I was responsible for, badly-made sword or not- which I know isn't the case at all!
"Please don't be so violent..." Tanjiro weakly pleaded whilst I waved my arms dismissively. "You don't need to do all that! Erm, it's really our faults!" I squeaked timidly, but I certainly wanted to cover for Hotaru.
"I heard your bodies still haven't recovered enough to be sent out into the field. So if Hotaru doesn't forge your sword by then, we'll have someone else do it," Tecchin told us. He rose his hand and waved it, "The hot spring in our village does wonders for the body. So please, spend some time there." 'Oh boy,' I internally wept.
Tanjiro stuck by my side as we were escorted by one of the villagers to the hot springs, as per request by the chief. I glanced over a few times at Tanjiro and noted his worried expression, probably fretting over Haganezuka and the chief. I grabbed his hand and gave him a reassuring smile as he turned to me. "I'm sure they'll be alright, I don't think Haganezuka-san will get into a fight with the chief. Honestly, we should probably be worrying over ourselves once he finds us," I said with a nervous chuckle, trailing off. Tanjiro shivered and nodded, squeezing my hand, but returned my smile. "Y-you're right. Thanks Lana, heh."
Our guide stopped as we reached a stone path into the forest, two signs with an arrow and the word "spring" on it right at the entrance. He then gestured to the path with his hand, "The spring is at the top of this hill. I will be preparing your meals down here." "Okay!" Tanjiro brightened, eager to get into the hot springs and eat after, and I couldn't say I didn't feel the same.
As the villager walked off to the side to begin preparing our food, I turned to Tanjiro and beamed, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively. "So, did ya want to bathe with me, or-?" "AHHHH! IT'S LANA-CHAN AND TANJIRO-KUN! YOU GUYYYYYSS!" A familiar voice called out to us, cutting me off and making us both turn to the source. I snorted as Mitsuri ran over to us, her breasts bouncing in her loose kimono top as she ran.
"Oh, please be careful! Your-" Tanjiro glanced over at me for a moment before continuing, "-Your kimono is very loose! Your chest might be exposed!" I rose a brow at the change of words and the memory of Zenitsu scolding him months ago popped into my mind.
"I see..." Tanjiro's voice faintly muttered. "Now, when we get back in there, you're going to apologize to Lana-chan! Learn to contain yourself, be a good boyfriend!" Zenitsu scolded. We heard shuffling before the door slid open, revealing a aggravated Zenitsu and a guilty-looking Tanjiro.
I cringed at the memory and physically flinched, feeling like I just got pimp-slapped from embarrassment. I glanced over to Tanjiro for a moment right before Mitsuri reached us, thinking to myself, 'Shit dawg, I mean, I hope he doesn't think about that often...I don't mind if he says innocent things like "Your breasts are going to spill out!" or whatever, y'know? OH, also I'm a big fuckin' dumbass, lol. Tanjiro doesn't see her naked. ...Right?' I deadpanned to myself as Mitsuri's sobs grew louder.
"LISTENNNN, LISTEEEENNN!" Mitsuri wept as she fell to her knees, clutching at my skirt. I looked down at my master in concern, patting her head. "Wait, what happened Mitsuri?" I questioned loudly, already expecting her answer.
She sniffled and exclaimed, "I GOT IGNORED! I GREETED HIM AND HE IGNORED MEE!" "Who did?" I feigned ignorance, giving her a look of pity. "I DON'T KNOW! I ASKED HIM HIS NAME AND HE IGNORED ME!" She babbled, waving her arms frantically as she made various gestures to herself and back to up the hot springs.
"Isn't that just cruel!? I'm a pillar!" She wailed, tears flowing down her face. "Now all that good energy I got from coming out of the spring is completely gone!" She wept into her hands as I stroked her hair, crouching down to level myself with her.
"Hey, hey! What if he just- uh, got really nervous, since you're a pillar and all! And he just got too scared to say anything in case you weren't talking directly to him?" I weakly suggested, thinking about Genya's nervous habit of speaking to women. That was the case, right? He just didn't know how to talk to her?
My pink-haired master sniffled and looked up at me with teary eyes. "B-but, but, we were the only ones at the spring! How could he not know I was talking to him?" she said in a small voice.
I patted her head soothingly and pressed my index finger to my lip in thought.
"Mm, maybe he was actually just really nervous. I don't know, maybe he's not good with talking to women so he just went off! I'm sure he probably didn't mean to make you feel sad or anything!" 'What am I doing talking out of my ass? Bruh, I wasn't even there so how could I know?!' I thought worriedly, unsure if I was saying the right words.
Mitsuri hiccupped and wiped her eyes, giving a small nod. "Maybe that was it. Yeah, yeah," she sniffled, and I helped her get back on her feet. "Kanroji-san, it looks like they'll be done with dinner soon. I heard they used matsutake mushrooms," Tanjiro spoke up with a smile, knowing her love for food from what I've told him before.
It worked, Mitsuri immediately lit up and gasped, beaming. "WHOOAAA! You serious!?"
I laughed and waved her off as she skipped away happily, excited to eat and completely forgetting all about the hot springs. "Well, that was wild," I giggled before turning to Tanjiro and pressing a kiss to his cheek in thanks. "Thank you for helping my master, I'm glad you remembered she likes food!" I chirped as I pulled away, a soft look in my eyes as Tanjiro flushed red, a bashful look on his face as he chuckled. "It's no problem, I know how worried you can get for her."
I beamed, unable to hold back my giddy smile before turning over to the stone path ahead of us. "So, did you want to just bathe together? I'm okay with whatever. I don't mind if you...look at my body," I said in a sultry tone, feigning a bashful look as I placed my hand delicately over my mouth. I watched with amusement as Tanjiro turned redder, steam practically blowing from his ears as he turned away from me and stammered, "I- I, I wouldn't look for dirty reasons! I swear!"
I couldn't hold back as I burst out into laughter, cheeks flushing from amusement at his hilarious reaction. "PLEAAAASE, I'M JUST JOKIN' WITH YOU TANJIRO!" I cackled, slapping a hand over my mouth as I snorted. "Sorry! You're just so fun to tease!"
I suddenly leaned in closer, placing my mouth at his ear as if to tell him a secret.
"Besides, this definitely won't be the last time you'll see me naked."
'SHEEEEESHHH! MISS GIRL YOU ARE ONE SMOOTH ASS CRIMINAL! IF FLIRTING WAS A CRIME THEN Y'ALL SHOULD GIVE ME DA DEATH PENALTY AAAAAAA!' I internally cackled, chest shaking with restrained laughter from my bullshit.
"W-wha-?" Tanjiro suddenly blanked, face already too red with embarrassment and at a loss with what to say to my suggestive teasing.
I cackled, "Awe jeez, did I go too far? Ah well, you'll just have to deal with a constant hard-on for the rest of your life since you're getting married to me of all people. AHAHA!"
Since it was taking a while for Tanjiro to calm down, I looped my arm around his and started walking off to the path, laughing all the while. "Alright then babe, let's go tooo theee hot springsss! YAAAAY!" I exclaimed excitedly, tugging Tanjiro along as he recovered from my jokes.
It didn't take long for us to reach the springs, and by then Tanjiro had gone back to normal, save for the pink still in his cheeks from the lingering feeling of embarrassment from earlier.
"Ooo, I'M SO EXCITED TO GET IN! IT'S BEEN SO LOONGGGG!" I squealed, shrugging off my haori as Tanjiro carefully took off Nezuko's box from his back, placing her down. Just as I was about to move to remove my belt next, a sudden, "Ow," from Tanjiro made me look over. He caught something, and in his open hand was a single tooth, a little bloodied from whoever tossed it. Tanjiro and I moved our gazes up to see the scarred, toned back, and we instantly recognized him as Genya! Naho told us his name, so it wouldn't be surprising if I called out his name (although obviously I already knew before she even told me.)
The black-haired male hadn't noticed us yet before Tanjiro made the move to call out his full name, which made him immediately turn his head to look back at us. "Drop dead!" Was all he said before he noticed me and froze, snapping his head forward, his ears beginning to turn red. 'AHA! I CAUGHT YO ASS SLIPPIN'! I KNOW HOW YOU REALLY FEEL, TOUGH GUY!'
Tanjiro gaped at his back before he immediately ripped off his clothes, giving me a good second to glance over at his- um, before he jumped into the steaming water, splashing me a little and making Genya fully turn to face him.
'Um, UM? W-WHOA...BRO? THAT'S MINE?' my mouth fell open and my eyes almost popped out of my sockets from how wide my eyes were, the memory of Tanjiro's fucking schlong engraved in my mind. I couldn't contain the smirk forming on my lips and I quickly covered it with my hand, looking at a random stone on the ground as I felt my cheeks beginning to heat up- and not from the steam radiating from the hot springs.
I was too distracted by my thoughts that I almost missed Tanjiro and Genya's interaction, but the splash of Tanjiro emerging from the water brought my attention back in front of me.
"IT'S BEEN SO LONG! HOW'VE YOU BEEN?! YOU HAVE THE SAME NAME AS THE WIND PILLAR!" Tanjiro yelled with a determined look on his face. Genya's veins bulged as he snapped, grabbing the back of Tanjiro's head and slamming him into the water beneath them, shouting angrily, "DON'T TALK TO ME!"
With that, he quickly left, making sure not to even glance at me as I stepped aside to let him go, idly twiddling with my fingers. I watched him walk off for a moment before turning back to Tanjiro, who lowered himself back into the water with a sigh. "Well, that was bonkers. I'll let Nezuko out now and then I'll get inside the water," I shrugged, quirking the corner of my lip into a crooked smile of reassurance before walking over to Nezuko's box.
I knocked at the door and said, "Hey! Nezuko! Wanna go into the hot springs with me and your brother?"
It didn't take long for Nezuko to open the small door and poke her head out to nod at me with a delighted, "Mm!" making me beam with joy. I got up and allowed her to climb out while I got to work disrobing myself, noting with an amused smile that Tanjiro was pointedly looking away. My belt and uniform buttons clacked on the ground before I stepped into the warm water, letting out a relaxed moan as the water warmed my skin. After fully dipping myself into the springs, I sighed as I scooted over beside Tanjiro, hearing the water splash a little as Nezuko joined us in the water. Tanjiro hesitantly allowed himself to turn and meet my gaze, his cheeks flushing like before as he was greeted by the sight of me already smiling at him, naked and still visible even from the barely murky waters. In fact, the springs were rather clear, so if Tanjiro wished, all he had to do was look down and see everything he (hopefully) wanted to see.
There was a moment of peaceful silence as we stared at eachother, although I broke it with a calm, "Hey."
Tanjiro looked away for a moment, unsure of where to look. "H-hey!" he replied nervously. Before I could begin teasing him again, Nezuko swam up to us and gave me a relaxed eye-smile, humming behind her bamboo muzzle.
"Nezuko! Hi!" I greeted her happily before noticing the tiny bow still in her hair. "Oh, your bow is still in your hair. It'll get wet! Here, I'll take it out for you," I said before reaching over and undoing the knot, placing the small cloth on a nearby rock to dry. "There, now it's fine," I said with a small grin, patting her head. She gave me another happy noise and went closer, leaning on my side. I softened at this and smiled, relaxing on the large stones behind us and placing my arms behind the Kamado siblings, just feeling the water gently ripple and steam around us.
I felt the water shift as Tanjiro sighed, placing a towel on his head. "I thought I could be friends with him since we were both in the nude...Man, relationships are hard."
I sympathetically patted his shoulder, giving him a small nod. "I know baby, I know. You'll get him next time, for sure."
We remained in silence for the rest of our time there. Save for one- well, a few cheeky comments I made.
"...You can look at my tits if you want, y'know."
"LANA!"
"I KNOW YOU WANT TO BRUTHA, DON'T BE SHY NOWWW! AHAHAHA!"
...To be continued...