Author's Note: Wow, thank you all for checking out this story!
This was a fun chapter to write about (especially since it has Genya in it and I just love the poor boy)!
Anyways, I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter! ^^
Chapter Nineteen
Shinjurou breathed in a sigh of relief when he heard the gate to the estate opening up, causing him to pause his training to see if it was Kyoujurou who had returned. He wiped the beads of sweat that glistened on his face and he approached the gate to see his eldest, with what looked to be a sad smile. Worry knit into his stomach at this and he breathed in deeply, doubting it was as bad as he assumed. He approached the gate and called out to his son, "Welcome back, Kyoujurou."
Kyoujurou blinked and looked to his father, replacing the sad grin on his face with a bright one. He rushed towards him and took in his appearance of a training yukata and hakama pants while holding a boken.
"Hello, father! Have you been busy training?" Kyoujurou asked and Shinjurou nodded at his son's question, leaning on the boken as they talked.
"Did you see Senjurou off?" Shinjurou questioned and Kyoujurou nodded, excited beaming out of him.
"Yes! He looked happy to be learning from Himejima plus there was another young man there! Senjurou was determined to be his friend as well!" He said and Shinjurou blinked, knowing that Mitsuri had mentioned another student was training at the Stone Hashira's place but he had no idea as to who.
"Perhaps he will." Shinjurou said and Kyoujurou nodded before a more serious expression crossed his face.
"Father," Kyoujurou began and gulped before looking him in the eye, "Kohaku wanted to me deliver something to you after she had left."
Shinjurou remained blank at this, curious as to what the woman wanted to tell him, and he crossed his arms over his chest. His eyebrow rose and said, "What did she want to tell me?"
Nervousness took over Kyoujurou and he spoke up, "She wanted to tell you that you are nothing like your father."
Shinjurou's expression froze on his face, realization crossing his mind that she had blatantly spoken of his father to his eldest. He covered the bottom of his face and tried to control his racing heartbeat.
"Father, are you alright?" Kyoujurou asked and had approached him, worry knit into his expression as he looked to him with concern. Shinjurou slowly nodded as he took a deep breath, slowing his heart rate down, and he looked to Kyoujurou.
"…you are not going to ask about the meaning behind those words?" He whispered and Kyoujurou's eyes narrowed before shaking his head 'no', a soft smile crossing his face in hopes of easing his father's worry.
"If you are not ready to talk about it, then I will not push you." He said and Shinjurou's chest felt lighter at the words. He gulped and breathed in, before he registered that also meant that Kohaku's opinion of him drastically changed while she stayed. He looked back Kyoujurou and he stood back to his normal height, rubbing the back of his neck.
"…my father…" He began a nod Kyoujurou's eyes widened a fraction at addressing his grandfather, "Is a topic I tend to avoid. I appreciate that Kohaku thinks this way and I am glad you informed me of what she told you."
Kyoujurou merely nodded and stepped back a little so his father could regain some personal space. Shinjurou remained quiet again before he decided to change the topic, knowing he could not tell him the reason why he wanted to avoid talking about his father.
"A Kasugai Crow dropped by while you were gone." Shinjurou said and the tension released between the two. Kyoujurou's eyebrows rose at this, curious if it was perhaps to tell him of a mission he needed to go to, and Shinjurou pulled out the small letter that the Kasugai Crow gave him. Kyoujurou reached and took the letter from his father, looking at it to see if his father had opened it but the ribbon looked unmoved. He unraveled it and looked at the words written across the paper, immediately knowing that it was Kochou who had written it to him by her extremely neat handwriting.
"What does it say?" Shinjurou questioned and Kyoujurou blinked before a grin last erred on his face, passion igniting in his chest at the words.
"Kochou has informed me that my Tsukugo will be arriving in a few days! Apparently, they have been staying at the Butterfly estate to heal from some previous injuries and begin to learn Total Concretation Breathing!" He announced and Shinjurou smiled at this, glad to see Kyoujurou now beaming with joy, "It also appears that she shall be journeying with them to check up on you!"
The smile he had across his face changed to annoyance, already thinking of what Kochou would say to him. Shinjurou sighed and figured that he probably couldn't avoid her coming over even if he tried.
"Shall we clean the estate for their arrival?" Kyoujurou asked and snapped him out of his thoughts. Shinjurou glanced around at the estate before sighing and nodding in agreement, knowing the estate most likely needed a lift since Iguro and Mitsuri stayed over. He sighed and clicked his tongue, thinking that although he was certain Kyoujurou and him could handle cleaning it would definitely benefit if there was more hands to help.
But all the help, he had fired less than a month of Ruka's passing.
He bit his lip, uncertain if the idea of asking and hiring would be a good one, and Kyoujurou looked at him intently at what was on his mind.
"Do you have something on your mind, father?" Kyoujurou asked and Shinjurou sighed before nodding.
"…I was thinking about hiring some extra help." He said and Kyoujurou blinked, shocked that he even had the suggestion. He thought about it and licked his lips, curious to see what else his father would say.
"Really?" He questioned and Shinjurou thought about it again before breathing in and nodding.
"…yes. Plus it would help alleviate all the work Senjurou does." Shinjurou explained and Kyoujurou nodded, open to helping out Senjurou from all the work he cared for. He breathed in deeply, trying to pull at his memory of the former workers and servants who had been respectful and cared about the estate.
"I'm going to pull records of previous workers." Shinjurou decided and Kyoujurou remained silent before his father turned to him, "Would you mind helping me looking at them?"
Kyoujurou nodded, fiercely as he was curious to see more of the records, and answered, "Of course! Let us go look at them now!"
Shinjurou nodded as the pair moved to the records and Kyoujurou could feel excitement overwhelm in him, knowing that this was moving their family in a more open direction.
The following day, Senjurou could hardly believe that the Stone Hashira who was so delightful and calm earlier had a harsh training regime he did not anticipate. He shivered under the rush of water pouring over him and his eyes sealed shut, trying his best to not freak out over the intensity he was dealing with. He had been under the rush of the waterfall for about five minutes and was already wanting to pass out from the pressure.
He wanted to become strong though.
Suddenly something tossed him out from the waterfall, causing him to blink and see Genya glaring at him, scowling as he landed into the water below. He gagged at the unexpected toss and swam up to the surface, his hair clinging to his face. He shook his head, a chill running over him as his concentration broke, and he stared at Genya in confusion.
Why did he just toss him in the water?
"Get out of the water." Genya called out and he blinked before bobbing his head up and down, swimming to the shore. He coughed to remove any water he may have accidentally swallowed and he wrung the dark samue kimono and hakama out, before he ran up the hill, noting that he could feel his shoulders weighed down from the pressure of the waterfall and his back was starting to act up a light bit.
"Himejima-san wanted to test your agility against mine." He said and Senjurou blinked before paling a bit, doubting that he had the skill to beat the older young man in any sort of manner.
"Is he sure? I still have much to practice and learn from. I doubt I can take you on, Genya-san. Plus Himejima-san said to wait under the waterfall until I can no longer take it." Senjurou countered and Genya's eyebrows ticked, anger plastered over his features at both his doubts and being addressed directed by him.
"He changed his mind now!" Genya shouted yet Senjurou did not wince at his tone, unfortunately reminding him of his father's old volatile anger. Genya stomped away with Senjurou sighing and following behind him with his wet clothes clinging to his body. He kept up with the tall young man, glancing up at him with interest, noting the similarity between his brother very quickly.
"How long have you been training, Genya-san?" Senjurou asked which caused Genya to narrow his eyes and remain quiet, having no deserve to interact with him, "You seem very friendly with Himejima-san is he a good teacher?"
Genya paused for a second before deciding to continue onward and he thought about Senjurou's question, already knowing the answer.
Of course, Himejima-san was. He took him in without having any issues with his ability or past with his brother.
"I am glad to hear that he has treated you well, Genya-san." Senjurou said and Genya blushed, not realizing that he had spoken out loud. Anger overtook his embarrassment and he looked ready to boil over now.
"You be quiet!" He shouted and turned back forward, while a smile crossed Senjurou's lips at this. He continued after him and Genya's eyes were twitching with annoyance, having said his true feelings out loud. Senjurou decided to remain quiet the rest of the way, knowing Genya would probably shout at him more if he attempted to talk with him. Eventually after ten minutes of climbing, the air getting slowly thinner, Senjurou spotted the Stone Hashira sitting on a fallen truck. His attitude looked calm and collected as he turned his head in their direction, which he got up and approached them.
"Thank you, Genya-kun, for getting Rengoku-kun." Himejima said and Genya huffed before muttering a 'no problem' under his breath. He crossed his arms over his chest and Himejima looked down to him, noting that he could hear the sound of water droplets from his hair and clothes. Himejima frowned and sighed that the young man appeared to be soaked to the bone, essentially preventing him from properly using his full speed.
"HImejima-san, Genya-san told me that you wished to test my agility against his." Senjurou said and Himejima breathed deeply as he stood up, his hands clasped together in prayer.
"That is correct." Himejima said and Senjurou waited for him to continue, "But your clothing will render your agility."
Senjurou blinked at this and looked down to his soaked clothes before answering, "I doubt that will be much of an issue, Himejima-san. I have run through our village multiple times in the past when it was down pouring and I wore much heavier items."
Himejima frowned at this, although he was impressed by that he was not happy to hear the young man repeatedly admit to it.
"If that how you wish to proceed your training, Rengoku-kun, then you may." Himejima said and Senjurou merely nodded while Genya's eyes narrowed at this, "Genya-kun, you may begin. I shall explain the training to Rengoku-kun."
Genya scoffed a little bit, stretching a small amount before he glanced back Senjurou with a look of possible understanding but Senjurou was uncertain about it. Then the young man took off without another say, causing Senjurou to look back to Himejima for an explanation.
"You will be partaking in speed training, Rengoku-kun. I would like to see how long you can endure chasing after Genya-kun. You may only stop when you catch him by grabbing onto him." Himejima explained and Senjurou blinked, eyes growing wide at this training. Senjurou opened his mouth to question when night would roll around or even if appeared hungry but he stopped.
He should not ask about such a thing since so many Demon Slayers would not have the opportunity to stop or partake in eating.
"Is something the matter, Rengoku-kun?" Himejima wondered after he heard nothing coming from the young boy.
Senjurou shook his head and offered up a smile, even though the blind man could not see it, saying, "No, I just made a realization but I will be alright! I look forward to training with Genya-san."
Himejima remained silent on this notation and nodded before Senjurou looked to the direction Genya had run off from. He breathed in deeply and glanced back to Himejima, smiling again at him.
"Thank you again, Himejima-san. I'll be off now." Senjurou spoke and then headed off to chase after Genya. HImejima observed the young man's footsteps, noting that he was sprinting right after him but was trying to pay attention to the tracks the young man had left behind.
Perhaps the young Rengoku would become a fine swordsman after all.
Kamado Tanjirou blinked in confusion at the words the Insect Hashira spoke to him, even his companions pausing at what she just said. Her innocent smile held something behind it and she waited for his answer, tilting her head slightly.
"Um…Kochou-san," He began and she again looked to him patiently, "I thought you wanted to me to stay here until I was fulled healed and learned Total Concretion Breathing?"
"That is correct, Kamado-kun!" She said and clapped her hands together, "But Oyakata-sama wrote to me and told me once you have healed up to eighty percent of your injuries, you can head towards the Flame estate to begin training!"
Tanjirou decided to not comment on the annoyance she had scented at when mentioning the Flame estate. He gulped and glanced back to his friends where Zenitsu was gawking in him in both shock and sorrow while Inosuke stood still with anger knit on his face.
"Huh? Why does Gonpachiro get to leave?!" Inosuke shouted in anger and Zenitsu began to cry, tears streaming down his face at hearing that Tanjirou was leaving.
"Eh?! Don't leave me here, Tanjirou!" Zenitsu began to bawl and Tanjirou tried to calm his friends down but Kochou's attention to the two of them.
"Zenitsu-kun, Inosuke-kun, Kamado-kun has been assigned to be the Flame Hashira's Tsukugo since he passed Oyakata-sama's test." She began to explain and Zenitsu blinked, having not heard this.
"So, you knew you were leaving?!" Zenitsu now decided to shout and Tanjirou shook his head no, only hearing about this arrangement moments ago.
"I didn't know either, Zenitsu." Tanjirou began to explain and Inosuke huffed, arms crossed over his chest.
"What about us?" Inosuke shouted and Kochou smiled at him, looking at him.
"The both of you shall finish your recovery and training here." Kochou explained and the two turned to her, Zenitsu's expression softening at her words.
That meant he was still get be with all the girls!
But that did mean Nezuko would be leaving with her brother.
"What about Nezuko-chan?" Zenitsu asked and Kochou merely smiled at him.
"She will be going with her brother." She answered and despair took over Zenitsu at the thought of Nezuko leaving.
"Rengoku-san is looking forward to meeting you, Tanjirou-kun." She said and Tanjirou blinked, although her scent was lined with trust, he did remember how all the Hashira had little trust towards him with carrying Nezuko around.
"I will be going with you too, Tanjirou-kun." She spoke and now the annoyance returned, "I have to check up on someone. I hope you will not mind my presence."
He smiled at her and said, "I look forward to journeying with you, Kochou-san."
Jealously loomed over Zenitsu now after hearing that Tanjirou would be with the Insect Hashira and Nezuko while Inosuke growled at the thought of being left behind to train with the weaklings.
"There are still a few things I must get to before we leave. I'll have one of the girls help you pack." She said and looked to the other two, "Perhaps, Rengoku-san will be willing to take you two after he meets Kamado-kun."
Excitement tingled in Inosuke after hearing these words while Zenitsu had no desire to train more but if it meant being near Nezuko again…
Zenitsu nodded with a giddy face of seeing Nezuko again and Inosuke grinned, laughing wildly at the idea of fighting someone strong.
Shinjurou released a sigh as he scanned the papers that lined up the table in disappointment and wanted to bang his head against it. All the records of the previous servants had been practically ruined, most likely done in one of the many drunken states he entered, and the duo had nothing to go on. Kyoujurou frowned at his father's distress and he flipped another page, seeing more rips and tears of being forced apart.
"…this is useless." Shinjurou said as he placed another pile of notes and records to the side, which he couldn't even pick a name from.
"I'm sure there will be one, father!" Kyoujurou tried to pick up his father's disappointment and Shinjurou frowned, noting that there were only five records left, which had varied dates of what was during his father's and brother's time as Hashira. He sighed and took one while Kyoujurou grabbed another, offering a smile of reassurance towards his father. Shinjurou opened it up and blinked in shock, surprised to see that the front page remained intact while he briefly lifted it open and scanned through to see that the record was untouched.
"Is something the matter?" Kyoujurou asked and Shinjurou flipped the next page, seeing a full written record of servants who had helped prepare and make clothes for them along with other duties and titles.
"…this record looks undamaged." He answered and Kyoujurou blinked before smiling.
"That is good to hear! Perhaps there is someone in there who we can ask!" He announced and Shinjurou nodded his attention returning back to the record. His eyes narrowed at the sight of some familiar names he remembered and he flipped the next page, noting that most of the people on the page were those he had removed. He sighed and turned to the following page, the title of cooks littered top and he scanned down before pausing at an extremely familiar name.
Kūran Kyoko.
His mother-in-law.
"So those were all the cooks!" Kyoujurou's voice broke him out of his concentration and he realized that Kyoujurou moved without him noticing. Kyoujurou blinked when he fell upon the name Shinjurou had been transfixed on and tilted his head slightly.
The woman's first name had the same spelling like a part of his own name.
"Did you know any of them, father?" Kyoujurou asked and Shinjurou looked back down to his mother-in-law's name, before nodding.
"…yes, they all worked at the estate when I was a child." He answered and Kyoujurou nodded, his gaze still locked onto that name.
It still bothered Kyoujurou of the odd similarity between his own name and the woman's.
"Do you know if any of them could be willing to help out?" Kyoujurou asked, hoping to see if he knew about the woman.
Shinjurou clicked his tongue and decided to try his best at answering Kyoujurou's question, "I am unsure. I doubt that they would be willing to return if they are still alive."
"You don't know that, father!" He said, trying to pull him out of his shell, and Shinjurou sighed before he looked back to the cooks tapping his fingers on the table. He stared at them again and reminisced on a small memory of his mother-in-law.
"Rengoku-dono, is something the matter?" Kūran Kyoko, the mother of the person he cherished the most asked as she sat by the kindling fire. She, unlike her daughter, broadly showcased her emotions and most of the time, they were that of pain and anger but right now she looked to him with concern. Her dark brown eyes were narrowed and thin eyebrows knit together as she stared at him. Her dark brown hair was fashioned onto a yakai maki, which he knew she hated keeping her hair up since Ruka had mentioned her mother suffered from headache by the tight knots of hairstyles. She bore the familiar red striped yukata and dark hakama pants she was given when working and he noted a small tremor in her hands, most likely from working all day.
He licked his lips, clutching his black hakama pants tight, and his heart raced at the thought he was going to ask her. Sweat beaded out on the corner of his forehead which caused her to raise a questioning eyebrow at him, waiting patiently for him to say anything.
"…I do have other tasks I must get to, Rengoku-dono." She began and he froze, realizing that she would no doubt declare his intentions impure or absolute refuse him.
"I apologize for taking up your time, Kūran-san!" He shouted abruptly, causing her to blink before her eyes softened. She took a breath of the kiseru and waited for him to speak again.
Then he proceeded to bow to her, exposing himself.
Her eyes grew wide and she nearly dropped the kiseru from her lips at the action.
"It would do me the greatest pleasure of asking to take Ruka-san as my wife if you allow it!" He shouted and he waited for her response, sweat probably coating his body at questioning her to properly court and marry her only daughter.
"Please raise yourself up, Rengoku-dono." She spoke softly and his head lifted, dread filling him that she, like his own father would denounce the approval of a marriage. He blinked, seeing tears gather at the corner of her eyes, and panic settled deep in his chest at this.
"Please take care of my daughter." She said and then bowed down to him, the panic breaking apart into shock.
She accepted the proposal.
"Eh?" He muttered and then his own tears bubbled down his face, the overwhelming emotion of satisfaction and delight broke through him. A smile broke onto his face and she pulled back up, looking at him with an emotion he couldn't decipher at the time.
It was gratitude and relief now that he thought back on it.
"It would be an honor for my daughter to take your hand in marriage." She said and whipped the tears from her eyes while she glanced out to another open room, "I am certain my husband would have been pleased to hear your declaration and accept it."
He could only nod, no words being able to roll off his tongue, and she smiled at him, hope lighting in her eyes.
"I am certain you will be an excellent husband to my daughter. Do take care her." She said and breathed in the kiseru, the last words she spoke he had barely heard over his own racing heart, "Even when I leave this earth."
"Father?" Kyoujurou snapped him out of his gaze and he blinked, realizing that he zoned out at the thought of his mother-in-law. His mother-in-law had been one of the few people who fully supported his and Ruka's marriage and even Ruka had asked when if she could commemorate her mother by having Kyoujurou baring the same characters in his name. He breathed in deeply and covered the lower half of his face, thinking about what he should do now.
Kyoujurou should know the meaning behind his name.
"Sorry…I was thinking." He muttered and Kyoujurou remained concerned about his father's expression, "…when Senjurou returns, I would like to bring you both somewhere."
Kyoujurou blinked, confused as to the meaning behind this, but he merely nodded, not wanting to push his father further.
"Ok," Kyoujurou muttered and Shinjurou released the breath he was holding before he flipped another page. More names of people he had forgotten about flashed on them, knowing that most of these people would refuse to step back in the compound or had passed on years ago. Kyoujurou was curious if the place his father was planning on bringing would be related to his father's family.
"…could we perhaps ask Kohaku for help?" Kyoujurou asked and Shinjurou stared at him like he was crazy.
He did not want to be more indebted to her than he already was.
"She would laugh directly in my face if I dared bring it up." Shinjurou grumbled and Kyoujurou doubted that she would do that outright but after getting to know the woman, she might actually do it.
"Hm…" Kyoujurou thought while Shinjurou closed the records, rubbing the bridge between his eyebrows.
"It's fine. We can handle the cleaning." Shinjurou decided, knowing that even they had found help, they should still start working on cleaning the estate. He stood up and winced as he rubbed his shoulders from bending over the records since early in the morning.
"Alright! Let's get to it then!" Kyoujurou announced, ready to help out and clean the estate up for his upcoming Tsukugo and Kochou.
"Um…Tanjiurou-san," Takada began and looked to Tanjirou, a blush crossing her cheeks and the scent of embarrassment crossing his nose. In the young girl's hand happened to be a sealed letter and she held it up to him, eyes sealed shut as she hoped that he would take it. He gently took it from her grasp, curious as to what she was offering him, and her eyes fluttered with happiness.
"Can you please give this to Senjurou-san when you arrive at the Flame Hashira's estate?" She asked and he blinked, having no idea as to who Senjurou-san was but he could tell she cared for them. He smiled at her and offered a nod, which she practically glowed at.
"Thank you, Tanjirou-san!" She shouted and appreciation hinted off of her, "I really appreciate it!"
"Of course! I am certain that they will be ecstatic about receiving this letter from you, Takada-san." He spoke and her blush grew further on her face, nodding as he placed the letter gently next to his pile of clothes he was folding up, "Is this person related to the Flame Hashira?"
She nodded as she handed him another pile of his clothes folded, smiling widely at him.
"Yes! He is the Flame Hashira's younger brother." She informed him and he blinked, thinking of the man he crossed on his travel to the Butterfly estate.
That man had to be related to who he assumed was the Flame Hashira since he looked much like the young man at the Hashira meeting.
"Senjurou-san is very nice." The young girl began to ramble,"He helped out a lot when he stayed here while his father was under our care. He was so kind as well and he didn't overstep any boundaries."
Tanjirou blinked and asked, "His father was at the Butterfly estate?"
Takada blinked before she slowly nodded, nervousness ticking up in her and she replied, "Yes, he was administered before you all arrived. Senjurou-san was actually the one who reported his father's attack then Rengoku-san had suffered a heart attack while staying here. He returned to his residence with his sons not that long ago."
Tanjirou's jaw went slack at this and his eyes grow wide in shock, clearly not expecting that reason for him to be at the Butterfly estate.
"Heart attack?!" Tanjirou said shocked and she nodded, smiling at him.
"Rengoku-san pulled through though! That's why Kochou-sama will be joining you to visit the Flame Hashira estate." She explained and he merely nodded, thinking back to the man who had looked at him strangely and had a hint of reminiscing on his scent while briefly talking with him.
"It sounds like you care about them a lot, Takada-san." Tanjirou said and her face turned cherry red, contrasting the green butterfly clips at the bottom of her hair. She nodded and decided to remain silent on the matter, as she finished and tied up the sakura-themed furoshiki cloth for him.
"I will get this letter to Senjurou-san, Takada-san. I promise you that." He guaranteed and she smiled again at this, knowing the young man sounded truthful and honest that she had no doubt he would get it to Senjurou.
Perhaps they could even become friends!
EndNote: Tanjirou, Zenitsu, and Inosuke have arrived in the story (even though the former two won't be seen for a while but they will reappear)! Now, Tanjirou and Nezuko will be arriving at the estate and soon you guys get to see Kyoujurou's reaction to this!
The next chapter involves Genya and Senjurou discussing the news of Kyoujurou's Tsukugo and the son and father pair clean up the estate!
More memes will be posted on my Tumblr about this chapter and the past one, so if you enjoy a good meme or two, go check them out!
Thank you guys for checking out the story! Have a good rest of the week everyone and take care!