Author's Note: The landmark of 10,000 hits has been reached on AO3! Thank you guys for being so supportive and enjoying the story! Thank you guys for all the kudos, positive comments and feedback, and bookmarks! A new story has been posted for reaching this achievement called,
Take a Minute and Reminisce, so go check it out. Plus we have reached twenty chapters as well! This story is going farther than ever expected it to.
Thank you guys for everything! Without all your support, I doubt I would have gotten this far! So thank you again!
Anyways, I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter! ^^
Chapter Twenty
The next day, eventually catching Genya when the young man attempted to fish for some food, with his guard down, Senjurou stared at the letter that his father and brother sent him while petting Rei who had delivered the message. His eyes grew wide at the message, realizing that Tanjirou would be arriving at the estate sooner than he had expected. He bite his lip at this and shuffling was heard as he glanced back to see Genya eating another piece of fish, staring at him.
"What's the letter for?" He asked and Senjurou sighed before folding it up, putting away and Rei gently rubbed his face affectionately.
"My brother's Tuskugo will be arriving soon." Senjurou explained and thought about how he should proceed. He could continue training the two more days Himejima asked or he could travel back tomorrow at the same time and perhaps arrive before Tanjirou would. Senjurou looked to Genya who ripped the fish apart and the young man continued to munch on the food.
"Is something wrong with that?" Genya asked and Rei cooed at the young Rengoku who merely sighed in uncertainty.
"…I wanted to meet my brother's Tsukugo." Senjurou answered and Genya huffed, tossing the pick into the fire pit.
"Then why don't you go then?" Genya hissed and Senjurou sighed as he offered a bit of fish to Rei, who gladly accepted it. Senjurou's eyes gazed into the fire and tapped his fingers against his thighs, still processing everything.
"Himejima-san wanted me to stay a few extra days for more training." Senjurou began and after attempting Breath of Stone, he knew that the Breathing style would not suit him since it also relied heavily on strength-oriented skills.
"You don't have to listen to him, ya know. You aren't even a part of the Demon Slayer Corps." Genya explained and Senjurou merely nodded in understanding before he sighed.
He did want to train more but he had a feeling he should return to the estate.
"You're right." Senjurou said and stared up at the sky which was beginning to lose the sun's rising colors, "Then, I guess I'll have leave."
Genya took another bite of his fish and remained silent on the matter. He had actually enjoyed training with someone who reminded him much of himself in an odd way but he wasn't going to admit that to Senjurou.
"I would have liked to spend more time training with you, Genya-san." Senjurou spoke and Genya paused eating his fish, eyes blown wide at the boy's words. He actually dropped his fish from his slack grip and which caused Senjurou to blink, shocked that the young man had done so.
"…your fish, Genya-san." Senjurou began and Genya blinked before his eyes narrowed, swearing up a storm at having dropped it. He narrowed his eyes at the younger man who merely chuckled at this and Genya just brushed it off before continuing to eat it, the flames flickering against the wood. He glared back to Senjurou and waited to ask one of the bothering questions racking against his head that he had for him.
"Why are you trying so hard anyway?" Genya asked and Senjurou blinked before rubbing the back of his neck, eyes drifting to the flames.
"…I don't want to hold my family back." He began and could remember the acceptance Kyoujurou had when his blade had originally never changed color, "Perhaps my blade won't change color but I am determined to try. I know my swordsmanship skills won't be at the same level as my brother's or father's but I still want to be a Demon Slayer. I want to help and protect the people I care about."
Genya sucked in a deep breath, understanding written in his expression, and he finished the fish before tossing the pick into the fire.
"…I get that." Genya spoke and Senjurou locked gaze's with him before he snapped away, scowling again.
"I'm glad that you can understand my frustration, Genya-san." Senjurou began while Rei rubbed at his head in affection, "I feel frustrated about my situation but when looking at you; I think I can overcome it."
Genya's eyes blew up wide, not expecting such honesty or praise towards someone like him, and his blush from earlier returned while his expression softened.
"…thanks." He mumbled and Senjurou merely smiled at that before Rei hopped down onto his knees.
"What message would you like me to direct to your father and brother, Senjurou-kun?" The crow asked and Senjurou breathed before nodding.
"Please inform them that I shall return tomorrow morning." He answered and glimpsed at Genya before a look was hinted in his eye, "But I shall be returning with someone as well."
Genya blinked, realizing he was talking about him, and before he could even comment on the message, Rei flew off without another say.
Kyoujurou cheerfully hummed as he beat down on the futon with the futon beater, dust flowing off from it. His hair was pulled back away from his face while he had on a simple white juban to not gather any dirt from the major cleaning he and his father decided to do. He smiled as he pulled away and walked to the other side and patted the other side down, looking pleased with his work.
Although they had not found anyone to help out with cleaning and caring for the household, the two decided to try and get as much down while Senjurou was away.
"How is it coming along?" Shinjurou asked as he stepped out from the estate, dry cloth in hand from working on cleaning the tatami floors. He had pulled his own hair away, similar to Senjurou's own style but a rag did not cover the top of his head like Kyoujurou's.
"It is going well! I am almost finished with the futons at the moment." He answered and Shinjurou nodded as he breathed in the fresh air. He glanced at Ruka's gravestone momentarily then back to Kyoujurou, noting the similarity between his son and wife.
"Will you need help with the tatami, father?" Kyoujurou asked, which snapped him out of his thoughts, and he shook his head no, sighing at the amount of work that was still left to be done.
"I'll be fine working on the tatami." Shinjurou answered and looked to the shoji, which most likely needed some work on as well, "The shoji needs to be cleaned as well. I doubt that we have supplies to fix some of the paper."
Kyoujurou looked to the shoji as well and crossed his arms over his chest, nodding in agreement that some of the panels should be changed out. Shinjurou clicked his tongue at the thought of having to go into the village but needed to be done.
Plus it would take a load off of Senjurou when he would return.
"I will go into the village to get the supplies to clean and fix it." Shinjurou decided and Kyoujurou blinked before smiling at his father.
"Will you need any help?" Kyoujurou offered and Shinjurou shook his head no. Kyoujurou finished beating the futon and held his hand out to take the rag from his father who handed it over.
"Then I shall continue working on the tatami while you are out!" Kyoujurou exclaimed and Shinjruou smiled at this.
"Thank you, Kyoujurou. I won't be gone too long." He said and Kyoujurou merely nodded, still smiling at his father who stalked off towards his room to gather some money. Shinjurou frowned once he was out of sight of Kyoujurou's view and walked onto the engawa, opening up the shoji to his own room and walking in. His futon was one of the many hanging outside and being cleaned while the rest of his room appeared very empty. He walked to the small cabinet which held some of his money and opened it up, gathering as much as he could carry, and pocketed it. He headed out and hoped that nothing would occur when he left the gates of the estate. He breathed in deeply and opened it up, noting that the smell of sake remained nearby, most likely from one of the few bars in town. He closed the gate behind him and began his journey towards a supplier that would carry the paper needed for the shoji along with a few additional items that would hopefully help with cleaning the house.
Ruka would have been much better at knowing what exactly they needed.
He frowned at this thought and continued onward, passing by a few people who gandered a look at him. Some mutters were heard but he decided to ignore the comments and focus on getting to the shop so he could return back quicker.
He turned a corner and released a breath of relief at the sight of the supplier store. He approached it and pushed past the noren, entering the establishment.
"I'll be with you in a second!" A slightly familiar feminine voice called out from the back and he merely nodded as he glanced around to see some additional cleaning supplies like rags, buckets, and sponges. He walked over and began to gather some of them before he heard a gasp from behind him. He blinked and turned to see a woman about ten to fifteen years older than himself with long brown hair tied to the side in a bun while her wide gray eyes stared at him. Her yukata was dirtied from the appearance of dirt and stains for what he guessed were the products being handled while her black hakama didn't look any better.
She oddly remained silent and he narrowed his eyes at this before bringing up the items in his hand on the counter, causing her to blink before her gaze whipped away from him. He waited for her to speak and his eyes narrowed when she made no move to talk to him.
Did he do something to the shop while he had been drunk?
His memory failed in recalling anything about the shop or shopkeeper and the woman glanced back up to him before her gaze locked to the items on the counter, refusing to look at him.
"…is there anything else I can get you, Rengoku-sama?" She whispered softly and he frowned at this, knowing that something was wrong but uncertain what was causing her wavering.
"I need four rolls of shoji paper." He requested and she nodded then hastily bowed to him, oddly enough to cause a warrant of interest in his mind as no one hardly bowed to him. Before he question her, she ran to the back to most likely fetch the paper for him, and he tapped his fingers against his thigh as he tried to remember why she sounded familiar.
He brought a hand to his face and breathed deeply to think about it, eyes shutting for a moment to think about her.
"Rengoku-dono, I do not wish to alarm you but…I witnessed you with Kūran-kun in the village today. I have no desire to inform your father of what I witnessed but I merely want to inform you to be careful when you are with her." The same voice that came from the woman moments ago echoed in his head and he could remember to absolute worry plastered on this young woman's face, the same gray eyes locked into his as she looked him in the eye, "Gossip spreads like wildfire and I merely wish to protect her from what occurs if your father learns of this."
Her hands clutched tightly onto her hakama pants, where he noted the burn marks littering her arms. She looked pale and wavered in standing, causing him to gulp at her outlook. She licked her lips and bowed down to him, beads of sweat obviously coating her neck and face.
"Please, Rengoku-sama, I beg you to be careful," she mustered out and he could only nod, "I…do not wish for her to get hurt. Please, think about her safety."
He could hear the soft whimpers and tears streaming down her face, trembling as she stood still. His heart ached at the thought of Ruka having to face his father and he bit his lip harshly enough to draw blood before he nodded, understanding her fear.
"I will from now on. Thank you for informing." He answered and she continued to shake before looking him in the eye, seeing his worry now far more present, "What is your name?"
She sniffled before her gaze lowered again, wiping at her eyes quickly, and he patiently waited for her answer.
"My name is Junko."
Shinjurou blinked and his eyes grew wide at the realization as the woman, now that he had recognized her as Junko, walked out from the back with the shoji paper in hand. She huffed as she placed it on the counter and he could hardly believe that he found someone who had once put themselves forward to hide his relationship with Ruka from his father.
"…here are your supplies, Rengoku-sama." She spoke and he could only nod, staring at the items before deciding to question her.
"…you are Junko, correct?" He asked and she froze at this before she looked at him then shifted her head down, nodding.
"Yes. Though, I bare a last name now, Rengoku-sama." She answered softly and she bowed again to him, "I am glad to see you in good health, Rengoku-sama."
"…thank you." He mumbled and she glimpsed back to him before looking down on the items, "Have you been well since you left the estate?"
A smile glistened briefly over her face and she nodded before lifting her head up slightly. Her hands moved towards her and clasped it much lighter.
"Yes, I married shortly after retiring from the estate. I have three children as well, two of whom are with Demon Slayer Corps." She answered and he simply nodded while her face fell slightly, "My husband passed a few months ago. I now work the shop while my eldest works the fields nearby."
"I am sorry about his passing." He said, understanding the heartache in her eyes and she nodded, bowing again to him, muttering a thank you, "How well does your son do in the fields?"
She blinked, confused as to his curiosity, and answered, "…fortune has not been favoring him. The crops he has been gathering have been very poor. I pray every day that perhaps they shall be better but so far my prayers have not been answered."
"And how does the shop's business fare?" He continued and she clasped her hands tightly, gulping in nervousness at his questioned questions.
"Very well. My husband's reputation proceeds with the quality of our items. There are many customers who frequent the shop." She answered and he clicked his tongue, "Is there something on your mind, Rengoku-sama?"
He remained silent for a moment before digging out his money, staring at the wad in his hand.
"…Would you be willing to return and help care for the estate?" He asked and her eyes blew up wide, hands gripping tightly while she bit her lip in thought.
"Why?" She asked and he breathed in deeply.
"…You were one of the few that knew about…my relationship with my wife. And you remained silent even after my father had passed which I am grateful for." He began and sighed, "I am willing to pay you for your help, more than whatever my father had offered, and then your son shall have no need to cultivate crops but instead run the business your husband left you."
She looked at him with shock, silence etched into her, as she had no idea he would offer such a deal. She gulped and looked down to the rolls of shoji paper, still uncertain about it.
"…may I think this over and discuss this matter with my family?" She asked and he blinked before nodding.
"I don't need an answer right away." He said and she looked relieved at this, "I don't want to push you if you aren't comfortable being there either."
She shook her head, wistfulness eclipsing over her eyes as she looked lost in thought for a moment.
"…It is fine, Rengoku-sama." She said and waved her hand."Can I give you an answer within this upcoming week?"
He nodded at this as she then glanced at all the items in hand, before stating the total he owed, which he gladly paid her.
"Will you need any help carrying the items?" She asked and he shook his head no as she placed the rags and sponges into the bucket for him, "Take care, Rengoku-sama."
"To you as well." He stated and grabbed hold of the rolls of paper, leaving through the entrance and passing by the noren. He released a breath as he carried onward, not realizing that she had looked out to stare at his back smiling.
"I think Rengoku-dono will become a fine Demon Slayer, Junko-san. Would you agree with me?"
Junko merely nodded as she thought back to the small intimate moment that the two former workers shared.
"I believe that you are correct, Kūran-san." She muttered under her breath once Shinjurou had long disappeared from her sight and left her reeling with conflicting emotions on whether or not she should affect his proposal.
Time passed by swiftly at the Flame estate, with both Shinjurou and Kyoujurou feeling exhausted at all the cleaning they had done and the many times Shinjurou had messed up in cutting the shoji paper that they decided to call it a day once the tatami had been finished and almost all of the shoji was cleaned. Shinjurou sighed as he whipped the beads of sweat from his forehead while Kyoujurou looked at their handwork in glory, surprised and glad about what they had finished.
"So what are our plans for dinner, father?" Kyoujurou asked and Shinjurou's eyebrows fell as he had no idea what they could do. The night before he had cooked a simple soup with tofu and for lunch, they had skipped it and ate snacks that Senjurou had left behind without them realizing it.
Now came the hard part of making a decision.
He did not trust Kyoujurou in the kitchen at all and he had no desire to prepare another bowl of soup for a meal again. He sighed at this and clicked his tongue, knowing they would have to go to have dinner.
"We'll get something from the village." Shinjurou decided snd Kyoujurou merely nodded along at this, delighted to be eating with his father.
"That sounds like an excellent idea!" He announced then glanced at their attire, "Perhaps we should change as well!"
Shinjurou nodded in agreement and the two began to walk back in the estate but stopped at the sound of a Kasugai Crow, calling out to Shinjurou.
"Message for Rengoku Shinjurou!" His new crow called out and his eyes narrowed, curious as to what Senjurou said back. The crow landed on Kyoujurou's shoulder who froze and blinked at her appearance. The crow stared at him momentarily before diverting her attention to Kyoujurou by affectionately rubbing his face with her peak. He smiled at this and Shinjurou waited to hear what Senjurou told the bird. She turned to face him and he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Senjurou-kun has wished to inform you that he shall be returning tomorrow morning while also bringing a companion." She told him and the two blinked, confused as to who he meant but Kyoujurou realized that he most likely was referring to Genya.
"So the young boy will be journeying with Senjurou as well! I am glad to hear that he has befriended him!" Kyoujurou shouted and Shinjurou looked to Kyoujurou for answers, still wondering as to who he was talking about.
"Do you know who he is referring to?" Shinjurou asked and Kyoujurou nodded wildly.
"Yes! The young man's name is Shinazugawa Genya, like the Wind Hashira yet he refused to comment on their relation!" Kyoujurou answered and Shinjurou's eyes narrowed, now remembering a brief discussion of the boy when the former Wind Hashira dropped by one day.
"Their relationship could be strained, Kyoujurou." Shinjurou informed him and Kyoujurou stared at him, shocked that his father had the same idea as Senjurou.
"Senjurou said the same thing." He bluntly stated and Shinjurou blinked before sighing.
"Not all brothers have such a good bond like you and Senjurou." Shinjurou said and Kyoujurou could only nod, knowing that was true from some instances with fellow Demon Slayers and people he had saved.
"Would you like for me to relay another message to Senjurou-kun?" Rei asked, breaking into an awkward silence, and Shinjurou sighed.
"Tell him that we look forward to seeing him again. And his friend is welcomed to stay a night as well." Shinjurou decided and Rei nodded before patting Kyoujurou's head as a gentle gesture.
"Very well. I shall deliver the message to him." She spoke and then before they could add anything else, she took off.
"Well, it is a good thing we cleaned the estate! More people keep on arriving!" Kyoujurou said with his smile returned, glad that the estate was becoming more welcoming, and Shinjurou could only hope that nothing terrible would occur with everyone who was deciding to visit.
"Rengoku Senjurou! Message for Rengoku Senjurou!" His father's Kasugai crow called out and he blinked, getting distracted by the bird that caused Genya to flip him directly over his shoulder. He hissed at the pain, not expecting it at all, and Genya blinked when the Crow landed on a nearby branch, heading tilting at him.
He didn't know when but he had the feeling the Crow now had a dislike to him.
He released Senjurou who frowned and rolled his shoulder, knowing he should have been more focused but he did not expect the Crow to return with a message. He stood up, brushing off his clothes, and approached the tree she rested on.
"What is the message, Rei-san?" He asked and the Crow jumped a little, perhaps to get a better view of him.
"Rengoku Shinjurou relied the message that he looks forward to seeing you and welcomes your friend at the Flame estate." She spoke and a smile blossomed over his face at this, turning to Genya who still looked at him with disbelief of inviting him over. The younger man has merely smiled at him earlier after the crow whisked away and made no comment as to why he thought he should visit.
"You didn't give me a chance to say no!" Genya hissed and Senjurou continued to smile at him, tilting his head to the side.
"I asked Himejima-san already if I could have you as my escort back to the estate. I can explain to him as well that my family would like to further meet you and allow you rest after you drop me off." Senjurou said and Genya sputtered, not even knowing when he had asked of this.
"What?! When the hell did ya do that?!" Genya shouted and Senjurou continued to smile.
"When I sent off my brother back home, we discussed how I would return in case my brother got busy." Senjurou explained and Genya blinked before swearing as he had left to train more during the middle of lunch.
Senjurou was far more cunning than he had ever thought.
"You're freakin' sneaky." Genya hissed and Senjurou merely stared at him before shrugging.
"If that is what you believe, Genya-san." He spoke and approached the taller young man again, his gaze looking far sharper than before, "Then I won't deny it."
Genya scoffed at this and crossed his arms over his chest, deciding to remain silent on the matter at hand.
"I still don't understand why you are trying so hard to spend time with me." Genya said and Senjurou's expression softened, although they had gone over it before Genya was acting blind to his actions. He wanted Genya to see that he admired him and wished only for the best of him.
Plus perhaps he could prevent his death as well.
"Genya-san," Senjurou began and sighed, his heart feeling heavy for him, "Thank you for dealing with my presence these past days. I'm sure that you didn't expect to help train me but I really do appreciate it. I'm sure that you've helped me grow stronger as well as you. I really would like to thank you by inviting you to the Flame Hashira estate. If you truly don't want to come, that is fine."
Now Genya looked at him before grumbling under his breath, "Fine but I'm not staying for the night though."
Senjurou smiled widely at this and Genya looked away, trying not to be embarrassed by this.
"That's fine. Whatever makes you comfortable, Genya-san." He said and Genya merely shrugged, picking at the fire with the stick, "I'm just happy you accepted the invitation. I am sure that everything will be fine."
Tanjiruou's eyes opened up wide with a smile on his face, excitement coursing through his veins at the fact that today was the day he was going to properly meet the Flame Hashira and train as his Tsukugo, which he learned recently was like an heir to the Hashira line. It was thrilling to learn about and he looked towards the box that held Nezuko in it with affection, hoping that the Hashira would be accepting towards her.
"We'll be traveling to visit the Flame Hashira today, Nezuko." He happily said to her even though he didn't hear anything from her, he knew she would be excited to go and visit somewhere else. He breathed in deeply, noting that his wounds felt much better and less sore than the previous day.
He looked over to see that his friends' beds were no longer occupied, perhaps meaning that they were off training already. He stretched and could feel that he was keeping up Total Concentration Breathing as well, surprised that he managed to get a full night without failing to practice it.
A knock at the door alerted him and he turned to see Kochou entering with a smile on her face.
"Good morning, Kamado-kun." She said and he returned the smile, "I am glad to see that you are already up. If you can change, we shall head out to the Flame estate."
Tanjirou nodded at this and she continued to smile before closing the door behind him. Excitement fully boasted in him as he looked outside, noting the beautiful colorful sunrise, hoping that was a good omen to come.
EndNote: Another new Original Character has entered the story, Junko, and if you guys have checked out the latest chapter of Scabbed Heart (Let Me In) then you guys might recognize her. Also, now Tanjirou and Kochou are off to go see the Rengoku family (with Senjurou and Genya following behind)!
The next chapter involves the long-awaited meeting of Kyoujurou and Tanjirou, so look forward to that!
Thank you guys for checking out the story! Have a good rest of the week everyone and take care! Happy holidays as well!