[Manga Spoilers ahead]

I was rudely awakened by Nobu jumping on me. "They're here!" was all he said before running off again. After making sure I was presentable, I went to the audience hall and found Rengoku-san with a smaller version of him. Seriously, his son's hair and eyebrows are almost the same as his.

"Hi, Kyojuro-kun! It's so great to finally meet you! I'm Y/N." The sight of him made my chest so warm! It's weird and adorable how he looks too much like his father. I can't really describe Rengoku-san as cute, but Kyojuro sure is.

"You can just call her obaachan. I'm Nobu." This little kid! I flashed a glare his way, and he didn't even look slightly bothered. "What? He's Rengoku-sans son." He didn't see the point of pretending I wasn't his grandma in front of him, huh?

Kyojuro tilted his head before speaking in the loudest voice I've ever heard coming from a child. "Nice to meet you, Nobu-kun! Y/N-san… obaachan?" Rengoku-san laughed at his son's confusion, clearly showing how he didn't explain the situation to him. I mean, telling a child that some never aging demon would be watching over him is a little too hard to wrap your head around after all. "Y/N-chan is okay."

Nobu then grabbed him, acting as if they were close friends already, and took him to introduce him to his sisters. "Wow, Rengoku-san your son is loud!" He laughed at that. He seems to be more relaxed now, maybe seeing his family again did him good. "Sorry about that, Kyojuro is just full of energy. Loud, booming voice included." We chatted a bit about the children, but last night's events took over our conversation.

"Still, the lack of demon involvement means it's out of our hands." It's what I already expected him to say, but I was still a little disappointed. "I know, but it's odd. Maybe a demon is involved, but their blood demon art makes the people go to them." I don't really know much about other demon's abilities, but it's possible one such power could exist. "Maybe. But that doesn't explain why they'd bring along anything they own that is of value. Looks more like the work of thieves." I wanted to say how demons could also be thieves, but the absence of demon scent in those abandoned houses screams impossible.

"I hate to run, but I do need to go to that fishing village. My crow wouldn't stop about it this morning." Rengoku-san stood at that. "Oh, isn't that at the edge of the district?" He nodded; mouth set in a firm line. "I'm afraid I'd have to leave Kyojuro in your hands right away." As if on cue, the children's laughter reached us. "I guess they're all friends now. Don't worry, we'll take care of him. If you need help, just send your crow. I'll go right away."

"That one goes over here." Nobu directed Kyojuro. He's been here only a couple hours and Nobu already had him doing chores. His chores. "If you know how to do it, maybe you should be the one doing it, Nobu." His usual pout on his face now, as he took over the task. It would've worked on me some other time, but right now there is a much cuter kid in the room. "You want some snacks, Kyojuro-kun?"

"Yes, obaachan!" He boomed, following me right away, leaving a whining Nobu behind. "Y/N-chan ~" I said. Really, I prefer that than obaachan. "Okay." He said, walking closer to me and holding on to my hand automatically. "Y/N-chan, why is your house dark? Kiyomi-nee says we're not allowed to open windows." I hummed, thinking it over. How do I explain it to a child? I don't remember Nobu and his sisters asking about it. Maybe they did ask, but they asked their parents instead of me.

"See, it's because the sunlight makes me sick." That seems easy enough for a kid to understand, right? "How?" Was his follow up question. "It burns my skin." Luckily, that satisfied him and we reached the kitchen soon enough.

"Here." Since Wagashi is our family's living, ingredients to make them are always on hand not only at the shop but also at home. I'm not good, but I do know how to make a decent confection.

"Mmm, yummy!" Kyojuro exclaimed so enthusiastically that I gained more confidence in my wagashi making skills and decided to make him some more. Turns out giving him a few more wagashi was a bad idea. It wasn't even that sweet of a dessert, but he seemed to have eaten just sugar with how hyper he was! Even Nobu couldn't keep up.

The four of them were running around outside. I had no idea what kind of game they were playing, but they seemed to be having a lot of fun until my three grandkids got tired. Kyojuro then went straight to me, clinging on to me as if he's known me his whole life.

"Y/N-chan, I'm sleepy." That should be expected, seeing as he's been running around for hours now. Still, he's sleepy yet his voice was still loud. "Ah! Are you taking a nap? I want to take a nap, too." Nobu said, dragging me along with Kyojuro still clinging on to me. Okay, maybe volunteering to watch these two is too much for me after all. Though, they're both about to take a nap now so they'd be well behaved when they're asleep.

"Uhm, Nobu-kun… this is my room."

"I know." Was all he said, acting as if he owns the place. He walked with purpose towards the futon closet. "Ugh! This is too heavy… obaachan, help me! I'm a child, I shouldn't be doing this myself." Maybe we've been spoiling Nobu a little. I can't imagine talking like this when I was his age.

With three futons on my floor – I was up all night, I needed a nap too – we all went to sleep, the two kids passing out the moment they laid down. Turns out Kyojuro can be loud too even in his sleep. I went back to sleep with a smile that day.

"Ah, where's my – "

"I got it, Y/N-chan!" My cloak was on me right away. "Thank you, Kyo-kun." Since Rengoku-san brought Kyojuro at our estate, him and Nobu was inseparable. It's been five years since then, and Rengoku-san regularly brings Kyojuro here. "Wait up! I'll help, too!" Him and Nobu rushed with me towards the pen where we keep the goats.

Father decided to keep them since he wasn't really comfortable with me stealing our neighbor's livestock. I originally wanted pigs, but their stench was not something my mother wanted so we settled for goats. As if they smelled better. Anyhow, it was sunny and warm but then rain suddenly started to pour and now we had to move the goats to the small barn.

"That's all of them." I stood at the entrance of the barn and finally spared a glance to the sky and our surroundings. It's still morning yet I'm outside. The sun was hiding behind dark clouds now, so maybe I can freely walk around? Maybe sensing that small desire burning in me, Nobu took my hand. "Y/N-chan," Nobu did stop calling me obaachan a few years ago; "when was the last time you played in the rain?" A playful smile graced his features and without much warning, he dragged me out of the barn and into the rain!

"Wait!" I felt Kyojuro's hands on my shoulders, helping Nobu. Really, I know better than to try and stop them both. At twelve the two of them are already a little taller than me. Nobu stopped in the middle of our yard and started to spin around.

Kyojuro then busied himself with lowering my hood off my head. "If the sun even tries to peek out, I'd get you inside right away, Y/N-chan." I gave him an excited smile before craning my neck and looking up the sky. Letting the rain fall on my face, I stayed like that.

I'm actually outside during daytime! I haven't been outside like this is a very long time. Tears of joy were flowing down my face with the rain. I know it's not even close to walking underneath direct sunlight, but…

" You look happy." Kyojuro observed. "I am happy. I haven't been out during daytime like this in – " It came over me so suddenly… the blinding light that burst in my vision. I felt myself crumble, and both Nobu and Kyojuro's hands were suddenly on me and they were screaming something. But I couldn't make it out.

Visions flashed through my mind. A… demoness walking under the sun's warm rays? Her skin was smoking slightly but she wasn't burning. Her black hair with flower colored tips was shining so bright in the sun. So, it's possible? The scene in my head flashed and changed in an instant. Another demon? In the sunlight? This scene feels familiar, but also new. Demon slayers were surrounding the demon, and despite the sun's rays on him, he wasn't burning. I don't know this demon as well, but the fact that it's not Kibutsuji comforts me.

Then there was the blue spider lily again. Up in the mountains where you can touch the clouds. But this time, I know where it is. And there was this feeling in my chest… I need that flower.

"Hrrg…" My head felt like it was about to explode, or maybe it had already exploded.

"She's waking up!" That sounded a lot like Kyojuro attempting to whisper and failing. "Shhh! I can see that, don't be so loud." That was Nobu? I opened my eyes and saw two concerned faces peering down at me. Both Nobu and Kyojuro looked worried. I can hear and smell the goats around us. "Are you okay, obaachan?" I've never heard Nobu this sincere and concerned before. My heart swelled at the affection that was obvious in his tone that him going back to calling me obaachan was something I'm actually happy about.

"Was it the rain? The sun?" Kyojuro looked frantic, and I felt the urge to comfort them both right away. "No… I was just lacking sleep. I'm okay… just needed some rest." They didn't look convinced, but accepted my lie anyway. Both of them made sure my hooded cloak was covering me entirely as they walked with me back to the house. And after we all changed and dried ourselves, both of them made sure I went to sleep until they were satisfied that I was well-rested.

The house was quiet. Kyojuro's back home with his mother and younger brother, while Rengoku-san was out on a mission. My family were all asleep and won't be up for hours. This was my chance to look for the flower again. Writing a short note to Yori – so they wouldn't panic when they don't see me in the morning – I informed him that I'd be out for a bit.

The mountain I was headed to is about a week's journey from our home. My thoughts were occupied as I traveled, thinking about that flower. Kibutsuji wanted it so much and I still don't know why. I also have this feeling of needing it, without also knowing why. Should I go through my previous plan of giving the flower to Kibutsuji and ask him to turn me back into a human? I'm not so sure now.

Ugh! There are so many things that I don't understand.

The village at the foot of the mountain was a lot smaller than ours. This meant fewer people as well. I've learned that in smaller communities such as these, it's a lot better to just stay as far away from people. They all know each other, so new faces are a lot easier to remember for them. I just hope that the setting sun meant people would hurry home and not pay me much attention.

I know this yet I still showed myself. But it was up in the mountains. I went to the spot where the flower was supposed to be, but there was nothing. It looked freshly plucked, and the grass in the area was clearly stepped on. Was I too late? Was my connection with Kibutsuji still in effect that he knew of this the moment I saw my vision? Then –

"Ahhh!" Screams broke the silence of the mountains and I found myself running towards it in a panic. It sounded like young children!

"Onii-chan!" A little girl was leaning at the edge of a steep drop, too small to pull someone up even if they were her size, which I doubt her onii-chan would be.

"A-ah! Nezuko, don't! You'll fall, too!" Being what I am made me a lot quicker, and I was beside the little girl in no time, holding her so she wouldn't accidentally fall. Her brother doesn't look much bigger than her, and his little hands were holding on to the roots littering the edge. Grabbing him and lifting him up in one move was easy.

"Are you okay?"

He nodded, trying to put on a brave face despite the tears that were begging to fall from his eyes. His sister was openly sobbing and had jumped on to hug him, on the other hand. "Y-yes. Thank you!"

It took a bit to calm them both completely, and it was dark by then. Why are there two little children up here in the mountains? The boy – Tanjirou – doesn't look any older than seven.

"Ah, I must've crushed them earlier." Tanjirou said all of a sudden, opening his hands to show Nezuko. "That's okay. They were pretty, but we'll find other flowers." Nezuko said, finally smiling again. "Tanjirou-kun, may I see that?" He showed me the thing he was holding and I felt a lump form in my throat. The blue spider lily? "Did you pick these up from over there?" I asked, pointing towards where I was earlier. They both nodded. "It looked a lot like those red spider lilies, but are blue."

It's okay… I'm sure there's more of these. Hopefully.

I ended up walking the two children home. They said they lived in the mountain, and that meant the whole area was their playground.

"See, dad makes charcoal almost all day, so mom takes care of our younger brothers and sister." Tanjirou said, as he happily skipped ahead of me holding hands with Nezuko – it was as if he wasn't hanging off a cliff earlier. "Uhuh. So me and onii-chan just play out. We see lots of flowers and animals." The little girl nodded, grabbing a stick and waving it around like a sword.

"Oh, that's our house Y/N-chan!" They rushed off, looking over their shoulders to make sure I was following every now and then. Theirs was the only house in the area – it really is like they own the mountain. Two toddlers were hurrying from the house to welcome the two, and a woman carrying a small boy followed after.

"Oh, who's this?" Was what I heard their mother say when I got closer. Tanjirou explained as best as a seven-year-old could. "Then she grabbed me!" Their mother looked worried and relieved at the same time. So relieved that she invited me to dinner as thanks – which I had to turn down due to obvious reasons.

Their father emerged covered in soot soon after. My vision… I've seen them before! Their father was wearing earrings made out of hanafuda cards. It's a constant in the visions that I get. I don't get it. Is this relevant? Are the flowers and this family connected?

Coming up with a flimsy and lame excuse, I fled from there. There's just something within me that was telling me it was dangerous.

I felt bad running off like that, but it's not like I'm going to see them again. Besides, mingling with other humans isn't something I should be doing. This meant I'd be going home empty-handed yet again.

"Oh! It's just you."

"Good evening, Ryoma." My nephew, Nobu's father, seemed surprised when I slipped inside the house. Sometimes I miss it when he was still a small child – so adorably sweet, and almost always stay up just to play with me. Now, he's busy running the shop. Understandable, but it's still a little sad to think that he's a responsible parent now, while I'm… well, I'm still the same.

"Rengoku-san arrived a few hours ago, they're having dinner right now."

"They? Kyojuro-kun's here?" That perked me right up. "No. It's a different kid." I wondered why he'd bring another kid here. Was it his younger son? "Where are your kids?" I asked as the house was unusually lacking their banter and laughter. "Sleeping. At least Nobu and Haru are, Kiyomi is still out." We shared a smile at that. Kiyomi was already at that age.

I can't believe the little baby girl that I used to carry around is now being courted and maybe even proposed to. I already went through this with my brothers, then nieces and nephews but it's a feeling that I might not really get used to.

After bidding Ryoma good night, I went to see Rengoku-san. It was not his younger son with him. "Iguro Obanai." Was all Rengoku-san said, gesturing to the boy before going to the hallway with me in tow.

"Remember all those empty houses we've been seeing for years?" I nodded, thinking back on all the houses missing its occupants and any valuables within. "Turns out to be the work of a demon after all. That kid's family were some kind of followers. Serving people up to that demon after robbing them blind. They were all dead when I got there, except for him and another one."

"Where's the other survivor?"

"Somewhere else. Can't really keep them both in the same room. Anyhow, we'll just rest up before we set off to the headquarters. I'm sure Oyakata-sama would like to talk with him."

I didn't really get the chance to chat with Obanai-kun, since I was so tired that even it was still dark, I was fast asleep. They were already gone when I woke up. Also, that was the last time I got to see Rengoku-san. I should've realized then how much things were about to change.