AN:

This takes places after the Mugen Train Arc, Kyojuro Rengoku ends of surviving

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Whispering Into the Wind:

10:44:42 PM

Week 1 of recovery

Fresh morning air blowing through an opened window with rays of newly rising run beginning to cast a warm glow. Song birds slightly be heard by someone with tall stature and athletic build starting to wake from a slumber. He groggily stirred to notice softness of clothing he wore to the linens that made up the bed. Rude reminder he couldn't move his body alone lift a limb came when over whelming pain was a dull ache. While had him barely moving his head to notice the metal pole standing next to his bed and holding a IV. Held a useful drug cocktail, that slowly dripping down the tube toward needle carefully stuck in him. Were all seen through blurred vision when his eyes were still adjusting to the sights he took in as he struggle to sit up. Stopping when he felt a weight from a smaller body with fairly tanned skin and exposed his forehead. Ended up being found in as curled up position in fetal position in deep sleep still in most of their uniform. Facing Kyojuro with one of his hands tightly fisting the very sheet that was covering Kyojuro's body.

Would have the tips of his ruffled, black hair with burgundy barely brushed by his fingers on the hand that held a IV's needle. Before another presence sitting on wooden chair made with molded paper which was then black lacquered and embellished with mother of pearl and gilding. She wore a light-colored kimono with semi-circular Wisteria designs, purple pedal-shaped trimmings on the end of the sleeves, and a Wisteria -like decorations in her hair. Her long black hair was in a simple fancy roll updo in the center back part of her head. A pair of white tabi socks were clearly worn clad on her feet as she just sat there. Her attention were on a set of oddly colored knitting needles slowly forming a item he couldn't make out. Checkered patterns she made of green and black squares he could make out within his blurring vision was a comfort.

"You've been sleeping off and on for 3 weeks," A one feminine voice gently spoke. "They've kept an eye on you for signs of consciousness."

"...and Tanjiro?" He asked with hoarse whisper.

"Been visiting you every chance he gotten," She stops knitting. "First time he stayed over night after falling asleep."

She went to say Tanjiro had shared how he been unable to forgive himself for not being fast enough to stop Akaza. He sat with her after hours of treatment was placed into mending Kyojuro's broken ones and deep wounds. Shedding tears of concern that Kyojuro wasn't even going to pull through with MANY prayers being made. Even witnessing a blood transplant between someone with universal blood type under careful supervision.

"Your lucky my brother is a type O." She commented on who was willing to gi ve their blood.

"Glad to know Yume- san is still helpful." He spoke of her brother.

"Then you are the most fortune," She spoke of Kyojuro's luck. "To have such a loyal young one."

She ended up gathering her project into the bag that held her balls of yarn, he could see tucked away at her side. Clipping of the bag being shut and picked up by her barely made the still sleeping body beside Kyojuro stir. Drew a smile on to this woman's face as she stood up holding her bag at her side as she looked upon them.

"This is where I leave you to fetch Shinobu and her attendants," She nods her head to him. "We shall further visit after your check up. Agreed?"

"Dōi shita," He nods his head to her. "Miru."

Both ended up remembering the last time either one saw the other was one summer about five years ago. They were no older the 16 and Dream Hashira had just retired after recovering most his lost sight from his injury. Two had returned from individual missions to the Ubuyashiki household to be told this announcement. One had become sadden toward her brother's decision as other ended up being comforted by him. Summer days passed as they grew closer until a night of passion was shared under the shade of a Wisteria. Like summer the two went their own ways, one choosing her brother as other continued his path toward a demon slayer. Now seemed reunited by fate when a summons for an old face brought them back together.

Was put on hold once more when hurry footsteps of Shinobu and her attendants came rushing into he room. This was finally woke up his companion from his sleep to the point he barely lifts his head to the sets of eyes. One came to ask him how long he been here without proper meal or even a bath in the heated hot springs. Others were told Kyojuro how he was in the company of Lady Miru and how she watched over him. She sat beside his bed after arriving with her brother and never once left unless she ate or greeted guests. Following Shinobu's instructions on changing his bandages and keeping an eye on his IV drip, the whole time. Knitting away the time away when she wasn't supervising his health with different colors of yarn. Some how brought a sense of warmth within Kyojuro before he was put through a basic exam and a range of tests.

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05:22:00 PM

Week 3 through 5 of recovery

Kyojuro started being allowed to go on walks threes times a day outside what was becoming familiar set of four walls. He started being able to take must of his Synthetic antibiotics more orally then through a needle. Taking most of his afternoon and evening meals outside his room with sights of and feels of nature as company. Smell of the wisteria Flower lingering in the air for him to inhale over the sterile smell of bed sheets and anesthesia. Musky fragrance exuded a sweet scent put the stinging ache of his mending wound at ease. Was dismissed, when sight of a child, no older then five, with unruly black hair that flared out around his face, becoming dark purple near the ends above his ears and shoulders. Pulled into a somewhat manageable poinytail. In a plain white yukata and juban with darker purple umanori-styled hakama pants. Japanese Wisteria print on his haori Kyojuro only seen once in his life about five years ago on a fellow Demon Salyer.

Fueled him to follow the child one day around the time he half way finished one of his meals and barely touched his tea. He tried to stay as a light pace as to not stress himself out when he tried to stay in pace with this nameless child. Speed of the child moved to the sound of a familiar lullaby being sung got louder and louder when he got closer. Until he reached the source being the same face he saw when he had regained consciousness that day. Area of the butterfly mansion she chose to sit in was large room used mainly for indoor training. She was watching Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke improve their recovered bodies in a strengthening routine with aid. Who asked her son about how his drills went in the court yard while taking his bokutō as he began to talk. A little boy went on to call her okaasan and speak about wanting to see his father with twinkle in his eyes.

"He's been watching you this whole time," She pointed put the pair of spying eyes. "Musōka, I give you the current Flame Hashira."

"Konnichiwa." Young boy bowed.

"Remember what your uncle taught you about greeting people." She reminds her son.

Kyojuro took the hint to further enter the room with his golden eyes set on the pair with each step he took. Sting that bothered him before was forgotten when he got near enough to take a proper sitting position near Miru. Introducing himself by his name then his title he was known for among the lower ranked Demon Slayers. Sparkle in the boy's eyes reminded him of days he carried such a en excitement in his own when this child's age. Had him about to say something with a single had reached out toward this boy with hope rising in his heart. Interrupted by Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke came charging with enthusiastic energy wanting to join. Brought an amused expression to Miru's face upon watching the four of them interact like old friends. Gave her a chance to excuse her self with Musōka following her since lunchtime was due and she volunteered to cook. She used her skills in Chinese medicinal cooking to make specialized meals each one of the mending Demon Slayers.

Putting her traditional recipes she brought from home with her in a cherry wood box that measured 3.4" L x 7"W x 4.7" H. Each instruction to cook a certain dish that had some type of relation to the art of food and cooking with the science of medicine. Was made using the techniques such as the use of healing herbs or animal parts, foods are categorized by qi temperature, and Mealtime TCM Principles. All while going through the process of food prep with help from Aoi Kanzaki. Tips and tricks between the two were shared when cooking began on each individual dish. Gave time for the door treys and dishware to be set out on the table behind them. Placing of food on individual treys differ for where they were going since each person was a different diet.

"I'll take Rengoku- san his meal," Miru spoke about doing that task herself. "I'll let you handle everything from here."

"I'll fetch you if I need any more help." Aio got to work.

She got a nod of the head from Miru as she removed and hangs her apron on the designated hoo while calling to her son. Who the whole time was playing with demon slayer look Kokeshi doll and paper-mâché Kasugai Crow. Which he would put up in a basket when informed his uncle was here to pick him up for the day. Is where his mother and he separated with a usual goodbye and promised he would promise when he got home. Told Miru maybe it was time to visit Rengoku household to inform them of her son's existence.

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06:17:44 AM

Week 6 through 9 of recovery

Kyojuro was surprised when one day when Miru showed up carrying a simple rolltop radio within her sleeved hands. Not much was spoken between the two when one watched the move about his room. Set up the radio on the nearest hard surface after finding a place for the plug before turning the electricity on. Before the knobs were missed with to find music being broadcast that would suit Kyojuro by Miru. She stood behind the chair not once giving him a view of her face.

"Senjuro!" She called to who was outside the room. "You can come in now."

Ahead of gold with red tips in a haori over his freshly laundered yukata and juban with umanori-styled hakama pants. The colors of his outfit came in seemed to match her own yukata in white, dark purple, and blue shades. Branches of a Wisteriathrough out the lower half in the form of a print that appeared from underneath her obi.

"Take as long as you want to visit him," Miru allowed Senjuro to enter. "I'll send Musōka around lunchtime."

"Alright and I am sorry ..." Senjuro quietly whispered.

"Worth it!." She revealed her face.

Slight swell to one side of her face side as her lip had a small cut in the upper corner that looked to be nicely healing. Somehow bothered Kyojuro when he ended up being left to visit with his brother and learn about Miru's face from him. Seemed she paid a visit to Rengoku household with Tanjiro to deliver the news of Kyojuro's progress and news. Just didn't go as well since a fight broke out between a young demon slayer and a former Hashira, twice. Left Miru to shield Senjuro from a strike as she interrupted the second spat with the quiet fury of her own. She unleashed a few choice messages for Shinjuro as she sent Tanjiro and Senjuro off. Chance both took for look for a book instead of being around for a one-sided lecture that ended in a quiet departure.

"She been checking in on me and even brought me this," Senjuro happily lifted one of his sleeve-clad arms. "She's even brought Musōka once to introduce to me."

The rest of the visit ended with little Musōka showing up like clockwork to bond with Senjuro at noon as it was that time for Kyojuro. He was growing used to just laying in place without his shirt own and turning on his side for a few seconds. When twice a day, bandages over his surgical incisions were changed and treated after being thoroughly checked over. Signs of a common infection, severe redness, and wound inflammation were always looked for. A blush that spread across his face with lack of eye content become less and less during these daily interactions.

"Listening to anything good?"

"You seem to be healing nicely."

"How is your appetite?"

"Remember no sudden movement or you risk popping a seam."

"Need an extra pillow?"

His enthusiastic energy turned into a strange silence one day after a visit with Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke afterMusōka and Senjuro. Miru visits took place later on in the day with her sitting beside his bed upon a chair. Knitting needles in hand with a lingering Tanjiro curled up between them just laying beside a still awake Kyojuro. She came to finish one of the few projects she had started when she first Tanjiro in the form of a checkered scarf. Making plans to gift this to Tanjiro whenever he awoke to wander back to his own room that night.

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06:17:44 AM

Final week of recovery

Finally being released from his room when deemed fit enough to freely move around and not active duty was a relief. Meant Kyojuro could change out of pajamas he had been stuck in and wear more comfortable clothes to rehab in. Brought to him by a young demon slayer that carried the lingering scent of a Wisteria on his person. Along with a sheathed Nichirin with a hilt was a metallic spider web charm done in rainbow metallic materials. The young man spoke about being the only son of Miru's brother and a deceased female Kakushi. How he was only ranked a Hinoto with the Corps after his latest handful of missions in Japan's textile district. They gave the Mu Ito and were sent by his aunt to deliver traditional kimono with a haori with a bokutō and other pieces of clothing. Their interaction was cut short when a cleaned-up Shinjuro stepped into the room, rather hesitantly. They approached the side of his son's bed with hands crossed tucked into the sleeves of his kimono with sincerity toward his condition.

He shared how a visit of a fellow demon slayer and mother to eldest son's child had put things into perspective for him. Left him to reflect after they left on his life since the death of his wife and what he had been doing up till this moment. The smile led to a laugh about discovering he was grandfather to Musōka as he spoke about looking forward to meeting the boy. Become a memorable reunion between a father and a son with Musōka as the subject. Ended on a good note for the two with plans to meet later on before Love Hashira came after lunch. Tears that rolled down her face before she greeted her welcomed her into the room, Didn't mean the visit didn't go well, besides sharing how she also met Musōka and learned of his connection to Miru. Besides her own feelings and thoughts about seeing her former master still alive.

"Am I interrupting anything?" Miru soon joined them.

In her arms was a slumbering Musōka as her knitting bag was tucked snuggly under one of her kimono sleeves. Her choice of kimono was Gold with Red flared points throughout the edging of the sleeves and where her feet stuck out. Everything else from her tabi socks to simple hair accessories held some kind of flame-like theme that caught everyone's attention. Didn't stop her from stepping further into the room and further nodding her head to Mitsuri. Sharing how she came to admire her for attaining her own Breathing Style and being one of two females to become Hashira. Over to Shinjuro with the same nod of her head and about to apologize for overstepping her boundaries. Had her being stopped before she could utter a word by elder as he requested to hold his grandson. Stating maybe it was about time for him to start acting like a proper grandparent to the little ball of energy. He gently accepted from her Miru's arms while drawing from his experience of when he once held his sons. Memories of a small face smiling back at him came rushing back once he had the full weight within his arms.

This somehow was shown when re- angled his arms to full hold the small being and his eyes carried a twinkle. Had him seeking the only chair in the room for the sensation he hadn't felt since his wife was still alive. He ended up being allowed by Miru while was the place left to take up the seat Tanjiro usually took when he slept. Put her in closer proximity of Kyojuro with her asking when the training regiment was going to happen. Bringing up she could arrange for her brother to be his sparring partner since his sword skills were VERY rusty. Getting a chance to practice with someone younger than him may finally sharpen his dull skills.

"Am I allowed to choose you?" Kyojuro asked reaching out for her hand, "I like to see what you can do."

His point was made further when he reached out with his other hand to barely touch the damaged facial cheek. Slowing forming bruise was hidden under a layer of concealer she applied to divert some attention away. Which didn't work for the one with fingertips half an inch away from her face wanting to trace the contour of that cheek.

"Your a lovely vision that would make Kitsune envy," Kyojuro murmured his compliment.

She ended up taking his hand in return with her placing aside her knitting bag in order to get closer to him. The way she wove their fingers not to loosely together when she used her other hand to shift his other hand near her face. To touch the undamaged cheek that he ended up freely touching as she got close enough to him. Both could feel the others' breath when their mouths were just ready to connect in a simple kiss with a soft caress. Wasn't for the heated stare of Mitsuri taking in the sight of rekindled sweethearts made of her former mentor and Miru.