AN:sss
This takes places after the Mugen Train Arc, Kyojuro Rengoku ends of surviving
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Doctors Of My Imagination:
So many things happening at once before the Hashira training had Muri and Mu working toward some personal goals. One of them came in the form of secret letter exchange that started to take place between Mu and Tamayo. Some how the demon doctor found out about undiluted Wisteria extract that Mu was working on. Not like Mu was mad at Tanjiro telling her about his personal project and taking a personal interest in it. Since she started in wanting to help him perfect it beyond a simple poison that the was use against the demons. Sometimes they looked over the others research notes while share some of their own when free. She was impressed Mu was working something strong enough to take down a Upper Rank when he exampled. Asked in a letters she addressed to him when exchanging like she was already doing with Tanjiro about use of his sister's blood.
Another was the letter from Ubuyashiki- sama about him being in ill health. Aid was needed in speaking to current Water Hashira about needing to commit to training after showing lack of. Muri met up with Tanjiro there since his leg was bandaged up and he needed crunch to get around. Resulted in deep conversation about Giyu's past resulted in a change in his point of view and cold soba eating contest. Which Muri amusing and spoke about in one of her letters to Kyojuro when she left those two to their eating contest. Exuberance sensation in his letters after that told her he was glad a fellow Hashira was back on the right path. Put a smile on her face before she came to in her next letter about his place in the Hashira training taking place. Just she wasn't excepting to be asked about either being apart of it beside other lower ranks or by his side. Left her to go wide eyed at a thought or two entered her head when she took her time in replying.
"What I do," She Sat before her writing table. "What to do?"
She knew she been doing her own form of training as a way to shake off the rust from her Demon Slayer skills. Reviewing the loosening up her own body for more pain resistance and endurance in a relaxing manner. Always making sure to have a firm two-handed grip as she keeps a firm grounding of her walking stance. She always reviewed when she moved around doing her few exercises twice a day when home, or doing a mission. Taking over patrolling the textile district in place of her nephew when he was recovering after what went down in the Entertainment district. Gave her a chance to rediscover the assigned region of Japan her brother paroled when he still a Hashira. A textile district was where a place of ways mixed with westernization. She stopped a few times to take a look at the racks of clothing of western fashion for women. High waist skirt and a ruffle and lace trimmed front yoke and row of tiny buttons with Elongated cuffs on a blouse.
Put a blush on her face allowed the rack of clothing to pass her as she further made her way down the alley with eyes taking in everything. Her mind was filled with memories of when her brother took her on this path those years ago. Which she was using as a guide for when she stepped out alley way and turned corner to back of fenced in vats filled with organic indigo dye. She caught a quick look at before going on her way to the rest of the area on her best alert. She stopped only once at a food stall for Takoyaki to go in a pre- package bento style box. Getting two orders instead of one for when she returned to the small building she was staying for the night. Place was above a lending shop run by aunts on her late mother's side of her family that were away on their honeymoon.
"How I am going to tell him?" She asked herself about answering his letter.
She could still recall how happy he sounded about being apart of the Hashira training throughout the whole letter. How he was going ot part take in the training beside the other Demon Slayers with such enthusiasm. Describing how he look improve beside lower ranks as he shared in the experience that had her thinking. One of things on her brain was a subject brought up to her by Mist Hashira about Serpent and Love Hashira. Beside the fact she still coming to tolerate the three wives of the Sound Hashira when around them. While only ones she seemed to get along with was Insect Hashira, Stone Hashira, and Mist Hashira. How she made her choice before coming to a stop as small hairs on back of her head stood up. Into one of her hands the package boxes of Takoyaki went as her eye started to slowly close her eyes to use Dream Breath, Ninth Form.
"Pretty thing with sweet smell just wonder around," A sickly hiss addressed her a few feet away. "Lets play. Lets play."
"Hmmmm..." She other hand barely brushing surface of her Tsuka. "Anytime."
She was mocked for when taking relaxed stance by snarling fang in massive cavity that had bits of torn kimono with blood. Hanging off inner, back rows is razor sharp teeth that she didn't have to open her eyes to plainly see. When the freshly scent of stall blood mixed with vague metallic odor that flowed through the demon's jaw. That she inhaled when once when when she took in a breath and almost gauged when she exhaled. Effected her for split second when her thumb pushed up on metallic spider web Tsuba of her Nichirin Blade. Upward that barely sharpen edge slide from the Tsuka as a quiet whisper that sensitive of ears could pick up. Just their ears at the moment belonged to something that ending up being the first to charge Muri.
Last sight and smell that demon would see was Eggplant purple blade and scent of Wisteria
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Actual day of the Hashira training left Mu surprised when he showed up at the meeting spot he agreed to meet his aunt. He wasn't shocked like his fellow Demon Slayers at what she decided to wear for upcoming trials. A criss cross blouse in standard Demon Slayer uniform, just with a mid- thigh length High Waisted Athletic skirt with slit down the left side. Thigh length stockings and zori with calf length, lace-up, black, greaves on her legs. Purple sash made from the dark purple of Haori his father once wore was worn around her waist. Her hair was up in a Fancy Braided Bun Updo, that had him guessing she decided to wear uniform.
"Love the alterations." He took in what she did.
"Thought I start wearing this again." She noticed the eyes on her.
"Dad was aright about your being full of surprises." Mu was impressed with his aunt.
"Being the daughter of the Demon Slayer Corps tailor and seamstress pays off." She happily reminds him.
His aunt's natural flare for design was a inherited trait that had been passed down to members of their family. Being that Ito family had been in charge or produced clothing for members of the Demon Slayer corps for centuries. From the dying process used to color the specially woven fabric used in patterns for uniforms. All came from designs that were made by hands of Ito clansman under supervision of Ubuyashiki Family.
"This is why your scare me sometimes." He sighed.
When he was hugged before the first stage of the training session started that he knew he was going right by her side the whole time. Came in the form of basic running for a long period of time without slowing down and getting winded. Was simple for the two of them since experience in chasing after MusÅka around Ito estate for Muri and Mu. Showed when the two didn't falter like handful did when they met the halfway point. When they caught up with Tanjiro in the middle exchanging small talk Tengen is when Mu went on defense. He in no where didn't want to be thanked for reattaching Tengen's hand by his three wives, or actual Hashira. He left his Aunt to do must of the talk as he moved on to the Muichiro residence for Quick Movement stage. Seems along side Tanjiro and few others he was given postie feed back on his sword work. Allowed the two to move on to the Kanroji residence where Mun had to ask about further purchasing honey comb. She happily welcomed over plate of his family's Kamaboko and black tea with Tanjiro. His aunt didn't join them until Tanjiro and her nephew were in training stage started in leotards in sashes and stockings. Which all three passed in their own ways since their individual stretching with Kanroji went smoothly. Muri was complimented on naturally looseness while Mu was impressed with her strength he flowed.
Things got a little rough for Muri and Mu once then hit sword revision stage within the Obanai residence after Tanjiro. Tensions ran high when Serpent Hashira didn't want to talk about his romantic feeling to Kanroji. Making it known that Muri should keep her nose out of his business as he lashed out at her nephew. Mu was able to hold his own as his aunt made her final point before the two were allowed to move on. When they caught tail end of Zenitsu getting picked up by Tanjiro in presence of rather angry Wind Hashira. Already started giving Muri a headache before first day of endless beatdown session started for them. Left Mu sore from the hits when relaxing before drama his aunt hatred between Shinazugawa siblings happened. Had her keeping her nephew out the trouble as Tanjiro got caught up in and suffered from afterward. Made attending the Muscle Reinforcement stage of the training usual one when they heard the terms. They separately did the waterfall with Muri finishing in time where she found Mu waiting for her with a meal. He answered each one of her questions about not suffering the early symptoms of hyperthermia, during their break.
When they were both ready for log carry that team work was used with Muri acting as a led and Mu the follower. Which surprised Gyomei when the two worked as a team to move 2 piles of logs with clear communication. They just did one another the other with record timing that allowed them to take another break. Gave them a chance to figure out how they were going to to do the Boulder push across a town as they sat.
"No I in teamwork." Both spoke one of their family's mottos.
Mu sighed as his aunt was already thinking of how they could move the boulder together then quiet like many others. Which had her leaving her nephew for first few says after they got a few feet through sheer might in pushing. Mu watched her from the sidelines as he cooked meals for them and rejecting her ideas. Only to strike up a conversation when Stone Hashira when he offered up extra of his prepared food one night. In turn, Mu was praised for protecting innocent civilians and working beside Hashira in defeating Upper Moons. Showed how he was willing to step back to act as a means of support or help someone when needed. Credit was given toward how he was trained by his father and raised by his aunt in place of his late mother. Left Muri to wave at them when she saw them staring at her when she came up in during their chat. Gave her a chance show of some of the progress she made with the boulder by a few feet in those days.
Mu learned about the Stone Hashira's past In a quiet manner in between boulder pushing and his break. Allowing tears to spill when the words that were told about innocent and nativity of a young children in this world. Left Mu speechless and his voice caught in his throat when he tried to speak at how story came to an end. His aunt ended handing a cloth to her nephew to wipe away his tears when she quietly approached the two. Mu huffed as he accepted and bowed toGyomei with parting words about someday being as centered and brave.
"Someone has a crush." Muri teased her nephew.
"...I'm not worthy..." He quietly snorted, "H
He disliked being reminded of his age gap, his small achievements not being enough, and not being high enough rank compared to aunt. To the piece of sold rock his aunt had moved with what strength she had. Braced himself as he position his hands and feet on where needed to be before he start pushed the boulder. Memories of that happen he'd to the past few months with new faces that showed him of people filled him.
She knelt down enough to offer a hand to get him to his feet for a much deserve rest period before he could return to Butterfly Estate. He left his work in the collected hands of Shinobu and Tamayo after getting the results he wanted. He just hoped the non- Japanese Wisteria he used could give them a much needed leg up. He stumbled to find his balance when his muscles screamed at him and his body grew sore in places. Didn't stop him from following his aunt for much needed rest after being told could move on since they were done. She made sure to led him to building others finishers of the Hashira's training could be found just relaxing. He took up a corner with his eyes slowly closing until he drifted off to sleep without a much of second thought. His aunt kissed his forehead to wish his sweet dreams and the well deserved nap he was taking. Already figuring she would have him moved to one of the more private structures for a more restful recovery. Knowing he had pushed himself since returning from Swordsmith Village by putting his health second. Meant ignoring when he needed to sleep when he worked through the night to better the results of his project.
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Having her request for a more secluded place for her nephew re-cooperate came around when Tanjiro interrupted a training session, between Sound and Water Hashira. Didn't do anything for the lingering doubts she still hadn't banished from herself. Instead of smothering her nephew as he rested up and after responding to a pile of letters. She ended up for seeing the finish line at the barracks or lower ranks, as Kyojuro went through certain stage of the Hashira's training. He put all his abilities to the test in Stamina, Quick Movement, Sword revision, and Muscle Reinforcement training. Showing nothing was off about his improved state when he passed one stage after another. Thanking the hours of rehab and reviewing the basics while waited for him at the end was Muri caring for remaining with her family's recipes in form of food and drink.
"Cup of mild Black tea with Tangerine and Yakiniku with yams," She offered him. "We also..."
"Always surprising me with most delicious of treats." He ended up scooping her up and twirling her around.
"Kyojuro!" She looked down at him. "Put Me Down Before You Further Tire Yourself Out."
"...with you at the finish line..." He busted loud enough for any one to hear, "Never!"
He spun her around once more making sure the rest of the Hashira saw him show her off like she was a precious item. One of them he hoped was watching was none other the Serpent Hashira after passing his training stage. Way he spoke about having a second chance at being with her in a romantic sense was delightful one. All those small moments he spent in her presence and getting to know his son were worth it. When he opened his eyes those weeks after the Mugen Train incident against Akaza to find her there. He knew he looked forward to the upcoming day that he could call her his wife and expend his family further. Showed in the words he used words and the way he acted with his usual enthusiastic smile worn on his face.
"I am going to get dizzy." She could feel the wooziness or faintness start to set in.
That was point was made clear when she was put down on to her feet and she almost lost her balance completely. Left him to keep his hands upon her waist until she was steady enough to stand or walk by herself. She finally was able to stabilize by bracing one of her hands on his arms and the other on his chest as opened her palm. As she placed a simple kiss on the side of his face where the corner of his lips would as she stood on her tiptoes. He came to accept when she by keeping a hand on her hip as the other came to the side of her face. Taking in the softness of her skin when he found himself loosening his grip on her completely.
"Now will your rest up?" she repeated what she said to him.
"Now I will." Into her eyes, he looked.
Mu got the chance to approach the Love Hashira with a refill on sakura mochi he made himself when he was helping his aunt. To only be asked an odd question about how he was looking forward to his aunt's marriage to Kyojuro. Putting a smile on the youth's face he spoke about how his aunt couldn't stop smiling when the news was made. How she conveyed her happiness alone to him as he did the same with the two being inseparable sincethen. He brought up the small details from the flora bouquet to the people they wanted to invite.
"Why are you asking about my aunt and Kyojuro- san?" Mu asked not understanding the basis of Mitsuri's question.
He didn't catch on about what she was talking about until he found her staring for a second at the Serpent Hashira before she looked away. The blush that was on her cheeks reminded him of stories he heard of his father and late mother. He ended up signing with the knowledge it wasn't his place to tell a Hashira what to do with their life.
"Marry the one who gives you the same feeling you get when you see food coming at a restaurant," He shrugged, "You always have a full plate to share with the person you love the most."
He looked at his aunt and Kyojuro while stating he was learning about the many ways one could cook sweet potatoes. Along with him discovered that one could use the food scraps from specific dying projects.
"So I say go for it and see where it goes," He got to his feet. "God knows it worked for them."
