Goldfish
Summary: Tanjirou had the perfect idea for a birthday present. He just needed someone to look after his little sister while he went to get it.
Notes: A slightly late birthday fic for the purest little sister anyone would ask for! Happy (late) Birthday Nezuko!
Tanjirou was moving his weight from one foot to the other.
Him and Nezuko had stopped by the Butterfly Estate to rest, as he had no more orders to hunt demons.
It was December the 28th, also known as Nezuko's birthday.
And Tanjirou needed someone to keep an eye on his sister as he went to buy her a present.
"Hello." he greeted upon entering the Estate.
"Ah, hello, Tanjirou-san. Sorry, we're a little busy today." Aoi-san said, as she hurried down the corridor.
"That's all right. I'm only stopping by until my next order arrives." he smiled, as he kept pace with her, "I'll put Nezuko in her room." he excused himself, stopping suddenly as a thought crossed his mind, "Is Shinobu-san or Kanao here?"
"Kanao is out on a mission, but Shinobu-sama is here. Why?"
"I need someone to keep an eye on Nezuko for a small while. There is something I need to do, and I don't want to drag her around for something…uh…mundane." he scratched his cheek, embarrassed.
Aoi-san starred at him, hard.
"And you hoped one of us could?"
"I mean, she's asleep, so you don't really have to worry, but just in case…"
Aoi-san sighed.
"Me and the girls are up to our necks today, so try asking Shinobu-sama. She is taking a small break at the moment."
"Thank you, Aoi-san." Tanjirou bowed.
Tanjirou took Nezuko to her room and tucked her in. Then he went to Shinobu-san's office.
He stood outside for a couple of minutes, gathering his nerves, before he knocked.
"Shinobu-san? It's Tanjirou." he called.
"Come in."
"With your permission." he opened the door and entered.
"Hello, Tanjirou-kun. What brings you here today?" Shinobu-san gave him a tired smile, "You seem to be in good health. That's good."
Tanjirou opened his mouth, then closed it. He was second-guessing himself upon seeing how tired Shinobu-san looked. Never minding her scent.
The Insect Pillar blinked.
"Tanjirou-kun?"
"Ah, sorry!" he bowed, "There is something I need to do in town, and I was wondering if it would be okay to leave Nezuko in your care for a little while."
"She's in her room right now, I take it?"
"Yes, fast asleep."
"Can I ask what is it that has you asking for someone to keep your sister?"
Tanjirou looked a little embarrassed.
"It's Nezuko's birthday today, you see. I wanted to buy her a present."
Shinobu-san was leaning close to him in the blink of an eye.
'She's so tired and yet she can still move so fast!' he thought in awe, before his blush started showing, 'So close!'
"Now, Tanjirou-kun that's rude of you. Why didn't you tell us earlier? We could have prepared a small celebration."
"I'm glad I didn't. Everyone at the Butterfly Estate looks tired. I couldn't add more stress on their shoulders."
Shinobu patted his head.
"You're such a kind soul." she sighed, with a tired but warm smile.
"I apologise for adding to your shoulders by asking you to keep an eye on my sister for the small amount of time I'll be gone." he bowed, "If there is anything you need me to get while I'm in town, please let me know."
"No, we stocked up yesterday. What are you getting Nezuko-san?"
"A new kimono. I wanted to get her something new for a couple of years now, but we never had the money to afford it. Nezuko was great at mending our clothes." Tanjirou smiled softly, "You couldn't tell they were second or even third hand."
Shinobu-san pushed him lightly on his back.
"Go, before it gets dark or an order arrives. I'll go check up on her for you." she smiled.
"Thank you very much, Shinobu-san."
Tanjirou took off towards the town and soon he was at the clothes store.
He looked around at the different patterns, earning not a few looks since he was a guy looking at female kimonos, until he settled on one with goldfish on it.
He smiled, remembering how Nezuko had loved Shinobu-san's goldfish during their first stay after the Natagumo mountain mission.
He paid for it and started on his journey back, only to stop at a sweets shop and buy sweets for Shinobu-san and the others at the Butterfly Estate.
'They're all working so hard, I am sure Nezuko would like to thank them as well for taking care of us all this time.' he thought, as he paid for the sweets and thanking the shop owner, he left.
What he came back to was the Butterfly Estate abuzz with excitement.
Tanjirou blinked, wondering what could possibly have happened to have Aoi-san and the girls so happy, when less than thirty minutes ago, they were all so tired.
"Ah, Tanjirou-san is back!" Kiyo-chan called out.
No longer had she said that, Naho-chan, Sumi-chan and Aoi-san came running.
"Why didn't you tell us?!" Aoi-san demanded.
"Eh?" Tanjirou blinked, a little scared, noticing all four of them bore the same exasperated looks.
Shinobu-san walked towards them, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"I told them the significance of the date."
"Ah." the young slayer said, embarrassed, "You were busy enough as it were. I didn't want to add to that."
"Add? Add?!" Aoi-san exploded, "Birthdays are important! Much more to people like us. I thought we were all a bit like a family. Tanjirou-san, if you carry a little bit of us as you go to face demons, you leave something of you behind with us. So, you shouldn't leave us out of something like that." she frowned.
Tanjirou bowed.
"I apologise." he presented them all with the box of sweets, "Apology accepted?" he asked, with a hopeful smile.
Aoi-san sighed, while Shinobu-san chuckled.
The girls were ecstatic.
That evening, after the end of their last round for the day to check on the injured slayers, they held a small birthday celebration for Nezuko with the residents of the Butterfly Estate wishing his little sister a happy birthday and wishing her to return to human soon, while smiling.
Tanjirou was glad to see his sister enjoyed her present, wearing her new kimono, tagging at Shinobu-san's arm and pointing at all the goldfish on it.
When she got tired of playing with Kiyo, Naho and Sumi, Nezuko sat down beside Tanjirou, resting her head on his shoulder.
Tanjirou patted her head once.
"Happy Birthday, Nezuko." he said softly.
His sister looked up at him and smiled.