Tanjiro refuses to let Nezuko do this alone, so he heads down the mountain with her and they both say their goodbyes.
Review Answers
To ti - Thank you for reading! Hopefully I can fill your expectations!
To Guest(1) - Thank you so much! And to answer your question, yes its in the same timeline. Technically, Muzan was suppose to attack the family the night before, but I waited for that part as it will be important later on!
Nezuko woke up the next morning feeling restless. The day before was full of emotion to both her, her neighbors, and her brother. Her hair was a mess and her ribbon that held the left side of her hair fell out, making the black pieces of hair cover her eye when she sits up from her futon. She looks next to her to see her older brother laying on his side, turning to her with a peaceful sleeping face. The girl smiles slightly and moves a piece of his hair behind his ear.
Flashback to the night before
It was around one in the morning when the whole family fell asleep. Nezuko and Tanjirou decided to have their talk in the living room, the eldest daughter having to help him walk their without falling down. Nezuko lit up the fireplace to keep them warm and wraps a blanket around themselves.
"Now, do you mind telling me why you smelt of despair?" Tanjirou whispers.
Nezuko in all honestly didn't want to tell him a thing, but she couldn't keep something this big away from her brother, especially if he won't shut up about it. So the girl takes deep breaths and looks Tanjirou straight in the eyes. "Tomoni-san was in trouble, her husband was in some serious debt before he died and this guy...he was harassing her," Nezuko started, taking another deep breath to collect her thoughts.
"So I tried to help her get the man away from her. At first it didn't really work, but then after he said some...vulgar things that people in the 'The Red Light District" would do to her. I interfered and-"
"Wait wait, Nezuko please tell me that you didn't say anything that'll-" Tanjirou started with a worry smile becoming to his pale face. "-you didn't put yourself in danger did you?"
Nezuko threw her hands close to her face and held in her screams "I was desperate! I didn't think correctly all the way so I told him that I'll go in her stead. T-That my body can do much more than hers and become of use enough to where I can pay him back in two months..!" The daughter shouted quietly, showing heavy sighs of regret.
"I-I just wanted to help her, I didn't mean to give myself up like that...Hanako...she was so scared...even if I told her to cover her ears, she still heard us and everything we said..."
Tomoni's words were stuck on Nezuko's brain, and it played over and over.
"Why are you so caring towards people? Always trying to make your life much harder than it already is?! Your family don't have a lot and you don't hold a bit of anger inside of you..not an ounce of jealousy, bitterness, or sadness...Tell me Nezuko, why do you care so much for others?!"
Suddenly the tears flowed down from her dark pink orbs. She lowers her head and let the tears streams down her cheeks, silently crying and getting a hug from her elder brother. He hushes her while rubbing her head, letting her cry in his arms with ease.
"My dear little sister, you always have been so kind, sweet and forgiving. You rarely care about yourself and always makes sure that everybody else is safe...it's how are you are naturally.." he speaks quietly in her ear to keep her calm. He gently rubs her back and continues on
"I'll go with you...you will not suffer alone in this...I'll have Takeo watch our siblings from now on...it'll be hard, but it'll be okay. We're all a team right? SoI'll do mine in being your older brother.."
Nezuko's tears stops and she looks up at Tanjirou, shaking her head immediately. Tanjirou raises an eyebrow like he was asking her in the first place, which he wasn't. "Don't look at me like that Nezuko...you know I would of followed you anyways.."
"But you're still sick-"
"I'll be fine and take my medicine and keep it going...but you'll help me get down right? I can't walk all the way on my own without you.." he admits quietly. He held her tighter, making the little sister snuggle against her brother tighter. She closes her eyes and let her final tears fall. This was exactly what she didn't want, but she can't go back now. So as her older brother held her in his arms, she nods her head and with a sad smile, and chuckles
"Okay Nii-san.."
Back to Present Day
She ended up bringing their futons from the bedroom over to the living room. The two slept happily, holding each other's hands tightly knowing the simple fact this will be the last time they'll sleep together. Tanjirou wasn't ready for what Nezuko had to endure. He heard stories of the Red Light District from the townspeople. Everything they said were nothing but horrendous things.
Women were treated like objects, being sold to the rich and expected to give exceptional performance, both in bed and out. And the women themselves were mostly selfish and tend to focus on themselves. They were greedy and wouldn't be afraid to hurt the other girls in order to get their way. It was sickening and it made his heart drop to his stomach to think that his baby sister would have to go through something like that. But he was glad he'll be there.
'Nezuko...you're becoming such a beautiful young women. Hell, you're the beauty of our town...you have a face full of kindness, care, warmth, and glowing eyes anybody would easily fall for...but in that town, you'll be treated terribly. You'll have men who will harass you, degrade you, make you feel useless and empty...women will make fun of you for things they lack of, say things that makes them jealous, and you'll be told things that'll make you want to give it up. It'll be hard, but my little sister is a strong girl...and you're big brother will always be here to protect you and comfort you..this is a promise...from me to you Nezuko.'
Nezuko lightly shakes her older brother, watching his eyes slowly open not long after "We best leave now if we don't want Mom and Dad find us leaving..." She advises
Tanjirou groans and rubs his head while he sits up slowly. She grabs his arms and help him up to his feet. The pair then quietly moves to the bedroom and changes into their attire, Nezuko with her light pink kimono with a hemp leaf pattern, the lining a paler pink. Around her waist was a red and white checkered obi and a thin piece of orange thread looped and knotted, another band of green above it. Over this, she sports her long, black haori that reaches past her knees, as well as pink zori sandals and white socks, wrapped with thick pieces of black material. Today, she wore her hair different, keeping her hair down without her ribbon. Because of that, her left eye was completely covered, blocking most of her eyesight partially but she didn't seem to mind.
Tanjirou with his checkered, black-and-sea-foam-green haori over a white robe and black pants. He sports a turquoise scarf and circular, white bands looped around his calves. He also wears his distinct pair of hanafuda earrings, with the image of a white-and-red flower passed down from Tanjurou. With Nezuko's help, his hair is also kept tied back in small ponytail. He wore his brown boots as well.
The two grabbed each other's hands and walks to the front door with hearts pounding. In fact, Nezuko's grip on Tanjirou's hand tighter the more she thought about it. But the boy returns it without hesitation. He faces her and gave a bright smile "We'll be okay"
Even if she didn't fully believe it, Nezuko nods her head to agree with what he was saying. Soon the two walk out the door and slides the door close. They took calm steps in the heavy snow, the sound of crunching echoing in their ears in the isolated mountains. Nezuko turns her head back for a couple seconds to look at their wooden home one more time
'To my lovely family, I love you all so much...you mean so much to me and made the first fifteen years of my life amazing. I'm sorry, but this is how we part ways for a while...I'll write everyday...and please Takeo...take care of our siblings, since you're the big brother now. Nii-san will protect me, and I'll make enough money for both Tomoni-san and us...you won't have to worry anymore about anything. Nee-chan will do all she can.'
The walk down the mountains felt shorter than what it should be. Halfway through the mountain, Nezuko had to carry Tanjirou on her back when she notice how slow he was asking. She kept a firm hold on him, holding his thighs while he wrapped his arms around her neck and rest his head on her shoulder. He tried to stay awake and see what's happening, but his consciousness wouldn't let him do so, which ended up him falling asleep the rest of the way there.
The eldest daughter walks into the town, seeing many faces appearing out of their houses.
"I guess everybody was waiting to say goodbye..." She mumbles to herself. She continues to walk forward, passing her neighbor's worried and sad faces. She couldn't stand to look up to them, feeling ashamed of the scene she caused last night and what everybody will think of her now.
She continues to walk forward to Tomoni-san's house, the sight of the muscular man in her sight again. He seemed to have brought his friends with him as well. One of them spotted her and chuckles without hesitation. "Oh lookie here...is this the girl you saw yesterday?"
Nezuko swallows her saliva and took a deep breath out, walking closer to them. When she stopped, Tanjirou stirs around and let a groan escape his lips.
The man from yesterday looks toward Nezuko and walk forwards until he was centimeters away. Nezuko looks up to see a wicked grin across his face. "Heh, and who do we have here huh?"
The teen took a couple steps backwards and held her brother with a tighter grip. "He's my big brother.." she admits
"Oh ho! So you brought your brother here because of what, slut?"
The degrading name seem to made the elder brother wake up fully, lifting his head up face the man as his anger shown.
"D-Don't ever...call my sister...t-that again..!"
At first, the big guy looked confused, but then he started to laugh out loud. His laughter made him tilt his head back and hold his chest. Tanjirou gritted his teeth, growling from underneath his breath. As an attempt to calm him, Nezuko nuzzles her head against his and hums their mother's lullaby. This was so unique to her siblings because of how it was able to calm them down if they were upset.
"It's okay Nii-chan...He's only a bully. Don't stoop down to his level..." she whispers to his ear before turning back around. The teenager took a step forward and spoken in a stern voice.
"If I'm going to go with you, my brother comes with me...if you want your money soon, I need one of my family to help me strive..."
He stopped laughing almost in an instant and glared down at her. Before getting the chance to advise against it, one of his 'friends' put a hand on his shoulder. He had dark brown hair, dark skin, and a hazel eyes with a scar on his cheek. He was almost just as built as his friend, but definitely taller.
"Daisuke, just take the boy as well. We need her and it's obvious she isn't going unless she gets to take the boy with her. Plus we can put him to work somehow."
Nezuko eyes widen learning of his name, and held her brother's thighs tighter. Tanjirou raises his head to where his chin was resting on her shoulder and watches his vision get a little more clear. His nose with having his enhanced sense of smell, picked up the scent of sweet, greed, and terror. This made the boy wonder a few things 'Are...Are these guys actually scared..?' He thought to himself.
Daisuke threw his hands up in the air with a loud groan that made of the people walking jump in fear. "Fine Dammit! Lets just go already!" That when he stomps over to the end of the village, a all but one following behind. The one that stayed behind walked up to Nezuko and Tanjirou with a deep breath.
"He's an asshat, so I'm sorry for the rudeness or any trouble he caused you. We're in need of the money before our boss bury us six feet under." He explains to the duo. Nezuko shakes her head lightly
"Don't worry about it too much...But if I may ask, what's your name and why do you need the money so bad?"
The man rubs the back of his head with a huff "Shit, its uhm...kind of a long story. The shorter part, assuming you know about that women's husband, is that when Nakajima-kun ran away from the organization, he took a little over ten-thousands dollars with him," he paused, pointing his finger at her "that's how much you have to give us in two months. Luckily, Prostitution is the easiest way to earn it. That is, you're an attraction that men and maybe women crave. Now come on before we make Daisuke more piss than he already is."
Just when the guy turnt on his heel to walk towards his group, Nezuko ran up to him and quickly kept pace and held her brother tighter. "I-I see, but you still haven't given me your name.."
A couple moments of the snow crunching underneath their feet was the only thing audible before he replied back.
"Ryoichi Sugimoto, but you call me Sugimoto-sama." She nods her head "I'm Nezuko Kamado and this is my brother Tanjirou Kamado."
"Good to know. And as long as you two are respectful, you'll get things you want. Of course with limits." Ryoichi told her, stopping in front of a cart and opening the door.
Nezuko let go of Tanjirou's thighs and let him slowly slide off her. He went in first, sitting in the back seating of the vehicle and reaching a hand toward Nezuko.
The teenager turns behind her and watches as the people walks over to them slowly. She gave a bright smile and waves at them "Take care of my family for me everyone...!" She shouted.
"Be careful Nezuko-Chan!"
"We love you!"
"Take care of your little sister, Tanjirou-kun!"
All the voices of their neighbor made Nezuko felt heavy. She never thought she'll have to say goodbye so early in life. Her hands turnt into fist and she bites her bottom lip to fight back the tears.
"Kamado-San, we need to go. Now." Ryoichi called to snap the girl out of her thoughts and towards her brother, hand still out, waiting patiently to feel his baby sister's hand in his. He notices that her scent was changing to a mourning and depressive state and he wanted to do everything he can to try and comfort her.
The girl wraps her arms around herself for only a couple seconds and then fully turnt to her brother. Putting her hand in his, the boy pulls her inside the cart and they sat down next to each other, hand-in-hand. The two snuggle up against each other, Ryoichi got inside and closed the door before they started moving forward. Daisuke looked at the pair with disgust and scoffs without shame.
'I chose this fate for myself. My kindness led to me having to sell my body...I heard stories of Prostitution and Mom always said that any women who does it isn't any less than women who doesn't do it. It's their body and their live, so don't put your say into it. I agree with her, because her statement is right in my eyes as well. My mom always knew best, and wasn't afraid to admit when she was wrong. That's the kind of women I look up to..and I'm glad. So for my mom, Tomoni-San, and my family, I'll bring in as much as I can and work hard...Nii-chan will be here to protect me...I can promise that it'll all be okay in the end.'
Chapter 2 END
A/N - Holy Cow, I finished this earlier than I thought I would! But I hope its good! P.S. THIS IS NOT BETA READ SO ERROR AND MISTAKES WILL BE HERE! I'll fix it as soon as I either have the time or finish with the Fanfiction. Ryoichi and Daisuke will be here for plot device and that's all. Daisuke will also be the one to push Nezuko towards the edge and it will get triggering later so I'll give out warnings. Hope you have a good day/night/morning!