Gyutaro and Tanjiro walked silently beside Kyojuro, with Rokuta wrapped up in a blanket and tied to Oldest young man's chest. Tanjiro had offered to carry the Toddler, but the boy had already fallen asleep, and the oldest Kamado didn't want to disturb him. The firey-haired man turned to look back at the two oldest boys. "So, you have a lot of younger Siblings! I have a younger Brother myself! But I think you are better than me at looking after them!" Kyojuro said, quieter than before but still pretty loud. Tanjiro smiled, "yes, our Siblings are all we have how. We're hoping one day to be able to bring them with us and find a new place to live" he replied cheerfully. "I am sure that the Master of the Corps will be happy to let your family live with you once you become Demon Slayers yourselves!" Rengoku replied, glancing down at Rokuta who was nodding off in his Older Brother's arms.
"Your Brother is very attached to you" he said. "Rokuta is only 3-years-old and the youngest of our Siblings. With our immediate younger Sister's unavailable to help care for the others, we figured that Urokodaki had enough to deal with, so we decided to bring him with us" Gyutaro replied. "I see. You are both very good Older Brothers." Rengoku replied with a smile, looking over the two Kamado's. Both boys hid their shame at those words. But they were thinking the same thing: 'good older Brother's wouldn't have let our Mother die and our younger Sister's become Demons!' but neither spoke these thoughts aloud. "So, um, where are we going Sir?" Tanjiro asked. You two- three, are going to be staying at my home Estate, where I'll be training you. Eventually we'll find a new place for you to live and you can bring your other Siblings to live with you there!" Rengoku replied.
"My training will be brutal! Do you think you can handle it?" he asked. Both Gyutaro and Tanjiro's expressions' hardened, and the green-haired adult held Rokuta closer, "we don't have any other choice than to try. Our Siblings need us, and we can't go anywhere but forwards from here. So, no matter what it takes, we will become Demon Slayers" he said firmly. "That's what I like to hear! You'll both go far!" The Demon Slayer cried, startling Rokuta, who began to cry. Gyutaro glared at him slightly, "my apologies little one. I did not mean to scare you!" he exclaimed, slightly quieter. "It's getting dark, and Rokuta's probably hungry. Is there somewhere safe we can stop for the night where we can get some food?" Gyutaro asked, rubbing the Toddler's back to try and soothe the boy.
"There is a town nearby with a fine establishment with good food. We can stop there. I'm sure they could provide something suitable for the little one too" Rengoku replied.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
Thankfully, they reached the town before nightfall. Upon seeing the "establishment" that Rengoku told them about on the way, Tanjiro blanched, while Gyutaro, who was holding the now crying Rokuta twitched, "this is a tavern" he ground out through clenched teeth. "Yes! I am sure they could make something that your Brother would be able to eat!" Neither Gyutaro or Tanjiro was so sure. Gyutaro was familiar with these kinds of places from growing up in the Entertainment District for 10 years, and Tanjiro nearly gagged from the overpowering smell of alcohol. But, undeterred, Rengoku led them inside. Tanjiro shivered at all the looks he was getting, and Gyutaro clutched Rokuta closer protectively. They went up to the Casheir, "hello Ma'am! Could we have a room for three, and our meals in our rooms please!" The Demon Slayer said.
"Oh, and make one of those meals just some rice please!" Gyutaro put in, before it was potentially forgotten. "Sure, whatever. Money?" the woman asked. Rengoku handed her a large amount of money and they received a room key, "rooms' 301" she said. Soon they were in the relative safety of their room. Tanjiro all-but collapsed onto his bed, clutching his nose, while his Older Brother tried to calm the crying Toddler, "it's okay Rokuta, we'll have food soon, don't worry little one". The younger teen groaned as he sat up, "are all of these places like this?" he asked, still holding his nose because of the smell. "Most of them are, yes. I used to frequent them when I was younger since it was easy for me to get jobs from people who came to places like these" the green-haired young man explained. Rengoku was curious about what Gyutaro was talking about, but didn't pry. A while later, their food was delivered to their room. "Thank you Ma'am" the Demon Slayer said gratefully. Tanjiro insisted on feeding their baby Brother before he ate anything himself.
Finally, after a few minutes, Rokuta stopped crying and noticed the food being held out to him. The Toddler eagerly began to eat, now beginning to calm down since his tummy was filling up. "Good boy Rokuta! You're feeling better now since you have some food, aren't you?" Tanjiro asked with a smile. The little boy looked up at him, "Mama?" he asked Tanjiro grimaced, his happiness fading slightly as he held his baby Brother close, "no Rokuta, Mama's not here" he replied sadly. The black-haired Toddler sniffled. "Shhh, it's okay, your big Brother's are here," Gyutaro soothed with a smile as he stroked the little boy's hair, "and we're always going to protect you" he added, before going back to eating his dinner.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
That night, Rokuta was thankfully too tired to cry more and fell asleep quickly. Gyutaro held the boy close as he slept. But one of them wasn't having a peaceful dream.
(Tanjiro's nightmare)
Tanjiro was getting ready to leave his house and go sell Charcoal. "Tanjiro!" he heard his Mother call out. He turned to see her, alive and warm. Tears nearly came to his eyes as he looked at her. He loved his Mother, and missed her so much. "Your face is all covered in soot. Let me clean you up" she said. Kie knelt in front of him and began to wipe his face with a cloth. "You know you really don't have to go, all this snow could be dangerous" she said tenderly. "I want everyone to be able to eat their fill of New Years, so I'll sell as much Charcoal as I can." He said. Something was wrong. Wasn't their Mother sick? Where was Ume? "How thoughtful" Kie said gently with a warm smile. "Big Bro!" Shigeru called, and they turned to see him and Hanako running up, "are you going into town again today?" the little boy asked. "I'm coming with you!" Hanako said determinedly. Of course they were coming with them. Why hadn't Gyutaro gotten the other's ready to leave yet?
"No you're not. You know you can't walk fast like Tanjiro can Sweetie. He isn't going to be taking the Cart today, so he can't give you a ride when you get tired" his Mother said sternly. What? not taking the Cart? But their Older Brother can pull everyone in the Cart no problem? Why wouldn't they take them? "Tanjiro!" Shigeru cried, wrapping his arms around him. "I wanna go with you! I promise I'll help out!" Hanako cried. He pat his baby Sister on the head affectionately, "that's very generous of you Hanako, but no, you're staying home today" he replied. The little girl whimpered. What? No. He knelt down, gently pushing Shigeru back as he did. He could feel his hands on the boy's shoulders, "sorry Shigeru, you are too. But I'll bring back goodies, okay?" he asked the pouting boy. What was he doing? "Really?" Shigeru asked excitedly. "Yeah" he replied, making his little Brother giggle.
"And Hanako, I'll read for you when I get home later" he promised, stroking her hair. "Okay" his baby Sister replied with a smile as Takeo ran out from around the house, the hatchet in his hand, "good girl" he said. Then he turned to his Oldest younger Brother, "Takeo, make sure you chop as much wood as you can" he said. Takeo sighed, "yeah, I was already gonna do that anyway," he looked away with a pout, "but I was kinda hoping we could do that together this time" he muttered. Tanjiro stood up and walked over to him, "there, there now" he said, rubbing the 11-year-old's head. "Cut it out, would ya'!" Takeo cried, annoyed. Shigeru pointed at his mischievously, "you're blushing Take'!" he teased. "Shut up you brat!" Takeo cried. Tanjiro repeated the action, this time with both hands, "there, there now!" Making Takeo swat his hand away, "I told you to cut it out! Urgh!" he groaned.
Everyone laughed at this, including him. He waved as he walked away, his family waving back "come back as soon as you can, okay?!" Shigeru called out. "Be safe, and see you when you get back!" Hanako added. No, no, no! Don't leave them there! Go back and get them out! Hurry! He thought desperately. But he couldn't control his body at all and he turned to look in front of himself as he saw Nezuko stop in front of him with Rokuta wrapped in a blanket, asleep on her back. "Hi Tanjiro" she said. "Hey Nezuko" he stopped in front of her as well. "I have to put Rokuta down for a nap now, otherwise he'd throw a fit!" Nezuko explained. No! Not Rokuta too! He's only three! I have to get everyone out of here! "Ever since Father passed, he's been glued to your side," Tanjiro smiled softly and gently rubbed Rokuta's head, "and everyone follows you wherever you go" Nezuko continued.
She went to head back to the house, "see you later, okay?" she asked. No! Don't stay at the house! It's not safe! I have to get them all out! I have to keep them safe! Tanjiro felt fear grip him, but he couldn't keep his body from moving away. Time seemed to speed up, and before he knew it, it was the next morning. He left Mr Saburo's house, heading home with his empty basket. A cold feeling of dread filled his body, but he kept walking home. Eventually he was close enough to his house that he should have been able to smell his family. But the only scent that reached his nose was: "that's the scent of blood!" he said, horrified. His heart began to beat erratically as he ran home. Once there he felt like his heart had stopped. There, on the ground in front of their house was Nezuko, covered in blood and with her arms wrapped around Rokuta's small body.
Tanjiro let out a strangled scream, running forwards while shrugging off the basket, "Nezuko! What happened here?! What happened to you?!" he demanded, kneeling down next to them, but too afraid to touch them. Then he looked into the house. Getting up, the 13-year-old walked dazedly to the door, "Mom?" he asked fearfully, before the sight before him processed. He gasped and collapsed to the ground, holding onto the door frame to try and keep himself up. Everyone was laying dead on the floor of their house, covered in blood and gruesome injuries. His whole family, Mom, Hanako, Takeo, Shigeru, Nezuko and Rokuta. Tanjiro felt his heart shatter inside his chest and he let out a scream of pure agony-
(end nightmare)
Only to shoot up in bed, tears streaming down his face as he gasped raggedly for air. "Tanjiro, can you hear me!" a familiar voice called. It seemed to be coming through deep water, since it was so muffled. "Tanjiro!" it called again, making the 13-year-old snap his gaze to the person calling his name. The concerned face of his Older Brother stared at him. "B-big Brother?" he whimpered shakily. The he noticed the Toddler held in the young man's arms, "Rokuta! Tanjiro choked, reaching desperately for the boy. The 3-year-old was gently passed to him, and Tanjiro tenderly clutched his baby Brother close. His soft breathing calmed him more. Rokuta was here. Not cold and lifeless and covered in blood underneath Nezuko's body. He began to cry softly, shocking Gyutaro. Tanjiro was usually so strong, he never cried. "It's okay, it wasn't real, it was only a nightmare, thank God, thank God!" the Teenager whimpered, stroking Rokuta's back.
Gyutaro sighed and pulled his little Brother's onto his lap. Tanjiro clutched Rokuta close to him, and reached out with the other hand to hold onto his Older Brother's clothes. The green-haired young man held his two Younger Brother's close as he soothed his sobbing Brother. He must have had a hell of a nightmare to end up in this state. For the rest of the night, even after Tanjiro fell asleep again, Gyutaro held the two boys close. Reengoku watched all of this silently from his own bed. This would be harder than he thought.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
The next day, after Breakfast, the group continued traveling. Neither of the adults mentioned anything about Tanjiro's Nightmare the night before. They just walked in silence. But one thing was different. Tanjiro didn't give Rokuta to Gyutaro for him to take a turn carrying for the whole day. He resolutely held their youngest Brother close and refused to allow anyone else to carry the boy at all. The green-haired young man frowned. It seemed that his little Brother's nightmare was more serious than he'd thought. "So, once we get closer to the Demon Slayer Headquarters, you will have to be blindfolded and have your ears blocked too" Rengoku explained. Gyutaro started, "what? why?" he asked. "The location of the Headquarters is top secret. Only we Hashira are allowed to know it. So anyone who is brought there, especially Civilians are not allowed to know it's location". He explained.
"What about Rokuta?" Tanjiro asked. "He is too young to remember it, so it shouldn't be a problem for him" the Demon Slayer replied. Gyutaro looked down in thought. He was sure that there was another reason that they couldn't know the way to the Headquarters, but if there was, Kyojuro didn't say why. Soon, people dressed in black, with black and white fabric masks covering their faces and leaving only their eyes visible appeared, "These are the Kakushi. They will take us to the Headquarters." The firey-haired young man explained. So Tanjiro and Gyutaro allowed themselves to be blindfolded, have their ears plugged and Tanjiro even had his nose plugged. They were helped into a cart and continued on their way.
Rokuta, who didn't know what was going on, cuddled closer to his Older Brother in fear. "Shh Rokuta. We're okay. You don't have to be scared" Tanjiro tried to calm the boy. After a while of travelling, the Brother's were taken out of the Cart, and their blindfolds and things were removed. The group found themselves in front of a large Mansion. Both Gyutaro and Tanjiro's eyes were wide with shock. Neither of them had ever seen such a huge house before. "Welcome to the Flame Estate. This is the home I share with my Father and younger Brother. I shall be training you here!" Kyojuro exclaimed cheerfully.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
Kyojuro led the Brother's through the house, "It's so big!" Tanjiro breathed. Gyutaro nodded in agreement. "You will get used to it. You shall be staying here while I train you. Eventually, you will speak with the Master to discuss about getting a new house for you to live in with all of your Siblings" the Demon Slayer explained. "Really? Wow, thank you!" Tanjiro said happily, nightmare forgotten for the moment. Gyutaro smiled, "that's great. Soon we'll be able to live together with the rest of our family again" he said. They met up with a boy about Tanjiro's age who had the same hair and eye colouring as Kyojuro as they walked through the house. The man lit up, "ah! Senjuro! Come meet the Kamados! These two young men are the oldest of their Siblings and the child is their youngest Sibling. I am going to be training these two, and they and the rest of their family will be living together in a new house eventually!" Kyojuro explained to his younger Brother.
Gyutaro smiled at the younger boy, "hello. It's nice to meet you. My name is Gyutaro Kamado. These two are my younger Brother's, Tanjiro and Rokuta. Please take care of us" he said politely with a bow. "Oh! No, the pleasure is all mine. I hope you enjoy your stay here" Senjuro replied, but something about his smile was strained.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
"This will be your room for the time being. Please, make yourselves comfortable! Your training will begin as soon as you are unpacked!" Kyojuro exclaimed, before leaving the room. Gyutaro looked around. It was a fairly large room, with tatami mats on the floor and three futons already spread out for them. Gyutaro removed the small pack of items he'd brought with him, "well, let's get started Tanjiro" he said, looking at his younger Brother. Tanjiro nodded, and gently removed Rokuta to place him down on the futon, "right" he agreed.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
Senjuro was in the middle of doing the laundry, when he heard the sound of loud crying coming from the Kamado's room. Concerned, he stopped what he was doing and hurried down the hall. Upon opening the door, he found Tanjiro struggling to soothe a crying Rokuta. "What's wrong?!" he asked, hurrying over in case the child was injured. "He's upset because our parents aren't here. I'm trying to calm him down, but-" Tanjiro began to explain, while rubbing Rokuta's back and gently bouncing him, but it wasn't working this time. "Shhh Rokuta, it's okay. Your Big Brothers are here" he tried. "MAMAAAAAA! PAPAAAAA! WAN' MAMA NOOOOW! WAAAAAAAAAAAA!" He sobbed, clutching onto Tanjiro's Haori tightly.
Senjuro glanced back at the door nervously, "well you need to calm his quickly. If Father hears him-" he hissed urgently. "WHAT THE HELL IS ALL THAT NOISE?!" A man's voice thundered from down the hall as loud footsteps sounded. The sound of it made all three older males jump. "Oh no. Father!" Senjuro yelped as the sliding door was slammed open. Rokuta continued to cry and Tanjiro eyed the adult warily, while shifting his hold on Rokuta to a more protective position. The man who'd entered the room looked a lot like an older Kyojuro. He had hard red and golden eyes with stubble on his chin, and smelled of alcohol as much as the Tavern had. His baby Brother continued to sob loudly, and the man's sharp gaze landed on him.
"How th' hell 'm I supposed to get any sleep around here when tht goddamn brat won't shut up?!" the man demanded slurring his words slightly. Tanjiro grit his teeth, but tried to be civil, while Rokuta whimpered in fear of the yelling. "I apologize if we disturbed you Sir, but we have just lost our Mother after losing our Father last year. Rokuta is only 3-years-old and he still misses both of them a lot. He's going to cry because he's upset" he explained, cradling their youngest Brother close. Rokuta chose that moment to begin crying again. Kyojuro and Senjuro's Father grit his teeth and stomped into the room. Faster than anyone could react, the drunk man aimed a lunch at the Toddler, "I told you to shut that fucking brat up!" he cried. "FATHER!" Senjuro cried, moving forwards to try and block the blow, "no!" Gyutaro cried, horrified. Tanjiro reacted on instinct and covered his Brother's body with his own, taking the punch to his rock-hard forehead. "What the hell?" the adult asked in confusion.
But Tanjiro had snapped. "How dare you try to punch my baby Brother! What is wrong with you?! Aiming a punch at a Toddler!? Are you insane?! You could have killed him!" the normally calm, kind and respectful 13-year-old began screaming all kinds of things at the man. The only reason he didn't try to headbutt him was because Rokuta was still terrified, and he was too worried about him right now to try to hand the boy to their Older Brother.
"Why you little-" the red and blond-haired man was about to do something, before his 18-year-old Son appeared at the door, "Father. That is enough. Go back to bed" he ordered firmly. That is enough. Go back to bed" he ordered firmly. The man turned to look at him, intending to reprimand and insult him, until he caught sight of Kyojuro's firm glare. After a moment, the older man scoffed and slumped off out of sight. "Brother!" Senjuro breathed in relief. After checking to make sure their Father had left, Kyojuro entered the room and closed the door. "I heard what happened. I am truly, deeply sorry. He's never struck either of us before, even when drunk, so I did not think of the possibility of Father trying to harm any of you" the smile was not on Kyojuro's face as he looked down at Tanjiro, "are you both alright? Did he hurt you or your Brother?" he asked seriously, concern lacing his features and voice.
Tanjiro slowly relaxed, sighing, "he didn't hurt us. I shielded Rokuta from the hit with my head, and I have a famously hard forehead, so his punch didn't even hurt me. But the fact that he tried to hit my baby Brother does not sit well with me Mr Rengoku. Are you sure this Estate is safe for Rokuta? If he ends up being in danger here, I'll find somewhere else to live myself" Tanjiro replied, gaze and voice hard. "As will I. It's my job as the oldest to protect and take care of my younger Siblings. If they are in danger here, I will not hesitate to take them and leave" Gyutaro promised. Rengoku smiled at them, "I understand your worry, but you can relax," his gaze was icy, unknowingly to the Kamado Brother's, he had the same look as when he was about to fight a Demon, "I assure you that this will not happen again" he swore firmly.
To Be Continued