As they rested at the Wisteria House, Gyutaro couldn't help but worry about Zenitsu. He didn't particularly like the overly loud blond, but seeing him like this was just weird. He was even worse than he'd been after he'd first found out about Kaigaku's betrayal and defection. Only being near Nezuko seemed to help him, so he'd just sit in the room she and Ume shared all day. He'd done this before, but had quickly snapped out of it, and had actually thrown himself into training, determined to take the Bastard out. Now that he'd failed, it seemed that all of his determination had drained out of him. Now, Zenitsu was drowning in his regret, often mumbling to himself.
Everyone, even Inosuke and Gyutaro wanted to do something to help him cheer up. However, Gyutaro was still in a lot of pain from his injury, saying it just kept burning, even though the pain should have faded by now. "It must be an effect of the Blood Demon Art. I wonder if Nezuko's ability could help?" Tanjiro asked himself. Nezuko peeked her head out of her box at hearing her name. "Hey Nezuko. Do you think you could try healing Gyutaro with your flames?" the little Demon girl nodded, before growing to her normal height and walked over to her Oldest Brother. The green-haired Kamado grit his teeth against the pain, but he'd never felt anything like this before.
Nezuko cut her palm with her sharp claws, then placed her hand onto Gyutaro's chest, where a branch pattern from the lightning was burned into her Oldest Brother's skin. The blood then ignited into hot pink flames. The scar burned away as the flames dissipated, and Gyutaro sighed in relief as the pain faded away, relaxing in the bed. Ume and Tanjiro watched in amazement, "wow, it worked! So Nezuko's Blood Demon Art can actually heal people too, if their wounds are caused by other Blood Demon Arts? That's incredible! Great job Nezuko!" Tanjiro said in awe, stroking his little Sister's head, which got a pleased hum in response. Gyutaro looked up at his younger Sister, "Thanks for that Nezuko. I appreciate you healing me like that" he said gratefully, also patting Nezuko on the head.
The black and orange-haired Demon girl smiled, liking the head pats. She then hugged her Oldest Brother, glad he was alright. "Yours and Nezuko's Blood Demon Arts are so awesome Ume. You can cancel other blood Demon Arts and Nezuko can not only burn Blood Demon Arts and Demons, but she can also heal people with her flames. It's like you were both created to protect humans instead of killing them" Tanjiro said with a chuckle. Tengen entered the room, seeing that Gyutaro was healed, "oh, that was fast" he said in surprise. "Nezuko healed me with her Blood Demon Art. Since it's only effective against Demons and other Blood Demon Arts, she was able to heal the damage from Upper Six's lighting attack, since it was the effect of a Blood Demon Art" the green-haired Kamado explained.
The Sound Hashira raised an eyebrow, "sounds pretty flashy. You think she could use it now, so I could see it?" he asked. But Nezuko was beginning to fall asleep again, head nodding as she fought to stay awake. "Sorry, looks like Nezuko's too tired to use her Blood Demon Art again. Maybe later" Tanjiro replied, moving to put his little Sister away in her box so she could sleep. "Anyway, if you're healed now, start packing. We're heading home soon" Tengen ordered. "Huh? Now?" Tanjiro asked. "Why not? Gyutaro's healed, the Demon's gone, and we have no business staying here anymore. Besides, I wanna get back home to my Wives" he replied. Suddenly Zenitsu froze, "Did you say 'Wives'? As in more than one?" he demanded.
"Yeah, I have 3 Wives, what's the problem?" the Sound Hashira asked. What proceeded was a screaming match between the two, giving everyone else in the house a headache.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
Finally, after several hours, the group began heading home. "Man, I can't wait to go home and rest with the rest pf our Siblings" Gyutaro moaned in exhaustion. "I know what you mean. It seems like we've had three big Missions in a row, despite them being months apart" Tanjiro replied. "Speaking of Missions, with everything that happened after each one, I don't think we've even gotten paid yet! We fought 3 members of the 12 Kizuki in the last few Months and even killed 2 of them, but we haven't gotten paid yet?!" Gyutaro cried in realization.
"Don't worry, the Master is just making sure he gives you each the right amount. He's not the kind of guy that doesn't reward hark work" Tengen said suddenly. Tanjiro nodded, "true, his scent didn't seem deceptive" he agreed. "Still, we're going to need to do some shopping soon. We need more food, and the kids need new clothes" Gyutaro said, crossing his arms. "How about we get Ume and Nezuko some new clothes too? I did want to buy Nezuko a new Kimono, since her current one keeps having to be fixed. Especially after what happened with Rui. It was practically ripped to shreds!" Tanjiro suggested. "Sure, sounds good. But first," Gyutaro groaned in pain, "my body's actually still aching like crazy, so I might need a longer rest" he replied.
"I WANNA BUY FOOD!" Inosuke cried excitedly. Zenitsu didn't say anything, really worrying Tanjiro, who glanced back at his friend.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
When they got back to the Headquarters, the Kamado's went to return home, Gyuatro asking Tengen to let the Master know that he'd be by to collect their payment when his body stopped trying to shatter itself apart. Tanjiro frowned worriedly as they walked home together, "are you really in that much pain? Maybe we should stop by the Butterfly Mansion and ask Miss Shinobu for something to help you?" he asked. But his Older Brother just groaned, "stopping at the Butterfly Mansion means more walking Tanjiro. Right now I just wanna sleep for the next few years" Gyutaro replied. "I thought Nezuko's Blood Demon Art healed you. So why are you still in so much pain right now?" Tanjiro asked worriedly.
"Don't know. But I'll tell you what. If I feel better tomorrow, we can all go shopping for new clothes. How's that sound Tanjiro?" the green-haired 27-year-old asked, as he winced. "Don't worry about that, let's just get you to bed" the younger Kamado replied. When they entered the house, the two Brother's found their younger Siblings playing a game together. Rokuta caught sight of them first. The 7-year-old stood up, "Tanjiro! What's wrong with Gyutaro?!" he called, running over, as their other younger Siblings also got up and came to check on their Oldest Brother. "I'll explain later. Nezuko's already healed Gyutaro, but he's still in a lot of pain. Can you guys help me put him to bed?" Tanjiro asked.
A chorus of agreements rang out and everyone helped get their Brother set up in bed. Takeo didn't even need to be asked to take Ume and Nezuko and get them fixed up in their own room. Nezuko was already asleep, but Ume looked to be trying to stay awake when she crawled out of her box. "Gyutaro?" she asked. "We're putting him to bed, so he can rest. Don't worry, big Brother will be fine" Takeo replied. Ume looked over to the room the rest of her family slept in, "let me know how he is later" she said, before laying down and falling asleep immediately. Takeo looked down at his two Older Sisters (Even if they hadn't aged, and he was technically older than Nezuko now, he still saw her as his Older Sister, no matter how she acted) and sighed.
Were they any closer to curing them? He liked this house well enough, but to him, it wasn't home. Home was the house that smelled like wood burning and where Mom made them all Rice Crackers. Where Gyutaro and Ume would come to visit them and bring them presents that they'd bought for them all. Where Mom would sing them her special Hushaby lullaby. He wanted to go home with all of his Siblings. Even if their Mother would never be there again, that house had always been their home. And they would all go back to it. One day.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
A week later, Gyuatro had recovered enough to go visit the Master. Upon sitting before Kagaya, he noticed that the disease or whatever he had had gotten worse again, engulfing more of the skin on his arms. Gyutaro winced, but said nothing, waiting to be addressed. "Gyutaro. What a pleasant surprise. I'm glad that you've recovered from your wounds enough to go out again" the Ubuyashiki said. Gyutaro found himself relaxing, like he always did whenever Kagaya spoke. He nodded, despite knowing that the action wouldn't be seen, "I have. Thank you Sir" he replied politely. Amane served them cups of tea, and handed one to her Husband. After they'd both had a drink, the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps spoke up.
"I was told you had an urgent matter to speak with me about. So please, speak freely" Kagaya offered. Gyutaro swallowed. How was he even supposed to begin this conversation? He took a deep breath, "I think I have a- a pre- precog-nition? Is that the word? Sorry if I pronounced it wrong. Every once in a while, I get this feeling. Usually for bad things. The worse the feeling ends up being, the worse, or more dangerous the situation. I've had this feeling multiple times in my life. The first time was back in the Entertainment District. When Ume was almost killed. I felt like I was going to be sick, but my stomach was painfully empty at the time. Only for the feeling to go away after a few minutes. Then I find out that my little Sister was almost burned to death, and the man who would become our Father had saved her.
Then I felt it again, on the day that our Mother was killed and Ume and Nezuko became Demons. I felt nauseous, then when I saw Tanjiro talk about smelling blood and run to our house, I knew. And again, the third time, when Ume and I encountered Lower Rank Six. I felt sick then too. Then, during the Mount Natagumo Mission, I felt it again. And we encountered Lower Rank Five. And during the Train Mission, we encountered two members of the 12 Kizuki, I felt like I was going to throw up. And finally, the last Mission, when we went to go fight that Demon in the Castle, I felt nauseous again. Turns out that Upper Rank Six was there." Gyutaro took a deep breath, "When I mentioned it, Tengen told me that you have something similar and that I should talk to you about it.
So, here I am" he finished, clenching his fists in nervousness. There was a moment of silence, before Gyutaro heard whispering and looked up. Kagaya and Amane ware speaking to each other in hushed tones. Despite how much he wanted to know what was being said about him, Gyutaro looked down, purposefully ignoring the conversation. If the Master wanted to tell him what he was talking about, he would. Finally, the younger man looked up, "Gyutaro, would you mind telling me about your birth parents?" Kagaya asked. Gyutaro scrunched his face in disgruntlement, "why do you want to know about them?" he asked. "We need to know where this ability came from. Your Birth parents would have most likely passed it onto you" Amane replied.
Gyutaro sighed, closing his eyes as he thought back to the days his Mother was alive, "I was born in the Entertainment District. My Mother was a Prostitute who despised me, tried to kill me multiple times before and after I was born. I have no idea who my Father was, but I know that Ume and I have different Father's. We only share that bitch as a Mother. I have no idea if he's even alive or dead, and I have no desire to find out. As far as I'm concerned, my only family are Ume and the Kamado's" Gyutaro replied, shuddering as he remembered those horrible years spent living as less than trash. Kagagya gained a dark look, "I see. I apologize for bringing it up then. Forgive me, I didn't mean to cause you additional pain" the Ubuyashiki Head replied.
The man paused for a moment, and sipped some Tea, before speaking again, "If I may ask, have these premonitions only come in the form of feelings, or have you had visions of any kind?" Kagaya asked. Gyutaro shook his head, "no visions. Only feelings so far." He replied. The black-haired man nodded in understanding, "I don't have any answers for you yet, but please let me know if you have anymore of these feelings, alright?" Kagaya asked. "Alright. And maybe we can figure out what's happening together" Gyutaro agreed. Kagaya smiled, "yes. Maybe we can" he replied.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
As the Oldest Kamado returned home, Kagaya turned to where his Wife was sitting next to him, "Amane, please research my family history. Try and see if any of the Ubuyashiki's settled in the Entertainment District for me" he asked. The white-haired woman nodded, "I understand Master" she replied, before leaving to do as asked. Kagaya turned his face back to the warmth of the fading sun, 'we may have a chance here. Finally.' He thought as he closed his sightless eyes.
To Be Continued