Amane brought out the ready adoption papers, her and Kagaya's names already signed. After all, they wouldn't be able to sign them after they'd already died. "There. Now the *cough gasp* Adoption will be finalised when, Amane and I die. Thank you for, this *pant* Gyutaro" Kagaya said gratefully. Gyutaro grimaced, but he nodded, "well, I will do my best to raise your children the way my adopted Father raised me Master" he said, a feeling of sadness already engulfing him. "Alright Gyutaro. What did you want to speak to the Master about?" Amane asked. The 27-year-old sat straighter, "I want to ask permission to go to the Swordsmith Village with Tanjiro. I have a very bad feeling about what'll happen there. Strangely, I also have a good feeling about what will happen, but my younger Siblings are my priority.
Please allow me to go with them Sir" Gyutaro asked. Kagaya's strength seemed to be fading, because his breathing was beginning to even out as he lost consciousness, "permission- granted" he breathed as he finally lost the battle and fell asleep. The green-haired young man bowed to the Ubuyashiki's, before leaving the Estate. Well, he didn't expect to end up the future Father of five children today, especially when he had so many younger Siblings to look after too. But, it meant that the Ubuyashiki children wouldn't be sacrificed, and wouldn't end up as Orphans. So he supposed that this was the best resolution for the issue. He would have to wait and see.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
It actually took several more days to organise for Gyutaro to go with his younger Siblings to the Swordsmith Village, so he unpacked his things for the moment. 5 days later, a Crow came and told the Siblings that it was time to go to the Village. So Gyutaro once again packed his belongs and pulled Ume's box onto his back. Then he said goodbye to his younger Siblings, left Takeo in charge, and headed out to where the Kakushi were waiting. Two of them were standing in front of their house's gate. They bowed to them, "we are the ones who will start taking you to the Swordsmith Village. As your guides, we cannot tell you our names, but it's still nice to meet you both" explained the male who was taller and bulkier than her female companion.
"Please put these on," the female Kakushi said, holding out two sets of blindfolds and earplugs. And one set of nose plugs, that were obviously for Tanjiro, "the location of the Village is kept secret, even from the Corps members and the Hashira. Only the Master knows the complete path to get there" she explained. After blocking off their senses, the two Kamado's (four if you counted Ume and Nezuko) climbed onto their guides backs, before they began running. As they went, Gyutaro thought about the Master- about his complete willingness to do anything it took to kill Muzan. He wanted that monster dead as well, after what he had done to their Mother, and Sisters. But he wouldn't sacrifice his other Siblings to do it.
The man's Charisma and mental strength was amazing, but his sheer tenacity was chilling. He was glad that he had managed to convince Kagaya to spare his children, they deserved to be free and able to live once the curse was broken. But adopting them? Adopting five children? When he already had so many younger Siblings to look after? Yes, Ume, Tanjiro and Nezuko would obviously be able to help, but still. It was a lot of pressure. Either way, he couldn't just leave those poor kids all alone. His thoughts soon turned to the Swordsmith Village. He wondered how long it would take them to reach it.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
The answer, as it turned out, was a week. It took a week, with the changes in Kakushi and guiding Crows, plus breaks in between. Finally, the group stopped and the blindfolds, ear plugs and nose plugs were removed. The Kamado Brothers looked around in awe, as the Village in front of them was amazing! "The Chief's house is just down there," one of the male Kakushi said, pointing down what seemed to be the main street, "make sure you pay your respects first. There is also a Hot Springs in this Village as well. Have a good time" the two Kakushi waved them off, before leaving. "Thank you very much!" Tanjiro called loudly to their guides, causing the thanks to echo through the mountains surrounding the Village.
Gyutaro winced, he was pretty sure everyone in the Village had heard that. He placed his hand on his little Brother's shoulder, "let's go greet the Chief Tanjiro" he said, sweat-dropping. As Tanjiro began to walk away, Gyutaro whispered to the Kakushi: "sorry about that, he's just a little too earnest" he apologised.
He bowed slightly to their last guides, "thank you for bringing us here, and thank the others for me as well. I'm afraid I was too deep in my thoughts to do it earlier" Gyutaro said gratefully, before he turned and followed Tanjiro into the Village. "Those boys are so nice, aren't they?" the taller Kakushi asked. "Yeah, such good kids" the other one replied.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
They found themselves sitting before the Chief of the Village. "I am the Chief of Swordsmith Village, Lord Tecchin. To show your gratitude, why don't you bow down so low that your forehead touches the floor?" the tiny old man asked. "Um, that might not be a good ide-" Gyutaro began, but was cut off as Tanjiro slammed his forehead into the floor, "I am very grateful to be here!" he cried enthusiastically. The tell-tale *crunch* alerted Gyutaro and everyone else that Tanjiro had indeed broken the floorboards with his forehead. The green-haired Kamado sighed deeply, "Tanjiro, did you really have to go and break their floor? Than wasn't very nice Brother" Gyutaro reprimanded.
"Wah! I didn't mean to! I'm very sorry!" Tanjrio cried in remorse, bowing properly in penance. "Oh it's fine. We can just replace the floorboard" Tecchin said carelessly. Then he seemed to become serious, "now, down to business. It seems Hagnezuga has disappeared" the Chief said. "Wha-! Is he alright? Did something happen?!" Tanjiro asked worriedly. "Oh he's fine. Hotaru has a habit of doing this, ever since he was a child, if something didn't go his way, he'd storm off into the wilderness and disappear" the old man explained. "We'll catch him and bring him back here for a severe punishment!" One of the Swordsmiths flanking the Chief said with punching motions.
Both Tanjiro and Gyutaro sweat-dropped, "I don't think you have to go that far. I mean, I was the one who broke the sword after all-" Tanjiro began, before being cut off by his Older Brother, "no Tanjiro. It wasn't your fault. You couldn't see that the sword was cracked because it was so dark. Then you were busy protecting our younger Brothers, and so you weren't paying attention to your sword. It is not your fault that it broke Brother" Gyutaro replied firmly.
"That's right. It's Hotaru's," the Chief said darkly, drawing both Gyutaro and Tanjiro's attention to him. "Your Sword wouldn't have broken if he had made it properly. As Swordsmiths, it's our job to make good swords that Demon Slayers can use to kill Demons. If a Smith doesn't forge an appropriately sturdy blade, and then tries to give that Sword to a Slayer, it's the fault of the Smith if it breaks and the Slayer dies. This is not a transgression that we can overlook!" Tecchin said ominously, veins popping all over his body. "Ah! You won't do anything, t-too bad to him, will you?" Tanjiro asked worriedly. "Oh, don't you worry about that! We'll let you know when Hotaru is found! Until then, please feel free to relax here.
I hear that you have had a lot of Missions lately. Our Hot Spring is perfect for relaxing and recovery. Why not go have a soak?" Tecchin asked. "Ah! Okay, thank you very much Sir!" Tanjiro replied, as he and Gyutaro stood up, "thank you for your hospitality" Gyutaro said, as they left the Chief's house. The Kamado Brother's looked around, "I would like a soak. I don't think I've ever washed in a Hot Spring before. How about you Tanjiro?" Gyutaro asked. Tanjiro nodded, "Sure! And with all the steam from the Hot Springs, that means Ume and Nezuko can have a bath too. I can't remember the last time they bathed" he said, wrinkling his nose.
Actually, did Demons even sweat? Tanjiro had talked about Ume and Nezuko's scent's plenty of times before, but never once had he said that they smelled bad. Well, either way, he was sure that their Sister's would enjoy the baths. Another Swordsmith led them to the Hot Springs, "your quarters and dinner will be prepared once you're done. Please, have a good soak. Our Hot Springs have special mineral's in the water that that can cure anything, from injuries to illness, to even a broken heart! Take your time" the man said, before he turned to walk away. "Thank you!" Tanjiro called. "I'm looking forwards to this. And I'm sure Ume and Nezuko are too, right?" Gyutaro asked their Demon Sisters. "Yep!" Ume replied happily, while Nezuko hummed excitedly.
But before they could head up the stairs, a cry caught their attention. Turning to the stairs, the Kamado Brothers saw the Love Hashira running down them dressed in only a very loose-fitting Hot Springs Kimono. "Gah! Chest- bouncing- f-falling out- c-cover up! Cover it up!" Tanjiro stammered with a bright red face, while Gyutaro blushed scarlet and turned his face away.
"Gyutaro! Tanjiro! He ignored me! He ignored me!" Mitsuri wailed as she slammed into Tanjiro, who struggled to cover her body before anything else could happen. Gyutaro was sure his brain was short-circuiting right now, despite the fact that he'd fought side-by-side with the Love Hashira before. Back then he'd had more important things to worry about, like protecting a Train car full of passengers, making sure Hanako was safe, and dealing with worst nightmare he'd ever had. But now, his head felt like it was going to explode. "Hey! Hey, hey! I was just saying hello, and he ignored me! Me! I'm a Hashira you know! I was trying to be friendly!" Mitsuri sobbed.
Neither Tanjiro or Gyutaro had any idea what Mitsuri was talking about as she continued to talk. "Ah! Um, w-well, now that you've had a nice bath, why don't you head back. I hear they're doing dinner soon" Gyutaro said awkwardly as Tanjiro patted Mitsuri on the back. Suddenly it was like the girl completely forgot about being upset and a massive smile overtook her face, "really?! I am getting quite hungry. I hope they have enough food for me!" the Hashira said, appearing to glow with joy as she skipped off. Both Gyutaro and Tanjiro sweat-dropped and let out a massive sigh of relief. "Let's just get to the baths before anything else can happen" Gyutaro said. "Yeah" Tanjiro agreed.
Ư*Ğ.Ķ
Gyutaro and Tanjiro reached the Hot Springs and looked around, "I guess the person Mitsuri was talking about is gone" Tanjiro said as he removed Nezuko's box from his back and gently placed it down. He had been right about the steam. This was the perfect place for Ume and Nezuko to wash up. "Oh, hold on. It's Genya" Gyutaro said, catching his Brother's attention. "Hey, Genya! It's been a long time." Gyutaro said as he undressed and climbed into the water. A chill went through his body, as the heat drove it out of him, "I didn't realise I was so cold." He muttered, as the Shinazugawa turned to look at him. He was fiddling with a gap in his gums where a tooth used to be.
"Gyutaro? Tanjiro? I haven't seen you in a while. What are you guys doing here?" Genya asked. "Tanjiro's Sword broke while fighting a Demon, so we came here to get it repaired. How are you and your Siblings doing?" Gyutaro explained. "Yeah, they're fine. They want to play with your Siblings again soon, 'cause they keep asking me about going over to your place." Genya relaxed back against the rock wall of the Hot Spring.
"I guess I wouldn't mind going over again, we just have to find a time that 'Nemi is free, because he's starting to get paranoid about your Sisters again, despite what the Master said." Genya explained with a long-suffering sigh. "Oh! Speaking of Ume and Nezuko, we were going to give them a bath now. Is that okay with you?" Tanjiro asked. Genya's face lit up like a ripe tomato, "your Sisters? In the bath with us? But this is the Men's Hot Spring!" he choked. "All the Hot Springs are Unisex. Besides, Ume and Nezuko haven't had a bath in two years. Not a proper one at least" Gyutaro replied. Genya sank down until only his eyes and the top of his head were visible above the water, air bubbles coming from his nose.
"Genya, are you, uncomfortable around woman?" Gyutaro asked. A hot red blush spread over the other teen's face as he covered it with his hands. "Look, we can wait until you're done to wash Ume and Nezuko, you don't have to worry that we'll force you or anything" the Oldest Kamado said calmly. "Thank you" Genya replied after a moment in a small voice. And so, the three boys finally relaxed back in the baths. Unknowing of the danger that would await them all in only a week and a half's time.