Senjuro's age: 14

Senjuro was outside, sweeping the ground by the entrance to the house, when the crow came. Instead of squawking its message while flying overhead like usual, it fluttered to the ground right in front of him.

"Senjuro Rengoku?" it tilted its head.

A sinking feeling formed in the pit of his stomach as he confirmed, "Yes, that's me."

"On behalf of Master Kagaya Ubuyashiki, I am deeply sorry to inform you that Kyojuro Rengoku died in battle with Upper Moon Three. He was fighting to protect a train of civilians, as well as several junior Corps members."

Senjuro's knees buckled and he hit the ground hard, barely registering the pain of the impact. Died? Kyojuro? It couldn't be.

At the same time, it was all too believable. For a Demon Slayer, this was a constant risk - for a Hashira, even more so. It shouldn't be such a surprise.

But having it come to pass was a devastation he never could have imagined. The world had ended, or at least it felt like it had. Kyojuro was gone, and he could never, ever come back. He would never return from another mission, exhausted but utterly thrilled to be home. He'd never smile again, never laugh in that joyously loud way of his, never brighten a room simply by entering it. He'd never encourage Senjuro's training again, never check on Father…oh, no.

This news would shatter Father even more. He'd spent more than the last decade drowning himself in sake over Mother's death. How much worse would things get now?

But that wasn't even his main concern. How could it be, when his big brother, his role model, the person he loved most in the world, was dead? And nothing would ever change it, not even defeating Muzan.

"Your brother left a will for you," the crow quietly said, watching him with sympathy in its beady black eyes. It held its leg out, and for the first time, Senjuro noticed a scroll tied there.

Wiping tears from his eyes, he carefully untied the paper and pressed it flat. Seeing Kyojuro's familiar messy handwriting nearly broke him down, but he took a few deep breaths and steadied himself.

Dear Father and Senjuro,

If you're reading this, it means I have been killed while fighting a demon. I'm sorry I couldn't make it home. But to die protecting others is honorable - I'll be happy to have saved as many lives as I have. Still, I hope you'll never have to read this.

Father: please take care of yourself. I know it won't be easy, but please, try.

Little Flame—

A sob bubbled out of Senjuro and he doubled over, clutching Kyojuro's will to his chest. His heart felt like it was crumbling into dust; he could barely breathe as he cried.

But he needed to know what Kyojuro's last words were for him. So he did his best to slow his breathing and wiped away his tears - trying to ignore that they just kept coming - and started reading again.

Little Flame: please follow your heart and find a path in life that makes you happy. No matter what anyone else says, I always support you, whether I'm there or not.

Father, Senjuro, please take care of each other.

Love,

Kyojuro