"Are you serious?! A cure?!" Sanemi asked with a wide smile. "Yes. But we need to collect as much Demon blood as possible so that Miss Tamayo can create the cure. I hope that it will be completed soon. Then everyone can become human again" Tanjuro explained. Sanemi looked down at his Mother, who reached out for him from the room. The white-haired boy gripped her hand tightly, "Once Mom is human again, I don't want to go back to that house. I want to live somewhere new, where we can make new, happy memories. My family deserves that much" Sanemi said with a soft smile.
The Demon smiled, "you won't have to, don't worry" he replied gently. "Your family is lucky to have you you know. You're a wonderful Son and Older Brother. You remind me a lot of my Oldest Son Tanjiro" Tanjuro said. The 12-year-old flushed slightly, "I just try my hardest for them. Mom always did so much for us, taking care of and protecting us, working so hard. I want to make it up to her, by being the one to look after everyone this time" Sanemi replied. Tanjuro gently pat the boy's head, noting his flinch as he did. The white-haired boy let out a breath, and moved away nervously. Tanjuro didn't protest, and let him leave.
"Daddy!" Shigeru called, running up to him. "What is it Shigeru?" Tanjuro asked kindly. "I drew our family and friends!" the 6-year-old said with a grin, as he held the picture up. his Father looked it over. Two of them were obviously himself and Kie, with long claws and fangs. Then there were all of his Siblings. Alongside them, were Sanemi and his Siblings as well as Haruka. "Wow. This is a great picture Shigeru! I can tell that you put so much effort into this" Tanjuro said with a warm smile, patting his Son on the head.
"Heh! Heh! I'm glad you like it Daddy!" the boy said happily. "You know, your Mommy and I might be turned back into humans soon. Before that happens, we have to make sure that the Demon who did this is gone, so he can never hurt anyone again. Until that happens, I won't be able to be here all the time. So I need you to behave for Mr Urokodaki, okay? You and Rokuta" Tanjuro asked. "But why do you have to leave so often?" Shigeru asked. "There are lot's of people who need help. Bad Demons who eat humans go after them, and it's my job, along with Tanjiro and Nezuko to protect those people.
Like Sanemi and his Siblings" Tanjuro explained. "Okay" the 6-year-old replied, before climbing on his Father's back, "can we play now?!" he asked. Tanjuro chuckled, "sure" he replied. Despite having to become a Demon for it to happen, Tanjuro was glad that he was able to spend so much more time with his children, and be more active in looking after them. Hanako came walking out of the house, "Sumi and I are making lunch now, so everyone needs to wash up" she said. "Okay!" Tanjuro said with a smile, looking down at his Son, who pouted. "Okay Shigeru. Time for your bath Son" he said.
"Awe, but we just started playing!" the 6-year-old boy whined. "I'll be staying here for a few days. We can play more later, okay?" The Demon asked. Shigeru sighed, as he went to get ready for his bath. Teiko walked inside, Rokuta and Koto being held by each hand beside her. "Oh, Teiko. Thank you for looking after Rokuta. I appreciate it" Tanjuro said, as his youngest Son ran up to him, "Papa! Papa!" Rokuta cheered. The 10-year-old smiled, "it's fine. I'm used to taking care of Koto. So Rokuta was no trouble" Teiko said kindly. Tanjuro picked up Rokuta, "it's time for a bath now, okay? Then lunchtime" he told his Son.
Ң
That day, everyone ate lunch together, except for Tanjuro and Shizu, who watched her children from her room. "I wish Mom could eat with us" Genya said, frowning over at her. "She will at some point" Sanemi replied, eating some rice. He seemed thoughtful, looking down at his bowl as he slowly ate his food. Tanjuro helped Rokuta eat, and watched the boy from the corner of his eye. "Something wrong Sanemi?" he asked. The white-haired boy placed down his chopsticks and took a deep breath. He looked up at Urokodaki.
"Mr Urokodaki. I want to become a Demon Slayer too" Sanemi said seriously. The group stopped eating, everyone staring at the boy. "You do know how dangerous that would be, don't you?" Urokodaki asked. He nodded, "yes Sir. But I want to protect my Siblings and help find a cure for Demons. Then our Mom will become human again sooner" Sanemi replied. There was a moment of silence, before the Trainer sighed, "I will test you tomorrow. Make sure you get enough rest tonight" the masked man said finally. The Shinazugawa beamed, "thank you Sir!" he said happily. As he went back to eating, Genya stared at his Older Brother worriedly.
Tanjuro hugged Rokuta slightly tighter.
Ң
That night, the children went to sleep together, while Tanjuro stayed in the bedroom with Shizu. The Demon woman stared up at him, humming through her muzzle. "How are you doing Miss Shizu?" he asked softly. "Hmmm" she hummed, shuffling further back into her Futon. "Are you tired?" Tanjuro asked. "Hm?" Shizu asked. "Do you want to go to sleep Miss Shizu?" Tanjuro asked her. The other Demon pulled the blanket over her, moving around under it. The Kamado Patriarch smiled, "you like that blanket?" he asked, moving slightly closer. "Hm!" Shizu sounded happy.
"I'm glad." The Demon woman poked her head out from under the blanket and frowned over at the bedroom door. "All of your children are sleeping now, and so are mine. They'll be okay" Tanjuro replied, guessing what she was thinking. "Mm!" Shizu replied with a closed-eye-smile, before moving back under the blanket again. The Kamado sighed and relaxed against the wall. "Tomorrow's a big day. I may not be able to sleep, but I can rest for tonight" Tanjuro said, before falling into a trance. As he did, he couldn't help but think of his Wife along with Tanjiro and Nezuko. 'I'll come back soon'.
Ң
The next day, Tanjuro played with the younger children, while Sanemi began his training with Urokodaki. Rokuta laughed as he ran around in a game of tag with Koto, while Teiko, Sumi and Haruka played with Hanako. Shuya played with Shigeru and Hiroshi and Genya went exploring with Takeo. Tanjuro refereed Rokuta and Koto's game. He drew scores in the dirt and celebrated each time one of them won. "Hey, when's 'Nemi coming back?" Hiroshi asked curiously as the three boys returned. He looked around, but couldn't find his Oldest Brother near the house.
"He went to train with Mr Urokodaki" Tanjuro explained, as Koto and Rokuta abandoned their game to tug on his Kimono, wanting his attention. Tanjuro easily picked up the two boys, the 4 and 3-year-olds giggling at the ride. "Papa!" Koto said happily. Everyone froze when he spoke, Tanjuro looking down at the little boy with wide eyes. Hiroshi stared at his youngest Brother. He liked Mr Kamado, he did. And with how different he was compared to their Father, it made sense that the 4-year-old would see Tanjuro more like a Father than that monster. But still, wasn't this too fast? The Demon felt his gaze softening as he looked at the youngest Shinazugawa.
"Papa?" Rokuta asked in confusion. Tanjuro hugged both boys close, feeling protective urges swell inside him. "Yes. Papa's here" he said softly. Genya, who was just returning with Takeo, felt himself get nudged by the older boy. He glanced over at him, seeing the grin on the Kamado's face, "I told you it was only a matter of time until Dad adopted all of you" he said. Tanjuro heard this and blushed slightly. But he was glad to have these children in his care. Haruka frowned over at them, thinking about the man she'd thought was her Father. She'd loved him, just as much as she'd loved her Mother.
And she'd thought he'd loved them. But none of it was real. Watching Mr Kamado, Haruka couldn't help but feel jealous. She wished she could have had a Father like him. Gripping the fabric of her dress, she felt her heart pang as she deeply wished that her Mother was here. Maybe she should write a letter to her soon. She also couldn't help but make a selfish wish for Mr Kamado to adopt her.
Ң
That night, after the children fell asleep, Tanjuro's Crow came with a Mission. He frowned, and let the bird perch on his arm. "Caw! You have a mission! There are reports of Demon activity on a mountain to the West! Head there at once! Caw!" it cried. Tanjuro looked up at the night sky, thinking. He didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to everyone. Urokodaki exited the house, catching his attention. "A Mission?" he asked. Tanjuro nodded, glancing back at the house. "I'll let everyone know if you have to go" Urokodaki said softly.
The Demon nodded, "thank you. I'll leave them to you. Hopefully I won't be too late" he said. Then he retrieved his Sword and left.