Shizu raced into the Butterfly Mansion, being met by Teruko, "Miss Shizu? What's wrong?" she asked in concern. "Genya" the Demon woman said, trying to speak, but too worried to form proper sentences, "Genya- where?!" she cried. "I'm sorry, I don't know if Genya's here Ma'am. Should I find Miss Shinobu or Miss Kanane for you?" Teruko asked. But Shizu was too worried about her Son to wait. She sniffed the air, trying to find Genya's scent. There! Her Son was there! The Demon woman moved around the little girl, being gentle so as not to hurt her, then raced down the halls. She had to get to her Son!
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Both Tanjuro and the Hahsira looked at the 11-year-old boy in confusion. "But- what?" Tanjuro asked, gently checking to see if Genya still had any Demonic features. The only thing he could see as that his Son still had longer and sharper teeth than before, but they weren't as long as they were when he was 'Demonized' or whatever had happened. "Well, I have some of Genya's regular blood on hand already. I'll run some tests on both samples and get back to you with the results as soon as possible, alright?" the black and purple-haired teenager asked. "Thank you very much for you time and help Miss Shinobu" Tanjuro said, kneeling down in front of Genya.
"Hey, are you feeling okay? You don't feel sick or anything now, do you Son?" he asked gently, cupping his face and looking it over. The boy was just about to reply, when Shizu burst into the room, slamming the door a little too hard. Her eyes were wide, and she was breathing hard, even though she didn't need to breathe anymore. The short Demon woman's gaze locked onto her Son, and she bolted forwards with a cry: "Genya!" she wailed, pulling him into her arms. Genya's eyes filled with tears, before he hugged his Mother back as tightly as he could, sobbing into her small frame, "Mom! I-I- I was so- he hurt us, and I didn't know what to do- *sniff* I just wanted to protect Shigeru!" Genya broke down into full on sobs, clutching onto his Mother's Kimono and crying into the fabric.
Shizu hugged Genya close and rubbed down his back and head, "there, there. I'm here. Everyone is safe. You're okay baby" she soothed, lifting her son into her arms, even though he was a bit bigger than her by now. She cradled him in her lap, stroking over his back and scar, "I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you when you needed me Genya. But you and Shigeru are both safe now. We'll keep you safe. Okay?" she asked gently. Genya was falling asleep, but he mumbled out: "You and Dad will protect us?" he asked. Shizu's eyes widened, before they softened, "yes, Dad and I will keep you all safe" she repeated. Within moments, Genya was asleep in her arms.
Shizu nuzzled her Son worriedly, before gently placing him down in his bed. She looked from him up to Tanjuro with a frown on her face, "can we talk Lord Tanjuro?" she asked. "Sure Shizu. What's wrong?" he asked. Shizu took a deep breath, "I know my children see you as a Father. Of course they do, you're wonderful. My old Husband was extremely abusive, and would beat my children and I often. Everyone knew about the abuse, but no one ever stepped in to help. That night, I thought we were all going to die. I admit, the details are fuzzy, but I remember feeling that way.
That my children and I were all going to die and I wouldn't be able to protect them. Then you came and saved us. I don't care that I became a Demon because of you. You saved all of our lives, and gave me a second chance to be with my children and protect them. You're so kind and gentle and loving to everyone around you. The complete opposite of my Husband. I know you're happily married, and I don't expect you to return my affections, but- I really think I've fallen in love with you Lord Tanjuro. I know you see my children as your own, and my children also see you as their Father. I'm not asking you to leave Miss Kie at all, but once we're human again, could I- all of us- stay with you Tanjuro? Please?" Shizu asked, a desperate look in her eyes.
Tanjuro stared at the Demon. HIS Demon. Telling him that she loved him. He didn't know how to feel about this. Yes, he loved her children like his own, but- he was happily married to the love of his life. He truly admired Shizu, for how strong she was, even before becoming a Demon. Sanemi had told him stories about how she would use her own tiny body to protect his Siblings from their Father's beatings. He highly admired her, but- he couldn't- "I-I'm sorry, I have to go" Tanjuro said after a long moment of shocked silence, quickly leaving the room. Shizu felt tears well up in her eyes. She knew that would happen. He loved Kie too much to ever see her that way.
Stupid! Stupid! She was so stupid! She thought, hitting herself in the head as she cried silently.
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Tanjuro ran back to the Love Estate, slipped in the window and walked over to where Kie was sleeping. Rokuta and Koto were both snuggled up to her in the Futon, the two toddlers sleeping peacefully. The Demon King smiled and stroked his Wife's hair out of her face. Then he looked down at Koto and remembered what Shizu had said to him: "I really think I've fallen in love with you Lord Tanjuro" he sighed and leaned back against the wall of the room. 'What should I do Kie?' he thought to himself.
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Eventually Tanjuro woke up to find Rokuta curled up in his arms, sleeping soundly. He looked back to his Wife. Koto hadn't moved. Tanjuro smiled to see how Kie had taken to Koto, and all the other children when she was awake. Shizu was also very good at handling his original children. The Sound Hashira, Tengan had three Wives. Would it be so bad if he had two? If both loved him, and he loved both of them, was their really a problem? He already saw all of the Shinazugawa children as his own. And after all of this, once they all became human again, he couldn't even imagine just tossing the other family away.
But how would Kie feel about this? He couldn't even ask her until she was awake, and Tanjuro had no idea if she would even understand such a complicated conversation. He cradled his head in his hands, feeling a Stress Headache coming on. Even though he was a Demon, he still felt like he had one. Tanjuro started breathing rhythmically, trying to focus and calm down. Suddenly he noticed Kie start stirring. Koto whimpered, and clutched onto his Wife tighter. Tanjuro shifted Rokuta in his arms, and gently picked up Koto as well. Both boys settled against him, as Kie slowly opened her light purple eyes with a soft, sleepy hum.
"Hey Dear. Good morning" Tanjuro said softly. His Wife shifted to look at him, before smiling through her muzzle and reaching out to touch his face. The Kamado Patriarch took her hand and kissed the knuckles, before holding it to his face lovingly. Kie wrapped her fingers around his hand, holding it tight. She looked down and her look softened when she saw the two toddlers in his arms. She reached out for Rokuta, and he helped her pick their Son up gently. Kie held the 3-year-old close, humming happily as she gently rubbed his back. Tanjuro smiled and sat back against the wall again with Koto still held in his arms.
Well, he could talk to her later about everything. For now he just wanted to relax with the three of them.
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30 minutes later, Kie had settled with Rokuta in her arms, and Tanjuro decided to take Koto back to Shizu. Covering him with a blanket, so the sunlight wouldn't wake the boy up, the Demon travelled through the Headquarters. He reached the Love Hashira Estate in five minutes and entered it to find his Demon. Shizu wasn't there, but Genya was, along with all of the older Shinazugawa children except to Sanemi obviously. "I have Koto here. I thought he'd like to sleep with his Siblings now" Tanjuro explained. Sumi reached out for her baby Brother, "oh, thanks Dad" she said with a grateful smile.
As she cradled her youngest Brother in her arms, Tanjuro thought about how easy it was for all of these children to become 'his' even when they weren't related to him by blood. He looked around. Hanako and Haruka were usually around the other girls, but today they weren't. "Hey, where are Hanako and Haruka?" Tanjuro asked softly, so as not to wake the sleeping Koto. "Oh, they're doing some Baking with Mrs Kanroji" Shuya explained. "How are Genya and Shigeru doing Dad?" Teiko asked. "Oh, they're fine. Just resting right now" Tanjuro replied. "I'm glad they're both okay now. Can we go visit them?" Sumi asked.
"Maybe tomorrow. Miss Shinobu wants to run some tests to check on their health today, and they might take a bit of time. Plus they both need to rest as well" Tanjuro explained. He felt bad lying to his children, even if it wasn't really lying. Even so, he hoped they would get to visit his Sons soon. By that time it was getting dark, and Kanna Kanroji walked out to where they all were, "dinner's almost ready, please wash up everyone" she asked. "Yes Ma'am" everyone replied, entering the house to get ready for dinner.