This chapter is a bit short but it's cute. Hope you like it! :D
Chapter 3
Komu keep walking for a couple hours and, when she saw her village in the distance, she started walking faster. Ah, it's great to be back! Feels great to be alive! Mind you, she was extremely tired (she had been at her limit for hours now) but considering that many hadn't even survived, this was nothing. She started jogging as she saw the wodden doors that she had grown up with, quickly opened the door and-
« I'm home! I survived! Kaa-san, tou-san! I made-
"AH KUMO WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU!"- her mother quickly interrupted her throwing herself at her daughter, grabbing her by the shoulder and turning her around to look at her back "You are covered in blood! How are you standing?! Toshi! Bring water and some cloths!" she instructed her husband, who had been drinking some tea at the table, and inmeaditely stood up.
"Kaa-san! I'm fine, most blood isn't mine" Kumo complained trying to get off her mother's strong hold "I saved a boy who had his arm…removed by a demon" She knew her mother hated gory details so she tried to keep it vague. Tried.
"You're gonna give your poor mother a heart attack at this rate! » her mum, Sugawara Miko, sighed in relief and looked at Kumo with her big green eyes « I hate it, I hate this...job you want to do. I-
Oh, no. Here we go again. Kumo hated causing her parents distress but her decision had been made long ago. She didn't regret it. However, she silently lamented the rift it had created between her and her parents's relationship. Nevertheless, this was for the better. For a better future, together, as a family.
« Darling... » her father, Sugawara Ren, placed a hand on his wife's shoulder as a sign of support. His dark blue eyes showed concerned and a bit of sadness. « Kumo has already explained her reasons for being a demon Slayer, she's made up her mind and we should support her"
"Support her?! Ren, our only daughter could die any day and- I just can't live with this...fear of not knowing if...UGH! » she stood up angrily and walked toward her bedroom « Wash up and go to bed! » she order before slamming her door. Kumo winced at the loud sound and at her mother's painful sound.
« Forgive your mother, Kumo » Ren apologized with a soft smile while placing a hand on her head « You know she's really happy to have you back safe but...she can't handle the stress»
« It's fine tou-san. Don't worry about me » she fake smiled up at her father « you should go after her and check that she doesn't break anything...again »
« Haha, will do. There are some onigiris on the table. Eat as many as you want » he said as he kissed her forehead « Congratulations on becoming a demon slayer, Kumo. We're proud of you! »
« Hehe, thanks dad! » she blushed slightly as she sat down on the floor to take an onigiri « I'll see you tomorrow! »
« Sweet dreams » he said back as he quietly entered his bedroom.
Kumo looked at her plain onigiri before taking a bite. Just rice as always. See? This is why we need the money! With my new salary we can get tuna or even meat! And tou-san needs the muscle, he looks thinner each time...Man, what a welcome! I hope Kyojuro-san had it better than me at least...
Little did she know, that Kyojuro eventually thought the exact same thing. Since he arrived pretty late at the Rengoku household, he knew his little brother would be asleep so he decided against waking him up. However, while passing through the kitchen, he saw his father grabbing another bottle of sake.
« Chichihue, I'm home! I passed the final selection! » Kyojuro knew his father couldn't care less but a tiny part of him hoped, just hoped for a small sign of recognition, of relief that he came safe, a glimpse of how his father used to-
« Ah? What does that have to do with me? It's worthless, everything is worthless » he said drunkenly while taking another sip of sake « Now, stop botherin' me and leave! »
Be.
Kyojuro turned round and left to his room, clenching his teeth trying to ignore the pain in his chest. Maybe, when he becomes the Flame Hashira, his father will acknowledge him. And just maybe, things will turn back how they used to be...just like when his mother was still alive.
« Aniki? » Kyojuro turned to his little brother who was rubbing his left eye with his tiny fist « You're back?! You came back! » Senjuro's eyes filled with tears as he rushed into his brother's opened arms.
« Haha! Of course! Your big brother is strong! » Kyojuro laughed, all negative thoughts leaving his mind as he hold Senjuro « I'll tell you all about the final selection tomorrow but for now, you should go to bed! »
« Hai... » Senjuro said while rubbing his eyes, trying to erase all traces of tears. As he did so, he noticed Kyojuro had a branch with roses tucked in his belt "Aniki, why do you have flowers?" he never saw his brother being interested in them before.
"Ah, I almost forgot!" he grabbed the flowers taking them down a bit so Senjuro could see them better "I made a friend at the final selection! Her name's Kumo and she's funny!"
Senjuro looked at the bright yellow flowers and then back at this brother. "I see why she's funny, aniki!" the little brother laughed "You look just like these flowers! Yellow!"
"Nani?!" Kyojuro pretended to examine the flowers closely with squinting eyes, making Senjuro laugh harder "Yeah, I guess you're right haha!"
Both brothers laughed while walking back to Senjuro's room. After putting his brother back in bed, Kyojuro went back to his room with a glass of water where he put the roses. He set the glass on his window sill and stared at them. He chuckled. Yellow huh? What a funny girl! I hope she received a warm welcome! With that last thought, he washed up and went for a well-deserved rest.