Chapter 5

The next morning, Tanjiro, Senjuro, and Kyojuro were sitting together, having tea. Senjuro managed to find the book that may have mentioned Hinokami Kagura. But when Tanjiro opened it and looked inside, the pages were torn to shreds.

"What happened? Was the book always like this?" Tanjiro asked in shock.

"No! The book that contains the records of the Flame Hashira was always preserved well." Senjuro said.

"Father must have been the one to tear the book's pages." Kyojuro spoke up as he looked at the book. He looked at the book with slight sadness. Why would his father tear up the pages? Then he remembered the conversation they had this morning.

Hours Earlier

"Good Morning, Father!" Kyojuro greeted his father as he slid the door open to Shinjuro's room.

"So, you came back." Shinjuro said, his back still facing Kyojuro.

"Yes, but Father, there is something I need to tell you." Kyojuro said.

Shinjuro stood up and turned to face his eldest son. But when he did, his eyes widened, and he froze.

"Kyojuro..." He froze in fear at the state Kyojuro is now in. But soon his fear turned to anger. With his eyes narrowed and brow furrowing, he pointed at his son.

"How could you! Why would you side with the demons!" Shinjuro yelled.

"Father, I-" Kyojuro tried to say.

"Do you want to bring shame to our family name or ruin the Flame Hashira line!" Shinjuro continued.

"Father, please! Just let us explain!" Senjuro jumped in.

"No! I don't want to hear about it." Shinjuro said as he walked past his sons. He paused and looked over his shoulder. "You both disappoint me."

Back In The Present

"Brother?"

The sound of Senjuro calling to Kyojuro brought him out of his thoughts. He looked at his brother and Tanjiro and saw concerned looks on their faces.

"Is something wrong?" Senjuro asked his brother.

"No. It's nothing. I was just thinking about the conversation we had with Father." Kyojuro replied.

"Oh. Right." Senjuro said sadly, also thinking about the interaction with his father.

"Um, if you don't mind me asking, what has happened between you both and your father?" Tanjiro asked.

"We told our father what has happened to my brother." Senjuro looked down at the floor. "He wasn't too happy about it."

"I see. I'm sorry about that." Tanjiro said.

"No! I'm the one to apologize! I'm sorry we couldn't find anything about Hinokami Kagura." Senjuro said.

"No! It's fine!" Tanjiro said, waving his hands.

"My brother and I will continue to look for more information about Hinokami Kagura. I'll send word to you if we find anything." Senjuro said.

"Thank you." Tanjiro said, bowing.

Later In The Evening

Tanjiro was about to head off back to the Butterfly Mansion when Rengoku called out his name.

"Young Kamado." Rengoku called.

Tanjiro turned to look his way. He saw Rengoku holding something in his hands.

"I was saving this for my younger brother, but he and I decided that you should have it." Rengoku said as he presented the sword guard shaped as a flame.

Tanjiro looked down at the guard and looked back up at Rengoku. "Are you sure?"

"Yes! After what you showed me during the mission and what you would have done for me during my test, you have shown me how much you can set your heart ablaze for someone you care about. My brother and I believe you deserve this." Rengoku said with a smile.

Tanjiro took the sword guard and held it in his hands. Then with a soft smile, he looked up at Rengoku. "Thank you, Rengoku."