Reiko exited the room, her expression unreadable. Tanjiro immediately stood up, worry etched across his face.
"Well?" he asked, urgency in his voice. "Can I see her?"
"She's recovering well," Reiko assured him. "Most of the blood isn't hers."
As those words sank in, Zenitsu looked up, eyes wide with shock. "Did she really… hurt them?"
"She did what she had to do," Reiko said, her tone gentle but firm.
"That's not—" Zenitsu started, voice trembling with uncertainty.
"Don't judge her!" Tanjiro cut in, eyes blazing with protective anger. "She didn't want to do it!"
Without waiting for a response, he pushed past Reiko and stepped into the dimly lit room. Kuri lay on the bed, her skin pale and shivering despite the bandages wrapping her wounds. She flinched at the sound of the door but relaxed slightly when she saw him.
"H-Hiya, flame heart…" Kuri's voice was weak, barely a whisper.
Tanjiro's expression softened, and he placed his warm hand on her cold, trembling cheek. The gentle touch seemed to ground her, easing some of the fear lingering in her eyes. He glanced at the unlit hearth and, with a simple exhale, sent a small flame into the fireplace, the warm glow filling the room.
"You could use some warming up," Tanjiro said softly, pulling a blanket over her. He lingered, his face close to hers, and pressed a gentle, reassuring kiss to her cheek.
The touch, so tender and full of care, sent warmth flooding through Kuri, more effective than the blanket or the fire. Her trembling stilled, and a faint blush bloomed across her face as she closed her eyes, feeling safe for the first time in what felt like ages..