Disclaimer: Demon Slayer is not mine. This fanfic is a translation.
Enjoy Reading!
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It was fine weather in the morning with the endless expanse of the blue sky above.
Sunlight poured unrestrained through the haze, scattering unevenly on the patches of land of the Butterfly Mansion.
A fine day for Tanjuro to teach his sons to adjust their breathing correctly.
"Father."
Hanako inquired from her place on the porch, her small legs hanging and swinging back and forth. She was smiling happily as she saw her father teaching Takeo the correct posture in the courtyard.
"Father, do you really know swordsmanship?"
She asked curiously with a tilted head.
Everyone was gossiping about the new swordsman in the Corps.
The big brothers and sisters in the Butterfly Mansion are all very nice, kind, and gentle. They usually took their time to chat with Hanako.
Especially that beautiful sister, who was always smiling with a butterfly hairpin in her hair.
So Hanako heard some things.
Like, her father! Who was a powerful swordsman!
Hanako has never seen her father's cool side, though. So, she wants to know if her father really did all that they said and bragged about.
Tanjuro felt his lips twitch at Hanako's question.
Under Takeo's puzzled gaze, he stood up and slowly walked toward the porch.
"Keep it up, Takeo." Tanjuro said as he sat next to Hanako and gently rubbed her head.
Hanako still looks up at him with an expectant gaze in her eyes, waiting for her father's confirmation.
Tanjuro smiled slightly, seeing how adorable his daughter was being.
"...only a little."
Hanako's face lit up with more joy at her father's answer. "I knew it. (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)"
Hanako nodded vigorously and pumped her little fist, as if she had finally confirmed the final clues to her answers.
Tanjuro kissed her head as he hugged his daughter closer to his side. He was always amazed at Hanako's clarity about what she wants.
They spent the silence leisurely as they watched Takeo repeat forms.
Minutes passed when suddenly...
A commotion occurred at the entrance of the mansion.
In walk two figures with an identical hair color of golden hair with red tips.
"Father! It's so good to see you back on your feet!" The younger one said boisterously as his voice boomed across the courtyard. "Senjuro and I are happy for you too!"
"...you're too loud, Kyojuro..."
"I know! But you're being even louder now, Father!"
"...Huh!?"
Bonk!
There was a dull sound of a fist colliding with a head.
"Ouch! Ha ha ha! That hurt!"
Tanjuro saw the father and son make their way to the door but pivot halfway to walk in his direction.
Seeing Tanjuro sitting on the porch overseeing the courtyard, Kyojuro greeted him cheerfully.
"Hahahaha! Tanjuro-san! Long time no see!"
Kyojuro ruffled Takeo's hair as he passed by, bump swelling on the top of his head. Compared to before, Kyojuro's laugh was heartier and more unrestrained.
Yes, Kyojuro is a happy little boy right now.
"...long time no see."
Tanjuro greeted back. It has been several days after their mission together.
"Kyojuro."
Shinjuro scratched his chin, feeling unaccustomed to his lack of stubble since he had shaved it all off.
He looked more tidy now with his short-sleeved scarlet kimono that faded to golden yellow. His outfit was missing the flame-patterned haori that symbolized his status as the Flame Hashira.
He brings with him four wooden swords in his arms.
"Keep your voice down; this is the Butterfly Mansion."
"Don't disturb others."
"Yes, I understand, Father!" Kyojuro boisterously replied, seemingly ignoring his father's admonishment as his smile grew even wider and happier.
He didn't know what happened, but it was a week ago.
His father came back to their home a different person.
Shinjuro stopped his drinking, shaved off his beard, and finally did activity around the house again. His temper also improved.
He even stopped talking down and saying depressing things to Kyojuro and Senjuro!
No amount of words could express Kyojuro's joy at his father's sudden turn of attitude.
Yes, did I mention Kyojuro is a happy little boy right now?
Shinjuro looked at Tanjuro in the eyes; his expression was as serious as they come.
"Kamado-san."
His voice was a touch deeper than Kyojuro's, on account of him being his father and having drunk alcohol until recently. "My name is Rengoku Shinjuro."
"We met on the road a week ago."
He thrust the four wooden swords in his hand and stabbed them on the ground. "Today, I'm here to seek guidance on your swordsmanship."
Shinjuro's eyes held determination that hid a fragility of hope.
"What do you think?"
After he decided to reinvent himself, Shinjuro picked up his blade again and practiced the Flame Breathing method and swordsmanship.
He wanted to experience it himself.
He wants to know, how big is the gap between himself and those geniuses?
So, he dusted off his rusty skills and technique and rushed over to the Butterfly Mansion, bringing along wooden swords with him.
Tanjuro felt Shinjuro's determination and acknowledged it.
Though he felt a little awkward in his heart.
Every time he fights, he will lose some of his life force.
Maybe not as extensive as with a demon, but...
Tanjuro pursed his lips unnoticeably as he considered the proposal pitch by Shinjuro.
But before he could say no.
Hum~ Hum~
Beside him, Hanako was looking up at him, stars shining in her eyes, smiling wide, and expectation evident in her eyes. "Daddy!"
Waku-waku!
Tanjuro made the mistake of locking eyes with his daughter, who puffed up her cheeks as her face turned red, vibrating with excitement.
She nodded vigorously, and at the same time, her hand tugged at her father's kimono. Urging him to accept the challenge.
Tanjuro's eyes turned blank as he controlled himself with every ounce of his being, trying not to smother Hanako in hugs and kisses.
Finally, he looked up at Shinjuro.
"Okay."
...
"Kamado-san is fighting the former Flame Hashira!"
News spread quickly from the Kakushi stationed in the Butterfly Mansion.
"Wait! What!
"Hurry! To the Butterfly Mansion!"
"Oi, you idiots! Aren't you afraid of Lady Kocho with so many people going to the mansion!?"
"Uh… well, you see…"
"...now that you said it, maybe..."
Chaos and pandemonium skimmed to every active Kakushi in the area.
Soon enough, many Kakushi arrived at the Butterfly Mansion.
Some of them choose their own safety, considering where the duel took place. So, they decide not to come to the mansion.
But rather watched the spectacle across the roof and walls!
"Umu!"
Kyojuro was standing to the side with Takeo to make room for the two combatants to spar. His arms crossed confidently as he observed the Kakushi rushing over and surrounding the courtyard.
His face was tinted with confusion as he looked around but did not find someone that came with them from the Rengoku residence.
"Hey, Where's Kanroji?"
...
-Location: The Woods near the Butterfly Mansion-
A sigh escaped her lungs as her weep colored her voice.
"Huuu~, Rengoku-san and Rengoku-san's Dad..."
Mitsuri Kanroji's eyes were brimming with unshed tears as she looked around frantically.
Tress, trees, and more trees.
She covered her face in despair and cried out to the sky.
"Where have you gone!?"