It was later in the night while dinner was being prepared by Reader and Tanjiro. A huge amount of ingredients were being used to prepare this meal of 8 people. Her three demons, Giyu kun, her, and Slayer Trio, as nezuko just always sleeps instead of eating.
"Tanjiro kun?" She quitely mustered his name to gain his attention. "Hmm." He hummed in response. "Your hanafuda earrings, where did you get those?" She asked while stirring a huge pot of soup.
"This is our generational hereditary. My father passed down it to me. Similarly, my father inherited it from his father. This has been going through generations." He answered as he stopped cutting vegetables and meat for other side dishes.
Reader also stopped stirring soup to look at him thoughtfully. "Ohh." That's all she said. 'Is it possible that the person she saw in her dream is Tanjiro's ancestors or something? But, i can't even ask as i don't even know his name.'
"Reader san?" Tanjiro asked hesitantly. She hummed as she started preparing other side dishes. "Do you know anything about hinokami kagura?" Reader looked up at him. "Hinokami kagura, huh?" She thought about it.
"What's that? I've never heard of it." She answered truthfully. Tanjiro seemed disappointed but explained. "Hinokami kagura is a practice which is also passed down in our family throughout generations. It's a kind of dance to please the god of fire. I have combined it with my breathing style for fighting."
"I guess not. Oh, wait... Actually, Rengoku san has shown me a book years ago. That book contained information regarding older breathing style, which had to do something with sun or fire. I am not sure. I guess it can be useful for you."
"Really? Maybe i should visit his house. Can i? But, it's rude to visit anyone's home without an invitation." Tanjiro was again disappointed.
'Maybe it's really important for him. He is a very pure hearted boy. How can someone be so considerate as he won't visit anyone's house without an invitation?' She thought.
"Don't worry. He won't mind at all. He loves it when his comrades visit him. Even if he is not at home, you can always find his younger brother, Senjoru kun. He will show you the book." Tanjiro still looked unsure.
"Are you serious? Tanjiro kun, you should try to be more laid back and shouldn't think a lot about formality." She suggested after chuckling at his hesitant behaviour. Tanjiro seemed to be flustered at being called out.
"Ok. I will visit with you after two days when i complete this mission. Is that ok?" He looked surprised. "You will?" She nodded while shrugging. "It's not a big deal as i haven't seen senjoru in a while anyway. I also want to visit the former flame hashira, father of Renguko san."
"Ok. Thanks, Reader san." She chuckled. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing, trust me." Tanjiro nodded after smiling his usual bright smile. "Reader chan~~" Douma's voice came into the kitchen before he himself.
"Ohh, i think it's Douma san." Tanjiro let out his guess. "You think?" She asked jokingly as they both let out shared chuckle. Douma finally entered the kitchen. "Reader chan~." He followed Reader around the kitchen, chasing her down.
"Wait." She tried to stop Douma. "Come on, Reader chan. I haven't seen you in the whole two hours." He whined. She sighed in defeat. He used this chance for finally embracing Reader in his arm.
Tanjiro was watching this whole scene with a gentle smile on his face. Even if he finds Douma san a little weird and almost no scent of emotions from him. He smells Genuineness and love whenever it's about Reader san.
How can someone just feel nothing about others while feeling everything for one person only? Yes. He smells other feelings from Douma san, but only when it's Reader san. He doesn't feel anything for anyone else. Although his words are well chosen and can seem genuine.
He could've fooled Tanjiro, too, if not for his smelling ability. But, he feels Douma san is perfect for Reader san. He can feel that Douma san will protect Reader san with his life. But, his over touchy and needy behaviour is a little troublesome for him.
Tanjiro doesn't think that Reader san appreciates the constant attention demanding nature of Douma san a lot. But, he also smells the appreciation, affectionate, and grateful feelings of Reader san towards Douma san.
"Douma, can you look out for others and make them feel welcome like a good host? Meanwhile, we both can finish making dinner. I promise we will take just half an hour more before joining you outside." He pouted in protest.
"Ok." He let out his disappointed voice with heavy heart and made his way out of the kitchen. Reader sighed. "Let's hurry up, Tanjiro kun. Otherwise, we will have to deal with sulking Douma." Tanjiro chuckled before nodding.
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After the mission was all wrapped up, Reader returned Ice estate after 1 and half days during morning with Douma. She found out that both former uppermoons demons have received their own missions. Only slayers Trio were messing around with each other.
Inosuke kun had Zenitsu kun on the floor while sitting on his back. "Bhahaha, i won kentaro. Did you see?" He laughed like a madman he is. "You idiot, boarhead. I never challenged you to fight with me. You threw me on the floor."
"You were not giving me your shrimps, which means you want to fight with me." Inosuke explained while Tanjiro face palmed himself. "You idiot, why should i give you my food when there is plenty made by Tanjiro?" Zenitsu screamed while struggling to get up.
"Inosuke, maybe you should get up from Zenitsu. You might be suffocating him." Tanjiro panicked when he sensed Reader san's scent. What will she think of them when she will see them like this? She will regret letting them stay at her estate.
"Inosuke kun." Reader calmly said. Inosuke froze. "Why are you tackling Zenitsu kun down? What did i teach you about being friendly? Did you forget already?" Inosuke quickly let go of Zenitsu. "A-ah.. i-i wasn't doing anything. We were just playing around."
"You liar." Zenitsu screamed before falling on his knees right beside Reader and started complaining about how Inosuke is bulling him. Reader listened to Zenitsu with a neutral face. "Is that true?" She asked Inosuke. "Uh. I-"
She shook her head in disappointment. "I am disappointed Inosuke kun. As a punishment, you will say sorry to Zenitsu kun and will not get Tempura for a whole week." Inosuke huffed but nodded like an obedient child.
"I am sorry." He muttered under his breath and was more fainted by his boar mask, but it was still clear enough to understand. Zenitsu smirked at Inosuke and laughed at his face, making Inosuke mad. But, he didn't react just yet.
"Zenitsu kun, what do you say when someone says sorry?" Reader asked him at with sweet smile. "It's ok, Inosuke. Just don't repeat such actions again." Zenitsu, despite not wanting to, he still said it because of Reader.
"Now, everything is settled?" They noded. "Then you both will head to Butterfly mansion for rehabilitation training, while today me and Tanjiro will head towards Flame estates." Everyone agreed except one and only Douma.
"Reader chan. You won't leave me alone now, will you?" Douma pouted with his puppy eyes in display. "You are making it sound like i am abandoning you or something." Douma whined more.
"Look. I won't leave you here if it is up to me. But, it's Former hashira. He hates demons. He has some drinking issues and bad conditions. I don't think so bringing you along will be a good idea."
"Exactly. This means i should be right beside you to protect when things go out of your hands. If that former hashira decides something unacceptable, i should be there to protect you." Reader laughed at little at his words.
She doesn't have any choice now. Reader took Douma's both hands on her own, joining them together. Douma looked flustered. "Please, Douma. I promise i'll be alright. Just some hours. Otherwise, I'll think you consider me weak." She stated with sad eyes.
Douma couldn't resist this. How can he? How can he when she looks at him with those pretty eyes of hers requesting something? His rainbow coloured eyes went wide as simultaneously as her eyes became more expectatant.
He had to give in. He nodded with a pout and heavy heart. All this hour, his heart will be churning with despair, wondering about her whereabouts and her well-being. How will he live those hours? This is very hard for him.
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As both hashiras saw the book "Flame hashira Chronicles" kept in a drawer, they instantly knew something was wrong. As Rengoku san reached to grab the book, Reader could see the excitement and hope in Tanjiro's eye. Flame hashira grabbed the book and went to the lower table, sitting down with others following lead.
Rangoku san opened that book with suspicion on his mind only to find pages to be shred down. Nothing could be made out of this book. Reader could see the excitement of Tanjiro going out of his eyes being replaced by disappointment.
"Let me guess. It's a result of anger of Rengoku san." Reader muttered in obvious dissatisfaction. "Yes. I believe so." His voice blooming in air. "It's ok, though. Kamado san, you can ask any question that may arise in your mind. I will try to answer if i can."
"Thank you for your support, Rengoku san." Tanjiro beamed with grateful attitude. "No need to thank me." He laughed with a big smile and a loud voice. Reader also chuckled with their sudden enthusiasm. "Where is Rengoku san?" She asked, referring to Former hashira.
"He is in his room, probably drunk again." Rengoku san stated loudly that radiants light and joy. But, she knows the kind of responsible and reliable man he is. She knows how hardworking he is. He is working hard and hard every day, just to be better.
Better for only to be recognised by his father. Only to finally get his father's attention and care back on him and senjoru kun. Only if Rengoku san could let go of his wife's death. Only if he could understand what he is losing while he is grieving someone who won't come back to life.
She knows she doesn't have any right to question him. She doesn't know the level of love they had. She doesn't know the dynamics they had. She doesn't have any idea. But that doesn't mean he doesn't know what his sons are going through since their mother died.
"Can i see him?" She doesn't even wait for his answer in her own daze of thought process. Her feet only stopped after she was in front of Rengoku san's door. She knocked on the door. Few grunts in annoyance made their way through the other side of the door.
The door opened, revealing Rengoku san looking shock. His eyes mommentarily softened before he scoffed. "What are you doing here? Aren't you a demon now? How dare you step inside my house?" Her face didn't even slightly change from his loud, accusing voice.
"Rengoku san, Greetings." She bowed. He looked confused but held up his scowled look. "Just get out here. Ok? Leave us alone." He shouted at her with top of his lungs before throwing his bottle in her direction. She catched the bottle mid-air and crushed the bottle with mere hands spilling all alcohol on the floor.
"Rengoku san, why are you doing this? Is this what your wife expected from you?" Her monotone voice with a hint of sadness, which made him freeze. He glared at her. "Don't talk about my wife like you know her."
"That's true, i don't know her. But, i am sure she was an amazing and strong woman. She didn't want anything but her family beside her. She wanted her family to be happy even in her absence. But, the question is, is her wish being fulfilled?"
That questions, those assumptions. Even if she doesn't know anything, it's spot on. His wife, his ruka, made him promise that he would take care of both their sons on her behalf. How couldn't he protect her?
He wanted to fulfil his promise he made. But, he couldn't. He couldn't when the loss was her. His dear wife. Why did god take ruka away from him? He couldn't save her. But, he could've protected his son, right? Well, that's what he thought he was doing.
By discouraging them, by telling them they are not strong, not worth it. He said all those harsh words just to keep them away from demon slayer corporation and it's dangerous life risking job.
"I know you are grieving your wife even after all these years. But, i also know you care for your sons. You don't show it, but you do. You are former hashira. You know how your life doesn't have guaranteed. You never know when it's last."
Her voice was calm and relaxed. "I just hope you won't drown yourself in alcohol to the point you won't understand when your fate has decided to take your precious away from you. I hope you won't lose your sons to life while you grieve your wife."
With that, she left the conversation and place. She left behind the man who realised the heavy words and its weight. He is not mad at her. He is mad and disappointed on his own self. He is a terrible father he knows it.