After a while of walking, the snow had cleared and everything had begun to melt away. It was coming closer to spring, but it was still really cold outside. You and Tanjiro walked along the road looking for something to use to help carry Nezuko easier. And especially because it was broad daylight and demons could not be out in the sunlight. So you both had to be extra pro cautious about that.
Everything had begun to bloom early, some of the grass was already in full bloom. The trees had their leaves on them. And some occasional wild violets and dandelions were spread through the ground.
On thing was for sure, you were very fond of flowers. How could you not? Their vibrant colors and mesmerizing scents that just made you feel better. You loved nature. It was like a second home to you. Along the road, you gathered flowers. There were so many, violets, dandelions, daisies, hydrangeas, camellias, cosmos, lily of the valley, and lavenders. Tanjiro turned his head to face you and noticed you were picking flowers along the way. He wondered what you were going to do with all of them. But he didn't question you.
You both came through a rice field and noticed some people were out and about doing their job. Tanjiro and you walked up to one of the people working and stopped in front of him.
"I beg your pardon sir, but, do you have any baskets available for me to take?" Tanjiro asked. The man stopped what he was doing and looked up at the boy and you. He smiled.
"Sure." He responded. He turned his back and walked forward a few steps and grabbed a simple weaves basket. He held it up for them to look at.
"This is all I got for ya. It's got a hole in it, but, I'm sure it'll manage." The man said. Tanjiro have the man a warm smile and grabbed some yen from his pocket.
"Woah kid! You do not need to pay me! It's already worn out enough. Just take it for free." He handed the boy the basket. Tanjiro declined and held the money out for the man.
"But I want to pay." Tanjiro stated again.
"Kid no! I don't need the money!" The man raised his voice slightly. Trying to give Tanjiro the basket.
"Let me pay you!" Tanjiro yelled back. As the two were bickering, you then took some yen out of your pocket, grabbed the basket from the persons hand, slammed the money on his hand, and took Tanjiro by the wrist and dragged him away. You turned your head slightly to look back at the mans flabbergasted face.
"Thank you very much!" You yelled out with a closed eyed smile.
"Uh...I...you're welcome!" The man yelled back.
~~~~~
"Hey Nezuko!"
You and Tanjiro had reached the dark cave that you held Nezuko in until night when it was safe for her. When you called out her name, she was no where in sight.
"Uhhh...Nezuko?"
You and Tanjiro looked around until you spotted a head pop up below your feet. You screeched and gripped Tanjiro's hand.
When you realized who it was. You sighed with relief. You felt your hand gripped Tanjiro's. You both looked at each other and as you looked into his burgundy eyes, your faces turned fifty shades of red. You gently pulled your hand away. You played with your hands and he rubbed the back of his neck. Both of your faces still red. Tanjiro cleared his throat as he took the basket and set it on the ground.
"Can you fit Nezuko?" He asked kneeling down into the ground. She paused for a moment. She crawled out of the mini hole she created and approached the basket like a cautious dog. She then crawled in, but unfortunately, she was too big and laid on the ground with the lower half of her body hanging out. You giggled at Nezuko's lazy attempt to fit inside.
"Can you, get smaller Nezuko?" Tanjiro asked. A moment of silence and she quickly shrunk and went inside the basket. She put it right side up and shrunk inside. You approached the basket and looked at the tiny demon inside.
"Awwwww! Your so cute Nezuko!" You smiled as you pat your hand on her head. Nezuko closed eyes and leaned and cradled your hand in her pale ones. Tanjiro watched and was in awe of how you were so close to Nezuko already.
"Oh!" You said. Tanjiro looked at you as you pulled out some sort of circular thing. He raised an eyebrow and used his knees to get a closer look at what was in your hands. When it fixed into his eyes, he looked in amazement.
There in your hands was a beautifully crafted flower crown. With all of those flowers that you picked along their road trip. And all of those nights when you both would get too tired to go further and you'd be on watch. So that's what she was getting those flowers for. He thought.
"I was bored so I wanted to make something. I would make these all the time back at home." You said.
"It's beautiful." He replied. You blushed and turned your body and kneeled down in front of him.
"May I?" She asked with her sweet voice. He nodded and leaned his head down. You placed your work on his head and he looked back up. He put on a shy smile. You looked at him and admired your creative work.
He then lifted his hand up and carefully took off your creation.
"What are you doing?" You asked as you cocked your head to the side. He then took it and gently placed it upon your head. Like it was the most sacred object on earth.
"You should wear it. It'll look better on you." He retreated his hands away and looked upon your features. The crown slightly fell and you quickly lifted it back up onto your head. You looked so adorable and innocent in his eyes. Cute.
"We should get going with Nezuko." You said. Tanjiro shook his head from his thoughts and nodded his head back to you. He took the straps of the basket and put it on like a knapsack. He took a few deep breaths before getting up. When he did he almost fell over but you were there to help him out. You stood by his side incase he fell over.
"You good?" You asked. He nodded and adjusted the way he put on the basket.
"Yeah I'm good. Nezuko is smaller so it's easier." You nodded your head indicating that you heard him loud and clear.
"Let's go."
~~~~~
The sun had set at least an hour ago as you and Tanjiro walked down the lonely road. (Follow the yellow brick road) The sky was clear and the bright stars shone in the moonlight. Tanjiro watched as you looked up with your (e/c) hues in wonder up at the sky. He loved the way the moonlight cast shadows upon your delicate face. The way your (h/l) (h/c) hair blew with an occasional breeze. The way your kimono made you look so innocent and beautiful. And he was just mesmerized by your eyes. The stars reflected off your and made them sparkle in the moonlight. She's so beautiful.
"Hmm?" You turned your head to find Tanjiro staring at you. He then became flustered and looked away.
"Nothing! Nothing...I-I didn't say anything." He responded quickly. You raised a brow and cocked your head to side but then soon shrugged it off.
A few minutes had passed and soon a small light fixed into their eyes. As soon as you looked at the light, Tanjiro stopped in his tracks. You looked back at him and raised a brow.
"Tanjiro? What's wrong?" You asked with worry in your tone. His eyes were wide.
"I smell a demon." He took out his hatchet and gripped the handle tightly. He came up in front of you in a protective manner. You felt helpless. Because you didn't have a weapon in hand and he was the only one that did. Oh how you wished you had grabbed something from your house to defend yourself with.
"Stay close." He whispered to you. You nodded your head but got into a fighting stance.
You both ran up to the door and kicked it open. "Are you alright?!" Tanjiro shouted but quickly glanced towards the back of the room and his heart stopped.
There was a demon. An actual demon. Feeding off of a human that was now dead. Eyes bulged out like they were going to pop out of the sockets and the stomach ripped open. The demon stopped eating and turned its head to face the terrified teens. The demon smirked showing his sharp fangs.
"Well well well. What do we have here. A couple of kids just ran right towards me? How lucky could I possibly be?!" The demon laughed as it finished and stood up tall. It licked its fingers that were covered in blood. The demon took a few steps forward but stopped when he sniffed the air.
"Humans traveling with a demon?" He questioned.
"No matter. I'll just eat you both up," the demon turned to face you, you gulped as he licked his lips.
"And I've got a taste for women." He chuckled. You felt your entire body stop. But you wanted to move and your body wouldn't let you. You were actually scared. This reminded you of that creep at the market. Except a lot taller and bigger. And was out to actually eat you. Tanjiro's heart set on fire. The demon then launched itself towards you. But you were frozen in fear. Eye widened.
"Y/N WATCH OUT—!" He screamed as he pushed you out of the way as well as himself. Tanjiro shielded your body with his. You had shut you eyes fearing what would come next. You had the courage to open one eye, and when you did. Your cheeks turned red. Tanjiro hadn't opened his eyes, but when he did, both of your faces turned crimson red. Your faces just inches apart and lips almost brushing against each other. He quickly scrambled to his feet and apologized profusely.
"No Tanjiro its okay! You saved me. Again." You gave him a warm smile. He did as well but his expression turned into a serious one when he noticed the demon getting back up from running into a tree.
"Ugh! You f*cking brat! I'll kill you! And tear out your insides and eat you all up!" The demon shouted with pure anger evident in his voice. Tanjiro gritted his teeth together in frustration. You got back up and took a fighting stance next to your friend. The demon just laughed.
"You kids are hopeless." He dashed forward. Tanjiro figured he was going to take a right swing at him. So he quickly ducked under and used his hatchet to slice at the demon's leg. The demon shrieked in agony. It gripped its leg as blood gushed down its leg.
"You f*cking bastard!" The demon shouted. He charged at Tanjiro again but this time it knocked Tanjiro down. The demon struggled to try and attack Tanjiro as he kept on shifted as the demon tried to cause him pain. But just as he was about to hit again. His head then came flying off. Everything went in slow motion now. Tanjiro's gaze fixed onto what had caused the demon's head to fly off. There was his little sister with a dangerous and angry look on her face. He let out a sigh of relief. He got back up quickly and turned his body to face the head of the demon.
"Thanks Nezuko." Nezuko let out a cute noise. Letting him know that she heard him. You came running up to Tanjiro and looked over him.
"Are you alright Tanjiro? I'm sorry I couldn't do anything."
"Y/N it's fine. I'm alright." You looked into his burgundy hues and nodded your head.
"DAMN YOU BRATS!!! YOU JUST KICKED MY HEAD OFF!!"
You and Tanjiro screeched as you looked at the demon head that was on the ground thanks to Nezuko.
"It still talks?!?" You yelled in shock. How was this demons head off but not burning away?!?!
"Damn right you bitch. You, that boy, and that demon girl are really going to pay now!" He smirked. You then felt a sharp pain on the back of your head. The last thing you remember was seeing the demons smirking face before blacking out.