M/n lead the elated Kamado family inside their cozy and warm home.
Upon walking up the steps one by one, they each stomped the snow off their boots and walked inside. Tanjiro was the last one to walk in and when he looked around, he was amazed and warmness filled his heart.
It looked so cozy in the house. There was a fireplace just across the living room. And to the left of the living room was a small but useable kitchen. It almost looked like his back home. And to the right, was a dining room with a wooden table and four seating cushions. Everything was in its place. It wasn't overturned or covered in blood. To which he mentally sighed with relief.
Tanjiro averted his gaze over and looked to see a small child. He looked a little younger than Hanako. His black hair and (e/c) orbs that gleamed with curiosity and innocence. He looked into those bright orbs and felt as if he was seeing something he wasn't meant to.
"Mom? Who are they?" The little boy asked as he set down a toy he held in his hands.
"You haven't met them, but these are very good friends of mine and your father's."
The little boy looked them all over before standing up and bowing down to the family.
"H-Hello! M-My name is Hiroto L/n." He greeted politely.
He's so adorable. Tanjiro thought to himself.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Hiroto." Kie added with a smile on her face. She then motioned to the rest of the family.
"This is Rokuta," She motioned to her back. "That is Shigeru and Hanako," the two who were called out bowed their heads and waved back at little Hiroto. "That's Takeo,"
"What's up?" Takeo asked with a smirky-smile. Hiroto giggled in response.
"And that is Tanjiro." Kie finished, motioning towards the burgundy haired boy. Tanjiro bowed down to the child and smiled brightly. He was so excited to meet your little brother.
"Nee-chan has told me about you!"
Tanjiro felt his heart leap once he heard that.
She's... told him about me?
Hanako, Shigeru, and Takeo looked at each for a moment before smirking. Trying hard not to laugh.
"Hiroto, who are you talking to?" A man walked out from another room and stopped.
This man without a doubt looked like Y/n. This must be Y/n's father... the one who uses sun breathing. Just like my father.
F/n's (h/c) hair was tied back into a small low ponytail. His (e/c) orbs were bright and reflected the delicate flames of the fireplace. He wore a haori with colors like the sun.
"Hey honey! We have some old friends here." M/n mentioned.
F/n stayed silent before smiling to the Kamado family.
"My my it's been a long time. How are you Kie?" He asked coming forward and bowing down. She did the same.
"I've been well. How about you?"
"I've been very good."
Kie grinned. Happy that her old friends were doing well.
"How is Y/n?"
"She's doing well! She's not here at the moment. She's getting some water for a nice warm bath for herself."
"I bet, it's quite cold out this time of year."
"Indeed."
Hanako, Shigeru, and Takeo sneakily looked over at Tanjiro to find his face slightly heating up and looking away towards the ground after her father finished that sentence. They smirked to themselves.
F/n adjusted his gaze over to the red haired boy.
"You must be Tanjiro Kamado." He mentioned.
Tanjiro snapped his head up with wide eyes and bowed deeply.
"Y-Yes sir!"
F/n chuckled, "There's no need to be so formal."
"R-Right!"
It was silent for a moment before F/n beamed once again towards the young boy.
"You look just like your father."
Tanjiro nodded to himself. His father crossing through his mind. The fun and happy memories of him. He was an amazing father and taught him so much.
"He was a great man. And I'm so glad I was able to meet him."
Tanjiro lifted his head slightly and grinned up at F/n.
"How about I make some tea." M/n came in with excitement.
"I'd love some!" Hanako bursted in. Everyone laughed as they went to settle down and enjoy themselves.
☁︎︎
You walked inside of your home and everything was exactly the way you remembered. No overturned furniture. No red stains everywhere. It was all perfect. The little fireplace going in the living room.
"Oh! Did you get the marbles Sissy?" Hiroto asked plopping on the seat cushions.
You nodded your head vigorously and pulled out the bag of marbles. You remembered you put them in you outfit. You realized before that you were in your white snowflake kimono. And the bag of marbles that you kept were there.
"Hey dad," You called out, "I got mom her favorite flowers."
F/n grew a bright smile and looked at the bouquet of stargazer lilies.
"She's gonna love those." He stated.
"Sissy! Come and play with me!" Hiroto whined.
"I'm coming silly!"
┌───͙⊱••✩••̩̩͙⊰•───┐
"I WIN!" You laughed throwing your hands up in the air.
Hiroto crossed his arms and made the cutest pouty face ever. Y/n was laughing like an idiot.
"It's not fair!" He pouted.
"You'll beat me one day, don't worry. But right now, I'm the queen of this game."
M/n walked in from the kitchen and spotted the two being funny.
"Who won this time?"
"Sissy did."
M/n giggled.
"Hey Y/n, why don't you go and get some water for a bath? You must be cold after that long journey."
You replied back with an 'okay' before getting up and helping Hiroto gather up all the marbles. While they were doing that, M/n watched them.
"How was the visit to town today?"
"It was good! I got you your favorite flowers."
"I know! I saw and they are beautiful!"
The was silence for a moment before M/n spoke again,
"Did you meet any boys you may like?"
"Mom!"
"I'm just asking silly!" She giggles causing you to do the same.
"Well, as a matter of fact... I did." Hiroto and M/n grew wide eyes and held large smiles upon their faces.
"Who?!"
"I told you! A boy!"
"What's his name?"
You felt your cheeks heat up slightly upon remembering the sweet boy whom you loved so much. Only, sadly, it wasn't a reality that you were with him.
"His name is Tanjiro. Tanjiro Kamado."
"Wait," M/n held a hand up. "Who?"
"Tanjiro Kamado." You repeated, a little curious as to why she would ask again. You were sure she heard you the first time. "Why?"
"Oh! It's just... I haven't heard that name in a long while. The last time I've seen the Kamados has been a long time."
You remembered the memory you had when you were really young. Meeting Tanjiro's dad. You remembered them practicing the Hinokami Kagura Dance. It was a good memory.
"Yeah... it has."
"Maybe we could see them sometime?" You asked. If everything was back to normal, maybe you could meet his siblings. Maybe you all could come together again. And all of the bad parts of your nightmare would go away. It would all be okay again.
"We should at some point." Your mother nodded in agreement.
"Why don't you go and make yourself a bath."
You nodded before grabbing two buckets and heading out the door.
┌───͙⊱••✩••̩̩͙⊰•───┐
It grew colder and colder as you neared the large stream. Carrying the two buckets, you came up to the small dock that your father built and kneeled down.
Digging the buckets into the cold water, your hands were freezing. But knowing you would be able to have a nice warm bath later it relaxed your mind.
A loud snap echoed throughout the silent forest. Your head snapped around on instinct. You attempted to grab your sword at your hip. But you found it wasn't there.
Goodness... that nightmare really took a toll on me.
You looked across from the stream and noticed a creature coming out. A small gasp escaped your lips as you looked up it.
It was a deer. Male. It's large antlers stood proud and mighty up top. Ready to pierce any being that threatened it. It's hooves slowly sunken into the snow.
It looked around for a small bit before snapping its eyes straight towards you.
You and the deer stared at each other for a few moments. Your mind seemed to relax itself. It was just so beautiful and serene. Something as innocent and proud as this deer. It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
The deer then retreated back into the thick trees and vanished into the snowy forest quickly.
You looked down slightly. Wishing you could've seen it more. But then you decided it was best to go back home.
┌───͙⊱••✩••̩̩͙⊰•───┐
"I won!" Hiroto shouted out with pride as he threw up his hands. Takeo grumbled slightly at his defeat. He heard the others laughing as they watched the intense game go on with the marbles.
"I've never won before! Sissy always beats me." Hiroto giggled.
"Well, this time, you can brag about it to her." Takeo bumped his shoulder playfully. He laughed again.
"I've finished the tea!" M/n came out along with Kie from the kitchen.
"Yay! I'm thirsty!" Hanako and Shigeru interrupted rushing towards the two women.
Tanjiro and Takeo laughed as Hiroto jumped up as well to get some.
Tanjiro heard the door they walked through earlier open.
"I'm back!"
That voice... is that—?
Tanjiro snapped his head around to see someone at the door. He couldn't quite tell who it was because of the scarf around their head that they were wearing.
The unknown person put down to buckets of water and lifted their hand up to pull down the scarf.
A cold breeze flew by as her hair wiped with the wind gracefully.
She looked inside and her eyes widened. Tanjiro's eyes were just as wide. He couldn't believe who it was. And they were both equally shocked.
"Tanjiro?"
"Y-Y/n?!"