Warnings: flirting, recovery, profanity/bad words, and friendship.
Your POV
It has been almost two weeks and Tanjiro's back wound is still very tender as you clean and add new onitment. He holds very still letting you work. Tanjiro attempts to act brave but he occasionally whimpers.
"Sorry." I am trying to be gentle.
"Oh I am... fine." He says while holding back another whimper. Trying to look tough in front of you. Taking in a deep breath as you add fresh bandages.
"I really appreciate your help." Tanjiro grabs your hand and gently kisses the inside of your wrist.
"I love you."
"I love you, too. I have been cleared to begin recovery training, starting today."
"Then I better hurry and heal this wound. We can get stronger together." He says leaning forward to kiss your forehead. Tanjiro has started working on total concentration breathing.
"I also plan to start training with a Hashira... if they accept me."
"I am proud of you, y/n-chan."
Together you walk back to the recovery room and find flowers all over the floor and an interesting sight.
"What is happening?" Tanjiro asks seeing his sweet demon sister and Zentisu kneeling on the ground together. Flower crowns in both of their hair.
Zenitsu blushes while smiling, "Oh, Tanjiro-Kun~ We are having lots of fun!"
They are so adorable!
"Please.. never say my name that way again."
"I wanted to cheer Nezuko up... since she can not go outside during the day. I believe she misses
seeing the beauty of flowers... I wanted to bring her that joy." Zentisu confesses.
That is so thoughtful!
He smiles as he puts another flower into Nezuko's hair. You lightly elbow Tanjiro, "It is just fun. Wait where is Inosuke?"
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Inosuke Hashibira POV
I crawl across the grass on all fours as I make my approach. Slow and steady. Keeping low to the ground to avoid being seen.
I don't understand why I feel this way
Ever since that stupid night!
Aoi is waving fabric around and hanging it up on sticks. Without knowing what she is doing I sneak under a white flowing blanket. Hiding myself in order to watching her closely.
Why do I keep thinking of her?
What the hell is wrong with me?!
I have been stalking her like a boar would their prey for the past several days. Trying to learn more about her. To understand why I feel strange around her. She moves further away to hang something when I go to crawl forward but I get tangled in the blanket.
"Ahh!" I kick and flail around to get free when I peek up from the under the white fabric to see her starring down at me with those blue eyes. I flash a big smile up at her.
"Stop that!! You are making a mess of my hard work!" She scolds me.
"Hi Aoi."
I give a huge smile and again my organs act strange. My heart begins to race and my stomach hurts. My skin feels tingly!
I growl and leap to my feet. I don't wait to hear what she has to say. Running away from her as fast as possible. Even my face feels hot.
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Your POV
Your body is even more sore after working with the butterfly girls. The little ones forced you to stretch. Chasing Aoi around and having Kanao throw water in your face multiple times. Both your body and ego are sore.
Tanjiro, Nora and Inosuke are not cleared to begin training. Zenitsu was told he could join but instead he hides in his bed.
I will work hard and get strong.
If I can get a Hashira to train me...
Then maybe I can protect my love ones.
Carefully you walk into the Hashira's private gardens as you approach him. You almost didn't come. Taking in a deep breath before calling out,
"Obanai?"
With a quick movement he is in front of you, "That is Iguro to you."
"Sorry. Iguro." Bowing your head slightly, "I have come to apologize. I am-"
Before you can say another word he lifts you up and throws you over his shoulder despite being one of the shorter Hashira. He is incredibly powerful.
You grab the back of stripped Haori as he begins walking with you dangling over his shoulder.
"Where are you taking me?" He doesn't respond. You just keep talking, "Okay. Well, I am very sorry for punching you in the face. I was just trying to protect Tanjiro."
While you babble a white snake slides between you and its little head hovers near your face as if to get a better look at you.
"Oh, Hi Kaburamaru."
Iguro stops walking for a moment but never says a single word. Then he starts walking again.
"So... I am sorry." You wait for a moment, "Also, I want to ask you ... can I be your Tsuguko?"
~{Readers please trust the process}~
Another few seconds of complete silence as he keeps walking with you on his shoulder.
"I want you to train me. You are a very strong Hashira. Well some people would argue that.. The thing is.. I feel so weak. Like a burden to my love ones.. they are constantly having to save me. I want to get stronger and faster."
Iguro doesn't respond but he finally stops walking. "Oh my.. Obanai, is everything okay?" The soft voice belongs to Shinobu.
He lifts you up and harshly throws you down to the ground. "Keep them on your property."
You look up to see Shinobu and him staring at each other with a deep tension.
Well that didn't go as I had hoped.
"Y/n-Chan?" The warm hands of your man gently grab you as he kneels beside you. Tanjiro glares up at Obanai as he ask you, "Are you okay? I was worried when your scent disappeared from the mansion. I went to Shinobu immediately."
"Yes! I am fine.. sorry that I worried you."
With that the serpent Hashira turns and walks away without saying another word. You lean against Tanjiro while watching in defeat.
I have to get stronger...
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"Can you keep it down! Some of are healing!!" Zentisu screams at everyone. Tanjiro wakes up from the scream. Sitting up and looks around in confusion.
Nora and Inosuke are having an arm wrestling match despite their injuries. They refuse to listen to reason. She laughs and says, "Go back to bed tiny arms!"
Tanjiro carefully gets out of bed and he slowly comes to sits down beside you. Trying to hide the pain he is in. You have his green and black Haori sitting in your lap as you mend the rip that your sword made.
"Y/N-Chan, I didn't know you could sew?"
"Are you kidding? After living with you Mother and Sister I was forced to learn." You giggle at the memory of them teaching you. "All of you Kamado boys were constantly ripping your clothes."
He blushes, "That is true. Thank you for fixing this for me."
You blush while saying, "It won't look as pretty as Nezuko's sewing skills but I know how special this Haori is for you."
Zenitsu marches over to Inosuke and starts slapping his head. The boar snorts while trying not to lose the arm wrestling match to Nora.
Tanjiro's hand grips your chin as he makes you look at him, "Only Nezuko and you are special to me. I can always replace a Haori."
"Zentisu go make the love birds stop! I am trying to focus on winning!" Nora makes a gagging sounds as she pushes harder into her competitor's hand.
You stick your tongue out at her and Tanjiro kisses you cheek.
"Hi."
The five of you spin around to see the girl named Aoi with pigtails holding a tray of food and medicine. Inosuke leaps up. Forfeiting the match and immediately walks to her, "Hi Aoi."
"Did he just say her name correctly?" Zentisu tilts his head in confusion.
"I've known you longer and you don't say my name correct?" Tanjiro adds but you gently elbow him in the side. Inosuke ignores everyone as he takes a bite of the food she brought.
"Shh.. he likes her." You whisper into Tanjiro's ear. Zentisu loudly gasps hearing your soft whisper from across the room. Quickly you glare at him as a warning to be quiet.
"Thanks Aoi." You set the Haori to the side and help her with the tray. Everyone but Zentisu takes their medicine.
He acts like an angry cat who refuses the nasty medication. Nora takes pleasure in forcing it down his throat.
The conversation is causal until Aoi mentions that things are busy with preparations for a festival.
"Wait, what festival?" You ask.
"Oh it is the neighboring town's annual celebration. Many of the Kakushi are taking time away to help set it up. Which makes-"
"Do the Hashira attend?" Nora asks while winking at you but you hold in a laugh remembering the conversation from previously.
"No not typically." She shrugs as Inosuke takes another piece of food. Their eyes carefully watching each other.
"Well that is good. I am pretty sure Obanai really dislikes me..." you let out a sigh.
"I heard you punch him-" Aoi begins to say,
"What is a festival anyways?" Inosuke blurts out.
"A way for people to gather and celebrate together. Typically there is lots of food and entertainment." Tanjiro's explains as he smoothly sits closer to you.
"And pretty girls." Zentisu adds.
"The food is always delicious." Nora sighs as she lays back down.
"I have heard that but I have never gone before" Aoi says with a frown.
"I will take you." Inosuke boldly says and all of us quicklylook at them. Her face turns a bright red.
They are too cute!
Quickly you help by saying, "Yeah, let's all go!"
"No." Aoi shakes her head, "Shinobu would be furious. We have so much work to do-"
"Please butterfly bitch will get over it. We are only young once." Nora grins playfully but Aoi clearly doesn't like the nickname for Shinobu.
"Please Aoi. It would be really fun." You add and she chews on her lip with anxiety.
"Okay but you five really shouldn't be out of bed.. the festival is in a week. Your wounds are so fresh... honestly you should be resting."
"Don't underestimate us." Inosuke puffs up his chest. "We are tough."
"Yeah besides we will have a medic with us!" You say giving Aoi a pat on the back to encourage her.
"Then it is settled. A night out at a festival!!" Nora cheers and everyone smiles except Aoi. She is clearly anxious about the idea.
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Tanjiro Kamado POV
I am walking back from the girl's room when I see Zentisu is the only one in our room. He is on the flood by his bed. Sitting in a strange position with a book in his lap, "What are you read-"
"God damn it!! Tanjiro! I almost had a fucking heart attack! You little shit! Do not sneak up on people!! I need to attach a bell on you like a cat!"
While Zentisu continues to curse at me I peak down at the book he is reading but after reading two sentences I am blushing.
"Zenitsu what is this??" He smirks at my question and looks around to ensure no one else is around.
"Smut."
A book about that..
"We shouldn't be reading this.."
"Then go away!"
"What is smut?" Inosuke asks making both of us jump. He wasn't there a second ago. Zentisu pushes him away.
"It is something that lovers do." I explain and suddenly Inosuke moves closer with curiosity.
"No. No! This is my book. I stole is from Shinobu's office! Everyone stay back."
"Shinobu?! Why would she have a book like this?" I ask while trying to read the next scentence when Zentisu pushes me away from the book.
"It is romance.. the first two hundred pages are boring. The characters just talk and stuff but this is the good part. Now go away!"
We should not be read this.
Except if I am going to be a husband
I need to know.
I shove his hand away and step closer to continue reading. Desperate to understand the ritual.
The three of us boys push our faces together as we lean over the pages. Reading paragraph after paragraph. The words make me whimper at the thought of trying them. Eventually Inosuke very softly admits, "I can't read." Zentisu bursts out into laughter.
"I forgot you don't know how to read!!! That is hilarious!" Zentisu continues to laugh I elbow him in the ribs.
"It is okay Inosuke. I can... um.. read it aloud."
"Oh god. Please do not do that." Zentisu rolls his eyes as if I am killing his mood.
"What are you three doing?" Aoi asks and the three of us yell from fright. The book falls to the floor and I take the opportunity.
Grabbing the book while Zentisu smiles at the girl. I run away as fast as possible with my injuries. Eventually I find a dark attic to hide. Sitting down against the wall.
I shouldn't read this...
Okay, I am going to return this to Shinobu.
But
This can teach me how to please y/n.
I want to be good a good husband
For my future wife
Once I know that I haven't been followed. I try to stay quiet as I slowly open the book again. Flipping through the pages as I memorize the details for future use.
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Next chapter Monday 12.05.2022
Poor Zentisu is moody watching y/n and Tanjiro.