The train...
Just like the other night, Fuyuko once again saw a train pass her by. It was the same red train with chunks of flesh sprouting in each cars, and scarlet blood dripping all over its hideous vessel.
The heavy noise it produce crashed in her ears like the beat of a broken drum. Filling the night with bluster and clatter as the speeding long vehicle seems to go on for eternity in its railroad.
It was about to near its end but before it could, Fuyuko suddenly woke up when she felt a sharp object pinched cheek.
Her azure eyes bolted open and immediately notice Inei pecking her with his black sharp beak. The crow stared at her for a couple of seconds, then it begun to screech as he relay messages to the hashira like she is deaf.
"Rengoku Fuyuko! Rengoku Fuyuko!" Inei cawed. "Rise and shine! Rise and shine! Time to visit the Butterfly Estate."
"There is no time to waste! I repeat, there is no time to waste!" The crow added. "You still have a meeting with Oyakata-sama. Don't forget your meeting with Oyakata-sama!"
With his message finally delivered. He flew towards the open window from where he came from to leave. He knocked out one of the vases in the room and bump into one of the nearby walls before finally reaching the said window, then flying away.
Once the silence settled in on Fuyuko, she stood and started the day with her daily routine. After having her breakfast, she checked out of the inn she stayed and started to travel to the butterfly estate. She will be visiting the loud bunch before meeting the master that have summoned her regarding an important mission.
It has already been three weeks and a half when she last visited. That was the time when she let Shinobu properly treat the wound she received from Sanemi's sword. The loud bunch were sleeping when she checked on them so she decided to just let them be and leave.
When she arrived at the estate, she was immediately greeted by a girl with low pigtails fastened with blue butterfly clips. She wears a long-sleeved nurse uniform tied with a blue ribbon around her waist. She also introduced herself as Sumi.
Sumi then led her to the room where the three are resting. However, as she walked closer to the said room, she immediately heard the loud commotion inside. From what she heard, it is about Zenitsu refusing to drink his medicine because it taste horrible.
"Everyone, you have visitors!" Sumi cheerfulness announced as she opened the door.
Fuyuko followed Sumi inside and saw the loud bunch with a familiar slayer. She remembered seeing him in the Hashira Meeting to give report about the Mt. Natagumo incident.
"Kazahana-san." Kyojuro beamed
"Okami-sama!" Zenitsu wailed loudly while Tanjiro is holding him back to prevent him from jumping onto Fuyuko.
"Thank goodness you are here!" He tried reaching out to her with his short hand. "Their making me drink this gross medicine! Save meee!"
"Hold still, would you!" Aoi scolded. "You are still not cured to be suddenly moving around."
"We apologize for the commotion, Rengoku-sama." Aoi turned to the Ice Hashira and bowed apologetically. "These guys are a handful as you can see."
"It is fine. Thank you for taking care them." Fuyuko spoke.
"Of course, Rengoku-sama."
"I see, that you have a visitor." Fuyuko then turned her attention to Tanjiro and his visitor. "Your name was... Murata, was it?"
"Y-yes." Murata nervously stuttered with beads of sweat dripping down his forehead.
He was just complaining a while ago how the Hashiras are all terrifying but he didn't expect the arrival of the new Ice Hashira. He hoped that she didn't hear their conversation, Hashiras are known for their high senses.
Compared to the other Hashiras in the meeting, she was less intimidating, however, she was cold — very cold, to the point that he could feel chills run down his spine by just her glance.
Furthermore, she remembered him. For somebody, it would have been an honor to be remembered by a great hashira but for him, it only adds up to his anxiety while facing her.
"You looked pale." Fuyuko pointed out.
"I-I am alright, Rengoku-sama." He stood up while forcing a smile, he was more than ready to run. "Since you came to visit, I'll be on my way now. Goodbye."
At last, he have run out of the room. Everyone's eyes followed him as he quickly dashed away. When he is finally out of sight, Fuyuko averted his attention back to Tanjiro.
"How have the three of you been?" She asked.
"Oh we are recovering well." Tanjiro replied with smile. "Inosuke and I are almost healed up while Zenitsu still have is arms and legs short."
"I see."
"Okami-sama!" Zenitsu wailed once again. "I'm very happy that you visit, let's have some tea together!"
"No, thank you. I won't be long."
"How about you Kazahana— wait, you are called Rengoku now."
"Please call me by my name from now on." Fuyuko insisted. "Calling me by my new surname would confuse me with my husband."
"Okami-sama is now married!" Zenitsu shouted in shock and anger. "When?!"
"Shortly after I departed from the Wisteria House." Fuyuko replied. "It was a sudden wedding."
"Oh, congratulation, Kaza— I mean, Fuyuko-san." Tanjiro greeted. "You also became a Hashira."
"You should have married me instead, Okami-sama..." The lightning boy said while comically sobbing in Tanjiro's side.
"I was announced as the 'Ice Hashira' the next day, after the wedding."
"I see." Tanjiro nodded.
"Who's the guy?!" Zenitsu suddenly burst out with anger yet tears are still streaming down his cheek.
"Zenitsu, don't be rude." Tanjiro scolded but was ignored.
"If you mean my husband, he is the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro." She calmly responded. "I'm sure you notice him among the Hashira, Kamado-san."
Upon hearing that her husband is a Hashira, Zenitsu lost his might and was replaced once again with depression so he accepted his fate and walked towards his bed to sulk in his defeat.
"He's the Hashira with yellow hair, right?" Tanjiro asked and Fuyuko confirmed with a nod.
Fuyuko's eyes then landed on Inosuke, who seems unresponsive in his bed. She heard that he has been feeling down since the Mt. Natagumo incident. The demon he encountered really messed up his self-esteem.
"He has been through a lot." Tanjiro said. "But don't worry, Fuyuko-san. I am sure he will be feeling better soon."
"Well, it is unusual to see him like this but there is always a time that a person will feel useless." Fuyuko uttered. "The only difference is if he would remain useless or break away."
"Only time could tell." She then stood up from her seat and started walking to the door. "I'll be leaving now, I still have other places to go."
"Oh, goodbye Fuyuko-san." Tanjiro smiled as he waved his hand. "Thank you very much for your visit."
"Do take care." Fuyuko took a quick glance of the loud bunch before finally shutting the door.
After a short walk in the hallway, she arrived at the exit of the mansion, where she once entered. And as soon as she stepped out of the gate, a hand suddenly grabbed her by the waste and lift her up from the ground.
"Fuyuko!"
Rengoku smiled ear to ear as he spin his wife around for a moment, then putting her down to lock her in a tight embrace.
"Miss me that much?" She asked with a smile. "It hasn't been that long."
He pulled a distance away from Fuyuko but still have his arms wrapped around her with a tight hold.
"I miss you in every second of the day." He firmly said with a close-eyed smile.
It was easy for him to say that, but little did he know that he almost made Fuyuko stop breathing by his words. He then planted a gentle kiss in her forehead and she gave her a rare sweet smile like no other.
After giving themselves a moment to just embrace each other in a tight hug, they decided to walk to the headquarters together where Oyakata-sama awaits their arrival.
"How do you know that I'm here?" Fuyuko asked.
"Inei told me." Kyojuro replied.
"I'm surprised he told you." Fuyuko stated. "Inei won't give any information to anyone unless if it's necessary."
"I just gave him some treats."
"What kind of treats? Cherries perhaps?" Fuyuko guest.
"Yes." Kyojuro beamed. "He told me it's his favorite."
"I see."
Along the way, Kyojuro told Fuyuko about the missions that he have completed over the past days, while she quietly listen and sometimes ask or comment. She would also told him about her recent missions but she kept it simple and short.
It was a long walk from the Butterfly Mansion to the Headquarter but it felt like time pass by within a minute with her husband's company. Upon arriving at the estate's garden, the couple stopped their conversation and immediately knelt down on the ground.
The master is already seated at the shaded part of the veranda, attended by two of his daughter, Hinaki and Nichika. He then smiled softly as he felt the presence of the Flame and Ice Hashira in front of him.
"Good afternoon, my children."
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Author's Note:
I apologize for not updating new chapters for the pass days, I caught a really bad cold so I was forced to rest but I'm cured now. And here's an update for my beloved readers!
I will also not be updating new chapters after this because the chapter about Fuyuko's struggle while the Mugen Train Arc is ongoing will take 3 to 5 chapters or more, including the ending.
I plan to published these chapters in one go so I could easily edit something about the plot and events if it needs some changes. I hope that you all have patience, my beloved readers. I apologize in advance and thank you for supporting this fanfic.
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