I entered the Psych-Ward quietly, it was early in the morning, and no one was around. I couldn't sleep, so I decided to waste my time wisely instead of rolling around till morning. I pulled off Senjuro's cover, seeing the small boy curled in on himself in the back corner. His hair was glowing fiery colors, and I noticed his finger tips had an ashy look to them. I knocked on the bars lightly, causing him to sit up instantly and his eyes to look around frantically. His eyes were the same fiery colors as his hair, only glowing slightly duller than his hair.
"Hey, hey... Shhhh..." I whispered, using my phone for light so he'd get a better view of me. "I'm here to get you and your brother out."
"You... You know Onii-chan?" Senjuro spoke softly, eyes shining brighter with hope. So, he isn't mute.
"Not yet, but I'm hoping you'll show me him," I explained through a tired smile, unlocking his cage.
He looked around wearily. "I'm not supposed to be out of my cage at this time of night..."
I held a hand out. "Well, it's okay because you're no longer going to be living here."
"What?"
"I want to bring you and your brother home with me to my other kiddos. I think you'll like them." I watched as he slowly walked over to me, but before he took my hand he spoke again.
"Are you the kind woman who's been taking all of us home? I heard Tanjiro leave the other day..." Senjuro explained.
I nodded. "Yes, I took Tanjiro home with me so he could be reunited with his sister. I have six of the demons who used to reside here, currently with me, including Tanjiro."
Senjuro reached out, taking my hand and pulling me gently. "Then I trust you... You haven't been hostile to any of us, and you don't give off any violent energy..."
That's because you can't sense my energy... I smiled at his words, not shocked when he stopped in front of the same white swinging doors I went into the other day. Senjuro pushed, but then huffed when the doors didn't move. I chuckled silently, unlocking one and forcing it open and motioning him in, following after him.
I watched as he turned his nose up, sniffing and b-lining it to the third cage in. He tugged me along, and I was thankful for my quick reflexes. I wasn't shocked when I heard shuffling from inside the cage. They probably recognize their scents...
I crouched down, rubbing Senjuro's cheek softly. "This one?"
The boy nodded, leaning into my hand and a soft rumbling left his throat. I chuckled when his cheeks turned pink and he looked away embarrassed. "Sorry..."
I stood, patting his head. "Nothing to be sorry about, Sunflower."
I pulled the covering off, throwing a hand up to cover my face when a clawed hand swiped at me. I heard Senjuro gasp as I brought my arm down, seeing blood oozing out of the new cuts. I guess not sleeping affects my reaction time... Noted.
"Father...!" Senjuro called, looking at me worryingly as I stared at my arm. "I-I'm sorry ab-about h-him!"
I waved Senjuro off, meeting the same type of eyes the boy had, but filled with rage. However, only the ends of the male's hair were glowing a ruby red, lots of fire-like markings on his arms, plus what looked like burns. "You're quick, I'll give you that. Barely had enough time to cover my face."
(A/N: ik this is rengoku, but I just based his fathers appearance and Rengoku's own off the pic, so lets just pretend)
"What are you doing with my son?" The man snapped, throwing an arm out again, but this time I caught it. I tightened my grip when he tried to pull away, not missing the small grimace from him. "Let go."
I hummed, rubbing his wrist in circular motions, looking behind him to see a younger male asleep on the floor. I noticed his hair wasn't glowing, but the similar fiery symbols on his face, neck, and arms were. There was no doubt they were all related, if the hair wasn't enough of a give away, their eyes were. "Is that Rengoku?"
"Why does it matter to you?"
I sighed, glancing at the information sheet on the side of the cage as I kept rubbing circles into his wrist. I hummed. "Shinjuro: father of two, protective, hostile, and aggressive. Age: 39. Rengoku: quiet, blunt, younger brother. Age: 19. Both claimed to be non-adoptable."
I heard him scoff, giving up on trying to pull his hand back. I knew he was secretly enjoying the affection I gave him. "Why are you here?"
"I want your family to come home with me. So you can all be safe and together." I answered.
He blinked before snarling. "That's bullshit."
"Take a good long look at your sons, and tell me you want them to continue living in the hell hole." I said bluntly, watching as he cast a glance behind him to Rengoku's still slumped figure. "You know damn well this place is slowly killing not just you, but them, too. And if you want it to stop, you'll come with me."
I know I'm probably being too blunt, but I don't have time to be sweet. People start checking in at 6am and it's almost 5:30am. I felt Senjuro's hands wrap around my freehand, gripping it tightly.
"Please, Father?" Senjuro asked with pleading eyes. "She's taken home seven of the other kids... and she hasn't hurt any of us. She didn't even threaten or hurt you even when you sliced her arm open."
I watched Shinjuro's eyes trail to my bloodied arm, watching as the blood trickled down and onto the floor.
"You know she means good. I know you can feel it." Senjuro continued. "Please... I don't want to be in here anymore..."
I heard the boy's voice crack, causing me to pull away from Shinjuro's arm and kneel down to the crying boy. I swear to god... every time I crouch down, I just reopen the cuts, but I'm not about to not help Senjuro. I cradled him against me, letting his tears soak into my shoulder as I stood with him in my arms. Shinjuro looked at me with an unreadable expression, but I could sense he wasn't angry.
"Get my sons out of here." He finally spoke, causing me to raise a brow.
"You're coming too." I argued, unlocking his cell.
"I... I can't." He replied in the softest voice I've heard from him tonight. "I've killed too many, hurt too many innocents..." He sent a pointed look at my arm, walking back to pick up Rengoku. "Just take my boys and leave."
I thought about my next words wisely, offering a small smirk that caused the older man to raise a brow. "Y'know... last time I checked, I only have two arms. Those two arms are currently being used, too. I think I'll need some assistance to get these boys to my vehicle."
I watched as his mouth parted slightly, before glaring at me. "You're joking."
"Nope." I popped the p, turning around and waving at him to follow me with Rengoku in his arms. "Come along, Fireball. Imma take your family to your new home."
I heard a long sigh before his footsteps followed after me, soon making his way next to me, walking in sync. I sent a worried glance to Rengoku, who still hadn't woken up. "Is he okay?"
I didn't miss the way Shinjuro flinched at the sudden sound of my voice, looking at me confused until he followed my gaze. He stared at my face for a second, analyzing me before answering. "I... I'm not sure. The scientists had him fight this other demon today to test their strength, and ever since he came back, he's been out cold. He might've overexerted himself."
Scientists... In other words: 'doctors' and 'nurses'. "Any injuries?"
"Not any externally that I can sense or see."
"Did you happen to ask about the demon he fought? What was his name?" I asked, curious.
"He kept mumbling the name Akaza earlier..." Shinjuro stifled a yawn.
I nodded. "I'll look over him when we get home."
I opened the back door, placed a sleeping Senjuro in a seat and buckled him in as I told Shinjuro to lay Rengoku on the back row of seats. I noticed Shinjuro trying to make his way away from my vehicle, but I caught his wrist and tugged him into the passenger seat and quickly made my way to the driver's seat, starting the car and leaving.
I ignored the glare he sent me, chuckling when I pressed the gas and his arms went flailing around. One landed on the door handle, the other gripping my hand tightly. I rubbed my thumbs over his knuckles in a soothing gesture, noticing him relax almost instantly.