Chapter 63 - Side Chapter Kie Kamado POV

Kie Kamado POV

A year had been rather difficult for me and my children. As a parent I had to be strong for them doing everything I could do to remove the sadness after the incident that took place. Losing a loved one was never easy, even more if that person was someone who held dear to your heart.

Even though I tried, my husband passed away peacefully and the only thing I could do now was take care of my children as a way to remember him.

His last word to find another person to fill my heart was impossible. He'd been with me ever since I was 13 and married a year after before giving birth to our son, Tanjiro.

In those years we were together until his last breath. Even at that moment, he wanted me to be happy and found another. How can I find someone like you!?

Still looking back It now seems that God or someone had laid a path in which my husband's final wish came true in the form of Ryuu.

One day, My daughter brought a handsome young man slightly older than my son and the same air as my late husband. I could see my daughter kept taking glances at the young man and could already tell it was maidens' love.

It made me smile since my daughter was the attention of the villagers but never acted this way before. I prayed that my husband would see it. However, something under his gaze draws me in and my heart feels weird.

It was difficult to explain and I was afraid that I would lose something if I pursued the feeling further. I shook my head at the thought and learned a few things about him.

He seems to have found our home in search of my late husband's family traditional dance. It was amazing that my husband had such a rich history.

I welcomed him inside my home but was still cautious since he was a complete stranger. I couldn't risk my children getting hurt even when I saw his weapon around his waist.

However, it all vanished after seeing how well he chatted with my children telling stories that I find interesting. I was embarrassed when I served rather dull food due to our poor condition.

I thought he would feel disappointed but shocked to see him cook for us and felt even more embarrassed. When I tried to stop him only shook his head and kept going.

The aroma and taste of his meal was something I would never forget. I felt embarrassed when he stared at me but there was no denying his cooking far outclasses mine. At that moment, my children learned many new things thanks to Ryuu.

I was happy that my family had become more lively and happy when he came to us all those months ago. He treated my children as if it was his own and every passing moment I could feel my heart slipping away.

The feeling was conflicting when I know that my daughter likes him and I don't want to lose the memory of my late husband but I can't deny how I feel. He's been a large part of my family and I couldn't imagine him leaving us.

Even when I once saw my daughter and Ryuu chatting before hearing his words about us. It made my heart flutter knowing that we became someone important to him.

It was still difficult for me to just move on and give my heart to another man but knowing this is what my husband wanted, tried to act bolder around him.

'I wonder where Ryuu-san is?'

I thought to myself while blushing at how my thought immediately went to him every time I didn't see him. Turning my attention to my children who were playing with the toys that were made by Ryuu. I could see Rokuta playing with Ryuu, a rocking horse and smile at how happy he was.

Shigeru and Takeo were playing Hanetsuki while Shigeru and Nezuko were using the game Shogi. I soon turned to look at my eldest son who was intensely training using the blade.

At first I didn't want him pushing himself but he insisted and I gave in letting him train under Ryuu. He didn't hold back from what I've seen but it only toughen up my son who never gave up. I felt proud of his progress.

"Tanjiro, have you seen Ryuu-san?"

"Haaa! Huh? I haven't seen him but said he would just take a stroll."

I felt a sense of relief hearing my son's words and couldn't believe that I was worried that he might leave without telling us. I sighed and decided to wash my body in the nearby lake.

When I arrived, I immediately took off my clothes and submerged myself into the cold water. I stared at my aging body and wondered if someone as young as Ryuu would ever be interested in mine. I've already birthed five children and I don't know if my body is to his liking.

I only sighed, saddened that life has to be this complicated. My heart truly tore into two pieces and wanted to give it all to one man.

'I don't know what to do….I'm sorry, Tanjuro for being a horrible wife.'

Cursing myself, I hear the rustling of the lives behind me and turn to see three men grinning at me. It made me extremely uncomfortable and I knew they had to be good.

"Oh who would have thought that the rumors are true. A widow was actually this gorgeous."

I could see him lick his lips and I was frightened, shaken to the core. Their lecherous eyes look at my head to toe.

"W-What do you all want!?"

I knew very well what their intentions were but I'm trying to buy time to escape. I'm afraid that my children will get hurt if they were to find my home.

"Don't worry my men are already doing their business in the village and now you all left!"

One of them explained that he fell into despair. I was afraid that they might have harmed or even killed Ryuu. I'm too afraid to lose another man in my life. How can life be taken this easily!?

"Well you don't have anywhere to run so give up."

"Yeah we promised to be rough hahaha!"

I felt disgusted by their words but even afraid that I could even move. I couldn't run fast enough and fighting them wasn't an option as they were arm bandits.

However, I still tried to run and hoped to do something. Yet it was futile as the bandit pinned me into the ground drooling above me. I'm scared that I would be violated like this when I haven't found how I truly feel.

'I don't want this! Please Tanjuro save me….'

"Hehehe I like that expression! Now scream!"

His hands were about to grope my breast and my heart beat faster than it could be. I don't want this to be my end! I want to see my children grow up and have a family!!

"R-Ryuu, please save me!"

I screamed another man's name in my heart, completely filled with the image of his smiling face. I want to know more about him and more importantly to be beside him.

"Fuck off!"

At that moment a voice that I was familiar with came to save me as the man above me was sent flying into the lake. It was then I felt warm and saw him putting his yukata over me while giving a tender smile.

"I'm sorry I was a bit late. It took a while to defeat every 200 bandits that hid around the village and I had to check the children to see them safe."

He apologized but I was happy that he checked my children first before me. I didn't care if I were to perish. What was important was my children's safety.

"Damn twisted gods…"

I heard him mutter slightly confused what he meant but couldn't help feel my heart calming down. Ryuu turned his attention back to the bandits who hadn't move since his arrival.

"Now, how dare scum like you to touch someone important to me."

His voice was even more soothing than before and I could feel myself acting like a maiden falling in love all over again.