Nezuko

(2692 words)

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The warm morning sun filtered through the mist rising from the mountain forests, reflecting off the snow-covered ground and casting a gentle haze over the deep mountain scenery.

On such a morning, Ryuji rubbed his eyes, feeling a bit weary.

Too many thoughts had kept him awake last night, and he hadn't slept well.

"Onii-chan, watch out for the snowball!"

The lively voice of a young girl drifted through the window, filled with the excitement of youthful play.

Ryuji couldn't help but push the window open.

In a courtyard blanketed by snow, a petite girl bent down, scooped up a large handful of snow, and formed it into a ball before throwing it at a boy standing nearby.

However, her aim was slightly off, and she missed her target.

The girl puffed her cheeks in frustration.

Recognizing her face, Ryuji immediately realized it was Nezuko.

She was wearing a pink kimono, her long black hair flowing freely, and her delicate face radiated innocence and charm.

Perhaps from the physical activity, her cheeks were flushed pink, and every so often, her beautiful lashes fluttered with her breath. She was adorable.

The boy playing with her was her older brother, Kamado Tanjiro. He shared the same dark red hair as their father, Tanjuro, and a faint scar adorned his forehead.

Noticing someone watching her, Nezuko turned her head and spotted Ryuji by the window.

Her mother had mentioned that a guest had stayed with them, someone her father had brought home the night before.

"Good morning, Uncle!"

Nezuko greeted him sweetly, dimples appearing on her cheeks.

Her voice was soft and gentle, like that of an angel, so sweet it could melt anyone's heart.

Ryuji couldn't help but smile. Nezuko was just as endearing as he remembered.

"Good morning," Ryuji replied, smiling warmly.

---

Ryuji dressed and stepped outside, shivering as the cold morning wind bit at him.

It took him a moment to adjust to the freezing weather.

In the courtyard, Nezuko was still engaged in a snowball fight with Tanjiro. Her aim wasn't improving much, as she continued to miss, pouting in frustration each time.

Watching this innocent scene, Ryuji sighed inwardly. He remembered how things had changed after their father, Kamado Tanjuro, passed away. In the anime, when their family lost its pillar, Nezuko had to grow up quickly, helping her widowed mother and taking on responsibilities far too early for a girl her age.

But for now, she was still carefree, enjoying childhood without the burdens she would soon face.

*Smack!*

A snowball thrown by Tanjiro hit Nezuko square in the face, causing her to yelp in surprise and crouch down, covering her head.

Startled, Tanjiro rushed over, flustered, and began apologizing profusely to his sister, who was now on the verge of tears.

Ryuji approached them.

Nezuko, noticing the presence of the guest, quickly straightened up and greeted him politely. "Hello, Uncle."

"Hello," Ryuji replied, his gaze falling on Nezuko's reddened nose. The snowball must've hit her pretty hard.

"Does it hurt?" he asked with concern.

"It's not too bad," Nezuko replied, shaking her head. But her slight frown and the way she sniffled betrayed her real feelings.

Ryuji knew she was putting on a brave face, but he couldn't help wanting to comfort her.

"I've got something that'll help." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of candy, handing it to her. "Eat this toffee, and it'll stop hurting."

Nezuko blinked, looking curiously at the candy in his hand. Her big eyes, framed by long lashes, were filled with both surprise and desire.

"Really?" she asked hesitantly.

"Of course," Ryuji nodded with a smile.

"Then... can I have two?" Nezuko asked shyly, her wide eyes glancing up at him as if testing her luck. She couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by how tall he was, even taller than her father. He exuded a sense of strength and security.

Ryuji chuckled and rummaged through his pockets. After some searching, he found another piece of candy. "Here you go."

Nezuko took both toffees, but to Ryuji's surprise, she kept one and handed the other back to him. "Uncle, I'll share one with you."

Ryuji smiled at the gesture. "You know, you could've just kept both."

Nezuko shook her head firmly. "No, Uncle, it's different this way. I accepted one from you, and now I'm giving one back. That way, we're both sharing."

For a moment, Ryuji was taken aback by her logic, but then he laughed softly and gave her a playful pat on the head. "Nezuko, you're quite the little genius."

As she felt his warm hand ruffle her hair, Nezuko tilted her head slightly, blinking up at him with innocent curiosity. "Uncle, how do you know my name?"

The girl's large eyes fluttered with confusion, her expression as pure as ever.

---

"I heard your brother calling you earlier," Ryuji said casually, hoping she wouldn't press further.

Nezuko frowned slightly, her expression thoughtful. *Did Onii-chan call my name earlier?* she wondered. The rest of her siblings were still sleeping in, after all.

But she didn't dwell on it for long. After all, it was just her name.

"Good morning, Uncle," came another voice.

It was Tanjirou, who had been preoccupied with his sister. He now noticed Ryuji standing nearby.

"Good morning," Ryuji replied with a nod, handing the toffee Nezuko had given him to Tanjirou. "This is for you."

"Thank you, Uncle!" Tanjirou exclaimed cheerfully.

…

As Ryuji stood in the courtyard, watching the carefree Kamado siblings, a bittersweet feeling washed over him. He knew what the future held for them, and it saddened him to see them so happy and innocent now, knowing what they would endure later.

In the anime, their lives were anything but easy.

Within a few years, their father, Tanjuro, would pass away from illness, leaving the family struggling to survive. Tanjirou and Nezuko would have to shoulder adult responsibilities at a young age—Tanjirou working to support the family by selling charcoal, and Nezuko helping to care for their younger siblings and the household.

Though life was tough, the family remained close and happy despite their hardships.

But their happiness would be shattered by a tragedy far worse than poverty—demons.

All of their siblings, along with their mother, Kamado Kie, would be slaughtered by a demon, and Nezuko would be transformed into one herself.

Just thinking about what lay ahead for them made Ryuji sigh heavily.

The sound of footsteps on the snow drew his attention. It was Kamado Kie, wearing her apron as she emerged from the kitchen.

She greeted Ryuji with a soft, gentle voice, her head lowered slightly in deference. "Good morning, Ryuji-san."

"Good morning, Mrs. Kie," Ryuji replied, though his eyes couldn't help but drift over her.

Kie's simple attire couldn't hide her natural beauty. Her long eyelashes were just like Nezuko's, and it was clear where the girl had inherited her looks.

Feeling his gaze on her, Kie lowered her head even further, her cheeks reddening slightly. From the moment Ryuji had arrived, she had felt uneasy under his watchful eyes.

His presence made her nervous, and she found herself a little afraid of the tall, imposing man.

Suppressing the strange restlessness in his chest, Ryuji averted his gaze and looked toward the forest. In the distance, he could see Tanjuro Kamado approaching, dragging an enormous tree that was at least two stories high behind him.

When Tanjuro reached the courtyard, he dropped the tree to the ground with a thud, causing the earth to tremble slightly.

It was hard to believe that such a thin man could possess such incredible strength.

"Good morning, Ryuji-san."

Kamado Tanjuro greeted with a gentle smile.

Ryuji nodded, glancing at the large tree Tanjuro had just set down effortlessly. His heart skipped a beat.

That tree must have weighed at least four to five thousand catties, yet Kamado Tanjuro carried it as if it were nothing. It didn't seem like it took much effort at all. Ryuji couldn't help but wonder just how strong this man really was. If he exerted all his strength, the limits of what he could lift were unknown.

Even though Tanjuro wasn't a swordsman, his true strength was undeniable.

But Ryuji wasn't entirely surprised. After all, the Kamado family were descendants of the Sun Breathing practitioner, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and had practiced the "Hinokami Kagura" for generations.

More importantly, Kamado Tanjuro was one of the few individuals, outside the Demon Slayer Corps, who had mastered the "Transparent World."

The so-called "Transparent World" allowed the user to see through the body's internal structure and functions, unlocking the 'highest realm' one could attain through intense effort and pain.

In this state, unnecessary bodily functions could be shut down, and the user would gain the ability to predict and react to attacks more effectively. They could even discern an opponent's breathing patterns and muscle contractions, which enhanced their combat abilities immensely.

"Did you just return from cutting trees in the forest, Tanjuro-san?" Ryuji asked with a smile.

"Yes, I needed to gather some wood to make charcoal," Tanjuro replied warmly.

"Breakfast is ready," Kamado Kie, who had been quietly standing in the kitchen, spoke softly.

"Ryuji-san, please join us," Tanjuro offered with a kind smile.

"Thank you for the hospitality, Tanjuro-san," Ryuji said graciously.

---

Inside the house, the table was already set, and the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air.

The scent alone made Ryuji's stomach rumble; it was clear the food would be delicious.

Kamado Kie's cooking skills were impressive. Not only was she gentle and kind, but she could also cook remarkably well.

Ryuji's thoughts briefly wandered. Tanjuro, with his frail and sickly appearance, seemed an unlikely match for such a beautiful and graceful woman. His weathered face and the scar on his forehead gave him an appearance that contrasted sharply with his wife's soft elegance.

"Where are Kie-san and the children? Why don't they join us for the meal?" Ryuji asked as he sat down, noticing that it was just him and Tanjuro at the table.

"Ah, we wouldn't want to impose on a guest like that," Tanjuro said with a chuckle. "It's a local custom. Guests are served first."

Ryuji raised an eyebrow, understanding that it was likely a custom of the area. "I see. Well, thank you again for your kindness."

Tanjuro smiled and nodded, not pressing the matter further.

---

As they ate, the two men chatted casually. The more Tanjuro listened, the more impressed he became with Ryuji's vast knowledge and insights. His words were far beyond what one would expect from an ordinary traveler.

Mid-conversation, Tanjuro suddenly coughed harshly, his complexion turning pale.

"Are you alright?" Ryuji asked, handing over a glass of water. Tanjuro gratefully accepted, taking a small sip before his coughing fit subsided.

"I'm fine," Tanjuro said, though there was a trace of helplessness in his voice. "Lately, my body has been feeling weaker. I've been coughing for no reason, and no matter how much rest I take, it doesn't seem to improve."

Ryuji listened in silence, his gaze sharpening slightly.

"I've seen a few doctors, but none of them could pinpoint the issue..." Tanjuro continued, his brow creased with worry.

Ryuji could sense the sadness in his tone. Tanjuro knew something was wrong, but no one had been able to tell him what it was. The uncertainty weighed on him.

He wasn't just worried about his health—he was worried about his family. If something were to happen to him, what would become of them? His wife, his children... who would look after them?

---

Tanjuro simply believed his body was going through something temporary, and that with a few days of rest, he would be back to normal.

As he drank water, Ryuji's gaze fell on Kamado Tanjuro, and his eyes flickered slightly.

If his memory served him right, Kamado Tanjuro didn't have much time left. From the looks of it, he would probably pass away within a year or two.

Currently, the entire Kamado family relied on Tanjuro for support. If he were to die, the family would undoubtedly face hard times.

For a moment, an image of Kamado Kie's graceful figure flashed through Ryuji's mind...

Taking a deep breath, Ryuji suppressed the thoughts that arose within him.

He looked up at Tanjuro and smiled. "I think you're still in good shape, Tanjuro-san. A man who can easily drag a tree as heavy as that one must be strong. If it were me, I doubt I could even budge it."

Tanjuro, wiping away the worry that had crept into his heart, chuckled. "You may be right, Ryuji-san. Perhaps I'm just overthinking things."

Then, as if something occurred to him, Tanjuro asked, "So, Ryuji-san, what do you plan to do next?"

"I'm thinking of heading to town for a bit," Ryuji replied with a smile.

"That's perfect. I'm headed to town as well to sell some charcoal. By the way, about the black bear you killed yesterday, what are you planning to do with it?"

Black bears are rare, and their paws especially fetch a high price—likely worth more than a whole cart of charcoal.

Ryuji shook his head. "You're joking, Tanjuro-san. I didn't kill that bear. If you hadn't stepped in, I'd probably be dead by now. The bear belongs to you."

Tanjuro nodded with a grateful smile. "In that case, thank you, Ryuji-san."

He hadn't intended to claim the bear at first, but he wouldn't refuse such a valuable offer, either.

---

After breakfast, Tanjuro prepared the family's ox cart, and after the goodbyes, they set off towards the town.

Ryuji sat in the cart, watching Tanjuro as he guided the oxen with ease. The man showed no signs of exhaustion, even though he had been doing hard labor.

Ryuji couldn't help but think to himself: *It seems Tanjuro has mastered the 'Breathing Technique' to a high level. He's not someone to be trifled with. Even the demon lord, Kibutsuji Muzan, would struggle against him.*

---

Kamado Kie stood by the door, watching as the ox cart disappeared down the road. She then turned to usher her children back inside.

"Mom, do you think that uncle will come back?" Nezuko asked, looking up at her.

"How would I know?" Kie shook her head. Ryuji was a guest that Tanjuro had brought home last night, and she had never seen or heard of him before. She assumed he was just passing through and doubted they would see him again, but it wasn't something she wanted to explain to her children.

"It would be nice if uncle visited more often," Nezuko said, her eyes showing a hint of disappointment.

Kie looked down at her daughter, puzzled. She gently stroked Nezuko's head. "Why do you say that?"

Nezuko didn't answer immediately. Instead, she pulled a piece of toffee from her pocket. Carefully unwrapping it, she revealed a small piece of candy, slightly smaller than before.

Kie's eyes fell on the wrapping, which had a cow design on it, so lifelike it seemed real.

"Mom, try this," Nezuko said, holding up the candy.

Kie popped the candy into her mouth, and a sweet taste spread across her tongue, sweeter than anything she'd ever eaten. It was almost overwhelming, touching her heart.

Closing her eyes for a moment, Kie savored the taste as her eyelashes fluttered.

"That uncle gave it to me," Nezuko explained. "He gave me a piece, and another one to big brother."

Nezuko's eyes lit up with anticipation. "If uncle comes back, maybe he'll bring more candy."

Kie smiled and squatted down to her daughter's height, lightly tapping Nezuko on the head. "You little glutton."

"Mom, do you think uncle will come back?" Nezuko asked again, her eyes full of hope.

Seeing the excitement in her daughter's expression, Kie couldn't help but scratch Nezuko's nose affectionately. "Of course he will. He wouldn't be able to resist seeing my sweet little Nezuko again."

"After all, someone as kind as uncle must like a cute girl like you very much."

---

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(A/N:- Your power stones and reviews will help me grow)