Demon Slayer: Taking Care Of Tanjuro's Wife And Daughter

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Tanjirou stood at the door, his hands nervously clasped in front of him. "I'm sorry, Master Himejima Gyomei is unwell and may not be able to see you today."

The words hung in the air as the two girls outside the threshold exchanged glances. The taller sister, her composure firm, lowered her head slightly in silence, her demeanor unyielding as though she intended to wait for Gyomei to appear regardless of what Tanjirou said.

Her younger sister, however, clenched her fists, her voice sharp and laced with suspicion. "I just saw Master Gyomei sparring outside with someone moments ago. How could he be unwell?"

Tanjirou's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. The younger sister's observation was accurate—Gyomei had indeed been sparring with Ryuji just earlier. Lying didn't come naturally to him, and his flustered expression betrayed his discomfort.

"I'm going to see Master Gyomei," the shorter girl declared, determination lighting her reddened eyes. Without waiting for permission, she grabbed her older sister's hand and marched into the house.

"Wait!" Tanjirou called, stepping forward to block their path. The younger girl froze, glaring at him with an intensity that made his heart sink. Her voice cracked with lingering grief as she spoke, "Why are you stopping us? If Master Gyomei is really unwell, wouldn't it be better if we visited him to offer our support?"

Her words struck a chord in Tanjirou. He hesitated, and in that brief moment, the younger sister took advantage, tugging her elder sibling along until they were inside.

They followed the faint murmur of voices down the corridor, eventually coming upon Ryuji and Gyomei seated in quiet conversation. Gyomei, hands folded in prayer, opened his milky eyes the moment the sisters entered. His calm yet imposing presence filled the room, but his silence spoke volumes.

The younger girl took a step forward but was gently held back by her sister. Bowing her head, the elder sister introduced herself, her voice steady and respectful. "Forgive us for intruding. I am Kochou Kanae, and this is my younger sister, Kochou Shinobu."

Shinobu hesitated, mirroring her sister's bow. Her youthful defiance softened for a moment as she introduced herself, but the tension in her posture lingered.

Gyomei remained still, his large frame unmoving as he resumed his silent prayers. It was clear he wished to avoid engaging with the sisters any more than necessary.

Kanae continued, her tone gentle yet firm. "We inquired with the Kakushi who took us in. It was you who saved my sister and me from the demon that destroyed our family. We were too overwhelmed with fear at the time to properly thank you. For freeing us from that nightmare, we owe you our deepest gratitude."

Shinobu stepped forward slightly, her voice less steady but no less sincere. "Thank you for saving us, Master Gyomei."

Kanae added softly, "The Kakushi also helped us hold a proper funeral for our parents. All of this was only possible because of your actions. We are truly grateful."

Their words hung in the air, but Gyomei did not immediately respond. He slowly opened his eyes, his pale gaze meeting theirs. "You have come to express your gratitude, but gratitude is not the only thing you feel, is it?" His deep voice resonated through the room.

Kanae blinked in surprise, her composure faltering. "What do you mean, Master Gyomei? You saved us—how could we possibly resent you?"

Gyomei shook his head solemnly. "You thank me for saving you from the demon, but in your hearts, you also wonder why I didn't arrive sooner. If I had been there in time, your parents might still be alive. The weight of their loss lingers, and it is natural for your hearts to question."

Kanae opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. Shinobu looked away, her fists clenched at her sides. Gyomei's words cut deep because they struck at an unspoken truth. In the days following their rescue, both sisters had replayed the events in their minds, wishing for a different outcome. What if Gyomei had arrived a moment sooner? Would their family still be intact?

Kanae forced a small, trembling smile. "We harbor no resentment toward you, Master Gyomei. Our anger is directed at the demon who stole our family's happiness."

Shinobu nodded fervently. "That's right. We could never blame you for what happened."

Gyomei sighed, his massive hands coming together in prayer once more. "You may believe that now, but time has a way of changing the heart. When you recall your parents' faces, when the pain of their absence grows unbearable, you may find it easier to blame me. That, too, is natural."

His voice softened, a quiet sorrow evident in his tone. "Children... are such fragile creatures.

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Before either Kochou Kanae or Kochou Shinobu could say more, Gyomei raised a hand to silence them. His expression remained calm, but his tone carried the weight of finality. "It is my duty to slay demons. I do not mind gratitude, and I do not mind resentment. Both are fleeting emotions I have long since accepted."

He paused, his white eyes glancing downward for a moment before continuing. "As for your true purpose in coming here, I already understand it. But I must decline."

With that, Gyomei rose to his full height, his hands folded in prayer, and turned away. The sound of the sliding door shutting behind him echoed in the quiet room.

Kanae bit her lip, her usual calm demeanor cracking as frustration welled up within her. She remained silent, but Shinobu's fists tightened at her sides, her voice breaking the stillness. "We haven't even said anything yet! How can you be so sure of our intentions? Why won't you hear us out? All I want is revenge! Is that so wrong?"

Her words hung in the air, unanswered. The closed door before them gave no indication of a response.

From the side, Ryuji finally spoke, his voice steady but tinged with empathy. "Go home. Master Gyomei doesn't want you to walk this path. It will only rob you of your future."

Shinobu turned to him, her brows furrowed, anger flickering in her tear-reddened eyes. "What future?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Do you mean to say that if I want revenge—if I become a Demon Slayer—I'll lose everything? That I'll have nothing left?"

Ryuji's gaze softened as he looked at her, his mind flashing to what he knew of their fate. Kanae, the gentle older sister, would one day fall to Doma, one of the Twelve Kizuki, her final wish being for Shinobu to leave the Demon Slayer Corps and live a peaceful life. But Shinobu, unable to let go of her anger, would defy that wish, walking the same path to her own eventual death in the name of revenge.

His heart ached at the weight of that knowledge. "At least," Ryuji said quietly, "if you choose this path, you will have no future. That is certain."

Shinobu's fists clenched tighter, her small form trembling with barely contained emotion. "I don't have a home to go back to," she said bitterly, lifting her head to meet Ryuji's gaze. "Everything is gone—our parents, our house... Everything except my sister. She's all I have left."

Her voice wavered, but her resolve did not. "So what if I have no future? As long as my sister is still with me, that's enough."

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