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

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After sending Kochou Kanae and Kochou Shinobu off on their way, Ryuji wandered through the nearby streets to pick up some breakfast. He knew Kie had been with him the previous night and would likely be too tired to get up and cook in the morning.

It was just as well—preparing meals first thing in the morning wasn't something Ryuji particularly enjoyed.

Balancing the neatly wrapped packages of food in one hand, he placed them on the low dining table in the common area before heading toward the door of Kanao's room. He raised his hand and knocked lightly.

The door creaked open almost immediately.

Standing before him was Kanao, barefoot, her pale, delicate feet brushing against the wooden floor. Her long, silken hair fell loosely around her shoulders, and her clothes—light and airy—hinted that she'd just gotten out of bed. Her snow-white skin seemed almost luminescent in the soft morning light, though her frail frame still carried the remnants of her past malnutrition.

Ryuji reached out and lightly patted her on the head, his touch casual yet warm. "Kanao, you're learning to sleep in these days, aren't you?"

Kanao blinked up at him with her wide, pink-purple eyes, her expression dazed and sleepy.

With a soft chuckle, Ryuji gently flicked her nose. "Come on, sit at the dressing table. I'll take care of your hair this morning."

Kanao tilted her head, her lips parting slightly in curiosity. Aunt Kie always handled her hair in the mornings. Why couldn't she get up today?

In Kanao's mind, Aunt Kie was the epitome of diligence. Oversleeping wasn't like her. Then again… Kanao's innocent gaze sharpened ever so slightly as she pondered.

Ryuji caught her expression in the mirror and knocked her lightly on the head again, as if reading her thoughts. "Stop overthinking things, silly. It's nothing."

Kanao blinked again but didn't press further.

Picking up a comb, Ryuji worked through her long, soft locks. The weeks of proper care and rest had done wonders for her hair, and it slipped smoothly through his fingers. After a few practiced strokes, he tied her hair into a neat double ponytail that framed her gentle face perfectly.

Satisfied, Ryuji leaned down and picked up her shoes, nudging them toward her feet. "Don't go around barefoot. It's not good for you."

Once her shoes were on, Ryuji took her hand and led her to the living room.

The others were already gathered, eating the breakfast Ryuji had brought. Nezuko sat at the table, taking small, measured bites with her spoon. As her gaze flicked toward Ryuji and Kanao, her brow furrowed slightly.

It wasn't anger—Nezuko didn't have it in her to be upset with Kanao. She understood how much the girl had endured, and she didn't resent her for it. But the shift in Ryuji's attention, once so focused on Nezuko, stirred a quiet, unspoken unease in her chest.

Nezuko set her spoon down, her expression softening.

As Kanao settled beside her, Ryuji placed a gentle hand on her head again before taking his seat. Nezuko turned back to her food, letting her thoughts drift away. She couldn't begrudge Kanao anything—not when the girl's bright eyes still carried shadows of a difficult past.

Nezuko swallowed her feelings, leaving them buried in her heart. It was a habit she had grown used to.

"Eat well."

Ryuji gently patted Kanao's head, his voice soft but warm.

As always, Kanao said nothing, only nodding slightly. Ryuji was used to her silence by now.

He settled into the seat beside her and began eating his breakfast. Once he'd finished, he picked up another portion, neatly wrapped, and headed back to his room. He hadn't forgotten about Kie, who was likely still resting after the exhausting events of the previous night.

Sliding open the door, Ryuji was greeted by the sight of Kie tidying up the room. She moved efficiently, folding a torn wedding dress and carefully setting aside a pair of dirtied white silk gloves.

When Kie picked up the gloves, Ryuji frowned slightly. "Those gloves are too worn out," he said. "Next time, they'll need to be replaced."

Kie looked up at him, her expression conflicted. She hesitated—those gloves had been expensive, after all. But Ryuji's tone left little room for argument, and she eventually nodded, her movements obedient and precise.

Watching her, Ryuji couldn't help but smile inwardly. There was something endearing about Kie's quiet compliance, the way she carried herself with both grace and humility.

Once she finished tidying up, Ryuji waved her over. Without hesitation, Kie approached him, her posture meek but her wide, dark eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Ryuji reached out, running a hand through her sleek, black hair before gently pressing her head down. "Hey," he murmured, "my clothes got a little dirty. Mind cleaning them for me?"

Kie glared at him faintly, her cheeks flushing with mild irritation, but she complied. Lowering her gaze, she carefully dusted off his pants with her delicate hands, her movements precise and gentle.

"Much better," Ryuji said with a deep exhale, leaning back.

Once she finished, he handed her the breakfast he'd brought, his expression softening. "Here. Eat something."

Kie hesitated, but her hunger eventually won out. She accepted the food and sat at the table, taking small, deliberate bites.

Ryuji reached for a silk cloth and leaned forward, wiping away a stray crumb from the corner of her lips. "There. All clean."

Kie's face flushed, and she lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ryuji, you're always teasing me."

Ryuji tilted his head, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. "Of course. I'm planning to tease you for the rest of your life."

Kie froze, her eyes widening. The sincerity in his gaze and the weight of his words sent a warmth spreading through her chest. She quickly looked away, mumbling under her breath, "You say the most shameless things…"

Ryuji chuckled, watching her intently as she resumed eating. His eyes drifted to her hair, cascading like a dark waterfall down her back. An idea struck him.

"Mrs. Kie," he began casually, "have you ever thought about wearing twin tails?"

Aoi paused mid-bite, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. "My hair's too long for that," she replied softly. "It would end up as two braids."

Ryuji sighed, a hint of disappointment in his expression.

"Do you… like twin tails?" Kie asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryuji smiled, leaning closer. "I've started to," he admitted.

Her cheeks reddened further. "If you want, I could trim my hair tomorrow and try it…"

Ryuji shook his head. "No need. I like your hair just the way it is—long and beautiful."

Kie frowned slightly, his conflicting preferences clearly troubling her. "Then why do you suddenly like twin tails?" she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity.

Leaning closer, Ryuji's voice dropped to a whisper near her ear. "It's because Nezuko has been wearing hers like that recently. She looks so cute. It made me wonder… Did you ever wear your hair in twin tails when you were younger? Would you look as adorable as Nezuko does now?"

Kie's lips parted slightly in surprise, and her blush deepened.

Ryuji chuckled softly. "Nezuko reminds me of you in a way," he added thoughtfully.

Kie lowered her head, hiding her expression as she resumed eating. But the slight curve of her lips betrayed the quiet warmth blooming in her chest.

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