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

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Kochou Shinobu stirred awake, her amethyst eyes blinking as her sister's gentle face came into focus. The warmth in Kanae's gaze filled her with a momentary sense of comfort, though confusion clouded her thoughts.

"I remember running... I stopped to rest, and then..." Shinobu murmured, her voice soft, tinged with fatigue.

Kanae smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from Shinobu's face. "You passed out," she said gently, tapping her sister's head with two fingers. "You push yourself too hard, Shinobu. Why won't you take a break when you need one?"

A mix of exasperation and affection softened her tone, her eyes brimming with a quiet concern. Shinobu leaned into her sister's embrace, wrapping her arms around Kanae's waist. Her voice dropped to a whisper, weighed down by emotion. "I can't stop, Sister. Not until I've avenged them."

Kanae's heart ached at her sister's determination. The events of that night—the night their parents were slaughtered—were etched into both their souls. Shinobu, still young and fragile, had taken the loss harder than anyone. Nightmares plagued her relentlessly, leaving her trembling and pale in the early hours.

Kanae tightened her hold on Shinobu, pressing her cheek against her sister's hair. "You'll get your revenge," she promised, her voice steady. "But not at the expense of your health. You can't fight if you break yourself first."

Shinobu's fists clenched at her sides, her eyes clouded with guilt. "It's my fault," she said, barely audible. "If I'd been stronger, faster... I could've done more."

Kanae shook her head, a flicker of irritation breaking through her calm. She bopped Shinobu lightly on the forehead. "Enough of that nonsense. Shinobu, you're one of the strongest people I know. Don't let a moment of weakness define you."

Shinobu blinked up at her, her lips trembling. The warmth of Kanae's words began to thaw the self-doubt gnawing at her. "Thank you, Sister," she said, burying her face in Kanae's shoulder. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," Kanae replied firmly. The weight of responsibility bore down on her, but she refused to let it crush her. As the elder sister, she had vowed to protect Shinobu—no matter the cost.

A knock at the door shattered the moment of quiet intimacy. Kanae tensed, glancing toward the sound.

"Have you rested enough? If so, it's time to resume training." The calm, authoritative voice of Ryuji, their mentor, carried through the wooden frame.

Kanae sighed and pulled back, brushing her hands over Shinobu's hair. "Stay here and rest, Shinobu. I'll handle it."

"No," Shinobu protested, gripping Kanae's hand tightly. "I'm coming with you. I promised we'd face everything together."

Kanae hesitated, seeing the unyielding determination in her sister's eyes. Finally, she relented with a sigh. "Very well. But don't push yourself too hard."

Together, the sisters stepped into the yard, where Ryuji waited with crossed arms. His sharp gaze flickered toward Shinobu, who was visibly pale and trembling.

"Can you handle it?" Ryuji asked bluntly. "If not, go back inside and rest. I won't have you collapsing again like some fragile doll."

The insult stung, but it fueled Shinobu's resolve. Her hands clenched into tight fists, and her jaw set in defiance. She refused to let herself appear weak—not in front of Kanae, and certainly not in front of Ryuji.

"I can handle it," she said, her voice firm despite the tremor in her limbs.

Kanae glanced at her sister, worry flickering in her eyes. She understood Ryuji's harsh words were meant to provoke, to ignite Shinobu's fighting spirit, but she couldn't shake her unease.

"Good," Ryuji said, stepping aside to allow the sisters access to the training ground. "Then let's begin."

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The training session continued, and Ryuji showed no mercy. Kochou Kanae, as the elder sister, pushed through the rigorous exercises with resilience, while Shinobu, younger and physically weaker, struggled to keep up. She fought to stand tall, driven by sheer determination rather than strength.

Compared to her sister, Shinobu had many disadvantages. She was shorter, her physical strength was lacking, and the sword felt cumbersome in her hands. But despite these differences, Ryuji had seen their potential. He knew Kanae would one day become the Flower Hashira, and Shinobu, the Insect Hashira. Yet potential alone was not enough—it needed to be tempered with relentless effort.

"Your stance is off. Keep your sword steady," Ryuji barked, his sharp tone cutting through the crisp morning air. Both sisters flinched slightly at his words.

Kanae adjusted immediately, straightening her posture. Her slim figure stood gracefully under the sunlight, exuding a natural elegance. Meanwhile, Shinobu's trembling hands gripped the hilt tightly, her arms already aching from the repeated drills. She bit her lip and tried to push past the pain, but the sword felt impossibly heavy.

Ryuji walked toward Shinobu, his piercing gaze fixed on her. Feeling his presence, she gritted her teeth and thrust the blade forward with all her might. Her arm wavered, muscles screaming in protest, and the sword dipped slightly.

"Pitiful," Ryuji muttered after observing her for a moment. The disappointment in his voice was like a dagger to Shinobu's heart.

She clenched her jaw, swallowing the lump of frustration rising in her throat. For the first time, she felt an overwhelming need to prove herself—not just to her sister, but to this man who seemed to see her as a burden.

Ryuji turned his attention to Kanae. Her stance was solid, and each thrust of her sword was precise and confident.

"Good," he said, nodding approvingly. "You're much better than your sister."

Shinobu remained silent, her head bowed. Kanae, though proud of her progress, couldn't ignore the sting of Ryuji's words. She glanced at her younger sister, concern flickering in her eyes.

"But there's still room for improvement," Ryuji continued. He stepped behind Kanae, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Relax your shoulders. If they're too stiff, you'll tire faster."

Kanae nodded, her cheeks turning slightly pink at the unexpected contact. She focused on his instructions, trying to ignore the awkwardness of the situation.

"Straighten your waist," Ryuji said, pressing lightly against her lower back. "And drop your hips slightly. It will give you more stability."

Kanae's heart raced, and a faint blush spread across her face. She wasn't accustomed to such proximity with anyone, let alone a man. His tone was professional, but the closeness unsettled her. She took a deep breath and adjusted her posture as instructed.

"Good. Now keep moving like that," Ryuji said, stepping back.

Kanae exhaled in relief, her shoulders relaxing slightly. She focused on her form, but her mind wandered briefly to Shinobu, who stood nearby, visibly struggling.

Ryuji's gaze shifted back to Shinobu. The younger girl stiffened under his scrutiny, forcing herself to stand straighter despite her exhaustion.

"Compared to Kanae, you're far behind," Ryuji remarked, his voice devoid of sympathy.

Shinobu's hands trembled, but she tightened her grip on the hilt. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and a fire lit in her violet eyes. She refused to let his words break her, even if they stung.

Kanae watched her sister with a heavy heart. She knew Ryuji's methods were harsh, but she couldn't deny their effectiveness. Still, the sight of Shinobu's trembling form filled her with guilt.

"That's enough for today," Ryuji finally said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Kanae, you've made progress. Shinobu, you need to push harder. If you can't handle this, you'll never survive in a real fight."

Shinobu swallowed her frustration, nodding silently. As Ryuji turned and walked away, Kanae stepped closer to her sister, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"You did well, Shinobu," Kanae said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "Don't let his words get to you."

Shinobu's lips quivered, but she forced a smile. "I'll get stronger. I promise."

Kanae smiled back, wrapping an arm around Shinobu's shoulders. "I know you will. We'll face this together."

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the sisters stood side by side, their bond unshaken despite the challenges ahead.

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