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

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The morning sun filtered through the thin shoji screens, casting a soft glow over the small room. Kie lay on the futon, her silky black hair cascading over the pillow like a dark waterfall. Her delicate hands rested limply on the quilt, her complexion rosy yet faintly tired.

At the sound of quiet footsteps, her lashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes halfway. Recognizing Ryuji as he adjusted his haori, she let out a faint sigh and allowed her eyes to close again.

Ryuji stepped out of the room, his expression calm yet unreadable. He made his way to the nearby street, stopping at a familiar restaurant to purchase breakfast. The shop owner greeted him with a knowing smile as he prepared the usual order.

"Ryuji-san," the man said in a low voice, glancing around to ensure no one overheard, "forgive my boldness, but… a man of your standing… is it wise to associate so closely with a woman like that?"

Ryuji's movements paused. His eyes narrowed, but his expression remained neutral.

The shop owner quickly added, "I mean no disrespect, but you know how people talk. Mrs. Kie is a widow, and with you visiting so often…"

Ryuji's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Instead, he paid for the meal and left the shop, his footsteps steady but deliberate.

The whispers had started when he first moved to this area, but they had grown louder over time. Neighbors speculated about his relationship with Kie, some more brazen than others. Just a few days ago, a drunken man had made an indecent comment about her. Ryuji had dealt with him swiftly, leaving the man bedridden and silencing much of the neighborhood gossip.

Even so, he couldn't ignore the impact these rumors might have on Kie. In this era, a woman's reputation was everything. Though Ryuji himself cared little for such trivialities, he knew Kie might feel differently.

By the time he returned home, the house was alive with the sounds of training. Tanjirou and Nezuko were practicing their forms in the courtyard, their movements sharp yet earnest. Nearby, Kanao stood silently, her pink-purple eyes focused as she balanced a wooden bucket on each arm.

Hearing the door slide open, Tanjirou stopped mid-strike and turned to greet him. "Ryuji-san!"

"Good morning, Uncle!" Nezuko added, though her tone was slightly curt, and she avoided his gaze.

Ryuji raised an eyebrow but said nothing, his lips curving into a faint smile. "I brought breakfast. Wash up and join me inside."

Tanjirou nodded, his expression brightening. "Thank you, Ryuji-san. We'll be there soon."

As Ryuji walked into the house, he noticed how cramped the living room felt. The house, modest and functional when he first bought it, was now struggling to accommodate everyone. With Tanjirou, Nezuko, Kanao, and the Kochou sisters training regularly, even the courtyard was no longer sufficient.

He frowned slightly, his mind already calculating. "I'll need to find a larger house. Something with a bigger yard… and more privacy."

Carrying the food, he headed toward Kie's room. Without knocking, he slid the door open and stepped inside.

Kie was still lying on the futon, her breathing soft and even. At the sound of the door, she stirred and opened her eyes. When she saw him, her expression softened, and she offered a faint smile.

"You're back," she murmured, her voice quiet.

Ryuji slid the door shut quietly behind him, setting the tray of food on the low table by the futon. Kie stirred slightly at the sound, her body tense as she attempted to push herself upright.

"Hiss…" A sharp intake of breath escaped her lips, and she winced, her movements stalling.

Ryuji turned to her, a teasing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Don't move. I'll feed you," he said, his voice low and smooth.

Kie's cheeks flushed, her brows knitting into a faint scowl. "This is your fault," she muttered, her tone caught between irritation and embarrassment.

Ryuji chuckled softly, unfazed by her accusation. He ladled some porridge into a small bowl, scooped up a spoonful, and brought it to her lips. "Open up," he instructed, his tone lighter now, almost playful.

Kie hesitated for a moment before taking the offered bite, her gaze lifting to meet his. The teasing glint in Ryuji's eyes had softened into something gentler, and the subtle tension in her shoulders began to ease. Whatever lingering annoyance she felt melted away, replaced by a quiet warmth that spread through her chest.

As he continued feeding her, Ryuji's voice broke the silence. "The neighbors have been talking again," he said casually, though there was an edge to his words.

Kie's grip on the quilt tightened, her face paling. "What… what did they say?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryuji glanced at her, noticing the way her hands trembled slightly. He set the bowl down and reached for her hands, taking them gently in his own. "Does it matter?" he asked, his tone steady.

Kie shook her head, but her lips pressed into a thin line. "It's just… I know what they must think of me. That I'm…" Her voice broke, and she bit down hard on her lip, drawing a bead of blood. "That I'm a disgrace. A widow who doesn't know her place."

Ryuji's expression darkened, and his grip on her hands tightened, though not uncomfortably. "Kie," he said firmly, lifting one of her hands and pressing it against his chest. "Do you feel that? My heart is yours. I don't care what anyone else says."

Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly in surprise. She had heard sweet words before, whispered in the quiet moments they shared, but this… this was different. It was raw and unflinching, and it made her heart flutter in a way she couldn't describe.

"Ryuji…" she murmured, her voice trembling.

"Let them talk," Ryuji continued, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Their words can't change how I feel about you. And if they have a problem, they can say it to my face."

A soft laugh escaped her lips, a mix of relief and disbelief. She leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest. "You always say things like that," she whispered. "And yet… I can't help but believe you every time."

Ryuji's hand moved to the back of her head, his fingers threading gently through her hair. "Good," he murmured. "Because I'll keep saying it until you never doubt it again."

Kie pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "As long as you're with me, I don't care about the rest," she said softly. "You're all that matters to me, Ryuji."

He smiled, a rare, genuine expression that reached his eyes. "And you to me, Kie. Always."

The room fell into a comfortable silence once more, the weight of their unspoken fears lifting as they simply existed in the moment together.

Outside, the sounds of training and laughter drifted in through the open window. For now, the world beyond their small space could wait.

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