However, your excitement soon dies down when he squeezes your hands again while smiling sadly at you. "I'm so sorry for what I'm about to say, (Y/N) chan. But I'm afraid I'm not fit to be anyone's master at the moment. Right now I'm going to be bed bound for a couple of weeks. Then I have to focus on my own strength and recovery. I won't have time to train anyone if I am to regain my skills. Please forgive me, my dancing friend." Kyojuro apologized.

Your lip quivers as your eyes water, but you prevent the tears from falling. Especially at seeing Kyojuro's panicked face thinking he's making you cry. "...I understand, Kyojuro san." You nodded. "You need time to recover and you can't do that if I'm slowing you down."

"It's not like that. You nor anyone else will ever slow me down. What I'm saying is you deserve a master that has time for you. A master who not only hones your sword skills, but someone who is fit and healthy to drop everything for you. I'm afraid I can't do the latter since I'm still injured. I know you'll be able to find a master that will fill your needs." He explained.

But you're the one that can fill my needs. Your first step to stop being selfish is to understand his reasoning. Kyojuro deserves to recover at his own pace.

"Don't worry, Kyojuro san. You just focus on your recovery and I'll focus on getting stronger. I promise you one day we'll fight together." You smiled. Kyojuro nodded in agreement. You then turn to Pedro who is still happily munching on the leftover foods. "You coming, Pedro?" You asked.

"Food first! Then I will report to the Master!" Pedro replied. You shook your head while chuckling softly. It's good that Pedro is getting back to normal.

"Enjoy your dinner, Kyojuro. I'll visit you again."

"Likewise, (Y/N) chan! And don't worry about your crow! I'll look after him!"

You bow at him before leaving his room. So far you're okay with how everything has been. Kyojuro is alive and you're confident you'll be able to save another doom life. You just have to get stronger so that you won't have to take another killing blow. As you're walking back to your room, you spotted someone familiar walking towards the entrance of the estate.

You took off running and went outside. "Inosuke!" You called out. The boar turns around and sees you running towards him. His body stiffened when he realized who he was seeing. You wanted to hug him, but he's Inosuke, so you don't know how he'll react. All you could do is wave at him. "Welcome back, Inosuke! How was your mission?" You greeted. To your surprise, he doesn't say anything and instead starts heading inside the estate. Did he just ignore me? "Inosuke, wait!" You exclaimed.

"Leave me alone!" He shouted. You were taken aback from this. You were about to ask him what's wrong when he points his finger at you. "You don't get to die and come back like nothing happened! I know what you really think of me!"

"Huh? I don't know what-"

"You don't really see me as your leader! You see me as weak and pathetic! When Bug Eyes was fighting the upper rank demon, you jumped in to save him! You didn't let me or Monjiro on your plan! I could've helped! If I was really strong like you said I was...then you would've told me what you were going to do! I...I...I could've stopped you from doing something so stupid! Then you wouldn't have gotten hurt!"

"No Inosuke, it wasn't like that! I wasn't thinking that day. I just didn't want Kyojuro to die."

"STOP LYING! I'm just a stupid animal to you! A stupid pig that you can't even trust to keep you safe!"

You gasped when Inosuke went down on his knees and began to sob uncontrollably. His entire body trembled so hard that his boar mask slipped off. You can see how red his eyes are from crying. The redness looked like he had been crying for days. You bend down to his level and hug him. You run your fingers through his soft blue hair.

"I'm sorry if I made you feel that way. That was never my intention. All I ever wanted is to save everyone within my grasp. That includes you, Inosuke. You know I have never forgiven myself when my baby brother got snatched from me. I don't ever want to go through that again. I care about you, Inosuke. My body moves on its own whenever I see someone I love in danger."

Inosuke slowly raises his arms over to you. It just occurred to you that this is the first time he's ever been hugged by you alone. "Is this...a fighting technique? I feel so...warm..." He questioned.

"It's a hug, Inosuke." You chuckled. "It's not used for fighting. It's used to comfort a loved one. Or in your case, you comfort someone from your pact."

He seems to understand the concept of it since he returns the embrace. "Next time, trust your master in protecting you and the other underlings. I will get stronger and I will protect you from an Upper Moon!"

"That's the sweetest thing you ever said to me."

A door suddenly swings open from behind you.

"You're back!" Naho exclaimed. Kiyo and Sumi join her. Sumi let's out a small whimper when she sees Inosuke. You remember what Kiyo said to you a couple of hours ago.

"Inosuke, is there something you want to say to Sumi?" You asked.

"I want tempura!" Inosuke replied.

You fought the urge to facepalm. "Anything else? Like an apology?" You hinted.

"Huh..? Oh..." Inosuke slowly walks up to Sumi with his hands on his back. "...Sorry for pushing you." He muttered.

"That's alright! I already forgiven you! I know you didn't mean it. You were just worried about big sister (Y/N)!" Sumi beams.

White flowers begin to bloom around Inosuke as his cheeks flushed a light pink color. You gently nudge him with your elbow with a teasing grin on your face, "Isn't being forgiven such a good feeling?"

"....." Inosuke smiled.

Speaking of being forgiven. You excused yourself from them and headed towards Tanjiro. There was tension between the two of you which you attempted to relieve. Luckily you know Tanjiro is in Nezuko's room so that means the three of you have privacy. You knocked on the door.

"Enter!" Tanjiro answered. And you did. In front of you is best boy brushing Nezuko's hair. He looks surprised to see you, though he still smiles at you. "I was hoping it was you." He said.

You sit on the floor in front of the siblings. Nezuko quickly hugs you before laying her head on your lap. You play with her hair while facing him. "Alright, Tanjiro. Today you'll finally get your answer." You said.

"What answer?"

"Nobody died in the last mission we have. This also includes why I did what I did to save Kyojuro san. I'm about to tell you who I really am."

Your (e/c) orbs stared directly at his maroon orbs with a serious look on your face. You opened your mouth to talk.