~*~

NEXT DAY ~ AT THE DRAGON ESTATE ~ (Hayami's Pov:)

"It's a relief to have you here,"

Kneeling down I place the tray of multiple sweets, and some Matcha tea in a traditional Japanese porcelain teapot that was given as a gift by Mitsuri herself with a teaset. Taking my pillow I kneel down on my knees, about to pour her some tea when she squeaks. "Let me! Let me serve you today!" Mitsuri waves her hands around, with a flustered look brightening her pale complexion.

With a warm chuckle I nod, "Sure, thankyou,"

Leaning back my attention focuses on how nervous she looks, with the way her fingers and hands shook with anxiousness. Once she pours my tea she leans back as well, not daring to take a bite from the bowl of sakura mochi I've made specifically for her. I somehow knew she would come round, despite her avoidance. Her eyes flicker away from my mine once they meet, with a sound of discomfort or worry.

"Mitsuri, you've done nothing wrong," I spoke up, my voice filled with sincerity. "Let's take this a step at a time, and rekindle this relationship. Hmm?"

Her eyes flicker to meet mine finally, "O-Okay.......right, one step at a time," she repeats in response, her hands resting on her laps with her knuckles tightening til white. She soon inhales deeply; suddenly slaps her cheeks to wake herself up causing me to blink in surprise. Her face soon fills with resolution and determination, causing a smile to curl upon my lips. "I'm sorry for avoiding you, and for not joining you on our patrols. It was careless of me, and I don't expect you to forgive me right away and I'll explain everything here and now! So please--?"

I raise my hand quietly to silence her, "You're already forgiven Mitsuri, I already understood your story......." as my hand slips into the inside of my sleeve, where the note Shinobu has written. "....Shinobu informed me about your worries, and concern. However, I want to hear from you personally so I can understand from my own experiences."

Her soft green eyes widen in response, "Y-You.......do? Oh Hayami......." her hands rest over her mouth, holding back her tears. She then closes her eyes and glances back to her lap, her fingers intertwined together nervously. "I kind of......felt like my reason becoming a slayer, was pathetic and a sore excuse to fight. To find a man, a husband who was stronger than myself. I've been hiding myself......behind the expectations of society. A woman's body isn't supposed to be strong, and unnatural colour hair is uncommon and ugly.....and my heavy and large appetite isn't normal for a woman and also to give up on Love."

My brows slightly pinch together sympathetically, listening to her more.

"So I gave up all those things, and tried to become someone I'm not," She continues, her face slowly becoming lighter the more she spoke. "Love was what kept my breathing technique going, it was my strength. Shinobu even said that skipping on meals, will only make me falter in battle. I kept denying it all, but Shinobu opened my eyes and now I feel at ease in who I am as a woman and a Slayer......"

Her voice fades finishing her early predicament, as I smile gently.

Lifting my tea to my lips I sip it gently and lower to the table, "I envy you too, you know....." I spoke up, admitting my own weaknesses. She seems a bit surprised hersefl, "........getting to eat so much, not worrying about gaining weight. You still remain so beautiful, and so bubbly it's quite refreshing."

"-But how come you envy me? You're gorgeous Hayami!!!!" She exclaims, in disbelief.

Chuckling I gave her a wry smile, "I am more on the chubby side, being more thicker......" I gesturing to my shoulders, and my biceps and then my belly. "I have thick biceps, and I'm more solid than petite. I have a chubby tummy, that I'm very insecure about with stretch marks. Even my own thighs........and my wide hips. Even scars I bare......and I know I'm my own worst enemy, but I do have my days where I find myself angry at my own body."

"Hayami......." her voice came out shaky.

"It may seem all covered up with kimonos, Yukata's, hakama pants and my demon slayer uniform," I continue, as my finger trails along the rim of my tea cup. "Underneath is all imperfections. When I look at women who are thin, and more feminine looking.....I can't help but grow envious. Silently. No matter how much training I put in, no matter how much I move on missions........I may lose a pound or so, but it doesn't take it all away......"

My lips purses together feeling tears trying to well up, but I bite them back with a thick swallow in avoiding sympathy.

"......but Sanemi got rid of those negative thoughts," a smile drifts to my lips, feeling warmth spread across my cheeks. "I may still think badly about myself when I'm alone, but I began to slowly fall in love with myself. He's been patient and healing, even if he doesn't know he's doing it intentionally.......but my main reason for telling you this? It's to show you that I'm not perfect, and your not......Shinobu isn't or even Aoi....or any woman or man on this earth. However, it's what makes us......unique and different than a clone."

Mitsuri's eyes fill with tears, "Then........could you tell me, how you joined the Demon Slayer Corps?" wiping her tears with her clenched palm, causing me to chuckle with a wholehearted smile.

"Sure......."

~*~

Her breath hitches in response, processing my story.

"I......had no idea......"

Taking a piece of the sakura mochi I bite into the soft chewy sweet, allowing the sweetness to numb the pain in my throat that ached when speaking. Holding back my tears while explaining, I finally finished surviving my story yet again. Finishing the sweet I lift my eyes to meet hers, "So when I say that your background is refreshing, we all have not once though ill about your life with a happy family.....m'kay?"

She stammers over her words before clearing her throat, "I just, how can........your own big brother do that to you? Your father....he's a demon? You lived with constant walls around you, only for that to grow and grow.........being told you'll never be good enough....?"

Her reaction was what I have been expecting from the start, but the past is the past and I can't undo what has happened.

"So, from now Mitsuri.........please let your love shine," I smile warmly, taking her hand gently as my calloused fingers wrap around her delicate ones. Giving it a gentle squeeze my eyes gazed into her own with this motherly or big sister instinct surging within me. "Grow strong, eat well, be what your breathing technique is........and remember the person who trained you. Rengoku is a man I greatly admire since he's joined, and he's given so much in training you. Don't let it go in vain either.....because I see a bit of him in you, just by your perseverance....."

She nods, "I won't let it go in vain, I do truly want to be a slayer for myself......"

Releasing her hand I rest them upon my lap, "That's a good answer........." before lifting my tea again, sipping my drink slowly with my eyes closed.

Silence falls between us, taking a moment to process our meeting today.

"Hayami.....I think you're very beautiful," Mitsuri breaks the silence, biting into her sakura mochi with a subtle cute pout. "I didn't realise your insecurities because I thought you were perfect, being so mature and even mature looking. You have a body like a goddess........scars that makes you more beautiful. You dress appropriately, you present yourself with elegance and yet your anger and breathing technique sounds and looks intimidating.........and then there's you and Lord Shinazugawa! I mean, that was unexpected!!!"

She begins to ramble on, as Mitsuri should be which brings a smile upon my lips.

"To be honest.........I'm still learning what love is," I admit, my eyes averting from her own to the tea in my hand. Small little ripples form, feeling the warmth seep into his fingertips. "Living for a few years with love, balancing from the massacre to now? I've only gained love again, yet it feels so foreign......yet comforting."

"So how long since.....?" She asks, her eyes glowing and her aura finally returning to her normal self.

Always gushing at any sign of love, than herself........it's quite endearing......

"It's been about nine months....." I softly smile, remembering that very night. "....it only feels like yesterday, and have our disagreements from time to time. However, we get back and sought things out.........but it's mostly him who begins the arguments. So I take a step back and let him cool off, then he maybe.......apologises when he doesn't want to admit his defeat."

Mitsuri's eyes widen with a gasp, "He apologised?! That's unlike Lord Shinazugawa!"

I lean closer as my voice grows quiet, "Don't tell him that, or it will ruin his ego," giving her a playful wink when she leans close to hear, before she nods vigorously.

"I swear! I don't even want to know what he'll do," She sighs, dejectedly. "He doesn't seem to like me as a person! Like he gets along with Iguro, but me? Maybe I'm too loud and--"

"Mitsuri?" I arch a brow with a warning tone, causing her to chew her bottom lip. "What did we just discuss? Focus on yourself, and not what the others think........and I'll talk with him if he says or does anything. I've you, okay?"

She nods before glancing out on the open fusuma doors leading to the Zen garden, seeing the sun setting before a crow settles upon the verandah.

"Hmm?" I raise a brow, recognising it's Sorai. Sanemi's crow. "Come here Sorai, you're allowed...."

He flew towards me and lands upon the tatami floor beside me, seeing a small clipped roll at his ankle. Delicately unclipping the latch, I unroll the small rolled up note finding it to be a less formal letter. Glancing over the note, I couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Guess Sanemi will be coming tonight," I spoke up, and seeming to understand Mitsuri's questioning and curious gaze.

She processes for a moment before she gasps and stood up, "It is getting late, and I've got dinner with Iguro again at the Udon restaurant!" She exclaims, in realisation. "Well, I shall leave before I see Lord Shinazugawa. Too scary!"

Standing up from my pillow seat, following her out to the front as she slips on her sandals and taps them on.

"Well enjoy a lot of food, and tell Iguro I said hi," I chuckle softly, feeling the warmth of the sunset streaming through the bamboo growth surrounding my estate.

She nods with a wide smile, "I will, seeya!!!!" she waves excitedly, before she runs down the small path towards the main entrance.

~*~

The sound of crackling sesame oil breaks the silence within my small kitchen, whilst chopping a few green onions finely with swiftness in my fingertips. The smell of the freshly grown green onion fills the room, as I grate it down into the pan. Once placed into the burning sesame oil, I turn to the cooling pot of boiled rice before taking it over to fry it.

Trying to up my skills in cooking due to not being taught from a young age, it gradually got better the more I practiced.

"Something smells good!" before arms wrap around me from behind, recognising his musky scent lingering with sweat and hard work. His face buries into the crook of my neck, pressing series of small kiss against the juncture of my neck.

Chuckling softly, "You stealthy as ever, didn't you hear you come in," I comment, resuming the fried rice with the cooked meat and peas along with the green onions. Flipping the rice and mixed ingredients repeatedly, his kisses gradually becoming more needy. Heat soon rushes from my neck up towards the tips of my ears, when his hand placement sat snugly against my hips with a gentle squeeze.

"Hmmm......well, I could smell dinner all the way from entrance and I didn't want you to stop," He replies, as his nose and lips trace back up to shell of my ear. His teeth nibble my lobe, feeling his warm breath coax over my flesh. "Anyway, how are you feeling? You know.......about losing her?"

A shadow casts over my eyes, feeling guilt gnawing me to the bone.

"She was too naive and inexperienced......." I spoke up, swallowing thickly as my throat began to grow numb again. ".........I thought I saw potential in her becoming a Tsugoku of mine, just like the previous Tsugoku of mine. They each keep falling into the clutches of those demons, and it's always those slayers who have too much of an ego. Overconfidence is a fools trap."

His thumbs knead into my wide hips, as his kisses my neck again letting it linger for a moment, "It's not your fault, those two girls were not fit for Dragon Breathing......" he spoke, with a hint of annoyance. "........or maybe you're scared to hand such an important part of your family's legacy, to someone you don't know? I mean Dragon breathing has been passed for generations, right? I think you'll find someone......."

Leaning into him as my eyes flutter closed, I take a few deep breaths allowing myself to relish in his warmth and security.

"One day......one day......" turning my attention back on the pan, as he lets go and walks over to the bench and leans against it; arms folded.

~*~

"That was really delicious, I've been working an appetite all day!"

Smiling widely I take a few more mouthfuls, "Glad my cooking is good, cause the first time I did....I burnt it and it was hard to get out the damn pan," placing my chopsticks down, my eyes flicker up to meet his.

His eyes linger on me for a good while, "Yeah, it was the worst.....so Kumeno had to take us out to a restaurant," he rolls his eyes, with a playful scoff. "You're getting there, but maybe a little practice..."

I playfully nudge his shoulder, before standing up taking the dishes to the new sink that was recently installed.

"Oi! Hey, what are you doing?" He questions, hearing his heavy footsteps rushing towards me. "I can clean the dishes tonight, 'kay? You cook, I clean.........that's what we agreed remember?"

With a subtle pout, "Come on, it's not much--"

"My ass you'll do the damn dishes!" he carefully pushes me away from the sink, as my feet slides across the tiled floor. "Come on, chop chop....or I'll be damned if you continue doing things for me all the time!"

"Nemi-!"

"Nope, don't nemi me--"

"Please-?"

He shook his head, "Why don't you get our bath ready, instead?" suggesting something else, whilst tying his yukata sleeves up around his shoulders. Dishes clang and bang against each other, seeing his aggressiveness trying to gather the dishes together. "I'll join you once I'm done, 'kay?!"

Reluctantly I turn on my heel towards the back, feeling guilty that he's cleaning up for me instead.

"Stubborn ass," muttering my breath, reaching the cabinet. Pulling out two towels and a bathmat, I make my way into the bathroom and turned the tap on.

~*~

Thick streams of steam circulates within the room......

Sinking myself into the hot water that I've prepared, I managed to cleanse myself beneath the shower before entering. It felt comforting to know I wouldn't be alone tonight, as I usually spend my time here. Glancing across the hot room, Sanemi cleanses himself beneath the shower for a moment before following suit. "See......dishes all done, and it was quick," He scoffs, slowly settling into the hot water opposite to me.

"Well, you're the guest......it's rude of me not--"

"Cut the formal bullshit," he flicks the surface of the water, spraying upon my face. "When I'm with you, or you're with me at my place? One does the cooking, and the other does the washing up....'kay? It's more like levelled terms, or compromising..........that's how Geny-- I mean......."

He pauses hesitantly for a moment, but I take his hand and began to massage it.

"Okay........I understand, and I'll try my best to accept your help," I comply mildly, my silver eyes flicker up to meet his sympathetically. "Also......about Genya? You don't have to talk about it, if you find it difficult to explain."

A subtle growl of annoyance rumbles in his throat, before he mellows out and shifts over before feeling his rough hands pulling me into his body. The water shifts and sways wildly for a moment, before finding my body turned around with my back pressed against his broad chest comfortingly. The heat of the water overwhelmed my true temperature, with how fast my heart races in his arms. This feeling of security when he holds me like this, puts my own heart at ease.

His nose buries into the crook of my neck, resting his head whilst kneading his thumbs into my soft belly.

"You're really a people pleaser..........but it's what I love about you," He mumbles, his tone raspy and exhausted. That weight still holds him back when he mentions his brother, "I just wanted him.......to leave and live a life I can't have. No carnage, but a simple life with a normal job......a wife maybe and a family........not this damn life. Our lives are now limited with this line of work, and I would be lying if I wanted you to continue being a slayer."

My brows furrow as I take his hand from my tummy, interlacing my fingers through his own with a gentle squeeze.

"I chose this life because I thought I had nothing," I spoke up, before my harden gaze softens. "However, you changed my purpose...........and I'll go where you go. You saved me when no one else, figuratively and realistically speaking. You stood by me despite that you could've avoided me since we lost Kumeno, but you didn't. Slowly and gradually I began to feel things that were so foreign, that scared me.........until you secured my heart by reciprocating them."

Raising his hand to my lips, I kiss his injured knuckles and scars one by one tenderly.

"You mean more to me, than you realise......" I murmur softly, against his warm flesh.

A heavy sigh echoes within the foggy bathhouse, as he pulled me in closer with skin flushed together with no gap in between us. A small sound leaves me when lips meet my neck, feeling this tingly sensation in my belly that brought pleasure. Inhaling shakily in response, his teeth sinks into my flesh marking me tenderly with little force. He continues to press series of kisses over the nape of my neck, as he tucks my damp hair to the side gaining more access. His index finger and middle drift to my chin, tilting my head to the side slowly before capturing my lips tenderly. My eyes flutter closed sinking into his kiss, finding it gradually becoming hungry and more fervently.

He pulls away gingerly brushing his lips against mine, "You have no fucking clue, what you do to me," He huskily breaths out, with his eyes lidded with desire and exhaustion in them. Without another second he delves down and takes my lips with his, before cupping my face as he turns me a little bit to the side to not crane my neck. A heavy groan of relief leaves him, as I melt against him without much care of anything but him.

His hands slowly finding purchase against my wide hips, he draws me in feeling his growing need press against me causing me to inhale sharply to the foreign sensation.

"I won't make my move tonight, but I'll make you feel good," He spoke deeply, his voice gone down an octave. "You deserve that at least.....my gorgeous woman."

He knew of my boundaries as I wasn't ready, and it made him all the more attractive.

"I'll indulge in your