~*~

AT THE SWORDSMITH VILLAGE

"Hayami, finally you're here!"

Walking through the village, Mitsuri came rushing towards me, with her big sakura coloured hair flying in all directions before she embraces me. With a slight grimace from that slight movement, she gasps and pulls away, "Oh my gosh did I do something?!" She questions in alarm; searching me frantically. "I'm so sorry, please I--"

"Mitsuri, you're fine......" I assure her, with a tender smile. ".........I'll head to my swordsmith, and immediately leave it. Do you know how long you'll be here, just so I know what inn to choose...?"

Her eyes lights up, "You can stay with me, I'm not sure......but it should be ready very shortly....." she replies; before we both began making our way through the village. "How did you get here, was the trip okay? How did they do it this time?"

With a chuckle, "Just a blindfold, a cart........but I blocked my senses....." I assure her, while she gasps in surprise. "Let me guess, same? Just a blindfold?"

She nods in response, "Yeah...."

~*~

After we visited the Chief of the village as a tradition, to acknowledge and respect his village and the secrecy of the place, we head to my swordsmiths workshop.

Continuing walking through the beautiful and peaceful village, she walks by my side all the way to my swordsmiths home. Hearing the sound hammers meeting the blunt edge of blades, and the burning scent of coal and musk, it was all so simplistic. My eyes carry on the familiar face masks that were either unique, or the freshly built homes that were upgraded. It was indeed unique and traditional, that I greatly admired their architecture. After making a few turns, a temari ball rolls to my feet before hearing a collective sound of gasps.

"It's Big Sister Hayami!!!!"

"Yay! She's back!!!"

My eyes flicker to meet two familiar masked children, seeing young Taiga and Young Yuriko. They both seem to have grown since I've last seen them, as Taiga is around Twelve years of age and Yuriko should be about eight years old. The two children rush towards me, earning a high pitch gasp coming from Mitsuri.

"Ahhh, who are these lovely children?" She exclaims; seeing adoration in her pale green eyes.

Taiga and Yuriko embrace me around my waist, as I rest both my hand supon their shoulders and knelt down to embrace the two, "How have you two been?" I ask, with a tender tone. "Look at you two, last i saw you was about six months.....or so? Was it..?"

Taiga nods, "Yep!"

Yuriko tugs on my sleeve earning my attention, "Hmm, what is it Yuri?" before the young girl points up to Mitsuri. Blinking in realisation I turn to my friend, "This is Miss Kanroji, or Mitsuri Kanroji.......she's the Love Hashira...."

Mitsuri gasps, "Awe......so cuuuuuute!!!!" she kneels down. "You can call me however you wish, and what's you name?"

Yuriko was rather shy and tucks behind me once I stood up, "Y-Yuriko......"

"--and I'm Taiga! Nice to meetcha!" Her big brother grins widely. He then turns to me, "Um........are you visiting, or is my father fixing your blade again?"

"I will be staying for a week, I'll be healing in the hot springs," I reply, while resuming to my destination around the corner. "Is your father here, or busy with other errands?"

"He's home, let's go!" Taiga eagerly rushes behind the both of us, while he begins to babble on about all the pieces and things his father works on. He seems to have come out of shell, and he's definitely become more like his father the more he grows older. Though loud and playful, he has such maturity for his age, I could mistake him as a young adult with the masks.

"Ahh, well if it isn't my favourite Hashira!" A familiar cheery voice call, seeing Ryoma wiping the sweat beneath his mask. Only catching a glimpse of his chin and mouth, before he adjusts his mask and walks over. "I see you've brought a friend with you, I am Ryoma Kobayashi........I'm the Mizutsuki clan's assigned swordsmith and I'm also the Chief's biological son....."

Mitsuri smiles widely, "Wow, such dedication and remarkable scars of your hard work--!" She exclaims, before she cuts herself by covering her mouth with an embarrassed red face. "I apologise, I shouldn't have assum--"

A deep rumble of a chuckle, soon follows into laughter which lifted a smile to my lips.

Ryoma bursts into laughter, "Come now, these scars are just from working within the village......" he assures her, flexing his forearms that were littered with scars. "Anywho.......I assume you've come by to let me fix your blade, yes?" he steps towards me.

Nodding I lift my scabbard that contained my blade inside, "Yes, one more swing and it would've shattered....." I reply, passing it to him delicately. "......the design improves the state and longevity it has, your skills become better and better."

Ryoma takes the scabbard in hand and bows his head, with it horizontally in both hands.

"I'll take good care of it," He assures me, with a warm tone. Taiga flexes his arms with a proud stance, knowing he will be helping his father out. "So, how long will you wait.....give or take?"

"A week, I'll need a week of some healing in the hot springs...." I reply softly. "....so please, don't overexert yourself. I'm in need of no hurry."

He nods, "Excellent, well......I'll see to it if it needs more improvements," he replies; before he turns to the workshop before he pauses. "Actually, if you see my older brother......Hotaru...just tell him that father wishes for him to work on his slayers blade. He seems to be very stubborn at the moment, which I'm assuming is from the last time his slayer shattered his blade too often. I assume it's just his hasty work.........so please give him a good talk if you do see him, thanks."

~*~

AT THE HOT SPRINGS

"This seems nice....."

Holding my yukata over my cleavage, I walk carefully to the hot springs, that held a warm and relaxing aroma. Mitsuri was already within the hot springs for probably around ten minutes, sitting there with a relaxed and disheveled look in her gorgeous pink hair. Glancing around I couldn't see anyone, which meant that we had the entire hot springs to ourselves.

"It's so good....." Mitsuri murmurs; sinking further in. "Come on big sis!!"

Slowly taking off my Yukata self-consciously, I place it neatly on a rock before stepping into the hot water. Steam coaxes around my flesh, feeling the remedy soothing my aching muscles. "It feels nice.......it's been a while," I murmur softly; sitting the opposite end of the spring that Mitsuri and I shared. I hold the back of my shoulder, and stretched my left arm pulling against the hold to stretch out the sprain. "I really am feeling stiff......."

"Well you're at the right place," Mitsuri hums; while she relaxes comfortably. 

The sunset hue casts a warm glow to the late afternoon, which means it would be dark very soon in an hour or two. Even with my blade being fixed in a short amount of time, i was grateful for the Chief to grant me extra time in the springs. Every part of my body in training, or on my missions were becoming tiring and my head was foggy. I didn't really treat myself at all, compared to most women would. 

"Hmm, did I just hear an echo of gratitude?" Mitsuri's head tilts up; before she full stands where the water covers her from her hips down. Droplets roll down her skin, emphasising the natural beauty Mitsuri was. Thin, defined muscle but such soft skin with a beautiful pale complexion, which I still remember the day he belittled her image months ago.

"Hmm?" I tilt my head up, before sensing that familiar presence.

"That means someone else is here," Mitsuri smiles widely, with a flushed expression from the hot springs. "My heart is racing to know whom!"

She goes to step out and grabs her yukata and began to slip it on, as she seems to have had enough time in the hot springs. She flicks her wet ends of her hair, that was soaking from sitting in for so long.

"You sure you want to leave now?" I ask softly; with my eyes closed in meditation. "Or you're hungry?"

She covers up her cleavage despite that they kept spilling out, with her clumsy way of tying her yukata securely.

She nods, "Hmmm, I'm feeling a little flushed......" She replies; before she slips over an over coat around her body to stay warm and relax. ".......besides I wanna eat......."

Suddenly a large figure enters the area with the Demon Slayer corp uniform, with his footsteps slow and stealth. My eyes follow to see familiar eyes, before realising whom it was as he placed a towel upon the rock. He doesn't seem to have noticed us, but Mitsuri gasps in excitement when she notices the young man. She steps towards him with a light up expression, with the click of her sandals.

"Ahhhhhh! Hello, nice to meet you, you're so big!!!!" She exclaims; causing young Genya to stand there stiff with his face gradually growing hotter and hotter. "I'm Misturi kanroji~! What kind of breath do you use?! How old are you?! What's your name?!"

Question after question, she doesn't let up as she was too much.

"Um.....Mi-Mitsuri, I think...." I trail off, seeing Genya blanked out. "......yeah, I think he's not gonna respond," muttering beneath my breath in defeat.

Genya doesn't end up replying due to how flustered he was on the spot, causing Mitsuri to get mixed signals. She held a dejected look, with a pout as he was being rude and not replying. She nudged him to get an answer, but he kept averting her gaze which made her pout which lead her to run down the hill from the springs in a hurry.

"Wait, Mitsuri!!!!" I call, only to realise she was far enough to not hear me. "Guess her good vibes will be cancelled out....."

Genya finally shakes himself out of his flustered state, when he notices me and becomes flustered yet again. He stiffly goes somewhere else to take off his uniform when, "Would you like to join me, young Shinazugawa?" I offer gently; knowing he was feeling awkward. "We can sit here privately, now I can speak with you."

He was hesitant before he takes off his uniform til he was bare, and steps into the hot springs. His muscles well defined knowing he is definitely Lord Gyomei's student, with how buff and tall he's gotten since I've seen him last. He was still flustered when he faced me, while he kept quiet to himself while avoiding my eyes. The crickets sing their tune as night slowly covers the sky, while being thankful I was able to see him.

"How have you been, Young Genya?" I murmur softly; my expression tender and patient. I wanted to make the conversation less abrasive and forward, to a more comfortable and easy safe space. "It's been a while since I last saw you....."

"Tch......." he flushes, with a grimace of embarrassment.

"Heard good things from Lord Gyomei," I mention; finally earning an interested expression. "I already can tell your a student of his, by how your physique has come out of your harsh and gruelling training. Hope he's not over doing--"

"It's f-fine......" he breaks his own silence, his eyes slowly meeting my own. Though he was still hiding himself, I allowed to take his time to speak and adjust. "......his training has helped, it's worked.........there's not much else to say......"

With every moment he took to speak instead of saying everything in one go, I softly smile seeing there was gratitude towards the Stone Hashira. 

"Lord Gyomei used to always watch me, growing into the Hashira, that I am today," I say; reminiscing the past when he would bring me bento's and anything to aid comfort. "His words of wisdom, his words of advice........I can see he's kept you close. I know that you insisted to stay, despite not having a breathing technique......"

His breath hitches in response; eyes widening as if I said something I wasn't meant to mention.

"Of course I have a breathing--"

"You don't need to lie," I cut him off; with a more firm tone. "Denying will get you nowhere, but I'm not here to judge......but give you words of my own wisdom. My experiences, as a friend and someone close to your brother--"

He clenches his teeth with irritation, as the conversation has eased him; making him forget that he was flustered at the fact he's soaking in the hot springs with a woman.

"How would you understand?!" He snaps angrily; his small brows furrow. He nervously begins to fiddle with one of his teeth, "You don't understand how hard I pushed myself to get where I am! To hold onto the Stone Hashira, relying on him so I can become closer to my brother! How would you know what I'm going through?! You're just a privileged Hashira, that got it all--"

"Genya Shinazuagwa, you listen to me......" I cut him off, with a more steady tone. My eyes meet his own, as if I sitting before the younger version of Sanemi when we first met. ".......I wouldn't be here, if it wasn't for your big brother."

He stops fiddling with his wobbling fang, "What?......I don't, understand......." he utters out; holding interest to where the conversation would lead. He suddenly pulls out his tooth forcefully, and throws it away and fiddles with another.

"Your big brother is amazing, he's one of the strongest Slayers I know," I spoke softly; with a tender smile. "We both have known each other for six or more years.......and not once had he ever abandoned me, and slowly we've grown closer. You say 'I don't understand', but I know the hardships you've been through. I've been through it all--"

"Genya Shinazugawa!!!!!!" A voice calls out, abruptly. Genya turns arounds sharply with a furious expression, veins popped from his face and neck.

"Die!!!!!!!" 

I couldn't see whom the person was from behind the boulder that my back was facing, but I could recognise the voice. Tanjiro Kamado. Not even long from Genya's rather rude response, I hear a sound of material being thrown off before a splash right beside Genya. Covering my face from the spray of water, the boy submerges from under the water and greets Genya with a forceful approach which startled Genya.

"How have you been?!" Tanjiro greet, enthusiastically. "I meant to ask, are you and the Wind Hashira related?!"

My heart sinks in response seeing Genya's mood becoming dismissive, before he grabs the back of Tanjiro's head and shoves his face into the water forcefully.

"STOP TRYING TO MAKE SMALL TALK WITH ME DAMMIT!!!!!" Genya snaps angrily, using every fibre of his being with his muscles protruding. After he releases Tanjiro before he storms off, and out of the hot springs and never to be seen again. Realising he needs time to himself again, Tanjiro submerges with a heavy gasp and a splutter.

He sighs deeply, "...and here I thought for a second we could bond in our nakedness--" he cuts himself off, when he notices me sitting in the corner. "Gahhh! Lady Hayami!!! I'm so sorry, I can leave--"

Shaking my head, "It's fine.......how about we share the spring," I suggest softly, grabbing a hot warm towel and folded it. Shifting over I place it upon his head, "So, you seem to be well from your coma........how're you feeling?!"

His face flushes, "Um, I feel great actually......I actually bumped into Lady Kanroji just minutes ago......" He informs me, before seeing young Nezuko hopping into the hot spring with a gentle hum. "I'm here to meet my swordsmith actually, he refuses to forge my sword so I'm hoping to reason with him."

"Ahhh, yes.........Mr Haganezuka, yeah he's not happy," I chuckle softly; before noticing him in deep thought. Assuming if it was question he asked Genya, I decided to confirm his suspicions. "You know..........Lord Shinazugawa, is indeed related with Young Genya. They are indeed brothers......."

His face lights up, "That makes so much sense......." he claims; noticing he was still in a dazed mood from Genya's dismissive nature. "........actually, I kind of see how they're related. I mean the Wind Hashira was horrifyingly rude and harsh towards my sister, I still haven't been able to give him a good head bash again.....make sure it hurts--"

I couldn't help but chuckle softly, "I don't think he would like that very much," I warn him; with a knowing smile. "He gets too fired and angry, and he doesn't show mercy.....I'll tell you that much."

Nezuko swims around before she swims over to me, her small head resting against my full chest finding it comfortable as she sits on my lap like a child to a mother. She hums softly; my fingers ran through her long raven and red hue hair, as the water laps against our bare flesh.

"I'm surprised you have not scolded me, for saying such words," Tanjiro looks at me, dumbfounded. He wasn't wrong. "The way you speak of him, it's as if you know him more personally........."

Smiling softly, "Well, he is my fiance after all........." I mention.

He chokes on his air, "He's your what?!"

Nezuko hums tilting her head up in curiosity, while I nod confirming what I said is what he has heard. Tanjiro took a moment to register my very words, as he parts his lips. Then he closes his mouth again, and does this repeatedly before he finally gathers the courage to speak his mind.

"How..........does a man like him, end with such a voluptuo-- I mean gentle and patient woman like you?" He questions; with an embarrassed look. "Respectfully speaking, I just....I mean.....at my trial with the Hashira, he was so vicious like a wolf. He hurt my sister, and--"

"Trust me, I did give him a good scold after what he did to poor Nezuko," I coo softly, while scrubbing her scalp gently. She hums with no care in the world, "He shouldn't have done that, but..........he means well."

The heat causes my temple to sweat slightly, which I was grateful to have pulled my bangs back to let myself cool.

Tanjiro seems unsure by how easily I spoke about Sanemi, but it would take time til the two would get along. Silence soon falls between us again, knowing he has so many questions that would take time to answer. He seems so focused on it, until he shook his head and decided to relax and put himself at ease.

"Well, I know I'm safe at least with you," He assures himself, with a small smile. "Also, Kaito mentions you all the time........guess he forgot to mention about the wind Hashira and you being together. No wonder the Wind Hashira instantly listened to you at the trial, it was as if a switch shut off....."

A gentle laugh leaves, "I know everyone sees him the wrong way, but without him.......we would lose alot of manpower to this organisation...." I mention softly, while my fingers continue to knead Nezuko's small head. Her soft cute hums of contentment, as I continue to coddle the young child. "........You'd be surprised by how strong he is, I cannot beat him myself........only by words I can though."

"Is that so," Tanjiro murmurs, in deep thought. He seems to be troubled, as if he can't sense something or much rather someone. 

"Anyway.......I soon better hop out before my skin shrivel," I murmur gently, earning a pout from young Nezuko as the water licks against our skin. "Then we can have dinner together, how does that sound?"

Tanjiro's face lights up, "Yeah, that sounds wonderful!"

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Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

We're finally getting into the swordsmith Arc, and I'm excited to continue writing more and more now that we're in the series. if there is