Brothers Through Ashes(Complete)

The Inlaws

As Tanjiro's group travelled back to headquarters, Zenitsu found himself silently pondering his previous conversation with the Ash Hashira. They discussed a touchy subject that he'd rather not remember. They arrived and were treated by the Butterfly Mansion staff while Tanjiro went straight to his room.

He plopped in his bed and sighed. The sleep had not completely disappeared from his eyes. He still needed rest and time. He removed his sword and haori. Then the top of his uniform. "You look absolutely awful."

"Hey, Shinobu. You look well." He spoke softly. "So, even when you try to be better, you mess it up." She giggled. "I don't know what you are talking about." He huffed. "I'm so sorry if anything I said convinced you that staying awake was necessary. I'll be returning to my duties in a few days. First, though, we have something important to attend to."

"That being?"

"My family has requested an audience with you."

"..."

A little later

Tanjiro and the butterfly mansion residents sat at the table and conversed. "So, how did your family hear about me?" He asked. "It would seem my elder brother has betrayed me. I wrote to him often. Seems as though he didn't like that I had a partner. Much less a child." She sighed, taking a bite from her plate.

"When do we leave?" Tanjiro queried. "Within the week. We'll have to take Ruka, so no treetop jumping and the like. We'll walk. I try not to behead anyone." She answered.

"Why would I have to?"

"You're going to meet the same people who disowned me and Kanae. Let's just say, I'm not the favored child. Neither was my sister. My family prides the males. I'm from a branch family who serve the local Daiymo. In other words, my brother  or father may attack you."

"Don't worry. I won't kill them... Mostly anyway."

Yeah so I'm preparing the biggest chapters so this is being rushed badly.

Tanjiro and Shinobu arrived in a modest town with a generic layout. As they strolled, people began whispering about the baby Shinobu held. "Is that Shinobu Kocho? My, she's grown. Who's thst man she's with. He's a looker. Oh is that a baby?"

Tanjiro wrapped his arms around her and cooed, "Don't look at them. Just focus on why we are here." "Mm, right."

They eventually stopped at a house. Shinobu knocked and waited. A young boy with purplish hair answered. "Shino-chan! Dad! Big sis Shinobu is home!"

He called. "Hello, Shinobu. How are you?" She greeted. "I'm fine. Please come in."

They entered the wooden home and we're directed to the main living area. There sat two elders. The female stood and walked over. "Mother. It is -"

SFX: Slap

Shinobu gingerly caressed her face. "Don't "mother" me you slut! Who's the child is this! And who is this?" She exclaimed. "M-mother." Shinobu looked down at her child. "Answer me!"

"He's my-"

"Husband. I'm her husband, Tanjiro Kamado. Nice to meet you. This child is our firstborn. Sorry if we startled you. Ruka was born a few months ago." He half truthed. "Hmmm.... Come."

They sat at the table across from one another. "I am Shinoku Kocho and this is my wife, Kanayu Kocho."

"It as a great pleasure to meet you."

"So, you're one of those demon slayers, eh?" He asked. "I'm the Ash Hashira." He confirmed. "Hashira... Yes yes, very respectable. How long have you courted my daughter?"

"2 years." He lied. In actuality, they were reach their sixth month anniversary. He had to say that so Ruka would have a more plausibility. "Yes yes. Daughter, does this man make you happy?"

"The happiest I've been since... Kanae."

SFX: Slap

"Do not speak her name! She is no part of this family after she made her decision!" The mother exclaimed.

"So, Tanjiro. Why didn't you name the baby Tanjobu or Shinojuro, something like that?"

"I named her after my late mother."

"Who was."

"Oh, sorry. I am the second born son of Ruka Rengoku." He answered. "Ah! You're a Rengoku! Very nice. I see. You must be very powerful and wise. I give my approval."

"I don't!"

A tall man with broad shoulders walked in. "Hello, Kanojo. It's always nice seeing my elder Brother." Shinobu spat. "So, the prodigal daughter returned with a boy toy and a baby. What an ugly little rat."

"Do not dare insult my husband or my child you son of a bitch, or so help me, I will make sure you can never swing your sword for the Daiymo! Now kindly fuck off you half grown, infertile, mommy's boy."

"You dare speak that way to your brother!" Shinobu's mother wound for a slap but it was caught by Tanjiro. "Touch her again, and I will murder every last one of you. That is a promise, not a threat." He seathed.

"Kocho-san, it's been a pleasure meeting you and thanks for the blessing. I must be going now, my students await me."

"Hey! Where do you think you're going!"

Kanojo grabbed Shinobu by the arm and wrestled Ruka out of her grasp. "You have the audacity to threaten my family and just leave?" He asked, pointing his blade at the child. "Kanojo. I dare you." Tanjiro stared with enlarged eyes. "Or what?"

"Touch that child and you will have 4 Hashira, 3 Tsugoku's, and my Vanguard hunting you down. And believe me, that girl's uncle, Kyojuro Rengoku, is not a forgiving man. Neither is Tengen Uzui." He threatened. Kanojo sighed in defeated and handed the baby over.

"Tanjiro Kamado! I will not have you shake my house! I challenged you to a death match!"

Tanjiro flipped his mask around so it ominously covered his face, like a horror Kabuki. He learned it from Kyoka. She is partially blind but she learned that when she covered her eyes and trained, her ears compensated and began relaying information. Tanjiro had experience in it but never thought to use it in combat.

"Challenge accepted!"

Tanjiro used raw speed to get in his face and began choking him. "Do you not fear me? I am the Flamboyant Shinobi descended from the Rengoku and Kamado family. I've cleaved heads from necks. Arms from shoulders. You will be easy."

He released Kanojo then round housed him out the home, breathing the wall. "Draw you sword."

"Infidel, I'll kill you!"

Kanroji ran at him with his sword in hand. "What sloppy form. If my masters saw me fighting such a weak man, they'd surely be dishonoured."

Tanjiro blocked a horizontal strike and then an overhead blow. "My god. This is a death battle, make it a little fun ya prick.

"Raaaaaaaaaaagh!"

Kanojo charged the Hashira and swung his sword down on his shoulder. He smiled think he'd succeeded. The uniform didn't even break. "Moron."

Tanjiro socked him in the jaw and began beating him senseless. "Tanjiro! That's enough!" Shinobu shouted. "It is enough, when I sat it is enough. Now shut the hell up and watch me murder this cocky bastard." He growled. This is what happens when Tanjiro gets angry.

Tanjiro grabbed him by the head and dragged him into the middle of the street. All the while Kanojo was screaming for mercy. "Please! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" He wanted everyone to watch and he bashed Kanojo's head in over ans over again. All the while Tanjiro was expressionless, as he stained his face with blood. "Yosh. He's good and dead."

"Now listen! I am Tanjiro Kamado! Husband of Shinobu Kamado. She is not a harlot or a slut. She is my wife! The dignity she once had will be restored even if it means I must kill every last one of you! And you! *Points at the mother* If you hit, or slap, or insult her again... I will be coming."

The Hashira Of Ash... Is pissed.

Words 1319

Posted 6/3/2021