❤ ~ The Greatest Gift ~ ❤

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Years had passed on, Yoriichi getting older. Tanjirou had finally turned eight, his nature still the same. He was still just as considerate. With his lack of knowledge of the outside, he also had become more adventurous. Many times Yoriichi caught him staring beyond the trees. Luckily, Tanjirou never dared to break the rules set by his father. At least not until one day when he was alone. 

Yoriichi had gone into town and Yushiro as well as Tamayo were inside. With all the experiences, they trusted Tanjirou. He had no ill intent, but his curiosity got the better of him. He'd been outside alone, simply doing his normal routine when he'd heard slight shuffling. Confused, he'd approached with caution only to see something dart off. The white fur that coated the animal blended with the light snowfall that had begun. Tanjirou had taken a short look back before focusing on the tracks the animal had left. He knew the rules, but he was daring. He wanted to see what was beyond. 

So he broke the only rule Yoriichi pushed. 

He stepped beyond the trees barrier. 

Yoriichi had arrived back at the house by nightfall, the sun falling below the horizon. He'd felt an uncomfortable silence the moment he'd entered, along with a sense of dread. Upon stepping more inside, he'd finally pinpointed the sudden feeling. Kokushibo had been present, his face showing his anger. Tamayo and Yushiro were panicked, but also saddened. It only made Yoriichi's voice break as words left him upon entering the living room.

"Where is Tanjirou?" Never had he anticipated Kokushibo's response. The words alone froze his soul over, made his emotions shatter within himself.

"He's missing. We checked everywhere..." The whole world around Yoriichi shifted, as if the ground fell from beneath him. His heart shook and sank, his vision plastered with dots as everything spun. Even his legs shook, eventually dropping him. The moment he'd hit the floor, Kokushibo had gone to his side, steadying him. Tears raced down Yoriichi's features, searing his eyes. His stomach twisted, as if something was clawing from the inside. All in all, he felt sick. But that wasn't the worst part, he found. 

Upon the search, Tamayo had found something of Tanjirou's. His favorite trinket, one given to him by Kokushibo. It had been left in the snow, nearly covered. At first they simply believed he'd dropped it, but the horror lied beneath. The dried red that crested it left everyone ill. In the end, Tamayo had knelt before Yoriichi, sliding it into the grieving males trembling hands. 

That was the moment Yoriichi's world truly crumbled. No one had been prepared to see the once cheerful Yoriichi reduced to nothing, his eyes closing as he fell unconscious. It startled everyone, Kokushibo being the first to panic. Those sturdy arms supporting his broken brother. In all but a single day, Kokushibo's worst fears had come to life. The one thing he'd desired to never happen, had befallen them and he was a witness to it all.

Of course, that was not the last trouble to come. 

Kokushibo had always been careful when paying a visit, but upon hearing about Tanjirou's disappearance and now death, he'd been careless. He hadn't been aware of the eyes watching him until it was far too late, the front door broken and the sounds of the trees being broken and cut down. It brought a heavy realization. He'd failed to protect Yoriichi. 

Those shimmering orbs had stared down at Kokushibo, eventually rolling over the unconscious Yoriichi. If looks could kill, Kokushibo feared his life would be over. But that gaze also softened when they met Yoriichi's figure. Such pale hands reaching out as knees planted to the carpet. Tamayo and Yushiro were tense, but dared not move as an icy cold tone shook them to the core. 

"We will have a talk later, Kokushibo." The Uppermoon one felt his voice fail as he lowered his head, biting his tongue. After moments, he spoke.

"Understood, Muzan-sama..." There was a long silence before Yoriichi was taken by Muzan, who rose and ordered Kokushibo to follow him. He'd glanced to Tamayo and Yushiro, motioning as some of the other Uppermoon appeared. Two of them grabbed the duo, taking them along. Once they'd been cleared and sent back to Muzan's home, the Demon king glanced back at the house. He showed no real remorse as he spoke those few words that shattered Kokushibo's heart.

"Akaza, Douma. Burn this house. I want nothing for him to run back to." The duo nodded, getting to work as Kokushibo was dragged back along with his brother. 

A single day; that was all it took for everything to turn sour.

For Yoriichi to lose everything.

Short breathes filled the silence as legs were pressed closed. Warm tears filtered down such pristine features as sniffling filled the large area. Such broken and crumbling words, laced with sadness and regret. The cold snow below blanketed the figure as a broken cry rang out, arms gripping tightly to the coat the figure wore.

"Otousan..."

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Hope you've enjoyed this chapter and things are finally starting to progress. Leave feedback and get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions (✿◠‿◠)