Fluttering Lotus Petals

Chapter 8: Ever-growing Garden

"It is now morning! Wake up! Wake up!" came the cawing of Tanjiro's crow. The sun was covered by the trees, letting a sliver of light reach the room. The burgundy haired boy sat up straighter at the appearance of his crow while his two friends struggled to wake up. [Name] sat up from his position on Tanijro's legs, listening with rapt attention.

"The casualties of the Mugen Train are increasing! More than 40 are now missing! You are to join Rengoku Kyojuro on site! Head west at once!" the crow demanded.

[Name]'s eyebrows furrowed once he heard the crow's message. "The Mugen Train..." he whispered, hand on his chin in thought.

"What's wrong, [Name]?" Tanjiro questioned, inching forward.

"Be careful, okay?" [Name] warned with a frown. "You're much stronger now, so I shouldn't be worried. But, if a Pillar has to be sent on a mission, then you must be careful."

He turned to his right, where Nezuko was climbing into her box. "I will give you my lotus lantern," he decided. "If you need me, simply call for me and I will hear you while inside. But, I cannot assist in a fight with a demon for you, lest that man find out and surely kill me. Especially if that demon is a Twelve Kizuki. Do you understand, Tanjiro?"

Tanjiro gulped at the intensity of his stare and the unusual steel in his voice. It was rare for [Name] to be this concerned for a mission, much less a joint one with a Pillar, no less. "I understand, yes."

Without another word, [Name] disappeared into his lotus lantern. The candlelight grew, allowing some light to flood into the room. Once Nezuko was seated comfortably in her box, Tanjiro handed her the lotus lantern. "Keep it safe, okay?" he asked, smiling.

Nezuko smiled and hugged the lotus lantern to her chest tightly. "Mmph!" she agreed. Tanjiro closed the door and stood up. It was time to prepare for the mission.

———

Tanjiro's eyes flew open, revealing the snow swirling around him. Wasn't he just on the train just now, with Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Rengoku? Why was he here now?

He ran and ran, seeking for something familiar, anything to tell him where he was. A crunch in the snow behind him brought him out of his thoughts.

Whirling around, he spotted two figures, one girl and one boy, and most likely children a few feet away from him. The girl gasped in delight when she spotted him.

"Onii-chan!" Hanako called, beaming. Shigeru turned around at her exclamation and smiled, showing tiny baby teeth.

Tanjiro inhaled sharply and his eyes began to feel wet. Soon, he wasn't able to hold back the river of tears from streaming down this face. With a burst of speed, he dropped his sword and tackled them down to the snow covered ground, embracing them tightly like they could disappear at any moment.

"I'm sorry....I'm so sorry.." He cried between his words, clutching them in a vice-like grip. They patted him on the back awkwardly since they had no inkling as to why Tanjiro was acting like this. He didn't know how long he stayed in that position, sobbing into his sibling's shoulders. All he knew was that afterwards, they led him back into the warm comfort of his home, enveloping him in a tight embrace.

He opened his arms to reciprocate the hug, but lowered them once he realized that no one was actually hugging him. His siblings gave him questioning glances yet held their tongue for now.

It was strange. This embrace wasn't like his mother's, nor any of his siblings, but it was still very familiar and full of love. I love you, Tanjiro, it seemed to whisper in his ear.

"Maybe you're just tired," his mother suggested after Hanako and Shigeru informed her of his odd behavior. "You should rest for today."

"It's alright," Tanjiro answered. "You don't need to worry about me."