Fluttering Lotus Petals

Chapter 11: A Lotus in Full Bloom

Four months. It was four months before [Name] returned to Tamayo and Yushirou. During those months, he split his time in between training Nezuko, training the Pillars, spending time with Tanjiro, and spending time with Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

Unfortunately, Ubuyashiki's health was worsening due to the curse. When [Name] first met him, the curse had only made him blind. Now, Kagaya could barely walk. [Name] stuck by his side for most of the day and tried his best to heal him.

They quickly found that [Name]'s Blood Demon Art was futile in combating the curse. [Name] was in tears after the revelation.

"Do not cry, my child," Ubuyashiki coughed out. "It's not your fault. You tried your best and that is all I can ask for."

[Name] cried harder after that, realizing that Kibutsuji would have surely punished him for a failure like that. Ubuyashiki Amane quickly became a mother to him, and the rest of the Ubyuashiki family as his younger siblings.

To his delight, and thanks to Shinbou playing Cupid, he and Tanjiro grew closer as well. One night that quickly became a fond memory of his was when they spent an entire night in the flower field near the Butterfly Estate. Even thinking about it now brought a blush to his cheeks.

He left under the cloak of darkness, spreading his wings wide open and flying with breakneck speed to Tamayo and Yushirou's location. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke had left a couple days earlier to accompany Uzui on a mission in Aoi's place, heading to Yoshiwara.

Poor Aoi was still shaken up at the thought of going on a mission when he emerged at night. He, along with Shinobu and Kanae promised that he would pull a couple of punches for her when he got the chance.

"So, you've returned," Yushirou scoffed when he opened the door. "You better not waste our time again."

"Yushirou! Be nice!" Tamayo chastised. "[Last Name]-san, have you come prepared?"

"Yes," he answered. "As I spent more time with Ubuyashiki, I could finally see that he was a true father to all of the Demon Slayer Corps, not only his biological children. He comforted me and encouraged me, and I could see that he had true affection in his eyes. I guess I hadn't seen a real example of a father, so I bought into that man's false affection. I am ready now."

"Alright then," Tamayo announced. "Take a seat. I'll need another sample of your blood before we rid it of Kibutsuji's cells."

She and Yushirou bustled around the room, collecting various jars and test tubes.

"This is made from Kamado Nezuko's blood," Yushirou explained. "With her blood's influence, the cells can break free from Kibutsuji's influence. It may be painful for you, given how much of his blood you received. How much was it, exactly?"

"Ten liters," [Name] mumbled.

"Right, around double the amount an adult human has. It might be quite painful and take a long time. But we assure you, it will work."

"I give my thanks to you two," [Name] whispered, hands wrapped around his elbows. "I'm truly grateful."

Tamayo smiled while Yushirou grunted. "It's no worries, [Last Name]-san. It's—"

She inhaled sharply as she caught sight of [Name]. He was trembling and clutching at his chest. His breathing had turned ragged and he had fallen to the floor in shock.

"[Last Name]-san! Are you alright?" she yelled as she scrambled to his side.

"Tanjiro..." he wheezed out. "His emotions are...overwhelming! I think he's in a battle..." He gasped which resulted in a stream of coughs.