The Shrine Maiden (A Demon Slayer OC Fanfic)

Chapter 3

    Rei Suzuki stayed in a cave with Nezuko alone while Tanjiro went looking for something she could travel in. She could only stare at Nezuko in sympathy as she was so distraught by the Sun she dug a hole to stay in. Rei was curled up into a ball just watching the girl (not demon) struggle with something that was forced on to her by some evil demon out there. She took a deep breath to calm the anger rising within her. That wouldn't do anyone any good if she was mad all the time. Her sister's voice echoed in the back of her mind.

    "Don't worry, Nezuko," Rei smiled, "your brother should be back soon, okay?"

    She reached her hand out, uncertain for a moment, before patting Nezuko's soft head as she had seen Tanjiro do in the past. Nezuko perked up at the gesture, closing her eyes in content, and making soft cooing noises. However, as soon as Rei lifted her hand a pout came back to her face. Oh, how Rei wished she could protect that sweet innocent girl from the Sun, but sadly that was out of her control.

    "I wonder what this Urokodaki guy is like, Nezuko. Do you think he's nice?"

    There was a soft hum from Nezuko. It seemed she was happy for the company, despite the Sun's rays causing her distress. Rei decided to keep going, saying anything to Nezuko to keep her mind off the sunlight.

    "I think your kimono is really pretty!"

    Nezuko nodded her head in thanks for the compliment.

"All I ever really got to wear at the temple were my shrine maiden robes. Oh! That was just because there were a lot of chores to do every single day, and dad wanted me to be "properly" dressed the whole time!"

    Nezuko made a small sound of acknowledgement.

    "I never really liked working at the temple everyday."

    Rei's face fell, and Nezuko, who sensed the sudden change in emotion, gave her a concerned expression.

    "Well, actually I'm realizing I liked it more than I thought I did because the more I think about it, the more I... miss it."

    It got harder for her to speak during that last sentence, the words at the end becoming choppy. She was barely managing to hold her tears in at that point, but she couldn't cry again. She was fifteen years old for crying out loud. Rei should be able to handle grief without breaking down every five minutes.

    She squeezed her eyes shut in order to keep her tears at bay, but shot them right back open when Nezuko reached up a hand from inside the hole she had made for herself in order to touch her cheek in what could only be described as the sweetest comforting gesture she had ever seen.

Rei's heart clenched for this girl that she had only just met, but was treating her with so much kindness, as a demon no less. Nezuko's not the only one to treat her with kindness, though. No. There was also Tanjiro. He was akin to a ray of sunlight shining down on you from the sky, not too bright, just enough to brighten even the darkest day.

Water leaked from her eyes from such a kind action from Nezuko before she could stop it. However, she heard footsteps from behind her, and wiped the tears away with the sleeves of her robes.

"There you are, Nezuko!"

Tanjiro voiced in a relieved tone, and Nezuko turned her head instantly to look at him with bright eyes. Rei twisted her body just so she could shift her gaze to him. He was at the entrance of the cave with a basket made of bamboo. He had a smile on his face that could rival the very Sun itself.

"I've got a present for you!"

He took one step inside, then gazed at Rei who no doubt had red splotches under her eyes from crying. She attempted to turn her gaze away from him, embarrassed by her earlier emotional state. She was the oldest one among them yet she was acting like the youngest. Tanjiro's eyebrows furrowed, eyes filled with empathy.