Kisatsutai/ An Inotan Story

Chapter 11

"Ritual?" Inosuke tilted his head. Kie turned to face Inosuke.
"Every year the male figure of the family performs a special dance,deep in the woods. It used to be Tanjiro's father doing it but since he died, Tanjiro's taken over."
Inosuke looked over at Tanjiro, who looked intensely concentrated. Tanjiro looked at his mom in the eyes.
"When's the earliest I can do it?" He asked
"Tonight. 8pm" His mom replied.
"I'll do it then" Tanjiro stated.
"Uhh is there anything I can do to help. I don't like the idea of Tanjiro being alone out there" Inosuke said
"You two are quite close" Kie giggled
"About...that" Inosuke rubbed the back of his neck.
"Inosuke's my boyfriend" Tanjiro stated, with utmost confidence. Inosuke looked to Tanjiro's mother. She was silent.
"Miss...?" Inosuke was interrupted when he was pulled into a hug. Kie was crying tears of joy.
"I couldn't be happier for you" She said, squeezing them tight. Inosuke and Tanjiro held hands within the hug. Tanjiro was overjoyed his mother approved of his relationship. After separating from the hug, Tanjiro spoke up, "I should go prepare for the ritual"
Tanjiro and Inosuke headed towards the stairs.
"Ahh Inosuke. May I speak to you for a second" Kie called.
"I'll go ahead" Tanjiro patted Inosuke's head, before going up the stairs. Inosuke turned around and faced Kie. She walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder.
"Please take care of Tanjiro for me. You're the only one he's got"
Kie asked
"I'm in love with your son. I won't let anything ever happen to him" Inosuke declared. Kie smiled at Inosuke.
"I'm so happy that it's you he's with. I trust you fully" Kie said, before walking away. Inosuke smiled to himself before heading upstairs.

He joined Tanjiro in his room. Tanjiro was preparing some sort of red clothing.
"Is that for your ritual?" Inosuke asked
"Yeah" Tanjiro replied. After finishing with his preparation, he walked up to Inosuke and gave him a peck on the lips.
"I appreciate you wanting to protect me tonight" Tanjiro said, lovingly
"I always want to protect you." Inosuke replied, truthfully. Tanjiro giggled and laid his head against Inosuke's chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"You smell nice" Tanjiro said under his breath. Inosuke kissed Tanjiro's head.
They enjoyed each others embrace for a minute and were reluctant to let go of each other. Unfortunately, Tanjiro had to get to the shower.
"You sure I can't join you?" Inosuke complained
"Inosuke! I have little siblings! If they see us come out together it'll be so hard to explain" Tanjiro exclaimed. Inosuke grumbled loudly and fell face down onto his bed. Tanjiro, feeling bad for his lover, walked up to him and whispered into his ear.
"Maybe...After the ritual" Tanjiro smirked before leaving the room. Inosuke's face flushed red and his head felt hot.
"He's so unfair" Inosuke complained, completely lovestruck.

Tanjiro headed downstairs in his attire for the ritual.
"Mom! We're about to leave" Tanjiro yelled
"Alright boys. Inosuke, Tanjiro will lead you to a shed in the woods where you can recuperate after the ritual. You can rest there during the ritual as well" Kie added. Inosuke nodded and the two of them walked out of the door. A while into the walk Inosuke looked at Tanjiro. He seemed a bit on edge.
"Tell me more about this ritual you do" Inosuke asked
"Well every year our family does this ritual and it's passed down from generation to generation. The oldest male figure of the family has to perform the "Kagura Dance" from 8pm to 8am nonstop..." Tanjiro explained
"Wait...NONSTOP?!" Inosuke screamed
"Yeah. There's a special type of breathing that's also passed down that we have to perform during the ritual. It raises our body temperature and keeps us moving for the whole night" Tanjiro continued
"But it's freezing out here. Surely breathing differently doesn't make that much of a difference"
"It actually does. Last year was my first year doing it and it actually makes it feel like you're just in regular weather"
Tanjiro and Inosuke continued to discuss the ritual until they had arrived at the shed

The both headed inside. Tanjiro left his belongings and prepared to depart. "Time for me to go. I'll see you soon" Tanjiro said as he headed out the door and closed it. Inosuke sat there for a while in silence. His eyes began to droop.
"I'll fall asleep now so that I can wake up early." Inosuke said laying down in the one futon in the room and closing his eyes. Inosuke woke up early next morning and scrambled to his feet. He checked the time. It read 7:50
"Ten minutes left. I guess I'll just go watch him" Inosuke said walking out of the door. Surely enough, Tanjiro was still out there,performing his dance. He was sweat coming from him brows and seemed to be undisturbed by it.
"He looks... majestic" Inosuke said completely distracted by Tanjiro's performance.
8 o'clock struck and Tanjiro came to a halt. He turned towards Inosuke and flashed a smile before falling to the ground.
Inosuke bolted over to his boyfriend and picked him bridal style and rushed back into the shed. He laid Tanjiro down on the futon and prepared a towel for his head. Tanjiro coughed.
"I-Inosuke..."
"Shh don't talk. You're sick." Inosuke said softly.
"It's the drawbacks of the breathing technique. Same thing happened last year. Only no one was here to help me" Tanjiro coughed
Inosuke kissed his forehead "I'm here now. You did great out there so just rest."
Tanjiro reached his arms out towards Inosuke
"Please... Join me" Tanjiro pleaded.
Inosuke complied and got in the futon with him. Tanjiro clenched tightly to Inosuke.
"Thank...you...Ino" Tanjiro muttered.
Inosuke looked down at Tanjiro with surprise. Tanjiro looked back up and meet his gaze.
"You don't like your nickname?" Tanjiro asked
"I love it. It's just...You... look really cute right now" Inosuke said, slightly embarrassed. Tanjiro nuzzled his face into Inosuke's chest to hide his own blush.
" You should sleep...Tan" Inosuke chuckled. Tanjiro giggled and went to sleep in the safety of Inosuke's embrace