The One We Couldn't Save

.+* Chapter 7 ~ Goodbye *+.

PoV: Zenitsu

Zenitsu was, for once, not the first person to wake up. A soft beam of pale winter sunlight filtered through the window next to where he slept. He blinked awake, sitting up with a quiet yawn and stretch.

He could here the children, or young adults as they were now, walking around downstairs, and their parents snoring contently a few rooms away.

He stood up, tidying the futon he had been given to sleep on, and put on his clothes which he'd left hung over a nearby chair.

He left his katana where it sat propped up against a wall, and left the bedroom. As he walked down into the kitchen, he found the three laughing with each other while attempting to make some sort of breakfast.

"None of you know how to cook, huh?" He asked the three. The siblings stopped and turned to look at him, before Teruko spoke "Well, we're not that bad, plus we've never had any experience!" She stomped a foot indignantly.

Zenitsu held back a grin, "I can make you something, although probably not a breakfast meal." The three siblings nodded eagerly, and left the kitchen to Zenitsu.

After a while, Zenitsu presented the three siblings with a bowl of salmon daikon and rice. There were two bowls sat in the kitchen, for when the parents woke up. Zenitsu had a rice ball of his own to eat, which he shared with Chuntaro, who gladly took some rice, chirping happily.

Zenitsu heard the soft creaking of floorboards upstairs, indicating that the children's no- The adult's parents. He mentally shook his head, he couldn't help but think of the three as children, after all, that was what he'd last seen them as... Small, terrified children.

It must've been what, 10 years since he last saw them? Zenitsu was surprised they still remembered him, they must be in their late teens or early twenties by now.

It was only a few moments later that it hit him. If the last time he'd seen the three siblings was 10 years ago, then it would've been 10 years since the Battle where that happened... And it would've been 10 years since Nezuko went missing, and was presumed to be dead.

He shook his head, this time physically, clearing his thoughts. He heard the gentle footsteps of the parents stumbling down the stairs. They seemed tired. Zenitsu knew exactly why.

He quickly rushed over to the kitchen, and grabbed the two spare bowls of salmon daikon, before entering back into the main area, where the parents had just walked into.

"I made you some food, as a thanks for letting me stay, your children are fed too." Zenitsu told them, handing each one a bowl, before giving a small bow in thanks.

"Oh, why thank you dear." The mother said with a bright smile, and returning the bow. "Thank you." The father grunted. The couple guided each other to the searing area, before sitting down to enjoy the meal prepared by the tall blonde.

"I'll have to be taking my leave now." Zenitsu told the parents and children. "NoooOooOoooOooooOOooooo-" whined Teruko, clinging to his sleeve. "StaaaAaaaAaaayyyyYyyYyyyyyYYy!" He regarded her something that resembled a mix of a smile and a frown. "I can't stay, my mission is urgent." Next thing the six of them knew, a crow flew in through an open window.

"CAW CAW! THUNDER HASHIRA ZENITSU AGATSUMA! REPORT TO MT. SAGIRI! CAW CAW!" The parents and children were startled, while Zenitsu just calmly held out an arm for the bird.

"CAW CAW! MESSAGE FROM HEADQUARTERS! CAW CAW!" the bird screeched pretty much directly into the Hashira's ear. Zenitsu winced, going to cover his ears, screeching bird plus enhanced hearing were not a good combo.

"Dear Gods, shut up you noisy bird." He scowled at the crow, his voice laced with venom. The bird quietly quietened down, and held out its leg, which had a small roll of parchment attached to it. He unrolled the letter, and read the following:

Dear Zenitsu,

As you already know, we believe the demon you are searching for is one of the Uppermoons.

However, we were not aware of the fact that Mt. Sagiri may actually be Tanjirou's current hideout. For this reason, you will be accompanied by two other Hashiras, Haruto and Yukko.

I am aware of how dangerous this mission is, and I'm sure you are as well. However, I'm confident that you and your colleagues will survive. I put my upmost trust into you.

Good luck.

Yours sincerely,
Kiriya Ubuyashiki

Zenitsu frowned, folding up the parchment and placing inside a hidden pocket of his haori. "Tell Master I received his message, and not to worry." The bird nodded, taking off and leaving once again through the same open window.

"I apologise for that... Some if our crows, or most of our crows are quite rowdy." The parents nodded, and the mother spoke. "I'm assuming you're leaving now?" Zenitsu nodded in response, if he was sad, you couldn't tell. He kept his poker face like a mask glued to his face.

"Well, come back and visit.. Not like I want you to or anything-" Kiyoshi said, the last part hurriedly. The other two siblings nodded in sync. "Well, only if I'm welcome." He responded, the corners of his lips twitching as if he wanted to smile.

He gave each sibling a single pat on the head, before turning to their parents. "Thank you again for allowing me to stay, your hospitality is greatly appreciated." Zenitsu informed them, giving another bow.

"Well, you're very welcome dear. You saved our children after all." The mother said, patting his shoulder, she was sure she wouldn't be able to reach his head if she tried.

Zenitsu nodded his thanks again. "You know, your children are strong, they're all good people." He said quickly, before turning and leaving. What the family didn't notice, was his small smile.