Joy and Despair

Chapter 21 - Tempt

"Yumiko...Yumiko...," a soft voice said. "R-Rengoku-san!?" Yumiko said. "The ring can't be taken off, unless you let me go," Kyoujurou said. "Eh! Wait! Rengoku-"

*Reality*

"Thank god you're awake already!" Kiyo hugged Yumiko. "Where is Rengoku-san?! I just found-" Yumiko said. "Rengoku-san? Isn't he dead-" Kiyo said. "Hush! Yumiko-chan is still waiting for him!" Naho whispered. "Ah, Rengoku-san isn't here, Yumiko-san!" Sumi said. "Oh, Okay...," Yumiko said. "Can I meet him?" Yumiko asked. "Oh, umm..." Sumi said. "N-no, he's on a mission!" Naho said while grinning with sweat. 

"Then can I join the mission with him?" Yumiko asked again. "N-no it's too dangerous, Yumiko-san, You need to rest... since you just put the ring out!" Kiyo said. "Oh, okay then..." Yumiko said. Then she laid down and fell asleep. "Poor, Yumiko-san, she is worrying about The Flame Hashira." Naho said.

"But he's dead because of fighting over Uppermoon three." Kiyo said. "We can't tell her...she would be very sad!" Sumi said. "M-my body hurts a lot...than yesterday." Yumiko said. "Well, why did you put it on again, Yumiko-san?" They said, "I-I didn't put it but someone just touched my palm and put this ring back on my finger." Yumiko explained. "I don't know who he/she is but at least I didn't put it on my finger! please trust me...Naho, Kiyo, and Sumi." Yumiko said.

"I don't know how to trust you 100%, but I still trust you 50%, you will never do that again." They said. "Yea, thank you for trusting me, I must find something to break this rin-" Yumiko said. Then Yumiko coughs blood a little bit. "Oh gosh! Are you okay, Yumiko-san?!" Naho said. "I-Im fine, N-Naho-chan." Yumiko mumbled. "Please don't talk anymore, Just rest, Yumiko-san." Sumi said.

"I guess I need a r-rest..." Yumiko said. Then a few minutes later, Yumiko fell asleep comfortably. "Are you sure we must wake her up?" Shinobu asked. "Yes, Shinobu-san." Kanao said. Yumiko heard a knocking door. "Come in..." Yumiko said. Then Shinobu came up and closed the door. "How are you feeling?" Shinobu asked. "I'm good, Shinobu-sama." Yumiko said.

"Well eat first, it's night time, and you haven't eaten yet since afternoon, so I bring a simple soup for you to eat!" Shinobu said. "Ah! Arigato! Don't bother yourself, Shinobu-sama, I'm okay right now." Yumiko smiled.

"You sure, you're alright?" Shinobu was worried. "I'm sure I'll be alright, Shinobu-sama." Yumiko said. "Alright, if you need something just called Naho or Kiyo or Sumi." Shinobu said. "Alright, I will go off to the mission, now you can rest, but if you are healthy again, you have a mission to do, okay?" Shinobu asked, smiled. "Hai, Shinobu-sama." Yumiko said. "Alrighty! I will be off...See you later!" Shinobu closed the door.

 "Huh, Why do I cough so much blood...?" Yumiko asked herself. "This is getting worse, I became much weaker than yesterday!" Yumiko said. "Y-Yumiko-san? Are you okay?" Naho said. "I'm okay Naho-chan." Yumiko patted Naho's head. "I will bring you some guests!" Naho said. "Who is-" Yumiko said. "Yumiko-san!" Tanjiro interrupted. "E-eh?! Tanjiro-kun?!" Yumiko said. "Are you feeling alright?" Tanjiro said.

"I'm okay, Tanjiro-kun, I became weaker than before...and aren't you gonna sleep? Tomorrow is Hashira Training..." Yumiko said. "Yea, but I want to visit you sometimes..." Tanjiro said. "Oh, Arigato, Tanjiro-kun, You don't need to bother me anyways, I like to stay here alone by myself." Yumiko said. "But I'm your friend, friends must visit someone who is hurt or sick! And I recognize you as my older sister." Tanjiro said. Yumiko was shocked while hearing Tanjiro's words and she began tearing up a little bit. "I-I'm glad to meet you...Tanjiro-kun, nobody in my family called me that..." Yumiko cried. Tanjiro was shocked and covered his mouth.

"M-my youngest brother never called me like that...he always said I'm an illegitimate daughter of Otou-san. And my younger sister, Etsuko-chan, who turns out to be my older sister-" Yumiko cried. "Y-Yumiko-san! I'm so sorry I don't mean to-" Tanjiro said. "I-it's okay, Tanjiro-kun, It's not your fault... I just cry myself but I'm fine." Yumiko said. "I feel bad for you, please don't cry again, I will be with you, always." Tanjiro said. 

 "Arigato, Tanjiro-kun, but no thanks, I'm alright now!" Yumiko said. "No, you have to accept it, I just can't stand it if you're hurt or rather sick!" Tanjiro said. "Thanks for caring about me but I'm serious, I'm fine." Yumiko smiled. "Well, okay then, I don't want to force you but, if you hurt or something you can call me freely." Tanjiro said. "Yes, I will, Tanjiro-kun." Yumiko said.

Then Tanjiro leaves Yumiko in the room. "I promise I will protect you, Yumiko-san! No matter what you say, I must protect you as my older sister." Tanjiro said. "Huh, I'm bored, I want to meet Rengoku-san but can't I? Why does everyone avoid me to meet him?" Yumiko asked herself. "Lilacs are purple, leaves are green, why can't I meet him?" Yumiko said, strolling to the garden. "Yumiko-chan," said Kyoujurou. 

"Rengoku- oh, none," Yumiko said. 

(And the next chap will be published today :DD)

(Sorry my lovely readers to make this chap very short because we don't have any idea so please forgive us..., ;---;)

(Please Comment and vote :D)