Butterflies' Dance - [A Kimetsu No Yaiba Full Story]

Chapitre 6

   Pointé. Penché. Relevé. Rond de jambe à terre. Développé. 

   This frenetic pace made her muscles ache, but was not enough for her to wake up completely. She kept yawning and almost fell in attitude on Kanao, who was training in front of her, on the barre.

   The sweet yet commanding voice of her new teacher was the only thing keeping her awake.

   Glissade. Pas de chat. Pirouette.

 "Miss Kocho ?" A voice came out of nowhere. It was muffled by the distance.

   Nonetheless, she tensed, quickly clapped her hands and dismissed the session.

 "That is it, for today. Someone is waiting for me. Class dismissed."

   She then left.

   The ombré girl fell on her back, exhaling, and almost drifting away to sleep if it was not for the four other one looking at her with worry.

 "Do you want us to call, Miss Aoi."

 - But, is she not away for now ?"

   She shook her head, from left to right. She was okay, just tired.

   A metallic sound, followed by a sweet voice :
 "Do not worry, you will get used to it."

   Nezuko sat up, rubbing her eye.

   She did have a hard time to fall asleep without having her brother's presence by her side. Fortunately, Kanao had been very forbearing — after having thrown her coin — and stayed up with her, until it became a blur. She did remember a soft humming reminding her of her mother's — heh, her dead mother.

 "Nezuko."

   She perked up and watched her brother coming, a big smile on his face.

 "I am going to look out for a job out there. Behave yourself and be kind, especially with your new friends."

   She promised, leaning in his hand, asking for a pat — which he agreed to.

   Swiftly, Tanjiro left, waving behind him :
"See you girls !"

   The three little ones cheered him and went to change, while his sister stood up, taking the brunette's hand.

   She shivered.

   The girl, taking off the cheap tutu, huffed. She was trying not to damage the new dress brought to her by Miss Shinobu Kocho, her finger tracing the glittered fabric.

   She sighed. It played on repeat on her mind. She could not stop thinking about her eldest's touch.

   She did not notice it when she lend her one of her hair clip at dawn, but her skin was so cold.

  As cold as a dead body.

   Meanwhile, Tanjiro was walking from shops to shops, asking if there was any job he could apply to. No one needed help, and he was beginning to give up. After half the shops, he took a break, pondering if he should cease or continue searching further.

   He was munching on Aoi's snack of yesterday, when a loud sound made him jump. Steam was blowing off of a metal box.

   He chuckled to himself. How could he always forget the cities had changed ?

   Time had changed. And he was late.

   Curious about how those "trains" were working, he observed the surroundings. Smoke was coming out of it, but where did it came from ?

   He descried some boys, dragging bags of coal. In particular one with blond hair. He seemed to have a hard time.

   The red haired boy's outgoing attitude pushed him to greet who he supposed to be Zenitsu. However, he was not sure and did not want to embarrass him, something his little sister blamed on him repeatedly.

   Coal.

   An idea emerged in his mind.

 "I am deeply sorry, Tanjiro. I do not require any help, for now."

 - Oh. I understand."

 - I am sorry, I really am. If I ever need your help or know someone, I'll try to contact you." promised Mister Saburo

 - That would be perfect. Thanks again."

   To say that he was disappointed, was an understatement. The sun was setting down, his hopes with it. He wondered what Nezuko did all day. Was she bored ? Did she make friend with Kanao or Aoi, in spite of her mutism ? He tried his best to imagine her happy. Not moping around, nor being eaten alive by anxiety nor regret.

   He was beating in retreat, when he passed by the train station. The blond kid was jostled by a taller man, but did not respond, tripping and falling on the ground, scratching his cheek and knees. The stranger's fists clenched, a sense of justice being triggered in his heart.

  That was unfair.

   And he did not support unfairness. Unless this kid was a real rascal (and even if he was), he did not have any right to be pushed.

   Howaver, he spent so much time thinking that they both disappeared of his vision. In fact, no one was outside. Yet, he spotted a figure walking, undiscernable because of the blinding sun.

 "Tanjiro !"

 - Miss Kocho. What are you doing here ?" he inquired, surprised to find her. Pointing the bag she was carrying, he proposed : "Would you want me to help you ?"

 - Oh my ! That would be lovely." She let him take the bag — clearly heavier than what it seemed, metal and glass tools bumping into each other

 "Nezuko ? Art thou in here ?"

   Sakuras fluttered open. Her roommate was simply reading a book, not reacting to the knocks on the door and her brother's voice. She waited a few seconds, paralyzed, before taking a deep breath and sit up. Her body went to the door, and she did nt bother asking if she could unlock it.

   Barefooted, her hand pressed the handle, herself dressed in a simple nightdress.

 "Nezuko ? Were thou asleep ?"

   She nodded weakly.

 "I am sorry."

   He pulled her into a hug, blissful to see her relaxed without him. They stayed in this position for a moment, before he came in, sensing her dozing off.

   She laid down on the mattress, as his hands pulled over the covers. His lips kissed gently her front, wishing her goodnight and caressing her hair for a long time.

   He could still feel a piercing gaze on his back. He turned around and caught sight of the ponytailed girl looking at them with a blank stare.

 "Kanao, was it ?"

   Her gaze shifted towards him. Strangely, Tanjiro did not feel completely at ease under this empty stare. Her hand mindlessly touched her nightstand, grasped something and she tossed it. Mouth agape, he watched her catch it and go back to her activities.

   "What is it ? You were so good at tossing it. Could you do it again ? Does it mean something special to you ?" He overwhelmed with his interrogation, her eyes trembling in their orbits. "I– Feel free to answer — o–or not, it's totally okay if you don't."

   A metal noise, and she started :

 "It does mean something. It was given to me by someone that you do not know. It is important because, without it, I would not be able to make decisions."

A/N : Sorry for last week, I made a mistake.
I hope it won't happen again ヾ(。＞＜)シ