Redemption

9.

Kyojuro walked straight to his little brother's room, paying his father no mind.

He was quite used to the drinking and behavior from father by now.

He still hated that Senjuro would occasionally have a bruise forming over his face or wrists, clear signs of abuse, but he couldn't do anything yet, especially given his mission was tomorrow.

"Senjuro, are you alright?"

He knocked at the door only to open it after hearing soft crying.

To see his younger brother in such a state...

He could only rush over and embrace him, it was probably one of the few comforts he could give.

"Onii-chan..."

"Shh, don't fret over it."

"Brother I just...I hate it here."

"I'm sure father will come around."

Okay, he didn't feel like he believed that himself though. Shinjuro probably wouldn't change his ways unless one of them died.

Not a good thought.

But father was too set in his ways now.

"You know that's not true as well as I, Kyojuro." Senjuro replied.

"I'm sorry, I just don't know what to do right now."

"It's okay. I mostly just want to get out of here."

Kyojuro had no reply for that, he was a bit conflicted though.

On one hand leaving father alone like that, but, on the other, it got Senjuro away from any abuse.

For now he'd think on that.

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.
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After getting to Oyakata-sama's and having spoken with him, laying out plans for the mission and the master wishing him luck, he stood outside now.

Shinobu had arrived earlier, seeming almost ecstatic about something. Kyojuro felt she'd come across something important.

"AH! HELLO SHINOBU!"

"Konichiwa, Rengoku-san."

"MAY I ASK WHY YOU SEEM IN HAPPIER SPIRITS?!"

Shinobu nodded.

"I believe I have found a cure to demons."

Okay, not what he'd expected.

"HOW SO?!" he questioned.

"Well I had several new vials and needed a test subject. So I sent Kokushibo out to capture another demon, and I mixed the samples as I usually did, but after testing it two days ago, I found that the demon in question is now almost fully human again."

Kyojuro had to admit this was quite a breakthrough, even for Shinobu who was considered the most intelligent amongst the hashira and perhaps the corps itself.

"VERY GOOD! MAYBE NOW KOKUSHIBO CAN BE HUMAN AGAIN!"

"I'm quite pleased with the results, and I'm more than optimistic." Shinobu added.

"I WISH YOU LUCK! ALSO I CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR EFFORT!"

"Thank you Rengoku-san."

Then the conversation changed.

"Are you prepared to serve alongside Tanjiro and his sister on this mission?" She asked with curiosity.

"I WAS BORN READY!" was the booming reply.