𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃 | 𝗸𝗻𝘆.

The Fading Sun Surpasses the Night II ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

"It's already gotten so late..." Tanjiro muttered to himself, oblivious to his father's amused expression.

"Be happy that they're sold out, Tanjiro." Tanjuro reminded him, with a chuckle in his voice.

"Right!" The boy firmly nodded to his father. Now, they had to make the trek back upward. Going up the mountain had always been more bothersome, for both the concern of getting lost and exhaustion, for Tanjiro at least. However, one thing else that made it more troubling, were the spoutings of a dear old fellow they'd been close with.

Old man Saburo.

"Hey, Tanjiro! Tanjuro!" A voice called out to them. Speak of the man himself. Father and son turned in unison at the little house just next to the path back up, seeing Saburo poking his head out his window. "Are you about to head back up the mountain? You shouldn't do that, it's far too dangerous for you two."

"I've got a good nose! And father knows how to take care of us both, we'll be fine!" Tanjiro tried to assure the man.

"You can stay here for the night." Saburo insisted, seemingly ignoring the boy's rebuttal. "Come on, get in here."

"B-But.."

"Don't argue! Just come in!" Saburo demanded. Tanjuro couldn't help but laugh a little hoarsely. Just as how he'd remembered, Saburo was the same as ever. "Before the demons show up.." Yes.. the same as ever. Tanjuro's face grew serious as the recollection came back to him. Demons.. what creatures, oh how he pitied such misery, such forceful violence to survive. Before Tanjiro could try to refuse again, his father gently nudged him forward, followed by giving him a nod. Saburo was right, nonetheless. As the pair entered Saburo's house, Tanjiro immediately smelled the familiar scent of tea, rice, soup, and fruits. Had old man Saburo already prepared for them?

"So sorry for us to bother you tonight, Saburo-san." Tanjuro apologized, bowing his head gently.

"Nonsense, I wouldn't have offered it if I wasn't concerned." He grumbled, inviting the two to eat as he set two futons down next to each other, along with light blankets and a pair of pillows. Tanjiro swiftly took off his haori, folding it neatly in his hands, glancing up at his father.

"Where would you like to sleep, Tou-san?" Tanjiro asked him, his smile was warm as a ray of sun, as it always had been. His father simply shook his head and urged him to select first, as it hadn't really mattered to him. Tanjuro followed suit in folding his own checkered haori, placing it next to his temporary futon before the two sat in front of the table of food bowls Saburo had laid out for them, as well as the lovely tea cups. They shared a quick prayer before starting to eat. What warm delicacies, though still did they both miss Kie's wonderful cooking back up the mountain. How they couldn't wait to go back up and have it once more tomorrow.

"Thank you for the meal, Saburo-san.." Tanjuro told the man, finishing his up rather quickly, as had Tanjiro.

"Yes! Thanks for the meal!" Tanjiro swiftly joined in thanks, as the boy held up his cup of tea and sipped from it. "Saburo-ojisan.. what are demons like?"

"Hm... man-eating demons have prowled the land after dark for decades upon decades, if not centuries. They're exactly the reason why it's never wise to stroll around late at night." Saburo explained.

"Saburo-san is absolutely correct." Tanjuro agreed, making his son turn to him with a curious face. "They are dangerous to reckon with, Tanjiro. If you ever do find yourself stranded after dark, find your way to shelter as swiftly as you can."

"Right!" Tanjiro firmly nodded, understanding his father's concern to the fullest, before his expression turned sheepish as his father laughed a little and patted his head. What an amazing boy he had for a son. Truly, he was like no other.