Demon Slayer Oneshots

☁️Zenitsu/Reader: The Rouge Ruse Part 11 (FINAL)

Final Chapter: Epilogue

He had done what he set out to do, you mused, and in a much more flashy display of grandeur than even you scaling rooftops. Ima had been returned to the family. Apparently she had also been trapped inside that terrifying obi, held somewhere in the cold dark underground- a demon's hidden layer. After a long and tearful reunion she informed you that a man named Tengen had freed her, as well as a few other innocent hostages. That was how you found out the news. There were survivals of the battle, one of them with golden hair.

Flowers spanned as far as the eye could see, framing the mansion in an almost otherworldly beauty. Singing birds took to the skies from behind a tall fence, where the top of a large cherry blossom tree was visible. Doves, crows, a tiny sparrow. 'The butterfly estate' they called it, and apparently it was a hub where warriors came to rest, train, and recover. As you approached the large front gate you had to wonder if they'd even answer the door. The grounds were so vast you doubted anyone would even hear you knock. Nevertheless, you reached out and rapped firmly on the wood with your fist.

A breath or two passed before you heard shuffling on the other side of the door. One soft creak later and you were face to face with a lovely girl who wore her ponytail to one side, eyes almost perfectly matching the color of the lavenders growing out front. She donned a pleasant enough expression, but it was one you couldn't seem to get a clear read on. Perhaps Zenko had spoiled you with her vivacious and predictable demeanor. Ah, oops. You meant Zenitsu...

A moment of silence passed between you and the girl. In your past experience, the host would have traditionally been the one to greet you, but maybe it was wrong to assume you'd be welcome here.

"Uh, hello." You forced a smile and bowed politely. "I'm from the Kyogoku house. I've come here to extend my gratitude to the demon slayers that saved me." She still didn't speak, but maintained that same dreamy smile for a spell before turning on her heels and walking back the way she came. Your mouth fell open in confusion. 'Did I say something wrong?!' You blinked once or twice before noticing she left the door open. 'Am I supposed to follow her?' You took a cautious step across the frame, and when she glanced back at you expectantly you took quick strides to catch up with her. "Thank you."

She responded only with a half nod, but apparently that was the best communication you could hope to receive from her. Through a long hallway adjacent to a beautiful courtyard she guided you, and it was in this wordless span of time that the consequence of the situation began to set in for you. Zenitsu was a man. You were about to call upon an injured man. Alone... With no permission from the head of your household. Then again, the interim manager had been missing since the incident. Technically that meant there was no one in charge of you at the present time, right? Still, you had to wonder what kind of message your unannounced visit would send. Would he find it inappropriate?

You wouldn't get the chance to ponder the conundrum further, for a familiar face caught your attention. A young man in off-white garb and a smattering of bandages rounded the corner, greeting the girl leading you with a pleasant smile. It took a few seconds to deduce where you knew him from, and for an instant you thought you must have met him at a teahouse or something... But then that scar on his forehead drew your eye, and it was unmistakable.

He must've had a similar moment of realization, for he did a double take as he passed you, before swinging around and stopping dead in his tracks. His eyes grew wide when you turned around, as if he'd just been caught doing something terrible, and you couldn't fight back a grin.

"Ah, it's nice to see you again... Sumiko." You sassed and his cheeks turned a light pink, but he still cracked a smile in spite of his embarrassment.