The snake emperor

Chapter 1

Tanjiro frowned at Zenitsu, "Why do I have to leave you?"

Zenitsu held back his tears, "M-master Tengen's friend needs a new personal assistant after he killed his old one. Master Tengen he...........he was drunk and promised him his best worker. I'm sorry Tanjiro."

The burgundy haired boy held back tears, he didn't want to go somewhere else! He was happy working in the kitchens with Aoi and sometimes the master's wife, Zenitsu. "I-i understand Master Zenitsu, I'll be ready in an hour."

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Tanjiro and Aoi were talking while they prepared that night's dinner. Master Tengen was having his important guests over. "Tanjiro-Kun, can you help me with the mochi please?" Tanjiro smiled as he hurried over to the other side of the island, "Of course Aoi-San!"

Aoi smiled gratefully as they finished up the mochi. Their light conversation began again while they worked. A frantic pounding on the door broke it up.

"You can come in-" The door flew open and a frantic blonde rushed in. Tanijiro winced as his nose caught the smell of guilt and hurt pouring off him. "Zenitsu-San! What's wrong!?" Zenitsu hugged the brunette tightly. "Y-you have to leave Tanjirou!"

Aoi froze, "What!? He can't leave! He's the only family I have left please!" Zenitsu looked at her as the guilt and shame poured off him even more. "I'm so sorry Aoi-San! I really am!"Tanjiro held the blonde upright and Aoi trembled behind him. Tanjiro frowned at Zenitsu,

"Why do I have to leave you?"

Zenitsu held back his tears, "M-master Tengen's friend needs a new personal assistant after he killed his old one. Master Tengen he...........he was drunk and promised him his best worker. I'm sorry Tanjiro."

The burgundy haired boy held back tears, he didn't want to go somewhere else! He was happy working in the kitchens with Aoi and sometimes the master's wife, Zenitsu. "I-i understand Master Zenitsu, I'll be ready by tomorrow."

Aoi collapsed on the ground behind him sobbing, "You can't leave me Tanjiro! Please! Please don't go!" Tanjiro smiled sadly as he crouched down and embraced the sobbing girl. "I don't want to Aoi, he killed his other assistant."

He held her in front of him, "But if I refuse, Master Tengen will send you and I don't want you to get hurt. If I go, you're safe here with Master Zenitsu." Aoi nodded before sobbing once more in his shoulder. Tanjiro could feel tears of his own leak out of his eyes and crash down his face.

Zenitsu lost it and began sobbing as well. Tanjiro smiled softly at the blonde as he pulled him close and rubbed soothing circles on his back. "Why are you crying Zenitsu-San?" Zenitsu sobbed even harder in his shoulder, "I was with them when Tengen made that stupid promise! I could've made him stop! But I-i couldn't! That man was so scary! His servants were all frightened of him and he killed his assistant because they gave him the wrong tea!"

Tanjiro shuddered and Aoi sobbed harder. "It's not your fault Zenitsu-San! I'll just have to be careful..."

Aoi and Zenitsu fell asleep from their sobbing. Tanjiro sighed as he attempted to move. He failed to do so.

About five minutes later a curious head poked itself in the kitchen. "Aha! There you are-" Tengen's voice trailed off as he caught sight of the group on the ground. "How unflashy! What are you doing on the ground?"

Tanjiro smiled while glaring at him. Tengen froze in fear, he had never seen Tanjiro this mad before. "Well you see Master Tengen, Aoi-San was crying because of the news she found out. Your wife was crying because of the news he told us and he blames himself for it."