The Descendant (A Retelling and love story of Demon Slayer)

Thirteen

Rengoku Kyojuro had been with his younger brother in their family estate when his crow came for him. They had been practicing all afternoon together. Even though he was now a Hashira, and busier than ever before, he still set aside time to train his younger brother who struggled to grasp his swordsmanship training. Sometimes Kyojuro wondered if it was truly what his brother Senjuro wanted, as his heart never seemed to fully be invested like his own. He never held that against the boy though, so when Senjuro would ask to train, desperate to try and force himself to love the art of the sword, of course, he would always say yes. Now they sat together in the garden, munching on a plate of salmon onigiri while talking.

"I don't know, maybe I'm just not cut out for this nii-san." Senjuro kicked his feet dejectedly. He really wanted to be good at swordplay like his father and brother, but every time he tried, he could feel it in his soul that it wasn't going to stick. He was just not meant to be a swordsman.

"Don't sell yourself short Sen, you did wonderful today! Great sword skills come with practice, heart, and patience." He took a bite of the onigiri in his hand, lounging back to look at the soft clouds floating high above them. "It takes a considerable amount of drive to become a swordsman. To be willing to jump into battle headfirst, to be willing to sacrifice yourself for the greater good, to be willing to put your life on the line for the sake of those weaker than you. Is that not what we are here to do?" He smiled at Senjuro and the boy gave a small smile back.

"Of course, that's what I've always wanted... To know that if someone places their hopes on me, I won't let them down. But I'm not like you brother, my drive is the same but my flame is much too weak. I want to live up to mothers expectations, but I don't know if I can." Senjuro cast a guilty gaze at the ground. He wanted nothing more than for his brother to be proud of him. An arm wrapped around his shoulder, pulling the shocked boy sideways against the eldests frame.

"No matter what you wish to do, Senjuro, I will always stand behind you. Your flame is only as small as you allow it to be. If swordsmanship is not what your heart wishes to do, then don't force it. Your flame will grow as bright and strong as the sun one day, whether you're a swordsman or not. I'm positive." Kyojuro patted his little brother on the head in reassurance, receiving a nod and smile in return. "Now, on to the most important topic of the day!" He spun Senjuro to face him so quickly that the boy was seeing stars. "Tell me, did you talk to that girl you find cute at the market today?!" Kyojuro grinned wildly at the embarrassment that washed over Senjuro's face. His cheeks were nearly as red as the tips of their hair.

"W-What!? H-How do you even know about that!?" Kyojuro belted out a laugh. "All I said to her today was 'thank you for reducing the price of the cabbage for me', How'd you know I had feelings for her from that!?"

"A good older brother always knows his younger brother's interests! She is quite cute, you should ask her on a date! Oh, better yet, I'll do it for you!" Kyojuro went to stand, and Senjuro almost quite literally had a panic attack. He threw himself on his older brother who was laughing his ass off over the whole situation. Senjuro knew that if he didn't try to stop him his older brother might just do it. Thankfully for little Senjuro's heart, the cawing of Kyojuro's crow broke over the estate's gate, effectively silencing the boisterous laughter of his older brother.

"Kyojuro Rengoku-san! An urgent summons from the Master! Hurry there as soon as you can, Kaw!" The bird didn't even land before taking back off in the direction of the master's Estate. Senjuro let go of his brother who was looking out where the bird had flown with a serious gaze. For his crow to sound like that, it must be pretty serious. Kyojuro turned to face his brother with a saddened smile.

"Looks like our day together has been cut short, I am truly sorry brother." He placed his hand on Senjuro's head. The younger smiled up at him.

"It's alright, I had a great time with you Kyo-nii." The two of them quickly cleaned up their food and Kyojuro grabbed his flame haori and sword from his room, only briefly pausing at his father's door.