Ruby Tears (Inotan)

Butterflies Whisper

 In the days that followed his and Inosuke's run in with Tomioka he felt nervous. How long can he really hide a demon in the Butterfly Mansion? It was a slayer headquarters hashira and regular slayers passed through daily. Perhaps he should check the surrounding area for caves? As soon as the thought crossed his mind the demon in question dropped down from the ceiling he was climbing with a thud in front of him.

"Tontaro! I'm bored, let's go outside!"

"Inosuke it's daytime, I'm just amazed you're awake don't most demons sleep during the day?"

The boar ignored him in lue ripping apart some paper he found on the floor. Tanjiro let out a sigh, the demon had been less talkative since their run in the Tomioka. His smell changed from blackberries to almost a bitter wine, although Tanjiro couldn't figure out why. Was something bothering the demon? He knew the blood moon was due to rise in the next few nights making its monthly appearance. Was that the reason Inosuke was on edge? Did he need to eat? Now that he was thinking about it he hadn't seen Inosuke eat since that night in the mountains. The Blood Moon made demons antsy, maybe he should take him outside? Afterall the demon traveled in the sun and didn't get hurt perhaps just walking around would help.

He was broken from his thoughts by the demon's ruff voice. 

"I used to, then I started following you."

"I'm sorry what?"

"Sleep during the day. I changed my sleeping to match yours, made you easier to track."

"Oh….that explains a lot. That first night you were here you said you'd stay awake to keep watch but then you fell asleep."

The boar bristled and Tanjiro expected him to say something but he simply went back to the paper. Looking down he saw that Inosuke was arranging the bits of paper into a face. A bad one but nonetheless a face.

"Who's that?'

"My Da, there's a weird feeling inside me and I wanted to look at him but I don't know why."

"You miss him."

"I what?"

"Miss him, have you ever been away from him before?"

Despite the mask Tanjiro could feel Inosuke's eyes staring at him before he broke contact.

"No….He's the only one I've ever been around until you." 

"I guess it makes sense that you don't have any demon friends."

"EH?! Why would I be friends with my food?!"

Tanjiro felt bad but he couldn't stop from laughing at the absurdity of the sentence before the boar pushed him and let out a huff.

"Okay Inosuke, let's go outside."

The demon jumped up and ran to grab his cloak before haphazardly throwing it on.

"LETS GO!"

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Sneaking a demon out of the mansion was much harder during the day, they couldn't just leave through the window without questions being asked.  Added to the fact Inosuke had an…..interesting look. They were so close to the exit only being stopped once by a random slayer asking where the infirmary was as they stole glances at the strange man in a hooded cloak and boar mask. 

One more hallway to pass through before freedom, Tanjiro was pulling Inosuke along rougher than necessary but they were so close. The only thing that could stop them…..

Kanoe coming around the corner. Tanjiro froze only to stumble when Inosuke ran into him from his sudden stop.

"Tanjiro, how have you been? I haven't seen you on the training grounds." Her soft voice normally would put him at ease until he saw her violet eyes move to Inosuke. He saw them widen momentarily before shifting back to him. 

SPEAK TANJIRO GET OUT OF HERE

"I-I-I've been…busy?" 

Smooth Tanjiro completely believable 

Tanjiro felt Inosuke move to stand next to him, he went to push the demon back but he wouldn't budge.

"We've been training at night! Gengo has been showing me how to fight like him!"

Her eyes narrowed looking over him and Inosuke again. A small smile graced her face before she leaned in to whisper.

"He was the one in your room wasn't he?" Tanjiro felt his face heat before she winked at him.

Before Tanjiro could respond she moved past them continuing down the hall.  He let out a breath of relief before it was cut short by her soft words.

"Be careful, many have tried what you are and they paid with their lives." 

Tanjiro watched her leave his brain overworking her words before the only conclusion he could come to.

She knows but like Tomioka she wouldn't intervene.

Yay?

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