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NOTES
I wanted to bring Kyojuro back because I love him too much. Also, I'm too lazy to write the Swordsmith Village Arc. Have filler. Enjoy :)
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― HIKARI HAD DECIDED to visit the previous Flame Hashira; it would be a distraction from the disaster that was the Upper Moon Meeting, and a chance to talk to him about a topic that had weighed heavy on her mind for longer than enough time.
She discovered the retired swordsman's crow hovering near the grounds of the Flame Estate, the dejected bird seeming to miss its master's presence. Hikari smiled softly at this, and chose for the crow to accompany her on her journey.
Once the two had reached the Rengoku estate, Hikari found Kyojuro's younger brother Senjuro standing outside and sweeping the dusty grounds; it gave her a sense of déjà vu she only could have experienced once before.
The flame-haired boy hummed in curiosity as he heard quiet footsteps approach him, and he looked up to identify their source. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of the half-familiar person standing before him. As he racked his brain for a memory a distant breeze fluttered along the pathway, its leafy companions flying and meandering between the two people. The wind chimes on Hikari's woven hat played their untimed melody, which sent a rush of realization through the boy's mind.
"Kyoudo-san?" he finally said, his quiet voice rising in pitch near the end of his questioning speech. "Why have you returned? Has something happened?"
"I wish to visit your elder brother, Senjuro-kun," Hikari replied softly. "If that is alright with you. I have some topics I wish to discuss with him."
"Oh, of course.. he's just outside, on the edge of the engawa," Senjuro turned his head and motioned in the direction of the estate gates, which were wide open with a welcoming aura.
Hikari nodded in response, giving the flame-haired boy a grateful smile before approaching the open gates and stepping through into the property of the Rengoku family as the ex-Hashira's crow fluttered above the estate.
"Ah! Kyoudo-san!" called a familiar, excited voice from the engawa. There sat Kyojuro Rengoku, his signature beam of happiness on his face. "It's been a while!"
Hikari bowed her head, voicing her agreement. "Indeed it has. How have you been?"
"Very well, thanks to you," Kyojuro replied, his voice growing more calm and quietened as Hikari approached the engawa. "Please, sit."
Hikari nodded her gratitude, sitting down next to Kyojuro and looking down as her legs dangled off the edge of the wooden surface just shy of the ground.
