Luminous (KNY X READER)

Ten

Snow falls gently from the early morning sky, covering you in cold white specks. A few weeks passed since you met Akaza and fall turned to winter in that time. The cold has been quite brutal, yet you remained on the road, traveling far distances and only stopping to sleep.

Regardless of how low the temperature gets you refrain from going into villages and finding places to stay. Mostly because of the fact that you have no money, but also because you fear you'll be turned away because of your looks.

It's been nearly impossible to bathe as the days have grown colder, so you've grown pretty filthy. Most water sources have frozen over and any that haven't are still far too cold for you to wash yourself with. Cold water mixed with frigid air will only makes things worse. You're honestly quite surprised that you haven't frozen to death yet.

It isn't until you approach a certain village that things begin to look up for you.

For the first time, people don't turn away from you in disgust. In fact, everyone seems quite concerned for your wellbeing, chattering about how you're walking around with bare feet and nothing more than a thin haori covering you.

"Excuse me, miss!" Someone calls out, and you almost ignore them thinking that they're surely talking to someone else. However, you're proven wrong when they rush to walk alongside you. You can't see it, but their face is filled with genuine worry. "Are you alright? You shouldn't be out in this weather with such little clothing! You'll get sick!"

You freeze, unused to someone worrying about you. Yoriichi would often warn you of unhealthy habits such as staying up late or going out in the cold but his voice never held much emotion. Not like this persons voice which is filled to the brim with concern and care.

"I'm fine." You finally respond as you continue walking, not wanting to linger for long despite nobody in the village giving you reason to leave.

"No offense, miss, but I don't think you are! Please, allow me to take you home so you can get get clean and warmed up!" He bows deeply to enunciate how serious he is.

You hesitate slightly despite not sensing any hidden motives or ill will coming from him. It's been so long since you've been shown genuine kindness that you almost believe it to be nothing more than a joke or a way of deceiving you into trusting them.

"Please!" He repeats, still bowing deeply.

You sigh, unable to help the tired smile that creeps onto your face. "Very well, but please stop bowing."

"Great!" He instantly straightens up before taking your hand in his own, carefully and gently leading you from the village.

It's obvious that he's scared of you tripping or getting lost due to being blind just from the way that he whispers warnings whenever you need to step over something or duck beneath a tree. It's pretty cute considering you've obviously been traveling alone and can get around on your own.

"Ah, I almost forgot!" He speaks up after a few minutes of walking. "My name is Kamado Tanjiro!"

"(L/N) (Y/N)."

"Nice to meet you!" Tanjiro smiles happily as he gives your hand a soft squeeze. "We're almost to my home, we just have to climb the mountain. I hope that's okay."

You let him know that it's fine, not minding having to climb a mountain to get to your destination. However, it seems Tanjiro has something else in mind as he suddenly stops walking. You stop as well, tilting your head curiously as you sense him removing a basket from his back.

"Please allow me to carry you up the mountain!" He crouches down in front of you without waiting for your answer.

"Kamado-San..." You go to decline only for him to cut you off.

"I can't allow you to walk up the mountain while barefoot! The mountain is covered in snow unlike the streets of the village and I can't continue with good conscience knowing that you have nothing to protect your feet from the cold!"

Getting the idea that he won't easily give up, you hesitantly agree before carefully climbing onto his back. Your legs wrap around his hips while your arms hang loosely over his shoulders. He shifts until he's happy that you won't fall off before crouching down to grab the basket with one hand, the other holding your leg in place.

Without another word he begins to trek up the mountain, carrying you surprisingly easily despite the slippery steep terrain. You relax against him, actually pretty thankful that he offered to carry you. Your feet and legs were exhausted and aching from walking for so long, and your limbs were beginning to grow numb from the cold. You probably wouldn't have made it up the mountain on your own.

"Tanjiro!" A voice calls out once the two of you are decently far up the mountain. You can hear multiple pairs of footsteps approaching the two of you, but you can't tell how many or any other details due to your feet not being on the ground. "Welcome home!"

"Huh? Who's that?" An especially young sounding voice asks.

"This is (L/N)-San!" Tanjiro moves past his siblings who eagerly follow after him. "She was traveling through the village so I offered to let her stay with us."

"Let's go tell mom!" A few of them rush of excitedly, wanting to be first in telling their mother of the new guest.

"Please be careful!" A soft feminine voice warns from next to you, sounding a bit older than the others. Perhaps she's the same age as Tanjiro or younger, but you can tell she likely isn't older than you. The girl only sighs when they don't listen, Tanjiro chuckling at the situation.

You can tell that they all care greatly for each other and that their family is filled with love. You're jealous that you grew up an only child, leaving you completely alone when Yoriichi abandoned you much like your mother seemingly did. She never did return from wherever she went and you doubt she ever will. You still don't even know why she left in the first place.

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🔆TAISHO SECRETS🔆

🔅The villagers thought you were very pretty despite how dirty you were

🔅Tanjiro wouldn't have forced you to let him carry you, but he certainly wouldn't have given up easily

🔅The Kamado siblings are all very excited to have a visitor

🔅You still don't remember what happened that night when you were nine