░『Zephyr』░(KNY OC STORY/ KNY OC X KNY-OLD/DISCONTINUED)

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟾: 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚃𝚒𝚖𝚎

After a long night of cooking many meals and giving them to the many patients, the three were worn out. Fukurō looks at them with disbelief. "You guys are telling me you make this many meals in one day?" She says, leaning against the kitchen counter.

The two nod, "Yes, we do. It would've taken us much longer without your help." Mikio says as she cleans her hands. Aoi chuckles, "Mhm. But you could get some rest for the night, and we can hang out more tomorrow. I'm sure there will be much more to do in the morning!" She suggests.

Fukurō nods, rubbing her eyes. "Alright. See you tomorrow." She gives them a small wave as she heads towards the hallway, trailing her fingertips across the wall as she walks. As she reaches her room, she walks inside and plops her body into the bed face-first.

She immediately falls asleep, curling her knees to her chest.

* * *

As Fukurō's mother rubs ointment on her knee, Fukurō wipes her tear-stained eyes.

"I- I'm sorry for being so sensitive, Hahaoya*." She mumbled, eyes averted in shame. "I shouldn't cry. I'm not a month old child anymore."

Her mother's eyes soften, placing her hand on the scrape on Fukurō's knee gently. "Do not be sorry, my dear. You are still a child. Crying is a normal reaction to things like this." She had said, her lips tapping on Fukurō's forehead in a comforting manner. "Do not listen to the words the others tell you. You may shed tears even for no reason, if you feel as though you have held too many inside."

Fukurō nods, her little hands wrapping around her mother's arm tightly. "Mhm. Arigatō, Hahaoya*." She says, smiling slightly.

Her mother pulls her close into a warm embrace. "Of course. But make sure to be careful next time. Or I'll cover you in futons to keep you in the house!" She adds jokingly, smiling at the sight of her daughters brightened mood.

'If crying was normal, Hahaoya*, why would you get angry and ignore me when they would lay bruises on me? If I should let the tears fall when it comes crashing down to me, why is my cup of withheld tears and sorrow still overflowing and refilled? If it was a normal reaction, why would you treat it as inhuman?

If you promised to care and love me forever, why did you change?'

* * *

The past few days had gone as any day would go, except the fact that Fukurō would spend more time with Aoi, Kanao, and the others much more often. They would help Fukurō finish her Rehabilitation Training, look at each bird that passed in the sky, take care of each flower in the garden, and so much more. It made Fukurō's heart feel complete; the way the girls would spend the majority of their time with her because of her nearing departure.

They were like the family that she never had. The ones that actually cared.

Even Ayame would talk to her once in a while, most likely convinced by Mikio to do so.

But now, Fukurō was enjoying the simpler things in life. She let a fuzzy caterpillar crawl onto her finger, lifting it off a leaf. She wondered how it would look after its metamorphosis. What kind of butterfly would it be?

"Fukurō-chan! It's time for Rehabilitation Training!" Aoi shouts from inside, Fukurō jumping in surprise."Hai." She places the caterpillar back on the ground, glancing at it as it scuttles away. She gets up and makes her way back into the Butterfly Mansion.

* * *

Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho sit on Fukurō's bed, a stack of white paper beside them. Kanao watches them with confusion, peeking over at what they are doing.

"Ohayō, Kanao-chan! We're drawing pictures for Fukurō-chan before she leaves in a few days!" Sumi chirped, holding up a paper in front of Kanao. "Look! I drew the garden, so that she will remember the times we played outside!"

The drawing was rather sloppy, but none of them commented.

Naho giggled, "Mhm! I'm drawing a picture of all of us on one page! Look! There's Aoi-chan, Shinobu-chan, Mikiko-chan..." She points at the circles and lines in the middle of the paper.

Kanao nods. Should she join in..? Should she let them be?

"Come draw with us, Kanao-chan! Just one picture!" Kiyo hands Kanao a sheet of paper.

"..." Kanao gave in to the girls' insistence. ".. o..kay."

* * *

Fukurō had just finished the final part of Rehabilitation Training, and she was congratulated by Aoi for her achievement. She had decided to pick a book out to read outside. Something to remind her and prepare her for the new world she would step into.

As she steps towards her door, she hears loud sounds of rustling paper, along with many giggles. She presses her ear to the door, trying to listen in silently.

"Shh! Someone's coming!"

Fukurō freezes, before letting out a breath. Wait. Why was she so worried that she was heard? She should be questioning who and why there are people in the room she had stayed in. She decides to let it be, and walks away despite the noisy commotion going on inside. She'll tidy whatever was messed up later.

When the room was silent once again.

* * *

Sanemi taps his foot impatiently on the ground, looking in deep thought.

This was going to be his first tsuguko. He didn't know one thing about teaching the Breathing Style of Wind. Hell, he didn't even create the style to begin with. He learned it from another person.

After Masachika's death, Sanemi was the last Breath of Wind user. Well, until now, that is.

Should he just try his best to replicate all the training Masachika had given him? Should he just hope for the best and just train the girl how he thinks she should be trained?

Or, for the safest option, ask the other Hashira with mentor experience for some insight?

Right. There was Uzui Tengen, who had no tsuguko, Iguro Obanai, who had no tsuguko as well, Kocho Shinobu, who is still probably processing the deaths of other tsuguko, Tomioka Giyu, who Sanemi hated to the core, Himejima Gyomei...

No way. Although Sanemi did respect him, there was no way he would go anywhere near his brother would be. So that would be a no.

But, what about that new guy? It was Rengoku Kyojuro, right? Yeah. The overly confident one. He replaced his father not so long ago.'

'Damn, he was annoying as hell.'

But he had a tsuguko, so he was Sanemi's last resort.

Sanemi huffs, beginning to walk towards the gates of his mansion. Sending a message would take a bit long, so he decided to just arrive abruptly.

* * *

Sanemi knocks on the gates of Kyojuro's mansion.

"OI! Rengoku-san! Open up!" Sanemi shouts as his hand hits against the gates.

Kyojuro opens up the gates after a few minutes, his wide eyes brighter than ever. "Oh! Shinazugawa-san! What brings you here?" He grins.

".. Tell me how you put up with a tsuguko." Sanemi demands as he crosses his arms over his chest, "I'm going to meet my tsuguko in a day or two. I want to see how you trained Kanroji-san and how I'm supposed to treat the kid."

Kyojuro nods, "Yes! So I've heard! I'll be glad to give you some advice!" He states, his voice booming and loud. "Please, Come in!" 

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*Hahaoya: "Mother", typically referring to calling one's own mother