A second chance

Wishes, Sujin, Kaigaku and...

Three days later

At the Sun temple

Nighttime

Sumiyoshi bounced his fussy grandson as he walked through the mostly empty sun temple. Compared to what it had been before two and a half months ago it could not have looked more different. The dust was gone, as was the mold and various weeds. The floor and the damaged pillars on the first floor were being repaired.

Sumiyoshi grinned down at his grandson. "Good thing we ran into him huh? Tanjiro."

In response, the infant began to squirm and the red eyed Demon gave him a fond, exasperated smile. Placing the child onto the floor, he began to make his way towards the entrance of the temple all the while he kept one eye on the now happily crawling infant.

The kind demon began to laugh. 'Oh you are going to run Giyu ragged. Either that, or those thunder breathing running exercises.' His face twisted into a grimace. 'No wonder there are very few thunder breath users.'

While musing on these thoughts, the pair entered the main entrance of the temple. Picking up the human infant Sumiyoshi quietly observed the figure before him.

The demon wore brown robes, the hood covering most of his head. His face, Sumiyoshi knew was covered by a bear mask.

The Brown robed figure turned revealing the bear mask in all of its glory. It was black in color with solemn brown eyes. On either of the masks cheeks and below the eyes were painted three diamond shaped cinnamon colored stones.

"Thank you very much for coming." Sumiyoshi said gratefully. "We'll be able to handle the rest."

The taller demon nodded once before turning and walking away from the temple.  Sumiyoshi followed after a moment of hesitation and saw the demons head disappearing into the ground. Leaving a smooth patch of earth, as if the other had never been there.

"Hmm... " Sumiyoshi eyes grew sad after sniffing the air. 'He still blames himself...'

The nighttime breeze gently caressed his skin as he stood there, taking in the silence and beauty of the night. Red eyes scanned the nighttime sky before they focused on a particularly bright star.

Sumiyoshi close his eyes and made a wish—a prayer to Hinokami. 'Let Kyojuro and Giyu find each other again. I am unsure of how Giyu feels about the flame Hashira but whether they are to be friends or lovers. I merely ask for their paths to cross again.'

Opening his eyes the burgundy haired red tipped demon, let out a breath and smiled down at his grandson.

——

Across from grandfather and grandson stood a woman, her hair a golden orange with her kimono of dancing flames framing her elegant imposing form.

"Hmm... I see- If that is your wish ~ then I suppose I will have to involve the little Shinobi and his wives in some way~ Love, flame, charcoal, sun, thunder, and water won't be enough to stop... The damned village~" the goddess gave a cold calculating smile. She wouldn't deny her friend revenge, but she also wanted for at least two more Hashira to be in the know.

"I know that look." States of familiar voice.

Hinokami turns grinning at Sujin and the black hare standing next to him.

"Good to see you again  Sujin. Okuninushi!" She cries no longer using her sing song voice. "Am I to assume you also heard his prayer?"