"How is the Courtesan? Did she lose interest in the Ice Hashira?" New Lower Moon One asked as he dodge Gyutaro's attacks. They have been at it for an hour now.
"Should I go visit her and devour-?" His hand gets cut off and a sickle digs into his chest as Gyutaro drags him to himself.
"Kotoha is actually the old man's wife now and he won't let you near her."
Tengen laughs, fangs on display.
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"She'll sing-"
Gyutaro ends the life of the boastful demon. Blood coats his sickles as the head of the lower moon fades. He wipes his face and looks at his crow.
" Tell the old man I'm taking his spot."
—
Douma would receive the news of Gyutaro being rewarded with the position of Hashira. The man laughs as he listens to the crow.
"He finally did it!" Douma then directs his attention to the floor. "Did you hear that Inosuke? Your brother killed a demon and stole your papa's place."
Douma of course was grinning as the baby looked up at him, not understanding a word he was saying, gnawing on one of his non-weapon fans.
It had been two years and everything was perfect. Douma had semi-retired till Gyutaro fully took his place. Kotoha still was a medic while Douma watched Inosuke most days. He would take the odd demon task if it was nearby. Still wanting to protect his love ones even a little bit.
At home, his fake leg would be rarely used as Douma liked to simply be on the floor, at level with his child. Inosuke would crawl all over him and Douma would sometimes use his stump as a way to raise Inosuke in the air while holding his hands. The baby would laugh at those times, enjoying the ride.
When he did use his fake leg, it was usually with the foot off, showing a hidden blade. Using it on the stray demon that was in his town.
He would also use it to dance with his lovely wife. Sometimes he would sneak in when she was working, Inosuke strapped on his back and hug her from behind.
She would giggle and hug him back, kissing Inosuke on the head as he woke from his nap.
Douma smiles as Inosuke gave him a toothy smile, white pearls finally a full set.
"Come Inosuke, let's go see Mama."
— Kotoha was working, and Hakuji was also there with his wife, doing a check-up on her health.
"OHAYO!!" Douma comes in, with a grin and a giggling Inosuke strapped to his chest. Kotoha can't help but smile at her husband and baby but has to shush them.
"Douma, can you take Hakuji out for a bit?" Douma nods and gladly throws an arm around the younger man and takes him out with the other struggling not to choke from the grip on his throat.
— "Isn't Inosuke adorable?" Douma was currently bouncing his son, his excited squeals breaking with each jump. Hakuji watches this with only a glance. Both are seating on the edge of the porch, waiting for their wives to come out.
"How is it?" Douma looks at him and can see how nervous he was. Douma couldn't help but smile. He's been getting better at reading people since he recovered.
He takes Inosuke off his knee and cradles him. His son coos at him, reaching up to grab his hair.
"Rewarding." Douma feels his lips curl more as the baby was able to tug his long hair.
Hakuji watches his senior gently break the grip the baby had on his hair. He curls his fist, the tan line where his knuckle braces would have been are the only evidence of his time as a slayer.
He was scared and nervous about what the future would hold.
"Hakuji-kun!!" Both men are looking up as Koyuki is coming quickly to the two of them. Kotoha is following after her.
Hakuji is pulled up and taken into the opening of the garden. Kotoha comes to sit with her husband.
The two watch Hakuji receive the results and then hugging and twirling his wife as they celebrate her pregnancy.
Douma can't help but smile for his friend.
It was just about how he acted when Kotoha told him he was going to be a father.
Douma curls an arm around her and Kotoha leans into his side.
He wouldn't trade anything for this.
— Gyutaro would stop by after a week and show off his new uniform. Douma would circle him and grin.
"It suits you well but you still have to grow into it."
Inosuke would watch as his father is chased around the garden, his mother laughing. Ume would groan on the side watching her brother chase their mentor.
"JIJI GET BACK HERE!!" Gyutaro goes to swipe him and Douma laughs, flipping and blocking with his fake leg.
The retired Ice Hashira loves his life now and wouldn't change a thing.
