I'm No Hero, But I'll Protect Everyone

3 - Where it Begins

Once again a doctor had been brought the next day after the incident in town. It had been concluded that there was nothing broken but it was possible that your nose was fractured. There was significant bruising on your ribs from where the man had kicked you and some bruising on your face, including your black eye. You were instructed to rest and ice and heat the bruises to alleviate the swelling.

A Week Later

Another week had gone by and the Kamados were all watching as you picked some of the wild flowers that were growing near the forest line. This was the second time you had gone outside since you were cleared by the doctor, your injuries had already healed significantly since then. It was noticeable that you weren't acting the same as you normally do. Tanjiro couldn't get a single whiff of the happy sweet scent you gave out. The whole family was affected by your mood change. 

"Why does Y/n-Oneesan act different, Hahacha ̄ n?" Shigeru asked his mother as he looked away from you. 

"Y/n-chan isn't feeling very well after her last trip to town, musuko." Kie responded as she watched you look closely at a flower you picked. 

"But Hahacha ̄ n, didn't the Isha-sama say Y/n-Oneesan was fine?" Hanako questioned. 

"Hai, however that was how she was physically. There are things that she's dealing with emotionally." Kie explained. The two made an oh expression as the three looked back at you as you seemed to just be staring off into the sky. 

"How can we make Oneesan fine again?" Takeo asked as he crossed his arms. That seemed to be the question on all of their minds. You had glanced over at them, noticing that they all seemed to be looking at you. They seemed to want to talk to you but didn't know how. Hell, you didn't even know what to say. After the incident, it was like you had this numbness that plagued your body. It was an uncomfortable numbness, but it felt better than allowing the wandering feeling that the man's hands were still trying to latch onto you. You thought coming outside and picking some flowers for a flower crown would help you and it did work a bit. It felt calming and relaxing as if it were just you and nature, one with the elements. Taking in a breath and releasing it, you knew you had to say something to them, to at least let them know that you were trying to make progress. Besides you knew deep down that their fates were going to catch up to them soon and you wanted to cherish every moment you could with them. So with one last breath, you turned around and made your way over to them.

The Kamados noticing you were coming over, tried to play it off that they weren't watching you and were doing other things. 

"Hey Y/n-chan, are you planning to make flower crowns again?"  Nezuko asked you pointing at your little basket of flowers. 

"Hai, I want to make a new one since mine started wilting. Did you want one, Nezuko-chan?" You answered. 

"Yes please, if you don't mind some of the flowers on my last one started to wilt as well." she replied. 

"Oh I want one too Oneesan" Hanako chimed.

"Yeah me too." Shigeru exclaimed.

"Ok, I'll make you two one as well." You told them as you crouched down to pat their heads. 

"Are you feeling better?" You heard Takeo ask. Looking over at him, you notice through his tough guy look that there was worry.

"Yes I'm feeling better, thank you for asking." When walking by to start on the flower crowns, you felt a hand on your shoulder. 

"Is it alright, if I join you?" Tanjiro asked you. Giving him a slight nod the two of you walked into the house. The others decided to go do their own thing in the mean time.