Moriko Hirano survived a demon attack on her family, thanks to the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka. Ever since, she's been distant from others, except her husband Giyu and their family.
After meeting Tanjiro Kamado, Will Moriko ever get over her fears o...
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Third Person's P. O. V:
Two weeks later, Tanjiro finds himself at Giyu's front door, after having asked the Insect Hashira about Flame Breathing and Hinokami Kagura. She'd suggest asking both Moriko Hirano Tomioka, Giyu's wife, and Kyojurou Rengoku, the Flame Hashira. But he's away on a mission right now.
Tanjiro knocks on the door and waits patiently. A moment later, the door opens to reveal a surprised Giyu.
"Tanjiro," He greets. "What can I do for you?"
Tanjiro replies, "I'm sorry to disturb you, Tomioka-san, but Kocho-san suggested I come here to ask Hirano-san about Flame Breathing and Hinokami Kagura, since she uses Flame Breathing just like Rengoku-san, but he's away on a mission. Is it okay if I come in?"
"Mori-chan is asleep on the couch right now," Giyu responds.
"Oh," Tanjiro utters, blinking his eyes. "I can come back later, when she's awake?"
"Yu-kun? Who is it?" A voice calls from the living room, causing Giyu to turn his head. Moriko is sitting up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, green blanket slipping to her lap. Her three children were asleep with her.
Moriko has her blonde hair in a braid which is how she has it when she's not on duty, and is wearing a casual kimono.
"It's Tanjiro Kamado," Giyu responds. "He says he has something he wants to ask you."
"He does?" The woman asks. Tanjiro enters with his sisters' box on his shoulders. Tanjiro is of fifteen years with short spiky crimson red hair and fuchsia eyes, wearing a green and black checkered haori just like the Kusagai crow described that night on the mountain.
"If it's okay with you, ma' am, I have some questions I'd like to ask you about Flame Breathing," Tanjiro says.
"Okay," Moriko agrees and he sits on a recliner while Giyu shuts the door and picks up their youngest son, Makoto, holding him still asleep in his lap while Tanjiro speaks with his wife about Flame Breathing. Moriko has a thoughtful expression on her features when Tanjiro is finished speaking.
"I see. I'm sorry, Tanjiro, but I don't know anything about Hinokami Kagura," The pink eyed girl says as she shakes her head, now holding her daughter who's awake and gazing at Nezuko in wonder. "I would suggest asking Kyojurou Rengoku when he gets back from his mission. He'd know more about Flame Breathing and Hinokami Kagura than I do."
"Oh, that's okay, Hirano-san!" Tanjiro says. Nezuko then makes a happy grunting sound that makes a small smile tugging at Moriko's lips.
"This is Aiko," Moriko introduces. "And that's Mamoru and Makoto, the youngest by a year."
Tanjiro asks curiously, "If you don't mind me asking, how did you and Tomioka-san meet?"
Moriko stiffens as Giyu glances to her with softened eyes. ".......... We met after a demon attacked my family, killed my parents and tortured me before trying to kill me," Moriko says at last, causing Tanjiro to gasp. "But, then, Yu-kun showed up and killed the demon before it could kill me. He brought me back to the Butterfly Estate where I recovered but.... That nightmare still haunts me to this day."
Moriko gazes down as Nezuko and Tanjiro give her saddened expressions.
"It's also why.... why I never want to become Hashira," Moriko concludes. "I'm now just a Kinoe rank."
"Why?" Tanjiro presses. "I think you'd be a great Hashira!"
"I'm sorry, Tanjiro, but I can't," Moriko says firmly with a shake of her head. "I'm just not capable enough to be a Hashira. Kinoe rank will be the highest I'll get."
Tanjiro doesn't say anything more as that signals the end of the conversation.
Giyu then walks him to the door, Nezuko back in her box, and lingers.
"I really do think she'd make a great Hashira," The Kamado says sincerely.
"So do I," Agrees Giyu, gazing towards his wife who is standing up and gently pacing the room while holding Aiko. "But she's adamant about not becoming one, no matter how many times the other Hashira and I try to persuade her." He sighs.
"Hopefully one day she'll change her mind. I have to get back to the Butterfly Estate. Thank you, Tomioka-san," Says Tanjiro with a quick bow of his head before taking his leave.
Giyu shuts the door before turning to his wife. She gazes at him sadly before Giyu pulls her into a comforting hug.
🗡️🗡️🗡️
Moriko enters the Master's room after knocking as she asks, "You wished to see me, Master?"
He nods as he gestures for her to sit. "I did. I would like to offer you the position of Hashira. Again."
Moriko's eyes harden at that. She says unwaveringly, "I'm sorry, Master, but I can't."
He tilts his head as he asks, "And why's that?"
"Because you know why. Tanjiro visited me before and tried to convince me to become a Hashira, but I refused. Now, can you please stop asking? The answer will be no every time."
"If that's what you want, so be it. How are Mamoru, Aiko and Makoto?"
Moriko smiles as she replies, "They're good. Mamoru is looking more like his father everyday."
"I'm sure they'll become strong Demon Slayers one day, just like their parents," Says Kagaya. "You're dismissed," Kagaya says.
Moriko gets to her feet and bows before leaving. On the way out, she encounters a man with scars on his chest and white spiky hair with purple eyes.
"Hirano," He says by way of greeting.
"Shinazugawa," The blonde returns. She'd never really liked him due to his boisterous attitude. "Just got back from a mission?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Oyakata-sama tried convincing me to become a Hashira again, but I told him no."
Sanemi scoffs as he says, "Again, huh?"
"Yes, because I don't want to. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some errands to run," Moriko says before turning and heading home.
