Memory [Tanjiro X Reader]

Acceptance

The image before me rippled, slowly fading into nothing.

Everything was sore and ached. My entire body felt so heavy that I was almost scared I had been buried alive.

I forced my eyes open, looking up at a wooden ceiling. The only light was that of ambiance, coming from a candle somewhere in the room. A thick blanket covered me.

Where am I?

Straining my head I glanced around the room. It was bare, and there were two other empty beds in the room. The room had a traditional feel to it, with the wooden structure and paper-like walls.

Is Mom and Max nearby?

Despite the ache of my body, and despite the protests it put up, I tried to move, even as my stomach felt as if it was being torn open. I bit my lip to keep from yelping at the sudden pain.

"Don't move!" A sudden, gentle voice called to my right. I hadn't even heard them come into the room or open the door. They rushed to my side, helping me lay back down and relax.

I glanced at them, and saw a woman with purple eyes and purple hair, a traditional haori, and. . .

A sword.

"It's good you're finally awake - how do you feel?" Her voice was kind.

I weakly cleared my throat. "Where am I?"

"This is the Butterfly Estate. Don't worry, you're safe."

I scrunched my nose. "Where?"

The woman smiled. "My estate. You can stay here as long as you need as you recover."

I swallowed hard. "Recover? I just fainted."

Her smile faded and was replaced by something grim. "We can talk later. You need to get more rest, Natsumi."

That name. Again.

"Who's Natsumi?"

The woman blinked. "You are, I was told. Your family house is Rin, and a neighbor was asking for you."

My eyes widened.

"No, no, you have the wrong person. I'm (Y/N) (L/N). What neighbor?"

"The family name is Kamado. Well, you two aren't exactly neighbors, but out on the mountain there's nothing for miles but snow."

Her words confused me. Mountain? Snow?

"Listen, I-I don't know what you're talking about. Can I just speak to my mom or my brother?"

". . . Do you remember anything?" She asked softly.

I sighed, exasperated. "It was the end of the day, and I-I was in my kitchen, with my mom and my brother. . . I think I was sick. . ."

My head pounded.

Is this a fever dream?

The woman took a deep breath. "You were in a demon attack. Do you remember?"

"Demon attack? No, I - demons?"

She nodded. "They're creatures that attack and eat humans. You were attacked."

I couldn't understand her words.

No, I was just sick. . . I only had a headache. . .

My eyes traversed the room again, noticing the clean, traditional space and decor, before they drifted to her haori and sword.

"What, um, what year is it?"

Her brows raised. "It's the Taisho period still."

I nearly jumped out of bed, but grimaced when I tried to move.