Two Kamados, One Human

Chapter One: Is That You, Nii-san?

    "Happy birthday, Rokuta!" Nezuko shakes her younger brother awake. The small boy lets out a small yawn and rubs his eyes.

      "Good morning, Nezuko," he smiles still half asleep. It seems to dawn suddenly on  Rokuta that today's his birthday.  He jumps up from his tatami mat and squeals in excitement. 

       "Today's my birthday!" He giggles and hops up and down. Nezuko laughs and picks him up pretending to make him fly.

      "Yep! You're getting so old!" Rokuta grins with pride.

        Nezuko sets him down and they walk outside, it was a small home, but it was their family's non the less. The rest of their family were already waiting out on the porch. Their mother was sitting on the steps sewing and Takeo, Hanako and Shigeru were playing out in the snow. Everyone turns and smiles at the two. "Happy birthday, Rokuta!" They all chant. 

       Rokuta is quick to join in  playing and starts throwing snowballs at his siblings. Nezuko and her mother smile at the scene. Nezuko sits down beside her mother. 

       "Is Tanjiro still not feeling well?" She inquires. Mrs. Kamado shakes her head.

        "Tanjiro still has a fever, but its cleared up a bit since yesterday."

      Nezuko frowns and has a thoughtful look.

      "What is it, dear?"

     "Well," She sighs, "We had promised we'd get Rokuta his favorite tapioca pudding and sponge cake from town for his birthday." With Tanjiro sick, it was an unlikely thing to happen. He was always the one to go into town usually, it was a bit of a journey down the mountain.

      Mrs. Kamado pats her daughter's back. "Don't fret about it. Rokuta will understand. I'm sure he'll be happy to just spend time with you and open his other presents." 

      This answer does not satisfy Nezuko. She wanted to give her little brother the best birthday possible, every year, and she knew Tanjiro did too.  "I'll go to town."

     Mrs. Kamado's eyes widen. "You'll go?" Her tone is full of disbelief. "But, Nezuko, dear, you've never gone to town alone." Her eyes' expression is doubtful.

    "Mother" Nezuko coxes "I can handle it. I've been down to town with Tanjiro a thousand times. Let me get Rokuta his birthday present, please?" She clasps her hands and gives her mother an innocent look.  Her mother sighs. 

    "All right, just this once." Nezuko's face lights up, but before she can thank her mother she interrupts her. 

     " Be very careful, and don't get lost. Start off right away so you come back home before your siblings are asleep." Mrs. Kamado still seems hesitant to let Nezuko go, but she knows she's a mature and strong girl. She had no doubt her eldest daughter could handle the task. Nezuko smiles and hugs her mother.

    "Thank you mother," She beams. "I'll be very careful." Mrs. Kamado laughs and shakes her head. She kisses Nezuko on the cheek and motions her off to get ready.

      Nezuko slides open the bamboo door and heads back inside. The house consists of only three rooms, a large bedroom the family shares, a living space, and kitchen. She enters the bedroom and sees Tanjiro sitting up on his mat sketching the frosted trees outside. He waves at her and coughs hoarsely.

    "M-Mornin', Nezuko." He manages to rasp out with his sore throat. Nezuko's smile falters slightly as she sees the pain her brother's in. 

  "Hello, Nii-san. You need to rest. I'm heading off to town to get Rokuta his gift." She responds as she slips on her pink haori, thick socks, and strapped sandals.