Imagine Book 2

Flames of Love- Kyojuro Rengoku (Kimetsu no Yabia)

Fem Y/N

𝕊𝕞𝕦𝕥 𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘

The afternoon sun painted the wooden floors of their modest home in warm honey tones as Y/N stirred the pot of udon, the rich aroma of dashi broth filling the kitchen. Her thoughts drifted to her husband, out there somewhere teaching the next generation of demon slayers, his flame-coloured hair probably catching the same sunlight she was watching dance across their dining table. The familiar worry tugged at her heart – it never truly went away when he was working – but she had learned to live with it, to transform it into productive energy.

She had just started preparing the tempura batter when she heard the distinctive sound of his footsteps on the engawa. Her heart leapt as it always did, even after years of marriage. The shoji door slid open with his characteristic enthusiasm.

"Y/N! My beloved wife!" Rengoku's voice boomed through their home with its usual warmth and vigour. "Something smells absolutely delicious!"

She turned to find him already removing his haori, his golden eyes bright with that infectious enthusiasm that had first drawn her to him. Despite having spent the day training, he looked energetic as ever, though she could see the fine dust on his uniform that spoke of intense practice sessions.

"Welcome home, Kyojuro," she said, unable to keep the smile from her face. "How were the young ones today?"

"MAGNIFICENT!" he exclaimed, crossing the kitchen in three long strides to wrap his arms around her waist from behind. He pressed a kiss to the side of her neck, and she felt the smile on his lips. "They're all setting their hearts ablaze with determination! You should have seen young Sota master his breathing techniques today – remarkable progress!"

Y/N leaned back into his embrace, enjoying the warmth that always seemed to radiate from him. "I'm glad to hear that. But don't think you can distract me from dinner prep, my love. These vegetables won't tempura themselves."

"Then I shall assist!" Rengoku declared, already reaching for their spare apron. It was a sight that never failed to amuse her – the mighty Flame Hashira donning a floral print apron with the same dedication he showed wielding his nichirin blade. "What task can I undertake to support this magnificent feast?"

Y/N giggled as he tied the apron with a flourish. "You can help me bread the vegetables for tempura. But remember what happened last time – we're aiming for a light coating, not armour."

"Ha! You'll never let me forget that, will you?" He grinned, moving to wash his hands thoroughly. "Though I maintain that extra-crispy tempura has its own charm!"

They fell into their familiar rhythm, moving around each other in the kitchen with the grace of a well-practised dance. Rengoku handled the vegetables with the same precise control he used in swordsmanship, though his enthusiasm occasionally resulted in some over-zealous dipping in the batter. Y/N would quietly fix his mistakes when he wasn't looking, not wanting to dampen his joy in helping.

"Tell me more about your day," she prompted as she began frying the tempura pieces. "Did anyone give you trouble?"

"Not at all! Though young Kenji still struggles with his stance – reminds me of myself at that age, actually." He paused in his breading to demonstrate, shifting into a training stance. "See, he tends to put too much weight on his back foot, just as I used to. But with proper guidance and PASSIONATE DEDICATION, he'll master it in no time!"

Y/N couldn't help but laugh at his sudden demonstration, complete with dramatic gestures. "Careful with those batter-covered hands, dear. I just cleaned those walls yesterday."

"Ah! My sincerest apologies!" He quickly returned to his task, though his enthusiasm remained undimmed. "You know, watching these young ones train reminds me of when we first met. Do you remember?"