Our Halcyon Days || Reader x Tanjiro | RESUME 2022!

* t h i r t y - n i n e *

A/n: So A won (I did kinda expect that haha) but I promise I'll do Zenitsu and Inosuke some justice following this arc. I'll also try to include more interactions with Nezuko, beginning now :)

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You knelt before little Nezuko. She made a cute little grunt, walked up, and wrapped her mini arms around you.

"We'll be back," you explained gently, feeling your heart warm as she nestled her chin in the crook of your neck. Tanjiro took a knee beside you and patted her head.

"Be good, okay?"

The sentient demon released you and bobbed her head in acknowledgement.

A door opened, and footsteps sounded behind you; when you turned you saw it was Zenitsu and Inosuke who walked into the dim room.

"WHERE ARE YOU GOING WITHOUT ME? HUHH?!" the latter fumed, steam practically blasting from the nostrils. The combination of his hospital wear and the boar head made for a strange and comedic sight.

"It's personal business," was your reply — you had a feeling he wouldn't be understanding even if you explained it all. "Plus, it's not like we're going out to fight demons this time, so you'd complain the whole way about it."

He stomped the ground. "WHAT DOES 'PERSONAL' MEAN?!"

Tanjiro's jaw dropped involuntarily, so you pushed up his chin to close it. Zenitsu sighed, and facepalmed.

"Oh, c'mon, you've got to know it!"

"Anyway," you loudly spoke up, "It'd be best for you to focus on your training." Leaning forward, you stared at the boar head and raised an eyebrow. "Or would that be asking too much of you?"

His face was hidden, but you knew well that it was red with anger.

"HA! AS IF!"

The door rattled as Inosuke shoved it open. He grabbed Zenitsu by the collar and stormed outside.

"WE'RE GOING, MONITSU!"

"IT'S ZENITSU, YOU CRAZY BASTARD!"

The boy clawed at the air, trying to remain inside but ultimately failing.

"StAy SaFeeeEEE!" he ended up hollering as he was dragged away, and you couldn't help but crack a smile.

Right.

Soon it was time for your departure, and Shinobu was there to see you off. It was dawn; the sun shone in a cloudless sky, and a cool breeze swept past. Comfortable traveling conditions.

The Pillar poked through your things, examined Tanjiro's newly crafted Nichirin Blade. "You sure you don't want to take the train?" she questioned for the second time, tilting her head.

"Well, the nearest one to the village is a bit out of the way. From here it'd be better if we walked. I get exercise, and it saves some money, yeah?"

Shinobu relented and gave her trademark smile. "True... but please, be careful. If something happens, find a safe area and send your crows our way. We'll send reinforcements as soon as we can—!"

You looked her over. She was already in uniform, her elegant, butterfly-patterned haori swaying gently with the wind. The hilt of her thin and specially-crafted sword jutted out, catching your attention.