[Revising] The Broken Pillar (Kimetsu no Yaiba x F!Reader | Slow Updates)

Chapter 13: Recovery

Third Person POV

After (Y/N) returned home from the Final Selection, she collapsed from exhaustion and pain. Her family immediately rushed her to the Butterfly Estate, where she was treated. Her bandages had been soaked with blood and dirt, and they were quickly replaced with clean ones.

—Time Skip: Five Days Later—

(Y/N) had been unconscious for five full days, and her absence began to worry those who cared for her deeply—especially Kanae and her adoptive family. Kagaya visited her regularly, silently praying she would recover soon and wake up.

(Y/N)'s POV

—Dream—

Where am I? What happened?
The last thing I remembered was arriving home... I was walking to my room. Did I faint?

"(Y/N)..."

That voice again.

"(Y/N)..."

There it is once more.

"(Y/N)..."

Why does that voice sound so familiar?

"Who's there? Please—show yourself!" I called out, but no one appeared.

"You'll see me once you're ready. But for now... you must wake up. Your friends and family are waiting for you."

"Wait! Who are you?!"

"Farewell... my dear."

My dear?
Wait—was that... Mo—

—End of Dream—

I jolted awake, my breath catching in my throat. My body ached all over, and I quickly realized I wasn't in my room. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in my side stopped me.

"Ugh... my wounds still haven't healed."

I grit my teeth and forced myself to sit up anyway, even if it hurt. As I looked around the room, trying to piece things together—

"(Y/N)!!" a voice cried out.

I turned to see a familiar face rush in.

"Aoi?" I blinked.

"You're awake! I have to tell Kanae-sama—you stay right here!" she said quickly and ran out before I could reply.

Aoi's here? Since when?

Soon, Kanae entered the room, followed by a girl with purple eyes and a butterfly hairpin.

"(Y/N), you're awake... thank goodness," Kanae said softly as she rushed to my bedside. "We were all so worried."

"I'm okay now, I think... but where am I, exactly? What happened?"

"This is the Butterfly Estate," the girl with the butterfly hairpin explained. "It's where we treat injured Demon Slayers after their missions."

"I see... Who brought me here?"

"Gyomei-san carried you here after you collapsed," Kanae answered.

"I'll have to thank him properly."

"Now, (Y/N), I'll need to check your condition and redress your wounds," Kanae said, motioning for everyone else to step outside.

—Mini Time Skip—

Kanae gently changed my bandages and examined my wounds. While she worked, I asked, "Kanae-chan, who was that girl with the butterfly hairpin?"

"That's my little sister—Shinobu," she smiled. "She works here at the estate too."

I nodded slowly. "She seems kind..."

"All done," Kanae said, securing the last wrap. "You'll need to stay here for about another week, just to make sure you're fully recovered."

"Thank you, Kanae-chan. For everything."

She smiled warmly. "No need to thank me, (Y/N)-chan. Just focus on getting better."

—Time Skip: Two Days Later—

I had been in the Butterfly Estate for a full week. Aoi came by earlier and told me I had been asleep for five days. She also mentioned she had officially started working here after we returned from the Final Selection.

I was staring out the window, lost in thought, when I heard the door open. I turned to see my mother and father step inside. Mother was supporting Father as his illness had worsened. They both smiled as they took a seat by my bedside.

"Father! Mother!" I greeted. "How are you?"

"We're alright, dear," Father said with a soft chuckle. "We should be asking you that."

"I'm doing much better. My wounds are healing, and the pain isn't as bad anymore. I've been bedridden for a week now, though."

Father placed a warm hand over mine. "We're so proud of you, (Y/N). You came back safely, and that's all that matters."

"Thank you... I wasn't sure I'd make it. On the sixth day, I got careless... A demon struck me in the stomach, and I passed out."

Father's expression softened. "What happened?"

"The demon... He admitted to killing my real parents. And he said he did the same to Aoi's. That made me so angry, I lost control of myself. But I managed to defeat him. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be able to rest knowing he was still out there."

I looked down, tears brimming in my eyes as the pain of those memories crept back in. My hands trembled. Mother gently reached out, placing one hand on my back and the other over mine to calm me.

She gave me a reassuring smile, and I took a deep breath to steady myself.

—Mini Time Skip—

After our talk, Father and Mother left to return home. It was nearly sunset, and they reminded me to rest well.

I lay back down, knowing it was early, but Kanae had told me I needed as much rest as possible to fully heal. I let myself relax and closed my eyes.

—Time Skip: Six Days Later—

I felt so much better now. Most of my wounds had healed, though a few still needed bandages.

Kanae-chan had told me I was ready to go home, and I could finally walk again.

As I reached the estate, I saw Father standing near the wisteria tree, gazing thoughtfully into its branches. I walked over, and he noticed me.

"(Y/N)... You're finally home," he said gently. "I'm so glad you're alright."

"Yes, Father. Kanae-chan said I could return home. I can walk again, and I'm almost fully healed... though I still have a few bandages left."

He nodded. "Can you tell me... how was the Final Selection?"

"It was very difficult. Demons appeared everywhere—sometimes two at once. But I managed to survive. I even met Aoi there. She found me while I was eating the onigiri Mother packed for me."

"I'm glad both of you made it back safely," he said, a proud smile on his face. "You still need plenty of rest. Once your Nichirin sword arrives, you'll be assigned your first mission."

"I understand, Father," I said and bowed slightly before heading back inside.

As I stepped into my room, I sat down with a quiet thought.

"I wonder what my sword will look like when it arrives..."