Demon Slayer: Taking Care Of Tanjuro's Wife And Daughter

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"Here's your axe," Ryuji said, handing the weapon back. "Thanks again. Without your help, I'd have been in serious trouble."

Tanjuro shook his head modestly. "Think nothing of it."

His tone then grew more serious. "It's dangerous to stay in the mountains this late. You should leave as soon as possible."

Ryuji fell silent, uncertain about what to do next. He couldn't even explain how he had ended up here, let alone where he should go.

Tanjuro hesitated briefly before speaking again. "If you'd like, you can stay at my place tonight. It's safer there."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to impose…" Ryuji replied, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

But despite his initial reluctance, Ryuji eventually accepted Tanjuro's invitation.

On the way to Tanjuro's home, Ryuji stumbled and fell several times. His sudden boost in dexterity made him feel awkward and off-balance, and he struggled to adapt to his newfound agility.

"Guess boosting my stats doesn't automatically make me coordinated," he muttered after face-planting in the snow once again. "It's going to take time to adjust."

After a few more falls, they finally arrived at Tanjuro's home. The warm glow from inside contrasted invitingly against the cold, dark forest.

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The house nestled deep in the mountains looked almost exactly like the one Ryuji remembered from his memories. There was little difference, if any.

Ryuji followed Kamado Tanjuro into the courtyard.

"I'll take care of the bear carcass first. Go ahead inside and warm up," Tanjuro said, gesturing to the black bear he was dragging.

"Alright," Ryuji nodded, watching as Tanjuro hauled the bear into a nearby shed. Once Tanjuro had disappeared, Ryuji turned and opened the door to the house.

It seemed the children were already asleep, as the house was quiet. Though humble, the home was spotless and neatly arranged, showing the care of its homemaker.

Inside, the warmth from a coal stove quickly chased away the lingering cold.

In the small living room, a woman stood by the stove, tending to the fire as she waited for her husband to return. Ryuji realized that this must be Kamado Kie, the wife of Tanjuro and mother of Nezuko.

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The sound of the door startled Kie, who turned, her face lighting up momentarily as she expected her husband. But instead, she saw a stranger—a man she'd never seen before.

A stranger, appearing at this hour, in their remote mountain home. Kie instinctively stepped back, her hands clutching her chest as she warily regarded Ryuji.

For his part, Ryuji's gaze landed on Kie.

She appeared to be in her twenties, wearing a purple-patterned haori over a simple white kimono. The loose garments only emphasized her graceful figure.

Her long black hair was tied back in a low bun, with a white scarf around her neck. Her large purple eyes, framed by long lashes, glimmered in the flickering stove light, highlighting her delicate features and the small beauty mark near her lips.

Ryuji's heart skipped a beat—she was disarmingly beautiful.

"Who…who are you?" Kie asked, her voice tense, taking another step back.

"My name is Ryuji," he explained quickly. "I'm here with Tanjuro-san. He's in the shed right now, dealing with the black bear. He'll be here shortly."

Kie let out a relieved sigh and slowly lowered her hands. "Oh, I see. I'm sorry—I almost mistook you for someone dangerous."

"No need to apologize. It's perfectly reasonable to be cautious when alone in the mountains at night," Ryuji reassured her with a gentle smile.

"Please, have a seat. I'll bring you some tea to warm you up," Kie offered, moving a small bench closer to the coal stove. "It's quite cold outside, but it's warm here."

"Thank you," Ryuji said as he sat near the stove, grateful for the warmth.

In no time, Kie returned with a cup of hot tea and handed it to him gently. "Here, this should help you warm up," she said softly, her voice full of kindness.

"Thank you," Ryuji replied, taking the cup. His gaze flicked briefly toward her as she stood by the stove. Despite her modest clothing, she carried an undeniable grace.

Perhaps uneasy with a stranger in the house, Kie quickly lowered her head and stepped away, standing a short distance from the stove.

Just then, the door opened again, and Tanjuro stepped in, brushing snow from his shoulders.

Kie hurried to greet him, helping brush the snow from his clothes and placing his coat over his shoulders with a gentle touch. It was a simple but intimate gesture, one that spoke volumes of their bond.

Watching this, Ryuji felt a pang of envy. "Tanjuro-san, you truly have a wonderful wife," he said, feeling the warmth of the tea spread through him.

Tanjuro chuckled, clearly pleased by the compliment. As he sat by the stove, warming himself, he asked, "You don't have a wife yet, Ryuji?"

Ryuji shook his head. "Not yet."

Tanjuro smiled warmly. "Well, if you ever need help, I'm sure Kie could introduce you to someone."

Turning to his wife, he said, "Kie, would you prepare the room next door? Ryuji will be staying the night with us."

"Of course," Kie replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before giving a slight bow. She left quietly to make the preparations.

"Thank you, Tanjuro-san," Ryuji said, a bit self-conscious.

"Think nothing of it. I hope you don't find our home too simple," Tanjuro replied with modesty.

"Not at all! I'm grateful for your kindness," Ryuji said earnestly.

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While Ryuji and Tanjuro continued to talk by the stove, Kie made up the bed in the adjacent room. Her mind lingered on their earlier conversation.

"Why isn't he married yet?" she wondered. Ryuji was quite tall, around 1.8 meters, with a strong build. His clear skin and neat clothing suggested a good upbringing.

And he's handsome, too, she thought.

It puzzled her that a man like Ryuji hadn't found a wife yet. He seemed like someone who could make any woman feel safe.

If only Nezuko were older…but she quickly brushed the thought aside. The age difference was too great. To Nezuko, Ryuji would likely feel more like an uncle than anything else.

She sighed softly, thinking about her own husband. Tanjuro was strong but had been weakened by his illness. Shaking off her thoughts, she finished preparing the bed.

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Kie returned to the living room and stood at the door, her hands folded politely in front of her. "The bed is ready."

Tanjuro nodded and smiled at Ryuji. "It's getting late. You should rest up, Ryuji."

"Thank you, Tanjuro-san," Ryuji said, bowing slightly.

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Once alone in the room Kie had prepared, Ryuji lay down on the bedding. A faint fragrance lingered in the air. But despite the comfort, sleep eluded him.

His thoughts kept drifting back to Kie—her slender figure, her gentle demeanor.

He remembered what lay ahead for this family—the hardship and loss they would face.

"Stop," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "What am I even thinking?"

Taking a deep breath, Ryuji quieted his mind, trying to find sleep at last.

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