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

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As soon as Kie Kamado stepped out of the room, a violent cough overcame her. She bent forward, trying to expel something lodged in her throat, but nothing came, only dry heaves echoing softly.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Nezuko's worried voice came from the hallway. Hearing the commotion, she opened the door and saw her mother hunched over, struggling to breathe.

Kie's cheeks flushed, and she avoided Nezuko's gaze, forcing a gentle smile. "It's nothing, sweetheart. Just a little cough from a cold I caught a few days ago. It'll go away soon."

Nezuko's eyes remained full of concern. "You should be careful, Mom. If you're not feeling well, I can make you some medicine right now."

"No need, really. Some rest will do the trick," Kie reassured her, gently urging her daughter back to her room. "Go on and get some sleep, darling. I'll be fine."

Nezuko hesitated but, seeing her mother appear steady, nodded and returned to her room. Yet as she closed the door, she couldn't shake a strange thought—her mother had been wearing a beautiful kimono tonight, one she had never seen her wear before.

Once Nezuko left, Kie hurried back to her own room, closing the door behind her. She leaned against it heavily, legs trembling. After a few deep breaths, she moved to the mirror, gazing at her reflection—her disheveled hair, flushed cheeks, and eyes brimming with tears. She recalled what had just happened, and another wave of nausea hit her. Her throat felt raw, as though something had scraped against it, leaving behind an unpleasant soreness.

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The following morning, mist lingered over the forest, dissipating as a gentle breeze swept through the trees. The chilly night air gave way to warmth as the sun rose, casting light across the land.

Ryuji, still lying in bed, slowly opened his eyes. Stretching to relieve the stiffness, he stood and walked to the window, letting the cool morning air fill his room. The weather felt warmer, and he noticed small buds beginning to break through the soil, marking spring's arrival.

Outside, Tanjiro was already awake, practicing his Sun Breathing forms in the courtyard. Nezuko stood nearby, splashing cold water on her face to freshen up for the day.

Kie Kamado, ever diligent, carried a wooden basin filled with freshly washed clothes to hang under the sunlight.

"Looks like I'm the last one up," Ryuji muttered with a sheepish grin as he stepped outside. "I've been lazy today."

Hearing the door open, Kie turned and greeted him with a warm smile. "Good morning, Ryuji. Breakfast is ready inside."

"You're too kind, Kie. I should be helping you more," Ryuji replied, smiling gratefully.

Kie just shook her head. "It's no trouble at all," she said, then quickly returned to the house to fetch his breakfast.

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When Kie brought breakfast, Ryuji wasted no time digging in. Midway, she placed a peeled boiled egg in front of him with a gentle smile.

"Here you go, Ryuji," she offered kindly.

Looking up at her soft expression, he accepted the egg. "Thank you, Kie."

Kie's cheeks tinged pink as she withdrew her hand. "I'll finish hanging the clothes. If you need anything, just let me know," she said, turning back toward the yard.

Ryuji watched her walk away, noticing how the morning light bathed her figure as she returned to her chores, hanging the damp laundry. The fresh air carried a sense of renewal, yet he felt a small pang of guilt, realizing how much she did for him and the family.

He chuckled quietly to himself, shaking off the feeling, and stretched. "She really is something special," he murmured, resuming his breakfast.

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Time has a way of settling people into routines, creating new habits and deeper bonds.

Ryuji couldn't recall when exactly it started, but over the months, he had gradually become an integral part of the Kamado family, almost unconsciously stepping into a supportive role.

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Scorching Sun

A young boy with crimson hair and Nichirin earrings, clad in a checkered haori, trained under the blazing midday sun.

Sweat beaded on Tanjiro Kamado's brow as he silently persisted, his breathing even.

"Take a break."

A pair of footsteps approached, accompanied by a familiar, gentle voice.

Tanjiro looked up to see his uncle standing nearby. "I want to keep going. Practicing the Breath of the Sun under the sun itself feels like it's helping."

Ryuji sighed. "Just don't overdo it. Know your limits."

"I'm fine, Uncle," Tanjiro assured him, giving a determined smile. "If I feel tired, I'll stop."

Ryuji couldn't help but smile, a bit embarrassed. "Compared to you, Tanjiro, I'm the one who should feel ashamed. I can't match your persistence."

And he meant it. Despite his own efforts, Ryuji often felt overshadowed by Tanjiro's dedication. Every day, Tanjiro woke early, training tirelessly. Aside from brief breaks with his siblings, he devoted himself fully.

Tanjiro's determination made Ryuji feel inadequate by comparison. Though Ryuji had attempted to keep pace for a few days, he quickly grew exhausted. The slow gains from physical training alone drained his motivation.

"Uncle, don't be so hard on yourself," Tanjiro replied, shaking his head. "I still have a long way to go, you know. I just have to work this hard to keep up with you."

Ryuji chuckled softly, recognizing Tanjiro's misplaced modesty. What Tanjiro didn't know was that Ryuji's progress wasn't due to natural talent but from a hidden advantage—his attribute panel.

In the past few days, beyond training with Tanjiro, Ryuji had hunted in the nearby mountains. Despite his efforts, his hunting success was modest. The stronger the prey, the more attribute points it provided, but catching such elusive animals proved challenging. Over two days, he'd only managed to earn a mere 0.2 attribute points, which he immediately allocated.

Unconsciously, Ryuji's gaze shifted toward his panel:

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Name: Ryuji

Physique: 1.25 (Normal adult: 1.0)

Dexterity: 1.25 (Normal adult: 1.0)

Strength: 1.25 (Normal adult: 1.0)

Spirit: 1.45 (Normal adult: 1.0)

Breathing Style: Breath of the Sun (0.6/100)

Available Attribute Points: 0.03

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While he couldn't distribute points since his total was below the 0.1 threshold, the small improvements he'd made to his Breath of the Sun skill felt like months of practice. It explained why his visible progress was faster than Tanjiro's, even though Tanjiro was working harder.

"Keep at it, Tanjiro. I'll check if your mother needs a hand," Ryuji said.

"Alright, Uncle," Tanjiro nodded, resuming his training and watching his uncle's retreating figure.

After learning about demons and his family's connection to Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the legendary swordsman who first mastered Breath of the Sun, Tanjiro felt an urgency to grow stronger. He feared for his family's safety and resolved to protect them—his mother, siblings, and Ryuji.

Ryuji paused, glancing back at Tanjiro. He couldn't help admiring the boy's resolve. Even without exceptional talent, Tanjiro's unyielding spirit would lead him far.

In that moment, Ryuji understood why Muzan Kibutsuji, the demon king who had evaded capture for a millennium, would one day fall by Tanjiro's hand.

Sometimes, a person's heart truly defines their destiny.

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