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

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Night had fallen.

The earth was plunged into darkness.

In the deep mountains, once night came, there were few places where light could be seen. But it was different in the cities. Even at night, the lights flickered, making it almost as bright as day.

Ryuji stood by the window, quietly gazing outside.

"Tap, tap, tap…"

Footsteps echoed slowly from outside the house, pausing slightly at his door as if someone was hesitating.

Then, the person seemed to make up their mind.

"Knock, knock, knock…"

There was a quick series of knocks at the door.

"The door's open, Kie. Come in."

The door creaked open, and a plump woman dressed in a maid's outfit walked in with her head bowed, avoiding eye contact.

Ryuji turned around, noticing her attire, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Kie, you're really going all out. Wearing something like that?"

Kie's face flushed red, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"Come here..." Ryuji's voice was low and slightly hoarse.

Kie hesitated briefly but still stepped forward, moving to stand beside him by the window.

Ryuji gestured outside. "The view here in the city is different from the mountains. The nights there are quiet, but here, it's lively."

"Mmm..." Kie murmured in agreement, her voice low. "The children... they enjoy the liveliness, but it's hard for them to adjust to this new place."

"It's always difficult to leave home," Ryuji replied, his tone thoughtful. "Living in the mountains for so long, you get used to everything being quiet. It's not easy to adapt to a new environment."

Kie nodded, acknowledging his words.

Ryuji smiled, wrapping his arm around Kie's waist and pulling her closer. "From here, you can see the view even better."

Kie leaned against the window, her chest pressing against the sill, causing the wooden ledge to creak under the weight.

Above them, the night sky was dotted with stars.

Below, the city lights twinkled brightly.

The vibrant scene, so different from the mountain village, made Kie's eyes blur slightly with emotion.

Ryuji moved closer, leaning in from behind. His breath was warm against her ear as he whispered, watching her earlobe flush red from the heat. Her face was rosy, almost as if it could melt from the warmth. He sighed softly, his voice still hoarse, "Do you like the city's night view?"

"It's... beautiful," Kie replied, her breathing quickening. Her heart was racing, her breaths coming in short, uneven bursts.

Ryuji chuckled, gently loosening the ribbon that held Kie's hair. As the tie came undone, her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall.

"Such beautiful hair," Ryuji murmured, running his fingers through it.

Kie didn't respond, a quiet hum escaping her nose.

A cold breeze suddenly blew in through the open window, making Ryuji shiver. Instinctively, he tightened his arms around Kie, seeking warmth.

The wind passed as quickly as it had come.

When it was gone, Ryuji released her, stepping back. "It's getting cold. Let's close the window."

Kie nodded silently and closed the window, her eyes glimmering as if they were filled with mist.

"By the way, I went to the city today and bought a few things for you. Take a look and see if you like any of them," Ryuji said, pointing to a small box in the corner of the room.

"For me?" Kie exclaimed, her surprise evident. She hadn't expected Ryuji to buy her anything else, especially since he had already given her several outfits earlier in the day, including the maid outfit she was wearing now.

Even though some of the clothes were quite revealing, making her blush just at the thought of them, she had hidden them away so Nezuko wouldn't find them.

Deep down, though, Kie couldn't deny a part of her liked them. Not because she was fond of such daring clothes—on the contrary, she was used to dressing conservatively—but because she knew Ryuji liked seeing her in them. And that made her want to wear them, even if it was only in front of him.

After all, wasn't it a wife's duty to help her husband relax after a long, exhausting day?

Even though... she wasn't his wife.

Excited, she moved toward the box, though her steps faltered briefly.

While they had been admiring the view, she had accidentally grazed her calf against a protruding nail on the wall. It still stung.

Despite the pain, she reached the small cabinet and opened the box.

Inside, under the soft light, a delicate necklace gleamed faintly, its surface glowing with a slight fluorescence.

"It's beautiful," Kie whispered in awe.

Aside from the necklace, there was a collar, earmuffs, and a ribbon inside the box. But Kie's attention was solely on the necklace.

It was stunning.

Women, like the dragons of old tales that hoarded shiny treasures, were naturally drawn to beautiful jewelry.

"It's yours," Ryuji said, lifting the necklace from the box and placing it in Kie's hands.

Kie froze for a moment, her eyes welling up with emotion as she looked up at Ryuji, who was smiling down at her. Her voice was as soft as silk. "Thank you, Ryuji."

"Let me put it on for you."

Ryuji gently took the necklace from her hand and fastened it around her neck.

The cool metal of the necklace rested against her warm skin, making her shiver slightly. But soon, Kie grew accustomed to it, and the coolness became comforting.

She absentmindedly ran her fingers over the necklace, marveling at how it felt.

For Kie, no one had ever given her jewelry or any gifts.

She was truly... touched.

"Let me take a proper look at you," Ryuji said, lifting her chin slightly, revealing her slender neck. The necklace hung just above her chest, glowing softly like a star in the night sky.

"It's beautiful," Ryuji repeated, his voice filled with admiration.

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Ryuji couldn't help but sigh again.

"Beautiful jewelry, and only a beautiful woman can bring out its most dazzling brilliance."

Hearing Ryuji's compliment, Kei felt a small burst of joy, though she was a little uncomfortable with how he gently pinched her chin.

"Since I've given you a gift, shouldn't you give me one in return, Kie?"

Ryuji smiled softly.

"I... I wasn't prepared... I didn't..."

Kie stammered, clearly flustered. She hadn't expected Ryuji to give her a gift, so now she felt completely at a loss.

"It's alright," Ryuji said with a chuckle. "A kiss will do, and that will be my gift."

Kie blushed deeply, glancing up at Ryuji's playful, smiling eyes. Though her shyness overwhelmed her, she still closed her eyes, placed her trembling hands on his shoulders, and gently pressed her lips to his in a soft, fleeting kiss, like a dragonfly skimming the surface of water.

As soon as it was over, Kie quickly turned her head away, her face flushed, leaving only the sight of her pale neck exposed to Ryuji.

Ryuji licked his lips slightly, savoring the gentle touch of her kiss, and smiled to himself, pleased.

"Kie, your kiss... it brings back memories," he said, voice filled with nostalgia.

Kie's face turned even redder, and she buried her face shyly into Ryuji's chest.

Ryuji chuckled softly, placing a gentle hand on her head, stroking her hair.

The night deepened.

After a while, Ryuji lay back slightly on the bed, his eyes drifting to the small box on the bedside table. He reached into it and pulled out the collar that lay inside, idly turning it in his hands.

Kie, who was sitting by the foot of the bed, noticed Ryuji playing with the collar and couldn't help but feel curious.

"Ryuji, are you thinking of getting a dog? Is that why you bought a collar?"

Today, while in the city, Kie had seen several dogs wearing collars, which was different from what she was used to in the mountains, where dogs didn't usually wear them.

Ryuji looked up, locking eyes with Kie.

At that moment, Kei was half-kneeling on the bed, her long, jet-black hair cascading down her chest like a waterfall. Her fair skin, tinged with a rosy hue, and her dignified, graceful demeanor made it impossible to look away.

"Getting a dog..." Ryuji murmured as he twirled the collar between his fingers.

He glanced at Kie, who remained oblivious to his true intent.

"A dog is a loyal creature. Once it recognizes its owner, it's fiercely devoted, and that's something I truly admire."

Ryuji's voice was calm and steady.

Kie nodded, her eyes thoughtful. "Yes, that's true. Some hunters in the mountains keep dogs, and when their owners are in danger, the dogs will risk their lives to protect them."

She smiled, lost in her own fondness for dogs.

Ryuji continued playing with the collar, sighing softly. "But people... people are different. Their minds are complex, filled with all kinds of thoughts. Humans are unpredictable. They are quick to betray, quick to change."

His gaze sharpened as he spoke.

"Some people abandon those they love for their own gain. Others will destroy anything standing in their way, even if it means hurting those they care about."

"Humans are complicated. Some are loyal to their lovers, but many are not..."

His words trailed off, and his eyes fell on Kie.

Kie's once rosy face paled at his words, her chest tightening. She understood the meaning behind them. He was talking about her—about her lack of loyalty.

She opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but no words came out.

The truth hung between them.

She had given herself to Ryuji, both in body and spirit.

It was undeniably immoral.

It wasn't faithful.

He wasn't wrong to say it.

But in that moment, Kie felt a deep, overwhelming sadness. She truly had given everything to Ryuji. If she could rip out her heart to prove her love, she would have done it without hesitation, just to show him her sincerity.

As tears welled up in her eyes, silently falling down her cheeks, Ryuji handed her the collar with deliberate slowness.

"I like dogs because once they recognize their owner, they are fiercely loyal," he said, his tone still calm and composed.

"So, Kie..."

He looked at her, her face tear-streaked and full of silent grief.

"Will you be as loyal to me as a dog?"

Ryuji's voice was soft but firm as he gazed at her.

"If you are truly loyal, then show me."

"Prove your loyalty to me."

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