𝟎𝟏𝟓
Red Light District
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When Y/N awoke, she found that she was in the Butterfly Mansion. She wasn't horribly injured, it was just that Akaza had hit her really hard, which probably wouldn't take much effort since he was an Uppermoon. But even so, she couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. The only way she would feel better was if she found that Kyojuro was okay, that she succeeded in stalling for the sun.
Speak of the devil, Kyojuro walked into the room. One of his eyes was bandaged along with the side of his torso and other, more minor wounds on his body, but overall, he looked just fine. His grin widened when he saw her awake.
"Y/N! I'm glad you're awake!" he said, a severe understatement of how he actually felt.
"Yeah... I'm glad you're alright," she replied, her lips curving into a tiny smile.
Kyojuro's smile faltered, but only slightly. He sat on her bed next to her and looked her in her eyes. Those beautiful E/C eyes. The ones that shuddered and widened and pricked with tears in his dream. He wondered if he could do the same in real life, if she was just as sensitive here as she was there...
"Why did you run between us like that?" he suddenly asked, "I thought I told you not to-"
"Kyojuro, I'm a Demon Slayer, just like you," Y/N cut him off, "It's my job to protect others, even if they're a higher rank. I know you may not like it, but you'll have to accept that fact."
He looked at her blankly for a few moments before chuckling softly.
"I never knew that you'd be so stubborn and strong-willed. Those are amazing qualities!" He stood, his arms crossed and his smile wide, "Say, why don't you come to my estate? I'd like you to meet someone!"
"Oh, I really shouldn't-"
Before she could decline any further, Kyojuro took her hand and dragged her out of the room.
"Kyojuro-san? What are you doing?" the familiar voice of the Insect Hashira asked.
She was standing nearby, seemingly about to go into Y/N's room to check up on her. She was petite and slender, though it was a horrible mistake to underestimate her. She had short, wavy hair that was black and faded to dark purple near the end. It was styled into a flat yakai-maki bun at the back of her head and was fastened with a white, turquoise, and light purple butterfly clip like Kanao's. Her eyes were a haze of gradient purple, making them look like those of insects. She wore the standard Demon Slayer uniform that was tinted purple. Over it was something that once belonged to the later Flower Hashira: a white haori with a butterfly wing pattern. Her Kyahan were also patterned like this and were fastened with white ribbons.
She forced herself not to narrow her eyes at Kyojuro. Instead, she kept her trademark smile, just like Kyojuro, though hers was smaller.
"I'm taking Y/N here to meet my younger brother! Is that a problem?" he asked, his voice almost making it seem like he was challenging her.
The corners of her lips quivered ever so slightly.
"No, I suppose not..."
He hummed and nodded, turning to walk out of the building.
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"Nii-chan!" a meek voice called out.
As Kyojuro and Y/N neared his estate, someone came into view. He looked like a younger version of Kyojuro, probably in his early teens. Kyojuro's smile broadened, and he went over to pat the young boy's similar flame-like hair.
"Y/N, I would like you to meet my younger brother, Senjuro!" he introduced, "Senjuro, this is Y/N, my... co-worker!"
Senjuro bowed, and Y/N nodded in acknowledgement.
"So you're Y/N..." he murmured, looking into her eyes, "Nii-chan talks a lot about you, y'know? He says that-"
"Now, what I say about Y/N would bore her! Let's go inside and have some tea!"
Senjuro flashed his brother a confused look but didn't say anything. He set down his broom and, with the two Demon Slayers, walked inside of the estate.
"Please, make yourself at home," Senjuro told Y/N before going off to make some tea.
Y/N sat on one of the pillows that Kyojuro provided for her and glanced around. It was a traditional home; the style that she was more accustomed to. Kyojuro watched her intently, seeming almost nervous about what she was going to say next.
"... So... Is it just you and your brother staying here?" she finally asked.
"Oh, no! My father is here as well! He is probably sitting somewhere outside and drinking," he responded.
She nodded, noticing that Senjuro was back with the tea. She thanked him and took a sip, the calming taste soothing her tender muscles. The three made small talk. Senjuro really liked her! No wonder his brother wanted to marry her.
After a while of staying there, Y/N decided it was time for her to leave. Before she went, however, Kyojuro gave her a book. It said 'The 21st Generation of Flame Hashira.' He wanted her to give it to Tanjiro when she had the chance. She nodded, thanked them for the hospitality, and left.
As she left, she ran into someone. He looked like an older version of Kyojuro, presumably his father. In any case, he looked like an alcoholic. He scowled at her before stumbling off drunkenly. She watched him for a moment before shaking her head and going back to the Butterfly Mansion.
On her way back, she spotted Tanjiro coming in the opposite direction, probably for the book.
"Oh, Tanjiro!" she said, waving him over.
He hummed and glanced at her before smiling brightly.
"Y/N! It's such a relief to see you up again!" he said.
She nodded before handing him the book.
"Kyojuro told me to give it to you," she explained.
He nodded and flipped it open, his eyes widening.
"The pages... They're ripped...?" he murmured.
Y/N blinked, confused. Why would Kyojuro give her a ripped up book? Unless he didn't know it was ripped up. Either way, she let Tanjiro go see him about it while she went back to the Butterfly Mansion.
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Four months had passed since the Battle at the Mugen Train. Taniiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke finished their rehabilitation training, and Kyojuro, despite having lost an eye, was ready to go back to his duties as the Flame Hashira. Meanwhile, between missions, Y/N trained hard to get stronger so she could take on an Uppermoon in the future. She still didn't want to be a Hashira; that was too much responsibility. But that didn't mean she didn't want to be as strong as one.
She was heading to the Butterfly Mansion to check up on Kanao when she heard screams to be let down. Aoi's screams. Y/N put her hand on the hilt of her sword and ran to see what the problem was. The Sound Hashira was there. With his towering frame, he was carrying Aoi over his shoulder and Naho - one of the three little girls, the one with the green accessories - under his other arm.
"Uzui-san, what are you doing?!" she shouted, narrowing her eyes at him.
He groaned and looked in her direction, but he quickly perked up when he saw who it was.
"Hey, little sis!" he said, the gems on his head accessory jingling as he walked over to her.
Y/N deadpanned. Little sis...? She didn't even like him all that much, so why was he calling her little sis? They weren't even related.
He smiled as he looked down at her with his eyes, which, she couldn't deny, were a pretty shade of maroon.
"So, I have a favor I want to ask!" he said, "I need you to accompany me on a mission. These other two girls will be coming along as well. I just need three female Demon Slayers."
"But... Naho isn't even a Demon Slayer..." Y/N murmured.
"Eh? Which one?"
"The little girl...?"
Tengen held up the frightened girl and inspected her before throwing her to the ground, though Kanao quickly caught her.
"Damn... I need one more..."
Y/N blinked, glancing behind her. She saw Tanjiro standing there with wide, confused eyes. That's when a thought came to mind.
"I know a group of three friends. They're boys, but one of them can pass as a girl, and I can make the other two look girly enough."
Tengen blinked before huffing and dropping Aoi as well.
"You better be right about this."
And so, Y/N rounded up Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, and they followed Tengen.
"Where're we going, geezer?" Inosuke asked.
Tengen scoffed at the insult but didn't say anything.
"To the most flamboyant place in all of Japan, filled with lust and desire," he said, "The "Red Light District.' It's where the demon we're after lives."
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✿Taisho-Era Secrets✿
❥ Kagaya is pleased that Y/N is becoming more social.
❥ Kyojuro thinks back to that dream almost every night.
❥ Tengen calls Y/N 'Little Sis' because she reminds him of his deceased sisters.
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