Chapter Text
The Rengoku residence had been quiet all day. Quieter than usual. The outside shoji were left open to let in some light and the cool breeze. Senjuro tried to continue his chores as he always had. A heavy feeling was spreading through his chest. It made it hard to breathe. It was almost like his heart was turning to stone. As the broom lightly swept at the dirt and dust gathered on the floorboards, his eyes stung from his earlier weeping.
Suddenly, the door behind him snapped open. He jumped and turned to look at who had come so suddenly onto the veranda with him. His eyes went wide as he recognized that inky black ponytail and the demon mask hanging around her neck.
“O-O nēchan?” He muttered softly as his made contact with his sister-in-law’s.
Hikari’s own eyes were wide as she breathed hard. She took a few labored breathes before she let out a strangled cry.
In a flash, Senjuro found his arms around her. The broom fell from his hands and clattered to the floor. Quiet sobs left Hikari as she held him closer.
“I’m sorry…I’m sorry! I should have gone with him…I’m sorry, Senjuro!” She weeped.
The young boy felt his eyes sting with hot tears all over again. He wrapped his arms around Hikari and buried his face in her shoulder. He slowly shook his head.
“It’s not your fault…Kyojuro would prefer it this way…” He barely whispered out.
Carefully, he pulled back and looked at her face.
“You and I both know that he would prefer that we both be alive than dead with him.” He gave her a pained smile. Tears continued to slip down his face.
Hikari smiled gently back at him, her own tears still falling from her eyes. Her husband had always been like that. He was so much more concerned with the safety and well being of everyone else over himself. She could almost hear him telling her that he was glad she was still alive and safe rather than having ended up like him.
She moved her hand to the top of Senjuro’s head. She gently pet him. His eyes opened and he looked back at her. Her expression was so sad and gentle. The most motherly and sincere smile painted her lips as she gazed back at him. It nearly stirred him to a fit of tears again. Since the day she and Kyojuro had lost their would have been son, the late Shinjuro, she’d had this look about her. It was almost like a part of her had also died that day, leaving her hallow and empty. At least in her eyes. However, now…now she looked like she had when he’d first met her. He wasn’t sure how long it would last, but he was glad for it.
“I really just want to keep crying forever, but I suppose we should both be strong for Kyojuro, hm?”
Senjuro nodded softly.
“I think that’s what he’d like best.”