Chapter Text
Morning came, and Sanemi was already in the kitchen, cooking while the attendants cleaned. Giichi and Giyuu were still asleep, Sanemi planning to go to Iguro for sparring after he cooked breakfast; his plan was demolished when he heard small running steps.
“Of course, the brat woke up earlier than expected,” Sanemi murmured as he heard Giichi greeting everyone Good morning.
“Daddiii, good morning! Giichi awake now!” The little boy ran to Sanemi, who caught him easily.
“Easy Brat, it’s early in the morning, is your mother still asleep?” Sanemi wipes Giichi’s face.
Giichi looked at the pot that Sanemi was cooking. “Daddiii, no pancakes?” Giichi asked clearly dodging Sanemi’s question.
Sanemi asked one of the attendants to take the food and set the table. “No brat, I don’t even know what the pancake is.” Giichi pouted but nodded as he knew his daddy didn’t have his full memories, maybe he forgot.
“Mommy?” Giichi sat down to eat, Sanemi gently guiding him into place.
Sanemi gets up and gestures to the attendant to watch Giichi as he goes to Giyuu’s room. Upon entering, Giyuu is still asleep, and Sanemi scans him as he sees bandages mostly on his torso. “He looks tired…” Sanemi sat down near Giyuu thinking whether he would wake him up or not. “Oiii… Tomioka…” Sanemi softly nudged his hand.
Sanemi waited for at least 3 minutes to nudge again, this time Giyuu cracked one eye open. “What?”
“Your brat is awake, he is waiting for you.” Sanemi said but instead of moving, Giyuu covered his face
“I’m tired, you can go and tell him to eat. Play with him or give him to Kanroji to play. I need to sleep.”
Sanemi let him, he knows that the other man is tired, he fought the upper moon three recently and didn’t have enough time to sleep because Giichi keeps asking to see the Flame pillar.
When Sanemi goes back to the kitchen, Giichi is talking with the attendants. Most of the attendants don’t answer Giichi because that’s what Sanemi instructed. Upon seeing his daddy without his mommy, Giichi frowned… “Mommy where?”
Sanemi took the plate and gave Giichi his ohagi. “Nah your mommy is tired, let him sleep for a bit.” Sanemi noticed Giichi became quiet, his fingers slowed against the table, the excitement from earlier quietly fading. “This kid has favorites.” Sanemi shook his head.
Later when Giyuu finally gets up, Giichi is already bathed and ready to leave with Sanemi.
“Mommy!” Giichi runs to Giyuu and Giyuu carries him although his muscles ache. “Mommy, morning! Giichi done eating and bathing. Giichi smells good. Smell Giichi.”
Giichi asked Giyuu to smell him, “Yeah smells like lemon. I thought you didn’t like that?”
Sanemi watches the two interact as if it’s the most natural thing. “Mommy, daddiii bathe me with lemon scent soap” Giichi pouted, “Daddiii says it’s for men but Giichi is not a man… Giichi is still a baby.”
Giyuu looked at Sanemi in a deadpan expression, that Sanemi couldn’t read it. “That brat is dramatic as hell.” Giichi giggles and asks Giyuu about the morning kiss.
Giyuu naturally kissed Giichi’s cheeks and Giichi motioned for Sanemi to come closer.
“Daddiii kiss?” Giyuu already knows these antics will just lean closer to Sanemi, and pretends to kiss Sanemi’s cheeks just like before.
Sanemi turns red. “Just eat and dress up, we will wait for you. We will go to Iguro’s estate.”
Giyuu just takes his time to eat, bathe and when he bandages himself, Sanemi suddenly appears in the room to help him. “Give it to me! You’re so slow, the brat will throw tantrums anytime soon.” He helped Giyuu in putting a cream and bandaging the wounds.
They arrived at the Serpent Estate, where Obanai Iguro was already waiting, arms folded. “I didn’t know Tomioka would be here,” Obanai said to the attendants to prepare lunch for visitors. The serpent noticed that the two Hashira were standing too close together, he didn’t say anything but he noticed changes clearly in the Wind Hashira, the way Shinazugawa didn’t complain about being stuck with Tomioka.
“Uncle Obaaaa!” Giichi waved aggressively to Iguro while he was carried by Giyuu. Iguro just gives a nod to the kid. He is still wary of the kid.
Sanemi noticed his friend “You can at least say Hi to the brat.” Iguro shook his head and toss Sanemi his bamboo sword. Giyuu sat on a tatami with Giichi.
Sanemi and Iguro began sparring. A few moments later, Muichiro quietly joined them while Mitsuri sat beside Giyuu and Giichi. They play shogi. The afternoon felt peaceful, they knew it wouldn’t last but they savored the moment until Giyuu’s crow Kanzaburo came.
“Caw… caw…. Water Hashira Giyuu! Mission! Mission! Southwest Kabuki district. A disturbance in the area.”
Everyone stopped and looked at Giyuu. Although Giichi didn’t fully understand, he knew if the crow came, his daddy always left, and now it’s his mommy’s crow, he held his mommy’s haori eyes pleading not to go.
“I’ll go, you’re still injured from the fight with Upper Moon Three.” Sanemi took his Nichirin sword ready to go instead of Giyuu but Giyuu shook his head.
“No, it’s my mission.” Giyuu tried to give Giichi to Mitsuri but Giichi started holding his haori too tightly.
With pleading eyes Giichi looks at Giyuu “No, mommy…. Please…” still clutching the haori tightly.
Sanemi and Mitsuri try to reason out that they can do the mission instead of Giyuu even Muichiro says he can do the mission but Giyuu says no.
He hesitates for a minute then proceeds to take off his haori. “This haori is really special to me, you can have this for now. I’ll come back for it, okay?” He gave his haori to Giichi which Giichi took.
“But mommy… you’re still tired…” Giichi keeps on asking to say not to go or just take him with but Giyuu gave Giichi to Sanemi.
The Serpent Hashira stepped in “Kid, your mother will come back alive. He’s not weak enough to die that easily.”
Giyuu nods at them but before he could leave, Sanemi's grip on the sword tightened slightly he knows Iguro is right so he took off his haori and gave it to Giyuu forcing Giyuu to take it. “It’s cold out there, bring that back.”
“Mommy, kiss…” Giichi kissed Giyuu’s cheek and he demanded a kiss back and since it is a mandatory rule that before leaving and every morning, there is always a kiss on the cheeks. Giyuu kissed Giichi and this time he casually leaned to Sanemi and let his cheek touch Sanemi’s cheek. It’s only a peck, but enough for Giichi to satisfy and for Sanemi to turn red.
Mitsuri tries not to giggle while Giyuu just looks at the haori and takes it before running while putting on the haori and letting his crow lead the way. Giichi hides his face in Sanemi’s neck while holding the haori of his mommy, his small hands clutching the fabric like a lifeline, breathing slow against Sanemi’s chest.
A few minutes later, Mitsuri tries to cheer up Giichi by cooking for him but Giichi barely eats.
Across the yard, Sanemi, Iguro, and Muichiro continue their sparring. Sanemi's strikes are more aggressive than usual, and Obanai notices it.
Before evening fell, a crow’s call summoned them all to the Butterfly Estate by Master Ubuyashiki. Sanemi carried the sleepy Giichi on the way to Butterfly Estate with Mitsuri, Muichiro, and Obanai. Giichi is now wearing Giyuu’s haori even though it’s too big for his small body.
When they arrived, all the Hashira were already gathered except the Water Hashira. The master is already sitting on the side of the Flame Hashira’s bed while Shinobu, Gyomei, and Tengen are in the back. They noticed that Rengoku is awake. The three teenage slayers Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and the demon girl Nezuko are at the corner.
“Hello master, we arrived.” Mitsuri greeted the master softly.
As Master Ubuyashiki rose to his feet, every Hashira and the teenagers knelt at once. “Good evening my children… are we complete?” The master asked.
“No, the Water Hashira is on his mission,” Sanemi says while still holding Giichi closely. Giichi is surprisingly quiet, he is just observing or sleepy, Sanemi couldn’t tell.
The master nods. “I called a meeting to announce that the Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyojuro will no longer be an active Hashira.” His voice remains calm and Rengoku seems like he is not surprised with the announcement. Sanemi didn’t speak but his jaw tightened. “After Shinobu assesses his condition, it has been decided that he must focus on living… and recovering… without the burden of his duties.” The master paused and looked at each Hashira. “I ask for your understanding… and your support. Until he recovers, I will rely on all of you to share the responsibilities he leaves behind.” The Hashira exchange glances. No one objected.
“I also have one more announcement.” Master Ubuyashiki looked at Tanjiro’s side. “Kamado Tanjiro… will begin training as the successor to the Flame Hashira.”
Tanjiro froze, eyes wide. “M-me?!”
The Hashira are shocked that the boy the Water Hashira brought will be the next Flame Hashira. Sanemi gritted his teeth swallowing the insults he wanted to say, partly because he respects Master and also because Giichi is now sleeping in his arms.
Zenitsu’s head snapped up. “EH?! TANJIRO?!”
Inosuke grinned wildly. “HAHA! I KNEW IT! Monjiro’s moving up! NOW FIGHT ME!”
On the bed, Rengoku chuckled warmly. “Kamado, my boy… You are worthy.” Rengoku looks at his now former fellow Hashira and chuckles. “Kamado my boy is worthy of the Hashira position. He can use a different breathing technique other than Water. Please accept him and let him join you in your missions so he can learn.”
Mitsuri wiped her tears, nodding quickly. “Yes!!”
Shinobu smiled at Tanjiro and congratulated him.
Obanai glanced at Tanjiro, “Don’t disgrace the title.”
Gyomei wished Tanjiro the best while Muichiro only nodded. Sanemi didn’t say anything.
Tengen clapped his hands. “Since you’re a Hashira in training, good that I need your assistance in my next mission. Bring your other friends. We will do undercover in the Yoshiwara.”
Rengoku Kyojuro is thankful for everyone although he is sad that he had to leave his position.
Tanjiro bowed deeply, voice trembling.
“I will give it everything I have!”
The master nodded and gestured for everyone to be quiet. “Now, I already know what happened to Kyojuro’s last mission but I want every Hashira to be aware.” The master looked at Tanjiro asking him to tell everything about the Upper Moon.
Tanjiro nodded with a determined face. “The Upper Moon Three is named Akaza, he can regenerate too fast, and he is too strong.”
Obanai let out a sharp scoff. “We already know that. Give us something useful.”
Tanjiro nervously nodded “Yes… He can regenerate his head”
Zenitsu’s eyes widened in horror.
Inosuke nods, he saw how fast the demon regenerates himself.
Mitsuri covered her mouth. “That’s… impossible…”
Muichiro blinked slowly. “Then… decapitation isn’t a guaranteed win condition.”
Tengen’s smirk faded while looking at Rengoku for confirmation, and Rengoku nods.
Tanjiro continued, “And… the stronger your fighting spirit is… the stronger he becomes.”
That made several Hashira stiffen.
Shinobu exhaled sharply. “So the more you try to beat him… the worse it gets?”
Tengen tilted his head slightly. “Then… wouldn’t someone without killing intent have an advantage?”
The master nodded, “The battle between Kyojuro… and Upper Moon Three was, unfortunately, the worst possible match. My child, Kyojuro… possesses an exceptionally strong fighting spirit.” The master continued “Upper Moon Three’s ability thrives on such spirit. The stronger the will to fight… the stronger he becomes.”
Everyone agrees on the master. They are at a disadvantage.
The master’s gaze shifted slightly. “However… Giyuu might be the most suitable opponent against Upper Moon Three but he needs assistance. Giyuu has almost perfect defense and a too calm presence.”
For a brief second… the room went quiet.
Master Ubuyashiki turned his head gently toward the bed as he sensed movement. He looked at him when Kyojuro wanted to talk. “Master, you are right.” The room quieted again, all attention returning to him. “When Tomioka went to help me, the Demon didn’t feel his presence until he attacked.” Kyojuro gathered his strength to continue talking.
“He has also remained calm even when we are facing an Upper Moon but he lost focus when Giichi shouted.”
Sanemi clicked his tongue loudly. “Of course he did.” His voice was low, but edged “Anyone would. It’s a child in the battlefield after all.”
From the corner, Tanjiro clenched his fists. “He asked me to keep Giichi safe… yet I let Giichi see the fight… He got angry, I never saw Giyuu-san angry at Giichi.”
Shinobu tightened her smile. “Tomioka-san anger is understandable, that’s his child but it is not your fault Tanjiro-kun.”
Gyomei’s prayer beads clicked softly. “A strength… and a vulnerability.”
Obanai glanced at him. “Then we keep the kid away from that fight.”
There are more arguments like Obanai saying the child is a distraction, Mitsuri disagrees, Muichiro just listens until the master raises his hand to shut them all. “We will talk more about this however, I believe Kyojuro needs rest, Tengen needs to be ready for his mission and the child Giichi is already asleep. Let’s all rest for tomorrow. One more thing. The child Giichi is neither a distraction… nor a weakness.” Master Ubuyashiki’s expression softened. “He is…. Giyuu’s most precious child so don’t talk to the child like he is an object…”
Silence followed as they looked at the child in Sanemi’s arms wearing the Water Hashira’s haori. Everyone understands that the child is important, too important for the Water Hashira to give his haori to the child.
Everyone bowed and nodded at the master.
Sanemi looked down at the child in his arms. Giichi shifted slightly in his sleep, clutching the haori he was wearing. “Yeah….” Sanemi murmured.
In Giichi’s world
“I’ll go”
Giyuu says looking straight into his husband’s eyes. “I’ll go” he repeat firmer this time.
Sanemi shook his head immediately. “No Yuu,” Sanemi took a deep breath “I’ll go… I’ll find our son and we will wait for you to come.” His jaw tightened slightly. “I’ll make sure that there is no danger when you come”
Giyuu didn’t want to be left behind, he can feel it… his son needed him. Giyuu sat down in the couch. “Nemi please…. Let me go first, I need to know if Giichi is safe… if he’s hurt…” His breath faltered. “I can feel it… he needs me. You know Giichi, he cannot sleep without me, he always love morning kisses and it is unknown world, what if he is scared. He needs me.”
For a moment, Sanemi said nothing. Then he pulled Giyuu into his arms. “Love please, listen to me. We don’t know what kind of world he’s in, we don’t know if there is much worse than a vampire and rogue alphas.” His arms tightened, just slightly. “Let me go first and then follow us when you know how to get us back to our own world. For now, as the head of our family, I can’t risk both of our son and my mate to be in danger.” Slowly, he pulled back and lowered himself onto one knee in front of Giyuu, forcing their eyes to meet at the same level. His hands found Giyuu’s, holding them with a steady grip. “My love, listen to me…” Sanemi used his pleading voice to Giyuu. “I swear to you… I’ll find Giichi.” His voice roughened. “I’ll make sure he’s safe. I’ll make sure he’s not harmed.” His thumb brushed over Giyuu’s knuckles, “We will wait for you to come and you’ll bring us back home.” Giyuu didn’t say anything, Sanemi kiss his knuckles, “Please trust me with this. Yuu, please…”
Giyuu didn’t notice that tears run down his face, “But what if something happens to you or to him?” His voice cracked. “Our son is only four years old… What if that world is worse? What if there are enemies stronger than vampires… stronger than rogue alphas…” His voice broke as tears fell down from his eyes. “I miss him, I want to hold him, hug him, to shower him kisses. If something happens to our son…” Giyuu paused and His shoulders shook as he cry harder.
Sanemi holds his hand tightly. “No, nothing will happen when I am there, that’s why I need to go. I want you to trust me as your mate, follow me as your alpha. Your duty is to coordinate with Shaman Tamayo on how to get us back here, until then I will make sure Giichi is safe.” Giyuu lowered his gaze, tears still falling, he knew the tone… Sanemi only uses it when he wants to ground him. When Sanemi spoke as his mate… there was love but when he spoke as his alpha… there was no room left to argue. There was no changing Sanemi’s mind. He knows he has to obey his alpha, he needs to trust Sanemi on this.
Giyuu slowly nod.