Chapter Text
In a large praying room, an old man is sitting in a lotus position silently in front of a memorial shrine filled with photos and tokens ranging from traditional to early modernization, Tanjiro smiles peacefully.
"Everyone..., my time is near". He fondly informs, probably the people in the photos. Closing his wrinkled eyes and looks up to nothing. His descendants are quietly melancholic at his back. They tried to say something but, couldn't.
Throughout their lives, Tanjiro has raised his descendants along with Kanao-his late wife, Nezuko-his late beloved sister, and Zenitsu Agatsuma-his latr brother-in-law. Also, there's Inosuke Hashibira - his sworn brother after their gruesome devastating war with Muzan more than a hundred years ago. Almost everyday, he and his late family would remind their children to be prepared for everything, to be ready to live without them in the future. It was heartbreaking but, it would have been done one way or another.
"Before I finally reunite with your late grandparents, I want to tell you my final goodbyes".
There was a start of choking cries and sniffles from the teens and adults before him burt, they tried their best to stay quiet and listen to what their beloved great grandfather's words.
"I believe that I am one of the most happiest and proudest house pillar of our Kamado Family. Being a father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, and great great grandfather is my everyday joy. Of all the time that I have watched you all be born and grow up to be such great people, I believed that I have been a successful pillar of our Kamado Family. But, before I go, I wanted to tell you that "Family Stays Together". Remember, arrogance will get you nowhere. Always be kind and humble but, also wise at the same time. There will always be someone better but, it doesn't mean-... you're a... l-loser."
Tanjiro has to pause to maintain his breathing since, he's rapidly fading. Then, he suddenly falls over.
" Fa-father—!" Ichiro, who was nearest to him helds his body from totally collapsing.
His descendants started rushing near him. His breaths starts coming out in short pants.
"My children..., you have to know, me and your late grandfathers– and grandmothers... love you all so much. N-now...Please... get Ms. Shizuka Shinazugawa here". Knowing that he'll be dying in a minute or two, he calls for their family lawyer.
"Fubuki, call her please". Ichiro tells his daughter
Moments later, Fubuki and a well-dressed woman in an office lady attire. " Right away, Father". Fubuki bows and immediately moves to get the task done. In no time, she comes back with the layer.
"Shizuka Shinazugawa, at your service, Mr. Kamado Tanjiro". She bows politely.
"Here you are... I believe you already know what to do?"
"Yes, certainly. You can be rest assured that your family will get everything you entrusted to them without fail, Mr. Kamado Tanjiro".
"Good. Thank you, Ms. Shinazugawa".
"I am only doing my job, milord".
Fully assured, Tanjiro turns to his son. He has the luxury to dwell in the final moment of breathing his last in the arms of his eldest son. Also, old like him but, looks younger by a decade than his original age due to great healthcare.
"Ichiro... Don't forget to live well... And be happy". Weakly wiping his son's tears.
"Yes, father–". As if, simply waiting for that reply, there was a gust of wind putting out a candle in the memorial shribe and Tanjiro's hand on Ichiro's face dropped on the floor. His face, finally at peace.
And with that, strained wails of sorrow and agony from each Kamado descendant, young and old, echoed throughout the Kamado House and into the neighborhood. A great elder has passed. It is now a time for mourning.
In another timeline . . .
A very bright good-looking young man is scuffling in between the tables and chairs blocking his muscular body and extra baggages that made him larger. Additionally, he is wearing a white doctor's robe and is carrying a suitcase too large for a normal doctors med kit. Although, despite all the heads and eyes deeply focused on him, he walked unbothered as the mixed stack of opened and unopened letters in his hand are far more worth his attention.
Continually walking down the floors to get in his cabin, the young man's sharp sunset-colored eyes remained glued on his letters. His rather unusual and sharp features helped him avoid unnecessary approaches from people. His unruly long golden hair with red streaks at certain ends that he held high with a pony tail made him look regal like a lion and an ethereal fire spirit.
After getting out of view, the man arrives at a door with a code number reading, "A0-74". Seeing the matching code numbers on his cabin keys, the man soon dissapears to the room.
The heavy baggages were loaded in a metal cabinet with loud thuds and a metallic click.
Getting a slow inhale, the man let's out a huff. "My, those stares... I won't ever get used to them".
In the cabin room, there was a white single bed, a bedside desk with a candle lamp, a lacquered office desk with drawers and an oil lamp, a metal closet, a circular permanent glass window.
"Look at this room without my positivity and knowledge, I would've thought this is some sort of a prison... I should just write on my journal before going through my mails" He says taking out a journal from his inner chest pocket. On it was a clipped-on fountain pen and a golden lion inside a circle of wisteria flower crest. Engraved at the lower corner of the journal's leader cover is a kanji that reads: Senjuro Rengoku.
"I miss you, guys." Senjuro says after reading the stack of well-written and heartfelt letters. He sits quietly for a moment before starting to organize the mess of letters and envelopes and tying them into a neat bundle but, not before a single white envelope that he somehow strangely missed slipped out of the bundle and lands on the floor.
It read: "To my dear son, Leo Sunfire" in Russian.
Shocked by the revelation, Senjuro drops down his knees grabbing the fallen letter like it would vanish the next second. "Father... This– I couldn't have missed this!" He exclaims in sudden frustration.
Who wouldn't be? Shinjuro Rengoku, his father and only remaining direct blood family only writes once every four months and yet he misses the first letter of the year? He thought about all the pain and hardships they went through when their beloved family... And friends died. Senjuro starts to daze back in time many years ago...
Despite the endless comfort and support when their ex-colleagues in the disbanded Demon Slayer Corps, it still felt like they could do nothing but to rely on each other. A remaining parent and a remaining son.
It was only 2 years after that Muzan war that Senjuro decided to pursue the art healing and medicine. Thinking about all the physical and metal damage it did to everyone was nothing but devastating and tragic.
The Ubuyashiki's remaining blood namely, Kiriya Ubuyashiki - the only son, Kanata Ubuyashiki and Kuina Ubuyashiki - the youngest twin girls, are given the short chance to mourn for the death of their parents, Amane and Kagaya Ubuyashiki and 2 older twin sisters, Nichika and Hinaki Ubuyashiki. The temple wanted to take the orphaned Ubuyashiki siblings but, Kiriya insisted he'll manage the remains of their family by himself so Kuina stayed along with him and only Kanata went to the temple.
After that decision was made, Giyuu Tomioka, Uzui Tengen, Shinjuro Rengoku, and a few more former members of the disbanded Corps stayed with them at certain times. Most slayers decided to settle down after 3 years, Tengen has 2 kids already, Tanjiro and Kanao got married about a year now and are expecting their first child, Nezuko and Zenitsu are engaged as well as, Inosuke and Aoi, Giyuu looked like he'd stay alone like Urokodaki Sakonji.
It was that time that Senjuro came home one day and knelt beside his father telling him he wanted to become a doctor. Shinjuro was happy and proud for his son's decision but the consequences was that, Senjuro had to temporarily live in the capital to study from genuine doctors and access the public libraries for a medicine books. He only came home every weekends and leaves homes early for the weekdays.
The Rengoku household was sad and gloomy. Having no more wars to fight, the fire of the family has noticeably died down but, not the fire in their hearts. The Rengoku family still has that burning passion in their hearts that will never be extinguished.
Senjuro developed a burning passion for science. The scientific way of diagnosing diseases and illnesses to including the traditional way of curing it with either synthetic drugs or herbs and other traditional healing materials and equipments.
"HOOOOT!!!! HOOOT!!! HOOOOTT!!!", The sudden blaring blows of the ship's chimneys forced Senjuro to snap back in reality. It's engines has started and now it was time to sail away.
"Sh*t...", He couldn't help but curse from shock. "Finally,... Time to get home" Senjuro mutters under his breath as he stands up from the floor and flops down his bunker. In his hand is the opened letter from Shinjuro.
"Senjuro,
How are you, son? I've missed you. Within the years that you've been away from home, a lot of things happened.
The former slayers still regularly visit me, especially that Kamado boy and his family. There is also Uzui-kun and his kids, they're very cute— and noisy. I remember how I used to hate noises and crowds despite being a loud person myself back then. Thinking about it now, is really embarrassing.
Anyway, I wish I could celebrate this new year with you here back home. I know how busy you are but, this is my only wish every single day.
You see, I should have known what I had and what I lost back then. Because if I did, maybe you and Kyojuro didn't have to go away.
I'm sorry for writing this sad words. I just don't know how to express my feelings right now. Last year, me and everyone else decided to celebrate the end of the year in the Ubuyashiki mansion. Everyone else were present with their families, their faces were gilled with pure bliss and peace despite everything. Of course I'm happy for them but, me and Kiriya-san wished that the three of you could be here. You, Kanata-san, and Kuina-chan.
Even, Kuina-chan wrote a letter that she'll do something about it after she finishes her errands in Ireland.
Come home as soon as possible, my dear son. We all missed you. Million amounts of words couldn't compare to you guys' presence.
I love you, son. I will always be waiting here at home.
Father"
The feeling that came from the letter was overwhelming.
"No need to wait, father. Your son is on his way home.... 4 years, huh?". His voice cracks.
Senjuro lied on bed with his arm covering his tearstained face. Allowing sorrow to lull him to sleep and try to ease the pain. The waves seemingly sympathizing with the man.