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"Are you sure you can go alone?"
Tanjirou asked for the third time, took an empty basket and handed it to the young woman with black-orange hair standing in the doorway. The young woman wore a pale pink kimono with snowy flower motifs along with her usual dark-brown plaid obi and a green-white haori with embroidered pinwheels. Her long hair is pulled back into a neat bun match the outfit, she wears an usual pink bow on her head and two green-white bows at the bottom of her bun.
"Hai." Nezuko nodded, took the empty basket from her brother and placed a square box carefully wrapped in black and white striped fabric into it.
"Um...you sure? Do you need me to go with you?"
"I'm fine, really." She insisted. "…You already know someone will be there with me, Onii-chan."
Tanjirou said nothing, silently turned his gaze behind his little sister to look at a five-year-old boy with dark eyes, who was watching a wild flower and touching it mischievously once in a while.
"I know, but Gen-chan..." He breathed out, still worried.
"Don't need Tanjirou oji-chan! Gen will protect Nee!" The kid suddenly interrupted him and ran to hug her legs.
"It's Nezuko." She corrected, taking the child's small hand.
Tanjirou bent down to rub the kid's head and smiled. "Of course Gen-chan!" He kissed his head lightly and stood up.
"Give my hello to him." He reminded, though it wasn't really necessary because Nezuko always did.
She nodded in understanding, give Tanjirou a goodbye and led the child to leave.
__________
The black-orange hair girl hurriedly ran through the corridor at Pillar manor, pulled the folded paper door and entered the white room.
Tanjirou opened his eyes, woke up from the noise. He rubbed his eyes and sat up from the bed to watch his gasping sister standing in his hospital room.
"Nezuko, what's wrong?" He asked, still looking hazy and sleepy. Even though he had slept more than a month after last battle with Kibutsuji Muzan and had just awakened not long ago, his body was still unable to function normally.
The girl shook her head, adjusting her fast breathing, she reached out to rearrange her long hair that was messed up by running and pulled a chair down beside him.
"Eh, nothing. Just came to see you, Onii-chan." She answered.
"Oh." He covered his mouth with a hand while yawning, but then remembered something, frowned at the girl.
"But you just left about thirty minutes ago."
The girl looked awkward like a deer caught in the headlights. Hands unconsciously rubbed fabric of the kimono and if he didn't look wrong, there a red blotch appeared on her cheek. She rolled her eyes around the room and stopped, bending down to stare at her palms like they were the most interesting things in the world.
"Right…um..."
"Yeah?" Tanjirou tilted his head in confusion.
"C-can you..." The girl hesitated. Tanjirou concentrated on listening. She looked up at him for a second and bent down again.
"Can you t-teach me how to m-make Ohagi?"
"Ohagi?" Tanjirou breathed a sigh.
Turns out she just asked him to teach her how to make Ohagi, there's nothing to be so stressed out. His sister looked like she was about to faint.
"Okay, sure."
But why did she want to make Ohagi. "Why did you suddenly want to make Ohagi, Nezuko?" He forced his mouth to speak his mind.
Nezuko was silent as if she was thinking of a proper reason before telling him that she wanted to make a cake for everyone to celebrate their health after their fight with Kibutsuji Muzan. He didn't look convinced, but didn't ask any more.
"Aha!" Tanjirou clapped his hands together, a light shining in his head.
"You can ask Shinazugawa-san. I heard he likes and knows Ohagi very well."
He proudly recalled, if she wanted to make Ohagi, no one would be more suitable than Shinazugawa-san.
Unexpected reaction from Nezuko, she looked even more awkward and embarrassed when he mentioned Shinazugawa Sanemi. She shook her head violently and her hands went forward to refuse, her face suddenly red and sweat flowing down her cheeks. He started to wonder if Shinazugawa-san had something to do with his sister's strange condition when she broke into his hospital room after leaving thirty minutes ago and suddenly wanted to make Ohagi.
Finally he dismissed the idea and agreed to help. The girl thanked him and happily left the room. Tanjirou sat blankly thinking, now he noticed, when he mentioned Shinazugawa-san, Nezuko's smell suddenly changed. It was like... hm, he closed his eyes, folded his arms across his chest trying to remember. Right! It was like smell of their mother when she talked about their father.
Tanjirou wondered what this meant.
__________
The kid let go of her hand and ran forward as soon as they said goodbye to Tanjirou.
"Hold on, Gen!" She called, chasing the hyperactive boy.
"Nee! Look at this! Look at this!" The five-year-old kid plucked a white lily on roadside and turned to her with a grin, delightedly showing her the flower and dropping it in the basket next to the square box. He grabbed her haori sleeve and jumped back and forth on his leg.
"Where are we going?" The little boy excitedly asked.
Nezuko lightly touched his head and corrected it.
"It's Nezuko." She insisted, looking at him with serious eyes. "And we're going to pick flowers to put in this basket." She pointed to the basket beside her and smiled.
"Gen like flowers, right?"
The kid's sparkling black eyes opened wide eagerly and he jumped. Small head was nodding furiously, the short black-orange hair swayed with every movement.
__________
Everyone returned from their work and Nezuko prepared meals for them. Today Giyuu-san and Urokodaki-sensei have a job in neighboring village so they can't eat with them; only Nezuko, her brother, Inosuke and Zenitsu are at home.
They have lunch and talk about everything during day. Nezuko listened, she would smile when her brother excitedly told about hunting a rabbit or Inosuke was still mistaken for villagers because he wore a mask to their house to work. She continued to eat and pick up a piece of pickled radish when her brother suddenly changed the topic.
"Which reminds me, has Shinazugawa-san recently visited here?" Tanjirou asked nonchalantly, naturally putting another piece of rabbit meat in his mouth.
"You right Gonpachirou, I saw him with the brat (read: Nezuko) yesterday afternoon." Inosuke added. "Just two of them, together."
Inosuke's comment didn't seem to save anything. The piece of pickled radish slipped from Nezuko's chopstick and fell straight to ground, the girl choked off rice bowl and coughed, banging on her chest to calm down. Her face immediately turned red.
"Nezuko!"
Tanjirou quickly patted her back and handed her a glass water. He once again smelled his mother's familiar scent when she talked about his father from his sister. Zenitsu was confused and Inosuke just tilted his head to look at her.
"You're burning Nezuko!" Her brother panickedly placed his hand on her forehead to measure her body temperature. He stood up and walked towards the bedroom, they heard him mumbling, other rustling sounds rang out and finally Tanjirou appeared outside with a basket on his back, holding a sickle. He said he would immediately go and pick her medicine because the house was out of herbs.
Nezuko paled, ran back to drag him down, stop him and make sure she wasn't sick; Tanjirou worried but reluctantly agreed (that night she still received a herbal bag from her brother).
He innocently asked why she blushed if she wasn't sick. His younger sister was silent and didn't respond while Zenitsu kicked him, looked frustrated and started to mourn, muttering 'some disgusting white-haired bastard'. Tanjirou and Inosuke looked at each other, deciding continue eating forgotten meals.
No one noticed the pink-eyed girl sneakily touching two green-white bows in her hair and smiling, remembering someone's embarrassed face when he stopped by and gave her a pair of his characteristic colored bows yesterday.
__________
The two stopped in front of a large field flowers. The kid shouted with interest and began searching for some beautiful flowers. Nezuko followed and sighed happily watching the energetic child. Let him freely pick any flowers he liked, she bent down place the basket on a nearby rock, watching the colorful field flower.
The young woman giggled remembering but hurriedly shook her head and began to walk towards the little black-orange haired boy, who was busy choosing between a wild daisies and a white daffodil.
"Gen!"
The boy turned his head to the voice and waved his small hand to call her closer, pointed at flowers in front of him.
She approached and knelt beside the little boy. He immediately spread his hands in front of, showing off colorful flowers he had just proudly picked. Nezuko received the flowers and rubbed his head in praise.
"Can I put them in the basket?" She asked, the boy grinning and pulling her towards the basket on the rock.
About fifteen minutes when they finished. Empty basket at first was filled with bright colorful flowers intertwined, next to it was still a square box surrounded by a white striped black cloth. Nezuko looked at her work, put her hands on her hips and smiled proudly.
The kid lifted the basket up before she could hold it.
"H-heavy..."
He grimaced but still persisted a few more steps, motioning for her to follow. Nezuko walked beside to comfort him, the job seemed overwhelming for a five-year-old kid. She was just afraid he would stumble or drop the basket. The boy shook his head vigorously to refuse, still holding the basket patiently. Nezuko sighed, so stubborn, just like his father.
"Come on Gen." She called, the kid still stubbornly deliberately not listening.
"Shinazugawa Genya."
The child immediately froze, knowing so well what would happen when his mother called his full name. Small head bent down slightly, puffed up his cheeks before turning around and handed her the basket.
"Good boy." She smiles contentedly.
Nezuko took his hand and they left field flower.
__________
She pulled folding door, surprised to see him leaning against the wall waiting for her, his arms folded across his chest. It was a beautiful afternoon. He wears a plain gray summer yukata and a green-white stripe haori embroidered with pinwheel motifs.
"Let's go." He said simply, his white hair covering the deep black eyes as he pushed away from the wall. Without waiting for her to agree, he turned and started to leave.
The black-orange haired girl looked at him blankly and hastily put on wooden clogs and clumsily chased him.
"W-wait, Sanemi-san!"
She caught up to him shortly afterwards, her face flushed and her breathing was irregular. The smirking man looked at her with interest and gave her a light brown umbrella. Nezuko looked at him, then glanced at umbrella in her hand and turned to look at him again. Sanemi rubbed his tangled hair and sighed, tapping her forehead.
"Idiot, cover it up." He muttered and turned away, a blush on his cheeks as the girl immediately beamed and opened the umbrella to avoid intense sunlight. Sometimes Sanemi wonders if she's daughter of sun god, why her smile is so bright and warm (of course he never told her that).
The two continued walk, Nezuko humming a familiar song and occasionally spinning umbrella in her hand; the white-haired man quietly walked beside her, listening to her melodious singing. Something green and white in her hair entered his field of vision. Sanemi turned to peek at her from his corner eyes, two green-white bows neatly embedded in her long silky hair; moving slightly as the girl walked. He couldn't help but feel happy because she used them, they suited her hair. The man smiled softly and quickly turned forward, not wanting her to catch him staring.
Sanemi led her through a long road, they climbed a steep slope and entered a strange area that Nezuko had never been to before. He walked slower so she could keep up, occasionally bringing his hand to guide her get over difficult places, his hand big and warm, Nezuko couldn't help but blush at the touch.
They stopped in front of a valley with intertwined vines clinging to cliffs and other old trees. She wondered why he suddenly wanted to lead her here, where was nothing more interesting than vines and uneven rocks. She got her answer soon after.
The white haired man carefully turned the branches of vines and motioned her to follow, the girl nodded behind him. Sanemi suddenly turned around, his big hand raised in front of and covered her pale pink eyes.
He reassured her when he felt the girl startle. Nezuko closed her eyes and clung to his arm, allowing him to lead her way.
The field of colorful flowers filled with aroma momentarily appeared in sight. Nezuko gasped, her pale pink eyes widening and lips trembling uncertainly. She doesn't dream, right? The girl rubbed her eyes once more and turned to look at him, the white-haired man was no longer beside her, causing she to panic. She heard footsteps behind and a bright red rose was quickly planted into her long hair.
"It's suits you." He commented, his dark eyes watching her carefully.
Before she could react, he pulled her into a tight hug.
"You... know, are you?" He whispered, his voice soothing and calm as breeze. Nezuko trembled and wrapped her arms around his large body, she nodded chokedly, tears streaming down her pale skin. She knew, her brother had said everything to her.
"Shit. Please don't cry." The man gently stroked a stray hair behind her ear and squeezed her trembling small body.
'Why do you still accept me?'
He wanted to ask, but he already knew the answer. Does he just want to confirm again? He didn't want her to regret. He didn't want her to suffer. But he loved her too much to leave her for someone else.
He love her.
He loved the girl seven years younger than him. A gentle, hardworking and kind girl. A girl with long hair hanging down like a stream flowing with beautiful face and soft pink lips was always smiling, smiling brightly like the sun. He loved everything belonged to her.
Someone once told him that he shouldn't love her. She deserve better. Sanemi sees a part of himself agreeing with them. They're right to think that, a bastard like him has no right to be happy. But he wanted to be happy. She was all he called happiness.
A cold breeze blew along petals filled with colors, it danced around them and touched their bare skin. Sweet fragrance spreads out in space. Nezuko was still crying on his shoulder, her face was flushed and her eyes were puffy, his haori were soaked with tears. He pulled her out and put his hand on her chin to keep her looking at him.
"Are you sure?" He asked, looking straight into the puffy pink eyes, they still looked beautiful.
She nodded and sobbed even louder. Sanemi slowly kissed her pale pink eyes, he turned to see her reaction and continued kiss tears running down her flushed face, tasting salty on his tip tongue. Nezuko trembled under the touch, her arms automatically around his back head pulled him closer. His corners lip twisted at her reaction and quickly touched her parted lips, pulling her into a passionate and hot kiss. His greedy lips explore every nook and cranny in her mouth, taste all sweetness; their tongues entwine and their breathing becomes intense.
Fuck. She tasted so good. He kissed her until she could no longer breathe. Nezuko trembled on her feet, her strength drained and her face burned. The girl clung to him and tried to adjust her breathing.
Sanemi lifted her up and pulled her into another kiss.
__________
"Kaa-chan, can we stop to play?"
The little boy looked at her with perturbed eyes and pointed to a wooden swing on their way. They have just left field flower for a while.
Nezuko shook her head and gripped his hand tightly.
"We'll play after."
"No! I want to play swing now!"
The kid struggled and tried to pry open her fingers and run to the swing. Nezuko pulled him, bent down to rattle his short black-orange hair.
She pointed to the basket beside her. "Do you want Tou-chan to get angry?"
The boy looked at the basket in her hand, hesitating as though making a choice in his mind. He bit his lip tightly and shook his head, obediently moving on.
"Gen wants to meet Tou-chan..." He whispered and hid his small face into her arms.
_________
Nezuko touched a two-year-old sleeping child on her lap and rested her head on the man, who wrapped his arms around her small body. Moonlight silently reflected images of the three.
Sanemi looked so peaceful beside her with his eyes half closed and his breathing steady. Enjoy feeling of stillness and happiness.
"Sanemi..." She whispered, snuggling closer to his chest in search of warmth.
"Hm... are you cold?" He gently bent down to kiss her long hair and hold her tighter. "Let's go inside."
The girl shook her head and took his remaining large hand in hers, looked at the scars in his palm and began touching them, tracing trail with interest.
"Don't look." His voice was husky, warm breath against her ear made her blush a little.
"Why?"
"It’s ugly."
"It’s not." — She protested, lifting his arm and pressing it against her cheek, feeling warmth. “Not ever.”
He watched her under thick lashes, falling into deep state of indifference with an unreadable expression. Silence passed and none of them said anything, his lips hesitantly opening and closing.
"I'm really, really happy." She spoke to break the silence, her pale pink eyes glinting straight into his deep black eyes. Gentle and understanding.
Ah. Of course she knows. He leaned down to kiss her forehead lightly and allowed himself to smile.
The sleeping baby suddenly turned to embrace his parents as if indirectly agreeing with them.
Simple just like that. But for her, it was the shape of happiness.
And that's enough.
_________
The young woman knelt in front of a grave, gently put down the basket of flowers. She pulled a square box out of the basket, removed black and white striped cloth and opened the lid; she chuckled to look at Ohagi cakes inside and missed the white-haired man again. Ohagi is always his favorite food. Every time she visited him, she always bring him a box of Ohagi. She was sure if he were here, he would pretend to be angry and tell her to bring two boxes next time because they were still too few for his stomach.
Nezuko fell into a state of deep contemplation, her pale pink eyes gazing at black kanjis clearly etched on the grave.
Shinazugawa Sanemi.
A simple letters but always sent cuts in her heart.
Those people who awaken mark will have a limited life span, they can't live past 26 years. Her brother told her when she confided to him about her feelings for the white-haired man. Still, she wanted to be with him.
"You really, really want to be with someone like me?"
The question always repeated every time he was with her. She knew he always thought he wasn't worthy. He wanted her happy. He treasured and loved her more than his life. She knew. She understands.
She loves him so much.
Nezuko hung her head and trembled slightly. No matter how many years passed, it still felt like that. Pain and happiness are always interwoven.
"Kaa-chan..."
A slight jerk on the hem of haori made her look to beside in confusion. Genya looked at her with sad black eyes tearfully. The kid sat down and nestled close to her, his small hand touching petals, took a red spider lily, plucked petals and dropped it to the grave. The petals slowly fell and followed the wind, merging around them.
"Tou-chan..." He whined, hugging her shoulders tightly. "...Tou-chan doesn't want to see Kaa-chan cry."
Nezuko's eyes widened at him and reluctantly smiled, hugging him tightly.
"Thanks you, Gen."
They stayed for another hour. She chatted with him, telling him everything happened to her and Genya, along with their acquaintances.
A gust of wind suddenly blew past, hugged her for a moment and vanished.
Nezuko leaned down to kiss the grave, lips whispering something then gently took Genya's hand and left. Back to their beloved home.
"See you later, Sanemi."
_End_