Chapter Text
Kyojuro opened the door a crack when he didn't notice anyone who might have noticed him.
What kind of foolishness is it to disobey Shinobu when she ordered not to go near Tanjiro? Rengoku respected her very much and in any other cases he wouldn't even dare to say something against or do something that he shouldn't have. But... It was a special case. Tanjiro came back last night after the battle with the Six Upper Moons, and he didn't seem to be looking well. Rengoku couldn't see how he was brought to the Butterfly Mansion, but what he heard shocked him. Not only did this boy stay alive, he also managed to chop off the demon's head! However, Tanjiro's condition still worried Rengoku more, and that's why he was standing here, slightly peeking out from behind the door, like a child, shifting from one foot to the other.
"How disrespectful," he thought, "Tanjiro needs a rest, and I will only get in the way. Does he even want to see me?"
Flame Hashira stood near the door for a long time to decide on his choice.
Usually only stupid, impatient children do this, but Kejuro had a burning desire to find out what happened at all, because all these weeks without his student, he was very worried, and then he found out who Tanjiro was fighting against.
Rengoku squeezed his hand on the door handle and gently closed the door.
He sighed, deciding that he had to follow the formalities. You need to be more restrained.
As soon as he closed the door, he heard Tanjiro call him softly.
Rengoku opened the door a crack and looked inside the room, wondering if he was delusional.
"Miss Kocho?" Tanjiro asked softly, lying in his bunk. He was holding his head weakly on his chest, seemingly not even moving his lips.
"It's me," Kyojuro said, a little uncertainly.
"M-mr. Rengoku, is that you?" Tanjiro couldn't contain the joy in his weak voice.
"Shh, please be quiet," Kyojuro asked, putting his finger to his lips.
"M'sorry," Tanjiro said more quietly. "Are you leavin me 'lready?"
"Yes, I have to go, because you need a rest".
"Can you come t'me?" he asked, slightly moving his head to the right.
Kyojuro closed the door, going inside.
"What's wrong?" Rengoku asked as he approached him.
Tanjiro lifted the corners of his lips, noticing his teacher for the first time in such a long time.
"Thirsty..." he pointed at the bedside table with his eyes. "Pwease."
"Oh, I got it", Kyojuro took a glass of water, and holding Tanjiro by the back of the head, brought it to his lips.
Tanjiro got up slightly to drink some water from a glass, and then lay back down.
Kyojuro gently released his hand from the back of his head and put the glass back in place.
"I feel betta'," Tanjiro whispered.
"I'm very happy for you," Kyojuro knelt down on one knee to be at Tanjiro's level. "I have to go, okay? I've already broken some rules for which the girls will spank me with rugs if they find out."
Tanjiro chuckled because he didn't have the strength to laugh anymore.
"Otay, Mr. Rengoku," he turned his head the other way. "Thanks".
Rengoku nodded and left Tanjiro's room, turning around only for a moment.
***
The next morning, Shinobu was on her feet all day, running to one patient to another. It's good that the other swordsmen vacated their bunks and left. This clearly made her job easier.
Rengoku saw how Kocho literally flew back and forth around the estate, and her assistants ran after her tail. Well, it's a good thing he's okay, otherwise she would have gone crazy with his hole in her stomach.
Kyojuro had just returned from his assignment and was watching Shinobu.
He wonder if he could help her in some way?
Remembering Tanjiro, Rengoku thought why not take him on, because, after all, he is his disciple.
After thinking about it, Hashira decided to offer his help to Shinobu, who was sitting in her office and resting after changing the droppers to the swordsmen.
There hasn't been such a fuss in her estate for a long time, even after Kyojuro's arrival with his wound.
"... An aid?" Shinobu smiled tiredly. "Will you prepare medicines with me?"
"No, I want to take one patient on myself!" Rengoku replied. "Will it be easier the same way?"
"I think so", she said. " Well, I mean, it won't play any role for me, but it would be great for Aoi and the girls.
Do you want to take Zenitsu?"
"Why him, Shinobu?" Kejuro asked.
"He is crying because the medicines are too not tasty. Tengen is not in a position to get him to do it.
" Hmm... I can talk to him!" he said. "I think he will listen to me!"
" Then the problem is solved."
"But still!" Kyojuro said a little louder than the other words. "I'd like to take care of Tanjiro Kamado!"
"So that's it," Shinobu said calmly. "You could have said that right away. If you want, you can. Moreover, it is difficult for him to eat or drink, and his hands do not obey him. I think all that will be required of you is feeding him and training him when he gets better".
"Thank you, Shinobu! This is what I need!"
"I'm glad", she smiled. "I just wonder why you decided to do this at all?"
"I think it's just my instincts! I promised that I would take care of him! Moreover, he deserved attention!"
"Good, good," Shinobu said. "You really are a good teacher".
"Don't say that until I've done something," Kyojuro said carefully, so as not to offend Kocho for her words. "But so far, I haven't taught him a single lesson".
"But he admires you, Kyojuro," she said. "Besides, think of Mitsuri. She's making great progress".
"Yes, she's good," Rengoku nodded, remembering his student. " But I'm still a little worried. I can see that Tanjiro has a lot of motivation to go forward for his sister, but won't he be scared of me when we start really hard training?"
"He'll be fine," Shinobu said confidently. "I believe in him."
Kyojuro smiled in response and got up from his chair.
"Thanks again, Shinobu," he said before leaving. "See you tonight!"
"Bye, Kyojuro," she said, still smiling after him.
"I think Tanjiro can handle it."