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It’s been a while since Iguro saved him and his sister; now they live with him in his estate which is an enormous place for a pair of fairies like them.
Of course, Tanjirou and Nezuko can grow full human size, but they both prefer to stay like that; it’s easier to hide from demons and it’s their natural size so they’re used to it.
However, Tanjirou does grow bigger every now and then so he can hug Iguro and his friend Kanroji. The first time that happened, the fairy with long, red hair thought they both got mad because the love hashira turned completely red and Iguro almost passed out.
But turns out that’s how humans show everyone how happy they are or at least that’s what Kanroji told him later.
Now he turns into human size every time Kanroji visits and drinks tea with the two of them while Nezuko stays on Tanjirou’s shoulder the whole time, she doesn’t like to change her size very often.
Iguro starts bringing him different kinds of dresses that are a lot different from what fairies can make for themselves, but Tanjirou loves every single one of them anyway. Kanroji brings him shiny stuff too that the fairy has learned to wear. Most of the shiny stuff goes around his neck. Although once she brought him something made of gold for Tanjirou’s ankle.
One day another Pillar comes to visit; Kanroji and Iguro have told Tanjirou about them, although not that much, but the fairy had started to grow really curious about the others.
Iguro leaves Kaburamaru with him and tells him to stay there. Now, Tanjirou is a good fairy and he likes to follow his friend’s orders, but he’s also very curious, like any other of his kind.
He can hear voices from inside the house; perhaps it’s because Iguro is very protective of both him and his sister, but it seems like he doesn’t want to bring the other hashira to the backyard.
However, she gets there anyway and is quickly followed by Kanroji. The new hashira is pretty, but a lot smaller than the other two; her hair is dark, although the tips of her hair are purple, but that’s not the thing that catches Tanjirou’s attention. No, it’s actually the butterfly attached to the back of her hair what makes Tanjirou fly towards her without even realizing what he’s doing.
“I didn’t know you had butterflies in your garden too… Wait, that’s not a butterfly.”
“Hi!” Tanjirou says. “My name is Kamado Tanjirou and I’m a fairy! It’s a pleasure to meet you!”
The surprise on her face probably lasts a second before it vanishes, only to be replaced by a kind smile.
“I didn’t know things like you existed at all.”
“There are not many of us in the world,” Tanjirou mumbles sadly, getting closer to her. He notices that Iguro is not that happy, not even Kanroji and he wonders if they’re angry with him.
Although they seem to be glaring at the other hashira.
“That’s a shame, sweetie,” she says. “Although that must mean you are very special. It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Kocho Shinobu.”
Tanjirou then introduces his little sister to her who can’t stop herself from rushing towards the butterfly on Kocho’s hair.
“Nezuko!”
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I don’t mind. Let her.”
Tanjirou blushes because he wants to say something, but at the same time he doesn’t want to be rude.
“Kocho-san… I… I know it’s not my business, but I can’t help but notice there’s no vital energy coming from that butterfly, besides, I have tried to communicate with her and she doesn’t respond.”
Finally, the Pillar offers her palm for Tanjirou to stand on.
“Shinobu, be careful!” Kanroji says, looking worried and a little bit upset by the situation.
“I’m being careful,” Kocho retorts, before turning around with Tanjirou in her hands. “Now, Tanjirou… don’t worry, this butterfly is just a hair clip. It’s not a real butterfly.”
“Oh!” Tanjirou blinks, fascinated as he watches Nezuko flying around the clip and giggling. “Can I touch it?”
“Of course, Tanjirou. Anything for you,” Kocho winks. Kanroji pouts immediately and Iguro hisses.
Although the fairy is too distracted to notice how irritated his friends are at the moment.
Up close Tanjirou can tell it’s definitely not real, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting; the fairy taps it lightly and its wing moves, making him giggle.
“I have a lot of butterflies, real ones, in my estate, you should come with me to meet them all, Tanjirou.”
“Maybe another day,” Kanroji says before Tanjirou can say anything to Kocho.
“Then I’ll have to come back to see Tanjirou… and Nezuko again.”
“That’s not–”
“That’d be great, Kocho-san!” Tanjirou is so excited, he doesn’t notice the glare Iguro is throwing in Kocho’s direction.
He even grows full human size and hugs the hashira, whose cheeks turn slightly pink for a moment.
“You can… that’s very interesting, Tanjirou,” Kocho smiles, putting her hands on the fairy’s waist. “I didn’t know you could make yourself taller.”
“I don’t do this very often, but I like to hug my friends!” Tanjirou says, beaming at the three of them, making them look back at him in awe.
“I’ll definitely come back to see you.”
“Don’t,” Iguro hisses, but Kocho just laughs in response.
***
Iguro usually leaves Kaburamaru behind whenever he and Mitsuri have to attend a hashira meeting, even though Tanjirou assures him that he appreciates it, but doesn’t think they need it.
Unfortunately, Iguro is very stubborn.
Because of that, or at least it’s what Kocho tells him the next time she comes to visit, the other Pillars get suspicious.
The very next day, there are not only three hashira, but nine of them in the backyard and since Tanjirou doesn’t want to be rude, he gets closer and introduces himself.
All of them seem to be very surprised; just as Kocho, none of them knew fairies existed up until now.
Himejima is probably the most gentle of them all; he lets the siblings sit on his huge palm and listens patiently as Tanjirou explains what fairies are to him.
Then the fairy with red hair grows until he’s human size and hugs them all because Tanjirou loves to make new friends, especially ones that are so kind to him and his sister.
“I’d like a kiss on the cheek as well,” Uzui says suddenly.
Iguro looks like he’s about to hit the sound hashira with something, but Tanjirou is already using his wings to reach Uzui’s face. He gives him a quick peck on the cheek and the next thing he knows is that the others want one too.
The thing is… Tanjirou is not sure if that’s a good idea since everyone ends up acting really weird afterwards; Rengoku turns completely red, Tomioka walks into a tree, Shinazugawa stays still, looking at nothing in particular for a while, Tokito can’t seem to stop smiling and Himejima keeps touching his cheek after the kiss.
Kanroji squeals in delight, even though she’s more used to Tanjirou’s physical affection; Kocho looks like she’s melting and Iguro has to blink a couple of times in order to remember where he is and what he’s doing.
Tanjirou is already thinking about not doing that again, but they make him promise he will always greet them with a kiss whenever they come to visit.
“Who’s giving you permission to come back?” Iguro hisses, looking very much pissed already.
“Well… it looks like there’s no other way but to have Tanjirou visiting it us instead,” Tomioka says and before the fairy can agree to it, Iguro is already shaking his head.
“Fine. You can come here whenever you want!” He agrees reluctantly before pulling Tanjirou closer.
Tanjirou is just happy to have so many new friends already!