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He’s going to get Shinobu back for this.
“Are you busy right now Tengen?”
A stupidly sweet question from the insect pillar that Tengen had naïvely answered truthfully without giving it a second thought.
“Not really. Just heading back home, my wives are cooking up a feast!” Of course he’d be excited to share the information about his lovely, flashy, amazing wives.
Of course, he just had to open his mouth.
“Oh, do you think you’ll have enough for a few extra people?”
“I suppose so… You could join if you’d like?” He thinks that’s what she’s asking. An odd way to go about it, though he’s never been great at social ques to begin with. “Sure, why not! The more the merrier!”
Shinobu clapped her hands together. “Wonderful!”
He can’t remember the last time he had Shinobu over for dinner. Schedules seemed to always be contradicting one another, and if it wasn’t a new mission he was on it was the butterfly mansion being filled to the brim with the sick and injured.
“Because I won’t be able to make it. But I have three little rascals who need a place to go tonight.”
“Huh?” He asked dumbly.
This right here is why they never ate together.
“There’s no room for them here.” There’s that smile of hers again, “and I’m afraid if I have to deal with one more meltdown from Zenitsu, I’m going to actually go insane.”
Ah. Well, that explained to him who the three regressors were at the very least.
He didn’t mind babysitting, still he’d like a better warning next time, rather than being tricked into it.
Tengen sighed, “Fine, where are they?”
~~~
Tengen managed to gather up the three of regressors, starting the long journey back to his estate. It would have been a lot faster trip for him by himself but he highly doubted the capability of the three to keep up with him on a good day, let alone regressed to various ages.
Inosuke was sitting on his shoulders, looking around at the new found height with a childlike awe.
He had been running around on foot moments before, but with three little ones to look after Tengen quickly realized that he didn’t feel like chasing down a curious toddler into the woods because Inosuke saw something he wanted to fight.
It took a bit of convincing to carry the mentally younger teen, who refused to admit to being dependent on anyone. Getting the chance to ‘scout ahead’ for ‘dangerous threats’ was all the regressor needed to be told to allow the sound Hashira to pick him up, thus his positioning now.
Zenitsu was being held on his hip.
Regressed the youngest out of three and original refused to even think about the mere idea of walking more than five steps in any direction, let alone to the sound Hashira’s residents. A near breakdown and desperate grabby hands later and now Tengen wasn’t sure if the regressor would even want to be put back down on the ground even if his caregiver wanted to.
And finally, Tanjiro, who was walking along besides him, holding onto his other hand to keep balance but adamant he could walk on his own. He had his sister’s box on his back, insisting to hold onto it himself despite his younger mindset. It only slowed the four of them down more, but the sound hashira didn’t bring any attention to it.
When they finally make it closer to his place Inosuke shouts, “Look! Danger! A horrible monster!”
He’s pointing at someone walking across the garden. It takes the sound hashira no time at all to identify the ‘threat.’ Long black hair tied into a ponytail, a purple low cut cheongsam dress, clearly beautiful in every way.
“That’s my wife brat!”
Inosuke sticks his tongue out at him.
He’d smack the regressor’s head if he could, but Zenitsu’s starting to fuss and he doesn’t want to deal with a crying baby.
Tanjiro breaks away from Tengen’s hold and goes running up to Hinatsuru. “Hi miss Hina!” He calls out energetically and it doesn’t take long for the woman to realize he’s small.
“Hi there doll, we haven’t seen you in a little while.”
The little giggles as she ruffles his hair, basking in the affection.
She looks up at her husband, blinks. “Oh we have three babies today it seems?”
“Notta baby!” Inosuke yells nearly falling off of Tengen’s shoulders at the same time as Tengen replies. “Yup. I’m adopting these three, they’re our children now.”
Hina laughs warmly, picking up Tanjiro as she does.
“Well aren’t we just the luckiest in the world. Little angels all to ourselves. Just wait until Makio and Suma find out.” She kisses the tip of Tanjiro’s nose making the boy giggle again.
The five make their way into the house.
“Lord Tengen you’re finally back! What took you so long?” Suma calls the moment she hears heavy footsteps. “I hate cooking, and Makio’s only making it worse! Tell her to stop yelling at me.”
“Well maybe if you didn’t burn all of the food I wouldn’t have to!”
“Girls! No fighting in front of the babies.” Hinatsuru scolds her fellow wives.
“Babies? Oh.”
“Awww! Let me hold Zeni! I’ve had a hard day I need baby cuddles!” Suma says, running up towards Tengen.
“Here. Take him.”
Zenitsu doesn’t seem all that thrilled that he’s no longer being held by the older man, but he calms the moment he register’s who’s now holding him.
“Hi baby. I’ve missed seeing you.” Zenitsu babbles something which Suma pretends to understand. “You missed me too? Awww.”
“It would be nice to have a little heads up next time.” Makio says.
“Tell that to Shinobu.” Tengen gripes, setting down Inosuke who immediately runs to the kitchen. “All I said was-” He gets cut off with inpatient tug to his arm. “No talking, something smells good. I wanna eat.”
Makio ruffles Inosuke’s hair. “Easy there, food’s coming.”
“I’m hungry!” Inosuke whines, pulling on his caregiver’s arms and leading them towards the kitchen.
“Okay, okay. We’re coming you gremlin.”
There is a warm feeling in his chest as Tengen let’s the regressor drag him along. His wives following behind him with the other two littles.
Dinner is lively. Delicious as always, but there is something special about sharing with more people. Maybe it’s the reason why he enjoys entertaining guests.
The house is filled with the sounds of family.
His family.
Tengen could get used to this.