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"Ah, so you were trained by a former Hashira as well!" Zenitsu winced slightly at the loud tone the Flame Hashira had taken, but he nodded as an answer.
"That's so cool, Agatsuma-kun!" the Love Hashira gushed, flapping her hands in excitement "It must have been so hard, though!"
"It was." the blond shuddered, his body shivering in fear at the memory "I've never known a hell like that. Nothing will ever beat his training..." he whispered.
"But he must have been proud of you!" Rengoku-sama added. Zenitsu paused. Proud. Gramps. He was proud.
"He is." he nodded, a small smile on his face.
Using the crutches to move around, Zenitsu slowly made his way up the hill to his Gramps' Estate, a pair of Kakushi by his side to help him walk. His body still hurt from his fight with Upper 3, but the fact that he's still standing should count for something. "Agatsuma-sama, are you sure you don't want to send your sparrow to deliver this message for your family?" one asked, the concern evident in the tone. The blond gently shook his head.
"No. Ukogi needs a break. He nearly got in the range of the fight." he said. His sparrow already worked his ass off and did his best. He should take a break. The Kakushi who spoke blinked, sounds spiking up in surprise, but then nodded. There was a small hint of understanding.
"We're almost there, it seems. I can see the building from here." the other Kakushi pointed. Zenitsu felt a small warmth spread throughout his chest as the group approached the former Rumble Hashira's Estate. He could smell the peaches from the distance, he could hear his Gramps' sounds. He was home. He was home. And it felt right.
He pushed himself further, eventually approaching the entrance. He faltered for a moment, Kaigaku's sounds also reaching his ears. He was there, too? Couldn't the world give him a break? Why did this bastard have to be here? He scowled at his sounds, he could hear the pride in them. He was probably telling Gramps about the many demons he had slayed. Kaigaku had a lot more experience than Zenitsu did, the blond could admit that. He's not like his senior.
He can't call him his senior.
"Agatsuma-sama, are you alright?" the first Kakushi asked. He nodded, relaxing himself.
"Yeah. Just a bit nervous." he whispered. Slowly, he reached a hand out, his knuckles brushing softly against the door. He knocked softly on the door. He heard the quiet, like a pin dropping. The shuffling coming from inside, and the sound of footsteps and Kaigaku's sounds approaching. He bit back a growl as the door slowly slid open, revealing the familiar black-haired boy with turquoise eyes. He blinked, surprise melting into his bitter sounds, like a string untuned.
"...Zenitsu?" he named, like if he was a ghost or something.
"Hey." the blond awkwardly waved. There was an awkward silence that settled, Kaigaku just staring in disbelief at the blond. Zenitsu pushed past him, using the crutches to move and take a step inside the Estate. The two Kakushis moved to help.
"A-Agatsuma-sama, please be careful! Your legs still aren't healed properly, we've told you this many times!" the second one scolded as the blond heard Kaigaku slowly close the sliding door of the building. The blond slowly waddled towards his Gramps' sounds, eventually arriving at the dining room. The old man was sitting quietly, eyes closed. His sounds were at peace. Soothing.
"...Gramps." he called softly. The man opened an eye, his gaze settling on the blond. Carefully, the former Hashira got up, using his cane to push himself up to his feet.
"Well, colour me impressed, Zenitsu." the old man chuckled, a warm smile on his face that almost made the blond tear up. Kaigaku had made his way inside the room as well, staring at the two in confusion.
"And here I thought it was just yesterday that I was seeing you cry over the most minuscule things. And now look at you." he spoke, reaching a hand and tracing the scar that was on his eye "A Hashira, like your trainer." Zenitsu's eye watered at the words, Kaigaku's jealousy blocked out of his range by the kindness and warmth and pride that his Gramps' sounds gave to him, wrapping around him like a cocoon.
"Gramps..."
"You've done a good job, Zenitsu. How about you take a break here?" he offered, looking at the Kakushi "You two, as well. I'll send my old crow to deliver a message to Oyakata-sama."
"Y-Yeah. That sounds great." he stammered, voice breaking slightly.
"W-We couldn't, Kuwajima-sama!" the first Kakushi spoke, hands waved around in nervousness "It- It wouldn't be proper of us to stay here!"
"I insist. You two have helped my student come all the way here. A stubborn brat he can be, I hope he didn't cause you any trouble."
"G-Gramps!"
"He did not! Agatsuma-sama was rather kind. He kept asking if he was hindering us and if we were okay."
"Of course he did."
"GRAMPS!"
"Awwwwww! He's so sweet!" Kanroji-sama squealed, cheeks tinted pink as her eyes sparkled.
"I agree! Your trainer is a very kind and sweet man!" Rengoku-sama nodded loudly "I would like to meet him one day! Perhaps he could teach me some things!" he offered. Zenitsu chuckled.
"Well, I'd like to take you there, if it's okay." he suggested.
"Oh! Oh! Me too, me too!" Kanroji-sama waved "I'd like to meet him, too!"
"Hahah! I don't mind, then." he smiled.