Chapter Text
The sun beamed through the window. Suddenly, crisp air from the window blew into Tanjirou's room, causing him to open his eyes and gaze at the wooden ceiling of the butterfly mansion. I wonder if I'll be getting my mission anytime soon; it's been a while since I've gone on a mission, Tanjirou conjectured. Tanjirou rose from the bed and shifted his body so he could stand. He stood up from the bed and closed the glass window. Suddenly, he catches a scent of warm peaches and fresh sheets, out in the halls of the butterfly mansion. He quickly buttons his blouse and opens the door.
A bright colored peer passes by and by guess, it’s Zenitsu with a slight tint of blush on his face. It’s certainly no surprise to ever see Zenitsu merry and delighted around Tanjirou. Clearly a year after gaining each other's trust, they’ve built a bond between each other like never before. As soon as Tanjirou opened the door, Zenitsu picked up the sound waves and turned his attention to Tanjirou. Zenitsu then sprinted to Tanjirou and grasped Tanjirou's blouse.“ Tanjirou! Oh the heavens have finally answered my prayers!!” cried Zenitsu. When Tanjirou processed what Zenitsu said, his face was concerned. “ What exactly do you mean by that, Zenitsu?” asked Tanjirou. Zenitsu stammers, due to Tanjirou questioning him about his statement. He quickly replied with a smile and let go of the blouse he was tugging on for a few seconds. Tanjirou brushed it off and blurted,“ Well then, shall we get some breakfast? We mustn’t starve ourselves,” while holding a grin.
Hunger struck against both of them and none of them wanted to perish at their young age. So, Zenitsu agreed as well and both of them walked to the kitchen. Aoi can be seen standing in front of the door, both arms crossed and the usual expression on her face. “ Finally, it’s been such a long morning preparing dishes for you chumps.” She says, “It seems we are missing Inosuke so I'm going to have to guess he’s not awake yet.” Oh, she was so wronged when she stated that. Suddenly, a blue-haired man with a temper— like a boar—ran behind Tanjirou and Zenitsu. “ Hah! The king of the forest shall never skip a feast!!” snickered Inosuke.
“Oh brother..” sighed Zenitsu with a slight look of revulsion on his face.
“ So where's the food?” asked Inosuke.
“It's right in front of you, you moron,” muttered Zenitsu.
“Listen up, imbeciles!” shouted Aoi, “ Your breakfast is ready on the table, no seconds.”
“ Okay, Lady Aoi..” everyone declared.
Inosuke picked up his tray quickly and ran to the dining room, Tanjirou picked up a tray and handed it to Zenitsu with a smile. Zenitsu grabbed the tray, or instead, Tanjirou’s hands.
Both hands were warm, in fact, Zenitsu’s were getting hotter by the second. Why was he getting so heated around his friend? They stood there for 4 seconds and Zenitsu finally awkwardly said something to Tanjirou: “T-Thank you, Tanjirou.” Trying his hardest for Tanjirou not to notice his red blush on his face. He looks away and patiently waits for Tanjirou, hoping to walk alongside him and create small talk. Such a lover.
“Oh Zenitsu, you don’t have to wait for me, but that's really sweet of you,” exclaimed Tanjirou. His small act of kindness made Tanjirou a bit emotional, but as in being greatly appreciated by his companion. Tanjirou grabbed his tray and walked alongside Zenitsu, their shoulders were touching but no one said anything as they quietly walked to the dining room. Tanjirou kept looking at Zenitsu, wondering why he hadn’t glanced up at him.
“So Tanjirou… Have you gotten a mission yet..?” asked Zenitsu.
“Not yet, I really hope they give me one sooner or later..” responded Tanjirou.
They both arrived in the dining room; seeing Inosuke bouncing off the walls after devouring his entire tray.
Zenitsu frowned upon seeing how absurd his own companion was behaving in front of him. Tanjirou grimaced as well. They ignored the ruckus and sat next to each other. Both picked up their utensils and began eating their food trays.
***
After they finished eating, everyone was told to strengthen their exercise and breathing techniques. Inosuke did rapid pushups, flexing and extending his arms to push his entire body up with weights stacked on top of his back. Inosuke found that to be “a piece of cake”.
Tch- what a show off, thought Zenitsu while being Tanjirou’s spotter.
“Ready?” said Tanjirou, making sure it’s safe before getting under the strength machine. Zenitsu nodded and so, Tanjirou began his training while Zenitsu was watching him.
Zenitsu never took his eyes off Tanjirou because he thought weights would crush him. Or he was so admired for his thick biceps and toned back. His eyes were running up and down like he was hungry for something.
He doesn't look that bad.. Honestly, he looks kind of cute, Zenitsu thought. Wait what am I thinking?! He's my best friend, and he knows the type of person I am when around girls.. But he's a guy.. Zenitsu pondered and kept questioning himself about his love interests.
Oh well, it seems like a small attachment to Tanjirou. Nothing big. He refocused on Tanjirou and after 5 more sets, it was Zenitsus' turn.
Oh my days! I have to pull that?! No way! Zenitsu clutched his pearls and was dumbfounded. In this case, Tanjirou had to pull 2 boulders from a tree.
“Aw, I can't do this!! I'm sorry Tanjirou but , I don't think I can pull this off as you can..” cowered Zenitsu. “Well you haven't been on this machine for a while, I think you should at least try! I certainly believe you can pull these boulders.” Tanjirou encouraged, with a proud smile.
“Really?” Responded Zenitsu, with a teary-eyed expression. Not that he was sulky, but he didn't believe in himself being at all muscular or strong. Reckoning himself to be useless ruined his mentality. He would often spend hours in his room, with an empty expression and salty tears dripping down his face. With certainly no one to comfort Zenitsu, it built up over time. But there was one sole purpose to continue his bearing of living, Gramps. He’ll always spend time with Zenitsu, but the elder pursued him to be a swordsman, leading to less time socializing. Poor Zenitsu.
“Yes!! Come on, Inosuke and I will cheer you on, just do your best!” shouted Tanjirou, as Zenitsu went under the strength machine. He breathes out and then tenses up his chest and arms.
Once he breathes out, his arms try to pull the boulders until he lifts them. Tanjirou cheered loudly and surprisingly for Zenitsu, he managed to lift them off the ground. He dropped as soon as possible and quickly tired himself out from that one rep.
Suddenly, Tanjirou grabs Zenitsu's palm and then he slowly begins to hold Zenitsu's hand. Zenitsu glances up with a light blush on his face, one that's the color of a romantic peach. “Gah! Tanjirou..” groaned Zenitsu with a worn-out expression, “What are you doing?”.
“I want to thank you for being my spotter. Also, nice job in trying to do a rep!” Tanjirou answered, “Let's get you some water to cool you off.”
“Okay..” answered Zenitsu, in a sullen tone.
They both awkwardly walk to the well, holding hands, and one covering their face while the other is full of sunshine and rainbows.
“Tanjirou..” said Zenitsu, in a whiny voice.
“Yes?” responded Tanjirou, tilting his head with a grin, enough to turn Zenitsu even redder than before.
“You can let go of my hand now, you're making us seem like… You know..” muttered Zenitsu.
Tanjirou raised a brow and said, “What?”
“Never mind,” concluded Zenitsu.
They detached from themselves and Zenitsu started fidgeting with his hands, forgetting to drink water from the well. He was daydreaming for sure. Tanjirou refreshes his temperature and begins to head inside as it is getting dark. Zenitsu follows Tanjirou into the halls and they part ways to their dorms…
***
Back in Zenitsu’s room… Why is Tanjirou messing with me?? I know he has something to do with… Everything! Gosh, that stupid handsome boy. Wait.. Did I just think that he’s handsome? No way!! Ugh, he’s such a.. I don’t even know what to say about him. Zenitsu pondered and rummaged through his mind, like he was playing tag inside his brain. He can’t get why he’s like this way around his best friend, Tanjirou. He’s kind, a good friend, and certainly someone he will be with in the future. Zenitsu buries himself with his own pillow and blushes uncontrollably.
Zenitsu tries to calm down but everything he thinks of is Tanjirou. He adjusts one final time into actually falling asleep and shuts his eyes. “Goodnight, Zenitsu.” A voice spoke, but where? The bright colored boy knew he wasn’t hearing things and stood straight. “Who’s there?”
Silence filled the room once the boy asked the voice about its presence.
Nothing.
Zenitsu scoffed and threw himself back into bed; finally dreaming.
***
Meanwhile in Tanjirou’s room.. “Finally, some rest. Goodnight Nezuko!” Said Tanjirou, putting Nezuko back in her wooden box. Nezuko smiles with her eyes and walks back into her box.
Tanjirou gets into his fluffy bed; all white and cold to the touch, like snow.
I really want a mission. It's been so long since I arrived here, and I really don’t want to be here all the time.
Tanjiro sighs and stares at the ceiling, wondering what will happen next tomorrow. He finally shuts his eyes and dreams..
***
The next morning, birds chirp and the atmosphere is gloomier than usual. Tanjirou wakes up for the day and is awoken by nature. He stands from his bed and notices something between his doors. A dirty blonde letter; not one he usually gets, but he's curious about it. He reached down for the letter and opened it:
I hereby send Tanjirou Kamado and Zenitsu Agatsuma on a nearby mission for 3 executive days. They will be staying in a curated hut after clearing the area of demons. Leave by noon preferably, and head East to the mountains.
He chuckled for a second and then wondered why he got paired up with Zenitsu for 3 days. It raises a question but did Tanjirou want to execute it? He puts the letter in his uniform. He tidied himself and opened the door, this time with no smell of peaches like yesterday. Oh well, just a coincidence. He walks to the kitchen and sees his only tray on the table. Seems like the others have eaten without Tanjiro. Quietly, he picks it up and walks to the dining room. Suddenly, a faint scent of warm peaches fills Tanijrous' mind and there he sees Zenitsu quietly eating.
“Good morning Zenitsu!!”
“Good morning Tanjirou,” blatantly said Zenitsu.
Tanjiro tries waving at him but he doesn't wave back. It somewhat bummed Tanjirou though it's okay, maybe he's tired.
In reality, Zenitsu's heart is pumping like drums playing, and he looks at his food instead of Tanjirou to avoid him.
“Hey, since we are both going on a mission together, do you know why we are staying at the mission for three days?” asked Tanjirou out of curiosity.
“I don't know, but I bet there are some scary demons in those mountains..” responded Zenitsu, “Have you seen the king of atrocious anywhere?” jokingly muttered. Zenitsu continued, “I haven't seen him since training yesterday, he probably left early.”
“Oh well! I guess we'll never know! Come on now, let's hurry up and leave since it’s getting late,” Tanjirou responded.
***
After breakfast, Tanjirou changed into his uniform. His checkered haori—green and black squares in a pattern— and his hanafuda earrings all paired with each other.
“Sorry Nezuko, I have to leave you here due to orders.”
Nezuko sighed and sullenly nodded. Tanjirou hugged Nezuko and then left the room; he held onto his katana with his left hand. Looking back at his door made him sorrowful since he had to leave Nezuko behind. He walked outside and waited for Zenitsu patiently. Zenitsu arrived later with a tranquil look and a light blush on his cheeks. The sun highlighted his bright hair, making Tanjirou squint his eyes every time he had to look at Zenitsu. They didn’t know where to head off to —other than the east mountains— so they waited for the crows to guide them onto the supervised property they would be staying on for the duration of the mission.
“Caw! Follow me to the east mountains!” Tanjirou's crow shouted.
They begin walking, Zenitsu and Tanjirou walking side by side.
“How’s your day been?” Tanjirou exclaimed.
Zenitsu was startled by the initiation of a conversation, “It’s pretty boring; nothing much.”
“How come? There's nothing you haven't done that isn't boring?”
“Not really. It’s just the same every single day.”
“Can you tell me more about it? I think something is bothering you, isn't it?”
Zenitsu groaned and then proceeded to rant:
“Nothing is bothering me, Tanjirou. I just think every day is the same as before and will be for the next few days.”
“Oh.. Well, you should still tell me something that isn’t boring..Obviously, if you're comfortable..”
“Well if you think about it, I think going on a mission isn't as boring as the past weeks,” Zenitsu took a deep breath..
“IT'S TERRIBLE. THE DEMONS ARE GOING TO TEAR US APART TANJIROU!!” Zenitsu was very annoying on the way to the property, dragging on Tanjirou’s hand while blabbering nonsense and crying at the same time. Tanjirou appeared calm but deep down, he wanted to shut Zenitsu up.
“Zenitsu, I would appreciate it if you pipe it down a little bit. And by a little bit, I mean a whole lot...”
“But Tanjirou…” Zenitsu whined, “ T-the demons..”
“It will all be okay in the end; just trust me.”
Zenitsu nodded and wiped his tears. He still held onto Tanjirou’s hand, but both arms were wrapped around Tanjirou’s arm, calming him down. I don’t think there is a need for this but whatever calms him down I guess.. Tanjirou pondered.
The crow suddenly stopped in front of a light colored house.
“This is where you will be staying. After the 3 executive days, return home;”- “ if you survive of course..” the crow muttered.
After that, the crow left, and a small lady opened the door and lured them into the property. Inside had a scent similar to wisteria, along with peaches and a faint smell of fire. Zenitsu released Tanjirou from his grasp and shook his hand. They followed the lady into a warm room. It was cozy, in fact, staying in there would make you feel sleepy and drowsy. Since it was the afternoon, they decided to stay in their designated room until midnight..
“Seems like we got here early, don't you think?” Tanjirou spoke.
“Yeah.. Oh well..” Zenitsu responded, with him fidgeting with his hands and sitting on the floor.
It seemed boring, waiting for it to be midnight in a warm room that felt like being in your bed.
“Zenitsu, may I ask you something?”
“Hmm?”
“Why do you always have a scent of peaches? There's not a single day that you ever smell weird or strange.”
“Is that a compliment? Silly Tanjirou, I grew up near peach trees so much that I am attracted to the smell. Wait I have a bigger question, why are you smelling me?! You're a freak aren't you! You love smelling people don't you?!” Zenitsu let out.
“Not exactly, I was just curious!” Tanjirou slightly puffed up his cheeks and was baffled by Zenitsu's response.
They went back and forth, arguing about random situations just to buy time talking to each other.
Finally, Zenitsu glanced outside.
“Well then I guess it's time for us to get those pesky demons..” murmured Zenitsu.