Chapter Text
The other Hashiras find out that one of them has an entire family they never knew about
Pairings: Kyojuro x OC; Tengen x OC
Genre: Fluff
Warnings: Slightly suggestive in Tengens, but nothing past that
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~~~~My Flame~~~~
The gravel in the courtyard crunches softly beneath my sandals as I step forward, and I immediately regret how loud it sounds.
Beside me, a much smaller pair of sandals scuffs against the stone - not even trying to be quiet.
I slow my pace at once, tightening my hold just slightly on the tiny hand in mine. Akane swings it anyway, utterly unconcerned by the sacred stillness around us, dark red eyes bright with barely contained excitement.
"Dada?" She whispers loudly - which, for her, is not quiet at all.
I wince and smile at the same time.
"Shh," I murmur gently, crouching just enough to meet her gaze. "Remember what Mama said. Quiet steps. Dada's working."
Akane nods very seriously.
Then immediately points straight ahead.
"Dada there!"
I don't even try to hide my smile.
Despite the number of people gathered here, the Ubuyashiki estate feels vast - open sky stretching endlessly above, pale wooden buildings arranged with deliberate grace, every beam and pillar placed as if the world itself pauses to breathe here. Wisteria trees sway along the perimeter, their violet blossoms drifting lazily on the breeze. A few petals land in my daughter's hair, and she giggles, patting at them like they're playing a game.
It's quiet.
Not empty - never empty - just attentive.
The kind of quiet that presses gently against your ribs and reminds you this place carries weight. History. Sacrifice. Lives balanced carefully on discipline and faith.
All nine Hashira kneel below the engawa, backs straight, hands resting on their thighs, expressions composed and focused. Even from here, their presence hums - power contained, honed, waiting.
Upon the veranda sits their master.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice carries easily, soft but unmistakable.
"...and so the northern routes will be rotated more frequently. Reports indicate increased demon movement near the mountain villages. Rengoku-san, Tomioka-san - you will coordinate the patrols."
"YES, MASTER!"
Rengoku's voice rings out immediately - bright, confident, impossibly loud.
Akane freezes.
Her head snaps up, eyes lighting like lanterns,
"That!" she stage-whispers, tugging my hand urgently. "That dada!"
I press my lips together to keep from laughing.
Of course, she recognizes him by voice alone.
Beside him, Giyu inclines his head in quiet acknowledgment. Gyomei presses his palms together, prayer beads clicking softly as he bows his head. "May the departed find peace."
The meeting continues in its steady cadence - names, routes, strategy. Responsibility settles over the courtyard like a familiar cloak, one each of them wears without complaint.
I stop just short of the courtyard's edge.
I truly hadn't meant to interrupt.
But someone had rushed out the door this morning with far too much enthusiasm and not nearly enough awareness of what he'd left behind.
I glance down at the cloth-wrapped bundle tucked securely under my arm - then at the little girl bouncing on her heels beside me.
"Soon," I whisper. "You have to wait."
She nods solemnly.
For exactly two seconds.
I draw in a breath and step forward.
The sound breaks the rhythm instantly.
Footsteps.
One adult. One toddler.
Soft. Careful.
Wrong.
Several heads turn at once.
The path beyond the wisteria opens, and we step fully into view.
Sunlight catches the gold and deep red of my yukata, patterned like autumn leaves caught mid-fall. The colors are warm against the pale stone beneath my feet. My hair is tied back neatly with a simple ribbon, practical rather than ornate. No uniform. No blade.
Just a woman - and a child.
Akane wears a small red haori patterned with faint flame motifs, her wild hair an unmistakable echo of her father's. Same bright eyes. Same stubborn chin.
The moment stretches.
And then-
"Oh my gosh."
Mitsuri doesn't whisper this time.
She beams.
Her whole face lights up like she's been handed the best secret in the world.
"You actually came," she says softly, voice trembling with excitement - then her eyes immediately drop to my side. "And you brought her!"
Before I can stop myself, I lift my hand in a small wave.
Akane copies me enthusiastically, arm swinging too hard.
"Hiiii, Auntie Mitsu!" she chirps.
Mitsuri claps a hand over her mouth, eyes instantly wet. "She said it. She actually said it."
Sanemi's scowl deepens. "Auntie-?"
Shinobu freezes.
Obanai stiffens.
Tengen's brows shoot up. "Well. That explains a lot."
Muichiro blinks slowly, gaze drifting toward us. "... Small flame."
Even Giyu looks twice.
Gyomei tilts his head toward us, breath catching slightly.
And then-
Rengoku freezes.
Just for a heartbeat.
Not fear or confusion.
But shock.
Then his face lights up like the sun breaking through clouds.
He's on his feet in an instant, joy erupting from him so brightly it feels like the air itself warms.
"MY FLAMES!"
His voice rings across the courtyard, loud, warm, utterly unashamed.
Every head snaps to him.
My heart jumps, heat rushing to my cheeks.
Before I can even scold him, the small hand slips from mine.
"DADA!!"
Akane bolts.
Straight across the courtyard.
Gasps ripple through the Hashira ranks.
"Wait-!" I start, already moving.
Too late.
Rengoku is already there.
He drops to one knee just as Akane reaches him, arms opening wide. She crashes into his chest with all the force a two-year-old can muster, laughing wildly as he scoops her up without hesitation.
"HAHA! There you are, little flame!" he booms, lifting her high into the air.
"Up! Up!" Akane squeals, gripping his collar.
The courtyard has gone completely, utterly silent.
Sanemi's jaw hangs open.
"...Is that-"
"Our daughter," Rengoku says proudly, kissing Akane's cheek before settling her on his shoulder. "Isn't she magnificent?"
Shinobu's fan slips slightly in her hand. "You have a child."
I hurry over, cheeks burning. "I'm so sorry- she saw him and-"
"Mama!" Akane calls happily, waving at me from Rengoku's shoulder.
Mitsuri is already at my side, grabbing my hands.
"She's perfect," she whispers fiercely. "I can't believe you didn't bring her sooner."
"You were on a mission," I whisper back, smiling despite myself.
"And still," she says, wiping at her eyes. "I missed her."
"And she missed you," I say gently.
Tengen hums. "This keeps getting better."
I lower my voice as I reach Rengoku. "You didn't have to yell."
He grins at me, unapologetic. "I absolutely did."
I sigh. "You're impossible."
"I know!"
I lift the bundle in my arms. "You rushed out the door again. Didn't even check the stand."
Recognition dawns instantly.
"My sword!"
I nod. "You left it."
I carefully unwrap the cloth, revealing the gleaming nichirin blade. Rengoku shifts Akane to one arm so I can hand it to him properly, helping guide it back to his hip.
"You're lucky," I murmur, lips curving, "your wife noticed."
Wife.
Child.
The realization hits all at once.
Sanemi swears under his breath.
Tengen whistles low. "Married and a kid. You really don't share."
"Yes!" Rengoku declares happily. "We've been married for two years! Akan was born shortly before that!"
Mitsuri laughs through her tears. "I thought you were just being dramatic about privacy!"
I bow politely, one hand resting at Akane's back. "I'm sorry for the interruption. Truly."
"There is no interruption."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiles warmly. eyes gentle as they rest on our family.
"I am grateful to meet you finally," he says softly. "And your child."
Relief loosens something deep in my chest.
"The honor is mine," I reply quietly.
Rengoku straightens proudly, Akane clinging to his collar, giggling.
Kagaya gestures to the shade. "Please, sit."
Rengoku guides us carefully.
Mitsuri follows immediately, crouching in front of Akane.
"Hi again," she whispers. "Did you miss me?"
"Uh-huh!" Akane nods seriously.
Laughter ripples through the courtyard.
Beyond these walls, demons still roam.
Battles still wait.
But here - just for this moment - there is warmth.
Family.
And the brightest flame of all burns safely in Rengoku's arms.
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~~~~My Gem~~~~
The courtyard of the Ubuyashiki estate exhales once the meeting ends.
You can feel it - the tension loosening, the air softening as rigid postures melt back into something human. Kagaya-sama has already been escorted inside, his presence lingering like incense even after he's gone. Wisteria petals drift lazily across pale stone, catching
in the hems of uniforms and hair as the Hashira finally move again.
Sanemi cracks his neck with a sharp jerk.
“Finally,” he mutters. “My legs were going numb.”
Shinobu snaps her fan shut with a delicate click. “You could try sitting still for once.”
Tengen laughs, rolling his shoulders, hands lacing behind his head. “That wasn’t so bad. You all need more stamina — very unflashy posture control.”
“HAHA! I FIND STILLNESS QUITE REFRESHING!” Rengoku declares, fists on his hips, grin blazing.
Muichiro is already staring into the middle distance, eyes unfocused. Gyomei presses his palms together and murmurs a prayer.
It’s relaxed.
Ordinary.
Then—
“MAMA!”
Two tiny voices shriek in perfect, excited harmony, sharp enough to cut through the calm.
I barely make it three steps into the courtyard before my daughters spot him.
Twin blurs of white hair and bright, unmistakably Uzui eyes bolt forward, sandals slapping against stone as they charge straight for their father like he’s been gone for years instead of— I check mentally —three hours.
“Papa!”
“Papa! Papa!”
I sigh, fond and already resigned.
“Careful—!” I call, adjusting the wrapped bundle tucked firmly under my arm as I hurry after them.
Tengen freezes mid-laugh.
Just for a heartbeat.
Then his entire face lights up like someone struck flint to gold.
“My brilliant little sparks!”
He drops to one knee just in time for them to crash into him, each girl grabbing a sleeve, a leg, something, giggling uncontrollably as he scoops them both up with ridiculous ease.
“You saw him this morning,” I say, finally reaching his side.
One of them gasps like she’s been deeply wronged. “But it was sooo long ago.”
The other nods solemnly. “Forever.”
Tengen laughs, loud and proud, lifting them higher. “Ah, I see. A tragic separation. A true heartbreak.”
I cross my arms. “You’re encouraging this.”
“Of course I am,” he grins. “They missed their father.”
Before I can retort, one of the twins suddenly wriggles free, sliding down his leg with practiced skill.
“Uncle Rengoku!” she squeals.
Rengoku’s face absolutely lights up.
“AH! MY FAVORITE LITTLE FLAME!” he booms, crouching just in time to scoop her up. “HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING? EATING WELL? GROWING STRONG?”
She nods furiously. “Mama says I punch like this!” She throws a tiny, very dramatic punch.
Rengoku laughs like his heart might burst. “EXCELLENT FORM!”
I shake my head, smiling despite myself. “He’s been spoiling them since they could walk.”
“As any honorable uncle should,” Rengoku replies proudly.
Tengen glances at me then — really looks — grin softening into something warm and devastating.
“And there’s my gem.”
Heat floods my cheeks instantly.
“Don’t call me that in front of everyone.”
“I absolutely will,” he says smoothly. “You look radiant.”
“I look tired.”
“Radiant and powerful,” he corrects without hesitation.
I narrow my eyes… then smack his arm.
Not hard.
Just enough.
“Ow,” he says dramatically, completely unfazed. “What was that for?”
“For this,” I snap, thrusting the wrapped bundle into his chest. “You left your cleavers at home. Again.”
The chain wrapped around the cloth glints in the sunlight.
“And,” I add pointedly, “one of your daughters tried picking them up earlier. Nearly sliced her hand open.”
The courtyard goes still again — but this time it’s different.
Tengen stiffens. Just slightly.
“…She did what?”
I glare. “Don’t give me that look. If I hadn’t caught her—”
He exhales sharply, expression sobering for half a second before he pulls me closer with his free arm.
“That’s my fault,” he says quietly. “I should’ve checked.”
“Yes,” I say firmly. “You should have.”
Then, softer, “That’s when I noticed they were missing.”
He accepts the cleavers, eyes flicking down at the chain. “Good catch, my dazzling wife.”
I open my mouth to scold him again — then sigh.
“And,” I continue, “shortly after you left, a crow showed up.”
His brow lifts. “Oh?”
“With a letter from Hinatsuru, Makio, and Suma,” I say. “They’ll be home later this evening.”
His grin returns in full force. “Excellent. A full house tonight.”
I swear every Hashira in the courtyard freezes at once.
Sanemi stares. “…Wife?”
Shinobu’s smile sharpens, delighted.
Rengoku beams like this explains everything.
Muichiro blinks. “Oh.”
Tengen straightens proudly, one twin still perched on his arm.
“Allow me to introduce my fourth wife,” he says cheerfully. “My gem.”
He gestures to me like he’s presenting treasure.
“We’ve been married three years.”
The silence shatters.
“YOU’RE MARRIED?” Sanemi barks.
“A fourth?” Shinobu echoes.
I shift my weight, suddenly very aware of the attention. “I— um— sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Tengen steps closer immediately, shoulder brushing mine, presence solid and grounding.
“You didn’t interrupt anything,” he says firmly. “You improved it.”
My heart does a very unhelpful thing.
“…You’re impossible,” I mutter.
He grins. “Only for you.”
One of the twins reaches up, poking my hair ornament. “Mama shiny.”
I laugh softly, lifting her into my arms while Tengen keeps hold of the other.
“Alright,” he says, clearly satisfied. “That’s enough public admiration for one day.”
“From you?” I snort.
He leans in, voice dropping just enough to make my stomach flip.
“Never.”
I absolutely do not look at him after that.
And as we turn to leave — twins chattering happily between us, fingers tangled in our clothes, Rengoku waving enthusiastically behind us — I can feel the stares burning into my back.
Let them stare.
This loud, brilliant, chaotic life?
It’s ours.