The three of them sat on the tatami floor, the faint scent of tea leaves drifting from the kitchen hearth. Shinjuro and Kagerou sat shoulder to shoulder, facing Ruka across the low table.
"From the look alone, I can guess what happened," Ruka began gently, crimson eyes narrowing with quiet concern. "But I want to hear the details. What exactly happened?"
Shinjuro shifted uncomfortably. His broad shoulders tensed, hesitation heavy in his throat. He glanced at Kagerou as if afraid the truth would wound him more than any demon's claws.
"...I'm fine, sir," Kagerou spoke first, his voice steady though too calm for a boy his age. "I don't even remember what happened. So please… It's alright if you tell her"
Ruka blinked. Not at the words, but at the manner. "No memories? And yet… aren't you a little too mature for a child, Kagerou-kun?"
Her tone held no malice, only surprise, but it struck Kagerou all the same.
"Right?" Shinjuro muttered, almost sheepish, agreeing with his wife.
"I'm sorry… is that strange?" Kagerou asked, lowering his eyes.
Ruka's expression softened instantly. "Oh, forgive me, dear. I didn't mean it that way. I was only surprised. Don't think of it too harshly"
"...No, it's fine, ma'a-"
"You can call me 'mother,' if you'd like," Ruka interrupted gently, her gaze flicking to Shinjuro. "If my husband brought you here, then I assume he intends to adopt you, isn't that right?"
Caught red-handed, Shinjuro rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled awkwardly.
"...But before we settle that," Ruka continued, her smile returning, "let's return to the matter at hand. Kagerou-kun, are you truly alright with telling me the details?"
Kagerou nodded. "It will be a short story, since I don't remember much. That night, I-"
A sudden wail cut through the air.
The boy startled slightly, unused to such a sound, while Ruka only laughed softly.
"Ah, little Kyojuro is awake. We'll continue this later. I'll go fetch him." She rose gracefully, disappearing into the hallway.
The room fell quiet again. Only Shinjuro and Kagerou remained.
"...Sir," Kagerou said at last, his voice unusually calm. His gray eyes lingered on the empty space where Ruka had stood. "Is your wife… a shaman?"
Shinjuro froze, his brows furrowing. "...Right?" was all he could manage.
The baby's cry softened, and soon the sliding door creaked open. Ruka stepped back into the room, a small bundle in her arms. The resemblance was unmistakable, the round cheeks, the golden eyes, the faint trace of reddish hair. The baby looked almost like a miniature Shinjuro.
Little Kyojuro turned his head curiously. His wide eyes landed on Kagerou.
For a moment, silence. Then...
"Ahaha~" The baby giggled, reaching out his tiny hand, opening and closing his palm toward him.
Kagerou froze. Shinjuro and Ruka exchanged startled glances, equally surprised by their son's sudden attachment.
Ruka's lips curved softly. She nodded. "Would you like to try holding him, Kagerou-kun?"
"Huh?! M-me? I… I don't know how to hold a baby," Kagerou stammered, panic lacing his voice.
"Of course you can," Ruka reassured gently. She crouched beside him, guiding his arms. "One hand here, the other there. Support his head, yes, like that"
Before he knew it, Kagerou was holding Little Kyojuro. The baby shifted happily in his arms, giggling again.
Kagerou's heart lurched. He stiffened, terrified of dropping him. "S-Sir!" he pleaded, wide-eyed at Shinjuro.
But the Flame Hashira only laughed. "Ahaha~ Look at that! Seems Little Kyojuro already likes you. He's chosen you as his big brother"
"...But…" Kagerou began, his throat tightening. He turned to Ruka. "M-Ma'am…"
"Hm?" she tilted her head slightly, smiling.
Kagerou's lips trembled. "...M-Mother?"
Ruka's smile deepened, her nod steady, sure. "Yes, Kage-kun."
"Ahaha~" Shinjuro's booming laugh filled the room. He clapped a heavy hand against Kagerou's back. "So you accept it, eh?"
Kagerou's chest tightened. "No, I… I mean… Is it really okay? I'm an outsider. A nobody. I don't even remember my past. Can someone like me really be part of this famil-"
*tap*
He stopped. A tiny hand had patted his cheek. Little Kyojuro giggled, tapping both of Kagerou's cheeks again.
*tap*
Another tap. This time from Shinjuro's broad hand on his back. "Nobody? Don't be ridiculous. You're Kagerou. Kagerou Rengoku. My son"
"Our son," Ruka added softly.
The words pierced deeper than any demon's claws. Kagerou couldn't answer. He couldn't even breathe properly.
And before he realized it... there was rain.
--------
Kagerou sat on the tatami, still carefully cradling Little Kyojuro in his arms. The baby laughed, reaching for his gray-eyed brother's hair, and Kagerou awkwardly let him play, the tension in his shoulders softening bit by bit.
Across from them, Shinjuro and Ruka watched in silence, smiles tugging naturally at their lips.
"So," Shinjuro finally spoke, his gaze never leaving the two boys, "still want to hear the story?"
"Story?" Ruka repeated, her voice gentle but firm. She shook her head, eyes still on Kagerou and Kyojuro. "He said he doesn't remember. Then why should we dig it up? If he wants to forget, let's forget it too. The past is ashes. What matters is the future"
Shinjuro blinked, quiet for a moment. Then, without a word, he slid an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close until her head rested against him.
"You know," he murmured, his voice low and warm, "the best decision I ever made in this life was taking you as my wife"
Ruka chuckled softly. "You've said that countless times already, Shinjuro-san"
"Right? And I'll keep saying it, again and again, until you're sick of hearing it"
Her lips curved in a playful smile. "Ahaha~ then either I'll grow sick of it, or you'll grow sick of saying it"
"Not a chance," he grinned, his voice rumbling with certainty.