The first thing I noticed when I woke up wasn't the sun streaming directly into my face or the birds chirping outside, or even the slight stinging on my back from where Mitsuri's nails had scratched.
What I noticed first was how comfortable I was and how much I was getting used to having Mitsuri cuddled so close to me. Her hair tickled my jaw, her arm draped across me like she was afraid I'd float away if she let go.
Her breathing was slow and even. Peaceful.
I stayed there for a while, just listening. If I could have bottled up this scene and just keep it forever, I would.
Eventually, though, the sun crept higher and I figured we'd need something resembling breakfast before we were inevitably drawn back into the fold.
Carefully I slid out from under her, tucking the blanket around her shoulders before she could stir. She murmured something in her sleep, then smiled and nestled deeper into the futon.
'Adorable doesn't begin to cover it…'
I shuffled to the kitchen and got to work, taking stuff out of the separate space I created with Blue. Breakfast wouldn't be anything fancy, some grilled chicken, rice, vegetable soup, some pickled radish.
It might have been a heavier breakfast than normal, but Mitsuri and I ate enough for several people. Plus, we needed the nutrition after last night.
By the time the smell of food had filled the house, Mitsuri's soft footsteps padded across the wooden floor. She appeared in the open doorway, shorter hair still tousled, cheeks fairly pink.
She was wearing my yukata, far too big for her, sleeves hiding her hands. I couldn't lie though, it was doing something for me.
"Good morning, Satoru-kun," she said, voice soft, almost shy.
"Morning, sleepyhead," I grinned, plating up the food. "You missed my heroic battle against the rice. Shame really… it was one for the ages."
She giggled, covering her mouth before sitting across from me. "You always know how to make me laugh."
"Hey, if I can't make my darling future wife laugh, what good am I?"
We ate together, the silence only broken by the clink of chopstick on bowls. Every so often, I'd glance up at her and catch her already looking at me. She'd smile, cheeks going pink, before quickly focusing on her food.
Watching her enjoy food that I had cooked was better than eating it myself.
'Maybe I should pull a Tatsu and become a househusband… nah, I'd probably get bored and terrorise the neighbours for fun.'
After breakfast, we lingered a little longer than we probably should have. Mitsuri insisted on helping me clean up, humming softly as she worked. It felt normal, domestic, like we weren't probably going to be marching off to danger again soon.
Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu arrived almost an hour later. Mitsuri and I had just finished taking a bath together when the trio knocked on the gate of my estate.
I let them in and Mitsuri took them to the kitchen where she gave them the rest of the food I had prepared. Tanjiro had been thankful as they had been walking non-stop to get to Kyoto from the Butterfly Mansion.
Kagaya had apparently sent them my way to act as support when we left for the Swordsmith village in its defense. A few of the other Hashira had already left, and would probably arrive before we did.
Tanjiro promised to clean up and make sure that the other two boys didn't do anything stupid. Mitsuri and I waited for the Kakushi to arrive so that we could head out.
It didn't take long, by the time the sun had reached its peak, a small group of Kakushi was waiting for us outside my gates.
They relayed their orders, we were to be blindfolded and have our sense of smell dulled to prevent knowledge of where the Swordsmith Village was at. Kind of redundant seeing that Muzan more than likely already knew.
"Here, Satoru-sama, please put this blindfold on." One of the Kakushi handed me a fabric wrap.
'Should I tell them that I can still see through it because of my special eyes? Nah, let them have this one…'
Mitsuri was handed one as well, along with the Kamaboko squad. They each wrapped them around their eyes snug, I sighed and removed my sunglasses so I could do the same.
'Well, I guess this would complete the Gojo look.'
When I had the blindfold on, I threw one more quip out.
"If the one carrying me drops me on a slip, and I die… I'm coming back as a Cursed Spirit and haunting all of you."
One of the Kakushi let out a strangled laugh, barely holding it back. Then, they attached some sort of smokeless incense to a harness that we were supposed to sit on while each of them carried us on the way to the village.
"Ugh… lovely… everything smells like pickled radishes now."
Tanjiro quickly apologised, "Sensei! Sorry, Inosuke just had too much of the pickled radish earlier. I think he just farted."
The other chuckled while Inosuke let out a few strange noises in protest. Moments later we were off, moving through the trees on our way to the village. My eyes never left Mitsuri who was being carried by another Kakushi next to me.
'I swear Mitsuri… I'll never let you get hurt again,' I silently vowed as we moved past countless trees. Behind us I heard Inosuke shouting excitedly followed by both Zenitsu and Tanjiro's groans.
"FASTER GUAHAHAHA, MAKE WAY FOR LORD INOSUKE AND HIS FAITHFUL STEED!"
'I might have to give Boar Boy the ol' rotation treatment again though.'
[Scene Break]
When the Kakushi finally let us off and we took our blindfolds off, we were at the entrance of the Swordsmith village. A small group of people stood at the gate, I recognised two of them. Tetsutaka, whose mask I remembered and Tecchin.
Mitsuri stepped besides me, letting out a cute yawn and stretching. I caught Zenitsu eyeing her legs subtly but he looked away when I glared at him. I whipped out my Sunglasses and put them on. Despite the sun being well on its way to sinking below the treeline.
The short old man spread his hands in welcome as we approached. Despite his small stature, he radiated authority.
"Welcome. I am, Tecchikawahara Tecchin, the chief of the village. These are my sons, Gantestu, Haganezuka, and their friend Tetsutaka."
Everyone exchanged friendly greetings. Especially Mitsuri who was already bouncing with excitement.
"Thank you so much for welcoming us Tecchin-sama, we'll do everything we can to help." She said.
Tecchin nodded, "Your comrades are already here. The Mist, Wind, and Flame Hashira's are out doing patrols currently, come… let me show you to your quarters."
"Nice, that means I get to enjoy the food and look for a new sword while they do most of the work." I lazily tossed out.
However, Tetsutaka who had been glaring at me behind his mask the whole time finally spoke up.
"Oi… brat. Where's your sword?" He asked.
I tilted my head, playing it as casually as I could. "Oh that? Well, how it happened was… I accidentally vaporised it when I killed Upper Moon Six and her freaky brother."
Silence.
Then— shhhiing! Tetsutaka drew a knife from his sleeve and charged at me with surprising speed, he screamed in rage.
"YOU CARELESS BASTARD!!! NUNUNUNUNU. I'LL KILL YOU!!!!!"
I grinned, "Oh come on, it's not like I left it on the side of the road." Not even flinching as Gantetsu and Haganezuka grappled their furious friend.
I picked at my ear as Gantetsu shouted. "Tetsutaka-san calm down! Calm down!" Haganezuka tried to wrestle the knife out of Tetsutaka's hand.
"Let me at him! I slaved over that blade for a week straight!" The veins on his arms bulged as he tried even harder to break free. "And he vaporised it like it was a stick of bamboo?!"
Mitsuri flapped her arms, "Wait wait! Satoru-kun didn't mean to break your sword!"
Meanwhile the Kamaboko Squad gave their usual variety of reactions.
Tanjiro had stars in his eyes as he looked at me in awe. "Satoru-sensei is so strong… he could completely erase a sword made by famed swordsmiths…"
Each of his words seems to rile up Tetsutaka some more. Then Inosuke tilted his head, snorting. "I can smash a sword too, it's not that hard…"
Zenitsu immediately latched onto Mitsuri's leg. "Mitsuri-saaan, it's too dangerous here… I thought we'd be sa—
"Oi brat…" I glared at him, "what do you think you're touching so casually."
"Hiiiiii!!!!" Zenitsu jumped ten feet into the air and hid behind Tanjiro. "Tanjiroooo, protect me!!! Your sensei is so scary!!!"
Tanjiro sighed, shoulder slumping. "Zenitsu…"
The Kakushi, unsure whether to intervene, exchanged glances before ultimately deciding that this was above their pay grade and walking off.
Through all the chaos, Tecchin only chuckled softly, raising a hand. "Enough. Tetsutaka, your temper dishonours you. If the boy truly lost his sword in the line of duty, then it's only proof that he needs something stronger."
Tecchin turned his masked face towards me, "I shall forge a blade for you myself, Satoru-dono."
I smiled, "Now that's service."
Tetsutaka sputtered, still struggling against Gantetsu's hold. Haganezuka had managed to get the knife away from him.
"But elder! That would be rewarding him for carelessness." Tetsutaka voiced his complaint.
Tecchin replied, "It's alright, you will be helping me forge this blade, Tetsutaka."
Tetsutaka finally relented and calmed down, Haganezuka released him. Then the smith saw the blade on Tanjiro's hip.
"You, boy… show me that blade." Haganezuka called to Tanjiro.
Tanjiro blinked. "M-me?"
"Yes, you." Haganezuka leaned in close, examining Tanjiro from head to toe. "You're a child of the sun are you not? Your hair is evident of this. Born from a family linked to fire."
Tanjiro's confusion deepened, "Sun?"
"Let me see that sword." Haganezuka demanded again.
Tanjiro looked to Mitsuri then to me, I shrugged, he still had Mitsuri's old nichirin blade. The kid had actually taken care of it, cleaning it every night or so he said. Mitsuri simply smiled, and nodded at Tanjiro, I shrugged.
With that, Tanjiro carefully took out the blade and respectfully handed it over to Haganezuka. The smith took the blade and drew it from its sheath, he hummed as he examined the blade of the sword.
"Hmmm, as I thought. This is one of mine, forged along with Rengoku Kyojuro's own blade." The smith stated.
'Huh… Haganezuka forged Kyojuro's sword and Mitsuri's original blade, who would have known.'
"Haganezuka-san, is there something wrong?" Tanjiro asked.
"No… but I will be forging you a blade, your own. One that will suit you." The smith replied.
Tanjiro looked at Mitsuri again, "But this blade was a gift…"
Haganezuka handed the sword back to Tanjiro. "I didn't say I was taking it from you brat. You can keep using it until I finish your blade."
"Oh… uh, okay then. Thank you Haganezuka-san." Tanjiro bowed as he took the sword back.
[Scene Break]
The village's famous hot spring steamed faintly into the cool evening air. The rising mist curling into the sky catching the light of lanterns strung around the bathing area.
Tanjiro and the others had retired once our tour of the village had ended. All three of them in one room with Mitsuri and I sharing another.
Mitsuri let out a long sigh as she leaned into me. We were both soaking in the spring after taking turns washing each other's backs.
I held her gently under the surface of the water as she let out another sound of contentment. "Ahhh… this feels so good right Satoru-kun?" She hummed as she closed her eyes.
I chuckled and kissed her shoulder, "We can do this every day when we get back home you know…"
Her laughter was soft and bright, "Mnn, every day…" but soon her shoulders slumped. I took her hand and gently squeezed. Trying to comfort her from whatever thought she was having.
"Do you think… the attack will really come?" Her voice was quiet, almost swallowed by the sound of the spring. "Everyone is training so hard, it feels like the air is… heavy. Like something bad is going to happen."
I hummed, and then held her closer. "It'll still happen," I admitted, voice calm. "Muzan, despite losing another of his Kizuki, won't let this opportunity pass. To deprive the corps of blades. But that's why we're here right? To be ready for it, he won't know that there's so many of us here. He's proud, but ultimately he's an idiot."
"What if he shows up himself, even if you can beat him, so many people could get hurt." She murmured as she turned slightly to face me.
The lanterns reflected off her eyes, I kissed the side of her head making her smile. "I won't let that happen, if he shows up I'll make sure to end him fast and besides, I have my super beautiful future wife with me…"
Her smile widened, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. "… you always say things like that at the right time."
"Perks of being me," I grinned, "so long as I'm here, you can leave everything to me, I'll take care of it."
"Moh… Satoru-kun, that wouldn't be fair to you though." She giggled and she leaned against my chest again.
"Hmm," I leaned back and let out a sigh, "so long as it's for you and our future together… I'll do it no matter what."
For a while neither of us spoke. We just let the ambience of the spring wash over us like a relaxing wave. For that moment nothing else existed for me beyond Mitsuri humming softly.