Demon Slayer: Taking Care Of Tanjuro's Wife And Daughter

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Watching Tanjirou walk away, Ryuji sat in silence, nursing a glass of sake. The warm light of the setting sun filtered through the wooden slats of the household, casting long shadows that danced across the room. He swirled the drink in his hand, his gaze distant, his heart heavy with a mix of emotions.

In truth, Ryuji knew he was far from innocent.

The first time he laid eyes on Kie Kamado, her gentle demeanor and quiet beauty had sparked something primal within him. Her delicate smile, the way she carried herself with grace despite the hardships of her life—it had all struck a chord in his heart. But it wasn't just admiration. There was a longing there, one he couldn't quite push away, no matter how much he tried.

And so, he had waited.

Waited for Kamado Tanjuro's illness to take its course. A part of him despised the patience it required, yet he could not act otherwise. Tanjuro, frail as he was, still commanded the respect of his family, and Ryuji would not tarnish his own image by moving too soon.

Instead, he became a quiet presence, offering help when the family needed it most. Gathering firewood, repairing their modest home, ensuring they had enough to eat—it was all a means to an end. Though he yearned to be closer to Kie, he maintained a careful distance, masking his true feelings behind an exterior of selflessness.

But when Tanjuro passed, that distance began to close.

The Kamado household, already struggling, leaned on Ryuji more than ever. Kie, overwhelmed by the burden of caring for her children alone, welcomed his support. And Ryuji? He took every opportunity to edge closer to her heart, his intentions cloaked beneath a guise of compassion.

Yet his desires were far from pure.

He could no longer deny the way his gaze lingered on her, tracing the curve of her figure as she worked. He took quiet satisfaction in the moments she smiled at him, the way her eyes softened in gratitude. But gratitude was not enough.

He wanted more.

Ryuji's breath hitched as he stared at the door to her room. The house was quiet now, the children tucked away for the night. A part of him hesitated, guilt gnawing at the edges of his thoughts. Tanjuro's face flashed in his mind, a silent reprimand.

But his resolve remained unshaken.

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Ryuji knocked gently on the wooden door. The quiet sound echoed faintly in the Kamado household, the only other noise coming from the crackling of the hearth in the adjacent room.

The door slid open after a moment, revealing Kie Kamado's face. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink as she realized who it was, her gaze momentarily avoiding his. Despite their familiarity, Kie's natural shyness always seemed to surface whenever Ryuji was near.

"Ryuji-san," she greeted softly, stepping aside to let him in.

Ryuji entered the room, his movements casual yet deliberate. He settled himself on the neatly made bed, the scent of freshly laundered sheets mingling with the faint aroma of herbal tea in the air. The furniture in the room was modest but impeccably arranged, reflecting Kie's diligent nature.

Kie followed him, setting a teapot on the small table and pouring him a cup of tea. Her expression held a mix of annoyance and worry as she spoke. "It's all your fault, you know. Tanjirou saw..." She trailed off, biting her lip nervously.

Ryuji took the tea with a slight smile, his dark eyes observing her. "You're worried about what he thinks, aren't you?"

She hesitated, nodding. "He's still young. I'm afraid he might misunderstand or... resent you."

"Tanjirou and I have already spoken," Ryuji replied, his tone calm and reassuring. "I told him everything he needed to hear. You don't need to worry about him being upset with me—or with you."

Kie's expression brightened at his words, a small smile breaking through her anxious demeanor. "Truly?"

"Have I ever lied to you?" Ryuji teased, raising an eyebrow.

Kie's laughter came softly, her shoulders relaxing as she sat beside him. "No, you haven't."

"Exactly." Ryuji leaned back slightly, sipping his tea. It was hot, enough to make him wince slightly. "Ah, that's scalding."

Kie looked at him, startled. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Is it too hot?"

"Of course," he replied with a playful smirk, setting the cup down. "Why don't you cool it for me?"

Kie's cheeks flushed again, but she nodded, picking up the cup. She blew on it gently, her delicate features framed by the soft light of the room. Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly as she focused, her movements graceful yet tinged with nervousness.

Ryuji's gaze lingered on her. She was a vision of quiet beauty, her knitted cotton robe accentuating her figure without being ostentatious. There was a simple elegance to her, a warmth that drew him in.

After a moment, Kie handed the cup back to him. "There. It should be fine now."

He took a sip, smiling. "Perfect. Just the way I like it."

Kie ducked her head slightly at the praise, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her robe.

Ryuji's gaze dropped to her feet, and he frowned faintly. "You should change your shoes."

She blinked, looking down. "My shoes? Why?"

"They're worn out," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "You deserve better."

Kie hesitated, then stood, moving to the small shoe rack by the door. She selected a pair of simple yet elegant pink slippers and slipped them on. The added height made her figure appear even more graceful, her posture straighter.

Ryuji couldn't help but admire her. "Beautiful," he murmured, the word escaping before he could stop it.

Kie's blush deepened. "Ryuji-san..."

"Do you know how to dance?" he asked suddenly, his tone shifting to something lighter, almost teasing.

She looked at him, startled. "Dance? No, I've never... I wouldn't know how."

"Then just try," he encouraged with a smile. "Move however you like."

Kie hesitated, her hands clasping nervously. "I don't think I'd be any good..."

"It's not about being good," Ryuji said, his voice softening. "Just do what feels natural."

She bit her lip, her gaze flicking to him, then away. Finally, she stood, her movements tentative as she began to sway gently. Her steps were uncertain, her motions awkward, but there was an earnestness to them that Ryuji found endearing.

"Like this?" she asked shyly.

"Perfect," he replied, his tone genuine.

As Kie moved, her natural grace began to shine through, and Ryuji felt a warmth settle in his chest. She was more than he could have ever hoped for—strong, kind, and quietly captivating.

"Thank you, Kie," he said softly, his voice carrying an unspoken depth.

She paused, looking at him with wide, curious eyes. "For what?"

"For trusting me," he said simply.

Her lips curved into a small, heartfelt smile. "Always."

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