39

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"You're still too tense! Be light on your feet and control you muscles and breathing!" I use the stick to tap Genji's shoulders and he sighs, stomping his foot in frustration.

"You're being too stern, go easy on me!" He pouts and I sigh, walking over with my hands on my hips.

"If you want to seriously become a demon slayer then you have to learn to toughen up a little. I started training when I was 14, went to final selection when I was 16... and I'm 19 now and missing an arm and can never fight again. This isn't some game Genji, you'll be risking your life every single day," I say and he hands his head low as he pants heavily. "You're 7 now Genji... in a few years you'll be ready to go to the final selection, and you may not even make it out of there alive.. so you have to listen to me and let me train you how I was trained ok?" I place a hand on his shoulder and he nods slowly, his legs trembling for how long we've been training and I smile while ruffing his hair. "On that note, rest is important to.. so how about we stop for today hm?" I say and he nods as I wince. "Your brother is really making it difficult on me, help me down the mountain ok?" I say and he quickly nods, holding onto my hand and back as we slowly walk back.

He helps me down the mountain as I hold onto my stomach. I'm about 8 months into the pregnancy and Genji and Hotaru have no stopped worrying about me since we found out I was pregnant. Genji and I had to force Hotaru to let me keep training Genji, and even then he forbids me from holding an actual sword when doing so as if I'll hurt myself or something. Everything has been going well though, and I couldn't be happier.

"Finally you're back!" Hotaru says as he runs to my side and helps me into the house as I roll my eyes. "I was getting worried, you didn't exhaust her too much did you brat?" He says to Genji who firmly shakes her head.

"I'm fine Hotaru... just a little thirsty, could you make me some tea please?" I say and he nods quickly as I sit out on the veranda, sighing as I take in the sun and Genji sits next to me. Genji's eyes never leave my stomach, and I giggle grabbing his hand and holding it gently on top of my belly. "Can you feel him moving around?" I whisper and Genji's eyes widen as he nods quickly.

"I can I can!" He says and I laugh. "Ehh! He moves whenever you laugh!" He exclaims.

"He's angry at me... it's too shaky when I laugh, he doesn't like it," I say and Genji snickers.

"He's going to be strong, just like his father!" Hotaru says proudly, walking over with the tray of tea and setting it down as he pours me a cup. "His kicks are strong already, he'll make a fine swordsmith!" He boasts as he hands me a cup and I roll my eyes.

"Strong like his father? He's strong like me! Watch, he'll become the greatest demon slayer in the world! After Genji of course.." I giggle, ruffling Genji's hair who puffs his chest out proudly. "He'll be perfect no matter how he turns out," I whisper and Hotaru strokes my hair lovingly.

"I'll go get some more firewood! I'll be home before dark!" Genji says before running away and I drink the tea, gazing up at the clouds in the blue sky as Haganezuka yawns, flinging his arm around me making me giggle.

"He'll be here any day now," I say and Hotaru places his large hand over my belly, feeling him kick.

"Hanako..." he suddenly whispers making me hum. "What if I'm not a good father.." He says and I look up at him confused.

"What?"

"I mean.. I don't know how a father is supposed to act. My own father couldn't put up with me and abandoned me.. and Takahashi only knew how to bring me up as a swordsmith. I want to be a good father, but I'm worried I am not capable of it.." he says and I sit up with a frown, removing his mask to look into his worried eyes.

"Hotaru... If there's anyone in this world I believe will be an amazing father, it's you!" I say and he looks away with a huff.

"You don't mean it."

"I do! I see how you take care of Genji, and how you take care of me! Who cares if you never had a proper father growing up.. I didn't have a mother, and I know for sure that I'm going to be an amazing mother because I already have so much love for our son, and nothing will change that," I say and he looks at me with gentle eyes but a scowl. I cup his cheek, looking at him angrily making him chuckle at my pout. "Don't think so poorly of yourself! I married a strong and brave man, and I can't wait to meet our son because if he's anything like his dad, he's going to be the kindest, funniest, and most caring little boy out there!" His cheeks turn a light shade of pink, and he pulls me into a hug which I melt into.

"You're amazing Hanako," he mumbles into my neck and I hum. "How did I get so lucky with you?" I giggle, pulling away and flipping my hair with a grin.

"You're welcome~!" I say and he chuckles, looking down at my belly and rubbing it softly.

"Your mother is a little brat you know that?" He whispers and I gasp dramatically, hitting his chest making him laugh. "She can hardly look after herself, how will she look after you?" I cross my arms angrily and he just smiles lovingly, a gentle look in his usual angry eyes and my eyes widen as his features seem to physically soften. "You better be good to your mum, because she's got a heart too big for her stupid small body... and she's going to give you so much love."

"Hotaru..." I whisper and he looks up at me as I kiss him softly. He kisses me back and I climb into his lap, clutching his robe in my fist and he firmly grabs my shoulders, pulling me away which makes me frown.

"H-Hanako.." he whispers breathless and I try and kiss him again, put he puts his hand over my mouth making me look at him confused. "We can't," he mumbles and I groan, pulling his hand away.

"Ever since I got pregnant you keep telling me no.. I'm fine!" I say and he shakes his head sternly.

"I'm not risking hurting you or our son.." he says and I sigh, climbing off his lap and glaring at him, before giving in and laughing as he pulls me back into his lap and nuzzles my neck... knowing that I'm ticklish there.

"T-this is h-hurting me!" I say through laughter as he also chuckles, placing playful kisses along my neck which makes me squirm and laugh.

"I don't know how I'll be able to resist you once our son is here.." he says as he gently bites my ear lobe as I yelp and try to push him away.

"Well it won't be much longer... he'll be here before we even know it!" I sigh, rubbing my belly gently as he wraps his arms around me and we lay in the warm afternoon sun together. "What should we name him?"

"Hotaru Junior obviously," I roll my eyes at his remark as he chuckles softly. "I don't know, what do you want to name him?"

"I don't know... I haven't thought about potential baby names like... ever really," I hum and he agrees.

"I think we will know once he gets here, right?" I nod happily, snuggling further into his arms with a sigh.

"I love you Hotaru."

"Hm? What's this all about so suddenly?" I giggle at his confused voice.

"I just wanted to tell you I love you! Is that so strange?" He rolls his eyes before snuggling into my neck making me yelp and giggle while trying to push him away.

"I love you too weirdo," he chuckles and I grin widely, holding onto his arms that are wrapped around me tightly.

"Yuck, get a room," we hear Genji say as he stands behind us with an an unamused expression and an arms full of logs. I giggle as Haganezuka glares at him before reluctantly letting me stand.

"Here I'll help you Genji that must be heavy," I try to take the logs from Genji but both he and Haganezuka stop me and glare at me which makes me roll my eyes. "I'm not that weak you two come on," I say with a huff and they both still refuse making me giggle as Haganezuka takes some logs from Genji instead of me.

I cook dinner for all of us as I usually would do and we eat together happily. I watch the two bicker back and forth with a smile, knowing that I'm building the family I always dreamed of having... even when it seemed impossible for me.

The next day, I do some housework while the two boys are out running errands. I hum softly to myself, until a gentle knocking on the door catches my attention and I hurry to put on my mask and open the door.

"Hanako!"

I gasp happily as Miko hugs me tightly and I immediately return the hug. She grins widely as we pull away and I usher her into the house.

"Miko!? What are you doing here? I didn't know you were coming to visit!?" I say and she groans, stretching her arms above her head.

"I didn't have time to write~ I've been on mission after mission recently and I've been sent here to recover in the hot springs for a few days! Isn't it great!" I beam, the two of us jumping up and down happily as if we were still young girls first living together at the demon slayer residence.

"Well let's go to the hot springs now! Then I'll cook dinner for us and you can eat with us tonight!" She nods happily as we walk up to the hot springs hand in hand.

"Ahhh~ I wish I lived here as well Hanako! You're so lucky being able to enjoy these hot springs whenever you want to!" She sighs happily as we sink into the warm water and I grin.

"It definitely is quite different to living at the residence~" I sigh, leaning my head back and not noticing her gaze on me.

"Are you happy?" I look at her, confused from the sudden question. "What I mean is, things aren't the same without you.." She frowns slightly, making my heart ache. "We all miss you, especially the young maids... and Haku. We never expected you to retire so soon..." I smile softly, sitting closer to her and rubbing her shoulder.

"Believe me, no one had a harder time adjusting than me... I thought that I'd die in battle, before getting married or having my own family... so now living this life, it almost feels like a dream..."

"But are you happier this way?" I think for a bit.

"In some ways yes, in others no. Of course I'm grateful to be able to live the life I always wanted, and I love Hotaru so much so to be able to have a family with him makes me incredibly happy... but I miss all of you so much," she smiles sadly, resting her head on my shoulder. "Like I always said, you all were my true family so of course I miss you more and more every day... but I had a chance to live a long and happy life.. I couldn't turn it down."

"I'm jealous... I hope I find someone I love soon," I giggle at her words.

"You're still young Miko! There's no rush to get married!"

"But you're only a year older than me and you're married and about to have a baby!"

"W-well that wasn't planned obviously! It's not like Hotaru and I had sex-"

"H-hey stop talking! I don't wanna know about that!" She covers her ears as I smirk before laughing. "You're so gross~! How can I eat dinner with Hotaru now that you've said that!"

"Oh c'mon! How do you think babies are made anyway~!"

"Shut up!"