Chapter 4: The blossom

It was now two days since Muichiro had arrived at the butterfly mansion and was now allowed to return home. Hanari was happily waiting for him at home, sitting on the ground waiting for him to return. He had a small hashira meeting to go to, before coming home. It was late at night, as she was sitting there by the door. Her heart was happy and a smile on her face. She couldn't contain her happiness, as she saw the door slowly open, and he was standing right there. She bowed to him, as always, and stood on her feet after. He smiled to her gently and closed the door. He then took off his sandals, before walking up to her and embracing her. She embraced him back, before he kissed her happily for a moment. She blushed faintly as she returned it and then pulled away. "I have dinner waiting for you in the room. Then your bath is sitting hot for you when you are done eating." he nodded and then walked off to the dining room and sat on the floor. The food was on a tray in front of him, as he picked it and began to eat it. It made a calm smile evade his face. He turned to Hanari, that was sitting to the side of him, and spoke. "It tastes amazing, as always. Thank you." he said before continuing to eat till it was all gone.

Hanari sat in the bedroom, in her nightwear, brushing her hair during the time Muichiro was finishing his bath. She had cleaned his dishware, before resting in the futon. She hummed to herself, as she had her eyes closed. She was having such a happy day, as she rested for the rest of the night. She then jumped a little as she felt Muichiro tapping her shoulder to get her attention. She was scared for a second yet blushed faintly as he was only wearing a loose robe as well. He smiled to her as he sat beside her and held her hand. She smiled as she relaxed in his presence. He then looked over to her and faintly flushed. It was kind of embarrassing for him to speak of the weird things for him. Yet Shinobu also spoke to him before he left the meeting. "Say, Hanari?" he asked to get her attention, while squeezing her hand a little. She turned her head to him and tilted her head confused. "Um, I know that we have only done what happened once, but I was told to ask you if you were with my child yet? Shinobu told me that you were supposed to be as soon as possible." he spoke calmly. Yet Hanari flushed so red that she looked away and shook her head. "I don't think I am... Yet." she whispered. He looked away also and then scratched at his arm a little. This was so weird for him. He didn't understand what he was supposed to do now. If she wasn't with child, does that mean they have to do it again? God. He wished he had Tengen help him or something... But he had to at least try, right?

It was then the next morning. They both laid together in the futon they shared for the first time. He held her close, while she rested on his chest. Hanari was awake, but she didn't want to move. Or more like she couldn't. She felt in muscle pain on her body. It ached and was covered in a few marks here and there from Muichiro kissing her last night. She looked up to his sleeping face and smiled to see him resting calmly. Yet his breathing seemed to be at a constant rhythm. Like it was normal for him to breathe that way. She only ignored it and cuddled closer to him. Which he then stirred a little and held her even closer. He rolled to his side and embraced her face to his chest. She flushed from him being so clingy in his rest. It made her smile and then look up to brush his hair from his face. Noticing his semi-long lashes and how thin his hair actually was. It made her realize that for their age, he really was cute. When they grow up, he would definitely be a handsome guy in the future. It made her happy to know she was married to him now. 

After messing with his hair more, he slowly opened his eyes and looked down to her. He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Good morning, Hana." he said as she smiled back to him. He slowly sat up as he stretched. Hanari remain laying down, watching him carefully. He then got up and fixed his robe to his body. He turned to face Hanari, confused on why she remained laying down. She flushed and tried her best to say she was having a little pain in her body at the moment from the night before. It made Muichiro shyly turn his head away flustered. He apologized, then whispered that he would go see if the Kakushi was there yet to make breakfast. She nodded and covered herself under the blankets. Muichiro went out to get his uniform from the cleaning room and then got dressed. He was in his uniform and went over to the kitchen. He noticed the kakushi there making breakfast. Muichiro walked in and then asked him to bring some breakfast to Hanari in the room since she wasn't feeling well. The other boy nodded and continued to work, as Muichiro then remembered they started the hashira training today. He sighed as he knew that it would be a bore. 

As the day passed, it was beginning to be dusk. The young corps members had taken their night off and went to go rest from their 'torture' from Muichiro. Hanari only then smiled as she watched her husband return from the long day. He looked so bored and completely finished with the training already. He sat down beside Hanari and then laid back, "How did the training go today?" she asked him, as he glanced over to her. Her face was just pure with a gentle smile. Making his boredom slowly fly from the room out the window. He looked back up to the ceiling, "It wasn't getting anywhere. They may have some okay talent, but they will die if they meet any upper moons. And they are refusing to make any progress. So, to give an accurate answer, it was terrible." he said as she then turned to face him better. Hovering over his face, moving a little bit of his bangs from his eyes. "It is only the first day. Hopefully they will make better progress tomorrow, Mui..." she said as positive, as possible. He could only smile back while grabbing her face and rubbing his thumb over her cheek. He didn't know he could have realized he was this happy with her without Tanjiro's help. He never told Hanari about it yet, but maybe when Tanjiro comes over in the training session, he can have them meet."

It was a few more weeks later that Muichiro was sending only a few at a time a week to move on to the next Hashira. It was annoying him intensely, but he didn't want anything to happen to these guys. It was how he truly felt. He didn't know what to do with them. Yet suddenly a crow appeared with a note on it's leg, as he stood by the water in the morning. He grabbed it and opened the note. Then a huge, bright smile appeared on his face. "Tanjiro is coming today. He will arrive today. I can't wait." he said as he then turned around and started to make his way to the training room. He was going to step a foot in, till Hanari called his name. He stopped at the door and turned around to face her. He had a gentle smile as she walked up and slightly bowed to him as always. "I am going to visit Ms. Kocho for a health visit today. I shall return by lunch for you." she said cheerfully. He nodded to her as he then held her face to kiss her forehead. "I shall be here. Safe travels." She nodded and then turned away to walk out the gates and down the street to the butterfly mansion.

It was a few hours later. Muichiro was swinging his wooden sword at the corps members. On the head, leg, and hands till they fell. "And you're dead. If this was a real battle, you would be dead three times over." he said coldly, as the door let a breeze in. He blinked and looked over to see his best friend, Tanjiro standing in the door. "Tanjiro! Long time, no see! I have been waiting for you!" he said with the same bright smile he gave Hanari. Tanjiro only chuckled nervously watching the situation in front of him. It was a few moments later that Muichiro continued to train them, till he then gave up. "Let us call it a day. We aren't getting anywhere." he said as the members then stood and walked out to get a drink from being exhausted. Tanjiro then walked up to Muichiro amazed, "You are outstanding Tokito. You don't seem the slightest bit exhausted." Muichiro smiled a little cocky and nodded. "Of course, Tanjiro. I am a hashira after all. Also, follow me. I have to show you something." he said as he started to walk out with Tanjiro in tow. The taller boy was curious on what Muichiro had to show him inside a small building. Muichiro pardoned himself as he entered the buidling. Tanjiro blinked as he was surprised to see Kanamori there. 

"Oh, young Kamado! You look well. Your wounds seem to be healing well. That's good." the swordsmith spoke happily. Tanjiro asked on why he was here and Muichiro explained the reasons. The swords, building, and how he wanted to be prepared for anything. Tanjiro was only so amazed from how Muichiro was thinking and how well he trained to get this far. "Also, Tanjiro, to thank you for helping me fight the upper moon at the swordsmith village, would you care to join me for lunch? I would like for you to meet my wife." Tanjiro smiled brightly saying he would love to, till he then blinked confused. "Wait, what did you say? A-are you really married Tokito?" he asked to try and see if he heard the younger boy wrong. Muichiro nodded, "Yes, I am. I have been for a few good months now. And I would appreciate it if you wore your full uniform in front of her. Don't show your skin to her." he answered him, but almost a little coldly with his smile on his face. Mostly meaning he was serious about the indecency. Tanjiro nodded quickly as he then removed his bag to pull out the rest of his uniform. Buttoning the shirt and jacket, Muichiro's crow had flew in. "Lady Tokito has returned." Muichiro smiled gently once again. "Perfect timing."

The two boys walked to the main entrance of Muichiro's home, Tanjiro slightly nervous to meet his friend's wife. Wife! He didn't even know that he was married to begin with. Way before he even met him the first time. "Tanjiro," Muichiro spoke calmly, as the other boy said a small yes in reply. "My wife cannot hear and is half blind in one eye. She lost her hearing from when she was an infant. So, she is good at reading lips. And she lost her eye from a demon attack at her old home. If you try to block your mouth from her vision, I shall not be happy with you." he spoke seriously to the boy. The taller male only nodded, "Yes. I would never do that. I will respect you both." he said as they arrived at the door. Slowly opening it, Muichiro spoke that he had returned home. Tanjiro's ears heard a small, quiet voice that sounded like a beautiful dove welcoming Muichiro back home. Stepping inside, he was baffled at the cute girl that was sitting on the floor, bowing to Tokito. She had long black hair and beautiful rosy eyes. Her skin was fair and beautiful compared to her sky-blue kimono that was covered in butterflies.

He admired her beauty for a moment, till she stood and tilted her head seeing Tanjiro. "Are we having a guest today, Muichiro?" she asked calmly to the hashira beside her. The younger boy nodded to his wife and gestured to Tanjiro. "Yes. This is Tanjiro Kamado. He was with me at the sword village. He was the one who saved me that day and the reason I can remember everything now. He is the reason I am here today with you. So, I have invited him to eat with us today and his entire visit." Tanjiro gasped as he bowed forward, slightly flustered. "Hello, Lady Tokito. I thank you and Tokito for allowing me to visit and eat with you today." he said politely, standing back up to see her smiling and then seeing her smiling brightly with tears. "You saved my husband on that village and returned him to me. Thank you so much, Kamado." she cried while walking up to him and holding his hand. Tanjiro was flustered from the contact, but then nervously shrugged his shoulders. "I don't recall helping him in person, but if I was the one who Tokito claims that helped him, then you're welcome, Lady Tokito." 

Hanari let go of his hand and turned to her husband, the smile still on her face. She lifted her hand to then poke his forehead roughly. Muichiro winced for a second and then blinked confused. "If you are bringing a guest, tell me. You cannot appear with someone randomly. I didn't look presentable as your wife." she pouted and Muichiro then smiled. "You look beautiful no matter what." he said as she huffed and turned around to the kitchen. "Lunch will be ready soon. Please wait in the dining room." The boys nodded and Muichiro led the way to the room. He went to sit on the floor, as Tanjiro joined him. It was silent for a moment, till Tanjiro broke the silence. "Um, Tokito? You said it was an arranged marriage, correct? What were your thoughts on this whole relationship?" he asked of pure curiosity. Muichiro hummed while putting a hand to his chin, doing his best to recall the moment it was arranged. "You see, I don't fully know how I felt on that day. I know that it was a surprise not knowing what was going to happen or how it would go in the future, but I do know that I am happy now. I have been since I have met her and had our first week together. It was awkward at the start, of course. Yet I was never upset with her in any way. She works very hard for me, and it worries me sometimes. Yet she had gotten better at not working too hard." he said as he smiled with a little remorse. The memories of his mother always working so hard to the point she collapsed and fell ill. They came flooding back like a river. "I don't want anything to happen to her and I will do everything in my power to protect her. After all, she is my new family, and I don't want to lose her."