Chapter 5: The harvest

As the training months went on, Tanjiro was now off to the next Hashiras. Muichiro was off training more and more recently, as Hanari laid down in bed. She had not been feeling well lately and was feeling like she wasn't eating enough lately. She felt like she was constantly hungry all the time. Yet, when she would eat, she was also vomiting it up every now and then. She spent most of her time laying down, as she couldn't move much without feeling in pain. It was going on for a while and Muichiro had taken notice. He thought she was over working herself again, as he was the one to tell her to stay laying down. It wasn't by that time Muichiro had then had enough. He made a Kakushi take Hanari to the butterfly mansion to be healed. She wanted to tell Muichiro that she would be okay if she rested, but he didn't want to take any chances. So, here she was laying down in the mansion. Shinobu had just walked in. She was apologizing as she walked up to sit with her. "I apologize for the delay. I was working on a project, and we just tested it. So far it works." Hanari nodded with a smile and was about to sit up, yet Shinobu told her to remain laying down. The younger girl nodded as she laid there silently.

Shinobu hummed as she listened to her breathing and other health features. Temperature and all. "Well, over all you are perfectly healthy. What were the symptoms you said you were experiencing?" Hanari then tapped her fingers together slightly flustered. She explained her sickness, eating, and exhaustion that was happening over the last month. Shinobu hummed while closing her eyes and smiling. "Have you been consummating lately?" Hanari flushed even more and covered her face with her hands. She couldn't be explaining that to her! She couldn't say it! It was embarrassing for others to know that her and Muichiro were! Or at least a few months ago was the last time, since he has been busy lately from the training. Shinobu took her hands and held them firmly. She made sure Hanari was looking at her. The younger girl looked over to see Shinobu giving the I know you are face. Hanari then sighed in defeat before nodding. Shinobu giggled a little before grabbing a few items from her pockets. "You are only with child, dear. You aren't ill at all." Hanari blinked once before smiling and then quickly reaching over to take Shinobu's hands. It surprised the Hashira at first to be suddenly grabbed. The older girl noticed that Hanari was giving her the 'are you serious' look, making Shinobu nod. "Yes. I promise that you are. The symptoms are all normal. You are with Muichiro's child." 

It was by then Hanari was smiling and starting to cry. Shinobu continued to grab a bottle from her pocket, handing it to her while patting her head. "You did a great job. Completing your mission. Now take these pills when you feel sick. They shall make your stomach feel lighter than what you feel now. That way you can go on with your day." Hanari nodded happily as she then began to stand with Shinobu. She embraced the Hashira and then went on her way back home with the kakushi. She couldn't wait to tell Muichiro the great news.  When he gets back from training tonight, she will tell him. She rubbed her stomach happily while walking back home. It was getting late, so she had to start making dinner. Muichiro should be home soon to eat then go back for more training into the night. Hanari nodded as she planned to make his favorite meal today. Furofuki Daikon. Arriving to the home, she goes to the kitchen to take her first pill and then cook the small meals. It made sense that this meal was light for Muichiro. He didn't always eat huge meals all the time and always preferred something light. Thus, the reason Furofuki Daikon was his favorite thing to eat. 

It was dark. The sun had set, and the stars are out for the night. It was a beautiful night. Hanari was sitting by the door, as the meal was sitting on a fire to stay warm. She waited patiently for her husband to return for dinner. Just as the door opened, she bowed welcoming him home. Muichiro smiled as he walked in and closed the door. Hanari stood to receive her normal kiss when he got home. "Are you feeling well?" he asked calmly to her, holding her hands. "Yes. I am. There is something that I have to tell you at dinner. It will make you pleased." she said, just as Ginko flew in quickly through the window. "Intruder! There is an intruder! The master is in severe danger! Quickly go to the master's!" Muichiro's face darkened as he was going to turn around. Hanari was confused, since she couldn't understand birds. She quickly held his hand to stop him from leaving out the door.

"Muichiro, wait for a second. I have to tell you-" she spoke as he looked to her, holding her face to silence her. "The master needs all of us immediately. I shall return as soon as possible." he said before giving her more kiss. Then he quickly ran out the door in the blink of an eye. His hand on his sword. Hanari frowned just as soon as he left. She had this bad feeling in her. So returned to sitting on the ground by the door. Not much longer, from the window, she witnessed a sudden explosion in the distance. A huge wave of fire flying into the sky and smoke everywhere. Fear and worry were entering her heart. Her eyes widened from the sight before her. She could only hope that her husband was safe. That everyone was safe. The hours felt like days to her. It was taking so long, the Furofuki Daikon was now soggy and cold, since the fire went out to keep it warm. Hanari remained still and calm, but the hours went on and on. She had no idea what was really happening. She couldn't understand crows unless they carried a note for her to read. She wished there was at least a note that she could have to understand what was happening.

Muichiro coughed violently, as he had his hand cut from his body. His sword was rammed into his shoulder, keeping him stuck to the wall. He groaned as the upper ranked moon walked up to him, "My descendant, if you become a demon, you can be stronger than you are now. You don't have to fear death and regenerate your lost limbs. I am sure that man will welcome you in, as he did for me." he spoke coldly. Muichiro kept his silence and glared at the demon, that was his so-called grandfather. The ranked one demon hummed at his silence. Then suddenly dodged an attack from three other demon slayers that showed up. Muichiro smiled in relief that it was Gyomeii, Sanemi, and Genya.  The three showed up at the perfect time to help him. It wasn't till much longer that Gyomeii assisted in helping Muichiro down from the pillar. The boy tied his sword to his hand and tied his lost limb closed to slow the bleeding. The pillars continued to come up with a plan and felt like it could almost be no use, because as the fighting progressed, Muichiro lost another limb and Kokoshibo got stronger. Blood was escaping his mouth, as he did his best to fight his great grandfather, Kokoshibo. The demon was strong, and he knew that he would have died if Gyomei and the Shinazugawa brothers didn't arrive. It was a tough battle. He knew that he couldn't think of anything else at the moment. This was the thing he had to do. He was trapped in a demon's blood art and couldn't escape if he even tried. "So, my descendant, are you sure you don't want to become a demon? You can grow your limbs back as soon as possible. You can become even stronger than you are now." Kokoshibo spoke, yet Muichiro remained quiet to the invitation. He didn't want to give him an answer. He hated demons severely, so there was no way in hell he would ever want to be one. Not when he has family back home for him. He promised he would do everything to protect that family he has now. "That's a shame..." Kokoshibo spoke, before dodging a bullet and sword attack from the Shinazugawa brothers.

It was hours till Muichiro finally got up to his grandfather and stabbed him, his sword burning red to keep him from regenerating. There were then constant attempts of attacking at the demon before all of them. Kokoshibo growled severely, as he felt pinned in a corner for a moment. He then screamed while doing a breathing technique. Moons going everywhere and cutting everyone. Gyomeii then smashed the demon's head in. Just as he wanted to regenerate, he couldn't and dissolved, since he couldn't activate his blood demon art. The battle versus upper moon one was finished. The boys all sighed for a moment, yet the only ones who weren't severely injured to the point of death were Gyomeii and Sanemi. The wind hashira was worried about his brother, as Gyomeii looked over to the mist hashira's direction. He walked up to hear the tearful words from the youngest male. His body severed in half and bleeding out. His eyes cold and dark, with tears falling from his eyes. "Did.. I do it.. Gyomeii?" he asked painfully. The stone hashira nodded in prayer. "Yes, you did, Tokito. Because of you, we were able to win." Muichiro's breath shaking as he struggled to reach up, staring into the many buildings above him. He struggled to speak, as he coughed blood once again. "P-please tell.. Hanari.. That I won't return home and that.. I can't protect her anymore... Hana.. ri... I'm... sorry... Hana..ri... I... love..." he said just as he dropped his arm to his side and fell cold. "I shall tell her for you, Tokito. She will know your last words. You were so young to fall here. For now, rest in peace." The stone hashira spoke, as he closed Muichiro's eyes and laid his haori over the top the boy's body. Gyomeii standing with his tears leaving his face. 'Shinazugawa. We have to go after Muzan." he spoke as the white-haired male stood in anger. The night had to move on. And it wouldn't end till Muzan was dead and buried under them.

It was hours as Hanari sat there. The sun had finally risen and there was no sign of her husband's return. She took a deep breath in, as she did her best to calm herself. Muichiro was strong. He was a hashira. He was even a prodigy from a descendant of swordsmen. He would be okay. She kept telling herself while keeping an eye on the door. About two hours after sunrise, there was a slow knock on the door and then it slowly opened. She was then smiling, as she saw Shinazugawa standing in the door. The smile then fell into confusion, as the wind hashira walked up to her. He kneeled down to her, saying her name and slowly bowing down to her. It was quiet for a moment, as they both sat there on the ground. She was flustered as he bowed to her, and she patted his shoulder to try and lift his head. It took a minute, but he eventually lifted his head. She had noticed his battle wounds and saw he was missing a part of his hand. His eyes carried sadness and grief. Like he lost something that he tried so hard to protect. She was severely worried, as he then spoke, "Lady Tokito, Muichiro had fallen in battle during our fight against an upper moon. His body is long gone and cannot be found. his last words were for you, He said he apologizes that he can't be back home and that he loves you..." the wind hashira spoke while looking into her eyes. 

Hanari was frozen. Muichiro was dead? He's gone. There is no way that he could be. He trained so hard and was an amazing swordsman. There was no way he could be gone. Not when he said he would be back. She didn't tell him about their child yet. That alone made her eyes widen more and more, as the water began to fall rapidly. She struggled to find her words. Her mouth was open wide, but nothing but squeaks escaped her lips. She began to shake and shake her head no. Sanemi frowned even more, trying to be strong and not cry with her. He thought that Muichiro was a good kid and great friend. He enjoyed Muichiro's presence and trained with him every night. The kid was amazing. He only regretted that he didn't talk with him more. The next thing he heard was a loud scream of no that scratched the air. Hanari was screaming and crying, as Sanemi reached over and then hugged her close. She screamed and threw her arms at him in anger. There was no way he was gone. He was coming home! He said he would be back to be with her!  There was no way!