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

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Ryuji stood still, his calm gaze fixed on the demon before him.

The demon crouched on the ground like a wild beast, its scarlet eyes gleaming in the dim moonlight, making it even more menacing. Those red eyes, brimming with hunger, stared at Ryuji, their intent clear. The air seemed to thicken with tension.

After a few minutes of silence, the demon didn't attack but kept its gaze on him. Noticing this, Ryuji took a cautious step back, his eyes never leaving the creature. If it moved, he was ready to draw his gun.

Though firearms couldn't kill demons, the powerful bullets could still cause them harm.

The demon remained still, watching Ryuji with those glowing eyes, before lowering its head and resuming its grisly feast. Blood stained its mouth, making the sight even more horrific in the pale light.

Once Ryuji was out of the demon's sight and had walked a good distance, he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. That demon had felt particularly dangerous.

It wasn't an ordinary demon.

If they had fought, Ryuji wasn't sure he could have won. Without a Nichirin Blade, killing a demon was nearly impossible. Even if he wounded it, its rapid healing would soon negate the damage.

Reflecting on his earlier encounter, Ryuji realized the demon had likely been drawn by the scent of blood after he had killed those men. Demons are irresistibly drawn to the smell of human flesh.

As for why the demon hadn't attacked, Ryuji guessed it didn't want to make too much noise. It already had plenty of food and didn't need to risk a fight with him. Perhaps it had sensed that he was no easy target. Or maybe, within this city, there was something the demon feared—like the Demon Slayer Corps, who lurked in the shadows to protect humans.

This encounter made it clear to Ryuji that demons weren't mindless monsters. They had intelligence, and they couldn't be treated like simple beasts.

---

Inside the house, Kie Kamado lay in bed, unable to sleep. Ryuji's words before he left made her uneasy. She couldn't help but worry about what he was up to that night.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Kie sat up and opened it, finding Nezuko standing there, clutching her pillow.

The girl quickly ran inside and dove into the bed, nestling herself into the warmth of the blankets. Kie couldn't help but smile at her daughter's antics. Despite being older now, Nezuko still liked to sleep beside her, like a child.

Kie shook her head gently, laying down next to Nezuko. The moment she did, Nezuko hugged her tightly and buried her face in her mother's arms.

"You're getting so big, Nezuko," Kie said softly, a note of fondness in her voice.

"Nezuko will always be a kid to you, Mama," Nezuko mumbled, her small face pressing against her mother's chest.

Kie chuckled, stroking Nezuko's hair. Her daughter had grown so much, and with each day, she was turning into a fine young woman. But for Kie, she still felt the passage of time.

Suddenly, Nezuko fumbled under the covers, her hand brushing against something unfamiliar. She pulled it out, her face puzzled.

"Mama, what's this?" Nezuko asked, holding up the object.

Kie's face turned crimson as she quickly snatched the item away and stuffed it into a small box on her bedside table, her movements flustered.

Nezuko blinked, confused by her mother's reaction. It was just a collar, after all—nothing too strange.

But as she glanced at her mother's flushed face, realization began to dawn on her. Nezuko had read a few things, books in the city that spoke of… intimate matters. Her face heated up at the thought, but she shook her head, not wanting to believe it.

"Mama, does Uncle Ryuji… bully you?" Nezuko asked softly, her voice tinged with concern.

Kie froze, her heart skipping a beat. She looked down at her daughter's worried face, feeling a wave of shame wash over her. It wasn't like that, she wanted to explain. But how could she?

It was true, she hadn't understood Ryuji's ways at first. But now… now, she had come to accept and even enjoy their time together. Yet, she didn't want Nezuko to misunderstand or resent Ryuji for it.

"Nezuko, it's not like that," Kie whispered, gently taking her daughter's hand. "Now, it's late. Let's get some sleep."

Nezuko, still nestled in her mother's arms, couldn't shake the lingering images in her mind. She didn't know what to make of it, but she trusted her mother. Maybe, it wasn't what she thought.

---

After returning to his room, Ryuji let out a sigh of relief. He hadn't expected to encounter a demon today.

Carefully, he placed the money he'd earned into the cabinet, then examined the firearm he'd acquired. It was an older model, but well-maintained—a testament to the care of its previous owner.

After putting the gun away, Ryuji turned his focus to his attribute template:

Name: Ryuji

Physique: 1.8 (Average adult is 1.0)

Dexterity: 1.8 (Average adult is 1.0)

Strength: 1.8 (Average adult is 1.0)

Spirit: 2.0 (Average adult is 1.0)

Breathing Technique: Breath of the Sun (1.7/100)

Attribute Points Earned: 0.75

In just one night, he had earned 0.75 attribute points—far more than he usually gained hunting in the mountains.

"Whew…"

Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the temptation to revel in his progress. The rapid gains were enticing, but he couldn't let himself lose sight of his purpose. He vowed to only use this power against the truly evil—those who deserved it.

Resolving to continue his growth responsibly, Ryuji allocated the 0.75 points to his "Breath of the Sun."

As the points were applied, a sudden surge of clarity flooded his mind. It felt as though a hammer had struck his consciousness, forcing new understanding and techniques into his awareness.

When he emerged from the trance, his entire body felt stronger, more controlled. He glanced at the updated template:

Name: Ryuji

Physique: 2.15

Dexterity: 2.15

Strength: 2.15

Spirit: 2.35

Breathing Technique: Breath of the Sun (2.4/100)

Attribute Points Earned: 0.05

"Not bad," Ryuji muttered, flexing his fingers as he adapted to the increased power.

For a brief moment, he considered visiting Kie to share this newfound strength but hesitated. His rapid growth was exhilarating, but it came with risks. What if he accidentally hurt her? Kie had endured enough hardship lately; she deserved rest and peace.

Still, a thought lingered: with his abilities growing stronger, would Kie be able to stay by his side forever?

---

The next morning, Ryuji stretched and stepped outside. The crisp air invigorated him as he spotted Kie in the yard, gathering vegetables. Her simple clothes accentuated her figure, and even this modest task seemed captivating.

Nearby, Tanjiro was practicing diligently, with Nezuko joining his training.

Ryuji approached Kie from behind and wrapped his arms around her gently. She stiffened, her face turning pink.

"Not here… The children will see," she whispered.

"So what if they do?" he teased, his lips brushing her ear. "They already know how close we are."

Kie's blush deepened, but her shy smile made her all the more endearing.

"Oh, by the way," Ryuji asked suddenly, "why is Nezuko training today? She usually doesn't join Tanjiro like this."

Kie's face turned crimson, her voice dropping to a whisper. "It's… because of you."

"Me?" Ryuji raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

Kie hesitated before mumbling, "She found… what you left behind that night."

Ryuji's eyes widened. "What?! How did that happen?"

Kie fidgeted, looking away. "I forgot to tidy the room after you left… and Nezuko came in."

Ryuji sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Is she mad?"

Kie shook her head quickly. "No, Ryuji. I explained everything to her. She doesn't blame you."

"Really?"

"Yes," Kie said softly, her blush returning. "I even told her… that I didn't mind. That I like it when you're like that with me. It doesn't feel like you're bullying me."

Ryuji blinked, momentarily speechless.

"So that's why she's so fired up today," he muttered.

Kie nodded, her gaze lowered. "I think she wants to prove herself—to show she's strong, too."

Ryuji exhaled deeply, glancing over at Nezuko, who was training with fierce determination.

"Well," he said, turning back to Kie with a smirk, "at least she's motivated."

He gently tilted her chin up, meeting her eyes. "And you? You really like it when I'm like that?"

Kie's eyes fluttered shut as she gave a shy nod, too embarrassed to say the words aloud.

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