I'm currently writing this on top of a building while smoking but let's get on with it anyways..

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{third POV}

It had been a couple days since Giyuu came back sick in his search for Akaza... and Tanjiro's eventful night with Muichiro. Might I add the mist pillar was feeling rather happy about since.

Tanjiro had been postponed from going on missions to look after the water pillar since he refused to go to the medical room for some odd reason. So the burgundy haired boy made it his responsibility to nurse Giyuu back to health. As for the pillar, he had been enjoying every single minute of it. Occasionally making Tanjiro flustered by catching him off guard with a kiss or slight tug of his hips.

As for Inosuke and Zenitsu, they had almost recovered by now. The bore head's crushed throat on the road to recovery and Zenitsu's limbs were almost the same size as before.

I'm contrast to everyone else whom was in the butterfly mansion. They were getting indeed very jealous.

Tanjiro spent every single day with Giyuu and the other pillars had started to get restless in the need for Tanjiro's affection.

In fact, one person in particular had hidden it for so long that he simply couldn't stay away any longer.

And that person was Kyojiro Rengoku.

The flame pillar had been previously pacing back and forth in his room while thinking of the innocent bean. Oh how he missed his bright smile and gentle touch. The way his glowing eyes shon with purity despite what he's been through, how his cute fangs poked out of his small pink lips.

Rengoku just couldn't get Tanjiro out of his mind.

As of right now, Tanjiro sat outside under a little roof in the garden; peacefully watching the rain poor down on the surrounding.

He needed some time to think. And the rain helped him greatly; it was like it cleared his mind from negative thoughts and feelings.

Tanjiro was a little confused about everything.

Just why was he being constantly stalked and taken by the demon's? Muzan had taken him before and used him for pleasure and blood. A traumatic experience nonetheless. Then Douma tried to turn him into a demon, which kind-of worked but didn't really. Then was his encounter with Akaza of which his memories were fuzzy so he didn't really know what happened. And the most recent, which was Enmu and Douma trying to take him once more...

Luckily Rengoku was there to help him however, otherwise Tanjiro would've likely been in their grasp right now.

Just what did they want? Tanjiro wondered this for days on end.

He didn't understand. But everyone else who tried to protect him definitely understood.

As the constant pitter patter of raindrops filled his senses and dulled his mind, Tanjiro sighed and flopped onto the wooden floorboards while swinging his feet back and forth on the shallow puddles.

"Kamado!" Suddenly none other than Rengoku appeared on top of Tanjiro, plastering on his biggest smile as he scared the living daylights out of Tanjiro.

"Rengoku-san! Y-you scared me..." he sheepishly gasped, sitting up while staring at the muscular male.

"May I sit?!"

"Sure go ahead" Tanjiro gestured to the space next to him and shuffled slightly to the side, offering the flame pillar a soft smile.

Rengoku sat close as possible to Tanjiro and stared at the bleak garden. It was a particularly overcast day, creating a sort of suffocating feeling as the clouds drifted close to the ground.

With eyes at rest in the way of dreams, they both hear the quenching rain. The percussion of the given water varies according to the surface it wets. It was like a natural orchestra; There is the drums that are windows, the cymbals that are the concrete floor, and the soft, delicate maracas that are the music of the grass.

It was a natural melody every bit as beautiful as a mother's soulful hum.

"Can I ask you something Rengoku-san?..." Tanjiro mumbled, the sound of the rain almost filtering out his words.

"Of course! Anything you must!" He yelled, cheeks going slightly red with how dazed and cute Tanjiro looked while staring at the rain.

"Why- why must I always be used..?" Tanjiro asked with a little hesitance, stumbling upon his words as his voice broke half way through.

Rengoku's face softened as he looked in Tanjiro's direction 'used?'

"What do you mean Tanjiro?" The pillar countered, concern filling his tone. Tanjiro struggled to wheeze out a reply. His cheeks and nose going a warm red as his eyes became glazed with tears. Tanjiro bit his trembling lip in anguish, stifling his own gentle sobs as he looked to the puddle on the floor in shame.

The puddle reflected Tanjiro's own face as he stared down into it, he could almost see himself perfectly despite the ripples from the other raindrops.

Oh how disgusting he looked.

Well... that's what Tanjiro thought. How could anyone love such a freak? He wasn't a demon nor was he a human. He was broken and used.

Like a doll.

A shattered doll whom had been falsely replaced over and over; with that same coat of paint that always eventually chipped away like dust.

This fresh coat of paint he had replaced not so long ago was washing away already.

Only this time Tanjiro hadn't the strength to replace it.

However, this was how Tanjiro viewed himself. Much different to the others to say the least.

They thought him to be a literal angel. His imperfections and different looks making him all the more attractive. They also admired him for being so positive and cheery... even if this attitude was simply a facade to hide how damaged he was mentally.

They loved him for that.

Everyone did.

Tanjiro simply couldn't understand though.

He could no longer keep this strong persona up right now. So he broke right in front of Rengoku.

Tears flooded down his cheeks as he choked on his own breath, vision becoming blurry as a silent scream attempted to rip through his lungs. What came out was but a mere whimper for comfort, his hands shaking as he gripped the wood with trembling hands, gasping for air as he clawed at his throat in the need for oxygen.

Rengoku panicked and pulled Tanjiro into his chest, hugging him tightly as he held his hands in place to stop him from clawing at his throat.

Tanjiro thrashed in the pillar's grip, claws seemingly appearing on his fingernails as he screamed into his chest.

This alarmed Rengoku because Tanjiro had never had this ability before "Tanjiro! Calm down! Your ok! Your fine I'm here!" Rengoku screamed, trying to wrap his arms around Tanjiro's frame.

Suddenly the boy's strength became immense as he whipped his hand from the male's grip and accidentally cut his arm while doing so. It was only a small gash but it seemed a lot worse in Tanjiro's eyes.

He froze and slowly backed into the rain as the pillar held his hand out in front of him "look I'm fine Tanjiro, it's only small... just come back please..." he lured, trying to slowly creep up to the frantic boy as he shook his head in denial.

Tanjiro looked to the blood on his hand and back at Rengoku.

Tanjiro hurt him.

Was he going to kill him?

Was Rengoku going to kill him?!

No no no!

Tanjiro fearfully shook as he stepped out onto the rain, the downpour already soaking his hair.

"P-please I didn't mean to" he wheezed, fearing the worst.

Rengoku took of his sword and dropped it to the floor "Tanjiro I'm not going to hurt you, just please come back. I don't want to loose you again" the pillar rose his hands as a sort of surrender as Tanjiro continued to back away.

Tanjiro's tears blended into the rain as he jumped away from the male when Rengoku attempted to reassuringly grab his wrist.

'No! He's going to kill me!' Tanjiro thought in a panic, retreating into the woods and sprinting away from the mansion. Rengoku's desperate screams fading away into the mere distance as the rain drilled out his voice.

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"The plan's coming together"

"Perfect... bring him to me, he'll be at his most venerable and hopefully come peacefully"

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I'm getting fucking stalked on my way to school now lol, guess he prob knows where I live as well.

Ngl it's kinda entertaining so let's just see where it goes