It was as if whatever transpired between you and Akaza opened the floodgates to your memories. Well, your past memories. You took a week to yourself explaining to everyone that you were going through something and needed some time alone to try and process everything. You can still text, but hanging out would need to be put on the back burner.  Every night and every nap you had a new memory and everything was starting to make sense. You were married to Tengen and his girlfriends back then. You had a husband and three wives. They didn't treat you right and you had left them finding comfort in Kyojuro and his family as well as the others. You were really close with Kyojuro and his dad, and you missed that. Feelings that you never even knew you were capable of feeling surfaced. You cried a lot too. You also realized why Akaza was apprehensive about you remembering him. He and the others in the band were the strongest and most feared demons back then. Killing machines. Your husband and friends back then were the Hashira, the strongest of the strong. 

"My head hurts." You didn't have a headache but, you needed to continue. You needed to get to the bottom of all of your past memories. You met Akaza when Tengen, Tanjiro, and his friends went against uppermoon 6, Daki, and her brother Gyutaro, and defeated them. You were injured and Akaza was angry that you were treated so poorly so he took you and nursed you back to health. That's when you learned that demons could be kind. Eventually, you had gone back to Tengen and co despite everyone else you had lined up for the taking. Well, in a way lucky you because the only ones who lived were Sanemi and Giyu. You still would have taken them though. This you won't do what past you did. You will not go back to Tengen, you'll keep them as close friends because this is a new life, and they now have nothing to do with the past. Everyone from the past is very different from the present. You smiled to yourself. "At least Mitsuri and Obanai got married in this life."

"Oh, those are your friends that own that bakery with the snakes right?" You turned to your mom and decided that the reincarnation memories and talk can be saved for later. You know who you're going to first. 

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"I'm so glad you decided to come over Y/N! Senjuro and my dad are excited to meet you formally." You smiled having to remember that yes Kyojuro may remember but who's to say his dad and brother do? It's not guaranteed. Unfortunately, in this life their mom passed away too but, instead of Senjuro being 5 he was 13. Still unfortunate but, at least he got to make memories with her and have more time. All of them to be fair.

"I'm excited to see them too! Your dad seems so nice and your brother seems adorable. Do they like hugs? I'm going to give them both hugs." The two of you were talking excitedly as you put on house slippers following him deeper into the house. You loved the decorations with the swords and old-style Japanese decorum. It suited Shinjuro. He showed you the bathroom and after you used it and went back to the living space his dad and Senjuro were already there talking. When you came in the room they all turned to you like clockwork. Damn, their father's genes won out again. 

"Hi, Y/N-Chan!" Senjuro was as excitable as you remembered him and for two seconds you saw the timid boy sweeping his father's engawa. Not this time. He was barreling his way to you for a hug and you quickly scooped him up and swung him around the two of you giggling. "It's so nice to see you. Nii-Chan is always talking about you. You are pretty and sweet just like he said." Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Shinjuro trying his best to not laugh while Kyojuro smiled sheepishly with a red face.

"That's enough Senjuro-" You decided to join in on the teasing 

"Well, your brother is as handsome as ever, but I guess that's what happens when it runs in the family." You grinned at Shinjuro now that he matched his son. Senjuro was just as red making you throw your head back with laughter. "All of you guys are the same!" You were definitely referring to their past selves but, whatever. Now that you teased all of them the atmosphere grew more comfortable as all of you sat down in the living room and talked. You inched your way closer and closer to Shinjuro until you were shoulder to shoulder. He looked down at you with an eyebrow raised. 

"Yes, sweetheart?" The pet name rolled off his tongue and in a split second, you saw a disheveled Shinjuro in a grey kimono. 

"Can I get a hug, Papa Shinji?" You smiled a little secretively watching his reaction. He seemed to have frozen, the whole room did and that told you something but, not yet. He moved his arm a bit and you launched yourself wrapping your arms around his waist and hugging him close. "your hugs are comfy as ever." You stayed there for a bit as the conversation continued and you listened in chiming in here and there. "What are we having for lunch?" You were curious to see who cooked 

"I made katsudon." You smiled up at him deciding to tease him 

"It's not burnt or undercooked." The 'like before' was on the tip of your tongue but, you refrained from making that mistake. You watched as he continued to watch you for a bit before shaking his head

"It's perfectly fine." You hummed as the conversation picked up again. You only moved when he got up to go to the kitchen and Senjuro followed behind him. It was nice to see he was close with his sons in this life. 

"You're acting a little strange." You turned to Kyojuro with a small smile. You might as well drop the ball. 

"Do you believe in reincarnation?" You were sure the other two can hear you from the kitchen but, were pretending to be busy. Silence rang out and the way Kyojuro was staring at you it was as if you struck Gold. 

"...Yes." You grinned even bigger at him leaning your face on your hand as you continued to stare at him. "I've believed in it for a very long time."

"Explains why Shinjuro doesn't drink, especially Sake. At least, his cooking isn't as bad as it used to be." Kyojuro's jaw continued to drop further and further. "What's the matter Kyojuro, or should I say." You leaned forward with a sincere smile "Flame Pillar Rengoku." You heard dishes clang in the sink and two sets of feet running back to the living room. You looked up at Shinjuro who was just staring at you. "You were so sweet to me Papa Shinji back then, I would love for it to continue former flame pillar." His eye twitched and with a swiftness that surprised you he picked you up off of the floor in a crushing hug. 

"You don't understand how hard it was to pretend. To act normal, to act like a stranger because I was sure you didn't remember, wouldn't remember. I was so happy that you befriended Kyojuro. Even if we didn't ever have that bond it was nice just knowing you were close. I'm glad I was wrong...I got my daughter back." You were not planning on having waterworks but, here you were crying and clinging to this man. 

"How long did you know? When and how did you figure it out?" It was Kyojuro staring intensely at you as if itching to grab you. His father noticed and handed you to him in which he quickly snatched you up.

"It's a long story." So the four of you over lunch talked about everything and anything. You talked of memories both present and past and the future. You were there for a few hours waiting for the final question to pop up.

"So, what do you plan on doing?" You smiled, already knowing what you were going to do. 

"I'm going to talk with Tengen and them, a nice long talk...Then I'm going to go to Akaza and tell him everything and hopefully at the end, we will be dating...He did say in another life he would be mine after all."

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Okay, so I made up my mind and the rest of the book will be 2 chapters. The next chapter is going to be you talking with Tengen and his girlfriends. The final chapter is going to be you and Akaza talking and getting together! Thank you to those who have gone on this harrowing journey with me! You're the best :)