"Ah, Kanao chan! Long time no see! Do you remember me?" Douma asked the girl who was clutching the hem of Koyuki's kimono. She carefully looked at the man but remained silent.

" Ah, please excuse her, she's not much of a talker," Koyuki awkwardly said.

" It's alright. I'm glad to see she is doing well. I should apologize for not coming sooner. " the hashira stated as he took a seat.

" Ne, Koyuki san. Hakuji dono asked me to give his greetings, he says he would like to visit more often and he's sorry that he couldn't. "
Douma lied, obviously Hakuji didn't want Douma to talk with his fiance but anyone among the corps could tell how close this soon to be wed couple were so the news itself weren’t a strech .

Koyuki blushed. " Well..I ... I um... will fetch you some tea and snacks. Please wait here."
And she looked at Kanao, " Kanao chan, it's okay he's a very kind person. Please chat with him."saying this she rushed inside covering her cheeks.

" A shy bird, " he grinned.

" So Kanao. I heard you don't like to talk about yourself, so how about I do the talking? " He gestured her to sit in front of him.

" All I need you to do is answer in yes or no. In a nod okay? Like this -" He shook his head side by side, " That's a No, and this - is a Yes. Got it? "

Kanao stared at the Hashira without response.

" Comon Kanao chan~ Please be a little cooperative.  Yes? or No? "

She shifted her gaze at the floor.

" Darn, this is turning out to be harder than I thought." Douma sighed. Then he noticed-

Kanao slowly took out something out of her sleeve and shuffled a little sideway, then she tossed the thing in the air.

A coin?
....
"Y- yes.."
she said in a very small voice and nodded.

" Huh? you mean you get it? You want to answer my questions? "
She nodded again.
" Well that's terrefic! Thank you Kanao chan! " on the back of his mind he thought, " What was that just now? Did she tossed to decide if she should go along with me? Okay I'll approach that question later.

"So Kanao chan. Did you have breakfast? " He asked as if he was talking with a toddler.

A nod in yes.

" Great! Now tell me is this place comfortable to you? Was Aoi chan nice to you? "

She took a moment to think. Comfortable? Well it is cozy...but the little unrest in her chest...
She nodded yes.

" Good to hear. Now Kanao tell me, do you hate me? "

This surprised her a bit and she looked at his eyes.
" Oh- now there's a spark of emotion,  Douma thought as he stared back at intently.
" Kanao chan... I know you witnessed it."

She knew. This was the man who ended her sisters life in front of her. But she was a demon right? She didn't yet know the whole situation and ways of demons, yet she somehow feels...that her sister was beyond saving. She doesn't hate this man right?
But does she like him? What Shinobu was angry at this man... but Shinobu ...

" Kanao chan, I see you're taking a long time to answer. I know you feel complicated about me. It's fine. But I hope you can forgive me and see that I want to help." he changed his expression to a serious one.

" I will pray to the gods that they heal your heart and I will make sure you have a nice home here. So I hope we could be friends. " He then gave her a reassuring smile, " You don't have to answer my questions anymore if you don't like to. "

Kanao sat there silently.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, here's your tea Douma san, " Koyuki entered the room with tea and some rice crackers on the plate.

" Ah, thank you for your courtesy my dear. " Though I won't bother you for a long time, I will be going soon. By the way I've bought some gifts for both Aoi and Kanao. I also brought the training supplies that were asked for the rookies to train with.

" Oh training! I just remember, You won't believe this, but Kanao here-" Koyuki was suddenly very excited.

" Kanao has been watching Aoi train for the last one week. She just stood there watching her silently, and just yesterday Aoi asked her to join and do you know what she did? , " her eyes were glimmering.
" She floored every one with the wooden sword. They were facing off with the ones lowest of skills, just preparing as  candidates for the final selection exam... but still don't you think it's unbelievable?! "

"Wow, that is...unexpected, " Douma exclaimed.
" So under this petite appearance, you are a talented one I guess," he chuckled.

" I guess I want to see it for myself too. Tell you what Koyuki san. Let Kanao chan train with Aoi. I'll ask for the permission on their behalf. Let her train according to her ability and I'll come to visit. I'll bring my tsugokus as well. It's been a while since you met them right? "

" Oh yes, a few months I believe! I do miss them, such good kids," she smiled.

Douma knew Daki was only behaving well in front of two people, one their master and one was this woman. Gyotaro would love to visit the rehabilation center to mock the recovering trainees at their lackings.

Anyway if this is really true that Kanao beat them without even having proper training by the sheer power of observation... he realized that this child just got far more interesting.

******

"Master Kibutsuji, you should've married you know..."

" Huh? " He was a bit taken aback by hearing his doctor's words.

The evening was quiet. They were at Muzans own quarters. Tamayo was doing the routine checkups of him.

The priest family had been providing spouses for the oyakata family for genrerations, but only this time they were not as interested.
It's because Muzans mother died, not so long after giving birth to him. It was so unusual, as the priest's daughters were meant to decrease some effect of the curse. For his mother to die, this was seen as an omen. But-

" Why...so out of the blue...  "

" I'm just saying... you really need someone in your life to be around you in this condition. Nursing you and stuff."
Tamayo said as she prepared a blend of drugs with water. Whenever she talked with him it was calm a bit cold and very professional. So whenever she went a bit outside her mundane track of topics, it always made him a little amused.

A weak smile curved on Muzan's face, " Is the strong independent lady asking me to basically bring in a woman whose only purpose would be to baby me? Thanks...but a doctor and a nurse is enough."

" I'm serious...for your mental well being as well.
And I don't... I don't want to remind you
but this disease... this is said to be incurable . It's a curse you know. All I can do is keep your pains at bay and keep you in a stable condition and I'm worried-" she clenched her hand on her lap. It genuinely pained her to say.
" I'm worried I won't be able to do that much in future. "

" It's okay... I don't need a wife. I will hold on my on till my end somehow. But I... at least I want to try...better than not doing anything at all," he turned his face at his doctor, " That means you have to try as well...please, even if it seems beyond your capabilities... I  need you to not give up. I- "

" Kibutsuji sama I do beg your pardon, but what about your succession? You don't have an heir yet... and please excuse me for being so frank, with your declining condition you won't be able to conceive an offspring soon."

A moment of silence passed.

" I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried."  He looked outside of the half open shoji. The moon was overcast by a rather foggy bulk of clouds.

" Forgive me for my rudeness I didn't mean to say -

" It's alright Tamayo. I know... what I request of you is rather selfish... not to mention a huge trouble. You already carry the heavy burden of treating our members. And not to mention the studying of poison... ah yes... a remarkable breakthrough... I must say. Demons can be affected by drugs afterall..."

" Master...I am just a humble doctor, who shares the same goal as you. To defeat Kagaya Ubuyashiki and save the humans from the cruel fate of being killed." Tamayo responded. She wasn't sure where he was going with all this.

" To be honest I've always been very frustrated at my life. So I didn't really think through a lot of my decisions of my earlier years. It's a little pathetic...

You know what you said about being respected at our meeting? I know I'm not the most capable... my authority is unquestionable over the corps I am confident about that, but I am not as...connected as I think I should be," Tamayo noticed a shadow of sadness appearing in his eyes.

" Am I really doing a good job? Do I care enough for those who die in the frontline.. those who gallantly throw their lives at risk according my orders?" His calm voice cracked , " Will my fellow slayers ever forgive me for what I push them into?"

" Master, the lives we loose are mostly because of how overpowering the demons are, not because of our shortcomings," she spoke for the first time very softly, "Whatever you think of yourself, it is your responsibility to keep them safe. Your methods won't always seem very fruitful, but as long as it's showing progress and prevents casualties, they are necessary."

She didn't like to show but she was concerned for the man. The head of the corps is undoubtedly their backbone of resistance against the demons. Also
she was grateful, very grateful towards Muzan as he practically gave her a home... not only that he honored her work and gave her everything she needed to continue her study.

He was distant and cold at first impression, but he always made sure to do his absolute best to keep the members of the demon slayer corp safe.Seeing the one and only Oyakata sama doubting himself made her feel... a bit sad.
Not irritated or bothered. Just a sense of compassion.
He was only a human. Who was undoubtedly a bit lost between his desire to survive and to keep his comrades safe.

"For now what the master needs some rest. I don't know why you told me all of this, but I assure you, I respect you enough to uphold your honor. " She slightly bowed to her employer.

" Thank you Tamayo...I really appreciate it. You...you're the one I trust the most." He suddenly grabbed her hand, starling her.

" Master Kibutsuji?"

" Tamayo...what I'm going to ask of you will probably sound insane. But bear in mind I am only thinking of the future of the demon slayer corps."

Notes:

BTW...
Remember...

From the river to the sea
🇵🇸 will be free.

I'll see you again in next chapter 💗