Chapter Text
The clothes were warmed by the rays of the sun. Urumi shook the dry laundry as she dropped it in the basket. She was glad the days started to warm after the colder months of spring. It made laundry and cleaning so much easier when she wasn’t wrapped in piles of cloth. The afternoon was humid, and the foliage was green. The hot summer sun led the children to play in the shade of the trees. Two children, around twelve and fourteen, walked up to Urumi. She recognized them as the woodcutter’s children. They had brown, baggy Hamaka on. However, they wore big smiles on their faces as they approached. She visited them to drop off clothes she had mended, and after that, they always brought her gifts they found. They walked up and handed her something wrapped in a piece of cloth.
“Okāsan baked bread! She told us to give you some because you’ve been working so hard!” The older one grinned.
Urumi thanked them and sent them off. She ate her quick snack and shoved the cloth into the pocket of her clothes. She lifted the tall basket of clothes and walked inside the house. She placed the basket down to slide the door shut. Traversing down the hallway with the laundry, she passed a room where she heard two people conversing. Her Sobo was the only one who lived in the house with her, so a guest must have been invited to their home. Urumi knew it was bad manners not to greet a guest, but she was busy with work. She passed the cracked door and headed down the hall.
“URUMI, I SAW YOU THROUGH THE DOOR. Come greet our guest, my girl.”
Urumi had stopped, put the basket down, and brushed off any dirt from her Hamaka. She spun her heel and walked to the room, sliding the wooden door open and peering in.
“Yes, Sobo?” She asked plainly.
Naki Karitaka, Urumi’s Sobo, smiled at her as if she were the dearest thing in the world. “I was just talking to this nice young man over here. Would you come and meet him?”
Urumi’s eyes drifted to the guest who sat in front of her Sobo. He was quite unusual; he had golden hair with bright red accents, and a similar color scheme to his eyes. His cape was white with colored flames on the ends. Under it, he wore a black military-style uniform. Despite that, he was handsome. His smile was comforting, he had a strong nose, and beautiful lashes. His hands sat respectfully in his lap as he looked at Urumi. The aura that he emitted was strong, and when he looked at her, it was a little too strong.
She stepped into the room and bowed politely, “My name is Urumi Karitaka.” She looked at him for an introduction.
“Kyojuro Rengoku, it’s nice to meet you.”
A light awkwardness befell the room before Naki started blabbering.
“Urumi! Did you know this young man is a soldier for the Demon Slayer Corps? All those disappearances have been terrible as of late, and Rengoku and his men have taken care of the demons terrorizing our town. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Urumi blinked. “Yes,” She walked to sit next to her Sobo. Never taking her eyes off the man. “How’d you catch his attention, Sobo?”
Naki side-glanced Urumi, “The shop, he was so kind to everyone, and we happened to strike up a conversation.”
“I see,” A small smile creased on Urumi’s face. “Isn’t she quite adorable?” She lolled her head with a closed eye smile.
Regoku chuckled, “Your Sobo is quite the conversationalist, she insisted I come and meet you. She’s told me so much about this town that I never knew, despite being in close range to the corps headquarters.”
“Well, I’m glad,” Urumi gave Rengoku a small smile. “Not much happens in this peaceful town other than the occasional demons, who are taken care of by the corps.”
“Speaking of which, Urumi, could you brew some tea for our guest?” Naki practically sparkled at Rengoku.
“That won’t be necessary. I have to leave promptly. However, I promise to visit in the future!” Rengoku gleamed at Naki, returning her energy.
Naki deflated a bit, “Oh, what a shame, at least allow me to give you sweets for your travels.”
Rengoku refused the offer, but Naki insisted. They both wished him farewell as he departed with his other demon slayers. Urumi was mildly annoyed at her Sobo’s attempt at matchmaking. However, she had a respect for Rengoku, entertaining the antics of the older woman.
_____
Two months had passed, and Rengoku found his way back to Urumi’s town. Naki had welcomed him into their home with open arms. Urumi kept polite conversations but never dottled. Always taking up jobs and cleaning the home.
Rengoku had always been friendly towards Urumi, but his arrival in the town had always been business-related. The summer heat had weakened the presence of demons, but didn’t eradicate it. The corps had been buying supplies from the craftsmen of the village, so the safety of the craftsmen had been a priority.
It was midday, and it was hot. Rengoku was now listening to one of the townsfolk for leads on the demon’s whereabouts. Well, more like he was standing there while one of his men took note of everything the man was saying. From the corner of his eye, he saw a couple of children playing with a ball at the bottom of the hill. He noticed someone taller playing amongst them. Someone with long, dark, reddish brown hair that was pulled up in a ponytail. His gaze rested on her for a moment before he saw her face. He saw her tanned complexion and brown eyes, recognizing her as Urumi. She passed the ball to and from each boy. Yelling, dodging, and catching.
As if she noticed someone was watching her, she turned to look up over the hill. Meeting with Rengoku’s gaze. She smiled and waved at him. He blinked, but smiled and waved back. She looked like she was going to yell something out to him, but was suddenly hit in the head with the ball. Anger welled up in her face, and she chastised the boys.
A chuckle built in Rengoku’s throat, returning his attention to the man.
Later in the evening, Rengoku had walked to the Kiritaka household. He saw Urumi sweeping on the porch. She noticed him approaching and waved politely. When he got closer, he could see a small bruise on her cheek.
“I see that you did not go unharmed by the ball.” He gestured to her cheek.
She brushed the side of her face with her fingertips, “Ah, that. My cousins were being careless again. However, I am fine; it will go away in a few days.”
Rengoku smiled and nodded, continuing to walk onto the porch.
_____
It was another humid summer day, and everyone was seeking the shade from the trees. Rengoku had been sent to fetch Urumi from the neighbour’s orchard. He saw her picking up twigs in a basket, collecting firewood, and cleaning the orchard in the same go.
“Karitaka-san?” Rengoku called out to her.
She looked up, “Yes? Do you need something?”
He paused before speaking, “Your Sobo sent me to get you, but…”
Urumi tilted her head, “What? Did she ask you to marry me?”
Rengoku’s eyes widened, “Yes, she was insistent, wanting to know my answer before I departed tomorrow. But I refused.”
A twinge of irritation etched in Urumi’s face, “Pardon my Sobo, she can be excited sometimes. There is no pressure to discuss that because we housed you.”
“I told her I’d only consider it if you offered, so I apologize if she’s more hard on you when you return…” Rengoku gave an apologetic, but honest smile.
Urumi stared at him, thinking for a moment. She returned a smile, “Don’t worry about me, Rengoku-san, I’ll be fine. I’ll return home.” She walked up to Rengoku, “Would you accompany me?”
He nodded, and they both walked down the dirt path together.
_____
Many months passed, and Rengoku had brief visits but rarely visited during the winter. Now, prime spring had come, and flora had sprung. Naki had seen Rengoku walking to the house from afar and greeted him. Meanwhile, Urumi was having a rare moment relaxing, sitting on an old stone wall next to a babbling brook. Listening to its soothing noise.
She heard her name being called, and she turned her head to look. Rengoku was walking towards her, waving. Naki stood in the doorway, smiling ear to ear.
Everything was a bit muffled to Urumi as she and Rengoku exchanged conversation. She noticed that he was not in uniform but rather a kimono, giving her knowledge that he was staying for a couple of nights and not on business, but rather visiting. She zoned on his smile, which was more relaxed as he talked to her. She stole glances at his hands as she maintained eye contact. They looked strong but lax at the sides of his thighs. Urumi brushed her fingertips on the side of her jaw, feeling a bit queasy in her stomach.
“Kyojuro?”
“Yes?”
“Would you marry me?”
A soft blush appeared on Urumi’s face. Kyojuro flushed.
“Y-yes! It would be my honor!” He sharply turned to face Naki, “Sabo-san! Would you let me marry your granddaughter!?”
Urumi could swear she saw her Sabo snicker. She told him it would be an honor to have him as her son-in-law.
The wedding was planned to be small, in order for Kyojuro to continue his work. Kyojuro had a house built within the headquarters premises, and the wedding took place there. Urumi knew of his father and brother. However, only his brother, Senjiro, showed up at the wedding. Kyojuro never showed it, but Urumi knew it pained him that his father wasn’t there, despite all the efforts made. Senjiro was an absolute sweetheart. Despite being only 12, Urumi saw how he acted more mature than his age. He was in awe of the woman whom his brother decided to be with. He had a contagious smile, which was a trait he shared with his brother.
Urumi’s uncle and aunt, along with her two cousins, attended the wedding.
Urumi and Kyojuro wed the year they both turned 18. It wasn’t big, but it was filled with purpose. Also being in Urumi’s favorite season. She had also found out the reason Kyojuro was able to visit properly after so long, in which he had reached the rank of Hashira, after killing many demons during the winter. Unfortunately, he had been requested to go to another location right after their wedding. He left promptly that night, promising to make it up to Urumi when he returned.
One thing that bothered Urumi after she and Naki had moved into the new house was that Senjiro only visited. He claimed that he needed to take care of his father to make sure he was okay. No child should have to care for their parents. However, Urumi respected Senjiro’s wishes and never pushed the offer for him to live with her and Naki.
It felt awfully quiet without Kyojuro around. He visited her briefly a couple of times, but it wasn’t enough. Urumi sensed a new type of loneliness developing in her heart as the weeks passed. She had remembered how she drew closer to him for the first time. Her hands against his chest, his hands on her back. Their bodies pressed up against each other. They were the only ones in each other’s worlds. Now she felt stiff, as if Kyojuro wasn’t there to warm her stony expression. She had desperately craved his physical touch, and her yearning grew day by day.
To help with her boredom, Urumi became the treasurer for the Demon Slayer Corps. A position that had recently been opened.