#muinezu

It had been an exhausting day for Tanjiro. He would never have admitted it, but he was tired.

Even after trying to calm down in the hot springs, nothing had worked. He was so worn out that he started to doze off while sitting with his arm propped up, his eyes slowly closing until a pair of pink eyes woke him almost immediately.

'Ah, Nezuko, I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to worry you...'

The little demon moved closer, hugging him and trying to cheer him up, partially sensing his exhaustion.

Tanjiro smiled, stroking her head, feeling more relieved than anything, remembering that these small actions from Nezuko might mean that she was slowly becoming human again.

'Hey, what do you think about me doing a couple of braids for you similar to Mitsuri-san's? You seemed very focused and excited to play with her hair today.'

Needless to say, her sister's response was immediate; she accepted, settling in and helping him to make combing and braiding her hair easier.

A few minutes later, her hair was finished. Tanjiro was satisfied, and Nezuko was very happy; she loved her braids. She gave him a small hug, but soon felt the weight of her brother in her.

'Mmmm... (oni-chan...)'

She carefully laid him on the floor, making sure he was comfortable, and lay down next to him, falling asleep soon after.

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The rest was comforting; feeling his little sister's breathing beside him gave him peace and strength. Everything seemed calm until...

'Do you know the blacksmith named Kanamori?'

Tanjiro's eyes snapped open, taking everything in. But wait a second, had he just poked his nose to get him attention?

'Ah! Tokito-kun! Excuse my manners! But, did you poke my nose?!'

'Yes, I did, you took a long time to react...'

'Hehehehe, sorry, it's just that I didn't perceive any malice in his attacks. But getting back to the topic, I know Mr. Kanamori, is there something wrong with him?'

'No, he's just my new blacksmith. Do you know where I can find him?'

Tanjiro thought it over carefully; he hadn't seen him much, but he guessed then that he would be with Haganezuka or that he might have an idea of where he was.

He kindly offered to take him with him; his sense of smell could tell him where he was, and it would be easier for him.

'Why are you so interested in helping others? Shouldn't you mind your own business?'

'Oh, well, it's no problem at all. Helping isn't a bad thing; sometimes you discover a feeling that comforts your heart. Besides, I know someone who might want to visit the town.'

That phrase... Muichiro's eyes opened suddenly, a small glimmer appearing in that empty gaze. He asked him to repeat it; something inside him felt different.

He wanted to understand why, but...

'I said that... EYIA! Oh, Nezuko, you're awake now... That hurt... Oh, yes, Nezuko, look, this is Tokito-kun, he's a hashira, say hello'

That sparkle in Tokito's eyes slowly faded; the feeling of curiosity was different now. He felt he had seen that girl before, but he couldn't remember where.

'That girl is rather curious... I'm sorry I saw her before... She's strange...'

'A-ah...? Her? Well, let me introduce her better, she's Nezuko, my younger sister... I think you know her because she was put to the test, but don't worry, I understand.'

'Hmm, I don't know, I feel like I've met her, but I can't remember. Could that have been so important that I even have a small feeling of remembrance?'

He crossed his arms, tilting his head, trying to recognize her a little; it was strange. She was tiny, but her clothes were very loose on her; it was strange.

'She's your age... You're 14, aren't you...?!'

'Yeah, I think so, I don't know... But if she's my age, why is she so... short...?'

'Ah, she prefers to be that size, but she's taller, I assure you.'

Muichiro's gaze focused on her, piqued his curiosity, and he approached discreetly.

Soon his eyes met hers; it was curious, but after a few seconds he stopped caring about it completely.

'Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go find him. I need to... What's she doing?'

'I'm sorry, it seems she liked you...'

Nezuko was also intrigued, but she was more concerned by the fact that she saw no sparkle in the eyes of that young man of a similar age to her own.

She stared at him intently, analyzing him, but it didn't seem to bother the emerald-eyed man much; he felt calm, sensing no malice in her.

'Is she trying to do something?'

'No, I don't think so... Nezuko, come on, have some respect, okay? I'm sorry, that's how it went the first time with my friends...'

Although Nezuko was trying to do something, she was analyzing the situation.

Her older sister instinct told her where to go, so she lunged at Muichiro, without intending to hurt him, of course.

'NEZUKO! GOD, I'M SO SORRY, SHE'S NOT LIKE THAT'

Tanjiro was so embarrassed that he was only pulled from his thoughts when he heard laughter

His face, which was covered with his hands, showed an expression of confusion, could it be...?

'H-HEHEHEY...!!! WHAHAHAHAHAHAT THE FUHUHUHUCK A-ARE YOU DO-DOHOHOHOHOIHING?!'

'Oh, she's tickling you, I'm sorry about that... She usually does that when people are sad...'

'G-GEHEHET HER A-AHAHAHAWHAHAHAHAY F-FRO-OHOHOM ME!!!'

Hysterical, Muichiro couldn't even understand how any of this was possible. Of course, they had tried to tickle him before, but they had never succeeded; usually, they couldn't even touch him because he had run away.

But why was it different this time? That girl only needed a few seconds and a finger... ONE FINGER... to achieve what others haven't been able to.

'Nezuko, I understand you don't like seeing people sad, but you must let him go!'

'H-HEHEHEY, ST-STA-STAHAHAHAP IT, GIHIHIHIRL!!! I-I ORDE-DEHEHEHER YO-YOU TO STO-STOHOHOHOP!!! AND YOU HEHEHEHEHELP MEHEHEHEHE, DON'T JU-JUST TAAAAAAALK!!!'

Honestly, Tanjiro didn't want to ruin his sister's fun, but he seemed to have no choice.

He tried to lead her away, but she wouldn't let him; she was having a great time. Furthermore, he didn't perceive any discomfort from Tokito, so he assumed that deep down, he enjoyed it.

'I-I-IDIHIHIHIHOHOHOT!!! TA-TAHAHAKEHEHEHE HER O-OFF!!! THIHIHIS I-IS HUMIHIHILIAHAHATING!!!'

'I'm trying, but she's stronger than me! You must politely ask her to stop, she'll understand and she'll do it, I assure you!'

Oh, absolutely not. That would imply he was begging a demon for his life, A DEMON, and he was a HASHIRA, do you know how silly that is?

There was no way to convince him to do that; he would never do it. He would get rid of her himself. How difficult could that be?

'WA-WAHAHAHIHIT!! WAITWAITWAIT!!! DAAHAHAHAHAMN I-IT!!! GET A-AHAHAHAWAHAHAHAY FROM MEEEEEEE!!'

Yeah, as you can see, it wasn't so "easy." When she realized that, she slid her finger to his navel, causing even more hysteria in the other man. This was ridiculous, how could he be so damn ticklish in that specific spot?

The mere touch of her nails against the walls of his navel had made him laugh out loud, but this was the last straw; it seemed he had no other option but to admit imminent defeat.

'S-STAHAHAHAHAP!!! P-P-PLE-PLEHEHEAHAHASEHEHE!'

And as Tanjiro said, as soon as he said that word, Nezuko immediately stopped, helping him sit down and staying by his side to make sure he was alright.

It took him a few seconds to catch his breath. He felt strange, not that he disliked it or anything; something inside him enjoyed it.

'I'm sorry about that! I will face the consequences of my sister's actions! But please forgive her!'

'It's not necessary, just don't let anyone else find out. And you, little one, I must admit, you managed to make me laugh, congratulations.'