Demon Slayer: Taking Care Of Tanjuro's Wife And Daughter

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Compared to other girls, Tsuyuri Kanao was always quiet, as silent and poised as a lifeless doll. Her delicate presence exuded an unshakable calm, yet her gaze seemed to take in everything around her.

She would watch Nezuko gently scold her younger siblings, her voice soft yet firm.

She would watch Tanjiro, his determination shining as he trained tirelessly.

She would even watch Kie Kamado as she busily cleaned the house with practiced efficiency.

But most often, Kanao's eyes would drift to her uncle, Ryuji.

No matter what he was doing, Kanao observed him quietly. When he smiled, her heart seemed to lift, and when he frowned, a subtle sadness would touch her. Yet, no matter what she felt, Kanao could not find the words to express it—not to him, not to anyone.

She couldn't even speak.

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Ryuji had just finished instructing the Kocho sisters on their training routines. His own exhaustion was catching up to him, so he decided to retreat to the house for some water. As he entered, his sharp eyes immediately noticed Kanao sitting quietly by herself.

The sunlight filtering through the paper screens illuminated her pale face, her pink-purple eyes reflecting a tranquil, almost ethereal beauty.

He frowned slightly and approached her, lightly patting her head. "Why aren't you out playing with the others?"

Of course, Ryuji didn't expect a response.

True to his thoughts, Kanao simply blinked her large, expressive eyes, remaining silent.

He crouched down slightly, his expression softening. For a moment, he considered taking her to find Nezuko or one of the younger siblings, hoping they might coax her into joining their games.

But he stopped himself. He understood Kanao's temperament. She wasn't one to join in with the group, no matter how welcoming they were. She preferred her quiet solitude, and pushing her might only isolate her further.

"Alright," Ryuji said with a small sigh, his hand resting gently on her head. "You can stay with me from now on."

For the first time, a glimmer of light danced in Kanao's eyes. Though she didn't smile, her expression softened, and her gaze seemed to brighten ever so slightly.

Ryuji poured himself a cup of tea, taking a sip before heading back out to the courtyard. Behind him, Kanao followed, her small steps noticeably lighter.

---

In the courtyard, Kanae and Shinobu Kocho were in the middle of their grueling training sessions. Kanae, with her usual poise, maintained her focus despite the monotony. Shinobu, however, was visibly struggling. Her delicate frame trembled with every movement, her breaths coming in labored gasps.

"Shinobu," Ryuji called out firmly, his voice calm yet authoritative, "that's enough for now. Take a break."

Shinobu, who was barely holding on, let out a shaky breath of relief. Yet, when her eyes fell on her sister, who continued to train with unyielding determination, a pang of guilt flickered across her face. She hesitated, her small fists clenching at her sides.

"What are you waiting for?" Ryuji's sharp gaze softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. "Go rest. Now."

Shinobu flinched before nodding and stepping away obediently. Even so, her jaw tightened in frustration, her determination to improve clearly etched into her features.

"Kanae," Ryuji said, his attention shifting, "straighten your back. Keep your grip steady—don't let the blade waver."

Kanae immediately adjusted her stance, her expression serene but focused. She didn't falter, her movements smooth and controlled, embodying the qualities of a natural swordswoman.

Ryuji leaned back against the stone bench, watching her closely. His thoughts drifted for a moment.

Shinobu's skill was undeniable, but her physical strength was a significant limitation. Even with a Nichirin Blade, her ability to sever a demon's neck was doubtful. And in the world of demon hunting, there was little room for failure. The slightest hesitation could mean death.

Ryuji's gaze softened briefly as he considered Shinobu's resolve, then shifted back to Kanae, whose calm persistence was a testament to her potential.

"Good," Ryuji murmured to himself, taking another sip of his tea. Kanao stood quietly beside him, her pink-purple eyes fixed on him, content simply to stay close.

---

Kanao followed closely behind Ryuji, her silent footsteps barely making a sound. When they arrived at the courtyard, she obediently took a seat, her back straight, legs pressed together, and hands resting neatly on her lap. Her slender fingers intertwined nervously as though she were bracing herself for something unseen.

Her gaze, as usual, flitted between the ground and Ryuji. Most of the time, her head was bowed, but every so often, she would glance up, her pink-purple eyes lingering on him before quickly lowering again.

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Kochou Shinobu, having just been granted a break from training, sat down with an ungraceful slump, her body aching from head to toe. She longed to collapse entirely but refrained, her pride as a swordswoman keeping her upright.

As she rested, her sharp purple eyes wandered, soon landing on Kanao. There was something strikingly familiar about the quiet girl.

Her eyes—those pink-purple hues—bore an uncanny resemblance to her and Kanae's own.

Shinobu tilted her head slightly, curiosity bubbling within her. The girl's stillness, her almost doll-like demeanor, was both intriguing and unsettling.

Ryuji noticed Shinobu's gaze flick toward Kanao and turned to address his niece. "Kanao," he said gently, "would you like to practice with your sisters?"

Kanao looked up at him, her wide eyes blinking in surprise. For a moment, she remained silent, her expression unreadable. Then, without a word, she stood, stepping into the courtyard. She mimicked Kanae's movements with remarkable precision, her small body adopting the stance of a trained swordswoman.

Shinobu's curiosity quickly turned to determination. Watching someone younger than her begin to practice ignited a stubborn fire within her. Despite her exhaustion, she rose to her feet and resumed training alongside Kanae and Kanao.

---

Time passed, and the three girls continued their drills. Kanae, ever the picture of grace and discipline, maintained her steady pace, her breathing controlled. Kanao followed closely, her movements deliberate and precise. Shinobu, however, struggled to keep up, her smaller frame and fatigue slowing her down.

Shinobu's frustration was palpable. While she could accept Kanae's superior skill—her sister had always been her idol—the idea of being outperformed by Kanao unsettled her. She clenched her jaw, her brow furrowing as she pushed herself harder.

Ryuji observed silently from his seat on a nearby bench, his sharp eyes noting the subtle differences in the girls' performances. He couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration for Kanao. Despite her smaller size and presumably weaker physical condition, she displayed an unwavering determination.

He soon realized why.

Unlike Kanae and Shinobu, who had grown up in a loving, privileged environment, Kanao's past was a stark contrast. Her childhood had been marked by relentless suffering, a life devoid of affection and filled with brutality. She had survived by honing her instincts, relying on her sharp vision and quick reflexes to avoid punishment.

Compared to that, this training—grueling as it was—was nothing.

Ryuji's gaze softened as he approached Kanao. She was drenched in sweat, her damp eyelashes fluttering as she blinked up at him. The sun illuminated her pale face, highlighting the effort she put into each movement.

"Kanao," he said quietly, crouching down to her level. "If you're tired, it's okay to rest."

Kanao didn't respond. She simply stared at him with those hauntingly quiet eyes, her expression unreadable.

Understanding her silence, Ryuji didn't press further. He straightened, his hands clasped behind his back as he returned to his spot, continuing to supervise their training.

---

As the hours dragged on, the strain of the exercises became evident. Even Kanae, with her superior endurance, began to falter. Shinobu's movements grew sluggish, her body trembling from the effort.

Yet Kanao kept going.

Ryuji's brow furrowed. He wasn't surprised by Shinobu's persistence—her fiery resolve was driven by her desire for revenge against the demons that had taken so much from her. But Kanao's resilience was something else entirely.

What was she holding onto? What drove her to endure these hardships without complaint?

Kanao's silence offered no answers, but Ryuji could sense it—hidden within this quiet, closed-off girl was an unshakable will, a reason she refused to give up.

He could only wonder what it was.

For now, he allowed the three to continue, his gaze steady as he silently supported them in their shared struggle.

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