Chapter Text
"Tengen-sama! Good morning!" The voice of Suma broke the Sound Hashira from his dream. He groaned as a wave of nausea passed through him and a headache gripped him. He dared not to open his eyes as he could feel a roar in his stomach and he chose to be silent to not worry Suma.
Why did he feel so terrible today? He denied that it was from missing his left hand or eye but something was driving him off the wall.
"Eh, why isn't he waking up?" Makio complained and he wanted to just sleep in so the pain could subside.
Why was he feeling like this?
Something was off.
Perhaps he could ask them to just sit down together and enjoy each other's company.
Then something was shoving him around and he could feel his eyebrows twitch at this, knowing that if he was going to be tossed around he'd likely get sick.
"Makio," He spoke with a groan in his voice and the shoving stopped. He slowly forced himself up and dared to open his eyes.
Everything swirled around him, bright and flashy, before the faces of his beautiful wives surrounded him. Makio, Hinatsuru, and Suma hovered over him with worry plastered on each of their faces.
Makio's large golden brown eyes stared directly at him as her framed eyelashes made her eyes look clearly happy. Her arching eyebrows offered a determined look to find out what was wrong with him. Her black hair fell just past her shoulders while her golden-brown bangs hung loosely to frame her face. She bore a simple red kimono with a black obi wrapped around her.
Hinatsuru's big, almond-shaped violet eyes stared at him with concern and caused her distinct beauty mark the effect of kindness while her long black hair had yet to be pulled up. Her thin eyelashes and eyebrows made her look so nice and beautiful. She wore a lavender-colored kimono with an irregular square pattern and a red-violet color obi secured.
Meanwhile, Suma looked ready to burst due to the excitement. In the air with her bubbling sapphire eyes and soft smile placed on her face. Her shoulder-length black hair with short bangs looked disheveled and her blue kimono looked lazily put on from its partially open front while the gray obi wasn't properly tied together.
"Tengen-sama, are you alright?" Hinatsuru asked him and he blinked, eyes focusing on them.
It took him a second after staring at his wives that he realized he had both eyes open.
Which shouldn't be possible with the loss of his left eye in the battle against Upper Moon Six.
He blinked again, confusion rushing in his veins at what was happening. He raised his right hand to his face, delicately touching the area near his eye wound.
No hollowness from an eye socket.
"Huh." He muttered and the girls blinked at his confusion before he found a smile on his face.
He needed to figure out some more things before blindly stating to them that he was from the future.
"I'm fine, girls." He said and they continued to stare before eventually Hinatsuru released a sigh.
Clearly, she didn't believe him but had a feeling it would be of no use against him. Something else was preoccupying his mind.
"You can tell us when you are ready to, Tengen-sama." Hianatsuru offered and the two others nodded in agreement. He stared at them before he leaned forward and engulfed them in a huge hug. Suma squealed and Makio laughed brightly at this while Hinatsuru allowed a smile to quickly take over her features.
He wanted to at least even this small wonderful bond before having to return to the grudging and dark world where Demons still sought to end humanity.
"Where are you heading off to, Tengen-sama?" Suma asked as she handed him the belt to his uniform and he sighed, rolling his shoulders around. Hinatsuru was starting to fold up the futons and Makio was picking up their dirtied yukatas. Tengen wrapped the belt around his waist and fixed it before he started to pull his hair back into tie up.
"To see Oyakata-sama. I need to talk with him." He answered and the three women blinked, curiosity blooming between all of them. He pulled his white head wrap on and the gemstone jingled against his face as he finished tying it on.
"Here you go, Tengen-sama." HInatsuru then handed him his fingerless blue gloves and he thanked her. Suma and Makio followed suit by handing him parts of his uniform while he dug out a mirror so he could apply his makeup.
"Let me, Tengen-sama." Makio pounced over and he opened his mouth to tell her that he could do it but she already had Suma next to her with the brushes in hand.
"You need to look your best if you're going to see Oyakata-sama." Suma also spoke and knelt beside Makio as Hinatsuru smiled. He couldn't help but have a smile form on his lips at this and sat as still as possible for them.
"Of course," He murmured and relaxed at the soothing touch and glimpses at him, soaking in their love.
He would pay them back later.
Right now, he needed to prepare himself for what was next.
The girls finished his makeup and properly dressed him. He glanced at himself and the mirror, nearly chuckling at the sight of both his eyes staring at him. He smirked before gently patting each of their head, their eyes glowing at his affection, and he felt a bubble of emotion rising up.
He loved them so much.
He rose up from sitting and glanced at all the girls before slowly making his way to the shoji, ready to go and depart to see Oyakata-sama.
"Tengen-sama," Makio began and he looked back to her as she twirled her hair around, "Will you also be going to check up on Rengoku-san at the Butterfly Estate?"
He froze from moving to go open the shoji, not even gripping it out, before he slowly turned to them. His eyes had hidden, a reaction he could not stop, and the girls all blinked at his confusion.
"What do you mean?" He asked, trying to hide the worry now pounding in his chest, and they glanced between each other.
"Well, Nijimaru-kun, visited three days ago with the news," Suma told him and his gaze fell to the shoji, his fingers barely reaching it.
Three days ago? Did he truly hear these words and not worry about Kyoujurou?
"Upper Moon Three was defeated," Hinatsuru informed him and he almost fell to his knees at this
What?
Confusion rushed in his veins at the words spoken and he felt lightheaded for the first time in many years. He brought a hand up to cover his face and he debated on what he should do next for a few seconds before deciding that he should go and see for himself. He recovered himself quickly before flashing a smile to the girls, hoping it would pull them over until he returned.
"Alright, I'll drop by and see him real quick. I'll let you girls know what's happening." He spoke and they merely nodded before returning his smile.
"We'll be waiting patiently, Tengen-sama," Hinatsuru said and Makio grinned at this, flashing him a thumbs-up.
"Good luck, Tengen-sama!" Makio shouted as he opened the shoji, flashing a smile back at them once more before he chose to go and find answers from the Butterfly Estate.
Tengen stared at the Butterfly Mansion, clicking his tongue at the sight of the place, and wondered if he truly needed to be there. He rubbed the back of his neck and approached the Butterfly Mansion.
He really did need to find out what had happened on the Mugen Train.
He stepped into the estate and immediately noticed the difference in the air as if it was darker and heavier. His hearing caught onto the whispers of the fierce battle that occurred on the Mugen Train, the fact that an Upper Moon had appeared, Rengoku Shinjurou was there to fight it-
Wait, what? Rengoku Shinjurou? Not Rengoku Kyoujurou, one of his closest friends?
He passed by multiple Kakushi who looked at him in both confusion and worry as to why he was there. The doors slammed shut and open, making it hard to pull voices and phrases together as he wandered the estate.
Why the hell would Kyoujurou's father be at the battle?
His gaze lingered on the ground, only trying to focus on the sounds around him and singling out ones that were related to the Mugen Train.
"The former Hashira fought an Upper Moon?!"
"No way! How the hell did a drunken old man manage to do that?!"
"Upper Moon Three?! Someone defeated a Demon of such high strength?!"
"Eh? What do you mean that the former Flame Hashira killed the Demon? Isn't he a drunkard?"
Tengen cracked his neck as more and more voices talked about the battle that had occurred, trying to find out the reason that Kyoujurou's father was there instead of the Flame Hashira.
Not that he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Eventually, he could hear the familiar soft steps of Shinbou and instantly drifted her way.
She would know about what had occurred.
The Insect Hashira dashed between rooms, not even taking notice of Tengen at first, as her eyes were narrowed and she bit her lip harshly. She looked slightly out of sorts as if something was throwing her off her usual step, and then she paused to turn and look at him. She attempted to offer a calm smile and folded her arms behind her.
"Uzui-san, what a surprise. Is there something the matter?" She offered him and he could only look at her, memories of hearing how she had poisoned herself to help kill Upper Moon Two.
They were unable to recover any part of her for a proper burial.
He cleared his head of the thought before smiling at her, trying his best to convey his usual sense of flair.
"No, I am all set, Kochou." He answered as a Kakushi rushed past them with medical supplies in their arms, "Though I did hear an interesting rumor floating about."
Kochou opened her mouth to respond before someone called out to her.
"Kochou-sama! We need your help in here!" A Kakushi called out and she briefly looked at him before trying to the direction she was called to.
"I need to go help, Uzui-San. Please don't linger in the hallway. We can discuss the matter of the rumor later." She said before dashing off to the room and Uzui remained still for a moment before sighing.
Guess he would have to try and find out what happened later.
Eventually, he made his way to the second floor, the sound of heaved breaths and choking on blood echoed in his ears. He passed by a few rooms where the door was left open, allowing the patients to walk about, and a few whose door was shut with the sound of pacing occurring. This floor was too quiet for one that contained patients but Uzui chose to ignore how quiet many of the patients were.
He turned down a different hallway and then blinked at the sight before him.
Both Rengoku brothers sat on a chair outside a room, their heads hung low and bags hung under each of their eyes. Kyoujurou's entire apparel was dirtied and coated with blood, likely not his own from how he was not being treated or being away by Kakushi. Senjurou looked different with a dark hakama and yukata covering his body, compared to the soft faded yukata Uzui had gotten used to.
Slowly Senjurou's gaze blinked and noticed Tengen's shadow arching towards him. He looked up and his gaze returned before narrowing his tired eyes.
He looked much older than he appeared as if he aged an additional five years since he last saw him like so.
"Uzui-san? What are you doing here?" He muttered and whipped at his eyes, clearing up the sight of any tears. His brother's form shifted and slowly raised his head up, staring at Uzui as well. Uzui looked between the two brothers before sighing and scratching his head.
"Word got out about the battle and I wanted to see what exactly happened." He decided to say and Senjurou gripped his hakama tight. His eyes filled with dreadful sorrow and Uzui fully expected tears to drench down his face but none lined them.
It was Kyoujurou instead who was.
He sniffled and Uzui frowned at his wrecked friend, observing him acting so out of character from his usual upbeat attitude. Kyoujurou's hair was messy, practically a rat's nest, and his face looked sunken in but was dirtied with dust. His haori was clenched in his hands, blood-drenched on it, and he stared down at the object.
Uzui sighed and looked between the two brothers until he landed on Senjurou.
He breathed in deeply before he parted the words carefully, "So what happened with the Mugen Train?"
Senjurou looked up to him and glanced at his brother who remained unmoved before he closed his eyes and sighed.
"Our father fought against Upper Moon Three." He responded and Uzui's eyes grew wide.
So it was true.
This wasn't right at all.
Kyoujurou was supposed to be on the Mugen Train and die fighting against the Demon. What sort of timeline was this?
From his pause in speaking, Senjurou suddenly bolted up from the chair, with the force of it causing the chair to fall over, eyes blown wide as he stared at the Sound Hashira. His heart raced in his chest, it echoing in Tengen's ears and Tengen blinked at the sudden approach of his personal space. Senjurou gripped his uniform tight in his hands, eyes trembling before him, and the young boy looked completely out of sorts.
"Did you expect that?" Senjurou suddenly questioned him and Tengen stared at the youngest Rengoku in confusion. He stared down at the young boy and noticed how a large scar was lined up against his throat while bandages tried to cover up the wound. The smell of antiseptic increased and Senjurou gripped his uniform tighter, forcing his attention back to look at him directly.
"…Senjurou…" Kyoujurou spoke, shocking Uzui with how harshly it sounded like he had lost voice, "You need to rest. Your wound hasn't been fully healed yet."
Senjurou glanced back at his brother before slowly releasing his grip on Uzui's uniform, eventually backing into his seat. Uzui's gaze returned to his comrade and Kyoujurou refused to look up at him.
He had never seen Kyoujurou so out of sorts before.
"What even happened with you two?" He asked and Senjurou sighed, like it was a weight on his chest from asking.
"…we tried to get to the fight but had repeatedly been interrupted by other Demons," Senjurou informed him and Uzui's eyes narrowed, confusion beginning to peak yet again.
We? Why had the youngest brother been out fighting Demons? He had no knowledge or skill to battle them.
Senjurou again looked at him, yet again with a wide-eyed expression and curiosity peaking in there, and Uzui clicked his tongue. He crossed his arms over his chest and Senjurou reached up to his bandaids. He gently scratched at the edge and bit his lip in worry, clearly like a tick.
"I got injured from a Demon." Senjurou continued and he ignored Uzui's gaze, "I will heal up alright. It is only a second-degree burn."
"So, what exactly happened with your old man against Upper Moon Three? Did he really defeat it?" Uzui questioned them and Kyoujurou tensed at this.
"Yes. He did." Kyoujurou answered quietly as Senjurou glanced at his brother.
"We arrived at the battle as the Demon had turned to ash. Father really killed it. He had made through with his promise." Senjurou offered to continue as he then clutched his hakama pants tightly.
Promise? What sort of promise did the old man offer?
"Senjurou-kun, Kyoujurou-san."
All three looked over to see Kochou approaching them, wearing a full white doctor cloth, and blood practically coated her entire attire while a medical mask hid the bottom half of her face, She held no expression on her face, as if she was hiding something, and she looked between the two brothers. Kyoujurou remained fixated on the floor, hands clenched together, while Senjurou looked up at her with a solemn look.
"Please, I need both of you to come with me." She spoke softly and Kyoujurou tensed at her words while Senjurou let a light tremble take over him.
"Kochou-san," Senjurou spoke as he tried to form his next words, "Must we go?"
She remained quiet for a moment, Uzui picking up her slightly accelerated heart rate, and she sighed while nodding.
"Yes." She answered and Senjurou glanced over to his brother.
"Aniue, we need to go," Senjurou said softly and Kyoujurou slowly locked gazes with Senjurou. His eyes looked absolutely distraught and he remained frozen.
This man was so different than the one Uzui would excitedly hang out with.
It eerily reminded him of Rengoku Shinjurou after he had gotten over the shock of refusing to drink sake.
"Kyoujurou-san," Kochou spoke as she leaned over him, her shadow hanging over him, "Listen to your brother, please."
He opened his mouth to speak before closing it again then slowly rose from his seat. His hands held his haori and he looked down at it before nodding.
"…yes. Let's go." Kyoujurou said and Kochou glanced between the brothers while nodding.
"We will talk later, Uzui-san." Kochou told him and he nodded, observing the two brothers walk off.
What exactly had befallen the Rengoku family?
"Thank you for your patience, Uzui-san," Kochou spoke as she sat down on the engawa next to him and he just observed her as she took a small sip of tea. She looked very much out of sorts, her hair which was usually tied back had fallen out in different places and a small hint of bags were under her eyes.
"How are they holding up?" He asked and she sighed, glancing down at her tea and watching as steam rose up.
"Senjurou-kun is fairing much better than I would have imagined." She answered and leaned forward, "…Kyoujurou-san though… I never would have predicted his reaction be so visceral."
"I've never seen him like this," Uzui commented in return and she placed her cup of tea down, staring out to the distance. She hummed at this and Uzui sighed before looking at her, trying to understand how this all fell apart. They shared the silence between each other, unsure of what should be the next words spoken, and Uzui drummed his fingers against his thigh.
"What's going to happen to them now?" Uzui wondered and Kochou grabbed her tea before taking another drink of it.
She thought about her answer before offering a sad smile to the Sound Hashira, "Hopefully they can all make it through this."