Epilogue

                                    

                                          
One Year Later
"Hurry up you three!" Nezuko called back over her shoulder. She ran ahead of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, excited to get to their destination.
"Coming!" Tanjiro smiled at his younger sister as the four of them approached the estate. Before Nezuko could knock, Kyojuro threw open the front door beaming his signature smile. "Big brother Rengoku!" They threw themselves at him, the five of them laughing at their joyous reunion.
"We're so glad you could make the trip out to us. Follow me, they're on the porch." Kyojuro lead the small group to the engawa at the back of the estate. Shinjuro sat cross-legged on the porch, he looked over his shoulder and raised a single finger to his lips indicating for the five to be quiet. His furrowed brows softening as he looked back down into his lap. The four teenagers tiptoed quietly to him, eyes widening at the bundle in his lap. A baby girl swaddled in her father's flame haori. Black hair with red tips, and delicate features like her mother's. The baby stirred, and opened her eyes to reveal the signature gold and red of Kyojuro's. Nezuko's eyes sparkled as she sat beside Shinjuro. His thumb gently brushed the baby's cheek as he smiled lovingly down at her. "Would you like to hold her, Nezuko?" Nezuko gladly accepted the child as Shinjuro gingerly passed her.
"She's beautiful, Mr. Rengoku." Tanjiro noted to the proud father. "What's her name?"
"We named her after my mother, Ruka." Kyojuro answered in an uncharacteristically soft voice. 
"I thought your family only birthed boys?" Zenitsu asked, eyes darting from Kyojuro to Shinjuro.
Kyojuro chuckled lightly. "Yes, it is quite uncommon. The last female born into the Rengoku line was right around the Sengoku era."
"At least she doesn't have your bug eyes." Inosuke observed, finger scratching deep in his ear. Shinjuro cut a glare to the boar headed boy, earning a hearty chuckle from Kyojuro. Shinjuro was fiercely protective of his granddaughter. He had silently vowed to himself to always protect her, Kyojuro already pitying whomever tried to court her once she was grown.
The shoji opened and Setsuna, Senjuro, and Sumi appeared with tea and some light snacks. Another round of greetings went up from everybody as the three settled on the porch. Kyojuro sat next to Setsuna, arm slung around her as his thumb gently grazed over one of the scars that ran from her neck to her shoulder. A gesture he often found himself doing that brought the two of them mutual comfort. 
Kyojuro noted to himself how closely his brother sat next to the Butterfly girl. He had really come into his own, confidence blooming. Senjuro was studying to become a doctor. The Demon Slayer Corps finally disbanded after centuries of fighting against Muzan, the girls of the Butterfly Mansion wanted to continue to help those sick and injured. Kiriya Ubuyashiki graciously continued to fund the expenditures, now all citizens who needed care would have another place to go. Doctors were hired to replace the loss of Shinobu. A daunting task, Shinobu had been an expert. Aoi and the other girls had full run of the hospital. Senjuro had spent hours pouring over Shinobu's, and her parents, books. Diligently memorizing the texts, and surpassing some of the current doctors with his knowledge. 
Ruka cooed, eyes searching for her mother. Nezuko passed the child to Setsuna, who placed a loving kiss upon her brow. Kyojuro watched in awe, a phantom sadness crossing over his heart. Mitsuri would have adored Ruka. They had lost so many of their friends in the final battle. He looked to each of the teenagers as they laughed and caught up with one another, a smile coming back to his face. The scars they carried would live with them forever, but they could heal now. The dark stain of demons was wiped away. His children, and their future children, had a boundless and bright future ahead of them.