Chapter Text
Kyojuro was currently being led by Mitsuri and Shinobu to the Wisteria House. He desperately needed medical attention. His fever was getting worse once again. The Flame Hashira hadn’t been out in the sun for two months and it felt way too warm for him. It was worsening his fever. He was also limping pretty badly, and both women had to support him. His entire body was in excruciating pain. It was only exasperated by his escape from Upper Moon Three.
But Kyojuro refused to think about him right now.
The flame-haired man was free right now and wanted to focus only on that, and not on…
They continued walking at a slow pace toward the house Shinobu mentioned earlier. Thankfully it was on the outskirts of the town, which spared the Flame Hashira the embarrassment of having to walk through it with only a cape to cover him.
He was thankful that Douma had let him keep his cape. It would have been more humiliating to walk around with nothing on. The man still couldn’t believe that out of anyone that could have helped him escape, it was a demon that did it. Not just any demon, but Upper Moon Two! Kyojuro would repay the demon by not telling anyone that it was he who rescued the now-free man. No human or demon would ever know.
They arrived at the house and began to make their way inside. The family that lived in the house looked at the group in surprise. They had been housing the two women, but they didn’t expect to see the man. They gladly welcomed him since they could see that he wasn’t well.
Kyojuro breathed a sigh of relief as not only could he finally rest, the Wisteria trees surrounding the estate would prevent HIM from getting in.
Shinobu and Mitsuri, who were supporting Kyojuro, were led to a room by the couple. It was a simple room, but for Kyojuro it was the height of luxury. The couple left after showing the group the room and handing Shinobu her medical bag. Kyojuro was led towards the futon and Shinobu softly said, “I need to examine you now…And not just your fever…”
Kyojuro frowned but nodded in acknowledgment. He looked at Mitsuri quickly. He didn’t want her to see all his injuries. They would devastate her. He quickly inputted, “C-can Mitsuri leave the room?”
Shinobu nodded and shooed Mitsuri out of the room. Before she left the pink-haired woman managed to steal a quick glance at him. She saw the bites and hickeys inflicted on the man’s neck and shoulders as he began to take off the cape that was covering him. Kyojuro took the cape off his shoulders and handed it to Shinobu.
He was now naked in front of the petite woman, showing off all the wounds Akaza had inflicted upon him.
There were bruises on his jaw from when the demon had viciously grabbed him. There were bruises on his wrist from when the demon pinned them down. His hips from the demon immobilizing him so that he could…His ass had hand-shaped bruises, his thighs from the demon clasping them. The bites on his pecs, neck, and shoulder were painfully obvious. He didn’t even want to think about how desecrated his hole was…
Kyojuro looked down at the ground in embarrassment. He knew it was desperately needed for his health’s sake but he wished he didn’t have to be so exposed to his colleague.
Shinobu paled seeing the condition Kyojuro’s body was in. It was worse than she had initially expected. Granted the Insect Hashira guessed that the poor man had been violated during his absence based on initial evidence. But she didn’t expect it to be this horrific. The fact that the man was even standing before her right now is astonishing.
He not only managed to escape with the injuries he currently had, but he also did it with a pretty high fever!
Shinobu cleared her throat. “Can you sit down on the bed please?”
Kyojuro did as she told. He was a bit slow considering everything was in pain. His lower half especially. Once he was sitting down Shinobu reached into her bag and grabbed some crushed-up elder berries that she used for fever medicine from her bag. She offered it to the Flame Hashira stating, “Here this will help with the fever. I'll make some tea later to help. I just want to examine you fully first."
The flame-haired man took the crushed-up berries and downed them promptly. They felt thick sliding down his throat. Which reminded him of…
Suddenly he could see Akaza in front of him again trying to force his cock down his throat. The abused man clenched his jaw, refusing to open up for the monster. The demon was laughing saying, “Come on my dear…A good wife is supposed to make her husband happy…”
The Flame Hashira put his right hand up to his mouth and was going to force himself to throw up. That was when Shinobu noticed what he was about to do and grabbed his hand gently and softly said, “Kyojuro…”
The Flame Hashira looked at the Insect Hashira and then back in front of him. Akaza was gone. Shinobu moved his hand from his mouth and softly massaged it and spoke gently, “You’re having flashbacks. Victims of rape usually have them. But yours were repeated so you might have to deal with them more often…”
Flashbacks.
Would that mean…Could he potentially have one in front of his family?! He completely understood his father knowing…But Senjuro…He didn’t deserve to know what he had suffered through. It would destroy him. Then Kyojuro paled when he thought of Tanjiro. After all, Akaza had made a definitive threat to the boy. He began to spiral once more down a dark path, memories flooding his mind.
He would probably have stayed like that if it weren’t for Shinobu's soft voice and gentle rubbing of his hand. “Kyojuro…I need you to stay with me…”
He looked at her once again, his face flushed with shame. Shinobu reassured him, “You don’t need to feel ashamed of yourself. None of what happened was your fault.”
Kyojuro knew and fully understood that what happened was not his wrongdoing, but he couldn’t stop the feeling of guilt he had. Shinobu began to examine his left eye and ribs, stating that Tanjiro had told her about the injuries that had been inflicted before he disappeared. She was amazed at the fact that his injuries were completely healed. To which the Flame Hashira begrudgingly told the Insect Hashira that Akaza had taken care of him during that period.
She nodded in acknowledgment and decided not to press the issue further. There was not much she could do about the various bruises and bites; they would have to heal in their own time. The fever went away with rest and medicine. She now knew she had to be careful about what she gave Kyojuro. There was only one place left to examine. The violet-haired woman tenderly informed the man, “I have to examine your anus now. It’s probably in a great deal of pain.”
The flame-haired man’s breath hitched up. He was expecting it, but he wanted to avoid it nonetheless. He looked to the side, avoiding the kind woman’s gaze. He nodded softly. The tender woman began to move him so she could have a clear view and properly examine his hole. Shinobu warned the wary man, “I’m going to have to poke down there. Just…try to focus on something else…”
Kyojuro took the advice and began to think about his mother. Specifically, the vision he had when...no, the monster that abused him wouldn't cross his mind. When his mother told him how proud she was of him...it felt real...like it was actually his mother telling him what she felt. Was that the case? No, it was just a fantasy his brain created at that moment. It was not reality. But…that wouldn’t stop Kyojuro from believing it was.
Shinobu suddenly grabbed his attention after waving her hand in front of his face. He turned to face her. She was stern which was not normal for the otherwise happy woman. “It’s pretty terrible down there. You’re torn horrifically. It’s going to be sore for a while, but I can help with that.”
She reached into her bag once again and took out what appeared to the Flame Hashira to be a small jar of anti-inflammatory medicine of her own creation. The violet-haired woman pointed to the jar and explained. "This is to help alleviate the swelling. The problem is I need to put it in there. Do you mind?”
Kyojuro nodded allowing her to put the medicine in his hole. While Shinobu was doing that Kyojuro was focusing on happier times. He thought back to Senjuro’s birth. He was so excited to be an older brother. He remembered when he held him for the first time, swearing to always protect him…
He really wanted to see Senjuro.
When the Insect Hashira finished applying the medicine she said, "I'm done." I’ll get you some clothes and that tea. Oh! And I’ll need to let Master, the other Hashira, and your family know that you’re alive. I’ll send a crow”
Kyojuro gave a wide grin. His family would be so relieved that he was alive. Then he remembered Tanjiro. “What about Tanjiro? Can you let him know as well?”
Shinobu smiled reassuringly at him. “He’s been staying with your family for a little while now.”
Kyojuro raised an eyebrow, “Really?”
The violet-haired woman nodded in confirmation. “Shinjuro turned his life around after Tanjiro came to visit them after assuming that you were…Well, he has been helping to train your Tsugoku. But I’m sure he’ll be pleased to hear you’re alive”
‘Pleased’ was an understatement. But Shinobu added, “You know Tanjiro tried to run after you after Upper Moon Three grabbed you.”
“He did?”
“Yes, he did. He even managed to find your sword and cape which the demon had apparently left behind. It was impressive really, considering Tanjiro was injured badly.”
Kyojuro would be lying if he said he wasn’t proud of Tanjiro for trying to find him. That probably was his way of thinking as someone who wanted to be found for two agonizingly long months. Shinobu left the room to grab clothes and tea, leaving the Flame Hashira to reflect. He needed to think about what he’d do in the future. He would probably start training once again as soon as he got better. Training Tanjiro, especially since Akaza might one day make good on his threat. He wanted the boy to be able to defend himself.
Kyojuro then thought about what Shinobu had told him about his father. He stopped drinking and got his life together? That was the last thing he thought he’d hear today. And it was thanks to Tanjiro?
The young boy was definitely something else.
Shinobu reentered the room holding a simple Yukata under one arm and a cup of tea in the other hand. She put the cup next to Kyojuro and handed the outfit to him. She asked, “Would you like me to leave while you get dressed?”
The man nodded and Shinobu left. Kyojuro began to get dressed slowly. When he finished he felt so comfortable. It was comfortable in comparison to what he had been forced to wear during his captivity. But he didn’t want to think about it. The man opened the door to let Shinobu back in, Mitsuri was standing behind her. Mitsuri gave Kyojuro a slight smile. “Can I come in?”
Kyojuro smiled and motioned for her to come in. Shinobu said, “I’m going to send out my crow.”
She left to head outside. Mitsuri came in and they both sat down on the floor. Kyojuro picked up the steaming tea and took a small sip of it. Mitsuri was fiddling with her fingers, looking down at the floor.
She then asked hesitantly, “So…How do you feel?”
Kyojuro looked at Mitsuri with a blank expression, and then looked at the ground himself. He didn’t want to think about what he had been through. “I feel better now that Shinobu has given me medicine…”
Mitsuri looked at him with a small smile, tears beginning in her eyes. “I’m glad…”
“Are you ok?” Kyojuro asked noticing the tears.
The pink-haired woman sniffled, “I missed you so much…Everyone thought you were dead…If we knew that you were alive we would’ve done everything in our power to find you…”
Kyojuro frowned further. It hurt to know that they would have tried to find him but didn’t because he was presumed dead. He quickly smiled again, “It’s…It’s alright…You had no reason to believe I was alive…I-“
He stopped himself. He didn’t want to reveal too much to Mitsuri…Not yet…
Mitsuri gave Kyojuro a hug, able to tell that he was upset. She whispered, “I know…but that still doesn’t mean I don’t feel guilty about it…”
He returned the hug. It felt so comforting to hug one of his longtime friends.
The door reopened and Shinobu stepped inside. The two looked at her, Shinobu sat down on the floor next to them, “I sent a crow out, the other Hashira are going to be informed of you being alive soon. I would like to imagine an emergency Hashira meeting will be called when Master is told.”
The Insect Hashira turned to the Love Hashira and asked, “I need to talk to Kyojuro in private. Could you leave for a moment?”
Mitsuri looked at Kyojuro, wanting to stay. But, the Flame Hashira looked to the side a bit flustered. She understood that he wanted her to leave for a minute or two. Closing the door after she left. Shinobu adopted a more serious expression as she began, "There's probably going to be a meeting I’m required to tell Master what has happened to you. But do you want the other Hashira to know?”
The flame-haired man had to think about it. It would be humiliating if the others knew what had happened to him. But if they did they might be able to protect themselves if Akaza decides to mess with them. The Flame Hashira would never wish for anyone to suffer the same way he had.
If Kyojuro were completely truthful, he wished selfishly for his friends to protect him from the monster.
Kyojuro nodded answering the violet-haired woman’s question. She double-checked, “Are you sure you want them to know?”
The man looked into Shinobu’s eyes and responded with confidence, “I’m positive…”
She nodded and yelled, “Mitsuri you can come back in!”
Mitsuri dashed back in and ran right back to where she was sitting. They stayed like that for the rest of the day, engaging in small talk. Lunch and dinner were delivered to the recovering man. It was one of the most memorable meals he’s ever had in his life.
To be quite frank, the meals Akaza provided him were bland and always the same. The only variation in the meals he had in those two months was if there was tempura or not. It surprised the man that he thought the food was bland. He thought he couldn't dislike any meal.
It was night time and Kyojuro couldn’t sleep. He was really stressed. The flame-haired man knew that he was safe. The wisteria trees were in bloom and the demon couldn’t get to him. But even just thinking about the demon lurking outside the house worried him. He knew this level of stress was not helpful for his health.
Someone needed to be with him.
With a small groan, he stood up and left the room. He swiftly tiptoed his way to Mitsuri’s room. He just needed to be around a friend that would help with his anxiety. He made it to the door and slowly opened the door, making sure not to wake up his friend. As he entered, he laid down by Mitsuri's feet, savoring the comfort of being near her. He fell into a deep dreamless sleep. The first time he’s ever been in true peace since his captivity.