Chapter Text
They take the little sunshine with them, but only to places they haven't heard about suspicious activity in the past months.
Yoriichi carries Tanjirou in his arms, even though the kid is perfectly capable of walking long distances on his own. He doesn't really care; he takes every opportunity he has to hug him and nuzzle against his adorable cheeks like a very dotting father.
Nobody doubts when he tells them Tanjirou is his son and Michikatsu is the child's uncle; even though it was destiny that brought Tanjirou to the twins, the kid looks a lot like them.
Yoriichi is very lucky to have a little sunshine like him. He feels as fate decided to give him another chance in life.
"It's my turn," Michikatsu says then, prompting his twin to narrow his eyes at his brother.
Part of Yoriichi wants to pull Tanjirou closer and purposely ignore Michikatsu's request, but he's a fair man. Besides, his brother has helped him a lot since he found Tanjirou.
He knows the kid is completely safe with his twin.
A bit reluctantly, he hands the boy to Michikatsu, who immediately smiles at the sunshine before carefully pulling him against his chest.
Tanjirou giggles when his uncle rubs their noses together.
Yoriichi smiles fondly at the sight. He's really grateful to have a family. He'd do anything to protect his son from everything and everyone. Nothing will hurt Tanjirou as long as Yoriichi breathes.
The village they arrive at is full of kids around Tanjirou's age; they all look really happy and are very friendly.
They quickly spot the newcomers and get closer to them to wave at Tanjirou. Michikatsu pouts when the little redhead asks him to put him back on the ground so he can play with the other children.
The man agrees, but he keeps a close eye on them. Yoriichi does too, but it's mostly his twin the one who follows Tanjirou and the other kid's around because Yoriichi decides to talk to the locals, just to make sure the village is a really safe place.
That's how he finds out that most of the kids there are orphans; people around donate food and clothes to them every time they can.
Obviously, the adults in the area make sure they're doing fine, but their primary caretaker is another kid just a year older than them.
Yoriichi gets a bit confused with that information, but when he sees the "kid" already approaching Tanjirou not only he tenses, he realizes why he's the one who protects the other members of the group.
"Are you sure he's just a year older than the rest?"
The old woman chuckles but assures the swordsman that she understands his reluctance to believe that.
"We don't know exactly where Himejima Gyomei came from, but he truly is just one year older. He's just... very tall."
Yoriichi agrees; his height makes him seem way older than he is, but he can tell the boy has a good heart by the way the other kids act around him.
Gyomei is not only capable of taking care of the others he also moves around the place with ease despite not being able to see his surroundings.
However, Yoriichi's sympathy for the tall boy dies when he watches him approach Tanjirou.
He rushes towards Michikatsu to stop him from doing something stupid.
"He's just a kid."
"Nonsense," Michikatsu growls, glaring at Gyomei when he puts one of his hands in front of his precious nephew so Tanjirou can press his palm against his. "That's not a young boy."
Yoriichi's eye twitches when he notices how tiny his son hand looks like against Gyomei's.
"He is," Yoriichi insists as the tall kid offers his other palm, and Tanjirou smiles in awe when he also notices the size difference.
"Can I touch your face?"
"Sure!"
Both twins tense when Gyomei cradles Tanjirou's face in his huge hands. The tall kid smiles fondly after mapping the little redhead's features with his fingers. Tanjirou can't stop giggling the whole time.
"You're pretty," the tall kid comments, cheeks turning slightly pink as he speaks.
"You're pretty too, Gyomei!"
After a few seconds, the huge kid takes a step closer towards Tanjirou.
"I can carry you over my shoulders if you want."
"Really? Wow! You must be really strong," Tanjirou comments, staring quite in awe at the other boy.
"Do you want me to carry you?" Gyomei insists, looking a bit shy.
"Yes! I-"
"Alright, that's enough," Michikatsu cuts his nephew off before taking the kid in his arms.
"Who's that, Tanjirou?" Gyomei asks calmly, but Yoriichi can tell he's ready to protect the little sunshine if necessary.
He's not sure if he should be grateful for the other boy's concern for his son or worried about Gyomei being so protective of Tanjirou already. He just met him after all.
"He's my uncle!" Tanjirou says happily. "And my Dad is here too!"
The twins introduce themselves to the tall kid, who relaxes as soon as Tanjirou explains who they are.
Hopeful, Gyomei asks them if they're planning to move to that particular village, but Michikatsu almost hisses at the boy before Yoriichi calmly explains that they have a nice place already.
The tall kid looks a bit sad after hearing that.
"I really hope you come back soon, Tanjirou."
"I will, Gyomei!"
Yoriichi is not so sure about that, but he doesn't say anything to contradict his own son. After they continue their journey, Michikatsu looks back at him with an expression that Yoriichi can decipher easily because he's thinking exactly the same.
Tanjirou is not safe anywhere. Wherever he goes, another kid develops a crush on him.
At least the little sunshine has no idea what's going on.