13. Farewell

I'm sorry to leave you behind, Hana. But please... take care of your siblings for me, all right? Be their guardian angel."

"Nezuko! Tanjiro!"

Pain surged through Hana's body. Her eyes fluttered open. She was lying in a bed, in a quiet cosy room.

She tried to move, but her body groaned in protest. Her head throbbing violently. Sowly, fragments of memory rushed back the arrows, the fight, the crash, the sickening crack of her head against the wall, and the darkness that followed.

Her chest tightened. Panic rose. She bolted upright, though her body barely obeyed, breaths coming in short gasps.

"Tanjiro..Nezuko..." Her voice trembled. "Where are they? Are they safe?"

Her heart raced as shards of the battle returned to her mind Tanjiro fighting beside her, Nezuko being thrown against the wall. I couldn't protect them...I fainted.

A lump formed in her throat. Tears forming in her eyes..A cold dread washed over her. She felt...so..useless.

The door creaked open. Hana stiffened, her heart fastening.

"Tanjiro?" she croaked.

Hurried footsteps answered, and Tanjiro rushed in, pale, eyes red and wet with tears. He fell beside her bed, pulling her into a soft embrace.

"Hana!" His voice cracked. "You're awake!"

Hana stared up at him, chest aching. "Tanjiro..." she whispered softly. "What happened? Are you alright? Is Nezuko?"

His grip tightened. "Nezuko's a little hurt..but she'll be fine. We made it, Hana. I was so scared...I thought you-" His voice broke.

"I...I wasn't there when you needed me," she said quietly, closing her eyes. "I fainted...I wasn't there for you. I'm so sorry..."

"No, Hana... you protected us, even when you were injured and exhausted. That's proof of your strength. Don't ever doubt it. You were there for us. You have always been" Tanjiro said softly taking her hands in his.

Hana opened her eyes, meeting his tear-filled gaze. She wanted to tell him she was fine, but her voice cracked. "I...I just want to be strong enough to protect both of you, always."

Tanjiro shook his head, pressing his forehead to her hand. "You already are, Hana. You're everything to me. Don't doubt that."

Tears fell silently. Hana looked away, swallowing hard. Silence filled the room, broken only by Tanjiro's shaky breaths.

Then he leaned closer, resting his head in her lap. "I was so scared I'd lose you. I don't know what I'd do without you..."

Hana squeezed his hand gently. "Tanjiro... I'm so sorry."

---

"Miss Tamayo! Yushiro?" Tanjiro called out walking towards the basement.

"Over here!" Yushiro replied.

"Not that you need to come here at all. But if you want to, get down here." Yushiro said.

"Yushiro!" Tamayo scolded.

"I was just joking!" Yushiro defended.

"Hurry down, Tanjiro!" Tamayo called out. "Come on."

Hana stood beside Tanjiro as they entered the basement, and her gaze immediately fell on Nezuko. Relief softened her features.

"I moved her to the basement, where the morning sun won't reach her," Tamayo said.

"Nezuko!" Tanjiro exclaimed.

Nezuko's eyes widened, and she dashed forward, pulling both Tanjiro and Hana into a warm embrace. Hana hugged them back tightly, holding them as if she would never let go.

Tamayo and Yushiro stepped closer, their eyes widening slightly when they first saw Hana's face.

"Hana..." Tamayo said softly, concern in her voice. "You should be resting right now. You're hurt."

Hana shook her head quickly. "I'm fine," she said softly, forcing a smile.

Tamayo's gaze sharpened. "Hana, you almost broke your skull out there. You need to recover!"

"I told her the same thing, but she won't stop insisting on meeting Nezuko." Tanjiro said slightly glaring at Hana.

"It's alright, really!" Hana said sheepishly.

Tamayo studied her quietly, her expression unreadable, before nodding slightly. "Very well. But rest when you can."

"Heyy! if Lady Tamayo says that you need rest, then you need it," Yushiro agriely spat at her.

"Are you worried about me, Yushiro?" Hana teased.

"N-no o-of course not," he said angrily, feeling a little flustered.

Hana and Tanjiro hugged Nezuko just as tightly, releasing only to see Nezuko rush over and hug Tamayo.

"Why, you! Step away from Lady Tamayo! That's so rude!" Yushiro exclaimed, raising his hand as if to claw at Nezuko.

Hana quickly stepped forward and grabbed Yushiro's shirt, pulling him back to keep him away from Nezuko.

"Stop it, Yushiro. I don't mind at all," Tamayo said calmly.

"Yes, ma'am," Yushiro murmured quietly, looking somewhat dazed.

"Nezuko has been acting this way since she woke up. Is she all right?" Tamayo asked, concern in her voice.

Tanjiro walked closer. "There's nothing to worry about. She's fine. She probably thinks you're part of our family."

"Family? But I thought the spell Nezuko is under causes her to see humans as her family. And Yushiro and I are demons," Tamayo replied, curiosity lacing her voice.

Yushiro struggled to push Nezuko's hand away, but she kept trying to pet him.

"But Nezuko has perceived you two as humans. That's why she tried to protect you," Hana said softly, looking down with a smile. Nezuko finally gave up on Yushiro and returned to hugging Tamayo.

"At first, Tanjiro and I didn't like the idea of Nezuko being under a spell," Hana said, looking back up at Tamayo. "But since it looks like she still has a will of her own, I'm glad tha-"

Hana cut herself off when she noticed Tamayo crying.

"I-I'm so sorry! Nezuko! Nezuko! S-step away from her! It's rude, all right?" Tanjiro said nervously.

Tamayo buried her face in Nezuko's shoulder.

"Thank you" Tamayo mumbled softly.

"Nezuko!" Tanjiro muttered.

"Thank you!" Tamayo repeated quietly.

Hana, Tanjiro, and Yushiro all looked taken aback for a moment, before shaking it off. Nezuko finally let go of Tamayo and stepped back toward Hana and Tanjiro.

"Yushiro and I will leave this region. We've gotten too close to Kibutsuji. We must conceal our whereabouts soon or the risk will be too great. Not to mention, even if I think I've managed to conceal my identity, when I interact with humans as a doctor, people sometimes still see through me. The young and the elderly are particularly perceptive," Tamayo said, looking toward Hana and Tanjiro.

"Hana, Tanjiro," she continued.

"Yes?" Tanjiro responded softly.

"Would you like us to take Nezuko in?" Tamayo asked.

Yushiro gasped and looked at Tamayo with his mouth agape. Tanjiro gasped softly, while Hana's eyes widened at the suggestion.

"I can't guarantee that she will remain safe, but I believe it will be less dangerous than taking her into battle." Tanjiro looked down in thought while Hana was lost in her thoughts, startled as Nezuko suddenly grabbed her hand.

"Miss Tamayo, thank you so much for your concern." Hana said, bowing her head respectfully. "But..Nezuko, Tanjiro and I are staying together. We're not going to live apart from each other."

"Very well. In that case, I wish you both long lasting good fortune in battle," Tamayo replied with a kind smile.

"All right. We'll be leaving after we erase all traces of ourselves. You three get going now!" Yushiro crossed his arms and looked away.

"Okay, Miss Tamayo, Yushiro we wish you well!"

Hana and Tanjiro bowed their heads in return before turning to each other.

"Let's go Tanjiro, Nezuko!" Hana said softly.

Tanjiro nodded with a smile. Nezuko ran up the stairs ahead of them.

"Nezuko! Don't go rushing off like that," Hana called after her with a sigh.

"Come on, Tanjiro." Hana said, grabbing his hand as they began climbing the stairs together.

But Yushiro called after them. "Hana, Tanjiro!"

They both stopped and turned.

"Your kid sister...is a beauty," Yushiro said quietly, turning his head away.

Hana and Tanjiro exchanged a soft laugh.

"I'm glad you finally agreed, Yushiro. You couldn't have actually thought that my sisters were ugly." Tanjiro teased.

"I never said Hana wasn't pretty," Yushiro muttered under his breath.

Hana's eyes widened, then softened into a shy smile. "Thank you, Yushiro."

Tanjiro's expression warmed, and Hana walked up the stairs by his side.

---

"South-southeast! South-southeast! South-southeast! Your next location is south-southeast!" Tanjiro's and Hana's birds repeatedly said flying over their head.

"We heard you! We know already! Please give it a break and quiet down! I'm begging you! We got the message, so please!" Tanjiro cried.