(UNDER EDITING) 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐀. - demon slayer x fem!reader

十九┃mt. natagumo

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THE MORNING IS PLEASANT. The scent of peaches and leaves were evident in the air, as well as the soft chirping of birds and crickets. The sun was yet to rise, but even then the sky was already shifting from a dark purple to a much lighter blue. Upon walking out of your room and out to the porch, you found that you weren't the first one to wake. 

"Inosuke?" 

Your voice alerted the boy. He flinched before facing you with wide emerald eyes. "You fiend! Don't sneak up on me like that, woman!" 

You giggled, sending a faint tint of pink to creep up his cheeks. "I wasn't sneaking up on you." You took a seat next to him and admired the view. The wisteria mansion was undoubtedly beautiful, especially at dawn, and you felt extremely lucky to be able to stay here and rest. The people were overly hospitable as well. "You were just distracted. What's on your mind?"

He seemed to stare at you for a moment, before turning away with puffed cheeks. 

"Nothing."

Days like these reminded you of two different things. The first one was mornings where you and Tanjiro would wake up early to chop wood or ready your stash of coal. His siblings would rise from their beds, one by one, and wipe their sleepy eyes. They'd cling onto your legs and beg to be taken to town, promising that they won't be a bother. Your immediate answer was always 'no', and it'd be up to Tanjiro to convince you if he wanted them to come along. 

Kamado Kei would be cooking breakfast, preparing what little food was kept in her kitchen as her kids wave you goodbye. But beforehand, she'd tell you to be careful and head back home as soon as you could. Then, like she always did, she'd pat you gently on your head and thank you for the sacrifices you did for her family. The more she did this, the harder it was to fight back your tears. If only she knew how grateful you were of her. 

The second thing was training days with Keigo. He'd wake you before sunrise, feed you some breakfast, then head out the moment you'd finish. He doesn't need to instruct you anymore. He'd simply stand and leave the room, and you'd already know what this meant. One of your longest and most constant training regimens was racing him to the top of the mountain. The morning would be frigid, and the air would be crisp, but no experience could ever make you feel as alive as you did then. 

You'd hear his laughter echoing amongst the trees. You'd look up to find him leaping from branch to branch, gaining in on you, so you'd run faster. Your lungs are on fire, and your legs are beginning to buckle, but if you make it to the top before he could, he'd reward you with your favorite dish. That and the undeniably proud look on his face that you always craved to see. You've only ever won this race once, and that was when he started growing weaker.

Your face falters at the memory of both. 

What will your early mornings be like now?

"(Y/nnn)," Zenitsu drawled, emerging from the room and collapsing his barely-conscious self onto your lap. "Why are you awake so early? Ughhh, go back to bed, please." 

You chuckled at the blond, patting the top of his head with your cold hand. Zen wasn't a morning or night person. He liked to sleep, and my god it was near-impossible to get him to wake up. The most efficient way was to put a spider on his face, but he looked so peaceful and cute right now that you didn't even want to try. 

"Eh? Hey, why did you all leave the room?" Tanjiro showed up next, red hair an untamable mess as he rubbed the exhaustion from his cherry eyes. "Mm, I want breakfast. I'll go help that nice Obasan in cooking. Do you guys want anything?"