Hello everyone! This was supposed to be out two days ago so I apologize for that. I'll do my best to update you all on time. Thank you guys for reading!

Uzui and Mitsuri watched the two of you interact, and it was infuriating. You both danced around each other like dumb teenagers. Never touching each other, staring at the other when they were looking away, and making the most awkward of eye contact. Mitsuri and Uzui were ready to tear each other's hair out.

On multiple occasions, Mutsuri or Uzui had gone to stomp over to help you two get it together, but the other had prevented them from doing so. They were standing just far enough not to be noticed, peaking from the side of a wall, and the two of you were being insufferable.

Uzui had groaned for what was probably the thousandth time at seeing Rengoku's horrible attempt at flirting. Uzui had heard him say how he enjoyed the food you gave him. But he also saw how the other man's face fell when all you did was thank Rengoku.

You were both so painfully obvious that Uzui wished to gouge his eyes out. "A blind and deaf man could see better than those two idiots," Uzui grumbled. "I know," Misturi groaned herself, dragging out the previous word. "I want to go over and help them, they'll never realize their own feelings without help." She spoke and peeked up at the taller man.

His face was contemplative, pensive even. But when he lowered his head to look down at Misturi, she felt a trickle of fear roll down her body. His gaze was feral, a face-splitting grin appearing on his lips. "I think that's a great idea." Oh, what had Mitsuri done?

⬛⬛⬛

You had waited patiently for the rest of the Hashira to leave, wanting to speak with Rengoku alone. You had a semblance of trust in him, but the others were still strangers, strangers you couldn't trust just yet.

Muichiro was still clutching your haori, running his fingers down it and playing with the fabric. Rengoku sat beside you, still looking at your face. He watched you for a moment, trying to figure out what you would have looked like during the day, with the sun shining on your face. The warmth of it tanning your skin, he wondered if it would make you look more lively.

When the last of the Hashira had left you finally turned to meet his gaze. You had felt him watching you, but chose not to comment on it, not seeing a point in embarrassing him.

While you trusted Rengoku, you desperately did not want to tell him about how you became a demon, so you decided to stall until you had no other choice. "Is there anything else you wish to ask me Rengoku?" You questioned and adjusted yourself to better face the man beside you.

Rengoku could tell you were stalling but he understood that some things take time, and he was a patient man. "How old are you exactly?" He queried but quickly attempted to back peddle. "You don't have to tell me, I know it's rude to ask a woman's age, I apologize," he rubbed his face in embarrassment.

You help back a chortle but took a deep breath, attempting to do that math in your head. "While this is an estimate, as I'm not sure of my exact age, I'd estimate around 900 or so years." You had a hand resting on your chin, trying to give him a more accurate number.

He choked, he had not thought you could be that old, but he recovered quickly. "You look exceptional for your age (Y/n)." He nodded to himself, knowing his mother would be proud of how he handled the situation. You laughed, "thank you Rengoku, I greatly appreciate the sentiment, makes me feel young again," you joked at the man.

But you had more information to give him."I know it took a while for the demon slayers to form, but when they did, I joined... Behind my husband's back. Sometimes I regret doing so, but if I hadn't, then I wouldn't have met any of my children, much less you," you spoke meekly and smiled up at Rengoku.

He couldn't help the soft smile from covering his face, his eyes softened as he look at you with adoration. "I don't know if he would have ever approved. Since it was so long ago women didn't work, couldn't work, it has been great to see how things have changed over the years."

"Did you have children?" He questioned softly. "Yes," you smiled gently. " I had three. Two daughters and a son. Our son was the oldest, he was 10 when I became a demon slayer. The girls were twins, and they were 8. I miss them so much." You spoke, voice wobbling, "I wish it didn't happen." Your voice broke, and you covered your mouth with your palm as you tried to muffle your cries.

Rengoku did what felt right at the moment, he placed his hand on your back, and pulled you into him. You rested against his strong form and cried for a moment. He didn't know what to say, while Rengoku feels he is a smart man, when there are so many missing gaps in a situation there is only so much that he's able to put together.

You gasped and huffed as you tried to stop crying. This wasn't how you wanted this to go. You wanted to tell him how you became a demon, you wanted to get closer, not have a breakdown in front of the poor man.

He said nothing though as he continued to comfort you in what he felt was the most appropriate way possible. Even as you began to regather yourself, he continued to keep his hand placed on your back, rubbing gently.

"Thank you Rengoku," you smiled at him, tears still spilling from your lash line. "Of course (Y/n)," he fought the bone-deep urge to lean down and kiss you. You resisted a similar urge, instead gently placing your hand on his chest and righting yourself.

He frowned as you moved away from him, a great displeasure coming over him as you at back up, moving away from him. You rubbed your eyes, drying your tears with your sleeves. "I became a Hashira when they were 12 and 10, then I became a demon when they were 13 and 11. It was difficult hiding my job from them but my son, Toshio, took it in stride. He helped exponentially in the raising of my two daughters. Their names were Youko and Misaki."

You smiled down at your hands, your eyes soft with affection. "My daughters were beautiful, I had a handsome son. He was everything my husband, Isa, wanted. He made us both so proud. Isa wanted more children, he never cared whether they were boys or girls. And after the twins came we decided to take a break, and then... I became a demon."

You sighed, having told him most of the story. You hoped that he wouldn't be able to tell you weren't giving him the whole story. You were fearful of what he would think of you if he knew the whole story, and even if nothing romantic ever happened between the two of you, you didn't want to lose him as a friend or ally.

He nodded, grasping your hand softly. You had looked away from him at this point, and he took a leap of faith, grasping your jaw and moving it to look at him. "Thank you for telling me your story. I want you to know I appreciate the trust you've given me, and the insight into your life." He held intense eye contact with you, both of your faces covered in a deep flush.

You both heard the beginning of an "aw," before it was cut off. Your heads jerked in the same direction in sync, also tearing away from each other. He scrambled backward farther than you did, but you were stopped by the young boy still entranced by your clothing. You sighed and gently removed your haori, giving it to him and gently ushering him away.

He took it without question, stepping further away but not leaving your sight. You smiled at his actions, turning back to Rengoku. "I bet that was Mitsuri," you jested. Your comment caused the two of you to laugh heartily.

You two made idle conversation, glancing shyly at the other, and turning away when you were caught. That was when Mitsuri and Uzui made their move. "That's it!" She cried, running up and resting her hands on the sitting man's shoulders.

Uzui ran up and grabbed you up in his arms. "Ah, my darling!" He cried out jovially. What is the everloving hell, you questioned, severely confused as to how you ended up in the tall man's arms, but still wrapping your arms around his neck so as to not fall. Rengoku glared and attempted to stand, but Mitsuri held him down.

"Mitsuri, let me up," he demanded quietly. "No can do master. Time to figure out your feelings. Go ahead, chop-chop." She smiled brightly. He glared back at her, a small shiver running up and down her spine. "And how do I do that?" His brow quirked, but his face was still menacing. Mitsuri leaned down, "ask her on a date."

They turned towards Uzui, who was still holding you and dancing around with you in his arms. He was going on and on about how much his other wives would love you and the extravagance of the date the five of you would go on.

You were staring up at Uzui blankly, thoroughly confused as to what he was talking about. You pressed your hand against his chest, about to press against it to move yourself away from him when Rengoku spoke up.

"(Y/n), would you do me the honor of going on a date with me?" Rengoku rushed out. Time seemed to stop, every person present turning towards the Flame Hashira. Uzui and Mitsuri shared the biggest grins, and you were opening and closing your mouth like a fish out of water.

Uzui laughed, gently setting you down, having to catch you a moment later as you hadn't been able to find your balance and almost fell, his grip on your waist firm. Rengoku glared fiercely at the hands resting on your waist, wishing he had the courage to touch you as blatantly as Uzui was. "How flamboyant Ms. (Y/n), you truly are falling for Rengoku aren't you?" More laughter.

You guffawed, gapping at Uzui and then turning to look at Mitsuri, who was trying to cover her own giggles. Mitsuri finally released Rengoku's shoulders and he stood up so quickly that he almost knocked into Mitsuri's chin.

He marched over to Uzui, grabbing Uzui's hands off of you and replacing them with his own. Gently pulling and ushering you away from the two scheming Hashira. You stared up at Rengoku, pleasantly surprised by his boldness.

After he had stepped away, everyone turned to you, eagerly awaiting your response. You flushed, tucking yourself further into Rengoku's presence, shy about answering in front of the two of them. "I thought Mitsuri and you were together?" You questioned timidly.

Rengoku's eyes turned owlish, as did Mitsuri's. Uzui burst into loud and boisterous laughter. Mitsuri squeaked, before waving her hands wildly. "No, never, I was his Tsuguko, so he trained me." Your own eyes blew wide, pleasantly surprised. "Oh," you spoke faintly. "Well then, I will go on a date with you Rengoku."

His smile was bright and excited. "Thank you!" He cried as he wrapped his arms around your waist and spun you around. You giggled, happy at Rengoku's excitement. The other two snuck away, their mission had been completed.

How do you guys feel about the current romantic development? Genuinely curious. I wasn't 100% where to go with the chapter so I decided why not give you guys actual romantic development instead of dancing around it.

So please tell me how you guys feel about it!