The sun peeked through the morning mist as Rin finished stacking the last of the chopped firewood behind the Kamado house.
He had arrived early, before the village even stirred. That's how it was lately—he found himself coming by more often, as if pulled by something quieter than duty but stronger than habit.
Inside, Tanjiro and Nezuko were preparing breakfast. The scent of grilled river fish and steamed rice floated into the cold air. Nezuko hummed a tune Rin didn't recognize, while Tanjiro focused on slicing radishes with the same precision he used on demons.
"You're early again," Tanjiro called out.
"Couldn't sleep," Rin said, walking inside. "Dreamed the firewood was chasing me."
Nezuko giggled.
Tanjiro raised an eyebrow. "...You're joking, right?"
"I guess," Rin said with a shrug. "But dreams can be stubborn."
Later, they sat together under the trees, eating quietly. Tanjiro finally spoke, his voice soft but serious.
"You felt it too, right? The demon a few nights ago?"
Rin didn't answer right away.
"I asked the villagers," Tanjiro went on. "They said the trees were scorched in a clean circle, like lightning struck but didn't burn anything around it. Not a trace of blood. No body. Just… ashes."
Rin met his gaze calmly. "What do you think happened?"
Tanjiro hesitated. "I think someone protected the village. Silently. And didn't want the credit."
"…You always this trusting?"
"Not usually," Tanjiro admitted. "But Nezuko… she trusts you without fear. That matters."
He looked Rin in the eye. "You're not from here, are you?"
Rin paused. Then smiled.
"I am now."
Tanjiro didn't press further. He just nodded and went back to eating.
Sometimes, trust didn't need an explanation. Just the kind of silence that came after danger had passed, and someone stayed behind to clean up the pieces.
That night, Rin lay under the stars on the Kamado roof. Nezuko had fallen asleep beside him, her head resting on his arm like it was the most normal thing in the world.
He whispered softly, more to himself than anyone.
"I didn't come here to make attachments…"
Then he glanced at her sleeping face, then the warm light glowing through the Kamado home below.
"…but maybe that's exactly why I needed to."