Sawada Kie is the Flower of the village. The most beautiful and sought after girl in the whole village. She may inherit her mother's face and black hair, however she also inherit her foreigner of father's blue sky eyes. A fetching combination that attracts attention whenever she come out from her house.

Despite for all attention showered on her, Kie can't say she likes it. No, it would be better if she said she dislikes it.

The affection is shallow. They are interested in her just because she's young, beautiful, and has exotic eyes. Add with the fact her father is very good friend and trusted advisor for Local Samurai Lord. Once she lost those trait, they will abandons her without hesitation, unless she manage to hold their heart or keep a "redeemable trait" that was too useful to throw away.

However, as a lady, as a girl, she can't outright say that without sounds condescending or like a whinny bitch. The only time she can openly retaliate is when they assault her and forced themselves on her, which give her all reason and permission to fight back, as she was taught the way of Onna-Bushido. Other than that, she had to rely on her father, her uncles, and her younger brother for protection against unwanted suitor.

Kie dislikes the gilded cage she living in. Dislikes the stiffing norm of how women should be obedient to men. Meiji restoration may be in progress, but some people has hard time let go of old belief when it was ingrained to their psyche since young.

Had she born as a boy, her life would be easier. Boy can play it rough, as long as it doesn't bring shame to the family.

At least her father and uncles indulge her in secret, to avoid their wives' wrath.

To escape that, she often played in the forest with her younger brother. Racing against each other, climb trees, catching fish barehanded, collecting insect and flowers, and digging up stuff. Yes, for all her womanly charm, Kie has tomboy-ish streak.

It doesn't help that her father just laughed it off and ask if she had fun. A silent approval.

Because of that, Kie feels more confident and at ease playing in the forest around the town. It helped that if any of her unwanted suitor tried to pursue her, she can get them lost in short time.

It also how she found the love of her life.

It was a very bright autumn day. Kie was playing Racing Through the Forest alone. Her brother ate something his stomach disagreed and now was told to stay at home.

During her playtime, she lose her footings and sent tumbling down, twisted her ankle and knocking off a wild boar.

The boar was less than pleased. It made angry noise and digging its feet to the ground, before attacked Kie.

With twisted ankle and unable to run away, Kie do the first thing she can think off.

She headbutted it.

Had it be anyone else, they would have lose their head and the boar would tore them. But Kie is not just anyone. She's daughter and the eldest child of Sawada Ieyasu, she was raised with way of Onna-Bushido, she was taught how to fight by her protective uncle and her intuition, another thing she inherit from her father, tell her the best time to strike. Her thick forehead collided with the boar. Hard. There's loud CRACK sound before the boar stumbled back with shaky steps, before roll over. Unconscious.

A voice croaked, "...wow."

Kie turned her head and find a boy, whom she never meet before, look between her and the unconscious boar with wide eyes and starstruck expression.

"Most people would try to run, or try to take the attack head on and redirect it away only to fail. Or they would meet it with weapon and fight back. But you just headbutted it and won. That was so cool." He gushed.

Kie flushed. "I-is that so?"

The boy nodded. "Yes. That was so awesome. Not even adult can do that, you know? You must be special." He said, then frowned. "But is your head alright? Does it hurt?"

"It's my ankle that hurt." Admitted Kie with a wince.

The boy nodded. "If you like... I can treat it? I am not a doctor... but I know some herb remedies that grow near. It won't be much, but at least it can help?" He offered.

"...that would be thankful."

The boy nodded and set down his empty basket, Kie wonder what it was for, before went picking some plants Kie don't know the name of. He expertly grind the herb with stone, before use them to treat Kie's ankle. To that end, he rip a small part from his sleeve to act as makeshift bandage.

"Done. It should be gone in few days."

"Thank you." Smiled Kie. "That was very kind of you."

"No. It's fine." The boy replied. "Do you need some assistance?"

"No, thank you. I can walk home by myself." Kie replied. She only has twisted ankle, not crippled. She can make her way out of forest, even if she had to leaning against the tree and take break periodically. Sure, she may have to deal with annoying boy, but she know for a fact her father and uncle were making rounds around the village today.

If she's lucky she can stumble into their patrol.

"I understand." Said the boy. "Then I pray you reach your home safely."

Huh, Kie blinked. For once a boy actually backed off when she says no. Usually she had to glare them or made subtle threat before they understand that no means no. Even then, some still thought she would change her mind if pressed.

Looking back, and yep. The boy just watched her with serene smile. He didn't even move to follow her. When their eyes meet, the boy would ducked bashfully with a blush that almost matched his eyes.

How curious.

For once, she was not being pursued. This boy is really curious.

Kie resolved that, once Knuckle-ji-san heals her ankle and she was done grounded, she will find the boy again.

Their second meeting was pure luck. Kie was following her mother visiting their neighbor who had just giving birth, then she saw flash of dark red hair. When she look for it, she found that boy helping an older, female version of him, selling charcoal. Their eyes meet and the boy smiled at her, before return to pay attention to old granny who want to buy some charcoal. He didn't even send glance to Kie.

For days to follow, Kie would saw the boy in various part of the town, selling charcoal to anyone willing to buy. Sometimes alone, sometimes accompanied by girls. Kie would have labelled him with something bad, had the girls doesn't possess exact same red eyes the boy had. Tell-tale that they were related, if not outright siblings.

Their third encounter was during a night. Kie was just returning from some late grocery shopping. Their kitchen lack some condiments and her father has some job to do tomorrow, he had to go out very early, so her mother sends her to buy the condiments. She was thinking what she should cook tomorrow, that she didn't see where she was going and ended up colliding with someone. "Kyaaahh!"

"S-sumimasen!" The one she hit apologizes. "A-are you alright?"

Kie looked up and see someone that start to become semi-familiar feature in her life. "You."

The boy grimaces. "Here, let me help you." He help her pick up the groceries, and breathe a relieved sigh when find that they are alright and still usable. "Sorry, for crashing onto you."

"No, no, no. It was my fault." Kie waved it off. "Though what were you doing on here?"

"Ah... Ochika-san's roof had holes in it. I offer to fix it."

"So... not only a charcoal-seller, but also repairman?"

The boy nodded. "My family isn't exactly well-off. I kinda had to learn some skill and do odd jobs. One of my sisters is going to marry soon, come spring. I hope I can earn enough to give her presentable kimono."

Kie nodded. Kimono are expensive. Period. The more elaborated the pattern was, the more expensive the price be. Losing one or staining one is considered a crime. Common people prefer bought threads in bulk and then weaved on their own rather than buy premade one. Easier for pocket.

"I hope she will have good life."

"Me too."

They spends some time talking. It was nothing out of ordinary. Kie feel safe and calm around this boy, unlike many other who made her skin crawls, and they strike comfortable camaraderie. It was nice, for the boy (whose name she learned was Kamado Tanjuro) never once tried to check her out. He look at her straight in the eye.

Then something cold touched their head.

"Snow."

Pure white, tiny, cold snowflakes are failing from sky like tiny, cold, and fragile thousands of shooting stars.

"Wow." Breathe Tanjuro. "Tou-sama did said first snow is miraculously beautiful... he was right. This is beautiful."

Kie was not ashamed she come back late, with pale skin and cheek burned red due cold. She enjoyed the experience watching first snow. It was beautiful and totally worth getting fever.

She hoped Tanjuro is ok. Unlike her, he can't afford to get sick.

~X~

"Giotto."

"G." Giotto smiled and let his bestfriend, one of his oldest friend, come in. "Tea? Sake? I would've offered you coffee, but I'm saving it for Alaude's visit."

"Sake is fine." Replied G. Once the drinks and snack set on table, he start, "Hime had been going out lately, doesn't she?"

"Yeah. She does. Good for her, though. Rena-chan and I were getting worried she might developed into shut-in if she only comes out if we nagged her too. She's been less complaining about boys. Not as much as she used to"

"And she was more jovial."

"True."

SLAM! "Dammit Giotto! Don't you think she was seeking a boy out?"

"I know." Giotto answered calmly. "Surprise the hell outta me, too. She's not in romantic stage yet, but soon she will. You have to see Rena-chan's expression when she realize our daughter finally fell in love. God, I swear her squeals wake up old man Yanagi."

"For her father, you're pretty chill here. Normally you were out for blood." Commented G.

"I've seen the boy. He didn't set my Hyper Intuition off." Quite the contrary, Giotto's HI had been singing at how compatible the kids are it actually gives Giotto headaches until he learned how to not care.

Hooo. G now was interested. A boy from this small town that did not set off Giotto's Infamous Hyper Intuition, huh? "What's his name?"

"Tanjuro. Kamado Tanjuro."

"Kamado..." G tried to remember people with that surname. Hmm... not from merchant, or well off family. But he heard that name spoke in passing conversation. Not enough data. "Tell me more."

"He has red hair. If yours is bright red, his is dark red. Kinda like cooling charcoal. And matching eyes. Which is fun and somehow poetic, since he was a coal burner. Kamado is said to be coal burners for generations. I think we had to see Asari Library Records for that." With permission, of course. "The tenth child in family and the only boy."

"And you approved this Tanjuro boy?"

"I've been following Hime-chan, and I saw how the boy was. Tanjuro-kun have been nothing but respectful, if a little bit dorky around my principessa. You have to see it, G. They looks like made for each other."

G narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying what I think you were saying?"

"See it yourself. Plus, Ugetsu want to see him, and I have planned a little test for Kamado-kun."

~X~

Tanjuro is not poor. Well, not quite. His family didn't have to scraps or beg for food, yes, but the money is very tight. He had to divided the meal between Okaa-san, Okiko-nee, Sana-nee, Akizuki-nee, Haruna-nee, Makiyo-nee and finally himself. He would eat the last, after his older sister eat. Charcoal burner didn't earn much, especially since they are not the only charcoal seller in the village.

(Guilt. Things used to be worse. Tou-san died when he was seven. After passing down the inheritance. It was bad. It was so terribly bad that Sumire-nee, the first child of family, leave for work in big city and sends money home until no letter come from her anymore. It was so bad that frail Hikari-nee married out so she won't be a burden anymore. It was so bad that Kirika-nee and Sakae-nee starved themselves to death so that Tanjuro and Haruna-nee have something to eat three times a day and can buy medicine for sick Haruna-nee.)

Tanjuro and his sister learn how to forage from the forest. Every autumn they would dig up roots and picking berries and saving them for winter. Autumn menu was solely fish and game meat they caught in traps. If they had salt, they can preserve some for winter. Their mother taught them herbs plant and how to use them, so they don't have to call for doctor or the kind healer Priest-san unless it was necessary.

That was the reason why, despite his manner, Tanjuro didn't have friends. He was too busy working and worrying about money to think about having fun. He didn't even entertain idea of a crush. Not until he was big and strong enough to carry more charcoal to sell and earn more money.

Until he meet Sawada Kie.

Sawada-chan is strange, but in good kind. Tanjuro never see a girl like Kie. She's beautiful with soul-reflecting blue eyes, and she carry herself with confidence, grace and kindness. She's honest, energetic, and is not afraid to get dirty. Strong too, if she can headbutted a wild boar to unconsciousness.

(One day Tanjuro would gifted her with something. His family enjoy boar meat for three days and all of them had three times per day meal for once.)

The second Tanjuro saw Kie, he harbor crush on her, hard.

He didn't say it. Kie is most sought after girl in the village, and her father was a trusted advisor of local lord family. Tanjiuro might as well be pebble on roadside compare to brilliant gem that was Kie.

Thus he didn't understand why he keep running into her, even if he didn't mean to. Or why she would seek him out for playing (and digging out edible food and catching fish). Or why she would ask him for things which ends up with them exchanging story, and parted with promise to meet again tomorrow.

It feels like dream, being able to get close to the girl he crushing for.

(His sisters and kaa-san needles him for that.)

He should know that Kie's family is going to check on him. He really should see it coming when the Samurai Lord "requested" a large batch of coal to last them winter and then some. But Tanjuro didn't see it coming, not until he was led to a dojo with the current head waiting in seiza. Despite the easy going smile in the man's face, Tanjuro feels like a rat cornered.

"Kamado Tanjuro, correct?"

"Y-yes?"

"Someone said you know how to fight."

"Ah..." Tanjuro shifted his weight. "It... it was actually not much of fighting... I was just learning how to defend my family..." and the movement is taking off from the Kagura Ritual. What kind of Fighting Stances that took page out of Dance movement?

"Regardless, take it." A servant presented Tanjuro with a well made bokken. "Today, I will test you. Depends on what you did, you may fail."

"Test? F-for what?" Did he slighted the Lord? But he was just a charcoal burner and jack-of-all-trades of some sort. He didn't remember he ever crossing path with the lord. The servants and patrol guards, maybe, but the lord or anyone from main family? He don't think so...

"Well, for instance," Asari-sama smiled, "there will be a penalty."

Shiver went down Tanjuro's spine.

Well...

He can't back out.

"...this one understood." He bowed deeply before taking the bokken. Hours of practicing Kagura Dance and his father's message kicking in. Tanjuro take deep breath in steady, certain rhythm and shifted his body to one he know the best.

Asari-sama look impressed. He nodded and taking his own stance.

There was a silence... and then...

CLANK!

Fast! The onlooker thought. That was fast!

In blink of eye, both male had disappears from view and reappears at center of dojo, bokken clashed against each other. They continue with barrage of strike, dodge, parry, block, and carefully thought feet movement.

It was clear that Asari Ugetsu was just playing around. Not only he was older, he also has more experience under his belt. Years away in Italy, serving Giotto as a Samurai and fighting for justice had done him great service in honing his Way of Blade. If he was serious from the get go, Tanjuro would be a cooling corpse by now, bisected in half and he won't realize it.

However, for a coal burner, Tanjuro has skill. The way he moved may has some unnecessary movement, and his strike are raw and inexperienced, but it was in no any means weak. Just give him some pointers, correct his stances and movements, and train him for few years, and he will be a formidable opponent. He already has the correct determination for it.

"Enough."

TRANK!

With that, Asari disarmed Tanjuro in one smooth movement. The bokken was thrown off from the redhead's hand and now laying few feet away from him. Asari's bokken was inches away from his chest.

Tanjuro was lost... and Asari smiled. It was not a cold smile or I'm-bearing-bad-news-and-I-don't-care smile from earlier. No, this one is genuine and a pleased smile.

"How was it?" He turned to the audience and ask.

Tanjiro followed his example, and he felt his heart dropped when she spotted four men in the crowd.

One is a red haired men. One of Asari family best enforcer. Tanjuro had seen him before, scowling and prowling the streets at night, but he do his job and caught the thief in short time.

Another was Priest-san. The local catholic priest and a healer. However, right now he was less of a priest and more of a battle-hardened warrior coming out of retirement, even if for short time.

Another was a man with hair like tempered silver, and eyes like it was made out of steel. And no, Tanjuro is not waxing poetic right now. By steel he means high quality katana that can cut you with just slightest touch.

However, the one that made Tanjuro nervous the most, was the man with sun-kissed hair and all-seeing blue eyes. The kind that look deep into your soul. The same eyes that Kie possess.

Without a doubt, he was Kie's father.

Silver predator was the first to speak, "Raw. Rough. Need more training." Tanjuro flinched at the cold tone. Well, excuse him for being pacifist! He only take up arms when himself or his family was in danger. "But he's show more promise than Idiota we're used to deal with."

"I agree." Red hair added. "Tch. And here I was hoping you fail."

Uhh... sorry?

"Kamado-san is manly to the Maximum!" Cheered Priest-san. "Such energy and Youth!"

...ooo...kay...?

"Ieyasu?"

Kie's father, Ieyasu, just smiled and looking at entrance to Dojo. "Well..."

The door was slammed open, and Kie thundered in. It's the first time Tanjuro see an Angry Kie. Yes, capital is a must. Kie's glare sends the servants into cowing and tremble in fear at other side of the dojo.

"TOU-SAN!" She hollered. "Explains! NOW!"

Ieyasu smiled. "Well, your mother was getting afraid you might be old lady... so Tou-san thought to give you a help in picking up fiance."

Kie... is going to get engaged? Something inside Tanjuro cracked. And oh, it hurts. He had to bite his lips while forcing himself go through that series of special breathing just so he won't burst into tears. His chest hurt and heavy. Why was he involved in this? Did he commit a grave crime somehow or what?

No surprise there, Kie flipped her lid. "ENGAGED?! Tou-san! You said you are on my side!"

"I am." Laughed Ieyasu. "And your fiance is already here." He stepped aside.

Kie was about to tore him a new one, before she caught herself when she saw a familiar figure standing in middle of dojo with downcast expression. Instantly Kie's wrath is lit anew.

"Oji-san." Her anger was so great, she had passed yelling stage and entering 'I-m-gonna-murder-you-and-I-will-enjoy-it' sweetness mode. Ugetsu gulped at that. "What did you do to my Sunshine?"

"A-ahaha..." Ugetsu sweated. He knew despite taking after her mother in looks department, Kie is Giotto's daughter through and thorough. They even had same kind of poisonous sweet smile and death glare. It doesn't help that Kie inherit Giotto's eyes. "Well... you see... we kinda had a small chat... and a little bet..."

"What. Happened."

'This is going to be hurt', grimaced Ugetsu. Sighing and resigned to his fate.

Giotto is owing him a big one for this.

TBC

This is a What If AU, with Kie as Giotto's Daughter, retelling Kie and Tanjuro's childhood before they married. Because Kie only briefly appears in Canon and Tanjuro is posthumous character, there's not much known about them, which was wellspring for plot bunnies. How they meet? What about their family? How was they when they were young? People grow and matures over the time. That's why Tanjuro is kinda dork.

There's character for "ten" (十) in Tanjuro's name. Why? What about his family? Does he have siblings? So I made up his background.

Tanjuro has nine sisters. he is the tenth child in the family and the only son, which is why he learn Hinokami Kagura despite being the tenth child. It passed to eldest Son, unless there's no son in the family or the father won't life long enough to pass it at the son.

Kie is stated in Wiki that he once defeat a Wild Boar by headbutt. WHY she feels the need to facing a wild boar in the first place?

Also, if Kie's attitude seems too tomboyish and not Nadeshiko-like, well... here she is Giotto's daughter. In my Headcanon, Giotto is used to be street boy before he founded Vongola, and he was from Italy. He had no idea how to raised a daughter, so he raised Kie like how he raised a boy, albeit pay more attention to how woman behave. So Kie is strange mix of womanly-and-tomboyish. Sometimes she's a sweet lady, sometimes she behave like a boy. Of course Kie's mom, Giotto's wife, knowing this and lecture both of them how a woman should behave. The thing is, Kie prefers being free, so she play pretend Nadeshiko around her mom and the villagers, whereas around Giotto and Vongola 1st Gen she act as she pleased.

She will mellow out later.

And the why Asari didn't chide Giotto, well, he thought it was Italian stuff. And he is Samurai. he taught Kie what to expect from a Samurai's wife in case something happens.

Fun fact: Asari is surname. Ugetsu is the given name.