Hi! Thank you for answering my previous ask. This one is just asking for your thoughts. In your opinion, what are the things that Shinjuro hates about himself, and what is that he hated the most, and why? How does he keep his mind off of it? Does Ruka ever know? Will his sons ever know? How muchh do they know? Will it ever be addressed in the fic? If it was, how much was known and how was it handled by the others? Have a good month!

Another interesting question!

(Heads up those who are curious about the questions, as the stories include abuse, ptsd, survivor's guilt, depression, and suicidal thoughts, so does this answer.)

There are quite a few things that Shinjurou hate about himself but one that takes the cake is that he practically turned out exactly like his father, in regards to the alcohol addiction. As a child and young man, he never wanted to ever have a connection with alcohol, but grief can do a multitude of things to a person. With his upbringing of a loveless relationship with father, a not at all happy family, and other problems in his household, his own self worth never properly took place. He hates how he was unable to properly save his brothers as well, survivor's guilt at its finest plus his father's belittlement of how he failed to save them helps with this issue. Unfortunately, he can not really get his mind off of it, as if anything it whispers his insecurities and failings when it can, but what does ease his mind is relaxing with his family, like sharing a meal with them or merely going for a walk with them.

Ruka is well aware that he struggles with his mentality, offering to confide with him about it. He does not disclose everything to her, mainly the gruesome details of his brothers', mother's, and other warrior's death. He does tell her that he struggles with moving forward and the guilt he carries from surviving a tragedy, making her well aware that he will also have this issue when she comes to pass.

For Kyoujurou and Senjurou, they were both pretty unaware of his mental health issues. They both knew that with the role of being a Demon Slayer, there is always the possibility to see terrible and horrific things but otherwise they did not know what happened to their past family members. Shinjurou's struggles are obvious from his alcohol addiction but they mainly thought of it as being unable to accept his wife's passing. Senjurou later becomes aware of his mental instability as time goes on, though he doubts the actual problem. Kyoujurou, in the original timeline, never was aware of how horrible it was but in this fic, he unfortunately begins to realize how severe the issue is.

Addressing Shinjurou's mental health will likely remain a mystery of how bad it is until the near end (which is approaching). But it has been discussed about in a few chapters intently, such as Chapter 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 22, briefly in 23, 24, 25, briefly in 28, 30, and 31. The fellow former soldier, Ogata, is well aware of Shinjurou's troubles, especially his suicidal thoughts as the two discussed their PTSD and alcohol addiction. He had offered his own advice back in the fic, hoping that he would not follow what his mind has been telling him to do. Kohaku is also aware that Shinjurou's self preservation lacks low for him as well but she is not given the true depths of how bad it is. She has her own problems to worry about but she hopes that he would not do anything to hurt his children. As for any others, Kochou is aware that Shinjurou struggles with his mental health, but hopes that he would put his children first and would help keep him from doing anything reckless.

I hope that this answers your questions! Thank you for being patient and waiting for a response! Have a great month as well!

Rengoku Ryoujurou: second eldest brother to Rengoku Shinjurou, second son to Rengoku Yua and Rengoku Tokujurou. His elder brother’s Tsukugo until his passing when Shinjurou was a teenager. Although more caring than his elder brother, Ryoujurou hides many secrets containing to himself and the Flame Estate.

Although he was a Tsukugo, he could not stop the Demon that slaugtered both himself and brother. And with his macabre ending, Shinjurou is haunted by brother’s death.

Check out my two stories connected this man:

Requiem of a Redemption

Scabbed Heart (Let Me In)