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Chapter Text

When he finally accepted his promotion as a placeholder until a real Water Hashira could take over, he had been committed to maintaining the Estate so that the real Water Hashira would inherit it in good condition. 

He didn't keep many personal possessions, so that he could leave at a moment's notice, ready to step aside for someone better than him. But he couldn't keep himself from setting up a small shrine in one of the many empty rooms. Sabito and Tsukato deserved to be remembered. Sabito should have been the one to inherit the estate, to live as the Water Pillar. He would have been an incredible instructor and Hashira. 

There were no other slayers or Kakushi like there were at the other Hashira estates. Oyakata-sama had tried to convince Giyuu to allow a few Kakushi to service the estate. But Giyuu had refused. Taking care of the estate was the least he could do. The lack of furnishings made the job easier, and since he was the only one occupying the space, he didn't have much use for the kitchen other than the occasional simple meal, which was equally simple to clean up. The most significant task was maintaining the garden. 

Having been passed down through generations of Water Hashira, the Water Estate's garden had grown into a magnificent echo of the outside world within the confines of the estate. Like the estate it was located in, the garden contained a multitude of water features. Waterways that mimicked the many rivers, streams, and waterfalls throughout the region wound their way through the garden, and multitudes of plant life thrived along the water's path. There were also plenty of resting spots for Kanzaboro and any other Kasugai crow that came to the estate. Kanzaboro favored a shady perch that overlooked the outdoor training grounds, though Giyuu added a few soft plants around the perch, just in case the elderly crow lost its balance.

Giyuu found that he enjoyed caring for the garden. The plants couldn't speak when he gently weeded around them, and the water provided a cool place for him to rest with no judgment or glares. Often, when he sat on the engawa during the day, he would watch over the garden, thinking about how Sabito would have accidentally fallen into the streams or pulled the Knotweed instead of the weeds surrounding it. He's certain that when Urokodaki was the Water Hashira, the man took great care of the garden, even though he never mentioned it during their training sessions with Sabito.

But Giyuu isn't Sabito.

He isn't as strong... as bright.

Sabito would have immediately become friends with his fellow Hashira.

And Giyuu was... just Giyuu. Kocho had said many times that Giyuu didn't have friends. That he wasn't liked by anyone. And try as he might to deny it, he knew that his fellow Hashira considered him off-putting and hard to be around. They would stop talking when he showed up for meetings, and they always seemed to be doing things as a group.

Shinazugawa and Iguro made their hatred for Giyuu well known, going out of their way to antagonize him. Kanae was always kind to him and treated him like she did everyone else, considering him a friend, even though Giyuu didn't know what he had done to deserve it. Her younger sister, even before Kanae died, always seemed to dislike Giyuu. She was constantly needling him about his lack of friends and his appearance. But he would still consider her one of the people he is closest to. She talks to him more than any other Hashira, and perhaps she doesn't mean everything she says. Sabito would often tell Giyuu that words went straight over his head.

Uzui mostly left Giyuu alone, commenting occasionally on his lack of 'flashyness' or his facial expressions. Gyomei and Rengoku were the most polite towards Giyuu, always trying to include him in conversations or inviting him to go out to eat after meetings with the rest of the Hashira. But Giyuu never accepted. He didn't deserve to be among them. The real Hashira. The ones who could protect people. 

He was just a failure wearing the mask of a Hashira until Oyakata-sama could find someone better, stronger, and brighter. Someone like Sabito.

But he endured. He cared for the Water Estate and its gardens. He answered every summons from the Master. Took more missions than any of his colleagues. Chose to train instead of resting, since sleep didn't come easily anyway. Pushed himself to the brink of unconsciousness, because being idle was only more proof of his failure. 

So he doesn't know why Muichiro chose to cling to him, the failure, the stand-in. The boy should've been drawn to Rengoku or Himejima. But the 12-year-old Mist Hashira had followed him after being introduced as the newest Pillar by Oyakata-sama.

-----------------

"Meeting!" 

Giyuu turned just in time to see his crow nearly crash into the training hall doors, wings flapping frantically as he flew through, feathers dangerously close to getting caught. Giyuu paused mid-strike, lowering his sword. He held out his arm, the other hand cupped beneath as a safety net. Kanzaboro, old and a little shaky, landed with a wheeze.

"Hashira meeting!" the crow croaked, exhaling with effort.

Giyuu waited for the rest of the message.

"..."

"...Kanzaboro?" Giyuu prompted gently.

"Ha-Hashira Meeting in... in..." the crow's beak opened and closed as it tried to remember. "...Meeting in two-N-one hour!"

"An hour?" Giyuu echoed.

"Yes! Hashira meeting in one hour!"

One hour. He has plenty of time.

Giyuu let out a breath. An hour was plenty. "Thank you, Kanzaboro." Carefully, he transferred the old crow from wrist to his inner elbow, making sure the bird was nestled comfortably before he set about tidying the hall. When he was done, he tucked Kanzaboro against his chest, wrapped in the folds of his haori, and began his journey.

------------

"Fucking finally!"

The greeting hit Giyuu the moment he stepped onto the meeting grounds. The Hashira were scattered, but it was Shinazugawa who spotted him first, his voice echoing across the Ubuyashiki garden.

"You think you can just waltz in whenever you want?!"

Giyuu didn't bother replying. He crossed the garden in silence, settled into his spot, and folded his legs beneath him. According to Kanzaboro, he was half an hour early. Had the crow gotten it wrong again?

"Don't ignore me, you bastard!" Shinazugawa's voice rose, veins standing out on his neck. However, he didn't elicit a reaction from the stoic Hashira. But before he could yell again, he was interrupted.

"The Master has arrived."

Immediately, the Hashira kneeled as one, voices dropping into reverence.

"My precious children," Oyakata-sama greeted them, his voice gentle as spring rain. "How good it is to see you all on such a beautiful day." He looked over the group, eyes lingering with warmth. "Today, I would like to introduce our newest Hashira. Muichiro, could you step forward, please?"

A young boy stepped from his spot slightly behind the Master. His hair, long and dark at the crown, faded into a pale, silvery blue at the ends. His eyes were dull, a muted turquoise that didn't seem to focus on anything in particular. There was an emptiness to his expression, as if he were only half-present. The boy's sleeves nearly swallowed his hands, making him look much younger.

Oyakata-sama's smile was gentle. "This is Tokito Muichiro, our new Mist Hashira. He has shown remarkable promise, and I trust you all will help him feel welcome."

Muichiro blinked, looking at the assembled Hashira.

"Welcome, Tokito-kun!" Rengoku declared, a beaming smile on his face. "Let us fight together!"

Beside Rengoku, Gyomei pressed his enormous hands together, prayer beads clicking softly. "May you find strength and peace here, Tokito-kun. We are all children beneath the same sky."

Giyuu watched the new Hashira, a knot forming in his stomach as he realized just how young the boy was. He looks like he shouldn't have even attempted final selection yet. 

But the world is cruel. 

Chapter Text

Rain hammered down in thick, relentless sheets, soaking through Giyuu's clothes and plastering his hair to his forehead as he made his way toward the Water Estate. Each step sent water splashing up around his ankles. Thankfully, his khayan and a worn oil cloak prevented the water from seeping too deep into his uniform.

Keeping his head bowed against the downpour, Giyuu could only see a curtain of water; everything beyond a few yards was rendered uncertain and indistinct.

Up ahead, through the blurred, shifting veil of rain, Giyuu spotted a smudge of dark green. And as he drew closer, the outline sharpened, and he recognized the pale face and the waterfall of hair plastered to thin shoulders.

"Tokito-san?" Giyuu called, his voice nearly swallowed by the rain.

The boy looked almost translucent in the rain, eyes clouded and distant, fixed on some invisible point far beyond Giyuu's range of vision. Water poured off him in icy rivulets, weighing the oversized uniform down so that it clung to the boy's skin, showing just how small he truly was beneath the normally flowing uniform. He didn't blink, didn't move to wipe the water from his eyes. He simply stood, letting the world soak straight through him.

"Tokito-san," he tried again, a bit louder.

This time, the boy's eyes flickered. He blinked, as though just waking up, and finally turned to look at Giyuu.

How long has he been standing alone out here?

Giyuu let the question hang in the back of his mind as he stopped closer.

Tokito's gaze was unfocused, and his lips were tinged with blue. Giyuu noticed, with an unfamiliar pang, that the boy wore nothing but his standard uniform. No cloak, no extra layer against the cold. There was no sign of Tokito's crow, either.

Giyuu hesitated, but another glance at the boy solidified his decision. Reaching his hand up, he untied his oil cloak, leaving him wearing his haori over his uniform top.

Muichiro watched with dull eyes as the Water Hashira took another step closer, not really paying attention until he felt a weight drop on his shoulders.

The sudden warmth and heaviness of the cloak seemed to catch Muichiro off guard. For a moment, he continued to stand there, blinking slowly as the water dripped from his lashes and the oilcloth settled around his narrow frame. His hands rose, almost clumsily, to clutch the edges at his chest. The fabric was still warm.

After draping his cloak over the younger Hashira, Giyuu took a step back while the rain soaked through his haori and uniform top.

"..."

"..."

"Are you alone?" Giyuu finally asks.

Tokito slowly nods with an affirmative hum that's almost drowned out by the storm around them. "I... I think I was supposed to be somewhere." Muichiro said quietly, as if he had to reach for each word before it drifted away. "But... I can't remember."

Giyuu nodded, remembering what he’d been told about the boy’s amnesia. He hadn’t spoken to Tokito during his introduction two weeks ago, except to say his own name when Kocho had tried to convince the boy the Water Pillar’s name was “Unlikable.” Tokito hadn’t remembered that, of course.  

He looked at Muichiro now, standing still in the rain, soaked from head to toe.

He can't leave the Mist Hashira here like this.

...

He supposes, in hindsight, that he should have walked Tokito back to the Mist Estate. That would have been the proper thing to do.

Instead, he brought Tokito to the Water Estate. Maybe it was selfish, or perhaps it was just easier. At the time, he hadn't done anything special: just offered Tokito a place to dry off, a clean yukata, and a pot of tea with some rice crackers. They'd sat in silence, the storm muting the world outside, and Giyuu doubted the boy would even remember being there.

But something had shifted.

The next time it rained, Tokito appeared at the Water Estate gates, hair dripping yet again, and a demand for tea and snacks. Giyuu had let him in, handed him a towel, and catered to the young Hashira's request.

It became a routine. Whenever it rained, the Mist Hashira would show up. Sometimes accompanied by his loud crow and at times with blood still staining his skin.

After a few visits, Giyuu figured that if Tokito was going to keep coming over, he might as well provide a yukata that fit.

Returning from his trip to the village closest to the Water Estate, he found himself carrying much more than a single yukata for the Mist Hashira. There had been a wide variety of options, ranging from shades of blues and greens to different textures and styles. And when the shop-owner realized he was a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, she eagerly showed him her other wares.

He ended up buying three sets of informal robes, two raincoats, a high-quality futon, a quilt, three plush pillows, and two pairs of indoor slippers. The shop owner had even convinced him to place an order for a wooden chest to store the yukatas and informal clothing, and another covered perch, just in case Tokito's crow decided to complain again.

When Tokito arrived again - soaking wet as usual - Giyuu led him to one of the many unused rooms and explained that he was welcome to rest or change there whenever he needed. Tokito quickly adapted, despite his memory problems. Sometimes, when it storms late into the night, Tokito simply falls asleep in his guest room, wrapped in one of his new yukata, the futon barely rumpled beneath his weight.

The shift not only affected the Water Estate, but also Hashira meetings. Tokito began to gravitate towards Giyuu, sometimes arriving together whenever Tokito stayed at the Water Estate after missions. The others have noticed, and Kocho even asked Tokito if he was sure he wanted to be seen with Giyuu. But she was ignored in favor of the Mist Hashira, scooting an inch closer to the Water Hashira.

Soon, it felt like Muichiro was always over. The Mist Hashira made himself comfortable wherever Giyuu was, content to watch the clouds while Giyuu cared for the garden, and sparred relentlessly when neither could rest. It became more and more common for Giyuu to cook, and while his duties around the estate increased, Giyuu didn't mind.

Trips to the village became increasingly common. Muichiro would hold the edge of Giyuu's haori as they walked around, since the last time they hadn't had contact, Muichiro wandered off and got lost. Vendors started to recognize them and welcomed them by name.

...

"Giyuu..." Muichiro says quietly, eyes focused on the clouds as he rests his head on the engawa. The Water Hashira was currently a few meters away, replanting flowers that had gotten entangled with the weeds. Ginko and Kanzaboro were elsewhere in the garden, having learned to get along after Giyuu nearly banned Ginko from the estate for bullying Kanzaboro.

Looking up at the cloudgazing pillar, Giyuu couldn't tell if he had misheard. Tokito never called him by his first name. The boy, even though he tended to cling to Giyuu nowadays, still didn't seem to remember his name, always calling him "Decorative Ornament."

"Giyuu..." Muichiro says again, turning his head away from the clouds, dull eyes staring straight at the Water Hashira.

"Tokito-san?" Giyuu responds, dusting the dirt off his uniform pants as he stands.

"Why does no one like you?"

Giyuu pauses. He had started to head back to the engawa, but Tokito's question made him freeze, remembering how Shinobu always told him he had no friends. Did Tokito remember something? Is he done putting up with the fake Hashira?

Having not received a response, Tokito sits up, putting his hands behind him while he kicks his legs over the side of the engawa. "The butterfly said that no one liked you. But I don't know why." Tokito looks up at the sky again, trying to remember what exactly Shinobu had said at the last meeting. "You don't mind that I don't remember to take my shoes off. You buy me clothes and take care of my meals."

Giyuu's mouth went dry. He couldn't move, his hands still dusty, fidgeting within the sleeves of his haori.

Muichiro continued. "You don't make me talk if I don't want to. You don't get angry if I get lost. You let me stay, even if I forget. I think that makes you nice."

Giyuu let out a slow breath, looking down, trying to find any words to respond to the Mist Hashira, who was now focused on Giyuu again. "I... Anyone would do that for you, Tokito-san."

Muichiro shook his head. "No. They don't." He looked down at his hands, fingers curling in the sunlight. "The others... I can tell. They get annoyed when I forget. They're nice, but you're kind."

"I'm... glad you think so," Giyuu managed to get out. He looked away, ocean eyes attempting to find anything else to think about instead of the fuzzy feeling inside his chest.

Muichiro watched the older Pillar for a few more moments, then lay back down and returned to watching the clouds. "I like being here," he murmured.

Chapter Text

Giyuu hasn't gone back to the Butterfly Estate since Kanae's death.

He couldn't.

She had always reminded him of Tsutako. Whenever she spoke, he could hear Tsutako's gentle voice echoing in his mind. He could practically see Tsutako whenever he looked at her, dragging him back to a time when he was even more fragile, weaker. Her laughter, once pure and joyful, would transform into haunting screams, a cruel reminder of what he'd lost. He would see her body as the demon dug its claws into her soft skin, spilling blood over the floors where she would tell him bedtime stories and braid his hair. He can remember the fear in her eyes as she pushed him into the closet, telling him she loved him before shutting the door as she faced the monster breaking into their home, alone.

He wasn't strong enough to save her.

She died because he was weak.

He's always too weak.

But Kanae was persistent, not letting him push away. Pulling him into her space with a warm smile, never letting him get away, even when his only injury was a popped callus from training. She would chide him for being reckless and not taking care of his body as he should, and then praise him for his hard work. She always tried to make him smile.

He let her, because he's weak. And he didn't want to be, couldn't let himself be, the reason that Tsutako's smile faded.

But then she died. She died after the sun rose, in her sister's arms. And Shinobu, she changed, morphed into a fake Kanae. Wearing the Flower Hashira's haori and smile everywhere she went. And Giyuu... He couldn't handle it. It was like seeing his reflection every time he had to get any wounds treated. He would see the fake version of Kanae on Shinobu's face, reminding him that he was doing the same. Trying to do what Sabito would have done, but knowing he's failing. Always failing. Sabito would've known how to comfort Shinobu when Kanae was killed. He had comforted Giyuu after all.

That doesn't mean Shinobu left him alone. She was constantly needling him whenever they were assigned to joint missions. Before Tokito took her spot, she would kneel next to Giyuu at every Hashira meeting, poking fun at him before and after the Master arrived and dismissed them. She would keep him unwillingly updated on the residents of the Butterfly Mansion, praising Kanao whenever the girl learned something new in her studies or overcame an obstacle in her training. She had also taken in a trio of orphans whose families were killed before the corps arrived, teaching them how to care for injured slayers and bury the deceased.

So when Aoi shows up at the gates of the Water Estate, Giyuu is surprised. He knew from Kocho that the girl had passed her final selection, the same year as Muichiro, but was so terrified after her experience on the mountain that she refused to pick up a sword again. Shinobu had told him that she would sometimes send the girl out to deliver medicine or check on slayers who were recuperating on their own. Still, he couldn't remember being prescribed any medication, and it had been a while since he had needed to receive rehabilitation for any injury received from a demon while on mission.

That left only one explanation...

"Tomioka-sama," Aoi didn't flinch when the dull Water Pillar's eyes appeared after the gate opened. Shinobu had sent her to the Water Estate on a hunch, sending her off with Tokito-sama's regular medication and a checklist. "Shinobu-sama sent me."

"..." The Water Pillar's eyes showed no comprehension, black hair swaying slightly as the wind tangled it. As he stood quietly, Aoi began to feel restless. Shinobu-sama had told her that the Water Pillar was an aloof man, but this was just awkward. She hadn't expected the Hashira himself to answer when she knocked at the gates. Most of the other estates she had been to had attendants or trainees who would let her in.

"I have-"

"Come in." Tomioka interrupted, opening the gate wider so that Aoi could enter without having to squeeze past the larger man. Once she was inside, the Hashira closed the gate and, without acknowledging her, began to walk towards the side of the estate where Aoi could see an abundance of plant life and what seemed to be two kasugai crows bickering on one of the lower branches of a large Maple tree. Beneath the tree, lying comfortably on his back, was the Mist Hashira.

She recognized him instantly; it was hard to forget the boy who, although younger than she, had saved her life. He hadn't seemed to even pay attention to her when he saved her during their final selection, already honed in on another demon. But she remembered. She remembered the demon coming straight for her, and her arms shook and failed to raise her borrowed sword. She remembered feeling tears run down her face as she realized she was going to die, and that she hadn't even fought back. She was going to die the same way her parents did.

But she experienced a miracle, centimeters from her face, the demon turned to ash. Its neck had been slashed in the blink of an eye by a boy wearing a plain white kimono tucked into simple black hakama secured with a matching obi and zori. Aoi hadn't been able to stay on her feet when the boy turned to face her, knees hitting the dirt with a soft thud while her hands covered her mouth, keeping the rations she had eaten for breakfast from staining the ground. She remembers crying, cowering as close to the edge of the Wisteria as she could until she was able to escape.

After that... Aoi never picked up a sword again. Her cultivator had been disappointed, having spent a great deal of time and effort training her. He hadn't accepted her back, leaving her alone, avoiding the crowd that followed her, eventually leading her to the Butterfly Mansion, where she met Kocho Shinobu, who took her in without hesitation. Aoi wouldn't have lived if she hadn't gotten lucky on Mount Fujikasane. If the Master hadn't been as kind and Shinobu as generous, she might have died on her first mission or after her cultivator threw her out.

And she had learned very quickly to trust Shinobu-sama's intuition. Which proved yet again to be beyond accurate.

"Aoi, could you deliver Tokito-kun's medicine today?"

"Yes, Shinobu-sama!" Aoi had called out, finishing her count of one of the storage units. "I'll leave for the Mist Estate-"

"Ah." Shinobu-sama had interrupted. "I don't think you'll find Tokito-kun there." Aoi watched as the Insect Hashira's eyes lit up with mischief. "But... I have a feeling that Tomioka knows."

"The Water Hashira?" Aoi had questioned. The Water Hashira was never at the Butterfly Estate; she wasn't even sure if she knew the location of the Water Estate. But if Shinobu-sama said that the Water Hashira knew where the Mist Hashira was, she believed her wholeheartedly.

"Yes," Shinobu-sama nodded, "Tell Tomioka that I say hello, and that I expect to see him and Tokito-kun very soon."

...

"Tokito-san," Aoi startled as the Water Hashira's bland voice addressed the Mist Hashira. "You have a visitor." That was all the Hashira said before he walked further into the garden, kneeling above what looked like a birdhouse, with intricate engravings along the sides and a faint blue stain on the roof. The Water Hashira seemed to be adding something to the floor of the bird house. A cushion?

While her curiosity wanted her to investigate, she was nothing if not adept at her job. So she faced the Mist Hashira again, this time preparing herself to get his attention. Whenever she had to deliver his medication in the past, she only had to pass it off to one of the attendants at the Mist Estate. With no attendants in sight and the Water Hashira being the one to let her in, she isn't sure who to give the medication to.

"Tokito-sama," Aoi calls out, trying to get the Mist Hashira's attention. But the teenager doesn't move, not even turning his head away from the clouds above to look at her. So she tries again, a bit louder this time, "Tokito-sama, I have your medication." All she receives in response is a slight hum, but this time the Hashira points toward the birdhouse, no, he points at the Water Hashira.

Assuming she is meant to give the medication to the now occupied Water Hashira, Aoi hangs her head and begins making her way through the garden, feeling her patience diminishing with each step.

"Tomioka-sama," she begins, her voice tense compared to her greeting at the gate. The Water Hashira looks up from where he had been carefully pinning a soft cyan cushion into the bottom of the birdhouse, tilting his head just slightly at her words. His dull blue eyes seem to look straight into her soul, leaving her feeling off-kilter and somewhat annoyed.

Giyuu looks at the girl in front of him. She was obviously one of Kocho's, but she looked tired. He turns his gaze toward the Mist Hashira, trying to see if the girl had delivered anything to the young Hashira, but he doesn't see anything next to him or in his hands. Maybe he was incorrect earlier? Had she actually come to deliver something for Giyuu?

"Tomioka-sa-" Aoi didn't get to finish her sentence yet again, this time interrupted by the Water Hashira standing, then walking toward the main building of the estate. She stared as the Water Hashira looked over his shoulder at her before slipping into his indoor slippers, quickly disappearing inside to do who knows what.

Huffing in frustration, Aoi starts walking back to the Mist Hashira, determined to just leave the medication with the amnesic Hashira so that she can leave. But before she can drop the medication into his hands, he shoots up, looking at the engawa where Tomioka had disappeared. Jumping slightly, Aoi followed his gaze, seeing the other Hashira reappear with an extra pair of indoor slippers and a box of something she couldn't make out.

To her utter shock, Tokito smiled, his face transforming to look like the 12-year-old he actually is instead of the Mist Hashira.

"Giyuu!" Even his voice sounded younger. "Is that dango?" Without waiting for an answer, the Mist Hashira pushes himself onto his feet, already heading to the engawa where the Water Hashira has set the box of sweets on a low, square chabudai.

Giyuu gave a faint nod. "You like them," he said, voice low as he opened the box of dango. Then, he set an extra pair of slippers at the edge of the engawa, next to a bright blue pair of indoor slippers, before quietly disappearing back inside.

Muichiro, who had already slipped off his sandals, stepped easily onto the engawa and into the blue slippers, his attention fixed on the dango as if nothing else in the world existed. Without hesitation, he plunked down next to the small table, picking up two sticks of dango.

Aoi was shocked, still trying to comprehend the behavior she had just seen from the Mist Hashira. Shinobu-sama described him as an aloof boy with severe memory issues that made conversing with him difficult. But the boy sitting on the engawa and munching on dango does not fit Shinobu-sama's description. His eyes are sparkling. He called the Water Pillar by his given name so confidently. Shinobu-sama said the boy struggled to remember the attendants at the Mist Estate.

"You should eat some," Tokito's voice snapped Aoi out of her racing thoughts, holding a skewer out to her. "Giyuu wants you to. He doesn't eat sweets."

Aoi blinked, startled yet again by what the young Hashira was able to remember. Why does he remember so much about the Water Hashira? She glanced at the box of sweets, hesitating for a moment before approaching the Mist Hashira and accepting the offered skewer. "Thank you," she said, befuddled, but bringing the skewer to her lips anyway. The sweet flavor of the dango lingered on her tongue, adding a touch of realism to the absurd situation she had found herself in.

The soft sound of footsteps signaled the Water Hashira's return after Aoi and Tokito sat quietly munching on Dango for a few minutes. This time, he carried a tray with both hands, on it sat a simple teapot, steam curling from its spout, and three clay cups. He knelt smoothly as he set the tray down on the cabudai, placing two cups next to her and Tokito, and one in front of himself. Aoi picked up her cup with both hands after the Water Hashira filled it with tea, bringing it to her mouth and taking a sip.

Giyuu was satisfied. He still had to finish preparing Ginko's covered perch for the garden, similar to the one Kanzaboro used but without the extra ledges he had added to Kanzaboro's to make it easier for the elderly crow to land. But Tokito seemed to be enjoying the dango Giyuu had bought the last time he was in the village. And Aoi seemed content as well, helping herself to another stick of dango without hesitation. He himself wasn't an enormous fan of sweets, but he tried to make sure he brought back something Tokito would enjoy whenever he went on a mission that kept him from the Water Estate for more than a night. And seeing the boy's face light up, eyes brightening, always made Giyuu feel like he was doing something right, like he was doing what Tsutako would have done.

Finishing his last skewer, Muichiro flopped on his side, his head landing softly on the Water Pillar's thigh. Without blinking, Giyuu began to pat the boy's head, running his hands through the dark hair, scratching the skin below with his fingertips. Muichiro let out a contented sigh, pushing his face into Giyuu's stomach.

...

When Aoi finished her second cup of tea, she glanced at the emptied box of dango. She still had work to do. So the girl stands and begins to gather the dishes, stacking the cups and tray with practiced efficiency since the Water Hashira was currently serving as a pillow for the Mist Hashira.

Giyuu opened his mouth to insist he would handle cleaning up, but Aoi was already stepping inside with the tray balanced in her hands. She padded across the floorboards, noticing how barren the Water Estate was with each room she passed, until she found the kitchen.

Stepping down onto the tightly packed earth, she searched for the washtub. Quickly finding it, she placed the used tray and dishes on a nearby shelf, then paused, surveying the kitchen. She hadn't seen a single attendant or maid the entire time she's been at the Water Estate.

She straightened her apron and made her way out of the kitchen and back down the dark halls of the estate, towards the engawa facing the gardens. There, still seated, with Tokito's head in his lap, is Tomioka. Aoi approaches the seated Hashira, who looks when she stands next to him. "Tomioka-sama. Where are the estate's attendants?"

Giyuu blinked and looked up at her, "There... are none," he replied.

Aoi frowned, certain that he must have misunderstood her question. "No attendants at all?" Even the Butterfly mansion had several resident Kakushi who helped care for the estate.

The Water Hashira looked back towards the garden, hand running over Tokito's hand in gentle waves. The silence stretched, and with it, Aoi's patience thinned. Still, she is Kanzaki Aoi, and Shinobu-sama entrusted her with this task, so she has to see it through.

Shoulders slumping, she lets out a heavy sigh. "Here," she says, reaching into her satchel to pull out a small package, which she pushes in front of the Water Pillar's ocean eyes. "This is for Tokito-sama. He has to take it once a week, with a proper meal."

Giyuu stared at the package for a second before raising his unoccupied arm, gently taking it from Aoi's hands. He isn't sure why he's being entrusted with Tokito-san's medication. Still, he supposes that Kanzaki-san had resorted to delivering it to him since there was no one else around. And... He gazes at Tokito's resting face. Tokito-san is at the Water Estate more often than the Mist Estate nowadays.

"I'll be back to check," oh, Giyuu missed part of her lecture. Aoi folded her arms, looking down at the Hashira who was staring blankly at her.

"Ah... I understand." Giyuu nodded, earning a satisfied smile from Aoi.

"I'll be back next week," Aoi called, returning her borrowed slippers as she stepped off the engawa and began putting on her sandals. The sun was already starting to dip in the sky, casting a golden glow and deep shadows across the garden.

Giyuu watched her, then glanced down at Muichiro, who was still dozing in his lap. He hesitated, then lightly brushed Tokito's shoulder. Muichiro's brows knit briefly as he stirred, blinking sleepily up at Giyuu. For a moment, it looked as though he might just lie back down and fall back asleep, but as he saw the sun setting, he sat up, rubbing his eyes with one hand while another found its way to Giyuu's haori, clutching it as though to keep himself from falling back asleep.

Ready to head back to the Butterfly Mansion before it got too dark for her comfort, Aoi bowed politely to the Hashira on the engawa, thanking them for their hospitality. She then began to exit the way she entered, walking around the edge of the estate toward the front gate.

Meters from the gate, she heard soft footsteps. She turned, startled, to see the Water Hashira standing behind her, lantern in hand, and the Mist Hashira clutching the hem of his haori.

"Thank you for seeing me off," Aoi politely bowed again, surprised that both Hashira had decided to see her to the gate.

Giyuu offered a quiet nod, the lantern's warm glow casting soft shadows across his face. Then, unexpectedly, Tomioka spoke, blunt and firm. "I'm walking you home."

Aoi blinked, startled. She straightened and shook her head quickly, cheeks flushing. "Oh, no, Tomioka-sama, that's not necessary. I wouldn't want to trouble you-"

Before she could say more, Giyuu reached out, his hand surprisingly gentle as it came to rest on the top of her head. "It will be dark soon," he said simply, gaze steady. "It is reckless to travel unaccompanied."

Aoi looked up, caught off guard by the unexpected softness. Her embarrassment softened into a shy smile as she lowered her head slightly in thanks. "Thank you, Tomioka-sama."

"Just Giyuu is fine..."

Chapter Text

Giyuu stood just outside the Water Estate's gate, the morning sun barely warming the mist that still clung to the path. With his hands tucked into the sleeves of his mismatched haori, Giyuu waited patiently for Muichiro to emerge from the estate. They had planned to leave early, before the road became crowded. 

The gentle sound of footsteps approached, and Giyuu straightened, preparing himself to open the gate so that they could leave. But his eyes narrowed slightly when he saw that Muichiro wasn't wearing a haori or anything to keep him warm. The boy was wearing one of the yukata that Giyuu had purchased for him a few weeks before, dark blue fabric hanging loosely, long sleeves hanging well past his wrists, swaying in the morning breeze.

As Muichiro made for the gate, Giyuu caught his eye. "Tokito-san," he began, voice capturing the remainder of the forgetful boy's attention. "You should wear something warmer..."

From her perch on the boy's shoulder, Ginko puffed up, offended on her master's behalf. "How dare you! You can't boss Tokito-sama around! He would never get cold! He's a descendant of one of the strongest swordsmen to live! None can compare!" Her boasting earned her the ire of Kanzaburo, who was perched near the estate's gates. Launching himself with shaking wings, the two began their usual bickering, never full-on arguing though, since neither wanted to be on the receiving end of Giyuu's disappointment again. 

Giyuu thought it was good for Kanzaburo to have found a friend in the form of Ginko. The female crow could be a bit... much... but she often helped Kanzaburo remember messages from the Master, and she didn't hesitate to cuddle next to the older crow when she saw him shiver.

Ignoring the crows circling overhead, Muichiro looked down at his yukata as if noticing the chill for the first time. "Ah," he sighed, and with a small smile, turned back inside.

A few moments later, Muichiro reemerged, a gentle shade between teal and blue draped over his shoulders. The haori's soft folds settled around him, making the boy look even smaller, but much more comfortable. 

Nodding, Giyuu opened the gate, stepping out with his companion close at his side and their crows overhead. They walked in comfortable silence, the only sounds being from nature, until they heard childish cheering further down the road.

The cheering and laughter got louder as they approached, steps soft on the dirt path. 

Kanzaburo was the first to notice the group ahead of them, a surprised squack escaping his beak before he swooped downwards, small body unable to stop before it crashed into one of the figures further down the path.

"Kanzaburo!" Aoi's recognizable voice called out in surprise.

Getting closer, Giyuu could see the girl gently remove Kanzaburo from her hair. The old crow crooned softly as his talons were gently distangled from the black locks of hair. Once untangled, Aoi maneuvered the crow to the crook of her elbow. The old crow nuzzled his face into her apron, releasing more soft sounds of contentment.

"Oh! Is this Tomioka-sama's crow?" A young voice asked. A head of dark hair with two pale blue butterfly clips, peering around Aoi's side to look at the small crow. "He's smaller than En!"

"Really?!" Another high-pitched voice joined in. "Let me see!" A small girl ran around Aoi, holding hands with another girl in a matching uniform.

Giyuu and Muichiro watched the trio crowd around Aoi, pressing closer to Kanzaburo. All three wore the same uniform, but with different accessories. White nurses' uniforms with different colored bows tied around the middle and butterfly clips in their hair. Giyuu almost thought that Aoi was being surrounded by mini versions of herself. Except he remembers her speaking about her fellow attendants during her second visit. She had told him that they had been brought to the estate before Aoi began working there. All three had lost their families at very young ages, and Kanae had taken them in, giving them a home. 

But he was surprised to see them accompanying Aoi. She hadn't brought them along for her visits, even as she began visiting more frequently. They had clearly heard about him, though, since he heard one of them recognize Kanzaburo as his crow.

Maybe they were also heading to town. Except he knows the Butterfly Estate is located closer to the Rengoku estate. They must be traveling to deliver medicine or something to another estate.

"Giyuu-san!" Aoi calls out as she spots him walking alongside Muichiro. Both are dressed in matching dark blue yukatas, though their haori differ, giving them an almost brotherly appearance. She smiles, still cradling Kanzaburo in her arms. "Good morning," she greets as the Hashira approach her and the butterfly trio, who are crowded around her like ducklings.

Kanzaburo is soaking up the attention like a sponge, allowing the small girls to pet his head, feet, and feathers. Ginko, seeing him receive so much attention, swoops down to land on one of the girl's shoulders, tugging gently on a dark braid with a green butterfly clip at the bottom. Getting the attention she demanded, Ginko puffs her chest out, preening at the compliments while boasting about her slayer to the girls, who gasp in awe when appropriate.

Now standing in front of the group, Giyuu returns Aoi's greeting. "Good morning, Kanzaki-san." His voice is soft, as usual, eyes watching the girls fawn over Kanzaburo and Ginko instead of making eye contact.

Hands on her hips, Aoi narrows her eyes at Giyuu. "Giyuu-san. I told you to call me Aoi."

"Ah... Good morning, Aoi-san."

"Better," Aoi said, smiling at the stoic Water Hashira. Looking between him and Muichiro, she asks, "Where are you headed?" They were clearly walking away from the Water Estaste, so they couldn't be returning from a mission. And they were both wearing more casual clothing instead of their uniforms, meaning they weren't completing work for the corps. "We were just about to visit. These three have been wanting to thank you for sending me home with sweets for them."

Giyuu finally looks at Aoi, tearing his eyes away from the kids who had successfully taken Kanzaburo from Aoi's arms. "You don't need to." He says dryly. Aoi had mentioned the younger attendants, and Giyuu earned enough from his work as a placeholder to provide extra snacks for the children living with Aoi. He truly hadn't done anything deserving of gratitude. Muichiro can't eat sweets all the time, so it made sense to send the extra with Aoi.

His deflection caught the attention of the girl with the pale pink butterfly clips. She turned around swiftly, mirroring Aoi's stance with her hands on her hips as she spoke. "Yes, we do!" She said with conviction in her voice. "It's polite to thank someone when they're nice to you. Besides, Aoi says you never take any of the sweets for yourself, even though you buy them."

Giyuu blinked, caught off guard by her directness. He didn't know how to respond to that, so he looked to Aoi for help, but she just shrugged, lips twitching with amusement.

The other two butterfly attendants were looking at him now, too, one with Ginko still preening on her shoulders and the other clutching Aoi's sleeves while holding a small wrapped package.

"We made this for you!" The girl says, letting go of Aoi's uniform sleeves to push the package towards Giyuu. "And there's something for Tokito-sama and Kanzaburo." When the ocean-eyes man gently picks up the package, she quickly steps back, this time holding hands with the pink clipped girl, all three now standing in front of Aoi, hand in hand.

"Thank you..." Giyuu says quietly, reaching into his haori pocket to put the package away for later. But he quickly paused when one of the girls, the girl wearing green, shouted.

"No! You have to open it now!"

"Naho-chan!" Aoi reprimands, stepping forward to put her hand on Kiyo's shoulder. 

Watery eyes look back at Aoi, making her pause, weak to the little one's tears. "But... But he has to open it now. We made it special for him."

"I don't mind..." Aoi looks away from Kiyo to Giyuu, who has knelt in front of the butterfly trio, holding the package carefully. Gently, he pulls the wrapping off, careful not to tear the soft fabric. The package was wrapped in a piece of faded indigo cloth, tied neatly with a thin, cream-colored ribbon.

The girls watched, eyes sparkling, as the Water Hashira opened the gift they prepared for him. Even Muichiro watched, standing right behind Giyuu, looking over his shoulder curiously. 

Carefully unfolding the indigo cloth, Giyuu reveals the treasures inside. A small butterfly charm was the first item to catch his attention. The wings were uneven, made from thin strips of painted wood and twisted wire, with a few rough edges where the paint had chipped. Giyuu lifted it gently, and when the green butterfly girl shyly stepped forward with her hands out, he gave it to her without hesitation.

While he took in the rest of the package's content, Naho, as the girl had introduced herself, stepped around him to stand next to Muichiro. He felt her small hands part his hair, gently attaching the charm so that it rested just behind his right ear.

While she worked, Giyuu picked up a small, linen pouch. Inside were tiny seeds, which he knew immediately were for Kanzaburo and Ginko. Next, tucked alongside the seeds, were three mochi. The mochi were soft and dusted with a fine layer of kinako - the roasted soybean flour giving off a subtle, nutty aroma. 

Giyuu picked one up, holding it in his hand gently so as not to crush it before handing it to Muichiro, who was now staring intently at the small sweets.

Muichiro eagerly took the sweet, popping it into his mouth without hesitation. A soft hum escaped his throat at the flavor of red bean paste. Reaching for another mochi, he shot a smile at Giyuu when the man handed him the remaining two.

Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho watched as the Mist Hashira devoured the sweets they had made. They had worked hard on them and were thrilled to see the Hashira enjoying it so much.

"Giyuu-san," Aoi spoke up, "You never said where you and Tokito -"

"Muichiro." The Mist Hashira corrected, not looking away from his mochi.

Blinking and then sighing, Aoi corrected herself. "You never said where you and Muichiro-san are headed."

Giyuu looked back up at Aoi, standing from his kneeling position after ensuring the butterfly charm in his hair wouldn't fall out. He looked back at Muichiro, who was now being surrounded by the little girls, eager to hear what he liked about the treat, leaving him and Aoi a foot away to chat. "We're headed to Kawamura Village." He said, folding his hands back into the sleeves of his haori. "Would..." The Water Hashria speaks slowly, as though actively debating his words. "Would you like to join us?"

Aoi goes to decline, not wanting to intrude on the man's errands, but before she can get a word out, she feels eager tugs on her uniform sleeves.

"Aoi-chan! Aoi-chan! Can we go with them?"

"I wanna go with Muichiro-san!"

"Please, Aoi-chan?"

Three sets of puppy eyes were directed at Aoi, and though she tried to stay strong, she folded within seconds. "As long as Giyuu-san doesn't mind."

"Yay!" The butterfly girls cheer in together, running to Giyuu to hug his legs after the man nods to show he doesn't mind them tagging along.

...

Giyuu has regularly visited Kawamura Village ever since he took over the care of the Water Estate. The village was one of the closest to the Water Estate, and was one of the few that acknowledged the existence of demons and the Demon Slayer Corps. As such, he was recognized by his uniform the first time he visited, and ever since, villagers have always stopped to say hello or thank him for his work.

He had tried at first to explain that he wasn't like the other Hashira or the Water Pillars that had come before him. He was merely a stand-in until an actual Water Breathing user rose to the rank of Hashira. But the villagers refused to listen. They had been kind enough to refer to him by name instead of title, so Giyuu counted that as a win.

"Tomioka-sama!" Giyuu nodded his head slightly in response to one of the many greetings he received as he and the group of children behind him entered the village. 

"Tokito-sama! Welcome back!" A shop owner called out, arranging her wares as the morning sun spilled over the street.

A group of children ran past them, and one of them didn't watch where he was going and ended up running face-first into Giyuu's legs. Or he would have if Giyuu hadn't put a hand down to catch the boy by his forehead, stopping the boy from getting hurt without even looking down.

"Thank you!" The child said, smiling widely, but absolutely beaming when he saw the face of the man he almost ran into. "Giyuu-sama!" He cheered, drawing the attention of his friends who had continued to run down the road, their cheers growing louder.

"Giyuu-sama!"

"You're back!"

"Welcome back Giyuu-sama!"

The children swarmed around him, eager to hear about his missions and begging for a demonstration of his water-breathing forms.

Aoi watched in awe. Shinobu-sama had told her that Giyuu was disliked by people. But here, in this village, he was clearly cherished. Men approached to give firm pats on his back, inviting him to stop by their homes before he left, including the Water Hashira's companions in the invitation. The children tugged playfully at his haori and yukata, and Giyuu never hesitated to stop and indulge them, letting them hang off his arms like monkeys.

She and the butterfly girls weren't excluded from the warm welcome. Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho were quickly pulled into the village children's games, running circles around the street. 

They spent most of their day in the village. And Aoi learned that Giyuu, while unwilling to spend his salary on himself, was more than willing to spend it on her, the butterfly trio, and Muichiro. 

"Tomioka-sama!" A cheerful man greeted the group as they entered a tea house near the village center after a morning of shopping. "What can we do for you?" He asked, his partner stepping out of the kitchen to approach the group, pulling Giyuu into a tight hug, which was awkwardly reciprocated, earning a jolly laugh from the couple that owned the tea house.

The chef stepped back into the kitchen after giving their partner a kiss on the cheek. And after blushing, the owner led the group to one of the tables in the back, where they could have some more privacy in case anyone entered the tea house looking for Giyuu.

"Ah," Giyuu sighed, looking up from his seat at the owner. "Whatever they want, and -" 

"Salmon daikon, right?" The man laughed, already knowing what the stoic Water Hashira would order. Just like he does every time.

Giyuu just hummed, knowing that the man's partner made the best Salmon daikon in the village. Already, he could smell the salmon cooking in the kitchen.

The meal arrived quickly. The warm aroma filled the dining room, making the group's stomachs growl. The girls' eyes lit up as they eagerly dug in, while Muichiro quietly accepted his portion. The food was delicious, filling their stomachs after a morning of shopping and running around the village.

After finishing the last of the plates on the table, Aoi was about to reach into her satchel to pay for her and the butterfly girls' meals. But she was stopped when Giyuu stood up, holding a small pouch of coins, and pushed them into the owner's hands, while Muichiro also stood and started to exit the tea house.

Aoi was surprised. "Giyuu-san, I can pay for myself and the girls. You don't have to cover us." She didn't want to make the Water Pillar spend his money unnecessarily.

Turning over his shoulder, Giyuu locked eyes with Aoi, dark blue eyes unwavering as he stared at her. Then, he turned back around, bowed to the owner, and led Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho to the entrance of the tea house where Muichiro was waiting.

The owner chucked, wiping his hands on his apron. He watched Giyuu step out of the tea house, the three girls hanging off his arms, with Muichiro holding his haori. Facing the dumbstruck girl still sitting at the previously occupied table, he smiled. "Kanzaki-san, Tomioka-san is a stubborn man. Trust me. We tried to let him eat for free, as a thank you for his hard work."

His partner exits the kitchen to stand next to him, continuing the story. "But he insisted, and when we didn't accept, he left coins everywhere for us to find. We figured it was easier to just let him pay, rather than find more money than would have been owed scattered everywhere."

Aoi's cheeks flushed, a mix of embarrassment and admiration spreading across her face. Standing and politely bowing to the couple, she exited the tea house, where she saw the girls cheering as Giyuu lifted his arms up and down while they hung on.

Yeah. Giyuu is way too nice.

...

"C'mon, Kanao!" Naho is the last to walk through the Water Estate's gates. In front of her, Aoi walks with Sumi and Kiyo, heading towards the back of the estate, where the sounds of bokken colliding can be heard, indicating that the two Hashira are training. Naho pulls harder. "Kanao! You agreed to come with us!"

That morning, Aoi had announced that she was visiting the Water Estate again, and soon, Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho had invited themselves along, eager to play with Muichiro and Giyuu again. Muichiro had ended up carrying them around on his back the last time they visited, and they wanted to see if he could carry all of them at once like Giyuu could. So when Kanao walked by, dressed for training, they had invited her along.

The Flower Breathing user, not yet a member of the corps, had flipped her coin and, without a word, changed her course to join the attendants in the kitchen where they were packing homemade mochi to bring to the Water Estate for Muichiro.

And now, even though Kanao had followed them all the way to the Water Estate's gates, the girl had stopped moving, standing just before her feet would cross into the estate's grounds. Naho had no clue why the girl had stopped walking, but she knew she wasn't strong enough to pull her inside. So she tries to convince her with words. "Kanao! Don't you want to train with the Water Hashira?"

At her question, Kanao finally looks away from the gates and back at Naho. Flower breathing is derived from water breathing. And... and Kanae is dead. 

Flipping her coin again, Kanao sees heads and takes a step inside, following Aoi and the others, who had by now stopped to see what was taking Naho and Kanao so long.

...

Giyuu knew the butterfly attendants were at the estate when he heard shouting. But he couldn't pause his spar with Tokito, so they continued to clash, bokkens splintering at the force and speed of their collisions. Even though he's only been a Hashira for a few months, Tokito can hold his own against the Water Hashira. He is genuinely a talented child. Giyuu thinks it is a double-sided talent. His talent meant he soared through the ranks. As a Hashira, he would continue to go on the most challenging missions, sometimes without backup, unlike the lower-ranked slayers who often worked in teams or under more experienced leadership.

When Aoi had told him her terror at the thought of having to pick up her sword to fight demons, Giyuu couldn't help but feel relieved. Aoi was passionate and stubborn, but she was also gentle. And he couldn't imagine her fighting like he and the rest of the corps do. She works hard enough saving lives. Anyone who shames her for her fear isn't a man. That's what Sabito would have said.

So he wasn't surprised when out of the corner of his eye he saw the butterfly girls watch his and Tokito's spar with rapt attention, cheering whenever they saw a particularly impressive move. What surprised him was seeing Kocho's sister and future tsuguko standing next to them.

But he couldn't let that distract him. Muichiro was leaving on a mission the next morning, and Giyuu had to help him prepare. So they continued to spar until finally, their bokkens broke, signaling the end of the spar along with the loud cheers of Sumi, Naho, and Kiyo.

"Giyuu! You were so cool! Whoosh, bam!" Naho ran up to him, hugging his legs while trying to imitate the sounds his bokken had made cutting through the air.

"Mui!" Naho and Sumi cheered, holding the younger Hashira's hands. Giving him the package of mochi they prepared for him, earning them both head pats and a slight smile.

But Giyuu's attention was on Aoi and Kanao, the latter of whom was standing still, just watching him, before she flipped a coin. Glancing down, she saw something and began walking towards Giyuu, bowing deeply before requesting, "Tomioka-sama. Please train me." Her voice was almost whisper-like.

Aoi looked at Kanao in shock. She hadn't expected the girl to actually ask to train with Giyuu. Maybe watch him and sit quietly while they ate snacks, but she supposes Kanao isn't the easiest to predict. After all, her decisions are made by a coin toss.

Giyuu wondered why Tsuyui wanted to train with him. There are many breath of water cultivators who could train her, given that he knows Kocho lacks the strength to use the breathing form as Kanae did. The girl continued to bow before him, dressed in a pink yukata with a white undershirt and magenta hakama. 

How does he tell her that others could train her better?

"Tsuyuri-san..." He starts, "I-"

"Kanao is really talented!" Naho exclaims, still attached to Giyuu's legs, interrupting him before he can finish his sentence. The other butterfly girls let go of Muichiro, running to hug Giyuu's other leg, also praising Kanao's talents and telling him he should train her.

Giyuu looks at the girls on his legs and the prospective slayer still bowing before him, while Aoi stands behind her, watching his struggle with amusement. Pursing his lips slightly, he lets out a defeated sigh. "I'll train you. Are you prepared?"

Straitning out of her bow, Kanao nods, begging to unsheath her sword.

Giyuu sighs again, preparing himself to train someone who likely doesn't need his guidance. "Muichiro-san. Could you prepare tea?" Muichiro nods and walks back to the main house, slipping into his indoor shoes, followed closely by the butterfly trio, who were eager to help the boy inside. Each had their own pair of slippers by now, left on the engawa when Giyuu knew they would be visiting, since they rarely entered through the front door of the main building.

Stepping off to the side to grab a drink of water, Giyuu instructs Kanao to begin warming up.

And then, he watches as she performs each Flower Breathing form. He remembers Kanae showing him the forms before she died. It's a lovely style, and Kanae had performed it with strength and grace. And while he can see Kanao's potential, he also sees room for improvement.

He stops her midway through her second form, unsheathing his own sword to demonstrate. "When you rotate your sword, you lose control of your core, which leaves you vulnerable if you need to react quickly." He has her perform the form again, and he is impressed to see her pick up on the correction so quickly. If she used Water Breathing, he could see her becoming the Water Hashira.

But she's Kocho's student and sister. And Flower Breathing suits her well.

Chapter Text

"Ara ara, Tomioka, would you happen to know why my estate is so empty nowadays?"

Giyuu has just walked into the Master's garden, where the rest of the Hashira are already waiting for the meeting to begin. Muichiro was at his side, watching the clouds while Giyuu kept an eye on the ground, making sure there wasn't anything that could trip the boy as they walked forward.

Kocho had been chatting with Tengen, both standing closer to the entrance than Shinazugawa and Iguro. But when she saw the Water and Mist Pillars walk in, she turned away and fell in step beside Giyuu, lightly poking him in the ribs.

Ignoring her question and prodding, Giyuu continued his steady pace towards the familiar spot where he and Muichiro usually kneeled during these gatherings. He could feel Kocho's eyes burning a hole in the side of his face, but said nothing.

"Don't ignore me, Tomioka." She said, eye twitching in annoyance as the Water Hashira continued to be silent. "This is why no one likes you."

At her sharp comment, Muichiro tore his gaze away from the clouds, glaring daggers at the Insect Hashira. Shinobu caught his glare and shot a glance between the Mist and Water Hashira. "Who would've guessed you'd gain this much loyalty, To-mi-o-ka." She teased, noticing the Water Hashira's shoulder slightly tense. "Did that hit a nerve? I wonder how Tokito-kun can stand to be around you when you're always so sad." Her eyes could cut glass as she spoke. But Muichiro's could cut steel.

"Aoi told me Tokito-kun was at the Water Estate when she delivered his medicine last month. Somehow I knew that would be the case." Her smile widened. "And I know she's been visiting every week. But I don't know why she's gone most of the week, or why the other attendants, and my own Tsuguko, have also disappeared. So I wonder if you know why?"

Behind them, Shinazugawa and Iguro watched with tight expressions. They were pretty used to the kid following Tomioka by now, but it looked like the bastard had done something to Kocho's kids by the questions Kocho kept throwing at the man.

"Oi, Kocho!" Shinazugawa yells, pulling Shinobu's attention away from the side of Giyuu's head. "What'd the bastard do?"

Uzui is the one to respond, laughing loudly as he repeats what Kocho had been telling him before the meeting started. "Apparently, Mr. Broody has stolen the girl from the butterfly estate." Turning to look at Tomioka, he kept laughing. "Didn't know you had it in you, Tomioka! Very flashy! But aren't they a bit young!"

The Sound Hashira's crude comment brushed the wrong nerve, gaining him an icy glare, causing him to put his hands in the air in surrender. "Sorry, sorry..." he said, still chuckling, turning his attention back to Shinazugawa and Iguro.

Before he could continue, Himejima spoke up from where he had been previously engaged with Rengoku. "Everyone, let us set our minds towards today's meeting." His words effectively diffused what was becoming a tense situation.

"The Master has arrived." One of the Ubuyashiki children announced.

As one, the Hashira kneeled, now in a row facing the Master. Ubuyashiki stepped onto the engawa, facing the Hashira, his children.

...

Giyuu doesn't hate the cold. He lived in the mountains for years, enduring blizzards and the threat of frostbite since he was young. Tsutako taught him how to properly store food so that it would last longer if they couldn't make it down to the village during a snowstorm. Urokodaki had also taught him to use his breathing to stay warm and how to walk through snow without stumbling. It had become a game for him and Sabito whenever the snow on Mount Sagiri piled high enough. They would take turns running down the mountain, returning to the top to see who left the most marks in the snow as they made their way back down again.

But while he doesn't hate the cold or snow, he knows it is harsh and unforgiving. And he knows that demons thrive in winter, when the sun is blocked by heavy clouds and nights are longer, allowing demons to hunt for longer periods than they typically could.

So, when Kanzaburo delivers news of a mission for him on Mount Kumotori, where rumors of an unnatural presence have been circulating through the rural villages surrounding the mountain, he isn't surprised.

Running through the snow, Giyuu's hand rests over the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it any moment. There is no path to follow anymore, so he relies on Kanzaburo to get him to his destination while focusing on his breathing and the deep forest surrounding him. These remote locations are hives of demon activity. They feast on travelers who wander through with no witnesses to report the disappearances, and prey on families living away from crowded villages.

He keeps running.

But Giyuu is never fast enough.

Kanzaburo had led him to a small home located high up in the mountains. Upon seeing the structure, his feet slowed, and he grasped his sword hilt, something in his gut telling him to be wary.

Footsteps were leading away from the home, most likely recent. Meaning there might be survivors. But first...

Giyuu steps closer to the home, seeing the first body buried under a thin layer of snow. The child looked no older than 3, tiny and gone far too soon. But his injury meant he died quickly. Which was a blessing compared to the children inside the home.

A trail of blood led into the home, like something or someone had tried to get the youngest child out of harm's way, but failed, leaving them dead in the snow. Inside, the remaining victims were absolutely covered in blood. There was blood everywhere. It coated the walls and the futons. None of them had any marks indicating that a demon had tried to eat them. No. The demon responsible had killed them for sport. Had wanted to see them suffer.

The mother was against the wall, her body covering another child, while two boys lay dead, their bodies reaching for the door. He checked each body for any sign of life. But each was cold and lifeless, covered in dried blood that left the bottom of Giyuu's sandals sticky.

He had failed again. He was too late.

But... He looked back at the footsteps and the trail of blood. There might be survivors.

He can't waste any more time.

Gently closing the family's eyes, Giyuu hurries out of the home, sword drawn as he follows the footsteps back down the mountain.

...

A demon. The sister was turned into a demon.

And she's protecting him?

Why is she protecting him?

Giyuu has never heard of a demon protecting a human before. He was so sure that when the demon closed in on the boy, she would kill him before Giyuu's eyes. Another soul he failed to protect. But instead, she focused cat-like eyes on him, growing as she stood protectively over her brother.

He knows he's going to do something that could get him killed. But... He looks at the siblings. What if sparing them helps them defeat Muzan?

Moving faster than the fledgling demon can track, he knocks her out, gently holding her as she falls, resting her against a tree while he figures out a way to keep her fangs hidden. Then, he moves onto the boy, putting his hands beneath his knees and back, lifting him with ease to set him against the tree across from his... sister. He's going to get in so much trouble.

Neither should be waking up for a while. And his gut is telling him that the girl won't harm her brother. He also doesn't want to risk bringing her too close to her family; the blood might tempt her or put her in a frenzied state. And he doesn't want to kill her so soon after watching her do the impossible.

With a final glance over his shoulder, he heads back to the family's home. Finding them still unmoving and cold. Then, he searches for a shovel or anything he can dig with, quickly finding one, along with another axe, similar to the one the boy had thrown at his head.

He shakes the reminder of the boy's audacity and bravery from his mind. He can't leave their family unburied. And while the boy might be upset that he hadn't buried his family, Giyuu can't let him see them in this state.

He tackles digging five burial plots first. Four of them are much too small compared to the woman's. But, at least they won't be alone in death. They'll be laid next to each other for eternity. The ground is frozen solid, and it solidifies his decision to bury the family. He's positive it would have taken the boy all day just to dig the plots. That would mean the child would continue to see his family, his siblings, and his mother, covered in blood. He would have had to stand in the blood-soaked house longer than he should. And Giyuu won't let it happen.

After digging, Giyuu fills a basin with water, beginning the process of cleaning each child of blood. He didn't want to dig through their home any more than necessary, but he couldn't let them be buried in bloody clothes. Thankfully, he finds a closet with clothing that should fit each child.

They would have grown if you had been faster.

Giyuu shakes his head, lifting the little one outside first. His hands gently wipe his face, removing dried tears and blood before carefully taking off the blood-soaked clothing and cleaning the rest of the child's body. He repeats the process with each child and then the mother. Lying each body gently in their frozen grave.

He hesitates while holding the shovel. He knows he should cover the bodies, but he can't take the boy's chance to say goodbye away. So he turns, offering a short prayer, apologizing for his failure, and promising to look after the family they left behind.

The children are exactly where he left them. Both are still out cold, resting against tree trunks. Unfortunately, Giyuu can't wake them up without inflicting more pain, and he can't make himself do that knowing that they still have to say goodbye.

In the meantime, he thinks about what he should do with the pair. He can't just let them wander the countryside alone. They had just learned of the existence of demons. The boy wants to turn his sister back into a human, but he can't do that if she burns the minute they set foot in the sun. And there is so much to teach him if he decides to become a demon slayer.

Decides? He has to. You can't let the girl live if he doesn't.

Leaning his head against the trunk of the tree, Giyuu can't help but wonder if Sabito would punch him for this. If his friend hated him for sparing a demon. But... he can't help but feel a sense of hope.

...

When Tanjiro wakes up, he sees the man who had tried to kill his sister sitting against a tree, head leaned back. He would have thought the man was asleep if his scent wasn't so active, proving the man was awake and alert. Panicking, Tanjiro's eyes frantically search for his sister. If the man had killed her while he was unconscious, Tanjiro wouldn't know what he would do. Nezuko is all he has left.

The bodies of his siblings and mother run through his mind. His stomach curls, and if he had anything in his system, it would have left immediately. No. He can't think about them right now. He has to find Nezuko.

There! Right across from him, his sister is resting. Her head is lolled, and she looks almost normal again. But then he sees the orange on the tips of her hair, and remembers that she had turned into a demon. He notices the bamboo in her mouth, secured with a red cloth that seemed to wrap around her head. Tears fall down his face as he realizes his sister is still alive.

He looks back at the swordsman, who was now staring back at him, with deep blue eyes, empty compared to the anger that had been directed at him earlier.

Giyuu watched as the boy slowly woke up, panicked eyes searching until they found his sister. And then the boy started crying.

"Get up."

"W-what?" Tanjro asks, still dazed and confused.

"Get up. You have to move."

Tanjiro looks back at his sister, who is still unconscious.

"Get up." The swordsman repeats.

"What about Nezuko?" Tanjiro asks, using his arms to push himself up from the snow. He looks down when he notices something falling off his front as he stands. Looking down, it's the strange haori the swordsman had been wearing. It was so warm. Quickly picking it up, Tanjirko holds it close while staggering feet bring him closer to Nezuko.

"She'll be fine," Giyuu says, pushing his body away from the tree. The girl is a demon now; the cold shouldn't hurt her. His reassurance doesn't ease the boy's anxiety, though. Tanjiro, the boy's name is Tanjiro.

There's no turning back now.

...

Tanjiro cries at the sight of his family. He knows the swordsman standing a few meters behind him must have done this. His family looks peaceful again. There's no blood, no vacant eyes, no tears. They had all been cleaned and dressed before being laid to rest. It must have taken the swordsman a long time. And he left the graves open, so that Tanjiro and Nezuko could say goodbye.

"Thank you," Tanjiro sobs, turning around to hug the swordsman. "Thank you so much", he buries his face in the man's buttoned top, squeezing the man, as though if he let go, he would break. "I can't thank you enough!"

Giyuu awkwardly pats the boy's back.

He wouldn't be mourning if I had been faster.

"Do you... Do you want help?" Giyuu asks, the boy is still wrapped around his midsection.

Tanjiro looks up, tears in his eyes. "No, I..." he swallows, "I need to do this."

"Alright," Giyuu says, gently pushing the boy away, moving to stand by his demon sister, who is still sound asleep, resting against the outside of the home.

It takes Tanjiro an hour to finish burying his family. Midway through, Nezuko stirs and slowly opens her eyes; her gaze finds her brother. Without a word, she rises and stands silently by his side, watching dirt pile higher and higher. Tanjiro's sobs gradually soften, his breath steadying as the final layer of soil covers his family's graves. Kneeling beside the fresh earth, he bows his head and utters a soft prayer, whispering words of farewell and love.

Rising from his prayer, he reaches to hold Nezuko's hand, guiding her to the swordsman. "Let's go." He said, his voice scratchy from his sobs.

Giyuu nods, leading the siblings farther away from their home and towards the only man he can trust to watch over them. He prays that he doesn't hate Giyuu for failing. For failing all those years ago, and for failing in his duty as the Water Hashira. Failing to kill a demon.

...

It takes the trio a few days to reach the chain of mountains surrounding Mount Sagiri. Giyuu made Tanjiro handle his sister. It was his responsibility to see through. He can't be with the boy all the time, so he has to learn how to care for her now, before he picks up a blade.

Thankfully, Tanjiro is resourceful. He uses a basket thrown away by farmers to create a safe way to transport his sister during the daytime. And when they stop for food, the boy is always polite, thanking Giyuu profusely when the man buys his food.

But when they approach a small shrine, Tanjiro announces that he can smell blood. He runs forward, pulling Nezuko with him while Giyuu follows close behind. But instead of finding injured travelers, Tanrjio sees a demon. A demon who had already killed the travelers in the shrine, crouching above them, tearing into their flesh with clawed hands.

Giyuu just watches. He knows there will be no issues killing this demon if push comes to shove. And, Kanzaburo had delivered his message days ago. So they shouldn't be alone at the shrine. This will be a good test for Tanjiro. He needs to prove himself.

The fight against the demon goes about as well as Giyuu could have expected. Tanjiro doesn't have a nichirin weapon, so he hadn't expected the boy to be able to defeat the demon. And he was proud when Nezuko turned away from the massacre in the shrine to help her brother, kicking the demon's head off with a single hit.

The challenging bit came when Tanjiro had the demon's head stuck to a tree with his axe.

Tanjiro had stood before the demon, holding a simple knife in his hands. Giyuu could tell the boy knew what he needed to do, but the idea of ending a life, even the life of a demon, obviously weighed heavily on the boy's heart. His breath came out in sharp gasps, air struggling to enter his system as he stared at the demon's head.

Giyuu watched Tanjiro struggle for almost an hour, the moon still high in the night sky. Tanjiro didn't even notice when a stranger approached them, standing next to Giyuu for the first time in years.

"Giyuu..." The man said, red tengu mask showing none of the emotions it hid. He wanted to embrace his child. The only child who lived, but never returned. But first... "Is this the boy?"

Giyuu looked at his mentor's masked face. He hadn't expected to see Urokodaki ever again. His failure was too great. He ignored the man, his father in every way but blood. He ignored him for years, letting messages go without reply, and pleas for him to return to Mount Sagiri went unanswered. How could he face him when he had so much blood on his hands?

"Yes... That's Kamado Tanjiro. And," Giyuu gestures to the demon standing next to Tanjiro, "that is Kamado Nezuko."

"Ah.." Urokodaki hums, still watching his student. He looked nothing and everything like the boy he had sent off to final selection so many years ago. His once sparkling blue eyes were now dull. And his haori. Urokodaki felt tears well up when he saw what his student had done with Sabito's kimono. Giyuu was truly such a sensitive soul. He sewed it with his sister's wedding kimono, creating a shroud of death that he wore everywhere he went. "Have you explained anything to him?" he asked, watching the boy as his breath failed him.

"No... Only that his sister will burn in the sun if he isn't careful."

"Hmph." Urokodaki stepped forward, approaching the hyperventilating boy. It wouldn't do for him to pass out before Urokodaki could even meet him. Giyuu had left it up to him to teach the boy after all. And even though they haven't spoken in years, Urokodaki could never not trust Giyuu. Reaching his arm out, he grabs Tanjiro's shoulder, startling the boy. "You won't be able to finish him off with that."

Tanjiro doesn't know what to do when he sees the tengu mask over his shoulder. But a quick glance at Tomioka tells him that he isn't in any danger. "H-how can I finish him off?"

"Don't rely on someone else! Can't you use your own head?" Urokodaki tells the boy, who flinches, but looks at the rocks surrounding the shrine. He and Giyuu watch as the boy decides to pick one, roughly the size of a melon, and hold it with both hands, going to stand before the trapped demon's head again.

Giyuu feels bad for the kid. But it's necessary. If he and Urokodaki are soft on him, he might not be prepared to join the corps with his sister. If he didn't have his sister... it would be different. But he's going to encounter situations where he has to defend his sister, possibly even against other slayers. He can't hesitate. He can't hesitate to slit his own stomach should his sister ever hurt a human.

As the sun starts to rise, Giyuu knows the boy is too kind. He couldn't raise the rock to beat the demon to death. And Giyuu can't blame him. He knows Shinazugawa used to fight demons before joining the corps, using stones to trap demons as the sun rose, burning them alive. But Tanjiro is too kind, and it would take a tremendous amount of force and numerous strikes to kill the demon without a nichirin weapon.

He and Urokodaki leave the boy alone with the demon while they finish burying the travelers in the soil next to the shrine. Nezuko follows them, seeking shelter from the rising sun. Giyuu is already confident that she won't touch the dead bodies. Still, he can tell Urokodaki is surprised when the girl turns away and hides in her makeshift basket, covering herself as much as she can from the sun while she waits for her brother.

After burying the bodies, Urokodaki utters a prayer, turning around to face Tanjiro, who hadn't been able to kill the demon. "My name is Urokodaki Sakonji." A pause fills the air before Urokodaki's mask bears down on Tanjiro as he asks the question. "What will you do if your sister devours a human?"

Tanjiro doesn't answer fast enough, so Urokodaki slaps him, leaving a mark on the boy's face. "You're too indecisive! You're simply too slow at making tough decisions. You couldn't finish off that demon before daybreak. Do you know why you couldn't answer my question right away? It's because your resolve is too weak. There are only two things you can do if your sister devours a human. Kill your sister! Then cut your own stomach and die!" Urokodaki's voice leaves no room for argument. "That's what it means to continue staying by your demon sister's side. Commit to memory that such a thing should never occur, no matter the circumstance. Your sister taking the life of an innocent person is the one thing that must never come to pass. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes!" Tanjiro's voice is finally firm, conviction holding his shoulders high.

"I'm going to test you to see if you're fit to become a Demon Slayer. Get your sister ready and follow me."

Giyuu goes to stand next to his mentor as Tanjiro rushes back inside the shrine to collect Nezuko. He knows what Urokodaki has planned, after all, he and Sabito went through the same training that Tanjiro will hopefully complete.

...

Giyuu waits in Urokodaki's hut while the man leads Tanjiro up the mountain. He can't make himself walk past Sabito's grave. He couldn't make himself visit all these years, knowing there wasn't a body to bury, only broken shards of his warding mask and the other half of his haori. They had trained on this mountain together. Split their boulders together. Learned to swim together. It's... It's too much. He won't leave the kids alone until Urokodaki agrees to train Tanjiro, but he refuses to go any further up the mountain.

So he stays with Nezuko. Tucking a blanket around her and gently brushing through her hair, so that if she tosses in her sleep, she won't be uncomfortable.

Urokodaki returns not long after he and Tanjiro left. Giyuu knows he wouldn't start the boy off at the top of the mountain, but he had hoped for more time to prepare himself.

"Giyuu..." His father's voice is soft. And finally, the man lets tears run past his mask, rushing forward to pull his surviving student into his arms. Clutching the boy he had raised close to his chest. "Giyuu... You came back." It's almost a whisper, but Giyuu can hear it like it was yelled down the mountain.

When Giyuu responds, it's with emotions lodged in his throat. "I'm... I'm home." Tears slip out of his own eyes, relieved that Urokodaki didn't hate him. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. It's my fault... I wasn't-"

"Stop!" Urokodaki whispers, pushing Giyuu's face into his neck. "Don't say that. You're alive. I'm so proud of you. So proud."

Giyuu feels more tears escape. Both men are crying, hugging for the first time in years, while the girl they're both putting their lives on the line for sleeps just feet away.

The sun has almost broken the horizon when the door is pushed open, revealing Tanjiro. He's covered in dirt and sweat, and blood is dripping down his head. But when Urokodaki stands and places his hand on the boy's head, the boy's exhausted face beams.

Chapter Text

When Giyuu returns to the Water Estate, he feels drained. Emotionally and physically. Tanjiro had cried when he had to leave, only relaxing when Giyuu promised to visit and keep in touch. Urokodaki had seemed pleased with the promise, hugging him one last time before seeing him off.

On his way back to the Water Estate, Giyuu had worried. He couldn't keep this from the Master. He and Urokodaki had both agreed to write to the Master, putting their lives on the line for Nezuko. But he also couldn't keep this from Muichiro, especially since he would have to travel every so often to visit Tanjiro and Urokodaki back on Mount Sagiri.

Muichiro hates demons. Will he be able to forgive Giyuu for sparing one? He already knows the other Hashira dislike him. Kocho reminds him of it almost every time they meet.

But Muichiro is different. Even the Master noticed that Muichiro basically moved into the Water Estate. He pulled Giyuu aside at the last Hashira meeting, praising him for his kindness and informing him that he would be receiving more pay to provide for Muichiro. Giyuu had tried to politely decline, telling the Master that he was supporting them just fine on his salary alone, never asking Muichiro for money, even though the boy also received a Hashira allowance.

He would prefer to keep the Kamados a secret. But knows that if he does that, he risks Muichiro's trust altogether. But if he tells him before Tanjiro passes the final selection, he's asking Muichiro to keep a secret about his life. He can't do that to him! Muichiro is still so young. Younger than Tanjiro. He can't let him put his life on the line for Giyuu's decision.

But...

Muichiro trusts him.

And Giyuu's weak.

...

The day after, both Hashira arrive back at the Water Estate, Giyuu asks Muichiro a question.

"What would you say..." Giyuu's voice is quiet, "If I did something that went against the values of the Corps."

Muichiro blinks. Turning his head to look at Giyuu, as if he said something ridiculous. "You wouldn't, though."

Giyuu cringes inside. "But... if I did." He waits anxiously for Muichiro's answer. Watching the boy's eyebrows scrunch in thought while the garden seemed to hold its breath.

"If you did..." Muichiro pauses, still thinking. "I would ask you why."

Ask him why? Was Giyuu's reasoning enough? He had managed to convince Urokodaki, but he had known the man since before he became a Hashira. He had only known Muichiro for a number of months. His silence encouraged Muichiro to continue.

"Because... If you broke the rules... I think..." Muichiro looks Giyuu in the eye as he says, "I think it would be for a kind reason."

Giyuu's fists tighten on his hakama, knuckles turning white with the amount of force he uses. Muichiro is silent now, cyan eyes looking straight into Giyuu's soul. Giyuu feels his throat tighten, words getting stuck. What if he says something wrong? What if Muichiro doesn't understand what he's trying to explain?

Sabito would've hit him by now. Telling him how unmanly it is to hesitate like Giyuu is.

So Giyuu swallows his anxiety, forcing himself to meet Muichiro's gaze straight on. "If..." He still gulps. "If I told you... That I encountered a demon. A demon that hasn't consumed a single drop of human blood. What would you say?"

Giyuu watches Muichiro's eyebrows scrunch again, cyan eyes narrowing, deep in thought.

"Did that happen?" Muichiro is done beating around the bush. He knows Giyuu is trying to tell him something, and he wants the man to be direct with him.

"Yes."

"And.. What did you do?"

"I spared her life... and sent her brother to train to become a slayer."

Muichiro's eyes were dark, clouded with rage instead of the usual apathy and forgetfulness. But he takes a deep breath, keeping his anger in check. This is Giyuu. The Giyuu who buys him sweets and helps him remember things like changing into his slippers and packing rations for his missions. But he's definitely not happy.

Giyuu kept talking, words spewing out of him, just like they had when he wrote to Urokodaki.

"He attacked me unarmed when I went to kill his sister, who had been turned. Tried to take my head with his axe while I still held my sword at her throat. He surprised me." Muichiro blinked. Normally, Giyuu was unfazed when on missions. "And his sister protected him!" If Giyuu could show more emotion, he might have sounded frantic. "She rushed him, and I thought she would kill him. But she protected him! A demon... Protecting a human."

That... that has never happened before. Even Tokito knows this. Demons are creatures of destruction. They don't feel like humans do. They don't feel love or kindness. Demons crave blood and will do anything to consume it, killing their own families for their first meals. But... If what Giyuu said is true. If a demon protected a human. A newly turned demon protected her sibling. It's unprecedented.

"I couldn't..." Giyuu swallows, knowing he's rambling, words scratching in his throat, not used to speaking so much at once. Collecting his emotions, he releases his grip on his hakama. "I've already written to the Master. If the girl harms an innocent, my mentor and I, along with her brother, will commit sepukku. I..." Giyuu swallows again, knowing he's already asked so much of the young Hashira he's grown so attached to. "I... know that what I'm asking of you is that you put your life on the line for a demon. But..." He looks toward the garden, watching their Kasugai crows fly in circles, chasing the few remaining dragonflies around the riverbeds. "I will not hold it against you if you do what you believe is right."

They sit in silence for what feels like hours after Giyuu's final sentence. Muichiro watches the side of Giyuu's head, while the Water Pillar continues to look over the garden. 

"I want to meet them." Are the first words Muichiro utters after the long silence.

...

Giyuu can't tell if the two teens get along or not. 

Getting permission to bring Muichiro along with him on his next visit to Mount Sagiri hadn't been hard. Urokodaki had sounded pleased in his reply, asking Giyuu to tell him about the young Hashira.

Tanjiro and Muichiro's introduction had been... rough. Muichiro wanted Tanjro to prove his worthiness of the risk to Giyuu's life, and when he saw the boy struggle with what Muichiro considered basic training, he was less than impressed. 

It had been slightly entertaining to watch Tanjiro respond so positively to Muichiro's blunt criticism. The Kamado boy just wouldn't let Muichiro's words get to him, putting a positive spin on everything the Mist Hashira pointed out that was lacking.

"Your footwork would get you killed immediately."

"I'll focus on my feet more! Thank you, Tokito-san!"

"Your swings wouldn't cut through bamboo, much less a demon charging to kill you."

"I'll add more strength to my swings! Thank you, Tokito-san!"

Muichiro seemed to let the boy's positivity slide off his back like water, but then, Giyuu was pulled into the bickering... if it counted as bickering if Tanjiro didn't say anything negative back to the Mist Hashira.

"Giyuu-san saved me and my sister! He's the best!" Tanjiro had boasted, pointing at the Water Hashira who had been preparing dinner that night while Urokodaki went out to chop firewood.

The two teens were seated across from each other, Tanjiro covered in bruises and swelling from the day's training, and Muichiro with a frown on his face.

"He is the best... I see him almost every day."

"You do! That's amazing! He seems like an amazing swordsman!"

"He is... Even someone of your... caliber... can tell that he is strong."

"Muichiro-san -"

"Giyuu-san! Are you really a Hashira?!" Tanjiro's voice interrupts another of Giyuu's attempts to stop the embarrassing conversation.

"Tanjiro, I'm -"

"Of course, he's a Hashira. Could you not tell?" Muichiro interrupts him this time. Giyuu just sighs and turns back to his cooking, praying that Urokodaki would return soon so that the teens would stop talking about him. In his ear, he thought he could hear faint laughter, but there wasn't anyone else around.

The two continued to... bicker... until finally Urokodaki came back, turning the conversation back to Tanjiro's training.

...

Urokodaki ends up being the one to push Giyuu into telling the butterfly girls about Tanjiro.

The Water Pillars had been communicating via Kanzaburo at least once a week ever since Giyuu left the Kamado's in his mentor's hands. Usually, their letters were just updates. Urokodaki would inform Giyuu about Tanjiro's accomplishments and relay any messages from the boy. Giyuu would, in return, tell his father about the missions he had been on, and after introducing Muichiro, he began updating the retired Water Pillar on the younger Hashira's life. Giyuu couldn't help but feel pride in writing about Muichiro's ability to remember how to properly roll rice balls. He also couldn't keep himself from worrying about the demon of which he had staked his life, and now his father's and Muichiro's lives. 

Urokodaki's letters noted there had been no change in Nezuko's slumber. The man had brought in a doctor, who examined Nezuko, but found nothing wrong with her. But still she slept. Giyuu didn't know how to stop himself from worrying. He knows that her sleeping means that there's no risk of her eating anyone while her brother completes his training, which should be a weight off Giyuu's shoulders. But he had never heard of a demon sleeping before. Was she dying? Was the lack of blood like a human starving? His mentor's letters were reassuring, indicating that the girl hadn't lost or gained weight and didn't seem to be in any pain.

After bringing Muichiro to Mount Sagiri, Giyuu found that not only was he writing more about Muichiro, but he was also writing about the girls who often visited the Water Estate. And Urokodaki seemed interested in them, asking him questions about their favorite sweets and vegetables. Which was confusing at first, but it made perfect sense when Kanzaburo flew over the walls of the Water Estate, weighed down by a package carefully gripped in his talons.

The old crow had almost crash-landed on the engawa where Giyuu and the kids were enjoying tea and snacks. It was Ginko who prevented injury by swooping in to help carry the package towards the Water Hashira, dropping it gently in his hands before retreating to Muichiro's lap, where she had been resting previously, now joined by Kanzaburo, who was inhaling air with a sharp whistling sound.

Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho, who were already crowded around Giyuu, pushed themselves even closer, eager to get a look at the package that had just been delivered.

Giyuu carefully unwrapped the twine holding the package together, earning him three excited gasps and five sets of sparkling eyes as the group looked at the contents of the package. Inside the package lay an assortment of small handmade treats, teas, and even a small pouch of wildflower seeds. There was also a note tucked between what Giyuu recognized as his mentor's favorite rice crackers. 

Deciding to read the note first, Giyuu passed the package to Aoi, who, while more reserved, had still been excited at the prospect of extra snacks. Seated next to her, Kanao's eyes didn't show any reaction, but Aoi saw the girl gulp as she tracked the sweets in Aoi's hands.

"Giyuu! Giyuu!" Naho pulled at the man's haori. "Who sent the sweets? Can we have some?"

"Yeah! Can we have some, please?" Kiyo echoed her friend, while Sumi pushed her head into Giyuu's side, too shy to ask as boldly as the others.

Giyuu stayed silent, adjusting his hold on the note so that he could use his free hand to pat Sumi's head absentmindedly. He sighed as he finished reading, a faint smile pulling on his lips, passing the note to Muichiro before turning his head toward Aoi and Kanao.

"It's a gift... from Urokodaki." The girls looked confused, and Giyuu remembered that he had only told Muichiro about the man who acted as a father figure in his life. "Urokodaki is the man who taught me Water Breathing."

"Whoa!!" The butterfly trio gasped in unison. Even though they spent a lot of time at the Water Estate nowadays, they hadn't actually learned much about the Water Hashira's past.

"Is he strong like you?!"

"Where does he live?"

"What was it like?"

Questions erupted from the girls' mouths as they were excited to learn more about the man who had been so kind to them.

"Ah..." Giyuu looked at the girls who were now climbing him in their excitement. Even Aoi and Kanao seemed interested in learning more, though it was difficult to tell from Kanao's expression. But first... "Urokodaki sent them for you."

Excited squeals escaped their mouths, quickly hopping off the Water Hashira to rush towards Aoi, who held the sweets closer to her chest.

"He said Tanjiro learned to swim." A quiet voice spoke, barely audible over the girls now playfighting over treats.

Giyuu looked over at the Mist Hashira's comment, seeing the boy's eyes brighten as he read the note from Urokodaki. The Water Hashira remained uncertain whether the two got along. Still, Muichiro always seemed to be happy to hear about Tanjiro's progress, just as Giyuu was proud of his mentor's potential successor. 

"Is that so..." The Water Hashira found himself saying, turning his eyes back toward the garden's many waterways, remembering when Urokodaki taught him to swim. He's positive the man taught Tanjiro the same way he taught Giyuu and Sabito. Falling into the pool at the bottom of the waterfall was terrifying when the man pushed Giyuu off so many years ago, but he knows now that the man had been prepared to jump in after him if he hadn't resurfaced when Sabito fell in next to him. Sabito had been the one to show Giyuu how to move his feet and arms so as not to be pulled under by the force of the waterfall.

"Who's Tanjiro?" Giyuu's thoughts were interrupted by Aoi's voice. The older girl had given up on protecting the sweets, handing them over to Kanao for the Flower Breathing user to have first pick, with instructions to hand the package to Muichiro next. But her words had stopped the sweets distribution, turning all their attention back on Giyuu, who had frozen at Aoi's question.

The Water Hashira's thoughts were racing now, and even Muichiro froze, realizing he probably shouldn't have mentioned Tanjiro in front of the girls. Both Hashira were aware of the risk they were taking, protecting a demon. And even though they had notified the master, they knew none of the other Hashira were aware of the existence of the Kamados.

He can't ask Aoi and the others to risk their lives for Giyuu's decision. He already hates that Muichiro has added his name to the list of those vouching for the Kamado siblings. 

But he supposes it would have gotten out anyway. And he doesn't have to tell the girls about Nezuko...

"Tanjiro is a boy who is currently training under Urokodaki." There, that should be enough information without mentioning Nezuko.

"So he's like your brother!" Naho cheers, holding a rice cracker in her hands.

His... brother?

"Yeah!" Kiyo agrees. "You guys are trained by the same master!"

Soon, Giyuu faces a barrage of questions. Ranging from Tanjiro's age to how he knows him. Giyuu explains that he found Tanjirko during a mission, omitting the part about his sister being turned into a demon, and then sent the boy to his mentor for training. And then the girls turn to Muichiro, not forgetting that the amnesiac somehow remembered Tanjiro.

"He's not impressive..." Muichiro said, taking bites out of the homemade mochi Urokodaki had sent. His lackluster response caused the girls to wilt, as they had expected a more exciting answer. "But..." the girls perk up. "He doesn't give up. And..." his eyes slide towards Giyuu, who is sorting through the tea blends the former Water Hashira sent. "He looks up to Giyuu."

This sparks another round of excited questions until the girls finally tire themselves out. Leaving Muichiro, Aoi, Kanao, and Giyuu as the last ones awake as the sun begins to set. 

Chapter Text

When Giyuu met the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Shinjuro, he wasn't impressed. He had heard stories of the man, of course, but meeting him at his first Hashira meeting had shown him that the drunken Hashira was nothing like the stories of his youth.

Instead, Rengoku Shinjuro was cynical and rude, often skipping Pillar meetings or showing up drunk. But as the most senior Hashira at the time, it had been difficult for Himejima to take control.

So Giyuu had been thankful that he wasn't paired with the man, often working alongside Kanae whenever they were assigned joint missions. And the Water Hashira wasn't upset when the Master announced that the Flame Hashira had stepped down from his position. It meant the rest of the Hashira would have to take over his patrol areas, and that they were down in manpower, but Giyuu thought it was for the best.

The Flame Hashira position remained unfilled until the eldest son of the Former Flame Pillar, a kinoe, defeated enough demons to be promoted.

Rengoku Kyojuro was loud and bright, immediately forming a close friendship with Uzui and earning the respect of Sanemi, Kocho, and Himejima. Giyuu admired his ability to be so open and honest. He's sure that he and Sabito would have gotten along. Both had a strong sense of justice and never hesitated in the face of danger or difficult decisions.

But even with the promotion of a new Flame Hashira, Giyuu was still only assigned to joining missions with Shinobu, Uzui, or Himejima. It's understandable, since Water Breathing isn't the most compatible with Flame Breathing, but Giyuu sometimes found himself wishing he could spend more time around the light that is Rengoku Kyojuro. He sometimes found himself almost asking the Master if he could work alongside the man who reminded him so much of Sabito, if Sabito had been allowed to grow into the true Water Hashria.

Giyuu is pulled from his thoughts as he walks through the village where the Rengoku Estate is located. Apparently, the village built itself around the estate, generations of orphans, families, and alike coming together around the Rengoku family. Many slayers who wished to learn Flame Breathing would rent rooms in the village, but most of them ended up failing after just a few days, or if they were lucky, a few weeks, of training under Rengoku Kyojuro.

Although the man is cheerful and bright, he holds his students to high expectations, pushing them to their limits daily. As such, the Flame Hashira had never had a successful Tsuguko. But Giyuu thought he had heard something about a slayer training under Rengoku before the man was promoted. Apparently, she possessed an inhuman appetite and strength. However, she never became his Tsuguko, suggesting she either pursued a different breathing style or chose not to continue learning Flame Breathing.

Honestly, Giyuu wasn't looking forward to visiting the Flame Estate. He was only going because the Master had requested that he check in on Rengoku's estate while the man was off on a mission in the far north that would keep him away from home for a few weeks. Not that Giyuu understood why he needed to check in. As far as he understood, the Flame Estate had been run for years without any staff, and no one had been sent to check on the estate while the drunk was a Hashira.

But Giyuu is loyal to the Master, and he could never turn down any of his requests. So he continues his journey. Walking past a vendor selling meat skewers, Giyuu realized he missed the company of Muichiro and the butterfly girl. He had grown accustomed to being accompanied whenever he visited Kawamura village. Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho would walk ahead of him, pointing out the best-looking fruits and veggies, their eyes lighting up when he agreed and led the group to that particular stand. Aoi had taken control of his shopping list, insisting that it was the least she could do since he paid for their snacks, meals, clothing, and trinkets so often. Kanao would walk next to him, on the opposite side of Muichiro, neither talking much. But he noticed that Kanao always seemed to be in a better mood when they started their trips off with a sweet breakfast. And the Flower Breathing user seemed to enjoy spending time in the village despite not verbally expressing it. Muichiro had been a part of the routine the longest, and the young Hashira still held onto the hem of Giyuu's haori, letting himself be led from stand to stand.

It felt strangely lonely, despite the Water Hashira being in a different village. But he was sure the kids would appreciate it if he brought back some of the village's specialty spice-roasted chestnuts.

Closing in on the Rengoku Estate, Giyuu saw a child who looked an awful lot like Kyojuro. Had the man been hit with a blood demon art? But even if he had, surely he wouldn't be sweeping outside the estate's gates? There's obviously nothing wrong with sweeping, but wouldn't the Flame Hashira be confined to the Butterfly Estate for healing? And the Flame Hashira wouldn't have been able to travel so far from the northern region so fast if he had been in such a small form.

"Rengoku-san?" Giyuu asked, approaching with a bit more speed.

Mini-Rengoku looked up, surprised. Even his eyes looked exactly like Kyojuro's. "Y-yes?" The boy answered, sounding nothing like the normally boisterous Kyojuro.

"...I'm here by request of Oyakata-sama."

"O-Oh. Oyakata-sama sent you?" The bright-haired boy looked at the demon slayer standing in front of him. Dark black hair pulled into a rough ponytail, and a mismatched haori over a typical uniform. But seeing the golden buttons made the boy pause. "Are... Are you a Hashira? Like my brother?"

Brother. That made more sense. "Yes..."

The pair stands in silence for an awkward few seconds.

"I'm Rengoku Senjuro. My brother is Rengoku Kyojuro." The boy bows, holding his broom to his chest while trying to remember the descriptions his brother had given him of the other Hashira. Kyojuro had introduced him to Iguro and Kanroji, and the slayer wasn't a girl, so he couldn't be Kocho-sama. He also didn't seem enormous or blind, and had no visible scarring.

Which meant, going by the age of the Hashira in front of him, the man must be the quiet Water Hashira. Kyojuro had told Senjuro that the Water Hashira wasn't a man of many words, but that he worked harder than most slayers he knew, often taking the most remote missions which other slayers tended to shy away from.

"Do you want to come inside for tea?"

...

Giyuu still isn't sure why Oyakata-sama requested that he visit the Flame Estate. But he's absolutely certain that his patience is being pushed to its very limits.

Senjuro was a very sweet boy and could make a very nice cup of tea. Apparently, the boy had insisted on joining his brother for Kyojuro's final selection, but upon receiving his nichirin sword, it hadn't changed color. The boy admitted that he had spent all of Final Selection with his brother, and that while he hadn't been scared after encountering their first demon, his skills were no match compared to his older brother. Giyuu thought it was an amazing accomplishment that the boy had survived Final Selection at such a young age. He couldn't have been older than 10, and even Muichiro hadn't participated until he was almost 12.

But Senjuro explained that, despite feeling discouraged, he knew he was weaker than his brother. And that taking care of the Flame Estate gave him purpose, since his brother still needed somewhere to return home.

And that would have been fine. At least it would have been if Giyuu hadn't seen firsthand how Shinjuro treated his younger son.

…

“SHUT UP!”

Crash!

Giyuu’s head snaps to the side as a bottle of sake is thrown between him and Senjuro. The youngest Rengoku flinches, hand flying towards his face to protect himself from the broken shards.

In a fraction of a heartbeat, Giyuu is off the floor. His hands gently pull Senjuro's palm away from his head, holding the small hands in his own. Two clay shards are sticking out of the soft flesh, and blood is slowly trickling out of the superficial wounds.

Steely blue eyes, sharp as winter skies before a storm, focus on the drunkard standing in the doorway of the small tea room.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU LOOKING AT, TOMIOKA!!" The man's rage is as strong as the smell of alcohol on his breath. Calloused hands grip the edges of the shogi door that the man had ripped open, crushing the delicate paper.

Giyuu continued to glare.

What a pathetic excuse of a man.

Gently, Giyuu pulled Senjuro to his feet, placing his hand on the boy's back, which flinched again at the physical touch. Retreating at the flinch, the Water Hashira used his shaking hands to pull his haori off, carefully draping it over the boy's shoulders. Senjuro's uninjured hand quickly grasped the haori, pulling it further over himself, trying to hide in the folds as his father shouted again.

"WORTHLESS!! USELESS TRASH! YOU AND YOUR BROTHER ARE B-"

"Quiet."

The Water Hashira's glare could have frozen hell twice. "You will not speak." Each word out of the younger man's mouth was clipped, as though held back from rage by a thin thread. Shinjuro could only stare as his former colleague's deep blue eyes bore down on him. He remembered when the boy was promoted to Hashira. He wasn't anything special. Just another body occupying the Water Estate. His eyes had been empty, and he hadn't spoken to any of the Hashira unless it was absolutely necessary.

But the man staring him down now was not the same boy he had met years ago. And Shinjuro didn't know how to respond.

Turning his eyes back to Senjuro, shifting his body to prevent the drunkard from seeing the boy, Giyuu said, "We're leaving."

Senjuro looked up, eyes watering, "But..."

"We're leaving."

Giyuu's voice was strong, leaving no room for disagreement. And Senjuro, looking at his father, still shaking with rage, decided that maybe it would be safer to leave. "Okay," the boy said, voice quiet.

Nodding, Giyuu led the boy out of the tea room, putting himself between the drunkard and the innocent. Not unlike what he would do as a Hashira. Putting himself between demons and humans. But this felt so much worse.

He couldn't let Senjuro stay here, not after seeing the drunkard treat his son like that. He didn't deserve to call Senjuro his son.

Giyuu's hands shook as they exited the estate, hearing crashes echo behind them. Proof that the Flame Hashira's rage still hadn't extinguished. Senjuro flinched with every loud sound, pulling the borrowed haori further over himself. Walking further from the estate, Giyuu gently pulled the boy into a teahouse, uniform catching the attention of the owner, who appeared before them as fast as he could.

"Hashira-sama. Thank you for -"

"Do you have water and spare cloth we can use?" Giyuu was straight to the point. Senjuro was injured, but it didn't seem like it would need stitches. He'll need to ask Aoi to take a look when they get back to the Water Estate.

Where else could he take Senjuro, anyway? He can't take him back to the Flame Estate without proof that he's safe. And Kyojuro will be gone for a few more weeks. The Water Estate will be the easiest option. Senjuro looks only a bit smaller than Muichiro, so the boy can borrow some of the Mist Hashira's clothing for the night, and Giyuu will take him to Kawamura Village in the morning to order some clothing of his own. The boy can spend time with Aoi, Kiyo, Naho, and Sumi. They're kind.

Oh, and Giyuu will have to write a letter to Oyakata-sama letting him know the state he found Senjuro in while completing his request. Hopefully, the Master isn't disappointed in him for losing his temper. A voice in the back of his head yells at him that Oyakata-sama could never be disappointed with them for standing up for what is right.

The owner of the tea house, startled by the Hashira's request, hurries to gather the supplies requested. Senjuro, still in shock, can only let himself be led around, gentle hands running water over his hand, carefully removing the clay shards that had penetrated his skin. More tears fell from his eyes as he started to catch up to what had just happened.

His father insulted him in front of a Hashira. In front of one of Kyojuro's colleagues. One of the best swordsmen in the corps. He's used to his father throwing insults at him, but to do so in front of Tomioka-sama. It's embarrassing. And to cry in front of the Hashira felt even worse.

But when he caught the Water Pillar's eyes, he saw no judgment or disgust. The man seemed so calm, wrapping his hand with the provided fabric, not commenting on Senjuro's tears or asking him to talk about it.

Then, the Water Pillar helped him stand. When had he sat down? Senjuro was gently led back outside while Tomioka handed the tea room owner a bag of coins, not caring to listen to the astonished protests as he walked away with Senjuro, still clutching the borrowed haori.

Senjuro couldn't tear his eyes away from the Water Pillar, only able to follow him as the Hashira walked through town. His ears burned when he caught sight of the villagers giving him pitying glances. His father's voice carries, and while he wishes he could deny it, he knows the villagers are aware of his father's thoughts about him.

But Tomioka keeps walking, leading Senjuro by the hand. The only stop they make before leaving the village is at a small stall selling roasted chestnuts. It was surreal, watching Tomioka purchase two large bags of chestnuts with one hand while quickly releasing Senjuro's hand to toss another bag of coins to the vendor. Then they were off again, feet carrying them out of the village.

...

Muichiro loves Giyuu.

It's simple. Muichiro sometimes doesn't remember all the reasons why he loves Giyuu. But he knows the man is kinder to him than anyone else besides the Master. He knows the man remembers Muichiro's favorite snacks and colors, and always makes time to have tea with him, even when the girls are over.

Giyuu is strong, kind, and surpasses the other Hashira in almost every way from Muichiro's perspective.

And he knows that Giyuu is far too kind for his own good.

So when Giyuu comes home with a familiar-looking boy holding his hand, Muichiro doesn't hesitate to do what Giyuu asks. He goes into his room and pulls out two of his comfiest yukata and a blanket that Giyuu had gotten him when he started staying every night.

Exiting his room, he saw that Giyuu was showing the bright-haired boy the room next to his. The Water Hashira's eyes caught Muichiro's, who was now holding the requested clothing, and his eyes widened slightly when he saw the blanket the boy held.

"Senjuro-kun, this is Tokito Muichiro." Giyuu introduces the Mist Hashira, taking the offered clothing and blanket into his hands, then pushing them towards Senjuro.

Hastily bowing, not having expected to see the Mist Hashira in the Water Estate, Senjuro thanked Tokito. The boy was still wearing Giyuu's haori, and Giyuu didn't make any move to retrieve it or ask for it to be returned, simply patting Senjuro's head.

"I have to take care of something, but..." Giyuu looked towards Muichiro again, debating whether he should put forth his offer. "You are welcome to use this room however you would like. And, if you would rather not be alone, Muichiro-san can keep you company." There, that should keep Senjuro occupied while he runs an... errand. And then he has a long report to write for Oyakata-sama.

Muichiro and Senjuro stare at each other while the Water Hashira disappears around the corner, leaving the two of them alone. The Mist Hashira still feels like he recognizes the blond and red-haired boy. But since Senjuro isn't wearing a uniform and doesn't have a katana, he must not be a part of the corps. Which means he probably can't spar with him.

"Can you make Furofuki Daikon?"

Senjuro still doesn't necessarily understand what's going on. But the Water Hashira had been really nice, and he knew his way around a kitchen, so it wouldn't hurt to cook for the Mist Hashira. So he nods. And as soon as he does, his wrist is gently grabbed, causing him to involuntarily flinch.

The Mist Hashira lets go immediately, staring blankly at the new boy before reaching out his hand again, holding the tips of the blonde's fingers instead so he can lead him to the kitchen to make his favorite meal.

Later, after the sun had fallen and the Water Pillar left for patrol, Senjuro let himself cry, clutching his mother's kimono close to his chest. Giyuu had delivered the important clothing after disappearing earlier, along with his mother's favorite set of hairpins. The Waer Hashira must have gone back to the Rengoku Estate... just for Senjuro. More tears pour down the blonde's puffy face, running down his cheeks.

...

"Tomioka!!"

Giyuu doesn't move. He and the kids are spread out between the training grounds and gardens of the Water Estate. The Water Pillar is standing to the side of the training grounds, dressed in his uniform but without his signature haori. He's watching Kanao run through an improvised obstacle course, challenging her ability to react swiftly while moving.

Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho had participated by throwing rocks and yelling out math problems, each receiving a piece of candy if they managed to throw Kanao off. At least until they decided that hanging off of Giyuu was more fun, though they did throw out more math problems, only from their perch instead of around the training grounds.

"Tomioka!!"

The trio dangling from the Water Hashira dropped down to the ground after hearing the voice yelling for Giyuu again, and louder this time.

"There you are!" Rengoku Kyojuro announced, swiftly approaching the training grounds where the Water Pillar still hadn't moved. He looked like he had just arrived from a mission. Hakama were coated in mud, the white of his kyahan turning into a color indistinguishable from the mess covering the Flame Hashira. Even his signature haori was unrecognizable. Vibrant flames were doused by the grime.

Kiyo, Naho, and Sumi watched as the Flame Hashira got closer and closer to Giyuu. His normally cheery smile was pulled tight.

Finally, the Water Pillar turned.

"Naho, can you bring everyone inside, please?"

"Yes!" The girl agreed, braids bouncing behind her back as she grabbed her friends' hands and bounded towards Kanao and Muichiro, who had stopped sprinting as soon as the trio crossed the unmarked boundary of the training grounds. Kanao allowed herself to be pulled along, sweat dripping from her brow, but a small smile on her face. Muichiro followed close behind, but instead of turning towards the estate's main building, he moved to stand by Giyuu's side.

"Rengoku-san..." Giyuu greeted as soon as the girls disappeared inside. He hoped they went far enough inside so as not to overhear their conversation. But, with Rengoku's natural volume, he thinks they could hear him from beyond the walls of the Water Estate if the man was truly enraged.

"I returned home from my mission!"

"..."

"It went well! And the demon was slain!"

"..."

"But when I arrived at the Rengoku Estate, my younger brother was nowhere to be found! My father said you took him!" Rengoku's voice echoed through the yard as he got louder. "Is this true?"

Avoiding eye contact, Giyuu answered truthfully. "Yes."

Rengoku seemed a bit shocked that the Water Pillar so openly admitted to kidnapping his younger brother. He cannot understand what would compel Tomioka to do such a thing. But it is his duty as an older brother to protect his younger brother, who is weaker.

"I see! And where is he?"

Giyuu sighed, wishing he hadn't asked Aoi and Senjuro to visit the village today. They had received a message along with another package of sweets and tea from Urokodaki that morning. When the children asked to send a gift back, Giyuu had to tell them that he didn't have anything to send in a package. But he had already committed to training Kanao today. The girl had asked him politely the day before when she and the other Butterfly attendants were preparing to head back to Kocho's estate. So he asked Aoi and Senjuro to purchase the necessary supplies from the village. They would return before sunset, and both had enough knowledge to protect themselves in case they ran across any problems.

But now...

"Senjuro isn't here."

"Ah!" Rengoku exclaims. "But you just said you took Senjuro." The Flame Hashira rests his hand on the hilt of his sword before controlling himself, forcing himself to release his frustration in a loud exhale of breath. "Tomioka! If you are telling the truth, tell me where -"

"Brother!"

All three Hashira look to see Senjuro running past the gardens. The boy isn't wearing what he wore when he first came to the Water Estate; now he wears a light pink kimono top paired with burgundy hakama and matching pink kyahan. Over top of his outfit, clashing against the warm pinks and reds, is Giyuu's haori.

Rengoku's eyes snap back to the Water Hashira, noticing that the man isn't wearing his signature mismatched haori. He mentally hits himself for not noticing something so obvious. The man is always wearing it, so why is Senjuro running towards him with the Water Pillar's haori sitting atop his kimono?

His brother also looks happier. Kyojuro can't remember the last time he saw his brother run freely, even though tears are welling up in his eyes as the younger Rengoku crashes into Kyojuro's midsection.

"Brother! You're back!" Senjuro wipes the tears from his eyes before they can fall down his face. Giyuu had told him that Rengoku would be returning from his mission in a few days, but he hadn't expected to see his big brother return so soon! And he didn't expect him to be so gross either. Taking a step back, Senjuor keeps contact with his brother by holding his hand, words tumbling out of his mouth as he tries to tell his brother everything that had changed in his life while the older was on a mission.

"And then Giyuu-san -"

"Senjuro! You can't just leave me behind!" Aoi's voice calls out, annoyance laced in her tone. "You scared Kanzaburo!" From her position standing on the engawa, she must have gone inside already to drop off the purchases. Aoi holds Kanzaburo. The elderly crow is shaking, yet it doesn't appear scared or worried.

But the younger Rengoku apologizes immediately, leaving his brother standing alone. At the same time, he runs up to the engawa to gently take Giyuu's crow into his own arms, whispering apologies while scratching the crow's chin.

"What..." Kyojuro's voice sounds lost, his earlier energy crashing after seeing his brother healthy, whole, and happy.

Muichiro speaks before the Flame Hashira can finish his thought, tugging on Giyuu's uniform sleeve. "Do we have to stand so close?" He cuts his eyes towards Kyojuro. "He smells..."

"I smell?" Lifting his arm to sniff underneath, Rengoku laughs loud enough to startle Kanzaburo awake in Senjuro's arms. "I do! I apologize, young Tokito!" His laughter fades as he looks away from his little brother. "I was worried when Senjuro didn't greet me when I returned home. Our father..."

At the mention of the drunkard, Giyuu's eyes darken. "That poor excuse for a man has no right to call himself Senjuro's father." The words come out clipped, a stark contrast to Giyuu's normal monotone sentences.

Kyojuro's shoulders tense. He knows that his father isn't well. But he is still the man who taught him the basics of Flame Breathing so carefully. He can still remember his father's arms guiding him on how to properly hold his sword. Senjuro... the Flame Hashira's eyes watch his brother laugh at something one of Kocho's girls says. Senjuro is happy here.

It is his failure as an older brother to not notice how small and quiet Senjro made himself in response to their father's rage. Kyojuro had thought that surely, their father would not be so cruel as to aim his anger at the youngest. But seeing his brother light up at the Water Estate, laughing freely and taking up space, Kyojuro feels the weight of shame. How could he have missed this?

"Those that are controlled by rage move blindly," the Water Pillar's voice is soft, eyes focused on the children laughing on the engawa, "they destroy that which was once precious to them." Awkwardly, Giyuu puts his hand on the Flame Pillar's shoulder, patting it once before pulling away.

"Oof!" Giyuu's eyes widen as he's pulled into a tight hug, air being punched from his lungs.

"Thank you, Tomioka!" Rengoku's voice is directly in Giyuu's ear as he hugs the Water Hashira tighter. "Thank you." Being so close to the Flame Hashira, Giyuu can feel the man's shoulders shake, but when he looks at the man's face, there are no tears.

Muichiro is the one to separate the hug. Giyuu didn't know how to dislodge himself, unwilling to risk upsetting the Flame Hashira any further. But Muichiro pulled the Water Pillar with not so surprising strength, wrapping his own arms around the man so that his face was buried in his stomach.

Used to Muichiro's demands for physical affection, the corners of Giyuu's lips lift a centimeter, raising his hand to gently pet the top of the Mist Hashira's head.

Rengoku watches, amazed, as a blush rises on his cheeks at the domestic display of his colleagues. But his blush turns pale when the Mist Hashira's eyes glare at him. The Water Pillar was completely oblivious as Muichiro's glare bored holes into the Flame Pillar, making the man take a step back before retreating to where Senjuro was now waving him over to meet his new friends.

...

Oyakata-sama called a Hashira meeting two days after Rengoku returned.

Ginko delivered the news to Muichiro, and by extension, Giyuu. Kanzaburo had tried, but had gotten the time wrong by an hour and a half, which would surely have caused them to be late.

Walking into the courtyard, Giyuu almost wishes they had been late.

Rengoku is there already, chatting loudly with Uzui until the men catch sight of Tokito and Tomioka.

"Oi! Tomioka! I was just about to ask Kyojuro!" Uzui's voice carries across the courtyard. Being early for once, Giyuu cannot avoid the Hashira as much as he would like to, so he slows his pace, prolonging the time he has before he gets pulled into an unwanted conversation. But Uzui, impatient, approaches Tomioka and Tokito instead, closely followed by Rengoku, who looks interested in whatever the Sound Pillar was about to tell him. "Is it true that you broke Shinjuro's nose?"

Silence covers the courtyard now. Rengoku pauses midstep, looking intensely at Giyuu while the Water Hashira hastily avoids the awkward eye contact, trying to move past the tall obstacle blocking his path.

"Oh no, you don't!" Uzui laughs, using his hand to haul Tomioka back in front of him and Kyojuro. "Why'd you fight him? I know he's not flashy, but the man is still a former Hashira."

"It's not important."

"Bullshit, Tomioka!" Shinazugawa's voice joins the conversation. "It's fucking important if you decide to pick a fucking fight with a former Hashira!"

"Yes..." Iguro agrees, walking in behind Shinazugawa. "It is against corps rules."

Giyuu ignores them, trying once again to walk through Rengoku and Uzui. The latter of whom is still laughing at his expense. Rengoku looks embarrassed, having an accurate guess as to why the man had fought his father. But his father hadn't said anything when he returned, only that, "That little prick of a Water Pillar took Senjuro... I don't care! He did me a favor!" And then the man had gone back to drinking. But now that he thinks of it, the man's nose had been faintly bruised, but Kyojuro thought it was just a result of excessive alcohol consumption. But now that he knew his father's nose had been broken... it must have happened weeks ago while Kyojuro was still on his mission.

Thankfully, Giyuu passes without issue through the two Hashira, Muichiro following with a glare at Uzui.

"Don't walk away, you bastard!" Shinazugawa yells. Yeah, he didn't and still doesn't like Shinjuro. The man brought up too many bad memories. But how dare Tomioka think he can just fight a former Hashira and get away with it! Who does he think he is!

"I have nothing left to say," Giyuu's voice replies, lowering himself to his knees to wait for the Master.

"Fucking hell, you don't!" The Water Hashira's lack of reaction was getting on Sanemi's last nerve. "Fucking explain you-"

"Shinazugawa, you don't want to tear a vein, do you?" Shinobu teases, appearing at Shinazugawa's side to poke his cheek, dodging the swipe aimed for her hand. "I'm sure the Master is well aware by now." 

"Indeed! The Master is very wise!" Rengoku finally chimes in, preemptively rescuing Giyuu from Shinobu's prodding. After watching Giyuu among the children of the Water Estate, Kyojuro couldn't help but want to keep the man's domestic side a secret just for himself... just for a bit longer. A blush rises on his cheeks again as he remembers how soft the man had looked when, after dinner, the three smallest children crawled into his lap, begging him to braid their hair. Giyuu had looked so peaceful.

"Oi, Kyojuro -"

"Forgive my tardiness..." Himejima's steady voice arrives, interrupting Shinazugawa. The Wind Hashira felt another bout of anger when he saw how Rengoku was looking at Tomioka. Tomioka's just sitting there all silent like he normally does. So why do his nails keep digging deeper into his hand when he sees Rengoku kneel next to the man?

Chapter Text

Urokodaki-sensei is amazing!

Tanjiro braces himself as the Tengu-masked man kicks him back, sending him flying into the dirt. He's sure there's an indent in the shape of his body left in the dirt by now. Looking up at the sky, he can only see the clouds that congregate around the mountain. It feels like they've been practicing the correct way to fall for days. His back is sore, and he can't feel his arms anymore, despite being kicked more than he was able to swing.

But he has to keep moving! Tanjiro pushes himself up again before Urokodaki-sensei can wack him for poor reflexes... again.

He can't hesitate! He-

Giyuu-san?

"Oof!" Tanjiro falls to the ground again as a hard right kick hits him dead center in his stomach. "Again!" Shaky arms push his body up, charging his teacher yet again. He can't let himself get distracted!

...

A heavy breeze whips past Giyuu as he and Muichiro finish the last leg of the journey to Mount Sagiri. Ginkgo flew overhead, swooping and diving as the breeze caught her wings, lifting her higher and higher. Kanzaburo had flown alongside her with less acrobatics until the chill of both the altitude and breeze made him retreat, seeking the warmth his master could give by holding the crow within his haori.

As they got closer, Giyuu could feel his anxiety start to rise.

He could travel the rest of the way with his eyes closed and arms bound. Mount Sagiri is home. The place he wishes to be buried when he dies. But there are so many memories. Memories of Sabito and Urokodaki. He's avoided returning home for years to avoid confronting his memories, scared that he'll forget if he sees the present instead of the past. And he can't forget. How could he forget the time he spent training and living alongside Sabito? Learning to swim together? Diving off the waterfall together? Being scolded together?

It feels like he's drowning. He recognizes the paths he and Sabito would take when racing each other to town. He knows which trees they fell out of and which ponds were the best for floating side by side. They spent so much time together. Yet it feels like it's slipping through his mind like oil.

Why couldn't they have more time?

Why did he get to live? Sabito was stronger, faster, and better in every way. Sabito would have been a successor who could make Urokodaki proud.

"I'm so proud of you."

Urokodaki's words ring in Giyuu's head despite it having been half a year since he had left the Kamado's in his mentor's hands. He had been so scared that his master, his father, would hate him. Would resent him for not being by Sabito's side when he died. Turn him away from home for failing his best student. But he'd been pulled into a crushing hug. His father, in all but blood, had held him for hours, rocking him back and forth like he did when Giyuu had been young and sick.

This was the man who saved Giyuu from certain death after he ran away from his Uncle. He had been barefoot, holding only his sister's wedding kimono for warmth as he fled, scrambling over frozen terrain while the facility's dogs chased after him for what felt like hours. Urokodaki had found him, wrapped him in his own haori, and nursed him back to health. Urokodaki had believed him when he finally told the man what had led him to nearly dying in the wilderness. He was the man who believed Giyuu when the 11-year-old sobbed that a demon had eaten his sister while he hid in their closet, too scared to move to try to save her.

Urokodaki was the first one to hold him after he recounted every last detail of his sister's death. The way her screams died, replaced by the sound of her suffocating on her own blood while still groaning in pain. How he had found her torso separated from her legs when he finally crawled out of the closet. Urokodaki believed him.

And Giyuu hadn't believed that Urokodaki would still love him.

"I'm so happy you're alive, Giyuu."

"Live, Giyuu."

Why would anyone love him? He failed. He isn't bright like Sabito was or kind like Tsutako. He isn't talented or strong. Shinobu tells him he is disliked. Uzui emphasizes his unflashiness. Shinazugawa and Obanai openly express their hatred for Giyuu. Himejima and Rengoku are civil, but he never gets invited to join the Hashira when they go out to eat after meetings. If the Pillars of the Corps hate him, how could anyone else? Why would anyone else?

"Can you tell us a story, Giyuu?"

"Will you braid my hair, Giyuu?"

"Carry me, Giyuu!"

"Will you train me?"

"Thank you for seeing me."

"Thank you for protecting me."

"Thank you for remembering."

"I love you."

The Mist Hashira said it with such certainty. Giyuu remembers helping the boy brush his hair after bathing a few weeks ago, and all of a sudden, he turned his head and bright eyes met his and declared, "I love you." And without missing a beat, Muichiro had turned back around. Giyuu couldn't even react intelligently. He had frozen in time. He couldn't move. He couldn't breathe. Giyuu didn't have time to prepare or explain why he shouldn't love him. That Giyuu wasn't the best at anything. That he's a failure of a slayer. That he isn't truly a Hashira. That he hadn't passed his final Selection. That he always failed the people he loved.

He had fallen asleep that night feeling like he couldn't breathe. Muichiro had refused to let him say anything after dropping a bomb on his heart. And when he tried to explain the next afternoon, the Mist Hashira had stared blankly at him before repeating that he loved him. Why? Muichiro is bright, sweet, and brave.

Giyuu will only dim the brightness.

...

It's been ten months since Giyuu left the Kamados in the care of Urokodaki. The older man is a strict trainer, and Giyuu knows that Tanjiro will become strong under his teachings. According to Urokodaki, the boy has made good progress in his training. He's learned all 10 forms of water breathing and completed Urokodaiki's survival training. It shouldn't be long until Urokodaki gives Tanjiro his boulder. And then... the boy just has to survive Final Selection.

Thinking about Tanjiro participating in Final Selection always made Giyuu's stomach churn. He knows he made the right decision in sparing the siblings. But the thought of the warm boy having to face the same trial that has taken the lives of every student of Urokodaki terrifies him. Final Selection killed Sabito. The strongest of Urokodaki's students. He was talented, smart, and brave. Yet he didn't make it out alive. The boys who protected Giyuu had gone to look for him after he disappeared to save someone, but had only been able to recover a bloody haori and broken shards of the warding mask Urokodaki sensei had gifted them that morning. Giyuu had screamed and clutched the bloody clothing close to his chest when he woke up, begging God to take him instead, to bring Sabito back, to make the nightmare end.

But Sabito never came back, and Giyuu's world became dark. His best friend's body was never returned to Mount Sagiri. To their home.

Thirteen empty graves. Thirteen children who never returned home.

There can be no fourteenth. Tanjiro has to master water breathing. He has to continue to get stronger. To find a cure for Nezuko and to become Urokodaki's successor.

"Again!"

Tanjiro has a long way to go, Giyuu thinks to himself as he and Muichiro watch Urokodaki punt Tanjiro through the line of trees surrounding the improvised training area. Urokodaki hadn't even broken a sweat, treating the brutal training like it was no more than child's play. But Tanjiro persisted, charging forward over and over again, never giving up.

It was clear he still wasn't used to using water breathing consistently. His movements were choppy, and he didn't transition smoothly from one form to the next. Giyuu could point out seventeen different openings when Tanjiro went to use form three. But it is his determination that impresses Giyuu and Muichiro. Tanjiro never quit. His smile never dimmed. He worked diligently from sunup to sundown, pushing through his exhaustion and pain. He'd been stabbed, trapped, and trained until he was black and blue all over, but he never walked away from his goal.

"Ack!"

Tanjiro lets out a yelp when Urokodaki knocks him to the ground again. But before he can push himself up on shaky arms yet again, Urokodaki raises his hand to the boy's head, patting it twice before walking away from the training ground and back towards the hut further down the mountain.

Once the older man was out of sight, the boy who had previously been exhausted shot up with sparkling eyes.

"Giyuu-san!" Tanjiro shouted, rushing to hug the man, pushing aside any exhaustion from Urokodaki's training so he could move faster. "Giyuu-san! You didn't say you were visiting! But I knew I smelled you! I'm so happy to see you! How have your missions been? Did you see anything cool? Did you get my letters? Urokodaki-sensei taught me to swim!" The excited boy fired off question after question, going on about what Giyuu and Muichiro had missed since they had last visited Mount Sagiri. "-and when I was running do-"

"Tanjiro," Giyuu interrupted, gently unwrapping the boy's arms from around his waist. Taking a good look at the kid now that he was standing still, he could see the results of his training. The boy hadn't necessarily been scrawny compared to other children his age before he began training, but compared to a demon slayer, he had been significantly less... bulky.

But it was obvious now that Urokodaki had put Tanjiro through the same hellish conditioning that he had put Giyuu and Sabito through all those years ago. Tanjiro's hands now bore calluses from swinging practice swords thousands of times without rest. Muscle groups that, prior to training, hadn't been utilized were now strengthened, prepared for the physical requirements of water breathing.

"You've done well..." Giyuu felt awkward, unsure of what to say to the beaming bow in front of him. Tanjiro isn't as skilled as Kanao, but that's to be expected. Kanao had been training much longer than Tanjiro.

Tanjiro's eyes light up impossibly brighter, and Giyuu could swear he saw sparkles coming out of the boy's ears. "Thank you, Giyuu-san! I promise I've been working really hard! Oh!" He reaches inside his haori, pulling out a letter. It was obviously well-loved, with creases from being carefully folded and unfolded countless times, and yet not a single rip or tear. How it survived Urokodaki's harsh training while remaining intact in the boy's haori was a question Giyuu couldn't find an answer to. But he recognized his handwriting when Tanjiro proudly pushed the letter in his face. "I got your letter! I've been holding onto it because it brought me so much encouragement!"

Giyuu doesn't know why his words would provide any encouragement. Tanjiro is so bright and hardworking, and Urokodaki is an amazing teacher. But... He remembers a few months ago, he received a letter from Urokodaki. He had expected it to be another report on Tanjiro's progress with messages to be passed along to the frequent young guests and residents of the Water Estate. But instead of a report, Giyuu read his father's worries about Tanjiro. Apparently, the boy's fourteenth birthday was approaching, and the boy seemed depressed, even though he wore a smile all day.

Urokodaki had tried to help Tanjiro, but the boy would brush his feelings off with a sad smile. Giyuu could only guess that it was beyond heartbreaking for the boy to experience another milestone without his family to celebrate with. And his only remaining family is comatose, and even if she were awake, she would be unable to respond like she had when she was human.

Sending a letter had felt like both the right thing to do and too little, all at the same time.

But there it was, pushed in his face by hands that were shaking slightly in exhaustion.

Tanjiro,

I hear you're working hard.

Keep going.

Take care of yourself.

-Tomioka Giyuu

He had barely written three lines. Yet Tanjiro looked so excited. Why? Giyuu knows he's not good at comforting or encouraging people. Shinobu has told him more than once that his presence alone can cause people to feel sad. So why? Why did the words Giyuu struggled to write bring Tanjiro so much encouragement? Why did he carry them while training?

"-having salted mackerel with miso soup for dinner! What's your favorite food, Giyuu-san? Mine is angelica sprouts!"

"Giyuu loves Salmon Daikon..." Muichiro spoke before Giyuu could answer.

"Really?!" Tanjiro's eyes focus on Giyuu again despite the man falling behind the younger two as they made their way down the mountain to Urokodaki's cabin. "I'll ask Urokodaki-sensei if we can have some while you're here! I'm sure it'll be delicious!"

"Can we have Furofuki Daikon too..."

"Yes! Let's go ask Urokodaki-sensei right now!" Tanjiro excitedly shouts, grabbing Muichiro by the wrist. Giyuu watches as Muichiro lets himself be pulled down the mountain, eventually racing Tanjiro after the older boy lets go of his wrist. Muichiro looks so much younger like this. He's smiling and laughing, acting like the newly turned thirteen-year-old he is.

...

A year later, Giyuu received another letter from Urokodaki.

He was traveling back from a mission, sun overhead obscured by a sky of never-ending clouds, until a black blob appeared. As the crow dipped from the sky to land on his outstretched arm, Giyuu felt a heavy unease settle in his gut. With a mix of anticipation and dread, he unfolded the letter, his heart racing as he began to read. Each word seemed to pull him further into a whirlpool of anxiety, leaving him feeling numb and hollow.

Giyuu's hands trembled as he held the letter, rereading what his father had written. The handwriting that was normally so elegant was now shaky, with ink blotting where the man had paused while writing.

Tanjiro has cut his boulder. He will be participating in Final Selection this year.

Final Selection.

Sabito.

Warm hands hold his cheeks, lavender eyes look down worriedly. Blood falls, blocking his sight. It hurts...

"You'll be okay, Yuu."

Lips on his forehead. Too quick...

"Look after him!"

"I'll be back! Stay safe!"

"Sabito!!!"

"I'm so sorry..."

Ocean eyes unblinking, fixated on the letter in his trembling hands. The letters on the page blur into a haunting reminder of his failure.

Giyuu remembers the days after his Final Selection, when he woke up to find out that Sabito had died. He was the only one who died that year. The boy Sabito had saved had bowed before him, begging forgiveness for his weakness that had gotten Sabito killed. He didn't get Sabito killed. Giyuu did. Giyuu was supposed to be by his side. And he wasn't. He failed. But the boy Sabito saved told him about the demon that killed Sabito. He hadn't seen Sabito's death; he'd run as fast as he could when Sabito saved him, but he heard the demon taunting him. The demon said it hunted the students of Urokodaki on purpose, using the masks so lovingly crafted for them to tell them apart from the other participants.

Giyuu's mask broke the first night. Is that why he's still alive? Was it inevitable that Sabito would die? Had they been marked for death from the beginning? If Giyuu had been faster, would he have died with Sabito? Would he have died, and Sabito have lived? Why hadn't it gone the way it should have?

He hadn't had the heart to tell his mentor. How could he tell the man who raised them and so many others that his kindness and desire to protect them had resulted in their deaths? But now that Tanjiro was heading into Final Selection... should he warn him? No... Urokodaki knows there is a demon that is stronger than the others. He can't put his guilt onto his father's shoulders. He failed Sabito, not Urokodaki, not the man who loved them with all his heart.

What if something happens to Tanjiro? Will he be hunted by the same demon?

There isn't any doubt. It killed every single child who could have become Urokodaki's successor. Murdered them before they had the chance to get stronger, to become Hashira.

Giyuu's hands continue to tremble even as Kanzaburo perches on his shoulder and pulls at his hair. But the bird's soft calls of his name pull him from his spiraling thoughts enough for him to redirect his focus.

He knows Kanao will be taking part in this year's Final Selection. And she knows about Tanjiro. He can send a message to Tanjiro, letting him know there will be another prospective slayer there whom he can team up with, increasing his odds of survival. Tanjiro isn't weak like Giyuu was, and neither is Kanao. Neither of them will hold each other back like Giyuu did.

The Water Hashira picks up his pace, catching Kanzaburo when the bird startles at the jarring movement, tucking him securely in the crook of his arm as he runs. He knows Tanjiro will have some of Urokodaki's special salve and a few rations. But he knows he'll feel better if he sends Kanao with extra for the boy and herself. Not enough to weigh them down or hinder their movements, but enough to give them time to rest instead of worrying about food while fighting for their lives.

Reaching the Water Estate, Giyuu enters quietly through the front gates and straight into the main house instead of taking his normal path to the back of the estate, where he could usually find the butterfly girls and Senjuro if Muichiro had been sent on a mission. The Water Hashira makes his way down quiet halls towards his bedroom, where he places Kanzaburo on his futon. The old crow immediately makes himself comfortable, watching his Master take deep breaths, only noticeable by those who have spent a lot of time with the man.

The Water Hashira spent the next hour packing two bags of extra supplies for Kanao and Tanjiro, leaving space for the provisions he would cook before the Flower Breathing user left for Final Selection.

They'll be fine.

...

Even though the Water Hashira had tried to convince himself that he would be alright waiting for the news from Urokodaki, he found himself anxiously waiting in an inn at the bottom of Mount Fujikasane. Final Selection should be in a few hours, when dawn breaks, illuminating the mountain and allowing the surviving slayers freedom from the prison of Wisteria.

They'll make it out.

They'll pass because of their own strength.

They'll walk through the Wisteria Forest on their own feet.

Oyakata-sama had been kind enough to assign Giyuu to missions around the mountain so that the Water Pillar could be nearby when Final Selection ended. But as the first rays of the sun hit the village below, Giyuu feels nothing but a bottomless pit of anxiety. His thoughts want to pull him into the abyss, drowning him in the endless 'what-ifs.' But before he had left, the Water Estate's children had all given him gifts to give to the two who there were so certain would survive. Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho had made the duo's favorite sweets. Aoi and Senjuro had prepared extra rations for the two to eat while traveling back home. Muichiro had given Giyuu a message to pass on to Tanjiro, along with a small folded butterfly for Kanao.

Pushing himself up and forcing himself to move, he slowly made his way to the village entrance, facing the mountain path, waiting to spot the two slayers he prayed made it out alive. But as the sun continued to rise, with no sign of Kanao or Tanjiro, Giyuu began to debate the merits of following the path up the mountain in search of them. But he can't get his feet to move. Frozen by the fear that if he does, he'll have to face the fact that they might not have made it out. And that it will be his fault that two more people he cared about died.

Giyuu knows he's being impatient. The sun had only just started to rise, meaning the participants were still likely arriving back at the meeting area, where they would receive their Kasugai Crows and pick the ore for their nichirin swords. Giyuu hadn't chosen his ore, and he didn't deserve to. But he knows it might be important for Kanao if she chooses a blade similar to Kocho's. And Tanjiro's nose might smell out the best ore, but Giyuu isn't sure if ore has any differentiating smells.

But keeping his patience while knowing their bodies could have been devoured, leaving nothing to bury, or that they could be injured and stranded, is difficult. He knows he cannot interrupt the end of Final Selection. But he desperately wishes he could wait closer, see them the moment they step out of the testing area as Mizunotos.

Eventually, the sun has risen to the point that its shadow no longer stretches into the surrounding woods but lingers close to its body. He hadn't moved from his position, hadn't eaten or taken a break. He would continue to wait until night fell. And if they hadn't returned, he would have to deliver the news to both Urokodaki and Kocho. And then...

Giyuu's thoughts are stopped when two familiar figures appear, making their way slowly down the mountain. As they got closer, the weight on Giyuu's shoulders lifted, only to settle again when he saw how Tanjiro had to rely on Kanao to support the right side of his body. The boy's head had bandages wrapped around it, and blood was seeping through what Giyuu assumed was a head injury. But Kanao seemed fine; her outfit was only slightly dirty compared to the stains marring Tanjiro's borrowed clothes. And she had no visible injuries, which gave Giyuu's heart a break.

Finally, Giyuu's feet moved, carrying him with the swiftness of an experienced Hashira until he was standing before the two newly minted slayers. Up close, he could see the bags under their eyes from what must have been restless nights.

Tanjiro was startled when Giyuu appeared right in front of him and his new friend. He had smelled Giyuu's scent as they descended the mountain. But he hadn't expected the man to move so quickly. It must be because he's a Hashira! Giyuu is so cool!

Kanao, on the other hand, hadn't reacted beyond a barely perceptible jump, smiling at the man as he, with only a moment's hesitation, brought the two into a careful hug.

Neither said anything when they felt drops of water hit their heads.

It wasn't until they had returned to the inn that they told Giyuu about their experience in Final Selection.

Tanjiro sheepishly admitted to having gotten distracted by his desire to seek a cure for Nezuko, causing Giyuu's heart rate to skyrocket when he got to the part where he fought the hand demon, alone.

Tears fell from Tanjiro's eyes as he recounted his hardest battle of Final Selection. "-and he almost killed me." Tanjiro points to his bandaged head. "I hit the ground, or was it a tree?)- hard, and almost couldn't get back up. But I remembered everyone's teachings! It was like they were screaming in my head at me to fight, to focus on defeating the demon instead of its taunts. And I did it!" Tanjiro's smile was bittersweet. "Everyone's souls can return to Mount Sagiri. To Urokodaki-sensei."

Giyuu could only stare. Tanjiro had done it. He'd defeated the demon that killed all of Urokodaki's potential successors. The demon that killed Sabito. Tanjiro had done it. Sabito's murderer has been brought to justice. But Giyuu still feels so empty. He's not sure if he should feel relieved, overjoyed, or if there is something greater he's supposed to feel. But now he knows, Tanjiro will become a great swordsman, and with time and training, he'll master Water Breathing and surpass Giyuu to claim the position of Water Hashira. Finally, Urokodaki will have a successor.

After hearing about Tanjiro's first two days in Final Selection, Giyuu was relieved to hear that the two had finally found each other, joining forces until the end of the seven days. When Giyuu had asked Kanao about her first two days, the girl had flipped her coin and hadn't said a word. But Giyuu didn't mind; she didn't have to share if she didn't want to.

Thankfully, while they worked together, they hadn't run into any problems, easily dispatching any demons they came across, though Tanjiro looked guilty when explaining this. Giyuu knows he couldn't have spared any of the demons on the mountain, since all of them had to have consumed at least one human before being captured, and Tanjiro had been firm about defeating any demon that had killed or harmed a human. So he let it go, deciding to question the boy on their way back to Urokodaki's home, since there was no way the boy would make it there in time to prevent their mentor from worrying about his lateness.

Giyuu had time to eat a simple meal with the two before waving goodbye to Kanao, who was headed back to the Butterfly Estate to deliver the news to Kocho-san, while Giyuu and Tanjiro headed to Mount Sagiri, the latter resting comfortably on Giyuu's back, while their crows flew happily overhead.

Chapter Text

Urokodaki didn't regret training Kamado Tanjiro. The boy was hardworking and diligent in everything he did. He never asked to skip a morning of running down the mountain, and never complained about the traps out loud, even though Urokodaki could see the boy's distress whenever he came back after the difficulty increased. Tanjiro was honest and always did the exact amount of exercises he was assigned.

The retired Water Pillar had had doubts at first, but quickly grew to care for the kind boy and his younger demon sister. It was nice. Having children in his home again. It had been so long since Giyuu and Sabito were with him. He had almost forgotten how rewarding it could be to watch the children grow.

Watching them laugh and push through their training, growing into their features and becoming slayers day by day. He loved each and every one of his students. And he holds onto his guilt for sending them to their deaths. Waiting days beyond the end of Final Selection, past the point where it was obvious they would not be returning, but he had to wait. He waited and waited, the weather getting colder and colder, echoing the icy guilt covering his heart as each day passed with no sign of his students.

When Giyuu survived, Urokodaki thought that perhaps the curse on his students had been broken. He had watched the blue-eyed boy slowly make his way up the mountain, and his heart had dropped when there was no sign of Sabito. Sabito would never have left Giyuu's side. So Urokodaki knew the boy was gone. Taken by the same curse as the rest of his students. And Giyuu... The boy was never the same. He spent all of his time training or walking the mountain like a spirit, devoid of life and a desire to live.

The once sparkling blue eyes had dimmed, cast in shadows. And Urokodaki had thought the curse had taken the life from Giyuu as well. At least until the boy reappeared, asking him for a favor so big it could cost them both their lives. But Giyuu was his precious child. A child he knew he had failed, had watched become nothing more than a shell of the bright boy he once was. Had watched him disappear on his first mission, never to return.

The day Giyuu delivered the Kamado's to his doorstep, Urokodaki saw the man Giyuu had grown into. He was still oh so kind. There was no one else who would have spared the demon girl as Giyuu did. And he saw the light in his boy's eyes finally reappear when he praised Tanjiro for making it down the mountain, patting the boy's head awkwardly, just like Sabito had done to him all those years ago when Giyuu began his own training.

He's so proud. The Master had kept him updated on Giyuu's life. Sharing that the boy had become a Hashira in less than two years, stepping into the position that Urokodaki had vacated so long ago. The retired pillar was so proud. So beyond proud of how strong his student has become. And so worried for his well-being.

The Master shared that Giyuu did not see himself as the Water Hashira, even though he had defeated more than enough demons to qualify, defeated lower moons, and had gone above and beyond to create a new form of Water Breathing. Something that had never been done before, because adding to the existing forms meant it had to transition fluidly from one to the next. That's why most people use Water Breathing as a stepping stone to create their own forms, like Flower Breathing.

Giyuu has grown into an amazing young man.

Bringing his axe down with a loud thump, Urokodaki finishes chopping firewood, stacking the logs carefully to keep them dry when winter hits the mountain. It's been almost two weeks since Tanjiro left for Final Selection. He had tried to keep the boy safely tucked under his roof for as long as he could, giving the boy the largest boulder he could find. But Tanjiro managed to slice it in a single strike, not a single crack or divot at the sight of the sword's impact. And he could not break his promise, so he did the best he could to prepare the boy for Final Selection, unable to find the words to warn the boy of the curse that had been placed on his students, other than a warning about the strength of demons who have eaten increasing numbers of slayers.

But still... His hands lift the logs, tucking them under his right arm. The mountain air had cooled as the sun slipped below the horizon, leaving the sky painted in deep indigos and fading purples. Shadows stretched between the towering trees, their trunks blackened silhouettes against the rising moonlight.

Another day had passed without a sign of Tanjiro. It should have taken him two days to travel to Mount Fujikasane, seven days to survive, and possibly three days to travel back, depending on the extent of any injuries the boy sustained and his level of exhaustion. But Urokodaki would wait until the first snow of winter for his student, just as he had every student before. He would continue to watch over Nezuko until her brother returned.

Until the first snow appeared, he would believe in Tanjiro's survival.

Urokodaki shifted the weight of the firewood in his arms and stepped around the side of his small home. Behind him, the forest settled into a deeper quiet, the only sounds the occasional rustle of an animal making their way through the underbrush.

Then, something caught his attention.

Two familiar scents drifted on the night air as a cool breeze blew down the dirt path leading to his home. Urokodaki's breath caught, and his eyes, hidden behind his mask, widened. The scents were getting closer, carried on the winds as they brushed past his hut.

BAM

"Nezuko!" Tanjiro's voice echoed through the woods surrounding Urokodaki's hut.

There. On the hill, illuminated by the moonlight, are his two remaining students. Giyuu, with his haori of guilt and grief, with an injured, but alive, Tanjiro resting on his back. Though Tanjiro doesn't seem to be resting anymore, wiggling to extract himself, even though his legs are being held by the Water Hashira's strong hands.

"Nezuko! You - You woke up!" The younger slayer - he's a slayer now, he survived - cried out, toppling off Giyuu's back when the man set his feet on the dirt bath. Tanjiro took three steps, calling out to his sister again, ignoring Giyuu's attempt to steady him. But he didn't make it much farther before falling on his face.

Giyuu would have helped the boy, but the sight of the girl who had been asleep for two years kept him frozen in place. She looked just like she did two years ago, albeit without horns or murderous eyes. She wore the same kimono and yuban as she had when Giyuu had found them on Mount Kumotori, with a long, dark-brown haori. Her eyes look so innocent. Nothing like when she had been turned.

The Water Hashira watched Nezuko clumsily run towards her brother, surprised that he didn't feel an inch of fear or feel the need to draw his sword at the sight of a demon running towards a human. Gently, Giyuu grabbed Tanjiro's arm, helping the boy sit up. He only managed to get the boy to his knees before small, pale hands cradled the hanafuda-earing wearer's head.

It was amazing to witness. The demoness gently cradled her brother's injured head, pulling him close to her shoulder. She truly was different. There was human blood centimeters from her face, yet she hadn't paid it any attention, her full attention focused on holding her brother close for the first time in two years.

Suddenly, Giyuu found himself being pulled into the sibling's hug. He had been content to stand back, letting them reunite somewhat privately. But Nezuko had reached out, grabbing his uniform top with surprising care, and dragged him next to Tanjiro, throwing her other arm over his shoulder while Tanjiro did the same. It formed a circle of sorts, even though Giyuu was too stunned to add his arms to the embrace.

"Why..." Tanjiro cried, tears falling onto his sister's dark haori. "Why'd you fall asleep for so long? You wouldn't wake up! I was so worried you were going to die!" His voice cracked every other word, his fear for his sister finally leaving his body as he got to hold her and see her eyes open and aware.

Firewood hit the ground, scattering across the dirt and grass outside Urokodaki's hut. But the man couldn't care less. Tanjiro had made it. He survived. The boy made it home. His steps were silent as they carried him towards the children, because Giyuu would always be his child, no matter how many years he lived. He could hear his heartbeat pounding as he enclosed his children in his arms, holding his precious treasure close.

The sky above was bright and clear, moonlight spilling over the reunion while water dropped from a red tengu mask onto the heads of the survivors.

...

Inside Urokodaki's cabin, the fire burned bright, creating a warm glow that filled the room and fought off the chill of the late autumn evening.

Giyuu sat next to Tanjiro, patiently listening while the boy recounted his trials in Final Selection to Urokodaki. It was no less painful to hear about his fight against the hand-demon a second time. Knowing that the demon that killed his best friend could no longer taunt the students of Urokodaki and that their souls could return home was a weight off his chest from years of grief. He admires Tanjiro for being the one to kill him, avenging those whom the demon killed. And he admires Tanjiro's kindness, even though he wants to shout at the boy for it. But Tanjiro had described the demon's last moments so vividly that Giyuu couldn't hold Tanjiro's kindness against him. The demon was a human just like them before it was turned, and it will pay for its transgressions in hell until finally being reincarnated, hopefully into a peaceful future that Tanjiro prayed for.

He had nothing to add to the conversation, so he let himself zone out a bit. His eyes wandered around the familiar room, catching sight of the scratch that he and Sabito had accidentally put in the wood while wrestling inside. They had to carry twice as many stones down the mountain for that stunt. Traveling along the far wall, Giyuu's eyes wander to the floor near the fire, where Nezuko is resting.

She had fallen asleep as soon as the fire was made, lying beside it like one of the kittens Himejima often brought back to the Stone Estate. Giyuu thought it was adorable, even though Tanjiro had worried about the girl being so close to the fire, unsure if the fire would harm her like the sun could. It had been entertaining watching Tanjiro's face shift after hearing that fire could not burn demons to ash like the sun by pure exposure. He had looked slightly embarrassed, but Giyuu didn't understand why. It was a reasonable fear, especially since they had a desire to keep Nezuko alive.

Tuning back into Tanjiro and Urokodaki's conversation, Giyuu didn't notice the girl wake up and shrink until tiny hands pulled on his haori. Her hair was slightly ruffled from her short nap, and even her clothes seemed to have shrunk, though they still dragged on the wooden floor.

"Mmm," The muffled sound was quiet around her muzzle, overshadowed by Tanjiro's voice as he continued speaking, oblivious to his sister's movement. She pulled at his haori again, pushing her other hand against his thigh, pushing and pulling her way onto his lap. Giyuu, feeling bad for her struggle, cupped his hand beneath her foot, giving her a foothold to push off of, resulting in the little demon girl falling face-first into his chest.

Humming happily, she nuzzled her face into his uniform top, still holding onto his haori, but comfortably perched on the man's lap now. Without removing her hand, Nezuko turned her head upwards, staring straight into Giyuu's eyes. She reminded him of Sumi when the girl would pin him down with her eyes, silently pleading for his attention. So with his now freed hand, he gently started brushing her hair with his fingers, making sure they were deep enough to lightly scratch her scalp.

That was apparently enough to put the girl back to sleep, her little body falling limp against his chest, even breaths puffing out around her muzzle. Unconsciously, his arms tighten, curling around her to make sure she doesn't shift and become uncomfortable in her sleep.

Tearing his eyes away to try and focus back on the conversation still going on, he found his mentor's tengu mask slightly tilted, facing him in a way that wouldn't be obvious for Tanjiro, who was enveloped in his retelling of the end of Final Selection. Giyuu knew his father figure had seen the entire interaction, and he could only hope the older man wasn't upset with the interruption.

"-name is Matsuemon! And we got to pick our ore, but I wasn't sure how to pick, so I chose the one that smelled right." Giyuu isn't sure how an ore can smell 'right,' but isn't going to doubt the boy's sense of smell. He grew up under Urokodaki, so he knows just how sensitive their noses can be. "And there was this other kid! He was so rude! He grabbed a little girl by her hair, demanding his sword right then and there!" Tanjiro's voice faded from justified anger to sheepish as he continued. "And I might have broken his arm..."

Giyuu looks at Tanjiro with wide eyes. "He... grabbed one of the Master's children?" How could someone be that... brash? The Ubuyashisi family has supported the Demon Slayer Corps for generations, putting the slayers above their own well-being, pushing themselves despite the curse on their family, all for the sake of defeating Kibutsuji. And for a new slayer to accost one of the Master's children like Tanjiro described... receiving a broken arm is likely the easiest punishment the boy could have received. If Shinazugawa, or another slayer, had been there... the boy probably wouldn't have survived to rise higher than Mizunoto.

...

Giyuu hadn't stayed too long at Urokodaki's. He had stayed the night and left the next afternoon, waving weakly as he walked away from Urokodaki's home, where Tanjiro enthusiastically waved, wishing him luck on his missions. It was endearing to watch the kid cheer him on. But it would be a while before Tanjiro would take on his own missions. He still had to recover from Final Selection and receive his sword, which would take roughly two weeks.

He hoped Tanjiro received a good squad to work with. Kanao can't join because she is to be Kocho's tsuguko. So she'll be assigned missions with Kocho and possibly assigned to different squads depending on the situation.

Tsuguko

Urokodaki had asked if Giyuu would be taking Tanjiro as his tsuguko before he had left. But Giyuu had declined. He wasn't talented enough to train the boy. He wouldn't know where to start. And the idea of the kind-hearted boy joining him on missions made his heart sink, imagining the boy succumbing to the fate of those who stood by his side and died because of it. No... He couldn't let Tanjiro down.

But that didn't mean he wouldn't allow Tanjiro at the Water Estate. Before departing, he had told the boy that he was welcome to stay at the estate when he didn't have missions. He couldn't let Tanjiro wander like Giyuu had before he had been assigned the Water Estate, drifting from inn to inn, sleeping on the side of the road when he was too far from a village or town. It wouldn't be safe.

A voice in the back of his head argues that Tanjiro could stay at Wisteria houses since he had actually passed Final Selection, and that he would always have enough money to pay for a safe roof over his head if need be. But he couldn't leave without letting Tanjiro know he was welcome at the Water Estate. Muichiro would probably enjoy seeing the boy again, and he thinks Tanjiro would get along well with the butterfly girls and Senjuro.

It would mean introducing the children to Nezuko. But now that she's awake, Giyuu doesn't think it will be as difficult as he had previously thought. Muichiro has already made his decision about Nezuko, and Giyuu hopes that the Mist Hashira's opinion will be enough to sway the other children. And the Master has accepted his and Urokodaki's oaths, vouching for Nezuko with their lives.

Giyuu moved swiftly through the countryside, his breathing steady and controlled despite the thoughts in his head. His footsteps were silent, barely stirring the blanket of fallen leaves beneath him. The forest around him was a blur as he traveled through the late afternoon, into the deep quiet of night. He pressed on until the first pale fingers of dawn began to stretch across the sky, softening the horizon with shades of pink and gold, and his surroundings became more familiar as he got closer to the Water Estate.

He slowed his pace as he got closer, walking steadily down the path as he approached the estate's gates.

Before he could open the gates, he could hear shouting. The wisteria incense hanging outside had burned out overnight, but still looked warm, so it had to have gone out recently. Had a demon gotten inside? No, it was too bright outside. Had someone broken into the Water Estate? No, the gate wasn't damaged.

He heard more shouting, and this time it settled his mind. Familiar voices carried on the morning breeze. Giyuu recognized the high-pitched whouting of Naho and Kiyo, which was only odd because normally the butterfly girls showed up in the afternoon, not the morning. But he supposes they could have stayed the night or finished their duties at the Butterfly Estate earlier than usual.

Pushing the gate open and grabbing the burned-out incense to be refilled, Giyuu made his way inside the estate. His first stop was the kitchen to drop off the incense holder, and then he followed the shouting towards the training grounds.

The sight that greeted him as he stepped onto the engawa had him freeze in place. Blue eyes took in the scene, trying to make sense of the situation.

To the side of the training grounds, Senjuro, Aoi, and Kanao stood. The youngest Rengoku stood quietly, smile wide as he watched the chaos in the middle of the training grounds. Next to him, Aoi stood with her arms crossed over her chest, occasionally cheering on the... attackers. Kanao stood at the end, and Giyuu didn't know what she might be thinking, except that her eyes followed the action before her closely.

Giyuu follows Kanao's gaze back to the scene playing out in front of him. He still doesn't understand what's going on. He almost wants to call it a fight, except it's much too strange.

The Flame Hashira is standing in the middle of the training grounds, being held onto by Kiyo and Naho, both of them with their small hands wrapped around one of his hands, preventing it from moving. At the same time, the Hashira uses his remaining hand to gently swing a training sword, countering Sumi's weaker swipes as she tries to hit him upside the head, which is a challenge considering their height difference.

Giyuu has no idea why the three would be sparing with Kyojuro. None of them had expressed any interest in becoming demon slayers, and had no training other than what Giyuu had taught them for self-defense. Ah, Kiyo is trying to pin Kyojuro's arm near his elbow and shoulder. Giyuu feels a bit of pride watching the girl. He taught her that a few weeks ago, even though it wouldn't be very effective against a Hashira's strength. But her form is great.

Aoi and Senjuro notice Giyuu at the same time. Simultaneously, they quickly approach the engawa, slipping into their slippers before hugging Giyuu, welcoming him home. And as soon as they greet him, he finds himself tackled by three more bodies, which are slightly sweaty from their spar. Kanao was the last to join, placing a calloused hand on the inside of Giyuu's elbow and squeezing lightly.

"Ah! Tomioka! Welcome back! I hope your mission went well!" Kyojuro's voice echoes through the training grounds and leaves Giyuu's ears ringing. But it reminds him that he should figure out why the Flame Hashira is at the Water Estate so early in the morning.

"Rengoku-san," Giyuu greets softly, carefully extracting himself from the children's hug, though they seem more reluctant than usual to let him go. "Did I miss a message?" He misses the blush on Kyojuro's face as he speaks, focused on removing Naho's arms from around his neck.

"Ah," The normally confident man stumbles, "You did not! I am here to check in on Senjuro! And I was told you would be back today!" His blush spread further, reaching the tips of his ears.

Giyuu wonders if the Flame Hashira is feeling well. The man isn't known for sitting still, so maybe he is simply overworked. Normally, when the man dropped by to check on Senjuro, the boy would meet him outside the gates and would return later that evening or a day or two later. But Rengoku hadn't set foot into the Water Estate since his first visit when Senjuro started staying there. Had Senjuro fallen ill and given it to his older brother?

The Water Hashira sneaks a glance at Senjuro, checking for signs of a similar illness, but only sees a healthy, smiling child. And none of the others look ill. Ah, he should probably check Kiyo, Naho, and Sumi later since they were in close contact with the Flame Hashira. It wouldn't do for them to get sick.

Rengoku fidgets in the silence, filling the void with his voice yet again. "Tomioka! I was hoping we could-"

"Giyuu," Muichiro's voice comes from around the main building. The Mist Hashira was still in his uniform from his mission, and there was dried blood on his haori. But thankfully, he didn't look to be injured.

Looking away from Rengoku, Giyuu focuses his attention on the Mist Pillar. "Welcome back, Muichiro-san. Did your mission go well?"

Muichiro nods, stepping into his inside slippers before pushing his face into Giyuu's chest, nearly knocking the man over. The young Hashira had grown a few centimeters and had gotten even stronger during the last year, and now his head reached just under Giyuu's chin.

Rengoku tried to speak again, "I was hoping I could-"

"Giyuu-san," Aoi interjects this time, glaring at the Flame Hashira out of Giyuu's view. "We have the ingredients for salmon daikon. Would you like us to make some for today's lunch?"

Giyuu's interest had been completely stolen by the children and the thought of salmon daikon. Unfortunately, Urokodaki hadn't had the ingredients to make the dish while he was there, and he didn't want to ask much of his former teacher. "That would be nice..."

Rengoku watched as Aoi led Tomioka inside the estate, followed by the butterfly trio, leaving the Flame Hashira alone with Kanao, Senjuro, and Tokito. The latter had been sending him a piercing glare ever since he hugged Tomioka, and was now sending him an even harsher glare.

"Tok-"

"Don't you have other things to do..." Tokito's voice interrupts. How such a young person can sound so condescending, Rengoku doesn't know. He's sure the behavior isn't learned from Tomioka; otherwise, the man likely would have spoken against some of their more brash colleagues already. "I'm sure you're not here just to speak to Giyuu, right?"

Effectively called out, Rengoku raises his hands in defeat. "Apologies, young Tokito! I simply wished to ask Tomioka to accompany me-"

"No."

"A-Ah... Excuse me?"

"No."

"I'm sorry, big brother," Senjuro speaks this time, sounding slightly apologetic, but not stopping Muichiro's blunt interruptions. "I don't think Giyuu-san is interested. Maybe you should try someone else?"

Kyojuro is surprised. He didn't think Tomioka was aware of his intentions, but to hear that the man wasn't interested... "I see! I would like a chance to change his mind!"

"No."

"I insist!"

"No. If you keep asking, you might disappear..."

Neither Kanao nor Senjuro looks shocked at the Mist Hashira's blunt threat. But Kyojuro can take a hint!

"I understand! I will return another time then! Give Tomioka my regards, please!"

The three kids watch the Flame Hashira exit the training grounds, waiting until his flame-embellished haori rounds the side of the main building. Senjuro and Kanao let out sighs of relief, turning to the ring leader.

"Weirdo..."

Chapter Text

"It's mine!"

"No! I found it first!"

"I hit it!"

Growls tore through the air as two demons argued.

"I don't care if you hit it! I was here first!" The one with scaled skin and a forked tongue snarles, pushing his opponent back a few feet with a shove. He's missing a few claws, and his tail has been severed, leaving a slow trail of blood as he moves. Reptilian eyes glow as the demon continues to argue, unbothered by the broken slayer in front of them.

"Like hell! Fuck off!" Surging forward, a pale-skinned, more human-looking demon returns the shove, sending the reptilian back a few feet, the lack of a tail almost causing it to lose its balance. "It's mine!" Blood rolls down the pale demon's face from the newly blunted knobs on its head where magnificent horns used to rest.

Their snarled bickering echoed as fresh blood mingled with the crusted patches of dried blood across the forest floor.

Fuck! Why?!

Ragged breaths went unnoticed by the demons fighting over their next meal. Each shallow exhale hung in the air like smoke before vanishing as quickly as it formed, replaced by another raspy exhale. Fingers dug into the dirt, desperate to regain control.

But the slayer could do nothing but listen to the demons argue over his flesh, desperately trying to get much-needed air into their lungs so they can get back up.

I can't die here! I can't!

Fuck!

Harsh coughs are pushed out of the slayer's chest as his arms give out after a feeble attempt to retrieve their weapon. Lying mere inches away from their outstretched hands is a broken nichirin blade, its tip lost further in the forest. "Fuck!" The slayer groans, tears welling in their eyes as their frustration grows.

Gritting their teeth, the slayer pushes themselves up again, reaching a scared hand further to try and reach their blade. Trembling arms failed again, sending their body crashing to the ground, triggering another round of aggressive coughing.

Tears join his blood as he fails to get up again, and fingers curl, tearing into the flesh of his palm in frustration.

Why?!

He regrets being so hasty, fueled by anger and frustration. He had left his team behind, rushing ahead to prove himself. Prove he was strong and could handle being a demon slayer. He had ignored the team leader's calls for him to wait, to stay together. And now he's alone, lying in his own blood and tears while the demons he failed to slay argue over who gets to eat him.

Am I going to die here?

He can't give up. He won't. His dignity doesn't matter if he's dead, so using his core muscles, he starts wiggling. Slowly, his body finally moves forward, dragging dirt, grass, and blood along with it.

I can't die here!

Finally, his blade is within reach of his fingertips.

"Oi!" The blade is kicked away, flying deeper into the forest, out of sight of light purple eyes. The scaled demon's heavy foot stomps on Genya's outstretched hand, causing the slayer to grunt in pain.

But he can't die here. He won't die here. He won't. He has to get stronger.

"Ack! You brat!" The scaled demon screams, yanking his foot away from the downed slayer. But the demon only falls backwards, foot held back by both hands and teeth.

I won't die here!

"Let go of me!" Claws arc through the air to rip through the boy's hands, but redirect to hold the remains of its leg while screaming in pain. "What the fuck is wrong with you!" The slayer had ripped his foot off with his teeth, leaving bloody scales weakly trying to reform.

"Fuck...you..." Genya heaves, blood dripping from his mouth after spitting out the demon's foot. It had been the grossest thing Genya had ever tasted, a mix of spoiled seafood and dirt. But he refused to die here. Even if he had to eat the demons' heads.

Seeing its competition howl in pain, the other demon cackles. "You idiot! Letting a human -" Any taunts the demon was about to throw fall short as he watches the slayer's hair change color. The tips of the boy's mohawk turn yellow, and the whites of his eyes turn pitch black. "Wha-What the fuck?!"

Both demons take a step back as they watch the slayer's injuries close. The scaled demon drags its body backwards on the ground, horror rising as it sees fangs, similar to its own, when the boy opens his mouth. "Heh, who cares!" The demon bluffed. "It's just a human. I don't care if you-"

But Genya isn't listening. He feels stronger. He needs to be stronger. Lifting his hands to his face, he sees claws, a substantial difference from his normally bitten nails. Shifting his gaze from his fingers to the spat-out foot lying uselessly on the ground, Genya's eyes sharpen. He has nothing to lose. Reaching out, he grabs the foot, uncaring of the horror on the demons' faces as they watch him rip a chunk out of the scaled flesh, swallowing it whole.

"Mo-Monster! What is wrong with you!"

Standing now, Genya moves faster than he had before. Newly formed claws find their way into the scaled demon's flesh yet again, tearing its arms from its torso and a scream from its throat. "St-Stop! Stop! Monster!" It cries, blood pouring profusely from where its arms once were, unable to push the terrifying creature off or defend itself.

"Shut... Up..." Genya growled. His muscles were clenched tight, overflowing with raw, savage power. His limbs that had trembled moments before now felt like they were on fire, spreading through his veins faster and faster. He stood over the shattered form of the scaled demon, breath coming out sharp and ragged, heart pounding as the fire in his veins continued to spread. In his hands, he gripped the demon's torn arms, flexing his fingers, claws sinking deep into the useless flesh.

A twisted grin split his face, sharp fangs gleaming as his muscles coiled, lifting his foot before brutally stomping through the demon's chest. Over and over, he laughed as the demon cried out in pain, begging him to stop. But he wouldn't.

Couldn't.

...

Giyuu was tired. He hadn't returned to the Water Estate in six days, having been sent west to investigate rumors of a demon that lower-ranked slayers couldn't get a read on. Thankfully, when he had arrived, there had been no new deaths, but the slayers already there had been overcome by tears, clinging to his hakama pants while sobbing. Apparently, the demon could provoke intense emotions in its targets, leaving them sobbing or laughing hysterically from impossible distances.

It had taken three sleepless nights to track down the demon, but once it had been located, it had been easy enough to defeat, though Giyuu didn't appreciate the looks he received when he returned. Crying didn't come easily anymore, but he didn't think he would look that repulsive. He wasn't even bawling like the men who were still crumpled on the ground staring at him with watery eyes and red cheeks. Even the Kakushi who appeared after the demon was defeated seemed to be staring, hastening the Water Hashira's retreat.

All he wanted was to return to the Water Estate, where he could eat a warm meal before passing out on his new futon. The children had replaced his old one while he was waiting for Kanao and Tanjiro after Final Selection, sneaking into his room to throw out the old one he had used since inheriting the estate and replacing it with a brand-new one.

It had been a long two weeks, waiting for news that Tanjiro had received his nichirin sword and would be able to start taking on missions, which was nerve-wracking. And once he learned the boy's sword had turned black, a pit had opened in his stomach, making him feel sick until he could convince himself that it wasn't a death sentence, as many believed. Kanao's sword had turned pink, resembling Kanae's blade and showcasing her compatibility with Flower Breathing compared to Shinobu's Insect Breathing. He had hoped Tanjiro's blade would turn a brilliant blue, but he's sure the boy will still surpass his own meager abilities to become Urokodaki's successor.

And despite believing in the new slayer's strength, he still found himself concerned for their well-being, just as he did Muichiro's, despite the youngest being a Hashira and having over two years of experience fighting demons. He can understand now why Kanae always sounded so concerned when talking about Shinobu. But he can't ask them not to fight. Even though it would be safer. It wouldn't be fair to them.

He can't take their choice away from them. That's why he had Tanjiro train with Urokodaki. It's why he didn't turn down Kanao's requests to train with him despite not being an adequate teacher. He couldn't live with himself knowing he could have done something to give them even the smallest advantage to survive, but didn't.

"CAW! Mission for Giyuu!" Kanzaburo shouts, flying down through the dark trees to fly next to Giyuu's head. "Mission for Giyuu! North-North East! Support! North-North East!"

...

Thankfully, the mission was nearby, taking only an hour of running before another Kasugai crow finds him.

"Help!" The crow calls out, wings flapping frantically, "Genya! Demon! Hurt!" Quickly, Giyuu releases Kanzaburo, sprinting in the direction the new crow had flown from, sword unsheathed.

"Genya! Hurt! Demon!" The crow kept repeating, flying alongside Kanzaburo now, leading Giyuu towards its master as fast as it could.

In a split second, Giyuu sprints faster, sword light in his hands.

Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust

A pale head hits the ground, already disintegrating. "Fuck you! Fuck you and all you slayers! You're all monsters! Fuck you! Fuck-" Giyuu doesn't care. He's been cursed by nearly every demon he's disposed of, and this one isn't any different. Though it gives him hope that the slayer could still be alive. He had thought hope was lost when he saw the demon sprinting through the forest, thinking that it had already defeated the slayer and was off to find another victim.

But Giyuu didn't sheathe his sword yet.

Continuing to run, Giyuu bursts into a small clearing, stopping dead in his tracks at the sight before him. Maybe he should have tried to sleep through the crying slayers. What he's seeing has to be a sleep-deprived hallucination.

Blinking, the sight doesn't change. And Giyuu doesn't think the hallucination would include the boy's manic laughter or the crunch of demon flesh so accurately. Hallucination or not, Giyuu has a job. And the demon isn't dead yet, though it definitely isn't getting up again anytime soon.

First Form: Water Surface Slash

The demon's head comes off without a splash of blood, tilting back slightly as its neck is separated from its body, teary eyes staring at the moon as it is put out of its misery. "Monster... Monster... Monst-" Its words die out as its head turns to ash, its lower body still being crushed into the ground by brutal stomps.

Realizing his prey is disappearing, Genya's eyes snap to focus on the Water Hashira, growling as he notices the man's deep blue blade and matching eyes. Blinded by madness, he throws himself forward, uncaring if the man was human or a demon. Like a passenger in his own body, he couldn't feel anything anymore, nothing except fire and ash.

Unwilling to even attempt to handle this... situation, Giyuu lets the boy get close, bringing his hand down sharply on his neck, hit by de ja vu as the demonic-looking boy hits the ground hard, blood still wet on his uniform. Turning the boy onto his back, Giyuu pauses, taking in the boy's appearance - dark mohawk with yellow tips on the ends, a scar tearing across his face toward his nose, stopping just under his right eye. Something about the kid's face is familiar, but he can't recall being introduced to any slayers by the name 'Genya.'

Something about the kid is too familiar. Taking off the boy's purple yukata and unbuttoning the top to check for injuries, Giyuu works silently. Kanzaburo and the new crow, Hashibami, perch nearby, resting now that the danger has passed. However, Hashibami seems embarrassed that their slayer had acted so... bizarrely, especially in front of a Hashira.

Gently lifting the slayer's upper body, Giyuu checks their back for injuries, finding a mostly healed wound that seemed to be slowly stitching itself together. This was a problem for Kocho...

Deciding the child didn't require immediate medical treatment, Giyuu carefully wraps the wound before maneuvering the boy to rest on his back. Calloused hands keep the boy from falling off while Giyuu leans forward just slightly, nodding to Kanzaburo that it is time for them to go.

If he's lucky, he can drop the boy off and escape before Kocho sees him.

...

Giyuu has never been lucky.

The Butterfly Mansion is quiet and dark, not a single lantern or candle to guide Giyuu's way through the large estate. But he doesn't mind, he's here to drop the boy off and leave, finally getting some much-needed rest of his own.

He had managed to lay the boy down in one of the western-style beds in the Butterfly Estate. The slayer's hair had returned to what Giyuu assumed was its normal form and color during their journey. Giyuu thought that was a good sign, but still couldn't make himself leave the boy alone. There was no one else in the room, meaning if the boy woke up after Giyuu left, he would be alone.

And despite the boy having attacked him in the woods, Giyuu can't let him wake up alone. He's so young, and something about his appearance is tugging at Giyuu's brain, trying to remind him of something important.

The door to the infirmary is softly opened. "Giyuu-san?" Aoi's voice mumbles, the girl's blue eyes blurry from sleep she had only just woken from. "Are you injured?" The Water Hashira is never at the Butterfly Estate, and he never seems to be injured when she sees him at the Water Estate, so she's justifiably worried when the man shows up like a shadow. Rubbing her eyes, she takes in the sight of the man she's started to care for as a brother. He looks tired, but otherwise, he looks no different than usual.

Tired eyes then take in the bed the man is standing in front of. It had been empty during the daytime, but now a boy is lying in it. His uniform is covered in blood, but he isn't showing any signs of blood loss. He looks like he's just sleeping. "Who-"

"Tomioka, what brings you by my estate at such an hour?" A lilting voice interjects, making Aoi jump and turn around. Shinobu's violet eyes don't show even a hint of tiredness or even agitation. She is wearing the same smile she always does, walking into the room with a bounce in her step, though her feet don't make a sound. "Don't tell me you're injured?"

The question should be one of concern, but the way Kocho asks makes it seem more degrading. Giyuu ignores her, causing Shinobu's careful mask to slip a fraction of a centimeter. "Are you ignoring me again, Tomioka?" Her eye twitches, finally showing her annoyance at having been woken and having to deal with her introverted colleague. "This is why-"

"Shinobu-sama," Aoi is quick to try and get the conversation back to the boy lying in the bed. Giyuu wouldn't have brought him here if he didn't need treatment. And she knows Giyuu and Shinobu-sama don't get along, though she's positive Giyuu doesn't understand why Shinobu-sama seems to dislike him so much. "I think the boy is injured."

"Hmm," the Butterfly Hashira hums, turning her attention from the Water Hashira to the slayer in her infirmary. She had been looking forward to a night of rest. Her patrol had been quickly finished, and there hadn't been any slayers resting at the estate as of that afternoon. But of course, Tomioka would appear, bringing her a new problem. At least the Kakushi know how to be polite and answer her when she asks them questions. Approaching the boy's bed, she ignores the Water Hashira's deep blue eyes as she leans over to inspect the slayer, searching for wounds and only finding bandages covering what look to be completely healed wounds. Agitated, she turns back to Tomioka, "I'm not sure why you brought a perfectly fine slayer to my estate when he isn't in need of treatment."

Of course, it was strange that the boy's uniform was covered in recently dried blood, but in their profession, who's to say it's his? The tears in his uniform point to it being his, but it must have happened days ago for the healing to have progressed this far.

Giyuu sighs, exhausted and wanting to sleep. "Can we speak privately?" He asks, dreading having to explain the events in the forest to Kocho, even though he'll have to write it all down later in his report to the Master.

"Ah," Shinobu smiles, turning to Aoi, who had joined the Insect Hashira in examining the boy, finding no indicators of internal injuries. "Aoi-chan, go back to bed. I'll handle Tomioka's concerns from here."

Hesitating, Aoi looks to Giyuu, who nods, "Yes, Shinobu-sama. Good night." She shuts the door quietly behind her, leaving the two Hashira alone in the infirmary, praying she doesn't find either of them injured or worse when she wakes up.

...

Genya wakes up to the sound of children laughing. He almost believes everything had been a dream, and he'll open his eyes and see his siblings play-fighting like they always do - did - when they woke up before mom or Nemi. Opening his eyes, he sees a wooden ceiling, but when he reaches out, his futon is alone, no others within reach. He's alone.

"You're awake!" Turning his head towards the voice, Genya sees a boy around his age carrying a tray. It's too high for him to see what's on the tray, but the boy has the brightest hair he's ever seen. It looks like his head is on fire. "Oh!" The boy nearly drops the tray, quickly setting it on the floor by Genya before taking off through the door and down the hall. "Aoi! Aoi!-"

"Shh!" Another voice chides, getting louder as two sets of footsteps approach Genya's room. "Giyuu-san is still sleeping!" A girl with butterfly clips and pigtails enters the room, whispering as the boy from before follows her inside, sliding the door behind them.

Genya is so confused. Who are these people? All he remembers is getting hurt after running ahead of his squadmates. He thought he was going to die. Was he saved?

"-ya-kun? Genya-kun?" The boy is gently shaking his shoulder, snapping Genya out of his thoughts. Realizing Genya's attention is on him, the boy lets go of his shoulder, smiling awkwardly before speaking again, "Genya-kun, I'm Rengoku Senjuro, and this is Kanzaki Aoi. Feel free to call me Senjuro. Do you remember how you got here?" After introducing himself and his companion, Senjuro looks at Aoi, getting a nod and smile in return.

How did he get there? Genya closes his eyes as he tries to remember. After running ahead, he ran into the two demons, but thankfully, there were no dead bodies. One of them hit him hard, and when he tried to use his breathing style to counterattack, it... failed. He failed. He remembers now.

"I..." He swallows, frustrated with himself, "I was fighting these demons, and one of them got lucky."

Lucky... Yeah, right, weakling.

"And then..." He ate demon flesh. The memory of the disgusting taste in his mouth almost makes him puke. "And then I ripped the thing's leg off with my teeth..."

"Your... teeth?" Senjuro asks, eyes looking back to his partner in bewilderment. But even Aoi looks baffled.

Genya doesn't say anything else, though. He remembers how he crushed the demon's chest with just his feet, how the crunch kept getting worse with each stomp, how he couldn't stop laughing. It called him a monster.

"I'm a monster." He whispers finally, ignoring the looks he got.

"Aoi! Aoi! We made Salmon for Giyuu-nii!" Another girl barrels into the room, though she's significantly smaller than Aoi. Genya is torn from his thoughts yet again as he watches another two girls follow after the first, the three of them piling onto Kanzaki, giggling and pushing each other out of the way in their excitement. The sight pulls at something deep in Genya's chest, hurting him with each second he watches them smile and laugh.

"What the fuck is goin-mmph?" A hand over his mouth keeps him from continuing, eyes narrowing as his anger builds. Senjuro is leaning over his head, soft hand held over his mouth to prevent him from talking.

"Language!" The boy admonishes, making Genya feel guilty as disappointed eyes dig into his own. Slowly, the hand is removed from his mouth.

"Fine..." Genya grumbles. "What the frick is going on?"

"You're at the Water Estate!" The girl with red butterfly clips chirps. "Giyuu-nii brought you last night! Sen-nii said you were covered in blood! But that you weren't bleeding! We washed your yukata and uniform! Oh! I'm Kiyo!"

"I'm Naho!"

"And I'm Sumi!"

Genya's confusion must be apparent because Kanzaki shoos the girls out of the room with instructions to be quiet since someone named 'Giyuu' is still sleeping. They called him their big brother. He has a hazy memory of someone with dark blue eyes showing up after he went crazy, and of being carried like Nemi used to. It had been so warm. Was he the one to bring Genya here?

"I'm sorry about them," Kanzaki apologizes, though she doesn't look very apologetic.

"Don't worry about it..." Genya grouses. They're young and excited...

"Well, now that you're awake, I have a few questions. First, what is your full name? We were only given your first name from your crow."

"Shinazugawa. Shinazugawa Genya."

Aoi's eyes widen. Shinazugawa? Like the Wind Hashira? Are they related? They both have scars, though that's not genetic. But now that she looks more closely, they do have similar eyes and facial structures. And the cursing must be genetic, too.

Senjuro seemed to notice too, though he hadn't met the Wind Hashira yet. "Shinazugawa, as in the Wind Hashira?"

"Yes! He's my big brother. Do you know him?" Genya sits up, leaning towards Senjuro to see if the boy has any information on his brother.

"Ah," Senjuro scratches the back of his neck, trying to lower his head, only for Aoi to tip it back up without turning her head. "I haven't met the Wind Hashira, but... It's hard not to have heard of him... He's one of the strongest swordsmen, and he works with my big brother."

"Who's your brother?"

Senjuro's eyes brighten, "Rengoku Kyojuro! The Flame Hashira!"

Genya leans even further forward, pushing his face into Senjuro's personal space, making the boy blush slightly. "Do you think you can help me see my brother?!"

"Well..."

"Ah, you're awake..." Another new voice interrupts, receiving a glare from Genya as they quietly step into the room.

"Giyuu-san!" Aoi and Senjuro greet.

"Did we wake you?" The flame-headed boy asks, sounding upset with himself. "We're sorry."

"Hmm," Giyuu hums, placing a gentle hand on the boy's head, "No..." Genya thought the man would elaborate or do something else to ease the other boy's guilt, but it seemed like the simple response was enough to cause Senjuro's shoulders to relax.

"You should go back to bed, Giyuu-san," Aoi chides, though she blushes when Giyuu's other hand pats her head. "You were exhausted yesterday!" She tries to reason, but is unable to convince the man to leave the room. Huffing, she scoots over so he can sit in between her and Senjuro next to Genya's futon, removing his hands from their heads. The man was too stubborn, she sighs.

"I will rest after I ask Genya-san some questions..." Familiar blue eyes don't meet Genya's lilac as the man looks at his face. The mohawked boy can't read the man; his face is like stone.

Understanding what Giyuu is asking for, Aoi and Senjuro stand and quickly leave the room, making sure to keep the hallway empty so that the Hashira can have his private conversation.

"So, you're Giyuu..." Genya starts, feeling awkward now that it's just him and the man who apparently brought him here last night. Here being the Water Estate... "Where am I?"

"The Water Estate..." That answered nothing. "You're... Shinazugawa Genya?"

"Yes..." Genya growls, annoyed.

"Are you Shinazugawa Sanemi's younger brother?"

"Yes! What about it?! Have a problem with it?!"

"No..." The man is so frustrating! "Tell me what happened last night."

Genya doesn't want to talk about it. He turned into a monster. He ate demon flesh. His own laughter taunts him, reminding him of the inhuman strength he had gained and how the power had felt so addicting. But if this is the man who saved him, he probably already knows... So he recounts his failure yet again while the man just stares at him with his unchanging eyes.

"So... Eating the demon gave you enhanced strength?"

"Yes..." Genya sighs, tired and wanting to go back to sleep by now. The man had been nothing but patient, listening without interrupting, even though Genya verbalized his multiple failures. Running away from his unit, failing to use his breathing techniques, getting hit by the demon, failing to get back up, eating demon flesh, going off the rails...

Giyuu sighs in return before speaking again, "Kocho said... There are records of slayers who have eaten demons before... Most died within minutes..." The morbid statement causes a pit to open in Genya's stomach. He could die? But if they died in minutes... "But some lived... and had the same experience as you... Increased strength and healing. But the long-term effects weren't studied."

That's not so bad, Genya thinks. It means he can still fight even though he can't use breaths like other slayers. He could still become a Hashira and find his brother.

"Did you recently complete Final Selection?" The man's next question throws Genya for a loop. What does his Final Selection have to do with this? Thinking about it makes him feel sick. It had been one of the most stressful weeks of his life. He had been so scared. And his actions afterwards left him feeling like an awful human being. He was just so frustrated. He needed to find Nemi and was told that becoming a slayer would do that, but that he likely wouldn't work with the Hashira until he rose in the ranks, and he couldn't do that without a sword.

But Genya still nods.

His nod solidifies Giyuu's theory. This is the boy who grabbed Kanata-sama's hair. He made her cry. After finding out about the incident from Tanjiro, Giyuu sent a letter to Oyakata-sama, asking if any disciplinary measures were being taken against the newly minted slayer, or if Giyuu needed to handle it himself. The Master had responded, declining Giyuu's offer but including a letter from Kanata-sama, thanking him for his concern, along with a drawing of her and her siblings with Giyuu, back when the Water Hashira visited more often.

But Giyuu cannot hurt the slayer in front of him. So he takes a deep breath before speaking again. "Can you write?"

Genya feels deep shame as the man's eyes bore into him. He shouldn't, but he feels like the man is extremely disappointed in him. Why does Genya feel upset about it? He doesn't know this man? "Somewhat." He answers. Sanemi had insisted he learn from one of their neighbors while the older brother worked. Said getting an education was important.

"Good. You'll write an apology to Kanata-sama today. There are supplies on the desk over there." Giyuu points to the wall opposite Genya's futon, where a small desk sits.

"An apology?"

"Yes. To Kanata-sama."

"Who the frick is Kanata-sama?" Giyuu's disappointed eyes seem to increase, making Genya feel even worse. But he has no clue who the man is talking about. Unless...

"The girl whose hair you pulled after Final Selection." Of course. But Giyuu's eyes leave no room for argument, and Genya knows what he did was wrong; his arm still doesn't feel right after that other kid broke it. Though eating demon flesh seems to have finished healing it, which feels infinitely better than before.

"Oh..."

"Please have it finished today."

...

After Giyuu left Genya alone to write the apology letter, Genya felt his anger and frustration coming back, filling his chest with an uncomfortable tightness that wouldn't go away. He snapped two brushes before finishing the letter, keeping it short and simple even though he still felt somewhat bad about hurting an innocent girl. But he just wanted to get this over with.

Shoving open the shōji door to the empty hallway, Genya holds the paper in one hand, careful not to tear it so he doesn't have to rewrite it. Most of the rooms he passes by are completely empty, but as he makes his way to the other side of the estate, he starts to see more signs of life. But he doesn't pay too much attention, focused on finding Giyuu and giving him the letter so Giyuu can leave without feeling indebted to the man.

Giggles and shouts from outside draw his attention. Following the noise, Genya found himself standing on an engawa overlooking a massive garden—mom would have loved this—and a training ground. But what made his anger dissipate was the sight of the three girls from earlier fighting each other in pairs while the blue-eyed man watched, pausing them occasionally to correct their posture or grip.

"Oi!" Genya interrupts, ignoring the pain in his chest at seeing the girls acting like kids, like his siblings if they had lived. "I wrote the freaking letter!" Waving it around, Genya jumps off the engawa to march up to Giyuu.

"Ah. Good."

"That's it?! Can I go now?"

"...Have you eaten?"

"No?!"

So Genya finds himself settled next to Naho and Senjuro, eating a bowl of Salmon Daikon while glaring at Giyuu, who's just sitting at the table, not caring that he's essentially holding Genya hostage. But he has to admit, it's nice eating with another group of people and not talking about demons. And Giyuu isn't that bad. He's actually pretty nice, even making sure Genya would eat the food the girls made and offering to make something else.

And the kids are nice too. He should be alarmed at how quickly his anger fades when Giyuu or the others are around, but it's hard to be mad as he watches Sumi carefully braid Giyuu's hair, clipping a handmade butterfly clip at the top to match the others. It's so... peaceful.

...

Genya doesn't leave that day or the next. Giyuu sent his apology letter the same day it was written, promising to reply through Hashibami, but Genya refused. He didn't want to leave yet, despite what he had said that day. He felt wanted, and no one was kicking him out. It was safe here, and he hadn't felt safe in years. Not even when he was training for Final Selection.

"Genya-kun," Aoi calls from the engawa. Genya had been sitting in the garden, just watching the streams of water continue their set path, flowing forward without a care in the world. Turning his head, he sees the girl standing with her hands on her hips, but a smile on her face. "Do you want to come to the village with us?"

"Village?"

"Kawamura Village, it's not too far, and we have to pick up supplies and some other stuff. You're invited to join us." He's invited. Why are they still so nice to him? They know he's the one who hurt the Master's daughter, something he had learned after Giyuu sent off his apology letter, making the boy feel even worse, though Giyuu assured him that the Master's family wouldn't hold a grudge.

"Sure," he pushes himself up, wiping the dirt off his uniform pants. He had refused the offered yukata, not wanting to inconvenience Giyuu or the other residents who had already been so kind to him. Being here still feels like a dream —one without his usual anger and frustration.

"Well, we're leaving now!"

"You're only telling me now? Give me a minute!" Genya rushes to the engawa, slipping off his sandals and into borrowed slippers. He watches Aoi disappear inside, giggling as she closes the door behind her, leaving Genya stumbling to follow so he isn't left behind. He doesn't want to be alone; the anger comes back when he's alone. "Wait!" He slides open the door, following the girl through the estate as they head to the front, where Senjuro and Sumi are waiting.

"Oh, Genya! You're joining us?" Senjuro asks, smile on his face as he holds Sumi's hand.

Genya blushes, "Yeah! What about it?"

"Nothing! I think you'll have fun!"

"Yeah, sure..." He just doesn't want to be alone.

"C'mon!" Aoi pushes them out the door and towards the main gate, closing and locking everything behind her. "Giyuu-san will leave without us!"

"Giyuu-nii never leaves without us!" Sumi chimes in, skipping between Genya and Senjuro.

"He might if we don't hurry!"

Exiting the estate's gates for the first time, Genya realizes he truly has no idea where he is. Being inside the estate's walls had somewhat detached him from reality. The gardens were beautiful, and the estate wasn't small by any means, but he was excited to stretch his legs and explore some more, though he refused to say so out loud.

"See! Giyuu-nii wouldn't leave us!" Sumi announces cheerfully as they lock the gate, letting go of Senjuro's hand to skip up to Giyuu, who lets her take his hand instead.

...

Genya hides in his room after they get back, tears falling down his face as he holds his gifts close to his chest. Giyuu had just handed him his own set of yukata and slippers. Why would he do that? Doesn't he know Genya is weak and a failure? That he called his own brother a murderer? He sobs quietly as he clutches the clothing even closer, not noticing when a gentle knock rasps on his door. He's not even in the same room he originally woke up in. Giyuu moved his room closer to Senjuro's and Muichiro's. Why? Why is he so kind to him? Why is Genya allowed to stay here and experience this kindness? He's a monster!

"Shinazugawa-san?" Giyuu's voice pulls him from his tears, another knock echoing on the door. "May I come in?"

Genya nods before remembering Giyuu can't see him. "Y-yes," he says through his tears, unable to see as the door is opened and the taller man enters. And then he fucks up again. "What do you want?!" He snarls, immediately beating himself up for being so rude to the man who has been nothing but patient and kind with him.

But Giyuu doesn't say anything. The man reaches out to gently remove the items from Genya's arms, setting them down next to the futon —Genya's own futon —before pulling the boy into his arms. They don't speak; Genya's cries are the only sound filling the room.

After a few minutes, Genya calms down enough to speak again, though his breathing isn't as steady as he would like it to be. " I-I'm sorry. I'm really sorry! I didn't-I didn't mean to! I just get so-so angry! I'm sorry!" He's word vomiting at this point, spilling everything he's been trying to keep a secret. He can't keep lying to Giyuu and the others. They need to know how much of a failure he is. "I-I can't use br-breathing techniques! And I-I'm always so-so angry! And I called my brother a m-murderer! He-he was protect-protecting us-me! He had to k-kill our mom! And-and I called him a mur-murderer! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" His words are nothing more than choked-out gasps at this point.

He's so scared. He doesn't want to leave. He wants to wear his new yukata, cook mochi with the girls, and garden with Giyuu. He doesn't want to be alone now that he's experienced safety again. He doesn't want to wander around like he did after Final Selection, sleeping wherever he could find shelter, staying close to the location he told them to deliver his sword. He wants to return here after missions. But surely he's going to be kicked out now. He called a Hashira a murderer!

"Shinazugawa-san," Genya braces himself, clinging tighter to Giyuu, holding onto the hug until he absolutely has to let go. "No apology is necessary." His arms loosen in surprise. What does Giyuu mean by no apology is necessary? He literally just snapped at the man when he walked in the room after knocking politely. But Giyuu starts to pat his back, gently lowering them to the ground so that they're both on their knees, with Genya's head resting on Giyuu's shoulder while he continues to cry.

"Are you feeling better?" Giyuu asks after Genya calms down some more.

The boy nods against Giyuu's shoulder, feeling tired now that he's cried for so long.

"I had a question... Regarding your training." Giyuu's statement makes Genya tense again, scared he's going to be kicked out for his weakness. "Himejima-san has agreed to train you if you would put in the effort to learn a technique that can be used outside of breathing techniques. It should help with your anger, and your new... skill."

"What?" Genya croaks. Who is Himejima-san? What technique? Is he still getting kicked out? What if Himejima kicks him out? Where will he go? Giyuu hadn't said anything negative about his ability to eat demons, but is this his way of getting Genya off his hands? Was he burdening Giyuu?

But if he's a burden? Why would Giyuu still be here? Holding him like his mother used to? Rubbing his back and letting him cry into his shoulder?

"Hmm," Giyuu hums. "Himejima is the Stone Hashira. He is a kind man."

"Can I still come back?"

Giyuu moves his hand up Genya's back, brushing through the boy's mohawk with gentle fingers. "If you would like to. The Stone Estate isn't too far."

Stone Estate... Water Estate... If Himejima-san is the Stone Hashira, and he is at the Stone Estate. Would the Water Estate be where the Water Hashira lives? Genya knows he should probably be focusing on Giyuu's offer, but now he's curious. He hasn't actually paid attention to the slayers coming and going from the Water Estate. He recognized Kanao from Final Selection, so she cannot be the Water Hashira unless she was some sort of unnatural prodigy. And Muichiro and Giyuu were the only other slayers that were ever here besides Genya himself. Is one of them the Water Hashira? His cultivator hadn't explained much about the corps except that he desired a student who would rise to the rank of Hashira and bring him pride.

He kicked Genya out after he proved he was too weak.

"Stone Estate?"

"Yes."

"Would I leave soon?"

"When you feel ready."

"Do..." He feels so much younger asking this, but he knows it will make him feel better. "Do you promise that I can come back?"

Giyuu looks down at the boy in his arms. Just a child. "Of course." He holds his pinky up, just like Tsutako used to when he would get scared and make her promise to be there after a nightmare. Genya didn't seem to understand, so he used his pinky to hook onto the boy's, squeezing them together before saying, "I pinky promise."

Chapter Text

Muichiro didn't like Genya at first.

He had returned home from a mission to the sight of a new kid. Purple, sleeveless yukata over a typical slayer uniform, and an interesting haircut. But he didn't pay too much attention at first, too focused on gaining Giyuu's attention by attaching himself to the man's waist. He was all gross and sweaty and needed to bathe, but he wanted Giyuu to brush his hair afterwards. He always slept better with his hair brushed before he fell asleep in his futon.

But the next morning, sitting down for breakfast, Muichiro really took in the new kid. He was scrawny, even scrawnier than Tanjiro, with sharp collarbones and a thin face. Maybe that's why Aoi gave him a larger portion...

"Who are you again?" Mucihro asks, startling Genya with his cyan eyes, lasered on him while the mohawked boy is chewing on his breakfast. Opening his mouth to answer, he instead chokes on his rice, covering his mouth with his hand as he coughs, cheeks glowing red.

"Oh! Were you not introduced?" Aoi answers from next to Genya, patting his back gently to help him dislodge the food. "This is Shinazugawa Genya. Giyuu-san brought him home two nights ago."

Muichiro tilts his head. Shinazugawa. That name sounds familiar. Giyuu will know, so he turns his head to look at his favorite person. "Giyuu... Do I know a Shinazugawa?"

"Yes. He's the Wind Hashira." Is the Mohawk guy the Wind Hashira? No... Hashira wear gold buttons. This Shinazugawa isn't wearing gold buttons. And he's too scrawny... He tries to remember more, but only remembers someone being mean to Giyuu and having white hair like an old person's. But just in case, he turns back to the scrawny kid, eyes scanning his arms and hair, finding nothing familiar aside from something about the boy's face.

Genya blushes as the boy across from him stares him down, and somehow, he feels like he's being judged. "Not me! My brother! Shinazugawa Sanemi! He's the Wind Hashira!" Sanemi is stronger and kinder; it's important that he not be mistaken for someone weak like Genya. But he's going to get stronger! He has to!

"Hmm..." dull cyan eyes wander away from Genya's face to focus on the garden outside, no longer interested in the conversation. At least until Senjuro speaks up.

"Genya-kun was a part of Final Selection with Tanjiro-kun!" The flame-headed boy's voice is excited as he shares what he considers a fun trivia fact, but it actually jogged Muichiro's memory.

A boy gripped Kanata-sama's hair after Final Selection, demanding his sword... Tanjiro broke his arm...

In Muichiro's opinion, a broken arm wasn't enough punishment against someone who would hurt the Master's daughter. His eyes sharpened as he pointed a glare at Genya, who froze under the attention, shoulders tensing as he prepared for whatever the cyan boy would throw at him.

"So you're-"

"Shinazugawa-san has written an apology to Kanata-sama," Giyuu interrupts, passing the boy an ohagi, but not able to tear Muichiro's attention away from Genya, whose eyes had started to narrow in confrontation. Thankfully, both boys seemed to relax a bit when Giyuu interrupted, so maybe they can push their disagreement to after breakfast, though Giyuu hopes they don't take long. He would like Genya to accompany them to the village so Mara-san can take his measurements.

"But, Giyuu, isn't he the one that-"

"Yes, and he has apologized."

"But-"

"If you have something to say, say it to my face!" Genya says, voice rising, but not enough to count as shouting yet. His hands have dropped his chopsticks on the low table, shifting to curl in his lap, nails digging into the palms of his hands.

"Leave him alone, Muichiro-san," Aoi says, chiding the Mist Hashira while gently reaching over to uncurl Genya's hands. Senjuro joins her quietly, grabbing the forgotten chopsticks and putting them back in his right hand and his bowl of food in his left, urging him to continue eating. "Giyuu-san said he apologized already. Isn't that enough?"

"Yeah! Yeah!" Kiyo joins in, pushing herself into Muichiro's personal space with a giant smile. "Genya helped us make ohagi yesterday! It's really good!" She points to the uneaten ohagi still sitting in Muichiro's hand. Sumi and Naho nod eagerly in agreement, now urging the Mist Hashira to try the ohagi.

Blinking, eyes shifting from a cold glare to something softer, Muichiro lifts the sweet to his mouth and pops it in, practically inhaling it.

"Mui-nii-san! You have to savor it!" Naho pouts, reaching over the table to grab another sweet to put in Muichiro's hand, hoping he'll take the time to taste this one.

"Hmm..." The Mist Hashira hums, chewing the next sweet longer, exaggerating his bites so that he doesn't have to prove he's savoring it with another performance. But it works, and the girls were right—it was delicious. Ignoring his breakfast, his hand shoots to grab two more ohagi, tossing them in his mouth in quick succession, but taking a bit more time to taste them.

His actions gain him an awed look from Genya, who blushes upon seeing someone enjoy his cooking. It had been embarrassing when the girls had insisted he help them in the kitchen yesterday, but he couldn't make himself say no, letting them drag him around and load his arms full of supplies to make sweets. And when they asked if he knew any recipes, he didn't have time to filter his response, blurting out that he knew his mother's ohagi recipe by heart, earning himself three delighted squeals and pleas to make the sweets for them.

They had loved them so much that after trying their own, they quickly placed a few on a plate and, dragging Genya along, ran to the back of the estate to share the sweets with Aoi and Senjuro, who were exercising alongside Giyuu. However, the older's exercises looked much more intense. But the others also really enjoyed his mom's recipe, insisting he make more so that Muichiro and Kanao could try it when they returned. It had been nice. And he's sure his mom wouldn't mind that he made it for the people who had been so kind to him. She probably would have laughed, seeing how red his face got.

"-make more..." Muichiro's voice cuts through Genya's embarrassment. "I'll forgive you if you make more ohagi. I like it."

"Don't go demanding sh-" Genya pauses, blue eyes staring at him for his choice of language, "shmuff from me! I don't need your forgiveness!"

"Please, Genya," Three sets of puppy eyes bore into his soul, tearing down Genya's defensive walls. "It's really good. Pretty please?" Cyan eyes join in, not nearly as cute as the caterpillars' tho, but enough to tip Genya over the edge, ears burning as he admits defeat.

"Fine! But just this once!"

"Yay!"

"Thank you, Genya!"

Muichiro still doesn't fully like Genya, but he trusts Giyuu completely. And the mohawked boy is nice to the others, so he isn't necessarily cruel like Tanjiro's description of him during Final Selection. His eyes, like a frozen lake dethawing, meet Giyuu's, nodding in agreement to give Genya a chance. And Muichiro isn't going to turn down another person to potentially make sweets, he thinks to himself, tossing another ohagi into his mouth, smiling slightly as the taste of red bean paste hits his tongue yet again.

...

Kanao recognizes the slayer joining them on their supply run. He's the one who grabbed a child's hair at Final Selection. Tanjiro-kun had broken his arm before Kanao could even flip her coin, silently watching the confrontation.

She doesn't know why the slayer is at the Water Estate or why he's joining them, but she trusts Giyuu-san's judgement, and everyone else seems to like him very much. Kiyo and Naho demanded he carry them for part of the walk, and he quickly and quietly agreed, but could only carry one girl on his back at a time, opting to hold the other's hand before they switched turns.

He even helped carry supplies as they walked through the village, wearing a scowl on his face the entire time, only occasionally faltering when he saw something that piqued his interest. Kanao noticed, though. She's good at seeing people's masks, and Genya's isn't that different from Shinobu-nee-sama's.

"Kanao! Kanao! Mara-san finished my kimono! See!" Naho twirls, light green sleeves fluttering like butterfly wings, intricate patterns shifting as she giggles. Her hair wasn't in her normal braided twin tails; instead, Giyuu-san had put her hair in an intricate updo, creating a braided bun that pulled Naho's bangs away from her face, making the young girl seem even brighter. "It's so pretty!"

The Flower Breathing Mizunoto nods politely, glad to see the girl shining in her new clothing. They didn't get many opportunities to wear anything other than their Butterfly Estate uniforms. But Giyuu-san had insisted, pointing out with his usual calm that it was best they get new kimonos since there would be a festival in two months, and it would take time for Mara-san to complete everyone's if they didn't order them ahead of time.

But seeing Naho receive praises from the kind seamstress and her fellow caterpillars, Kanao thinks that maybe Giyuu-san just liked seeing them happy. Everyone in Kawamura Village treats him very well, and surely Mara-san wouldn't have minded preparing their Kimonos all together. Still, Naho seems so happy to have this moment to shine. Kiyo had been the same just a week prior, jumping around in her favorite colors, showing her new outfit to the vendors they had become friends with while being careful not to ruin the fabric.

"Mara-san..." Giyuu speaks up, not loud enough to pull attention away from the celebrating caterpillars. His hand rests on Genya's back, pushing the boy gently forward, causing his ears to burn red. "Would you mind..."

"Of course not, dear!" Mara cheerfully responds, already knowing exactly what Giyuu was asking. After all, she's done this for the man's charges more than once by now. She's known him since he was fifteen, shyly entering her shop to ask about purchasing thread that would be strong enough to hold his haori together despite his profession. He had been so young... Seeing him take care of the children he continued to bring with him brought Mara and the rest of the villagers so much joy.

"C'mere, honey. I'll go ahead and take your measurements. How about you tell me about yourself? Favorite color? Do you like sweets? Muichiro-kun loves Sayori-chan's dango this time of year..." Her sweet voice rambles as she measures Genya, keeping the numbers tracked in her head so she can start on his yukata set that afternoon. If she works fast, she can have it done before they leave after grabbing a late snack. Sending the shell-shocked boy out of her shop with Giyuu-kun, she gets to work, making sure to add room for the boy to grow.

...

Quietly, Giyuu slides Genya's door shut, careful not to wake the boy who had finally managed to fall asleep. He had been worried when the boy isolated himself after returning from the village, quickly depositing the supplies he had been carrying before retreating to his room with the items Mara-san had given him as they left. And Giyuu's worry only grew when he went to check on the younger slayer, hearing broken sobs through the door.

It had taken nearly two hours of crying before the boy finally tired himself out, letting Giyuu change him into his new yukata over his underclothes and snuggling into his futon, falling asleep in seconds. Giyuu had wondered if Genya's resting face would match Shinazugawa's if he could express such an emotion...

But he couldn't stay with the boy all night. He had seen Matsuemon hanging around outside the estate before he checked on Genya, and he didn't want to keep the crow or its message waiting. Though it didn't seem to be in a hurry, preening itself casually while perched between Hashibami and Isuzu, the three crows engaged in casual conversation about their respective slayers, pausing when Giyuu stepped off the engawa and towards the garden.

"Message!" Matsuemon announced, flapping its wings to get Giyuu's full attention. "Message from Kamado Tanjiro!"

Giyuu reached his hand out to untie the message from the crow's leg.

Relieved of its duty, Matsuemon took off, flying through the night sky towards the north west, likely the direction Tanjiro was. Though Giyuu didn't pay too much attention, he was focused on the letter Tanjiro had sent, his simple handwriting easing some of the tension in Giyuu's shoulders. Opening the letter, Giyuu's shoulders tensed even more than before as he read.

Giyuu-san!

I hope you are doing well! Tell everyone I say hello and that I am thinking of them!

I'm currently staying at a Wisteria House with my new friends. Their names are Hashibira Inosuke and Agatsuma Zenitsu. We met while assigned the same mission and are now recovering together! But don't worry! The doctor says all three of us have broken ribs and that it should take between 6 and 10 weeks to recover.

At least it's only broken ribs. They'll heal and become stronger, which is good.

My first mission went well! Nezuko and I defeated the demon together and saved a young woman before she drowned! We traveled to Asakusa afterwards and ran into the demon who killed my family.

What. There is only one demon that could have killed Tanjiro's family and turned Nezuko. Is Tanjiro trying to casually insert that he ran into Muzan Fucking Kibutsuji after his first mission?

Giyuu's fingers curl into the paper as a hissing sound escapes his mouth as he tries to maintain his breathing. Having been excited to hear from Tanjiro, Aoi and Senjuro stood on the engawa, but watching the Water Hashira subtly freak out scares them, so Senjuro runs back inside to get Muichiro.

He was right there! With a fake family, pretending to be human! And when I confronted him-

Tanjiro confronted him?! He confronted the King of Demons? The strongest demon to exist? After his first mission???

-he tried to convince everyone that I was crazy! And then he turned a random passerby into a demon. And I couldn't let that person hurt anyone, so I could only watch as Kibutsuji got away.

He's alive. At least Tanjiro is alive and well, with only broken ribs... Should Giyuu check on him in person? What if the boy has a head injury?

But we met a really nice demon after that. She helped calm everyone down and is now going to help me find a cure for Nezuko! She and her friend, Yushiro, used to live in Asakusa, but they had to leave after some demons found us. But we won!

Giyuu's going to die an early death. Are there more demons working against Kibusuji? Tanjiro's only been on one official mission? The Water Hashira feels a stone settle in his gut as he realizes Tanjiro will likely never have a normal mission...

"Muichiro-san..." Senjuro whispers on the engawa, watching the Water Hashira pace around the garden. "He's been like this since he started reading Tanjiro's letter. What should we do??"

And then, I ran into Zenitsu and his sparrow, Chuntaro. He is a really interesting guy. We were sent on a mission together, and that's what we're recovering from! The demon was apparently a former lower kizuki, and he controlled an entire mansion with his drums!

At least it was a former kizuki...

After defeating the demon, I met Inosuke, who was trying to kill Nezuko, but Zenitsu protected her with his body. He's a great friend! And I had to headbutt Inosuke to make him stop attacking, but he calmed down afterwards, though he doesn't seem to remember our names. But he wears a boar mask, which is very unique! I can't wait to introduce them to you!

Signed, Tanjiro

Giyuu read and reread the letter, continuing to pace, ignorant of the worried gazes of his kids on the engawa.

"Do you think Tanjiro is okay?" Aoi whispers.

"I don't know... he can't be dead though... right?" Senjuro replies, voice equally soft, though his worry is still tangible.

Even Muichiro looks lost on what to do, though he is the first to take a step off the platform and onto the ground below, walking up to Giyuu and tapping his shoulder. "Giyuu?"

The Water Hashira turns, deep blue eyes unable to settle between Muichiro and the letter.

"Is Tanjiro... okay?" The amnesic doesn't remember much, if anything, about his first missions after passing Final Selection, just a feeling of boredom and irritation. But surely the missions shouldn't be too difficult for someone like Tanjiro, even if the boy isn't as strong as he or Giyuu are. He's definitely stronger than some of the lower-ranked slayers Muichiro has some memory of. Kanao hadn't had any difficulty with her first set of missions either.

Giyuu takes a deep breath, trying to release his stress through his breathing. He's only able to feel relief for half a second before the image of Tanjiro being shredded to pieces like his family fills his brain. Would there have even been a body to bury? Would he have to mourn by whatever they could find? Like Sabito?

"He's fine... now." Looking over the Mist Hashira's shoulders at Senjuro and Aoi, Giyuu lowers his voice even more. "He had a run-in with Kibutsuji."

The younger Hashira's eyes widen, mouth opening and closing as he tries to process what Giyuu just said. "And... he's alive?"

"Yes. He is recovering from a battle against a former lower moon."

"...Not Kibutsuji?" Giyuu shakes his head in response, handing Tanjiro's letter to Muichiro rather than continuing to answer his questions. He's still asking him self the same questions.

"At least he's alive," Muichiro says after reading the rather sparse letter. There had been no details about Kibutsuji's appearance or powers, but he supposes it's to be expected, since this isn't an official mission report. "Does Oyakata-sama know?"

"Most likely. Matsuemon probably delivered his report first."

The two Hashira stand in silence, neither able to find any other words. Anxiety is still churning in Giyuu's stomach, urging him to at least write a response to Urokodaki's successor. To check on his well-being more thoroughly. Though he truly wants to take off and follow the direction the crow had flown, it's no guarantee he'll find Tanjiro's location, since the crow could have taken any number of twists and turns.

"I love you..." Muichiro says, surging forward to hug Giyuu around the waist. The action provided comfort that Giyuu didn't know he needed, calming his racing anxiety as he closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around the young boy, holding him close.

"We love you too!" Two more bodies joined in, crashing into the hug with their own arms outstretched. A third, much lighter touch joined, carefully holding Giyuu's hand. And Giyuu didn't need to hear her speak to know what she was trying to say.

He would write his reply to Tanjiro later. For now, he would hold these children close, comforted by the knowledge that they're safe, while the remaining four slumber within the walls of the Water Estate.

...

Himejima has served the longest of any current Hashira. He is both the eldest and most experienced Hashira, giving him authority well matched to his peaceful demeanor. His training methods are not for the weak-willed; they require intense dedication and perseverance. Many have sought to learn under the giant of a man, but have dropped out after days or mere hours of participating in his training, crying that it is beyond anything a normal human could hope to achieve.

But Genya won't give up. He knows he's weak and that his body cannot utilize breathing styles like other slayers can. But Giyuu-san told him that Himejima could teach him a technique that could help him fight against demons while utilizing his newfound... skill. He had been warned that the training would be agonizing, but that the rewards would be worth it.

He has to get stronger. He has to apologize to Nemi.

Standing outside the Water Estate's gates, Genya feels his anxiety rising, afraid that this might be his last time seeing the place that has made him feel so safe and welcome. But when Naho, Sumi, and Kiyo tighten their hug around his legs, he feels a bit better, waving shyly to Senjuro and Aoi, who had already given him their farewells, as well as two bags packed with extra clothing, bandages, healing ointments, and homemade snacks made by the estate's residents.

Muichiro had said goodbye the day before, reminding Genya that he expects him to make him ohagi again when he returns from training. He's sure he should have felt insulted, but it was encouraging to hear the other slayer state so confidently that Genya would make it back, even if only to make the kids more ohagi.

Waving one last time, watching the caterpillars rejoin Aoi and Senjuro at the gate, Geyna hefted his extra luggage over his back, unwilling to ask his companions for assistance.

Kanao stood silently next to Giyuu, both of whom were standing just a bit further down the path that would take them to the Stone Estate. It was in the opposite direction of Kawamura Village, so Genya knew it was out of the duo's way if they had planned to visit the village today, but he was anxious to travel alone to meet the Stone Hashira, so he didn't try to dissuade the two anymore than he had to for appearances' sake.

"Let's go..." He grouses, annoyed with how his voice still cracks just slightly. But Kanao and Giyuu don't say anything, simply waiting for him to catch up before walking by his side.

It was a comfortable silence, though, and Giyuu didn't try to take his bags like he did when they went shopping in Kawamura village.

They traveled quietly until they reached a long, uphill slope, leading to a large set of gates with elegant script on the outside. In the distance, Genya thought he could hear a waterfall, and he wondered if it was the one that fed into the Water Estate's gardens. That would be pretty cool. He could probably see if he could have something float down and see if it reaches the Water Estate, though it would probably get caught on a bank somewhere...

"We're here..." Giyuu announces, pulling Genya out of his thoughts, a red tinge to his cheeks at his childish thinking. And then, before Genya can prepare himself, the gates are opened. They hadn't even knocked yet! And the man who opened the gates was a giant!

Aoi had given him a description of the Stone Hashira, but he hadn't actually expected the man to be so large. His head barely fits under the gate! And his muscles are huge!

Excitement courses through Genya at the thought that maybe he could grow as big and strong as the man before him, though he scratches the thought when he remembers what Aoi had said about the man being born with his unnatural height and strength, similar to another Hashira who had extraordinary strength.

"You must be Shinazugawa Genya," the giant's baritone voice says, tears beginning to run down his cheeks. "Any slayer wishing to stand against demons must have fire in their heart. But know that strength is not given. It is earned through relentless effort." Genya gulped as the man's blind eyes looked straight at him, though he knew the man could not see him.

"Yes, Himejima-sama." He bowed, back wanting to straighten and fight and prove that he isn't going to be weak like the other slayers that have dropped out of the man's training. But he wants to make a good first impression. Giyuu-san and Kanao are still here, and he wants Giyuu to leave, knowing that he's going to do his best.

Pleased by the boy's answer, Gyomei smiles and then speaks once again, but to Giyuu this time. "Tomioka-san, take care. I will return Genya-kun in two months, should he complete his training."

Giyuu bows slightly to his senior, sending the man a small thank you, then patting Genya's head softly, gently pushing him forward toward the interior of the Stone Estate.

Himejima then turns, prayer beads clicking where they are still held by his templed hands. "Follow, and we shall begin your training." For a man so large, his footsteps are surprisingly silent and swift, leaving Genya alone with Kanao and Giyuu before he has to say goodbye.

Standing in front of the duo, Genya feels his anxiety rise again. Still scared that he won't be welcome back at the Water Estate should he fail, or even if the residents change their minds about wanting him there. He knows they've encouraged him to write often, but what if they get sick of him? Or forget about him? What if-

"Be good."

Giyuu's calloused hand holds Genya's shoulder, squeezing it lightly. Genya hadn't even realized the man had reached towards him, and when the man let go, he missed the reassuring weight.

"Good luck, Genya-kun..." Kanao says softly, reaching into her skirt pocket for a small wrapped package, handing it to Genya without another word.

"Th-Thank you," Genya says, blushing yet again.

Kanao nods and then turns to Giyuu, looking for some signal that their business is done. When Giyuu nods back, the duo turns, leaving Genya standing before the intimidating gates by himself, watching them descend the path back towards the Water Estate.

"Oof!" Giyuu remains steady despite the sudden weight bearing down on his back.

"Thank you, Giyuu-san!" Genya says, voice muffled through the fabric of Giyuu's haori. "Thank you for taking care of me! I promise I'll come back soon." The teenager's voice drops to a whisper, almost inaudible through the layers of fabric he hasn't removed from his face. "Please don't forget about me..."

Carefully turning in Genya's grip, the boy's face smooshed against his uniform buttons now instead of the back of his haori. "I promise."

Chapter Text

Several rookie Mizunoto were assigned... but they might be dead by now, don't you think?

Tanjiro must be on this mountain, fighting the demons that had already killed so many higher-ranked slayers. Nichirin swords were coated in human blood, piercing the bodies of the slayers who once wielded them. There was no sign of an active blood demon art, meaning the demon either moved on and dispelled its technique, or someone defeated it, releasing the slayers from whatever manipulations had forced them to turn their blades against one another and themselves.

They might be dead by now...

There is still a strong demonic presence on the mountain. So even if Tanjiro and his companions defeated the demon controlling the dead slayers, they still aren't safe. Tanjiro hasn't learned Total Concentration Constant yet.

Why hadn't Giyuu taught him yet? Kocho had already introduced the advanced technique to Kanao. Teaching the younger girl the basics and letting her figure out the rest on her own. Why hadn't Giyuu given Tanjiro the same headstart? Why had he believed that Tanjiro wouldn't get into as much trouble as was inhumanly possible? Meeting Kibutsuji? Giyuu should have checked every Wisteria house near Tanjiro's last known location. He should have prepared the boy better.

If Tanjiro dies...

He was supposed to have more time. Time for Tanjiro to interact and build relationships with others in the corps. If he wanted the corps to accept Nezuko, Tanjiro would need to be surrounded by people who already trusted him. The boy was too bright not to be surrounded by others. He isn't like Giyuu.

Is Giyuu going to be responsible for another child's death?

"Isn't the moon lovely?” Shinobu asked, butterfly haori floating behind her as she and Giyuu ran through the forest of Mount Natagumo.

But what does the moon's appearance have to do with the dead slayers they just encountered? Or the missing Mizunoto, who, until confirmed deceased, Giyuu would continue to categorize as missing.

Giyuu's hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he ran, Sabito's sleeve light on his arm as he kept his sword steady, ready to be pulled at any moment.

"Since we've been given this joint mission, let's try to get along."

Are... they not already working together? The Master had summoned them both for this mission. And they haven't had trouble working together on past joint missions. Kocho talks a bit too much, but Giyuu doesn't think it means they didn't work well.

"We're here to slay demons," Giyuu says, not taking his eyes off the forest surrounding them, instincts warning that a threat still existed further in the dark trees.

"How callous!" Shinobu's eyes follow Giyuu as they run, having made a decision. "All right, then. Let's split up here. I shall proceed from the west."

"Agreed." Before Giyuu could finish speaking, Shinobu was off, no more than a blur of purple and white as her feet left the ground.

....

The ground shakes as another tree falls, crashing against the forest floor in a rain of branches and bark. Giyuu kept running towards the sounds of battle, wishing he had Uzui's sense of hearing to tell if the person fighting up ahead was Tanjiro or one of the other Mizunoto. They're not even a full quarter year post-Final Selection; Giyuu can't fail them. He won't let more children die due to his weakness. He won't be the reason more potential is lost far too early, never reaching a level of strength they were destined for.

"-my family!! Stay away!" A massive demon, with cobalt skin and far too many turquoise eyes, has a... boar? There is another creature, head held in a crushing grip, being screamed at by the ginormous demon. It's not another demon, though, and in its -their- hands are two nichirin swords.

He wears a boar mask!

His name is Hashibira Inosuke!

Is this one of Tanjiro's friends? The Water Hashira doesn't stop running, crossing his right hand across his torso to unsheathe his sword, his steps never faltering. His eyes are locked on the slayer, only a child, whose head is being crushed. He's still not close enough to attack, so cut the demon's arm before it can crush the kid's head.

Giyuu can see the nichirin blades rise, lifted by shaking hands before being stabbed into the demon's thick neck. They don't make a dent, not seeming to even affect the demon while it continues to screech and grip the slayer's head tighter. Dark fingers pull the slayer's head away, lifting it further off the ground and removing it from its weapons, still lodged in the demon's throat.

It's cruel, how the demon's hands don't immediately crush the slayer's head, bearing down slowly, applying increasing pressure to the child's skull. The slayer's body is still twitching, though, so Giyuu keeps running with the intention to save the slayer first. There's still a chance the kid could live, whether it be thanks to the padding of his mask, sheer determination, or the demon taking its time dealing the final blow. Giyuu won't change his objective until the chance that the slayer can be saved is zero.

Shing

The slayer's body drops, pressure on their skull released as their body falls, caught by a pattern of green and yellow.

Inosuke felt his body being set on the ground as he tried to regain his bearings, feeling the cold forest floor beneath his back and palms while blood dripped down his mother's mask. He couldn't stop his body from shaking despite having been released from the crushing grip. But his eyes were finally able to focus on the figure before him, green and yellow clashing with red across another person's back, in between Inosuke and the demon. There's a sword in the person's hands, a much deeper blue than Inosuke's.

He pushes himself up to rest his weight on his arms, core trembling as the muscles tense to help keep his body from crashing back to the ground. Inosuke watches as the demon's arm regenerates after howling in pain. Its prey has changed, and Inosuke knows that he isn't being considered a threat anymore. No. The human in front of him has taken his place, not flinching or moving at all as the demon roars and charges forward.

Inosuke's knuckles turn white as his grip on the grass beneath his hands tightens. He shouldn't be scared, but all he can think about is Ponjiro yelling at him to stay alive. Had he almost died? His head can still feel the phantom crushing feelings, bearing down as blood spilled from his nose, mouth, and ears.

But the human before him had sliced through the demon's arm so quickly. Santaro hadn't been able to cut it, but neither had Inosuke, and Inosuke is Lord of the Mountains! Who is the human, now raising its sword, standing between him and the predator who had almost killed him?

Blue eyes finally face Inosuke's direction, not turning around as the massive demon's head hits the floor, followed by its limbs, all of which had been sliced through in the blink of an eye.

H-Holy crap!

Inosuke has finally gotten to his knees, green eyes wide with awe beneath his mask.

I-I've never seen anyone... as incredible as this guy!

The demon's body disintegrates behind the man's back, while Inosuke raises his hand to his mask.

He's head and shoulders above the rest!

The slayer slides his sword back into its sheath, feet approaching Inosuke as his eyes finally make contact with the boar mask. Inosuke had finally gotten to his feet, still staring in awe at the slayer wearing the weird haori, not caring about the injury to his head or cuts across the rest of his body. He's even abandoned his swords to the forest floor, too eager to fight the man in front of him. If he can beat the man who beat the demon, it'll prove he's the strongest!

"Fight me!" Inosuke yells, legs shaking from the effort of keeping himself upright. "You beat that Kizuki! And now I'm gonna beat you! That's how it works!" He doesn't pay attention to the slayer's actions as he shouts, eyes no longer focused on the reality before him, as his imagination runs wild. He sees himself standing strong over the bowing figure of the slayer with the weird haori, announcing himself as the strongest on the mountain.

Giyuu watches the younger slayer vibrate in place despite surely being heavily injured. It would only injure the younger one further if they were to fight. And the demon was not one of the twelve kizuki. Giyuu can't think of where the kid might have gotten that idea. But this is one of the Mizunoto that were traveling with Tanjiro.

Thinking quickly, Giyuu continues to approach the still shouting boar-headed slayer. He doesn't have time to treat their injuries, since Tanjiro and the other Mizunoto are still unaccounted for, and the presence of demons on the mountain hasn't disappeared. He wishes he could see under the kid's mask, but he doesn't know if attempting to take it off will cause more problems. Kocho is already on the mountain, and a team of kakushi should be joining them shortly, following the path set by the Hashira.

"You need more training..." Giyuu finally says, hands reaching into his pockets to pull out the rope he normally uses to contain demons he delivers for final selection. "That thing doesn't even compare to an actual Kizuki. You couldn't figure that out?" Had the slayer's cultivator not taught them about the markers to identify the different-ranked Kizuki? Urokodaki hadn't necessarily taught him and Sabito, but Giyuu had learned very quickly after Final Selection. Does he need to inform the Master that there is a lack of information being passed on to new recruits?

His words provoke the injured slayer, unknowingly drawing him out of his daydreaming.

"Sure, I can!" Tanjro's companion yells, pointing accusingly at Giyuu, backtracking from their earlier statement. "I never thought that dumbass was a Kizuki! Tanjiro was the one who said it was a Kizuki! All I did was repeat what he said, got it!?"

Tightening the last knot, Giyuu's brain feels a rush of anxiety that reaches to tie a similar knot in his stomach. Tanjiro said the demon was a Kizuki? His sense of smell is similar to Urokodaki's. He should have been able to tell the strength of the demon. Unless... Unless the mountain is coated in the scent of a Kizuki-level demon, drowning out Tanjiro's ability to clearly tell which demon was truly a Kizuki.

And if Tanjiro was around to tell his companion that there was a demon strong enough to be a Kizuki on the mountain... where is he now? Tanjiro isn't the kind of person to leave their comrade fighting alone, so he's either somewhere else, too injured to move, or... dead.

Clapping his hands together to snap himself out of his thoughts, Giyuu turns his back on the slayer now dangling from a tree. It shouldn't be tight enough to exacerbate any existing injuries, but it'll keep the slayer from running around and possibly getting himself into more trouble.

"Hey! Wait! Get back here!" Giyuu ignores the kid's shouting, content to leave him hanging while searching for Tanjiro.

Inosuke struggles to release himself so he can chase after the retreating back of green, yellow, and red. He can't let the other man escape from the Lord of the Mountain! How dare he tie him up like this!

Damn it! He's so cool!

...

Tanjiro is surrounded by a sprigling circle of red. He's so tired, and he can feel the weight of his injuries preventing him from getting back up. But he has to keep moving. He can't panic!

He gasps in pain when the red strings tear into his skin, ripping his haori and flesh apart. He just barely avoids having his hand cut off and his body split in two as a dark blue blade slices through the red threads surrounding his body.

Is that... Zenitsu?

The burgundy-haired boy can't sense anything anymore. His body aches, and his arms refuse to move. He couldn't have even moved to try to protect himself from the attacking threads.

"You did a good job holding out until I got here."

Giyuu

Giyuu's here. Tanjiro's shoulders slump in relief, fingers still itching to grab his sword and help the man who had apparently just saved him from being cut into pieces like the slayer from earlier.

"Leave the rest to me." Tanjiro's dark red eyes stare in awe, unknowingly paralleling Inosuke's green eyes earlier.

The Water Hashira is standing between him and Lower Five, just far enough that Tanjiro has to crane his neck painfully to look over his shoulder to make sure the older man is real. That he didn't die when Lower Five attacked.

But he's real. And he's here. And Tanjiro knows that there is still a demon standing, demanding he hand over his sister and his life. But Giyuu is here. Giyuu protected him, saved him, and Nezuko twice now. If the demon wasn't still standing there, seething in rage, Tanjiro would have cried in relief.

"You people are like an endless stream," Lower Five rages, words coming out like harsh steam through his mouth. Over his shoulder, Tanjiro can see the demon's shoulders shake in anger, and Giyuu is just standing there, not doing anything, still standing between the Kizuki and the Kamados. "-of lowlifes getting in my way!"

"Giyuu-san!" Tanjiro yells, eyes widening as he watches the demon prepare its blood demon art again, spiraling red threads collecting in the palms of the Kizuki's hands, expanding to surround the young-looking demon in a sphere of bloody threads.

"Cutting-web Mandala!"

"Water Breathing... Eleventh Form: Lull..."

Tanjiro doesn't know what's going on. Giyuu is still standing in place, not moving a muscle, though he still holds his sword. He has to dodge! Will he weather the attack to protect Tanjiro? The younger water-breather doesn't want to watch Giyuu die. He has to move!

But what did the man say about an eleventh form?

Bracing himself, Tanjiro tried to lift himself up yet again, desperate to stand and fight again. Why wasn't Giyuu moving?

"Who gives a damn about your eleventh form!" Tanjiro hears the demon yell again, webs pulsing forward to strike down the Water Hashira and the prone slayer behind him.

"Giyuu-" Tanjiro's voice breaks, watching in astonishment as the approaching threads fall. When they're not aiming to destroy, they almost resemble the threads his mother would use when patching their clothes back home. Harmless.

The Water Hashira's sword lowers till the tip nearly touches the ground, shredded threads falling towards the earth.

"That's impossible!" Lower Five outcries, holding his bloody hands in another attempt to aim an attack at the new arrival. "One more shot!"

But between one blink and reopening his eyes, his head is cut from his neck. He hadn't even seen the slayer move. He hadn't heard anything other than the sound of the man's sword slicing through the air afterwards.

Tanjiro's chest heaved, every muscle trembling as he watched Giyuu finally move. The Water Hashira's controlled movements proved just how far Tanjiro had to go to become stronger. The demon that he had struggled for so long against was defeated so easily by Giyuu. And if Tanjiro hadn't been there, been injured, he fully believes that Giyuu would have decapitated the demon within seconds of arriving. But the older slayer had made sure to protect Tanjiro and Nezuko first.

Nezuko!

Dark red eyes turn back towards the figure lying feet away, confident that Giyuu had the demon handled now. Nezuko's eyes are closed, and her clothes are coated in blood. The muzzle that Giyuu had tied around her head years ago is still intact, and slight puffs of breath escape the space around it. Tanjiro pulled his broken body across the ground, desperate to get to his sister, to cover her with his own body as a way to protect her from anything else on the mountain that would try to hurt her.

It hurts, injuries dragging across rough dirt and stones, blood staining scarred skin. But he doesn't stop trying to move. Giyuu is here, so Tanjiro can finally fully focus on Nezuko. He can't let the demon take her. Force a familial bond with her against her will. You can't force family!

Covering Nezuko's body with his torso, cradling her head in his hands, Tanjiro sees a flash of a red tengu mask and two sets of blue eyes, one a light cyan, and the other deep as the bottom of an endless river. Family isn't forced.

Memories of his siblings, their laughter and smiles running through his mind. Even the times that were rough, where they might not have listened the first time, or got hurt doing something they shouldn't have. Tanjiro wouldn't have had it any other way. His family was perfect the way they were, and the thought of forcing them to become perfect like how Lower Five treated the demon he called 'sister', made Tanjiro sick.

Calloused hands tighten slightly around Nezuko's head. Even the bonds Tanjiro found himself building with others weren't forced. Urokodaki-sensei had taken him and Nezuko in, despite the latter being a demon. He had fed them and housed them, and prepared Tanjiro as best he could for a future as a demon slayer. Muichiro could be rude, but Tanjiro had never encountered someone so similar to Takeo before. Someone so bold in their love for their older sibling. Muichiro-san had smelled like Takeo did when he followed Tanjiro around to help with chores.

Inosuke and Zenitsu were unique, nothing like anyone Tanjiro had ever met before. They were both loud and had strong personalities, with appearances that easily set them apart from everyday citizens. But Zenitsu had protected Nezuko with his body, despite knowing the girl was a demon, choosing to trust Tanjiro based on their first meeting alone. And Inosuke, while brash and prideful, worked with Tanjiro to defeat the first demon they encountered on this mountain, putting aside his own ego to toss Tanjiro in the direction of the web-controlling demoness.

And Giyuu... He's the one who took a risk, letting Nezuko live that fateful night. He helped bury their family, cleaned them, and laid them down so gently it almost seemed like he was simply tucking the little ones in to bed. If it weren't for Giyuu's kindness, Tanjiro would have had to bury his family alone, cleaned their bodies of blood and tears while trying to hold back his own. Giyuu gave him and Nezuko a chance to say goodbye properly, without adding additional grief and pain on top.

The Water Hashira accompanied them to Mount Sagiri, using his own money to pay for food and lodging, and choosing to stay despite the possibility that there could have been other, more important, things for the Hashira to focus on. But he chose to stay with them until they were safely with Urokodaki.

Giyuu never forced himself on them; he didn't bury their family before the siblings could say goodbye, he didn't interrupt their fight at the shrine, and he didn't treat Tanjiro like a baby when he began his training with Urokodaki. The ocean-eyed man had visited a few times, bringing Muichiro along with him. Still, he had never interrupted Tanjiro's training, even going so far as to make it more difficult by throwing rocks at his feet when he was practicing his katas, or throwing the boy over his shoulder when he finally accepted Tanjiro's requests for a spar.

Looking back over his shoulder, a bit easier now that he was propped on his sister's torso, he watched the demon's head slowly slip off its mount. The arms, previously outstretched to aim an attack at the Water Hashira, now aimlessly reached forward, pulling the rest of the headless body with them, towards the sibilngs that represented so much.

Red particles peeled off the demon's skin, floating in the air as the body began to separate from the world as it should have years prior.

Giyuu watched with dull blue eyes as the demon's body staggered. The body was already disappearing, so there wasn't anything it could do to hurt the Kamados or Giyuu. It wouldn't make it to where the siblings had collapsed before its body finally gave way to nothingness.

And sure enough, the demon's crumbling body collapsed, legs no longer strong enough to hold the weight of the upper body.

The Water Hashira took a few steps closer, but kept his distance. Something in his gut told him not to let his guard down yet, even though the demon he had just beheaded had been the presence he and Kocho had sensed earlier.

Watching the demon's hand desperately reach out for the Kamado sibilngs, Giyuu felt a tinge of pity, or maybe sympathy. He remembers what Tanjiro had told him about the demon that murdered Sabito, about how it smelled sad and terrified as its body disintegrated, of how the younger had held its hand, praying for a peaceful reincarnation after the demon atoned in hell.

Lower Five looked so young, as though Kibutsuji had turned him when he was just a boy. They would never know the circumstances for the boy's transformation, and he had most definitely killed countless humans, but Giyuu felt sorry for the demon. A feeling that was beyond foreign, since most, if not all, of the demons he fought and defeated had acted nothing like the humans they had once been, beyond cursing him and begging him to spare them despite the blood staining their mouths. But this demon... he seemed so young. Too young. But Giyuu couldn't spare him. He had been able to spare Nezuko because she hadn't eaten a human, and he staked his life on that bet.

But he couldn't do the same for Lower Five, no matter how young the demon appeared to be. Kibutsuji is evil, caring nothing for the age of the humans he turns, forcing them to become flesh-eating monsters.

Still...

Giyuu watches as the demon's hand falters, just as it about reaches the siblings, falling uselessly next to Nezuko's outstretched arm. And it doesn't surprise him when tears start to well up in Tanjiro's eyes, nor when the boy's hand reaches out to rest against the demon's back. Tanjiro was too kind.

He can only hope the young demon finds peace in his next life. That his family is waiting for him, just as he hopes Tsutako and Sabito will be waiting for him.

Eventually, all that's left of the demon is the white, oversized kimono lying on the ground with Tanjiro's hand still resting atop.

Carefully, Giyuu steps around the clothing, standing next to the Kamados, who are still on the ground, one awake but bleeding, and the other sleeping soundly in the protective arms of her brother. He knows the time to announce Nezuko's existence is here... no matter how much he wishes he could postpone. There are likely teams of kakushi scouring the mountain now that the demonic presences are all gone, searching for survivors and corpses to bury.

Tanjiro and the boar-headed kid were both heavily injured, and Giyuu doesn't have the medical knowledge to treat them to the fullest. Urokodaki made sure to teach him and Sabito basic field medicine, enough to keep them alive until they could receive proper treatment, but that wouldn't suffice for the number of injuries Giyuu could already see, not to mention the injuries hidden beneath the surface.

And the medic on site is...

"Oh my?"

Kocho Shinobu's unique blade sparks against Giyuu's; her attack's momentum requires her to flip overhead and land meters away from where Giyuu now kneels next to the Kamados.

"For whatever reason, could you be getting in my way, Tomioka-san?" Giyuu doesn't answer. "Weren't you the one who told me man and demon could never become friends?" The Insect Hashira's purple eyes bore into Giyuu as she continued speaking. "This is why nobody likes you, y'know." Her stinger blade points directly at the kneeling Hashira, a silent demand that he move and allow the Insect Hashira to dispatch of the demon the boy behind him is protecting with his body.

Tanjiro watches, surprised to see another demon slayer. She obviously knows Giyuu-san, even though she doesn't seem the happiest at the moment... But Giyuu is still protecting them, holding a hand out to extend more protection around the siblings. The female slayer kept talking while Tanjiro watched, unable to move.

"Now, now, Tomioka-san, please move out of the way."

"I'm not..." Tanjiro's eyes flicker up to Giyuu, "I'm not disliked by people."

"Ah, I apologize. You have yet to realize what people think of you, huh?" Kocho says, in an apologetic tone that sounds fake to even Tanjiro's ears. He has seen firsthand how Giyuu isn't disliked by everyone. Urokodaki-sensei always smelled fond when Giyuu visited, much like Tanjiro's parents did when Tanjiro returned from chores or had learned something new. And Muichiro-san had been extremely proud of Giyuu, praising the man's achievements and kindness while tearing Tanjiro apart during their spars.

"Little boy," the butterfly-clipped lady calls. Tanjiro looks back at her, realizing he almost recognizes the clip in her hair. It's similar to one he received from the girls who sent presents occasionally, Sumi, Naho, and Kiyo had claimed Giyuu as their big brother, calling Tanjiro their other older brother, since he had become Giyuu's siblings through a training bond... So that's another set of people who don't dislike Giyuu. Is the female slayer mistaking the kind man for someone else?

"Yes?!"

"You're protecting a demon there." She says, holding a hand next to her face as though she's sharing a secret with him. "I don't want to hurt you, so please get out of the way."

Tanjiro forces himself to sit up, still holding Nezuko close to his chest. "She's my little sister, so... You see..." He sees the female slayer cover her mouth, and Tanjiro almost thinks she understands, like Giyuu did two years ago, until she speaks again.

"Is that right? Poor thing..." Her face breaks into a smile that feels so out of place. "I shall use a gentle toxin to kill her, so she won't suffer, all right?" Tanjiro doesn't know what to do. It hurt to even sit up How can he hope to keep Nezuko safe from a slayer who is determined to kill her in front of Tanjiro's eyes?

"Can you move?" How had Tanjiro forgotten? Giyuu is still between them, his arm now holding Nezuko's shoulder as he continues to kneel before them. "If you can't, force yourself to. Take your sister and make a run for it."

"Giyuu-san..." He can't hesitate. He has to trust Giyuu. "Sorry for the trouble!" Tanjiro stands up, holding Nezuko securely in his arms, running away behind a shield of green, yellow, and red.

...

Kanao loves Giyuu. She also loves her big sister and now teacher.

After passing Final Selection, she admitted to Shinobu that she had been training for years to become a demon slayer, just like her and Kanae. She remembers watching Kanae train in the yard of the Butterfly Estate, beautiful movements containing unexpected strength as she bore down on training dummies and sparing partners. Back then, she had tried to secretly copy the older girl's movements with a stolen wooden practice sword, clumsily tripping over her own feet until she was able to move through the Flower-Breathing forms without stumbling. She didn't have the courage to ask for proper training at the time.

But after Kanae died, and Shinobu changed, Kanao's coin gave her permission to finally ask, heartbroken from the loss of one of the most important people in her life. Shinobu had seemed convinced that Kanao didn't want to train and become a slayer of her own will, politely discouraging her from pursuing a breathing-style. It had been odd to see a reflection of Kanae's smile on Shinobu's normally so expressive face.

Kanao wanted to learn, though. She didn't want to stay in the safety of the Butterfly Estate forever. She wanted to fight against the demons that had taken Kanae from her. That took the lives of slayers that had once recovered in their halls, never to come back, despite the kindness they showed her and the other girls providing treatment. Demons cared nothing for the goodness inside people's hearts.

And Giyuu-san was good. He hadn't refused to train her like Shinobu's words had made Kanao think he would. Her sister had described the man as cold and unfeeling, unsociable in the worst ways. But when the other Butterfly attendants took her to the Water Estate, insistent that she at least try to ask for training, she had been surprised.

The Water Hashira had never received treatment at the Butterfly Mansion, so she didn't truly know his character. But she hadn't thought anyone could be as nice and kind as Giyuu-san turned out to be. It reminded her of Kanae, if Kanae had been more broken like Kanao.

Giyuu-san had been a Hashira alongside Kanae, and he utilized Water Breathing. So Kanao shouldn't have been surprised when the man's quiet advice and corrections helped her improve more than her own secret training. It was nice to have an open area to train in, where she didn't worry about Shinobu finding her and kindly discouraging her from continuing. Giyuu-san didn't discourage her.

But Kanao still loved Shinobu. She knew her sister worried about her ability to truly make decisions. But becoming a demon slayer is something Kanao truly wants to do. She had prayed when she flipped her coin, begging it to land heads-up, giving her internal validation to train and take on Final Selection.

So after she passed, she flipped her coin again and made a decision to tell Shinobu and ask her to become her student, finally. Kanao had considered asking Giyuu-san, but Shinobu had been Kanae's tsuguko, and Kanao wanted to be a part of their lineage.

But now... she feels conflicted. She recognizes Tanjiro from the description Giyuu-san had given when his teacher sent updates about the boy's training. The green-checkered haori was noticeable, even in the dark of Mount Natagumo, and his burgundy hair and red eyes stood out as well. But he's holding a demon. And demons need to be defeated.

Does Giyuu-san know about the demon?

She doesn't think about it too hard as she jumps on Tanjiro's back, her feet kicking off the box he's awkwardly toting. At the unexpected weight, Tanjiro falls forward, and the demon goes flying forward, hitting the ground with its hair spread around it like a halo.

But as she stands above the fallen demon, Tanjiro lies out behind her, Kanao hesitates. Kanae's wish for them to find a way to get along with demons, still dispatching those that murdered innocents, but searching for a way to find hope that the war wouldn't stretch on forever. That maybe, just maybe, there might be demons out there that aren't completely evil and under Kibutsuji's control. Kanae had sympathized with demons, believing that not all of them chose to become monsters. It's why she tried to give them peaceful deaths, where they would still atone for their sins in hell, but their deaths on this plane would be as peaceful as possible.

If Giyuu-san knew about this demon... should she wait before killing it? Shinobu would tell her to dispatch it immediately. But... Would Kanae agree? Would Kanae want her to wait? Let the demon attack first? See what Giyuu-san had to say about its existence?

During her moment of hesitation, the demon opened its eyes, bright pink orbs staring at the female slayer, watching as Tanjiro's hand reached out, grabbed the girl's cloak, and pulled her back, making her fall on his back.

"Run, Nezuko!" Tanjiro desperately orders as the demon girl gets onto her feet. "Run! Make a run for it! Don't get caught, no matter what! Hurry-"

Kanao's foot whacks Tanjiro in the head. She hadn't even raised her sword against the demon, and now it's running from her. Though she hadn't seen any trace of aggression in its posture. But it would be simpler to handle this situation if Tanjiro weren't awake. Giyuu-san had told her and the others that sometimes you have to handle things one obstacle at a time...

And she can't let the demon out of her sight. Tanjiro will be fine, but if the demon manages to find a human and hurt it while she deals with him... Kanao internally shakes her head, stepping off Tanjiro's back to begin running after the fleeing demon.

If she can cut off its legs, maybe it won't regenerate fast enough to continue fleeing, and she'll be able to wait for her master or Giyuu-san to appear and make the decision. But as she went to strike, the demon shrank, hopping over where she had aimed to slice through the demon's legs.

She shrank and turned into a child?

The demon continued to flee, pink kimono trailing against the ground and following the demon into the air as it jumped over tree roots and uneven terrain.

All it does is run away. It's not even attacking me...

Does Giyuu-san already know?

"Message! Message!" A crow's call interrupts Kanao and the demons' game of cat and mouse. "Tanjiro and the demon, Nezuko, are to be taken back to headquarters alive!"

"Are... you Nezuko?" Kanao asks, leaning into the demon's personal space. It still hadn't attacked, though Kanao should probably start referring to the demon as a she, since the crows referred to Nezuko as though she were just a girl...

A part of her heart is relieved when she hears the orders. She doesn't have to make a decision that could hurt Giyuu-san or her big sister...

...

When Giyuu hears the announcement that Tanjiro and Nezuko are to be brought back to headquarters alive, he feels a sense of relief. But after his initial solace, he feels another pit of anxiety open up, knowing that the next few hours will be filled with having to deal with the Hashira, defending his decision to let Nezuko live. The Master already knows of Nezuko's existence, so Giyuu can only pray that the Hashira will be patient and wait for the Master's decision.

As he walks back with Kocho, the rising sun's heat warms on their backs. At the same time, Kanao and a group of kakushi carrying Nezuko's box and Tanjiro's injured body behind them, Giyuu keeps his face calm, in contradiction to the storm overtaking his heart.

...

"Why are we here again?" Muichiro asks, standing between Himejima and Rengoku. The three had been the first to arrive at the Master's estate after receiving the emergency summons. The Mist Hashira had returned to the Water Estate before the sun rose, ready to shed his uniform to change into the soft yukata waiting in his chest of clothing. But before he could unbutton his first gold button, Ginko had flown through the open shogi door, announcing his presence was requested at the Master's estate. He thinks she mentioned the reason for the meeting, but he's so tired he can't remember. Muichiro just wanted Giyuu to return from his mission and brush his hair while he fell asleep.

But alas, he made his way with Ginko's guidance to the Master's estate.

And now, he's been standing far too long. He wonders if the Master would mind if he took a nap on the engawa or in the grass while they wait. He glances towards the garden's gates, where the monkey man had just walked through, hoping that Giyuu would be the next one to enter. If he could nap with the man as his pillow, he thinks he'll be able to handle today's meeting.

But after the monkey, the wildcat with mismatching eyes enters, perching in the nearby tree. Muichiro looks away, knowing the snake guy isn't nice to Giyuu, so he doesn't want to give him any attention if he doesn't have to, even if it means he can't look at that section of clouds.

Next, the pink lady with the pretty hair walks through the gates, running up to him and holding his hands as she enthusiastically greets him, not minding that he doesn't remember her name when he responds with a simple "hello."

"-Tomioka-"

"Giyuu?" Muichiro interrupts, pulled from his cloudgazing at the mention of his favorite person. The tall man... Himejima-san... is speaking, though Muichiro can't remember if he asked a question or not.

"Ah, yes! I believe the meeting involves Tomioka! My crow mentioned a demon being brought to headquarters as well!"

Giyuu? And a demon? Oh...

"You mean Nezuko?"

The Hashira near Muichiro look at the boy in shock. He barely remembers their names on good days. How does he know the name of a random demon? Not to mention the demon being brought to headquarters? Infiltrating the safety of the Ubuyashiki estate and putting the Master and his family at risk.

Himejima speaks first, the others still staring at the youngest in disbelief. "You know this demon, young Tokito?"

"Hmm..." Muichiro nods, cyan eyes surprisingly clear for once as he looks back at Himejima. "Giyuu introduced her... She's... different."

"Different?" Another voice joins, walking into the garden by a less direct path around the estate's walls. "Tomioka-san hasn't been very open about why he prevented me from dispatching this demon, but it seems you know a bit about it, Tokito-kuuuun."

Muichiro grimaces slightly as he recognizes the butterfly clip. He knows it's not one of the girls', so it must be the annoying one.

But his expression brightens when he sees the man who walks in behind her. He would recognize the deep blue eyes anywhere. Swiftly, Muichiro leaves his current companions so that he can walk beside Giyuu, leaning subtly into the man's personal space. He completely ignores the prodding purple eyes now focused on his person. She's rude to Giyuu... She can suck his -

"Kocho-san!" The fiery-haired man shouts. "Young Tokito was just about to tell us what he knows about the demon called Nezuko!"

"I see! Please continue then."

But Muichiro is done. Giyuu's here, so he's going to try to get his nap.

Rapid footsteps in the gravel announce the approach of another person, frustrating Muichiro even more as Giyuu's attention is pulled in that direction instead of the Mist Hashira's cyan eyes.

"A-a-apologies!" A man in an all-black uniform, including a black face covering, deeply bows. On his shoulder, there is a boy... Oh. Tanjiro is here.

The kakushi drops Tanjiro's body to the ground, letting the boy's injuries hit the gravel without any effort to soften the blow.

Muichiro's eyes narrow.

"Are you stupid?" He asks, eyes glaring at the kakushi, who has now frozen in fear despite the Hashira scolding him for being much younger than him. "Can't you see he's hurt?" Tanjiro's face is covered in cuts, and there's blood bleeding through his uniform.

"I-I, uh...." The man stammers, eyes flickering to the other Hashira, searching for assistance. But when his eyes land on the Water Hashira, he almost forgets how to breathe. The man had moved faster than he could blink, appearing next to the boy he had so callously dropped to the ground. The Water Hashira's eyes were like a blade's edge, a calm surface of a river turned to steel.

"Where's Nezuko?" The terrifying man asks, cold eyes burning holes into the kakushi.

"I-uh -I-don't-"

"Ne-Nezuko?" A tired voice mumbles, dark eyes fluttering open, taking in his surroundings. "Giyuu...-san..." He says, seeing the blue-eyed man first, then the kakushi still standing above him. "Wh-where's... Nezuko?"

"Oi, oi!" Uzui's voice calls out, loud, yet not pulling the Water and Mists' eyes from the frozen Kakushi. "I heard this was a slayer with a demon in tow, so I was expecting someone flashy, but... He looks like your average passerby.

"Indeed!" Rengoku agrees, "And now, we'll put this boy on trial!"

"Wh-Who are those-" Tanjiro's question is cut off when the kakushi pushes his face into the gravel, forgetting about the twin glares throwing daggers at him.

"Don't open your mouth yet, you-eek!" The Kakushi scambles backwards, hands searching for purchase in the gravel as his face burns. The Mist Hashira had just thrown a rock at him! And it hurt!

"Shut up." The youngest Hashira says, his tone icy as he turns back towards the Hashira who had just spoken. "Who said this was a trial? Is that guy's," he points over his shoulder to the kakushi," stupidity contagious?"

Flame head seems thrown for a loop. He knows Tokito-kun can be abrasive and aloof, but the boy had never actually called him stupid before. Rengoku can't help but think back to a few months ago when he tried to invite Tomioka out for lunch to get to know the man better. There were so many layers, he realized he hadn't discovered the Water Hashira, yet Tokito-kun had refused to let him finish his request. Nevertheless!

"It's well within our rights to handle him! We shall behead him alongside the demon!"

Tanjiro and Giyuu aren't paying attention, though. Muichiro is more than enough to prevent the Hashira from getting close to Tanjiro should any of them choose to take drastic action.

"Nezuko?" Tanjiro whispers, looking into Giyuu's eyes. "Where's Nezuko? And Zenitsu? And Inosuke? Are they okay?" His panic diminishes when he sees Giyuu nod his head. Even if it isn't verbally, he trusts Giyuu-san's nod to mean that his friends and sister are safe and alive.

"Let's put him out of his misery."

"Yeah! Let's do it! Full of flashiness!"

"Forget that. What will we do with Tomioka and Tokito?" Another voice from above speaks out. Tanjiro's eyes finally leave Giyuu's face, noticing the man lounging in the tree further in the garden. He has a snake wrapped around his neck and a striped haori of black and white. His eyes are interesting as well! "Seeing him just standing there unrestrained is making me want to hurl. Based on what Kocho and Tokito told us, Tomioka is just as guilty. How should we hold them accountable?" The man's pale finger points at Giyuu, who is still kneeling next to Tanjiro, expression unreadable.

Because of me, Giyuu-san...

"Oh, what's the harm. He did come along with no problems." The insect rejoins, now standing in line with the other Hashira. "Let's come up with a punishment later."

"Can't you be quiet..." Muichiro cuts in. Still standing protectively between the Hashira and Giyuu.

"Ara, Tokito-kun... That's quite rude."

"Hmm..."

"I would like to know Kamado-kun's reason for traveling with a demon as a Demon Slayer. Would you let me ask, Tokito-kun?" Shinobu takes a step forward, ignoring the other Hashira as they continue to insist that the boy immediately be put to death. She doesn't actually hate Tomioka, and she can't ignore Kanao's earlier request...

Sh-Shihan... I... I think... I think we should give Tanjiro and Nezuko a chance... Kanae...

"She's... She's my little-" Tanjiro's raised voice breaks into hacking coughs. Whispering had been fine, but answering the Insect Hashira's questions was pushing his dry throat too far.

"I do believe you need some water," Kocho said, bringing out a small gourd while strolling past Muichiro and kneeling next to Giyuu. She presses the gourd to Tanjiro's face, letting him latch on before speaking again. "You've sustained heavy injuries to your jaw, so please drink slowly." Then she turns to Giyuu. "I've mixed in a painkiller, so he'll feel better soon."

Tanjiro coughs again after drinking the offered water. Looking back to Giyuu for reassurance, he received a stiff nod before continuing what he was about to say earlier. "She's my little sister! While I was out, a demon attacked my family. By the time I got home, everyone was dead! My sister was turned into a demon, but she's never eaten anyone!" The boy takes a deep breath. "She never has, and never will!"

"Spare us your absurd ravings." Tree man says. "It's no wonder you're defending it if it's a family member. We can't trust a single word you're saying."

"I became a swordsman to cure Nezuko!" Tanjiro argues, desperate to protect his sister, even if he only has words at his disposal. He's glad to have Giyuu and Muichiro here. Or at least he would be if Muichiro hadn't started walking away, feet not making any sound as he walked on the gravel. But he still has to try, "It's been two years since Nezuko became a demon! And in all that time, she hasn't eaten a single human!"

Giyuu tries to keep Tanjiro from jostling his injuries, but the boy is too impassioned, desperate to defend his sister's remaining humanity. The Water Hashira would speak up, but... he knows the Hashira won't believe him or listen to his words. He can only hope the Master will appear soon and accept the bet Giyuu has placed. He doesn't care if the other Hashira don't believe him. He's used to not being believed, but he can't let the Kamados die here.

"Your story's spinning in the most unflashy way possible." Uzui chimes in. "Just because she hasn't eaten anyone yet doesn't mean she never will." Giyuu thinks Uzui is forgetting that there has never been a demon recorded to have gone longer than a few days without eating human flesh. And Nezuko has been monitored by a former Hashira for two years. That anomaly should at least earn Nezuko some grace... But the Hashira are not known for being the most patient slayers.

"Excuse me..." Mitsuri finally speaks. As the newest Hashira, she hasn't chosen to speak up in many meetings, allowing more senior corps members to speak before she expresses her own opinion. "I just can't imagine the Master being in the dark about this situation." Her green eyes look between her fellow Hashira. "Do you really think it's okay to deal with him without his permission? Shouldn't we at least wait until he arrives?"

"Oi!" A loud shout echoes, not allowing any of the Hashira to respond to Mitsuri's well-reasoned questions. "Tokito! Give that back!"

Around the corner of the MAster's estate, Tokito appears, carrying a box over his shoulder nonchalantly, while dodging Shinazugawa's attempts to grab it from him.

"No..." Muichiro dodges under Shinazugawa's arching hand.

"Fucking brat! There's a demon in there! Give it!"

"No..."

Rengoku watches the back and forth, mind dragged back to when he attempted to ask Tomioka out to lunch to get to know the man better. There were so many unseen layers to the man that he wanted to peel back. But Tokito had denied his request before it even finished coming out of his mouth. Much like he's rejecting Shinazugawa's attempts to retrieve the demon's box.

When Shinazugawa pulls his blade, Giyuu is the first to stand, hand resting on his own, ready to draw if the angry man attempts to attack Tokito. The rest of the Hashira are also on edge, knowing that Shinazugawa's temper can make him act unreasonably. If he attacks Tokito... that would be another Hashira that broke corps rules.

"Don't look at me like that, you fucker! Exactly what kind of stunt are you trying to pull here!"

From behind the raging man, another kakushi runs from around the building, her voice desperate as she tries to catch her breath. "Please! Tokito-sama, would you mind putting that box down?" But the Mist Hashira just continues to make his way towards Giyuu and Tanjiro, still dodging the Wind Hashira's attempts to swipe the box.

"Shinazugawa, please don't act out of line." Kocho's voice lost its lilt, smile gone as she faces the Wind Hashira, who ignores her completely. His sword aims straight for Nezuko's box to cut through the wood to injure the demon inside. But Tokito avoids the attack yet again.

This time, the youngest Hashira turns around, facing Shinazugawa. "How did you catch the idiot's disease? Injuring her in daylight won't prove anything..."

Shinazugawa growls, eyes red as his anger continues to build. He turns his anger towards the boy lying on the ground. "What did you say about that demon, kid? That she won't eat human blood? That she'll protect humans? You know what we call that?" He readies his sword for another attack, this time preparing to jump over Tokito to get to the box on his back. "A total delusion, you moron!!" The white-haired man jumps, sword pointing towards the ground as he braces it to stab through the top of the stupid box.

But yet again, Tokito dances away, swift feet carrying him closer to Tanjiro and Giyuu and away from Shinazugawa's ire.

Tanjiro, watching his sister come so close to danger, finally loses it, pulling away from Giyu's comforting hold on his shoulder. He pushes himself up until he's standing directly across from the raging man. "Hashira or not, I won't let anyone who tries to hurt Nezuko get away with it!"

"That so?! Good for you!"

"Stop it!" Giyuu shouts, trying to hold the remaining thread of Tanjiro's self-control. "The Master will be arriving soon!" But Tanjiro is running forward, directly towards Shinazugawa. And when the boy manages to dodge a low swipe of Shinazugawa's blade, bringing his head down in a harsh headbutt against the Wind Hashira's skull, Giyuu almost loses his composure.

Muichiro had no qualms about laughing, though. Giggling while traveling the rest of the distance towards Giyuu now that Tanjiro had passed him. He's walking backwards so that he can try to burn the image of Shinazugawa being knocked on his ass into his brain forever. He would hate to forget this moment. Even Mitsui laughs at the scene.

"If you can't even tell the difference between a good demon and a bad demon, you should just quit being a Hashira!" Giyuu and Muichiro are both Hashira, and they know Nezuko is good! That she won't hurt anyone! They believe in her and Tanjiro! Why can't the others see it! She hasn't done anything to deserve to die!

"You little-"

"The Master has arrived." Twin voices speak, interrupting any further chaos.

...

"Please allow Tanjiro to be united with his little sister, a demon. Because of her mental fortitude, Nezuko has not lost her human emotions. Even when she was starving, she never devoured humans, and this remains true to this day, more than two years later. Although the situation seems somewhat far-fetched, it is an indisputable fact."

"In the event that Nezuko does attack a human, Kamado Tanjiro, as well as Urokodaki Sakonji, Tokito Muichiro, and Tomioka Giyuu-" Giyuu snaps his head towards Muichiro. He had never planned on letting the boy add his name to the list in this letter. He had requested that Urokodaki not include him. So why... Why is Muichiro's name next to his?? "-shall atone by committing seppuku."

Giyuu's eyes don't leave Muichiro, who kneels next to him. And Tanjiro's are transfixed on the two Hashira he considered family. Tears fall from the boy's eyes as he realizes how much faith Giyuu and Muichiro have put in him and his sister. For them to put their lives on the line for her right to live, to prove herself. It's a debt he doesn't know how to repay.

"So what if they commit seppuku. If they have a death wish, they can die for all I care. This doesn't guarantee anything. Not by a long shot!"

"Shinazugawa is correct! If she eats a human, we can't reverse that! We can't bring back the dead!"

"You do have a point," the Master concedes. "We can't guarantee that she won't attack humans. We can't prove it." Giyuu keeps his breathing steady, praying that he can request Muichiro's life to be spared. He's just a child. The Master already knew about Nezuko. He won't decide to end her life here... will he?

"That said, we also can't prove that she will attack humans." The Hashira, arguing for the demon's death, look up in surprise, not expecting a counterargument from their Master. "The fact remains that Nezuko has refrained from devouring humans for over two years. Besides that, she has four people willing to risk their very lives for her. Those who reject this notion must offer an even more convincing argument."

"Also, there's something I'd like to relay to you, my children. Tanjiro here has met Kibutsuji."

"No, impossible!" Uzui exclaims. "Even when no Hashira has ever crossed paths with him?" The gathered Hashira turn to look at Tanjiro, now kneeling next to Giyuu and Muichiro at the far end of the line. "You mean this kid... What did he look like? What about his abilities? Where did this take place?"

"Oh, I forgot..." Muichiro speaks before anyone else can ask Tanjiro questions. He reaches a hand out to pat Tanjiro's head. "Congratulations on surviving..."

"You knew about this?!!?" Shinazugawa hollers from the farthest end of the line. "What was Kibutsuji doing?! Did you find his stronghold?!"

But all questions stop when the Master gestures for silence, the Hashira each bowing their heads in respect yet again. "Kibutsuji has sent pursuers after Tanjiro." Giyuu's head snaps towards Tanjiro this time, remembering the sparse details in his letter weeks ago and the panic that had flooded his body. The boy mentioned nothing about Kibutsuji targeting him! "Though the purpose may simply be to silence him, this has also opened him up to your pursuits. I don't want to squander that chance. I also believe that something's happening to Nezuko that Kibutsuji never saw coming. Can you try to understand?"

"No. I can't, Master." Shinazugawa growls. "If it were human, I'd be okay with letting it live, but a demon is a different story! Not after all that we, the Demon Slayers, have gone through in combat! Not after so many people have lost their lives! It's unacceptable!" The Wind Hashira unsheathes his sword yet again, this time raising it to his own arm, drawing blood that begins to fall onto the gravel below. "Oyakata-sama! I will prove it to you myself! The sheer ugliness of a demon!"

"Sanemi..." The Master says softly, standing on the engawa overlooking the Hashira in the courtyard as the Wind Hashira approaches Muichiro yet again.

"Give me the damn box..." Shinazugawa forces out, trying to rein in his anger now that Oyakata-sama is watching.

"No..."

Shinazugawa's eye twitches, and he speaks again, each word sounding like it traveled through a throat of thorns to escape the man's mouth. "Give. Me. The. Damn. Box."

"No. Are you stupid? What is tempting her in the sunlight going to achieve?"

The Wind Hashira, tired of waiting, forces the blood out of his arm and onto the ground in front of the box. "Show us your true colors! And let me obliterate you right here!" He yells.

"Tokito is right." Iguro butts in. "The demon won't show its face unless it's in the shadows."

"Oyakata-sama, please forgive this discourtesy." Shinazugawa finally grabs the box by its strap, pushing Tokito back using his foot when the boy tries to keep the box in his possession. Giyuu clenches his fist, knowing that Tokito isn't injured and that this might be the best way for Nezuko to prove her ability to survive without feeding on human blood. Though he still glares at the Wind Hashira for his brash behavior and checks Muichiro from the corner of his eye, breathing out in relief when the Mist Hashira doesn't attempt to hold onto the box any further, instead choosing to press down on Tanjiro, who had attempted to stand up, as Shinazugawa throws the box inside the Master's estate.

A green blade is plunged into Nezuko's box, eliciting a sharp cry of pain. Giyuu's nails dig into his palms as he keeps himself from leaping after Sanemi and kicking the man away from the box.

"Stop it!" Tanjiro cries out, wriggling in Muichiro's hold.

"Rise and shine, demon!" Shinazugawa says, stabbing through the box yet again, his own blood joining Nezuko's blood in staining the wooden box. "Look, it's the human blood you love so much!"

"Quiet, Tanjiro..." Giyuu whispers, eyes not leaving the scene before them. He has to bear witness to Nezuko's pain; it's his fault she's experiencing it in the first place. "I'm sorry..." The Water Hashira's voice is barely audible, not discernible to anyone except Tanjiro, Muichiro, and himself.

Shinazugawa only stabs the box twice before using his sword to wrench the door open, giving the Hashira front row seats as the demon inside begins to stand up.

Her figure is wobbly, and the wounds from Shinazugawa's sword are visible through her pink haori. However, there was only one entry wound, showing that Shinazugawa did not pierce the entirety of her body with his sword.

Pink eyes glare as drool escapes around the bamboo muzzle, nose leading the girl to stare at the man who had both injured her and smelled of an addictive scent she couldn't turn away from.

"What's the matter, demon?" Shinazugawa provokes, continuing to hold his bleeding arm before Nezuko. "Have a taste! You know you want it."

Blood continued to drip on the tatami mats, both from Shinazugawa's arm and from Nezuko's palm, where her claws dug into her own hands in an attempt to retain her sanity.

It felt like forever that the Wind Hashira and Nezuko stood at a standstill, neither moving as the former attempted to tempt the latter.

All humans are family...

Protect humans...

Humans are to be protected and saved.

Never hurt them.

I must never hurt them...

Nezuko looks at the scarred man before her; nothing about his features is familiar. And as vague memories pass through her head, the tantalizing scent of the blood before her begins to turn sour. So much so that even the thought of having it near her makes her turn her head away.

"What has happened?" The Master asked, after silence overcame the courtyard.

Hinaki answers. "The demon girl turned her head in disgust."

Nichika continues. "Although she'd been stabbed twice by Shinazugawa, and despite his flaunting his bloody arm in her face, she restrained herself and did not bite."

Both girls are happy that Nezuko endured. They love Giyuu and would have grieved the man, as well as Muichiro, if either had been forced to slit their stomachs. They're sure their father, mother, and siblings feel much the same way.

With a gentle smile, their father addresses the Hashira again. "So, with that, it's been proven that Nezuko won't harm any humans, right?" Tanjiro lets out a sigh of relief, echoed by Muichiro and Giyuu, who had both watched the scene play out with relative outward calm. "Tanjiro," The boy turns his face towards the Master, recognizing the curse mark Giyuu and Muichiro had described. "I'm sure that, even after all's said and done, there will still be some who still can't accept Nezuko. You must prove yourselves from this point onward. Prove that both of you can serve as Demon Slayers, and that you have something to offer."

Tanjiro bows his head to the ground, forehead nearly scraping on the gravel with the speed of his movement.

"Go out and defeat one of the Twelve Kizuki. With that, you will be accepted by all. And it will give more weight to your words."

Reenergized by the Master's calming presence and confidence in him and his sister, Tanjiro lifts his head, declaring. "Nezuko and I will defeat Kibutsuji Muzan! We'll give it our all! We'll take him down and put an end to this endless cycle of grief!"

The Master tilts his head and smiles while his daughters watch on. It is comforting and amusing to see their young slayers so confident and ready to take on the world. "As you're ill-equipped to do so right now, let's keep it at taking down a Kizuki for now, all right?"

Tanjiro's face flushes red at the reminder. He hadn't been able to defeat the demon that Giyuu, a Hashira, had so easily cut down. He has to get stronger! He'll prove Nezuko is an asset! That she hasn't lost her humanity!

"Ah... One more thing." The Master turns his attention to the Snake and Wind Hashira. "Sanemi. Obanai. Don't be so harsh on the younglings."

"As you wish..."

...

"Tanjiro... Give Lady Tamayo my regards..."