"You don't have to be so stiff."
Being told to relax by the head of the Demon Slayer Corps will only result in the opposite effect he intends, no matter how calming his voice sounds. Only a directly injected muscle relaxant could help you, now.
"Oh," Ubuyashiki says. "How inconsiderate of me. Anyone would be tense if it were their first time visiting headquarters. I shall endeavour to keep our discussion to the point, then."
If you had a death wish, you would point out your nervousness has everything to do with the ensemble of Pillars glaring holes into your back and nothing to do with being in a foreign environment.
You settle on a quiet "Thank you," and keep your head bowed as you await your judgement. This is your first, and hopefully last, time being thrust into the spotlight. Your fraying nerves won't be able to withstand another similar instance of this.
"It has come to my attention that you have been in the corps for a considerable amount of time. Longer than most Slayers, my pillars notwithstanding." The calculated pause at the end of his sentence bids you to answer.
"As you say, Oyakata-sama."
"And your rank?"
"Tsuchinoto, Oyakata-sama."
There comes a number of disparaging grunts from behind you. You don't react to their scorn. You have already made peace with the fact you've reached your limit.
You can't remember when, but at some point during your career as a Demon Slayer, you noticed that no matter how hard you fought, how much you trained, there were no signs of improvement. Sometimes, the increased training even proved detrimental to your health.
At first, you had been aghast to realize you've reached your body's full potential. In this world, the weak die. Only the strong can thrive, and you desperately wanted to be one of them.
Still, you had to accept the truth. This was as far as you were going to go.
Strangely enough, once you made peace that you would probably never climb higher than the rank of Tsuchinoto, you were paradoxically more confident than you'd ever been. This surety of your limits had allowed you to survive countless skirmishes. Your skill to judge whether a battle should be pursued to the bitter end, or abandoned, has handily saved your life more than a few times.
So, no. You were not ashamed.
Ubuyashiki must sense as much. He makes a satisfied sound that has the Pillar of Love gasping under her breath. "I am happy you survived this long, dear one."
Your chest swells with emotion. You immediately understand why the Pillars have remained intensely loyal to this man despite their tremendous strength. You've suffered under people with power who treat those under them like scum. In your experience, those people never stay in their positions for long.
Ubuyashiki has been the head of the Demon Slayer Corps for as long as you've known, and it already tells you a lot about him than history ever will.
Your head digs deeper into the dirt. "Thank you for your kindness, Oyakata-sama."
"I summoned you here, not to reprimand you." His words soothe some of your fears. So you hadn't broken a rule. "It has just come to my attention that you have yet to collect your pay this past year. It has accumulated into quite a sum, according to my daughters. I can't help but assume that you think your remuneration unsatisfactory?"
"This humble one can offer an explanation." You should have seen this coming. Demon Slayers are constantly travelling, it makes sense for him to be suspicious given how long you've operated without a constant source of funds. "I was schooled in the ways of trade, and by combining their teachings with the generous remuneration you provided, I turned enough profit to sustain me for the rest of this year's duties."
You continue, "I deemed it greedy to hoard more money, and thus left it untouched. I believe the organization would benefit to have more capital to provide for any incoming Demon Slayers. Please accept my sincere apologies for not communicating this earlier."
You hope you didn't come off as patronizing or sleazy. You've had to assume many faces, as merchants would, and it has had an adverse effect on the way you communicate.
The few friends you keep in touch with have said how overbearing you become, at the idea of there being money to be made. Undoubtedly, this is something passed down by your parents.
"Ah, so that's what it was!" You don't know if you're less nervous, or if Ubuyashiki's delight is infectious, but the intense stares on your back have lessened. "I'm delighted by your efforts to support the Demon Slayers Corps. I will consider your advice, should you have any, on how better to earn profit given how reliant we are on my existing family trades. Our war with the demons is far from complete and it will pay to be prepared, seeing as government funding is woefully absent."
The glares on your back turn into daggers, piercing deeply enough that your skin itches.
Are they jealous at your praise, annoyed at the lack of attention, or angry that you've reminded Ubuyashiki of his organization's status?
A bead of sweat rolls down the side of your face. The Pillars are certainly hard to please…
"Pardon me for speaking, Oyakata-sama." A gentle voice draws your attention, sounding neither overbearing nor boastful. "Perhaps it might be wise to consult this Tsuchinoto about our plans regarding the distribution of medicine. Despite our meticulous planning, drawing on already tested trade knowledge might help us identify pitfalls we did not account for."
You've heard the insect pillar wears a perpetual smile on her face. It never wavers, even in the face of danger. Rumours say it accentuates her striking beauty and softens her delicate features. Fellow Demon Slayers have not been quiet about their daydreams to pursue her.
"Indeed, that sounds like a good idea." Ubuyashiki nods. "Both of you can do as you see fit."
When you're all given the permission to rise, you turn to the insect pillar, Shinobu Kocho, and bow respectfully. "Pleased to meet you, Lady Kocho. I will be in your care."
You take this opportunity to observe her, your first time seeing her in person. Rumours did not exaggerate when they described her as the goddess of healing to humans and the siren of death to demons. She carries an air of danger that alludes to her dangerous intellect and lethal poisons, and you wonder if your brothers-in-arms have cotton for brains.
How was this woman a damsel in need of protection?
"My, you're polite." Shinobu nods, pleased by your manners. "I hope our collaboration will be a fruitful one." She spins on her heel, butterfly sleeves aflutter. "Now, follow me. I'll be taking you to the Butterfly House to get you acquainted with the place with before we can begin with our discussion."
You're relieved by her professionalism. "Of course, Lady Kocho."
"Shinobu-san is fine. It won't do to use that title when we're supposed to be working together as equals."
"Understood, Shinobu-san."
"That's better." Shinobu's eyes crinkle as she laughs. "I look forward to working with you."
AN:
I've fully accepted my fate of forever falling in love with Onee-san type characters who are not popular enough to have pages and pages of fanfiction written for them. No one can stop me from loving them!
No update schedule for this. You can expect a mix of original plot events + a mix of anime and manga plot when I get to reading it. I initially planned to wrap this up by the end of march but with how large this story is getting, it probably won't end so soon.
**SPOILER**
I also already know what happens to Shinobu in the manga because I googled her name. This universe is cruel, but that's why fanfiction exists.