Disclaimer:I do not own any of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba characters/properties and I am not attempting to say I do while making this fictional, and fan-made, story. They are owned by Koyaharu Gotouge, Shonen Jump Comics, Ufotable, VIZ Media, Aniplex of America, and any other party(ies) associated with the official release of this series.
The character Aiya, as well as the seamstresses and other various people, are of my creation. Any resemblance to these characters (real or fictitious), be it by name, appearance or characteristics is purely coincidental.
Chapter Rating: Teen
Chapter Warning(s): Fear of death, slight blood.
Manga Spoilers: N/A
Chapter Terminology:
Engawa: A edging strip of non-tatami-matted flooring, usually wood or bamboo. It may run around the rooms, on the outside of the building, in which case they resemble a porch or sunroom.
Zori: a traditional Japanese style of sandal, much like a flip-flop, originally made with a straw sole.
Genkan: traditional Japanese entryway areas for a house, apartment, or building
Zabuton: a large, flat cushion, used in Japan for sitting or kneeling on the floor.
Honorifics
Sama: Very polite. Used as a deep respect of someone of a higher position than your own. (Politicians, monks, figure heads, ect…)
San: Polite equivalent of Mr. or Ms.
Kun: Male close friends, peers, or lovers. Can be used for children and adults.
Chan: Female close friends, peers, or lovers. Can be used for children and adults.
Yobisute: The act of not using a honorific after someone's name. Can be seen as vulgar or impolite but can also portray extremely close friends or married couples.
A hot breeze blew the wisteria of the southern border into the Wind Mansion's property. Small purple peddles drifting to the stone gardens. Whetstone in hand, Sanemi sat along the engawa outside the master's suite. Drawing his Nichirin blade across the dampened stone, the green katana cried out with a shink. The sword's edge sharper, more refined than before. Muggy air stuck his uniform to his back, making him irritable while working.
But work he continued. It was few-and-far in between when he had no missions, duties or taskings to accomplish. Completing his independent studies and training, Sanemi found himself ill-tempered and bored. The whetstone gave his hand something to do, regardless if his blade needed the refining or not.
"Shinazugawa-Sama."
Sanemi's eyes left his busy-work and looked upon the Kakushi knelt in the stone garden before him. He was one of the Kakushi Aiya had convinced to live alongside them.
"What is it Kai-San?"
"You have been summoned to Ubuyashiki-Sama's residence for an emergency Hashira meeting."
Sanemi's hairless brow pressed together, his hands stopping. "Why?"
If he were to throw out his servants excluding one, he would have kept Kai. The boy may have only seen his seventeenth summer, but he more useful and cunning than all other Kakushi Sanemi had encountered combined. Able to gather intel at an alarming rate and knew more about the inner workings of the estate than anyone else the Hashira knew.
Kai lowered his head further to the ground. "I'm sorry, I don't know all of the details. Intel has been set at Top-Secret, and my usual resources are not talking. I do know that it has to do with a red-haired boy who was retrieved from Natagumo Mountain by the Water and Insect Hashira.
"Also, there is apparently a demon in a wooden box within the inner grounds of the estate-"
Sanemi snapped his head to Kai. Eyes wide as air escaped the Hashira's lungs. Taking hold of his blade's hilt, he seethed the sword. Grinding his teeth, Sanemi rose and padded down the engawa to the mansion's genkan to retrieve his green laced zori. Shoulders tight and stern under his uniform.
A demon, within the inner grounds! How had this happened?
His mind raced. Questioning why his Master would allow such a thing. Did he even know?
Did anyone within the estate know?
Where was this red-haired boy?
Where was the box?
…Where was Aiya?
Glancing towards the sky, he gauged the sun's position. It was roughly noon and she would have been at the workshop at this time of day. If the sun was out, then she should be fine. But what if they lost trace of the box? What if the demon escaped and terrorized the estate's community village?
How could they let a demon within their stronghold?!
"Kai!" Sanemi, backtracking, appeared around the engawa's corner. The shout causing the Kakushi to jump. "Go to the Tailor's Workshop and retrieve Aiya. Once back, complete the nightly preparations! Stay here until I return!"
"O-Of course Shinazugawa-Sama. Right away!"
-x-x-
Aiya laughed. Her mouth covered by the sleeve of her purple kimono. The girls had been talking non-stop and telling stories of their childhoods. Festivals and traditions long since passed prior to their relocation to the estate. The air around them light and peaceful despite the sweltering heat.
A small bell chimed, signifying someone entering the workshop's front door and Aiya rose to greet their customer. Teasing, the girls questioned who it could have been. Waving a hand, Aiya quieted them as to not disrespect their guest.
Despite Aiya's hand not being on the door, it opened to their private working quarters. The lead seamstress' anger flared at the audacity of the guest. Who were they to enter the worker's private quarters so casually? Aiya turned sharply but swallowed her scolding as a woman with short white-hair and an elegant silk kimono, decorated with flowers, butterflies and octagons entered their domain.
"Welcome Lady Ubuyashiki." Aiya said, her girls quiet as they all bowed to their matriarch. "Thank you for-"
Lady Ubuyashiki raised a hand and silenced Aiya. "I do not mean to be short, but you all must leave the workshop immediately. There has been an emergency Hashira summons and the mansion, as well as all surrounding buildings, must be secured at once. All those who live on the grounds, remain within the living quarters. All those who live at other establishments, please make your way there at once."
The girls looked to each other, their eyes displaying their hesitation. Aiya raised her hands, pushing them forward at Lady Ubuyashiki's words until the hut was a chaotic mess of moving feet. Aiya saw to the few, who lived off the workshop's grounds, to the genkan. Calming and reassuring them to stay within their homes until further notice. For those who resided in the workshop, Aiya made her way to the living quarters and helped the remaining five girls settle. All of whom were already sitting on zabuton and chattering among themselves.
"What is the meeting about?" Mai asked. "Has Shinazugawa-Sama said anything to you about it?"
Aiya opened her mouth, about to answer, when another girl shrieked. "Are we under attack?"
Placing a hand on the second girl's shoulder, Aiya spoke. "I doubt we are under attack. Lady Ubuyashiki would not have allowed any of us to leave the building if that were the case. As for Sanemi, I haven't seen him all day and this is probably news to him as well."
A cold chill ran down her spine. If this meeting was in fact a new event, she wondered how he was taking it. Not well, she imaged, and was more than likely on his way to the meeting at that moment. The question as to what the meeting was about, turned Aiya's stomach. If they were to remain sheltered within their homes, that told of a potentially attack. However, the little information they had did not guarantee this. It could also mean the meeting's information was seated at the highest level of security. Aiya's body began to shake, what information was so sensitive to warrant this level of protection?
A hurried knock came to the door of the tailor's living quarters, startling the girls. Aiya heart leapt to her throat as her breath caught. Mind going distant to a white haired Hashira she hoped to be on the other side. The person who had knocked did not wait for a reply as the door opened. Reveling Kai, one of her residence Kakushi, in the doorway.
"Aiya-San, I have been sent here to escort you to the Wind Mansion per Shinazugawa-Sama's orders."
Aiya's pulse quickened as green eyes drifted to the ground in thought. If Sanemi had sent an escort for her, the meeting's contents were indeed a serious matter.
"Please Aiya-San, we must hurry along." Kai reached out a hand to her still form. "Time is short and we must start the evening preparations to guard against the demon - " Kai attempted to stop, but it was too late and what was transpiring within their guarded world lay barren before them.
"Demon?" One of the girl's cried.
"We are under attack!" Another said, clutching Aiya's kimono sleeve.
Aiya mulled over Kai's word. Replaying them over and over within her head as if trying to find a fault within his words. But there was none and Aiya's jaw began to chatter.
A demon was within the wisteria perimeter.
How had this happened?
Was it one of the Moons?
Images of her family's half eaten bodies lay before her in her mind. Their cold blood against the skin of her legs returned as she sat beside them. Aiya chest squeezed. The small living quarters spun in circles. Lungs unable to draw in breath. Stomach turning, she thought she would soon be sick all over the polished hardwood floors.
"Aiya-San." The feel of Kai's hand on her face startled the Lead Seamstress. "We have to go."
Multiple pairs of shaking hands were upon her arms, sleeves, and obi. Glancing around herself, the girls clung to her as they grabbed at her clothing. Heaving chests and tears brimming their eyes.
"T-They're coming with us." Aiya's voice broke.
"But Aiya-S-"
Aiya did not let Kai finish. "There are only five and should not be too much trouble to move."
She willed her eyes to soften as she prayed the girls did not feel the shake in her hands as she touched them. "As long as we stay in the sunlight, we will be safe. Besides, the Wind Mansion is better suited for these situations than the workshop."
Ubuyashiki Mansion was the most protected in the estate, but the small cluster of buildings surrounding it were another matter. They did have defenses, but the Hashira mansions were built and designed as small fortresses like Ubuyashiki-Dono's.
Rising, Aiya pulled the girls up with her. Allowing Kai to go a few strides ahead, she walked as briskly as she could with the five women clutching her kimono. Weaving her way through the deserted streets of the estate, Aiya was determined to stay strictly within the sun's direct light. The mid summer's day was hot as it burned their skin and dewed sweat profusely under their kimono. But she dare not escape it's protection under awnings or umbrellas. Her girls steadfast and silent in their own resolve of Aiya's choice.
Reaching her home's large bamboo gates, Aiya and the girl's broke and rushed into the mansion. The maid, cook, and two other Kakushi already starting the evening preparations. Taking hold of the end of a wooden door barrier, Aiya assisted in its placement against the front door. The wisteria powder treated wood dusting her hands. She led the girls and the residence further into the house, where the beams and wood paneling were the thickest and locked them inside. Taking her three Kakushi, Aiya walked the entirety of the mansion with them and secured the remaining doors, windows and entry points.
Entering the master's suite for the third time on her rounds, Aiya's eyes landed on the Sanemi's decorative katana displayed on the wall. Taking one in her trembling hands, she lifted it free of its mantel. It was heavier than expected as it weighed down her arms. Kitting her brow, she did not know if it was made of Nichirin ore and she wished she had asked Sanemi about them prior to this moment.
She did not know how to use it or if it was able to effectively harm a demon. But she needed something, anything to defend herself and those within her domain. At the very least, she could try to slow down an intruder and allow a few more second of escape time to her girls and workers.
Gathering the Kakushi she returned to the center room with the others and barricaded themselves in. Fingers going white against the katana's hilt at the force of Aiya's grip. Silence surrounding them in the guarded, empty mansion.
One hour.
Two hours.
Three.
Nothing.
No words or sounds were heard from anyone within the estate. Aiya wondered if they had tried. The house so protected, a crow or messenger would not have been able to get through. Leaving them waiting in unnecessary suspended silence and question.
Her eyes drifted to the hilt of the katana she held. Vibrantly dyed cord wrapped around the base and her fingers itched. She needed something to do, anything to break this endless waiting. The idea to cut the cord and braid it back into place crossed her mind. But Sanemi's enraged reaction stilled her thoughts to just that, thoughts.
She was parched and her stomach coiled into itself in her hunger. The heat of their travels dehydrating them, and the frantic pacing of their preparations left little room for their question of food and water. But Aiya stayed and waiting. If something was happening within the estate, she did not want to risk being caught outside of the barricaded room. Risking not only her safety, but everyone's.
Aiya's heart thumped to life against her rib cage as heavy footsteps padded against hardwood floors. Each step inching closer to their location. Seemingly wandering and stopping only to open and shut a few doors along the way.
The girls and workers pressed their hands to their mouths. Holding onto one another and reading themselves to bolt. Aiya rose into a crouching position, katana pulled back awkwardly and prepared to strike. Her Kakushi rising into a similar position next to her. Small knives of their own with their grasp for the same reason.
"Aiya! Where the hell are you?" A male's voice called out, gruff and irritated. Aiya's blood, which had been rushing through her veins, came to a sudden halt.
Sanemi!
Standing, she unbarricade their door. Turning her head down the hall, she witnessed the sight of Sanemi coming from the opposite end at the sound of movement. Heart soring, she ran to him. His left forearm had been cut and hints of dried blood were smeared under his nose. Aggravation permeating from every ounce of his being, most of which she assumed was not from trying to locate them.
But he was there and standing.
"Is that one of my blades!?" Sanemi's voice was loud as it echoed off the walls of the hallway.
Aiya raised her hands and realized the katana was still in her grip. "…yes."
Red veins made themselves visible against the whites of his eyes.
"I-It was just to defend ourselves with." Aiya's hands flew in front of her. "I was going to put it back once we heard word about the demon in the estate."
A cold atmosphere made itself know within the hall before Sanemi's eyes darted past her. A bundle of nerves emitted from Kai, whom she knew was somewhere behind her.
With a tired sigh, Sanemi pointed to the blade. His anger receding. "That blade wouldn't have done anything. It not a Nichirin." His hand rose and rested on her cheek. "Good try though."
He leaned in, about to kiss her, when he stopped. Veins protruded from his neck and forehead while his eyes became white with rage. The source of his anger something behind her as he peered over her head at the object.
Through clenched teeth he said. "What are the seamstresses doing here?"
Turning, Aiya looked upon the girls who stood halfway in the hall from the doorway. The residence of the Wind Mansion, having seen Sanemi, had already disappeared. Knowing his rules regarding privacy. However, the girls had no such notion of these guidelines and awkwardly looked to, and then away, from Aiya trying to receive guidance.
Handing Sanemi the blade, she removed herself from him and strode back to the girls. With arms outstretched Aiya lead the girls to the genkan of the mansion. If Sanemi was not in an immediate state of concern regarding the estate, then it must have been safe for them to leave and head back to the workshop's quarters. Waving goodbye, Aiya watched their snickering and giggling forms walk around the corner and back towards the workshop.
"Do they ever stop gossiping?" Sanemi asked, leaning against a wall of the genkan. The extra katana still in his possession.
"Unfortunately, no, and soon everyone on the estate will know that you almost kissed me."
"Why were they even here in the first place?" His voice was thick with venom. The veins in his face resurfacing.
"Because we heard that there was a demon within the estate. The mansion is better suited for an attack than the seamstress quarters." She walked towards him. "I couldn't leave them there."
He rose the decorative katana up in the air. Lightly tapping the end of the hilt to her forehead. "Thinking like that will get you killed. You can't save everyone."
A smile lightly spread on her face. She knew that she couldn't save everyone. A simple, but hard truth in their reality, but she was glad she made the choice she did. Resolute in the notion that she would do it again if given the chance too.
"How did you even get in?" It was something Aiya had a genuine curiosity about. She had checked every door, window, and frame herself. "The house was boarded; all evening preparations were met."
His left arm then pointed to an unknown object behind him. "There are plenty of way to slip in and out of all of the mansions, even under the even preparation regulations. You just have to know what you are looking for."
Eyes glance to the arm that he had just made this gesture with. Clotting had set in and prevented blood from freely flowing.
"By the way, what happened to your arm and nose." Her small hands drew his forearm closer to her. "Get into another fight with Tomioka-Sama?"
His eyes drifted from Aiya. His expression a mixture of anger, confusion, and a bruised pride.
"Not exactly."
A/N: Firstly, I am so sorry that tis chapter was late. I am now back in school and am trying to get into the swing of things again. Next chapter should be up on Monday or Tuesday as I now have more understanding of the work load I will be accomplishing!
We are of starting the progress of the two and why I wanted Aiya to be a 'civilian' within the estate. We know what the main cast is doing throughout the series, but what is everyone else doing and feeling while all this chaos is going on. As for this chapter in particular, obviously Nezuko isn't going to hurt anyone, however the people within estate do not know that and I wanted to play around with that fear and biased animosity for her.
Hope you all enjoy, and I will see you guys in a week!
Silk Series Playlist: "Umbrella" - Ember Island
