A Butterfly Frolicking in the Water

by Bravo Tango

It is extraordinary that a small butterfly can cause a ripple on the ocean.

11. Chapter 11

And we're back.

"Blah" — Speech

"Blah" — Speech in another language

'Blah' — Thoughts

[ Blah ] — Text

*Blah* — Sound effects in speech

(Blah) — Author's notes

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters of 鬼滅の刃 | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba; they belong to Koyoharu Gotōge. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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"Thank you." Giyuu accepts the tea from Hinatsuru and she smiles in kind. The kunoichi then walks back and sits down near Tengen and her co-wives.

"So," Tengen crosses his arms. "Are you finally going to tell us what happened back there?"

Giyuu takes a sip and feels some of his headache alleviate. "Yes, but I should start back when she took me in. When we reached to the back door, there is one demon guard on the lookout. Mitsuha used a code and we walked into the building. From there, we walked down a secret set of stairs that lead down to their underground nest." Giyuu takes another sip and sighs, "It was at that entrance where I was affected by a blood demon art."

Tengen frowns, "What was it's abilities?"

"So far, the demon fill the room full of smoke that seems to impair the senses. I assumed this was done to have their 'clients' in a more agreeable mood."

"Any countermeasures?"

"Total Concentration Breathing seems to clear some of the effects. I believe that the demon is not using their full power for efficiency."

"Hm." Tengen waves his have for Giyuu ti continue.

"The main building's layout is circular with a staircase leading to another level. During the walk, I counted at least thirty demons in the lounging area. There are more but I couldn't get a visual confirmation."

Tengen blinks, "That's... quite a big nest."

Suma starts to hunch forward and mutters to herself, "That's the biggest we've encountered. Can we get all of them?"

Makio frowns, "How the hell do they stay together? A group this big seems hard to keep them in line."

Giyuu shrugs, "Based on the lavish decorations, maybe they enjoy an easy access to blood rather than hunt for it."

Makio shrugs in turn. "I guess."

Giyuu continues, "At the bottom level, the demon with the fog blood art is lounging at the center. From there, we made to her room and that was when she attacked me."

Tengen raises his eyebrow. "Did she knew you're Slayer and tried to lure you?"

Giyuu shakes his head. "No. Mitsuha actually didn't know what a Demon Slayer looks like." Giyuu takes out the notebook. "She made her move because she smelled Tachibana's scent. I gave her the book and told her who I am." Tengen opens his mouth but Giyuu raises his hand. "Please, allow me to finish. Once she saw Tachibana's last message to her, she... grieved for some time. After that, we opened dialogue where we made a deal to eliminate the nest since she wants revenge for what they did to Tachibana." He places the book on the table. We wrote down the details and a contract."

The others lean on the table and look over the information.

"After that, we had to leave as there seems to be a time limit for their service. Once we got out, there was a demon waiting at the stairs. It was there I experienced it's blood art which seems to alter a person's memory." Giyuu nods the the book. "It seems to match to what Tachibana wrote when he went there."

Hinatsuru turns to Giyuu. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine now. At first, there were blanks in my recent memory but after some time I remembered what transpired in there."

"Well that sounds a bad blood art. How the hell did they stay under the town all this time?"

"It could be that I was not heavily affected by the other demon's haze blood art. If I was under the blood art like the other clients, I think I wouldn't remember the past several hours."

"Interesting," Tengen taps his chin. "Those two blood arts really complement each other. Giving the clients a good time but they won't remember the exact location of the nest."

"Especially considering their day job." Makio reads the contents of the book. "It'll be awkward if someone asks for an escort in a massage parlor or try to look for an underground brothel."

"After that episode with the memory blood art, we then walked out of the secret entrance of their nest. From there, we walked several blocks away before you dropped down on us." Giyuu places his cup down. "I understand that this situation has never happened before, but will you all help me with this plan?"

Tengen crosses his arms again as he looks at his wives one by one before he returns back to Giyuu. "You know, I thought you were a gloomy person, but I didn't realize you were crazy and suicidal as well."

Giyuu blinks, 'Is that how people see me as?' "This is the best solution that I could think of for this situation. If we work with Mitsuha, we can minimize the amount of civilians caught in the crossfire and eliminate this nest."

"Are you hearing yourself? Working for a demon? We're Pillars Tomioka, we can finish them off without it's help."

Giyuu shakes his head. "Like I said, one of the demon's blood art has an area of effect that will hamper our combat effectiveness."

"Lucky for me then since I have a strong tolerance for poison."

"But what if the blood art does not work like a poison and just affects the mind directly? It is too risky especially with the civilians there and the demons could use them as hostages." Giyuu takes a moment. "Mitsuha wants revenge and that aligns with our objective here. She wants them dead just as much as we do."

"Tomioka, we're demon slayers. Demon. Slayers. What makes her different from the rest we slay?"

Giyuu pauses, 'He's right. At the end of the day, I will have to exterminate her like the rest...but...' "She is a demon like the rest, but, I believe that this case is not so black and white."

Hinatsuru joins in. "How so?"

"She grieved and mourned for Tachibana. In her own way, she still loves him."

Tengen waves it off. "Oh please. She's an escort; she know how to use her emotions."

Giyuu shakes his head. "I don't believe so. Even before she knew who I really was, her fellow demons treated her like an outcast. Not only that, she could have captured me and used me to get back on her leader's good graces. Mitsuha is the best opportunity to complete this mission."

Tengen scowls as he stands up and walks over to Giyuu. "The mission the mission the mission." He stops in front of the smaller Pillar. "It's all about the mission for you huh?"

Hinatsuru rises up. "Tengen..."

'What is going on?' "What do you mean?"

"I bet you would do anything to get the mission done. I mean you're already working with a demon so what's next? A few human blood here and there? Maybe she wants more and you give her some human mea—

"NO!"

Tengen and the others flinch at the loud voice.

Giyuu glares up at Tengen. "I would rather die before I would even consider that. The lives of the innocents will always be my top priory and I will not put my colleagues into needless danger."

.

.

.

Giyuu blinks at the silence and he takes a step back. 'Calm down. Breathe.' "I apologize for that." He then bows at his waist. "I completely understand that any of you would not want to work with... her since she's a demon. I believe we should end this joint operation. I will take full responsibility and not drag any of you with me." He rises up. "Do not worry, I will think of a different plan. I wish you all luck in your next mission." Giyuu makes his way to the exit. As he walks, he tries not to sigh. 'It's somewhat regrettable but this is for the best. Their lives are more worthwhile than mine. In any case, how should I have Mitsuha sneak my swor—'

Sigh

"...Fuck. Hold up Tomioka."

Giyuu stops at the door. 'Hm?' He turns around to see Tengen and his wives all huddled up in the middle of the room. 'Are they...?'

Suma jerks her head back. "You cannot be serious!"

Makio pulls Suma's head back in. "Oi get back in here."

Hinatsuru flashes Giyuu a quick smile before she joins back in the conversation.

.

.

.

After several minutes of whispering, they break off and Tengen turns to Giyuu. "Right, well, it wouldn't really flamboyant of me to leave since I was the one who asked for this joint mission."

"You mean...?"

"Yeah, we're doing this with you."

Giyuu fights the twitch of his lips as he keeps a blank face. "I see."

"So what was your game plan for this?"

"Ah," Giyuu walks back to the group. "Initially, I wanted you to charge at the front while," He looks at the kunoichis. "You three would be at the escape exit to catch any running demons. I would try to see if I can smuggle my weapon inside and exterminate the demon with the haze blood art."

"You sure she can do that? You did say she was treated like an outcast and I'd think that one of them would recognize a Nichirin blade." Tengen gestures to Giyuu's yukata. "You can easily hide my knife in your clothes."

"I would like to ask her."

"Alright. If anything, I can give your sword when I make a flamboyant entrance. Any information of the escape tunnel and their strengths?"

Giyuu shakes his head. "I ran out of time but I will try to learn more at the next meeting."

"So you're going back again huh. Well we have a week so we can iron out the plan. Also, we probably have to change the squad placement."

Giyuu tilts his head. "What do you mean?"

Tengen looks at his wives. "They're more suited for crowd control and support."

Makio shrugs, "We don't use Nichirin blades so we can't exactly kill any demons if they use the escape tunnel."

"Oh." Giyuu tilts his head. 'Don't they use wistera like Kocho?'

"What is it?"

"I thought that you coated your weapons with poison."

Hinatsuru rolls her hand. "We do, but it only paralyzes them. We could try fight them in the tunnel but it's still too risky and we're unsure how long we can stall them before you two finish up at the nest."

"Ah." Giyuu bits the inside of his cheek. 'That is problematic. Could we hope to exterminate them all inside the nest before any of them decide to run?'

"Why not call for more back-up?"

Giyuu turns to Tengen. "Hm?"

"We call for a squad of slayers who can cover the tunnel for us while the ladies can come with me. That way, the slayers can kill any escaping demons while the ladies can evacuate and protect the civilians. Plus, one of them can give you your blade and I can focus on killing the demons." Tengen shrugs, "We can adjust the plan when we get more information."

Giyuu stares at Tengen.

"What?"

"You can call other slayers to help?"

Tengen blinks, "Well... yeah. We are Pillars so we got the authority. You never requested for other slayers?"

Giyuu shakes his head. "No."

"Wow you're really going for the loner look huh." Hinatsuru elbows him but he barely reacted. "I'll call for some of them now." He looks for a pencil and scraps of paper. After he found them, we walks over to the window and slides it open to find his crow perched on the edge. "Hopefully we can get some Kinoe." He then starts to write on it. "Probably get some kakushis and more money for your... intimate visits."

Giyuu ignores the last part and stares off at the wall. 'You can request for other slayers for assistance?'

Flap

Giyuu turns to see Tengen's crow take off into the night sky. The Sound Pillar turns back. "Right, if they get here early, we can tell them the plan."

"Hm," Giyuu nods his head but he stops. "Wait."

"What?"

"Don't tell them about Mitsuha and the deal. There's no reason to let them know about it."

"Relax, I know. We'll just tell them we're gathering intel and have them cover the escape entrance. They just need to have the necessary information." Tengen tilts his head. "By the way, what's your plan with... Mitsuha? Surely she doesn't expect to be allowed to live."

Giyuu shakes his head. "All she cares about is revenge. She gives the condition that her final resting place is the location that she and Tachibana were planning to go. After we exterminate the nest, I will personally escort her there with the box and give her peace there."

Tengen looks at his wives and then back to Giyuu. "Don't know if that's flamboyant but that's your choice."

"Thank you all."

"Yeah yeah." Tengen looks at Giyuu up and down before he raises his arms over his head. "*Yawn* Well I'm beat. Let's talk more when the sun is out."

'He doesn't look tired.' "But you loo—"

Tengen walks over and nudges Giyuu to the door. "Also come over so we can eat and talk at the same time. You like beef and vegetables?"

"I'm fine with them—"

"Flamboyant!" Tengen slides open the door and Giyuu walks out. "Well we'll see you later. Sweet dreams or whatever." He closes the door in front of Giyuu's face.

.

.

.

The door opens again with Tengen's face. "Also I want to meet that demon later with you." He closes it again.

Giyuu stares at the door. 'Thank Kami I was able to get their help.' Giyuu sighs before he turns and walks to his room. As he walks away, Giyuu catches some of their conversation:

"...ute that you're helping him out."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. It's just breakfast."

"In any case, we have to keep a lookout..."

Giyuu raises his eyebrow as he's out of range and stops at his door. 'That was weird.' He walks in and goes straight for his bed. Along the way, he catches another book on his table. 'Hmm.' He shrugs and goes to sleep.

.

. . .

. . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . .

. . .

.

Night...

Tengen plays with his collar before he sighs and looks to Giyuu. "Gotta say Tomioka, even though this is the first time we worked together, you really do make things interesting."

Giyuu turns his head to Tengen. "What do you mean?"

"This is the first time I've ever rendezvous with a demon before." Tengen pauses, "An escort at that."

"You don't have to meet her."

"If we're going to work off of her information, I wanna make sure she's reliable."

"Hm." Giyuu then remembers something. "Uzui, why did you and your wives looked tired earlier?"

"Oh, they were keeping a watch of the train and nest to makes sure the demons didn't run."

Giyuu's eyes widen, "You should have woke—"

Tengen waves it off. "Relax, man. We took shifts so it's not all bad. And guess what, we didn't see any demon so there's a small chance your demon friend wants to go through with this."

Giyuu shakes his head. "She isn't a friend. Regardless, I should have helped you with the lookout."

Tengen shakes his head. "Nah. You're the one going deep in enemy territory and having your blood sucked. We need you to be in top shape for that."

"...I see."

"No worries, Tomioka. Once the others get here, we can tell them to help out."

"Hm."

"Also, you sure about bringing that one too? The other book seems to be fine."

Giyuu traces his finger along a larger rectangular outline. "It's fine. We have no use for i—

Caw

Giyuu turns back and spots Mitsuha looking around on the street. 'There.' He steps more in the open and waits for her to see him.

After a few moments, Mitsuha spots Giyuu and makes her way toward him. Giyuu walks backward as Mitsuha enters the alleyway. "Hey Tomi-Whoa!" Mitsuha jumps as she spots Tengen at the corner.

Tengen smirks, "Yo." He walks around and stands beside Giyuu.

"Uh," Mitsuha looks from Giyuu and Tengen. "Hello? Wait, you're..." She looks up and up. "really big." She coughs into her fist. "Anyway, I feel like we got on the wrong impression of each other." The demon smiles, "My name is Mitsuha and you are...?"

Tengen stops and turns to Giyuu. "She does know who we are right? What we do?"

Giyuu sighs, "She knows of us. This is her first time meeting slayers."

"Correct. I've heard stories from the older girls. Though you're not as bloodthirsty or savage from what I'm told."

"Hah," Tengen crosses his arms. "You're pretty smooth. Alright, you can call me Uzui. So my partner here says that you want to make a deal with us?"

Giyuu blinks at the tone shift.

Mitsuha seems to take it in stride as she slightly relaxes her smile. "Yes." She glances at Giyuu. "I assume that Tomioka has told you everything since he remembered last night?"

Tengen looks at Giyuu and back to Mitsuha. "He did, but why should we trust you?"

"I haven't told anyone of this arrangement and no one ran away."

"You could be sending out small groups so we wouldn't notice."

"We haven't even secured the location. It would be a nightmare trying to manage two areas." She sighs, "Look, in the end, you don't have to trust me," Mitsuha takes a breath. "But you can trust in that our goals are aligned."

"Right. So why do you stay with them then? In your situation, why not plan an escape?"

Mitsuha laughs, "And go where? I have no reliable blood source and I haven't thought up of a good spot to run. Not only that, they killed Taki." She shakes her head. "I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I let them live from that."

"Did you even had a plan if we didn't come here?"

Mitsuha looks away before she looks back and sighs, "No, not really. I just thought of biding my time. If I became desperate, I would at least to rip off Mistress's head and run to the sun." She looks back at them. "But when you came here, everything changed. Please, you're my only hope."

Tengen ad Giyuu look at each other before Tengen continues, "Who is this Mistress?"

"She is the leader of our group." Mitsuha fiddles her thumbs. "She's also the one who turned me."

"Oh? I thought you demons would be loyal to your parents?" Tengen turns to Giyuu. "That makes sense right? Since they 'make' a new one by giving their blood. Or would predecessor have worked instead?"

Giyuu shrugs.

Mitsuha continues, "Initially I was at first, but I had some time to think about it. I talked to some of the older girls who were there and apparently something fell from the sky and hit my village. I was dying but she asked me if I wanted to live." She spreads her arms. "I could either die crushed under a house or become a blood-sucking demon. Not much of a choice is there."

"You don't seem too hung up on it."

She shrugs with a light smile. "It was several decades ago and my gratitude diminished."

"Huh."

Mitsuha takes out her pocket watch. "In any case, we should get going."

Giyuu tilts his head. "What's the rush?"

She looks to Giyuu, "Remember that yesterday was our slow day. We should come in while everyone is out to get their clients."

"Oh." Giyuu looks to Tengen. "I should go."

Tengen stretches his arms over his head. "Right right." The Sound Pillar walks over to Mitsuha. "It's been... interesting talking to you. I'll leave you two to it. But," He looms over the demon. "If you decide to betray us, I'll make sure there will be nothing but ash. Got it?"

Mitsuha works her throat. "R-Right."

Tengen smiles, "Alright you two have fun now." He turns around and goes for a wall. Once there, he looks to Giyuu. "Try not to stay up too late now Tomioka."

'Am I a kid now?' "Hm."

"Later." He jumps up and clambers to the roof.

After a few moments, the demon turns to Giyuu and offers her elbow. "S-Shall we go?"

"Mhm." Giyuu accepts the offer and the both of them walk out the alley.

"Your friend is pretty scary huh."

"Is that so?" Giyuu tilts his head. 'Are we friends?' They lapse into silence.

.

. .

Later...

. .

.

Knock knock

The panel slides open and the guard looks at them. "Oh it's you. You're here early." Giyuu pretends to not notice the guard's cat-like eyes. "Him again?"

Mitsuha leans close to whisper the guard. "He's..." Her eyes flicker to Giyuu and back to the panel. "A merchant's son. He's on vacation and he has a lot of money."

"...Alright." The door slides open and the duo walks in.

After they walk down the stairs and walk through the hallway, Mitsuha looks at Giyuu. "Are you ready?"

Giyuu takes a breath. "I'm ready." They come to the double door and he feels the haziness. 'It's here.'

Mitsuha glances again before she opens the door. Giyuu replays the act from last night as they walk down the stairs. As he looks around, Giyuu notices there are less demons on the lobby. 'It doesn't seem as busy as she stated.' But he hears more faint moans as he passes the rooms. '...Hm.' He walks to the room and notices the smoking demon is still at the center of the lounge. 'At least her location will be consistent.'

Mitsuha opens her door and the both of them walk in. After she closes the door, she turns to Giyuu. "How are you feeling?

Giyuu straightens up and breathes out. "I'm fine." 'It doesn't feel as bad as last night. Maybe I'm adapting to it?'

"That's good." Mitsuha walks over and stops near her desk. "So we have a lot of time," She turns to Giyuu. "What do you want to do?"

"Is it possible for you to smuggle in a sword?"

Mitsuha shakes her head. "No. Any extra items would be checked."

'It seems I will have to use Uzui's tanto.' Giyuu then brings out Taki's notebook. "Will you finally show me the layout of your nest and the escape tunnel?"

Mitsuha tries not to grimace. "Do you have any other sheets of paper to use?"

'Hm?' Giyuu looks at the book. 'Ah, I see.' He then looks at the escort. "If you like, I can take some of the blank pages and give you the book."

"...Fine." She sits down on the table and waves him over. "Bring it over."

Giyuu walks over and places it in front of her. "Here."

"Right," Mitsuha flips it to an empty page and starts to sketch. "So you see, most of the building is mostly filled with rooms like mine here." She sketches a large box at the bottom level. "This is the storage but there isn't much of value." She makes another box that's perpendicular to this room. "And this is the Mistress's room. She rarely goes out since she can take blood from the other clients and so you don't have to meet her." She then makes a long rectangle that grows into a larger hallway that leads out from that room. "And this is the escape tunnel which will lead to the warehouse."

"Which warehouse?"

"It's the one closest to the station. Here," Mitsuha draws five sakura petals. "The building will have this emblem."

"I see." Giyuu's eyes drift to the room again. "How strong is this 'Mistress'? Does she have any blood demon art?"

"She's stronger than most of us and has some control of water."

'Her blood art.' "How much control?"

She shrugs and taps her chin. "Mistress rarely uses it but I once saw how she formed a ball of water and threw it to hit a bird. She also made a water line and used it like a whip."

'Hmm. So far this mistress has long and medium range attacks. We would have to close the distance in order to take out those advantages. Wait...' "Can she create water out of the air?"

Mitsuha shakes her head. "No. She needs an external water source."

'So that's why there are those water vases.' Giyuu tilts his head. "Can we destroy those vases? Can she control spilled water?"

"Hmm, maybe? I haven't seen how far she can take it. But wouldn't that have water all around you?"

'Hmm, it would be bad if she has that much control. Unfortunate.' "We'll leave those alone for now." Giyuu takes several breaths before he continues, "What about the others? Does anyone else have special abilities?"

"Other than Mistress, Oriko, and Koto—

"Who's Koto?"

"Oh right," Mitsuha waves her hand to the door. "She's the one creating the smoke"

"I see."

"So other than those three, there's Yuka up there -the guard- whose blood art is enhanced strength and speed."

"Just four? Wouldn't there be more considering how old your nest is?"

Mitsuha shrugs, "We only drink blood and Mistress said that it would take a really long time to even cultivate a blood art from just blood."

"But how did those four..." His eyes narrow. "You said this group didn't kill."

Mitsuha raises her hands. "We still do -er- did, but there are other ways to obtain bodies Tomioka."

"Do you mean the cemetery?"

"Yes, that is one of the options."

"Still, it would be suspicious to even dig up a body."

"Well, the Mistress would choose one girl who shows promise to be granted a blood art." She looks away and after a moment, she turns back. "I was about to be chosen but that was when I started to see Taki." She smiles, "I really have to thank him otherwise I would have eaten human flesh."

"...I see."

After a few moments of silence, Mitsuha composes herself. "Anyway, those three only have blood art since Mistress prioritizes secrecy and longevity of the nest."

"Until now."

Mitsuha has a light smile. "I must have disappointed her and she got emotional." Mitsuha places the pencil down. "Is there anything else?"

Giyuu looks down at the book. 'So just those four are the ones we have to worry about and the others can be taken care of.' Giyuu blinks, 'Actually wouldn't these demons be weaker since they haven't consumed flesh?' "We should—

Knock knock

Giyuu grabs the tanto and stares at Mitsuha who looks back with wide eyes.

After a few moments, Mitsuha stands up and walks close to the door. "Who is it?"

"It's me."

She quickly covers her mouth and muffles the gasp.

"Can you open the door?"

Mitsuha looks left and right before settling at the door again. "I-I'll be there. Let me put some clothes on."

"Do hurry."

Mitsuha pivots on her feet and stumbles her way toward Giyuu. Once she close enough, she starts to whisper and points at the bed. "Quick! Loosen your clothes and get inside."

Giyuu starts to backpedal. "What? Who is that?"

"It's Mistress." Giyuu tenses but Mitsuha continues to guide him toward the bed. "You have to make it look like we just finished sex and you fell asleep."

"That—"

"Hurry!"

He nods his head and starts to loosen his yukata as he gets on the bed. Mitsuha loosens her hair and her kimono as she tip toes to her desk. She picks up the book and throws it to Giyuu. He catches it, goes under the covers, and tucks it behind along with the other book. He moves in a position where he can see the door with his tanto by his side.

Mitsuha turns but looks back. "Where's the money?"

Giyuu pats himself and finds the large pouch. He takes it out and tosses it to Mitsuha who catches it before placing it on the table. She looks back and gestures to her face. "Cover your eyes. She'll know if you're peeking."

Giyuu clenches his jaws. '...Dammit.' He closes his eyes and darkness fill his vision. He evens his breathing as he listens to Mitsuha's footstep.

Step step

Click

"M-Mistress, it's wonderful to see you. What brings you here?"

A sultry voice answer Mitsuha. "Yuka told me that you brought the same client? Is there a reason why you did that?"

"W-Well—"

"And do give a satisfactory reason. We are in a difficult situation as it is."

"Right. From what I could gather, he's a merchant and he's here for vacation."

"A merchant of what?"

"He didn't say of what. But!"

Step

Step

Jingle

"Here's the amount I got."

"...That's quite the amount."

"And I plan to get more for as long as he is here."

Sigh "...Mitsuha—"

"There's nothing to worry about Mistress. He told me that he made a large deal back in his hometown. The amount he gives will be so insignificant that he won't care about it."

Shuffle

"Please Mistress I... I learned that my mistake has jeopardized the group, but I learned better now. Please, let me fix it."

.

.

Giyuu clasps the tanto as the silence drags on. 'Oh Kami. Did it fail?'

"...Fufufufu. I knew you'd get back on your feet. In fact, I'm proud that you moved past Tabi."

"...Yes, I have."

"Keep up with the good work and you might get chosen again."

"Yes Mistress."

Clack

.

.

'Is she finally gone?' Giyuu slowly peeks one eye open to see Mitsuha staring at the ground. He looks around and finds no one else.

"I can't believe she forgot his name." Mitsuha sighs and turns to Giyuu. "She's gone Tomioka."

He throws the blanket and rises up. "So that was your leader."

"Yeah."

Giyuu fixes his clothes. "What did she look like?"

Mitsuha follows his actions. "Well, she's the tallest of our group." She then looks at Giyuu up and down. "A little taller than you actually. She has long black hair that reaches to her back with some blue highlights on the front. Let's see... oh she also has some gold earrings and a necklace. I could tell you her clothes but she changes often."

'Maybe I should have taken the risk to peek.' "It's good enough."

"Alright." Mitsuha looks around before settling back to Giyuu. "What do you want to do now? You paid for the whole night."

Giyuu looks back at the bed. "I'd like to study the map and memorize the layout."

"You can have the tabl—." Mitsuha stares at the bed.

Giyuu raises his eyebrow. "What is it?"

Mitsuha walks over the bed while Giyuu step back to give her space. She bends down and moves the note book over. She brings it up to her face. "I never thought I would see this again." Mitsuha traces her fingers over the cover of the sketchbook. "I can't believe you brought this."

Giyuu shrugs, "I had it with me when I was at his house."

She keeps staring the book before she opens it the the first page. She smiles and turns it around. "Look. It's the lake that I was talking about." She sighs, "Taki always had an eye for these kinds of things."

'These two seem to hold something special.' Giyuu stares at her. 'Should I ask?' "What..." Mitsuha turns to him. "What made Tachibana special to you?"

Mitsuha leans back as she smiles at that. "After we first met, I had this kind of yearning for him again. It was crazy, I met some many others but it was him that I wanted to meet again. As the weeks pass by, Taki started to show a different kind of life. Something away," She waves her hand around the room. "From this."

"Why? It seems like you have everything you need."

"Maybe, but with all of these decorations, this place is just a gilded cage and all of us are just her dolls. I just sleep, provide service, and feed. I was resigned to this fate but Taki showed me that I'm just surviving when I could be living." She looks back at the book. "I really do want to see the lake..."

Giyuu shifts his feet as Mitsuha's lose focus.

Mitsuha seems to snap out of it and looks at Giyuu. "Anyway, what about you? Got any lovers back at whatever home you have?"

Giyuu blinks, "I...don't."

"Really? No one? I mean you slayers are hunting us demons right? Surely that means that you won't live long."

"Yes."

"So why not find someone?"

"...Like you said, we do not live long. I would not wish to burden the other person with the loss." 'It's better this way.'

Mitsuha nods her head. "Maybe, but won't you live with regrets and what-ifs? Why not experience and enjoy your time with someone?"

"That sounds... selfish."

"Love can be a selfish thing. You give and take from your partner." She smiles, "There are times where I thought that Taki might still be alive if we didn't meet, but then I would probably still be stuck here for many years. But hey, in a certain way, our love brought you here."

Giyuu raises his brow at that. "Still..."

She shrugs, "Well, do you at least have friends?"

"Yes."

"What's one of them like?"

"She's seems persistent in trying to talk to me. But she can—."

"Oh? A she?"

"What?"

"~Nothing~."

"She's just a friend."

"Mn hm, but it can turn into something more."

"You're ridiculous." He picks up the note book and walks to the desk. "We've wasted enough time."

"Alright alright. Just one last tip."

Giyuu looks over the layout. "What is it?"

"Don't have regrets and find that special someone."

Giyuu pauses at that. "...Hm." He looks down at the pages.

.

. . .

. . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . .

. . .

.

Days later...

Giyuu groans as he stares at the wall of his room. 'Just two more days,' He rises up from his bed and walks over to his desk. 'At least Mitsuha is taking less blood now.' Giyuu takes a sip from the water container and then takes a look out the window. 'Hm. It seems to be around noon.' He walks to the—

"Hahahahaha! What are the chances of seeing you two again?"

Giyuu raises his eyebrow. 'That's Uzui's voice.' He walks over the window to see Tengen with something in his hand and his wives standing before eight people. 'Oh,' He finally notes the uniforms and covered blades. 'They're demon slayers.' He then focuses the two in front of Tengen. One seems to be a female covering her face while a male is smiling and scratching his neck.

"Hello again Uzui-sama. It's good to see you again." He softly elbows the girl. "Come on."

The girl sighs, "Hello Uzui-sama."

"Let's see, you're... Seto and Mari right?" They nod. "Hah! So are you two still going for that Kinoe rank?"

Mari smirks, "Actually, we've passed the test."

"Oho?"

Seto elaborates, "After we've the first test, we dedicated our time into training in order to pass it this time."

Tengen gestures to the back of them. "So that's your squad?"

Seto nods his head. "Yes. We were the closest to receive your call."

"Right." Tengen gestures to his wives. "After you all settled in, my wives will show you your target location and fill you in on the details." The slayers pick up their gear and walked into the inn with the wives. After everyone went in, Tengen looks up. "Yo Tomioka. Since you're up, wanna eat?" He holds several boxes. "I found a decent place that smelled delicious."

'Again? He always seem to find these restaurants.' "Sure."

"Flamboyant! I'll meet you up there." Tengen walks into the inn.

Giyuu leans away and turns around to look at his room. 'Should probably make some room.'

After a couple of minutes of cleaning the room, his door slides open and Tengen walks in with the bento boxes. "Let's eat." He places them down on the center and gives Giyuu some boxes.

Giyuu opens his share and stares at the contents. 'More meat.' He uses the chopsticks to pick them up and eats them. 'I wish there was salmon daikon.' After several seconds of eating, Giyuu turns to Tengen. '"Did anything happen while I was asleep?"

Tengen takes a second to chew and swallow his food. "No changes at the parlor and warehouse. Also, the authorities finished cleaning the stuff from Tachibana's house."

"Did you..."

Tengen nods, "Yeah, I was able to snag the box for your demon friend."

"She's not a friend." Giyuu then nods his head. "Thank you for doing this for me."

Tengen shrugs, "It's whatever." The both of them fall in silence as they continue to eat. After a while, he looks at Giyuu. "Are you sure about this?"

"About what?"

Tengen rolls his hand. "Doing all this for the demon. Is it about upholding the deal or something?"

The meat was halfway to his mouth as he pauses, "...I don't know. Maybe it's because it is the least I could do since she gave so much for us. With her information, we can efficiently terminate her nest with minimal civilian involvement. Lastly, she is willing to die at the lake and hope to see her lover again. That is one of the major conditions that made me want to see this through."

"...It seems even as demons, they can still have those emotions for others." Tengen sighs, "I guess love can make you do crazy things."

'Love...' Giyuu tilts his head. "Would you do the same as Mitsuha?"

"What do you mean?"

"If you were in the similar position as her."

Tengen cheeks clench before he relaxes them. "...Yeah. I definitely would if anything happens to any of my girls. But most importantly I would die before anything happens to them."

"I see." Giyuu places the chopsticks down. "How did you know that you love them?"

Tengen blinks, "...Excuse me what?" He recovers, "What do you mean?"

'I should rephrase that.' "How do you know that you love someone?"

"Why not ask Kanroji about that? She is the Love Pillar after all."

It dawns on Giyuu. 'Oh right. I should probably as—'

"Actually on second thought, you probably shouldn't."

Giyuu tilts his head. "Why not?"

"She'll probably imitate a tomato and mumble her words. Also Iguro would try to gut you for talking to her."

Giyuu raises his eyebrow. 'Why would Iguro do that?'

"Anyway, I guess I'll tell you." Tengen points at himself. "For some, love can come unexpected and suddenly. That literally happened to me when Suma crashed into my marriage interview and wanted to be my wife." He laughs, "Damn that was flamboyant."

Giyuu blinks as he remembers the timid woman. 'Her? She did that?' "What about the other two?"

"Makio and Hina wanted to join in and we are glad to welcome them. They came into my life like those bullets that the foreigners use, but damn do I love them all."

'Huh.' "And what about the other people?"

"For others, I think they start as attracted to each other. From there, they can get to know each other more and do stuff like go on dates or make food for each other."

Giyuu nods his head. "I see." He then narrows eyes. 'That sounds familiar...' He shrugs, 'Oh well.'

"So what about you? Got anyone that catches your eye?"

"...No."

Tengen smirks, "You paused there Tomioka. So who is it?"

"No one."

"~Are you surrrre~?"

Giyuu sighs.

.

. . .

. . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . .

. . .

.

Two days later...

Giyuu leans back on the wall as the demon slayers look over their swords and uniform. He then looks down at his yukata and frowns, 'I really do wish I can bring the uniform with me.'

Just then Tengen and her wives walk in. "Alright you peasants, are you all ready?"

"Yes Uzui-sama."

He claps his hand. "Right, let's go over your part one last time. Your squad will cover their escape tunnel. In about two hours, the demon guard there is going to change shift. That'll be your time to get in and position yourselves in there. Don't worry about the demons outside the nest. I'll take care of them." He looks at Mari. "Think you can take out the new guard?"

Mari's face is solemn as she nods her head. "Yes."

"Expected no less." He looks back to the squad. "It will be also at that time when I will start the assault at the front. From there, I'll try to get most of their attention and finish most of them there, but some of them will run." He looks over them. "Don't get cocky because they're weakened. They're still demons and they will do anything in their desperation to survive. Any questions?"

Silence

"Good. I better see everyone when I buy drinks after this. Now move out."

"Understood." The squad separates and moves out of the alleyway.

After they leave, Tengen looks to Giyuu. "Ready?"

Giyuu looks over them and notes over their uniform and outfits. His eyes linger behind Hinatsuru's back where his sword is strapped to. 'I'll have to make due.' He nods, "Yes."

"Flamboyant. Let's clean this nest."

.

. .

Later...

. .

.

Giyuu catches Mitsuha turning the corner of the street. 'There she is.' Giyuu walks over and meets her halfway. "Hey."

"H-Hey."

Giyuu raises his eyebrow as he starts to look her over; she keeps looking over her shoulder and twitching her fingers. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

Giyuu stares at her.

She deflates and takes several breathes. "Sorry. This is making me anxious."

"Hm." He offers his elbow. "Shall we?"

She takes another breath. "Okay." She loops her arm and they make their way to the nest.

As they walk the streets, Giyuu looks at Mitsuha. "Do you remember what to do?"

"Yeah. I just have to get Koto in my room and you'll take care of the rest. After that, I go out and try to get many of the others out of their rooms."

"Good."

After several more minutes of walking, the both of them are at the front of the door. Mitsuha steps in front and knocks on the door in the special pattern.

Knock

Knock

After a few seconds, the door panel slides open. Yuka's eyes flicker to Giyuu. "Him again."

Mitsuha smiles, "What can I say? He's really excited. And besides, his vacation is almost finished."

Yuka looks between the duo before she sighs, "Well whatever." The door slides open and she steps aside.

They walk inside and soon reach to the door. Giyuu takes a breath and looks to Mitsuha. "Ready?"

Mitsuha takes a breath. "Ready as I'll ever be." She slides them open and leads Giyuu to the stairs.

As they walk down the stairs, Giyuu looks down to see a group of demons loitering around the lounge area. 'Just like last week. Out of all the other nights, this night hast the least amount of clients.' They reach at the bottom of the stairs and make their way to the room. Along the way, Giyuu catches some snippets of conversation:

"...w was last- hey look."

"She's trying to get back the Mistress's favor even though she got us here in the first place."

"Looks like she forgot about the other guy already."

Giyuu clenches his mouth as Mitsuha squeezes his arm. In several moments, they reach inside and the Water Pillar pulls his arm away and hisses, "What are you doing?"

Mitsuha hugs herself. "I'm sorry."

Giyuu stares her for a few seconds and finally relaxes his hands. "How much time is left?"

Mitsuha reaches into her kimono and takes out her pocket watch. "We have an hour and forty minutes left before the shift change."

"Hm." He walks over to the desk and sits down on the chair.

"So," Mitsuha follows after him. "What do we do after all of this?"

"After we clear this nest, my partner will handle the aftermath while we will leave through the front entrance. From there, we will board the train and you will get in the box."

"You mean...?"

Giyuu nods his head. "We were able to recover it from Tachibana's house."

Mitsuha has a light smile. "I see." She walks over to her closet and rummages through it. After some time she brings cloth and Taki's books; she wraps the cloth around the books and sits down on the mat. "I guess we wait then."

"Hm." Giyuu looks back at the door and starts his breathing exercises.

.

. .

Later...

. .

.

"Psst." Giyuu looks to Mitsuha who points at her watch. "It's almost time."

"Hm." Giyuu stands up and behind a room divider as Mitsuha stands next to the door. Several minutes pass—

Boom

Boom

Muffled explosions resound at the top level. The door opens and Mitsuha walks outside. At Giyuu's position, he can hear confusion from the demons. After several seconds, Mitsuha drags Koto through the door.

"Mitsuha what the hell are you doing?"

Mitsuha lets go of her hand and closes the door. "I heard explosions and thought you were in trouble."

"Explosions? Is that where the smoke was coming from?"

"Sorry." Mitsuha ducks down.

"What are yo-"

Giyuu glides through the distance and swings the tanto across Koto's neck.

Slice

Koto turns around and looks up at Giyuu. "Y-You-" Her head then flops to the floor and her body turns to ash. Her eyes flicker to Mitsuha and she snarls, "You fucking trait-" The rest of the head disappear.

Giyuu feels less pressure from his head. 'The blood art seems to be dissipating.' He looks down at the tanto as the blood disappears, 'Had to exert more force but it's possible. I'd rather have my sword.' He looks to Mitsuha. "Did anyone see you?"

Mitsuha shakes her head. "No, everyone was too distracted by what was going on top."

Giyuu hears muffled shouting from the door and sheathes the tanto. "You should go."

"Right, good luck." Mitsuha opens the door and runs out.

Giyuu waits for several seconds before he stumbles out of the room and takes in the chaos around him. Demons are standing about as they stare at the upper-level that is covered in smoke. Giyuu can hear some shouting and the signature sound of when metal cuts into flesh. He looks back down and spots Mitsuha going into specific rooms in order to get the demons. 'Good. Those civilians are safer inside the rooms.' He looks to the other side to see several of the civilians clustered together but Giyuu spots some demons amongst the crowd. 'Damn.' He then looks to the path of the stairs. 'I have to make a path. But first,' He stays behind the demons and 'staggers' over there. 'I need to take care of them first.'

Crack

Crash

Giyuu looks back up to see Tengen with one leg on the railing and one cleaver draped on his shoulder. "Hello everyone! How is everyone tonight? Oh me? I'm doing flamboyant!" While muffled by a bandana over his mouth and nose, Tengen's voice is still loud enough to bounce around the walls. He then points his other cleaver down at the demons. "I hope you all had a good time tonight because it's gonna be your last. Don't worry though, I'll make sure it'll end with a big bang."

Giyuu sighs and continues his way. 'No need to make it that flashy.'

Along his path he can hear the demons whispering:

"Who's that giant?"

"Is he one of those 'slayers' the Mistress mentioned?"

"I thought they were just stories."

"Get him!" Giyuu pauses again as he recognizes Mitsuha's voice. "There's only one of him and we can swarm him!"

"Rarrgh!"

Most of the demons got riled up but before they could move, Tengen jumps down and lands in the middle of the gathered demons. "Now now. One at a time please, I do have three ladies waiting for me."

The demons hesitate before one brave demon charges at the Sound Pillar.

"Die!"

Emboldened, the rest join in the charge. Tengen smirks as he dodges and weaves through the crowd without attacking anyone.

In the midst of all that, Giyuu catches Tengen's gaze who gives a slight nod. 'Right.' He slowly looks around him but frowns when there is still two demons there. He then catches movement at the stairs and he turns to see Makio and Hinatsuru sneaking close to the walls. In a few seconds, the kunoichis start to sneak into the crowd and Hinatsuru unstraps Giyuu's sword. 'Wait.' Giyuu looks toward the Mistress's door to see it unopened. 'Where-' Giyuu spots water rising from the vase that is behind Hinatsuru. The water forms into a tendri—

"Watch out!" Giyuu rushes forward to push Hinatsuru and a civilian onto the ground.

Crack

Giyuu grunts as the tendril whipped towards where Hinatsuru's head was originally positioned. He looks at his raised right arm to see a part of it turning blue. 'Definitely broken. Would have killed her instantly.' He pulled his tanto but the tendril gains volume and shoots toward the Pillar. He grunts again as his feet leave the ground and flies toward the person behind him.

Shink

Giyuu groans as he lifts himself off the person he landed on only to discover that it was one of the demons who in turn is staring wide-eyed at the demon slayer. He looks down to see half of her hand sunk through his yukata and into his midsection. Giyuu uses his left hand to unsheathe the tanto and stab the blade into her temple.

"Gurk!"

Giyuu pushes himself off of to stand and—

"Tomioka-sama catch!"

Giyuu turns around to react in time to catch his blade as the other demon finally moves to attack. He steps aside and cuts through her neck.

"Ghak!"

As the body falls, Giyuu doesn't hesitate as he raises his blade and swings it downward to demon on the ground.

Slice

Thud

Giyuu flinches at the dull sound as the blade strike the ground. 'Best not to do that again.' After killing the immediate threat, he looks down to see a gaping wound in his midsection. 'It didn't went all the way through but the poison is starting to spread.' He grimaces but he breathes and some of the pain lessen. 'Not only that, but the haze effect hasn't fully dissipated yet. What luck.'

Hinatsuru reaches for the wound. "Tomioka-sama."

Giyuu shakes his head and looks around for the threat. "No time for that. Get the civilians to safety."

"Bu—"

"What. Is. Going. On?"

Giyuu turns to see one of the closed doors open to reveal a tall demon and an average one beside her. 'So that's the Mistress based on Mitsuha's description.'

She takes in the scene around her before she stops at Giyuu. "You. So you were a demon slayer all along. Where's Mitsuha? Did you kill her first?"

Giyuu shifts into a combat stance and whispers to the kunoichi. "Go. I'll cover you."

She pauses but then nods her head. "Understood. Stay safe." She turns to Makio and gives hand signals. The both of them start to herd the affected civilians toward the stairs.

The Mistress flicks her head toward that group. "Go after them." The demon nods and runs after them.

Giyuu reaches forward but jumps back when a ball of water shoots toward him.

Splash

Giyuu stares at the dented floor. 'Dangerous.' He tries again to chase but he moves out of the way from another water ball. 'Dammit.'

The demon almost reaches the group but Makio and Hinatsuru turn around to throw their kunais.

Thunk

"Ack!"

Four kunais are embedded in the demon's legs and torso. The demon then staggers on her feet for a short while before she collapses on feet.

"Tch." The mistress then points at the group and water balls start to rise from a vase that is nearby the demon leader. The balls then fly toward them.

'Please let this work. Third Form: Flowing Dance.' Giyuu weaves and cuts the first projectile.

Slice

The blade cuts the ball in half and the water splashes onto the ground. 'Great.' Giyuu continues his form and cuts the others before they hit the group. After the last projectile was cut, Giyuu stands behind the group as the reach the stairs. 'They should be safe now.' Giyuu feels the muscles around his wound involuntary contract after that movement and his broken arm ache. 'Concentrate. Breathe.' He slowly makes his way toward the demon.

"Just like the other slayers. Always putting others first." Water start to rise from other vases and fly toward her back. "Because of you, all of this is gone." After a while they form multiple tendrils just like the first one Giyuu saw. Her form trembles for a moment before she relaxes and breathes out. "No matter, I will start anew. I have all of the time in the world after all."

'That's not going to happen.' Giyuu slides into a stance as the tendrils attack.

Whip

Crack

Splash

Giyuu dodges most of the whip attacks and cuts any of the tendrils that get too close to him. Small blotch of bruises appear on his body as the Mistress sneaked some smaller water-balls in her attacks. 'I need to get closer.' Giyuu jumps away from a barrage of several water-balls.

"Tengen!" It is Hinatsuru's voice. "The civilians are away!"

"Finally!" Tengen raises his blades above his head. "Brace!" He swings them down as black pellets also falls down to the floor.

BOOM

Giyuu tenses his legs to keep himself from falling over. 'I hope the walls can handle that.' Smoke fill the room as screams bounce off the walls. He looks ahead and frowns as the Mistress is already recovering from the shock wave. 'Dammit. The smoke isn't thick enough.' He catches movement behind the demon.

"Are you slayers this crazy?" She waves a hand in front of her face as all of the tendrils forms to snap—

Shink

The Mistress freezes as she looks behind her. "You..."

Mitsuha glares back as she sinks her arms into the Mistress's body. "That's for Taki."

"Traitor." Mistress twists and swipes her arm in a horizontal line.

Twack

Rip

"Gah!"

Mitsuha's upper body flies and smashes against the door and breaks through it.

'Now! First Form: Water Surface Slash.' Giyuu sprints towards and then leaps at the tall demon. He swings his sword in one single horizontal slash.

Slice

The blade cuts through the water and the demon's neck. The head flops to the ground and the body drops to the side. The head looks at Mitsuha. "H-How could you? After e-everything I did and forgave you?"

Mitsuha coughs blood and laughs, "Hahahahahaha. If you had let us go, none of this would have happened. But you killed Taki and that alerted the slayers. It seems karma came back at you."

"You-" The head finally disappears.

Giyuu grimaces as he feels the wounds and poison start to worsen. He ignores it as he walks over to Mitsuha's upper body.

"Hey," Mitsuha pushes one of her remaining arm on the floor in order to remain upright. "So much for getting on that train huh?"

Giyuu sees no changes on her body. 'She's not regenerating since she didn't get any blood tonight.' "I can still take you."

She chuckles before coughing more blood. "You running around the city while holding a torso? That would be a sight to see." She sighs, "But both of us know it's not possible now."

"...I'm sorry."

Mitsuha smiles, "No need to apologize Tomioka. If anything, I should be thanking you. You gave me the best opportunity I could ask for. Although, can you do me a favor?"

"It depends." He starts to feel lightheaded.

Mitsuha turns her head to show her red braided-cord. "This was a gift from Taki. Can you bring this and the books to that lake? If you can, can you bury them? At least we'll be together at our new home."

'Something so small for all she has done for us.' He nods his head. "I will do that."

Mitsuha smiles, "Thank you." She closes her eyes. "I wonder if I can see Taki now..."

Giyuu sighs and walks up to Mitsuha. 'Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought.' He changes the grip on his sword and he glides the blade through her neck.

"Ahhhh, so warm." Mitsuha keeps her smile as her head falls to the ground. "Thank you again." The body and head disappears, leaving her kimono and the braid.

Giyuu stares for a moment before he sighs and reaches for the braid.

Clench

Giyuu groans as he doubles over and drops his sword.

Clang

'It's worse than I thought.' Giyuu feels all of strength leave him and he starts to fall to the—

"Whoa!" Tengen and Hinatsuru catches him. He looks at the wounds and frowns, "You're not looking too good... this is bad. We need to take you to the Butterfly estate."

Tengen was about to carry Giyuu but stops him. "Wait." He reaches for the braid.

"Leave it."

"No. I have to... bury them."

"Dammit fine. Hinatsuru, get the braid."

Giyuu points at Mitsuha's room. "G-Get Tachi...bana's books. It's... in a red cloth on her be-bed."

"Are you serious!? You're bleeding out!"

"Pleas-Please. It's the le-least I could do."

Hinatsuru places her hand on Giyuu's shoulder. "I'll make sure to get it."

"T-Thank you. Make sure...no one...sees it."

She nods her head and then looks to Tengen. "Go. We'll take care of the clean-up."

"Thanks. Alright, up you go. Tomioka." Tengen makes sure not to touch Giyuu's wounded side and cradles him. "Hang on tight and don't fall asleep."

.

Whoosh

Beat

.

Giyuu blinks and tries to keep his eyes open. 'How far have the poison actually spread?'

"Don't you dare fall asleep Tomioka! You saved Hina's life and I'm letting you go like that you hear?"

"Hm." The world around him start to fade but he keeps focus onto the night sky.

.

Beat

Tak tak tak

.

Giyuu notices the full moon. 'Oh... that's nice.' He turns his head to see a metal floor and feels the wind on his face. 'Are we on a train?' He closes his eyes for a moment...

.

Whoosh

Beat

.

"...ioka wake up!"

Giyuu blinks his eyes open to see branches covering the sky. 'Are we...on the ground?' He then notices that the world is going up and down. He looks to the side to see Tengen's face red and sweat rolling down.

"Keep your eyes open alright? Think of something to stay awake okay? We're almost there!"

'...Something?' Giyuu feels his eyelids grow heavy. 'So tired...'

"...Oi...oi...!"

.

.

.

.

.

A butterfly flutters across his mind.

.

.

.

.

.

"...yuu!..."

"...Shi...no...bu..."