Mitsuri didn't often hold back when it came to her actions and thoughts these days. She'd had plenty (too much) of experience with doing so in the past, and loved that she'd found where she could truly be herself. However, she couldn't help that she reverted a bit when she saw the other Pillars. They were just… so amazing! It was more than a little intimidating. They were each an inspiration in their own right.

Kyojuro had taught her so much and believed in her, even when he had duties of his own and a family to take care of.

Shinobu was so confident and fast and beautiful… sometimes it made Mitsuri jealous, but usually she just loved to be around the only other female Hashira.

She didn't know Himejima-san well, but his power was awe-inspiring and he was always so kind and loved to pray for her (and everything else, but she saw that as a definite positive).

Shinazugawa-san was an incredible warrior, and while she certainly had problems with his personality, she could still respect him. Besides, he was a bit scary and she found it easy to be a little more quiet around him.

Of course, there was Tanjiro. The boy wasn't attractive to her like some of the others (at least, not yet, he was still far too young), but he was so. Freaking. CUTE. In an adorable, little-brother kind of way. And he had such a good heart and his story was so heart-rending… He was a good listener and he loved a good conversation, such a rare find in her experience. She found herself just enjoying being around him.

Then she came to Tomioka Giyuu. There was little about the man that wasn't amazing. His looks, his skills, his ability to simply stoically stand and take anything given… She couldn't help but wonder how he did it. Like Tanjiro, she didn't tend to be as soft-spoken around him because he just made talking so easy. And he was such a good listener. Not as rare as the 'good listener and good conversationalist too' trait, but definitely the more rare of the 'either/or' scenario.

And then there was the newest Pillar, Obanai Iguro. She'd never seen what he hid under his scarf, but the fact that he'd created his own form of breathing (Serpent breathing, how cool was that?) and how he just didn't seem to care about being anyone but himself just made her heart flutter. He spoke his mind and he had such an interesting voice… she just loved it.

Okay, she loved all of them in one way or another, to be honest.

One on one, she could handle any of these people and happily be herself. But being around all of them at once… She just couldn't help but be a little self-conscious! And the blushing didn't help at all. At least she didn't stutter. That would have been mortifying.

Speaking of the Serpent Pillar…

"Does anyone know why we're here? I thought we were only supposed to meet twice a year and we just met a month ago," the man asked, sounding bored, annoyed and interested all at once. Mitsuri had no idea how he managed to pull that off.

"Didn't you hear?" Shinobu spoke up, sounding terribly amused. "Our Sun Pillar has returned!"

Kyojuro looked intrigued and Tomioka-san perked up a bit (although his expression didn't change much other than that – so stoic). Unfortunately, those were the most positive reactions. Predictably, Shinazugawa huffed angrily and, sadly, Obanai didn't seem too excited either. Himejima just muttered about 'the poor soul' before devolving into mantras. Mitsuri just observed everyone quietly as she waited for Ubuyashiki-sama and his… guests to arrive.

It didn't escape the Love Pillar's notice that Shinobu had purposefully left out any mention of (former?) Waxing Third.

Oh, this was going to be worse than when Tanjiro had revealed his condition. She had to at least try to head off some of the damage. Maybe start small? Slowly acclimatize them to the idea…

"He managed to turn a demon to our side," she interjected and had to fight the urge to shrink back when Shinobu shot her a disapproving frown. Mitsuri tried to tell herself she didn't care because Shinobu almost acted like she wanted a fight to break out, just for the expressions of surprise they'd have on their faces… So she steeled herself and just stared back defiantly.

Shinazugawa snapped out angrily. "Just when his lies couldn't get any worse, he went and convinced Oyakata-sama of that?! How many of his claims will you believe?!"

Mitsuri balled her fists and met the Wind Pillar's gaze. "He's not lying," she said, well aware of how childish her argument sounded. So much for acting maturely.

"Wait," Obanai cut in from the branch of the tree he laid on, "this is the kid that's slowly turning into a demon, right?"

When he put it like that….

Still, Mitsuri turned to him and nodded firmly. (She noticed Shinobu's eyebrows furrowing out of the corner of her eye, but couldn't focus on that now.)

"I don't get it," the serpent Pillar said. "Why are we keeping him alive if he's becoming a demon?"

"Been asking the same question," Shinazugawa said poisonously.

"Because," a new voice broke in, causing everyone to turn towards the house, "I believe he is the key to bringing Muzan down." Ubuyashiki-sama had come into the room facing them. Mitsuri, along with everyone else, dropped to one knee.

"Rise, my children," the man said gently.

She loved how kind, thoughtful, supportive and respectful he was. Despite losing his eyesight to a disease and his slowly worsening health, he never seemed to lose hope or heart and that in and of itself was such an inspiration.

"Welcome to this Hashira meeting." He sat down with the help of his daughters, who then bowed and left. So elegant…. "I am sorry to call you here so soon after our previous meeting, but something of vital importance has come up. Or, more precisely, two things.

"First, I know that there are traditionally Nine Hashira positions, but as far as my research shows, that is because we have only ever had nine people with those skill levels at any given point. As such, I see no reason to not create a tenth position simply to keep up with tradition.

"Muichiro?"

A very cute, blank-eyed teenager walked in from the door where the daughters had disappeared and bowed. He didn't say anything as he straightened.

"This is Tokito Muichiro. He has actually been at Hashira level for a while now, but since there was no position open, I have kept him at rank Kinoe. However, from this day forward, he will be our Mist Pillar."

Oh! Another person with his own style! How amazing!

"Go ahead and greet them, Muichiro."

The boy blinked and turned to the Demon Slayer Corps Head. "Why?" he asked blankly, "I'll just forget I did…"

A twinge of pain passed over Ubuyashiki-sama's face, but then he smiled. "Because it's polite."

The boy blinked, then shrugged and bowed to them. "Pleased to meet you."

The nearly blind man's smile widened. "Thank you. You may go and line up with your fellow Pillars."

"Hai, Oyakata-sama," the boy said blankly as he calmly walked forward and hopped down from the engawa.

"Apologies, Oyakata-sama," Kyojuro said loudly, boisterously, "but I do not think you brought us here simply to meet our newest Pillar! As blessed as we are to have another strong hand to help us in our fight against Kibutsuji Muzan, I would like to know the real reason why we were brought here."

Several nods of agreement from the gathered group caught Mitsuri's eye and she sighed inwardly.

Ubuyashiki-sama just stood there, kind smile on his face, for several seconds before he nodded. Then he turned towards the second door visible in the room.

"Tanjiro, Akatsugi-san, you may come in."

Mitsuri's eyes widened. He'd left Tanjiro and the former Waxing Third alone in the house?

This… would not end well. She braced herself, wincing before she heard anyone say anything as everyone looked to the boy and the demon he'd escorted in.

"Oyakata-sama," Shinobu, surprisingly, was the first to speak up, "you left Kamado-san alone? With Akatsugi-san?"

"I knew I had pillars in the house," Ubuyashiki-sama said calmly as he looked in Shinobu's direction, despite likely not being able to see her. "Many of them, to be precise."

The Insect Pillar didn't argue, but she also didn't respond.

"With all due respect, Oyakata-sama," Himejima said quietly, "That isn't good enough! Your safety comes first." He still looked as if he were perpetually crying and began to mutter mantras and prayers again.

He was just so dedicated.

Then a white blur dodged past her with an angry yell. Mitsuri cried out and took a step forward as she saw Shinazugawa jump at Tanjiro and Akatsugi.

"DIE demon!" he screamed, sword aimed right for Akatsugi's neck.

The demon caught his sword with his bare hand, but seemed surprised when it cut right through his appendage and he stepped to the side… grinning as Shinazugawa fell past him.

"Oh, I like you, too," he said, smile stretching as he grabbed Shinazugawa before he could turn around and threw him back outside amid gasps of realization.

"A demon!"

"A Waxing Moon!"

More than one Pillar drew their sword. Akatsugi stretched his arms… his whole hand had already grown back. He interlaced his fingers and thrust his palms forward popping all of his hand-joints in the process. Then he directed his smile at them.

It… wasn't a simple smile, much to Mitsuri's bemusement. The expression held so much relief, but also hints of a mask over something negative and… she never would have been able to tell the difference if she hadn't gotten to know him a little more recently.

She wasn't sure that was a good thing…

"Please," Ubuyashiki-sama said, holding up his hands as he stood.

"Oyakata-sama!" Mitsuri said worriedly, "You shouldn't be standing! Please, sit! Rest!"

"When we can all agree to discuss things calmly," he returned, smile gone but voice still so soft – soft and yet hard at the same time.

"But he's a Waxing Moon!" Shinazugawa protested as he stood, taking a stance as if to attack again.

"And my guest," Oyakata-sama said firmly. "Until I say so, please do not attack said guest, Sanemi-san."

The Wind Pillar didn't vocally agree, simply grinding his teeth together, but he did nod. He didn't put his sword away. None of the others did either. The only three who hadn't drawn their swords were Shinobu, Mitsuri and (of course) Tanjiro.

The group fell into shocked silence for several seconds before Ubuyashiki-sama seemed satisfied and sat back down. Then he waved at Tanjiro and Akatsugi.

"Please explain what happened, Tanjiro."

The boy in question nodded firmly, eyes fixed and determined. Then he began to speak. He told of the fight between them and the Waxing Moons, how Akatsugi (then Akaza) had bitten into his hand and how it had done something to him, even though they hadn't known what at the time. He told of how he'd had to release his full power to fend Waxing Two off and then how he'd managed to burn Muzan's cells out of his sister's body.

That wasn't the first time he was interrupted, but it was the first time that multiple outbursts stopped him from continuing. Everything from "Liar!" (Shinazugawa) to "Flamboyant!" (Uzui-san) to "Why did you not tell me this before?" (from a widely smiling Shinobu) and even an open mouth from Tomioka-san (even like that he looked super cute).

Finally everyone calmed down and Shinobu, looking far calmer than she had a couple of seconds before, spoke for all of them. "Kamado-kun, do you think you could burn the demon infection out of a fully-realized demon?"

Tanjiro paused and frowned. "I… don't know," he replied. "I mean, usually when I burn the demon out of someone they… kind of die. I think I just managed to get to Nezuko fast enough. Although, I do usually tend to cut off their heads…"

"Hmm. Would you be willing to experiment and see?" Shinobu asked after a couple of seconds of contemplation.

For several seconds, Tanjiro didn't speak. When he did, he looked her directly in the eye, expression pained. Right, whenever he activated that power, he became more demon-like. They were asking him to give up his humanity to save that of others.

What a horrible choice.

Mitsuri wasn't terribly surprised (but a little heartbroken) when he nodded. "Sure. Whatever I can do to help." He looked so hopeful… Mitsuri could only hope right along with him that it worked.

"Excellent!" Shinobu said happily. Then, without missing a beat, she added on, "But there is one thing I must report myself." She turned to Oyakata-sama.

The nearly-blind man nodded. "Proceed," he said.

Her smile widened and she turned to the other Pillars again. "Kamado Tanjiro's demon cells are unlike anything we've ever seen before. They've mutated to a point where they are only barely recognizable as demon cells to begin with. They feed on Muzan's cells and basically do the same thing to those as Muzan's do to humans, turning Muzan's demons into his own."

More various reactions from angry to confused (to stoic, and Giyuu still pulled it off so well) sounded, but Shinobu didn't acknowledge any of them, simply waiting for the commentary to die down by raising a hand, palm out. Once it quieted to the point where she was satisfied, she continued.

"However, I have also found that his cells do the same to human cells that aren't his own." She paused, letting that hang in the air for several seconds before turning to Tanjiro, who had gone very, very pale.

"Kamado-san, you have become a demon progenitor."

xXx

Tanjiro didn't know what to think. Shinobu's words bounced around in his head, again and again, but he couldn't seem to comprehend them. Unsurprising as he'd had a hard enough time accepting that he could 'steal' and would essentially take over Muzan's role to demons, but creating demons on his own…

As a Waxing Moon, he could have turned people if he'd wanted to… but the very thought had repulsed him then, and didn't fair much better now.

He put a hand over his mouth, as if to shield the world from him – his fangs and blood…

He felt sick, his stomach churning and the world around him faded in and out.

This… this was…

No.

NO.

He… couldn't. He wouldn't! Never!

He suddenly realized that chaos had erupted outside the room and he brought himself back to the present moment only to find he'd fallen on his knees.

"...Take him out, he could create another army for us to fight!" Shinazugawa was yelling.

"Tanjiro would never do that!" Mitsuri shrieked right back, not backing down from the taller man for a moment.

Meanwhile, Tanjiro could sense some rather mixed feelings from Akatsugi. He glanced up to see the demon staring down at him while projecting a concoction of fear, interest, amusement, wariness, respect and… disgust?

Yeah, Tanjiro didn't want to even begin to untangle that. He needed to focus on his own problems for the moment. Namely coming to terms with… this.

Why hadn't Tamayo-san told him? Had she known? Or had she simply assumed that because his own human cells hadn't been susceptible to his demon cells that it would automatically translate to all human cells? She had said something about not testing that yet… what had she been testing his blood for? Had she—

"Tanjiro," Ubuyashiki-sama's voice caught his attention and he looked up to see many of the pillars staring at him with varying expressions. It took every ounce of will to not shrink away from the attention. "Can you promise me that unless a human is dying, you will not turn them into a demon?"

"Even that is too lenient!" Shinazugawa yelled, but Ubuyashiki-sama held up his hand, never taking his eyes off of his Sun Pillar.

Tanjiro didn't hesitate for a moment. "Yes," he said. "I… I would never…I mean… I promise." He sounded so desperate, even to his own ears, but he needed them to believe that.

"How can you not see that he's playing us all?!" the Wind Pillar yelled, throwing out his hand towards them.

That was when the scent hit him. Shinazugawa must have gotten cut when he'd been thrown, minor enough that it hadn't really started to bleed for a couple of minutes, and judging from the stiffening of the demon next to him, Akatsugi had just gotten a whiff of it too.

His own hunger nearly bowled him over, and getting it from Akatsugi as well didn't help at all. At the previous Hashira meeting he'd attended, he hadn't even been tempted because he hadn't needed to eat like a demon, but now he not only had that to contend with, but his unwitting subordinate's. His hand, already near his mouth, quickly covered his nose. It helped with that initial instinct, which allowed him to realize that the Waxing Moon beside him was about ready to attack.

No! he shouted in his mind. Akatsugi jumped a little. He looked as if he wanted to take a step forward, but hesitated, looking down at his feet, expression confused. Tanjiro could see the demon's mouth watering as he turned to look at the time-traveler. The boy shook his head firmly, a little desperate.

Akatsugi blinked at him, then looked out at Shinazugawa, who was still arguing. Then he seemed to come back to himself as he blinked several times and put a hand up to rub the back of his head, not sheepishly but as if he didn't really know what else to do.

"Alright," he finally said, "you're stronger than I thought if you can withstand that on your own."

Relieved, Tanjiro smiled up at him, albeit a bit shakily. "Can you?" he asked as quietly as he could.

The former Kizuki frowned and tapped his chin. "I mean, it's easier now that you don't want me to, but it's still tempting. Doesn't help that he's so obviously strong. However, now that I know… yeah. I think I can handle it."

The Sun Hashira nodded again, shoulders slumping. The demon meant what he'd said. It was part of why he'd liked Akaza the most of all the Waxing Moons, he was just so straight forward and honest. He could be snarky and sly if he wanted to be, but he rarely did. It was refreshing, really. Even now. It had been a godsend when he'd become a Waxing Moon.

"Oi!" Shinazugawa's voice drew their attention and the two of them looked to see all the other Pillars staring at them again, most of them warily. "Let me guess: before, you didn't crave human flesh, but now you do," he said with a huge grin. Then, in a flash, he'd cut his arm and the scent strengthened.

Akatsugi hissed, but didn't move from his spot, much to the younger boy's redoubled relief. That was one problem taken care of for now. However, Tanjiro knew that he'd have to face Shinazugawa and his merechi blood without running away or attacking before the Pillars would trust him. Even Mitsuri looked worried.

"You can't even come out in the sunlight anymore, can you?" the Wind Hashira taunted. Then he jumped up onto the engawa and marched into the shade. "Well, here I am! Come and get me!"

Tanjiro took a moment to gather and brace himself. Then he lowered his hand. The scent hit his senses full on but he refused to budge, no matter how good it smelled. He took a deep, sun breath and slowly rose to his feet. Then, deliberately, he walked towards Shinazugawa. Everyone tensed, but Tanjiro made sure to keep his hands in front of him, open and low. Fortunately, no one attacked. The vindicated grin slipped right off of the older man's face as Tanjiro walked right by him without so much as glancing his way. He stepped into the sunlight and met the gaze of all the Pillars in front of him. Then he turned to the once again shocked Wind Pillar and spoke.

"You really need to stop doing that. You'll hurt yourself irreparably one day and we'll be down a Hashira. We need all the strength we can get against Muzan." Then he felt himself soften a little. "Besides, you have a little brother who needs you."

Instead of calming him down, that riled Shinazugawa right back up. Tanjiro really should have seen that coming. The Wind Pillar went to strike at him, but then Akatsugi was right by them, grabbing the white-haired man's arm before it or the sword he held could begin to reach Tanjiro.

"If you want a good fight, why not try me?" the former Waxing Third asked, sharp anticipatory grin in place.

"They're both flamboyantly in the sun!" Uzui-san said worriedly.

"Just another reason to get rid of both of you," Shinazugawa growled, yanking his arm away.

"Shinazugawa-san," Ubuyashiki-sama said, his voice surprisingly cold, "you agreed to not attack my guests, and it is against the rules of the corps to attack another corps member without cause."

Silence fell. The Wind Pillar looked livid as he glared at Tanjiro and Akatsugi, but then he glanced between them and the Corps Head for several seconds before bowing towards Ubuyashiki-sama. In quite the feat, he never took his eyes off of Tanjiro and Akatsugi.

"Forgive me, Oyakata-sama," he managed to grind out.

Ubuyashiki-sama sighed. "I wanted my Pillars to train with Akatsugi-san, and he agreed. Training with a Waxing Moon – former or not – can only help us in the long run. However, I will prevent this training from happening if I cannot trust my Pillars to only train… if I cannot trust my Pillars to trust me."

Most of the Hashira looked down or away in shame. All except for Mitsuri, Giyuu and, surprisingly enough, Muichiro. It kind of hurt to see him there and know that Oyakata-sama hadn't been able to prevent the tragedy that sent him into the Corps.

Tanjiro found himself raising his eyebrows when the boy in question spoke up. "I'd like to train with him." Then he turned to Akatsugi and bowed ever so slightly, face still expressionless. "If you would."

The demon blinked, then glanced down at his reddening skin. At least there weren't any blisters. Yet.

"Yeah, sure, kid. Tonight, though. Fighting demons in the dark makes it more authentic… and crap." With that, he turned and strode back into the shade, sitting himself against one of the walls as nonchalantly as if he were surrounded by lesser demons and not demon slayers.

"Tanjiro," Ubuyashiki-sama said, drawing the boy's attention.

"Hai, Oyakata-sama?"

"I'd like you to go to Fukujikasane Mountain, where we hold the Final Selection, and try to rescue some of the demons there."

Shinobu-san frowned and stepped forward. "I have started some experiments I cannot put on hold," she said. "I won't be able to accompany him for at least three days."

Ubuyashiki-sama sent Tanjiro an apologetic look that immediately had him on edge.

"Then you will join him later. Unfortunately, most of you are needed for upcoming missions or have scheduled training. As such, until Shinobu-san can join you, Tanjiro, the only pillar I can send with you is Shinazugawa-san."

Tanjiro and the Wind Pillar both spoke at the same time, "What?!"

xXx

AN: Thanks to Found, TimeLordTim and Quathis for their help on this! (Beta readers FTW!)

You know, I think Hashira meetings are a bit... formulaic, I suppose. I mean, they meet, they tell what they learned, Ubuyashiki is lenient towards demons that have proven themselves, Shinazugawa isn't, the Hashira split, and it ends. But... they're kind of important, you know? *shrug* I suppose it is what it is. Everything I needed to happen in this chapter happened. *evil laugh here*

*ahem*

Discord: discord. gg/zJQSDa8 (no spaces)