"I'm sorry, Suzuki-san, but what you remember was no dream."
The world around Kaiyo froze and the sick feeling in her stomach intensified.
No… no… that couldn't be… that couldn't be right!
She shook her head at the girl, almost unable to breathe through the horror and shock.
"This… this is a prank… a cruel joke…" she whispered.
The woman shook her own head grimly. "No, it isn't. We have been experimenting with a possible cure for demons, bringing them back to being human again. We—"
"NO!" Kaiyo shouted angrily, feeling tears coming to her eyes. "NO! That's not true! You're lying!"
Kocho rose to her feet, holding out her hands placatingly. "It is true," she said firmly, if warily. "Why would I lie about something like that?"
"I don't know! You want my husband! Or my children!" Then she gasped as it all came together. "You steal children and raise them here to serve you!"
Kocho was shaking her head again. "No. The children you've met are here because their families were killed by demons and they have nowhere else to go."
"A likely story!" She was sobbing openly now, her heart beat so fast and she felt so sick. It couldn't be true! And she would not believe it!
She tried to get to her feet, forcing her lethargic body to move. She had to get out of here! She had to—
"Suzuki-san," the young woman said, this time her voice full of warning, "if you continue to strain yourself I will be forced to sedate you."
"S-stay away from me! Monster! Kidnapper! Y-you—"
And that suddenly, the woman was no longer there. Kaiyo's eyes widened and she felt a presence behind her.
"I warned you," she heard the woman's voice and went to turn around, but a solid chop to the back of the neck sent her tumbling – mercifully – into unconsciousness.
xXx
Shinobu walked as calmly as she could down the hallway of the Butterfly Mansion and tried not to seethe.
How dare she! How dare she say such things about her and the girls and…
She forced herself to take a deep breath. No, she needed to be more understanding. That woman wasn't a demon any longer and Shinobu had to remember that. She'd gotten a glimpse of what that woman's memories were from her explanation – likely killing her own husband and devouring him… unable to stop herself or even find the will to want to stop… killing random strangers only to eat them too… For more than fourty years.
Shinobu wouldn't want to remember a past like that either.
That didn't stop the fact that what she'd said – what she'd accused Shinobu of…
Ugh. She needed to find something to bind their newest patient to the bed with once she woke up. She had a feeling this would take a lot of explaining and probably more patience than she had at this point, but she was the doctor of the Corps and needs must.
She tried to withhold a groan and only paused when she heard a distant, steady pounding.
Frowning, she turned down the hallway she'd been about to pass and headed towards the sound. About half-way there, she realized where it was coming from and she put her hand on her blade. Then she withdrew said blade… if that was Shinazugawa and he attacked her, he would regret it.
The heavy doorway came into view. She braced herself and reached for her keys. It only took her a couple of moments to unlock the door, but when she did, she stepped back, ready to pounce if necessary.
Instead of Shinazugawa, though, all she saw was Kamado standing on the top step, his hand poised to knock. When the door opened, he smiled, yawned (those teeth!), and then rubbed his eye, peeking one blearily open to look at the Insect Pillar.
"Morning, Shinobu-san."
It was entirely too cute of a picture for a demon. Any demon. Ever. Even with the glowing eyes and kanji written in them.
Sighing, she reached behind him and closed the doorway. "Good morning, Kamado," she replied as she locked the door again. "I assume Shinazugawa-san isn't joining us?"
Kamado shook his head. "Nah. He's still asleep. Dunno how long he'll stay like that." He stretched his arms over his head before pausing. "Speaking of, how long have I been out?"
She finished locking the door and put her keys into her pocket before turning to him. "Three days."
He frowned thoughtfully, then nodded. "Sounds about right." He stretched his neck to one side and then the other. "Is there any news for me?" he asked.
"Oyakata-sama has okayed your request to go and see your family," she said as she turned and began to walk down the hall, gesturing for him to walk beside her – half because she didn't want to turn her back to a demon when she didn't have to (even if she did trust him) and half because he was a fellow Hashira and should be treated with that level of respect.
"Really?" he asked happily. "That'll be great! I know it's only a couple of months since I last saw them, but I'm really looking forward to it! I can't wait to see how far they've come in their training! My mom could almost perform the styles and was practicing breathing all the time! That was on top of keeping the house in order! I suppose she took over from Urokodaki-sensei because they had to expand the house so all the kids could live there too!"
He seemed so happy, she almost hated to cut him off, but she also needed to let him know a couple more things. So when he took a deep breath, she calmly spoke.
"Kamado-san, I must also tell you that I cannot accompany you to your sensei's. I will have another mission."
The boy's face fell almost comically. He looked honestly upset at her words. That surprised her a bit. It wasn't exactly a secret in the Corps that she tended to keep people at arms length. So what had endeared her so to the boy? Or perhaps it was a past life? Hmm…
"If you won't," he finally said, frowning in puzzlement, "who will be accompanying me?"
"Iguro Obanai; The Serpent Pillar."
Kamado blinked at her for several seconds while she just continued to smile at him. "Huh. Well, okay then. I look forward to getting to know him!"
Shinobu actually paused at his happy expression – his still so genuine expression. This was the smiling, up-beat boy she'd initially gotten to know…
But she remembered his words from a couple of days ago: "I have to stay positive, though. Even if I have to force it, I can't let that go. It's… sometimes I feel like it's all I have left of me."
They were far more similar than she would like to admit aloud, she realized.
"Kamado-san," she said, making sure her smile looked extra warm (she hoped it did in any case). "You don't have to keep your facade up around me. I appreciate that you're upset I can't go. I'm honored you trust me."
He seemed surprised by her words, but he quickly smiled again. "This has to be the least angry I think I've ever seen you. Thank you."
It was her turn to be surprised, eyes widening as she took in his words. "I'm sorry?" she said, thinking she needed clarification.
His smile widened and he tapped his nose with one clawed finger. "Even before I became… well, like this," he gestured to his body, "I had an excellent sense of smell. To a point where I can smell a person's changing emotions. That's only become more potent since… well, yeah. It does that every time.
"In any case, while I thank you and your invitation, I don't always have to force myself to be positive. I truly am looking forward to getting to know Iguro-san."
Shinobu wasn't quite sure what to think of that, to be honest, but she did believe him. She also wondered how well the two of them would get along… She didn't think Igoro was as volatile as Shinazugawa tended to be (now he seemed even more intense than before, which wasn't exactly surprising she supposed), but he had a quiet stubbornness and distance about him. He supported and worked with other demon slayers and was extremely dedicated, but kept everyone at arms length, more than Shinobu did, even. She wasn't sure if he did it on purpose or if that just happened to be his personality, though.
One way or another, it should be interesting.
"Well, I wish you luck," she said with a smile.
"Thank you!" he replied excitedly.
And she believed he was actually excited.
This boy.
They walked along for a little longer in silence before he suddenly spoke up again. "Oh! The lady I burned the demon out of! How is she? Did she…" he faded off, fidgeting nervously, "did she die?"
Shinobu couldn't hold back a sigh. It was just so easy to be more herself around this boy. "No," she replied. "She woke up and seems to be doing alright physically. But she doesn't seem to think that any of her memories as a demon are real. Seeing as she killed her husband, I can't say I blame her."
Kamado cringed and nodded. "Memories from when the hunger takes over are… not pleasant."
She didn't comment on that for several seconds, instead looking over at him thoughtfully. So he had memories of killing and/or eating his friends? His family? Likely, from what she'd heard.
Shinobu stopped and turned to him. "Kamado-san," she said seriously. He paused and looked at her with a wide-eyed innocence that he really shouldn't have. It occurred to her to wonder, once again, if he did that on purpose… She suppressed a shudder and focused on what she wanted to ask him.
"Would you be willing to speak with her? I knocked her out, but she should be awake again soon. At the very least, you can prove that demons do exist and perhaps convince her she was one."
"And help her to begin to heal from such a terrible spiritual wound," he muttered, bringing a hand up to clutch at his chest as he looked down and away.
Shinobu's expression softened. "Yes." Then a surprising memory popped up of Kanae reaching out to her when she'd been in a similar pose, speaking of their lost family. Hesitantly – awkwardly – she did the same. Instead of taking his hand as Kanae had hers, she laid a hand on top of his, hoping that would be enough (she wasn't sure she could do more). "If anything, you can prove that it's possible to overcome this."
His expression, when he looked up at her, seemed so open and vulnerable she had a hard time believing this was the boy who had won against Waxing Three, driven off Waxing Two, and survived Waxing One. This was the boy who had beaten four Waning Moons at once. But he looked so… broken… so lost.
"I haven't overcome it at all," he said.
For the first time in a long time, she gave her first warm smile when not talking to someone she considered family.
"I think you have, more than you realize. That pain will always be with you," hers always was, "but you function and live and help others anyway. You're strong, Kamado-san, in more ways than just physically."
If anything, he looked even more vulnerable after that. Had she said something wrong? She hadn't actually meant to this time…
Then he stepped forward and threw his arms around her. Despite being four years younger, he was already taller than her (she'd always hated how short she was), but it didn't feel like a hug between equals… more like she was an older sister. Like she was hugging Kanao or Aoi…
So she put her hands on his back and patted it gently, hoping it didn't feel too stiff.
A soft noise caused them both to turn and glance down the hallway. There at the end, looking far more expressive (surprised) than Shinobu had seen her in a while, stood Kanao.
Kamado practically lit up.
"Tsuyuri-san!" he said, letting Shinobu go and rushing down the hall, bright smile right back in place. "I'm Kamado Tanjiro! It's great to meet you! Shinobu-san speaks very highly of you."
This kid was going to give her emotional whiplash.
And she'd known she would ultimately fail when it came to keeping Kanao from meeting Kamado, especially with him staying at the Butterfly Estate. She'd just hoped she could hold off their meeting for longer.
Kanao frowned and glanced past the boy bowing lowly to her, meeting Shinobu's eyes.
Shinobu wanted to sigh as she began to walk towards them but managed to hold it back.
Her Tsuguko regarded the boy in front of her for several seconds before she reached into her pocket.
This time Shinobu did sigh, reminding herself that it was still better than before. That became harder and harder to believe after more than three years…
Kanao flipped her coin and seemed pleased when it landed. Well, that was an improvement at least. She nodded, still holding her coin in her hand, and met Kamado's eyes.
"You're a demon," she said to him.
"Uh, yeah," he said sheepishly, rubbing the top of his head and probably smiling that huge smile of his that looked just as scary as it did friendly due to those teeth. "Sorry. It's a long story. Shinobu-san can tell you all about it, though, if I don't get a chance to!"
He turned that smile back on her.
This child would be the death of all of them, giving off such sunshine like that.
She sighed again. "Kanao," she said as she approached them, her normal smile back in place, "this is our Sun Pillar: Kamado Tanjiro."
Realization came to Kanao's eyes and she bowed as would be expected of her towards a Pillar. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Kamado-sama."
The boy looked taken aback. "San!" he said. "You can call me Kamado-san! Better yet, call me Tanjiro, please." Then he turned to Shinobu. "You too, Shinobu-san!"
Shinobu blinked. She probably should have expected him to insist on being more familiar with everyone there. Somehow, that just seemed like… him.
She smiled wider, willing it to be more genuine than her normal smiles. She wasn't truly angry, just uncomfortable with him being around her little sister. Or any of the Butterfly girls really.
"Of course, Tanjiro-san." Then she glanced at Kanao. "Tanjiro-san and I were just heading back to the recovery wing. Could you inform Aoi for me?"
The girl nodded and turned to walk away, almost mechanically, slipping her coin back into her pocket as she did so. Kamado… no, Tanjiro (that might take a bit of getting used to) looked after her a little sadly. Shinobu decided it would be in everyone's best interest if she drew his attention away from her.
"Tanjiro-san, this way. We do need to return to Suzuki-san's room before she wakes again."
"Oh, right!" the boy said with a firm nod. Shinobu cocked her head to one side, still smiling at him, and then turned to lead him down the hallway.
They only spoke after that on what Tanjiro should say to her and what would likely help the most. She helped him bridge some gaps in his story and then they arived.
Thankfully, Suzuki-san was still unconscious.
xXx
Genya looked down at the walls of the Butterfly Estate. It was built in a small valley and hidden by hills surrounding it, and yet it looked so open and welcoming. It hadn't been a difficult trek. These weren't tall mountains like he'd seen in the north, but nothing to really scoff at either. He and Sensei would reach there by nightfall at their current pace.
"Genya." The boy looked up at his mentor… he seemed so tall. Like a giant. And so solid – dependable, like his breathing style. Not fast and kind of flighty like Sanemi used to…
No, he shouldn't think of that.
He wouldn't.
He shook his head and responded. "Yes, Sensei?"
"I need your promise that you will not attack Kamado-san until we have proof of wrong doing. He is a formidable opponent and we will need all of the Hashira's support if we find something must be done."
Genya grit his teeth. The moment he saw this demon, he wanted to put a bullet through his neck. Or several. And maybe all of his knives… and a sword. He did still have his nichirin sword, after all, even if he didn't use it all that often…
Or… maybe it would be a good idea to just avoid the guy altogether and let Sensei look into it more?
No. This was his brother, and thus his mess to clean up. He wouldn't just leave that to other people.
"Genya?"
The boy withheld a sigh. "Yes, Sensei," he said. "I promise."
The man put a hand on his shoulder. "We cannot act without a plan."
"I know," he replied. It still sucked, and they both knew it.
They stood there for another minute or so before Himejima-sensei turned and frowned. "Someone else is coming," he said.
Surprised, Genya turned and looked at the empty road behind them. Even after watching it for several seconds, no one came into view. He frowned up at his sensei, wondering yet again how he seemed to know the world around him without being able to see.
"Sensei?"
Himejima-sensei held up a hand, then pulled out his beads and put his hands together, beginning a mantra again. It wasn't one Genya knew, but then he'd only memorized a couple himself. He hadn't told his sensei, but to him, it felt… wrong to say such sacred things when he ate demons to gain their powers to fight.
A couple of seconds later, movement caught his eye. Squinting, he saw a figure come into view, racing towards them, chest bare but with a boar head.
"Demon?" Genya asked.
"No," Sensei said. "Another demon slayer."
Oh, right. He remembered seeing that guy at the Final Selection.
It took Genya a couple more seconds to see the limp figure across his back, despite the blinding yellow hair the second boy had. Hadn't that kid been the one to talk to…
Oh.
Oh.
And behind that, he saw a girl on their heels, running after them with her pink Haori flowing out behind her along with her long, black hair.
She'd been laying on the demon's leg, he remembered… she knew him.
He grit his teeth. What were they doing here?
And why were they using their breath forms so obviously?!
"Do you know them, Genya?" Sensei asked, turning his head as if to look down at him.
The younger man let out a breath, making sure to keep himself calm.
"They were all at my Final Selection, Sensei. I think the girl is related to Kamado. I'm not sure about the others," although they had seemed close… Well, the yellow-haired kid had.
It didn't take long for the trio to catch up to them…
And completely pass them by.
"Out of my way! I gotta win this and prove I'm the best boss!" the boy with the boar's head yelled. Genya stepped out of the way just in time. He had no doubt he would have otherwise gotten bowled over by the maniac on his way past. The yellow-haired boy's head just sort of flopped on his shoulder, eyes rolled back.
Then the girl came by and she shot them a smile. She launched herself into the air, flipped up and over, facing them as she fell back down all while… bowing? In mid-air? "Hashira-sama. Genya-san," she said. "Pleased to see you." She landed in a bow that turned into a crouch, which she used to twist back around and launch herself down the path away from them, trailing after the boys.
Genya blinked.
What… had that been?
They sat there for several seconds, watching the trio head towards the Butterfly Estate, leaving only a trail of dust and some very confused fellow demon slayers in their wake. He wasn't even sure the yellow-haired boy was alive the way he'd looked… but he hadn't seemed dead either…
Um…
"I believe this will make our mission either far easier, or far more difficult than we thought," Himejima-sensei said, tears rolling down his cheeks… again. Then he began in on some more mantras. One of them asked for luck and likely one asking for safety and help and… was there one for sanity? He hoped so…
Genya just nodded along because he agreed with whatever his Sensei was praying for. Somehow, he couldn't help but think they'd need as much help as they could get.
xXx
AN: Thanks to TimeLordTim, Quathis and Found for their help on this! Hope you enjoy this!
