Meetings
Guest review answer corner.
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Guest: Thank you! I'm glad to you like it!
Guest: Yep, and the complications are only starting, hehehe.
I think I will reveal it soon, maybe, who knows?
I am really enjoying writing Genya, since we got so little of him in the manga I have a lot of room to write him.
Thank you for the comment, until next time!
Zoya: Thank you for commenting even if it was hard since English isn't your first language; I hope you continue to enjoy it!
Willowgirlgamer: Wow… thank you! There is no need to fight haha; I appreciate the sentiment, though.
I hope you continue to enjoy the story, until next time!
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Disclaimer: I don't own Kimetsu no Yaiba.
"Is she still behind us?" Sabito asked while he, Makomo and Giyu ran; the Natagumo Mountain far behind them.
"I don't think so." Makomo answered, the box containing Nezuko inside firmly strapped to her back.
"She is probably keeping some distance." Giyu chimed in. "I don't think she wants to face the three of us at the same time."
"Yeah, probably." The peach haired man muttered. "I sent a crow already but I can't be sure if it will reach Oyakata-sama in time."
"We can only hope." The black haired swordswoman answered. "Are you sure you want to go to our home, though? They'll probably go look for us there."
"It's also the best place for Oyakata-sama to send a crow to." Sabito said back. "I know the risks but we don't have much of a choice in this situation."
"I'm so-"
"I swear Giyu, if you apologize one more time I am punching you!"
"And I'm kicking you." Sabito and Makomo said in turn.
The Tsuguko blinked twice in surprise before nodding with a small smile.
"In any case, let's pick up the pace; it'll be better if we are the first at our house."
With that, the three sped up.
It took them almost the entire morning to reach their house; thanks to their training and their job, they were all accustomed to spend the night up so they weren't too tired by the time they got there.
Sabito moved a hand to his fox mask and placed it over his face before opening the door to their home.
"Yo." Uzui Tengen greeted nonchalantly. "Welcome."
"Tengen." Sabito said with a nod. "What are you doing here?"
"Kocho sent a crow to every Pillar, I was the closest to this place so I rushed over." The Sound Pillar answered, both of his hands on the hilt of the swords on his back and his left leg behind the right one, ready to lunge forward. "I have to say, I didn't think you three would fall to a Blood Demon Art."
"We haven't." Giyu said, earning the taller man's attention.
"Are you sure about that?" He asked, his eyes closing slightly. "Because if you aren't, then you're knowingly aiding a demon, one I can hear in that box Makomo is carrying."
"We can explain." Makomo said, even as she shifted her stance to protect the box.
"…sigh look, I don't think you three would want to help a demon, not willingly anyway, but there is no way Kocho would lie about something like that and the fact that there is a demon in that box doesn't exactly help your case." He unsheathed his swords. "So let's make this simple, put that box down so I can flamboyantly cut off the demon's head and get you out of that Blood Demon Art."
"…Makomo, Giyu, go." Sabito spoke after a moment, unsheathing his own sword. "And be careful."
The two looked hesitant for a second but nodded and went away.
"We are not being controlled Tengen." Sabito said, preparing to clash. "But I can't let you kill her."
"I'll do my best to make sure you're not too wounded." The taller of the two answered. "But no promises."
The dual wielder stared for a moment longer before moving his sight to his right, then immediately lunged forward, trying to move past Sabito with that feint.
The peach haired man moved in the middle, his left palm stretched forward to stop him without slashing.
Tengen stopped and jumped backwards.
'Thought that wouldn't work.' He clicked his tongue before this time lunging forward, fully intending to immobilize Sabito.
The Water Pillar grabbed his weapon with both hands once again and blocked the cross slash from Tengen's twin blades.
Soon, the sound of steel clashing began to reverberate inside the house.
.
.
Giyu and Makomo ran around the house, looking to enter through the back door.
They had already discussed what to do in the case someone came to stop them and, if they can't talk it out, then they'll have to make time until a crow with Oyakata-sama's orders arrives.
The thought that said orders might be the death of Nezuko did cross their minds but there wasn't much they could do if that were the case; right now, they could only trust the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps would agree to listen to them before passing judgement.
Giyu suddenly unsheathed his sword and moved to Makomo's left, blocking four kunai knifes.
"Tch, saw that coming huh." A female voice said from the top of one of the trees.
"S-sorry." Another one added, whether it was towards them or the other woman, Giyu and Makomo weren't sure.
The two then jumped down, landing without making a sound.
"Makio-san, Suma-san…" Makomo muttered.
"Oi Makomo, what is this we hear about you three helping a demon?" Makio, a woman with tied up black hair brown bangs framing her face, wearing a sleeveless striped dress asked, her face set in a frown.
"M-Makio-san, th-they are just being controlled, r-right?" The other woman, Suma, stuttered. She has shoulder length black hair that falls loosely and is wearing a similar dress to Makio, except hers is black with a lighter design around her cleavage.
"Makomo, go, I'll buy time here." Giyu called out, preparing his stance.
"…got it." The girl nodded after some hesitation before beginning to move again.
"Get back here!" Makio demanded, throwing a kunai her way, Giyu quickly intercepted it with his sword and Suma tried to use that moment to dash forward, only for the Tsuguko to grab her from the back of her dress and throw her back.
'I have to buy time while making sure I don't hurt them.' Giyu thought, seeing the two prepare more kunai knifes. 'This will be difficult.' Even as he thought that, his face remained impassive, his eyes trained on the two of them and waiting any movement.
"…what's with that look?" Makio said through gritted teeth. "You're pissing me off."
"Pl-please be careful, he is Sabito-san's Tsuguko." Suma stuttered fearfully, even as she held her weapon at the ready.
.
.
"…you can come out now." Makomo said once she reached the garden, placing down Nezuko's box at the porch and in the shade.
Almost instantly there was a rustle from the flowers and a woman with long black hair tied in a ponytail wearing a white dress, similar to the other two but with square patterns, appeared.
"It's been a while, Hinatsuru-san." Makomo greeted, one hand drifting towards her sword.
"It has, Makomo-san." She answered with a sad smile.
"Is there any way that we can avoid fighting?" The woman with the fox mask asked, almost pleadingly.
"If you let us kill that demon then there would be no need." She answered.
"…I was afraid you'd say that." Makomo muttered. "Sorry, I can't do that."
Without any other words, Hinatsuru took out two kunai knifes and held them in her hands.
Makomo unsheathed her sword and stood between her and Nezuko.
"We are not being controlled." She said, hoping to reason with the woman.
"If you aren't then why are you protecting a demon?"
"Th-"
Thinking she had an opening, Hinatsuru lunged forward when Makomo was about to answer, stopping her mid-sentence and forcing her to block with her sword.
.
.
Sabito knew that Tengen is not someone he could take lightly, despite his tendency to show off and say how he does things 'flamboyantly' when it comes to fighting he is someone to be wary of.
Add to the fact that his weapons are linked together by a chain at the hilts and he is able to swing with strength while only holding onto his weapon from the tip of the blade with two fingers and his reach far outmatches his, leaving Sabito with two choices.
First; try to push forward and keep the fight at close range, ensuring that he can't take advantage of the extra reach.
Second; fight defensively and keep his distance from the taller man.
Considering his objective, the second option should be the best one, if it wasn't for the fact that Sabito knows the moment the Sound Pillar sees an opening he will most likely dash away from him and towards Nezuko.
That's the one good thing in this fight, while they are certainly not taking each other lightly neither is truly aiming to kill, or even injure, the other; in any other circumstances, this would be seen as a spar between fellow Pillars.
Each blow was met with one of equal strength or parried in order to start another exchange, the sounds of their blades resounding inside the house as they continued to move around, breaking furniture or damaging the walls with their battle.
"You really are flamboyant Sabito." Uzui called out even as they continued their exchange.
"Why, thank you." The peach haired man answered.
"I was honestly shocked to hear that a Blood Demon Art got the better of you but I guess everyone has their moments of weakness."
"I am not under the effect of a Blood Demon Art." He answered. "Not that I expect you to believe me."
"See? That's the thing, I can't believe you." Uzui said before jumping back, momentarily ending their clash. "Because if that were true, then you knowingly aided a demon."
"And that's exactly what happened." Sabito answered calmly but not dropping his guard.
"…alright, let's say I believe you." The dual wielder began. "You do realize that goes against the Demon Slayer's code and, worst case scenario, you could be killed in that case?"
"I have been aware of that possibility for almost two years now." The Water Pillar answered.
"Two years?" Uzui repeated, his eyes widening slightly.
"The demon you are trying to kill is called Kamado Nezuko, she is they younger sister of a sibling disciple of mine called Tanjiro."
Sabito gave him a summary of what the Kamados went through and how Nezuko didn't attack humans and the 'test' he and Makomo put her through.
"…" Tengen stayed silent for a few moments before sighing. "Sabito… I am only going to chalk everything you just said to me as the demon's ability influencing you."
"It's not-"
"Then you are mad." He interrupted. "Every time we find a relative that says 'my family member would never kill anyone' they are immediately proven wrong."
"Yet she hasn't attacked anyone."
"According to you!" Tengen exclaimed as he lunged forward, beginning another clash of weapons. "Even if you truly believe that, how do you know that Kamado kid isn't lying? It's his sister, right? Do you think he would up and tell you if she killed anyone?"
"He would never have a chance!" Sabito answered, forcing away the dual blades as the two exchanged blows, each strike a lot more powerful than the ones from before. "If Nezuko were to ever kill a human then Tanjiro will kill her and then himself." Uzui was about to retort but Sabito continued. "Then Makomo, Giyu, Urokodaki-san and I would follow!"
Those words stunned the Sound Pillar for a moment, letting Sabito gain the upper hand and kick him away.
"…are you serious?" Tengen asked once he recovered his footing.
Sabito took off his mask and placed it on his hip, his expression telling the taller man everything he needed to know.
"You would risk your life for a demon? Are you out of your mind?"
"I am not."
"…why?" He asked, confusion clear in his expression. "What happened to you? The corps has been fighting demons for centuries and now you decide to help one?"
"Exactly, the corps has been around for centuries." Sabito began. "We have fought and fought and fought and fought and fought, yet I don't see us getting any closer to finish this battle, do you?"
Uzui recoiled as if he was struck at those words.
"Do not misunderstand me Tengen, I despise demons and there are only a handful of things that would make me happier than to see each and every one of them disappear from this world." The Water Pillar paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. "But Nezuko is not a demon, she might have been turned and she might not really be a human but as long as she doesn't kill a person, I will not think of her as a demon." His mind briefly flashed to when he tested her, seeing how she continued to dodge without retaliating and was even willing to lay down her life for her brother. "I don't know if something will come of this but a demon that doesn't eat humans is without a doubt a development; of what? I have no idea, but I will take the chance that it will be for the corps' benefit if it means getting any closer to finishing this long, long battle."
The Sound Pillar stared at him in silence, masking his inner turmoil with a neutral expression.
'…is he really under the influence of a Blood Demon Art?' He was certain that had to be the case when he got that report from Kocho but now… he wasn't so sure anymore.
The idea of a demon that doesn't eat humans seems ludicrous and yet…
"Sabito… are you really not being controlled?"
"I already answered that." The Water Pillar replied, preparing his stance. "I don't want to fight Tengen but the only way you're getting to her is through me."
"That won't be necessary." A third voice said calmly.
Making both swordsmen drop to one knee, any thoughts of fighting swept away from their minds.
"Oyakata-sama." They said in unison.
"Good morning, my apologies for dropping in like this but… well, what the crow Sabito sent me said made me think that I should be here in person." Ubuyashiki Kagaya said, his wife holding his hand to guide him. "But before anything else, I believe there are some people fighting here, could you tell them to stop?"
Tengen immediately brought two fingers to his mouth and whistled the sound traveling through the entire house.
Not a minute later, Hinatsuru, Makio and Suma, along with Giyu rushed in.
The four seemed about to ask what happened when they saw Kagaya and, like the two Pillars before, immediately dropped to one knee.
"Good morning." He greeted them.
"Oyakata-sama." The four answered.
"I believe there is a conversation we need to have but first…" He trailed off, turning to Amane who raised a box in her left hand. "It is almost lunch time, how about we eat together? Amane is a great cook."
The white haired woman smiled almost imperceptibly.
"Of course." Tengen answered, everyone else nodding in agreement.
The Sound Pillar then looked around and realized that they had pretty much destroyed the dining room with the earlier fight, the table included.
Giyu quickly got to work in moving the broken parts out while Hinatsuru, Makio and Suma went to search for some bowls at the kitchen.
"I'll go fetch Makomo." Sabito said before standing up, bowing once before turning around and towards the garden.
As he walked, he looked at Giyu and Uzui's three wives; it didn't look like they had any obvious wounds so it seems Oyakata-sama is arrival was well timed.
'I can't relax yet.' Even if the fight was over, the real problem will come later. 'I hope Makomo is okay.'
Hours later, far away from the Water Pillar's residence.
"Alright, the sun is down." Genya said from inside a cave they had found on the road. "Let's get moving."
"Y-yes." The white haired demon nodded.
Genya went inside and fetched the still unconscious Tanjiro, who was resting in an impromptu bed the demon had made by connecting her strings to the walls in the cave and then tie enough of them to handle his weight, and moved him to his back.
"U-um, I can carry him if you want…"
"No, I'm good." He answered after she trailed off. "Let's go."
"Alright…"
With that, they began walking again, the cat moving slightly ahead of them to guide the way, followed by Genya and the white haired demon behind them.
'Sh-should I try talking to him?' She wondered worriedly.
After their encounter and escape from Natagumo, the two had barely exchanged any words.
It was normal, all things considered; these might be extraordinary circumstances that caused a demon and a demon slayer to cooperate but it's not like they could simply speak to each other like nothing was weird.
'I-I, what can I even talk about to…? Oh, I guess I can start with that.' Nodding to herself, she spoke up.
"E-excuse me."
"Hmm?" He looked over his shoulder towards her.
"Could you tell me your name?"
"…oh, now that you mention it…" He trailed off, apparently realizing the same thing she did. "It's Shinazugawa Genya."
"N-nice to meet you, Shinazugawa-san."
He nodded before looking forward again.
"…"
"…"
"…hm, can you tell me your name?" Genya asked after an awkward silence.
"Oh, right, sorry! I… oh… I don't really remember."
"Huh?"
"I don't remember my human name, I've been referred to as 'Rui's mother' for so long that… I guess I forgot." She explained downcast.
"Well, I'm certainly not going to call you that." The swordsman muttered. "Is there any name you like? At least so I can use it for now?"
"Not… really." The white haired demon answered. "You can just call me whatever you want."
"Then… how about 'Ito'?" He looked back at her again. "Seems fitting."
"Ito…" She repeated with a thoughtful expression. "Yes, Ito is fine."
"Well… nice to meet you, Ito-san."
"Likewise, Shinazugawa-san."
"You can just call me Genya if you want."
"Then, Genya-san."
The two stayed in silence for a few seconds but Genya broke it before it got awkward.
"Is there anything you can tell me about this place we're going?"
"S-sorry, I only know that the cat is guiding us there and that Tanjiro-san's mask is supposed to be proof he sent us." Her gaze drifted to the unconscious red haired teen. "Although, I guess it's not really necessary in this case."
"Yeah, I guess." Genya agreed.
"C-can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Why… why are you helping him?" The question made the black haired teen raise an eyebrow. "I mean… most demon hunters would kill any demon on sight so…"
"…how much do you know about his sister?"
"I learned a few things back in the forest thanks to my Blood Demon Art, she was turned but doesn't eat humans, right?"
"Yeah." Genya confirmed. "Well, we met over a month ago when we were sent to a mission together…"
The Shinazugawa explained the mission in that town that was being controlled by a demon and how he learned about Nezuko and how he was forced to use his 'ability' and the two agreed to keep each other's secrets.
"I see…"
"It sounds like you want to say something." Genya commented.
"W-well… I'm certainly not complaining but… it feels like there should be a leap between 'keeping each other's secrets' to 'helping him escape the demon hunters', accompanied by a demon no less."
"…let's just say that I can relate to him and leave it at that please." Genya requested with small smile. He had purposely left out what happened to his and Tanjiro's family from his story.
Knowing when not to push, Ito nodded in agreement.
Unfortunately, their conversation died down again although the silence didn't seem as awkward as before.
.
.
"Oh, I see a town." Genya thought out loud.
Ito moved forward to stand at his side and look at the town he mentioned.
It looked to be a small town, a few lights could be seen but most of it was dark.
"Is this where we have to go?" Ito asked the cat.
Chachamaru looked back at them and shook its head but began walking forward again.
The two exchanged a confused look before following once more.
.
They understood why the cat shook its head when they took a right on the path to the town but with no road made in that direction, walking through some foliage and eventually stopping once the town was so far that no human could see them with the darkness of the night.
"There… is nothing here." Ito finally spoke up.
Chachamaru had stopped in front of an empty area that looked just the same as everywhere around them, some grass and nothing but the town at the distance as far as the eye can see.
"What the…?" Genya trailed off, confused.
The cat simply walked forward a few feet.
"…eh?!" Then suddenly disappeared.
It's not that it vanished, it was almost like… something sort of 'swallowed' it.
The two stared for a few seconds before it suddenly clicked for Ito.
"I think… there is a Blood Demon Art in effect here." She said, moving forward with her arms extended.
Like she suspected, they suddenly disappeared after she passed a certain point.
Taking a deep breath, she took another step forward and completely entered the 'barrier'.
Suddenly, a house appeared in front of her; it looked like a simple home one could find in any town, albeit on the larger side, and it looked like it was recently fixed so it would be habitable with a fence surrounding the area, a door in said fence holding a paper with the same symbol Chachamaru carries on the paper on its neck.
'It really is a Blood Demon Art… then there are demons here.' It wasn't entirely surprising; after escaping Natagumo and having some time to think about who or what could know about a way to live as a demon without eating humans, a demon was one of the possibilities.
It didn't mean she wasn't surprised that such a demon existed in the first place but this all but confirmed it.
Shaking her head to get out of her stupor, she looked back and noticed Genya seemed to be panicking.
'Oh, he must not be able to see me.' Taking a step back, she moved her head through the invisible barrier.
"Wha-?!" The swordsman recoiled in surprise.
"I-It's a Blood Demon Art." Ito explained. "There is a house on the other side." With that, she stepped back inside the barrier, disappearing from Genya's sight.
The swordsman stared at the spot she disappeared for a few seconds before moving forward, the house appearing after passing the barrier.
"Well…" The teen muttered something before shaking his head. "Let's go."
"Yes."
Ito walked forward and opened the door on the fence so Genya could pass while carrying Tanjiro and closed it behind her once she passed.
"I-I wonder what kind of demons could be here." Ito wondered to try and fill the tense silence that had formed. "Hmm… are you alright?"
"I… am a member of the Demon Slayer Corps." Genya began, taking a deep breath to try and calm down. "I can't help but feel a bit anxious about meeting with a demon, even if they're not hostile."
The white haired woman considered his words for a moment; she was also nervous about meeting this demon but since she was also one she thought it was probably easier for her.
Before she could try and cheer him up, though.
"Who are you?!" The two looked forward and saw a boy with green hair glaring in their direction, his slit pupils showing that he is a demon.
"U-um…" The two fumbled with their words; luckily, the boy seemed to recognize the red haired teen on Genya's back.
"Is that Tanjiro?"
"Y-Yes." Ito nodded, taking out the Kamado's fox mask and showing it to him. "H-he told me there was a way for me to not eat humans and then your cat-"
"What happened to him?" The other demon interrupted. "No, more importantly…" His glare moved towards Genya. "You're not a demon."
"I… am a member of the Demon Slayer Corps." Genya revealed, not letting the glare sent his way intimidate him. "I was on a mission with Tanjiro and… well, it's a long story but he got hurt and I'm helping him."
The green haired demon continued to glare in his direction.
"Yushiro." A new voice, a woman's, called out from inside the house. "What's the problem?"
"Tamayo-sama, it's Tanjiro." He answered, although still not looking away from Genya. "But he is not alone."
The door opened and a woman with black hair and purple eyes, wearing a dark purple kimono with floral patterns walked out.
"He is hurt." Tamayo said the moment she saw the unconscious teen. "Please come inside."
"Wait, Tamayo-sama, the other human is-"
"He brought Tanjiro-san here, knowing where he was going, correct?" Unlike the boy, her gaze was kind as she addressed the black haired teen.
"Y-yeah." Genya nodded after a moment.
"Then there is no issue, please come inside." Her gaze then drifted to the white haired demon, making her pause for a moment before a small smile formed. "So soon?" She asked.
"E-excuse me?" Ito asked back, unsure of what she meant.
"No, it's nothing." Tamayo shook her head. "Did Tanjiro-san explain why you're here?"
"J-just that there is a way to live as a demon without eating humans… we didn't have much chance to talk apart from that." She answered.
"I see, I will give you the details later but for now, please come inside so I can treat Tanjiro-san's wounds." She looked back towards Genya. "Are you injured?"
"Eh? Ah… no, I'm good." The Shinazugawa answered.
"Then stop wasting time and come on in already!" Yushiro seethed, since they had stayed rooted in place even after Tamayo told them to come inside.
In Sabito, Makomo and Giyu's home.
Sabito was sitting in his room wearing a night robe and looking out the window at the moon.
"Something wrong?" Makomo asked, hugging him from behind and resting her head on his shoulder.
"Just… processing everything that happened." He answered with a sigh of relief.
Flashback
For a lunch where most of the people were fighting each other not an hour ago, it was surprisingly calm and enjoyable.
Kagaya wasn't kidding when he said that his wife is a great cook and his presence alone seemed to let everyone relax; the fights only been mentioned as a jab to tease one of the people involved at most.
But, as enjoyable as it might be, it eventually had to end and they had to get back to business.
Sabito explained everything to Oyakata-sama, Giyu chiming in to say how Nezuko protected Tanjiro from him back when they first met, and then saying how she slept for two years and the 'test' that Sabito and Makomo applied.
Throughout the entire story, Ubuyashiki Kagaya remained silent, his calming smile in place, only interrupting in case he had a question.
He eventually asked why the three decided to aid this demon to the extent they showed.
The three answered in turn, saying what Sabito told Tengen during their fight just with different words.
"I see." Kagaya said simply. "Well, I guess there is only one thing I can do now." Everyone else in the room waited for him to continue. "May I meet Nezuko-san?"
"Oyakata-sama?!" Uzui yelled without realizing.
"Calm down Tengen." He requested, not at all bothered by his outburst. "I can tell that Sabito, Makomo and Giyu believe that she is not a threat but I would like to meet her and judge this for myself."
"But… if she attacks you-"
"She won't." Giyu interrupted, earning the Sound Pillar's attention.
"…at least let me go with you, please." He asked, almost pleadingly.
"That's alright, as long as you don't attack her without reason then I see no problem." He turned to the three owners of the house. "Is that alright with you?"
The three nodded.
A short walk later and the entire group was inside a barely lit room, the window closed to avoid letting any sunlight in, and the only thing in the room being the box housing Nezuko.
"I'll open the box and call her out." Makomo said, approaching the box calmly.
Kagaya and Amane had both sat down a few feet in front of said box, Giyu and Sabito sitting behind and to his right while Tengen stood to his left, the three women behind him and the four of them ready to attack at the first sign of aggression.
The sound of the box opening seemed to echo in the silent room and Nezuko dragged herself forward until she was out of the box before growing to her normal size.
"Good afternoon." Kagaya said, his seemingly permanent calm smile still on his face.
Nezuko looked at him for a moment before looking around, her eyes moving from Uzui, to Hinatsuru, to Makio, to Suma, then to Amane before landing on Sabito and Giyu.
Her eyes widened in recognition and she waved at them, everyone being able to tell she was smiling even though she had her bamboo muzzle.
"It's been a while, Nezuko." Makomo greeted, earning her attention.
She smiled again and mumbled something unintelligible before looking around again.
She frowned and looked towards Makomo again.
"Are you wondering where your brother is?" She asked.
Nezuko nodded.
"I'm sorry, he is not here at the moment." The black haired woman answered sadly.
Nezuko's eyes widened and she lunged towards the door.
Sabito immediately got in the middle and stopped her from going out.
"Calm down, he is alright." The Water Pillar spoke calmly before kneeling to be at eye level with her. "I'm not sure where he is but he will come back; for now, you have to wait here, please."
Nezuko stared at Sabito for half a minute before nodding, looking slightly depressed.
"Tengen, please sheathe your swords." The blind man said, since the Sound Pillar had jumped into action and attempted to cut off Nezuko's head the moment she dashed, with Giyu currently blocking both of his swords with his own.
"My apologies." Uzui said after a moment, ending the clash and placing his swords on his back once again.
"No, I understand why you did that." Kagaya assured him before turning around to be face to face with Nezuko. "Nezuko-san, do you have a moment?"
The Kamado turned around, tilting her head when she got a good look at the leader of the corps.
"Amane, could you describe her to me?"
"She looks like a 14 year old girl, she has long black hair with orange colored tips and a pink ribbon near her fringe and is wearing a pink kimono; she also has a bamboo muzzle on her mouth." Amane answered.
"Thank you." He said towards her before moving his eyes towards her again, even though he couldn't see her. "My name is Ubuyashiki Kagaya." He began. "It's nice to meet you."
Nezuko stared for a moment longer before walking forward. Uzui tensed once more and moved a hand to his blades.
The Sound Pillar saw her stand right in front of Kagaya, every fiber of his being focused and ready to attack, when something unexpected happened.
Nezuko hugged him.
Everyone in the room seemed slightly taken aback at the action, even Kagaya's eyes widened slightly at the sudden action.
"U-um…" Sabito mumbled.
"N-Nezuko, you shouldn't do that out of the blue." Makomo managed to say, moving to try and get her off.
"It's alright." Oyakata-sama assured them, moving his right hand to her back and moving it up and down in a soothing motion. 'You must have truly been through a lot.'
Although she wasn't crying, Kagaya could tell that the dem-no, the girl needed a moment; he may not know what she is seeing but he can tell that much.
.
'Dad…' Nezuko knows it's not really him, her father died even before she turned into a demon; the hypnosis may make her project her family members on other humans but she knows they're not really them. 'I miss you.' That doesn't mean remembering them doesn't hurt at least a little.
In Kagaya's case especially, she had immediately related the two; it's not that they're older men or the mark that tells her he is ill like Kamado Tanjuro was.
It was their presence.
Like her father, Kagaya has a calming presence, the type that one can't help but relax when they're with them.
She continued to hug him, not even paying attention to what the others were saying.
.
'…I can't believe it.' Uzui thought; his right hand still in the hilt of his blade, completely frozen from what he was seeing.
He had begun to think about it a bit more after what Sabito said before Oyakata-sama arrived, that maybe there really was a demon that wouldn't attack humans but actually seeing it was another thing entirely.
"Tengen-sama." Hinatsuru's voice shook him out of his thoughts. "I think that there is no need to be on your guard." She said with a smile.
He nodded after a moment, letting his arm fall to his side.
End of Flashback.
After Nezuko calmed down and let go of Kagaya everyone left shortly after, the leader of the corps assuring Sabito and the others that he will order everyone to leave Nezuko alone and to tell him when her brother comes back.
"I'm still surprised Oyakata-sama walked all the way here." Sabito mentioned.
"It's like he said, what you told him was too important to simply send a crow or a letter." Makomo answered, still hugging him.
"He could have told us to bring her to him."
"I suppose, I'm certainly not complaining, though."
"Neither am I, just thinking out loud." The peach haired man said before moving his right hand to her right arm. "Does it hurt?" He asked, rubbing his thumb over a bandage.
"It's just a scratch." She assured him.
"A scratch from a former shinobi's weapon."
"I already got the antidote so I'm perfectly okay." Makomo smiled.
Sabito nodded, letting out another sigh.
"You worry too much sometimes, you know?"
"I'm not apologizing for worrying about you."
"I know." She kissed him on the cheek, right where his scar is. "It wasn't a complaint."
Sabito smiled, enjoying the comfortable silence.
"When do you think Tanjiro will come back?" He asked after a while.
"Knowing him, he would probably try to rush over here as soon as he wakes up." Makomo answered, a laugh in her voice. "But I can't tell for certain, he looked really injured when I found him in the forest and I don't really know anything about that other demon hunter other than his appearance and that he seemed to know about Nezuko."
"And his crow came back with us so we have no way of contacting him." The Water Pillar added. "I guess we can only wait."
"Yeah..." Makomo nodded.
The two stayed in silence for a while longer when Makomo suddenly kissed Sabito's cheek again.
"There is nothing else we can do for now; let's rest."
"…yeah, you're right." He nodded.
Makomo let go of him and the two walked back to their futon and lay down next to each other.
"Did I ever thank you for going along with this?" Sabito asked, locking gazes with Makomo.
"From what I recall, you didn't want to let me know about Nezuko but I pestered you until you broke." She answered with a giggle.
Instead of answering to that, Sabito moved closer and cupped her face with one hand.
"Thank you, Makomo." He said with a smile.
The black haired woman stopped laughing and reciprocated the smile.
"You're welcome." She said before snuggling closer.
Sabito moved her arms around her back and the two fell asleep in the other's embrace.
And here is another one!
Something I want to mention: I wasn't the one who came up with the name 'Ito' for Spider Mom, the friend from Discord that loves her I mentioned a few chapters back is the one that came up with it.
Ito means 'string', I think it's really fitting for her, don't you think?
I think that's it.
As always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and don't forget to leave a comment.
Until next time!
