Hello! I'm The Frickening. This is my first story in a while, so please bear with me.
When I write stories, I do not like to write them too drawn out, so if a Certain chapter feels short, or looks short, do know that I will likely If well received, follow said story up with another chapter.
Some aspects of my writing style was influenced by Bravo Tango's views on his "A Butterfly Frolicking in the Water" which I totally recommend reading. However, I took certain aspects of how that well-written story was, and decided to make something similar to the experience they conveyed.
I have a format when a Said Narrator is to speak, so please note the following:
"Ez" - is used for the narrator's thoughts.
"Ez" - is used for disclaimers by me.
"Ez" - Normal text, likely indiginous to the central story.
With that out of the way, let's begin with the actual story shall we?
Opening her eyes, Shinobu would look outside to see that the sunlight has poured into her room. The orange shade reminded her of Kyojiro's hair oddly. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and felt around her desk next to her bed for her hairbrush. Shinobu's room had a Western-styled bed, and was exotic to many. She sat up, and walked to her counter, which had a mirror in her room's corner, by the window.
I guess I really slept in.. not many people have come around to the Butterfly Mansion recently. I hope I get some-
Shinobu paused, her crow cawing from a few feet outside her window.
"CAW! SHINOBU SAMA IS TO REPORT TO THE HEADQUARTERS FOR A DEBRIEFING ON KYOJIRO RENGOKU'S DEATH!"
After this, the crow flew off, leaving shinobu in a shock. She remembers their last time meeting up, she was having trouble dismissing this thought.
Flashback
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"Kocho-San! Do you have a minute to speak with me?" Kyojiro said in an almost yelling tone.
Kocho, turns her smiling gaze to him.
"Sure, what is it that you need?"
The Hashira would look at each other for a split second, then Kyojiro would fix his Haiori.
"I would like to ask if you can provide any medical equipment to me before I head out to investigate this 'Mugen Train'." Kyojiro said with a trained-ready look in his eyes.
Shinobu kept her neutral smile "Why yes, I can get that for you. Come to the Butterfly Mansion."
After a few moments of walking the pair are at the mansion. Kyojiro stopped at the entryway, before bowing to Shinobu.
Kyojiro looked down at Shinobu and spoke."Umu! Permission to enter your Mansion?"
Shinobu, feeling a tame presence in the air, bowed. "Sure, you may enter, please take off your shoes, the girls just finished cleaning."
The pair entered Kyojiro following Shinobu to her medical storage room. Aoi could be seen still organizing in another room down the hallway connecting the rooms to this segment of the house.
After a moment, she would grab 3 bottles, and 1 syringe, and put it in a case. She would give them to Kyojiro, and would do it without making too much eye contact.
"Thank you so much Kocho! This is Antidote, right?" Kyojiro would boast to Shinobu.
Shinobu would not loosen her gaze, and would speak. "This is an Antidote, mixed with antibiotics, so it is also able to help any wound's stop hurting long enough to keep yourself until you can properly recover in battle. Is that clear Rengoku-San?"
Kyojiro nodded, and after a bit of small talk, left to the Headquarters to report he was out.
.
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I.. was so dry to him that day. I could have been nicer.. I am disgusted with myself..
This is where we differ from normal Demon Slayer Cognitiveness.
Shinobu would get dressed, but before leaving, she looked herself over in the mirror. Do I smile on such an occasion..
Aoi would interrupt Shinobu's thought process. She would knock on the door, and keeping her patience as contained as possible, waited for Shinobu's call to enter.
Aoi would speak in a calm tone. "Sensei, we need you at HQ. Please hurry.. I'll handle the 3 boys who came in a few months ago. They survived, but were minorly injured after Rengoku-Sama protected them."
Shinobu's eyes lit up, knowing at least everyone else on the mission had lived on. She stood, and answered the door, dressed for the day, and wearing her normal neutral smile.
Shinobu looked at her apprentice. "Aoi, thank you. I will go to the HQ right away."
"Right!" Aoi would stand, and run back to the infirmary to help.
Shinobu would begin her walk to the HQ. However, walking the path to HQ, she would see Giyuu outside about a block away from the HQ. He would be looking down, but ironically in stance, would seem to be waiting on someone.
Is Tomioka waiting on me? I'll go annoy him if he's not. He might not attend the meeting, since he dodged the last one.. So maybe it's a good thing if he was waiting on me.
Shinobu would wave to Giyuu, Giyuu would in turn look at her. The iris of his eyes lit up a small bit.
Shinobu would walk to him, and would smile. "Tomioka-San! Are you coming to the HQ meeting? I am positive there is one today."
Giyuu, would nod. "I intend to pay respects. However.. I was going to check and see if you were going to come."
Wuh? What? Tomioka-San waiting for me? This is interesting..
Shinobu fighting a slight blush, and a few thoughts off, would keep her smile.
Shinobu then broke the short silence "Yes, well why wait on me.? I am positive you can just pay respects heading there on your own?"
Giyuu looked her in the eyes, then down a bit, leaning on the wall, hiding his hands in his Haiori.
He would say "I am not exactly idolized by all the other Hashira. I really only get along with you at the meetings."
Shinobu would process this. Waiting on me? Getting along? But that's a thing we can do I guess. God why am I getting worked up over walking with a comrade to the HQ.
Shinobu spoke. "Yes, let's not be late then Tomioka-San!" As she began to poke his left side, urging him to start walking.
As they walked, they saw the former Flame Hashira, and his youngest son walking in the HQ's direction.
Giyuu noticed them, and slowed down a bit. Shinobu, noticing, would slow down too.
Shinobu broke the silence. "Why are we slowing down? Shy are we now?"
Giyuu looked at Shinobu, then said "Yes.. I don't know what to say to them."
Shinobu would have a vein appear in her forehead. "Come on, don't be a pushover, just say you're sorry for their loss."
Giyuu, looking at Shinobu, then nodding. "I will just say that if I encounter them in the HQ."
The vein disappearing, Shinobu ushers Giyuu to continue walking. "Let's not be slow now. We're a moment late."
The two Hashira would walk into the HQ, everyone gathered, the moment the two entered the wall confines, they saw the other Hashira's speaking to Shinjuro, who has been summoned to the HQ oddly enough as well.
Seeing Shinjuro's son Senjuro talking to Mitsuri, Senjuro would still be in tears. Having fresh news of his brother's death only an hour before arriving at the HQ.
Shinobu looked at Giyuu, who was looking sad as well. He didn't want to go to the crowd and socialize with the Rengoku's.
Shinobu tugged his Haiori, snapping him out of his gaze, now looking at Shinobu.
"What is it Kocho?" Tomioka would chisp to the Insect hashira.
Shinobu responded "We're going to offer our condolences, join the other Hashira, just say what I told you to."
Before Giyuu could speak, Shinobu would start walking. Giyuu for a second, gave the same gaze he had given to Inosuke after tying him up.
He would begin to follow Shinobu into the Hashira's crowd.
Most of them, being very formal to the former Flame Hashira. Shinjiro would be conflicted between his feelings, he did not want to disrespect the Hashira's in their HQ.
Shinobu would politely bow to Shinjiro, trying not to eavesdrop on any prior conversation.
Shinobu, head down, smile removed, spoke. "I'm sorry for your loss, Mr Rengoku."
"Yeah. Kyojiro fought and died. It's sad." Shinjiro would scratch his face, seeing the Water Hashira follow suit behind the Insect Hashira.
Giyuu mocked Shinobu, and Shinjuro would just grunt at the Water Pillar.
Shinobu bowed to the other Hashira, before turning a few feet away to see Mitsuri, talking to Senjiro. Senjiro would be sobbing uncontrollably. Mitsuri would see Shinobu, and would look notably sad.
She would shed a tear, and eventually was balling and crying with Senjiro on the floor.
"I KNOW YOUNG RENKOGU-KUNNN. I WILL MISS KYOJIRO TOO?!" She sobbed, crying aloud.
"Goodness.. Mitsuri you do know everyones watching you.. Right?" Shinobu would whisper.
"I KNOWW. I CAN'T HELP IT, YOUNG RENGOKU IS JUST SUFFERING TOO MUCH" She would sob harder.
Shinobu, a bit annoyed that her best friend was bawling her eyes out as she was going to speak to a grieving person.
She knelt down to Senjiro, and would put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry. Your brother was amazing, but he died a warrior, and I'm sure he protected everyone he could.."
Senjiro, looking up, would give Shinobu a hug. This caught her off guard, but she patted his head.
Mitsuri was sobbing too much to even console. She on her knees wobbled over to Shinobu, and would hug Senjiro in the back, and the two both sobbed together.
Shinobu's sinister vein reappeared. But the crowd behind them kind of already anticipating this from Mitsuri's extraverted sad emotions.
Senjiro would look up to Shinobu, and would stand up, seeing his father looking at him, with an angry look.
Shinjiro would walk away from the hashira crowd and grab his sad son's arm.
He then growled "Senjiro, be a man, stop whimpering to these Hashira, go and wait outside of the HQ."
Senjiro's tears stopped, he covered his eyes with his arm sleeve, everyone looking at Shinjiro.
"That wasn't as flamboyant as I remembered parental discipline being." Uzui would comment.
Responding to him, Gyōmei whispered "Yes Uzui, poor boy, If I were him I'd pray."
Before anyone could say another word, everyone scattered, and bowed, Senjiro watching the meeting from the gate.
All Hashira Bowed in line, Shinjiro in his son's spot.
Being guided by his twin daughters, Ubuyashiki would walk out of his embarking hallway.
"So I've heard of one of you.. My children have fallen in battle." He spoke.
A moment of silence would go on. Making a Long wait for the silence to come to an end, Ubuyashiki would speak more.
"Kyojiro Rengoku. Son of Shinjiro, has fallen in battle to Upper Moon 3, yes?"
He's here with us.. In Kyojiro's spot. How could he not look any different than angry? No remorse for his own son?
Shinjiro would look up. "Yes, master. My son has been slain in battle."
Ubuyashiki would try to gaze at him, looking as if he was looking through him.
"Why no emotion? Your son, who was planted from seed, fought, protecting 200 people, and saving everyone. Why are you so discerning, why no remorse for your son?"
He's said it now.. Lets see how Shinjyro takes this.
Shinjiro's eyes would stare at the ground, iris being engulfed in his eyes veins. He would stay silent.
"Hmm.. a Father who has lost it all almost perhaps. Well then, in a week, we will have a funeral for Kyojiro."
Ubuyashiki turned his head to the corner, leading to the HQ's entrance where the Hashira were all bowing. He would speak.
"Shinjiro, you should cherish your remaining child, he's all you-" Shinjiro would eyeball his son, who had been peeking through the corner.
"I apologize, Master, but I really need to go home." Shinjiro stood, and stomped towards senjiro. He would grab his arm, and walk home, practically dragging him like a sled behind him.
All of the Hashira were stunned at how Shinjiro left the HQ.
"How unflashy.." Uzui commented.
Sanemi would be visually upset, and would stand up, but Iguro would put a hand on his shoulder.
"Leave him. That is his choice."
Sanemi grumbled, and continued to bow before Ubuyashiki.
"That is all my Children." Ubuyashiki would say calm as ever.
The hashira, after Ubuyashiki entered the confines of the HQ, stood, and spoke among themselves. Giyuu would stand alone.
Uzui would look towards them all. "Why don't we have a bit of a meeting of our own at the local Bar up ahead?"
Sanemei would decline, as he flashed, and was gone.
Shinjiro really made everyone upset today.. I wonder if Giyuu is still here.
Shinobu would look over to where he was last, Giyuu would lock eyes with Shinobu, then walk away.
Mitsuri was already a bit sad about what happened with Shinjiro, and Senjiro.
Mitsuri embraced Iguro, as she was upset as to Shinjiro's behavior.
"I guess.. This was a very unflashy meeting. I guess it's best to save the bar for next time." Uzui would walk off, and exit. One by one, all the Hashira shared some small talk, mostly banter from Shinjiro. They left.
Shinobu walked back home alone, Mitsuri having gone with Iguro instead of her. She was beaten up emotionally, and couldn't bring herself to smile. She then in the same spot back home, saw Giyuu.
What's Giyuu doing there again? What the heck is going on?
Shinobu tried to smile, but was too innerly upset from what happened at the meeting.
"Kocho. I.. want to talk." Giyuu, somewhat out of character, spoke to Shinobu differently this time.
"Sure. What is it you wanted to tal-" What is he? Giyuu appeared in the blink of an eye next to Shinobu.
Shinobu's heart would begin to race. Oh god.. Did he notice I wasn't smiling for a second?
Giyuu said "I don't want to be a burden.. But I want to say I am upset about that meeting."
The one time Giyuu wants to be social to me is the day I have patients.
"Ah? I see, would you like to have some tea? The three Kinoto who were with Kyojiro on his mission are at the Butterfly Mansion, so I may be a bit preoccupied." Shinobu tried to say with a straight smile.
Giyuu looked down. "It is okay. I will go home and rest, I refuse to be the reason someone suffers from injuries."
Giyuu would turn, and walk.
Great.. Now he'll never talk again I bet.
"Tomioka-San, wait." Shinobu said, breaking her normal passive tone."
Tomioka looked back, a bit surprised. "What is it, Kocho?"
Shinobu looked down, "You wouldn't want to visit Tanjiro Kamado?"
A moment of silence passed between the two, the air sweet after those words.
"Sure. I'll go visit him." Tomioka spoke, waiting once again for Shinobu.
Why did I do that? I feel bad for him because he's not super Social with the other Hashira. But why do I want him to come to the Mansion so badly?
The two accompanied each other to the Butterfly Mansion. Stepping at the doors to the Mansion, Shinobu opened the door, it was still bright outside, likely because it was 4 PM.
Kiyo, Naho, and Sumi answered the door, seeing their Sensei with Giyuu made them think something was wrong.
"Shinobu-Sama, is something the matter?" Giyuu would look at the girls, ironically, before Shinobu could say anything to them, they all blushed, and ran away seeing Giyuu.
Giyuu was taken aback. "What.. happened just now?" Giyuu looked at Shinobu, who pushed the door open to the mansion, shrugged.
Giyuu would follow shinobu to the Infirmary, where Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inoske were recovering.
Tanjiro, who was only affected with a few minor injuries, was happy to see Giyuu. He sat up in bed to speak to him.
Giyuu leaves Shinobu's side to see Tanjiro.
Tanjiro softly smiled "Tomioka.. I'm glad that you came to visit us."
Giyuu, seeing the same boy 2 years ago, let out a small smirk before speaking.
"I'm glad you made it out alive, keep doing your job." Giyuu would begin to turn to walk back to Shinobu, but Aoi Blocked the way.
"Mr. Tomioka! I need you to stay here and watch the Patients while I make some food for these guys!" Giyuu was again, taken aback by this. Shinobu giggled at this whole ordeal, and said "I'd better help out Aoi, Tomioka-San, stay here." She walked off.
Looking at the room, Zenitsu was still recovering, and Inoske was hunched under the covers of his bed. Tanjiro was still awake, and had the same look Giyuu had normally. Empty.
Giyuuwalked back to Tanjiro's bed. Tanjiro looked at Tomioka, and without any emotional energy left to be nice, spoke.
"I was powerless.. I didn't do a thing to Upper Moon 6, besides lose my Ninchirin after impaling him with it."
Giyuu, saddened by this, didn't show it. He was reminded of Sabito, and his Final Selection to become a Demon Slayer. He sat on the bed, and remembered his sister as well.
"Don't be powerless next time, Kamado. If you see a demon, it's your duty to kill it." Tomioka spoke chillingly.
Tanjiro looked at Giyu. "Remember 2 years ago.. When Nezuko protected me.?"
Giyuu reminisced, and decided to commemorate his friend's question.
"I remember. You were powerless then too.. But you protected your demon little sister."
Tanjiro looked to be a bit happier now. "I did, but why did you spare us all that time ago?"
Tomioka went silent. He stared forward into nothing for a moment.
"To be honest with you Kamado. I never saw a demon protecting a human before. I saw you and your sister."
Tanjiro smiled. He would get lightheaded, and would lay down. "I.. need to recover to tell Senjiro something, I need to- Zzzz"
Tanjiro would be asleep in his bed. Giyuu was a bit annoyed, but relieved. He didn't have to talk much longer.
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Aoi would be working tirelessly to make the most Health-beneficial dish she could muster up with her current ingredients.
Shinobu, only cleaning off a few dishes, saw her apprentice working hard. She thought to herself. Where is Kanao actually? I have not seen her all day.. Aoi finished making some Chicken Noodle Soup, after flavently and efficiently rushing to get it done.
"Good work Aoi, you've really become a master chef haven't you?" Shinobu said with a smile.
Aoi, holding a plate with 6 servings, would walk near the already-open door.
Kiyo, Naho, and Sumi would see Aoi working hard, and would try helping out. Shinobu would follow behind the 4.
She would watch as Aoi entered the Infirmary, and announce that everyone's serving's ready. Inosuke would be the 1st to wake up, and race to Aoi grunting. She would sigh, and let Inosuke get his first serving. He practically drank the bowl. Aoi, prepared, pushed a Chloral hydrate affected bowl Inosuke's way to maybe calm him down. She rarely had to do this, but after everyone else was just getting up to get their servings.
"I DO NOT NEED SLEEP EYELIDS, HEAR ME!?" Everyone looked at Inosuke awkwardly. Inosuke began doing workouts to keep himself awake due to the effects of the sedative.
After everyone got their serving of Chicken Noodle soup, they noticed Giyuu, who was patiently sitting in the other 4th bed.
Shinobu would walk up to him. "Hey, I remember you saying you wanted to talk?" Giyuu looked around himself, nodded. "Yes, I would like to speak with you.. In private."
Shinobu nodded, and they walked to the door. Zenitsu asked.
"Where are the two of you going?"
Shinobu decided to make a story. "He has an appointment personally with me, Hashira stuff 'sweetie'."
Zenitsu hearing Shinobu say 'Sweetie' would cause him to go Awol, but then he would be reprimanded by Aoi.
The two Hashira walked in silence to Shinobu's office.
To be Continued
I hope you guys Enjoyed, if you're wondering about my prior Gardevoir thing, that was a very odd phase in my life. I had 0 intentions on completing that fanfic. However I am enthusiastic about completing this one. So please do give me some feedback to improve on my next chapter.
That is all for now, TY for reading!
