Hello, 14 or so readers of this fanfic. I am glad to tell you that I've decided to continue this originally one shot fanfic, because I love it...and totally not because I got writers block on my other fanfic: The God of a new world.
Like seriously, I had plans for that fanfic, but because I had to stop writing it for like 6 months because of a b*tch called school, I deadass forgot how I was supposed to go from point A (where I currently am) to point B (to where I was originally planning to get it to.
So, in the mean time, I've decided write this instead.
not that anything really happens in this chapter, just showing how the set up is pretty much going to be like.
As I regained my consciousness from my deep slumber after the eventful sixth night of the final selection exam, I could hear the incomprehensible muffled noises of an argument between multiple people surrounding me, along with the feeling of the hard, cold, wooden floor, and the warm ray of a candle reaching my face. The dark void and lack of vision because of my still closed eyes and inability to move an inch of my body reminding me of my first memory into this world; Unable to interact with the outside world and unable to tell how much time has passed since I was last conscious.
'Was I...Drugged?!'
Slowly, my senses began to regain their regular functions and I was finally able to get somewhat of a sense of where I was.
The place, or rather, closed room - given the lack of any notable wind current from the outside - that I was in, was sorrounded by an overwhelming amount of Wisteria, far more than the couple of trees worth that surrounds Mt. Fujikasane. It was like the place was sorrounded by more than a kilometers' worth of it, the presence of one of the many people gathered in this room giving of this sent certainly not helping the almost unbearable irritation it was giving to my nose. 'Jesus Christ! overkill much?! who the hell plants this many Wisterias? It's almost like we're in the middle of the base of the...Oh, crap'
There were around 12 people in the room, not including me of course, all arguing about their future actions towards me, and whether they should even keep me alive or not. 'Probably the Hashiras'
I frankly didn't care about the conversation, my only concern being the whereabouts and well-being of my friend/adoptive sister, Hana, and how to get her to the dying old man as soon as possible, hoping despite all odds that I would still be able to reunite the master and student one last time.
My contemplation on breaking out of my current predicament was suddenly interrupted however, by the rather loud scream of a gruff and angry voice. "Are you kidding me!? Oyakata-sama, please reconsider and think this through carefully. We can't just have this demon joining, not only the Kisatsutai, but also your family! that would ruin the trust of some if not most members of the corp! How will you be able to lead us if most of us won't be willing to follow you in the future!" said the gruff voice.
"I can't believe I'm saying this" Entered a more condescending, yet calmer voice. "but Sanemi isn't just talking out of rage this time, he has a point Oyakata-sama. Bringing this demon in the corp can potentially break the trust of most of our members, and might even put the Ubayashiki family's leadership into question."
"Obanai, Sanemi, please, I have already told you. This boy is not a demon." said the undeniably soothing, calm, yet authoritative voice of the Kisatsutai's leader.
"And might I ask who exactly gave you this information Sir Oyakata-sama!" said the Energetic voice of the flame Hashira.
"An old acquaintance, and a man who has saved the lives of countless Kisatsutai members and civilians alike. An old retired and respected Kakushi named Dr. Nobasu. You should know him well, as not only is he the one to save Sanemi's life in the past when we first found you covered in blood and gore atop a small pile of mutilated demons, but he is also Rengoku's father's doctor, and the man who taught you and your sister everything about medicine, Ms. Kocho."
"Yes, I am aware of sensei's involvement in this boy's existence, Oyakata-sama. Hence my decision to not involve myself in this debate, for I have faith in my master, but I can also understand where the concerns of my fellow Hashiras are coming from" She replied curtly with her sweet voice, obviously trying to mask the sadness within, despite the ever so slight sense of tiredness and resignation seeping through her response. I could only imagine. Getting this far, thinking she might've found someone who could fulfil her sister's dream in me, only to have me potentially be executed because of my unpredictability.
"Um...If I may Oyakata-sama" asked another gentle feminine voice among the Hashira. "I understand that he could be a great and powerful ally to the Kisatsutai, and given the reputation of this Mr. Kakushi that diagnosed him, I'm not really in any position to question that, but...why must you bring him into the Ubayashiki family?"
"That is a...personal reason you could say, but in summary, this boy was adopted by a former Kisatsutai member who retired before reaching the title of Hashira, and to whom I owe a great deal to. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be the man you see me as today. So, as a final request, he has asked of me to spare the boy, in case anything were to happen to him, and to train him to achieve his full potential should he ever choose to follow the life of a Demons slayer."
'wait a man who retired before reaching Hashira? final request?! No don't tell me...the old man can't possibly be-'
"So you went to all this trouble to protect this demon boy, for some random wrinkly dead old coot?!" Blurted out Sanemi.
"Oyakata-sama, surely the well being of the entire Kisatsutai can't be less important than a member's last wish, let alone someone who couldn't even become a Hashi-"
The snake Hashirawas unable to finish his sentence, as I released all my rage and bloodlust to the two bastards who dared to insult the man who save me, my master, no, my father. "YOU!" I said in a growl, burning golden and slitted eyes staring daggers at both the Wind and Snake Hashiras' eyes. "Don't you DARE insult my father!" I added, as I jumped up ready to charge at the Hashiras, the drug already having worn off allowing me to regain control over my limbs the moment Mr. Nemoto was brought into the conversation. "Take back what you said or I'm gonna-"
Before I could even finish my threat to the two Hashiras, I was pushed down and stabbed in different areas impaling me to the cold wooden floor. "No one must display any sort of violence so lightly in the presence of Oyakata-sama" said all the Hashiras pinning me down.
"Says the bastards who drugged me, were discussing my execution just a couple of minutes ago and are currently impaling me to the floor" I calmly replied with an uncaring gaze, trying to mask my raging emotions with the facade of calmness, though I couldn't help the slight irritation that seeped out of my voice. "A little hypocritical, don't you think?"
"Hardly!" Replied the Wind Hashira who had his Nichirin blade stuck to my left chest. "You're a demon after all" he whispered, his smug face glaring above me trying to assert his dominance.
"Well then...I probably shouldn't have to remind you that wounding a demon in any way isn't really the best idea" I said as a pool of blood began to form bellow me. "After all, our specialty is called BLOOD DEMON ART!" I added, as spikes of my coagulated blood rose from the pool of red that formed underneath me, and pushed every Hashira away from me.
"So you admit to being a demon!" Said the wind Hashira, now a couple of feet away from me alongside the rest of his comrades, encircling me and trapping me to my spot.
"I don't care what I am or what you think of me" I said in response to the wind Hashira's statement. "Just keep my father's name out of your mouth and bring me to my sister"
"You're father?!" Replied the scarred Hashira mockingly. "For all we know YOU could've killed him! slowly killing him from the inside with your blood demon art to make it seem like he died of natural causes so that you can freely eat him afterwards"
Hearing this, I put my hand into one of my coagulated blood spikes, making it crumble in my grip, leaving me with a sharp yet jagged crystal like crimson sword, which I then used to attack the bastard who dared to accuse me of killing the man that saved my life.
As I swung my improvised sword at the Hashira however, my attack was instantaneously deflected by the water Hashira beside him.
Undeterred, I continued to swing at the scarred Hashira who was defended by his comrade, The Water Hashira, grabbing a new blood blade for my coagulated spikes everytime the blade in my hands crumbled in my clash against my target's defender.
'How' *Crack* 'is' *Crack* 'this' *Crack* 'HAPPENING?!' I thought as another blood blade crumbled in my hand. 'I'm shure I hardened it to a point harder than steel.'
"You're making your situation worse you know" Calmly stated the water Hashira.
"Then bring me to my sister so I can get the hell out of your lives!" I fired back.
"That we can not do" Replied the water Hashira. "We have no idea what your intentions are for the girl, hence why we can not - in good conscience - risk giving her to you when you could so easily eat her in her current condition."
"Don't underestimate my sister damn it!" I yelled back, my temper starting to reach it's limits. "Hana is perfectly capable of defending herself from me if necessary."
"Maybe so, but given the injuries she has sustained, we aren't even shure if she can continue to function as an average person in the future" Entered the Insect Hashira. "her right leg and left arm are gone, most of her organs have been damaged via blunt force trauma or cuts like in her stomach and digestive tracks, and her left shoulder has been damaged to the point where she might never be able to raise a sword again. Do you honestly think she can protect herself from a regular demon, let alone you, in her current condition?"
Knowing the answer to this question, I could only glare at the people before me who - in all fairness - were probably just doing their jobs.
Having exhausted most of my rage by attacking, well...attempting to attack the wind Hashira, I quickly realised the staggering difference in skill and technique between me and the nine individuals around me.
To them I was nothing more that an infant, granted with near superhuman abilities and could probably give them quite the hard time on a one on one battle, but still an infant who they could've oh so easily disposed of if they wanted to. They could've all just attacked me at the same time whilst I was preoccupied with barely breaking through Giyu Tomioka, The water Hashira's defences, but they did not. I was such little threat to them that they didn't even bother attacking me.
So, given my current predicament, and the huge gap between our levels, I was forced to sit down and listen to the corp's plans for me; the Hashiras sheathing their swords and dispersing the circle to return to their former positions.
"It seems you have finally calmed down" Said the Master of the Kisatsutai.
"Romulus, my wolf, and my sister, Gisei Hana, where are they?" I asked immediately.
"They are fine" Replied Shinobu Kocho, The insect Hashira. "Well...alive anyways, I'll bring you to them if you're allowed to after this meeting"
"Thank you for keeping your word" I replied with a greatful bow and a gentel smile to the Hashira.
"Don't mention it" she replied back, this time with a smile brighter than her usual practiced smiles, which made me question whether she was giving me a genuine smile or not.
"Is the old- I mean, Mr. Nemoto really dead?" I asked my second question to the Kisatsutai's Master somberly, my long white hair covering the better part of my face as I struggled to hold back my look of grief and guilt for failing to reunite my sister and our father one last time.
"Yes" Answered the master. "Unfortunately, a good man, Slayer and teacher, sir Nemoto Isai has parted from our world."
"..."
The moment of silence however, was broken once more by the objections of a certain Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa. "Again, Oyakata-sama, please listen to me! How do we know that it wasn't the demon brat that killed this man?"
"Simple" Replied the Master. "It's because this boy was never meant to find out his demonic side ever existed to even begin with"
"Wait, what do you-" I tried to ask, but was silenced by the master's raised hand that signaled that everything would be explained.
"As I have already mentioned, the man who originally diagnosed this boy as part demon was Dr. Nobasu, Although I never specifically mentioned when he was diagnosed as such"
My eyes widened, as the implication of what the master was saying began to set in.
"Rei-kun, would you like to tell us when exactly did you meet Dr. Nobasu?" Asked the ever so gentle yet authoritative voice of the Kisatsutai's Master.
"I- It was a couple of weeks after I began to stay at Mr. Nemoto's residence, sir" I replied stiffly for some reason, one of which may or may not be his silky smooth and dignified voice which instantly made me want to trust him. "Mr. Nemoto was worried about my inability to keep awake during the day, so one night, he accompanied me to the nearby town to have me checked up by a doctor, who happened to be Mr. Nobasu"
"Is that all that happened?" The master asked.
"Yes sir, in the end, the check up took a bit longer than expected, and I was forced to go home before hearing the doctor's diagnosis because of the rising sun. Though I was immediately informed once I woke up that it was just two extreamly rare conditions affecting me at the same time. One where the effects of a person's internal clock is amplified, and the other being said internal clock being permanently inverted, hence my inability to sleep during the night and stay awake during the day."
"Is that so?" The master pondered quietly. "So that's how Nemoto-Sensei managed to keep it a secret for so long"
"Wait, Nemoto-Sensei?!" I asked along with the other Hashiras.
"Another story for another time, my children" smoothly replied the master. "I assume you've already figured out by now that the diagnosis you were given was false, am I right, Rei-kun?"
"Y- yes sir" I replied weakly.
"Please know that Nemoto-Sensei only had your best interest at heart as you will soon see in the letter he has left for you and his other disciple, and that neither he, his disciple, Dr. Nobasu, or I, see you as a monster."
'So Hana knew about this too, huh?' I thought whiles nodding to the Master, as I began recollecting what happened in the sixth night of the final selection. "You're...not...a...Demon." "Not...to Us." those words now carried a whole new meaning behind them, and I began crying in gratitude towards her, Mr. Nemoto, and Dr. Nobasu for keeping me safe from the truth this whole time. 'Thank you' *sob* 'thank you...so much' *sob*
After a few minutes of my unrelenting tears falling down my cheeks as if a dam had broken in my eyes, I was finally able to cease my uncomfortable cries and compose myself in front of the Kisatsutai higher ups. *sniff* "sorry" *sniff* "About that, Oyakata-sama"
"It is fine Rei-kun, after all, you might as well start feeling more comfortable and begin opening up to your new family" The master said gesturing to himself. "and your future teachers" He added, gesturing to the Hashiras.
"Eh?" I said along the rest with the Hashiras, before screaming: "WHAT?!" Along side the wind and Snake Hashiras, who seemed to be the only ones against the idea.
"Oyakata-sama. I understand now that there is no changing your mind in adopting this boy and that the boy is no threat, nor has he ever attempted to become one" Said the Snake Hashira, Iguro Obanai, who unknowingly to me, began relating with my situation because of his belief of the two of us being good people who unfortunately come from vile and impure lineages. "but isn't training him only going to make him more unpredictable? What if his bloodlust or demonic instincts awaken whiles we train him? At that point he might've already become too powerful for us to stop. We might end up making another, no, something even worse than Muzan"
"Screw that!" came in Sanemi. "I don't give a damn whatever bullshit sob story this brat has. A Demon is still a Demon! Oyakata-sama!" He turned to the Master. "Please, allow me to show you the true nature of this Demon once and for all!" He exclaimed before cutting his arm, and opening a wound that spilled a tantalising aroma that would drive any regular demon to jump the scarred Hashira in that moment.
"Sanemi!" Exclaimed the Fire Hashira, kyojuro rengoku. "You're staining Oyakata-sama's floor!"
"Shut up for a second, will ya!" Shot back Sanemi. "If he refuses my blood then he should be safe, right? But then again, that ain't gonna happen now is it? Little Demon."
Everyone in the room except for Oyakata-sama shifted their head towards me. They all knew Sanemi had a point in doing this test, and therefore decided to let it happen for some assurance that I won't harm anyone in the future.
Seeing this, my eyes began twitching, as I began walking towards Sanemi with a glare that pierced through the locks of white hair that covered most of my features.
"That's right little Demon, this rare blood here is all for you, so come on! serve your self" He said, dangling his wounded arm before me.
As I grabbed hold of the arm, every Hashira began reaching for their swords, preparing for the worst, that is, until I spat on Sanemi's wound, before pulling his arm towards me, and using the momentum generated to amplify my punch to his face which sent him flying to the other side of the room. "The hell do you think I am?!" I yelled after the punch. "As if I'd ever drink the blood of someone so irritating! I'd rather just sow your mouth shut or cut your vocal cords! Hopefully that'll prevent me from gouging out my eardrums." I added, before turning back to the Master and the rest of the Hashiras. "Man I've been waiting to do that all day...or night, whatever. Also, what was this about Oyakata-sama adopting me?"
After a few minutes of the rest of the Hashiras regaining their composure and Sanemi being sent to the infirmary. The discussion of how the Kisatsutai's Master was planning on adopting me finally began.
"HUH?! No offence Oyakata-sama, but even I agree with Iguro-san and - I can't belive I'm saying this - Shinazugawa-san on this one. An organisation that focuses on slaying demons can't have a demon on it's leader's family, that's just going to cause so many problems which might end up causing an internal war between the slayers!"
The snake Hashira's heterochromic eyes widened at this, as I unknowingly proved myself to the Hashira even more. "You're seriously refusing on having the highest power in the Kisatsutai as your guardian? Why?"
"As I said, it'll only cause more trouble than I'm worth" I replied, before swiftly adding in a low tone: "Besides...I don't want to see good people hurting each other"
Oyakata-sama seems to have heard this, for he smiled at me after my answer. "Hence why I have decided that we are to keep this a secret until you can pile up enough achievements to be considered as an undeniable asset to the corp"
"Wha-?" No matter how hard I tried, I genuinely couldn't come up with an idea to justify refusing the Master's offer other than the "It's too risky" argument which he is seemingly also expecting and probably already has countermeasures for. 'God damn it old man, what the hell kind of genius mastermind did you sell me off to?!' I lamented with my thoughts.
"So?" asked the Master expectantly.
"I...accept" I yielded. I was so never going to be able to live a normal life now.
"Very well" replied my now new father, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. "Now, tell me my son" The man made shure to put emphasis on the "son" part of the sentence. "Who would you like to be your first teacher in the art of Zen Shūchū no Kokyū (Total concentration breathing)?"
Looking at the Hashiras, the most logical choice should be The earth and stated strongest Hashira of them all, but, the events of the sixth night of the final selection still lingered in my mind. How I couldn't protect my adoptive sister, the multiple times when the demons almost got to her and how I could barely defend myself, causing me to lose most of my strength and stamina because of my injuries.
I didn't know if my subsequent decision was somewhat influenced by my guilt of not making it in time to prevent my sister from sustaining permanent injuries, but I knew... I've seen how I could hold my own when it came to offence, and how severely lacking I was when it came to defence. Hence my decision in that moment to pick that specific Hashira who has the greatest defensive kata of them all. "I pick Giyu Tomioka...the Water Hashira"
Dear Rei
I'm writing this letter because I know that my health has began deteriorating even faster than it used to, ever since Hana left for the final selections.
I have been trying to keep this hidden from you but I don't think I'm going to make it. Hence this letter, which will inform you of the truth, my biggest regrets, and wishes for your future.
I know we've only lived together for around a year or so, and throughout said year I never really had the chance to spend as much time with you as I could, unlike how I did Hana, and for that I am sorry.
I knew the very moment you showed up in my home that you would need a proper mentor to guide you through your life, a father figure of sorts.
But that all changed the moment I found out about your demonic origins.
I know that the circumstances on how you ended up a demon couldn't have been pleasant in any way, but seeing you smile and be happy, reminded me of what I've lost...and who it was that took it from me. Hence why I tried avoiding you for some time after that.
I couldn't bear the sight of you, a demon, or partially that is, experiencing the happiness, joy and life that you're kind took from my son.
It was around three months after our discovery of your demonic origins that I tried to assassinate you. But seeing you sleeping so carefree, as if there was nothing wrong in the world, reminded me of my children and the innocence they once held.
It was only then that finally I realised, that I was blaming all of my pain and suffering on a child who doesn't even have any idea of his kind's wrong doings.
By the time I had realised this however, I felt that I had already gone too far.
I had tried to assassinate you, end your life, as a child who did nothing wrong and had no idea of why such a faith befell him.
I was too ashamed to face you after that.
I did my best to try and approach you again after that. But by that time, you had already gotten so close to Hana, and you both reminded me so much of my children that I couldn't bring myself to approach you. It was like I was trying to approach my children after I had tried to kill them. I just...couldn't. And for that I am sorry.
I'm sorry for not looking past your race,
I'm sorry for failing to be a good father figure,
I'm sorry for not trying harder to approach you,
I'm sorry not seeing you as the kind, gentle, caring and helpful kid that you are from the very beginning.
I truly am sorry.
But please know from the bottom of my heart, that I wish for you nothing but the best, my son.
Now, I know this simple apology letter isn't going to be enough for you to forgive this senile old man. So as a parting gift, I have entrusted you to a family that I know will accept you for who you are and not for what you are.
This family also happens to be pretty rich so you'll basically be treated like a Prince if you were to accept them as your own, I mean...you've already got the looks to be one so why not try actually being eh? maybe you could even swoon yourself a princess.
But seriously tho, if you're not into that, then I've made shure that they would still support your livelihood until you are capable of standing on your own two feet. and even after that they would still be willing to support you in case anything bad happens.
And if you were to wish to join their cause in the future instead then you are free to do so, just...be careful, ok?
I promise I'll always be watching out for you on the other side, so give it your all and do whatever it is you want. remember my first lesson ok? Don't underestimate yourself.
And please, take care of Hana for me will you? you know how hard headed she can be. Oh, and please do keep on getting along when I'm gone. I'd rather not watch my adoptive children fighting whilst I'm up there.
-Love your unfortunately stupid father, Nemoto Isai.
Tears began pouring out of my eyes as I read my father's letter whiles walking to my adoptive sister and partner's room in the butterfly mansion. 'Damn it old man' I thought with a sob. 'Why didn't you just tell me?' *sniff* 'I could've told you before you left' *sniff* *sniff* 'that you were never a horrible father' *sob* 'You did your best and you were awesome. Damn it old man...I could've told you...' *sniff* "You were a Great Father Mr. Nemoto" *sniff*
"um...Mr. Rei?! Are you ok?" asked Shinobu's voice from along the corridor. "Your sister and puppy's room are right over here! they're just sleeping!"
"Yeah, I'm fine" I replied, wiping tears out of my eyes, before putting my father's last message on my pocket, and running towards the room indicated by the petit Insect Hashira. "Comming!"
A/N: If you managed to have the patience to read all the way through here, then you have my deepest gratitude.
now you may be thinking: "nothing really happened in thos chapter. I'm kind of disappointed"
well...that's because I'm trying to give this story's MC a proper motivation tl beat Muzan...that and I tried to fix the boring OCs problem(pls tell me how that went, like are they still trash or did their significance become more apparent now?)
I also tried to show how regardless of the MC matching the Hashiras in raw power, they can still easily outclass him because of their skills and experience, as I tried to explain with the "I'm nothing more than and infant to them" line.
basically it's like the MC has been throwing punches with only his wrist this whole time. It's just that he had enough raw strength to make even that hurt(and yes I took this explanation from TBATE, but y'all get the point)