Summary:

Yuichiro's first meeting with the rest of the Hashira goes as well as one might expect. He also meets with Oyakata-sama, and Muichiro and Shinobu watch some clouds together. (warning. there will be some bad language here)

Yuichiro

It's a summons. I have no choice but to go. Ryokucha keeps me company on the way to the Ubuyashiki's estate. He tells me that I should feel honored because the estate's location is kept a secret from most demon slayers until after they've become a pillar.

I don't particularly want to become a pillar.

The butterfly mansion is very close to the Ubuyashiki estate, so Kanae is already there. She offered to walk me there, but right now, I need some alone time. Ryokucha is all the company I need.

Of course, it would be different if Muichiro could come with me. I know he feels terrible about what happened, but comforting him is something that I can't do. I'm not ready to talk to him yet. I just know I'll say something wrong.

But even still… I wish he were here with me. My heart is a little heavy as I walk. I'm worried about him.

Ryokucha tries to cheer me up.

"Muichiro-Bocchan will be fine Bocchan. He works hard, and has you to guide him."

Ryokucha doesn't talk about our bloodline anymore. I'm learning to tolerate him. Muichiro does indeed work hard, and he's constantly impressed me with how strong he's become.

It seems like it was just yesterday he was completely helpless.

"Your right about that Ryokucha, just tell your sister to keep an extra close eye on him. He pushes himself way too hard when he thinks I'm not watching." I manage a small smile. Despite how vulnerable he seems, Muichiro is tougher than he lets on. He's never let a failure hold him back. I just hope… that when I finally do talk to him, I'll do it right.

I'll tell him that he has nothing to worry about. That the demon was weak, and what happened to him could have just as easily happened to me if our positions had been reversed… No. He wouldn't believe that. I don't know what I can possibly tell him that won't make him feel like crap. And if he feels like crap, then I'll probably be feeling like crap too... This sucks.

As I get to the familiar gate of the Ubuyashiki estate, I can sense the presence of more strangers inside. I take a deep breath to calm my unease. For Muichiro's sake, I make myself a silent promise to do my best to get along with the others.

I open the gate and walk into the courtyard. The presences there are very strong. Kanae gives me a warm encouraging smile, but the guy next to her gives me a look.

"So this is the new Hashira? A kid." says the guy with the white hair and scars.

"Go easy on him Shinazugawa," Says a guy with crazy flame-like hair. Him being a child makes it all the more impressive that he's become a Hashira." He then turns to me. "I am Rengoku Kyojuro. Pleased to meet you."

"Tokito Yuichiro." I say as I bow.

"Tokito-kun. Let's give it our all as fellow Hashira" he says.

I debate whether or not to tell him that I have no intention of becoming a Hashira, when I feel an unwelcomed hand on my head.

"What stylish hair you've got there!" I hear the man behind me say.

I whirl around and grab his wrist, and give him a death glair.

Sorry Mui. I tried, but this guy just crossed the line.

"Oi oi," he says trying to act big, "What's with that look of yours, you little twerp."You may have become a Hashira faster than any of us, but you still look like a little whore. I'll bet I could easily take you."

... I'm about to kick him in the groin and then cut him up a little when Rengoku steps in and separates us.

He's strong, and I lose my grip on this guy's hand.

"That's enough you two. Uzui, you shouldn't touch people without their permission. It's rude!"

This Uzui guy is about to back off, but I can't let his 'little whore' comment slide. "You're the one with painted nails… faggot" (Later when Muichiro's sharp tongue gets him in trouble, you all know who to blame.)

This Uzui guy looks like he's about to explode. I get ready to draw my sword (which now that I'm surrounded by adults, feels absurd that I even have)

"Hey, hey, Uzui-San" Kanae says as she slides in. "Yuichiro-kun didn't mean it."

"Of course he didn't," says the pink-haired girl also sliding in between Uzui and myself. "He's only a child, he probably doesn't even realize what he said"

For Kanae's sake, I swallow my pride and prepare to apologize if only to help de-escalate the situation. But when I open my mouth I can't possibly bring myself to say those words.

Behind me, I hear the booming voice of the giant man I saw earlier say; "Children should not be demon slayers let alone Hashira. I strongly hope the master will reconsider"

I totally agree with this guy. I look up at the sky and wish the master would hurry up and get here.

"Oi, kid," says the white-haired guy as he stands next to me. "Kanae says you're a good kid. Don't make her look bad, treat your elders with some respect."

"He has three wives ya'know" says a heterochromia with a snake around his neck as he creeps up by my other side. "You better thank Kanroji for saying what she said. Otherwise Uzui would have shown you no mercy".

I can feel them pressuring me, so I do what I must. "Thank you both for your warnings. You must be Shinazugawa." I say to the white-haired guy. "And may I have yours?" I say as politely as I can to the heterochromia.

"You're doing better kid. Iguro Obanai. It's Iguro-san to you."

I nod.

Then to my surprise, Shinazugawa says something to me in a nice way. "My first Hashira meeting went worse than yours did kid. You'll be fine if you wise up."

"Ara ara, I remember your first meeting well Shinazugawa-kun" Kanae says entering our conversation. "It still amuses me to think about to this day." She giggles, and this fierce-looking guy actually shows the faintest trace of a blush.

I feel overwhelmed with these guys on every side of me. I want to get out of here. I want to go back to Muichiro.

Then to my relief, I hear one of the Ubuyashiki girls make an announcement. "The master of the manor has arrived."

All eight of the Hashira here drop to their knees and bow their heads in the direction of the engawa. I do the same.

I can hear his light footsteps accompanied by another child as he comes out of the shade.

"Good morning, my dear swordsman. I hope you have welcomed our newest pillar warmly."

"Good morning to you Oyakata-sama" I hear Kanae say. "We look forward to working with Yuichiro-kun and watching him grow. And I speak for everyone here when I say that we sincerely hope that you are feeling well master."

"Thank you, Kanae. My illness has progressed I am afraid, but I can still see all of you. I am grateful to the heavens for such wonderful children."

"We will continue to pray for your health and fortune! Oyakata-sama!" I hear Rengoku boom.

I dare to look up and get a glimpse of his face, and as luck would have it, he addresses me right as I do. He's younger than I expected, but his Illness which I had been told about earlier covers all of his forehead, and he appears to be partially blind.

"I know that some of us can seem a little harsh," he says, "but all of us here are good-hearted people who protect the citizens of Japan from the demons with everything they've got, just as you do. I am sorry that we did not have the chance to meet when you stayed here last, but Amane is very proud of you, and your adorable younger brother."

I can feel eyes on me when he says that. "You stayed here with the Oyakata-sama?" Kanae whispers, "You never told me that."

"Kyaaa! You have a baby brother?" the one called Kanroji whispers, "I have one too! How old is he? What's his name!?"

The dolt then manages to read the room and becomes embarrassed for her outburst. "Sorry," she says.

"Oyakata-sama." I say with as much polite formality as I can. "Muichiro is doing well and speaks about you fondly. He prays nightly for you and your family, and I do the same." Well… at least I try to do that. I don't exactly like Ubuyashiki, but it makes Muichiro happy when I join him. Truth be told, I'm worried that the others will notice that I am trying to suppress a snarl when I speak to this man. He should have never allowed two children to join his army.

"Master, may I speak to you in private about something." I manage to say with perfect calmness and decorum.

"Of course, you may, Yuichiro. But can it wait until after the Hashira's meeting? Since it will be your first meeting as one of our pillars after all."

"That's just it," I say preparing to regret my words, but lacking the patience to wait any longer, "I do not wish to be a Hashira. I respectfully ask that you release me from this promotion."

The hushed silence that follows lasts very briefly. But the pressure during that time suffocates me.

It's not just that I don't want to leave Muichiro's side. These guys are the real deal, namely; Shinazugawa, Iguro, the giant, and the one with the mismatched Haori who stood apart from everyone. With those four here, I feel about half a meter shorter.

"Well then," says Ubuyashiki. "I suppose this is a matter that cannot wait. I hope that the rest of you will pardon me for this, but Yuichiro's concerns are quite important here. I will talk with him, and then return to you to conduct the meeting. If any of you are inconvenienced by this, please direct your blame towards me. I should have sat down with Yuichiro sooner."

"We would never begrudge you Oyakata-sama, or young Tokito for that matter!" says Rengoku.

"Thank you for your understanding Kyojuro, now, if you would follow me inside, Yuichiro."

I get up and follow him. He is accompanied by one of his daughters, who turns and smiles at me. I don't remember which one she is.

"Now then, Yuichiro." He says as he sits down. "Please be at ease. You do not have to bow your head to me like that if you don't want to. I know that the others do it, and you may feel pressure to do so as well, but here it is just us. You may speak freely. Is it due to not wanting to leave your brother's side that you do not wish to become a Hashira?"

"You are correct Oyakata-sama" I say with a bit more force than I did outside. "Protecting my brother is the only reason I agreed to join your corps in the first place."

"I see," he says. "Yuichiro, do you resent me because I had Amane ask you and your brother to join?"

I am taken aback. This guy is good at reading me, and his voice is calming in a different way from Kanae's. And he did tell me to speak freely…

"I do…" I say harshly. "You should have just left us alone. We were just kids! And yet you dragged us into this! Your wife goaded my innocent brother with tales of heroism and our 'noble ancestry'. He was just ten years old, and she filled his head with fairy tails that almost got him killed."

I feel a little guilty because his young daughter heard that. Poor thing, I didn't mean to take it out on her. But the master's expression surprises me. He doesn't look hurt like he's been insulted, he looks like he feels sorry on my behalf.

"The pain in your voice touches my heart," he says. "You must have been through so much. I am truly sorry. We never intended for the two of you to take the final selection so soon. We had hoped that you would both spend more time training, and pass the final selection when you were at least fifteen, and yet you both astounded us with your growth. If you wish for me to bar you and your brother from the demon slayer corps until you turn fifteen, I will respect your wishes, and do just that."

"You mean?... you'll kick Muichiro out of the corps?"

"I will bar him from fighting until he turns fifteen."

He's got me.

"Must I give you an answer now?" I ask.

"You may take as much time to think about it as you need." The master says kindly.

My mind is already starting to race though. Muichiro would probably hate me if I did this to him, but that's a sacrifice I am more than willing to make if it will keep him out of harm's way.

But on the other hand… What will I do with my anger? And what will Muichiro do? I saw it first when he declared to me his intention to join after we both woke up. I saw it in his happy face every time we were thanked by someone we had saved.

I saw it in his sad eyes whenever we saw someone whom we couldn't save.

"May I give you my answer tomorrow at noon?" I say.

Oyakata-sama smiles. "Very well. In the meantime, would you please accept the position of Hashira? If only for today. And should you decide to stay in the corps, there is a way your brother can stay at your side even while you are a Hashira."

"There is?"

"Yes. You may take him as your Tsuguko. Someone who will train under you, and potentially succeed you as Hashira."

"Make Muichiro my understudy?"

"You are the older brother. It would make sense. Shinobu whom you have already met, is currently Kanae's Tsuguko. If Muichiro were yours, you may continue to go on missions together as you are. You would only be occasionally separated, such as during the biannual Hashira meetings, or emergency Hashira meetings. Muichiro of course, Is welcome to come to the manor during those times. He already knows me."

I bow my head with genuine gratitude. "Thank you Oyakata-sama. And please forgive me for my harsh words earlier."

"There is nothing to forgive Yuichiro. You spoke out of concern for your beloved brother. My only request to you is that you stop being so hard on yourself. Please be more willing in the future to accept help for your own sake, and not just Muichiro's. Even now I can tell that you are in pain, and I worry about you."

I believe him when he says that. This man doesn't just see me as a soldier. From that point onwards, I loved Oyakata-sama as though he were a second father to me. Once I had that talk with him, I no longer felt suffocated by the other Hashira. I sat at the meeting, and though I didn't speak at all, I felt accepted.

Some of the Hashira even talked to me as we left.

"Yuichiro-kun!" Kanroji chirped, "You were so cool back there!" and then leans in to whisper in my ear, "And I thought it was really funny how you handled Tengen back there."

I jump away, and she looks dejected for a moment, till Kanae comes and saves the day by gently explaining to her that I do not like to be touched.

Rengoku sees me off with a smile and bright words of encouragement. Himejima apologizes for his comment earlier and offers me his welcome to the Hashira, which I am grateful for to my own surprise.

Iguro gives me a nod before he gets into Shinazugawa's car (which I will admit looks really cool) and Shinazugawa and Tomioka don't pay me any mind as they leave, which I don't take personally.

Uzui and I exchange final dirty looks before Kanae steps beside me.

"Are you ready to head back Yuichiro-kun?"

"Yeah," I say with a smile. My arm is starting to hurt again as the sun goes down, but nowhere nearly as bad as the night before.

I summon my crow.

"Ryokucha, go ahead and tell my brother that the meeting went well, and that I'm on my way back with Kanae."

"And tell my sister too if you please. Thank you Ryokucha"

I give my crow a nod, and he gives me an "Aye aye Bocchan!" before he goes flying off.

Muichiro

Kocho-san, Kanao, and I were already waiting on top of the wall of the butterfly mansion when we got Nii-san's message. I knew he could do it! I'm so happy for him! But I'm also a little nervous to see him again.

Kocho-san brushes my hand. "On one mission when I was with Nee-san" she tells me with a gentle smile, "I was so frightened that I cried and wet myself."

"Really Kocho-san? Your not just saying that to make me feel better?"

"Look at my face Muichiro-kun" she says, "Do you think I am making this up?"

She's flushing, but she's smiling at the same time. She's a really good friend for telling me this I feel a lot better. I'm actually trying not to laugh because she seems so cool that it's funny to imagine her in such a situation.

"How old were you?" I ask.

"Older than you are now. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Nobody ever has an easy time when they first encounter such a high-ranked demon, even your brother."

I look down when she mentions him. "And he's ten times the demon slayer I am… I don't know what I'll say to him when he gets back… I don't know if I'm cut out for this."

"Muichiro-kun"

"Yes Kocho-san?"

"Look me in the eyes"

I look up and see to my surprise that her expression has gone from light-hearted to stern. "If you keep talking that way, I really will get mad. What did I just say? Demon slayers who are more than twice your age get scared, even Hashira like Nee-san have days where they feel as though they weren't good enough. You are the most earnest and talented demon slayer I have ever seen."

There is something about the way she says it… I start to tear up again. I am such a crybaby that I actually laugh a little at myself.

She pulls me close and we hold each other for a while while Kanao looks on. I'm holding it together, I smile as I watch the stars and the clouds in the night sky. Whether Kocho-san actually meant it, or whether she was just saying it to make me feel better, I'm happy that she said it.

"You enjoy looking at the sky, don't you Muichiro-kun?"

"I always have," I say contently. "Back when we lived with Mother and Father, Nii-san and I used to lie on our backs and watch the clouds for ages. They look like things sometimes."

A cat is walking along the wall. It comes up to me and rubs itself against my side until I start to stroke its head.

It purrs and lies down next to me.

I am no longer afraid of facing Nii-san. I'm ready to apologize, and then accept whatever comes next. But he can take as long as he wants to get here.

Ginkgo perches on my shoulder and gives me a jealous look until I start scratching her belly the way she likes.

She soon joins the cat in my lap. I smile up at the sky until Kanao takes out a coin and flips it.

She then stands up and points to the Horizon. "Kanae Nee-san is coming"

"And Yui-Nii!?" I ask hopefully.

"Yes, your Nii-san is coming too."

Soon I can see them in the distance. Nii-san looks so dignified with his sword and mist-patterned Haori. He's even smiling as he talks with Kocho ane-san.

But in any case, I put on a serious face, and prepare to meet with him. I send the cat off with a few more pets and hop off the wall.

Above me, Kocho-san is already calling to her Nee-san, whose gone on ahead to see her. She gives me a smile as she passes me, and I'm left alone outside the butterfly mansion with Yui-Nii.

"Nii-san, congratulations. How was your first meeting as a Hashira." Oh no, I sounded nervous just now. I hope I can do this.

Nii-san just smiles at me. His eyes even look less red.

"Nii-san… hey, Yui-Nii… what are you?" Nii-san just started striding towards me! I take a step back when he grabs me and pulls me in for a really tight hug.

Nii-san isn't saying anything… He just hugged me, and he's so warm.

My eyes start getting wet again as I reflexively hug him back. I was so worried about this meeting. I was so scared of what he would say or what I would say, but I just feel warm.

"Nii-san! I'm so sorr-"

"It's alright Mui. Really, I'm fine. I'm just glad that your safe."

"But Nii-san! I…"

"Just stop talking already you big crybaby."

The last of my shame over my last blunder… the last of my doubts, melt away.

"Nii-san, how is your arm?" I ask when we're later sitting together inside the mansion.

"It's soaking wet thanks to you," he teases.

Even Ginko and Ryokucha look sentimental as they watch us from a distance.

"Is the medicine helping?" I ask.

"Yeah" he says as he flicks the air with his arm. "It helps. I sleep easier now. How about you though? Did Kanae help you at all with your fears of things that remind you of that day?"

There is nothing accusatory about the way he asks. He's not even thinking of our fight against that waning moon. He's just asking how I'm doing.

"I'm much better," I say. "Last night I didn't even have any nightmares."

"That's good," he says, "That also reminds me… I spoke with Oyakata-sama."

"You mean you met him Nii-san!?"

"Well of course I did. He's at every Hashira meeting"

Nii-san said that so casually… Yui-Nii is a Hashira! My face is probably red because of how proud I am to be his brother right now.

"D-did you like him?" I ask a little nervously.

"Before I answer that" He says in a slightly serious tone, "there is something I have to ask you."

"What is it Nii-san?"

"Would you like for us to leave the demon slayer corps? Oyakata-sama says that it's okay, and that we can come back when we're older. It's up to you Muichiro."

I cast my gaze down. For a second Nii-san looks worried, like he's said something wrong, but he didn't. He gave me the choice!...

I'm just so happy right now… It's the happiest I've felt in ages.

"Nii-san," I say looking up at him, "If it's okay with you, I'd like to continue to be a swordsman."

In the background, I think I hear Ginko crying with joy.

Yui-nii just smiles. "Okay then Mui, if that's what you want to do."

Yuichiro.

When I meet with Oyakata-sama the next day, his whole family is there. I'm glad. I think I am finally able to see them as Muichiro saw them. Amane serves us tea, and his children are a delight.

"Well Yuichiro" he finally asks me. "Have you come to a decision?"

"Yes sir! Muichiro and I will continue to fight as members of the demon slayers corps" I can feel everyone in the room smile when I say that.

"However," I continue, "I will not be taking Muichiro as my Tsuguko."

Oyakata-sama seems to know what is going on, but his wife and kids look surprised.

"Why Yuichiro?" Amane asks, "If you took Muichiro as your Tsuguko, you would be able to protect him at all times."

"I know, Amane-san. But Muichiro being born several minutes after me doesn't make him my inferior. It's only a matter of time before he becomes a Hashira too"

Amane smiles when she hears that, Mui was right afterall. She's beautiful, like the spirit of the birch tree.