Legend Of Timere

by Victor Soul

In 1918, Michael travelled to Japan in search of his missing father, only to discover a world of demons who kill and eat humans. To fight against them and to find his father, he joins a team who devote themselves to the slaying of demons. In order for him to succeed, he would have to become a symbol that all demons will fear. He will be known as the Timere. (OC x harem) Fem Tomioka

12. The Pillars

Here's the next chapter, I hope you'll enjoy it.

Bromega2477 - Michael is a rather character. He seems to be caught between wanting to kill all demons, but wanting to protect demons such as Nezuko (as you said) and Ara. I wonder what he would be like in future arcs such as the Mugan Train and the Entertainment District. Thanks for reading.

Foxfire573 - Gracias por eso. Arreglé los errores.

Y tienes razón sobre Michael, Sanemi y Obanai. Tómalos en la misma habitación y estarán peleando durante días y días. Si tuvieras un demonio en la mezcla, apenas sobrevivirían cinco segundos.

Gracias por leer.

Funkohero15 - Thanks so much. His hate for demons will only make him grow stronger. Hope you like this chapter.

Spedyalarm - Sorry. Maybe in another chapter.

Djinn - Thanks so much. It definitely will be interesting. What will happen with the surviving Slayers will be hinted at in this chapter. It'll make a great impact of Timere's legend.

Guest - Sorry for the wait. Here you go.

Wellingtonlucas282- No problem, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter as well.

phillyitalian- Kaze is a great horse. He knows exactly when to turn up and to leave. Nobody really knows what he gets up to when he's away. I like to think he finds a field, sits down and think about the great adventures he had whilst munching on some grass.

I really ought to a chapter devoted to Michael and the crows. I definitely plan for one. Thanks for reading.

Guest - I mean it's possible. Never say never!

Guest - I think Slayers should break their swords at least once or twice. It shows their commitment to their battle. At least he has his dagger as back up to help. Sorry for the wait.

Thanks for reviewing :)

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Chapter 12: The Pillars

Slayer Corps Headquarters, Unknown Location

They marched through the night.

Travelling down dusty paths, though thick forests and ascending steep mountains; all just to reach the beating heart of the Demon Slayer Corps where the organisation and running of troops were carried out. The location was well-hidden for obvious reasons . Even Michael, whose tired mind was starting to waver and his injuries were getting more painful by the second, was starting to he confused by the twists and turns that the Kakushi was putting them through. However, at the smell of wisteria becoming more prominent around him, he could tell that they were getting close.

For the first time in hours, he used his Breathing to sense the others within the caravan following on behind him; ignoring his lungs burning as he did. He sensed that most of the injured were asleep. The Kakushi carried most of them on stretchers while Murata and Ozaki shared Kaze's back and rode beside him throughout the night. He gave an exhausted sigh of relief at the fact that they seemed alright and straightened out the straps of the wooden box on his back. The demon, Nezuko he think she is called, was still resting within the box and he could hear her gentle snoring when he bothered to listen. He tried his best to not move around too much and disturb her sleep, but, even then, he doubted she would wake up. He almost tripped over a tree root a few hours ago and he didn't even hear her stop snoring.

Passing the wisteria forest and into the clearing, he found that he was walking on paved road once more and took it as a sigh that they were here. He turned his head up to the nearest Kakushi and grunted at him in a raspy voice.

"Hey, how far is the hospital?" he questioned, making that Kakushi jump in surprise.

"Err… not too far. It's just the next mansion we come up to."

"Good," he muttered, "Run up ahead and inform them that we've arrived."

"R-right away," he stuttered before he ran ahead of them.

Michael continued to lead Kaze by his reins and reached up to pet his nose as thanks for all his hard work, earning a snort in reply. He took a deep breath, ignored the pain in his lungs again and used his Breathing to sense what was up ahead. Down the path on the left was a very large two-story mansion surrounded by a high wicker and reed wall. It was built in the traditional Japanese style with wood and white plaster walls and a sloped roof consisting of blue tiles. The grounds of the mansion were bright with beautiful blooming flowers that grew abundantly. There seemed to be hundreds of types from those that could be used for medicinal purposes to others that were simply used for decoration. The entrance to the mansion was located alongside the road with a torii gate. Just outside of it stood to people; the first was that Kakushi from earlier while the other was a young girl who looked to be in her mid-teens.

She was an average height for a girl her age with a lean body and long black hair that was tied up by two butterfly clips in twin-tails which hung on either side of her head. She had a serious, pretty face with thin eyebrows, round dark blue eyes and thin mouth that was pulled down in a concerned frown. Like the Kakushi beside her, she wore the standard black uniform of the Slayers, but she lacked a sword or any sort of weapon on her person.

Michael led Kaze to the gate and slowed him down to a stop; as soon as they got close enough the girl marched towards them and began ordering the Kakushi around as if she's done this hundreds of times.

"Right! Bring them into the main ward and put them on any free bed!" she commanded, "The more serious cases will take priority over the others! Those who have cuts and broken bones should be immediately dressed up! Understand!?"

"Yes miss!" the Kakushi replied before they hurriedly carried out her orders.

Michael turned to the horse and gently shook Murata and Ozaki awake.

"We're here. Get up," he told them.

Murata was the first to slowly wake up; he groggily opened his eyes eyes and groaned tiredly as he felt his muscles and joint ache.

"We're…we're really here," he murmured as he looked up to see the sun beginning to peak over the horizon.

Knowing that he was uninjured, Michael grabbed him by the scruff of his uniform, pulled him off the horse and set him down on the ground with ease before he focused on Ozaki. The female Slayer's eyes fluttered open before she pushed herself up with her uninjured arm and tiredly looked around the area. A small smile appeared on her face.

"It's daylight," she whispered, "I-I get to see it again."

Michael grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off Kaze's back before he positioned her into a princess carry hold, making her squeak in embarrassment. He turned around and gave her to two passing Kakushi who began to carry her inside the mansion. He sighed and rubbed the back of his head when he felt Murata tap his shoulder.

"Um…Timere," he said, "I just turned around for a second and your horse just disappeared."

He hummed curiously before he reached out and felt the place where Kaze was, but only feeling open air instead, "Yes, he does that. He'll turn up…when ever he feels like it. Now get inside and rest. I still have things to take care of."

"O-of course."

Michael sensed a Kakushi walking passed him and caught her attention, "Where's the Hashira meeting taking place?"

"It would be at Lord Oyakata's residence, sir," she replied urgently.

"Please lead me to it," he ordered.

"Right away."

She began to lead him forwards away from the mansion when suddenly the young girl, who came from the mansion, stepped in front of him.

"Wait a minute," she firmly said, "You're injured as well. Get to bed now."

Michael raised an eyebrow at her. It was impressive that she was brave enough to stop and order him to do anything…considering that she was half his size.

"I can't. I've got a meeting to get to," he told him before trying to step around her.

She stepped in front of him and stopped him with her hand, "No you don't. You're clearly injured, exhausted and…" she cringed slightly, "..smell like demon blood and dirt. When was the last time you bathed?"

"A week ago."

"What? Did you wash in a lake or something?"

"Yes, actually. Now step aside…who are you?"

"Kanzaki Aoi. Miss Kanzaki to you."

"Michael Timere," he greeted in reply, "I need to get to that meeting Kanzaki before it's too late."

"It is too late. Kocho already left to attend it."

"Then I have to get there before it ends. Now step aside."

"I won't allow it," she snapped at him, "If you're not a Hashira then you can't attend, so get inside now and I will heal you."

Michael sighed tiredly, "You're really not going to let me pass?"

"No," she harshly answered, glaring up at him intensely with her hands on her hips.

He did nothing for a few seconds; an unreadable expression present on his face as his head was turned down towards her. Eventually, he reached forwards, grabbed her by the shoulders and lifted her off her feet, earning a squawk of surprise from her. He then walked over towards the torii gate, lifted her up and hung her by the back of her uniform on one of the corners of the gate's roof and allowed her to hang from it a couple of meters off the ground. Kanzaki was stunned silent as she took a while to process what he did while he, meanwhile, turned back to the Kakushi and nodded towards her.

"Carry on," he ordered before she began to lead her to the Hashira meeting.

"HEY!" Kanzaki screamed as her arms and legs flailed uselessly in the air, "GET BACK HERE! THAT'S AN ORDER! GET BACK HERE NOW!" she yelled after him. However, Michael ignored her and carried on walking, "DON'T YOU DARE IGNORE ME, YOU BRUTE! GET ME DOWN NOW!"

---

Oyakata Residence

Michael followed the Kakushi down the path and into the grounds of another large mansion built in the similar style. He was led into a beautiful zen garden right next to the mansion's veranda with elegant trees, paved paths and a layer of white pebbles that laid on the ground. Michael thought it might have been peaceful were it not for what was happening. As the Kakushi stepped away and allowed him past, he used his Breathing to sense who was there.

There were nine individuals in total. Three of them he recognised; Tomioka, Kocho and Tanjiro from the previous night. Tanjiro, despite his bruises and injuries, was tied up with his arms behind his back and laid on his front while Tomioka, Kocho and the others stood over him in front of the veranda. The other seven people were very unique in appearance.

The furthest to the left was a tall, muscular man who looked to be in his twenties. He had long silvery hair that was tired back by jewel encrusted headband as well as possessing maroon coloured eyes with long eyelashes. He wore the standard Slayer uniform, but it was sleeveless to reveal his muscular arms and the golden rings around each bicep. Not only that but, strapped onto his back, was a pair of sharp cleavers connected to chains and unusual red mark over his left eye. He looked down at Tanjiro with a disinterested look; his arms crossed over his chest in a lazily manner.

The person beside him was a far shorter and far more fascinating in appearance. She was a young beautiful woman who looked to be in her late teens with long locks pink hair that faded into lime green at the ends. She had a curvaceous body and a round face with large bright green eyes that seemed to shimmer slightly. Her Slayer uniform was very different from the regular ones; she wore a short black skirt which showed off her pair of long light green socks; a plain white haori around her shoulders; and the chest section of her uniform was unbuttoned to reveal…well, part of her chest. Her eyebrows were furrowed in a mixture of concern and curiosity; her eyes darting at everybody before she blushed and looked away shyly.

The young man beside her was of average height and had a mane of red and yellow hair which resembled a blaze of fire. He had a muscular build, sharp facial features, gold-coloured eyes and, despite the situation, smiled enthusiastically as he stood over the tied up Tanjiro. He wore the usual Slayer uniform, but his haori was yellowish white and red flame-like ridges at the ends of it. At his side was his sword which had red and yellow flame-like hilt. He grinned happily with his hands on his hips.

Beside him was a far shorter and far younger boy with very long black hair that turns a turquoise colour when it reaches his waist. Her had bright blue eyes, a youthful face and had a lean body type. His uniform was that standard except that it had very long sleeves that covered his entire arms and hands. He seemed very aloof and chose to stare up at the sky blankly rather than focus on what was before him. He was the only one who hadn't spoke out loud.

The last person on the far right was a large, hulking man; he was even taller than Michael by an entire seven inches. He had a powerful build and extremely muscular; short black spiky hair at the top of his head; a large scar across his forehead and blinded, white eyes which was filled with tears. He wore black and white uniform underneath a green and white happi that was draped over his shoulders; on the back of it were the kanji of Buddhist chant. He also wore a red beaded necklace and has an ojuzu wrapped around his fingers, hinting at his Buddhist background. Despite his powerful appearance, Michael didn't get any sense of intimidation or malice coming from him. In fact, he seemed rather gentle as he moved his ojuzu around his fingers and allowed the tears roll down his cheeks.

Michael almost didn't sense the last Hashira that was perched on a branch of a nearby tree. He was a fairly muscular man in his early twenties; he had straight black har that reached his shoulders; almond-shaped heterochromia eyes, one being yellow and the other turquoise, and the lower part of his face and his mouth is covered in bandages. He wore a navy blue version of the uniform and a black and white pinstriped haori. There was also a white snake that was wrapped around his shoulders which calmly hissed as it slithered around his neck.

Michael took in the sight of the Hashira in front of him and decided to not alert them to his appearance just yet. He wanted to listen in on what they were saying.

"Please, you have to understand!" Tanjiro begged to them, "My little was turned into a demon, but she hasn't eaten anybody!"

"Don't spit out lies!" the snake Hashira hissed from up his tree, "For starters, of course you would protect your family! I can't trust a word that comes out of his mouth!"

The tall Hashira nodded gravely, "Ahh…you're being obsessed by this demon. Let's kill this child quickly and painlessly to ease his suffering."

"Please listen!" Tanjiro shouted at them as he tried to pick himself up, "I became a Slayer to find cure for Nezuko. It has been two years since she turned and in that time she has never eaten a single human!"

"You're going around in circles," the white haired Hashira huffed in annoyance, "She hasn't tasted human flash and she won't eat human flesh from now. Don't give us lip service. Give us a more flamboyant explanation."

"Hmm, I have a question," the pink haired Hashira piped up shyly, "It doesn't seem like Lord Oyakata has grasped the situation yet. Can we really deal with it on our own like this? We should wait until he arrives, right?" she questioned before blushing at seeing, turning their attention to her.

"Please! I can prove that she's harmless to humans! Just bring her over and I'll show you!" Tanjiro cried to them, "She's not a threat to anyone so please let me see her!"

Michael decided to step in.

"I've got her. Don't worry," he sighed, drawing everyone's attention. He turned around slightly to show them the box "She's right here."

Tanjiro sighed in relief at the sight of the box, however some of the Hashira were less than pleased to see him.

"Who the hell are you?" snapped the Hashira with the snake, "This is a private meeting! No lower ranks are allowed!"

"He's right," the white haired Hashira said with a nod, "Such a dull and drag individual shouldn't be in our presence."

"Ara Ara! Michael is that you? My word, you look absolutely horrendous," Kocho said with a giggle, "I see you were able to transport the demon all the way here. How admirable."

"Oh, I see now," the Hashira with the flaming hair said brightly to him, "Thank you for dropping the demon off, but you have to leave now. Goodbye!"

"I'm not going anywhere," Michael grumbled, "And the demon is staying with me."

"You dare disrespect your superior's orders!?"

"I do dare," he shot back at the Hashira with the snake, "I only respect those who deserve it. As far as I know, your ranks are merely a shitty titles…"

The pink haired Hashira snorted in laughter, but held a hand over her mouth to stop herself.

"...I will wait for Lord Oyakata to show up and he'll decide what will happen," he continued firmly, "I don't trust any of you."

"Michael…" Tanjiro called out to him, "…please! That's my sister-"

"We will wait until Lord Oyakata arrives," he repeated with a dangerous tone, "And we'll do nothing else."

"I don't know who the hell you think you are, but you're starting to piss me off."

Michael sensed another person standing behind him and turned his head towards him.

He was tall, lean man in his early twenties with long white spiky hair and large palish purple eyes. His face and body were wrecked with scars and cuts, a result of many years of battling demons, and had a wide manic smile stretched across his face. He wore green-tinted Slayer uniform that was unbuttoned at the front to reveal his scarred chest and a white long-sleeved shirt with the kanji for 'Kill' stitched onto the back. He grinned crazily as he slid his sword out of his sheath.

"I hate rookies," he snarled, "They never know their place until you drill it into their heads."

"That's enough Shinazugawa," Tomioka spoke for the first time, her eyes narrowed at her fellow Hashira, "He is right. We should wait for Lord Oyakata and the meeting can properly begin."

"It's rare for Tomioka to speak," the pink haired Hashira uttered in disbelief.

Shinazugawa snarled in anger, "Why the hell are you taking this punk's side, huh? Two Slayers, protecting a demon…don't make laugh," as he raised his sword, "They're nothing but monsters who deserve nothing but death!"

Swiftly, he charged forwards and aimed the point of his blade at the side of the box, ready to pierce through the wooden panels. Tanjiro yelled at him to stop while Michael flinched at the sudden action. He twisted his body around and got the box out of his way, but allowed his own shoulder to be stabbed by the Hashira. He growled as the metal blade sunk into his flesh and reached his left arm up to grab at the blade, preventing him from getting any the Hashira realised what he did, he already grabbed his dagger with his right and pressed it against his neck, prepared to cut his gullet in half. They struggled for dominance; neither of them giving the other the opportunity to win. The wind whipped fiercely around and their collided, making the other Hashira watch on in slight concern.

"You bastard! Let go of my blade!" Shinazugawa snarled.

"Step back now or the next cut you'll get will be your last!" Michael hissed back at him.

"Why are you protecting that thing!? Don't you know what it is!?"

"Who says I'm protecting it! Maybe I just don't like your attitude!"

Tomioka grit her teeth in anger, "Stop it! The both of you! You're disrespecting Lord Oyakata's home!"

Shinazugawa ignored her, lifted his foot and slammed it into Michael's stomach, making him stumbling back as his felt his chest and organs scream in pain. The sword slid out of his shoulder and his grip as he want back, but he was able to slash at the Hashira's face as he did, opening up another wound on his face. Shinazugawa's felt the blood pour from his face and roared in anger as he prepared another attack…when suddenly…

"Stop!" cried out a young girl with white hair from atop of the veranda, "Lord Oyakata has arrived!"

They all snapped to attention. The Hashira got in line and bowed deeply towards the house in time to see the door slid open. He stepped gently onto the veranda with two more young girls leading him by his hands. He couldn't have been no older than Michael; with shoulder length black hair and fair skin. He wore a plain black kimono that was secured by a tan coloured obi with a white juban over his shoulders, His most prominent feature is that the entire top of his face, from his forehead to the bridge of his nose, was a sickly purple colour with pulsating veins very apparent. It look as if he had been severely burned, but the hint of rotting flesh that hung in the air gave it away that it was far more deadly. So deadly, that he had become blind in both eyes. Despite this and the pain he was in, a gentle smile adorned his face resembling that of the Buddha. His actions were graceful and his steps were so gentle that it was like he was walking on a cloud. He knelt down at the edge of the veranda as the two girls sat on either side of him and smiled pleasantly down at the Slayers that were gathered in front of him.

"Good morning everybody. We have some really nice weather today, don't we?"

Michael was taken back by the way he spoke. His tone was soothing and his voice was soft; he didn't sound patronising, nor proud, nor weak. He spoke to them like a father talking to his young children and he, admittedly, felt lighter than air. It was as if the anger and the pain left his body.

Lord Oyakata turned his head towards him and gave him a nod in greeting, "Michael, I presume. It is wonderful to see you. I have heard a lot about you. I hope you're not in any pain."

"What?" he uttered before he remembered his shoulder wound, "Oh…oh right. No…it's nothing, really," he told him, earning a scathing look from Shinazugawa. It was strange. This is the first time they met and yet he talked to him as if they've been friends for years, "Forgive me for not bowing. I fear that I will pass out if I do."

Oyakata hummed gently, "Well, we can't have that. Please feel free to stand," he told him before he turned his head back to his Hashira, "Our members have gathered for the Hashira meeting that we hold once every six months as per usual. I find this pleasurable."

"We find it most honourable to be in your presence, Lord Oyakata," Shinazugawa respectfully said. He acted very different now then he did a mere few seconds ago and Michael took note of it, "We eagerly pray for much happiness upon you."

"Thank you Sanemi," Oyakata said with a nod.

"Aww. I wanted to say that," the pink haired moaned under her breath.

Shinazugawa raised his head up before he reached forwards and grabbed Tanjiro by the scruff of his uniform and held him up, "Let me humbly say, there is a soldier present in the pillar meeting by the name of Kamado Tanjiro who had brought a demon. I would like to explain the scenario. So will you allow me?"

Oyakata closed his eyes and gave a deep sigh, "I see. I'm sorry. He has surprised you all," he opened his eyes and gave them a small smile, "I have given my approval for Tanjiro and Nezuko. So I want everyone here to accept them."

This came to a shock to the Hashira as well as to Michael.

The large Hashira put his hands together and bowed his head, "Aaahh…even though Lord Oyakata wishes us to do so…I am reluctant to give consent."

"I also flamboyantly oppose this," the white haired Hashira piped up as he pointed to himself, "I can never accept a Slayer who brings demons along."

"I will abide with all your accordances," the pink haired Hashira chirped happily.

"Either way's fine…" the aloof Hashira softly said, "…I'll just forget about it right away."

Kocho was silent. She stared a the ground and, for once, didn't pretend to smile. Tomioka was also the same, remaining silent with the usual cold expression on her face.

The snake Hashira snarled behind his bandaged mask, "Don't trust them. Don't trust them. We all hate demons to begin with," he muttered while his snake hissed aggressively.

"I respect you from deep within, but I can't understand your thinking!" the fiery-haired Hashira proclaimed, "I complete oppose this!"

"We are the Demon Slayers who annihilate all demons," Shinazugawa spat, his eyes wide and bloodshot, "I wish to punish Kamado, Tomioka and that inferior cripple!"

Oyakata listened to his Hashira's complaints and nodded in understanding. He then turned his head to the right and smiled at the young girl. She took air as a sign to pull a folded sheet of paper from behind her and unfurled it in front of her.

"We received this letter from the former Hashira Urokodaki Sakonji-sama," she told them before she read out the letter's contents, "Please forgive Tanjiro for being with a demon. Nezuko has a tenacious spirit and she retains some human reasoning, even when she's starving, she doesn't eat human as she has stayed that way for more than two years. You will find this sudden and difficult to believe but this is the unmistaken truth. If by any chance Nezuko ever attacks someone Kamado Tanjiro as well as Urokodaki Sakonji and Tomioka Giyu will cut their own stomachs open as an apology."

Silence fell over garden.

None of the Hashira dared to say a word as the young girl finished the letter. To have a former Hashira declared to slit open their stomachs as penance, and for a demon nonetheless, was quite astounding. Michael understood very well the gravity of what was happening and was respectfully silent as well. However, he did move his head towards where Tomioka was and wondered what she had to do with all of this.

Oyakata turned his head to him and smiled in amusement, "Would you like to add your name to that list, Michael?"

"No, thank you," he firmly replied.

"So what," Shinazugawa growled in anger, "If they die then they can die and rot away. There is no guarantee in all this."

"Shinazugawa is correct," the fiery-haired Hashira passionately said, "If she kills and eats someone, nothing can be undone. The people who are killed cannot come back."

"That is very true," Oyakata calmly said, "They can't guarantee or prove that she won't attack people…but, you can't prove that she won't attack someone either," he said, making the Hashira flinch, "the truth is that Nezuko has been living without eating a human for two years and because of that three people are putting their lives on the line. And to deny this, the deniers have to present something more than what is written in the letter. Besides, it has come to my knowledge that both Tanjiro and Michael had encountered Muzan."

The Hashira stiffened in shock at they heard that name and turned to them both. Michael gritted his teeth at that name and tsked in annoyance at being put on the spot.

"That can't be. We have never even come into contact with him," the white haired Hashira proclaimed, "What did he look like!? His abilities!? Where is he!?"

"Did you fight!?"

"What was he doing!?"

"Have the headquarters been located!? Come on answer!"

Tanjiro was too stun to reply to their rabid questions, but Michael snarled and turned his head away.

"I don't need to tell any of you," he grumbled.

"Bastard!" Shinazugawa cried as he rose to his feet, "Don't you know how-"

He cut himself off when Oyakata placed a finger on his lips; signifying that he wanted them to calm down. The Hashira, almost instantly, obeyed and knelt down in their position again.

"Tanjiro encountered Muzan not too long ago while, to my understanding, Michael had an entire meeting with him a couple of years ago. It was before you started your training with Yamamoto, wasn't it?" the master questioned, earning a intrigued frown from Michael.

'How does he know that?' he thought to himself.

"I don't have to tell you how important these two encounters are," Oyakata continued, "And I would rather not let go of the tail that Muzan had showed us. And this goes for Nezuko as well. I believe something unexpected had happened for Muzan. Do you understand?"

The Hashira shared uncertain looks, but Shinazugawa was not done.

"I do not understand!" he yelled "We can let humans live, but demons must not. I cannot consent!"

"If it's proof that you're after, then allow me," Michael said seriously.

He took the box off his back and leapt onto the veranda, making sure to apologise to the master first, and set the box down in the shade. He opened the latch of the box before he dabbed two fingers into his open wound, making sure they were coated in blood and stuck the bloody fingers towards the box.

"Wait!" Tanjiro cried as he tried to climb onto his feet, "What are you doi-ack!"

He would have stood up but the Hashira with the snake managed to leap down from his perch and pin him down with elbow, digging it into the back of his lungs.

"Don't move," he hissed, "This has just got interesting."

Tanjiro's eyes widened as he looked up and saw his sister step out of the box she was in and grow from a toddler to a girl in early teens. Her eyes immediately honed in on the blood on his outreached fingers; the mere sight and smell of it made her drool hungrily and pulsating veins appear around her eyes. Her brother struggled to get out from his restraint as he watched Michael slide out the dagger with his other hand and hold it tightly in his grip.

"Nezuko!" he choked out, "Please, don't do this! She's-"

"Have you no trust?" Michael sharply questioned, making him stop, "If what you say is true then she won't attack me. If she does than she's better off dead. This is not a test for you, but for her. If she wants salvation than I will protect her; is she gives into her desires than I will destroy her. Now be quiet and watch," he darkly snapped at him before he moved the bloody fingers closer, "Go ahead. I will pass judgement on your actions."

A rumbling growl sounded from her throat. Drool seeped from under her muzzle and down her chin like a waterfall. Her eyes were dilated and focused on the blood before her. Michael stood his ground and gripped his dagger tightly, ready to strike the first moment she decided to attack. The Hashira waited patiently for what they felt was the inevitable while Oyakata listened calmly to what was occurring. Tanjiro grit his teeth and stared unblinkingly at the scene; watching Nezuko's actions intensely.

Nezuko took one step forwards as another growl escaped her lips…when slowly her eyes drifted away from the blood and down to where her brother was…and remembered who he was…

…who her family were…

…who humans were…

…and then remembered who she was and what she wanted to do.

She slapped his hand away, ran up to him and, to his surprise, hugged him around the waist and latched on tightly. Gone were the hungry look, the drool and the urge to consume his blood; she had regained control of her body and surprised her demon side.

Michael sighed as he turned his head down to her, "Really? This again?"

"Hmm!" she gave him a firm nod.

"Fine," he muttered as he began to wipe his fingers with a spare piece of bandage he retrieved from his pocket, "But you're not climbing onto my shoulders."

"Hmm," she whined.

The Hashira were astonished by this. A demon who turned a meal that was right in front of them was unthinkable. Tanjiro, however, smiled in relief as he saw that she didn't attack him; thankful that she was able to win over her instincts.

"What happened?" Oyakata asked one of the girls beside him.

"The demon girl turned away from the blood," one of them replied, "And is trying to climb onto his shoulders…"

"I told you to get off!" Michael shouted at Nezuko as she prised her off of him and held her up by the scuff of her kimono, making her swing back and forth in the air.

"…even though Timere-sama offered her his blood. She did not bite him," the young girl continued, earning a nod from the master.

"And that's proof that Nezuko will not attack humans there," he said, causing Shinazugawa to growl furiously under his breath, "Tanjiro. Despite this there will still probably be other people who won't willingly agree about Nezuko. You have to prove that, from this point on, you and Nezuko can be useful enough to fight alongside the Slayers," he told him as Tanjiro bowed low to him, "Defeat the Twelve Demon Moons. If you do that then everyone will acknowledge you and the gravity of your words will change."

Tanjiro shot his head up and, with a enthusiastic cry, proclaimed, "NEZUKO AND I WILL DEFEAT MUZAN! DEFINITELY NEZUKO AND I! WE WILL WIELD OUR SWORDS AND CUT THE CHAINS OF AGONY!"

…

…

…

"You can't defeat him as you are now Tanjiro," Oyakata told him in slight amusement, "Try and defeat one of the Twelve Moons first."

He blushed in embarrassment, "Yes sir."

A few of the Hashira had to restrain themselves from laughing at his outburst. Even Michael had to suppress a chuckle but hid it by looking like he was busy putting Nezuko in her box.

Oyakata waved towards his swordsmen with a flourish of his hand and nodded towards them, "The Hashira have talents that surpass you. They climbed their way up to the point that they coughed blood and they survived being on the verge of death. And they may even defeat the Twelve Demon Moons. That is exactly why the Hashira are to respected and treated well. Tanjiro, you should be careful about how you speak to them."

"Y-yes sir," Tanjiro stammered.

"And that goes for you as well, Michael. I'm aware that you are friendly with Tomioka and Kocho, but I beg that you get along with the rest as well," he told him.

Michael suppressed a snarl at that as he felt Shinazugawa and the snake Hashira glare at him.

"I will," he told him before thinking, 'Just as long as they stay out of my way.'

"Sanemi and Obanai," Oyakata continued, "Don't bully the younger ones too much."

"As you command," the snake Hashira, now known as Obanai, agreed calmly.

"As…you command," Shinazugawa reluctantly said before he glared at Michael with his sharp eyes, "But I still will not forgive him for his earlier rudeness."

Oyakata smiled gently, "I'm surprised Sanemi," he said, "I thought you would be glad to greet Edward's son."

Michael was caught off guard when the Hashira cried out in alarm, except for Kocho and Tomioka who already knew who he was. The reactions were mixed; the pink haired Hashira and the fiery haired Hashira gasped in amazement; the giant Hashira and the white haired Hashira widened their eyes in surprise while Shinazugawa and Obanai physically jolted in shock. Even the long haired Hashira looked away from the sky for once and gazed at him in interest.

"That can't be!?"

"Oh, how marvellous!"

"My, what a surprise."

"Do you know where he's been for all this time?"

"You're kidding me!?" Shinazugawa cried out, briefly forgetting his manners, "That's Edward's son!? Impossible! His son is called Henry!"

"I'm his other son," Michael told him, "Henry was my older brother."

"What son!? He never told anybody about another son!"

"I knew," Tomioka said for the first time in ages.

"So, did I," Kocho said with a giggle.

"Sorry Shinazugawa, but I also knew about Edward's second son!" the fiery-haired Hashira proclaimed.

"Oh…err…I knew as well. I feel bad that you've been left out," the pink haired Hashira softly said.

The tall Hashira nodded to say that he also knew while the white haired Hashira flicked a strand of his hair back flamboyantly. Obanai, on the other hand, hissed and looked away in annoyance; it seemed that he too was kept in the dark.

"Did I know?" the aloof Hashira sighed, "I can't remember."

Michael slung Nezuko's box on his shoulder and sighed, "Don't feel too bad. He kept secrets from me…apparently."

Shinazugawa glared at him, "Don't joke about this. Do you know how important Edward said Henry was? If he's not here…then that must mean you're not supposed to be here either," he growled, "And you think you can step in for him like that? Who the hell do you think you are?"

Michael reached for his dagger furiously but Oyakata raised his hand before he could do anything, "I would love to talk to you more, Michael. However, I have a meeting to hold which is of the utmost importance. Perhaps, we can meet again once you're injuries are healed," he suggested.

He stopped mid-step at his calming words before he released his grip on the dagger, "Yes…I would be honoured."

"Okay then," Kocho chirped with a small wave, "We can take care of Kamado at my place," she clapped her hands and, as if by magic, two Kakushi arrived and picked the bound Tanjiro up; much to his confusion, "Take him away, please."

"Excuse us!" the Kakushi cried as they ran off with him.

"Hey! I want to butt heads with that scarred guy!" Tanjiro yelled as they took him away, "How dare he try to hurt Nezuko!"

"You should go after them, Michael, and get yourself some rest," Kocho suggested, "Should I call for two more Kakushi to carry you away?"

"I'll walk," he grumbled as he bowed to Oyakata and headed in the direction that they headed using his Breathing, "Come on, Nezuko. Just a little further."

"Hmm!" she hummed in agreement within her box.

---

Butterfly Mansion

Michael, the two Kakushi and a barely conscious Tanjiro made their way down the path towards Kocho's home; more commonly known as the Butterfly Mansion where they had left the other injured to be taken care of. He had slung the box over his good shoulder while keeping a hand over the open wound in the other one, earning worried looks from the Kakushi.

"Err…sir, you're-" one of them began to say when he cut them off.

"I'm fine. You two focus on carrying him," he sharply ordered, earning frightened gulps from them.

That walked under the torii gate and up the path to the front door; Michael slid it open and they peered inside to see an empty hallway.

"Looks like nobody's here," one the Kakushi muttered to the other.

"Yeah, let's go around to the garden and see if there's anybody there."

"Kanzaki! I'm back!" Michael called out as he stepped inside and took off his shoes in one swift motion, "Where are you!?"

The Kakushi gawked at him in disbelief.

"Sir," one of them hissed at him urgently, "you can't just enter the home of Hashira unannounced."

Michael sighed as he walked down the hallway, using one hand to trail the wall for guidance, "Don't worry. I know the Hashira. She won't mind…much."

He continued to guide himself down the hallway while the Kakushi nervously followed in behind. Tanjiro, in his dazed state, looked at his surroundings in wonder. They soon stopped when somebody appeared from an open door on their left; it was a young girl who looked no older than twelve years old with shoulder length black hair that was clipped with two butterfly clips, fair skin, small round dark eyes and a small nose. She wore a nurse uniform which consisted of a long white dress and a dark reddish sash around her waist. Two more girls came out of the room to see what was going on. All three looked very similar; the same black hair, same facial expressions, same height, the same uniform; anybody who saw them would assume they were sisters. The only difference seems to be their hairstyle were different, one wore her hair long over her shoulders in two plaits and the other wore her hair straight over her shoulders, and their sashes were different colour, one was green and the other was blue.

The one with the red sash greeted the Kakushi with a friendly bow, "Greetings and welcome."

"She's Kiyo, she's Naho and I'm Sumi," the one with the green sash said.

"How can we help-" the girl, now known as Naho stopped when they all noticed Michael towering over them like a giant.

One look up at his bandaged face and his imitating features made them gulp and shake in fear; it didn't help that that there were bloody cuts and bruises all over him. They clung to each other and stepped away.

"Scary," they murmured in fear.

Michael, hearing their whimper, tried his best to not look like it bothered him. It had been years since the incident with Satoshi, but it still hurt when children get scared of him.

He coughed awkwardly, "The ward. Where is it?" he grumbled.

"F-first door on the left, sir," Kiyo answered hesitatingly.

"…Don't call me 'sir'," he ordered them.

"S-sorry."

He flinched at the fearful deploy. He just didn't want them to perceive him as authoritative figure, but the only thing he did was make them more scared of him.

Michael bypassed them down the hallway with the Kakushi following him with Tanjiro. They turned into the first room onto the left in time to witness a fierce battle occurring.

"Just take your medicine already! You're not going to get better if you don't take it!"

"I DON'T WANT TO! IT TASTES HORRIBLE! IT'S SO BITTER THAT IT'S MAKING MY STOMACH HURT! PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME TAKE IT! AAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Kanzaki, the nurse from earlier, was doing her best to not lose her temper and punch her newest patient that has awoken. The blond boy, from the Final Selection, withered and shook in his hospital bed dramatically, screaming his head off as tears rolled down his cheeks. Judging by his over the top reaction, you would have thought that Kanzaki was trying to kill him. The rest of the ward's residents rested in their beds and tried to block out the screams with their pillows. The ward itself held several hospital beds which had plenty of room for a party three times their size. They each had their bedside table and there was nice views of the garden from the wide windows. One of two of them had managed to block out the noise and slept peacefully in their beds, exhausted after a long night of travelling. Using his Breathing for the last time today, Michael sensed Inoko was asleep in her own bed; her boar mask still covering her entire head as she slept. He couldn't help but smile a little at that as he was pleased that she was alright.

"Zenitsu!" Tanjiro cried out from atop of the Kakushi's back, "Thank goodness you're fine."

"Tanjiroooo!" the now named Zenitsu moaned as he looked up at him, "Is that really you!?"

"Yes…what happened to your arms?"

He was right to be concerned. The blond's arms seemed to have shrunk down considerably to the size of a baby's; the sleeves of his hospital gown hung loosely at his sides.

"The spider did it! He poisoned me and tried to turn me into a spider! I could have died!"

"…right?" Tanjiro uttered in confusion.

"And now she's trying to poison me again! But it's so icky! I don't wanna! I don't wanna take it! Don't make me take it Tanjiro!"

"It's not poison. It's medicine!" Kanzaki shouted at him, "Now take it or you won't get better!"

Zenitsu shook his head rapidly and scurried away up to the head of his bed, "No! I can't stand it! Let me-"

Michael had enough of his yelling.

He whipped head towards him and gave him his most menacing look whilst sending as much murderous intent directly into his heart.

"Drink it!" he snarled furiously, "And shut the hell up!"

"Ack!" Zenitsu choked, his eyes widening and his face growing deathly pale, "A m-monster!"

Tanjiro shook his head at him, "No, no. Don't be rude. That's just Michael. He's actually very nice…"

"Do what she says or I slaughter you in your sleep," Michael growled, earning a scared cry from him.

"…most of the time," Tanjiro finished.

With his tiny hands, Zenitsu snatched the cup of medicine from Kanzaki, tipped the whole contents into his mouth, swallowing it and then throwing the cup away before turning to him in fear.

"See! I did it! Please don't kill me, monster-sama!"

"Very well," Michael sighed as he turned away, "don't do it again or I'll tear your head off and use it for sword practise."

"Scary! So scary!" Zenitsu yelled before he hid under his covers.

Michael felt his way through the ward using the posts of the bed for guidance. He found two unoccupied ones and placed the box containing Nezuko on it before he climbed on the other one and laid his head down on the pillow. He gave a soft sigh as he laid back on the mattress; it had been ages since he had been in a proper bed. He always slept on a mat when he stayed with Yamamoto and after that it had been either sleeping on the ground or on the back of Kaze. He decided to give himself a luxury after everything that has happened.

However, an impatient cough at his bedside prevented him from getting any rest. He knew exactly who it was.

"You finally got yourself unhooked then," he said, turning to Kanzaki who was stood beside him with her hands on her hips.

She huffed in anger, "Yes I did. It took two minutes for me to get down you know…"

It was actually ten minutes. It took a while for them to find the ladder.

"…don't think you can get away with that, you know. Also why are you bleeding?" she spat angrily as she inspected his latest stab wound, "You only been here for an hour and you're already got yourself hurt. How irresponsible can you be!? I swear if you act like this again, I'm going to-"

She stopped suddenly when she noticed something about him. His head was leaned back on the pillow, his breathing grew steady and his facial muscles had relaxed. Kanzaki sighed and shook her head as she saw Michael drift off to sleep.

"So annoying," she whispered before she glanced at the other people in the ward.

Without him, all of them would have been killed on that mountain. He made sure all of them arrived safely and didn't rest until all of them have been accounted for. Kanzaki had to admit that it was quite something.

"Fine," she muttered as she began to treat his wounds, "I'll let you off for now, you moron."

---

A couple of days have passed and Michael had yet to stir from his slumber. Most of the Slayers, including Ozaki and Murata, had been healed and had been discharged; the only ones that remained were Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inoko, with Nezuko still sleeping in her box.

However, making sure that Kanzaki wouldn't catch him out of bed, Tanjiro crept over to the other side of the ward and looked down at the sleeping form of Michael. He frowned in puzzlement as he looked at his newly bandaged eyes before he scathed his head with a hum.

He poked his shoulder…and nothing happened.

He whispered his name to him…but he didn't even move.

He leaned in close to him…and a hand latched onto face, restraining him from moving.

"What…do you want?" Michael growled.

"I wanted to know if you're awake," he responded; his face scrunched up by his iron claw, "It's kind of hard to tell."

"I am now," he sighed as he pushed him away and sat up in his bed.

Tanjiro coughed, took a step back and bowed deeply to him, "My name is Kamado Tanjiro and my sister is called Nezuko. I just wanted to say thank you for defending my sister at the meeting and for helping us at the mountain. You were a great help."

"Don't you dare thank me," he muttered back darkly, "The only reason why I didn't kill her in an instant is because she hadn't eaten a human; as you so claim. After all, you can't be a sinner if you've never sinned," he told him, making him wince at his tone, "I wasn't doing this out of the kindness of my heart. Demons who do not revoke their loyalty to Muzan deserve to die and I will put to the sword any who dare go against my will. Do you understand?"

Tanjiro nodded soundly.

"Good."

The young teen fell silent for a few seconds before he smiled broadly, "Even so…thank you, Michael."

Michael growled at him, "Did you not hear me?"

"I did. But still, thank you so much," he brightly said, "Just as long as my sister is still alive then I'm grateful."

He frowned at that; he wasn't expecting him to reply so happily despite what he told him. He noted that he seemed really cheerful and earnest in the way he spoke. It was strange for him…but he had to admit that it was nice to hear.

"Whatever," he scoffed in annoyance. After a few seconds, he raised an eyebrow at him when he noticed that he had not moved back to his bed, "What now?"

Tanjiro chuckled and rubbed the back of his head, "Sorry, I'm just curious about you. What part of the country are you from? I can't place your accent."

"That's because I'm from London…"

Tanjiro blinked at him, tilting his head to the side in confusion

"…England…"

He still remained silent.

"…from the other side of the world."

"The other side of the world," Tanjiro repeated, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, "That's amazing! I never would have thought that. You traveled all the way here just to join the Corps?"

"Not originally. I actually came all the way to find my father. He's gone missing and the police couldn't do anything. For my troubles…" he pointed at his bandaged eyes, "…I got this from one of Muzan's henchmen."

Tanjiro flinched at that, "I'm…I'm sorry," he told him sadly, "my..,family was killed by a demon. My brothers, sisters and our mother. The only one left alive was Nezuko, but she was turned into a demon before I could do anything," he looked down at the floor and clenched his fists tightly, "She's…the only family I have left. I don't care if she's a demon; she's still my sister and I'll give it my all to protect her."

Michael fell quiet as his declaration. He honestly had no idea what to make of the strange boy. He must be only a few years younger than him and, despite all his problems, he still remained positive and hopeful. Protecting his sister and making her transform back into human was far from a simple task, but he was reluctant to call him foolish for believing he could do it.

'I wonder where he got his enthusiasm from,' he wondered, 'Must be nice to have that sort of attitude,' he gave a weary sigh and turned his head away, "How is she, by the way? Your sister, I mean."

"She's doing fine. Nezuko heals by sleeping instead of…doing the normal demon method. She can sleep for days on end depending how injured she is. Nurse Kanzaki was kind enough to mend her box since it got damaged," he explained before he realised something, "Oh, by the way, I'm sorry about Zenitsu the other day. He can be…overdramatic at times. At least he's taking his medicine now."

"Good," he grumbled as he leaned back on the headboard of his bed, "Let me be scared for all I care. How's Inoko?"

"Oh, you know her?"

"We met at Final Selection."

"She's fine," Tanjiro told him before he glanced at the young woman still in her bed, "Just…oddly quiet."

"Give her time. She'll be back to her old self…unfortunately."

Tanjiro laughed at that, "I know. She can be intense at times," he admitted before he frowned in thought, "Michael, can I ask you a question?"

"You just did."

"Oh, can I ask you another one?"

He was about to make another remark when he decided to give up for now. Clearly, the boy was too innocent for him to make fun of.

"Yes, what is it?"

"How do you see?"

He turned his head to him and he raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?" he asked in a deadpanned tone.

Tanjiro blushed in embarrassment and held his hands out in front of him in defence, "Sorry. That may have been a bit insensitive. It's just sometimes you act as if you can see that's all. You seem to walk alright without a stick and you fight really well. I just wondering how you do it."

Michael shook his head in exacerbation, "I don't see. I haven't done in over two years. The wind tells me what is around me."

"The…wind?"

"As soon as I was able to use Total Concentration Breathing, I have been in tune to the essence of the wind. I can sense where it blows and what it collides into and flows over to form a picture of my surroundings in my mind. Any wind from the smallest of breezes to the largest of whirlwinds, I can sense. I can even increase it and can sense the air enter and exit your lungs. Very handy for fighting enemies."

"Oh, I see," Tanjiro hummed as he scratched his chin, "It's rather like how I can sense the flow of water in my attacks. That sounds amazing," he told him, "That must mean you can only use it a number of times before you get exhausted."

He shrugged, "Not really. If you do it continuously and build up your lung capacity then you can do it hours. I only stop when I have no need for it."

…

…

…

"Continuously?" Tanjiro questioned.

"Of course. Weren't you trained to do that? My Sensei used to sit me on a top of a mountain and do it for hours on end."

"No…I didn't know you could continuously do it," he uttered in fascination before he his eyes widened as he got an idea, "Can you teach me how to do that?" he asked enthusiastically, "You know what. Maybe we should team up on jobs together, Michael. I bet we can do more of them with both of us working together and you can teach me how to continuously use my Breathing."

"Pass," he immediately denied, "I work solo."

"Huh!? All on your own?"

"It'll be easier for the both of us. Trust me."

Tanjiro pouted in defeat, "Okay fine…" he moaned before he perked up again, "Just one more thing before I leave you alone," he told him, "Kiyo, Naho and Sumi wanted to apologise for the other day."

"Who?"

"The girls who work here. Apparently, they called you scary."

"Oh…" he uttered, "Tell them it's fine. I understand."

"Well, actually…" he sheepishly said before he looked over his shoulder at the doorway to see the young girls poking their heads around the doorframe, "They also wanted me to ask you…if they could braid your hair."

"Braid my-"

He used his Breathing and sensed the girls staring at him intensely; their eyes boring into him…or more accurately at his long hair.

Jiiiiiii~

Michael gave them a deadpanned expression as they continued to stare.

Jiiiiiii~

He sighed and held up his index finger at them, "Just one each."

"Yay!" they cried as she rushed through the ward and practically jumped on his bed, much to Tanjiro's amusement.

They took a couple of strands and began to twist them into elaborate braids. All the while, Michael sat patiently and just allowed them to do it.

"Excuse me," he heard Kiyo say to him on his left, "We never got your name."

"It's Michael," he answered.

"Mic-oo?" Sumi questioned.

"No, it's Michael."

"Mi-cu?" Naho said.

"Michael," he repeated, being sure to emphasise every syllable.

"Miku!" Kiyo declared, "That's what we should call you from now one, Miku-chan!"

"Yeah! Miku-chan!" the others chimed in.

Michael groaned in misery, 'I should have stayed asleep.'

---

Another couple of days later and Kanzaki still wouldn't allow him to move an inch out of his bed.

He was growing tired of all of this. He had no way of entertain himself; he can't go outside, can't play his shakuhatchi and, unless he wanted to be berated by Kanzaki, can't train. He didn't even have anybody to talk to most of the time. Tanjiro was too far away in his bed across the ward, Zenitizu is still frightened of him and Inoko was still trying to recover from her injuries. He was thankful that Sumi, Kiyo and Naho (who he now called the sisters despite them not being related) had warmed up to him and would often read to him or ask him questions or tie up his long hair in braids, but they had other duties to attend to. Angellos and, funnily enough, his crow friends came to visit him and perched on his bedside table. It was entertaining to have them around, but crows were not great conversationalist and, if Kanzaki caught them, she would shoo them away.

He was a little disappointed that Tomioka didn't visit at all, but he supposed that she had more important things to attend to. And, in all honesty, he didn't want to disturb her by being needy.

So, all he can do, was sit in bed doing nothing or sleep when he felt like it.

At least he has a new reason why he should train harder. The more he trained, the less time he will spend recovering and being bored out of his mind.

However, his ears picked up the sound of footsteps coming down the corridor towards the ward. There were two of them; one he recognised as Kanzaki, who often marched heavily around the place, while the other pair he didn't recognise. He then heard whispering from outside the ward.

"-have to see if he is awake first. Otherwise you might have to come back later," said the first voice which he knew was Kanzaki.

"I'm more than happy to do that. I just need to talk to him for a little bit."

Michael raised an eyebrow at the second voice, 'Huh? Ozaki?'

Kanzaki stepped into the ward and glanced over towards Michael's bed immediately while Ozaki quickly followed her. The Slayer he had met and saved on the mountain looked much better then she did a few days ago. Some colour had returned to her face, her hair was neatly brushed and the dark rings around her eyes had almost disappeared. Her arm was still in a sling, but it was healing nicely and was told by Kocho that she can still use her sword. In her other hand, she carried a bento box wrapped up in a cloth that she made just that morning. She instantly set her sights on the Michael's bed and smiled happily when she saw him sat up awake.

"Timere-sama is awake," she gasped in delight.

"Sama?" Kanzaki uttered in confusion.

Zenitzu's ear twitched at the sound of female voices and shot upward in his bed; his eyes pointed directly at Ozaki before they shot down towards the bento box in her hand. He giggled giddily as drool flowed from his mouth.

"Oh wow! A pretty girl coming to visit me and give me a get well soon gift," he sighed dreamily, "This is great! Thank you so much! I'm more than happy to accept your confession!"

Ozaki looked over to him and cringed slightly, "What happened to your arms? They look weird?"

"Eh!?"

She briskly passed by his bed and headed straight for Michael, much to the blond boy's disbelief.

"No way! That's not fair!" he complained, "He doesn't have eyes so how can he appreciate the female form in all it's glo-"

THWACK!

"AH!"

"You're being too loud," Kanzaki scolded him as Zenitzu rubbed his aching head, "Now shut up!"

"Don't hurt me! You're my nurse!" he wailed.

Meanwhile, Ozaki walked up to Michael's bedside and placed the bento box on his table. She cleared her throat and shyly stood beside him.

"G-good morning, Timere-sama. How are you today?" she asked kindly.

Michael offered her a small smile, "Hello Ozaki. How's the arm?"

'Kya! You remembered my name!' she squeaked happily in her head before she realised she had to reply, "O-oh, it's fine. Thank you for your concern. I brought you something to eat…I didn't know what you liked so I made a selection of small things. Feel free to eat as much as you want."

Michael raised his eyebrows in surprise before he nodded at her, "Thank you…you really didn't have to do that. Especially with your injured arm."

"It's fine. It's the least I can do," she told him before she cleared her throat and stood up straight, "Timere-sama…I…I actually have something to say you," she nervously said before she bowed deeply.

He gave a strained smile at her action, "You really don't have to keep thanking me," he told her, "Just get better, train and be careful on your next mission."

"Actually, that's the thing," Ozaki said before she bowed even deeper, "Please, can you train me?"

Michael was, admittedly, caught off-guard by her request. He snapped his head down towards her in confusion; his eyebrows knitted together in a stern expression.

"Train you?" he repeated firmly, "Aren't you a fully qualified Slayer?"

"I am, but please hear me out," she told him, "My old Sensei was very old and did the best he could to get me ready to pass the Final Selection. But I never realised how difficult it was to go out on missions until it was too late. It was terrifying. I was so afraid that I decided to team up with other Slayers so I stood a better chance. Safety in numbers, you know. It was fine…until we got to that mountain and faced the strong demons. I…I was forced to kill my friends," she said, her voice breaking slightly as a sob escaped her throat, "I couldn't do anything, because I was so weak and scared and useless. Just when I thought I was going to die…you came out of nowhere and saved us. You were do fearless; so brave…I couldn't believe you were actually real at first," she closed her eyes as tears began to form in them. Meanwhile, Michael stayed silent and listened to what she had to say, "You did what I would have never have done. You took control of such a bad situation and turned it into good and saved the lives of people who should've been dead. What the Hashira said of us is true. I am pathetic! I don't deserve the honour of being part of the corps and if it wasn't for you, I would have quit on the spot."

"There's nothing special about me," Michael sighed, "I'm just like you…but I just have personal vengeance against the demons."

"That's the thing! You're not like me!" Ozaki cried as teardrops starting to fall from her closed eyes, "You're brave and strong and everything a Slayer should be! I'm nothing like that! That's why I want to be trained by you! So, you can teach me how to be fearless! I don't want to be useless fodder anymore! I want to a great Slayer just like you, Timere-sama! Please, consider my request. I'll do anything!"

Michael said nothing as he consider her words. In a way, he knew how she felt. Fear, uselessness, weakness; they were all things that he's experienced before he became who he was now. It was awful to witness it in another person. However, he was not a teacher. He became a Slayer so that every single demon he found can feel the coldness of his blade and to be rid of this earth. He didn't have time to teach or stay for any longer then he needed to. As soon as he was healed, he would get on Kaze and ride off into the the distance. If she wanted to get stronger then she had to do it herself. Although, as he listened to her trying to suppress her sobs, he couldn't help but hesitate. She really put her faith in him; it may be a foolish thing to do…but, some part of him, really didn't want to disappoint. Especially after after her confession.

He slid his hand over his face and gave a tired sigh. Ozaki, seeing the gesture, thought the worst until he finally spoke.

"When did they say you can get rid of the sling?" he asked.

She blinked in surprise, "Less than a week. Lady Kocho's medicine is very advanced, I heard."

"Good. Then you can practise your Total Concentration Breathing technique until then. Have you mastered it yet?"

"N-no."

He raised his hand and pointed at her, "Get here in four days time and I'll teach you how to use it. After that you will practise it every day from six in the morning until six in the evening until your arm is fixed. I should be out of the bloody bed by then so we'll go through your fighting skills and see where you can improve."

It took a few seconds to register what he said to her, but, as soon as the penny dropped, she gasped in delight and jumped up and down.

"Thank you, Timere-sama! Thank you! Thank you!"

"Stop it!" he snapped at her, making her cease immediately, "If you want to be a better Slayer than you have to take this seriously. I'm not going to be around for long, so you will have to practise by yourself. I'll only provide you with guidance and nothing else. Do you understand?"

Ozaki frowned in determination and nodded firmly, "Yes, Timere-Sensei. I won't let you down."

"Worry more on not letting yourself down rather than me, alright?"

"Yes, Timere-Sensei!" she replied back before she reached for the bento box on the bedside table, "Since, I've got a while until I start, why don't I feed you?" she suggested, "You're still a patient, after all."

"I can feed myself, you know."

"Oh, of course Sensei," she sheepishly said in embarrassment.

---

Outside

Another few more days later and he was finally allowed by Kocho and Kanzaki to have a simple walk outside the Butterfly Mansion just as long as he didn't stray too far; something he was tempted to do.

As he felt the wind swirl around him and the rough path beneath his feet, he thought about his upcoming meeting with the head of the Corps. From what he gathered from the previous encounter, he was intrigued with how unusual he was. Unlike the rest of the Hashira, he seemed friendly, calm and never ever got the feeling that he wanted to kill him at all. Something about the way he spoke was soothing to the ear and he could tell that his words held a lot of wisdom in them. Admittedly he did feel bad about being rude to him before.

However, if he could trust him or not is up to debate. After all, there is plenty for them to discuss about his father while he kept the secret of Ara hidden from him. Hopefully, he could come up with an excuse to request a place, outside the Corps HQ, so he could keep her in. He would need to come up with a good cover story, that's all.

He limped back towards the Butterfly Mansion where, no doubt, Kanzaki would be waiting for him to berate him. When suddenly he sensed somebody step in his path. He frowned sternly and used his Breathing to sense who it was.

Standing in front of him, a few meters down, was the only other female Hashira that he had not met yet; he didn't catch her name, but her appearance was hard to forget. While Tomioka was a cool and reserved and Kocho was was dainty and wicked; she was beautiful in the outgoing sense. Whether it was because of her long curly hair or her round baby-face or her big bright eyes or even the way she wore her uniform (to which Michael had to wander why it was so different); she was simply adorable and gorgeous. Michael secret you wished he hadn't lost his eyes just so he could actually take her in. However, something was unusual about her. Her face wore a serious frown, which looked strange on her, and she stood with her arms at her sides and back straight. She look determined; glaring at him as if she was his opponent before a great fight.

He waited for a few seconds for her to speak and, when she did, she spoke in a firm voice.

"Michael. Edward's son?" she questioned.

He responded in an equally serious tone, "Yes. I don't believe I got your name Hashira."

"It's Kanroji Mitsuri," she answered, "Please follow me, Edward's son."

She made him follow her off the path and along the grass towards a gentle lake with sakura trees dotted along its shore. The trees were not in bloom yet, but they were still beautiful with their long branches reaching across the still waters. They stood opposite each other beneath the largest of the samura trees; Michael listened to the gentle breeze flow over them and the sound of a crane calling out as it waded in the shallow waters.

Kanroji still glared at him in seriousness; her arms still at her sides and her fingers clenched into tight fists. Michael did the same and felt the small knife he had stolen from the Butterfly Mansion; his only means for fighting. This time, he didn't give her the opportunity to speak first.

"You know of my father? Why is that?"

"Almost all the Hashira has met Edward," Kanroji told him in an even tone, "They have trained with him, mentored by his teachings, given his trust to him. I even heard that Tomioka was taught by him in the past. But he has not been seen in ages…and his promise to me has been delayed…until now," she said as her hand drifted to the hilt of her sword.

Micheal detected the movement and reached for his knife, "Whatever debt my father owns to you, I have no knowledge of it. But surely there must be another way."

"Impossible," she whispered sharply, "His promise lies with you as well. Only you can fulfil it."

'Damn it! What did you do father? I am in no condition to fight a Hashira,' he thought angrily as he hand inched closer to his knife, 'I am injured and weaponless. You really think this is the best time to collect your debt."

"You won't need to be well or have a weapon for this," she told him, a cold look in her eyes, "The condition you are in now doesn't matter to me."

'She's a sadist,' he thought as he grabbed the hilt of his knife, 'I shouldn't have judged her by her appearance. She could possibly be worse than Kocho.'

I can't wait a minute longer. Edward's son, Michael," Kanroji said before she reached for her sheaf and pulled out…a roll of parchment to which she unfurled it and presented it to him, "Sign here and we can get mawwied!"

….

….

….

….

"…I'm sorry?" he asked in confusion.

"Oh no!" she suddenly cried as she placed both hands over her face and began to wiggle like a worm, "I bit my tongue and ruined it all! And I tried so hard to be serious and everything! Darn it, Migsuri! How could you mess this up again!" she wailed dramatically as her face turned bright red, "Now Edward's son not going to marry me and I'm going to be husband-less for a another year! How silly of me!"

'…What on earth?' he thought.

Michael just stood there and listened to the young woman as…did whatever she was doing. He wasn't really sure. He drew his hand away from the knife in his pocket and cautiously walked over to her, stopping a few feet away from her.

"Umm…excuse me."

The Hashira stopped her complaining and turned to him, her face completely red in embarrassment.

"He's so close now. He's a little scary, but still cute," she whispered in a lovesick manner, holding her hand over her mouth. Suddenly, her eyes widened in shock, "Ah! I said that out loud! Please forgive me."

"It's fine," he reassured her, "What's going on, Kanroji?"

"Oh, call me Mitsuri," she sweetly said, her serious persona disappearing in a second.

"Right Mitsuri-"

"Eek! We're on first name basis! Just like a couple!" she squealed before she coughed and looked up at him, "Apologies. What do you need?"

"I wanted to know what happened just now."

Mitsuri blinked blankly up at him, "Oh, did you want to propose to me instead?" she asked before she put her hands over her mouth, "Oh my! How lovely! I've been dreaming of this for years!"

"I meant why you would pick me to be your husband," he explained as he crossed his arms over his chest, "We only met just yesterday."

"Oh, I know that," she giggled, "But Edward told me you would marry me."

"What?"

She sighed and placed her hands over face, a beautiful smile appeared on her cute face "It all happened a few years ago, back when I just became a Hashira, and I explained to him why I wanted to be a Slayer…"

---

-A Few Years Ago-

---

Ramen Restaurant, Tokyo

"…so, you see Edward-sensei…" Mitsuri said before she slurped the broth from the bottom of the thirtieth sixth bowl of ramen and set it down on the table, "…I wanted to be a Slayer so I can find a husband who would protect me. Somebody who accepts me for who I am and what I look like. Doesn't that sound wonderful?" she gushed happily.

Edward stared blankly at the newly made Hashira from across the table; he was complete and utter disbelief at what she had told him.

"…You wanted to… be a Slayer…just so you can find a husband?" he plainly muttered.

Mitsuri, noticing his tone, hung her head in despair, "I know it's not the most noblest of reasons. Compared to the other Hashira, I sound pathetic. I feel ashamed."

"Ah! Sorry!" Edward cried out, realising that he might have been a bit harsh, "It's just a…rather unique aspiration…one I never heard of. There's nothing wrong with it."

The young woman perked up at that, "Great! Thank you Edward-sensei!" she chirped.

Edward chuckled slightly before he hummed thoughtfully, "You know. I have two sons myself. Why don't you marry one of them."

…

…

…

Mitsuri blinked blankly at him. Her chopsticks fell from her hand and clattered onto the table as she, for the first time in her life, ignored the meal in front of her and tried to comprehend his words.

"Err…Mitsuri?" Edward questioned, raising an eyebrow at her shocked behaviour.

Suddenly, she stood to her feet and slammed her hands against the surface of the table; unintentionally knocking several bowls of the table at the force. Her eyes sparkled in joy and her cheeks became a deep red.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS!?" she yelled at him, scaring all of the patrons in the restaurant, "YOU'RE LETTING ME MARRY ONE OF YOUR SONS!"

The older man chuckled, "Of course you can. I would love to have a daughter-in-law like you. Sure, my wife might need some convincing, but I'll deal with her."

Mitsuri squealed in delight, jumping up and down and spinning around, "Yes! Yes! YES!" she giddily cried. However, she stopped and turned back to him with a worried expression, "Wait, but what if he says no. What if they don't like my weird coloured hair or how strong I am or that I eat a lot or-"

"Calm down," he gently said with a wave of his hand, "You're panicking over nothing. They're good boys who would be lucky to have a sweet, kind wife like yourself," he told her, "You know what, you'll like Michael. He should be about your age and he's very loyal and kind and would make a good husband. He's not experienced with women and he's a bit of a lone wolf, but I'm sure he'll learn. Once it's much safer and Henry joins the Corps, I'll invite him over and you can meet him."

She gasped happily and squeaked in joy, "I'm so excited! I can't wait!" she squealed before she smiled brightly at him, "Can I have another bowl of ramen to celebrate?"

Edward rolled his eyes, "Of course, you can."

---

-Present -

---

'Father what have you done to me,' Michael thought in dread as Mitsuri finished her story. He pinched the bridge of his nose and gave a sigh, "Mitsuri, listen-"

"I was thinking of having a spring wedding," she interrupted with giddy giggle, "Among the cherry blossom trees and we'll-"

"I can't marry you."

Mitsuri stopped dead in her tracks; the joy she had disappearing in an instant. She looked up at him with her bright green eyes that were filled with confusion and sadness; she began to tremble where she stood and her bottom lip began to quiver.

Michael knew that this was harsh. He didn't need to see her reaction to know that she was devastated. But he knew that he had to do this for both their sakes.

"But…but…but Edward said you would," she uttered as tears began to form in her eyes, "Did I do something wrong? Is it the way I look? Or how weird the colour of my hair is?"

"No," he immediately answered, "I can't see what you look like or the colour of your hair…how weird can it be anyway?"

"It's pink and green."

"…well, that's certainly unique, but I find it endearing and not troublesome at all."

"Then is it because I eat a lot? I can cut down on my food."

"I don't want you to do that. Eat as much as you want."

"Then is because I'm freakishly strong?"

"All the better to slay demons with. I admire that."

"Then why won't you marry me!?"

Michael reached out both his hands and placed them on her shoulders, "Because…we only met a few days ago and this is the first time we are speaking to each other."

She blinked blankly at him, "So?"

He gave a tired sigh, "Mitsuri, I don't think it's fair for either of us. I don't know anything about you and you don't know anything about me. Do you really think that's a good foundation for a marriage?"

"I know things about you," she countered, "You're brave for sticking up against Sanemi. You're strong enough to get stabbed and not show pain. You're…you're…" she trailed off slightly.

"Exactly. You see my point," he told her, "I've heard of arranged marriages where couples who don't love each other are forced to wed. They're unhappy and become awful people. However, you have a good opportunity to marry who you want and when you want. Do you know how many people out in the world would love that choice?"

"But do you know how much I want somebody to love me!?"

The question caught him off guard; her words were filled with anguish and emotion that it made him hesitate. She turned her head to the ground and allowed a few teardrops to fall; she gritted her teeth and sniffed sadly.

"I'm so weird looking and unladylike. No man will ever love somebody like that and risk having his children having the same features as I do. If I don't have an arranged marriage then I'll just die alone with no family, no friends. Just a loveless freak of nature," she softly said through sobs, "Forgive me for being so forceful, Michael, I shouldn't burden you with a terrible wife. You can have a normal looking woman who you can dote your love onto. I'll just go…"

She began to turn and walk away, but Michael grabbed her gently by the shoulder and held her back.

"Wait…that's not what I mean…I just…" he hesitated slightly, weighing up his options. Eventually, he came to a decision and turned around so he was facing the other way, "Mitsuri…just because we can't marry now…doesn't mean we can't ever at all."

Her eyes lit up in fascination, "What do you mean?"

He clenched his fists tightly, "My goal is take revenge on Muzan and kill every single demon until there's nothing left. I will purge the scum from this earth like the vermin they are and take that bastard's head as a trophy…now is not a good time for me to be thinking of marriage. So, here's a suggestion. As soon as Muzan is dead…I will propose to you. If we have both learned to love each other since then then will get married in the spring in the cherry blossom grove just like you said. I will do my best to be the perfect husband for you and take care of you. If we decided that we don't love each other then we'll part ways. How does that sound?"

Mitsuri's jaw dropped in astonishment, "You will do that for me?" she questioned, her cheeks growing rosy and her eyes sparkling in joy, "You would really consider marrying me."

"Of course," he said before he hesitated slightly, "You're…you're very sweet. Adorable, even I don't even need my eyes to know that you're beautiful as well. And…and if you're willing to accept a hideous man as your husband then I will wholeheartedly accept you for who you are. Everything from your hair colour to your eating habits. You're perfect just the way you are."

She felt her heart skip a beat in her chest. Her face grew a deeper red and a wide smile stretched across her face.

"You…you really think that? Truly?" she asked as he heart began to flutter in happiness. She raised a hand over her mouth and gave a cute giggle, "Is the reason you're facing away from me is because you're embarrassed about admitting all those nice things you said about me?"

Michael raised his hand to cover his blushing face, "N-No. I…I just felt like standing here," he coughed, earning another giggle for her. He outstretched his hand behind him, "Are we in agreement? Let's shake on it."

Instead of a handshake, however, he felt two strong arms wrap around his waist from the back and squeeze him tightly. He gritted his teeth as he felt his organs squash and broken rips ebb in pain. He was even more surprised when Mitsuri lifted him off the ground and spun him around.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she squealed happily before she set him down on his feet, "I won't let you down. I will try my best to learn how to love you," she told him before she began to run off, "I have to go now. Bye future husband!" she cried out, waving to him and giggling happily to herself.

She had never been more happy in her life.

Michael coughed as the pain from his insides began to go away and gave a weary smile, "Damn she is strong," he muttered, "That's…pretty unique."

---

Sorry for long wait. I hoped you enjoyed this chapter.

I briefly considered gender swapping Obanai since he had a crush on Mitsuri, but Michael had taken her away from him. If he was gender swapped then she could be part of the harem…but I don't know. I already gender swapped two people already. What do you guys think?

Thanks for reading :)

---

Omake - Michael's Recovery

Ward

"Damn those girls," Michael muttered as he felt the five braids that Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho put in his hair, "I told them that they can only do one each. They can't just sneak in here when I'm asleep and do two more."

Meanwhile, hidden around the corner of the door outside the ward, Kanzaki and Kocho listened in to his complaining.

"Do you think he'll notice it was us?" Kanzaki whispered.

"Ara, ara. Let's keep it a secret between us, shall we?" Kocho giggled behind her hand.