Giyuu did all that he could to in the last two months to avoid people as best as he could, minimizing the time spent at his estate to avoid any potential visits. He even refused to visit the same village in his district twice in a row, remembering the time when Kanroji had found him during his outings. Following the drama with Iguro, Shinazugawa, and Kocho, he did his best to distance from everyone. He never heard from the master about any punishment for his actions which confused him. Either none of them had reported it out of knowing they were the ones to antagonize him, or didn't wish to bring him into private affairs that they believed weren't worthy of his attention. He was happy with this, giving him the chance to be away from everyone.
However even during his time in solitude, he couldn't find any peace of mind. From trying to bottle up his new-found untamed emotions, came the nightmares. He supposed from one form of pain to another was fitting. He would see their faces over and over, their last moments replaying in his mind. The inside of a closet looking out to his room, being dragged away by multiple slayers as they run off in the distance, looking up to see them smiling while being wrapped in bandages. What made these nightmares worse, he was coherent during all of them. He wasn't even allowed to lose his consciousness in the world of dreams. No matter how he tried to stop things from happening, even in his dreams, even if it was futile in the sense of reality, he still couldn't change anything.
This particular night was only the most recent in the long list of nights where he was waking up again and again. Only this time it wasn't the nightmares that woke him up, it was the sound of a crow pecking at his window frame. Getting up to open his window, he saw it wearing the insignia of the Ubuyashiki family. "Caw! Report to the master! Possible moon demon at Mt. Natagumo, Hashira backup requested!" Giyuu sighed as he knew this was going to be another sleepless night, but at least his mind could focus on the job at hand. Grabbing his haori and sword, he spared a look towards the crow. "Orders acknowledged, report back to the master that I'm on the way." He watched as the crow quickly left back to its master, and he followed suit.
Giyuu felt he was on the verge of breaking down on the side of the mountain. When he was told Hashira were requested as backup, he didn't think there would be multiple. Kocho recieved the order to report as well. He was thankful she didn't try to talk to him during the meeting with the master, but it only lasted for that long. Ever since they made it to the mountain side, all she had done was try to talk to him. He did his best to ignore her, increasing his speed to do what he could to get away. He came to an immediate stop when he saw the countless bodies of junior slayers strung up in web.
"Oh dear, did you know any of these slayers Tomioka?" Shinobu walked up behind him, examining several of the bodies. They were in various states of decay, indicating some were fresher than others. Some bodies had sword wounds, even having the swords still run through the bodies, and Shinobu began to feel her blood boil. Were they being forced to kill each other against their will all for the demon's entertainment? She always did enjoy the suffering of demons when they choked on her poison, but she wasn't sure if there would be any joy tonight to help with the loss they were forced to witness. "Let's just keep moving Kocho." She was surprised to hear Tomioka actually talk to her after not hearing from him for two months.
"Tomioka... How have you been? No one has seen you in two months, Kanroji said she tried to contact you through crow but you never responded. She even tried to find you in your villages but never could. You never came back to the estate either, how is your arm healing?" She watched as he continued to run away, so she was forced to play catchup. "Tomioka?" "Kocho we are on a mission, there's a potential moon here, it requires our focus." Shinobu ran next to him, looking up to his face. his eyes bloodshot, bags were formed, he looked drained. "Are you sure you can handle this mission Tomioka?" Giyuu stopped moving and screeched to a halt, letting out a sigh.
"Kocho I'm sleep deprived and tired both physically and mentally, my mind right now envies Tokito. But there are dead slayers everywhere, multiple demons are confirmed here, and one of the greatest threats to humanity itself. If I die here to save at least one of the others here I'm fine with that. Just focus on your own safety and don't worry for the likes of me." Shinobu watched on as he spoke with a deadly seriousness. This was the most he had opened up, but with what he was opening up about, she was almost scared for him. He was right though, they needed to focus. "I'll proceed to the west Tomioka, please stay safe." She vanished and proceeded to scour the direction. There was more that she needed to talk about, but that can wait until they both made it out alive.
After a long night of moving across the mountain, all demons had been exterminated including the lower moon, and all slayers that Giyuu had come across were still alive. He was required to use his eleventh form to defend himself against the demon, but he was still fit enough for duty. He watched as the slayer he had just saved was feeling pity for the demon that just tried to kill him. Walking over, he watched as the boy comforted the demon in its final moments before completely falling apart. He was almost prepared to question the boy, if not for noticing he was wearing a distinct green and black pattern. "Wait, it's you? Then that means-" Looking next to the boy, he saw the demon girl still wearing that bamboo muzzle he placed on her years ago.
Before he could live through any sense of relief, he should smell wisteria. Looking up into the distance, he Shinobu with her sword already drawn and pointed at them. He knew what this demon meant, she had to be protected. Stepping over the children, he drew his own sword and deflected her attack. His eyes finally focused on her after years of avoiding direct sight, he could see the frustration hiding behind her eyes. He had to fight every instinct to not look away. "Tomioka, why did you just deflect my attack?" She took her eyes off him before focusing them on the boy. "Excuse me there young boy, that girl there is a demon. She needs to be exterminated before she hurts anyone."
"No please! She may be a demon, but she's my little sister! But I promise-" "She's your sister? I'm sorry for you having to live through this kind of experience. Oh, I'll use a gentle toxin then to avoid her going through unnecessary suffering. I don't normally do this but I can see this is important to you." Shinobu quickly swapped the poisons and readied her sword again, only to see Tomioka stay in her way with his sword on a defensive position. "You two need to get out of here, grab her and run. I don't care if your bones are broken, force yourself to move if you need to." She took her eyes off the boy to stare at Tomioka, dumbfounded that he was really doing this."Tomioka... Thank you! She watched as the boy ran off with his demon sister, shrinking in her eyes as he made distance.
"Tomioka, that was a demon you just let go. Do you even understand what you just did?" "I understand fully Kocho. Now all I have to do is try to get you to understand." Shinobu couldn't tell if she was meant to be more angry or confused by this, what was there to understand any more than he just broke a tenant of the Corps rules. "This is why I worry about you Tomioka, you've gone completely insane." She wasn't going to play this stalling game and thought of an idea. She prepared a thrust and launched towards him, hoping to get him to move out of her way. He only continued to stay in place, staring her down. What she heard next is what made her be the one to call the bluff. "She's the demon that Kanae was searching for."
Her eyes went wide as the tip of her sword stood inches from his chest. She felt her chest become tight, and her face became hot. Looking up at him, he was as serious as ever. "What did you say Tomioka? That demon... Is the "nice friendly demon" Kanae spent years trying to find and died for the idea of? You say that as easily as your ability to breathe, but how am I even meant to belive that?" Giyuu grabbed the tip of her sword and aimed it at his neck, the tip resting against his wind pipe. "I can prove it at the meeting tomorrow, or you can strike me down right now if you don't believe me. You'll be justified in doing so, but we both know what her memory means." Had Tomioka really gone insane, or was he just this confident in himself? She was starting to fail at reading him, now wondering if she was ever able to.
Pulling away the sword, she sighed turning away as she began to contemplate everything. She never believed in Kanae's dream, only saying she believed in it to keep it alive. Now here Tomioka was saying her dream had a physical manifestation. She was quickly pulled from her thoughts when she had remembered something. "Kanao is still after them..." Before she could look back at back at Tomioka, he was already gone. She looked towards the direction the boy ran in, now suddenly hoping things would work out. "When did you become such a hassle?" She soon took off as well, hoping to catch up.
Giyuu forced his eyes to check for every detail in front of him, looking for green and black, pink and brown, pink and green, anything. He was never used to screaming out, but he would destroy his vocal chords to stop her from making the biggest mistake of her life. "KANAO! KANAO DON'T KILL THE DEMON! YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY!" He continued frantically looking, his body was screaming at him just as he was screaming into the dead of the night. He finally found her, sword ready to bring it down in the girl. "KANAO I NEED YOU TO STOP, DON'T HURT HER!" He watched as she stopped her sword just before the girl's neck. Giyuu was thankful as his exhausted form stopped before them, falling to his knees.
"She's Kanae's demon, the nice demon she was looking for when she was still here. Please, she can't die." He gasped after every word, feeling the exhaustion he's had to live with begin to pile up. He looked up to see Kanao still stuck, focusing on the girl. Looking at her, Giyuu would confuse her for a normal human if he didn't already know the truth. Crawling over, he let his hand out to her. "You're Nezuko right? I'm sorry I hurt you before, but I'm here to keep you safe now. I promise on my life." She looked at him cautiously, before rushing into him and hiding in his chest. Looking up to Kanao, Giyuu could only see her holding back tears. "Nee-san... We found her. We found her for you."
Shinobu had finally caught up to Tomioka, following the sounds of his screams. It was haunting almost, the desperation and terror in his voice was palpable. She had never heard him make that kind of noise before, how deep was it hidden and buried? Walking up to the scene before her, she saw Kanao was actually crying, and Tomioka holding the demon girl. She was curled up against him and her face was hidden, as if a scared child would do while seeking comfort. Putting her sword away, she crouched down next to him and kept her eyes on the girl. "Nee-san... Tomioka whatever you have planned, you better know what it is you're doing..." Before the four of them get too comfortable, they heard screeching across the area.
"Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado are to be taken to headquarters for questioning! Tanjiro wears a green and black checkered haori with a scar on his forehead! Nezuko Kamado wears a pink kimono with a bamboo muzzle!" Giyuu couldn't help but fall onto his back in relief, almost looking as if he was going to pass out on the spot. "Kanao, can you find Tanjiro? I'm sure he had something to carry her in, have the kakushi take him." Kanao nodded and quickly ran off, and Giyuu closed his eyes as they felt heavier as the night went on. "Kami, I will only say this once, thank you."
Shinobu watched on as Kanao returned with the box, placing in front of Tomioka. She couldn't believe that he actually cared about her sister's dream, she thought that Kanae was the only person to care about the idea of a friendly demon. The realization hit her, it had been staring her in the face for two months, and she only noticed it now. Tomioka lost Kanae as well, that's why he went to the Hashira memorial grounds to pay respects. When were they even close though? Shinobu could barely remember the times he showed up to the estate. It was still the most logical answer though, if he was willing to bet his well being and life on defending this girl. She was the physical embodiment of Kanae's dream. Shinobu would talk with him later, after the trial and questioning of the Kamado's.
The Hashira meeting the following day was not ideal for Giyuu. On top of all being exhausted, he was going to have to defend his case of sparing a demon and letting them escape. He stopped biting his lip, moving onto his hands. The pain would keep him focused and awake enough to make it through today. He never drew blood, but the bite marks were like patterned dents in his flesh. Perhaps he could beg Aoi for some tea or medicine to help him sleep, pride couldn't help heal a tired body. Tanjiro was unconscious in front of everyone, he wasn't sure where Nezuko was. He couldn't have her with him as the trial was shared between her and her brother. If he wasn't on edge already, this may have done it. He could hear groaning as watched Tanjiro finally wake up.
"Oh Good, you're finally awake young Kamado." Shinobu smiled down at the boy, obviously looking confused and scared. "Please, where's my sister? Where's Nezuko? Or the others? Inosuke? Zenitsu? Murata?" Tanjiro looked around desperately, not seeing her box anywhere or picking up her scent. "It's okay, she's being held with the kakushi members we have on standby, she hasn't been injured. Your friends as well are at the Butterfly estate for treatment. But before we continue on, let me tell you what is happening. You're currently on trial for the sparing and harboring of a demon, what is your story and defense? You must have some-" "There is no need for there to be a trial!" Shinobu looked up to see Rengoku-san staring down at the boy. "What he has done is a clear violation of the rules! We can take care of this ourselves and cut them both down! It is within our authority to see this as a traitorous act!" Shinobu felt her eyes go wide as she looked over to Tomioka, standing by himself as he stared down there comrade.
"If we're gonna go ahead and skip this trial then let me be the one to do it. I'll give everyone here the most fabulous spray of blood from the both of them, quite the spectacle it'll be." Tengen spoke up next, not being impressed at the boy in front of them. Something caught his attention though, two heartbeats spiked in rhythm. One excited but still trying to relax, the other was sounding as if it would burst out of their chest. Looking around, he was confused to learn the sources came from Kocho and Tomioka. They both normally had quite slow heartbeats, but this was beginning to make him question how they were tied to this. "Quite a shame that they must die at such a young age, it makes my soul weep for them." Gyomei began to cry as he chanted a prayer for their next lives to be ones without the plague of demons.
None expected that Giyuu would walk between them and Tanjiro, none expected him to draw his sword and move into a defensive position either. "Only way you're hurting them is if you kill me first. The master ordered for their trial, not their deaths! No one is touching the boy or the girl." Everyone was shocked to see Giyuu act like this, he was defending confirmed traitors and aiming his sword at his comrades. "You were already questionable and needed of your own punishment Tomioka for stopping Kocho last night, and now here you are threatening us. As expected for someone as lowly as you." Obanai said from atop his tree staring down at him with disgust.
"Spare me what other words you have to say you miserable snake. I don't have a doubt in my mind if I continued to talk to Kanroji after you threatened me to leave her alone, you'd have stuck your sword through my back. Then again maybe you've just been looking for an excuse." Mitsuri was shaken by what Tomioka-san had to say. This was the reason he never accepted her invitations after that day? Iguro had threatened him? She looked up to see Iguro-san, almost in a panic. "Iguro-san, did you really threaten him to leave me alone? Even after how fun of a day that was for us? Was that the reason he left early?" She walked closer to the tree, and as she did he tried to hide himself from her vision.
"Come on Tomioka. This is unflashy even for you, the charges are clear and all of us know this thing isn't needed. You let us take care of them quickly, and I'm sure things won't be as bad for you if you keep this up." "What isn't needed is how quickly you agreed to the death of two scared children Uzui, but with that shinobi training you boast about you'd know a thing or two already wouldn't you? I'm willing to bet you came into the Corps with a body count already." Tengen felt his blood run cold from those words, the memories of his siblings suddenly rushing to his mind. "Come now Tomioka, There isn't need for harsh words! He harbored a demon, kept it alive when it could've attacked anyone and taken a life!" "Would you be so quick to the death penalty if it was Senjuro who was being put to the sword?" Giyuu watched as even that managed to take the smile of Rengoku's face.
Gyomei clapped his hands together, forcing everyone to calm down as he felt the energy of the area growing tense. "Tomioka, our mission is to set forth the eradication of demon kind. What has gotten into you to act with such hostilities towards your comrades and act in such a traitorous manner?" "Our job is also to protect those who we see as innocent, that's precisely what I'm trying to do. And nothing has made me act like this, except that I am sick and tired of losing people. I'm tired of everything trying to be taken away from me, making me be the one to be watched over. It's my turn to safe guard someone, and I will not go through that loss again!" All but Gyomei looked in shock at Giyuu, who's face became that of determined fury. Tanjiro couldn't see his face, but he was able to smell the anger and frustration radiating off of Tomioka.
"Tomioka, I'm sorry. You're in this situation because of me and Nezuko. You shouldn't have tried to defend us... We've only caused your life to get harder." Tanjiro continued to feel guilty because of how his existence ruined Tomioka's relationships with the others. But from what it was sounded like, he was always emotional but just hid it away. Focusing his smell, he could find traces of guilt, sadness, fear, desperation. He may not know Tomioka personally, but he was beginning to have an idea what he had been through. Smelling again, he noticed the scent of his sister and quickly shifted attention. He saw a man covered in scars holding her box "Nezuko! Put her down now!"
Giyuu quickly shifted positions, moving his left foot into a wider position as he could focus on both the group and Shinazugawa. "Put the box with the girl down Shinazugawa, otherwise you're going to get more than just one punch like last time." Sanemi already drew his own sword, holding the box with his free hand. "Like I'm going to listen to two traitors to the Corps? How crazy do you think I am you bastards?" "Your first meeting you insulted the master and questioned his worthiness. You tried to fight Rengoku when he was here on behalf of his father. Your eyes have always been rabid looking for a reason to fight or kill, you don't need my answers when you're already living proof."
Giyuu saw Sanemi rush him, holding the box by a strap with one hand. This meant he wasn't going to need to eat a full force attack, a strong defense always beats a half hearted offense. Not wanting to actually hurt Shinazugawa this time in case the master arrived, he had to wait for the right moment. "Dead Calm." Giyuu's heart began to slow as his eyes remained focus on his oncoming attacker. He saw as he finally got closer and closer, seeing that Shinazugawa was almost happy at the opportunity. 'Now!' Putting away his sword, he saw a slight panic on his attacker's face, as if expecting to defend himself. When he was finally was close enough, he ducked under the attack, stripping the box away from Shinazugawa, and watched him fly off from his energy.
"The master has arrived." Giyuu turned and all Hashira that could had kneeled before him. Sanemi gritted his teeth in frustration, but kneeled regardless out of respect. "Master, I apologize for any noise or disturbances you may have heard due to no fault but my own. It is good to see you in fair health." Giyuu bowed, lowering his head as he kept the siblings close to him. "Giyuu, while you are forgiven, may I ask what was the reason for what happened?" Kagaya asked, hearing the sounds of screaming earlier even through multiple walls. "Multiple of the Hashira had contemplated to execute the Kamado siblings before they could recieve their trial, I acted in defense of them arguing it was unjust."
Kagaya frowned slightly, already finding this meeting to start on unstable ground. "My children, heed my words. Tanjiro Kamado and Nezuko Kamado are to be sanctioned at my request." Most of the Hashira had verbally objected to this, the only outliers being Giyuu, Shinobu, Mitsuri, and Muichiro. Putting a finger to his lips, the group turbed silent. "Giyuu Tomioka has a claim, one that was sought after by another that has shared your rank. Giyuu, if you would please." Giyuu nodded, taking a breath to calm his nerves and resteady his heart. He bit his hands once again, using the burst of adrenaline to keep him awake. "I believe Nezuko is the demon that former Flower Hashira, Kanae Kocho, sought after to find in her life. She retains parts of her humanity, she acts more of a curious child than of a blood thirsty monster. She is a peaceful demon, a kind demon, an innocent demon."
Tengen, Gyomei, and Sanemi could feel themselves being shaken to their core. The newer Hashira since Kyojuro might not know the gravity of this, but the ones that had been around for far longer remember what kind of person she was. She was someone that would be described as warming as the sun and as pure as its light. Always wearing a smile, always believed in the best of people, always trying to be the glue to bring everything together. There was no one alive that they knew of that would feel anything negative towards her. For her name to be used, this suddenly baseless case had sound footing. "Ah, Kanae. She was such a lovely soul, I remember when I had saved her and Shinobu when they were younger. My heart has weeped for her soul since she passed years ago." Gyomei frowned as he remembered the times with her, the tears flowing left exceptional stinging in his eyes.
Obanai looked over in confusion, curious now as to what this former Hashira was to have such affect on the others. "Just who was she, and why does she have any connections to this trial?" Shinobu was now the one to speak, deciding to stand by her sister's dream and back Tomioka's case. "My sister had a dream that a friendly demon could exist, that not all of them had to be killed. Tomioka believes Nezuko is the demon that she died hoping could exist one day. With how serious he's been about her safety since last night, imagine how strong you'd be willing to defend Mitsuri's dream if you were in their positions." Shinobu looked towards Tomioka, her own words causing her to spiral into a new train of thought.
"Please master, allow me the chance to prove Nezuko can be peaceful." Giyuu bowed with his head against the rocks, not letting the discomfort make him falter. "Before I allow this Giyuu, I must explain to Tanjiro and you the punishment that has been agreed upon by Sakonji Urokodaki and myself. In the event that Nezuko shall consume human flesh, she is to be seen as a threat to humanity and destroyed immediately. On top of this, Giyuu, Tanjiro, as well as Sakonji must commit seppuku as atonement for allowing her to hurt someone. Is the punishment clear for you two?" Giyuu raised his head, first looking towards Tanjiro. Tanjiro while still weakened, would go through anything for his sister to live. Forcing himself up to his knees, he raised his head high.
"I have complete trust in my sister, but I still accept the consequences master. She has never harmed anyone in the two years she's been a demon! She sees humanity as family, and I swear we will defend humanity together!" Giyuu patted the boy's shoulder, admiring his conviction. "I knew I was right to give you both a chance." Giyuu focused on the master, his eyes full of determination. "I accept the consequences master. I knew this would come to light when I first met them two years ago, but I have never regretted my actions that day."
Kagaya smiled, raising his hand to invite Giyuu and Nezuko into the estate. "Please, bring her in. It is not ideal to try and test her in the sun." Giyuu agreed and picked up her box, before entering the estate. "Her behavior can also be confirmed by Kocho, as well as Kanao Tsuyuri, they witnessed her actions last night." Kagaya nodded, keeping a smile on his face. "I will ask for their personal testimonials later, this is your time now Giyuu." Giyuu nodded and took in controlled breathes, before opening the door to her box and backing away. "Nezuko, you can come out now."
Giyuu watched as she slowly peaked out, looking to take in her surroundings. She soon focused on him, recognizing him. "Hello there Nezuko, there are people here who want to see you on your best behavior. Before that, I want to apologize again for hurting you. You're special, you showed me as much on the mountain when I found you. There was someone that believed in you, believed that demons could be nice like you. It's just a shame they couldn't meet you." He stuck out his hand to her, waiting anxiously to see what would happen.
Nezuko saw the long haired man once again, he was being nice to her. He saved her from mean lady with the sword. It was scary, but she found she was safe around him. He used to be scary, but he didn't seem so anymore. He let her hug him, he protected her from the demons and mean people. Why was he sticking his hand out though? She took it in her hands, holding onto it. Having an idea, she placed it on her head. He began rubbing the top of her head all on his own, making her excited. She cheered through the muzzle before jumping into his chest, finding it more comfortable and warm than the box. Looking up to him, she saw a smile. She tried to smile back, her muzzle was in the way though.
Everyone watched in shock, not just at the demon girl actually being peaceful, but seeing Giyuu smile. In the years all of them had known him, most had never seen him smile. Mitsuri had only known of Tomioka-san smiling twice, once even he had told about when Shinobu-chan saw it, and the other when she saw it herself. "Kyaaaa! Tomioka-san is smiling again! She got him to smile! Please please please Tomioka-san can I meet her, can I?!" Kagaya laughed as he turned his head behind him. "Giyuu, may you tell me what is happening with Nezuko?" After some time, he noticed he was still quiet. "Hm? Giyuu? Can anyone tell me what has happened to Giyuu?"
Shinobu agreed before quickly moving towards the two. Finally getting close, she let out an exaggerated sigh as any worry she had died. "Tomioka has fallen asleep master. He mentioned last night that he's been missing sleep lately. Who knows how exhausted he's been." Kagaya smiled before turning back to the others. "There we have it my children, if Giyuu himself feels safe enough to fall asleep while having Nezuko in his arms, it proves she is no immediate danger to humanity. Do any of you object to this?" He waited some time to give them a chance to come up with any objections, but found none had anything to say. "Then I hereby say once again, that the Kamado siblings are sanctioned by the demon slayer Corps, and will be protected as allies to humanity just like any other slayer. I thank you all for this wonderful meeting today. Shinobu, please let him rest for a few minutes, Giyuu appears to have been through much lately."
"Yes master, I'll let him rest for a few minutes before having to move the siblings to the Butterfly estate." With that, everyone had watched as the master had left. Helping young Kamado to his feet, they made their way next to where Tomioka and the girl was. She couldn't help but feel conflicted over everything, the idea of a peaceful demon actually existing, Tomioka had some sort of hidden history with her sister, Aoi and Kanao had something hidden as well, the idea Tomioka would die, everything was becoming more complicated than she could process. She wasn't sure what was harder, everything that has lead up to this trial, or the conversation she needed to have with him after he woke up.