The spring air was still, heavy with heat. The stones of the manor courtyard would be warm to the touch. The wood of the engawa, the outer hall that passed by the courtyard, would feel cool in the shade of the tiled roof. None of that mattered to Iguro Obanai as he lounged on an exceptionally sturdy tree branch that watched over the courtyard. He could almost trace the steady shadows of leaf and branch in his mind as the midday sun washed over him. The dark-haired warrior could sense the beat of his heart quickened by the warmth, his Total-Concentration Breathing elevated to match the change.
Total-Concentration Breathing was a method any Demon Slayer who wanted to survive more than a single encounter would need to master. It was like meditation. One had to be aware of each exhale and inhale, mindful of how it filled the lungs till they pushed the chest out. To feel nostrils flare and lips part to exhale. This trick allowed a Slayer to react faster and push beyond the limitations of their human bodies. An experienced warrior would need to not just master the method but to employ it constantly.
Kaburamaru, the ivory snake curled atop Obanai's shoulders, rested in a moment of calm. His eyes were closed, and his tongue lazily lapped at the air every few seconds.
"Tomioka," Obanai spoke under his breath, a venomous tinge to the uttered name. The break of silence prompted Kaburamaru to momentarily open an eye. Obanai's mind dwelled on the strange report from the recent incident at Mount Natagumo. While the details of a Slayer with a demon compatriot were worrisome, what bothered him more was the details about Giyu Tomioka's behavior.
Giyu Tomioka was a Hashira like Obanai, one of the Demon Slayer Corps' elite warriors. Each Hashira had their specialty and was known as a Pillar of the Corps. There were less than ten of them as a genuinely elite force. Tomioka was the Water Pillar, and Obanai the Snake Pillar. These specialties denoted what style of breathing they used and excelled at. Breathing styles allowed Demon Slayer Corps members to fight against their ghoulish enemies, giving them abilities and moves that surpassed other swordsmen.
The report wasn't surprising. Tomioka was always aloof, refusing to incorporate himself with the other Hashira. He constantly acted like the duties of a Hashira weren't worth his time.
Kaburamaru's head lifted, tongue lashing at the air intently. The serpent moved its head near Obanai's ear and whispered, "Left." Obanai's hazy gaze swept across the courtyard below till the blurry figures that made up his peripheral congealed into a shape. Three shapes, actually. Some of the other Hashira. At the front of the group was Rengoku Kyoujurou, the Flame Hashira. He stood proud with shoulders squared, vibrant as always, with his annoyingly endearing smile. To his side and following a half step behind was the Love Hashira, Kanroji Mitsuri. She was smiling wide and laughing, cheeks a healthy rose framed by her thick pink-to-green ombré braids. She was a close friend of Obanai, and her large appetite compensated for his own. The third was the tallest, the flamboyant Sound Harshira Uzui Tengen.
"Iguro! I almost didn't see you there," Rengoku called out, his voice bold and unrestrained as ever.
"Afternoon, Rengoku, Uzui. Miss Kanroji, I hope you are well." Obanai's voice was kept low; he didn't like to shout or bring attention to his presence. Mitsuri's blush brightened, eyes shutting as her smile widened. It appeared naturally awkward for the Love Hashira. Kaburamaru emitted a hum-like hiss in contentment; he was particularly fond of the Love Pillar.
"Iguro-San! I am doing great, and I appreciate you asking so much. How are you? Oh, I hope you are well, too."
Before he could reply, a chill swept across Iguro Obanai's neck. A familiar presence pulled at both Kaburamaru and Obanai's attention. Kochou Shinobu, the Insect Pillar of the Hashira and poison expert. She didn't unnerve Obanai, but something about her ethereal presence demanded care. In her wake were several Kakushi carrying an unfamiliar boy in the garb of a Slayer. This must be the boy from the report, Kamado Tanjiro. Thrown upon the ground, he was quick to rouse with a groan. From the other side of the garden, more Hashira joined. Muichiro Tokito the Mist Pillar, Gyumri Himejima the Stone Pillar. "Courtyard edge, past the tree," Kaburamaru hissed into Obanai's ear. Hazy gaze moved slowly till the other subject of the meeting became clear; Giyu Tomioka. He must have slipped in with Shinobu around the edges of Obanai's failing vision.
There was commotion below. The Hashira were already discussing courses of action, seemingly agreeing that the best course was to slay the demon girl this Tanjiro had been looking after. Per the report, the girl was carried around in a wooden box to shield herself from the sun during the day. Oddly, though, Shinobu seemed resistant to the idea. As far as Obanai was concerned, these Kamado's fates were sealed. It wasn't worth the conversation. In a lull of the conversation, while the lower-rank Slayer called unfamiliar names, Iguro cut in, voice low and sharp. "More importantly, what're we gonna do about Tomioka?"
The other Hashira tilted their heads, the boy bound in the courtyard seeming to register the Snake Pillar's presence for the first time. "I have a headache seeing him not bound here. According to Kochou, Tomioka violated Demon Slayer conduct as well." All but Tomioka Giyu paid attention, the Water Pillar, as usual, excluding himself and seemingly ignoring the conversation that would determine his own fate. So very typical. "How will we deal with him? How will we make him take responsibility? How are we gonna make him suffer?" To Obanai, such a breach of conduct from a Pillar of the Corps demanded harsh punishment. The ranks had to be bolstered with a clear message that no betrayal would be tolerated.
Kochou Shinobu replied in her soft and fluttering voice, "Well, it's fine, right?" Her hazy purple eyes remained fixed on Tanjiro. "He followed me without causing a ruckus. Let's think of punishment later." One would think Shinobu was discussing her market list based on tone alone. "More importantly, I want to hear this boy's story."
Obanai's lids fell as he exhaled sharply through his nose, which poked over the bandages covering his jaw. The captive boy burst into a fit of coughing, his face pressing into the stones. The Snake Pillar showed no pity, but Shinobu brought the low-ranking Slayer some water.
Tanjiro strained to lift his head, and Obanai noticed the birthmark on one side of his forehead for the first time. His face was battered and bruised. "My little sister was turned into a demon." His voice was surprisingly calm and assured. "But she has never eaten someone before." He was so matter-of-fact as if there was a fundamental truth to his statement. He continued his sentiment, expressing how his demon of a sister wouldn't hurt anyone again before Obanai snapped back.
"Don't spit out stupid rash remarks so recklessly." Obanai could feel his warm breath rush over his cheeks, constrained by the bandages. "For starters, of course, she'd protect her family. I can't trust anything you're saying, and I won't trust them."
The Stone Pillar added his baritone voice to the conversation. "Ahhhh, you're being obsessed with the demon. Let's kill this pitiful child quickly and release him from his suffering." Himejima was genuinely empathic and seemed remorseful for the suggested but sensible course of action. Obanai agreed with the idea. Finally, a solution that would let the Hashira focus on deciding how to deal with the betrayal from one of their own. Tanjiro struggled against his restraints, now bellowing for the gathered Pillars to listen. He continued to plead his case about himself and his sister. Uzui interjects, clearly growing tired of the boy's frantic story. He chastised Tanjiro's contradictory statements and lack of clear facts.
Then came Mitsuri Kanroji's sweet voice, her high pitch comfortable in her overt femininity, "Ummm, but I have a question." Attentions turned to Mitsuri, none faster than Obanai's and Kaburamaru's, though. The other shapes around Mitsuri blended together, a wash of colors and harsh lines against Mitsuri's soft and vibrant appearance. "It doesn't seem like Oyakata-sama has grasped this situation yet." She stared glassy-eyed at the boy on the ground who was peering back up at her with sweat dotting his brow. "Can we just deal with it on our own like this?" She glanced up to see all the Hashira around staring at her. The blood in her cheeks heated once more, her blush rising. Despite her unease, she still spoke confidently and clearly, "We should wait until he arrives…"
"…"
There was a moment of silence as all present digested the statement, Obanai included. It would indeed be rash to act without Oyakata-sama's blessing. He was always so calm and informed. Obanai's mind wandered. Could Oyakata-sama really not know what had happened? Would the Hashira really be summoned for what could have been handled far more quietly and cleanly? Shinobu and her Tsuguko (a protege Hashira) had clearly overcome this boy, his demon-sister, and Tomioka Giyu. Certainly, she could have dispatched each of them, and the matter would have been dealt with.
Tanjiro burst out, bellowing once more. "My sister and I can fight together! We can fight to protect people as Demon Hunters! So!"
"Whoa, whoa. This got somewhat interesting." It was Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, finally joining the group. White, messy hair, wide, frantic eyes, and long scars that stretched over every part of him gave the Wind Hashira a rather intimidating presence. It was not an intimidation that demanded respect but would inflict fear in anyone in his way. Sanemi and Obanai were close. So it didn't shock Obanai as it did others when he came in holding up a large wooden box. The box known to contain the demon captured with Tanjiro and Giyu. The careful construction keeps the demon safe from the sun, the mortal enemy of all demons. Any demon exposed to sunlight would be instantly destroyed and banished from this life. Kakushi chased after Sanemi, begging him to be careful and to put the box down. "So you're the idiotic member who brought the demon," Sanemi remarked of Tanjiro, maniacal voice between threatening and giddy. "What the hell were you planning to do?
The Kakushi were now pleading for forgiveness from the Insect Hashira who oversaw them. If Shinobu heard them, she made no indication of it; her focus was on the Wind Pillar. "Please don't act on your own, Shinazugawa-san." Her voice was calm, flirting with annoyance and threat.
Sanemi Shinazugawa ignored Kochou Shinobu. He continued to leer at Tanjiro. "What's a demon to you, kiddo? You can fight with it to protect people as Demon Hunters?" Sanemi's free palm rested on the butt of his katana, fingers brushing against the wrapping of the grip. Hearing Sanemi refer to the demon as 'it' rather than 'her' or as a sister brought back into perspective what they were discussing. Whatever the girl might have been was gone; she was a demon now -not worthy of pity.
"You see, about that," Sanemi continued. "That's impossible, you moron!" In a flash, his blade was drawn and plunged through the box. There was an immediate tension, faces hardening in impulsive response to an escalating situation. Except for Obanai, he remained seemingly calm and unbothered, gaze lazily following Sanemi. It was time to be done with this charade, the Hashira need not bother to entertain Tanjiro or his demon companion any longer.
There was a scream.
"Left," the ivory serpent whispered into Obanai's ear. The Snake Pillar's eyes snapped left to watch as Tanjiro rushed from the ground, determination alone seeming to bring him to his feet.
"I will never forgive anybody, Pillar or whatever, who hurts my little sister!" Tanjiro screamed, running at Sanemi. Obanai almost scoffed. Tanjiro was about to give the Wind Hashira the little excuse he needed to cut him down.
"Hahahaha! That so? Good for you!" Sanemi bellowed back. An almost undetectable ripple of his knuckles had him tightening his grip on his green-black katana and realigning the blade to lash at the charging slayer.
"Stop it! Oyakata-sama is arriving soon!" This time, it was Giyu yelling, the first thing he had said since the Hashira had begun to gather. It was too late, though. Tanjiro was in striking distance. Sanemi's blade flashed through the air, a blur of motion. If anything, Giyu's attempt to intervene seemed to affect Tanjiro, who actually paid attention to the call. Sanemi's skill with a blade and Giyu's unwitting distraction were more than enough to bring an end to Tanjiro's story.
Or so it should have been. Obanai immediately knew something was wrong. There was no wet splash, no spray of crimson. Tanjiro had jumped over the attack and, with a heavy cracking sound, smashed his head against Sanemi's. Both tumbled to the ground, the box clattering against the stones, the katana chiming on the maintained garden ground.
"I'm so sorry," Mitsuri said quietly, hiding her face in her hands. Obanai could see the motion better than most other things out of the corner of his eye, but he remained transfixed on the conflict. Tanjiro had managed to grab the straps on the box and now had it pulled behind him, putting himself between Sanemi and it.
"If you can't tell the good demons from the bad ones, you should quit being a pillar!" What a ridiculous statement from the boy.
"Damn you," Sanemi grumbled, frantic grin widening. "I'll rip you to shreds!"
A new voice, a high-pitched child's voice that, while soft, was loud and commanding: "Oyakata-sama is visiting!" It was Nichika Ubuyashiki, one of Oyakata-sama's daughters, flanking the open door onto the patio overlooking the courtyard. She was opposite her almost identical sibling, Hinaki Ubuyashiki, who kneeled on the other side of the door.
"So you have come, my cute swordsman," remarked the regal man striding past the girls with their heads bowed. The man exuded a charming authority, his mere presence comforting and inspiring. Much of his face was scarred and purple from a life-long illness. Despite this constant hardship, his lips carried an effortless smile. "Good morning, everybody. We have some really nice weather today. Is the sky blue?" Oyakata-sama's failing vision was no secret to the Hashira.
Obanai slipped from the branch he had sat upon, silently landing on the ground. He joined the other Hashira as they lined up and kneeled before the Corps's leader. Obanai slipped beside Sanemi, who had slammed his hand upon Tanjiro's head to force him into an appropriately respectful bow.
"Our members have gathered for the Pillar Meeting. I find this pleasurable," Oyakata-sama remarked sincerely.
"We find it more pleasurable to be in your presence, Oyakata-sama. We eagerly pray for much happiness upon you." The voice came from Sanemi, but the words came from every Pillar present. This was not a shibboleth or a mindless response but an honest exchange.
"Thank you, Sanemi." Oyakata-sama was always kind and referred to all the Hashira by their names as if they were close friends or his own children. His two daughters helped him kneel near the patio's edge before the Hashira. They worked quickly and quietly to ensure his hari remained appropriately laid out and did not get tangled.
Sanemi continued, "Let me humbly say there is a soldier present in the Pillar Meeting by the name of Kamado Tanjiro who has brought a demon. I would like to explain the scenario. So, will you allow me?" Obanai saw this request as clever. Telling the story without giving Tanjiro a chance to twist it in his own words would allow Sanemi to be succinct and hopefully get a resolution from Oyakta-sama quickly. Near his knee, he could see Tanjiro's head twist and scowl back at Sanemi.
"I see, I'm sorry he has surprised you all." Surprise? What did Oyakata-same mean? Something in Obanai's chest twisted and fell to his stomach. "I have given my approval for Tanjiro and Nezuko. So I want everyone to accept them." Impossible! No, Obanai was misunderstanding their leader. Oyakata-same would not let an enemy walk so effortlessly among their ranks. The stiffening shoulders and heads snapping up down the line of Hashira echoed Obanai's own shock. The Snake Hashira remained with his head bowed and shoulders relaxed; he seldom let himself react physically.
Up and down the line, the Hashira voiced concern, support, and opposition (often all at once.)
"I am reluctant to give consent…" Himejima trailed off.
"I also flamboyantly oppose this. I can never accept a Demon Hunter who brings demons along." Uzui jerked his thumb back to point at himself, his head lifting so the bejeweled metal headband on his brow caught the sun, causing a thousand fluttering sparks of light to dance around his face.
"I will abide by all your accordances, Oyakata-sama." The first voice of blatant acceptance came from Miss Kanroji. This was no surprise. Her large heart that she wore on her sleeve made her more empathetic and accepting than anyone else in the Demon Slayer Corps. It was a trait Obanai admired, envied, and took anxiety from. Such a blatant willingness to trust and be kind could easily be twisted against her, at least so Obanai thought. Yet he never advised her against this behavior; to see her harden to the world would break his heart.
Muichiro's flighty voice expressed a general disregard for the matter; even now, as he remarked about his forgetfulness, he seemed to be trailing off into the clouds above.
Shinobu and Giyu remained silent. Perhaps Shinobu thought no one would notice the tightening of her jaw as her lips pursed ever so slightly. Obanai noticed as his gaze briefly cast to his side down the line of Hashira. Seeing Giyu stare so plainly at the ground brought Obanai's blood to a boil. The simmering rage that constantly sat in his chest just about burst outward. In a hissing voice, Obanai added his remarks to the response, "Don't trust them," he almost whispered. "Don't trust them," he couldn't help but repeat, tone rising, tongue sharpening. "We all hate demons to begin with." An arched finger lifted to point toward Tanjiro.
Offsetting Obanai's cutting, almost-hushed remarks came Rengoku's booming, cheerful voice, "I respect you from deep within, but I can't understand your thinking! I completely oppose this." Rengoku's remarks were in complete contrast to the sound of his voice, and the dissonance would have been comical if the situation hadn't been so tense.
"We are the Demon Hunters who annihilate Demons," Sanemi seethed. His blatant anger mirrored the rage rattling in Obanai's head. "I wish to punish both Kamado and Tomioka."
"Now, the letter." Oyakata-sama was calm as ever, cheerful and plain in the remark. The daughter he tilted his face towards provided a pleasant affirmation before pulling up and opening a folded sheet of paper. The sharp and meticulously maintained missive snapped and whipped the air as it was unveiled for reading.
"We received this letter from the former Pillar, Urokodaki Sakonji-sama," began Hinaki. Her wide eyes were bright; she barely focused on the paper as if she had memorized the letter, and its presence was more for formality. She wore the same effortless smile as her father.
Urokodaki, that was Giyu's predecessor. A low heat broiled in the back of Obanai's head. The connection was not accidental.
The girl continued. "I will read an extract from it. '-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 humans, and she has stayed that way for more than two years. You may find this difficult to believe, but this is the unmistaken truth. If by any chance Nezuko ever attacks anyone, Kamado Tanjiro, as well as Urokodaki Sakonji and Tomioka Giyu, will cut their own stomachs open as an apology.'"
Stunned silence characterized each and every response. Every pillar present stared off as the subtle revelation made itself at home in their minds. Only two faces revealed no inner thought: Giyu's, who had likely long made peace with this promise, and Obanai, who was challenging to read even without his mask. The following comment is the one only heard by Obanai. "Salt." It was Kaburamaru in his ear. The serpent had picked up on the scent of Tanjiro's tears as they welled from his large eyes and fell onto the stones by his face. It did little to calm the roiling constriction in Obanai's chest. How could so many be willing to put their own lives at risk for one demon? It was a demon!
Sanemi's growling voice cut through the silence like the harsh wind proceeded the lightning. "What should I say if they're gonna kill themselves? If they want to die, they can just die and rot away. There is no guarantee in all this." It was a little harsher than Obanai would have voiced -Urokodaki had put in his time and was still, at least Obanai thought, a respected community member. He could certainly agree, though. No need to risk so much life for a demon.
"Shinazugawa's correct here!" A rare acknowledgement from Rengoku. "If she kills and eats someone, nothing can be undone! The people who got killed will never come back!"
Oyakata-sama's calm and respectful response came with all the ease of a man with the heart of a leader. "That is very true. They can't guarantee or prove she won't attack people. But—" he paused briefly, his smile never faltering. You can't prove she'll attack someone either."
Sanemi bristled. Obanai could hear his jaw clench and teeth grind. The Wind Hashira cast a quick glance to the side, making almost unnoticeable eye contact with Kaburamaru. The serpent hissed into Obanai's ear, "Ready." Obanai knew Sanemi was slowly working something over in his mind without seeing it himself. Despite his chaotic and manic personality, Sanemi often thought ahead of his actions.
"The truth is Nezuko has been living without eating people for more than two years," Oyakata-sama continued after sufficient time had passed for the Pillars to interject should they choose to. "And because of her, two people are putting their lives on the line. And to deny this, the deniers have to present something more than what is here."
It sounded like Sanemi was about to crack a tooth with how hard his jaw was clenching. Rengoku emitted a hum of consideration. Oyakata-sama was not one to weigh a life lightly, any life. Then came the most startling revelation. "Besides, Tanjiro has come into contact with Kibutsuji."
Kibutsuji was the master of all demons. The illustrious and mysterious leader. A constant priority and threat. He was the enemy of all enemies.
The line of Pillars began to fail. Some stood up, others leaned further forward. There was an explosion of voices.
"This can't be!"
"We pillars have never even come in contact with him, and this guy had!?"
"What did he look like!? His abilities!? Where is he!?"
"Did you fight?"
"What was Kibutsuji doing!?"
"Have the headquarters been located!?"
Sanemi was pulling Tanjiro's head up by the hair. The boy looked overwhelmed, confused, and in no small amount of pain.
"Hey, answer!!"
"Shut up, I asked him first!"
"First off, Kibutusji's powers!"
The excitement and nerves were becoming overwhelming. Oyakata-sama seemed to feel they had all been given enough time to reel. He lifted a finger to his lips, almost instantly bringing the Hashira back into order. Such was his authority and grace; a single subtle motion was enough to communicate his intent and have it carried out.
Only two had seen Mitsuri get knocked over in the commotion when Uzui rose to his feet. Obanai had been too far away to immediately intervene, but Giyu was close enough to act. He grabbed Miss Kanroji's wrist to keep her from toppling completely over. Seeing his hand near hers filled Obanai with an urge to crash into Giyu and made his palm itch for the hilt of his blade. The feeling was fast and intense but melted quickly to meld with his general seething contempt for the Water Pillar.
All attention was back on Oyakata-sama as he addressed the assembled Corps members once more. "You see, Kibutsuji has come after Tanjiro, and Tanjiro shook his pursuer loose. The reason for this may simply be to close some loose ends, but for the first time, I don't want to let go of the tail that Kibutsuji has shown us. And this probably goes for Nezuko as well. I believe something unexpected has happened for Kibutsuji. Do you understand?"
The Hashira, composed once more, all kneeling, remained silent in reverential response. At least until Sanemi spoke out once more. "I do not understand Oyakata-sama! We can let humans live, but demons must not. I can not consent!" His dominant hand pulled his katana from the ground where it had been abandoned and ran the blade along his forearm. Blood bloomed from the blade like water through a suddenly forming crack in a pot. "Oyakata-sama! I will present you the ugliness of what we call demons!"
"Sanemi," the leader protested. He sat straight with slender shoulders stiff. Sanemi was not listening or could not. He held his arm over the box containing the demon in question.
"Hey, demon, it's time to eat! Sink your teeth into this!" The vital and viscous bodily fluid began to pool on the box, staining the wood, filling, and leaking through the boards.
Obanai already understood what Sanemi was doing. He needed to show the demon in action that it would easily give in to bloodlust and feed. 'Shinazugawa, you can't do that in daylight," Obanai pointed out simply. "The demon won't come out unless you go to the shade." It was now on Sanemi's shoulders to prove what Obanai was already confident was true: that the demon was nothing more than lucky. Even if it had some extraordinary restraint, it couldn't hold itself back when fresh blood was within reach.
"Oyakata-sama, forgive my rudeness." Sanemi's tone was dire. In an instant, he jumped from the garden onto the shaded patio behind Oyakata-sama and his children, box in tow. As Sanemi jumped, Obanai slunk back hardly a meter, keeping low to his feet, his body loosely angled toward Tanjiro.
"Nezuko!" The young Slayer screamed out.
Sanemi brought the tip of his katana to hover over the box where his blood remained pooled.
"Stop!" As Tanjiro struggled against his binds, Obanai struck. In a single fluid motion, he brought himself to slide up alongside Tanjiro and swung an elbow onto the small of his back, just shy of the spine. It wouldn't cause any lasting damage, but it would put quite a strain on breathing. The serpent on Obanai's shoulder bared its fangs and tongue, hissing to accentuate the single hit. Tajiro's eyes widen, pupils shrinking as the wind was forced from his lungs in a barking cough. "I can't breathe, I can't move," the auburn-haired boy managed in a rattle.
Sanemi stabs through the wood of the demon's protective container again and again. "Nezuko, Nezuko," Tanjiro continues while gasping for breath. How pathetic. He wastes what little energy he could have been saving to scream out to a demon who probably doesn't even recognize the old name.
"Come over here, demon! Here's some of your favorite human blood!" Sanemi throws open the box lid and snaps to his feet. Behind was a miss formed black mass. Slowly, even to Obanai's poor sight, different textures became visible. The black mass in the box slowly rose to the form of a young girl, color coming to view with the girl's pink and black kimono. The demon was remarkably human-looking. Her kimono was stained with splotches of blood. It was unclear what of it was hers and what of it was Sanemi's. A small shaft of bamboo was clenched between her teeth. Her long black hair faded to a burnt brown that matched Tanjiro's hair color. Their resemblance was unmistakable. The demon-girl huffed, beads of sweat rolling down her face and neck. The Wind Pillar held his bleeding forearm up, inches from the girl's nose. Obanai could not deny he was ever so slightly impressed. The girl hadn't given Sanemi the expected excuse to sever her head from her shoulders.
Shinobu's voice floated over the tension. "Iguro-san, you're pushing him too much." Tajiro's eyes were almost glazed over, his mouth open, and he struggled for the shallowest breaths. "Loosen up a bit."
Obanai wasn't about to give the boy even the faintest chance to escape.
"If he tries to move, wouldn't I be the one being pushed?" Obanai offered in pedantic reply, flexing his hand as if his arm was simply resting in place and it was Tanjiro hurting himself. It wasn't entirely untrue. If Tanjiro remained still, he could draw enough breath to keep conscious; Obanai had simply planted his elbow firm enough that struggling was what would cause Tanjiro to be truly deprived of air.
Shinobu, ever the analytical one, wasn't going to argue. She knew better than to waste breath and had no interest in introducing more contention than there already was. "Kamado-kun, your lungs are under pressure, so if you use your breaths, your blood vessels will explode."
This statement brought excited encouragement from Uzui. Himejima was brought just over the verge of tears, expressing a deep and profound sadness for the boy before muttering over his prayer beads.
Sanemi's arm continues to drip blood. The fist closes tight, causing the crimson liquid to come quicker and fall to the ground.
Nezuko, this particularly resilient demon, remained stiff and still. Her little clawed hands clenched at her side.
Tanjiro was now audibly forcing air through his lungs.
Obanai was still and reserved. Tanjiro could not strain in any way, which didn't make his situation worse, and all Obanai had to do was wait for the boy to destroy himself.
"Kamado-kun!" Shinobu snapped at Tanjiro.
Then, there was a snapping noise as the rope around Tanjiro's hands broke. Obanai was shocked. He should have passed out by now, and the strength it would have required to break the binds would have far surpassed what Tanjiro should have been able to manage without breathing deep enough to collapse his cardiovascular system. Well, now Obanai had to act. Before Obanai could twist and force his elbow deeper to truly immobilize the boy, his wrist was grabbed and pulled back. It was the moment Tanjiro needed to scramble to his feet and rush toward the patio's edge. "Nezuko!" He screamed.
A venomous glower turned upon Giyu, who placidly stared back at Obanai. The two Pillars waited for the other to blink. Obanai wanted Giyu to push his luck, do something reckless, and give Obanai a reason to cut the other Pillar open.
There was a sudden lack of chaos, a stillness that turned the moment unnatural. There was no crying out, no more screaming, no struggling.
All attention returns to Nezuko. Drool collected on her makeshift muzzle and ran down her chin. She was clearly hungry. Why wasn't she acting? She wasn't bound. The muzzle wasn't particularly resistant. A strong bite could break it, and it looked easy enough to remove even for one without demon strength. She was injured and needed to feed to help her body recover. She had every reason to attack Sanemi. Then, with an audible hmph, the girl turned away from Sanemi. Her eyes shut tight, leaving Sanemi standing with a rare stunned expression.
Sensing a change, Oyakata-sama asked, "What happened?"
"The demon girl turned the other way," Hinaki answered cheerily. "Even though Shinazugawa-sama cut himself and thrust his arm in front of her, she held herself back and didn't bite him."
"And that's proof that Nezuko will not attack humans right there," Oyakata-sama concluded cheerily. The shock of the statement rolled over Sanemi and Tanjiro the hardest.
Obanai let the notion of cutting down Tanjiro and his sister go, at least for the moment. Foolish as Tanjiro was, he clearly wasn't lying. Giyu though? Something was still not right. His name was tied up in this whole debacle too many times to be a coincidence. The Snake Pillar wrenched his arm free of Giyu's grip as the glower returned to the Water-Breath user. "What're you planning, Tomioka," Obanai hissed as his features hardened.
Giyu, of course, and as expected, didn't reply.
"Tanjiro," Oyakata-sama addressed the young swordsman for the first time. "Despite this, there will still probably be other people who won't willing agree about Nezuko." Being addressed directly overwhelms Tanjiro. The boy quickly glanced around, realizing he was the only one near the ledge of the engawa. Quickly, he backed away and bowed his forehead to knuckle with his palms pressed to the ground. After a pause, Oyakata-sama continues, "Defeat the twelve Demon Moons. If you do that, then everyone will acknowledge you." Oyakata-sama continued to charge Tanjiro with a daunting duty, promising him and his sister greater acceptance.
When Tanjiro finally replied, he yelled. His conviction and heart tugged at something inside Obanai. "I… Nezuko and I will defeat the Kibutsuji Muzan!" He continued to bellow his affirmation, basically promising the impossible.
Oyakata-sama's soft and chuckling reply caused even Obanai to smile slightly. "You can't defeat him as you are now, Tanjiro, so first, try to defeat one of the twelve Demon Moons."
"Yes sir," Tanjiro quickly replied in a quiet and reserved voice, his entire face red with embarrassment. Among the pillars, many tried to hold back laughs with bulging checks and strained eyelids. None tried harder and got closer to failing than Mitsuri.
Oyakata-sama then went on to explain the pillars' skill and suffering. He used flowery language to describe how often the pillars were brought to the brink of death in battle despite their carefully honed skills. In the end, all Tanjiro could offer was, "Y—yes, sir."
"And then, Sanemi, Obanai," the leader addressed the two. "Don't bully the younger ones too much." Even when chastising his swordsmen, Oyakata-same was approachable, kind, and comforting.
"….As you command," the two Pillars confirmed in unison.
"So we're ending the talk about Tanjiro here. You may step back now. It's about time to begin the Pillar Meeting."
The Kakushi present stepped forward to gather the Kamados. Nezuko had returned to her box and was shut back in to protect her from travel through the sun. As he was taken away, Tanjiro apologized for headbutting Sanemi. As he departed, Oyakata-sama remarked, "Give my regards to Tamayo-san."
Tamayo wasn't a name Obanai recognized, and based on the other Pillars' reactions, it wasn't one any of them had heard either.
And then, as Oyakata-sama had expressed, the Pillar Meeting began.
The meeting itself was far more tame than the event preceding it. Oyakata-sama asked about each of their health and sought details on recent encounters. Each Pillar had a handful of recent slayings to recount, but nothing unusual. At least until it came time for Shinobu and Giyu to recount the incident at Mount Natagumo. What unfolded was a story of dozens of Demon Hunters lost to some sick family of spider-like demons. Shinobu gave a remarkably concise report about the Demon Hunters found alive and half or mostly transformed into spider yokai. She had concocted a formula that was likely to revert most of the affected if administered over a long enough period of time. It was all rather grotesque. Giyu reported killing two demons on the slopes of the mount and then left the room in silence. The story ended as the blue sky adopted orange, red, and pink hues. The setting sun was ushering in the end of a long and emotionally charged day.
"Tomioka-san," Shinobu prodded in her fluttery voice. Her tone indicated she knew something and wanted everyone to know it, but she would give Giyu a chance to explain it in his own words.
Giyu turned his detached stare to Shinobu in silent question.
"And the second demon?"
After another tortuous pause, Giyu remarks, "You must be referencing its ranking."
"Ranking?" Sanemi and Obanai chided, tired of Giyu's purposeful obfuscation.
"There is some evidence to suggest the demon I slew with the webs at their control was one of the lower Twelve Kizuki."
One of the Twelve Kizuki?! One of the Twelve Demon Moons Oyakata-sama had spoken of before. One of Kibutsuji's elite followers.
"How long has it been since a Hashira encountered and survived a Kizuki?" Mitsuri asked of no one in particular.
This caused many to fall silent. If Oyakata-sama knew, he made no indication. It eventually fell to Rengoku to answer, "I believe my father slayed one before becoming the Flame Pillar." So, a few decades.
Oyakata-sama nodded in affirmation. So he did know all along.
"I will reiterate my sentiment from before. Something has changed for Kibtusuji and his followers and I believe it to be no coincidence that the Kamados were involved. And as if chasing his words, for the first time that day, the wind picked up. It wasn't a sudden gust but a soft push like a reserved exhale. The sky was sighing as the last light of the day danced behind the mountains.
Oyakata-sama excused himself from the meeting. His daughters helped him to his feet and back through the door into his mansion. Nichika stayed behind momentarily to inform the gathered Hashira, "Should you choose to stay the night, we have made accommodations for each of you. You all will have access to your usual rooms, and if the lady of the house has not been otherwise indisposed, a hearty meal will be served as a late dinner."
The Hashira expressed their gratitude in unison, brows touching the ground. As the door to the garden closed, the Hashira rose. Each collected their sword, some holding it in its scabbard by their side, others fitting it back to their belt. Giyu was swift to depart, his heels chased by the leers of Sanemi and Obanai.
"Are you planning to stay the evening?" Obanai asked of Sanemi, who still had old blood staining his arm.
"No. I've embarrassed myself enough for one day; I'm going to hit the road and ensure our gathering hasn't drawn any vile attention. You?"
Obanai glances around Sanemi to Miss Kanroji, who is locked in an excited conversation with Rengoku and Uzui. Despite this, she caught Obanai's gaze, her bright emerald eyes matching Obanai's glassy mismatched eyes. She widened her smile and frantically waved a hand in response. Obanai lifts his hand and holds it up in a return greeting. "I will, at least for the night."
Sanemi nods, not needing further explanation. "Look after the master," he asks of Obanai even though it doesn't sound like a question. Sanemi's index scratches the top of Kobarumaru's head, eliciting a happy tongue wave. "And you look after both of them." Kobarumaru hissed acknowledgment even if Sanemi wouldn't hear or understand it.
Obanai stood in place as his friend left. He glanced at Mitsuri again, but he didn't catch her gaze this time. Her eyes were shut in a fit of laughter that seemed to have Uzui confused. The noise of conversation was getting louder. Louder than Obanai appreciated in such a small group. As he turned to leave, Obanai noticed Muichiro was still sitting on the ground, staring at the ceiling.
The Snake Pillar found his usual room quickly. A simple bed roll and a small plate of freshly caught juvenile rice fish had been set out. When Obanai sat down near the window, Kobarumaru eagerly slithered down his arm to the ground to help himself with the small offering. Obanai sat so the soft light of moon and star washed over his face. He pulls his mask down, exposing a sharp jaw and a mouth extended on either side by deep, ragged scars. He shut his eyes to try and meditate. The day had left Obanai full of tension and unease that sloshed in his chest like ice water down a rocky ravine. Breather after breath was used to chase away one rampant thought and then another. Slowly, Obanai found a calm center.
In a moment of silence, there was a knock at the door behind Obanai. "Enter," he remarks, keeping his face away from the door. "Iguro-sama," came the familiar voice of Hinaki. "Oyakata-sama wanted me to inform you that dinner will be shortly and invites you to attend."
"I am not too hungry," Obanai began. This was only partly true and mostly an excuse. He had had enough company and was almost as exhausted as an evening of hunting and slaying.
"Oyakata-sama understands but did want me to confirm for you that Miss Kanroji will be there. Offer stands," she chimes. The door sounded as if it were sliding shut. Obanai's mind was set alight. Why did Oyakata-sama feel it necessary to clarify that for him? Perhaps he knew how close the two were, and this was just another way he looked after the well-being of swordsmen.
"I'll be there," Obanai voices, offering little more than a whisper. Hinaki hums her acknowledgment and bows to the Hashira even though he is not looking at her. Kobarumaru rejoins Obanai at his side, waiting for a hand to help him. As the serpent is returned to the Pillar's shoulder, Obanai remarks, "Our day isn't over just yet."
Next: A dinner with friends