The soft rays of dawn filtered through the elegant curtains of Kyojuro and Nanami's shared bedroom, casting a golden glow that danced across the room. The robust scent of freshly brewed tea wafted in from the adjoining parlor, but for Kyojuro Rengoku, the real treasure was right next to him.
Kyojuro awoke, blinking slowly as he turned to look at his wife, Nanami. Her white hair spilled across the pillow like a silken waterfall, framing her striking face. The light caught her gold eyes, giving them a luminous quality that took his breath away. A wave of warmth washed over him as he recalled their night together—their wedding night—the celebration of their love interspersed with soft whispers and wild laughter.
But then he noticed something that pulled him out of his reverie: a series of love bites trailing down Nanami's neck and onto her collarbone, vivid against her fair skin. Kyojuro's cheeks burned with embarrassment as he recalled the exuberance of their passion, but he also felt a twinge of pride. "She looks beautiful," he thought, grinning foolishly as he traced one of the bruises with his fingers, the warmth of her skin igniting something deep within him.
Little did he know that Nanami had left her own mark on him—one he would soon discover in a flurry of laughter and teasing.
"Miu! Come here!" Nanami murmured in her sleep, unknowingly giving an order to her loyal kasugai crow, who flew in through the slightly ajar window.
Miu flapped her wings excitedly as she perched on the bedside. "Mistress?" she chirped, her voice a melodious chime.
"Miu!" Nanami gasped, suddenly waking with a start, her eyes darting around before landing on Kyojuro. "Oh! Good morning, dear!" She blinked the sleep from her eyes and smiled at him, her heart fluttering anew as she noticed the pendant Kyojuro had gifted her, glimmering against her chest.
"Good morning!" Kyojuro exclaimed, feeling invigorated just by looking at her.
But before they could enjoy the moment, Miu interrupted, "All Hashira are to report outside the Ubuyashiki estate!" She tilted her head, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Has the mistress been busy with her husband?"
Nanami's face flushed crimson as she wrapped her arms around her shoulders protectively. "Ugh. Miu!"
Kyojuro chuckled, thoroughly entertained by the exchange. "Guess we'll have to dress quickly! Much to do!"
As they hurried to dress, Nanami caught glimpses of the bite marks on Kyojuro's neck in the mirror, her expression morphing into a mixture of guilt and glee. It seemed like they had both been rather indiscreet last night.
Once fully dressed—and perhaps a little overly modest—Nanami and Kyojuro made their way to the Ubuyashiki estate, hand in hand. The morning air was crisp, and the promise of something peculiar in the air lingered around them like a dense fog.
The other Hashira had already gathered in the courtyard, a sea of familiar faces, with the vibrancy of their personalities creating an affectionate buzz. Uzui Tengen, the flamboyant Sound Hashira, was in the middle of reciting some outrageous story about his latest adventure, animatedly gesticulating with his usual flair.
Once the couple arrived, Tengen caught sight of Nanami and Kyojuro, the corners of his mouth curling into a smirk. "Well, look who finally decided to bless us with their presence! The bride and groom!"
"Good morning, Tengen," Kyojuro laughed, a hint of pride threading through his voice.
"Oh, Nanami," Tengen continued, "How do you feel about those hickies? I daresay they are quite… attention-grabbing. Are those a new style choice?"
Nanami's face heated up again, and she glanced nervously at Kyojuro, who was shifting his weight awkwardly. "They aren't a style choice! We just—" she stammered, defensive yet flustered.
Ryuu Takehiko, the Shadow Hashira with his raven-black hair and piercing crimson eyes, leaned against a wall, a playful grin stretching across his lips. "Ah, the Wisteria Hashira, so notoriously shy today! Can you blame her, though? You're both practically glowing!"
The teasing continued to swell like rising waves, with giggles bubbling up from the assembled Hashira as they exchanged playful jabs. In the midst of the laughter was Miu, who, taking her cue from the excitement, decided to shatter any remaining pretense. "Mistress Nanami looks especially enchanting this morning, no?"
Nanami burst into laughter at Miu's bluntness, "Maybe you should be careful calling me 'mistress' around them!"
"You're already our mistress by virtue of marrying Kyojuro. We have the evidence right here!" Ryuu gestured exaggeratedly towards her hickies, causing another wave of laughter.
Kyojuro's face was a deep shade of crimson now, but he couldn't help but chuckle along with everyone else. After all, he loved his protective, teasing family of Hashira. "Well, I guess it won't matter much once we figure out why we all gathered today."
"One of the slayers was caught with a demon accompanying him." Shinobu spoke. The tone completely changed as the boy in question was brought before them. He wore hanafuda earrings, had black hair and crimson eyes. Eyes filled with worry as he looked around before his eyes laid on the 11 warriors standing in front of him. "Who are those people?" He asked.
The kakushi that brought him pushed his Head down "don't just open your mouth you idiot! Just who do you think is standing before you? You are in the presence of the Hashiras." He yelled.
The boy just laid there staring at them "you're at the demon slayer headquarters and your about to be put on trial." Shinobu said.
There was a long pause before she continued "before we start the trial why don't you explain the crime you comm-" she said before she was cut off. "Forget the trial, protecting a demon is a clear violation against the code." Kyojuro said. Nanami looked at him. He wasn't wrong in the least. "I say we behead both of them in a flashy way." Tengen added.
Mitsuri and Muichiro stayed quiet one deep in thought and the other lost in the clouds. "What a pitiful sight the boy is. I grieve for him" Gyomei said rubbing the beads between his palms, tears running down his face.
Ryuu who leaned against the tree gazing at the boy "well well this is just interesting." He said. Nanami Stared at the boy before noticing he was no longer staring at them but looking around as if he was looking for something. "Hey, what are you looking at the Hashira speaking, you should be looking over there. They are the highest ranking swordsmen in the corps." The kakushi said.
"Those are the Hashira? Nezuko, where is my sister? What have you done with her? Nezuko, Inosuke, Zenitsu, Mirada!" The boy yelled
"Forget the kid, I want to know what's going to happen to Tomioka." Obanai said who was perched in the tree. The Hashira looked over at Giyuu who was standing to the side. "based on what Kocho told me he should be as guilty for breaking the code." Obanai said, making the rest of the hashira murmur amongst themselves.
"We can worry about a penalty later after all he did come with out restraints. But what I want to know is the story behind this." Nanami said.
"You are aware that it's against the rules right Tanjiro Kamado? Tell us why you are traveling with a demon?" Shinobu asked
"Who cares?" Tengen said, grasping the hills of the dual blades. "Go on, Kamado tell us." Shinobu told him. "That demon is my little sister. My family was attacked while I was gone. I lost almost everyone but her. She has never hurt a human and she never will." tanjiro said.
This pulled at Nanami's heart. She knows what it's like to have your family ripped from you. "Absurd a demon not harming humans. That's The most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. you're her family of course you would defend her though I don't believe any of this." Obanai said.
"one thing I don't quite understand is the master would have known about this. We should wait and see what he wants to do." Mitsuri finally said.
"Well Well what fun do we have here? Is that the moron who brought a demon here?" Sanemi said. He was holding the box but what happened next was unimaginable. "Please master Sanemi, I must ask that you put that box down." A kakushi told him as she caught up. "Did I hear that right kid? She can become A demon slayer to protect humans? Ha! Don't make me laugh! The moment a demon smells blood it's over!" He said before taking his sword and driving through the box. Nanami's eyes widened as she saw blood come out the exiting end.
She watched Tanjiro run at Sanemi before jumping up and head-butting him, knocking Sanemi To the ground. "If you can't tell the difference between a good demon and a bad one then you shouldn't be a hashira " Tanjiro yelled guarding the box while restrained. "The Master of the mansion has returned." Two of the ubuyashiki daughters spoke in unison.
The hashira dropped to their knees out of respect as Ubuyashiki approached. "Welcome my children, thank you for gathering here today." He said. His voice calm "it's a beautiful day today with a blue sky here For the semi annual gathering. Nanami Kyojuro, congratulations on your marriage. It brings me joy to see you all here today." He added before Sanemi talked Tanjiro to the ground. Making him bow out of respect. "Thank you master, it was a joyous celebration. I hope you stay in good health" Nanami said.
"Before we begin the meeting would you kindly enlighten us on this young swordsman here who would appear to be accompanied by a demon." Sanemi said. Kagaya smiled "but of course sorry for any confusion. Tanjiro and Nezuko have both been sanctioned. I would appreciate you accepting this condition." He said.
"I respect you master but I cannot accept this." Kyojuro spoke. "Absolutely not." Tengen chimed in. Mitsuri said she would accept it and Muichiro was fine with it either way on account he would forget. One of Kagaya's daughters pulled out a letter from a former hashira stating how Nezuko never consumed A human and that if it were to happen not only would he but Giyuu Tomioka and Tanjiro would commit seppuku.
Nanami watched as Sanemi still would accept it. They watched him stand cutting himself with his sword. Blood dripped down his arm and onto the box. Sanemi picked it up, took it to the shade of the mansion and opened it, letting the blood drip onto Nezuko. Tanjiro began to get up but Obanai dropped from the tree in a swift movement pinning him down still.
The hashira watched as Nezuko stood facing Sanemi. He was trying to prove a point that demons couldn't be trusted. But he was proven wrong when she didn't attack. "What do you see Kagaya's voice sounded. "Nezuko is just standing there turning her head away from the blood in disgust." One of his daughters spoke. Everyone was in utter shock. "There it is undeniable proof that Nezuko won't attack humans. Tanjiro even after all this there are some who can't accept Nezuko, work on changing their minds. Prove to them that both of you can be helpful to defeat demons as demon slayers." Kagaya said.
Tanjiro bowed as Kagaya spoke once more "go out and defeat a member of the 12 kizuki and You will be accepted by all."
Tanjiro sat up with determination flickering in his eyes. The kakushi took Tanjiro and Nezuko away to be healed as the meeting finally began.