—START—

-3rd Person POV-

Peace returned to the night.

Muzan Kibutsuji, the Demon King had been killed by the demon slayer corps no more than a week ago.

A final battle that took place in the middle of a city.

In this time all Hashira who were currently safe enough to be present sat at a meeting, where Kiriya told them how they were fairing up until now.

"The Kakushi have done their best in the assessing the total number of victims found from the infinity castle battle first" the new master's voice was unwavering despite recounting losses.

His command over the whole night had hardened his resolve into being a good leader, one his father could be proud of.

"More than fifty slayers died in Kibutsuji's awakening, while attempting to gain time for you to arrive" The numbers were a vast majority of those pulled into the infinity castle, the territory create by the upper four was a death trap.

"have all bodies been recovered?" Uzui Tengen asked as one of the only four present here, still covered in bandages and with a patch over his eye but having been given the clearance to assist.

"No, most were eaten and are either half of their body of just a few loose limbs" A morbid image from what was supposed to be a battle.

Then there were those caused in the final battle itself.

"A dozen died protecting the Hashira with their bodies, all getting in the way of the attacks" None of who stood right now were there when it happened but the idea of them doing such a brought both gratitude and weight to their expressions. "there were ten who survived the attack, all weren't treated in time and died by his blood poison"

Tokito couldn't help but pity them, Uppermoon five's poison had been lethal and hurt a lot when they fought, dying by means of Muzan's most likely was equally as gut wrenching if not more.

"Civilian casualties were kept at a minimum thanks to the Kakushi's work on getting them away from the core battle, only seven were recorded, all inhabitants of the buildings destroyed during the fight" In all accounts that should be considered a success and Rengoku would be proud to say many lives.

Sadly you can't save everyone all the time and the enemy to beat was awful for an encounter in civilian territory.

"And lastly, the Hashira Gyomei Himejima we believe died by the consequence of the mark a few hours after its activation" This was the loss that hurt personally for them.

Giyuu closed his eyes, offering the dead comrade a prayer, one like he would have liked to have. "Namu Amida Butsu" his hands together, praying for the rebirth of the man.

"Himejima-san!" Shinobu, despite her wounds moved however she could reach the man now half dead. "stay awake, I need you to tell me where it hurts" She was somewhat desperate, joined by two Kakushis as she directed the rest to treat everyone.

Kocho felt her consciousness fading, yet she couldn't let herself fall yet.

More so with the man who saved her and her sister once, the one who gave her the chance to be here today was dying in front of her.

She didn't want that for him.

Before she could even attempt to treat him it was his hand that stopped them. "Enough…resources would be wasted on me, treat the younger slayers and save who you can" was his request, even as the others had enough people around them for them.

They cried as the man closed his eyes, with nothing else of immediate panic the adrenally finally faded from Kocho, and unconsciousness took her.

Gyomei smiled in his last moments, the vestiges of all those children he once cared for welcoming him into the afterlife.

Giving one apology that waited too long.

"I'm sorry too, I could protect you" Gyomei told them, only to be rejected.

They would have never blamed the attack on him. "I see, thank you"

Soon after, his life went away.

He had been the only Hashira to die that day, but that didn't mean everyone else got away Scot free.

Obanai, Tanjiro and Sanemi were some of the worse off in terms of injuries despite retaining all of their limbs and had basically fallen into a coma the moment the adrenaline faded from their system.

They're still asleep and recovering.

Muichiro, Tengen, Tanjiro, Mitsuri and Shinobu had all lost one limb, both male Hashira the left arm, Kamado and Kanroji the right one while Kocho her left leg.

Iguro, Tengen and Rengoku had also lost one eye each.

Mitsuri had injuries and was the one with more poison into her system, it was enough that medicine very slow and she needed a lot of rest to let it do its work.

Kanao, Inosuke and Zenitsu bore wounds all over them too and were making a speedy recovery, soon to be ready to begin rehabilitation.

And lastly Giyuu.

His wounds were varied and all over his body but none was an actual lethal, the best defense of the demon slayer corps combined with the ability to predict everything with the see through world made him the least injured out of them all.

With all injuries and only a week to recover Tengen, Muichiro, Giyuu and Rengoku were the only ones to come meet Kiriya at the new Ubuyashiki state.

And they weren't in the clear either as sudden movements could reopen their still deep wounds and cause more damage for themselves.

It was a matter of wanting to know the consequences of the final battle that put an end to the demon threat.

"With that, I call concluded this Hashira meeting" Kiriya ended the summary.

They would not be calling this the last Hashira meeting, not without any of the others. "Thank you all for the incredible service you've done"

"We did what we had to and we're proud to have finally succeeded" Rengoku spoke with his whole chest causing pain to course trough him. "Arg"

"Careful there, we're all still recovering" the Sound Hashira reminded his friend of his state, knowing full well Rengoku could be careless when injured.

The Ubuyashiki couldn't contain the relief in seeing the warriors his father had gathered during his time play around even after what's just happened.

It painted a good future for them, and since the meeting was over, he decided to leave.

"I will be looking forward to everyone recovering and we will have another meeting then" Standing up attracted their focus on him again. "If there's anything you need the Ubuyashiki household will be more than honored to help if you come to us"

His message was clear, they were always welcomed in this house.

"Heh, never thought I see the day" Chuckled Uzui. "A world without demons, what to do in the time that's left" that was a good thing for them to ask themselves seeing as they were now basically out of a job and with plenty money to spare.

There was also the underlying tone in what he said. (The time that's left) Tomioka observed as Tengen gave a little smack on Rengoku's arm for a comment he did making them both recoil in pain from their wounds.

A breath escaped the water Hashira.

"I don't know what I'll do moving forward" his voice sounded the most happy it ever had. "But I'm glad I get to live the now" his face morphed into the best smile he could muster.

Rengoku and Tengen stood paralyzed there for a good two minutes, before the married walked to Tomioka. "That's the spirit! Let's go get some drinks to celebrate the moment"

"We need to recover"

"Don't care"

"HAHAHA"

Muichiro watched from behind as the others began to make an exit, a much more conservative grin compared to Giyuu's on his face.

And he began to follow them, fully willing to get into whatever trouble they were about to do.


Recovery was a slow process.

Mitsuri knew that, it had taken her three month to recover from most of her wounds.

Even so, her worries were not for herself, not when the person in front of her hadn't woken up ever since the battle. (…Iguro-san…) everyday, she would spend three to four hours watching over him, sometimes even more.

His words after everything ended living forever in her mind.

The announcement was given, Muzan had died and the battle was over.

The love Hashira's feet finally gave in as she felt to her knees from exhaustion, her mark disappearing and her sword slipping out of her grip.

(We survived…we won!) she wanted to shout it, cry out loud her relief of being here still, her throat felt swollen, she couldn't scream nor talk.

And now was beginning to feel pain again.

Footsteps approached her, two with agitated movements and a really slow one. "Kanroji" with unsteady steps Iguro had approached her.

Two Kakushi's were swarming him, trying to get him to lay down and let treatment begin, but he dodged them at any chance he got.

He got down right by her side if he did so on purpose or his legs couldn't hold him anymore was a mystery.

It didn't matter for him, there was one last thing for him to say before this battle was over.

"Iguro-san…we won" Mitsuri broke the little silence with a pretty tiny voice as the other Hashira tried to find his worlds.

"We did" They were both bleeding, staying close getting in the way for the Kakushi to act on the other. "There is something that I'd like to say to you"

"Remember how we met? When you got lost in the Ubuyashiki state, It was one of the first times I ever felt like a normal person" Began retelling with a smile as his wounds continued bleeding. "That day…I felt something"

"from then on, it was when I stood around you, when you spoke to me, when we ate together that I could feel the best, where I could just live without the weight of our world and duty" each word made Mitsuri's eyes open more and more, little tear drops forming. "Because you were there with me"

"I 've always dreamed to say this to you, and now, now that all blood has been paid and my sin was redeemed I can truly tell you…"

"…that I love you, I want to be with you"

"Iguro-san!" Kanroji began crying the joy from her face was obvious. "I also want to be with you" the two got closer together to the point they were hugging. "When we're all healed, Will you take me as your bride?"

"Yes, I promise I will make you happy"

Mitsuri desperately wanted that, more so, she wanted him by her side right now, awake to see how the world was around them.

To truly enjoy the world right now, so she could give him all the love he deserved until the mark consumed their lives.

That promise means the world to her right now.

"Mitsuri" The pink haired girl let out an 'eep' when someone interrupted her thoughts, standing in the door was Kocho Shinobu.

She still wore her uniform from the corps, much like Mitsuri herself was but instead of the haori she always had this time it was one that was completely lilac.

Kanae's haori was finally left to rest alongside her owner.

"It's lunch time, we can check on Iguro afterwards alright?" The door was completely opened, and Kocho moved to the side making sure Mitsuri would leave before her as she could very well say she'd go and stay behind.

"Ah, of course!" even with all of this weighting her down Kanroji Mitsuri wouldn't stop smiling, for the world was even more beautiful than before.

Besides, she knows he'll return to her.


Sanemi was the first to wake up from the three.

"So it's actually over" the first person he saw when he did wasn't who he expected. "it's not a dream"

Tomioka nodded, reassuring him. "It's not" he was wearing a light blue kimono with no extravagant design. "we won, demons don't exist anymore" Giyuu had a trail with food on his hands, clearly for himself as he wasn't aware the Shinazugawa was awake.

Nevertheless he offered it to him anyways.

"Thanks" It was weird for the aggressive Hashira to be any kind of cordial with Tomioka, and it was also strange to see the black haired man smile at Sanemi. "what of everyone else?"

It hadn't been long since he woke up so he wanted to know the situation, so he waited for Tomioka to answer but he wasn't in the room anymore.

"AH?!" it hurt his throat to shout like that, but the idiot had just left him just like that.

"Sanemi, be mindful of your voice please" another familiar voice came from the door, a much more relaxed Shinobu entered beside Giyuu, who had apparently gone to get her.

(Oh, he went to get her) It made sense since he'd just gotten up. "Kocho"

"It's good to see you awake" It was a nice comment, one without the usual ring her voice had, one that wasn't an attempt to imitate Kanae.

Sanemi wasn't fond of Kocho's imitating of her, and he had noticed, it was obvious for those who met her.

This felt refreshing

"Iguro and Tanjiro are both still unconscious, the others have healed mostly and are adapting despite their losses" Giyuu spoke without warning, but as an answer to what the wind Hashira had asked before.

"What" Sanemi didn't get that.

And Tomioka was now confused as to why he said that. "You asked for everyone else?"

"Oh"


"…756, 757, 758…" Having been asleep most of his recovery period, Sanemi was ready from the go to join the rehabilitation.

And he wasn't one to take things slowly.

"…759,760,761…" Currently he was burning energy by repeatedly lifting weights, trying to get his muscles all back to speed.

Despite having no need for them to be at perfect capacity.

"Shinazugawa-sama please take it easy" Aoi was supposed to be taking care of him not overexerting himself but there was little she could do when the man refused.

She had no power to stop him from keeping himself busy from this.

A couple of hours had passed since he woke up. "Hey Kocho, where is Genya?" A final checkup to make sure everything had been right with him was necessary.

And the woman was taking care of that when he asked. "I was waiting for you to ask that" she responded.

Gnya had a message for him.

"The consequences of his almost demonization at eating Uppermoon one's sword caused him some mild hallucinations and a disconnection with his own body that were worrying" Shinobu was direct with the boy's diagnosis.

"I've determined they will improve with time and will be gone by the end of the year" luckily, Muzan's blood lost most of it's effect after his death, a blessing that ended all other demons. "he left after that, claiming that he needed to find himself after that"

"A lie, obviously, I tried to get him to stay due to his state, Tokito decided that he too needed to learn about living and left with him, with him backing Genya I couldn't really stop them"

Sanemi knew what this was, Genya was doing the same thing he did to him, leaving him in a place he would be cared for as he went to do what he had to.

And at the same time, unlike himself he knew Genya would return once he finished it.

"Hey" someone else had entered the room while he was lost in his thought. "are you alright?" Nezuko asked worried about the mentality of the man. "you're still healing"

Her eyes transmitted nothing but kindness when saying that, and he was fully informed that her transformation to human had returned all her memories, even those of his stabbing her.

And yet here she was worrying over him.

He stopped once he reached repetition eight hundred, the little girl was right, he was still recovering and needed to be in one piece when his brother returned.

"fucking hell I need something to do" In the end, he too needed to learn something apart from fighting, as he wouldn't live the rest of his days alright if he didn't.

"Oi, Kanzaki girl, tell Kocho I left for a while"

He exited butterfly mansion without responding to anyone else, Shinobu would have not very nice things to say about that when he returned later.


Time continued to move forward, by the five month line mostly everyone was fully recuperated the best they could be.

Tanjiro and Iguro had awoken within that timeframe, finally healing from their injuries and their consciousness returning.

All of which it lead to this moment, so it could happen.

"Thank you all for coming" Kiriya stood in the same position of his father, outside on the beautiful garden of the new Ubuyashiki state.

Every Hashira had come here one last time, even Tokito who had been away from the rest still in rehabilitation had come.

Rengoku and Tengen both stood side by side, with equal looking eye patches to 'match'

Sanemi was leaning on a tree where Obanai took his normal position in outdoor meetings

Mitsuri chatted with Shinobu, who used a wooden stump carved into shape to equalize the distance of her missing foot and to walk better.

Finally there was Giyuu, who wasn't there at the moment.

"Shouldn't we wait on Tomioka" It was Iguro who asked for the man, his opinion on him wasn't exactly the same as it once was.

Obanai didn't know where he was when he woke up.

There were many occasion when he had gotten hurt in his way to becoming a Hashira and sometimes after it too, so Iguro was familiar with the butterfly state.

This was not it, and without his mask he only felt more uncomfortable.

"…" the man slowly lifted his upper body into a siting position, the room he was in was completely baren and empty other than the little bag of glucose injecting into him and candle light that was completely off.

His body felt sluggish, but wasn't hurting very much, signifying that in the time he was asleep the Hashira had recovered.

There was little to be achieved by just staying in this bed anymore, Iguro decided and attempted to walk out of here.

Only to fall and thump in the floor.

(my legs…how long have I been here that they're like this) his muscles felt wrong, most likely atrophied from his time in bed and their lack of use.

Footsteps approached, his fall probably warning them of his awakening.

The door was opened and Giyuu Tomioka stood there looking at him.

"Iguro" it was an open display of surprise nor common to him, at least not Iguro would associate with him.

He quickly moved to help Obanai up, returning him to the bed and sitting beside him on the edge.

"How long have I been out? Where are we?"

The questions were expected, and Tomika had no problem answering. "five months since the battle, you're mostly healed, and we are in the Water state"

Apparently Kocho had opened the butterfly mansion as a civilian medical facilities too, utilizing her medical knowledge to help the population in general.

That came with a slight remodeling necessity as civilians were much more abundant that slayers and as the fame of the place for it's good service extended, more people came for pay for treatment.

In the end things had gotten incredibly busy, so Tomioka offered to look over those who were still in need of it in the water state, giving the woman time to adjust to her new normal.

And that's why both Iguro and Tanjiro had been moved here a month ago, and the Kamado had awoken not much later, leaving him as the last one.

Once he finished with the story Giyuu asked him something. "Can you come with me?" he offered his shoulder for him to latch on.

And with no reason to say no, he accepted it.

Iguro had only been in this place on that one reunion, and only now he had truly noticed how empty this place was.

"where exactly are we going?" He asked at one turn, leading towards a door to the outside.

"Kanroji-san" Tomioka called for her when he opened the door.

(WHAT!) Iguro looked forward at the garden, finding Mitsuri eating in the porch while humming, Kaburamaru coiled around her neck much like how he would do it with him.

Wearing a beautiful pink and green kimono.

"Yes Tomioka-san…I-Iguro?" the girl froze the moment she saw him.

Tears rolled out of their eyes, Mitsuri was quick on her feet and launched herself to hug the snake hashira.

Tomioka left to inform Kocho of Iguro's recovery and let the other two have a proper reunion.

Whatever the case was, he couldn't exactly hate him anymore, his words on the battle were what allowed him to continue in the fight longer than the rest.

And he had taken care of him alongside with Kanroji when he was in a coma.

"Oh Giyuu-san is on his way, he was paying a visit to the Kamados and their friends" The two siblings had returned to live on the mountains when Tanjiro had finally woken up.

And as if he had been summoned, Tomioka arrived. "Apologies"

"It's no problem Tomioka-san" Kiriya answered with a smile. "We hadn't truly begun yet and there isn't much to say either"

"And it wouldn't be a Hashira meeting if Tomioka didn't arrive late" Uzui joked, getting a chuckle out of most of them.

After joking around a bit, the Hashira kneeled in respect once the meeting was deemed to start, following their code as the pillars of the organization despite none of them wearing the uniform.

"Today, what I have to say it's short" the new patron began to speak. "I believe I said this a lot already but I will again, the Ubuyashiki family is forever grateful for your help in the battle against demons"

"If it is within our power we will fulfil any request you may have for us" The kid knew none of them would actually try and take advantage of that offer, as they all believed it to be their duty to do this. "The property of the state given to you in the Ubuyashiki owned land has been legally transferred to the current owner, as one final payment for your amazing job"

"Be proud Hashiras, as I'm sure my father is off you all, you were the best generation of Demon Slayers there was and congratulations on finally ending the demon threat, all in the know will be forever grateful for your contributions"

Finally he bowed in gratitude, smiling with the upmost sincerity. "From today on, the demon slayer organization is officially over, your service to the cause has been remarkable, this last Hashira meeting is concluded"

"I hope the future is kind to all of us!" Rengoku claims happily.

Mitsuri agrees with confidence. "it will yeah!"

She then walks towards the tree Obanai sat on knocking on it to get his attention. "Obi come, let's give everyone the news" The heterochromatic eyes of the man widen, but nodded.

Obanai got down from the tree, whatever they had wanted to say to everyone was enough to make them focus on the pair.

"Obanai and I are getting married!"

Chaos exploded from that singular phrase.

"Huh?!" Tengen and Rengoku shouted from the bottom of their lungs, looking incredulously at the two.

Sanemi was much more nonchalant with his reaction. "You took your goddammed time" But everyone knew he was as surprised as the others.

Shinobu walked close to the pink haired woman, grabbing her hands. "Congratulations Mitsuri-san, I'm really happy for you" the atmosphere was incredibly cheerful.

Tomioka and Muichiro were less boastful about their congratulations, offering it to them.

"If you need any help It would be an honor for me" Kocho offered herself to help.

"Thank you Shinobu" Mitsuri would be ecstatic. "I would love to have all of you come the next day"

Weddings were ceremonies only reserved to the families with them being the witnesses the rice wine exchange and vows.

Invitations to friends and distant family members the next day to the home of the newly wed was a sign of trust to them, and they would be glad to go.

"The date is not yet decided and I need to inform my family of this" Mitsuri added, as she wanted a traditional wedding their input was important. "we will tell you when it happens"


Once everyone had relaxed from the announcement and people began to leave Obanai caught Rengoku before he left.

"Rengoku, there is something I'd like to ask of your family" Ever since Iguro had left the Rengoku state he'd never bother to ask anything of them despite them offering him to stay with them as he had no home.

Shinjuro Rengoku had saved him, given him a place to live while he recovered and even offered a place in the family when he had nothing.

Back then he didn't believe himself to deserve something like that. "Wedding are celebrated with families as the witnesses to the vows and union and…"

He stopped for a second and Kyojuro's intrigue only grew.

"I'd like to ask the Rengoku's to be mine in the ceremony" it was said and Rengoku was left speechless.

Obanai had thought this long and through, they had been more family than his own never was and he would be forever grateful if they could do this for him.

After all, he did need some witness of him own for the ceremony to be correct and he knew how much this mattered to Mitsuri.

"It would be our pleasure and honor Obanai!" Rengoku quickly answered with his usual voice. "the idea of you coming to me ask this makes me happy my friend and there is no other place I would like to be more that day"

Kyojuro could see the relief in the man when he answered with a positive, and if he was honest he was incredibly overjoyed that he even thought of them for this in the first place.

Now he'd have to talk with his father.


"You've been silent for a while" it was night time now, Giyuu was sitting on a little cloth in his state's garden.

In front of him a little pond with a Koi fish he had made after the final battle.

Beside him was Shinobu, sitting much the same way, throwing little bread crumbs to feed them.

"Am I? I thought I always was" answered the water hashira, her companion looking at him not very amused. "It's just, what happened today got me thinking"

"and what might that be?" Kocho turned back to the fish, the two of them had eaten in a restaurant before deciding to stay the night in the water state. "Are you perhaps thinking of love and marriage?"

She was joking, he could tell from her tone, but if he was honest. "somewhat yes, but it's more about the future" It was definitively not the kind of thinking Kocho expected of him. "To be able to push forward that much, with our given situation with the mark I can't help but want to do so to"

"All these months I've just gone thinking of end, the mark's curse and internalizing that'll be gone soon that I haven't thought of living just yet" It was something he never really did before, his purpose as a slayer had been the only reason for him to keep going. "And yet they can afront that, with a smile on their face as they give the other the rest of their lives"

"So yeah, I can't help but think that maybe that is something I should strive for, to be loved like that"

Purple eyes locked onto blue one, Giyuu was being the most open he could and Shinobu listened without saying anything.

"Yet, as I am now, I doubt I could" his body was not what it once was, biologically speaking he was a woman and that came with it's own identity issues. "there would be no woman willing to love me, not only it goes against tradition but I still cling unto the idea that I still am a man, and I still see myself as one, but that isn't the entire truth"

"I continue in denial over it as much as I continued in denial over my worth for years after his death" His voice began to agitate, his tone slightly higher. "I hate that I feel this way for this, all this brought were better for all of us"

"Wasn't this change a blessing? didn't this give us an incredible chance to fight this battle? We wouldn't have known have this things we do know" his breath stopped, finally having let that all out.

He wasn't even going to say much, it is the fact that the more he thought about it, there more it irked him. "And how could I learn to try and love when I can't come to terms with my own situation?"

"Who would love a man like this?"

Silence consumed the two the moment Tomioka finished, his emotions and thoughts in full display for her to see in a display all to similar to the time he told her of his own history.

And at such a thing, there was only one answer she could give him.

"I wouldn't mind doing so" her tone was as sincere as she could muster.

Giyuu froze with her words, turning to gaze upon the woman, only to find her closer than before and hugging him.

"I can't claim to understand how your body makes you feel, but I do know what it's like to not believe in a future for yourself" she separated the two of them and grabbed his face with both hands. "I was fully willing to just die to kill the demon that took my sister from me, but you gave me a way out, hope to see the end beyond"

"When I planned to live no more than a year, you gave me seven more, even before that, I always lived with her smile on my face, imitating her and creating this distance between everyone and me"

"But in the end, much like what you told me that day after the meeting, I had gotten attached to someone again…I found myself drawn to you, so I can say with full certainty that I wouldn't mind loving a man like you"

"I cannot offer a marriage though, nor a family either, not like this" he tried to argue, putting the usual things love were supposed to bring outside of possibility.

Nobody would office a marriage between two women, no matter how much Tomioka claims to be a man, in this age and the obvious reasons for them not having biological heirs.

And still that didn't detain Shinobu, who brought his face to hers and kissed Giyuu.

The two stayed there for a good twenty seconds before coming apart again. "Is that a valid answer?" She asked knowing full well what she had just done.

Signs like this of affection weren't accepted out of actual married couples, even being frowned upon outside of red districts making this a message from Kocho.

She didn't care, Shinobu was willing to love him anyways as long as he was willing to love her too.

"Marriage in the end is just a formality, I believe that as long as we can love, it's good enough for me"

Little teardrops rolled out of Giyuu's face at the sincerity of it all. "Then, if you are willing to have me" they got closer, sitting with their hands intertwined with the others.

The two stared into the moon, it's shine bathing the two as they enjoyed the other's presence and became a family to the other.


This clothes felt strange to him.

They had been a gift from Shinjuro and Senjuro for Obanai for his marriage as he had no real idea of how a celebration like that went, and dressing was an important part of it all.

According the Rengoku's they would wait of his house, where the family would arrive followed by the groom, making Obanai grow more nervous by the second.

The difference of fighting a demon and getting married wasn't even close and yet this caused him more insecurity than holding a blade ever did.

"Breathe Obanai" Behind him, Rengoku placed a hand on his shoulder. "you've met her family in the prenuptials and they loved you, there is nothing that will go wrong here"

This would not be their first meeting and Mitsuri's parents had been incredibly accommodating with his situations.

No biological family, instead having the Rengoku's as his they shrugged it off blood wasn't an issue to them.

His many scars, Mitsuri had gained an incredible amount of them in her time too, it was no problem.

Every standard normally set by their society wasn't an issue, because they knew he loved her more than anything, and that this would fulfil her dream and make her happy.

They were genuine good people, something he didn't know how to deal with.

But it also made sense, it mattered because there was a reason for the most wonderful person he knew of existed.

A few minutes later the Kanroji Family arrived, bowing respectably to the Rengoku's and him before taking their seats.

No one spoke, they weren't supposed to.

Soon enough Mitsuri entered herself, wearing the appropriate garments, and Iguro felt the most lucky man in the world by just looking at her walk in.

She served sake to each member of both families before sitting right in front of Iguro, the most bright smile on her face her eyes shining like never before.

Then the prayers and vows were announced, each accepting what came with marriage and that their lives would be forever bound.

It was an absolute pleasure for the both of them.

Obanai had to take of his mask for the sake exchange, both of them gave the other a full cup of it and drinking it, marking their union under the sky.

And the now Iguro Obanai and Iguro Kanroji family could begin with a celebratory dinner with the family.

It all ended with both families leaving the estate, leaving the two of them to consummate the marriage once and for all.


The passage of time continued, winter had arrived, marking the closing end of the year and the seventh month since Muzan's defeat.

Soon everyone began finding the way they desired to live the rest of their lives.

Whether that was by finding new occupations or hobbies to do for the rest of their time or by simply enjoying a life that didn't require them to run half the country on a weekly basis.

After their wedding the newly wed Iguro's opened their own restaurant in the Love state's town, Muichiro and Genya continued with their travels as the younger Hashira helped his friend slowly but surely improve.

Rengoku having been trained to honor his family name joined the local police force in the area, continuing to utilize his strength in keeping order.

Shinazugawa wasn't sure what was his desire from now on, deciding to simply continue living from what he gained as a Hashira and using his hands for wood crafting and carving, eventually selling everyday utensils and furniture.

Uzui and his wives decided to have children once and for all, with Hinatsuru being pregnant of two months with him choosing to simply live with the earnings of a Hashira.

The Kamados, Zenitsu and Inosuke returned to the family roots as coal sellers to help the people in the small town down the mountain where they live.

Lastly, Tomioka and Kocho, The butterfly mansion, after many renovations, became the butterfly clinic and quickly gained fame as one of the best medicals installations in Japan with haste, with Kocho Shinobu as the head the normal personal people were used to and Giyuu, who began to learn as well to help people and Shinobu.

Using the full of the mansion as a clinic meant all personal who lived there moved somewhere else, which ended up being the water state, being Aoi, the three girls, Kanao, and Shinobu.

They knew that if all comrades they lost could see them right now, they would be proud of them for making it this far, living after tragedy.


As the new year began Tomioka, Kocho, Aoi, the tree girls and Kanao received an two letters.

One of them was directed at Giyuu, brought by a crow the butterfly sisters didn't recognize.

The other was brought by Matsuemon, and it was from Tanjiro, asking them to come over to their house, inviting them to watch the Hinokami Kagura, as it would be the first time he'd perform it as per his family tradition.

They weren't obligated to go, but how could they say no when it was something that important for Tanjiro.

The path up the mountain reminded Giyuu a lot of the first time he encountered the siblings, one turned while the other had to deal with the death of his family.

All in the snowy landscape of this mountain.

that day he made a choice, rather than killing Nezuko, and to this day that is what he believes to be the best choice he's made.

They arrived at the small house not much after, in the entrance were Nezuko and Inosuke waiting for them.

Well, Nezuko was waiting, Inosuke had fallen asleep there despite the thick layer of snow on the floor.

"Everyone!" the youngest of the two sibling smiled once they entered their view. "It's good to see you after all this time!"

After their recovery and Tanjiro's awakening the group hadn't truly met up with anyone related to the corps again, only using crows to exchange letters and keep them updated on how things are going.

Nezuko hugged everyone one by one, which they reciprocated. "Oni-chan, Zenitsu-san, everyone's here!"

With that she went up to Inosuke, who was still asleep on the floor and shook him. "Inosuke-kun, wake up everyone has arrived"

As she continued to try and wake him up, the other two exited the house, Zenitsu looked the same as ever.

It was Tanjiro who looked the most changed, with one of his eyes decolored and an arm missing, yet still with that ever present kind smile.

Everyone greeted each other, talking as they slowly made their way inside, Inosuke being dragged by Aoi, only two people staying out.

"Have I ever thanked you Giyuu-san?" the two stood side by side looking at the environment.

"More than I can count" and he had, since the day they met again in Natagumo mount. "Have I ever thanked you?" he shot the question back at him.

"Eh? For what?" He seemed surprised that Tomioka asked.

The water breather chuckled, patting the redhead, and smiling at him. "For being there for me Tanjiro, and for being someone I can be proud of considering family"

The kid stood there for a second, frozen not due to the cold, but by the words of the Hashira.

"I'm glad I choose to believe in you and Nezuko"

After that conversation and couple of tears that came from Tanjiro they went inside.

They had tea all together and ate, talking about what they've been doing now that their lives were theirs again.

Time continued passing while they enjoyed each other's company, until finally night arrived.

"Tanjiro" Nezuko gave his brother the attire, the one their father had made for him and now the girl sewed to be big enough for him to fit in.

He put it on inside while the rest waited outside.

"I'm ready" Tanjiro spoke with confidence, his face behind the cloth with the Kanji for flames as he positioned himself in the middle of the ring of torches.

And begins to dance.

Posture after posture, the thirteen forms of sun breathing all compounded together into one fluid motion, the night felt short as they watched Tanjiro perform.

All mesmerized by the beauty of the legacy left by the Tsugikuni, the sign that tomorrow would always arrive.

By the time morning arrived Tanjiro didn't even appear to be tired, the forms much easier to perform outside of battle.

Even Inosuke had stayed quiet the whole spectacle, looking at the Kamado almost hypnotized.

"It's done father" Tanjiro muttered to himself, finally having done it after so long honoring his family and father's teachings.


They left that same morning, walking back to the water state , until a bisection of roads.

Giyuu stopped walking, looking towards the direction of one very specific place. "Shinobu, continue home, there is someone I have to see"

The woman looked at him, there was a tinge of regret in his eyes, that he seemed to be determined to solve. "you know I can go with you if you need"

"Yes, but not this time, this is someone I have to face and apologize to myself"

Tomioka then began running with one destination clear.

Mount Sagiri.


(The fog is just how I remember it) air was much scarce here too, nothing too difficult for someone with his training, but it was still a noticeable change.

In his path up the mountain he eventually found what he was looking for, a little hut, where an old man lived.

The door was opened almost simultaneously with his arrival, something to be expected of his master, as his nose would always warn him before a knock.

"Giyuu" He stood there looking at him, there was no apparent expression of surprise to his appearance nor did he make any other kind of comment, instead he gestured inside. "Come inside, I'll make tea for the both of us"

Master and students now sat on the floor, one making tea while the other waited, trying to get his thoughts together before speaking.

"You seem much better than last time" Urokodaki decided to talk first, and it was an understatement since the last time the two met was when Giyuu returned from final selection.

The grief it gave him going back to this mountain was exorbitant for him.

Now however, he had finally let go. "I have learnt a lot and made peace with the past"

"And knowing what you've told me, I came here to apologize" Giyuu bowed. "You too were grieving for him and all I did was run, the title of Hashira you bore and entrusted me lost weight with me at its head due to my lack of trying to live up to it, and all the training you gave me was misused"

"I made many mistakes, and done good things, I've learnt and grown the with unwavering heart of water like you taught me and today I came to finally thank you appropriately for everything"

"Oh Giyuu" The old man got up from his seat, slowly putting a hand on the back of Giyuu's head and hugging him, one hug Tomioka was more than happy to return.

There was no crying, no sadness in that moment just the immense proudness of a master for a student that finally became the best he could, that he finally found happiness in the cruelness of this world. "I would never think badly of you Giyuu, nor save ire towards you for grieving and suffering, never, still your words can only make me smile"

"All I can truly say it's I'm a proud master, and this is the final thing I needed in this world"

Slowly the strength in his arms lessened, Tomioka Giyuu could see it, through his eyes the world became transparent and the obvious age on the man was even more clear with the state of his organs.

"Don't come after me soon"

Giyuu hadn't decided to finally come here out of nowhere, he may have even taken longer if it wasn't for one letter he received, with one message.

He was dying, and like any good father he would love to have his son by the side on his deathbed.

Giyuu held him close as his pulse slowly dimmed, his breathing stopped and his heart halted completely.

His age had finally caught up to him.


A year had finally passed, it was time for him to return.

Genya walked through the streets of a relatively busy town, people chatting and trading, at peace.

A year ago he couldn't even have done this, flashes of people suddenly attacking one another that weren't real, the strange desire to just attack anyone that did the slightest thing to him.

The moment he had gotten a peak as to what a demon's mind was through Kokushibo's blade it stilled in his memory forever.

It was for that he decided to travel, first to be away from civilization while he healed, the other was to see the world rid of demons and appreciate life.

Behind the Shinazugawa walked Tokito, the youngest Hashira in history had taken it upon himself to go with him, learning much the same as him while making sure he was alright.

Genya would always be glad to have him as a friend.

The two turned a corner and finally arrived at the building they'd been looking for.

The wind state was in front of him, and this time around Genya felt truly capable of facing his brother for good.

Muichiro walked in front of him. "Genya, are you ready?" he asked him, the two had shared more and more of their histories as they traveled.

Going back to Muichiro's little house in the forest, Genya's old village, passing through sites that they had missions on.

They understood and that's why he asked, knowing how much this mattered to him, and how it went last time. "Yes, I am this time I really am"

And so he knocked.

"Granny I told you, the wood was deteriorating I am going to need another da-" Sanemi stomped towards the door, expecting someone else to be there.

And once he opened it he stopped, coming across not an old lady like he expected, but his brother.

"Hey Aniki" Sanemi was visibly different, the edge normally found in his eyes gone, the weight he'd have on wherever he was gone into a much softer look.

This was not the wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa, the menace to demons that ran on anger and hate.

This was the brother Genya remembered from the day they promised to take care of their family.

"Genya…" The boy was snapped out of his thoughts at a sudden touch, a hand placed on his check. "I-I missed you"

Sanemi knew that one day he'd come and in all the time had ever since he learnt his brother had left, his eyes conveyed that, and promised that there was no need to explain.

That he understood his choice.

"I missed you too Aniki" The dam of emotion broke and the older Shinazugawa was tackled into a hug.

Muichiro stayed back as the two siblings reunited, his mind drifting to his own brother. (Yuichiro…you'll have to wait for me in heaven, I still have lots to do down here)

Sanemi invited them in not long after, the state looked a lot more full than the last time either were there, lots of half worked on furniture or utensils made of wood, clearly indicating what the Eldest had been doing.

"You are a carpenter now?" Muichiro asked while being led to a room with a big table in the middle, most likely for any visits.

"I got very good at making things from wood when I began killing demons since I didn't have a Nichirin blade, so I thought since I wanted to do something the rest of my life, this would be a good thing" Answered the man sitting down with them. "I would offer you tea but I ran out this morning, a couple recently married came requesting a decorative piece and they drank the last"

"It's fine, we didn't come here for tea, if you're here that's enough" Genya answered.

Then the room fell into an awkward silence, both of them clearly had things to say, but were waiting for the other so to not overlap when speaking.

Good thing Muichiro was there and wasn't about to let the stare at each other like that, softly punching Genya's arm.

It was like a sprint, Genya jumped in surprise and glared at his friend but receded, what he told him with that gesture was true, he needed to speak. "Aniki, before anything I want to apologize, that they, when we lost them all, you protected me and all I did was call you a murderer, I am so sorry"

Sanemi sighed, he had seen this one coming from a long time ago, hell, this wasn't the first time he's heard this as he had tried to apologize back on the times of Hashira training.

"Genya, I've never held that against you" it was the truth, one Sanemi had hidden as to keep him away. "I promised in the name of our family to protect you, to make sure you survived, and I did everything I could to push you away"

"I never wanted you to be a slayer, you living a peaceful life was all I wanted ,but anything was better than you being dead and the way I handled that was horrible" The explanation shook Genya, all threats to go away were shown in a distinct light. "I am really sorry too"

Their faces conveyed regret, both of them, but also a real desire to mend all problem and be brothers once more. "I'll forgive you if you forgive me?" Jokingly asked Genya.

"Of course" but it was the best deal Sanemi could have ever hoped for.

They smiled, all under the watch of the silent witness.

"Wow you've changed" Commented Muichiro as a little tease to the usually grumpy man.

"Oi, don't twist it brat, only Genya gets this privilege" He joked back.

They ended up making up after all this years, a thing Sanemi would be forever grateful.

"Sanemi, I'm home!" Suddenly the voice of a woman echoed through the house and both of the kids turned sharply to look at him.

This was something he'd forgotten to explain.


Days turned into months, months turned into years.

Families had children, the kids grew up.

And now, two years after Kibutsuji's Muzan's defeat, tragedy begins once more.

It was something that everyone knew would happen, it was a clear warning given to them the day they learnt about it, it was a risk they decided to take.

A burden they chose to bear.

And on Uzui Tengen's birthday, they were reminded of that.

"Lord Tengen!" He fell while standing up after eating, something not strange to happen, no, what worried them was how much his legs trembled, how much it took out of him to get up.

His health deteriorated rapidly through the day, strength being lost fast and blurry vision taking him completely sometimes.

While holding one of his now tree sons he had to ask Suma to carry him, his balance making him fall again.

Uzui paled at the sounds he himself was making, connecting the dots to the day it was.

The tree wives of the man too knew what that was, what it meant.

He was put on his futon, the unexpected nature of the decline had been absurd, not taking even a day to take effect.

"Girls, I really love you all and the trio of presents and joy you've given me" He coughed strongly, his lungs too were failing him. "These two years were the best a man could ever ask for…Damn I thought I'd at least get a flashy goodbye to everyone"

"Heh, take care, Hinatsuru, Makio, Suma" the women cried at the fate of their husband.

The curse of the mark had taken him, as by the end of the day, Tengen would lay in his futon to sleep forever.


The news of his death quickly reached everyone and a ceremony to pay respects was held on the shrine the women built for him.

It served as a reminded that each and every one of them was going to live that, that every one of them was cursed to die by twenty five.

The next one should have been Tomioka as the oldest one.

But still, that time was till two years away and would not stop any of them from enjoying what they deserved.


Four years had gone by now.

Mitsuri and Iguro had two children now three years old.

Tengen's kids grew up hearing stories of their father being a brave slayer.

Sanemi too had begun a family of his own with an unrelated woman to the corp.

Kanao and Tanjiro had gotten married not too long ago, the new Kamado moving to the mountain where they would now begin their family.

Zenitsu and Nezuko had plans to be wed too, moving to their own home down the mountain to give them space.

Inosuke began to live in the Water State ever since, the connection he had with Aoi was visible but the boy knew nothing of courting still.

Muichiro and Genya had been traveling all across Japan, their hearts yearning for exploration and helping people on their paths.

Rengoku was partaking as a suitor in some reunions, too trying to look for his own family before it was late, almost settling for someone but was still too early to know.

Kocho and Tomioka had continued living as they had and truly learned how to love one another in the time they were together.

They were the best years Giyuu Tomioka would have ever asked for.

And today was February eighth.

Giyuu's twenty fifth birthday.

From being in the futon with Kocho early In the morning Giyuu was cared for, the quick decline now something they were aware of.

All inhabitants of the house were careful with him, looking for any sign of unexpected weakness.

But the day passed, and he woke up just as normal as any other day.


Everyone had gotten the news of what had happened and were gotten by surprise, the supposed curse of the mark simply not happening when two years prior it had taken one of them.

They had met up to talk about it once, using it as an excuse for all of their kids to meet, but also to have that discussion.

"I don't find it weird" Sanemi said while eating, all children were already sleeping and only the adults were left. "Tomioka's mark was always different from ours"

"What do you mean?" The mentioned one stopped drinking to ask, the implications of what was being said were not one's he'd like.

"Everything just came natural to you the second you figured it out" Obanai answered for the white haired man. "you didn't even had to think to get the red blade, weren't tired by using the see through world"

"Almost like Yoriichi-san had right?" Tanjiro apported his own to the conversation, he knew better of the story, and had an idea of how long the man lived. "He did live way past the age of the curse"

"I- but I wasn't born with it" Tried again Giyuu, getting slowly agitated.

And everyone could tell why, being the one who brought the mark in, made it possible for all of them to have it, but not bear any of the consequences of it.

A selfish man would be delighted, but Giyuu wasn't one, not when all his world would fall apart.

"Now please, we still don't know, maybe he simply is more resistant" Kocho deflected, but Sanemi wasn't having it.

He put his chopstick on the table and pointed at Tomioka. "Whatever the fucking case is, you Tomioka aren't allowed to mope, we knew death would come so don't you dare do anything other than continue to live the best you can, am I understood?"

Tomioka was left speechless but he nodded, they were right, the worst way to honor the dead was getting stuck, so he would continue to move forward.

That was the most likely theory, one that was confirmed on September fifteen, when by the end of the day, Obanai Iguro died in bed with a smile, his family all around him.

No one would dare cry for any marked one, they all were aware of the choice they made to acquire it.

None of them would dare send them off without a smile for them to see last.

It was what they deserved.


Not long after it was Sanemi's turn, who unlike most others, had a family not related to their job, and thus was not entirely aware of it other than Shinazugawa's words.

That morning everything felt heavy for him, even lifting a bowl of rice had become a difficulty by lunch.

His wife was clearly distressed.

"Honey this is…" she asked in panic, the man had fallen while working on a chair, refusing to just stay still on his last day, willing to live it like normal with his family.

"I told you when we met…that I'd be dead by twenty five" His breathing could no longer be kept stable, and the ragged breaths only worried her more.

"Surely we can get a doctor to- " She was stopped by him, a hug he was giving her to comfort the agitation.

"There is nothing to do, I'm sorry I have to leave this early"

By the end of the day he too had died, but unlike Obanai's warm goodbye, his family weeping strongly was the last sight he'd ever see.


Rengoku followed suit, he did end up getting married and the thoughts of having kids had once crossed him, but unlike the others he didn't desire to leave them behind, to just die before they were conscious enough to remember him.

His wife agreed with him on that regard, as he ended up with someone with morals rather similar to his own, and loving in the time he had.

"Maybe in another life" He muttered to himself, Rengoku would have loved to have continued the lineage of his family.

But cowered at the thought of not being there for them, a sentiment gained from his own father.

He died on the garden of his home, sitting beside his love who offered him the best she could in the little time they had.


They continued to die one by one, time flowing like a river that couldn't be stopped.

Kanroji died writing a note, asking Giyuu to take care of her children, now knowing he would not be gone so soon like the rest of them.

There were also many written letters to all of the people she knew, thanking them for being in her life, and spreading goodness even in death.

Many letters were also made for those gone, sitting now on their graves, unopened.

A year later after her, Kocho too would take her final breath, in one final day where she didn't work, just enjoyed the time she had with the one's she loved.

"Giyuu, I am really happy" much like during their first night together, they were sitting in front of the pond. "I have enjoyed this seven years of my life more than anything"

Behind them were the kids, all of them basically teens watching the person who's taken care of them say her final words.

Mitsuri's kids didn't need to be here to see this.

"Take care of everyone for me" She told him, gently placing her head on his chest. "I am so glad I survived, and so glad I loved you"

One last breath was all she had in her, and she died right there, one of her best smiles in her face.

Giyuu would ensure to honor her request, while he comforted the now crying girls, as his love left this world.


The two remaining marked ones also died at their own respective times.

Giyuu continued living for many more, until his age finally was what killed him at eighty one.

Even so, Tomioka Giyuu could say that he lived, and even with being left behind in this earth, he would forever be grateful for the change that allowed him the years of happiness.

—END—