just like a blue gem shining

By: Aviantei

Part Eleven:

"Echoes in Familiar Places"

Something about seeing Shimizu in the halls of the Thunder Estate is the most surreal thing Zenitsu's ever experienced in his life (lives? Still not sure of the semantics on that one), which it shouldn't be. Seeing Sensei and Kaigaku and Saori-san all there again was all strange enough, but at least they'd been there before. Shimizu, on the other hand, never got the opportunity to stay, though her ghost more than lingered in the halls.

But she's not a ghost now; she's flesh and blood and looking at the place in wonder, as if she, too, needs a moment to believe that she's there.

Zenitsu likes to think the Thunder Estate is a nice place, even if it's not the exact same as the one he grew old in. As time passed, technology advanced, and he and Rairi put in a few renovations to make life easier, like running water and electricity. The structure of the house stayed the same, Zenitsu's found himself stumbling into the wrong part of the house on occasion or reaching for a light switch that just isn't there.

(He's always reaching for his wedding band in a panic, the sensation of the ring missing on his finger, and he has to remind himself that he didn't lose it; it just doesn't exist yet.)

But renovations or not, the Thunder Estate is home, and that's something that's not going to change, no matter what timeline they're in, and Zenitsu feels a piece of tension slip out of his shoulders that he didn't realize he was carrying. "Jī-chan, we're back!" he shouts into the halls, knowing he'll get a rap of the cane for his rudeness later but not quite caring.

"Welcome home, Agatsuma-sama." They come across Saori first, all straight back and elder beauty. The woman keeps her silver hair pinned back and a frock apron on over her intricate green and floral kimono, a piece of clothing she'll pass down to Kimiko-san whenever the time comes. Her expression is sharp, but her sound isn't unkind. Though Saori-san got to have a peaceful death before, a life lived with no regrets, it's still nice to have her around again, if for no other reason than she and Jī-chan are such good friends, and he enjoys her company. "I assume this is the guest that you wrote about bringing with you?"

"Yes, this is Urokodaki Shimizu-chan. She also passed Final Selection." There's a lot more to it than that, but considering that Saori works for a Cultivator, it's still good information to have. Shimizu, sounding nervous but still polite, dips into a bow and gives a customary greeting. "I don't know if Jī-chan gave an answer yet, but me and Rairi were hoping to give her a room here so she has a place to stay between missions."

"He did mention as much. He seemed glad to have someone else to stay here, since all of you left at once." Underneath all his rough exterior and harsh training, Jī-chan is just a softie, after all! "He was curious about your name, though. Are you a relation of Urokodaki Sakonji-sama?"

Shimizu's heartrate picks up closer to panic, and it takes Zenitsu a moment to figure out why. Right, the original Urokodaki-san, the former Water Hashira. Zenitsu met him a few times in the past round as Tanjirō's Cultivator, the man acting as a guardian figure to the Kamado siblings in the same way that Jī-chan was for him, Rairi, and Kaigaku. In the last time, Shimizu was also trained by him, which was where she picked up his name as her own. Zenitsu's just been kind of using it out of habit, but that doesn't quite work out in the second timeline where Shimizu skipped Cultivation in favor of saving the Kamado family and recruiting Tamayo to her cause.

So, yeah, some panic is understandable, and being under Saori's sharp gaze isn't helping anything. Zenitsu's about to make up something on the spot to help, but Shimizu pulls herself together enough to shake her head. "This name was given to me by someone," she says. "I don't have anyone I share a blood relation to." Not in this world, the one so far away from her original one.

Zenitsu's struck by the fact that, while he learned so much about that world from Rairi, learned so much about their life, he knows very little about what Shimizu was like before she ended up in Taishō Japan.

Whether or not Saori notices that something is off about the two's reactions, she's a professional, so it doesn't show on her expression. Hell, there isn't even the sound of suspicion coming off of her, so Zenitsu might just be worrying about nothing, but that's kind of his whole thing, now isn't it? "It wouldn't be the first time in my life that I've encountered such a strange coincidence," Saori says, taking the situation in stride. "In any event, we shouldn't be having such conversations in the hallway. Agatsuma-sama, Jigorō wanted to see you whenever you returned. He should be taking tea in the sitting room. Urokodaki-sama, allow me to show you the room where you'll be staying."

Zenitsu glances to Shimizu. "You alright with that?" What he means: Are you alright being alone?

Shimizu smiles, all bright and beautiful. She was shaken, but no more than that. "It's not a problem. Try and put in a good word for me with Kuwajima-san, alright?"

And so Shimizu settles into the Thunder Estate while Zenitsu receives a strong congratulations from Jī-chan, and the world feels a bit like it's going to be okay.

There's something strange about being back at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters instead of Ubuyashiki Manor. Just the name is enough to make a difference, to change the atmosphere. The scent of wisteria trees never faded from the air, even after part of the building was blown up and rebuilt in the aftermath. The place became a home, one that Rairi frequented to visit Kiriya, along with many others.

Now, the atmosphere is different, a note of tension underneath it all. The Corps is once again waging a war against demonkind and Kibutsuji Muzan. Every action taken by Oyakata-sama is to accomplish that aim. It is a centuries-long blood feud that needs to reach its conclusion, and Rairi is all for it, but to see a place that was once so full of life and joy reverted back to this…it's a little bit sad.

And it's also nerve-wracking, because Rairi's right in front of Oyakata-sama all over again, and they just know they're going to make a mess of everything.

Escorted by Hinaki and Nichika, Oyakata-sama stands on the edge of the porch. His eyes are still sightless, but there is far less scar-tissue across his face than whenever Rairi first saw him last time. There is just so much of the person Kiriya will grow up to be in his face that Rairi almost doesn't know what to do with themself. Seeing the two of the quintuplets who didn't survive neither Canon nor Rairi's own timeline isn't helping matters. They're pretty sure it's just Oyakata-sama's natural calming tendencies that are keeping them stable.

Having Kaigaku sitting right beside them is helping, too. They're not about to discount that, either.

"It's a pleasure to meet you in person, Rairi, Kaigaku," Oyakata-sama says, his voice as relaxing as ever. There is a serenity to him, but something about it almost feels sterile, unnerving. Perhaps because Rairi knows the precise lengths the man will go to if it means killing Kibutsuji Muzan. Perhaps it's because Kiriya inherited that serenity, but there was always something much kinder to theirs in comparison. Either way, nitpicking isn't going to help Rairi make it through the conversation in one social piece. "I've been very interested to have a long conversation with the one who has sent me so many impassioned proposals on how to improve the Demon Slayer Corps."

"It's an honor," Rairi says, remembering their manners. Every fucking day they're more and more grateful that their isekai hours didn't just give them Japanese fluency, but also enough understanding of all the different speech pattern hoops you have to go through to show respect, because that was just asking for disaster otherwise. "I'm grateful that you considered the ideas to have enough merit to implement so soon." Sweeping change in such a long-established organization is difficult, so Rairi can give credit where credit is due.

Though I still think it's fucking wild that no one ever mentioned how fucked up this was before, like how?

"I implemented your ideas because I find that they have merit. As someone who has never had the constitution for Total Concentration and swordplay in any form, there are many things I do not understand about what it's like to be a Demon Slayer. I have taken on the duty of remembering the names of the fallen, but that does not mean I should act as if it is alright to allow my children to die in the first place. If there is a possibility these approaches can lower the chances of that happening, then I will take it."

"The rearrangement of Final Selection seemed fine to me so far. While I don't have a baseline for it, I would suggest seeing what sort of skills are the weakest amongst test-takers, too. If there are any common threads, then you could also suggest that Cultivators update their training methods as well." Rairi doesn't know how likely that's going to be, since they have the feeling that Cultivators are a bunch of prideful weirdos who won't like getting told how to do their job, but that's neither here nor there. "As for the mentorship program, at the small scale you're hosting the trial run, it will be difficult to see results right away, but I promise you these ideas have merit." They worked out well last time, after all, and Rairi's confident they'll make even more of an impact since they have a shit ton more time to be put out there. "Even having a few Mizunoto learn about Total Concentration: Constant will allow them to spread the word to others."

"And that's a skill you believe is essential to the growth of the Demon Slayer Corps, as you have written." Oh, Rairi has a whole tirade about that one stacked up in them—increased combat prowess is one thing, but the ability to speed healing is an even greater game changer when it comes to saving lives, and, no, why the fuck has no one thought that was a critical skill to teach people for centuries?—but Oyakata-sama's already implemented it, so ranting isn't going to do much but make them feel better. Rairi can bitch to Kaigaku later. "As said, I am willing to see these changes through, and I am also open to hearing more of your ideas. While there's no guarantee we will be able to implement all of them. That all being said, part of why I called you here today is because I had a proposal for you in return."

"I can't guarantee I'll say yes, but I can hear you out."

Oyakata-sama's peaceful smile doesn't falter. "Rairi, are you interested in becoming a Tsuguko?"

Well, if that just didn't shoot up to the top of my list of Last Things I Expected to Get Asked Today! The concept shouldn't be as outlandish as it seems, considering that Rairi's already one of Sensei's successors, but there's something about being taken under the wing of an active Hashira that somehow makes a big difference. "Is there someone that wants to take me as a Tsuguko?"

"Perhaps." Oh, he's going the ambiguous route; that's good for Rairi's heart. They got dumped back into the body of their teenager self, so they don't have their heart condition anymore, but you wouldn't fucking know it from the way it seems that the organ is on the verge of stopping every couple of weeks! "I am bringing it up because it seems that you're insistent on the idea of continuing to make change. I have implemented some of your ideas because I see their merit. However, there are some who consider these ideas to be a waste, even with my endorsement. Becoming a Tsuguko would grant you some sway in continuing to improve the Demon Slayer Corps, should that be your intent."

It is Rairi's intent, no fucking way around it. Sometimes, they can't help but regret that they were dumped into Kimetsu so close to the start of Canon, because they have such a short timeline to make changes in. And while of course their goal for the endgame is making it to the finale with all of their loved ones still around, that doesn't mean they're about to sacrifice all the other rank and file Demon Slayer Corps members to do it.

But.

Rairi looks to Kaigaku. Becoming a Tsuguko—that's the sort of offer he would've jumped at last time. Something about turning it down right in front of him seems just a bit unfair, and it doesn't help that Rairi's not sure if they should accept it or not. Being in an influential position could work wonders, after all.

Kaigaku looks back, then flicks his turquoise gaze towards Oyakata-sama. "A question," he says, and the formal language still sounds strange in his mouth compared to his usual speech. "Is becoming a Tsuguko just an offer for Rairi-senpai alone?"

"Ah, Kaigaku, yes?" Kaigaku hums his acknowledgement with a nod. "If I recall, Jigorō has a class of three students at the moment, and all of you have passed Final Selection. I believe I could make the recommendation a success with minimal ripples for Rairi, but I am doubtful I could do the same for all three of you—at least not to get all of you in the same place."

Rairi's heart does that unfair little backflip of affection. Kaigaku's not asking for his own opportunity to climb up the ladder, but instead for the chance to stay together. While Rairi supposes it's not necessary for them all to be in the same place at the same time to make things work out, it is, still, something that will make coordinating easier. Getting separated right out of the gate… It leaves Rairi with much more anxiety than they thought they'd experience.

It also helps Rairi make up their mind. "I appreciate the offer," they say, "but I am not interested in becoming a Tsuguko." Oyakata-sama does not object, which is impressive considering how ridiculous of a decision Rairi's making. Yes, becoming a Tsuguko is one of the best political moves they could make—assuming that they let the Corps structure stay the same going forward. "While I understand it's an excellent opportunity, I believe it will be much more efficient for us to become Hashira on our own."

"'Us'?" Oyakata-sama asks, sounding intrigued.

"Yes, us." If they're going to defeat Kibutsuji (and all the more so without Tanjirō being involved), then reaching the level of a Hashira is more than necessary. "Oyakata-sama, as I'm sure you've noticed from my proposals, I consider the current focus of the Demon Slayer Corps on individual effort as flawed. I know part of that has come from dwindling numbers, but the changes to Final Selection and the mentorship program should help with that. However, that's still not enough to bring out the full power of the Demon Slayer Corps by a long shot."

The battle against Kibutsuji Muzan was not won by any individual effort, but instead by those of a group. The same could be said of all the battles against the Twelve Kizuki Rairi knows about as well. In comparison to demons, a single human may be fragile and weak, that's for sure. But by combining their strength together… "I'd like permission to form a small team of Slayers and to prove that that is a much more effective approach to defeating demons, period."

"So you'd skip your own mentorship system?" The question is just that: a question, not an accusation. Or maybe they just can't tell the difference. Well, fuck it, isn't this just what they've always done?

"My intention with the mentorship system was to ensure that all Corps members can learn Total Concentration: Constant, as well as increase their chances for survival. While it might sound arrogant to say so, I already have those skills. Giving me to a mentor whenever someone else needs that training more is a waste with your limited implementation of the system." While the starts of it are there, that doesn't mean there's anywhere close to enough mentors to cover all the new Slayers, let alone the already existing Mizunoto and such who had joined before Rairi sent out their proposal. "The same goes for my fellow apprentices, as well as Urokodaki Shimizu." If they're being technical, they're still learning to make Total Concentration: Constant, well, constant, but they all know the theory well enough to teach themselves. "I am much more interested in taking decisive steps to defeat Kibutsuji Muzan and the Twelve Kizuki."

"I would say that's a goal that the Demon Slayer Corps as a whole shares."

"No," Rairi says, and all three Ubuyashiki family members look stunned. To their side, Kaigaku just looks smug, and that's kind of all the support that Rairi needs to plow forward. "Right now, the Demon Slayer Corps is managing the situation. Our numbers and skill level are low, and it takes almost everything we have to keep the common people safe. We find Lower Moons on occasion, but there has not been the death of an Upper Moon in centuries, nor has there been any headway in locating them. Aside from the recent death of the previous Flower Hashira, no one has even reported a sighting of them. None of this is making any decisive headway in defeating Kibutsuji. However, we are going to change that, and we'll start by hunting down several Lower Moons to show that we're ready to serve as Hashira. After that, we'll begin to lead assaults on the Upper Moons to drive Kibutsuji into a corner."

By some fucking miracle, Oyakata-sama hasn't kicked them out yet. Good thing there's not a Hashira present, otherwise Rairi's convinced their head would already be flying. Instead, he regards them with interest. "And you believe you're all capable of locating the Kizuki whenever the Corps has not been able to do so?"

"Of course I do." It's game time, Rairi. Don't fucking back down. "We'll be able to locate the Upper Moons—

"—because all of us have knowledge from the future."

[Author's Notes]

Alright, let's go! The OG walk steady took a while to getting to the Canon Knowledge Drop, so i wanted to just have Rairi charge into the fire. Half the fun about writing alternate timelines for me is getting things into vastly different scenarios, and what more fun way to do that than to set the bomb off before we even get to the main Canon timeline!

Thanks to ToonyTwilight for the most recent comment! I love to see it, so thanks to all of you who keep reading and enjoying the story!

I'm looking forward to seeing the reactions on these events. I'm not about to rush too headlong into things, but we're getting close to getting into the real stuff, so I'm curious everyone's predictions now that you know what Rairi has cooking.

Next Time, Part Twelve, which will go live at some time in December! Please look forward to it!

-Avi

[9 November 2024]