Order.
Whether it's the pull of the sun commanding the planets to revolve around it's brilliance.
Or as simple as a pile of clothes needing folding. Iguro needed order.
He needed that predictability. Couldnt function without it.
If you dedicate yourself to practicing your sword swings, you will be a swordsman. Practice diligently every day, without fail, and you will become a skilled swordsman.
Such rules were simple and easy to follow. Work hard, stay disciplined, keep your nose to the grindstone and you have everything you want. It was incomprehensible why others found it so challenging to stick to their schedules.
He scowls waving dust from his face from the demon he decapitated seconds prior. But his disgust wasn't with the demon or the floating scent of sulfur penetrating his nostrils. It was with the slayers who'd been assigned to him.
He despises working in teams.
Partnerships, sure.
But teams were a no-go.
On top of harboring great disdain for the stupidity and irresponsibility demonstrated by newer slayers. He also resented being the brightest mind in any gathering, feeling trapped beneath an invisible ceiling that hindered his personal development, as there were few remaining individuals capable of teaching him anything new.
He also hated smalltalk. Such frivolities were more distraction from his routine than stimulating.
"Are you ok?" The female slayer's voice pulls him from his insidious thoughts as She drops to her knees to check on the reckless male Obanai just saved. He still sat mouth gaping, flat on his ass in disbelief after almost losing his neck.
Iguro takes a deep breath and thrusts a finger at the male's face. "why did you charge, idiot?"
Both the male and female whose names he's already forgotten out of disrespect look at him with trepidation in their eyes. The female almost answered but the male beat her to it. "I thought it's guard was dow-"
"It wanted you to think that so you'd charge, imbecile!"He rebuked seething. "What's your rank? Kanoto? You should know these things by now! When I say stand down that means stand down!" The young slayer hung his head low, "s-sorry s-sir won't happen again!" He stutters.
"Oh, I highly doubt you'll be so lucky next time if it did!" He points to the female "And you! What's your rank?"
"Ah, uhm k-kanoe-"
If he weren't wearing his bandages, Iguro's mouth would've dropped to the floor. He couldn't help but blink rapidly in disbelief. "How the fuck did you even pass final selection!?" he asked bewildered "You're weaker than him!" He jabs a finger back at the male with his head still hanging. "You were absent the entire fight! What were you doing? Taking a stroll?! Is watching him charge recklessly to his death comforting to you?"
"N-no! I-I-I-I'm sorry, Mr Iguro!" she stands at attention, clicking her heels in a clumsy salute. He stares at her like she too was the dumbest human being he's ever met
"Kill yourself." He says viciously and abruptly turns his face away. If he glared any longer he was worried it might get stuck.
Too weak. They're all too weak!
Coward and Cannon fodder would be more befitting names for them—for most slayers these days, if he's being completely honest. At this rate, he'll be run ragged trying to keep these young buds alive. Everyone was either a sniveling coward or brash idiot. They don't provide any assistance whatsoever, they're all dead weight, either charging headfirst to their death or simply leaving others to die...
Why is that everywhere he looks people are slacking all the time? Lost in the clouds? Weak in their convictions yet strong in their boasts?
It pisses him off so much; Lollygagging in their training and then wondering why their comrades die in battle because they were too distracted to take anything seriously.
"Message! Message!" A Kasugai crow rudely interjects. Iguro grimaced at the obnoxious bird but when he saw the letter it carried— more importantly — who the letter was from, he couldn't snatch the scroll faster if he tried. He tells the other two to stay put, while he hopped to a tree branch to read.
Iguro bites his lip in anticipation, he was so excited. It was from the Master saying to return to headquarters. Which could only mean one thing, he was getting promoted to a hashira! He killed his 50th demon some time ago and tonight he further solidified his status by eliminating a lower moon.
Of course, they sent a team with him to guarantee victory, but those two behind didn't matter at all.
Gotta head back then.
He looks up at the moon overhead. Still had several hours before dawn. But just in case...
"All right slackers" he hops from his perch to the ground, rolling the scroll back in place. "We have orders to return back. Double time". If they run into demons along the way slowly them down he'd be pissed. Better to be on time than sorry.
Behind him, a cacophony of gasps, moans, and groans filled the air.
"Is that complaining I hear? I did all the work for this mission you should have more than enough energy to make it back!" He scolded promptly shutting their holes after he put the fear of God back in them.
They readily complied after that.
Upon returning he dumps Tweedledee and Tweedledum at Shinobu's with a warning to change their faces because if he ever sees them again he'll kill them. Then he heads for the main manor where he runs into 3 of his comrades— his brothers he would even say.
Shinazugawa stood statuesque, leaning a foot on a tree trunk, arms crossed congratulating him casually.
Tengen bends down at the hips to look iguro in the eye. He didn't do it to be patronizing, more empathetic than anything given his massive build. "Niiiice. I hear the Master's having a promotion ceremony tomorrow for you." the sound ninja chides.
"A dual promotion." Rengoku corrects holding up two fingers triumphantly.
"Dual promotion?" This was the first Iguro has heard. Not that it was a competition. He was happy to hear there were competent fighters; the more skilled individuals, the better. However, he couldn't help but wonder if he had been slacking or if this person was simply an extraordinarily fast learner. Granted he'd been slaying demons non-stop for months now and he wasnt one for gossip. Nor was he someone people LIKED talking to even if he were a gossiper. So he could understand if people withheld the newsout of fear. He really should work on his people skills more as the Master has stated time and time again.
"My tsuguko. Kanroji!" Rengoku says pointing to himself.
Ah, makes sense. Flame and water pillars always made hashira, such rules dated back centuries in the demon slayer's corps accords. So if this slayer was trained by rengoku and could actually keep up, it was destiny they'd make hashira. Iguro wasnt so entrenched in his views that he couldnt recognize the skills of his eccentric partners.
But one thing still needed clarification. "Your father let you train an apprentice, Kyojuro?"
"Nope! Not at all!" Kyojuro laughs loudly at a joke where nobody understood the punchline. Iguro forgot Kyojuro was like this been forever since they lived together, but if he were being honest he kinda preferred his younger brother Senjuro for his calm, collected personality. But he doesn't voice this.
"but I assure you, Kanroji has earned it." Now obanai was curious.
"Who is Kanroji? He must be good if he made the hashira rank this quickly." No telling what kind of strength this person wielded. As long as this Kanroji wasn't a pathetic, self-deprecating moron like Tomioka who always made excuses, he figured he could tolerate him, even if he did have a similar personality to Kyojuro.
Tengen chuckles. "the name's MITSURI Kanroji. Shes a girl, Obanai!" He leans on Rengoku's shoulder playfully with a sleezy grin on his face.
"A girl?" He scowled. The first image that came to mind was another smarmy, sarcastic, smart-ass like Kocho.
"Don't be fooled. She's incredibly strong! Stronger than me at times!" Kyojuro added.
"Strong too?" A new image emerged in his mind: a colossal woman, resembling an ox in both appearance and scent, bellowing in a thunderous voice as powerful as Kyojuro's. His face turned green at the thought.
"She's a babe, though. You really ought to marry that one, Rengoku. It's why she's here afterall!" Tengen elbowed him fondly. "Looking for a strong man to marry— Who fits that description better than you?" Even sanemi rolls his eyes hard at that as Obanai's turned red with rage.
This wouldn't do.
"This isn't a damn matchmaking house," he points judgementally at the sound pillar.
"Geez what's got you in a bad mood? Did you forget you were getting promoted tomorrow? Lighten up!" Tengen half whines smacking Iguro's pointed finger only for Kaburamaru to hiss at him. Tengen responds childishly by hissing back at the snake and telling it to 'shaddap' as well.
Iguro wished tengen never said that.
Seems he will be avoiding this Kanroji afterall if her reasons are that shallow. Just like that stupid kanoe female from before, now he has little doubt how this girl got promoted. Very few females were exemplary in the demon slayers, most were cowardly sirens. Once they realize they were outclassed they'd seduce some bumbling male to fight on their behalf while they cowered until the aftermath.
They thought by joining the demon slayers that they can procure strong men to use as their meat shields and swords to fight for them not even realizing if they fall in the process it burdens the rest with more labor. This appeasement strategy fills his blood with rage, why find a sucker to lie to than increase their own strengths? He takes back what he thought about Shinobu, she was many things, but incompetent was not one of them.
As he looked at tengen's sleezy grin a memory began to fester in his mind…
…a memory much like black scum, no matter You scrub it always came back…
...Again... and again...
'Obanai please won't you eat more? You need eat so you can get big and strong-'
He vigorously shakes his head, trying to dispel the evil seeping into his thoughts. "Why are people so selfish?" he mutters. He couldn't help it. Obanai struggled to view women as anything other than risks or imminent disasters. To him they were all devious disgusting creatures always aiming to manipulate in order to save themselves. So he leaves the others to go find the master.
He was rounding a corner to the master's zen garden when Kaburamaru nudged his right side. It was their thing since his vision was so poor on that side, he had to turn his full head to see.
First thing he noticed was the hair… long and ombre in color, braided down passed her waist. She stood in awe before the towering sakura tree in the master's garden, as if wondering how such a magnificent tree came to be.
Iguro was more curious how her hair stood more vibrant than the petals themselves. Like Kyojuro's it shined a bold and unnatural hue but was breathtakingly beautiful when juxtaposed with the tree as a backdrop. But it was when she turned around and saw him that his world changed forever.
"Oh, uhm excuse me!" she waved a hand in the air. "I'm lost. Could you help me find Master Ubuyashiki?"
"Uhh…" his eyes gravitated to her uniform. Why is she dressed like that? Was it by design or is it too small for her? "...you are?" he asks instead keeping the thoughts in his head. Gotta remember she's a siren. Probably a way to lower defenses.
She gasped. "I'm so sorry. I'm Mitsuri Kanroji. Nice to meet you!" she bowed, "You must be Mr Iguro, right? Rengoku has told me so much about you! You're exactly as he described!" for a siren she sure was smiling brightly— too brightly, it was like staring at the sun. Obanai knew a fake smile, Shinobu wore one all the time, so did other females in his life...
'Obanai you're still too small, please won't you eat-'
He pinches his nose bridge roughly. "Fuck off." He mutters under his breath.
He refused to let Mother cloud his judgement right now. Refused!
Seeing his frustration, Kanroji misinterpreted it as being about her and hastily apologized. "I'm so sorry. You must be in a hurry right? Just tell me where he is and I'll be out of your hair."
Obanai looks up.
There it is again.
Her voice, soft and enchanting, had a mesmerizing quality that made you never want to stop listening, reminiscent of Kyojuro's true and uplifting presence, but without the bass. Even after he pointed her in the right direction she offered to walk and talk as if she'd known him years. Usually, he would have found someone else's chattiness off-putting. But when Kanroji spoke, unlike the voices in his head, there wasn't a hint of doublespeak, malice or seduction in her tone.
Could he be wrong about his perception about her?
As they walked, their gazes fell to the ground, momentarily distracted by the jarring sound of metal clanging. "Oh no!" she gripes when the hilt of her sword had fallen close to his feet.
What is this? The hilt fell, but the rest of her weapon remained sheathed, folded over many times inside.
Obanai had never seen a sword like it. It was long. Looked like a metallic whip… or maybe a silver snake. Recognizing its heaviness, he made an effort to lift it, resulting in a momentary brush of hands when she moved to do the same.
Heat crept up on in his face and He recoiled quickly, realizing his folly. But she grabs his hand and clasps it in her own, making his breath hitch. "oh, thanks you're so kind but this sword is very heavy and dangerous if not handled properly so please be careful." she says. Despite them both being hashira she still put his safety above her own.
His heart thumped weirdly in his chest. It was a most unusual sensation. Iguro had the anatomy of a Ghost. Pale, cool, even clammy, so why was he blazing hot right now? He rarely felt hot like this. He was expecting her to sit there and have him pick it up! Not take his safety into consideration. Was he wrong about her? Exceptions weren't rules, he knew this, but she must be an exception amongst exceptions.
Is this what the master meant when he lectured him about being too narrow-minded?
She puts a hand under her chin. "I'm thinking it's the weight of the hilt that keeps making it fall. I'm considering changing it to four small hearts instead of one big one. That way the hearts form a shamrock. What do you think Iguro?"
"Uhh…eh…" he had no idea what she was talking about, and for some reason his brain wasnt processing as quickly as it normally would. The current hilt was shaped like a massive heart and served fine as a hand guard, he thought…so he asked the only logical thing he could. "Why a shamrock?"
She giggles. "Because of this!" she digs into her breast pocket and pulls a brightly colored flora. When he bends to inspect it, she answers his unasked question jubilantly, "It's a pink shamrock! Isn't it amazing!?" She giggles fondly like a child with a new toy, "A beautiful woman gave it to me and told me if I kept it that all my dreams would come true." she clapped her hands excited as if it were the greatest story ever told.
He nodded dumbly. Well, if she believed it who is to say it wasn't? She was already hashira.
"So far it's luck hasn't let me down yet. So I'm thinking of honoring her by changing my hand guard to match. Master said I was the love hashira afterall." she puts the flower away and pats him affectionately on both shoulders. "Let's do our best as equals! I'm sure the journey has been difficult for you."
For a painfully long amount of time he stood stiff as a board saying nothing at all.
What the hell is wrong with me? He chastized inwardly forcing the words out. "y-yeah…" he heard his voice sputter. 'And you too' is what he wanted to say but for some reason he said that instead.
She lets go of his shoulders about to say something else when suddenly the wind picks up her skirt blows up in the back. She slaps her hands to her butt quickly but some passing kakushi saw. Male kakushi. And of course one of the pair just had to comment.
"Hey, Kanroji! Does the uniform fit? We can put an order for you." He, that is, the kakushi wasn't being mean… he doesn't think… but Iguro was hardly a people person. And judging by Kanroji's face she clearly couldn'tt tell the difference either because she was close to tears with embarrassment.
Count to three. Count to three... he kept telling himself...
The master told him not to jump to conclusions and to try and empathize more with others. And he admits with Kanroji he fucked up. He shouldve given her more benefit, but these kakushi on the other hand…
"Hey bastards!"
… fuck'em...
"Is that how you address a hashira!? Do I have to come over there and teach you how to show some respect?!" They jumped to attention. "N-no Mr Iguro we're very sorry! Kanroji-"
"-Ms Kanroji!"
"M-M-Ms Kanroji we're very sorry if you need a tailor we will fetch one for you." he looks to her asking what she wanted to do.
"uh...n-n-no it's ok. I know they put a lot of work into making this for me. I couldn't ask them to change it. Plus, I think it's cute! Really! I'll keep it!" She raises her hands in two fingers as if ordering at a restaurant, "In fact have them send me several more!"
Hm...? She thinks it's cute?
Iguro couldn't help but stare at her again.
Still no malice. Seems she really does like the uniform. Which means it's everybody else's stupid comments that made her feel bad. He looked her up and down, settling briefly on her chest.Yeah, nothing he could do for her there... but her skirt perhaps? Maybe her legs?
His eyes drifted to her hands rubbing her knees. Nervous? Or is she cold? He places a hand under his chin in contemplation. Maybe tights? Or stockings? He combed through his mind. He had seen many while collecting souvenirs, maybe pink to match her hair? She seems like the type of girl who likes pink, right?
While he mulled over it the kakushi sped off. After they dissappeared from his sight, she bowed and thanked him profusely.
"You don't have to thank me. They should know the rules. Next time remind them if they talk back, you've earned that right."
Without warning, her eyes turn wet, and he panicked for a second thinking he made her cry somehow. "Ohhh! Mr. Iguro! Thank you!" She embraces him tightly, squeezing the air from his lungs causing him to struggle for breath and stutter uncontrollably.
Damn she's strong! Kyojuro wasn't wrong about that! It feels like one of his embraces from childhood.Eventually, she lets go of him, eyes shimmering a magical emerald spell as she continues to enchant him. His mouth drops open, completely mesmerized. "...Green…"
"what's that Mr iguro?"
"...Iguro is fine." He replies as if in a daze.
She laughs, "ok." she was insanely kind to defied everything he understood. He thought he'd hate her! But now he thinks they could get along very well as comrades... possibly even friends...
They spent the next 10 minutes talking—Well she did, he mostly listened since he had nothing to add to the conversation. He managed to figure out everything there was to know about her. Her family, her dads name her moms name all of her little brothers and sisters that she was the eldest of 5, her cat's name and features. Where they lived. What their lives were like. Her favorite food: Sakura Mochi…
In just a few minutes, he somehow knew all the details about a cat he's never seen, family members he's never met and about 50 types of dishes he's never eaten nor cared about before today. Seeing her excitement made him wonder if he was missing out.
But the most telling thing to Obanai was how in all her ranting she never once complained, not once. She never mentioned vengeance, trauma, sadness or hate for her juniors (like he did).All she cared about were the positive little things in life. The little things people like him took for granted. How can someone like her witness so much carnage and still stay so pure? He'll never know. He didn't. None of the other hashira did. They were all completely jaded, with maybe the exception of Kyojuro and even he had a strained relationship with his father at home and a dearly departed mother that weighed on him from time to time. But Mitsuri showed interest in him. She was the only one in the world who was like this. He was overwhelmed by her— in a good way.
She asked questions about what he liked to do and his favorite spots but of course this is where things got embarrassing.
He couldn't get the words out. He blustered and bumbled clumsily, defaulting to his mission not only because it was fresh in his mind but also because that's how these conversations usually went for him. But of course this never answered her question.
So she giggled at him and then reiterated asking him what HE liked. And again he stared drooling like baby having a hellova time responding.
But no matter how badly he crashed and burned or how blunt he spoke, she never laughed at him. Sure she laughed with him, beside him even, but never at him. Never was afraid of his reputation, either. Didn't adjust the way she spoke. Didn't lie. Didn't scold him for his opinions. She just let him be.
She let him be.
She was… just so fucking attractive. He couldn't figure out at all what made him so attracted. The connection was almost cosmic. She had the radiance of the sun and the diligence of the moon. It was as if the universe had condensed all of its beauty, charm and wonder into one beautiful person. It's not something that can be described with words. She didn't fit in with any of the preset rules he's understood about slayers, women or even people!
"Do you want to eat with me and rengoku today?" He whirled his head around.
Eat? Today? He had to think. What was his schedule for today? He looked to the corners of his eyes but then the impossible happened… he couldnt remember! He couldn't remember his meticulously crafted schedule, and hopelessly routine schedule. He knew he hated eating, but could he maybe make an exception if it allowed them to keep talking like this?
He stood frozen stiff as Kanroji waited patiently— which it made him stiffen more!
Finally, Kaburamaru who had been taciturn the entire time, sunk his teeth deep into his forearm with a force that made him wince in pain but provided him with the distraction he desperately sought.
"Aww Cu~ute!" she tickled his snakes neck adding snake charmer to his rapidly growing list of things he loved about her. Kaburamaru normally hated people touching him, especially women, they were alike in that regard. Growing up, Iguro observed how most women despised snakes, which only further cemented his own dislike for women.
"Hey, I know!" She stands up facing the garden and runs over to one of the master's trees and pulls her sword out. "I'm sure master won't even notice." in an incredibly limber and acrobatic display her sword severs the vines of some Carolina Jessamine flowers from a distance of at least 10 ft. She takes the flowers and fashions them into a bracelet. Well... he thought it was a bracelet until she placed it over Kaburamaru's neck. "Now you two match!" He and his partner exchange quizzical glances. "I mean he matches your eyes now, Iguro!"
Oh, now he gets it. She used his snake like a blank canvas showcasing the green and amber colors of the flowers.
Fuck now his heart was beating painfully in his chest. "I-I dont have anything to give you."
She tilts her head. "You don't need to give me anything. Consider it a gift." His chest only constricted mroe and a ringing began to set in his ears as he realized he may pass out if he doesnt calm down.
When someone does a kind thing for you, it is expected that you reciprocate that kindness, as per the rules of logic. But these emotions were beyond words. Beyond logic.
It made him queasy and uncomfortable… But also full and ...wonderful.
Maybe I'm falling in love.
He'd read about it. Understood what it was in concept at least. Understood the precursors described by generations of folks who existed long before him who had experienced it. But had never known the feeling himself until today. When she bid him farewell, waving goodbye, he stood there in silence, his hand suspended in the air long after she'd left, and realized logic had failed him again.
Perhaps I already have.
Kanroji may have even forgotten about this entire exchange but for the rest of his life he'd cherish it. It took him months to find the perfect pair of stockings that matched the beauty of her eyes. He had to have them taylor-made. The seamstress told him he'd have to place the order ahead of time if he needed new pair. Shouldn't be an issue, more reasons to talk with Kanroji, right?