The Crimes Of The Keller Family
Hello everyone and welcome to the latest chapter of Winds, Waves, And Chains! The time has come for the Keller family to meet the best of the best within the Demon Slayer Corps, and they are not looking happy right now. But what might make some of you folks happy is a new Pat reon exclusive titled: 'My New Host Is Kinda Cute'. It's a little crossover asking the question of what would happen if Princess Ariel from Mushoku Tensei was granted the power of Highschool DxD's Incinerate Anthem! If you like those two franchises, this might be right up your alley. Last thing, to my guest reviewer, it won't be this chapter but I imagine it'll be soon enough. Now with all that out of the way, on to the story!
Flashback: Mt. Natagumo
"So you really travel around like this," Gimiko looked at the box both Jonathan and Susamaru usually rode in with a bit of skepticism.
"It's not as bad as it seems," the Temari Demon shrugged, "you just learn to stay half asleep for the ride until something starts happening. And it's not like you can complain, you're getting a ride all to yourself." As if on cue, one of the assistants in a slayer uniform with a black hood covering their face and head came over with a wrapped basket and set it on the ground. If Gimiko had heard correctly, these people were known as 'Kakushi'.
They weren't combat capable, but they had above average strength and stamina, so they were ideal for carrying medical supplies to treat injured slayers and remove them from the battlefield without causing further injury. The hooded assistants were apparently going to be in charge of transporting them to the main slayer headquarters once everyone was situated and stable enough to travel. "I guess it's better than dying by sun exposure," Gimiko sighed, "but you're sure I'm not just walking to my own execution?"
"I'm afraid I can't guarantee anything," Shinobu shook her head, "you should know very well that like me, the other hashira have been fighting demons for a long time and see no reason to grant any of them mercy. The fact that Giyu spared a demon and gave him a chance to prove that he's different was already amazing. I myself still don't understand what's going through my mind right now, letting three demons live on the word of people I barely know."
"You mean you didn't see whatever difference in Jonathan that Tomioka saw," the spider girl raised an eyebrow.
"I see something in him I've never seen in any man or demon," the Insect Hashira gave the white-haired girl a side-eye, "make no mistake, it is for him and Giyu that I've decided to stay my blade. You and the other demon, I care nothing for. Should you be found as too dangerous to be left alive, I'll kill you personally with the mercy of a painless poison. That will be the only solace I offer you."
"And should they decide we're not too dangerous to be kept alive," Gimiko laughed weakly.
"Then you'll still need to work to earn my trust," Shinobu turned and walked away but called back one more time, "my advice, show as much restraint as you can."
"Nice to know I have friends in high places," the former elder sister sighed before getting into the basket.
"Look at the bright side," Mary encouraged, "better to have a couple hashira vouching for us than trying to refute the accusations ourselves."
"I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed," she shrugged while beginning to shrink. Before she was all the way in, however, Gimiko noticed something strange in the distance. Squinting her eyes a little, the demon girl was almost certain she saw a figure moving in the trees. They seemed to be retreating for now but there was definitely an unmistakable sign of purple.
Whatever it was, human or beast or figment of her imagination, there was little time to worry about it now. The sun was coming up so if it was a demon who'd been spying on them, they wouldn't be able to do anything. So Gimiko shrank the rest of the way into the basket and took a deep breath as the lid was put on. Over the next few hours, they would be transported along an overly complex route with blindfolds and earplugs to keep them from seeing the way.
There would be trade-offs and numerous sudden changes in direction. The demons would be asleep for most of it, but all of them awoke upon their arrival. The time had now come for them to be judged alongside the slayers who defended them.
The Present: Main Headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps
Mary had to admit, she never thought about how wealthy their leader might be. Looking around at the garden they now found themselves in, however, she came to the conclusion that he was fabulously wealthy. The garden they were in was huge with not only rare plants but even rare trees. Well-kept paths wound and twisted around the garden which was enclosed by a tall stone wall.
The home itself was also impressive, being the traditional single-story Japanese mansion with what appeared to be several twisting hallways on the inside. That last part was just speculation on her part, though, considering the group had other, more pressing concerns to deal with. Both parents found themselves kneeling with the basket and box between them. Shinobu was also kneeling on Mary's left while Giyu was kneeling on John's right. The lady slayer felt momentarily glad the area they were kneeling on had smooth stones, but that was one of the few good things about the current situation.
What had her and everyone else's full attention was the other occupants of the garden who were standing, and in some cases looming, over them a short distance away. Mary quickly noted how tall and muscular two of them were, wondering if it was a trick of genetics or a mixing of another bloodline besides Japanese. There was also a man with bright blond hair who seemed to have a constant beaming smile on his face. One of the ones that surprised Mary the most was a boy with long black hair who seemed younger than Jonathan.
'Is he new,' Mary wondered briefly, 'or all there?' The boy's vacant expression and focus on, pretty much anything else except what was happening right now made her wonder. Then there was the guy who wasn't in line at all. The swordswoman glanced just the slightest bit upwards at one of the trees where a young man with bandages around his mouth and a snake on his shoulders was lounging.
But her thoughts were interrupted when the last of them, a girl with long pink braids, possessing green tips of all things, stepped forward. "Um, excuse me," she bent down to look Mary in the eye better, "but….do you and I have the same uniform tailor?"
"Huh," was Mary's intelligent response as she noticed for the first time the many similarities between their uniforms, namely a large open section showing a generous amount of their cleavage. "The same tailor, as in that Kakushi with glasses over his mask?"
"Yes, that's him," the girl smiled happily, "did he also assure you the uniform was perfect the way it was?"
"Boy did he," Mary sighed, "gave me the okay and everything and said he was out of any extra material to fix it. I've been meaning to send in a request for a new uniform, but we've been bombarded by one mission after another, and our crows disappeared for a while when we were recovering. Does the Corp even have a mailing address?"
"Beats me," the pink-haired hashira giggled, "I got sent a batch of the uniforms a couple weeks after I started, all with the same features."
"How many times have I told you to burn those wretched things, Mitsuri," Shinobu sighed, "they just want to see you flaunting that body of yours around."
"Did they try to pull the same trick on you," Mary glanced at the Insect Hashira. It hadn't escaped her notice that despite her short height, Shinobu had a surprisingly good figure. Why was she noting the young woman's features, one might ask? It was because if the look she was giving her son was what she thought it was, it'd be best to take note of any possible oddities.
But that was a concern for, hopefully, later. "Oh they tried," the short woman smirked, "I burnt that ridiculous thing to ashes and made them get me an actual uniform."
"Aren't these uniforms fire retardant," John moved to look over at the insect hashira.
"Not when a pissed off woman is concerned," Shinobu looked quite pleased with herself upon the recounting of the tale.
"If anyone would've figured out a way to burn them it would be you, Shinobu," Mitsuri giggled.
"Kanroji," the blond man suddenly barked, though his smile remained, "remember that these four are on trial. They are not our comrades right now."
"Oh, sorry Rengoku," she laughed weakly while rubbing the back of her head, "I thought we might have a minute before it started."
"It started the moment they were brought in here," the young man in the tree spoke with a slight hiss to his voice, "you'd do well to not make friends with them, you'll only wind up disappointed. It's already odd that we don't have them restrained."
"I'd like to think it's not that bad," Mitsuri pouted, "they've cooperated so far, which is why they aren't bound, but alright." She turned back to them, "in case you get executed, it was nice meeting all of you."
"With luck that won't be the case," John remarked as the pink-haired hashira got back in line.
"Unflashy people like you aren't the luckiest out there," one of the taller hashira, a man with muscled arms, white hair in a ponytail and a jewel-encrusted headband scoffed, "and your crime of protecting demons is the most unflashy thing you can do as a slayer. The best you can hope for now is that your deaths will at least be flashy."
"How old even are you, son," the former hunter asked with a face that was between annoyed and confused.
"I, Tengen Uzui, am at the flashy age of twenty-three!" He declared with his hand held out.
"Outstanding, too old to be a boy but too immature to be a full adult," John sighed.
"I'd watch your tone, old man," Tengen warned with his fingers up by his eye, "attitude isn't going to save you here."
"Given that you haven't passed judgement yet, I can only assume the person responsible for that hasn't shown up yet, either," the slayer noted.
"What would you-," the flashy hashira started to say before being interrupted.
"No, he has not," Shinobu confirmed with her eyes closed, "we are currently awaiting our leader, Oyakata. He will be the one conducting the trial and passing final judgement."
"What need even is there for a trial," the blond man questioned loudly, "the crimes are plain for all of us to see! These slayers have been caught red-handed traveling with not one but three demons! This is strictly against Corp rules and is punishable by death!"
"What's worse is that our fellow hashira seem to have also been bewitched by these demons as well," the largest of the group, a man with a scar across his forehead and, if they weren't mistaken, blind eyes, lamented. He also possessed a green haori hanging off his shoulders and prayer beads he currently had in his hands. The large man was also visibly crying.
"I'm personally more interested in them," the hashira in the tree pointed, "Tomioka, Kocho, just what in the world do you think you're doing?"
"We have stumbled upon an oddity, Iguro," the Insect Hashira revealed while Giyu remained, annoyingly, silent, "one I desire to study. We cannot do that if you decide to kill the demons."
"What nonsense are you blabbering about," the now named Iguro growled, "a demon is a demon. You and Tomioka were just as adamant about their destruction as the rest of us. Have you forgotten what they did to your sister?"
"Don't bring her into this," Shinobu warned as a vein stood out on her head and her seemingly ever present smile suddenly turned into a neutral expression, "you know damn well that if she was alive, Kanae would support this sort of thing."
"That's probably why-," he started to say before being cut off.
"ENOUGH!" The man known as Rengoku ordered, "Fighting amongst ourselves will solve nothing."
"Um, since we're waiting," Mitsuri began shyly, "maybe it would be a good idea for them to explain why they're traveling with demons first."
"It had better be a flashy story," Tengen remarked with his arms crossed.
"You want an interesting story go flash the police sometime," Mary deadpanned, "the boy demon with us is our son, Jonathan. He was turned into a demon two years ago by that dickhead, Muzan Kibutsuji. But he hasn't eaten a single person since his turning and Giyu, Urokodaki, and Izumo Kaze can back that claim up. Come to think of it, why aren't all of you informed about this already?"
The group all turned to look at Tomioka then. "You didn't tell them," John accused, "you had two years and didn't tell them?"
"Sensei," he looked away in embarrassment, "sensei said he sent a letter."
"Wait, so Oyakata knows about this," Kanroji asked in confusion, "I mean I thought it was strange that he wouldn't know, but."
"But why was this information kept from us," the blond slayer picked up for her.
"I'd like to know that myself," a new voice sounded as everyone turned to see a white-haired hashira with a white haori jacket and numerous scars on his face, arms, and exposed torso, "I also can't help but notice you've only mentioned one demon so far."
"We were getting to that, whoever you are," Mary frowned.
"The name's Sanemi Shinazugawa, and you'd best watch your tone," he flashed a demented smile as he swaggered forward, "I am one of the people who's going to be deciding your fate, after all."
"Horseshit," John remarked, "your job right now is to get in line and wait. You don't think it's hypocritical to punish us for breaking the rules if you can't even follow basic protocol?" Shinazugawa stopped in front of them before suddenly lashing out with his sheathed sword, smacking the former hunter across the face.
"Protocols are guidelines that apply to basic situations," he smirked while John slowly turned his head back to look at him, "if one or two of them is broken, it's not a huge deal. But you, the hag, and these two traitors broke the number one rule: don't harbor demons. That's a crime that must be punished under any and all circumstances."
"Even if doing so could prove detrimental," Mary asked in annoyance while digging her fingers into her leg to restrain herself, "if you give us time to explain, you'll realize how idiotic it would be for you to kill us all."
"I doubt we need three demons to test whatever experiment you're running," he suddenly unsheathed his sword and aimed for the box that Jonathan and Susamaru were in.
"NO!" Mary shrieked as both she and John leapt up from where they were sitting. But this only seemed to excite the scarred hashira more as he redirected his aim. Whatever his plan was, however, it was interrupted as Shinobu suddenly came in from the side, drawing her own blade. This clearly surprised Sanemi who had to hastily shift his sword to block the blow.
Having to move in such a way twice in quick succession left him unbalanced and unable to defend himself against John and Mary who both slammed their fists into his face, catapulting the slayer several feet away before he landed at the feet of the other hashira. "You bastards," he growled as he wiped some blood off his face that was coming out of his nose.
"Don't touch our son," Mary warned as both she and John took fighting stances with their fists raised. Shinobu also stood in front of the box and basket, her stance relaxed but her sword still drawn.
"Assaulting a hashira is also a punishable offense," Sanemi got to his feet, "hope you two are ready for the consequences."
"Stand down, Shinazugawa," Shinobu warned, "this is not a matter for us to decide. Wait for the master to arrive."
"Oh it's too late for that," the scarred slayer readied his blade, "it's already obvious where this is going, you just don't see it!" He rushed forward then, once again about to strike until a pair of female voices sounded.
"The master has returned," the two girls announced. Sanemi stopped suddenly before retreating to the line of other hashira in the blink of an eye, his sword sheathed while taking a knee. Shinobu and Giyu were quick to grab John and Mary before turning them around and making them bow towards the entrance of the mansion. Despite this, the two parents were still able to see that it was a pair of twins similar to the ones who welcomed them to Final Selection a couple months back. The main difference here was that both of them had white hair instead of one black and one white.
Neither of them were sure whether or not one of the twins was the same as the one from Final Selection and were fairly certain there wouldn't be a chance to ask. Right now, the main focus of their attention, or what they could see with their heads bowed, was the man currently being led forward by the twins. He seemed to be a surprisingly young man with shoulder length black hair. The leader was clad in a black kimono with a white haori over it that possessed flames starting at his waist and running down to the bottom, turning purple on the way.
But what really caught their attention was the leader's eyes. They were pupilless, blind, no doubt a result of the sickly purple skin that characterized his forehead. 'This is our leader,' Mary had to stop herself from blurting out loud. "My beloved children," the one known as Oyakata greeted, "I thank you all for coming here this day."
His daughters slid the door closed behind him then before leading him further towards the entrance of the mansion, stopping just before he stepped off of the ledge. The man looked up, as if trying to see what sort of clouds were in the sky. "The weather is strikingly nice today," he observed, "perhaps with a blue sky? It warms my heart to see that we've made it to the semiannual gathering of the hashira with all of the same faces as before."
"I am pleased to see you are in good health as well, Oyakata," Sanemi was the one to speak with a surprisingly civil tone, "I fervently pray for your continued good fortune."
"Kiss ass," Susamaru snorted from within the box, prompting John to tap it warningly.
"I thank you, Sanemi," the leader nodded, either not hearing or not minding the comment.
"Before we begin, might I make a request," the white-haired hashira raised his head, "would you kindly enlighten us about these two slayers here that appear to be accompanied by multiple demons?"
"But of course, I apologize for the confusion caused by not informing you all sooner," Oyakata hummed, "I am aware that John and Mary Keller here have been caring for their son and have even recruited another demon."
"And what of the third demon," Sanemi further inquired.
"Oh, there is a third now," despite being blind his gaze seemed to settle on the two containers housing the demons, "it seems I am now the one in need of enlightening. Please, raise your heads and speak, John and Mary Keller." Shinobu and Giyu moved their hands so that the two parents could shift to kneeling positions.
"It's," for whatever reason Mary also felt the need to be quite formal with the man, "it's an honor to meet you in person, Oyakata. I am sorry for not informing the Corps of Gimiko's recent defection from the demons, but it happened mere hours ago at best."
"Fascinating," the leader acknowledged with a hum, "as you all can see, this duo's talent for recruiting demons is unlike anything that has ever been witnessed in the history of the Corps, or at least to my knowledge. I have been aware of their son for some time and was more recently informed of their other addition, a demon by the name of Susamaru."
"Not to be rude, but could you guys not talk about us like we're not here," the Temari Demon remarked only to grunt as Jonathan elbowed her box, "alright, sorry." But the leader didn't seem to notice as he next spoke to everyone gathered there.
"I have given the matter a lot of thought and decided to sanction their situation," he declared, getting a collective gasp from the gathered hashira, "I would also like all of you to accept them as well."
"Master," the large hashira had tears coming from his eyes as he spoke, "even though it is something you wish, I cannot bring myself to do it."
"I am also opposed," Tengen pointed to himself, "it is unacceptable for a slayer to travel with even one demon, let alone three."
"As for myself," Mitsuri spoke sweetly, "I shall abide by whatever you wish, Oyakata."
"I'll probably forget anyway," the long-haired boy who'd been spacing out said his first words, "so I'm fine either way."
"I won't trust them," Iguro, who'd fallen in line once the leader arrived, declared, "after all, I loathe demons."
"Though I respect you with all my heart, Oyakata," the blond man spoke up next, "I cannot abide by this and am fully against it!"
"The Corp's mission is to annihilate demons," Sanemi growled, "I ask that you punish Tomioka and Kocho along with the Kellers." Giyu didn't say anything in response to Oyakata's declaration, being his usual silent self.
"There is no need to punish anyone, Oyakata," Shinobu looked up with determination in her eyes, "if you are aware of everything having to do with the Keller family, then you already know what they plan to do. I fully accept them and will abide by your wishes!" The other hashira seemed a little taken aback by her declaration. Being honest, Shinobu was a little surprised herself at how fervently she was defending people she barely knew.
"Then for those of you who still doubt, I believe it is best you all hear this," the blind man motioned to the daughter on his right, "the letter, please."
"Yes father," the girl nodded before producing a folded up letter from her kimono, "this was given to us by a former hashira. I believe you are all familiar to one degree or another with Sakonji Urokodaki. I will now read an abridged version of the letter he's sent to us." She took a deep breath before reading. "Lord Oyakata, I ask that you allow Jonathan to accompany his parents on their missions."
"I have observed him to possess incredible mental fortitude and a strong spirit, retaining enough of his human reasoning despite becoming a demon to tell friend from foe. Even despite being starved he has made no attempts to eat a human for the last two years. If this claim sounds outlandish, then know that Giyu Tomioka and Izumo Kaze are both capable of confirming the accuracy of what I am telling you. And should the worst come to pass and Jonathan does attack a human, then all three of us and his parents shall atone by committing seppuku."
"Giyu," John and Mary both glanced at the water hashira in shock, "you really trust us that much?" As had become the norm he remained silent but nodded the slightest bit in response. That action alone was enough to convey how serious he was.
"So what, who cares how they decide to end their lives," Sanemi snarled, "burn them, hang them, take off their heads, it doesn't solve the problem!"
"Shinazugawa is right," Rengoku agreed, "their deaths will not bring back the lives lost as a result of the demon's actions!"
"A certainly good point," Oyakata agreed, "however, assuming Jonathan and the other demons will attack people is little more than morbid speculation. Though we cannot know for certain they won't attack humans, we cannot definitively prove that they will, either. At the moment, the facts are that Jonathan has not attacked a single human despite being a demon for two years and three hashira have staked their lives that he will not. It is also notable that when Jonathan's blood was consumed by the Temari Demon, Susamaru, it affected her body in a strange way." He turned to look at Mary then, "am I to assume the one known as Gimiko has also ingested your son's blood?"
"Without permission," Mary growled slightly.
"Sorry," Gimiko squeaked from within the basket.
"But yes, Gimiko consumed some of Jonathan's blood and it appears to have freed her from whatever influence Muzan Kibutsuji had on her," the lady slayer confirmed.
"Could you please elaborate on this," the large hashira requested, "while many have vouched for your son, Jonathan, less has been said about these other two demons. Tell us, why are they traveling with you?"
"It's something of an odd story," John rubbed his head, "our son's mind was still a little infantile a month or so back, so when we encountered Susamaru, he wound up turning a deathmatch with Temari into a game. He begged us to adopt her after that which is when Susamaru bit him in protest and now, well, he has an unofficial big sister."
"I swear if you start introducing me to people as 'Jonathan's Nii-san', I'm gonna lose it," the Temari Demon huffed.
"The point is, any demon who's ingested Jonathan's blood was freed from the apparent curse he'd placed on them which prevented his name from being spoken aloud without repercussion," Shinobu picked up the explanation, "I believe it would be prudent for us to study all three of them and determine the exact effects of Jonathan's blood on them. But to do that, we must allow the demons, Susamaru and Gimiko, to live in addition to Jonathan Keller."
"This is indeed a strong case," Oyakata nodded, "in our fight against the demons, it would be unwise to dismiss other possible avenues which could be used to combat them. If anyone wishes to reject this evidence, then you must offer a stronger argument in return. Are any of you capable of doing so?" Despite being blind the man's eyes seemed to sweep over the gathered hashira.
As he did so, his question was met with nothing but silence and a few grunts of acknowledgement. None of them could offer anything strong enough to refute what had been said other than their own desire to slay demons, as had been their way for so long. "Now, I imagine there are still some of you who believe that John, Mary, Shinobu, and Giyu should still be punished for their actions," the leader continued, "in the case of our fellow hashira, I believe the previous evidence should resolve them of at least the majority of their perceived crimes. As for John and Mary Keller, they have experience of their own to offer; they have met Muzan Kibutsuji face to face."
"WHAT! IMPOSSIBLE!" The flashy hashira blurted out.
"Where did you see him, what here his powers?!" The blond hashira added.
"Did you fight him?" The airheaded boy questioned, looking far more interested in the current course of events than he had the entire meeting.
"What form did he take, did you find his hideout," Sanemi demanded to know. By this point the questions had devolved into incoherent noise and even a bit of bickering was taking place. That is until the head of the slayers calmly put a finger to his lips. The message was understood immediately as the group instantly quieted down.
"Not only have the Kellers encountered Muzan Kibutsuji, he has sent pursuers after them," Oyakata informed, "to my understanding, one of those pursuers sits among us right now."
"Yeah, that's me," Susamaru sighed, no doubt a little saddened by the memory now, "Muzan told me to kill the two of them for discovering his identity. I didn't think much about it at the time because I'd done similar jobs in the past. But when I saw Mary's earrings, something in me got, agitated. It was Muzan's blood reacting in anger, and fear, like I was experiencing a bad memory."
"Quite an interesting turn of events indeed," the leader agreed, "it would appear there is more to the Keller lineage than we know. Would you be able to shed some light on the subject, Mary Keller?"
"I wish I could," she had something of a downcast look on her face now, "unfortunately, the ones who'd know everything about our family history are in America. I never paid as much attention to it as I should've because I thought it was just some superstitious tradition. I only recently discovered by sheer dumb luck that the dance my grandfather taught me was also capable of being used in combat against demons."
"It still presents us with another potential advantage against Kibutsuji," Oyakata assured, "and based on everything that's been said so far, I think you would all agree that something is happening with Jonathan Keller, something Kibutsuji had not foreseen. With all of these facts laid bare, is there anyone who still objects to allowing these three demons to live?" The gathered hashira all knelt there, contemplating the situation. Then, in a turn of events that didn't really surprise the Kellers at this point, it was Sanemi who spoke up.
"I do object, Oyakata," he suddenly drew his sword, "accepting that we intend to protect a demon after all the sacrifices we've made, it is not something I can fathom. Please, allow me." The hashira cut his left arm and held it up, blood dripping on the ground. "With this, I shall prove beyond the shadow of a doubt the depravity of these demons and their sheer ugliness!"
"Hey dumbass," Mary frowned, "In case you weren't paying attention, my son hasn't tried attacking someone in two years. Susamaru and Gimiko also have basic restraint."
"This isn't a basic test," Shinobu revealed while turning to the parents, "Shinazugawa has the special protein known as 'Marechi' within his blood. It is not something easily resisted even by more experienced demons."
"Oyakata, please forgive me but I must commit a discourtesy in order to test these demons," the hashira held out his arm. In a sudden incredible movement, Sanemi rushed over and snatched both the box and the basket before dropping them inside the shadowed area of the mansion. "Now, come on out, DEMON!" He stabbed his sword into Jonathan's box, getting a surprised yelp out of Susamaru before withdrawing the blade.
"JONATHAN! SUSAMARU!" Mary was barely held back by Shinobu.
"Please," she grunted, "if you have faith in your son and the other demons, this will prove without a doubt they won't attack."
"Bullshit!" John snarled while Giyu tried to hold him back, "it obviously doesn't matter to him whether or not it's the right thing to do! He'll throw away everything just to kill one more demon even if it gets us all slaughtered!"
"I'd Listen to Kocho," Sanemi turned an evil eye their way, "if you really have so much faith you'd end your lives for them, then there's nothing to worry about!" He raised his sword again and went to plunge it down once more. But just as he started, the door was flung open and a hand caught the blade in mid strike. The Hashira tried to withdraw his weapon in surprise but found he couldn't as veins stood out on Jonathan's arm.
"Don't," he warned simply but plainly as he grew to his full height, "don't…. mock… my family!" The demon boy pushed back on the blade then, releasing it as the hashira moved back a few feet. He let his hand drop to the side then, flexing it a little as the bleeding wound on it healed.
"So, you decided to show yourself," the hashira smiled wickedly. Jonathan made no reply as he stepped out of his box and moved between and slightly in front of the two containers. Susamaru and Gimiko also emerged, growing to their full sizes but remaining crouched down, both flashing defiant glares.
"Everyone," Mary called, "don't let him provoke you! Just stay strong!"
"You can cheer them on from the sidelines all you want," Sanemi practically laughed, "but in the end, all demons are the same. Once they get hungry enough and find an enticing enough meal, they'll attack. You'll all thank me for this someday!"
"Says the person driven by his temperament instead of logic," John remarked, "I wonder what stroke of luck allowed you to become a hashira."
"Shut your mouth," the white-haired young man growled, "this charade is done, any second now they'll attack. So come on, demons, come take a bite!" Mary clenched her fist, forcing herself to stay calm. She didn't doubt that Jonathan could resist this. He'd endured for two years and showed no signs of wanting blood even when it was Marechi. The same could be said for Susamaru who never took a chance when it had been right in front of her before.
But there was one cause for concern: Gimiko. Since she'd been freed from Muzan's control literally last night, it was impossible to tell whether or not all the changes which had occurred with Susamaru were also present within her. And the fact that she was breathing heavily wasn't helping. 'So this is…. Marechi,' Gimiko continued to breath heavily, 'the rumors are true, it's very different from regular blood.'
Having been isolated on a mountain for the last few years, she and the other members of the spider family had made do with any travelers that happened to come through. Because of that, she'd never had a chance to encounter the rare blood type. But was this really how it was supposed to feel? The scent was enticing but when it traveled down into her taste buds, something happened.
It was as if her sense of smell and sense of taste were disagreeing with each other. That's when she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Jonathan. The demon boy moved to take off his mask.
"What's this," Sanemi's grin only widened, "are you getting hungry after a-?"
"Quiet," the demon boy flashed him an annoyed look, "your voice…. irritating. I'm speaking… with her… now."
"What did you say," the hashira growled.
"Sanemi," unexpectedly it was the boy who'd been spacing out that spoke, "you're trying to provoke the demons, not the other way around. Do you plan on humiliating yourself by attacking without provocation?"
"Shut up, Muichirou," he shot a glare in the boy's direction, "I know what I'm doing."
"Could you please specify then, how long should we wait," one of the Oyakata twins questioned, "so far, what you've deemed as a necessary discourtesy seems to be accomplishing the opposite of your goal."
"They'll go for it, you'll see," Sanemi swung his arm, splashing blood on the floor near the demon trio, "go on, it's what you want, isn't it?!" Gimiko looked down at the blood and then back up at Jonathan.
"You don't have to be," he assured, "a monster…. anymore." Tears formed in the spider girl's eyes at that statement. For so long she'd killed to survive because she'd thought it was the only way. But now, was there, was there really another way to go about this?
Gimiko tried to think then, tried to envision what her life might look like with the Keller family. It was obvious to her that they had a bond, that they truly cared for one another. The family had even adopted another demon, and Mary had stood up for her. What was more, they'd told her that it was possible for her to become human again, to be a normal girl once more.
'But if I so much as try to taste that blood, I won't ever get that chance,' she realized. Images played across her vision then of her with the Keller family. For the first time in years, she recalled some of the things she used to do as a human and with her own family. Eating together, playing games, poking fun at each other, going through a silly little daily routine.
For whatever reason, her silent prayers from her time on the mountain, prayers she hadn't even known she'd been praying had been answered. But like before, a temptation had been presented. This time, however, Gimiko knew where that temptation would end. All of these thoughts made her clench her fist as she too stood up to her full height, her breathing now steady as she gave the man testing her a defiant look.
"Lord Shinazugawa," she put her hands in her sleeves and bowed, "with respect, could you please stop holding up the proceedings? Such a little game as this will accomplish nothing but wasting everyone's valuable time."
"What," the hashira looked genuinely taken aback now.
"Testing us with Marechi, really," Susamaru waved dismissively, "we've had to deal with that already. I'm sure your leader has the report on that specific mission, meaning you just embarrassed yourself testing something that was already backed up by evidence. I guess this is what they mean when they say look before you leap."
"It sounds like the test has concluded then," Oyakata mused aloud.
"Yes," the other twin confirmed, "the demons, Jonathan and Susamaru, have indeed resisted Marechi in the past and demonstrated a resistance to it now as well. And as you've just heard, the main concern, known as Gimiko, also resisted Marechi."
"I do apologize for causing any doubt," the spider girl bowed lower this time, "and I believe I speak for our whole family when I say, thank you for sanctioning our situation, Lord Oyakata. The demons have spoken of your wisdom in the past, but it is clear now how vastly they underestimated you. It is my greatest hope now that we can live up to your expectations for us."
"It seems your latest member is quite polite," Oyakata smiled in amusement, "and Sanemi, is this enough proof for you that these demons will not attack humans?"
"It," he grit his teeth, "it is acceptable, for now."
"Understandable," the leader of the corps nodded, "go and tend to your arm." He turned to the rest of them then. "As for you, John and Mary Keller, I feel it wise to inform you that even after all of this, there are those who still will not accept these demons."
"Do you know of a way we can convince them," John asked as he and Mary both relaxed and knelt with their heads down.
"Continue to do as you've been doing," Oyakata encouraged, "show all those who do not believe that Jonathan, Susamaru, and Gimiko can be useful to the Corps and fight alongside slayers."
"We will," both parents bowed down on all fours.
"And while I cannot guarantee it," the blind man thought of a suggestion, "the quickest way to earn the trust of the others within the Corps would be to go out and defeat a Kizuki."
"Our goal for some time now has been the defeat of as many Kizuki as necessary," John spoke up, "it's a goal we'll continue to strive towards and will complete without fail."
"And if Muzan himself blocks our path to helping our son, we'll take his head off too!" Mary declared while pumping her fist.
"While your enthusiasm is appreciated," Oyakata smiled, "let's start with a Kizuki. Muzan is far too ambitious for someone of your level."
"Right, yes sir," the mother looked away in embarrassment. She really didn't know why. Maybe it was the man's voice or the way he carried himself, but she just felt as if his word could be trusted above all others.
"I also ask that you pay the proper respect to the hashira from now on," the leader requested, "after all, they've trained themselves to death, defied death, and slayed Kizuki. It is because they earned their ranks in this way that they are given preferential treatment and their words carry more weight."
"I'll try," Mary gave the side eye to a few of the hashira, "but I can't make any promises if they go after my son again."
"Of course, there is that to consider," he glanced over towards the white-haired hashira, "Sanemi, Obanai, and you as well, Tengen. Try not to torment the newer slayers too much."
"Yes sir," both Obanai and Tengen bowed their heads.
"Yes sir," Sanemi more growled than said.
"Like you mean it, dipshit," the Temari Demon called from within the box she'd recently reentered.
"Susamaru!" Both parents scolded immediately.
"Sorry," she laughed weakly, "thought that respect thing started a little later."
"We'll talk about this after the meeting, young lady," Mary huffed.
"You should have plenty of time now," Oyakata pointed out, "now that the matter of your situation has been handled, our business with you all has been concluded. You may leave."
"If that's the case," Shinobu raised her hand suddenly, "would you allow me to take them to my abode?" When she heard no objections, she smiled wider. "Alright then, take them away!" And with a clap of her hands, a quartet of Kakushi suddenly arrived and quickly whisked them away to their next destination. It would be a place they'd become very familiar with in due time, the wondrous home of Shinobu Kocho known as the Butterfly Estate.
And thus, the trial before the hashira has concluded! And once again I'd like to reiterate that Jonathan's development will be faster in this story than Nezuko's was. The main difference this time is that you're much closer to seeing why. Feel free to speculate in your comments and reviews while also mentioning what you liked/disliked or if you've got any neat ideas for future chapters! And swing by my Pat reon for the latest news, exclusives, scene samples and more! Last thing, stop in next time as our family of heroes finally gets a reprieve in the home of Shinobu Kocho! 'Til then.