"𝐇𝐞'𝐬 𝐎𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞" - 𝙺𝙽𝚈 𝚡 𝙼𝚊𝚕𝚎!𝙾𝚌

𝓽᭙ꫀꪀ𝓽ꪗ-ꪮꪀꫀ

{words: 1799}

"So good of you to come, my beloved children."

Nichika and Hinaki help Kagaya walk to the edge of the patio, Hinaki smiling eerily back at Tsukumo, hoping he would follow them.

Tsukumo shook his head, and stayed back in the dark, he didn't like feeling equal to someone so amazing like Kagaya. He felt as if he didn't deserve such respect from such a humane person. as a demon himself.

Kagaya hummed quietly, turning his head to sense if anyone was there, he frowned, "Tsukumo.. where are you? I would like for you to be next to me."

Tsukumo, at Kagaya's side immediately, bowed down with his forehead against the tatami floors, "Hai, Oyakata-Sama."

"Mm..." Kagaya turns away from Tsukumo and raised his head, "Good morning, everyone. The weather is amazingly good today. I wonder if the sky is blue. It pleases me that we've made it to our semiannual Hashira Meeting with no personnel changes."

Tanjiro narrowed his eyes in confusion as he looked at Tsukumo bowing to this mysterious man, he had never seen his older brother bow so respectfully to anyone, even Urokodaki.

Sanemi grabbed a fist full of Tanjiro's hair and slammed his head into the ground, "Who is that demon bowing to you?!"

"Agh!"

"Shinazugawa-San..."

Sanemi flinched, shaking his thoughts loose and bowing down, "I am pleased to see you in good health as well, Oyakata-Sama. I fervently pray for your continued good fortune."

Kagaya smiled gently, "Thank you, Sanemi."

Kanroji whined out silently, "I wanted to say that! I wanted to greet Oyakata-Sama!"

Sanemi keeps his head down, "If I may,
Oyakata-Sama... Before we start the Hashira Meeting, would you mind enlightening us about this swordsman, Kamado Tanjiro, accompanied by a demon?"

Tanjiro furrowed his brows, "He didn't seem to have a drop of intelligence or logic, but he's speaking so formally now!"

Kagaya nodded in understanding, "Right. I apologize for startling you all. As for Tanjiro, Tsukumo, and  Nezuko, I've sanctioned their situation. And I'd also like you all to accept it."

The proposition caused an out-roar from the Hashira's, except for two, who remained silent.

Himejima rubbed his prayer beads together, making a soft chime of rocks, "Ahh... Even if it's what you desire, Oyakata-Sama, I cannot agree to it."

"I'm flamboyantly opposed as well! A Demon Slayer travelling with a demon is unacceptable!" Uzui yelled out flamboyantly.

"I shall do whatever it is you wish, Oyakata-Sama!"

Tsukumo hadn't stood up from bowing, he clenched his fists and pursed his lips sadly as he heard the yells of disapproval from everyone.

He had to make some sweets for the Sakura girl when this was all over.

Tokito tilted his head at the loud yells of his colleagues, he shrugged, "I'm fine either way... I'm going to forget soon, anyway."

And that kid...

"I won't trust them. I won't trust them. In the first place, I loathe demons."

Tsukumo swallowed a lump of fear down his dry throat. Tsukumo hated this, he knew the corps wouldn't accept them, and it scared him.

"Although I respect you with all my heart, that's an incomprehensible notion, Oyakata-Sama! I oppose it with everything I've got!"

Tsukumo hid his face, his face which contorted in sadness, pure sadness he hadn't felt in a while. He gets disappointed, even somber, but it's been a while since he felt such sadness.