(Before the attack)
Narrator's POV
It was a peaceful night at the estate and so was Aoi who peacefully washed the dishes. All patients were asleep and so was the girls including Kanao. Her crow didn't gave her mission so she spend her time to rest.
Aoi is a hardworking and strict woman, making all the stubborn patients silent because of her. Her mind suddenly wandered to Inosuke, she wondered if he was okay or is he being reckless again. Even though Tanjiro already encouraged her, Inosuke encouraged her even more. She sighed and closed her eyes remembering his encouraging words he gave to her.
She was outside clipping the blankets and little did she know that Inosuke was standing behind her, watching while eating.
"Hey pipsqueak" she almost jumped in surprise. She turned around and only met by his feminine features. Their gazes locked in a minute. Heat creeps up to her cheeks then she averted her gaze to the ground, breaking their eye contact.
"What do you want? And also, stop calling me 'pipsqueak', you're height is the same as me so stop" she strictly said.
"Whatever you say, woman. I have something to ask you" he asked her then he eats.
"What is it?" she replied while doing her work.
"You're still a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, right? Where's your sword?" he asked while looking at her. She stopped at his question and sighed.
"I still have my sword but.... I'm not slaying demons" she said.
"Why?" she didn't answer him.
"I wanted to have joint missions with you and see you how you fight but why aren't you slaying demons? Answer me, brat" he added then he eats using his bare hands. She was annoyed by the name he called her so she gave up and answer him even though she doesn't want to.
"It's because I'm a coward. I was luckily survived the final selection and after that, I can't overcome my fears and can't fight. All I can do is help people by treating their wounds and make simple medicines. I think the other slayers think that I'm a burden to the corps and a coward because I'm not brave enough face them and fight them" her face turned into a melancholic one. Her negative thoughts filled up her mind, forgetting what Tanjiro said.
Then he replied, "Why does it matter what others thinks of you?" she just fell silent, then he continued, "If they think you're weak, a burden or a coward, it doesn't matter. At least you help people even though you're an annoying brat" her eyes widened at his statement and annoyed by the nickname he called her.
"Stop calling me br-"
While her back faced him, he turned her around to look at him straight in the eyes. She was shocked.
"Listen here, shrimp. If anyone thinks that you're a weak, burden and a coward, I'll fight them no matter what" he stated, his face was close to hers. She was flustered and blushing.
"Y-you better not!" she protested.
"I'd better do it!" he argued back.
"You better not!"
"I'd better do it, you annoying brat!"
"Don't call me br-"
"And here's the last thing before I go to my mission so listen carefully, pipsqueak. I am your boss, the strongest Lord of the Mountains, you got that?" she was annoyed at him.
"That's nonse-"
"Don't feel bad at not going to the battlefield because I, Hashibira Inosuke will shoulder all your emotions and burdens in the battlefield with me. If they say something bad at you while I'm not here, screw them all. Curing our wounds is enough for you to be useful and cooking food as well, you got that, Aoi?"
Those words left Aoi speechless and haven't say her thanks because he left before she know it. Her lips curled into a soft smile.
A noise disturbed her thoughts, she went to check it out. A woman lying on the ground unconscious, she knew who she is.
"Hikari-san" Aoi mumbled. Hikari moved her head up to look at Aoi.
"Aoi-san, help me. I'm sick" Aoi placed her hand unto her forehead then she was disappointed. She stood up and left her lying.
"Wait, aren't you going to check me up inside? Why are you leaving me? Aren't you a nurse?" Aoi stopped and replied.
"You don't have to ask why I'm leaving, you know the answer already" she answered sternly.
"What are you talking about? I'm sick and suffering. Let me in and treat me quickly!" Hikari cried out loud begging Aoi to treat her.
"You're a bad actress. Now stand up and stop pretending and lastly, go home. You're wasting my time here" she said sternly. Hikari was silent then she suddenly laughed.
"HAHAHAHA! I didn't know that it'll come to this"
"What do you me-"
"Yeah, the plan of pretending didn't work" Aoi was cutted off by the low voice behind her. She was shaking and sweating in fear. Even though she can't slay demons, she can still sense them.
"Jairo-kun"
"But bringing her here is enough" he punched Aoi in the abdomen causing her to faint.
"Kill her now, Jairo-kun" he just stared at her blankly.
"I can't. We have to lure the demon slayers first especially the two pillars, the Water and the Insect. If it's not them, we'll kill it right away"
"What? You can't just wait. Kill them. Now!" she yelled. He raised his hand and slapped her right cheek.
"Shut up! Who are you to command me like that, human? Do you wanna live? Then, Shut up!" he shouted. "Our real objective here is to kill the Water Pillar and capture the Insect Pillar. And also, to find their master's place while the other slayers are out and kill them right away" he added. She just fell silent and nodded.
"Let's g-" then suddenly Kanao appeared behind him, he quickly dodged her attack.
"Tch, a pest showed up" pissed Jairo said.
Kanao prepared herself a stance. Jairo launched an attack.
Blood Demon Art: Poisonous Shards of Death
His four tails attacked in a maximum speed trying to kill her yet she quickly dodged and jumped to attack him. She twirled her body and deliver her attack. His tails followed her.
Flower Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirling Peach
She successfully cut his tails and dashed to him quickly to cut his head.
Flower Breathing Fourth Form: Crimson Hanagoromo
"She's fast" he thought to himself. He blocked her using his own arms that caused her to cut instead of his head. Kanao continues to attack him trying to finish him in front of the estate. Hikari just watched them, her mouth agape. She wasn't shocked at the scene but at Kanao, she didn't know that a girl like her can fight like this.
"Trained by a pillar huh?" she thought while watching them fighting.
"You're strong, are you a pillar?" Kanao didn't have time to answer him and continues to attack him. An idea popped into Hikari's head.
"Don't move!" the two stopped and looked at her in unison. Kanao's eyes widened. Hikari takes Aoi as a hostage. Kanao had totally forgot Aoi because she focused her mind in the fight. Jairo quickly stole Kanao's sword away from her.
"Too bad, you let your guard down, girl" he then break Kanao's sword. She was shock and terrified seeing her sword snapped into two.
"Weak" he then kick Kanao's abdomen that caused her to faint. Sano suddenly appeared, making Jairo bend his knees.
"I apologise for not starting the plan immediately. Hikari's foolish plan didn't succeed and a female demon slayer appeared to stop me. I deeply apologise, Sano" Jairo said, bowing his head politely.
"No worries, seeing the girl unconscious satisfies me. I brought several demons with me. Now, let's start" Sano commanded. They went inside the Butterfly estate, starting their plan. Abusing the Butterfly girls and the patients, ruining the doors, floors and everything.
Sano felt satisfied by the sight he's seeing. Now, he just have to wait the two particular person he wanted to see.