At the Hashira Meeting.
The flowers, trees and ponds that decorate the garden outside of the master's estate were as always neatly organised and maintained. The serenity the garden provided was something found almost nowhere else in the world. This peace however was disturbed by a large group of eccentric or even flamboyant characters.
"TENGEN I AM GREAT HOW ARE YOU?!" A tall man wearing the standard Demon Slayer uniform and a white Haori with a trim that was designed with flames asked. His long yellow hair with red streaks stood out the most, matching his large eyes of the same colour.
"Kyojuro my friend, as always I am flamboyant. But speaking of I hear you and Himejima managed to eliminate two lower moons at the same time, a truly flashy feat." The man known as Uzui Tengen answered. He was the second tallest out of all those in attendance, his long white hair styled meticulously to fit behind his jewel encrusted headband. He wore a modified version of the uniform with the arm sleeves removed to show of his impressively large build, with two golden rings on each bicep.
"That is right we did, the lower rank 4 and 6 have been eliminated!" Kyojuro responded enthusiastically.
The other Hashira remained quiet for the time being, from left to right stood the stone Hashira Himejima Gyomei, the wind Hashira Shinazugawa, the insect Hashira Kocho Shinobu, the love Hashira Kanroji Mitsuri, the flame Hashira Rengoku Kyojuro, the sound Hashira Uzui Tengen, with the serpent pillar Iguro Obanai as always taking his place in a tree near where the group stood.
"They didn't provide much of a challenge, I pray that this is a sign the demons are weakening." Gyomei added.
"It's weird that they would be working together though, Twelve Kizuki or not it isn't typical to see demons working together." Shinobu said.
"I agree." Obanai responded petting his pet snake that was always present on his shoulder.
Iguro-san is so cool, so mysterious and different sitting in that tree. Mitsuri thought a light blush decorating her cheeks.
"It doesn't matter how many of those pathetic demons team up, I'll slaughter them all." Sanemi added in his usual psychotic tone.
"While I tend to agree with you my intense comrade, demon's of a higher rank teaming could indicate some trouble for the people!" Rengoku proposed, not changing his loud volume.
As they continued their discussion on the implications of the potential teaming up of demons, the water pillar almost silently made his way into the estate, stopping to admire the pond and the fish that swam inside it for a moment. Giyuu admired the stillness of the water and the peaceful life the fish inside it seemed to live, simply swimming without worry, what a life it must be. His moment of peace was soon ended by a finger that continued to poke him in his cheek.
"Moshi Mosh, Tomioka-san will you speak to us today or will you hide to the side as always?" Shinobu teased earning silence from Giyuu.
"Tomioka-san do you know how rude it is to ignore a cute lady when she asks you a question?" She continued still receiving no response from her target.
"I won't leave you alone until you answer me Tomioka-san" She continued her assault applying more pressure with her finger.
"Give it up, leave the loner alone it's not like he'd have anything to say anyway." Sanemi called out clearly annoyed by Giyuu's presence.
"Shinazugawa-san there's no need to be mean, just let him come at his own speed." Mitsuri pleaded.
"Tch, whatever." He responded receiving a small glare from the snake pillar currently still in the tree.
"HELLO TOMIOKA, I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL TODAY!" Rengoku yelled from his position next to Uzui.
Giyuu turned and bowed to the flame pillar in response.
"Wow the great and powerful Tomioka took time out of his day to acknowledge your existence how lucky you must be Kyojuro." Sanemi mocked clearly still angry.
"You know Tomioka-san, it's awful rude to ignore the person right in front of you while talking to others." Shinobu said, a vein popping from her forehead.
"But I didn't talk." Giyuu answered his face still unchanged.
"The point still stands Tomioka-san you know this is why..." She started but was interrupted as two identical young girls emerged from the estate.
"The master has arrived, the master has arrived." They said in unison. Shinobu and Giyuu took off as fast they could. Shinobu returning to her position next to Mitsuri, while Giyuu knelt next to Gyomei.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the demon slayer corps walked out slowly wearing his usual white and black attire, the scars and purple shade of his illness stopping just before his eyes. As he reached the edge of the platform he stood on, he joined his two daughters in facing the Hashira.
"Oyakata-sama we pray and hope for your continued health and wellbeing." Gyomei said still kneeling but facing the master.
"Thank you Gyomei, please rise my children." Ubuyashiki responded kindly smiling at the pillars of his organisation.
The Hashira all rose and stood at attention.
"I called this meeting for two main reason, but before that Giyuu, how are your wounds and fever?" He asked.
"They are fine Oyakata-sama, thank you for your concern" Giyuu responded bowing.
"I see, then I am glad, thank you Shinobu for your continued care of our corps members." The master said facing Shinobu.
"No problems at all Oyakata-sama." She bowed, receiving another smile from the master.
"My great pillars, I am sure you have heard the fantastic news regarding the slaying of lower moons 4 and 6 by Kyojuro and Gyomei. This is a great accomplishment and any instability within the ranks of the Kizuki greatly hinders any efforts put forward by Kibutsuji to supress humanity." He started.
"Now onto the main reasons for this meeting, starting with the bad news. My children I fear my condition is worsening and within the year I fear I will lose my vision." He said sadly, earning shocked looks and gasps from the Hashira including even the emotionless Giyuu.
"Oyakata-sama, if I may, please reconsider my request to have at least one of us Hashira guard you at all times." Gyomei pleaded tears running down his face.
"That will not be necessary my child. I thank you for your concern, but you are needed elsewhere." He answered.
"Moving on to the second piece of news, as the lower moons may be forming alliances and teaming up more you will now all be taking on more joint missions together." He finished.
"Understood Oyakata-sama." The Hashira all answered in unison.
"Great, now that was all the pressing matters, you are all free to return to your normal duties, your joint missions will begin in a week from today so be prepared." He finished bowing to the pillars.
"Thank you, Oyakata-sama." The Hashira all responded.
As the meeting ended Giyuu did as Giyuu does and begun to exit immediately until he was stopped by a tug on his haori, turning to see the insect pillar looking up at him her large violet eyes attempting to pierce his cold exterior.
"Tomioka-san leaving so soon? Why not join us we're all going out for lunch or are you too busy being alone and brooding." Shinobu teased.
"No." He responded flatly.
"My my Tomioka-san are we back to single words, but you spoke in such full sentences when I took care of you at the mansion." Shinobu continued to tease gripping his Haori tighter.
"I'm not like you all. Please let go of my Haori." He said in almost a disappointed tone.
"God, he's not giving us that bullshit again is he just how arrogant can he be." Shinazugawa yelled angrily.
"Please Shinazugawa-san if you keep on like this he'll never join us." Mitsuri pleaded sweetly.
"I agree." Obanai added.
"Oh please...." Sanemi said annoyed.
"You're only saying that because of Mitsuri, if she weren't here, you'd be mocking him with me." He grumbled under his breath.
"Did you say something Sanemi, I could barely hear you!" Rengoku asked receiving an annoyed grunt from the white haired pillar.
Shinobu let go off the Haori disappointed but maintaining her trademark smile. As Giyuu began to walk he was interrupted by the master.
"Giyuu can you please wait, I have a mission for you." The man said calmly.
"Of course, Oyakata-sama." Giyuu turned and knelt before the master, the rest of Hashira stopped to listen hoping for it to be interesting.
"I need you to head to Mt Kumotori, there have been reports of people disappearing in the town near there." He ordered sadly.
"Understood I will take my leave immediately." Giyuu stood and bowed before turning to leave.
"ara ara Tomioka-san, do you want me to join you? That area tends to be cold I wouldn't want you to come back to me with a fever again since you're clearly incapable of taking care of yourself." Shinobu once again teased.
"I am sorry for being a burden." He answered leaving at a high speed.
Shinobu felt a small sense of guilt creep in and begun to feel sad for Giyuu until she was pulled from her thoughts by a yelling Sanemi.
"IS IT BECAUSE HE GETS SPECIAL MISSIONS THAT HE THINKS HE'S BETTER THAN US." He yelled being restrained by Kyojuro.
Just stay safe you anti-social idiot. Shinobu thought picking up her pace to join Mitsuri.
Another chapter in the books, I plan on getting 3 or 4 done this week so hopefully they just continue to flow.
So while I was writing the newest chapter I realised I made a massive mistake. Muichiro is not a pillar yet, so I'm going through and fixing that. So yeah my bad.