𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐬. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥. ¹
he watched from behind his mask, how her pink-tinted lips were always curled up in a smile. How her arm was linked with his, yet no words of affirmation of their feelings for one another were spoken before.
It was as if it was a natural thing to do, even in silence.
"The next time you get your blade chipped, I will chip your skull," he spoke out as he jabs a finger against her forehead, yet, it wasn't as painful as before. She smiled gently at him as she nodded her head, and he averted his gaze then.
Where his mask was looking down as he looked down as well, and soon [name] had to take her leave then. They bid each other goodbye, mostly [name] instead. But little did [name] know, the moment she was blinded folded and carried away, did Hotaru raise his hand up and waved goodbye to her.
It was a scene indeed as Kozo watched with a slightly amused look behind his mask. Yet, he knew all too well as he quickly averted his gaze when Hotaru turned to look at him. An intimidating aura could be felt as Kozo whistled to himself and quickly walked away.
"I heard the Hashira meeting will be commencing today, Hakuryuu-sama," the kakushi who was carrying her spoke out and [name] hummed in response despite being blindfolded then.
"Yes, indeed... A little rush if I must admit," [name] pointed out and soon a chuckle was heard coming from her as she easily found the cheek of the kakushi and poked it gently.
"Don't be so tensed. I won't end up beating you up like the Wind Hashira or Serpent Hashira," [name] pointed out and the kakushi could only laugh nervously then, not realizing how easy it was for [name] to know how he was feeling.
"Have you ever wondered, what if you weren't a kakushi?" [name] asked, all too sudden and the kakushi could only wonder then, what was it that he would be doing if he wasn't a kakushi. He would most certainly not be a demon slayer.
"I would probably be rolling in my grave now, Hakuryuu-sama," he commented, and [name] laughed softly, shaking her head as she continued to hold on tightly onto the kakushi as she was being guided away from the Swordsmith Village.
"[name], sweetheart! What are you doing?" her mother asked, and [name] looked up as she was busy mending with the gardens that were in full bloom now, and [name] turned as she tilts her head slightly, looking at her mother.
"Ah! I'm gathering some flowers to make a bouquet for our next-door neighbour! Her daughter is getting married!" [name] spoke out with a wide smile and her mother couldn't help but feel all too happy with how well her daughter was.
"Why are you doing it though?" her mother asked, rather curious to why her only daughter was doing such a thing despite nobody telling her to do it.
"Oh, because I thought they were pretty for her!" she spoke out and somehow her mother could only look at her with a sad smile then. How someone like [name] was born into this world as she looked at her, all smiles with no frowns.
Someone who would love another wholeheartedly.
"Hakuryuu-san?" and [name] snapped out of her thoughts when she realized how she had zoned out for a bit too much, and how time flew by. She then felt someone removing her blindfold and she blinked her pale purple eyes a few times, adjusting to the bright sunlight.
She looked around, and her pale purple eyes laid upon Kanae then. A gentle smile appearing on her lips as she reached out to the Flower Hashira, gently ruffling her on the head. How she had nearly lost this precious girl back then.
"Hakuryuu-san, you are doing it again," Kanae spoke out and [name] could only laugh as she looked at her once more. Smiling gently as she nodded her head and Kanae soon linked her arm with hers.
"Welcome back, Hakuryuu-san. I trust that everything went well during the visit to the Swordsmith Village?" Kanae asked, and [name], who was deep in thoughts once more, snapped out of her thoughts as she looked at her.
"A-Ah, yeah... Everything was alright!" she spoke out as she tightened her hold onto Kanae. Somehow a little afraid that she might end up disappearing altogether, and she could only hope for the best.
"Hakuryuu-san? You seem to be thinking about the past again," Kanae pointed out, and [name] could only smile gently then as they were walking towards her estate once more.
"Just, a little glad I made it in time before you were taken out," she pointed out, and Kanae could only smile gently at her saviour. How the Dragon Hashira had arrived just in time and saved her from the Upper Moon Two.
"Good afternoon, Hakuryuu-sama!" most of the lower-ranked demon slayers called out, including the kakushis as well when they saw the Dragon Hashira returning home from the Swordsmith Village, which [name] smiled and nodded her head at.
"And it seems you have guests too," Kanae pointed out and [name] could only smile gently as she looked at a familiar-looking Love Hashira, sitting on the patio, waiting for her to return home as per usual.
She could only watch as Kanroji Mitsuri's eyes lit up the moment she saw [name], and she immediately ran towards the older woman, engulfing her in a tight hug which [name] would often chide her for using too much strength, but nevertheless, she would return it as well.
"Welcome home, Hakuryuu-san!" she called out with a cheerful smile that [name] would often look forward to seeing, and she could only reach out, patting her on the head then. She soon lightly pinched her cheek and peered deep into her light green eyes.
"Did you finish those sakura mochis as I told you to?" she asked, and Mitsuri giggled, nodding her head vigorously then.
"Iguro-san bought me some more too! He said something about Hakuryuu-san not wanting me to lose weight or something along that line," Mitsuri pointed out and [name] could only hum in response then with the usual gentle smile on her face.
"Kanroji, I think Hakuryuu-san would like to rest a little," Kanae spoke out gently and [name] nodded her head a little then, which Mitsuri's eyes widened and nodded her head vigorously as well. The two younger Hashiras soon guided [name] back to her estate to rest up as well.
And [name] could only laugh when she saw Obanai carrying what seems to be a basin filled with warm water, and Muichiro by the side. She settled on the patio with ease and watched as Obanai set the basin of warm water before her feet.
Preparing it the moment he had received news that [name] was coming home. Gently placing it down in front of her, he proceeded to remove her footwear, only to have [name] stopping him.
"Obanai, it's alright, I can do it," she said with a smile, and Obanai insisted on doing so.
Many regarded [name] as a mother figure to them. She was always there when they were in danger, and that goes the same for Obanai and Mitsuri. [name] saved them from their near-death experience countless times.
It was as if [name] knew when and where to be there for them.
Not many were willing to talk to [name] that much, given how much older she was. They were afraid of her, more afraid of disrespecting her due to the age gap. But [name] often found herself engaging in a conversation with the Hashiras without any issues.
[name] then watched as Obanai took a seat beside her and [name] could only then smiled as she closed her eyes to relax under the warm comforting sunlight that was shining upon them. Obanai and Mitsuri could only smile then, at how contented [name] was to just be enjoying the sunlight.
And soon Kanae returned with some snacks together with Mitsuri. They watched as Muichiro walked over to where [name] was, and soon laid down on the patio. With his head on her lap where she easily lifted her hand and started to caress his cheek.
"Welcome home, Hakuryuu-san," Muichiro whispered out and [name] could only smile gently at how baby the Mist Hashira was. How she managed to get him to talk to her and remember her was another talent of hers.
"The Hashira meeting will start soon, Hakuryuu-san," Kanae spoke out and [name] slowly opened her pale purple eyes and tilts her head then, with a slight pout on her face did she nod her head.
"I wish Kagaya would cut me some slack sometimes," [name] mumbled out, not afraid of referring Oyakata-sama as 'Kagaya'. The only time she would refer to him as 'Oyakata-sama' was during the official Hashira Meetings.
"Ah! Right! I'm making pancakes for dinner tonight, Hakuryuu-san! Would you like some?" Mitsuri asked as [name] had grabbed hold of the cloth that Obanai held out to her and got her feet out of the basin of water, cleaning it dry. She soon puts on her footwear and turned to look at the Love Hashira.
"Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you make will be delicious," she spoke out with a smile, being supportive of what Mitsuri often wanted to do and she watched as the Love Hashira had on a slight blush across her face.
"Well then, come on! Let's get going!" [name] said with a smile and the younger Hashiras soon walked along with her. [name] slowly reached out as Muichiro was trying to grab hold of her hand, which she noticed and she smiled gently, holding his hand in hers.
"There you go," she spoke out and Muichiro slowly nodded his head in response.
Upon arriving at the courtyard where the Hashira Meeting was being held, she watched and shook her head as the Serpent Hashira had walked up to the tree and hopped up with ease, chilling out.
"Obanai... Please be careful," she called out and Obanai nodded his head in response as Mitsuri went up to greet Kyojuro, her former mentor and current Flame Hashira.
"Hakuryuu-chan!" Tengen called out with a smile and [name] could only smile sweetly, only to laugh as Himejima had arrived and smacked him on the back of the head for referring to [name] in such an informal manner.
"Geh! Himejima-san!" Tengen called out, and [name] could only smile softly at the scene before her. How she would often look forward to such a scene, and she turned to look around.
"GOOD AFTERNOON, HAKURYUU-SAN!" Kyojuro yelled out, and [name] smiled widely in response, realizing she did not have enough energy to respond with the same enthusiasm as he had.
"Ah, Kanae, where's Shinobu?" [name] asked, curious to where the Insect Hashira was and Kanae hummed in response, gesturing to the side where Shinobu was and [name] could only smile gently.
Watching as the Insect Hashira's eyes lit up upon realizing [name] was right beside her. She then opened her arms and Shinobu immediately engulfed [name] in a hug.
"Welcome home, Hakuryuu-san," and [name] could only laugh a little then as she patted Shinobu on the head and proceeded to withdraw from the hug. [name] then noticed Giyuu was standing a little bit further away from the entire group and took a step forward, only to have herself being pulled back by Shinobu.
"Ah, gomen Shinobu. I'm also one of the reasons why there is a demon slayer who had violated the rules," [name] spoke out and Shinobu's eyes widened along with the other Hashiras, realizing how [name] was also part of the reason why the Hashira Meeting was brought up earlier.
"Giyuu!" [name] called out and started to cough a little, which the Water Hashira panicked as he quickly rummaged through and brought out his gourd water bottle, handing it to [name] after he had opened it.
[name] smiled gently as she accepted it, taking a sip from it to help ease the cough she was having. And Giyuu could only frown at how tired [name] looked, although she continued to look young and healthy.
"Good afternoon, Giyuu," she said with a smile once more.
"Good afternoon, Hakuryuu-san," he spoke out in a soft voice and [name] couldn't help but smile once more as she tiptoed a little and patted the Water Hashira on his head. With just that simple gesture, did everybody then lined up behind her.
"HEADPATS!" Kyojuro yelled out and [name] could only blink her eyes a few times, tilting her head and her pink-tinted lips curled up into a smile as she started to pat the Hashiras who had lined up.
Even Obanai had descended from the branch, wanting a head pat from the Dragon Hashira as well.
"Gyomei... You are too tall for me even if you bend down," [name] pointed out and as if on cue did Giyuu and Kyojuro lifted [name] up with ease, at a greater height and soon [name] laughed, reaching out as she ruffled Himejima on the head.
"There, there," she called out with a smile, and soon the Flame Hashira along with the Water Hashira placed her down gently on her two feet.
"Ah, where's Tanjiro then?" [name] called out, wondering where the young boy was and soon spotted him next to Goto. [name] tilts her head in response then as she walked over, and Goto was about to call Tanjiro up then.
Only to have [name] stopping him.
"Ah, don't do that. You will startle him," [name] pointed out and Goto slowly nodded his head, having full respect for the Dragon Hashira as well. The Hashiras and Goto watched as [name] knelt next to Tanjiro and gently brushed his burgundy hair.
"Hm... Your hands are all roughened up, oh dear," [name] whispered out as she touched his hands that were tied together behind his back, a sad smile appeared on her lips as she started to zone out, watching as Tanjiro started to wake up then.
"Bummer. I heard he was a Demon Slayer with a demon in tow, so I was looking forward to seeing someone flamboyant, but that's one drab-looking dude, huh?" the Sound Hashira, Uzui Tengen spoke out.
"And now, we'll put this boy on trial! I see!" the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro spoke out in his usual enthusiastic manner.
"To think that he's been protecting his sister who's now a demon. Now that's beautiful sibling love! How brave!"
"W-Who are these peop-,"
"Don't open your mouth just yet, you moron! Just who do you think is standing before you? You're in the presence of the Hashiras!"
"This is the Demon Slayers' headquarters. And you're about to be put on a trial, Kamado Tanjiro-kun. Before we start the trial, why don't you explain the crime you've comm-" the Insect Hashira, Kocho Shinobu, spoke out only to be interrupted by Kyojuro.
"There's no need for a trial! Protecting a demon is a clear violation of code! We're within our rights to deal with him on our own! We're going to behead him along with the demon!"
"In that case, I'll be glad to decapitate him flamboyantly. I'll show you the most flamboyant blood spray you'll ever see. I'm talking max flamboyance," Tengen added on.
"Ah, what a pitiful sight this boy is. The poor soul, I pity him for having been born at all," and Tanjiro noticed the Stone Hashira, Himejima Gyomei had spoken.
"Forget that. What will we do with Tomioka? Seeing him there without any restraints is giving me a headache. Based on what Kocho told us, Tomioka's just as guilty of breaking the Corps rules. How will we deal with him? How should we make him take responsibility? What kind of lesson should we teach him? Don't you have anything to say, Tomioka?" Obanai spoke out from the branch he was laying upon.
"Iguro-san, you're so persistent as usual like a snake. So persistent and wonderful," Mitsuri thought to herself as he looked at Obanai's direction. Her light green eyes soon laid upon Tomioka Giyuu who was standing far away.
"Tomioka-san is all alone so far away there. So cute,"
"Ara... You are all forgetting that Hakuryuu-san is here," Kanae spoke out as she looked towards where [name] was, who helped Tanjiro to sit up. The Hashiras soon remained silent, and Shinobu looked around, a smile on her face then.
"Oh, where's the harm? He did come along without resisting. Let's come up with a penalty later. What I'm more interested in is hearing this boy's story. The reason he's going on missions with a demon in tow despite being a Demon Slayer. I would like to hear the explanation from the boy himself. Needless to say, what he's done is against the Demon Slayer Corps rules. You are aware of that, aren't you?" Shinobu asked Tanjiro who was kneeling on the ground facing the Hashiras.
Coughing terribly and Goto started to panic.
"He should get some water. Your chin is hurting so take your time drinking. And please tell me as well, the story of travelling with a demon. There is a painkiller in there, so you will ease up a bit. It's not like it heals your injuries, so don't push yourself," Shinobu spoke out as she allowed Tanjiro to drink some water from a small bottle, which [name] encouraged him to drink.
"That demon is my younger sister! While I was away, my family was attacked by a demon and when I got home, they were all dead! My sister got turned into a demon, but she's never devoured, anyone! She never has, and never will! She will never hurt humans no matter what!" Tanjiro yelled out.
"Spare us your absurd ravings. If she's family, no wonder you're defending her. I can't trust a single word you're saying. I, for one, don't believe you," Obanai spoke out.
"Ahhh, you're being obsessed with the demon. Let's kill this pitiful child quickly and release him from suffering," Himejima spoke out as his two large hands were placed together still.
"Your story is simply going around in circles. She hasn't eaten people and she won't eat people from now on. Don't just give lip service, give us a more flamboyant explanation," Tengen spoke out, looking a little irritated somehow.
"Ummm... But I have a question... It doesn't seem like Oyakata-sama has grasped the situation yet. Can we just deal with it on our own like this? We should wait until he arrives... Hakuryuu-san doesn't seem too comfortable with the way we are handling things," Mitsuri asked.
"Shinazugawa-san has yet to arrive as well, I wonder if he is out creating trouble once more," Shinobu spoke out, looking a little worried and [name] laughed softly then.
"Hai, hai, that's enough. We will wait for Oyakata-sama, alright?" [name] spoke out and the Hashiras remained silent as they nodded their head in response.
The respect they held for the Dragon Hashira was so much to the point they were willing to stop their rambles in executing the young boy.
And Haganezuka Hotaru knew all too well, how [name] would be alright after hearing the fact that the Hashira Meeting was going to be about that same boy she had spoken to him about. The very same boy he whom he was crafting nichirin blades for as well.
𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬. ²
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➸ 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝...
1. Walking next to her was something he often wanted on a daily basis. But watching as she was about to leave the Swordsmith Village, made him feel a little more lonely than usual.
2. And because of her, did he realize how much more he was willing to put in the effort into crafting nichirin blades, as often she wishes for the best of others.