Chapter Text
Michikatsu rubbed at his eyes tiredly. He'd only just come back from a mission, and his limbs still ached. He lifted a hand gently, tracing a new scar that ran across his forearm.
Groaning, he pulled himself out of bed. He heard his bones crack, a reminder that he'd been still for too long. Drawing himself up, he opened the curtains. The sunlight hit him, and he squinted his eyes. Didn't the Hashira have a meeting today?
He yawned, rubbing the final traces of sleep from around his eyes. Where were his clothes?
Oh, he'd fallen asleep in them.
How improper of him.
Michikatsu opened the door to his room and slipped out. The hallway was silent, except for the sound of his cat's light breathing from the window ledge. Reaching the door, he toed on his shoes.
The morning was still, almost eerily so. It reminded him of the quietness of his house after his brother had gone missing.
Michikatsu shook his head. It'd been five years, he should be over Yoriichi's disappearance now.
He shrugged on his hanten, glancing outside to see the frost on his window. He opened the door, his cat raising her head at the sudden lack of heat. Michikatsu softly smiled at her, and left.
It had snowed during the night, so the Moon Hashira could see footsteps leading away from a small estate opposite his. Michikatsu knew who lived there; the newest addition to the Hashira. Perhaps they were his, or his apprentice's.
Douma was a fascinating person. Although he'd only just turned nineteen - not that Douma told him, but he overheard one of Master's servants gossiping about Douma - the Ice Pillar was almost inhumanly fast and strong.
It had taken him years of training since childbirth to become what Douma achieved in the short space of a few months. However, now that Kokushibo had surpassed Douma in power, he could properly analyse Douma's technique, which he'd never seen before.
It was a usual choice, Ice Breathing. One of the hardest styles to learn, and a fairly recent one. Actually, he'd overheard Douma telling Hakuji that he'd created an additional form.
Hakuji had scoffed, shrugging Douma's hand off his shoulder. Douma's smile never shifted, and he simply continued talking to Hakuji- who was clearly considering decapitating the younger.
Douma was an interesting character. His expression was always a smile; Michikatsu never saw the barest glimpse of anger or sadness. It was intriguing how he seemed to guard his emotions so well. It almost made Michikatsu wonder if Douma was a lot more intelligent than he appeared. To never falter emotionally was... dangerous.
Michikatsu shivered slightly. His hanten wasn't very good at keeping him warm. He picked up his pace, hearing the caw of a crow. Was it perhaps his?
It took about half an hour to reach the Corps. Already it was busy, people rushing about with supplies and medical items. He couldn't see any of the other Hashira, implying he was first. He thought Douma had left before him - perhaps he'd overtaken Douma on the way here and didn't notice?
About a hundred metres away, out of earshot, he could see Master on his platform, and sitting next to him the ever silent Nakime. Neither of them looked pleased, but then again Nakime never did.
Michikatsu could hear footsteps behind him, the sound of laughing. He could already tell who it was behind him.
"Michikatsu!" Came the ever-annoying voice of Gykokko. Michikatsu sighed. He could already tell it would be a long day.
"Gykokko." His speech was short, and due to his lack of communication with others, hesitant. Yoriichi called - no, had called - it being shy.
His mother had called it weird.
"No need to be so grumpy!" Exclaimed Gykokko. There was an awkward silence where Michikatsu didn't reply. In an attempt to stop the silence, Gykokko continued talking. "I brought Hantengu with me!"
Michikatsu wanted to tell him to shut up.
"H-hi." Stammered Hantengu, hiding behind Gykokko. "Where.... where are the others?"
Michikatsu shrugged slightly, glancing around. Please...someone come and get him out of this awkward situation.
"Hello..." came a quiet voice, and Michikatsu turned to see Douma's apprentice, Rui. "What are you guys doing?"
Salvation.
Rui may not be a Hashira, but he was tolerable. Actually, he was more than tolerable. He was nice kid.
"Who are you again?" Asked Gykokko, peering down at Rui. "Oh! You're the Ice Pillar's apprentice. Speaking of Douma, where is he?"
Rui shrugged. "He didn't come home last night. He might still be doing his mission."
"I hope he's dead."
Ah. Hakuji had arrived. Michikatsu turned around, glancing at the man. Hakuji glared at him, his hatred for the other still very visible.
"That's not very nice Hakuji..." trembled Hantengu, a shaky hand fidgeting with a small leaf. "He's our colleague. We shouldn't hate him..."
Hakuji rolled his eyes. "C'mon, it's not like anyone here actually likes him."
"I do!" Huffed Rui. "And don't talk about him like that. No wonder Douma-san says all but three of you are annoying."
This comment seemed to surprise the Hashira.
"I thought he liked us?" Said a raspy voice, indicating Gyutaro had arrived. His sister, Ume, wasn't far behind.
Rui finally smiled. Gyutaro and Ume had been trained by Douma, and had always been nice to Rui. According to the fourteen year old, that meant they were both part of his little family.
"He likes you two." Rui mentioned, pointing at Gyutaro and Ume. Ume smiled delightfully, hugging Rui.
"Ruiiii! You've grown so much!" She exclaimed. Rui flushed, embarrassed.
What Michikatsu wouldn't give to have a family like that...
The Moon Pillar noticed a light tapping on his leg, and looked down to see a child in a flowery kimono. Everyone turned their attention towards the messenger.
"Master wishes to address all of you." Said the child in a flat voice, releasing their light grip from Michikatsu's limb to point down one of the small passages that led to a section of houses. "He is in his residence down there."
"Thanks," replied Hakuji, motioning to the other Hashira.
Gykokko almost instantly started walking, Hantengu following him. Ume hugged Rui goodbye and grabbed Gyutaro, dragging him with her. Michikatsu trudged after the siblings, thanking the child.
After a brief walk, the six Hashira arrived at the house. Muzan sat there, Nakime next to him. Nakime was another Hashira, but she specialised in protecting the Kibitsuji family.
Not that there were many left.
Muzan appeared uneasy. His illness had noticeably spread, the purplish mottling nearly reaching his mouth. His once vibrantly red eyes had become dull, yet still carried a spark of hope that Michikatsu had always noticed. How one could be hopeful in such a broken world was odd to him, but admirable.
"Children...is everyone here?"
Gykokko was the one that spoke, always desperate to please. His obnoxious voice annoyed Michikatsu. "No Master! Douma isn't here, and his apprentice told us he didn't return last night."
Muzan winced. "Then it is true."
The Hashira - except Nakime, of course - were confused, as was Michikatsu.
"Master...they are confused." Stated Nakime, fingers drifting along the strings of her biwa. Muzan nodded.
"Douma's crow was found dead, a demon attack," Muzan faltered, a grim expression on his face. "Douma is believed to be missing."
"Missing as in dead?" Asked Hakuji, raising an eyebrow. "I fail to see an issue here."
Muzan let out a low sigh, turning his head in the direction of Hakuji's voice. His blind eyes swept over each of the Hashira, pausing to rest on the Destruction Pillar.
"Yes. But we can't be sure yet. Which is why I brought you here," Muzan said, looking away from the Hashira, fumbling around with his fingers before picking up a scrap of cloth next to him. "This was found in the forest where Douma was last seen. It's his. Another demon slayer found a different item of clothing that the Ice Hashira doesn't wear with his scent on it, indicating he might be alive. The Corps need him back, he's our second stron- he's a valuable member."
"What does this have to do with us?" Called Gykokko, twirling his purple hair around his finger. "Why did we need to be notified?"
"The Hashira must be complete. One of you need to go and find Douma and bring him back." Muzan tilted his head, smiling. "Do any of you volunteer?"
There was silence for a few seconds. None of the Hashira moved. Not even Ume and Gyutaro spoke, instead just glancing down at the floor. After what felt like an eternity, Gyutaro cleared his throat.
"But... if he's missing," he began in his raspy voice. Michikatsu could already tell he wasn't volunteering. "Then he's probably dead. Douma's a Hashira, a bigger target, so if he hasn't come back from a mission... we could probably assume the worst."
Muzan shook his head. "Douma is strong. He may have survived. Does anyone want to help?"
Still no one moved. Then, Michikatsu raised a hand.
"No volunteers? How disappointing."
Shit, he'd forgotten Muzan was blind.
"I.. I will go," muttered Michikatsu, looking embarrassed as he said the words.
Hakuji glanced at him. Leaning over, he whispered into the Moon Pillar's ear. "You care about that bastard?"
Before Michikatsu could reply - and embarrass himself further - Muzan spoke.
"Thank you, Michikatsu. The rest of you..." Muzan just sighed. "Thank you for coming. You may leave, Michikatsu stay a bit longer so I can tell you where he was last seen."
The Hashira stood up, walking away in different directions. Nakime, Muzan and Michikatsu stayed, to discuss Michikatsu's new mission.
Well - Nakime wouldn't talk, she was more like a sentimental ornament.
———-
Douma was cold. His haori was gone, his hakama trousers completely ripped. And it didn't help he was on this freezing mountain, in an equally freezing cave.
Plus, he hadn't eaten for sometime. The demon who had taken him didn't seem to realise that he was human, and wasn't a cannibal. Seriously, the now decaying corpses she'd put in front of him were starting to really smell. It was gross.
Speaking of the demon... where were they? He hadn't seen them in... how long was it now? A day? Perhaps more.
He wasn't worried about them, at all. He was just worried about the fact he might starve to death if they didn't return.
Just as he was thinking about the pros and cons of the demon rolling off a cliff into a pool of lava, he heard soft footsteps that he could assume were the demon's.
"I'm back~"
Yup, definitely the demon.
"Did you miss me? You still haven't eaten your food!" She exclaimed, her three eyes widening. "Are you sick or something? I can cure you!"
Douma grinned. "Cure me? I must be special for you to want to do that."
"You aren't special," she snaps, the amusement vanishing from her tone. "You're just another body, just another human. A form of entertainment. There'll be many more like you in my life. But none of them mattered, and none of them will. So don't act like you're special just because I keep you alive. I didn't save you because I liked you, I just don't like wasting potential."
Douma blinked. He hadn't been expecting that outburst. And what did she mean saved? He was doing fine in his battle! Against... Uppermoon One... who he wasn't prepared for.
Whatever.
"Um... ok."
The smile on her face appeared again. "So! I have made a decision~"
That didn't sound good. Goosebumps emerged over Douma's pale skin, a tremor in his hands. The demon didn't notice it, too busy devouring an arm in front of him.
"And... what is it?"
"I'm going to make you into a demon like me!" Her butterfly-like wings flapped. It was look sweet if she wasn't covered in blood. "Then we can be actual friends!"
Douma's heart didn't just miss a beat, it full on stopped. What? Becoming a demon would mean he never saw his - admittedly not a lot of - friends. He would be unable to be a demon slayer. He would be hunted down and killed. A Hashira becoming a demon? It was a recipe for disaster. However, he had to address the more important issue.
"We're not friends," he scowled. The demon look confused.
"D-did you not hear what I said? I'm going to make you into a demon..."
"Yeah, but the mere thought of us being friends was more horrific to me."
"I should kill you for your insouciant attitude," she groaned, walking over to him. He inched back, or as far as he could go when he was wrapped in a cocoon. "Stay still. This won't hurt, I promise."
She reached her hand up to his head, but she was too short to reach it. Douma felt like giggling, in spite of the current situation. She huffed, and using her wings, flew up to his face and hovered. She pressed a finger into his forehead, her sharpened nail piercing it instantly. She was a liar. It did hurt.
A lot.
He bit his tongue, trying not to scream. He bit too hard; blood starting flowing out of his tongue and out of his mouth. Still, he continued to bite down. He wouldn't give this demon the satisfaction of hearing him scream. More blood came out.
The demon pulled her finger out of his forehead. "I've given you a lot. I've also got a spare bottle of Master's blood, but I don't need it. You can have it!"
She practically skipped across the cave, getting a small vial. Douma was in excruciating pain, his eyes starting to water. Normally he'd enjoy pain but this... this was too much.
The demon came back, opening the bottle. Douma vaguely saw what she was holding, but his eyes were too blurred with tears to properly focus on it. She flew up to him again and titled back his head. Prying his lips open - blood gushed out the moment she did - she poured the contents in. She forced Douma's jaw shut, meaning no blood could come out. The pooling blood in Douma's mouth triggered his swallow reflex.
The additional blood make Douma's tears spill, as he struggled in desperation. He knew there was no getting out of becoming a demon - he could already feel himself changing. But perhaps he could get out of the cocoon he was encased in and beat the shit out of the demon in front of him?
He felt a hand press to his cheek. Sharp, blood incrusted nails drifted across his skin. She smiled at him. "I'd an already tell you'll be powerful. Maybe you could become a Kizuki member?"
Douma hissed in pain. What the fuck was a Kizuki member?
"Eh. I'll leave now. This was entertaining," she smirked. How was it entertaining? She'd ruined Douma's already horrible life. "You don't have to thank me by the way, you're welcome~"
She turned around, laughing to herself before leaving into the night. Douma watched her, before another bout of pain assaulted him.
His head lolled, resting on his shoulder. He could see small red and black dots starting to appear and cloud his vision. His eyelids drooped.
After a few seconds, he couldn't hear anything. He'd probably wake up in a few seconds.
————
Michikatsu got to the mountain Douma was last seen. Unsurprisingly, he wasn't there. Muzan had told him that if he wasn't there, he was probably dead. Then the Moon Hashira should return and be given an actual mission, and all the Hashira would be notified of Douma's death.
But... Michikatsu did care about Douma, not that he'd every admit it to anyone, not even himself.
So he'd trekked up three other peaks, only to come down without finding the blond. He'd even gone to the local hospital, to no avail. He'd asked around - which was damn near impossible for him with his social anxiety. Why was he doing this again? - but no one in the village had seen anyone of the description.
On the downside, due to all his questions, none of the hostels or inns wanted to house him for the night. Michikatsu wondered why. Did they think he was out to kill Douma? Well... he did have a giant katana attached to his hip.
Due to the amazing circumstances he found himself in, Michikatsu decided to go up another mountain, where a village child had told him there was a cabin. That's why he was walking up a literal mountain whilst freezing cold, probably frost bitten, and hungry.
He was about halfway up the mountain when he saw light spilling out from behind a clump of trees. Was this where the cabin was? It wouldn't hurt to check.
He trudged through the small gaps in the trees, getting small twigs and leaves stuck in his long hair as he squeezed himself through the dense wilderness. There was strong stench of blood... almost overpowering.
Michikatsu grimaced. He'd always hated the smell of blood, ever since an incident in his childhood.
He reached the light. It was an opening of some sort of cave. There were some noises coming from within. Michikatsu placed a hand in the handle of his katana, wrapping his fingers around it. This could be a demon - it would explain the smell of blood.
He took a tentative step inside. His eyes widened.
Douma was sitting there, in ripped and bloody clothing. His hair, usually kept in a ponytail, was loose and unkept, tumbling down his back messily. He had no shoes on, and when he glanced into Michikatsu's wide eyes, his pupils were slits.
But what horrified the Moon Pillar the most was the mangled corpse in front of him. Blood ran over Douma's hands, and some was splattered across his lips.
Michikatsu instinctively drew his blade, the sharp post gleaming in the strong light. Where was the source of the light even coming from? He couldn't see.
"Douma... you are a demon," began Michikatsu, his voice filled with disappointment. "You realise I have to kill you now."
Douma looked up from his meal. Michikatsu couldn't help but stare. No one should look that good covered in gore.
"Mhm, I know. But we both know you won't be able to." Replied Douma, motioning for Michikatsu to sit next to him. The other did not move, just standing there with his blade drawn.
And yet - Douma was right. He just knew he wouldn't be able to bring himself to kill Douma. Hopefully Douma didn't know the reason why.
"Aw, don't you wanna spend time together?" It seemed his attitude hadn't changed. Douma was still as happy as ever. Michikatsu glanced around nervously. He could sense Douma's power, now greatly multiplied. Douma was definitely stronger than him.
If he refused... who knows. Douma was a demon now, highly unpredictable and dangerous.
He sighed and sat down next to the other. He still gripped his sword, knuckles turning white from the strength he was holding onto it with. Michikatsu made a disgusted face. Hopefully no blood would get in his clothes. He knew from experience how blood stains took effort to remove.
Douma slung an arm around the Moon Pillars shoulder. "So... you were looking for me?"
Michikatsu's nose crinkled at the scent on Douma's arm, the way a severed tendon was stuck to pale, cold - admittedly very soft - skin.
"Maybe."
"Aw, do you care? That's so sweet!" Douma exclaimed, giving a toothy grin that showed off his new fangs.
"Maybe."