Chapter Text
The sun was right above the sky, shining brightly as the cold breeze of the wind in February flew through Muichiro's hair, making his strings flatter around. Some of it slapped him across the face, but he just ignored it as he watched the clouds.
,,What does that one look like...I dont remember..."
He sighed as he looked around himself. All the hashira have gathered together for a meeting sanemi asked their master to arrange, and were now waiting for their master, Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
The hashira, including Kanroji, Kocho, Rengoku, Tengen, Himejima , Obanai and Muichiro, were standing next to each other as they waited, except for Giyuu, who just stood further away from everybody, like always. Sanemi didnt arrive yet, which was kind of weird, since he NEVER even DARED to come late to the meetings.
Mitsuri chatted and laughed loudly with Rengoku together, while Iguro just stood beside her and listened to their conversation.
Uzui talked with Himejima about their recent mission while Shinobu was teasing Tomioka like always. Nothing new.
,,When is that hot headed piece of prick coming? It's already been 15 minuets past the arranged time."
Iguro spoke up, clearly annoyed. He kicked some stones around in frustration.
,,I have things to do! I didn't run miles from my mission back here for nothing!"
He murmured something more as he crossed his arms, but it wasn't understandable.
Mitsuri and the others listened to him, but didn't say anything more.
Their meetings were usually arranged days before for them to prepare and finish their jobs, sudden tasks like this were very rare.
,,Uh...maybe some problem came up and that's why he's late? Anything could happen! So why dont we wait some more minutes guys?"
Mitsuri waved with her hands around as she tried to light the moody mood up, but feeling unsure herself.
,,It cant be. Sanemi and Muichiro were on a mission together, meaning he just has to be here somewhere. Speaking of which...Muichiro, do you know where Sanemi might be?"
Iguro and the others turned their heads to look at Muichiro, the young mist pillar, but he didn't seem to acknowledge what they were talking about as he just stared infront of himself.
Obanai sighed, more surprised at WHY he was even asking this kid.
,,Nevermind. Forget about it. It's pointle-"
,, Y'all, I'm here."
A harsh voice spoke up as it approached the group. All the pillars immadietely recognized who it was.
,,Well look who just showed up... if it isn't our hot tempered friend!
Uzui laughed up,looking down on Sanemi in amusement.
,,Shut up!"
As Sanemi finally walked up to them, he looked around, seemingly to search something or someone specific. His eyes then fixated on Muichiro and his look slightly darkened. It wasn' anger which was placed on his face with scars, but some kind of...worry?
He then looked at everyone,making sure every Hashira was here.
Something wasn't right here at all, that's what the pillars were sure about. Sanemi being calm and not shouting at anyone, especially at giyuu, was really new.
,,Shinazugawa...why did you ask Master to arrange this meeting? And that all of a sudden? Did something happen in yours and Tokito's mission?
Kocho tilted her head as she smiled like always, but inside her she felt something weird. As if the following information might be horrific.
At the thought of a bad information, Shinobu's face frowned more and more. She hated bad news.
Could it be a new dangerous hig skilled demon? Or was a whole village massacred? Or...or what?
Sanemi sighed for like the fifth time today as he mumbled.
,,Not exactly bad...just something...interesting...You guys will know as soon as Master arrives..."
Suddenly Sanemi felt himself get pushed by someone's arm slightly by his shoulder, and he glared up at the person.
,,Dont fu&$ing touch me a$$hole. Get your filthy hands off of me."
Uzui, the person annoying him,just laughed again.
,,Oh come on man! Just tell us now, we didn't walk miles here for nothing! So why so secretive?"
He laughed up again as he bumped Sanemi's back, only for it to greet a slap from the angry hashira.
,,I called you all here for a reason, and not to mess around like nothing. Just be patient jacka$$."
Uzui groaned in frustration as he finally let go of him. The other Hashiras just watched them in annoyance of their childish bickering, except for mitsuri, who tried to hold her laugh in.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps were heard, and in a matter of seconds all the 9 Hashira kneeled down to the ground.
,,Master."
They all spoke up in the exact sync.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the demon slayer corps leader, walked up with a gentle smile on his face with lady Amane beside him.
With a warm tone he greeted his beloved Hashira.
,,Greetings my children, thank you for attending the meeting and I'm sorry for being late..."
Himejima:
,,It is nothing to worry about sir, you can take as much time as needed, and we'll be waiting for your arrival as always, no matter how long it takes."
,,We second that."
Said all the hashira in sync. Again.
Kagaya smiled to himself, feeling happy and grateful for having them all, his wonderful children as he says. It's such a shame he can't see them clearly...
,,Thank you all..."
,,Now...so that no more time is wasted, we shall begin the meeting. Sanemi, stand up please and share why you asked me to arrange this meeting. I suppose it's something important?"
He looked right at Sanemi, who stood up from kneeling and walked forward, all the other pillars behind him watching him in curiosity. All except Muichiro, who just stared at the rocks, lost in thought.
,,Thank you Master. And yes,it's quite..important..."
He quieted down, collecting his thoughts in order as everyone waited. He looked over at Muichiro staring at rocks, then took a deep breath.
,,It's about Tokito."
The hashiras made confused sounds and noises as they looked at the mist pillar, who also finally joined the conversation, looking up at the mention of his name.
,,Tokito? What about him? He doesn't look bad at all. No injuries, nothing weird happening to him, just nothing. So why bring him up all of a sudden?"
Tengen asked, feeling impatient at Sanemi's speed of speech.
Like bro just spit it out. So unflashy...
Meters away from Uzui was Obanai, who nodded his head in agreement.
A quiet voice screeched up, clearly being Mitsuri .
,,It's nothing bad...right?"
From the joyful mood she was in before, it quickly turned to a big ball of worry.
,,He looks fine...so what's the problem shinazugawa?"
While the hashiras whispered their own theories about this, about what so important may have happened, Muichiro , the center of attention now, looked at everyone,especially at sanemi, kind of confused.
/What is wrong with them...there's nothing wrong with me...I'm fine...so what could-/
,,Yeah yeah he's fine! Now let me finish my sentence for now!"
Sanemi frowned with his fingers on his forehead, annoyed. But he tried to keep calm in the presence of Kagaya. There was no reason to be angry, everyone was just worried for the 14 year old boy. He could understand that, a young fella like him, still a child,being in danger. He would honestly feel kind of worried too, but this wasn't the case now at all.
,,It's about mine and Muichiro's recent mission together. We were fighting the demon lurking around a village there, but we got seperated for some time. I came back to the kid, but i saw-"
Sanemi stopped mid sentence, not understanding why.
Why was he struggling to say this little piece of information?! Just spit it out already dumbass!
Muichiro watched him, trying to remember that mission he was talking about.
A village with a demon...they got seperated...
Wait...i think i remember...
,,Muichiro used fucking wind breathing perfectly on that mission."
(Flashback 3 days prior)
Sanemi and Muichiro walked on a path through a forest for their mission, not talking, just silence.
They were ordered by Kagaya to investigate a town in a small alley, rumors of lost young girls disappearing one by one every day going around there.
At first Sanemi was against working with a partner, being used to working alone and he insisted to kagaya he'll be fine, that it might just be some weak demon anyway.
He didnt argue much about this situation though, because if master wanted it, then so shall be it.
He looked over at the 5.3 foot young pillar next to him, and noticed Muichiro also looking at his direction. Directly in his eyes.
,,What is it Tokito?"
He asked with a scoff. He admitted it, Muichiro was no one close enough to be annoying for him, but it seemed like his bad mood took over him. Again. Again. Again.
Muichiro slightly glared at his tone of voice, and faced forward to the road again.
,,Where are we going again? What's the information about this...demon? I didn't listen to what Master said..."
Sanemi stopped in his tracks as he looked at Muichiro in annoyance, but also amused.
Muichiro just looked behind at him with his big, but empty mint-green eyes.
,,You and your slow brain..."
An exhausted sigh came out of Sanemi.
It wasn't even that long ago since Tokito earned the hashira title, maybe...1 year ago? Pretty sure he became one when he was 13 years old ...meh.
But still...a young child like him shouldn't have to handle such a responsible job like that...most of the teenagers his age still act like the children they are, but that also only when they have it peaceful, without any demons to worry about.
Or the other 14 year olds just BEGIN their training as a demon slayer, needing several years to achieve atleast some victory.
Heck Muichiro cant even remember his parents or if he even had some!
/Am I pitying him? No...i cant do that. We need as many demon slayers as possible, strong ones in addition. No matter how old they are. Too many people are getting on the hands of those disgusting creatures, we cant let more sacrifices to be made. No matter what./
Sanemi started walking again as he spoke in a calm tone to the mist pillar.
,,There are rumours of young girls disappearing from a village, we need to investigate that, to make sure if it's a demon or just some disgusting humans. We should be there soon..."
Muichiro blinked a few times.
,,I see. Thank you shinazu-"
,,CAW CAW!"
Sanemi flinched at the sudden series of loud caws. He looked up along with Muichiro, and saw two crows attacking each other. It didnt seem that serious, more like playing around.
Nevermind it was more serious than playing.
,,Ginko! Leave that bird alone!"
Muichiro shouted up at his crow. Ginko, his beloved and jealous as hell crow, immediately scoffed at the craw next to her as she flew down and landed on Muichiro's shoulder.
,,He was about to attack you! I was just protecting you!"
She shouted out in a whiny high pitched voice while flattering her wings around, clearly still angry at the other crow.
,,Sorai did no such thing. He was flying towards me. And Tokito, teach your crow to not attack other people or other birds randomly."
Sanemi spoke up from behind them. The crow Ginko was fighting before stood on Sanemi's arm as it glared at Ginko.
,,Sorai is loyal and well mannered, unlike someone here..."
Sanemi looked at Ginko angrily, then checked his own crow Sorai for any bruises.
Muichiro turned his head to Ginko after listening to Sanemi , Ginko looked back, but without a face of guilt. No. She looked more proud than ever before.
,,I apologize for her behaviour shinazugawa, it won't happen again."
Muichiro slightly bowed down for the apology, and when he came back up, he looked back at ginko.
,,Why are you two here anyway? A massage from master?"
The two crows glared at each other one more time, then started shouting together in sync.
,,I AM HERE JUST TO INFORM THAT 25 MORE YOUNG GIRLS DISAPPEARED FROM THE VILLAGE YOU ARE ASSIGNED TO INVESTIGATE!"
It was seen that Ginko wanted to attack Surai again, but her owner patted her on the head to calm her down as he himself thought.
,,25 more...? That's for sure a demons doing..."
Sanemi gritted his teeth in anger, the case was bad enough with the few missing peope before, but 25 more in one single night? That's definitely a demon like Muichiro said.
,,We cant waste anymore time. We need to sprint there as fast as we can, we can't let more people get lost."
He looked at Muichiro, then at his crow.
,,You both fly back for now, and it will also be better for you both and the birds around you if you both fly separately. Got that?"
His crow nodded as he immadietely flew up and away, not looking behind again.
Ginko on the other hand didn't move an inch.
Sanemi groaned as he looked at the big-eyelashes crow on Muichiro's shoulder. Sometimes he really feels like punching that annoying ass bird.
,,Do you need an extra invitation or something? We dont have the whole day for you."
He crossed his arms as he waited, frustrated at the time wasting.
But even after that Ginko didn't move at all. She literally just ignored the scar mans words.
,,TOKITO, TELL THAT BIRD OF YOURS TO GET GOING! WE STILL HAVE JOB TO DO!"
Muichiro looked between Sanemi and Ginko with his usual empty eyes. Then sighed.
,,Ginko. Go. Do what that man said."
And this time she actually listened. Without another word she took off Muichiro's shoulder and flew off to the direction where Sanemi's crow flew away times prior.
,,That piece of-"
,,Let's get going."
Sanemi was cut off by Muichiro, who started running to the direction of the village.
To not waste anymore time, Sanemi followed him in his tracks.
,,This kid will be the death of me..."
...
It was almost the evening when they finally arrived. They walked through a market street,people on both sides selling all kinds of things. Vegetables, fruits, clothes, baskets, ...
As they walked through the village, they noticed some weird stares from the people around here at them, most likely because of their strange appearance with the demon slayer uniforms. Especially sanemi, with his chest exposed.
,,We need information on that demon..."
He mumbled.
,,And maybe also disguise ourself or something...these stares are getting on my nerves...."
Muichiro listened to sanemi with his one ear, as he was suddenly focused on something.
There was a man sellling different kind of kimonos and yukatas,but one of the yukatas got his attention.
It was a simple short one, in black colour and with some mist looking patters.
/It reminds me of something...but what?/
Muichiro kept looking at it, not hearing Sanemi talking to him at all, and only came back to reality when he was shaken by the shoulders by the wind pillar.
,,TOKITO! Man were you even listening?"
Muichiro looked up at the man with an emotionless look.
,,What were you saying? I zoned out..."
Sanemi let's go of him as he tried to keep his anger in.
/He's a kid with problems. He's a kid with brain problems. Totally nothing bad./
He breathed in and looked at the mist boy once again. This is such a pain in the ass to explain to him again. But oh well.
,,I was saying that by the information we have, the demons only targets are young girls. We might get him to us if we disguise you as one."
Muichiro stared at him blankly.
/Me? Dress up as a woman?/
,,As if I'd agree to that. Is there no other way? We can use a girl from this village to be the sacrifice in this. She'll be lower on status then us anyway."
Sanemi knew he would say this. By his personality it was honestly expected.
,,Look, we cant sacrifice a random woman here, she might get hurt. If you do it, it'd be perfect. You already look like one anyway, with your face and hair and all. We can hide your katana under the kimonos sleeves, and as soon as the demon attacks, you and me attack too. I'll be watching from slightly afar, so it won't be more suspicious."
Muichiro looked down at himself. He saw his long hair infront of his body, and felt the length.
It was true that he got mistaken as a girl before. A LOT.
But if it's just for the sake of the mission...guess I'll live through it.
,,Fine, I'll do it. Where will we get the kimonos?"
Sanemi smiled as he pointed at a store next to them.
,,There."
,,Oh."
They entered the clothing store and looked around. There were fabrics in all kind of colours and patters. Infront was a small table with a woman sitting behind, she seemed to be in her late thirties.
The lady stood up from her place with a smile.
,,Hello there, how may i help you?"
Sanemi took out money out of his pockets and slammed them on the table, making the woman flinch a little.
,,A kimono for this young lady with me please. You shall decide which one fits her."
He walked out of the way for the saleswoman to see Muichiro as he crossed his arms.
The woman took the money and put her glasses on as she looked at muichiro carefully, Muichiro himself just staring blankly at her, wishing this was over already.
,,Oh my oh my! What a beautiful young beauty you are darling! Come on, i think i got the right colour to match you!"
She took Muichiro's hand as she walked with him deeper into the store and picked one kimono out. She held it infront of herself to present it to Muichiro.
,,This colour suits you very well! Come on, lets get you to try it out!"
Muichiro stared at the Kimono she held out for him, and again a strange feeling washed over him.
The dress wasn't that special, a light blue with some white dots in different patterns around, but it still reminded him of something...
/Just what is this.../
He forced his thoughts to go away as he took the fabric and walked without another word into the changing room,leaving the lady stunned behind.
At that time, Sanemi walked up to the lady as he waited with her for Muichiro to finish dressing up.
They stood like that in awkward silence for a bit, then the lady spoke up.
,,She sure isn't talk active...Is she shy?"
Sanemi looked down on the seller, and without a second doubt he spoke.
,, 'She' just doesn't like communication. She's someone with few words coming out of her mouth. She doesn't mean to be rude,dont worry."
/Yeah...as if... ,,not rude". Biggest lie I have ever said./
The lady chuckled at the information, then sighed. Her face went from amused to sad in one single second.
Sanemi didn't care to ask about it, but he didn't even need to, as the woman spoke herself out.
,,Make sure nothing bad happens to her...she's precious...as you know already...many young women her age are disappearing the last weeks..."
Sanemi eyes pirked up at that subject. Maybe he could get more information on the demon they needed.
,,One of the victims is my daughter, she suddenly disappeared after hanging out with her friends some days ago, neither her or her friends were found till today."
The wind hashira noticed tears forming in her eyes.
/Oh god...i can't comfort people at all...what should i even do with her.../
He was silent for a moment, but broke the silence later with frustration in his head.
,,I'm sorry to hear that...and i promise you, i will take care of...'her'..."
The lady smiled at him as she wiped her tears away.
,,You're a good man sir..."
Sanemi was silent at that. Not knowing how to answer. But he didn't even need to, since Muichiro came out of the changing room.
Muichiro wore the kimono the lady gave him, the hard fabric wrapped around him.
If Sanemi met muichiro like this for the first time ever, he probably wouldn't even believe his master saying that this was actually a boy.
He was surprised at how the disguise worked REALLY good, snickering to himself,only to meet Muichiro's angry look at him while the Lady squirmed around him, squealing like crazy.
,,Oh my goodness how gorgeous you are! Such a beauty like you will totally have men on their knees for you!"
Sanemi saw Muichiro's weirded out look on his face,clearly wanting to leave.
That look was amusing to watch.
Later on, after finally getting the lady off of him, they quickly said their goodbye and walked off. It was already getting dark, so they had to get ready for the attack.
The place where the lady's daughter hung out with her friends was a little lake next to the village, so they went to that direction. As soon as they found a place with a bench next to the lake laying few meters away, they settled themselves down. Muichiro sat down on the bench as he played around with the flowers around him, his katana ready under his sleeves.
Sanemi hid himself on a roof, laying there as he watched muichiro.
And now they had to wait.
10 minutes.
20 minutes.
30 minutes.
Time went by so slow , it was crazy, and nothing happened yet. It was almost 1 am, the time most peope were asleep. Honestly, a good sleep wouldn't hurt Sanemi right now, but he knows he can't take his eyes off of Muichiro and his surroundings.
No matter how long it takes, even if it goes till the morning, they had to be cautious.
Muichiro looked at all the broken flowers around him, bored as hell.
/When will that fucker come up.../
Then he suddenly heard a rustle coming from the bushes. He looked behind himself as he waited for the perfect time to strike.
Then moments later a demon finally showed up.
And oh god it looked horrendous!
Eyes EVERYWHERE on its body, looking at all directions.
Muichiro wanted to puke.
,,Ohhhh~~ what do we have here? A young beauty like you shouldn't wander around here when it's so late...why don't you come with me? I love such beauties like you~"
Ew.
Muichiro stared at the demon blankly, but immense disgust was inside him.
,,Quiet now huh...oh well...we can just-"
The demon stopped mid sentence as his aura became clearly angry.
The eyes on its body looking all around the place, then all of them fixated on Sanemi on the roof.
,,Wind and mist hashira...I see...you both thought you could trick me into a trap?"
Muichiro stood up as he took his katana out, and Sanemi jumped from the roof next to him.
,,You shall die by my hands you disgusting piece of shit!"
Sanemi shouted out, holding his katana in a fighting stance as his veins seemed like to pop out of his brain from anger.
The demon chuckled ugly as he murmured something.
Then suddenly he started shrinking and more copies of him showed up, all fo them walked all around.
,,THEN FIND THE REAL ME!"
A hysterical ugly laughter drummed against Sanemi's ears as he saw one half of the demons heading into the inside of the village. The other part aimed at him and Muichiro both.
,,Muichiro! Deal with these ones, I'll go eliminate the ones going to the village!"
He then ran off to swipe those little demons heading to the town off. He didn't worry for Muichiro at all, he could handle them himself. He's a hashira for a reason.
Muichiro saw Sanemi dissapearing behind the houses into the town, and Muichiro looked infront of himself to see all the little copies of the demon crawling at him.
He then breathed in and out. Calm.
,,Mist breathing, 5th form: Sea of Clouds and Haze."
He dashed forward with his high speed and unleashed the fury of his attacks, many of the demons getting hit and disappearing from a wide area, but there were still many more coming. They literally cloned themselves with no end!
/There's no point in slaying them all over again if they keep cloning themselves, the only option is killing the main body. But how-/
He then suddenly remembered something.
/ I know.../
(With Sanemi)
/Fuck it! They keep cloning themselves! I already attacked them all, there's no main body here... I have to go back. The main body is most likely with Muichiro, which means I either go there and eliminate it off along with the hundreds others or Muichiro already killed it by now./
After some seconds of thinking he made up his mind and went back to where Muichiro was. If he gets there as fast as he can, then those little clones won't even have the time to get their hands on one of the humans from the town.
He turned around the corner and finally arrived at the place where the fight started, he shouted.
,,MUICHIRO DID YOU-"
He couldn't finish his sentence as he watched the happening scene with a wide opened mouth.
Infront of him...Muichiro...
,,Wind breathing,5th form: Cold mountain wind!"
It wasn't Sanemi who said and performed the attack.
It was Muichiro