The Kamados.
Shinobu’s anger spread within her as she ran lightly across the mossy forest floor.
It boiled under her skin in contrast to the cool night air of mount Natagumo. Like an odorless stench that clung to her no matter how much metaphorical perfume she tried to hide it under, her anger was always with her. She could feel it's head spreading throughout her now as she ran past the graveyard of demon slayers. Yet, even though she had not officially accepted the title of Hashira, she was treated as one by her colleagues. Kagaya had trusted her with the responsibility he gave her, so she did as her sister had taught her, and ignored her anger.
She was calm, and serene as she did her duties, even when she had to swallow the bile that built up in her mouth, as she opened those web-orb’s and saw, and smelled the ghastly insides… her comrades, toyed with by these horrible creatures. She considered perhaps capturing the demon alive, and bringing it to Sasori… she wondered to herself, if she actually had the stomach to go through with it.
When she came to the clearing, the sight of the demon responsible reminded her just how much of it she had…
The fight did not take long. The spider-demon responsible for creating those cocoons of death, lay dead and disintegrating at Shinobu’s feet.
She thought of Kanae who departed for a mission of her own right before her, and Kanao who was leading the Kakushi, and saving as many people as they could, and yet she had wasted time dragging the fight out… not that it was much of a fight.
“I let my anger get the better of me,” Shinobu admonished herself. “Please forgive me Nee-san. I cannot be like you… I’m too much like him… my old teacher… ”
***
“Why isn’t Tomioka-san acting!? ” Shinobu did not pause to think any longer than that, there was no need to hesitate. Her smile never left her lips. Giyuu had always been odd in his lack of explanations, but she would ask him later. She leapt from the tree branch and shot towards the demon with a pin-point precise thrust- only for metal to clash with metal!
“Ara?” Shinobu looked back in surprise as she confirmed with her eyes that Giyuu had indeed drawn his own blade to stop her attack. “Tomioka-san? Why are you getting in my way?”
She landed a few paces on the other side of him, unsure of how to react… Then again, the water pillar had always been a difficult person to read, even for her. “Earlier this night,” Shinobu told him, keeping the frustration out of her voice, “you scolded Nee-san for hoping to one day get along with the demons. Why are you doing this now? This is why nobody likes you.”
She now took in the sight in front of her. Behind the water-pillar, was a boy around Kanao’s age, and he was covering the demon with his body. “Boy,” she said to him in a patient tone, “you’re protecting a demon. It's dangerous, so please get off her.”
“No!” He cried. “I mean… you're not wrong, but this is my little sister! Thats why…”
Shinobu put her hand to her mouth, but she had already seen this so many times before… family members turned into demons. Their loved ones almost always wanted to protect them, but it always ended the same way, Once a human was turned into a demon, their lives were considered over. They were now nothing more than minions of Muzan. “I really am sorry to hear that… well in that case, I’ll use a gentle poison, so she won’t feel any pain.”
She would have been lying if she said she was surprised when the boy took his sister and ran.
She had tried to appear as non-threatening as possible, but humans were still irrational. This boy was lucky that this demon was seemingly so weak, but a demon could bite his neck at any minute!
She sprang after him, leapt onto the tree branches where she had a birds-eye view, and was moments away from reaching him, when she felt the presence behind her.
She turned around in astonishment. Giyuu’s behavior had already confused her, so she knew to expect the unexpected from him, but never in her wildest dreams had she imagined being manhandled by him! As he grabbed her, she instinctively stabbed at him, not meaning to kill him, but he was stronger, and soon had asserted full control over the situation, with her blade poking harmlessly through his Haori.
Giyuu was gentle as he restrained her, and descended onto the forest floor with her firmly in his hold, but the mix of frustration, humiliation, and resentment that she now felt, she struggled to keep bottled up. No matter how she fought against him, her own cursed weakness made her helpless. She was being held against her will by someone she had thought of as a brother to her, and didn’t even have any Idea why.
“Killing demons is what I am trained to do, so I don’t believe I was doing anything wrong,” she said as calmly as she could, as she shifted her foot to make sure the poison on her hidden blade would be the non-lethal type meant for humans. “...but Tomioka-san, this is a violation of corps conduct. You're obstructing me from my job. Why?” Giyuu said nothing… yet she couldn’t have suspected he was doing this to stall for time. Tomioka was always a man of few words, but her patience with him in this moment was much shorter than under usual circumstances. “Why don’t you say something?” she asked, using every ounce of her control to keep the anger out of her voice. “Give me a reason at least”
“If I remember this right, I believe it was two years ago…” he began with a sigh.
“Please don’t start some long, rambling story from that far back in time,” she said, the exasperation now seeping through her attempts to block it. “Is this because you’re angry with me for saying that people dislike you?”
She felt the shift as Giyuu dropped his guard.
With the flexibility that she had trained so diligently in, she attacked! Raising her leg high with the knife in her Tabi aimed at her target!
Giyuu raised his own blade, but before either attack could land-
“MESSAGE! MESSAGE!” The shrill cry of the Kasugai crows brought both of them to a welcomed halt.
“CAPTURE THE ONES TANJIRO AND NEZUKO! AND BRING THEM BACK TO HEADQUARTERS!
TANJIRO HAS A BIRTHMARK ON HIS FOREHEAD! NEZUKO IS A DEMON WITH A BAMBOO BIT IN HER MOUTH! TO HEADQUARTERS! TO HEADQUARTERS!”
Shinobu felt Giyuu’s grip on her be relinquished, and she looked up to see him sheathing his sword.
“I don’t need to worry about you doing anything now, do I?”
“No,” she answered with resignation as she sheathed her own sword. “Our new orders are to bring them back to headquarters afterall.”
Giyuu had already begun down the mountain path, and she followed, swallowing her anger as she did. He offered her neither apology nor explanation, and yet, she began to question whether or not she had acted correctly, afterall, everything she had done was in line with the rules, and yet… she had never seen a demon so docile… a demon with a bamboo muzzle…
“Nee-san, if you were here tonight instead of me, what would you have done?”
The walk back down the mountain with him was extremely awkward to say the least. Several ambulances waited at the bottom, and Shinobu made sure to climb into the one that carried the most critical patient. The doors were shut, and the Kakushi drove off. Part of her was thankful that it allowed her to avoid Giyuu, and at the same time, she was desperate to talk to him…
***
The sun had already risen, and an emergency Hashira meeting had been called. A table with a buffet of breakfast had been laid out for them, and Including Tomioka, four of the nine pillars were already there. Though she prevented it from showing on her face, Shinobu felt a pang of immense worry, that Kanae was not among them.
Muichiro who had been woken early to come to this meeting, now slept with his head on Kanroji's lap. Kanroji ran a hand through his hair, while transferring breakfast from her plate to her mouth with the other hand. Giyuu, stood as still as a statue, a stoic look on his face… It did not go unnoticed by Shinobu that he kept the unconscious young man whom he had saved within his line of sight, as though he was watching over him protectively. Himejima, whom Shinobu had known the longest, was also there. She walked over to him, and even with her light footsteps, he knew right away that it was her.
“How are you feeling child?” He asked her, his quiet yet deep voice adding a layer of reassurance.
“I am fine, Himejima-san. I suppose you've heard what happened?”
“So it's true then,” he said. “there is no excuse for what Tomioka has done.”
“I think we owe it to him to hear him out,” Shinobu said thoughtfully. “After all, we know him… Himejima-san, have you heard anything of my sister?”
Himejima shook his head. “I'm afraid not.”
Shinobu thanked him, and carried herself with a heavy heart to the steps of the engawa, where she sat down, and buried her face behind her knees.
Iguro Obanai was the next pillar to come. He took one look at Shinobu, and immediately try to pick a quarrel with Tomioka. She heard Himejima separate them, and then he went to greet Kanroji, and finally, address her.
“How are you doing Kocho?” He asked.
“I'm fine, just a bit tired. And you? Iguro-san, how are you doing?”
“I'm annoyed” he answered. “I heard Tomioka butted in as you were trying to do your job," She could hear the veins popping on his forehead. "Did he hurt you?” He asked with venom.
“I assure you, that he did not. I am perfectly fine Iguro-san, but have you heard from my sister? I know she had a mission tonight.”
“I have not” Obanai admitted.
Kaburamaru slithered down and nuzzled Shinobu comfortingly, and she smiled as she held up a finger and stroked him under his chin.
“Your sister pushes herself, but the master still…” he trailed off.
“Never mind” he said with a grimace. “I'm not thinking straight right now, forgive me.”
“You are angry, Iguro-san, and I understand you” Shinobu said diplomatically. “But just as I've assured Himejima-san, I am fine. I'm sure he had a good reason.”
“There is never a good reason to let a demon get away” Obanai said as Kaburamaru retreated up his arm, and coiled around his neck. “It gets people killed.”
Obanai retreated to a tree branch, and Shinobu buried her face back behind her knees again. “Nee-san, please come soon”...
She heard Uzui Tengen make his noisy entrance, followed by Rengoku, who wasted no time in asking how she was doing, and assuring her that Kanae would come soon. It was almost noon when she did arrive, with Shinazugawa Sanemi.
Shinobu sank into herself with absolute relief as she heard. She now composed herself, rose to her feet, and walked over to meet her sister, and then conduct the meeting by her side.
Shinobu did not feel out of place. She knew that she was an important witness at this meeting, and it proceeded without incident.
Kamado Tanjiro was awoken, and his sister was brought in. Some of the Hashira like Shinazugawa, reacted with anger, but Kanae was able to calm things down before any escalation occurred. And then the master of the mansion arrived. The “trial” began, with Kagaya immediately voicing his approval of Tanjiro and Nezuko, despite the protests of some of the Hashira. He informed them that Tanjiro had already met Muzan, to the shock of all present, and finally; Tomioka Giyuu’s testament was read aloud.
In addition to Kamado Tanjiro, Tomioka Giyuu, and his mentor, Urokodaki Sakonji, had testified that they would commit Seppuku, should Nezuko attack a human.
“Tmioka-san,” Kanae said, turning a gentle gaze, “I had no idea…”
“So what if they want to die?” Obanai said venomously. “Their statement can’t be trusted.”
“I agree,” Sanemi said. “There’s no guarantee in any of this.”
“Shinazugawa is correct!” Rengoku bellowed. “If she kills someone, that cannot be undone. The dead will never come back!”
“That is very true,” Kagaya said kindly. “Those three cannot guarantee that Nezuko will not attack anyone. However, they have all wagered their lives. Furthermore, you cannot prove that she will attack people. The truth is that Nezuko has been living as a demon without eating humans for more than two years now. Because of her, three people have already put their lives on the line. To deny this, the deniers have to present something more than what is here.”
Sanemi was visibly incensed. He drew his sword in preparation to draw his own blood. But upon noticing Kanae’s eyes on him, sheathed his sword and sighed. But then his hands began to tremble…
“I understand your consternation Sanemi… Obanai.” Kagaya said. “If it would put your minds at ease, I will say that I have not just based my decision to accept Nezuko on everything that has been said here. There is another source, which gives me no doubt that Nezuko will not attack humans. There has already been-” Kagaya continued, but Sanemi was fighting against his own anger. He loved and respected Kagaya, but he was not confident of his judgement for obvious reasons. One thing still gnawed at him, a psychopath whose research Kagaya deemed a necessary evil. He had already caused a lower moon to escape from his fellow Hashira, and would not have cared how many more humans would die because of it. Now, the master spoke of even more secrets that would be kept from them.
“Oyakata-sama, forgive my disrespect,” Sanemi said with the disquietude of a loyal Samurai forced to rebuke his lord for his own good.
Kanae turned away, as Sanemi took the box containing Nezuko into the shade, slit his own arm, and stabbed the demonified girl...
***
Nezuko had proven that she would not attack humans, and she and Tanjiro had long since been escorted from the master’s home, to the butterfly estate’s clinic. The meeting had been conducted outside in the nice weather, and presently, a dinner buffet had been assembled for the swordsmen.
As Kagaya sat and ate on the engawa with his daughters, Kanae and Sanemi walked through the serene garden, far away from the others. Shinobu sat with Muichiro who was nursing on a sweetmeat, as she watched her sister from a distance.
Their backs were turned to her, but it did not go unnoticed to her, how Sanemi walked at the same pace as Kanae. Even from that distance, she could tell he was much calmer than the man who cut his own arm at the meeting.
"I can’t fucking fathom it" Sanemi admitted to Kanae, the frustration clear in his voice. He rarely cursed around her, but he could not censor his thoughts. "If that bitch became a demon without ever eating humans then maybe…. maybe my Ma didn’t have to…"
“Its okay Sanemi,” Kanae said, putting a soft hand on his tense arm.
"I never even thought, ‘what if I could’ve saved her?’ until now Kanae. Its eating me.”
“No,” Kanae said wrapping her arm around his, “It wasn’t your fault Sanemi, and it wasn’t your mother's fault either. You must know this,” her voice ached with his pain that she was now willingly sharing. “And you mustn't punish Nezuko and Tanjiro because of it either.”
Sanemi heaved, as he took as deep a breath as he could, and then exhaled the exasperated words; “How the fuck is it that she could do it when my Ma couldn’t?”
They had stopped walking now, and Kanae had no words to offer him. Silently, she leaned against him, pressing her head against his shoulder. They stayed like that for a while. Sanemi did not move, soaking in the warmth that she so tenderly offered him. “I’ll try to be nicer to them,” he finally promised.
***
After dinner, as the air was beginning to cool, the Hashira filed into the Ubuyashiki mansion from the courtyard to continue the meeting inside. Shinobu turned to return to her clinic, but stopped… something felt slightly off. “Shinobu?” Kanae asked as she turned to her, “is something the matter?”
“It’s fine Nee-san. I believe I just imagined something.”
Cicadas began to call as the sun set. Kanae leapt from the engawa to Shinobu’s side. “You’ve had a long night last night Shinobu, would you like me to walk you home?”
“No thank you Nee-san. I’ll be fine, really. Besides, you're wanted inside.”
Kanae nodded understandingly. “Get some rest,” she said gently. “I’ll come and check on you as soon as we finish up here.”
“Thank you Nee-san,” Shinobu said with a slight bow of the head. “I really appreciate it, but please don’t worry. I’m fine.”
Deep in the trees behind them, the head of a puppet sat hidden.
Kinuta’s synthetic ears, with his chakra still circulating within them, picked up everything that was said there.
Attached to the puppet’s head, was a single, thin Chakra thread, that led from the Ubuyashiki’s yard, to Sasori’s estate.
The puppet master tilted his head and smiled. “A boy traveling with a demon sister… Interesting. Very interesting.”