Mika's P. O. V:

Nezuko stares at Sanemi intensely, his left forearm dripping crimson.

"What's the matter? Go on! You know you want it!" Sanemi continues to taunt her.

I flick my gaze down to Tanjiro beneath my hand and I notice he's using Concentration Total Breathing to try and fight the weight on his back.

I tell him, "Tanjiro, if you use any breathing techniques with this much pressure on you, it'll force your veins to burst."

""His veins will burst?!" I like it," Tengen says. "It sounds dramatic. Come on! Show me!" He clenched an excited fist.

Gyomei sobs as he says, "What a poor soul. My heart goes out to this unfortunate child. Now lock it up, Utsu."

More of Sanemi's blood drops onto the floor but Nezuko still doesn't make a move. Though I can tell she's struggling. Blood drops from her clenched hand as Sanemi chuckles gleefully.

I blink my eyes as Tanjiro cries out with exertion. "Tanjiro," I say softly. To my shock, he manages to break apart the ropes binding him but still couldn't throw my weight off him. A gentle yet firm hand lands on my left shoulder and I wrench my head around to see the Tomioka behind me, his features softened only slightly. "Y-Yu-kun..."

I see the pointed look in his eyes and I remove my hand from Tanjiro's back. My gaze lingers on Giyu's. I would've let Tanjiro go anyway, should things have gotten worse.

Tanjiro runs up to the porch and exclaims, "Nezuko!!" She gasps softly.

I look back to see her facial features beginning to soften.

With sweat dripping from her brow, Nezuko turns her head away, a disgusted look on her face. This startles Sanemi, though Tanjiro is relieved.

Master says, "Tell me what happened?"

The white haired girl on the left says, "The demon girl turned her head away in disgust."

"Despite Shinazugawa stopping her three times, and then flaunting his bloody arm in front of her face, she restrained herself from biting him," Says the other girl. Sanemi scowls in frustration as I smile softly.

"There it is," Says Master. "Undeniable proof that Nezuko won't attack humans." I glance at Giyu but he doesn't smile back at me. He removes his hand from my shoulder as I look back at the Master. "Tanjiro. I'm sure, that even after this, there are some who cannot accept Nezuko." Master looks at the burgundy haired boy. "Work towards changing their minds. Prove to them that you and Nezuko can be helpful to our cause by fighting as demon slayers."

Tanjiro gives a gasp and throws himself back on his knees and hands.

I know the feeling. When Master speaks, it makes you feel like you're floating, that your body feels light.

Master says, "Go out and defeat a Twelve Kizuki. Do that, and you'll be accepted by all. Your words will carry more weight as a result."

Tanjiro gasps before saying, looking up at Master, "Alright! My sister and I will defeat Kibujutsi! Rest assured, we will strike him down and stop this endless cycle of misery!"

Master says, "That is a bit ambitious for you two. Let's start by defeating a Twelve Kizuki, first."

His face turning crimson from embarrassment, Tanjiro says, "Yes, Sir!"

Mitsuri, Shinobu and I giggle.

I was yet again surprised that I giggled as second time. I couldn't help it. There was something about this kid that makes me any to laugh.

Master continues, "It goes without saying that the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps have phenomenal skills. They have trained themselves to the brink of death and have defeated it, as well as those of the Twelve Kizuki."

"Yes! A noble pursuit!" Kyojurou chimes.

"That is why the Hashira receive respect and favourable treatment. So it would be best for you to mind your manners when addressing them, Tanjiro."

Tanjiro leans back on his heels as he says, "Yes, Sir."

"Also..." Master says. "Sanemi, Iguro. Don't torment the younger ones too much."

"As you wish," Iguro murmurs.

Steam of anger puffs from Nezuko's head as she flares at the Wind Hashira who kneels beside her, in her box once more, facing Master, while setting down his nichirin katana. He says in a low, gravelly voice, "As you wish."

Nezuko notices me and her glare fades. I tilt my head slightly when I see she looks like she wants to run over to me, as though a child would their mother, awe in her features.

I turn my attention back to the Master as we all sit cross legged on the cobbles, Giyu on my right, when the Master speaks up. "We have concluded our business with you, Tanjiro. You may step back."

Holding up her hand, Shinobu volunteers, "If that's the case, Master, allow me to take Tanjiro into my abode!"

"Huh?" Tanjiro utters.

Shinobu claps her hands. "Alright, then! Take them away, please!"

The female Kakushi from before runs up to Nezuko's box, but she stops short and jumps back when the demon girl looks at her.

"Pardon me for coming in front!" The male Kakushi yells before he bows behind Tanjiro. He then grabs his brown jacket and throws Tanjiro onto his back before taking off for the Butterfly Mansion.

The female Kakushi follows behind with Nezuko's box slung on her shoulders.

I blush a little under my breath when my stomach grumbles.

Haven't had anything to eat since last night.

"Now, then, let us begin the Hashira meet—" Master begins, only to be cut off by Tanjiro screaming angrily as he comes running back, the Kakushi right on his heels.

"On hold just a second, you worm!!"

"Get back here!!"

Tanjiro dodges them until he face plants the floor. He looks up at Master as he begs, "Please!! Allow me to head butt that man covered in scars!! I need to do it!!"

The Kakushi had thrown themselves on Tanjiro and are beating at him in frustration.

"Quiet!! Keep your mouth shut!!" The man yells.

"One head butt for every time he stabbed Nezuko! Show me where it says you're not allowed to head butt another demon slayer!"

"Silent! Settle down, now!!" The woman yells as they struggle to hold back Tanjiro.

"Let go of me!!" Tanjiro yells.

"Cut it out!!" The man snaps at him.

I blink my pink and purple eyes as a pebble goes flying through the air and one hits Tanjiro on the side of the head, the other his cheeks, and the third the back of his head. The last one causes him to face plant.

I turn my head to see Muichirou tossing another pebble up and down in his palm as he says, "You're not allowed to interrupt the Master, alright?"

The Kakushi frantically beg him for forgiveness.

"We beg your pardon!"

"Yes, please forgive us, Tokito-sama!!"

"We're very sorry! Our sincerest apologies!"

They keep blabbering until the raven haired boy with light blue ends and blue orbs closes his eyes with a sigh, "Just leave now."

They chime together, "Yes, Sir!!"

The male Kakushi throws Tanjiro over his shoulder before the start running back to the Butterfly Estate.

Master says, "Tanjiro. Give Tamayo my regards."

The Kamado gasps in shock as he's carried away.

                        🗡🗡🗡

Master commences the Hashira meeting and we all gather inside his room to give our reports and to talk about recent events.

I was happy when I was given some gyoza. I only eat during meetings if I've skipped meals beforehand.

I eat as politely as I could during the meeting while I sit next to Giyu seiza style, my butt sitting on my heels with the tops of my feet on the floor.

Lamps glowing warmly on either side of him, Master says, "Just as you all had reported, the carnage of the demons has grown more than ever. Meaning the threat to human life, in turn, is greater than it had ever been. We must bolster the ranks of the demon slayers. What then are your thoughts?"

Sanemi says in a serious voice as I eat some pork chops, "The incident on MT. Natagumo says it all. The caliber of demon slayers has dropped tremendously. Most of them are useless." He averts his gaze as he adds, "Their trainers must've gone blind or something. You'd think they could at least tell if someone's competent or not."

Putting a hand to his chin in thought, Tengen says, "Well, that kid today sure packed a lot of power! He landed that dazzling blow on you. He's got potential."

I say as I pause in eating, "Your head must still be throbbing, Sanemi-kun."

The white haired male just "Tch's!" in response.

Shinobu says seriously, "The more the human race grows, the harder it becomes to control and unify them. And in this era, that seems to be even more true."

Gyomei says, "There are those who've joined us after their loved ones were slaughtered, and there are those of noted pedigree who've hunted demons for generations. But for everyone else, it's another matter, asking lament for the same or even greater commitment to our cause I fear would be much too cruel."

Kyojurou states, "Considering that this boy, soon after joining, encountered a Twelve Kizuki." He clenched a fist. "I think he could draw them out. Even we rarely get the chance to confront one! I am envious!"

Master says, "A fair point. However, the fact that Lower 5 demon made such a drastic move, likely means Kibujutsi is far from MT. Natagumo. Like with Osaksa, whenever he wishes to hide something, he proceeds to create a clever diversion to throw us off his trail. To be honest, it's quite frustrating." Master casts his gaze over all of us. "But, as long as those demons linger as they do now, freely devouring humans and gaining strength as a result... there is only one thing for us to do, for the sake of those who've died. I feel you who are present today, the core Hashira, are the finest unit I have assembled since the first Breathing swordsmen of the feudal era.

"Tengen Uzui. Kyojurou Rengoku. Shinobu Kocho. Mitsuri Kanroji. Muichirou Tokito. Gyomei Himejima. Sanemi Shinazugawa. Iguro Obanai. Mika Sakurajima. Giyu Tomioka. My beloved children, I look forward to seeing your success."

                        🗡🗡🗡

The meeting is adjourned and Giyu and I walk silently to our respective estates.

I haven't really spoken to him since before the trial, and I was still upset about his punishment should Nezuko eat a human.

I couldn't bear it if I lost my best friend.

I knew Giyu and I had to talk about what happened this morning.

Giyu suddenly speaks up, stopping in his tracks.

"Mika-chan, can we please talk about this?" I stop but keep my back to him. "About Sakonji Sensei's letter...  you're mad at me, aren't you? For my decision?"

"I don't think I'm ready to talk about this tonight. The trial was intense and I'm ready for bed," I say without looking at him still.

I was about to continue to my estate but Giyu grabs my arm, halting me. "Mika-chan, please talk to me! Please don't shut me out!"

I purse my lips as tears threaten to spill from my eyes. The sound of Giyu's voice is enough to make me whirl towards him, the tears flying from my eyes. Giyu gasps at the sight of them.

"Yes, of course I'm mad—I'm mad because there's a chance that, should Nezuko eat a human, you'd die!" I furiously wipe the tears away, but they just keep coming. "I never once questioned anything you did, because I trusted you and knew you had your reasons. But this... what am I supposed to do?! Watch you die?! I can't just sit by and watch as my best friend dies before my very eyes! I couldn't bear it if I lost you! If you were gone from this world, Giyu, it would be a sad and lonely place. For you're the reason I live, now. I don't know what I'd do without you. And, what's more, there's nothing I can do to stop it! It hurts, Yu-kun. It hurts knowing one day, you could die, and I wouldn't be able to do a thing about it! I don't... I don't want you to leave me!"

I close my eyes as I hang my head. The tears wouldn't stop now.

I hear footsteps but don't look up even as a pair of arms wrap around my body, Giyu's right arm wraps around my head and his left around my waist. I go still for a heartbeat before I relax again. Within these arms, I feel as though nothing in the whole world could hurt me.

Like I'm in a protective cocoon.

The warmth from Giyu's body is flowing into me as he tightens his arms around me. He says in a soft voice, "I didn't mean to hurt you, Mika-chan. I didn't mean to be the cause of your tears. I promise you, that I'd never leave you. You're my best friend, too. The light of my life. Your name holds warmth and kindness. The one thing I can't live without, either. As long as I know you're safe, I'm happy. But if I must atone for that sin, you should know that I'll always be in your heart, my Mika-chan. I'll never truly leave you. I'll continue to remain by your side and protect you until then. I promise, because I care about you more than anything or anyone else in this world."

My heart swells with warmth and I continue to sob as I turn my head into his chest, gripping the front of his night shirt tightly, as though to hide from the cruel world.

Giyu falls silent as he presses a kiss to the top of my head and holds me even tighter, allowing for me to cry into his chest. I start to calm down after sometime as the blue eyed man strokes my silky scarlet hair soothingly.

His touch... it's so warm and gentle...

I couldn't bear the thought of losing it, too...

Giyu's P. O. V:

I continue to hold the woman I care about like this for as long as she needs, under the starry sky. I feel her body quivering from the tears that soak my