𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞

⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ✿ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚　　˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

Kagaya Ubuyashiki. That name alone held infinite wisdom and power. When you look at the young man, who would've had a handsome face if not for the purple-hued disease, your mind is filled with peace. When you heard his voice, it was as if the worry for demons and the fate of this world vanished.

The Ubuyashiki family kept the corps going. Whoever was the head of the family sent out orders, strategized with the pillars, and did everything to protect our home as we know it. There wasn't anyone else fit to hold their place. Some might say they do more work than all the swordsmen combined. In my eyes, that had to be true.

It took my all to not squeal and fawn over the master. His presence alone made me relax; my heart, which was still pumping from the hubbub before, slowed down to a steady rhythm. My nerves for Tanjiro evaporated and I was left empty. But, it wasn't in the way I had been feeling before. I was content with this emptiness.

A loud thud obscured my thoughts, instead of snapping my gaze like I normally would've my head just turned slowly to see the Wind Pillar shoving the water-breather's head down. It was to show respect towards the master, and for that, I couldn't blame him. Or get mad.

Of course, I was on Tanjiro's side, but when it came to the rules I had to comply. That was always lesson one in the corps. There were no exceptions for the ones who broke the code. Inosuke getting more than a hit from me proved that.

"I'm pleased to see you in good health as well, master." Shinazugawa did a full one-eighty with his rabid display just a second ago. "I fervently pray for your continued good fortune."

My face contorted into disbelief. Kanroji had to remind me under her breath to fix my dirty look. Just where did that vocabulary even come from? Before he was reading from the urban dictionary, and now he was talking like an emperor!

"I thank you, Sanemi." I was sure that the master's voice was able to calm riots. The Ubyashiki family was blessed with a strong charismatic trait.

All the attention was now back on Tanjiro. It was his trial after all.

"If I may master, before we begin this meeting, would you kindly enlighten us about this young swordsman, who would appear to have been accompanied by a demon?"

I understood the politeness that Shinazugawa was showing toward the master, but I still had half a mind to call him out on all the inappropriate language he was using not too long ago. Not only that, it was distasteful. There were so many other things to call a stupid person than just a moron.

He wasn't very creative.

"But of course, I apologize for any confusion. Tanjiro and Nezuko have both been sanctioned. I would appreciate it if you'd all accept this condition."

Another wave of relief washed over me, for a second I was going to jump up and cheer until I remembered we were in a trial and the pillars had a say in this too. It still didn't stop the urge to celebrate.

Every one of the pillars disagreed.

Well, not everyone.

Kanroji, with her alarming amount of compassion, was more than happy to let the Kamado siblings be the exception. Kocho, who I knew always had a relentless burning hatred for these beings, stayed quiet. She was the only one who surprised me. Tomioka stayed silent too, it was in character for him.

"I'll just forget."

Forget? How could someone forget something as important as this? It's a trial that summoned all the pillars and.. oh.

My eyes paused on the source of the voice; Long black hair with cyan tips, unruly but cute bangs, and a pale complexion that still looked like he'd just been in the snow, the Mist Pillar.

His eyes were what captured my attention the most. They seemed dull, but it was clearly more misty. Which was ironic considering his breathing technique. A pretty hue of teal that reminded me of a lake near my hometown made up the color of his gaze. And memories that I had tried so hard to forget resurfaced. It wasn't bad ones, just ones I remember myself being weak in, before I became a demon slayer.

"Stop staring."

Well, he had called me out. It wasn't the most embarrassing thing to happen today, but I was making nothing of myself to the pillars besides a fool. Someone strike me down before I crawl into a hole and rot there.

Not even an apology left my lips, it couldn't, his crow had almost pecked out my eyes. I was so cool off that.

Kanroji nudged me again with a snicker. "Fix your face." She said for almost the thousandth time. I wasn't too good at hiding my expression.

"The letter." Master's voice fixed all of our focus again.

There were two young girls beside him with notably the same facial features as him, his daughters. One of them stepped forward with a scroll. She explained it aloud for everyone to grasp the situation.

"The former Water Pillar, Urokodaki Sakonji, has asked that Tanjiro and his sister, Nezuko, be spared. Also that Tomioka, Urokodaki, and Tanjiro would commit suicide if she ever ate a human."

The pillars, who's feeling were obviously justified by their fear of what might happened, kept their opinions.

"There are three people willing to put their life on the line for her." Master countered, to which received a good rebuttal from the pillars once more.

It was dangerous to allow Nezuko to live. Whether or not she's held herself back from eating a human, there's still a risk. More than a risk. Demons feast on humans without exception, to trust this blindly was putting everyone on edge.

Anyone who was in the corps has understood what demons are, seen them, and watched them rip flesh out of their loved ones. If not themselves. The ones who work the most are the ones with the harshest backstory, it's their drive for revenge. I said I trusted Nezuko, that I believed in her, and there was no going back on my word. That's shameful.

Maybe for the sixteenth time today, I was going to embarrass myself. Or save the Kamado siblings, who knows? It was a seventy to forty chance. Seventy being embarrassing myself.

"Excuse me," Even my voice came out shaky. My hand raised before I continued, and stares bore into me like hot coal. The master acknowledged me and nodded. Taking that as a sign to keep going, I did. "I understand the hesitation in trusting the Kamado siblings, especially Nezuko."

Kanroji gave me a few encouraging words to ease my nerves. I couldn't look anywhere but the ground. There was such immense pressure around these pillars. It terrified me.

"But, I believe in her. I met her some nights ago, in a Wisteria Crest Mansion. Yes, I should've decapitated her right on the spot, but my friend.." My eyes moved elsewhere, more specifically to Tanjiro, "Her brother. He begged me not to, the same way he is asking you all. There's no ill intent with him, or his sister. They just want to find a cure. Even if there isn't one, wouldn't it be more of an advantage to have a demon on our side?"

It was logical. That's what the pillars acted on, logic. At least, most of them.

I cleared my throat, feeling a lump that made my stomach churn. Gods above don't give me nausea right now. "We could learn about them. That's all. Oh! And I'll put my life on the line for her as well! Since I was technically harboring her."

My lips folded into a tight line. Why did I say that?! I can't die if Nezuko decides she's hungry for more than sleep one day! I'll be killed with my own blade and everything. I don't even have the guts to kill a chicken, how am I going to kill myself?!

Internally, and externally, I was freaking out. Only until I caught a glimpse of the boy on trial. Tanjiro was crying. Tears were spilling down his cheeks, and I wasn't sure why. But, it did reinforce my beliefs. My choice. They were the future, I wasn't going to wander off from that thought for a few swordsmen who couldn't believe in them.

Who am I kidding..

"Y/n, what remarkable bravery you've shown. I'm happy that you believe in Nezuko, and that you are willing to put yourself at risk for her. Don't think twice once you're sure about something, I know you have a smart soul."

The master's words almost rebooted my brain entirely. Or maybe it was the blood rushing to my head from falling off that damn wall. Whichever it was, it sparked some confidence. I pushed out a thank you and shut up.

"Does anyone have an argument they can present?"

There was silence. A powerful silence, in fact.

"There is another thing I'd like to relay to you as well, my children. Tanjiro here has met Kibutsuji face to face."

That was enough to give the pillars and I energy for the next month.

"That's impossible! Not even a pillar has crossed paths with him!" Uzui urged.

My brows furrowed, my words were directed to Tanjiro, "You didn't tell me this!"

That turned everyone's attention to him. "Did you really?" The sound pillar was insistent on getting his questions answered, "What did he look like? What are his powers?! Where did you see him!?"

Another interruption, this time from Tokito, "Did you fight?" It was a reasonable question. A smart one, even.

Then Shinazugawa butted in, "What was Kibutsuji doing?" While tugging Tanjiro's hair. "Did you find his stronghold? Answer me!"

It was just plain rude.

"Shut up! I asked him first!" Uzui jabbed, "Come on, tell us what powers Kibutsuji has!"

There was too much yelling. It seemed the master had the same thought as he raised his finger to his lips. It didn't take more than a second for the pillars to compose themselves and return to their places. Not even a word was said. I had to fight a smile off, it was too cool of a scene.

"Speaking of that man, we know he's sent pursuers after Tanjiro. His goal might be to simply silence Tanjiro, but.." A more firm look took over his expression. "Now that he has finally revealed himself. I wish to seize this opportunity."

It was more than a genius move. We are endlessly killing as long as Kibutsuji is alive, if we get to him, then this whole thing, all these demons, they would cease to exist.

"I also believe something is happening to Nezuko that Kibutsuji never saw coming. Do you agree with me now?"

Who could go against master's words?

"I'm afraid I don't, master."

Apparently this guy.

"If it were human, there would be no question we'd spare it. But after all we've gone through, all the brethren we lost, asking us to house a demon is unacceptable." Shinazugawa explained his reasoning.

I couldn't lie. Even if this was a crucial moment, my eyes kept defying me and sneaking small glances to the right of me, past Kanroji. If someone had asked me who I was staring at, they'd have to waterboard it out of me, but I can freely admit it was the Mist Pillar. I couldn't feel my cheeks, and maybe that was a bad thing, but there were more crucial things going on.

For at least a couple of seconds before I had my gaze on him again. I don't know what I was so fixated on.

Now I had to be fixated on the loud scabbard noise. A nichirin blade being pulled from it's sheath. This time, instead of running the blade into Nezuko, he ran it against his own skin.

Which also meant he bled all over the garden. Just a mention.

"Hear me, master! The depravity of a demon, I will prove it to you here and now!"

Just like the little boy at the mansion who had Marechi blood, Shinazugawa did too. If Nezuko resisted this, the smell, the want for blood. They would have no choice but to accept her. I knew she could do it, at least, I hope she could do it.

The master tried to stop this before it went any further, but it was hard to stop the wind's course.

Nezuko's box was tipped over by the wind pillar's shoe.

Shinazugawa let the red liquid drip down from his arm onto Nezuko's box, it slowly leaked into the hole he had created. "Hey, demon, it's time for your dinner. Take a bite." Another terrifying smile crept onto the wind pillar's face.

In a desperate attempt to save his sister, Tanjiro tried to wiggle his way to her and the wind pillar.

 "No need to hold back. Just show us your true colors, and then I'll destroy you right here."

This was what the trial had come down to. It all relied on Nezuko's will to resist the bloodlust all demons had. However, in that moment, I wasn't sure who the real demon was. Shinazugawa was awfully cruel.

"Get away from her!" Tanjiro tried again, and it was in vain.

The serpent pillar supported his fellow pillar's actions. As did everyone else. They weren't doing anything to stop this. "It's daytime. No good doing this now. It'll only show itself in the shadows." 

"Master, please forgive the discourtesy I'm about to commit." Shinazugawa had to apologize before his unruly act. If sullying the gardens wasn't enough, he had to do it to the master's home as well.

His green blade stabbed through the wood again. Everyone was watching the prosecution the wind pillar was putting Nezuko through. We were all wondering if the demon would attack.

"STOP IT!!" Tanjiro grew more agitated, trying to get out of his binds, trying to get up and do something to protect his sister.

Iguro vanished from his original place and after I blinked he slammed his elbow into the boy's back, preventing him from moving. It was all in justification, which I hated, but we needed to see what would happen to Nezuko.

The blade was raised once again, and as it was about to be lowered with force, my body tried to move. Maybe this wasn't the way to prove it. It was too much. I saw how she looked, no more than twelve, just a kid. I couldn't let this happen right in front of my eyes.

But, of course, as fate would have it against me, my arm was caught before I could make a final decision. It wasn't that harsh of a grip, almost like the hand was afraid to grab too hard. That teal lake gaze turned into an icy piercing one. I took it as more than a suggestion to stay in place.

"You should know your place." He sneered

See, I would've complied without a fuss. But no. He had to have the same rotten personality as his horrible pecking crow!

I really hate that crow.

"Get off of me." The boldness was getting out of hand, but I shot back either way. I could only assume my face was speaking my detesting for me. I tugged my arm away from his hold, clicking my tongue before trying not to hold a grudge on that interaction alone.

The Wind Pillar was getting impatient by the second, "IT'S THE HUMAN BLOOD YOU LOVE SO MUCH!"

The Serpent Pillar was still holding down Tanjiro. The look he had easily told he could barely move, much less breathe. Kocho had to remind him to ease up, which would not change anything.

Shinazugawa flung open the box, out of it slowly rose Nezuko as she grew to her regular size. Those pink eyes I'd seen before, that stared with curiosity and pureness, now stared with nothing but rage. She and Tanjiro had the same angry expression, that I could say.

Drool ran from her muzzle ran down her chin, she stood inside her box, growling and watching. At the same time, the white-haired pillar had his blood dripping onto the tatami mats. Her hands cracked as they fidgeted beside her, an attempt to hide her agitation. And resist the temptation.

A raspy laugh came from the amused Shinazugawa, "What's the matter? Go on. You know you want it."

Nezuko only responded with a low growl.

Two major things were happening at once, it was at first entertaining to watch, but now everything was starting to settle in. I silently cheered Nezuko on, she had to do this, she had to overcome her hatred for the Wind Pillar.

Kocho turned her attention to the boy on the ground again, warning him with her medical knowledge, "Tanjiro, if you use any breathing techniques while your lungs are squeezed, It'll force your veins to burst."

Uzui took a liking to the idea, "HIS VEINS WILL BURST?! I LIKE IT! SOUNDS DRAMATIC! COME ON SHOW ME!"

"What a poor soul. My heart goes out to this unfortunate child. Namu Amida Butsu." The Stone Pillar finally spoke up after a while.

My attention switched to when I heard Kocho call out Tanjiro's name. Along with his struggle becoming louder. The ropes that were restraining him, had snapped with just his pure strength. Even then, he wouldn't be able to get out of Iguro's hold.

I silently prayed in my head that this wouldn't backfire. My place was nowhere near these people, I barely had a say in this trial, but if everyone here was acting the way they were, I wasn't going to hold back. Nezuko needed her brother.

And, I was more than sure if I were in her place, I'd need both Kanroji and Rengoku. To remind me of those peaceful mornings we shared, meals we ate after training, patrols they took me on to show me the harsh reality of a swordsman.

Nothing stopped me this time. The gravel crunched underneath my feet as they shifted to a sprint. Once I got close enough, the Serpent Pillar's arm was yanked back. It almost wasn't enough to make a difference, but Tanjiro had managed to get away.

"You pesky little..!" Iguro yanked his arm back, his clear burning hatred making me step back and bow profusely with a repeating apology.

I was more than certain the only reason he hadn't pummeled me right then and there was because I was Kanroji's student. They were pretty close the two of them, and I mean close.

By the time I was back at my pink-haired teacher's side, I realized I wasn't next to her and Rengoku anymore. Kanroji was now on my left, with the Mist Pillar on my right. She snickered like some cupid creature and I mentally scolded her.

Even more so after I felt a harsh sting on the side of my head. He had taken it upon himself to set me straight since the Serpent Pillar hadn't and flick a pebble at me. In his hand was another ready one, but as he shot it, I caught the white rock before it hit my head.

"What is your problem?! First your bird, now this?" My hand was rubbing the pain the previous pebble had left.

Of course, I shouldn't have been talking to a pillar like that. But you have to hear me out on that damn bird.

His words were just as empty when he commanded Ginko, "..My bird??" He shook his head, "My problem is that you're acting out of line when you're only a student. You shouldn't be here. What's some Hinoto rank have to say about this?"

"You're telling me you don't remember your bird nearly pecking out my eyes?!"

"..no."

"You have to be kidding!"

"..no."

I couldn't pay attention to the rest of the things he said. A sigh that was nearly a huff was exhaled