~*~

"Where'd the hell did that abomination go to?!"

Running through the thick dark forest I could feel my lungs burning, finding it difficult to tame it whilst Inosuke and I were too wary. Suddenly Inosuke's voice begins to gurgle as his feet stumble, seeing him collapse succumbing to his critical injuries. "Insouke!--"

He waves his hand angrily, "It's just a scratch," his voice strains, clearing seeing he wasn't doing good.

"Listen........you need to step down, you could be a liability if you're unable to battle," I explain hastily, 

"I'm fine! It doesn't hurt at all!!!!" He protests, finding his movements more stiff and harder to move around. "It's not a damn problem! I've had enough of this, stand back pretty boy.......I've got this....I'm gonna sniff him out for good!"

Before I could speak I decided to help him out, taking a moment of my own silence and his laboured breathing to try and locate the demon.

However I felt a chill run down my spine when I felt eyes from above, as we both soon locate the demon, "There it is, in the tree above!!!"

"You dumb brain bafoon!!! How high did you climb?!" Inosuke blabbers on, seeing the big father spider hugging the branch while it's body was trembling. "Bastard! Your gonna try and force me to use my head again, huh?! I don't think so--"

The Demon continues to growl, seeing it's razor sharp teeth baring at us threateningly.

"Inosuke maybe we shou--"

"Oh I get it, he's trembling with fear and dread at the mere sight of me, huh?!" Inosuke says, with a voice that sounded like he was grinning ear to ear. "Hahaha!!! Well it's about too late for that!!!!!"

My eyes slowly widen in horror when his victory became short when the spider demon's body emits steam from it's body, seeing it's body transforming into a bigger and stronger body.

"What's going on?" Inosuke steps back. "Did it just shed it's skin?!"

"Whatever it did, it's demonic aura just upgraded!!!!" I swallow thickly, before seeing it rear back on it's feet and lunges towards us. The ground shook beneath us from it's landing creating a crater beneath it, before realising it was even bigger and stronger. "Oh.....shit......"

My jaw clamps shut, trying to keep myself calm remembering Big Sis' words. Don't panic, because it'll only kill you...........

"T-This......this is too much," Inosuke chokes out, sensing his fear suddenly hit him all at once. His voice was desperate to get out of here desperate how injured he was, "This is looking really bad, I've never......felt this much force from an opponent before! A single strike would pulverise us!......it's no good, we can't win--" his hands drop to his sides in a defeated stance.

Drawing my blade back into my scabbard swiftly, I gather strength within my legs and pushed forward analysing the demons next motives.

Without even thinking I manage to catch the heavy fist that drew towards Inosuke, I felt the full brunt of the attack run from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. My jaw grinds forcefully shut the moment I held the giant fist, before gathering my strength by pushing the demon away with everything I had. My body screaming at me finding this demon much stronger, but right now I must keep Inosuke alive despite our differences. 

"....No way am I gonna lose!!!!!" Inosuke shouts abruptly, while I kept stalling the spider demon for a little longer. Noticing that Inosuke finally snapped out of it, a smirk curls upon my lips sensing his strength back again. "I'm Inosuke Hashibira, of the Demon Slayer Corps! Give me the worst you got, you piece of shit! Now, Taco!!!!"

"It's Kaito!!!!!" I yell angrily, when my body went flying hitting the tree forcefully causing my vision to fade for a second. Blood erupts from my throat, finding my adrenaline numbing the throbbing pain where it really attacked me. Shit, my chest..........

That's a cracked rib for sure......yep.....that's gonna hurt

It was so fast that the spider demon send another impactful punch directly in contact, causing Inosuke to go flying hitting every tree in his line of direction back and forth further away. That idiot, what is he up to? However he tries to perform a breathing technique only for his blades to snap from afar when he landed it against the demon, causing his movements to slow down. The spider demon slams him against a tree as I manage to push myself to my feet quickly, finding Inosuke's head in the palm of the spider's hand. The sound of bones grinding, and blood gurgling in Inosuke's throat made my blood boil. 

"Inosuke!!!!!"

Drawing my blade swiftly I breath in steadily, "Dragon breathing: Fifth Form......Severing Wave!!!!!!!" as my blade chimes in the forceful wind, seeing Inosuke's head being slowly crushed. Gathering the momentum in my arms and legs I focus on one point of the arm, and ran my blade right through the thick flesh. In that very moment a new strong and gentle presence passes me swiftly and stealthily, as my eyes briefly met his deep blue ones.

Severing both arms simultaneously, Inosuke collapses to the ground as blood drips from beneath his mask.

"Lord........Tomioka?" My eyes widen in recognition, yet more relief than ever.

The Demon turns around in fury as he charges directly towards the Hashira filled with such animosity, only for Tomioka to turn around effortlessly and performed the Striking Tide breathing technique. This Water style as I used to learn performs a multitude of slashes in a flowing fashion to release multiple consecutive slashes. From the neck, all the way to it's feet he severed every limb so it would prevent regeneration. 

Tomioka lands gently onto the ground and scans his surroundings, before his eyes fall upon me.

"You......you're Lady Mizutsuki's Tsugoku, Kaito Igarashi?" He walks towards me; drawing my blade back into the scabbard with my thumb guiding it back in securely. 

"That's right, thank you for saving us," I bow politely, though Tomioka dismisses my gratitude with a slight grimace.

"I'm gonna go find the actual Kizuki," He turns on his heel, not wanting to speak any further. He was known as the odd Hashira who tends to gloom at the corner, as I've heard from others. I know he respects my mentor, Big sis alot so I'm not sure what to believe about him. At least he helps others, and he's humble I guess......

"Hold on a second, fight me mr mismatched outfit!" Inosuke yells, jabbing his finger in Tomioka's direction. "You beat that member of the twelve kizuki....and now right here, I'm gonna beat you! If I can manage that, that'll make me the most powerful of all!!!!"

"I have a better idea," Tomioka suggests, as his brow irks in annoyance. "Go train more...."

Inosuke went silent snapping back, "What you say to me?!!!"

Lord Tomioka finds some rope in his pocket and gathers it, "That wasn't one of the twelve Kizuki, could you not even tell that?" 

"I did......" I reply.

"Of course I can tell!!!!! Inosuke barks back, as he was steaming out the nose and ears of his mask. "For your information, it was Tanjiro who was saying it was one of them! I was just repeating what he said to me earlier, I knew that amateur couldn't have been one of those guys!!!!"

Lord Tomioka stops Inosuke mid-sentence when he instantly ties up the boarface up in the tree, wrapped up with the rough rope and dusts his hands off walking away.

"W-W-What the hell? When did he tie me up?" Inosuke was stunned, as he was left hung there. 

"You........come with me, you still fit to help?" Tomioka approaches me, before I nod.

"Yes I can, but what about--"

"Good........" He cuts me off, before we both began to head towards where Tanjiro I assumed flew away to. Glancing over my shoulder Inosuke began to shout angrily and thrashes, but I couldn't tell if Tomioka tied him up because he was irritating or he was injured. 

Inosuke shouts, "Hey you! Get back here!!!!!!"

"If you're not aware of what state your body is in, you shouldn't be fighting," Giyuu utters out quietly, but it didn't reach Inosuke's ears hearing him shouting and squabbling about behind us.

Reluctantly I gave up protesting, as we headed further into the forest.

~*~

AT THE WIND ESTATE ~ (Hayami's Pov:)

"You feeling alright?"

With a gentle hum his fingers ran through my disheveled locks, as I lay upon his broad and scarred chest. With the warm skin to skin contact I felt myself feeling at ease a little, despite this troubling feeling deep in my stomach.

Nodding I close my eyes, "Yeah..........just, maybe I should've gone on a mission instead of sleeping this morning,"

Sanemi scoffs lightly, "We both just went through harsh missions without a break this week, best we have one night to sleep," he assures me, running his fingers through my hair gently unknotting the ends. "Or is this because that kid of yours is out there still........?"

My lips purses together, "Maybe....I just...I'm.....I'm still trying to let him spread his wings and work with other's his age, beside hashira ranked missions," I reply softly, when his other hand drifts up my bare body with a warm blanket draped over our bodies. Sitting up a little I felt his hand drift up resting beneath my breast, as I gaze down. "I'm gonna go get some water, need anything?"

Shaking his head his thumb traces my skin gently, "No........just don't take long, cause I need my personal body heater......" he pinches my hips, as I chuckle softly. 

"Right......"

Picking myself up I grab a Yukata and draped it over my body, making my way out his room and down the verandah to the well outside. The morning sun was rising so brightly that my eyes squint, enjoying the silence within the Wind Estate. Stepping down slipping my sandals on I walk upon the stones, before approaching the well. Grabbing the scoop I gather some water, and sipped it gently feeling a little somewhat better. 

'Caw~ Message, Message! Hashira meeting today~Caw!" Nami informs me, as she perches upon a post. "~Caw!~ A slayer is put on trial for siding with a demon~ Caw!"

"That's right........it's our first meeting of the year....." I murmur softly, before patting Nami. "Thank you, I'll relay the message to the Wind Hashira......wait a slayer on trial? Siding with a demon?"

~*~

AT THE UBUYASHIKI COMPOUND

"Morning everyone," 

Smiling warmly as my eyes trace the many hashira we have lined up, they eyes meet mine with acknowledgement except for Obanai and Muichiro which is the usual. However whilst making my way to take my spot, my attention turns to a boy whom was unconscious upon the rocks before the verandah to Master's main common room.

"Who might this young be?" I murmur softly, before standing beside Lord Gyomei. Wait, could this be the slayer Nami informed me about?

"A poor boy who seeks help," Himejima answers, deeply with a sorrowful expression.

Shinobu smiles amicably as usual, "A boy who carries a box with a demon inside, we are judging him for his actions and discuss what we should do with him," She answers my question, more properly. "What is your opinion on the matter?"

If I'm being honest I'd rather hear more from the boy, than jumping to conclusions.

Pursing my lips I sigh, "I might have to wait, until Master comes so we can all decide...........but I'm more interested about the boys side of the story," with an honest reply before seeing Lord Tengen appearing suddenly behind me like the shinobi he is.

"Looking absolutely flashy this fine morning, it's making my day better already!!!!" He winks at me, clicking his teeth with a wide smile. "You look healthier too since I saw you last, I mean those hips--"

Someone clears their throat, "Lord Tengen, this boy is on trial......" Shinobu cuts him off, with a closed eye smile. Clearly she wasn't impressed by his comment just now, as I couldn't help but chuckle soft in response. "Have you no decency when you know of his doings?"

"What? This is already so boring......." He rolls his eyes.

Wait, where is Sanemi? I thought he was gonna come very shortly......

"Wake up.......I said wake up...." The kakushi nudges the motionless boy. Judging by his scars and wounds he's fresh from a mission, ".....you gotta....hey, can you even hear me? Come on get up! Are you gonna sleep all day?! Wake the hell up, will ya?!"

Finally after some time the boy woke up with a gasp, still frazzled and weary from his mission. His hair was deep red along with his eyes, as a warm crimson red hue with a red scar upon his left side temple.

"I heard he was a demon slayer with a demon in tow," Tengen spoke up. "So I was expecting someone with more flair, but it's just some ordinary-looking kid? Too bad."

Gyomei's beads grind together with his hands pressed together, with a sorrowful expression as before.

"We must see that this boy is put on trial to be judged!!!!" Rengoku loudly declares, with a fire within his eyes. "So it shall be!"

"What-- Who are these people--?" The boy utters out, in confusion before the Kakushi pushes his head down to the hard stone ground forcefully.

"Don't open your mouth until you're told!!!!" The kakushi snaps. "Do you know who you're in the presence of? These are the Hashira!!!!

For a moment the boy looked even more confused when his eyes traces over all of us, still not understanding what the Kakushi was even talking about.

"This is the Demon Slayer's Headquarters," Shinobu informs him, with a soft tone. "You are here because you, Tanjiro Kamado, are to be put on trial......so before we begin the trial, why don't you explain the crime you have been accused off--"

"There's no need for a trial!!!!!" Rengoku abruptly proclaims, stridently. "Protecting a demon is a clear violation! We can deal with this on our own!!! We shall execute them both!!!!"

Are they really this forward? This is already getting out of hand when we haven't heard the whole story......

"In that case, I'll decapitate them with style!!!" Tengen chimes in, confidently. "I'll show you the most dramatic spray of blood ever! It'll be a spectacle!"

('No way! You'd really kill such an adorable child as him? Such a thought fills my heart with sorrow ~ Mitsuri's inner thoughts)

Gyomei's beads grind together again, "Alas, to see such a pitiful creature as this," His voice wavers, weeping silently. "I grieve for him. Perhaps it would have been better if he hasn't been born."

Glancing over to Muichiro, he seems to be placid and off in a daze which was like him compared to a few years ago.

Soon I noticed the young boy Tanjiro looking around with desperation in his eyes, "Hey you......the hashira are speaking," The Kakushi informs him. "What are you looking at? Your eyes should be over there. These are the ten highest-ranking swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps."

"That's the....hashira?" Tanjiro breaths out.

"Let's end his misery....." Gymoei concludes.

"Right!" Rengoku nods in agreement.

"And let's do so with flair," Tengen adds, with a smirk.

Suddenly the boy continues to look around noticing he wasn't acknowledging us, but I remain quiet and composed even though my chest felt tight with confliction.

"Nezuko! Where did you take her?" Tanjiro questions us, pulling himself up despite his hands were bound with frazzled rope. "Nezuko! Zenitsu! Inosuke!! Murata! Kaito!!!!"

My eyes slightly widen in response when he spoke my Tsugoku's name, or maybe.....no it couldn't be. How would he know him, unless they were on the same mission.....

"Never mind this boy," Obanai spoke up, as I glance over my shoulder to see Obanai laying on his side upon the tree further from us. "What will be do with Tomioka? Seeing him standing there without any restraints is making me feel ill. Based on what Kocho told us, he's just guilty of breaking the Corps rules. So how should we make him take responsibility? What kind of lesson shall we teach him? What do you have to say for yourself, Tomioka?"

Obanai points a jagged finger at Tomioka, who stood far from us silently as well.

(Iguro, you're as sharp tongued as ever, I see. I love that side of you! ~ Mitsuri's Inner thoughts)

We all glance Tomioka's way putting him on the spot, even though right now I wasn't so sure what to believe yet.

(Tomioka's all by himself, all stoic-like. What a cutie! ~ Mitsuri's Inner thoughts)

"Oh, I think it's fine," Shinobu replies, with assurance. "He did come here without resisting. Let's come up with a penalty later.....wouldn't you agree Lady Mizutsuki?"

All eyes fall upon me with interest, as my eyes fall upon Tanjiro noticing his attention is also upon me.

"I don't believe we should be initiating his fate at all until we listen to the master," I spoke up, with a neutral and calm expression. "Given how hastily you all have been......I've been more interested in hearing....Kamado's story first before jumping to conclusions."

Shinobu nods in agreement, "He's been travelling with a demon alongside him," She adds in. "Despite being a Demon Slayer himself. I wish to hear why and hear it straight from the boy's mouth. What he's done is unquestionably against the Demon Slayer Corps rules. You are aware of that, aren't?"

She directs that information to Tanjiro, who shuffles to his knees to give us his full attention properly but he was hesitant.

"Tanjiro Kamado, why are you travelling with a demon as a fellow Demon Slayer?" Shinobu questions him, more directly. 

The chain rattles from Tengen's blades as he grabs the handles of his Dual Nichirin Cleavers, "Tch, who cares why?"

Shinobu dismisses Tengen's comment, "You can take your time, just answer the question,"

Tanjiro held a worried expression as he clenches his jaw, "She's my--She's my young--" cutting himself off, coughing dryly as his voice was rather hoarse. Shinobu takes the cork from the small gourd of water, and knelt down being considerate of the boy which was needed despite the other Hashira.

"It looks like you need some water," She assumes softly, holding the gourd to his mouth. He was hesitant before he latches his mouth around and gulps down the water. "I can tell you've injured your jaw, so please drink slowly. I added an anaesthetic to the water to help."

He soon finishes panting heavily through his mouth more than his nose, as he takes a moment for himself.

"Your wounds are still healing, so you shouldn't push yourself too much," She adds, before meeting his eyes once again. "Are you ready to tell us your story, Tanjiro?"

He soon nods, "That demon is my little sister!" he replies, being more cooperatively. "My family was attacked by a demon while I was gone, and I lost almost everyone! My sister was turned into a demon, but she's never hurt anyone! She never has and never will! She'll never harm a human being, no matter what!"

"Enough! Spare us these absurd ramblings!" Obanai dismisses the boys story, bitterly. "If she's family, it's no wonder you're defending her. I can't trust a single word you're spouting. I don't believe you for a moment."

Gyomei rubs his palms together with his beads, "So sad, he's been possessed by a demon," he comments, with a sorrowful voice. "Let us end this child's life and free him from this cursed existence!"

The comments weren't even sympathetic or empathetic at all, and listening to his story was enough truth to