Demon Slayer: What Does It Take... To Move Forward?

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What Does It Take… To Move Forward?

As the two began their deadly dance, neither saw the half transparent pink haired teengaer kneel in front of the awed family of three. They didn't see the naked awe in three sets of eyes over the beautiful swordsmanship of the man who protected them. They didn't see the gratitude that was shown in the eyes of their tired frames as they relaxed for the first time in the hour the sickly man had fought the demons back for his daughters safety, feeling safe once more in their own home. They stared at the broad shoulders and tall frame of their raven haired azure eyed savior as he raced forward against the beast, blood flying from his simple and elegant blade as he cut down another dozen sea monsters in a single stroke. The spirit took a single glance at the warrior protecting them and smiled before turning back towards the family, mouthing three words before disappearing in the next gust of wind and snow, leaving the three to rest and behold the battle before them in peace…

' You're safe now' , the teenager had mouthed to them before vanishing into the morning wind, leaving them in capable hands.

HOURS LATER

A young man could be seen seated before several kneeling figures, his black shoulder length hair swayed lightly in the wind as he gently rubbed at the strange marking that came from his forehead covering all of his skin from view from the bridge of his nose to his scalp. His white kimono was plain as it was meant to be, only to be worn for business as the rest of his attire rather than any desire for grandiose. A small fond smile lit up his otherwise serene face as his blind eyes roamed around the figures kneeled in a straight line before him, staying in place out of respect despite his pleading for them to stand.

First in line was a teenager with white hair, covered in scars that criss crossed his face and the visible parts of his arms like paint on a canvas. Despite what his appearance would suggest, the wind Hashira was the first to kneel and greet the seated man with respect and care as he bowed his head. Next to him was a giant of a man with tan skin from months and years spent in the sun. His hair was a close cropped black and a single scar stretched across his forehead, going from one temple to the other above his own blind eyes. The Stone Hashira had offered the seated man a bow of his head and a prayer for continued health as he kneeled. Third in line was a young woman with pink and green hair, of average height, with a well curved body hugged by a tight uniform, and beautiful light green eyes that had shown with happiness when they had come upon the seated man. The Love Hashira had offered her glee of finding the seated man in good health as she had kneeled. Fourth in line was a rather short man with raven hair cut at random lengths going down his back. His eyes were of two separate colors; the right was yellow and the left was turquoise, though the yellow eye seemed to be partially blind. His mouth was covered by bandages leaving it out of sight, and going across his shoulders was an albino snake that had bowed its head as well when the Snake Hashira had kneeled and closed his eyes in respect. Fifth in line was a man with yellow and red hair, though his eyebrows were black, and his seemingly blinding smile had lit up the room as the Flame Hashira caught sight of the seated man, and knelt with a loud proclamation of delight in seeing the blind man once more. Sixth in line was a rather short teenager with black hair that faded into mint green as it cascaded down his back, past the bandages that had covered his chest still slightly wet from his own blood. His distant and unfocused eyes had been lost as he stared into the clouds above, however they had sharpened in an instant as the brand new Mist Hashira saw the arrival of the black haired man, and had been set on only him as he had silently kneeled. Seventh in line was a white haired tall man with a steel forehead protecting his scalp and holding back his hair. His fuchsia colored eyes had widened in respect at the seated man as the Sound Hashira had knelt with a passionate cry of flamboyance and a wide grin that overtook his face. Last in line was a short woman with black hair that faded into purple tips done into a braid resting against the back of her neck with two small strands going beyond her shoulders. Her skin was quite pale which accented her hair and small smile that seemed ever present, as well as her reflective purple eyes which only showed a hint of emotion when the man had seated himself before the line of people. The Insect Hashiras eyes had widened a bit and quietly she had spoken of the beautiful cloudy sky and snow storm heading away from them the winter's first that year, as she had kneeled with a slightly bigger smile.

"Good Evening, Lord Oyakata.", came the unanimous call as the seated man, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, ninety seventh leader of the Demon Slayer Corps , smiled in response as he straightened his head to 'look' his Hashira in their eyes to offer his own greeting.

"Good evening, my precious children.", his calm voice that matched his serene appearance echoed despite the obvious lack of power in his frame washed over the ensemble warriors as they relaxed slightly. "Are you all well?", came the expected follow up question, concern bleeding through his calm visage as he 'gazed at the people who still kneeled before him.

"We are.", came the seemingly rehearsed response of those more experienced in meeting the leader of the demon slayer corps.

"I am relieved then.", the raven haired man said as he himself relaxed more in his seated position. "Before we come to the matter, I will greet you all once more, as well as introduce you to your newest comrade.", came the new follow up which caught a few surprised eyes as he turned towards the white haired teenager first in line.

"Sanemi Shinazugawa, pillar of wind.", Kagaya called as the Wind Hashira straightened. "Your unwavering dedication to wiping the scourge of demons out has saved countless lives in your time as a demon slayer, and your seat as one of the Demon Slayer Corps has been well earned.", he finished with a wide grin as the white haired man quickly averted his moist eyes and hid his shaking hands to offer a quiet thanks to his leader.

A warm and soft smile was given as Kagaya looked towards the second man in line, "Gyōmei Himejima, pillar of stone, your compassion for your fellow man has inspired hope in just as many people as your strength has saved. Thank you for offering your very soul to heal the people you protect through prayer and battle.", he finished as the large Stone Hashira let tears fall freely from milky eyes while muttering a small prayer.

He greeted the first woman in line with a kind smile and warm blank eyes, "Mitsuri Kanroji, pillar of love, thank you for the care you freely offer to everyone you meet. It remains as inspiration to those that you have protected with your great power, lighting up their own futures as they live on to see another day." Pink hair fell to cover blushing cheeks as the young maiden stuttered her way through a quiet squeak of a thank you that enamored the Snake Hashira beside her.

"Obanai Iguro, pillar of snakes.", Kagaya said while offering an encouraging smile to the Snake Hashira resolutely staring into the floor as his name was called. "Your skill with a blade and blinding speed have left more than a few dozen comrades in awe. You remain as a source of inspiration to those who fight at your back and behind you. Thank you for your unwavering loyalty.", he said as Iguro balled up his hands to quell their shaking and bit his lips to contain a refusal, lonely allowing a silent and broken thank you to leave as his hair shadowed his different colored eyes from view.

"Kyojuro Rengoku, pillar of flames." came the call as the Flame Hashira straightened out in barely contained excitement. "Your sheer enthusiasm lights up the world around you, especially to those who have lost hope of being saved when confronted with their own deaths at the hands of demons. Your strength leaves your comrades and subordinates in awe, and your courage gives rise to their labored spirits for a better tomorrow. Thank you for giving those who have fallen into despair the drive to continue on that many have lost from this war against the demons.", he finished as the red eyed man allowed tears to fall without shame, for once being silent as he gave his own soft smile at his leader's words.

"Everyone, I would like you to meet your newest comrade, Muichiro Tokito, pillar of the mists.", he said as all eyes zeroed in on the unfazed twelve year old. "He has been in the Corps for a mere two months, however his ever growing ability with a blade already has exceeded the prerequisites for becoming one your peers. Please treat him kindly, and welcome him to the best of your ability.", he said as the Mist Hashira allowed his eyes to wander a moment to meet the stern and accepting orbs of his new seniors who all offered a single nod in agreement.

"And you, Shinobu Kocho, pillar of insects and poisons.", he said as his sightless eyes met with the reflective purple orbs of the Insect Hashira whose smile never shifted in spite of the new way of greeting her leader had sprung on them. "Your work as a healer has saved the lives of every single Hashira to stand beside you, as well as countless number of our ranks. You continue to do your sister proud, as a Hashira and as a doctor, do not worry my child, she is too strong in mind and heart to be kept away from her duty for too long. She will wake soon and aid you forwards as a healer in my Corps.", he finished as the Insect Hashira's smile became slightly brittle at the mention of her sister's condition.

"The only child of mine missing, young Tokito, is the Water Hashira Tomika Giyu Tomioka.", the leader of the demon slayer corps continued as the new Mist Hashira for once listened attentively. "My other children seem to have mistaken his quietness and confusion of how to interact with those he respects and cherishes with arrogance, as well as mistaking his distance from others as a sign of pride rather than him gaining the distance necessary for him to recover from his own emotions overwhelming him when he speaks with others. Though I have hope that after he returns I shall be able to help him rid himself of this flaw, I have forced him to spend some time here with me to recover after he returns from his newest mission you see.", the unflappable man said as he 'looked' upon his newest child. "Despite their misinterpretations, there is not a single Hashira in this room who does not respect Giyu's abilities as a demon slayer and a pillar, as well as his steadfast support of anyone, demon slayer or civilian, who have been overwhelmed by demons and need to be protected.", Kagaya said as he kept his same smile in place while allowing a little humor to bleed into his otherwise serene tone.

Tokito had allowed his eyes to wander a time or two as his leader spoke to him, catching sight of the others expressions of slack disbelief and amusing 'you've gotta be kidding me' looks. He decided to make a little mischief as he replied in a small and lazy voice, "He wears a strange Haori right? Split down the middle?", he said as the others focused on him once more. "He helped me in my first week as a demon slayer. Brought me to a safe house after I was cut a few times.", the Mist Hashira said as he lifted his arm for the others to see angry scars going from his wrist to his elbow, healed and closed, but still fresh. "He got a crow and left me with some supplies before running off to save someone else I think. Please remind me to thank him, I don't want to forget this time.", he finished with a small smile at his leader.

Kagaya went to respond as his small smile turned into a full calm grin, however they were interrupted as a weak croak reached their ears. All of their heads turned to the open shoji doors as an old crow quite literally fell from the sky to land before the Kagaya in a mess of lost feathers and frantic caws. It heaved in place for air as it tried to calm itself down from its fear and fatigue, it was quickly picked up by the blind man as he soothed it against his chest while offering small words of encouragement and praise. It took nearly a minute for the aged crow to be able to offer its message to the ensemble Hashira, which chilled the warriors and leader to their cores. Only eight words were heard in the stunned silence and weak caws…

'...Aid requested. Mt. Kumotori. Upper Moon Five Spotted.'