Burn to ash

Oyakata-sama

It didn't take us very long to reach the compound and we made it there by day break the next day. We stood before Oyakata-sama and I can that his curse had progressed since I'd seen him just a few years before. His left eyes look completely blind.
    " Good morning Oyakata-sama. I hope thank you have been in good health. We've returned with news about a lower moon." I bow lowly to the man before us. I can feel the sun beginning to rise, beaming onto my back.
" Tengen. Houzuki. Thank you for your work. I hope you have luck to be on your side on your journeys. The crows have already informed me about your accomplishments with the lower moon 2. Thank you again for your service. The reason I'd called you bother here is because I'd thought it's about time you be promote. After all the demons you'd defeated and people you have protected. I think you've earned your place among the Hashira. " He explains and I stand rigid. A Hashira. Finally after 4 years I'd reached it. Tengen beside me seems unfazed but I can feel myself trembling.
    " Houzuki. I'm sure your shihan would be proud of you. To think that little girl who could barley look me in the eyes slo many Yeager ago is now standing before me tall and proud. Houzuki, from today, you will be the thunder hashira just as your shihan had been before you and Usui Tengen, I appoint you as the Sound Hashira. Congratulations and please serve us well for many more years." We take a knee and a bow to our master. Heads down we sound off with a thank you.
    " Now, I've called the other Hashira in for our biannual meeting. They should be arriving any moment now. Please excuse me. I must go and prepare for the meeting. Please feel free to wait in this courtyard." He stands and is escorted by his daughter back into his mansion. As soon as his figure disappears, I turn on my heel and face my partner with so much joy that I can't help but launch myself at him.
    " We did it. We made it." I hang off of his neck as he stands and he just laughs spinning me around as I'm I'm a child. He lets me down patting my head with his heavy hand. " You did it Hou. You finally did it. You should probably write to your Shishou when we get back." He instruct as if he is my parent but I don't care and I smile the widest smile I've ever shown. Continues to pat my head until he pauses to look towards the entrance of the courtyard, on the other side of the short field. A familiar tuff of hair slowly walks in and my heart thumps in my chest. I find myself running even before I can process anything else. I hear Tengen telling me to stop but I ignore him as soon as our eyes meet, Kyojuro has his arms open ready to catch me as I almost leap at him.
" Houzuki!" He yells folding his arms around me in a tight hug. He spins once to slow the momentum of my sort of tackle before stoping and leaning down to hug me properly. He's grown taller since the last time I had seen him. He's grown larger since the last time I have hugged him. His hair is longer, arms are stronger, and he's, he's warmer since the last time I've hugged him.
" Kyojuro. I can finally stand with you." I say this into the crook of his neck and he just hums, quiet unlike how I remembered him. The only reason he would be here is because he is already the flame pillar. He releases me and almost whispers. " I've been waiting for you Houzuki." He starts leading me back towards where Tengen stood dumbfounded at what had just happened.
" Kyojuro, this is my partner and closest friend, the new sound pillar Uzui Tengen." I use his new title and Tengen smirks, stepping closer holding out his hand to Kyojuro, probably trying to intimate him but towering over him. Kyojuro doesn't react at all, only smiling while taking his hand. " Umu! Nice to meet you! Houzuki has been in you care. I am her childhood friend Rengoku Kyojuro. I'm the current flame pillar!" He shakes the ninja's hand enthusiastically and they both laugh loudly, getting along better despite what other's might think. I suddenly feel a hand on my ear lobs. " You've got earrings! They look nice!" For some reason he yells almost every word he says but he doesn't seem to realize or care that he is. "Yes, Tengen-san gave them to me to match his. He and I are assigned to the Entertainment district and so the piercings identify and protect me from kidnappers." i explain but he just silently ponders on his own thought.
Slowly, a few more people entered the courtyard and we were all escorted to a tea room where our Oyakata-sama was already seated. WE began the meeting. After announcing that death of lower moon 2 and 4, we are introduced to the rest of the pillars.
" Everyone, they are Uzui Tengen, the new sound pillar and Houzuki, the thunder pillar. Treat them kindly." We greet them and they begin introducing themselves as well. There are only four pillars at the moment six including us.
Himejima Gyomei, a man even larger than Tengen. His eyes where as white at the face of the moon and a kind yet sad smile adored his lips. He dressed like a Buddhist monk and spoke like one as well. He is the stone pillar. Then there is Kanae Kocho. She is a beautiful girl that spoke with so much air in her voice that she might as well fly away. She seems slow but there must be a reason she is a pillar. Then there is a boy around the same age as Kyojuro and I. His name was Tomioka Giyu. He seems a little dreary with a dark look along with his dark hair and blue eyes. He spoke as if he resented the world. Lastly, my dear friend Rengoku Kyojuro. He introduced himself loudly. I make note of the other pillars before Oyakata-sama example is that the pillars will now be divided into two teams. Protectors and chasers. Protectors being pillars who will stay and protect regions or districts that have had high influxes of demons unless they are called for a mission and chasers will be those who will constantly be sent to where ever a higher level demon or 12 Kizuki has been suspected or spotted. My body slumped as he started assigning us our missions.
Tengen would continue to patrol in and near the Entertainment district because his skill set is best suited for it while I, I've been assigned to a mission to the west mountain where a lower rank demon was spotted. I didn't hear much of anything else after that. When we were dismissed for the day, I faced my former partner and he just smirked.
" We made a flamboyant pair. Too bad your not a Kunoichi. I'm sure I could have convinced Oyakata-sama to let us continue working together if you were." He jokes but brings me into a one armed hug. " You come home once in a while. The girls will miss having you around." Home. I don't know when I'd started thinking of our little family as home but yes, they are home. My family. We start walking towards the exit but I hear my name being called by Kyojuro. Tengen-san smirks almost shyly slips a string of jewels into my hand, similar to the ones handing from his head band. I want to cry, and tell him that I will miss him but what he says, forces me to smile.
" I'll see you later Hou. Be as flamboyant as you name." He means the name he has given me.
" I will"