together in the framed ocean | g. tomioka

10 - Beneath the Stars.. Once Again

The incident occurred a few weeks back, and since then you've been feeling on edge. You are watching the kids from the top floor go on with their rehabilitation training. Tanjiro often wrote to Giyu and Urokodaki, and you took these opportunities to send letters along with Tanjiro's. However, each time a crow returned with a reply message, it was funny to see Tanjiro's reaction when Giyu only wrote back to you and not Tanjiro.

These days, missions are also keeping you busy. When returning to and leaving the Butterfly Mansion there are always surprising encounters with comrades and other Hashiras. Today was like any other day, with all the girls in the Butterfly Mansion as busy as ever running around.

"Someone get the breakfast to the boys' rooms!"

At the end of the hall is an angry Aoi Kanzaki, a helper at the Butterfly Mansion, carrying laundry baskets. You walk towards her and the other Kakushi, greeting them. These Kakushi have never been in the presence of a Hashira, so they got down to the floor, bowing. It is a surprising sight, that isn't needed. This social hierarchy created by rankings and titles is something you highly disliked. You bend down and tap their heads, letting them know, "We are all a part of the Corps together . . . there's no need to show me more respect because of a mere title. I believe we all stand on the same ground as comrades." The Kakushi look up as if you are a goddess blessing them with your presence before them.

*BANG*

The Kakushi jump back in fear when they see the even angrier Aoi hit your head with the end of a tray. Did they fear Aoi or the Hashira's reaction to her violence?

"Y/n... You are a Hashira. It is right for you to receive more respect."

The Kakushi look towards you, eagerly waiting for your reaction, only to see one of the strongest Demon Slayers in the corps rubbing the part of her head that got hit with light tears in her eyes. They fall back in shock and continue to watch the scene of you bowing and apologizing to Aoi passing by.

"Now! Someone take these to Tanjiro's room!" She points at the food trays, but the name got your attention.

"Tanjiro?! Why don't I take these to his room? I wanted to see him either way!" You awkwardly smile down at Aoi, who is glaring at you.

"Fine," she replies.

After every mission, you visit the Mansion, not for treatment, but to see Tanjiro. You would leave when you had been assigned another mission. Life is a big loop of fighting, sleeping, then eating, but this is a loop you wanted to end. You had goals. One is to eradicate all of these demons from this world. However, there is another force pushing you forward–Tanjiro and Nezuko. Falling asleep with them, smiling, and laughing is all sweet to think about until you saw the swords across the room. Living with my family without demons in this world...

You hear yelling and a lot of commotion while approaching Tanjiro's room. Behind the sliding door is Inosuke fighting the blonde boy and Tanjiro on the other side of the bed, trying to calm them down. But due to your entrance, all attention is now on the Hashira in the room.

"Y/n!" Says Tanjiro breaking the silence.

Inosuke turns to you. His mask was covering the truth, but it looked as if he was examining you. "You! You're that girl!" He said, pointing.

"Wow," the blonde boy says, drooling.

"Zenitsu!" Tanjiro yells. "Show some respect!"

"Ah, yes. That time at the mountain," you reply to the boar.

"Fight me! Fight me now! I am stronger!"

I do have a free day today. There's no harm in training these three.