Another

Chapter 29: The Hashira

Voices. 

They muttered and swelled up around me in a strange orchestra of words and fragments. 

    “You three think you can do whatever you want?” A man snarled, floating from somewhere far away. The other voices hushed, and it was quiet for a second. Or maybe two. I couldn’t tell. 

    He growled, his teeth grinding hard enough that I could hear it from wherever I was. Something nagged at me, saying that I’ve heard it from somewhere before. But I’m certain that I’d never befriend somebody who sounds like they want to kill everyone they meet. 

The symbol for kill.

White hair and scars all over them. 

    Ah. 

I remember everything now. 

His name is Sanemi. He’s the one who discovered Nezuko and I in the forest with Giyuu-san, who had fought him to protect us. How could I forget? 

    I had stayed behind to fight another demon slayer, one with a white cape and doll-like eyes. I had thrown Nezuko somewhere far away into the forest, so she could run away. 

    What happened is all but a big blur of pain and adrenaline. The fact is I’m still alive. The reason why is probably thanks to that lady at the hospital room. 

    “He and his sister are different, Sanemi-san!” A girl tried to reason with him. She sounded an awful lot like Makomo-chan, but it was hard to say. I’ve never heard her yell before. She and the trio were always composed. Calm. But right now, Makomo-chan sounded like she was about to cry. Her voice, even if it was louder than usual, was hoarse and it wavered with every word. .

 Oh. I hadn’t even realized the voices had risen up again. They were loud, bickering back and forth. Back and forth. 

    Judging from everything that’s happened. I’m probably right in the middle of the corps. And those voices likely belong to the esteemed Hashira. The Trio were probably also here, since I doubt that any of the other unknown Hashira would vouch for a demon. But they were outnumbered by those who wanted my sister and I dead. More than likely, I’d be dying soon. But at least Nezuko got away safely. I can only hope for her happiness at this point. 

Sanemi cackled, sounding even crazier than before. “Oh?” The voices had died again. Something shifted, hissing and clicking. Something hard and small spraying into my face, bouncing off. Were they rocks? Gravel?  

“Different how?” Sanemi scoffed. He moved again, spraying me with gravel once more. I laid motionless, ignoring the little pinpricks. 

“All I see here,” there was a sharp groan,”are two demons here in the heart of the demon slaying corps!” Sanemi spat out. 

Two demons? 

Nezuko? Was she caught? 

No! 

I must protect her. I have to get up! 

I lash out, jumping onto my feet. Ropes binding me. I snap them off, flashing my eyes open. Night sky. Cloudless. No moon. Dark. Birds are chirping, meaning the sun’ll be up in less than an hour. 

Blink. 

Nezuko. Slitted eyes met mine. Hair caught in Sanemi’s fist. Clothes are dirty and matted. Haori wrapped tightly around her. Less than 2 yards away. 

Inhale. 

In a courtyard. Building right across from me. Hashira all around us. The Water Trio are the farthest away, faces hidden behind their kitsune masks. There is a girl with pink hair standing behind me and a guy with a black and white striped haori in a tree above us. They’re the closest. In front of me are seven others, including the doctor lady. Their hands are inching down to their swords.