Veil of Mist

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

A.N.: So for this to be canonically correct, the story has to take place sometime before the mugen train arc and the swordsmith village arc just btw. If there are some things wrong - my bad, it's been a minute since I read the manga. If you haven't read the manga, you really should - it's amazing.

"You have to talk to him," Aoi told me as we returned to the kitchen.

I frowned. "Are you kidding me? It's going to be hard enough being able to talk. They all look so... intimidating."

Aoi shrugged. "They can all be a bit strange, but they're slayers - look, you already have that in common."

My frown deepened. "Wow thanks - that helps so much."

Aoi let out a dry laugh. "It's true, though. I think you'll find it much easier once their feast is over and you can freely find someone to talk to."

I sighed. "I don't know about this."

"Well, you don't have much of a choice," Aoi told me. "Unless you want to give me those clothes back and walk to the room."

With an exasperated breath, I marched out of the kitchen and sat down on the floor in the hallway. It wasn't the most well-mannered or graceful of actions, but no one would be coming through the hallway so I'd be out of the way.

Yuna was on my mind. My older sister - how was she doing right now? I had no way to get in contact with her and it worried me. She wasn't one to get hysterical over worry, but I knew she wouldn't be at rest until I returned home safely.

My head shot up in alarm as I caught the sound of quiet footsteps. The water pillar himself was walking down the hallway. I was very much in the way.

I jumped up quickly and bowed. "I apologize for blocking your path."

"Don't mention it," he replied quietly. "Perhaps next time a quieter place would be better to run through your thoughts."

I reddened slightly. "Understood. I'm sorry - I didn't think anyone would be in this hallway."

I caught the faintest flicker of understanding in his dark blue eyes. "I don't mind. Go where you please - it makes no difference to me."

I stood aside to let him pass. He took one step before halting again.

"Giyuu-san." Tanjiro came to a stop just around the corner. He bowed and the water pillar gave a small nod of the head.

Tanjiro was bright and confident, even though this man was one of the hashira. It didn't seem like they knew each other personally but they'd obviously met at least once before. "How was your journey? I didn't know you would be here."

"It has been a while," Giyuu agreed quietly. "Is your sister here?"

Tanjiro nodded. "Nezuko is safe and sound here with us."

"And she hasn't attacked anyone?" Giyuu asked.

Tanjiro shook his head. "No, she's not attacked anyone at all. She continues to sleep to regain her strength."

"Good," Giyuu replied.

"Have you met y/n-san?" Tanjiro asked the water pillar, taking my hand.

Giyuu shook his head. "It is nice to meet you, y/n-san."

"They use the breath of the water too," Tanjiro informed Giyuu.

"It's an honor to meet the water pillar," I added, bowing my head.

"Please, there is no need for that," Giyuu hurriedly shook his head as he spoke. "Mastery of the breath of water comes from the ability to flow as water does."

"If you'll excuse me, I must be going," he muttered quickly.

"Won't you stay?" I asked. "I don't believe the banquet is finished."

"It's not - I just don't do well among the other hashira," Giyuu replied, leaving the hall.

"Are all the hashira like that?" I asked Tanjiro.

The boy shook his head. "I think Giyuu mostly keeps to himself. One day, maybe I'll find out why."

"If you see Aoi, you're my witness that I talked to one hashira," I told the boy.

He laughed and tilted his head. "Is that some sort of assignment?"

"Well, yes, I suppose. I'm not famous like you - I don't have a rare demon sister, so I don't come into contact with important people. Aoi decided to force me to socialize."

Tanjiro burst out laughing as we headed back to the infirmary to wait. "Aoi certainly does have a personality. Even if she acts strict all the time."

Inosuke was scarfing down lunch when we returned. Tanjiro winced at the mess he'd made, but when the boar boy smirked at him, he simply smiled.

Zenistsu was whining again. "Tanjiroooo, they made me take awful medicine. And I haven't gotten my dessert yet!"

"There's a banquet going on right now, but I will make you dessert when it's over," I told him.

"Oh, you look so pretty," Zenitsu fawned. "Not as pretty as Nezuko-chan, but still beautiful."

"Thanks?" I laughed slightly.

Inosuke looked up from crunching on a shrimp. "How're you gonna fight demons in that?"

Tanjiro sighed and shook his head. "Inosuke, I've told you before - don't talk with your mouth full."

Inosuke made a show of smacking obnoxiously just to spite the boy. Tanjiro, however, took no notice and turned back to me.

"Y/n, do you want to come with me and check if they're finished yet?" he asked.

I nodded. "There was one pillar I... noticed."

Tanjiro slid the door open for me. "Noticed?" He raised his eyebrows with a bright chuckle.

I laughed, noticing the tone in my own voice. "A boy who looks to be our age."

Tanjiro knit his brow in thought. "A boy who's our age..."

"He had cloudy eyes with an unusual mint color," I added. "His name was-"

Tanjiro looked up - almost as though a light went on in his head. "Oh! Muichiro!"

I nodded. "That's the one."

"I met him briefly once before," Tanjiro explained, as we turned a corner. I was taken to meet the master of all demon slayers. He was there with all the hashira. He... uh... threw a rock at me."

"Really?" I asked in surprise.

"I'm sure he's nicer on closer acquaintance," Tanjiro told me. "You really should meet him, y/n. Connections with the higher-ups are always good."

"You're right," I agreed. "Hopefully he's not frightening."

"Relax," Tanjiro told me. "You can do it."