Burn to ash

she was easier to kill

(sudden content dump!!)

We easily returned to our everyday life as demon slayer. Everything was in chaos. Corps members missing, troublesome new recruits, and a summoning from Oyakata-sama. 

It's been a few days since Shinobu and Giyuu were sent to retrieve the said missing/troublesome recruits, I sit before Oyakata-sama ready to receive my orders. He smiles so softly, so gently that I even begin to guess what he would ask me. 

" How have you been Houzuki? I hope you and your husband both had a wonderful time during your break." He begins our conversation and I can't help but smile at the memories we made. 

" We spent everyday grateful to be in each other's company, thank you. Though we were reluctant to leave each other's side, we are happy to be back in the field." I thank him and he nods. 

"Well, today I wish inform you of your next mission, well not exactly a mission.  Your next orders will be very difficult and they could hinder your relationships with the rest of the pillars. " He becomes mellow, as if he has doubt  that this is the best idea but none the less, he pulls out a letter from inside his sleeve. 

" A few months ago, a certain boy began training under the former water pillar and became a demon slayer. His family was killed by Muzan and his beloved younger sister, was turned into a demon." This story is a common one. Most demon slayer, unless raised in a family of former slayer, become demon slayers to get revenge, against the demons. He is nothing special. 

" Now, as you may already know, that is nothing new but his sister who became a demon, retained her human emotions and had yet to eat or attack a human since she was turned. They have been fighting along side each other since... My dilema is how I will support these two. If she is able to fight Muzan's hold on her, she might be the key to defeating him, thus I would very much like to let her live and fight along side her brother but on the other hand, she is a demon, we will never truly know how she will react or what she will turn into. " He explains and I suddenly know where this is going. 

He wants me to testify, to prove that demons, can be good.  A stone settles in the bottom of my stomach. 

" You want me to reveal to the rest of the Hashira that I am half demon." I don't want to hear it. 

" Yes."

" and what if a majority vote to kill her anyways? What will that say about me? With all due respect Oyakata-sama, they have all lost loved one, family and friends, to demons. A few years of killing demons on my part will not quell their hatred and anger towards demons. Just because I have fought with them will not stop them from loathing my demon side. " 

" If that happens, we will weigh your achievments with your possibilities but I presume that you will be alright. You are our esteemed thunder hashira, no one can deny the fact that you have earned your place. Even then, if they decide that you can not be trusted, I will guarantee your life as well as all who have kept your secret. I can at the very least promise that." 

He takes a slow breath and smiles once more.

" Does Tengen know? Does my husband, Kyojuro know? Do they know at all of what I will be doing?" How will they react when I fight for another demon's life? How will they see me?

" No, we need their unbiased vote. They see you as their friend, not as human or as demon. We must keep it that way for the vote to be fair." He sighs and holds out his fragile hand for me to take. I can feel his pulse through his skin and his touch is cold against my palm.

" and what if i vote against her as well out of spite, to save my place."

" I know this is hard, difficult but you must trust them. Trust that they are thinking for the good of the world. We are all fighting against the same enemy and that is what they see."