Fluttering Lotus Petals

Chapter 5: Blossoming Lotus

The Pillars inside felt a momentary flare of power outside the room, right where Kamado Tanjiro's trial was held, before it subsided into an eerily calm state.

One moment they were finishing the Pillar Meeting, and the next the presence of a powerful demon appeared and disappeared. They were caught off guard by the door to the room opening to reveal a single figure.

He didn't seem like a demon, but he wasn't human, either. The light in the room fell on him to reveal his white hood and elf-like ears. His hooded cape reached to the floor, grazing it slightly. His lotus lantern shined to light up his face, which was lowered to the ground. He looked to be about 16 or 17 years old and radiated a sort of glow.

He could have been someone lost while wandering around the estate, except no one should be around at 2 AM at night. He also wasn't wearing the uniform of the Demon Slayers, but felt as strong, if not stronger than a Pillar. None of the Pillars had ever seen him before, around the mansion and in general.

Something was wrong.

Shinazugawa leapt up, drawing his sword and pointing it at the figure, ready to strike the moment the intruder showed any ill intent. His fellow Pillars raised their guards as well, and the Water Pillar moved toward the members of the Ubuyashiki family in case the newcomer tried anything.

"Don't move any closer," he growled at the intruder. The newcomer raised his head, staring intently at the white haired man. Those eyes, filled with stony anger and a hint of grief woven in, stared at the hurricane of hatred inside him. All at once, Shinazugawa's fingers slackened and his blade dropped to the tatami mats below him. His knees buckled and met the ground quickly.

Iguro found the same thing happening to him one he made eye contact with the boy. What was happening? How could this demon bring two Pillars to their knees without even moving?

"Please put down your blades," the stranger sighed, exasperated. He looked around, eyes widening minutely when they landed on Tomioka. "I'm not here for a fight. In fact, I would like to avoid hurting you if possible."

The other pillars had drawn their swords as well when they noticed the demon looking at Tomioka, save for the Water Pillar himself. "You're too kind for a demon," Rengoku commented, but did not sheath his blade.

The young man sighed, before disappearing in the blink of an eye. After another blink, he had returned to his original position. When he opened his arms, a waterfall of nichirin weapons clattered to the ground, a few feet away from Shinazugawa's fallen sword. Even Iguro's was taken, as if he and the Wind Pillar had the strength to grip them in the first place.

Kanroji gaped at her empty hands. She was sure that she was gripping her whip-like blade tightly, and her fellow Pillars were doing the same as well. How did this regular demon take them away from everyone, even those with the strongest grip strength? She looked around to see her fellow pillars silent with horror as they realized the same thing she did.

"Now, will you please listen?" the demon asked. "I only have one question to ask."

"It seems we have a guest," Ubuyashiki commented, oddly calm.

"Yes, I assume you're the current Master of the Corps," the demon answered. "I apologize for intruding, but I must know where Kamado Tanjiro is."

"I'm afraid we cannot reveal that information for his safety," Ubuyashiki answered.

"I need to know if he is alive." The demon's eyes turned steely. "If you have harmed a hair on his head, I will take all of yours. I cannot lose someone important to me so soon after another."

Ubuyashiki fell silent and the Pillars stood helpless without their weapons. If this demon wanted to take their heads, he very well could.

"Stand down, my children." Ubuyashiki finally said. "I sense that he truly does not wish to fight us." Reluctantly, the Pillars sat down. "What is your name, demon-kun? And how did you get past the wisteria?"