Midnight's Reign

Chapter 12

Soft morning light shines on Kyojuro's face as he walks towards headquarters. The sun has just risen, the rays not yet warm. He finished his mission, a relaxed smile upon his lips as he enjoys the quiet atmosphere as he walks.

As the headquarter's gates come into view, he sees a lone figure leaning against it. His smile widens as he sees the Water Hashira.

"Tomioka! Good morning!" He greets.

Giyu doesn't return his smile. He never does, as he always seems to be sulking. But the way the man's eyebrows are furrowed with concern makes Kyojuro pause.

"What's wrong?" He asks as he comes to a stop in front of him.

Giyu's arms are crossed, his blue eyes meet his gold ones.

"It's Asami." He says gravely.

Kyojuro's smile drops, his heart seems to freeze. His thoughts run wild as he and Giyu quickly make their way to the Butterfly Mansion.

No. No no no.

He bursts through the mansion's entrance, speed walking toward the infirmary. He sees Mitsuri and Aoi standing in front of the infirmary doors.

"Where is she?" He demands. His usual friendly tone was nowhere to be seen. He doesn't stop his strides as he reaches for the door.

Aoi jumps in front of him, blocking his way.

"I'm sorry Lord Rengoku, but she can't have visitors yet. Lady Kocho is still tending to her."

His jaw clenches, not happy that he's being kept from her. Giyu senses the Flame Hashira's displeasure, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She's in good hands, Rengoku. Shinobu will alert us when she's done." He says calmly.

Kyojuro nods reluctantly, his shoulders dropping.

And so they wait. They sit on a nearby bench, Kyojuro sits in the middle with Mitsuri and Giyu on either side of him. Mitsuri quietly sniffles, tears in her eyes while Giyu sits still as a statue.

Kyojuro chews on his bottom lip as he tries to calm his racing heart.

What's taking so long?

He doesn't know how much time has passed; his patience slowly dissipates.

The infirmary doors slide open and Shinobu steps through. The three waiting Hashira spring to their feet.

"Is she okay? Can we see her now?" Mitsuri asks desperately.

Shinobu turns around, leading them to the room where Asami's being kept in. He noticed how she didn't answer Mitsuri's first question, dread creeping into his heart. Shinobu slides the door open, allowing them to file inside.

Mitsuri dashes to her bedside, Shinobu and Giyu stand at the foot of her bed. He pauses in the doorway, his eyes land on her still body. She lies unconscious on the white infirmary bed. Bandages are wrapped around her head and most of her upper body. Dark purple bruises decorate her neck and wrists.

He swallows as he finally moves his lead filled feet. He kneels by her bedside on the opposite side of Mitsuri. His eyes linger on Asami's face, her complexion seems to be drained of its usual color.

Giyu turns to Shinobu. "How did this happen?"

"She accompanied Tanjiro and his friends on a typical mission, but they unexpectedly crossed paths with three Lower Moons."

Mitsuri gasps as tears run down her face. "Three? Three of them together?"

Shinobu nods, "Demons usually don't work together, so this case is quite rare. Asami defeated three members of the Twelve Kizuki on her own while protecting the young Demon Slayers."