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Waking up, the girl readjusted her vision, blinking rapidly to clear the haze. As her surroundings slowly came into focus, she realized her hands were bound with ropes, and a crowd of stern faces was staring at her. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and she could sense the unease in the air.
"Huh? What's this?" she murmured, confusion lacing her voice. The cawing of crows filled the background, a harsh reminder of the unfamiliar situation she found herself in. As her eyes adjusted, she recognized the serious faces before her and immediately bowed her head in respect.
"My deepest apologies, my superiors. I do hope I did not do anything to offend you all," she said, her voice trembling slightly. She could feel the intensity of a particularly harsh glare and sweat began to bead on her forehead. Despite her fear, she kept her head bowed, not daring to look up.
"Let my sister go!" a voice suddenly shouted, breaking the tense silence.
"Why you little—" another voice started angrily, but was abruptly cut off by a heavy thud.
Her head shot up instinctively. Shocked, she saw a boy with maroon red hair standing defiantly. Realization hit her—she was in a trial. But why? What had she done to be here?
"So good of you to come... my beloved children."
"The Master has arrived." Looking over to the two that were speaking, she saw twins. This sudden interruption caused everyone to bow immediately, except for one person. 'I wonder what he's thinking, not bowing to the Master. Well, I shouldn't worry too much about it; he's probably just someone who doesn't know him,' she thought.
"Good morning, everyone. The weather is amazingly good today. I wonder if the sky is blue. It pleases me that we've made it to our semiannual Hashira Meeting with no personnel changes." Seeing from the corner of her eyes, she looked to see the scarred man shoving the red-haired boy's face to the floor. "I am pleased to see you in good health as well, Master. I fervently pray for your continued good fortune."
"Thank you, Sanemi."
"If I may, Master... Before we start the Hashira Meeting, would you mind enlightening us about this swordsman and swordswoman, Tanjirou Kamado and [L/N] [Name], accompanied by a demon?" The wind breathing slayer asked.
Looking at the pale man in front of her, she could not help but just stare at him. The purple covering his eyes made her wonder what could have caused such injuries.
"Right. I apologize for startling you all. As for Tanjirou and Nezuko, I've sanctioned their situation... And I'd also like you all to accept it," Ubuyashiki-sama stated firmly.
"Ahh... Even if it's what you desire, Master, I cannot agree to it." Looking to see who spoke, she saw a large blind man.
"I'm flamboyantly opposed as well! A Demon Slayer traveling with a demon is unacceptable!" exclaimed the man with red makeup around one of his eyes.
As the conversation continued, her mind drifted. She found herself captivated by two girls standing nearby. Their beauty and strength were mesmerizing. When she noticed them looking at her, she gave a quick grin and nod, oblivious to their responding smiles.
'How cutesy they both look! I really do hope I can become as strong as them one day,' she mused, losing herself in her thoughts.
"Also, there's something I'd like to relay to you, my children. Tanjirou here has met Kibutsuji."
Her attention snapped back to the man in front of her. The poor boy, who was getting bombarded with questions, looked scared almost.
Master, putting his fingers to his lips, managed to shut them up. Almost immediately making everyone kneel back down.
"Kibutsuji has sent pursuers after Tanjirou. Though his purpose may simply be to silence him, now that Kibutsuji's given himself away for the first time, I don't want to let go. I also believe something's happening to Nezuko that Kibutsuji never saw coming. Can you try to understand?" Ubuyashiki-sama requested.
"No, I can't understand, Master. If it were human, I'd be okay with letting it live, but not a demon! Not after all that we Demon Slayers have gone through in battle! Not after so many people have lost their lives! It's unacceptable!" The Wind Hashira argued.
Sanemi took his sword out of its handle and slashed himself with it. "Master! I will prove it to you myself! The sheer ugliness of a demon!"
"Sanemi..." Master interjected. "Hey, demon! It's time to eat! Sink your teeth into this!"
Hearing the demon moan with grogginess, he continued. "No need to force yourself to hold back. Just show us your true colors, and I'll obliterate you right here!" A striped man, in both black and white, interrupted him. "Shinazugawa, it's no good doing it in the sunlight. We have to go into the shadows, or the demon won't show its face."
"Master, please forgive this discourtesy," Sanemi mumbled. Jumping into the shade, he stabbed the box with the demon inside. "Stop it!" 'Ah... Kamado finally got his voice back! I'm glad,' the [H/C] girl thought.
"Come on out, demon! Here's some human blood that you love so much."
Wondering how the demon would look, she looked at the box with eager eyes. Instead of seeing a demoness-looking creature, a cute little girl came out of the box.
After a few moments with lots of uncomfortable tension, the demon turned its head away with what looked to be a face of... disgust?
Oh!
Oh.
"What just happened?" Master asked, his voice calm yet commanding. "The demon turned her back in disgust, Master," one of the little girls reported. Everyone seemed shocked by this revelation. Master nodded thoughtfully.
Suddenly feeling lightheaded, the girl that was put on trial fainted.
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