Hashira's happiness

The Butterfly estate

(the final chapter of this story. Anyone who read to the end, sorry for your suffering whilst you read this terribly written story.)

Truth is, as I stood in front of the door to the house I lived in 100 years ago, I felt afraid. I'm not sure why...Did anything change?

We were all here: Kanao, Aoi, Kanae, Kiyo, Naho and Sumi. I decided to invite Tamayo too. Why you may ask? Well, none of my sisters know this is where we used to live. In fact, they don't even know why I brought them here. I needed Tamayo so I wasn't alone.

She squeezed my hand as she stood beside me. 

Aoi asks, "nee-chan. What is this place? And why does it feel familiar. Kanao nods in agreement. "I can feel it too.." She mumbles. 

I ignore them. I take a deep breath and push the doors to the house that once belonged to me. The house I had inherited at the age of 14. I was scared. Scared it changed. Scared someone else lived here. Scared of the unknown.

I sighed in relief when I saw no one home. I looked around. I first went into my room. It's the exact same as 100 years ago. I quickly looked around the house. It's all the exact same. Before I know it, I find myself crying. I turn away from my sisters. Tamayo rubs my arm in comfort.

My sisters all stood outside. They were confused. Kanae was the first one to step inside and the others followed. Kiyo looked at some frames on the wall. She suddenly collapses to the floor, looking petrified, as if she's seen a ghost. We all quickly surround her. Kanae says, sounding very worried, "what's wrong?" Kiyo points to the pictures on the wall. She stutters, "I-it's us...But we never took those pictures...We've never even been here."

Kanae looks at me, she looks afraid as well. "What's the meaning of this Shinobu?" I reply, sounding rather calm despite the eerie situation, "It's us. Or maybe it's better to say, it's us 100 years ago." Aoi chuckles, thinking I was joking but quickly stops when she sees I am not laughing.

Tamayo adds, "she's telling the truth. We've all been reborn. Like a second chance at life."Kanao says, "that doesn't make sense..." Aoi adds, "it's not physically possible." I giggle. "sure it is."

I lead the way around our old house. I point to different rooms, "that is the trio's old room. Aoi's old room is there, mine is next to hers and Kanao is opposite ours. The training room where Kanao and I often spent our time is there and the clinic where Aoi and I spent our time is there."

Kanae looks at me with a worried expression. She often joked about having to send me to a mental hospital but she may actually be considering it. "This all feels like a prank..."

Kanao asks, "so which one would be Kanae's room?" Kanae says, "you guys can't actually believe this. Come on! Aoi you're much smarter than this." Aoi shakes her head, "Nee-chan doesn't have time to prank us...I think." I nod as I do not have the time to play pranks on us.

"How about we all sit down whilst I make some tea." A few minutes later, I found myself at our once kitchen making tea. Although, there was no kettle...I had to make tea the old fashion way. Tamayo asks, "do you know how to make tea without a kettle...?" 

I smirk and stand proudly. "I excel at everything and I am bad at nothing. Of course I can make something as simple as tea." As always, I was correct. I placed the tray of mugs on the coffee table in our living room.

The silence was loud as my sisters all glared at me. They seemed afraid and frightened which is understandable. Kanae breaks the eerie silence as she says, "care to explain Shinobu." 

I was a little reluctant but Tamayo placed her hand on my leg which gave me some courage. 

I began with how me and Kanae lost our parents and became demon slayers because we were saved my Giyomei-san. How we then opened up a hospital in our home and adopted Aoi then Kanao and lastly the trio. I regrettably told them about Kanae's death and my revenge and everything else after that.

They were all lost for words. Understandable since this is a lot to take in.

Kanae gives a soft smile. I question, "you believe me?" Kanae nods. "It's such a Shinobu thing to do to get revenge for her sister like that." Aoi adds, "that was suicidal.."

Kanae nods and takes it as her duty to scold me. For some reason I feel my hands slowly becoming wet. It can't be raining because we're inside. I only then realised I was crying.

They all ask in unison, "are you alright?" They crowd around me quickly. My favourite people are with me. The ones I have always loved. My dear sisters.

I chuckle a little as I wipe my tears. "Sorry...I guess I'm just happy...My sacrifice wasn't for nothing. I never thought I'd be surrounded by all my sisters again."

Kanae gave her usual soft smile. The smile that calmed me down and told me everything will be alright. The smile I missed so much.

"Welcome home Shinobu" Kanae says.

Aoi, Kanao and the trio nod and say in unison, "welcome home nee-chan."

I laugh and say, "I'm home my dearest sisters."

After a while, everyone went exploring on their own. I then noticed Tamayo disappeared quite a bit ago. I go to my old office and see her looking through some papers.

"Find something that intrigued you?" I asked as she continues rummaging through some papers. Tamayo shakes her head and runs towards me giving me a big hug. "Hey! Calm down...Since when did you become Mitsuri?"

Tamayo chuckles and says, "you did a great job." I smile back at her and say, "couldn't have done it without you. Now and 100 years ago." 

We bump fists and reunite with my sisters.