Marechi (Giyuu x Fem!Reader x Sanemi)

Chapter Forty Seven - You

Gathered in the Ubuyashiki garden, the Hashira kneel before Lady Amane, Oyakata-Sama’s wife.

“My apologies, Kaguya is too ill to conduct this meeting. It has come to our attention that the Moon Hashira has been successful in her mission to defeat as many Upper Moons as possible. With Kibutsuji only having two Upper Moons left, the Final Battle draws near. (Last Name), report.”

“My suspicion has been confirmed. He knows Nezuko and I were able to conquer the sun. Which means he will gather the demons nationwide and focus on locating Headquarters. I estimate we have a month at most before he is able to find us.” I tell her, still keeping my head down.

“How do you suppose we defeat him?” Lady Amane asks.

“I believe the best course of action, with all due respect, is to recall every Slayer to Headquarters. I suggest they undergo training in order to have even a fighting chance at survival. My training should be sufficient. A month is not long enough to make them strong enough to be useful, but if they wish to fight alongside the Hashira, it is necessary for them to become stronger.” I offer and she nods.

“As strong as you are, will you be able to train each and every Slayer?”

“She will not be alone, Lady Amane. I propose we set up a program for the Hashira to train Slayers in groups. Perhaps if we are able to impart our knowledge to them, they can have more than a fighting chance.” Gyomei adds to my statement and I smile.

“So be it. (Last Name), Kagaya has requested a private conversation with you. This meeting is adjourned, you may rise.” The woman says and we all obey her orders.

-

I settle into the chair beside Oyakata-Sama’s bed. He grasps my hand in his and smiles. I can see the sickness has spread, now completely encompassing his face and rendering him just shy of death’s door.

“(Name), my child.” He greets and I smile.

“It is a pleasure to be in your presence, Oyakata-Sama.” I bow my head, even if he cannot see me.

It is silent for a moment. I study his face, taking in the sluggish sound of his heartbeat and his shallow breaths. He must be in so much pain, yet he still smiles just as genuinely as he always has.

“You've heard of the Slayer Mark.” It wasn't a question, but a statement that had my head snapping up.

“Oyakata-Sama, what did you see?” I felt the panic blossoming in my chest.

“I saw a memory of the very first Demon Slayer, but you already know that, don't you?”

“With all respect Sir, but that is a box you don't wish to know the contents of. My Sensei-” I stop, feeling my emotions beginning to get the better of me.

“Your Sensei is the brother of the original Demon Slayer. Surely you are aware that those Marks would be a turning point.” The small Beta points out and I feel my temper flare.

“You wish to condemn your children to an early grave. Those Marks are a curse. Only Yoriichi, the original cultivator of all breathing techniques, has been able to survive acquiring it. Even my Sensei, his twin brother, who is the only person who ever has been even remotely close to the same power as him - did not survive the Mark.” I spit, growling furiously at the bedridden man.

“I see. So my vision was correct. Why do you call it a curse?” He says calmly, not phased in the slightest by my anger.

“Those with the Slayer Mark are given enhanced abilities at the price of their lives. If you awaken this Mark, you will die upon your 25th birthday. Yoriichi was born with his Mark, which is why he wasn't killed for awakening it. But even Michikatsu-San, his own twin brother, nearly died at the age of 25 from acquiring it. If he hadn't made a deal with Kibutsuji, he would've died. Please, Oyakata-Sama, do not order me to do this.” I plead, feeling a stinging sensation in my nose.

“You understand that if you fail to defeat Muzan, humanity will be at his mercy.”

“Without his Kiziuki, he will have nobody capable of slowing me down long enough to kill me. I am already up to the same level as my Sensei, which means if I can defeat him, I will be strong enough to take on Kibutsuji.” I answer and he nods.

“Do you have a failsafe?” Oyakata-Sama questions.

“I do.”

-

Giyuu and Sanemi are waiting for me when I return to the Moon Estate. I don't hesitate to climb into the lap of the scarred Alpha. My mind was jumbled, unable to accept the reality of my mission. But knowing that it is my duty to protect humanity at all cost, I accepted the orders Oyakata-Sama gave me. It pained me to have to keep things from my Alphas, but I can only hope I won't have to lie to them.

“While you were speaking with Oyakata-Sama, the rest of the Hashira devised a perfect way to train the Slayers.” Sanemi murmurs as I nuzzle my way into his chest.

“There will be a boot camp of sorts, starting with Uzui in the morning.” Giyuu elaborated and I hummed my agreement.

We stayed like that until the sky darkened from behind the windows. I felt myself dozing off, inhaling the combination of driftwood and ohagi. The last thing I remember before sleep took me was soft lips on my forehead.

-

Dream

“Masune¹, you need to keep your guard up.” Tsugikuni-San says, his blade gently pricking the skin of my throat.

“Gomen.” I murmur, returning to my stance.

The demon appeared in front of me, his katana raised. I focus on regulating my breathing before lifting my sword back up. In a flash he was advancing. The heavy Odachi in my grip barely did anything to stop his brutal attack. But I did my best to block each swing. We went back and forth in a dance that I would eventually know by heart. 

Slash, block, clang, back step, parry, thrust, dodge, guard up, overhead swing, clang, twist, jump, slash, block - over and over again. I easily fell into step, already anticipating the next movement.

“Total Concentration; Moon Breathing, Seventh Form: Mirror of Misfortune, Moonlit.”

I twist my body, jumping into the air as high as I can. The frontal curved slash, reminiscent of a crescent moon, was unblockable. As soon as the initial movement is complete, several different attacks come my way. I was able to evade the straight slashes but the ones that curved were too fast. As they expanded, I attempted to parry them but it wasn't enough. I felt them slicing into the soft flesh of my abdomen and I grit my teeth to prevent myself from crying out.

“Tch, if you wish to be strong enough to surpass me, you will have to be faster. If you cannot defend yourself and attack at the same time, you will die.” Sensei scolds as he sheathes his blade.

I couldn't reply, too busy concentrating on keeping my breathing even. Keeping pressure on the wound, I envision the oxygen spreading through my blood cells. Allowing myself to guide them towards the wound, I picture them clumping together. I could feel the burn of them making contact with the outside air, but I doubled down on my efforts.

After a few minutes, the bleeding slows down and I am able to cautiously remove my hand. I imagine my (Skin Tone) flesh stretching and knitting itself back together. The burn from earlier spread and I felt the white hot agony in my stomach as the skin began to form.

“Your healing abilities are improving. If you keep practicing, you'll be able to survive even the most fatal blows.” The dark haired man says, ruffling my own (Hair Color) affectionately.

“I will make you proud Sensei.” I whisper, my knees beginning to wobble from exhaustion.

Right as the spots began to appear in my vision, I could see his mouth moving.

“Wake up, Masume, time isn't on your side. Soon, you will face me for the last time.”

-

1. Musume is the word for Daughter in Japanese.