Whispers of Water and Wind

Chapter 12 New Member In Meeting

Author's Note:

Hey everyone! This chapter is turning out a bit longer than usual, but I hope you'll stick with it and give it a read. If you've read the last chapter, you might notice some sassy replies sprinkled in, just like before! Don't forget to share your thoughts—

Your feedback really keeps me going, so don't hesitate to share your thoughts, reactions, or even favorite moments. Knowing what you think helps me improve and inspires me to keep pushing forward with the story. Every comment and bit of support means the world to me. 

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A few minutes into their journey, girl suddenly piped up. "I don't want to insult you, but you run very slowly. My mom runs faster than you."

Tengen almost tripped over his own feet. "What?! I'm not even running at full speed, kid!"

Girl pouted, her tone dripping with curiosity. "So, you really have three wives?"

"Yes, I do," Tengen said, flashing a proud grin. "And they're all incredibly beautiful."

Girl shook her head, her proud smile growing. "No one is more beautiful than my mom."

Sanemi, trudging along with an annoyed expression, interjected, "Oh really?"

"Yes, really," Girl insisted. "My mom has the most beautiful eyes. If you saw her blue ocean eyes, you'd fall right into them."

Sanemi scoffed, rolling his eyes. "There's no way I'm falling into any eyes, kid."

Tsutako gave him a disgusted look. "You must be color-blind, then."

Tengen chuckled, playing along. "Your mom has blue ocean eyes, huh? One of my wives has blue eyes too."

Girl nodded, determined. "I'm 100% sure her eyes won't be beautiful as my mom's—"

Before she could finish, Sanemi, now fully exasperated, snapped. "My mom-this, my mom-that! Don't you get tired of all this crap? Are you even aware of who we are? We're Hashira! Greater than any Demon Slayer in the Corps! Way stronger and greater than your so-called perfect mom!"

Girl's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing. "What did you say? You're greater than my mom?" She scoffed, rolling her eyes in defiance. "Don't make me laugh—I'm not in the mood for jokes. Do you even know my mom's strength? She cut a Lower Moon demon's head off in one strike! Did you hear me? ONE STRIKE!"

Sanemi, now visibly irritated, rolled his eyes again. "So your mom lies li—"

Before he could finish, Girl squealed, her face lighting up with joy. "Mom! Mom! Look, I'm here!"

The entire group came to a sudden halt, their gazes following girl's line of sight. They all turned to see girl's mother walking toward them.

No one spoke a word. Everyone stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief. Girl's mom wasn't just anyone—it was Giyuu Tomioka. The Water Hashira.

Rengoku blinked, trying to process what he was seeing. "W-WAIT... Tomioka-san?"

Tengen let out a low whistle. "Now this is flashy..."

Iguro's snake, Kaburamaru, seemed to freeze on his shoulder, as if sensing the tension in the air. Mitsuri, her eyes wide with shock, whispered, "Tomioka-san... has a child?"

Sanemi's heart skipped a beat as the realization sank in. Giyuu... is married? His chest tightened, and for a brief moment, he felt his world crumble. He had known Giyuu for years, had fought alongside her, respected her—and had loved her. Today he was going to confes his love and seeing Giyuu walking toward them, for that child who looked nothing like her in personality or demeanor, Sanemi was facing the truth. A truth that tore at him in ways he wasn't prepared for.