Lifetimes

- 11 Pillars -

The tingling feeling stills lingers on the girl's lips. It's been a few days and yet, the memory stays fresh in her head. Every time the memory came up, a soft blush would randomly appear on her cheeks. What did this boy do to her?

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It's been a few weeks since the news of the Flame Pillar got to her. The aura around her recently was gloomy and unpleasant, but what could Y/n said, she was admitting the same level of energy. Concerned about the recent situation, the pillars were once again called in for another meeting, Y/n presence was needed once again.

''Thank you for coming to my children,'' Oyakata-sama stated. The Pillars sat in rows facing the Master, attentive at what the Master has to say. Y/n stood at a corner of the room, behind the pillars, with her hands behind her back, listening.  ''Kyojuro Rengoku has left us sooner than we expect...'' he continued. 

''His sacrifice would not go down in vain and would always be part of this noble history. However, his death was caused by an upper moon demon.'' He pointed out. The Pillars listened, wondering what he would say next.  ''Recently, there wasn't any encounters with upper moon demons, excluding when Kamado Tanjiro and his encounter with Muzan.'' 

The sound of its name made the aura in the room tenser than it already is. Y/n gripped onto her haori, anxious of what Oyakata-sama had installed for them. ''With that, I suspect something big is upon us soon.'' The Master continues. 

The Pillars sat quietly, thinking of what he could mean. ''We have to prepare ourselves of anything my children...My time is soon arriving and this could mean Muzan would be coming for me.'' Oyakata-sama coughed.  

''Master, be assured, we wouldn't allow Muzan to lay a finger on you,'' Gyomei stated as tears started to flow down his cheeks.  ''Yes, we'll be here to protect you Oyakata-sama,'' Mitsuri added.  One by one, the Pillars assured him, confident in protecting their Master. As they did, Y/n stood watching, not saying anything, sorrow had enveloped her, knowing her soon her 'father' would pass. 

She wonders how his actual children feel, how Amane would feel. She couldn't describe the pain it would be, having to lost her own family as well. Only the Ubyashikas knew about her family, she never bothered to tell anyone else. 

''Thank you, my children, however, Muzan would be like those demons we've battled before, he isn't what he seems to be. Please be careful my children, stay strong.''Oyakata-sama added before going on about what the hashira's next move should be. 

Knowing that whatever they would be discussing isn't going to include her, Y/n's mind dozed off once more. Her eyes drifted to a familiar figure, sitting next to the Stone Pillar. Feeling her cheeks grow warmer, Y/n immediately looked away at another direction. ''Damn it, why do I feel this way.'' She thought. 

''Y/n-san?'' Shinobu asked.

Escaping back into reality, Y/n quickly answered, ''huh?''  

''Cool move Y/n'' she scolded herself silently. The Pillars' eyes were all focused on her, giving her the spotlight. With that Y/n begin to panic. ''I should stop daydreaming.'' she scolded herself once again. A small smile crept its way up Muichirou lips, seeing the stated the girl's in. Oyakata-sama smiled gently at the girl, saying ''Y/n, we were discussing about moving you to the role of the Shadow Pillar, what's your opinion. ''

Shocked, Y/n begins to stutter, '' Huh? Oh...I'm sorry Master, but I still don't think I'm suitable to be a Pillar, I still have a lot to improve on...and-'' before the girl could finish, she was cut off but the Serpent Pillar.  ''It's been a year since Oyakata-sama had offered you the spot as a Pillar which you had declined. Yet you are refusing once again?'' He questioned. 

Y/n was lost for words, she didn't have a proper excuse and using the same excuse over again isn't convincing.  Lucky for her, the Mist Pillar spoke up, ''People improve at different rates. Y/n just needs more time, she isn't confident to be one yet so let her be.'' He defended, frown at the other Pillar. 

Oyakata-sama smiled before interrupting ''Y/n, if you still don't feel comfortable about being a Pillar, we'll respect that. But please reconsider.'' 

The girl nodded, slowly taking his words in. Soon the Pillars were dismissed, one by one, people exited the room. 

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Y/n sat on the wooden platform in the garden of the mansion. Thoughts flew across her head she hugged her legs and thought. Spotting the girl, a figure moved towards her before sitting beside the girl. ''Is everything alright Y/n?'' Muichirou whispered, trying not to alarm the girl. 

The violet-eye didn't respond, remaining silent. The boy observed her, his mint eyes taking in her figure. The energy around her was different from her usual, her violet eyes do not sparkle as much anymore. Muichirou couldn't help but feel the sadness that weighed on the girl.

''Have you ever lost someone?'' The girl whispered, not removing her eyes from her shoes. ''I can't remember anything about my past Y/n.'' he reminded, relieved that the girl's talking to him. ''Oh sorry...'' she apologised. 

Silence filled the air as the two sat together, just there. 

''Muichirou...'' the girl whimpered. ''Yes?'' The boy answered, moving closer to her. ''Do you think I would be fit as a pillar?'' the girl asked, looking into his mint eyes with her violet ones. Her eyes were dull, unlike the usual hopeful eyes she wore all the time.  ''Being a Pillar is different for everyone. All of us had different goals when becoming a Hashira. But, we all still serve the same purpose. Pillar or not, I think it's the fighting spirit that matters,'' The boy replied, looking deep into the girl's eyes.

Looking away, the girl allowed his words to sink in. ''Thank you Muichirou.'' she thanked, giving the boy a gentle smile. ''No problem.'' The mint eyed boy said, moving closer to the girl, enveloping her in a warm hug which Y/n grateful accepts. 

The pair sat in silence, enjoying the company of the other.