Kōri to Kokū Hashira

Bursting awake, I gasp loudly. Shaking profusely, I feel as sweat rolls from my body in waves. Looking at my body, I see my right arm encased in bandages and my chest tightly wrapped as well.

Looking at my surroundings, I notice that I'm placed in the Butterfly Mansion hospital center. On a table to my right, I see a multitude of bloodied gauzes and empty vials. To my left, I see a sleeping Shinobu.

Having calmed my breathing, I continue to observe my surroundings, but I hear a dish crashing to the ground.

Whipping my head around, my eyes connect with Aoi who is quick to turn and run away. The sound of the dish must have woken Shinobu as she tiredly sits up and rubs her eyes. Continuing to stare at her figure, she turns her head towards me and upon seeing my face, tears begin to stream from her eyes.

Pulling me into a death grip hug, Shinobu cries into my chest. Grunting out in slight pain, my eyes once again turn back to the hospital entrance while I hear the clattering of feet. Moments later, all residents of the Butterfly Mansion burst into the hospital.

Rushing to my bedside with tears also streaming from their eyes, I immediately turn my head to the only person not crying.

"You've been recovering for two weeks now." Kanae explains to me. "When we first arrived back here, you were in critical condition and there was very little hope you would survive. However, because of some sort of miracle, your body began to recover at an abnormal rate. The only thing that remains at this point is your arm still being burnt and your lungs still having the chance of reopening."

Confused by what Kanae meant by critical condition, she seems to notice my look.

"Mabey because of an adrenaline or simply because you were numb, your entire body was encased in a thin film of ice which, upon the Upper Moon Two's death, began to fall away, taking your skin with it, causing your body to become a completely bloodied mess."

Now understanding why there was such a large pile of bloodied gauze, my attention returned to the persons drenching my hospital gown.

After a total of thirty minutes, they all managed to finally calm down and immediately began to berate me for being reckless and risking my life. After bantering me for some period, they all began to return to their normal activities, occasionally dropping by to make sure that my condition hadn't worsened.

Shinobu the entire time though, remained by my side, gripping my hand tightly, as if confirming for her that I wasn't going to die. I had asked her about it, but she remained eerily quiet, sitting entirely still while sometimes shuddering.

Receiving the same kind of treatment for the next few days, the second that I was given the green light to start moving around, I started to walk around the Butterfly Mansion. And once again, I was followed by Shinobu who clung to my arm the entire time.

After two weeks of rehabilitation, my crow came flying in through the window.

"You have been invited to the emergency Hashira meeting that is being called by Master. You are expected to arrive at master's domain at dusk of next morning."

Shinobu, who was still clinging to me, tightened her grip on my arm, not wanting me to take part of the meeting.

Head patting Shinobu reassuredly, I whispered, "I'll come right back after the meeting. I'll only be gone for a movement."

Not having Shinobu's grip lessen in the slightest, I could only sigh inside my heart at Shinobu's recent actions.

Reaching morning, upon exiting my room, I surprisingly found Shinobu not waiting quietly outside the door.

Waking to the common room, I caught Kanae affectionately talking with Shinobu while putting on her best reassuring smile. Nodding appreciatively to Kanae, I left the Butterfly Mansion, reaching the area in which Ubuyashiki lived.

Entering through the simple gate, I could see Ubuyashiki already outside with every Hashira beside Kanae kneeling towards him. Falling behind the line of Hashira since my rank was only that of Mizunoe, I also gave respects to Ubuyashiki. A few moments later, Kanae also arrived, placing herself in line with the other Hashira.

"Now that you have all finally arrived, I think that it's time for us to begin."

"If I may be so impertinent Master, might I ask why we are joined by Shiro, someone who only ranks as a Mizunoe." Shinazugawa asks politely.

"Well, it appears as though we will be having a new Hashira joining our ranks." Ubuyashiki begins. "Four weeks ago, Kanae Kocho, Shinobu Kocho, and Shiro Urokodaki, went on a mission to fight against a low-level demon to test the poison that Shinobu Kocho has been developing for multiple years now. Upon reaching the town however, the apparent low-level demon turned out to be something much more powerful, reaching the strength of a Lower Moon. And the Upper Two Kizuki arrived in the town as well. Both Kanae Kocho and Shiro Urokodaki fought against this Kizuki and by the start of morning, the two of them removed the very first Kizuki from Muzan's ranks."

This explanation in turn evoked the slight jump of all Hashiras.

"As in accordance to the code laid out for the Demon Slayer Corps, this means that Shiro Urokodaki shall advance directly to the rank of Hashira."

"I don't agree with you Master." Iguro interjects. "This Demon Slayer has been on less than three missions. Even if it's in accordance with the Demon Slayer Corps Code, I don't feel as though he deserves."

"But you cannot deny that his strength is enough to handle an Upper Moon! If we were to add him to our elite ranks, this might push the Demon Slayers into a brighter future!" Rengoku exclaims.

"He's also learned all of our forms." Muichiro adds. "So, I guess it makes sense he be added to our ranks."

"Who would have thought that someone would be so flamboyant to start his Demon Slayer career by instantly become a Hashira. I'm truly impressed." Uzui states while nodding smugly to me.

As the chatter of the Hashiras is about to continue, Ubuyashiki puts his finger to his lips, silencing them all.

"There is more to the news I present to you." Ubuyashiki starts. "Because of the events that played out four weeks ago, it appears that our Flower Hashira shall be retiring from her position. The fight between her and the Upper Two Kizuki seemed to prove too much as she was forced to use a technique that renders her partially blind. She has informed me that even if her strength is helpful to the Hashira ranks, she feels as though she will only serve to burden the Hashira name. However, she will continue to train her daughter in hopes that she becomes the new Flower Hashira."

Looking surprisedly at Kanae, she looks at me, showing her slightly dimmed eyes and showing me a sad smile. Some of the Hashiras seem to want to say something, but they choose to respect Kanae's decision and leave the topic be.

"Bringing up another important topic for you." Putting out attention back on Ubuyashiki, he continues. "With the death of the Upper Two Kizuki, Muzan will introduce a new Kizuki into his ranks and depending on the strength of that Kizuki, along with any plans his other Kizuki may have concocted, the Demons might turn extremely hostile to our ranks and target any if our members. The opposite however could be true. Muzan might become more cautious than he's already been and hold his Demons with a shorter leash to make sure that something like what occurred to his Upper Two Kizuki will never happen again. Muzan has been searching for something for the last few decades, so he might hold any plans to find that thing. After this meeting is concluded, I plan to spread you across this land, in hopes that you find that something before Muzan does. If we can do this, all Muzan's plans will fall apart, allowing us to finally win this war."

"But what about the chance of Muzan targeting Demon Slayer locations, wouldn't scattering us only serve to weaken ourselves to Muzan." Kanae points out.

"That is why I shall be withholding a few Hashiras from travelling. Gyomei Himejima, Giyu Tomioka, Kyojuro Rengoku, and Sanemi Shinazugawa shall remain here at Headquarters to protect against any sort of threat that Muzan might pose. If deemed otherwise, my four children shall remain at the ready while the rest of you find what Muzan is looking for."

Surprisingly, no qualms were created from Ubuyashiki's order, and the meeting continued to progress.

Reaching the end of the meeting, where Ubuyashiki would dismiss us, he called me forward. Stepping past the line of Hashira, I kneeled myself once again in front of Ubuyashiki, this time much closer.

"As I have deemed you as a Hashira, and you have no single breathing art that belongs solely to you, I will allow you to choose your Hashira title."

Being suddenly given the option to choose my Hashira title, I begin to deliberate what my title should be until it hits me.

"Kōri to Kokū Hashira, that is what I choose for my title to be."

Seeing a slight smile form on Ubuyashiki form, he states, "Welcome Kōri to Kokū Hashira. Welcome my child."

-

(Gyokko POV):

Looking with contempt at the Biwa Demon who had summoned me here, I lament at the fact that my creation of more "art" had been rudely interrupted.

Looking around master's Infinity Castle, I find that Hantengu has also arrived here. Immediately making my way over to him, I call out.

"Hantengu, how have you been after these ninety years. I was quite worried over you, my friend. The only time we're called together is when an Upper Kizuki has died, or he wants to order us to do something."

Instantly turning his wizened, hunched figure toward me, Hantengu wails aloud. "It has been one hundred and six years since we have last been summoned. I am rather concerned that we shall all perish within the next seven if we are not careful. One hundred and seven is after all an unlucky number and I feel a great disturbance from within our ranks."

Having Hantengu's paranoia go in one ear and out the other, I turn back to the Biwa Demon.

"Has Master arrived yet?"

In response, I receive the simple, short answer of, "No."

Relenting at the fact that Master has not arrived, I look around again to see if I had missed any of the other Kizuki. In one of the corners, my eyes spot the yellow glint that reflect from Akaza's eyes. As I go to call out to him, his deathly glare silences me instantly as the words I was going to say were caught in my throat.

Licking my parched lips, I continue my survey around the room, before feeling the overwhelming presence of Master entering the room. Instantly bowing to him, Master speaks out.

"Doma has died."

Startled by the fact that an Upper Kizuki had died, I raise my head slightly, only to be met with the red eyes of Master.

"Did I say you could raise you head mongrel."

Silently lowering my head, sweat drips down my back.

"It was perfectly fine with only the Lower Kizuki to die, but for one of our Upper Kizuki to die, you all are nothing but a disgrace."

"See! I told you that this year is an omen!" Hantengu exclaims but is instantly quelled by one of master's flesh tubes ripping away one of his arms.

"Shut up and only speak when I say to speak."

Feeling the overwhelming pressure of Master, any other thoughts were completely quelled.

"Now, do any of you have any suggestions on how we should respond to Doma's death."

"We should do absolutely nothing." Akaza speaks out while smirking. "Even if Doma is dead, his overall power wouldn't help us to succeed in your overall mission. So, all we need to do is simply replace the spot that Doma has left open, and all is good."

Even though I understood the hate for Doma that Akaza held, I feared for what Master might do to him.

"In other words, you're telling me to do nothing." As Master bores his eyes into Akaza, I see him shake his head.

"Of course not, all I had done was make a suggestion, all further choices lie with you of course Master."

The overbearing presence that Master once exude had receded, allowing me to breathe easier.

"Upper Two shall be replaced by Nakime. We shall respond in no way the death of that worm, but instead continue our relentless search for the Blue Spider Lily. I expect all of you to perform better than that worm and since our forces were heavily impacted by his death. Kill within the shadows. If I find that anymore of you have died, then I won't hesitate to place heavy punishment upon you all."

Feeling Master's pressure once again take hold of me, it grows heavier as he continues to speak and all of us, whether from fear or respect, bow our heads to him. With the strum of the now identified Nakime, Master disappears.

Strumming her biwa again, I find myself placed back in my laboratory where my now dead "art".

Rubbing my forehead, I put away my materials and begin my own personal search for the Blue Spider Lily.