Meeting Tamayo

(2519 Words!)

When Muzan remembered the face of the monster who had nearly killed him several of hundred years ago his body trembled in fear as the old scars left upon him by Yoriichi throbbed in angony once more making Muzan grit his teeth at the excruciating pain he felt.

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A few hours after leaving the Hashira's to rest in the recovery room, Anos had nothing else to do so he went and roamed the new world with a crow perched on his shoulder. Anos was walking in a nearby village when he paused in his steps as he heard Shinobu screaming his name in anger with whom he assumed was her sister trying to calm her down. Getting confused he sent a clone to deal with her as he looked around. Although the village wasn't very big, it looked pretty prosperous with merchants selling things to others.

(Meanwhile with the Hashira's)

Of all the Hashira's to wake up first, it was the current flower pillar Kanae Kocho. She wondered if she was dreaming because she woke up noticing that she is staring at the ceiling of the butterfly manners recovery room. So she did the most logical thing and slapped herself tp see if she was dreaming and was currently on the afterlife. However, feeling the stinging pain from slapping herself she knew for sure that she was somehow still alive. She then blinked as she suddenly noticed her fellow Hashira's who were all lying on a bed. She wondered if they were all this exhausted because they had fought an upper moon demon.

She then heard groaning as the other pillars started getting up one by one as when they noticed where they were, they all seemed to frown as their faces turned sour remembering what had happened. The pillars eyes all widened as they remembered that their leader is still alone with that demon only to pause when the door to the recovery room was opened, and their leader Kagaya Ubuyashiki entered. Noticing his presence, the Hashira's all became relieved, before they got on their knees in respect as the oldest pillar Shinjuro spoke up.

Shinjuro: "It's nice to see you safe Ubuyashiki-sama."

The man just smiled as he replied.

Ubuyashiki: "Thank you for your worry Shinjuro. But how are all of you doing?"

The faces of the Hashira's became annoyed and angry as they remembered how easy it was for Anos to beat them and how they couldn't do anything about it. Kanae who felt very confused about what was going on, raised her hand to grab everyone's attention as she spoke.

Kanae: "Um, did something bad happen that I'm not aware of?"

The other Hashira's then remembered that Kanae wasn't there fighting with them. So they simply told her to ask Shinobu about it leaving her even more confused. They all got of their beds as they prepared to return to their own Manor to freshen up and start training again. Ubuyashiki also excused himself saying he had to go and rest. However, before all the Hashiras left, she noticed how Giyu looked slightly uncomfortable looking at the two as if he did something he felt very uncomfortable with. Kanae noted to ask Shinobu what happened to cause the ever stoic Giyu to look so uncomfortable. The Hashiras soon left the butterfly Manor shocking its residents with their presence as they never noticed any of them entering the Manor. After leaving the two sisters, did Kanae speak up.

Kanae: "Shinobu, what's going on? How did I survive fighting upper moon 2?"

Shinobu seemed like she wanted to speak but looked very tense wondering how she should explain this to her sister. So after a few minutes of inner turmoil, she sighed and explained what happened.

Shinobu: "I entered a contract with a powerful demon named Anos Voldigoad to give me the strength to save you."

Kanae's eyes widened in shock hearing Shinobu's words. Shinobu then continued.

Shinobu: "The deal I made with him was that in exchange for granting me the strength necessary to save you, the both of us would have to become his disciples. However, because I didn't want to choose an option on your behalf I propose to accept his offer, and to let you choose if you want to or not."

Shinobu: "He ended up speaking with Oyakata-Sama and some things happened that ended up with Sanemi challenging Anos, and then all the other Hashira joined in the battle. We lost miserably against him. We couldn't even scratch Anos, and the most frustrating part of it all was that he copied all the techniques used against him in an instant, and he defeated us all with a stick."

Kanae's eyes widened on shock hearing what Shinobu said. A demon that fought against all the Hashiras and even beating them all with a stick. It sounded to far-fetched, but Kanae decided to trust her sister. However, she suddenly realised something strange about the story told to her that she questioned Shinobu about.

Kanae: "Was this demon an Upper Moon? And did this demon fight all of you under the sun?"

Shinobu shook her head and explained.

Shinobu: "Anos Voldigoad was no Demon who serves Kibutsuji Muzan. He said he was a Demon from an entirely different world, and that he is the strongest. He claims he has no equals, and even though it sounds arrogant, none of us seemed to be able to doubt his words."

Kanae took some time processing this information before she sighed as she looked at Shinobu with a mixture of worry and sadness.

Kanae: "Shinobu. You know as a demon slayer our jobs mean that death is unavoidable? Although I don't like that you had to enter a contract with this demon, I'm atleast happy knowing that I get to see you and the others grow up."

Kanae: "Also, I'm a bit curious."

Shinobu: "Yes?"

Kanae: "Did something happen to Tomioka-San? He looked very uncomfortable when he was leaving. As if something happened that is stuck in his mind."

Shinobu tensed slightly at Kanae's question as she wondered if she should tell her about what happened. After alot of thinking, she sighed as she explained.

Shinobu:" Sigh. You would have found out about it sooner or later. I just hope that you don't get too mad."

Kanae started getting worried as she spoke.

Kanae: "Shinobu, what happened?"

Shinobu bit her lips, her expression one of reluctance as she answered.

Shinobu: "I was.... Made to commit seppuku fairly recently and brought back to life."

Kanae: "Eh?"

Kanae's expression was one of genuine confusion. How could she have committed Seppuku, and brought back to life?

Shinobu saw Kanae's expression as she explained.

Shinobu: "I was executed because I broke the biggest Taboo of the demon slayer corps. Making a deal with a demon."

Kanae: "Why did Oyakata-Sama stop the seppuku?! Not only are you the only doctor of the demon slayer corps, but you saved a Hashira and got information on an Upper Moon Demon! That should have been more than enough of a reason to not allow you to go through with it!"

Shinobu: "It's an answer you should already know Née-San."

Kanae bit her lip in mild frustration at Shinobu's words, because she knew the answer before even asking the question.

Kanae: "And I'm assuming that the person who beheaded you was Tomioka-San?"

Shinobu: "Indeed. After I was beheaded, Oyakata-Sama cleared my name as a traitor to the corps, and Anos Voldigoad brought me back to life."

Kanae: "..."

Kanae: "I must admit, I'm rather angry with Oyakata-Sama. However, I understand that he needed to do what he did as a leader. Well never mind everything else right now. The important thing is that we're both alive, and well. Now then, this is the last thing I need to know. You say I have to choose if I want to become this persons disciple alongside you or not?"

Shinobu nodded her head solemnly. Kanae sighed as she thought about it. On one hand she doesn't want to become the disciple of some unknown demon without knowing their intentions. On the other hand, refusing the offer means that she will possibly be unable to meet her sister anymore. The other problem were the girls that lived in the butterfly estate.

They were all practically family but if she agrees to this deal then she will have to bid farewell to Aoi, Kanao, and those 3 little kids. And that's not also considering the fact that this Demon brought Shinobu back to life making her even more unsure of her decision.

Shinobu sighed as she knew it was a hard decision to make. She leaned herself against one of the beds only to pause as she felt the bed was soaked. She turned her head around and saw that all the beds where the other Hashira's were resting previously were soaked in their sweat.

Shinobu kept quiet for several seconds until a dark Aura surrounded her surprising Kanae who saw Shinobu looking like she wanted to kill someone, she wondered what happened and looked at the bed behind Shinobu and smiled wryly as she saw the bed covered in the sweat of the other Hashira's. Shinobu then went on to scream Anos's name. And when he appeared before them Shinobu had on a bright smile as she asked Anos to sit on the floor as she spoke.

Shinobu: "Excuse me Voldigoad-san, but do you mind explaining why did you place all of us on the infirmary beds after you defeated us?"

Anos's clone tilted his head in confusion at what the idiot before him was asking.

Anos clone: "Because you all needed rest obviously."

Shinobu nodded her head seemingly in understanding as she pointed to the bed behind Anos and spoke

Shinobu: "Voldigoad-San, do you know that the bed behind you is soaked am I right?"

Anos's clone nodded his head. Shinobu continued.

Shinobu: "You see Voldigoad-San, these beds are stained by their sweat, and now it will take me forever to clean them, rid them of the smell of sweat, and dry them. And you know as the doctor of this organisation, I'd much prefer having my place clean."

Anos's clone nodded his head in understanding as he spoke.

Anos clone: "OK, and this involves me how?"

Shinobu's smile became strained as she started lecturing Anos's clone about the basics of hygiene and that the sheets and mattresses are very hard to clean. She told him most of the time the patients that are brought here are normally cleaned of their wounds and they dry their bodies before placing them on the beds.

Anos's clone just listened to her complaining for roughly about an hour before Shinobu realised that he wasn't even paying attention to her. His mind was somewhere else. When Anos's clone finally realised she had stopped talking he replied.

Anos Clone: "So basically you want me to not bring you all to this room the next time you get knocked out?"

Kanae was trying her best not to laugh at the situation. It seems like this Demon Anos Voldigoad has no understanding of human dislikes for troublesome things. Shinobu just pinched the bridge of her nose as she replied.

Shinobu: "To make things shorter, do you have a way to clean all this? I have many other patients I need to help, and I don't want the other residents of this Manor to be used to clean such dirty sheets. They are still kids afterall. Just them helping out with the cooking, cleaning, and recovery is more than enough for them."

Anos's clone nodded his head as he snapped his fingers and all the beds became clean with the fragrant smell of lavender left on them as he spoke.

Anos clone: "If you just wanted a favour why go through such a long speech?"

Shinobu sighed in defeat as she gave up trying to talk to this Demon. Anos's clone turned his head to Kanae and spoke.

Anos clone: "I take it you are her sister? If so I believe she should have already explained the situation for you. So what is your decision?"

Kanae bit her lips as she is still not sure. She thought for a few seconds before speaking.

Kanae: "Could I possibly have a bit more time to think it over? After all, I was just told about this and everything seems so sudden."

The clone nodded his head as he spoke.

Anos clone: "Very well then. You will have until I leave this world to make your decision."

Kanae: "How long is that?"

Anos's clone merely shrugged his shoulders. As he spoke.

Anos: "When I feel like it."

Kanae smiled wryly at the answer. Without a specific time frame to know how long she has to make her decision, it will become alot more difficult for her to remain focused on things. She just hopes it won't be too short of a time frame.

The clone then stood up and brushed his clothes as he spoke.

Anos Clone: "If there's nothing else I'll take my leave."

Kanae: "Wait!"

Anos: "Hrrm?"

Kanae: "I just wanted to say thank you for bringing Shinobu back to life, and for giving her the strength to save me."

Anos: "Do not thank me. For if your sister had not made that made that contract with me, you still would have died. And I only resurrected her because a dead disciple is a useless one. And as her mentor I have a responsibility to make sure she pays for her actions. Besides, I'm the one that made her slit her stomach because she was to afraid to. "

The clone vanished making them jump a little. A few seconds later Shinobu got up to go treat the injured slayers. And to give her sister time for herself to think.

(Meanwhile with the original Anos)

Anos was walking in the village when the memories from the clone came to him. He didn't care much about it and continued about his walk in the village. Anos saw a fruit stall and decided to buy a few. He ended up buying alot of different fruits as they all tasted so fresh and juicy. He could tell how hard the farmers must have worked growing the fruits.

He even shared some with the crow perched on his shoulder. As he continued walking, he stopped as he saw a petite young woman with long, dark brown hair, parted in the center and worn braided back into a large, low bun, which is held in place by a floral tama-kanzashi hairpin. She has large, gentle eyes that initially do not possess pupils, only a haze of lavender that fades to dark purple the higher it goes, and notably red lips in contrast to her pale complexion. The woman was carrying a doctors bag, and she froze in shock and fear as she saw Anos.

Anos approached her as he spoke.

Anos: "Hrrm, how interesting. Nice to meet you Tamayo, I am Anos Voldigoad."