Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

His quick, smooth steps crushed the soft snow beneath his feet, the howling wind synchronized with the sounds of the forest and his breathing, his dull blue eyes focused ahead, but his situational awareness was on high alert. 

The mission was simple: stop a low-ranking demon before it could destroy the village at the foot of the mountain. She had arrived in the morning, when the sun's rays were timidly peeking through the mountains. She quickly gathered information from the villagers and the surrounding area, coming to the brief conclusion that it was not a low-level demon, so she was running through the trees to get there in time before the damage was done.

– Caw! Caw! Demon attack ahead. – Kanzaburo's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. – Caw! Caw! Further ahead! Caw! Caw!

Damn! At least I made it in time! Hold on tight!

The smell of blood was the first thing that hit her nose, the strong coppery scent indicating that blood had already been spilled. The second thing that greeted her upon arrival was the figure of a well-dressed man with one arm outstretched, towering over a child. She didn't think twice and made her decision as she drew her blade...

First Form: Superficial Water Cut

...and cut off the demon's hand as he pulled the child out of the demon's reach.

"Run." The child didn't need to be told twice, his little feet clicking on the wood as he ran to another room. 

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Red eyes, well-pressed clothes, white hat, straight black hair—the demon was fashionable for someone who ate human flesh. Those eyes were wrong... She ignored the disgusting smile on the monster's face. "A demon hunter, a Hashira, it seems. Which Hashira are you?"

She took a deep breath, keeping her attention on him and stopping herself from attacking. She didn't know who was in front of her, but his aura seemed powerful enough to indicate that she shouldn't get into a fight with him alone. The chill down her spine was just another indication that something was completely out of the ordinary. She narrowly dodged the attack, a few strands of her black hair flying through the air. 

Eighth Form: Violent Tide

"A water Hashira? Apparently one of those who speaks little and prefers to act. Unfortunately, I'll have to kill you, since you scared away my lunch."  In one moment, he was on the other side of the room, the next he was almost three feet in front of her with his hand outstretched, causing her to dodge his attack. "Come on, Hashira, don't fight, you'll end up losing this fight."

What kind of demon is this? What strength.

The fight goes on, at some point managing to get the demon's attention away from the family and taking it outside, the landscape destroyed, trees fallen and the ground covered with their blood and the demon's, but something was wrong... 

Tomioka dodged another attack, her eyes widening as she felt her arm separating from her body. 

"Your fighting spirit is strong, but why do you seem so weak at the same time?" She held the katana in her other hand, mentally sending thanks to her past self for deciding to train with both hands. "Help me with one small thing, Water Hashira."

"I won't... help you... with anything..." Tomioka ignored the way the demon's red eyes glowed with malice.

Those eyes...

Those eyes were wrong...

Now she understood... 

She knew it wouldn't last, watching the movements of the man, of the demon, she came to a brief conclusion... 

Tomioka Giyu would die there... 

At the hands of Muzan Kibutsuji, the demon king himself...

Tomioka Giyu felt her spine and ribs crack as she was thrown into a nearby tree, blood spurting from her mouth and her lungs working overtime to get enough oxygen. Her sword flew through the air and stuck into her stomach with a sickening sound, now lodged in the tree.

"But who said you have a choice?" Tomioka watched the demon approach, breathing in gasps, yet refusing to fall without a fight. "Answer me something I've been keeping in my mind for centuries."

"I won't... answer you... anything..." Tomioka watched the demon cut his palm with his own claw, his heart pounding in his chest. 

"You have no choice, Water Hashira." With his hand clean but still clawed, he pierced her stomach with a quick, powerful punch above where her katana was stuck, drawing more blood from her mouth. "What would happen if I turned a Hashira into a demon?"

Tsu-nee-chan... Urokodaki-sensei...

"Don't worry, it won't hurt a bit... Not for me." With wide eyes and blurred vision, Tomioka watched as part of her intestines spilled out of her stomach along with the demon's fist.

I'm sorry...

The last thing she could remember was Muzan Kibutsuji's blood-covered hand approaching before everything went black.

She dreamed... 

A young woman who looked like her... 

Her happy smile... Her soft, lively voice...

Her blue eyes, bright and full of life... Kind... Loving... Gentle... 

Tsu...tako... Sister...

An old man...

White hair... Gentle hugs... Harsh and concerned words...

A red mask...

Urokodaki... sensei... 

A blind man...

Kind and loving words...

His wife...children...

Oyakata...sama...

Ubuyashiki...?

A corporation...

Eight shining figures... 

The glow of flames... Determination... 

Red... Orange... White... 

Bright, burning eyes...

Flames...?

The Flame Hashira...

Kyojuro... Rengoku...

A flapping of wings...

Black... Purple... Blue... 

Provocative words... Steady hands... Strange smells... Doctor...?

Poison...?

Butterfly...? 

Insect...?

The Insect Hashira...

Shinobu... Kocho...

Sound...

White hair...

Extravagance...

Too many decorations...

Three wives...? Who had three wives and loved them unconditionally?

Oh...

Sound... 

The Hashira of Sound...

Tengen... Uzui...

But what comes after sound?

Was it silence?

No... It was someone...

Black and aqua green hair...

Eyes covered in mist...

Mist...?

The Hashira of Mist

Muichiro...Tokito

Pink... Green...

Loud voices... but gentle...

Something about loving...? Searching for love...?

Love...? 

The Hashira of Love

Mitsuri...Kanrojin

White... Black... Yellow... Green... 

A hiss...?

Crawling...? 

Snake...?

No, no... 

Serpent...

The Serpent Hashira

Obanai... Iguro

Silence...

White... 

Tinkling... 

Prayers...

Strength... 

Beads...

Stone...?

Calm...?

The Hashira of Stone

Gyomei... Himejima

Patience...? 

No... Impatient...?

White... Why are there so many people with white hair? 

Fury... 

Controlled anger...?

Wind...?

Green...?

The Hashira of Wind

Sanemi...Shinazugawa

Water... 

Calm... 

Blue... Black... 

She... 

The Hashira of Water...

Tomioka Giyuu... 

I remember...

I am Tomioka Giyu...

The Water Hashira...

Chapter Text

"Mi...? M...ss? ...iss?"

She hadn't died...?

What happened?

"Miss?"

Hadn't she faced death? 

Hadn't Muzan Kibutsuji killed her?

Tomioka Giyuu had to blink a few times to clear the black spots from his vision, only to come face to face with six children with worried expressions, one of them holding a black bird...? No, no... Was it a crow? Why was there a crow here? 

Giyuu watched the bird fly from the child's hands to her head...

"What..."  

...and it began to peck at the top of her head, the cawing of a desperate bird seemed to echo in his ears. 

Using her elbows, Giyuu sat up with difficulty, her heavy body seeming to beg for rest as her head spun, a weight settling on top of her head before a familiar voice echoed.

"Giyuu!" Giyuu felt like she could cry, it was just Kanzaburo nesting in her hair as he always did when he took refuge among the black strands. "Caw! Caw! My Giyuu!"

"Kan...buro...?" Giyuu called weakly, diverting the children's attention to the crow, who stretched his neck to look into Giyuu's eyes. "Kan...za...bu...ro"

"My Giyuu! Caw! Caw!" The crow jumped from Tomioka's head into his arms, the still-bloody haori blocking the view of the Kasugai Crow nesting in his arms. "Caw! You're awake, my Giyuu. Caw!"

Giyuu looked up from the bird to face the children who were still crouching near her, their expressions equally worried. A glance around made her realize she was in a dilapidated place—was that a hole in the shape of a body in the wall?—under a torn and dusty futon. Had the fight been that violent?

"Miss?" Giyuu was abruptly snapped out of her thoughts by the hesitant voice of one of the children. She realized it was just the boy who was worried, while the others hid behind him. "Are you okay, miss? We found you unconscious in the snow."

"I'm... fine." It seemed that speaking now had become a real problem, Giyuu knew that more misunderstandings would happen. Giyuu stared at the children, noticing their varying levels of fatigue and exhaustion, but with a determined and confident gleam in their eyes even though they had lost their parents and now had to take care of five younger siblings. "Are you... okay?"

"Yes, we're fine." The boy nodded. "Do you have anyone you can call for help?"

"Yes." She lied through gritted teeth, but deep down she knew that the number of people she trusted could be counted on one hand. Giyuu stood up carefully so as not to disturb the resting Kasugai bird. She wondered what had gone through the bird's mind as it witnessed Giyuu's transformation. "My... sword?"

"Here." One of the children approached, handing the still-sheathed Nichirin blade to the woman. "We cleaned it; it was covered in blood."

"Thank you." He grabbed the sword and fastened it to his waist, his other arm still holding Kanzaburo. "Do you have... somewhere to go?"

Giyuu watched the brothers exchange glances and knew at that moment that she hadn't arrived early enough to save the young men's parents. She saw an unmistakable gleam of determination and courage in the eyes of those children, who, even after witnessing the massacre of their parents, still maintained that gleam in their eyes. It was a look all too familiar to Giyuu's mental well-being.

Giyuu made a decision. She hoped she wouldn't regret what she was about to do, but she hoped things wouldn't end badly when she called in a favor from her former master. One day I'll come back for you, Dad.

"Do you have... paper and... a pen...?"

While one of the children ran out of the room to fetch the utensils, Giyuu gently placed Kanzaburu on top of his head, letting him rest so he could send him off.

"Miss?" Giyuu raised his head to face the older boy who was still with her, his head tilted to the side with eyes shining with curiosity as he watched the woman. "What are you going to do now?"

"Send you... your brothers to my... sensei."

"Really?" Giyuu had to look away from the boy's bright smile, it was too bright and reminded her of Kyojuro Rengoku, she just nods, the child's smile getting even bigger? How was that possible? "Thank you very much, miss!"

The footsteps of the other children could be heard before they appeared through the hole that had previously divided the room in the house... The damage was worse than she had anticipated... Was that the toilet? And a frying pan? How did the kitchen sink end up on the ceiling? 

Giyuu had to look away, not wanting to know how that had happened... Too strange... For her own sanity...

"Here..." The little girl's shy voice drew her out of the bizarre house... to see the young woman holding out some papers and a regular fountain pen.

"Thank you... dear ones." She carefully took the items, sitting down on the futon before starting to write. "You... go... pack... your things... while I write."

Giyuu heard the young people's agreement, the sound of their voices becoming background noise, but she did not look away from the blank pages, her black clawed hand holding the fountain pen tightly, hovering over the paper and not knowing what to write. It had been so long since she had spoken to her father master, the guilt still eating away at her inside like an old unhealed wound. She just hoped that the children would at least be welcomed.

She had to stop for a moment to close her eyes and take a deep breath to concentrate. There was no point in dwelling on the past now. She had six children to help, and there was no point in panicking.

[Dear father sensei...]

Giyuu had to swallow hard as he closed the letter, her name standing out on the back of the letter in cursive, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might jump out of her chest at any moment. 

She raised her head, making another decision, this time with more determination. Giyuu will ensure that these children can grow up happy and safe and avoid misfortune.

Giyuu heard six pairs of small feet approaching. She kept her expression impassive as she got up from the futon, the letters hidden inside one of the pockets of her multicolored haori.

"Ready?" At the children's nod, she left carefully, the children lined up behind her, but Giyuu had to stop for a moment when she saw the sun's rays snaking through the strangely intact exit. She turned her head to the oldest boy. "Something to... cover it?"

"Huh? Oh, something for the young lady to cover herself with? I think there are several thick blankets." With one of the brothers, he went out in search of something for Giyuu, without questioning why she needed to cover herself to go out, but one of the children, being a curious child like any other, couldn't help but ask the question. "Why does the young lady need to cover herself?"

"I can't... in the sun... it burns." That day was truly one of the few days that Giyuu had spoken the most in her life since passing the Final Exam, and none of the hashiras would let it slide when they found out.

"We're back!" The older brother was carrying a large parasol, something most oiran used, and an overcoat with a pair of black gloves on top, while the other brother was holding a thick blanket and a large haori. "Will this work?"

"Yes... Thank you." She carefully picked up the haori, which fell comfortably below her shins, the sleeves reaching her wrists. She put on the gloves, discovering that they covered half of her forearms, carefully picked up the thick blanket and covered herself, and extended the parasol. 

Now would be the final test, whether all that coverage would be enough to protect her from the sun.

Giyuu opened the parasol and unfolded it, her steps hesitant, but when the sun didn't burn her as she stepped outside, she couldn't help but smile, she was walking under the sun without burning or turning to dust.

But first, she had one thing to do before that. Making a quick decision, she turned to the elder. "You... bury... parents... before... we go?"

Giyuu watched the brothers exchange glances before nodding in agreement. He carefully tucked the parasol under his heavy clothes to prevent it from flying away or moving, making it easier to walk.

"Where... are the shovels?" 

In a few minutes, with the help of his two older brothers, Giyuu picked up the third shovel and began digging a hole, the brothers taking turns to dig the second one. Giyuu wondered who had buried his own parents after that fateful night. Had Tsutako buried them in the backyard? Or was it a normal burial? Had they been eaten by the demon?

He looked at the hole and found something unusual. It shouldn't have been there, nor should it have been found so easily. Glancing briefly at the children, he crouched down in the hole and picked up his new discovery...

Who would have thought I would end up finding this here...

...and swallowed it with a quick movement before getting up and leaving the hole in search of the bodies of the children's parents.

While lost in thought, she left the children standing in front of the ruined house and went in search of the bodies of the two adults, only to come out with the bodies of the two adults hanging from her shoulders like sacks of potatoes. The children felt a drop of sweat run down the side of their heads as they witnessed the scene, but they continued to watch as Giyuu carefully lowered the bodies of the deceased onto the snow-covered ground.

She laid the mother down first, one hand resting on the snow and the other outstretched. The father came next, his hand on the snow and his other hand outstretched. Giyuu joined both hands and intertwined them while saying a silent prayer that the couple would be reunited in the next life.

She stepped back, letting the children say goodbye to their parents before beginning to throw the earth back over them.

Giyuu stepped away from the graves, watching the children drive two stakes into the ground. Giyuu wondered when they had had time to make them.

Tanjuro Kamado, Kie Kamado, beloved parents

Tomioka Giyuu turned her back on the graves, the children following her in silence as the weight of the blue spider lily weighed heavily on her stomach.

Chapter Text

The entire journey from Kamado's dilapidated house to Mount Sagiri was filled with lively conversation among the children and their laughter, punctuated by Giyuu's short, staccato phrases, with Giyuu stopping to let the children rest, eat, and refresh themselves. At one point, Giyuu bought a cart to transport the children, the bumps making the children laugh and giggle.

The sun was already setting, its last rays shyly bidding farewell behind the mountains and clouds. Little by little, the children grew tired and struggled to keep their eyes open. Giyuu took advantage of the setting sun to close the parasol and remove the blanket and haori from his shoulders. He threw the blanket over the three youngest children who, surprisingly, already asleep. He used the borrowed haori and his own haori half and half to make an improvised pillow. The voices of the three older children were just background noise, and little by little the third and second fell asleep, leaving only the oldest awake, watching the stars that began to appear in the sky.

When Giyuu stopped, it was already nighttime and the moon was at its highest point in the sky. All six children were sleeping together snuggled under the blanket, their soft snores enough to keep Giyuu from getting lost in her thoughts. 

Giyuu wondered if Urokodaki would still look kindly upon her. It had been so long since she had turned her back on her master father. She had never replied to any of the letters he had sent, but Giyuu always kept them fondly at the back of her closet, reading and rereading them when she felt lonely, never having the courage to write anything back.

She let the children rest in the wagon and walked to the door, staring at the wood intently, her heart pounding in her chest. For a moment, she wondered if this was the right decision to make. Giyuu raised her hand with the intention of knocking on the door with her knuckles, only for the door to open, revealing her former master.

"Giyuu..." Urokodaki was in shock, staring at the girl who was once his student, but who was now a grown woman with a well-built figure. "...you came."

"Hello, sensei..." She lifted the corner of her lip in a hesitant, almost invisible smile. "...I'm back."

Giyuu was abruptly pulled into an embrace, and she swore she could cry when she felt the sensation that she was finally safe, so she didn't hesitate to return the hug, snuggling into the tender warmth, but it was the whisper that made her really cry.

"Welcome home, my daughter." Urokodaki tightened his arms around Giyuu, feeling tears stick to his clothes.

"I'm... back, Dad." Giyuu hugged him tightly, her shoulders shaking and her tears seemingly endless, her whisper matching Urokodaki's. "I'm... so sorry."

"It wasn't your fault, dear. It's okay. You're finally home..." He pulled her away, cupping her face in his hands to wipe away the tears that stained Giyuu's pale cheeks. "You're freezing."

"I'm sorry... for not answering..." Giyuu grabbed the sleeves of Urokodaki's haori tightly, afraid that if she let go, everything would disappear, purposely ignoring the comment about her temperature.

"It's okay, I already knew the messages were getting through to you." Urokodaki flashed a gentle smile behind his mask at the bird still perched on Giyuu's head, Kanzaburo squawking back. "Your bird is truly loyal to you."

"Caw! Caw! Wow, Giyuu! Wow! Caw! Caw!" The crow Kusagai fluttered its wings, making Giyuu's hair even messier.

Giyuu and Urokodaki exchanged amused glances before finally parting ways, Giyuu turning his attention to the six children sleeping in the cart, Giyuu's hand still clutching the hem of Urokodaki's haori.

"Who are these children?"

"Orphans... I saved... Attack by... Muzan..." Giyuu snorted, the sentences too choppy even for someone like her, who was used to speaking little. "I brought... For you..."

"What?" Urokodaki stared at Giyuu from behind his mask, his eyes narrowing as he noticed something unusual about his student. "What happened to you, Giyuu?"

"It's... a... long story."

"Let's get them inside, I want the whole story." Urokodaki went back inside, returning in minutes to help Giyuu bring the children inside. There were three futons together, where the children were placed huddled together, covered by a thick blanket.

Giyuu picked up the large haori and folded it carefully, leaving it next to the children's futon before putting on his own half-and-half haori. He paused for a moment to briefly caress the children's heads, then with measured, silent steps, he left the room and closed the door with a soft slide before letting out a slight sigh. For a moment, he paused to wonder what would really happen to those children.

Now all that's left is to face the elephant in the room.

Giyuu walked in silence, her thoughts churning in her head as her own mind formed various negative scenarios of possible rejections, imagining Urokodaki's reaction upon discovering that his only living student had become what they swear to eradicate. Giyuu wondered how long she would remain alive, because if her mentor didn't kill Giyuu, the other Hashiras would surely kill her.

Giyuu heard the soft sound of the radio before arriving in the room. She stopped at the doorway when she saw Urokodaki's back turned toward the lit fireplace, the man's eyes looking directly at Giyuu with something soft that made the woman want to collapse in a way that would make babies blush.

"Giyuu..." She didn't let him finish as she attacked Urokodaki with a hug, collapsing for the second time with apologies and regrets coming out between her lips. Urokodaki felt his heart break at the state his daughter was in. "It's okay."

"No! No... not at all!" Giyuu grabbed the fabric of the blue haori tightly, his knuckles white, tears streaming down his pale cheeks and staining the blue haori. "...that bastard turned me... into a demon! Not at all!"

"Giyuu." Urokodaki gently pulled his daughter away, holding her so he could look into her blue eyes, which had once been a single shade of blue that had darkened under the weight of life, but now shimmered with various shades of blue in a gradient and moved in the right light like the sea. It was as if someone had taken the ocean and placed it in Giyuu's eyes. "It's okay, I know you would never accept this willingly."

Chapter Text

Giyuu felt at home.

Sitting at the low table after being calmed down by Urokodaki, with a blue blanket with a wave pattern thrown over her shoulders and a cup of hot chocolate in her hands, the heat warming her cheeks and cold hands.

Giyuu and Urokodaki had spent almost two hours talking and catching up, more tears had been shed and apologies made, the hugs exchanged were warm and brought comfort, both sharing pain and exchanging comfort, ending with cups of hot chocolate and soft music playing in the background.

The silence was comfortable and pleasant, the only thing that could be heard was the crackling flames in the fireplace, the music playing on the radio with its melodies lost in the air.

Giyuu closed her eyes with a tired sigh, her shoulders slumped and her posture relaxed, entering a meditative trance. With her eyes closed, she imagined her own mental landscape, a vast, expansive, and infinite sea, full of marine animals and algae. It was calm, the waves that formed like Giyuu's heartbeat were low and rhythmic. 

But Giyuu knew that the sea inside her was too calm. There were few moments when the sea was so calm; it was just the calm before the storm that was to come. She stayed in that landscape for a few minutes.

When Giyuu opened his eyes, it was already morning. she sat up and the blanket that had been tucked under her chin slipped and piled up on her lap. She must have fallen asleep in the middle of meditation. Urokodaki must have noticed and carried her to the bedroom, laid her down on the futon, and even took the trouble to remove her haori and tuck Giyuu in with the blanket. The corner of her lip lifted into a soft smile, her heart warmed by the small gesture of affection her former mentor had shown Giyuu.

(Giyuu wondered what the scene of the custody battle between Urokodaki and Oyakata-sama would be like. Verbal barbs would fly, she was sure of that.)

She got up from the futon and tidied it up, folding the blanket and putting it in the closet before standing in front of the mirror to fix her messy hair, the curls falling in waves down her back and curly strands falling on the sides of her face. only now realizing that her hair had become a gradient like her eyes. Giyuu had to stop for a moment to look at herself in that mirror; she was so different from the last time that she could barely recognize herself.

Her skin looked softer despite being so pale, the color of her cheeks had faded and the heavy dark circles under her eyes had disappeared, leaving her skin completely unchanged. Even the scar above her eyebrow had changed, replaced by an intricate wave pattern that seemed to move across her skin. One touch and Giyuu imagined for a moment that the pattern had rippled. 

Curious to see if there were more marks on her body, Giyuu went to the bathroom and undressed in front of the full-length mirror. She watched the marks ripple beneath her skin like waves, stripes running down her body like rivers. There was one around her neck that looked like a choker, but it rippled like a wave. there were waves on the sides of her body, forming waves above her bust and running down the sides to her hips, thighs, and ankles. They ran down her arms and back. There were waves and rivers on her body that made Giyuu feel like she could become one with the water.

Giyuu stared at her elongated nails, or were they claws now? They were large and had a light blue tint. Had she really changed that much? How was she going to explain all this to Oyakata-sama? How was she going to get a few meters from the Barracks before any of the Hashiras realized that Giyuu had been turned into a demon? Because Giyuu knew that some of the Hashiras cut first and asked questions later. 

But the biggest question hanging over Giyuu's head was what she was going to do now.

Sighing wearily, she went to the shower with the intention of taking a hot bath to clear her mind and refresh herself. She could still feel the blood sticking to her body, which was already making her feel sick and reminding her to wash her clothes before returning to the barracks. 

Giyuu sighed for the third time that day and left the bathroom a few minutes later, wrapped in a simple blue Yukata robe with no patterns, her hair dripping and without a single trace of blood or injury on her body.

She came across a set of clean clothes lying innocently on the edge of the futon and couldn't help but smile at how careful her father was being, but the smile disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, remembering that she would have to send a message to Oyakata-sama before he sent someone after Giyuu. She would take advantage of the opportunity and send the mission report on the situation she was in. 

Giyuu got dressed, leaving not a single patch of skin or marks exposed, went to the bathroom and styled her hair as usual, adjusting her bangs to hide the waves on her forehead. She hoped it would be enough. 

Kanzaburo smoothed the feathers on his wings with his beak while Giyuu wrote the report and a separate letter. The sound of the pen scratching the paper was the only thing echoing through the room despite the sound of lively voices and children's laughter echoing through the cabin, but it seemed that nothing disturbed the peace Giyuu was feeling at that moment. The few rays of sunlight that pierced through the clouds illuminated Giyuu's pale skin. Anyone who looked at the scene would stop everything they were doing to watch the calm and peaceful scene that Giyuu conveyed.

Giyuu finished the letter and report, handing them to Kanzaburo with gentle and soft gestures before holding the bird in her hands and literally throwing it out the window. She watched the crow flap its wings and fly away until the black dot disappeared from view.

Finally, with everything done, she left the room and went to the kitchen, stopping at the kitchen doorframe when she saw the six children and Urokodaki huddled around the low table eating breakfast. It seemed that Giyuu's father was telling a story that had completely captivated the children.

"...and then it finally turned to dust." 

The children exclaimed loudly in admiration, Rokuta clapping excitedly, Shigeru, Hanalo, and Takeo showering Urokodaki with questions while Nezuko and Tanjiro fed their younger siblings and prevented them from throwing themselves at the former Hashira. They were the only ones to notice Giyuu leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and eyes soft as she watched the scene.

"Giyuu-san!" Tanjiro shouted excitedly, his smile too big, too bright, making Giyuu squint at the extra glare. For a moment, she thought the boy had a tail and ears. Tanjiro's excitement and loud call caught the attention of the other children and Urokodaki, all of whom were excited by her arrival, each child greeting her in their own way. "Giyuu-san, you're awake!"

"Yes... Good morning." She finished entering the room, sitting down next to Urokodaki. "Good morning...father."

"Good morning, Giy." Urokodaki greeted her with a gentle pat on the head, careful not to mess up her hair, knowing how much effort Giyuu put into her appearance. He placed a cup of hot coffee in front of Giyuu, who picked it up and brought it close to her face to warm herself. "Did you sleep well? I made breakfast."

"Yes, I slept... okay." Giyuu turned to the children who were chatting excitedly. "Are you... okay?"

"Yes, Giyuu-san!" Takeo was the first to respond, as excited as his brothers and sisters. "We slept like babies."

"Giyuu-san! Are you also a Hashira like Urokodaki-san?" Shigeru almost jumped on the table if Nezuko hadn't held him back and sat him back down. "Is it true? Is it true?"

"Yes... it's true." 

While Giyuu, Urokodaki, and the Kamado brothers ate breakfast, sharing stories and laughter, Ubuyashiki Kagaya sat on the futon with his wife's help, a bird chirping on the dresser next to the futon.

"Caw! Caw! Message from Tomioka Giyuu! Caw! Caw!" The crow, Kanzaburo, flies and drops the letter and report onto Kagaya's lap, who catches them as they fall under the blanket and hands them to his wife, who picks them up and reads the letter first.

At the end of the letter, both Amane and Kagaya stopped. Amane stared at the letter with shock and amusement while her husband held himself back from getting up to go to Mount Sagiri and fight Urokodaki for custody of Giyuu. After all, no paperwork had been signed.

"Honey, prepare the adoption papers and tell the children that they are going to have an older sister."

Amane held back a sigh, knowing that this would be a bigger battle than Yorichii and Muzan's fight.

Chapter Text

I've been thinking about a "React" to this story...

I was writing this story and out of nowhere, BOOM! I'm accidentally writing a "React" without meaning to...

Should I do it? I have the first chapter ready and everything, but I don't know if I should... 

That's it, I just wanted to ask if I should post the "React."

Spoilers below:

The sound of strings being plucked rang out and something opened beneath her, causing Giyuu to fall freely, leaving behind six sleeping children who would only wake up hours after Giyuu's arrival. 

Giyuu glanced around, not knowing where he was, watching other bodies fall, hearing familiar and unfamiliar screams, seeing flashes and loud familiar voices echoing through the unknown place, recognizing the shrill voices of Mitsuri, Inosuke, and Sanemi. He saw Gyomei's bulky body in the distance and recognized the Kocho sisters' butterfly haoris a few meters away from Gyomei. He looked to his left and saw his father standing with his arms crossed a few meters away and greeted him with a nod. 

He turned his body to look back and raised an eyebrow when he saw the Ubuyashiki family several meters away, the children clinging to their parents with fear in their eyes. Looking around the family, he noticed that Mitsuri was clinging to Obanai, and from that distance, Giyuu could see the blush appearing above the bandages. Her scream was definitely too close.

Giyuu heard Inosuke's screams again, causing Giyuu to turn around again and come face to face with the boar-boy shaking Zenitsu, who started screaming back at Inosuke.

She had to look away. How long had they been falling? That call seemed endless. Despite the place looking elegant, the fall didn't stop, nor did the loud voices. She even had to dodge some Kakushi, some lower-ranking assassins, and some assistants from the Butterfly Mansion, Kanae's two younger sisters already helping the butterfly girls.

She spun one last time, turning upside down to accelerate her fall, dodging even a few ONIS? ARE THE ONIS HERE TOO? 

Giyuu passed one that had six eyes, the brief seconds in which they exchanged glances were enough for a chill to run down Giyuu's spine, she ignored the way the six eyes glowed, the kanji for "Upper Moon 1" becoming clearer, Giyuu passed Upper 1 and left behind the nauseating feeling she had felt.

She had to dodge a blond demon with the kanji for "Upper Moon 2" shining in its multicolored eyes, who tried to grab Giyuu and had its hand decapitated for its audacity. She ignored the words and dramatic gestures of Upper 2 and continued onward.

Giyuu floated briefly in front of a pink-haired demon, the kanji for "Upper Moon 3" shining brightly. Giyuu raised an eyebrow when Upper Moon 3 nodded respectfully to her. Giyuu returned the nod and continued on her way, passing a woman holding a biwa. I don't even want to ask...

(She ignored the pair of red eyes in the distance, that malicious glint and sadistic smile never leaving Giyuu's mind after that fateful day.

But she should be grateful, if it weren't for him, Giyuu would never have had six wonderful children, reconnected with her mentor, and reconciled with her coworkers. At least good things happened in the end. 

She will never thank that worm out loud.)

She reached Sanemi and Genya, who was clinging to his brother, both shouting at each other through the wind, pulled Sanemi by the collar and threw him toward the Ubuyashiki Family while ignoring his curses and threw Genya toward Urokodaki.

With a spin, Giyuu floated over to Mitsuri and Obanai, grabbed them both by the collar, and threw them toward the Ubuyashiki family, who now had three of the nine Hashiras protecting them.

She accelerated her fall to near Gyomei, nudged the big man's shoulder, and whispered the plan into the mountain man's ear. Receiving a nod, she firmly held Gyomei's hands, spun quickly, and threw Gyomei toward the other three Hashiras and the Ubuyashiki Family. 

Kanae passed by Giyuu with her usual smile, both exchanging a nod before Giyuu gestured to the four Hashiras gathered around the Ubuyashiki. Kanae passed her with a nod of agreement.

Looking around, she managed to find Kyojuro's flaming cape and striking blond hair next to Tengen's white one, both turning around when they saw Giyuu's multicolored haori. The two greeted her enthusiastically, even though their voices were muffled by the wind. She simply pointed to her ear and shook her head, making it clear that their voices couldn't be heard, before gesturing and pointing to the other Hashiras gathered around the Ubuyashik.

Then she held out her hand, a question in her blue eyes.

Kyojuro and Tengen shared a brief glance before joining hands and extending them to Giyuu. she took them firmly, and just as she had done with Gyomei, she threw them toward the family before sailing through the air toward Inosuke and Zenitsu, grabbing them by the collar and tossing the two children to Urokodaki, who caught them nimbly while Genya clung to Urokodaki's waist.

Giyuu spread her arms and spread her legs, slowing her fall so she could more easily reach the Hashiras and the Ubuyashiki family, positioning herself below them as a defense, the others circling the family, their blades already out of their sheaths. 

The Hashiras, who had been abruptly grabbed by Tomioka and thrown at the Ubuyashiki family, realized her plan and executed it with organized efficiency, mentally thanking Tomioka, though none of them would admit it.

Kagaya had to hold back a smile as he listened to his daughters whispering in his ear about Giyuu's plan. It was no wonder Giyuu was his favorite.

Without Giyuu knowing, her actions were being watched by several pairs of curious, grateful, and angry eyes. Some found Tomioka Giyuu's movements graceful, saw her glide through the air as if she were on land, observed how she seemed barely bothered by the situation, the strong wind, or the endless fall. The curious saw her make a quick decision, and thought she was truly someone to be reckoned with. Others admired the strength she had in being able to spin and throw those men, admiring her even more when she managed to throw the large blind man.

A certain pink-haired demon became increasingly interested while the blond man who had his hand decapitated harassed the demon above...

"Aaaakaaazaaa-dooonooo!" ...and was violently punched and thrown elsewhere by Akaza.

When everyone thought the fall would never end, a light shone on the horizon, causing everyone (except Gyomei and Kagaya, who are blind) to close their eyes. They felt everything stop, the wind no longer roaring in their ears, the fabrics no longer rustling. The only thing they could hear was the pounding of their hearts inside their chests and the adrenaline boiling in their veins. 

Then everything moved abruptly, and they fell to the ground in various compromising and embarrassing positions, with few lucky enough to land on their feet.

Then everything moved abruptly, and they fell to the ground in various compromising and embarrassing positions, few lucky enough to land on their feet.

Giyuu felt his lungs being crushed as the weight of eight Hashiras and the Ubuyashiki family pressed down on his body, leaving Giyuu feeling breathless. Damn... Gyomei was on top... I think I heard a rib crack... or two...

Chapter Text

The small group was huddled together in the living room hours after breakfast. Tanjiro and Nezuko ended up sharing the sofa with Giyuu sitting on the floor in front of them, letting the siblings play with the Hashira's hair. Takeo clung tightly to Giyuu's legs while Rokuta occupied the woman's lap. Hanako and Shigeru were leaning on his arms, each clinging to Giyuu like a bunch of barnacles..

Urokodaki watched the scene from where he was leaning back in his chair with a smile behind his mask, seeing how relaxed and comfortable his daughter was with the children. Nezuko and Tanjiro were braiding three strands of hair and joining them into one larger, thicker braid, while three younger children listened to Giyuu recount one of his adventures. 

Only to be interrupted by Kanzaburo's cawing as he flew in through the window carrying a medium-sized bag in his claws, the crow flying erratically and nearly hitting Urokodaki, who caught the bird before it could hit him with the bag. 

"Caw! Caw! Message for the Water Hashira! Message for Oyakata-sama's favorite! Caw! Caw!" The bird, panting and snuggled in Urokodaki's arms, squawks loudly. "Hashira meeting the day after tomorrow at noon! Caw! Caw! Bring the grandchildren and the senile old man! Caw! Caw!"

Oyakata-sama... It seems like you're provoking Urokodaki-sensei. Giyuu watched a vein almost burst on her master's forehead, a drop of sweat trickled down the side of Giyuu's head from nervousness. 

Giyuu picked up the bag that Urokodaki had taken from Kanzaburo's claws and peeked inside it. It was just a new set of uniforms. Giyuu knew who had sent it, judging by the small note on top with the obvious names of Kagaya and Amane signed on it.

"Giyuu-san..." Tanjiro's voice sounded uncertain, his gaze meeting Nezuko's and that of his younger siblings. Giyuu's attention shifted from the bag to him, watching the older Kamado's nervous demeanor closely. "We want to give you something before we leave."

Urokodaki tilted his head to the side, Kanzaburo still nestled in his arms, watching curiously as Tanjiro took out the Hanafuda earrings, his eyes widening as he saw him fasten them to Giyuu's ears, who also had wide, incredulous eyes.

"But it's... your... family...heirloom."

"I know, we talked about it and we want to give it to you, Giyuu-san." He smiled gently as he fixed Giyuu's bangs, covering the blue mark again. "It's to carry a piece of us with you when you go on missions, a reminder that we'll always be here waiting for you."

Giyuu felt tears well up in her eyes and had to blink hard, her heart warming inside her chest. How long had it been since she felt like she belonged somewhere? How long had it been since she last called a place or someone home? How long had it been since she forgot what it felt like to belong and to have a family?

"Thank you." She pulled those children into a hug, young and selfless and so, so kind. Had Giyuu really grown so attached to those children in such a short time? 

They stayed like that, huddled together in a tight embrace before separating, the children who had been huddled around Giyuu heading to the sofa and snuggling up to the older ones.

She returned a few minutes later with her bag in hand, dressed in the standard uniform she usually wore, the only difference being that the half-and-half haori was fastened with a light brown obi with small, almost invisible wave patterns made with gold thread, the sword firmly fastened to the side of her waist.

Giyuu reached the door, and Urokodaki had to stifle a laugh when the children started walking behind Giyuu like ducklings following their mother duck. 

Giyuu took children's coats out of her bag, dressed each child one by one, leaving small, soft kisses on their foreheads and tidying their hair. Only when she was satisfied did she step away from them, but she still didn't stop checking to see if they were really warm and comfortable in their clothes. 

"Everyone... ready?" Giyuu held Hanako in the arms that held Rokuta, Nezuko holding Giyuu's neck tightly while using her legs around the woman's waist to steady herself, almost the same way as Urokodaki, but Urokodaki held Takeo who held Shigeru, Tanjiro perched on his back. 

It was an arrangement they had spent almost twenty minutes discussing, not wanting to take the children in the cart because of the cold weather and the time it would take to get to Headquarters, so the two decided to take three of the six children, each child distributed according to weight, size, and flexibility.

It was almost morning when they passed through the village connected to the mansion and arrived at the Water Estate. They sent some Kakushi ahead to prepare one of the guest rooms for the children, along with a large futon for them to share.

Giyuu and Urokodaki carried the children inside, laid them down, and tucked them in under the covers. Giyuu said goodbye to them with little kisses on their foreheads, carefully closed the door behind him, and went to the kitchen to have some coffee before going to the meeting, only to find his sensei holding familiar papers.

"Sensei?"

"What's this?" He shook the papers before handing them to Giyuu, who took them and read them, only to blink slowly when he saw that they were adoption papers with the names of Ubuyashiki Kagaya and Amane signed. "They don't have that right!"

"Sen...sei...?"

Giyuu stood in the doorway watching Urokodaki have a jealous fit, Giyuu's oceanic, expressionless eyes observing her master's actions before Giyuu shook her head and went into the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the children for when they woke up and making herself some coffee while listening to Urokodaki's grumbling.

I feel like a time bomb has just been set off.

She sighed and left a cup of coffee in the grumbling master's hands and went to write a note, leaving it stuck on the children's door so they could see it and know she had left.

Giyuu passed Urokodaki, who was still grumbling, and left a note for Kakushi to be responsible for the children, saying she would give them a raise when she returned from the meeting.

She left the Aquatic Property, the serene and peaceful place reflecting Giyuu's footsteps, who walked as if floating, her haori flying in the wind, she exuded calmness, a great calm sea that could envelop you with warmth. The newbies, seeing her pass by, began to whisper about her.

"How majestic."

"Who is that?"

"Isn't that the former Water Hashira?"

"She doesn't even seem real."

"Tomioka-sama is divine."

"Tomioka-sama looks like a goddess among mortals."

"I heard she can walk on water."

"I heard she can make water obey her with just a wave of her hand."

"I heard..."

"I heard..."

"I heard..."

But Tomioka Giyuu didn't care, she passed them with the grace of a panther about to attack its prey, her oceanic, expressionless eyes never straying from her path. Giyuu cared little for gossip (even though she was always attentive to it). Urokodaki listened to the gossip, his eyes and ears focused on everyone who was gossiping about his daughter. He wondered if it was normal for the Kakushi to idolize Giyuu in such a way.

They walked silently to the edge of the forest that surrounded all the Hashiras' properties, soon breaking into a run, dodging trees, bushes, and branches. They left the forest and were greeted directly by Kagaya, his wife Amane, and two of his daughters, Nichika and Kuina, who ran towards Giyuu as soon as she stopped in front of them.

"Giyuu-nee-chan!" They both shouted simultaneously as they hugged the woman, who sighed and hugged them back.

"Hello... girls." He picked them both up in his arms, sitting them on the crook of his elbow as if they weighed no more than a bunch of grapes.

Giyuu walked over to Kagaya and Amane, the twins sitting comfortably in his arms. "Oyakata-sama, Amane-sama."

Both raised an eyebrow at Giyuu, who sighed, Urokodaki just watching the scene in disbelief. "Hello, Kagaya-san, Amane-san."

"Hello, my child." Giyuu didn't need to look back to know that a black aura surrounded Urokodaki. 

"She is my daughter, Ubuyashiki!" Urokodaki waved the adoption papers in Kagaya's face, who just smiled serenely.

"It's great weather today, isn't it? Even the breeze is cool."

Amane-san sighed wearily as she approached Giyuu, both stepping back to watch the spectacle, the girls in Giyuu's arms watching the scene with amusement.

"Stop playing dumb, Ubuyashiki! She's my daughter."

"Really? I don't see your last name on her birth certificate."

"I adopted her first!"

"Really? I already...

Giyuu placed the twins on the floor before exchanging a glance with Amane-san. They nodded to each other and approached the two quarreling men. In one swift motion, they both pulled their ears, causing them to stop trading barbs and stare at the two women who were smiling sinisterly.

"Are you done?"