Chapter Text
A Hashira traipsed through the dark corridors of the Minka.
The Hashira was tasked to slay a demon that resides on a mountain after decapitating a lower demon who massacred and devoured a human in a dark diminutive town. It was nothing new to them as their nights were always the same. Eat, train, meeting with their comrades and leader, slay demons, and so on.
Upon looking at the seemingly abandoned Minka, they immediately knew something was off.
The Minka was rather simple like many they have seen during there missions. Although the layout was a little complex, making the hashira wonder who even designed this house?
The walls were covered with claw marks that looked like a sword slash and stained blood splattered (the stained blood looked flesh, it was just recent).
The moonlight was illuminating through the small holes in the walls as it revealed fallen scattered furnitures, broken shoji screens, scattered debris, and adornments that had once adorned the Minka.
The Hashira's trained eyes scanned the area. The air was heavy with a sense of foreboding, amplifying the tension in their every step in the eerie silence.
They already found the dead bodies of the family that lived here, indicating they were already too late. Despite knowing this would happen during their jobs, they couldn't help but feel guilty for not arriving sooner. Their failure to save someone and the weight of their failure hung heavily on their shoulders.
Passing through the hallway full of sliding doors, they try to find the demon that killed the family.
As they continued to tramp, they couldn't help but feel uneasy. The aura around the house was off and this made the hashira shutter. Like something unthinkable had happened inside the peaceful place called home. And the longer they stayed, the more uneasy they became.
Their footsteps echoed ominously, the only sound breaking the oppressive stillness. Each door they passed were all open, giving the hashira a glance, all of them were all empty as if they were never touched.
All furnitures was completely still and no valuables were ever moved.
Stopping in their tracks, the hashira found themselves standing infront of a fusuma door. This room was closed, unlike the other rooms. So they figure the demon must be inside here.
The Hashira took a deep breath, gathering their courage and unsheathed their katana. Placing their hands on the handle, they open the fusuma door slowly and step in
There it was. The demon.
The demon who most likely killed the family that resides here.
The demon was in the middle of the tatami room surrounded by broken and fallen furniture while sitting on his knees.
The demon had long, spiky black hair with red tips that were kept in a ponytail. He wore a purple-and-black hexagonal patterned nagagi kimono and black umanori-styled hakama pants. He also has a katana in his waist which made the hashira confused.
This demon must have once been a skilled swordsman a long time ago. Not just any swordsman, but a slayer... Has there ever been a traitor in The Demon Slayer Corps?
Sure, there were slayers turning into demons at one point, but this one is different. The demon retained his fizik features unlike the regular and lower slayers in the Corp who just turn into regular demons with no remain being a swordsman in the Corp. Most of them were incompetent and the majority of them weren't able to obtain a blood demon art, so the hashiras easily decapitate them with no problem.
But this demon looked like a hashira somehow. But… a hashira turning into a demon? That's unheard of! There is no way a hashira would betray the Corp like that! That couldn't be!
If a hashira turns into a demon, that would be a huge issue. Not only the hashira will become powerful after becoming a demon, they could also rise into the 12 Kizuki rank pretty easily, they would also point out the location of the demon slayer corp hideout and could potentially wipe out the Corp if they find Kagaya-sama's estate.
Snapping back to reality, they grip their katana tighter. They must be overthinking things…
Yeah, that's right…
They could deal with the unwanted thoughts later on and focus on completing their mission.
The demon seemed to be unmoving.
Looking at this for a chance, the Hashira wasted no time and immediately tried to swing their sword to the demon's neck to decapitate him. But before it could reach the tip off his neck, the demon immediately vanished, making The Hashira stumble before they rebalanced themselves.
His fast…
They swiftly turned their head and saw the demon still sitting on his knees in the corner of the room. The demon was now facing the Hashira, giving the hashira to stop in their tracks and examine the demon’s face.
The demon was a very tall man of muscular stature and pale skin complexion. His most notable feature is the three sets of eyes on his face with yellow irises and red flesh sclera that have black straight lines diverging from each iris. The demon also has red markings resembling flames on the top left side of his forehead and the bottom right of his chin. It looks like a demon crest
The Hashira began visibly shaking in fear, pure horror rising within them. They could feel their heart pounding in their chest; they could hear it through their ears as they struggled to maintain composure when they saw the kanji in his middle set of eyes.
“U-Uppermoon One…”
Oh fuck. What type of luck do they have that they walked into the Uppermoon One ?
The hashira trembled as they put their sword in front and into a fighting stance, they death grip their katana in an attempt to stop the shaking. This demon's presence was overwhelming and ominous, unlike the other demon they had encountered.
This powerful demon's aura was suffocating that their body wouldn’t move an inch. His presence was best described as someone that was profoundly majestic and dignifi-
"Kokushibo-ani… what is going on?"
The Hashira's eyes snap wide open at the sound of a young boy’s voice. His eyes darted to a young boy in the demon's arm in his lap. Has he been there the whole entire time?!
The Uppermoon One, whose name was Kokushibo, shifted his head down to meet the gaze of the innocent looking child. At 90 degrees, the demon's eyes immediately softened with a smile.
The Hashira was beyond fearful and shocked. A young boy, with long spiky wavier hair that stretches to his shoulder with red tips. Wore a black shibori Haori over a red iromuji kimono and black gloves, maroon eyes looked up at the hashira with concern and confusion with such innocence. The boy didn’t look remotely close to a 10 year old, instead, he looked barely!
He couldn't sense the child was a demon nor did have any demon features whatsoever. That means… the child is human!
This demon… The Uppermoon One no less is holding a human child!
And for some reason, this demon was being kind and caring to the child like his own. The demon was sparing the child instead of eating him. That's unheard of!
All the Hashiras, slayers, and civilians who encountered a demon before and knew they exist, knew that demons eat humans no matter who and what they are and never spare any of them as they see them as nothing but food and toys to play with. It was common knowledge.
But this demon… proved them wrong
He was doing the opposite
They watched as the demon caress and calm the young boy before turning his attention back to them.
"It's nothing…"
The three sets of eyes looked at their obsidian eyes with a sharp glare. It made the hashira shiver.
If this is some sort of twisted game…
A twisted game of the Upper-rank demon playing with his food using stockholm syndrome on an innocent child who doesn't know any better, to only eat them later in life or used the child for his own gain is something a Hashira like them wouldn't allow.
"Yoriichi…" Kokushibo called out, his voice was so sweet as if it was laced with honey. "Do me a favour… and… cover your ear and eyes…" The demon said with such a soothing voice that it almost made the hashira vomit in disgust. The nerve
"Why?" The child, Yoriichi, asked with such innocence that it made the hashira's stomach drop.
"Just do so… Please Yoriichi…?"
Yoriichi looked at the demon wary before he reluctantly did as he was told to "Ok…"
Once the kid blocked off the outside world, The Uppermoon demon expression changed as he stood up. His hand slowly wrapped around the hilt of his katana and death glare at the hashira. He acts so differently towards the child that the hashira thought he changed into a completely different person.
The Hashira gripped their katana tighter in their hand to stop themselves from trembling in the demon’s growing murderous aura. They could feel their heart skipping a beat and their whole body shaking uncontrollably.
Every fiber of their existence screamed at them to flee, but they knew it was already too late. They had to face The Uppermoon One whether they wanted or not.
The Hashira knew that they had to act fast if they wanted to survive, but their mind was clouded with fear and terror. As the demon drew his fleshy sword from it's sheath, they took a deep breath and tried to steady their trembling hands, preparing themselves to fight for their life.
(The demon would win and they both know that)
oOo
Yori doesn't know what he was expecting.
He was expecting he would starve or die of hyperthermia, or even worse, be devoured by a demon after getting kicked out of his home during the middle of winter.
He was kicked out into a deep, dark forest where it was miles away from his home.
The moon casting an eerie glow on the barren trees, owls hooting in the distance, wolves howling, the sound of rustling leaves sends shivers down his spine and a cold breeze passes through him. The fact that all he was wearing was a frail, and thin red yukata and a black haori that had once belonged to one of his siblings didn't help.
But he wasn't expecting a man to approach him in the middle of the night.
Yori instantly knew this man was a demon. Evidence with the six eyes and pale skin. Yori, however, was baffled. He had heard that demons were nighttime, human-eating monsters that preyed on unsuspecting victims while they slept. However, the demon wasn't devouring him.
Instead, he was approaching him slowly like a wounded animal and trying not to scare the poor child.
Even though the demon looked like he has no bad intentions towards the child. Yori was still skeptical and wary.
“Child… why do you have bandages on your… eye…?” The demon asked the child sitting with his hands wrapped around his knees on the ground near a tree trunk. Yori flinched back when he felt the demon's hand brushing the strands of his hair to give the demon a clear view of the white-wrapped bandages covering his left eye.
"What is your name…?"
Yori didn't answer.
“Are you hurt…?”
Again, Yori didn’t answer.
The demon sighed, he tries again "What are you doing in the middle of the forest…?"
Yori looked reluctant for a brief moment, debating whether or not to answer the demon's question. He looked up before glancing away, he finally mustered the courage to speak, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I got kicked out..." he replied, his voice was raspy and hoarse, his gaze fixed on the ground.
Yori hardly spoke that much at all to the point where his own family forgot he could speak and assumed he was deaf. And he tends it to keep it that way. This was the first time he spoke freely, much less to a demon.
The demon's eyes softened as he observed Yori's weary expression. "Kicked out…? From where…?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I was kicked out of my home... by my own family."
He confessed, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and bitterness. The demon's eyebrows furrowed in concern as he sensed the pain behind Yori's words.
“Why were you… kicked out… exactly?” The demon inquired; worry filled the three sets of his eyes that it almost made Yori cry. Never before has anyone looked at him with such genuine concern. Yori looked down and shifted uncomfortably. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself as he began to tell the whole entire story.
Yori was born into an average family.
His Father, Tsukio Hayashi
His mother, Yuko Tokito
He was beaten, neglected, and abused since the day he was born if he did anything that his father didn't like. Even crying or making sounds of pain would result in a punishment by his father. He was considered a mistake by his family.
His father was never always this abusive from the very beginning. It was actually the opposite. Like his mother, his father used to be kind, sweet, and gentle. Both of his parents love each other dearly. But everything changed when his mother passed away after giving birth to Yori, and that broke his father.
The loss of his wife shattered his father, leaving him consumed by grief and anger.
Unable to cope with the pain, he turned his frustration towards Yori, blaming him for the tragedy that befell their family, and began abusing him ever since he was little. It didn't help that his own siblings; Ayaka, Kurai, and Akio — thought the same way as his father did. A mistake and a scapegoat for his mother’s death.
Yori grew up in a hostile environment, constantly feeling isolated and burdened by the blame placed upon him. As he grew older, Yori's self-esteem plummeted, and he struggled to form healthy relationships with others. The constant emotional abuse took a toll on his mental well-being.
The night was a normal night for him, he was again, ignored and beaten as he watched his family enjoy delicious meals while he was left with minimum food that wouldn't even last him through the night. But this time, it’s different.
His father and siblings made the decision to kick him out as they could not stand looking at little Yori whom they considered a demon. It was because Yori looked nothing like his siblings. He didn't look like a ordinary being. His red eyes and the huge ridiculous mark on his forehead. No one believed he was human because of the mark which appeared to be flames bursting from his scalp.
Another reason for his own family to hate him…
Yay…
His family left Yori in the middle of the forest to starve or either die by the hands of a demon that roam and hunted during the night. Alone and abandoned
Once Yori finished his story, the demon kept with a straight face. But deep down, Yori could sense it as nearby animals fleed, the demon was feeling the most intense rage he ever felt in his life. Yori has to admit, the demon did a great job keeping a straight face.
The demon covered his fury with a smile “I see…”
Yori observed the demon’s expression, he couldn't help but feel tense. The demon's calm demeanor masked a seething anger that seemed ready to burst at any moment.
oOo
"Kokushibo-ani, that's not my name" Yori bluntly said while trying to get comfortable in his kakebuton.
Ever since Kokushibo found Yori in the deep, dark forest, Kokushibo took him in and raised him as his very own. And Yori was glad he did. He was grateful to have someone care for him for the first time in his life.
He gave Yori proper, thick and warm clothes and even delicious food that he never tried before
Kokushibo was always kind and patient to him and gave him things that his own family never gave him. He didn't complain, he was grateful for the love and care he received from Kokushibo. Although there was one thing that was bothering Yoriichi ever since their meeting.
Is that his savior keeps calling him “Yoriichi”
He always found it weird that Kokushibo was calling him by the wrong name. Yoriichi . A name that was awfully close to his. It wasn't because he hates it, he doesn't mind. He was just confused.
He wondered why Kokushibo insisted on using a name that sounded so similar to his own. Yori never corrected or even pointed it out to Kokushibo, even if he did, Kokushibo would go back calling him Yoriichi.
For a split second, Kokushibo's eyes turned wide, breaking his composure before it was replaced by a gloomy face "It's a nickname… Yori… "
Yori blinked "Ah" he let out quietly. That makes sense. He didn't seem to notice the change in the atmosphere of the room and instead gave Kokushibo his brightest, sweetest, and most innocent smile "Ok"
Kokushibo returned his smile. He hasn't smiled like this in ages.
(Not ever since his brother's death…)
"Goodnight… Yoriichi…" Kokushibo uttered 'the nickname' like ash as he stood up and started to walk away.
Before he could even step a foot further, he felt a small tug on his hakama pants. He immediately knew it was his little brother's reincarnation and turned around to see Yori. He gave him a perplexed and confused look.
Yori looked up at Kokushibo with wide, innocent eyes "Kokushibo-ani…" there was a small, faint blush on his cheek "Can you sleep with me, please?" he pleaded, giving Kokushibo puppy dog eyes.
It made Kokushibo's heart melt. How could he ever say no?
If he was his past self right now, he would surely scoff and coldly stated "No" to Yoriichi, not caring it would hurt his so called feelings (had he ever considered his little brother ever have feelings? God, what a terrible brother he was…) as he believed it was childish and needed Yoriichi to grow up because they were not children anymore.
"We're not kids anymore Yoriichi. Grow up" Michikatsu coldly stated as he curled up on his kakebuton and turned his head away from his twin, not noticing the hurt on Yoriichi's face.
Yoriichi silently absorbed the harsh words, he felt his heart pung with those words. "Right… sorry to bother you Aniue" Yoriichi said as he laid back to his futon and facing the opposite direction and stared at the wall, trying hard not to cry.
As he looked back… he was a bit too harsh on Yoriichi in the olden days…
(How could Yoriichi ever love him even after what he had done?!)
It didn't help the fact he found out Rengoku (of the Sengoku era) was there to comfort Yoriichi when whether or not Michikatsu hurt his feelings intentionally and left him all alone like a garbage disposal. He mentally thanked the man for his kindness and for always being there for Yoriichi in his place.
Which is why he spared him unlike the others.
But Kokushibo isn't Michikatsu now. He reminded himself. Not anymore. He changed. He's different.
(He was different ever since his twin brother's death. Even Muzan notices that)
This time he would do better.
Kokushibo stared and nodded his head "Of course Yoriichi…" he murmurs softly "I'll sleep with you… just wait here…" And with that, he left the room to get his own futon.
When he returned, he saw Yori was still awake and was fidgeting with his black haori sleeves. He was waiting for him. He gave a smile as he walked toward Yori and began to unroll the futon next to Yori’s.
He put his sword beside the top left of his futon just in case and let his hair fall into his waist before going into the futon and lying beside Yori.
When he laid down and pulled over his kakebuton, Yori immediately crawled next to him and pressed against him. Kokushibo paid no mind; he looked down and placed his hand on the child's torso. "Better…?"
Yori nodded his head with half-closed eyes. He yawned as he snuggled close to Kokushibo, clinging to the demon's purple kimono and uttering two words before drifting to slumber.
“Goodnight Aniue ”
Kokushibo's eyes snapped open in shock and was left speechless, he stared down at Yori. Did he just…
Normally, Michikatsu would be annoyed by the nickname as he found it childish, annoying, and embarrassing, but Kokishibo hasn't heard that nickname in centuries...
(He thought he doesn't deserve to be called like that ever again)
Kokushibo's shocked expression turn into happiness. His chest was filled with delight, glee, and joy. A smile plastered his face, he wrapped his hands around Yori and stroked his hair
Kokushibo's heart filled with warmth and contentment.
“Goodnight, my little Otouto…”
oOo
"Yoriichi… You could open your eyes now…"
A muffled voice softly said. Yori immediately recognized it was Kokushibo's voice. Yori opened his eyes slowly and reluctantly before looking up. He blinked, attempting to regain his vision "Kokushibo-ani…"
Kokushibo gave him a smile and said "Come on now… let's go…" as he reached his hands and lifted Yori to his chest and started to leave the tatami room through the Fusuma doors
"Kokushibo-ani" Yori mumbled when both of the duo were already walking outside on the dirt road surrounded by woods "What happened to the man? Is he alright?" Yori's voice trembled with concern as he glanced back at the tatami room they had just left behind.
Kokushibo sighed. Oh, Yoriichi… you’re still pessimistic as always…
Kindness was maybe one of the things Michikatsu was annoyed by about Yoriichi back when he was alive.
He always worried too much about others, even when it wasn't necessary. But that was just who Yoriichi was — always putting others before himself. Yoriichi's concern for others, even in the face of danger, was a trait that Michikatsu found irritating during their time together.
"The man is fine Yoriichi… He just… went somewhere… that's all…"
"What about the muffled sound I keep hearing Kokushibo-ani?" Yori questioned with a mixture of innocence and concern in his eyes.
Kokushibo shook his head, and shrugged "It's nothing Yoriichi… You don't need to… worry about that…" Kokushibo looked around to distract Yori. He looked up and his eyes lit up and a smile spread his cheek "Yoriichi… looked up…"
Yoriichi looked up into the sky and immediately his face lit up in wonder and flabbergasted. "Kokushibo-ani, what is that? It looks beautiful…”
He was in awe of what he was seeing in the blue dark sky. There was a shiny thing in the sky. For a brief moment, there was a diagonal streak of light passing through before it disappeared into the horizon.
Kokushibo chuckled softly, his smile fading slightly "That… that's a shooting star… Yoriichi…"
"Shooting star?" Yoriichi questioned aloud, his voice filled with curiosity. He had heard of shooting stars before but had never seen one himself.
Kokushibo nodded, his eyes still fixed on the sky "Yes… that's right…"
Kokushibo began explaining what a shooting star was to the curious child, describing how it was actually a meteoroid entering Earth's atmosphere and burning up, creating a streak of light.
He shared the belief that making a wish upon a shooting star could bring good luck, sparking Yoriichi's awe and filling him with wonder.
Unknowingly, luring him further away and leaving the dead body of a fallen slayer.