Chapter Text
The Hashiras were once again teleported to "the room".
It remained the same as last time: the floor was made of dark wood yet it was mostly covered with a deep pink carpet, the walls were grey-blue marble walls that extended high to the ceiling which was built with the same material, two busts of peacefully-looking women were displayed at each side of the room in designated empty corners.
Each one of the visitors seemed to had been dealing with something before they appeared here: the Serpent looked deeply emerged in his thoughts, the Wind was full of anger to what he had presumably listened to, The Butterfly seemed to have been gossiping about something, the heart appeared confused, trying to calm some sort of situation.
They all looked in their ideal environment yet the second they looked around, they were met with unfamiliarity and their bodies quickly tensed up on instinct.
But before any of them could yell or ask any questions, a flashing light pierced into each one of them, directly aiming for the brain.
All of them appeared in various states of dizziness. Surprisingly, instead of staying silent and observing her surroundings thoroughly, Shinobu was the first to speak.
“Well…isn’t this just interesting.” The Butterfly seemed in great silent distress.
“Yeah, it’s like someone took some of our memories, stored them, then gave them back as soon as we got here!” Mitsuri answered her enthusiastically.
The energy in the room shifted to an eerie sense.
“That’s because she did actually do that, dumbass.” Sanemi replied harshly, making the smile that Mitsuri wore falter for a second.
“Yeah, you’re right…silly me!” She shifted uncomfortably in her position.
The answer she gave was one that benefits the other, that pleases whom she speaks to, while ignoring her own feelings…That’s a road she had followed since a young age, even before she met hi—
“SANEMI!” Obanai yelled in a threatening tone.
“WTF DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING.” His intense gaze burned through the other’s back.
“DON’T YOU DARE ORDER ME AROU—”
The Wind hashira’s mouth was taped shut before he could finish his shouting. The rest naturally fell silent as well.
“Ok, everyone please sit down.” Ranim’s voice radiated through the whole room…
─────── ⋆꧁⋅𖤓⋅꧂⋆ ───────
After taking their places, the Love Hashira noticed the bothered look on her butterfly companion rather quickly. ”So…why are we here again?” Her companion’s voice cut her internal questioning short.
The woman in red appeared in the middle of the room ,once again floating while sitting one leg across the other, surrounded by red strings. Her red fan accompanied her as usual.
This time she wore a traditional kimono; which ranged from muted red to lavender, with a Maru mon pattern. She also changed her shawl to an elegant scarf that matched the colour of the latter.
Mitsuri admired her dress deeply, silently praising how beautiful the woman looked in traditional wear that complimented her pale skin.
“Looks like someone is not in the mood~” The woman said confidently as she slowly raised her gaze and directed it to the purple-haired Hashira.
“Sorry about that…I am just a little shocked.” Her smile twitched slightly, not enough to be noticed by anyone.
“Don’t worry about darling,” the other responded. “anyways, you're here to watch what happened after you left.” The four Hashiras were confused and it showed as they furrowed their eyebrows close together.
“What happened after we left?” Mitsuri questioned.
“Yeah, I had a lovely talk with Giyuu-san, after you all went home, so I wanted you to watch what transpired then.” The woman answered, gleefully, closing her eyes in progress and lifting her eyelids upward.
Did she just address him by his first name? Mitsuri's thoughts started mashing together, trying to calculate the many meanings of this, yet she didn’t dwell on it and took it light heartedly.
Maybe they just became friends after this supposed interaction between them.
“Thank you for informing us then.” Said the Butterfly, eyes closed so the anger underlines in them doesn't show. Wait… “You’re welcome, dear.” Wait a second–
“...Where is Tomioka san?” Mitsuri questioned, face ,surprisingly, not filled with concern. But, that didn’t stop the other Hashira’s faces from tensing slightly and their hearts from beating quicker.
“Oh he…
A notable scene flashed before her eyes: sharp teeth sunk into a decapitated human leg, breaking bones instantly with a loud sound. Blood squirmed onto the man’s face in response. Droplets of the same red liquid covered the white flowers surrounding the man, marking the end of innocence and purity and the shift into something truly unexpected.
…he’s a little busy, so he will not be here with you, today.” The woman answered, appearing thoughtful of the absent hashira’s situation.
“Busy hah?” Rage filled the Wind Hashira’s mind, completely taking control of him.
“WE ALL ARE BUSY!! So what?!...What made him really different from us to not be here?” His finger pointed accusatorily in the direction of the strange woman.
What met him was soulless, dark, void eyes with white piercing pupils that shook him directly in his soul.
“—fine! I apologize for yelling.. Let’s just start reacting or whatever..” Sanemi appeared quite shaken yet the others didn’t understand why.
Hah? Did Shinazugawa-san just apologize for his wrong behaviour, kyaaaa! That’s so polite of him! The Love Hashira thought.
“Well if you insist, Shinazugawa-san,” the woman shifted in her sitting position “Please enjoy the show then…”
And with that, she disappeared.
─────── ⋆꧁⋅𖤓⋅꧂⋆ ───────
The music began harmonizing once again…
The scenes seemed of familiarity once more…
The cycle of the participants discovering what has already transpired ignited yet again.
“...Because I have a deal for you, silly~” A deal? The Hashiras expressed their confusion silently, trying to understand the intentions of this strange creature.
“What kind of deal are we talking about?”
“Well…How about I tell you my end of the deal first.” Ranim’s voice rang out through the moving pictures, once again.
While Mitsuri adored the magical strings that surrounded the woman, Shinobu noticed how the latter acted, moved, talked…it really irked her out.
Is she trying to manipulate him into taking the deal by stating the benefits first? She thought to herself, her smile twitching slightly.
…
“Ok, then… you know how you have been having those awful hallucinations, right?”
Everything stopped at that moment.
Breaths hitched in surprise, eyes opening widely at that huge revelation.
Mitsuri couldn’t comprehend what was starting to happen to her…She could feel her ears beginning to ring, promising to burst her eardrums if she tried to focus on the conversations the others were having. Her heartbeat started to get louder as well, her heart pumping out blood quicker than it was used to. Her body refused to move any of its muscles, in fear it would break her down to that pathetic state she despises. So, she stayed in that same stiff pose she was in, her eyes still focused on the unmoving pictures in front of her.
…but…we made a promise…
Her mind betrayed her for a moment and she decided to indulge in that distant memory at the back of her mind.
Her memories took her back to that day, in the open field.
It was peaceful in that period; casualty numbers went noticeably down for demon slayers which allowed the Love Hashira to visit her family for some time. She was also able to interact with her fellow coworkers more than usual, especially the Water Hashira.
They had been sitting there for a while, Giyuu preparing another crown of flowers for her, before Mitsuri spoke.
“Nee, Tomioka san.” She fidgeted with her hands nervously.
“What is it, Mitsuri?” He asked. “I’ve noticed that you have always been by my side when I feel troubled…but I have never been by yours.”
“Don’t worry about it, Mitsuri. I can handle my issues by myself.” She felt an aching pang in her heart. “…But I want to help.”
…
“Ok then… Guess I’ll come to you whenever I have any kind of problems.”
“Promise?” She extended her pinky finger towards him, wearing a warm smile on her face.
He reciprocated the gesture, a small smile appearing on his face before disappearing. Yet, the reddish hue on his face remained.
“promise…I guess…”
─────── ⋆꧁⋅𖤓⋅꧂⋆ ───────
Liar… She rocked slightly in her place, hands tightly gripping on her hair.
“So that woman..was just a hallucination hah…” The voice of the Butterfly registered into Mitsuri’s brain. “His sister.” She replied coldly.
“Huh?” Shinobu looked at her colleague confused.
“That was his older sister…Tsutako Tomioka.” Mitsuri clarified, removing her hands from her hair to hug her body tightly.
“...oh.” Then a realisation hit the Butterfly on the head. “How did you know that, Mitsuri san. And why didn’t you tell us this the last time we saw her?”
But, Mitsuri didn’t answer her, seemingly too emerged in her thoughts. “Mitsuri, is everything alright ?” Obanai cut in, concerned about the Love Hashira’s state. The mind of the other returned from its hazy state and with that the light of her eyes returned as well.
“Yeah, everything is okay. Thank you for asking, Obanai kun.” A slight blush appeared on the Love Hashira’s cheeks. “N-No problem, Mitsuri san.” A strong reddish-pinkish hue invaded the Serpent Hashira’s whole face.
Then, those dull eyes materialized once again. “And I am so sorry Shinobu san, I just wasn’t sure it was her, last time ?” The Butterfly Hashira was taken back by that complete turn around yet she recovered to her usual smile quite quickly. “...It’s alright then.”
Why does she seem so nervous talking about her…Did something happen between Tomioka’s sister and her? Shinobu couldn’t ignore the question taking over her mind, neither Tomioka nor Mitsuri mentioned his sister before so why was that? She would understand Tomioka not mentioning her. He has always been so secretive about his personal life. But Mitsuri…that girl will surely talk about her even if briefly—
“Shinobu, did that dumbass tell you about his hallucinations?” Sanemi asked.
“I am afraid not, Shinazugawa san...Tomioka san doesn’t talk to me often. And even when he visits the butterfly mansion, he only talks with Aoi san.” She replied, in her calm tone as usual.
“I am sorry to ruin the moment but is everyone calm now?” The woman in red’s voice echoed slightly in the room.
“Yeah yeah, just start the damn video so we can leave this place as soon as possible.” Obanai answered, seemingly done with all that’s happening today.
“Ok then.” She answered in that same cheerful tone.
─────── ⋆꧁⋅𖤓⋅꧂⋆ ───────
The images began moving again. The old conversation between the Water Hashira and the woman with deer antlers continued revealing itself to the Hashiras.
Hope found the Love Hashira’s mind as the woman offered help to the other. But it quickly turned into confusion for her and skeptical for the Butterfly Hashira as the woman began talking about angry souls?
“So, what does that mean exactly, Ranim san?” Shinobu asked her directly, her serious tone grabbing the attention of the others.
“Ah…that..” The woman began her speech, her tone as calm as the Hashiras have grown used to. “Well, you see Tomioka’s many hallucinations aren’t always caused by normal symptoms like trauma. They are mainly caused by what I like to call ‘‘angry souls’’. Her pitch grew a little higher. Yet it lacked nervousness. No, it was filled with… delight?
“Those souls like to mess with those who are weak spirited. They do that by creating hallucinations and merging themselves to look like a specific person.” She explained.
The room fell a little silent proceeding that.
Shinou tried asking “Is–
But was quickly silenced by the cheerful tone of the woman not in the room. “Also, from now on, I will not be answering any questions. Sorry dear, maybe next time~” even from another room, the Hashiras can feel the woman smirking.
“I see.” It definitely angered the Butterfly, the others noticed it so well yet they decided not to interfere with this strange rivalry.
The Hashiras continued watching the rest of the video.
That bitch... Shinobu ignited more at the sight of the woman in red imitating her mocking tone at the Water Hashira, the others showing more of amusement despite the Butterfly feeling greatly offended.
What confused them ,then, was the mention of the boy with the kitsuni mask.
“Does anyone know who this Sabito person might be?” Shinobu asked aloud.
“Never heard of the name…” Mitsuri responded, confused herself.
“Probably a relative…” Sanemi added.
“Yeah probably…” Shinobu said briefly before returning to focus on the video playing.
─────── ⋆꧁⋅𖤓⋅꧂⋆ ───────
Then, the Hashiras tensed when the woman began alluding to reveal what the other needed to fulfil as his own end of the deal, the Butterfly looking the most interested one in this revelation.
...
They could all see the shocked face that the Water hashira expressed. How he pointed his finger angrily at the woman in front of him. But… They couldn’t hear anything nor could they see what the woman meant by “entertainment" after that.
“You really just did that hah.” Shinobu said in apparent anger.
“Sorry sweetheart, confidential information.” The other responded in glee and quite the smugness.
“The fuck you mean confidential information !?!! you told us that Tomioka has hallucinations. Isn’t that private enough y—”
“If I were you, I would stop talking immediately.” The tone of the women held an eerie threat the Wind Hashira refused to be the subject of.
“Now, please everyone go back to watching the video.” Her voice returned to its usual state.
And that they did.
They didn’t comment on how the voice of the woman cut off once more when talking to the Water Hashiras. Whatever “You won’t be taking Sabito’s place anymore” meant.
Shinobu didn’t say anything about how that woman kept manipulating Tomioka with sweet words and gestures nor did Mitsuri voice out how his eyes had a spark in them for a few seconds and how much she wished they would always shine just like that.
Yet when the Water Hashira was teleported back into the Ubuyashiki Mansion, the Serpent couldn't help but voice out what he thought.
“Wait, he still has his memories?!”
“That’s probably so he can make his decision o—”
“She is back.” Mitsuri cut off her violet colleague, her eyes losing the usual sparkle in them, as what resembled Tsutako revealed itself again to the Water Hashira.
“Why does she look like that?” Mitsuri was greatly revolted by the image of the bloody creature tormenting her friend.
“They probably can’t make her look perfect every time.” Her Butterfly coworker just answered.
Mitsuri continued feeling that unpleasant emotion even more as she noticed how her brother looked, in extreme terror and vulnerability.
Her eyes couldn’t stop reading the wall of text in front of her at this moment…
This time, they decided to stick around for a little longer than usual. As three days passed, Giyuu's physical and mental state both deteriorated to their worst. Those souls kept creating hallucinations non-st0p and tormenting him [email protected] basical|y made his life a living hel|. |n tHat d@rk r00m, R@H̷̳̒̿̉̂̉̈̐o̴̧̞͓̗̩͎͇͋̓̑͠ṕ̴̲̹̮̹̅͛̓͝ͅe̸̗̫̺̥̮̯͕͗̈́̇͠l̴̹̱̦͖̝̻̱̗̓̄̅̔̈́̌̌̑̔͜e̴̛̟̩͈̿͛̿̓͠ͅs̴͇̯̤̫̯̗̯͎̮̳̋́͋̀̒̕s̶̡̛̱̓̇͂̂̒̈́͒̚n̵̫̳͖̟͉͆̄̆̀̽͂͘̕͝͠e̶̲͖̦̭̔s̷̬̦̗͈̈́͊͛̃̈́͝͝s̸͚͎̬̓̓̑́̌͒̿̄̀̕ͅ ̵̛͙̙̟͕̱̔̔̃̓̀̾͘͜v̴̱̭̌͗̉̇̅́ͅl̷̛͖̟̘̪̺̟̄͂͊͗͐̌͒̔͜͝ư̸̢͗̈͠r̸͉͈͇̍͒̀̀̂͆͐̊̿r̸͔̖͍̻͖̀́̆͑ȅ̵̱̫̙͎̣̤̬̾͂̋̒ͅd̴̛͙̭̥̱̪͚̹̐̊͐̍͝ͅͅͅ ̵̧̢̠͈̖͖̘̼͍̎͜a̵̠̺̽̄͂͆n̶̰͓̈́̿̓̽̐̓͌̑̿̕ḑ̸̧̬̫̖̹̙͖͍̼̊̌͌ ̷̢͈̯̣̣̳̤̖̠̥͒͂b̴̬̑̆̐͐͊̉̈́̄̆͋ę̴̢̳̱̰̝̤̙͍͒͑̋̏̆̾͠ͅc̸̡͕͈̥̦̼̑͑̄͋̂̂̀͂̚á̸͇͝m̸̝̯̺̟̟̳̳̂̌͝e̵̳̿͂̈́͋͊̓͠ͅ ̶̡̨̢̡̲̻̝̬̥͉̌̔̅͒̏
A strong ringing noise infiltrated the room making it impossible to read the rest of the paragraph. A couple of the Hashiras held their hands over their ears, trying to block the painful noise that threatened to make their ears bleed. The other two clenched tightly to their clothes, feeling their hearts pounding strongly and their ribcages aching, trying to hold dearly into the vital instrument of their mortal bodies.
Then everything stopped. The ringing noise stopped projecting as the moving images did as well.
“Sorry about that, confidential information.” The woman’s voice echoed.
But, it wasn’t met with anything…no protests…no screaming…just silence.
“Well, guess it’s goodbye then.” She said blatantly, no care in her voice about how broken the participants looked.
Then, the Hashiras were teleported out of the room.
…
“Seems like it’s time...”