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Blood covering everything. Screams fill the entire village with glass breaking with windows shattering. Children crying, buildings collapsing onto people. The air whoops past him and breaks a nearby standers head off. The demon’s eyes locked with the young child as it devoured the human’s arm. Genya turned and ran towards the destroyed building he was staying in with bodies piled in between. He was late. The kids were dead. He couldn't protect them. He could hear the demon's laughter coming closer and closer, managing to hide under the broken wood as tears streamed down his face staining his cheek. Hearing a little sob brought him back as he watched a tiny girl’s leg behind a massive shelf.
“Hey, it's okay.” He whispered. Genya grabbed a night table, placing it under as he used it to lift the shelf. Quickly pulling the girl out as it instantly fell breaking it in half. Muttering a thank you as she buried her face in the boy's yukata.
“Well. Well.” A growl spoke behind them. “Kids. Don't they make the most delicious meal? Come here.”
Genya began to run as claws connected with his back. Hissing in pain as he ran, only to be met with another demon who dashed towards him and threw him to the ruins. The grip on the girl loosened as the sound of bones breaking only to see the girl being snapped in half. The boy rushed forward for the demon to grab his hair and smash him into the ground. The demons began to walk away at the sight of other villagers running. Genya crawled towards the girl and wrapped his arms.
He couldn't protect anyone. The ring girl was so young. Genya couldn't protect anyone after four years. He cried as the distance sounds became further and everything turned blank.
~~~
“We searched everything.” Someone informed as footsteps got closer. “Everyone died in the village. However, there was only one kid and his arms were wrapped around a kid.”
“The poor child.” a much deeper voice spoke. “He must have wanted to protect.”
His eyes fluttered as he looked up at the morning sky as everyone came into view. Two people wearing black and white uniforms with their eyes only visible as a man towered over the kid. Hands holding something that Genya couldn't quite make up as he muttered something under his breath.
“Himejima-san, he is awake.” The girl spoke before turning away. Something was said as he moved closer.
“What is your name child?”
“Shinazugawa Genya,” he mumbled out. “Who are you?”
Managing to focus his vision, he noticed how tall the man was with eyes white as he nodded.
“I am a demon slayer.” He said, “Five demons attacked your entire village. I'm truly sorry for this.” as he began to mutter something.
Why? Why did it all hurt? He couldn't protect that girl. His siblings. Everyone was dead. His Aniki is somewhere.
“Genya.” The man crouched beside him. “I can hear your voice shaking. Why are you crying?”
“Can't you see?” Sniffs escape him.
The white eyes narrowed as his hands were held together in a prayer. “I can't see, I'm blind. However, you should be more respectful. Without respect, you will not get further in life.”
The young boy continued to sob as he clutched his yukata tighter. “Everyone died. Why should I get to live? I couldn't protect anyone.”
The other hummed, “You will come with me.”
“Why?”
He stood up grabbing the younger. “You have nowhere else to go. I believe there might be potential in you.”
There was going about this taller man that brought some comfort towards him. the soft kinder voice of him, than none of the horrid man that kept him alive for the four years. Despite his bigger build, he was kind to Genya. Genya fisted the shirt as he hid his face from the people around them.
~~~
Gyoumei had no idea what came over him, the second the words escaped past his lips. The kid seemed completely distraught. When the words, ‘I couldn't protect anyone’ filled his ears, Gyoumei knew the kid could become a demon slayer. But, he didn't like children. Not after what happened. The kakushi gave him a worried look since it was an unknown fact. Himakima was late to the village and now the village was destroyed and filled with dead bodies.
Making his way up to his estate wasn't hard. The kid seemed to have fallen asleep with hands wrapped around his shirt. When he picked the kid, he felt the fabric of the clothes being worn with holes covering the entire thing. When he entered the estate, he smiled as he heard the housekeeper greet him. Her presence seemed to change when her eyes locked on the child in his arms. Gyoumei was fully aware that he always spoke of the dislike he had against kids.
“Himejima.” her voice filled the air. “May I ask why you are holding a child?”
Moving towards the futon, he gently placed the child not to awake. Honestly, he didn't know himself. He promised himself to never take care of kids again. When he heard Genya’s voice, he cried so many tears it broke the man’s heart. He felt his tears as he was told everyone died, crying as he heard the only survivor was a child.
“The entire village passed away.” Tears streaming down his face. “The child is the only one who survived. He will stay here for now. He tried to protect another child.”
“You want to train him?”
The man shook his head. “I will not. He will live here until I find somewhere safe for him to stay.”
“Yes Himejima-san.” as her footsteps descended the hallway.
“Namu Amida Butsu.”
~~~
“What crawled up your ass?”
The white-haired male head snapped towards the voice to be face to face with a hiss. Narrowing his eyes at the snake with owner calming it down. Sanemi normally got along with Obanai however at this moment the fellow slayer pissed him off. He came up with a simple solution, ignore everyone.
“Right.” Obanai nodded. “What happened now? Did Tomioka annoy you this much? Or are you just in a pissy mood?”
“The fuck you want Iguro?” Sanemi grumbled.
“Why the hell are you so angry?” As he sipped the drink with a straw under the mask. “You dragged me here saying we're getting food and you haven’t uttered a single angry comment but are angry.”
The other rolled his eyes. “You are not eating.”
“ You know I don't eat, especially in public.”
Of course. The two normally ate in one or other redidance however Iguro just got off a mission and Sanemi didn’t want to be alone. Not now. None of the two would admit it verbally however they appreciated each other. One of the two would just grab the other and go somewhere not questioning it. Silently comforted and eventually got close together.
“My home town got attacked. Like a month ago.” He stumbled the words out. “Everyone died. Including my brother. Everyone was found dead. I just went there and the kakushi told me.”
“What was your brother doing there.” When he was met with an annoyed look he continued. “You left him so he was safe? Dumbass.”
“WHAT!?” he snapped as he began to reach across the table but Kaburamaru hissed, making his hand retreat.
“I mean didn't your mum turn to demon? You left him there knowing demons would be there. Even before you became a demon slayer.” his heterochromia eyes stared at the drink. “What I'm trying to say is, maybe you were protecting him the wrong way.”
It was his fault. He didn't protect Genya. He was dead. Everyone. If he just-
“Stop.” Iguro grabbed his arm, dragging him before dropping money on the table. The shorter man dragged him out stopping in the street, he held him by arms making him look. “It isn’t your fault. You were what? Twelve. You were a kid. Nothing happened, the village was small and luckily Himajima killed the five demons before they moved to a different village.”
“SHINAZUGAWA SANEMI.” Soari called out. “Head north, demons activity.”
Sanemi nodded off to the other muttering a thank you. At that moment Obanai decided he would need to speak to the stone hashira. He will ask the man himself, knowing that his friend is too stuck up in the ‘I don't care about my brother’. Obanai doesn’t think he ever has a conversation where the kid wasn’t brought up. For the sake of the guy he considered a friend he hoped the kid somehow survived.
~~~
“Genya.” The woman spoke trying to stop the kid. “Master Himajima said for you to stay. Please stop.”
He wasn't going to. Did that guy really think he was going to stay? He needed to see if Nii-chan was somewhere. However, Himajima wasn’t going to help. Genya won't just sit around and do nothing. He has been for a month. Every time he tried to go, Himejima showed up because he was the strongest but didn't work. At least until now. So he gathered a bag and placed things in for his escape. The lady wasn't gonna stop him. So he ran through the entry with her calling out but not following. So he started to sprint down the path, panting as his breaths began to get quicker each second. However, when a tight hand grabbed his yukata pausing his movement, he froze. Himejima was on a mission.
“What do you think you're doing?”
Eyes connect with the pair of different eye colours. The man striped haori loose around the frame as the snake around his arms hissed at the younger. Genya’s body shook with fear as he attempted to break fear, screaming for someone to rescue him. Just for a second the eyes soften before turning to cold.
“Tell me.” The sharpness of the voice sent a chill down the ten-year-old. “Are you living with the stone pillar?”
He shook his head and grabbed onto the lamp as the man tempted him to let go. “You're going back to the house.”
“What's going on here?” A much older man came forward, getting Genya’s attention. The young boy looked forward, wanting to speak, however a hand-covered mouth muffled anything.
“Nothing Sir.” his hand never let go of the boy. “My brother just doesn't want to go back home yet.”
“He doesn't seem to want to go with you. Certainly, you don't look like siblings.” Eyes inspecting Genya as he continues to struggle. “He seems even fearful. I'm gonna contact-”
Genya looked at the man as his eyes narrowed making the snake around him hiss.
“Now now.” The voice dropped low as the snake continued to hiss. “I don't think there's any need to get someone involved, especially if I'm right.” He looked around, eyes locking on someone. “Tomioka. Get over here. Make sure my brother doesn't go anywhere, while I explain to the man.”
He handed his hand to the others. His steps stomped on the ground as he was talking to the man in a rage screaming stuff. The other grip wasn't strong but wasn't weak enough to run away. Genya looked up at the man, his half-and-half haori covered in dirt with his face exhausted. Blue eyes looked dead as he kneeled In Front of him looking directly at him.
“Are you a Shinazugawa by chance?” Genya was shocked, how could he know? At the reaction, all he got was a hum as the other looked in the direction of the two men. “You lucky that-”
“Your fucking brat!”
Hand connecting with his cheek making his head turn to the side instantly. The right side stung with pain as eyes filled with tears. Eyes moving to the ground seeing the bottom of the striped black and white haori. The pain got worse as tears streamed down.
“What is wrong with you iguro.” A calm voice questioned. “ He is a kid.”
“Shut the fuck up Tomioka.” he hissed. “He is ten.”
“It doesn't change the fact-”
A hand roughly grabbed his chin forcing his eyes to connect with the heterochromia eyes. “You're lucky you're Shinazugawa’s brother because I would have allowed the man to sell you for money. Himejima took you in and you're being an ungrateful bastard by running away.”
The grip tightened as he moved him forward and the other continued to attempt to break the connection. “I'm sure when Himejima will hear of what you caused he will just sell you and not give a damn about you since he has a hatred for kids especially ones like you.”
The grip was taken off as the other looked at Tomioka who grasped his hand, eyes darkened as Iguro brushed the grasp off. “I don't think he would appreciate you doing that to his brother.”
“He won't know,” Iguro commented. “Besides, the brat should learn not to disrespect the pillars.”
“He is not even part of the corps.”
“What is going on?”
Himejima.
“Himejima.” The two instantly lowered their heads as the man took steps forward. “Nothing. Genya was running off, so we stopped him.”
The man nodded, “I appreciate it.” Tears flooded down his face. “Is that all”
“Well, he-”
Genya lunged onto the man, the tears never stopped as he held onto the haori that lay on his shoulder.
“I'm so sorry Himejima.” He wept. “The whole month. I'm begging you to forgive me for the trouble I caused. Please don't sell me to anyone. I promise to become better. Please forgive me.”
“Genya, what happened.” the larger man placed a gentle hand on the younger head. “You two, what are your names?”
“Iguro Obanai.”
“Tomioka Giyuu.”
He gave the two a small smile as he nodded. “Thank you for stopping him. I'm grateful for that.” He lifted the child as he moved away leaving the two alone.
Giyuu turned towards Obanai. “You probably traumatised the kid. There are other ways to”
“Blah blah.” Obanai glared at him, crossing his arms. “Stop talking shit out of your mouth. If anything it taught the kid a valid lesson. He is not gonna tell Himejima, he will learn and be done. Himejima will keep him safe. Sanemi is going to be happy and done.” he began walking.
The blue eyes stared at him. “So it's worth the kid being terrified. Congratulations now he is gonna think every demon slayer is like that.”
Obanai stormed towards as he stood directly in front of the man. “Oh, you think you're high and mighty right? Well, you're not. Stop and try to be higher than everyone. The only reason you got involved was cause I needed to make sure the brat didn't run. Now shut the fuck up.”
The blue-eyed man huffed. “You're not higher than me. I will not.”
Obanai's eyes twitched as he glared at him, “Trust me. You will never be a hashira.”
“You're not one either.” With that, he walked away as he muttered. “I don't want to be either.”
~~~
the fuck… Genya was alive. Sanemi stared at the man he despised, he wouldn't know that he had a brother. He never spoke of him to Tomioka. He told him what happened. Iguro still has yet to come and tell himself as he saw Tomioka waiting for him outside his house. Himejima saved him. But if Genya is here then with the stone pillar, it means that he might join the corps.
“Shinazugawa.” Iguro's voice rang through. “Why is Tomioka here?”
His hands fisted at his side, “Tell him Iguro. Did you hit Genya?”
He saw the way his eyes widened before glaring at Tomioka. Sanemi promised he would never be like his father, especially that he would never hurt anyone. In these moments, Sanemi felt his blood boil at the knowledge the one guy he considered a friend hurt his only family.
“He would have run from Himejima and then would have died during the night.”
He stormed towards him grabbing his shirt, Iguro gripped his hand trying to push him away. Sanemi was stronger and taller than Iguro but Kabamaru began slithering onto the other making him uneasy.
“If you ever frighten my brother I will make sure to kill you and your snake.”
Sanemi could feel iguro smirking behind his mask. “Whatever you say, Shinazugawa.”
~~~
“I'm sorry.” Genya apologised once again when the older instructed him to sit.
“I'm aware,” Himejima spoke. “However, I don't think I'll let you off the hook. You did break the rule. I didn't even have difficult ones. What were the rules?”
“Do not be disrespectful towards anyone. Do not leave the house alone, or leave a note, especially at night.”
“Yes.” Himejima agreed. “I was much stricter about leaving the house. Genya, you are the only child I will ever allow into the house.”
“Yes, you hate children. The snake man told me.” Genya interrupted, quickly apologising.
“There are reasons, I might explain in the future. You are only ten. However, I want you to know that I don't hate you. I took you in because that day you proved me wrong. You showed me that you will protect others. That child you tried to protect.”
Genya looked at the man sitting opposed to him. “Is my brother a demon slayer?”
Nodding Himejima replied. “Yes. He is a demon slayer.”
“Can I meet him?”
“Young Shinazugawa.” Gyoumei felt his heartache, “I spoke to him and he said he doesn't want you to be one. He says you can't do it.”
“Do you think you can train me so I can improve nii-chan I do it?” His eyes sparkled in awe at the man.
“Yes, I'll try you.”
Genya lunged into a hug making the other a bit surprised before he rubbed the Mohawk. He could sense the happiness of the young boy as he was trying to hug back the tightest.
“I wanna be just like him.”
“You will.” Himajima smiled as he felt tears drip from his eyes at the determination. “How about you get some sleep, to become strong you need rest.”
Gyoumei sensed the uneasiness as Genya seemed to shake each second. “Genya are you not tired yet? It's okay if you aren't.”
Genya fiddled with the material of his clothes, “Could you hold while I sleep? I always had some next to me. First my siblings and then the kids in the orphanage.”
The blind hashira grew worried, has the kid not slept the whole month? Gyoumei understood why, the child lost his whole home. The stress and trauma must have been overwhelming. The sudden change also changed the kid's life. He wasn't hesitant to wrap his arms and hold Genya. Gyoumei quickly began to whisper soothing words eventually, Genya's breathing began to rhythm singling that he was asleep. He was so focused on the child in his hands that he did not register the fact that someone knocked until the housekeeper came and told him.
“Shinazugawa Sanemi is here,” with that she left,
Gyoumei felt his eyes narrow a bit at the knowledge, even frustrated. The man who refuses to acknowledge his sibling. “What can I do for you Shinazuagwa? So late in the evening?”
“Are gonna train Genya?”
The hashira sighed feeling overwhelmed at the angry present in his house. He was holding Genya in his arms keeping his voice quiet not wanting to wake the kid up. “If that is what he wants then yes. He wanted you to train him but I told him no.”
“I won't.” Sanemi rolled his eyes, “I don't want him in corp. I can't allow him to die. I know if you will, he will know how to fight.”
Himajima's glare softened as heard the care and concern in the older brother's voice. “Trust me, he has potential. I know one day he will save people. He is different.”
Sanemu walked over closer and looked at his brother, Genya who looked identical to two years ago, with the same mohawked hairstyle with big eyes. He seemed calm and relaxed in the man's hands. The white-haired man smiled as he pressed his lips against the forehead of the child. He saw Genya smile through his sleep. He quickly turned away as he stormed out of the pillar's house. No. it doesn't matter if the strongest hashira will train. It doesn't mean his brother won't die.
I don't want him in the corps and I will do what I need to keep him out. I will do everything in my power to keep him out.