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Chapter 1: The Legend of the Kitsunes 

Thousands of years ago, when the world was created, man was not the only one to appear on Earth. Another species populated this planet: the Kitsunes. 

The Kitsunes were half-human, half-fox creatures, able to blend in with the human population. 

Originally, the Kitsune were men blessed by the gods. They had given many powers: they could control certain elements of nature, heal many wounds and talk to animals. 

If they were able to take a human form, they had an original form that allowed them to strengthen their powers. 

The Kitsune also had a strange peculiarity: whether they were men or women, they were able to get pregnant. 

With each reproduction of a Kitsune, all his descendants inherited power. Over the years, it was possible to develop another power or to possess only one. 

The Kitsunes and humans managed to live together for centuries until 1,000 years ago, when humans discovered that the sacred stones of the Kitsunes could grant wishes. 

The sacred stone of a Kitsune rests on the soul and powers of the kistune to his body. If you take it away, the kistune turns to stone until it's returned. Beyond too long a delay, the kistune remains frozen forever. 

The men then go after the Kistunes to seize their sacred stone. They mercilessly slaughtered hundreds of kistunes, without the slightest of them or the elders who united them. These hunts were so violent that after 700 years, at the time of Sengoku, there were only a hundred kistunes left all over Japan. 

In order to punish humans for this cruel act, the gods turned one of them into a monster, an abomination whose only one was to slaughter everything. Unfortunately, this did not have the desired effect. This creature was slaughtering not only humans, but also Kistunes. That was a thousand years ago, in the Heian era, when it all began. The first demon was a man named Muzan Kibustsuji. 

This was compounded when an oracle predicted to Muzan Kibustsuji, the demon king, that a wish fulfilled through the power of the sacred stone of the last of the kistunes would enable him to resist the sun. 

Muzan killed the oracle so that the prophecy would not reach the ears of the Demon Killer Corps who risked thwarting it, and then ordered the demons to slaughter every kistune they encountered.

And to increase his chances, he withdrew  aux lunes supérieures la capacité de repérer les kistunes et a également participé au massacre. 

The plan was so effective that at the time Taisho, there was only one family of kistunes left in all of Japan. 

This family was one of the oldest and most powerful clans in Kitsune, known as the Tomioka clan. 

Fortunately, the Tomioka clan was an expert in the art of camouflage and managed to hide from demons for several centuries. 

Muzan personally hunted down the Tomioka clan and had to admit that he was as good, if not better, than the Ubuyashiki clan at hiding. (Warning: the Ubuyashiki clan is not a Kitsune clan! This is just a comparison!) 

But unfortunately, after 10 long years of research across Japan, Muzan finally managed to locate the Tomioka. 

Now that he had found them, it was impossible for them to escape him! 

He will finally be able to conquer the sun! 

À suivre...

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Chapter 2 :  The Routine of Giyu Tomioka 🌊 

According to him, Giyu was not a normal person and there were several reasons for this: 

-He wore a mismatched haori with two totally different patterns that some might call ugly (that's not true! He's super handsome!) So most of the people he met often made these kinds of remarks to him. Even some of them  hashiras had something to say about these dress habits! He had asked everyone for their opinion (except Gyomei because he was blind and therefore did not see his haori) and here is what they had answered: 

-He is beautiful in his own way (Misturi) 

-The patterns on the left-hand side are flashy! (Uzui)

-The motives are totally improbable (Sanemi). (But it makes him beautiful, the haori not him of course, he thinks blushing )

-It's Ugly (Obanai) 

-It's not common as a garment but it looks like it's there (Shinobu) 

- I don't have a particular opinion but that's what makes Tomioka's style ( Rengoku)

-It only goes to him, he's beautiful (Muichiro) 

Second reason, he was a demon-killer, but he had let one live (which had earned him several reproaches from some hashiras) but he had become attached to it. 

In fact, he had become attached to several new killers: Kamado Tanjirou, Agatsuma Zenitsu, Hashibira Inosuke, Tsuyuri Kanao, Shinazugawa Genya (Sanemi's younger brother), Rengoku Senjuro (Kyojurou's brother), Kanzaki Aoi and Tokito Muichiro 

Strangely, these children felt drawn to him and considered him a big brother. He would be lying if he said he didn't also care about them. He liked to spend time with them when they all had free time. Sometimes he would train with them. 

One day, Shinobu told him that everyone hated him, and it was as if something had been broken in him. But now thanks to the children, he knew it was wrong. 

Giyu had become their confidant and they his. He cared a lot about them and he knew it was mutual. 

Third and last reason: Giyu was a kistune. And by any of them, he was the last of the Kistunes. 

One day, as a child, Muzan killed his entire family and Giyu narrowly got away with it. Since then, for some reason, Muzan has been tracking him. 

In order not to endanger himself and others, he had hidden his true nature from everyone, even in Oyakata-sama. The only person he had it to was dead: Sabito. 

When he revealed it to her, Sabito assured her that he wouldn't tell anyone, not even Master Urokodaki. Unfortunately Sabito had died during the Final Selection and had therefore taken his secret with him. 

Giyu sincerely hoped that no one would ever discover his secret. 

Unfortunately for him, fate seemed to have other plans... 

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Chapter 3 : When the secret begins to crumble 🦊

The butterfly Estate was a place that could be described as quiet, well most of the time... 

-You stupid boar! 

-Repeat Monitsu a little?! 

-Inosuke, Zenitsu, please! Calm down! 

At least he was when three were absent... 

-They don't want to shut up those? Genya thought beside them, blocking his ears. 

It didn't happen to him often that he had to stay at the butterfly mansion but this time it was unbearable 

As the two continued to yell at each other, Aoi landed in the room followed by a tired-looking Kanao :

-Shut up both of you! You're disturbing others! 

Aoi's cries soon mingled with theirs and the play turned into a real mess 

-I want to change rooms... ruminated Genya 

-What's going on here ?

They all turned their heads and saw on the doorstep a Shinobu accompanied by a Muichiro as well as a frightened Senjuro. Shinobu smiled even though a vein came out of his forehead 

-I beg you to remain silent for the well-being of my other patients 

They all nodded, none of them wanted to rub the wrath of Shinobu 

-Well, what if you all go out tonight? Your wounds are healed and there's not much work here 

-Are you sure Shinobu-san? Ask Aoi 

-But yes! A little fresh air will do you good (and my ears, she thought) 

-Very good, Acquiesca Tanjirou, and Nezuko 

-Leave it here, I'd like to examine it 

-Well

A few minutes later, they left the Butterfly Manor all eight. 

-Where are we going? Ask Senjuro 

"There is a village not far away," answered Aoi. 

On the way, they met Giyu who was probably on patrol: 

-Oh ! Giyu-san !

He turned his head: 

-What are you doing here? Ask the Mizu Hashira 

-"Shinobu-san offered us an exit," said Genya. 

"Because you still had to make too much noise," he thought. Anyway be careful 

-Don't worry it'll be okay, the Zenitsu reassured 

They went back on their way .

I may have to follow them in case... thought Giyu 

They had been walking in the forest for a few minutes when Inosuke asked: 

-How long will it take? 

-"In twenty minutes," answered Kanao. 

Suddenly, they heard a branch cracking :

-What was it?! Ask Senjuro 

-It's probably a wild animal, says Muichiro 

Tanjirou suddenly smelled a foul odor and covered his nose 

-What is Gonpachiro?! 

It was then that a horde of demons appeared before them. They were at least 20 or more! 

-Shit! Jura Genya, that's not true! 

"They are too many," thought Muichiro, we will have a hard time defeating them by only eight, especially since Aoi and Senjuro are not as strong as we are  

-Do you see that? Railla the greatest of demons who was probably the leader, you were never told not to go out at night children?! 

And they all rushed at them. 

After a few minutes, they had managed to defeat more than half of the demons but unfortunately Muichiro, Kanao, Senjuro and Aoi were K-O 

"I thought the demons didn't look the same," Genya gasped as he shot one of the demons killing him. 

-"We had evidence to the contrary at Mount Natagumo," said Tanjirou, beheading another demon 

Before Genya could answer, the chief projected it onto Inosuke, which caused them to hit a tree. The two collapsed to the ground, unconscious 

They were all badly injured and Zenitsu collapsed after beheading two other demons. There was only the leader left, but Tanjirou couldn't defeat him alone 

The demon set off a violent kick in the shores of Tanjirou that collapsed on a tree 

-Tanjirou... no, groans Kanao, the only one still conscious, at least for now. 

-Well... the master will surely give me more blood if I kill you being given that you are the boy with the hanafudas earrings 

Tanjirou's vision became more and more obscure when suddenly the chief's arm fell 

-But what?! 

His head was next to fall 

But who... Thoughtful Tanjirou

The stranger leaned over and stroked his hair. Tanjirou saw that he had fox ears 

That smell, it reminds me of someone 

Exhaustion and injury got the better of him and he fainted 

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After Tanjirou fainted, Giyu looked around and examined the others. They were all badly injured and unconscious. Giyu trembled with anger when he saw that the demons had dared to hurt them. These demons had about the same level of power as a lower moon, Giyu was surprised and impressed that they managed to last so long with so many demons to fight 

He was afraid that they couldn't all survive the time to get to the Butterfly Estate. 

He had two options: 

1. Either he would transport them immediately to the Butterfly Mansion but in that case he had to be extremely fast 
2. Or else he used his powers to partially heal their wounds.

Giyu chose the second option, he couldn't afford to lose one of them. He approached Tanjirou and gently put his hand on the young man's chest, the few wounds on his skin closed and his breathing resumed a almost natural rhythm 

He did the same with the others and when their states were stabilized, Giyu gushed out a large bubble of water and put them all inside and then set off.

The dawn was near when Shinobu woke up. Strangely, the Manor was quiet, there was not a single noise. Shinobu alla vérifier les chambres. They were served. 

-"It's weird," thought Shinobu, I didn't hear them come home last night. Okay, maybe they're in the kitchen. 

She went into the kitchen, but again, no one... 

Shinobu was starting to worry seriously, suddenly someone knocked on the door 

-Who can come at this hour? 

Shinobu opened the door and what she saw the horrified: the children all lay unconscious and bloodied.

She immediately called the kakushi who took care of the teenagers. Shinobu took a closer look at their wounds: 

Senjuro and Aoi had many nicks on their legs and their clothes were torn. They also had a huge wound at a different place in the body, Aoi on the leg, Senjuro on the right arm 

Genya, Inosuke and Zenitsu seemed to have several broken ribs, Inosuke's torso was bleeding in several different places, Genya had a bleeding nose and Zenitsu his index finger, ring finger and middle finger were fractured 

Muichiro and Kanao both seemed to have a broken leg and Shinobu saw a big wound on Muichiro's neck. 

Tanjirou, meanwhile, had a big wound on his forehead and his arm was twisted in the opposite direction. 

But what astonished Shinobu most was that their wounds were gradually closing. She wondered for a moment whether she was dreaming or not and then quickly recovered. After fully treating them, Shinobu sent a message to the master to make him worried. 

The other hashiras might have thought she was crazy, but she had the intuition that it didn't bode well. 

At the Castle of Infinity: 

Muzan felt that he had lost touch with a significant number of demons. 

Usually he wouldn't care, but seeing the last memory of one of the demons, he noticed something or rather something someone intriguing  

The person in question had fox ears which immediately hit Muzan's eye 

He began to smile with a sadistic air and felt the excitement rising within him. 

-At last! he thought, I've been looking for him for years! He finally reappeared! The last Kitsune! Once I get hold of him, I'll be invincible! 

Somewhere in the distance, Giyu Tomioka suddenly straightened up, feeling the worst happen 

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Chapter 5 : Awakening and Search 🦊🔎

When Tanjirou opened his eyes, he saw only the darkness. He blinked several times to make sure they were open. He stood up and looked at the environment around him. There was only black. 

-But what's going on? 

He got up and started walking straight ahead of him. He had barely gone a few yards when he heard screams: 

-AT THE SECOURS! Is there anyone?! Tanjirou! Nezuko-chan! 

-Zenitsu ?

Upon hearing his name, his friend turned and rushed at him and began to cry: 

-Ahh TANJIROU! I was so scared do you know where we are?! 

-Unfortunately no, sorry 

A voice called out to them both: 

-Monistu! Kentaro! 

They turned around and saw Inosuke followed by the others heading towards them: 

-But what the fuck is going on?! Swearing Genya 

-Are we dead?! Senjuro exclaimed 

-Shut up both of you, give me a headache, grumbled Muichiro 

-Let's calm down - we can probably find a solution, Aoi reasoned 

-It's true, Kanao added, panicking won't do any good 

-To begin with, is it the last thing you remember? Ask Tanjirou 

-I remember that! Intervened Zenitsu, we were fighting a lot of demons and they had managed to get the better of us! 

-But yes! The chief was going to kill Tanjirou, Kanao remembered 

-How can you still be alive Gonpachiro? Ask him Inosuke 

-Well you may think I'm crazy but I was saved by a stranger with fox ears, Tanjirou nervously explained 

-Are you sure you didn't bang your head during the fight? Ask Aoi Skeptical 

"No, he doesn't lie," said Kanao, I also caught a glimpse of him 

-Well if you both saw it then it's the truth, agreed Senjuro 

-All right in this case the question is: who is he? Noted Muichiro 

"In any case, he's an ally," said Tanjirou.

-How can we be sure?! Questioning  Genya 

-I think he wouldn't have saved us if he wasn't, so I think he doesn't want any harm for us 

-Indeed 

They all shuddered and turned their heads towards the source of the voice. They saw a man with his back with fox ears. 

-You! Exclaimed Zenitsu, it was you who saved us !

-Who are you?! Ask Genya 

-I unfortunately can't tell you for my safety and for yours, now it's time for you to wake up, says the stranger without looking at them 

What do you mean?! Why? Questioned Aoi 

-What do you mean by us "wake up," as Senjuro wondered 

I've smelled this before, but where?! Tanjirou Reflects 

-Wake up... he repeated 

A bright and soft blue light enveloped them suddenly 

-Wait! Tanjirou exclaimed 

The Unknown Had Already Disappeared

Tanjirou moaned as he slowly opened his eyes. To his surprise, this time there was light. He stood up painfully and looked around: the others were also there and woke up. They were at the Butterfly Estate 

-"Let's all be clear," Muichiro began, we've all seen what happened ?

They all nodded silently, still too shocked by what had just happened to speak 

Shinobu then entered the room, his usual smile replaced by a restless expression 

-Oh my god! Are you all already waking up?! 

-Shinobu-san ?

-We were all very worried, imagine my surprise when I found all eight of you half dead in front of my estate. But what happened to you?! 

"We were attacked by a large group of demons," Aoi explained. 

-That explains the state I'm in, how many were there? 

The eight teenagers looked at each other and Tanjirou spoke: 

-More than 20 I think 

Shinobu was speechless 

-It's probably a miracle that you're all still alive, but it's stranger, all your wounds seemed to have been healed and it almost seemed like they were closing 

-Does that mean... began Senjuro softly 

-No you didn't become demons I did tests from the blood coming from your wounds and there was no trace of demonic cells. 

Un soupir de soulagement traversa la salle :

-By the way, Shinobu-san, there's something we need to tell you... says Tanjirou timidly 

-We were saved by a guy with fox ears! The Inosuke Coupa 

They all froze until Shinobu's Kasugai crow entered the room: 

- CROA! Hashiras meeting! Takes Kamado Tanjirou, Agatsuma Zenitsu, Hashibira Inosuke, Shinazugawa Genya, Tsuyuri Kanao, Kanzaki Aoi, and Rengoku Senjuro! Tokito Muichiro must also be present! There are no minutes to lose! CROA! 

-I feel like this day is going to be hard, groans Shinobu 

A few hours later, they were all sitting in the Ubuyashiki estate. After telling their story, some hashiras were incredulous and doubted the story somewhat. No one seemed to have noticed that Giyu was tense in his seat 

"Don't worry," he thought, they probably don't know it's me. 

When Tanjirou mentioned that the smell of the kistune reminded him of someone, Giyu felt a lump form in his stomach.Then he said he couldn't identify the owner of the smell, Giyu calmed down a bit

-It's a very strange meeting my children, I'm glad you came out of it forever. I think this kistune would make a great ally 

-What should we do Oyakata-sama? Ask Gyomei 

-I think he's suspicious of us, let him understand that we have a common enemy, your mission will be to find him and convince him to join our cause, I think it's better that we find him and not Muzan. 

The master was absolutely right, if Muzan found him would be a disaster. All the hashiras nodded and the meeting ended 

When he returned to the Manoir des Papillons, Tanjirou thought of the kistune: who was he and why was he hiding? 

He would soon discover the truth, and at that moment, he might not like it 

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Chapter 6: Shocking Discovery 😱🦊 

Given the importance of the situation, Muzan had summoned the upper moons. All that was left was Kokushibou, Douma and Akaza. He was seriously thinking about naming Nakime to the rank of Upper Moon 4, after all, she was one of the few people who did not disappoint him and her art might be useful in tracking down the Kistune. 

The three upper ranks appeared before him and knelt down: 

-Did you ask us Muzan-sama? Kokushibou Request 

-Yes, the last Kitsune has reappeared, Muzan informed 

The three demons widened their eyes of surprise 

-When did this happen? Haleta Akaza  

-A week ago, a large group of demons attacked slayers, among them was the boy with the Hanafudas earrings. One of them was going to finish it off when the last Kitsune appeared. 

-Would he have allied himself with the demon slayer? Ask Kokushibou 

-I don't know, but rather explain to me how lower ranks could have practically succeeded in a task that you, from the higher moons, cannot accomplish?! He whispered dangerously 

None of them answered, feeling the atmosphere of the room getting heavier, aware that the slightest word could cost them their lives 

-Anyway, that's not why I summoned you, said Muzan, bring me the kistune alive, But do it before the full moon

-Lord Muzan, Intervint Douma for the first time, I have an idea to attract the kistune 

-I'm listening to you 

-You told us that he saved the boy with the Hanafuda earrings, if we attack him, I'm sure he will come and help him. In this way, we capture the kistune and we get rid of the boy at the same time 

-It's a good plan Douma, all right, your mission will be to attack him and bring me back the Kistune 

-Good Lord Muzan 

-You can arrange

The body had been looking for the kistune for about two months. Tanjirou recovered very quickly and despite Shinobu's protests, he also participated in the search. 

Tanjirou wanted to meet the kistune himself, he was deeply intrigued by him and wanted to know why his smell was so familiar: he smelled the river, the calm and a bit of magic 

He was about to go in search of her again, and the sun was about to set, when Shinobu called out to him: 

-Tanjirou-kun! 

Tanjirou turned around and gave Shinobu a nervous smile 

-Shinobu-san, I... he began 

-I know very well what you're going to do and I'm going to repeat what I told you in my 100 times, you're still healing, rest and let the high-ranking officers look for this kistune !

-But Shinobu-san! I need to know who he is! Protesta Tanjirou, Please let me go one last time, I promise you after that I'll rest 

Shinobu thought for a moment and then sighed: 

-All right, but it's the last time 

-Thank you very much Shinobu-san! 

He left the butterfly field, but he didn't realize he didn't take Nezuko with him. 

-This kistune must prowl near or in the forests, he thought as he walked, that's where I'm most likely to come across it. 

He hadn't noticed the eyeball following him. 

At the Castle of Infinity: 

-"Lord Muzan," murmured Nakime, I have located the boy you were looking for, he is alone 

-Well send Douma to his position 

In the distance, Giyu had seen that Tanjirou was alone and had decided to follow him discreetly as last time 

-Please, he thought, don't let him fall on a demon 

He was perched on a branch of a tree and was watching the young man moving through the forest. 

Suddenly, Tanjirou felt that the air was getting cold as well as a strong smell of blood. He put himself in a fighting position and was about to draw his katana 

"Impressive, it seems that I have been spotted," hummed a voice behind him 

Tanjirou turned around and turned pale when he saw the kanji on the eyes of the demon 

-A upper moon! This number... it's the second one! 

-Let me introduce myself, I'm Douma, do you see I need your help to find a certain Kitsune 

-Oh no! Would the demons have discovered me?! Panicked Giyu

-What do you want from him?! Ask Tanjirou 

Douma smiles maniacally and launches his attacks 

Even in his normal state, Tanjirou could do nothing against a higher moon and was very quickly grounded. 

Douma chuckled softly and got closer to Tanjirou 

-What am I doing?! Reflects Giyu, if I do nothing Tanjirou will die and if I face this higher moon without my powers, I have very little to win but... Muzan will know where I am 

Douma raised one of his fans and prepared to finish Tanjirou 

Okay, I don't have a choice anymore 

Giyu came down from the tree and by the attack of Douma with such force that the latter retreated 

- Get away from him! 

Douma straightens up and seemed satisfied 

-So you're the kistune, I didn't expect you to be so powerful 

Behind Giyu, Tanjirou was breathing heavily, seeing the kistune more carefully, remembered who owned the smell 

-That smell... I remember it now, it's Giyu-san's! 

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Chapter 7 : Explanations and Revelations 🦊😔🌊

-Get away from him! 

-This smell... it's that of Giyu-san !

Tanjirou could not believe it: Giyu Tomioka, his savior, his brotherly figure and that of his friends is not human! 

Tanjirou could not see clearly but could discern some details: Giyu had black fox ears whose end was blue. It also had three tails in the lower back with colors similar to those of these ears 

-Are you the Kistune? Fredonna in a honeyed voice that made Tanjirou want to vomit, I didn't think it would be so easy to attract you 

Despite Douma's taunts, Giyu kept an indecipherable face, but Tanjirou could feel the anger emanating from him just like Shinobu's. 

-You don't say anything? Douma continued with a smile that was meant to be sweet, maybe if I kill the boy you will find the floor again. 

Giyu's eyes narrowed and he clenched his fists. Then suddenly he rushed to the upper moon, the blade of his unsheathed katana 

Douma and Tanjirou's eyes widened in front of Giyu's speed. Douma para Giyu's attack but as last time, he retreated under the power of the blow. 

The two fighters began to exchange blows of extreme power, their movements of inhuman precision. Douma was trying to inflict injury on Giyu, but it was clear that he was at a disadvantage. Giyu, on the other hand, seemed to effortlessly dodge his opponent's every attack while ensuring that none of them touched Tanjirou who was still on the ground 

Tanjirou could barely keep up with the pace of the fight and could only observe with a mixture of surprise and admiration: 

- Unbelievable! He manages to compete with a demonic moon, of a higher rank! He even manages to get the upper hand on his opponent! Reflecting the Young Slayer 

At one point, Giyu saw an opening in Douma's posture (* Tanjirou comes out of this body!) And he managed to cut off the demon's head. 

Douma's body sags to the ground as his head rolls to the ground 

-How is that possible?! Thinks Douma as it disintegrates, the kistune would be a member of the Killers?! Muzan-sama's worries were right! 

 The head of Douma disappeared and  Giyu put away his katana and then turned to Tanjirou who had a harder and harder time staying conscious. He squatted in front of him :

- G'y'-san... he tried faintly 

-Hush, said Giyu softly as he placed his index finger on his mouth, it'll be okay now 

His wounds caught up with him and Tanjirou fainted again 

Giyu sighed and then placed an arm under Tanjirou's back and under his knees and carried him like a bride. And without a look back, he disappeared with the teenager 

Muzan summoned the upper moons again. Douma had failed in his mission and was now dead. Honestly, Muzan expected it a bit, Douma wasn't serious enough and was going to fail in the end. Normally, this should have made him angry, but luckily, Douma didn't make himself totally useless before he died: now he knew that the kistune was part of the Demon Killer Corps 

Kokushibou and Akaza appeared before him:

-Did you ask us Muzan-sama? 

-Douma is dead, he announced, but now I know that the kistune is a demon slayer

-What should we do in this case? Ask Akaza 

-For the moment, let's wait and watch, we have to watch carefully the actions of the Body 

When Tanjirou woke up, he was at first confused. Then suddenly, the latest events came to his mind: 

-Giyu-san is the Kistune! Does he say a little too loud 

Shinobu suddenly entered the room and stared at him with a look that meant "I warned you" 

-Before you say anything, the master to ask to see you 

Moments later, he was there, sitting in the meeting room with the other hashiras and his friends 

-"Tanjirou," Kagaya began softly, "will you tell us what happened to you?" 

-Well, to put it simply, I know who the kistune is 

Giyu's heart made a big leap and he began to panic 

The hashiras began to ask a lot of questions to Tanjirou who began to babble 

Kagaya raised an index finger and the assembly Stop talking 

-Uh thank you, well the kistune smells the same as Giyu-san 

Silence fell in the room and all eyes were on Giyu. 

-C... It's not possible, Muichiro whispered as he broke the silence 

Giyu looked down and looked at his sleeves 

-What am I doing? He thought, if I deny they will be suspicious but would be too dangerous for them to know 

-Tomioka-san, is that true? Ask Shinobu 

-No I have to do it 

He looked up at them: 

-Yeah, it's true, it was me 

He took his stone out of his collar and a bright blue light enveloped Giyu, forcing them to cover their eyes. When they could see clearly, they were shocked: 

Giyu stood in front but he was very different: he had ears and three fox tails again, he was bare feet but white stripes covered them up to his toes. He had black pants torn on the edges that went up to his ankles, he wore a white top that left his left shoulder with half-long sleeves. Its top was covered with waves, it seemed to have fangs but they had nothing to do with those of demons but looked like those of a fox. 

Giyu was now looking at them with an embarrassed look :

-Um, I can explain everything 

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Chapter 8: Looking at the past 🕛🦊

-Um... I can explain everything 

Everyone in the room was speechless at what they had just seen. The most shocked were undoubtedly the hashiras, which was understandable in itself: 

Who would believe that Tomioka Giyu, the most inexpressive and associal man in the country or even in the world with more than questionable clothing tastes (remember haori) Wasn't it human?! Half fox! 

As for the children, they were surprisingly extremely calm about it. Although a little shocked: they had always sensed since their first meeting with him that Giyu was different 

Kagaya had always felt that Giyu was hiding something deep inside him, but he didn't think that would be so important: he had heard about the kistunes and knew that they too had suffered horrible suffering because of the demons that had managed to make them disappear. He understood why Giyu had hidden his true nature from all 

After a few more minutes of silence, the room exploded in various reactions: 

-What the fuck ?! 

-It's flashy! 

-It's impossible... 

-Incredible  

-Was it him?! 

Kagaya raised his index finger again and the room became silent again: 

-"Giyu, my child," he said softly, "can you please explain to us?" 

-Well... uh, as you must have noticed, I'm a kistune and if I've been hiding it for so long it's because... 

Before he could finish his sentence, a huge impact against the wall was heard: 

-But what's going on?! Paniqua Senjuro by clinging to Kyojurou who surrounded him with his arms 

A thick cloud of smoke entered the room and before anyone could react, the world became dark 

When they all realized it, they were in a room that looked so much like the Ubuyashiki Domain meeting room that they wondered if they were still in the same place 

- Hey! Inosuke suddenly intervened, what's that thing in the middle?! 

They all looked at the strange object that Inosuke was pointing at 

-"This thing looks a lot like the movie screens you can find in Tokyo," Tengen said. 

-Where are we? Ask Genya 

Before someone has time to answer him, a voice rang from above :

-Don't worry, you're here to look at a past that will bring you all the answers you need 

They froze and tried to find the origin of the voice 

-Who are you? Obanai asked with suspicion 

-My name doesn't matter, you have nothing to fear from me, just like you I wish more than anything the disappearance of all the demons 

-Why should we believe you? Questioned Aoi 

-It's simple, if I wanted to hurt you, I would have killed you before you woke up 

-"Very good," said Kagaya, I believe you. 

-Are you sure master? Questioned Sanemi 

-Yes, I feel that he is sincere, from whom are we going to look at the past? 

-Giyu Tomioka, So you'll have all the information you need to know about him 

The person concerned stiffened a little and swallowed nervously 

-Sit down comfortably, you will know the importance of the last kistune, Himejima-san, Ubuyashiki-sama, You will be able to benefit from the view 

He had a snap of his finger followed by two pantings 

-It's been years since I've seen a face, murmured Gyomei 

-Thank you. 

-It's all natural 

The children went to settle next to Giyu while the hashiras completed the remaining places .Once everyone was installed, the screen turned on. 

Footsteps are heard in the snow as well as panting, the sound of fox tails grazing in the snow. On the screen, you can see Yusuke Tomioka with his wife Yumiko Tomioka and his two children: Tsutako 15 and Giyu 7. 

Giyu's breath was stuck in his throat, Oh no, he thought. They were going that cursed night when he had lost his parents, that night he sometimes saw again in his nightmares 

-Who are these people? Ask Shinobu 

-Oh my God, they're hurt! Misturi cried when he saw the blood on them 

-"They're my parents," said Giyu, with his head down

Everyone turned to Giyu 

-C... these are your parents Tomioka... haleta Uzui as he turned pale 

-Hurry! Yusuke exclaimed, He's behind us! 

-Who's chasing you? Ask Zenitsu 

We see Yumiko's ears straightening up 

-Watch out! She cries out as she pushes her husband out of the path of the attack  

Unfortunately, the attack is too fast and Yusuke's arm is ripped off 

-Dad! Exclaims Giyu and Tsutako 

They all turn around to see Muzan Kibustsuji rush towards them 

Mitsuri covers his mouth in horror while Sanemi swears. Giyu, on the other hand, looks away from the screen. He doesn't want to see his family being slaughtered again. Tanjirou puts a hand on his shoulder to comfort him .

-Dad let me use my powers to heal you, implore Giyu with tears in his eyes 

-No, we don't have a choice, I just have enough strength to teleport two people 

- Healing? Teleporter? Question Muichiro 

-I was born with the power to care for others while my father could teleport people, says Giyu 

-No! We can all get away with it! Tsutako 

-Children, try Yumiko, if we do nothing we will all die 

-But there must be a way! Insists Giyu as tears run down his cheeks 

The most sensitive already let their tears flow, they had hardly begun and everything was already going badly 

-We love you, whisper Yusuke, crying 

-No! Crying siblings as a bright light envelops them both and takes them away from Muzan, and away from their parents 

-These bastards of demons, Sanemi grumbled 

"It's awful," sniffs Misturi 

-"May your parents rest in peace Tomioka," said Himejima, weeping 

-That's why Muzan must be wiped out, Kagaya thought as he frowned 

The two children landed in the snow in the middle of the forest 

-No! Sobbing Giyu as he straightens up 

Tsutako hugs him and also starts crying 

There was also a festival of tears in the room: Giyu who could no longer contain his sadness began to cry and was squeezed by Tanjirou, Zenitsu and Inosuke while Sanemi looked at him with sadness , Misturi sobbed openly and was in the arms of Shinobu and Iguro, Kyojurou held Senjuro against him while he shed tears, Sanemi meanwhile tried to comfort Genya and Kanao and Aoi were crying tightly against each other. 

-Hey! Intervint Uzui, let us take a break 

-Heard  

Chapter Text

After a few minutes of the most sensitive ones catching their breath, Sanemi approached Giyu: 

-Hey? Are you okay? You're holding on? 

-"Yes, thank you Shinazugawa-san," Giyu answered, sniffing, "I just didn't think it would be so hard to see my parents die" 

-If you need me here

"Thank you," Giyu smiled faintly. 

- Ara~ara,I didn't think you'd care so much about Tomioka-san, the teasing Shinobu, but he's right, we're here if you need us 

Sanemi blushed and muttered something that looked like "Fuck you Kochou" 

"Hmm, excuse me, can we get back to the reaction now?"

"Yes," said Kagaya, you can go there 

After a few minutes in the snow, Tsutako straightened up: 

-Come on little brother, we've got to go 

Giyu nodded by sniffing and also stood up and followed her 

After a few minutes, they arrived at a house at the exit of the forest 

-How did you know where to go? Ask Aoi 

-My ancestors owned several houses protected by many ancient protection spells, arranged all over the country to hide demons and Muzan from us, Giyu explained 

-It's pretty much the same system that we use to hide the Ubuyashiki estate and the blacksmith village 

-It's very smart, loua Kyojurou 

When Tsutako opened the door of the house, all the protective spells went on, making her invisible to the eyes of demons. The house had two bedrooms separated by a corridor as well as a bathroom and a kitchen. The futons inside the rooms were already out, almost as if the house was waiting for them. 

-Your ancestors were very farsighted Tomioka, Plaisanta Tengen

"It's very impressive," says Misturi

Um, magic is practical, thought Obanai 

On the kitchen counter, there was a purse containing enough money to hold them for at least 3 years maximum 

-They had really thought of everything, whispered Tsutako as he laid the purse, and I who thought Mom was exaggerating when she explained how the hidden ones worked 

So much foresight is almost frightening, thought Muichiro 

It seems that kitsunes are as clever as the legends said, thinks Kagaya 

-Okay, it's time to sleep, we need to regain our strength 

Giyu nodded but firmly clutched his sister's kimono: 

-Nee-san? Would you like to sleep with me tonight? I don't want to be alone 

Misturi's heart broke when he heard this. Giyu made him think of his siblings when they were afraid 

Tsutako squatted at Giyu's height and looked at him with sad eyes: 

-Of course  

The two were now squeezed together in the futon: 

-Say Nee-san? Do you think we'll always have to run away from demons? 

Sanemi clenched his fists when he heard Giyu ask this question. No one in the world should have to run away from these fucking demons. Knowing that Giyu had to live constantly in fear of being chased by demons gave him one more reason to hate them 

-Don't worry Giyu I'll kill all those damn demons for you, he thought 

-You know, Mom once told me about an organization that kills demons, and you don't live very far from one of the members. He lives on Mount Sagiri I think. I'm sure one day they will defeat Kibustsuji and that day we will never have to flee again 

-"It's true Giyu-san," agreed Tanjirou, we will defeat Muzan 

-Yeah! Added Inosuke, we'll slaughter him! 

Giyu Smiles Slowly at Them

-Really? 

-Absolutely! 

Jump in time of 2 years: 

Giyu was now 9 years old and Tsutako 17, they often came to the village where they were appreciated by the locals. One day, when he was out, he was confronted with his worst nightmare: a dog. 

-Seriously? Renifla Zenitsu, a dog? 

Giyu pouted and turned away 

Kanao and Aoi laughed softly 

Giyu recoiled cautiously but stumbling and fell, the dog was getting closer when a voice called to him: 

-Taro! Don't attack people! 

Giyu looked up and saw a young man at least a year older than Tsutako reaching out to him: 

-Are you okay? Didn't he hurt you? 

-Who is that? Genya and Senjuro at the same time 

"It must be important," assumed Gyomei 

-This is my sister's fiancé, Hiro. 

-WHAT ?!

Chapter Text

-This is my sister's fiancé, Hiro. 

-WHAT ?!

The room was silent; as a result of this statement, they may not have expected this response. But if you think about it, it's true that Giyu's sister was a very beautiful person and it would be rather surprising if she wasn't courted by someone. 

Tanjirou was the first to speak again: 

-Well, it's not a conventional way to meet someone. 

-Nee-san liked to joke about it, reminds Giyu 

I can imagine the scene indeed, thinks Gyomei 

-N... no, Giyu's pamper as he takes Hiro's hand, thank you. 

-All the better, smiles the young man, excuse him, he doesn't usually attack anyone 

-It's nothing 

-Let me take you home, that's the least I can do 

-Hiro-san is a very helpful person, says Aoi 

-A true gentleman, adds Misturi 

They both set off and after a few minutes of walking Hiro started talking :

-I just realized I didn't introduce myself, I'm Hiro Kamishiro  

-Giyu Tomioka 

-Tell me Giyu, who are you living with? 

- With my older sister, Tsutako, he said sadly, thinking briefly of his parents 

The room became tense again at these words and everyone looked at Giyu with sadness and compassion 

Poor Giyu, he must have suffered more than anyone in this room, thought Kagaya 

-Tsk, those damned demons, I'll kill you all if you try to touch it again, muttered Sanemi 

-Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't think it was a sensitive topic, he apologized 

-It's okay you couldn't know 

After a few more minutes of walking, Giyu and Hiro finally arrived. They were immediately challenged by a worried Tsutako: 

-Giyu! Where were you?! I was so worried 

-Ara~ara, the worry of the big sisters, Kanae too was like that when I came home late from a mission, sighs nostalgic Shinobu 

Kanao turns to her and hugs her 

-Gomen Nee-san, murmura Giyu en baissant les yeux 

Hiro cleared his throat: 

-Excuse me it's my fault, my dog escaped my vigilance and scared your brother 

-I see, and who are you? 

-I'm Hiro Kamishiro and I proposed to Giyu to accompany him, He said, looking up at Tsutako 

At that moment, their eyes grew and it was as if time had stopped :

- Ah, love! Think Kyojurou smiling 

-It's so wonderful, I'll pray for their love to last, dreams Himejima 

"C...it's nothing," said Tsutako, blushing after a short silence 

-B... well I'll go home now 

-My god, They remind me so much of Iguro and Kanroji, sneering Tengen 

Obanai shoots him with his eyes and seems ready to commit murder 

He turned around and took a few steps before turning around: 

-Would you be available next week Tsutako-san? He asked timidly, blushing even more 

-Hey, Monitsu ! Why are they so red?! Inosuke Request  

-Have you ever heard of love? Amazed by Muichiro 

-Why are you asking me this question? 

Maybe because you make that expression most often, Genya thinks 

-Uh no 

-Would you be willing to go out with me? 

Tsutako turned to Giyu who nodded 

-Good Tuesday at 2pm? 

-It's perfect, smiles Hiro 

Hiro left and Giyu gave his sister a smirk 

-Oh shut up, she said, ruffling her hair 

1 year time jump :

It's been 1 year since Tsutako and Giyu met Hiro. He and Tsutako were dating and he even ended up proposing to her 

-Really?! Congratulations, smiles Senjuro 

-It's fantastic, added Tanjirou 

-Wonderful! Says Misturi 

It was the day before the wedding and Giyu was coming home with Hiro shortly after the start of the night: 

-You know Giyu I can take you home, I'm worried you're going home alone 

-Don't worry, go rest, tomorrow is the big day, smiles Giyu 

-All right, but be careful, okay? 

-Promise! 

I'll have to follow him just in case, thought Hiro 

Forgive me Hiro, you shouldn't have followed me, Think sadly Giyu 

Giyu felt Hiro's presence behind him and sighed when suddenly he felt a demonic presence behind him 

Everyone in the room tensed up and the atmosphere became heavy 

Please no, don't let that happen, think Tanjirou

-No, it's not possible, how could they have found us so quickly? 

Giyu made many detours, determined to sow his pursuer. After several minutes he no longer felt the presence and hastened to return home 

Unfortunately he did notice the second demonic silhouette following him from afar 

-Shit, Jura Sanemi  

If I had been more careful I would have seen it and Tsutako would still be alive, thinks Giyu with regret 

As he was about to go through the defense spell, a mighty arm squeezed his chest and a hand covered his mouth: 

-Hmmpf! haleta Giyu who transformed in shock 

-Oh damn! Jure Tengen by leaping up 

My whole room burst into chaos until Himejima claps his hands and the whole room is silent 

-Thank you Gyomei, said Kagaya who had blocked his ears, my children calm down Giyu is here with us and he's fine so all we can do is watch and learn as much as possible 

-Well Oyakata-sama, said all the hashiras in unison 

 Giyu immediately began to struggle with what only made the demon tighten his grip on him: 

-What a disappointment I thought the Kitsunes were smarter than that 

Giyu looked up and met the look of the upper moon 1 Kokushibou 

-What was the first upper moon and you survived?! Exclaims Misturi shocked 

-Did you manage to catch him? Kokushibou turned and his accomplice was seen: Douma , the second upper moon 

-My god, the upper moon one and the upper moon two, whispers Obanai, it's a miracle that he survived 

-Okay, what are we going to do? Muzan-sama told us to bring him one Kitsune, what are we going to do with the other? 

-We don't need her, you can kill her if you want 

-Is that true?! Can I?! Are you sure Kokushibou-dono?! 

Shinobu clenches his fists and a vein comes out of his forehead. Not only did this demon kill his sister, but he also killed Giyu's. 

A hand lands on her shoulder and sees Giyu looking at her sadly 

-Don't worry Kochou, he whispers, I killed him 

Shinobu looks at him a few seconds before tears flow from his eyes: 

"Thank you Tomioka-san," she said, hugging him, thank you very much Tomioka-san 

-It's nothing, you can call me Giyu 

-All right, in that case you can call me Shinobu, She Smiles 

A Friendship Was Born 

-No, no... Giyu thought as he struggled harder  , It can't... it doesn't have to happen! 

Suddenly an explosion of water arose between the two demons: 

-Let go of him immediately! Rugit a Voice 

You can see Tsutako in her Kitsune shape, she wears black hakama pants and a top of different shades of blue that look swirled. Just like his brother, his tails and ears are black with blue extremities. His feet are shod with traditional black sandals 

-But it's in the nature of the Kitsunes to be so flamboyant?! Pleasant Tengen to relax the atmosphere 

-Douma, take care of her 

-Very good Kokushibou-dono 

The fight between Douma and Tsutako lasts a few moments before Hiro arrives: 

-Tsutako! Giyu! But what's going on?! 

-No! He must go quickly! Panic Misturi 

"Here you?" We have a surprise guest 

Douma reveals a row of icy peaks that pierces Hiro 

-MOTHER FUCK**, swears Sanemi

-Noooo! Hurle Tsutako 

Taking advantage of the opening in his opponent's defense, Douma stabs Tsutako in the chest 

Giyu chokes a sob when he sees his sister being stabbed and Sanemi takes her hand 

Giyu's eyes light up and a huge wave overwhelms Douma and Kokushibou, which knocks them out. Giyu falls to his knees and realizes that he has unlocked a new power 

Woah, Giyu-san is extremely powerful, thinks Tanjirou marveled 

Giyu rushes to her dying sister: 

-Don't worry Nee-san I'll save you! Does he pant trying not to cry 

-No, Giyu it's too late, whispered Tsutako, tears flowing from his eyes 

-No! No! You can't die too! Supplie Giyu 

Everyone watched the scene sadly, some crying at the cruelty of demons 

-Gomen Nasai Giyu, but you have to flee, go to Mount Sagiri, I can teleport you there with my last strength 

A blue glow covered Giyu and before it completely disappeared Tsutako haleta: 

-Giyu... aishiteru 

And Giyu disappeared 

-Tomioka let your sister and Hiro-san rest in peace, says Himejima 

We see Giyu landing hard on the snow and getting up painfully by wiping his tears 

But after a few minutes of walking, he faints in the snow when he sees a tengu mask and a man 

-You can take a break if you need to, said the voice, I'll do it again once you're all ready 

A suivre...

Chapter Text

-Honestly, Tomioka, I never would have believed you had such a shitty life, said Uzui. 

-Not only that, but now I also have a new level of hatred for demons, added Kyojuro.

-That's so awful! I could never imagine the same thing happening to my family,’ sniffed Mitsuri, who was still crying in Obanai's arms. How did you manage to hold on after all that?!

Giyu, not knowing how to respond, remained silent. Sanemi rose from his seat and stood in front of him:

-Tomioka? I would like to apologise for the way we all treated you over the years. We mistook your silence and grief for indifference and contempt, and we were all real jerks to you.

-It's true,’ admitted Obanai. ‘We always thought you thought you were better than us, and we didn't think our words could hurt you, and we apologise for that.’

The other Hashiras may not have expressed it as well, but they all felt the same way. They nodded in agreement with their words.

Now Giyu didn't really know what to say in response. For years, he had tried to build walls around himself in the hope that his past would no longer haunt him, even if it meant distancing himself from everyone else. It was a small price to pay for the certainty that no one could accept him for who he really was. That's why he didn't want to risk having friends anymore. Not after Sabito. Then suddenly, he remembered an argument he had had with Sabito and the words he had said afterwards (this is taken from the French version of the manga, so apologies if they are not entirely correct): Take up the torch, Giyu!

He finally raised his head after a long silence:

-I accept your apology, but I also want you to know that I don't hold it against you,’ he replied, smiling gently at them. 

Sanemi gave him a bright smile, while Obanai smiled slightly beneath his mask. 

-Right, now that's all sorted, let's pick up where we left off.’

Giyu woke up with a start and looked around frantically:

-‘Where am I?’ he wondered. ‘How did I get here?’

Suddenly, memories of the previous night came flooding back, and he felt tears welling up in his eyes:

-‘Tsutako-nee, Hiro-san, I'm sorry.’

-‘Giyu, my child,’ Kagaya interjected. ‘Nothing that happened is your fault.’

-‘That's right, Giyu-san,’ added Tanjirou. You could never have predicted that Muzan would find you so quickly. 

-‘On top of that, you were alone against the two most powerful Upper Moons,’ Shinobu added soothingly. It's a miracle you managed to escape them. 

-‘That's true, but I wish I could have used my powers to save my sister,’ Giyu murmured regretfully. 

He carefully observed the room he was in: it was a small, simple hut with the bare necessities for living; it seemed that only one or two people lived there.

Suddenly, the door opened and Giyu retreated to a corner of the room. He saw a boy with peach-coloured hair who looked to be his age or a little older, with a large scar on his cheek and lilac eyes.

Giyu's breath caught in his throat when he saw Sabito:

-‘My God, I'd forgotten how handsome he was,’ he thought. ‘His character is very similar to Sanemi's, and they both have the same beautiful lilac eyes.’

-‘Who is he?’ asked Senjuro. ‘There's something familiar about him.’

-‘He looks important,’ Kanao remarked. 

-‘Hey, but he's wearing the same haori as Demi-Haori!’ observed Inosuke. He turned to Giyu and said, ‘He stole your style!’

-Oh, if only you knew, thought Giyu gloomily. 

-Urokodaki-sensei! He's awake!’ cried the boy, running outside. He returned a few seconds later with an old man wearing a tengu mask. 

Giyu moved even further away from them, breathing heavily: 

-‘Who are you?! What do you want from me?!

-Calm down, said the old man. ‘You're safe here. Let me introduce myself: I'm Urokodaki Sakonji, and this is my student, Sabito.’ 

-I've always wondered why Urokodaki-san wears that mask, Tanjirou remarked. 

‘I heard a rumour that he wears it because his features are so gentle that the demons he had to kill laughed at him,’ Gyomei explained.

-I found you unconscious in the snow,’ continued Urokodaki. ‘May I ask how you ended up there?’

Giyu lowered his eyes and took a deep breath:

-My sister... she's...’

He couldn't finish, but his silence spoke for him. 

Poor Tomioka-san, thought Mitsuri. 

Urokodaki said nothing for a few minutes, then spoke again:

-‘You were injured when I found you, so there's a good chance your sister was killed by a demon.’ 

No kidding, Sherlock, thought Sanemi ironically. 

Grandpa's really perceptive, thought Genya. 

Sabito suddenly spoke up: 

-You could train with me. He can stay, can't he, Urokodaki-sensei?’ 

-It's up to him to decide if he wants to become a demon slayer,’ Urokodaki reprimanded firmly. ‘It's not an easy life choice.’

-It's true that choosing a path full of death and sacrifice is not easy,’ Kyojuro agreed. ‘It requires a great deal of thought.’ 

-I want to,’ Giyu suddenly interrupted. 

Urokodaki and Sabito turned to him, a glint of determination in his eyes. 

-I would like to become your student, Urokodaki-san.’ 

-I have to do this, for Mum, Dad, Hiro-san, and for you too, Tsutako-nee,’ he resolved.

He has a lot of courage to want this after what happened to him, Zenitsu thought admiringly. 

Muzan took my biological brother and now he wants to hurt my new brother, Muichiro thinks furiously. Don't worry, Nii-san, I'll roast him in the sun for you if I have to. 

Urokodaki sighed while Sabito smiled broadly. 

-Very well, I accept.’ What is your name? 

-Giyu. Tomioka Giyu.’ 

-You are now my new student, Tomioka Giyu.’ 

Two years later:

It had been two years since Giyu met Sabito and Urokodaki. Giyu and Sabito had formed a strong bond and secretly harboured feelings for each other. It was now the eve of the Final Selection, and they had both just finished cutting their rocks. Having insisted on training a little longer, night had fallen and the two boys were now lying down, gazing at the stars. 

-You were actually in love with each other and didn't know it?!’ exclaimed Mitsuri, surprised. 

You're in no position to talk, given your situation with Iguro and Kocho,’ thought Sanemi.

-Let's just say we were a little clumsy,’ admitted Giyu shyly, blushing. 

Like you and Shinazugawa now, Uzui mused.

-You know, Yuu,’ Sabito began. ‘There's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time.’

-Me too,’ Giyu confessed.

‘Kyaa, they're so cute together!!!’ Mitsuri screamed inwardly.

‘What do you want to tell me?’ he asked, sitting up. 

‘Promise me you won't tell anyone, not even Urokodaki-sensei.’ 

‘All right, but why?’ he said, growing increasingly confused. 

"Oh! You're going to reveal that you're a kitsune! Shinobu realised. 

‘He's the only person I've told, and as you can see, he hasn't told anyone else (not that he could in his condition),’ he thought sadly. 

Giyu took out his stone and a blue glow enveloped him. Sabito blinked and saw Giyu in his original form. He stared at him, speechless, not knowing what to say. Giyu returned to his normal appearance and then seemed to regain his voice:

-‘What?! But what?!’

-‘I promise we'll talk about this after the Final Selection, but for now, don't say anything to anyone.’

-‘All right, but you're going to have some serious explaining to do.’ 

Tanjirou looked sadly at the screen, being one of the only ones who knew what was going to happen.

If only...

The Selection passed, but unfortunately Sabito was dead. Giyu cried and cried. To ease his grief, he took half of Sabito's haori and half of Tsutako's haori and sewed them together. He also promised himself that he would never get attached to anyone again and would remain alone. He trained very hard and eventually became a Hashira. All this while hiding his true nature and who he really was.

The screen went blank and the voice spoke again:

-Now that you have all this information, I will reveal the reason why Muzan Kibutsuji is hunting Giyu Tomioka. A thousand years ago, it was prophesied that he would conquer the sun if he managed to seize the sacred stone of the last of the Kitsunes. That is why he has slaughtered hundreds of Kitsunes.

-That bastard,’ swore Sanemi. 

-We can't let him get his hands on Giyu,’ said Kagaya. ‘He would become unstoppable.’ 

-Unfortunately, he has found his trail, and you are the only ones who can stop him. The rest is now in your hands. 

There was another flash, and they were teleported back to the Ubuyashiki estate they had left. Kagaya turned to the group of people, who were still in shock, and declared: 

-Emergency meeting. Now.’

Chapter Text

A few minutes after being brought back to the Ubuyashiki estate, the Hashiras and the Kamaboko Squad had been waiting for a few minutes, still thinking about what they will learn. And Giyu was undoubtedly the most upset: he was literally the key that allows Muzan to resist the sun! That's why he was determined to pursue him! For now, they didn't really have a plan, and he and everyone else knew he wouldn't stop until he caught up with him. Unfortunately for them, the Demon King had all his time .

In short, there was no solution and they were undoubtedly condemned .

Although... Yes! They had a solution, but... it was, so to speak, extreme. He should die. Call him a sacrificial idiot, but if his life was the price to pay for the certainty that at least Muzan would not become insensitive to the sun, he was willing to pay for it without hesitation. 

Honestly, what is my life compared to this? he asks

In any case, being a demon slayer, an extra Hashira, meant that he had to be willing to sacrifice his life for others, and if that was the way things should end, so be it. After a few more minutes, Kagaya finally returns to the room. All eyes were on him, and everyone was waiting for his words. The tension was palpable; everyone was aware of the gravity of the situation and felt a mixture of fear, apprehension and anxiety. Kagaya felt the tension in the room and knew how important his next words would be. For the first time since he took command of the army of the Killers, he hesitated: never in a thousand years had they been confronted with such a situation, and he was totally unaware of the turn that would take events.

Children, I know you're all still reeling from what we've just learned, but we all need to pull ourselves together quickly because it's a serious business and there's no time to lose.

He turned to Giyu, who had been staring at him with apprehension since the beginning of the meeting (it was Giyu who looked at Kagaya like this, not the other way around). Kagaya looked back at him, nervous, and addressed him:

Giyu, as you know, Muzan is looking for you and stalking you, because you are the only one who can help him achieve his goal: resist the sun. But we have a problem: I can't let the Body lose a Pillar in these troubled times, because the demons have mysteriously withdrawn, and I am convinced that this is related to our current situation. So we don't have a concrete plan at the moment.

That's not quite true, Giyu thought.

-Oyakata-sama, I have a solution that would solve the problem once and for all, says Giyu.

« What is your plan, my child?" asked the man.

Giyu didn't know what to say at that moment. He already knew that many would protest, but when they saw that it was the only alternative, they would have to accept it. He looked up and noticed that everyone was watching him.

What could his plan be? Sanemi wondered. He said it would solve the problem for good, but I don't really see how... Wait! No! That's not possible!! His eyes widened in realisation, which turned into a look of horror.

-You're not seriously thinking that, are you?!’ he exclaimed, making everyone jump. ‘You're crazy if you think that I or anyone else here would let you do that!’

Giyu gasped when he realised that Sanemi had understood his plan before he could tell the others.

‘What do you mean, Shinazugawa-san?!’ Mitsuri asked fearfully. 

‘That idiot plans to die, thinking it will fix the situation!’ 

The room suddenly descended into chaos, with protests coming from all sides:

‘WHAT?!’

‘That's out of the question!’

‘Are you crazy?!’

The room descended into utter chaos, with some of the words becoming incomprehensible. Gyomei clapped his hands sharply, the sound echoing off the walls (and in everyone's ears). The room then fell silent once more.

Kagaya cleared his throat, and, although somewhat shocked by Giyu's plan, began to think about it seriously: it would certainly solve their problem instantly, but the solution was a little extreme and, honestly, was it really the only alternative? 

No, he decided. Giyu shouldn't have to do that. No matter how long it takes, we'll find another solution. I won't allow another one of my dear Hashiras to die, especially not in this way.

-I have considered your proposal, Giyu, but I categorically refuse it. We will find another solution. Your death would certainly delay Muzan's plans, but it would not stop him. But it is also because none of us wants you to disappear. I think I know someone who is willing to help us, and she knows a great deal about Kitsunes.

Giyu was speechless: What?! Okay, it's true that it's brutal and he's not necessarily happy about it either, but couldn't they all see that it was the only way?!

He turned to the others for support, but no one defended his point of view. He then looked at Tanjirou, hoping that at least he would agree with him, but all he got was a sad look. Hurt and betrayed, Giyu got up and left the room, ignoring the voices calling after him.

Infinity Castle :

Muzan stood in front of his workbench, struggling with his thoughts. For the first time in a thousand years of existence, he didn't know what to do. He did not understand why he still had this human weakness of hesitation, when he had one of the essential pieces of the puzzle: he knew where to find the Kitsune. But it was also one of the reasons for his indecision: he was one of those unbearable demon-killers, a Hashira, what's more! 

He had sent back the upper moons while waiting to decide what to do, leaving only Nakime by his side. Suddenly, an idea came to her: centuries before, before she became a demon, she had heard of a very ancient and powerful object. His grandparents, priests, were among the few people who really knew the Kitsunes. 

Cautiously, she decides to tell her master about it. But she had to be very careful, because the slightest mistake would cost her her life. 

-My Lord ?

Muzan suddenly turns to her, surrounded by a murderous aura, furious at being interrupted in the midst of his thoughts: 

-What is so important that you dare to interrupt me, Nakime?! he growled. 

-Maybe I have a way to help you, my lord. 

- I'm listening to you, but I hope it's worth it. I won't hesitate to kill you if it turns out to be useless. 

A long time ago, I heard about an artifact called the Cursed Seal of Vishanti. This object was so powerful that it allowed its owner to control any Kitsune of his choice. However, alarmed by its power, it was sealed on Mount Satori, and only a privileged few knew its location. My family was among the few who knew. 

« I see where you're going. Just find that seal, and the Kitsune will do whatever I want." 

« Yes, not only will you be able to achieve your goal, but imagine: it was powerful enough to kill the second highest-ranking member. He could easily crush Ubuyashiki and the Killers." 

« Once again, Nakime, you have proved your efficiency against other grades. I need you to teleport Kokushibou here so I can give him this mission, and then you'll take him to Mount Satori." 

Nakime obeyed and after ordering Kokushibou to bring back the seal, Muzan devised his plan to bring the Kitsune under his control: 

He would send Akaza and Kokushibou to attack a village in order to attract the Hashiras. Once there, he would send them both back and appear. There, he would take control of the Kitsune and order it to eliminate the Hashiras, and then wait for the full moon to accomplish his goal. After that, he would crush Ubuyashiki and could finally enjoy a world free of all those odious demon slayers who were hunting him down and trying to stop him.

A few hours later, Kokushibou returns with the seal and hands it to him. When he takes it in his hand, he feels all his power pouring into him.

He sketched a big predatory smile and a rhyme of satisfaction.

He couldn't escape it anymore. 

Chapter Text

To say that Sanemi was anxious would be an understatement. He was literally on the verge of a panic attack. It had now been over 24 hours since Giyu had disappeared, and despite searching everywhere, he was simply nowhere to be found. Sanemi was already imagining the worst-case scenarios: what if he had already put his plan into action? Or worse, what if Muzan had captured him? Sanemi shuddered at the thought.

He had never admitted it to anyone, but he had begun to develop feelings for Giyu shortly after becoming a Hashira. From the first time he saw him, he was attracted to his beauty (you have to admit that Giyu is super handsome), but also to his calmness. If he always seems to be picking on Giyu, it's to hide his love for him. He did this for the same reason he decided to distance himself from Genya: their lifestyle was far too dangerous and you never knew when you might die. Perhaps he would confess to him once all the demons and Muzan were gone.

But he couldn't think like that right now; first, he had to find Giyu at all costs. Sourai led him to a clearing, and there he came across Kanzaburo, Giyu's crow.

If his crow is here, he must be here too, Sanemi thought.

-Sourai! Go warn the others! I found him!

The crow cawed and flew away. Sanemi crossed the clearing slowly, sensing a solemn atmosphere in this place. He finally found Giyu sitting on a rock in front of a statue representing a Kitsune. Looking further, he also saw other statues in the distance. Something about these statues made him feel uneasy; they seemed so... alive.

-Shinazugawa-san !

Sanemi turned his head and saw the other Hashiras arriving, concern etched on their faces. Sanemi put his index finger to his mouth, signalling them to remain silent, then they approached him:

‘Tomioka?’ Sanemi called softly.

Giyu turned his head towards them and looked at them impassively, his gaze empty.

‘I knew you were here from the start. My ears are sharp, and you're not very discreet for Hashiras.’

‘Giyu, why do you hate us so much?’ Shinobu asked.

‘You don't understand.’

‘What don't we understand?!’ Sanemi snapped. ‘You're talking about your stupid idea of sacrificing yourself!’

‘That didn't seem to bother you before! If you think my idea is stupid, take a look around you and say that to the Kitsunes around you!’ Giyu replied sharply. 

The Hashiras stiffened upon hearing this, reality hitting them hard. A knot formed in Sanemi's stomach. That was why these statues made him so uncomfortable: they were real Kitsunes! But what could have happened to them to end up like this?!

Seeing their horrified expressions, Giyu sighed and turned away from them.

"You are in the presence of the greatest Kitsune clan leaders. The statue in front of me is actually my ancestor, Yuri Tomioka. It was Muzan himself who stole his sacred stone, turning him and everyone else here into stone.

-How did this happen? Gyomei asked, beginning to pray for all the Kitsunes.

‘When the demons began slaughtering Kitsunes en masse, the clan leaders decided to sacrifice their lives to save their own. My parents showed my sister and me this place so that we could remember the sacrifice they made. I sometimes come here when I don't know what to do.’

-Is that why you wanted to sacrifice yourself, to honour the fact that they did it for the same reason as you? Tengen understood.

"Yes, I want to protect you more than anything, which is why I hid who I really was from you in the first place.

Unable to hold back any longer, Sanemi stepped forward towards Giyu with a determined stride and took both his hands in his own:

‘You have absolutely nothing to prove to anyone, you never have. If we don't want to let you go, it's because we care about you too. I'm sorry that all these years we made you think we didn't care.’  

-Shinazugawa, stammered Giyu, surprised by Sanemi's words, I...

‘There's something else I've always wanted to tell you,’ he continued, feeling his heart racing at the confession he was about to make. Giyu, I—

However, he was interrupted by a caw before he had time to add anything else. They looked up and saw Mitsuri's crow above them:

"Caw! Upper Moon! Upper Moons 1 and 3 are attacking the village of [random name because I have no idea]! All Hashiras must go there immediately! Caw!

Sanemi cursed his bad luck and poor timing, and they all set off. During their run, Giyu called out to Sanemi:

‘What did you want to tell me earlier?’ 

‘Nothing important, I'll tell you later,’ he replied, looking away, glad that the darkness hid his blush.

After what seemed like endless minutes of running, they finally arrived at the scene of the battle: Mitsuri, Muichiro, Kyojuro, and Obanai were already there, helping the Kamaboko Squad fight their opponents. Fortunately, the village had been evacuated, but the two upper ranks had already killed dozens of people before the Killers arrived.

Mitsuri and Kyojuro were helping Kanao and Genya fight Akaza, while Obanai, Muichiro, Tanjirou, Inosuke, and Zenitsu were facing Kokushibou. The four Hashiras were immensely relieved to see the reinforcements.

Giyu, Gyomei, and Sanemi joined the fight against Kokushibou, while Tengen and Shinobu went to support the others. Giyu immediately took his original form. The two upper moons immediately telepathically warned Muzan, informing him that his plan was working. The demon king smiled broadly and was teleported away by Nakime, taking the seal with him.

Muzan arrived in the middle of the two battles, and all the Slayers froze when they saw him appear. Akaza and Kokushibou were teleported away from the fight, leaving only Muzan behind. Giyu paled when he saw him, but his eyes widened in fear when he saw what he was holding in his right hand. Muzan smiled even more, realising that his opponent knew he had the advantage, and raised his hand. 

The seal immediately began to glow, and Giyu fell to his knees on the ground, clutching his head and screaming in pain. The other Hashiras panicked when they saw him on the ground and tried to reach him, but a violent shockwave threw them all away from Giyu. He began to levitate above the ground in a lying position, his eyes closed, his arms hanging back, rising higher and higher into the sky as a black mist enveloped him, gradually engulfing him completely.

Everyone watched helplessly and horrified as the younger ones, including Muichiro, rushed towards Giyu when he began to levitate, trying to help him. The black mist surrounding Giyu finally returned to the ground and began to dissipate. Giyu reached out his hand towards the Kamaboko Squad and unleashed a wave that threw them all violently against the debris or to the ground, knocking them unconscious. The Hashiras all gasped violently, then the mist disappeared completely and Giyu opened his eyes.

Except that his eyes were no longer their usual ocean blue, but blood red and devoid of pupils. His original form had also completely changed. On his clothes, where blue had once been, there was now red. His fangs were more like those of demons than before, but still retained the appearance of those of foxes. The tips of his tails were now red, as were the tips of his ears. His hair had also changed, the ends now red. Giyu looked at them all with a blank expression, his face showing no emotion. It wasn't Giyu, it was Giyu's body, but the Giyu they knew was no longer inside, only Muzan's control.

To say they were horrified would be the greatest understatement ever uttered. Mitsuri had her hand pressed over her mouth, Gyomei's tears were tears of horror, Tengen and Kyojuro had turned so pale they were practically white, while Shinobu and Obanai's eyes expressed pure terror. 

But the worst was Sanemi. He was on the verge of fainting. Never in his life had he felt such hatred as he felt for Muzan at that very moment. Not only had he been forced by his own fault to kill his mother after she killed his brothers and sisters, but now he had decided to corrupt Giyu, one of the purest people he had ever known (after his mother). He knew that Giyu would never forgive himself if he ever hurt or killed someone. 

-What did you do to him...? Sanemi asked furiously, turning to Muzan.

He smiled broadly but did not respond. He moved and found himself behind Giyu in the blink of an eye. 

‘If I were you, I'd enjoy the time I have left, because now that I have a genuine Kitsune entirely under my command, I'll finally be able to get rid of you,’ he said, taking Giyu's cheek in his hand, who didn't react in the slightest. Nakime! Bring us back!

-No! cried Sanemi, rushing towards them. 

I can't let this happen! I can't lose him too! Especially since I didn't have time to tell him how I feel! 

Unfortunately, they both disappeared before he could reach them. His hand closed around empty air and fell to the grass where they had been standing just seconds before. 

Sanemi and the Hashiras knew it clearly. With Giyu under his control, they could kill them all and conquer the sun.

Muzan had won.

And them? They had lost.