Chapter Text
Despite all appearances, Sanemi Shinazugawa could, in fact, read a room. Was he brash and hot-headed? Yes. Quick to anger and prone to explosive outbursts? Also, yes. He wouldn't deny that fact, nor could he ignore how his fiery temper often soured relationships with those around him. Yet there was one person who managed to pierce through that formidable armor of wrath: Kanae Kocho. For reasons beyond his understanding, Kanae could see past the towering wall of anger Sanemi had meticulously constructed over the years. She looked beyond the deep pain and self-loathing he wrestled with daily, recognizing him not just as a soldier in the fight against demons, but as a person deserving of compassion. Through her patience, she befriended him, and in time she reached his heart, leading him—rather unexpectedly—to fall in love with her as well.
However, therein lay his predicament. Next to him stood another part of Kanae's life that he couldn't ignore: her younger sisters, Shinobu Kocho and Kanao Tsuyuri, both of whom loved Kanae just as fiercely and unconditionally. While Sanemi had opened himself to one love, he found himself entangled in the sisters' affections. Shinobu, with her sharp wit and fierce demeanor, had developed a crush on Giyu Tomioka, the aloof and enigmatic Demon Slayer who often seemed to carry an air of superiority. His calm exterior and stoic nature irked Sanemi. As for Kanao, she harbored tender feelings for Tanjiro Kamado, the earnest, kind-hearted boy who carried the burden of a demon on his back. Directly challenging everything the Demon Slayer Corps stood for.
Giyu and Shinobu have been at this for a while, ever since the latter became a pillar. There has been this quiet, unspoken thing between them. Kanae had mentioned that he seemed far more open when Shinobu was involved. Sanemi thought she was seeing things, but it wasn't until after the Kamado' boy's trial that he really saw their relationship.
"Are you insane?" Shinobu shouted. "Seppuku! Seppuku! What is wrong with you? What were you thinking?" Her raised voice caught Sanemi and Kanae's attention.
"It was a worthy gamble, Kochou," Giyu said. "I knew what I was doing when I let her live."
"Sparing a demon, Tomioka?" Sanemi started, only for the younger Kocho to turn to him with a smile that could scare an upper rank into submission.
"Shinazugawa, this conversation doesn't concern you," she said sweetly—far too sweetly. "So why don't you go bother my sister like you always do and leave us alone?" Sanemi opened his mouth to respond, but Kanae quickly covered it. He looked at her, noticing the concern etched on her face as Shinobu turned back to Giyu, who had yet to move.
"As for you," she said, her words dripping with venom, "of all the foolish decisions you've made, you're willing to risk everything on the slim chance that this demon won't eat people?"
"You don't know Nezuko as I do," Giyu replied. "As Master Urokodaki said, she hasn't."
"Oh, good for you," Shinobu interrupted. "You speak of what you have seen, but what about what we've witnessed, Giyu? What happened to Yae? What about the countless others who have lost their lives?" She looked away, frustration evident on her face. "And you'd just throw all that away on a feeling."
"It's different this time," Giyu insisted. "Look, I'm sorry I attacked you. But I had to protect them. I promised my master I would"
"Oh, really?" Shinobu laughed bitterly. "This is pointless. You don't even seem to get what I'm talking about." She turned and walked away. "Don't follow me. I don't want to see you right now."
Sanemi remembered trying to follow the conversation. He wanted to say something to Giyu, but Kanae stopped him. She explained that they had never fought like that before and that it was best to let them both cool off to avoid making the situation worse. Naturally, he listened to her. Sanemi initially thought that this would be the end of Giyu and Shinobu's friendship, but he was proven wrong. The next day, they were laughing together as if nothing had happened, according to Kanae, Giyu, and Shinobu had talked things over again. She wasn't upset about him sparing a demon or the fight; she was angry because Giyu would be willing to give his life for the Kamados. Apparently, Giyu had shared with her what happened on that fateful day. It wasn't much, but as Kanae put it, it was a start. He didn't believe her, of course, not till he saw them again.
Shinobu was going on about something related to herbs. Giyu was just sitting there listening to or tuning her out; he didn't really know. "Oi Kochou," Sanemi called, hoping to get her to stop and maybe give Giyu a break from her rambling, and he needed to talk about something dealing with Kanae, but what shocked him was when he left.
"What was I talking about?"
"You were talking about how using the right medical herbs could quicken the healing process," Giyu said as Sanemi looked at him in shock.
"Oh, right," Shinobu went back on track as Sanemi noticed the small smile on Giyu's face.
It was then that Sanemi realized that it was only a matter of time before Giyu and Shinobu became an official couple, which was concerning. not for Shinobu, of course, no more, so for him.
It didn't help that soon he learned about what was going on between the Kamado boy and Kanae's youngest adoptive sister, Kanao. It was another day, months after Rengoku's death. Sanemi and Kanae had a moment to themselves. From their vantage point, they could see into the courtyard, where an interesting scene was unfolding. Tanjiro and Kanao were talking. Tanjiro did most of the talking, but now and then, Kanao would speak up, and Tanjiro would listen attentively.
"You know, ever since Shinobu brought him here, Kanao has been different," Kanae had said, pulling him from sight. "She seems more confident."
"How long has that been going on?" Sanemi asked. He's known Kanao for as long as he's been with Kanae, and in that time, the girl has said all but four words to him, yet here she was having a somewhat conversation. and with Kamado of all people
"I don't know," Kanae said in amazement, "but I'm happy we've been trying for so long, she's gotten better over time, far better than she was when she first came here, but now" Kanae looked back, seeing the bright smile on Kanao's face as she made a small gesture, getting a laugh from Tanjiro. "makes me wonder what I missed"
"You didn't miss anything," Sanemi told her. "In fact, you helped more than you know, but there's a change that comes when you fall in love with someone," Kanae simply gave him a knowing smile. "You remember my best friend Masachika." Kanae nodded. "He was like a brother to me. He wanted me to live my life, to be happy. I never understood what he meant, or how I should do it." He looked at Kanae. "At least till I fell in love with you. I get the feeling it's the same for her." Hearing this, Kanae smiled
"I guess you're right."
Love sucks, and it makes you stupid. But it also changes you, he knew that better than anyone. And it was the only reason he was doing this. Anyone with a brain could see that Shinobu and Giyu were crushing on each other. And as for Kamado and Kanao, it was small now, but the fact that she was changing so much meant that it was only a matter of time. Kanae's sisters were her world; he knew that. Their happiness would always come before hers; it came with being the oldest, something that he understood. He also understood that he was most likely the largest obstacle to his sister's happiness, and he needed to change that, even if it meant he hated it.
Sanemi didn't like Giyu; that was a fact. He also didn't really care for the Kamado boy either. But he loved Kanae more. No need to make Kanae worry about this fact; he would handle it now before anything could really take off, but the problem was that his people skills were terrible, even less so when it came to people he didn't like. Maybe that's why he found himself here in front of the only other person who would understand just where he was coming from.
"Sanemi" Ubuyashiki greeted him with a smile as warm as ever
"Master" Sanemi greeted, "I hope you're well."
"I'm doing fine, my child, better now that one of my children has graced me with a visit."
Those words always warmed Sanemi's heart and made what he was about to ask much easier. The master was the closest thing to a father, a real father he had ever had. "I umm have a request." Ubuyashiki smiled, gesturing to him to continue, "I was wondering if you could assign me, Tomioka, and Kamado on a mission together."
"Oh," Ubuyashiki could barely hide his shock. "Might I ask why you would request this?"
Sanemi swallowed a lump in his throat. "You see well, their thing is growing between them and Kanae's sisters. And well, I think it could get pretty serious soon."
"I see," Ubuyashiki said, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I had a sense that something was developing between Giyu and Shinobu," he started thoughtfully, "but to learn that Tanjiro and Kanao are also forging a connection fills me with joy." He looked over at Sanemi, giving him a knowing smile that hinted at deeper understanding. "However," Ubuyashiki continued, his expression turning curious, "I must admit I'm quite surprised that you would be the one to request this, Sanemi. Might I ask about the reason behind your decision?"
Sanemi sighed. "They're Kana's sisters, and I figure if anything does happen, and it will if Kanae has anything to say about it, I don't want to cause any further issues." he looked away. "You know that I don't think too fondly of Tomioka and the whole mess with Kamado and his sister."
"Did Kanae request this of you then?" Ubuyashiki asked
"No," Sanemi sighed, "believe it or not, master, I decided to do this all on my own."
"Then you have already taken an excellent first step, Sanemi." Ubuyashiki smiled at him. "The mere fact that you want to try even if it's for the sake of someone else speaks to your growth."
"I," Sanemi wanted to disagree, but couldn't; he knew that "I'm doing this cause I love her, and I know she loves her sisters."
"Still, most wouldn't be willing to find a common ground with others in the way you are, and I'm proud that you are making steps to ease tension between yourself and your fellow Hashira and young Tanjiro as well."
"Thank you," Sanemi said, smiling. "So you'll do it."
"I'll try, but I can't promise when," Ubuyashiki smiled
"Of course, it doesn't have to be difficult, just something to get us in one place." Sanemi bowed as he stood up,
"And one more thing, Sanemi." Sanemi stopped and turned. "A bit of advice that I want you to consider, we all carry our pain differently. Giyu and Tanjiro are no different. You may not understand it at first, and that's okay, so be persistent and patient."
"Patience isn't really my strong suit," Sanemi muttered
"I know," Ubuyashiki smiled. "But you are a good person, Sanemi, and I want you to keep that in mind while you attempt this."
"Of course, master." Sanemi nodded
It lasted longer than Sanemi would have liked, but it gave him time to reflect on the master's words and think about what he was about to do. He was seriously preparing for a mission with Tomioka and Kamado. "I'm doing this for Kanae," he repeated over and over in his head as he got his game plan together.
"You okay, man? You're staring at your food like it's a demon or something," Obanai commented.
"Nothing," Sanemi sighed. "Just—"
"A mission, there's a mission." A crow's voice interrupted as it landed next to Sanemi. "Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazagawa, you are to report for a mission with Water Hashira Tomioka Giyu and Tanjiro Kamado. Please report immediately to receive full mission details." Sanemi sighed; it seemed it was time to go.
"A mission with Kamado and Tomioka?" Obanai asked in shock, looking at Sanemi. "You don't look as angry as you normally would."
"Well, I can't be, seeing as it was my idea," Sanemi admitted.
"You what?" Obanai exclaimed. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Sanemi replied.
"Did Kanae put you up to this?" Obanai asked.
"Fair question, and no," Sanemi said.
"Then why?" Obanai inquired.
"Kanae didn't ask me to do this, but this is for her," Sanemi explained. Obanai raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Her little sister and Tomioka are going to be dating one day, and I figured I might as well try to make peace with the bastard."
"Kochou and Tomioka," Obanai asked in shock.
"Yeah, I was shocked to, but" Sanemi thought about the conversation he saw them having, how Giyu smiled at her, the smile she had while telling him about herbs or whatever, "there's something their Kanae sees it and unfortunately I've been forced to see it to, so instead of getting angry I'm going to extend some form of an olive branch" he looked at Obanai who still looked at him confused. "don't worry about it. It's one of those things you'll understand when you finally ask out Kanroji."
"I...I don't have a crush on Kanroji," Obanai shouted.
"Whatever you say, man," Sanemi chuckled, a playful grin spreading across his face. "I really have to get going now; let's catch up later." With that, he turned away, leaving Obanai standing there. Obanai let out a resigned huff, waving his friend off as he walked down the path. As he watched Sanemi disappear into the distance, his thoughts shifted to Kamado and Tomioka. He couldn't shake the curiosity about how they had reacted to the news; their expressions must have been a mix of disbelief and surprise. He imagined the shock on their faces, their eyebrows raised, mouths agape—as they processed what had just happened. Obanai was certain it had been a sight to behold.
In truth, Giyu's reaction was the same as everything else: "Giyu mission Giyu," he said, standing on top of a slyer's head, though it wasn't Giyu he was standing on; it was Shinobu.
"Tomioka-san, I think you have a mission," Shinobu laughed
"Giyu," the crow said again
"I'm over here, Kanzaburo," Giyu smiled as he petted the crow on the head
"Hey, I'm not your crows perch ya know," Shinobu snapped
"Where am I going, Kanzaburo?" Giyu asked
"Mission with Wind Hashira and Tanjiro, report to Wind Estate for the mission."
"With Shinazugawa," Giyu asked, confused throughout his entire time as a Hashira, he had never been assigned a mission with Sanemi. Normally, he's been assigned missions with Shinobu or Rengoku; then again, Rengoku was dead, so maybe the master had to switch things up. Sighing, he rose to his feet and got ready to leave. "Let's get this over with," he said as he started to leave his estate. 'At least Tanjiro will be there,' he thought to himself. 'It's been a while since I've checked in on him.' He stopped when Shinobu gripped his hand
"So you're just going to leave and not say goodbye," Shinobu teased, "no wonder you're disliked."
"I wasn't," Giyu muttered, "to be honest, I'd rather be on the mission with you." Hearing this, Shinobu's face turned red as she looked away.
"Well, don't rush on my account, not like I'm going to worry or anything," Shinobu said, trying to look away. Giyu said nothing, though his face did take the form of a smile, making Shinobu look to the ground. "Be careful, okay, I don't feel like having to patch you up again."
"I'll be careful, Kochou promise," he took her pinky in his and smiled before he turned to leave, "and if you still need help with those herbs when I get back."
"It'll take longer, but I'll be done by the time you get back," Shinobu told him, "so just focus on your mission, okay."
Tanjiro, on the other hand, reacted as expected. He, Kanao, and Kanae were standing outside the butterfly mansion when he received the mission. To say the three were shocked was an understatement. Giyu, Tanjiro, and Sanemi were going to be a disaster, especially after their last encounter at the Hashira meeting. "Matsuemon, are you sure you said this right?" Tanjiro asked.
"What does it sound like, bird brain?" Matsuemon replied, "Have I ever gotten your mission details wrong?"
"No," Tanjiro sighed. It was true that Matsuemon was direct and approached every mission with utmost care. If he claimed that Tanjiro had a mission with Sanemi Shinazugawa, then he did. Nothing could change that.
"Maybe I should try to tag along," Kanae whispered. The butterfly mission was packed. And Shinobu was going to the next town over to pick up some medical supplies to help. She might be even longer now if Giyu wasn't going to help her.
"It's fine, Kanae-san." Tanjiro sighed, "I'll just do it as quickly as possible and try to stay out of his way."
"If anything, Tomioka-san will be there so that he will have your back." Kanao smiled at him.
"That's true." Tanjiro stood up. "I need to go grab Nezuko."
"Maybe you should leave her here," Kanae suggested. "He may not be all too thrilled about this, and seeing her might not help with it."
"You may be right, but" Tanjiro looked away. "Nezuko is my responsibility. If something happens while I'm gone, it could affect you." It was the truth, and to be honest, he didn't like being separated from his sister. "I'll try my best not to get in his way."
"Well, if you say so," Kanae whispered as Tanjiro left to get ready. She looked at Kanao, whose gaze had not left Tanjiro. "Don't worry about him, Kanao. Tanjiro can handle whatever Nemi gets him and Tomioka into."
"I hope so," Kanao whispered.
Sanemi had to admit he had no idea what he was getting into when he came up with this idea. He had no idea how any of this was going to go, but he knew he had to do this. They could find common ground and be peaceful with each other; the goal here was to make peace, no more, no less.
We all carry our pain differently. Giyu and Tanjiro are no different.
A part of him wondered if this would start a friendship with the two, no, that was crazy, right? He looked up to see Kamado walking up to him, that damn demon sister on his back. A second later, Tomioka had appeared.
"Shinazugawa-san, Giyu-san," Tanjiro greeted
"Tanjiro," Giyu said, "Shinazugawa."
"Hey," Sanemi managed. off to a great fucking start, Sanemi, he mentally face-palmed himself. "Let's get this over with," Sanemi sighed as the three started to walk off, three slayers with totally different breathing styles, three slayers with entirely different stories that led them here. Three slayers with absolutely nothing in common
Nothing at all