Archive of Our Own

Yasuhiko watched his wife sleep, her breathing steady, she was exhausted and finally getting the much deserved rest. The midwife he had rushed to get just yesterday had already left, after confirming that both Morine and the babies were alright.

And that was something he still struggled to comprehend. Babies, not one baby, multiple. Two, to be exact. They had twins. And in retrospect perhaps they should’ve expected that, the pregnancy was progressing at a faster rate, but admittedly, both of them didn’t think it that unusual.

Perhaps because the babies were so little. They lay together on the other furion, hurled together under the same blanket, because they have been awfully unprepared to receive one child sooner than expected, let alone two. Though, they didn’t seem to mind it that much. Moreso, upon delivery the first was screaming so intensely Yasuhiko had to fight the urge to cover his ears. That was a pair of very powerful lungs, he was already dreading the day that child would shout. He would not soothe, no matter what they tried.

And then, to the surprise of everyone, a second child came. More whining than crying, but still, completely inconsolable no matter what they did. It wasn’t until they were together again, touching each other with their little hands, that they calmed down. That and also they’ve been fed. That certainly also helped.

The blanket on the younger one slipped a little, and while it was the middle of summer and relatively warm, Yasuhiko still worried the children. Gosh, he was severely unprepared to raise even a single child, let alone two and at the same time. It was scary to think about, how many things could go wrong.

But they’ll figure it out. Surely.

He adjusted the blanket and the baby let out a soft coo, followed immediately afterwards by his brother. Yasuhiko should stop referring to them as ‘babies’ or ‘the younger one and the older one’. They were already here, they should give them names. He and Morine had both spent hours trying to think of a name for the child, and eventually settled for two — one if it were a girl and one if it were a boy. But they had two boys and calling just one by name felt wrong.

The first would probably still be called Yuichirou, that was the name they settled on. Morine liked the sound of it, though they had not yet settled on the first character. Yasuhiko had a feeling she would not want to change it.

As for the other baby… And he was doing it again, calling his own children that felt incredibly impersonal. But he couldn’t just think of a name without Morine and she needed rest now above all else.

“So for now you’re Yuichirou and not-Yuichirou,” he told his children, still breathing steadily. They were both so small… “The first son and not the first son…” 

That gave him an idea. He would have to run it through Morine and she’d probably think that it was a dumb way to call his children but well… It would be accurate.

The blanket slipped once more. How? He had just tucked it. He was so bad at this whole father thing already… he couldn’t even tuck his own son to sleep. He adjusted it again and the baby—

No, not the baby. 

“Muichirou,” he really was starting to like the name. His reason for thinking of it in the first place was rather dumb, but the first character could be interpreted a few nice ways. Like for selfless. 

Or infinity.

Where did he even get that from? It was hardly the first thing that he would think of hearing the character Mu. But somehow it fit. He didn’t know how yet but it did.

***

“You come back here!” Morine tried to grab at least one of her children but they run into two different directions and she eventually just fell forward.

“Okaasan, are you alright?” Muichirou stopped for just a second, worry clear on his face and maybe she could use it to finally catch him… But no, before she could do it, Yuichirou shouted.

“Don’t fall for her act! She’ll just catch you!” And that made Muichioru turn away from her, run around her and join his brother in getting as far away as they could.

She sighed — they had a system, she and Yasuhiko. He would take the kids with him as he worked in the morning and around noon they’d all return to eat a meal together, after which the kids would go take a nap and let both of them return to their work. Once they woke up it was Morine’s time to look after them until her husband returned for the night. It was a good system, it worked, for a while at least.

Now the kids absolutely despised going to sleep with all the energy that only a three year old could possess. But they still needed a nap, all else they’d get moody. And if they didn’t go to sleep early enough then they’d still nap, just later, and ruin their whole sleep cycle, making them stay up at night longer too, and then wake up later and they’d have to contemplate if waking them up and dealing with their sleepiness was better than repeating another day of screw up sleep cycle. And Yasuhiko couldn’t take them with him if they were asleep and he needed to start as soon as the sun came up to not risk staying out during nighttime to complete his daily norm…

No, she had to catch those two hellions before they did so much trouble. It was surprising how much two three year olds could control your life.

Right now they run around the house and hid behind a wood stack. They thought they were so sneaky, but they were both giggling so loud it’d be hard not to notice them. Especially also since Yuichirou would constantly stuck his head out and with the proudest voice ever told his brother, “she still doesn’t know where we are! The hideout worked!”

That’s be so cute in any normal circumstances but right now they had to go to sleep. But if she just approached them then they’d run away again and again—

Or maybe she’d try a different approach.

“I guess the kids don’t want to know what surprise I have for them…” 

“What surpirse?” Muichirou’s head was instantly out of the hideout, staring at her with sparking eyes.

“She’s playing you!” Yuichirou yanked him behind himself, but he also had taken to looking out with sparking eyes himself, so her little trick was working.

“It’s the best surprise ever!” At her words Muichirou’s head joined Yui’s and this time he didn’t pull him away. “It’s such a shame the kids don’t want it…”

“No! We want!” They both shrieked at the same time and ran out from the wood stack holding each other's hands. They stopped right in front of her. “What’s the surprise?”

“I thought you didn’t want any?”

“No! We want!”

“Then I guess I can show it to you afterall,” she extended her hands and they both climbed right into her arms. They were slowly getting bigger and it was getting more and more uncomfortable to carry them, especially at the same time, but she could manage. She carried them back into the house and set on the laid out futons. Muichirou still didn’t suspect anything, though Yuichirou’s brows scrunched up once he saw where she carried them.

“So what’s the surprise?” Mui asked and she immediately threw herself between them and hugged them tightly to herself, both of them squeaking. 

“The surprise is a thousand kisses from your mother!” She joked and started immediately kissing both their faces intermittently, making Muichirou giggle and Yuichirou try to get away from her but he did give her a kiss afterwards too so he did enjoy it.

After that they were both breathing heavily but soon enough their breathing steadied and their eyes started closing up. Morine hummed a song, making them fall asleep even faster.

In a matter of minutes they were both completely out. Hah, and they were protesting going to sleep for so long. Guess she wins again.

She would much prefer laying with them and maybe getting a nap herself, but there was far too much work to be done, so unfortunately, she had to get up. She tried to stand up as quietly as possible, careful not to wake even one up — especially since waking up one usually meant waking the other too.

She succeeded, eventually, and without her body separating them Muichirou immediately moved and snuggled closer to his brother. Yuichirou instinctively embraced him and they both lay curled up into a tangled ball. 

Oh, they were so cute, Morine squealed. She took the blanket and adjusted it over them both, tucking it in tightly. She kissed them both on the temple for the last time and then carefully walked away.

***

Yuichirou was watching his brother sleep from across the room. His breathing was steady, his back turned towards Yuichirou. He probably didn’t want to even look at him after the fight they had today. All because of that stupid woman.

Muichirou was so hopeless. He had foolish ideas that he couldn’t even hope to fulfill because how could someone who couldn’t even take care of himself help others? What a joke. His brother should at least learn how to cook rice first before coming to such absurd conclusions.

Such a reckless, far too optimistic, hopeless little boy. Surely his good heart would get him killed one day. Just like their parents.

But at least he still had a good heart… And as his older brother Yuichirou should protect that. Yeah. Protect Muichirou and his good heart.

In his sleep Muichirou shifted, his blanket falling off his shoulder. Yuichirou waited until he would unconsciously correct it, but no, he did no such thing and just started shivering from the night chill.

Yuichirou sighed — he truly was hopeless, couldn’t do anything himself. So he got up and walked over to his brother's futon and corrected the blanket. He looked so peaceful when he slept, no sign left after his cries earlier that day.

“You know I don’t actually think you’re nothing and worthless, right? And I don’t think Kaasan and Tousan were either,” he said. There was no harm in admitting that in the middle of the night, Muichirou slept like the dead, nothing could ever wake him. “But I know that just like them you’re a good person and good people drive themselves dry until they're dead. And I can’t let you do that. I can’t lose you too. So you better don’t get any stupid ideas about being swordsmen anymore, alright?”

Predictably, Mui didn't answer. That was good. If he thought that Yuichirou actually meant all those things he would actually believe that there was no point in him risking his life. Besides, it’s not like he was entirely wrong, that Amane woman was still sketchy, Yuichirou just couldn’t prove how.

Stroking loose hair away from his hair and making sure the blanket was tucked in correctly again, Yuichirou went back to his side of the house. He lay with his face turned to his brother, watching him sleep, still there, alive.

“You know I love you, right?” He whispered. “I love you so much that I can’t let you risk your life. You can hate me for it, I don’t care, as long as you’re alive, then that’s okay.”

And with that he fell asleep.

***

Muichirou had yet to regain consciousness since they brought him in, but he was already tended to, all his injuries cleaned up and bandaged. All they could do now was wait. 

Amane watched him sleep. He looked awful. Half-dead. But at least he was alive.

She should had gone sooner. Brought the girls with her sooner in hopes of convincing Yuichirou. Or maybe she should had taken one of the slayers or maybe even the hashiras to help. Himejima had a way of talking with kids, somehow they always clung to him. Maybe he’d be able to make a difference.

But there was no point in thinking about that now — Yuichirou was dead, Muichirou still might as well not survive, and all because she failed to bring them here earlier. 

 “…who…?” A faint, weak voice spoke up, bringing her out of her thoughts. Muichirou’s eyes were open and he was looking at her though it seemed as if he wasn’t really ‘seeing’ her per se. “…where…?”

She leaned in and touched his forehead. He still had a fever, though it was much better than when they brought him in initially. It must be why his eyes looked this way.

“Don’t worry about anything, you’re safe now,” at least he was, unlike— “Just focus on resting and healing.”

His eyes closed again — maybe because he actually understood what she was saying or maybe simply because he was far too tired. Didn’t matter, really.

Amane adjusted the blanket over him, careful of his injuries. It didn’t even slip down that much, she just wanted to give herself something to do and to focus on, so she didn’t have to think about how much she failed the Tokitou brothers.

Did she still want to convince Muichirou to become a swordsman? Assuming that he would survive, that is. She… She wouldn’t force him and she’d let him stay here regardless of his choice, but if he decided to then she’d be more than happy to let him join the Corps.

She hated that she was thinking this way, but the Corps really needed all the slayers they could get, they were so terribly understaffed… Yuichirou was right, at the end of the day she really did just want to use them. He was probably rolling in his grave at this very moment.

But ultimately, it’d all be Muichirou’s decision, his choice. Amane wouldn’t force him and before he could choose properly he had to heal.

“Just rest. Don’t think about anything for now. Just rest.”

***

Ginko’s new human was… peculiar. He was incredibly powerful, a true prodigy, able to rise through the ranks and become a Hashira in record time!

But he was also small, and confused and maybe just a little out of touch with reality and… If it weren’t for Ginko he would’ve probably died already having lost his way and walked straight off a cliff.

It was a peculiar combination that didn’t match. 

Just like the small boy didn't match the enormous estate he was given after becoming a Hashira. Especially since it was almost completely empty, save for one single futon with the little boy curled in it, pulling the covers tightly over his head.

That boy… Ginko wasn't too fond of humans, not really, but this little boy was different. She cared if he lived or not and there was no way he could die during a mission so Ginko had to make sure that he was fine in the time between them.

Right now Muichirou was sniffling in his sleep. Maybe he had a nightmare? It must be terrible if a boy as brave as him was scared. Ginko flew closer to him and stepped under the covers, right beside his head. She stroked his hair and it seemed to relax him just slightly, that was good.

Ginko pulled the covers so that he was still fully covered but she could also make a small nest for herself. She sat there and continued to stroke his hair, his breathing slowing more and more by the minute, until he was completely relaxed again.

Yes, Ginko would make sure that nothing bad happened to her human, because if she didn’t do it then who would? Definitely not those other, useless humans.

***

The new Hashira was weird.

Not in the “I’m fucking better than all of you and don’t even dare talk to me because I’m leagues above you scum and I don’t want to get dirty associating with you”— Tomioka Giyuu weird way weird. 

No, he was weird as in “I’m eleven and I just picked up this shiny metal stick and look! I fucking killed a Demon Moon just by myself. Also, what did I just say? I forgot” kind of weird.

Yeah, it was more that it was weird that Tokitou was even allowed into the Corps at all, let alone made a Hashira. He should not be here! He was even younger than Genya! Maybe Sanemi should just grab him, run and left at the same orphanage he left Genya. Chances were he was still there and they could be friends.

No, thinking of Genya would do him no good — trying to see him even less. He’d simply leave Tokitou at a different orphanage.

Though, as much as the boy seemed to foget everything, Sanemi was sure that he’d find his way back to the Corps. Besides, the Master had apparently personally seeked him out. So wether Sanemi liked it or not, the brat was here to stay.

It didn’t make it any less weird that an eleven year old was sitting in on the Hashira meeting. Before, while they were still outside, he was constantly looking up or mumbling something about clouds, answering only questions directed at him from the Master and even that with difficulties.

Now they were in a room, inside, and there was nothing that could quite occupy his attention. So, as one would probably expect of a child that just spent the previous night going after demons and not catching even a single minute of sleep, Tokitou started to nod off. His eyes would close and his head would hang limply — he’d jerk it every few minutes and try to wake up, only to start nodding off almost immediately after.

Yeah, children really shouldn’t be made Hashiras. Sanemi didn’t say that outloud though.

He knew that sooner or later, someone else would do something about Tokitou or maybe even the Master would somehow sense it, but something propped Sanemi to act before anyone else. So, during one of his sleepy moments he pulled Tokitou closer to him, setting his head on his lap and throwing his own haori over him.

Everyone looked questioningly at him — even Himejima and the Master even if technically they couldn’t look. Sanemi just pointed at the sleeping boy who now didn’t even attempt to stay awake and decided that this was the end of the discussion.

Apparently not. Tengen snickered like the little asshole he was. Sanemi showed him the bird — that was the one curse ‘word’ that the Master wouldn’t notice — amd then turned away to look at Tokitou.

He looked… serene when he slept. Completely unbothered by everything. He grabbed tightly onto the haori, instinctively trying to cover himself whole. Sanemi tried to help him adjust it, but his haori was shorter than most so even when the boy curled on himself, it was still too small to act like a proper blanket. 

“Here,” he saw someone nudge him from the side and when he looked it was the Giyuu fucking-Tomioka handing him his ugly mismatched haori. “I want it back after the meeting though.”

Sanemi wanted to object. He could ask Himejima for his, the only reason that giant didn’t offer his own so far was probably because he didn’t know the whole situation. But that would make a ruckus and even more disrupt the meeting, disrupt the Master…

He yanked the haori from Tomioka’s hand and not sparing the man a single glance, threw it over Tokitou. The boy immediately melted into the proper cover, sleeping even more serenely. Sanemi adjusted it for him, ut reminded him of when Shuya and Gen—

No, he wasn’t thinking about his siblings. He should just focus on the meeting. It was quite hard while Muichirou slept on his lap, though.

***

Let it be known that the Hashira were terrible patients. Tomioka, Shinazugawa, even Himejima, they all could drive Shinobu crazy.

They might had sustained injuries that would render a normal person immobile for weeks and try to sneak out of the mansion the very next day. Sometimes Shinobu wondered how they were planning on getting missions if the Master knew that they were out of commission for the time being, but well, they weren’t the most logical people. And even if they stayed at the Butterfly Mansion they would still complain that they were fine.

What a bunch of kids.

So it wasn’t really a surprise that their newest addition was no different. Though he was actually a child and an amnesiac to top it all with, which made dealing with Tokitou almost as difficult as Tomioka. Almost. 

“No, I cannot let you leave,” she said for the thousandth time, dragging Tokitou back into his room. Maybe she should just tie him to the bed? Though, last time she did it he somehow found a way to escape.

“Why?” He asked, even though he probably wasn't even waiting for a response, because he was still struggling against her and trying to get away. At least for now he was still smaller than her, so handling him wasn’t that difficult, but give it two or three years she’ll probably have much more trouble. 

“Because you have broken ribs,” she repeated for the thousandth time. Sometimes she wondered if he was forgetting deliberately just to make her life harder. Who could forget they had broken ribs?! Not even one or two, but eight. They had to hurt like hell each time he breathed. “One wrong move and you got yourself a punctured lung. Do you want a punctured lung?”

“I would not move wrong. I am a skilled swordsman,” yes, of course, she heard that a thousand times over. Shinobu sighed. Really, how many times would they have to have this conversation over and over again? Probably another thousand times, because it always had to be Shinobu who retrieved him because none of the other girls were strong enough to drag him back.

But somehow she managed to drag him back and force him down on the bed. She told him to stay there if he didn’t want to cross her anger again and he actually nodded, but before she had even crossed the room and opened the door, he was trying to stand back again.

“No! What did I just say?” She tried to be patient with him, she really did, but he just— Oh, Kanae would handle this so much better…

Tokitou looked up at her, a blank expression on his face — as always — and he cooped his head to the side. “You said something?”

“Yeah! That you are not to leave this bed!”

“Oh,” he looked down, but then blinked and looked back at her. “But I must stay the demons and I cannot slay demons here. I cannot stay here.”

“I know you can’t slay demons here but you’re injured. You shouldn’t go on a mission in a state like this.”

“Oh,” he blinked again. “But I can manage. I’m skilled. I can fight through injuries.”

This boy was going to be the death of her.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Shinobu stated in her best commanding voice, praying that maybe this time the massage would actually stick with him. But no, he tried to move again and again.

Eventually Shinobu ended up just bringing some of her research notes and sitting on Tokitou’s bedside, gently pushing him down whenever he tried to stand.

“Rest, you need to heal,” she told him each time and each time he looked at her with that blank expression and tried again and again to move. His recovery period was going to be something else. 

But, eventually, he stopped trying to stand up. Shinobu had already started cheering, hoping that she finally got through to him, only to find out that he had simply fallen asleep. She sighed, she guessed that was better than nothing. At least this way he was actually resting.

She could get a break then, go do something else than just stay by his bedside. But he was so small and all alone and he reminded her of Kanao and Kanae emphasised how they should leave anyone alone…

Shinobu pulled up the blanket over him, making sure not to wake him up. She did not wish to repeat the whole process again. She guessed she could stay with him for a while longer. Someone had to make sure that Muichirou was breathing well, right? Yeah, so he wouldn’t get pneumonia or anything, that would be awful to deal with. Yeah, she was staying just for that.

***

“Hello there, little flashy man!” Tengen greeted immediately upon spotting Muichirou. He was in a hot spring, with all three of his very flashy wives, and he wasn’t expecting anyone to come join them. This was a hot spring on the Master’s land, after all, all the slayers could use it but not many knew about it and those who knew usually didn’t think it was actually okay. Well, all the more good for Tengen and his wives, it seemed.

So it was quite surprising when he saw Muichirou approaching, still in his uniform. He stood at the side of the hot spring, clenching his sword. “Have you seen a demon here?”

“A demon?” Wisteria trees were growing all around the place, there was practically zero chance to find a demon here.

“Yes, the Master told me I must go here. So I am looking for a demon to finish my mission,” he looked to his shoulder where his crow was perched. “He said that, right?”

“He told you to come to the hot spring, Muichirou-dono!” She squeaked. “So we must find the demon here—!”

“No, I don’t think that’s what he meant,” Tengen laughed. He got out of the water and grabbed Muichirou by his shoulder. “He simply wanted you to relax, little flashy man!”

“No—“ Muichirou didn’t even have time to react before Tengen grabbed him under the armpits and carried off to the side. The crow let out a squeak and started assaulting him with questions, but he just ignored her.

He took Muichirou to the changing site and handed him a towel. “Clean up and come join us in the water.” He waited for Muichirou to finish that and the boy actually did as told, though he did bring the sword with him and set it on the side of the water.

Well, Tengen guessed, if he really wanted to be like that… Maybe Tengen could throw the boy in like a cannon ball…

“Stop there!” Hinatsuru shouted before he could even do anything so that couldn’t be to reprimand him on his child-throwing tendencies, right? “You need to pull up his hair.”

She swam over to them and in a quick motion tied up the boy’s hair into a neat bun. He blinked and then with the same blank expression said. “Thank you.” 

He then just stepped into the water, not giving Tengen any time to prepare his cannonball assault. Well, he guessed he’ll simply have to throw the boy some other time.

It turned out that Muichirou was no fun in a hot spring. He was just staring at the water and didn’t want to play with them at all. What a boring little dude. Really, Tengen only called him ‘flashy’ because he wanted to somehow get a reaction from the boy — and he was so young, he should not be a fighter and Tengen was so sure that the Corps didn’t allow children in and let them to die, not like his clan did—

At some point Muichirou had even stopped moving whatsoever. “Hey, little flashy man?” Tengen swam over, trying to see if something was wrong and… Well, not really, but… The kid had simply fallen asleep.

“That’s so cute,” all of his wives cooed beside him. “Tengen, we want a kid too.”

“Yeah, sure maybe some other time.”

“No, one like this,” Suma pointed to Muichirou. “He’s so cute. Can we adopt him?”

Tengen couldn’t possibly adopt one of his fellow Hashira, that had to be against rules or something. Besides, as long as there were demons Muichirou wouldn’t agree to that. Though maybe, if one day they defeat Muzan for good…

For now he had to make sure that Muichirou didn’t drown. “We can take him for one night only.”

Very carefully, he picked Muichirou up, so as not to wake him. His wives threw towels over them both, helping to shield them from the night chill — though they were focusing much more on Muichirou, those little traitors — and then all of them departed off to the Sound Estate where they pulled an additional futon for Muichirou and let him sleep there. 

“He looks so cute,” the girls cooed again and well, Tengen guessed that he really was cute. 

He pulled the blanket high up to Muichirou’s chin and then grabbed all three of his wives. “Yeah, yeah. He’s super cute. But he’s going to freak out if we sleep next to him so off to our own room we go!” 

***

Kyojurou had always wanted to become a Demon Slayer — he thinks that his mothers words, about the strong sacrificing their lives for the sake of the weak had always resonated deeply with him. And his father was a Hashira so he always just assumed that he would at least try to follow in his footsteps.

And he did, despite everything, he became a Hashira. He was sacrificing his life for the weak on a daily basis, saving lives! He could’ve never wished for anything else.

(Maybe a sober father of an alive mother or maybe for the demons not to exist at all—)

And his comrades were respectable individuals who sacrificed their lives too! They truly were all amazing! Though…

There was no denying it, Tokitou was strong. He was definitely much more skilled than Kyojurou had been at his age! He was so young and already a Hashira! So young…

Nonetheless, Tokitou wished to eradicate all demons and that was something Kyojurou could understand. Who were he to deny someone the opportunity to take up a blade based purely on their age and not actual capabilities? Though, Tokitou was still so much younger than any other slayer in the Corps…

Kyojurou would not want him to die. He didn’t want any slayer to die, ever, but Tokitou especially. He knew that there was always a possibility, not even the Hashira could top every demon, but still, he wished that Tokitou would not have to face those much stronger ones, at least not yet.

Besides that, Kyojurou also wanted to make sure that the boy did not die or neglect himself of some other reason. Tokitou’s mind was… peculiar, to say the least. He was quite mature for his age and able to take on heavy responsibilities far outweighing that of many adults, but he was still a child with amnesia to top it all with. He was prone to forgetting about fundamental things, like eating.

And as much as Kyojurou could be consumed in his duty as a Hashira he would never forget to have a proper meal! So he could make sure that his young comrade wouldn’t forget either.

It was easy, he often carried spare bento boxes and so whenever he crossed paths with Tokitou he would give one to him. And if he had time to spare he’d also make sure that he actually ate it and not forgot about it and simply let go.

Though, Tokitou’s crow was quite skilled in making sure the boy took care of himself, but still, Kyojurou quite like his company! He was quiet, but Kyojurou could talk for the two of them! And also, sometimes, especially after nice meals, the boy’s eyes would gleam and for just a second he’d act more like the child he was. Just like right now.

“I love daikon. Especially furofuki daikon, it’s my favorite meal ever,” Kyojurou quickly  added tagt particular bit of knowledge to his memory. Just a few weeks ago he had asked Tokitou what his favourite meal was and he answered that he didn’t know. How lucky that Kyoujurou had just purchased exactly furofuki daikon and it jerked the boy’s memory. 

“I’m glad you like it. I’ll make sure I buy it as often as possible!”

“Thank you! It’s really good, though the best of the best of furofuki daikons is the one my…” that was where his memory stopped, his eyes deemed. Apparently, no matter what, Tokitou’s most personal memories still remained out of reach. “I don’t know.”

It would do no good to prob him about it. No matter what, Tokitou wouldn't recall who the person that made the best furofuki daikon was. So instead, trying to take Tokitou out of his stupor following the cut-off memory, Kyojurou threw his haori over him.

That surprised him. The boy’s eyes shot wide and he looked at Kyojurou with a questioning look. He succeeded then, he prevented Tokitou from falling once more into a trance.

“It’s getting cold, it wouldn’t do if you got sick,” he simply explained. 

“Thank you,” the boy looked at the haoris and pull it together around himself. He looked so small in it, just like a little kid. Well, he was just a child…

Once Tokitou finished the bento he handed the empty box back to Kyojurou. They should depart on their representative missions soon, though they still had some more time and it seemed as if none of them was particularly keen on going. Tokitou usually was very particular about not wasting time, but maybe the meal had made him just a little bit softer.

Without asking, Tokitou leaned his head on Kyojurou’s shoulder and now it was his turn to be surprised. The boy didn’t initiate contact, never, so this had to be quite the feal for him. And his eyes were half-lidded, not yet asleep but if they got a little more time…

He adjusted the haori on Muichirou and hugged him closer. The boy relaxed. Yeah, they still had some time before their next missions.

***

“I like your snake,” was the first thing Tokitou had ever said to Obanai. “And I like your eyes, are they natural?”

He nodded, not sure how to talk to the boy. Technically, Tokitou was his senior as a Hashira, so Obanai should show some respect, but… he was also just a child.

Twelve, just like when Obanai escaped that—

He didn’t have to talk as much with him as he feared. Tokitou didn't talk much and he forgot most conversations anyways. So really, there was no point. 

But somehow, amongst the Hashira, Obanai rather preferred Tokitou’s presence over most others. He wouldn’t go as far as to say that he liked him, more like… He felt some kind of responsibility towards him. He was so young, after all. Obanai hoped that he wouldn't die soon.

And it seemed as if Tokitou lied his presence too. If Himejima, Rengoku or Shinobu were not yet present, Obanai was the next one he would go to during a meeting. So yeah, he was in the middle of liked Hashira by the boy, topping Shinazugawa, Tomioka and Uzui. That was quite a good placement.

Tokitou liked playing with Kaburamaru or more like watching the snake slithering. So Obanai always let him, Kaburamaru also like him, so there was no reason not to.

And it was during one of those times when he played with the snake that Tokitou had instinctively rested his head on Obanai’s shoulder. He didn’t know what to do, should he push him away or let him stay? He wasn’t doing anything bad?

His panic was even further accelerated by the boy coding his eyes and simply falling asleep, just like that. What was he supposed to do?

Maybe he should cover him with his haori? No, that would jostle him awake. Or maybe he should—

He will just not move. That's it. Obanai could do that. And he simply let Muichirou sleep there until the Master came and the meeting had officially begun. Though, later, when they changed locations for the room inside Master’s Mansion, the boy sat next to him and once more fell asleep exactly in the same spot. 

It was nice. Obanai really hoped that Muichirou would not die anytime soon.

***

The Mist Hashira?

What was the Mist Hashira doing here?

The boy that was younger than Genya but also so much more skilled? What was he doing here, sitting on the engawa of the Stone Estate?

“Uhm…” he looked at the boy, Tokitou blankly blinked back. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m waiting for… the bear, uhm… Ginko?” He looked at the crow by his side. “What is the bear’s name?”

“Himejima Gyomei, the Stone Hashira!” His bird squeaked.

“Oh, yes, I am waiting for Himejima-san. Is he back already?”

“Oh, no, he isn’t,” Himejima went on a mission and was supposed to return this evening at the earliest. And it was only noon. Tokitou would be waiting a little longer still then.

“I must wait then,” Tokitou simply stated and continued to sit on the engawa. And Genya didn’t really know what to do so he just left him there.

Tokitou sat there, completely unmoving, for the whole day, looking at the sky or the trees but never once leaving his post. At some point Genya started bringing him food and tea. He just looked so lonely and he even tried to talk with him but the boy just kind of ignored him. He did eat the food, though.

And once the night started falling and it got colder, he brought a blanket over to Tokitou, draping it over his shoulders. He was surprised at first, his blank eyes widening just a little, but he pulled the blanket closer and then looked back at Genya who had yet to return inside.

“Where is your blanket?”

“Oh,” this was the only one he had. Sure, he could borrow some more from Himejima but he didn’t want to impose. “It’s kind of my only one.”

“Sit down then,” Tokitou gestured to the spot on his right side and Genya wouldn't dare say no to someone as intimidating as him so he sat down exactly where he pointed. Immediately after, this time to Genya’s surprise, Tokitou threw the blanket over them both. “We can share. It is a big blanket.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“This is your blanket. Thank yourself.”

“Right…”

This… sitting together under one blanket, so close to each other, it kind of felt like when Genya was small and shared a blanket with Sanemi. He wondered if it reminded Tokitou of something similar. Maybe he had a brother as well?

They sat like this together, waiting for Himejima for who knows how long and eventually, Genya’s eyes started getting heavy.

The next morning Himejima found them both sleeping together on the engawa, curled close under the same blanket.

***

Mitsuri felt… not great, obviously, but like, she wasn’t expecting to survive at all — that was Upper Four, she fought Upper Four and he was so mean — so all things considered she was doing great. 

Still not fully healed though.

From beside her she heard retching. Yeah, at least she was doing better than Muichirou. The boy was bent over the side of his bed, a bucket placed there just for this occasion. Apparently, he had been poisoned severely during the fight with Upper Five — that poor thing, and he had to face that demon all on his own, at least Mitsuri had Tanjirou and Nezuko and Genya, though he had those swordsmiths but she didn’t know how much help they could be but if anything, they just at least had been cheering on him! — and the poison was slowly getting cleared from his body but he would occasionally still get nauseated. 

Poor boy. Mitsuri hated throwing up. She was always so hungry afterwards…

And he was something far too much time bent over like that. What if it was worse this time? What if he needed help? And there were none of the girls around…

Mitsuri got out of her own bed and passed the short distance between hers and Muichirou’s. Normally, with their age and sex difference they wouldn't be placed in the same room, but luckily, as they were both Hashiras and coming in after the same battle, Shinobu made an exception when Mitsuri asked if they could share. Muichioru agreed. He was so small, her brother’s age, and Mitsuri kind of felt responsible to ensure that he was fine. She was a responsible senior! Wait, but he both joined the Corps and became a Hashira before her… She was a responsible junior!

She was glad now that she did ask. She was there to help him, even if standing up from her bed sent a few new flashes of pain through her body. Aoi told her not to move, but Mitsuri couldn’t just leave Muichirou just like that! He looked so much like her little brother…

“Do you need help?” She took his long hair — they were such a nice colour, so pretty, she wondered if they had always been like that. What could he possibly have eaten to make them turn out this way? — so that they wouldn’t fall in the bucket. 

Muichirou shook his head. “No, just—“ he was cut off but yet another surge of vomit. Poor boy.

“There, there,” Mitsuri rubbed his back as Muichirou heaved, trying to catch his breath. “It’s going to be alright soon.”

Once he was done Mitsuri helped him sit up again and handed him some water. He drank it eagerly.

“I think I only once felt as shitty as I do now before,” he lowered the glass and stared at it, as if trying to get an answer from it. “I was like six and got so sick… My brother told me to stop throwing up because I was wasting food. I felt so bad about his scolding that I actually did stop throwing up. Kaasan made him apologise later and he did look sorry… I think he was just worried. He had a hard time conveying his emotions.”

It sounded awful, Mitsuri would never tell any of her siblings something like this, especially if they were already sick. But, if it worked then maybe Muichirou’s brother was right—

Wait.

Wait. Wait. Wait.

Since when did Muichirou remember anything about his past, let alone that he had a brother, let alone such detailed memories?!

“You have a brother?!” She asked, clearly shocked. This was—! How did he—? Could it be—? Did he actually remember—? “And you remember that?! How?!”

“I— Well… During the fight I got many of my memories back. Not all, some are still fuzzy, but a lot. And now I can actually remember who the people around me are and what you said just a minute ago.”

Wow. 

He really did get his memories back.

Mitsuri felt that something was off about Muichirou — not bad ‘off’ but a good ‘off’ as in positively different. Wait, no. That would mean that he was worse as an amnesiac, right? And he was still as amazing back then and— Well, he was just different  — but she just thought it was caused by the near-death experience. And it was, but she would’ve never expected Muichirou to get his memories back.

“That’s great, Muichirou! Oh, I’m so happy for you! So! How are those memories? Are there any good ones?”

“Well, there’s a lot of really good ones,” he smiled faintly, looking off to the side. “But there’s also some that are… not as happy. And those are the most vivid for now…” he tightened his hold on the glass. “Kanroji-san, you know, I’m getting really tired. I think I’ll go to sleep for a bit. Maybe we could talk later?”

“Yeah, of course!” She took the glass away from him and set it on the nightstand, all the while screaming internally. Of course not all of Muichirou’s memories were happy ones. She shouldn’t had just asked like this and now she overwhelmed him… But he didn’t look mad so maybe he understood that she didn’t want to remind him of them? And he even wanted to talk later…

Mitsuri helped him lay down in the bed. He insisted that it wasn’t necessary, but she felt like she had to help him and he did let her so maybe she could apologise this way. She made sure to tuck him in extra tight, just like her mother always did when she was sick — maybe Muichirou’s mother did it too? She hoped she didn’t stir any bad memories again.

“Sleep tight,” she smiled at him and he nodded, his eyes already closed. Oh, he looked so cute when he slept. Mitsuri wanted to pinch his cheek, but she had to resist. She was a composed Hashira! She had just fought Upper Four and came out victorious! She couldn’t act childish in front of her senior…

The senior that was also just a cute kid.

She couldn’t resist, she pinched his cheek, but he must had already fallen asleep, because he didn’t protest.

***

“When do you go to sleep?” Tanjirou asked Muichirou two days after coming to his estate for training. The other boy had been constantly teaching them or disappearing to train himself which just made Tanjirou worry when did his friend take some rest. 

“I usually sleep for a few hours just before your training,” Muichirou answered truthfully. 

“That’s hardly enough!” With all the intensive training Muichirou did on a daily basis he must be exhausted and just a few hours? No, definitely not. “You shouldn’t overwork yourself.”

“But I’m fine,” Muichirou insisted. “I got used to it over the years.”

“It can't be healthy, though.”

“Well, it’s not like I can just abandon my duties to go to sleep,” yeah, he was right, Muichirou couldn’t… But right now all the other trainees we’re doing laps around the estate as a form of punishment for their awful performance earlier. So Muichirou wasn't actively teaching.

“Why not go now? You’re basically free—“

“I have to make sure all of them come back and not run away like the cowards they are,” well, maybe but surely Muichioru could rest for at least a few minutes. 

Tanjirou tried to convey his sentiment through his best puppy eyes. “And what if I made sure of that for you?”

Muichirou blinked them cooped his head to the side. “I guess, if you woke me up in time…”

“I sure will!”

“Alright then,” and with that Muichirou sat beside him and put his head on Tanjirou’s shoulder. He was out in a second, breathing softly.

Tanjirou didn't expect him to do… that. He thought that he would just go to his room and rest there but this… This wasn’t that bad either.

He pulled Muichirou closer to him and held with one of his hands… Yeah, this was good too. But just because he could wake him up easier like this!

***

Having made sure that the Shinazugawa brothers were together and that there was nothing else Gyomei could do anymore, he turned towards the last member of their group, the one who, unlike the Shinazugawas, Gyomei was sure could not be helped anymore. Tokitou died sometime before or maybe immediately after Upper One did.

And unlike Shinazugawa Genya, he had no one to hold him as he departed to another world. Gyomei hoped that if anything, at least the dead held him reassuringly on the other side.

His parents, or maybe just like for Genya, it was his brother. Tokitou mentioned that he had a twin, once his memories had returned, didn’t he? And they were finally reunited. Though it’d be so much better if Tokitou had survived, even if he would have to wait more to meet his brother.

But Tokitou was alright with dying. He made peace with it. Be it in this battle or of the mark’s effect, he did not fear death or regret anything. It was truly remarkable, for a child especially, to face death with suck courage.

And Tokitou Muichirou had always been a remarkable child. If he were to live just a little more he’d surely grow up into a remarkable young man as well. Alas, that would not come to be.

Gyomei sat beside Tokitou. They had to resume the fight soon, go after Muzan, but for that Gyomei still had to wait for Shinazugawa to finish sending off his brother’s soul, which meant that he could do the same for Tokitou in the meantime. He deserved that.

He didn’t deserve anything that happened to him and even the sendoff that Gyomei could offer was not enough, he deserved a proper burial, a ceremony, he should be celebrated as a hero, but alas, they could not do it now and they could not even carry his body. Whenever he’ll finally receive a funeral it will most likely be without a body so Gyoemi had to do whatever he could while he still had it beside himself.

He took off his happi and covered the boy. Or his upper part at least. Maybe if they looked they could find the rest of him, his hands, his leg, but they didn’t have the time. It was always a matter of time. There should always be enough time to mourn the dead but alas, if they didn’t want to disregard the living they had to hurry.

Tokitou Muichirou was truly remarkable, so brave, to the very end, he would surely understand why they could not give him a proper sendoff.

Gyomei swore once they met again in the afterlife, soon, he’d try to make up for it. But for now he just closed his eyes. Soon enough, he’ll close his own and they’ll meet again. Soon.

“He looks like he’s sleeping,” that was Shianzugawa, Genya must be completely gone now. Gyomei must had spent much longer at Tokitou’s side than he intended then. They had to go. “And he’s fucking dead. I swear, I better get to shove my sword up that fuckers ass for killing so many fucking kids—“ Shinazugawa’s voice caught in his throat, new tears and hiccups coming up again.

“We must go,” Gyomei stood up. “We cannot waste their sacrifice.”

“There should not have been any fucking sacrifice to begin with!” Shinazugawa screamed, but he did follow after Gyomei when he departed from the site of the Battle with Upper One. 

Soon, only the unmoving body of a child stayed there, covered in a happi like a blanket, as if just lay to sleep. Soon, the Castle would collapse on itself and not even that would remain.