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Muichiro usually cannot remember much of anything. Other than the Master, all new people slip through his mind like sand through fingers. But not Genya. Genya has stuck. Neither of them knows why, but neither of them really cares. Especially not Muichiro. He’s grateful that there’s someone able to break through that terrible fog, even if he’s a little worried he’ll lose him one day, either from a battle Genya doesn’t survive, or from his own traitorous mind.
Master Ubuyashiki seems to have recognized their affection for each other, as he’s taken a liking to sending them together on missions. Not every mission, because Genya is far weaker than Muichiro and much more likely to get in the way of a fight than be of much assistance. At least, one against a Demon Which cannot simply be killed with force.
Except this time. He’s made an exception, but has sent with them another Hashira, whose name Muichiro just does not remember. The quiet one that always sits off to the side, more like a decoration than a person. He is similarly quiet now, walking far ahead and allowing Muichiro and Genya to trail behind him, just a bit. Behind them follows the rest of their little brigade, three other slayers. Muichiro doesn’t really know why they’re following, nor does he care to.
The Demon they’ve been sent after must be of some strength, or else the other Hashira wouldn’t be going too. Upon arrival at the village they are pointed in the right direction by the people there, who give thanks for their coming to save them.
Then sometime between finding the Demon and killing it, Muichiro ends up on his back with a medic hovering over him. There’s commotion behind him, but he isn’t very concerned, more worried about getting back to his feet. He wants to fight. The medic keeps a hand on his chest, though, her face stern as she orders him to stay down.
It isn’t until that moment that he feels the wound in his side that she’s working on. The sudden realization of pain makes him abandon his efforts and give in to her help. That is, until he hears his partner Hashira and the other slayers shouting about Genya. He doesn’t have to see to have a guess at what’s happening.
Genya can eat demons, and he isn’t nearly as shy about doing it as he maybe should be. So Muichiro is immediately concerned. It’s not exactly a habit the rest of the corps is aware of, even including the other Hashira, with the exception of Gyomei, and not for no reason.
Genya walks in the gray area between human and demon. The normal rules for either don’t apply to him, because perhaps he should technically be executed, but he’s human enough that the Master was willing to let it go.
But the other Hashira here does not know this, and his first instinct will of course be to kill the demon before him. He will think that Genya has turned and he will cut his head off and Genya will very probably die.
Muichiro renews his struggles to get up, forcefully pushing the medic away as she protests. He doesn’t concern himself with her falling to the ground, or the bleeding from his side, because upon sitting up he can see Genya, eyes black with yellow irises, salivating, and backed into a corner by the Water Hashira.
“Stop it!” Muichiro shouts. The other Hashira spares a glance back at him, but does not lower his sword. “Don’t hurt him! He isn’t a demon!”
“Have your injuries seen to, and I will handle this,” says the Hashira. But Muichiro can tell he does not understand. He thinks Muichiro is weak minded and sentimental, afraid to lose his friend. He is, but not for the reason the Hashira thinks.
“You don’t get it! Just let me deal with it, he isn’t a demon!” He pushes himself to his feet, even as he stumbles, and moves to get between Genya and the other Hashira- whose name he really just cannot remember.
“Tokito, stand down.” He finds it fascinating that Giyu- the name finally comes to him- of all people would fight him on this issue, considering he is the one that let that demon girl live. He should be more sympathetic. Lenient.
“You don’t understand,” Muichiro insists. He makes it in front of Giyu and holds a hand to his sword, the other clamped to his oozing side. “Genya is not a demon, it will wear off soon.” This close, he can hear Genya’s labored breath.
“He attacked several of our members.” Giyu gestures with his sword to some fallen men. They’re being tended to by the medics. Muichiro looks behind him, to Genya, who looks about ready to jump on them. There’s something different about him, something that Muichiro has never seen before, but he still isn’t convinced it’s what Giyu thinks. Genya is not a demon, he doesn’t need to die.
“You will step back and allow me to handle this,” Muichiro says, his voice low. “He is not a threat, and I will not allow you to kill him.” Giyu does not waver. Muichiro clicks his blade from its sheath, just for the flash of metal, just so Giyu knows he is serious.
“Fine,” Giyu concedes. A man of few words, he simply puts his sword away and turns. Once he, the immediate threat, is gone, Muichiro feels safe to turn his back.
Genya still looks near-feral, drooling and panting. There’s no recognition there at all. But he doesn’t look as frighteningly vicious as most demons do, he almost seems like a cornered animal.
“Genya,” Muichiro starts, wary, but not afraid. A frightened animal is liable to attack, and Muichiro does not need that at all. He holds his hands out. He’s just going to have to hope that Genya doesn’t choose to lunge at him. He doesn’t want to wound the other boy. “Calm down, you know us.” He doesn’t entirely know how to handle a mindless Genya, because he’s never lost it like this. He’s never attacked anyone, never looked at Muichiro like he might go for him next. “Just-” He doesn’t get to finish before Genya is on top of him, knocking him onto his back, winding him. He hadn’t even realized how much he’d let his guard down until he’s struggling to inhale again.
The other slayers cry out and start forward, but Muichiro is not going to let them intervene. He hears Giyu draw his sword, but thankfully he does not attack.
“Genya- come on-” Genya isn’t listening, his eyes completely blank, hot breath puffing against Muichiro’s face as he bares his teeth. But even smaller and currently far weaker than Genya, Muichiro is no weakling. He grabs Genya by the shoulders and throws him off, rolling on top of him and pinning his arms. “Snap out of it.” But Genya does not, lunging up and snapping his teeth at Muichiro’s face.
“Are you certain you don’t want me to assist?” Giyu asks. Muichiro doesn’t say anything, but he does shake his head.
“It’s fine,” Muichiro says, whether to himself, Genya, or Giyu he isn’t really sure. “It’s going to wear off in a moment and everything will be fine.” Genya gets an arm free and swipes his claws across Muichiro’s face, drawing blood. He doesn’t recoil, pinning the arm back down as quick as he can, but Genya knees him in his wounded gut and his vision goes white.
It gives Genya the upper hand, even if only for a moment, allowing him to wriggle out and get back on top. He’s digging his nails into to Muichiro’s arms when his eyes finally clear. They’re still black and yellow, but he’s seeing again, not blinded and feral.
“What…?” His voice is airy, soft, and confused. He releases his hold and scrambles off of Muichiro, eyeing his bleeding face, side, and arms.
“It’s fine.” Muichiro repeats, for the millionth time.
“I was… I don’t know why I did that- I don’t know,” Genya stammers, sitting several feet away and trembling. He looks around, at the slayers watching him with wide, wary eyes, and the other Hashira who has his sword in his hand like he’s ready to fight.
“It doesn’t matter,” Muichiro asserts, struggling back to his feet. “It’s over, and we’re leaving now.” Genya seems nervous, embarrassed, and he’s staring at Giyu the same way he looks at his older brother, utterly terrified. But Giyu just sheaths his sword and begins to walk away. “You aren’t in trouble.” Muichiro tells Genya. “Don’t worry.”
Genya nods, though he looks unconvinced. Muichiro decides they will not dwell on the matter any further, and starts after Giyu, and Genya, as he often does, follows.