Kazuya POV
My eyes fluttered open to the soft glow of sunlight. Confusion washed over me as I tried to recall how I ended up in this unfamiliar bed, my body wrapped in bandages. The room felt strangely comforting, but I couldn't shake the memory of what had happened.
I turned my head and saw another bed beside mine where I saw Shimo, resting peacefully. Relief surged through my heart at the sight of him. He had always been rather reckless, so I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort with him nearby.
As I tried to sit up, a gentle hand pressed against his shoulder. I looked to see who it was, and I found a fair woman with white hair and lavender eyes. She was wearing a kind smile mixed with concern.
"W-who are you?"
"Take it easy," she said softly. "You've been through quite an ordeal."
My memories began to resurface—the battle with the demon, the intensity of the fight, and the injuries we sustained to to win.
"You're in the care of good hands," the doctor assured me. "You both are."
My gaze shifted back to Shimo, who was still in his slumber. A small smile graced my lips as I looked at his closed eyes.
"We managed to get both of you here in time," the doctor continued, her voice reassuring. "You're lucky to have each other."
I did a small nod and thought about everything that happened. I would've died if it weren't for him.
"Rest now," she said. "Your body needs time to heal. When you wake up I'll let the master know, and you can talk to him."
I settled back slowly into the pillows, feeling a mix of exhaustion and gratitude. I didn't know who she was or the master she spoke of, but I didn't think much of it as sleep took over me once again.
Time Skip
When I woke up once again, the lady informed me that her name was Amane and that we were currently in the demon slayer headquarters. She brought me to the current leader of the demon slayer corps, who is also her husband.
I sat in front of the master cautiously and he greeted me.
"How are you and your brother doing, Kazuya?" He asked, his voice strangely comforting.
"We're doing fine. Thank you for treating me and my brother here Oyakata-Sama. We are in your debt."
"Rest assured you owe no debt to us. I'm informed that your a Kinoe and a Frost Breathing user who defeated the Lower Moon 2."
I nodded and responded, "With the help of my brother I defeated the demon."
"This is no small feat Kazuya, so I'd like to thank you for your service. I'd like to offer you a promotion to Hashira."
"H-hashira?"
"If you'll accept of course."
"Of course I do!" I immediately responded, before I realized, "Wait- But what about my brother, Shimo?"
"At the present, there is only one available position." He stated "We chose you because you have a higher ranking and also your Kasugai crow informed me that due to a mid-battle injury he wasn't able to help you at the end of the battle."
After a couple moments of processing what he said I told him, "Alright then. I...I accept the honor and privilege of being a hashira."
He smiled and told me, "Then at the next hashira meeting I will announce that you will be the new Frost Hashira. Your old uniform will be replaced along with your sword. In the meantime, you can stay here as long an necessary."
"Thank you so much Oyakata-Sama." I glanced around before asking him, "Can I ask you a question?"
Time Skip
After I talked with the master, I spoke with Amane-sama about the injuries I got. The injuries I sustained weren't fatal but they did disrupt my movements. Sometimes the scratches would start stinging painfully at random times. Most of the time it was bearable, but when multiple cuts started doing that, it was hard to hide the pain.
While I was recovering I got to learn about their five kids who were quintuplets. To be honest, Shimo is far better with kids then I am but I'd like think they had fun. Whenever I could I offered to play simple games with them like Shogi and Tag and they seemed to enjoy it a lot.
At one point, I sent a letter to Ayaka and Urokodaki about what happened. In their letter back, Urokodaki told me about one of his students Tomioka Giyu who was the current water hashira. He said I should talk to him and that he'd like that a lot, even if it didn't seem like it.
Time Skip
Day of the Hashira Meeting
I was told the Hashira meeting was set for today morning, and I would wait in a room to the side until I was called. I was pacing around the room with butterflies in my stomach while I was listening to everybody. My interest piqued when I heard a familiar feminine voice.
Is that Kanae? She's here? I completely forgot that she would be here...
I walked infront of a mirror that was in the room and started fixing my appearance.
Why didn't I remember? I'm going to attend a meeting with the best demon slayers in the demon slayer corps and I look like this.
I dusted off my clothes and started fixing my hair like how Ayaka does it for me. It was not as nice as the way she does it but I did the best I could.
Soon, Amane-sama called me out and after taking a deep breath, I walked out. She gestured for me to next to Oyakata-sama and I did. I sat up right and looked forward, not really focusing on anything.
"This is the new Frost Hashira, Akane Kazuya." Oyakata-Sama announced.
I bowed my head and said, "It will be an honor to work with you all."
"Why is someone like you a Hashira?" A man with spiky white hair said with a cold tone. I furrowed my eyebrows and my attention was brought to a tall man covered in jewelry.
"My name is Tengen Uzui, and I too was also wondering the same thing."
"I defeated Lower Moon 2 with the help of my younger brother." I responded while looking at Tengen.
"I can vouch for his skills." Kanae said with a that kind smile she always has. I smiled at her as a silent thank you.
"If Kanae vouches for him then I to, trust his abilities." A giant man said. The white haired man from earlier still didn't look satisfied. I looked at the master and he looked like he was gonna start talking.
"I also trust his abilities. Defeating the Lower Moon 2 is no doubt a difficult task and is worth his promotion to Hashira." He started, which made my heart feel warm for some reason. "On that note, if there are no further questions for me, I will dismiss the meeting. Thank you all for attending on such a short notice."
Everybody bowed to him as he walked back inside with the help of 2 of his kids. When he left, I walked up to the hashira who were now standing. I first went up to Tomioka Giyu. Urokodaki told me he had a mismatched haori so he was easy to spot.
"You must be Giyu Tomioka." I said with a straight face as I stuck my hand out and he shaked it. "I'm a student of Urokodaki and he told me about you. I mastered frost breathing under his tutelage and some water breathing forms as well."
"Yes... I'm the Water Hashira. He mentioned you before to."
After talking to him a bit more (or at least trying to), some of the other hashira came up to me to congratulate me and left soon after. By the end, there were only two people left, Kanae and the white haired man from earlier.
"Sanemi, introduce yourself." Kanae kindly asked him while pushing him towards me. He sighed and put his hand out.
"I'm the Wind Hashira, Shinazugawa Sanemi." I shaked his hand and he squeezed mine hard. This didn't match well with my recovering injuries and I did do my best to hide the pain, but it was clear he could tell. I noticed a condescending grin on his face and before I could say anything he left with a swoosh of wind.
"Sanemi!" Kanae turned to see if he was still there and turned back to me with a soft smile. "Sorry Kazuya. He's actually quite nice when you get to know him."
She had a big smile with closed eyes as she gave me her full attention. Something about it made my heart flutter. "Congratulations for your promotion! Your hard work payed off and you became Hashira." She stepped towards me and wrapped her arms around me into a hug.
I returned her embrace gladly. "Thank you Kanae. I couldn't have done it without your help." I said, cherishing her embrace. After a couple of moments, I let go of her and she asked,
"So, how is Shimo doing?"
"He's doing fine all things considered. He's in a coma right now and he's resting here but besides that he's fine."
She considered what I said and made a face. That face where it was clear an idea popped into her head. "Why don't you come and stay with us in the Butterfly Mansion? I think Shinobu would be happy to see Shimo again~"
I raised my eyebrows and chuckled before saying, "I think I'll take you up on that offer, let me tell Oyakata-Sama."
"Okay, I'll wait for you here then." She smiled.
After telling Oyakata-Sama that I'd head to the Butterfly Estate, he told me he'd send Shimo there with the Kakushi soon. I went back outside to Kanae, and we walked back together.
On the way to the butterfly mansion, we passed through a town and Kanae wanted shop a little there. She bought some food and a couple of Kimonos for the girls. I was carrying her newly bought items while she was looking around and in one particular store, she spotted a haori.
"Kazuya we should buy that haori for you!" She exclaimed.
"I don't think I need a haori, Kanae." I told her with a small smile, thinking that she already bought so many things.
"Nonsense, almost all the hashira have haori's. And I'm sure you'll look amazing in that one." She argued pointing at the haori.
"Well," I looked at the haori then at her hopeful eyes. How could you say no those eyes? "...If you insist"
"Yes!" She exclaimed, "Let's go get it."
One Purchase Later
"Alright let's head back now." She said.
Kanae POV
It was quite refreshing, walking back together, playfully teasing each other along the way. I always enjoyed the time I spent with him. It was rare, having moments like these, where I could act like a normal teenager with people my age... the same thing goes for him as well.
He's usually seen as a skilled and responsible swordsman and older brother. It's hard to see how young at heart he truly is behind his maturity. However, overtime, I think my stubbornness allowed me to get him out of his shell.
At one point, while we were walking and talking, I my eyes spotted a nearby cherry blossom tree. I subconsciously veered from the path and went towards it. I admired its beautiful flowers and I couldn't resist plucking a few petals. I glanced at Kazuya who was behind me watching curiously. With a sly grin, I turned around and playfully tossed them at Kazuya, who was slightly surprised at first but soon pretended to be taken aback. He raised an eyebrow at me. "You're not gonna get away with that!" He said, his voice getting louder.
Laughing, he retaliated, gathering some petals of his own from nearby trees and showering me with them. I let out a delighted squeal, attempting to dodge the falling petals but failed hilariously.
We found ourselves in a playful chase, weaving through the trees, our laughter filling the air. Not many know this, but his laughter is incredibly contagious.
I hid behind a nearby lantern, and peeked out with a mischievous grin. "You'll never catch me, Kazuya!" I teased.
He pretended to be stumped for a moment before spotting my hiding place. With a wink, he playfully lunged for me, pulling me into a bear hug.
"You got me!" I laughed, cherishing the embrace with genuine warmth.
As we continued our walk, we found a patch of wildflowers. Kazuya kneeled down and plucked a few flowers and I looked at him curiously while he tucked them gently behind my ear.
"You look even more beautiful with flowers in your hair," He remarked, his eyes twinkling. I felt a rush of warmth on my cheeks.
How is he always able to say things like that so casually?
However, I didn't miss the opportunity to pick a flower myself and place it carefully in his well-kept hair. "And you, are a true flower samurai!" I teased, earning a small chuckle from him.
Time Skip
As we approached the house, Shinobu could be heard yelling inside. I giggled at the thought of whatever could've possibly happened, and after we walked inside I had a sudden recollection. I turned to Kazuya and suddenly told him,
"I have surprise for you."
He raised one of his eyebrows intrigued, "What is it?"
Taishou Secret
Since Ayaka doesn't need to spend her time training or on missions, she's developed many hobbies. One of which, is doing peoples hair. She convinced Kazuya to let her do his and he ended up being very satisfied by it, making that his signature hairstyle. On the other hand, Shimo wouldn't agree, and when he finally was pestered enough to agree, he did actually like it. However, he never took care of his hair and it always became messy within minutes and concluded that it took too much time for it to be worth it.
A/N: Hello! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. From now I'm going add pictures throughout the chapters. So just think of it like the eye catchers they show in the show. I'll try my best on the coloring and drawing and whatnot, forgive me if it's not the best. You're free to keep whatever mental image of them that you had.
On that note here's Kazuya!
Frost Hashira: Kazuya Akane