Chapter Text
The descriptions provided by the Water Hashira from other worlds were right. The demon has pale skin and deep blue strip marks running through all his body, his pink hair being a stark contrast. His eyes glow an eerie gold surrounded by blue crystal-like irises.
The demon's left arm is split in half, most likely by the impact of Kyojuro's sword. He doesn't look bothered, in fact, there's a certain degree of amusement as he flicks the split arm, the tissue snapping back together with a sickening sound.
“That's a fine sword you got there,” he croons as he licks the remaining blood running down his hand.
“Why would you go against the boy first?” Kyojuro asks, “it’s obvious he's in no condition to fight.”
“He’s weak, besides, he looked like he could get in the middle of our little conversation, that's all.”
That's all? The flame haired man's frown deepens.
“i don't get why would I want to engage in any sort of conversation with you,” he claims, “I've just met you and I already dislike you!” To disregard a life just for the thought of it being a nuisance, it makes Kyojuro's anger rise up.
It doesn't matter that the demon in front of him is an Upper Moon, he won't let it harm any of the civilians around, much less the young boy behind him.
“Is that so?” Upper Three’s eyes narrow, “well, I loathe weaklings, the mere sight of them makes me nauseous.”
“Then it's clear that our values couldn't be more opposite!”
The demon stands straighter, a hand against his hip in a nonchalant way.
“Oh? Then, I have an offer for you, why don't you become a demon?” He reaches out a hand in an almost friendly manner. It's more disgusting when put in contrast with the outrageous offer he had just made.
“I refuse!” He doesn't hesitate with his answer.
The demon's smile fades away, even if briefly. He doesn't seem as surprised as he looks rather disappointed instead.
“Why not? I can tell you are strong at first glance,” amusement fills the demon's voice as he speaks, “You're a Hashira, aren't you? Your fighting spirit is impressive, I can see it has been honed to its best, it's close to the realm of the highest.”
“I am the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro!”
Kyojuro knows most of his fellow pillars would frown upon him at telling his name to such a despicable foe, but his honor makes it unavoidable.
The demon returns to his more relaxed stance.
“My name is Akaza.”
Something in Kyojuro's mind puts him on high alert, he recalls Makomo's and Sabito's warnings about the demon who goes by that name. An Upper Moon who is obsessed with strength. So far everything seems accurate. Akaza also does seem to be the chatty type.
“Say, Kyojuro, do you know why can't you enter into the realm of the highest? It's because you're human, as such, you will grow old, weathering away until you die.” He speaks in a condescending tone, reaching out his hand towards him once again, “become a demon, Kyojuro, then you will be able to train for centuries until you reach the highest of your potential. Wouldn't that be wonderful?”
He's obsessed with challenging strong opponents . Sabito's words once again ring accurate.
“Growing old and eventually dying, those are part of the ephemeral beauty of humankind,” a centuries old creature could never understand such a thing, “the fact that we age and eventually die is what makes human life so precious and irreplaceable. And this boy right here, he's not weak! He's a promising young swordsman, as such he's strong! So don't insult him!” He catches a glimpse of Tanjiro's stunned expression. “I'll repeat myself as many times as it takes for you to understand. No matter the reason, no matter the circumstances, I refuse to become a demon!”
“Is that so?”
Akaza’s eyes narrow dangerously, his expression turning dead serious for a moment. Then, the striped demon stomps as he gets in a fighting stance.
“Technique Development, Destructive Death: Compass Needle”
A snowflake blooms under his feet, its lines glow a bright blue, illuminating the demon's form in a menacing way, a sharp grin overtaking his features.
“If you refuse to become a demon, I have no other option but to kill you.”
If it wasn't for his training as a Hashira, Giyuu doubts he could've been able to keep up with the fight. Kyojuro lifts his blade just in time to intercept Akaza's blow as both quickly engage in a fierce exchange. Kyojuro's reddish blade clashes with Akaza's fists, every blow lifts a cloud of dust, making it more difficult to track down both fighters. Makomo and Sabito were right, the demon is a talkative one, as he keeps taunting the Flame Hashira in between attacks.
Giyuu remains frozen in place, his mind racing as he looks for an opening to jump into action and aid his comrade. Their movements are so frenetic that the raven haired man fears he might end up messing Kyojuro's pace.
“There were never any Flame Hashira amongst the many ones I've killed until now!” Akaza proclaims as Kyojuro dodges a kick aimed at his head, they exchange more kicks and punches, at times Kyojuro manages to connect his blade with the demon's arms, but it seems Upper Three can harden his skin to prevent his limbs from getting cut. “None of them accepted my offer either, why do you think that is?”
The Flame Hashira’s blade manages to cut through halfway of Akaza's wrist, just for the demon to push it aside, the pillar barely manages to dodge another punch.
“As a fellow martial artist, I just don't get it! Only the strongest are worthy of becoming demons!”
Kyojuro glares at the demon as he deflects a punch aimed at his head, his blade manages to cut off one of Akaza's arms. Giyuu notes with dread how the limb regenerates almost instantly.
So that's the power of an Upper Moon.
“To witness the hideous decline of someone blessed with incredible prowess and strength,” one blow grazes Kyojuro's temple, blood splattering out, “it pains me deeply!”
The two come face to face, never has Giyuu seen Kyojuro's face showing so much rage at someone, yet the Upper Moon merely seems amused at such display.
“Die, Kyojuro! While you're still young and strong!”
Kyojuro roars as he slices upwards, pushing the demon far from him. Akaza leaps backwards and remains suspended mid air, legs flexed in a half-crouched position and hands lifted to both sides of his head.
“Destructive Death: Air Type!”
For a moment, Kyojuro awaits, confused, sword lifted in a defensive stance. He suddenly gets pushed by what seems to be a powerful gust of wind. Akaza throws more of those blasts, blasts that are parried by the swordsman the best he can. Though Giyuu notices in concern how his fellow pillar is starting to get overwhelmed by his rival's relentless attacks.
“Flame Breathing, Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!”
Swinging his sword in multiple circular motions, the flame haired swordsman manages to stop most of the incoming attacks. His sword shines its reddish-orange, looking as if actual flames surge from it. Upper Three finally lands back on the ground, a delighted smile on his face. The both of them remain at a considerable distance. Knowing now that Akaza could launch long range attacks, it is clear Kyojuro would need to get closer to the demon if he wants to at least land a blow on him.
“Third Form: Blazing Universe!”
Kyojuro launches himself until he's at arm's reach of the demon, he swings his sword in a downward vertical slash which is avoided by his opponent by tilting his body backwards.
“These superb reflexes of yours,” he mutters, trading more blows with the flame haired slayer, “and these breathtaking swordskills of yours, they will be lost too!” Slowly but steadily, Akaza's relentless attacks are wearing Kyojuro down. “Kyojuro! Doesn't that sadden you?!”
The demon brings one fist behind his torso, readying to land a punch on the man's abdomen. Giyuu can feel his hand twitching as he jumps from the train and rushes to aid his fellow pillar. He feels he's too slow, he needs to reach Kyojuro! Getting hit from that distance will guarantee more than a few broken ribs. Though he doesn't stop his running, his eyes widen in surprise when Makomo's form passes over him as a pink blur, her blue tinted sword creating a striking contrast.
“Water Breathing, Twelfth Form: Droplet!”
Before Akaza's fist can connect with the pillar's torso, Makomo's blade slices through the offending arm. The demon's golden eyes widen in surprise as his confident smile fades away, a mixture of anger and disbelief overtaking his features as he jumps backward, his split arm quickly stitching itself back together.
“Tamura! Tomioka! Stay back, I can handle this on my own! It's my duty as a Hashira!” Kyojuro tries to protest when both water breathing users place themselves in a protective stance in front of him.
“We share the same duty.” Giyuu retorts, his eyes fixed on the demon's form, wary of his incoming moves.
“Listen to Kyojuro, Hashira ,” Akaza warns them, “I have no intention of fighting against you, your fighting spirits are nowhere as impressive as his.”
“I don't want any of your compliments, demon!”
“Aren't Upper Moons under the obligation of killing any Hashira they encounter?” Makomo asks, her voice deceivingly calm, as Giyuu notes the small sweat droplets forming against her forehead. She's risking their luck by taunting the demon like that.
“Who says I won't do it once I finish with him? Or are you that willing to die?” He must be hesitating, Giyuu reasons, Makomo may be right about the fact that he doesn't kill women. To be faced with a female Hashira must be putting him in front of a huge predicament.
“Giyuu-san, Makomo-san…” Tanjiro mumbles, he's trying to stand up as Inosuke rushes to his side. Both boys seem eager to jump into action as well, do they really think they have a chance fighting an Upper Moon?
“Stay back, you two!” Kyojuro commands and both teenagers freeze in place.
“Don't lose your focus on the fight!” Akaza roars, aiming another punch at the flame haired man, a punch that Giyuu deflects with a swift execution of the third form.
“We won't leave you on your own,” the raven muses at his comrade, Kyojuro frowns, but his gaze is filled with renewed determination.
“Hn!” He nods as he intercepts the next attack.
Soon both men and demon are engaged in another frenetic exchange of blows. Kyojuro's powerful flame breathing forms take a more offensive stance, aiming to cut down Akaza's limbs; Giyuu's water breathing works as a solid enough defense for both men to withstand the devastating blows launched at them. Whenever Upper Three's attacks are about to reach either of them, Makomo manages to get in his way, her nimble movements working as temporary distractions, much to the demon's annoyance.
“So you both are the Water Hashira, I've killed plenty of your kind before, but never have I fought two of you at the same time” Akaza comments as he deflects one of Giyuu's slashes, “your fighting spirit is not as impressive, yet your technique seems polished to its finest. Say, Giyuu, become a demon!”
“No,” in a rare demonstration of emotion, the male pillar scowls at his opponent.
“We already told you we won't!” Kyojuro repeats, even though he has been fighting the longest, he tries to remain as firm as usual.
At some point the Flame Hashira gets too close to the demon, his sword colliding with Akaza's fist. The Upper Moon presses on his attack until his punch lands on Kyojuro's face, crushing one of his eyes. Giyuu tries to intercept the next attack, the impact managing to land on one of his sides, launching him a good distance away, leaving him temporarily breathless.
The striped demon takes the opportunity to focus once again entirely on Kyojuro, yet before he can land another punch on the stunted man, Makomo's small frame gets in his way, the impact making her stumble backwards. It's clear he held back at the last minute when she intercepted his blow. It doesn't make the impact the least powerful, especially considering how Makomo's body is smaller in comparison to her male comrades.
“Move aside, woman ! This is not your fight!” Akaza snarls, visibly frustrated.
“I'm a Hashira, as such it is my duty to end you,” Makomo stands protectively in front of Kyojuro, who still seems winded after the last attacks. She trusts Giyuu will be able to get back into combat soon, she couldn't spot where he landed after the last blow. “I won't let you bring further harm upon my colleagues!”
Akaza's frown deepens, but he takes a fighting stance once again —even though Makomo can see the way he's reluctant to do so—.
“Makomo, is it?” The demon calls her name, it's not in the same taunting manner she recalls back during their fight in the Infinity Fortress, but it's still sickening to hear. “You are stubborn, I've killed plenty of Water Hashira before, but few have been as stubborn as you and your companion!”
The female Hashira steadies her breaths before launching herself at the demon.
“Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide!”
She charges forwards as her sword releases a series of multiple slashes in a flowing fashion. The demon easily intercepts those slashes as if they were nothing, though he doesn't fight back, his defensive stance remains as he tries to push her aside with a series of punches.
“Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirlpool!”
She can feel the strain in her body as her arms twist in a swirling motion to intercept those attacks in a devastating move. She's caught off-guard when Akaza's foot connects with her torso, it's clear he's restraining himself, she has seen the demon using his full strength and this is nowhere close to that.
Still, it's enough to launch her at a considerable distance until her body collides with the train. Pain spreads through her midsection, she wants to scream, but the impact has pushed the air out of her lungs.
“Makomo-san!”
Makomo can hear Tanjiro's horrified scream, though it comes muffled due to her stunted state. She can also catch a glimpse of Upper Moon Three scowling, for a second he appears to be genuinely conflicted at what he had just done. Though his shock doesn't last long as Giyuu and Kyojuro swing their swords at him in synchrony.
“Flame Breathing, Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!”
“Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide”
“This is more like it! Come at me, you two!”
Though battered, both swordsmen launch themselves towards Akaza. The demon's expression becomes gleeful once again as he leaps backwards.
“Destructive Death: Disorder!”
He cackles in delight as his arms get ready to prepare an array of powerful attacks. Makomo can only stare in horror as the wave of relentless punches coming from the demon collide with her fellow pillars' powerful techniques, the collision of both sides raise bigger clouds of dust, each attack, each swing illuminating the darkness.
“Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Lull”
“Flame Breathing, Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!”
As Akaza's punches keep coming at them, both men are forced to switch to defensive forms in an effort to protect themselves from the devastating blows. Yet Makomo knows it's a matter of time until both of them run out of stamina.
She needs to get back to the battlefield, quickly!
Move!
Makomo begs her body to obey. She groans in pain as she lifts herself from the crater formed by the impact, her torso hurts in a way that's nearly incapacitating, and she's sure several of her ribs are broken, as her breathing comes rattled and just feels wrong.
As the fight keeps escalating, a bigger cloud of dust arises, preventing her from seeing what's happening for a moment. Her heart races as she tries to spot the other pillars. She needs to make sure they are right, now her concern isn't solely focused on Kyojuro's well-being, but Giyuu's as well, she wouldn't forgive herself if either of them dies in this battle.
As the dust settles, Makomo looks in horror at how both Hashira share battered looks, their breaths come winded and she can notice how Giyuu's posture is unsteady, while Kyojuro isn't holding himself any better. Blood droplets fall from their injuries, tinting the ground underneath them a dark red.
On the opposite side of the battlefield, Akaza looks barely injured, there's a deep cut running through his torso and he's missing an arm. Unfazed, the demon regenerates his missing limb in one quick motion. There's disappointment in his eyes as he stares at them.
“Don't die on me, Kyojuro, Giyuu. Come on, you two, let's keep fighting!” The demon says —whines, in Makomo's opinion—, his voice earns a sharp undertone “even if you fight to death, you can't win this.”
As much as she loathes to admit it, he's right. With their current level they're in no way strong enough to finish off the third Upper Moon.
“All those impressive slashes you have given me, they've already healed,” he points at the cut running through his torso, the skin stitching itself back together until there's no trace of an injury at all. “But what about you? A smashed eye, several broken ribs, internal damage, all of that irreparable, you can barely stand straight at this point. If you became demons, those injuries would heal in the blink of an eye, they'd be nothing but mere scratches.” He speaks as if he pities them, it's revolting, “you can struggle all you want, but a human can never beat a demon.”
Kyojuro steadies his breathing, as his stance becomes firm once again —even if Makomo can see how much the flame haired man is straining his body—. To the other Hashira’s dread, the Flame pillar takes once again a fighting stance, smiling widely despite all the pain he must be enduring.
“I will fulfill my duty! I will not allow anyone here to die!” Kyojuro proclaims out loud, his grin as bright as ever, even in his battered state.
“Rengoku!” Giyuu wheezes out, panic overtaking his features in a way that mirrors the expression Makomo is sure she's making.
Both Water Hashira shiver at the sudden shift in the atmosphere as the flame haired man readies himself to launch a powerful last attack, is this how a fighting spirit feels like? Makomo wonders as she notices how Akaza, too, seems shocked at the sudden display coming from Rengoku.
“Such a tremendous fighting spirit… that huge aura despite those injuries…” the demon mutters as a delighted smile twists his lips, “That mental strength! That stance! You really must become a demon, Kyojuro!” He laughs in such a gleeful way that it feels insulting at the pillar's display of bravery, “Let's fight each other for all eternity!”
“I am the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro!”
The pillar roars, and both fighters lift their arms in their respective postures. Makomo forces her legs to keep moving as she prepares her own posture, she can catch a glimpse of Giyuu forcing his limbs to obey him, she can spot the way one of his arms moves in a way that screams he's sustained a significant injury there.
“Flame Breathing, Ninth Form: Rengoku! ”
“Destructive Death: Annihilation Type!”
Everything feels like it's happening in slow motion. Kyojuro’s ninth form is as powerful as it's straightforward, to use it against Akaza would only seal the flame haired man's fate, as there's no way he could dodge Akaza's attack on time. They need to do something, they need to intervene somehow, but how?!
“Water Breathing, Twelfth Form…”
The female Hashira notices in horror how her raven haired junior is getting ready to launch the twelfth form —her special form, she's been teaching him and Sabito how to use it—; it could surely manage to get in the way of Upper Three's attack before it could reach Kyojuro, but knowing how Akaza's Compass Needle functions, the demon's attack would inevitably reach one of Giyuu’s vital points.
She remembers the guilt that nearly consumed her when two boys didn't return from Mount Fujikasane. Two empty graves freshly placed in Mount Sagiri, two shattered masks, broken swords and tattered kimonos.
Giyuu's youthful face flashes through her memories, his bright smiles, his clumsy mannerisms, his quiet but comforting presence.
He has been doing better as of recently. She can proudly say the raven's frigid mask has been melting as the triad spends more time together.
She can't let those precious moments be snatched from her, from Sabito, from Tanjiro, from Urokodaki-san.
Her body screams as she strains it beyond its limits. She wasn't the only one who taught her special form, after all. So Makomo takes a deep breath and lets her feet guide her.
“Water Breathing, Thirteenth Form: Waterspout!”
If she squints hard enough she can imagine the water flowing from her blade, acting like a small wave that grows bigger and more merciless as her body twists one, two times before she releases a powerful slash. She doesn't process the moment she's screaming, as she can only hear her heartbeat ringing through her ears; though Makomo can guess she's made enough noise to startle both man and demon.
Kyojuro's movements come to an abrupt halt, his face showing the pain that spreads through his body at the abrupt shift in his movements. Akaza's eyes widen in horror as he seems to be forcing his body to retreat, she can't help the devious smirk she aims at the demon, she knows his weakness and won't hesitate to take advantage of it. Is it foul play? Maybe, but demons have never played fair in this centuries long war.
Giyuu's sword gets intercepted by a last-minute punch thrown in his direction, and though the raven winces in pain, he doesn't stop as the blade is already halfway through the demon's arm. Makomo's own blade is already a couple of inches deep into his neck.
That's how the four of them are stuck in a weird, convoluted mess. Makomo's petite frame fiercely tries to shield her male companions as her blade remains half-stuck on the demon's vital point, with Giyuu's sword stuck on one of his arms, in such a way that makes the demon unable to break free without threatening to further harm Makomo. Kyojuro remains closely behind them, sword half-lifted as he desperately looks for a way to help.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” Akaza seethes, fear betraying his attempts at sounding menacing, “You… stupid woman! This has never been your fight! Why are you so adamant on getting yourself killed?!”
She usually wouldn’t indulge in chatting with a demon, much less one like him. But Makomo finds that the adrenaline running through her veins is making her head feel fuzzy, and she channels all the spare strength she’s not using to immobilize him to glare at him with a visceral rage that she’s rarely shown.
“I… I know you don’t hurt women, Akaza!” She puts more strength onto the blade on his neck, delighting herself in the way the demon’s eyes widen in shock, “so if you really want to kill them you’ll have to kill me first!”
“Makomo!”
“Makomo-san!”
“Tamura-san!”
Makomo ignores the concerned voices calling out her name as she doesn't waver in the way she defiantly glares at the Upper Moon. She can see Akaza's face twisting in something between hatred and dread as his gaze darts aside. Across the mountains the sun is already rising, it's a matter of time before the sunrise light reaches them.
She knows Akaza ended up fleeing during the Mugen Train mission. One part of her is aware this will likely happen again, yet another, more stubborn side of hers wants to try restraining him long enough for him to burn into a crisp.
So Makomo doesn't budge when Akaza begins thrashing against her grip. She doesn't register the moment when Kyojuro's blade is firmly pressed against the opposite side of Upper Three's neck, both slayers pinning him down. Makomo endures the way her whole body aches at being further battered each time the demon furiously squirms in a desperate attempt to release himself. At some point he tries to force her aside with his free arm, only for Giyuu, in a display of pure adrenaline to use his already injured arm to restrain the demon's.
The sunlight looms in the horizon, and Akaza’s thrashing grows even more desperate to the point that, in which seems like something that causes him great conflict, the demon kicks Makomo in the abdomen, making her crumple in pain as her already battered ribs threaten to cause some major inner damage. Kyojuro's and Giyuu's grip falter as they focus on their injured comrade. The demon takes advantage of this to force himself free of the Hashira’s grip, not caring if he breaks Makomo’s and Kyojuro’s swords as he runs away.
“DON'T YOU DARE TO ESCAPE, YOU COWARD!”
Everything has been so chaotic, so hectic that Makomo struggles to register how Tanjiro tries to chase after Upper Three, who has already delved deep into the woods nearby. She barely registers how the burgundy-haired boy seems to channel his special breathing technique to launch his own katana in a desperate attempt to land a hit on the demon; neither can she fully register what is the boy yelling so furiously at the demon, but she has never seen Tanjiro so upset.
Her vision becomes blurry as her adrenaline levels go down, and she finally starts to register just how badly her whole body hurts. She slumps forward, and Makomo is certain she would have fallen flat-face against the ground if it wasn’t for Kyojuro and Giyuu clumsily leaning her against them. They both look worse off than what she hoped, as she’s pretty certain Kyojuro’s left eye is beyond saving, and one of Giyuu’s arms seems bent in a way that she just knows is wrong. She knows she isn’t doing any better, Shinobu will be having a field day with all this mess.
While catching a (blurry) glimpse at the kakushi rushing to their aid, Makomo feels weirdly giddy at the realization that her mission has been a success, because, while nearly as badly beaten up as her, Rengoku Kyojuro appears to be very much alive —barely conscious, but alive nonetheless—.
As the kakushi put her on a stretcher so they can take her to the Butterfly Estate, Makomo exchanges glances with Giyuu; the raven haired man is displaying a rare mixture of relief, fear and hopefulness on his face, his eyes wide open and his gaze somewhat lost somewhere over her shoulder. All their years training together make her more or less aware of how Giyuu’s mind works, and one part of her wishes she could find the words to reassure him that everything has worked out as expected —even though, truth be told, she can’t be sure of it, yet—. She wishes she could somehow reassure her siblingfellow pillar that everything will work out as they hoped, but she finds herself slipping out of consciousness as she’s taken to Kocho’s clinic. She barely has time to register a crow setting off, probably to the Water Estate.
.
.
.
Sabito is cleaning the morning dishes when Nobutoshi lands on the open window’s frame. His heart nearly stops at the possibility of the crow bringing bad news regarding the Mugen Train mission, so he braces himself for what may come.
“Caw, caw! Water Hashira Tamura Makomo and Tomioka Giyuu, and Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyojuro have survived an encounter with Upper Moon Three! Upper Moon Three managed to escape, though there were no casualties from the slayers corps nor any of the 200 passengers aboard the Mugen Train lost their lives! The Hashira are being taken to the Butterfly Estate to receive urgent medical care!”
The peach haired man leans against a wall, a tiny, hesitant chuckle leaves his mouth as he lets the words sink in. Have they succeeded on their first mission? How would the Master take the news? How would the other Hashira react at the news of three of them surviving an encounter against an Upper Moon? Would they feel relieved, or would they consider it shameful to fail at slaying one of Muzan’s Moons? The longer those thoughts circle around his head, the more Sabito’s worries increase. Besides, he can’t brush off the gnawing worry at the prospect of just how badly injured might the three pillars be —not to mention, how might the younger slayers be, Sabito really hopes they didn’t sustain any major injury—.
…
He’ll need to wait for Makomo and Giyuu to be treated properly before even daring to ask them about the mission.
For now, he should go inform Senjuro they’ll be visiting the Butterfly Estate soon.
