It was oddly peaceful… okay, maybe it was too peaceful of a morning. That should have been all the sign I needed.
The Hashira Training Camp ended two days ago. Everyone who took part had grown much stronger, learned new skills, and made new friends.
I was sitting under the covered veranda of the main building of my estate, legs stretched out, sunglasses perched lazily on my nose, a skewer of dango between my teeth while I read through reports I didn't technically need to read.
Anything to distract myself really.
Mitsuri was humming in the kitchen, her voice soft and cheerful. Every few minutes she'd peek through the doorway and flash me that radiant smile… the one that made you forget that she was hilariously strong for her size.
We'd spent the past week planning our wedding. Our future together… or rather, she had planned most of it while I nodded at appropriate times and tried not to look too terrified at the amount of flowers she wanted.
She wanted something simple but beautiful, held at our recently completed estate. "Something warm" she said, "something that felt like family".
It suited her.
I don't need grandeur, or anything ultra extravagant. So long as she walked down that path towards me or the Japanese equivalent, nothing else mattered.
I was lost in thought when I heard the crash.
My head snapped back into the house instantly.
"Mitsuri?" I called.
No response… then a soft gurgle of running water. I was inside the house in the blink of an eye.
She was on her knees by the sink, hand covering her mouth, eyes wide with surprise. The scent of miso soup hung faintly in the air from the bowl beside her that had been abandoned mid meal.
"Mitsu," I knelt beside her, rubbing her back gently, "you okay?"
She waved her hand dismissively, cheeks flushed pink. "I'm fine!" Just… must've eating too fast!"
Right.
Sure, and her favourite dish wasn't actually sakuramochi.
She laughed softly, brushing off my concern. But I could see the anticipation in her eyes, the way she protectively guarded her stomach during training, even the list of baby names that she thought she had hid from me.
She was carrying our child, no doubt about it.
For the first time in a while, the world was quiet enough that I could hear the second faint heartbeat within her that was growing stronger with every day.
It wasn't like the thought hadn't crossed my mind before. After all, after that first night, something had awoken in Mitsuri and she had insisted on being very close every chance we could get.
Sometimes gentle, sometimes passionate, sometimes spontaneous enough that the Kakushi that helped maintain my estate had learned to knock twice before entering a room when Mitsuri and I were around at the same time.
So yeah, I figured it was only a matter of time.
Contraceptives weren't common and even if they were, Mitsuri had a certain… preference, that she was very vocal about.
'Probably got it from her mom… not that I'm making any form of resistance, I folded under zero pressure the first time she looked me in the eyes and begged for me to—
"Satoru?" Her soft voice pulled me from my thoughts.
"Just thinking… don't mind me. Let's go get some sakuramochi from your favourite stall."
The radiant smile was back on her face as u helped her up. I wouldn't press, this was something she had to tell me on her own time.
Besides, the way she smiled when she talked about our growing guest list, or the glow around her when she mentioned having her sisters as flower girls… that was enough for now.
[Scene Break]
The following week, I found myself sitting next to Mitsuri as we met with the other Hashira in the grand hall of the Ubuyashiki estate. The air was a little tense as we waited for Kagaya to start the meeting.
The leader of the Demon Slayer Corps sat at the head of the room. Amane and his children on either side of him as he smiled at us.
Every Hashira was present for this meeting, from Sanemi who glared daggers at me off to the side, to Giyu who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but in that room at that moment.
Shinobu and Kanae looked calm as always, though their eyes constantly flicked towards Kagaya in worry. Despite having healed him a while ago now, the man still looked frail, even if he did look healthier than ever before.
Even Shinjuro and Jiguro had been invited as observers to this meeting. I would have been an idiot if I didn't think this was going to be an important meeting.
Kagaya's voice, soft but steady, carried clearly across the room as he began to speak.
"Thank you for coming everyone, even on such short notice you all responded to my call."
The other Hashira murmured, claiming that it was their duty to respond to his calls. He was the leader of the organisation we all worked for.
Kagaya continued once everyone fell silent, "You have all been working so hard these past few months, training and passing on your skills in the training camp. The Corps, we are now much stronger than we have ever been in history."
I didn't miss how several gazes lingered on me, as Kagaya kept talking.
We have lost many over the years, but now… it is time, we can finally put forward in motion, plans to end it all."
Muichiro shifted slightly, actually focused for once. "Oyakata-sama… have you found Muzan's hidden location?"
Kagaya smiled faintly, "Not quite, but our ally has tracked his movements… as of late, he has grown desperate, erratic even."
"Desperate," Sanemi muttered, "with all his Kizuki dead, he's a cornered rat."
Kagaya inclined his head, "Precisely… which brings me to my proposal."
Everyone straightened slightly, I felt the tension ripple through the room before he even revealed his grand plan.
"Before I was healed… my disease was progressing at an alarming rate," Kagaya began, receiving nods from a few of the Hashira, "originally I had planned on using myself as bait when the family curse was close to taking my life. I believe that this plan would be even more effective now."
The reaction was immediate.
"What?!" Shinobu had stood before anyone else, "that's unthinkable Oyakata-sama!"
"Absolutly not, we will not be putting you at risk." Gyomei spoke loudly after clapping his hands.
Even Tengen, lounging casually against a wooden pillar dropped his usual smirk. "Oyakata-sama, that would be too unflamboyant of a way to die."
I stayed silent, watching as more people tried to reason with Kagaya.
To my surprise, not everyone opposed it.
Most shocking of all was Kyojuro, "IF THIS PLAN DRAWS THE ENEMY OUT INTO THE OPEN, THEN IT IS WORTH CONSIDERING."
Sanemi crossed his arms, scouring but nodding. "Tch… as much as I hate this ridiculous idea, he's right. Muzan's pride and ego wouldn't let him pass up a chance like that. Especially not after we defeated the last of his Kizuki in his failed attack at the Swordsmith Village."
I glanced at Kagaya, who smiled knowingly… as if he had anticipated this rift between outrage and reluctant agreement.
"Please," he said softly, "I have no intention of dying so needlessly. I only wish to ensure that Muzan is drawn into a confrontation where you all can finish what began generations ago."
Mitsuri's voice broke through the heavy air, gentle but firm. "Then we will protect you Oyakata-sama. All of us."
He turned to her with gratitude on his face. "I know you will Kanroji-san. But I also know that Satoru-san's presence will change everything. In fact, I might even go as far as to say that this plan will hinge on his cooperation."
Everyone's eye turned to me.
I raised an eyebrow, still chewing on a piece of dango I pulled from my sleeve. "Eh? Why me?"
Kagaya chuckled softly, "Because Satoru-san… Muzan is well aware of the power you hold. He will not risk a head-on fight unless he believes you are elsewhere… this same strength gives me and I'm sure, everyone else here, confidence. If anything were to go awry…
I sighed, interrupting Kagaya, I already knew what his plan was. "So basically, I pretend to be busy somewhere else while you use yourself as bait… the other Hashira ambush the cockroach so he can't escape, then I come back and end him?"
Kagaya nodded, the room fell silent again. A grin slowly formed on my face. This was the perfect chance to make an even flashier entrance when Muzan did his whole 'emerging from the fog' thing.
"Incredibly risky… but I like it." I crossed my arms.
Tengen chuckled, "You make it sound so easy."
"It is easy." I said with a shrug. "Muzan is a coward at heart. He hides behind pawns and shadows. When he thinks he has a shot at our fearless leader, who he probably still thinks is rotting away, he won't let it go."
I pulled another skewer of dango from my sleeve, handed it to Mitsuri, then pulled another one out of my other sleeve.
"Rat bastard attacked the Swordsmith Village despite knowing the risks, he isn't the smartest when it comes to fights. He'll jump at this opportunity to kill our leader too, and when he shows his stupid face here…" I smirked and chomped on the dango. "I'll be waiting."
"Then it's settled." Kagaya's voice rang out again, though it was still soft, there was an air of finality in it. "We prepare the grounds for an ambush. The night that he comes… will be his last."
The Hashira bowed as one, the air was once again filled with tension. Dread and determination for the upcoming fight weighing heavily.
As we left the meeting, Mitsuri weaved her fingers into mine. She brushed against me, whispering softly. "You'll be careful right?"
I met her gaze and smiled widely, "Always."
[Scene Break]
The Kocho sisters invited Mitsuri and I for dinner. Mitsuri immediately agreed before Kanae had even finished asking.
Dinner at the Butterfly Mansion was as lively as ever. Shinobu's polite smile masked her calculated personality. Kanae radiated warmth and Kanao was her usual silent self.
Mitsuri sat next to me, her cheeks tinged pink from laughing. Her hand brushed mine under the table as we waited for the food to be served.
It all felt so domestic… and I wasn't sure how to feel about how much I was getting used to the feeling of being so normal.
Kanae and Shinobu had prepared a veritable feast. Stir fried vegetables, grilled chicken and eel, strips of beef marinated in fragrant spices, warm broth, and even Mitsuri's favourite dessert.
A whole plate of sakuramochi, just for her.
There was another smaller plate off to the side for everyone else.
Goto and a few other Kakushi cleared the table as the impromptu party winded down. Kanae's garden lanterns glowing softly outside. The smell of good food still lingered in the air.
Shinobu, composed, a mirror of her sister, poured some tea for everyone while giving me that usual side eye she reserved for my "quirkiness".
"So… Satoru-kun," she began with a mischievous grin, "I heard from the Kakushi that you caused quite a scene at the Swordsmith Village. They're still talking about it weeks later."
"Scene?" I grinned, sipping my tea, "if teleporting everyone back instead of walking is causing a scene then yes…"
"Teleporting?" Kanae laughed, "I also heard you dressed up as Yoriichi Tsugikuni."
"He did…" Mitsuri giggled, "but Satoru's teleportation was so cool, he was all WOOOOOSH and everyone was suddenly home!" She waved her arms dramatically.
"Efficient travel," I raised a finger, "you're all just jealous you can't bend space-time like me."
"Hmm?" Shinobu tilted her head, "not going to talk about your proclivity for dressing up as legendary figures?"
"Proclivity? I did that once…"
"Satoru… there was that one time when you dressed like—" Mitsuri began.
I shushed her, shaking my head. "That never happened."
She giggled, whispering. "You're ridiculous…" I could still hear the love hidden in every syllable.
Then she fell silent. Her fingers fidgeting, I learned a while ago that this was her nervous tell. My instincts kicked in before she even spoke.
"Everyone… I, I have an announcement to make," she took my hand, "we have an announcement to make."
I raised an eyebrow, a grin slowly creeping onto my face. Kanae, Shinobu, and Kanao looked at her curiously. Mitsuri blushed, her face scrunched a bit as she looked down.
"I'm…" she hesitated one last time before her eyes brightened, "I'm pregnant!"
The room went quiet for a heartbeat before Kanae and Shinobu broke into radiant smiles. Kanae clasped her hands together, her eyes shimmering. "Oh, Mitsuri! Congratulations…"
Shinobu had a genuine smile on her face, "That's wonderful news. Truly."
I couldn't help myself, I laughed… not out of surprise, but sheer joy. Sure I knew, or at least suspected. But confirming it was something else.
"I sort of guessed." I admitted after a bit.
Mitsuri turned to me, mock offended. "Satoru-kun! You knew and didn't say anything?"
"Well, I didn't want to ruin your big announcement." I said with a smirk, "You looked too excited."
She puffed her cheeks. "You're lucky you're so handsome."
Kanae giggled behind her hand. "Ara ara… you two really are made for each other."
The rest of the night was light and full of laughter. Shinobu teased me about being a father, asking me if I had planned on putting sunglasses on the baby too. I responded as if she had given me an idea. Mitsuri smacked my shoulder.
I had stepped out to get some fresh air, Shinobu had dragged Mitsuri away for some 'girl talk'. Shinobu, despite how much she emulated her sister, never went through the trauma of losing Kanae, so she had never closed herself off.
Kanae joined me after a while, standing off to the side as we watched the night sky. She sat in silence before speaking.
"I never thanked you properly… for saving my life that day."
I turned slightly, "Don't worry about it."
"Still, thank you." She shook her head with a smile, "I also came to ask a favour of you."
I had a feeling I knew what it was.
"Please, make sure everyone is safe, Mitsuri, Ubuyashiki-sama, my sister, everyone… even yourself." Kanae bowed her head slightly.
I chuckled, "Relax Kanae… I've got it. But if I must, then I promise, I'll keep everyone safe. I'll protect everyone, Muzan dies the second I see him."
She smiled, eyes glimmering with quiet faith. "Thank you…"
She bid me goodnight then disappeared back inside the house. I felt a familiar warmth wrap around me from behind.
Mitsuri's arms slipped around my waist. Her cheek rested against my back, "So… papa," I could practically see her smile, "are you ready?"
I covered her hands with mine, "Are you kidding? I've always wanted to be a dad."
She giggled softly, "Even if our baby is going to be stronger than you?"
I grinned, "I'm hoping for it."
We stood there for a long moment, the world around us hushed, the air tinged with the scent of wisteria blossoms.
"And you… mama, are you ready for this?" I asked.
She hummed, "I always dreamed of it. A family, a home. And with you, I know I've finally found it."
I turned to face her, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You make everywhere feel like home."
She blushed and buried her face in my chest. "You're so unfair… saying sweet things like that."
She glanced up at me, eyes shining with love. I kissed her forehead, "Call it payback for making me fall for you every day."
'I'll make sure we get this happy ending Mitsuri…'