In the end, it took a relative quick time to slay the demon. As Giyuu reached the area, he met up with the local Mizunoto and got a quick crash course on the situation. With the info the Mizunoto provided, it only took him an hour to find the demon and slay it. As he looked at the shocked demon's face fading away, he can see some kanji on its eyes, no doubt being a Lowermoon. However Giyuu could care less at the moment. He needed to reach Sanemi and help him fight Uppermoon 2. While he had faith in Sanemi's strength, his lingering doubt created from the losses in the final battle made him want to aid Sanemi. After all, during the final battle the most of the Hashiras fell. Muichiro fell from his battle with Uppermoon 1, and he was aided with Sanemi and Gyomei. Rengoku couldn't defeat Akaza by himself and Giyuu could barely defeat him if it weren't for Tanjiro. And although Uppermoon 2 was slayed, Shinobu gave her life to the cause. He couldn't let that happen to his comrades again, so he ran straight to headquarters. Thanks to Sanemi, he knows where the Butterfy Sisters went, but he couldn't just chase towards them. Sanemi already broke protocol to save Kanae and Kocho, so it's Giyuu's mission to approve a rescue mission to save Sanemi.
As fast as he left the place, he returned at a quicker pace to the Ubayashiki Mansion. As he took a kneel in front the door, his hand stopped just before knocking the door.
'Damn. How am I going to explain this to Oyakata-Sama?' Before he could think any further, the door suddenly opened and the Master's wife stepped out.
"Tomioka-san?" Amane said shocked as she looked down at Giyuu. "May I ask what I have the pleasure to see you right now?"
"Amane-san... Uhh... Please forgive me for my intrusion... but I need to see the Master... I believe it is urgent news..."
Amane looked at Giyuu with warmth for a second before stepping to the side and letting him in. Giyuu took of his shoes and entered the premise. "Excuse my interruption," Giyuu muttered as he entered the room. Amane led Giyuu to the living room, where he could see Ubayashiki sitting down. He was sitting down with a cup of tea on his hand. His child in crawling towards him as Ubayashiki takes out his finger to play with him.
"Ah, Tomioka," Ubayashiki said calmly. "Do what do I owe the pleasure?" Giyuu tried to respond, but he couldn't. The last time he saw Ubayashiki was when he was in critical condition. Then he gave his life and it was the first of many to follow in the battle. Now seeing here, perfectly sitting up with only one eye blind, his other eye revealing those serene violet eyes that portray nothing but kindness, Giyuu found his voice caught in his voice. Giyuu was the one who theorized that they are in the past, and seeing the state of the Butterfly Mansion and Sanemi only solidified that theory. But to see the Master and his wife and child, sitting here in their future grave site, Giyuu could barely hold it. His face was slowly breaking his stoic mask, and his eyes were starting to acquire water. His throat was getting sore and his mouth was slightly whimpering.
Ubayashiki picked this up immediately and switched his tone to a concerned one. "Tomioka? Is everything okay?" His eye displaying a overwhelming level of pure concern, a level Giyuu believes should not be wasted on him. He could feel his Master's eyes piercing through his eyes and Giyuu had to bring his head down and look at the ground.
'Right... I can't falter now. Sanemi, Kanae-san and Kocho are in trouble.' Quickly coming up with a believable allibi in the few seconds that lasted an hour, he tilted his head up and looked at Ubayashiki, his stoic mask back with a shade of seriousness. "Oyakata-sama... I have some bad news that I learned..."
"Yes, what is it my child?"
"Recently I was assigned a mission where a Lowermoon was located... I managed to slay it..."
"That's great news my child. What is the issue?"
"... Before I slayed the demon... he leaked some intel about an Uppermoon being located at a location... when I heard it I realized... that it was in the area that Kanae was sent to investigate..."
Ubayashiki's and Amane's eyes widen as Amane put a hand over her mouth. "That is indeed bad news my child. We are extremely lucky that this demon gave this info. Do you have any knowledge on what Uppermoon?"
Giyuu was about to respond but quickly halted. The story was already somewhat unbelievable. If he were to make his allibi more believable, he needs to be vague. "I'm not sure... but judging from what he said... I would say maybe top three..."
Ubayashiki eye widened even more as he set his cup of tea down. "This is indeed bad. We must send backup."
"... If I may, Master... When I got this message, I immediately sent my crow to find the Hashira closest to the area... When my crow came back he informed that Shinazugawa-san received the information and immediately left... I apologize if I took action without your oversight... please forgive me Master," Giyuu said as he bent his head down. Giyuu figured that this was the best course of action to involve Sanemi into the situation.
"I see. It's alright Tomioka. In fact, you're quick thinking may save our fellow Hashira. Regardless, we should still send backup."
"If I may again Master... may I request that I get sent... It'll take a while to gather resources to be sent... I am available and am in good condition to fight..."
Ubayashiki stared at Giyuu, and for a second he thought that the Master might decline his request. 'Perhaps I was too forward?' Giyuu thought.
"That would be great Tomioka," Ubuyashiki answered with a smile. "Please get ready and depart as soon as possible. I will send some kakushi to trail you."
Giyuu let out an internal sigh of relief and bowed. "I won't let you down Oyakata-sama," Giyuu got up and started to head to the door before he heard Ubayashiki call out to him.
"Tomioka!"
Giyuu whipped his head and looked at his Master. "Yes master?"
"Please, save your comrades. I believe in you"
Giyuu took a deep breath before bowing once again and leaving the premise, closing the door behind him and immediately sprinting to the direction, leaving Ubayashiki and Amane in their living room.
"Amane, did Tomioka seem different to you?"
Amane looked at her husband before responding. "I'm not sure. He seemed worried but that's likely due the situation,"
"Yes. I suppose you're right. Please send the crows to the kakushi and have them meet Giyuu at the destination."
"Of course my dear," Amane said as she leaves the premise to send the crows. As she left, Ubayashiki was left in his thoughts, pondering about the initial reaction Tomioka gave him when he saw him. Something was off about him, but Ubuyashiki felt it wasn't something he needed to worry to much about. He there was something truly wrong, he had faith that his children would let him help. In the meantime, he turned to his tea and continued drinking the now cold jasmine tea.
...
Tomioka only left a little above an hour after Sanemi left headquarters, yet he was traveling at a slower pace. With no benefits of convenient timed trains to ride on, Tomioka had to run non-stop there. By the time he reached the area, the sun already rose. He entered the forest, and came to the destruction of parts of a manor in a clearing. 'Damn. Am I too late?' Tomioka thought as he ran towards the manor, passing every room before reaching a room and meeting a sword at his neck and-
"Tomioka-san?"
Giyuu halted to a stop, just stopping before a pink sword, and shifted his widen eyes to his right, seeing his fellow Flower Hashira with bandages, cuts and bruises all over her. 'Kanae-san? Wait, if she's here then does that mean-' Giyuu looked straight and saw Sanemi unconscious. Bandages over him, but his chest rising, meaning he was still alive. Giyuu released a sigh of relief. Sanemi succeeded. Kanae is still here. They were truly in the past, and they just changed it.
"What is the Water Hashira doing here?". Giyuu's breathing stopped and he slowly looked to his left, his face betraying a slight emotion of worry, shock, and sorrow. There she was. His closest friend when she was a Hashira. She looks so young and different, but also the same. Her hair was put up in the same way, she had a white haori cover her demon slayer uniform, yet her face was almost that of a stranger. She didn't have that unsettling smile, her expression was that of confusion instead of happiness, and her eyes. Her eyes weren't her usual dark ones. No, her eyes had a light in them. One that carried life within it, like a butterfly continuously flapping within them. Giyuu didn't know what to say. Thanks to his stoic nature, his face only showed a partially shocked expression, but that didn't show the chaos happening in his head. He never really saw Shinobu until after her sister's death, and it was only when she became a Hashira did they start to hang out a lot. Giyuu never wanted to get close, but had to admit that her presence grew on him. While he couldn't say it before, he's certain now that he saw her as a friend. But there was always a sense of uncomfortableness with her. Maybe it was due to her adopting Kanae personality, but her mannerism always felt weird to him and he didn't like it. He didn't like the obvious mimic personality of Kanae. It felt so untrue to Shinobu nature. So to see her like this, truly acting like herself, Giyuu wondered if he even knew Shinobu at all. The way he sees it, the Shinobu he sees right now and the one that was his comrade are two completely different people. It was throwing him off, and he was too caught up to realize that he was staring at Shinobu for perhaps too long.
"Uhhh hello? Are you okay?" Shinobu asked in an annoyed tone.
Giyuu quickly regained his composure and answered back. "Nothing... just wondering what a person like you is doing here?" responded Giyuu with a blank face.
"Huh?! What the hell is that suppose to mean?!?!" retorted Shinobu, a vein popping on her forehead. Giyuu didn't understand the reaction. He was simply asking why she would be here (even though he already knew). He didn't realize that his bland tone unintendedly carries a hint of sarcasm, ticking Shinobu off. As Shinobu starts to flood Giyuu with short-tempered comments and insults, Giyuu tunes it out and focuses on Sanemi. As much as he's glad to see Shinobu and Kanae alive, he needs to focus on the unconscious slayer. As he walks to Sanemi, he crouches down and checks his pulse. He knew he was breathing, but he wanted to ease his worries anyways.
"Uhhh Tomioka-san" said Kanae, causing Giyuu to turn his head and face the sisters once again. "I'm really glad you're here, but how did you reach here so fast? I just sent my crow..."
Giyuu was prepared for this and answered confidently by explaining his fictional alibi he previously told Ubuyashiki. When he finished Kanae clapped her hands as if she finished a puzzle.
"I see! So that's why Sanemi showed up before! Thank god" Kanae says as her face shifts to a relieved face. She wobbles and sits down, causing Shinobu to quickly go to her side and help her down. Her legs were wobbling as she carefully put her sword back in her scabbard.
"Yes... The Master sent me to aid you and Shinazugawa. Although you guys seemed to survive... I hope you're injuries aren't that bad..."
"Ah, no worries Tomioka-san" says Kanae as her face lits to a smile. Giyuu ignored how her face looks exactly like the smile Shinobu had that he hated, and yet it fits her naturally. "The battle against Uppermoon 2 was tough and left me and Sanemi with injuries. Thankfully, my sister was here to heal our injuries after the battle," added Kanae as she puts her hand to hold Shinobu's arm, giving her a smile and receiving one in return. Giyuu looks as Shinobu's smile is nothing like before (or later?). Her smile isn't something plastered on her face like a mask. No, her smile is followed by her lips. Her face muscles shift to fit it, and her eyes close in response. "Honestly, if it weren't for Sanemi... I probably wouldn't be here"
"Don't say that Nee-san! You would have lived! Believe me!" said Shinobu with a rushed response.
"I don't know Shinobu," Kanae says with a hint of sadness. "I don't know if I would have made it. I would have left you and I'm so sorry. The batt-"
"It doesn't matter," Giyuu says suddenly, causing the sisters to look at him. "... There's no point in pondering of what-ifs... the best we can do is be grateful of the situation... and simply give our thanks to the ones that helped... not wonder what if they didn't help..."
The sisters look at Giyuu with widen eyes before Kanae falls back to a smile with closed eyes. "Yea, i suppose you're right."
...
The four slayers were traveling on the road. Sanemi was still unconscious, so Giyuu was carrying him on his back. Kanae was still limping, so she was using Shinobu as support as they walked. They were walking at a slower pace than compared to when Giyuu, Sanemi, or the sisters were travelling, but that was okay. It was day, so the threat of demon's didn't linger in the air. Besides, although there are kakushi spread all throughout Japan, it would still take some time for them to arrive on the location, so they decided to get some distance and have the kakushi meet them halfway. Kanae was distracting herself by mentioning anything that came to her mind. Right now she was describing the wildlife that can be found in the area they are walking. While Giyuu wasn't acknowledging or responding to any of Kanae's comments, Shinobu was casually taking in what her sister was saying, occasionally chipping in to add a comment of her own.
"-and over here resides some macaques and deer! They generally fight for territory, but sometimes the macaques would groom the deer to remove any bugs, and in turn the deer would eat fruits left behind from the macaques!"
"I see," said Shinobu. "So it's a mutualistic relationship?"
"Exactly!" responded Kanae. "It's amazing how enemies that compete for territory can sometimes help each other. Sometimes the deer will even let the macaques ride on them like horses!" Kanae chuckled a bit before tilting her head down, a hopeful smile plastered on her face. "I hope... that just like those animals that one day... humans and demons can work the same way,"
"How can you say that Nee-san!"
Kanae looked at Shinobu as she appeared pissed from the outburst. "How can you say that when you almost died to one!" Shinobu shouted. Kanae couldn't respond for a second before coming up with a response.
"I know I almost died to one. An Uppermoon for that matter. But that's something I risk as my job. I still carry hope where we won't have to fight anymore and instead sue peace,"
'Well with demons such as Nezuko, Tamayo and Yuishiro, that dream does become a reality,' Giyuu thought. The truth is, while they were walking, Giyuu was planning on what he would do in the future, and he was always stuck on one matter. Tanjiro and Nezuko. If he was 17 right now, then in two years he will be assigned to a mission and fail to save the Kamado family. With his second chance if the past, he has a chance to save the family before Muzan appears. Tanjiro wouldn't have to come home to see his family slaughtered and his sister a demon. However, Giyuu is ashamed and disgusted to admit that he has doubts. There is an undeniable truth that Tanjiro and Nezuko was vital to the defeat of Muzan, and if they don't go down the path they previosly went, more lives might be lost in the process. Giyuu was stuck. On one hand, he loves the siblings and doesn't want them to lose their family. On the other hand, he is a slayer and was given a responsibility to defeat Muzan and save as many lives as possible. He's not sure if he can see Muzan win, but also live knowing he purposely left Tanjiro's family to die.
"What do you think about this Tomioka-san?" asked Kanae. Giyuu turned his head to face the siblings. Shinobu still looked irritated, but Kanae just had a weak smile on her, curious on what Giyuu would answer. He supposed before, he never talked to Kanae, or the other Hashiras in general, so it made sense that she would want to talk and know what Giyuu thought.
"... whether I truly believe if we can cooperate or not, it's important that our heart must not waver" said Giyuu, getting the sisters' undivided attention. Giyuu's mind drifted to Tanjiro and Nezuko, his master, and a familiar conversation he had with Shinobu before when they finished a mission. "We are the strongest swordsmen in the corps... the literal 'pillars' of the demon slayers..." Shinobu's eyes slowly widened as she listened to Giyuu's answer to her sister. "That is why we will never forget... who we wield our swords for... and who we are protecting..." Kanae's face had a reaction of amusement. His answer wasn't directly answering her question, but it did define the job of the Hashira, something that Kanae would never forget no matter what dreams she had. So she continued to listen. "There are things that must be supported... so the 'pillars' must act as pillars."
"Wow Tomioka-san. That was quite the statement, but something I also stand by," said Kanae. "Why I hope for my dream to come true, I agree that my dream will never cloud my job as a Hashira. To protect others and act as a support to the corps. This battle only confirmed my priorities", Kanae added with a determined hopeful face.
Shinobu was looking down, deep in thought, before finally saying with a slight smile on her face, "I guess... perhaps one day I would also look forward to the day demons and humans work together,"
Kane smiled at her sister proudly, joyful that Shinobu supports her dream. "Nee-san you're really amazing you know? You and Shinuzagawa are great Hashiras" said Shinobu.
"Now now Shinobu, what about Tomioka-san," asked Kanae.
"Meh, he's alright. He just seems like the type with no friends,"
Both Giyuu and Kanae felt shocked for different reasons. Kanae because her sister said something that was mean and potentially true right in front of his face. Giyuu because his mind traveled to a familiar comrade who would say the same thing.
'Perhaps, these two weren't as different as I initially thought, Kocho' thought Giyuu before answering Shinobu, "... I do have friends," with a blank face.
Now the tables had turned and it was Shinobu's turn to be shocked, before she let out a chuckled and a grin. "Oh my, sorry Water Hashira-sama! It was just when it was Nee-san's birthday before, every Hashira appeared except for you, so I can only assume th-"
"Shinobu!" Kanae responded, sweat dripping down her forehead. "You can't say stuff like that!"
"Why not? It's not like I'm wrong. Someone had to tell him You know-"
As Shinobu and Kanae started bickering, Giyuu hid a small smile from the sisters, reminiscing of an old friend with purple hair and a smile.