Body And Mind// Set #1

Shinobu Kocho

"Hello?" a black-haired girl said. Shinobu looked over to find a nervous young woman walking over to them. "I-um..." She smiled at the young girl. The girl had navy blue eyes. Her hair was jet black, save the lilac strands. And her skin was pale. She had her Nichirin Sword and a blue jacket along with her uniform.

"It's alright," Kyojuro said, kindly. "You can talk to us. We won't bite."

"Most of us anyway," Shinobu asked with a laugh. The girl looked about 14. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here? This is a Hashira meeting." The girl's cheeks flushed as she laughed nervously.

"I um was going to ask if you were the Hashira," she said. "I got word from my crow to come here and wait with the Hashira."

"Ah! Well, you found us!"

"Oh thank god! I was so nervous." Mitsuri smiled and patted her shoulder. "I'm Akane Asha by the way."

"Shinobu Kocho," Shinobu replied, shaking Akane's hand. Shinobu introduced Akane to each of the Hashira. Mitsuri instantly fell in love with the sweet stuttering girl that had appeared at their meeting. Akane broke up the fight between Sanemi and Giyu by asking why they were fighting and had offered a solution.

"She's so cute~!" Mitsuri squealed as she and Shinobu watched Akane chat with Tengen.

"She's a precious thing," Shinobu agreed.

"Indeed she is," Obanai said, walking over to the girls. "What's her name?"

"Akane Asha." Obanai nodded and went to go formerly introduce himself to Akane since he was late.

"The Master of the House has arrived," one of the Master's daughters said. The Hashira knelt and Akane looked at them curiously. For the first time, Sanemi gently whispered to bow to the Master.

"Oh!" Akane said, bowing. She was between Shinobu and Sanemi. "I apologize."

"It's alright, Akane," the Master said. "My children, I'd like you to welcome Akane to your ranks. She will be one of your fellow Hashira."

"Yay!" Mitsuri exclaimed. Giyu had a ghost of a smile on his face. As did Sanemi. Tengen and Kyojuro were smiling widely. Muichiro smiled too. Obanai looked like he was smiling a little. It was hard to tell with the mask. Shinobu and Mitsuri hugged a shell-shocked Akane.

💮 Present Day (Obanai) 💮

"Obanai!" Sanemi shouted. "Duck!" Obanai rolled to his left as Daki's obi stabbed the ground where he stood a second ago.

"Thanks," Obanai called. The remaining seven Hashira faced Akaza, Daki, Douma, Gyutaro, Emmu, Gyokko, Kokushibo, Nakime, Hantengu, and Kaigaku, a former Demon Slayer. There was a clap of thunder. Then a bolt of lightning. And then. Muzan's head fell to the ground.

"Sorry, I'm late!" Akane said, landing next to Kyojuro. "Got held up." She looked different. At least her eyes did. One of them was navy. The other... was half navy but was fading to a reddish pink.

"What happened to your eye?" Obanai called as the Hashira and the other Demon Slayers leaped back into battle. Muzan, who had regenerated his head, laughed maniacally.

"Her demon self is taking over!" Muzan cackled. Akane smiled mischievously.

"No," Akane replied. "We're fusing," Muzan growled at Akane and fought his daughter head-on. Everything happened in a blur. The Upper Moons had retreated. Now they only faced the Demon King himself. At some point, Akane had switched to her demon side and was the only fast enough to cut off one of Muzan's limbs or head.

"How many minutes till dawn?!" Sanemi shouted. Dabi checked his phone.

"Like ten!" Dabi shouted back. At that point, Nezuko, Rokuta, Tanjiro, Kanao, Zenitsu, and Inosuke stopped fighting because they were too injured. Well, Rokuta and Tanjiro were tired and needed to sleep. Only the Hashira and Dabi remained. Akane threw her hand out and a black beam of light cut off Muzan's arm.

"Gods!" Akane cursed. "Just give up!"

"Never!" Muzan shouted back as the sun appeared over the horizon. Akane took the opportunity to tackle Muzan and pin him to the ground as the sun cast over the two. Akane remained unharmed while Muzan faded to ash. Once he was gone, Akane stood and collapsed into Dabi's arms. Dabi had walked up to her once Muzan was ash. Mitsuri ran into Obanai's outstretched arms. Shinobu sat down next to Giyu, who was sitting with his back against the wall. Tengen was hugged by his three wives. Sanemi, Muichiro, Kyojuro, and Gyomei lay on the ground where they had been standing, too exhausted to move. Nezuko hugged her brothers before hugging Zenitsu tightly. Tanjiro hugged Kanao. Inosuke lay on the ground too. Suddenly, Akane screamed and shoved Dabi away from her.

"Ane!" Dabi shouted. Obanai and Mitsuri ran towards them. Akane was shaking and Obanai caught a glimpse of her eyes. The demon side of her was disappearing and in its place, Muzan's eye color was appearing. Muzan Kibusuji was trying to take over Akane's body.