The Threads That Bind Us

The morning sun broke over the horizon like a golden wave, spilling across the hills and creeping gently into the garden. The cherry blossom sapling caught the light, its tiny leaves trembling with life.

Mitsuri stood at the edge of the porch, already dressed in her Demon Slayer uniform, her pink-and-green braid wrapped neatly behind her. She tied the last piece of her belt with steady hands.

Behind her, Obanai stepped outside, adjusting his haori. His usual bandages were wrapped carefully around his mouth, but his eyes—those strange, mismatched eyes—held something new: clarity.

Kaburamaru shifted lightly around his neck.

"It's time," Mitsuri said, her voice calm.

He nodded. "Are you ready?"

She looked at him, then smiled—not with the bubbly enthusiasm of before, but with something deeper. Stronger.

"With you? Always."

They left the garden behind, stepping onto the path that would take them back to the Butterfly Estate first, and then to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.

The journey was quiet, but not cold. The wind tugged at their sleeves. They walked side by side, their fingers brushing occasionally, never quite breaking contact for long.

By the time they arrived at the estate, Shinobu was already waiting. She stood under the archway, arms crossed and a small smirk playing at her lips.

"You're both later than expected," she said.

Obanai didn't respond, but Mitsuri beamed. "Sorry! We had a lot of resting to do."

Shinobu studied them for a moment. "You both look... different."

Obanai glanced at Mitsuri. "We are."

Shinobu's eyes softened. "Good. You'll need that strength."

Mitsuri's expression shifted. "What's happened?"

"There's word of a rising demon cluster near the northern mountains. It's nothing official yet... but we may need Hashira presence soon."

Obanai tensed slightly. "Then we're in the right place."

Shinobu nodded. "Take today to settle in. You'll both be briefed tomorrow."

As she turned and walked back inside, Obanai and Mitsuri stood in the courtyard for a long moment.

Back.

Back to duty. Back to war.

But this time, they weren't alone.

Obanai reached out and took Mitsuri's hand, threading their fingers together.

"We'll face whatever comes," he said quietly, "together."

Mitsuri squeezed his hand, her eyes shining with determination.

"Always."

And as they walked through the gates of the estate—back into the world that needed them—their hearts remained tethered by something stronger than fate.

Love.
Enduring, and unshakable.