❝ i fly away like a white petal
it's all on you that you didn't hold on
drawn by a gentle wind. ❞

- flower, jisoo.

[tw: gore description... uhh, yk. just trauma.

AND 90K?? (and 80k!) BRO.... you guys are something else man. lots of appreciation for you.

as you know, genshin has a little cameo in this story... i play on the EU server. if any of y'all wanna add me: my UID is 721043802, and i have xiao pfp. comment your name if you're going to add me and i'll accept it. manifesting baizhu and c6 kaveh rn.
also, got 2 seele's in one ten warp in honkai star rail. lucky af man. (im on the AMERICA server and my UID is 601911315!<3)

netherlands was fun! i spent most of the time worrying about my assignments but i was able to complete mostly everything last night when i pulled an all-nighter (i just woke up so this update is a bit late for me) - with a few bits and pieces.  :)

second update will be out once i go back and reread it! ]

━。゜✿ฺ✿ฺ゜。━

The confusion on their friends faces nearly brought back Y/N's fear, until they saw the understanding and accepting look given by Gyomei and the subtle reassuring gaze from Obanai. Kyoujuro even had that look of comprehension, seeming to understand just what this meeting was about.

At least Y/N had the three of them, if anything.

"Thank you for coming to this impromptu Pillar meeting." Amane stated, voice just as soft and firm as Kagaya's was, making the kneeling Hashira look from Y/N to her as the h/c haired made their way in between Gyomei and Giyuu, needing some silent reassurance from their brother-father like figure, and their quiet friend. "I apologise to announce that the Master will be unable to attend this meeting due to his sickness becoming worse."

"I vehemently pray for his health and for your family," Mitsuri gushed, cheeks blooming red at being able to greet their leaders wife.

"Thank you Mitsuri," Amane smiled. "However, this meeting is about our Moon Hashira, L/N Y/N."

Y/N didn't dare look up from the ground where they were kneeled.

"It has come to our attention that Y/N was able to recover their memories from before meeting with our Stone Hashira, and in a result of that, met one of the people they knew before becoming a Slayer."

The pause allowed other other Hashira (with the exception of Gyomei who already knew) to turn their heads to the h/c haired, bombarding them with questions.

"What was your life like?"

"Who did you meet?"

"I wonder what baby Y/N-san was like!"

"They must be flamboyant if they're anything like Y/N-san!"

A cough from Amane silenced all of them within a second as she spoke once more, "However, the problem is that the person... or people, they met prior to being a Demon Slayer, is that they are demons."

Silence.

It was so silent Y/N could hear their own heart skip a beat, then quicken when there was no response.

Upon realising there would be no uproar to that, Amane looked at the Moon Hashira, "Y/N... perhaps it would be better if you came and explained it."

A murmur of agreements could be heard, so Y/N made the decision and made their way to stand in front of Amane, in front of the engawa and in front of all their friends.

This would possibly mark their friendship, whether they accept this or not.

This would also be a painful ride for Y/N, having to go through their own memories and experience to tell the whole story, of which some bits they had never even told anyone, not even Akaza.

"I had no knowledge of demons, or anything that could harm us, as we were quite far from the nearest village. We lived in the forest on our own, just my father, my mother and I. It was peaceful until the night a demon came and killed my parents in front of me... I watched as my father was torn apart, blood soaked the wooden floors, his... stomach was torn open, his organs on full display. The demon had even starting eating it in front of my mum and I. We both just huddled together, we both somewhat knew that no one would save us, but we prayed nonetheless, even as the demon crept closer and closer."

Y/N paused to take a deep breath, feeling Amane's hand on their shoulder once more, grounding them.

"My mum thought that if she distracted the demon enough, I could run. She pushed me away when the demon was close enough, yelling at me to run, even as the demon clawed at her flesh, as it laughed at my mum in pain... I couldn't run. My legs froze, and my body wasn't responding. I didn't know what to do... The only thing I could do was run towards my mum, embrace her and cry. I didn't even register the demon creeping closer to me, about to kill me. With my mother's last bit of strength, she tried to push me away again, and I ended up crawling with my back against a wall..."

"My mind didn't register anything, frozen from shock until a pair of warm arms embraced me, saying that it'd be okay, that'd I'd be fine. The smell of blood was so nauseating and overpowering and I don't know how he managed to contain himself, but he did it to save me. He took me outside the house so I didn't have to look inside anymore, and he tended to my wounds as best he could, without a glance towards the blood on my face, his face never wavering from the concerned look he had. He never tried to eat me, not even once."

Y/N stayed still and silent, looking up and gauging at the reactions from their friends which were a mixture of sadness, understanding and shock; the absence of anger made Y/N release a sigh of relief before continuing, knowing that it wasn't the story that would bring up that anger, it would be who the demons were.

"The demon... He came back every few weeks to check up on me, and soon we became friends. He had pink hair, patterns around his body and a kanji in his eyes. It became a routine for him to make sure I was doing well, and I got used to it... Until another demon came along, this time with black-and-red hair and a black-and-purple kimono, one that is like what I'm currently wearing. That demon... was the one who taught me Moon Breathing."

Murmurs of questions were heard, and Y/N sighed, knowing that their questions will be answered in time, and that they also would have to hurry the story; shorten it. Kyoujuro stared with increased understanding and shock.

"After meeting the second demon, a year went by and I had learned how to do Concentration Breathing Constant, along with some martial arts, and some breathing techniques. A third demon then came by, and we became somewhat friends... The four of us were a weird combination, but we worked..."

"It started going downhill when they stopped coming to see me. My child brain couldn't cope with what had happened, and never had the time to properly mourn or cope, so I decided to search for the three who gave me comfort, and that's when I started to lose my memories."

Y/N looked back, inside the estate where Akaza was currently, knowing he was listening and that it was his time to come out soon, "I never knew who those demons were, having no knowledge of the Demon Slayer Corps, only knowing that people out there killed demons like them. I had no idea who Kibutsuji Muzan was, nor about the rankings, yet I managed to befriend demons..." Y/N stopped, then a small sad smile lifted on their lips, "Just like Kanae-san wanted."

Y/N looked up at Amane and nodded, knowing it was time.

"I have to reiterate, I never had any idea about the world of demons and Demon Slayers. The demon who saved me did so out of his own good heart, and whilst I still don't know why, I could never repay this fact to him."

The Moon Hashira heard the door open, then some shuffling and then the door closed. The sounds of swords being unsheathed caused Y/N to grit their teeth, knowing this would be the hardest part to make the others understand.

"The demon who saved me was Upper Moon Three, Akaza."

Said demon stood in the shadows at the back of the engawa, keeping away from the sun.

"So that's why..." Kyoujuro muttered, owl-like eyes widening in apprehension, "That's why you spoke as if you knew him back then. But why did you... do what you did?"

Y/N smiled, one that was far brighter than the ones they had given during their story, "I did what I felt was right, and my body moved on its own, knowing what I wanted to do. I would have done the same thing even it weren't Akaza-kun there."

Y/N turned to Akaza, a smile still on their face, the demon only nodded, the sides of his lips quirking up slightly.

"I know after the Kamado siblings... it's much harder to think that an Upper Moon is good, someone whose loyal and close to Kibutsuji—"

The Moon Hashira was interrupted by the rough voice of Sanemi, "How do you know he won't eat humans?"

Y/N froze for a second, gathering their thoughts, "In the past month and a bit since we've been stuck together, he has not once eaten a single human. He's restrained himself this whole time. I have also given him the alternate of sleeping, just like Nezuko-chan does, to regain energy."

They decided to leave out the bloodbags, knowing that Tamayo must be kept a secret for now.

"I know it's hard to believe, or even fathom that an Upper Moon could betray Kibutsuji, and I understand if you don't believe Akaza-kun, but believe me." Y/N tried to persuade, reminding themselves of Kagaya's words, "Believe me when I say Akaza-kun is a good person."

"I would also like to add," Amane spoke up, holding a scroll, "The Master, as well as Himejima Gyomei, Uzui Tengen and his wives, and Iguro Obanai all can attest to what Y/N is saying. All except Gyomei and Obanai having witnessed the restraint and the help from Upper Moon Three themselves."

It was silent once more, then a scoff was heard before a sigh.

"I don't like it, not one bit." Sanemi sneered, his usual scowl softening slightly after the first part, "But I accept it."

Y/N could feel the tears begin to well up, knowing Sanemi was the hardest one to convince, and if he did, then they'd be happy.

"Oi! Don't look so fucking happy, just because I accept it, doesn't mean I fucking like it!" Sanemi pointed at them, though Y/N could see the tremble of his lips, masking a smile.

"Thank you, Sanemi-kun." Y/N smiled and bowed to him.

"I accept too," Kyoujuro spoke out from next to Sanemi, his eye switching between the pink-haired demon who still hadn't said anything, to Y/N, "I believe you, Y/N-san. I witnessed first hand the aftermath of what happened during the mission... I accept him as a member, just as I accepted Kamado Nezuko."

Y/N would've jumped in joy and hugged the man if Mitsuri hadn't chimed in just after.

"I accept!" Mitsuri exclaimed, a bright huge smile gracing her features, hands on her cheeks with a red blush coating them, "Anything for Y/N-san and Oyakata-sama!"

The h/c haired only giggled at Mitsuri, making the girl's smile somehow brighter.

"I have already spoken about this with Oyakata-sama," Gyomei said, his hands rubbing together in prayer, "I accept this proposal, and I accept Upper Moon Three as long as he does not betray Y/N-san and the Corps."

"I wouldn't."

Y/N turned to Akaza, surprised; considering this was the first time he had spoken since he was brought out.

"Hm?"

"I wouldn't betray the one good thing in my life." Akaza almost growled at them for their assumptions, "Not after what that man did."

Before anyone could comment on what the pink-haired demon had said, a faux happy voice that felt like ice piercing into their skin spoke up.

"I accept... On one condition," Shinobu narrowed her violet eyes to the demon and Y/N, "You tell me about Upper Moon Two, the both of you."

Y/N nodded with no hesitation, and they knew Akaza would do the same (for much different reasons).

"Of course," Y/N replied to their best friend, "Anything to help, now that I know a lot more than I used to. Akaza-kun will be more helpful in such a topic." Then murmuring to themselves, "You two will get along splendidly... Oh Gods."

"As I have already stated... I accept." Obanai spoke up this time, "However, that does not mean I like it, as Shinazugawa-san stated."

"Of course, thank you for even giving him a chance, Obanai-kun."

"I accept... on whatever the situation is." Muichiro muttered, eyes lingering on the clouds above them, "As long as Oyakata-sama and Y/N-san accept it..."

Y/N exhaled in amusement, trying not to laugh.

"I accept as well," Giyuu, who was the last to speak, spoke his opinion, his voice trailing off, "Not that my opinion matters much..."

Y/N sent a small smile to the Water Hashira, "Your opinion matters to me, Giyuu-kun."

The man huffed and turned his head in embarrassment, red coating his tanned cheeks.

"Since everyone has accepted," Amane said, turning to Akaza, "Akaza is officially a part of the Demon Slayer Corps from now onwards." She turned to Y/N who still stood a bit in front of her, "As the Master said to Tanjiro; people won't accept you, so show them. Show them why they should accept you and Akaza."

Y/N nodded, furrowing their eyebrows in determination, "Yes. Of course, Uyubashiki-san." They kneeled in front of her, Akaza doing the same but he seemed less tense than before.

"With that, the meeting is adjourned. Thank you all for coming."

Amane walked back into her estate with Kanata and Hinaki, probably to make sure Kagaya and the rest of her children were okay.

As soon as Amane was out of sight, Y/N was bombarded by questions and hugs, making them lightly chuckle.

They looked back at Akaza, who only smiled in fondness back, both happy to have been accepted.