Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1: I JUST WANT TO BE BY YOUR SIDE
“Hello Mitsuri! The weather is lovely today!”
“Good morning Mitsuri! I hope the day finds you well!”
“Blessings Mitsuri!”
“Mitsuri! You are still planning on coming by today, yes? Nezuko is already making preparations for your arrival! You must come! If you don’t then Nezuko will be sad and I don’t know what I will do if she is sad!”
Mitsuri Kanroji laughed behind her hand as Zenitsu Agatsuma fell to his knees before her. The villagers, used to the blonde-haired man’s antics, smiled at her in understanding. Though a bit of a coward in his early youth, Zenitsu had become one of four well respected Demon Slayers tasked with protecting their village. It was ultimately his hard work and determination at bettering himself that had won Nezuko’s heart. Considered by many in the village to be the strongest among them, Zenistu still was, and always would be, a man who wore his emotions on his sleeve when it came to his beloved wife. He had fallen in love with Nezuko Kamado from the moment he had first laid eyes on her.
“I’m sure you will figure out a way to make your wife happy.”
Zenitsu nodded sagely. “Yes, yes, I know all about my dear Nezuko’s needs, and today she needs her best friend. After all, a wife needs more than her husband’s company to keep her happy.”
“Am I the only one coming? Surely Kanao and Aoi will be there as well?”
“Of course! They are her friends, but you Misturi are her best friend!” Zenitsu’s golden eyes shined brightly. “Say you will come!”
Mitsuri giggled once more. Zenitsu’s begging often reminded her an adorable puppy. “Of course I am coming.”
Zenitsu let out a loud shout of excitement. He picked Mitsuri up and twirled her around in circles that left her feeling vaguely dizzy. After he placed her on the floor—in true Zenitsu fashion it was more abrupt than graceful—he picked up her basket that contained ingredients for a new dessert she was planning on making for the evenings get together and began to walk her home. As the only baker in their small village—Mitsuri always encouraged those who liked to bake to open their own shop, but they always scoffed, saying they could never compete with her tasty treats—she was often called upon to cater the villages many events. This recipe, if well received by her friends, would be used for a wedding in one months’ time.
“Are you doing anything tonight while the women invade your home?”
“Tanjiro, Inoske and I are planning on going drinking. Though knowing us, it will mostly be Inosuke doing the heavy lifting.”
Mitsuri nodded knowingly. It was well known that both Nezuko and Kanao could drink their respective husbands under the table. She smiled recalling a time when Nezuko had gotten into a drinking competition with another woman who had been shamelessly flirting with Zenitsu. This was before Nezuko had declared her feelings for him. She had bet the woman that whoever could drink the most sake would be the one Zenitsu took home that night. The boy, and everyone else in the tavern, had watched in awe as the tiny brunette knocked back one drink after another. Zenitsu had looked at her with stars in his eyes while Tanjiro had knowingly stated it was no surprise she could drink so much since all the women in their family had strong livers.
“It will be nice to be together with them.” Zenitsu continued as they walked towards her small cottage. “We haven’t been together since Aoi had the twins.”
“Will he be returning to work soon?”
“Next week. I don’t know who is more anxious to have him out of the house: Aoi or Inosuke himself.”
“Probably both.”
“They are an odd pair, aren’t they?”
“Yes.” Mitsuri agreed with a small laugh. “But at the same time, they make perfect sense.”
Zenitsu hummed. They feel into a companionable silence as Mitsuri thought about her friends.
Inosuke and Aoi.
Tanjiro and Kanao.
Zenitsu and Nezuko.
And her.
Mitsuri frowned involuntarily as she realized, not the first time, that she was the one who did not exactly fit. There had been men who had courted her when she was younger, but as soon as they saw her love of food, or her innate strength, or even the color of her pale pink hair that turned to lime green towards the ends—Mitsuri knew she shouldn’t have eaten so much sakura mochi as a child but it was so delicious—all the men either loudly or more secretively called her freak before ending their courtship. Mitsuri had tried for a time to be more ‘normal’. She died her hair black, ate less, and hide her strength from everyone but her family. The result was more men willing to marry her but at the cost of her hating what she had become. After some sage advice from her parents, Mitsuri had packed her belongings and traveled west.
When Mitsuri had moved into the village she now called home there had been boys who had shown an interest in her. The hopeless romantic in her had wanted to say yes, but she was afraid of slipping into her old habit of changing herself for them to like her and had politely declined all their requests. Instead, she took time to work on herself. She discovered what she wanted to do, made friends who loved her for who she was, and found over time that she no longer desired to hide herself because she loved who she was, too. She was finally ready to make a match but there seemed to be nobody who wanted to make a match with her. Friends, yes, but a wife to take home to meet their parents?
No.
When she had left home, Mitsuri had thought herself to be on a grand adventure, out to discover herself while finding her true love, and while one those things had become true, the other had not.
Mitsuri jumped a little as a warm hand squeezed her shoulder gently. “Don’t give up, Mitsuri. Someday, someone will see how incredible you are.”
Mitsuri blinked back the tears that threatened to fall at Zenitsu’s words. Of all her friends, he understood her best when it came to matters of the heart. She envied his marriage to Nezuko. Not because she wanted Zenitsu for herself, but because she wanted someone to see her the way Nezuko saw him.
“Sometimes I wonder if I am destined to be the side character in my own story. Maybe I’m not destined to be a heroine at all but a lowly sidekick.”
“If there is anybody destined to be a heroine, it’s you, Mitsuri.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Zenitsu shrugged. “I just know. Do you know what Nezuko said to me after we started dating?”
Mitsuri shook her head.
“Nezuko said she felt sorry for all the girls who rejected me because they said no to someone who would have treated them better than their own husbands ever would, but she was also happy they did because it meant she could have me for herself. I was a treasure for her to find and keep.”
This time Mitsuri did let the tears fall. She graciously accepted the handkerchief Zenitsu offered her.
“Someone out there is waiting for you, Mitsuri. They need your love more than anyone else because your love is special. It will save them.”
“Do you really think so?”
“I do. Just look at how much life you have brought this village with your baking alone. It may seem obsolete to bake treats, but it brings a smile to everyone’s face to have something from Mitsuri’s Bake Shop. Everyone who speaks to you walks away happier just from talking to you. Nezuko sent me out to find you to make sure you were coming tonight. If you said no I was given express orders to drag you to our home by any means necessary.”
Mitsuri handed the handkerchief back to Zenitsu. “I would like to see you try. You know I am stronger than you.”
“Yes. I always felt like you would have made a good Demon Slayer.” He said seriously. “Perhaps someday I will get you to change your mind.”
Mitsuri smiled noncommittally. It was an old argument between her and the villages four slayers. While a part of her had seriously contemplated it when Tanjiro, their villages Hashira, had made the offer, Mitsuri had ultimately declined. The constant fighting of a Demon Slayer did not appeal to her. She took the weekly defense lessons given by Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke so she would not be left unprepared in case of an attack but that was as far as she desired to go with combat.
They ventured on to other, easier topics as they continued their walk to her cottage. Zenitsu left her with a smile and a wave once they stood in front of her door. With a promise to be at his home within a few hours, the two separated, Zenitsu towards his wife, and Mitsuri to her baking.
“It’s okay.” Mitsuri whispered to herself as she opened the door she had painted a bright pink and decorated with small hearts along the edges. “If this is all you ever have, it will be enough.”
XXXXX
Mitsuri threw her head back and laughed as Aoi described in detail how little Sora had managed to throw up all over her papa after her twin sister Yoko had peed on him.
“He comes running up to me completely naked and covered in vomit declaring that our girls were in a competition with each other to see who could make Papa more disgusted but unfortunately for them he has been covered in worse things than puke and piss—”
“’—I can only imagine the things Inosuke has been covered in—"
“—so neither one of them will ever be able to win. Then, with this concerned look in his eyes, he grabs my hand and asks me very seriously if we should live in the woods so the girls could do their business wherever they wanted without having to clean it up.”
“What did you say?” Kanao asked.
“I rolled my eyes and told him to go take a bath.”
Mitsuri made silly faces at Yoko as she bounced the girl up and down on her lap. The infant had the chubbiest cheeks that made Mitsuri want to shower them in kisses every time she saw them. “Who’s a good girl for peeing on Papa? You are!” She said in silly voice.
Yoko smiled at her, catching her feet in her tiny fists and moving them up and down happily. She had a small pink ribbon tied around her wrist to help her parents keep her and her twin apart.
“They are precious, Aoi. I can’t believe how much they have grown in three months.” Nezuko said. She was holding Sora in her arms and rocking her back and forth while Kanao watched fondly.
“I can. They eat as much as their father.”
Mitsuri snorted. Drinking lots of sake wasn’t the only thing Inoskue was capable of. The only person who could eat more than him was Mitsuri herself.
Aoi snatched a treat from the middle of their circle. “These daifuku are amazing, Mitsuri. I have never had ones so delicious before.”
“Be sure to tell me which ones are your favorite. I tried some new recipes for the jams inside.”
“Oh no, guess I will have to try one of each then.” Aoi said, her voice thick with sarcasm. “Whatever shall I do?”
Kanao bit her bottom lip, suddenly deep in thought. “I think…” She tapped her finger against her thigh. “Yes, the apricot ones are my favorite.”
“Those are delicious! But I think the pink creams ones are the most delicious. I could eat all of them in one sitting.” Nezuko gushed. She raised a delicate finger towards Mitsuri. “I will take one dozen please!”
“You know I can always teach you how to make them.”
“But I never make them as good as you!” Nezuko stated as a matter of fact. “Even Zenitsu agrees with me.”
“And we all know if that boy says Nezuko isn’t the best at something then it must be the truth.” Aoi teased. “When is your next baking class, Mitsuri? Inosuke can watch the girls while I come.”
“Tanjiro and I would like to come as well.” Kanao declared. “We are both starting to become better at baking and it is all thanks to your classes.”
Mitsuri ducked her head and blushed. Maybe Zenitsu was right; what she was doing was so small in the grand scheme of things, but it did seem to bring others joy. “I was thinking of doing one next—”
DING
DING
The ominous sound of the towns bell rang into the night.
“DEMONS!” A woman’s voice screamed. “TAKE COVER!”
Kanao stood immediately. “Everyone into the back room!” Kanao ordered. She ran to the door where her sword lay. “If they come inside, run.”
Nezuko grabbed ahold of Mitsuri’s arm as Kanao closed the door behind her. “Follow me!”
Quickly, the three women, two of them holding babies, followed Nezuko into the room furthest from the entrance. Zenitsu, not wanting his wife to be without an escape should the current situation arise—it happened far more often than it should—had built a hidden door into the wall. Nezuko would be able to hide within from any demon trying to hurt her. If they were able to smell her, another door had been placed on the opposite wall that led to the outside. From there she was instructed to run and find him. He would always be waiting for her under the bell tower.
“Everyone inside! Quickly!”
Aoi went first. Nezuko handed her Sora then Yoko. The babies were blissfully quiet, seeming to sense it was better to remain silent.
A large crash followed by wood hitting the floor shook the floor beneath them.
Mitsuri looked at her friends. Aoi was cradling her babies while Nezuko had turned deathly pale. They were both loved by good men who would never recover if they were lost. Inosuke and Zenitsu needed them, and she—
It took less than a second for Mitsuri to make up her mind. Without so much of a word of warning, Mitsuri shoved Nezuko into the wall and securely shut the door behind her. She had just enough time to turn around before she saw the demon walk eerily into the room. It had black eyes with thick blue lines running down its forehead and connecting to its mouth.
“Hello, lovely.” He said. Blood dripped down the corners of his mouth and onto his ripped kimono. “Don’t you look delicious.”
Mitsuri refused to scream as the demon deliberately walked towards her. She grabbed a vase from the end table and threw it at the demon with all her might. He dodged it easily. Mitsuri had expected as much, but she needed to make the demon pay attention to killing her and only her if she wanted to give her friends enough time to escape.
“Putting up a fight, are we?”
Faster than Mitsuri could blink, the demon moved behind her. Her placed an arm around her throat.
“That won’t work, you know.” He licked her cheek. “I always win.”
Grounding down in her feet. Mitsuri’s grabbed the demons arm with both of her hands and threw him over her shoulder the way Tanjiro had taught her. He landed on the floor with a resounding thud, a few pieces of the floor breaking beneath him.
Zenitsu had been serious when he said Mitsuri was the strongest amongst them.
Not wasting any time Mitsuri sprinted towards the hallway. She climbed over the broken floorboards and planks of wood that had once been a wall. Maybe, if she was lucky, she would be able to—
“Going somewhere you little bitch?!” The demon snarled. He grabbed Mitsuri by the hair and flung her through the hole he had made in the house. “You don’t get to touch me like that!”
Mitsuri landed on her back, hard. Black spots formed behind her eyes.
Get up Mitsuri. She told herself. You have to get up.
Mitsuri forced herself to stand on shaky legs. Someone had started a fire, and the village was illuminated by its glow. She could hear the sounds of fighting in the distance.
The demon ran towards Mitsuri. She cocked her arm back and managed to land a punch against the demon’s jaw. Blood squirted from his mouth, but this time it was his own.
“Do you think you can defeat me?!” He grabbed Mitsuri by the throat and raised her into the air. With his sharp claws he pinched into the delicate flesh at the base of her neck. “You are nobody!”
The demon threw her once more. Mitsuri gasped for air as she landed on her shoulder. Pain radiated down her arm. The demon jumped on top of her before she had a chance to stand. His hand raked down her injured arm, drawing more blood.
“You pathetic humans think you stand a chance against demons? How laughable. What can you do that is so special?”
“We can go in the sun.”
Mitsuri’s head whipped to the side as the demon slapped her across the face.
“You’ll pay for that. I was going to eat you quickly, but now I think I will enjoy you much more slowly. I will drink from your blood for days while keeping you alive and forcing you to watch. You are pretty as well. Perhaps I will even turn you into a—”
This time, Mitsuri did scream.
A large white snake, as tall as a bear standing on its hind legs and as long a house, snapped the demons head off its body and proceeded to swallow it in one large gulp. With its tail it swatted what remained of the demon’s body off of Mitsuri and towards the tree line forty yards away. Mitsuri watched in stunned silence as the body began to disintegrate into small black specks of dust. She had been taught that only a beheading by the sword of a demon slayer or exposure to sunlight could kill a demon, but apparently that was incorrect. A large white snake with diamond patterns down its back was just as lethal as the demon slayers sword and the sun.
“Are you okay?”
Mitsuri slowly turned her head towards the sound of a man’s voice. “W-what?” She asked, not seeing another human around her.
“Are you all right? Did he bite you?”
Mitsuri’s entire body began to shake as the snake spoke to her. He looked her up and down, assessing her body for injuries.
“You… you can talk?”
“Yes.” The snake hissed. “You need to see a healer immediately. I’m afraid your fall might have—”
“Mitsuri! Mitsuri!”
Mitsuri peered around the snake to see her friends running towards them.
They were all there.
Inosuke and Aoi.
Tanjiro and Kanao.
Zenitsu and Nezuko.
They were all running towards her.
To her.
To see if she was all right.
To treat her injuries.
To take care of her.
All of the adrenaline that had sustained Mitsuri’s body since the demon had entered Nezuko’s home quickly dissipated. Mitsuri collapsed into the grass, exhausted. She could hear her friends calling for her, hear the snake slithering around her body, but it all sounded so far away.
The last thing she remembered before passing out was a pair of strong arms picking her up and a hissing voice telling whoever was holding her to be careful.