Chapter Text
The Master's estate was much different than the butterfly estate. When Huntrix arrived they were in awe of the large mansion in the middle of the gated walls.
“It's beautiful…”
“We totally need a house like this to relax in!”
Sanemi glared at the girls.
“You better be on your best behavior in front of our Master. No incessant babbling about stupid things.”
“Wow, you must be fun at parties…”
“There's no time for parties when we are at war with the demons. What we are doing today is scandalous as is.”
“Buzzkill.”
The group was led inside by the guards to an open porch area and told to wait for the others to arrive.
After another hour the Saja Boys and other hashira arrived to meet them while Akaza had long left. As they walked in they popped strange candies into their mouths to relax. Zoey perked up at the approaching demons before she pounced on Mystery who caught her mid-air.
“MYSTERY!!! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!”
The other demons looked amused at the display but Mystery was uncovered.
“I… missed you too Zoey.”
He gently nuzzled into her neck before placing her back onto the ground. Then the girls turned to their third member.
“Mira?! What are you doing with them?! And why is he holding you like that?!”
“I had to break up a fight between these two idiots. As repayment they brought me back here to meet you.”
She tried to hide the blush on her cheeks when Romance gently sat her on the porch steps.
Sanemi walked over to the other group and Baby flinched upon seeing him. The small demon looked him over slightly worried.
“You ok?”
Sanemi held back a growl.
“Better than ever. Care to tell me what you want from me to break this deal?”
Baby held out his hand.
“A simple handshake should do.”
Sanemi's eyebrows knit at the strange requests but when he shook the boys hand all the mixed emotions and extra power drained from his being leaving him in a calm state. The other hashira nearly gawking at the slight smile he was trying to smother.
“Thanks…”
“Thank you for saving me from that monster…”
Most of the Saja Boys were startled when a giant with an intense amount of spiritual energy landed before them. The girls grinned at the large hashira when Mystery approached him.
“Gyomei?”
“I've just concluded talks with our master regarding what you have asked of me. He will further discuss when he arrives.”
Mystery nods.
“Thank you.”
“I see your plan to ease your brothers’ hunger has been working.”
“Quite well actually. Thank you for your assistance.”
The Saja Boy's eyes widened when they put both the taste of the candies and the energy of the man together. A human that powerful could be a danger to them. And yet…
They shake off the thought as the fragile leader of the Hashira walks into the meeting. The hashira bow and greet their master.
“Hello my Children and our guests. I hope this day greets you kindly.”
Mitsuri greets him back.
“Hello Master. You are looking well!”
“We have come here today to speak on a unique subject once again.”
Sanemi answers.
“Yes master. Demons of a different kind and slayers of a different time were brought here by a blood demon art. Since then we have brought an end to uppermoon two. The tides of battle have changed with this immense victory.”
Rengoku interrupts.
“Before we begin I also have news and an important confession that has turned the tides in our favor.”
“Then speak of it now, my child.”
“The former Uppermoon Three aka Akaza, the demon I fought at the Mugen Train crash site, has defected from Muzan's control and has assisted us on missions and the slaying of Uppermoon two. He has in turn taken the ranking of Upper Two and continues to help our cause.”
“Are you sure you can trust this Akaza?”
Sanemi answers.
“I hate to admit it but Rengoku has a point. I would be dead if not for the damn demon. I might not like him but he saved my life.”
“Understood. The Demon Slayer core will be informed to be wary when interacting with Akaza but not to attack without cause.”
“Thank you Master.”
“Now, the true reason we have gathered here today… These spiritual demons. They are not of Muzan, nor can they be slain by our weapons. They dislike our demons for the most part and have a mixed history of interactions with the hashira.”
“This is correct.”
“And it has been brought to my attention that normally the only true way to defeat these spiritual demons are with spiritual weapons.”
The girls nod.
“Yes sir.”
“And you have gathered these demons here to perform a cleansing ritual to free their souls permanently.”
Most of the Saja Boys look at the girls in shock before trying to escape and hitting a wall. The girls wave their arms around frantically.
“No! No, we are just trying to go home. Where did you get that idea from.”
Mystery sighs and steps out of the barrier circle dragging Baby with him.
“No, this was my idea. I care for all of you and I can no longer stand to see you suffer if I know there is a way to free you from Gwi-Ma's control.”
Baby looks at Mystery in shock and worry.
“Mystery…”
“Shhh… It will all be ok in the end. I will never leave you. But our friends need to be freed.”
“But Romance…”
“This is all for the best. I swear to you.”
Abby bashes at the walls of the circle.
“THEN GET IN HERE WITH US YOU COWARD!”
“We can't achieve that same freedom as you. Our souls were never human to begin with but you were humans. You can reincarnate and become humans again…”
Romance looks at Mystery, betrayal showing on his face.
“You really aren't going to give us a choice…”
“I'm sorry.”
“It's alright… I would have agreed either way… I will forgive you.”
Jinu nods.
“Anything to silence the voices.”
Abby continues bashing the circle walls in, taking on his demonic form.
“WELL I DON'T AGREE TO THIS. I DON'T WANT THIS!”
“I'm sorry my friend. There is no other way.”
Gyomei steps forward.
“It's time to begin the ritual. The more you open yourselves up to this, the less you fight against it, the easier it will be on your souls.”
He begins to chant the cleansing prayers and the circle begins to glow. Romance sighed before grabbing Abby and pulling him into a kiss.
“One last kiss if we are about to see the light…”
“HOW ARE YOU OK WITH THIS?!”
“Because becoming a demon was never my choice. I'm happy it's finally over. I'm happy to get another chance to live my dreams as a human. Maybe in another life, I can be your boy and we will find nothing but happiness in each other.”
“I…”
“I love you, Kang-dae.”
Abby laughed sadly.
“You said my name…”
“Seemed about as good a time as any.”
“I love you too, Korain.”
Abby felt Romance's lips brush against his one more time before the light consumed his soul which in turn only made Abby more rageful as he backed as far away from the monk as possible violently smashing against the circle walls.
Jinu stepped closer to the light but turned to Rumi.
“Rumi, I'm sorry for everything I've done. You helped me realize I could do better and I should have been a man and talked to you about things instead of running away.”
Rumi smiled sadly.
“Yea well… I did try to kill you. Just promise me you'll do better in your next life.”
“Cross my heart and hope to die.”
With those final words he faded to the light and vanished as his soul was cleaned.
Now it was only Abby fighting violently against the Monk.
“LET ME OUT! LET ME GO!”
As he rammed against the wall a slip of paper fell from his pocket. He grabbed it with a feral grin as he was hit with the memory of what the twins had told him.
“NAKIME”
And the ground opened up into a dozen doors beneath them. Swallowing the remaining demons and slayers alike…