Chapter Text
"If one of the girls are here I'm going to need you all to keep a close eye out." Tamayo tells them all.
"Where is Murata?" Makomo asks looking around.
"He was shot by the girl." Shinobu says softly.
"Why put himself in view? The idiot." Yushiro says focusing on Zenitsu. "We heard the 2 shots."
"He didn't expose himself on purpose." Tanjiro said. "He stood on something and made a noise. She shot him where he stood." Tanjiro defended Murata.
"Where he stood from a noise?" Tamayo asked.
"Yeah. Hit him directly in the centre of his head." Tanjiro trailed off.
"It's Akira." Tamayo says. She looks up to them all. "She's a sharp shooter. Scarily so. She has never missed a target." Tamayo gasps. "She would be here to pick off any high rankers who survived who were not meant to."
Mitsuri moved in an instant with Shinobu following behind her. Tanjiro and Inosuke jumped up following too.
The 4 race towards the waterfront where the battle was. They need to intercept her before she can do any damage.
Sanemi finishes off the last opposing soldier. He turns and looks over towards Obanai.
Obanai stares up to where the suns first rays begin trickling over the horizon.
Giyu and Sabito make their way over to them.
"Did you get Tsutako?" Giyu asks.
"They weren't in the estate." Obanai turns to Giyu. "We have to go now."
A gun shot rings out.
They all turn and look in that direction.
"DAD!" Kyojuro cries out.
They run towards Kyojuro's shouting.
Kyojuro and Shinjuro come into sight.
Shinjuro falls forward grabbing for his neck. The bullet has gone straight through his neck.
Kyojuro puts pressure to Shinjuro's neck too. He tries to stop the bleeding as he starts to tear up. Shinjuro just smiles at him.
Michikatsu scans the area while Hakuji has grabbed soldiers to stand around Kyojuro to hide him from sight.
"Hold on Dad!" Kyojuro begs him. "Help will come!" His tears start to fall.
Shinjuro just looks up at him. He watches as Kyojuro begs for help. He grabs Kyojuro's hand. Kyojuro looks back down at him. Shinjuro gives him a bigger smile before succumbing to his wound. His eyes open but now vacant.
"DAD! DAD! PLEASE STAY WITH ME! DAD!" Kyojuro screams and begs him.
Giyu, Sanemi and Sabito go to race forward to Kyojuro. Obanai stops them.
He can play dead for a bit.
Michikatsu hand signals Yuriichi to stay still where he is. Before he begins moving over to him.
Another shot.
Michikatsu falls instantly. Yuriichi stares horrified. Michikatsu signals him to be quiet and stay in place. His movements causing the bullet to graze his ear instead of the centre of his head.
"STAY!" Hakuji yells as he moves towards Yuriichi.
Another shot.
Obanai pulls Hakuji back and the bullet grazes his cheek.
"AKIRA!" Obanai shouts.
"MY SWEET LITTLE BROTHER!" Akira's voice sings out. "I'LL MISS YOU!"
A shot rings out but doesn't hit anyone.
Obanai and Hakuji race in the direction the shots have come from.
Mitsuri looks to the soldiers standing around talking.
"Once she's done, we will go back to Hachijo." One states looking to where Akira has set herself up.
Tanjiro holds his gun confidently.
Inosuke has picked up 2 katanas from dead soldiers.
Mitsuri has done the same as Inosuke.
Shinobu stands with a gun she has picked up.
They hear a shot. Then another. Then another. They hear her shouting.
"Come Inosuke." Mitsuri says before charging forward. Inosuke follows her laughing. They attack the 10 soldiers easily cutting them down.
"Let's go!" Tanjiro says with Shinobu following him. As they approach they come face to face with her gun.
"Tanjiro Kamado lives?" She says surprised. "Well not for long." She shoots.
Shinobu pushes Tanjiro in another direction.
Tanjiro lands on the ground and takes the opportunity to kick his legs around and kick Akira's feet out from under her. She falls to the ground.
"FUCK!" She shouts. She holds her gun up to Tanjiro before Mitsuri stands on her wrist bringing it to the ground with a sickening crack.
Akira cries out in pain.
"You fucking bitch!" She grits her teeth looking up at her.
Shinobu gets up and puts her gun to her head.
"Don't move." Shinobu demands.
"Please don't." She begs. "I can tell you anything you want to know. I didn't do anything." She cries.
"WATCH OUT!" Tanjiro shouts as Akira swings her body around to knock Shinobu into Mitsuri. Both girls fall.
She laughs as she gets up grabbing her gun with her other hand.
"Damn bitch." She looks at Mitsuri. "Stay there!" She swings her gun to face Tanjiro.
Tanjiro puts his hands up.
Shinobu and Mitsuri look shocked at Akira.
She smirks until suddenly a katana goes through her shoulder and pins her into a wall behind her. She shouts out in pain.
She looks at the katana surprised. She was so focused on Tanjiro, Mitsuri and Shinobu that she didn't even think to look around for anyone else. Her eyes dart around.
Another katana launches into her chest. She looks up in the direction it came in.
Sanemi stands there arms crossed, while Inosuke stumbles forward a bit. He had just thrown both of his katanas that hit her through the chest and shoulder.
She looks at them in disgust.
"HOW DARE YOU!" She shouts.
Movement catches in her peripheral vision and she looks over to spot Giyu right beside her. His gun touches her temple so lightly.
"Burn in hell you bitch." Giyu says softly as he pulls the trigger.
Shinobu looks up to Giyu and smiles. He helps her up.
Mitsuri looks at Sanemi with a gentle smile.
"He's comin'." Sanemi smiles. He approaches Shinobu and gives her a hug. "Where's Gen and Kanae?"
"Not here." Shinobu whispers hugging him. "They are safe."
As they wonder back towards the others Obanai and Hakuji run forward.
Obanai's eyes widen as he picks up his pace.
"SURI!" He shouts.
"OBI!" Mitsuri runs forward and embraces him when he's close enough. Obanai brings her down with him as he holds her close crying.
Sanemi stands close watching them.
They wonder back down to Kyojuro.
General Kuwajima, Michikatsu and Yuriichi have begin to order the soldiers around to tend to the wounded and begin cleaning up.
The sun has begun to rise now.
All the Tomioka ships are either sinking, in pieces or on fire.
They all look around.
Shinjuro is being carried off towards the estate. They all bow their heads as Shinjuro's body goes past. They all look at Kyojuro giving him a hug as he follows his father's body.
Obanai holds Mitsuri close before he begins to lead her away.
"Where are you two going?" Sanemi asks.
"To get our boy." Obanai says. Hakuji grabs his arm.
"He's out of the city." Hakuji says. "Come on." Hakuji leads them away.
Sanemi turns and follows. Muichiro will be happy to see him.
Giyu and Shinobu stand beside Sabito. Shinobu holds Giyu's hand.
"Wait." Giyu says looking over the bay. "WAIT!" Giyu looks at Obanai. Obanai, Mitsuri, Sanemi and Hakuji look back at Giyu. "They were on my ships!" Giyu says horrified.
"Your ships fired on mine." Tanjiro says upset. Giyu looks horrified at Tanjiro.
Sabito instantly looks over the ships. Giyu's right. Sabito looks back to them.
"Where is Tsutako?" Giyu looked back at Obanai.
"Tsutako will be in my family estate on Hachijo with my father." Obanai says. "We will be leaving once we are ready."
"They will know it's us if we all go." Giyu says. "How can"
"We go on one ship. Akira's ship. It will be expected to return soon." Obanai cuts Giyu off. "Your ships were loaded with majority of the army. They believed they had the upper hand by taking out the city with the Rengoku and my army in it. We were meant to be wiped out. Kamado's army is what saved us!"
"Where's General Urokodaki?" Sabito asks.
Sanemi looks nervously at Obanai.
"I'm sorry but he died." Obanai says softly.
Sabito tears up.
"What? How? How do you know that?" Sabito asks.
"We saw." Sanemi looks nervously at Sabito. "We saw his body."
Sabito breaks down crying. Giyu squats down and hugs Sabito.
"We will prepare to leave as soon as everyone is ready. I want no delays." Giyu demands.
"Agreed." Obanai turns Mitsuri and begins walking.
Sanemi, Obanai, Mitsuri and Hakuji race to the outskirts of Tokyo.
They run through the streets and see some civilians making their way in. Some helping others. Some putting out fires.
They keep running.
Once they get where the civilians have settled they run through the crowd scanning them.
"HAKUJI!"
Hakuji stops and looks around. He spots Koyuki waving in the distance.
"THIS WAY!" He calls Sanemi, Mitsuri and Obanai back.
They follow his lead.
Koyuki wraps her arms around Hakuji. She cries holding him close. He holds her tightly.
Sanemi, Obanai and Mitsuri gently step around them.
Obanai approaches Koinatsu who holds a sleeping Kaito. Kaburamaru is wrapped around her neck.
Obanai kneels down infront of her. Kaburamaru instantly leaves Koinatsu's neck and wraps around Obanai's.
"Thank you for helping look after him." Obanai says softly.
Koinatsu looks at Obanai surprised. His face is still uncovered.
"Lord Iguro?" She asks softly.
Obanai shifts nervously. Koinatsu hands Kaito over. Obanai holds him close and stands back up.
He turns to Mitsuri. She's in tears. She gently grabs him off Obanai and holds him close.
Kaito begins to stir and instantly nuzzles into her chest. Mitsuri falls to her knees holding him tightly. She begins to cry harder. Obanai hovers close.
Sanemi looks around. He spots Muichiro and Yuichiro asleep hugging each other. Sanemi smiles.
Then he looks confused.
"Where did Yuichiro come from?" Sanemi asks.
"He was in the city." Goto says. "He found us."
"We were told he was killed." Sanemi says. "Muichiro thought he was dead."
"He's alive and well." Goto says. "But they lost their father figure Gyomei Himejima." He finishes sadly.
Sanemi looks down at the sleeping boys when it hits him.
Gyomei is gone too.
"We should head back." Hakuji says to Sanemi.
"Alright." Sanemi replies.
Sanemi looks down at the 2 sleeping boys.
He gently begins to pick Muichiro up. Muichiro grips Yuichiro tighter.
Yuichiro mumbles as he opens his eyes.
"Mui." He says as he shakes him.
Muichiro slowly wakes up and looks at Sanemi. He hugs Sanemi. Sanemi laughs and holds him tight.
"You came back." Muichiro whispers holding Sanemi.
"I did. Come you 2." Sanemi follows Hakuji with Yuichiro walking beside him.
"Yui found me." Muichiro tells him.
"I did." Yuichiro smiles up at him. Muichiro goes down and walks close to his twin.
"Come on." Hakuji gently tells Obanai.
Obanai nods and moves closer to Mitsuri whispering in her ear. Mitsuri stands with Obanai's help.
Kaito is awake now staring at Mitsuri as he feeds. She just stares at him smiling as Obanai leads her along.
General Ubuyashiki had made his way to shore with General Kanamori and General Haganezuka. They meet up with Tanjiro in the estate grounds.
"Lord Kamado!" They greet him.
"Lady Tsuyuri?" General Ubuyashiki looks confused at her.
"My doing." General Kuwajima says. "I thought it would be better to bring them rather than have them sneaking off." General Ubuyashiki nods.
General Kuwajima moves over to Zenitsu and sits close, running his hand through his hair.
"We will be leaving soon." Giyu says.
"Leave? Where?" General Ubuyashiki asks curiously.
"Tsutako is with Hiroto Iguro on Hachijo. We will be going to finish him off and rescue my sister." Giyu says.
"He doesn't have his army now. He will be easy to overpower. Depending on his daughters." Michikatsu states.
"What do you mean by that?" Shinobu asks.
"I mean that they will either help us or fight us. It depends if they choose their father's side or their brother's." Michikatsu says.
Kyojuro sits by his father's body listening to them talk. He has his legs pulled up to his chest as he hugs them.
Tanjiro sits close by him.
"I'm sorry Kyojuro." Tanjiro says softly.
Kyojuro just rests his head on Tanjiro's shoulder. He doesn't say anything. He just sits quietly.
Sanemi, Muichiro, Yuichiro, Obanai, Mitsuri, Kaito, Kaburamaru, Hakuji, Koyuki, Keizo, Koinatsu, Goto and Takeuchi make their way to the estate.
As they walk through the streets a handful of soldiers join them heading back to the estate.
They continue along until a body in the street comes into view.
Hakuji covers Koyuki's eyes while Koinatsu looks away herself while trying to divert the twins eyes.
"It's him." Muichiro says when they are closer. Koinatsu quickly moves the twins along.
Sanemi stops to look at the body.
It's Gyutaro's.
"Gyutaro." Sanemi says looking at Obanai.
Obanai looks at the body while he holds Mitsuri tight.
Hakuji keeps ushering the others along.
Sanemi, Mitsuri and 2 soldiers stay behind with Obanai as he stares down at Gyutaro's body.
"That was me." Mitsuri says softly upset. "He attacked me."
"I need you to stay with the others." Obanai doesn't look at her. He just stares at Gyutaro's body.
"I'm not leaving your side." Mitsuri huffs upset.
Obanai exhales looking up at her before turning to the soldiers.
"I need you to do something for me." Obanai says to them.
"Yes Lord Iguro?" One replies warily.
"Take his body. There is a ryokan on the outskirts in the north. Have him delivered there. I always promised to return his body there where we met. Just say I sent you to the owner." He viciously smiles down at Gyutaro. "Tell her it's delivered with love and I can't wait to see her again."
Sanemi and Mitsuri both look at Obanai.
Obanai's eyes are fixated on Gyutaro with his vicious smile still present. Last time Sanemi seen him pull this face was when he threw the Captain off the ship the night they stole it.
"Obi?" Mitsuri asks curiously.
Obanai looks at her and his smile changes. He walks off leading Mitsuri away and giving her several kisses on the cheek.
Kaburamaru hisses happily.
Sanemi watches the soldiers as they begin to awkwardly pick up the body. Sanemi turns and quickly picks up his pace to catch up.
"Do I want to know?" Sanemi whispers.
"No." Obanai says. "But I'm sure you already know."
"Obi?" Mitsuri asks but Obanai pulls Mitsuri in closer. He begins kissing down her neck.
"Obanai!" Mitsuri smacks the back of his head gently. "Kaito is here."
Obanai pulls back and looks at Kaito in Mitsuri's arms. His little hand happily reaching for Obanai.
Obanai grabs his hand and looks back up at Mitsuri.
"He's going to spend some time with his uncle Nemi when we get to the estate." Obanai pulls her in closer with his free hand.
"What?" Mitsuri raises her eyebrows. "Aren't you tired? I don't want to split from him." She holds Kaito close as he happily babbles.
Obanai just holds her close.
"Aren't we going to head to Hachijo?" Sanemi asks.
"Yes." Obanai says. "As soon as we are all ready."
"What? I'm coming." Mitsuri says.
"No you're not." Obanai states. "You are staying here."
Mitsuri looks at him annoyed.
"Did Ume come see you?" Mitsuri asks.
"No." Obanai answers.
Sanemi looks at him curiously.
"I heard she was in the city?" Sanemi stares at Obanai. Obanai gives him a quick annoyed look before turning back to Mitsuri.
"You can look for her while we go to Hachijo." Obanai gives Mitsuri a smile. Mitsuri looks between Sanemi and Obanai.
"I'll look for her when we return from Hachijo. You don't get to touch me until we are on that ship." Mitsuri says walking off ahead of them.
Obanai stares unimpressed.
"Didn't you just have Gyutaro delivered to Ume." Sanemi asks.
"Yes." Obanai watches Mitsuri walk ahead. "I do love her but Ume is my toy to punish."
"That won't go down well." Sanemi warns.
"I know." Obanai starts walking.
Mitsuri waits for Sanemi and Obanai at the entrance to the estate.
Sanemi and Obanai enter the grounds behind her.
Michikatsu is ordering those around to prepare to leave while General Ubuyashiki orders the clean up.
"We should find Tengen." Sanemi says looking around.
Obanai nods following Sanemi. He goes to put his arm around Mitsuri but she moves ahead avoiding him.
She heads to where Tengen was.
Sabito and Shinobu sit and watch Giyu as Giyu paces.
"We should leave now." Giyu mumbles.
"You're tired." Shinobu says. "Please rest a little."
"I can't! Tsutako is in danger!" Giyu runs his hand through his hair. He looks over seeing Sanemi, Obanai and Mitsuri walking towards Tengen.
Shinobu gets up and goes to Sanemi. He wraps his arms around Shinobu again in a quick hug.
"Where exactly are Kanae and Gen?" Sanemi asks.
"In Sendai." Shinobu says. Sanemi looks alarmed. "They weren't in the attack. I'm going to head back to Sendai." Shinobu tells him. "Will you be joining me?"
Sanemi shakes his head.
"As much as I'd love to, I'd like to see this man's end." Sanemi gives Shinobu a smile. "But I'm coming straight to them once I know."
"I'll let them know." Shinobu gives him a smile.
"Make sure you take the twins." Sanemi tells her sternly.
"I will. I'll bring them back here since Tengen will be recovering here." Shinobu says. "He was quite injured in the explosion." Shinobu goes with Sanemi to Tengen. Giyu follows along.
Sabito stays behind staring at the ground.
"May I?" A gentle voice says.
Sabito looks up to Makomo. She's pointing to the seat at next to him.
"Sure." Sabito says softly.
Makomo sits beside him and looks him over.
Sanemi looks down at Tengen. He's laying in a makeshift bed ready to be transported somewhere else.
"I heard we are going to Hachijo." Tengen says with a small weak smile.
"No. You aren't going anywhere." Obanai says.
"It's just a scratch." Tengen pulls a bigger smile.
"Bullshit." Sanemi snorts.
"No Tengen please." Hinatsuru cries softly.
"I'm not going anywhere." Tengen looks at Hinatsuru. "Not until the doc says I can."
Tamayo gives him a smile. She's glad to know he will listen to medical advice.
Hinatsuru grabs his hand and holds it tight. Tengen looks back at Sanemi and Obanai.
"Who is going?" Tengen asks.
"I dunno." Sanemi looks around. "We'll find out soon I guess."
"We are taking one ship so not many." Obanai states.
"Could you all give us a moment to talk in private please?" Hinatsuru asks sadly.
"Sure." Sanemi says moving along with Obanai, Mitsuri, Giyu and Shinobu.
Tamayo gives a bow.
"Grab me if you need me." She says as she goes to look after other patients.
They approached Michikatsu but before they say anything, they hear Tengen's gut wrenching scream.
"SUMA!" Tengen cries as Hinatsuru hugs him. He holds her close.
Sanemi and Obanai look from Tengen and Hinatsuru to Shinobu.
"We lost Suma." Giyu says softly as Shinobu tears up and hugs Giyu.
Sanemi looks back at Tengen as he's crying holding Hinatsuru. Hinatsuru is crying too.
Sanemi takes a moment to look around.
He looks to Kyojuro as he sits quietly with Tanjiro, Kanao and Inosuke around him.
Muichiro and Yuichiro sit with Yuriichi as he gives them something to eat and talks with them.
Hakuji has joined Michikatsu as they start going over what they are doing and who stays and who goes.
Obanai looks over to Tengen worried.
Mitsuri looks at Obanai upset before Kaito gets her attention. Kaburamaru has found his way back around Mitsuri's neck.
Koyuki is helping Keizo and those around her.
Koinatsu, Goto and Takeuchi are doing whatever jobs they can help with.
General Ubuyashiki approaches Tanjiro, making sure he is okay.
Tamayo and Yushiro are moving around helping whoever needs help.
Sabito and Makomo sit and talk quietly on their own.
They lost quite a few.
Sanemi was anxious to get back to Genya and Kanae and make sure they were alright but he had to make sure Hiroto was dead first.
"How soon until we leave?" Sanemi asks.
"Within the hour." Michikatsu replies.