Chapter Text
Giyuu always knew he was unworthy. That he wasn't like the others. He knew they shared that sentiment too. Half hidden whispers paired with knowing looks, the others couldn't make it more obvious if they tried. Giyuu was the odd one out, he was the powerless one. He did not deserve to stand next to the likes of the proper hashiras, not a fake one like himself.
Giyuu had no power of his own, so how could he compare to the others? To Shinobu whose power let her create any poison she so wished. A power that she used to create the required poison to kill a demon or the required antidote to a demon’s own poison. How could he compare to her? How could he compare to Sanemi whose power let him hypnotise demons with just the smell of his blood. A power he used to lure demons away from what would otherwise be victims and into his blade. Iguro, whose power let him communicate with his snake. A power he used to see all parts of the battlefield, giving him the edge in battle and ensuring he always knows the best plan of attack. Mitsuri, whose power blessed her with superhuman strength. A power she used to manage large scale attacks and ensure that no demon could simply overwhelm her with pure strength or large objects. Gyomei, whose power let him view the world through minor vibrations alone. A power he used to ensure that he knew exactly where a demon was and where their head was in order to aim his flail properly. Muichiro, whose power let him generate a large cloud of mist. A power he used to limit the sight of his victim and ensure he had the upper hand. Rengoku, whose power acted as both a day to day comfort and a fierce weapon in battle. A power he used to withstand the colder regions up north and catch any demon in a fiery tornado. Tengen, whose power let him predict his opponent’s next move. A power he used to perfectly counter any hit and ensure a perfect victory. How could Giyuu ever compare to them?
Giyuu could never hope to reach their level. All he could do was fight demons until he collapsed to try and prevent innocent civilians from being harmed. That was the least he could do after the death of his beloved sister, Tsutako. Even then, Giyuu was too weak and cowardly to do his job properly. Creating a whole new form just to avoid taking damage in a fight. Damage that Sanemi would proudly display as marks of his strength and victory. Damage that Shinobu wouldn't even bat an eye at. Such minor damage and yet Giyuu couldn't even accept that. He was a disgrace to water breathing. Why he was ever offered the title of water hashira, even if it was only temporary, Giyuu would not know.
Giyuu was not worthy of the title. He never passed his final selection afterall. Everyone else there was much more gifted than giyuu could ever hope to be. Giyuu with his own lack of powers survived thanks to the protection of the other candidates. Giyuu who passed out after the first day and only woke up after the final selection finished. How could he ever call himself a true swordsman. He should have died during his final selection. Yet he survived and is now taking up the spot of water hashira, preventing someone who is more worthy from claiming their true title. Someone like Sabito.
Sabito who gave his life to ensure that everyone else in the final selection survived. Sabito who could control the rain. He would have been a better water hashira than Giyuu. Giyuu was sure of that, afterall someone who was able to turn a relatively basic power into one that should be feared was clearly destined for great things in life. Destined to be one of the best. Instead he never managed to become one of the lower ranked swordsmen. Instead he took Giyuu’s true role in the final selection and died. It was his fault that Sabito died, that was meant to be his fate not Sabito’s. Yet with his own cowardice he led Sabito closer to the demon that killed him. How was Giyuu meant to save anyone else when he caused the death of his boyfriend friend.
“Hello my children, I am pleased to see that we have not lost any of you in the half a year since our last meeting.”
Giyuu was snapped out of his thoughts as Ubuyashiki calls out, signalling his arrival and the start of the semi-annual hashira meeting.
“As you may have noticed there has been a recent increase in the number of demons, and while none have proven to be of any major threat to most slayers it would be wise to stay wary and increase the length of your patrol. We do not know what Muzan is planning but we need to stay diligent and protect the innocent civilians from harm.” Ubuyashiki continued.
Giyuu couldn’t help but admire how effortless the master made saying the right thing seem. He always knew what to say and what to plan to try and keep everyone safe from unnecessary harm. Then again it was his family’s power, a gift that proved most useful when leading the corps. The Ubuyashiki family had a hereditary power of leadership, a hereditary power much like Giyuu’s own family.
Giyuu’s family was blessed with water powers, some more powerful than others. Members of the Tomioka family often found themselves able to conjure water out of thin air, some able to control quantities of water, others found themselves with dolphin-like elegance when it came to swimming. On rare occasions members of the family could find themselves able to breathe underwater. Members like Tsutako, Giyuu’s older sister.
Occasionally a child would be born to the Tomioka family with no power to boast of. Children like Giyuu. While these children were treated just the same as any other child in the family, it was common for them to feel like the black sheep of the family and move away in later life. It was sad but not unexpected when the family is known and respected in their community for their powers. Their family can include them in everything they do but they cannot control the community they live in.
Tsutako shielded Giyuu from the opinions of the community as best as she could, often lecturing the villagers if she caught them mocking Giyuu, but he still learnt how the village viewed him compared to his family. For the most part Giyuu had been able to ignore it, he had Tsutako taking care of him while their parents were away and that is all he needed.
Until her death. She was due to marry the son of an important merchant in their village. Then on her wedding night a demon found its way into the Tomioka estate. Tsutako hid Giyuu away and instructed him to stay put no matter what before she went to try to distract the demon. Giyuu stayed put until the morning where he left his hiding place to the sight of Tsutako’s mangled body.
The villagers blamed him for her death, especially her fiancee. It wasn't unheard of for a powerless child to kill their sibling out of jealousy of their power. None of them had heard of demons before and assumed Giyuu was making stuff up to dodge the blame.
In the end he had been chased out of the village, where he wandered the mountains until he was found by Master Urokodaki who trained him along with Sabito to be demon slayers.
“That will be all, thank you for your time”, once again Giyuu was drawn out of his thoughts as the master turned to leave. The other hashiras stood and formed their usual groups to talk amongst themselves, some of the busier ones like Shinobu giving a polite goodbye before leaving. Giyuu waited a couple seconds before leaving himself. His presence wasn't welcome and he did not want to intrude.