Rising Sun

**Date Completed:** Ongoing
**Users Involved:** User:GoldenPiece, User:Starving Skeleton, User:Felosr231, User:MorellaVoltaire, User:KontonMan, User:Majin Khi
**Setting:**
**Daiyōkai:** Niji Otodoko,
**Hashira:** Kuroo Tokugawa, Saeko Kazetachi, Misa Yorutsuki, Kirin Aotora, Afuru Tanahashi,

## A new Era

The sun rises in the east.

That was his claim to everything beneath it despite not feeling its warmth in almost several centuries. From the time of his birth till his rebirth, he remembered those words spoken by a face whose name had been lost to the sands of time. It served as the reasoning behind him claiming the eastern realm. Becoming the Demon King of the East. Some called him the first for he singled the new dawn dominated by nightly creatures.

But it didn’t matter to him. As he sat on the throne of his imperial castle surrounded by massive walls. Countless floors stacked atop one another which nearly reached the sky. His throne room was rather large, with rows of demonic ministers sitting in an aisle before him. They whispered and mumbled. Scribing vast plans on scrolls or trading previous metals or other resources. However they all did so while kneeling. For to stand before him was impossible when in his presence. The same presence which levitated his chair, carved from the moon itself, above ancient wood.

“The humans grow brave.” His powerful voice silenced the room despite words spoken quietly into the air. “Our scouts tell me those toy soldiers they call Hashira are gathering for a meeting. What do you think they’re going to discuss?”

"To give up their revolt and pledge fealty, Master Otodoko?” An elder said. The demon king raised his fingers and snapped. Resulting in the elder demon’s head exploding. However every bit of brain, skull and blood seemed to circle around itself. Floating through space and out the window. Leaving the corpse to fall.

“Don’t try and patronize me peasants.” Niji Otodoko, the Eastern Daiyokai scrunched. The others didn’t dare react for they knew what would come. After all, such a stupid answer was the result of arrogance. Why would the humans give up so easily? They’d dare slap Buddha twice to see him angered.

“They’re probably planning to strengthen their defenses.” Another broke the silence. Niji tilted his head. “We’ve received word about an attack on the Southern Daiyakai’s naval fleet.”

“Seems plausible. Defend themselves from us and appear docile while going after the other three buffoons?” He spoke their title with a bit of venom. “Who knows maybe I should give them a little bit of help.” He chuckled.

“But my lord,” Another entered. “Would this not be the best time to strike? Eliminate the human revolt and turn them into cattle for our armies..”

“Hm…The great Daiyokai war is coming..” Niji brushed his black hair back. “The humans serving as the wildcard kept us from moving too aggressively…But....using our inevitable war for their advantage…Such cowardly tactics have no right to exist beneath my brilliant eye.” He said. The moon’s silver radiance shining through his castle’s mechanical opening. “This world respects power. Strength.  Not trickery.”

“So what should we do my lord?”

“Remind the humans where they stand in this war. As a source for our army in the conquest to unite this realm beneath my eye.” Niji leaned back. “Awaken the Red and Blue horn. Send them to the human’s border and have them wreak havoc. The more humans they kill the better. With the Hashira gone, this’ll show them that they’re sheep in a den of dragons.”

## Pillars of a Crumbling Foundation

Walking down an empty path in the cold darkness, the long shaggy hair charcoal black hair belonging to a tall young man was seeing flying with a gust of wind. He had a sword in a white scabbard and another longer one with a purple scabbard. As he walked down he fixed the large kasa hat over his head, taking a drag from his long pipe.

"I wonder how many will make it this time." The crimson eyed young man smiled almost sadistically with anticipation as he looked forward for seeing some old acquaintances. "Hope I don't need to see any new faces." He declared as a large cloud of smoke escaped his lips.

For the gentleman meeting new faces at an event like this only means an untimely death came for someone he already knew. As another gust came it revealed a crest on his back with Kanji for "Demon" on it. He was one of the fabled swordsmen and righteous fighter for humanity, a Hashira. He was the frighteningly efficient warrior, Kuroo Tokugawa, the Dragon Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps.

"Ara? If it isn’t Tokugawa-Kun." A gentle yet charming voice called out towards the Dragon Hashira with a bemused tone to it. "It’s been a while since our last meeting hasn’t it?" The same person questioned as of wooden geta’s gently wrapped against floor as the person slowly made their way towards Kuroo. Ebony locks elegantly comb back and braided at the base were the first thing to be noticed, black eyes with a distinctive star like pupil. A beautiful feminine face with that was set in a easy and caring manner greeted Kuroo.

"I didn’t expect anyone to arrive so soon or I would have prepared some tea." She stated as she stood facing her fellow Hashira with an apologetic look on her face. Saeko Kazetachi, the beautiful and deadly Hashira of the Wind was truly a woman of noteworthy appearance, one that portrayed a motherly and caring person to all whom she held dear but could easily be twisted into something that even the foulest Yōkai feared.

"Do forgive me for being so unorganized as it has been a long time since all Pillars meet, I’m sure a few of us has changed over the last 3 years." She stated towards her fellow Hashira with an apologetic bow before gesturing towards the table where they meeting will be held.

"Didn't expect to meet everyone here but here we are now," a soft ominous yet calm voice spoke as they approached the other fellow Hashira, the voice belonged to Misa Yorutsuki, the Hashira of Darkness wearing her face in the same blank expression she was well known for though it deters away from the warrior she was when facing Yōkai.

There was a quiet hum of ascent, heralding the appearance of yet another Hashira. Ada Komurasaki did not approach as the others did, but seemingly materialized out of thin air, the space she now occupied having been empty just moments before "My agents haven't given reports of any deaths since the last meeting" There was little inflection in her voice, the words sounding nearly mechanical as she spoke them "So unless it was relatively recent I do believe all of our comrades in pillardom are alive and well."

One could call Ada pretty, with strange hair the color of violet and soft features that never seem to change from their state of serenity. Her heavily modified uniform framed a dancer's form, honed and refined to be just as effective on the field of battle as it is on stage. However, Ada is a strange entity. Her existence never really seems to stick in one's mind, no matter how often one interacts with her. Sure, the other Hashira would know her as one of their own, but when you looked away from her, the details of her face and body seemed to slide out of one's mind like sand through a sieve.

"I am wondering what could warrant calling us from the field" Her voice was one thing that did make an impression, though the uninflected tone was easily the least interesting thing about her "Could it be that one of the ancient evils is making a move? Or maybe the smaller creatures are gathering en masse somewhere..."

"Whatever it is thats making us all gather again, we'll be fine. I'm here now, after all." Kirin Aotora grinned as he made himself apparent to his fellow Hashira. Daggers spinning on different fingers as he walked forwards towards a seat, sheathing his weapons as a loud cry of thunder boomed out as he did.

Leaning back in the chair, legs up on the desk as Kirin yawned. "Who else are we missing? Let's get this show on the road."

Like a sudden downpour, the Water Hashira Afuru appeared just meters away from the other Hashira. “My my, so many of you have gathered already.” His gentle voice, yet masculine voice itched out from the distance. He was of average height with a slender frame, standing at-most 6’0”. His loose long black silky that reached halfway down his back and short bangs that cover both temples, lay idle across his blue kimono with a yellow sash. His hair often resulted in Afuru’s gender being mistaken, as much were surprised when he speaks. “Looks like I’m the fifth one here, and that makes six of us present.” He spoke, now approaching his fellow hashira.

"Ara? I believe that makes everyone." Saeko stated as she gestured for everyone to take a seat while she went to prepare some tea for the group. "Just so we’re all on the same page, I was the one who called this meeting due to some news I received from my family." She started while sharing tea for everyone.

"I’m positive your all aware of my family and their connection." She stated as she glanced at everyone present. "Well it seems that the Yōkai’s have grown restless and have began moving again." She continued as she finished serving team to everyone before taking a seat herself. "The Daiyōkai’s are preparing to start another Great Yōkai war in a bid for more territory among each other, I don’t need to tell you why such actions would be disastrous for the human in throes territories?" She questioned her fellow Hashira, all whom lived through the last war.

“Another war with the demons is most likely inevitable. Either means we cut through them or form another path.” Afuru chuckled, before lowering his head to face his cup of tea. “I would like this war the flower in the bud, before it blooms.” Afuru continued, before lifting a cup of tea to meet his lips.

"Afuru-kun don’t be stupid." Saeko chastised the Water Hashira for his bold statement. "Despite our strength we wouldn’t make it past the fourth wave before we became overwhelmed." She stated as she turned a sharp look towards him. "These aren't the typical Yōkai that we have running around, these are Yōkai that has been festering upon the powers of the Daiyōkai’s for centuries, a single low class Soilder could be enough to combat a Tsuchinoe ranked slayer." She stated with a frown.

"Besides our job first and foremost is the preservation of humanity, never forget that we slay demons not out of rage or greed but for the sake of humanity survival."

"Afuru has a point, Saeko." Kirin noted. "The best way to deal with the Demon War is to try and stop it before it happens. But these demons are far more powerful now, in Saeko's defense. Though I doubt we'd be overwhelmed so easily. A low class Yōkai couldn't match a Tsuchinoe slayer, cause they'd be recently turned. Yōkai that have been festering for centuries are what we need to worry about, I agree. But we can leave those to our more skilled Slayers. I doubt there are many demons that have been festering that long and have continued to increase in power without our intervention, anyways."

Kirin glared up towards the sky, before he looked back to Saeko. "Though we do need to exercise caution, as annoying as I find that."

"Your wrong Kirin-Chan, a low class aren’t fresh turn, as I stated before these are Yōkai whom has been feasting upon the Daiyōkai’s powers for centuries." She stated towards the Thunder Hashira. "I don’t care for the low level trash Yōkai’s that are running around headless as they are mere beasts, the war episode be between the Four Daiyokai and their own personal armies." She stated seriously as she glanced around the room once more.

"I know their strength on a personal level as it was one of the Northen Yōkai’s that destroyed my home village and nearly drove my family to extinction, so trust me when I state that am not underestimate them." She stated rather seriously as vivid memories flashed before her eyes. "If we won’t to nip this war in the bud we would need to divide and conquer some of the big players on each side, not to mention eliminate the Shikyo from the equation entirely.”

Ada had been sipping her tea silently throughout the entire ordeal, her presence fading to become part of the scenery the longer she stayed silent and unobtrusive. Her eyes flicked between her fellow Hashira for a time before she finally decided to speak up "We could kill one of the Daiyokai." She let her words linger for a moment, knowing the weight it would carry and hoping it would stop all of them in their tracks so she could continue "Or the very least cripple one."

Her fingers trilled softly against the table as she spoke, her eyes raised slightly staring at a fixed point somewhere above their heads as she articulated her thoughts "We need to ensure that this inter-faction war has as little human casualties as possible, which would mean doing our best to target the players directly. We weaken them before they fight, and make sure that our efforts look like moves from their rivals and not outside influence."

She nodded and returned her eyes to the other Hashira, slowly lifting her cup to take another sip "And if we can swing it, a few of us can also go for the heads of higher ups. Wounding the leadership is sure to cause any strategies they have to buckle, maybe even collapse. And such an act of weakening could only further one of the other goals of our organization: ridding the world of demons."

"That is a valid idea but first we must kill the Shikyo in the territory as if we leave them alive one could easily replace the fallen Daiyōkai." Saeko stated as she sipped her tea for a bit. "But that is if we can kill a Daiyōkai." She finished as she place down the cup. "Do not forget that Our predecessors attempted such an action which resulted in their death and the near collapse of the Demon Slayer Corps, not to mention in that time of absents of power within our ranks, far more powerful Yōkai’s erupted which lead to the start of the war." She finished calmly as she wanted everyone to understand the situation they found themselves in.

"I do not doubt any of our capabilities and power but a Daiyōkai isn’t someone we can simply up and kill." She advised in warning. "If push comes to shove we can attempt to kill the southern Daiyōkai as it’s known as the weakest of the four but even that would require at least three or four of us, and that would leave a hole if we fail."

"Even if we defeat the weakest one of the four, it would still give the others time to be able to find ways of creating more demons," Misa pointed out placing her index finger and thumb underneath her chin in a thinking posture looking down, almost in a state of thought, "though if we are to kill each one of the Daiyōkai, we'll need to plan this out rationally all the while protecting those we're sworn to put our lives on the line for."

"Yes and that is why this meeting is critical, time is of an essence now as we canning allow them to gather up their forces. Another war would devastate the country entirely and reduces humanity to nothing on the continent.”Saeko stressed her point across. "From my intel a great nation on the other side of the world was reduced to nothing but a Yōkai nation, humanity was completely eradicated their along with their own demon slayer organization, it’s why the government has officially began funding us."

"The Southern Daiyōkai?" Kirin raised a brow. "There's no need to displace so many Hashira for one Demon. I can go on my own, with the Leader's permission. If I do get cornered, I can outspeed them. Or if you insist Saeko, I can just go scout out their territory. Ada or I could go in theory, we're the fastest."

"Hubris is the root of all failure in war." Kuroo chimed in as he walked forward, breaking his initial silence among the group of Hashira. "If any of us could end the lives of the Daiyōkai on our own I'm sure we would've done so, permission or not." He then looked over to Kirin, "Personally I'd rather not be stuck mourning a pointless loss of a fellow Hashira."

"*I* am the fastest" Ada corrected softly "But you are second, Kirin, no matter how distant. And I could also theoretically kill one of the Daiyokai, exactly one, but it would lead to my imminent demise." She sighed a little whimsically, as though that were only a minor inconvenience and not a major consequence "And I don't think we're in a position to go losing any Hashira. In any case, it was a suggestion to be taken into consideration if all things fall into place for us. We first need to formulate a plan to avert this war, or make sure it takes place somewhere people aren't caught in the crosshairs."

"If their forces are gathering together we could use this as a chance to pick them off as they make their way to their meeting spot. I just came from that direction and had to cut down about a dozen of them, though I noticed they don't really have structure to their movements, only two were coming as pairs. So if anything, sending in a pair of scouts and a few other Hashira as well." Kuroo adds as he cracks his neck.

"If the pair of you really wanna do this, count me in. But we should talk it over before making any rash decisions. I'm just saying, unlike us they don't really know how to work together, they're all too individualistic. That's one advantage we hold over them."

“Hmm, it’s been said for centuries that a chain is only as strong as it’s weakness link.” Afuru finally chimed, setting down his cup of tea. “If we start anywhere, I agree in starting by ridding the world of the Southern Daiyōkai.” He began to stroke his chin, now thinking of the consequences. “If and when we do so, we cannot complain about how long the war will take and the amount of lives we’ve lost. If we go through with this, the blood of our slayers will be on our hands as we would have started this.”

"Their numbers will gather together and be more of an issue when they can organize themselves." Kuroo chimed in, "Would make sense to at the very least send in Four Hashiras, Two to come in from the Southwest and the others from the south east along with giving them a small squad if slayers. Trim the fat off the meat by cutting down the demons on the way. We could even have the Hashiras to leave the squads down the line so they can prevent the rest of the demons from reaching the Daiyokai. It would be a shame to be caught in a pincer."

"Do you have to revolve this situation around food at a time like this," Misa asked in a annoyed tone, "but in any case, the idea isn't too bad though the only question is who would be sent to where."

"To be fair, I am starving." Kuroo began, "Secondly, I am up for it. We can't just let things come and go and expect any real change in our favor. So count myself in it."