Edward: Tanjiro! Hey, wake up!

Tanjiro slowly starts to wake up, he opens his eyes and sees Edward in front of him.

Tanjiro: Huh? Edward?

Edward: Hey kid. Listen, keep your head low and stay quiet. Your in the presence of my fellow Hashira.

He steps back to reveal the other Hashira. They all were looking down at Tanjiro with expectancy.

Tanjiro: Where am I?

Shinobu is the one to answer him, "This is the Demon Slayer Headquarters. Your here, Tanjiro Kamado, because you are to be put on trial."

Shinobu: Now would you kindly like to explain your crime.

Rengoku interrupts, "There's no need for a trial. Travelling with a demon is unacceptable and therefore they should both be executed."

Edward: Hey now, wait a minute-

He goes unheard as Uzui is next to talk.

Uzui: In that case, I'll execute them with absolute flamboyancy.

Edward: That's not even a word.

Gyomei: What a poor soul, perhaps it would have been better if they had never been born.

Tanjiro decides to ignore these remarks and instead starts frantically looking for Nezuko.

Tanjiro: Nezuko? Where is Nezuko?! Where did you take her!?

Obanai is next to interrupt, "Nevermind the boy, what are we going to do with Tomioka?"

Edward: They seriously aren't going to do anything about me? Bias much?

Obanai: Based on what Kocho told us, he's just as guilty for breaking corp rules. What do you have to say Tomioka?

Giyu never answers, he just continues standing alone without looking up.

Shinobu: Oh, its fine, he did come without struggle. We can come up with a punishment later.

Shinobu turns her attention back towards Tanjiro, "What I'm more interested in hearing is this boys story as to why he is travelling with a demon despite being a demon slayer himself."

Uzui: Who cares why.

Tanjiro tries to give reason, but all that comes out are coughs. Shinobu gives him water to help.

Shinobu: Now, are you ready to tell us your story, Tanjiro?

Tanjiro: That demon is my little sister. My family was attacked by a demon while I was gone and I lost almost everyone. She may have been turned into a demon, but she's never hurt anyone. She never has and never will!

Despite his story, no seems to believe him.

Tanjiro: Please! Let my sister fight by my side.

As Tanjiro continues to plead Nezuko's innocence, Sanemi makes his presence known.

Sanemi: Well well, looks like there's some fun brewing over here. Is that the moron who brought a demon along with him?

He is holding Nezuko's box in his left hand. Shinobu gets visibly frustrated.

Shinobu: Shinazugawa, please refrain from acting out of line.

Edward: Put the box down Sanemi.

Sanemi: Sorry sensei, but I can't do that. This kid is thinking that a demon can fight along demon slayers, and do you know what we call that?

Sanemi grabs his katana handle, "Completely impossible!"

He unsheathes his sword and stabs Nezuko box, causes blood to spurt out.

Tanjiro and Edward get upset at this. Edward stops Tanjiro from doing anything though.

Sanemi goes to stab the box again but is stopped by the arrival of the master.

All Hashira bow, Sanemi shoves Tanjiro to ground to bow.

Master: By beloved children, thank you for coming. I am glad that you all are in good health.

Sanemi: I am pleased to see you in good health as well, Master. I fervently pray for your continued good fortune.

Master: I thank you, Sanemi.

Sanemi: Master, if you may, could you please enlighten us on this young swordsman here who dared to travel with a demon.

Master: Of course, young Tanjiro and Nezuko have both been sanctioned. I ask that you all accept this.

Gyomei: Master, even though it is something you have requested, I cannot bring myself to do it.

Uzui: I am also apposed to this. Travelling with a demon is unacceptable.

Mitsuri: As for myself, I shall do whatever it is you wish master.

Muichiro: I'll forget anyway. So I'm fine either way.

Giyu and Shinobu do not answer.

Obanai: I don't trust them. Absolutely not, I loathe demons.

Rengoku: Although I respect you with all my heart master, I cannot abide by this. I'm fully against it.

Sanemi: It is the corps mission to eradicate demons, I ask that you punish Kamado and Tomioka.

All turn towards Edward for his answer.

Edward: I support this decision with all my being.

Seeing as Shinobu never informed most of Edward's involvement, most Hashira are surprised by his answer.

Mitsuri: He's such a kind person.

Shinobu/Giyu: As expected.

Uzui: *Confused Flamboyance*

Rengoku: But why?

Sanemi: But sensei?! I ask you to rethink your answer!

Edward: I will not. I stand my ground.

Sanemi starts getting frustrated, "Sensei, they broke the rules by protecting a disgusting and lowly demon. They must surely be punished."

Edward does not speak.

Sanemi: You have always hated demons. You've said they've taken people close to you. What about Yoriichi and Michikatsu, you said demons killed them!

Having brought up Edward's closest friends from the past, he became considerably angry.

Edward: I ask you do not speak of their names again. And I will NOT CHANGE MY ANSWER! I STAND WHERE I STAND AND I DO NOT FALTER!

Everyone present are taken back by Edward's outburst of anger. He's never been an angry person and has never once yelled at anyone, especially Sanemi.

Edward: AND IF YOU WISH TO PUNISH TOMIOKA AND TANJIRO, THEN PUNISH ME TOO. I SPENT TWO YEARS WITH TANJIRO AND NEZUKO. SO I'M JUST AS GUILTY AS THEM!

Edward calms down, "I am the oldest one here and I have the most experience with demons. So when I say that Nezuko is different, then I mean it. Tanjiro speaks the truth."

Most Hashira seem visually conflicted now with their answers. Perhaps Nezuko could be different.

Rengoku: I..... wish to... change my answer.

Most other: As... do we.

Sanemi: ..... As do I.

All Hashira move back into their original kneeling positions.

Master: Well, with all that has happened, why don't we cut this meeting short. Tanjiro and Nezuko shall be staying in the Butterfly Estate to treat their wounds. I wish you all good luck.

Master heads back inside. All Hashira turn back to Edward who is helping Tanjiro up.

Sanemi decides to talk first.

Sanemi: Sensei, I-

Edward: I will speak with you later. Shinobu, will you please accompany me to your estate.

Shinobu: Of course.

Shinobu takes Edward and Tanjiro to the Butterfly Estate while the other Hashira talk amongst themselves.

Obanai: Has he ever lashed out like that?

Rengoku: Never once in all my years of knowing him as he ever raised his voice like that.

Gyomei: It is shameful that he had to result to those manners to deal with us.

Uzui: We weren't very flamboyant.

Mitsuri: Sanemi, are you alright.

Sanemi: No, I... don't think I am. I should wait for him at his Estate.

Mitsuri: The Rose Estate?

Sanemi: The White Rose Estate.

Giyu: Is their a difference?

Sanemi: Yes, to sensei, a white rose is a rose that has not yet been tainted by the world around and is therefore still pure.

Sanemi takes his leave to Edward's estate to speak with him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edward arrives at his estate and finds Sanemi waiting.

Sanemi: Sensei, about earlier, I would like to ask if you could-

Edward keeps walking farther into his estate. Sanemi follows Edward.

Sanemi: I know I stepped out of line, but you must understand my view. We had never heard of a good demon before.

Edward continues to not respond until he gets to a big open room with 4 mats for sleeping and much open space for other things.

Edward: Sit.

Sanemi: Yes, sensei.

Sanemi sits down while Edward does the same.

Sanemi: I just would like to apologise for my behavior and I ask for your forgiveness.

Edward chuckles which soon turns into laughter. This confuses Sanemi a lot.

Sanemi: What's so funny?

Edward: Sanemi, what have I been trying to teach you for years now?

Sanemi: To kill demons?

Edward shakes his head, "No, I've been trying to teach you to be more open minded. Just because we have never heard of a good demon doesn't mean they don't exist."

Sanemi is still confused.

Edward: I'm not mad and there is no need to apologize. You were just trying to protect your fellow slayers. But please, don't judge Nezuko because she is a demon, judge her on her.

Edward pulls out a wakizashi and hands it to Sanemi.

Sanemi: What's this?

Edward: Well, I thought I needed to make it up to you so I got you a gift. It was purple so I thought of you.

Sanemi: Thank you.... but your timing sucks.

Edward: Yeah.... I know.

*knock* *knock*

???: So you got him a gift but not me. I definitely ought to shoot you.

Sanemi and Edward look towards the door and see Genya and Muichiro standing there.

Muichiro: Are we interrupting something.

Edward smiles, "Nope, perfect timing."

Sanemi: Awful timing.

Muichiro: I see father still has no sense of timing.

Sanemi turns towards Edward, "Hah! Told you."

Edward: Heh.

Genya walks in and sits down, "So, what do we do now."

Edward smiles even wider, "Now, we all spend time together. The 4 of us."

Genya: Oh god, what did you plan?

Muichiro: Something stupid.

Edward seems hurt by this comment, "Hey! It's not stupid, its gonna be fun."

Sanemi: Yep, definitely something stupid.

News flash, pranking Shinobu isn't as fun as it seems.