I waked up groggily from my sleep as I saw down to see bandages around my belly. I was in a very well fashioned house, and was quickly attended by some nurses.
" Good Morning Young Raijin, if you feel right, please come outside, we could have a very hearty talk with breakfast, and if not, I'd have no issues coming in here-" said the bulky guy.
" Thank you very much, I'll come outside right in a moment sire."
I got dressed up, and went outside. I saw Akira sulking under a tree in the garden and as soon as he saw me he rushed at me within seconds and I didn't realise when he put me down and stared licking all over my face. ( He's a wolf, obviously, he's huge)
I saw the bulky guy sitting under another tree, with a table set as he was crouching and praying.
I reached the spot, crouched across him and prayed too. He then opened his eyes which had no pupils, but still looked at me like he could see me.
" Young Raij-"
" Please refer to Rai, I'm just 17 afterall"
" Alright Rai, I'm Gyomei Himejima, and now you are the Rumbling Hashira. This is your residence, for the Rumbling Hashira. Looking at your condition, I think we could officialize it today, how about after 2 hours?
Is it enough?"
" Yes Gyomei Sama"
"Alright"
He said and proceeded to literally swallow the food away, he and I chit chatted in between about Ubuyashiki san, who was our head, also responsible for providing us residence and support, and the fellow hashiras. Gyomei san left, and I had 2 hours to prepare for it.
I went back to my residence, and asked the nurses how long I was out. They said for 2 days. I was stunned. How hard did the demon hit me to knock me out for 2 days.
I went to the bath and looked in the mirror.
I was standing 6'4 tall, built like a tank. My hair reaching my shoulders. After asking the nurses, I could take out my bandage which was just a precaution for my severe bruise.
And the cuts were now blocked, so I could wash them.
I removed my bandages, I had scarred forearms, traps , a huge gash on my leg, my chest had my lighting scar. I had a less purplish blue bruise now and it was just reddish black now on my belly, or my abs region. ( Yes he's ripped as hell)
I washed throughly, especially my hair, using MY products and wore my kimono and haori. Put on my remade knives, gloves and finally buckled my new katana. It was much more sleek, sharp, and had its lightning sign and it's deep bluish shade. The difference was, the blade now was engraved with a destroyer of demons inscription in Kanji and out of respect, my swordsmith Kawaki had also put on a Tsuba in the shape of a diamond with an inner thunder.
I walked outside with Kagure telling me directions. I first went to Gyomei san's residence to ask him about what to do during my officialization.
He proceeded to tell me that I just had to be on my formal crouched position as I would read out the vows, and would have to prick my blood on the sword just a bit as a sense of formality. I agreed. Gyomei san's Residence had a whole variety of scenery, like a waterfall, a huge garden, larger than the one around mine.
As I got up to leave, I sensed a very familiar feeling...like home..like someone. I asked Gyomei san if I could look inside, not deep, just the training areas, he agreed, but looked puzzled on why I asked that.
I removed my shoes and rushed inside. In the hallway, I bumped with a guy who had scar on his face, I said sorry, but he grabbed my shirt and asked me " Who tf are you?" He then noticed my height, instantly let go, as soon as he saw my lower blade with the inscription, as I had wanted him to obviously as I had slightly unsheathed my katana. I smiled slightly, he bowed and went away.
I ran towards where the feeling came- I reached a door and slid it open.
And there it was. My home. Kaidi was sweating profusely as her hair was tied in a bun. She was sitting , meditating in the heat. And as though she also sensed me. She opened her eyes and saw me, before she could get up and get to me, I disappeared from my spot and straight up hugged her .
This was for a while, when we separated , and she looked into my eyes.
" Still this, after a whole year, those blue eyes never fail to impress me"
" And my home never felt mo-"
She kissed me. Didn't even let me react.
" Stop talking, let me admire my man."
" Oh are we now?"
" Of course, and now im not letting you go anymore"
She was sitting on my lap now, hugging me tight and kissing me all over.
I felt at peace.
We talked like that for a while. I told her why I was here now. She said she's not leaving my side anymore. And she's now Gyomei san's tsuguko, even though she won't use his breathing technique, she will add on techniques to her own.
We got up, she got dressed after freshening up and went out.
I saw jigoro sama talking to Gyomei san. He came for my officialization. Both of them saw us and went:
" So this was the Boy/Girl you were crazing about hug?"
Jigoro sama and Gyomei looked at each other and laughed, which made both of us blush.
I went ahead to the meeting spot for hashiras, and saw Ubuyashiki san there.
" Come here Rai, sit beside me"
He was an elder, and I readily sat beside him.
He held my shoulder and said " You are very strong Raijin, very determined and very smart even, as you've impressed Lady Tamayo too. "
I was stunned, but I didn't get alert, it was like a ray of godly hue shined on me when he talked..like..father did..
"But you're not ready to let the sadness let go of you. It was not your fault Rai, that your parents had the fate that day, but I know and I will support you and so does the corps, we all will defeat Muzan Kibutsuji."
He said this and proceeded to hug me
" Everything's going to be fine Raijin, I'm pretty sure your grandfather and father both of them are proud of you."
I burst to tears, and kept crying for a while.
I now knew, why he was respected. He was like a father figure. A guide. A person who would tell us what to do when we need it.
I knew from this point, id do anything , for Master. He would never have to persuade me for anything. His wish would be my command.
I bowed and went outside as I was asked to.
After a while I stood infront of the hashiras facing Master. Kaidi and jigoro were watching from the sides.
I recited the vow, pricked my blood as asked then bowed out of respect,from all my heart, towards the demon slayer corps. Jigoro san was crying and Kaidi looked proud of me.
I stood up and then bowed to my fellow hashiras, promising to not be a stone, but instead help them grow.