Demon Slayer AU: Secrets Of The Shadow Tempest

Gift of The Wisteria

The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of flowers and damp earth as she walked through the quiet grounds of the Butterfly Mansion.

Everyone had received a flower crown that evening—everyone except Khocho Shinobu.

It didn't sit right with her.

They were the same age, yet she admired and respected Shinobu deeply. The Insect Hashira had helped her, taken her in without questions, given her a place to recover.

What Shinobu didn't realize, however, was that their childhoods had briefly crossed paths. Of course, she had changed her identity—part of the plan all along. While Kocho hadn't noticed, she remembers—always.

She wanted to do something in return of Kocho's kindness.

Something special.

And then it came to her—Flower syrup.

It was delicate, unique, and thoughtful, just like The Butterfly Maiden herself.

Now, she just had to decide on the flower.

She mulled over the options in her mind, walking with no real destination, simply letting the cool air soothe her thoughts.

Roses? No… too common.

Lavender? Nice, but not quite right.

And then—

“Wisteria.”

The word slipped into her mind effortlessly, as if it had been waiting there all along.

Something about the Fuji flower reminded her of Kocho Shinobu.

She couldn't quite explain why.

Maybe it was the way it endured, standing as a symbol of protection against demons.

Maybe it was the way it bloomed so gracefully, yet carried an unshakable strength beneath its beauty.

Yes.

Wisteria would be perfect.

For now, she would rest.

And tomorrow—she would set out to gather the flowers.

...~•~...

Morning light filtered through the trees, casting soft golden hues over the Butterfly Mansion. The air was fresh, crisp with the lingering coolness of dawn, but she had already set out on her journey.

She wasn't going to settle for just any wisteria.

No, she wanted the best for Kocho Shinobu.

So she walked.

Through the forests, past the beaten paths, her sharp eyes scanning every branch, every vine, every petal.

There were plenty of wisteria trees near the Demon Slayer Corps’ safe zones, but they weren't quite right.

The color was off.

The petals weren't full enough.

The fragrance wasn't strong enough.

None of them were perfect.

And for Shinobu, only perfect would do.

So she kept going.

Further.

And further.

Hours passed.

The sun climbed higher, but she didn't stop.

She ignored the ache creeping into her legs, the heat pressing against her skin. She had a goal, and she would not return empty-handed.

If she had to search the entire mountain range, she would.

Because this wasn't just about a gift.

It was gratitude. It was respect. It was admiration.

For the kind yet sharp Hashira who had given her a place to heal.

For the girl her age who bore a weight heavier than most could imagine—and still smiled.

Shinobu deserved something special.

So she kept searching.

And searching.

Until the sun starts to dip down the horizons...

There.

In the distance, past the edge of a steep ridge, bathed in the light of the setting sun—

A wisteria tree unlike any she had ever seen.

...~•~...

The rush of water filled the air, a deep, endless roar that echoed across the rocks and trees. Mist clung to the edges of the falls, catching the sunlight like scattered diamonds.

And near it—the perfect wisteria tree.

It was unlike any she had ever seen.

The petals cascaded down in full bloom, their fragrance rich and intoxicating, untouched by the hands of others. The tree stood strong, rooted deep into the earth, thriving in the cool mist of the waterfall.

This was it.

The best of the best.

For Kocho Shinobu.

She carefully approached, fingers brushing against the delicate petals before she began gathering them with precise, gentle movements.

She had spent so much time searching.

She had walked so far.

She had ignored the ache in her muscles, the sting of exhaustion.

But now, with the flowers in her hands, it was all worth it.

Yet—

Something else caught her eye.

Beyond the waterfall, where the water crashed down into the pool below—there was a dark opening.

A cave.