it's been 8 years and she's still down bad for her neighbor (who wouldn't)
and so there she is: Step 3 Athena! 🌙✨
Step 1 & Step 2 here
(Infos about Athena in every steps except 4 below if you're interested)
(watch out it's long.)
Step 1 -
At 10, Athena is a very curious girl, somewhat nosey and a bit clumsy (main reason why she often has bandages). She likes puzzles, creepy stuff and drawing (but nothing that serious about that hobby yet). While she isn't very shy, she's still uneasy around people she doesn't know and moving to a new town isn't helping. She has trouble accepting changes, and this whole situation is a way too big change.
Athena is very close to her mom during step 1. Unfortunately for her, she doesn't really look like her that much and she's kind of bothered by that, especially because the person she obviously looks like, her "dad", isn't there. Not having a dad isn't really a huge problem for her, but Athena fears a little bit people's opinion on that subject: "Is it weird that I don't have a dad...?".
She's feeling sad and scared about moving out, as she has to get used to a completely different world (in her eyes). "At least I have my mom", she thinks. But if moving in Golden Grove was scary at first, meeting Qiu and Tamarack was a huge help for Athena to feel included.
She thinks Qiu, aka "Autumn", is funny but also a huge show-off, haha. She LOVES to tease Qiu. But Athena's also genuinely worried about Qiu sometimes, because that kid is a huge people-pleaser.
When it comes to Tamarack, man... Athena totally puts this girl on a pedestal. She thinks Tamarack is amazing and pretty. And should Tamarack say anything positive about Athena, you can be certain the latter will go crazy internally. At 10, Athena doesn't realize she actually has a huge crush on Tamarack yet, though.
Step 2 -
At 14, Athena became a sort of troublemaker, she barely cares about rules. She's not mean but she grew to be more blunt and direct than she was as a 10-year-old, this and her current appearance make her seem unapproachable. However she kept her soft side, a side that she ironically doesn't even keep that much hidden but that you still have to deserve. If at 10 she would often have bandages because of her clumsiness, at 14, it's mostly because she's reckless. Some things that remained are her love for puzzles, creepy stuff and drawing, in fact, she started to get interested in visual arts.
In fact, the tough side of her personality grew when her first group friends with Qiu and Tamarack slowly fell apart. She couldn't do anything to prevent that from happening, so she felt like she had to toughen up. But to be honest, she's becoming tired of being the sole link between them, she's barely trying to now. Maybe Qiu and Tamarack won't become friends again. She has to accept it... but maybe Athena still has troubles accepting changes, no matter how old she is, after all.
Despite all that, Athena still treats both of them nicely. She still teases Qiu whenever she can (watch out Athena, the teasing could backfire on you). Her worries about them are still present too, but for different reasons than in step 1. Even 4 years later, Athena still retrieve Qiu's lost papers because they would NOT do it themselves. No matter what, Autumn remains her dear friend and the feeling is mutual.
Tamarack, aka "Tam", is her best friend! ... and the girl she has a crush on, Athena realized it now. Athena doesn't know if Tam feels the same way or not, though. Athena still thinks Tamarack is the most amazing and most talented person out there, she wishes Tam could see it too. She's highly worried about Tamarack potentially leaving Golden Grove at any moment but she tries to hide it from Tamarack. "Tam probably has enough of people walking on eggshells with her", she thinks. Athena dislikes Tamarack's parents for not only never being there for their daughter but also for making her situation so uncertain, only for their own interests (in her eyes).
Another feeling started to grow: jealousy. Athena will feel jealous of anyone who seems a bit too close to Tamarack. Does she think she's no match for Tamarack? Yes. Does that stop her from being jealous? No. She knows she has no right to be, Tamarack is a wonderful girl, it's impossible not to like her, but she can't help it.
Athena grew to be even more bothered by her lack of resemblance with her mother. Some times before turning 14, she started to dye her hair cranberry, just like her mom's hair color (let's say Opal didn't really like to see that her daughter started dyeing her hair at her young age, reaction Athena didn't appreciate, all she wanted was to look like her mom, what's the problem?). Ironically, while Athena wishes so hard to look like her mom, her relationship with her became somewhat strained. As if resembling a completely unknown guy wasn't enough. Living his best life nowhere to be found, uh? Resentment is the word here. Never towards her mom, even if their relationship is not that good at this point, but towards this guy who gave her his physical traits she never wanted and started to despise.
At least she became used to live in Golden Grove.
Step 3 -
At 18, Athena is not the rough troublemaker that she was at 14 anymore. Now she's more like a silly prankster, seemingly always up to something more stupid than before, although she remains reckless and blunt (but less on purpose and more out of habit). Of course, her interest in visual arts remained intact. Her liking for creepy stuff turned into a huge love for horror and its aesthetic.
Her relationship with her mom is getting better than it was 4 years ago. Athena grew out of the resentment she had for her "dad" during step 2 and learned to accept she may not look that much like her mom, but that it doesn't cancel the fact she's Opal's daughter no matter how she looks. Plus "some bits of [Opal] did end up in [her]" after all, right?
Athena's relationship with Autumn is what you could describe as "siblings by hearts", Athena does consider them as the sibling she never had.
Athena and Tamarack are still officially "besties for life", but little do they know that they both ended up falling in love with each other, plain and simple.
Her jealousy and resentment did tone down, but when she thinks back to her 14-year-old self, she feels bad, so bad. For being jealous of Tamarack's friends, for being resentful of a random donor and basically making many things about herself. "Man, I was such a prick. And for what?".
If when she was 14, Athena felt like she was no match for Tamarack because she put Tam on a pedestal, at 18, she now thinks she's simply not good enough as a person for Tamarack. She kind of "accepted" that if Tamarack only wants to be friends, then it's fine, she cannot force Tam to love her back. It's silly to think someone like her could be extra-special in Tam's heart anyway (girl if you knew.), it's nice enough to be her best friend.
Between step 2 and 3, Athena managed to put a label on herself: she's lesbian.
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I hope you all know I cannot for the life of me write fight scenes! OMG this took so long. Anyway....this is continuation of my Giyuu Secret Family AU story (I guess). She/Her Pronouns.
It had been another month since the last encounter with Giyuu’s “no-longer-a-secret” secret family. A bit of normalcy, or what the Hashira consider normal, set back in. That would be if Shinobu and Mitsuri had not just found Tomioka (Y/N) passed out down the road from Butterfly Mansion! They both rushed to her battered and bruised body. Shinobu could feel a full pulse on her neck. (Y/N) was alive, thankfully.
“We should send for Tomioka,” Mitsuri urged, hoisting (Y/N)’s limp body into her arms.
“No…”
“Lady Tomioka, please don’t strain yourself,” Shinobu advised. She ushered the two inside quickly. (Y/N)’s muttering was soon forgotten as the Butterfly Girls were quick to take her off Mitsuri’s hands. Mitsuri stood by, worried, as they started to bandage (Y/N).
Time seemed to move slower as they waited for her to wake up. They were both relieved to see (Y/N) sitting up and eating upon coming back to the room.
“Lady Tomioka! I’m glad you’re okay!” Mitsuri cheered.
“I’m the one that’s grateful you two found me.” She smiled. She gazed down at her bandaged arms. “For a demon so weak it’s blood demon art was no joke.”
“Both your arms have burns on them.” Shinobu said.
“Yeah, all the poison burned off in the sunrise.” She sighed.
“You defeated it this morning?” Shinobu asked.
(Y/N) smiled sheepishly, “It’s no big deal! I promise! My master says I get a little too carried away sometimes.”
It was an awkward position to be in now that’s the big secret is out. (Y/N) felt she should be more casual but how can one be casual with two Hashira in the room? Especially after they found you passed out. “Thank you, again…”
“It’s nothing Lady Tomioka-“
“(Y/N). It’s fine if you call me (Y/N).”
Shinobu smiled, “It’s nothing (Y/N), you’re very strong. I’ll send for Tomioka-”
“No!” (Y/N) yelled to the shock of both women. “Giyuu will worry himself sick if he sees me like this.”
Shinobu gave a sort of skeptical look, “I know he seems cold and hard to understand but Giyuu is the kindest soul I’ve ever met.”
Neither woman could deny her that. After all, he showed mercy to Kamado and his sister. A kindness they could never.
“You sound so in love,” Mitsuri smiled. “What drew you to Tomioka?”
A deep blush crept across (Y/N)’s face as she remembered their younger years, “Nothing at first, he was always kind to me but I started to notice… he was just like me.”
(Y/N) had been found wandering the forest alone and barefoot as a child. She didn’t remember her village or even her family name. She had a thousand yard stare, an emotional and unsettling demeanor for a child so young. It was clear to the swordsman who had found her that this child was the sole survivor of a demon attack and she would never be the same again.
“Our sword masters were both retired Hashira, we had never met though. He bought me dinner after my first big mission.”
—
(Y/N) thought that becoming a demon slayer would make life easier. As in being able to fight back but, you can’t fight against the motherly love of your Master’s wife. Even after giving some food to fellow slayers the bag at her side still did a number on her feet and shoulder. The dull ache did take away from the general anxiety that had plagued her since last night. Your crow, Chiyoko, delivered the news that you would be heading to a village down south to aid in their demon crisis. There was no mention of other slayers accompanying you. You were doing this alone.
It’s a daunting task and a heavy burden but, you were a demon slayer nonetheless. A friend of yours offered to come by once they wrapped up their mission in the next village east to yours. Still, that pit of anxiety wouldn’t leave. At least the heavy shifting of the bag from one shoulder to another gave you momentary relief as you came to a fork in the road.
“Good luck.”
You nearly jumped out of your skin! You quickly swung your sword in front of you ready to face the thing before but, you only saw a man. He looked your age, long dark hair tied back, deep blue eyes and a checkered haori. Something your master mentioned crossed your mind.
“Be on the lookout for Urokodaki’s student. He’s a Hashira…”
“Tomioka…Giyuu?” You say hesitantly, lowering your sword.
“Yes?”
Your face flushed a bright red. You were quick to sheath your sword and apologize to him. “I didn’t notice you this whole time! I’m so sorry!”
“No need.” He replied plainly, turning down the path opposite of yours.
“Um- Good luck!” You called back. He didn’t respond or turn around. That was probably for the best. You had embarrassed yourself enough. Chiyoko swooped back down and landed on your shoulder. “Did you hear any of that girl?”
“You’ll be at the village before nightfall!” She chirped.
“Ah, so it was that bad.”
—
The village was tucked away in the valley and surrounded by a cool mist.The trees swayed almost unnaturally like creeping hands trying to grab you. There had been no birds for a mile now. The forest fell quiet. All life had just stopped, not disappeared, just stopped. Something was there, you could feel it. Entering the village, it was smaller than you thought it would be. There were many people walking around, surely more than a few buildings could hold. The villagers went about their day completely unbothered by your presence. It was often you wouldn’t get recognized or acknowledged but the people here were treating you like you were invisible. Even when they bumped into you, they kept their heads down. The shoddily built houses loomed over you, held together with wooden beams and prayers. Not even the shops had signs hanging above them. You wandered aimlessly around the village or what seemed to remain of it. Just past the main commerce area was the renents of a house. The dirt seemed to be swirled in the giant crater. More were haphazardly littered across down the road towards the forest. You finally found what you thought would be an inn and was met by a young girl with braided pigtails.
“Hello? Do you have a room for the night?” You asked.
She stared at you blankly, examining you. Wordlessly she walked from behind the desk and beckoned you to follow her. The halls were quiet but you felt the peering eyes from behind the closed doors. “It sure is misty outside, is it always like that?”
She stayed silent.
“A-Are your parents not home? Do you run this whole place by yourself?”
“You ask too many questions.” she said plainly. She pulled the door open and ushered you to go inside. “You should leave tomorrow.”
“Why’s that?” you asked.
She sighs with a slight twitch of the eyebrow. She goes to turn back into the hall and you grab onto her arm, “Is there somewhere here you’re afraid of? Someone that can hear you if you say too much?”
She snatched her arm back and hurried back down the hall. You quietly closed the door back and listened for any noise. The inn settled and all was quiet again.
Is it in the Inn? No, there are people here, they are still alive. Is this its resting place during the day? It’s near the destroyed houses…
“Here you go Chiyoko,” you handed her a small note. “Maybe the next village will have something for you to eat. Be back soon.” Watching Chiyoko fly off into the sunset, you resigned yourself to a very eventful night.
Investigating proved to be hellish. No one wanted to talk, not even the children. It was like everyone was trained to be quiet?! Just how strong was this demon? You couldn’t even buy something from the shop without ominous stares and the clerk, all too happy to usher you out. Upon exploring the surrounding forest, the road from the village led deeper out and only welcomed more crater and debris. By the looks of it all, the demon was luring people deeper into the town. At this rate everyone was as good as dead. The forest proved to be just as creepy. The trees stretched abnormally high in the sky, if they had any leaves they would have blocked out the setting sun. The surrounding area lacked any life or color, like after a fire.
Before you could react a jagged tree branch shot out and grabbed your leg. It swung you around violently as she tried to swing your sword at the branch. You were able to slice it and the tree let out a loud hiss and shriveled into a pile of ash. “Show yourself!”
You heard a giggle circle around you. The vine tightened as a figure appeared from the shadows. It had a dark body that stretched as tall as the trees it hid behind. It’s long, spindly arm came out to hold your face, “What a pretty one you are.”
You yanked your head away from its grasp, “I might just let you live if you leave this village now!”
“You little swordsmen don’t scare me.” They laughed. You felt a tug. The ground opened up and the vines started to pull you down into the earth. You thrashed wildly against the vines as they pulled your body underground. The light faded and all you felt was the cold dirt. You could feel the vines pulling you down. You struggled to hold your breath and your sword as the vines began to speed up. You finally caught your breath as you were dropped into an underground cave. You cursed as you coughed up the dirt.
“Another one..” someone whispered. There was a small group of people, dirty and their clothes ripped. They huddled on the other side of the cave. Behind you were decomposing bodies wrapped in vines, their only remains were the black demon slayer uniforms they wore. You stifle a scream and back onto your feet. The people jolted back as you did. The cave wasn’t too big. You were completely surrounded on all sides. The roof was interconnected with vines all converging to the one large hole that the vines came from.
“How long have you all been down here?” You asked.
“A week, at least I think so.” The older man spoke up. “However, that thing has been hunting us for months. It started out slow with someone going missing but then it got stronger.”
“The monster destroyed our homes and took us in our sleep.” A woman said.
So that’s it… You asked, “How often does that hole open up?”
“Every night.” she replied “He brings back whatever he didn’t eat here.”
You drew your sword back, “I don’t have that kind of time.”
You started to hack away at the vines around the body. If he won’t come down here, you will fo to him! You were able to cut one loose and it made the same hissing noise. The vine around the body started to rot and turn to black ash. All that remained were broken bones. The vines still descending from the earth started to retract. You grabbed onto it and wrapped it around your wrist pulling it further and further down. “Come on you coward!”
“Miss please!” a young boy called out. “He’ll eat you!”
“If I don't! He’ll eat all of you!” The vine started to tighten around your wrist but you still kept pulling back. “I will not let this demon terrorize anyone anymore!”
The hole opened up wide and pulled you up through the dirt. Your body was slammed onto the surface. “I hate slayers like yourself, you never know when to lie over and die!”
You got to your feet and took off running towards him, swinging at his arms. The demon’s vines sliced through the air. Trees cracked under the weight of both of your attacks. The tree twisted and bent as it lunged at it and struck the ground. The ground shook and shot up from under you. The trees spiraled around you, crunching at the earth where you stood. You jumped from one to the other and slid down the vines. You could see the demon at the bottom, still attached to the roots. You drew your sword back and swung it towards its head!
The demon let out a wicked cackle as you saw its body reattach itself. “You cannot kill me as easily.”
“I-I…I missed.”
The demon broke out into a fit of laughter, almost doubling over, “You should have stayed down there to die!”
More trees shot into the air and you were quick to slice them all, with a loud hiss. The ash clouded the air and hung heavy in your chest as you landed. The demon stood before you, its feet and arms spread into tree trunks that buried itself into the ground. You coughed, “Spores- really?”
“What will you do, little slayer? I won’t be moved.” he sneered.
Just what the hell does it take to kill this thing! How do you kill a tree!?
The demon swung its arm towards you and knocked you back into another tree. This started to coil around your leg but you quickly cut it off and watched it hiss. The realization set in. The demon had hunched forward with its arms and legs retracting into the ground. Around its body are two lanky trees that twisted and coiled into the air like tentacles. You steadied yourself on the ground in preparation. No matter what happened you knew you couldn’t last until morning, especially since most of these trees seemed to be part of its control and they held up just fine in the sunlight. You couldn’t wait for your friend in the next town over either. These people solely depended on you. You took a deep breath to steady yourself.
“Giving up demon slayer?” he sneered.
I can do this… I can do this!
You pushed yourself off your back foot and took a running start towards the closet decrepit tree and sliced it. Then to another. Another, and another. The demon’s branches swung towards you and coiled around yourself and trees still standing. You raised it towards its body to slice on the lanky tree branches. The other was able to grab you by your leg and while it dragged you towards it you plunged the sword into it. The demon finally let out a loud screech as it turned to reach for you. The incoming vines sliced in two across your blade as you gained distance on the demon still planted firmly in the ground. The demon started to get frantic, sending more vines out to try and slow you down but to no avail. He lost sight of you amongst the tangle of vines. A sharp pain jolted in his lower half as one of his roots was severed from the earth. One after another he tried desperately to call what trees he still controlled to his aid. The one remaining tree was able to coil around your legs and sling you into the air. Before the demon could try to reattach his root your blad came down across its neck. The head rolled a ways away and disappeared into dust, as did the one tree remaining and the roots.
You breathed heavily as adrenaline was still rushing towards you. Your head was ringing, you almost didn’t process the voice calling to you. “(Y/N)! (Y/N) are you okay?!”
Your friend caught you as you almost fell over. “Masato..?”
“Oh (Y/N), I was so worried about you!” She hugged you tightly. “The demon, is it gone?!”
“It is…” You breathed out. “Go alert the villagers please, we need to dig the survivors out.”
“Okay! Please rest!” she said and turned to other slayers you didn’t notice were there either. Out from the sky came a familiar fluttering. Chiyoko nuzzled up against your cheek with worried chirps.
“Did I worry you Chiyoko, I’m sorry. Thank you for coming back for me.”
—
The village erupted in laughter and cries. So many worried families reunited with each other. The villagers couldn’t thank you enough. They showered you with treats and prayers and gratitude. The little inn girl even thanked you for returning her family. It would all be greater if you were so exhausted. Your feet ached on the path back home. You couldn’t wait to be bandaged up and sleep. Masato and the other slayers said their goodbyes as you came upon the split in the road. She smiled, “Get back home safely.”
“I will.” you sighed “Are you sure you don’t need me to tag along?”
“Nah, we’re meeting up with some others later on. You get home and sleep (Y/N).” Masato stated before going off down the road. You kinda just stood there for a moment, taking everything in. Though your shoulders still felt heavy with tiredness You felt lighter somehow. You had a jumping feeling in the pit of your stomach even though you couldn’t bring your feet to move. You saved those people. They looked so happy because you saved them. It felt nice but heavy. That was the best way to explain it, a heavy feeling you knew was good because it helped others but only you got to shoulder it. It will pass. You would fight another demon. It would come back and then pass again. And maybe, hopefully, the good feeling would last a little more.
Your thoughts left you as you heard someone walk towards you. To your shock it was Tomioka! You looked slightly surprised to see you, or at least a little bit interested. Hard to tell with him. “Are you done with your mission?” he asked.
“Y-Yeah, I am.” You started to walk forward with him. “How was your mission?”
“Fine,” he replied blankly, “Yours?”
“It was rough but I pulled through.” You were very unsure how long you should speak. Tomioka didn’t seem like the type to meander on. It was very awkward.
“You’re fast then.”
—
“And that was the extent of our conversation all the way back.” (Y/N) smiled.
“That sounds…so…like him,” Shinobu gave a half playful, half pitiful laugh. Even she had some hope that his spouse had a much more romantic meeting with him. It made way too much sense for him to be that awkward.
(Y/N) giggled, “Well I was only a Kanoe at the time, so I guess finishing at the speed of a Hashira was impressive. By the time we made it back I was starving and I came straight here.”
(Y/N) recounted seeing Giyuu talk outside the Butterfly Mansion with Rengoku. As the Flame Hashira walked away Giyuu bluntly asked if she was hungry. He admitted that Urokodaki has told him to look out for her but he had forgotten for two months and felt bad once he finally saw her. She was in such a bad shape that getting a hot meal from Giyuu calmed her nerves. He told her, “Come to me if you have a problem or want to eat again.”
“We became great friends from that point.”
Mitsuri felt her cheeks burn up as she watched (Y/N) smile. “Aw! You two are just too cute!”
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