~*~

NEXT DAY ~ AT THE WIND ESTATE

"Hmm? A mission......on a train?"

Kaito stood before me at the front of the Torii gates of Sanemi's estate, wearing his dark forest green haori and his blade at the hip. His bandana tied comfortably around his temple, with his shaggy raven blue locks overhanging the bandana. "Yes, I was just assigned.......alongside Kamado, Hashibira and Agatsuma," He informs me, with a relaxed and composed stance. "Seems I think I found a good team to work with, if I'm unable to accompany you.....on those S-Ranks...."

He was a little dejected by that, but I shook my head stepping forward and ruffled his hair gently like a mother would.

"You're very strong Kaito, very......and physically and even emotionally," I spoke softly, with a gentle chuckle when I felt presence behind me. 

"Train, huh?" Sanemi spoke up, with an arch brow. "Those things are very......noisy....."

Kaito nods, "Yeah, so I wanted to inform you Big sis...........not sure how long this will take," He informs me, when Sanemi walks up to him and rests a hand upon his head.

"Kick their asses........m'kay?" Sanemi smirks, seeing a softer side to him. 

Kaito chuckles, "You just watch me.........can't promise my return!" he jokingly retorts, before turning on his heel. His smile lights up the sunny day raising his hand to wave, "See ya!!!!!"

"Bye........!!!!" I wave.

Moments go by while watching him disappears from view as I stood there, in deep thought while praying in my head that Kaito will be safe as always. Sometimes I worry I've trained him, to get him killed in the end and I don't want that. I've only wanted to train him to become stronger, to make peace with the tragedies that has come to his life. To build a new foundation for him, so he could thrive and become better. 

"Come on.........let's do some sparring," Sanemi's fingers interlace with mine, tugging me back inside his residence before glancing down into my eyes over his shoulder. "He'll be fine, you've trained him.......and I have so, I've got faith in that brat. M'kay?"

With a dry chuckle I nod in agreement, "Thanks........I needed that,"

~*~

Piercing gusts of wind cuts the still air......

The sound of the wood collided together like clubs, pebbles scrape together grinding beneath our weight. Sweat glistens on our temples, showing the extent of our enduring match so far. The sound of our breath breaking the intensity of our spar, as rays of sunlight pierces through the thick overcast of clouds. Inhaling sharply I bend back before moving forward, dodging another brutal attack. Taking my chance to jump back to my feet, I strike him from behind.

"Always lighter on your feet.....huh?" Sanemi scoffs, with a playful smirk. He manages to deflect the attack with his strength and endurance, using his brutal strength against me.

Allowing his deflective attack to push me back, I dodge it by steering myself around with a swift twirl to the side. My wooden blade soon aims from behind him going to take the strike, but his foot manages to slip beneath mine causing me to collapse. Without warning he pins me down, with both my blade and his at my neck side by side of my throat.

His heavy breath soon leaves him, "Damn........you're amazing,"

"Not bad yourself," I reply, with a breathy chuckle.

He throws the blades away and lowers him down with his knees either side of my hips, with a smirk curl upon his lips, "Hmm........now that was three out of five, which means......I won," He lowers his face to mine, with his warm breath fanning my lips. "So........you owe me something at least, my gorgeous woman......."

One hand held himself above while the other delicately traces his thumb along my bottom lip, as his eyes flicker to my own before gazing upon my lips.

".....a kiss, will suffice," he hints, with a teasing smile.

With a warm smile he nears his face to mine with our noses grazing each others, before his warmth breath sends tingles to my lips. The tension building gradually as I ached for his touch, before he captures my lips in a slow and tender kiss. My eyes flutters shut allowing his kiss to envelope me into his warmth, embracing his love. My hands trail up his arms, before cupping his face to caress his cheeks with my thumbs. 

A soft gentle hum leaves him, "I love you........Hayami," pulling away not far from me, while he nuzzles his nose against my cheek leaning his temple against mine. This raw and vulnerable side of him, made realise how safe and secure I am with him regardless the situation allowing me to see a side himself he was embarrassed for others to see. "I'm proud to have you as mine.......just don't get used to me being all......sentimental."

"Hmm you've said that so many times, and I'm still not used to it," I assure him, before pecking his lips letting that linger for a moment. "Also.......I can't make promises....."

With a playful flick to his nose I wrap my legs around his waist, and flipped ourselves over with me pinning him down.

He was caught off guard with a sharp inhale and grunt, as his eyes were wide from the unexpected move before a smirk curls upon his lips, "H-Hey......we were just having a moment," with his hands drifting to my plush sides.

"Tempting as it was.......I had to," I laugh softly, and pecked his lips once more before pushing myself back to my feet. Lending him a hand I pulled him up, as we dust ourselves glancing up to the sun that was lowering behind the mountains. Squinting my eyes gazing at the beautiful sunset, I was baffled more at the fact the day went by so quickly. Soon realisation hits me, remembering that Kaito is on a mission tonight with Kamado's group. 

"Should we go out for dinner, or shall I do the cooking?" He asks, with his hands immediately massaging my shoulders. His strong fingers knead into my tight and knotted shoulders, causing me to slightly grimace a bit into him.

Leaning into his large frame I purse my lips, "Maybe we can go on a date......trust me, I love your cooking but I know you're exhausted as I am," I suggest with a wry smile, melting into the small massage on my shoulders. He knew how firm and gentle to be, and seen he's massaged my back plenty of time he knew my body well.

"Sounds good, my love," with a chaste kiss to my cheek. "Hmm.......should we be fancy, or casual?"

"Just casual is enough........" 

~*~

AT THE RESTAURANT

The warm glow of colourful lanterns, lit the night.....

Crowds of people came in or left the restaurant, some familiar faces from the local village would greet the warm and cozy space. Knowing for a while that many never knew about demons, it still felt rewarding to know that every demon we kill is a life untouched. Though we may not be lucky saving everyone, we know their bodies may rest at ease. 

"Hey.........I've.....been thinking about something," Sanemi breaks the silence, lifting his head up. Sitting on a small low table with a few small side dishes prepared in front of us, along with my bowl of Katsudon slowly cooling down in front of me. "I don't know how to do this kind of thing, and......well I've never really learned about it......."

"Hmm..?"

My brows furrow together allowing him to speak, without my interruption while taking a small piece of cut chicken and took a bite without breaking my attention from him.

"We don't have......both our families to decide the matter," He finally mentions, which made my heart flutter in response in realisation. Yet I remain quiet to let him finish his sentence, notice him looking rather troubled as the silence lingers between us. "I want.........I've tried to talk with someone about it, advice..........."

"Advice......huh?" I spoke up, before taking another mouthful and chews with my mouth closed before swallowing it down with a deep understanding to whatever is going on his heart and mind.

"...yeah, I....." he grumbles beneath his breath, finding his hesitance rather endearing when trying to be serious. He then shakes his head and takes a hasty mouthful of food, "You know what........I'm a bit tired to think right now, we'll discuss it another day....'kay?"

Lowering my chopsticks and bowl in hand, I give him a look of concern and worry, "Sanemi, something.......bothering you?"

He shook his head, "No, well.........not sure," He replies, evading my question rather hastily. "You know......Kaito has become strong, you've trained him well. His strength, shit...........it's inhuman especially for a normal human kid."

Still not believing he was alright, I didn't want to pry further on the matter if he's troubled.

Humming in agreement, "Yeah he is........but even mastering the balance to controlling his strength, and wielding that blade.......he's come a long way," I mention, rather proudly. "I've been seeing Lord Gyomei, seen he's got incredible endurance and strength.......wanted advice to training methods for Kaito's training together. I've got Lord Gyomei's thanks, especially helping Kaito when I can't........."

A soft hum follows, "You're so........beautiful, when your humble," He murmurs softly, leaning his chin on his palm on the table. "The way your eyes soften despite how exhausted you are, the way your nose scrunches cutely like right now.......when I compliment you. When you make sure I have enough food in my bowl before yourself.............."

The more he continued to use these foreign words, my face begins to grow warmer profusely as he continues on.

".........How did I get so lucky?" He smiles, and sips his sake slowly. Licking his lower lip with the excess sake, his pale violet eyes meet mine with no stress behind them. 

With a sigh I take a chicken from my katsudon bowl, and place it in his own seperate bowl.

Clearing my throat modestly, "There..........please don't use those words, I'm........I don't know how to respond," admitting how I felt, even though it brought me comfort to know how much he cares for me. Flustered as I was in front of him, a small smile curls upon my lips taking a small mouthful of chicken myself to muffle my words.

He smirks, "There you go again.............my gorgeous woman...." before he leans over, reaching out and wipes something from the corner of my lips and licks his thumb of the rice. 

My face immediately grows warmer in response, as I avert my gaze.

Muttering under my breath, "Tease......."

~*~

AT THE TRAIN STATION ~ (Kaito Pov)

Bright lights were everywhere despite that sunset rose......

Many people we boarding the train as the whistle blows loudly, causing Inosuke to jump in surprise as if it was foreign to him. "H-Hey wait a damn minute, wh-what the......." Inosuke breaths out shakily, while I side glance to Zenitsu and Tanjiro before falling back on boarface. "What the hell is this creature?! Wait, could it be......I've heard such a being the master and ruler of this land!"

Inosuke speeds around the station mapping out the size of the train, earning many concerned or embarrassed glances towards him. Even I was ashamed to be standing beside him, but I had to understand from his perspective I guess...

"So uh.....who's gonna tell him?" Zenitsu deadpans, glancing in Tanjiro and I's direction. 

"At such an intimidating size, there's no mistaking it!" Inosuke continues, being a sheltered dumbass. "It looks like it's asleep, but don't let that fool you!"

Sighing deeply, "It's a train, you've never seen one?" I question him, arching a brow. "They've been around for about........almost four or five decades......."

"Decades? What's decades?!" Inosuke questions, scratching his head.

Kaito sighs, "Ten years.....?"

"Uh....."

Inosuke scratches his hip in response looking lost, as Zenitsu and I sigh in defeat, "You know what, never mind.....the point is that our mission is on that metal beast......" I sarcastically explain, causing Zenitsu to snicker in response. 

Suddenly the trains whistle blows causing Inosuke to cover Zenitsu's face, "Pipe down, I"ll lead the charge to take it down!" about to draw his blades.

"Inosuke stop!!!" Tanjiro raises his voice.

The boarface halts, "Huh?!"

Thinking for a moment that Tanjiro in his right mind would know, took an incredible huge turn to Zenitsu and I's knowledge.

"This might be the guardian spirit of this land, so we shouldn't be attack it carelessly," Tanjiro warns him, rather densely.

Zenitsu nears Tanjiro with a deadpan look, "Uh.......Kaito just explained.....it's a train," he informs him. "You've never seen a vehicle for transportation? Man, you're sheltered...."

Tanjiro registers both Zenitu's and my own explanation, "Huh, a train? That's what the crow was talking about?" in realisation.

Suddenly Inosuke walks away from us opposite to where the train was, as I felt like this was gonna grab lots of stares right now. The place grew silent between ourselves, expecting something out of the ordinary, "Uh......what is he doing?" Zenitsu asks, blatantly. 

Without a doubt Inosuke suddenly shrieks out loudly like a boar would, before charging in a rampage way. He soon began to charge towards the train, "Ready or not, I'm comin' through!!!!!!" before slamming his head hard against the train, barreling his way into it forcefully.

"Stop embarrassing us!!!!!" Zenitsu shouts angrily, with a flustered look.

Without warning another whistle rang through, realising it was the conductors of the station who spotted Inosuke's foreign behaviour. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?!!!"

"Hey, those four have swords!!!!! Another conductor yells. "The police! Call the police!!!"

"Shit....." I utter out.

Zenitsu growls angrily, "Not good! Not good! Not good!!!!!" before grabbing both Tanjiro and Inosuke by the scruff making a getaway. Following them with annoyance I sigh deeply, realising working in a group wasn't easy as I thought it would be. Maybe I should've stayed back with Big sis, but........Lord Shinazugawa wanted to some alone time with her for some specific reason which I needed to respect. He wouldn't say, but he assured me it wasn't me that was the issue but the right timing.

Shaking my head we manage to reach a spot away from the conductors, allowing me to slap the back of Insouke's head hard like a parent scolding a child.

"Do I really have to deal with this?" I sigh deeply. "I know were all similar by age, but seriously.......we're in trouble because no one has a leash on boarface--"

"We're in trouble because of you Inosuke!!!" Zenitsu cuts me off, directing his anger towards him. "Say your sorry, and to Kaito!!!!"

"Oh yeah?! Explain to me why we had to run from those guys in the first place?!" Inosuke yells back, sitting on the ground with a huff.

Zenitsu turns to me, "Help me out Tanjiro......Igarashi....."

Tanjiro was clueless himself, while Inosuke was puffing steam through his boarmask in anger.

Sighing deeply I turn to them, "Cause Demon Slayers aren't officially recognised by the government," I explain sternly, my brows furrow. "So we can't just have our swords in public like that. If we even told them about the demons, they would only laugh at us and not believe us anyway......"

"Hang on.....but we're trying hard to help everyone," Tanjiro spoke up, in confusion.

Sighing deeply I adjusting my blade beneath my haori, "It's just life......it's how we've been for generations, so keep your swords tucked under your haori and not wield them in any threatening way," I warn them, before a deep chuckle follows Inosuke.

My eyes flicker up only to see two of his severing blades tucked into his fur pelt and pants from behind, causing Zenitsu to look even more distraught and defeated.

"We can see them, put something on," Zenitsu unimpressively, points out.

"Say.....Kaito, you seem to know more about the demon slayer corps...." Tanjiro spoke up, interested for a moment turning to me. ".....so, is that just because you're a Tsugoku or--"

The trains whistle cuts him off causing Zenitsu to panic suddenly as he looks around frantically, "Oh no! The trains leaving!" He exclaims, eyes widen in a short panic."Are the police still around?!!!"

"We have to go, either way!" Tanjiro insists, before Inosuke laughs out loud and jumps out from hiding towards the train.

"Here I come, master of the land!!!!!" Inosuke declares, making a run towards the back of the train. 

"What are doing?!" Zenitsu cries out, still cowardly hiding behind the wall.

Sighing deeply I decided to rush towards the train fast, "Best we go from the back end, we have tickets remember!" I remind him, before noticing the conductors again. 

"Hey you four!!!" They yell out, trying to reach out.

Jumping onto the back of the train with ease, Inosuke follows after me then Tanjiro causing Zenitsu to be the last one. He jumps down to the train tracks racing towards us as I bend down reaching my hand out, "Kaito!!!!!" He cries out. "Tanjiro, Inosuke!!!"

Grabbing hold onto him with a monkey grip, I haul him up with my strength which I found him surprisingly lighter. 

"Thankyou!" He wheezes, trying to regain his breath.

"Whooo hooo!!!" Inosuke yells out, as the station becomes smaller the faster the train becomes as the wind pounds against our ears and through our hair wildly. "This things fast!!!!"

"Hey Tanjiro.....?" Zenitsu spoke up, rather seriously.

"Hmm, what is it?"

"You sure about bringing Zezuko along?" He asks him, with a serious undertone to make sure it was a good idea. Glancing to the box on Tanjiro's back, my lips pursed together with uncertainty thinking about that demon girl he carried around.  "Wouldn't the safest place for her would be back at headquarters?"

Tanjiro smiles warmly, "This is fine, wherever we go, we will always be together......." he assures him, but more towards both of us while Inosuke was in awe by the speed of the train which was actually endearing in a way. "We're never going to be apart again....."

------------------------------------------------

Hey guys! 

I want to really apologise for my long awaited update due to the holidays coming, and assessments from my class piling up at once along with gift buying and all the shenanigans. Anyway I've finally updated! I'm not sure when I'll update next, but I'll do my best to update more!

~ Little Bean