~*~

"Would it be better to sink into the depths.......than to face reality?"

The world was corrupted from the beginning, our lives were tainted by greed, lust and war. What more will reality throw at us, especially when demons roamed the earth with their ravenous hunger. 

Was it for the best we did nothing? Or was it worth fighting back?

Not how I viewed my story; having to be caged and kept behind closed doors most of my life. We once knew life was damned, but for those who stepped up are not the damned ones. The ones are those who only did it for their name, and pride. Looking back at my story now, I guess so much has changed.......

Because I stepped up doing something about it, than being a princess and sitting idly by.....

What would've been the difference if I hadn't? Would it have made a difference? Or would it have changed someone else's life, to realise there's more to fighting than death, wasting your life. There was a chance to mend the patchy history, but what mattered was what we did now and the present.......

~*~

13 YEARS AGO - APRIL ~ (THIRD POV:)

The young woman sat upon the verandah, while gazing upon her children that played around in the garden. A gentle smiled curled upon her lips, while feeling rather content that specific morning. Not seeing her husband beside herself, she knew he was busy as the Chief. Always not there for the children, but nonetheless she just enjoyed seeing them all get along.

"Mother!"

That soft voice greeted her pleasantly, before lowering her head to see her eldest daughter resting upon her lap. Her soft silver eyes glance up into a mirror, as she resembled her so much. 

"What is it my dear?" her fingers lace through her thick locks, before cupping her chubby cheek.

Hayami glanced up happily, "So, when will we say goodbye to big brother Ryuji?"

Ryuji was the eldest son of the Mizutsuki clan, and the next heir to become chief.  He was also training to become a slayer, to continue the families tradition and alliance with the demon slayer corps. Ryuji was soon heading to the final selection, so he was prepared for anything.

"Soon, we just wait for your father.....okay?"

The young child nods a little more timidly, just by the name 'father' being mentioned. Ai never understood why her daughter would react that way, trying her best to understand. Soon Hayami turns around and joins in with her sister; Yui, and little brother; Riku. While Ai watches them captivated by how big they're growing already, soft steps approach her from behind.

A maid bends down, lowering her head near Ai's ear.

"The Chief wishes to speak with you," she informed Ai gently, as the young maid pulls away and stood up. Ai soon stood up bowing to her quietly, before leaving the children under the maid's care. The maid's eyes grew sombre, and concerned for her lady before drifting back to the children. 

The children's laughter soon fades as Ai walks away further and further, before she can longer hear them. She walks out the main building, down the steps and towards the pergola where her husband stood. He stood there looking rather uptight, and a little irritated. Their eyes lock for a moment, recognising that kind of look. Once she appears before him, he sighed heavily.

"Hayami's at it again,"

She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "At what, exactly?"

He grunted in response shrugging his shoulders before gripping the railing, "She wants to become a demon slayer, and you know our protocol?" he asked his wife rhetorically, while she tenderly rubs his shoulders to ease the tension.

She sighs heavily, while rolling her eyes.

"Women aren't allowed to become slayers, I've heard numerous times," She murmured, hating the fact it's been stated and in writing.  "But she has a good heart, you know how ambitious she is? Look at her, she's curious.....isn't that good?"

He clicked his tongue, "No," 

She scoffed, "You really are so thick-headed, and what's going on with you?" She questioned him, her voice raises slightly. He looks at her in confusion, oblivious to her question. "I mean, you are barely by my side in bed......never eating with the family....and you're always so bu--"

"I'm the chief, Ai," he states sternly, his light cyan eyes darken slightly. "I have duties, a clan to run and lives to save."

His reasoning was too rigid to even explain, whether it was right or wrong. It was more frequently, and now she won't stand by and say nothing. She folds her arms, eyes glaring dangerously to her husbands. The heavy silence soon tenderly drifts upon the couple, while she let's out a shaky sigh.

"A clan isn't a clan without it's family, breaking bonds will only severe ties," her eyes avert from his own, seeing a few of their elderly folk walking through the garden. Her voice was so tender and mellow, he could hear her voice slightly breaking. Yet, anger continues to cloud his judgement.

 She continues, "Whether you like it or not, it's the way of our people. We've already lost so much, all because of your elder brother and father.....and you."

His eyes widen with anger, "My fault, is it? Hmmm?" he gestured to himself. "I'm doing my damn well best here!"

"Well keep this family together, and do better!" She snaps back, raising her hands expressing her frustration. He breathes heavily through his nose, while her eyes focus on his own. The silence heavily drifts around the two, when they sense another presence nearby. There stood their son Ryuji, all prepared for the final selection. She turns to her husband one more time, giving him a stern look to bid his son goodbye. 

She finally stepped over the line, she knew she did but doesn't regret it.

Just while watching both son and husband walking away, she felt pain in her chest. She clutched her chest, before feeling herself begin coughing in fits. The raw pain rubs like sandpaper against her throat, as she covers her mouth. Light tears prick at the corners of her eyes, before slowly glancing in her palm.

Blood taints her hand, while she rubs her neck with the other hand.

"Five years........when will this end?" She whispered, before pulling out a cloth and wiped her hand discreetly before following along to bid her son goodbye.

~*~

All the children surrounded Ryuji happily with pure excitement, but with a few tears not wanting him to leave. Hayami stood there embracing him, wishing him to stay safe. Hiroshi soon pats his head proudly with a warm smile, "Alright my son, you better get going," 

"Will do!"

Hayami gives him one last hug, before he chuckled to himself.

"Alright little moon, I best be off," Ryuji mused softly, as she nods with enthusiasm.

While everyone stood outside the gates, he soon disappears from their sight. Hayami gazes down the road where he left, wanting to walk further down. Wanting to know if demons really existed, and if her brother fought them. Stories were said here and there, but.......her father tried to cover them up as just fairytales.

"Hayami!" 

She snaps out of her daze seeing her father looking at her disapprovingly, arms folded while nudging his head to the compound. Her smile soon disappears, hanging her head low before obeying him. She didn't understand the feeling, but all she wanted was to become like her elder brother.

Walking by her father cautiously she soon runs after her siblings, not wanting to get a scolding by him. She never understood why he did this, but she knew she must remain quiet and bow to fate. 

~*~

Hayami watched her mother kiss her youngest brother, Riku, to bed as he was only three years old. Night was quiet and still, hearing the crickets chirping their tune. Her fingertips drift along the fusuma door, seeing the way her mother gazed upon her brother. He tiredly smacks his lips, before falling into a deep slumber.

"Come on, let's play," Yui whispered near her sisters ear, causing Hayami to jump slightly. 

"But what about fa--"

"It's not bedtime yet," She assured her, before sneaking side glances before turning back to her sister. "Come on, I've got the kendama!"

The two soon run out of the room, to their shared bedroom before playing. Meanwhile Hiroshi was slumped upon the verandah, with his second strongest slayer and general, beside him. Sake sat between the two men, as the two drank away their worries that dawned upon them. 

"So you wanna tell me what's going on with you, Chief?" General Haruki questioned, waiting for Hiroshi's answer. "You've been spaced out."

Hiroshi sluggishly turned to him, "It's my damn daughter,"

"Your daughter? Yui?"

He shook his head, cheeks tinged red from the alcohol.

"Hayami, she's always nagging me about becoming a slayer," he rambled on, voice raising by every word that was blabbered out. "It's not the first time either, she's been at this for a while......."

Haruki chuckled in response, not seeing anything wrong with it. 

"Maybe.....we could finally break that protocol?" he suggested, making the chief snap his head as Haruki adverts his eyes away. Raises his hand in defence, "I'm just suggesting, because time and life is changing by each generation. .......maybe try and--"

"No! I will not allow her and even Yui become slayers, all they're good for is extending our family and children!"

Haruki's eyes widen in shock by his very words, while Hiroshi aggressively swipes the sake and pours himself another cup. The young general was appalled by his chief's words, but was it just the sake talking? He wasn't entirely sure, but all he could was let out a dry chuckle.

"Right, anyway.......your son is at the final selection," he changes the subject. "I bet he will make it out there, and come home with good news!"

All Hiroshi did was scoff and rolled his eyes, taking another sip of the bitter sake.

"He better,"

~*~

A WEEK LATER

"I'm so proud of you my boy!" Hiroshi grinned widely, as he embraced his son proudly. Ryuji smiles proudly looking bloodied and rugged, being a week of the final selection. Ai watched her son being smothered with compliments, before she approached him. 

Hayami, the twins and the two young ones raced up to their brother, and happily embraced him. Soon Ryuji got all cleaned up, and soon began to tell his stories to everyone. Hayami was more intrigued, watching him using his hands in motions to how he killed the demons. The children were just happy to see him alive, and well. 

Dinner was more lively having both Hiroshi and Ai together, and the children enthralled by his story. The way Ryuji would have his eyes light up, like a flame was ignited during his first experience meeting face to face with demons. 

"It almost got me, but I sliced it's head in a blink of an eye!" Ryuji proudly swipes his hand, firm like a blade. His silver eyes flicker across his family, that focused on his story. Hayami gazed up to her big brother, wishing nothing more than to be like him. 

His mother claps softly, smiling upon her grown boy.

"Very wonderful dear, soon......both your brothers Katsu and Natsu will do the final selection," Ai mused softly, admiring her son. Both the twins jump up with excitement, even though they still had a few years of training to do.

Katsu grins, "Yeah, and we're gonna protect this family!"

"Then we can become the trio, fight the demons together!" Natsu fist pumps the air, eyes lighting up.

Laughter soon follows in the room, which was rather a warm feeling for Ai. She was rather content with the outcome of her sons next step to becoming a slayer, and soon he will receive his first nichirin blade and uniform. Not long it was bedtime for everyone, as Ai sat beside both her daughters. Pillows sprawled around, she fluffs them up upon their beds.

"Alright you two, time to get some res--" She felt a small tug on her sleeve, seeing Hayami glancing up with sparkling eyes. "What is it, little moon?"

She shyly taps her fingers together, "Can we have a story?"

"Yeah, story!" Yui exclaims, with a giggle following after.

She glances at both her daughters that gave her puppy dog eyes, while she began to feel rather conflicted whether to or not. With a deep sigh she chuckles finally having a story in mind, adjusting herself between the futons.

"Alright, I think I have one,"

The two little ones grin ear to ear in excitement, before curling up in their beds with their focus on their mother. Ai hums softly to herself, "Alright, let's begin!"

She begins to tell the story about Momotarō (桃太郎, "Peach Boy") 

The girls at first enthralled by the story, they soon start to fight sleep. Their eyes soon flutter shut, snuggling into their blankets allowing Ai to soon notice. Slowly and quietly finishing the story with a small smile, she tucks the girls in one by one and presses a tender kiss to their temples. Lingering for a moment, she soon gazes upon Hayami.

"She never quits, hmm?" She softly spoke, realising there was a small spark, a flame igniting within her. She could see it, but will it go out soon? Or will it start to burn brightly? Pushing herself up, she soon starts heading out of the room turning the lights out. Closing the door quietly, her mind soon goes elsewhere feeling rather helpless. 

"Lady Ai, do you wish for anything?" Lady Asami asks softly, but Ai shook her head.

She waves a dismissive hand, "You may rest Asami,"

Bowing gratefully she wishes her lady goodnight allowing Ai to have some time alone, especially with her sudden quarrels with her husband. Arguing with him wasn't the best, and she didn't understand why he can't just discuss things with her. Ask for any advice even, but no, he had to argue and throws things out of frustration. 

Quietly making her way down the corridor, only to feeling the pain intensifying throughout her chest. 

She covers her mouth and begins coughing more painfully, before collapsing to the ground. Lady Asami could her loud coughs, before rushing down in alarm to see her on the floor. Blood lightly splatters in her palm, as her eyes widen.

"Lady Ai!" She exclaims, before her eyes dart around frantically. Her hands automatically wrap around Ai, and helped her up. With the loud commotion, soon a few more maids come down while Ryuji and twin brothers watched their mother being taken to her room. Confusion settles in, only to see their mother in pain.

~*~

The doctor pulls his glasses his away before cleaning them, gazing upon the sleeping woman. He sighs heavily, "It seems all the medication and treatments we've been giving, isn't working," he clarifies sadly, briefly turning to Hiroshi.

"You need to do something, is this only temporary?" he pleads, but only saw something flickering behind the old man's eyes. A lump forms in his throat, as Hiroshi swallows thickly. "Mr Nakamura, please........I need to know.....will this illness consume her?"

The doctor turns to him fully, lament and confliction was read across his face.

"It has already consumed her.....for too long," he spoke up, clearing his throat. "I can't beat around the bush and alleviate her current situation, but........she doesn't have long."

Those words left Hiroshi standing there, processing his words.

He dryly chuckles, "Come on Dr Nakamura, y-you're mistaken.....she--"

"She's dying Hiroshi, we can't save her........this disease has spread too quickly," he cuts him off, feeling guilty to have to say it straightforward. Hiroshi refused to believe this, he didn't want too. Yet, seeing his wife laying there struggling to even breath, was heartbreaking enough as it is. He bends down and took her hand in large ones, and held it close to his heart.

"How long specifically?"

The doctor's eyes drift upon the chief, feeling remorse already.

"Roughly give or take, two days,"

Nakamura is an excellent doctor for anything that was thrown at him, but some diseases and illness' can't be cured. He just never knew it would be the very woman he watched grow up into a strong lady and wife of the chief. Especially with six children that haven't even grown up, to see their own mother weak with her life limited.

He places his glasses back upon the bridge of his nose, pushing them back with a heavy sigh. He grabs his bag and turns to the door, "Make sure she well nourished at least, and make sure she's not uncomfortable," he informs Hiroshi. "I will come in later, and tomorrow."

"Right.........thank you,"

With that the doctor left only to see the eldest son standing outside, with tears streaming down his cheeks. Eyes so wide with realisation, the old man pats his hair and ruffled it. He didn't know what to say, or even think on how to tell the boy. Except he heard everything clearly.

"I'm sorry, my boy.........just keep this quiet," he whispers softly, while Ryuji squeezed his eyes tightly.

"O-Okay,"

What else could life throw at them?

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