~*~

SIX MONTHS LATER

".....as usual, you seem to overexert yourself forcefully,"

Pausing in the midst of my training, my attention shifts across to see the Stone Hashira sitting upon the boulder. Though his words were true, I felt the need to focus on becoming stronger. The silence grew longer than I wanted, coming back to reality with his words of wisdom.

"Well, sometimes we need to improve ourselves," I spoke up, wiping the sweat against my temple with my bangs sticking to my skin. Leaning my blade against the tree not far, I tie up my bangs into a small pinned back ponytail. A deep exhale drifts fog past my lips, allowing the snow to cool down my temperature. 

He rubs his palms together for warmth, his beads grinding together in a rhythmic pattern.

"Well, I can't argue........" He states simply, still perched upon the boulder in silence. ".....if I may, has there been progress between you and your brother? Has he made amends?"

My breath sharply hitches and my expression hardens, "Can we speak of something else, if something had happened.......I would've informed you by now," my hand grips the hilt of my blade, lifting it up securely. "So that means he missed the last Hashira meeting, again?" while walking back to the middle of the shallow waters, getting into stance.

A troubling sigh leaves the weeping hashira, "It appears so, his absence is unacceptable..." he admits, with discontentment. The beads leave a soft satisfying sound, while he rubs his palms in a prayer. ".....even master is concerned by this, as to why I'm here today. Besides that, I'm here to check on you......."

Angling my blade I swipe vertically with total concentration, understanding how my hand would grip the blade whilst combat. Swiftly I drop my blade, and caught it when it angles the opposite, sharply slicing horizontally in seconds; causing the water to spray in one direction.

"You're much stronger, Lady Hayami......." He continues, when I knew there was more to it.

"But....?"

He clears his throat with a pause, "But........your movements are stiff," clearly he senses through the sound my breathing, while his attention focuses on the gentle waters around. "Your breathing is not.......channeling right. It's as if your body is not moving, flowing like the river.....which means either something is weighing on your mind. Or.....your body has changed, and your breathing capacity is slowly changing as you've grown since you started."

With a sigh my right bare foot glides through the freezing cold water, my thoughts focusing on my history that I've learned.

"Dragon breathing..........a technique derived from Water, then derived from Sun breathing," whilst in deep thought, he gave me time to think. "A technique based on a mythical creature, may or may not have existed years ago; a angelic and powerful beast known to mythical stories told by generations........I never knew why we passed down this breathing technique."

"Did you find your answer?" He queries, his hands lower to his lap. Snowflakes fall gracefully around us both, feeling a small snowflake touch the tip of my nose.

"My ancestor, she was able to master water breathing......" I began, while slowly moving my feet through the shallow waters of the pond. The rushing waterfalls faintly crash in the background, ".........however, judging to her journal, her body changed. She was never a thin woman, let alone society's definition of beauty like myself. Though she struggled, she used our families crest ....'Mizushi'....also known to be the fearsome dragons of the waters. She trained her own body like the dragon itself, like claws, jaws, tail......and so on, and channeled every bit of strength in each limb of her body......"

"Well as I've heard, breathing techniques aren't just the simple ones," He replies gently, in as a-matter-of-fact. "Each person is different, lung capacities, body structure, it's all about how you use yourself in a battle. What element, nature, emotion you choose. Dragon sounds simple and far fetched if derived from water, but..........I know you'll master the technique. It's a very rare and challenging one, but I believe you'll allow your body to hone that and claim as your own.."

He was right, but would I be able to master it? I've trained for seven or so years, and still haven't become strong yet.......

"So, if when using my technique....." I position myself in a stance, the chilling water numbing my feet. My hand slowly holding my blade with one hand, I position my other hand behind my back. ".....it's like my body is the Dragon itself, and my blade is the fang, or the claws....."

It's just like Shinobu, when she derived her own insect breathing from Kanae Kocho's flower breathing. Every changes in order to grow accustom to the body of the user, and how familiar and comfortable you feel when wielding a blade.

"My blade is still be planned.........my sword smith said he'll keep working on it," I spoke up, before gesturing to Himejima's Spiked flail and axe, instead of a nichirin blade. His fighting style was called 'Kusarigamajutsu' which is unique in the slayer corps. "......yours is accustomed to how you fight, so I understand what you mean by the wielder being different."

"Very adverting of you," He nods, before pushing himself to his feet. He dusts himself from the fallen snow, making his way over to the edge of the pond. "I best be on my leave, but make sure you're finished you get warm and a hot bath."

"I will, thanks for keeping me company,"

While he makes his way down the hill from my usual training spot by the waterfall, I soon begin to feel my numb have grown numb. Resuming my training to keep my blood flowing, I focus more of the way I drive my blade, and on my inner core that holds energy I use. During the past six months I've tried many techniques of martial arts, sword techniques, and I even tried asking the Sound Hashira himself for help. Teaching me about how to be lighter on your feet, about stealth and surprisingly I picked up on it faster than expected. Guess it's another quality of myself, that I find different.

He was a shinobi long ago, with a very flamboyant personality. Seriously, his behaviour certainly overwhelms me with his flashy mannerisms, but it is a breath of fresh air. 

The snow grows heavier, until I hear snow crunching not far from me. Assuming it was Himejima, I remain focusing on total concentration. "Oi! What the hell are you doing in water, in the middle of winter?!" his abrasive voice caught me off guard, almost slipping into the water. "Cause I'm not carrying you if you fall....!"

"Sanemi......? Is it that time again?" walking over to my calf guards, socks and sandals. 

His eyes were less bloodshot this time with a more calm exterior, but he still held that annoyed sneer on his face. "Tch, well yeah.......finished a mission earlier this morning," he grunts out, lifting up my blade and carries it for me. "Seriously, it's so cold......especially when demons hunt in the middle of the damn night......"

"So you want to spar hand to hand, or blade?" I arch a brow, finally having my socks and sandals on again. "I'm trying to focus on--"

He suddenly was in front of me, his mouth align with my temple; feeling his warm breath melt the coldness against my forehead. He brushes the snow from my disheveled hair, "Seriously, look at ya," he grumbles with a scolding look, poking my cheek. "Your cheeks and ears are red, so let's hurry the hell up and get ya warm you dumbass......geez,"

Blinking in surprise from the close proximity, my cheeks grow warmer than expected. 

"Right,"

~*~

AT THE DOJO

"Your punches have become strong,"

Taking short breaths in between each attack, gave me that small chance to gather more strength with each swing. My body felt rather lighter thanks to Uzui's training, but I still have a long way's to go before I can master any martial arts. My body lacked the muscle I need right now, but as from earlier, my body is slowly changing.

"You're much faster," I replay back, before grabbing his arm jabbing the centre of it; twisting it behind his back tightly. He doesn't grimace like he used too, and lately I've noticed he's becoming strong as well. "Or are you letting me win this time?"

He smirks, "Tch, like I would let you win....." he remarks, as we continue going all out. Our temperature's were at a decent level, feeling my feet grow warm and less stiff. Both on par with each other's strengths, I couldn't feel him only holding back for a second. Slowly and gradually his attacks grew more forcefully, his punches more weaker; yet so precise. 

Trying to match my attacks with his, my arms couldn't keep up with him. Finally this was my deadpoint, where my limits were met. He is incredible!

His punches become like gusts of wind, and his reflexes were on par to the Sound Hashira. Suddenly after a few more minutes, I soon find my back to the tatami floor with a heavy slam with a slight crack to the floor. Choking on the air I accidentally inhaled sharply, his larger body pins me down forcefully without mercy. He grinds his foot on my hand for a moment with a nonchalant look, realising his eyes were spaced out subconsciously with exhaustion. 

"Sanemi.......you win," I grunt out, seething through my teeth.

"......"

Inhaling sharply, "Sanemi!!!" finally feeling his foot release my hand.

 He breaks out of his thoughts realising what he was doing, when his knees rest either side of my hips. He sits back on his knees above, while we breath heavily after our twenty minute spar. Sweat drips from his face while he gasps for air, while I watch him carefully; regaining the air that I lost for a moment. 

"What the hell........I'm losing sleep...." he mutters beneath his breath. His eyes slowly meet mine, then flickers to my hand as he take it gently. Wincing in response to his tender touch, his eyes darken for a moment with a troubled expression. ".....did I break anything, I didn't mean too......"

"I'm fine.......it was a good spar," A smile curls upon my lips, ignoring my sore hand. "I'm glad to have the opportunity to know good swordsman, it keeps me on my toes at least..."

I'd rather take my challenges whenever I could, because sometimes you never what situation will come out of that lesson.

He lifts my hand up to mouth before pressing soft kisses to my knuckles, while I lay there in shock while seeing him kiss each knuckle with tenderness. I could tell by him closing his eyes, he didn't want to know how I would react. It was.......endearing, different, but endearing.

"Didn't get any sleep?" my eyes searching in his own, while he averts his gaze away lowering my hand to his lap. He sighs heavily, while his thumb rubs over my knuckles like he was afraid to let go. His calloused thumb grazes across my skin, feeling his thumb and soon his hand shaking.

"Tch, I'm fine!........" he dismissively snaps, before pushing himself up to his feet. He lends me a hand, taking it I push myself up stumbling a bit. The painful throbbing sensation against my ribs remain, but my concern shelters over him. He rolls his shoulders, allowing me to take in his exposed body from the waist up. More fresh scars blemished his pale skin, contrasting to the wounds he, himself made or by demons. 

"Are you though?" I question, my brows pinching together with worry.

He wipes the sweat from his face with a disgruntle sound, "Just don't give me the sentimental crap!" he spat, taking slow deep breaths. "We had a good spar, just.......just leave it at that. Okay?!"

With a hesitant nod, I walk over to the side of the room, and sat down for a moment feeling everything grow awkwardly quiet. I know sometimes Sanemi was the most unapproachable slayer amongst the corps, and I managed to grow accustom to his nature. 

Right now? I felt guilty, and I don't understand why I felt that way.......

~Tap~Tap~

"Huh?" lifting my head I sat back up walking towards the window, before opening it as my crow perches itself upon my shoulder. "What is it Nami?"

Sanemi turns his attention to my crow, with the scowl still on his face.

"Caw! ~ Another mission, in the east in the mountains, ~ Caw!" 

Thats....where my home was........

My eyes slight widen, "Mission? How urgent do I need to be there?" I question Nami, while stroking her chin to show some affection to her work she does for me.

"Caw! ~ Two squads of six demon slayers entered, not one has returned ~ Caw!" She replies, causing me to glance at Sanemi with concern. "Caw! ~ A group has been assembled, meet five other slayers at the entrance of the butterfly mansion ~ Caw!"

"I see.......thank you Nami, I'll be ready in a few," I nod allowing her to fly off, before I quickly adjusting my uniform. Throwing my haori and faux fur scarf around my shoulders, I reattached the blade to my belt against my hip. With a deep sigh my brows furrow glancing over my shoulder, only to see frustration in Sanemi's eyes.

"Make sure you get some sleep, it's not your fault," I assure him softly, walking up to him. Taking his hand with my slightly bruised one, I give his a gentle squeeze of assurance. "See......my hand still works, and I've got full strength--"

"This mission," he cuts me of, clearly more troubled about it than I assumed. "Be careful, I've heard rumours that the mountain in the east is....a feeding ground for slayers. I know we haven't done anything about it, as I'm assigned to something else right now. Just......be careful, would ya?"

"Huh?" blinking in surprise by his level of concern, despite the harshness behind it. With a chuckle, "Look at you being sentimental yourself, but.....don't worry. It's just another mission, and I've got a group assembled. So, don't worry,"

He rolls his eyes with a subtle growl in annoyance, "Don't do that--- you know what, you know what I mean......" he hisses, before ruffling my hair forcefully. With a smiles I let his hand go, before making my way out of the Dojo quickly not wasting a second.

~*~

The snow crunches beneath us, my breath fogging my vision.

"Why does traveling take so long?" one of the slayers pouts, with an exasperated sigh. "Can we take a break?!"

"Because you're the one dragging behind of the group," Botan remarks sternly, as he was another demon slayer that was part of the group I was assigned. "Pick up the pace, this mission was ranked as the last attempt to deliver this demon to it's grave. So quit complaining, and--"

"Adachi, that's enough!" I spoke up sharply, narrowing my gaze towards him. Walking beside him, with the other flour flanking behind us with purpose and stride. Except the one dragging behind. Asahi Takashi. Surprisingly the other three I knew were Akio Sato, Yaeko Abiko and lastly Hina Kimura. Then there was Botan Adachi and Asahi Takashi.

Those last three were from that farming mission; the three that were late but slowly the three soon changed. They have grown stronger, as of past missions that they managed to survive alongside with me. 

"Come on Mizutsuki, he's been complaining for a few hours already!" Botan frowns, with that scolding look he always gives to anyone. "We just had a break, and we're only an hour away from our destination.........the sun doesn't set another two hours at least.."

"I'm aware, but you're not his parent," I sigh deeply, shaking head. The snow was growing thicker, as I tuck my face further into my faux fur scarf for warmth. "Besides, I've been chosen as the leader of this group. So, please don't get carried away........and Takashi?" glancing over my shoulder, my eyes meet his firmly.

He perks his head up, "Yes?!"

"Stop complaining, we're only a few hours before sunset," I scold him gently, not wanting to leave the group on a bitter note. I've travelled lengths all around, that my body slowly grew prone to overexertion. Then again, it's winter and the snow is thick so it makes walking harder to push faster.

"Y-Yes....ma'am..."

"When we reach a mile from the village, we run," Botan adds, following with the other two girls to nod in agreement and myself. Walking faster in my steps I push past the thick snow, but not enough to overexert my body before we come in contact with a demon. "We're not here to chit chat, so treat this an emergency. We don't know what we could miss....."

Rumour has it that there is an abandoned building near the village, much like an old castle Japanese styled compound. 

What is more concerning about this, was that it was at the old sight where my family's compound was burned down. Though some buildings were burnt to a crisp, the stone-made buildings remained untouched by flames; but i haven't been there in so many years that everything was a blur.

Not long after walking an hour or so, Nami flew down perching herself upon my forearm. "Caw~ Your clear to arrive, a mile away ~Caw!"

"Thank you," before shifting my head to Botan and the rest, giving them the silent nod to make a run towards the village. Adjusting my feed we all began to make a run towards our destination, the keeping our blood circulating and flowing through us for warmth. Despite the harsh cold that numbed our fingers, I could feel some little warmth at the tips of them.

Let's get this over with.......

~*~

EAST OF THE VILLAGE ~ (Third pov:)

The stench of rotting flesh and innards of a fresh human, accumulates disgustingly within the old room. Moss covered the stone as the moisture made it hard to breath, but for the demons that hid and settled found it refreshing. The place was a perfect hideout, secured by the mountain top where once a clan thrived. Now only what remained was the stone buildings still standing, burn marks scathed across the stone in black.

Slowly the sun disappeared into darkness, only seeing the patch of lights coming from the small village outside at the bottom of the mountain.

"Lord Kuragari, at this rate......wouldn't this draw attention?" A scaly demon questions, voice gravelly and thick filled with only malice. The inquiry was bold, which made the large shadow shift in the darkness of the dingy room. 

"We don't mean disrespect!" Another demon adds quickly, with a hoarse voice. "What if a Hashira is brought here, we still have many bodies haven't devoured yet an--"

"How dare you question me," The dark figure in the shadows spoke steadily, with annoyance lacing his deep voice. His eyes slowly open revealing glowing golden iris', reading in kanji 'Upper Moon Four' in his dragon slit eyes. "Have you forgotten your place? For me to become strong for our king; devouring humans is all I need. That's all they're good for..."

"Lord Kuragari! We just arrived just now, and slayers are on the outskirts of the village!!!" A demon runs into the room, his red eyes gleaming with hunger in them. "Shall we dispatch them of quickly?!"

"How many?" Kuragari's eyes narrow, with an unchangeable expression.

"Four........I think," The demon swallows thickly, feeling the tension building. 

Suddenly Kuragari's senses picked up on something; a scent that he thought would remember despite his memories wiped. This familiar scent was strong, yet so far from where he resides tucked hidden within his dark dungeon room. Anger slowly surfacing feeling his instincts coming to light, but he restrains