~*~

SIX MONTHS LATER 

Spring gradually begins to grow warm, the summer weather begins to heat up gradually..........

It didn't prevent me from training, nor didn't stop anyone from pursuing their very own missions. Carnage built up though over time due to the land festering with more demons continued, and I slowly began to head back out on the field again. Step by step I began to gradually go from small missions, to very challenging ones. My body still recovering physically and mentally still took time, but by now I now understand if I strained myself I would only fall again. 

Even watching over young Tokito, it made my heart ache to see himself straining his own body because he blames himself over what happened. Even revenge was only on his mind...

I could never know what's on his mind.......

Lady Amane treated my wounds four times a week, and in between those breaks I've meditated myself to relax my mind. Being treated to hot stone massages, and I even gone to the Sword-smith village to soak in the hot springs. I still feel bad that the kakushi either has to carry or guide us, with a mask over our eyes to secure the safety of the village. Despite how much they do for us, I only wish to do something to repay them.

She's also given many remedies, and even gave me gentle exercises for my body specifically which has helped with my ribs.

Even by watching young Tokito train his body, I took note of how he trains himself. How his technique was different, and more fast and steady. He's even taken the final selection has come up on top, which didn't surprise me. I was confident in his own skills, and he even was promoted to Hashira within two months at the age of twelve. It was amazing to see his progression since Lady Amane took him in. 

He's gone through hell and back, and it made me very proud of him. 

Even Shinobu managed to be promoted to Hashira at sixteen, and she even took over the mansion officially along with a new butterfly girl aiding her by the name Aoi. She was brought in, after she passed the final selection with Muichiro, but her body wasn't exactly built for combat or fighting. That's what I've been told at least.

However I was glad that we were having more Hashira being welcomed in, because the level of demons were increasing the days.

Then I've moved back into the butterfly mansion once I've regained enough strength, and now I've fully disciplined my body and mind and soul to progress alone. 

~*~

Walking through town to stretch my legs from training consistently, I gaze over the stalls that were set up in the centre of the street. My mind was spacing out, gradually finding myself back a few weeks ago about Sanemi. Lately I've noticed the way we've been to each other, but at least he wasn't oblivious about as well or I would feel awkward. 

Due to these feelings stirring within myself, I even felt scared to feel this again. Yet, it was a different kind of love......compared to what my mother gave me.

Glancing over the smell of warm meat buns catches my nose, as I found myself quite hungry after many missions. When was the last time I've eaten? I can't even remember, and I'm feeling rather faint which was concerning. "Geez, I must be getting more careless......." muttering to myself, I direct myself towards the stall and saw a short chubby man serving a customer.

Waiting patiently I found myself falling in a daze, finding myself fading in and out of reality.

Is this just because I haven't eaten? 

"What can I do for you miss?" A raspy voice calls, knocking me out of own thoughts. His smile was genuine while waiting for me to reply, as I glance over the different kinds of buns.

Tapping my chin I point to my choice, "Just three pork buns please?" while drawing some yen from my pocket.

"Three pork it is, coming right up!" He smiles, before grabbing a small paper bag and placed three pork buns inside. Taking the yen, he passed me my order and gives me change. "You take care, will ya...?"

Surprised, I gave him a gentle smile and bow before making my way down to find a place to sit down. 

"Wonder what Sanemi is doing?" Murmuring to myself, wishing to have lunch with him preferably than eat awkwardly by myself. I've noticed that I'm more anxious around heavy crowds of people when alone, than with him. He made my anxiety go away, feeling his company filling that void and securing me in his hold. Even lady Amane noticed I've gotten more anxious, and more on edge since my sleepless nights.

"WATCH OUT!!!!!"

Suddenly about to turn a corner I felt something hard collide into me, before noticing something flying. Not even fazed from the collision, I managed to quickly catch my food and the persons tray of dangos that scatters in the air. Swiftly I caught eevry single dango on the tray, before it could fall quickly. Breathing with relief, I turn to the person only to be caught off guard at the woman before me.

"Are you alright, miss.....?" I ask softly, while lowering the tray towards her. 

Her eyes were wide in surprise, "You just....you caught all those so fast!!!!!" She exclaims, in shock. Her green eyes were so vividly bright, with rosy warm cheeks dusting them as it compliments the beautiful gradation of rosy pink to a lime greenish colour at the tips. Taking in her appearance, she was rather quite a catch and she stood out rather beautifully. "How? Are you a ninja?! Wow!!!!!"

Her voice was rather bubbly and bright, and she was rather a robust of a woman.

Flustered by her sudden compliment I smile sheepishly, "I'm just regular woman," I assure her, wanting to keep my secret life as a swordsman and slayer. Due to the Demon Slayer Corps being a secret and discreet of an organisation, I couldn't allow myself to tell her such information for her safety and others. "Just studying the arts of our ancestors.....back when it was around...."

"Wow, and your hair is so beautiful!!!!" She exclaims, nearing closer with a glowing face filled with admiration. "It's like a beautiful deep sea green, and the white frost tips are so elegant and beautiful! I'm not the only one with crazy hair right?"

Hold up.......That last question sounded rather desperate, and the way there was a deep sadness hanging in the air, when she asked me that very question. 

I wonder.........

"Well, it's genetic actually........" I reply softly, with a warm smile. ".......anyway, I'm sorry if I wasn't loo--"

She grasps my hands as her eyes widen, "Actually may I ask, if you would like to have lunch with me?! I'm actually meeting with my mentor today for lunch, so I was.......wondering if you want to join! An apology for rushing into you like that, me being such a clutz---" she pauses, before covering her mouth with one hand. "I'm sorry! I must be holding you back, you must be meeting someone or busy! I'm so sorry--"

I raise my hand to stop her, "Take a deep breath, or you'll lose focus....." I chuckle warmly. ".....that actually sounds nice, I'm just about to have lunch alone. Some company sounds good to be honest, I've been cooped up for a while..."

Her eyes light up and smiles wildly, "Great! Follow me!"

~*~

We soon arrive to a small park in the town near a shrine, she walks up to someone, as she sits down on the seat beside a man. My eyes slowly widen in surprise, taking in his appearance slowly, "Wait........you seem rather familiar....." my brows pinching together, as the name Rengoku rolls the tip of my tongue.

His vibrant golden hair and red tips were like wild flames, and his eyes were bright and filled with such a hopeful expression, "Do I now?! Kanroji, who is this woman you've brought with you today?" his voice was loud, and more surprisingly filled with a warmth. His posture was more straight, and his smile remains on his face.

This isn't Shinjuro Rengoku.........this must be his son.....

"Right! Sorry, this is......uh...." The woman  sweat drops for a moment, before rushing over to me. She leans to my ear, "What's your name miss?" before pulling away as I smile warmly.

Clearing my throat, "I'm Hayami Mizutsuki, it's a pleasure to meet you both....." bowing politely, before noticing a slight recognition flickers behind Rengoku's eyes. 

"I'm Mitsuri Kanroji," The bubbly woman introduces herself. "This is Kyojuro Rengoku, my mentor! Well, he's only been training me for about a month......"

Rengoku gestures for me to take a seat in front of them, as I take the invitation to not be rude or inconsiderate of Mitsuri's generosity.

"It's nice to hear a familiar name, Mizutsuki you said right?" His voice was loud, and more formal than anyone I've known. "So what owes the pleasure of you joining us, so I understand correctly?" he holds his bento box on his lap.

Mitsuri gasps and slaps her cheeks in annoyance, "That's right, sorry.......I accidentally bumped into her thinking I would ruin her lunch these delicious dango," She begun frantically, her hands waving around nervously. "But she was like 'boom!' and swoosh and wham and she caught it all" making gestures, before realising me and Rengoku's odd expressions. "Oh my gosh! I'm sorry! Sorry!!! I meant she had fast reflexes and saved my precious dango! I had to owe her something!!!"

There was an awkward pause for a moment, before Rengoku began bursting into laughter which was loud and boisterous. 

"My...........seems she left an impression," he smiles widely, and opens his bento. He picks up his onigiri. "However........your family name is rather, familiar. Quite a powerful family in regards to wealth.........but rather secretive based on their occupation. From the Setagaya mountains, I assume they resigned there........."

"Wow! You know alot about that, huh?" Mitsuri was in awe, by his simple knowledge of my family.

Surprised by his assumption, I soon gave him much credit for even remembering an old family that's now been wiped from existence. It left a warm feeling in my chest, knowing that they're not forgotten at least.

"That's correct, my father was the former chief," I reply, as I take a bite of my pork bun. "They were........"

"Demons, I'm well aware of their existence," He spoke up; feeling a sudden weight lift from my shoulders. "I'm training as a Demon Slayer........Kanroji too, but don't worry when we become strong.....you'll have nothing to fear."

Should I tell them? 

I mean they're no strangers to the world of Demons and Demon Slayers.....

My eyes lift up, "What rank are you, Rengoku?" I ask softly.

"Kinoe, I've been training for some time now!" He replies, rather proudly. Taking a bite of his food, he hums in satisfaction. "Tasty!" 

"I'm Mizunoto," Mitsuri replies, with a shy and embarrassed smile. She holds her tray of dango carefully on her lap, "I've been only starting this not long ago, so I'm not that all good yet...."

"I see....we all have to start somewhere," I reassure her, with an encouraging smile.

Ranks never really mattered to me, especially seem I'm the highest with the rest of the Hashira's within the Demon Slayer Corps. Slowly I've been trying to convince myself that I serve the title, after years of blood sweat tears of training my body. Even still now, I'm still pushing my body to it's limits and potential. However looking at Mitsuri, and how much she's eating......she must have a fast metabolism which I quite envy.

I'm more thicker than her, especially around my waist and body type.......and I barely ate enough to nourish myself. I've been too scared to eat enough.......

"Rengoku........your father would be Shinjuro, would it?" I shift the topic, turning to Rengoku who was devouring his lunch. Taking a bite of my own pork bun, his owl like eyes brighten up. "He was a Hashira....."

"Ahh.....so you know of my father?" He lowers his bento to his lap, and smiles with a nod. "Well you're certainly right, but.........as you said he 'was' a Hashira.......he's retired.........so how do you know of him? Is it because he's a Hashira? Or because you saw him around?"

My lips part a few times, but no words leave my mouth, wondering how to tell him that I'm a Hashira myself. I wasn't exactly confident in my status yet....

Hesitantly I smile, "Just seen him around, I mean......you're family seems to have a strong genetic with your hair colour," I gesture to his golden and reddish hue tips, of his thick hair. He seemed rather the most opposite of his own father, or maybe partial of what I've seen in Shinjuro. 

I knew only half of the story in Shinjuro's reasoning for his absence, and now further more....his own retirement. 

"Well you must be a slayer, I assume....." Rengoku spoke confidently, with assumption. "....a powerful family name, your hair rather unique and I sense quite much strength from your gentle aura..........you must be quite the swordswoman! Kanroji doesn't hold much confidence in her abilities quite yet, so maybe you two could get along! I mean......you seem to be mature, I assume?"

"Hmm? Well, I'm only seventeen years old......eighteen this year," I reply softly, as Mitsuri claps her hands with a bright expression on her face.

"I'm sixteen turning seventeen!" She exclaims, as she grasps my hands with an enthusiastic giggle. "That's amazing! Wait, which month?"

Chuckling softly, "September....."

"Wow!!!!" She says, with a shock look while waving her hands with a sheepish look. "You look much older-- I mean, in a good way.....I just--!"

"Kanroji......maybe tune it down just a bit," Rengoku laughs, with his arms folded while watching his pink haired student. He shifts slightly turning to her, as I study him more noticing his small mannerisms. He's the exact opposite of his own father, that it's hard to even believe. "She seems surprised just as you, which is nice to know now....."

Mitsuri suddenly taps her cheeks and nods, "Right, I apologise.........I haven't made many friends lately, so......sometimes I forget how to tone it down. I get excited....." she bows politely, before sitting back down on the seat. She resumes eating her dango, seeing how she enjoys her sweets a lot and I mean.....a lot.

Even just sensing Rengoku's presence now, that I am still and finally my adrenaline has neutralised since my intense training session this morning, he's strong. If he's Kinoe, that means his next step is to be Hashira. We need more anyway due to losing many in the past, according to Himejima and Tengen. We've lost so much and that's why I'm trying to work myself to my limit, so the hashira's can end the tyranny of Kibutsuji. Which means ending my own father.

Finally after a little bit more time of eating, and getting to know the duo; the evening has flown by quickly. 

"Well, thank you for having me have lunch with you both," I stood up, bowing in appreciation. "It's nice to be acquainted, and it's coincidence that both our father's once knew each other.....who knew? It's a small world, when we're slayers....."

"Yes, you're quite right!" Rengoku agrees, with a bright expression. He looks up to me and gives me his charming smile, "I hope we meet again, it was a pleasure to have met you Mizutsuki. You're quite the woman yourself, you must have quite the suitors too, I assume......"

"Well obviously Rengoku, she's gorgeous!!!!" Mitsuri exclaims, while nudging him to state her own facts while I stood there stunned.

When was the last time I've been complimented? I can't even remember.......

Warmth spreads across my cheeks in response, "Well um......thank you, and no....no suitors," I reply, correcting him quickly. "I'm not really anything....."

Rengoku shook his head, "I'm sorry if it seems rather bold, or even pushing my boundaries," he apologises, before he stood up towering me for a moment. His expression softens, "But have confidence in yourself, you live once.......and a woman's beauty lasts for a long time......so enjoy it to the fullest I would say. Regardless, everyone is unique in their own special way.........that's what I believe anyway...."

It felt somehow refreshing to hear such words, that it left my heart feeling warm........

"Thank you Rengoku........and it was nice to meet you both," I bow politely, before taking my leave. 

"WAIT!!!!!" Her voice was high pitch, before suddenly she hugs me tightly. Suddenly I felt my body being lifted for a moment; alarmed I was from her incredible strength in the hug and gesture I was taken back. 

"Oops, sorry," Mitsuri places me back down, and pats my Yukata down and straightens my collar perfectly with a sheepish smile. "Can we......see each other again, sometime? I would love to learn some techniques somedays.........?"

Smiling warmly I close my eyes, "Sure, sounds nice,"

~*~

BUTTERFLY MANSION

Approaching the mansion after a long peaceful walk, I felt kind of rather warm inside by that conversation. Though Mitsuri was rather quite the energetic type, it was nice to see that kind of different light. Rengoku on the other hand, was more well disciplined and firm with his own beliefs and desires when it comes to being a slayer and to life in general. He must've had a very caring mother, if he has become a man like that. 

Wish my own brother turned out more like him, but I guess it was the circumstances that changed the way my brother viewed me.

"Oi! There you are!" A familiar voice calls; lifting my gaze to see him.

"Sanemi......wasn't expecting you this late in the afternoon," I spoke up, while approaching him noticing he was in uniform again. "On a mission again?"

"Actually you're assigned on a mission with me, tonight," He informs me, sternly. His hands then cup my face gently, as he study's me all over and even checks my arms and palms. His fingers trail over the callouses over my fingertips and palms, "Are you alright to accompany tonight? No injuries from training?"

Chuckling in response, "I'm fine.....and no, no injuries....." assuring him with a more lifting voice, and squeezes his hands with confidence. "I'm rather feeling rather strenuous today........so please stop worrying about me every time you ask me to accompany you. Even if I am, I still need to go anyway.......it's my duty,"

He was hesitant and squeezes my hand gently, as a comfortable silence whispers between us.

 Sanemi for a moment parts his lips a few times, "Hey, um........so I've noticed you've returned to the butterfly mansion," he spoke up, averting his eyes from mine with a nervous look on his face. "So you're not living in your brother's estate?"

Shaking my head, "No, it's too much to handle moving back in," I honestly admit, feeling his hands grip mine and tugs me closer. "I'm just going with the flow at this point, but you know how it is? I don't have much, so it's easier for me to move around....."

His pale violet eyes rest on mine for a moment, "Right, and you're okay with that?"

"Hmmm?" blinking a few times, I noticed hesitance lacing in his tone. "Well, yeah.........for now at least. Besides, Kocho has given me a permanent room in case I have no where else to go. It's a relief she's gracious, cause sometimes I wonder if I am even a bother to her at this point,"

He grimaces, "You're not a damn bother," he murmurs, pulling me into his arms and suddenly held me into him. His face buries into the crook of my neck, while feeling my heart to slowly pick up from his