~*~

IN THE MOUNTAINS ~ (Hayami's Pov:)

It didn't take much for me to annihilate the beast......

It's body was slowly turned to ash at my feet, while blood drawls from every deep wound that was gouged into my flesh. It was a hungry and angry bear, that only craved the blood of humans and humans only. From the myths and stories, I would assume it would target the livestock and yet they were unharmed in the small barn nearby. Taking slow deep breaths in and out, I used to total concentration to steady my body and prevent further blood loss. 

Though being a Hashira and being capable to kill demons, without a wound being laid upon me; I somehow managed to be scathed by a bear.

"Well........that's that......" I murmur, swiping the excess blood off my blade and drew it back into the scabbard. Everything seemed to calm down for a second, only to get a strange sensation of something watching me from behind. It felt stronger than before, as the hairs on my neck and arms stand up. My hand discreetly reaches back down to my blade, holding my breath while keeping myself on guard. The suspense was building so tightly, that I felt this uneasiness feeling in my stomach.

With the sound of a twigs snapping, I swiftly draw my blade out turning around to attack the jaws of a large beast only to feel the air forcefully stop from the brunt attack.

With how close it was struggling under it's massive body, my body hits the ground forcefully knocking the air from my lungs. Holding my blade between it's giant jaws, feeling it's saliva dripping with a mix of rotting flesh stuck between it's sharp teeth. Grimacing while struggling under it's heavy weight, my the sharp edge that was facing towards the jaws slowly wedges into the flesh. It begins to growl and huff in response, as my limbs were trembling and shaking while mustering my own strength. 

"Ahhh........dammit...." I utter out, beneath my own hot breath.

The giant bear was even bigger than the previous one I killed, which I'm assuming this one was the one who massacred the home first. The last bear only smelt the blood, seen it was a demon bear itself reacting to blood naturally. While struggling under it's strength, I lift my knees to my chest to gather momentum and angled my feet and aimed towards the blunt of the blade.

Driving my sword into the jaws of the beast deeper, it weakened the grip it had on me as I swiftly rolled out of the way. 

It chuffs in response before a deep bellow rumbles, as it stood on it's hind legs rising to it's full height at about fourteen foot which was two feet taller than the last one. It's fur matted as before, but arrows were embedded and no scar wounds on it due to regeneration. He was pissed off by his threatening sounds, like an average bear would when threatened and aggressive. My blade was in it's jaws which left me at a disadvantage, while facing a giant bear on my own. Glancing around quickly for anything sharp, it charges towards me without thought. 

Jumping to the side to dodge the beast, I hoist myself onto it's back and locked my legs tightly around it's throat. 

Despite it's throat being thicker and harder to locks around, I grab my blade and drew it out from it's mouth, wounding it in the process with blood dripping from it's giant teeth. Thrashing about with me on top of it's necks from behind, I plunge my blade at the nape of the neck and scruff. My muscles tighten while using my strength to deepen the wound, causing it to let out a thundering roar. Twisting my blade I heard a crack, but I knew it wasn't enough.

Withdrawing my blade I jump away from the bear, while staring down the murderous bloodthirsty demon bear.

"I need to wrap this up.........." I murmur to myself, whilst inhaling and exhaling slowly to perform my next breathing technique. 

However the demon bear comes charging towards me again with it's unhinged jaws, it's teeth larger and it's hair was standing up more with a ferocious approach. Not being able to perform one of my breathing techniques to lock on, I dodge the attack before skidding across the dirt to turn sharply behind it. The neck is thicker, and it's vital points won't work which means I either need to go up close with my attack or perform a stronger breathing form from a distance.

It's chuffing and bellowing sounds were terrifying, and unpredictable knowing it wasn't an ordinary bear.

Rain began to pour down heavier than before, soaking me to the bone while keeping my distance. Puddles form larger beneath our feet and it's heavier weight, staring each other down while keeping my breath steady and composed. My adrenaline running through my veins, and my muscles ache slightly from earlier under it's powerful strength. Finally there I saw an opening, a point locking in range from where I stood.

My fingertips brush along my handle gripping it subtly, "Dragon breathing.....Third Form: Dragon's eye slash......." I utter breath my breath, inhaling through my teeth.

Pushing off from my spot I disappear from sight and appear before the bear, surprising it with my immense speed slashing across the throat instantly. Clean and precise, before jumping back with lightness in my feet to give us distance. The demonic bear's golden and red hue eyes glower upon me, before it's head slides off it's shoulders with heavy thump to the ground. Guiding my blade back with my thumb into the scabbard, my jaw clenches in response to the damage it's done.

Seems I might scope the area, before descending the mountain....

~*~

"Easy with her.........she's lost alot of blood...."

The kakushi have arrived but only a few, due to how dangerous the mountains are right now at night. The rest of the kakushi were on standby at the bottom in case, so their top priority is to tend to the middle aged woman quickly. Glancing over to the dragging marks through the forest, I found myself following the distressful tracks. Water filled the tracks up, but thankfully I could see clearly.

Leading further and further from the old house behind, the tracks soon lead to a large cave that was inside the mountain itself. Suddenly the wind changes following with a heavy stench of rotten flesh and blood, which I was all too familiar when on missions. Stepping closer to analyse the inside, bones were lying all over and even fresh corpses laid lifeless. Something soon crunches beneath my foot only to be bone, when a high pitch gasp and whimper follows the echo of the cave.

My eyes widen slightly turning my attention to the distressed sound, and followed before finding a small dark figure in the black cave. 

"You're alright..........." I spoke soothingly, with a quiet undertone.

Slowly approaching the young woman judging by her higher pitch gasp, and her figure. She was terrified, her body trembling. Finally kneeling before her I carefully take her hand, and held it close to my chest, "Easy..........easy, it's dead," I assure her softly. "Your mother is alive and well, but she will be under good care......."

Her eyes flicker up with relief in her eyes, "R-Really....?"

Nodding in response I help her stand up, only to find that she had a limp to her steps. Even blood draws from a deep wound beneath where her torso is, as I kneel down to her kimono and looked up, "May I rip the bottom of this?" I ask her.

She was confused, "S-Sure?"

Tearing her kimono at the bottom, I immediately apply it around her torso to prevent further bleeding as well. Judging by her age, she must be at least sixteen or fifteen which is very young experiencing something so terrifying. Finally getting her to slowly follow me out of the entrance of the cave, I noticed another area of bodies. Letting her know I'm checking on something, I swiftly walk over to find more fresh bodies laying there.

"It's Demon Slayer corps members......" I mutter out, as my brows furrow with a darken frown. ".....why hasn't this demon been reported?"

"M-Miss....?"

Raising my hand to silence her, my eyes keenly look around the cave before finally falling upon a pair of golden eyes peering through the darkness. The cold eery wind blows inside the cave, as my jaw clamps tightly. The distance between the young girl and I were a few metres or so, as I subtly keep my focus on the demon in the darkness. His eyes focused on my own, feeling this strong familiar presence I couldn't place. Realising the sunlight slowly tracing towards the centre of the cave, the eyes soon disappear into nothingness. Releasing my breath that I didn't realise I held in, the young girl was petrified and scared.

Licking my dry lips with a shaky exhale, "It's okay.......it's gone," I assure her, referring to the sunlight finally making itself known outside.

Turning back to the demon slayer corp members, I bend down to check each one of them to see if they're either breathing or have passed. Sadly one has passed and the other remaining four were fatally injured, as I bend down lifting each one over my shoulders. Bending down with my strength I pick up another slayer under my arm, noticing the young girl's eyes wide and her gaped mouth in shock.

"H-How....?" She utters out.

Walking towards the entrance, I glance over my shoulder one more time to see if the pair of eyes were there. It wasn't there. Without wasting another second, I turn back around keeping my body strong and balanced as I carried all five slayers down the mountain. My arms strain against the heavy weight, but I control my breathing to help alleviate the weight. Finally after what seemed twenty minutes, we arrived to the bottom where the Kakushi were waiting for us. The girl immediately rushes towards her mother the moment she saw her, before other Kakushi come rushing towards me.

"Lady Mizutsuki, please don't over exert yourself like this!"

"Here let us help!"

"She's amazing, so strong!"

Gently lowering each corp member to the ground with care, I held the body of the member who was mostly mauled compared to the others. Her flesh was tore to the bone and muscle tissue, blood dry and fresh at the same time, and the smell wasn't pleasant. Closing both eyes to allow them to rest peacefully, a Kakushi comes over and helps me lower the young woman down on the stretcher. My frustration and anger was held back, by many question as to why this place wasn't reported.

"Lady Mizutsuki!" A kakushi calls in distress, causing me to stand back up to give them my undivided attention. "We found something!"

~*~

"You're saying.........three crow carcass' were discovered...?"

The kakushi nods, "Yes, when we were carrying the deceased people from the house, we found outside three crows half buried beneath the soil....." He explains. ".....however I heard the middle aged woman utter out before, mid consciousness to make sure the crows were buried."

Piecing that information for a moment, things began to become twisted than I originally planned to annihilate this mission.

Judging by this it seems by how close the cave was, it was the bears habitat before being turned into demons. The house was so close to where the cave was, my question is how these people have survived long than they should have. What's more interesting, is the fact the woman mentioned burying three of our corps crows, I assume from relaying reports. Does this mean, they either made a deal with a demon? Or did a deal been broken, leading to the sudden deaths of the family?

Even that demon that had that familiar presence before, may have something to do with this as well.

"Right, well--"

"~Caw~Message for Lady Mizutsuki~Caw~" Nami announces. "~Caw~Report in, report in~Caw"

Taking this as my chance to continue on, I glance at the young daughter and her half-conscious mother on the stretcher. My jaw was clenched tightly, frustrated that I couldn't have saved the rest of the family from the preying jaws of the demons. Adjusting my blade and Haori to cover up any noticeable new wounds, I take my leave earning respectful bows from the kakushi. 

~*~

THAT AFTERNOON ~ AT THE DRAGON ESTATE

Sweat glistens down my temple; my breath short and sharp.....

After reporting in I couldn't sit down and recover, despite my few wounds and the frustration gnawing me to the bone. Swinging my wooden blade with unnecessary strength, left my muscles straining and burning with every movement I made. Every strike I made, my head recalls the horrifying encounter with the two demon bears I've faced. The way their jaws were widen til unhinged, fur so matted and rotten, skin so tough and thick hardly a simple blade could pierce through.

It was unlike anything I've seen, a wall I could tear down easily.......

Coming to a halt in my movements, "Those eyes..........." I murmur, under my hot breath. Beads of sweat roll down beneath my messy bangs; the tightening sensation burning inside my chest hotter than before. "..........it's like I've seen them before, but........"

Chewing the inside of my cheek in deep thought, wiping the sweat with my fist against my temple before taking a deep breath in and then out.

"You look like you need to cool off," A deep soothing voice spoke, breaking me out of my own thoughts. Glancing over my shoulder Sanemi approaches me, before passing me a towel and bamboo spout of water. "You seem a bit on edge.......and you haven't cleaned yourself since your mission either....."

With a subtle pout, I reluctantly give in knowing he'll nag me if I wouldn't.

~*~

"Seriously......a demon bear, now I've heard everything,"

He sat behind me in the tub of water, as he scrubs my back delicately getting the grime and sweat off me. Leaning into him he continues to wash carefully over a few of my wounds, while the other hand held me delicately. The steam fills the bathhouse, that it was hazy following with a cozy feeling.

"Right now, the widow is under surgery at the butterfly mansion," I continue, my eyes glance slightly to meet his. "She'll be under investigation of the death of the three crows, seen the house was searched.......finding out her husband and son was a hunter, as some of the kakushi found hunting gear."

"Seriously, tch......what a pain....."

Humming in agreement, "All I'm grateful for, is the young girl is safe.........." I murmur, while fully leaning against his chest. Snug in his arms, he soon stops what he was doing and holds me in his arms. ".........she's brave facing a demon bear, even surviving.......I'm glad I didn't stall too long."

"You did what you could, and every mission......." he trails off, with a heavy sigh. "......we can't all save everyone, but we do what we can. Anyway let's get your wounds treated, before it gets infected....alright baby?"

He kisses my cheek softly, before standing up and lending me a hand to stand up.

"M'kay..."

~*~

TWO DAYS LATER ~ IN THE DOJO

"That's it.......keep your back strong and focus on your core,"

Watching Kaito balancing himself in a position, which was the stance of the dragon which was challenging when using unused muscles. He held his hands out, his eyes held a sense of calmness while carrying out this stance. Without the haori, I could see the way his biceps and forearms tense or release.

"When wielding the blade, your body is the heart of the dragon," I inform him, while straightening and shifting his limbs and legs to a comfy rest. "Your sword is your jaws and claws, your eyes keeps your steady, your breathing is what helps channel everything to that attack......it may be an idiom but it works."

Sweat glistens down his temple, "Y-You seem to know alot....." he blows a strand of hair, away from his eyes.

Chuckling softly, "Well, because my big bro--.....I mean it was something I've learned from my family, in a book......" I quickly change the topic, recalling my first days of training with my big brother.

It felt so long ago since he spoke about this, and now I've become the teacher and entrusting this technique to someone outside of my family. Though it was painful to remember, I wanted Kaito to learn the best of his abilities and understand the ways of the dragon. Memories from my past were so blurry, they were fading into nothingness. Even just trying to remember mother's face, it made me feel sick dwelling on it. 

"Um........right," Kaito replies, with uncertainty. "I know......I can't do it how you want, and I know I'm not mizutsuki blood--"

"Kaito," I firmly spoke, turning to him. My silver pierce into his own, "Many years ago, the breath of the Dragon could be wielded.......by anyone if they had the lung capacity. It didn't matter about by blood, or who was special..........but only those who put everything into this precious breathing technique I carry...."

"Wait.........so, it was a lie?" He asks, while in his stance.

Before I could speak I hear the front doors open, as I glance from afar to see two kakushi entering with permission granted by me from my earlier acknowledgement. Ensuring our conversation will continue, I head on over to meet with the kakushi to see  their hard expressions about the woman.

The one with vermillion eyes meet my own, "Lady Mizutsuki, the woman has admitted her crime......." she informs me, passing me a crisp letter in hand.

Taking the letter I pull it out and unfolded the crisp letter, as my eyes scan across with most of the story I assumed was aligned with the widows story. Though it costed a few of our beloved crows, and one of our kakushi dead, in my heart the woman was suffering with her own family as well. It seems she was threatened by a demon, that looked like half man, half dragon. With the safety of her family, she would send in lower rank slayers to the caves and kill the crows. All for the demon bears to remain inside and away from the family, but a promise broke when the woman fell into guilt. It ate away at her, and she refused to kill innocent lives. 

Whether it was murder or not, she was only doing it for the safety of her family.

"Damn those demons, always bribes or unhopeful promises......" I growl beneath my breath, before folding the letter back. My eyes flicker to both the kakushi, ".....and the daughter? Is she well?"

The nod, "Yes, but.........I'm afraid she's developed some traumatic disorder," the male kakushi replies, with a grave tone. "She refuses to eat, but Lady Kocho has been helping her......so we'll keep you updated if you wish?"

Nodding, "Please do.....you may take your leave,"

"Yes Ma'am!" They both bow, before heading to the front gates and closed behind them, while I stood there staring at the letter. My brows furrowed with a troubled gaze, jaw clenched and tight in deep thought. 

Half man, half dragon..........it must be him. It must be Kuragari, my father that I saw at the last second.....

Shaking myself out of my thoughts I head back to the Dojo, trying to focus on training Kaito and testing his abilities. He always tends to go the extra mile, without my own instruction or demand as well which was admirable. I wonder...........

What was it like in the Sengoku period, when they trained.....?

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Hey guys!

Thanks for reading! Now I would like some thoughts for the next chapter or two, and that is if anyone would like a story from the past in the Sengoku