~*~

AT THE TRAINING GROUNDS

"You've grown stronger, Lady Mizutsuki,"

Iwamoto the Stone hashira comments with a gentle smile, while watching her spar against Enjuro Rengoku. She was more focused on sparring, but she gives the stone Hashira a gentle nod of acknowledgement. She tried to distract herself, not wanting to focus on the wedding that is coming closer and closer. She dwelled on it so much, it was eating her up. Her strikes became more aggressive but swifter, her precision sharper and body emanating a different kind of energy the more anger she felt.

"Wow, you're really not holding back," Enjuro commented, with a big smile of excitement. He angles his blade in hand, before he begins to match her strength. His fiery red and yellow hair flows in the wind, as the Autumn leaves flow in the breeze that glides with their fluid attack and counter attacks.

Ryujin began to grow faster in her attacks, that her movements began to weave around like a real dragon. Her wooden sword jabbing towards him, as Enjuro dodged it on time. 

"Lady Mizutsuki, I think you should stop," Iwamoto spoke up, with a firm tone. She was too in the zone to hear him, while Enjuro was keeping up just about to her strength. "My lady!"

"She's not stopping!!!"

"My lady, please?!" Iwamoto repeated again, about to step forward when a hand stops him.

 There Yoriichi stood with a calm expression, "Let's see how she goes, under that mindset," He spoke up, with a gentle tone. "You probably know she's troubled, so it's best she wears herself out than letting her shout her anger."

Hayate and Iwamoto exchanged glances, before turning back upon the sparring match between the Flame Hashira and Dragon Tsugoku. 

He knew her well about what was happening, finding out about her arranged marriage. He knew she had no choice, which he empathised with her. Yoriichi already knew about her love for Hayate, so he wanted her to let it out. 

Yusuke the Water hashira was quietly amused by it all, as he held his usual calm expression upon the sparring session.

Yusuke tilted his chin up, "Interesting, it's amazing to see that her body adjusted to Dragon breathing," he murmured, blatantly. "Which form was Dragon breathing derived from, Lord Yoriichi?"

The young swordsman kept his gaze upon the woman, "Between Water and Wind........it's rather hard to say, but it's force and pull......"

"Hmmmm......."

~*~

"I'm sorry........I overdid it,"

Yoriichi shook his head with a hum, "No, don't apologise......." he assured her, while the two were sat under the shade near the riverside. "......you had every right to go all out, and Lord Rengoku followed your movements. He even enjoyed it....."

She gripped the hem of her sleeve, while she chewed the inside of her cheek feeling her chest tighten. She kept dwelling on the events tomorrow, that she felt sick to the core.

"I......I can't do it," She uttered out, with a slight crack in her voice. Tears threatened to spill, "I have to marry a man I barely know, when my heart belongs to someone else. I don't care about status, I don't care if Hayate is short tempered and angry....because I've loved him for so long. I just feel.......adhered with him, I can't give myself to someone else......"

Yoriichi's eyes remained on her exhausted slouched form, "I understand..........having to leave someone you loved, but know this......." He took her hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze. "....I care about you, and that's hard to admit for me. Like a younger sister, and it pains me to know the hardships you've been through......"

She sighed heavily, "So, I just have to do my duties.........leave Hayate behind and marry a stranger," She rhetorically spoke to herself, before she clenched her teeth tightly. "How do I tell him? How do I tell him that I'm getting married in two days, and that I can no longer view him as a lover?"

"Why don't you tell him, yourself?" Yoriichi spoke gently, before standing up when Hayate approached the two. 

The two men exchanged looks, before Yoriichi placed a hand on his shoulder with a nod of encouragement, leaving the two alone.

Silence fell upon the two young lovers, as Ryujin couldn't even look him in the eye. She held her head down hiding away her teary eyes, swallowing thickly in response. Soon Hayate knelt down on one knee before her and cupped her face, wiping away her tears. His eyes gazed into his glossy eyes, as he chuckled softly. "You're a dumbass......ya know that?" He smirked, flicking her temple earning a pout from her. His gaze softened, "I heard everything ya know......."

"Did you hear enough?" She asked, embarrassed while scratching her cheek.

He hummed softly with a dark look in his eyes, "It's bullshit........but, it's your duty," He spoke up, his voice filled with bitterness. He hated the fact she was constrained by her own father, and the clans duties to continue on the lineage. "It's my fault for not being born in a family with wealth, it's my fault that even though I'm damn strong........I will only get you hurt--"

"Please......please don't blame yourself," Ryujin shook her head, with tears slowly welling up. "It's my fault that I can't escape this endless cycle, I really do love you Hayate........I really do and yet...."

His hand brushed up to cradle her face and his thumb grazing her bottom lip, "......maybe, maybe in another life........we both either might be reincarnated, or somehow......" he trailed off, his jaw clenched so tightly along with his voice straining. "....we will be together, and I will do everything in my power to have you. So please.......today, I wish.....to spend every bit of time with you as I can."

"Hayate....." She whispered, with desperation. 

She wanted to run away, she wanted to take his hand live far away and live a life with Hayate til their dying days. 

"May I.......kiss you?" He whispered; his calloused thumb traced small soothing circles over her cheekbones.

Her cheeks flushed registering his request, before she nodded, "You may......."

Drawing her face closer to his own he tilts his head, as their eyes fluttered shut closing the gap slowly and tenderly. Their lips slowly move in sync after trying to figure that rhythm together, as she sinks into his touch and warmth. The warmth of the sun setting in the landscape creating a warming scenery, as the autumn leaves flow in the breeze around them. They both knew they should stop, but she was afraid the moment they do she would lose him forever.

"In another life........"

~*~

TWO YEARS LATER ~ AT THE MIZUTSUKI RESIDENCE

"Mama........"

Ryujin smiled tenderly at her one and a half year old boy, seeing him finally getting used to his small steps the more he grew. He was like a spitting image of herself compared to her husband, but he did have her husbands caring nature which was different to the other suitors she had once. He was always wanting to help and aid her as much as possible, and respected her boundaries which was hard to find in families such like his.

"You're doing well, my baby boy," She cooed softly; with maternal care.

During the course of two years she continued to train, but instead of overexerting her pregnant body she used a dragon dance. Her movements fluid and graceful, that it provided her energy and good luck for her pregnancy and as a Samurai. Though even after the birth of her son, she continued to train her body despite how weary she was. She wanted to continue being strong, not allowing pregnancy to make her waver before the men in her clan. 

She didn't want to be just viewed as a reproduction tool, but now the Chieftess of the Mizutsuki clan.

Even after the death of her father when he fell prey to Muzan Kibutsuji, she wasn't sure if she was relieved or depressed. The fact the king of all Demons had slaughtered her father in cold blood so easily. Even so she never showed her true emotions at his funeral, but yet she visited his grave two a year to at least ease her soul for her mother at least. Knowing she only has her three younger sisters out there, made her relieved to know they're well and with their desired families.

However that isn't the case, during the last Autumn the second eldest fell pregnant and died at childbirth and the youngest was killed by a demon leaving only her second youngest. 

It was like a bad omen has creeped into the Mizutsuki clan's home, trying to cut all ties and end the bloodline. She took their deaths harder than her own father's, and paid her respects to the families they once were married into. None of them were able to bear children, and her remaining sister only became infertile. It provoked a nerve within Ryujin's heart, which has enraged her even further. 

She couldn't fathom how this has fallen upon her shoulders, like karma was out for her......

Even so she continued to remain tenacious and adamant, becoming stronger the more the days pass by. More so news spread across the clans that allied with the Ubuyashiki family, when her master's illness spread and passed away handing the role upon his young son. Ryujin was becoming more infuriated the more she loses people she cared about, but she kept doing her duties as a mother, the Dragon Hashira, a Wife and as the Chieftess. Even the slayers who have unlocked their markings by Yoriichi, have passed away around the age of twenty-five or slightly above. 

"Chieftess, there's been terrible news at the Ubuyashiki Residence!!!!!" A messenger bowed before Ryujin, with his hands flat on the floor in respect.

Ryujin's brows furrowed, "Is my presence needed?"

The messenger nodded, "Yes, my Lady.............it's Lord Yoriichi....."

Ryujin turned to her husband with a silent conversation, as her husband nodded lifting their daughter into his arms. "Don't worry, she'll be safe here....." he said; with a serious look in his eyes. ".....you go, I'll manage here....."

"Thankyou....."

~*~

AT THE UBUYASHIKI RESIDENCE

Things began to escalate the moment she stepped inside.........

Word had spread of the betrayal of a fellow swordsman, and the murder of the pervious master the hashira had. The person who willingly gave up their own humanity, was Michikatsu Tsugikuni who turned into a demon. However it seemed he behaved the previous master, in spite of handing his humanity into the hands of Muzan Kibutsuji. The king of demons. Ryujin was horrified by the news as her eyes fell upon the young master, who now is their new head of the Demon Slayer Corps.

The young six year old boy was so young, he didn't deserve to lose his father so young......

What's more Yoriichi was up against Muzan last night, only to fail in annihilating the Demon King to finally end the tyranny he had caused. Even so some of the slayers and Hashira were bickering amongst each other in what to do with Yoriichi, as his twin brother's actions held serious consequences upon himself. 

"Just leave this damn place!"

"Guys please, let's discuss this matter seriously!"

"Just commit seppuku, in place of your damned brother!"

"How dare you even show face here!"

Ryujin was growing enraged on the inside, but her face remains neutral while trying to not stir more distress upon the young master. The boy was already under the pressure of the opinionated slayers, that he was glancing upon Ryujin and then back upon the bickering men that didn't have a break. Ryujin glanced upon Enjuro Rengoku, seeing him trying to calm some of the slayers down. Suddenly a powerful clap echoes throughout the room, as all eyes fall upon Kazuyoshi who is normally a quiet and reserved monk.

"This matter is serious yes, but..........telling someone to kill themself?" He spoke up, with a stern tone. "This man has benefited us, and we should be grateful for his kind deeds. He saw potential, and we all worked on ourselves......"

"Then how will he take his brother's punishment?" A slayer questioned him.

"Banishment..........." Someone suggested, with a more mature and reserved tone. "......it's for the best, I don't........want to leave us for good. It's not an honourable death."

"Lady Ryuijin, what do you think?" One of the slayers spoke up, as her azure eyes pierced into his own. This caused a chill to run down his spine, as he gulped nervously in response. "N-Never mind........."

She sighed deeply and closed her eyes, "We just lost our master, and yet.........I can't afford to lose a friend--"

"This is not a sentimental conversation, you wen--" A slayer snapped, only to be cut off with a harsh punch to his jaw, from none other than Hayate. "Wh-what the hell!"

Hayate snarled, "Just shut the hell up, or do you wanna finish that sentence?"

"......."

"Tch, I thought so......and don't disrespect the Dragon Hashira," Hayate sneered, before he sat down on the floor in ill-manner way. He propped his elbow on his knee, and head resting the palm of his hand with his shoulders slouched. "All of this is bullshit, why does he have to take the full blame of it all?"

"What his brother did before becoming a demon," A slayer spoke up. "Was an act of betrayal, and he decapitated our former master! Yoriichi needs to take his brothers actions as his own responsibility, if his brother won't."

Slowly the meeting came to a close confirming Yoriichi's punishment, as he was banished from the Demon Slayer Corps. He wasn't allowed inside the residence, but the young master allowed some hashira to see Yoriichi as discreetly as they could. It was a sad day to discover what had happened behind our former master's death, only to be decapitated to a man that we once called a friend. He was now our enemy. It was unfathomable how Yoriichi was feeling, even in time of his own natural silence without retaliation. 

He was still a man I respected, and forever be a friend of mine.......even if the others frowned upon what happened to our former master.

~*~

AT THE MIZUTSUKI RESIDENCE

"Everything alright, my love?"

Ryujin sat at her desk feeling rather troubled and very overwhelmed, that she's forgotten how to relax or loosen herself. Her eyes fall upon her husband who was knelt before her, with their son on his lap babbling and tugging on his Yukata. 

"Yeah......just, political stuff......" she murmured, with a ragged sigh. 

Hotaru gazed upon his beautiful wife, "May I ask, was it about......that murder?" he assumed, with a serious but gentle tone. His index finger was wrapped up in their son's tiny little hair, as his eyes tenderly gaze upon him while speaking. "Please don't be troubled, what's been done has been done........all we can do is support the young master from now on."

She sighed heavily and nodded, "I know........but, Michikatsu only did this because......" she mulled over the thought, before shaking her hair and rakes her fingers through her hair. "I just tend to overthink, but.....he was a foolish man to make a deal with the devil. Even before his transformation, he killed our master in cold blood.......Yoriichi never deserved it."

"I agree with you, but please......" his steel blue eyes met hers, with a gentle tenderness. "......take care of yourself too, I'm worried you'll just waste your time on some matter that can't be undone."

She knew he was right, and even more so the fact the two were on the same page with most political or family issue. It was fascinating how she's managed to learn to love her husband, despite the circumstances the young couple were put through. Without her father around, the residence has become much breezier and at ease. Even though there were the elders of the family that frown upon many small disputes, she kept her head held up high.

"I appreciate your thoughts, I thank you....." She smiled warmly, and stood up and walked over to him. She knelt down before him and her son, as she caressed her sons chubby round cheek with a featherlight touch. ".........I will become a strong leader for this family, and protect the lands from demons......so our children''s children......live safely....."

Hotaru caressed his wife's cheek and kissed her temple, "You're such an angel......

Her cheeks grow warm in response, "You just make me feel validated...."

~*~

A YEAR LATER

The night was cold and eery.......

Ryujin walked through the thick forest and growth of trees, twisted and turned like a maze through and through. Her time to patrol was rather eventful, due to many demon sprouting and increasing more and more. A few hashira had fallen to their deaths so easily, but more slayers rose to help prevent the King to destroy all of mankind. Her hand gripped her blade feeling a familiar presence she knew all too well, as the cold air blows in her direction from where the presence was from. 

The stench of rotten flesh and blood overwhelming her senses, burning her nose with the putrid scent with a mix of something else.

"Something wrong, my lady?" A young slayer asked her; hand on his handle. His eyes met hers with a tilt to his head, with concern on his face. "My lady?"

Her brows pinched together following with silence, as her breath drew steadily in while preparing a breathing technique. Without warning a powerful gust blows past the two, but she managed to draw her blade in time to block the powerful attack. It sent her body digging her sandals into the dirt, before her eyes follows the dark shadow in the night. She glanced over to check on her comrade, seeing him recovering the powerful blow. Her head whipped around in time again countering the attack, as metal chimes like a striking chord. Her eyes flickered up to meet a pair of three eyes, recognising his face suddenly before anger surfaced. 

"Michikatsu!" She snapped angrily; her voice rumbling with deep fury. 

The demon nonchalantly jumped away from her sharp attack, but she managed to land a deep wound across his shoulder. Her movements fluid and filled with piercing attacks, as of a dragon from the sea itself. The demon wasn't nearly as strong as some were, being only recently transformed so this gave her an opportunity to kill him. His demon art was beyond incomprehension, with his blade changing sizes as if it was one with his flesh. Ryujin didn't waver before his glowering gaze, as she could land hits with strength unlike no other. 

"It's remarkable when I finally see you go full out," His deep voice commented, with a snarky edge to it. "Your movements so strong, but with such elegance.....your drive is not even outmatching me yet...."

He commented with a level of calmness, as if he knew very well she was gonna fall before his own hands.

She scoffed, "So you still remember?" 

"Just barely...."

Whilst Ryujin was trying to keep herself from not dying, her comrade stood there amazed by the strength between the two. However his amazement was cut short as Michikatsu's large hand grabbed the face of the slayer, and slammed him down crushing his skull into the dirt. The sound was sickening to the core, as Ryujin grew more enraged. She charged towards him without faltering as she inhaled slowly, "Dragon breathing: Fith form......severing wave!!!!" 

Her attack was stronger than before as if a powerful aura comes from within herself, with no mark or anything but determination and honour.