~*~

Staring at myself at the mirror that rested against the wall, I found myself quite comfortable. It felt easy to move around, having the uniform sleeveless and the pants fitted nicely. The fur collar around my neck felt so warm and soft, and it brought nostalgic memories.

Bending down i slip on my kyahan guards on, slipping around the gauze to wrap firmly around my calves. Once everything was on, I head out to the main room to see the two turn in my direction.

"How is the measurements?" Kobayashi asks, standing up to get a better look of the uniform. "We tried to make it a little bigger, so you're able to move around quickly. Also, we made the pants to fit your form comfortably too so I hope it's all--"

"It's fine, I absolutely love it," I warmly reply, while adjusting my haori over my shoulder. "Tell the kakushi, they did a great job."

Not being able to tell his expression from beneath his mask, I could sense he was ecstatic to know my thoughts. "That's great, which also means....it's time for me to head off," turning around, he picks up his things before heading to the door. "Also, I will be your personal swordsmith from now on. Please feel free to ask me questions, or if your blade is shattered.....I'll be there to tend to a new one."

Giving him a contented smile, he soon disappears before silence rests inside the hut.

Heading over Sensei passes me my blade, as I slide it carefully back into the sheath slipping it in my belt against my hip. My heart was beating heavily, knowing I will be setting off on a different journey. It was nervously gnawing me to the bone, knowing I'm on my own from now on.

"You're not alone," Sensei broke me out of my thoughts, like he was reading my mind or something. His hand rests upon my shoulder, "You've become a strong woman, I believe you were meant to be out there."

Scoffing light, "My father....he....." my eyes avoid meeting his, finding it rather difficult to bring my own father into the conversation.

"Don't listen to what your father told you, my child," He firmly advises. "Right now, you're a Slayer........a warrior......a fighter. Raising you brought me memories of my own children years ago, but you've become the warrior none of them could've become."

"Sensei," I whisper, while he grins.

"I know ya had it in ya this whole time, so......go out there and prove him wrong," He encourages me, while I began heading outside. I had everything with me, as I had very little to bring with me.

Once I was on the path to the road, I hear a squawk in the distance.

Lifting my eyes there a crow flew down, before recognising her. Raising my arm, she perches herself on my forearm. Scratching her cheek, she nuzzles against me already comfortable and trusting.

"You must my Kasugai," I softly hum. "Let's name you Nami, hmm?"

"~CAW~ New mission, a small town deep in the snowy mountains west from here," She announces."Children been missing in the village 'Fuyu-ken'.~CAW~"

"Now?"

"Yes, now ~CAW~"

Glancing back to meet Sensei's gaze, I could tell he was gonna be lonely for a while again. Inhaling and exhaling deeply I face him, "Sensei....thank you, for.....for everything," finding it hard to express my gratitude. "You had to put up with me everyday, but I will use it for good and slay the demons. I have nothing to giv--"

"You do.........just stay alive for me," He passes me something, before revealing a small bag of yen in hand. "Take this, you might this to get you started......alright?"

Hesitantly I took it, giving him look to make sure he wasn't joking.

"You sure...?"

He nods, "It's yours.....it will help you start out, and besides you're gonna eat and have a place to sleep at times," he chuckles, while I smile.

"Yeah, you've got a good point,"

Finally it was time to leave, as I found it hard to leave Sensei alone. He has always been alone for a while, and we were only part of his life. Now, I'm gonna become a slayer and track down the man who murdered my entire clan that very night. It was muzan, whom I've heard about. 

Yet, it was also someone else who seems to have a grudge against my family.

~*~

A FEW HOURS LATER ~ VILLAGE FUYU-KEN

Shaky puffs of fog drifts from my lips, while I push through the snowy mountains ahead. The wind bellows down the valley, as the snow crunches beneath my feet with every heavy step I took. No stream of light was to be seen, despite that it was only the afternoon.

Clouds clustered together, as snow drifts down heavily.

Shielding my face from getting frostbitten, I begin to realise my missions were to circulate around the snowy mountains. I could tell by the environment, being mostly darker and colder. Demons were infesting the lands as we speak, and no one seemed to be aiding the mountains.

Guess that's another reason I was asked to take this mission, because my family lived in the snowy climate too.

However it wasn't as bad as this section of the snowy mountains, but despite that it still needed to be reported and claimed to be a safe zone. This environment alone was an easy place, for people to be easily devoured. Yet, people continue to live within the mountains. Hundreds of years, and demons continued to take.

Wrapping my haori closer to my frame, the fur collar allowed my neck to gather some warmth.

"Seriously, it's a bit nippy," Muttering to myself, I rub my hands together to gather some warmth. 

The wind howls in response, before seeing a faint glow of light ahead. Squinting my eyes, I soon notice that the village was not far from where I stood. Finally having some hope reaching the place, I still needed to keep my guard up. 

Whether it might be day or night, the mountains will always remain clouded over.

A loud blood-curdling cry pierces the air, feeling the snow shift beneath me. My eyes snap up feeling my heart skip a beat, almost reaching for the hilt of my blade at the hip. Eyes steadily skimming across the fresh snow, as the hairs stand on end. Without hesitation I push off bursting at full speed up the mountain, as the snow slowed down my strides.

"Dammit," cursing under my breath, before waft of blood fills my nose. I grimace in response, but I kept moving forward in instinct.

Finally out in the open the demon stood at about seven foot tall, pulling on a child's arm while the other was being held by a woman. Her eyes were filled with horror, playing tug of war. She pleads and protests to let her boy go, while blood stains the snow beneath them. The boys blood.

"Mama!!!!" 

"I-I've got you!" She cries, while the Demon growls baring it's fangs.

Without hesitation I burst towards the child, while drawing my blade in a split second. The blade runs right through the flesh of the demon, causing the child to fall from it's grasp. My hand quickly places my sword back into the scabbard, before catching the child in my arms. Creating a path of cut down snow, blood tainted it.

"What is the meaning--" The demon's voice gruffs out, before recognising my uniform instantly. "Shit! A slayer!!!"

The mother of the child ran up to me quickly, as I pass the injured child into her warm welcoming arms. Tucking the two behind me, I draw my blade once more standing in a firm threatening stance. 

This was my first mission, but it was my second true kill that will not be in vain.

The demon's body was repairing itself at a rapid pace, while it's blood continues to discolour the pure white snow. It's towering figure grew larger, seeing the fury behind it's red eyes. My breath heavily leaves my lips, while maintaining eye contact steadying myself. Without a second spared, the demon disappears without a single trace.

A breath of relief washes over me, allowing to process and address the situation.

"M-Miss.......thank you," The woman chokes out, while holding her boy in her arms. She taps his back soothingly, noticing only his arm was scratched from the tug of war. "It's been ages.....since we've had someone help us."

My eyes slowly widen, turning around completely to meet her relieved forest green eyes.

"Why aren't there anyone to protect this place?" I question, softly. Not wanting to worry her, or make her feel uncomfortable. "Don't you have any guards, or even swordsmen protecting you?"

She shook her head, with a shaky breath drawn her.

"No, no.....we haven't had anyone protect this village since twenty years ago," She admits, her teeth chattering together, while continuing to soothe her son in her arms.

"Twenty years ago, what changed that?" I question, more sternly. 

She swallows thickly, "An arranged marriage changed the fate of this village, and we're left with only defending ourselves," almost about to sob, as if they've been suffering for all those dreading years. "That damn clan ruined us all, and we're left with nothing but fear and no hope."

"An arranged marriage, what family was forced to do that?" I ask out of curiosity, wondering why such a thing could change so much.

"The Katayama clan, their daughter Ai Katayama married a man from the Mizutsuki clan," She replies, only for me to step back in realisation. Wait, so it was arranged? "However she was married off, before the clan was wiped out.......I guess she needed allies."

"Mizutsuki clan?" I whisper, trying to wrap my head around it all.

She hums softly, "Wait...." pausing, she steps closer. "...do you possibly know them, if so......will the Mizutsuki clan be able to come back and keep us safe? Something, anything?"

My jaw clenched tightly, while my eyes grew slightly clouded with anguish.

"Ma'am can I asked the reason, by these kidnappings?" I ask softly. "Do the villagers know about demons?"

She nods, "Yes, for generations we've known about them," She informs me. "However, no one seems to come out alive. So, please? Please save us?"

A smell lingers in the air, as the stench of blood burns my nose.

"I need you to take your son inside, and lock your doors," I warn her hastily, while resting my hand against the hilt of my blade. "If anyone gets in the way, their lives will stain my hands.......so please?"

Nodding already she turns on her heel, hearing a screeching sound sending the hairs on my neck to stand on end. 

Rushing towards a roof of a home nearby, I wanted to get a better view of the area around me. Finding some leverage, I hoist myself up until I firmly plant my feet, upon the snow covered roof, steadily maintaining my balance. The wind changes directions every few minutes, and the cold was gnawing me to the bone.

A sudden presence appears from behind, as I dodge the attack to the side.

Swiftly drawing my blade i swung my body around, coming face to face with a new face of a demon. It's features almost blended with the snow, but a few colours vibrantly gave it away. He charges towards me, but I managed to take my first swing to the throat.

It was left open, as I run my blade through the thick flesh. 

"Gah!" I pant out, with how firm it's flesh was. It was taut, and thicker than the demons within the trapped wisteria trees. It's head rolls into the snow, before rolling down the tiled rooftop. It's blood streaming down, along with it's body slowly falling from above to the ground.

Sensing a familiar presence, my neck snaps to see five more demons awaiting for me to welcome them.

"Looks like I've got my hands full," I mutter, while swiping the blood from my blade away.

Charging down the roof I jump off, before landing doing a commando roll as i fleetly take action. The five seven foot demons all charged towards me, finding myself at a unfair disadvantage. My eyes flickering back and forth around, while trying to maintain my composure.

Soon they all began to attack me all simultaneously, as I begin to swing my blade in a hasty spiral. At lightning speed I begin to attack them all, precisely at any weak points. Blood sprays instantaneously, while they land a few heavy blows upon me at once. It was overwhelming, not being used to having so many aiming at me at once.

Gripping the hilt of my blade more tightly, my eyes dangerously snap back before disappearing from my spot.

Analysing them all trying find some use to take each one down, something different was occurring. About to land an attack, they all soon emerge together disgustingly. Yet, what was more shocking is how tall the demons, I mean demon has grown too.

Piercing red eyes devouring me, with an intimidating aura surrounding it.

A wide salivating grin strains against it's maws, "You're just a mere nuisance, we'll get rid of you sooner than you can say 'goodbye'"

"Bring it on," I seethe through my teeth, holding my ground.

~*~                  

Inhaling sharply through my nose, the glacial air was freezing my lungs as the snowstorm begins to set in. Blood rolls down my temple, just above my brow while trying to keep myself steady on my feet. My head throbs painfully, after when the demon gave me a heavy blow into a building just before. Splinters flew and all.

The demon scoffs, "Give in! You're weak!"

A shadow casts over my eyes feeling my hands tighten around the hilt, angling my gaze more dangerously towards the demon that towered before me. It begins to charge head on, while my eyes search for a point to line my next attack. Finally my eyes lock on a certain silver line, memorising my next form.

"Third Form: Dragons eyes slash," summoning my attack, I locked on.

Stepping forward I moved without further delay, pinpointing the very spot before resting against it's neck. Although I've tried multiple times, my mind was clear enough to analyse the spot after failed attempts. My body was already aching, but thankfully to how much I've been moving, my blood circulated than freezing up.

Raising my blade sharply, I roar straight towards him.

"Third Form: Dragons eye slash!" 

"You'll never become a slaye--!!!" He yells out, only for his voice to fade within seconds. Halting in my steps skidding against the snow, a thump follows after behind me. 

My eyes tiredly drift down to the blood that trickled down the blade, before sinking into the sea of snow. It was all over, for now at least.

Flicking my blade to the side sharply, I cleaned my blade before sheathing it back into the scabbard. The wind bellows all around me, while silence graces the valley of the village. Did I accomplish all on my own, a large demon? Did I really make it through again?

I was on pins and needles, even though I tried to be confident through this mission.

Running my cold fingers through my locks, my eyes heavily drift over to the decapitated demon before me. Sometimes I'm astonished to know such creatures exist, but then this was my reality currently. A life with only bloodshed, and pain to only swallow you whole.

My hands shook, feeling the cold nipping my skin painfully.

"Dammit," muttering under my breath, my knees buckle forward to rest for a moment to gain some stamina. Already finding it hard to gasp for air, still being used to all the breathing techniques, I still managed to take control and allowed my body to slowly relax. Even before during the battles that I found the children, I knew some were too late to save.

"She killed the demons!" a voice faintly exclaims.

"Did she really take all six down?!"

"My home is damaged!"

"Who cares, we don't have to live in fear anymore!"

Closing my eyes for a moment, my hand drifts to my pocket trying to find the solution for them. It was rather hard to find a while ago, but luckily Akihiro gave me some of these wisteria seeds. Within these mountains they will flourish, but will take time to grow.

"Ma'am.........are you alright?" A familiar voice asks, before my eyes met with her familiar forest green eyes. 

Humming softly, I push myself up to my feet, with a soft groan.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," I assure her, before finally tugging out the bag of seeds. Hesitantly I pass her the small bag, seeing her with confusion as her eyes flicker from the bag to my eyes.

"W-What's this?" She questions, while I soon begin to earn a crowd surrounding us by then.

"Those are wisteria seeds, expensive and hard to find," I explain softly, gesturing to their village. "If you plant them around your village, no harm will come to your children or loved ones.......as slayers have only become failures to you all."

She took the small token, confounded by the generosity of such a rare plant.

"H-How can I ever....." she fumbles over he words, unable to comprehend how she feels about it all.

Suddenly someone grabs my collar tugging me against the person, "Where i my daughter, Sayu....where is she?" She demands, with fear in her tearful ones. "Please, I need to know!!!!!"

My eyes lower, "I'm sorry ma'am, all the children you see now.......are all that's left here--" apologising sincerely, knowing sometimes you can't save anyone. I'm mentally kicking myself harshly, wanting nothing more than to bring those children back home. Safe.

"No! It's......it's a-all your fault," The woman rebukes, her voice cracking at the end. "You slayers just take your damn time, you don't care! You only have a reputation to fill, not care about those who are struggling! We're suffering, because of you! The Katayama clan left us because they were weak, the Mizutsuki clan ignored us because they are apparently too busy! The rest are just doing it for the damn glor--!!!"

"Ma'am, please she's saved us--" A villager pleads, but the lady slaps his hand from her angrily.

"No! You slayers don't under the pain we had to go through!" She continues, with anger surfacing to her face. Eyes glassy with tears, cheers red and flushed from rage, and lips quivering. "So what gives you the right to allow others to die?! Huh? Answer me!"

Standing there I held a lot in, balling it all up and accepting her accusations and assumptions. The rage she feels losing her daughter, made my chest feel tight and frustrated. Placing a tender hand upon her shoulder, my eyes soften with a pained smile.

"I'm sorry for everything, but.......all slayers have lost so much to become one," I reply softly, breaking the truth. "We all aren't cold-hearted, nor do we brush away your needs. I think......the reason I came to this village to be my first mission today was...........to see where my mother came from."

"What do you mean?" She questions, with confusion.

Closing my eyes I inhale steadily, before turning to everyone.

"You've mentioned about the Katayama and Mizutsuki clan, right?" I question, earning nods and small murmurs of replies. The village wasn't big, but only roughly of fifteen people or less. "Have you heard about.......t-the massacre of the Mizutsuki clan?"

Everyone turns to each other, before slightly shaking their head.

"They were wiped out six years ago," my voice slightly shakes, swallowing thickly. 

Fear struck a few of them, before shaking their heads. 

"No, why and how? Weren't they unbeatable?"

"Don't believe you!"

Sighing deeply I stood firmly, "I am Ai Katayama's eldest daughter and fourth oldest, Hayami Mizutsuki" I introduce myself, only wanting their blame for my mother's clan to stop continuing. They all were shocked in response, while I turn to my side to leave the village. "So please, have faith in us at least? Not many have