~*~

A FEW WEEKS LATER

Missions were successful ones, and some failed not saving others on time. Although most of my missions I've been assessed, required not many casualties or deaths of normal humans. Thankfully, I slowly became stronger but much was to be learned. The winter nights were harsh, windows bellowing, everything being blanketed by snow.

It soon became too much to handle at once, fighting alone.

The sound of my sword chimes against one of the demons before me, as four stood at a threatening space. My hand grips the hilt of my blade tightly, blood dripping down my temple heavily, while short labored puffs of air leaves my icy cold lungs that burned.

Shifting my foot, I inhale slowly before leaning my body lower.

"Just give up, you're at a disadvantage already!" One of the demons venomously, snaps. Salivating and foaming at the mouth, blood tainted the snow beneath the battle and at my feet.

My jaw clenched tightly while my eyes lock on a point, before disappearing within a second.

"Huh? Where is--?" 

Slicing through it's neck without hesitation from behind, the blood cleanly splatter across the ground. My throat was raw, as if sand paper was scratching the inside of my lungs. Seeing it's head roll into the soft snow, my neck snaps in the direction of the three remaining demons.

"You carelessly devour humans, and expect to be let free?" I rhetorically question, with a dry scoff. Arching an eyebrow, the three growl in response before charging head first towards me. "Time to end this."

With the flicker of my wrist, one of them appears before me with claws slicing towards my face. Dodging it barely, a few hairs were sliced from the front, before my sword slices horizontally running right through the neck. My body was slowly fading in and out, while trying to maintain my balance. The next I charge towards it, skidding across the sea of snow dodging a large attack.

However, I felt the earth tremble beneath me.

A short gasps leaves my lips as my head snaps down below where my feet rested, finding the trembling becoming more thunderous and shaking violently. Within moments four large claws pin me down from below, without having to react to the sudden attack. The air was knocked from my lungs, my blade dropping from my stunned grip.

"Dammit," cursing under my breath, sharp claws dug into my arms and legs. Grimacing, I seethe through my teeth while trying to push bear the sharp pain that continues to throb in my veins. 

"End her now!!!!"

Finding myself in a predicament, I needed to at least grab my sword. My hand painfully stretches over to my blade, while the weight holding me down causing me to hold back a groan. Panicking, my fingers slowly inch closer before touching the tip of the hilt. Brushing it over, I grasp it before inhaling slowly. 

"Second form: Dragon dance!"

Sharply slicing the claws that embedded into my flesh awkwardly, I finally gained some stability as I push myself to my feet. Bending down sharply I raise my sword and dove it straight into the ground beneath me, hearing the shrieking cry pierce into the air.

Soon the demon shows itself from under the snow, as blood trails behind it.

"You will pay--"

I swung my blade sharply, with a precise angle and entered straight through the throat. Dangerously glaring through my bangs, into the yellow slit eyes of the demon, I clench my jaw tightly gathering all my strength running it right through it's neck. Not being a clean cut, it still did the job watching it's head flying in the air and with a 'thump' it rolls down slowly of the hill.

Blinking away the haziness that clouded my eyes, I carefully watched it's head slowly disintegrate into nothingness. 

Silence drifts down the valley of the snowy mountains, hearing the deep bellows of the wind howling. Slowly processing that I've successfully accomplished another mission, my body soon begins to give in. I couldn't tell if my fingers were cold or numb, finding it difficult to gather air to my lungs. 

It was like I was hit by something large, finding no space to gasp for air.

I've been at this continuously not finding a break in between, having to travel miles to head to what my crow guides me too. In the matter of those weeks, I haven't met the master of the Demon Slayer Corps. Mainly I have been isolated for a while, only going to one of the wisteria inns.

Blood heavily rolls down over my eye, causing me to wince slightly quickly smearing it away, blinking a few times.

Swiping the remaining residue of blood from my blade, I carefully place it back into the sheath with a 'shink', turning my head to anticipate my next move. Yet, Nami comes in sooner than I presumed.

"Caw! No more missions, head back to the butterfly mansion! Caw!"

Glancing weakly up to my crow, relief washes over me feeling already overwhelmingly exhausted. It's been a while since I've rested well, that I seem to forget to take care of myself. No matter. Accomplishing in minimising the many murder attacks by the demons, simply brought me at ease.

After a heavy moment in gathering the air in my lungs, my eyes wearily drift over to see the crack of dawn.

"Almost morning......." I drawl out, combing my fingers through my locks. 

Taking my first step towards the bottom of the hill, I felt my knees suddenly buckle beneath me. Catching myself steadying my balance, I try taking a subtle step again, only to have my knee dig into the snow. Shallow pants drift from my lips, finding my body slowly overheating gradually. My hand drifts to my temple, already feeling my body go numb to the cold.

Searching around I search for something to support myself, a stick or something.

Given the circumstances I felt pathetic feeling this exhausted, especially after training so hard for a few years. Although I finally was free from my father's expectations, in stepping back from being a slayer, I still felt weak. Peering through my messy locks, I couldn't tell if there was a demon before me or not.

Shaking my head, I begin to walk carefully while maintaining some stability.

After a few minutes of walking back to the butterfly mansion, I could hardly breath, while I tuck my fur collar around my neck to bring some warmth. The fur tickles my cold nose, while I breath some warmth into the palms of my hands before gathering some friction. Suddenly I found myself on the ground in a blink of an eye, as I grunt in response with confusion. Registering what had just happened, my hands shakingly push myself up only to collapse.

Blinking a few times to fight sleep, darkness seems to consume me.

~*~

A weak groan vibrates against my throat dryly, while my eyes flutter open, peering through my eyelashes. The light was dim, but bright enough that i squeeze my eyes tightly shut before feeling everything come back to me. Feeling fatigued my body felt heavier, but more warmer. 

Slowly fluttering my eyes open again, I slowly take in my surroundings before realise I'm in a hut of some kind.

I'm also in something soft and warm, as my hand drifts to my side feeling it was plushy and comfortable. Gathering my strength I push myself, my stomach straining from the forceful pull. Rubbing my eyes, I take a better glance around only to find it quite familiar. 

"Have.......I been here, before?" I murmur tiredly, impassively. Running my fingers through my hair feebly, my hands rest against my shoulders comfortably. A warm fire softly crackles, as the warmth coaxes across my cheeks. 

"Good to see you're alright," A familiar voice appears, unexpectedly causing me to be slightly startled. His onyx eyes meet mine, with a tender smile only to see two large scars dawned across his cheek, horizontally. 

That wasn't there, when I last saw him....

"Kumeno?"

He lifts up a tray of something and walks on over, before kneeling down beside me with a few clothes and water. He leans over pushing my bangs away, placing his forehand over my temple checking for my temperature. He hums with content, before pulling away grabbing a damp cloth.

"That's good, your fever went down," He breaths out, with relief. "Seriously, if my partner didn't save you......you wouldn't have survived."

He dabs the cloth tenderly against my forehead, eyes scanning my face before he chuckles.

"It's been a few good years, huh?" He comments, breaking the silence. "Last I assume I saw you, you were only about seven or six......right?"

"I'm fourteen now......fifteen this year," I reply softly, while feeling relieved that he was still alive and well. We barely saw each other back then, but I recalled seeing him enter our compound to discuss a few things with the general of our clan. He was studying 'Wind breathing' and training very hard. 

"Wow, time sure does fly," he comments, before clearing his throat. "I have dinner almost ready, so you woke up just in time. It hasn't been long since my comrade has brought you in, he just went to resume collecting firewood just now."

Comrade? A new wind user?

"I see......glad you have someone," I smile softly, while he passes me a warm cup of green tea. "Thank you......"

The warmth rests in my palms, while I take a subtle sip before swallowing it while savouring the taste. It indeed soothed my dry throat, and felt more relief than before. Soon the sound of feet shuffles outside, making my eyes snap towards the fusuma doors.

"That's Sanemi, don't worry," He assures me, noticing how startled I was again. "He may have a more abrupt demeanour, but trust me....he means well."

Humming softly, I wasn't one to dislike anyone without a good reason.

"Oi Kumeno, open the door!" his voice calls from behind the thin walls, as he stood to his feet and rushes over. Opening up the doors, there stood a boy looking not much older than I was holding a heavy amount of wood in his muscular arms. What caught my attention, was the scars that marred across his exposed chest and arms. He soon places the wood down, dusting his hands for any splinters or dirt.

His piercing eyes slice to mine, before I glance away sharply feeling heat rise to my cheeks.

"She's awake," Sanemi addresses, boorishly. "Good......now we can get her out as soon as possib--"

Kumeno suddenly grabs his ear harshly, "Don't suggest doing that, she's still weak," He scolds him, like an older brother would. Kumeno bows with his head, "My apologies Hayami, forgive his impudence.....he's not usually like this."

"Geez......" Sanemi groans.

Shaking my head, "It's fine, I know when I'm not wanted," peeling the blankets away, I soon found myself not in my own clothes. I wore a dark navy kimono, that loosely hung around my shoulders. Must be either Kumeno's or Sanemi's. Shaking my head I pushing myself, when my knees buckle collapsing to the ground. Wincing slightly, my eyebrows furrowed together before picking myself up completely.

"No, don't get up......!" Kumeno exclaims, with concern lacing in his frantic tone. "....Ignore him, he doesn't know anything!"

"No, it's fine," I assure him, while I steadily keep myself on my two feet. My vision soon grew more hazy, as if the pressure grew harder to breath. Taking a few steps, my knees buckle beneath me when arms caught me out of instinct. His eyes narrow upon my weakened form, before carefully lifting me up beneath my knees and back.

"Shit," he sighs, reluctantly walk back to the futon. He gently places me down, while carefully laying my head upon the pillow. Quietly thanking him, he clicks his tongue and walks away making me feel a little bad to bother them.

"How about we eat something, best to fill our stomachs," Kumeno suggests, deciding it would be best to eat something if Sanemi is this aggressive. 

My head turns to the wall, being a little more quiet than before. His footsteps shuffle away from me, as I close my eyes tightly with frustration, feeling rather pathetic than before.

~*~

After eating something warm and filling, I soon felt a little relaxed and placid as Kumeno knocked off to bed. He seemed a little tired and exhausted, and I couldn't blame him. He must've just got back from a mission, and had to tend to my wounds without getting some rest.

I wonder why Ryuji is doing right now? Hope he's alright....?

Someone's presence rests beside me, as I sat near the centred firewood Irori that quietly crackled in the silence. The flames were only small, but so much warmth coaxes my cold skin. Not breaking my eyes from the fire, I could feel his intimidating aura fill the tension in the room. 

It made me feel like I shouldn't be here, let alone have someone helping me.

"Name?"

My head lifts up, "Hmm?" turning to see his eyes gazing into the fire, not bothering to glance my way.

"Just answer the damn question," He mutters, while I nod.

"Hayami.......Hayami Mizutsuki," I reply quietly, not wanting to wake up Kumeno's rest. 

My eyes linger on his face for a few moments, before slowly glancing back at the flames. My arms slowly wrapped around my knees, as I pulled them to my chest for comfort. 

"Sanemi Shinazugawa,"

Tilting my head our eyes met for a moment, seeing a softness in his eyes for only a moment. The more I studied his face, the more I found flaws that littered across his pale skin. Every single scar had a story, but he didn't seem self-conscious about any of the scars he bared. With the way he dressed, it seemed he was mostly proud of them.

Yet, I couldn't bring myself to ask him. 

"So you know Kumeno," he spoke up, initiating the tension that continued to settle within the room. "How long?"

"Since I was about six.......so roughly about nine years ago," I reply softly. "You?"

"For a few years myself," he answers. "So how old would you be?"

Arching an eyebrow I stare at him, "You can't do the math, there?"

He scoffs, "I can so, I just......can't be bothered guessing," rolling his eyes, looking back at the fire, a little flustered. 

Sighing deeply, "I'm fourteen, fifteen this year," I reply. "How about you?"

"Fifteen.....turning sixteen this year," he replies, with a more agitated tone. "So not much older, I guess......"

"You look older," I comment, while he glares in my direction.

"Well you look younger!" He retorts, while I place a finger to my lips to keep the volume down. Without warning, I flick his nose offended he assumed I was younger. "What....what the hell?"

"I'm not that young, dumbass," I mutter, before silence quickly rests between us again but more still. 

I couldn't understand him, as he seemed to be completely different one second and the next he's mean and rude. 

"Are you gonna become a pillar?" He questions, shifting the awkward conversation to something more interesting. 

"I can't, my big brother is one of the Pillar's," I reply, already missing Ryuji's presence already. He only became a pillar at sixteen roughly three years ago, so in reality I've barely seen him. He was always so busy, that I can longer see him as much as I used to. 

"Your brother? Which one is he?" He asks, curiosity got the best of him. He turns himself around, to listen to me respectfully. Sitting cross-legged, he leans his elbow on his left knee with his eyes focused on me. This left me a little nervous, but soon I swallowed my nervousness.

"He's the Dragon pillar, Ryuji," 

He seems to recognise the title and name, before humming softly.

"I see........barely see him, but I see him whenever I go training with another old wind user," He replies. "Don't have enough say about him, seen I don't know him properly."

I chuckle softly, "Once you become a pillar, I guess you barely get to see them from time to time," 

He seems he wanted to ask me something, but grunts to himself with a slight shake to his head. Closing his eyes, he inhales slowly and deeply.

"So........whereabouts is your quarters?" He asks, his eyes flutter open again. "Or, do you stay at the butterfly mansion?"

"Um.........at the butterfly mansion, but I've barely even stayed three nights there," I reply softly. "I prefer to keep moving, train and focus on bringing lands at peace from this......." waving my hands around, figuring the word I wanted to express. ".....strange world we live in."

He nods with a scoff, "Yep, got that right........but it's more contaminated than strange, if you ask me."

Contaminated......that's probably a better word to use......

"Yeah, I agree," I softly hum, while resting my chin upon my knees. The warmth begins to burn my cheeks, while looking longingly at the slowly dying flames that we found more intriguing than anything in the room. Soon I hear him shuffle to stand up, walking over he grabbed a few bits of wood and placed a few more to the fire. A large crackle pops, before he sinks back down beside me.

"You gonna sleep?" He clicks his tongue, with irritation.

"Yeah I will, just.........I'm still a little cold so..." I trail off, wrapping my arms around myself. Sinking my chin upon my knees, my eyes lulled halfway hazily. 

"Kay,"

Even though it's been three hours knowing this boy, he still had a shitty attitude. I hate to use profanity to describe someone, but he still seemed to dislike me. Yet, he may have a story, that might've caused him to be this way. I couldn't judge him, not yet. Kumeno was the complete opposite, but those two seemed rather close. There must've been some story behind their encounter, knowing full well Kumeno never met this boy til just recently.

"I'm gonna knock off," He sighs, before standing up after a few minutes of quietness. "Don't keep it down, will ya!"

Sending him a sharp glare his way, he gives me the shoulder and walks away to the furthest wall, not far from where my futon was. He throws his uniform shirt off, causing my eyes to slightly widen in response. Many scars discoloured and tainted his muscular back, it left my stomach churning with worry. I shouldn't judge. It's not right.

~*~

NEXT MORNING

"Dammit Kumeno, where did she go?!" 

"I don't know, you should know!!!!!" Kumeno yells back.

Startled by the sudden amount of noise happening inside the hut, I held my meditation pose for a moment. Wincing slightly hearing a crash occur inside, causing me to rush straight to my feet. Rushing across the verandah, I open the fusuma doors abruptly only to see Kumeno's legs locked around Sanemi's neck.

Both boys pause in what they were doing, slowly craning their heads in my direction.

The warm dawn light streams through, while I stare at the two with confusion and questions rushing through. "Erm......part of me wants to know what's going on, but then again I don--" I trail off, when Kumeno releases Sanemi from his choke hold.

"Phew we thought you left, are you well?" He asks, in alarm and a mixture of relief washing over him. 

"Yes, I'm well enough to travel," I assure him, rolling my aching shoulders. "Couldn't sleep, so I've meditated for a few hours...it helps me clear my mind."

Glancing at the corner of my eyes, I noticed Sanemi seemed relieved but soon covers it with his hard exterior. 

"Um Kumeno do you also have my uniform, and haori?" I question, as his eyes widen before nodding. "Good, I will head off once I'm changed.....if that's alright?"

"Right! Won't be too long!"

Suddenly my stomach growls,