It was the day after my 9th birthday. In my family, our 9th birthdays are special. Why? The next day, we start training to become demon slayers. That's what we (me and my family) were all born to do. We slay the demons that terrorize our world and take pride in our kills. The more powerful the demons we slay, the more honor we get. The strongest demon slayers become senseis and teach young demon slayers to become like them. I longed to start training and follow in my father's footsteps, even though it would never happen. My father was a sensei. Or, he would've been. He killed the demon that used to rule our village and freed us all but died after the battle. He is honored with a statue of him right above his grave. It shows him, right before his death, wielding the sword that killed the demon. I heard that the next day, my mother found out she was pregnant with me. Our family was respected by all, that is until I was born.
When I was born, my legs were paralyzed from some weird disease. I couldn't move them at all. My family was stigmatized for having a handicapped child. Everyone, including me, was ashamed. I couldn't even walk until I was 3. My disability improved and soon disappeared. But the disease had stunted my growth and I stopped at only 2ft. 6 in. Even though I had completely overcame my ailment by the age of 6, I was still small, and considered weak. I was dependent on my mom and couldn't take care of myself. They said it was "impossible" for me to be a demon slayer and said I "could not be trained." They treated me like scum. And it was that day when I was treated with respect for the first time. The day after my 9th birthday, I snuck out of my home and to the training grounds. I hid in the branches of a tree and watched Sensei train his students. I longed to be one of them. I wished I could be something more than what I was, which was a helpless little girl who was doomed live with her mom for the rest of her life. Or so I thought. I watched as everyone left. When I was sure they were gone, I slowly shifted from my spot in the tree and moved towards the back. I gradually climbed down until BAM. I crashed into the cold, hard ground. Sensei looked over and his eyes locked with mine. I tore my eyes away immediately. He made his way to me and stood over me. I quickly got to my feet. "What are you doing?" he asked. "Nothing." I said in a small voice, looking down. "You were watching us, weren't you?" he said. I finally looked up at him. "I'm really sorry, I-I just-" he cut me off. "I take it you want to be a demon slayer, don't you?" "Yes, but my mom told you herself that I'll never be one." I said back. "I think not. Come with me." he said.
I follow him across the field and back to his large, complex house. Only the senseis had large homes with many rooms. The rest of us had only 1 or 2 rooms. When we arrived, he spoke again. "When I first saw you, I saw potential. The way you walked, the way you talked, your hatred of evil, I saw potential for you to become an amazing demon slayer. So I was shocked when they wouldn't let me train you. They said you were helpless. That was the only time I wasn't listened to. For once, they denied me. But, I still see potential. And now that you're old enough, I'm willing to do something for you." He picked up a wooden box, turned around and opened it for me. It's contents were dozens of knives, knives of all shapes and sizes. "This will be yours, only if you meet me at the training grounds every midnight. I will teach you to fight and kill demons using these, and more. Do you agree to let me train you?"
My eyes were wide, mouth hanging open in awe. I nodded. "But no one must know, do you understand? Not a soul is to know." I nodded again. "Then meet me at the training grounds at midnight, tonight. Your training will begin then." he said. "Ok!" I said happily. That night, was amazing. It was the night I knew I would finally be someone, someone who mattered.