Mika wandered the area, hearing training activity mixed with laughter from the helpers cleaning the various buildings in the background. Kaguya had dismissed her, along with the other Hashiras, with an apologetic look on his face, as they decided to discuss the owner of the sword further with Hyakkimaru.

Mika was surprised that Muzan had been the one to suggest that, but she was glad to be away from his all too seeing gaze. She shook her head to clear her thoughts at the moment, allowing her body to walk aimlessly down the sunny path. She had turned a corner, drawn to soft conversation, when she stopped in her tracks and realized she had reached almost the end of the compound.

Glancing around her, the dusty road cut off abruptly by fences that loomed high. She blocked the sunlight from her face with a hand, peering at the trees that managed to drape casually over the fences. She could see ravens resting in the cool shade and wondered if they were the very same creatures that spoke on behalf of central command while they watched over their respective slayer in the field.

One raven ruffled its features, before opening a single eye to peer down at her. It cocked its head, still peering at her, before deciding she was not worth the attention and closed its eyes again.

With a soft smile to herself, she marveled at the ability to experience this world even as she knew she should stay apart from it. Her smile disappearing, she walked another corner and nearly bumped into another figure.

"Watch where you're walking." A tall figure muttered, not even glancing back as he continued his way, clothed in dark olive-green uniform with a purple sleeveless yukata.

Mika noted the tall build, the dark unruly hair with the buzzed side and the unmistakable seething anger in his gaze so similar to his brother. "Shinazugawa Genya." She muttered, watching him disappear around another corner, his long strides impatient and filled with the same intensity in his face. When she read about his past, she empathized with him, but she did not approve of his violence towards helpless people, simply because they were in his way.

She made a move to get up, patting her cloak to wipe at the dust, when a hand appeared in front of her face.

"Don't take it the wrong way. Genya is…Genya." A voice calmly replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Mika looked up to find a figure who's face was bathed in too much sunlight for her to properly see. Mika accepted the hand and smiled gratefully, realizing it was the Mist Hashira, Tokito Muichiro, who had helped her.

She took a step back to observe him as he reached down near her foot to pick up something before standing back up. He was dressed in a very loose uniform, almost a size too big for him. She knew it was his intention, so that his enemies couldn't predict his movement if they couldn't see the lines of his body. His long hair flowed down his back, the ends of the hair dipped in the same shade as his mint-green eyes. Those seemingly guileless eyes peered into her face, his expression unreadable.

"You dropped this." He added, offering the small scroll.

She hastily took it and tucked it safely into one of the many inner pockets of her cloak. When she had returned to her room the other night from checking on Mio, she still couldn't sleep and decided she would try processing everything that was happening. She had begun recording the story of this alternate world, at first out of hope to make her sleep.

Now, she wondered if it was mostly to have something familiar, a piece of her own world.

Muichiro peered at her, his head slightly tilted. Mika was reminded of the gesture of the raven earlier and she couldn't help but relax in front of this quiet but calm child. He was as still as Giyu and yet she knew, from the stories, that deep below the calm surface, sorrow and rage simmered constantly.

As with all the Hashiras who lost someone.

After all, they are all united with the same cause. To ensure no one else lost someone dear to them again.

"Follow me." He murmured, already turning around and walking straight ahead.

Mika hesitated, wanting to wander a bit more, but she was curious as to where he was taking her. Muichiro did not act without reason and he was a brilliant child.

A few minutes of walking in comfortable silence, Mika was about to ask where he was taking them when she realized that they had made their way back into the inner courtyard where she had met Kaguya. She glanced around and found the courtyard empty except a woman with hair, as pure and white as snow gathered into a delicate twist, sitting by the pond. Her kimono was painted with dark blue butterflies and it looked almost alive as she shifted at the sound of their approach.

The woman glanced up and smiled at Muichiro, who silently nodded, before disappearing. Mika walked towards the woman, encouraged by her welcoming smile and bright gaze.

"Mika, sit with me." She gestured towards the flat stone beside her.

Mika obediently sat down, gazing at the elegant woman who was unmistakably the wife of Kaguya, Ubuyashiki Amane.

"Ubuyashiki-san, it is an honor." She bowed her head.

Amane warmly smiled at her before she glanced at the pond, the fish swimming lazily.

"My husband has shared with me about your travels. You have come a long way with such news."

Mika was not surprised to hear Amane was up to date with what was happening in the compound. She knew that Kaguya had no secrets where his wife was concerned. Theirs was a happy marriage, despite the never-ending struggle to defeat the demons.

And the curse that continued to burden their bloodline.

Mika nodded. "I am sorry to be the bringer of bad news."

Amane slightly shook her head, her serene expression so similar to her husband that Mika felt relaxed in her presence.

"It could not be helped, child. It is fortunate that you have come to deliver such tidings so that we may prepare."

Mika felt a lump in her throat, her eyes watering at the warmth, as Amane turned to take Mika's hands in hers.

"Do not fear, child. We will defeat the Gods. As we have always done." She promised.

Mika's eyes widened. "You know of them?"

With a small smile on her lips, she nodded towards a figure behind Mika. "Our history goes deeper than any that you have ever known." She revealed, as Muichiro returned, a silent shadow now standing respectfully beside Amane.

She gestured towards Muichiro, who bowed towards her. "Muichiro-kun. Please take Mika to the records room. She must record everything. To right the wrongs of our past."