The swing of a blade and a steady breeze of air can be heard. Sweat flies around in every swing that happen. Like a machine in continuous work as it tries to reach its quota. A swordsmen will and concentration, the determination and discipline, that is asked once you commit to this road. Calm your mind, control your breathing, be swift as lighting yet cold as ice. The words resounded in my head as I get swayed by my thoughts.
Living in this world I had expected hardships and danger to be always at arm's reach. Being content in the peace that I've come to know and grown made me ignorant. That not seeing a demon from years is enough of a proof that maybe I was safe and far from trouble and I'm not affected. Happiness that made me feel the false sense of security. Like a dog inside a cage hoping that its bars can keep it safe, until someone strong enough came and destroys the paradise he once grown accustomed to. And it nearly came true as I almost lost my family that night.
At first, I wanted to change the fate of the characters I've watched. Their own unique stories, their pain, and how they rise up to these challenges to become someone that cares for others in their own way. Wanting to be a hero or at least someone they can rely on and contribute to their fight is something that struck me the moment I realize where I am. That the hardships they experienced in the show is enough and they should be happy in this life. However, reality can be cruel. Forget about saving others, I need to make myself stronger to protect my own. I can't protect other's happiness if I can't even protect mine. So, with my entire being, I swore on that specific morning that no harm will come to my family ever again.
Staying true to this promise, I picked up a wooden sword and started swinging every day for as long as I can. Training becomes a requirement that needs to be followed. Running, jumping, and most importantly breathing is what I focused on. And today is just the same as any other.
It's been months since that dangerous day happened. After me and my sister got back from our house, I fell down due to extreme exhaustion and muscle sprains. The fight had forced my body to exceed what I can normally handle leading to such consequences. To recover from the distress, my body shut down after the fight and then rested for a day which is accompanied by muscle cramps that hurts a lot when I move. After I woke up, our family quickly had a meeting to decide what happen and what our future plans will be. Seeing my father fine and still on his goofy self gives me joy. The bandage that Koori has applied certainly work and the herbal medicines we stored help alleviate the pain. Though the injury leaves more to be desired as my father complains that he couldn't put in strength to the arm. He finds it harder to do things he normally does. However, the desire to plan things comes first as he said that all is well as long as we're fine.
The meeting started on what the thing is which I've put in what I know. Of course, I structured the sentence in a way that it sounded as a hypothesis rather than a crucial fact, which my parents brought up. Baffled by the discovery that demons do exist and nearly become a livestock to one creates a choice whether to stay or migrate down north where more people live. There is strength in numbers after all. Though the choice has been made, my father is still hesitant since this place has been an ancestral land where the former Kitazawa clan resides. My mother was quick to put in her thoughts telling him that what good it will bring if our family is dead. Koori also explained that even though the injury we gained has been healed, it is still best for it to be checked by someone who's a professional.
Then came the topic on what happened after a roll down the slope with the demon. It seems that Koori became worried as she grabs the bow and arrows that my father has in him and quickly followed me to offer some assistance in which both of my parents scolded her for such a display. I was quick to defend her as her help did save my life and without it I may not be here. But while it did stop them from scolding her, I soon found myself to be subjected to it in a greater scolding. After we come back my father saw the Nevermelt stone lying in the dirt with blood covering the snow around it. But what surprised him is that there is no corpse near the stone as he carried it back home to clean and to safe keep it.
Speaking of the stone, it worked wonders to what I first perceived it to be. It's cold and freezing exterior work just well enough to be a weapon. I don't know how it actually work but its low temperature has put those who touched it in a freezing state that which explains the frostbite that I've seen on Jiro. Base on my knowledge of frostbite is that due to extreme cold that the body experience, cells die as ice eats it away. Black spot is one the symptoms that explains dead cell as it slowly spread painfully. The reason I can keep think of on why the demon had a hard time recovering from it is that it still has a body of a human. Demons are humans that has been amplified to supernatural level, at least for normal demons. This explains their super strength and speed. The muscles that they have had been strengthened to reach the levels of super humans. While still having human functions, they still rely on cells to heal part of their body. The amplified regeneration and creation of cells makes them heal wounds at a fast rate and allows them to regenerate limbs. The sun and Nichirin sword is the only way known to kill them. Well except for Shinobu and her poison. But because of the Nevermelt Ice it would be all for naught as frostbite has eat away the cells. You cannot amplify something that is dead. Its like math, no matter how many times you multiply zero the answer would still be zero. Nevermelt Ice is a stone that contains and preserved the cold it has. True to its name it never melted as I once tried to sit in into a raging fire. The conclusion, well the fire died out. It's probably the only thing that I can describe as something that is Subzero. Whatever it was, sounded cool though. Using these thoughts, I found myself a unique weapon that I can use once I forge it as a sword.
Well, I also experienced frostbite in the fight but in a more humbled state compared to Jiro. Good thing my parents managed to apply first aid immediately by warming my hands. It only provides evidence on how cold the stone is as I have 2 layers of cover but still has penetrated the cloth. Although it is healed, I still need to refrain overworking my hands as it was still recovering. Sigh, I got a lot on my plate right now.
"Early morning, still the same exercise"
I stopped swinging to turn back and see my sister with a bamboo bottle of water on her hands.
"I'm fine already" I replied as I put down the wooden sword given to me by my father. "I still need to get stronger"
Sensing that my body fatigue, I grabbed the bottle of water and drink from it.
As I feel the water quench my thirst, my body started recovering as it enjoys the nourishment.
Looking back and thanking my sister, I saw Koori dressed in her black t-shirt and a red hakama. Adoring on top of her t-shirt rest her usual white haori with flowery red design. Black hair graciously falls to shoulder height as a ribbon is tied behind her head to keep it more refined. Seems like prim and proper is the order of the day, like any other days.
Thinking back on what happened that night, it isn't just me who changed but the whole person in the household does. Each carrying their own guilt and burden, and Koori carries it the heaviest.
Koori definitely changed that day, not as visible but her sudden interest in medicine as well as archery is enough. She felt guilty towards what happened and took onto herself to be more aware and not relaxed. She probably thinks she's the one who wanted to help the demon pretending as a man. I can't really blame her as that is the first time where a person entered our house, and it is only a coincidence that the same person tends to look at us as cattle. As an older brother, I tried to dismiss the thought in her mind by thanking her occasionally for the things she done. Which only resulted in her looking at me with an irked face and saying, 'what the hell are you talking about, that's creepy please stop it'. So much for being generous.
As I return the bottle back to her, I can't help but notice our height differences. I mean, I know I'm taller than her but not how much. I have a height of 160 cm while Koori sits at roughly 150. Both of us grew up based on our parent's height and both of them are tall. We probably grew further as our age develops but it will always end up with me being taller than her right? I mean it's in the genes of men. Feeling comforted by the fact that my sister would never be taller than me, I can't help touching the top of her head, showing that I'm still taller than her and will ever be. Feeling the pride and excitement to tease her further, I decided to poke fun at her.
"Thank you for your services, Imouto. Your onii-chan is quite happy that you take care of him" I sneered. I continued to pat her hair again and again to add to the insult. Looking at her and seeing her deadpan face made it feel even more pleasing. I can see the grip on the bottle tightened. Yes! I can finally understand why my friends before often insult their siblings. The reaction they give is just so satisfying. Feeling satisfied I pulled my hand back and walk pass her, motivated to start the day. Though before I can even take a step forward, something collided with my foot as a fumbled down and lose balance.
Thud
I felt pain in my chest and chin as I look forward and tried to stand up. This bastard tripped me, I knew she did without a doubt. She always never fails to take revenge every time I insult her. Murmurs can be heard as I look up to see that many people are looking at me, with some are even holding their laughter. This is embarrassing as hell. I just want to crawl down a hole and hide there for some time. But before I can even gather my bearings, my sister decided that she's not yet finished.
"I apologize on behalf of my brother" Koori said respectfully as she sightly bowed. "He just finished his morning exercise and felt tired which made him miss his step, please do forgive the commotion he caused".
The nerve! This girl humiliated me in front of passersby then put the blame on me. Although I'm embarrassed as hell, I need to recognize that shit she's good, which I'll never admit of course. She always finds something to double the payback.
As people began to understand what happen and go on their own way, I gathered myself and stood up. Dusting my now dirty white keikogi and black hakama and swatting the dust that still remain, I turned back to my sister and staired at her. In which she only put her hands in her mouth and silently laugh.
We are currently residing in a town for a while as we prepare to move again once we gather enough supplies we need for the journey. Going south especially in big cities is the plan in order for my father to be checked by more knowledgeable doctors. As for me, hopefully I can find someone from the demon slayer corps. If I want to get stronger, joining the corps is the fastest way. The training that you will experience there will surely make me a new person. I know some concepts and theories based on watching and reading their respective story but being taught firsthand by someone is still much better. The job will be incredibly dangerous, but it did offer some good rewards. One, is what I really needed as of now is that I will be able to get stronger so that I can protect my family. High salary is a bonus. My family can live the life they want with the financial support that I provide. Another is that if I manage to become a Hashira, I can place my family in the HQ where it would be the safest place they can be. A little ambitious but reachable, nonetheless. All I need is to strengthen my foundation and gather information until an opportunity present itself.
Kitazawa Hinata, mother of both Ren and Koori Kitazawa is in distress. The following weeks has been stressful for her. It all started when she agreed to let a man inside their house despite her eldest suspicion. The suspicion came true as it turns to be a man-eating demon that bit her husband's forearm and almost killing her son. Then with a consensus, the family decided to travel south to be in a better place. This raised the current problem as of now that they have. Lack of money. The Kitazawa family that lives in the north is a humble family. A family that grew up hunting and farming for food. We take care of nature and nature take cares of us. That is how we lived. The concept of money for us is rarely practiced as we don't have the opportunity to use it. In the rare cases we used coins, it only happens when we visit a nearby town which is miles away, to sell some surplus goods that we've hunt and buy things that we need. The good thing is that due to the lack of use of money, we manage to save up a good amount which she immediately used to buy foods and water. All she need now is to buy a horse to push that cart that they have. They managed to create a cart back home. The problem is that there is no one to push it. My husband tried to but find it hard due to his injury, which really concerns her. Good thing, Ren volunteered to push the cart claiming it a sort of training that he needs. But over the course of their journey, she saw how hard Ren felt pulling the cart all day. So, she wanted to buy at least horse or cattle to alleviate his burden. A horse is expensive to buy and she's certain that her money is not enough. Sigh, her problems certainly become a roller coaster. From doing household chores to surviving and now to financing.
"Good morning mother, I fetched my brother in his early training"
Hinata turned and saw both of her children in front of her. Koori in her usual gentle and ladylike attitude just like how she taught her. She wanted Koori to grow up as smart and caring lady. Someone that will earn her the looks of a man she will love. She believed that marrying to a loving and a more financial stable family is a way for her daughter to get rid of their hard life. She feels bad when she couldn't give her the books that contains knowledge that she so wanted to read, nourishment that she needs to grow up healthy, and the normal things that an ordinary girl should experience. Hinata is proud of her daughter, she took into heart every lesson she taught her which made her happy. But if she would be greedy, she would like it if she relax a little in front of her family.
As her children stopped in front of her, she saw Ren' dirty white keikogi that she sewed for him. Looking at the non-verbal interaction of the siblings, she manages to guess what happened to warrant the dirt on the shirt. By looking at her son holding his chin while sending annoyed looks at her sister gives her more information on what possible happened. This two may always fight and bicker but when a situation arises, this two will stick together. Just like that night. Remembering this, Hinata can't help but put a smile on her lips.
"How are your mornings Ren, Koori?" She asked, still a smile on her face.
"Well, its eventful to say the least" Ren replied sheepishly. "By the way mother, how's the negotiation for the horse?"
Inwardly smiling as he tries to change the topic, Hinata soon found herself sighing at the question.
"It isn't working as of now. Hisashi-san still wants an additional cash which is understandable, but we simply don't have enough to buy the horse. We can't let Ren shoulder the burden especially since the next village is quite far"
"Don't worry mother, its fine I tell you" Ren smiled brightly. "It is my job anyway and it helps in training"
Hinata is thankful for such understanding and adorable children.
"How about taking a rest for a while mother?" Koori suggested. "You have been working since early morning worrying about our finances. A rest would certainly help you clear your mind" she suggested.
"Let us handle negotiating to Hisashi-san for some possible arrangements"
"Yeah Mom. Get a rest while we handle this problem. Dad is probably waiting for us in the cart" Ren added.
Does her distress that apparent that even her children notice it? She's getting older it seems, not befitting of a role model she aspires to be to her family. But a rest would certainly nice.
"Very well, I leave the matter in your capable hands"
Hisashi-san's place is a barn filled with different kind of animals. It's a large place and probably a booming business if the amount of people scurrying around indicates it. Since winter is about to end as we're nearing April, many workers are currently working to be ready for the start of a new season.
Walking towards to a person who's shouting orders to workers. Koori prepared herself mentally.
"A pleasant morning to you good sir" she started with a pleasant and respectful voice. Just like her mother taught her to be. "It looks like busy season is just around the corner".
The man stopped what he's doing and looked at the two kids that approached him.
"Hello there, young lady" he greeted them with a cheery voice. "You're quite right, busy seasons are indeed coming, and the boss wants us to be ready, business and all"
For a normal scenario, the man is kind and cheery man base on the tone he's giving, but Koori knew better. Behind the cheery voice, she notices a tired contained tone beneath it. It seems like there's something happening here. All she needs is to try to connect the dots.
"Pardon me from speaking out of turn" Koori queried. "But it looks like there are still quite a lot to be done" she said as she fixed her eyes at the workers carrying at least something.
"You're quite right young lady" the man sighed. "Truth be told, we're behind schedule as of now. Many workers have called in sick. The lack of manpower certainly hurts us" he said as he crosses his arms looking at the people working hard and fast. As of this rate, they're going to start business late. He shook his head as he turned back to the girl.
"Enough about that, may I ask your purpose is for visiting?"
"Oh yes!" Koori clapped her hands in delight. "I would want to speak with Hisashi-san. I hope we would be able to conduct a transaction that will benefit both parties". She smiled.
"Oh, a customer it seems, well the boss is inside the barn in his office. It's hard to miss it" the man pointed inside the barn. "Though I have to apologize as I can't escort you since we're busy and all"
"Please don't worry, we'll be fine on our own. Thank you for taking the time to speak to us" Koori bowed as she continues to walk towards the red large barn.
"Quite the conversationalist" Ren spoke with a mischievous tone.
Koori really found it confusing on why her brother always finds a way to annoy her. It always happens every day since she remembers. Even so, she always, without fail, find ways to get back at him. After all he may start the fight, but she would be the one to finish it. At the very least, his brother knows how to read a situation and always speak in a right moment. For that she has her gratitude.
"Hush now, we need to secure a good offer. So, leave all the talking to me" she uttered.
"Lead the way then" he replied proudly.
Hisashi is bulky man to say the least. All the muscles he gained from the time of his profession clearly shows in the way he works. With a height that is around 6 foot and having a wide proportion, many would be intimidated. Not Koori though as she entered and looked at the man through his open-door office.
She knocked two times to announce her presence. The man only looked at her and continue on his work. This attitude will ask for another announcement of their presence, but she knew better. She waited for the man to finish his work and approval to enter his office. In which it happened after a few minutes.
"Good day" the man started. "I am Hisashi Miyamoto, the one who runs this barn" he said as he stands up and offer them a seat inside his office.
The office is well decorated and properly arranged. From files and record kept tidy and table with two chairs facing the main chair in which he seated.
"Greetings Miyamoto-san. I am Kitazawa Koori, and this is my elder brother Kitazawa Ren" she introduced us. "You may know us as the children of one of your potential clients, Ms. Hinata Kitazawa?"
A look of recognition flashes in his eyes as he remembered his supposed to be client in the past. "Ah Ms. Hinata, a kind and understanding women, it's a shame that I couldn't help her" he said as he motioned to both of the seats in which I took while my brother stood behind me.
"Though her story is relatable, this is still business and I'm afraid I'll be losing more if I accepted her offer"
"You need to understand that it would not be called business if only one side benefits from it" he added.
Good. From the way he speaks it seems that he truly wanted to help us. The problem is that he'll be losing more if he accepted. In order to get this deal, Koori needed to play her cards right. After a few minutes of contemplating and connecting the dots, she prepares herself. 'Alright time to put my thoughts into words'.
"I understand Mr. Miyamoto" Koori nodded, understanding the reason behind the refusal that her mother received. "That is why we're here today to make it worth your while"
"And how do you propose that young lady?"
"If we lack funds needed to buy a horse, then we'll simple have to work for it". Koori replied as the atmosphere in the room becomes a little bit heavier. Miyamoto-san fixed his posture to adapt a more business-oriented style. With hands intertwined just beneath his chin. He urged her to continue.
"I took my time to look at the barn before we came here, and it is quite mesmerizing. The amount of love and care you've put in it can be seen even by someone who knows little on agriculture" she praised.
"As I was basking in the scenery, I noticed that there is a lack of manpower and has been confirmed when I asked a worker"
"Miyamoto-san, how about you employ both of us. The wages we earned will be lessen the amount we owe to buy a horse" Koori suggested. "I have some experiences in bookkeeping and recording finances while my brother is quite proficient in everyday work"
"I believe that in this way both parties will benefit in this arrangement" she said as she put her hand in her chest. "Of course, the length of our employment will depend on the quality we performed"
Few minutes has passed as we wait for wait for Miyamoto-san reply. To be honest this was the best she could do in limited information she has. If all fails, then she simply needs to work in another place to gather the funds. But she's sure that wouldn't be necessary as Miyamoto-san sighed in what she thinks as relief before he relaxed and sit at the backrest of his chair.
"Alright, when can you start" he asked, smiling.
"Well, there's no time like the present" to which Koori replied.
In the case of Miyamoto Hisashi, with time given to think and ponder, he's willing to part ways with the horse. He personally experienced the feeling of needing something. The man saw in the eyes of Lady Hinata a parent's concern towards the future of her family. That alone touched his heart that maybe it's fine losing a few coins if it meant helping other people. However, he himself needed the money as well. He had a family to feed after all and an employee that needed salary for the same reason. So, when an opportunity arises in the form of her daughter, he was glad that both sides will benefit from it. He was impressed by the girl's thinking. Although the facts can be seen and someone with a decent brain can connect it, her age of what he thinks as 10 nearing 11, makes him impressed for managing to offer a great trade. Even during their conversation, she never let him think of her as a little girl. She portrayed herself as someone who knows what she's thinking and never let her thoughts be revealed. She's a calculating and knowledgeable girl that's for sure and he can't wait on what her future holds.
But his assumptions are still there. For a 13-year-old and a 10-year-old kids, Hisashi has an understandable low expectation. Sure, the girl is smart, and the boy has developed some muscle, but an employed work is different compared to family chores. He anticipated that there would be at least a week of getting used to their jobs with help from senior workers guiding them. But man was he wrong, these kids know what they are doing. The boy, Ren, can carry his own weight as he manages to keep up to the workers, albeit a little slower. He only takes a rest when its break time. When it comes to stamina, he sure has one. The work that has been given to him is carrying haybales to each animal pens and making sure that their water is clean. Seeing him carrying only one haybale that is almost the same size as him, he becomes a running comedy between the group of workers. Another observation is the way he paces himself. He makes sure that he paces himself based on what he can. Efficient over quickness is seen as it also results in no time wasted which makes him catch up in his quota. He sometimes even sees the kid exert more energy as he exercises regularly in the morning, running laps around the barn and practicing sword swings in the night after work. As for the girl, don't get me started on her. To sum things up she is amazing. The girl is smart to begin with but her hunger for knowledge made her absorb information faster. Quick witted, always asking questions, and overall makes sure that all finance is recorded. She's sharp at identifying mistakes. Due to her management, we manage to find some unnecessary expense that has been going for a while. Managing the entire barn has been a tiring by myself. From managing income and expenses, negotiating, and handling workers. So, giving her the job of recoding and bookkeeping has lessened my burden. These kids have been a great help in this business. Both of them adapted quick enough and performed admirably despite their ages and experience. The workers are even praising them for being hardworking and kind as they always receive greetings from them. If this keeps this up, in a month they will finish what they owe, and he is starting to feel that he is not looking forward to that time. Maybe he may ask them to stay permanently.
It's been a month since we started working here and it's been productive. So far, works has been great, tiring but worth it. Miyamoto-san even came in and told us it that he's satisfied with our works and if we continued at this rate we would get the horse a lot sooner. Koori really made a great offer. Although there has been some reaction from both of our parents, we manage to convince them that this is the best offer we can get. Feeling restless for making us do all the work, Mom applied on being a cook at a diner near the barn that we supplied to. It is where most of the workers go after their work, so we mostly meet every day. Knowing that my mother is working there, I am often tasked to transfer some goods to them. Being able to work my body while earning money to support our needs is hitting two birds with one stone. Carrying heavy things is a great opportunity to use the breathing technique that I'm trying to get into and so far, it is effective. Proper breathing really does give you strength and lowers stamina consumption just like they say in the show. It makes me a lot stronger than my age to the point that I was able to keep up to the grownups, which earned me some suspicion. I just explained that I was accustomed to carrying heavy things which they gladly bought, hopefully. Miyamoto-san built me some training dummy that I can use which is made up of haybale and wood. He said that he likes people who work hard and seeing as he needs to practice his wood chipping, he created the dummy. Another fun fact is that who would have thought that he is a descendant of the legendary dual wielding samurai, Miyamoto Musashi, which is kind of dumb for me since the name itself should ring alarms. Seeing that I was about to ask to be mentored, probably due to the way I look, he quickly dismissed the thought saying that he never became a swordsman. Kinda depressing but no matter, he helped us a lot already and I already owe the man.
The next morning came and just as I was entering the barn after my morning training, I saw a group of workers huddling just beside the office. Being something out of the ordinary, I approached them and saw one of the workers wounded in his legs. Blood dirtied the dirt as it sweeps away from the wound. Miyamoto-san and Koori are already working on the wound as people chatter to the possible causes to the injury.
"Excuse me sir, what happened here?" I asked the nearest man.
Pulled away from his thought, he turned around and immediately recognized me.
"Oh ren, good work" he greeted me in which I returned. "We still don't know what happened but Kotaro, the guy who's injured and Mize, the one near him, just entered the barn with a bleeding foot. limping"
"Miyamoto-san and the young lady Koori is still asking what happened" he added.
Still feels weird how every worker here address Koori as young lady. If only they knew how she acts when she's with me. Although to balance her mischievous side, she does know how to bandage a wound and has knowledge to medication. Well sort of to balance things.
Minutes passed and it seems like they are done. While having the one named Mize carry Kotaro in a better chair, Miyamoto-san and Koori noticed the crowd gathered and faced us.
"Aren't, you supposed to be at work?" Miyamoto-san raise his eye.
The workers only laugh sheepishly at the thought that they should be working right now.
Seeing as all of us are waiting for an explanation on what happened, he can only sigh and put his hands on his hips.
"According to their statements, Kotaro has been bitten by a wolf on the way here" he explained. "He was about to do be done when Mize and his friends arrive to at least scare the wolf away"
"So as of now take care on going home and I recommend going with a group or at least pairs until the situation is solved"
Murmurs can now be heard again as new information spread out. Times like this where winter starts to end is where most wolf activity rise again.But wolves tend to stay away from human settlement and instead focuses on their territory. Another thing is that Mill, and his friend manage to scare away the wolf. Most wolves hunt in packs and seeing a lone wolf trying to prey on someone near settlement means that it is desperate. Based on the experience that I have in wolves; it isn't far before it tries another hunt and this time it may be more dangerous. I need to notify Miyamoto-san and Koori about this and look for a possible solution.
As the situation concludes, workers are now leaving the barn as they head to continue in their jobs. Just before the owner and the young lady follow suit, they noticed me standing still, looking at them.
"Greetings Ren-ni" Koori greeted graciously as she slightly bowed. "What can I do for you?"
"There's a high chance that the wolf will come back to hunt again" I answered instantly.
This got the two individuals to look at each other. Miyamoto-san sighed.
"Let's talk inside my office. I don't want to cause more panics"
After Koori served us tea, all of us enjoyed the relax atmosphere before we tackle the potential problem. Following the few minutes of comfortable silence, I put the tea down and sit straight.
"As I said, there is a possibility that a wolf attack will happen" I started.
"As you can see, winter season is ending and as much as this business wanted to start early to make sure that there is enough to go around, the same can be said for the wolves".
"This is a settlement; wolves don't usually go near here" Koori replied.
"And yet one of the workers has been attacked"
"A coincidence perhaps, Kotaro-san lives in the outskirts of the town, so he takes the road covered in trees" she proclaimed. "It is near the woods so the wolves may have wondered nearby"
"Moreover, the attack has been made by a single wolf. A stray from its pack"
"A stray?" I laughed. "It looks to me a lone desperate wolf"
"Explain"
"Wolves often go in packs to secure food better and overall increase their chance at survival. However, there are wolves that hunt alone, someone who has no pack. What differentiate a pack wolf and a lone wolf is that a lone wolf is much more wild, unpredictable, and has more hunger for hunt". I explained. "Ordinarily a lone wolf can still overpower a group of people, it is just an additional food offered in their perspective after all"
"So, answer me this dear sister, why do you think it ran and don't bother answering something that it's scared, think"
If Koori is irritated by the way I talked to her, she didn't show it. Instead, she put her hand on her chin thinking of an answer to my question. She knows this, I'm sure of it. I'll give her time to think about it. I'll just enjoy this tea first.
"If it's not scared then it should be…" she questioned herself.
"No, it decided that he's at a disadvantage"
"Ping pong" I snapped my fingers
"Normally a group of 4 adults without any weapons would not be a hard of a challenge but it decided that it couldn't handle this challenge so it back out" I said. "It may be a weak wolf desperate to attack a town, probably starving during the winter"
"If it's starving then it should be fine to let it starve itself to death" for the first time, Miyamoto-san spoke despite being silent for the rest of the conversation"
"No, that won't work. A desperate being will always cling to life and will do whatever it can to do so. A desperate wolf will only result in a more aggressive attack"
"So, that is why you said that an attack is more likely to come" he said, and I nodded. "Very well, I'll tell the town patrols to stay tuned and double their men"
"Well about that..." I tittered.
"YOU WHAT!"
A loud yell can be heard near the barn where the Kitazawa family is currently staying, not in a house but in a barn where haybales are their comfort and cows as their sleeping mates. The family can't afford any more expenses to their limited budget, so they decide to sleep near their cart. Good thing that Miyamoto-san has given them a roof above their head even if its in the barn. Now they don't need to run for a shelter when it becomes too cold or if it suddenly snowed.
But it seems like the cold of the snow would be a better problem than what Kitazawa Akira would prefer. It was an ordinary day of his children and wife working, while he stayed home (their cart) to look after it. The burden of work suddenly switched when he loses his ability to put strength into his right arm. Although a luckier injury considering that he fought a demon, it nonetheless affected his lifestyle. He can no longer carry things that requires two hands, if he tried then it will only result in failure. The man can't even pull the string of his bow. It became a burden that his family wanted his forearm to be checked by a professional no matter how much he argued. Since, he couldn't work he was tasked to guard to belongings. It really struck him guilt never before when he saw his 10-year-old Koori and 13 year old Ren working his supposed to be job, to feed his family and provide needs. He really felt useless, but he shouldn't trouble his already troubled family. So, he swallowed his pride and try to make himself more useful in ways that he can. He decided that if he can't help his family physically then he should at least be someone who supports their mental and emotional health and dinner is a great way to bond and talk to each other about their problems. Well, his son really capitalized presenting a problem in dinner time.
"You want to hunt the wolf?" Hinata asked, more like demanded. She slaps her hands hard in the makeshift table that the owner has given us. Bowls shake indicating the force behind the slap.
They are currently in their late 30s and has been married for almost 20 years and he has picked up subtle motions and habit which corresponds to what she's feeling right now. Well she's mad, hysterically mad and when she does get mad she all decorum and gentleness are thrown out the window. No more prim and proper only carnage.
Her anger is understandable and clearly justified. After all his son has stated not asked, that he wanted to hunt the wolf down after Koori told us of their recent problem in the barn. He comforted us by saying that it is only a wolf and a weak one at that which we sometimes do when we hunt back then.
"Dad has taught me how to hunt wolves ever since I've started carrying a bow" he clarified, urging his case.
Akira was suddenly jolt awake as the spotlight suddenly switch into him. A sudden twist of head just as his name has been spoken and his wife is now staring with a choleric face plastered. He now feels that he's facing a dragon about to boil him alive or with words if it's still his wife.
'Yare yare, this boy has put me in hot seat' he thought as he took a sip of tea. With his wife now raising both of her eyebrows, he could only cough to calm himself before he heads to a war.
"Yes, I did teach him" he answered resolute though her only felt more heat burning his cheeks as her wife staring becomes much tougher.
"But..." she urged him to continue.
"But I taught you those ways as a means of survival and not something that you can willingly put yourself into danger" he finished defeated.
If he was asked on his opinion, he would say that he allows the boy to hunt the wolf. The kid has managed to survive a pack of wolves and sniped 3 or 4 of them, with his help of course and all throughout the fight, the kid has stayed calm. Following his exact orders and sometimes even making his own which surprised him, but a great decision be that as it may. If he can survive with a pack of wolves how much more when he only faces one weak wolf. However, the circumstances don't match his appeal right now. Hinata nearly loss her family that day and she became more sensitive to these things, so much more that she became overprotective. Her overprotectiveness is now starting to hinder the potential growth that Ren and Koori may experience. He seen it when both told them about the condition they presented to Miyamoto-san. She would never allow her young children to shoulder that responsibility if he himself didn't intervene. But alas, no matter how logical and sensible Ren's argument to her mother is, it will still lose when she argued with her personal feelings attached. That's just how mothers are built.
He himself still feels that this is rushed. A year or 2 of more training will produce better result rather than if he tried it today. Seeing that her wife will take no for an answer, the father decided that it is time he take on her side.
With a sigh, he looked at his son's eyes and saw how relaxed his face is as her mother continues to scold him. Relax but he can feel the determination inside that burns stronger than ever. A fire that will melt winter and will not be extinguished by water. Their eyes melt and a split second there he saw his firm and resolute eyes, obsess in his drive to change.
Akira can only sigh in resignation. He knows that those eyes will not take no for an answer. Her mother may by no means allow his endeavor, but he would still continue with or without her permission. His statement earlier is just to inform us of his plans and not ask for permission. If Ren will go either way, he will want him to be ready.
"Akira say something to this foolish son" Hinata bellowed. "Tell him how stupid and inconsiderate his wishes are, does he not care for my feelings? The thought that he may not return back alive?"
"As much as I agree with you darling, but this kid would not take no for an answer" the father replied while looking at his son. Both eyes met in understanding. "This kid will do what he wishes with or without our permission. Rather than forcing him to run away in the middle of the night, it is better if we prepare him in his hunt"
"Akira!" she shouted, anger and despair are heard in her tone as she struggled to stand straight.
"Hinata there will come a time where birds need to fly on their own. Let the kid go with a smile on your face" he stood up and embraced her wife which she dived deeper. Tears are now shedding in her vermillion eyes. Akira rubbed her back with gentle strokes as he held them down to sit.
"But he's only a child. He's still my baby" she whimpered
After Hinata recollected herself, she looks at her son with her hollowed, crestfallen eyes.
"Why?" she asked. "Why is there a need for an extreme?"
Ren took his time finding the best words to say as his eyes avoided her mother's.
He looked at her own eyes and said "I vowed myself that I would be stronger…" he paused.
"…stronger that I can protect you against anything that dared to bare its fangs against you. That there would not be what ifs and meaningless contemplation on what would and should have happened." he continued, his voice becoming louder.
"That you will never live in fear that something may go wrong" he said firmer and louder than before.
"I am lucky" he smiled sadly with a low voice. "We are lucky, there are people out there who lost so much more"
"Their lives… families… friends… and dreams for the future" he said, emphasizing on each word he spoke.
"I will not allow anyone else feel that despair and loss and never will we. I decided that it will be my mission to keep us safe from harm, that the only that will kill us is age and nothing more" he finished.
"And how does this connect with you hunting the wolf" Akira asked.
"My very first step to achieve my dream"
The sun is now visible as the bright and warm rays hit the couple. After they bid their goodbyes to their son, both decided to stay up and wait for him to come back. They wanted to see their son coming home safe and sound. On top of a stacked haybales overlooking the thick entrance to the forest they waited.
"Father why did you allowed him to leave despite the danger that the situation presented?"
Akira looked down and saw her daughter looking at her. The question also warranted the attention of his wife as she shifted in his hold to look at him.
"He grew up, he wanted to fly on his own and as a parent who am I to stop him…" he replied still looking at the forest when he smiled. "…especially if he proved himself spectacularly"
Her daughter only could only follow his father's gaze and landed on a small figure in the horizon. The sun behind his back, basking in its glorious warm and light.
There stood his brother a proud smile on his
face as he carried the body of the wolf in his back.
A smile crept into her face and before she knew it, her legs are now moving towards his idiotic brother.
Hello everyone, another update here! This is more of an information packed chapter as I put in the different information as well as the perspective and traits of Ren's family. I wanted to make the characters feel more alive and not just be a background character will little to no impact in this story. It feels wasted in my opinion. I hope I did a great job doing so. Another big thing is that I added the effects of Nevermelt Ice especially to demons. How do you like those? I searched a little about it and tried to base it in real life with cells and so. I'm no science geek so the information may be found inaccurate, though this is fiction so it can be a pass. Speaking of accuracy, Miyamoto Musashi info and future info's (if I put one) may be inaccurate as well so please bear with me. I wanted to put in the fight of Ren versus the wolf but that would be short, anti-climactic and we already had a fight scene last chapter. Have you felt the improvement in writing or is it just me? Please tell me in the review about it as well as your thoughts. The notification of follow and favorites I've been receiving is a huge boost to my productivity. Anyway, thank you for reading and see you in the next chapter.
P.S. I was able to improve my writing due to the book in Wattpad titled "Vocabulary/ Word list for writers" by -TheOtakuNerd- . So, any aspiring writers there, this will be a great help