A little heads up - as I was writing I suddenly got these ideas for extra interactions/conversations but didn't want to have them as separate small chapters. Instead, I grouped them all together. Just think that after the first portion they're training in between each one.
"…..."
"…..."
"I-I can't do this after all," Fuyume finally admitted after a long silence. "Not with you watching me so…intently."
She and Tengen had been remarkably successful in surviving the night before due in part to her thoughtful strategizing and his protection, so it was time for her to repay the hashira by helping him to understand her technique.
After they rested for a while he found them a clearing and prepared a target by taking a thick log stake and driving it into the ground a few feet in front of her, then asked her to start by demonstrating it first. The brunette had every intention of fulfilling their agreement of course, but when she noticed that his fuschia colored eyes were trained on her with mild judgement, she suddenly got cold feet.
The white haired male crossed his arms in response to her statement and with brow furrowed he said, "I was watching you just as 'intently' the night we met. What's so different about now?"
"Well for one there was a live demon trying to take my life so I couldn't afford to worry about you watching me." Fuyume argued.
"Just ignore me and use your imagination." Tengen answered with slight irritation.
"How am I supposed to do that when all I've got to focus on is a log? It doesn't even move."
She tried to argue but it was quickly becoming apparent to her that he was starting to get impatient, which wasn't helping to alleviate her uneasiness.
"Why don't I just explain the technique in great detail…?" She suggested meekly.
"Not possible." he spoke firmly, making her flinch. "Look, when we discussed the details of our agreement, you said you were able to demonstrate it for me so we sealed the deal there."
"Yes, that did happen but-."
"As I understand it, if your brother was stronger than you and yet lost to that demon, then there's a good chance that you won't even last a minute against it." Tengen reasoned with her, sounding a little harsh but surprised her when continuing sincerely. "I can help you become stronger, but I need you to help me first."
Fuyume tensed up in response, knowing that he spoke the truth. If she wanted to be strong enough to kill the demon that had taken her brother's life, then she'd have to comply so he can help her to do so.
She gripped her weapon tightly to her chest and turned to face her target. "Okay then…I'll do it."
Fuyume then took a deep breath to calm her nerves and slowly let it out, trying to forget that there was an imposing hashira watching her. She closed her eyes and shifted into a low stance, readying her body to make a quick dash towards her target, then opened her eyes again.
Now that her focus had been fully trained on the log before her, she took in one more deep breath - this time through clenched teeth - and held it. With that the aura around her changed, seeming to become frigid and silent. The whole area around them even appeared to be affected. Everything was still and quiet, and even time seemed to slow down.
Fuyume was still as fast as that night, swiftly slicing through the log in the blink of an eye while still holding her breath. When the deed had been done she let her breath out slowly through clenched teeth and relaxed.
"I have to admit that was as impressive as the first time I saw it," Tengen commented while approaching her. "Although you could use some work on making a cleaner cut." - he gestured to the log which still had a small sliver attaching the two pieces, but noticed there was still a small detail that needed his attention first - "And then there's the panting. Is that normal?"
"Of…course…it is," the brunette replied incredulously between gasps of air. "This…is the way…I've always…done it."
He raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "Your mother and brother too?"
Fuyume nodded and once she could breathe normally again she explained. "They know more techniques than I do and showed them to me, but this is the only one I was able to do - barely anyway."
"Do they end up short on breath afterwards as well?"
"Well…" she said with thought, trying to remember. "I don't think they were. I have to admit I was a little too awestruck at times when I watched them so I don't remember that small a detail…"
The hashira paused in thought for a minute. 'I don't have anyone else who knows the same techniques as her to compare her to but…' he concluded, trailing off and standing silently for a little longer before deciding on what he was going to do.
"I want you to take a deep breath. One as deep as your able to do." He finally stated. "Then let it out once you've reached your limit."
The brunette was a bit taken aback at his sudden request but did so anyway. She breathed in as deeply as she could and let it out easily. It seemed like the average amount a normal person could take in. The white haired male took the results into consideration, then made another demand.
"Take another deep breath, same as before." He stated, pausing to allow her time to do so. "Now hold it."
She shot him a questioning and worried gaze but still did as he had asked of her. As he figured, she was only able to last a few seconds - the same amount of time it took for her to perform her technique. She let out her breath quickly when she could hold it no longer and started to pant once more.
"How long could your mother and brother hold their breath?" He suddenly asked.
"I don't know exactly," Fuyume answered after catching hers. "Obviously longer than me, if they could string a few attacks together and use them in succession efficiently."
"Okay…" Tengen trailed off, suddenly regretting having to bring something so elementary up. "Does the term 'Total Concentration Breathing' mean anything to you?"
She just gave him a blank stare in response before uttering an, "Excuse me, what?"
He returned her stare with his disappointed one. "You're telling me you come from a family of demon slayers and you have no idea about it?"
She hesitantly shook her head and he lightly facepalmed. "Your breathing and stamina problems involved with this technique could've been solved if you'd been taught how to use it. They didn't even bring it up with you?"
"Our techniques are Null. They utilize the absence of having to breathe to increase stealth and speed." The brunette explained. "Why would they teach me how to breathe for something that doesn't require it?"
"As I see it, apparently your mother and brother were blessed with great strength, stamina, and lungs - something you seem to have not been born with." He stated somewhat seriously. "Yet they overlooked that and still tried to teach you their techniques, blind to the fact that you could've come close to their level if only they had known. You're lucky to have even survived this long."
'Lucky that we even crossed paths to begin with as well…She might've been dead if she encountered that demon before out encounter.' He continued in thought, turning his gaze to her to see that she was looking a bit downcast and sorry for herself.
He sighed. "Looks like we're starting with the basics. It'll be a bit tough but once you've got the hang of Total Concentration Breathing, you should have stamina to spare. You ready?"
Fuyume was uncertain at first but eventually nodded with slight determination.
-o-
"Wait, you have three wives?! Isn't that a bit…problematic?" The brunette asked with shock after he had shared this fact with her.
He had also told her he was a ninja too and she thought that was pretty impressive, but this was what she ultimately decided to comment on.
"That's also a bit…much. How do you manage your time…?" - she trailed off, quickly realizing she was probably going a bit too far on the subject - "Sorry I was getting carried away. I'll stop with the questions…Though considering it's what your clan practices, you must have a pretty big family."
"Had," Tengen stated simply, and continued when noticing her concerned gaze. "It's a long story. Anyway my wives to have their…moments but in the end we all come together as one unit. We're a family, after all..."
"If they're ninja too, do they travel with you?" He nodded and she continued with another inquiry. "Where are they now then?"
"They're gathering information for me in Yoshiwara."
"There of all places?!" Fuyume suddenly exclaimed. "I don't usually go near crowded areas but even I know how dangerous that place is! They'll be okay right?"
"Of course they will. They are more than capable kunoichi. I have utter faith in them." The hashira announced unflappably. "Besides, they're making sure to keep me updated on their progress."
"Oh, that's why I've seen your crow lately with letters." the brunette concluded. She paused for a while then suddenly uttered, "I'd…like to meet them someday."
"If we get the chance I'll introduce them to you if you want."
"Really?" She smiled fondly at the chance to meet someone new. "I would like that."
-o-
"So you speak a lot of your mother and brother," Tengen asked curiously. "But what of your father? Or is he not worth mentioning?"
"Oh, I didn't even know him." Fuyume replied simply, then continued with a bit of difficulty. "Honestly I speak highly of my mother but I'm not even that close with her either. The only one I was truly close to was my brother Taeru. I think…we kind of bonded mostly because he didn't know his father either…"
The hashira quickly shot a slightly intrigued gaze at her which she happened to notice so she started to explain.
"My brother's father married our mother by arrangement, but left her pregnant and defenseless when he found out about her blood and the dangers it brought." She said. "Those who share our blood are unlucky in the fact that we happen to be born during the night, so when my brother was born she had to fight the demons off herself until a couple of demon slayers came to her aid. That's actually how she was considered for recruitment to increase her safety and my brother's."
"She must be quite a force to be reckoned with then."
"I know! After my brother told me that story I was even more afraid and awestruck of her!" Fuyume agreed eagerly but became calm when continuing. "Anyway, my mother joined the corps. She juggled her slaying and mothering duties, believing that she had no time for love and intimacy. At some point she ran into a fellow slayer during a mission and after their success agreed to be partners for a time since they worked so well together. He didn't mind at all about her blood situation so as they bonded they fell in love. They conceived me but on the night I was born he gave his life while protecting us. Mother has vowed to never love again since…"
She went silent for a while, then suddenly said, "She's the only family I have left now. I hope…I hope she's doing okay on her mission…"
Tengen knew just how dangerous and life threatening being a demon slayer could be and yet said, "If she's been through all of that and survived, then I'm sure she is."
That seemed to brighten her spirits a little as she said with determination, "I can't wait 'till she sees how much stronger I've become! She'll be so proud!"
-o-
"Are those scars from demon attacks?" The white haired male asked when noticing her bare arm covered with scratches, making her jump.
"I thought I told you to stay put over there and wait for me to finish!" Fuyume shouted, sounding upset as she hid her arm even though he clearly saw it.
"You were taking too long," the hashira argued with a little irritation.
Silence fell between the two of them and she expected him to leave and give her some space, but he squatted down near her instead. She was angered by his actions, but continued bandaging her arm. She got about halfway before she couldn't ignore his presence any more so she answered his question to appease him.
"Yes, they're from demons." She said seriously as she stopped wrapping her arm for a moment. "They're an…unfortunate reminder of the mistakes I've made while trying to survive their attacks…"
"You may have made mistakes but you did survive to fight another day. I would call that a success." Tengen argued, sounding positive this time. "I know a fellow slayer who takes pride in his numerous scars."
"…He must be crazy."
"He is…a bit," he admitted after a pause. "But he's a formidable slayer."
Fuyume chuckled a bit in response, then continued bandaging her arm.
She finished and tied it off, and that's when he suddenly asked, "So why wear the bandages, if they're not open wounds?"
"I wear them to avoid the stares and questions of anyone I might run into, whether they're on the road or in any villages I visit." She replied. "I don't go into villages very often to begin with, other than to gather information. I usually help anyone I can in exchange for it and sometimes even get a meal out of it too, but I'm gone before the sun sets. I don't want to attract any demons to those who are defenseless if I can help it."
As she finished she suddenly felt a small weight on her head and looked to the hashira, noticing that he was patting her head.
"You're a good kid, Shinomori." Tengen said sincerely with a smile.
She immediately responded with a pout and rebutted. "I'm not a kid! I'm practically seventeen you know!"
-o-
"I've gotta say, you've improved greatly Shinomori," the white haired male commented after their latest training session.
"You think I'm good enough to 'last a minute' against that demon now?" The brunette asked curiously, not only quoting him from a while ago but also bringing it up because they were getting close to where she believed it is.
"Maybe, but there is always still room for improvement." A long silence fell between them until he suddenly asked, "So what are your plans for after we've killed this demon?"
"Well, you've still got to take me to Headquarters, as per our agreement." She crossed her arms and smirked and he did the same but glared at her lightly.
"I meant after that."
"That depends on what the 'Master' wants with me." Fuyume said as a matter of factly. "If it's not that bad and I'm let go I might just go back to wandering around and surviving the best I can." - she shot a curious gaze at him - "Why are you asking?"
"I was thinking that you're training was going so well, but as I said before you have potential to improve further." Tengen explained, facing her with a serious expression. "I want to be witness to that, so would you consider becoming a demon slayer and in turn, my tsuguko?"
The brunette was shocked into silence as she froze and looked at him with wide eyes that almost seemed to be asking if he was crazy. She concluded that he must be, if he was asking such a thing.
"You want me to be your apprentice?!" She had to ask just to be sure that's what she heard.
He crossed his arms. "Yes. I thought my question was clear enough."
She noticed how serious he was about this now but it was still a bit hard to believe.
"Sorry this is all just a lot to take in," Fuyume stated, starting to feel a bit dizzy and overwhelmed by this sudden and serious offer. "We practically ran into each other, we were forced to travel together and have butted heads on more than one occasion. Are you sure you want me to be your tsuguko?"
The hashira was now starting to become a little irritated. "Yes, we may have our differences but I've seen you grow and want to see you grow even stronger, so I'm willing to overlook that." - he is brow furrowed and he frowned with irritation - "You ask me if I'm sure again though and I might take my offer back."
She shrank under his gaze a little. "Sorry. I'll…consider, and give you my answer after I meet the Master."
Fuyume said that, but honestly she was extremely unsure about becoming a demon slayer. Sure it wasn't any different than her life as it was now, but she couldn't avoid the fact that the corps had robbed her of the relationship she could've had with her parents and her brother altogether.
On the other hand, despite the rocky start she had with Tengen, she still appreciated the time he gave (unwillingly at the start) to train and bond with her. She had to admit that she even started to look up to and respect him.
Maybe…Fuyume would seriously consider taking him up on his offer.
'It'll be far better…than traveling alone for once…' she concluded with thought as they continued on their way.
