Kuri woke up at dawn. The inn was already bustling with the sound of breakfast being cooked and guests waking up early to be on their way.
She yawned, stretched, and slipped off her nightgown in the semi-light. Shivering, she quickly grabbed her working dress, and an apron.
Just a little bit longer, she thought. A little longer and I'll have enough to go home. I'll show him that I can contribute. That I'm worth something. And that he doesn't have to protect me.
She tied the apron around her waist and walked into the main office.
"I have a wake up run for you," Mr. Hulling said, checking something off a list.
Mr. Hulling was the owner of the inn. He and his family were friendly and kind, and allowed Kuri to live in the inn as well as work there. The rent was always free.
"Room 14 again?" Kuri asked, looking at the list. "Didn't I do this for that Demon Slayer kid last week? Wow, he was a piece of work."
"Yes well, this guest probably won't give you any trouble," He said. "I spoke with him earlier. He's very worked up because he can't seem to find his sister."
Sister…the word rang in Kuri's head. How long? How long has it been? I turn fifteen tomorrow. Two years. And tomorrow I'll have enough money. I have to go back.
"Kuri?" Mr. Hulling waved a hand in front of the girl's face. "I need you awake and on the job. After you finish with the wake up run, come back here for your chores."
Kuri nodded.
She left, taking the master key, and got to room fourteen in a moment. She knocked on the door, but there was no response.
"Alright, sir, I'm coming in to wake you," Kuri said, and opened the door.
"Wake up," Kuri said.
She had already set about to tidying the room. There wasn't much to clean up, but the boy lying in the bed there had left some clothes on the floor.
There was a lot of difference between the two. The boy half asleep on the bed had dark red hair, with a well built body. Kuri, on the other hand, had dark hair, and she was graceful, but her frame wasn't as built as the boy.
Oh yeah, and Kuri was working for the boy. Well, sort of. She was working for the whole inn, really.
Kuri picked up the clothes and folded them neatly, setting them on the chair.
"Mister Kamado," Kuri tapped him on the shoulder. "You scheduled for me to wake you up and..here I am, so get up."
"Meh..." Tanjiro said, rolling over and falling off the bed.
Kuri struggled not to laugh. She pulled the older boy up. "Be more careful."
The boy stood, and Kuri realized he was the Demon Slayer from before.
"You're still here?" Kuri burst out rudely.
"Yes," Tanjiro said. "I'm going to the Butterfly Manor after this. I'm hoping Nezuko will turn up there."
There it is again, Kuri thought. Sister. This boy is an older brother. And here I am not speaking to mine. I wonder if I could've ever been that close with him? Maybe, if not for the damn demons.
"You said you were looking for your sister," Kuri said softly. "I did a wake up call for a girl who might've been her. She wore a pink hemp kimono, and didn't eat anything I brought, and she ordered the wake up call at sundown. She doesn't say much…"
Tanjiro grabbed Kuri by the shoulders. "That's him! That's my sister, Nezuko Kamado! Do you know where she was going?"
Kuri nodded. "Sure, but if I tell you…I wanna come."
Tanjiro released her. "Why do you wanna come with us?"
"Well, because," Kiana said. "We're going to the Demon Slayer Headquarters. And I have to settle something there. Plus, do I look like I wanna be a maid forever?"
Tanjiro laughed a little. "Guess not. You can come."
"Well, in any case, it's time for us to catch the train," Kuri said.
Xxx
Nezuko gazed up at Shinobu, trying to communicate that she was looking for Tanjiro.
"What is it?" Shinobu said. "Where's Tanjiro?"
"Mm!" Nezuko cried, trying to help her understand.
Mercifully she did.
"I haven't seen him," Shinobu said. "I haven't gotten any reports of him, either."
She pet Nezuko and smiled. "But surely if you wait here he'll show up!"