Chapter 2
A long night indeed it was. Damn. She also wanted to rest but a promise was a promise. She took off her haori and put it on top of Hiroto. She knew that people that lost blood felt cold. After an hour, and trying not to wake Hiroto up, she settled him on his back and made her way down the mountain.
When she saw the wisteria trees in the distance, Kumo gave a sigh of relief. Sensei, Kaa-san, Tou-san, I made it! The sun also started to come out, meaning the end of the ordeal.
She could see some people gathered, way less people than at the begining, she noticed. She couldn't recognise anyone except the blond guy with red ends. He's a bit hard to miss. She deadpanned. She continue walking and noticed that everyone turned to look at her, which made her a bit uncomfortable. Well, maybe not her but the boy on her back.
She crouched down, leaned Hiroto against a tree and stood up. « Sorry to interrupt but my friend here needs inmediate medical help" she addressed the same white haired woman that had welcomed the participants at the begining of the Final selection.
« Of course, some Kakushi will come in shortly to take him » the woman said in a soft voice. Kumo nodded as thanks and just as the woman said, two men came in with a strecher tot ake him away. Stay safe, Hiroto. She thought as she saw him leaving.
« What a weakling » a survivor muttered "He's better off dead"
Kumo inmeadiately turned to the man "What did you say?" she frowned.
"That you wasted your time and effort, girlie » the man scoffed at her running a hand through his short brown hair «only the strong survive in the final selection and you were stupid enough to go against it"
"Hiroto is strong in his own way, don't underestimate him" she said angrily "And if saving a person in need makes me stupid, then yes, I may be one but people who ignore someone in need are worse than that, they're trash"
"And now you're calling me trash? You wanna go at it,stupid?" the man went to draw his sword but was quickly stopped by the blonde guy who grabbed his arm. "Ah…Rengoku, let go "
"As demon slayers, we protect people, that's our duty » he gripped the arm with more strength « and we don't turn against our own »
« Tch, whatever » the roudy man took his arm back forcefully « a stupid girl and a boy from a fallen clan aren't worth my time » he spit on the ground and he walked elsewhere.
Kumo walked towards the blonde guy and stood next to him while still looking at the rude man leaving. « Fiuu, talk about fellowship at the Kisatsukai. Anyways, thank you for helping me even thought I could've handled it myself. My name's Sugawara Kumo » she held her hand towards him « Nice to meet you »
« Nice to meet you, I'm Rengoku Kyouro" a rough, warm hand wrapped around hers « I didn't like his views on the weak. I respect you for saving and protecting someone who needed it » light golden red irises met dark blue ones at the same level.
«Congratulations, everyone » both turned to their right to see the white haired lady addressing everyone « Please, choose an ore from the table, this will be used to forge your nichirin swords»
« Ah...I know nothing about ores, is it some other kind of test? » Kumo wondered while walking towards the table.
« Haha! No, I'm sure any ore will do. Don't worry! » Kyojuro said with a smile next to her, she noticed he gave a calming, reliable sound. She decided she liked it so she smiled back at him.
After choosing their respective ores and having some kakushi take their measurements, they got their Kasugai crows. Her crow's name was Shiro and he was…well…
"Ack! Shiro, stop!" Kumo tried to avoid Shiro's peak hitting her head "Ouch!"
"Food, food!"
Hungry.
"What do you crows even eat? Ouch" she whimpered as she got another hit « Mou, here! » she threw one of the nuts she had found in the forest that was quickly caught by Shiro. It stood on her disheveled head eating happily. "Just my luck, I had to get the craziest one » she sighed and glared at Kyojuro who was trying to hold his laugh. « Laugh all you want, I am now doomed to live carrying a bag of nuts til I die! »
« Hahah! You're funny Sugawara-san!" he laughed loudly
"Just Kumo, please. We're the same age I think » she muttered as she got rid of some feathers Shiro had left on her hair.
« Ok, Kumo-san, please call me Kyojuro as well!" she noticed with jealousy how Kyojuro's crow calmy stood on his shoulder. Life isn't fair, eh?
« Will do. Anyways, I think we should get going » she looked around and saw that almost everyone had already left after having their measurements taken by some Kakushi « You going back home, Kyojuro-san? I bet your family will be very happy you passed the final selection! » she said excitedly as they started walking away from the mountain.
« Ah, yeah » she heard a soft sound coming out of him, it sounded almost...sad? Shit, she hit a sore topic. « I'm looking forward to seeing my little brother again, I'm sure he's worried haha! »
« Oh, you've got a little brother? » Change topic, change topic. « What's his name? »
« Senjuro, he'll be 7 this winter » he answered with a soft smile. "What about you Kumo-san, do you have any siblings?"
"No, I'm an only child. Sensei says that's the reason I'm a bit spoilt » she said with a chuckled « But I disagree, I'm suuuper humble, kind and overall great ya know?
"Yeah, very humble for sure" he laughed, having his warm sound back to normal. Good. « If you don't mind me asking, why did you join the Kisatsutai, Kumo-san?"
"Ah, to be honest, I always feel guilty when answering this question" she said sheepishly with rubbing the back of her neck. "I come from a family of rice farmers and we've always been very poor. I joined in order to give my parents the life they deserve. Where they don't need to depend on each year's harvest to survive the winter, where they can eat all the meat they want and live comfortably! And of course, I hate demons with all my heart. They're vile creatures and I'll put my life on the line to exterminate them! »she raised a fist to the sky and looked at him with a smile.
« ... »
« Sorry for rambling » her mouth just couldn't stop, could it. Now he's gonna think she only cares about money. Great. Just when she thought she had made a fri-
« I think it's a very noble reason" he said loudly giving a sincere sound "I'm sure your parents feel very lucky to have a daughter like you! I hope your dream comes true, Kumo-san!»
Her eyes widened when hearing his honest comment. She had always felt guilty when her reason wasn't as personal as most demon slayers', having no family member dead because of a demon attack. Thankfully. She felt happy and relieved that Kyojuro thought no less of her.
« Thank you, Kyojuro-san!" She gave him a big smile. "What about you? Why did you join? » she asked curiously
« My father used to be the Flame Hashira and I...need to hurry to step in as the next successor. The Rengokus always have a Hashira in each generation » he said with confidence accompanied by a dull sound.
He didn't answer my question. Kumo noticed but decided to let it slide, she didn't want to touch another sore topic.
« Well, if anyone's gonna do it, it's you » she closed her eyes while clasping her hand behind her back « I haven't seen you fight yet but I'm sure you're strong. Your sound is strong and determined »
« My sound? » he tilded his head a bit confused.
« Ah, as a Thunder Breathing user my ears are very sensitive and I can sorta hear people's...intentions? emotions? It's a bit weird hehe » she tried to explain. Please, don't think I'm weird.
« I see...thank you for your kind words! » he smiled. Ah what a nice, honest smile Kumo thought.
They fell into a comfortable silence and continued walking for an hour until the path bifurcated.
« My village's to the right, what about you? » Kumo asked while pointing to the direction she was going to follow.
« I'm afraid I go the other way. This is where we part » he said « It was a pleasure meeting you, Kumo-san! » he said with a bow. "I wish you the best of luck!"
"Where did all this formality come from?" she chuckled a bit "It was a pleasure too! We should totally spar one day! Don't die before that, though »
« Haha, sure. Let's do it! » he happily agreed "Don't die either" he turned around to leave.
"Ah, Kyojuro, wait!" he turned around as she quickly fumbled with her pouch to get a small branch with a couple yellow roses blooming in it. They had passed a rose field not long ago. "Congratulations on becoming a demon slayer! I wish you lots of happy and safe huntings from now on! » She felt a bit guilty for making him sad talking about his family.
Kyojuro grabbed the branch and stared at the flowers in surprised. He hadn't noticed her taking anything while walking. She's fast he thought and looked at her smiley face. She's fast and a kind person. He smiled back.
« Arigatou, Kumo-san! » his sound turned a bit brighter as he waved her goodbye. « See you around!"
Kumo waved back as she walked backwards towards her village.