And we keep learning more about Kumo and her sensei! Sorry for the short chapter!

Chapter 5

For the next three days, Kumo worked on practicing her katas and total concentration breathing with Hina-sensei's help. She also helped her parents dehusk the rice paddies. After a couple days, they managed to fill a carriage with brown rice ready to be sold at the local market. Kumo's parent's ocassionally decided to go to a nearby village to sell in order to increse their prospects, and this was one of those times. They had decided to sell rice at the Sakurashinmachi village, which was a couple hours away. She knew she still had about a week before her Nichirin sword and uniform arrived so she decided to go with them. Kumo wasn't really good at selling (hence the 3 year-old fiasco) so her duty was to protect the merchandise, like a bodyguard. More like riceguard.

For the most part, their trip was quiet. Kumo could hear and almost feel the tension between her and her mother. The only time they spoke in the 2-hour journey was when her mother offered her a couple onigiris and that was it.

Could be worse she thought. Kumo believed there was nothing she had to apologise for. Her choice was made and she was going to go through with it until the very end. Her own objective was to get her family out of poverty while helping humanity. However, there was something else she wanted to achieve as a demon slayer. The thought had been on her head for a while now. Basically, she wanted to finish what Hina hadn't been able to. She was going to hunt a very specific demon that had caused her sensei great pain. The one that had killed her little brother 20 years ago.

-Flashback: 2 years ago. Kumo: age 12-

"So you're telling me, the Second Form of Thunder Breathing is called Rice Spirit?"- Kumo panted while trying to ignore the pain in her hands as she gripped her wodden sword. It had taken her a year to build up enough stamina and to start learning the Thunder katas. Today she had just started learning the second form, but she had to disagree with the name. "Of all names…why rice?!"

"...are you serious? It's just a name, you brat! " Hina hit Kumo on the head with her own sword « Seriously, this kata could save your life and here you're complaining about its name! »

« I'm just tired of rice, it follows me everywhere » Kumo muttered as she rubbed her sore head « Can I just change it to « anything but rice » Spirit?»

« That's...not how it works. You know what, enough for today » Hina could feel her temples throbbing. Kumo was a very good student most days, very diligent and self-disciplined. However, she sometimes was a pain in her ass. Like today. « The sun's setting. Come, it's time for dinner »

Kumo inmediately forgot about her complaint and went off running towards the bath house. « I'll wash up first! ». Hina chuckled as she saw her student's excitement. Kids these days.

After the table was set, the meal was served. Kumo didn't think she could ever pay back all the food Hina had provided for her in the past year. At first they tried to eat about half of it and take the rest home to her parents. However, Hina would have none of that. She ended up giving Kumo leftovers to take back home. So, in short, Hina-sensei was not only feeding Kumo almost daily, but her parents as well from time to time. There had to be a way to make it up to her.

"Say, Hina-sensei, why did you decide to become a demon slayer?" Kumo asked while chewing a piece of salmon. She had wondered this question for the last couple weeks and finally took the opportunity to ask.

"Ah, I guess it was about time you asked about it" Hina softly put her chopticks down while emitting a loud sorrowful sound. It was so deep and gout wretching that it made Kumo gasped, preventing her from eating a second bite.

"Sensei…you don't have to talk about it"

« No, you need to know since my reason is sadly shared with many other demon slayers » Hina firmly said while looking at her disciple directly on the eyes. « My little brother and I became orphans from a young age. His name was Takeru and I raised him by myself. I did every job I could, it wasn't easy but it didn't matter because we had each other. We were all we had. One day, I arrived home just before sunrise since I had worked the night shift at the local bar. What I found was." Hina gulped and clenched her fists "my worst nightmare. Our front door was wide open so I rushed in to find…blood, everywhere. I searched for my brother and I found something munching on…what was left of Takeru. I could only recognized his clothes. I-"

Kumo could feel the surpressed anger radiating fron Hina, it was rolling off her in huge waves. She gently put her hand on top of Hina's fist and gaver her a light squeeze.

"I don't remember what I did or say. My throat hurt a lot so I probably screamed very loudly. All I remember was seeing a very pale face with green tattoos all over it. After that, I passed out"

"My whole word changed that night. I buried him the day after and swore to hunt down whatever killed my brother. I swore to avenge him but...I couldn't find it again" Hina let out a bitter laugh "I failed to protect him and I failed to avenge him. I failed as a sister"

"That's not true sensei. You're the strongest person I know and..I'm sure Takeru thought the same" Kumo tried to appease Hina's overhelming sadness and anger « It...wasn't your fault »

« It feels like it is. Maybe if I hadn't gone to work that day, if I had arrived a bit earlier or if I had just been stronger...but it's too late now. My only hope now is not to fail you as a teacher » Hina slowly stood up while giving a pat on Kumo's head « I'll rest for the rest of the day, excuse me » Kumo could only watch silently as Hina left.

-End of flashback-

All the information she had on that demon was green face tattooes. Hopefully I'll find out more as I go out in missions. I need to help Hina-sensei somehow. It's the least I can do.

And with these thoughts on her mind, Kumo and her family made their way to the nearby village.