Giyuu had only just finished one mission before Kanzaburou had come to him with another. He was not even able to leave the grounds of his last mission, but the work of a slayer was never done. Sheathing his blade he looked towards the couple he had just saved. They had just seen him slay a monster that was on the verge of killing him, yet they looked to him as if he was the monster. This was not foreign to him. Time after time, mission after mission, people's fear of the unknown often overruled their logic.
Normally the looks and thoughts of others didn't bother him. Now however, something felt off. He decided to try and help them. "Wisteria. It acts as a repellent to the demons. Carry charms on you that are full of it. Plant anything you can either near your homes, or around the village to act as a barrier. It will help keep you all safe so there will be less risk for us to return." Giyuu turned to the latest victim the demon killed as the fear was still evident on her dead face. He closed her eyes for her so she would not need to look at this cruel world anymore. "Kanzaburou, find a Slayer's resting home. Request Kakushi assistance to help give the victim a proper burial." With all that he could do to help in the situation, he left for his next mission. This was not something he usually did when dealing with survivors or after the demon is slain, he had changed since that day.
"A man-eating bear?" "Yes. In these parts and with the culture here, we call them Anamotazu, bears unable to hibernate and become restless. It has been angry or desperate enough to attack our Matagi. Please young lady, you really should try to leave while you have the chance." Shinobu listened to the warnings of the old lady as she looked through her supplies. "Unfortunately, I don't place much trust in others when it comes to buying the supplies I need. Besides, obtaining the liver of a man-eating bear is interesting to someone in my line of work. I may just go after it myself!" Shinobu laughed as she watched the old shopkeeper made a face of obvious concern. Both women however were pulled from their own conversation as they heard screaming outside. "You went back up the mountains alone again?!"
"I didn't go alone! I had Taro with me!" "Taro is just a DOG! What would Taro realistically be able to do if the bear does appear?! Let us older souls be the ones to avenge Matazo!" Shinobu opened the door to the shop to see a girl and some older men arguing over something. She had long black hair and wore what looked to be animal skins to act as a cape on top of her thick clothing. Her amber eyes were wild but focused. The girl didn't look any older than her. She turned back to see the old lady step into her view. "Yae... She's still trying to avenge her father? Poor girl, so wrapped up in her grief and anger that she's unaware she's going to get herself killed." Shinobu turned to the old lady as her curiosity converted into full attention. "Just what is it that happened?" The old lady sighed as her eyes stayed on Yae. "The maneater was the one that killed her father as well as some other Matagi. Aside from her trips into town for additional supplies, she's been staying in the mountains. It's painful to even watch this all play out." Shinobu honestly felt bad for the girl as she knew just what the real story was. She looked back to look at the girl, only to find a familar haori pattern in her view.
Yae heard someone grab onto the barrel of her gun. She thought it was one of the other Matagi trying to take her gun to try and stop her. "HANDS OFF MY GUN!" She threw her elbow back to try and defend herself from being made helpless. She was actually surprised to see it was some complete stranger who stopped her attack so easily. His hair was long black and wild. His haori was split patterened by attention she gave to his sleeves. His blue eyes however almost seemed tired or dead. As if he was simply not there mentally. He seemed... Cold. "I assume you are Yae. I am Giyuu Tomioka, member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Please, I ask of you to tell me of any information you can about the demon attack in the area." She looked to this man in confusion and remained silent, the other Matagi looked to be as confused as she came off as. "Demon? Didn't Yae say it was a bear?" "What is this man talking about?" One of the men took a step between Yae and Giyuu. "Um, are you with the police or something?"
Giyuu focused his attention now on the man. "No, as I said I am with the Demon Slayer Corps." "Is this like a branch of the government or something??" "No, we are an independent group that is privately funded." The group now became weary as the man spoke with no hesitation and full confidence in what he was saying. One move they had not expected was the man to kneel before Yae. "Please, I ask of you again for that information. The longer that my search goes on, the more people become at risk. I came to save people, not help bury them." Yae almost felt uneasy as she contemplated what to do. She felt the desire to speak but one of the older men spoke up first. "Wait a minute! I just remembered something!"
"Does anyone else remember that family of charcoal sellers?! The Kamado's that lived over the mountain! There were reports of some creepy individual in a two-tone jacket on the scene!" "This guy certainly looks creepy enough!" Giyuu was actually hurt at that accusation. Was he creepy? Had others seen him as creepy? "I did not hurt the Kamado's. They were unfortunately already gone before I arrived." He did not stop the Matagi as they attempted to subdue him with multiple pieces of rope. "To~mi~o~kaa." He felt several pokes across his back and heard an all too familiar voice. "Kocho?" "Isn't this a fun coincidence? As usual though you still substandard communication skills." "Have I not spoken to them with nothing but honesty? Is that not respectful though?" Shinobu smiled as she shook her head. "Shall I be the one to explain to them?"
She watched as Tomioka was wrapped multiple times over in rope, even attempting to restrain his wrists and firearms. "No, I have this under control." She actually let out a small giggle at this. "Ah, it doesn't quite look that way. You really do need to work on how you talk to people Tomioka." The group of Matagi had no idea as to what they were looking at anymore. They believed they were almost entirely forgotten by the two as they held their conversation. Yae had enough of this, she just wanted to go on about her business. "Listen, I have no idea who you two are... But if we're done..." She felt herself fall down to her knees as her face became hot and it became harder to breathe. Shinobu was the first to move in to check on her. "Oh dear, she has a fever. I'll take her inside so she can rest up. Tomioka can you please stop playing with the nice people and help me with this?" She heard the sound of the rope snapping apart with ease. "You don't mind? My apologies for pulling you into this." Shinobu looked up to him, giving a sympathetic smile. "I can't quite turn back now can I? You may have my help. This does pertain to our work after all."
Yae found herself in a memory, times when she was younger and things were simpler. She was unfortunately the only female of her age group growing up, so she took after a lot of the men in her tribe. She wanted to learn how to shoot, how to treat animals for their meat and fur and bones, how to live off the land. She wanted to be a Matagi. It was the only life she knew and the only life she wanted. Her father wasn't much a fan of the idea and was not hesitant to push back against the idea of her learning. To help attempt to keep her young eager yet trouble making mind in check, she got him Taro. A new born young little pup, one that became just as excitable and ready to act as her.
Yae found herself walking through her tribes home, the structure lit aflame from the inside. She walked around and all she should see was wayward death and ruin. Yoshimura and Kanji both looked as if their head's were crushed in. She was desperate to find her father as she moved deeper into the building. She saw... A monster. It was a large creature leering over a corpse with someone's arm still in its mouth. It's eyes bore into her soul as she was petrified with worry and fear. It rushed her and she was pinned underneath it as if it was still hungry for another meal. Before she could be devoured, she woke up. Her breathing was uneasy and labored, as if she was still trying to get air through the smoke.
"Ah, you're finally awake." Yae looked to her left only to see the girl from before had her forehead against hers. Yae couldn't help but shriek as she rolled away and held onto her gun for the feeling of safety. Shinobu laughed as she held her hands up as if to surrender. "You still have your energy I see, I'm glad." Yae looked around inside the building below putting her gun down. "Where am I?" "The pharmacy. You've been asleep for half of the day, I can only imagine how exhausted you were. Matagi spend days traveling through extreme weather, but even people as weathered as you all need rest." The girl reached for a cup before handing it to Yae. It was hot still and had an odd color to it. "Just what is in-" "No buts. Just take your medicine." Yae gave an uncomfortable nod as the girl was smiling in an almost contained manner.
Giyuu sat before the dog that accompanied Yae. He was unsure as to why the dog was growing at him as he had yet to even do anything. Perhaps that was why it was upset? That he hadn't done anything to give him attention? Giyuu had decided to try and pet the dog to please it, only to find the dog decided to bite down onto his fingers. Giyuu was visibly shook from the action and now just wanted his fingers back. He slowly dragged his hand to the left and then to the right. The dog still had not let go. Even when he raised his hand, the dog was willing to stand on his back legs just to maintain it's grasp on him. "Taro bad dog! I'm sorry... Tomioka, he's normally very friendly!" She hasn't seen Taro act like this in a while. Tomioka didn't seem worried, was he still attempting to play with him?
"I am deeply sorry about your father, I'd still like to ask you some questions though" Yae turned around to the girl apparently named Kocho. "What kind of questions? Why ask me?" Yae turned to face her as she finished her medicine. "What attacked you may have in fact been a demon." Yae gulped lightly as the two girls heard Tomioka speak up again. "Kocho, this is my mission. I will be the one to explain." He said as now Taro was attempting to bite him through his hair. "Last time you tried to explain you were tied up for it. Do you not even realize you're being attacked right now by that little furry creature?" "I'm not being attacked, we are playing and I am keeping the dog entertained." Shinobu shook her head as she dismissed him. "No, leave the talking to me Tomioka." Yae watched as the man physically wilted as if he was disappointed. He turned away saying something under his breath. "You ask me to be more sociable but shut me down and speak for me instead." Yae honestly thought it was adorable in a pathetic sense.
Yae had told them the same thing she told them before, that it was nothing more than a bear that attacked her father and the others. Kocho almost seemed disappointed. "I see. If it really was only a bear that attacked you, it's not what we've been searching for." "Yeah. Does that satisfy you people? Now it's time for MY questions. Why are you talking about demons as if they actually exist? Just who are you people?" Yae prodded as she fixed her hair into a bun. "As Tomioka had told you before, we belong to the Demon Slayer Corps. Demons are monsters that eat any living creature for the sole purpose to gain power. The power they wield is dependent on how much they consume. It does not matter how you hurt them, broken bones, disembowelment, severed limbs. They WILL heal as if nothing happened. There are only two ways for them to die: Direct sunlight, and decapitation from a weapon made of pure nichirin metal. We learn to hunt and kill these monsters of the night. We kill them in secrecy so then the common people may never know their evils. That is what it means to be one of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Yae turned away from Kocho as she clung to her rifle, finding comfort in it. She turned back to her after several moments of silence. "Do you... Kill every demon you find?" It was weird to see the girl still smiling even during this kind of conversation. "We aren't exactly murderers. We only kill demons that have already harmed humanity. If a demon had chosen to die of starvation refusing to eat humans, I would care for it until the end. But this seems to be not what we were looking for. If you would like, we can help you with the bear." Yae contemplated what do even do. After a while she shook her head and readied her equipment. "No, I appreciate the offer but I am a Matagi. I deal with my prey MYSELF. My apologies for troubling you two." She got up as she started to make for the door. As she was about to step out, Tomioka had stopped her.
"You shouldn't go out at night." Yae sighed as she was starting to get annoyed. "There aren't any demons here! Can't a Matagi go and hunt a bear?" Giyuu turned to her completely to focus on her. "Why do you have to go alone? For larger prey, isn't it best to go in groups as to not risk injury or death?" "Can you just stop pestering me and let me do what I need to?!" Yae brushed past him and walked into the dark winter night. "A demon to return to its humanity is next to impossible." Yae hitched her breathing and was stuck in place. She didn't allow her thoughts to haunt her for long before whistling for Taro. "See? I'm not alone now." With those final words, Yae walked out into the darkness. Giyuu stood there for several minutes as he watched her walk away and looked in her direction. It didn't take long for Kocho to finally step out in her uniform with her sword. "At this rate I'm not sure we can save her."
"Got it Taro? See if you can follow the scent." Yae watched him take front position to start searching. She wasn't sure how long they had searched and still was unable to find any source of their target. In a desperate attempt to distract herself from the cold, she allowed her mind to wander back to memories of her father. It was the first time she went hunting with him. The bear was more than worth all the effort it took for her father to track and kill. Nothing went to waste, everything that could be used would be. They killed the bear, so they could live off of it, live off what the land gave them the chance to have. She was so enamored and distracted in her thoughts she didn't realize how far ahead Taro moved. She could hear his barkings over the hill. "Father? Taro?"
Yae could see something fly closer and closer to her. Her blood ran as cold as the mountain's winds when she saw it was the head of Taro. She didn't even have time to mourn the dog she raised before going to the top of the hill to confirm what had killed him. The words that Tomioka spoke earlier haunted her mind. 'A demon to turn to its humanity is next to impossible.' She watched as her father, now a flesh eating demon, was eating the body of her dog. 'Once you spot your prey, calmly and slowly raise your rifle. Take two deep breathes, in through the nose, out trough the mouth. Target it's vital spots, and finally squeeze down on the trigger with the meat of your finger.' She lied to everyone about it being a bear in the hopes of finding him, asking him why he did it. With Taro's death strengthening her resolve, she wouldn't allow her father to continue being a wild beast.
She watched as his blood and brain matter painted the surrounding snow red. Before she could even mourn or reflect on what she had been forced to do, she watched him stand back up as if the bullet to his head was an inconvenience. The two demon slayers really were telling the truth earlier. His head grew back like nothing happened as he now began to charge at her like the beast he became. She desperately tried to put another round into the chamber before he was on top of her. 'Why? Why did you have to feast on the others? Why did you have to become a demon?! Why did you run away from the house?!' Her father pinned her to the ground and Yae was forced to use the rifle he gave her to defend herself, stuffing the side of the gun into his mouth to stop him from biting into her. If she was going to die, she wanted to know the truth. With tearfilled eyes she looked up to him and spoke in a pleading manner. "Why didn't you eat me too?"
"Y...Yaaa...e." Her heart stopped as she looked up to her father with wide eyes. She didn't want to try and dare to hope, but how couldn't see after this? Before anything else could happen she saw a familar figure jump over her and slash at her father. He retreated as his arm had been cut off, and Tomioka was the one holding the blade. "Oh my, it truly is a coincidence to see you here Yae." She could hear Kocho behind her, she could swear the girl was still smiling through this. All she could do was think of her memories one last time. It was the very first time she dressed an animal on her own without her father's help. She killed the deer, so they would live on. That they SHOULD live on. She was so proud of herself that day, she could tell he was proud too. "Kocho, take care of her. Keep her safe." She watched as Tomioka began to walk towards her father.
"Wait! Please..." "Yae. Please understand this. What stands before us is no longer human, it's a monster." Everyone watched as the demon grew back it's arm just as it did for its head earlier. "Prepare yourself Yae, I need you to watch this. This thing is no longer your father." The demon started to grow bones out of his firearms, large and odd in shape. What Giyuu didn't expect was for it was for the demon to launch some of the bones as projectiles. He used his bone blades like that of push daggers and blades gauntlets. How much blood had he already consumed to manifest a power like this already? Giyuu knew what he had to do. "Water Breathing Fourth Form: Striking Tide." Giyuu dodged the demon's attempts to strike him and found an opening. Dodging with a spin to the right, he cut off his right arm with an overhead swing, before using his momentum to continue another spin to raise his sword and decapitate the demon. Unbeknownst to Giyuu, the demon's head stared at Yae. "Live... Onnnn..."
Shinobu watched on as Tomioka had finished off the demon. She was curious as to why he almost looked stunned. "Yes. It really is over now. Now I can be at peace." Shinobu turned to Yae to see what she was talking about. All of time seemed to slow down as Yae had turned her own rifle against her. "Kocho!!" Shinobu began to trudge herself through the snow that was waist high to her. 'There's too much snow to properly kick off! I won't be all to make it!' Yae had removed her snow shoe to allow her big toe to press down the trigger. It finally gave way as the last bit of pressure was applied and she closed her eyes. Before the sound of a loud bang echoed through the forest, Giyuu had grabbed the barrel away from her chin and tackled her to the ground. His hand burned from grabbing the barrel, but Yae still lived. The sacrifice was worth it. Shinobu looked to where he just was and saw a crater of snow with a large rock at the center. 'He found a spot that wouldn't give way.' "Heh.. Hehe... Why? Why did you save me? Why did you have to do that?"
"Yae.." "MY FATHER WAS FORCED TO BECOME A MAN-EATING DEMON! I LOST TARO, MY FATHER, MY HOME! EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING IS GONE!!!" Yae looked up to Tomioka with anger and tear filled eyes. She hooked her right leg around his left to hold it in place before putting all her strength to push his right shoulder over. She flipped him over and mounted him, grabbing her skinning knife before holding it against his neck. "Why did you have to ruin my death?! What would you even understand about this?! Forget about me and let me die dammit! There isn't anything left for me!" "Kocho, stop." Yae heard the crush of snow behind her as her senses finally came down. Kocho was standing behind her, possibly to disarm and subdue her. Her eyes never left Tomioka though, his damned blue tired sunken in eyes. Why the hell did they look understanding?
"His last words were for you to live on." Yae couldn't help but feel all the air leave her lungs. "You are hurt, you're grieving. You're angry that this is the life you've been forced to experience, and even when I save your life you feel that anger and feel the need to lash out at something to focus your pain. You chose to turn your own tool of death against you as a way to escape these feelings. What would that do to the memory of your father? He dies hoping you would live past this, only for you to follow him into oblivion minutes after him?" Yae couldn't hold the tears back anymore as they just flowed freely now. Her breathing was hitched every time she tried to suck in air. She took the knife away from Tomioka's neck as she looked down at him. "Why the hell do you have to sound so right but still sound like you're talking down to me dammit?"
Shinobu placed a hand on Yae's shoulder, remembering just what kind of pain this grief can cause. "Please Yae, you need to be strong during this time... The way WE have had to be strong." Yae twisted her head back to look at Kocho. She finally dropped that smile, finally wearing an actual look of sympathy. Them too? Both of them? Yae bit her lip as she looked down to Tomioka. "Take responsibility then. You ruined my death, so I'm your problem now. Swear to my father you will help me fulfill his wish. You heard his final words and you have the answers to everything involving these kinds of things! Help me learn! Help me understand! Help me live! Help me want to live again!" She looked down as the man said something that caught her off guard. "I will help you to live, and I will help you to survive." She felt herself finally able to breathe again as she finally got off of him. She walked over to her rifle and picked it up, noting something. "Oh... My father's blood, it got all over the gun... Right... It's because we did kill him... He really is gone..."
Yae was thankful the two were at least able to help her with Taro's and her father's burial. Her father unfortunately completely dissolved away. At least his clothes remained. She wrapped Taro's parts in them, her hands shaking as she wrapped him up and carried them both to the burial spot. With one final prayer to the Goddess of the lands, she bid farewell to one life, and greeted another. The two took her with them to grab food. She would take anything to act as a distraction from her current thoughts and feelings. "You really have changed Tomioka." Both Giyuu and Yae looked towards Shinobu, Giyuu with a look of confusion and questioning if he should take offense, and Yae more so out of curiosity.
"Would you care to elaborate on that thought process Kocho?" Tomioka questioned now with the desire to know just what she meant. "I don't know the best way to describe it, but you have always been sort of... Cold." Yae now had to throw herself into the conversation. "He hasn't seemed so bad since you two found me, then again his speaking needs work." Giyuu turned to face Yae now giving her a look of feeling betrayed. Shinobu couldn't help but laugh as she continued to sip her tea. "I will be honest Yae, I really didn't expect Tomioka to actually speak the way he did earlier. It was as if he knew just what you needed to hear, like he's been through this before. What's caused the change of heart Tomioka?"
His mind raced back to the boy and the girl, one begging and pleading to be given a chance for his sister, the other a victim of demonhood, yet both had become a victim to the cycle of slaughter. He remembered he's cries, his pleas, Giyuu's own frustrations and desire to help. He sent them off to Urokodaki-sensei to be taught and aid in demon slaying. 'Did I make the right choice then?' He looked to Yae who was still giving him a wayward look. 'I know now with her father it was the right choice, but hearing him speak, regaining his humanity just before death, it still somehow made my right choice feel wrong.' Giyuu shook his head as he put down his tea. "It doesn't matter as to what has happened, or what will happen. All I know is I must not waver."
"We are demon slayers, we are stronger than regular people because we must be. Us who are ranked as Hashira must be the very support structure to the entirety of the Corps. But even as Hashira, we must never forget who we fight for, for who we sing our swords, who we fight and will die to protect. We can only be demon slayers, because we have others to be strong for." The two girls looked at the man, almost trying to figure out how to respond. Both girls were in awe of listening to the man speak, neither sure if this was really the man either had an idea about. Shinobu broke her silence with a small laugh. "My oh my, laying it on a bit thick aren't we Tomioka? Sounds like a hard life to live. But look at you though, able to talk so fluently and easily. If only your social speaking was as good as your speeches." She patted his back as the man looked as if he was wilting again.
Yae hung to his words though and stayed silent. To be strong for the sake of others, fighting for them, willing to die just to keep them safe. It's like the idea of throwing yourself in front of a wild animal to give someone else the chance to escape. It... 'It feels like something dad would do. He's probably done it and I never even realized. It's the exact same as what they feel like probably.' Yae rubbed the underneath of her chin and found the back of her hand we covered in spent poweder. Her eyes glued to it as she remembered not an hour ago what she attempted. Her guilt felt as if it was strangling her. She was able to choke out a few words at least. "I'll make you proud dad..." "Excuse me young people, here's your food, my apologies for it taking a while."
Shinobu smiled at her udon in satisfactory. She may not have done anything during the mission itself, but the demon was gone so the mission was still successful. "Here's your salmon daikon sir." Shinobu perked up as she remembered the food. Aoi had made this for Tomioka before, and weirdly enough when Shinobu saw her after giving it to him, she seemed utterly confused and almost flustered. Shinobu used this as he opportunity to learn what caused it. "That really does look delicious! Is it true you love this dish Tomioka?" She looked up to him to find something she never thought she would. Tomioka was smiling. He was absolutely glowing in what seemed to be pure joy over something as simple as fish and radish. "Tomioka... I think this is the first time I've seen you smile." Yae looked up to the the man was actually smiling. It was weird, to see the man who was so cold and stoic earlier now giving off such warmth. She couldn't help but laugh as she ate her own nikujaga stew. "Good to know even demon slayers are allowed to feel joy through the life you live."
The trio had finished their meal and proceeded to the border of the village. Yae looked back on the village, while she may not have actually lived here, this is where her people had the most business. "I guess we should have official introductions. It makes sense if I'm now throwing myself into this." Giyuu looked to her, as if trying to guage if this was what she truly wanted. "Are you sure this is what you want? To join the Demon Slayer Corps? You still have the chance to walk away." Yae glared at him as she shook her head. "You are not getting rid of me that easily. You killed my father, you saved my life, you two are what exposed me to this life." Shinobu laughed as she poked Tomioka's back. "Poor poor Tomioka, unable to think of or understand a girl's feelings." He flinched as he couldn't help but sigh.
He held his hand out to Yae as his eyes locked with hers. "Giyuu Tomioka, deemed Water Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps." Yae shook his hand as she suddenly noticed how rough his hand felt. She watched as Kocho did the same with offering a handshake. "Shinobu Kocho, Insect Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps." Yae shook both their hands as she let out a tired smile. "Yae Hasinaw, Matagi. My father thought the last name would make the Yamanokami jealous, but it was my mother's wish. You two can just use my first name still, not like you haven't earned it." She let go the two as she saw Tomioka kneel down in a curious manner. "Get on, we're going to be moving faster than you could move. It'll be easier to do this and keep us on track of time." Yae looked at him as if he was actually serious. She felt deflated as she saw he was sound in his wording. "Alright, alright." Yae sat down onto his back, putting her legs around him as he stood back up. "I only have one request to joining this fight, I'm not giving up my firearms or knives." "No one would ask you to."
Yae wasn't sure when she fell asleep on the journey or for how long. Looking up to the sky, she could at least guage by the moon it had to be late into the night. When they had stopped Tomioka had brought her to a giant estate with white stone pathways, it was honestly beautiful under the moonlight. "Is there where you live?" "No, it's where the Master of the corps lives. I brought you here so you may have a better understanding. I may be able to explain, but it would be better to hear them from a kinder voice." He finally put her down as she followed him inside. She had passed by several children, all with white or black hair and mysterious purple eyes. Giyuu knocked on the door to make their presence known, and was shortly invited in. "Go on, I wouldn't throw you into a situation if I wasn't sure you could handle it." Yae looked to him, actually smiling at the assurance. She gave a quick nod before opening the door.
"Hello there my child, Giyuu and Shinobu have told me of you. However, I do wish to know of you from your own voice." Yae was honestly shocked to see that the person deemed as "Master of the demon slayers" is a man who only looks in his early twenties. He looked sickly, half of his face was a deep shade of purple. She had to believe he was blind as well from the look of his eyes. "I'm Yae Hasinaw. Tomioka and Kocho found me as they entered the village I was in. They were looking for the demon who was my father. I tried to kill him myself to give him justice, but they came to save me from my ignorance. After he was killed... I will admit I tried to take my own life in grief. My gun jammed, and even after I lashed out at him, Tomioka knew just what to say to me. I want to live, and I want to join the Corps. Tomioka said you would be better to hear it from over him."
"Firstly my dear, I cannot tell you how sorry I am to hear of your loss. While it is true every slayer has faced loss in some regard involving demons, that is still loss, that is still pain felt, any way you choose to grieve that does not involve your death is valid. If you are here to learn, then I shall tell you. In truth, the demons have existed for over a millennia. We have been fighting them for as long, but only had the means to truly fight them at the same level since the Sengoku Era. We act in secrecy to eliminate the demon threat so that the rest of humanity may not have to face with the darker sides of reality. Only in the shadows can we truly protect what remains in the light." Yae was honestly surprised to see a man so young speak and act with such wisdom. She let out what almost sounded like a defeated laugh. "This actually is real... Demons are real, and I'm agreeing to join the fight against them."
Kagaya tilted his head slightly. "Are you sure you wish to join our fight? Giyuu told me you were a Matagi. Would you not be happier to continue such a life?" "Forgive me uhh-" "Oh dear my apologies. Kagaya, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. That was actually quite rude of me." "Ubuyashiki-sama, but I just can't go back to that. It would be like if I left those people who didn't have knives or bows or guns to go hunt or if I had them and left the people defenseless. I..." Yae hung her head. "I forced Tomioka to take me in. I want to continue my family's traditions, but I fear what will happen if I don't do anything... And if I'm left alone." Kagaya dropped his smile as he heard of this news.
"You spoke of attempting to take your life earlier. Do you believe you will try again?" Yae's vision shot back up to the man. "I... I fear where my thoughts may take me. If I keep myself busy and learning more about this war on the demons, I'll be too busy to think. If I have no one around to help me stay safe from my own mind, I fear I won't live long enough to regret what I'll do." Kagaya held his hand out for her before Yae held it softly. "You also spoke of what Giyuu said, What is it that he did say?" "He told me exactly what I was doing: Lashing out at something just to focus my pain. I was so angry that I was still alive and had no one left anymore, I needed... Something, ANYTHING, just in hopes of easing the pain. He told me my father's final words were to live on. He made me think of how my father would feel if I died seconds after him. He read me like a damn book..."
Kagaya couldn't help but laugh slightly. "My apologies again if that was rude. Giyuu is one that cares more than people believe. He may seem cold by nature, but there isn't much he wouldn't do to help others. That is precisely why I leave you in his care." Yae couldn't help but be confused. "You will stay with him, you will train with him, and he will give you the true targets on where to focus your hatred." Kagaya let go of her hand as he placed his onto her shoulders. "He will take care of you, and I ask of you to take care of him. While he is capable of taking care of himself, he is also quite lonely. I know not the reason why he does it, but with you staying with him, you may also keep an eye on him. Can you promise me such a thing Yae?" She looked to the blind man's eyes as she could understand just what he was asking of her. If Tomioka agreed to take her in and take care of her, he deserved the same treatment. "I promise Ubuyashiki-sama."
Kagaya smiled as he let the girl go, content with how things had gone. "Thank you Yae. With all that has been talked about, I believe this is a good time to stop. You have been through much today, please, get some rest." Yae bowed to the Master before leaving. She watched as Giyuu was in meditation outside the room. "Tomioka?" The man opened his eyes as he stood up. "You were right, everything went better than I could've thought. Ubuyashiki-sama also said for me to stay with you." Giyuu nodded as the two walked out. Yae had reassumed her position of being carried by Tomioka again, but was at least able to stay awake this time for the last stretch of the journey. She was honestly amazed at the distance they were required to travel. How far was he required to move to find the village?
Even if the estate wasn't as large as the Master's, the scenery more than made up for it. His estate was across from a large lake, and they had crossed several rivers just to get there. What tied it all together was the moon, it shined amazingly against the lake, it's still waters reflected the light of the moon perfectly. "Night hunts under the full moon were always my favorite. It gave off this feeling that was unlike anything. It was almost... Otherworldly." Giyuu stood next to Yae as he looked up to the moon as well. "The moon often is my only company during missions, I have come to find it quite beautiful." Yae nodded as she smiled up to it. "It really is."
Giyuu tapped her shoulder and signaled her to follow inside. "I do not have people who stay the night often, so you will stay in my room while I take the living room. You will need a good nights rest to be prepared for what will come. But first, I must show you something for you to understand." Yae's curiosity was heightened once again as she followed him. He took her into a room that wasn't the one she would be sleeping in. It only had two things inside: A haori just like Tomioka wore with its patterns reversed, and... A shrine? Walking closer, Tomioka opened it to reveal two pictures. One of a woman with dark hair and a boy with a scar on his face. "Who are they?" "Tsutako and Sabito. My older sister, and my best friend. They both died six and more years ago." Yae's eyes darted quickly back and forth between the pictures and him. "Why the hell are you showing me something like this?!"
"To teach you, that every slayer before you, and every slayer after you will join our war because of a shared phenomenon: Loss. We have all lost someone important to us. Friends, family, loved ones, it doesn't matter to the demons. Everyone knows just how you felt earlier, and how you still feel now. Grieve, it's the human thing to do. Grieve as much as you like tonight, in the afternoon is when I will begin your training." Giyuu closed the shrine as he guided her to his room. "Has anyone else seen that?" He shook his head as he continued looking forward. "I have never seen someone attempt to end their life so quickly from grief, but you deserved to know your pain isn't unknown. Should you ever need it, I would suggest Kocho. She is a doctor afterall, she would be great for someone to speak of these issues." Giyuu stopped as he opened the door to his room.
Yae stepped inside the room, almost bare in terms of visual appeal spare the mat to sleep on. "I just have one question." She said as she stepped inside and turned back to him. "Why didn't you react when I had my knife against your throat? You acted as if being threatened with death was nothing." "This war of ours placed our life on the line every night, my fear of death has long been dulled. Besides, you are a good person, you were just a good person who was hurting. I trusted you weren't going to hurt me." She watched him close the door and heard the footsteps slowly fade away with distance. Not having much else to do, she laid down under the covers, deciding to try to take his advice. She grieved. She focused on all the memories of her father and the tales he told of her mother. She remembered how horrible it was to watch him die, how horrible it was to try to take her own life, how thankful she now felt that she failed in taking it. She hugged one of the pillows closely as she whimpered herself to sleep. "I will live on papa... I promise."