As the weeks and months moved forward, the new year had turned. With the new year came the start of new ways and the continuation of old. With Giyuu's thorough guidance and diligent instruction, Yae had made more and more progress to mastering Total Concentration. Not everything had been positive for Yae however. She still had nightmares as her training continued. While they no longer came as often as when she first started, there were still nights she couldn't sleep. She would spend the nights she couldn't rest training her breathing, as it was all she could do to distract her mind. The days and nights Giyuu was gone for missions was when Yae allowed herself a break to try and deal with her thoughts.

By now she had accepted this life was now hers. It took the beginning days to grasp this was all real, the intermediate weeks to try and understand the information, and months to accept this was the reality she now lived in. Even with having to now dedicate her life to demon slaying and it was a unique form of hell, she was still thankful to be alive, she just hated the feeling of being alone. She still liked living with Tomioka, but he wasn't always here and wasn't always going to be here at the estate. She'd yet to know where Kocho lived, but apparently her estate doubled as the Corp's hospital. She wished she'd had at least some company. She couldn't even rely on Kanzaburou being there with her because he had to be with Tomioka during missions.

She heard the door open as she rushed over to greet him. "Hey there, good morning Tomioka, Kanzaburou." Giyuu sighed softly as he looked on at Yae. "Another nightmare?" She shamefully couldn't quite find the answer as the friendly old crow perched on her shoulder to support her. "You'll be alright... You're strong." She scratched him softly as she was thankful for his words. "Not quite a nightmare, just the loneliness setting in. You obviously still have your responsibilities and I only know two people outside of this house. Don't worry though, I am still training while I'm awake during the night. I think my old breathing pattern while I shoot is melding with Total Concentration!" She smiled at him for all the progress he was helping her make.

Giyuu nodded as walked to the kitchen to prepare for breakfast. "You should still try to maintain good sleep. If you're too tired to train or think properly, you'll become stunted in progress." Yae pouted as she poked his back. "You've taken on multiple missions during the middle of the night in the few months I've been here. I'm going to need to get use to weird sleep schedules anyways." Giyuu was lost in thought as he thought of what she said. 'She feels alone? I will admit I am not the best of company. She's by herself though when I'm on missions. Yae is right that she only knows a few other people. Proper socializing according to Shinobu helps the mind. I may have a few ideas. It may be time to take up Shinobu on her offer.' "Yae, eat your breakfast quickly, we will be making a trip."

Yae had actually jogged alongside Tomioka on their travel to wherever they were going. Over her course of training she had been doing mostly cardio and endurance training, so this was a nice change of pace for distance running. It felt familar. She still wasn't able to achieve the top speed of him, but she was still at least able to keep pace with his jogging. Either that or he toned his own pace down to run beside her. That's still a victory in her books. After an hour of running, she thankfully wasn't as tired as she thought she would be. "We're here." Giyuu slowed to a walk as Yae followed suit. "Where's here exactly?" "The Butterfly estate, where Kocho, and one of your teachers, live." Yae's eyes actually shined as they looked over the building. "Kocho?! Another teacher?! More people?! Sign me up!" She couldn't help but cheer as her day went from exhausting to estatic.

"Welcome Tomioka-sama!" "It's nice to see you again!" "Do you or the pretty lady need medical assistance?" Yae watched on as the trio of young kids rushed her and Tomioka, blushing slightly at the compliment. "Kiyo, Sumi, Naho, may you three fetch Kocho and Tsuyuri for us please? And prepare a room for Yae to stay here for a week or two?" Yae's eyes shot up to Giyuu as she began questioning him. "You're dumping me off here for potentially weeks?!" Her newfound annoyance left as she saw his features soften. "Tsuyuri's breathing style is about keen eyesight and reflexes. With her style an offshoot of Water, I cannot teach you what has been taught to her by the original Flower Hashira. That, and there is something special I believe I must acquire."

Yae looked up to him and even when hit eyes still looked dull, she believed his words truthful. "Alright, I'll trust you. You better not forget about me though." She poked his chest as she gave a half smile. "My my, what an unexpected surprise! Then again with training from under a Hashira, injury is inevitable." Shinobu joked as Naho dragged her along with her child strength. Giyuu shook his head as his friend stood before him. "I am taking you up on your offer for Young Tsuyuri's assistance." Shinobu smiled as she placed her hands together. "Magnificent! I promise you, she's in trusted hands. Kanao, introduce yourself please. You will be helping Yae here with learning the basics of Flower Breathing. No forms, just the fundamentals, we'll be helping her with reflex training too."

Yae watched as a girl peaked out from behind Kocho. "Hello there, by request of nee-san and Tomioka-sama, I am Kanao Tsuyuri. I will be aiding you in learning Flower Breathing." She was even younger than Yae, but apparently this was the person who would be helping her. Her eyes bounced back and forth for any sort of confirmation, getting nods from both Hashira. "Young Tsuyuri was more or less raised into the Corps. She has the years of experience and her teacher engrained every bit of knowledge about it into her. It's as Kocho said, you are in trusted hands." Yae looked back to the quiet girl and looked over her with better attention. It could make sense. Even older hunters could learn from younger ones if they were better experienced in different prey. "Yae Hasinaw, thank you for helping me with my teachings." She bowed as she heard the young trio cheer in excitement.

Yae watched as Giyuu walked out of the estate to leave her in her temporary home. She'd admit it was an uneasy feeling to be split from him, she became use to his presence, even when he was gone on a mission she still could feel him around. Shaking her head she did what she could to remove the thoughts from her head. Shinobu and Kanao gestured for Yae to follow them, she did as instructed and watched as the trio of girls all ran off somewhere. "It is interesting to see you out of your Matagi hunting clothing Yae, I must say Tomioka does have taste." Yae looked down to her clothes as she pulled her headwrap off to cover her blush this time.

"It's nothing Tomioka bought, I tried on his stuff a few times while he was away, but I just thought they were all too... Fancy? Not to wear casually? I don't know how to describe it, I bought these myself with what money earned from hunts." Yae was wearing dark wool pants and a light wool sleeveless top with a deer skin wrap around her waist. "This place may be better for you than you think aside from the training." Yae was curious on that before being shown an empty room with a table in the middle holding multiple cups. "This will help with standard reflexes and reactions. I take it you're still making progress with Total Concentration?" Yae nodded to Shinobu's question. "Splended, I'll leave that as well as combat training to Tomioka then. We wouldn't want to steal his student after all."

Yae sat down at the table as Kanao sat across from her. "Kanao is normally the last person people face when they go through reflex and rehabilitation training, but because of who you are and being trained by, she is where you'll begin. Your final opponent, will be me." Shinobu explained as a smile spread across her face. "The objective is simple: Splash your opponent with a cup of medicine water. You may grab them to stop them from splashing you, or you may block the cup itself." Yae smelled the medicine water and found it didn't really have much of a scent. With her earlier years of failed attempts to dress animals, she had accidentally punctured stomachs or kidneys causing both mess and horrible stench. "Alright Sensei, let's get started."

For one month, Yae had stayed at the Butterfly estate. From morning to night, she had trained with Kanao to points out exhaustion. The reflex training with the cups had taken her over a week to really feel there was progress, but Yae was as determined as she was stubborn. If they weren't training in that manner, it was Flower Breathing training. Yae was finally able to understand what Tomioka and Kocho meant when the different breathing styles were akin to fighting techniques. When she finally believed to be making progress, she would incorporate Flower breathing into the challenge to try and gain some ground in progress. After dozens of attempts and dozens of times of being splashed, Yae was catching up to Kanao. She still couldn't win yet, but admitting defeat wasn't something Yae was willing to do.

After the second week, the training had changed. Shinobu had informed Kanao of just how Yae had planned to slay demons, so the game of tag they used for training was slightly altered. Where Kanao would normally be the one being chased, they shifted the objective to Yae needing to avoid being touched. To make it more realistic, Yae was asked one day to bring her rifle. When she momentarily returned to what was her home, there wasn't even a hint that Tomioka returned here, she couldn't even feel the presence or evidence of Kanzaburou. "I know you won't abandon me. I know you'll come back, just don't leave me waiting for too long." She held her rifle as she walked out of the forgotten home, returning back to her new teachers, hoping her old one would come back soon.

After the third week, Yae found herself finally in ownership of her first victory. She was following Kanao, and even if she hadn't been able to splash her, she could still stop her. Yae was able to read her movements, the reflexes, the intent that the arms were able to give off. Yae imagined Tsuyuri's arms as snakes, attempting to strike at her, to shoot its venom at her and leave her defenseless. It was just as before, a game of patience until the right time to strike. She would not be the one left only defending. All it needed was one moment as a window of opportunity. Kanao used her right arm to grab a cup that was off to the side and Yae saw this as her chance. Yae grabbed it with her own right arm and dragged across Tsuyuri's chest to the left. As Kanao tried to reach for a second cup with her left, Yae pulled the arm she held hostage to the left and pinned the arm upwards. With Kanao having no way to defend herself or counter attack, Yae was the one that finally left the table dry.

"Yes! Finally!" Yae couldn't contain her excitement as she shot up from the table and celebrated her progress. "Oh, wait sorry Tsuyuri." Yae turned back around and grabbed a towel that Kiyo offered, drying off Kanao's head and uniform. During the three weeks Yae had stayed at the mansion, she learned of Tsuyuri's situation. It was hard to understand at first, but Yae quickly adapted to simple questions with the girl. "I could hear you from my office, I take it you've finally beaten Kanao during this time?" Shinobu walked into the training room to see Yae dying off her sister. "Fantastic, your evasion training and obviously Flower Breathing training will remain with Kanao, while this reflex training will be held with me next." Shinobu smiled down to Kanao as she was almost dry. "Sister, what do you think of Yae's progress? You are the one training her most after all."

Kanao brought out her coin and flipped it as all watched with curious anticipation. She watched as it landed on heads. "She still does not have great control over Total Concentration or Flower Breathing, but that is to be expected with only roughly three months of training. Her physical aspect however is proving to be her strong point. Her reaction speed and instincts are exceptional. I believe the more she can master breathing it will only increase her capabilities." Shinobu smiled at the review, being pleased with Kanao's speaking, even if it was the result of a literal coin flip. "Kocho?" Her focus shifted Yae as her expression became uneasy. "Do you think Tomioka is alright?"

Shinobu could feel the girl was worried, and thought some privacy would be best. "Girls? May you all give us a moment to talk? Kanao, please get cleaned up and grab fresh clothes. Kiyo, Sumi, Naho, please go help Aoi prepare before lunch. I know these two will need it after all that energy spent." One by one everyone left the room until all that stood inside was Yae and Shinobu. Shinobu placed a hand on Yae's shoulder, offering a sympathetic look. "I don't doubt Giyuu is alright. I also don't doubt if he tried to send Kanzaburou as a messenger, the old bird may get lost." Shinobu grimaced slightly as she remembered a few moments when the old bird had failed to deliver messages or delivered them to the wrong people. "But Giyuu is determined to see your development through, he wouldn't let something stop him from seeing that."

Yae sighed softly as she leaned against a wall. "You're right, I'm just worrying because it's been over the two weeks since he dropped me off. I've enjoyed the time with you all, believe me it's amazing being around other girls, but it's just not hearing from him that's bugging me." She did know Kanzaburou was an old bird Tomioka recieved him six years ago. It wasn't out of the realm of possibility the old thing forgot to deliver anyrhing or would get lost. Yae came to realize something as she was in her thoughts. "I never actually thanked you for that day at the village, I'm sorry if that was rude." Shinobu waved her hand and leaned against the wall beside Yae. "Don't be, I didn't do much of anything spare treat one fever and give a few words of strength. Giyuu did all the heavy lifting."

Yae smiled, thinking of him again. "You two must be close huh? You were using his last him whenever we were around others, but you're using his first now." Shinobu nodded her head giving a simple answer. "When you know someone for years and go on multiple life or death missions together during those times, growing close is bound to happen. But what of you though? YOU are the one living with him and still use his last name." The girls shared in a laugh as Yae stuck her hand out. "What say when he comes back we both lay into him for making us worry for however long he decides to be gone?" Shinobu shook hands with Yae as she smiled dearly. "What a lovely idea, as friends?" "Yeah, as friends Shinobu." The girls shared one last laugh as they walked to the dining area to not leave Aoi impatient for them.

For the fourth week, both Shinobu and Kanao were now training Yae. The stark difference between the two though were terrifying to Yae in terms of physical capabilities. Where Kanao was fast in her own right, Shinobu was blinding and unable to be perceived. She was unable to be caught, her movements zipping in and out of sight, barely able to be tracked for any longer than a thought. She lived up to her title of Insect, too fast to track by any normal means and impossible to catch. If this was what it meant to be Hashira, she wondered just how lowly she was to them not even being an official slayer yet. The gap in strength or ability didn't act as a deterrent to Yae though, only an invitation.

One day as she was handling evasion training with Kanao, the girl continued to prove her overall speed. Yae was unable to properly bring her rifle up for a clear sight to imagine a demon attacking. This only proved her original thoughts false, she would need new weapons additional weapons for if an enemy ever got too close. She wasn't sure how she overlooked this, when her father rushed her in the snow after the first shot she wasn't able to get off a second one. She still had one thing that gave her an advantage in close range. As she darted back and fort across the room, she broke into a straight sprint. She could hear Kanao launch off behind her in the attempt to catch up and this would be what Yae would use.

Yae turned to see Kanao closing the distance, her arm sticking out to tag her. This was her time to strike and not be the hunted. Concentrating her breathing, her eyes focused on Kanao and she forced her body to follow through. Yae dug her heels in and grabbing onto Kanao's arm, flipped the girl over and mounted Kanao. Yae reached for her skinning knife and grabbing the sheathe rather than the handle, held it down to pin the girl in place. Kanao looked up to her with wide eyes, caught off guard at the process things turned out. Yae giggled slightly as she rolled off of Kanao, suddenly feeling sore from the immediate pressure her body. "The victory is yours Kanao. I had to stop running and defeat the purpose of the practice, and now I'm too sore to keep going after that."

Kanao looked at Yae curiously as she held onto herself. She wasn't quite sure how to process what just happened, or the ruling of being declared the victor. She looked to see where the younger girls were, only to see they were the only ones in the room. "Hey Kanao? Help me up please so I can relax in a recovery room for a moment?" Kanao stood up and pulled Yae up, giving her a shoulder to lean on as they made for the door. As Kanao had an arm around Yae, she used her free hand to flip her coin quickly. It landed on heads once again. "That was a smart move, I failed to think of you having another weapon from your rifle. If I were a demon, that would have been my end. You may have been the one fleeing, but I was the one that fell into your trap." Yae smiled at the girl and laughed again. "I have great teachers."

As the two were walking to a recovery room, they saw the caterpillars rush off to the main entrance in cheers. They couldn't quite focus on the words the young girls were screaming out. However as they moved closer to the recovery rooms, the cheers became more clear. "Tomioka-sama welcome back!" "Lady Yae has been an amazing guest!" "What are you hiding behind your back?" Yae pulled herself from Kanao as she leaned against the wall for support and rushed towards the entrance. She finally saw the man before her as he was swarmed by the three caterpillars. "Giyuu Tomioka, care to explain why you were gone an additional two weeks and not tell us why? Or about where you even were, not even sending us a crow to tell us you were alright and causing us to worry about you?" She looked up to him to find his expression as the same as ever. His eyes as soft but firm as ever, and his features the same. Giyuu finally stepped to the side to reveal what he was hiding. "I wanted to keep her a secret until I returned."

"Puppy!" "It's so pretty!" "Can we pet it?! Can we?!" The caterpillars quickly rushed the dog, being gentle as to pet it. Giyuu only kept his focus on Yae. "You said you had been feeling lonely recently, and I hoped in getting her would help alleviate that. She's no Taro, but she will care for you all the same." Yae kneeled down at the dog, a Kishu Ken. She knew that these were hunting dogs, the old legend about these dogs was they were descended from wolves. She had mostly pure white fur with red going down from her head down her back and legs. Her soft little dark eyes met Yae's as they just stared at each other. She already had to be a few years old. "She doesn't even have a name. I wanted to wait until bringing her to you. She's yours, you deserve the right."

Yae looked up to Giyuu once again, trying to see if this was really happening. All he did was give a slow nod. Yae teared up as she wrapped her arms around the dog in a hug. "Hello there Torakkā, I'm Yae. I promise I'll do all I can for you..." Torakkā sat down on her hind legs as she rested her head against Yae. "I have something for her, but it will be something I'll need to prepare the next few days. It is something that will keep her safe." Yae let go of Torakkā as she threw her arms around Giyuu, tears streaming down her face as she held onto him tightly. "Thank you Giyuu... Thank you for everything." Giyuu decided to do what he thought was best and hug her back, needing to be supportive. "Think nothing of it Yae, live on and continue to grow stronger. That's all I ask of you in return."

He looked down at her as he rubbed her head softly. "Hm, you have your hair down and not tied up. It looks nice." Yae smiled and laughed a bit. "Yeah yeah, whatever you dork. Maybe one day we can take yours out of that ponytail and see how yours looks." Yae finally let go as she focused back on Torakkā. "Come on girl, I'm done with my training for right now, let's start with yours. Do good and I'll convince Aoi to give you some of her cooking." Torakkā barked in acknowledgement as she followed Yae, leading the excited caterpillars back to the training room. Giyuu watched the small parade of people leave as he was met with a slight peace. The peace was shortly interrupted, but by the person he actually needed assistance with. "I can only imagine how long it took you to find a dog that liked you Giyuu. That must've taken the bulk of your time away." She laughed as appeared next to him poking his side.

"Actually, finding a dog fit for Matagi was quite easy, what took the longer amount of time was this." Giyuu reached into the bag he had with him and pulled out a custom slayer uniform made for a dog. "With this and wisteria to help, Torakkā will be safe and Yae won't have to bury another companion." Shinobu looked up to him with curiosity and concern at what he thought he was planning. "Giyuu, wisteria is poisonous to-" "We take the seedpods or even the leaves of wisteria plants and boil them. Once they're boiling, we throw the clothes in to seep. The fabric is strong, but it will still absorb the color and smell. Once they've taken on all they can, we take them out, thoroughly clean them out of any flowers or seeds that may stick, and let dry. Even if Torakkā were to get close to a demon, in theory the smell would still be enough to repel them." Shinobu's expression quickly changed from concern to awe and splendor. "Someone's become quite knowledgeable of wisteria." "I have a friend that works with it, after years of watching them work with it, you tend to pick up on some things."

The final days of Yae's stay at the Butterfly estate was fueled by newly fueled determination. With Giyuu being back to watch her efforts and now having Torakkā to raise and keep safe, Yae found a new spark in her efforts. She still was horribly unable to catch up with Shinobu, but neither Hashira thought at lower of her. They simply saw her as inexperienced, and she was thankful they respected her as still being a work in progress, someone still learning. She wouldn't let Kanao down. She wouldn't let Shinobu down. She wouldn't let him down. In the early morning just after breakfast was when Giyuu told her they would be leaving to return home. He had been gone for a month leaving others to train her, he needed to get back to ensure she was strong enough to survive.

"If you ever want to come back to our home, you have my full permission Yae. The girls loved having you here, maybe leave Torakkā or give forewarning though." Shinobu offered as she stood several feet away from Yae and the dog. The younger girls were saying their own goodbyes as they hugged Yae's legs before also hugging Torrakkā. "It was so nice to have you here!" "Come back any time!" "We have a new sister now! Yay!" Aoi walked up as she offered her own hug to Yae. "If you decide to hunt or gather anything, I'd be willing to buy the fresh ingredients. So long as you process it, I'll cook it." "That is an agreement I can get behind." Yae couldn't help but grin at being paid to hunt again. Her eyes shifted to Kanao, standing there as if she was waiting for her turn.

Kanao flipped her coin as Yae followed it. Kanao watched as it landed tails and remained silent. Yae understood what it meant and just smiled at the girl, taking no offense. "I'll see you next time Kanao, hopefully there's a chance I can stay again in the future. We can keep training together." Kanao flipped her coin again, Yae was pleasantly surprised to see it land on heads. "I find that an enjoyable outcome." It hurt to leave the girls, but it would be enjoyable to finally go back home. "Come on Torakkā, let's go show you your home!" She barked with acknowledgement as both looked to Giyuu. "Lead the way home." The residence of the Butterfly estate watched as the trio walked away, Shinobu smiled as she hoped her conversation with Yae would bear fruits.

Yae showed Torakkā around the estate, finding it funny but adorable to see her in the uniform. "Hey Giyuu? I assume I'll be recieving my own uniform when I officially become a member?" Giyuu watched as Torakkā laid down on Yae's bed and watched them. "Correct, not just because of a clear identifiable feature to show you as an ally to others in the area, but the material is both resistant to cuts and fire... Although that last part did not stop Kocho." Yae looked at him curiously before going back to Torakkā. "You got her a uniform to keep her safe... Why did it smell of wisteria?" "Wisteria is poisonous to demons, it's what Kocho uses to slay demons. I dipped Torakkā's in boiling wisteria until it took on both color and scent. I let it dry completely before checking every fiber of it for leaves or seedpods. She can't eat anything that isn't there. She'll be safe from it, and from any demons."

Yae hugged her new companion as she scratched under the dog's chin. "Hear that girl? Giyuu made sure you were nice and safe. We won't let any ugly demons get to you." Both humans watch as Torakkā got up and stood on her hind legs against Giyuu, letting out a lowly bark. Giyuu was utterly confused as he looked down to the dog. "Uhhh... You're welcome?" He gave it a slight pat on the head before she started to lick his hand in what he assumed was a thank you. "Perhaps Tengu should've been her name? This intelligence is not of you world." Giyuu looked to Yae as he spoke, not quite sure how to handle a dog this smart. Yae smiled as she hugged her legs. "Congrats Giyuu, you managed to find someone else that likes you!"

Giyuu had instructed Yae to take it easy for the day, but to prepare for late night training. After hours of just enjoying being able to relax and help get Torakkā adjusted to her new home, the moon shined brightly as the world underneath it turned dark. Giyuu instructed her to follow him outside and to the lake's edge. "How did Kocho and Young Tsuyuri think of the progress you made? Anything noteworthy they said?" Yae played with her loose hair as she looked up to the moon. "Kanao commented my physical aspect is better than my breathing for both Total Concentration and Flower Breathing, but she did find I was improving. Shinobu had said to not help with Total Concentration training while there. She said she didn't want to steal me away from you."

"Hm. Thoughtful of her, I disagree with it though." Giyuu stood before the lakes edge as he grabbed a reed that laid beside the edge. "I will now begin more intense training, are you ready?" Yae nodded as she focused her vision. "Strip to what is comfortable and submerge up to the neck." Yae watched as he turned around and she stripped to her garments Shinobu helped her buy, slowly moving into the water. "Wow much colder than I thought." Yae whistled to herself as she slowly moved deeper in, trying to do anything to distract herself. Not wanting to go to deep into the water, she crouched down and sat into the depth. "O-okay, neck deep!" Giyuu turned back to her as he held the reed. "this is hollow and without any holes aside from the ends. Place this in your mouth and submerge completely. You are to use this as a breathing tube and maintain Total Concentration."

Yae grabbed it with no hesitation, trusting Giyuu by this point that he knew what he was talking about. Putting one end into her mouth, she leaned back into the chilling waters and practiced as she was instructed time and time again. It was a difficult process for various reasons. The chilling waters made her body constantly shiver in the attempt to keep warm, stealing her concebtration on her breathing. There was also she was more use to the practice of breathing through her nose, so to take in the air through the reed was a manual adjustment. She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but she eventually got to where the thin amount of air became uncomfortable and had to raise her head. "How long?"

"Three hours, far better than I had originally thought." Giyuu moved some hair out of her face so she could see. "I already know you're questioning this method." She guiltily nodded as her head sunk slightly. "The cold water forces your body to act without your control, which requires you to focus your body back into acting how you want it. The reed makes it harder to breathe, which requires you to both to try and take in more air, or to optimize what air you have. If you're able to maintain control in harsher environments, you can maintain control anywhere you are. Remember what I said?" She nodded as her head came back up. "You wouldn't put a challenge before me it you weren't sure I'd get past it." Giyuu nodded as he fixed her more of her wet hair. "Smart girl." "I do have one question though. We haven't done much in terms of combat training, just endurance and breathing. Why is that?"

Giyuu looked down at her before looking up to the moon, finding it peaceful. "Because your breathing acts as the very foundation to all else. It gives you the energy to be able to perform all else and make things easier for you to become stronger. Anyone else can train you in every other aspect, But I NEED to make sure you have a strong start. So that one day you will become even better, better to where you will not need me to be there anymore. Also in case anything were to happen..." He heard Yae shift as she stood out of the water and he kept his focus on the moon. "Would you care to explain what that's meant to mean?"

Giyuu sighed as he didn't look at her. "No you made the conversation serious, look at me while you explain it Giyuu." He finally looked to her, his eyes focusing purely on her eyes. The amber color being much more subdued in the moonlight. "Death is more common in this profession than you begin to know. The beginning process of Final Selection starts with several dozen people, less than ten survive the week every trial to become official slayers. Even then when becoming a slayer, you may find yourself in a mission far outside your capabilities. I've recovered the bodies of young capable slayers who died because they were given a mission that meant death was the only way the mission would end. I have the title of Hashira, meaning I risk being given the hardest possible missions for the most dangerous threats against humanity."

"Retirement is possible for us slayers, even Hashira. My sensei did so and another recently was forcibly retired. I'm more than likely going to die in this profession... That's why I am adamant on making sure you are capable. If anything happens to me, I know you'd be alright. This is what I meant in my promise. I will help you to live, and I will help you to survive." He closed his eyes as he was ready for another verbal lashing. What he was not ready for was to be slapped across his cheek as Yae closed the distance between them. "Nope. I refuse." He held onto his face as he stared to her in utter confusion. "You... You what?" "I refuse. I refuse you dying, at all. You don't get to die on me." Giyuu continued to only become more confused as he sat on a large rock at the lake's edge. "I don't quite think that's up to you Yae."

Yae rolled her eyes as she grabbed onto his haori pulling him close. "What I mean is you CAN'T die. You saved me from my father, from me killing myself, and you've given me a second life. So long as I live, thanks to YOU I'll remind you once again, you'll have me watching your back. It doesn't matter if it's missions or life, you're stuck with me. If I'm not allowed to die, neither are you. If neither of us can die, it means we both need to live on. Understand me Giyuu?" Giyuu was shocked to hear the words spoken with such fierce care, a way of telling him he had no other choice but to live. It... It reminded him of his conversation of Sabito, when he would yell at Giyuu for thinking he deserved to die. Sabito told him he had to live no matter what, how did he forget?

Yae was shocked to see Giyuu of all people cry, it was a single tear that rain down his left eye. It caused Yae to go from annoyed with him to immediate concern. "Hey hey hey I'm sorry for the slap or lecturing you. If I knew you would've had this bad a reaction, I promise I wouldn't have been as harsh." In her midst of trying to comfort him, she was surprised to see he was the one that pulled her into a hug. "Alright, I'll live. I promise. I can't guarantee I won't get hurt, but I will make sure I always come back." Yae was the one to play with Giyuu's hair this time as she smiled up to him. "Smart boy." Giyuu laughed as he let out a small smile. "It's late, let's get you into a warm bath. Training can continue tomorrow." Giyuu wrapped his haori around Yae to keep her warm as he grabbed her clothes. "Hey Giyuu? How about we change the agreement slightly? You help me live and survive, I help you live and stay alive." "I think that sounds agreeable. I think I like that."

The duo returned inside as Yae enjoyed the feeling of the hot water after hours in the cold. Her mind bounced back from all the conversations she's had with everyone. From the Master, to Shinobu, now with Giyuu. Her head partly sank as she was lost in thought. 'Two people that are alone in this world agreeing to be alone together and watch over each other. Life is funny like that.' She closed her eyes as she relaxed peacefully, her mind suddenly becoming clear as she remembered something she herself when everything first began. 'You're still allowed to feel joy through the life of a demon slayer.' Her eyes opened as she felt at peace. "Maybe it's time to we both remember to give it a shot."

Getting out of her bath, she returned to her room to find Torakkā laying in her bed. "Hey there girl, ready for bed?" She barked lightly and Yae gave her a kiss on the nose. She moved to her closet and sorted through the clothes Giyuu bought her. "I still haven't let him see how I look in the clothes he bought. His birthday is coming up too, and he didn't mention getting a mission recently so he could be on break. Better celebrate it while he's here." Yae grabbed a long black skirt with an ocean blue yuakata, tying it on place with a white sash. Looking at herself in the mirror Giyuu eventually bought, she found herself thinking... She seemed pretty. "Torakkā, what do you think girl?" Torakkā just looked at her in confusion before tilting her head slowly. "Ha... Yeah probably not a thing to ask the dog. Come on girl let's get some sleep, I'll have this ready for tomorrow."