Blood splashed all over her clothes and her face the moment she opened the door. Before her eyes, a horrendous, indescribable beast held Konoha's head. The creature, without hesitation, gouged out Konoha's eyes. It tastelessly threw them at its mouth, chewing with its mouth wide open. The eyeball liquid dripped from the beast's mouth. Soon, it cracked open Konoha's skull, taking her brain out and consuming it with ravenous hunger.
Paralysed, Sara couldn't help but stare at the horrifying scene unfolding before her eyes. She could definitely not fight that thing. Her intense fear of being perceived prevented her from running away. Her feet were drilled into the ground, her knees were straight, her stomach churned and her mind rushed with blurry thoughts that reached no resolve. She could only watch, in visceral terror, as her best friend was devoured by a humanoid yet inhuman being.
As soon as the creature was done devouring Konoha, it lifted its gaze and directed it towards the ever-unmoving Sara. In her mind rang alarm bells, urging her to run. Yet her body, stiff and unready, did not respond. She saw her life flash before her eyes.
Her fieldwork with her brothers.
Her mother's hairstyling lessons.
The first time she sang in front of people.
The times where her father had killed attacking bears.
Her precious memories with Konoha, the sister she never had...
Kamado Tenjuro, her first love.
Then, it all happened in a flash. The weight of the atmosphere turned heavy, the figure quickly turned around and, before her paralysed muscles could even react, the ungodly creature quickly lounged at her. Its sharp, white fangs were centimeters away from her neck.
The few seconds in which she danced with death felt eternal. It all felt as if time was going in slow motion. The horrifying beast approaching, its dark mouth wide open, its sharp white fangs lightly gleaming in the dark, its hot breath on her neck... In that split second, she closed her eyes... it was the end. She had no way and no strength to defend herself. That was her reality, and she knew she would die.
This is it.
I am going to die.
Soon enough, an unexpected yet strong airstream blew through the house entry. Before Sara even knew it, the demon's head fell to the floor with a loud thud.
She opened her eyes and, to her surprise, an old-looking man was there, sheathing his bright red blade. His majestic grey ponytail fell elegantly on his back. His attire consisted of a yellow kimono. He wore black hakama trousers, which flowed beautifully with the breeze.
The otherworldly creature started vanishing immediately.
Sara was stunned. What had just happened?
Her saviour turned around to look at her. Seeing her state, he quickly approached her and took her out of Konoha's house, leaving the bloody scene behind.
His face was filled with warm concern. His gaze felt like a cozy light, embracing her inside out.
"Are you alright?" He asked, his voice soft and gentle.
"I... I..." tears welled up in her eyes, her voice breaking.
"Right... I'm sorry, you don't need to answer that..." he looked at her with a concerned expression. "Do you like udon? Let's get you some udon."
"Sara! Watch out!"
She was snapped from her memories back into reality by hearing her friend's voice. Thanks to his warning, she narrowly dodged the attack of the demon she and her two friends were fighting.
The creature ahead of her had pale grey skin. It crawled on the floor, and a strange, twisted horn grew out of its face. Its red sclera and lack of pupils gave it an unsettling look, similar to that of the demon that had ended Konoha's life. It lunged at her full-speed.
Moon Breathing, First form: Evening Palace.
With a swift movement of her blade, the demon's head was severed clean, falling onto the floor as it quickly started disintegrating.
"Fuckin' hell, Sara! You almost died! Again!" Yokichi ran up to her, his long, purple-tipped ponytail swayed under the moonlight as he finally reached her location.
Sara just dropped on her butt to the floor, supporting herself with her hands as she leaned back and laughed a loud, hearty laugh. Yoshiki approached them quickly, with a concerned look on his face.
"Holy God almighty, we survived!" Yoshiki's short, reddish hair danced around with the soft breeze as he threw his hands in the air, in victory.
Yokichi sighed heavily, crossing his arms as he spoke. "This one was fucking nuts. Worst demon I've seen so far."
"Don't you say that every mission?" The short-haired Yoshiki laughed lightly.
Sara sighed lightly, her smile never leaving her face, as they went through the mission routine one more night. She finally interrupted their light banter with her usual proposal. "How about we go get some udon?"
Giving his usual answer, Yokichi spoke with feigned exasperation. "You always want udon after battle."
"Why, of course! The first time I got consoled after barely making it out alive from a demon attack... I ate udon and it healed my heart. It's my fave post-battle meal!" Sara retorted, her already long-repeated answer.
"Right, right... Mr. Tsugikuni... that old fart sure loves udon." That comment earned Yokichi a trip to the ground. Sara used her leg to destabilise his knee, forcing him on the floor. His butt made contact with the fallen autumnal leaves, making a soft sound. "Hey!"
"Don't speak that way of Mr. Tsugikuni." She stated with a huff. "That man's a legend. He's so strong but he's the nicest person I've ever met." She thought before continuing. "He also treated me to udon when I saw him last week, so... No Mr. Tsugikuni complaints are allowed."
"He's the father of all breathing styles after all. We owe him some respect, otherwise we'd be dead slayers by now." Yoshiki replied, helping both Sara and Yokichi off the floor. "Let's honour him with some udon."
As they stood up and left the forest, they didn't notice the looming presence that carefully observed them from the shadows, lurking.
They reached the busy udon stand in town, they spotting a familiar figure amongst the numerous clients on the queue.
"Speaking of the devil, look who's there" Yokichi was the first one to speak but, before he could even finish his sentence, Sara was already sprinting towards the familiar man.
"Mr. Tsugikuni!" Sara screamed as she neared his side, drawing everyone's attention to her.
The silver-haired man turned around, flashing a warm smile as soon as he saw Sara's running figure. Her dark purple kimono and her hakama trousers moved in a strange harmony along with her running figure. Her ponytail swayed in a side-to-side motion until the moment she reached him and finally stopped running.
"Oh, Sara! How are you, my child?" He lightly caressed her head as he spoke with a soft voice.
"Just came back from a mission. Almost met God in the process. Same ol' same ol', y'know" she chuckled, enjoying his elevating presence.
He lightly laughed. "Tarou taught you well, you little savage" he pinched her cheek. "I'm glad he was the one to instruct you."
Sara nodded her head enthusiastically before speaking, "Of course, Mr. Sakamoto is more than qualified. Weird he hasn't taken any other students besides me though."
"I think you were... quite the challenge" he chuckled. "Moon breathing is difficult to learn, let alone to teach. I had a hard time teaching it to him myself."
"I know, right? It's insanely hard. Nothing compared to your Sun Breathing, though."
Mr. Tsugikuni hummed. "I suppose Sun breathing has always proved rather challenging for my students."
Finally, Yokichi and Yoshiki reached up to her at their walking pace.
"Ah, I see... you're coming from a group mission." The old swordsman observed. "Would you like some udon? My treat."
"Fuck yeah! Thanks, Mr. Tsugikuni!" Yokichi clapped strongly as he spoke, lightly jumping up and down, drawing a chuckle from the veteran swordsman.
"Alright, why don't you sit over there, Sara? You guys stay here with me to help me carry the bowls" he spoke, as he advanced in the queue.
"Huh? Why does she get to sit?" Yokichi whined.
"You can go sit with the lady" Yoshiki retorted, mockingly.
"Lady? She's tough as a fucking bull!" He retorted back, crossing his arms.
"It's alright, you can sit down with her. Your friend and I bring the bowls" Mr. Tsugikuni intervened.
"Hell no, I'm no lady! I'm bringing the fucking bowls" a huff escaped Yokichi's lips after his retort, standing next to Mr. Tsugikuni with his arms crossed.
Sara laughed heartily and, as she began to leave to sit down, she spoke. "Sucks to be y'all. Bye, suckers! Bye, Mr. Tsugikuni!"
Yoriichi chuckled. "See you in a bit, Sara."
Sara reached a tranquil place and carefully sat down. All of her muscles ached from both the continuous training and her fight with that horned demon. She slowly breathed in, feeling the fresh air of nature fill her lungs. She held the air in, really feeling all of her joints and muscles. Only to finally breathe out very slowly.
Amidst her meditation, a strange man sat ahead of her. "Hey, girl... why are you all by yourself outside at night?"
She softly sighed. This was practically routine every single time she went out on a solo mission. "Just leave."
"Leave? Why? Also, why are you dressed like a man? Thought you'd fool anyone?" The now clearly drunk man was starting to get on her nerves.
She breathed in slowly. Patience, patience, patience. He's a civilian. "First of all, this is my uniform. I am not trying to fool anyone."
"Uniform? You work? Don't you have a husband to take care of?" The man reached out to her, though she quickly slapped his hand away.
"No." She replied, matter-of-factly.
"Could I become your husband? I need a wife as beautiful as you." He hiccuped as he spoke, attempting once more to place his hand on Sara's face.
Sara quickly slapped his hand away once more, as Yoshiki sat next to her with a couple of bowls on his hands, handing one to her. "What is the matter?" He inquired, looking the drunk man up and down.
"Nothing" she replied, taking the chopsticks from Yoshiki's hands. "He was just leaving. Isn't that right, mister?"
The drunk man, seeing that Yoshiki carried a sword and noticing how Yoriichi and Yokichi approached the scene fully armed as well, decided to clumsily stand up. "Right..." hiccup. "I was just leavin'." He mumbled and, without any further words, he left the scene.
Yoriichi sat down in front of Sara, while Yokichi sat next to him.
"Thank you for the meal" Mr. Tsugikuni spoke softly, placing his hands together. The three young demon slayers imitated him, placing their hands together and feeling the gratefulness for another day alive, and another day being able to eat a delicious meal.
After their brief moment of gratitude, they finally started eating, enjoying every single bite.
"What are you doing in this town, Mr. Tsugikuni?" Yoshiki asked, out of curiosity.
Yoriichi swallowed his food and thought for a few seconds before replying to the young slayer's question. "I am looking for two specific demons" he commented.
Sara tilted her head. "Two specific demons? Do you even know them?"
He sighed, mixing his food with his chopsticks. "Unfortunately, I do."
Yokichi tilted his head, suddenly interested in the conversation.
Yoriichi kept on telling them. "You see. I am looking for Kibutsuji Muzan" he paused. "He escaped me many decades ago"
"Right, Lord Ubuyashiki told us about him." Yokichi commented, re-doing his ponytail.
"He is a dangerous creature. He possesses seven hearts and five brains. And he can change their positions at will." Mr. Tsugikuni's tone was grave as he spoke.
"What about the other demon? Who is the other demon?" Sara inquired, wanting to know more information on the other possible threat besides Kibutsuji Muzan.
"The other demon is... Tsugikuni Michikatsu." He sighed heavily as he spoke.
The three younger slayers were speechless. Tsugikuni... curiosity hungrily gnawed at them. Still, noticing Yoriichi's heavy mood, they knew better than to press further.
"Kibutsuji... he has... recently started working on a demon ranking system..." he commented. "The twelve moons... that's what he seems to call them..." The young slayers listened to him in absolute silence. "Apparently, he has one single demon moon at the moment... And I... just wanted to confirm something..."
Sara had never seen such grave sadness in Mr. Tsugikuni's face.
Such sadness should never stain the eyes of such a light being.
Whoever caused him this pain... should see no mercy.
Sara stood up, leaving her empty bowl on the floor, taking a seat next to Yoriichi. She placed a hand on his shoulder, attempting to give him any sort of consolation. "Mr. Tsugikuni... You don't need to talk about it if it's painful."
Yoriichi smiled lightly, patting Sara's hand, which was on his shoulder. "Thank you, Sara. You are very kind."
"Let's just enjoy what's left of the night and get ready for a bright day tomorrow" said she, smiling brightly at the man she would forever admire the most.
That was the last night Sara ever saw Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
As fate would have it, she was sent on a solo mission a couple days after that.
And, just like destiny takes you in one direction...
...it can swing you in another.
Before her stood, majestic and imposing, a six-eyed demon with characters inscribed on his two middle eyes.
Upper, One.
That's all (for today), folks! Thank you so much for reading!