Can't Do it Without You

✨ Chapter 5 ✨

"BUT! If this ever happens again, I'll never make you your favorite dish for dinner every again!" she exclaimed with her index finger pointed out at me.

"Do I make myself clear? That is a real threat!" she said, doing her best to make her voice sound as stern as she possibly could.

I just stared back at her for a moment before doubling over laughing with my hands on my knees.

"Y-... you think this a joke?!" she said bewildered.

She planted her right foot forward and pointed at me again before trying to continue "Y-you're a jerk! This is no laughing matter! I-if it's so funny to you then you'll just have to do your own laundry and cooking from now on!" she threatened.

Her seriousness wasn't convincing in the slightest as she had turned red and began stuttering.

"Oh my god- I'm so sorry. I just can't help it-!" I clutched my chest as I continued my laughing fit.

She stomped her foot into the ground and turned around "Whatever! You just take advantage of the fact I'm so nice"

I finally caught my breath and stood back up. I had to wipe the tears of my eyes before I could say anything back. 

"Look, I meant it when I said I was sorry. I promise I'll never leave you in the dark about my health and missions ever again" 

I raised my right hand up, imitating an oath.

She remained facing away but I could see her stiffness subsiding as she sighed and began walking towards the house.

"I forgive you, jerk"

I grinned before picking up my box and following her inside.

"Tengen-sama! Toji-kun is back!" Suma shouted as soon as she opened the doors.

I removed my shoes and placed them on the mat outside before entering. I knew what was in store for me and decided to brace myself for another scolding from Tengen.

"Are Makio and Hinatsuru not home?" I asked, stepping next Suma.

"No they had to run some errands in the town so they'll be back around dinnertime" she explained before calling Tengen's name once more.

"He must not be home either, but if he weren't then why was Suma calling for him? Surely she would know if he's home or not" I thought to myself.

Before I could even utter a single word I felt a huge pressure on my shoulder as a huge hand with painted nails clasped me firmly in like a vice.

My eyes grew wide as my body immediately stiffened and started sweating, I didn't even hear a sound or creak of the floorboards behind me. Which meant it could only be....

Suma turned around and her face went slightly pale once she who the hand belonged to.

"I'll be in the kitchen!" she declared before darting around the corner to escape what was about to go down.

My last ray of hope had left me to die.

I was a goner. I could feel it in my bones. I might as well grab a shovel and dig myself a grave in the backyard, it would spare the three women the hassle.

"Well... well... well" said the ice-cold, emotionless voice behind me.

I gulped and slowly turned my head to look at the man who was crushing my shoulder. There was no escape from the grip of the Sound Pillar and I knew that better than anyone.

"Tengen-sama! I didn't expect y-" I stammered out until his grip somehow tightened, silencing me immediately.

"You know what I hate more than drab, unflamboyant people? Go on, take a guess" he asked with a fake smile that failed to hide the pure malice behind it.

"D-demons?" I replied with a nervous whimper.

His eyes shot open as he stared down at me, pinning me down under his glare. 

Even though I was taller than almost the entire corps, I felt like a tiny barn mouse compared to the man standing before me.

Before I could react he grabbed me by the collar and lifted me off my feet with just one arm.

"It's people who think they're too cool to report back to their teacher about whether or not they were torn to shreds on their mission" he seethed.

I could only avoid his gaze and do my best not to piss him off even more.

"Nothing to say huh?"

He let go of me and I quickly jumped down into the deepest bow I could possibly manage.

"I'M SORRY TENGEN-SAMA! IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!" I shouted.

I maintained my bow, not daring to look up at the beast in front of me.

I've been under Tengen's tutelage for almost 3 years now and I've come to learn a lot of things about the Sound Pillar's mindset and personality. Coming from a clan of shinobi, he was always taught that the mission came first. Even before the lives of his comrades or his own. Despite his past he has grown as a warrior but importantly as a person, disowning these philosophies.

When my training with him first began shortly after he had saved me from a demon who killed my family, the first lesson he drilled into my head was:

"When you're eventually out there on your own, I want you to remember that your life comes before everything else. Even your mission. Fight, but don't sacrifice yourself in vain. Your life--as well as the lives of the drab common-folk we protect-- is your main priority. Got it?"

Even young me was shocked to hear this coming from him. Even before I learned about his origins, I thought he would be one to believe the "Complete your mission at any cost" type of mindset.

Unfortunately, I knew that this meant there was no way I'd get out of this situation unscathed.

"Do you think I enjoy finding out through Shinobu that my student was lying half-dead in her emergency ward after getting carried back from a mission by another slayer? Do you think I enjoy not knowing whether or not you're gonna come home the next day?" he scolded without even needing to raise his voice, his tone more than making up for his volume.

"NO SIR!" I shouted

I heard the sound of paper unfolding as he instructed me to look up, which I hesitantly obeyed.

He held the paper out in front of him and pointed to the signature "Kocho" at the bottom.

"Listen to what she had to say" he said before flipping it around and reading...

"Regardless of our petty disagreements and feuds, I consider you a good friend..... which is why I wanted you to be aware that your tsuguko is currently in my care at the mansion" he stopped to look at me before looking back down and continuing "At the time I'm writing this letter his condition is stable. However, his condition last night was anything but that. When he was first rushed in he was infected with a demon's poison that had spread quite expansively throughout his system, leaving purple patches all over his body. He was unconscious and bleeding from the nose. In addition to the bleeding he had a long laceration going down his chest and torso...." he finished.

He rolled the letter back up and crossed his arms.

The room was silent as I was at a loss for words. I didn't know if should I apologize or if I should just let him continue. At this point I wasn't thinking straight.

To my complete dismay he let out a small --albeit frustrated-- sigh and placed a hand on his forehead as he was thinking about what to do next.

I silently pleaded in my head that he would let me off easy.

"What about your swords, I don't see them on your back" he noted.

"Oh. Yeah. Well about that.... I broke them" I laughed, in an attempt to calm myself down rather than him.

That effort was in vain as his eye twitched and a vein appeared on his temple.

"You WHAT?"

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Chapter 5 complete 👌

I'm still trying to get through the introduction to the story before I get into the main stuff with Toji & Shinobu. Thanks to anyone who's still reading.
Peace ✌️