It didn't take long for Kyojuro to return after gathering the firewood. Once he reached the the temple, he spotted Otsune standing on the engawa.
"Lady Fukasawa, I did what you asked and brought back firewood!" He said happily.
The elder woman smiled, glad to see him, and said, "Thank you ever so much, Rengoku!"
"Has my lovely snow flower awoken from her slumber?" He asks.
"Yes, though I'd sent her on an errand to the neighboring village for some herbs. However, she should've been back by now! The evening sun is already setting." Otsune explained.
Kyojuro frowned at this. "How far is the village from the temple?"
"Not far, only ten minutes by foot. I've sent Shiro to go look for her! I just pray everything's alright. It's not like her to get lost." Otsune said, worry etched in her voice.
Kyojuro couldn't help but worry as he then averted his gaze towards the horizon.
"Where are you, my love?" He mumbled.
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"I'm sorry to bother you, Miss! But could you perhaps help me?" The stranger asked you.
You glanced up at the stranger, it was a young man with long green hair with purple highlights. He appeared to be around Kyojuro's age and wore a long purple silk haori with gold embroidery. He had a strange tribal tattoo over his right eye.
You blinked at him and noticed he was carrying a flute in his hand.
"Uh, sure. Is something the matter?" You asked.
"My name's Hanasuke, and I'm a bit lost! Do you know where I can find the village?" He asked with a closed-eyed smile.
"O-oh well, you're in luck! I just came from there!" You say, then point down the road.
"Just follow down the mountain road, and then you'll see the village to your right!" You explained.
"You can't mouse it."
The man, Hanasuke, smiled and nodded at you. "Thank you ever so much! You're the only person who's shown me kindness! Usually, people just shun me." He says.
You couldn't help but be intrigued by his odd appearance. His eye, which wasn't covered by his hair, was a mixture of purple fading into gold, and his iris was brown.
Granted, he was actually kind of cute!
"I guess some people don't appreciate my music," Hanasuke says, snapping you out of your thoughts.
Realizing that you had been staring, you quickly addressed the situation.
"Ah, so I take it you're a musician then?" You gestured toward his flute.
"I am! I like to travel from town to town and perform." He explains.
"Oh, how nice! You must be very popular if you're traveling like that?"
Hanasuke shakes his head.
"No, I am but a wandering vagabond. Nothing about me is special; I just play music in order to ease people's fears." He tells you.
You tilt your head in question at that: "ease people's fears? What'd you mean?" You asked curiously.
"Well, ever since this whole 'demon outbreak' started, a lot of people are on edge!" He explains.
Wait, he knows about demons?
"So, I travel from village to village and play my flute to help them relax and find comfort."
"How kind of you. That's mighty generous of you, actually." You smiled.
"You're a good man."
"Thank you, that means a lot coming from a beautiful girl like you!"
His compliment made you blush as you shyly looked away from him.
"So, this path leads up to the temple, correct?" Hanasuke asks, glancing up at the stairs beyond the torii gate.
"Yes," you replied.
"So, are you a priestess?" He asked, glancing back at you.
"N-no. I'm just a humble maiden. The priestess of Yukiyama's mountain temple is Lady Fukasawa Otsune." You tell him.
"Ah, so she's the old hag that's been placing those vile talismans everywhere." Hanasuke mumbles darkly under his breath.
"I'm sorry, what?" Unfortunately, you didn't hear him clearly, as Hanasuke quickly cleared his throat before giving you a friendly smile.
"U-urm, it's nothing!" He chuckles nervously.
"Uh, anyway, thanks again for helping me. I really appreciate it." He says this before bowing to you.
"I wish I could give you something." He frowned. "Unfortunately, I don't have any money to repay you."
"Ah, there's no need, sir. It was nothing." You said this, waving your hand at him while fidgeting nervously.
"Please, it was only out of good will."
Your remark pleased Hanasuke greatly as he smiled.
"Then, would you mind if I played you a song?" He asks.
"Umm, I don't know...perhaps some other time. It's getting awfully late, and I have to get back to the temple." You explained.
"Please, I promise to make it quick. It's not every day I get to play in front of a pretty girl!" Hanasuke said before taking your hand in his and leaning closer to you.
You immediately grew uncomfortable because of his invasion of your personal space and touch.
"It's the least I could do to repay you for helping me. Just one song, please!" Hanasuke begs while giving you the most soulful puppy dog eyes he could muster.
You sweated nervously before eventually giving in. "Alright, but please make it quick."
"Thank you, Miss!♡" Hanasuke said happily before placing a kiss on the back of your hand.
His bold action made your face hot. You instantly had to keep reminding yourself that you were already taken!
He then let go of your hand before positioning his flute near his mouth.
"This is for you, my fair maiden♡" He smirked, then placed his lips on the reed and began to play you a song.
[Play video]
You felt a bit conflicted by his sudden nickname for you, but let it slide as you listened to his serenade carefully, finding the tune somewhat enticing.
Evidently, you found yourself mesmerized by the strange tune. Your mind's getting dizzy, as though being hypnotized like a snake to a snake charmer.
You closed your eyes, shaking your head slightly to snap yourself out of it. But the more you continued to listen to Hanasuke's song, the more sleepy you grew.
Unbeknownst to you, Hanasuke was grinning wickedly at you, watching as you fought to stay awake. But you were failing miserably, much to his delight.
No human could ever resist the serenade of his flute! You were just as weak as all the rest of his helpless victims that fell under his spell.
To him, you were a treat! You looked so delicious and ripe for the taking that he couldn't wait to sink his fangs into you and dine on your flesh.
His stomach rumbled at the sheer thought of turning you into a succulent meal.
Meanwhile, you stumbled back against the tree, unable to think straight, let alone stay awake!
Just what the hell was wrong with you?! You didn't know, as you found yourself losing consciousness.
Your world went black as you fell back, only to be caught by Hanasuke, who smiled at your now unconscious form.
He chuckles evilly, eyes glaring down at you hungrily.
"I'm going to enjoy eating you, Princess!"
However, Hanasuke failed to noticed a large pair of owlish eyes watching him as the creature then flew off to warn a certain Flame Hashira.