"Caw! Muichiro, you have a mission! Let's go!" Ginko suddenly flew in just as the firework show ended, perching on Muichiro's shoulder as she glared at Inori. The Star Pillar responded to her glare with a mildly venomous smile.
Her smile turned into a beam as she waved. "Good luck on your mission. Let's train together the next time we're free again."
"Yeah. See you later." Muichiro gave her a hug before walking in the other direction, completely ignoring Ginko's overzealous yet disgruntled cawing.
"Looks like Ginko still hates me. How cute." Inori stretched her limbs, looking up at the starry sky. The stars are pretty tonight, it seems like heaven is on Orihime and Hikoboshi's side tonight. She smiled. Good for them.
Deciding to stroll around, Inori found herself standing in the middle of another much crowdier grass field. She let herself lie down on the grass, still gazing at the stars glittering against the dark sky. One day. She internally promised, reaching her hand out as if trying to grab the stars. One day for sure, I will help you go there too. No matter how much pain I have to endure, I will definitely bring an end to both demonkind and your regrets.
"Caw! Inori! Emergency! Emergency! The patrol team needs help! You need to help them! Quick!" Kanamaru suddenly landed beside her, cawing so loudly that it attracted a few curious glances. But Inori didn't care about that, immediately rushing off to follow Kanamaru.
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
Inori felt her eyes widening at the sight of her fellow slayers, most were writhing on the ground with deep cracks and burns all over their bodies. She wasted no time crouching down beside them. "What happened here? Where's the demon?"
"Ha...Hashira-sama!" One of the slayers gripped her sleeve. "I'm sorry. We're sorry...he...he went to the next town. I'm sorry...we couldn't do anything...sorry." Tears streamed down his face as he blubbered out apologies.
Inori hastily surveyed the fallen slayers. They're still breathing. It's labored, and most are on the verge of death, but I wasn't too late this time. She wrenched her bag off her belt. I can still save them and go after the demon. Cracks and burns, it's most likely the traitor. I have to move quickly.
"Can you move, uh—"
"Matsumoto."
"Matsumoto-san, you're probably the only one who can move right now." Inori propped him to a sitting position, hastily unpacking the entire content of her bag, and spilled medical supplies and vials all over the ground. She covered the bleeding cracks on his face, shoving her entire supply of medicine and bandages into his palm.
"I need you to treat the others. They're still alive right now, but just barely. This is a medicine that should be enough for first aid treatment. Use it and treat their injuries. Tell the ones who can move to help you." Inori kept her voice under control, no sign of her internal panic evident. "I will go after the demon. You stay here and wait for the kakushi to arrive. Use your breaths to slow down the bleeding if you can. I'm counting on you."
Inori didn't wait for a response, immediately sprinting towards the next town. The sky was beginning to turn from black to navy, the first telltale sign of the incoming dawn. The sun will probably rise in another hour or so, that's still enough time for a demon to destroy an entire town. She gritted her teeth, putting more strength into her legs. Faster. I can't be too late, not when hundreds of innocent lives are on the line.
The demonic presence—one, there's only one? But why does it feel weird?—in the town was so disgusting that her stomach twisted. Still, she followed her crow, rounding the corner into the middle of the street. Gyomei's words rang in her ears—"If we find the traitor, kill first, interrogate later, or never."—and she drew her swords.
Star Breathing: First Constellation: Dash of the Ram
Kaigaku felt his blood turn to ice, an intense feeling of death looming just around his shadows. He moved on instincts, the sound of clashing swords echoed through the silent street like a warning knell of death. A warning for who, he did not know.
He reacted a second too late. Blood gushed out of the diagonal cut across his chest, staining the streets a disgusting red. How? Was all he thought as his demonic abilities regenerated his diced-up lungs and skin. It only took him one glance to know who he was dealing with.
Inori splattered the blood off her swords, narrowing her eyes at the demon in front of her. She held her two swords so tightly that her knuckles ached and turned white. Her teeth were ground against each other until they rattled. Her glare intensified even more when Kaigaku decided to laugh.
"Well, well, look who decided to—"
Star Breathing: First Constellation: Dash of the Ram
Kaigaku protected his neck on instinct, narrowly managing to avoid Inori's swift attack. He jumped back a fair distance away from her, veins popping all over his neck as he felt yet another wave of excruciating pain coming from his sliced-up torso.
"At least let me talk, you—"
Star Breathing: Second Constellation: Gallop of the Bull
Thunder Breathing: Third Form: Thunder Swarm
Star Breathing: Seventh Constellation: Judgement of the Scales
How? How? How? Kaigaku kept repeating inside his head. How is this little girl stronger than me? Aren't the rumors about her powers all fake and created by suck-ups? He howled when Inori sliced his arm off, rendering him weaponless. She's a girl! She's smaller than me! Why is she so strong? Why aren't my slashes hitting her when hers are easily reaching me?
His arm regenerated, and he was forced to sacrifice one of his legs to retrieve his sword. And what's with her face? Kaigaku gritted his teeth as his movements grew desperate. The sight of Inori's impassive face made his blood boil even more. She looks like she's not even trying. This is unfair! Unfair! I worked hard, yet I couldn't be that strong! Yet, this little girl was blessed with everything!
Star Breathing: Ninth Constellation: Arrow of the Archer
"Gah!" Kaigaku felt his legs being severed, and he sacrificed his arm to prevent her blade from cutting his neck. It's unfair! He heard Inori click her tongue before the telltale clink of her boots told him that she was lunging toward him again. She didn't have to work for anything! Everything was given to her on a golden plate. Blinded by fury, he swung his sword hazardously
"It's unfair!"
Thunder Breathing: Fourth Form: Distant Thunder
Star Breathing: Eleventh Constellation: Tsunami of the Water Bearer
"Yeah, it's unfair." Inori deflected all his slashes, appearing in front of him with blazing fury in her eyes. "For all those people to die at the hands of someone they called a friend...it's so unfair."
Not good. Not good. I'll get cut. I'll get beheaded. I'll die. No. No. Kaigaku swung his sword, but his blade was thrown out of his grip with a single swing of Inori's sword, her other sword coming closer to his neck. I can't die. I'm about to be an upper moon demon. I can't die. Him. I have to call that person. He wants the Star Pillar captured. Surely, he'll—
Moon Breathing: First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace
Inori hastily jumped back, narrowly dodging the blade that was about to slice both Kaigaku and her to bits. The front of her haori and uniform were cut open, a testament to how close she was to sharing the same fate as Kaigaku, upper and lower body separated.
"Hm...your reaction speed is superb. Your body is also...quite refined." The six-eyed demon sheathed his sword. "Tell me, what is your name again? The name Akaza gave us sounded too stupid to be yours."
He then turned to glare down at Kaigaku, suffocating Inori as well in the process. "It seems like...you're still not worthy of the upper moon position...you should further develop yourself...for that man's sake."
Inori felt like there was something blocking her throat and preventing the air from going through. Her breaths came out in gasps, rapid and short. Her entire body was drenched in cold sweat from the sheer pressure the demon emitted. The hair on her arms and neck rose, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on her swords.
Her body was refusing to move, to fight.
Inori shook her head, forcing her erratic heartbeat to go back to normal. The sky is slowly brightening. Dawn will come in another hour or so. She sucked in a deep breath. She gathered whatever she had been taught and whatever she had learned on her own, swallowing the lump in her throat. One hour. Calm down. Calm yourself down. You expected this. Gritting her teeth, she took reign of her rampaging emotions. Calm down!
The demon hummed, the middle of his six eyes narrowing. "Your mental strength is...worth some praise," Kokushibo complimented. "Even against me, you managed to calm your—"
Star Breathing: Ninth Constellation, Modified: Dispersing Arrows of the Flaming Archer
Kokushibo easily dodged her attack, seemingly teleporting behind her. "Star Breathing...Akaza was right." He watched as the flaming tornado of arrows dissipated beautifully. The girl whirled around to face him again, and Kokushibo found not a single trace of surprise within her. "It is beautiful and fast, like a dance. Did you create it yourself?"
Star Breathing: First Constellation: Dash of the Ram
"You are turning fourteen this year, no?" Kokushibo appeared behind her again, watching as her beautiful slash cut nothing but air. "To be able to achieve so much at your age is remarkable. Your techniques are quite polished as well. A decade into the future, you will have achieved more."
His speed is on a completely different level. Inori couldn't help but feel more sweat building up on her body. He's been alive for centuries, so it's only natural, but a demon who uses breaths and was considered the second strongest demon slayer in all history...can I really win?
"Girl, let me give you the honor of becoming a demon." Inori tensed at the offer as Kokushibo held his hand out. "If it's you, then there's nothing to be afraid of. You are the key to creating the perfect creature." The middle pair of his six eyes narrowed again. "Yes, you needn't fear anything, not the sun, not the demon slayers. Don't waste your life, you can still become the strongest in the world."
Inori tightened her grip on her swords, and she could suddenly feel a hand on top of hers. There was a voice in her ears, her master's voice—"And this path will be much more painful for you."—her eyes went wide as his soothing voice whispered into her mind— "You, who holds the key to what Kibutsuji Muzan wants, will be targeted by him."
The mental weight of the shogi pieces she had grabbed back then, and the weight on her swords; she could feel them grounding her—"Once you wear our uniform and step outside, you won't be protected, you'll be the protector."—Hoshizora Inori was a pillar. She was one of the pillars of the Demon Slaying Corps. Her master had requested her to take the duties that came with that position—"You must overcome the strongest of demons who will want to bring you to him, and you mustn't let the demons get the key."
"I refuse."
Does it really matter whether I can win? Inori gripped her swords, inhaling as deeply as her lungs allowed her to. I walked down this path fully aware that death may come to me at any second. I became a pillar knowing that I will have to fight on the frontlines. She let her body relax, shifting into a stance. If I'm fated to die today, then at least I should bring him down with me.
Star Breathing: Final Constellation: Prayer of the Constellations
"The speed fluctuations...I see. There is no set tempo." Kokushibo commented, dodging her attacks. "It's difficult to read your movements. How impressive. It's like I'm a speck of insignificant dust surrounded by millions of celestial bodies." He gripped the handle of his sword. "It would be rude of me to keep my blade sheathed."
Moon Breathing: Second Form: Pearl Flower Moongazing
Star Breathing: Thirteenth Constellation, Modified: Scattering Coils of the Elemental Serpent Bearer, Hydra
Inori deflected and dodged the chaotic slashes, forcing her eyes to remain open despite the urge to blink. All the hair on my skin is warning me of danger. She swung her sword, grunting when she was pushed back by his attack. His slashes are so chaotic and warped, there's no set form. I wouldn't be able to dodge or fully deflect his attacks if it weren't for my experience.
She guessed all those time spent being a bait for demon moons paid off.
"Impressive," the demon praised, and Inori noticed his blade—disgusting, so many eyes, ew—was still drawn. "Did you derive Star Breathing from Moon Breathing? I can see the resemblance. It deeply moves me to know someone is able to come close to me."
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Inori retorted, readying her stance. "Unlike the moon, stars produce their own light. The sun itself is a star, the closest star to Earth. I'm very much superior to the moon." She found the time to deliver a smirk before kicking off, ducking under his overlapping attacks.
Star Breathing: Second Constellation: Gallop of the Bull
I need to get close to him. Inori dragged her feet through the ground as she was pushed back by his attacks. She continued to parry them off, dodging the ones her blades couldn't deflect. If his attacks are dangerous, then I simply must not let him attack. If it's a game of speed, then it's my forte.
Wind Breathing: Seventh Form: Gale, Sudden Gusts
Inori didn't let him take his stances. She leaped, swinging her swords repeatedly. She ducked under the swing of his sword, using her boots to kick his blade to the side, breaking it in the process. She sprung upwards, managing to lop his ear off before he attempted to swing his blade again. She used his stretched sword as a footing to backflip behind him, breaking the blade in the process.
Moon Breath—
Star Breathing: Eighth Constellation: Sting of the Scorpion
Inori ducked under his regenerated blade, sliding between his legs to appear behind him again.
Moon—
Mist Breathing: Second Form, Modified: Eight-Layered Mist, Double Layers
She continued to release slash after slash, gritting her teeth every time she felt the tip of his blade brushing against her skin. Little scratches and nicks covered her entire body as she continued her relentless attacks.
Moon Breathing: Fifth—
Thunder Breathing: Second Form: Rice Spirit
"I acknowledge your speed."
Her eyes went wide as he swung his blade. Planting her feet into the ground, she switched the trajectory of her swords.
Moon Breathing: Fifth Form: Moon Spirit Calamitous Eddy
Star Breathing: Thirteenth Constellation: Coils of the Serpent Bearer, Three Heads
Inori groaned as she was being pushed back by his slashes, the sheer power in them would have sent her flying had she not stabbed one of her swords into the ground and used the other to protect herself as best as she could. Blood trickled down her face, and she gritted her teeth.
"You can do multiple breathing styles. That's very talented of you," the demon praised. "But even if you break my sword or cut my flesh, it will simply regenerate." He made a point of showing the regenerated ear she had just cut off. "Humans are truly fragile creatures."
Inori huffed and puffed, wiping the blood dribbling down her nose. No matter how much stamina she has, doing consecutive attacks without stopping would put a toll on her body, more so since she was a human with limitations. How much longer until sunrise?
"Hoshizora-sama! We're here to help!" Inori tensed at the source of voices. No. Why are they here? I told them to wait for the kakushi. She raised her swords, moving to stand in front of the demons. They can't! They'll die if they come here!
"Help?" Kaigaku, who had been silent the entire time, stepped up to mock them. "Why don't you take a look at the state of your beloved pillar? She stands no chance against Kokushibo-sama, yet you think weaklings like you do? What are you? Sacrifices?"
"Shut up!" One of the slayers yelled. "Unlike you, we don't fear death. If we have to become human shields for Hoshizora-sama, then so be it!"
"Hah! You idiots are—"
"Shut up!" Inori roared, moving to stand in front of the group of slayers, stopping both them and Kaigaku from attacking. She wouldn't let them die. No matter what, she wouldn't let her fellow slayers die. "A traitorous coward like you has no right to mock the people who willingly risked their lives to save others."
"Others?" Kaigaku sneered. "You're all just suicidal dumbasses who think they stand a chance against demons! Look at yourselves! You lackeys are injured, and your pillar of hope is on the losing side!" He cackled, earning even more glares from the slayers. "So what if I became a demon? I'm the one who's going be alive at the end of the day!"
Inori felt her vision turning red. How dare he! How dare he! How. Fucking. Dare. He! She could remember the countless times she was too late to save someone; their lifeless eyes, their fear-struck eyes, the regrets they must've felt.
The demon slayers risked their lives to protect humans from demons, yet a traitorous coward dare call them suicidal? Inori knew they didn't want to die. Nobody wanted to die like that. If those creatures we call demons didn't exist, do you really think they wouldn't be happily living with their loved ones? She couldn't accept the demon's words. They didn't wield the sword for themselves. They wield it so others don't have to go through the same pain they did.
Inori remembered how she couldn't believe the crow's report of the battle against Upper Moon Six—"Caw! Agatsuma Zenitsu was the one who found the demon! He bowed down and begged the demon to spare a girl!"—that boy who liked to cry and whine bared his neck in front of an upper moon to save an innocent life.
Then, there were Kuwajima's words regarding Kaigaku—"He's a bit aggressive and likes to bully Zenitsu by calling him a wimpy whiny talentless coward a lot of times, but he's a good child at heart."—and Inori couldn't accept that. She couldn't agree with his words because the good and courageous person was never Kaigaku
"Alive? Who gave you that idea?" Inori scoffed, sneering back. "As long as demons still exist, we demon slayers will continue to fight." She straightened her back, lifting her sword to point it at the demons. "If not me, then someday, someone will cut that head off your worthless neck. Who knows?" Her lips tilted into a smirk. "It might be the boy you absolutely despised, Zenitsu-san, who does that deed."
Inori's words hit a sore spot, and Kaigaku roared in rage. "Agatsuma Zenitsu is just a whiny brat who could only cry and cry!" He kicked the ground, lunging at her with his sword drawn. He is nothing but a worthless piece of shit! Don't compare me to the likes of him!"
"You're right, it would be rude to Zenitsu-san to be compared to trash like you." Inori smirked, shifting into a stance as he began to swing his sword. "You should compare yourself to a mirror instead."
Flame Breathing: Third Form: Blazing Universe
Her sword swung downwards, slicing off Kaigaku's arm. Pivoting on one foot, she twisted her body and swung her other sword, aiming to cut his neck off.
Moon Breathing: First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace
Star Breathing: Eleventh Constellation: Tsunami of the Water Bearer
Blood sprayed out of the slash that connected with her shoulder, and Inori gritted her teeth, unable to block everything. Blood trickled down her temple at a steady pace, and she panted as she narrowed her eyes at the bastard. "I didn't know you're the type to protect your subordinate." Even if he had also cut that subordinate into pieces.
"I have lived a long life, yet this is the first time I've encountered someone who is able to perform multiple breaths." Kokushibo ignored Kaigaku, walking past him with his eyes trained solely on the Star Pillar. "And with such perfection...as if you had been taught by the masters themselves."
"You should know," retorted the injured pillar, mentally hoping dawn would come soon. "Your eyes should tell."
"Oh?" His six eyes seemed to perk up ever so slightly, and he hummed. "You seem quite knowledgeable about things most people don't even know."
Inori actually didn't know whether Michikatsu ever managed to see the world the way Yoriichi did—not as a beautiful world, but as a transparent one—so she was rather irritated to know that he did. Because if he could see that world, then beating him would be tougher, if she even had the possibility to.
Even so, I must survive until dawn. At the very least, I must make sure he doesn't kill anybody until dawn. Taking a stance, Inori took a deep breath. Even if I have to die in exchange, even if I get taken again, I won't fail. She gripped her swords even tighter. Zashi-nii, Getsu-nii, Yoriichi-sama! Please! Muichiro, Rengoku-san, Shinazugawa-san, everyone, please, somehow, let me succeed.
"You seem to be more focused on protecting rather than attacking." Kokushibo slowly raised his sword, the many unsightly eyes on it rolled their eyeballs in various directions. "That is good confidence, but can you really protect them, I wonder?" He made a show of swinging his sword to the side. "There is still an hour before the sun comes up, and not only do you have to protect your fellow hunters, but also the townspeople."
Inori internally cursed as realization dawned on her. The noise! We were making too much noise and they woke up. The windows above the houses were beginning to light up. Shit. Shit. Shit. They don't know anything about demons, so they'll try to recklessly—
"Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing in the middle of the street at this hour?" Someone yelled, making his way toward Kokushibo.
"Let's see you try and protect them now, Star Pillar."
Moon Breathing: Sixth Form: Perpetual Night, Lonely Moon-Incessant
"STOP!"
Star Breathing: Tenth Constellation: Clairvoyance of the Goat
Star Breathing: Thirteenth Constellation, Modified: Scattering Coils of the Elemental Serpent Bearer, Hydra
Inori ran along the flow of his slashes, scaling up and down the roofs to protect the townspeople. She continued to block his slashes, ignoring her bloodshot eyes and all the cuts she was receiving. It felt like an eternity before the parade of slashes finally stopped, though she knew it all happened in less than a minute.
"Ha...Hashira-sama." Matsumoto stared with wide eyes. Inori was standing in front of the man who yelled at them, blood dripping from her chin, fingers, and clothes. Her haori and uniform were shredded, revealing her wounded torso, arms, and legs. Blood hacked its way out of her mouth, joining the puddle underneath her feet. He couldn't believe it. The Star Pillar is one of the strongest demon slayers, so how could she lose to just one demon?
"You protected everyone as you said you will. As expected." Kokushibo narrowed the middle two of his six eyes. "And you managed to do so with minimal injuries. Even more impressive."
"You guys!" Inori addressed the slayers present, controlling her breathing. "Evacuate the civilians. You don't need to worry about the demons because I swear"—she sucked in a sharp breath—"I swear I will take care of them." Even at the cost of my own life.
Star Breathing: Final Constellation: Prayer of the Constellations
Moon Breathing: Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Chains
Inori gritted her teeth as she weaved through the gaps of his attacks. Small. The gaps are too small. I can barely weave through them. She ignored the pain that came with his slashes and the blood dripping into her mouth. More pieces of her haori and uniform fell to the ground, mixing with her blood and hair.
From her peripheral vision, she saw Kaigaku grabbing his sword, about to make his way to the slayers who were trying to evacuate the civilians rushing out of their houses. Inori felt her eyes going wide, and she kicked the ground, leaping and landing behind Kokushibo and beside Kaigaku.
Star Breathing: Fourth Constellation: Stealth of the Crab
Water Breathing: Second Form, Improved: Lateral Water Wheel
Inori unsheathed the blade in her boots, swinging her leg towards Kaigaku while spinning her body horizontally with her sword aimed at Kokushibo. "I said I'll deal with you demons, or did you not hear me?!"
This is bad. This is really bad. Backflipping to dodge the tinier crescent moon-shaped slashes the eyes on Kokushibo's sword were making, Inori landed on Kaigaku's back, not even getting time to decapitate him as she was forced to dodge more crescent moon-shaped slashes. The only reason why I'm not dead right now is because this guy wants to take me alive. Shit. Shit. How much longer until sunrise? Please, stars, please, let the sun come out already.
Inori gritted her teeth as another slash connected with her shoulder. Feeling another attack creeping behind her, she ducked, twisting her body to stab the blade in her shoes into Kaigaku's neck. Before she could do more, another slash was coming towards her leg. Inori wrenched her leg free, rolling on the ground to dodge.
I can't believe I'm already at my limits. Panting, she scrambled to her feet. Not only did she have to fight the strongest of the upper moons, but she also needed to fight another demon. I have never been in a situation where I was forced to use my final form, much less use it twice in less than an hour.
Inori huffed and puffed, yet her grip on her swords remained strong. That form was created under the impression that I would be battling Muzan. But with the way things are, I might need more than a final form to even graze Muzan's neck. She changed her stance and kicked the ground, weaving through Kokushibo's slashes. It's okay, I've been practicing. I can do this.
Inori weaved through whatever gap there was. Just as she reached in front of him, his blade swung towards her neck, forcing her to crouch. The sword sliced her butterfly hairpin in half, and the four braids that were held together by her hairpin fell down her back, blowing wildly in the direction of her movements.
Kokushibo swung his sword again, but Inori leaped over it. The blade sliced two of her braids off, but she paid no mind, focusing on performing a high backflip.
Attack with everything I've got.
Hinokami Kagura: Clear Blue Sky
Kokushibo felt all six of his eyes widening. He couldn't believe it. It was Sun Breathing. His eyes narrowed. No, it's an imitation, but it's a good one. When he saw Inori doing multiple breathing styles, he viewed her as gifted. But now, Inori had crossed the lines of gifts and talents that should never have been crossed.
He didn't care if she mastered a thousand breathing styles, as long as it wasn't Sun Breathing.
How? I killed them all. Every single human Yoriichi taught had been killed by me and that man. He gritted his teeth as he swung his blade, blocking the wonderful imitation of Sun Breathing. How could one remain after all this time? Why her? I couldn't do it...even after centuries, I still can't master the Sun Breathing. So, why can she...I'm fine with anything...anything but Yoriichi. Anything but him!
Inori's shriek echoed through the town as Kokushibo swung his sword upwards, slicing a deep cut from her right hip to her left temple. Blood sprayed out of her, drenching the demon in front of her. She fell limp in front of the demon, laying on top of a puddle of her own blood.
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
"Kill them all, then stop her bleeding and bring her to Muzan-sama." Kokushibo sheathed his sword. Despite his anger, he made sure to not hit any vital organs. She was, after all, still a valuable key to the creation of the perfect demons.
"Ye...yes, Kokushibo-sama." Kaigaku stepped back on instinct when a sword came flying his way, turning to look at the demon slayer who threw it.
"Stay away from Hoshizora-sama, you traitor!" Matsumoto yelled despite his own trembling legs, encouraging his teammates to raise their swords. "Unlike you, we're not cowards! We'll protect everyone the same way Hoshizora-sama would have done!"
"Hah! Then, I guess I'll kill you first!"
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
"Oi, you! I won't let you die! You can't die!" Who's that? "My brother loves you. He's an idiot but he loves you!" Inori felt like someone was shaking her shoulders. "You make him happy! You can't die! I won't let that happen!" The voice was growing hazier. "I'll throw you back to the land of living if you die! Don't die! You can't leave him! Please don't leave him!" A boy who looked like Muichiro shook her shoulders, tears spilling from his eyes as he begged her to keep on breathing.
Mui? What are you doing here? Inori tried to raise her head, wanting nothing more than to see his face. Why are you wearing a yukata instead of your uniform? Why are your hands smaller than I remember? Why is your voice different? Why do you look so different yet so similar? Are you really Muichiro?
"Please don't leave him. Don't let him experience any more pain. Please not Muichiro, anyone but Muichiro." The boy continued to slap her back, but Inori strangely felt nothing. "Please Gods, Buddha, Mom, Dad, whoever, please. Let her live. You have to live."
"Inori, can you hear me?" Inori widened her eyes at the familiar voice, and the pain moving her destroyed eyeball brought her was easily ignored. Because he was there. Her mentor—the person she had wanted to see for the longest time was there.
"Please don't become another one of his victims." Yoriichi was kneeling in front of her, and his face was growing hazier by the second. "You've finally found happiness and made connections with people." His hand reached out to pat her head, and Inori felt so much warmth that she involuntarily cried. "You need to remember. Try to remember a way to survive."
Survive. Her remaining eye cleared ever so slightly. I'm bleeding. I'm losing too much blood. I need to stop the bleeding. Sucking in a deep breath, she choked on her own blood. If I move, my organs will spill out. I can't allow that. I still need to fight. How? How?
Her mind was going through her life, scanning every single memory for everything—anything that could help her survive. Everything she had learned, everything she had been taught, it was trying to find a way for her to survive. Suddenly, Inori found herself looking at one of her comrades.
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
Inori raised an eyebrow at the man lying on the bed in front of her, as well as the mess her shelves and cupboards had been reduced to. Rolls of bandages were scattered on the floor, along with bloodied cotton balls and her other medical supplies. Of course, his own blood was also staining her floor.
"Did you at least disinfect the needles before stitching yourself?" When Sanemi only grunted, Inori sighed, beginning to clean the scattered medical supplies. "You know...the Butterfly Estate exists because it has helpers, and I'm often out on missions. Or did you know I would be coming back soon?"
"Shut it, brat."
Scanning the Wind Pillar's injuries, Inori sighed again. "I'll redo the bandages, so sit up." While the pillar groaned and tried to sit up, Inori prepared a new roll of bandages. "Shinazugawa-san, you need to have a bit more restraint." The girl huffed, patching up the Wind Pillar's torso. "I'm surprised you can still move and even fight with these wounds. Your internal organs should've spilled out of your stomach, and let's not mention your blood loss."
"Tch. Demons just got a lucky hit, that's all."
"Lucky, huh? Did luck help you survive too?"
"As if." Sanemi scoffed, grumbling when Inori forced him to lie back down. "Got to use to breaths to solidify my blood and tense my muscles. Otherwise, I'd be demon food. My blood can probably make a fucking demon moon."
Inori froze in the middle of cleaning the room. She blinked a few times, slowly turning around to look at Sanemi, who raised a nonexistent eyebrow.
"You...you can do that?"
"Tch. Stupid brat." Sanemi flicked her forehead, pushing her head down to ruffle her hair. "We're humans fighting demons. We have to go beyond what is fucking possible or else we'll die."
"Then, will you teach me how?"
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
"Hold it...I...I'm not...dead yet."
Kokushibo and Kaigaku, as well as the remaining slayers, watched with wide eyes as Inori struggled to stand on her feet. One of her blades was dug into the ground to keep herself on her feet. Her blood dripped onto the ground at an alarming rate, yet she didn't tremble even as she yanked her sword out.
But that wasn't the only thing Kokushibo noticed. His lips twitched upwards at the sight of an Orion's Belt mark appearing under her right eye. The mark...it finally appeared.
"I am the Star Pillar of the Demon Slaying Corps and Tsugikuni Yoriichi's disciple! I won't let you kill a single person!"
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙