"Will I ever get better, Y/n?"
Your sister's weak voice trembled in your ears, and you couldn't help but feel a lump form in your throat. You tried to put on a brave face, to smile and comfort her, but the truth was hard to ignore. "I hope so, S/n. I'm doing everything I can to make sure you get the best care possible." You forced the words past the knot in your throat, hoping they would bring some comfort to your sister.
S/n sipped at the broth of the ramen you had made her, her frail body propped up by pillows. It broke your heart to see her like this, to see her once lively spirit wither away day by day. After she went back to her room to rest, you collected the dishes and slowly made your way to the kitchen.
You were not wealthy, nor were you poor - you settled somewhere in the lower middle. Once, you worked as a shrine maiden for festivals, despite lying about your age, just to make some extra money.
But since your sister's illness worsened, you gave up your job and devoted your time to taking care of her. Even if you wanted to, returning to the job was not an option, as they had discovered your lie about your age. You couldn't bring yourself to care about that now; all that mattered was S/n's well-being, and taking care of her was the only thing that gave you purpose... and yet, it seemed to be a losing battle.
Fortunately, you were now selling kimonos every day to customers. Despite your boss's occasional rudeness, the job paid you decently. However, the job came with its own set of challenges, such as having to work late into the night. You worried about your sister's well-being, alone at home.
You washed your hands, your messy bun unraveling as you stretched your aching arms. Exhausted from a long day of work, you couldn't help but yawn. Despite the fatigue, you tried to remain positive. This was just how your life was for now, and you couldn't complain.
You slid the kitchen's door closed then began walking to the dark hallway to your room, you immediately dug yourself into your futon for comfort and began to sleep.
-----
As the sun's rays kissed your cheeks, you slowly opened your eyes and sat up, rubbing them vigorously to rid of the drowsiness. You let out a groan while stretching, feeling the soft fabric of your spring pink kimono adorned with delicate sakura petals.
Deciding to take a relaxing bath, you carefully washed your body and brushed your hair, tying it neatly into a bun. Checking on your sister, still deeply slumbering in her futon, you couldn't help but grin at her cute form before quietly leaving the room.
Feeling hungry, you headed to the kitchen and prepared a simple yet delicious breakfast of rice with eggs. As you ate, you packed an extra plate for your sister, making sure to cover it with a lid.
Grabbing your big bag of newly created kimonos, you set off on your journey down the path towards the village.
---
You made your way towards the bustling village, with the sound of giggling children and the chatter of adults filling the air. Your heart was warmed by the sight of playful kids running around with their friends and the cheerful vendors selling their goods of meat, vegetables, toys, and jewelry. As you watched, you couldn't help but be envious of their carefree spirit and longed for those innocent times when life seemed simple.
However, those days were long gone, and at the age of 17, you had to take on the responsibility of taking care of your 4-year-old sister who depended on you. It wasn't an easy task, but you were determined to give her a good life despite the challenges.
Entering the shop where you worked, you were greeted by the gruff voice of your boss, "And where were you yesterday?" With a smile on your face, you greeted her politely, "Sorry Mrs Kaki, my sister was really sick yesterday so I had to take care of her." Despite her grumpiness, your boss grumbled something and took a sip of her beer while you got ready for the day's work.
Kaki rolled her eyes and jotted down something in her blue notebook as you explained the reason for your absence the day before. "Sure, sure," she said with a hint of sarcasm. "Just prepare the shop and be aware that you'll be receiving reduced payment for missing work yesterday." You nodded in acknowledgement and bowed, "I apologize, Mrs. Kaki."
You started to unpack the kimonos and place them on the wooden mannequins, while Mrs. Kaki sighed and retreated to her office. After completing the setup, you slid open the door to allow some fresh air into the shop and flipped the "Closed" sign to "Open," indicating the shop was ready to welcome customers. Taking a seat, you patiently waited for customers to arrive.
"Excuse me, ma'am"
You flinched at the unexpected sound of a voice and turned to see a woman standing in front of you. You couldn't help but blush at the sight of her beauty. The woman had flowing, loose pink hair and hypnotic purple eyes, while her soft pink lips curved into a smile. "May I buy this kimono?" she asked, holding out a beautiful blue kimono covered in delicate flowers. You quickly agreed, "Yes, of course, Miss!" Standing up from your chair, you continued, "That'll be 2,732 yen."
The woman handed you the money and you carefully placed the kimono in a box. As she turned to leave, you waved and said goodbye. She returned the farewell before exiting the shop.
"Y/n!" Kaki shouted your name, you immediately walked inside her office, "I'll be out early for today, I already put your money on my desk, also please! Clean this place as well!" She scoffed while grabbing her bag as she left the shop leaving you in charge, finally.
You looked at the money she gave you only to find out that she only gave you 2,000 yen for today...
---Timeskip---
The sun began to set, and you realized that you would be heading home in the dark. Although the thought made you slightly paranoid, you had grown accustomed to it after a few months. After closing the shop, you glanced at the empty street, as everyone had returned to their minkas, leaving you alone.
Knowing you needed to head home, you hesitantly left the village entrance, venturing into the forest alone. You couldn't help but feel nervous, wondering what might happen if you stayed out any longer.
--Meanwhile--
S/n sat on her bed, huddled up with her beloved doll that her parents had given her three years ago, right before they vanished without a trace. Her stomach grumbling with hunger, S/n tried to ignore it as she had already eaten the small portion of rice and egg her sister had made for her. But it wasn't enough to fill her empty stomach.
Suddenly, she heard a sound.
Click Clack
Her heart sank and she called out to her sister, hoping it was her. But, the noises ceased as quickly as they had begun. The silence was suffocating. But then, footsteps began to approach her room. S/n was trembling with fear, and she slowly made her way to the closet to hide, hoping to God that the source of the footfalls would not find her. As she waited in the closet, the door ominously creaked open.
S/n gripped her doll tightly, trying to be as quiet as possible. Then, she heard the bone-chilling words, "I smell a little girl in that closet..."
The closet door suddenly opened, revealing a female demon with burning red eyes and long, razor-sharp nails. S/n froze as the demon closed in on her. The demon's red eyes gleamed as she grinned wickedly, and then she lunged, stabbing the little girl with her sharp nails. Blood spattered all over the closet walls as S/n's screams were silenced forever.
--Back to Y/n--
As you finally arrived at your remote minka, your mind was already racing with thoughts of the best way to take care of your sister, S/n, who must be hungry by now. But as you climbed the last few steps and tried to slide open the door, a sinking feeling hit you- it was already open.
Your heart raced with panicked thoughts- had someone broken in? You knew S/n was too weak to go outside and she always kept the door shut. Your suspicions were confirmed as you stepped inside, calling out your sister's name with a tremble in your voice, but there was only silence.
You hurried down the hallway, feeling colder with every passing moment. When you reach S/n's bedroom, your eyes widened with horror upon seeing a pool of crimson blood seeping out from beneath the closed door. You hesitated for just an instant before bursting into the room.
It was just as your worst fears had predicted: a gut-wrenching scene of sheer terror. A demon was devouring your beloved little sister, with half of her insides already torn away. Her eyes were empty, yet somehow they were fixed on you as you stood frozen in the doorway.
The room was drenched in her blood, the walls coated with a vile, sticky liquid. You noticed her favorite doll, completely covered in her blood, lying limply by her side. Your fists clenched at the sight, tears streaming down your face.
"I-I really did let my guard down. I should have been here to protect you!" You cried out to no one, your heart heavy with the knowledge that your beautiful sister was gone forever. Your tear-filled gaze fastened on the demon still feeding on S/n's remains.
"You MONSTER!"
You screamed, knowing that the only thing left for you now was to take revenge on the fiend who had ripped your sister away from you.
With an inferno raging inside you, you launched yourself at the demonic fiend, who was now holding one of your sister's internal organs in its claw-like hand. You hurled yourself at the beast with all your strength, tackling it forcefully as you screamed, "YOU KILLED MY LITTLE SISTER!"
Over and over, you pummeled the demon's grotesque face, its skin cracking with each hard blow. But the demon was not easily defeated- it growled and snarled with a devilish intensity, kicking you away and sending you stumbling back onto the ground.
Its devilish tongue licked its lips as it leered at you with menacing red eyes, taunting you with its bloodstained teeth. "Your sister was delicious, I couldn't help myself," it hissed, sending shivers of fear down your spine.
You surveyed the room, desperate to find any kind of weapon that could give you a fighting chance against this monster. But every corner was just as bloody and empty as the last. Your heart pounded with increasing panic- there seemed to be no way to save yourself or avenge your sister's death.
But you knew you had to try- you gathered all your courage and charged out of the room, ignoring the slick, blood-soaked floors beneath your feet. You sprinted to the kitchen door, frantically rifling through the drawers for a weapon that could take down the beast.
As you fumbled for something, anything, to defend yourself, taunting images of a gruesome and terrifying end flashed before your eyes. But those visions only hardened your resolve. Your hand finally closed around a gleaming knife.
"Why are you running away?"
Your heart seized in terror as you spun around to see the demon looming over you, its razor-sharp claws poised to strike. You reacted on instinct, brandishing your knife and slashing at the monster's grotesque face with all your might.
The demon snarled in fury, its skin searing under the fiery pain of your attack. "A knife? Really?" it mocked, watching with cold amusement as you recoiled from its lethal blow.
Without warning, the demonic beast lunged at you with a ferocity that took your breath away. With a sickening thud, its clawed foot connected with your stomach, sending you crashing onto the kitchen floor. Your breath came in ragged gasps as you struggled to fight the overpowering pain.
But giving up was not an option- you had to keep fighting, you had to keep moving forward. Through the haze of agony, you forced yourself to get up, to keep running towards safety.
Blood spilling from your mouth, you staggered outside the minka, desperate to escape the demon's deadly clutches. But just as you thought you were in the clear, your feet tangled and you tumbled down the stairs, crashing against the unforgiving cobblestone ground.
With terror and despair gripping your every limb, you looked up to see the cunning demon stalking towards you, its eyes glowing red with a malevolent hunger. You tried to crawl away, but its long clawed feet caught hold of your tender flesh, tearing at your legs in a shower of fresh agony. You stifled a whimper, holding back screams of pain as the monster loomed over you once more.
"S-Someone help me!" you screamed as the demon advanced towards you. You struggled to break free, but the demon's grip only tightened. "No one can save you now," the demon hissed with a wicked grin. You braced yourself, awaiting the fatal blow.
Suddenly, a powerful kick sent the demon flying backwards. You gazed in shock at the mysterious figure who had just appeared. Her piercing glare and black fox mask made your heart race. "Who do you think you are?" the demon snarled, ready to attack.
The woman drew her katana with lightning-fast speed and whispered a phrase that only you could hear. "Sakura breathing...Fifth Form, Cherry Blossom's Cut." The demon charged forward, but the woman dodged with ease, slicing through the demon's body effortlessly.
Blood spilled everywhere, and the demon's head and body lay motionless on the ground. The woman sheathed her katana and turned to you. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice surprisingly gentle.
You crawled backwards in fear, shaken by the brutal display of demons slaying before you. "W-who are you?" you managed to utter, but your voice trailed off weakly. The woman regarded you with her emotionless fox mask until she removed it, revealing a familiar face. "Hello again," she said simply.
As you gazed at her face, you realized she was the girl from earlier. You felt foolish for not recognizing her pink hair sooner - it wasn't a common sight in your village. You clutched your stomach, still feeling the pain from the demon's attack. "Are you...going to kill me?" you asked, fear rising in your throat.
The woman sighed, shaking her head. "No, I'm here to...
Train you."
---
Alright so uhm, there won't be any cast of Kny yet, the first 4 chapters will be Y/n training and hanging out with Sakura's students.
So future people reading this book, you can probably skip lol 😂
Ahem sorry if I unpublished this book, I was wondering if I could change a few things and...I decided to keep it the same! So sorry for any readers who read this book and tried to find it everywhere 😭
Edit: This chapter is fully rewritten! Enjoy ;)