~*~
UBUYASHIKI COMPOUND - A DAY LATER - (3rd POV)
A small meeting was announced about the sudden death upon Hiroshi Mizutsuki, and the complete massacre of the Mizutsuki clan. Word had spread rather quickly, and the young boy who knelt before Ryuji and an elderly man wearing a red tengu mask.
"I bring my condolences for your father and clan," Kagaya the young master, bows politely. Only twelve years of age, he was very polite and gentle. Yet, he held a curse on his forehead, which was slowly forming lower the side of his temple.
Ryuji bowed before his master, "Thank you,"
"So only you and two of your siblings managed to survive, how fortunate," Kagaya smiles tenderly, as Ryuji's eyes widen.
"Yes, I'm very grateful," Ryuji bowed again, while trying to put on a tough facade.
Knowing there is a report to be announced, Kagaya turned to the current water pillar who sat patiently. He gives him a gentle nod, initiating the report.
"We found only bodies of all the demons work--"
"It wasn't just one," Ryuji cuts in, his darkened. Everyone paused, waiting for Ryuji to continue instead, knowing he witnessed the whole entire scene.
He inhales sharply, before calmly breathing out.
"There was another demon......plum red eyes, sickly pale skin and raven hair," he describes the demon, as Kagaya's eyes hardened knowing full well whom it could be. "He killed one of my twin brothers, slicing his head off.........he killed the general of our clan, but it took a few minutes......he even killed the rest of the clan so fast.......only a bloody sea was all I could ."
"Muzan, could it be?"
The name soon caught the attention of everyone within the room, facing the young master. The name sent goosebumps down Ryuji's arms, his breath grew shaky while feeling frustrated. The very king of demons approached them, after years of his disappearance.
Kagaya turns to Ryuji, "Right now, I want you to rest," he shifted the conversation, as the young slayer lifted his head. "A lot has happened, and now there's an empty spot of the water dragon pillar....."
"Am I ready, Oyakata-sama?" Ryuj questioned, but the boy shook his head slowly. Even though they both were the same age, Kagaya was more wiser and patient.
"No, give you a few years to achieve what your father was," he replied firmly, as Ryuji's eyes slightly widened. Soon they falter bow his head, knowing full well he still has a lot to learn.
"As you wish,"
"So your sister, what will she do?" Kagaya questioned, which made Ryuji's head lift up sharply. "Will she become a slayer? Or will she live a normal life?"
Ryuji knew full well she wanted to become a slayer to help, but now was she afraid to step up now. Seeing the beast up close, especially her own mother. She doesn't even know the demon was her own mother, and he was scared to tell both his siblings the truth.
"She's still shaken up, nothing has been said,"
Kagaya hummed softly to himself in thought, "I've heard about the Mizutsuki obligation, with women within the clan to fight,"
Ryuji nodded, "Yes, but........if she decided to continue fighting, then she's allowed too now,"
"Alright," he mused softly. "We will soon see if your siblings will become slayers, but........do they know their mother was.....a demon?"
Ryuji swallowed thickly before shaking his head, "No, I will tell them.....when I'm ready,"
Kagaya deep down knew Ryuji was quietly trying to hold back his tears, his anguish and pain after losing everyone within the village. Soon after discussing plans on a proper burial, and what their next move is, Ryuji couldn't help but feel frustrated. He wasn't sure how to focus, afraid that that very man will come for his siblings.
Will he be strong enough to defend them?
~*~
A YEAR LATER - IN THE MOUNTAINS - (Hayami (10 y/o)
Hayami's eyes narrowed while swinging her blade, swiping from left to right. Beneath the blindfold, she tried sensing everything around herself. Taking in her surroundings she could hear the wind pounding against her ears, the rushing water of the waterfall just a few clicks away.
The crunchy autumn leaves crunch beneath her, while trying to challenge herself. She remembered why she's training, she remembered the purpose of why she chose to follow the path of a slayer. It was her dream, her goal and now she finally got the opportunity to prove her late parents.
Sharply inhaling she felt someone's presence, before snapping around taking the person down. She couldn't make whom it was, but when she paused her attack she peeled the cloth away, to see her brother.
"Good job little moon," Natsu laughed, while clapping loudly. "Seriously your sensing abilities have gotten stronger, we should spar someday."
She punched him playfully, "Don't scare me like that!" She hissed through her teeth, before he ruffled her dark cyan hair.
"So, you're scared then!" he teased, while raising his eyebrows. She whips the wooden blade aiming at his chest, as his eyes widen. "Wha--......Hayami.."
"Big bro, shouldn't you be training?" She tilted her head up, angling her blade.
He steered the blade away with his finger, "I'm on break at the moment, Sensei told me to check up on you," he replied, before gesturing to follow him. "Lunch is ready, and you barely eat....so please come down?"
She glanced down hesitantly, before sighing deeply.
"Fine,"
The two began walking down the mountain hearing the wind rushing through the growth of trees, as leaves fall gracefully in the air. Overtime Natsu and Hayami have formed a stronger bond than before, as he finally started to understand that Hayami knew what she was doing. He began to understand Ryuji's point of view, as he soon started believing in Hayami himself.
With only seeing Ryuji every once and a while, he has changed. Grown a little older, mature especially for someone who's already fourteen. Natsu strived to become like him, so he could protect Hayami. The two boys felt that strong need to protect her, knowing she's the rock that kept them both together.
"We're back Sensei, lunch ready?" Natsu asked, while entering the wood cabin.
The old man glanced up with a crooked smile, "You look dirty, once you're done training you must clean up, alright?"
"Yes, sensei,"
The two soon sat together and clasped their hands, thanking for their meal and began to eat. The warm bowl of rice welcomed Hayami's taste buds, as she hums softly while chewing quietly savouring it. She realised how hungry she was, finally sitting after hours of training.
"So......my boy, you ready for the final selection?" Their sensei questioned him, while he grins.
He nods, "Heck yeah, finally I can catch up to older brother!" he exclaimed, while muffling with rice in his mouth. Bits of rice grain traced around his lips, while grinning.
Hayami hits his arms, shooting a scolding glance her brother's way.
"Eat with your mouth closed, brother," She hissed, while placing another mouthful of rice into her mouth.
He soon swallows shooting a sharp glare, "I can eat whatever I want, thank you very much," he retorted, before shoving another big mouthful of rice to express his annoyance.
The old man couldn't help but smile at the two children, seeing how much the two have grown since taking them in. It's been a year since he brought the two in, as Hayami was nine years of age and Natsu twelve. Proving himself enough, he was ready to participate in the final selection upon Fujikasane Mountain.
Yet Akihiro was seeing how fast hayami was progressing, and to be honest he knew very well she was ready to join the final selection. Being said, it was too early for her. She grew on him during her training, saw her weaknesses, strengths, and talents were. He brought up the cup of tea, and drank it slowly before turning to Hayami.
"How was your training this morning, my dear?" He questioned her, peacefully glancing at the young child.
Placing down her empty bowl, she wipes her mouth.
She nods, "Yeah I'm doing alright.....just maybe I need to change up my strategies," She began, while she spoke very calm and collected. She was the exact opposite of Natsu, as Akihiro noticed the lack of light that used to shine behind those silver eyes of hers. For a child, he knew she was fighting a harsher war inside.
"Youff stiwlf wooked amazing bwefore," Natsu muffled, chewing his rice vigorously while complimenting his little sister. She pinches his cheek earning a whine, "Hey!"
She scolds hm, "It's not polite to talk with your mouth full,"
He huffs swallowing the rest of his meal, while rolling his eyes in annoyance taking another bite.
"Fine.....mum," he retorted, causing a shadow to cast over her eyes for a moment. Soon he realised what he just said, he lowered his eyes with shame soon losing his appetite. The old man noticed the sudden change between the two children, before resting a hand upon their shoulders.
"You know, she's watching over you both," He breaks the awkward, noticing her silver eyes grow glassy with tears.
She wipes her forearm across her eyes pushing herself upon her feet, "I'm alright, Sensei," She ensured him, even though her voice sounded more shattered and broken. "I'm gonna go do some more training, please excuse me."
She bows politely, taking her wooden sword and slid the doors open with a gentle but firm slam.
Natsu stares at the door as his eyebrows pinch together, with regret in eyes.
He felt bad for even bringing their mother up, being intentional at first. He knew Hayami and her mother were closer, as she only relied on her. Their father wasn't supportive towards Hayami, and even Natsu knew that. He never favoured his eldest daughter.
"You know my boy," the old man spoke up, placing a hand upon the twin's shoulder. "She will become stronger, because........losing someone precious to you, can only make you stronger."
He looks up with confusion, "What do you mean by that?"
"When you lose something that's close to you, that certain drive will give that person the will to live......." he explained softly, and clearly. He was still a young boy, learning the purpose in what life was like. "Everyone has different coping mechanisms, so.....for her she bottles it up and you tend to talk it out with me."
"I see......"
"We're all fighting our own battles, mentally and physically," He added, before shuffling to resume working on the katana's. He soon began to sharp the blade, still speaking to the young boy. "You lost your twin, a part of you that will forever weigh you down.....unless you decide in making the most of what you do with your life."
"Katsu....." the boy whispered, with a broken voice.
"You still have Hayami and Ryuji," angling the blade above him, skimming his calloused palms on the blunt surface, closing one eye. "Make the most of what you have now, it's the only way to move forward."
His words linger in the young boys head, while in deep thought.
"Okay then......." he stood up, picking up his wooden blade. ".......I will train hard, so......what will the conditions be?"
Shifting the topic rather quickly, not wanting to mope around anymore.
The old man runs his fingers through his hair as he runs the metal file along the blade, as his large muscles flex while doing so. "The final selection is held at the Fujikasane Mountain, where it is covered with wisteria around the mountain," he began, as the sound of the blade going 'Shink' "You have to survive for about a week, and kill demons or even just survive the seven days."
"Seven days?!"
"Yep, your big brother made it those seven days......but he managed to break a few ribs," He replied, as Natu's eyes widen. "But he passed, and still managed to stand."
"So I'm just trying to survive, that's all?"
"Yep,"
"Awesome, well I think I can make it without getting a broken rib," He spoke proud-fully.
"Sure, sure my boy.....but don't let pride cloud your judgement,"
Natsu nods with a wide smile, "Yes Sensei!"
~*~
MEANWHILE AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN
Loud and harsh grunts were made, as the katana slices through the bamboo shoots. Holding back the frustrated tears, she moves sharply and more aggressively through the growth. Painful memories slowly coming back to her, while trying to let out her anger through a heavy training workout.
She knew Natsu never meant that, but it was recalling their mother was painful to mention.
The wind bellows through the growth of bamboo, not even focusing on the time. Time never mattered to her, not while she wanted to grow stronger so she can become a slayer. Something that was against her father's forced wishes, wanting to prove she was more capable in fighting bloody battles.
Her adrenaline spikes even higher, with her head clouded with the memories and nothing that would bring her back.
She soon races further up as the air in her lungs were soon disappearing, before stops at a certain point. She inhaled slowly before facing the obstacle course that Akihiro has provided for the children. The mountain was steep, and balance was the key to surpassing the obstacles.
She takes a deep breath in, before charging head down.
The wind chases past her while her body leans more down, while maintaining her body with her feet. The leaves crunch beneath her, before dodging a log that swung from her left side. She leans back, before jumping high up with a twirl.
Landing perfectly on her two feet she continues running down, before a few arrows were set, aiming towards her. She uses her wooden blade, and redirected the three arrows almost catching her off guard. The wind pounds against her ears, deafening her heart beat that pounded against her weak chest.
Soon seeing the bottom of the mountain, she picks up the pace only to have her mind falter at the end.
Her foot caught on something sending her tumbling into a heap, colliding into the base of a tree. She grunted in pain, but mostly frustration. Her hair tangles with the leaves and twigs, finding herself lying there. Gathering the air she lost from up in the mountains, she soon could feel blood pounding against her ears clearly.
"Ngh......" a small groan left her lips, pushing herself onto her back with a deep exhale.
She lost the energy to even yell in anger, feeling her body succumbing to defeat no matter how she distracted herself. Day and night, she trained so hard but those nightmares slowly crept back to her. She struggled to sleep, she struggled to accept her family is gone.
Yet, she was still grateful to her two brothers still living beside her.
"I wonder........how Ryuji is going?" barely a whisper leaves her lips, her eyes resting to the warm orange haze spreading across the sky, noticing it was late afternoon. With her mind wandering aimlessly, feeling no motivation to even stand, the negative thoughts wandered back again
'She needs to be a proper young lady, if she's gonna marry,'
'She's rather setting a bad example for her family'
'You sure she's being raised right? She seems too headstrong'
'She will never be a wife, trust me, she will only dishonour his family with her looks'
The painful comments from the families that were once allied with the Mizutsuki clan, kept reminding her why she couldn't become a slayer. How she needed to change, and learn quickly in becoming a wife. Or how no man would wish to have a woman with scars, even who's a little too chubby.
Her eyes fluttered closed, jaw clenching in frustration with tears slowly sliding down her chubby cheeks.
She couldn't help being born that way, and she couldn't help wanting to become something better than some stay at home wife at a young age. She tried her hardest, she did her best.....so what good she do?
Her family was no more a clan, but a broken legacy..........
~*~
TWO DAYS LATER
"Do you have to go?" Hayami ask her big brother, as Natsu places a tender hand upon her head, ruffling her thick locks.
"Don't worry, I will survive this test and come back a slayer," He grinned widely, beaming with bursting confidence. He gives her a wink, with reassurance for the young child. "I will make you proud, just you watch me.......then when you take the test, we'll become slayers with big bro......m'kay?"
Her eyes lighten in excitement for her brother, "Okay, I believe in you," giggling, while he drops his hand from her cyan blue locks. "Promise?"
He knelt down in level, raising a pinky to me.
"Promise," she then wraps her pinky around his, as they both chuckle together like children they were.
While the two focus on bidding their goodbyes, someone soon approaches the two.
"Hey, where is my promise?!" A familiar voice calls out, turning to see their eldest brother Ryuji standing before the two. He was slightly taller, hair as grown a little longer wearing his usual haori and fur collar.
Hayami's eyes light up, before running up to him with her arms ready to embrace him.
"Big brother!" She exclaimed, as the two finally embrace each other. A laugh soon follows, while he pulls away he surprise with how much his little has grown. He pats her arms, with a tender smile upon his face.
"Wow......you've definitely grown, little moon," He breathed out, before his eyes trail back to his brother. "I came to guide you to the final selection, as I know you're terrible with directions.....seriously."
Natsu puffed his cheeks out in embarrassment, facing his brother with determination.
"Hey, I have gotten better over the past year!" he fired back, in defense while Hayami pats his arm trying to playfully console him. "Anyway, we better get going."
"Yes we do,"
Hayami tugged on her brothers haori with her eyes looking up to his, "Stay safe please?" She pleads, as he poked her chubby cheeks.
"I will, I will see you in a weeks time," he replied, as she watch her two brother walking away from their home. Akihiro saw how much Hayami loved her brothers, an undying love that would never separate them. She stood there while watching them disappear down the road, feeling rather lonely and not use to her brother's leaving.
"Will he be okay, Sensei?" She questions, breaking the silence that wandered for a moment.
He glanced down, before giving her an assuring smile.
"He will," He replied, but for some reason he felt an uneasy feeling in his chest. "How about we begin some new training, huh?"
"Okay!"
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