Aokime managed to recover pretty quickly after he woke up. He was waking up in the morning and training to get himself back in shape and to improve his techniques. Wearing nothing but the patient pants, his blue haori, and the bandages that wrapped around his stomach and chest, he was continuously swinging his wooden sword with a force that slowly began to cut through the air. This was starting to drain his stamina faster than usual which made each swinger stronger and stronger until suddenly his focus was broken when he heard a small giggling off to the side. Turning to his left, the familiar face wearing a Butterfly Haori was sitting down on the steps from the building next to Aokime.

"You've been so focused on your training these past few days ever since you woke up, it's very commendable even after suffering the injuries you suffered."
Aokime stopped swinging his sword for a minute before looking down at his hand. In a split second, he saw the blood from that night before snapping back to reality. Kanae, noticing Aokime looking at his hand, got up and walks up to comfort him.
"I know it must've been difficult to witness such a traumatic event in front of your eyes, but don't beat yourself up too much. This is how we live and learn through it all, make sure to not let it get to you."

Aokime was a bit surprised. Kanae since the day he woke up, has been very attentive to him and even ensuring that he is well taken care of. This was different for him as he hasn't met someone as sweet as Kanae. She was definitely the polar opposite of Shinobu and frankly more... nurturing. It was different and Aokime had some difficulties processing it.
"Thank you, Kanae. I won't let this get to me, but I know now how far behind I am in strength. I will keep getting stronger to help protect more citizens and my comrades."
Kanae gave Aokime a thumbs up.
"I will be rooting for you every step of the way. If you ever want to train with the Hashiras, let me know and I'll be more than happy to help."
Aokime forgot that Kanae was a Hashira, as well as Himejima. If it means that he can get stronger and help out the demon slayers, it will be the best decision he can make!
"Actually... I would really appreciate the help, especially from a Hashira."
"Well, I'm glad you asked!"

In that split second, she pulled out a wooden sword as if she was waiting for this moment to take on Aokime.
"Wait where did you have that sword?!"
"Oh don't worry! After watching you train these past couple of days I was ready to challenge you, but I wanted to make sure you were ready to train!"
For some reason, the atmosphere had changed as Kanae was showing a more competitive side to fight which Aokime was definitely not prepared for.
"Well if this is the first step to getting stronger, then I'll gladly accept!"
Kanae had a big smile on her face before lunging at Aokime. Kanae's speed was frighteningly faster than what Aokime expected and he barely blocked her attack. However, the moment her sword clashed with his, he was sent flying back. Just luckily landing on his feet safely, Aokime's eyes widened to the max.
"That speed and that strength! How is this possible?! Is this the strength of a Hashira?!"

Quickly getting back into his stance, Aokime rushed Kanae to strike her. Swinging his sword against hers resulted in Aokime feeling the recoil of his own attack. She barely budged an inch as she was still in place.
"Come on Aokime. Don't give up now. Give me everything you got!"
Rushing at Aokime with incredible speed, delivering a barrage of attacks. She was so quick that it looked like afterimages of Kanae were attacking him from all angles that not even his defense could handle it. This is when Aokime decided to use his breathing style to try and gain the advantage.

"Ice Breathing - First Form: Permafrost Slash!"
Lunging at Kanae as shooting a horizontal slash. She dodged with ease but Aokime followed up with his next technique.
"Ice Breathing - Second Form: Rapid Frostbite!"
Still moving forward, he used the momentum of the swing to follow up with a barrage of slashes. Kanae was still dodging his attacks, but the distance between them was getting smaller and smaller. Now it was time to close the distance now!
"Ice Breathing - Third Form: Piercing Ice Spear!"
Before he was in a position to lunge forward, his sword was about three feet away from Kanae who was still landing from the dodges she attempted. Aokime was ready to win this fight as this was the combo his father taught him to swiftly end the fight.

However, Kanae IS a Hashira. A Hashira that should never be underestimated in any given situation.

In a split second, her face changed and Aokime felt the pressure at that very second as she exhaled which released a trail of concentrated air. This may be a sparring match, but she wasn't going to go easy on him. As Aokime thrust his sword forward, Kanae swiftly dodged to her left as the sword missed her entirely. Now it was her turn to show him her breathing technique and why she is part of the Hashiras.

"Flower Breathing - 1st Form:
Scattering Spring Cherry Blossoms!"

The speed of her technique was so quick, Aokime's body hadn't processed any of the strikes at that moment. Kanae wasn't in front of him anymore, as she appeared behind him, landing gracefully on the ground.
At that very moment, Aokime felt all the strikes from her technique, which felt like a hundred slashes landing all over his body. Once it finished, Aokime collapsed to the floor.
Kanae turned around to look at Aokime and when she saw him laying flat on the ground, her facial expression immediately switched.
"Ah! Oh god! I'm sorry Aokime! I didn't mean to go all out like that!"
She said, cradling him to try to get him to wake up. He was definitely knocked out cold as he got to experience firsthand the strength and speed of a Hashira. A big lesson for him and now he knows the gap there is between him and the level of a Hashira.

•••••

An hour had gone by before Aokime woke up from the shock of being knocked out. He woke up in the same bed that he was in previously only to be surprised by a concerned Kanae who was sitting next to him.
"Ah, Aokime! Are you feeling ok?"
Aokime didn't know how to react.
"Was this the same Kanae from the sparring match?"
He was a bit terrified from the sudden switch of her emotions and he was already scared not to respond right away.
"Y-yes! I am ok. I was just... surprised is all."
"Oh. Well, I'm glad you're ok, but you did want to train so I did the best I could to teach you."
As she let out a small chuckle that still had Aokime nervous.
"You're right. I'm just surprised how much of a difference there was in terms of strength and speed from a Rank: Kanato to Rank: Hashira."
"Actually Hashira is a title for demon slayers, not a rank. My rank is Kinoto, but after slaying over 50 demons, your father recommended that I should apply for the Hashira role as he saw potential in me to help protect others."

That would explain a lot now on that day when they all met. It seems that his father was a very big part of her upbringing during her time with the demon slayers. However, why would someone like her join the demon slayers?
"Hey Kanae."
"Yes Aokime?"
"What made you and your sister join the Demon Slayer Corp?"
Kane was a bit surprised by the sudden question but smiled. There was a brief moment of silence before she responded.
"The reason why we joined the Demon Slayer Corp. was that a few years ago... our home was attacked by demons. I was only 12 years old and my sister was 10 years old at the time. That was the day we lost everything. Our home, our family, and our peace. We felt so hopeless and believed we were about to die that day, but by a miracle, we were rescued by Gyumei. Who was the same Hashira that saved you at the village a week ago? We were grateful that we survived that experience, and we made a vow to join the Corps so we could kill as many demons as possible. We wanted to make sure no one suffered the same fate as we did that day. Though... I would wish that we could live in a peaceful world without demons. No bloodshed and no pain or sadness... just peace."

The atmosphere was dark from hearing this story. Aokime could only imagine how painful it must've been for Kanae and Shinobu at such a young age to lose their loved ones. Though seeing the resolve she holds onto till this day to fight on and ensure no one suffers the same tragedy as they did, Aokime had gained even more respect for the two of them.
"Well, I'm rooting for you."
"Huh?"
Kanae wasn't expecting that response from Aokime.
"I am rooting for you to continue this dream and to bring peace to Japan because I'm with you on that goal as well."
Kanae smiled hearing the encouraging words of Aokime.
"What about you? What made you want to join?"
"I've always been inspired by both my parents who were once demon slayers, to be strong and protective of anyone. I basically wanted to follow in their footsteps."
Aokime looked at Kanae as he said this, and wondered what she would think about this response. Shinobu already expressed her concern when he told her about his reason.

Kanae had a surprised look on her face.
"You joined the Demon Slayers to willingly risk your life to save others?"
Aokime nodded.
"I was training to fight since I was really young, and I thought I could protect anyone from danger. However, that day at the village when I went up against that lower rank 4 demon. I felt powerless and weaker than ever before. The fact I'm still alive even after that encounter means I was given a second chance, and my goal now with be to take down that Demon."

The two sat in silence for a moment, as the sun was setting down as the day was coming to an end. Kanae clapped her hands together and smiled.
"Keep training Aokime. I would love to see you get stronger and help everyone out there from danger."
Aokime smiled back at her. She was surprised to see him smile as she let out a chuckle.
"Then shall we go again for round 2?"
"I-I uh would like to get something to eat first. I haven't eaten much today."
"You haven't eaten anything?? Oh no, come with me. We are going to eat!"
As Kanae grabbed and dragged Aokime to the kitchen to have some food prepped for him, Shinobu was watching her sister drag Aokime and was left confused. At this point, she didn't even want to bother with the bizarre antics of the two, but she did see the sparring match between the two and wondered.
"I wonder how far you will go Aokime?"

Later in an unknown location...

"You escaped the village because the sun was beginning to rise?"
"Yes my lord. However, the Hashira I faced was unlike any other and had an unorthodox method of fighting. He used a spiked ball and an axe there all connected by a long series of chains."
It was dark and gloomy as there were several individuals who were kneeling. The familiar face of the walking black and red nightmare was speaking to an individual that was standing in front of him that was emitting a powerful pressure amongst everyone.
"Understand that this is the first time you have ever failed me since you've became one of my 12 Kizukis, but if I find out you don't kill a Hashira regardless of the situation. I'll personally make sure you suffer far worse than any pain you've ever felt!"
At that moment, the demon collapsed as it was screaming in pain. The nerves in the demon were being forcefully twisted as if it was about to explode out of its body.

"Do not fail me again, Ryoto."

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