Hiruma glanced back one final time in the direction of her home as she began her journey west toward Mount Kurotsuki, where was to meet Isamu Seta. The view of her house faded into the horizon, its silhouette etched against the soft glow of dawn.

'I'm sorry little sister for not saying goodbye to you. I just hope you and Mom stay safe. I promise to see you again one day.' She thought as she turned her focus on the path ahead, leaving her little sister behind weighed heavily on her, but she pressed forward.

The dirt path beneath her feet wound through the dense forest, the morning air crisp and tinged with the earthy scent of dew. Her pair of zori crunched softly against the trail, each step a reminder of the life she was leaving behind. Doubts whispered at the edges of her mind.

"Am I really doing the right thing?" Hiruma muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible over the rustling leaves. However, the memory of her father and older brother's lifeless body flashed before her eyes. Hirumashook her head fiercely, her hair swaying with the motion."No this is the path I have chosen. I won't let anyone else suffer like that.

The morning stretched into late morning as Hiruma trudged on. Her stomach grumbled audibly, breaking the stillness of the forest. She glanced around and spotted a river glimmering through the trees. The babble of water over rocks was inviting, and she decided it was a good place to rest and eat.

She approached the riverbank and knelt by the water. The coolness of the stream was refreshing as she cupped her hands to drink. Her eyes caught sight of fish darting beneath the surface.

'Here some breakfast, but how to catch it didn't really pack a bag with a rod. I just changed in the bathroom out of pajamas.' Hiruma thought, furrowing her brow.

She studied the area for a moment before grabbing a stick and stepping into shallow water. The chill bit at her feet, but she ignored it, focusing on the movement of the fish. Her hand darted into the water, but the fish scattered before she could catch it, but eventually, after a few more minutes she caught three small trout on the stick and got back on shore, where she gathered wood to start a fire to cook the fish.

The aroma of roasted trout filled the air as she ate in silence, her thoughts drifting to the challenges ahead as she enjoyed her breakfast for the day.

~~~~

It was mid-afternoon when Hiruma came across a woman with long chestnut brown hair and a young boy picking vegetables from a garden. The two paused as she approached.

"Excuse me," Hiruma said with a bow."I'm trying to get to Mount Kurotsuki. Can you tell me the best way to go?"

The woman pointed toward a cluster of foothills to the west."The quickest way to get to Mount Kurotsuki is to climb through that foothill and follow the trail that runs along the ridge. " The woman said.

"Thank you for the directions," Hiruma said with a bow as she walked ahead towards the foothill.

"You should be careful it can be dangerous once night falls some people haven't been returning," The woman said worriedly."Try not to get lost."

"I will be alright thank you again for the directions," Hiruma replied as she continued her journey.

'Missing people could it be a demon lurking around there waiting for humans to prey on.' Hiruma thought wondering if she might encounter another demon like the one who killed her father and brother and cost her mother an arm.

'I should be fine as long as I get to Isamu Seta before the sun sets for the day," Hirmua muttered as she climbed steadily up the foothills leading to Mount Kurotsuki.

The climb grew steeper as she approached the foothills. The shadows of the trees lengthened, and the sun dipped lower in the sky. Hiruma's breath came steadily, her muscles straining as she ascended the trail. The forest grew quieter as if holding its breath. She paused at a rocky outcrop to catch her breath and surveyed the path ahead.

Mount Kurotsuki loomed in the distance, shrouded in mist. It felt impossibly far, but determination burned in her chest. She would reach Isamu Seta, no matter the cost. The air grew colder as twilight approached, her body stiff as a faint sound reached her ears, a snap of twigs and a guttural growl.

She turned around scanning the area for a sign of the source of the growl, but spotted nothing until a figure emerged a demon with pale purple skin sinister dark blue eyes, and a sharp horn on its forehead between her dark purple hair. The demon's eyes glowed with hungry malice as she grinned at Hiruma.

"Another human wandered into my territory, and a small one as well," The demon hissed, its voice dripping with mockery."You're going to be delicious!" It exclaimed jumping towards her.

"First Form: Thunderclap Horizon!" A voice shouted as a flash of blue light blinded the demon momentarily as a lightning bolt struck the ground with immense power and precision. As a figure was propelled forward as they slashed through the demon with blinding speed with a shockwave of compressed air and electricity followed the slash, damaging the demon as its head fell off turning the demon into ash as it let out one final growl full of anger.

"Huh?" Hiruma questioned as she noticed a tall man with fair skin with shoulder-length blonde hair standing in front of her. He was wearing a green haori over a light blue shirt and black pants with brown socks and black zori with blue straps.

"My name is Isamu Seta," The man introduced as he turned to face Hiruma with his purple eyes studying her."You're the one Manami told me she sent my way, correct?" He asked.

"Yes I'm Hiruma Wantanabe," Hiruma replied.

"Hiruma, what do you intend to accomplish if you become a demon slayer a path that could easily lead to death?" Isamu asked.

"I plan to protect others from the pain of losing family to a demon like how I lost my father and old brother leaving only my mother and little sister alive," Hiruma replied.

"Follow me to my place and I will test you to see if you are worthy of being a member of the Demon Slayer corp," Ismau said putting away the sword and running ahead.

Hiruma hurriedly ran after Isamu taken aback by how fast the older man was running without making a single sound.

'This man he so fast and can't even hear his footsteps. So this is the skill of a demon slayer.' Hiruma thought as she attempted to keep up with Ismau.

They ran across the dirt path and past a large field full of grass as Hiruma looked ahead to see how far ahead Isamu was she could see the mountain and tall trees near it coming into view in the horizon. She soon nearly fell to her knees catching her breath as they arrived at a cottage.

"I hope you are prepared you be climbing the mountain," Isamu said."A demon slayer must be able to negative their way at night you have before the sun fully rises to make it back here, if you achieve that then your training under me will begin officially," He stated.

Here is chapter two of The Ink Pillar and the beginning of the first arc of the story. In this chapter, Hiruma begins her journey to Mount Kurotsuki, where she meets Isamu Seta for the first time. Along the way, she faces the challenges of traveling alone, encounters another demon for the second time in her life, and witnesses the incredible skill of Isamu Seta, who then declares she must make her way through Mount Kurotsuki and back to the cottage. This sets the stage for Hiruma's journey to become a Demon Slayer. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Thanks for reading!

Question of the chapter: How do you think Hiruma will handle this test?

[Meiji period secrets]

-Isamu Seta's looks were slightly inspired by an Oc a friend of mine by the name of ThegreatLemurSage made for a story he never finished writing.

- Isamu is the creator of the Blue Lighting breathing style which is branches off Thunder Breathing and Manami the only one he taught it to.

Word count: 1,442