Author's Note: After months of waiting, here's the latest chapter. This is told in Yui's point of view and reveals how long Nao has been gone.

This chapter is dedicated to ShiRo_wEeB
ShiRo_wEeB
and Ichimei-chan
Ichimei-chan. Thank you very much for your support~☆

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Unedited ×_×

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Yui has been serving the Ubuyashiki family ever since she was a small child. Her parents and their parents as well as their parents before them, have been serving the Oyakata-sama's family and supporting them during this battle between the Demon Slayers and the demons with unyielding faith and loyalty for many generations now.

Yui has always been honored to serve the Ubuyashiki family and dreams to earn the Oyakata-sama's recognition. And now she was a handmaiden to the current head of the family's younger sister, Naomi Ubuyashiki.

Yui has serve her Nao-sama ever since the child was twelve and sent to the manor, away from the Demon Slayer Corps. Yui has always been given strict instructions when it came to her Nao-sama.

She was not to be exposed to any information regarding the Demon Slayer Corps, she was not to be forced to endure any male presence and she was not allowed to leave the manor without any guard or demon slayer accompanying her.

Yui once thought that her Nao-sama was a spoiled child, a huge contrast to her older sibling, the Oyakata-sama who seems to shine and inspire people with ease. Nao-sama has arrived at that manor precisely seven years ago when she was nothing but a child of twelve years.

Yui had been very puzzled to see the child who seemed very quiet at that time. Her Nao-sama did not talk much, she did not seem to hold any interest for anything and she is usually seen just staring at the gates longingly.

Nao-sama also does not stay outside when the sun sets and she prompts to go inside almost immediately. Yui had to admit that the first two years that she served as Nao-sama's handmaiden had been very hard since the young mistress was very unresponsive.

That all changed when a boy in mismatched haori was sent to visit the manor.

For once, Yui was surprised that her Nao-sama seemed very much alive and animated as she talked to the boy with mismatched haori, a young demon slayer and a very recent recruit in the Corps.

He seemed older than her Nao-sama and unlike her Nao-sama who was actually talking, the boy seemed content to listen.

The boy's visit to the manor occured very frequently and during those times, Nao-sama seemed like a completely different person.

She talked a lot, gone was the unresponsive girl from two years ago and she seemed like a distant memory.

Then the Rock pillar came to visit once.

"Himejima-san!" Nao-sama said cheerfully. "You came to visit me! That makes me really happy you know! Giyui-kun came too! But he's on a mission right now... Are you going to stay long?"

"Nao-sama, it has certainly been a while and you've grown taller the last time I saw you. I must confess that I will not be staying long. I was assigned a mission on the next village and I must leave soon."

"Oh... But you're staying for the night, right?!"

"Of course, Nao-sama. I will be in your care."

Yui watched from behind a door as her Nao-sama's eyes lit up and her lips formed into a happy smile. For the first time in two years, Yui saw Nao-sama smile.

Yui has always known it was unnatural, for a child so young to look at the world with distant and blank eyes. But the girl from two years ago were exactly that, cold and unresponsive like a doll. And now, with these two arrivals, Yui was delighted to see that her Nao-sama has finally began to act like her actual age, a carefree child that could smile.

If Yui was being honest, she was happy for Nao-sama. She seemed to have found the courage to live properly and leave her doll-like state.

Nao-sama has also began to speak to Yui which made the older woman happier. Though it really took a lot of time and patience to deal with her mistress. Nao-sama was certainly very outspoken if she wanted to be.

"Nao-sama, please stand more straight. Your posture is deplorable!"

"Why do I need to do something so troublesome? I don't even leave the manor."

"Nao-sama, it is unbecoming of a lady of the Ubuyashiki family to slouch! Please correct yourself!"

"That's troublesome.."

"Please mind your words! A lady must speak in an eloquent manner and with dignity!"

"What?"

"Dressing up and taking care of one's appearance is also essential, Nao-sama. Please consider this."

"I don't want to wear that."

"Sadly, you have no choice, Nao-sama."

And of course, Yui had to deal with her Nao-sama being insufferable at times, refusing to adhere to the rules and being rebellious though Yui was convinced that Nao-sama does it just to spite her.

"I have to wear how many layers!?"

"Why do I have to paint my nails?"

"This ornament is heavy!"

"The color of the fabric does not match with my hair."

"I'm not wearing that! It clashes with my eyes!"

"Why can't I wear a hakama? I can move easily with that!"

"Gross, Yui-san. I don't want to see any greens on my food from now on."

"Nao-sama! You need to eat more vegetables!" Sometimes, Yui would just end up bursting to tears at how rebellious her Nao-sama is.

Nao-sama also gained the courage to sneak out at night. Yui has to always pray to the Buddha to give her more strength because she feared that one day, she might just die from a heart attack because of her mistress' reckless behavior.

Twice a year they would always visit the Oyakata-sama but as soon as her Nao-sama turned fifteen, Yui was given strict orders to keep her iside the manor.

Yui never questioned Kagaya-sama of course, he knew what was best for her Nao-sama and Nao-sama exchanges letters with him every once a week. Yui was aware that this was all being done for Nao-sama's protection and her mistress was being given a life away from the suffocating atmosphere of the Demon Slayer Corps where death is imminent.

Yui always prayed that her Nao-sama would never have to wield a weapon to protect herself since she deserves to be happy after being left alone and separated from her family.

Yui always did think that Nao-sama was a very sweet and honest girl, overlooking that she sneaks at night and breaks the rules, Nao-sama is very lovely and kind.

Yui had to deal with so many letters and suitors for her Nao-sama. She lost count of the times that she has to order the guards to drive away another poor lad, attempting to ask Nao-sama's hand in marriage.

Nao-sama didn't also seem like she was very keen on the idea of marriage either.

So Yui wondered, when Nao-sama finally turned 19, that her mistress has gotten more bold sneaking out at night. Yui has also noticed that Nao-sama seemed way too happier and giddy than normal.

Yui wondered if her Nao-sama was seeing a boy before pausing and then screaming at the thought.

No! It cannot be! Her Nao-sama cannot marry just yet! Oyakata-sama has not ordered it and his instructions has always been clear.

Now Yui was really getting bothered, Nao-sama's been sneaking out more than once a week and she doesn't seem like she's stopping. Yui actually considered tailing her but thought better of it since her Nao-sama would know if she was being followed.

Though Nao-sama is now a very capable woman, Yui still cannot help but worry because Nao-sama chooses to sneak out at night of all times. Demons were everywhere. How was it that Nao-sama isn't scared?!

Yui made sure to write to the Oyakata-sama about her mistress' behavior. She could not simply keep it to herself because she worries for her Nao-sama.

Nao-sama's always been so carefree and Yui actually entertained the idea that with how carefree her mistress is, she would not be surprised if she was meeting with a demon.

Now that made Yui pause. Of course it was impossible. Simply laughable!

Her Nao-sama is not that stupid. Demons were savages! Her Nao-sama would not be that tricked so easily afterall.

But Yui still wonders, why her Nao-sama only sneaks out at night.

Then later, Yui realized why.

It took her three months to realize the reason and by then, her Nao-sama has disappeared and a year has passed.

"Nao-sama, why did you have to sneak out at night?!" Yui sobbed to herself.