𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗘𝗡 ╱ mirai hayashi

     Sayuri always believed the sun rose too early in the morning. The light seeped through any crack it could find in her home, tickling the teen's eyelids until it became too bothersome to continue sleeping. If only she could just relax amongst the plush bedding for a little longer...

     "New mission! Get up!" Miso's sharp cry splits into her head, eyebrows knotting together in a glare. Except Sayuri refused to open her eyes just yet because the job could wait just a little bit longer, with her ranking as a Hinoe she'd get there in half the time typically needed.

     Two sets of bird claws land on each of her cheeks, startling Sayuri into sitting up. When realizing it was just Miso she groans,

     "I'm up I'm up. I'll make us breakfast."

     "You're getting lazy! Too comfortable here!"

     "Because it's been our home. We've finally got a place to rest freely and put decorations," Sayuri rolls up her bed to neatly tuck in a closet behind a sliding door, trudging over to the cooking area that was more unkempt than she'd like to admit. Her hair pokes up in all different directions, as well as her shirt was twisted the wrong way from shuffling in her sleep, "-How about some Tamago Kake Gohan? I know you enjoy it."

     "Fine!" The crow follows her and lands on the windowsill when she opens it to let in the brisk morning air. It seemed he was quite the cranky personality when getting up too early, squawking all sorts of pestering onto Sayuri, "You would've swatted me away from your face had you known I was close! Lazy!"

     "Misooo I'm not lazy, would a Hinoe be? That proves you different," Sayuri gives him a pointed look before placing some already softened rice into a cast iron pan to reheat it. She preferred to reuse what she could rather than make new only to throw the old away.

     "And would you use that as an excuse if it were your family?"

     Sometimes, the brunette wished Miso were a bit more like Kanzaburou. Old and forgetful. Other times, she wished he was less well-versed. It was his capability to form proper speech that made Miso far wiser than the other crows, and more often than not he was always right about things. 

     Sayuri shudders out a breath in remembrance, now all too aware of how she'd become soft and unnerved by demons only because of her ranking. Had she fallen so far from the ideals of the girl walking out of Final Selection, already at the young age of 17? Clearly not, as she would still question demons about the red rope tied tightly to her saya. Perhaps it was just the aspect of not losing a fight yet that had her in the belief she was able to keep up her abilities easily.

     "You are still young! It makes sense you get a little lost sometimes, this life is hard. You are doing fantastic, I feel I've raised you right!" Miso cuts into her thoughts as he watches Sayuri slowly begin to fall into overwhelming distress. He wouldn't let her put herself and her abilities down anymore, it'd taken so long to fix the broken product of Final Selection. If anyone were to criticize her, it would only be his bothersome squawks.

     "Didn't you leave while I trained with Urokodaki? I wouldn't say you raised me."

     Miso sticks his beak away from Sayuri and caws angrily with his feathers bristled. Sayuri laughs sweetly and pets her friend's head,

     "I love you, you silly bird."

     After a few more minutes of peaceful silence and the sizzle of moist rice, Sayuri splits the food into one larger and smaller bowl, cracking an egg over each and pulling some chopped vegetables from separate containers. The dishes are brought to a small chabudai only big enough for two people. She'd only used it with Miso, unfortunately.

     In the middle of their breakfast, chattering outside gets louder and louder until it reaches the outside of the home's door. Sayuri grumbles when hearing the man she didn't wish to see before leaving for her job.

     "Sayuri! Open up!"

     "Mr. Doctor, can we see Ms. Fukunaga too? I wanna show her what I learned at the dojo last night!"

     "Perhaps another time, why don't you go practice so it'll be extra amazing when you show her? I bet you could even get her to try fighting you if it's super good!"

     A small gasp in agreement sounds before the door slides open whether Sayuri had any intentions of letting guests in or not, Fumihito grinning even brighter than the sun. He waves good morning and three little heads pop in to peak at the Demon Slayer that saved their village a year ago. The doctor blushes and shoos them out successfully before closing the gap between him and the teenager still taking bites of her breakfast.

     "What if I was changing? Stop barging into my home," Sayuri pouts, eyeing the bag he places down. The male was already sitting behind her and effectively trapping her in,

    "I heard you and Miso only halfway into my walk here, besides, I've gotten fairly good at this don't you think?"

    "I think you-"

    "Enough! You never let me help so I have to be the one to take the initiative. Your shoulder got really messed up this time Sayuri, I can't let it go untreated."

    "It's fine," Sayuri knows she can't get past Fumihito's all-knowing eyes. He could detect the most subtle hints of pain from just a glance, and likely have the medicine and answers prepared a few minutes later. It was because of this that Sayuri had tried to avoid him to wait through this shoulder injury. It truthfully wasn't that painful, but the doctor insisted to treat it properly or else it could get far worse. 

     She also still struggled to let others take care of her. Though possibly growing 'soft' and 'lazy', Sayuri worked hard to keep those who weren't capable of the Demon Slayer Corp's swordsmanship safe. It was her duty to protect others and her desire to save them from a fate similar to her parents or Sabitos. For too long had she gotten stuck in the mindset of being the protector, and it continued to affect her even when getting seriously injured.

     "What is it with youth always saying everything is fine?" Fumihito huffs exasperated and carefully pushes Sayuri's pajama shirt to the side to expose her shoulder. She rolls her eyes at the other who was only 19, as if he wasn't youthful himself. Olive eyes glass over with tears even at the sight of the purple and yellow bruises flowering around what had been a deep laceration, only beginning to imagine what pain this brought. He begins to remove the bandages placed right over the stitches he had to put in,

     "You're already leaving again huh? Well, don't get hurt again, and take it easy. You shouldn't even be out with this injury, who do I have to talk to to get you on leave?"

     "Demons don't stop for an injured swordsman."

     "Well, they should! I don't have enough time to go out and help everybody when my sole patient takes up all my time! Honestly Sayuri, how did you think this didn't hurt? The children at the dojo miss you, you know. Perhaps you need something fresh in your life instead of this continuous cycle of getting hurt, killing the demon, and coming back all wounded! It freaks me out and you're not even the highest ranking in the Corps yet..."

     Sayuri listens to the doctor ramble on and on as his way to release the stress the teen brought him. At this rate, he'd have gray hair and wrinkles within the year. He wasn't wrong though, Sayuri could use something fresh in her repetitive life. 

     "Come Miso, we should go pay our respects," Sayuri had just entered the town to which she'd been sent for this mission. Just over a week ago had a demon took the life of a man walking home from a fishing trip. Two days ago was when she'd been ordered to deal with the issue, and the long walk here was quiet with silent hope no one else lost their life.

     A loud and turbulent river rode parallel to the modernized town, which appeared to be halfway between the large cities and Sayuri's village in terms of structure and size. The water gurgled and spat out sprays of water as short yet sturdy waves toppled over one another, pointing strongly to the appearance of a storm rolling in. And a vicious one, at that.

     A few strides down the river was a stone grave with flowers laid across the front of it. It must've been where the man's body was found, and Sayuri's heart aches for only a moment before noticing a young girl bowing her head to the grave. Her ashy hair was pulled back into a ponytail accompanied by a large red bow, and she wore a plain yukata covered by a very gorgeous haori. Its black color contrasted with the peachy blossoms adorning it, painting the image of a golden night sky with fog threading underneath it.

     If Sayuri hadn't spotted the absence of affiliation to the Demon Slayer Corps, she might've mistaken the girl for being sent to finish off the demon as well. Especially when she had her own sword laying before her knees. It was not a nichirin blade but was real enough to slow a demon. Sayuri couldn't help but wonder about her current skill level.

     Keeping the information in the front of her mind, she trots up to the grave beside the girl and removes her own saya containing her sword. She places the sheathed weapon on the ground before falling to her own knees, gaining the attention of the other. Shimmering green eyes peek over to Sayuri and then fall to the cloud handguard curiously. She squirms for a moment before returning to her original position, only to take another glance. This happens in a continuous cycle for a couple of minutes until Sayuri feels making conversation would be better than whatever was already going on,

     "Did you know him?" 

     "Hmm?" The girl didn't seem to take in the question for a moment, far too interested in Sayuri's appearance and sword. When her head perks up, she shakes it and looks toward the grave, "I didn't, I heard he was a good person though. And put up a real fight against whatever animal got him, It's only right to properly give respect."

     "I agree, no one deserves such a fate," Sayuri's fingers clutch the grass they rested on, "-Do they have any leads on the animal?"

     "No, nothing. I heard he was covered in deep gashes but no tracks were found nearby... wait, why am I telling this to a stranger?" The girl narrows in on the brunette with suspicion, rethinking her approach to the mysterious swordsman. It seemed she was quite perceptive with the sudden shift in composure. Sayuri hums thoughtfully,

     "I admire your caution, though you're not quite hiding that excitement on your face."

     The girl blushes and sets two cool hands against her cheeks in embarrassment,

     "I just thought your sword was interesting! I've never seen something like that," She tugs on a loose strand of ashy hair, contemplating for just a passing moment, then gasps loudly, "-Are you changing the subject? Who are you and why are you here stranger?"

    "No need to put your guard up, I'm only here for the killer of this man. My name is Sayuri Fukunaga, and you are?"

     "Right, okay, that makes sense. I'm Mirai Hayashi, a very talented swordsman here, just so you know."

     "It's nice to meet you Ms. Hayashi. May I ask for your help, if that's alright?" Sayuri grabs her saya and adjusts it once again against her hip, standing and brushing some light dirt from her uniform. One hand remains against the hilt of her sword, haori pushed back to grant easy access. Mirai gets up in a similar fashion, unsure as to why the person who reassured her that they weren't harmful was now ready to draw their blade against her.

     "I'd be glad to offer my help! So umm, what're you doing?"

     "I'll be careful, but it would be in my best interest to assess your talent myself," Sayuri smiles and gestures to the houses built alongside the river roaring in the two girl's ears, "When this animal attacks, I'd like to ensure someone is able to stall it before reaching the town. On the off chance I can't rid of it in time."

     "I don't know what kind of animal you think this is, but if this will help then I am all for it!" Mirai draws her plain silver blade with much determination. Sayuri nods once before doing the same, pleased with the seriousness the other displayed. Demons weren't to be taken lightly, but she didn't wish to scare her help away by revealing the true attacker of that man. 

     She also makes the first move, advancing toward Mirai with little effort compared to her true capabilities as a Hinoe. She also had reason to believe this demon was not terribly strong in comparison to what she had been fighting, due to its lack of victims. To her, it didn't make much sense. But to a man bound to his sickness, sitting with pride on a porch every day whilst his Demon Slayers fought, he'd sent Sayuri exactly where she needed to be. Wherever Mirai was. 

     Kagaya Ubuyashiki followed Sayuri's life since she had survived the demon now considered Lower Rank Four.

     "Woah, how did you move so fast?" Mirai's hands shake under the weight of Sayuri's blade, having only just stopped it from coming down on her right hip. The older had shifted her presence within a second from her attack on Mirai's left side to the other.

     Sayuri doesn't respond, grunting when Mirai is able to twist out of the uncomfortable position and aim her own attacks. Most low, some high. An irregular pattern of sturdy hits that Sayuri had to take in with each deflection, learning the pattern of her movement. It wasn't light and fleeting like her own, but strong and powerful. A very talented swordsman indeed.

     The sounds of the river wash out their clashing blades from the rest of the people living in the town, who were missing out on an incredible display of technique. Sayuri was far from that little effort she put into the beginning of this short clash, warmth rising in her body as the first signs of exertion. Mirai was an admirable opponent for being a young girl, and it made her oddly proud.

    When Sayuri attacks vertically, Mirai defends last minute with the horizontal rotation of her blade, the two stuck in a difficult position. The brunette makes up her mind in this tense moment,

    "Your help will be greatly appreciated, Ms. Hayashi."

    With that, Sayuri forces her sword upward, the protruding handguard smacking Mirai's blade out of its strong point. Before another attack can be made, her bad shoulder is pushed roughly into Mirai's chest and sends her flailing to the grass. Sayuri holds the tip of her sword to the other's chest fondly. Mirai's mouth was open in astonishment and partial disorientation as she begins speaking rapidly,

    "That's magnificent! I've never met another swordsman like you, you're a young girl probably close to my age yet you fight so eloquently! All the boys here tell me it's pointless to try becoming one, except for my father! He taught me what I know, so I'll try my hardest tonight. Though it seems like you won't need my help..."

    "I truly hope I don't disappoint then," Sayuri chuckles and watches Mirai shuffle excitedly over to pick up her sword, it seemed her pride was unshakeable despite what others said. That fight had properly left Sayuri's shoulder aching, but she supposed that was solely her fault for beginning the whole assessment. A little trust on her behalf would've solved everything.

     "Ah, your shoulder, is it okay?" Mirai sheathes her blade concerned as she watches the other grasp it with a wince, but Sayuri nods swiftly to ease her worry,

    "Yes, I injured it in a fight with another de- animal."

    "You don't make a lot of sense, but please come to my home! My father makes herbal tea that helps with aches and pains." The younger beams and begins walking without leaving room for questions. Sayuri can't help but laugh at the kindliness and passion Mirai radiated. She was a breath of fresh air compared to a cranky Miso or doting Fumihito. 

     Her home was not far, and when entering the cozy place she had been greeted by the man who so clearly was Mirai's father. He'd immediately offered to host dinner and began the herbal tea Mirai mentioned, both Hayashi's talking about this and that. There was never an awkward moment of silence as if Sayuri had known them her entire life. This homely feeling always calmed whatever tension she built in the stress of having to slay a demon, plus the benefit of learning more about Mirai.

     The 15-year-old had loved watching her father practice with a sword ever since she was a child at the age of five, copying his movements with a stick. Sayuri had lost her composure at this, imagining the endearing scene in her head. At that age, she was flaunting her new clothes from Michi and Tetsuya.

     Mirai had officially picked up a sword when she turned 10, a gift from her father after he decided to begin training her. She'd dedicated so much of her life to becoming well-versed in the art of using a sword, Sayuri offered much heartfelt praise, understanding the intense teaching necessary to become truly powerful. Mirai had become the same shade of her red bow from that.  

     As always, nighttime had fallen far too soon for Sayuri's liking. Though she believed the sun rose too early, when she had to take on the task of eliminating demons, it couldn't rise early enough. Mirai's father hadn't been too reluctant in letting Mirai assist Sayuri, as he too was well aware of the girl's strength. Combined, he told the girls, the 'animal' didn't stand much of a chance against them. Sayuri knew he was right, she'd never let a demon get into the town under her watch. And now Mirai could take up what her shoulder could not.

     "What aren't you telling me?" Mirai asks as the pair stand right in front of the river, now calmer under the dim moonlight. Sayuri expected this at any moment from her, considering she'd been hiding around the truth so obviously,

     "Something I don't know if you're ready to hear."

     "I am! Trust me, it'll help me to do whatever I can to assist you!" Her fingers twist over the hilt of her sword, a slight tremor attempting to stay hidden sensed by Sayuri. No matter that, it was true that she deserved to know,

     "I'm sure you've heard rumors about demons."

     "Definitely, the boys here used to run around pretending to be them and terrorize people," Mirai shudders at the memory. She freezes when it kicks in, the invisible lightbulb sparking as she slowly blinks at the running water, "-They're real?"

     "Yes. I've been trained to kill them and save others. That's why I'm here, my crow gave me the orders. It's a life some are pushed into, but it's a choice I made after my parents- Wait." Sayuri keeps her lips parted ever so slightly to access the full potential of her senses, feeling a repulsive stench crawl upstream and directly to them.

     Claws of extreme length stretch out of the water far before the actual body of the demon present itself. Soaking wet, it wears nothing but a wimpy loincloth struggling to keep its place on molten red skin. Three large eyes position themselves in the center of the hideous creature's head, two focused on Mirai and the other Sayuri. The demon squeals something horrible as it talks,

     "Mmm, the Slayer brought me an offering?"

     At this wording, Sayuri pictures those piercing yellow irises from the demon she'd sword to kill that fateful night. The gore of her parents spread across the room like a beacon of collecting anger. The Slayer growls out her next words,

     "You're going to regret hurting that man."

     "Oh really? I didn't just hurt him, I do believe I killed him?"

    "Hey-" Mirai starts, then immediately zips her lips together when Sayuri lifts a hand in warning to her. She only speaks one instruction,

     "Go, as I said earlier."

     Mirai doesn't argue and retreats to a safe distance where she could keep her gaze locked onto the demon if the situation arose that it tried to hurt anyone sleeping in the town. Her hand doesn't leave her sword, unsure if it could even work against something as inhuman as that. Just seconds ago she was made aware of demons' existence, but if most were to experience even more fear, Mirai wouldn't be most. She saw a wide display of Sayuri's strength, mentally and physically, in the short time they'd known one another today. Wasn't that something to be proud of? Mirai wanted to take pride in more than just knowing she was a capable swordsman. She wanted to put it to use, to practice killing demons, and eventually feel her talent mean something. 

     She watches Sayuri begin to fight against the demon with bated breath. Now, the Demon Slayer was putting in a different level of strength toward the creature. Her movement and technique were reminiscent of something Mirai couldn't quite piece together, but it clearly involved more than just the traditional styles.

     To Sayuri, the demon truly wasn't of any renowned strength. But if those damned claws would stop extending and retreating by some freaky means, she might be able to get closer and deal that finishing blow. The tea from earlier provided temporary relief, but the tiresome and constant movements involved in the fight brought the injury back to full aching pain. Creating a debilitating limit on Sayuri's attack power. 

     "Cloud Breathing, First For- Shit," She seethes as a claw makes contact with her shoulder, forcing its way across the recently healed wound. Red seeps into her haori, and in the second she takes to view the damage, the demon leaps away and heads for Mirai guarding the town. Sayuri shouts something inaudible to even herself, but it was enough to make sure Mirai understood what had happened.

     In a brisk movement, the younger pushes herself in front of the demon and swings her sword across its extended arms, slicing off the nails that we continuously changing length. They each fall to the ground and Mirai wastes no time in continuing to aim blows at the reddish skin. Sayuri knew it'd be tough to cut through with the weaker metal, but Mirai was able to distract it this way. Small continuous scratches were enough to annoy the demon while Sayuri snuck closer, waiting for that perfect moment and...

     There.

     Her second practiced breath hides her movement just enough to get her blade through the demon's neck at an angle of least resistance. The head rolls back and Sayuri picks it up, using her good arm to throw it far into the river until it dissipates into nothingness.

     "Wow..." Mirai whispers, stepping over the disappearing body and avoiding eye contact while she gets closer to Sayuri whose shoulder looked raw and bloody, "-We need to get to my home to patch that up."

     "Okay. And thank you, Ms. Hayashi."

     "Mirai is fine, and I'm glad to have helped you save the people I grew up amongst."

     The two manage to slip into Mirai's house without going noticed by her father and tidy up the reopened wound well enough for the night. Sayuri would later get it fixed by Fumihito, after a lecture that would be far more painful to sit through than having a demon slash it open again.

     "Could you teach me more? I want to become a part of the..." Mirai speaks out in the silence of getting extra bedding for Sayuri to use for the night. The brunette looks over with falling eyelids,

     "Demon Slayer Corps?"

     "Yes! Do you think I have the capability to join?"

     "With proper training in a breath style, I am most certain. But it is not an easy path to follow, it is dangerous Mirai. You saw that tonight, did you not?"

     "Well, I wish to help others in the way you do! I felt stronger than I ever have before fighting that demon, I'm not disturbed or even that shocked. I can handle it. My swordsmanship is of no use here, so please allow me to train under you." Mirai deeply bows her body with the respect of that from a student to teacher, barely able to contain a smile under the seriousness of her question. Sayuri too, tries not to show any excitement because of the offer. It was dangerous. Yet she wished to teach another in Cloud Breathing and Mirai was extremely capable of high-level swordsmanship.

      "It's settled then, but do not be afraid to return here if it becomes too overwhelming. I'd prefer you to be safe."

     "I won't! I promise to do my best! Should I go pack some things?" Mirai places the bedding down messily, in too much of a hurry to get her belongings around.

     "I have a home you can reside in, please bring all you'd like. Miso can carry some as well. We'll leave at your father's approval in the morning," Sayuri sends the crow to the girl's shoulder, heart warm at that grand grin across Mirai's face. With a few backward paces, still looking at Sayuri happily, she finally turns and races off to her room.

     "Well Fumihito, this is definitely something fresh. Though I wonder how much you'll reprimand me for bringing another into this life, and this shoulder..." Sayuri speaks into the empty air to the doctor residing way back in the village. She was grateful to have him though, because Mirai was entering a world to which she had never known before this day.

     "SAYURI FUKUNAGA." Fumihito is the first voice Sayuri hears with only a foot on the soil of the village she called home. Curls bounce and olive eyes burn with frustration, the doctor making incredibly long strides toward the brunette clutching her shoulder, "I told you not to overexert yourself unless you wish to damage that poor joint anymore! A few more stupid decisions and it won't be usable! And where is the satchel of medicine I gave you to take... if I go to your home and find it layi-"

     "Who's that?" Mirai questions, startled by the shouting and rambling man coming toward them at an unreasonable speed. Sayuri sighs,

     "Fumihito, the doctor here. Don't worry, you get used to him."

☁️

𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘 ╱MIRAIII omg i love
her to PIECESSS + fumihito
too ofc but mirai takes the 
spotlight ofc <3

-bluesupernova fr made
the sweetest oc for this fic
and i'm so happy to write
her !! <3

this fr took a while because
i didn't want to mess up or
nething eeek ,, it's also been
a tough week in general so
sorry for the wait !! <3

gumiguro-