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Miyako awoke the next night, writing on a small piece of leaf she collected from outside, so that Mirei could read it, since an incident from her father, guards were now stalking the night. Kyoshiro had tried to release both of them a few nights before, seeing that they were both old enough to follow his instructions, but it meant a high risk, that if he was going to help them escape too, he'd have to escape with them, losing all the money he would get if he continued working in the arena. Kyoshiro learnt each time they would be by the main guards' post, counting how much time in between to properly make their escape mission as successful as possible.

Miyako was now fifteen years old, while Mirei was ten. During their training lessons, when fighters were able to train with one another to prepare for the next match, he taught both Miyako and Mirei about the sword, learning different fighting techniques within a range of attacks, earning Miyako the title for his best student. Mirei was slightly getting a hang of it, since she was still particularly young, but with both her father and sister's strengths, she was sure that she didn't need to know a lot.

"Mirei, Mirei... wake up!"

She tried to whisper, hoping the guards at the post of their shed wouldn't hear them, continuously shaking on her shoulder.

"W-what..."

"Father Kyoshiro, he told me to give you this."

Mirei read the writing on the leaf, instructing both of them to sneak out when the guards were supposed to exchange with each other, since they had a daily cycle where each would take each other's place every 4 hours.

She agreed, and let Miyako use the tip of the sword, given to her by her father in use for the arena, to slowly go through the cracks to break the chain, only that it would take a lot of time to do. The chain wasn't as strong as some others, since they didn't really go outside much, considering it was only for 2 day training lessons and eating, while Miyako only went in 2 other arena fights, Mirei, none so far.

She buckled on one of the chains holding on to the lock and broke it in half once she knew the guard left for their shift change and broke open the wooden door to the shed and brough Mirei along, holding hands as they went to their father's shed, separate from all the other fighter's since he was considered special. Once breaking his lock, after a long time, they went towards the arena, away from the guards' post to see if anyone would notice, and to see if the manager of the arena, Chiyo and their husband, would still be working at these times.

"Miyako, Mirei, had over to that bush, I'll see if we have any witnesses, alright?"

Heading straight for the bush he pointed at, they crouched down beside it, facing their backs towards the bush as they listened close to their father, who was inspecting the large plot of land they had ran from, separating the fighter's sheds to the arena, so he public wouldn't have noticed. He ushered them close to him when the coast was clear, and followed closely behind him, while making sure to make as minimal sounds as possible. Both swordsmen and sister ran towards the forest, just blocked by a tall fence that surrounded the manager's plot as he carried both girls upwards, making sure they were the first ones out.

Mirei was out first, since she was the lightest to carry, while Miyako was right behind her, handing her sword and hilt to Merei as she landed with a thud, possibly alarming a few guards nearby, if they were on their way to the sheds. The forest was right beside a strip of rocky road that if you followed, would lead to the entrance of the arena, and the Nakashima household. They had heard of a myth that a shadowy figure would lurk these areas and said that they were a former fighter of the arena they all fought in and would haunt any member of the Nakashima's all because they died while the husband of the Nakashima's, Kaido, poisoned his drink while handing him the money for winning, so he would have it for himself. Of course, Miyako knew it was fake, and that person that was supposedly roaming these areas was just a by passer, on their way to the arena or somewhere else, but Mirei seriously got the shivers.

"Miyako-chan!! What if the shadow figure is here!! What if they get us!!"

"Shush! You're making it hard for me to get up while I listen to you ramble about some figure, here, grab these."

Miyako handed her another two pairs of kimonos their father had given them for their birthday, just a few months before the executed their plans. She held them up close, handing Miyako her sword and hilt once she finally stood up.

Once she was up, all that was left was to help Kyoshiro with him and his stuff, only if they didn't get caught, they wold be able to escape without any problems.

"Father! Throw your sword and hilt! That way you can get up easier!"

By her words, she picked up his sword and hilt from the ground, just after he threw it, and found his head peaking up the other side. There, the sound of alarms and lights had freaked all three of them, as they tried to scramble Kyoshiro on the fence. He only just made it up when they heard more guards approaching the area, lights so bright it would have blinded their father if he had a better chance to look at them.

"Miyako, Mirei! Go! Leave me here! Bring my sword with you! Run and escape now! I ain't letting these punks catch you, GO!"

Both girls hurried from the fence, just as Kyoshiro had offered himself as the escapee when they were supposed to bring Miyako and Mirei in as well, until he lied about only bringing himself along.

Both watched in pain as their father handed himself over, giving one last smile to the girls as they continued further into the forest, Miyako taking it the most as she stopped on her knees, crying out to her sister who was also starting to cry. Mirei didn't know and remember much, since she was so young, but to Miyako, she had lost two important figures in her life, Hana, and Kyoshiro, both who showed Miyako mercy, care, kindness, like now one ever did before, but because of the actions of her parents, and the lie that she was a curse to their family, along with her sister, broke her apart.

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Nighttime was fast, as the sun eventually came up, making the mist that surrounded the forest look as mysterious as possible. The sky glowed with a soft yellow and orange, as the shadow of trees patterned the forest ground, with the girls' footprints left behind. Mirei was leading the way, since her sister was far too shaken by what happened earlier. She had though that he would adopt both of them when they escaped and would live a happy life as a simple family, until they could take care of themselves and eventually start a family on their own. Mirei knew her sister wasn't always happy, since she'd secretly watch with Hana how Miyako was scolded for bring blueberries into the house to make pancakes, a western dish, but was slapped by her mother because she hated the colour blue. It was pretty childish to act like that in front of your own children, especially because of some simple colour, but to Mirei, if she ever did the same, she'd be scared to death. Much like Miyako, now aware of what her mother would do to them, she would constantly be around her sister, who was always seen with Hana, and avoided any contact with the figure.

"Miyako-chan ... we gotta go... I think I see another town ahead... we have to keep - going..."

She looked back at Miyako, several feet away as she just stood there, her dry tears being covered by new ones, probably remembering what had happened.

"Miyako-chan! We can't continue crying! It's morning and we gotta go!"

She came beside her sister and dragged her arm, pulling her towards where the sun was shining up ahead, to the village Mirei had spotted earlier. Calling her name while pointing ahead, hoping Miyao would look and be happy again, that they had a place to go to, to stay for a while, to recollect memories with someone else who wasn't as bad as their parents.

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Turns out it was a single household, hidden among the growth of trees that made it look like a tiny village. There, they followed a long road towards the entrance of the compound, and read the name on it's sign, 'Ubuyashiki Household' and wondered if it was abandoned, since it looked like no one was around.

"Hello, are you looking for someone?"

A voice called, a man with fiery - red hair man stood against the sun, looking like a halo above his head, like an angel about to save them.

"Uhm, excuse m-me sir, do you know where we are?"

Mirei answered, since her sister didn't look the mood to say anything.

"Ah, The Ubuyashikis! I was just about to enter until I found both of you here! May I ask, but where did you guys come from?"

"We came from - a village from that direction... we got lost and found this place..."

She lied, hoping not to bring the man into the situation they came from, or at least worrying him, since he looked like he'd care so much about something.

"Ah, alright then! Why don't you stay here until we can find you a place to stay! Wonder, where are your parents?"

"Uhm- it was nighttime, and we lost them..."

"Shouldn't we find them then?"

Gosh, Mirei wished her sister had spoken to him instead of her, how many questions was he going to ask? What should she say...

"I don't know, they've probably travelled too far, but I think something killed them- I heard screaming a few hours ago..."

He tensed up, and instead of the smile he carried when he met them, he looked more serious, eyebrows furrowed and allowed both girls to enter the household with him.

"Ah, alright! Come with me then!"

He tried to keep his composure, hoping the girls weren't stalked by some demons on their way here, though it was just a huge lie. He led the way, keeping his eye on the girls, as he smiled his largest, because the way they both looked he had though they've probably been through a lot, since they're parents had 'died'.

One of the girls started to cry behind him, the eldest one, as he heard her sister trying to comfort her, but was overthrown by the sniffs and sobs. She was on the ground now, just being hugged by her little sister's arms, holding her tight, as if she could disappear in any moment.

"Hey - are you alright?"

He tried to comfort the girl as well, in favour that someone nearby wouldn't have been disturbed, as well as his favour in reaching Ubuyashiki in time.

"Sorry, we've been through a lot..."

Her younger sister spoke in return. She looked partially 5 years older than her sister who was crying, so he wasn't sure why she wasn't crying herself.

"Hey! Your alright, it's okay, it's okay! I'll take care of you two, and make sure nobody hurts you, alright?"

Miyako looked up at the man, his eyes almost looking like fire, fuming with passion from inside, his smile, almost the same as Kyoshiro. He was kneeled down on the same position as her father, and even looked similar to him. Was this him? Did he just change is hair colour? Did he just change his clothes? Did he actually escape?

She held on too Rengoku's uniform, sobbing into it, and kept repeating the name 'Kyoshiro!' and 'father!' who he assumed was one of their parents who died in a 'demon attack'. It was unusual for someone to call their father by their name, but otherwise, he shouldn't be asking too much from other people's personal lives.

"Cmon, lets keep going. I'll make sure both you and your sister are safe undercovers, where you'll both be taken care of, okay?"

Miyako and Mirei nodded, following close behind Rengoku, while Miyako hid under his cape, hands holding on to her sister.

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As they finally entered the building, he found Amane, fixing a potted plant by the side of the room, flickering her eyes at Rengoku's direction. She placed the flowers back in the pot, and greeted the fellow corps member, while nodded her head to the side to get a better view at the children he was with.

"Welcome back. Did you head to the Butterfly Mansion before coming?"

"No need for that! It wasn't anything serious!!"

"Alright but, what are these children doing here?"

"Ah, them! I found them right outside the compound, after they got lost in the forest when their parents died."

"My, alright. Please bring them here, I'm sure they've been through a lot."

"Haha! That's what I said!"

He let the girls follow the woman, telling them they were in good hands, and that wherever they were, they were safe no matter what. He wasn't sure how they weren't eaten by the 'demons' in the forest, but either way, was a blessing, and maybe a sign.

"Shall we send them to Shinobu? She could take care of their injuries, if they have any."

"Very well then."

Amane led the girls towards a few kakushis, while Rengoku followed behind, because Miyako kept tugging on his cape. He'd also decide it would be a good time to visit the new demon slayers, who'd he remembered had a sister who was a demon, IF they were all still recovering back at the mansion, but there was no rush with missions, it meant he'd be able to also supervise on the girls, in case of anything.

The kakushis made their way to the mansion, as Rengoku happily trotted along, waiting for the fresh scent of wisteria, probably Shinobu at work?

Rengoku had just came back from a mission, and was now on another mission to protect these girls at all costs, seeing how similar they were to his brother, and to keep the Demon Slayer's hidden from any demons. The sun just reached what was called morning, as it shown brightly amongst the trees that overlooked the path towards the mansion.

Rengoku had later found out that the new corps members, one with a green checkered haori, one with yellow hair, and a boar head were all out on a mission, just weeks prior to after they had joined. Maybe he wasn't able to stay long, as he expected to later have a chat with these new members about how they were going, but maybe he was busy after all.

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"There you go! Shinobu shall let you guys settle! I'll make sure to come back once I have everything completed. Alright?"

Both girls nodded as he left the estate, as a few other kakushis lead them towards Lord Kochou's room, right by a small garden, outlooking such a perfect view of the greenery. Past a few hallways, left, right, multiple rooms with beds, a kitchen, and finally they stopped, right outside someone's sliding door, that had presumably led to Shinobu's room.

"Lady* Kochou! We have a visitor for you sent by Lord Rengoku!"

One knock.

"Lady* Shinobu?"

Two knocks.

"Kochou Shinobu? Hello, Insect Hashira??"

The kakushis were unable to contact her, due to a mission she was on with another Hashira. They even though the Flame Hashira wouldn't know! Or, Ubuyashiki would have told him, so why not tell them??? They went examining her room, left and right looking for another fellow corps member that had special ties with her, and out her garden, where her tsuguko would normally be, but she was with Lord Kochou in the mission as well.

"Never-mind, Let's call Kanzaki here."

Great, more roaming for the girls. At least it was easy to navigate through the dainty halls, and towards another room, where a girl was serving food to a person on bed rest - who both looked at the kakushis waiting by the doorway, Miyako and Mirei right behind them still facing the ground as they did when they arrived at the mansion.

"Aoi!! I heard Lord Kochou and Tsuyuri was on a mission, so we brough these girls here for recovery."

"Ah, alright, place them on the beds, I'll quickly make some tempura and soup. They can't depend on an empty stomach!"

The blue haired girl, who was now Aoi, Kanzaki Aoi, was rushing towards the kitchen they had passed earlier, already making a bunch of noise, as they swore, they could have heard sizzling.

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Character info chart!:

Yamamura Kyoshiro:

Age: 32 (when he met Miyako) 37 (After his last moments with Miyako)

Race: Human

Hair colour: Black

Eye colour: Forest green

Extra: Kyoshiro only trained to be a swordsman because his parents wanted him too. His father was also a successful swordsman, so it was safe to say that the only way to bring honour into the family was to be one himself. But he was corrupted. His family lost their family home, his mother became deadly sick, the rest of his siblings left the country, and making him the only one responsible for them. His father later died during some mysterious incident, leaving him and his mother, starving for what little food they had. He though the only way to regain his family's former wealth was to somehow get money, and that's where he found the Nakashimas. Oh, how much he was in dept for his mother. As soon as he joined the ranks of the arena fighters, he'd easily make so much profit by hiss sword skills, earning him the role of top fighter in the arena. He was so proud of himself, that because of that, he was blind, and didn't notice his mother pass away a few weeks prior to him joining. It was only that he was given one day to visit the place where his mother laid that he found her no longer there, with a small note written by an officer who took her in during her final moments. Now, he had no one. No one to take care of, no one to long for, no one to continue his life for. How petty of him. Instead, he didn't presure himself with the greif of his mother's loss, but only continued fighting in the arena for a few more years. Until, he met a particular soul. One that had parent's hate her and her sister to be exact, the same people who ran the arena he worked for, just abandoned their kids in a way he didn't think was possible.

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

A/N:

Hello! Thank you for reading this far! Well- other than that, another chapter finished >:))))

Ps: This is when Shinobu and Giyuu are at Mount Natagumo, or just right after the battle when the sun finally rises.

- Polaroid ♡