Chapter 12

It's been precisely two weeks, each passing day as unrestful as the last. You've switched between three forms of transport throughout the journey, travelling on foot, carriage and donkey, but none have dulled the seemingly permanent ache in your chest.

Travel has never made you this weary. You know it has nothing to do with the physical exhaustion, everything to do with the mess you left behind.

"One more day to Kakunodate." You stare unblinkingly at the map in your hands, as your words drift into the blistering heat of your campfire. "Three days without a reply. Perhaps it'll only return at first light."

You lift your head, looking up into the night sky for signs of a flapping shadow amidst the backdrop of stars. Seeing none, you heave a sigh. "Patience, Ryuu. You've been overworking that poor bird."

Your Kasugai Crow has barely been at your side throughout these two and a half weeks. You're surprised it's actually obeyed your instructions thus far, especially since you have yet to give your companion a hearty treat.

You have been taking utmost precautions with rationing your supplies. Seeing as you rushed out of the Butterfly Estate without preparations, the money you brought has long been used up. You'll have access to your reserves at Kakunodate, but till then, you only have what's left in your field pack.

You recall what your sister used to say, about animal companions being able to sense the emotional states of their masters. You never thought you'd end up experiencing it yourself.

Your stomach chooses that moment to interrupt with a rumbling growl. You silence it with a gentle rub, muttering, "Even if the spirit is close to exhaustion, the body continues to hunger."

You reach into your haversack and retrieve the last of your food. You unwrap the oiled paper, revealing a small cut of beef. The meat is a deep wine red, and the light from the fire makes the colour run darker.

You recall the most recent landmark you passed, a twisting river that goes on for miles as it cuts through bountiful rice fields. According to your map, you should reach Kakunodate Town by tomorrow. It should be fine for you to let loose.

Decision made, you grab your iron pan, heating it over the fire. Waiting until the bottom is lightly glowing, you toss in the beef. Your eyes slide shut at the melodic sizzle. It smells glorious. Your mood is lifts at the splendid fragrance.

When you hear a familiar, errant flap of feathered wings ten minutes later, it takes all of your strength not to roll your eyes.

"RYUU," the crow intones in a loud caw, dropping the letter rudely onto your burlap sack. "RE-PLY FROM SE-ND-ER!" It flies circles around your head.

"You have a damned good sense of timing." You pluck the seared beef from the pan and toss it on a nearby rock. The Kasugai Crow does a nosedive and snaps it between its beak before flying off.

So much for your snack. Sighing, you set down the pan and turn your attention to the letter. The first thing you see is your name scribbled across its surface, and your hunger dissipates like smoke. You reach over to take the letter, surrendering yourself to the indulgent smile that curves up the corners of your mouth.

It is Aoi's handwriting. She's been replying each and every letter, and you can't helped but feel touched. You undo the string and spread the paper over your lap, your eyes jumping from one bolded word to the next.

'Ryuu,

I hope this letter finds you safely as always. Thank you for the last letter and the sketches you sent. From what you drew, the scenery in Akita seems beautiful. I'm happy you captured some of it, and with charcoal, too.

Don't be disappointed, but there are no snacks to go along with letter. I know I promised to send them, but upon further consideration, it would give your messenger undue burden.

Anyway, I have a feeling it would gobble the snacks before it reached you. I've been feeding your crow whenever it arrives with a letter, and it eats as much as you did. It feels as if you didn't leave.'

You bark out a laugh. That sly bird has been gorging itself under the guise of willingly delivering your heartfelt letters. The bigger question is how you will satisfy it, now that it has tasted Aoi's cooking. Somewhere in the trees, you imagine the beast turning its beak up in agreement.

'Replying to your question,

I'm happy to write that there's nothing to worry about. Oyakata-sama has sent Mitsuru-san to deal with the problem, so our workload should be considerably lighter once that demon is dealt with.

In lighter news, that annoying young master seems to have finally stopped coming. He hasn't visited since his last one. Good riddance! I have yet to pawn off all of the useless decorations he brought last time.'

You think back to Fuji's enraged words after you had given him a thorough tongue lashing. It's not one of your finest moments, losing yourself in a fit of emotion, but not a lie was spoken. You do not regret it.

Had you been anyone else, you would've been frightened to anger someone of such high social status. But you are a Slayer. Four years has passed since you first begun in this career, and in that time, you've had plenty of time to foster your mental fortitude.

Besides, regardless of Fuji's background, both of you are still a part of the Demon Slayer Corps. Unless he wants to offend Oyakata-sama, he won't do anything drastic.

What is strange, however, is that Fuji has yet to make his move. You expected him to make great strides with Shinobu now that you've already estranged yourself from her. Perhaps he hasn't found out about the situation yet, but he will, eventually.

Your fist clenches involuntarily at the thought. If you think about it, this mission is a blessing in disguise. No matter how much you want to fix things, this distance and Shinobu's unwillingness render it impossible to work on a solution. You decided to write letters because of Aoi and the girls, and not for any other reason.

'About the letters you're sending, Ryuu.

I know you haven't asked but I'll tell you anyway. Shinobu nee-san reads them, though she never writes back. She's been really busy recently. Without you here to stop her, nee-san practically throws herself into her research.'

Your hate how your pulse flutters at that line. You continue reading.

'I don't want to bring this up, not when you're so far away…

But did something happen between the both of you? None of you talk about it, but I can tell something is off.

She doesn't talk about you at all, and when I ask about it, Shinobu nee-san refuses to give me details. Which means it's up to you to tell me what happened. There better be a good reason for it!'

You have to smile at Aoi's bluntness. You should take a page from her book and approach your problems with single minded determination instead of pretending everything's fine.

Aoi might harbour an intense, deep-seated self-doubt from her failure to make it into the Demon Slayer Corps, but she's not as weak as she thinks she is. Though she chose a different path due to fear of her mortality, it's not as if she gave up. She still fights in the war against demons.

If Aoi had joined the Corps, she would have learned Slayers were still only human and not miraculous, awe-inspiring beings as she believes they are. Pillars, who display loyalty beyond words and throw themselves wholeheartedly into the goal of eradicating demons, are the exception. Not the majority.

Over the years, you've met a small handful of people who abuse the authority that comes with their positions. Fuji's actions could be viewed as polite when compared to them. Not that you'd ever tell Aoi. You've ruined enough things with these hands.

But is it possible not to? Is there a way to let her down gently when you tell her how you've decided to move out of the Butterfly estate after this mission? You have yet to find an answer.

'In the meantime,

I shall await your next letter. Sumi says hi, Kiyo says she misses your stories, and Naho says she wants a hug when you get back. I'm testing out some new recipes in the meantime, so come back safely, Ryuu.

Be rest assured, because though Shinobu nee-san hasn't written back, I'll continue writing in her place.'

Shadows fall across the paper. They undulate recklessly as the flames of the fire pit continue to dance. You sigh, folding the letter to be stowed safely in your haversack. You appreciate Aoi's hopefulness, but if she knew of what happened that day, she would understand Shinobu's attitude toward you. That is the absolute truth.

Have a pleasant mission, Kuroshio-san. Those wereShinobu's final words to you, her voice still rings poisonously in your ears. The moment she uttered those words, you knew she had mentally severed the partnership she'd formed with you on your first fateful use of your family name was an acknowledgement of your request.

That had more deeply than any injury you've endured. Your fingers hover over an area below your collarbone, an old injury which still throbs from time to time.

Regardless. It's a good thing you didn't realize what you felt for Shinobu until it was too late. You never acted on your feelings, and in turn, there still remains a chance to bleed them out of your system. To drain the poison before it brings you to ruin. She is as effectual on you as her wisteria poison is on demons.

You put away the letter, then get onto your feet to put out the fire. "I wonder what advice you all would have given if you were here." Your words are carried away on the drafty night breeze.

The speckled night sky will keep watch over you as you endure another unrestful night of sleep. Tomorrow, you will reach Kakunodate. Tomorrow, you will be a day closer in returning to how your life used to be.

---

You've been through this prefecture numerous times, but you don't remember the journey being so quiet. A number of carts pulled by oxen, a couple of solo travellers, three or four large groups of farmers. Pulling low numbers like this seems impossible for a bustling castle town like Kakunodate.

Your father had claimed he made small fortunes here each time he visited. Granted, his last journey here was close to half a decade ago, but last you checked, the salesmen who worked under you regularly reported good earnings when they visited this town. One of them had even done good enough to open a shop here.

You try to recall the specifics of the last update you received from him. You come up empty. You'll be going in blind. Not the best way to start a mission.

It can't be helped. With all the work you've been carrying out on behalf of the Slayer Corps, you haven't had time to check in on your businesses. That's the excuse you liked using, anyway. You should have at least made an efforted to read the monthly missives they sent. Nothing you can do about it now.

You shield your eyes from the midday sun and look into the distance. You're almost there. From where you stand, you catch a glimpse of the ruins of the castle that once rested atop that large hill.

Though the grand castle was demolished decades ago, much to the dismay of the population here who relied on it to draw in government officials and tourists, Kakunodate remains a stronghold for samurai and merchants. That was all you knew about your destination from second hand accounts and old stories.

Not as glorious at it once was, but still well-off compared to other towns. It certainly didn't look that way on the outside, however.

Two armoured man stand outside the looming gates, both looking incredibly weary. They are busy checking the cart in front of you, and you stop behind it and wait for your turn. It takes longer than you expect. The owner of the cart, sitting atop the horse, says something unintelligible just as the town gates swing open.

"The market's on the left. Watch where you're going, we don't need any accidents at this time." When the cart is through, the gates swing shut. "Next!"

You step up. The guard who checked the cart goes bowstring tense when he takes one look at you. Tension bleeds into the air. Why have they suddenly turned aggressive?

As you're thinking this, you notice their hands moving towards the katana hanging at their waists. Your own sword hand twitches. You just barely hold back from placing it on your own blade.

You've cut down humans with your Nichirin before, but you'd rather not use it unless you're truly in dire straits. It is an item meant to deliver justice unto demons, not people.

"Do you think he's..." The guard looks at his companion. "He doesn't look like one of them."

"I can't be sure," the other guard is an older man with a scraggly beard. His distrustful eyes bore into you. "State your intentions, traveller. What is your reason for your visit?"

Well, now. What kind of attitude should you assume here?

The older man doesn't flinch when you swing your haversack to your front, but the younger one nearly draws his weapon. You arrange your expression into a slightly frightened one as you show the set of papers and token you carry on you at all times.

"Here," you add a slight quiver to your words. "Please, check them." You move with aching slowness and place them into the guard's hands.

Once the older man verifies the authenticity of your papers and token, he signals at the younger guard to stand down like you knew he would. Both are legitimate proof of your membership in the merchant's guild.

"Welcome to Kakunodate, Kuroshio-san," the older greets. "Kase, tell the men to open the gates." As the younger man goes off to signal the men on the other side, three or four of them visible through the metal grills, you regard the older man with a searching gaze.

"Did I look too suspicious? I've been told this face of mine is fiercer than I'd like," you say.

"It was your katana," he replies, giving the sheathed weapon a curious glance. "Your dressing, too. You are aware that it resembles a uniform, yes? Other than bandit scum, this town gets attacked by loyalists quite often." He scoffs. "They want to destabilize this prefecture's power by taking out our men. Feh, those cowardly bastards have pulp for brains."

"Oh." You look around. "Are they why this town's getting terrible foot traffic?"

"As expected of a merchant." The guard sighs. "Unfortunately, we're still looking into the exact cause. I don't think it's due to the loyalists since we've had those ever since Akita was established. It doesn't make sense that people are scared away, not when Kakunodate is always able to repel them." He shrugs. "It has been hard to dig out the truth, especially with all the rumours going around."

You smell a lead. Your mouth stretches into an inviting smile, and you look over his shoulder to see Kase, the younger guard, engaged in a heated conversation with his comrades on the other side of the gate. It seems the heavens have seen fit to grant you an opportunity.

"I see. Well, if you don't mind me enquiring, sir...?"

The man laughs, a deep and joyous sound. "I'm just simple guardsman, Kuroshio-san. You can call me Wareta."

"Alright, Wareta-san," you say. "Do you think you could tell me some of these rumours you've heard? I am quite curious as to what their contents might be." You arrange your fingers in a cheeky gesture. "There might be money to be made from it."

"Always about the profits with you merchants," Wareta shakes his head. "But seeing how the way of the sword is what samurai dedicate their lives toward, asking a merchant to be content with they own would be akin to a death sentence."

"Well spoken for a simple guard, Wareta-san."

Straight-laced men like him are not the easiest to get along with, but you've had plenty of experience with this type. The Demon Corps have its share of them.

Your polite and prodding questions quickly set a foundation for your rapport between you and Wareta, and when Kase returns, he finds you two getting along like a house on fire.

"Kase-san, right?" You acknowledge his presence with a quick wave. "Sorry, I ended up side-tracked. Am I allowed inside?"

"Of course," Kase says. "Take care not to cause trouble while you're here. We don't take kindly to visitors infracting on the rules."

"Ah, Kase, I see someone approaching." When the younger man makes to go, Wareta stops him with a raised hand. "Don't worry, I think it's Natta-san. I should be fine on my own." Wareta gives you a firm pat on the shoulder. "Kuroshio-san, if you fancy the taste of great alcohol, you'd do well to visit my wife's shop in the merchant's district. It'll be my treat if I catch you there."

"Free drinks?" You raise your brow. "I should be the one to treat you. You've been a big help. But I won't say no if you insist."

"I insist!" Wareta says good naturedly, stroking his beard. "Off with you, then." When he leaves, you turn to see Kase staring after him.

"Something wrong?" you ask.

"Ah, no. It's just, I'm surprised," Kase says absently. "He hasn't brought up anything relating to his wife ever since she passed several months ago."

You blink. "Oh. Perhaps I reminded him of his son?"

Kase scoffs. "They had no children, Kuroshio-san. Now, if you will excuse me. My shift isn't over yet." After ushering you through the gates, he turns and leaves. The shriek of metal from the enormous gate mixes with the strenuous grunts of the gatemen as it swings shut.

You stare at the looming metal gates and think back on Kase's words. Wareta provided plenty of information during the earlier conversation, and though you'd love to chalk it up as an act of kindness...

You smile grimly. "Too chatty." Considering this town was supposed to be defending against loyalists of the demolished shogunate, they should have been watching out for spies in addition to rebel samurais. "Am I thinking too much?"

You will need to see if what Wareta told you checks out. The things he told you would be of great help if they were true.

You make your way down the street, following the signs pointing toward the town's central market. Despite the nearly empty paths leading to Kakunodate, the town still has a relatively large population. You see folk going about their business, the air bursting with chatter and activity.

You reach the bridge and look over at the crowd of bodies on the other side. What better place to source for rumours and hearsay than at the town market?

But first, you'll need to get some supplies. Hopefully, the shop of the salesman under you will be easy enough to find.