14 Ch 13:Douma
Timeskip brought by yours truly. :))
So far it's been 3 years, making me 16 years old.
'Oh, how times flies.'I cried internally as I sat on my patio, facing the volcano.
I have been working with my fellow Hashiras and so far all of them are on good terms with me so I was grateful knowing my hangouts with them were fruitful.
I watch my students train before hearing my crow talk to me.
"Caw! You are to join a mission with Kanae Kocho!"
"All right, should I meet her at the Butterfly estate?"I pat his head gently.
"Caw! Yes, Do make haste!"
"Very well."I got up and reach for my katana.
"Mako-kun do look after the place."
He nods as I travel to the Butterfly estate.
Reaching there, I can see the siblings talking to each other.
"Kanae-san!"I cheerfully call out to her as I move my mask to rest on my head.
"Ah, Haru-san."She smiles at me.
"And I see Shinobu-san is here."I smile warmly at her, making her blush a little.
"Anyways, I was here to tell Nee-chan to be careful on this mission, I doubt you need my nagging Haru-san."Shinobu turns away as she spoke.
"Haha, definitely not."
"Shall we go?"I gestured to the road.
Kanae nods as I follow her, waving to Shinobu while leaving.
"So what's the mission?"
"We have reports of women going missing and the demon slayers we sent never reported back."
"Mm I see, do you think it's a Uppermoon?"I look up to the sky.
"Hopefully not..even if it is, We should be capable to deal with them."
I hum in response as we make our way to the village.
.
.
We arrive at the village after a day. I look up to see the crescent moon in the starlit night.
"Haru-san should be split up to cover more ground?"
I got a bad feeling about this mission as I pause for a moment to think.
'Should I? I have this gut feeling about this Uppermoon information.'
It took Kanae's finger snaps to bring me back from my thoughts.
"Are you alright Haru-san? You have been thinking for a while now."Her eyes have a hint of worry as her brows furrow.
"Oh! I am alright! Just in deep thoughts."I wave my hands around to show that I really am okay.
"Just make sure you back out it really is a Uppermoon okay?"I place my hand on her head.
She nod as she part ways. I hop from roof to roof since it's the fastest way to travel.
The cold breeze runs through my hair. I can hear the footsteps of villagers as they make their way to their homes.
'Hey. We got trouble.'The phoenix interrupts my train of thoughts.
'Is it a Uppermoon?'I look down at rooftops.
'You better hurry, it's Douma and you know how he handles woman.'
'And how do you know about him?'I quicken my pace towards the flame in Kanae's body that I gave before splitting up.
'I may or may not seen your memories...'He trails off, guilty of invading my privacy.
'...'
'Your so dead when I am done with Douma'
I arrive at the scene to see Kanae's head bleeding a bit and some tears on her white, light green and pink butterfly-patterned haori.
Kanae was panting as her blade was drawn into a defensive stance. The blood slides down her cheek as he taunts her further.
"My my, you smell like a certain someone I know of, Do you have Haru-chan in your care?"
Her body tenses up a bit, "How do you know about Haru-san?"
"Already on a first name basis?"He snaps his golden fans shut.
His eyes flash a dangerous red before striking. Her body doesn't react to his sudden attack so I step in with blade drawn.
Kanae's eyes were closed as she waited for the impact to land on her body but she was tugged back by me.
Seconds of silence before I open my mouth.
"Uppermoon 2."
My hand was around Kanae's waist before removing it to support my blade.
Douma just stares at me with his eyes widened before returning to his usual cheerful look.
"Haru-chan~Why don't you come back with me?~" He sweetly calls out to me.
I flinch at his words before tightening my hold on my handle.
"I don't think I know you."
Now it was his turn to flinch. His brows furrowed and his smile now gone.
"Don't say I didn't show any mercy."He ran past me.
My eyes widen before looking back at him almost stabbing Kanae's heart.
"Kanae-!"My hand reach out to her.
Then the sight of flames combusting could be seen. The fan had almost reached her body but blue flames intercepted his attack and now was rapidly spreading across his arm.
"Kanae-san are you okay?"I look at her body to check for any injuries.
"No no, I am fine..I think?"We look at Douma who seems to stop the blue flames by cutting off his arm.
"Tch I didn't think you would do this to me Haru-chan."His tone was laced with anger and his usual sweetness.
'Lava breathing,first form:Lava Fissure!'
I close the distance with a leap before releasing my slash downwards. As the lava hits his body, the second attack comes in as he stumbles back a bit from taking the attack.
The lava threatens to cover his whole body and burn him alive as it rose from the cracks, shooting up at an alarming rate.
His body was half-covered in lava and bits of molten rock from the first attack.
"You better retreat Uppermoon 2, You have 10 seconds before I dominate you."My head tilted a bit before the air had gotten colder and colder.
His eyes show rage and disgust as he back away into the night. I sigh and turn my attention to Kanae.
"No injuries?"I sheathe my katana.
"No..are you going to tell me what that was?"Her eyes show worry and confusion.
"This is information only to the Hino clan sorry.."I look away from her.
"It's fine."I hear her sigh.
"Let's just go back okay?"I rub the back of my head.
.
.
'This is very awkward...'
I glance at her haori and it had a tear at the back. A slight breeze came and went as she slightly shivers at the sudden wind.
I sigh as I took off my haori and place it on her shoulders.
"The flannel fur should keep you warm."
She looks at me with surprise as she turns back to the path.
"Wouldn't you be cold?"
"Your talking to the lava Hashira, I doubt I would be cold from all the lava I am generating."
"Right..."
A peaceful moment of silence wash over us as we walk.
"Thanks.."I barely hear her whisper before I soften my eyes at her.
"Any time."I pat her head.
