embraced.

𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.  Anything at all. I abandoned my home. I abandoned my humanity.  I cut down my descendants and abandoned being a samurai. [ ... ] But even all that wasn't enough.  You said that those who master their paths all reach the same place. But I never did.  I could not see the same world that you did.  Why could I not leave anything behind?  Why could I not become someone known? Why are we so different?  [ ... ] Why in the world was I ever born?  Tell me... Yoriichi...

  Independent, private & selective multifandom multimuse, ft.   Kokushibo of gotōge koyoharu's kimetsu no yaiba. written in   blood by nico. 28. he/they. EST.

THE FLUTTERING WINGS OF A BUTTERFLY CATCH THE ATTENTION OF THE SPIDER. So much so, that the ashes no longer gain any further attention. The slight movement was caught by the senses of the shinigami, her soul having been around for much longer than she & perhaps many of this world. ( however, she is mature, able to speak to her despite how shutara looks. ) Was this form lacking in intimidating someone now? Ah, a shame, it would appear she may need to work on herself later.

Right now, the young woman in front of her had her full attention.

Ah, she was getting so occupied with the thought that her words she almost missed her words. There was a painted smile soon blooming on her face, tilting her head down in an amused fashion. ❛ You look rather fragile to be killing these beasts. ❜ Shutara commented, spoken in a form of compliment, for what was a flower if not deadly? She chuckles at her next words, head cast to the side as she answers. ❛ What gave it away? ❜ She inquired.

❛ Does it bother you? ❜

Of course. It's a clear enough answer. But one she doesn't dare utter. Whether it be humorous or not. ' You already know the answer to that. [ ... ] You don't feel the same as a demon. Even kizuki aren't the same, though, I haven't had the fortune of seeing the upper moons in person. I would say you'd be more on par with them... If I had to guess. But you're just as fascinated with their existence, so that would mean you're not one yourself. '

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆. Hands collected the remains, but it fell between skeletal fingers with ease. She hums, turning her gaze from the demon to the young woman in front of her. She was human. Shutara could tell that, but she also held some sense of spiritual awareness to be able to see Shutara herself.

❝ I should attempt to capture one, I am rather invested to see what else they can withstand. ❞ She spoke with her head held up high. ❝ I take it this is a common occurrence for you? You do not seem unphased by the fact of the death on my hands. ❞

' It doesn't phase me to see them die, I was the one sent to kill it. ' The woman on the other hand, wasn't exactly a part of her mission. Uncertainty clings in the air, but control keeps her heart steady. ' They're not easy to contain to test on, for me at least. But, you're not like me- Or them. Are you? '

arms fold over his chest as he watches. tanjiro was making the most of his time with him and he could tell that it meant a lot for him to be here, to be training. but there was power in knowing when to rest, when to listen to your body to know that you are pushing yourself too far.

' ...one more. and then we are going to get something to eat. '

Would flame be no different? Even after all he's tried into bringing together the first swing? No... He couldn't disappoint Rengoku-san too...

A heart burns like a furnace... Reminiscent of hours spent before the kindling wood. Too hot and it'll burn too quickly, searing the outside long before it reaches deep within. Leaving little left behind, or removed too quickly. Setting his sword back into its sheath. He positions himself, fanning the flames. From his chest, he lets it flow outwards. Gut, arms, legs... Up to his head. A deep inhale- And a push forward. ( First Form: Unknowing Fire..! ) Drawing the sword, stabilizing his breath as it swings upwards in a blaze of warmth. Like first flame in the cold of the snow... It's gentle, but all consuming. But his chest remains stable, continuing to attempt to tame the flames. His landing comes in unsteady, a body coming undone as tension is finally released. The buckle, bringing his knees to the earth below. Deep breathing as he regains himself once more. That was it, they would be done now...

' I almost had it, '

" it's nothing. " she swears, but the tears tell a different story. " really. please don't trouble yourself with me. " she would dry the tears, shove the emotions into a bottle, and they would be forgotten (for a short while, until they stirred so much they couldn't be hidden.)

' People don't cry like this over nothing, Zeni-chan... '

A thought she had to remind even herself of at times. It wasn't nothing that could cause someone to run off and hide to cry one's heart out. ( With how often she found herself there, even now. ) It pulled and ate away at her heart to see the girl's despair. The further she speaks, the closer it pulls the pillar in. Unrelenting and unyielding in her desire to help.

@wystirea asked.

❝ you okay ? ❞ /obanai to eri!

POST || ACCEPTING

     while  you  know  you're  safe  with  the  ubuyashiki  family,  it's  the  first  time  you'll  be  separated  from  the  other  since  he  rescued  you.  the  only  reason  is  because  of  a  mission  he  was  requested  to  handle.  he'd  promise  to  be  quick  as  possible  &  write  to  you  everyday,  unfortunately,  something  so  simple  like  that  isn't  enough  to  take  away  the  anxiety  that  laid  heavy  on  your  chest  &  in  your  head. 

     since  his  departure,  you'd  spent  every  day  sitting  &  waiting  at  the  entrance  of  the  ubuyashiki  mansion.  occasionally,  the  ubuyashiki  children  managed  to  persuade  you  to  leave  your  post  &  play  for  a  little,  but  never  for  long. 

     each  night  also  became  more  tortorous  the  longer  iguro  was  away.  knowing  of  your  troubled  night's  sleep,  the  children  had  notified  their  mother,  who  decided  to  silently  join  you  to  offer  comfort  &  peace.  due  to  your  last  of  sleep  last  night,  your  body  is  quick  to  make  up  for  it  by  falling  asleep,  head  in  her  lap,  ubuyashiki-sama  remained  unmoving  the  entire  time  while  fingers  gently  combed  through  your  hair. 

     by  the  time  you  wake,  it's  dark  with  only  the  moon  &  nearby  candlelit  posts,  which  would  guide  the  path  back  to  the  mansion. 

     you  sleepily  lift  your  head  &  rub  your  eyes  in  preparation  to  just  go  back  into  the  mansion  &  go  back  to  sleep  for  the  night.  though,  when  your  hands  lower  themselves,  in  your  vision  stands  a  concerned  iguro  &  it  takes  you  no  time  to  get  to  your  feet  &  cling  to  him,  teary  eyes  hidden  in  the  cloth  of  his  corps  uniform. 

besides, a traditional role was not exactly meant for her either. always a little too strange, a little too rough and tumblr. as delicate as her body is, she finds it difficult to be as dainty as those around her have always wished her to be.

the touch brings comfort, warmth spreading through her from the spot the hand rests. it's always like this during moments like these. the woman always knows how to comfort her.

No matter how much she tried to brush it off. Even she found herself reflected in her. Risky and foolish business taking up arms against an imposing force to better the lives of others. Almost having lost it all and her life to them, she refused to let that fear take others lives away. Shinobu had found herself in the same place the stone pillar faced. Where at least she would have her parents behind her, it seemed foolish to throw it all away. But to deny her that level of determination would be staring back at the hurt and angry child she herself was. Running in a soft and circular motion, she lets her gaze turn back to Yukiko. A gentle sigh pushes through her nose. A smile, warm to her core- One of genuine heart.

there is something in akaza's chest that beats at her words. it is not a heart, she doesn't think. akaza has no heart to beat or feel such things, she thinks. but listening to the hashira's rage, feeling the rumble of that anger ... something is stirring. something familiar. something akaza can't remember, but it is a similar flame. the urge to protect, the urge to keep safe. to coil around something and never let any hands touch it.

she thought it would just be their hatred for douma that tethered her to this conversation -- it is more. even if akaza cannot figure out why, it is more. the uppermoon shifts, to sit, to rest chin on palm and just watch.

" why do you hold back? " comes another question, no longer holding that playfulness from other. " i understand that you may not show me that rage -- i did not take from you like he did. but why do you smile for others? why not wield that rage? "

a motion to her. " you are strong. you are quick. you are smart. allow yourself that anger -- you have already lost so much, what else is there to lose? " how strange to encourage such a feat, to encourage a slayer murder a demon.

douma deserved it, if this hashira's rage was anything to go by. it's not just petty disgust that drives akaza's words. it's an understanding. a beast for beast, a rage for rage.

" forge the anger like a weapon. make it grow stronger, make it powerful. strike him down with all your might, and make sure it hurts. "

' People depend on me, '

Those girls would be left behind, losing everything they once had already. They would have to endure losing her to her own rage and madness. One slip would be more than enough, another loss and truly that boundary would snap. It is a fine line to walk, but for them? It must be done. Her words are almost amusing to listen to. As if she hasn't forged a weapon from the foundations of nothing. What little she knows is in store for the demon at the very core of her hatred. Certainly, he wasn't the start of her problems. That demon had faced justice at the hands of the stone pillar. Gears worked like clockwork in her brain, refining her knowledge. Hardening her skills and calculating every move she made. A demon slayer who couldn't behead a demon found a way. A slayer who relied solely on their own skill and brain power to become a hashira.