Change of Things

Mizuki POV

A full year has passed.

Now leaving the three of us at 7 years old. The year has brought many things to come in events going forward. The events leading up till now included both good and bad.

For one progress with training and strength to become a demon slayer. Michikatsu being stronger and better than the year before. But not leaving my butt behind, I was getting stronger by the days going by and adding more muscle and strength to my body.

Second, my relationship with the family. Over the past year I have greatly increased my duties in the house since Michi-san has being getting worse and more sickly, leaving Yoriichi with her more often. He helps her walk down the halls or get to places where she needs to be. You can always often find him right by her side.

Sato-san seems to have taken a liking to me? Now whenever I accomplish something in training or do something he wouldn't expect in my advancement in training he would pat my head and Michikatsu's. Before he would not do anything or show any affection towards me but now he is showing some gestures.

Michikatsu has warmed up to me, I'm his sparing partner outside of practice and extra practice. During breaks we would often chat about the world and I would often ask how it is in this world. Or just about this time zone or whatever I need to know about this demon slayer world back in this period. Michikatsu now smiles more often around me and pats my head in approval with my training, he is like my big brother in a way.

Yoriichi has progressed with his learning skills. He knows how to read and write now with our late night secret practice sessions. Along with some moves I show him in the night his eyes seem to sparkle. But he still hasn't said much to me but he often does more gestures and comes into contact with me more. Every so often I would hug Yoriichi when I feel that either of us need it.

But at times when I'm upset and frustrated with my training he comes and hugs and pats my head comforting me. This always makes me feel better and my heart warmer.

Though at some point in time at our new age 7, Yoriichi revealed to me that Michikatsu had gifted him a flute and showed me it. He looked so happy and content with the gift and knowing that his brother still cared for him.

Though I also believe that moment when Michikatsu gifted the flute to Yoriichi, that was the first time when Yoriichi actually spoke. I honestly am a bit jealous of Michikatsu now. He heard Yoriichi speak before I did and he never speaks a word to me. T-T

You lucky duck! This gives me even more reasons on why I should get stronger and defeat Michikatsu in our practice!

But yet again, this moment is the moment where Yoriichi confronts Michikatsu where he wants to become a swordsman like his brother but yet Michikatsu brushes it off, since Yoriichi will be sent off to a temple.

Whenever the thought of Yoriichi moving out and how twins are considered unlucky and everything, irks me! I mean Sato-san is very nice and considerate since he trains me and allows me to practice and get stronger. However, there is no means necessary for him to try to hurt or completely ignore Yoriichi. Much less treat him like trash. Same with Michikatsu, though he pities Yoriichi, he is still is a pain in the butt jerk.

Yet this is how things work around here. What do I expect from olden day Japan where rights and civil things happen. Much less did I expect there to be any when I'm stuck with demons, in the so called world of 'Demon Slayers'

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Following the regular routine of waking up, doing chores, making breakfast to training, to helping Michi-san and keeping Yoriichi company. Then making dinner and helping Michi-san and more house work. Then more training and practice with Michikatsu, then a regular midnight visit to Yoriichi. Finished by a good nights rest.

Though somehow that the plan of the regular routine, was completely jumbled up. It just happened to be today where everything seemed to fall out and change my routine. Not only I was surprised with a change of events but rather the Tsugikuni family. Leaving the storyline and story plot of this whole thing moving in action.

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"Excuse me...." a soft voice was barely heard as the regular training of me and Michikatsu took place along with the regular man who helped train us alongside Sato-san. This man held no great deal of importance to me, yet somehow he is the very one to set something huge into action.

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At first I despised this man, finding it entertaining to see me fail and embarrass myself. Smirking while I train along side Michikatsu while giving snide remarks saying that a "little lady like myself would do better doing house chores and being a perfect wife".

"Perfect wife and staying indoors doing house work", yeah no. That's not me, a girl like me who came from an era where women could do more than just stay indoors and housework. I mean could be but rather not. Not when freaking demons exist and when I'm in 'Demon Slayer', where's the fun in that?

Yet doing these remarks Sato-san would not say anything much more than "Let her do what she wants." to the man and let me continue on with training. But yet I showed that man some changes and things that I had accomplished.

With him being an annoying man, he did nothing more but encourage me to beat his poor butt when I'm older and show him just what I'm made of.

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"Excuse me." a soft voice was heard again but louder. Michikatsu and I stopped training and the two men overseeing us stopped as well. We all turned to look at the person who said that.

At that moment I felt that my heart stopped beating and my eyes seemed to probably bulge out of its sockets. "Yoriichi..." I softly whispered to myself.

Michikatsu was much like me but said nothing but witness Sato-san and the other man. We both stood back and watched whatever would unfold.

Sato-san's eyes narrowed and sternly looked down at Yoriichi while the other teacher looked down at Yoriichi in amusement.

Yoriichi looks down for a couple moments and looks the two adults in the eyes. "I would like to become a swordsman to like brother. Please let me train with you." he said softly but sternly.

Beside me I could hear a small gasp and shuffling movement that came from Michikatsu. From the sound from Michikatsu it seems that he is surprised that his own brother declared that. 'Though, Michikatsu might take Yoriichi as an enemy from here.....' I sigh and turn my gaze and attention back on our teacher.

The man tasked with training us alongside Sato-san, smirked and decided to humor the boy that Sato-san didn't approve of. That man took a stance and showed it to Yoriichi, 'Ah, that stance I have already shown it to Yoriichi, plus Yoriichi is supposed to be a genius at this already....' I thought to myself as I saw this unfold.

As soon as teacher took his stance, Yoriichi soon followed suit and came at the man. One strike was landed on the teacher as I watched along with Michikatsu and Sato-san with admiration and excitement.

'Go Yoriichi! Show him!' I said from my mind cheering on my adorable friend. Followed by that one strike was three more.

The two stopped fighting as my mouth was left agape and my eyes sparkled with awe. "Sugoi~" I whispered to myself. The fight was really cool and fast. Yoriichi was able to land four hits on the guy, as Michikatsu and I have yet to land a single hit on him.

Though I was brought out of my thoughts with Yoriichi speaking again "Ah, I actually....I don't want to become a swordsman if I have to hurt people...."

I blinked my eyes and Michikatsu let out a huff of air. 'Ah....that's right. Yoriichi is a very kind soul...' I thought to myself and closed my eyes. 'A sweet little boy. I promise that I'll do all I can to protect you!' I said to myself while crying comical tears in my head.

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Michikatsu POV

My little twin brother, Yoriichi. He is quite pitiful being weak, mute, and he is always seen at my sickly mother's side. Though ever since Mizuki has been here, I've felt a little warmer and comforted by her presence. She would always come after dinner to train with me and ask me for help. I greatly looked forward to that.

It made me feel good and proud of my achievements. Plus that smile that she always gives me is nice....

I've grown accustomed to her presence and training with her. Though I didn't understand why a little weak girl like her would need to train and practice with the sword. I thought at first that she was in it for just games and would not take practice very easily. At first glance you could easily tell that she was weak and not ready for it. You could see that she was physically weak and would not be able to hold a sword properly and take this seriously. I honestly expect her to drop the sword after a couple of minutes.

My teacher as well didn't really like the idea but thought it could be interesting and help amuse him. But I heard that Mizuki asked father if she could train alongside with me. I was shocked and confused.

But the negative thoughts of her taking this as a joke soon dispersed. I was faced with the determination and perseverance of that girl. She continued on training even with the regular house chores that she was tasked with and making food. She didn't give up after those minutes I thought she would. She continued to train till we were done, she didn't take breaks more than I thought she would ask for. She would follow along the training I did. She did each and every exercise and practice.

Throughout the year she continued to surprise me with her improvement. She trains hard at night and watches me. Comes to ask me for extra help and practice. She seeks for the strength and tries every chance she gets to become stronger. I soon started to warm up to her. I grew fond of her. She is also like me....

Wanting to become stronger.

Though today it seemed to catch everyone off guard. "Excuse me." a soft voice was heard. I stopped swinging my sword and I turned to see that Mizuki as well stopped to look at my little twin brother.

"Yoriichi.." I heard Mizuki whisper to herself. Unconsciously I clenched my hands and turned my attention on my teacher and my father who were overseeing our training. I took a glance at my younger brother to see him look determined and look straight into their eyes while saying "I would like to become a swordsman to like brother. Please let me train with you."

I was shocked yet again, first by his appearance. Father never looks or wants to see Yoriichi unless it is to give him scraps for dinner or small things. But now Yoriichi stands here asking to train with us... My heart clenches and feels weird. What is this feeling?

My teacher shows amusement on his face and agrees to Yoriichi's request. Doing so my teacher shows Yoriichi a stance and Yoriiichi soon follows and rushes to attack him. Hitting and landing blows on the teacher 4 times. My mouth is left slightly open and shocked.

I watch as Yoriichi lowers his training sword and looks down at the ground for a while. He then lifts his head back up to look at the adults.

"Ah, I actually....I don't want to become a swordsman if I have to hurt people...." my little brother says.

My fists clench once again. 'My own brother who is weaker and has never trained before was able to land a hit on teacher when I was never able to hit him once...Yet he claimed that he wanted to become a swordsman like me but yet he reclaims this because he doesn't want to hurt anybody.....'

Unsure of how to feel about this, Iooked over to Mizuki to see her have her mouth open in awe and her eyes sparkling with respect. That look.... I haven't seen it to often. She has shown me the looks of respect to help her, she has shown me her smiles, but yet that look.....

Admiration.

I turn my head away and go back to training. The whole rest of the training was the simple thoughts and ideas, questions.

'How did you do that? What did you do? How do I do that to? Why? How?'