6

Hayara tired from his tantrum, and instead opted to sit by his father cross-legged, to ensure he was okay. Taro chuckled at the boy's tenacity after all of this, however his memory kicked back in at this point, causing him to realise his dead comrades who now lay only a few metres away. Tears brimmed on his pupils, however he had to keep up appearances for his boy. Plus it would be embarrassing to cry around all of these people.

"Who are you anyway, not any regular human, like those things back there, that's for sure..." Taro was inquisitve, he eyed them all with suspicion, still with gratitude for saving his and his son's lives of course.

"Demon slayer corps, and those were demons, not just of mythology." The man nonchalantly replied, both Hayara and Taro were start struck by such an incredible answer, they were not expecting the paranormal in this.

"Huh..." Taro could not believe himself right now, he had fought demons.

The boy's father was quickly lifted up with the help of two demon slayers, and lead over with Hayara towards his now empty team's carriage, a stark reminder of what had unfolded tonight.

"We'll take the bodies back on our carriage, you'll be able to bury them Taro, and if you or your son need anything, I owe you deeply for my mistakes tonight, so I will assist you in anyway, simply send a letter addressed here." The Hashira motions to a demon slayer, who hands Taro a small card, it appears to have an address written on it.

"We'll rendezvous back at your town, and of course, we'll tow your carriage along with us so your father can rest." The Hashira glided over, ruffling the boy's hair.

The slayers' carriage had lurched forward, hauling both Hayara and his father behind them back into the inky night. Taro was clutching the note, a neutral expression etched onto his face.

"You're okay, right? Hayara?" The Father spoke with an edge of concern on his every word.

The boy smiled lightly, attempting to reassure his now disabled father, a newly made stump was present on his arm and leg. A makeshift crude crutch was constructed out of sticks by one of the slayers', which now rested at the father's side. Dried blood clung to his bandages which hung loosely around his amputated wounds. Despite all this, he seemed calm, too calm.

"I'm okay..." The boy managed, he had yet to fully come to terms with this idea of death, the only concern was his father, who had luckily come out of the situation alive, even if not unscathed, he was still thankful at the very least.

"Mm, good-" Taro snatched his mouth shut, staring blankly down at the floor, it was as if deep pits of black had replaced his eyes, the leech that was grief had devoured all life from them.

What was the cause of the Father's focus was a small pile of crushed tobacco leaf, only one was a big smoker in the crew, her favourite kind of leaf was one you could only get in Tokyo, it had a deep muddy brown, and made your lungs hack up tar, but it became bearable as he continued to smoke it with her. Her. The old man would constantly tell him not to go to overboard with the new addiction, laughing all the while before getting blasted in the face with a slap off of Keiko. Him. And the sweet kid who used to attempt gun tricks, almost blowing peoples' heads off whenever it went wrong. Him. All of them. Memories unable to repeat. Taro sat in silence for the rest of the trip, Hayara had decided to do the same, aware that something had happened, he just kept his head down, not wanting to stare at the shrivelled frame of his grieving father. Night turned to dawn as they continued back.

The Carriages had stopped relative to each other, outside of the quaint abode that the two called home, really, it was just an arrangement of sticks held together by meagre rope. Slayers had supported Taro off of the wagon and onto solid ground, his partial leg had touched the ground for but a moment, earning a deep wince from the man. Hayara kept close to him as he was supported over to the entrance of the house. A small knock to let them know they had returned. Taro's wife was at the door, her warm smile evaporating into a deep, cold expression as she witnessed the injuries sustained by the man, and the worriedness of the boy.

"Chiyo, I'm so sorry." Taro pushed Hayara forward with his remaining arm, the boy sprinted and jumped up to hug his mother, tears rolled down his face like a raging stream as the child dug his face into the woven silk of his Mother's clothes, his only comfort in this dire experience.

The woman had been shocked into stillness, still processing what had happened. However her hand extended outwards, striking Taro across the cheek in a flash, a deep red mark embedded its self on his cheek, though, he barely reacted to this, emotional pain often cuts deeper then the physical. Chiyo had grown enraged, a good hour was spent trying to get her to calm down, the Hashira extensively apologised to all of them for stirring up this situation in the first place, however he was soon on his way with the rest of his company, leaving only the three, deeply affected, alone in their small home, Hayara watched as the one thing that glued them together, love, seeped out from every nook and cranny of the family. That night, the boy went to sleep early, the sound of shouting from downstairs rumbled across the miniscule and thin house.

In the morning, Hayara ventured downstairs to find his mother still by the kitchen, having not made anything. He would naturally speak up.

"Are you okay?" His ask was coy and quiet.

"I'm fine dear, but there's something we're all going to have to do from now on, food has become a bit less, there's a food demon going about stealing it all!" She waved her arms about to make light of the situation. Hayara was able to give out a small chuckle at this.

"This means we're going to have to eat a bit less, but that's all, I'm going to get the job to fight off the scary demon and return all of our food, so please don't worry!" She gave another one of her warm smiles, it always made things seem alright.

Hayara noticed his Father wasn't up, never in his entire life had he woken up before him. This was off.

"Your father is still sleeping." Chiyo replied with a hint of grumble to her voice. Before continuing to tend to the meagre breakfast she was making.

Taro woke up several hours later, proceeding to start another argument which warranted Hayara to run upstairs and nestle himself to sleep. This routine seemed to not end however, he woke up to his father not being there, him and his mother ate breakfast, his father woke up, and then the arguing began. The only thing that truly stood out to him in this period of endless days was the one time that Chiyo took him gardening once more, every memory was vivid, his favourite part was tending to those wonderful white flowers that his mother loved so much.

"Hayara, do you know why I love these flowers?" Chiyo chortled softly whilst picking a petal.

"Why?" He asked, a quizzical gaze.

"The white petals are beautiful, if you think of flowers like us, they blossom in young age, giving us beautiful views, and then even as they wither, they selflessly give back to the earth, the white is representative of its good, if you follow the very same principles, act beautiful, give back, then you will appear as that very same pretty white flower. I carry one of its petals in my pocket always, because when my finger touches its softness, I am reminded of human kindness, and I'd like you to be soft to the touch for all those around you, Hayara, don't lock yourself away and be someone who is rough even if the worst was to happen, and remember, such flowers bloom in fields together, you won't be alone if you choose to blossom, many are kind." Chiyo would stand, humming all the while as she sauntered over and back into the kitchen, there was no shouting as Taro had not yet awoke, and as all was quiet, Hayara really did think on what his mother said, even though he didn't quite understand all of it, he was able to get the gist.

If things continued like this, they were manageable, they all got just enough food, enough warmth, the shouting was fine as long as Hayara rushed upstairs so that it wasn't too loud. He could do this. Then winter bared its icy fangs. The markets were closed as a great frost swept over the town.

Chiyo caught a cold. It gradually persisted, until her condition declined.

She was found dead in the afternoon by a waking Taro.

As Hayara had spent the day attempting to keep her flowers alive, he had no idea of what had happened until he was informed.

A silent boy walked over to his laying mother, digging something out of her pocket. The white petal was coated in a glistening frost, as perfect as the still face of his resting mom. He'd put the petal in his own pocket, before retreating to his room. Taro was too incapacitated to carry the woman's corpse anywhere, so he had to ask a favour of some distantly related family. Her ashes were returned to the small house a few days later in a little wooden box, a small painted flower impressed upon the wood, she asked for it if she were ever to be buried in passing as a joke one time to Taro. She was kept at the centre of the small table in the living room. The house was made ever more untidy after each passing day, food became scarcer as any storage was emptied out by the two remaining family members.

Hayara would often catch himself staring daggers at his sleeping father, utter hatred projected from his guts towards that man, if things didn't change, he'd likely murder him in his sleep. Winter had left in its place a void in that household, a separation of true and honest emotion, concocted into venom which seemed to seep out at every corner of its interior. The boy was the source of this grief, for his father had not a care for anything anymore, he often times sat motionless for hours, staring at what seemed to be collections of dust, or the odd fly that buzzed around. The child had decided, that on a cold morning, he would go out in order to clear his head.

His hands brushed against the splintering entrance of their house, three marks were etched prominently on the woodwork above the door, three hearts, three lives, now only two. The boy looked down to frosted mud beneath his feet and squelched forwards into the open air and away from his residence. He clutched his mother's petal, now a brown, shrivelled thing. If white was pureness, and black evilness, what was brown? Just shit? He clenched his hand, observing the surroundings. The group of boys were parading around near the house opposite him, it seemed they were roughing each other up a bit, violence in the name of fun, for the sake of simply violence. The boys acted like they were rudely interrupted by the introduction of Hayara's presence to them, and they all gradually sauntered over, the child, who had faced this before, knew what was to come.

"The Cripple's boy ventures out, thought maybe it was hereditary? Guess you can walk, unlike your pops." A larger boy mocked.

"He's off to kill himself, I would if I was in this little fuck's situation." Another jeered, rather loudly.

Hayara tensed a fist, throwing it up and into the jaw of a little runt in front of him, sending the older boy reeling backwards with a surprised snort. However, considering his situation, the boy's quickly jumped on him, their numbers and superior strength made it an incredibly painful experience for Ichinose, each took a turn kicking or pelting him with a fist as he was thrown to the floor. They were like maggots to an infected wound as they gathered around him to continue their beatings. However, unlike maggots, they were children, they eventually got bored and left the broken boy on the ground like some lost toy. He mustered up the slight strength to stand. Carrying himself with a limp bloodied towards wherever he could go. His face red with injury and rage. He half-stormed over to a strangers' house, picking up a small rock from beneath him, before taking a throwing stance.

He extended his arm out, waving it into a throw-

"You shouldn't do that, you know." An older girl spoke.

"Throwing shit at windows is all I can do, don't take this from me, go away." He growled, not wanting anything to do with others.

"Yeah, and also throw your life away, sure, you know they'll take you in for the damages." The girl snapped back surprisingly quick, leaving Hayara further annoyed at her presumptuousness.

Hayara now turned to face the girl berating him for seemingly everything he did, she was quite stumpy, but the way she looked down upon him it seemed as if she was on top, like she was standing on a step-stool, or something. However, her clothes were far from small, she was adorned head to toe in the finest silks he had ever seen, it was almost as if he was staring on that strange swordsman once again, something about that was incredibly catching to the boy's eye. He furrowed his brow at the girl's clear attitude.

"You're pretty short for that big personality to fit in there." He'd joke, his tenseness eased ever so slightly.

"Well you've got bigger problems then me, if you have to throw rocks to feel good about yourself fool." She shot an even more judgemental look towards Ichinose.

"My name's Hayara Ichinose, and yours?" He gave his full name, like he was meeting nobility he tried to remain as formal as possible, though the sarcasm was clear under his tone.

"Tsutaume." Her first name was unique to say the least.

"Ivy... Blossom?" Hayara was confused at the name choice, clearly her parents had no love for her.

"Can say the same for yours, who names their son Hayara? What does that even mean?" She aimed for the throat.

"Leave my parents out of this." The boy grew angry, his face scrunching up.

"My apologies, Hay hay." She had already coined a mocking nickname for him, this was met by another growl from Ichinose.

"Sure thing, little Tsu Tsu." Hayara hit right back, earning a laugh from the two.

"I forgot to ask but what's with the blood, you lose a fight?" Tsutaume questioned, an eyebrow raised.

"Yeah, but I kicked one of their butts at least." He mimicked flexing his muscles, though he had none to flex, though it still coined a chuckle out of the girl.

"Mhm, I really doubt it, reckon you fell flat on your face, maybe that's why your so ugly!" She stuck out her tongue mockingly, the insult cut deep, and ensued a chase between the two.

"I'll get you for that!" He ran after her at full speed, they both giggled all the while.

"Wait, wait truce!" She put her hands together at the last moment before being caught, causing them to both stop and for Hayara to hear her out.

"I've got something to do, want some get back on those boys i'm guessing?" A mischevious smile now covered her face, Ichinose was in understanding of what she meant.

"Sure, I'll hear you out." He replied, a smile also forming on his own.

"So here's how it goes..." Tsutaume had begun a long explanation, the boy followed along, nodding.

Around half an hour later, Hayara comes on to wander down his house's street, whistling without a care in the world, bruises and red still fresh on his skin. Eventually coming across the boys, who, had spotted him almost instantly and were actually rather perplexed he'd come back here just to get beat up. Still they sauntered over with those sneers that they always had covering their faces. The boy steeled his resolve, although he still remained a tad nervous about the whole situation he was now facing. As they got close enough, he took off running, as fast as he possibly could, a trail of dust in his wake.

"FUCK YOU!" Hayara blared at the top of his lungs as he sprinted off, the boys obviously gave chase, incredibly angered by this stupid display of disrespect.

"I'LL KILL YOU!" The larger boy stomped through his friends to the front of those who were chasing him, displaying surprising agility considering his size.

Hayara rounded a corner with an elegant twist of his ankles, leaving the boys behind in a flash, however as soon as they also turned the corner, a shouting order erupted out of Ichinose.

"NOW!" He called over.

A rope, laid on the ground across the path loosely was pulled at one end by Tsutaume, the other end was tied to a post, it stretched out, stiffening into a trip-wire, the boys had barely been able to process what happened, let alone stop, until they were already upon it, the rope caught their legs, sending them flying into the floor with painful speeds. Pebbles had been scattered and dotted along where the boys were projected to fall, and so their faces made contact with many tiny rocks upon impact. The boys clutched their faces and screamed with pain subsequently, a rather malicious prank intent on inflicting harm, however in both of their eyes', it was a deserved revenge. Hayara and Tsutaume both sprinted off while the bullies were left in utter torment on the floor, shouting obscenities as they went.

"I've got something to show you, come here!" Tsutaume tugged on Hayara's clothes, guiding him through the various alleys of their tiny town, for a miniscule place it sure was cramped in with buildings that suffocated them like water, her hair whipped around as she ran forwards, each step she and him took seemed to clear Hayara's mind little by little, he wasn't sure what was going on, the fog that was his thoughts had just grown more tumultuous since he stepped out of that door this morning, however, this girl, Tsutaume, seemed to be the remedy, she was his medicine. A strange feeling came over him in this moment, had he made a friend? They continued to rush forward unobstructed, their travels made steeper and more difficult by going up a hill. As they reached the summit, Tsutaume flopped over and under the shade of a tree, her ornate clothing fluttering as she did so, letting out a sigh of relief.

"You going to join me? Don't be so tight." She'd mock, though a hint of concern glistened her tone.

"Uh huh..." Hayara lisped as he sat, his injuries were at the height of their bruising, causing his face to look all busted up, earning a gleeful chuckle from the girl, much to Ichinose's discontent.

The boy now had time to observe his surroundings, and his eyes seemed to glaze with wonder as he did so, he hadn't even realised but he was practically on top of the town, this hill overlooked all of it, and everything in its miniature formed looked so beautiful, the buildings and trees various brushstrokes which culminated in a masterpiece of a painting, a warm sun only just rearing its self over the horizon this late in the day.

"This is where I go to run away, I always sneak past my guards to get some alone time here, lucky you caught me when I just did." Tsutaume mouthed off, rather casually.

"You've got guards? And those clothes, gosh, you must be high and mighty, who are you?" Hayara questioned, he was genuinely curious.

"Oh, I'm not much, I've just got a protective father is all, you know how they can be." The girl would complain.

"Mhm." Hayara's opinion of his father was clouded, but images of that bed-ridden cripple were overridden by a hero who had saved him from monsters, even if it was just momentary.

"You're quite well-spoken for some little peasant boy as far as I can tell." The girl redirected the conversation to something more negative, Hayaras face twitched with annoyance at the obvious insult.

"You're quite ill spoken for a pompous fairy noble girl who sits on her ass all day." He'd spit back, the two were about to descend into an argument until Ichinose stopped himself from saying another word. This was because a warm stream of light had covered his face, it's form changing as the leaves of the tree above the boy simultaneously blocked and revealed the sun to him.

"You never told me why you were about to throw that rock, were you angry about something?" Tsutaume asked with a newly founded genuineness to her voice which just made the boy sigh.

"It'd be long to explain." He spouted, an empty excuse not to say.

"I don't mind, we've got all day." She'd smile, her stubbornness as clear as day.

"Fine, but don't say I'm a liar after!" He'd frown, expecting the obvious to happen.

"Yeah, sure, sure, just explain the damn story." Tsutaume blared.

Hayara sighed, beginning to construct a summary of his experiences as a child so far, taking breaks every so often to stare at the grass, which just seemed to make the story more melodramatic. He included the details about how his father became crippled, and that it was at the hands of demonic beings, which, naturally earned a bit of a scoff out of the girl listening intently. In a few minutes Ichinose was wrapped up with his explanation, and they both sat in relative silence for a few moments.

"You're probably bluffing." The girl said mundanely.

"I'm no-" Hayara was cut off.

"Let me speak. But if you're not, then." She'd pause, before shuffling closer to the boy, and suddenly enveloping him in warmth and comfort, a surprising feeling welled up inside Ichinose, one that he hadn't felt in a long time, actual safety. A tear or two rolled down his cheek silently, a recognition of the negative actions inflicted on him dissolving in a mere hug. The embrace was held for a few long seconds, before it broke apart, and both observed a gathering moisture in each others eyes, deciding to laugh it off.

"Come meet me here again, tomorrow, same time as when you tried throwing that rock, if you even know what time it is, peasant boy." She sharply lifted herself out of her sitting position, beginning to slowly walk away.

"You're leaving?" Hayara was slightly perplexed, after sharing that longing moment, she's just deciding to up and leave.

"Well, obviously, I've got to get back to my guards before my Father has them executed, before you ask, that's a joke." She'd state very clearly, waving as she picked up the pace down the hill.

"See you tomorrow then!" Ichinose called, speaking was easier as a lot of the in the moment swelling had gone down, though it'd probably get worse again in the morning when he woke up.

Hayara rushed down the hill, almost slipping and sliding down it. He'd pass through the alleyways as day-fall's light pierced orange into every wall and surface, as well as illuminating the gravel under his feet to look like colourful sand at a beach. A deep derivation from it's normal grey colour. This could only be a sign of change, a sign of hope for the boy, his endless routine of drab that had been drilled into him ever since his mother's death faded ever so slightly, though his heart still became heavier, as he was out of the presence of Tsutaume, he was most certainly going up to that hill tomorrow. It was his only medicine.

The boy was quickly upon his house, no bullies in sight, most likely cleaning their wounds was the thought that bubbled in Ichinose's mind. He blast through the door with half-force to an awake father, sitting at the table, his amputations showing very clearly.

"Good evening son." Taro said dryly.

"Taro." The boy did not do him the respect of calling him father, though it cut Taro deep, he could not scold his son for it, as he has done much worse, as his son tells him, he was the reason for mother's death. Ichinose has matured greatly after the catalyst that was the attack, and his mother's death, he seems to know about emotional wounds, and how best to inflect them upon his father as punishment.

"There's no food left is there, we both haven't eaten in two days." Worry struck Ichinose's face, they only had so much food to go on, the garden which provided vegetables was destroyed when that horrible winter came, it also took the only one in the house with the experience to resurrect it.

"No, I've got something, here, I already ate mine." He brought out multiple portions of fruit and a slice of bread, setting them on the dusty table.

"You don't have a job, how did you get this? Don't tell me..." Shock glistened on the boy's face at what he was envisioning.

"No, I wouldn't steal, god no, vendors gave me these out of the kindness of their hearts, I simply need to ask." He explained.

"Well... thank you." The boy responded apprehensively, this small act was obviously not enough to redeem. He'd quickly snatch the portions of food and run upstairs for the night. Settling into bed as quickly as he could.

Dawn soon rose, changing into afternoon and Hayara burst out of his bed after purposefully sleeping in, charging downstairs into an empty and cobweb infested living room, his father was obviously still sleeping. The boy hurriedly fitted his shoes on, and retrieved his Katana from his room, he was meaning to practice some swordsmanship in front of the girl in order to impress her today. After getting all he needed, he burst out of the entrance of his tiny and dilapidated abode, once again, the street was vacant, no group of boys to be seen, I suppose it must've caused them some truly long term damage, though Ichinose had no time to reflect upon his morally ambiguous actions, as he had to be there, at that spot, at that exact time, if he was to meet her again, Tsutaume. Mirages of her whipping hair in the great gusts of wind that sailed through their bodies as they sprinted away from those boys filled his body from head to toe in what seemed like sparks. Tinges of numbness travelled across his fingertips as he rubbed them together in both nervousness and anticipation, going from a jog to a run as stones were trampled underfoot as he travelled down the gravel path. He tried his best to remember the route, weaving in and out of the small alley paths which snaked through the centre of the town and finally out onto the clearing where the hill laid.

Hayara was expecting to see a wonderful waving girl atop, there was a void where she was supposed to be, and a confusion washed over him, such confusion quickly descended into doubt that she actually came, perhaps she was a liar like every other that had come into his life after all. A small muffled scream alerted him to something being truly off.

"Be quiet you bitch... Or we'll really fuck you up." One of the boys said under a growling whisper to the girl who was currently being held on the ground just on the other side of the hill, only metres out of sight. They were planning on exacting revenge today, nothing would get in their way.

Ichinose had began to saunter up the hill, the boys caught wind of this, and they begin to appear from the other side, catching Hayara's attention, as his eyes met the bullies, his face dropped into an expression of deep anger.

"Holy shit, he's got a sword..." One of them spoke, surprise and shock were obvious on each of their faces, they dropped from smug to concerned as one of them backed out a small knife in retaliation.

The kid with the knife rushed forward clumsily, using a loose reverse-grip of some amateur kind as a means of scaring Hayara off, Ichinose simply replied by rushing forward, katana drawn with metal scraping against sheathe, the sword's container being thrown aside as he charged with a two-handed grip towards the attacker, twisting his hips right before reaching his target, and delivering a precise, swift horizontal slash, the tip of his katana only just reaching the bully. It was intentional. His knife-holding hand, specifically the flesh around his knuckles, began spurting out with blood, Hayara had just nicked his hand with his sword, the attacker was sent barrelling on the floor in a fit of absolute pain as he hollered out. Back-up attempted to approach the bully on the floor, as he was the only one with the knife, and if they started punching or doing harm to the girl, they feared that Ichinose would rush them with the sword.

"If you touch that knife, I'll open your neck." Hayara warned, mustering as much courage as he could to not stammer and therefore prevent himself looking like an idiot.

The bullies seemingly complied, rather compelled by the massive sword he was carrying instead of the person himself speaking being convincing. They dragged their friend on the ground away, rather than picking up the knife, rushing off to god-knows-where. As soon as they did so, the boy rushed over to tend to Tsutaume, glistening concern etched deep into his expression as he observed for any wounds on the girl's body. A wave of relief submerging his brain as she appeared to be spotless.

"What'd they do to you?" Hayara queried, a serious tone.

"Oh nothing much, I was waiting here for you and they just came from out of nowhere, just got subdued and threatened is all, they called me a lot of rude words though." She'd grunt, rather annoyed at the whole situation.

"Though I can assume it would've been much worse if you hadn't been here, so you have my gratitude, little peasant pissant boy." Tsutaume approached, giving him a small peck on the cheek, flushing up the boy a bright red on his cheeks.

"That isn't a sign of interest by the way, you're too poor." She'd joke.

"Whatever, just be glad I saved you..." Hayara replied, clearly a bit worked up and frustrated.

"Didn't know you were such a great swordsman though." The way she had inflected it seemed sarcastic, though she was dead-serious.

"Mhm, want a demonstration?" He'd nervously ask the girl.

"Sure thing, try your best at least, don't you dare mess up." Tsutaume responded rather enthusiastically, as she sat down beneath the tree to watch, Hayara nodded, backpedalling a few steps in order to remain a good distance away from her.

He'd hold the Katana by both hands, and as he was still on the spot, he performed a massive vertical slash, his forearms exploded with force and the air was heard being cut as it was brought down, very well executed. This would earn a little clap from Tsutaume, who watched on with a idle glee. This very simple movement would quickly shift, Ichinose would transform his still footwork into a flurry of movement, as he twirled his entire body around, gathering momentum through rotational movement into his sword to perform a large horizontal slash which covered a 360* circumference around his body, even separating a falling leaf in two upon its performance, once again garnering a small applause from the girl.

"God, you're actually incredibly good? Who taught you?" A flurry of questions spilled out of Tsutaume's mouth at the surprising display of skill with the sword.

"My father, actually, you should come by our house, I want you to relax at the very least." Hayara would ask of the girl.

"You're not going to court me there are you?" She'd joke.

"Of course not?!" His face went bright red at the insane accusation she now spouted.

The two would laugh over it, getting up and travelling back down the hill, the sun had not yet fallen under the horizon, so the girl must have had plenty of time until she had to get back. They once again traversed through tight-knit alleyways, and back towards Hayara's small abode. At first he was a tad nervous, not knowing why he had actually asked the girl to come with back to his house, it was just a learning experience he supposed. As they moved into the front of the building, embarrassment welled up inside him, she was some sort of high and mighty girl, what would she think of such a lowly and shitty house?

"Looks cosy." The girl said, fully serious.

"Thank you!" Hayara almost called out with how surprised he was, she hadn't even said it sarcastically to be rude, she was genuinely complimenting the place.

"Let's go in then!" She said, with an interesting amount of anticipation.

The two entered in through the entranceway, being greeted by the naturally dusty living room, and Taro sitting at the head of the table, chowing down on a small slice of bread, he'd raise his head and almost spit out his bread all over the table he was eating at in surprise due to the sight that befell him, his boy had brought a girl into his home.

"Hayara!? Is that a girl?" This comment amused Tsutaume deeply, the boy clearly got none considering the father's shock.

"Yes... it is, we're going up to the room." The boy responded to his father sharply.

"Nice to meetcha, I'm Tsutaume, what's your name sir?" She'd politely address Taro, Hayara sort of just stood there a bit slack jawed at how his father was being treated.

"It's Taro Ichinose, you're certainly respectful, maybe Hayara ought to pull a thing or two from you."

"You killed my Mom, Taro." He'd reply bluntly to his father, Tsutaume widened her eyes, simply following the boy as he walked upstairs with a quiet sorry from her to Taro.

"Well, you've got a point." He'd sigh, once again choosing to dig into his bread.

"Make sure to leave your door slid open! I don't want to be a grand-" Taro was interrupted.

"Go fuck yourself sideways." Hayara slammed the sliding door shut to his room.

"You'd probably cry if I swore at you, my god!" Taro shook his head in annoyance.

This occurrence of bringing Tsutaume over, or meeting her on the hill happened more and more often, over the course of a year, actually. Hayara had already turned 14, however they had stayed close as friends, rather then ascending into a romance, perhaps for better or for worse, due to the mysterious nature of the girl's situation. Whenever a conversation was brought up about her, in specific her living conditions, she'd avoid it, even speaking about who her parents were. An instance stood out to Hayara in particular when they were walking back from the hill towards her house.

"Hey, you can split off from me here." Tsutaume asked.

"Why? We're almost at your house surely? I haven't seen it before!" Hayara reasoned with a perplexed gaze.

"Sorry, I'm super busy at the moment, maybe next time?" She'd excuse herself rather swiftly and scurry away into the distance.

Hayara would stare at her disappearing silhouette, slouching as he turned the other way to walk back to his house. His time spent with her was fantastic, however an empty space remained in whatever their relationship was, it's like he didn't truly know her, she wasn't letting him know her, it was strange. The gravel below his feet crunched as he took sombre steps forward, closer to his cramped little space which he called home, he entered his familiar street, the small abode resting still on the side of the road, he passed through the entrance way of his house, calling out to his father, who should've been awake by now, there was no answer. He called again. No answer. Hayara had decided to go up the stairs to check if he was still sleeping, he slowly slid the door open to Taro's bedroom, a vacant bed laid. He travelled back downstairs into the living room, noticing a few scraps of food thrown under the table, all of this stood out as somewhat odd to Hayara, as though something had happened. That's when he heard a cacophony of words pour in his house from outside, accompanied by a firm banging at the door.

"Come out! This is the Town's guard, we need the son of the accused!" A gritty voice resounded through the door.

Hayara's heart pulsed, his mind darted towards every single conclusion he could think of to figure out why the town guard would be here, and what the 'son of the accused' means. He slowly approached the door, sliding it open. Sunlight flowed into the otherwise dark room, as he was greeted by the sight of multiple of the town guard, each had a gun slung over their shoulder, or a revolver by their hip. The one in front stared at the boy with a scrunched and angry expression as he called him forward.

"Boy, you're coming with us, your father is in the town hall to stand trial, as a witness you are expected to attend and give your case." The soldier spoke his orders to Ichinose.

He'd blink, perplexed by the words that were uttered from the man's mouth, everything buzzed incessantly for a split second as the weight of the situation fully bared onto him. He clenched his fist, half-assuring himself to sock the guard in the face, his hand relaxed as routes of thought entered his head as to the outcomes of his father, he cooled himself with thoughts that his father would be alright, scum as Hayara thought he was, he still didn't want him to meet an end.

"O-okay, I'm coming." The boy could hardly conceal his nerves behind the lowness of his voice as he stepped out of the door to follow the guards along.

The boy walked along in silence, surrounded by the towering figures of the men around him, if he was a prisoner, then they would be the walls preventing him from freedom, he imagined how his father felt being escorted like that, such thoughts made Hayara's teeth grind with a mixed feeling unlike any he had ever experienced. Spectators gathered at the edges of their residences, their eyes pinpointed on him as he was brought down the centre of the road.

A large silhouette dwelled in the distance, growing ever larger as they approached it. A European-style building, popular at the time of western influences flowing into Japan. It was simple in construction, though, it's white concrete reflected sunlight, making the walls of the building shine brilliantly, as if it housed only purity. As they were now upon the large wooden doors, one of the guards went forward to knock on it, the sound reverberated on the great wood, as the large entrance creaked open to allow them in. Hayara and the escorts then continued inside, and the boy looked around to be greeted by a semi-large gathering of people, his father was kneeled, in the best way he could, considering his lack of an arm and a leg, and at the centre.

"FATH-" Hayara attempted to scream, his voice was drowned out by the resounding slap across his face from one of the guards in response.

"Don't disturb the court" The rough soldier spouted with limitless aggression.

His father turned towards the source of the noise, their eyes now met as he faced his son, his eyes wide with regret as he softly stared ahead, he mouthed some words through cracked lips, from what the boy could assume, it was the mouthing out of the words 'I'm sorry.', followed by a single tear which rolled down his cheek. Hayara began to break down as silently as he could too, the only thing preventing him from lashing out was thoughts of his father beating whatever he had been charged with.

A regal man, adorned with the most expensive of fabrics, entered through the side and stood in front of the court, carrying a certain gravity to him, all in the room who now noticed his presence bowed with a great respect. He was the current chief of the town, though, that only being because his family belonged to a long line of Japanese countryside nobility. He was known for ruling with an iron grip, commanding fear from the subjects under him. His steely gaze judged Taro with a profound deepness. He raised his hand, the court had begun, and he withdrew something from his pocket, unfurling it into paper.

"Taro Ichinose, you are charged by this town with thievery of multiple counts, how do you plead?" The man's voice had a sickening neutrality to it, he was neither angry or composed about the situation.

Hayara's father seemed to open his mouth in order to say something, however no words came out as he rethought his actions, opting to stay in silence.

"We shall say you are pleading non-guilt then. We will verify from our witnesses whether this is true." The leader of the town, who presided over the case motioned for multiple people to stand, they were market stall owners, and they each stated their case of what had happened. The man had stolen their fruits and other consumable goods for days on end. He was caught multiple times but let off because of his condition, however his relentlessness made them unbelievably angry. They would sit down after their angry rants towards the crippled father.

"Hayara Ichinose, son of the accused, as witness and possible co-conspirator to these events, what is your case?" The judge spoke again, his regal robe fluttered elegantly as he seeped his hand across to motion the boy upwards. The boy stood, contempt the only thing in his eyes.

"My stupid father is innocent." Is all he could manage out, his teeth felt as if they would explode with how much pressure he was putting on them out of pure, unadulterated rage.

"Then how do you explain the two of you being alive? If the reports are correct, your father was unable to provide due to his physical state, and your mother had passed on, leaving you with no sustainable income to purchase food, am I right in thinking this?" The man gave a fair point.

Hayara kept his mouth shut, his eyes would just dart around the courtroom to various faces filled with the venom of prejudice towards him and his father. 'How could they know what I and him had been through? Fucking bastards.' Such thoughts swirled in his mind like a typhoon.

"That's all I need, you can sit." The boy did not sit for a moment, so the guards forced him to the floor in order to properly do so.

"Taro Ichinose, I have deemed you guilty of the crimes committed, and am to sentence you to execution via sword, effective immediately." A swift and brutal punishment. Not a hint of emotion in that man's eyes as he said it. Lives ruined with this action nothing to him in the face of his justice.

"NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! PLEASE! SOMEONE! ANYONE! HE'S NOT GUILTY! HE'S MY FATHER!" A plead was made to all in the room as Hayara darted up, struggling against the various guards holding him back, thrashing around like a wild dog amidst his shock. And he saw as every face refused to meet his, eyes diverted, necks turned. They all ignored him.

Small footsteps pressed against the wooden floor and echoed out across the hall. A young woman appeared in front of everyone, standing by her father.

"My daughter, you're late for the court, though, I'll excuse you for this time." His father reprimanded her, though his voice was full of care and affection, unlike his previous actions.

Tsutaume looked at her father with a smile, before turning her neck to observe the accused. This smile drooped down into a deep frown, her ears were also subject to a familiar voice. Their eyes would lock, a trance of emotion interchanged between the two as they met gazes, Hayara and Tsutaume had recognised each other in the crowd. The girl quickly put the two together. His father was being executed. 'Oh god.' She echoed in her head. The boy was subdued down, the back of his head beaten until he caved to a silent sob. He'd mouth the words 'help', a cry for assistance, everything rode on her. The girl ran to her father tugging on his gown.

"You mustn't execute that man, PLEASE!" She broke down into a mad sob in her father's arms.

"There, there, we have to, it's justice, don't you understand?" He'd attempt to reassure her, rather confused at why her daughter was giving this random man so much mercy.

"You don't understand, that man means everything to him, you'd be taking everything, you don't know what's happened, just for once, please, I'll do anything you want, just spare him, he won't ever do it again, if he knows what's good for him, you just must." She'd blurt out with whatever convincing words she could think, madly listing them out.

The man would stare at his daughter, confused, then changing his gaze to that of Taro, then to Hayara. A large sigh erupted from out of his lungs.

"Fine, but you must follow some rules from now on." He would note.

"Father... thank you... of course I will..." Her tears could hardly let her speak, though this was now through a wave of relief, and this wave spread and drowned out the anxiety in the room beforehand.

Hayara stared gobsmacked, so did Taro. Tsutaume was his saviour. She was everything to the boy in that moment, infinity, it was as though she could do anything under the heavens without consequence, a goddess. His eyes glistened with an emotion hidden under the surface for so long, it bubbled out unstoppably. He was in love with this girl. And as they stared at each other, all other distractions blurred and phased themselves out of existence. This bubble would be popped when his father would point for her to go outside.

"You'll be spending a lot more days inside now, little lady." He'd demand of her.

"I suppose so." She accepted reluctantly, though she had to for Hayara's and Taro's sake.

As Tsutaume was escorted out, their last eye contact was finished by a wink on behalf of her towards the boy, making his cheeks fuzz with a hot red.

He and his father would be escorted out shortly afterwards, left to their own devices, Taro dragged himself along with a crutch, they remained silent for part of the journey.

"Can we stop here for a moment." Taro pointed over to a little clearing off the side of the path they were walking home on.

"Mhm." Hayara replied rather coldly, he was still on the out with his father, especially after this escapade.

They both sat, taking in the air of silence, until his father once again broke it.

"I'm sorry, this stubborn father has put you through too much." He spoke with a bottomless sincerity, his voice was raspy as he attempted to hold back tears.

"Oh, I see." Hayara responded the most neutral way he could, though he was surprised by this show of emotion. Taro hadn't opened up to him until now.

"I put you through so much, this stupid person that I've become, your mother would give me another great slap if she saw me and the way I had treated you." He'd say with an icy sadness. A little tear up was roused in Hayara.

"I'm going to do my hardest from now on, for you, my boy, I have to prove myself to you, and I know that, but I promise things will change." He would assert, absolute confidence in him.

"I think I might be able to actually forgive you if you'd be able to pull off something as stupid as that." The boy let out a weak smile, the first towards him father in years.

"I'll help you with replanting your mother's favourite flower." Hayaras cool demeanour melted off of him at this notion, he'd burst into a sob, Taro would give him a reassuring hug, and then the two would sit in a much calmer silence for a while, before getting up to continue home.

Things had begun to improve little by little with Taros composed mindset once again. The house was cleaned, he even got a job to provide, white petals bloomed in the garden and outside their house. And one day, whilst cleaning out a shelf, Hayara noticed a small note lip out from the bottom of it, a thick grey dust that coated it flew off as he blew on it. The address of those people who helped him and his father that day. A voice spoke out from deep in the boy's mind, as if to take it as an opportunity, do something with it, after all, what could bother him if he became as strong as them? He could protect Tsutaume all he wanted. The boy took the note to his father, explaining his intentions with a certainness.

"If that's what you think is best, I don't see why not." He shrugged, a comforting smile covered his face. Hayara would respond with a grin as well, though sadness did lurk, as it would mean having to leave what was dear to him for a time. Though it was a small price to pay.

"I'll help you pack for it then, you ought to be prepared, though I'm sure your sword skills with prove yourself worthy for whatever those lot have going on." Taro would explain his words filled Hayara with long forgotten comforts, like when he used to coddle the boy as a baby to sleep.

"Thank you so much, father." The boy's every word was filled with genuine gratitude. A lot had changed.

The boy quickly got himself packed, his sword, food for the journey, other amenities, all fitted within a massive bag which he would have to lug around for the coming days. As soon as it was on he darted out of the front of the house, waving goodbye from behind as he went, Taro stood out the front, a single tear streaming from the corner of his eye, it wasn't like Taro to cry, though in this situation, seeing such growth, it must've felt very necessary to him to do so.

Hayara's silhouette vanished in the distance, though he would not be gone yet, he was still set on another location to go before travelling.

Tstuaume was busy inking off a blank paper, making some kind of notes whilst alone in her room, when she saw out of the corner of her eye, a strange shape poking through her window, it was Hayara's head.

"Busy?" He questioned playfully.

He was hit square in the head with a small pebble, almost knocking him off the roof.

"Are you crazy? We're on the second floor." She'd growl in anger.

"My bad, but I couldn't come here without saying goodbye." Hayara spoke as he slinked through the window into her room.

"Goodbye? Where are you going?" She'd quiz him, a confused brow raise.

"Going off to those people I told you about, those who dealt with the demons that day." He'd state without a pause.

"You're really serious about it then? Well, I always knew demons were real but. You're seriously pretty fucking dumb." All she'd spill out with were insults, Hayara would pretend to be her mouth with his hand, making it flap about in order to mimic it, causing Tsutaume to dash towards him, they'd chase each other around the room, before stopping.

"I'll only be gone for a time, I'll be back, of course, and strong enough to be with you." He'd go bright red.

"What are you saying? Be with me?" Her face flushed up in turn.

"You know what I'm trying to say. Here." He'd quickly peck her cheek. Their heads might as well have been on fire with how red they were.

Hayara would dart back out the window as soon as he had done it. Knowing the consequences of doing so.

"You know, I'd have slapped you if you hadn't run away for that..." Her words and actions spoke differently.

"I know, I know, but still, see you later, I'll miss you dearly-" He was interrupted.

"Wait, I've got something for you, just a little gift for all those missed birthdays, since I never have got you a present." She'd go up to the window, handing him something, Hayara looked at it with inquisitiveness.

"It's a little white ribbon?" He'd observe it in his palm.

"Yeah, I used to use it as a hair tie when I was young, it's made of some really expensive fabric, but I just keep it around as it reminds me of a different time, don't you think the white represents my innocence and purity?" She'd began going off about her own characteristics, earning a disapproving nod from Hayara, who had to lurch backwards to avoid an attempted slap by the girl.

"Thank you for this though." He'd seem grateful enough.

"Though I've got two things to remember me by, my dreamer boy." She'd go in for a kiss, their faces a heated crimson as they then withdrew, as swift as it had started, it was over. They exchanged last glances, and Hayara hopped down from the roof, continuing off.

Hayara began walking on a long and straight path, his future would be with the demon slayers, and he was ecstatic for what was to come.

"Hayara?" Tsutaume's familiar voice appeared behind him.

"Tsutaume, did you follow me?" He turned to see an odd sight.

Tsutaume was dressed in strange attire, unbefitting of her, they were in a strange place, there was blood on the floor, or whatever else.

Her head detached from her body, rolling on the floor like a ball.

"Time to wake up, brat." An impending doom overwhelmed the boy's body as he turned to meet the familiar face.

Sukuna was behind him, dressed in a white flowing robe, an evil grin on his face as the world blurred and fuzzed around him. All went black.

A cold air was the first thing he noticed as he was startled awake. The last thing he had remembered was a recounting of his memories, as he thought past that, he recalled being knocked unconscious by that lower moon. And of course, Sukuna's actions towards him. He was seemingly unharmed as he looked around his bed, though his left arm was missing in place of a newly reformed right one. A figure appeared from out of the bathroom, it was the calamity himself. The King of Curses gave a dismissive look towards Hayara causing his blood to ice over cold.

"Get up, we have a lot to do today." Sukuna bared his fangs into a crooked smile, his favourite expression to display a twisted joy.

Hayara clutched a small white ribbon in his pocket, he was living a nightmare.