After a day, I decided to go back to Kokushibo for more information.
“Teacher.”I bow slightly.
“Haru, are you feeling better now?”
“Please, teach me how to master my breathing technique.”My eyes were a bit red from the crying.
Kokushibo analyzes her for a bit before gesturing her to come and sit.
After I sat down. Kokushibo pulls out a book. I waited for him to begin as he flips open the contents of the book.
“This is your family’s history and their powers.”He flips to a page containing a family tree.
Searching for my name, I located it at the bottom of the page.
Kokushibo pointed to the two adults, “This is your father and mother.”
“Your mother was the sister of Muzan-Sama while your father was the heir to the Hino clan.”
“So Muzan is my uncle?”I whispered.
He nodded his head, continuing.”Muzan always had a soft spot for his younger sister but everything changed when they came a demon.”
I stared at the contents of the book, wondering where did it all go wrong.
“Muzan was out of town when your father, injured, was rescued by your mother.”
“He had fallen for your mother’s great knowledge in medicine and beauty. He even accepts her after she revealed she was a demon.”He sighed.
“But with him being a demon slayer and her being a demon, they were bound to get caught in the warfare.”
“Takibi Hino, Leader of the Hino clan, also known as the former lava hashira.He stepped down after what happened to you.”
“And Sora Kibutsuji, the village doctor and younger sister of Muzan-Sama.”
“Although Muzan-Sama loved his sister, he couldn’t accept the fact that she was in love with a human and even had you. In anger, he lashes out and kills her but he didn’t want you to get involved. So he brought you back to us.”
I listen silently and Kokushibo was at the last few pages.
“These are the known lava breathing style moves that you could learn.”
I look and saw detailed pictures of the movements, it was clear and concise.
The book had information on how the technique works and how to perform it.
It showed that the breathing technique responded positively to active lava sites and hot springs.
Kokushibo hands over the book to me to study more.
“You know, he does regret it.”
I turned to look at him facing down at me.
“He always that that bittersweet smile when he looks at you.”He ruffles my hair one more time before leaving.
I walked towards my room. Now with a clear goal in mind.
‘I am going to end this bloodshed once and for all.’
.
.
.
I had packed my stuff once more, wearing my demon slayer outfit with my haori on. I was adjusting my katana on my belt.
‘Nakime.’
A biwa can be heard and the doors to the outside world can be seen.
The sunlight was pouring in when I heard the door of my room slide open, there stood Akaza.
“Akaza..”I didn’t want to face him after the fight with Muzan.
“Not even going to give me a hug?”His arms, wide open was gesturing for a hug.
I hug him for a bit before releasing it, smiling sadly at him, “don’t wait for me.”I step into the sunlight. And with that, the doors close.
The sunlight was blazing at me, threatening me with a heat stroke. Suddenly a crow came flying towards me.
“Caw caw! I am your new messager bird!”
I stretch out my arm to allow the bird to rest on. I stroke the feathers after bringing it closer.
‘Soft’ I thought.”How about I call you Kasai?”I smile at him.
“Caw caw! It’s a nice name!”The crow seems happy with the name.
“Always new mission for Haru! Head North! There have been people dying there!”
I nod my head, indicating that Kasai could leave.
I started travelling towards the given direction.
It’s been a few days after I completed the mission Kasai gave me, the village just had a demon killing other villagers nothing too serious.
I have been training in the mountains where I located was best for me as there was an active volcano for me to train.
I also have been studying plants and drugs as Akaza gave me my mother’s notebook on medicine and such.
Wiping my sweat off from the heat, I can hear Kasai calling for me.
“Kasai over he-“I started to raise my hand to catch his attention but I simply blackout and fell to the side.
I ‘woke’ up to a pitch-black room.
“What is this? Some kind of Blood Demon Art?”I whisper to myself.
I suddenly felt intense heat, alert at the behind figure.
I turn around and quickly step backwards, wondering if it’s an enemy.
“We finally meet, Haru Hino.”The voice sounded mature and husky.
“Who- or what are you?”
I face a huge flaming bird.
“Tch, to think I, a lava breathing core gets treated like this.”
“You look like a flaming chicken.”I snap back.
“…”
We stare at each other for a while.
“Rude, “I swear I saw him roll his eyes at me.
“Whatever so what do you want? Considering your not here to hurt me.”I fold my arms.
“I am simply here as the temperature is finally high enough for me to meet you.”
“Huh? What does that got to do with anything?”
“You know how you have a human father? His genes also run through you.”He explains.
“So?”I gave a questioning look.
“The Hino clan is filled with lava breathers and only they can use this due to the cores they possess.
“The Hino clan has always produced a lava breathing successor due to the 95% chance of inheriting it.”
“Outsiders would have a 5% chance of having it, although they won’t be effective.”
“The core you have is me, your father had a dragon instead.”
“So what’re the perks of having you?..”I process the information.
“You have my flame power.”
“…”
“That’s it?”
“Hey! It’s a powerful skill okay?!?”He snaps back.
“Sure…”Turning my head away from him and doubting him.
He sighs before continuing, “My flame is no ordinary one. It comes in different colours, meaning different power levels.”
“Explain in English please?”One brow went up.
“For example, black is the most dangerous yet powerful one while orange is the everyday fire. My flame can also act as a barrier for people or heal them.”
“Isn’t that a little too overpowered?”Taking back my doubts.
He shrugs, “I didn’t give birth to you, besides you could easily copy other techniques of people when you unlock your demon side.”
‘Aren’t I a monster at this rate?’I sweat at the thought.
“The time we have is short so what I am going to say is, work hard and don’t die, got it?”
“Pfft okay, you flame chicken.”My vision turns blurry.
“Remember I will always be there if you need me, you stupid human.”
I smile at his remark and gave a thumbs up.
Soon the night sky greeted me. I push myself up and found that Kasai was right beside me sleeping.
“Pfft..”I handled him with care as I place him on my lap.
I wait for him to wait up as I smoothed out my hair.
As soon as he woke up, he informs me of a new mission, I sigh as he flew off in the distance.
I got up and pat the dust from my clothing and went straight to business.
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