Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The world no longer had color.

No warmth that spread through the lands soothing the hurt soul.

No sounds of surrounding life comforting those who were alone.

Just sheer cold and quiet snowfall announcing the harsh and ruthless winter that will be present for the following months.

And it was during this trying time, that winter dandelions started to sprout from the frost covered ground.

“A winter dandelion? Does something like that really exist?” A young voice of a boy asked, curiosity and amazement very present in the tone.

There was a pause and then a giggle before another one answered: “Of course it does! Do you think all those stories are made up?” It sounded eerily similar to the first yet a little more distant. “See? Like that one right there.”

There, almost invisible in the snow, on a moss green stem, was a white cotton ball like flower with bits of it looking crystalized from the cold.

“Wow... It’s really pretty! Like a giant fluffy snowflake!” The first laughed, beaming with excitement. “We should bring some to mom and dad, they’ll be happy!”

“Hm. Alright, alright. We can pick some up. Just remember we need to get back home soon, we don’t want to freeze out here.”

What an odd memory. Where did it come from? And who…

“Tokito sir? Have you finished your training for today?”

As quickly as the memory appeared, it disappeared back into the mist of Muichiro’s mind when the young Hashira turned to the two kakushi standing nervously at the door. He looked at them for a while, a long, dull glare that would send most into a panic attack, then went back to practicing his forms.

He wasn’t in the mood to talk to some kakushi today. Couldn’t they see he was busy? Sure he might have been just standing there but at this point, they should know that he’s not to be disturbed during training hours. Was it still training hours? It might be a little too bright to be morning. And he was kind of hungry…

“Please Tokito sir- it’s important,” they tried again. This time Muichiro didn’t even bother turning around but nonetheless, he slowed down, instead focusing on slow but powerful slashes to show he was listening. Unaware that it might have sent the wrong message.

“The hashira meeting t-today has been canceled.” Silence fell between them and the kakushi shuffled in discomfort.

“Why?” Muichiro asked, sharpening his movement, though in all honesty, he had long forgotten there was supposed to be a meeting today.

“Well… uh we don’t know that. If we get any information, we’ll let you know immediately!”

…

“Then leave,” he said blatantly in a tone, sending a crawling feeling down their spines.

“U-understood!” They didn’t need to be told twice. Both Kakushi left the room in a hurry, tripping on the doorstep as if they didn’t know how to walk.

Muichiro didn’t even know how, but it was evening. He must have been in a trance again, just swinging his sword through the day till his hands were numb and bruised. And small droplets of blood fell to the floor.

He still remembered, even with the mist clouding his memories, his first days of training. They were always like this. The very moment he recovered from his injuries, he picked up a sword and started training. Not stopping until his body was torn or Miss Amane told him to.

He put down the beaten up wooden blade, wiping his face with a white towel and then stepped outside only to be greeted by strange white flakes dropping lightly from the sky.

Huh?... What’s this?

He raised his eyes to the clouds, watching the snowflakes falling down. His eyes twitched slightly as the cold crystals settled on his face, melting from the warmth of his still flushed face. He continued watching, taking it all in as he was surrounded by nothing but silence and snow. Slowly he felt his body calming down and his hands were no longer burning. Muichiro was standing in a forest looking for something, his soft hand gripping a bouquet of fluffy flowers.

Though this calm atmosphere was short-lived.

A sharp pinch on his cheek brought him right back. His crow, Ginko now settled down on his shoulder began to caw. “Caw! Caw! Make your way to a town northwest under mountain Ketsueki. A lot more people have been disappearing lately. We sent out a few lower ranks but they all went silent.”

She exclaimed proudly as she flew off of him, only to gracefully fly up higher. Muichiro looked down at his empty battered hand, confused, only to simply nod and start following after his energetic crow.

What was I thinking about…? Must have been nothing.

The skies got darker yet they were nowhere near the village. Supposedly it was a tiny thing hidden somewhere between the woods and the mountain. And Muichiro wondered why even bother with something so insignificant.

The land now had been covered by a thin blanket of snow but there was no sign of it stopping any time soon. His feet bore into the winter covers as his eyes started to make out an outline of the large mountain he couldn’t even see the tip of. Eventually the silhouettes of small houses also appeared in the far distance.

“Caw! There it is!” Ginko cawed happily, once again sitting down on Muichiro’s shoulder, pointing one of her neat wings towards it.

It wasn’t strange for his crow to be this energetic. At least not to Muichiro. He knew his companion well, better than the other slayers knew their crows. He found it much easier to remember their interactions than with people.

Nonetheless, he made his way to the small lump of houses. He could see even from afar that most villagers were already inside with their lanterns snuffed out or burning low. So he'll just have to rely on his senses rather than intel to locate the demon. Not that he minds it. Muichiro always did prefer to work on his own. Others weighed him down. Their words, priorities and actions confused and agitated him.

He could never wrap his head around how… odd other people were.

Chapter Text

Nothing. The first night he found nothing. 

The demon was good at concealing its presence, Muichiro’ll give it that. 

Most demons who have chosen their hiding grounds were territorial and cocky enough to see a demon slayer and immediately want to eliminate the threat of being exposed. But he presumed this one was cleverer than the freshly turned ones. 

Well, if that were the case he’ll simply go rest and continue his search the following night-

“Caw! Caw! You have not eaten since yesterday’s morning!” Ginko crew, flying down from wherever she was soaring and landing on a nearby post. “There’s a small diner two streets down. They serve delicious stewed flounder~!” 

“I don’t like fish. You know that,” Muichiro replied coldly, but nonetheless started making his way to the tavern. Devising a few unnecessary turns on purpose but as a painful hollow settled in his stomach, its protests became hard to ignore.

And so, a few minutes later, Muichiro found himself nestled in a corner of the quaint inn, feeling his body adjusting to the warmth as it went through that unpleasant numbness after spending so much time in the cold. 

Meanwhile, Ginko was perched on the table like an impatient judge. She hopped around eagerly, cawing at the lone server, her voice echoing through the space. “Hurry up, we’re starving over here!” 

The man looked rather distraught, like one of those upset oni masks the wolf keeps at the entrance. Muichiro supposed it was due to the fact that animals weren’t permitted here. Though all it took him was only one fierce glance to silence the murmurs of any disapproval.

Soon enough, a plate of hot food was presented before them. Furofuki Daikon and a small portion of stewed flounder remains. 

Ginko made quick work of her scraps, pecking the fish violently as if she hadn’t eaten for days. 

Muichiro felt a shiver of rare unease run down his spine at the thought of forgetting to feed her. Though the petty bird could probably catch a meal with ease, she was rather picky about her diet.

“-not true! She’s just saying it for attention!” A gruff voice uttered with a clear hint of annoyance, and naturally, Muichiro’s worry disappeared in an instant, his head turning to the sound of gossip, chopsticks held midair.

At a nearby table two men sat, deep in conversation. Both talking in what seemed to be an attempt at hushed voices. 

“She claimed to have witnessed a monster, for crying out loud!” 

A monster? A demon most likely. 

He listened more intently. 

“I’ve known Mihoko for ages and she wouldn’t make something like that up. Maybe it was a drunkard? Some crazy, erratic old man?” 

“Hah! Maybe, or she was simply hallucinating after spending so many hours just freezing on the street trying to sell embroidery!” 

Laughter followed. 

A lead, so much for trying to avoid talking to people.

Mihoko. Sells embroidery on the street- did they mention where? She saw a crazy man. No, a demon. She sells embroidery, her name is- 

Doesn’t matter.

Abruptly he stood up, the loud sound causing most of the patrons to cringe and look at him, Ginko too seemed startled. He didn’t care. He needed to find that woman fast, preferably before he forgot what she was selling.

 …

It was going to be a long day.

The market was small. Thankfully. Though most of the stands were covered in some sort of blanket to keep snow from collecting and weighing them down too much, making it difficult to see the merchandise. 

Ginko was already flying ahead, probably looking for a glittery trinket to nab for her collection.

He stepped closer, trying to take a closer look at the stalls and remember what the hell the woman was supposed to be selling. 

It was making his head hurt. 

A feathery, sudden presence landed on his shoulder, Ginko.

That was quick.

Muichiro’s hand naturally came up to pet her, only to have a small object pushed into his palm. A little pendant with a soft embroidered center of bright flowers.

Embroidery! 

“Ginko, where did you get this?” He asked, his finger running along the solid stitches and gold threat, glittering around the edges of the locket. The texture quite grounding. 

“Three stalls down! Caw! Bright colored stand! Hideous! Three stalls down!

He watched his crow ascend into the sky, cawing lively and he followed suit. 

Before him, stood a small but garish stand with all kinds of fabrics and assorted trinkets. The colors were bold enough that they halted his steps, a grimace involuntarily crossing his face as the intensity assaulted his senses. It was a big contrast to the dull world around him.

A flicker of uncertainty, Ginko landed on his shoulder again, he pets her. 

Feeling soft feathers under his calloused and half frozen fingers.

Too bad he hated the feeling of gloves.

He looked closer, a young woman stood behind the stand currently trying to straighten a large curtain. Her hair was put into a wide braid, tied by a pastel ribbon. It reminded him of someone. Though he couldn’t quite remember the name, it did make him feel less tense.

There’s no reason to stop here. He’ll just ask her about the demon so when night comes he can finally slay the beast and focus on more pressing matters. Whatever they may be. 

With that, he stepped to the stand.

“Hm? Oh hello there would you like to buy some-”

“I’d like to ask you where you have seen the demon.”

That seemed to get an odd reaction.

Immediately it reminded him why he didn’t like talking to people. The woman’s hands froze up and her eyes widened slightly. Shock maybe? Or perhaps a bad headache?

Then he realized it was most likely because he didn’t let her finish. That’s it, she was most likely just taken aback. He’ll need to be more mindful of that- as much as it wastes his valued time. 

“Pardon. I didn’t mean to upset. Could you tell me where you’ve seen the demon?” He asked with a very forced, attempt at a smile that might have looked a little creepy. Watching with growing boredom and irritation as the woman’s mouth opened and closed like a common carp.

“Y-you… believe me?”

No, he’s here to lock her up in a psychiatric hospital. 

He nodded, the smile becoming more and more difficult to keep on his lips. The woman paused before shaking her head, looking down and he fought the urge to walk away. 

“No-! How can I know you won’t think I’m crazy? I don’t need to be made fun of by someone who probably just moved out of their parents’ house.” 

Rude. And annoying. Ginko seemed to think so too but she was too busy trying to pry another shiny charm from under the fabrics.

He doesn’t have time for this.

He unsheathed his katana in one swift move, ignoring the way the woman shrieked out, and instead tilted it so the engraving would show. 

“A blade made specially for decapitating a demon. Do you believe me now?”

Finally, he saw the woman’s eyes lower as she thought for the first time during their conversation.

“S-so it’s true… it was a demon… and- you’re a demon slayer.”

This must be the first time she actually decided to think during this conversation. How could a person be so braindead? 

… 

“I… saw it- the demon, at the abandoned shrine, east of the village.”

Finally. 

That’s all he needed. 

He slipped his sword back into its sheath. 

A sword that soon would cut down the head of the demon hiding in the shrine. He should start going but he pressed for more. Out of habit, and some form of courtesy. Something about making the weaker feel listened to and cared for, the Master has mentioned it.

“Could you tell me more about this creature?” Muichiro asked, barely listening now. Questions like these were only natural to ask, though they were pointless. 

It doesn’t matter how the demon looks or what the townsfolk think it could do. Only thing that matters is where it is and slaying it. 

“It was horrifying… pale and long, slithering arms-”

The pathetic thing thought it could outsmart him by hiding. Maybe it sensed he was a Hashira.

“-fast! Couldn’t see-” 

Was the sky always this gray? Or did it only get dull now? Will it start snowing again soon?

“Mouth agape with mist-!”

Mist. Mist breathing. He taught it himself. It felt natural, like a sword slipping into its sheath. A sword that soon would cut down the head of the demon hiding in the shrine. He should start going but he pressed for more.

“Could you tell me more about this creature?”

…

The woman looked at him strangely once more, her eyebrows furrowing as if he were an anomaly. Did he do something?

“… Pardon?” She was confused that much was clear. Muichiro sighed, eyes closing before opening his mouth to repeat his question only to suddenly be cut off.

“Oh dear you’re bleeding!” She suddenly yelped out, two hands flew up to cover her mouth before stepping too close for comfort, taking out a handkerchief and pressing it to his chest. 

He didn’t even know what happened as he took the tiny embroidered piece of fabric and stood there frozen. 

What did she just say to him… he was bleeding? He asked about the demon, did he not? Or perhaps she misheard him. The one she spotted at the shrine. The one with long slithering libs and pale skin… Maybe-

Pinch!

A sharp nip on his cheek and he was back to the present, the woman now had an expression of worry on her face.  

“Caw! Your nose nose’s bleeding!” Ginko cawed, already tearing at the handkerchief and bringing it to Muichiro’s face. Only then, as the cloth dampened, he felt the stream of crimson that was pooling down his face. 

That was unusual- he can’t remember when was the last time he got a nosebleed. 

Muichiro blinked, dazed, as he wiped the last of the blood from his nose. Ginko fluttered nervously on his shoulder, stomping her feet softly, her feathers slightly ruffled.

“Ah thank you… I apologize, I must have zoned out.” 

The woman nodded slowly before tilting her head and almost whispering, “Are you sure you’re alright? You- you don’t have to go… kill that thing- “

“No, thank you, I’ll be fine. North of the village, right?”

“…East.” 

Right. East. East- he’ll have to remember that. He looked at Ginko, who was still smoothing out his shoulder. She stopped, cawed and flew up in the supposed direction of the shrine.

He went after her, only barely catching the desperate “wait-!” of the woman yelling after him but he no longer cared. He shouldn’t have wasted so long talking to her in the first place. Look what that got him. A headache and a nosebleed.

He really hated talking to people…

The world felt off. Colors were beginning to dull. And with each step the path became harder to follow. Snow slumping under his feet, the building becoming few. Muichiro didn’t stop but his hand had moved instinctively to the hilt of his blade. 

He followed after Ginko, paying attention to the sound of wings flapping as he looked around, scanning the surroundings for the demon.

The land grew more uneven, the testament to these parts not being frequented as often by the villagers. The trees and foliage more persistent. And was it just him or were the few trees watching him? 

The shrine was supposed to be nearby, the woman said she saw the demon around there… or inside? The memory of her words was hazy now, blurred like fogged glass and the misty air. 

He liked that though… The mist was getting thicker, calming him, protecting him from that odd uncanny feeling he was getting.

Eventually as the air turned quiet, a small decrepit building appeared in the distance.

Was that… supposed to be the shrine? 

Why is it so difficult to see- oh…? It was night again. Muichiro ignored the shiver of cold creeping up his back. This is good, he can now slay the demon without waiting. 

That is if he were to find it first. The demon was indeed exceptionally good at concealing itself. Muichiro knew he had to be more vigilant. 

He approached the shrine quietly, carefully peering through the gap where there once used to be a shoji door. He couldn't make out anything, but there was that feeling of wrongness in the place. 

Blurry and muddling.

Crack!

There! It has finally shown itself- 

Muichiro had to jump back a couple meters away from the shrine as the demon appeared just behind him. How come he hadn’t heard him? But more importantly-

It was hideous. How such a creature could even exist was beyond Muichiro’s comprehension. Long, pale, ugly. 

It snickered, a wet sticky sound, coming from an uneven mouth. “So you’ve found me, little slayer? How… stupid of you,” it cocked its head but its white eyes stayed without emotion, “Hmmh… what’s your name boy?”’

He didn’t need to introduce himself, but staring at that thing, his mind felt uncertain. He said the next sentence like a mantra. To reassure himself he remembered.

“Muichiro Tokito, the mist Hashira.”

The demon froze, gagging and contorting before snapping back up like normal.

“You? A Hashira? Don’t make me laugh! A small vermin like you can barely hold a sword upright,” it pointed, or tried to, its arms were too long to have proper support to hold them out. 

They stood in silence for a moment.

“Hm? Are you waiting for mine? Oh sorry. I don’t introduce myself to brats.”

Tch… he hates the cocky ones the most. But that won’t be an issue soon. He unsheathed his blade out and within a second was already swinging at the creature’s throat. 

First Form: Low Clouds, Distant Haze

Huh…? 

He almost stumbled over his stance, where the hell did that thing go-

“Ah yes… A Hashira were you?” It taunted from behind and once again Muichiro had to jump back. 

“Ginko, call for backup.” He said absentmindedly, putting himself into the fourth form stance as the demon burst out laughing. Or whatever he was supposed to call that wet cackling noise leaving its throat. 

“First a brat and now talking to yourself? You really are pathetic!” It drawled, leaning forward, those long arms swaying side to side in an unnatural manner.

“I’m not talking to myself but I guess not seeing that is expected from a sightless creature like you, ” Muichiro retorted as he made a second attempt at decapitating the creature, putting slightly more momentum into his body.

Fourth Form: Shifting Flow Slash.

But as Muichiro dashed forward the demon made a weird gagging noise and disappeared again. The scum wasn’t slow, he’ll give it that.

“Oh really? Then who are you talking to?”

Is it actually blind? He only meant it as an insult. Can’t it see Ginko-… 

When did the sound of wings stop? Muichiro didn’t think twice as he quickly turned around, only to spot nothing more than the snow plains and the now barely visible path leaving back to the village.

… he must have lost her on the way here. But when- a disgusting sound of kecking brought him back, he looked back at the demon as it was retreating into the mist.

Muichiro went to swing again. Only this time- CRASH! His boot must have slipped on the icy ground… he should have worn his sandals. Or would that make it worse?

He regained his composure, standing up ignoring the wet snickering. The creature was now creeping near the walls of the temple. He’s lucky it was stupid enough not to attack him while on the ground.

Once again it made that gagging sound.

He saw the demon’s mouth open agape as more mist began pooling out. 

Mist? Did he slash the creature’s throat to cause that? No. 

That’s not his. It’s-…

Oh…

He messed up this time. He didn’t notice sooner because it was mixing with his own technique. Or perhaps because he assumed it was harmless, something familiar, a respite in the uncanny surroundings.

A blood demon art. Come to think of it… that woman did mention something about it… Damn it.

He readied his stance and stopped his breathing. He can’t inhale any more of that cursed smoke than he already did. 

A mind altering blood demon art, he had always thought he would be immune to something like that… turns out it’s the opposite. Just his luck.

Fifth Form: Sea of Clouds and Haze.

The snow beneath him exploded outward as he propelled himself, a flurry of white erupting in his wake. He aimed his cuts through the deceptive haze that surrounded him, to sever the neck and the uncanny mist that threatened to pull him under.

He missed and into the mist he fell.

Why?

Why is he still seeing things? Why does his head feel like it’s about to explode? Why isn’t the ringing stopping? Why do his hands shake? Why isn’t Ginko here?

Why does everything feel warm despite being covered by snow?

His vision was cloudy… he turned around to face the demon, his legs shaky as he stepped back into the clearing. He couldn’t even make out its expression.

Probably amusement or maybe concern?

With the remainder of his strength he aimed for the spot he assumed the demon’s neck would be. A last decisive strike to cut through the distortion.

Four quick steps forward and a slash. 

The blade made contact, slicing through its sinewy flesh with a sickening squelch. Time seemed to slow as he felt both his and the demon’s resistance gave way. 

Then, in a moment of clarity, the creature’s head fell from its shoulders, the mock mist dissipating into the air like a memory, leaving behind nothing but an ache in the chest. 

Muichiro fell forward on his knees. He didn’t breathe a sigh of relief until he heard the soft thud and a crunch of the head falling down to the snow covered ground and the smell of ash mixing in the cold air.

It was over, the fight had finally ended. Muichiro’s vision blurred even more, his body burning. He needed to get out before his mind succumbed to the remaining blood demon art in his system. He needed a doctor. His legs wobbled and head rang as he clumsily stood up from the spot he was kneeling on. 

It had been quite a long time since he last took a hit like that. 

It almost reminded him of something.

Chapter Text

He’d done it. He thought, slowly turning to descend the mountain. 

He survived the final selection. 

Somehow. 

Honestly, he’s not sure how. It was a blur, most of it. The faint scent of everlasting wisteria to the stench of demon ashes. There also might have been a girl- 

“Tokito! Tokito- wait!” A voice rang out urgently, cutting through his muddled thoughts like a sharp blade. A deep-blue-eyed girl came running across the mountaintop as she stumbled to his side, ignoring the confused looks from the other survivors. 

Ah... yes. He saved her from being eaten by a demon. In hindsight, it was foolish. He could have gotten himself injured. And he lost a lot of valuable time he instead could have taken to catch his breath or survey his surroundings… He also apparently told her his name? 

“-nk you! Thank you! I know I already said it, but I can't thank you enough! You saved my life!” 

Her voice and eyes were shaken with emotion as she bowed quickly. Strangely, it reminded him of those small blue flowers that grew near the mansion, bending under the weight of morning rain. 

“Thanking me is pointless,” he replied, a hint of coolness in his tone. “You hesitated, and it nearly cost you your life. I simply did what was necessary.” 

A lie. 

It truly wasn’t necessary . Someone of her strength would barely benefit the corps, and his act of valor had been more impulsive than noble.

“You should leave. Continuing to fight will only put you in an early grave.” 

There. That should save the girl the trouble. She doesn’t have to waste her breath on pleasantries nor the battlefield. He’ll forget this exchange anyway.

“Oh… I see..” She said, suddenly looking away, her fists clenching. Perhaps he miscalculated?

“Well- we should still stay a little. They haven’t even given us our Kasugai crows and steel.” 

Kasugai… crows? Crows? Weren’t those the birds that sent messages to the master? He was going to get one as well? Did the master ever mention something like that?

A strange sensation bubbled up inside his chest. It was a tickling feeling that he didn’t yet decide if he liked or not.

Muichiro’s face must have shown some form of wonder because the blue-eyed girl smiled a little and took him by the edge of his long sleeve back to the others who had now gathered in the center of the mountaintop’s clearing. 

There, behind a clothed table, stood two familiar twins that had also welcomed them before the selection. The master’s children, Muichiro recognized them, but he couldn't remember which ones they were. 

Honestly, he never knew.

The white-haired girl clapped her hands and at that moment several birds, crows, flew in. Each taking a seat on the exasperated slayers’ shoulders. All, except for him. 

He immediately looked at the twins and saw the black-haired one looking at him. Muichiro went to them without a thought. 

“Muichiro, the master has prepared you a… special one. One that will learn to understand you and accompany you on your missions,” The girl explained as she turned to her twin and nodded. 

“Miss Ginko! We have found you a new master!” Both twins called out in a synchronized sing-song voice, and only then did a female crow land right on top of the covered table. She cawed loudly, spreading her wings in a flamboyant display while fluttering her excessively long lashes. Muichiro didn’t know birds had lashes. 

“Caw Caw! Have I finally been bestowed with a gifted slayer?” She asked loudly, tilting her head to look at the twins. And then at him. 

“THIS SMALL BRAT?! No, unacceptable. I refuse!” 

What an annoying bird. Muichiro couldn’t help but scowl. He’s not a brat, and he’s an efficient slayer; if the crow couldn’t see that, then maybe he’ll just have to make way without one. 

“No, Miss Ginko,” The black-haired girl- or a boy replied, crouching down to the crow and whispering just enough for Muichiro to catch,  “ descendant of the sun …” whatever that meant.

Apparently that was enough to change the petty crow’s mind, as she happily flew up and settled on Muichiro’s arm. 

He shook her off, promptly. 

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing brat- I mean, master!? I’m your Kasugai crow now!” She shrieked, flapping her wings loudly enough to draw the attention of the other slayers. 

“Go away. I don’t need a spoiled chick like you,” Muichiro replied, ignoring the screeching sound the bird made at the insult and instead watched, as the twins took the cloth off of the table revealing the nichirin ores. Briskly, he took one at random from the corner and began walking away, once again descending the mountain. 

The bird angrily flew behind him, yelling absurdities as the other slayers cautiously stepped aside and went to choose their own ores instead. 

Muichiro only turned back when the crow had latched onto his sleeve and was now attacking it violently.

Looking up he saw the blue-eyed girl giggling while watching the exchange, and he too couldn’t help but slightly lift the corners of his mouth into a reluctant smile. 

That odd tickling feeling returned, and he now could see a bit more clearly how the girl’s uniform was stained with blood, her hands trembling slightly and her cheeks glistening with dried tears. And her blue eyes, the shade of the night sky and forget-me-nots. 

He remembered. 

He remembered each time from that day on, as she would come to treat his wounds at the Butterfly estate. 

Aoi. 

Aoi could help, could she not? She was a nurse. She took care of him when he came in. Injured, bloody mess, his mind unclear and astray and a head so painfully numb he thought it might fall off.  

Yes, she’ll do just fine. She might not have been a competent slayer but she’s a gifted nurse. 

He stood up shakily, the last of his adrenaline pushing him forward. Looking ahead, the edges of his vision blurred. All that surrounded him was snow and nothing else. He tried to rely on his other senses, listening closely, hoping to catch the sound of flapping wings. Tried to smell, maybe to catch a breath of smoke from burning charcoal.

…

He could only walk. The village couldn't be that far… Maybe he’ll run into Ginko and she’ll call for help. 

At this point Muichiro felt his hands shaking, both an angry red from the cold. If he were to get attacked now he’d not be able to hold a blade… His breath came in sharp pants, his arms hanging limp by his side. 

His feet took him down the white landscape. Though as he walked further, the more the edges of urgency dulled and confusion began to sink back in. Legs wobbled beneath him with each step. How much time has passed? He couldn’t tell. Minutes? Hours?

The cold was no longer biting, it was sinking. A numb ache, the trembling stilling as he stopped. Or maybe his body stopped for him. It was strangely peaceful, he tried to think back to why he was walking in the first place. 

His vision swayed and he stared up at the sky, unmoving, a little confused but mostly tired. Everything was blurry. Muichiro tried to force his eyes to blink and everything fell.

He was standing in front of a house. 

A small, insignificant thing, barely noticeable in the surrounding forest. Most likely belonging to some poor woodcutter by the current state of it.

Though it, somehow, felt surreal. Like he was seeing something that wasn’t really there, or rather something he shouldn’t be seeing.

But then again, the sound of crickets and the cold, sharp night air alongside his exposed neck and arms, assured him that he’s indeed present in the moment. Instinctively, Muichiro moved towards it. 

“No you stupid! It’s summer! You shouldn’t be cold!” A voice in the back of his head said suddenly, as he reached to slide the door open but stopped mid-motion after realizing that it already was.

Huh…?

It must have been too warm.

Yeah, it must have, so the occupant left it ajar to let some air in. Though it’s rather dangerous to do so in a lone place like this. The closest village is miles away!

Nonetheless, he quietly stepped inside.

A bloodcurdling scream followed. And everything went pitch black and Muichiro fell a second time.

Terror. It was one way to describe it. Muichiro was shaking.

He wouldn’t be so panicked if it weren’t for the fact that he was staring right at himself. 

The void, dark and cold had no way of reflecting like the surface of water or a finely sharpened blade. The void wasn’t a mirror. 

Yet the reflection stared back. Or maybe it didn’t. It’s not like it had a face. Just a hole in its place. 

Do you not remember?

He tried but his head hurt. Everything else was numb. 

Why? Why couldn’t he remember? 

It stared without eyes. It screamed without a mouth in sight. He did. 

Muichiro tried to turn around but couldn’t. Like he was desperately trying to let go of something but his body betrayed him. Clutching, fearing that if he let go, he’d lose everything. 

He lost it, didn’t he?

Oh god, he tried to move again but his feet felt slippery. The black ink that was his surrounding began to tilt. He tried to find his footing, feeling for some sort of crack or imperfection to steady himself. Ah-! There, stable ground! He slipped.

And down the void he went. 

Falling, he lost count of how many times he did. He’d wake and then fall again. Several eyes were watching, judging and waiting to pounce. Some pitying, some disturbingly amused.

Muichiro jolted awake in terror. His head was pounding more painfully than ever before alongside his heart beating loudly like a war drum. 

His mind has never been clearer, all thoughts, all those… horrid things he has seen were so sheer- so unbearably vivid as if they were etched deep into his brain that no mist could ever cover them up. 

And oh, how he wished it could. 

He never thought he’d crave for the feeling of having his mind and soul disconnected from each other. As one is swallowed and covered up by a blinding veil, leaving him wandering aimlessly without purpose.

Everything else around him was blurry. All he could see, all he could focus on, was the nightmare. Burning brightly at the corners of his eyes.

He almost broke down, almost. 

But he gripped the soft futon and the velvety fabric of an old-fashioned kimono to ground himself in the present.

…

How… odd?

He thought he had his uniform on. Now that was a strong, sturdy material that no low rank demon could bite through, it wasn’t supposed to be soft. Perhaps the mist was already returning? No, he-

Where is he? It’s so dark. Is he holding someone else’s sleeve?

Muichiro turned his head to the right and immediately wished he didn’t. If he wasn’t having a panic attack a moment ago, he sure was having one now.

Six eyes stared back at him.