Chapter Text
It was a normal day for Sanemi Shinazugawa. (or at least as normal as it could be for a hashira who spends every day risking his life) After all, his life was always normal. Every single mission he’s been sent on, he came back with very few or no cuts. It was easy.
But then he got called into Master Ubuyashiki’s room. “Sanemi. I called you here to send you on a mission.”
“Yes, Oyakata-sama.” He replied, his knee bent and leaning on the tatami below him. The breeze was hitting his back, sending slight shivers to his body, but nothing he couldn’t handle.
”I must warn you, this is not any mission. This is a mission against one of the Twelve Kizuki’s.”
Sanemi nodded. It wouldn’t be his first time going against one. What is so different from this demon and the last ones that master had to inform him?
“You are going against a uppermoon 5. I have to send you alone, because the demon is highly intelligent in his senses, which means too large of a group could make you easier to target. But there will be backup in the nearby towns. You will leave at sunset tomorrow. I wish you luck.”
”Thank you, Oyakata-sama.”
Sanemi stood up in one swift movement, and started walking towards the wind estate. He would need to get a good nights rest before he left for tomorrow.
As Sanemi layed on his bed, he couldn’t help but wonder what was so important about the demon.
But, before he could get any type of progress, he fell asleep.
Sanemi took off.
He made his way over to Mizumachi. Sanemi had found out that it was a small town, near the south of the headquarters.
It was only about a 20 minute walk. Sanemi was supposed to go to a pond, which was where the demon was supposedly suppposed to be hiding out.
Once he was in front of the cave, he took his katana out and slowly walked inside, careful not to make any sound.
Inside, there was a beautiful pond. It was breathtaking. There were various plants circling the pond, and koi fish swimming inside. A huge waterfall was on the side, the water reflecting off of the rocks.
It was gorgeous. But Sanemi wasn’t here to get distracted by the sights. He was here to kill a demon.
Sanemi looked around, but there was nothing strange in sight.
He slowly walked around the pond, taking two laps, both times looking closely for anything unusual.
That was when a human (demon?) popped out of the water, startling Sanemi. Sanemi instinctively raised his katana in front of him.
When Sanemi met their gaze, he could tell that it was a demon. They had blue eyes that shone brightly, and scales across their arms. Their legs were underwater, not yet out. Hair was as black as a raven, falling down their shoulders in an ethereal way.
”Now, now, who are you?” He spoke, his voice smooth and soft, with a slight lift at the end.
“That’s not something you need to know. All you need to know is that I’m here to kill you.”
The demon’s brows lifted in interest.
”Oh?”
Sanemi’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t like this at all. He couldn’t help but feel like the demon had a trick up its sleeve.
”But Shinazugawa-san…” The demon started into Sanemi’s eyes, and something within Sanemi seemed to relax. No. Don’t. This is probably their blood demon art working on you.
“I’m not falling for that. I’ve seen enough demons that I can tell the difference between blood demon art and reality.”
The demon’s eyes narrowed. “But… Sanemi.” The demon said his name in his mother’s voice.
Sanemi froze. His eyes widened. Mom?
No. Not mom. That’s not your mom. That’s the blood art. Don’t listen to it.
“Oh. You didn’t fall for it. Well, I guess I have no choice now. You are really stubborn.”
The demon grabbed Sanemi by his elbows and pulled him underwater.