|•| 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙵𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝚂𝚕𝚊𝚢𝚎𝚛 |•| 𝕂𝕟𝕪 𝔽𝕒𝕟𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

XIII

   While Tanjiro was teaching Zenitsu and Inosuke how to beat Kanao, Kiyomi went for a peaceful walk in the forest beside the estate.

   'Haah.. next time I cough out blood, I might just faint...', Kiyomi thought, facing the sky while walking. ( A/N: Don't do this, it's dangerous 🙅)

   Just then, Kiyomi suddenly heard a whine from... A dog?

  She followed the sound silently and picked up a rock for a weapon, since she didn't bring her sword.

   When she peeked from the bushes, she saw a bloody wolf, whining in pain.

  'A wolf?! Oh no, it might kill me!', Kiyomi panicked. But when she looked at it closely, the wolf seemed to be begging for help.

   'Okay, hoooh, calm down... I think it needs help.', she breathed out and sneaked near the helpless wolf. Suddenly, the wolf started growling.

  "D-don't worry. I won't hurt you. I'll help you.. so calm down.", Kiyomi reached out her hand in front, showing the wolf she was harmless.

  The wolf looked into Kiyomi's eyes, before it calmed down. It then returned to whimpering.

   "Good wolf... Let me see your wound so I can treat you, okay?", Kiyomi crouched down infront of the wolf and carefully examined it.

   The wolf was a female that had a lot of scratches on her body and a huge scratch on her left arm.

  "I'm sorry for this, Aoi-san...", Kiyomi whispered before ripping off her sleeves and wrapped it on the wolf's wounds.

   "Maybe I can take you to Aoi-san, but you sure are a big wolf..", she sweat-dropped.

   "Can I carry you? I will get you treated at my friend's hospital.", Kiyomi looked at the wolf. The wolf stared at Kiyomi for a moment before she licked her hand in acceptance.

   "Thank you, now don't bite me, 'kay?", she said before she carried the big wolf, which was almost the same size as her, and ran towards the butterfly estate.

   "Aoi-san!", Kiyomi yelled. Aoi appeared and quickly approached her.

  "What's the- is that a wolf?! And it's so bloody!", Aoi panicked.

  "She needs help! Can you treat her here?", Kiyomi said before placing the wolf on a vacant bed.

  "Won't it bite?! That's a big wolf!", Aoi exclaimed.

   "Don't worry, I.. think she won't bite! So you give her first-aid, please?", Kiyomi said.

   "You think??..", Aoi hesitated for a moment before she gave in and hurriedly took the first-aid kit.

   "Here, I can help you with it.", Aoi said as she rolled up her sleeves.

   "Thanks."
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   Minutes later, the two finally finished aiding the wolf and both are now cleaning.

   "I'm sorry for the sleeves, Aoi-san. I will pay for the ripped clothes.", Kiyomi apologized.

  "It's okay, Kiyomi-san. You wanted to help the wolf, so it's okay.", Aoi said.

   "Then let me.. help.. by...", Kiyomi suddenly fainted. Luckily, Aoi managed to catch her.

   "Kiyomi-san??", she started to panic as she quickly checked Kiyomi's pulse. She sighed in relief. "She's just tired..", Aoi whispered before carrying Kiyomi on a bed beside the wolf and left the room.

   The wolf crawled towards Kiyomi and gently nuzzled her cheeks. She seemed to like her.
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   Kiyomi woke up and stretched.

   'Wait... Did I fall asleep..? For how long?!', Kiyomi looked around, she saw the wolf that was also looking at her with confusion.

   "Oh, hello big wolf! Are you feeling better?", Kiyomi hesitantly pet the wolf. The wolf wagged her tail and howled happily.

   Then, the door opened, revealing Aoi who was carrying neatly folded laundry.

   "You're awake! Are you okay, Kiyomi-san?", Aoi said as she put down the laundry

  "Yeah? How long was I asleep?", Kiyomi tilted her head.

   "I think.. for a day. The four already left for a mission five hours ago.", Aoi replied.

   Kiyomi's eyes widened, "Wait what?! I-i have to go with them!", she panicked.

   "You still need to rest, Kiyomi-san.", Aoi scolded.

   "No! Someone will be in trouble! Where's my sword?! I have to go!!", Kiyomi retorted. She hurriedly put on her haori and looked for her sword.

   "Please help me, Aoi-san! Someone might die! Please!", tears started swelling in her eyes, which startled Aoi.

   "..Haah.. here you go, Kiyomi-san. But be safe, okay?", Aoi took out Kiyomi's sword and uniform and gave it to her.

   "Thank you very much, Aoi-san!", Kiyomi bowed before she hurriedly changed into her uniform and ran out of the estate. The wolf was following her.

   "Wolfie! You need to rest! Your leg isn't healed yet!", Kiyomi panicked. The wolf, who she named Wolfie, huffed in refusal before she ran between Kiyomi's legs, giving her a ride on her back.

   "But your arm..!", Wolfie whimpered, as if saying she wants to help her.

   "..Haah, fine. Let's go!", Kiyomi sighed in defeat. The wolf then started running fast. She was staggering, but she still continued to run.

   When they arrived at their destination, the train had already departed. Kiyomi had to run to it so she tried to let Wolfie rest, but Wolfie refused, so here they are, running together.

   'Please... Let me make it in time..!', she teared up. She couldn't see her surroundings clearly since it was night, so she just followed the train tracks.

   When they arrived, the train was already toppled down and Tanjiro was lying on the ground, watching as the flame pillar, Rengoku Kyojuro, talked with the upper moon three, Akaza.

   'Ha.. Haha! I still have a chance to save him!', Kiyomi thought and laughed in relief, wiping her tears.

   She ran to Tanjiro and Inosuke who just arrived, surprising them.

   "Wolfie. Protect them, please.. I'll go deal with the others...", Kiyomi muttered. The wolf nodded as she stood beside Tanjiro and Inosuke.

   "Haah?! I don-", Inosuke yelled but was cut off by Kiyomi, "Shut your mouth! That's an upper moon, you idiot! I don't want anyone to die!I don't care if I die! So please... Shut your mouth and stay here.", Kiyomi cried, leaving the two speechless. Inosuke stayed silent and just watched the fight.

   Suddenly, there was a huge tiger made of fire that fought with a lot of punches, creating dust everywhere. After the dust went away, Rengoku's left eye was crushed, covered in blood.

   "Breath of Winter, Third form: Snowflake Shuricanes"
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   Soo, should I kill Rengoku? Maybe. Nah... Maybe..