Burn to ash

The Entertainment District

I stood in front of my teacher and the sword smith testing my blade. They nod in approval and I hand the sword to it's maker for one final check over before I take it fo good.
" Everything look good. I've added a strap so you can strap it how ever you like. " as per he says, I strap to onto my back diagonally so that I can reach and draw my blade with my dominate hand. I  hop a few time and adjust the strap to make it more comfortable. It will take some time to get used to it but its quite nice. Shishou goes on to start fixing my uniform and straightening my haori. Zenitsu the poor boy is crying beside us, not ready for me to leave. We hear my name being called from afar and I spot a familiar man, as well as my crow circling over head.
" Hou!" he greets casually walking up to us. He towers over the four of us like a mighty oak tree. He respectfully greets my master and the swordsmith before facing me.
" I knew I'd see you again Hou. We've got a mission together and I thought I should come get you." He grins with his hands on his head seemly relaxed.
" It is good to see you again after such a short time Tengen-san. Please give me a moment to get my bearings." Bow and he just nods walking a few paces away to give me a moment with the people who I had been with. I had already been preparing to leave so nothing has change but they give me a look of sadness. I hug the boy and bow to the two other that stood before me.
" Shishou, I will make you proud and I will fulfill my promise." I refer back to our first meeting. 'I will become the nest thunder hashira.' He nods roughly patting my shoulder before letting me go. I start walking deciding not to look back. They will be alright. Shishou will train them to be strong and I will meet them again as demon slayers.
" Ready?" Shinobi  asks and I nod. His appearance has changed since our last meeting. Perhaps he is trying to make up for the lack of personality of our black uniform but his person is greatly decorated by various gems as well as gold bands. Two large swords, chained together are strapped to his back in an x. He's lost everything ninja, beside his how decorated Hitai ate, but on the other hand, he looks much more lethal now with his muscle structure visible for all the see expressively because of his exposed arms.
" Are you sure you don't see something you like? Seems you like to stare at me." He teases me and I can't deny the fact that I had been staring. I shake my head. " I'm just taking in what you look like now. It's quite.. I don't know how to put it but loud. Doesn't seem very suitable for missions." I defend myself and he smirks. Seems all he does is smile, smirk, grin and laugh.
" I'm different from all the others. I already have skill so Oyakata-sama assigned me a district and I requested my good friend, you, to be my partner. We're going to be in the entertainment district, so we'll have to change into some disguises." He suddenly goes into work mode and starts explaining the mission and it's entirety.
" Outside of the tea houses, the district is like a lawless land. People get beaten half to death, killed, kidnapped, enslaved and people go missing everyday and no one thinks much about it. That's exactly why it's the best place for demons to hide. They can hide, kill, and feed without raising suspicions. Our mission is to hunt down those demons. With my skill set, Oyakata-sama thought that I'd be able to work being unnoticed by the civilians but instead of assigning a random persons to be my partner, I requested you since our styles are pretty similar in terms of breath and I like you already so." He shrugs and I think for a moment. Our breaths are quite similar, in fact they say the the sound derived from thunder and both rely on speed in a sense.
" Not to mention I was hoping you could sense demons or something." He states casually and I assume he was made aware of my origin by the master. " No, I can't sense them any better than you can Tengen-san. The only thing I can do is heal like one and maybe my senses are a little better than normal." I explain grumbles. " That's too bad." We start running and I realize how fast this man is despite how large he is. He runs faster than shishou without the slightest sign of fatigue. The world around us blurs as we run and I focus on keeping up with his until the sky begins to darken and I begin to see a glow in the distance.
" That's it. The entertainment district, otherwise known as the red light district." He finally stops running and whistles. Out from behind the trees comes strange looking mice carrying articles of clothing. Starts to peel off his jewelry and the bulk y parts of his uniform before pulling on his dark blue kimono. He motions for me to do the same, though mine is a beautiful floral kimono. He begin explaining his plan.
" Instead of staying hidden, I've decided that we should simply blend in as patrons. Let everyone know that we are here and that we are normal. I already sorted everything out and was able to get my hands on inn down the block. My wives are already there working, I'll introduce you in the morning but for now, we should go around and start introducing ourselves. My name is Yamamoto Sai and you will be the my mistress that I brought from up north where I left my 'wife'. Your name is Satsuki." He proceeds to help me pull on the kimono after I'd removed my haori, sword and belt. Though it felt stuffy, it is important that we be able to string out of the kimono at the drop of a hat to fight any demons that might appear. He hands me small mirror and a box of makeup. I try to remember how mother applied her make up on important dates. I see Tengen passing out belongings to the mice.
" The mice will follow us in the shadows with our swords and be ready to hand it to us when called." He explained as I draw delicate lines on my face to emphasize my natural features. The man behind me combs my hair and pins it before I feel a sharp pain in my ear lobes.  He points up at his ear, which is still decorated with small gold hoops. I feel a pair of them on me now. " This makes you worthless to tea houses so no one will try to kidnap or enslave you since you now clearly with me." He smirks a confidently smile. With his hair down and no paint on his face, he's quite handsome.
" you're staring again Hou. " He teases but I smirk back.
" I was just thinking your quite a good looking man Sai-sama. I'm jealous of the miss." He chuckles offering me his arms to start walking into town.
" No to be jealous Satsuki. I'm here with you now."