The Shadow of the Insect

~Chapter Seven~

Three days after the death of Kanae Kochou the Flower Hashira.

Shinobu woke up again from a nightmare. She dreamed again how Upper Moon 2 brutally murdered her sister. She cannot forget these scenes, all the blood, the screams and her last words flew in her head. She felt sick and vomited again. The shock and the loss were too much for her. She got out of bed and looked at herself in the mirror. "How miserable I look... I cried in my sleep again..." she rubbed her eyes and smiled. "Sister. You said you love my smile. I'll keep that one now, no matter if it's not a real one." Shinobu then went to the kitchen to make herself something to eat and some tea. With a fake smile, she greeted the youngest from the house "Good morning, Kanao and Aoi." "Good Morning Miss Kochou." said the blue-haired one. Kanao just nodded. Shinobu had to show strength towards the little ones, she was not allowed to show any weakness. She was now the oldest in the house. She went to the two girls and patted them on the head. When the message arrived that Kanae had passed away, Aoi burst into tears. In return, Kanao did not shed a tear. She just couldn't cry, she was also very sad, but she couldn't show it. Unfortunately, she lacked emotions. Shinobu gave Kanao the hair ornament of her sister. "Please get ready my dear ones, we have to go right away," said Shinobu. After the three get dressed, they went to the Demon Slayer cemetery.

Ojakata his children and the wife were present as were all Hashira except one... they all expressed their condolences. The head of the Demon Slayers Ojakata began to speak."My children. Unfortunately, we have lost one of our strong warriors. She was a kind and lovable soul. She died at the hand of Upper Moon 2." When Ojakata said this, Shinobu twitched slightly because she had the pictures infront of her eyes again. Kanao looked at her. "It's nothing, don'tworry." she smiled. Ojakata continued. "We will avenge her death. That is why I am handing the Butterfly Estate over to Shinobu Kochou." It was clear that she would get the Estate, none of the Hashira wanted to take it over. It was the last time you could saw the Flower Hashira before she was carried into her grave. Mitsuri Kanroji was the only one who shed tears for her.

The ceremony was over. Shinobu sent the two children home and now she was standing in front of her older sister's grave. "You left me too soon... he should have saved you and not me. I promise you. I'll find this shit demon and cut his guts out. I'll train so hard that I'll become a Hashira and follow in your footsteps, your dream became mine. Just wait for me. Rest in peace, sister. "With an angry face and determination in her eyes, she went out and trained immediately. One person stood behind a tombstone and had listened. It was the Shadow. He was there all the time, he just couldn't show himself to her, the guilt was too great. Neltha went to the grave when the air was clear. He took a flower out of his Haori and placed it on the grave. "I'm sorry Flo-... no... Kanae. I will take care of your sister and protect her. I swear that to you with my life! I'll find and kill this fucking demon. I'll track down and slaughter every single demon. If I die, we won't see each other again. Hell has a place for me." said the Shadow angrily and went away to get even stronger.

Kanao sat by the butterfly pond and looked on her own reflection on the water. When she looked at the reflection closer, she saw someone behind her. It was Shadow Hashira. She turned around quickly and looked him in the eye. This time it wasn't the eyes that would kill you, but rather the eyes that bore pity, sadness and guilt. Kanao was overwhelmed by what to do and thought for a long time. She felt a hand on her head and looked up at the man. "I'm sorry little one. You won't see me for a few years for now. Don't worry though, I'll be there when you need me." Neltha smiled and took his hand from her head and was about to move on. When suddenly a little weight stopped him. It was Kanao who pulled his Haori and hugged him. He could only laugh. Kanao blushed and let go. Neltha disappeared and didn't look back. She didn't know what he was to her, those eyes that protect her afar. But now she knows... he is the father she never had.

Six months have passed by in a flash...

You haven't heard from the Shadow Hashira for six months, but Ojakata has assured the others that he is alive and that he is in regular contact. It stayed that way until it turned into years...

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Authors Note:
Moin Moin!~
Alrighty Mighty. Now the chapter is finished too. I had to come up with something. It was quite difficult, and that's why it became so short. 
Maybe the next chapter will be longer. That's why I say just have fun reading on.
Bye Bye ~ till next chapter!