Demon Slayer: Wisteria Furin

Return

"At least the blood will clot now, but it's deep. Are you sure you're not lightheaded or anything?" The demon slayer said as he re-mended Koharu's leg with a clean bandage from his belt pouch. He made sure it was secure and tight, and the three humans were sitting near a murky pond.

"I feel fine. What about you?" Koharu asked him.

"I only got scratched."

"I'm sorry Koharu,...it's my fault you got hurt," Hajime spoke up, tears streaming down his face. Koharu softened her expression and reached out to hold his hand.

"Hajime-kun, you didn't hurt me, okay? And I'm fine now. Come on, let's go find the others." She stood up with one smooth motion, showing him that she was okay. He wiped away his tears and nodded.

Moving through the marsh now was much more pleasant, as now the threat was gone. Hajime led the two to a clearing full of bodies lying in neat rows, but several of them were rousing and sitting up.

"My head...it's throbbing." A woman spoke up. Her eyes landed on the three silhouettes approaching through the mist.

"Who's there?" she scooted back and put her hands up.

"Please calm down. We're from the Demon Slayer Corps" Koharu announced herself, fully emerging from the haze. Her appearance and voice seemed to ease the woman's nerves, as her hands lowered.

"Hajime is with them." someone spoke up.

"Come on everyone,...let's get you home." Hajime stammered. Koharu squeezed his hand and smiled. Hajime smiled back.

The villagers returned to their homes in the village nearby. The two demon slayers walk Hajime down a dirt path towards his home. Koharu and Hajime walk hand in hand.

"So, what is your name?" Koharu spoke up, addressing her new helper.

"Oh, Okane Yuu." He answered.

"Endo Koharu. It's nice to meet you, and thank you." she smiled.

"Yeah, of course." Yuu nodded before looking back towards their destination.

"Mom!" Hajime cried, letting go of Koharu's hand and running ahead. A woman in an apron was running from her doorway with her arms outstretched.

"Hajime! Thank goodness!" She fell to her knees and took her boy in her arms. There were tears in her eyes as she pressed her cheek against his.

Koharu and Yuu stop and smile at the display. Hajime's mother rose and wiped her tears.

"Thank you for bringing him home to me." She bowed deeply in gratitude, Hajime following suit.

"Your son was very brave. You should be proud." Koharu told her as the two bowed back. She began to walk away but felt a tug at her sleeve. She turned to see that Hajime had run up and clutched the hem.

"Could I,...could I be a demon slayer?" Hajime asked her with wide eyes.

"You mustn't." She answered without missing a beat. Her sudden answer and tone change made Hajime's face fall. His grip lessened and he took a step back. Even Yuu waited in anticipation to see what she'd do next.

Koharu turned back towards him and took a knee to be at eye level. She raised her arms and put her hands on the boy's shoulders to ensure her next words were felt.

"It is my duty as a demon slayer to make sure children like you can grow up. If by that time, there is still a need for people like me, I will have failed. Besides, I want you to enjoy right now. If you're too busy looking ahead, then these wonderful years will have passed you by." She smiled at the boy with gentle eyes, and he listened.

"Koharu,..." Yuu murmured, her words had reached him as well.

Hajime and his mother waved from their doorway until the two demon slayers were out of view.

"We really do this for kids like him." Yuu reiterated to the girl that walked beside him. A long dusty road laid before them.

"Yeah. That's how I want to think about it. Rather than for revenge or glory." Koharu explained. 

Her last few words were rather breathy.

Because Yuu was paying close attention to her, he immediately saw the light leave her eyes right before her knees buckled and she fell forward.

Yuu reached out and caught her just in time.

"Koharu? Koharu!" he called out to her, adjusting her head to keep her airways open. He could hear how shallow her breaths were. Her eyes weren't opening.