Veil of Mist

Chapter 2

Note: f/b - favorite breakfast, f/c - favorite color

In my room, I opened my closet and looked at the clothes hanging neatly. I chose a simple f/c kimono for the house. Secretly, I was glad for the rain - it meant no chasing after fierce demons until I was bumped and bruised all over. It amazed me that some slayers were good enough to become pillars. I'd never met the pillars, but I'd heard of their power and strength. In my mind, I always pictured them as hulking machines, capable of taking out demons with one swipe of their sword.

I finished changing and walked down the hall towards the kitchen. Delicious scents of fresh food wafted throughout the house, mixing with the clean scent that always seemed to linger in our house.

Yuna was busy cooking in the kitchen. She turned to look at me as I entered the dining room we had next to the kitchen. "Y/n, there you are. I hope you're hungry, because I prepared a special rainy day breakfast for you."

I seated myself on a cushion at the low table we had. My father had built it himself out of a large tree he found. His initials were carved onto one of the legs. I'd lost nearly all my memories of my parents after finally resolving my hurt and pain, so I could only remember what was told to me.

Yuna set a plate in front of me. She had cooked my f/b. "Eat up."

She sat down near me and dug into her food. I followed suit. For a while, we were quiet, just eating.

At last, Yuna spoke, "I have to say, y/n, it's great to have you here. I know you have your duties, and all, but the house is so lonely when you're out."

I was touched by the sentiment in my sister's voice. "I wish I could do more for you. All I can do is the fighting, but I wish I could see you settle down with someone nice, and finally move on from this sad life we have."

Yuna smiled; the same smile she always gave me when she was trying to hide her troubles. "It's sweet to see you worried about me, but it's supposed to be the other way around. All I have to do is live - you're fighting demons. I don't want to see a Kakushi coming by here to tell me you've been killed."

I swallowed the last bit of my food. "We'll worry about each other, ok?"

Yuna laughed and shook her head. "Deal."

Yuna had a good heart, a heart that cared for others. But her heart stopped her from experiencing life because she worried too much about me.

Around afternoon, the two of us settled into a quiet enjoyment of each other's company. Yuna was fully engrossed in calligraphy, her delicate hand guiding the brush along its stroke pattern. I focused on polishing my sword. Since I was normally kept very busy, I rarely had time to provide care for my blade. It's shimmering blue blade had been in desperate need of cleaning for a while.

The pouring rain outside was so loud, we almost missed the knock outside the door.

Yuna looked up from her work, frowning. "Y/n, did you hear something?"

I paused, looking up from my sword. Through the loud drumming of the rain on the roof, I heard it - a faint knocking on wood. "Is someone at the door?"

"Would you mind checking?" Yuna asked me.

I shook my head, getting up from where I sat. I left our living room and padded down the wood-planked hallway towards the front door. There was a step at the end of the wood, beyond it were the large sliding doors. I hopped down and scurried to the door.

Pushing it open and shielding myself against the sudden blast of wind and rain, I peered out.

"Hello?" I called.

There came no answer.

"They must have gone," I muttered under my breath, pulling the door shut against the strong wind.

I jumped back in surprise as a matted, wet black bundle shot past me. The bundle slammed against the floor and flopped about, splashing water on the sandals set neatly beside the door.

I shut the door and turned my attention to the newcomer. "Hello?"

"Cawww," a weak and feeble sound came from the bundle as it attempted to right itself.

I recognized the voice immediately. My crow - the assistant to all demon slayers.

"Caw, caw, y/n!" the crow shook his soaked plumage, watching me through beady black eyes.