Down in a Blaze of Glory.

Kindle to the Flame. (ch 3.)

"So... why'd you get so upset when I backed away?"
There was a pause, tension in the air. And for a minute Kanroji wondered if she had crossed a line.
"...w-well, I just had a nightmare and I wouldn't have really minded if you stayed close. But its mkay." "Oh! Okay, goodnight then!"
Hironaka wanted to sob, did Mitsuri really not care that much? Lost in thought, she could've missed when Kanroji moved closer- just a bit, and squeezed the others hand. Right, they were still holding hands. Suzuki let out a long sigh, laying on her side, just staring at Mitsuri with half lidded eyes. She wasnt tired enough to sleep yet, but she wasn't just gonna keep Kanroji up. She huffed quietly, and started to distract herself in her thoughts. The idea of Mitsuri's hand being even closer drove her nuts. That hand on the scar grew a craving in her, like a hungry demon. She wanted nothing more than their bodies against eachother, really. That touch made her fucking feral. She didnt know whether she should like it or not. Her instincts just wanted to pounce on Mitsuri and truly prove how much she wanted her. Hitting herself, she sighed softly. She didn't wanna wake Kanroji. Hironaka noticed that the other girl's hand was smaller and smoother than her own. It felt nice. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard Kanroji sigh. "I cant sleep anymore.." "Same."
In all honesty she didnt really even try. She was busy staring at her. Her eyes shot open when she felt Mitsuri's  finger run over her knuckles, still holding her hand tight. Hironaka thought she was on cloud nine.  Slowly, Kanroji had let go of the others hand and decided it would be better to wrap her arms around Suzuki. She held in a squeal; Mitsuri was so warm! All she did was watch as the other moved closer and pressed her head against her chest. Hironaka's heart skipped multiple beats- was this heaven? Calming herself down, she glanced down at Mitsuri. She seemed comfy, thats good, yeah. Still, that hunger was threatening its return, wanting more. But she wouldn't allow it, she couldn't, not when she had her so close. She closed her eyes. She'd save that want for a different time.

"Suzukiiii, gotta wake up!" Hironaka was pulled from her sleep by the lovely voice. "Its morning already.?" "Mhm! I even made us breakfast." Mitsuri smiled, proud of herself. Suzuki shook her head and smiled a bit to herself. Standing, she followed the other to the kitchen, where the food was. Hironaka didn't sit, simply leaning against the wall as she ate. Mitsuri had apparently ate a bit beforehand, so she'd hurriedly got dressed. "Ill see you at the meeting today!" "Yep." Hironaka finished up her meal by the time Mitsuri left. Putting her dishes away, she huffed and sat down on the floor.

"HIROOOOO!"
Oh boy, the bane of her existence. Her brother. See, today her older sister Kaneko was turning 23 so her siblings agreed to meet up at her cabin. Wonderful idea on paper.  Only problem was her younger sister Sugai and her younger brother Hokama were fucking annoying. Sure, Sugai was a bit mote understanding but jeez were the two younger ones fun to deal with. Hokama was just about 18, two years younger than Hironaka. and of course Sugai was 15. But that was off topic. Hironaka threw her uniform on fast and jumped outside to see Sugai jumping over the stream. "HIRO!" "Hey guys!" Her brother jumped over next, helping Kaneko over befire tackling Hironaka with Sugai. Hironaka laughed, watching Kaneko limp over. "The cart is just on the other side of the stream." Kaneko simply stated, patting Hironaka's head. "I hope you all dont mind that you gotta come to the meeting." "Its okay! Ive always wanted to go. I heard the Hashira are super cute!" "Hokama, please stop talking about that.."

Inside the cart were two long benches, like youd see in a hayride nowadays. There were boxes, probably clothes to last them all the trip. In the front were two horses, being controlled by Sugai. Hironaka was just going on about life as a Hashira; missions, demons, whatever. She briefly spoke about Mitsuri and made Kaneko raise an eyebrow, a big reaction for her. Hironaka looked out, seeing the courtyard in a distance. "Stop here." She spoke, and the cart pulled to the side of the path. Everyone hopped out the car and said goodbye to Hironaka, who quickly hurried to the courtyard. "She definitely has a crush on that Mitsuri." "Definitely." "Mhm."

It had been a few quiet minutes, nothing interesting really. Sugai and Hokama were playing a card game on the bench in the front of the cart and Kaneko was propped on the floor agaisnt a wheel. But, something caught her eye. 'Kanae..?' She basically leaped to her feet and reached out, only to grab someones shoulder. "Hm?" The girl turned, and Kaneko's heart almost stopped. She swore she saw Kanae... "..sorry, wrong person." "Oooo, who ya talkin to?" Sugai asked, peeking out the cart. Kaneko growled and closed her eyes. "Mind your fuckin busin-" "Well, my name is Shinobu, and I am the bug Hashira."
Kaneko's eyes shot open. The bug Hashira.. Like Kanae.. She shook her head, hearing the weight of the cart move as her siblings jumped out. "Our sister is a Hashira! Shes the flame one. And Kaneko used to be a bug ts-" "can you learn to shut your mouth?" Kaneko coughed, covering her brothers mouth. "No, I was taking interest in his words." The bug hashira spoke, smiling. Biting his sisters hand, Hokama spoke. "My sister was a bug tsugoku! But then our sis died so she quit. She also got an untreatable punctured lung! But shes really fast when she needs to b-" "Can you PLEASE stop telling my life story."  Kaneko spat, coughing and clutching her stomach. "Oh, that wont do. If it is that bad its only certain your breathing is behind it! It mustve healed enough on its own, just incorrectly." "Tsk, whatever."

How did she manage to get into a fight? Kaneko wondered to herself, holding the fake sword in her hand. It was really just a sturdy stick, Shinobu had one too. Gripping the sword, she took a stance. "Aaaand, go!" Sugai shouted, and Shinobu immediately charged forward; almost invisible. Kaneko took a sharp breath and ducked, going in for Shinobu's knees. But before she could, the bug Hashira flipped and landed a hit on the other back. She hissed, pushing hard agaisnt the ground and shooting back. Their sticks collided, repelling and attacking one another. "Why not join back? I could teach you how to heal that lung of yours in no time." "S-shut up!" Kaneko growled, only to be swept off her feet. She went to grip her stick but it was gone, and immediately she sat up. Her eyes widened as the bug Hashira held the stick to the others neck. She flicked the others nose with the stick and giggled. "Its wonderful to see you again, last time I saw you was with my sister a long time again." "Tsk, yeah. I guess youre better." Kaneko tooks Shinobus hand and stood. "How about you come watch the meeting? All of you." "Absolutely n-" "Sure!" "Hell yes!" "Guys! Not funny."
Shinobu laughed, and tossed her stick aside. "See you there." "...yeah, see ya."