Life of a Demon Slayer

Chapter 1: Grief - part 2

Xe continued walking for about 10 minutes before xe reached the edge of xis property, marked by a thick black iron fence. Mark, having done so many a time before, quickly scaled the fence to land softly on the other side. Xe continued onward. . .

After a good few minutes of traversing the wooded area behind the house, Mark arrived at xis destination: a rundown looking shrine building. Xe walked around to the front of the building and entered through the front gate. As xe did so, xe spotted someone sitting on the front step of the building. The man had long, silky black hair with silver streaks that swayed gently with the breeze. He was wearing traditional clothing of a faded green color and his feet were bare. The man had a certain aura about him; he looked up when Mark approached.

"Shouldn't you be at school?" The man called out, a questioning look on his face," you skipping?"

"None of your business," Mark huffed, walking up the steps.

The man stood and blocked the door, towering over Mark by nearly a foot. He had to be at least 6 feet tall.

"Arguably it is my business since you're my charge," the man replied with a frown.

"Just leave me alone, Shizu."

Mark pushed forward and the mans image distorted as Mark passed through his spirit body.

The man—Shizu—followed as Mark made xis way inside.

Shizu let out a frustrated sigh and ruffled his hair.

"At least let me purify your sword while you're here." Shizu held his hand out to Mark.

"Fine." Mark pulled a decorative sword handle from xis pocket and handed it to Shizu.

"Thanks."

Mark ignored him and walked over to the small display at the back of the room. The display was nothing more than a short table with some flowers surrounding two small photo frames. One was a picture of a man with pale, blue-ish gray hair and silver-blue eyes. His face was covered in stubble and his mouth was curled up in a slight smile. The other picture was of a woman with bright green eyes that sparkled through her long platinum hair. She had a gold necklace around her neck that held a glittery blue stone on the end. Mark moved xis hand to the stone hanging from xis own neck, rubbing it between xis fingers.

The photos were of xis parents.

Mark knelt in front of the memorial for a while, staring at the photos though not really seeing them. After a time, Mark found ximself meandering outside to the small graveyard behind the building. Xe knelt down in front of the newest looking grave. The names of xis parents were engraved on it.

Mark sat there until xis legs were numb. Lost in xis head, xe didn't notice the rain that drenched xim to the bone. Xe finally snapped back to reality when xe felt a hand on xis shoulder.

Mark looked up to see Shizu standing over xim, a soft expression on his face.

"You should come inside now," Shizu said gently," you're soaked."

Mark was quiet as xe let Shizu pull xim to xis feet before leading xim inside.

Shizu sat Mark down on a floor pillow and tried to hand xim a towel. When Mark didn't take it, Shizu took it upon himself to dry xis hair.

"Will you be going out again tonight?" Shizu asked, kneeling behind Mark.

"None of your business," Mark replied, hiding behind xis bangs.

Shizu grabbed xis arm.

"It is 100% my business Mark! Lady Saria asked me to take care of you and I can't do that when you keep me locked up here all the time while you run off on your own every night!" Shizu squeezed Marks arm," there's a reason you're not healing!"

Mark let out a pained yelp and wrenched ximself free of Shizus grip.

"My mother has nothing to do with this!" Mark yelled, curling into ximself; trembling, though not from cold.

Shizu felt a pang of guilt prick his chest at the sight of the younger boys trembling figure. His hand dropped to his side.

"I'm sorry for bringing up Saria; I know it still hurts. I just want to help you, but I can't do that if you won't let me," Shizu let out a sigh," will you at least let me go with you when you go out?"

Mark was quiet for a moment, then nodded. Xe pulled off xis necklace and held it out to the spirit. Shizu smiled as he disappeared into the blue gem, staining it a deep shade of purple.

Mark stood and put the necklace back on.

It was time to go hunting.