~𝕊𝕖𝕚𝕫𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝔽𝕝𝕒𝕞𝕖𝕤~

•Introduction•

Hello everyone! Before we begin, here's some terms if you're not familiar~
(Y/N)- Your name
(L/N)- Last name
(F/N)- First name
(e/c)- Eye color
(h/c)- Hair color
(f/f) - Favorite Food
(f/d)- Favorite drink

THERE IS SOME SLIGHT GORE IN THIS
CHAPTER!!

I'd like to apologize for any grammar mistakes and/or spelling mistakes! This is my first story, so please bare with me! I appreciate anyone who comes across this and i'm open to any recommendations you may have as long as they're not inappropriate! Thank you!

Enjoy the story!~
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"Run away, (Y/N)!! Now!," you heard from a distance as you felt your mother's clasp release from your forearm. Your body trembled with fear as you witnessed the sight in front of you, tear drops forming in the corners of your eyes. Your chest moved up and down repeatedly, your breath staggering as you tried to move.

"M-Mommy?," you finally mustered out, your eyes widening with every unpleasant noise being made around you. You watched as your mother was being torn limb from limb, still yelling at you to run despite the fate that waits before her. Finally, out of possible instinct, your legs began to move as you bolted. You ran quickly from where you once stood, looking back in hesitation as you heard the screams coming from your home. As you trailed further beyond the horror, you began looking for any resemblance of human life in your surroundings, mentally pleading that someone was out there to help.

Within little time, you started to lose hope recalling the ghastly sights you bared witness to just moments before. Shaking out of your own delirium, you began to run out of breath, your eyesight gradually blurring in and out. And then you fell face first into the ground.

'Perfect..!' You thought as you attempted to regain your balance. Then suddenly, you were grabbed from behind, letting out a curdling scream. You kicked and squirmed as you felt your body weight shift throughout your skull, your hair being the only thing supporting you as you were lifted up by it.

"Well, Well..aren't you a pretty one?" Your orbs widened when you recognized the voice whispering menacingly into your ear. You continued to kick and scream, calling out for help no matter if there wasn't any to be offered.

"Now, now, there's no need to scream that loud. It would be completely useless seeing as you live so far from the village.." The once unpleasantly soothing voice worked it's way up into a spine chilling laugh, to which you only felt the pain in surging through your chest rise to your eyes. You began to cry softly as you realized the fate that had been placed upon you. Accepting this, you refrained from making any more noise, trying to turn in order to get a good look at your perpetrator's features. Getting a look at their face, you were met with piercing red eyes. That intimidation alone sent you farther into your terrifying purgatory. Your perpetrator was none other than a demon, blood smeared across it's face, trailing down its fingers as one traced your cheek.

"Yes! Amazing!! Keep that FEAR in your eyes as you bare witness to the one who's about to slaughter you!!" You filled with disgust as you heard that, gathering up the urge to fight back. But as you continued to feel the once burning pain of your scalp go numb, you realized that there was nothing you could do other than accept your providence.

Just as you watched the putrid teeth of the demon's mouth come at full blow, you felt heat swirl around your body. You wondered if this was the feeling of death, that is if you died instantly. You slowly and hesitantly fluttered your eyes open, only to realize that you were now in someone's embrace, a comforting one at that. You take in your surroundings, taking note of a fiery haori that sat right under the tips of flames you assumed to be hair. Trailing your eyes farther up, you placed your gaze on a rather stern yet interesting face. Their face slightly chiseled while their eyes rested such as an owl's would. What really caught your attention was the unique yellow-red ombré orbs that fixated onto you.

"Are you alright?" The strange man asked calmly, strangely reassuring you as your breathing slowed. You silently nodded as he placed you down and stood in front of you protectively.
"Don't worry, i'll protect you little one!" His voice bellowed throughout the forest, it's echo sifting through the trees that surrounded.

With one flash and a hasty blast of heat, the demon's head was rolling on the ground. You yelped quietly as you watched, your face filling with fear as you bestowed your gaze on to the, now dead, demon. Watching it disintegrate into the wind put you at ease in the slightest form. You quickly fixated your sight onto the man who committed the act, staring intently.

"W-Who..are you?" You asked tentatively and quietly, but expected a response. "Ah! Apologies! I didn't have the time to introduce myself. I'm Rengoku Shinjuro! I'm a Hashira, a high-ranked demon slayer in simpler terms!" You cowered as you watched him walk towards you, flinching at the noise of his steps. He frowned, his features filling with sympathy. "You must be terrified." His once sympathetic look brightened some as an idea seemed to pop into his head. "I won't push it, you can decline if wanted. But considering you are so young, i'd rather not leave you here, little one. Would it be alright if I brought you back to headquarters with me?" Your eyes slightly widened at his request, filling with hope once again. You nodded quickly, realizing that he extended his hand out for you to take it. You grabbed it, hastily wrapping your arms around his legs, wailing as the full extent of your shock waved over you.

He kneeled down to you, patting your head as you cried, trying his best to comfort you. After while, he lifted you up, carrying you once again as he started to head back to headquarters with you. Noticing you calmed down some, he smiled. "I understand that you must be exhausted from what you just experienced, but do you mind if I ask you a question, little one?" Your shifted your eyes, his sudden attempt at conversation startling you some. You nodded slowly, awaiting his question.

"Do you think you could recall as to what happened? I'd like to know so I can properly inform those who stay at headquarters so they can take care of you." You shivered as you thought about the events that passed recently, trying your best to tell the man without breaking down. "M-My..mom and I were cutting up vegetables for dinner. All of a sudden, this large monster came bursting through the door, instantly attacking my mother. She told me to run, which I did. I went looking for help, but fell due to my own clumsy manner. I was about to be eaten myself and that's when you came in." You quickly wiped the tears that attempted to flow down your face as you noticed he was looking off into the distance, his face still flowing with commiseration. He quickly noticed that you were done speaking, looking at you as the edges of his lips curled into a soft smile. Though you didn't give many details, that was only expected from a child in shock.

"Thank you little one, you should rest now while you can. We should be there soon, okay?" You nodded as your head bobbled from side to side, your mind slowly drifting off into its own world as you slept.

Flashback ended:
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You shot up with a quiet gasp, your eyes widening as a thin layer of sweat covered your forehead. As you came to, you realized you were still kneeling, facing Master Kagaya. You fixated your gaze on the line of Hashira beside you, finally coming back to reality from your most unexpected flashback. With heavy eyes and blurred vision, you tried your best to bring your attention back to the current meeting you were called to. Seeing as you were out for some time, you didn't register that you were next in line to report to Master Kagaya.

As your turn came about, you revised various encounters with demons you'd came against that week. "Thank you, (Y/N). You are all dismissed."
You got up slowly, walking away from the pebbled path you were kneeling on.

You couldn't shake the feeling of anxiousness off your shoulders as you wondered, 'Why did that flashback reveal itself so suddenly..'

Hello once again! I know this chapter was rather lengthy and possibly boring due to the introduction aspect. For those who read, thank you!
I'll try to upload the next chapter as soon as I can! <3