Blood in Flame and Water

A New Challenge

The howl of a distant owl had obsidian black eyes fluttering open. The moon reflected off dark honey eyes as they scanned the area for interpreted danger. Seeing nothing that could cause physical harm, a yawn ripped itself out of a soft black throat. Plunging talons into the bark of the tree, Yasha jumped down from the branch he slept on to the ground below. His feet created a dull thud sound as he landed.

Sinking into a crouch, Yasha eyed the clearing he had come across. Seeing the moonlight shine across the grass and nocturnal budding flowers, Yasha hummed and walked into the clearing to thumb at the flowers. Smiling softly down at the colorful plants, Yasha retracted his hand and stood back up to his complete height. Turning his head to the East, Yasha quickly continued the path he had started with.

Now with the moon hanging overhead, Yasha made no move to sidestep the clearings that now were illuminated by rays of moonlight. It made for the trip to be completed faster since he didn't have to worry about getting burnt alive. Instead, Yasha ripped through the terrain without much worry. With the wind rushing past Yasha's ears, the beads and windchimes clicking together, sound became nothing but noise.

Soon enough time flew by, and an hour passed. Yasha landed in Gifu, and he could already sense the weakling Lower Lower moons. Following their auras, Yasha rounded upon a treeline that led to a small village. Deja vu clung to a part of Yasha's core as he gazed down at the small village. It reminded him partly of Mizūmi Village and the smaller village he decimated before Mizūmi during his unmarked time as a demon.

Humming in the back of his throat, Yasha scanned the area closely in case there were any traps the villagers or demons set out. Seeing none, Yasha broke through the forest line and made his way over to the village. Getting to a gravel path, Yasha unceremoniously walked through the middle of the village. He did not care whether the demons or humans found him, he'd be done with this village anyway. He was hardly known to leave witnesses anyway. Well, sort off.

He remembered the one man, an elderly being that was skin and bones. He was likely dead by now, or if not, close to it. The man had done no wrong, he just came to see what was all the noise, so Yasha left him alive. But that one Demon Slayer... Just thinking about that cow made Yasha's blood boil. She dared challenge him to a battle then cower in fear when he was almost through with her; she was an arrogant coward who hid behind bravado.

Nonetheless, Yasha found a hut near the middle of the village that stunk of demon scent. Stepping in front of the hut, Yasha reached forward and grabbed the roof tiling. Lifting the tile with his increased strength, the roof of the hut came off completely. The sound of hay crunching, mud crumbling, and wood braking followed after the entire roof was lifted and thrown to the side.

Peering down into the hut, the sight before him had Yasha pausing with a breath at the end of his throat. Inside was Lower Moon two, Lower Moon four, and Lower Moon three resting next to each other on a bed wrapped around the other. The sound of the roof being torn off had them sitting up in bed and holding the demon next to them. Their teeth were bared and hackles were raised, but once they saw who was glaring down at them, their scents stunk of fear and shock.

Yasha snarled, "So this is what you choose to do under Master's watch. You should be ashamed. "

The demons quickly stood up from the bed and beg, "Th-this isn't what it l-looks like! " was the summary of their complaints.