The Descendant (A Retelling and love story of Demon Slayer)

Five

 Akari had half a mind to pluck this bird's feathers slowly and roast it over an open fire. It made her run all the way out of the city, into the thick forest at the edge of Nagoya. If the bird knew where she was in the city, why the hell didn't it just wait there in the alley next to the building? Whatever it had to say to her, maybe it wanted to make sure there were no extra ears. It seemed like the most logical thought as to why it was leading her away from the crowded streets. That didn't mean it didn't make Akari consider making chicken wings in a fit of irritation-induced hunger. 'This better be worth it.'

The bird landed on a boulder in the middle of a small clearing, picking at its feathers just as she arrived. She cautiously inspected the surroundings to ensure there was no one around. Once satisfied, Akari walked to the boulders with crossed arms and the large crow tilted its head at her. She had never seen one up close like this before. After the final battle, the remaining demons in the world were hunted down swiftly and the Kasugai crows were released with the disbanding of the Demon Slaying Corps not long after the last known demon fell. So they did not exist where she was from.

"I take it you summoned me out here for a reason?" Since the crow was staying silent, she took initiative into her own hands.

"Kaw! Tsukaima Renji will be along shortly, this is where he will meet you, Ka-Kaw~" The bird's loudness made Akari jolt slightly. Maybe this was why it took her so far away then, cuz its loud mouth would have drawn a lot of unnecessary attention.

"I take it that means he got permission from the Corps to leave for a while then."

"That is correct, Kaw!"

"Do you have to be so loud?" She lightly glared at the crow as she took a seat on top of the large boulder beside it. It didn't answer her, just sat there picking at its wings like she hadn't said a thing. "You have a name, right? What is it?" She asked as she settled into a calming peace, planning on simply meditating until the younger male arrived. The bird looked at her for a moment before jumping in place to turn to face her fully.

"I am Takai, Stupid human!" The peace was nearly broken as she looked at the bird with an unimpressed scowl.

"Well, that wasn't very nice. We only just met, why are you calling me names?"

"Because I don't like you, Kaw! Hahakaw!" With a small grumble of 'well I don't like you either' Akari closed her eyes and focused on evening out her energy. It was only around thirty minutes before the sound of footsteps could be heard coming through the brush and a tired sigh escaped the lips of Renji as he made his way to stand in front of her. He glared at the crow.

"Ya know- You could have waited for me, stupid bird." Takai leaped into the air and began to peck Renji in the head, pulling his hair a bit before it was shooed away by flapping arms and angry shouting. "Man, that crow boils my blood. I hope he wasn't too much trouble for you. It's nice to see you again, Akari-sensei." He bowed to her with a smile and Akari returned it.

"Likewise, I hope your travels weren't too arduous. I have to say, you made it to me so fast that I almost thought this was a trap. It hasn't been two weeks yet." Renji felt some sweat on his neck from the scrutiny.

"Ah-ha, well, Oyakata-sama thought it was a good idea for me to take some time to train after I realized just how outmatched I was in Ahiko village. He has allowed me a few months to train under you before I have to resume my missions." Renji didn't lie, but he didn't exactly tell the truth either and Akari could tell in the way his body shifted that he wasn't saying everything. She didn't push him on it though. She knew that the current head of the Corps was just being cautious and wanted to keep an eye on her. She would allow him that much, at least for a little while to get them off her back. With a closed-eyed smile, Akari hopped down to the ground in front of Renji. Shockingly he noticed that she was only slightly shorter than him.