❛ 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐃 ❜ ━━━ (𝗸. 𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗶𝗿𝗼)

001

Footsteps crunched in the soft texture of snow. Snowflakes fell from the heavens and descended onto the Earth, casting a gentle white glow. Trees were devoid of life from the harsh winter season with no leaves attached. The sky was clouded in a monotonous tone as the clouds covered the sun.

In the silence of the cold season, a crow came swooping in from above. It made a noise when it recognised its owner — you. When you looked up, your lips curved into a smile as your crow landed on your shoulder. A cute little headband was on her head courtesy to Mitsuri, who made it to match with her own crow.

"What do you have for me today, Airi?" You asked your crow of two years.

"Master Kagaya has ordered you to visit him at the headquarters. He tells you to hurry as soon as possible!" Airi reported to you.

"Hmm? Has something happened?" You asked her.

"Master Kagaya did not say. He only tells that it was urgent," Airi replied.

You gently patted her head, "All right then. Lead the way, Airi."

Airi took off from your shoulder, soaring in the cloudy sky and led the way to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. You were quick on your feet as you followed Airi to headquarters, heart pounding in anticipation for what Master Kagaya would tell you.

Although the return journey was supposed to take two days, you managed to arrive at the headquarters in a day. You surprised yourself and Master Kagaya when he spotted you from his garden.

"Y/N, you've arrived much earlier than expected," Kagaya smiled at you as you walked up to him.

"I heard you wanted to meet me urgently, Master. Though I might not be as fast as Tengen, I will still rush over if you called for me," You told him.

"What have I told you with formalities, my child? I've known you since you were a little girl," Kagaya gently patted your head. "Muichiro might have forgotten about it, but I wish you wouldn't either."

"I know, but it's habit for me to call you by your title," You told him with a smile. "So, what did you want to meet me for?"

"I have a mission for you," He told you. "Recently, the quality of our new Demon Slayers have been decreasing. I need you to overlook this year's Final Selection and tell me if you see any promising candidates. I believe Kocho's tsuguko will be participating as well this year. Are you up for it?"

You looked at him, "Of course I am. About my request, have you gotten any new information, Master Kagaya?"

"Indeed I have. In fact, it is with me right now," Kagaya said as he reached into his yukata, pulling out a journal.

He handed it to you and you quickly observed the journal in your hands. The cover was dark in colour and the pages were turning a murky-yellow. You opened up the journal, blowing away the dust as you read the title.

'The History and Forms of Frost Breathing.'
Written by: Fujiwara Yuki. 

"Fujiwara Yuki?" You repeated the name. "That name sounds familiar."

"Perhaps you read about her in one of our scrolls," Kagaya suggested. "As it is, this journal is the one and only volume of Frost Breathing that I could find. Perhaps you could find something else of value inside."

"Thank you, Master Kagaya," You smiled at him. "I only knew three out of the eight forms from a scroll here in headquarters. It's amazing how I became a Hashira with only three forms, but now, I can definitely become stronger."

Kagaya gave you a gentle, loving, smile, "Anything for you. Now, why don't you stay and have tea with us? It's been a long time since you sat with us for a meal. Everyone misses you."