In His Place

Chapter 1

I remember the day clearly. I had no missions at the time, so my crow was flying who-knows-where. I yawned as I strolled through the lush orange and red forest, on my way back to the Wisteria House I was currently staying in. I had just finished a delicious dinner at my favorite Udon restaurant at the time. I couldn't help but whistle as I fiddled with my itching collar. It was getting quite late, and I was tired from all of this walking... Thank god I didn't have a mission tonight.

The forest I was walking through has always been one of my favorite places to stroll. It's always so peaceful and cool. The soft chilling breeze went through my thick uniform as I smiled and nonchalantly walked along the path. Often I like to go off the path, it's a lot more pretty that way. Though at night, you have to be careful. At night, this beautiful lush forest was crawling with demons. That's the beauty of this place: a faux tranquility that holds the monsters deep within its depths. I really do love it here.

I start to close my eyes to feel the gravel beneath my feet. I can't even get two steps before I hear an inhuman hiss followed by laughter. My eyes pop open and I draw my deep green katana. I stare in the direction the sounds came from. That was no human, nor an animal. This was a demon, no question about it. Though a hissing sound wouldn't usually be combined with laughter... maybe there are two?

Sword in hand, I sprint toward the sound. Dried leaves barely have time to crackle under the wind I leave in place of my footsteps. Where are they...? A sharp yellow eye catches my attention and I slip into the shadows. As my eyes adjust to the pure black of the night-fallen forest, my eyes finally begin to stake out my surroundings.

There was a demon, I was correct about that, though it seems to be in a strange state. The demon couldn't even walk straight, it stumbled at every step. It seemed to be drawn to something, like a drug. I gripped my sword and sighed quietly, readying myself. As I peered around the tree I was behind a little more, there was an unmistakable brightness dropped in the dark forest. Something almost pure white, like a drop of purity. I could never forget that blood and soot-dirtied mop of hair, even if I wanted to. The boy that the hair was attached to chuckled quietly, flaunting his cut arm out at the demon. He looked about my age, but already had more scars than I've ever seen on any demon slayer.

"Common, buddy..." the boy smiles coldly, thrusting his arm so blood will splatter from his dirty wound. "There's something special about me, right? You know it, so might as well give in~"

Is this kid insane?! He was taunting a demon. I look in his other hand and see a pair of rusty hedge trimmers. On his back are a hatchet and chain. This kid is trying to fight a demon with gardening supplies? No wonder why he has so many scars at such a young age.

As I look back, I know it probably wasn't the best idea to just watch this kid from the shadows, but his methods just piqued my interest. I couldn't ruin his fun, now could I? I'll go if he becomes in danger.

The demon lunges at the boy, causing the kid to laugh. It latches its fangs into the boy's arm, yet his discomfort is masked by another sneer.

"Go on, you wicked demon, take it in..." the boy taunts, causing the demon to bite down harder. The boy lets out a yelp this time and hacks the demon's neck with his hatchet. The swing is fast and hard, the demon didn't even see it coming. Yet the hatchet snaps and ricochets off of the demon's neck. The sound of splintering wood and iron striking iron fills the air as the top half of the rusty hatchet slams into the crinkling leaves. The boy's eyes widened in surprise. This demon was stronger than he was used to.

"Stupid boy," the demon cackles, biting down on the boy's arm. "A flimsy axe won't work on me. And now I'll finally get my long-awaited maerichi feast! Maybe even the Master's approval..." the demon sneers and snickers as it eats the white-haired boy's arm.