𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐋𝐘 , 𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑜𝑘𝑎 𝑔𝑖𝑦𝑢𝑢

♯ ₂ , PROMISE.

AS THE sun's glow started to sink, the night turned into the darkest shade of navy, decorated with the adorning stars that bejewelled the skies. [name] shut the door silently as she was greeted with one of her maids that had a look of obvious worry hammered on to her plump face. 

the maid's face somewhat relaxed after noticing the figure who was standing by the doorway, who taking off her sandals. "oh my dear lady, you've made me sick with worry! where have you've been?" she asked, her hand was hovering over her chest. "the forest," [name] answered shortly, before walking past the maid. 

"your mother had left shortly after the funeral, she said she was staying at ms. hanashi's residence," the maid informed. this made her stop in her tracks as she swiveled around. "what?" she asked, looking unsurprised. "she's staying at your aunt's house, my lady," the maid repeated patiently. "what for?" she asked. "for comfort and prayers, you know how lady kagome is deeply devoted to her faith in the goddess, kagome, right?" she asked. 

[name] clicked her tongue in annoyance. indeed, she was loosing her mind, perhaps it was because of the lack of sleep, or maybe because she was absolutely bitter and annoyed in her family's atrocious beliefs,  or maybe it was both of those things. 

"would you like to have supper now? i have prepared your preferred comfort me-" "i'm going to be a demon slayer," the young girl cut her maid's sentences. for a second, they both just held eye contact, before her maid's expression shifted into a discombobulated one. "eh?" she nearly screamed in disbelief. "pardon me? did i hear you right? you wanted to be a demon slayer? with all due respect and love, ms. kagome, i don't think that's an ideal life to have-" the maid quickly interjected. 

"those stupid man-eating demons had ruined my life, nao!" [name] broke, her voice sounded desperate. "they took my father, now they took my little brother," [name] wailed, her face was starting to redden out of the agony that was ripped her heart into pieces. anger started rushing through her veins again once she was reminded at how much she had lost to those wretched beings. 

"they-- they took hakai," [name]'s voice broke, "they-- they.. killed him," she gulped, trying to let the tears disappear to still appear mighty and perfect in front of her maid, nao. nao's face softened. "my lady, i understand that you're in great pain and grief, but you're being impulsive, you should think straight and clear, being a demon slayer is not an easy task," said nao thoughtfully. 

"oh, trust me, nao. i've been thinking the same since forever, but when they took my brother, i've finalized it," she said, pursing her lips, heaving out a shaky sigh. nao looked at [name] with narrowed eyes, as if she was calculating something before heaving out a sigh. "if that is what you want, my lady, then have it your way and not mines," she bowed slightly out of respect. 

nao respected her lady's brave and ambitious soul, but this was a big deal. you could die, and this is not a game to play. [name]'s features seemed to calm down, and not long after, a smile carved on her lips. "thank you, nao," she said. 

"have you thought of who's going to teach you how to wield a sword?" asked nao, raising an eyebrow. "of course i had, grandpa used to taught me how to wield a simple wooden katana since i was six till i was eight, it's so sad that mother did not approve of such behaviours," [name] said, reminiscing the only memorable part of her childhood. 

"he used to be a rather phenomenal demon slayer, it was unfortunate that he gave up his kinoe title," she mentioned. 

"i see," nao commented. "when do you plan to leave?" asked the maid. "as soon as possible, possibly and hopefully by tomorrow," gestured [name]. "tomorrow?! are you not going to inform your mother?" she asked. "oh, no no, she would most definitely not approve of my 'masculine' profession," she said thoughtfully. "and i imagine her being outraged over the fact that i would devote myself in a job that considers shedding blood," she mentioned lazily. 

"well, what's your plan then?" asked the maid. "stage a runaway, obviously," [name] said, but she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "but the question is.. how?" she furrowed her brows. 

she looked up back at nao thoughtfully before smiling. "i think i know the plan." 

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"alright, i've packed everything i've need for the journey, food, clothes, blankets, undergarments, and toiletries," said the girl excitedly. nao nodded approvingly before handing [name] her black haori. "thank you," [name] smiled politely. 

sadness, anxiousness, and excitement bubbled in her stomach. "good luck with your training, my lady," nao smiled, but her expression told [name] that she wasn't in a good mood. "hey, what's wrong?" [name] asked worriedly. 

at that point, nao couldn't hold her tears as she started breaking her composure in front of her precious master. "what?" [name] repeated with the same worried voice. "i'm worried," nao confessed truthfully. "i can't help but worry over you, i don't want you to be dead, my lady," nao continued to cry as she covered her face with her hands. 

"hey," [name] started slowly. "i am NOT going to die," she said. "i promise, i'll come back home once i've dealt with the demon who killed my family," [name] finished. nao lifted her head a bit from her hands and sniffed. "promise?" she raised her pinky. "promise," she nodded and entwined her pinkey with nao's. 

the bells chimed, as a black carriage was seen coming towards their way. nao sniffed and wiped her tears quickly with her sleeves as the carriage was inching closer and closer towards the two girls. it stopped next to them, and [name] started feeling all sorts of emotions brewing in her heart. she engulfed her maid in one final hug. 

nao quickly embraced the younger girl tightly. "i will come back." [name] pushed her away gently and felt tears falling from the edges of her [e/c] eyes. 

"i promise."