The Ever Raging Storm

Chapter 2: Awaiting Storm

Birds chirp as the morning sun rises over the lands, scaring any and all demons, none of them daring to stand within its presence. On beautiful days like these, people would wake up and get ready for their day, enjoying breakfast before getting to work to provide for their families.

But Raikiri was being carried by kakushi, being brought to the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps. Raikiri sighed as he wore a blindfold so he wouldn’t be able to know where he was going. “I can’t believe this…” he said under his breath.

“What was that?” the kakushi asked.

“Don’t worry about it,” he told them.

“Alright then.”

Finally, Raikiri was brought to the headquarters and was let go. “We’re here, You can take the blindfold off,” the kakushi told him while letting the man go.

Raikiri planted his feet on the ground while he ripped off the blindfold. He opened his now single eye and looked at the Ubuyashiki estate. He took a deep breath in and out as he did. “Thank you,” he said before handing the blindfold to the kakushi, who was rubbing their shoulder due to carrying someone like Raikiri.

Before Raikiri could see them, he heard footsteps approaching him and immediately recognized the sound and kneeled, setting his sword aside. He placed both his hands on his thighs and shut his eye as Kagaya came with his wife, Amane, helping him along the way.

“Raikiri,” Kagaya said.

“Oyakata-sama,” Raikiri replied. “I assume I was called here because of the events of my last mission?”

“Yes,” he answered. “Chidori’s crow reported everything to me and the rest of the corps.”

Raikiri’s muscles began to tighten at the mention of his brother’s name. He was still filled with rage from Chidori’s betrayal but he quickly calmed himself for Kagaya. Raikiri couldn’t find the words to say no matter how long he thought.

“Master, I am unsure why he did this and I apologize on his behalf,” he told him.

“There is no need for that,” Kagaya said before breaking away from Amane and approaching Raikiri.

Hearing his footsteps, Raikiri opened his eye and looked up at Kagaya. “It pains me to say this but the corp is outraged and is demanding for you to be banished. But fear not, I will not let them force me to kick you out for you have done nothing wrong.”

“No.”

Kagaya stood there perplexed, genuinely confused at his response, even with his foresight, he couldn't have seen that coming. “What do you mean?”

“Let me be banished for I do not wish to be a part of the Demon Slayer Corps anymore.”

“Why is that?”

“Because, when I first started, it was for righteous reasons. I wished to protect the innocent and stop demons from harming people. It was never personal, I was just doing the right thing. But now… now… it is personal. I want nothing more than to find Chidori and kill him,” Raikiri explained. “So, I would just be stealing your money and you don’t need that.”

“I see. Well, before I do that, I have one last mission for you, Raikiri,” he told him.

“What is that?”

“End Chidori’s suffering. The longer he lives as a demon, the more he suffers. His soul falls deeper and deeper into an abyss and I know that you are the only one who can save him,” Kagaya told him.

“As you wish, Master,” Raikiri retorted.

Kagaya reaches out his hand and pats Raikiri’s head. “You are a good child, Raikiri, I know you will have no trouble with the storm that is in your way.”