PEACE | demon slayer

033

"gyomei!" 
y/n exclaimed when the gentle giant knocked her doors. it had been a while since she had saw him. 

"namu amida butsu... how are you lady y/n?" 
y/n hugged the pillar with a smile. gyomei patted her head with tears gliding down his face, thankful for the great well-being of y/n. 

"i'm doing great! could you help me with the books?"
gyomei chanted out prayer and helped her carrying all the books where y/n sweat dropped since she wanted to hold some. the pillar was insistent on carrying it all despite y/n's protest. 

the two travelled down the mountain and reached in no time. 

kanata and nichika led y/n to where kagaya was in while gyomei and her bid their goodbyes. it was just a one day difference and yet the curse that was on kagaya was worsening. his face was deathly pale was sweat trickled down his forehead. gyomei had helped to place the books in the room where kagaya was in and gave a prayer to the master's deteriorating health. amane was beside kagaya, aiding him in any of his needs. 

y/n's heart clenched at the sight of the sickly health. 

"come here, y/n."
y/n adhered and move closer kagaya, trying to not show her sadness. his once bright violet eyes were rendered useless with no ability of sight, it was now bandaged. y/n gave a gentle smile at amane who smiled back though it didn't reach her eyes. the master brought out his hand in search for the girl's. immediately reacting, y/n brought her hands to hold kagaya's. the curse affecting his fingers, crawling up to his wrists. 

caressing it lightly, y/n tried to hold in her tears. 

"the kids had found some information about the demon slayer mark."
kagaya shared with the girl. y/n used her free hand and got the scripture that she had managed to translate with the book her white cat, shiro, had found. 

"i found a scripture on the first ever breath user."
y/n shared her findings, holding the piece of paper. 

"please do share the contents of it."
with a nod, y/n began to read. 

"tsugikuni yoriichi, the first breath user,
wielding the breath of the sun.
born with the demon slayer mark, he lived until his 80s.
those who obtained the demon slayer mark would perish at age 25 and yet, the swordsman lived on.
claiming that a 'transparent world' exists although not much information is known about it.
the swordsman is said to wield a bright red nichirin blade that is unrivalled when defeating demons."
y/n concluded, placing the piece of paper down. 

"the information that was gathered are similar. do you remember miss tamayo?"
the master asked, a soft smile on his face. y/n thought; how could i forget about her? the demon that managed to escape from the demon lord's curse and devoted herself to killing him one day. 

"yes, although we haven't heard of the two for quite a while." 

"i believe that it is time for us to join forces with them. i have a premonition that the development of a medicine to turn demons into humans is coming quite soon. it would be vital for the final plan." 

y/n's eyes widened at the mention of the 'final plan'. her hand tightening just a little on kagaya's. however, his gentle demeanour made her less tense. deciding to change the gloomy topic, y/n brought up the sound pillar. 

"nijimaru, tengen-san's crow, would like to stay with him during his retirement. am i able to allow that request?"
y/n questioned, kagaya chuckled and reached for y/n's head, patting it. 

"of course, y/n. you don't have to ask me."

after replying to the girl, kagaya got into a coughing fit, blood trickled down his lips as he clenched onto his clothing to grasp his chest. alarmed, y/n patted his back, in an attempt to help the master yet it wouldn't work. amane immediately called the kids to bring in the medicine to reduce the pain and simmer down the cough. 

"i'm sorry you have to see me like this, y/n."
kagaya apologised in a sickly voice. amane brought the cup of herbal medicine for him to drink, aiding him in the process as his hands held not much strength. 

y/n shook her head to deny, "please don't apologise, kagaya." 

kagaya patted her head and dismissed her for him to rest. y/n left the ubuyashiki estate in silence with gyomei who had noticed the gloomy atmosphere lingering in the estate. he had not question what happened and instead gave y/n a prayer, to protect her from harm's way. 

"would you like to stay for a meal?"
y/n asked as tears flowed down the stone pillar's eyes. agreeing, the two had a heartfelt talk during the meal. y/n couldn't get her mind off the topic of death. 

"gyomei, what do you think will happen after death?" 

gyomei thought a while at y/n's question. in Buddhism, one's consciousness would continue after death until they may be reborn into another life. those who attained enlightenment, would not reborn. it was an odd question for y/n to ask but gyomei knew that she was dwelling on some matters. 

"i believe that after death, comes with rebirth, to another life with lesser woes." 
the man said. y/n understood his words since she had studied Buddhism with the books in her library. 

"to another life with lesser woes..." 
y/n trailed off, thinking about her mother. 

mother, i hope your new life is better now.