The Descendant (A Retelling and love story of Demon Slayer)

Eleven

The morning sun had risen on the mountain, blanketing all that its rays touched in a comfortable warmth despite the chilly weather. Birds sang their ballads amongst the cover of the woodland trees with little care as to who heard them. The autumn season had already begun to take hold in the foliage at the mountain base, with leaves changing into an array of bright colors. Up on the mountain peaks and plateaus it had already started snowing. It was a beautiful sight. One that Akari found herself getting lost in as her mind zoned out, and not for the first time that morning.

"Akari-chan I thought maybe you might want to take some leftover breakfast to eat later-." Tanjiro's voice cut through the silence of the cabin, but somehow it didn't penetrate the ears of his friend. He watched as his friend sat with her hands on her travel bag, frozen halfway through packing the things she needed for her journey. "Akari-chan?" He reached his hand to rest on her shoulder, the sensation of being touched finally pulling her out of her head once again.

"Huh?" She tilted her head, unaware that he had even been speaking to her at all before. Tanjiro knelt down beside her, a concerned look on his face as he looked her over. Her face was flushed, so he reached his hand to check her temperature. She let him, but gave him a confused glance in return.

"You've been spacing out a lot today and it's not even mid-day yet. Are you feeling alright? Maybe you should wait and leave on your journey tomorrow." At the mention of her spacing out, Akari's cheeks warmed further. She brushed his hand away, nervously insisting that she was fine.

"I-I've just got a lot on my mind is all! Nothing to worry about, nope! Nothing at all!" She laughed nervously while aggressively shoving her spare clothing deep into the bag. It definitely didn't instill confidence in the boy who stared at her as if she had grown an extra head. Honestly, she would probably prefer if she had, at least maybe then the extra head might get its shit together and stop spacing out long enough to pack up and leave.

"O-Oh! Well, just know that if you want to talk about anything before you leave, I'm all ears! Here, leftover breakfast, so you have something to eat on the road later." Tanjiro awkwardly handed her the wrapped-up bento he prepared for her and made for the exit. Akari's palm dragged down her face with an audible groan.

"What the hell is wrong with me..." Her brain was quick to answer, flashing an image of a sly fox-mask-wearing-ghost-boy with peach hair in her mind. Another groan as her fingers pulled at her hair in frustration. Her cheeks burned as she tried and failed desperately to get him out of her head. It was hopeless.

With a huff, Akari shoved the rest of her things in the bag without care and made her way out of the house. With her sword strapped to her hakama and her mask settled on the side of her head, Akari adjusted the sleeve of her haori before deciding that it was time. This was about as ready as she would ever be. Her very own journey, and a proper one too. Not one that she was tossed into like when she first found herself in the Taisho Era. She was excited, more so than she thought she would be as she stepped into the chilled morning air. She trained for her entire life, and now she was going to put her mastered skills to the test.

Once outside, Akari found Tanjiro helping Urokodaki carry a bundle of split logs to a pile on the side of the cabin. Once done, they turned to her, Tanjiro sparing a small smile as he realized it was time. Urokodaki approached her, standing only a few feet away as his calloused fingers deftly straightened the fabric of her outfit. Akari's eyes began to sting, small tears building at the edges, but she blinked them away and pulled the old man into a firm hug. Unlike before, the retired Hashira didn't hesitate to return the sentiment.

"Keep your wits about you on your travels. Demons are cunning creatures and it is likely that they will be keeping an eye out for you after escaping the hands of one of their upper ranks a year ago. I can imagine that the Demon King does not take to losing well." Akari nodded with a small grunt.