The Apothecary and The Warrior | F!Y/N as Shinobu Kocho | Apothecary Diaries

🌷How it all started🌷

*There will be some spoilers from the manga of apothecary diaries*

This takes place 4 years before Mao Mao is kidnapped, You are currently 14 and Mao Mao is 13.

second person POV

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You remember being in a meadow, you had just finished gathering herbs and were now sitting under a tree with your younger sister. It has been 2 years since you were adopted by Mao Mao and her father, Luomen. Your father had been friends with Luomen since childhood so it was natural for you to be taken in by them.

"Nee-san, how come we always come to sit at this tree whenever we come to the fields?" Asked the young 13 year old.

You pat the girl's head while she sits beside you, both taking the peaceful and calm atmosphere around you.

"This wisteria tree was planted by my parents as a child, and has continued to grow since then."

You explain to the girl why the tree means any significance to you and the girl immediately understands. As your parents were deceased at a young age, you were taken in by a family friend. In which Mao Mao had become your adoptive younger sister. It's been 5 years since that event. Throughout that time, you were able to learn about poisons right along side Mao Mao and also trained the swordsmanship your father would show you when you were young. 

At first, nobody really knew what what the cause of death for your parents were at first. But you later found out that a virus had been spreading around the country, a virus that turned humans into man-eating demons. Which ended up getting your parents eaten and killed by some of these demons. When you had found out Luomen had instructed you not to tell anyone of this information you had discovered. First, nobody really understood what the cause and effect of this virus was, and it was difficult to try and research as well, obviously it was dangerous. Second, it was best for everyone to stay oblivious until there actually was an event of it occurring relating to the demons. Plus if you were to tell anyone, who'd believe anything you said? I mean they probably wouldn't believe it if a 9 year old girl just suddenly told you man-eating creatures are roaming the country.

Though, you'd only found out the virus had existed due to your father being a part of an organization that helped kill these monsters. Those who were of them, were called Demon Slayers. You would often see your father training in the courtyard of your house or a field near the area, so you knew he was some sort of swordsman. But never new the reason why.

"The sky is getting dark, we should start heading home." You say after reminiscing about your parents.

Your sister agrees and the two of you walk home together each holding one basket full of medicinal herbs you had gathered in the afternoon. This was often the normal routine for you and Mao Mao. With the occasional patient needing to be taken care of, you lives were mostly uneventful. But you were fine with it, it was peaceful and were acceptable to the life you were currently living; and so was Mao Mao. I mean she always gets excited about the mention of poisons so she's probably content with it. 

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You arrive home to see imperial soldiers from the palace outside of your home and you quickly make your way over, remembering how Luomen used to work in the inner palace as a physician but was banished.

"...In preparation for the war, the palace's military is in need of more soldiers." The two of you were able to start listening in on their conversation as you got closer.

"We are requesting for anyone who is willing to volunteer in every household. Though, we hear that an apothecary resides here?" One of the two soldiers ask.

"Yes, that would be me." You hear Luomen respond.

"You seem to old to be a soldier, you may be able to be enlisted as a medic. Though you probably won't be able to assist for very long, you wouldn't happen to have any apprentices would you?"

The two of you anticipate what your father will say next. I mean, you are older so you would have to take the responsibility if you were to be enlisted. Plus, your already pretty skilled in poison and combat, so you would've been completely fine with going to the inner palace to work as an soldier.

The only issue was, that you were a girl. I mean we all love a strong woman, but it wasn't a general idea for a female to be in conflict.

For now, you just wait for what happens next...

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A/N

Hi yall,

Imma keep this short so, I know this is a short chapter and I will try to make the next one a bit longer. But either way I hope you did enjoy the first bit of this series. Like mentioned at the start, there will be manga spoilers in relation to both Apothecary Diaries and Demon Slayer. 

I thought it was a cool concept to combine Shinobu and Mao Mao since they both have a connection to poison; so I hope you guys also like it. 

Thank you for reading! <3

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