░『Zephyr』░(KNY OC STORY/ KNY OC X KNY-OLD/DISCONTINUED)

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟻: 𝙼𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚂𝚘𝚞𝚕

Ever since Fukurō's encounter with Ayame, Fukurō had tried her best to run into her once more. The way Ayame had blocked Fukurō's arm was much more quicker than the agility Aoi had used during Reflex Training, and filled Fukurō's head with unanswered questions.

But every time she tried, Ayame was always hurt and in need of aid from Mikio.

It was pretty annoying, how sensitive she would act around Mikio, despite her true personality in front of others. But Fukurō knew she shouldn't give up, even if her mind was telling her to let it be. She takes a deep breath, knocking on the door to the room Ayame would usually get treated in, "..Hoshiko-sama?" Fukurō could hear a loud shuffling of things, before the same gloomy voice spoke up.

"Come in."

Fukurō opens the door, sliding it open. She clears her throat, although her voice was still wavering. "U-UHM- Ohayō, Hoshiko-sama!" Fukurō bows her head in greeting, ".. I hope you don't mind me visiting you— Sorry if I'm bothering you- I would like for you to answer some questions I have..-" She blurts out as she feels a light pecking at her feet. Fukurō looks down at the pecking. She raised an eyebrow as she made the assumption; 'Oh. Just Hoshiko-sama's pet, I suppose.'

"I—Koishi, get over here!" Ayame facepalms, before glaring at Fukurō. "So? What do you want? You've been following me around, so I'm guessing it's important."

"Uhm— Yes, it is!" Fukurō looks back at Ayame, feeling her intimidating gaze once more. She tries to keep eye contact, "I noticed the design of your uniform, and the sword you carry around you. I recognize it. May you explain to me the purposes and context?"

Ayame takes in her words, before unsheathing her sword, pointing the tip towards Fukurō. Its blade had the colour of a striking yellow, the sunlight reflecting on it and making it glisten. It startled Fukurō, the sharp appearance of it and everything

".. You mean this blade?" Ayame asked, a dark smirk appearing on her face. Fukurō takes a quick step back, not wanting the sword to touch her, "Hai!" She replies promptly.

Ayame places the sword back into its sheathe, the smirk vanishing while she let out an amused laugh. "Heheh— My bad. I had it created by my swordsmith shortly after a test I had taken." She looks at Fukurō blankly. "You are aware about the Demon Slayer Corps, correct? Someone had told you about it during your stay here?" Fukurō nods, letting out a relieved breath as Ayame retreated her weapon.

"But do you know about Final Selection?"

Fukurō's ears perk up, ".. No, I don't, Hoshiko-sama."

"Ah. Well, Final Selection is a test that would require those who have completed training to survive in a forest filled with demons for seven days." Ayame states simply, the laughs she let out only a reminisce of the past, "You could either die after a few days, hours, maybe minutes, or survive the seven days and live with the grief of those who were killed alongside you."

".. Do you live with that grief, Hoshiko-sama?" 

* * *

"Kohaku-san!"

Ayame watches as the fox-masked boy steps in front of her, sword in hand. Looking up at the massive demon. It looked as tall as a tree, not to mention its size. It looked as if arms were surrounding its entire body.

"Go, Ayame-san! I can defeat him, I'm sure!" Kohaku says, hands gripping the handle of his blade. He looks at Ayame with determination, "I'll meet up with you on the last day! So that we'll finish the test together!"

Ayame was stricken with shock. Was he really going to sacrifice himself for her sake? They had just grown close in the past few days. How could Kohaku still face the demon without fear, unlike her? 

She hesitated to leave, but she knew that he was a strong slayer. Many more scars and greater will and courage than she had at the time. Ayame took a deep breath as she prayed for his return, taking a step back before dashing away.

"Water Breathing: Second Form- Water Wheel!"

Ayame could hear Kohaku's voice trail off as she runs further and further from the battlefield.

... Not even half of the prior participants made it out alive on the seventh day. 

Kohaku wasn't one of them. He wasn't as strong as Ayame had thought.

* * *

"..."

Fukurō waves her hand in front of Ayame's eyes, noticing the fact she had zoned out, "H-Hoshiko-sama? Are you alright?" She asks. 'Was it something I had said? Damn, I shouldn't have spoken out so absentmindedly!'

Ayame moves Fukurō's hand away, her daunting act being put back into play. "Of course I'm fine. You don't need to show concern." She huffs, running her hand through her hair, "And of course I do. But I won't let that get in the way of how I will fulfill my life." Her eyes drift away while her heart ached, leaning her head on her hand to hide her building sorrow. "Besides, Grieving and crying are for those with weak minds and vulnerable souls. You need to move forward to get greater."

Fukurō could feel her stomach tie into knots. Were basic emotions really a sign of fragility?

'Ah. So I must have a weak mind and soul.'

Fukurō looks down on the floor, but eventually looks up. "... Is that all, Hoshiko-sama?" She had half-hoped it would be, since she was not sure she would keep up with Ayame's negative vocabulary.

".. After the seven days, you have a choice between multiple ores. The one you pick will be the ore used to created your Nichirin Blade, which will be used to kill demons. Along with the ore, you will be given a Kasugai Crow, which will help with communication between other members." The crow that had been pecking Fukurō's feet flapped around the room with boredom, before landing on Ayame's lifted arm. "This is my Kasugai Crow, Koishi." The crow's slender head nuzzled against Ayame's ear, "She's a bit concerning, honestly. I don't know why she's so quiet. Half my messages barely get through without Koishi having to repeat herself a million times." She chuckles, stroking her finger on the top of Koishi's head. "But I love having her around."

Fukurō watches as Ayame smiles at her Kasugai . Somehow, the aggressive slayer's soft spot for her crow was pretty amusing. "Anyways, What else did you want to ask?" Ayame asks, still ruffling the tip of her finger against the crow's feathers.

"... Didn't you have immense injures before? I mean- You did just arrive here, but it seems you've already recovered, as if you weren't harmed in the first place." Fukurō tilts her head curiously.

".. I-" Ayame is completely silent for a few moments, eyes widened largely from surprise. "OUT!" She shouts, throwing a pillow at Fukurō's head as Fukurō scurries out. Fukurō closes the door, heart pounding against her chest. 'What was that reaction? Did I set off something in Hoshiko-sama's head?'

"Ara ara, Fukurō-san. You certainly have recovered in the pass few weeks, hai?" A woman with a butterfly wing-patterned haori commented, clapping her hands together softly.

Fukurō flinches as the woman appears, "Uh—.. Do I know you, Miss? I haven't seen you before now." The purple-eyed woman shakes her head, the sun reflecting on the gold buttons on her recognizable uniform. "No, you do not. I am Kocho Shinobu, Head of the Butterfly Mansion. I apologize for my absence when you had awoken, I had been on a mission that had taken me some time." She says, a cheerful expression on her face. "But Aoi-chan had told me a lot about you, including your curiosity of the Demon Slayer Corps."

Fukurō blinks, and nods. "Mhm. I have asked Hoshiko-sama about the organization, but I feel as though I need to find another person to help me with my questions." She mumbles. There was a strong scent of flowers and rain coming from Shinobu, which eased Fukurō's mind a bit from her nervousness. Shinobu's smile did not falter, "I might be able to assist you. May you walk with me, Fukurō-san?"

".. Hai."