Storm of Fate

Chapter 6

Turning the clock a few hours when the sun still hasn't risen on the horizon, a certain male leaves the inn he was staying. He's dressed in his usual attire in the addition of wearing a more concealable hat to conceal his own hair colour ever since he was practically a fugitive on the run. Since it was still early in the dead of morning, not many roams the streets. Many of the gas lit street lamps are still burning lighting up the main streets. There he took a stroll down in the dead center of the road with buildings on the left and right.

The reason why he left earlier than his companion is because he wanted to investigate something by himself. It was back when he first arrived at the city, he'd noticed a familiar scent but couldn't make out the direction of where it was coming from. The rush hour of the streets bustling about with people had their scents all combined and mixed in the air during the day. Now there wasn't even a shadow in sight, no smoke rising from the stacks and the air is clean and fresh after hours of no activities outside. A perfect environment for an individual like him.

'Earlier when we first came to this city, I noticed two scents. First was actually a very vague scent but the scent of a male who used to live in the wilderness as a child and grew up on the streets was none other than Inosuke's. It was a miracle that I was able to discern it but I could be wrong though.' He took out something from his jacket. 'The second scent was more clearer to me. I only knew one person with this unique scent. When I first came to met them, they had a scent of sweet roses in the air around them. I was very certain of it.'

As he waltz along the main streets alone in the cold night, his nose picked up a very peculiar scent.

'There it is again. The scent of a rose, not just any ordinary ones. Carried over by the winds, by the relative speed and direction it came from over there.'

Quickly his steps went as he enters into the often dreaded alleyways having a bad reputation in the past few years. This coupled with the fact it was barely lit up as well the complete darkness would sets off the alarm of an average person. Yet he was determined towards finding the source of this scent that he'd take the risk for it. Traversing the maze he encounters several of the unfortunates as well as wandering thugs looking for any drunk to rob that night. The scent grew denser the deeper he went and a few hairy moments later, he sees a mysterious shadow walking down the alley. The figure wore a dress fit for a noble as she struts with an open umbrella despite the fact it wasn't raining at all nor was it hot enough to justify such action.

Nevertheless it was the least of his worries. Fixing his clothes making sure he was well dressed, he made the bold move to approach the woman in question. The moment they met each other they stood in place and his expression turns into a grin as his suspicions were clarified by this undeniable evidence before him.

"Fancy meeting you here, Tsuyuri-san."

"Oh my. If it isn't the great detective, Tanjiro-san. I really thought a random thug was coming after me seeing how well concealed you were." She seemed to be amused. "How did you know where I was? It's rather far from the main streets from here."

"I was investigating on my own. I just so happened to bump into you." He crossed his arms. "Then that would made me wonder. What is the daughter of a noble from a domain in the neighbouring region was doing here in the dead of the night? May you enlighten me on that a bit Tsuyuri-san?"

"It would be my pleasure, but there are some things you shouldn't pry into detective. Such as asking a noble simply taking a walk outside for fresh air."

"Taking a mere walk? I must say, in that clothing you must be a very diligent person to don all of those just for a mere walk. Not to mention, I doubt you would do so at this time when crimes are most likely to happen."