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

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟺: 𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚂𝚔𝚒𝚗

"Oh! Fukurō-chan! You cut your hair!" Mitsuri exclaims, eyes full of surprise. "It's very nice! Did Shinazugawa-san say anything?" She giggles, peering over at the shortened ends of Fukurō's hair. Fukurō looks down at her hands. ".. Well, I'm glad you like it." She mutters, "Shinazugawa-sama didn't exactly react the way I hoped." 

Mitsuri tilts her head looking at Fukurō with sadness. "Did he say something bad, Fukurō-chan? I'm sure he didn't mean it!" Mitsuri says as she pats Fukurō's shoulder comfortingly.

 Fukurō shakes her head frantically. "No, No!.. He didn't really say anything, actually."

Sanemi had just stared at her. Soundlessly and eerily. His scars made him look intimidating enough, but just then he looked like a stunned grey wolf. It made Fukurō panic, wondering whether he hated it or not.

But then he just nodded in acknowledgment, and continued cooking. So that eased Fukurō a bit. But she could sense he was a bit sad, despite not showing it. She wondered why. It was just hair, wasn't it? Did he believe in the same saying as her mother once did?

Fukurō shrugs, "He kind of dismissed it after. He treated me no more or less. But oh well." She says, looking back at Mitsuri. "But uhm— Do you mind tying it up in the back a bit? Just so it looks even?" She requests bashfully. "I think I have something I can use. If you don't mind."

Mitsuri nods quickly, smiling. "Of course! Not a problem at all!"

Mitsuri carefully ties a portion of Fukurō's hair in a half-bun in the back, tongue stuck out in concentration. Once she had finished, she claps her hands softly. "Done!" She says, as Fukurō feels the bun on the back of her head with her hand. ".. Arigatō, Kanroji-san. I'm grateful for your help."

"No need to thank me! Anything for a friend." Mitsuri replies, "Now, let's get to training!"

* * *

Sanemi takes a deep breath, leaning against to counter in the kitchen. 'She's not him, Sanemi. Get a grip.' Every time he looks at her face, he sees his younger brother. Not just because of the scar, but the soft way she smiled reminded him of the same expression Genya would give him.

...Murderer! You murderer! Why do you kill Okaa-san? Why?!..

...Shuuya! Hiroshi! Koto! Teiko! Sumi!..

His little brother's voice repeats in his head, his hands clenching up at his sides. He takes another long, slow breath, and tries to calm down. He furrows his eyebrows.

'Damn it.'

He looks outside, watching as Mitsuri ties Fukurō's botched hair up.

'If Kazekachi-san dies during Final Selection because of some demon, I'll make sure to dice it up a thousand times. I'll make a special spot for it in hell myself, and bring all demons down with it.'

'I won't lose another person so young again. So young that they couldn't even fulfill their dream.'

* * *

Mitsuri moves her legs into a middle split, waiting for Fukurō to do the same. When she sees her struggle, she helps her by holding her ankles apart from eachother."I'm glad you're showing improvement, Fukurō-chan!" Mitsuri says with a large smile.

Fukurō smiled shyly. ".. Me too. But I don't think I could ever be as flexible as you, Kanroji-san." She says. Mitsuri lets go of Fukurō's ankles, one hand holding her cheek while the other waves bashfully. "Hehe! I'm flattered! But I'm sure you can!" She begins, "Even if you can't, you should learn to be yourself! And make sure you use your own abilities to the fullest, before learning new ones. That's what my master taught me!" She quickly holds on to Fukurō's ankles again. "My master uses Flame Breathing, while I use Love Breathing. I developed my own breathing technique when I realized I had a tough time preforming Flame Breathing. And because of that, I fought better than I ever had! That's the progress of having a title of your own among the Hashira; learning about yourself!"

"What I'm saying is, it isn't a big deal if you don't end up being a certain way, Fukurō-chan! Just hone your own abilities to your full extent, and believe in yourself!"

Fukurō nods in understanding, making sure to remember each word as encouragement. ".. I understand. Arigatō, Kanroji-san. I'm happy to know someone as knowing, and wise as you."

Mitsuri's smile brightens, her cheeks as pink as cherry blossoms. She was known for being quite childish for her age, which she herself was aware of. So hearing Fukurō's words made her feel even more confident in herself. She was worried that Fukurō would be disappointed by who would appear in front of the gates every so often, because of her odd-coloured hair, but she seemed more comfortable than ever.

And that made her happy. Very, very happy.

* * *

Even though it had only been only a couple months, Fukurō had gotten used to the constant switches in trainers every so often, as well as those in the mansion as well. She wanted to know more about Sanemi and Mitsuri. And she wouldn't just wait until they open up.

Fukurō watches Sanemi slice bamboo shoots with his Nichirin Blade, observing with absolute awe as he cuts the shoots with efficiency. Once she snaps out of her admiration, she slowly walks up her trainer. ".. Shinazugawa-sama?" She looks at him timidly.

"What?" He asks, not making eye contact as he continues to slice the targets.

"... Do you have any family that you wouldn't mind sharing about?" 

Sanemi stops mid-attack, going silent for a moment. It seemed as if the echoing gusts of wind had gone soundless in the span of seconds.

"... What's it to you?" He mumbles, looking somewhat agitated.

Fukurō's eyes widen,"Oh. I was just curious. I just wanted to—" She cuts herself off, ".. Do you not want to talk about it?" Fukurō asks as she idly tucks her thumb under her fingers. "Did your family.. die, Shinazugawa-sama?"

"Yes. So what?" Sanemi replies sharply, '.. At least, most of them did.' He reminds himself, feeling his fingers curl tighter around his blade. Why the hell was she so interested? Could she sense him comparing her to his surviving younger brother?

".. I see. Did you have any sisters or brothe—"

"Get to training, Kazekachi-san. You shouldn't waste time if you want to improve." He orders, not letting her finish. He ignores Fukurō's confused expression, and waits for her to leave. "25 laps around the mansion, like you had many times before."
Fukurō stares at Sanemi with surprise, but doesn't ask further. She sighs, and begins to walk towards the gates of the estate, before starting to run around the Wind Mansion.