Set Your Heart Ablaze

Chapter 12

The next morning, (Y/N) woke up and quickly changed into her uniform. Making sure her sword was secure, the young woman left the inn. As she made her way through the village, she tried to listen for any information about the missing people.

"Did you hear, another person went missing last night" a woman whispered to another.

"I heard he was lured up the mountain, scary..." The conversation caught (Y/N)'s attention, so she turned to look at the mountain in the distance. The demon slayer was about to walk forward when she felt someone place a hand on her shoulder.

"(Y/N), are you ok?" A familiar voice asked. She turned to see Hikari standing next to her with a concerned expression on her face.

"Ah, Hikari. Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I was just lost in thought." The young woman replied, an awkward smile appearing on her face.

"Oh, you must have heard about the missing people, it's scary" Hikari guessed, a frown appearing on her face.

"Do you know anything about it..?" (Y/N) asked after a moment, the other woman was silent for a moment, but then she spoke.

"I don't know much, but I have heard a rumor that people have heard some odd music during the night, and the next morning, another person is gone. Some people believe it's a monster, but that can't be true" Hikari said, looking down at the ground for a moment.

"You should stay inside at night, whatever's happening, it isn't safe to be out on your own." Hikari warned the young woman. (Y/N) smiled softly,

"thank you Hikari, that means a lot" (Y/N) bowed.

"How about you come to the tea house with me, that way we can relax" Hikari offered.

"Sure why not?"

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"Ah (Y/N), it's good to see you again. Would the two of you like some tea?" Yuki offered when she spotted the women entering the building.

"I'll get the tea ready" Hikari offered and exited the room. As she did, Yuki turned to face (Y/N) with a smile.

"I hope you're stay here has been pleasant. Especially with what's been happening lately" the woman spoke in a soft voice.

"You mean the people going missing" The demon slayer replied. There was a short pause before the older woman nodded.

"It's worrying, and people are becoming paranoid. You know, my mother used to tell me about monsters that only came out at night. Demons, she said they eat people" Yuki continued, (Y/N) listened, hiding any reaction she had.

"Did you ever believe her?" The Demon Slayer questioned, Yuki laughed quietly to herself, trying to lighten the mood.

"I did when I was a child, but looking back on it now, it seems silly" the older woman replied, shaking her head. (Y/N) Laughed with her, though in her head, she knew what was really happening. Just then, Hikari entered the room again, holding a tray in her hand. She placed it down on the table in front of the pair and sits down next to Yuki and the three of them begin to talk amongst themselves.

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The sun soon began to set and after spending some time with Yuki and Hikari, (Y/N) knew it was time to head back to the inn. She thanked the women and left, watching as people hurried inside, not wanting to be outside when it became dark. As she entered the room, (Y/N) couldn't help but feel like someone was watching her. Yawning, the demon slayer laid down, falling asleep soon after.