That Time My Late Husband Was Reincarnated as an Oni

Chapter 2: New Arrivals

As the sun rises on another day, Hikari was already awake and watching the sunrise. She sits on the roof of her house, smiling as she admires the view. The villagers down below could be seen as well, as she stares to observe them. Everything was peaceful. Life couldn't be better for her. Thinking that it would be a good idea to stretch her legs, she floats down from the roof and walks down to the town to do some shopping. Maybe she'll get some lubricant for Cheryl and Sherrie. Can never have too much, and it's best to be prepared for when they inevitably start creaking.

Hikari slowly walks about the small and quaint town, greeting villagers as they pass. Just as she passed by a local restaurant, she heard commotion coming from the outdoor bar that was preparing to open later in the evening.

"Hah?! What do you mean it's too early for sake?!" A male's voice shouts at one of rheumatologist's bartenders. The voice had some familiarity to Hikari's ears. She turns around to see what was happening and dumbfounded by what she saw.

At the bar, the one causing the commotion was an oni. He had red horns that protruded from his forehead, slightly curved, but ultimately quite straight. He wore a loose fitting red and purple yukata, but the top half of it was missing, it was just sleeves tied around his shoulders, and wearing traditional wooden sandals. His crimson hair was long and scruffy, but still somehow made him look stylish.

"Shoto...?" Hikari murmured to herself. She didn't think she was going to catch his attention, but the oni turned his head to look at her.

"Pardon? You talking to me?" He asked in a gruff tone.

"Ah...?!" Hikari would blush, and comb over her hair and ears for a moment. "I apologize, good sir... You just looked familiar to me, is all. I'm sure it's nothing." She says, a bit nervously.

This confused the man a bit, and he began to size her up and down. For some reason, he also had this strange feeling that they've met before. As he tries to put the pieces together, he finally realizes what he was looking at. "Aha! Hikari, right?" He asked.

This made her ears perk up in excitement. Did he actually know her? Was he actually HIM?! "Sho—?!"

"You were part of that army that declared war against the Gods, aren't you?!" He asked before she could finish her train of thought.

This question made Hikari's ear droop once again. "A-Ah, I see... Yes, that is correct. But that was some time ago. I have since retired from the battlefield." She says.

"Maybe it's not him after all..."

She thought to herself. While he did bare a striking resemblance, that alone wasn't enough.

"Oh, is that so? Then, if I may ask, how about a little duel?" The oni asked.

"A duel? With me?" Hikari asked.

"Yeah. I'm traveling around to fight strong opponents. Who better to spar with than a woman who survived against the Goddess of War?" He asked as he was already drawing his katana. "Will you do me the honor?" He asked with a smirk.

Hikari was taken aback by his request. A bit confused as to what he was trying to achieve with this. But, she steps back, and lowers her parasol just a bit, pulling a short sword from its handle. "Very well. If that is what you want, then I will entertain you. May I ask your name?"

"Dojimaru. That is my name." The oni grins and draws his blade. "Now, let us fight! To the death!" He exclaims and charges forward with an overhead strike.

This caught Hikari off guard. To the death?! She thought this would just be a friendly sparring match! Hikari uses an underhand grip to block the attack, which only made him push down harder. The kitsune woman pushes the oni off, and fluidly switches her grip, swinging her arm sideways to slash at him. She only managed to nick his cheek, drawing a little bit of blood in the process. Dojimaru grins and backs off a bit, touching his cut to feel the blood.

"Heh... Not bad." He says, holding his sword tighter. He soon adjusts his stance, holding sword behind his head. Hikari could feel a powerful aura explode from his body, as he lunged forward again, this time with greater speed than before. Hikari didn't have time to adjust her weapon this time, so she attempts to block the attack with her current grip. As soon as the two swords made contact, Hikari's blade shatters. In fact, the blade broke before any contact was made at all, as Dojimaru's sword slashes right across her chest, in a totally straight line.

Left speechless, Hikari slowly lowers her head, as red slowly begins to dye her white kimono. She then looks at Dojimaru, whose face is one of wicked contempt. Without a word, Hikari collapses forward.