𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬

Bleak

Hikari Conscious:
I fluttered my eyes open seeing myself in a unrecognizable room. I raised my body as I examined the room.

Since when did my life get so boring? Hikari thought. Please, tell me. I sigh with my arms propped up on the sides of the sofa, my mind wandering aimlessly in the clouds.

The cold air of the house kisses my skin ever so slightly as I shiver a bit, curling up into a ball. Why did I let myself get to this point?

I chuckle to myself, closing my eyes. How pathetic am I? I have no idea in Hell as to where I am. It's too quiet in the small cabin, other than the fierce storm outside.

After a while of sitting there doing nothing, I do some basic stretches to keep me warmed up. I close my eyes to the warmth of the fire after snuggling inside a blanket.

Zenitsu:
C'mon! Get up!

Hikari Conscious:
A voice called to me. But I was too warm to care. I even ignored the movement.

Zenitsu:
Dammit, it's too cold for you here.

Why did I have to be sent on this creepy mission?! Do you know how many dangerous animals are out here? I ran into a polar bear! A POLAR BEAR!

Hikari Conscious:
Was this person talking to himself or me? The man's voice sounded around my age, with a tad bit of cracking. He complained a lot but I was grateful someone had sent anybody my way.

My teeth begin to chatter as my body starts to shake. Dang, this cold temperature is killing me. Literally.

Zenitsu:
A-Ah good! You're warming up! Let's get you down this mountain fast, then.

Hikari Conscious:
The man said. Opening my eyes slightly, I get blinded by the sheer white of snow. When did I get out of the cabin? Not only was I blinded, but this man was giving me a piggyback ride to God knows where.

Can't blame him, though. Bridal style carrying is hard. He had yellow hair with a tad bit of orange towards the tips.

His robe matches his hair and I bet his eyes do too. I guess he has good taste. But with how much he complains, he must come from the city.

Zenitsu:
Hey, you awake yet?

Hikari:
Mmm.

Hikari Conscious:
My breathing must've changed when I awoke. They say you breathe softer when you sleep. 

Zenitsu:
Ahhh I'm glad! I'm pretty sure you passed out due to the temperature, but you would have lasted around 3 days due to the preservation. How long have you been here, anyway?

Narrative:
The man continues to walk quickly down the mountain while her head rests on his back, too heavy to lift.      

Hikari:
Two days and counting.

Hikari Conscious:
I chuckle to myself. I had only just gotten to the cabin when I made the fire. Keeping warm during my wandering was such a hassle but I'm glad I found something to take shelter in.

Zenitsu:
T-T-TWO DAYS?!?

Hikari:
Name?

Zenitsu:
Huh?

Hikari:
What's your name I meant.

Zenitsu:
O-oh. Zenitsu Agatsuma. And you?

Hikari:
You can just call me Hikari. Thank you for carrying me in this state. It's embarrassing for me to be like this, especially near someone who I've just met.

Narrative:
Zenitsu's demeanor completely changes from his complaining state to one of overconfidence. He reaches for his cheek and scratches it with the slightest blush.

Zenitsu:
Ah, there's no need to thank me for doing something any decent man would.

Hikari:
You say any decent man but there aren't many out there.

Hikari Conscious:
The hard truth hurts society nowadays. After a bit of more chatter, Zenitsu and I fall silent as he walks. With nothing else to do, I pay more attention to the surrounding area.

The snow stopped, but it looked like it wouldn't stop for long. The clouds intimidate the blue sky as they loom over our area.

Zenitsu:
You hear that?

Hikari:
No, what do you hear?

Hikari:
Are you cold? .

Zenitsu:
Y-yeaaaaahhhhh!!! Im cold! Uh-huh.

Demon Slayer:
Zenitsu Agatsuma! Head to the village down below! Children's kidnappings and adult disappearances! Go go go!

Zenitsu:
Yes yes, I get it! Another mission so soon? I'm not even done with this one!

Hikari Conscious:
He complains. By 'this one' he probably means retrieving me. My head continues to rest on his shoulder as we make it down the snowy mountain.

Time goes by and I finally begin to hear the chatter that zenitsu was talking about an hour earlier.

How was he able to hear that far out? Especially in this weather. He must be of a higher rank.

Plus, how long has he been carrying me? His arms must be killing him.   Lights in the distance could be seen and the familiar aroma of food filled me with joy.

Hikari:
Over there.

Zenitsu:
Yes, I see it. Looks too lively for there to be any missing children or adults though.

Narrative:
Confusion envelops my face as I look closer at the faces as we enter the streets of the big village. 

Hikari:
What are you talking about?

Hikari Conscious:
The lights warm our faces the further we travel into the village. More and more people in the streets look at us weirdly but I can't judge them.

Women:
Damn demons! They took her!

Narrative:
A yell startles Zenitsu causing him to back up a bit from the source.

Women:
They took my Kagiruri! Damn them! Damn them!

Hikari Conscious:
I turn my head to see a man hitting his fist to the floor coming out of a bar. It was clear to see he had been drinking and was too overwhelmed to deal with his emotions.

Tears could be spotted running down his cheeks while the surrounding people try to get in to stand up.

The alcohol begins to take its toll on the poor man as he throws a tantrum on the floor at my feet.

Zenitsu:
If it's adults that have gone missing then there's no way I could do that! Me? A teenager? Compared to adult strength? No! Nope! This is a horrible mission to be sent on! The worst!

Hikari:
should we evacuate and pretend we heard nothing? Like any decent person...

Old Man:
Are you a tourist or a slayer?

Zenitsu:
A slayer sir. Why do you ask?

Narrative: The old man motioned us to follow him but zenitsu's just shook his head. Zenitsu looked up at Hikari and she just stared back at him with confusion.

Zenitsu:
Let me drop you off at the Inm first

Hikari:
That's fine by me. I'm not doing anything anyways

Narrative:
Zenitsu finally let Hikari down and they walk towards the Inn and wave goodbye.

Zenitsu:
See you later?

Hikari:
Probably not, I'm planning on leaving soon. Bye!

Narrative:
Zenitsu looked back couple more times as Hikari waved goodbye before he continued to on his mission. Hikari found him to be odd but found it to be refreshing.