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

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟹𝟸: 𝚅𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚘𝚛

"Hm. And the demon was unaware of the gas?" Aoi asks, placing a dab of ointment on Fukurō's shut eyelid. "It may be a mix in Blood Demon Arts; one demon with that gas technique may have died before the other demon while being in the same location, but the Blood Demon Art manifested the house as a whole regardless." She says, smoothing out more on her friend's uncovered arms and face. It seemed most of her scars reopened throughout the few missions she had gone to. How many had she gone on prior to this visit? Two? Three? "So since the Art manifested the house, I guess the affect still lingered even after the death of the user."

Fukurō nods slowly, even though it was still mind-boggling. Aoi noticed this, and sighs in defeat. "Sumimasen. It's really hard to explain. I should have more knowledge of this, but I wasn't a Demon Slayer for long."

Rubbing the dark circles under her eyes, Fukurō continues to simply listen. Not one word escaped her mouth throughout Aoi's broken explanation, as she was to curious to interrupt. After all, it was her fault she forgot to mention the topic all those days ago. Yeah, she had pretty good memory, but it was weird how she would always fail to recall things that would occur so soon.

"You look really different, Fukurō-chan. It's not even looks, it's your personality as well. I feel like you've been more quiet since the first time we met, all those months back. And you haven't really spoken much when you came here after your first mission, either..." She sighs once more, "It's like I'm pestering you all over again, hahah..." Aoi laughs, but is still concerned for her blank-staring friend, "But I'm being serious. Did something bad happen during the mission, or at Final Selection? What about at Shinazugawa-sama's training? Is there something you aren't telling me?"

"I mean..." Fukurō speaks up, but doesn't have anything more to say, "..."

"Wait, wait. Don't tell me it's about..." Aoi's voice shifts into a hushed whisper, "... a boy." She mutters, an eyebrow raised as she places the bottle of ointment on the nightstand. She knew she wasn't wrong for asking, after all, she knew how to approach such situation, as Mikio would often get confessed to often by those under her care. In her opinion, Fukurō definitely wasn't a girl to turn a blind eye on. Sure, Fukurō may look a tad scary and unapproachable with her looks, but Aoi was sure that at least one guy wouldn't ignore her selfless, compassianate, and sweet friend. Maybe, if that guy really liked her, and actually paid the attention she deserved, he would get a chance to see her more open and cheerful side. The only problem Fukurō had was that she clearly didn't want to put herself out there. It was crystal clear that she would rather blend into the crowd than stick out of it.

"No, no! God, why do people keep on asking me that?" Fukurō shakes her head violently, holding her head in her hands, "My priorities are set. I can't focus on something like that while I have people to protect. Sure, maybe I might admire a few people along the way, maybe idolize them, but everywhere I stand is a practical battlefield. There's not even time to think about such a thing. I should be training, not even talking about this." Fukurō babbles, getting up from the chair and pacing around the room. 'And who would even reciprocate anyways? If I can't make anyone look my way, why bother?'

"Mission for Kazekachi Fukurō! Make your way to the Stone Mansion to meet up with the other three who will accompany you on this mission! Further directions will be stated there!"

Fukurō stares up at Hana in silence,'Another mission? But this one is with other people?'

Aoi gives her friend a smug side-glance, "So, are you gonna dig that hole or..?"

* * *

Fukurō stands in front of a crashing waterfall, the sound coming from it like thundering lightning. 'Wow, Shinazugawa-san's trainer must have everything. That's one hell of a landscape.'

She dips her hand into the river trailing from the waterfall, shuddering from the frozen chill that ran through her nerves. 'Hmm... but there isn't anyone here yet. Maybe I have to walk farther.' She decides as she looks around her, evidently only seeing more trees.

Fukurō grumbles, crossing her arms as she thinks of a plan to get to the top of that loud, towering waterfall.

* * *

Laying in fatigue, Fukurō rests her head on the damp yet dusty ground. She wanted to get up, but she was too tired.

And there was also a cat on her back. That as well.

She sighs, '.. Where was Hana during all of this..? She sent me on a mission and disappeared.'

The feline kneads its soft paws on Fukurō's back, a content purr rumbling in Fukurō's ears. "Get offf... please..I'm trying to go on a mission..." She groans, tossing and turning slightly to gently shift the cat off of her back. When it finally realizes Fukurō's predicament, it sits patiently to the side as Fukurō gets back on her feet.

"Arigatō." Fukurō mumbles to the animal, as if it could understand her. She picks up the small cat from the ground, staring back at it. Its fur was as white as fresh snow in winter, while its eyes were icy blue. "... Cute. I'm taking you with me. Will you wait with me for those other guys?"

The feline meows back, still curious of the random girl who walked into its master's mansion.

"Hehehe~" Fukurō smiles, cradling the white cat in her arms, "So cute~" She giggles in a childish manner as her exhaustion had suddenly disappeared. "I hope you don't have an owner yet... Maybe Shinazugawa-sama would let me keep you with enough convincing."

* * *

Dangling a blade of grass above the cat's head, the only thing on Fukurō's mind was food. Damn, these guys are taking their sweet precious time! She didn't go down mountains of paths, tread through forests, and somehow made it to the top of a literal waterfall just to wait hours with a cat for company!

Her stomach grumbles more, considering knocking on a window in order to ask for something to  diminish her hunger. No, but that would be an inconvenience. Didn't Genya live here as well? That just proves her point; he'll most likely try to pick a fight with her, or worse, yell at her and ban her from ever stepping foot near the mansion. What would she do if she was prevented from seeing all of these cute cats?

".. But... So... Hungry.." Fukurō groaned, lifting the puff of fur towards her, "Maybe you know what I should do. Should I maybe, possibly, bother them for food?" 

"Maow."

Fukurō nods in understanding, "You're right. I can't save people on an empty stomach."  Getting up from her place on the ground, she heads towards a possible front door. Why was the door so enlarged? Was it for some kind of style?

knock knock...

No answer. 

... KNOCK. KNOCK.

Through the door, the Demon Slayer heard consistent steps, followed by a slight creak of the door brought Fukurō relief, and made her take a step away from the door. "Sumimas...en.." She mumbled in embarrassment, rubbing the palm of her hand on the top of the cat's head for comfort from this random confrontation. "Do you mind if—"

When she opened her weary eyes, Fukurō had even more embarrassment flood her mind when she realized that she was, in fact, not directing her head to someone's face, but a yukata-covered torso.

"GENYA?"