Another Life (Tokito Muichiro X OC)

~2~

Toshiyo's POV
I woke up when the cold, winter air hit my face. Feeling really unsure of my surroundings, I looked around and noticed that it was apparently dawn...and also that l was somewhere l didn't recognize,
'Dawn...? Huh?? It's dawn??...where...it doesn't look like my room. It's not!'

"Oh? You're awake?"

My head whipped towards the direction of the voice. And there he was, a man with a tray of food in his hands.
'Who exactly is he?' I thought to myself.

As he came closer, l could see his face better...

His eyes were a beautiful green. Who knows what he's hiding behind those eyes. If judging by the way his face looked, then it was so gentle, that it seemed he was very nice. But also that he can be fierce when need to. The man came and sat down beside me, putting the tray down. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

I stole a glance around my surroundings and finally spoke, my voice hoarse and  filled with uncertainty,
"I...uhm I don't know. I guess I'm okay but mister, who are you?"

The man smiled a little and said, "Kid, have you ever heard of the Demon Slayer Corps?"

"No, l haven't. What is that?"
I confessed, not knowing what he is talking about.

"It's an organization, let's say. To kill demons. The creature that was chasing you last night, was a demon. And thankfully I found you just in time."

After he said that, that's when l realized- "My family! They're all dead...were- were they killed by the demon you speak of?"

The man stayed silent for a while, then spoke, "My greatest apologies. If only I had come sooner, I could've done something to protect your family." He said, looking down as if he were regretting not being able to save my family.

"N- No please. It's fine really. Don't apologize mister. I guess it was written in my fate that it was to happen..."

The man looked up at me with great sorrow in his eyes and said, "You look really young, what's your age kid?"

"I turned 13 just yesterday."

The man looked really disappointed in himself. But nevertheless, introduced himself as the former Snow Hashira, Ryouji Toriyama.

"I'll leave you to eat. I'll cone by in a bit."

Saying that he left, leaving me alone in that room. I took a brief moment to admire the room first.

It was so beautifully made. The walls had dragons going up and the floors were really smooth. The room itself didn't have much, but it was still very organized. The futon I was sleeping on is very comfortable and soft.

Then my stomach grumbled, asking for food. That's when I realized that I probably hadn't eaten in 12 or so hours. So l took the tray and placed it on my lap.

He had given me some miso soup with green herbal tea and a few ohagis.

"Thank you for the food."
I muttered quietly and started eating.

A little bit later after I finished, I saw him come back with a piece of paper in his hand.

"Here take a look at this."
Handing me the paper he took the tray and left after saying, "If you don't understand anything that's fine. I'll be back to explain in a bit."

Curious, I opened up the paper and saw that a lot of information about something called the... Breath of Snow was written in it.

It said that it had nine forms and information about all the nine forms were written there neatly. I was surprised to see how well it was explained.

'Toriyama-san said something about him being the former Snow Hashira. Does this have anything to do with that?' I thought to myself as I recalled what he had said before.

Right then, he came back with a glass of water and handed it to me.

"Did you understand anything?" He said, smiling. And boy, it was so pretty. Looking up closely, it seemed he wasn't that old. Old, sure but not that old. Maybe he was in his late fourties or something.

Chugging down the water, l answered honestly, "Not really... What exactly is the Breath of Snow?" I aksed.

He smiled a little then started to explain from the very beginning.

He told me all about some of the very first demon slayers and how they used breathing styles to fight against demons.
He then proceeded to tell me how only five breathing styles were there at the very beginning and, how other styles were derived from those.
Likewise, the Breath of Snow was derived from the Breath of Water.
He also told me the root of those five styles was the Breath of Sun and it was used by the greatest swordsman of that time.

After taking in all he had told me, I finally spoke, "Woah... so basically you people fight against demons to protect others? Cool. And if it's an organization, then that means, 'Hashira' must be...?"

"Yeah, it's a rank. The highest to be exact. There's a lot of ranks. But that's not why l told you about the Breath of Snow and all that. I'm asking you if you want to be a demon slayer." He said with a sense of seriousness and urgency, I kind of felt pressured to say yes.

"A slayer?? Me? Are you sure I can be one?" I aksed not really sure I was up for it. Or if I was even qualified.

There. Another one of his smiles, "Yes. I am. I will personally train you if you are up for it." He reassured me with one of those killer smiles.

Hesitantly, I agreed. And instantly I came to regret it, as my training would begin the very next day.

And so began, my harsh training filled with pure torture...

~(\\\{^=^}///)~

•|→|• I decided to post this one a little early...hehe. I had too much motivation. (It's 3 am, legit.)
Anyways, this one is a bit shorter than the last one, but still do let me know where I can improve. And I am always up for criticism! •|←|•

Chapter three's coming out this Thursday (iA). Look forward to it.

•|→|• Peace, lov u <3 •|←|•

Word count: 1051