foreign / demon slayer

CHAPTER 1

The night was cold.

A woman, finishing the task of folding away her garments from work, continued to wipe away her makeup and take out all of her hair ornaments. She was a Geisha, she had worked hard to achieve such a rank.

Before the woman laid down into what most would presume a placid slumber, during the darkest hours of the night, screaming was heard.

Then silence followed by the wail of a baby.

The dark ominous man with crimson eyes had fled the scene. But I know what happened. I saw as long as he witnessed. Because we share the same blood.

Right as the woman went through her contractions due to her pregnancy, she consumed the vile essence of another, one who is truly blinded by false ambition in many ways.

This was against her will, even if she had no idea what was happening.

As the man fled to the dark corners of the world, the woman began to seize. Her body shook with sheer force that she would've received a concussion. That would be if she weren't already dead.

Something horrid was happening... and no one knew.

The only sound left to hear in the room was the sound of chewing. Like flesh being ripped apart again, and again, and again. The sound of blood splattering on the shoji and tatami mats.

A horrendous creature emerged from the woman's womb since her womanhood no longer remained after the transformation. This beast wanted to get out. It had been caged for so long after all.

It used its teeth to rip the uterus, before eating away at the skin.

It was finally free of its cage. The only haven it had known before then.

Unfortunately, the monstrosity couldn't survive without food. Lucky enough though, there just happens to be a nutritious woman in her early twenties lying lifeless next to the creature.

And so the devil incarnate ate away to its heart's content what was left of its conceiver.

I acknowledge this story as something that requires feeling, to be rehearsed for the public ear. It would sound quite dreadful when not told right, like handing a toddler a shamisen.

This is mainly because people can't see what true artistry is.

My name is Yoshiaki Watanabe. Yet, I am a female. My mother had my future potential names written on a piece of paper. Unfortunately, the female part had burned in a fire caused by a candle.

Nevertheless, I'm thankful for Amane Ubuyashiki. She filled the role my absent mother left behind when I ate her.

The only reason the Ubuyashiki family took me in is because I can survive the day.

I figured it was because my mother was still a human while in the midst of giving birth and because I am technically the first demon to be born a demon.

The adults of the family figured they could change my tainted mindset from a young age and use me to help those in great need.

I don't mind this, in fact, I see it more as second nature than as a task. The reason why is because I find my existence boring.

I don't understand why people do what they do. The unnecessary festivals, and clothing patterns. The only thing that truly matters in life is survival, this is the reason I don't wish to seek revenge for whoever made me this way.

♪※⁜※⁜※♪

"Aki, do you mind fetching the tea set? The hashira are about to arrive for a meeting."

I've never met a hashira, yet I've been here long before them. I've always envisioned them as strict people with a fair build, seeing as how highly demon slayers speak of them. And how there are only a short few in such a rank.

I wonder what rank I'd be if I were human.

I carefully opened the shoji with my free hand while the other held the tray with the tea. I've never spilled a drop in my life.

The sun was brighter than yesterday yet, the need to squint my eyes hadn't arisen. The heat was bearable thanks to the gentle breeze. I liked the daytime. It could be peaceful in its own way.

I walk next to Kagaya, ignoring the quick glares from some of the hashira... others being quite obvious.

Was it the two giant double-bladed scythes on my back? Probably. Was it the lack of face exposure due to my bangs? Probably that too. Or maybe it was my uniform design? Maybe not. Some of theirs are... unique to say the least.

Or maybe they're wondering how I'm so close with their "master"?

I lay my weapons next to me as I sit next to Kaguya with the tray of tea.

I pour him a cup. I then hold his hand on top of mine as I place the cup in his hands. I know he knows where to reach but it's the least I can do since he decided to spare me.

I continue to sit silently on my knees looking down at the floor in front of me. I don't mind their stares, but the least they could do is stop after this long.

"Now, now, children. Staring is impolite. I don't believe she appreciates it."

Suddenly the gazes I felt just seconds ago immediately vanished. I've never witnessed a meeting, let alone attended one. I never truly knew how much these people respected Kagaya.

"I suppose I could introduce you to Yoshiaki Watanabe. Please call her Aki or Watanabe. She has been in the Corp for longer than any of you and is very strong in her own ways. Now that you have become acquainted, I've no doubt you will notice her wandering around the estate at times."

The question will be asked. Why hadn't he explained it? Perhaps he thought my connections with the hashira would become stronger if I attempted conversing with them.

"Why do you have a boy's name? You weird like Mr. I'm different over here or something?"

...Who was he talking about? Talking with this angered, white-haired boy is going to be unpleasant for me, isn't it?

"Though I don't know who you're talking about, the reason I have a male name is because my female name was burned in a fire."

He smirked at me weirdly. What was this meeting supposed to be about anyway?

"Now that you have acquainted yourselves, I will proceed with the meeting."

All that was discussed was the rapid change in demon numbers. They were rising and were gaining more power than in the last few decades. It seems as if they're evolving.

Will I evolve too? Into something far greater than what I am currently?