Demon Slayer ~ The Nova Hashira

Chapter Three: The Trio

The warm light of the sun poured through the window, the smell of dew and a gentle breeze reached her nose. Her blankets were soft and she practically melted into the cushions. She had to basically drag herself out of bed.

A week… Hikari thought as she rose to her feet, rubbing her eyes and yawning. One week since that interaction with upper three…

She got into her uniform and walked through the halls, ready for training. Whenever she wasn't on a mission she was normally hard at work trying to get stronger. Shinobu had been treating the people from the mountain incident so The Nova Hashira decided not to bother them until they were better headled.

Six hundred and five, six hundred and six, six hundred and seven, six hundred and eight… she silently counted her push ups, not tired in the least as she continued.

I wonder if Shinobu is okay. The Nova user thought as she ran through the forest, doing laps around the town. Air whipped her face as she ran, and she felt the same exhilarating rush every time she went out to run. She’s got a ton of responsibilities with all those people…

She's probably super busy…  As Hikari ran she once again let her thoughts wander…

Why am I doing this?

I use a destructive breathing style, if I don't do this I'll die.

Why is it so destructive?

Because I need to be able to protect those I love.

What about you? Remember what happened last time…? Hikari did remember, she remembered it vividly. There was a reason why Nova Breathing didn't have more than five forms. And that last form had caused many of her friends to realize just how much danger Hikari was in when she used Nova Breathing.
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“Shinobu!” Hikari ran back into the Butterfly mansion. Currently she knew the boys were almost healed completely and she wanted to see that Tanjiro boy a little closer. Before she hadn’t wanted to bother her sister, but now she was back from the mission and was wounded, also seeing Tanjiro up closer was something she had been wanting to do.

“Hikari?” A voice called back, from one of the many doors, Shinobu walked out and her eyes widened a bit at the sight of the Nova user.

“There are a ton of people out there who need help!” Hikari pointed outside and Shinobu looked at her arm instead. The Nova Hashira had been on a mission with several others and felt a little guilty that she hadn’t been able to protect them all.

“Hikari, this bandage is fresh, how's it so bloody? Are you okay?” The insect Hashira gently took her arm, and Hikari sighed, she didn’t want someone to help her, she wanted someone to help the other people!

“But what about–”

“I've got lots of people to help with that. Right now you need help.” Shinobu was firm, and Hikari knew she wasn't going to win this battle.

“Have you seen Tanjiro around?” Shinobu had finished bandaging her arm and seemed to be surprised at her question.

“I think he's out training. Why do you ask?” Her purple eyes seemed to be trying to figure out what Hikari wanted but she stood up before then and walked out. “Hikari! You shouldn't be– argh, screw it.”

The blonde laughed and walked down the hallways. Her wounds didn't hurt. A few slightly torn muscles and some scratches weren't enough to stop her. Although those two things and Shinobu… she probably wasn’t going out of the house too much.

“Tanjiro!” Her voice cut across the courtyard and the black haired boy looked up, his Auburn eyes curious on who had called him. His eyes widened at seeing her and he ran over. When she was about to say hello he gave a bow.

“Thank you so much for protecting Nezoko in the trial!” Hikari was a little shocked at him being so formal, although a smile spread across her lips. His politeness was quite refreshing.

“It was nothing. I was just keeping my idiot of a comrade from getting into trouble.” Hikari gave the boy a pat on the head. “You don't have to be so formal. My name's Hikari Chōshinsei, but it's okay if you just call me Hikari.”

“My name is Tanjiro Kamado.” Hikari gave a bright smile at him. He returned it although it faltered as his nose twitched. “Hikari-san, are you hurt? I smell blood.”

“You were able to figure that out even after it's been cleaned and bandaged?” Hikari was surprised, to say the least. She pulled up her hoari’s sleeve to reveal her psyched up wounds. “However, you're correct.”

“Another one?!” There was a voice that was high pitched although clearly a male. When she turned to face then it was a boy with yellow hair with orange highlights. His eyes were yellow too and he looked both shocked and in awe.

“Nice to meet you! I'm–” The hashira started, although she was cut off as someone else butted in.

“Humph! She looks weak!” A gruff voice grunted and Hikari looked over at a boy wearing a boar head and it looked like he had ripped his uniform which made her laugh a little. He’s interesting.

“Tanjiro, are these your friends?” Hikari asked him and he gave a nod with a smile. The yellow haired one seemed to have been love stricken by Hikari, while the boar looked like he was holding back fighting something.

“Yep, the yellow hair is Zenitsu Agatsuma. The one with the boar head is Inosuke Hashibira.” He pointed to both of them and Hiakri nodded before he addressed his friends. “This is Hikari Chōshinsei, she helped Nezoko in the trial.”

“Nice to meet all of you, I bet we'll be great friends.” Hiakri smiled warmly and folded her arms. “You three look like you've been training hard. Mind if I join you?” Shinobu won’t mind…

“But what about your wounds?” Tanjiro looked a little concerned.

“Wounds would only stop someone who was weak!” Inosuke declared with a huff, and he puffed out his chest.

“Also a few torn muscles and some scratches don't hurt too much. I'll just do some light training, nothing too extreme.” Hikari reassured them, walking out into the yard. Her grin got a little wider at her entering the yard. She hadn’t trained here since she had been avoiding the boys, mainly because she didn’t want to bother them since they were hurt.
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Hikari had been training with Tanjiro, Inosuke and Zenitsu for as long as they could manage. She'd done their training with them, mainly because Shinobu would get after her for working too hard if she did her usual routines.

“Good work today!” Hikari praised them. “For your age and skill you're all quite hearty!” They were honestly rather impressive, and she was genuine with every word.

“Th… thank you…” Zenitsu managed to say with a small smile, he was much more drained than the others and looked like a single blow from the wind could blow him over.

“Humph! I don't need your praise!” Inosuke huffed, grunting a bit and turning his head definitely. He reminded her of one of Tengen’s wives, and she found it hilarious because of that.

“You were so fast, Hikari, how'd you do that?” Tanjiro was referring to when they had been running laps.  The Nova Hashira hadn't even been going as fast as she could and only stopped because the boys were about to drop from exhaustion.

“Lots and lots of training. Also that's not even as fast as I'm able to go. That was just a jog. For any Hashira this would be child's play.” Hikari placed her hands on her hips and stood up straighter.

“C-child’s play?! I-I can barley f-finish this!” Zenitsu stuttered, looking terrified at the thought.

“That's because you're a wimp!” The boar boy snapped at him. Hikari would've corrected him but it probably wouldn't go to his head so she decided not to comment on it. With that she decided it was best to leave to rest, otherwise her sister was bound to get after her.