A Withering Pillar (Kny x Oc)

The ambush

Koto was walking through the woods moving out of the way of branches and sticks on the ground until he saw the small house come into view.

"Tanaka, are you home?" No response. Koto sighed as he took his shoes off and set them by the door as he walked in.

He thought for a bit before he disused that Tanaka would love a meal when he gets back home. He started to make the bowls of udon for them, making an egg each to be out on top as well.

He had been unconsciously humming the soft tone he had been before as he cooked and cleaned. So he ended up jumping when he heard the sound of his masters voice behind him.

"Koto may I ask what you're doing?" Tanaka asked as he peaked over Kotos shoulder. Koto had stuck his tongue out in consideration as he put the "final" touches on the udon before presenting it to Tanaka.

"I was making dinner for us" he said proudly as he gave him a bowl and made his way to sit down.

"Thank you my child, you didn't have to do that" Koto shrugged as he took the first bite, braking and mixing the egg into the noddles. "So how was your mission?" Tanaka asked after he took a bite as well.

"It went quite well, just a low ranking demon. But I did meet this guy, he was a slayer to, but just went on and on about how 'this demon is his' or 'he's going to be the next hasira' quite annoying if you ask me"

Koto said annoyed as he continued to eat. Yes he was annoyed with the man, but he also couldn't get him off his mind. How annoying.

A few minutes later of course Kotos crow flew in, landing on the table and being quite obnoxious. "CAW CAW KOTO SHINIZU GO TO MOUNTAIN (name) A DEMON HAD BEEN SPOTED"

Koto listened intently before he got up and took his and Tanaka's empty bowls and started to quickly clean them. "Koto don't worry about it, go on your mission"

Koto shook his head as he continued to clean up, he wanted to make sure he didn't leave a giant mess for his master to clean up later.

"Ok, now I'll go" Koto said as the stoic look feel back onto his face. He moved back towards the door and out his shoes on and sword back into his belt. He hadn't even had anytime to rest yet.

Koto's crow had to pretty much herd him out the door and towards the dereliction he needed to go. Koto huffed annoyed, as he shewed his crow away, it was still trying to herd him into the right direction even though it's been 15 minutes already.

The crow bit his hand in protest, by listened as it flew over head and flowed Koto up there. And without the crow pestering him he managed to make it to the mountain in less than 3 hours.

———————
Koto had gotten to the top of the mountain just as the sun was setting, and so far had seen no sign of any demons. Which confused him, but he kept walking around anyway ready to attack.

A branch cracked behind him, making his draw his sword quickly and face that direction. Only to be faced with a scared looking slayer that looked even younger than him.

"Why are you here" Koto asked bluntly as he glared down at the other slayer, which trembled slightly but puffed out his chest trying to act not scared.

"I was sent by my crow here, it said a demon had been taking people up on this mountain" koto sighed with a roll of his eyes and he walked on.

The younger slayer stayed in place before another stick cracked and he rushed behind koto. He watched him as he ran to his side, pretty much hugging him in fear.

But he said nothing of it, it just brought up memories of his little sister. "W-what's with the bow in your hair?" The younger boy asked.

Koto was walking as he thought about how to respond. He opened his mouth, about to talk when something jumped at him pushing him down a hill and into the bushes.

"WHAT THE HELL!" He shouted as he tumbled down, getting hit by rocks and branches that cut his body open.

He quickly got in a defensive position, sword drawn ready to attack. He scoffed as he saw the ugly looking demon before him. He looked like someone had tried to wash him one too many times in a bucket of acid.

The demon laughed as it lunged at Koto, but he easily jumped out of the way and to the side. The demon just laughed again and charged right at him.

"Fourth form, Thorn Dance" Koto mumbled as he ran behind the unexacting demon and without much effort beheaded it.

"Tch, not much of a challenge, I got more hurt from the fall then you" He said coldly as the demon went into thin air shouting all sorts of stuff.

Only then did the younger slayer come to try and help him. "No need, he's dead" The other slayer looked almost happy, all the fear gone as he followed Koto down the mountain, and on his way to in inn.

"Do you have anywhere to stay?" The boy shook his head as he grabbed onto Kotos harori sleeve as they walked.

Koto sighed as he walked in the direction. "Fine fine, I guess you can stay with me for the night kid. What's your name?"

The boy smiled up at him as he changed into a light purple  yukata, and sat down on one of the beds. "My names Hoshiko in a water user, what about you?"

Koto changed as well into a light green yukata.
"My names Koto, im a sand user" Hoshiko tilted his head with a yawn as he looked at Koto.

"Sand breathing? I didn't know that was a thing" Koto smiled slightly, which he didn't do much.

"I actually came up with it my self in final slection" Koto said actually having a hit of proudness in his voice. Hoshiko laughed foundly as he watched Koto.

They talked for a bit longer, actually getting along to, before they turned the lights out and went to sleep, getting rest for the next day to come.