Heart Of Fire; Veins Of Ice | Kimetsu No Yaiba Fanfic (Kyojurou's POV)

Chapter 37

Masahiko looks at Himura, who sat on her knees looking at him, nursing a cup of warm green tea as she did so. Kyojuro was sleeping in the next room, where he had locked the door just in case, but he hadn't expected her to come back so quickly. 

"What you suggested seems to be working," Masahiko speaks, as he slides a thick, leather bound journal over to her. She takes it, flipping it open and scanning the pages before she slid it into the folds of her kimono. The fact that he even held on to the research journal in the first place pained him with guilt towards the young man currently in his care.

"I'd never thought anyone would have taken my words seriously, but I suppose you would be the only one who would. You've been able to stave off his hunger that way for the past few days, or even a week or two, by following my method? I'm honoured," Masahiko sometimes couldn't tell the difference for when she was cold, or sarcastic.

"I was surprised too," Masahiko speaks thoughtfully. Himura shoots him a neutral glare.

"You never told me about him. Not until I went back to visit you,"

"Without informing me."

"It was meant to be a surprise visit." A silence passes over the two of them.

"He's the flame Hashira, you know? If others found out that he became a demon, half demon, or a hybrid whatsoever, do you know what they would do to get their hands on him?" Himura was clearly unimpressed with him.

"That's why I wanted to keep him on the mountain. No one else knows about its location but you and me. But it's cruel to keep him isolated and surrounded by nothing but trees and snow," Masahiko speaks, voice filled with much sympathy and empathy for the Hashira.

"I already know he's the kind of person that thrives off of the company of others. He needs action, work, and duty to complete, as well as people to talk to. Being trapped in the cabin up there does nothing for him. At best, it might bring out the demon side in him more, seeing how it's a snow demon," Masahiko continues, strongly justifying his own reasons. Himura waves him off.

"You were always the more empathetic one. Since you interfered with his business, you'll take care of him. I'll provide the two of you with jobs in Kitsune. In return, we'll guard you and ensure that his cover isn't blown. At the same time, whatever attention he attracts, we use it to hunt down those who go against us," Himura proposes, as she takes a sip of tea in between.

"Provided he does not get dragged into any matters not considered his own, consider this deal done," Masahiko looks at Himura from behind his blindfold. He removes it, as he looks into her eyes.

"You will not purposely put him in any danger." He speaks, as Himura's eyes begin dripping blood. Said woman calmly brought up her own cup of tea as she took a sip from it. 

"Protective, much? If you show me your eyes, rest assured. But be known that I cannot account for any unknowns," She stares back into his own.

"Deal."

Masahiko picked up his blindfold, as he tied the cloth over his eyes. Himura gave him a cold smile, as she used a small handkerchief to wipe away the trails of blood dripping from her eyes and down her cheeks. 

"If you used those eyes in combat, you would be an excellent fighter," She said slyly as she folded the now bloodstained cloth and set it on the table. 

"I would never."

"Then I would look forward to the time you would have to. It was a curse, was it not? As a result from a demon's attack?" 

"A curse which should have killed me."

"But I saved you, and for that, you owe me a life debt," She leveled back at him.