Fly (Tanjiro x Kanao)

Chapter 2

When Aoi and Kanao arrived back at Butterfly Mansion, they were greeted by the friendly face of Kanae.

"Welcome, home. How was school?"

Aoi and Kanao began slipping off their shoes, "Well, it was the same as usual except there were two new students."

Kanae smiled curiously, "My my, We don't usually get new folks in town. What were their names?"

Aoi paused for a moment while one shoe dangled dangerously off her foot.

"Kamado, Tanjiro and Hashibira, Inosuke, I think."

Kanae furrowed her brow, "Kamado..?"

While taking off her coat, Kanao was trying her best not to listen in. However, when her sister, Kanae paid extra attention to the name, her interest peaked.

"Is there something I'm not getting here? I thought it was just a normal name, " Aoi frowned, racking her mind at what was so remarkable about the name.

Kanae smiled, "No sorry, I just thought that I had heard of that last name before. Aoi if it's not too much trouble could I task you with picking up Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho?"

Aoi nodded begrudgingly and put her shoes back on, leaving Kanae and Kanao alone.

After the resounding click of the door, Kanae turned to Kanao.

"Kanao, we need you to accompany one of the Mizunotos on their mission, make sure everything goes smoothly and retrieve the stolen-swords."

Kanao nodded, a blank expression present on her face, an expression empty of fear or anxiety. Just as Kanao was about to leave, Kanae wrapped herself around her.

"Stay safe, Kanao, "

Kanao nodded, burrowing herself into Kanae's warm embrace. Anything for her beloved sister.

"Yes, Master."

~•~•~

Kanao entered the square, cloak over her head. It seemed like whoever was supposed to accompany her was late.

As she was about to continue on without them, a hand touched her shoulder.

Kanao countered quickly, drawing her blade to the figure's neck.

The person staggered back, landing with an airy thud.

"I mean you no harm!" A sweet voice cried out.

Kanao eased her blade away, reluctantly.

"I'm glad we're going together, you seem like you know what you're doing, " The girl smiled.

Kanao nodded, motioning for her to follow.

They snuck around, exploring the square under the cover of the shadows.

"I don't see any-" Kanao clasped a hasty palm over the girl's mouth and hauled her against the corner.

Kanao gestured to the two men who were talking and exchanging something.

The girl's eyes perked up, comprehending that they were their targets.

Kanao began moving up closer without the girl until she eventually started trailing closely behind her.

"Do you have the goods?" A man with a mask and long black coat asked.

The other man exhibited the contents that were neatly tucked, glistening brightly.

The head of a sword poked out menacingly before the cover of the box slid back over it.

"Excellent, " Just as they were about to transfer the box for the briefcase, Kanao emerged out of the shadows pursued quickly by the other girl.

'Fourth Form'

A razor-sharp pink Nichiren Blade materialized and effortlessly slit the throat of the man lugging the briefcase.

'Crimson Hanagoromo'

As Kanao was about to do the same thing to the other man, Kanao saw the blade of the other girl's black Nichiren Blade cut him down.

"We got them both, sweet!" The girl grinned under her cloak.

Kanao unfastened the box, making sure they were indeed the stolen-Nichiren Blades. After double-checking, she was about to move on to the suitcase until the other girl tackled her to the ground.

Kanao was ready to draw her blade when a loud explosion rang out behind them.

Kanao looked up at the girl. The girl's hood was down. Revealing black long hair framing dark pink eyes looking back at her.

The girl got off her, "So sorry! There was an ominous scent coming off that suitcase."

"Thank you, " Kanao mumbled, slightly impressed by the girl's sense of smell, and slightly annoyed that she herself didn't spot the danger sooner.

Kanao was about to check that the blades were still intact when the girl pointed at her cloak, nervously.

Kanao put a hand up to her head, realizing her hood also fell down during their tumble.

Kanao put her hood back up and gazed at the girl suspiciously, hesitant whether or not to kill her for seeing her face.

The other girl looked back at her with big pink eyes filled with youth and innocence,

Kanao felt a weird feeling gripping her heart, sadness? It was very familiar.

No, she couldn't feel, at least not anymore.

Kanae wouldn't like for me to do that, Kanao justified.

Kanao checked the now ruined box, thankfully the blades inside were still in tip-top shape, so she and the other girl weren't going to get slaughtered by the entirety of Swordsmith Village.

They were very proud and protective regarding the safety of the blades they worked so hard to forge, the corps barely managed to keep an ongoing deal with them.

"I can handle this, go home, " Kanao said, picking up the box and walking away.

"Okay! It was great working with you!" The other girl waved her hand eagerly.

Something flickered through her mind before disappearing. Kanao shook her head clear of thoughts.

~•~•~

Kanao brought the box back to the Butterfly Estate where Shinobu was waiting.

"Well done Kanao, are those the stolen-blades?"

Kanao nodded, presenting the box to Shinobu.

"That's great, but what happened to the box?" Shinobu scratched her head, a look of confusion on her face.

"One of them was carrying an explosive, and it exploded. I'm sorry for the ruined state of the box," Kanao dipped her head.

Shinobu gasped, "Explosive?! Are you sure you're alright Kanao? I'm taking you to the infirmary, no objections!"

Shinobu dragged Kanao into the infirmary, "You need to be more careful, Kanao! Promise me that, okay?" Shinobu pouted, looking cross.

"I'll be more careful, " Kanao murmured, smiling lightly as Shinobu was lecturing her.

1006 Words