Fly (Tanjiro x Kanao)

Chapter 3

After Shinobu thoroughly surveyed Kanao for any injuries, she was given the okay to begin practice.

She went into the Butterfly Mansion's vast backyard, filled with treadmills, training benches, dumbells, and etc.

Despite all the modern equipment they owned, Kanae, Shinobu, and as a result, Kanao, preferred using a mixture of traditional and modern means of training.

Kanao practiced at first without her sword, running on the treadmills and pulling weights.

She moved on to practice breaking her gourd bottle since she had not yet managed to reach Shinobu's level let alone Kanae's.

Finally, Kanao would start drilling the forms of Breath of the Flower into her head even if she already knew them by heart.

Kanao never knew when she was at her limit so at exactly ten pm someone would drop by and tell her to go inside.

"Kanao, you can stop practicing now."

Kanao nodded, immediately recognizing the voice, "Yes, Master."

Kanae gently caressed Kanao, "You need rest Kanao, thank you for your hard work."

Kanao hugged her back, nuzzling her head into her older sister's shoulder.

~•~•~

They had dinner like a normal family, Kanae was teasing Shinobu again. While Aoi was instructing Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho regarding something.

Kanao picked at her food before a voice called out.

"Kanao, eat your food, don't play with it," Shinobu scolded.

"My my, Shinobu, don't be like that. I just love that smile of yours," Kanae smiled sweetly.

Shinbu pouted, chewing on a piece of beef.

Kanao quickly finished her food but awaited further instructions.

Shinobu and Kanae both noticed this, "Kanao, if you've finished and want to leave, then leave," Shinobu sighed.

Kanao bowed, "Excuse me," she got up and headed for her room.

The voices became faint as Kanao got further and further away from the dining room.

Kanao untied her hair and reached for a towel, preparing to take a shower before bed.

~•~•~

As Kanao finished blow-drying her hair, she thought back to the girl with black hair and dark pink eyes.

Kanao wondered if letting her go was a mistake since she knew her face. Two times today she had already slipped up.

She wouldn't let it happen again.

~•~•~

After Aoi and Kanao wrapped up breakfast, they started on towards school.

Kanao again, lagged a few steps behind Aoi but close enough to see her.

When they got to the school gate, there was a loud commotion.

The red-haired boy from the day prior was on the floor with blood dripping from his abdomen.

Kanao staggered back and put a hand on her mouth as she stared at the oozing blood coming out of the boy.

She frantically searched for something to grab onto, and once she found Aoi's hand, she gripped onto it tightly.

Aoi was perplexed since as long as she had known her, Kanao wasn't afraid of blood or wounds, but she was not about to reject Kanao if she needed comfort or help.

A teacher finally caught wind of it and hurried to see what the big deal was about.

Immediately, she picked the boy up, not before looking at Kanao.

"Kanao, can you come with me?" Kanao immediately snapped out of her trance.

"Yes, Sensei."

Aoi, however, was reluctant to release Kanao's hand.

"Are you sure?"

Kanao gave her a reassuring smile and gently eased her hand out of Aoi's grasp.

Kanao followed obediently behind the teacher as she carried the boy.

When they arrived at the nurse's office, the nurse started administering treatment.

The teacher conversed with the nurse before speaking to Kanao.

"Kanao, can you watch over this boy until he wakes up? Something came up, and the nurse on duty has to leave for a while. I'll be sure to inform your teachers about where you are."

Kanao smiled, "Of course, Sensei it'll be no problem."

The teacher sighed in relief, "Thank you so much Kanao, you're a big help."

Kanao turned to look at her, a small smile still plastered on her face.

The teacher and the nurse departed, leaving Kanao alone with the red-haired boy.

She pulled a chair up right next to his bed.

She evaluated his wounds. Well, it looked like he wouldn't die at least, he might experience some irritation, but at least he would live.

Kanao stared at the wound on his chest even though it was now covered with bandages, the sick feeling still gnawed at her.

She turned away from it, instead staring at the boy's face.

He looked to be in a state of pain and discomfort, so without thinking, Kanao placed a tender hand against his face.

The boy had a look of discomfort at first, and Kanao almost moved her hand away. However, a few moments later he leaned into her touch and settled down.

Kanao looked at him curiously as his inner turmoil had decreased by a significant margin, and it looked like he was at peace.

"Um.., " A voice called out in shock and disbelief.

Kanao jumped backward, almost hitting the desk if it weren't for her quick reflexes.

A girl with black hair and dark pink eyes stared at her, mouth agape.

Kanao realized how suspicious she looked to the stranger by stroking some random boy's head in the nurse's office.

Kanao's face flushed slightly before regaining her usual composure and demeanor, Kanao did nothing but sweetly smile at the baffled-looking girl.

The girl seemed to have regained her train of thought and opened her mouth to speak.

921 Words