The Pure Who Embraced Hatred

~ Chapter 25 ~ (Concerned)

It's been a week since the night Shinobu almost getting killed and Aoi's family tragedy. For a week, few events have occurred shortly.

Firstly is Kanae reaction when she found out her beloved little sister's condition. She was truly shocked and panicked after she saw Shinobu being carried by Itachi.

~Flashback~

Shinobu showed Itachi the way to her house. Usually she do not show strangers where she live but after Itachi saved her, she began to trust Itachi.

Itachi slowly walk into the front door before knocking it loudly. A few seconds later a footsteps were heard. Then the front door opened and it was Kanae.

"Welcome back Shin--, Owhh Itachi? What are you doing here? I never knew you know where we live" Kanae said in wonder.

Then Kanae saw Itachi holding someone on his back. "Itachi, who's that on your back?" Kanae asked. However Itachi didn't answer but Kanae heard someone talking to her, "I'm home nee-san" Kanae gasped when she heard the voice.

"SHINOBU! ARE YOU ALRIGHT? WHAT HAPPENED? ARE YOU INJURED?" Kanae asked worriedly to her sister. "Nee-san, I'm fine. Itachi saved me" Shinobu said in reassurance.

"Thank you, I'm totally grateful for taking care of my sister. Thank you Itachi..." Kanae said gratefully. "No, it's fine. Anyway where could I put your sister?" Itachi asked.

However Shinobu answered before Kanae could, "Just put me to my room" Shinobu said. Itachi then asked the direction of her room but Kanae the one who showed the way.

Then they entered Shinobu's room and Kanae layed the mattress. Itachi then gently put down Shinobu. "Thank you Itachi, Kanae. Could you leave me alone for now? I need to rest for me to heal" Shinobu told both of them.

Kanae just said okay and leave the room while Itachi followed. Then Kanae about to lead Itachi onto the living room. However before she could lead, Itachi stopped her.

"Wait, there's a girl who also followed us earlier. Shinobu decided to brought her along with her" Itachi told Kanae. "Then, where's the girl?" Kanae asked.

Itachi then went back to the front door and Kanae just followed. Then they found the girl who stood behind the door looking shy.

Kanae then approached the girl, "Hello, I'm Kanae Kocho. You must be the one my sister brought along. What's your name?" Kanae asked with her usual smile on her face.

The girl still feeling shy but answered Kanae, "M-my name i-is Aoi Kanzaki" the girl said in stutter. "Nice to meet you Aoi. You don't have to be shy" Kanae said.

The girl however is still shy, Kanae continues to look at the girl while smiling before a thought crossed her mind. "Hey Aoi, follow me. I have someone I want you meet" Kanae said on cheerful manner.

Aoi just nodded and said okay. Kanae then hold Aoi's hand and entered the house back. Then Kanae starts calling someone, "Kanao? Where are you Kanao?"

A few seconds later, both of them heard footsteps before they saw Kanao walking towards both of them. Kanae smiled warmly when she saw Kanao.

"Kanao, this girl is Aoi. Aoi this is Kanao. Why not both of you get to know each other. Owh! And while at it, Kanao, would you show Aoi around the house" Kanae said. Kanao just nodded at her step sister and Kanao signalled Aoi to follow her.

Then both of them left with each other before Kanae turn around and went to the front door. Itachi didn't follow them earlier and just stood at the door.

"Why didn't you follow us earlier Itachi?" Kanae asked. "It's not necessary since I'm already about to leave. After all, it's not polite for a stranger to stay in others home for too long." Itachi said.

"Your not a stranger Itachi, we already know you. I'm really grateful for you saving Shinobu. You will be always welcomed here" Kanae said while smiling to him.

Then Kanae smile begin to falter slowly into a frown, "Itachi, would you mind tell me what really happened to Shinobu?

~Flashback ended~

After Itachi told Kanae the details about Shinobu's near demise. The next day, Kanae went straight to Ubayashiki's manor. She has a request she wanted to make with Oyakata-sama.

Kagaya when he saw the flower pillar coming to his home just greeted the flower pillar warmly. Kanae just greeted back politely to Kagaya referring him as Oyakata-sama.

After the greeting session, Kanae went straight to the point. She told Kagaya about Shinobu's condition and tell him every details from what she heard from Itachi.

Kagaya frowned when he heard this but also felt relieved when Kanae said that her sister is saved. Kagaya thought a few things by himself when Kanae said that a stranger by the name Itachi saved her younger sister.

Kanae then finally decided to told Kagaya her main reason coming meeting him.

"Oyakata-sama, with all due respect, I personally want to make a request for my sister's sake. Please relieve Shinobu from her duty to patrol at night. I know this may be a selfish of me, but please consider this Oyakata-sama." Kanae pleaded

"Shinobu will not quit the demon slayer unless she wanted to herself. Instead, she will be joining me on every of my missions and I will be joining her on her missions you assigned for both of us. Please I'm begging you Oyakata-sama, please consider this." Kanae pleaded again to her leader.

Kagaya when he heard this just smiled in warmth towards Kanae. Kagaya give Kanae the green light and approved Kanae request. Kanae is smiling to herself and showed her gratitude to Kagaya. Kagaya just said it was fine and it was the least he can do.

Then Kanae respectively told her departure from the Ubayashiki's manor and leave. After a few minutes alone by himself, Kagaya smiled before thought to himself, 'even if they hated you, you still continue to protect them and look after them in the shadows'.

Kagaya just keep smiling to himself thinking about the stranger Kanae mentioned to him earlier that saved Shinobu, Itachi.

That's all happened within the past week...

~Meanwhile~

Itachi can be seen walking into a town. He decided to find an inn for tonight in this town. He arrived at the town which is quite lively for the night.

It's probably just a normal day in this town. There's stalls and shops filling the streets brightly. Some peoples are eyeing him suspiciously. Itachi realise about this but he ignored it. It can't be helped with how he looks right now making him look secretive.

Itachi continue to walk around before finally found an inn. He opened up the door which made a ringing sound since there's a bell hanging on the door.

"Ahh welcome! How may I help you" someone greeted to Itachi. Itachi then looked for source of the voice and saw a man probably in his 50's. Itachi approached the man and asked, "Do you still have a few spare rooms?"

"Yes we do! How many do you want to rent?" the man asked and Itachi said he'll take one. Itachi then took out the money and gave it to the man.

The man than give the keys to his room before continue to ask, "Hey, are you new around here?". Itachi just said yes when he heard the man.

"I'm just telling you but be aware especially at night. There are few town folks who live outside near of the town went missing for the past few weeks."

"There were a few investigations on the missing people on their house and we only found blood splattered but no bodies. It was such horrendous sight."

"Rumours have it that there was a demon lurking in the night eating those humans. But I don't believe that since demons are just a horror story. I'm pretty sure it's a wild animal like a bear or something" the man said.

Itachi listened every words the man said before responding,

"I see... I'm very interested with the story, would you mind telling me in more details?"