Another

Chapter 15: Pigs in a Lightning Storm

I closed my journal, pushing the trio from the front of my mind. Wisteria creeped on the edge of my senses, their demon-repelling fragrance pleasantly wafting through the air. I was getting closer to the Ubayashiki residence after all. I shook my head, knowing I'd have to confront the issue one way or another.

I was fine with Ubayashiki-san meeting the Kamados. He had listened to the Water Trio's reasoning all those years ago, and had believed them when they'd told him the siblings were different. He had faith in them, and had waited. However, I do not have the same confidence in the other Hashira. From what the Water Trio have told me, they all hate demons with a passion, understandably so. They've all lost close friends and family to the species. And, as the Hashira, the pillars of the Demon Slaying Corps, they led by example. If I were in their shoes, I wouldn't give the Kamado's a chance either.

And that was the problem. If the Hashira were to meet the Kamado's, it's likely the duo would be killed before even receiving a chance to gain their trust. It would be safer if the Kamado's gained their trust before their identities were revealed.

My head throbbed, signaling the beginning of a headache. I unclasped the bag at my side. Quickly tucking the journal into a pocket, I drew a piece of dried plum from the small sack. The mask grabbed at my face as I slid it up, and I popped the fruit in my mouth, the sweetness distracting me from the dull ache.

I hummed, pushing myself off the trunk of the tree and back onto the steep dirt trail. For a while, I ran, dodging the thick trunks and unruly roots. When pale purple peeked from the tree's foliage, was when I finally slowed to a more leisurely pace. Soon, the grand outer-walls of the Ubayashiki residence came into view.

The giant walls were cracked, weathered by the rain and sun. Sprigs of green peeked between the crevices, and the emblem for hospital faded on the double wooden gates.

From a glance, one would assume this was an abandoned building, probably left to rot after the first Great War. It's safe to assume nobody would want to revisit this place. A place of suffering and death.

However, this was all just a ruse.

The walls, if you looked closely, were tinted lavender. This was from the wisteria, used to ward off demons. And the run-down appearance was simply to deter the public from prying.

Every so often, the headquarters would move. The only reason why I knew where this one is located was because one of Ubayashiki-san's Kasugai crows had informed me of the precinct. Since I had a sharp sense of smell, that was all the info I needed to find its present location.

As I neared the gates, the faint trace of medicine sharpened in the walls above me. I quickly sidestepped, and a dart pierced the ground where I was standing. I glanced at it, and followed its trajectory up the wall to wide eyes.

Their uniform indicated they were one of the Kakushi, nurses of the corps, but their scent...

I sniffed. Only the scent of wisteria and forest flora and fauna met my nose. My senses were completely blind to this person. My brow creased. This had never happened before. Even water had a scent, but this person had none.

I cleared my throat, staring at the Kakushi when they flinched. "I'm not a demon," I nudged the Tengen mask up, "so you can stop being so tense."

The kakushi visibly relaxed at the sight of my face, and stood up straight. "Why are you here?" He sounded like a young man. He was probably new then. He tucked a tube into his pocket. I followed his movement. That dart was probably to knock me unconscious then. "Are you a slayer?" The boy leaned on the edge of the wall, peering at me curiously.