[Name]

It was dark and wet. I didn't know where I was at the moment, all I knew is that I fell down somewhere. I probably landed on my head. I could have sworn I was down here for a while. I started to feel my surroundings to see if I'm in a cave or just a hole. I felt this wall going inward so I lead my way there.

As I walked further into the tunnel, I heard water pouring out of somewhere. I followed the sound and found some light above.

"How am I going to get up there?"

Author

"Where is she?" Sanemi wondered. He wasn't the type to get worried about you since you were strong. But it's been over a week since you had left to go slay a demon. It wasn't a Twelve demon moon, just a mere demon lurking around. Yet, for some reason, whenever lower level demon slayers go after it, then never come back.

"That's it, I'm going after her," Sanemi said as he went and grabbed his Nichirn sword, and heading away from the headquarters.

"Shinzugawa? Where are you going?" Sanemi turned around and locked eyes with the flame pillar, Rengoku Kyojuro.

"None of your business," he said rather crudely and started to walk away. The flame pillar chased after him and held him by his arm.

"Are you going where [name] is?" Kyojuro asked him. Sanemi didn't reply and kept silent. "If you are... then I'll accompany you."

Sanemi yanked his arm away from him, shouting, "Like hell YOU are! What if another demon appears? Who's going to be sent out?"

"I'm sure Gyomei-san or Tengen-san can go," Kyojuro answered.

"... Fine," he said. They both headed out in search of you.

The two of them quickly got to the place you headed out for. It wasn't what they thought it'll be. The scenery was nice and peaceful. Why would a demon appear here?

"You search over there, I'm gonna look around here," ordered Sanemi to Kyojuro. They both began to search for any traces of you. Nothing seemed out of place, yet...

There was a huge boulder that was moved. "Shinzugawa, over here!" called Kyojuro. Sanemi headed over to him and looked at what he had found.

"It seems this bolder has been moved." Kyojuro analyzed.

"What do you think is behind it?" asked Sanemi.

"I don't know, but it might be the demons hideout. It may have chosen this place because of how deceiving it was."

"Well then, you gonna help me push this thing or not?" Sanemi said slapping the giant rock.

[Name]

I tried to find the safest way to get to the light. I saw a ledge that was too narrow, but big enough for me to walk on it. I moved back, getting some distance to do a running start. I ran to the farthest wall, building up some speed. I jumped at it and flew to the next one, all the way to the ledge up above. As I got up there, it looked like there were stairs leading to somewhere. It would take me down if I followed it, and also leading me into another area. But I had to, the demon might be in there. This week-long mission will surely end today!

I slowly made my way across the ledge and down the stairs. The more I went down, a heavy smell of rotting flesh hit my nose. I lifted my uniform and covered my nose, it didn't do much, just suppressed the smell a bit. There was no light in this room at all, I couldn't see. I felt my surrounding, I knelt down and started to feel the floor. As I moved up further, I felt something dry, along with something squishy.

"What is—" I was stopped by a loud scream coming from what I suppose was the entrance.

"What are you doing here slayer?!"

I pulled myself up, I knew for sure this was a demon. What I touched could have been the remains of someone.

"Answer me!" it yelled at me.

"I am the (breath) pillar and I am here to slay you foul demon!" I shouted. I sounded too confident in what I was saying. I couldn't see, the decaying bodies smell was hurting my nose, the sound of the rushing water was roaring in my ears.

Author

Sanemi and Kyojuro looked around the hidden tunnel, staying close to the light as possible.

"I say we should go in further." Sanemi insisted on doing.

"That would be quite dangerous. We won't be able to see anything." Kyojuro said with a beaming smile on his face.

"Then we'll use you to light—" a scream was heard from deeper within the cave. The two pillars immediately recognized the person's voice and without hesitation, at full speed ran towards it. The smell of rotting flesh collided with there noses. They simply ignored it and kept moving. Sanemi brought out his blade, getting ready to cut open his skin.

They turned the corner and a big flash of light shot them in the eyes. They immediately adjusted to it. They looked around in search of you. Soon, they located your position. You were at the top of the ledge you found before. The two men got closer and saw your blood spill to the ground.

They were both filled with shock, but mostly anger. You fainted from the blood loss. The demon was about to attack you again. But before it could, its head was cut clean off. The two men rushed to you and examined your body. To the best of their abilities, they covered your wound and brought you back to the headquarters.

The wind pillar came by your home at least three times a week—sometimes four—just to check up on how you're doing. Even though you were completely fine and that your wounds had healed, he still wants to check up on you.

"How are you?" he'd ask.

"I'm just fine." you'll say.

"Do you want me to get you anything?" he'll suggest.

"No, I can get it myself anyway." you'd reply.

"Have you eaten?"

"Yeah."

He'll go on and on, asking you questions. It was quite adorable to see him act this way.

"[Name]... I'll always be here for you." he said to you.

"Sanemi... thank you."

"I love you [name]." Sanemi brought your body close to him and placed you on his lap. He placed his nose into your hair, leaving kisses and smelling you.

It tickled just a bit. You giggled at this sudden confession. There was no problem with it. You loved him too.

"I love you as well, Sanemi."

Even though your completely alright. It saddens him to see that this had happened to you. His smiles weren't as bright, his eyes were softened, the angle of his eyebrows changed. It hurt you to see him like this.

"Kyojuro, are you alright?" you asked.

"I'm fine... I just... I..." he said, cutting himself off constantly.

"Kyojuro. It's not your fault that this happened."

"It is, I wasn't there to protect you! Now—"

Out of nowhere, your hand clashed against his face, making a loud sound that echoed. You weren't the type to inflict pain on someone, but you really need to knock some sense into him.

"I was careless on this mission, Kyojuro. There is no need for you to take the blame for me," you said.

"[Name]..."

"Promise me that you won't blame yourself." you stretched out your body to him, calling for a hug.

"I'm... sorry..."

"Don't be, I slapped you after all." you grinned.

"I love you," he said proudly.

"Love you too."