Chapter seventeen:

"Master Tokito's strength"

The horrible reminder of how you cried in front of your master tortured you. You had been locked in your room dying out of shame after that episode of your life. You had hit your head against the wall so many times that Muichiro had to knock on the door because the noise had taken him out of his dream world at three in the morning.

Even after three days, you were honestly unable to look him in the eyes, or hands, or any part of him. Muichiro was puzzled by the come back of the shy [Y/N] that you were at the beginning, but he didn't mention anything.

That same week, he began to take you to the missions that his crow communicated to him. The purpose was to get you used to the process of receiving and completing missions, as well as seeing a real battle up close.

At first you questioned whether he had hit his head against a wall as well, but he seriously assured you that you would not be in danger if you kept your distance from them. Not wanting to continue arguing —since his presence had become suffocating— you accepted.

Therefore, on the fifth day of avoiding being near that death trap called Muichiro, you would have to go on your first mission with him.

The place was an abandoned village. The ceilings were half collapsed or leaky and the wood of the doors was beginning to rot. Under the dim moonlight and grayish clouds that covered the brightness of the stars, the path in which both walked was a battered soil stained with a dry substance that your master soon identified as blood.

You both followed the trail, all the way to a better kept shack than the others, in which a pair of ragged clothes hung on a string, emitting the smell of cheap soap. Screeching the door open, Muichiro placed his dominant hand on the handle of his Nichirin sword. Mindful of his surroundings, he set a foot on the wood that creaked under the weight. It was awfully quiet, dark.

If you didn't have a good view, you would have saved yourself the urge of vomiting, since you could distinguish the dead and fresh body of a lady; but even if you hadn't seen it, the foul-smelling edor of blood that you were so familiar with was enough evidence for the nightmare that had taken place.

It was probably a humble lady who had seen this place as a decent refuge. And she died in the most grotesque and unfair way possible.

Your face darkened as your hands formed fists. From the depths of your stomach, hatred spread and wanted to take you over. You spat on the ground holding back your emotions, following Muichiro's every move carefully.

Muichiro froze for what felt like a couple of seconds, before every fiber in his body reacted simultaneously.

"[Y/N]!"

Faster than you could see, the soles of Muichiro's feet changed direction dramatically. His left arm pulled you toward him, holding you tight against his chest. His right pointed to where you previously were. He backed away into the house, still alert to everything that was going on, his face peaceful. You leaned your head against him, enjoying the sweet moments of glory before the memories of you crying in front of him and the dangerous situation you were in pierced your dreamy heart.

You tried to separate yourself from Muichiro, but his strength over you was much greater and he seemed to have no plans of releasing you. Resigned, out of the corner of your eye you took a look at who the demon was supposed to be.

Huh?

There was no one. In its place was a mirror that encompassed the door frame. The edge of his white sword flashed against the reflection of the mirror until an image appeared on it. It was a short, young man with long, straight raven hair fading into turquoise, wearing an oversized demon slayer uniform; the reflection quivered, pulling itself out of the mirror. From it, not only one, but several copies of the mist pillar hopped from there.

Sideglancing between your master's faces, panic washed over your face.

"Huh??? Huhhhhh?? Tokito-sama has multiplied! Is...? Is this a dream?"

Muichiro held his blade pointing at the copies, but hearing your comment, he sweat dropped and looked at you.

"Wait, are you crying?"

"This... This is the best thing that has ever happened to me!" you dried your eyes, doing a tremendous effort to contain a satisfied smile.

He released you and took a step toward the copies, aware of their every move.

Ah~! They have have that cool, bone-chilling stare! My heart can't take this much joy, it can't!

"Stay behind me and find a safe spot, [Y/N]. Don't let your guard down."

"Yes sir!" you complied, your eyes glued to the heavenly situation that was taking place.

There were at least five copies, which upon noticing that Muichiro had already disappeared in a cloud of mist, readied their blades and remained vigilant. A sound of clashing swords caught the attention of the other Muichiros who were not struggling with the real one. They all jumped on him at the same time, but he caught the movement fast enough to move away from the fifth. All the fake Muichiros fought in perfect sync.

The first one attempted to strike from your master's right, while a second one didn't hesitate to recklessly throw himself at him; Muichiro leapt backwards, rolling on his heels to thrust the blade into the second one's skull, who vanished into thin air.

You lost your marbles watching the scene unfold.

He looks so awesome fighting... himself!

Muichiro made extremely sure to keep an eye on you during his fight, and at the same time he analyzed which one of the fakes was the real demon. He kept his serene attitude even when one managed to make a small cut in a sleeve of his uniform, making him furrow his brows slightly. He grabbed that fake's wrist and used him as a shield against the other two that were closing in.

«One, two, three... and then there's the fourth.»

He took a couple steps back, adjusting the grip on the handle.

"Mist breathing, sixth form: Lunar Dispersing Mist" he whispered, jumping forwards in the air to pierce the fourth's back "where are you going, bastard?"

He retrieved his sword. You hadn't notice how close that one was to you.

Your master glared at you before making you face his back, sending shivers through your spine. You should've been more careful instead of fangirling over the situation.

"Third form: Scattering Mist Splash" he deflected the three swordsmen that remained, taking advantage of the momentum to propel himself and slice two of them in one quick circular slash.

He landed on the floorboards, fixing his stance swiftly. The last fake formed a wide smile, his head crooked in an inhuman way. His bones cracked.

In the blink of an eye, a hideous demon stood where he had, showing all his sharp, black teeth; satisfied.

Muichiro found himself getting more serious, as he felt the disgust and pure hatred clinging on the both of you at the sight of that being.