Amare Flos (Demon Slayer)

The ground trembled beneath Eira's feet as she walked into Aokigahara forest. To a bystander, her ferocity and cunning were hidden behind an innocent and 'small' facade. Who would've thought a woman of her stature could be so immensely powerful, especially in unison with having such hate-filled intentions? The majestic sun, which was positioned directly above Eira's team, seemed to be the only being that gazed at Eira with no fear. 

Eira's team had rested from sunrise to afternoon, setting out to Aokigahara forest, the area which Kammu stated Akaza would be in for the next few nights. 

"Do we really have to bring this demon with us?" Yukina panted as she struggled to push the wheelbarrow they had collected from a nearby Wisteria house. In the wheelbarrow was an asleep Kammu, covered by thick blankets that blocked whatever little remnants of sunlight got through the dense forest. 

"Eira's orders," Ayumu carefully observed at the moss-covered tree roots that sprang from the ground, the densely populated forest was a sight to behold, yet held an eerie feeling. It would be terrifying if it was night, the thousands of trees that twisted into figures in the dark, haunting those who held even an ounce of fear. Ayumu gulped as he held his blade's hilt. He glanced back at Yukina.

"Why did you choose to accept this offer? You know, to work under Eira," Ayumu spoke in a low tone, already influenced by the forest's essence. He figured a conversation would distract him. He studied Yukina's red face and quickly moved to her assistance, he pushed the wheelbarrow with ease, taking it off her hands. 

"Well, it's exciting hunting down an Upper Moon right?" Her smile returned as Ayumu took the wheelbarrow for her, "I live by a go big or go home mindset," 

Ayumu stared at Yukina. He couldn't help but feel as if there was something off about her, a tough exterior that was desperately holding together even under the gigantic pressure. He knew from experience how someone was when they were overwhelmed by grief. Perhaps it was the forest's effect but it felt as if she was hiding something. He chose not to say anything about it. 

"Most Mizunotos would've chosen home, you're brave," Ayumu lifted a hand to pat her on the back, offering some praise. Yukina's exterior cracked slightly as if Ayumu's praise had softened her completely. 

"Well, I don't really have a home to go to, so my only choice is to go big," Yukina spoke softly. Her eyes glanced down to the floor and back at Ayumu, a desperate look for reassurance in her eyes. Ayumu's sense was correct, Yukina's bubbly personality was a facade that was so viciously maintained that even she believed she was the bubbly character she had created. A loss of her true self and the continuation of playing a character led her to a state of depression, which only further pushed her to play the bubbly character. Even Eira couldn't see through her facade. 

"We're stopping here," Before Ayumu could respond, Eira shouted from the front of the formation. It was the perfect area for the planned ambush. There were shrubs and bushes scattered almost everywhere, perfect for those who were prepared with the injections. 

"Ayumu, Yukina, you two were the only volunteers," Eira called out to both of them, and sent two other team members to handle Kammu's wheelbarrow. Ayumu shared a sudden glance with Yukina, one saturated with worry and concern, a Mizunoto fighting an Upper Moon? No matter how prodigious or talented she was proclaimed to be, this was too far. Even Ayumu felt weak for this mission. 

"You're fighting Upper Three?" Ayumu turned to Yukina with an expression of worry. His heart beat loudly in his heart, his worry now not only extended for himself and Eira but Yukina as well. Yukina didn't reply with anything other than a small nod, still carrying that smile that Ayumu was so sure was fake. 

He could almost hear what she was implying through the nod.

Go big or go home. 

As Yukina began to walk towards Eira, Ayumu stared at her back with pain, the girl who was practically throwing her own life away. There was no way she stood a chance. At least Ayumu had experience and enough skill to keep up with Eira. 

"Yukina, rethink this," Ayumu caught up to her, speaking in a whisper, not daring to reveal his worry to Eira. He was too scared to go against the Hashira's orders, he was intimidated enough. As much as he spoke and seemed like second in command, he still felt overwhelmed by her strength and downright feared her. 

Yukina didn't reply, they had gotten within earshot of Eira. The Ice Hashira radiated a cold atmosphere, instigating chills down both their spines. 

"Is everything alright, Ayumu?" Eira's tone, although soft, was sharp, stabbing into Ayumu. He hesitated, but ended up nodding. 

Eira's hands extended. Her pale hands had developed rough callouses from the rough, arduous and intense profession. Her blue eyes shone, empty of any sympathy, her hands still stretched out expecting their syringes. Both Ayumu and Yukina handed them her syringes, Eira put them in her pocket. 

The following hours were lost in worry and a state of disorientation. As the rest of the team prepared their positions, making sure they were hidden, Yukina and Ayumu sat silent and still. They sat next to each other on a grassless bare piece of dirt. The constant state of worry was comparable to the sun's consistent movement across the sky. On both sides, the motivations were different. Ayumu felt as if he was pushed in a corner and forced to join Eira in fighting, while Yukina had nothing to lose. Yet, as the sky grew darker, a swirl of fear grew in their stomachs. 

"I wonder how many people will make it out alive," After several hours of silence, just as the sun set Yukina spoke as she stared at the stars. The stars were just starting to appear. Ayumu inhaled deeply as he unsheathed his blade. He gripped the hilt tightly and pointed it towards the dirt.

"Do you ever have trouble smiling?" Ayumu's head turned towards Yukina, he put it bluntly but gently, he wanted to know if she was ok. Yukina's head slowly travelled from the large stars in the sky, to the small bugs on the ground. Didn't they look the same size from our point of view? After all, life is all about perspective.

"So many people tell me how I make them feel happy or how I comfort them because I'm always 'happy'," Yukina whispered, "I just hope I can be as happy as they say I am one day," 

Every word was heart-wrenching for Ayumu. A wave of empathy washed over him, his own struggles were reminded of him, he was once just like Yukina. Overwhelmed by sadness. 

"I just want someone to… comfort me with their presence like I do to them," Yukina's voice began to crack as she continued, "I don't have anyone to go back to, I put everything I had in the Corps, I have nowhere to go, I'm going to die fighting in this uniform" 

Ayumu felt as if he was listening to himself when he was younger, he had to admit Yukina was strong. In the face of despair, she put up a smile, rather than the anger that Ayumu always carried in the past. He couldn't take his eyes off the sobbing girl. 

"When this mission is over, there's a nice udon stall in the city, do you like noodles?" Ayumu offered a comforting hand on her shoulder, "I'll take you there," 

It was simple, telling someone a plan for after an intense situation would make them subconsciously think that they would make it through the situation. Most of the time anyways. 

"I plan to run my own udon stall in the future," Ayumu's words attempted to cushion Yukina, try to make her to feel seen and acknowledged, "I can teach you how to make noodles, you can work with me," 

Once again, they were interrupted.

"Let's get into positions," Eira's voice boomed throughout the soon-to-be pitch-dark forest. The trees looked like figures of horror in the dark, their wild roots and shaky leaves. Yukina wiped her eyes and grabbed her sword tightly. She glanced at Ayumu and nodded slowly, she stood up and began to walk towards Eira. 

"And remember the signals, everyone," Eira reminded them of the signals they had discussed throughout the preparation. The main signals were if Eira scraped the bark of a tree, Akaza was present, if Eira yelled out a technique in battle, Akaza was in a position where someone could stab him and there were a range of others that most likely wouldn't be used. 

Ayumu was still for a while, still staring at the direction Yukina was just at as if she was still there. He took a deep breath and followed suit. 

The moonlight shone on Eira's sword. The people on the front line were all behind trees, approximately a few metres away, while the members with the syringes were scattered, hiding in bushes, some even hid in trees. Kammu's wheelbarrow was hidden somewhere deep in the forest but still close to the Corps members, he already knew his orders, he lay still under the blankets. 

The only reason he wasn't running for his life was Eira's intense promise she had whispered. It was in the late evening when he had woken up, she had stated she would hunt him down and torture him til he died from dehydration due to crying. With how much effort and determination she had for killing Akaza, he didn't want to risk getting on her bad side. The wind was the only noise, the quiet howl provided an eerie backdrop to the intense situation. 

"Should I come tonight?" Ali asked Akaza as they both stood outside, the wind blew at their backs. The moon was full, a sad gaze as the pale figure looked down upon the mentor and student. A relationship that sprouted unexpectedly but had become strong, even though at the start it was seeded with hate. Now they stood together, laughed together and talked as if they had known each other for years. 

"What for? It's boring work, stay here and train," Akaza stretched as he groaned. His muscles tensed as he prepared to launch himself in the direction of the forest for the third night in a row. 

"See you then," Ali slapped Akaza's back roughly and quickly retreated into the dojo while giggling. Akaza winced in pain and then a wave of annoyance washed over him. 

"He's really getting stronger…" Akaza sighed at childish antics, but he smiled. Ali had a large impact on Akaza's overall well-being, he felt much less… alone. 

Akaza leapt off the ledge of the cliff and began his journey. He wondered if he should get something for Ali. 

"He'll probably jump through the roof in joy if I find him a sword-looking stick," Akaza thought to himself. 

The moon slowly travelled across the sky, nighttime was limited. The time for this mission to be fulfilled was limited., 

Akaza entered Aokigahara Forest with nine hours of night left. He would have to leave with one or so hours left if he wanted to make it back to the dojo. His muscles tensed, and his instincts were running wild. Something felt different in the forest, every centimetre of his body felt as if there was something glaring at him. 

Akaza's feet planted into the ground and he closed his eyes, his entire body tensed as he felt a surge of energy run through his veins. 

Blood Demon Art: Destructive Death. Technique Development, Compass Needle. 

Akaza assumed a strong stance, his palm open in front of him while he held a half-squat. A snowflake-like pattern glowed around him as he activated his Blood Demon Art, Compass Needle would allow him to sense any living thing in the area with a 'fighting spirit'. The large forest was full of life, but this night something felt different, as if a predator had entered the environment. Akaza's eyes opened, and his irises had a faint glow. He began to stroll through the forest, his eyes scanning for any enemies and the special flower for Muzan simultaneously, and of course, a cool stick for Ali. 

Eira's back was pressed up against the tree, her grip on her sword so tight she was shaking. Or was she shaking out of nervousness? Was she afraid of facing the demon that had defeated her with one swipe on their first encounter? The deep crimson-red aura that was so terrifying that it almost brought her to her knees? Was that what she was afraid of? 

She inhaled deeply as she focused once more, doubt and fear were the last elements she needed. 

She gulped. Everyone was silent, awaiting any signal. 

Eira's eyes widened. Her mind went into a state of paranoia as she sensed it. It was still far, the deep crimson aura that blazed like a wild inferno with brutality and anger. 

Akaza was here.

Eira pressed her sword against the tree trunk and scraped the bark loudly.