prayer beads
she was a kakushi. born and raised to be one. that’s all Asa thought she was ever going to be and do.
but then Gyomei found her controlling a clean up crew after a particularly nasty fight and somehow recognized her as family. she wasn’t sure how he did it, he was blind after all, but rumors from the kakushi were spread.
“he can see because he's so religious, he's god's favorite”
“he probably prayed so much he was gifted his eyesight back”
“the insect pillar is probably testing a new tonic on him”
of course Asa never quite believed any of them, she too was blind in one eye. and he was a pillar, he must’ve been strong, it was most likely his hearing was much better than any of theirs. that still doesn’t explain how he knew they were related.
“pardon me miss kakushi but would you be so kind as to tend to civilians?” you could hear prayer beads rubbing together before you turned around. “of course Himejima-sama” Asa bowed slightly as she spoke
before she could turn to fulfill his request he perked up, “what’s your name?” she cringed slightly, kakushi were meant to be in the background. they cleaned up demon slayer’s messes as a unit, they weren’t seperate people.
but this was a pillar requesting it. could she really deny someone as high up as him? and such a simple request?
“ah, my apologies, i shouldn’t have asked you miss kakushi”
“Hajime Asa is my name Himejima-sama” she spoke before he could leave. he almost seemed pleased to hear that answer, “although you shouldn’t use it much, i’m not meant to be memorable.”
“on the contrary, i think we are distantly related, our surnames sound similar, do they not?”
“i think that may just be a coincidence Himejima-sama” she said while trying to leave to fulfill his previous request. “i do apologize for sounding so rude but i do not believe in coincidences.” he said once again rubbing the beads together. the sound was grinding on Asa’s ears.
“thank you for apologizing but you really mustn’t. I don’t deserve it.” the two started walking together, him trailing slightly behind.
“you are blind too, are you not?” he questioned, Asa’s hands twitched, “what would ever make you think that Himejima-sama?” “you’ve been stumbling on you right side Hajime-san.” -san?? is he trying to get her jumped by the other kakushi??
sure the others liked her, some even respected her for putting in work and treating them right, (and for giving them her portion of food) but none of them liked her enough to let her talk this long to a pillar.
not answering his question she spoke just wanting to escape the man “i’m afraid it’s my turn to apologize pillar-sama, i need to fulfill your earlier request of tending to the civilians,” but alas the gods the man prayed to were on his side, “then i can wait. if i may be so forward, i can feel that you have incredible potential as a demon slayer Hajime-san.”
that stopped her in her tracks “it’s impossible for me to have any potential,” she snapped “i was born into a family of kakushi and that’s all my family will ever be.” Asa could see his face scrunch up in thought, the prayer beads rubbing faster. gods they were annoying. “i can’t help the way you think, but i cannot leave what i think to be potential, the fight against demons is endless and the fighters of the demon slayer corps needs everyone they can get.”
Asa sighed heavily “find me after i’ve cleaned this mess up Himejima-sama, we can talk more then.” the beads slowed down, “thank you for considering Hajime-san.” Asa shook her head “thank me for cleaning the mess you made, not the conversation we’ll have later.”
———————
“Hajime!! what took you so long to get here??”
“i got blocked by a massive rock”
“?????”
———————
he did find Asa later, she didn’t bother trying to escape, even if she did Himejima would just look for her endlessly. she didn’t want to waste a pillar's time. even if she thought she already was.
it was early morning when the last of the clean up crew had left and so he came “are you hungry?” he asked while they walked “not much” “but you haven’t eaten in a while? i’ll treat you.” there wasn’t much room for argument so she sighed and went along.
the two of them ended up in the town over from the one attacked the previous night, there were many more people than Asa thought there should be. ‘most likely the residents of the town over, the clean up is nearly done now though.’ because it was so crowded there were many more people to stare at himejima than what she assumed was normal.
“here we are” Asa turned to the voice and then to the comically small shop “can you fit in there himejima-sama?” “-san while we’re in public please Asa-san,” ‘oh my gods he really is trying to get me jumped.’- “of course himejima-san.” Asa gritted out. “to answer your question though, i should be able to.” he said his voice sounding hopeful.
———————
If Asa hadn’t guided him down so he didn’t hit his head he would have gotten a concussion by the time they left. ‘like a bull in a china shop’ was all she could think as she directed him to duck down lower to the seat. Asa knew he could take care of himself in battle so why was she being like this? he was a hashira, surely he could guide himself through the small shop.
crack
nevermind. at least the man caught the vase he knocked over before it could break completely. that was all she could think about while she explained to the poor owner how himejima was blind, and how hard it was to navigate in such a small condensed area. “we can leave if need us too, we’ll pay for the damages and extra to compensate” she said bowing slightly.
“no no dear, please sit, that old vase was nothing anyways, just something i bought to clutter this place” Asa bowed again thanking the woman then going to sit. but now the issue at hand was himejima and his plan to make her a demon slayer.
———————
“please stop worrying dear i understand you and your fellow can't help it”
“i still apologize”
“please stop trying to shove money in my hand dear!”
———————
they had small talk before he got straight to what they went for, thank gods, but in the small talk he went back to the fact they may be related. it jumbled Asa’s thoughts too much so when he did get to business there wasn’t much she could do.
even if she did want to argue back, his argument was terribly convincing. Asa really wished she could’ve fought back but his words and conviction alone was so powerful she just couldn’t.
“Asa-san,” he started after they poured some more tea into their cups “I do truly believe you could do exceptionally well as a demon slayer. not to say you don’t already do well as a kakushi, i do thank you for that work, but i think you are limiting yourself in that aspect.”
he finally paused to take a sip of his tea. Asa followed suit. “if i may be so forward, i think it would be beneficial for you to meet Oyakata-sama.” Asa reeled back “Himejima-san with all do respect i don’t feel i should. i’m not in a high enough position for that.” “but i am.” he replied, “if you come to headquarters with me you could meet Oyakata-sama and we could talk about training you. a win-win, no?”
Asa nervously took a sip of her now cold tea. “if that’s what you wish, himejima-san, who am i to deny your wishes?” himejima’s shoulders lowered slightly “you are you Asa-san, just because you see yourself as a unit, that does not mean others share that sentiment.” he said sternly, almost as if talking to a child.
———————
so as it goes here she is now. walking a few steps behind himejima-san about to meet Oyakata-sama. she just had to remember not to slip up and do anything unsavory in front of their beloved master ‘like calling himejima-sama himejima-san’ she thought, shivering.
the fake path leading up to headquarters was beautiful. the only reason Asa knew it was fake was because at some point himejima made a rough left turn to the woods, and not wanting to get left behind Asa followed. the walk was mostly silent except for the few times himejima asked if Asa needed a break. “are you sure you're okay Asa-san?” “yes himejima-sama, i can handle a walk.” it almost looked like he smiled as he turned his head away.
finally they had made it. the demon slayer headquarters. it was even more beautiful than the path up to it, wisteria was everywhere and the architecture was perfect, nothing looked out of place in the garden around the property either. controlled nature she supposed. still walking behind himejima she nodded in greeting to the few kakushi allowed to be on the premises. soon though, to soon, they were at the door of Oyakata-sama’s room. Asa could hear muffled coughs on the other side and lowered her head slightly. “are you ready?” “not particularly himejima-san, but i don’t have much of a say in the matter.” you could hear him sigh “we will work on your confidence when you start training.” he replied before quickly sliding open the door.
Asa bowed her head before entering behind himejima. “good afternoon, Oyakata-sama” he said, sitting down on his knees, Asa repeated the sentiment. “good afternoon, my children. himejima, i'm glad to see you in good health.” Oyakata-sama spoke, Asa felt like she was floating, “the same to you, oyakata-sama, and i pray you stay healthy.” Asa could see a small smile on their leaders face.
“so? let us get to why you’re here. i heard that a dear kakushi would like to become a slayer.” Asa nearly cringed but looking at the kind smile of her leader she simply let out a wobbly smile herself. “that’s correct Oyakata-sama. if at all possible i’d like to train her myself.” himejima spoke. Asa whipped her head up to look at him but he either didn’t notice or ignored her. she assumed it was the latter.
even if it was news to him, oyakata-sama just nodded along. “so you see potential in her?” himejima-san bowed “yes oyakata-sama, i do.” Kagaya nodded and then turned to Asa “i do have to apologize, my sight has deteriorated, and i have only heard you speak a few words, may i ask your name?” “my name is Hajime Asa, Oyakata-sama.” Kagaya made an ‘ah’ sound and then nodded “my father met with your family before he passed. my family thanks you for being part of the demon slayer corps for so long.” Asa almost jumped up “no, no, please don’t thank us, that’s what kakushi do, we are just here to help in whatever way we can.”
“oh? so you will become a demon slayer with my dear hashira?” he smiled wryly. Asa’s face scrunched for a second and then all the tension in her shoulders released when she realized she couldn’t deny him. what would the other kakushi think, her? denying the leader of their beloved demon slayer corps? she wouldn’t be able to go back then. she had to respond soon and so she let her subconscious decide and just opened her mouth. “yes Oyakata-sama, i will do whatever you need me to.”
ah. she was really hoping that her subconscious said no. “ah Hajime-san i’m so glad that's what you decided.” Oyakata-sama said, then addressed himejima. Asa accidentally tuned the two of them out until she heard her name once again.
“-Hajime-san, this must be boring, no? go out and take a walk in the garden my dear.” Asa couldn’t help but agree with her leader, “yes of course,” she turned “i’ll see you outside himejima-san.” ‘shit i messed up. but i can’t correct it, it'll bring more attention to it…’
Asa walked out quickly after that, but not before she heard Oyakata-sama’s soothing voice “himejima-san, huh?” she covered her eyes on the way out to the garden. then she waited patiently for a whole 15 minutes before someone came up to her.
“you there, kakushi, why aren’t you doing anything?” a loud voice said from somewhere on her blind side. “pardon?” Asa turned to the voice and there before her was the sound hashira Uzui Tengen, “oh! i do apologize hashira-sama, i’m waiting on someone.” as she trailed on and became quieter as she went on.
“well they’re probably not as important as tending to Otakata-sama’s garden. hmm?” he questions. Asa doesn’t know how to respond, uzui-sama knows himejima-san, of course, but without the context of her knowing that her answer doesn’t really matter. “of course hashira-sama, i’ll get right on that.” she mumbled, but before she could take a step away himejima finally opened the door
Asa could cry tears of relief, she didn’t want to disobey the sound hashira but she wouldn’t even know where to start to fulfill his request. “Himejima-san! good to see your flamboyant as always!” himejima nodded “it’s good to see you haven’t fallen in battle uzui-san, i pray for your continued… flamboyance.?” himejima responded, trying to match uzui’s energy. (it didn’t work)
himejima turned Asa’s direction “shall we go? Asa-san?” Asa nodded quickly “of course Himejima-sama.” he sighed “we’ll work on that,” he walked past her “see you soon uzui-san!” he called behind to the man while Asa trailed behind him. then he turned his attention to her, “i do apologize for leaving you out there for so long, me and oyakata-sama had some things to discuss.” Asa fiddled with her hands “it’s not a problem himejima-san, i could’ve waited longer if needed.”
he nodded rubbing his prayer beads together, the noise wasn’t as bad as it first was.
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taisho secrets
- the younger kakushi commonly referred to Asa as mthe pretty eye kakushi as her left eye a very uncommon green
- before they left the tea house Asa shoved a lot of money into the old woman's hands and then told himejima to run, he thought she stole something
- uzui momentarily forgot why he was at oyakata-samas estate after hearing himejima refer to a kakushi so friendly like. he almost left on the spot
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let me know what i can improve but also if you enjoyed please consider leaving a kudo（＾Ｏ＾☆♪