Hazy view

the clothes fit wonderfully, even if they didn’t she would still wear them.

as training went on she progressed in her new breathing style, she saw a recovering slayer at the butterfly estate practicing mist breathing and she was entranced.

the flipping and twisting made her want to mix it with stone breathings’ powerful attacks. she had her mind made up after kanae got her to ask said slayer to show her the movements and breathing patterns.

it wasn’t long after she made her mind up and started training for her derivative that a new slayer joined her in training.

he was much younger than her but that didn’t matter too much, she was used to her little siblings so one angry kid couldn’t be too bad! his name was genya shinazugawa…

okay so not the best first impression, she stayed civil and he was a brat. but she would be a brat too if her hair looked like that.

they were both trained differently so they mostly stayed away from each other, and Asa had been progressing so much gyomei finally made her do the fire pit.

“gyomei are you sure about this?” she asked hesitantly. “you’ve been progressing so much Asa, you’re ready, just watch how i do it.” he spoke before loading massive logs on his back and walking across.

small plumes of fire lapped at his feet from the coals as he walked and chanted mantras. genya was there to watch as well. “he never explains anything. how the hell does he expect you to do that.” he said to her right.

Asa turned her head to the child but kept her eyes on gyomei. “you’re right, he’s not a very good teacher,” Asa replied “but he’s incredibly strong and if you watch what he’s doing when he shows it, you’ll understand eventually.” she said as gyomei finished.

“how does watching tell you what you need to know?” he said, crossing his arms. “he was walking a certain way to minimize the movement of the coals.” she replied quickly defending gyomei. she turned her head to the boy “you need to be willing to watch. you’re lucky you have both your eyes to do that with.”

he stiffened. yeah it was a bit underhanded using her disability, but it was a good lesson for him. and a little funny.

“he shouldn’t be a teacher if he can’t explain.” he muttered. “maybe you should go train with the other shinazugawa then.” she said getting a bit annoyed at the child trying to act grown. he snarled “you don’t know what you’re talking about hag.” she glared back,

“damn right i don’t and i don’t particularly care, two out of two shinazugawa’s i have met are short with shit attitudes, so pardon me if i don't care to know.”

as she walked to the edge of the fire pit his slitted eyes trailed her. she didn’t know what she was talking about. and who was she to talk about his big brother and his “shit attitudes.” he probably hates her anyways.

genya didn’t interact with Asa much. they lived in the same home sure but she was either training on the other side of the property -sometimes that butterfly lady was here to train- or tavel back to her estate.

he didn’t understand why she would even want to be a demon slayer. there were no motivating factors except not wanting to deny highups. “just a follower..” he mumbled to himself as he watched her pick up a log, stacking it on her back.

she let out a puff of air as she took her first step onto the pit.

it was hot as hell.

but she kept going. that's what she had been training for, to be able to do this. she stepped like gyomei did, found a place that looked sturdy enough then placed her entire foot on it at once, that stopped them from moving too much, and as long as she stayed on top of them the fire wouldn’t get to the top of her foot.

her eyes were watering by the time she got to the end and the bottoms of her feet were definitely scorched but at least she didn’t trip! “gyomei i did it!!” she said dropping on the ground with the log, “wonderful job Asa, you’ve progressed so much.” she picked herself up off the ground and grabbed one of his hands

“next time you’re home and have time in between patroling or missions i need to show you a technique i’ve been working on, okay?” she asked hopefully “oh? a breathing style perhaps?” he asked back “perhaps gyomei” he smiled, just happy Asa was comfortable at their home.

“then i will.” he replied “now i need to focus on genya’s training for a bit, you can take a break if you’d like.” Asa sighed knowing she wouldn’t be taking a break.

and that she didn't, as much as her feet now hurt and the thoughts of having to walk along the pit again later, that didn't stop her from walking to the waterfall and standing under it for as long as she could.

today was hell, but it was fulfilling.

and she would happily continue living that hell for as long as she could.

———————
“more people would like you if you weren't short AND an asshole.”
“more people would like you if you weren't always fawning over that butterfly lady.”
“you foul child”
———————

showing gyomei her technique wasn't as scary as she thought it would be.

they stood up some logs then found a place gyomei could sit and feel the vibrations of the wood being cut without being in the crossfire.

(although asa didn't know if it would hurt him if he was.)

he was thoughtful as he suggested ways to improve. she knew it wasn't perfect, but she was happy with what she was able to achieve in the months she was training with gyomei.

Asa huffed as she prepared to show him her last form.

she threw her wooden dao into the air and lowered herself to the ground pushing closer to the target, she yanked hard on the chain attached to the end of her handle pulling her dao downwards, splintering said target into little pieces.

she had to dodge a few stray splinters but as soon as she picked her dao back up, gyomei spoke.

“that was your last one?”
“yes gyomei.”

he had a thoughtful look on his face before smiling slightly “you have wonderful control over your dao, i’m also glad you asked for the chain. it suits your fighting style.” he stood himself up and walked closer.

“you have progressed wonderfully in these past few months, i cannot be prouder.” he rubbed his prayer beads together then ruffled her hair.

“as soon as you can push your boulder around the estate perimeter i will allow you to participate in final selection.”
oh Buddha… wait when did she become religious??

“keep practicing your technique as well, i’m excited to know how it progresses.” asa smiled up at him and pat his hand.

“i will do my best gyomei, just keep training genya, that child worries me to no end.” asa said. although she’d never tell the rapscallion himself, she was worried for the boy's well-being.

and him not getting socked in the face by someone.

is that the same thing?

either way, she would keep training, she could already push the boulder a fair way, about 2 / 5 of the way around the estate? she just needed to keep training and chant her way through the obstacle.

gyomei just made it look easy. too easy, maybe she will become religious… just to justify gyomei’s strength.

———————
“good job, keep going Asa!”
“give me a moment gyomei, i need to feel the warmth of the rock a bit longer”
———————

in the spring of Asa’s fifth month training she pushed the boulder around the perimeter of the estate. she knew it was strange how fast she progressed, but she just put it up to her time as a kakushi.

as soon as she got the damn thing to her starting point she slumped to the ground and rested her head back on the rock that gave her hell.

geyna, who surprised her (though she’d never admit it), sat next to her. “so you're done?” he asked

she smiled “yes, gyomei said after i pushed the boulder i could go to the next final selection.” she closed her eyes.

“good. i won't have to see your ugly face anymore.”

Asa snorted, then covered her face quickly. “so snappy for a child, be more grateful genya.” she said tiredly looking over to him.

he sat on her left, she smiled.

“you should go tell himejima that you can leave.” he said looking away

she hummed “i suppose i should, don't be sad though, you’ll still see my ugly face plenty.”

genya didn't respond and Asa took that as her queue to get up. “don't be late coming back inside, gyomei might cook tonight.” she said, patting her skirt off.

genya only nodded but that was enough for asa to start the walk back to gyomei's estate, this time of day was his prayer time so she'd have to wait a bit but that didn't bother her too much.

———————
“Asa! you startled me”
“sorry gyomei just didn't want to disturb you.”
“sitting outside my room door doesn't seem disturbing??”
———————

two weeks later Asa went to visit kanae before final selection.

“you want to spend the night and then set off tomorrow?” kanae repeated Asa’s question.

“if you're okay with that kanae,” Asa let her legs swing off the engawa, “i’d like to spend more time with you before i left.”

“i’d love nothing more Asa!” she smiled and patting Asa's hand under her own.

“but follow me first okay?” kanae aksed, getting up and holding her hand out “i have a surprise for you”

“a bit cryptic kanae- let's go then.” asa replied smiling and grabbing kanae’s hand.

Asa followed kanae to what looked like a storage room and opened the door. it was much more than storage.

that was what most of it was but there was a small section that looked like a shrine, most likely to the sisters late parents, kanae didn't acknowledge it others than a small bow at the door and a sad smile.

she quickly walked past it and to a small box that she opened, before turning around she spoke “close your eyes Asa! oh and hold out your hands!!”

Asa laughed “sure kanae” Asa did as she was told and felt something soft be laid into her hands. “okay Asa you can look!” kanae sounded giddy.

Asa, doing as she was told, look down to see a green haori with white on the tops of the shoulders.

“oh kanae-” “shhh don't ask about the price, you know hashira get paid whatever we want. and even when we splurge we all keep it under a certain amount.” she scolded hearing Asa’s worry in advance.

Asa looked back at the haori, it was beautiful

“thank you kanae” asa nearly whispered

“i told you, i don't mind spending money on you Asa, it wasn't too expensive anyways!” Kanae smiled.

“now… let's go setup a guest room for you and then have a good dinner!”

“sure kanae”

———————

Asa helped a few young girls prepare dinner as Kanae and Shinobu went out to do some evening training. As a kakushi Asa was introduced to a few of the butterfly girls, but it felt like each time she came they became younger and younger.

there was Aoi, she was stirring some kind of soup, Asa was next to her handing whatever vegetables she cut up.

then there was a girl a bit older than Aoi, Kanao, though you couldn't tell by looking at her. she was skinny, Asa’s heart clenched she couldn't imagine her siblings looking that small.

Kanao was doing her best to prepare fish but she had to get help from Asa at some points, she never asked, just stared at Asa until the older girl noticed.

by the time they had finished cooking and setting the table up kanae and shinobu were done with training and had cleaned themselves up a bit, they walked into Asa fretting and taking the large pot of soup from Kanao who had tried carrying the comically large (and very hot) pot all by herself.

Asa set it on the table and was telling kanao how dangerous it was to try and carry it by herself before turning around back to kanae and shinobu.

“you know when i told you to come relax, i didn't mean to help with dinner,” kanae said as she entered.

Asa almost looked offended “When i’m a guest i have to help, it feels wrong not to Kanae.” She said

kanae only hummed and ushered shinobu to sit and eat.
“thank you for the meal.” kanae said walking up to Asa. the girl's cheeks flushed “it wasn't only me kanae…”

the dinner was wonderful, although Asa thought she still saw a fish bone in the soup.

she was happier than she had been in a long time, eating at a table with some of her favorite girls, with a meal she helped prepare.

next to Kanae who she had grown to love.

as a friend of course.

a friend.

she was happy

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
taisho era secrets!-

-Asa is starting to think she doesn't know what having friends is like

- as much as she wants to see genya as a little brother, he's to much of an asshole to do it

- Asa's breathing style has a total of 5 forms right now! you'll be seeing all of them next chapter if things go how the author wants them to go

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★