A brief parting

"Actually, I've been afraid all along." Kanae's voice was soft, as though she feared disturbing the night. "Back in that alley, when that demon lunged at us, I thought Shinobu and I would both die. But then you appeared, Rokuya."

"You were like a god descending from the heavens, standing in front of us."

Kanae turned to look at the waning moon above, a gentle light shimmering in her eyes.

"Over this past month, watching you train day and night, watching you grow stronger and stronger, I've been truly happy, Rokuya. But at the same time, it's been painful."

"I don't want to be someone weak who can only stay behind you and be protected. Your back is broad, Rokuya, and seeing it makes me feel safe. But if I keep watching you from behind, one day I won't even be able to catch the hem of your clothes."

Rokuya's hand tightened slightly around his sword hilt.

"So when the old man told you to learn Flower Breathing, you agreed?" Rokuya turned and looked straight into Kanae's eyes.

"Yes." Kanae nodded without looking away at all. "Because I want to stand beside you, Rokuya. I want to bandage your wounds when you're hurt, and share your burden when you fight. Not be like I am now, only able to prepare meals for you in the kitchen."

She gently tapped her chin with a finger and gave him that soothing smile Rokuya knew so well.

"Rokuya, you said it yourself, didn't you? Cutting down evil with a sword is the greatest mercy."

"I want to become that kind of swordswoman. A flower swordswoman who can cut through this world's tragedies with a smile."

Looking at the gentle yet incredibly resilient girl before him, Rokuya's heart gave a sudden thump.

He did not know how Kanae Kocho's story ended.

At eighteen, on a snowy night, she would encounter Upper Rank Two, Doma, and die fighting with all her strength. In the end, not even her remains would be left intact, and all she would leave her younger sister was endless hatred and despair.

That was the inescapable knot in her fate.

He looked at Kanae, his gaze more serious than ever before.

"Kanae, look at me."

Kanae froze for a moment, then obediently met Rokuya's gaze. A flame burned within it that she could not understand, yet it made her feel utterly safe.

"Go learn Flower Breathing. Become strong enough to protect yourself and Shinobu."

Rokuya reached out and gently, yet with absolute firmness, took Kanae's hand, which had grown slightly chilly in the cold.

"But remember one thing."

"No matter how strong you become, no matter what monsters you face in the future, you're not allowed to gamble with your life. If you meet an enemy you can't beat, run. Run as far as you can."

"But as a swordswoman of the Demon Slayer Corps..." Kanae tried to object, only for Rokuya to cut her off roughly.

"No buts! Fuck the Demon Slayer Corps' rules!" Rokuya raised his voice, his commanding tone leaving no room for doubt. "I'm the one who dragged you back from death's door. Without my permission, no one gets to take you away!"

"If you dare die out there..." Rokuya gritted his teeth and spoke each word distinctly. "I'll drag you out of hell, then chop the demon that killed you into ten thousand pieces of meat!"

Kanae was stunned.

Feeling the burning heat of Rokuya's palm and seeing his eyes redden slightly with agitation, she suddenly felt tears welling in her own.

There were no tender promises, no romantic words. Only this declaration, utterly rough yet fiercely protective.

This was Takanashi Rokuno.

This was the man who would grumble, "You talk too much," even as he stood in front of her and cleaved through every danger for her.

"Pfft."

Kanae suddenly laughed, tears slipping down her cheeks and glistening in the moonlight.

"You're really overbearing, Rokuya."

She closed her hand around Rokuya's in return, pressing that warmth firmly against her palm.

"I promise. I absolutely, absolutely won't die. Until I've seen you achieve your 'peaceful life with enough to eat,' Rokuya, I couldn't bear to die."

The two sat like that on the veranda without speaking again, quietly listening to each other's breathing and feeling the bond between them, faced with an imminent parting yet stronger than ever in that moment.

"Hey, you two! Staying up in the middle of the night, holding hands out here in the cold wind-are you idiots?!"

A voice that ruined the mood suddenly came from behind the paper door beside them.

With a swish, the paper door slid open, revealing Shinobu Kocho standing there angrily in her pajamas, her face red as she glared at their clasped hands.

"Shinobu, you're still awake?" Kanae snatched her hand back as though she had been shocked, a blush instantly spreading across her cheeks.

"I... I was just thirsty and came out for some water!" Shinobu stammered in protest, then shot Rokuya a fierce glare. Like a little tiger guarding its food, she rushed over and pulled Kanae behind her.

"You violent glutton! Don't you dare bully my sister when I'm not around!"

Shinobu jabbed a finger at Rokuya's waist with practiced ease.

This time, Rokuya neither dodged nor complained. He looked at the little girl baring her fangs before him, and at Kanae standing behind her, laughing softly behind her hand.

"All right, all right. What a noisy brat."

Rokuya stood and brushed the dust from his clothes. Looking down at Shinobu, he suddenly reached out and flicked her lightly on the forehead.

"Ow! What was that for?!" Shinobu protested, clutching her forehead with tears in her eyes.

"That's a down payment."

Rokuya turned his back on them and looked at the crescent moon on the horizon.

"Go south and study your poisons properly. The next time we meet, if you can't produce a poison that satisfies me, I'll plant you under a wisteria tree as fertilizer."

"Who cares about satisfying you?! Just you wait! I'll show you!" Shinobu stamped her feet furiously behind him.

Rokuya did not turn around. He merely waved a casual hand and strode toward his room.

The night breeze blew past, sweeping up a few bamboo leaves.

A brief parting was for the sake of a better reunion.