The sound of soft tapping echoed in the silent house. Asumi raced to the front door and swiftly swung it open. The crow wasted no time elevating itself to Asumi's shoulder and dropping a letter in her hands. Within a minute of Asumi waking up with a smile on her face, her mood already dove down at a speed worthy of a world record. Her eyes scanned the sudden message.
"Dear Asumi,
I hope your retirement is going as well as it can be and that you are getting the rest you very much deserve. I am sorry to disturb your peace with bad news.
I am unsure if you know that Eira defeated Akaza, but she has organised a new mission to hunt down Ali in hopes of killing him as well. As of writing this, she is still stationed at Aokigahara Forest, waiting for her squadron to form fully.
A friend of mine, Ayumu, and I are watching over Eira from a distance, in case she moves. I will send you any updates on location. But please hurry to Aokigahara Forest, confrontation will be most effective with your presence.
If Ali is found, I will do my best to protect him.
Kaze, The Shadow."
Asumi's mother sluggishly rubbed her eyes, appearing in the hallway, a cusp of a yawn on her mouth as she wobbled towards her daughter. Before she could even question the frightened expression on Asumi's face, Asumi dashed down the hallway. A strong breeze followed her as she turned back into a room. The crow that rested on her shoulder was frozen in the air like a cartoon character before it dropped down. A large rumble of items clattered against the wooden floor, serving as an alarm for all neighbouring houses.
Within seconds, Asumi came out of her room again, fully dressed in her Corps Uniform. Her palm clenched around the dusty hilt of her long-unused light pink sword, simultaneously brushing her teeth. She focused on her breathing, and every cell of her body jerked into full concentration.
"Where are you going wearing that?!" Her mother exclaimed, confusion evident in her voice, her hands on her hips. The sharp tone was bluntly blocked by Asumi's ears, who simply passed her mother, grabbing the Amare Flos and hair tie on her bedside table. She turned to her mother as she tied the same hairstyle as always, the flower tucked safely into her hair. She dashed to the sink to rinse her mouth, facing her mother instantly after, no fault in her rushed preparation.
"I have to go, I'll be back. I promise. Show me the way," Asumi's breath left her mouth in short, abrupt staggers. Her body turned to the crow, and before her mother could offer a rebuttal, Asumi was out of the house.
"Be… Be safe!" Her mother clung to the door frame as she watched her stubborn daughter sprint at full speed, the barely risen sun shining at her back, highlighting the soft glow of the flower in her hair.
Asumi inhaled deeply, her body adjusting to the sudden burst of motion. She gritted her teeth together. As her eyes followed the dark crow in the sky, gliding effortlessly, she prayed and prayed that she would make it in time.
The thin layer of fog that blanketed Aokigahara Forest was pierced by the sunlight, making it ever so slightly more transparent.
Ayumu sat hunched over on a tree stump. Behind him was a small, makeshift tent, where Kaze slept. He and Kaze had found a nearby cliff that looked down on the forest, from which they were able to spy on Eira and her squad without being sensed. Ayumu's chin rested on his palm as he inhaled and exhaled softly.
"You need rest, I'll stay up and watch them for any motion," Ayumu had confidently assured Kaze, promising to watch over Eira in the night hours. Any movement would be crucial to note. Against his own will, Ayumu's fatigue had wrapped around his vision like an eye mask and led him to peaceful slumber only two hours into the night watching. In that period, five more volunteers of Eira's crusade against Ali had arrived and been filled in about the plan. One of them being Yukina.
The accumulation of sweat on Ayumu's palm finally built to a point that concluded with Ayumu's chin slipping off, violently forcing him awake. His heart skipped a beat as he witnessed the sunrise in all its shimmering beauty. The realisation that he had failed his mission steadily sunk into his brain. He bent over and scrambled for the binoculars he and Kaze had bought yesterday in their pitstop at a town store.
He pressed the plastic firmly against his eyes, frantically moving the device around, praying desperately that Eira hadn't moved. The fog made it even more difficult and anxiety-inducing, his visibility heavily hindered.
Fortunately, his zoomed vision eventually fell on Eira's group, which he could make out by the several humanoid shapes stretching, laying down or chatting. Ayumu let out a well-deserved sigh of relief. His attention was diverted to the rustling of the tent behind him, Kaze's hand slowly slipped through the loosely closed door slit. His hair was dishevelled and his clothing wrinkled from the many sleeping positions he alternated between.
"Any news?" Kaze spoke, his voice sluggish and croaky. Ayumu had to pretend as if he hadn't just woken up. He blinked a few times, staring at Kaze.
"They're still there, looks like they're waking up now," Ayumu handed Kaze the binoculars. Kaze refused them, trusting Ayumu's update. He exhaled and reached into his haori pocket for his toothbrush and toothpaste. He yawned as he stared at the horizon, the beautiful landscape of the mountains and forest, a sight one could stare at for hours and still point out new things. A constant harmony of life and the lifeless, the alive trees being caressed by the soulless wind. The essence of living brushed off on the gusts, and they became imbued with behaviour, character and soul. After all, the universe and everything in it is alive.
Suddenly, an anomaly of nature flies into the primarily green canvas, a white blur gracefully gliding through the air. Kaze squints his eyes, focusing on the object, animal or whatever it was.
A memory of Eira's white crow flashes in his mind like a punch to his face. His eyes darted to his tent. He leaps to the tent and swings open the flap, inside was his own crow, snoozing while nestled into Ayumu's jacket.
"Kaimi!" Kaze shouted, the crow awoke with a loud caw, flying into the air at the command, "Quick!"
Kaimi rocketed forward at the highest speed her half-asleep body could produce, she flew out of the warm tent being met with a harsh cold as she swerved upwards into the sky.
"The white crow! See if it has a message!" Kaze pointed and shouted. Kaimi followed his orders almost instantly, her trained eyes spotting her target. Kaimi began a sharp descent to build high speed, gliding towards Eira's crow. Ayumu looked at Kaze in shock, a perplexed expression on his face.
"I didn't know you could do that…" Ayumu chuckled awkwardly.
Eira's blue eyes that were once full of curiosity, hope and joy, now appeared grey with a sense of melancholy. This is how every morning went for her, she awoke to thousands of thoughts all slamming at her head all at once. If no one was around, she would've slammed her fists into the dirt and started sobbing; instead, she stared forward blankly. The only comfort was her father's sword, a reminder of her home and her past. Second by second, the fog was gradually dissipating, more light shone down past the trees and into the eyes of those who hadn't woken up. Much of last night had been going through the exact attack sequence, the roles of different factions. Eira made her desire for a perfect execution clear.
The bright, colourful auras, which were irradiated with hope, excitement, and anticipation, all danced around the small areas everyone was clustered around. They meshed together to create a beautiful kaleidoscope. Many of the members had approached Eira warmly, expressing their excitement for the mission and trust in her to deliver it successfully. Upon everyone's waist was the same silver glint from the first mission, the syringes filled with clear purple liquid.
When they spoke to her, it was as if she was looking in a fragmented mirror. She could see the influence she had on the Corps off the way they talked. Her hate for Ali could be heard on other people's tongues, the way they described Ali as 'vile' and 'repulsive'.
Complex feelings slammed at her head, she hated when other people 'hated' Ali, they hadn't known him like she had. She thought they didn't have the right, nor the knowledge, to hold hate against Ali like she did. Yet she was happy for their support, different from the usual retaliation.
Distracted by her thoughts, Eira didn't sense the familiar person approaching her.
"Good morning, Eira!" In a way, the voice reminded Eira of herself. The happiness she once held, or the happiness she remembered she had. Eira's eyes glanced upwards, Yukina stood over Eira with a smile on her face. Her skin was smooth, pale and showed signs of stress even at her age. The tones in her voice didn't match the glint of despair in her eyes.
"It's good to see you here Yukina," Eira stood up synchronised with her intake of air. She couldn't force a welcoming smile on her face, she couldn't feel any joy until Ali was gone.
"Sorry to ask you but…" A flicker of genuineness pulsed across Yukina's face, her hands behind her back twiddling with themselves out of nervousness, "Do you know if Ayumu is going to come?"
Eira's eyes still stared back at her with emptiness. In a sense, she thought it was cute that Yukina was asking, but another part of her envied her for having someone she could look forward to seeing.
Perhaps that's why Eira felt so miserable. She didn't have anyone she would look forward to seeing, not after everything that had happened. She wouldn't be able to face Asumi after she killed Ali. She had already cut ties with Kaze in her mind after he didn't die at Ali's hands. She didn't view her brother the same ever since the incident with Ali.
"I sent him an invitation, but I'm not sure if he's recovered yet," Eira told Yukina half of the truth. Yukina could only respond with a small nod, a smile on her face that could only be described as pitiful.
Yukina wondered if Ayumu's kindness had only been out of pity, the way he spoke to her and shared his dream of opening a noodle shop. She wondered if she had read the letter that she asked Eira to give to him, unaware of how Eira crumpled it in her hand and discarded it.
All heads turned to the sky, a whooshing sound whispering closer and closer. A hole opened up in the fog as the albino crow descended rapidly, landing in the centre of the area. The pale eyes darted from member to member, each intrigued in their own way. All eyes were on the crow as the message began.
"A message to the Ice Hashira and all those who are involved in this mission," The pale eyes stared directly at Eira, and after a small pause, the message continued, "Upper Moon Three, Ali, seen on the outer parts of Mount Kurohoshi in the Shizuoka Prefecture."
The crow's head turned to Eira as the message finished, studying the way her eyes slowly widened, being wrenched out of her dismayed state. The universe had dropped a blessed fruit in the palm of her hands once again, Mount Kurohoshi wasn't far at all, the group could most likely make the trip before the next sunrise.
Delayed cheers of excitement and gleeful murmurs sprouted. Many came to Eira's side and helped her up from the comfort of leaning against the tree. Happiness and joy enveloped Eira as vibrant pulses of anticipation and hope echoed from the depths of all the souls that surrounded her.
Eira's fingers wrapped tightly around the hilt of her sword, slowly unsheathing it and pointing it to the sky. It didn't take long til all the members joined her, almost like a cultish practice, smiles gleaming on all their faces as they looked at their leader. Yukina was hesitant to follow but did so anyway.
"The gods want us to win," Eira began to speak, not raising her voice, yet her voice still pierced through the silence and reached everyone. A soft hum of unease was still vibrating in the air. Eira clenched her fists as her mind scrambled for words.
"As we march to Mount Kurohoshi, remember what you have in your hearts. Courage. Strength. Hope. Remember the loss, struggle and pain you have had to endure to get to this point. Manifest it into energy and power for the fight we have ahead." The air bled with Eira's confidence and pride, her words seeping into the ears of all that listened. Overcome with motivation, cheers began for Eira, blades hoisting high into the air.
"We are the ones who lead the initial charge against demonkind's eradication. Be proud of the people you stand with today, we will be written into the pages of history together!" Eira raised her voice and painted a vivid image of glory in everyone's mind once again. The fog cleared ever so slightly, and the sunlight drizzled upon Eira.
"People will be saying our names for generations! To Mount Kurohoshi!" Eira shouted.
Everyone cheered at the final statement, imbued with determination and resolve like never before. Pride and strength burned in their veins.
Within a minute of the message, the group had begun to move, steadily whizzing past the trees of Aokigahara Forest. Eira's decision of location had been extremely beneficial; if they had accumulated at the Ubuyashiki Headquarters like before, Mount Kurohoshi would've been three days away.
Eira led the squadron, the excited individuals all followed her in a funnel-like shape. Yukina followed closely behind Eira.
Eira's crow swooped down and rested on her shoulder. Its beak slowly whispered another message into her ear.
"Three Demon Slayers, Arata, Chiyo and Kaito were observed accompanying Upper Moon Three, seemingly willingly. They have broken Code of Corps, and are liable for punishment as seen fit by the lead Hashira." The crow's voice rang against Eira's brain. More pressure falling upon her already trembling shoulders. Her steps continued steadily, yet she was pushed into a state of shock.
Three Demon Slayers following Ali willingly? Her fist clenched as she imagined the sight. It reminded her of Asumi and Kaze's willingness to accept Ali's existence as a demon. Did they not know their jobs as a Demon Slayer? How could these three presumably unknown Corps Members just accept Ali's demon nature and still follow him? Deep within Eira's critique was a question on why she couldn't do the same. She had dreams of shaking hands with the demon Ali, healing past wounds and encounters to settle their combat once and for all. She would wake up, missing the texture of his skin in her hand, missing the annoying yet comforting friend she never grieved properly.
"They're moving," Ayumu stood up and picked up his sword quickly. Almost immediately after, Kaimi came flying back, exhausted and panting but with a vital message.
"Ali is currently in Mount Kurohoshi, they're moving there now," Kaimi panted with exhausted breaths. Kaze's eyes widened and he clenched his hand. Time was fleeting, he didn't have time to write a letter.
"It's ok, I will be able to track down Asumi and tell her," Kaimi took a deep breath into her small avian lungs and flapped her wings. Setting off before Kaze could object. Ayumu had already finished packing all of their important belongings and nudged Kaze.
The fog had completely cleared as several groups marched towards their respective locations, their own individual motivations close by their side. Anxiety, hope, triumph, fear, confidence, hate and love all loomed in a convoluted cloud.