3

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I breathe raggedly, leaning against a tree and applying pressure to the stab wound on my stomach. I wince, looking down at my blood coated hands and my broken foot.

I went and found the demon... however because I was so excited I guess I wasn't as focused as I should've been... The demon managed to injure me pretty badly and I'm waiting here for the Kakushi, desperately trying to cling onto my consciousness until they get here.

I then look to my side, a small smile forming on my bloody and dirty face. My sword lays next to me, snapped in two and I chuckle triumphantly. My plan worked... the injury was just a little unexpected... but that's not the main point! When I come to, I'll be able to get to the bottom of what kind of person Mr Haganezuka is!

The last thing I see before I fall unconscious, is the Kakushi rushing over to tend to my wounds and bring me back to the rehabilitation mansion... again.

-

"What!?"

Haganezuka throws the letter to the side, anger making his face he red as the messenger yelps and runs out of his house. His chest rises with every deep breath he takes, and he clenches his fists as he paces around his workshop unbelievably furious.

"Not even a month and that stupid kid has broken her sword! If it wasn't for Takahashi I would kill her with my own hands! How careless can someone be, does she not realize the effort I put into those swords... Does she not care to be careful during battle!? One of these days she's going to die and it'll be my fault because the sword I forged for her broke... Gah!"

He rolls his sleeves up, immediately beginning to work on her new sword, determined to make this one strong enough so that she can never ever break it.

-

I groan, forcing my eyes open to see Haku sitting beside my bed and the doctor above me.

"Welcome back Miss Nakahara," the doctor says smiling and I sit up with a yawn.

"How long was I out?" I mumble and the doctor hums, pressing his hand to my forehead to feel my temperature.

"Around a month this time?"

"A month!?" I exclaim surprised. "B-But my injuries weren't that bad! How could I have been out for an entire month!?" I say shocked and Haku smacks the back of my head making me wince.

"Because you idiot! You still weren't fully healed from last time! No matter how much you like to think so, your body isn't immortal! If you keep exceeding it's limits it's gonna get weaker and weaker and small injuries will turn into massive ones!" He scolds and I shrink into the bed.

"What he said," the doctor said chuckling. "I don't have any patient as frequently as you Miss Nakahara," he says and I grin proudly. "It's not a good thing so wipe that grin off your face," he scolds making me pout.

"But you'd be so upset, not seeing your favorite patient frequently!" I say and he chuckles.

"Nothing would make me happier, than seeing you without bandages all over you. Rest up," he ruffles my hair before leaving the room, and I look over at Haku with a bashful smile.

"Don't think you're getting out of this! Piiko and I told you not to go you idiot!" He says and I rub my neck.

"I didn't think it would turn out like this... if I knew I wouldn't have gone..." he rolls his eyes at me before taking a seat again.

"You broke your brand new sword as well," my eyes immediately light up and he raises an eyebrow at my strange behavior.

"Mr Haganazuka hasn't delivered my new one yet has he!?" I say hopeful that he hasn't, otherwise me getting injured and breaking my beautiful sword will have been for nothing.

"Unfortunately he hasn't which means you're going to have to deal with that jerk harassing you about it... In fact, I think he's supposed to be delivering it today-" Within seconds, I'm out of bed and fixing up my hair. "H-Hey slow down, you're supposed to rest!" He says as I stand up, wincing slightly at the pain of my foot but ignoring it. A month is more than enough time for it to heal.

"I'm ok!" I say grinning and he shakes his head.

"Why don't you stay here and I'll go get it... that way you don't have to deal with him-"

"No need I don't mind! I'll talk to you later ok Haku!" I say leaving the room, leaving Haku standing there shocked. He just cannot understand why it seems like I'm... excited... to go see this crazy new swordsmith.

I hurry through the halls despite my limp, eager to speak to him again. I make it to the gate, rushing outside and looking around expectantly... however no sight of him. Pouting, I finally feel the pain in my foot and I groan holding onto the wall surrounding the mansion for support. I sit down with my knees hugged to my chest, waiting for him to arrive.

-

Haganezuka storms to the rehabilitation mansion, smoke practically puffing from his nose with each breath. He's ready to scold the irresponsible girl... she's careless and she needs to be taught a lesson.

As the mansion is finally in view, he reaches into his basket and pulls out the two knives he forged himself, gripping them tightly. Of course he's not planning to actually harm her (even if he wants to), but she doesn't need to. He plans to give her the freight of her life as punishment, and then give her this new and improved sword which definitely will not break, and then be on his way and hope that he never has to cross paths with her again.

One meeting and he can already tell she might be the most annoying person on this planet.

As he makes his way to the front gate, he can see a small figure sitting still and curled up. As he squints his eyes to see clearer, he recognizes that pitch black hair to be her and he immediately feel his anger rise up. His pace speeds up as he holds the knives tightly... but as he is finally stood in front of her and ready to yell at the top of his lungs... he pauses.

She's... sleeping?

Seems a bit stupid to sleep in such an uncomfortable position, outside as well? His hands falls to his side and he tilts his head at the strange sight. He crouches down in front of her, taking a closer look at the girl since he didn't really care to in their previous meeting.

Her bangs are slightly uneven which indicates that she must've cut them herself. Her lips are slightly parted as she sleeps peacefully, and strands of her black hair are messily sprawled over her face. He notices that she has a scar on her neck next to a small mole, curiosity making him wonder how she got it. He also notes that she has a lot more bandages around her this time... all over her leg, one around her head and a band aid over her cheek. She must've gotten pretty badly injured on her last mission...

Well. Serves her right.

"Oi brat!" He yells, hitting her head making her jolt awake.

I scream seeing the figure in front of me, my eyes widening once I recognize the mask and haori to be Haganezuka.

"Haganezuka! You're here I was waiting for you-" My words are interrupted by my own scream, as Haganezuka suddenly pulls out two knives.

"What did I tell you last time!?" He hisses and I scramble to my feet, running away as he chases after me with the two knives.

"W-wait I can explain!" I scream over my shoulder, my foot burning as I try my best to run through the pain... slightly convinced Haganezuka has full intentions of murdering me right now.

"You broke the sword despite my warnings!" He yells at me and I run to a tree, struggling to climb it as this is what I always did whenever Takahashi got this way... since he couldn't follow me up the tree. "Ha think again!" I hear him yell. I then feel him grab my collar and pull me down and I whimper trying to break free. "That might've worked on Takahashi but not on me!" He yells, looming over me as I quickly bow with my head to the floor.

"I-I'm sorry please forgive me!" I yell, squeezing my eyes shut and praying he doesn't kill me. It's silent for a bit, only my soft whimpers being heard until he sighs and puts away his knives. He drops something onto the floor in front of me, and I open one eye to see that it's my new sword wrapped in a cloth.

I quickly unwrap it, my eyes glistening at the sword which is somehow even more beautiful than the last.

"Thank you-" I go to thank him, but my eyes widen as I see he's already walking off. I struggle to my feet, gripping the sword tightly and hobbling after him. "W-wait!" I call out, but he ignores me and continues to walk. "Mr Haganezuka wait!" I call again, gritting my teeth and pushing the pain aside. I run in front of him, hunching over and panting as I block his path.

"What?" He says coldly and I clear my throat, straightening up with a smile.

"Would you... like to come inside... and have some tea with me?" I say between pants, looking up at him hopefully. He just stares at me, and I'm unable to tell his expression from behind the mask.

"Huh?" He finally says and I giggle.

"I feel terrible about breaking such a beautiful sword you made for me... so please could I make it up to you?" He just looks down at me, before effortlessly pushing me to the side making me stumble.

"No." He says plainly and I huff, running back to his side.

"Well I'm not leaving your side until you accept!" He looks down at me as I look up at him with a glare. "I know that the location of the swordsmith village is a secret to protect it... so it's not like you can return if I keep following you?" He stops in his tracks making me grin triumphantly.

"No." He simply says again before once again walking.

"Aw come on!" I groan running to his side and grabbing onto his sleeve. He swiftly rips it away from me, looking at me and I shiver from the intense glare.

"I said no!" He spits and I cross my arms.

"I mean it when I say I will continue to follow you!" I hold my head up proudly and he looks down at me bandaged foot which I've been limping on this entire time.

"Even with an injured foot?" He questions and I look down to my foot as well.

"Even with a broken foot." I say sternly. We stand there staring at each other, and I try not to back down underneath his chilling glare even though I feel as if it could turn me to stone...

"God you're so irritating!" He yells at me. "Why did Takahashi have to make me in charge of you! You wouldn't believe you're 18 because you act like a 10 year old! It's no wonder Takahashi couldn't handle you, I mean no one could! Not only do you treat our swords carelessly but you're so stubborn and immature!" He yells pacing around and flailing his hands around in the air. I watch silently as he throws insults towards me, however I stand my ground.

I made a plan to prove that Haganezuka isn't a bad person... and I still believe that he isn't. No matter how many times he belittles me or degrades me... I'm determined to learn more about what his character truly is.

He finally finishes his rant about how I aggravate him, and I just look up at him with a smile.

"Well... will you have tea with me?"