2

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"You're already healed?" Miko says standing in the doorway as I'm sat upon one of the hospital beds, wrapping the bandages around my legs and getting ready to head out on my next mission. I look up at her and smile nodding and she sighs.

"My next mission is actually with Haku! I'm super excited!" I say standing and attaching my sword to my waist. Miko smirks, tapping her chin as I look at her confused.

"Are you sure there's nothing going on between you and my brother?" She says and I tilt my head.

"Something going on? Of course not! We've just gone on lots of missions together so we've grown quite close, that's all!" I say and she crosses her arms while raising an eyebrow. I roll my eyes, slipping on my haori. "Haku doesn't like me like that don't worry!" I say and she scoffs before walking away.

"Whatever you say!" She calls out over her shoulder and I giggle.

I make my way to the gate of the rehabilitation mansion, seeing Haku leaning against the wall and waiting for me.

"Haku!" I say happily, waving as I run over to him watching him smile. As I run, I fail to see the rock on the ground in my path and I yelp as I trip, going stumbling forward. Haku manages to grab onto me just before I can fall on my face, and I blink in shock as he looks at me worried.

"Are you ok!?" He says helping me up and I dust myself off laughing.

"That rock wasn't there last time?" I say rubbing my neck and he sighs, shaking his head.

"Not even out of the mansion and you've nearly hurt yourself again... how you haven't been killed yet will forever be a mystery," he sighs and I puff my chest out proudly.

"Maybe I'm just immortal? Come on we need to get going now!" I say beginning to run off and he calls after me before following.

As we make our way to the location, I wonder around aimlessly while swinging my new sword around with a wide grin. Haku watches the girl, observing the way her eyes practically sparkle as she stares at the sword... she hasn't said a word to him this entire time because she's been entranced with the weapon.

"Your new sword looks good!" He says, trying to start conversation and I look at him while nodding enthusiastically.

"Isn't it pretty! It's much different from the swords Takahashi used to make me. I mean sure Mr Takahashi's swords were also amazing, but there's something about this one that's just... I can't explain it! I mean the engravings on it are so neat and it's so sharp I've already accidentally cut myself with it! When I grip the handle it also feels so natural and comfortable... it's just so perfect! Oh oh and...!"

Haku deadpans as he listens to her go on and on about her new sword. She's certainly an easily excitable person, but he's never seen her go on about something like before.

"It's a shame the swordsmith is a jerk," he says and I look at him confused.

"Hm?"

"Well you said he threatened you? I mean you haven't even broken the sword yet and he's already giving you trouble. I can tell you already that he's just some jerk who cares about nothing but his 'precious swords'." I frown, shaking my head and putting my sword back into it's holder.

"I don't think that's true! I mean yeah he was a little mean, but I think he just cares about his swords because he put a lot of work and time into them!" I say and Haku scoffs.

"You're too forgiving of others, not everyone is a good person no matter how hard you try and believe it!" He walks a little further ahead as I slow down slightly, looking down at my feet.

My entire lift, I've always tried to see the good in others. I mean surely people can't be all bad, there's got to be at least a tiny bit of goodness in them? Haganezuka... yeah he was harsh and stern and scary... but he wasn't a bad person. Granted I've met him once, and I barely had a conversation with him... but I can tell! He's not a bad person... I'm sure of it!

"Hey slowpoke hurry up!" Haku calls out and I snap out of my thoughts.

"Coming!" I say, running after him.

-

"Haganezuka?"

Haganezuka doesn't even hear the voice, his mind completely set on his work. He moves the blade back and forth, sweat coating his face behind the mask as he furrows his eyebrows and grits his teeth.

"Haganezuka!" The voice repeats, but once again he ignores it. "Mr Takahashi is asking for you! Stop working for just 10 minutes and go see him!" Only now do his hands pause, and he groans before standing up reluctantly, angry that his work was disturbed and his focused ruined... He's going to have to start from scratch now because of the old guy.

He walks to the infirmary, storming in to stand next to the bed of the old man with his arms crossed.

"What?" He says plainly and the frail man slowly turns his head to him, a small smile itching onto his cheeks.

"It's good to see you too, Haganezuka..." He grumbles and Haganezuka scoffs.

"I was busy... Now I'm going to have to-"

"Start again?" Takahashi finishes for him. Haganezuka huffs as he laughs. "You were always so headstrong and stubborn, ever since you were a kid."

"What did you want old man?" Takahashi coughs a little, clearing his throat.

"Did you go deliver her new sword to her?" He says and Haganezuka rolls his eyes. All this grandpa ever talks about is that girl, surely she's not that special.

"Yes I did."

"And? What did she say?" Haganezuka feels frustrated that this is what his work was interrupted for, but nonetheless he takes a seat next to the bed. Takahashi's health hasn't been very good recently, and he knows that his time is nearly up. So, for the sake of the old man who practically raised him, he'll answer all his questions.

"She was confused as to why you will no longer be her swordsmith... but her mind was shifted pretty quickly when I gave her the new sword," Takahashi chuckles.

"That sounds like her, she was always so scattered... never really paying attention to something for a long time. Did she like the sword I designed for her?"

"Very much. She said it was beautiful..." Takahashi sighs with a smile, leaning his head back onto the pillow.

"Did you tell her what I told you to say?" Haganezuke hums as a yes. "Was she upset?" Haganezuka goes to answer with no, remembering how the girls bashful smile never faltered, but he stops himself.

Thinking back on the interaction, he recalls how when he told her the cruel words Takahashi instructed... he noticed her eyes grow sad if only for a split second, and how she gripped her clothes with balled fists.

"She was, wasn't she?" Takahashi says in response to the silence.

"Well she never said so-"

"But her eyes did?" Haganezuke sighs in defeat. "I knew she would be upset, but it's for the better she doesn't know that I'm dying," Haganezuka scoffs at the mans blunt words as he chuckles before bursting into a fit of coughs. "If she were to know the truth, she wouldn't be able to fight properly... and that combined with her recklessness would put her life in danger. One day though, I'd like for her to come here and when she does... I'd like for you to take her to my shrine?" Haganezuka shudders at the thought of having to spend unnecessary time with the childish girl, but upon looking down at the man he gives in with a loud groan.

"Fine!" He huffs and Takahashi smiles, lightly smacking him over the head.

"You know, you two are quite similar in some ways..." Haganezuka is quick to protest, making Takahashi laugh even more.

-

Haku and I meet back together after completing our mission, to make our way back to the demon slayer corps headquarters. This mission was fairly easy, given that I'm still partially recovering, and thankfully I managed to avoid any major injuries... only a few cuts and scrapes here and there.

Haku and I walk back slowly and I observe my sword... which isn't even scratched. Haganeuzka is definitely an amazing swordsmith, I mean my sword is stronger than anything I've ever had before!

"Hey you didn't break your sword! Wow not even a scratch, that's impressive!" Haku says looking over my shoulder. I nod in agreement, not saying anything and puffing out my lips in disappointment. "What's wrong? I thought you'd be over the moon!" He says and I laugh awkwardly.

"I don't know? I mean, I am excited!" I put my sword away, straightening up and smiling at him.

"Hey, the positive is now you don't have to see your sucky swordsmith for a good long while!" He pats my back, and my smile fades.

I think... that's why I'm not as excited about my sword being in tact than I normally would be? I'm disappointed I won't be able to see Haganezuka... I mean, all I really wanted was to get to know him a little better, so that I can prove to Haku that he's not a bad person... just intense!

However, he's a swordsmith. That means the only times I'll get to see him... is when I break a sword.

Hm.... when I break a sword?

Ok, I know what I'm thinking is a horrible idea. I mean, Haganezuka made it very very clear what the consequences would be... and it's a terrible thing of me to do...

But if I were to purposely break my sword, then Haganezuka would have no choice but to forge and deliver a new one for me?

I mean of course I would break it in battle so it looked like an accident... but c'mon it's not like he's seriously gonna kill me if I break a sword! Then when he delivers it, I'll take my chance and try to get to know him better! Genius!

"Piiko!" I call out and Haku looks at me confused as my crow lands on my extended arm. "Piiko! Are there any mission I can go to now!?" I say with a smile and Haku and Piiko both look at me confused.

"Huh!?" Haku exclaims running over.

"But miss Hanako, don't you want to go rest?" Piiko says and I shake my head quickly.

"I'd like to go start my next mission now if that's ok!" Piiko hums while he thinks.

"There is a mission near here, but I'm afraid it is quite dangerous and-"

"Perfect!" I exclaim, clapping my hands as Piiko squawks startled. "Lead the way!" I say turning.

"W-wait let me come with you at least!" Haku calls out but I wave over my shoulder as I begin to run after Piiko.

"Don't worry about me! I'll see you in a few days ok!" I say and he blinks in shock as I run away.

"Miss Hanako, may I ask why you're so eager to begin another mission?" Piiko says as he flies above me, and I run throw the forest with excitement flowing through me at the thought of seeing Haganezuka.

"Just... have a lot of energy!" I say happily.

"But Miss Hanako, you were injured quite severely and have not yet fully recovered. I worry that you may be overworking and will be injured more if you are not-"

"You worry too much Piiko! I know what I'm doing trust me! I've been training for years, I can handle some puny demon!" Piiko shakes his head, knowing that it's best not to argue me because when I have a plan in mind, I am locked into that plan and nothing will stop me.

Mr Haganezuka... get ready to begin forging!