Miracle

2 Years Before

A man who seemed at his 40's, was changing his patient's bandages. He was healing a young woman who was unconscious on top of a farm's pile of hay on the field. The girl was currently on the comfortable futon the man provided for her, laying unconscious for the moment.

A farmer, who tends to harvest his crops, had a sensitive nose; smelled an unsual scent on his bale. He knew the scent and it was obviously blood. He quickly ran over the bloodied pile of hay and saw the woman. He directly sent the woman to the doctor of the village.

—————

The woman was completely healed. But the doctor, who was named Murayama Hirashi, told that the woman had lost her memories. She had a year coma because of how severe her injuries were, especially her head.

She had a long, silky, black to purple gradient hair. She had a wonderful purple eyes, delicate body and was at her early 20's.

She stood on the edge of a hill as she watches the sun setting. The moment reminded her of someone but due to her memory loss, she was unable to identify the person. But she knew, that she had someone very close to her. It has been two years since she had been found on the pile of hay. No one really knew how she got in the place. She was just found unconsciously lying there, had multiple injuries, nothing else.

A woman, who as well seems to be at her 40's, suddenly appeared behind the young woman. She was Murayama Aisuyari, Hirashi's wife. Aisuyari came closer to her.

"Dear daughter, dinner's ready. Let's go?" Aisuyari said sweetly.

The young woman really loved Aisuyari's sweet and loving voice. Once again, she remembered another person who had the same traits as her. But she couldn't remember the person as well. She hoped that they were fine.

She smiled at her mother as she nodded. Both of them descended the hill until they've reached the town.

—————

"We cannot surely tell if Shinobu-sama's alive or not. There's no confirmation of her death after all. But there's a possibility that she might have been disappeared without leaving a trace. So it might be troublesome to locate her in the moment." Said Zenitsu.

When Urokodaki arrived, they started to talk about the search for Shinobu. Kanao left suddenly without letting anyone know about her intentions or where she's going for the moment. Whatever it is, it must be something related to Shinobu.

Urokodaki nodded at Zenitsu and said, "I'm sure Shinobu is in a vast place. I heard she almost used herself to sacrifice and send poison towards the demon who killed her sister, but Giyuu prevented it. But she went missing after fighting with the Fiend, right?" (Fiend = Muzan)

Zenitsu nodded while Inosuke was looking serious. Although he was wearing his signature boar mask, the seriousness of his posture can be seen on him.

"So it must be the Fiend that caused that immense power of a technique. Since the ancient times, only a few demons knew about the technique of Blow Away. It was a rare technique, although it cannot entirely kill but it is critical to a person's body to send multiple injuries in a single hit. Literally with its name, it can blow away a person. That must've happened."

Urokodaki used to be a historian before and after joining the demon slayers. Although it was years before, he also studied about the revealed trump cards of the demons, including the rare ones. These information came from the hunters who managed to survive while fighting these rare demons. But mostly came from pillars. The rare techniques are most showned from the demon moons. It's better to keep a journal about those to prep for the future.

Urokodaki sensed the presence of Nezuko and excused himself. He already knew the intentions of the girl and wanted to talk about it privately.

Nezuko was in a room next to the room Urokodaki was previously occupying and saw him approaching. She already knew about Urokodaki's other intentions of visiting today and she knew she can't persuade him. But this is for the sake of her brother.

She was desperate in times when her family member is in a situation ever since her family was alive and complete. They lived in a dangerous place so harm is unavoidable but they are mostly secured because of their father and big brother. Now that she and her brother remained, there's no guarantee that she'll be in peace whenever her brother's not fine.

Urokodaki sat quietly.

—————

"Urokodaki-sama, I want to become a demon slayer."

The delicate voice of the seemingly calmed girl echoed through the ears of the old man named Urokodaki. As he turned towards the girl, hands intertwined with each other, causing him to led her a knowing look. But the seriousness of her pair of pink orbs compelled him to initiate a battle with his mind. Knowing the girl's situation after losing her dear brother to the hands of their immortal enemy, he couldn't ensure the girl's safety if she brought herself to mere danger that the demons will bring to her if ever she'll become one. This generation's situation is a lot more complicated so further comprehension is needed more for such decision.

"For what reason?"

The sudden question made her shiver. What did he mean by "For what reason?". Or is she misunderstanding his response? The three words specified that she wanted to become like her brother. A demon slayer whose job is to slay demons and protect humans. She might be a former demon but she was willing to violate her being for the sake of her brother. This time, it will be her turn to become one and save him just like how he saved her. But Urokodaki's response made no sense for her whatsoever.

"What? What do you mean, Urokodaki-san?"

By the distance, two demon hunter pillars were eavesdropping the current conversation between Nezuko and Urokodaki. Clearly, those two technically heard the phrase "I want to become a demon slayer" that they began to hear out the rest of the conversation. Not that the two mind the eavesdroppers, they certainly wouldn't let the girl take the risk. If she does become a demon hunter, she could be a temporary auxiliary, they wouldn't want to let her get further.

They were all aware of the girl's stubbornness and the fact that they were following a superior's order accordingly, it wouldn't be easy to keep her out with it. But knowing the potential the girl would possess, what more could they do? It's within Urokodaki to hold the decision since the two wouldn't be able to contribute for a fact.

"I had kept a word with an arcane. I couldn't hold the decision within myself since they thought it would be for your own safety."

What? An arcane? Who could that be?

She just wanted an approval from the old man. But why is this sudden? Apart from that, he became secretive judging by his hoarse tone. It's usual for him to be secretive ever since they met, but this was a sudden distinctive type of secrecy coming from the former pillar. This must be a confidential information that is barely hidden. She must know about it.

"But I wanted to help..."

She was cut off by Urokodaki, gaze locked elsewhere, visible glowing eyes darted towards the backyard.

"The system now has undergone several changes over the past two years. Since the progenitor fiend, Muzan, escaped, the corps had become strict and laws were added. The lower ranks from Mizunoto to Tsuchinoto are advised to be with a higher rank like the ranks from Tsuchinoe to Kinoe during combat with the demons. Since demons nowadays are expected to be powerful two times than they originally were. In regards to this topic, it would be harder to join the corps now that the training is being held strictly as well. If you were to partake training, I'm afraid that this old man cannot keep young Nezuko's safety."

But within Urokodaki's heart, he badly wanted this child to become a demon hunter and locate the boy again. But the boy gifted him a curse that kept him with to lay a hand on her shoulder. Although the boy was being overprotective, due to trust issues that he previously gained from a corrupt demon hunter, even his closest friends he undoubt of betrayals. That corrupt demon hunter was saved by Tanjirou. Due to the demon hunter's capability, Tanjirou entrusted him. But that demon hunter suddenly caught harassing Nezuko in front of his eyes arrogantly, he kicked him out and vanished unexpectedly. The said corrupt hunter was friends with Tanjirou for months and helped him until Muzan's escape. After that, they bond grew stronger up until he was caught stopped the interaction.

Because of that, Tanjirou was filled with hatred and have trust issues with anyone, even his close friends. Apart from Kanao, he wasn't entirely sure he can trust anyone after that incident with the hunter. Although Tanjirou still heartily treat them with respect and friendliness, but that hunter seemed to be within Tanjirou's memory. Right now, they didn't know what happened to him after he left.

The curse was not harmful, though it was simply a threat and condition. Although Urokodaki knew better, these siblings held bonds greatly than anyone. So he cannot simply violent the boy's conditions. Because the boy was doing it for the girl's safety. If she were to join, she might encounter him. After knowing that demons naturally had their memories wiped, there's no doubt Tanjirou's memory also been wiped. If that'll happen, Nezuko might not be able to convince him. It's better if the girl train for now before joining.

Urokodaki thought for a while, if he can get Nezuko train secretly, then no one would know about it, since he possessed a greater weapon. He'll wait a little while before the exam finally came.

"But I do have something in mind."

Nezuko was overjoyed and asked the old man, "What is it?!"

—————

Kanao was trying very hard. What if Shinobu is indeed alive? Looking back to the past, she was chapfallen by the news of Shinobu's disappearance. Although, it was still unconfirmed, it still caused her a breakdown. Shinobu meant a lot to her that she couldn't forget about her. But since there was still a chance that she's alive then it's no time to lose but to find the lost butterfly.

She arrived in a hidden place. Recently, she'd been exchanging letters with this person. Although the other don't want to, he cannot go against a girl as beautiful as the woman he loves. Even if the woman was long in paradise, he still misses her.

He told Kanao about the place he's currently occupying for the meantime, it was a place that was created in the memory of the significant woman.

She waited for the person to approach the spot he instructed her. Suddenly, her vision became blurry and she collapsed afterwards.

—————

"Hey, wake up."

Kanao abruptly opened her eyes and realized she was seated on a soft futon on a warm room. She was in Yushiro's household, it was the first time she ever visit the house of a demon. But she never thought it would be this warm as the Butterfly Estate.

Upon hearing Yushiro's voice, she relaxed and looked for the particular person. Yushiro handed her a cup of sort of tea and she received it nonetheless.

"In regards to why you had to faint, I don't want you to leave any traces here. I just figured out recently that Muzan's new forces are looking after me and the best way to avoid it is to hide. I have no intentions to show up before I formulate a plan to avenge Tamayo-sama. But seems like I won't be able to escape it easily."

Kanao took a sip of the seemingly taste good tea and placed it down the wooden floor.

"I know, my eyes don't deceive me. But what I'm concerned is that, Muzan's new forces might still be able to reveal what is concealed. So I suggest to stay in the Butterfly Estate to ensure your safety just where you used to stay back then."

Yushiro smiled bitterly and averted his eyes to the portrait of Tamayo from afar.

"It seems like I have to decline the offer for now, this is Tamayo-sama and mine's own house where our memories remained. I'm afraid it will be a waste to leave unexpectedly. But I appreciate your concern."

Kanao smiled at the response, she felt the same way towards leaving Butterfly Estate. It seems like she couldn't compel such a person.

Yushiro turned serious and grabbed a book on his side.

"Well then, back to our original topic. Shinobu's disappearance was indeed related to Muzan's rare techniques. I am a demon with no such techniques but I am also a demon with theories. In accordance with this technique, it was a rare magical technique derived from an ancient fighting style. It is called Fuku or Blow Away. Although the named didn't bring any significance but it was purposely named that way to conceal its magical power. It is a technique customly created by a pariah and unexpectedly and secretly been past down by generations until Muzan.

This technique involves martial arts and mostly contains kicking. In Muzan's case, he used it with one of his tentacle and effectively harmed Shinobu. As I said, this is just a theory and there's no exact verification to confirm the situation. But I'll have to put this hunch at the center of the pillar and gather more information. For now, I will guide you how to find her. That way, we can know how to solve the mystery. Hand me the thing I ask you to gather."

When Yushiro finished, Kanao grabbed a pouch from her pocket and handed it to Yushiro. Yushiro accepted it and nodded. Kanao smiled and nodded.

"I'm looking forward for it, Yushiro-kun."

Both of them smiled and continued until the moon gradually rose high up in the sky.