As she neared the shop Akira suddenly had the feeling of being watched. At first she thought she was imagining things but when she thought she saw a flash of red to her left, she stopped abruptly as she looked in that direction.

"Hello? Is someone there?" She called out.

Her hands instinctively moved to her kusari fundo as she gripped on its chain tightly.

"Huh, guess I must be seeing things." She said to herself but she still couldn't get herself to let her guard down.

She suddenly sensed a presence in front of her and without a second thought swung the bladed side of her weapon in that direction as she turned to face whoever had dared to sneak up on her.

It was the man she had met in that other town, the one who had bought her the red kimono and he had somehow grabbed her hand and stopped her attack before it landed.

"Careful now, you'll cut someone with that." He said with a smug look.

Akira's eyes widened in surprise. The speed of her attack - there was no way he should have been able to stop her attack let alone respond to it at such great speed. There was no doubt about it, this man was a demon and a powerful one at that.

"That was the point." She replied carefully as she kept her composure. "Surely you can't just sneak up on a lone defenseless woman and not expect her to cut you."

As she said this, she had a sickly sweet smile. She had spent enough time around the insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, to know how to appear sweet but deadly.

"You're right, my apologies." He said as he let go of her hand. "It was inconsiderate of me to sneak up on you like that. I merely saw and recognized you and came here to greet you. I should have called out to you and not startled you. But I wouldn't call a defenseless woman."

As he said these words he had a sly smile on his face that made her grow even more suspicious.

Even as she retreated, Akira kept her guard up, prepared for whatever outcome.

"That being the case, I will accept your apology." She replied. "I should be going now, it was a pleasure to see you again. I thank you once again for the kimono you gifted me."

She bowed slightly as she turned to leave.

"I take it he's your husband then?" He suddenly said, stopping her in her tracks.

"Excuse me?" She said, turning to face him with a raised brow.

"That man who bought you those beautiful earrings you're wearing. He's the husband you told me of?" He continued. "Or maybe it's because you're so beautiful men buy you gifts left right and center."

"I don't understand." She said with a frown. "Why did you come here?"

A smile slowly spread across his face as he took slow deliberate steps towards her. Seeing him approach, she tightened her grip on her weapon even more.

"Akira, was it?" He said, his smile chilled her to the core.

"How do you know my name?" She demanded narrowing her eyes at him.

"Tell your Hashira to watch his back." He said with a wicked grin before he vanished from sight, leaving her standing there with wide eyes.

Akira was left there both shocked, angered and terrified of the words he had said. She turned when she heard footsteps approaching her.

"Akira! Are you alright?!" Came the familiar voice of Kyojuro.

"Kyojuro-san..." She said with a frown as she saw him run towards her.

"Are you alright? I sensed a terrifying demonic presence here!" He continued.

His eyes widened in surprise when he noticed how she was still holding her kusari fundo.

"It's alright, Kyojuro -san, I took care of it." She said with a reassuring smile even though she felt a certain unease.

"You haven't gotten your dango yet, have you?" He asked as he stared at her empty hands after she had put away her weapon. "Come on, let's go get them for you."

"Ah, no it's fine. I'm not feeling like eating anymore." Akira replied with a closed eyed smile.

"Are you sure? You always want dango..." He said with a frown, startled by her change of heart.

"It's fine. Let's go back now." She replied as she turned to walk back towards the edge of the town.

Kyojuro was confused for a few moments but he eventually followed her back.

Akira stayed a few more days at the Rengoku Estate before she continued on her way to the Ubuyashiki estate.

The Master and his wife Amane were quite happy to see her. They hadn't seen each other for months and to see each other yet again after so long. She was also happy to see her nieces and nephew.

The children were as energetic as ever, playing and laughing as they always did. The sound of their laughter was like music to Akira's ears, and she could not help but smile as she watched them. Amane watched her with a knowing look in her eyes. "It must be hard, always being away from them." She said, her voice gentle.

"Of course, but I am happy to see them again. Motherhood suits you, sister." Akira replied with a fond smile.

It was so good to talk to her sister again after so long.

Amane's smile widened, and she reached out to take Akira's hand.

"I am happy to see you too, sister." She said, her eyes shining with affection. "I know it must be difficult, but I am glad you have found your path. Even if it means we do not see each other as often." She added, squeezing Akira's hand gently.

"Thank you sister. For always looking out for me." Akira replied with a smile before she suddenly eyed hee with a serious expression. "But what about my brother in law? Is he getting any better? Surely there must be some treatment to cure him."

Amane's expression became somber, and she sighed.

"We have tried everything, but his condition is not improving." She said, her voice full of sorrow. "The doctors say there is nothing more they can do. But we will not give up hope, I will stay by his side and take care of him." She added, her eyes filled with determination.

"I too will keep researching and saving enough money. Maybe I will find a doctor who will help him." Akira said with determination. "Kagaya-sama has always been kind to me. I will do everything to help you both."

Amane was touched by Akira's words, and she embraced her tightly.

"You are so kind, sister. I am so grateful to have you in our lives." She said, her voice thick with emotion. "I know Kagaya-sama feels the same way. You are like a daughter to him." She added, her eyes shining with love.

Akira found herself beaming with love. She decided to tell her about her new and budding relationship. She did of course decide to keep the truth of his identity secret.

"I met someone," she began, blushing at having to reveal her new and budding relationship.

Amane's eyes widened with excitement, and she let out a squeal of delight.

"Oh my, you must tell me everything!" She said, her voice filled with anticipation. "Is it someone from the demon slayer corps?" She asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.

"Well not really." Akira replied shyly. "He's more of a...traveller."

"A traveller?" Amane's eyebrows raised in surprise. "How did you meet such a person?" She asked, genuinely curious. "And how long have you known him?"

"I met him outside one of the cities I played in." Akira replied with a smile as she thought back to when she had encountered Kokushibo.

"And you just... struck up a conversation?" Amane asked, intrigued by this story. "That seems rather unusual. Most people tend to keep to themselves."

"Well we didn't strike up a conversation at first. We argued about something." Akira replied.

She wasn't about to tell her sister that they had tried to kill each other on their first encounter .

Amane's eyes widened in surprise.

"You argued?" She said, her tone was incredulous. "With a complete stranger? How... brazen!" She exclaimed, her lips curling into a smile. "What was the argument about?"

"Well, he thought I was weak." Akira replied with a giggle.

She could still remember the encounter as if it was yesterday.

"You? Weak?" Amane said, her tone disbelieving. "I highly doubt that is true. You are one of the strongest people I know! What did you say to him in response?"

"I challenged him to a duel.  He thought I was too bold but I gave him a run for his money."

"A duel?" Amane exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock. "I can't believe you did that!What kind of duel was it? Was it with swords?"

"Don't worry sister, if I had used a real sword, I would have cut him. I did go easy on him though." Akira replied.

Although she knew that that was not what had happened, she knew that this was the version of that story that she would have to share. Akira knew her sister wouldn't be as understanding if she knew that the man she had fallen for was in fact an Upper Rank demon.

"You still sound rather impressive!" Amane said, clearly impressed by Akira's story. "This man must have been quite taken aback by your boldness. Did you manage to change his opinion of you?"

"Of course I did." Akira said with a warm laugh. "I made him bite the dust."

"You mean he lost the duel?" Amane exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock. "That must have been a sight to behold! I can't imagine the look on his face. He must have been shocked!" She added, laughing at the thought.

"Well, he did ask to get to know more about me..." Akira replied with a blush.

"Oh my!" Amane said, her eyes sparkling with interest. "That is quite the turnaround! So what happened after that? Did you two become friends?"

"Well not immediately. We parted ways but he did find me a few days later."

"He found you?" Amane asked, a look of surprise on her face. "That is quite a coincidence! What happened when he found you?"

"Well, I guess you could say we went on a date and talked a little more."

"A date?" Amane squealed, her eyes lighting up. "What was he like? Was he as charming as he sounds?" She asked, her voice full of excitement.

"Well Ko - I mean Kageyama -san was very socially reserved. But he was a total gentleman." Akira said with a laugh, scolding herself internally for almost revealing Kokushibo's real name. "But he had quite a knack for getting me flustered all the time."

Amane's smile widened, and she gave Akira a knowing look.

"That sounds like there was more than just a friendly interest there!" She said, winking at her sister.

"He did tell me that he wanted to get to know me a lot better. And that he hoped we would see each other again as we parted ways once again."

"He sounds quite smitten!" Amane said, clapping her hands together in delight. "Did you feel the same way? You must have been quite flattered by his interest!"

"I have to admit, I never thought he would be interested in me." Akira said thoughtfully.

"Why not?" Amane asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. "You are an amazing woman, Akira! Anyone would be lucky to have you! I am sure he saw something special in you."

"Well he kept telling me I'm a remarkable woman." Akira replied with a blush.

"Remarkable indeed!" Amane exclaimed, beaming with pride. "I can't imagine what it must have been like, having such a dashing man tell you that! Did you feel the same way about him?"

"Yes. I do hope I get to see him again soon."

"Are you happy?" Amane asked, her voice gentle.

Was she happy? That was a good question.

"I would like to think I am." Akira replied with a smile.

Amane nodded her head thoughtfully.

"True happiness is not always a constant state. It is normal to feel a mix of emotions, both good and bad." She said, her tone reassuring. "Do you feel like something is missing?" She asked, her eyes searching.

"I don't know, I have felt this strange emotion since I last saw him. How can I describe it?"

"It sounds like you are feeling longing." Amane said, her voice soft and understanding. "A sense of yearning for something that is not present. It can be a bittersweet feeling, both beautiful and painful. What kind of emotions do you feel when you think of him?"

"I feel like there's millions of butterflies fluttering in my stomach. And I get all flustered." Akira replied with a blush.

"Oh my, you sound smitten!" Amane exclaimed, a teasing smile on her face. "It sounds like you have quite the crush on this man. Is it simply a physical attraction, or is there more to it?"

Akira couldn't deny her sister's analysis. But was it possible that it was just a physical attraction? She could never tell the difference before. "I want to believe there's more to it."

"Do you think you could see yourself in a relationship with this man?"

"Yes. Absolutely."

"It is a beautiful thing, to have such strong faith in another person." Amane said, her expression wistful. "It is a sign of true love, to believe in someone so completely, to trust them with your heart. That is no small thing. Do you believe this connection is something that will last?"

"Well, you and Kagaya-sama are still together despite the odds, aren't you?" Akira replied with a smile.

"We are, and it is something I cherish every day." Amane said, a fond smile on her face. "We have faced many challenges, but we have overcome them together. Our bond is strong, and it gives me strength to face anything that comes our way." She said, her eyes full of love. "I hope that you and this man can find the same kind of strength in your bond."

Akira blushed at her sister's words. It felt so nice to have someone to talk to about this.

"I am glad you feel comfortable talking to me about this." Amane said, her tone warm and reassuring. "I know it can be hard to share such personal matters, especially with someone you have not seen in a while. But I am always here for you, no matter what."

"And I am here for you." Akira replied lovingly. "What do we say we go start making dinner?"