Akira watched the woman look around her in curiosity as they sat by an inn having some dinner.

"So, you're related to Koku?" She asked curiously, trying to make sure she had heard her correctly.

"Yes. As annoying as it is. I too am part of the 'legendary' Tsugikuni bloodline."

"Then, you're related to the Must Hashira. I know he's a descendant of the Tsugikuni bloodline."

"Hey, don't start drawing the family tree! It's bad enough that I have to deal with being related to grumpy old grandpa."

This made Akira giggle a bit.

"It can't be that horrible. But I suppose I do see the similarities between you and Koku-san."

"That's - a scary thought."

"Are you expecting company?" She asked with a smile.

"You aren't? I have to dodge it left right and center. Between the demon slayers and the demons, it gets kinda exhausting." Unmei said with a frown. "Besides, you're a little too relaxed for someone who almost got her head chopped off."

"And why would you be dodging demon slayers?" Akira asked curiously with a raised brow, completely ignoring her latter comment.

This didn't go unnoticed by the other woman who smirked at this.

"Oh right, you don't keep up with Ubuyashiki and his band of weaklings."

"Please don't insult my brother-in-law. I sense you have no love for the demon slayer corp but despite your aversion, he is actually a kind hearted man." Akira replied with a frown.

"I'll keep my opinions and you keep yours." Unmei said, a hint of defiance in her voice as she took a sip of her drink. "Anyways, I should get going. I've already wasted enough time as it is."

"No wait, at least let me offer to pay for your lodging over night." Akira insisted with a kind smile. "I know you would rather do your own thing but I do know you need to rest overnight. Then you will be on your merry way in the morning."

Unmei narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the other woman as she weighed her options.

"You're suspiciously nice, and sweet, you're giving me a toothache." She said. "Why are you being nice to me?"

"Why do you ask? Have you only ever encountered people who weren't nice?" Akira asked curiously.

"That's irrelevant. Be as it may,  you're like sugar sweet and so authentic about it, -unlike that rainbow eyed bastard who pretends he was - because now I sound like a bitch." Unmei replied. "Now I'm curious about how someone as annoyingly sweet as you ended up dating the meanest Upper moon demon. How did you even get the mean old grandpa to like you? My brain just can't process that. Doesn't Ubuyashiki have a bunch of somewhat normal human males. Couldn't you choose one of them? Do they even know you're busy fraternizing with their enemy?"

She saw the other woman's cheeks turn a deep crimson.

"I may be related to Ubuyashiki -sama, but my life is my own. As are my choices. Out here I am my own person. Without any affiliation." Akira replied.

"Hm, I see. You're ballsier than I gave you credit for, it seems." Unmei said, a small smile appeared on her face. "Well, at least I won't have to worry about you feeding me their nonsense."

"What is your objective? I doubt you move around without any goal to achieve. Even if it's not becoming a demon slayer." Akira asked curiously.

"That's really none of your business." Unmei replied. "I just want to live my life the way I want."

"Fair enough." Akira replied thoughtfully. "Come, I'll go book us some rooms for the night."

"You're not scared of moving around by yourself all alone?"

"Unmei -san, I may not look like it but I am incredibly strong and capable of protecting myself."

"Really? Is that why you almost got your head chopped off?"

"That was ... different." Akira replied with a frown and a somewhat sad expression. "Perhaps we could have a little sparring match?"

This makes the other woman raise an eyebrow with a smirk on her face.

"Didn't I just fix your shoulder for you a few hours ago? Are you sure it's a good idea to challenge me so soon? I come from a line of exceptional swordsmen I'm told. If the old man is anything to go by. Perhaps rest and heal properly before challenging me. Even if it's for a friendly little sparring match." Unmei replied with an amused smile.

"With all respect, Unmei -san, I wish to clear any confusion going forward. You can rest easy, I'm all better now. I can barely feel any pain."Akira replied with a determined expression.

"I think you're directing your frustration at the wrong person but if you insist very well then." Unmei replied with a smile as she stood up. "Well, I take it you know this place better than I do. Is there a nearby place where we can have our little sparring match?"

"As a matter of fact I do." Akira replied, her mood lightening up again as she smiled and pulled the other woman along.

"Hey - what are you?" Unmei began but eventually let her lead her to where she was going.

It was a small field just behind the inn that was mostly grassy and abandoned.

"There's plenty of moonlight out here, it's perfect for practicing." Akira told her as the young silver haired women twirled around in the open.

"Guess it'll have to do." Unmei said as she took a battle stance. "Last chance to call this off."

"Now why would I do that?" Akira asked with a smile. "Besides, it's not everyday I get the chance to spar against another equally strong woman like myself."

As she said this, Akira took out her kusari fundo.

"You think you're as strong as me?" That's cute. And do you actually know  how to use that thing? Was is  that? A kusari fundo?"

"Yes. I am quite adept at using it. My sensei taught me well."

"Your sensei?"

"The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima."

"Well now, that's interesting. So you are the student of the supposedly strongest Hashira?" Unmei asked, laughing at some private joke of hers. "This ought to be interesting. I hope you don't disappoint."

With that, Unmei unsheathed her katana and in a quick burst she shot forward hoping to catch Akira off guard. As she struck forward with her katana, she was stunned when the other woman moved out of the way with incredible speed.

"What the?" Unmei said as she blinked, noticing that not only had she missed but Akira had practically vanished from where she had been standing.

As she began to turn around, she realized that she was now caught by the chain of Akira's weapon.

"WHAT THE?!?! WHEN?"

Akira giggled as she released her from her hold.

"Come now, Unmei -san, it would be sad to end our little sparring match here."

"I see I greatly underestimated you. I won't make that mistake again!" Unmei declared as she shot forward with a singular thrust by the tip of her blade. "Sun breathing, Seventh Form : Sunflower Lance!"

Akira countered with her own moves, unleashing a series of attacks to deflect Unmei's attack.

"Stone Breathing, Third Form : Stone Skin."

They went head to head, neither backing down and it seemed that both of them were starting to enjoy their sparring match.

"I'll hand it to you, you're not your average girl. I thought this was going to be an easy win. But then again, as fun as it is to spar against you, this ends here. My Sun Breathing technique is the strongest of them all, the predecessor of all breathing techniques." With this declaration Unmei prepared for her final attack.

As Akira watched her approach, she began to ponder Unmei's words.

She's right. I may be strong but her breathing technique is in the end superior. She even has the skills to back it up. So do I accept defeat? Hm, that doesn't feel right. I know I can beat her. But how? Wait, her movements.... Why are they so familiar? It's like I'm watching a broken record of some sort. I wonder... Will this work?

With a deep breath, she clutched her weapon tight in her hands as she prepared to take a leap of faith. As Unmei attacked, Akira dodged the attacks, countering them with a succession of her own attacks that blended into a singular sequence.

As she began her attack, her fighting stance suddenly changed from one of Stone breathing to one Unmei recognized as the twelve different forms of Sun Breathing all blended together into a singular attack.

As the air cleared of the dust that had been stirred during the fight, it became obvious that Akira had emerged victorious. She smiled happily at Unmei as she offered her a hand.

"That was fun. We should definitely do that again."

Unmei merely looked at her in shock.

"You... How the hell did you do that?! That was a sun breathing technique even I haven't mastered. It's a form that has been lost to time! How the hell did you know that?!"

"Oh, is that what it was? Hehe..." Akira said with a giggle. "Well, when I saw your movements they reminded me of a move I saw Tsunahisa-san perform by the temple."

"Who?! You do know that the temple has been in ruins for over a century, right? I don't know what you saw but it definitely wasn't any living person."

"Ruins? But I know what I saw."

"Definitely wasn't the same thing your crazy demon boyfriend saw otherwise he wouldn't have tried to kill you."

This made Akira visibly upset as she was forced to recall what had happened earlier that evening.

Seeing this, Unmei let out a sigh.

"Look, why don't you get some rest. You obviously need it. I'll be there soon. I need to practice for a little while longer." Unmei said with a small encouraging smile for the other woman.

"Yeah, I think I'll do that. Don't stay up for too long and remember to get plenty of rest tonight." Akira replied as she turned to leave.

"I think I know how to take care of myself, grandma." Unmei said as she rolled her eyes.

Akira slowly walked back to the inn. She felt somewhat lighter. Being around Unmei, despite the other woman's harsh exterior had been oddly comforting and she was grateful for her presence. There was no doubt they had laid the roots for some form of friendship.

As she approached the small inn's sleeping quarters she stopped when she suddenly noticed how the grass had turned to frost beneath her feet.

"Huh, that's strange. I didn't think it was that cold tonight." She said as she slowly approached the inn.

Her body was suddenly on high alert as she kept her hand to her kusari fundo, ready to take it out at any moment should the need arise.

As she entered the building, she was struck by how eerily quiet it was.

"Hello? Madam? Is anyone there?" She called out. "Where did everyone go?"

She pushed through every shogi door, finding only the dark nothingness until she came to the biggest guest room. As she stood by the door ready to open it, she paused when she saw a thick pool of blood flow beneath the door towards her.

Alarmed, she pushed the door open only to find over a dozen of the inn's occupants all lying there in a pile having been massacred. Her eyes were wide in shock as she took in the gory sight.

"What - what is this?!" She ran forward trying to find even a single survivor.

"Please, somebody. There has to be somebody that can still make it." She said with a shaking voice but even as she said this, she knew that it was pointless. They were all dead.

Still in her state of state she suddenly sensed a malevolent presence behind her.

She turned, her kusari fundo in hand ready to attack and defend herself from any threat but before she could do anything she found herself inhaling air so icy, it felt like her lungs would burst. Gasping out, she tried to inhale some air but all she got was the frozen air that continued to suffocate her.

"My, my, my... aren't you a feisty one. And here I was expecting a lot more receptive welcome." She heard a somewhat familiar voice say in a playful tone as her body slumped forward, her vision going dark as she was caught in the foreign embrace. "Oh but you are a lovely little thing. And to think the woman I was sent to retrieve was you, little Akira. Oh fate is such an interesting thing."