Warm sunlight caressed my skin as I felt myself being pulled from slumber. My eyes opened, and I was met with the sounds of birds chirping in the air and the sight of puffy clouds dancing across a blue sky. I sat up and rubbed my eyes...and saw that I was at the Butterfly Mansion.

Wait a second...if I was there, that meant one thing- I quickly tried to get up, but really...it looked like I was flailing around. Eventually, I gave up and flopped back on the ground as I muttered, "Guess I'm stuck here for now."

"Hoshiko-sama! You're awake!" I sat up and saw the three cutest little girls running up to me. It was Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho.

I embraced all of three of them carefully as I smiled, "Yes, but can you help me with something?" All three of them nodded, so I continued on, "Thank you. How did I...end up here? I was supposed to have a relaxing day with Kyo- I mean, Rengoku-sama."

Kiyo spoke up, "He was called out on a mission! However, he left you here with us because you were hurt in a battle with a demon!"

"Has he left yet?"

"I think so! Kocho-sama will be here with you shortly." Kiyo sat back on her knees and spoke, "We didn't hurt you more, right?"

I laughed, "Not at all. I'm happy to see all of you doing well. After all...it was you three that made me smile when I was really down. Have you been taking care of Noctua for me?"

Naho clapped her hands, "Yes! Thank you for letting us take care of her, Hoshiko-sama! She helps us out by telling us who is injured and who needs extra medicine! She even can deliver things too for us."

"Is that so? Is she around now?"

Naho smiled as she whistled a four-note tune-the same one they had mastered when I first became a Slayer. Out from one of the taller trees came a medium-sized owl with brown and white feathers. Her eyes saw me, and she hooted happily.

I held my right arm out and she landed on it, nuzzling into my cheek as she did so. I couldn't help but carefully pet her with my left hand as I spoke, "It's good to see you too."

Suma gasped, "You understand her?"

I nodded, "Yes. While it may seem like non-sense to some, I'm able to understand her fairly well."

"But I always thought that Demon Slayer members just worked with crows, not other birds! How were you that lucky?"

Noctua's eyes locked with mine, almost permitting me to tell her story. I looked at all three of the girls and smiled softly, "I passed the Final Selection, just like any other Demon Slayer you meet. At the end of the Final Selection, they let you choose a few things, such as the ore for your sword, but they also assign you a Kasughi Crow. Or, in my case, an owl. Noctua...she wanted to serve Slayers after being nursed back to health by one of them. From what I've gathered, she felt like she needed to give back. Did I get it right?"

Noctua nodded her head as she hooted out, "That's right!"

The three girls gasped, and I continued on, "She doesn't talk a lot, but she's learning certain words."

Once more, Noctua said, "That's right!" This caused all of us to laugh and smile...however, it felt like I was wearing a mask. I thought I was going to have a relaxing day with Kyojuro, but here I am. I could feel the sadness building inside of me as I realized that I didn't say goodbye to Kyojuro. Yet, I was laughing at Noctua. What a strange mix of emotions!

I was pulled out of my thoughts as I heard Suma gasp out, "Rengoku-sama! We're over here!" A tiny hand waved at someone to the left of me. I found Kyojuro, alright.

He ran over to us and smiled at the three girls, "Thank you for helping me trick Sumiko. I see she's up."

Naho smiled, "She was telling us about Noctua! Her messenger!" Naho held out her arm and Noctua hopped onto it, hooting contently. Naho laughed as she spoke, "We'll be off playing with Noctua now! Have fun on your mission!"

I faced Kyojuro and sighed, "That wasn't very nice, you know."

"Why wasn't it nice? I didn't even wake you up on the way here and I even filled in Shinobu on what happened to you."

"I thought I wasn't going to be able to say goodbye to you."

"As if I would ever leave without you knowing. Besides, I also wanted to tell Shinobu about some ideas for your next apparatus. It should be done in a couple of weeks." He sat down next to me, "Until then, you're stuck with me."

"Will you be alright doing that?" I couldn't help but to look at him to truly try to get a gauge on his emotions.

His smile never faded as he embraced me, slightly chuckling, "Quit thinking you're a burden. I don't see you that way at all. Plus, it helps me work on my strength."

I turned away from his face as I quickly spoke out, "I promise you I'm not going to be high strung and ask you to take me everywhere!"

"Well, that's too bad because I have a couple of other places to go today. I believe Oyakata-sama wants to talk to both of us about that demon. Rumor has it, that one was the leader of a small pack of demons."

"Oh? So are we both getting a mission from him?"

"There's a chance, but I'll ensure you don't have to go out and fight. Last night was..."

"Was what?" I looked at him and smiled, "You told me that I was brilliant!"

I felt his arms wrap around me tighter as he whispered, "Last night scared me. The thought of losing those I cherished...I believe that is what I fear."

"It's all over now, and we're safe and sound. That's what matters." I quickly kissed him on the cheek, and before I looked at him, I whispered, "Besides, I thought it was incredibly noble of you to save the day like that, some may call it hot."

His arms picked me up as he grinned at me, "I suppose I'll have to remember that from now on. Off we go!"

____________________________________________________________________________

I don't think Kyojuro knows the meaning of an off day sometimes due to his speed towards Oyakata-sama's home. It took all of the strength in me to keep me from falling out of his grip, but I was eternally grateful to see the familiar Wisteria trees nearby.

Both of us were invited into the terrance, and it was there where Oyakata-sama sat. He smiled at both of us, and it didn't take Kyojuro and I long to be bowing to him. I know this is technically my home, but Oyakata-sama still runs the place. I heard him starting to laugh, as he chimed out, "Sumiko, this is your home, there's no need to bow to me."

"I wish to respect you, since I have not been here. After all...I know that this is a temporary home for me."

"While you may move to a different physical place, you'll always be home mentally. I believe your actions at the festival last night proved that. Despite your hindrance, you still fought the demon."

"If it wasn't for Rengoku-sama arriving, I would most likely not be here right now." My hands clenched the skirt of my kimono, "I am truly grateful for him saving my life, along with countless others too."

Oyakata-sama smiled at Kyojuro, "That pleases me to hear, especially since he was assigned to be your caretaker until Mitsuri comes back. However, I did not expect him to complete a mission before it was assigned to him."

Kyojuro spoke up, "I apologize, but the demon took some people that I cherish away from me. I was fueled by anger and fear."

"That happens when a demon messes with our loved ones. This leads me to my next question. Are you in a relationship with Sumiko?"

"Yes, Oyakata-sama."

Oyakata-sama then faced me, "Are Kyojuro's words true, Sumiko?"

I kept staring down at my lap as I feebly nodded, "Yes,Oyakata-sama. I am sorry if this is against any of the Corps rules, but-"

"There's no need to call him Rengoku-sama anymore now, is there?" Oyakata-sama started to laugh softly, which caused all of the tension in me to fade away.

Kyojuro added in, "See? I've been trying to tell her that, but she won't listen!"

"I don't know who you want to know about us! Hence, why I did what I did."

Oyakata-sama whispered, "Already acting like a married couple already. How adorable."

My face started to turn red as I sputtered out, meeting his serene gaze, "Master, I heard that!"

"Is it not true though? You two, when put on missions together...you're an unstoppable team. I've heard stories of your missions. While your Breathing Styles are different, they still work together. I often wonder if there's a way that both of you could synchronize your attacks."

My face turned away from Oyakata-sama as I spoke, "I can no longer fight like a normal Demon Slayer. Yesterday proved that."

"You are the one that created Celestial Breathing, correct?"

"Yes, but it was designed for a sword and a person who can move quickly. None of those things...I can really do."

"Perhaps that is true, but perhaps it's not. From what I can recall, you enjoyed reading fantasy stories to my children that talked about magic being casted through items like a wand. Is it possible for a Breathing Style to be casted in the same manner?"

A slight smile came onto my face, "I...never thought of it that way before. However, I do not know what happened to my Nichirin Sword after my encounter with Muzan Kibutsuji."

"From what I can recall, it was brought back to the Swordsmith's Village for repairs, and they still have it there. I can easily ask them to fashion a wand-like weapon for you, if you would like. However, should you choose to go down this route, I will also make another request of you. You have heard of the Transparent World?"

"No, I have not."

Oyakata-sama smiled at me, "I will be teaching you all I know about it. One thing that could help us in our battles with stronger demons is to have someone being able to access that world with ease-even if they're farther away."

"Like Astral Projection?"

"Precisely. This would be an enormous undertaking for you along with adapting your Breathing Style, however, since the heavens above us are filled with realms and objects unknown...I believe you're the best Hashira for the job."

I looked at Kyojuro, and all he did was nod at me. I took a shaky breath in and nodded, "Count me in."

Oyakata-sama smiled, "I believe that will occupy your days until your weapon is fashioned and until your new apparatus is fixed. As for Kyojuro, I do have a request for you."

Kyojuro looked at Oyakata-sama, then back at me as he spoke, "How long will it take me away from Sumiko?"

"It won't. While I do want you to go chase down that pack of demons, we need more information first. However, the demon you vanished last night was named Sefira. He is the leader of a small pack of demons who want to all join the Twelve Kizuki. From what others have said, there's two more in the pack. Hyle and Fides- both of them are seeking the rank of Kizuki. We're looking into them as we speak. Do you mind trying to hunt them down?"

Kyojuro looked at me as he questioned, "Will you be okay?"

I smiled as I nodded, "It seems like I'll be pretty busy here anyways. I'll be just fine. Please...don't break our promise."

Oyakata-sama spoke, "You'll be able to know every movement Kyojuro does in battle, Sumiko, if your training goes well. Maybe, that will be motivation for you."

I eagerly blurted out, "When can I start?" Both Kyojuro and Oyakata-sama started to laugh, and I couldn't help but join in too. It seems like this training would give me other reasons to go through with it. After all...making sure my friends are safe is a major deal to me, and it would put my mind at ease.

Just...how would I do it?