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𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄 | 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓

✧․ ⁺ ⊹༄🏹⁀₊➷🔥⁀₊➷🏹༄⊹ ⁺ ․✧

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🔥────────♪◞♡𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆♡◟♪────────🔥

▌ 𝘎𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘓𝘪𝘚𝘈  ▌

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✧․ ⁺ ⊹༄🏹⁀₊➷🔥⁀₊➷🏹༄⊹ ⁺ ․✧

"𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯: 𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘢 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘦. 𝘚𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘦. 𝘊𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩"
- 𝘯.𝘩.

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🔥 𝟎𝟏. 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍🔥

(*ೃ༄➹ ☽ ˚ · .✩𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃, 𝐈𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐌𝐄 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘✩ ˚ · .☽ ➷*ೃ༄)

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THE CRIMSON DRAGON, A POWERFUL BEING THAT SYMBOLIZES SOMETHING GREATER THAN LIFE, THE POWER OF THE SUN AND THE BURNING EMBERS OF FIRE AND FLAME. A soul that is reincarnated and lives every lifetime to destroy a darkness in this world that seeks out life and destroys it... Now Rika Nishiko exists and she must destroy all darkness that exists in this world, her cousin that betrayed her, the demon king and the darkness that exists within her broken heart and her tortured soul.

The little girl with red hair could feel her eyes opening but barely, her body felt weaker than usual as she tried to sit up. "Daichii", her little voice weakly whispered as she raised her body up slightly. She could feel the sunlight of the early winter morning gently shine into the room, its familiar warmth touching Rika's pale skin that almost succumbed to winters lethal touch the night before.

"Slow down, you don't want to exhaust yourself more", a voice had spoken, a voice that belonged to man that held power but was still gentle to her.

Hearing the voice, Rika gently whipped her head around as her violet hues started to scan the room, seeing her body lying underneath a dark brown bear pelt, she wasn't wearing the light pink kimono that she was gifted from her father, all torn and destroyed from running from Daichii in that night of cold brutality and rememberance; now she was wearing a plain white kimono meant for sleeping.

"I am over here, you do not need to frightened young one. My name is Ryuuji Takibi", the voice came back and came closer towards her and out from the shadows, a man came into the dimly sunlit room. He was very tall and looked very well built, his face was youthful and very handsome with a strong yet soft bone structure with eyes violet just like her own but his were a stronger shade of red and his hair, long and crimson in soft curls that fell past his chest area.

His lips curled softly as he looked at the little girl laying in front of him, "I'm sorry about all you went through last night, it must've been hell for you but it's okay, you're safe now. Would you like some tea? I have some boiling right now", he offered the little girl.

As Rika looked up at the man and listened to his words, suddenly the memories came back to her as she felt the air out of her lungs being snatched away, her breathing becoming uneven as the images came back to her head. The bloodshed, she massacre, Daichii's gentle hands turned into monstrous claws that held her head fathers head and his kind smile that reeked of adulterated energy and evil, how he tried to kill her that night and how she ran away.

The tears fell from Rika's eyes, knowing it was all real. It was real, it wasn't just a terrible nightmare like she wished it was, how Daichii would come to comfort her with his usual kindness that she admired so much, how her father would hold tightly again and how she would play with her friends again. It was all real, everything she saw was a cruel reality.

Ryuuji noticed how the little girl was acting, his eyes widened slightly. "Hey, I'm so sorry", he saw her tears, how she had heard what he had said confirmed everything.

"Would you like a hug?", he asked her, knowing the girl needed comfort more than anything else.

Rika heard his question properly but she could barely register herself to answer but she couldn't be alone, she weakly nodded her head towards Ryuuji and the man with crimson hair that matched her own, engulfed her in a hug.

Rika felt her body collapse again within his embrace as she released loud sobs and cries, the tears staining her cheeks and the kimono that clothed his chest while his hands and arms held her gently, letting the little girl release all the pain she experienced the night before and how it almost took her life the night before.

The little girl didn't know how long she cried for, she was too exhausted and the man knew not to count the hours, she just needed a shoulder to lean on right now.

Several hours passed that day, Rika was silent after she had cried all those hours, her voice and her mind were exhausted and Ryuuji understood that. He didn't force the girl to talk but he gently encouraged to walk to the main room of his house and sit by the table to have a couple of tea with him.

Ryuuji Takibi poured the liquids into their cups, he saw how red Rika's eyes were from the crying. She was so young yet seeing from how much it impacted her, it would be a lot to handle for someone her age.

To break the silence, he wanted to at least let the girl talk a bit. "How awkward and improper of me to not know early, but may I ask your name, please?", he asked her politely, looking at her with a gentle smile.

The little girl had her face still black while her eyes were heavy, she didn't answer as her eyes looked down at the hot liquid in her cup.

"You don't feel like talking? That is okay, but I do need you to listen to me", he spoke more formally but his gentleness and kindness didn't falter one bit.

"I didn't save you for no reason, I know myself as a person that I would do it for anyone but I know you are probably not aware of you you truly are deep inside", he started to speak, despite not having her attention directly on him, Rika did do her best to listen to him.

"You were born with this crimson hair right?", he asked her, waiting for her to answer patiently despite knowing most likely that she wouldn't answer, yet surprisingly she did.

"Yes. I was born with this red messy hair, I don't get what's so special about it though", she answered him lowly, her pessimistic view of her hair coming back to her as she placed her lips on the edge of the cup, tasting the warm liquid that Ryuuji prepared for her. She could taste its herbal remedies and the smell gently touched her ability her senses as if it was comforting her in its own way.

"It's not just hair, it's something that many people do not know. But you actually possess the soul of a dragon, much like I do", Ryuuji answered and to show his truth, he lifted the sleeve of his white kimono, revealing a red Japanese dragon tattoo, the tail's bottom reaching to his elbow while the dragon stretched all the way to his shoulder.

Rika's eyes nearly widened at seeing this, he revealed the next one, the same. Both of them, fully red with blue eyes, white claws, green legs and yellow designs. Rika has similar ones on her arms, yet they had no color to them at all, only his did. People always admired them because they believed she drew them, but her father always told her that they were on her arms since the day she was born.

"You have similar ones too, don't you? With no color at all", he asked her, as if he knew her questions that she wanted to ask him.

She nodded her head, "Yes I do. My papa always said that they were there since I was born, I always tried to wash them off but it never came off, even when I burnt my arm once it didn't fade even once", she answered him.

"That's because it's not meant to fade away, it's something you are meant to become and nothing can change that, you can choose to become the person you want but nothing can change who we are in our souls. We can hide it as much as we want to try because of the opinions of others or our own self hatred bred from our insecurities, but we cannot change it", he spoke to her.

"I know it's a lot for you to take in, after knowing you've been through a lot but I can help you become stronger so you can help as much people as possible from suffering the same pain as you did", he offered to her.

"You mean, I can kill the demons. I always thought they were myths but my papa always told me stories of them and dragons too", she answered, the memories of her father telling the stories from her childhood were now coming to life, now he lost his life to her cousin who became a demon.

"I can teach you about demons and dragons, since you are one, I can help enhance your skills and abilities, I'll teach how to slay demons and properly wield a sword. I will not allow you to go to the final selection though because of how young you are, but when you are ready, I'll let you go. If you say yes to my deal though"

Rika stayed silent for a moment, however she couldn't bring herself to hesitate on his offer. Remembering how Daichii murdered everyone in her family and her life so dearly, with that wicked smile of his covered in blood. Her heart bleed that night and today, the blood was still there but it was boiling this time. She could pierce a blade in his heart only years later but she wanted to kill him now; so she accepted his offer.

"Okay, I will do it. I want to learn my abilities. I want to be strong", she sighed after taking a sip of her tea.

Hearing her answer, a smile crawled onto his features again. "That's good to hear. Even if you did refuse that is okay, I wouldn't mind someone helping me clean up and polish swords for the other demon slayers that come here", he chuckled softly, lightly teasing the young child.

"But not to worry, we will do light training first to prepare when you're older because if you do it now, you won't have time to fully recover when you're older to do proper training" he informed her, then there was silence between them for a moment as Ryuuji took a sip of his tea.

"Rika", he heard the girl speak, he pulled his lips away from the brim of his cup.

"I'm sorry?", he asked her, wanting to hear and understand what he had said as her voice was quite low.

"My name, it's Rika Nishiko", she answered him more clearly, her voice was still soft but it could be heard properly.

Ryuuji smiled warmly at the little girl in front of him, "You have a beautiful name, Rika. It's a pleasure to meet you"

Rika could feel a small smile cracking through her lips as she looked at the man who took her in, "Thank you, Ryuuji. It's nice to meet you too"

The next day came by, the late morning sun of the wintery weather glazed over the snowy first and mountain of Ryuuji Takibi's small but comfortable home. The light made the snow glimmer softly, the glittery effect made Rika appreciate the beauty of winter, despite its brutal and unforgiving nature to those who are not fit to survive its challenging nature.

Ryuuji offered a warm dark red kimono with a black haori to be dressed in with black pants underneath with thick white socks and slippers, protecting her body partially from the winter, which she was gladly wearing now as she wasn't someone who was really fond of the cold climate weather.

Her body shivered a bit from the cold as she followed Ryuuji around, curious about what they were going to do today for her training.

Her was dressed in a black kimono with a red and white dragon haori, black pants, thick white socks and slippers, he didn't seem to shiver too much or even at all in the snow. In his hands, he was holding two swords carved in wood, one big enough for his size and one that was small enough for her size to wield.

"Let's stop here. I think this is a good area, let's just melt some snow here. Would you mind standing back for me a bit, Rika?", he asked the little girl politely, tilting her head curiously in response but did as she instructed to do so.

Keeping his eyes focused on the area in front of his house that was surrounded by trees, a few acres wide enough to build another small house, Ryuuji closed eyes and inhaled deeply within his nose and exhaled throughout his mouth, taking a few seconds to fully igniting his power.

His hands suddenly ignited with sparks as he continuously breathed but soon the sparks turned to small flames that glowed around his hands.

"Dragon Breathing Art", he inhaled, his eyes closed as he concentrated hard, "Ring Of Fire", he announced and suddenly pushed the palms of his hands forward using the force of his arms.

Rika watched with wide eyes and awe how the fire and the flames propelled out of his hands, how he summoned it so easily and it was now surrounding the trees but not one spark touched the trees to burn them down. The flames and fire were only gently warming the area up, melting all the ice and snow that covered the ground and revealing the dark muddy ground beneath, yet Ryuuji didn't stop there. He continuously shot the fire and let it warm the area and let it dry the mud to let it become a solid ground.

When he was finished, the fire and flames encased a small circle around the area, creating a circle with an entrance and clear path where Rika and Ryuuji where standing behind.

"Apologies for the delay, I believe I'm getting a bit sloppy. Just know when you are able to do this, winter can sometimes make you slow but it's okay, I'll help you counter it", Ryuuji apologized and explained in a calm and formal manner as he smiled politely to his new pupil and disciple.

Rika's jaw however was open in what she had watched, "you can control fire?", she asked him, barely able to take in what she saw but she wasn't too scared but amazed was more of it.

Ryuuji nodded his head, answering Rika's answer. "Dragon flame and fire, not just any fire and flame. Flame and fire are completely different from each other, from normal and even from us the dragons", he explained as he walked the path he made himself from his abilities.

Rika only tilted her head in confusion in what he was saying, "I'm sorry, I don't really get it", she admitted sadly.

"It's okay, don't worry. I'll continue explaining it during your training, once you're ready you'll be able to master the same abilities"

Rika followed behind him and the two reached the center of the circle, the fire circle that surrounded the both of them embracing them with warmth that can make it more bearable to train in the cold.

Ryuuji gently handed the wooden katana to Rika, allowing to take it in her hands. "Rika, have you ever watched someone fight with a sword or played with friends with fake swords?", he asked the little girl curiously.

Rika nodded her head, "Yes, I used to play a lot with my friends and my uncle was in the war, but I never really watched someone properly wield a sword", she answered honestly, however the fond memories made a wave of sadness hit Rika with the grim reality.

Ryuuji knelt to her height, gently placing his hand on her shoulder, "Well, today I'm going to teach you how to wield a sword properly and we will make it easy and fun okay?", he reassured her with a gentle smile.

Rika nodded her head in return as she fought back against the tears but wanted to focus on Ryuuji Takibi, he noticed her sadness but he wouldn't ignore it but would help her in another way.

"Now Rika, try to hold the handle for me please", he asked her politely. Following his instructions, she held the handle of the wooden katana as best as she could.

Seeing her clumsy handle, Ryuuji gently detached her hand from the handle and his hands allowed her softly apply a better grip. His hands were soft yet so calloused from the years of wielding the sword of demon slaying and other horrors any other human could imagine beyond comprehension.

"Here, try it like this. If your grip slips a bit at first it's okay, it'll take time to get used to the habit of holding it correctly for some people. Now, let's fix your posture too", he stood up and stood in front of Rika, "stand like this for me please", he asked her politely while instructing her in the next step.

Rika attempted to follow in the next step and copied his posture as best as she could, he nodded with a smile. "Good job, now do as I do please", he explained to her with his actions, lifting his sword into the air and then swinging it down with great force, he did it once, then he did it twice, then tree times, for times and then five.

Rika watched his actions closely and curiously but suddenly her focus was gone as her mind was wandering out to the cold. "Rika", Ryuuji noticed as her mind went elsewhere and called for her name.

"Rika", he called her name again and then time, gently put his hand on her head and gently ruffled her hair making her come back to reality.

"Oh, oh sorry what are we doing again?", Rika asked politely, looking up at her mentor.

"Did you see what I demonstrated, can you please repeat it if you heard it?", he asked her politely.

Rika nodded her head, staying in her posture and repeating his actions of lifting the sword in the air and then swinging it down with brute force as he instructed as best as she could.

Watching this, he nodded his head. "Good, now please try do it five times first", he asked her and she did that, then during the rest of the day, she was swinging the sword up and down as best as she could.

Inside their home after training for the day, Rika was sitting in front of the crackling fire outside that was sheltered, being tasked to feel its warmth and meditate next to it, but sometimes no matter how hard Rika tried, her mind would easily slip away to another thought.

Ryuuji however, was inside the house as he was at his bedside table, elegantly writing on a paper with a black ink painted brush.

Dear Kanae and Shinobu. The little girl named Rika Nishiko, she has awakened after a five day coma, she is still recovering from the burning of her past but she is doing much better now.

I cannot thank you enough for coming in and checking on her, I know you two are often busy with your lives but please, come back when you can.

I want her to meet the both of you. Sincerely, Ryuuji Takibi, the former dragon flame and fire hashira.

Ryuuji finished writing on the paper, before lifting his eyes up to keep an eye on the girl as she was outside attempting to meditate but she was clearly struggling and looking really defeated.

Ryuuji smiled softly to himself. 'She will get the hang of it someday' he thought to himself before he put his fingers to his lips and released a whistle, calling forth a crow and tying the little to its ankle. "Please send this to the Kocho estate as fast as you can please, Noriko", he politely asked his crow, who silently stared at him and then flew away with the letter.

✧․ ⁺ ⊹༄🏹⁀₊➷🔥⁀₊➷🏹༄⊹ ⁺ ․✧

A few hours later, Rika and Ryuuji sat down at the dinner table together to eat a nice and warmly prepared soup as the winter winds blew and howled outside.

Rika was silent as Ryuuji offered her a bowl but she graciously accepted it, tasting the liquid of the soup mixed with the vegetables and the meat, it made Rika smile. "It tastes just like my old home", she commented fondly.

Ryuuji smiled softly, "I'm glad you're enjoying it Rika", he answered, taking a sip himself before he started to speak again to her. "Rika-Chan, you did very well today for your first day, I'm very impressed", he praised her kindly.

Rika smiled sweetly as she looked up at him, "thank you sensei, it actually felt quite fun to train today", she answered honestly.

Ryuuji chuckled softly, "I might have an old friend and her sister come to visit soon, they just want to meet you because they also took care of you before you woke up. Would you like to meet them?".

Rika thought about it for a moment, suddenly all the words of those who spoke of her I'll because of her hair came back to her. She hung her head low as she didn't want Ryuuji to see her tears or her fear, but she didn't know if these people would even like her at all.

"Rika-Chan, I understand you must be afraid. Is it your hair?", he frowned seeing how she was trying not show fear to him, how close she was to crying.

"My hair, people have always said it was a curse. They hate it and I do too, there's nothing beautiful about my hair", Rika tried to speak calmly but the tears were falling from her cheeks and into her bowl of stew.

Ryuuji understood, he was the same way once. The world turned back on him because he was different to others, just like Rika himself. It took him years to accept his hair and how he was different, now he wanted to help this little girl.

"Rika-Chan", he stood up, offering his hand to her as she was stilling sitting down. Her teary eyes looked up at his hand and above, was his gentle and encouraging smile looking at her like she was an equal of his.

Hesitantly and slowly, she put her bowl of soup on the side and reached her hand up to grab his own and she accepted it. He gently picked her up and lifted her up, taking her to a mirror that stood in front of her room.

Rika could clearly see her reflection and Ryuuji saw his as well, "Rika. Your hair, it's a beautiful gift from the souls of the dragons. Look closer at yourself please", he requested her.

Listening to him, she listened to his request and she looked closer in his reflection but she couldn't see anything. "I don't see anything Ryuuji-San", she answered him honestly.

"Well, you might not see anything in yourself right now but you know what I see?", he asked her, she nodded her head in curiosity.

"I see a brave little girl who is doing her best after going through something really awful. I see a warrior with beautiful hair, you don't see it yet because the vision will grow to you eventually. When you see it truly, you will thrive", he explained to her in a gentle manner.

"You will have friends and family and those around you who will see you truly deeper than the surface, your heart is burning with love and kindness so you must take care of that flame that burns inside you and keeps you alive, but please don't poison that flame with hatred that could destroy you in the end", he encouraged her, gently ducking down so he was at her level when speaking to her.

Those words at first didn't make sense to Rika Nishiko, but Ryuuji Takibi knew all too well that years that those words would turn into actions one day.

Days passed after Rika was taken in by Ryuuji Takibi, that day she was inside the house helping to clean out with her caretaker as he was helping to teach her how to clean due to her rich aristocratic background with patience and kindness.

On their way, two sisters with a little girl were walking together through the snowy forest, reaching closer to their home as the eldest of the three girls arrived to the house first.

"Ohayo, Ryuuji Takibi-San", the eldest girl called out to her old friend, a soft smile gracing her features.

Inside the house, Ryuuji heard a familiar feminine voice call out his name and a smile etched his features. Stepping up, he walked up to the main door and opened it, a smile gracing his features to see his old friend. "Ah, Kanae-San. Ohayo", he bowed his head politely.

The woman who went by the name of "Kanae" noticed the white bandana around his head to cover his already braided hair and his clothes were dirty. "Did we come over at the wrong time, we can come back again later or another day if we did", she offered sweetly, referring to herself and her little sisters behind her.

Ryuuji chuckled softly as he shook his head, "Oh no dear me, you didn't. I even just finished sometime ago, I can get the tea boiling right now. Come on in, all of you", he offered Kanae, who nodded her head graciously.

"Shinobu, Kanao, come in here", Kanae called out to her two sisters.

An agitated sigh left Shinobu's lips, "Come on Kanao, let's go in", she ushered the 10 year old girl to the house of their old friend and the quiet little girl followed in her footsteps.

As Rika finished washing off the dirt from her face and dusting off her kimono and quickly dressing into a new one, she stepped out of her bedroom and in the main room of her current home, she spotted three unfamiliar feminine faces.

One was a beautiful woman, who looked taller than both girls with a soft face with big soft pale purple eyes and long black hair that was flowing behind her back gracefully, she wore a kind smile on her face and a black outfit over her body with a white butterfly haori with pink and black designs.

The shorter one held what looked like a permanent scowl on her face as her darker purple eyes burned with anger in them and her black hair with purple designs in it was hung in a butterfly clip, she wore what looked like a similar outfit to the older girl with a plain white haori.

Last was a girl who seemed to the same age as her, she had big purple eyes and short raven black hair tied in a side ponytail, she wore a pink kimono with a white winter haori, her face was blank as she just followed the orders of her older sisters.

Rika took a step back, not knowing what to expect of the three female figures who stepped into her home. She could hear the older woman of the three speaking to Ryuuji, but she couldn't decipher what they were truly saying.

"Rika-Chan, can you please come out here. I have some people I would like for you to meet", she heard Ryuuji's voice call out to her, but she couldn't find it in herself to answer.

Ryuuji patiently waited for Rika's response but hearing nothing, he turned to Kanae, "I apologize, she's just very shy. I think she might like you a lot once she gets to know you, let me bring her out", he assured the woman younger than him with a soft smile before he walked towards Rika's bedroom.

The woman with her hair in an updo sighed irritably, "this is such a waste of time, Nee-San", Shinobu scoffed, "What the hell is the big deal in this red haired girl, it's not like she's done stupid mythical creature or she's some stupid demon or whatnot", she folded her arm with her eyebrows furrowing.

"Shinobu, this girl could help end the reign of demons and I think she could be a good friend for Kanao-Chan", the girl named Kanae smiled sweetly in response before looking down at the little girl, bending down at her level, "I think a friend for Kanao could be a good thing"

The little girl named "Kanao" didn't say anything, her face stayed blank. Shinobu didn't retaliate back but still let out an irritated sigh.

Ryuuji stepped into Rika's bedroom, his thin violet eyes scanning the room before finding her in the corner, as if she was trying to disappear.

"Rika-Chan", Ryuuji stepped forward towards her, going a little bit closer before he was on her level, seeing how she was hugging her knees to her body and hanging her head low. "Don't worry Rika-Chan, they're not going to hurt you. They're very nice people, they're old friends of mine who will love your hair", he assured her, doing his best to help her come out of her shell and her insecurities.

Rika didn't say anything but she stayed silent, Ryuuji didn't say anything either but this time he stood up. "We're having tea in the main room, you're free to join us when you feel more comfortable. I'll save an extra cup for you", he reassured her before leaving her bedroom.

Once he was gone, Rika started to ponder a bit. Unsure if she should exit out of her room or not, she didn't know these people but Ryuuji seemed to trust them. Did that mean she could trust them?

"Apologies, Rika is very shy, she's not very used to strangers yet", Ryuuji poured tea for Kanae, Shinobu and Kanao.

Kanae shook her head, "Oh no, it's okay. Our Kanao is the same but she has a really sweet smile that I know matches her sweet soul that I'm sure will come out when it's time to shine", the woman with the butterfly complimented her adoptive sister.

Ryuuji looked down at Kanao and smiled kindly, "Hello, you must be Kanao. Your sisters told me about you and how you came to their family, it's very nice to meet you. My name is Ryuuji Takibi", he introduced himself to her politely.

Kanao took the coin that Kanae gave her the day they first met and she flipped it, gently grabbing it and putting it on her hand, looking at the result and looking up at Ryuuji Takibi. "Hello Ryuuji, it's nice to meet you", she greeted him with a small smile and a soft voice that if he wasn't close enough, he wouldn't have been able to hear it.

Ryuuji smiled sweetly, "Ah, I'm sure you and Rika will get along very well and become good friends", he assured in approval.

Little did each of them know of Rika's stealthy appearance was slowly listening in on their conversation, she listened quite carefully as curiosity got the best of her.

Ryuuji noticed her before she could move away, but he smiled at her. "Ah Rika-Chan, I'm glad to see you'll be joining us", he spoke softly, gently encouraging her to come out of the corner where she was hiding.

Rika almost jumped in fright as she looked up at Ryuuji and the two older women as well the girl the same age looked at her, curiously and some with soft smiles, the youngest with a plain expression and the other with her permanent frowning face.

"Ah, this is Rika-Chan, I see. Hello there", the oldest woman greeted her cheerfully, smiling warmly in return. "My name is Kanae, I know we haven't really met formally but my sister, Shinobu and I saved you when Ryuuji Takibi took you to us", Kanae mentioned.

Rika tilted her head curiously as she stepped forward looking at Kanae and her sister, "Shinobu and I are very happy to know you're doing well now"

Shinobu scoffed slightly at the answer before turning her head away, "Ryuuji was lucky he was on time to find us, otherwise you would've died from hypothermia, you're lucky you didn't get bad frost bite either", the woman with her hair in a bun sipped at her tea.

"Don't mind my sister Shinobu, I know she can be very grumpy and angry on the outside but inside she truly has a good heart and she's a very skilled doctor too", Kanae praised her sister, looking at the introverted and angry woman.

"Nee-san", she pouted, feeling her cheeks get hot slightly at her older sisters compliments but inside it genuinely meant a lot to her.

"And here is our youngest sister, Kanao-Chan. I believe you and her are the same age, I think you two will get along very well", Kanae motioned her hands towards the youngest of the sisters, the quiet girl who didn't say anything to Rika.

Rika slowly stepped out of the corner of the hallway and to the table as they watched her, Rika kept her eyes averted to the ground as she found her seat and sat down next to Ryuuji and now was in front of Kanao.

Kanao looked at her but she stayed silent, Rika was also silent as well yet it wasn't too weird. There was a little comfort that they didn't know existed yet in their silence, as the older ones talked together.

Outside in the snowy forest, Rika sat outside as she wanted to pick up sticks fallen from their trees for firewood. Kanao watched her in the distance curiously, wanting to go help her as it was the polite thing to do but feeling her indecision cloud her mind she did the only thing right to do. She picked her out coin from her kimono and tossed it in the air, grabbing it and throwing it in the air, catching it in her hand quickly and to her decision, she smiled softly at the sign to go to her.

Stepping out of the house of Ryuuji Takibi, Kanao quietly following towards the little girl with red hair who was picking up the sticks in the snow.

"H-Hello, Rika-Chan", Kanao quietly greeted the girl, Rika snapping out her daydream noticed Kanao next to her.

"Oh hi, hello Kanao", Rika greeted the girl shyly, not always being used to being approached in such a friendly manner for sometime.

"Um, would you like some help here?", the girl with dark hair asked shyly, her head hanging lowly as she wanted to help Rika, she didn't know why but she felt a little bit of fascination with the girl in front of her.

Rika feeling a smile curling itself across her face, nodding her head. "Yes please, I would appreciate it. We need as much firewood and sticks as possible so I can heat them for the fire"

With her answer, Kanao couldn't help but smile a bit and she started to help Rika pick up the sticks from the snowy ground and helping to gather them at the front of the house when they couldn't fit anymore into their hands.

Breaking the silence, Rika spoke softly. "Your sisters are very kind, well I know Kanae is but Shinobu, her face is a bit sour it looks like she's eating disgusting pickled vegetables all of the time", the girl with red hair laughed lightly.

Kanao couldn't help but feel a smile stretch across her face while her lips let out a laugh, "That is true. She does look like she's always angry but she has a kind heart and she's a really good doctor", the girl with a ponytail smiled softly.

Rika listened to her, taking in her words and smiling softly, "Well then, I'll keep that in mind", she answered and the two girls continued picking sticks together from the snowy ground.

Time passed by and it was close to sunset as Rika and Kanao finished picking up the sticks, and now it was time for Kanae, Shinobu and Kanao to leave.

"Goodbye Kanao, I hope you visit again!", Rika smiled happily as she waved at her new friend and Kanao had a small but genuine smile plastered on her as she waved at Rika as she walked away with her sisters, feeling herself become happy for the first time in a very long time at having a friend.

"I'm happy to see you have a new friend, Rika", Ryuuji smiled softly as he turned his attention to Rika.

The girl with hair that matched his own nodded her head excitedly, "Yes, Kanao-Chan is very kind and I love spending time with her", Rika smiled happily, feeling happy after a very long time, finding another friend after a long time.

"I'm glad you had a fun time with her", Ryuuji mused before he closed his door and allowed Rika to walk back into his home before shutting the doors fully. "Now would you mind helping me prepare dinner? And we can try your abilities on these sticks you and Kanao picked up", he politely asked his protégée and she nodded her head, assisting Ryuuji with dinner.

Days, weeks and months passed by as Rika continued to reside with Ryuuji Takibi. She trained more and more, however, she was still quite young so he kept his training swift, easy and manageable for her age.

Kanae, Shinobu and Kanao at times visited Ryuuji Takibi and Kanao and Rika grew closer, Rika was much happier than the day he found her but he often worried that happiness would not last forever, especially when the king of demons was still alive and thriving.

Rika was sitting in front of a candle with Ryuuji on the opposite side, gentle encouraging and instructing her on how to use her abilities of fire and flame wielding as a dragon. However, the young girl was obviously struggling as she attempted to control it.

"Rika. Just breathe, you're still learning this, it took me still quite sometime when I was your age", Ryuuji comforted her as he looked at her with a gentle gaze.

Rika sighed, "It's just so hard. I can't seem to concentrate at all. I don't think I can do this at all", the girl with crimson red hair looked down somber, feelings of inadequacy and failure fueling her mind.

"Hey, like I said. It takes time, even the greatest hashiras of the demon slayers had to once start from the beginning to learn their abilities", he reminded her.

Rika remembers the stories of how Ryuuji told her about demons, how real they were and how her cousin became one, the demon slayers and their roles to protect others and how some of them became hashiras.

Rika looked up at him curiously, "You said I will control fire, what else will I be able to do?"

"Well, within time we're going to train both your right arm and your right leg, the dragon claw and the dragon legs, then we're going to train your eyes and your whole body too, your eyes will grow stronger and your body will resist as many injuries and sicknesses as possible. You will slowly heal as of right now but the more you train it, the more you will be able to obtain less injuries", he explained to her, cautiously and clearly, wanting her to understand what she would be doing over the years as she would get older.

Rika listened to him but she still felt a bit confused, she shook her head, "But how will my leg, arm, eyes and whole body get stronger? I know you said that I'm different but I don't feel like a dragon at all, I don't even think I am. I don't even know how that will be possible", she frowned as she asked him the question.

"Rika-Chan, I tell you this now so we can at least prepare for your future. Your training will not get any easier as you get older but I will help you through everything, as much as you need it but I cannot be with you once you go into the demon slaying world", he assured her, feeling sad that he was telling her everything right now.

Rika felt a bit frightened with his words, her gaze looking down at the flame dancing in the candle. "I'm scared Ryuuji-Sensei. I don't know if I am a dragon, what if I'm not and I fail? Will you hate me?", she asked, her childlike vulnerability showing as she hugged her knees close to her body.

Ryuuji felt his heart sink at her words, he knew her fears all too well as he lived them once; but as long as he was alive, he would never let that fear come to reality.

"Rika. Even it takes you a very long time to master everything and even if you are not truly a dragon soul, I will not leave you behind or abandon you. I never want to do that to you or make you go through that again", Rika reached his hand out, taking Rika's smaller and softer hands into his own bigger and more rough and calloused ones, a father holding his own daughters hands, it made Rika feel safer.

"Rika. I know you don't see it right now, but I see it in your soul. You have the abilities to succeed, you have the tattoos of the dragon, you have the heart of a great and kind ruler and the mind and will power or steel, you don't see them yet because you haven't looked within yourself deep enough yet but I can see it clear as day", he gently assured her, wanting her to understand what he was telling her.

"Just continue doing the best you can in training, I will do my best to help you teach you and you will understand everything in your own time. I just want you to be prepared when I may not be around anymore, but I don't really want you to think about that right now", he finished speaking, giving her handle a gentle and affirming squeeze before pulling it away and fucking his hands in the sleeves of his dark red kimono.

"Now, how about we continue training now, we'll continue your training and when you make progress, I'll help to teach you something new. How does that sound?"

With his question, Rika nodded her head and smiled softly. "I'll do my best then!", she smiled brightly in her childlike manner, seeing this made Ryuuji smile in return.

Suddenly without any of them suspecting, Rika's hand went above the fire and the light flame that dances on the candle string suddenly followed her hands lead. Rika's eyes widened as she witnessed how the fire was now in her hand, dancing so freely but as she held the untouchable form, she felt no burn but just warmth.

Ryuuji's eyes widened and his lips widened in surprise, seeing how this little girl could now hold fire. "Rika-Chan, you're holding the fire now", he couldn't stop the laugh that fell from his lips and the smile that spread across his handsome features.

Rika couldn't find it in herself to freak out at the moment but feeling no pain, she also had a smile spreading across her face. "Look! I'm doing it! I'm doing it! I'm holding fire!", she cheered victoriously.

"Well done Rika, you've made some improvement on your first time, not many can hold fire on their first time! Now, time to truly get started on controlling fire", Ryuuji smiled as he stood up, gently igniting a spark in his hand and allowing a small dancing flame appear in his hands.

"Whoa! How do I do that?", she asked curiously, smiling brightly.

He chuckled softly as he ignited another fire in his other hand, "I'll teach you right now, you just have to follow my instructions and then try it next", and with that, continued their years of lessons, training and revealing the secret of their dragon souls.

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𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀 𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓:

YOUNGER RIKA:
YAY! I CAN HOLD FIRE AND FLAME! DID YOU SEE THAT RYUUJI? DID YOU SEE? *jumping up and down in excitement*

RYUUJI TAKIBI:
Of course I saw that Rika, I'm very impressed. *smiling softly down at her* Soon you will be able to wield Dragon Fire and Dragon Flame, as well as mastering the Dragon Claws, Dragon Eyes, Dragon Legs and Dragon Soul.

RIKA:
What are those? Can you please tell us? *looking at him curiously*

RYUUJI TAKIBI:
Sorry, but I can't tell you today but today *screen zooms in* here is a Taisho Secret

During my youth, it took me a full year to fully learn how to control fire, seeing Rika this young and holding it makes me very happy to see her progress. People think we could be related and to be honest, I see her as my own daughter.

RIKA:
So we're gonna continue training as I get older? *smiling excitedly*

RYUUJI TAKIBI:
Of course Rika, not all of it is going to be easy but I'll be here to help you however I can *smiling softly at her*

RIKA:
Yay! Stay tuned for Chapter Two everyone! We're going to see me get stronger!

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QUESTION FOR CHAPTER:

DO YOU GUYS WANT MORE CHAPTERS OF RYUUJI TAKIBI?

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HIM?

DO YOU GUYS ALSO WANT SOME MORE KANAO AND RIKA INTERACTIONS?

EXTRA NOTES ON THE CHAPTER (ANA RANTS):

RIKA AND RYUUJI ARE LITERALLY FATHER AND DAUGHTER FROM ANOTHER LIFETIME! CHANGE MY TIME!

AND RIKA AND KANAO PLAYING TOGETHER? THEY'RE SO CUTE OMFG!🥹😭

THIS CHAPTER IS RELEASED TODAY ON RIKA'S BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY GIRL!

NEXT CHAPTER WE'RE GONNA HAVE RIKA AND RYUUJI TRAINING MORE BUT WARNING FUTURE CHAPTERS ARE GONNA HAVE SOME PAIN!😭

NOT GONNA SPOIL IT THO!😶🫢

BUT DON'T WORRY, EITHER CHAPTER FOUR OR CHAPTER FIVE SHE'S GONNA BE IN THE FINAL SELECTION AND SHE'S GONNA MEET TANJIRO AND THEIR LOVE STORY WILL START SOON AFTER THAT!🥰

SEE YOU GUYS IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!❤️

BYE FOR NOW!❤️

LEAVE A REVIEW (OF THE CHAPTER OR BOOK IN GENERAL) HERE:

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