Amare Flos (Demon Slayer)

"Positions," Eira's sword tingled the air molecules as she unsheathed her sword, the resonance of her blade rang. She honed her focus onto the fast-approaching rustle, just the possibility that it could be Upper Three sent chills down her spine. She closed her eyes for a single second, to maximise her concentration. Her mind attempted to stretch beyond the sea of determined and colourful auras that resided around her, her mind seemed to throb as she clenched her jaw. 

She couldn't capture it fully, however, she knew one thing for certain. 

"It's not Upper Moon Three," Eira gripped her sword as she alerted her team, the wind began to blow again and everyone stopped holding their breath. Eira loosened her nerves as the potential threat of the incoming rustle declined. It was still a demon, just not one that would pose any danger. 

Ice Breathing. Fourth Form. Winter's Breeze. 

Eira's entire body filled with a cold sensation as she sprinted forward, she faced her right shoulder towards the approaching rustle as she positioned her sword to her left. Coincidentally, she had timed her dash perfectly with the demon exiting the bush, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the demon's grey skin, she unleashed her slash. Her entire body rotated, and her sword became a light blue blur in the moonlight. The team looked in admiration as they witnessed a Hashira's true power. The speed and elegance Eira displayed was nothing like they had ever witnessed before.

Out of reflex, the demon's arms jerked upwards and he turned towards the blade. Eira's sword clashed against the demon's arms, which were strangely wrapped with golden bands. The moon watched on as this demon successfully countered the Ice Hashira's swing. Eira's blade ricocheted off the demon's arms, and her body felt the vibrations that rang in her sword. 

Eira was frozen in disbelief, it had been an interminably long time since her swings had been blocked, and to think that her sword had been repelled backwards, just how strong were those golden bands? No, how strong was the demon? 

Just as everyone seemed to recover from the first shock, a second hit like a truck. The demon lowered his arms and… 

"Oh… my god… Look at his head!" Yukina was the first to burst out in a giggle. The moon seemed to brighten as the demon revealed himself, a familiar face, how could anyone not remember him? Kammu's face erupted with a deep red blush as the entire team of twenty Demon Slayers burst into laughter at his appearance, more specifically, his completely tilted head. He had been running ever since last night when Ali had mutilated his head like this. Out of embarrassment, he ran and didn't stop, until of course, the sun rose, but just as it set once again, he began to run once more. He hoped to travel so far that no one would recognise him, maybe he'd start a new life in a different country. Even Eira let out a string of laughter. Although the absurdity of Kammu's appearance had elongated his life by a few seconds, those few seconds of tormenting laughter felt like several eternities. Eira didn't let it run on for too long. Without a moment to spare, she adjusted her sword in her hand and viciously curved it towards Kammu's neck. Yet, as if the universe wanted him alive, his 'last' words would change his fate. 

"It's all because of Upper Three's stupid lap dog!" Kammu's booming shout held an exasperated tone. This single sentence triggered her reflex, she had a few milliseconds and a similar number of centimetres between her blade and Kammu's neck. She swiftly twisted the blade in her arm and slammed the blunt side of the katana into Kammu's neck. Kammu was launched towards a nearby tree trunk, he slammed head-first into the tree. A loud crack woke several critters that scattered away from the site. 

His head throbbed and ached with intense agony, his neck had taken most of the toll. As his eyes drifted open, he couldn't believe his eyes. He… was seeing upright again.

"Wait…" Kammu felt his head, it had returned to normal. Just as a smile crept upon his face, he was reminded of his whereabouts. The blur in his vision refocused as he exhaled deeply. 

"Blood Demon Art: Golden Prison!" Kammu spread his arms and his golden bands escaped his wrists, they surrounded the entire area, effectively trapping the entire deployment in his quick-to-kill prison. A grin spread across his face.

Eira's eyes were wide with anticipation. The mention of Akaza's title was enough, she needed to get more information out of Kammu. She stared at the hovering golden band. 

"Eira!" Ayumu's voice boomed from several metres away, her eyes locked onto Ayumu, who gave her a small nod. His sword aimed at the segment of the golden band next to him. 

Eira understood. She swiftly swung her sword at the golden band with a newfound ferocity. Unlike last time, her sword cut clean through, as did Ayumu's blade on the other side.

"Surround him," Ayumu brushed his hair back as he directed the rest of the group. His dark eyes narrowed at the demon, a certain caution lingered. He sheathed his sword and began to walk towards Kammu. 

Kammu's two seconds of dominance diminished as his golden bands dropped to the floor, defeated for the second night in a row. His mouth was wide open, his arms still spread open. He was screwed. He looked around at the group of demon slayers, who had blocked off any possible exit for him. Kammu's eyes glanced at Ayumu, 

"They're much weaker when they aren't wrapped around your arms," Eira stared at the golden ropes as they reeled back to Kammu's arms. She joined Ayumu's side as Kammu fell to his knees. She had a much more brutal approach as she grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him onto the floor. Her blue eyes pierced into Kammu's soul.

"Please… Spare me," Kammu whimpered, deserting his dignity as he begged for mercy. Ayumu inhaled deeply as he awaited for Eira to start the 'interrogation'. Likewise, most of the team came closer to hear what the vile demon had to say. 

"Upper Three. What do you know about his whereabouts?" Eira's voice was low with a rasp of intense impatience. She began to apply pressure to her grip, pressing Kammu against the rough ground, his body felt as if it was a penny being stepped on by an elephant. His agony was too sudden for him to provide a quick answer. His silence seemed to tick Eira off even more. 

"What do you know about Upper Moon Three's location?!" Eira's head boiled with a desperate desire to progress further in their pursuit, the very fact that they had found a direct lead in the first night was miraculous. 

"Maybe we should take it slower, how do you know Upper Three?" Ayumu suggested a different approach as he unsheathed his sword, matching Eira's threatening interrogation but in a gentler tone.

"I… I challenged Akaza's pupil, Ali… I was badly beaten, I kept running away out of embarrassment," Kammu stuttered with fear in his voice, "Please don't kill me! I've only just regained my dignity!" 

Eira's grip loosened a bit as she heard that name, Ali. She inhaled deeply as she glanced back at Ayumu to continue, his questions seemed to be working better. 

"Where did you challenge him? We need a location," Ayumu slowly pierced the patch of dirt next to Kammu's neck with the tip of his sword. His intimidating appearance was much more suited for the job. As his eyes met Kammu, the answer was spat out immediately. 

"Well… I know the way back to the mountain, but not the name…" Kammu failed to provide a sufficient answer. Ayumu responded with a sign, he began to pull out his sword, which prompted Kammu to reply out of fear. He racked his brain for any information that may be useful. His eyes lit up with hope. 

"Wait wait! I do know something… That Akaza will be venturing the Aokigahara forest for the next four nights," Kammu spat out quickly in an attempt to save his own life, "If you're going to find him anywhere, it'll be over there,"

The entire team was swept by a sense of victory of some sort, a huge step had been taken towards their objective, and in such a short time. Eira looked back at Ayumu with a small smile, her grip loosened on Kammu. 

"Whoever was carrying the maps, scout our path. We move tonight, rest and prepare in the morning. Ayumu, overlook everything while I take care of this demon," Eira offered a small nod at the team, the plan seemed to be going perfectly, at an even faster pace than expected. All of Eira's prayers seemed to be going in her favour, the mountain gods were watching over her with pride and love. 

As the rest of the team began their duties, Eira looked back at Kammu. That same intense gaze returned to her eyes as she pulled out her sword. Kammu could've sworn he saw a flicker in Eira's eyes, almost as if she had suddenly switched faces. The smile on her face had disappeared, replaced by a clenched mouth that indicated a deep hatred.

"Is Ali with Upper Three?" Eira whispered as she stabbed Kammu's shoulder with her sword. Her whisper underlined by a gravelly tone, despise for Ali uncovered itself in a full form. Every time his name was mentioned, that scene at her village returned to her mind, painted in all its disgrace. 

"No, not that I know of," Kammu gulped, he winced at the pain in his shoulder, however, he had grown tolerant of light injuries like this. Especially when he had his head literally spun around two times in the past two days. 

"If you… keep me alive, I can show you where he is," Kammu's tone was low, he even felt bold enough to lean closer to Eira, whispering in her ear. His grey skin devoid of any colour. The disgusting colour was pale in comparison to Ali's aura colour, but nevertheless, any grey colour reminded Eira of that awful demon Ali. 

"We could be a team or something like that," Kammu pushed hard with his attempt to entice Eira into a partnership. "I lead you to him and you spare me," 

Eira stayed still in thought for a while, her mind strayed from the intentions of killing Kammu to how he could be of use. His offer of leading her right to Ali wasn't tempting at all, it went against her entire plot. She needed Ali to come to her, not her go to him. If she went to Ali, it would seem that she was actively hunting him down, the last thing she needed if she desired the ultimate goal of a guiltless killing. 

"No, I have a better use for you," Eira pierced her sword through Kammu's shoulder and nailed him deep into the ground. She stood up and looked around. Kammu would be like a delivery boy, once Akaza was extremely weakened, she would have Kammu carry him to Ali. A risky move, but she was willing to take it. 

The only problem was Upper Three's extremely effective regeneration, she would need to supply Kammu with enough Wisteria syringes to keep him sedated from regenerating on the trip. 

As she was lost in thought, she felt a hand on her shoulder. 

"Eira, we've scouted the path," Ayumu updated her on the team's progress. Her eyes locked onto his, as she felt his determined and strong aura. She got an idea. She inhaled deeply. 

"Ayumu, I think there's going to be a change in plan. I would like you and maybe two others to assist me in fighting Upper Three," Eira stated bluntly. If she could get a couple of people to fight with her on the front, she could take their syringes and give them to Kammu when needed. Then, on the way to Ali, Kammu could continually inject Akaza with the poison. She wanted to giggle at her master plan. 

 "Oh… Of course, we can see who else is interested on the way to Aokigahara Forest," Ayumu hesitantly agreed to Eira's offer, "And the demon?" 

Kammu waved with his free hand with a grin on his face, the golden bands were still reeling and wrapping around his arms once again, sluggish in their movement almost as if they were barely alive. 

"Get some rope, tie him and then cover him with something to protect him from the sunlight. We need him alive as a lead," Eira justified the survival of Kammu. Kammu gulped as Ayumu looked his way, a scowl in his expression.

"I'll get it done," Ayumu inhaled, he felt a little bit like a second in command, "Everyone, let's head out!" 

 This time tomorrow night, their fates would've been decided. The charge towards Upper Moon Three began.