Tale of the Last Demon Slayer

Chapter 23

NIKUMI’S POV

The night before the tragedy.

“Onii-san! Hungry, hungry!! Onee-chan!!” the twins are now hungry but we can’t just eat yet while Hatori-niisan is not home yet.

“Onee-chan, I’m already hungry too.” Ino said frowning and holding his tummy. I smiled and sat beside the boys.

“Yes, yes. We’ll eat right after big brother arrives, alright?” I said trying to cam their rants. Mother look at me with her worried face. Hatori-niisan had never been this late before. It’s already seven and still he’s not here. Mother n I are really worrying but we can’t tell the boys specially Ino because he will insist on going out to go after big brother in the middle of the night and this blizzard.

“Nikumi, you can let your brother’s eat. I’ll just wait for your big brother.” Mother said. I nodded and immediately prepared the food for my brothers. I only prepared the dinner for the three since I’m still worrying about Big brother Hatori.

Big brother Hatori’s is the best. I can’t thank him enough for taking care of us. He always think of us first before anything else. I saw his hard work even before fathers death. He always tag along wherever father needs to go so we can eat everyday and provide everything for us. He acts like an adult. Right after our father died, he didn’t just sit around and mourn. He already knew what he needs to do before we could even ask. He provide food and anything we need so that mother do not need to worry everyday. While all of us are still mourning for our father’s death, big brother Hatori went out and became the father of the house.

One day, he saw me repairing my favorited Kimono and I was surprised when he asked me if I want him to buy me anew one. I smiled back then and said that I don’t need one, it’s my favourite kimono and I can still repair it. The look on his face that day was really sad. He said: “You’ve grown so much, Nikumi. I’ll get you one soon, Alright?” I didn’t answer because I don’t want to hurt his feeling. I can’t say to him that he already done more than enough, I wanted to say thank you.

I don’t know why I suddenly remember those things right now. Maybe because of this uneasy feeling that is starting to worry me. He should be home by now. Mother is sitting on the sofa and staring at the. I’m now standing at the dining table so I left the boys eating and sit beside her.

“Mother, I will wait for him outside.” I whispered. My mother looked at me in the eyes and shook his head.

“Nikumi, I’m sure your brother is okay. He might be sleeping on a friends house or somewhere but I’m certain he is okay. Stop worrying, your brothers might worry too.” Here she is. Saying that she is certain that big brother Hatori is okay but the worrying face she’s wearing is obvious.

“Alright.” I said and smiled.

After the boys finished eating, Mother stopped my hands on cleaning up the table.

“You should go ahead and have a warm bath. The hot water is ready. I’ll take care of the table.” She said hand me a clean hand towels and bath robes. I nodded and carry the twins on the sofa and Ino went upstairs to their shared bedroom with Big brother Hatori.

I didn’t object anymore since mother insisted and so I went to the bathroom. Before I enter the bathroom I heard a few knock on the door but I ignored and go inside. I’m about to take of my kimono when I heard unnecessary noise at the receiving area. I stopped and when I’m about to go out I heard mother’s voice.

“Stop it! Please, Nao. Stop!!” I stiffened. My mother is screaming and his is the first time I heard her scream like this.

I decided to open the bathrooms door that is facing the kitchen when I saw mother running to the kitchen. I closed the door and leave a space so I can see what’s going on. A man entered the kitchen and looking my mother’s eyes. I have never seen this man before. Mother is leaning on the wall and the man is getting closer to her. I’m ready to go out when I saw her hands giving me signs not to go out.

I stayed where I’m at shut my mouth. From here I saw what happened. The man wearing a suit and a leather shoes help my mother’s jaw. He leaned closer to my mother and I saw his mouth move like he is saying something to mother.

“Please. I’m begging you, not my child.” Mother is still crying and trembling in fear.

The man just laughed and laughed until he was satisfied. His teeth are pointed and he started to grow fangs. I can see the corner of his eyes turning red and his pale skin is getting whiter. His finger nails had gone longer like claws and it struck my mother’s chest. He grab her neck and his fingers are immersing in her skin and started to bleed. Mother cried louder before the man bite her neck.

I gasped but I was able to put my other hand on my mouth. My tears are now running through my cheeks. I didn’t expect that to happen. I can’t bear to see while he’s sucking mothers’ blood but I tried not to take my eyes of it so I can remember. After a few minutes of crying and watching this terrible scene I saw him threw away my mother’s body on the table like she’s an object. I greeted my teeth.

He left the kitchen and that’s the only time I was able to go out. Mother is still breathing but it’s faint. I ran towards her and tried to help her but she shook his head.

“Mother... What is happening? Who’s he?” I asked between my tears. She held my hand and tried to open her mouth.

“Ino... He’s upstairs. “ she coughed blood but she still managed to continue afterwards. “Run away from here. Both of you.... You should run.”

“No mother, I can’t leave you here. I will call for help.” Before I can run she was able to stop me, she’s still holding my hand and she pulled it to stop me while shaking her head.

“Listen to me, Nikumi”