Tale of the Last Demon Slayer

Chapter 20

HATRORI’S POV

“Onii-san, Hatori-niisan.” I heard Ino’s voice calling my name so I looked at him. He is smiling as usual, holding his axe and some firewood he chopped.

“Ino.” I smiled and patted his head.

“Onii-san. Onii-san. Onii-san.” The twins immediately grab on my legs and their feet on mine. They are laughing and so I started to laugh while walking slowly so they won’t fell of from my legs. They always cling on to my legs since they are small and light. “Yey! Weeee!”

“You must be tired, Son. Come here, your mother prepared a snack for you.” I gaze at my father, he is smiling at me while offering his hand.

I stopped for a second. He is already dead and he passed away three years ago. I looked t my surrounding, I’m at our house. My sibling haven’t change and it feels so real. I’m looking at them, I feel them and I can definitely hear the.

“What’s wrong, Hatori?” My mother asked. She just came out from the house and wrap her arms on my father’s shoulder. My eyes went teary. I always wanted to see them again. Like this, smiling and happy.

“Nothing.” I smiled and wiped the few drop if tears. “Where is Nikumi?” I asked. I’m happy, I truly am. We are altogether again and living like the usual.

“Hatori?” my mother asked me with her worried face.

“Son, did you forget?” He said and walk closer to me. “Nikumi’s long gone. What have been doing, maybe you’re just tired. Let’s go inside.” I stiffened and paused for a second. This doesn’t seem right. This the moment i wanted more than anything else. This is the moment I badly wished for. My father is alive and well, my mother’s usual genuine smile, the singing of the twins while calling me and Ino’s proud smile after chopping the woods. But Nikumi’s smile is not here. The one who will call my name with the sweetest smile on her face.

“No, father.” I said. He’s about to reach my hand when I took a step backwards. “Nikumi is still waiting for me.” He smiled again. Ino and the twin’s pulled the edge of my kimono.

“It’s okay, Onii-san. We can wait for you here. This house will be waiting for you and Onee-chan.” I looked at Ino when he sad that and carry the twins in his arms. He stood beside father and all three of them smiled as the wind fades away they bodies and faces.

“Take care of Nikumi, Hatori. I’m counting on you.” The last whisper of my mother before I lost sight of them.

“Nikumi!!!” I’m panting and trying to chase my breath when I woke up. I get up from laying down and feel my breathing. My heart is pounding and I feel so tired like I was running in my dreams.

I was able to wake from that dream. I just can’t go and die just yet. I really wanted to be with them again but not without Nikumi. Now I know for sure that Nikumi is still alive and because of her I was able to return. I can’t die here now, I need to survive.

It’s still dark but the moon has change it’s location. It’ll be morning soon so I need to hurry and go back to Ushio-san’s house. I’m not sure if I ca make it before dawn. Aside from my wounds from earlier and the air is getting thinner, my bones are broken I suppose because of what happened earlier. My whole body is aching and I’m in pain. I need to make it, I need Ushio-san’s help.

I started to move my feet and follow the path down the hill. It’s hard and the pain is twice the pain earlier. I still continue despite the painful body and broken bones I have. For Nikumi.

“I can do it I know I can do it. I’m the guy who gets it done broken bones or not… No matter what… I can do it! I can do it! Just wait for me, Nikumi.” I said to myself. I kept reminding my own self to keep on going for Nikumi. I need to, I have to endure all the pain and survive.

I once again cough some blood. My ears started to hear the sting inside my head and my eyes are once again getting blurry. I managed to get a broken branch of a tree somewhere so I can use it as a crutch. I’m almost halfway when my feet tripped on the ground and my body hit the bushes.

“What the hell!?” I exclaimed and immediately tried to stand up again. My breath is getting thinner and my body is getting weaker and weaker. “I swear your big brother will save you no matter what!”

I shouted and took a step forward again. Though my arms and knees are trembling I still manage to take several steps because of the crutch I had. I kept on imagining Nikumi in my head so I can continue. She is walking in front of me and I need to catch up before she’s gone.

“Use your head not just your spirit. Think think think.” I chanted while walking. I can see Nikumi’s figure fading away as my eyes went blurry. I shook my head but Nikumi is not in front of me anymore. “Hang in there! Hang in there, Nikumi! Hang in here, Hatori. You can do it! I can do it.” I wiped my tears again and took a deep breath.

“You can’t.” I heard a voice from behind.

A boy that looks younger than me was standing behind me. He has a scar at his neck but he looks clean and presentable. Is left hand is on his waist holding the sheath of his sword. His kimono is similar to Ushio-san’s kimono. He’s not wearing the demon slayer corps uniform but he looks like a demon slayer somehow.

“Who are you?” I asked and faced him.

“Why do you even care? What you need to do is go back to his house.’’ He said coldly.

“His name Is Saru and mine is Nana.” I tried to look around because I heard a girl’s voice but she doesn’t seem to be around.

“Who’s there?” I asked.

“Here.” She said. She is hiding from the boys coat and peeking a gaze.

“So cute.” I said in amazement. She is small like a ten year old girl but she has this sword with her when she steps forward and waved her two little hands. Her hair is tied in pigtails and her kimono is also similar with the boy that she called Saru.