Episode 4

The news of Mitsuri's arrival was like a gust of wind, blowing through the quiet stillness of the training grounds. Iguro felt a smile creep across his face, a rare sight that even surprised him. He'd always preferred to face challenges alone, but with Mitsuri, the weight felt a little lighter, the burden a little easier to bear.

When she appeared, a vibrant splash of pink against the muted hues of the evening sky, a warmth spread through him. She was a whirlwind of energy, her infectious enthusiasm a stark contrast to his usual quiet intensity.

“Snake Hashira!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "I'm so glad you called for me!”

Iguro nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It’s good to see you, Love Hashira.”

“Good to see you too, but wouldn’t it be nicer if you’d call me Mitsuri?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “We’re not always on duty, you know.”

Iguro hesitated for a moment, then nodded, a hint of a blush creeping up his neck. “Mitsuri.”

The way she said his name, with a soft, almost shy inflection, made him feel strangely self-conscious. He wasn’t sure he liked it, but at the same time, he couldn’t help but feel a strange thrill at the way it made his heart beat a little faster.

“I’ve heard about the new demon,” Mitsuri said, her cheerful demeanor shifting slightly. “It sounds… unpleasant. But don’t worry, Snake Hashira. We’ll face it together.”

Iguro, despite his usual stoicism, couldn’t help but feel a sense of reassurance at her words. The weight of the unknown seemed a little less daunting, the darkness a little less terrifying with Mitsuri at his side.

They set out the next morning, their journey north a silent testament to their shared purpose. The landscape changed, the rolling hills giving way to rugged mountains, the warmth of the south fading into the crispness of the north. The air was colder, the silence deeper, but the bond between Iguro and Mitsuri grew stronger with each passing day.

They traveled in quiet companionship, each finding solace in the other’s presence. They spoke little, their unspoken understanding a language of shared experiences, shared trials, and a shared belief in the strength of their duty.

Iguro watched as Mitsuri, despite her cheerful disposition, remained vigilant, her eyes scanning the horizon, her senses alert for any sign of danger. He admired her focus, her unwavering dedication to their cause.

He was drawn to the way she embraced the world, the way she found beauty even in the harshest landscapes, the way she saw hope even in the darkest of times. He was starting to realize that she wasn’t just a fellow Demon Slayer; she was a force of nature, a beacon of light in a world that seemed to grow darker with each passing day.

What will happen next? Will they encounter the demon? Will their bond deepen? Or will something unexpected threaten their journey?

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