The guy in front of Sakura was holding a sword, keeping the demon at bay. He glanced back at the demon, gave it a strong shove, and jumped into action. "Flame Breathing First Form: Unknowing Fire," he shouted, rushing at the demon with quick steps. As he avoided its attack, he swung his sword in a wide arc, flames dancing along the blade. The fiery slash struck the demon's neck, slicing it clean off. In no time, the demon's head hit the ground and crumbled into ash.
He turned back to Sakura, who was now on her feet, staring at him with a puzzled expression.
"Are you the only one !? I thought they had already sent 2 low level slayer already !? Or the other one already died !?" He said, as he started walking towards Sakura, "By the way , you owe me for saving your life"
Unbeknownst to him, a demon was right behind him and was approaching him for an attack.
Suddenly, Sakura ran towards him, "Water Breathing Second Form: Water Wheel" She said, leaping forward into the air , performing a front flip jump over him and with circular motion slash her sword cut through the head of approaching demon behind, as the demon faded away.
"Wow, You can still fight!" He exclaimed.
Sakura looked back at him, "Now I don't owe you anything"
"Great. By the way I am Kazuki, Kazuki Aozora. And you ?!"
"Sakura..."
As she said it , she again felt the pain from before. Her wound had not recovered yet.
"Hey , Are you alright !?" Kazuki walked towards her, as for now the room was empty without any demons.
Kazuki stood tall with tousled, medium-length black hair that fell effortlessly over his forehead. His eyes were a striking azure, bright and lively. He wore a uniform type dress consisting of a dark, buttoned jacket and trousers, paired with a white belt and tabi socks.
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"I am..." she said, as she looked up to him, "But, why are you here !?" She asked
"It's a long story. In short , I was told that two new selected Corpse members were sent to a more challenging mission than their rank, so I was sent to help you out" He said, but as he looked around there were Demons walking towards them, as he looked back to Sakura, "I guess, I will have to explain later"
"What !? It seems we don't need to go outside for our dinner tonight" One of the demon spoke with a evil smile.
"Hey kid, you can help right !?"
"I am not kid, I am 16" she responded, standing up and taking a fighting stance.
"I know , I Was just confirming!" He replied with a smirk, "By the way I am 17"
"Are you serious !? You want to speak about these things while we are surrounded by Demons, who needlessly to say, looking at us like their dinner" He exclaimed.
Kazuki grinned at Sakura, his eyes glinting with excitement. "I find it helps to keep things light before a fight," he said, tightening his grip on his sword.
Sakura rolled her eyes, though there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "Fine, let's just make sure we're not the ones on the menu tonight."
The demons encircled them, their eyes gleaming with malice. One demon, taller with a twisted grin, spoke, "Fresh meat delivered right to us. How convenient."
Kazuki smirked, unfazed. "Guess we'll have to disappoint you then."
Another demon, its voice dripping with mockery, sneered, "Arrogant little slayers. You think you can take us all on?"
Sakura stepped forward, her determination unwavering. "We've faced worse. You're just another obstacle."
With that, they both shifted into their stances, poised and ready. Kazuki took the lead, his sword igniting with vibrant flames. "Flame Breathing Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!" he announced, charging forward with a fiery strike that clashed with one demon's claws, sparks flying in all directions.
Sakura joined in, her movements fluid and precise. "Water Breathing Third Form: Flowing Dance," she called, weaving elegantly through the fray, her blade clashing with another demon's attacks.
As the battle wore on, the demons' relentless attacks began to take their toll. Sakura found herself struggling to keep up, her earlier wounds slowing her movements. One demon's claw grazed her arm, drawing a wince of pain.
Kazuki glanced over, concern flickering in his eyes. "Sakura, hang in there!"
But as he turned back, a demon lunged at him with surprising speed, forcing him into a defensive stance. The demons were relentless, their numbers seemingly growing as more entered the fray.
"We can't keep this up," Sakura gasped, her breath coming in ragged bursts as she fended off another attack.
Kazuki, now fighting back-to-back with her, gritted his teeth. "I know. But we have to hold on a bit longer."
The air was hostile with the sounds of blades striking against each other and the howling of demons. Kazuki and Sakura were cornered and in trouble as there were demons all around them looking with a wicked grin.
"Any brilliant ideas?" Sakura panted, her back against Kazuki's.
Kazuki, his own energy waning, shook his head with a grim smile. "Not yet. But it's not over till it's over."
But before they could do anything, a third person arrived on the scene, moving with a speed and precision that left both Sakura and Kazuki in awe. It took only moments for the person, who was indeed Ishida to clear the room, his blade a blur as he dispatched each demon effortlessly.
It was Ishida, his expression as stoic as ever. He barely glanced at Sakura and Kazuki as he turned his attention to a group of villagers huddled on the other side. "You live in the village near the forest, right?" he asked them.
The group, consisting of two women, a little girl, and two men, nodded nervously.
"Don't be afraid, everything is fine. I will walk you back to your village," Ishida assured them, his voice calm and steady.
Kazuki, still catching his breath, looked at Sakura with newfound respect. "Who is he?"
"He is the person you were told about. His name is Ishida," Sakura replied, watching Ishida with a mix of admiration and slight embarrassment.
"I see. That means you two know each other?" Kazuki asked.
"Obviously, yes," Sakura responded.
"It didn't seem like he knew you at all," Kazuki observed.
Sakura's face turned a bit pale, and she smiled awkwardly. "He's just a little too cold."
"And a little too strong for the lowest rank of the Demon Slayer Corps, isn't he?" Kazuki noted, intrigued by Ishida's prowess. "I am intrigued!" he said thoughtfully.