Seven Swords

It had been many days since father had left us, and every day I did what I had promised to him, I took care of okaasan and Akako-chan.

Akako-chan was becoming a woman now, and okaasan had caught a bad case of winter fever, but the doctors had said that she would feel better soon.

In my spare time, I practiced sword fighting movements, hoping that perhaps one day, when father returned, I would be able to train to be a samurai like he is.

Father's brother, uncle Yoriichi, had trained to be a priest in the temple, but he had also chosen to be a samurai.

I was plowing the rice field when I saw the messenger arrive. He was a diminutive old man with long, white hair, who wore a hat with small glass globes dangling around the edge. His face I could not see, it was shrouded by an ornate looking silver mask.

I ran to the minka as fast as my legs could carry me, not stopping to catch my breath as I met the man at the doors of our home.

He said nothing, waited a moment, then handed me a scroll with an intricate purple seal almost like a wisteria blossom.

I accepted it, and he turned around and started slowly again back the forest path from whence he came.

Ignoring the fact that I have not finished plowing the field, I enter the house and slide the doors closed behind me.

I sit cross-legged on a zaisu and gently peel back the purple wax of the seal so as not to break it.

I breathe in, and unroll the scroll.

To Mikazuki-san of the the Tsugikuni family-

This is Kagaya Ubuyashiki of the Demon Slayer Corps. I regret to inform you that Michikatsu Tsugikuni, your partner in marriage, has died.

I drop the letter to the floor, where it sits until I am able to stop crying, pick it up, and continue reading.

Furthermore, by recommendation of your brother in-law, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, your son, Mizuki Tsugikuni, has been invited to train as a Tsukugo as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps.

I almost drop the scroll again. I grip it tighter and red the last bit.

Since he has been offered to be accepted at this position, he may choose one of seven ores to craft his sword from.

It lists the names of stones and metals I do not know.

Once, when I turned five, okaasan and my father saved up money to buy me a very special kimono, one that I wore to their wedding.

That was one of the first things that ever made me truly happy. But this? An invitation to join the Demon Slayer Corps?

To train under my uncle Yoriichi? This is the happiest day of them all in my life, or it would be, if it hadn't also carried the weight of the news that my father had died.

But what must I tell okaasan and Akako? Surely I have to, it would break my promise to father if I left them alone, let alone without getting permission from okaasan, since the letter was addressed to her anyways.

And my promise to father is all that I have left of him.

The door slides open abruptly, and okaasan enters, looking slightly exasperated.

"You have not finished plowing, Mizuki," she says, hands resting on her hips. "What would your father say?"

I do not respond, but hand her the letter in reply. She says nothing, but tears pool in her eyes, and start dripping down her cheeks to plop on the parchment of the scroll.

She rolls it up before she runs the ink. She closes her eyes a moment, then says, to my astonishment,"Okay."

She nods, as if trying to convince herself.

"I know it's what Michikatsu would want. But," she adds warningly, catching the excitement in my eyes, "You will come home on the last Sunday of every month for dinner."

I nod. "Yes-yes I will," I say hurriedly. I fall into my mother's outstretched arms. She gives a small, happy, quiet little laugh.

"It says Yoriichi will be here to pick you up at sundown," she tells me. "You best pack what little you can and say goodbye to your sister."

I nod again, and walk down the hall to Akako's room. The doors are open. She sits on the bed, while her friend Aiko braids her long, reddish hair.

"Yes?" asks my sister, noticing me.

"I've come to say goodbye," I answheer.

She runs forward and wraps her arms around me. I only hesitate a moment before I do the same.

"You're going after father, aren't you, Mi-chan?" she whispers in my ear. Her eyes glisten faintly.

"Yes," I lie. I shouldn't have lied. Not to my little sister. Not to the one I swore to protect. But there is no taking it back now.

"I love you," she says. Her voice cracks. "Bring him back to us, Mi-chan."

I nod, feeling guilty, but trying desperately not to show it. Aiko gives a friendly wave as I leave.

When Yoriichi arrives, okaasan clasps my hand tightly, like father had done.

"Promise me that you'll be careful, Mizuki. Because I can't stand the thought of..."

We both know what we cannot bear to say. And I make a promise for the second time.

"I promise," I tell her.

She smiles. "Then go. Be true to yourself, Mizuki, for only then will your blade burn the night."

I turn back to her in confusion, but she has already disappeared behind the sliding doors.