The Blazing Shimmer

The boy breathed in.

Running through a forest, on snow, was not a big problem for him.

His feet left a trail as he dashed past naked trees, the crunching of his boots being the noise that marked his presence.

Every four steps, as his left foot touched the ground, he breathed out. This allowed him to keep a consistent pace throughout his run.

The boy's black eyes were focused in one direction, and his short, curly black hair rustled with every shake.

After a few minutes, his breath began to slightly heave, but a familiar sight appeared in the distance.

In a clearing, a small cabin stood. A path leads away from it. Its structure was able to house a small family. A family he knew well.

Nearing it, his speed lowered to a walking pace along with his breathing.

His arms that swung carelessly now were swinging side by side with caution.

Reaching the entrance, he placed a hand on the door and slid it to the side, revealing the house within.

"You're back already, Kobayabi?" A voice spoke from the hallway inside.

Kobayabi took off his boots and walked inside, seeing his mother standing, staring back at him.

He nodded, "I ran the whole way without stopping,"

"You know, when I said you had to stay fit," His mother began, wiping her hands on her dark blue kimono, "I didn't mean for you to take it to the extreme,"

"Oh well," Kobayabi raised his shoulders with his hands in the air, "Doing it every day really paid off,"

His mother stood there in shock, "You never took a day off?"

Kobayabi shook his head.

"Oh, Kobayabi," She sighed, "you make me worry sometimes,"

"Sorry Mother," He replied, and decided to change the subject, "how is Father?"

"He is alright," She replied, rolling her eyes, "he hurt his hand yesterday and he's sleeping now,"

"Either way," His mother continued, "want some tea?"

At that, Kobayabi heard a wheezing sound.

'Did she time that?' He thought, "Yes please,"

So they walked into another room with a table in the middle, and at a point, Kobayabi sat down on his knees.

His mother, however, went to get the tea.

She came back a few seconds later with a wooden cup in her hands.

"Here you go," She said, handing the beverage over to him.

"Thank you," Kobayabi replied, taking the cup and holding it, the warmth emitting onto his hands.

With a breath, he took a sip and sighed.

"This is so good," He said, sipping again, "you always make the best tea,"

"Thank you," She said.

"You're not going to have tea?"

"I finished it a few minutes before you arrived," His mother responded.

"Oh,"

"You might as well relax until your father wakes up," She said, walking out of the room, "you need it,"

Kobayabi only nodded as his mouth was full of tea.

'As much as I hate it,' He thought, finishing the tea, 'I'm helping out dad,'

A breath escaped his lips, and he placed the cup on the table.

He tried to get up, but he gasped and grabbed the thigh of one of his legs.

"Argh," He said, "I thought I did better,"

Despite this, his legs were able to straighten.

"Better wait outside," He said, walking out of the room.

Kobayabi reached the entrance and felt the cold slap his face as he stepped out.

A sigh of relief left his mouth.

'Nothing better than this,' He thought, running his right hand through the right side of his hair , 'I could watch this for ages,'

Sadly enough, this alone time was cut short by footsteps.

Kobayabi turned to the sound of them and saw his father.

The majority of his father's clothing was the exact same as his. They were going out after all. The only way to tell them apart was the mustache on his father's face.

"Ah, Kobayabi," His father said, "Waiting for me already?"

He nodded, "Are you, alright dad? I heard of your injury,"

"No injury will stop me," His father replied, lifting his bandaged right hand, "with that, we can get packing, I do have customers today,"

"Okay," Kobayabi said.

And so the duo packed what they needed, or what Kobayabi's father needed.

A few minutes later, they were back at the front door of the house.

"You be careful now, Kobayabi," His mother said, holding him in a hug.

"I will," He said, hugging her back, "will you be okay here, Mom?"

"Of course, I will," She replied, letting him go, "I can fend for myself,"

Kobayabi nodded, and then his mother and father hugged.

"You be careful as well, Rakota," His mother said in a rather stern tone, "Don't want you to hurt yourself again,"

"It sounds like it happens every day for you, doesn't it, Inuko?" Kobayabi's father, Rakota, asked in a sarcastic tone, "Don't worry dear, it will never happen,"

"I hope so," Inuko, or Kobayabi's mother, said, letting go of Rakota, and watching them walk away.

"Bye Mom!" Kobayabi shouted, waving at her, "we'll be back by dawn,"

His mother returned with a wave before walking back into the house.

Kobayabi and his father went down the pathway, a beacon in a field of dead trees.

A while later, Rakota spoke.

"Thanks, Kobayabi," He said, looking at his son, "I'm glad you're helping me,"

"It's for you, Dad," He responded, returning the stare, "I would do anything for you,"

"Well, the village should be under an hour away, and these bags we are carrying are pretty heavy," Rakota said, seeing his son adjust the bag on his back, "Let's hope you can back up what you said,"

Kobayabi's face had a subtle unpleasantness to it, 'My legs may ache, but this should not be a problem,'

His father only chuckled at his face while they continued down the path.

With the soft scrunch of his feet against the snow being the only sound coming from Kobayabi, an hour flew by.

Just like what his father said, a village appeared far into the distance. A moment later, they were on the outskirts.

"Finally, we are here," His father spoke, "It's only a few hundred feet until we reach my shop,"

"I think it's good that I came with," Kobayabi spoke, "I have not seen your shop in a while,"

"You also have not seen anyone else in a while," Rakota spoke, causing Kobayabi to freeze for a second, "Let's hope you can survive,"

"Yeah,"

Their walk continued, this time Kobayabi was following his father.

Down a street, they strolled, past the villagers going on with their lives. Kobayabi kept his head down.

A few seconds later, Rakota stopped abruptly, and Kobayabi halted in the nick of time, preventing himself from colliding with his father.

"We're here," he said, looking to his right and up.

Kobayabi did the same, and what was in front of him was a house, similar to the ones they walked past, the roof covered in snow.

His eyes looked at a sign at the entrance.

'Rakota's Workshop'

"It looks the same the last time I've been here," Kobayabi said, eyeing the board a little more.

"It's only been a month, son," His father said, walking forward, "let's go inside,"

A few steps later, and with the slide of a door, they entered the building.

It was a sight Kobayabi was accustomed to.

Pieces of wood scattered about the floors and on the workbenches in the room. A few tools were also scattered about, but they could not hide with the herd of wood.

"Sorry for the mess," Rakota said, taking off the bag and placing it against the wall, "I was really busy the last time, and you know of course what happened,"

His son nodded and took off the bag he was carrying, placing it next to the other bag.

"What can I help you with, Dad?" Kobayabi asked, folding his arms.

Rakota pulled out an axe, handing it over to him, "I brought in wood the other time, it needs chopping,"

"Alright," Kobayabi said, taking the axe.

"The wood is outside at the back," His father said, and Kobayabi nodded.

With that, and with the memory he had, Kobayabi walked to the back door, placed his right hand on it, and pulled it to the side.

The chilling wind met with him once more, as a clearing with a tree stump stood ahead of him.

Not far from it were several stacks of wood piled up neatly.

'Okay,' He thought, walking to the said pile, 'Let's get to work,'

So he picked up a log and placed it vertically on the stump.

With a breath, Kobayabi, with his right hand above his left on the axe, raised it over his right shoulder.

Like a hawk diving to catch its prey, the axe fell in a downward arc to the log, slashing it in two.

The log, now in two pieces, fell onto the snow.

"Phew," Kobayabi sighed, placing another log onto the stump, "This is hard work,"

The axe raised again and sliced all the same.

'Hard work that I enjoy,' He thought, placing another log on the tree stump.

The axe raised once more, this time, however, only Kobayabi's right hand remained on the axe's handle.

Nothing was different, as the axe swung down and repeated the same gesture.

He sighed in satisfaction, "That was fulfilling,"

After a few more swings, Kobayabi saw his father walking towards him.

"This is really fun," He said as he swung another log in half, his father watching intently.

"I can see," His father replied, "but can you do it with your left hand?"

Kobayabi shook his head, "I don't see any reason to use my offhand,"

"Give it here," Rakota said, and Kobayabi handed the axe to him.

"It's understandable to use your dominant hand all the time as it is the strongest of the two," He spoke, picking up a log, flinching a little, and placing it on the stump, "but what if you were to say, incapacitate said arm?"

With that, his father raised the axe with his left hand only on the handle, "It would help if you were good with both,"

Like a thunderbolt, his arm fell, and the log in two pieces thereafter.

Though he had some disagreeing points, Kobayabi nodded either way.

"What is this wood all for?" Kobayabi asked, staring at the split corpses packed into a small hill.

"This is specifically for firewood," His father answered, handing the axe back to his son, "or carving,"

Kobayabi nodded.

"Once you are done chopping all that wood," Rakota said, "I want you to bring some of it inside,"

"Okay,"

After that, his father walked back into the workshop, and Kobayabi looked intently at the tree stump.

'Perhaps I should try that,' He thought, taking another piece of wood and placing it on the stump.

So instead, he had his left hand above his right.

'This feels weird,'

He raised the axe over his left shoulder, and with a breath, swung it down.

Unfortunately, the axe's blade found itself in the stump instead of the log.

"Well, I'm not doing that again," He said, as he switched hands and continued to cut the wood in relieving silence.

Time flew by, and Kobayabi had cut all the wood.

As he was instructed, Kobayabi picked up a few of the pieces and walked back into the shop.

Before having a little trouble sliding open the door, he walked inside.

He saw his father there, working on what appeared to be a small table.

After walking to a corner, he placed the wood down.

"The firewood is here," Kobayabi said, though his father never replied.

"Uh, Father?"

His father rose his head from his work, "Yes?"

"I placed the firewood down there," Kobayabi pointed to the corner, "Is there anything else I need to do?"

"Oh, thank you," His father thought for a moment, "There's nothing much, so you can relax for a while,"

Just then, both of them heard the front door open.

Their gazes raised, and a girl, around a year or two older than Kobayabi, stood in front of the door.

The dull dark brown coat she wore didn't do much to cover her long black hair. The huge basket she was hauling on her back would not have been noticed if she was staring straight at you.

"Morning," she greeted, lowering her head, and bowing.

Rakota returned the gesture, and Kobayabi did too, though in an awkward way.

"I came here for my father," She said, her voice rather calm, "he ordered a few things from you,"

"Ah yes," Kobayabi's father nodded, then patting the small table he was working on, "Here's the table,"

He pointed to the firewood in the corner, "and there's the firewood,"

The girl nodded, and went first to the wood, putting down the basket and throwing the firewood into it.

"Is there anything else I'm forgetting?" Rakota asked.

"I believe my father also ordered a few wooden sculptures as well," The girl answered, swinging the nearly full basket onto her back with little to no effort.

"Oh, of course," His father said, glancing at Kobayabi, "I believe they are in the back,"

"Let me get them," As that was said, Kobayabi's eyes widened in shock.

In a few steps, his father disappeared from view and left him alone with the girl.

Feeling his hands start to shake, Kobayabi stared at the girl, who was astounded by the table.

'Keep calm,' He thought, looking away, trying not to evoke a conversation, 'As long as she looks at the table and not me, I can survive long enough,'

His line of hope was cut short pretty quickly.

"I don't believe we met," Kobayabi got a little shock from this, and as he turned his head back, the girl met his gaze.

"Ye-Yeah, no," He said, the awkwardness brim in his voice.

"My name is Hiraku," She said, "What's yours?"

Kobayabi hid his left hand behind his back, due to it shaking so much it was as if an earthquake started, "Mine's Kobayabi, Miss,"

Hiraku let out a small giggle, "Nice to meet you, and you don't need to call me Miss,"

"Right," He said, breathing out, going quiet once again.

'That was stupid of me.'

"I assume you're Rakota's son, right?" She asked, and Kobayabi nodded a few times, "He's really talented, isn't he?"

"Yes, um...he is, thank you," Kobayabi was rather calm in that response, "Yours too,"

Then that calmness spiked off the charts once he muttered those last words.

The girl raised an eyebrow, then smiled, "I guess you're right, my father is rather talented in his line of work,"

Kobayabi felt his chest release as Hiraku continued, "Though he does overwork himself, and I feel bad for him,"

"That's why I'm doing this for him," She finished.

Right on point, Kobayabi's father walked in, wooden sculptures held in both his hands. Kobayabi scratched his head.

"Here they are," He said, not noticing the huge sigh that escaped from his son and handing them to Hiraku.

"Thank you," She replied, taking the sculpture and placing them in the basket, much to her arm's dismay.

"That should be all," Rakota said, as Hiraku pulled out a small bag and handed it over to him.

"Thank you, Rakota," She said, bowing, then picking up the small table.

Before she left, Hiraku turned to Kobayabi and bowed as well.

"you too, Kobayabi," She said, before sliding the front door and walking out.

"Phew," Kobayabi said, looking at his father, who was counting the money from the bag.

"That's the right amount," He said to himself, before focusing his attention on his son.

"So, how was it?" Rakota asked.

"Terrifying," Kobayabi answered, noticing his hands stopped trembling, "I thought I was going to die,"

"At least you survived," His father said, grinning.

"I still can't believe you left me," Kobayabi said, folding his arms and frowning.

"Oh well," Rakota said, raising his hands, "I am preparing you,"

Kobayabi looked at his father with confusion, "For what?"

"For when you decide to travel, or for your next conversation," Rakota answered, "because...I understand,"

"You do?"

"Yes. To be fair, you are an identical version of a younger me," He explained, looking at his right hand, "I used to nearly wet my pants whenever I had to talk to a stranger,"

Kobayabi was rather surprised at what he heard.

"but after encountering and suffering through many ordeals, and I mean many," He continued, "I slowly began to get used to talking to anyone,"

"Woah," Kobayabi said, impressed, "so you don't get anxious anymore?"

"To be fair, I really just extended how long I could hold a conversation," Rakota answered.

"You're right, Dad," Kobayabi said, "I need to talk to people more,"

"Now I'm not saying you need to speak to every single person you come across," His father said, "but it will prepare you for those that will cross your path,"

Kobayabi nodded.

"Now let's stop talking about that," Rakota said, "I have orders to fill, so I will need your help after all,"

"I would have helped you either way," Kobayabi muttered.

---

Below the now-settling sun, Kobayabi stood in front of the workshop, with a bag on his back and his face down, shifting his clothing about.

He looked up and saw his father strolling toward him.

"It's locked," He said, "We can go,"

"Finally," Kobayabi said.

After one last look at the shop, the two walked side by side. Soon they were out of the village, back up the pathway they took.

Once Kobayabi lifted his head, he began to shiver, his left hand trembling.

The sun and its comforting light retreated under the landscape, and darkness invaded.

Rakota looked to his left at his son, seeing his shaking posture.

"As long as we are together, nothing will happen," He said, patting Kobayabi's back.

Kobayabi moved a little closer to his father, "Yeah, hopefully,"

While he looked around, and even behind him after he heard a noise, his father looked up and smiled.

"Oh, the moon is out," This caused Kobayabi to look up again, and relax his body.

It was a full moon, a beacon in a sky of darkness.

As the men walked, Kobayabi looked down and

rubbed his hands together, and noticed his left hand was not shaking anymore.

"Father?" He spoke.

"Yes?"

"I've been thinking," Kobayabi ran his right hand through his short hair, "of a job,"

"Oh? Is it to work at my workshop?" His dad asked, laughing at Kobayabi's frown.

"I'm just kidding," Rakota continued, "That's not my job as a father,"

"Huh?" Kobayabi narrowed his eyes in confusion, "What do you mean by that?"

His father breathed in, "As a father, your job is not to control what your child wants to be, but to guide them in what they want to become,"

Kobayabi was taken aback by this.

"Let me be quiet," Rakota flung some snow from his right arm, "you were talking about a job, right?"

"Yes,"

"Well, what do you want to become?"

"What Grandpa was," Kobayabi answered, "He said he was a Demon Slayer. I want to become one, even if it is dangerous,"

His father closed his eyes and sighed. He then placed a hand on Kobayabi's head, startling him a little.

"Well if you are happy doing that, then I don't mind," Rakota finished, rubbing his son's hair.

"Thank you," Kobayabi said, looking down at the snow, "I needed that,"

"Your mother may take more convincing though," His father said taking his hand off Kobayabi's head, "As well as finding a trainer,"

Although he was listening to his father's words, Kobayabi was more focused on his left hand, which once again, began to tremble slightly at the mention of his mother.

"Let's leave that for later. For now, we walk," Those were the last words said on the trip, as the two were left in silence, only their feet scrunching against the ground.

What felt like an hour flew by, and Rakota spoke again.

"Ah, we're home," He said.

Kobayabi squinted his eyes and was relieved to see the house after a long walk in the snow. He scratched his head, dreaming the option to lay on his warm bed and sleep the dreaded night away.

As the two reached the front shoji door, Rakota reached it first and as he was about to place his hand on the door, he froze.

Kobayabi was confused, it was as if the cold had got him, but as he took another step, his father raised his other hand at his son.

With a breath escaping his father's lips, he slide open the door furiously and froze once more.

The side of his left eye was caught by Kobayabi.

He did not expect to see it trembling.

Then, his father spoke again.

"Take off...your bag," He said, with a pause, yet with command and urgency.

His son complied, and the bag was on the ground.

"Whatever you do...stay quiet," His father spoke again.

By now, Kobayabi was shaking, yet curiosity got the better of him.

Shifting a little, he found himself almost behind his father and had found the ability to take a peek inside.

But as it is known, everyone tends to make mistakes.