Chapter Text
Loud tapping against your bed rooms window roused you from sleep. Sitting up from your futon another round of tapping against your window began, a small smile pulled on your lips at the action of the bird on the other side. Shifting to stand you took a moment to stretch before shuffling over to the window your fingers brushed against the curtains pushing them aside a soft laugh bubbled into your throat as you heard the bird on the other side grow excited. Fumbling a little to open the window the crow gave you a loud excited squawk.
"Morning! Morning! Morning!" the bird yelled as you reached to stroke his head
"Thank you for waking me Daiki," Speaking softly, "You're quite excited." You added opening your hand to allow the crow to hop up along your arm to rest against your shoulder and neck
"Assignment day! Assignment!" He shouted causing you to reach over to boop him on the tip of the break to quiet him down
"Oh? Is that really today?" You hummed turning to walk back to your futon to put it away for the day rolling it you shuffled on your knees to push it against the wall and out of the way, "I sure hope you didn't get your hopes up just for that, you're not getting assigned to anyone yet."
The crow made a displeased sound at the statement and flew off somewhere in the room to sulk. A soft snicker broke your lips as you gently stood and placed your hand against the wall to guide yourself along until your fingers brushed against the frame of your closet.
As you got dressed for the day you couldn't help but miss your sight, it was much easier to get dressed, but you had grown used to this life that demon had forced upon you that night he had taken your sight. There were parts you missed, yes, you couldn't return after the accident, the shame you would have to bare would be far too much. Was it a cowardly way out? Perhaps, but to be far you did just want to die there but fate had different plans for you.
Oyakata-sama was the one that guided you into helping the demon slayers that had trained you by accessing a skill that came naturally to you. Teaching crows to speak.
Though you are ashamed to admit that you originally only trained one to shout profanities at the poor Butterfly Mansion attendees so they would leave you alone. Still the event has helped pull you out of the rut you were in and gave you a new chance at life, it wasn't the one you meant to take up but it was one you have grown comfortable with.
Running your fingers against the wall as you walked down the hall a small groove in the wall indicated that the open archway leading to your kitchen was there. Stepping in you heard more tapping beaks against the sliding door leading out to your patio and towards the coops for the crows. The loud greetings of good morning brought a soft smile to your face, crouching down you happily greeted the juvenile crows that were up to happy yell at you and bother the older crows that were just trying to relax from where they were sat on the many branches and perches around your property.
"Good morning little ones, feeding time will be soon." You laughed patting the many bobbing heads of the crows, "Ah-!~" Jumping a little when something cold and metal was knocked against your hand with a beak, "Oh! A gift for me?"
Shifting your hand so the crow would be able to drop the item into your palm, it wasn't uncommon for your crows to bring you small little items as gifts for you but it still always surprised you when you were hit with said gifts. Rubbing your thumb over the item you hummed curiously trying to figure out what the crow had gifted to you then it hit you it was some sort of hair pin!
"Thank you for this." You chuckled slipping it into your kimino and reaching out to stroke the head of the crow
"Pretty! Pretty! Pretty!" The loud statement made you smile as you rose to stand and begin your daily chores
~
Hefting a bag up over your shoulder and beginning the walkover to the coops but you paused hearing footsteps rounding the edge of your house, sounded like two or three people. Placing the bag back down on the ground to rest against the feed shed, a crow quickly sat against your shoulder now that it was free, you turned towards the footsteps.
"Hello?" You called walking towards the sound hoping to meet them halfway
"(l/n), it is nice to see you."
You blinked for a second before smiling and offering Ubuyashiki a small bow, thus disturbing the crow and getting a soft caw of complaint, "It is nice to hear from you Oyakata-sama, is there anyone else with you."
"Amane is with me," Of course you gave her a small greeting as well, "But I wish to talk to you if you have the time."
"Of course, I can make some tea if you like-" The loud caws of displeased crows interrupted you upon that statement, "-Hehe, correction I have a few more duties to finish before we can chat, I hope that is okay. You are welcome to enter my home to wait."
"That is fine (l/n), we will be inside when you finish." He sounded a little amused
You waited until you heard their footsteps fade before quickly finishing up the rest of your chores and quickly get back into your home and find out what Ubuyashiki needed from you. It didn't take long, it was just feeding the last of the coops and making sure that all of them were sorted.
Entering your home you hummed at the sweet smell of tea wafting from your kitchen, following it you frowned a little, "I apologize as a guest you shouldn't have made your own tea.."
"It is alright, please have a seat." Ubuyashiki hummed warmly
Smiling you a little you pat around on the ground searching for the cushion that you knew were somewhere around the table. You squeaked softly when it was gently pushed against your fingers.
"Here you are." It was Amane who spoke in a gentle voice
Nodding a little to the woman you shifted to sit down at your table, "What is it that you need Oyakata-sama?"
"(l/n), how attached to this place are you?"
Blinking you shook your head a little, "Pardon? I'm not sure what you mean."
"How much would it affect you were we to relocate your home and base of operation to a larger location?" Ubuyashiki clarified
He wants you to move? You placed your fingers against your chin in thought, had you still had your sight it wouldn't affect you much at all, but when you had first moved here it took you quite a long time to get used to this place. Then again you had taken on a new massive duty that also had stressed you quite a bit so it may not be as strenuous?
"Mmm, I am unsure Oyakata-sama... I took such a long time to fall into rhythm here, but that is not my biggest concern," You sighed softly, "The crows are used to this being there home and getting them to adjust while also adjusting myself may set back their learning, not to mention the constant attention that would need to placed onto the inevitable stresses on the older crows and the chicks..."
"I am glad you have grown to care so deeply about these crows." Ubuyashiki gently interrupted your ramblings, "I still remember how displeased you were with the job at first."
You couldn't help the soft flush that appeared on your cheeks, covering it with a small cough you glanced away, "Again many apologies for my behavior back then."
Ubuyashiki chuckled softly, "It was an understandable reaction and I hold nothing ill against you (l/n), I am asking you about possibly moving your base location because I wish for you to be closer to the safety of the Demon Corps and Butterfly Mansion, it takes much too long to reach your location and your services are a vital part of what we do."
Nodding a little you sighed, "I understand that sir, but I do not believe I would be able to do it on my own."
There was a brief quiet before Ubuyashiki spoke again, "What if I were to assign you some help, there is a demon slayer who was badly injured during a recent mission who is restless to do something and is bothering the poor staff at the Butterfly Mansion. Would that be helpful in any manner?"
Again you placed your hand on your chin in thought closing your eyes, "Mmm, perhaps, but they would need to be agreeable with how I do things because the crows can be quite... how to put it... Agitated if things aren't correct."
"I think you will find him quite agreeable and cheerful, I will speak with him about this as well and send a crow when I have an answer, but for now continue on as normal. When the time comes I will send some Kakushi to help make the transition to the new location." Ubuyashiki hummed rising to stand, "But for now this is goodbye (l/n) I wish you and the crows a lovely night."
With that they left leaving you sitting there quietly left to stew in your thoughts. You would be presumably living with another to help you for a short while, it was an odd thought, as you had lived on your own for such a long time, and on your own blind as well which left an odd feeling settling in your chest as you tried your best to find the tea cups and kettle, only to find them at the center of the table already neatly placed there ready to be cleaned. Smiling slightly you lifted them and did just that.
Thoughts trickling to the demon slayer that was to be your help. You couldn't help but feel giddy to learn more about him, after all not many slayers come though your home nor know you even existed, sure they knew of you but nothing much else. So this was an excited new experience that left you eagerly waited for the crow who would tell you the choice of the demon slayer that was to help you.
You hope he is nice.