It has been four weeks since Gyomei said he would train Shikyou. Shikyou's wounds were now fully healed but had turn to scars.
As he packed a box of ongiri's the butterfly girls had given him, he looked up as the door opened and Shinobu entered.
"I hope your stay in the butterfly mansion was splendid." She said in her soft voice.
Shikyou didn't look up. "I never feel comfortable in any place so don't fret."
Shinobu gave a small laugh. "Is that so? Well, Mr. Himejima has arrived and is asking for you. I suggest you hurry. It's never good to keep a hashira waiting."
Shikyou finally looked up at Shinobu. "Lady Shinobu, can I ask you something?"
Shinobu nodded. "Is something troubling you?"
"You smile yet you're angry. You laugh when your heart is burning with anger. Why is that?"
Shinobu's gradient purple eyes widened. "What do you... how did you-"
"Know?" Shikyou's voice was calm and soft. "You're voice is normal but shakes on a norms indicating anger, your smile never reaches your eyes and all I feel from you isn't kindness but hatred and resentment."
Shinobu blinked then smiled. "And you Shikyou, I don't feel anything from you. It's like you're not alive, just... existing."
The two stared at each other until Shinobu spoke. "I wish you safe travels and please remember to eat."
Shikyou nodded and went outside where Gyomei was waiting. "Shikyou..." Gyomei ruffled his hair. "It's been so long."
"...."
Before Shikyou could breathe, Gyomei had whisked him up his feet and put him on his shoulder. "You do know I can walk, right?" Shikyou asked calmly but Gyomei didn't answer and just started running.
Shikyou looked up one last time at the butterfly mansion that was disappearing from his view. What if his village hadn't burn down? Will he know about the existence of demons and the corps? Will he still be carrying that bucket of water on his shoulder? Will he still be an outcast all his life?
As evening dawned, they reached a small village and walked deeper into the village's forest until an estate came into view. Shikyou, who was still on Gyomei's shoulder, was put down on his feet as he looked at the mansion before him.
It was large with a smooth wooden gate and on the inside were cobblestone floors that gleamed under evening's light. A small pond in front that fishes danced in and a big rock splat in the vast scenery.
"Come along, child." Shikyou followed Gyomei into a room that smelled like wisteria. "This will be your room now, child. If you need anything, you know where to find me."
Shikyou took in the sight of the room. "Grilling fish?"
Gyomei cried. "You already know me so well."
The rest of the night flew by. Mostly Shikyou eating ongiri's by midnight and laying on his bed staring at the ceiling. He had many questions but of course, he would never ask them except if they were important.
As the sun rose, covering the mansion in a stunning bright light, Shikyou felt someone carry him on their shoulder. He was about to sleep and a certain swordsman just had to kidnap him by dawn.
Gyomei carried him to a clearing that was in between a small forest. Yeah, like it was normal to have a forest in your estate.
Shikyou was put down and was standing in front of a large boulder. The same one from the day before. "Why did you kidnap me this morning?"
Gyomei clasped his hands together, rubbing his beads together. "Your first training Shikyou... is to push this boulder one cho."