⎣Demon Slayer: Yōkai Wife⎤ [雪花] |Kyōjurō Rengoku x Yuki-onna!Reader|

19: The Pied Piper

It didn't take long for Kyojuro to return after gathering the firewood. Once he reached the the temple, he spotted Otsune standing on the engawa.

"Lady Fukasawa, I did what you asked and brought back firewood!" He said happily.

The elder woman smiled, glad to see him, and said, "Thank you ever so much, Rengoku!"

"Has my lovely snow flower awoken from her slumber?" He asks.

"Yes, though I'd sent her on an errand to the neighboring village for some herbs. However, she should've been back by now! The evening sun is already setting." Otsune explained.

Kyojuro frowned at this. "How far is the village from the temple?"

"Not far, only ten minutes by foot. I've sent Shiro to go look for her! I just pray everything's alright. It's not like her to get lost." Otsune said, worry etched in her voice.

Kyojuro couldn't help but worry as he then averted his gaze towards the horizon.

"Where are you, my love?" He mumbled.

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"I'm sorry to bother you, Miss! But could you perhaps help me?" The stranger asked you.

You glanced up at the stranger, it was a young man with long green hair with purple highlights. He appeared to be around Kyojuro's age and wore a long purple silk haori with gold embroidery. He had a strange tribal tattoo over his right eye.

You blinked at him and noticed he was carrying a flute in his hand.

"Uh, sure. Is something the matter?" You asked.

"My name's Hanasuke, and I'm a bit lost! Do you know where I can find the village?" He asked with a closed-eyed smile.

"O-oh well, you're in luck! I just came from there!" You say, then point down the road.

"Just follow down the mountain road, and then you'll see the village to your right!" You explained.

"You can't mouse it."

The man, Hanasuke, smiled and nodded at you. "Thank you ever so much! You're the only person who's shown me kindness! Usually, people just shun me." He says.

You couldn't help but be intrigued by his odd appearance. His eye, which wasn't covered by his hair, was a mixture of purple fading into gold, and his iris was brown.

Granted, he was actually kind of cute!

"I guess some people don't appreciate my music," Hanasuke says, snapping you out of your thoughts.

Realizing that you had been staring, you quickly addressed the situation.

"Ah, so I take it you're a musician then?" You gestured toward his flute.

"I am! I like to travel from town to town and perform." He explains.

"Oh, how nice! You must be very popular if you're traveling like that?"

Hanasuke shakes his head.

"No, I am but a wandering vagabond. Nothing about me is special; I just play music in order to ease people's fears." He tells you.