[centre][colour=#B7410E][i][h1]XAKU[/h1][/i][/colour][/centre]
[hr]
When Xaku leaves the bar, she doesn’t immediately head back to her prepared accommodations. She would deign to follow her orders when and how she saw fit; she wouldn’t rush forward just because of a simple threat. There was something more important she had to do first.

Xaku makes her way to the outskirts of the city, though not quite far enough to be outside the city limits. There, she gazes up at the night sky as she slowly unsheathes her katana. The reflection of her scarlet eyes in the simple blade betrays nothing of her thoughts, as always.

She rolls up her uniform sleeves without fanfare and quietly stares at her smooth, bare, unmarred left arm. The scars from her past are long gone, thanks to her demonic nature, leaving behind no trace of what she endured. What she [i]suffered[/i].

She doesn’t miss them.

Her lips part to release a slow, concentrated breath, her eyes falling gently shut. Focused.

[colour=black][i]█████ Breathing: First Strike.[/i][/colour]

She severs her arm without blinking.

The starkly pale limb drops to the ground, twitching erratically with uncontrolled power, before she impassively dices it into hundreds of pieces. She watches as all the power that Tsugikuni Michikatsu saw fit to “bless” her with dies along with it, leaving behind only a spatter of blood that would be gone by morning. The fingers on her newly regenerated arm spasm unconsciously, then clench into a loose fist.

Blood Moons received boons from their King. She was not one of them, and she never would be. The very [i]idea[/i] of her ever needing [i]help[/i] is insulting. If her blood was meant to be spilt for the last time, then so be it.

Just then, she feels a presence approach from behind. She doesn’t turn around, doesn’t even seem to acknowledge them at first. After a few moments of silence, she deigns to address them.

[colour=#B7410E]“... Yaguchi-san. Report.”[/colour]

The figure, Yaguchi, bows deeply. [colour=#04417A]“Xaku-sama. Squad One has arrived in Funachi. They are awaiting your orders.”[/colour]

Xaku doesn’t react to the news beyond a slight tilt of her head, a simple, inexpressive acknowledgement. She sheathes her katana, but still doesn’t turn around. The silence is taken as permission to continue.

[colour=#04417A]“We believe that we have found the location of the Demon Slayers.”[/colour]

Xaku moves then, her head turning just enough for her icy scarlet gaze to fall upon Yaguchi. Her voice, when it comes, is soft, almost curious, [colour=#B7410E]“... You believe?”[/colour]

Yaguchi’s eyes widen, and his forehead slams into the damp grass hard enough to bleed. His answer is a frightened stutter, [colour=#04417A]“M-My apologies, Xaku-sama. I–I will confirm the validity of the information right away!”[/colour]

Xaku doesn’t respond. She simply turns her gaze back to the night sky as Yaguchi hurriedly disappears back into the city to do as he said. The world in her vision bleeds red for a split second before snapping back to normal.

... She’s always hated the moon.