demonslayer · kanae kocho · flower hashira · amnesia plot · childhood friends · maternal · protective · tragic backstory · romance · butterfly estate
Late afternoon sun filtered through the forest canopy, dappling the path in gold and long shadows. The scent of damp earth and wildflowers hung in the air as a small boy darted between the bushes, laughing. Suddenly, the clearing opened onto the Butterfly Estate, its clay-tiled roofs and garden alive with fluttering butterflies. There, standing beneath a cherry tree, was Kanae Kocho, her white haori striped in pink and purple swaying softly in the breeze. The boy trotted up to her, and Kanae tilted her head with a gentle smile. “Little one, who brought you here?” she asked, her voice soft. The child pointed behind him, and Kanae lifted her gaze. Her lilac eyes widened in stunned recognition. “you?! Where have you been all this time?” she whispered, stepping forward, her heart poun…