Prologue

Japan - Circa 1970; Night

The sun had set hours before and the man standing at the base of the old oak tree frowned in the darkness. His ears, tufted like those of a cat, listened and searched for any sign of approaching footsteps. Still frowning he wondered if his visitor had forgotten about him, when he heard a small twig crack.

“Toraoito Griever.”

“Hitoyami Kiyoto,” the tiger demon said. His amber eyes glowed in the dark. “It’s about time you showed up.”

“I am sorry old friend. Family business kept me tied up.”

Griever scoffed, “At least your Family has decided to let me live.”

“It is true we are Demon Slayers, but you are the last of your race. The Kyuushi are the only ones who would dream of harming you now,” Kiyoto explained. “The rest of the Families have an accord on which races are to survive. As the Toraoni Clans have been helpful to the Families you are on the list.”

The tiger nodded and looked up, “I will be leaving Nihon soon. I have found that the air is no longer as sweet as it used to be.”

“I agree,” Kiyoto said sadly. “I need to go soon Griever-san. Once again I ask if I may name a child after you.”

Griever smiled and looked at his old friend, “I would be honored. Give him a name fit for a kenkyaku. I have a feeling that my child may need his help.”

“You Toraoni are full of surprises,” Kiyoto laughed, “I forgot you are fortune tellers for others. You cannot foresee for your own line though.”

“Yes, we are,” he said as he walked away. “I will not see you again Kiyoto-san. The sun sets on me in Nihon forever. My destiny lies elsewhere.”

Kiyoto watched the tiger walk away. “Where will you go?”

“To America. To the bright lights and bustling streets where I can hide better.” Griever kept walking. “I will miss you old friend. I will miss you my tomadatchi.”

“And I you,” Kiyoto replied to the empty air, “I will miss you Toraoito Griever. Nihon will miss you.” The demon slayer walked away, forever promising to remember the meeting and his vows.