The Blood In The Night- Demon King Tanjiro Au

CHP-12- Burn

Silence was all around.
Shinobu, Inosuke and the two demons were completely silent, the duo was waiting for one of them to start at least some kind of conversation but the feeling of anxiety kept pressure from them speaking.

The brunette started to chuckle, it gradually got louder as his euphoria grew. "Fools! HAHAHA" Tanjiro bellowed out, placing his hands in the air as he laughed, creating an uneven and rather unsettling feel to the air.

Tanjiro stood up, leapt towards Inosuke to strike a blow but Shinobu blocked it with her slim but effective katana, Tanjiro jumped backwards, trying to get a sure footing.

"Tanjiro, if you are listening, please try to get back to us, I know you are hurting and I know you cannot bear it any longer, but please...come back" Shinobu said, sliding her sword back in its hilt.

The cold-eyed demon paused, his face slowly creeped up into smirk, a sadistic one at that, he submitted to the dark as he went to grab what seemed to be a candle. "Looks like I won again." The brunette replied, dropping it allowing it to burn until flames rose.

"INOSUKE, RUN!!" Shinobu yelled, pushing him towards the door as she grabbed Kurayami without getting burnt, but because Inosuke was a stubborn boy, he helped Shinobu carry him out whether she liked it or not.

The duo soon got out of the burning building, as well as the rest got warned and quickly headed out. Everyone got checked to make sure they hadn't been hurt, only 3 people had minor injuries, which was a relief but not enough as the fear and worry lingered in the back of Inosuke's & Shinobu's minds.

Inosuke left the group without warning, he went back inside the building as the fire rose up higher, he was looking around whilst dodging the flames that kept swaying towards him, smoke was clouding his vision, stopping his senses from being 100% but he caught on to the slightest smell of blood, 'tanjiro is here still..' He thought, continuing his journey until a dead end faced him, Inosuke paused, staring at the wall, even though he could barely see anything, something was slowly moving in the heat.

"Hey, I know you're here!" Inosuke yelled with as much as he could muster, heaving slightly as he ran into the wall breaking through, hitting into Tanjiro.

"How the hell..!?!?" The red-head exclaimed, throwing Inosuke off of him, moving away. "HA I KNEW YOU WERE HERE!" Inosuke said proudly, placing his hands on his hips in pride.
--

"Stop trying to hide how you really feel, I know you're frightened. It's pathetic." Tanjiro spoke, spite in his tone as he grinned, hoping to get inside his head. Readying himself in a fighting stance, a wide grin across his face as he struck with a punch.

Inosuke dodge barely, as his vision became clouded as the smoke rose higher. His breathing became uneven, as he tried to land a hit at Tanjiro. He slowly became unconscious, dropping to his knees.

"Weak." Tanjiro spoke, sadisticly as he smiled. "I've won..again" Walking into the flames, getting closer to Inosuke while he had the chance. He paused, before letting out a loud cackle. "DONT THINK YOU CAN OVERCOME ME TANJIRO KAMADO!" He bellowed, holding his arms up high, his face twisted.

--
In his mind...

Please.. I just want to speak to him again..

I am in control, not you. Tanjiro, listen to me, you and only you can rule the sun. Do not get involved with pathetic low life's such as the one you call your 'friend'

Tanjiro saw red, extreme anger ran around his mind  as it started to bubble up.

"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT, YOU CAN'T KILL ME ANYWAYS OTHERWISE THAT FUCKING DREAM WON'T HAPPEN. STOP TALKING ABOUT IT, IM SICK OF IT. "ONLY YOU CAN RULE THE SUN" BULLSHIT.

I JUST WANT TO LIVE MY LIFE, IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR!? WHY CAN'T YOU JUST DIE, YOU'VE HURT ENOUGH. WHY AREN'T YOU FUFILLED YET! YOU'VE CAUSED ENOUGH DAMAGE!

You see, I want to keep living. Just as you do, there's no shame in that. Quiet, stop yelling. You can't do anything, so why complain. Get back to ruling the world.

--
Tanjiro's mind was foggy, all that remained was rage. But he soon came to terms with the feeling of passion and loss, love and guilt. He wanted to be with his friends again, his sister. Praying that the lord's above could help him, he knew deep down they wouldn't as he is now, the incarnation of evil itself.
--

He fought the will to overcome Muzan, drawing near to Inosuke. He just wanted to look at his feminine features one more time, just one more time. Raising the boys head up, as he hugged him.

"Please wake up, I don't have much time.." Tanjiro spoke softly, tears pricking at his eyes flowing down his bloodied face.

Silent sobs, as he brings Inosuke's face close to his, feeling his warmth for what would seem to be the last time. He moves his head slightly, his eyes fluttering open, until awakening fully as he takes in his surroundings.

Noticing Tanjiro near him, he jolted up sliding away, alerting the boy as he sniffed before clearing his throat "Hey... It's me" Tanjiro spoke, calmly with a soft smile across his face. Inosuke looked at him, spite hidden in his eyes as he glared at him.

"Fucking liar, you're just trying to mess with me again" Inosuke responded, crossing his arms as he glared again. Tanjiro sighed, "I knew you'd say that... I-" He froze, tears pricking at his eyes again, he held his breath before exhaling.

"I'm sorry... but I know that won't fix anything.." He spoke, trembling as he wiped away the tears that continued to flow down his face. Inosuke sat there, staring at his features as he breathed in slowly, trying to figure out his real intent in all this.
--

He let out a sigh of exhaustion, moving closer but still keeping at arms distants. "Can I trust you?" Inosuke asked, looking at the sadden eyes of a boy he once knew. Tanjiro raised his head slightly, "For as long as I can push him away.." He smiled, before beginning to weep.

Inosuke placed his hand on his cheek, wiping away the tears softly. His eyes began to well up, but he held them in, refusing to cry anymore. "How long do you think you can keep it up before he.. you know.." He asks, tucking his cerulean hair behind his ear.

"Not too long.. but I'll try, I'll try for you." Tanjiro responded, his voice wavering at the start before confidence flowed through. Inosuke smiled softly, removing his hand from the boys cheek, as he sighed once again.

He stood up, extending his arm out towards Tanjiro. He took his hand, confusion written all over his face as Inosuke dragged the scarlet haired boy outside. Before letting go, harshly coughing into his elbow.

--

Inosuke slowly stopped coughing, as he moved his arm away from his face. "I'm not missing out on this one chance." He spoke sternly, thoughts were racing through his mind, should I do this? I mean I've done it before but that was when he was... Fuck it.

Tanjiro stood there idly, confused by how quiet he was, quiet in the sense of becoming uncomfortable. "You okay Inosuke? You seem a bit out of it.." He uttered, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder knocking him out of his train of thought.

"Oh! Sorry, yeah I'm fine.. was just thinking.." Inosuke replied, before leaning in closer, his breath hitched as fear clouded his mind. His hands beginning to tremble, he took a moment to reassure himself before taking in a breath.

--

"Can we kiss..?"