𝐑𝐞-𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 [Discontinued]

Chapter 13

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The heavy breathing was heard, Tanjiro held a fierce look in his eyes as he charged towards Zhongli who evaded him easily and knocked him down in the blink of an eye. "You're too reckless." He spoke simply, "you need to have a calm mind, and control yourself." Tanjiro stared at Zhongli for a moment, but nodded. This continued for who knows how long, but Tanjiro, he was just as determined as Zhongli.

But both were determined for different reasons.

For Tanjiro, it was to protect his family for whatever was planning to come after them in the near future— and that is the thing that has been motivating him during this entire process.

For Zhongli, it was for selfish reasons. For he had lost but too much, although he was bound to a contract, his own selfish desires could not be ignored. In which— could be foolish for a being like he, to have such desires to be selfish and use his contract to infuse that.

Zhongli dodged a punch from Tanjiro swiftly, as if he knew what was coming to him. His golden eyes narrowed and knocked Tanjiro down by stepping to the side and using his right arm to hit Tanjiro's back; and because of that, Tanjiro fell with a cough and landed on the slowly melting snow. Even if this was the case, this was merely the beginning of a harsh winter storm, even if winter had long but since passed.

This mountain is very quite cold though, so it's to be expected.

But there's a catch.

"Tanjiro." Zhongli spoke as Tanjiro got up sluggishly as he stretched his back— but flinched in pain. "My apologies if I had hit you too hard. Do you wish to take a quick break?" He asked, but Tanjiro shook his head violently. "If I take a break, then I'll never build anything up! Let's continue please!" Tanjiro yelled out, Zhongli gave a small nod. But there was but a small curve to his lips that seemed difficult to notice— something that even Tanjiro wouldn't have noticed if it weren't for his sense of smell.

But, Tanjiro never said anything about it, just like the many times before. He would enjoy this moment as it's never often that Zhongli expresses himself. But whenever he does, it's mainly with his stories he bestows upon the Kamado family at times, and drinking tea.

"Alright." Zhongli replied, but the curve to his lips went down and his eyes narrowed— his mood changed in the blink of an eye; it wasn't because of Tanjiro— no, no. It was far from that, 'Even though I'm teaching Tanjiro the basics of polearm moves..we'll need a real one, or practice ones..' Zhongli sucked in his breath and thought for a moment more, 'I don't know if anyone makes that in this era..' While he was in his inner crisis for a moment, Tanjiro only stared in confusion at Zhongli's mood change.

'Zhongli-San is a mysterious person.' Tanjiro thought to himself, and that, was very obvious itself. But Tanjiro wasn't stupid, he knew something was off about Zhongli due to his sense of smell giving him hints— it wasn't anything bad— but it was strange. So strange that even Tanjiro..couldn't figure out, even if he nick picked the little hints he got, but could never decipher it.

'Zhongli-san gives this scent of power and elegance, but sadness and sorrow from within.'

'Zhongli-san gives this scent of gentleness and knowledge, but hatred and regret from within.'

'Zhongli-san gives this scent of..I don't know how to describe it.' Tanjiro sighed to himself, he would think about it later, "Zhongli-san?" Tanjiro called out, that seemed to snap Zhongli out of his daze. "Ah— my apologies, Tanjiro. Go descend the mountain and run back up. You must build speed and stamina." He spoke, Tanjiro felt his soul leave him for a moment, but nodded.

'It's such a long way to go! But I have to do this! For Nezuko, Takeo, Shigeru, Hanako, Rokuta, Mother!' Tanjiro felt pumped and ran down the mountain like a maniac yelling out words of encouragement to himself. Zhongli stood still, but gave out a small chuckle. It soon fell, as Zhongli drowned himself in his thoughts for a little longer.

'It's best to start on this before I actually teach him techniques..but he knows a little, so it may do him well for the meantime.' He thought to himself, 'the winds are changing, as he would always say.' Zhongli felt the sudden nostalgia run through his body for a moment, remembering his once dear friend, who in which probably perished long ago with the others from when that happened.

He gave a sigh of regret, as he could remember the details all but so well, it always felt like yesterday of when that incident happened.

He looked at the sky for a moment, not a cloud in sight, the sun was setting slowly. It gave an Orange, yellow glow to the sky as the sunlight shined. But something seemed to be missing from the sky. And Zhongli, he knew exactly why, as he was there when it happened.

'I must focus on the present now. What's done..is done.' He put his arms behind himself and stared at the sunset, he closed his eyes for a moment, taking in the sunlight and oxygen from around. And opened his eyes.

'I have high hopes for you, Tanjiro, and Nezuko. Something will happen, that even she won't expect in the near future.' Zhongli took out his right hand and stared at it, 'but will be I strong enough to face her once more?' Zhongli narrowed his eyes, retreated his hand and gave out a heavy sigh of distress. But nobody was around, to give him the comfort that others once gave him, but he took for granted.

So Zhongli spent the rest of his time waiting for Tanjiro staring at the sunset and have the sky's glow become darker and darker. Until he heard the heavy panting of Tanjiro, who then cheered out in happiness that he had made it but soon passed out from the exhaustion he placed on his body.

Zhongli walked over to Tanjiro, picked up his body, and walked back into the deathly quiet home. Everyone was asleep, or was at least trying too, they had had to stick together no matter what, so everyone else, excluding Nezuko, shared a room. He opened the door gently, and placed Tanjiro next to his sleeping family, though, they were awake the entire time. It was just their eyes that were closed.

He walked out of the room, closed the door, and walked to the front door.

He would scout the mountain, Zhongli wasn't stupid. He knew, something was lurking around the mountain, even when he, himself. Had seen it.

When he saw that abyss mage, that confirmed his thoughts long ago. And that's where he had founded his assumption that she was back.

Lumine.