ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴ sʟᴀʏᴇʀ: ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ғʟᴏᴡᴇʀs ʙʟᴏᴏᴍᴇᴅ "ᴋʏᴏᴊᴜʀᴏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴋᴀʀɪ"

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

"Set Your Heart Ablaze"

If only Akari had been there, it would have ended a different way. Akari was running still, but slow. If it were fast, maybe she could have been able to prevent something from happening, but when she got there, it was too late.

Akaza had his arm, punched right through Kyojuro's right side abdomen that would ensure his death. Tanjiro got so angry that he stood up to retrieve his sword and shouted at Inosuke to move his body. The sun was coming up and Akaza was more afraid of the sun than anything else. Tanjiro threw his sword to Akaza and screamed in pain. "Come back here you coward", Tanjiro wanted to run after the demon, but could not leave Kyojuro. Kyojuro had demanded Tanjiro to stop screaming and shouting, because he might reopen his wound. "Akari might get mad at me", he jokes around, even in the brink of his death. "Come here", he says.

Akari, upon seeing Tanjiro crying looking at Kyojuro, she instantly knew that something was wrong. She ran to Kyojuro with tears in her eyes and gasped seeing a demon's hand inside Kyojuro's abdomen. She fell to her knees and held Kyojuro's cheeks. She stuttered, trying to say something, but words won't come out of her mouth. She looked at Inosuke, stopping himself from crying inside his mask, slowly breaking down. She looked at Tanjiro in sadness, knowing that they couldn't do anything to help Kyojuro. "W-who did this?", asked Akari. Tanjiro could not stop from crying. "It was an upper rank demon 3, Akaza". She looked at Kyojuro, feeling guilty. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't here. I could have helped you", Kyojuro held her hands in his cheeks. She thought to herself why she could not feel a demon when it was there. Maybe because she was thinking of a lot of things and was not focused enough. He looks at her and says, "It's okay. You've helped enough, everyone is safe". She heavily cried, she opened her mouth, trying to get something out, but it was too hard. "Kyojuro... I'm pregnant", she finally said. Kyojuro could not believe his eyes, he was going to be a father, or that he was already a father of an unborn child. He slightly gasped, eyes grew bigger, so surprised, then he gave Akari a gentle smile. "Akari", he said. Akari looks up to his eyes, tears coming out – there were a lot that could fill an entire water tank. "Kyojuro, I'm so sorry. If only, if only. I- I can't lose you, too", she said putting her head down, but Kyojuro gently touches her chin and makes her look up into his eyes. "Would you mind if you stopped apologizing? You don't have to apologize for anything. I need to say a few things while I still can", he said and smiled so happily at her. "Kyori or Kajuro would be as beautiful as their mother, and as awesome as their father. I love the names you thought of, from our names", she smiles at Kyojuro, now holding her face. "Listen to me, Akari. Tell my brother, to follow his heart and walk in the path he feels is right. And tell my father, I want him to take good care of himself. Please, don't stop smiling, Akari", he said as slow as his heart was beating. The hand left by Akaza soon burns into ashes as blood flows out of his body. "I might die, but I know our child would be taken care of", Akari breaks down. Hurt by what was happening before her eyes. "He/she might not be able to see me, but I will watch over you always", he was crying too, but stopping himself. "Kyojuro, please. Don't leave me. Don't leave me just yet", Akari pleaded. She was hurt so badly, physically and emotionally. "If I could, my love, I would never leave you, but I will keep that promise to the bitter end. I will keep that promise even if I'm gone", he said to her. Kyojuro looks at Tanjiro and Inosuke. "Young Kamado, Young Boar Head, and to Yellow Boy, I believe in you, I believe in you all and I believe in Nezuko", Kyojuro says as a final goodbye to his supposed tsugukos. "I accept your sister as part of the organization. She protects people and she deserves to be a member of the Demon Slayer Corps", Tanjiro's face seemed to lighten up a little. He wanted to smile, but this wasn't a smiling situation. "Tanjiro, take care of Akari and of your sister, always", he said. He looked at Akari one last time and saw his mother behind her. Akari, sits down beside him and she puts her head on his right shoulder and held his hand as he held hers. Is this really the end? Akari thought to herself and she hissed at the pain she was feeling in her heart. "Mother... did I carry out what I had to do? And my duties?", he asked as his mother looked at him with such joy. "You made me proud", his mother said and he smiled so happily, so wide. "I love you, Akari. I will always love you", he said as his last words to the love of his life. "Go now, my love. I'm very proud of you", she smiles, sending him off. And with that Kyojuro had his last breath and died beside Akari, holding their baby together. When the help came, they were saddened by a hashira's death. Especially because it was Kyojuro's. They tried to take Kyojuro's hand from Akari, for them to be able to retrieve it, but even if Akari fell asleep holding his arm, her gripped was much strong than any of the kakushi present. After minutes and minutes of trying, they were able to get her hand off and because she was exhausted and asleep, they carried her back to the Butterfly Mansion, where Shinobu was waiting for the wounded demon slayers. She was mostly waiting for her big sister, who's badly hurt. Night came and when Akari had become conscious, she opened her eyes to see Shinobu sitting by her side. "Gomen nasai, Nee-chan", she said and Akari breaks down again, crying so hard and heavy. She hugs her sister, as Akari embraced her and Shinobu comforts her. Akari calmed down and Shinobu gave her the news that she was having twins. The doctor had examined her and found out. Akari gasped and she cries again – the number of tears she had shed in one day. "Kyojuro doesn't know, we should have been able to know if only I had said it earlier", she said regretting everything she never did and thinking of countless of what ifs in her head that could have been a better choice. "Akari, there's no point in contemplating and regretting what happened and thinking of what should have happened, instead we must move forward", Shinobu said. "How? How will I move forward?", she asked Shinobu as if expecting an answer to all of her problems. "Rengoku-san was very fond of you from the very beginning. He never let your insults get in the way of his feelings. He was persistent and he admired all of you. I may not know the right answer, but let yourself grieve, Nee-chan. It will take time, but just be patient", Shinobu spoke in a soft tone and looked down. Akari could see that she was hurt too. Akari gestures for a hug, it was the only thing she could do for Shinobu. She thought of Senjuro right after, so she promised herself to visit him in the morning. Akari had kept on visiting Senjuro, even before the funeral. Kagaya insisted that Akari should retire for the sake of her babies. Akari didn't like the idea, but she thought of what the others might say. Gyomei was saddened and a little bit angered, not knowing that the girl he practically raised, could not tell him that she was pregnant. Tengen was furious with Akari not telling him, either, as well as Sanemi, but he understood why she couldn't. Muichiro did not have a say in the matter. Giyu could only give comfort. Mitsuri was saddened for both Kyojuro and Akari not having something they have been planning for quite some time. Obanai did not know what to say to Akari, they never really had a good conversation, but he offered his condolences. All of them did, even other demon slayers who admired Kyojuro went to the funeral to offer their sorry. All Akari could do was smile and sit, say thanks and be there for Senjuro throughout the way. Shinjuro wasn't much of a help, but Akari knows he's grieving in his own stupid way. The wounded could not go, especially Tanjiro. He wanted to, but Akari told him to stay put and gather all his strength. "Remember what Kyojuro said. Plus, even if you insist, I'll stop you", she gently smiled, but her eyes were saying something else. Tanjiro tried to stop from crying, but couldn't hold back his tears. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything. If I just did, maybe Rengoku-san would have been able to know his children", he covered his eyes – he was in bed, laying down. Akari held the side of his other arm and said, "I don't need your sorry, Tanjiro. What I need you to do is honor his wishes and learn from it", her tears were falling down. Tanjiro nodded his head as he held his breath and obeyed. A few days have passed. Akari would always be with Senjuro in the morning and back to the Butterfly Mansion when evening comes – but she would be on guard of Senjuro, giving him enough instructions, even though she knows he would be fine as long as he stays inside. Today, Tanjiro had asked the Kasugai crow – particularly, Kyojuro's – to lead him to the house, not telling the others that he was coming or otherwise, leaving the Butterfly Mansion in his state. Akari had went to the market to buy some things for the house so that Senjuro wouldn't have to. "It's weird not wearing my uniform", she said to her crow, which she named, Hana. She kept her as her companion, upon request. The crow was even glad. Hana had a scar on its beak that looked like a flower, hence the name 'Hana'. She and Hana have been together for as long as she can remember, since after the Final Selection had happened and they have received their Kasugai crows. Hana would often be in her missions, except when she went to Kyojuro, in the Mugen Train case. Akari had told her to wait and stay, only fly when there's a message to deliver. Hana had exceptional talent of being able to speak clearly; she and Akari had lots of conversations. "It's weird not seeing you with your swords", Hana said, lowering her voice for only Akari to hear. It was still unusual in all of Japan, seeing a crow speak. "I thought so, too", Akari replied as she giggles at her bird, bringing a bag of things she had bought in the market. She felt the kick of her twins and she stops for a moment. "The two of you are really getting to my nerves. I already love you both even if I don't know you yet", she smiles, looking at her growing stomach. It has at least been 3 weeks. She was near the house, when she heard a commotion. She ran as the bird on her shoulder flew to see what was going on. She saw Shinjuro with his liquor and Tanjiro, who had Nezuko on his back. Senjuro was trying to stop them, urging his father to stop. Of course, Akari interfered before anyone could get hurt, but she was the one who got hurt when she was pushed by Shinjuro. "Father, she's pregnant!", Senjuro had shouted. She hissed at the pain – since she was pregnant, she was quite sensitive to everything, therefore, it's easy for her to get hurt, physically – and held her arm who landed on the ground first. Shinjuro had looked at her in complete shock, before Tanjiro unleashed all of his rage from Shinjuro talking bad about Kyojuro and headbutted him, which sent him asleep. "What are you doing here, Tanjiro-kun?", Akari asked the red-haired boy. "Before Rengoku-san had his last breath, he had told me about his father's old records. He said that what I'm looking for might be there", Tanjiro said which puzzled Akari for a second, but then she remembered those books that was kept by Shinjuro. She saw him once, reading it. "Senjuro, do you know where it is? The books your father often reads?", she looks at her side, to Senjuro and the boy nodded as he stood up to get what Tanjiro needs. "You could have told me. I could have given it to you", she turns to Tanjiro with an angry look. Tanjiro looks down in embarrassment. "I wanted to see Rengoku-san's brother and how he was doing", he said. Akari sighs deeply. "Thank you for coming. I'm glad you're gathering your strength, but your wound hasn't completely healed, yet. You know well that Shinobu will scold you for that", she looks at him with such awe and giggles at the thought of her little sister, becoming more like a mother every single day, taking care of the three boys. Tanjiro smiled lightly and chuckled a bit, having the same thought as Akari. Senjuro comes out with the book and gives it to Tanjiro. "Thank you for coming here. Akari-san had told me about you and how you helped my brother. I am honored to be in your presence", Senjuro said, sadness in his voice as he bowed down so low to Tanjiro. Tanjiro urged him to not bow down as he felt it was unnecessary. "Ah! You don't need to bow, please. I should truly say sorry to you. I wasn't much of a help, he was a hero to me. He saved my life, so I should be the one to say that", Tanjiro scratched his head. Akari could not help but cry as she saw Senjuro's tears. "Mitsuma-san! Are you okay?", he asked the girl wiping her tears away. "Yes, I'm fine", she replied and she takes a deep breath, before Tanjiro opens the book he was holding. But what he did not expect that it would be torn apart. "Father must have torn it. It wasn't like this before", Senjuro had said. "Gomen ne, Tanjiro-kun. It would appear that he's gone bonkers for tearing that apart. It has been in the Rengoku family for decades, centuries even. I guess he's grieving in his own baka way", her arms are now crossed, angrily looking, closing her eyes. "I've now scarred the family tradition", Senjuro suddenly muttered, looking sad as ever. Akari looks at him worried. "There has always been a flame hashira in the demon slayer corps. And now that my brother is gone and I do not have the power to wield a sword, the tradition stops with me and is now scarred for life", Senjuro blurted out. It was true. After Shinjuro had gone to his addictive drinking, Kyojuro had become a hashira, because he wanted to honor his mother's wishes. He also was determined to be so, and he wanted to keep his promise to his comrades who died in his first mission. Senjuro should be Kyojuro's tsuguko and become the flame hashira, whenever something happens to him, but Senjuro isn't like Kyojuro. "Senjuro, don't be like that. Remember what your brother had left you. Whatever path you take, I'll be here, we'll be here for you. ", she takes Senjuro hand into hers and gently smiles, encouraging Senjuro not be so sad, even if herself is depressed about what happened. Tanjiro nodded and said the same thing. He said sorry again for not being able to save Kyojuro, but he assured that what Kyojuro said, he will take into his battles. What Kyojuro had taught him and what he had said, will be remembered. As Tanjiro was leaving, Senjuro gave him the Rengoku family's hilt. Tanjiro could not accept it, btu Akari told him to not think of it as unnecessary, but think of it as a gift and a sign of a strong swordsman. "Carry Kyojuro with you", she said, her hands on Senjuro's shoulders, she in the back of him. As they both look at Tanjiro waves them goodbye and goes back to the Butterfly Mansion. "I'll see you later, Mitsuma-san", Tanjiro had shouted and Akari grinned happily. Senjuro went to his father to deliver the message Kyojuro had left that he has been hiding from his father, because he was too scared to say it. Akari heard Shinjuro's cries, calling out to his son's name and that made her heart ache, in which she cried, too. When the sun came down. Akari had already cooked dinner for them and, she and Senjuro had already ate. She tucks Senjuro to bed, before coming back to the Butterfly Mansion. But before she could go back the front door, Shinjuro had stopped her. "Akari", he called out. It sent down shivers to her body, because it had the same aura as when Kyojuro calls her. It made her miss him more and more. It was hard, not having Kyojuro annoying her, calming her, playing with her and training with her. It was harder, not having Kyojuro by her side and in her arms. She turns around to see a sad-looking Shinjuro. Something you don't see everyday. He hesitated, but he spoke his mind. "Gomen nasai, Akari", he said, voice breaking. As if he wanted to cry, but stopping himself from doing so. "You remind me of Ruka. She was always the strict one. In times, looking at you and Kyojuro made my heart ache and reminded me of how I lost the love of my life", he spoke so sincerely that it made Akari listen to him. "Ruka is the light I held onto, being in this cruel world. When I lost Ruka, I had lost that light and lost sight of my sons. Ruka would have been at me. But even so, Kyojuro was persistent and determined to keep his mother's wishes. I was always proud, even if I didn't show it the right way. I'm sure he made his mother proud, too.", he put his hand on his chest. By now, Akari is starting to cry again. I've been crying for days. She thought to herself. "Kyojuro would have been a great father and husband. You made him and Senjuro happy, and for that I thank you. I saw how Kyojuro clinged to you as I clinged to Ruka. You are his light. Right now, Senjuro sees you as a mother-figure. He was young when Ruka died, so he doesn't remember much, unlike Kyojuro. Always be there for him. If you could, will you stay here with Senjuro and help me restore my relationship with him, something I couldn't do, to my eldest son, to Kyojuro?", he looked down and looks at Akari who is pouring tears. Akari could only nod and smile so widely. "It would be my honor", she said wiping her tears away. Shinjuro hugs her, like you hug a daughter. She hugs him back, imagining if this was her own father. Akari got back to the Butterfly Mansion where Aoi was waiting for her. "Akari-sama, you're home", she greeted Akari and she smiles at Aoi. "It had been a good day, Aoi. How was yours?", Akari asked and Aoi sighed loudly and deeply as if she had a bad day. It was slightly bad. "Do you want to talk about it?", asked Akari and they went to the backyard, where all the flowers bloom.