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

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

"Goodbye, for now"

The battle has started. Akari had heard the explosion, but was able to stop from weeping too much. She knew that Oyakata-sama was no longer alive and with that, Amane and her daughters were no longer living. She was hurting, because she knew not many of them will be coming back alive. Muzan was too powerful. As the battle commence, she remained by Nezuko's side. She was constantly sweating, maybe because of the heat she was feeling. Nezuko was starting to get warmer and that made Akari sigh in relief. That could only mean that the antidote is working. Thanks to the efforts of Tamayo-sama and Shinobu, with the assistance of Yushiro. When Urokodaki-san had insisted on taking care of Nezuko, Akari went to the others, to Kiriya and his siblings, Tengen and Shinjuro-san. She offered a helping hand, in case they needed anything. "You should have just stayed with Suma and the others", Tengen said as Akari sat beside him – more like sat in the center between Shinjuro and Tengen. They were stationed just outside, the children inside to protect them from anything or anyone. "I can't just stay put, you know me, I want to help, in any way I can", she replied with a sad-looking face. Well, more like a worried expression. It was only natural to be worried, but everything seemed to be going on smoothly, until it wasn't.

Shinobu was announced as dead, killed by the upper rank demon 2. The same demon that killed Kanae. The message was delivered by a crow, Akari's crow, just outside the house – the Ubuyashiki Estate – where Kiriya was in, and where Akari was in. Akari instructed her crow to deliver any announcement to her or to at least tell her what was going on inside the infinity castle that Muzan has built when the attack happened. Kyojuro's crow wanted to help, but she insisted for the crow to stay with Senjuro, take care of him as she was to depart. Tengen was stunned and shocked. He turned his gaze to Akari who had her eyes closed. "Akari", he said. The concern man looked at his best friend, but Akari seemed unbothered. "Don't worry, Tengen. I'm fine", she looked back, a smile plastered on her face. A soft smile, but such sad eyes were visible and a tear had fallen from her left eye. She wiped it away. Breathing in and out. To control her overlapping emotions. Everything is falling into place, right Shinobu? She thought to herself. She went into a flashback, where she was holding the letter that she had read, a letter coming from Shinobu herself. She ran to her sister, to hug her and say that everything was going to be alright and that she understood what Shinobu needed to do. That demon can rot in hell. She was full of determination and she knew the upper rank demon 2, Douma, will be defeated. No matter what happens, you will be defeated. She was full of hope, but the other side of her had clung into darkness, despair and doubt. She was still worried. Her mind had drifted to what had happened months and months ago. Tanjiro-kun, you will avenge him, right? I know you will. She closed her eyes again at the thought. Upper rank demon 3, the one who killed the love of her life. You will lose your life pretty soon, goodbye. She was frowning with anger. Her hands turned into a fist. "Don't be angry, my love", it sounded like a whisper. She looked around her as if she was looking for something. What was that? Kyojuro? Where are you? Was that my head? No, it was clearly a voice. His voice. Kyojuro's voice. Is he here? Where is he? Kyojuro? Kyojuro? Kyojuro.

"Are you alright? Akari?", Shinjuro had ask, a hand on her shoulder. Tengen had not notice her, during his conversation with Shinjuro. She opened her eyes. Her breathing had slowed down. Was I asleep? She seemed to have dreamt something. Was it really a dream? Or did she really hear Kyojuro's voice, lingering on her ear? Was it really Kyojuro? Or was it her own head. "Yes, Shinjuro-san. I'm okay", she smiled of reassurance. Shinjuro went back to his seat a few inches away from her. She sighed deeply and she turned her attention to the three children inside the house – she opened the door slightly – doing all they can to guide the demon slayers. She felt useless for the first time, but she knew she was here to help. Although she couldn't shrug the feeling that these kids should be mourning and that they should at least have the life they truly deserve, not do this, for the sake of the world. They never had asked to be born into this world, full of hate and death. She felt sorry for these kids. I made a promise to your father and to my master. I will take care of you all. Her crow had come back with another news. The upper rank demon 6 has been defeated by none other than, Zenitsu Agatsuma. She smiled at the bird and gave her water and food as she flew again. She looked at Tengen and Shinjuro who smiled in relief. At least something good was happening, but the fight was not over yet.

The battle between Giyu, Tanjiro and Akaza has begun. The bird eagerly flew as fast as she could to get Akari the news. "What?", she whispered to herself. She stood up so fast that Tengen had wondered what she was up to. She ran to the Butterfly Estate, to her room. "Akari-sama, where are you going? What are you going to do?", Kiyo and Sumi had asked her. "Akari-sama, please slow down", Naho had pleaded. "Akari-san, calm down", Aoi held her by the hand but she pushed her away. No one could stop her. Just then, Nezuko went running, as fast as a cheetah. Faster than the former water hashira. Akari saw her and tried running after her. Her sword, her nichirin blade was with her. Her big stomach was aching. She was losing too much breathe. She was getting more and more furious. Tengen had grabbed her by the arm. "Akari, what are you doing?" Tengen asked pulling her to him and slightly up to stop her from running. He had left his post to run after Akari. Shinjuro was left to protect the three children. "Tengen, let me go", she pulled her arm back, but Tengen was persistent. "Are you seriously going to fight? In your condition? Are you out of your goddamn mind?", the two were battling on who's the strongest amongst them. They kept on pulling and pulling, their angry faces inches from each other as they each glared at one another. "Yes, I don't care! I need to kill that demon. I need to kill this Akaza!", her hand, the one who was carrying her nichirin blade was reaching for something out of thin air. She wanted to reach for something that could get her away from Tengen's grip. "Let me go, Tengen!", she said almost shouting. "Enough, Akari! Are you insane? What about your children?", he asked her and she stopped for a moment, but then continued on getting away from him. She kicked him in the foot and she ran as soon as his hand let go of her. But Tengen was indeed fast. "Kyojuro wouldn't let you do that. Do you seriously think he would want you to hurt yourself? And your children? Your twins?", she was angry upon hearing Kyojuro's name. "Tengen, I don't care anymore. Let me go!", she pushed him away from her and continued walking and she held her stomach, because it was aching too much. "Then, he'd be disappointed in you and you know that. You're being selfish. Do you think this is what he wants?", Tengen spoke in a low mean voice that struck a nerve. Akari fell into her knees, panting and crying. "I don't know what he wants, because he's not here. He's not here anymore", she said in between pants. Her nichirin blade was on the floor as well as her hands. Her heavy tears had poured down. "He left. He's gone", she said. It was hard for Tengen seeing his best friend like that, but he wasn't sorry for making her feel like this. For making her feel sad and in pain. She had thought that she had moved on. It was clear that she hasn't.

"He's here", Tengen said. "Where? Huh? Where is he? In the sky? On my side? Behind my back watching over me? Do you think that helps me? Do anyone really think that that can help those who have lost someone?", she had a point. Even if you told someone that their deceased loved ones will always be there, that doesn't make them alive. That doesn't make them visible. "No, it doesn't necessarily help, but he's here", he pointed in her chest, in her heart. "He's here, living on", he smiled to her as she sat down properly and he knelt down to look at her. "And he's also in your children's hearts, maybe even their eyes. He's here in mine, too. Living on flamboyantly", she slightly smiled at the word. At Tengen's favorite word. Somehow, she understood what he meant. They stared at each other for what seems like forever, just smiling. Just then, her crow came back with another news. "Akaza, upper rank demon 2, is dead", her crow said. And she burst out laughing. Laughing so loudly. "HAHAHAHAHAHAhahahaha", she was laughing, but tears had fallen down her face. It made Tengen creeped out. He scratched behind his head and grinned looking at her. After a minute of just laughing, she finally cried. She cried and cried. Her crow had brushed it's head against her tears, seemingly wiping them away and she smiled at her crow. Then another minute later, she stopped. "Thank you, Tengen", she said and hugged him while sitting down, her knees resting. Makio, Suma and Hinatsuru had come out because of the commotion they've heard – Tengen and Akari's argument – and they'd help Akari to stand up. "Take her to a room and make sure she's comfortable. I think she needs a rest", he said to his wives. "No, I can't. I have to stay", Akari insisted. "Don't worry, you'll still be able to know what is happening. Your crow will deliver it, just stay with them, please?", she nodded and they all went back to the house. The three gave her a room to herself and decided not to bother her. It was a room near the backyard where the flowers bloom. She smiled at the consideration. I really am selfish, aren't I? she chuckled at herself. She laid down in bed as she waited for her crow to deliver her more messages. Kyojuro, I think I might cry more this day and tomorrow, but don't worry, I'll be fine.