Twilight ~ A Demon Slayer Fanfiction

Chapter 33: Can't lose you again

Inosuke Hashibira

The male had slowly opened his eyes, seeing a ceiling. And a searing pain in his chest. Despite that, he tried sitting up. The pain still stung him, but he still was able to manage.

He looked at the bandages that were over most of his body. He had bandages wrapped around his chest. He also had some bandages wrapped around his arms and legs as well, but not a lot. He paused for a moment, wondering had happened to him before this. However, pausing for a moment, his eyes had widened.

Everything just started to come back to him. Before he could process what had happened, a voice had called out to him.

"It's about time you woke up. You were out when the battle was over. But you're severely injured." He glanced over, seeing a raven-haired female with two butterfly clips in her hair. Aoi. She walked over to Inosuke, then giving him a platter of food. 

"You should eat this. I'll give you your medicine later." Inosuke had stared at the platter of food for a moment. He then slowly started eating, as he wondered what was going on. He only saw Tanjiro and Zenitsu in this room. What was going on?

Where were the other three demon slayers at? Kanjoro, Shinozuka, and Taeko?

Shinozuka. Where was Shinozuka? And where was White Fang?

"If you're wondering where White Fang is at, he's fine. Hikari's taking care of him." Aoi had stated, as she was rummaging through the cabinets for some medicine. The male had nodded slowly, not saying anything at first.

Inosuke had finished chewing some of the food. Although his voice wasn't at its best, he decided to speak up. "Where is he?" He had suddenly asked. Aoi had stopped what she was doing to turn to Inosuke. "Hm?" She had begun, raising an eyebrow. "Where's... Zuka at?"

Aoi then put a few bottles down on the counter and paused for a moment. Inosuke had noticed her change in behavior after he had asked that question. It seemed like she tensed up. "He's in another room. Kanae and Shinobu are taking care of him and the other two." Before Inosuke could speak up once more, the door had quietly opened. Both Inosuke and Aoi turned their head to the door. Someone was here.

"Aoi? Am I interrupting anything?" Aoi then looked over to see who it was. After a moment, she then slowly shook her head. "Not at all. Come in." She had stated. The person had walked in. Inosuke recognized him immediately, seeing who it was.

Hikashi Zanko. Shinozuka's father. He didn't admit it, but Inosuke was a bit nervous now that Shinozuka's father was here. He knew well that he shouldn't be his loud and hot-headed self around him. "Hey, Inosuke. How are you holding up?" Inosuke heard Hikashi ask him. The male had paused for a moment to answer the question.

"Me? I'm alright, I guess." He had mumbled under his breath. But he was more worried about one person deep down. "That's good. But I know you're worried about somebody else. Are you?" Hikashi had stated, slowly crossing his arms. Inosuke knew that Hikashi could see through him. He then bit his lip gently.

"Yeah... it was already obvious." He had muttered. Usually, he would his reckless, noisy, and hot-headed self after a battle. But now that it's the final battle, and it's over, it was like all of that went away. And seeing Shinozuka again, the emotions took over him, although he didn't admit it. He felt panic, anger, and distress all at once, seeing his boyfriend on the ground, possibly on the verge of death.

"Listen... I know you're worried about Shinozuka. I am too. But... he's tougher than you think. He'll come out alive, I know it." Hikashi had stated, reassuring him. Inosuke felt his hands clench up. What if Shinozuka didn't?

"What if he doesn't...?" He had muttered under his breath. "Inosuke-" Hikashi had begun. However, Inosuke wasn't done talking.

"What if he doesn't come out alive, huh?! I just got him back after him being gone for what, half a year?! What if I lose him again?!"

Hearing Inosuke's voice raise, made Aoi flinch a little. She dropped a bottle on the floor, and she quickly picked it up, going back to mind her own business afterwards. She was trying her best not to listen on the conversation now. "Inosuke, I know how you're feeling about this. You won't lose him again, I promise you that. I'm not just saying this. He will come out of this alive." Hikashi had stated, trying to reassure him.

"How can you be so sure?!" Inosuke still raised his voice at the question he had asked. Hikashi had paused for a moment. He looked away from Inosuke for a second.

"Shinozuka's been through a lot as a child. I wasn't able to be there for him when he needed me the most as a child, since demons could've possibly hurt him. But seeing him now, he's a lot stronger than you think. You have the right to worry for him. But just know that he's tougher than you think." Inosuke had paused for a moment, thinking about that. Aoi was now pouring some medicine into a cup. Once she did, she walked over to the bedside table, placing the cup of medicine next to him. Inosuke had took notice of it, then sipping out of it.

"His injuries are far worse than yours, however... so it would take a while for him to heal." Hikashi had pointed out. That made Inosuke tense up. That worried him even more. He was even more scared, hearing that. "But I trust that Shinobu and Kanae can take care of this. You know this, right?" Hikashi had asked. Inosuke could only nod in response. Hikashi then slowly stood up, then walking to the door. He then turned to Aoi.

"I'll be going now. Thank you for letting me visiting." He had stated. Aoi had nodded simply as Hikashi had left the room. The male had paused for a moment. He always saw Shinozuka as a tough person. Inosuke always liked him for his strong will, and his will to protect others. He knew well that Shinozuka had grew up with wolves.

And Inosuke had grew up with boars. However... he was still scared.

What if he couldn't get him back?