Explosive Flames (Kyojuro Rengoku x Reader)

☼~ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕎𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕~☼

"So, Mr. Rengoku, do you have any siblings?" Y/N asked in an attempt to start a conversation. Rengoku laughed his same boisterous laugh. "I do! A younger brother!"
"Awe- That is sweet!"
"And if I may ask, do you?" He smiled brightly as he awaited her answer. 
Y/N laughed softly. "Oh no! I was an only child! Are you close with your brother? I find close sibling relationships to be the sweetest."
"I would say so! You must meet him! He is a sweet kid!"
"You always seem so excited."
"I yell because I can't hear himself if I don't," his voice fell in volume only slightly as his excitement was dampened. Y/N said nothing in response. She had no idea what to say. The remainder of their walk was quiet, yet not uncomfortable. Y/N fiddled with the sleeves of her haori while she thought to herself. The sound of a train speeding by the two had caused her to jump, and Rengoku laughed at the sight. "Don't get lost in your head! We are coming upon the village!"

 Y/N followed behind Rengoku as he made his way through town, his head held high. She could not help but admire the unwavering confidence he exuded. Yet the attention he attracted was not wholly welcomed. A demon slayer should not have so much attention. "Where are we going?" 
"To find someone who knows about the demon sightings! Do you have any idea who?"
"Why would I?"
Rengoku's face contorted. "Because you are the one who heard of this rumor?"
"I did? Oh, why yes I did."

Y/N did not know where to look. They had walked around for ages until finally, they overheard a few rumors from an old lady. She was frantic, trying to convince people to go back inside as the sun began to set, yet no one listened. The two of them had approached her, and after a bit of persuasion, the lady led them to her home upon the hill. They now sat huddled around a table with piping tea. Y/N took one hesitant sip while she listened to Rengoku and the woman talk. He was rather good at it. He was convincing. He sounded open and genuine. Now that she got a good glance at him she noticed how striking his features were. He was odd. His hair is an unusual yellow, that faded to red at the tips. His eyes seemed to match them. He was well built, definitely under 6 feet as he seemed not much taller than her. Although his appearance was interesting she soon felt herself feeling bored. Again, she began to fidget with the sleeves of her haori as she waited silently for Rengoku to finish. 

"The woman said there was townsfolk disappearing just at the edge of the forest!"
"Yes?"
"And so that is where we will wait!" Rengoku walked in front of Y/N. The distance between them spread. 
"You walk really fast."
"Oh?" He glanced back. "My apologies!" Rengoku's pace slowed so he could walk beside Y/N. "I suppose I just have too much energy!"
"Are we going to walk around the forest?" Y/N glanced around, the only light coming from the moon's reflection. 
"Nope! We will perch at the edge and wait! Stay on high alert! You are a demon slayer, aren't you?"
"I am, why else would I be here if I wasn't?" 
Rengoku hummed in thought. "Yes, I suppose that is true." He stood at the edge of the trees, watching intently. Y/N sat beneath a tree near him. Unlike Rengoku she closed her eyes. She listened but she had no interest in keeping her eyes open. She had a feeling this was going to be a long night. 

And a long night it was. 

"Are you sure anything is going to happen? I feel like we have been here for hours and nothing has happened yet."  Y/N was getting impatient. She was tired, and she felt she was wasting her time if nothing were to happen.
"Of course I am not sure! But I must make sure!" 
"Right. I am going to take a nap, let me know if anything happens."
"Sleep well!" Rengoku smiled at what Y/N assumed was her but his eyes never once moved from the treeline. 


It was hot. Everything was burning. The trees were turning black. She watched as life left the land. It was surrounding her. Fire has terrified her since the incident. She stood up and looked around frantically. Her voice was hoarse as she began to yell, "Rengoku! Rengoku! Where did you go?" She screamed but there was no sound in response but the crackling of fire. She began to run, scanning the trees for Rengoku's bizarre appearance. But she soon realized that the color of his hair, and the color of his outfit, matched that of the fire -- he would likely blend it. The flames whipped at her feet, knocking her down.  She turned and frantically crawled away. She stammered to her feet, eyes locked on her charred ankle. There was nowhere for her to run. There was no way to fight. She was going to die here. She was going to be burned alive. She was going to go out just like her mother. There was nothing she could do. There was no one to save her. Her ears pricked up as she heard the sound of steel. A sword. A sword? 

She sat up. She still sat beneath the tree. It was dark out, there was no orange light, no smoke. The trees were green and luscious. She stood up. She heard the sound of feet against grass. Rengoku. He was gone. She quickly made her way toward the noise. She stopped moving as she spotted a demon in the trees and below it, Rengoku. She stayed silent as she watched him. It was hot near him. She watched him intently as he prepared to slay the demon. The fire hashira. That was what they called him. Yet the fire that surrounded him did not seem threatening, it was beautiful. The demon's head fell and the body soon began to disintegrate. 
"Well?" Rengoku turned towards Y/N. "How was your nap? Did you enjoy watching me?" 
"I--" She paused for a moment before smiling softly. "It was good, both of them."
Rengoku laughed and sheathed his sword. "I'm thrilled! Come on, let's get something to eat before we head back!"
Y/N nodded her head and began to follow Rengoku once more, this time with a small skip in her step. It was stunning to see a hashira's breathing. It was certainly special to be able to witness the power that is behind each strike, and the time and effort spent on it. Y/N wished to be like them one day. One day, she swore that one day she would be able to call herself a hashira. She was determined to make it happen. And hopefully one day she could sit by a fire without treacherous flashbacks.

Wow - I actually hit 1000 words this time T^T. 
I updated -- yayyaya -- 
Have a good day/evening! Do not forget to take care of yourself!

~~ Aster