Burn to ash

Goodbye

" You look like a different person." We've settled down onto the ground as he rubs my back helping me calm my remaining hiccups. 

" Is that bad? Have I disappointed you?" 

His smile is gentle, as it's always been but he looks more at peace. 

" Id never be disappointed in you my love. What I meant to say is that you look happier, like you've actually lived life now. You're the most beautiful you have ever been. Flamboyant if you will." He laughs his laugh that I've missed more than anything. 

" did it upset you when I.." I can't get the words out of my mouth.. I never planned to be with Tengen. It just happened to me. 

" He's good for you. I like to think that I was the love of your life but I think he's your other half. you grow with each other. I knew the moment he stood up for you that he was good for you, that he loved you. I could see it in his eyes. I have no right to be upset at you for being happy. Besides I'm dead!" He never fails to make me laugh and slowly i begin to relax. 

" Am I dead or dying? I didn't think I'd get to see you again." I feel his familiar heavy hand on the top of my head. 

" Well you did stab yourself, commendably life a true demon slayer. No one will ever be able to doubt your loyalty now. That being said, you are on death's door step but good news, we won. The sun rose and Tanjiro and the others did it. Muzan's, you won against Muzan. I here doing our friend a favor. I'm not letting you die alone, they're gathering all the injured and treating them. You're one of them but the demon blood in you, it died with Muzan. So, now it's a matter of will. Do you want to go with me or go back to the land of the living. " He gives me a hard decision to make, all with a supporting smile. 

" That's easy my love. I want to live. There are things I still want to do." He Absolutely brightens at my statement. 

" Then we just have to wait for you to wake up. I'll just enjoy your company until then" 

" Id like nothing more." 

We talked about a lot. About our friends, about father and our family. We talked about mother and how the world has changed since our joy filled childhood until he stopped all motion and a soft smile settles on his face. 

He holds out his arms and I know what this is. Time to say goodbye. My dearest friend who was the sun and moon of my life. 

but

it is not a sad goodbye, its a goodbye that that i was never able to say to him and so with all of myself. I hold myself against him to feel his warmth and to memorialize it because I, will never feel it again. 

" Thank you for everything. For loving me and for protecting me. Thank you for supporting me and watching over me." He doesn't say anything but hold me to himself in his arms. 

" My love, don't hold back. Love with all of your being and live with your whole life." He whispers and I can hear the love in his voice. 

" One day, we'll meet again in a life where there are no demons. When that day comes, I hope we'll live our days together until we're old and withered." I can hear his voice now, Tengen and and I feel the gentle push of my greatest friend. 

It's soft. The sunlight that enters my line of sight as i open my eyes. I hear the gasps the sound around me my but eyes land on one figure. 

" Tengen." He smiles a tired smile as if he's been battling this whole time. 

I call his name again. 

" Tengen." He reaches for me laying caressing my cheek so softly that it doesn't fit how large of a man he is. 

" I need new earrings. Somethings flashy." I manage to get him to smile a bit more. 

" Yah?" 

" I look and feel like crap. I need new earrings from my husband to make me feel better." 

He bursts out laughing but rubs my cheek with his thumb as he falls to his knees beside me and hugs me harder than he probably should. 

" That'll be the first thing I do as soon as we're married." I weakly un my hands through his hair as more people start filing in. 

"HOUzuki-ChaN!" our resident yellow haired screams with big crocodile tears falling from his eyes. 

 "We were so worried! You're the last one to wake up!!" It's no surprise. with all that has happened. 

I can see the irritated with the interruption of our moment. 

" Alright, everyone say goodbye, she really needs medical attention now that she's woken up." 

More than a few of my guest whine and complain but the one person who I expected to insist on stay stood up first with a biggest smile. 

"Goodbye my beautiful Hou, I'll see you as soon as you are finished." 

and I can't help but smile back with my own farewell. 

" Goodbye Tengen, wait for me?" 

" Always."