Water & Fire (Demon Slayer fanfic)

An Unbreakable Bond

Y/n's Pov:

I was immensely embarrassed by what happened. I couldn't imagine Rengoku out of all people to be like that. How did I know this already? Well, I suppose you could say that we had bumped into each other before. I thought he was annoying then, but now? Oh, he's 2 times more annoying. Rengoku just...Made me feel frustrated with how joyful he was. How could he be joyful if he knew he had to risk his life slaying demons? The guy was a total mystery, like the opposite of a book's cover. Book covers, you can usually read them with ease and figure out what the story is about from the title and cover of the book. But Kyojuro-san? I wouldn't be able to get anywhere with him if I tried. One second he's being all friendly and asking questions, and then the next thing you know, he's being protective of you and asking to see your nightwear. What a weird guy.


We skipped dinner. Well, we ate a few rice balls together at the back while getting to know each other and recovering from the strange incident. He said he didn't mean to do it and that he was just scared for me and being accidentally over-protective. I acted like I didn't believe him on the outside, but on the inside, I believed him. We were getting to the point in the conversation where we talked about what we thought of people. Rengoku asked me, "So, what do you think of Tomioka?" I purse my lips tightly and make a sort of distorted, confused face in thought as I stare out into the meadows that you could see being surrounded by trees of purple in the distance. "Well, er..." I pause. "He's special, you know? I mean, he's nice and all, and from the rumors I heard, he was very handsome, but I don't know. If I got to choose a husband, I would choose one who I know is a good person and helps people every day by doing everything he can."


"Well, why wouldn't you choose Tomioka? He's a...Proper man. He just gets a bit affected by Kocho," Rengoku replied. I sighed and looked up at the faint moon. Why did life have to be complicated? We sat in silence for a moment, which gave me time to think. Ever since I was little, they didn't let girls go to school, but I insisted on going, so I was the only little girl in the school. All of the boys there had told me that girls like me belonged with the rest. Training to become proper wives. All most men think is that women were born to be married, do chores, and bear offspring. And then the cycle would repeat, and repeat, and repeat. But I broke the cycle by refusing and going to school. I later became a demon slayer one day because I needed to provide for my family. My father died off as soon as I accepted the job, and my mother was ill. I didn't have any siblings. After I was done with years of training, ready to do quests and possibly get some yen out of it, my mother died. I almost quit being a demon slayer. But I didn't for some strange reason that I don't know to this very day.


After a while I answer, "He isn't my type. He is quiet, calm, and serious. We're exact opposites, so it would be absurd if he even considered me as his future wife." I look over at Rengoku. He is looking away, staring off into the distant woods, avoiding my gaze. I become curious about why he's acting so anxious. "Why are you asking so much about my opinion of Tomioka-san?" I ask curiously. He just shook his head. "It's nothing." He said. "But I was thinking about something..." I look over at him. "Well? What is it?" I ask him. Rengoku answers, "I was thinking that you two wouldn't make such a good match." That was the first time I heard Rengoku say something not as dumb as usual. A small smile appears on my lips as he curiously looks at me. "Are...You happy that you just made your rice balls fall?" Kyojuro-san asks me as I frown. I looked like I was about to start bawling. Just then, he holds one of his rice balls up to my mouth. I stare at him blankly as he looks right back at me. "Go on. Eat." He says plainly like it was normal, still holding the rice ball up to my mouth. I start awkwardly eating out of his hand, blushing furiously. "Why couldn't you just have given it to me?" I ask him after I finish.


Rengoku answers, "Well, why couldn't I feed you? I've noticed that you have trouble eating because your hand is shaky, so I thought I could help." How did he know....? Back when I was born, I was born with an extremely shaky hand that could barely hold anything. I could only hold my katana with both hands because the other hand that was normal was the one that mainly held my katana. I clear my throat, "Thank you." He smiles politely and holds my shaky, small hand in his big one. His hands were so warm and big, yet so gentle and soft. He ran his thumb over my palm, looking down at it as I stared into his eyes. Normally if you looked into his eyes, they would seem like an energetic campfire growing, but continuously growing and growing larger. But just then, there was a warm fireplace that would belong in a cozy cabin for a family. Warm and welcoming to bring the family all together as one. He notices I'm staring and looks up at me as I blush and look away. "Is...Something wrong?" I suddenly became angry at him. "How can you be so clueless all the time?! You're so joyful and energetic, and your mood changes all the time!" It becomes completely silent for the second time that evening as forest animals scurry around.


Instead of taking it seriously, he just asks, "What did I do wrong?" I sigh deeply, facepalming myself. "Great. Still clueless. Look, I don't know why you're acting this way with me but you can drop the clueless act," I say. "Clueless act...?" He asks. I reply, "Yes, clueless act! I know that I'm a new tsugoku and this is my first hard mission as a tsugoku, and I appreciate your concern, but looking at my pajamas?! That's just creepy, weird, and crazy." Kyojuro looks down at the ground for a moment, then while still looking at the ground, says, "I'm sorry, Yamada-san. It's just that...I had a strange instinct to protect you for some reason. I don't know how it happened, and I didn't intentionally mean to do it." I feel bad all of a sudden. I guess he wasn't the only one who had intense mood-changes. I softly say, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." It's silent yet again. I try breaking the silence and awkwardness by asking, "So, if you got to choose your wife, who would be someone you would choose? Anyone specific or...?" A smile appears on his face out of the blue. "Well, I'm not that picky. But, if I had to choose, I would choose a woman who's kind, loyal, honest, trustworthy, who knows me the best, and who knows how to cook and defend herself. Maybe someone like you." I blush. "M-Me?" I ask. "Yes, you're a perfect example of who I would marry-" He realizes what he said and freezes. Rengoku then just continues. "When I find her, I'll know. I want a relationship like my parents'."


"They were inseparable, so they got married. They had my brother and I, and we were a perfect family. They had an unbreakable bond. And after my mom died, my dad was depressed. That's how close they were. I guess that's what I want my marriage to be like, except for the depression part." He looked down. I come closer to him, clinging on to his arm and leaning on him. He looks at me, shocked. "What is it? I'm just comforting you," I answer. Rengoku-san simply says, "Oh." I could tell why he was a fire hashira. It was because his arm alone was like a furnace because his body generated so much heat. Maybe that was normal for demon slayers with the fire-breathing style. I could feel my heart beating heavily against my chest. We sat still there for a moment, becoming familiar with this feeling we had never felt before. I lean my head against his shoulder as I feel him bolt a bit, but not so much anymore. His body was starting to get used to this already. We were both deep in thought, the forest starting to fall asleep, when Kyojuro-san made the both of us face each other. I blush furiously. "K-Kyojuro-san, what are you doing?" He places his warm hands on both of my cheeks, staring me deeply in the eyes. He pulls me even closer. Our lips were so close, they were practically touching. Rengoku leans in...








(Author's Note)


Hi guys! I'm sorry I haven't published parts in a while, I've just been doing a lot lately. It's been difficult trying to find time for writing recently, so I hope you can cross your fingers that the next part will be released either this weekend with a potful of luck, or next weekend. Thank you all so much for your support, and if possible, I would appreciate it if you shared this with your friends, siblings, or whoever you want to! That alone would help me A LOT. Please, and thank you!