Half-Demon! Tanjiro AU

Chapter 16: Reunion

Warnings: Angst, parental death, implied child abuse

Word Count: 5855

  The halls of the Infinity Castle were filled with a bright and cheery atmosphere. Half-demons, both slayers and Kizuki, roamed the building and partaken in delightful conversations with each other. Now, everything was calm. Everything was peaceful. Things have finally settled down.
  Zenitsu sat in the lap of his new boyfriend and Demon King, Tanjiro. His head rested on his lover's chest, listening to the soothing heartbeat inside. Stroking his hair, Tanjiro smiled as he looked at the blonde boy. They were the only two in the office. It was just them.
  "I'm surprised everything is going well so far." Tanjiro said in a soft voice. "I probably shouldn't say that now that I think about it. Trouble will come...eventually." Zenitsu only nuzzled harder into Tanjiro. "Oh come on. You of all people deserve a break. Just try to relax." Tanjiro nodded and nuzzled his boyfriend.
  "Thank you..I am glad that the Kizuki are getting the help they need." Tanjiro purred with a smile on his face. A painful memory resurfaced once more in Zenitsu's mind. He remembered his so-called brother and how cruel his words were. Venom was laced into everything Kaigaku said, yet fear controlled his actions. That's why he became a demon. That's why Gramps died.
  Yet..Zenitsu knew that Kaigaku didn't intend to cause Gramp's death. He also understood what fear could really do. So, Zenitsu wondered. He wondered if Kaigaku was like the other Kizuki? Was he redeemable? Despite everything he has done, Zenitsu hoped so.
  "Hey, Tanji?" Zenitsu asked, making Tanjiro look down at his small boyfriend. "Mind if I ask you something?" The Demon King nodded. "Of course! What is it?" Gripping his lover's haori, Zenitsu sighed heavily. "There is..still another demon that needs to be revived."
  A soft, surprised rumble came from the Demon King. "Really?! Who is it?" Zenitsu's heart clenched before he spoke. "It's someone who took over the Uppermoon Six position after the Shabana siblings died..Kaigaku. We used to be training mates and sort of adoptive brothers." Tanjiro tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you tell me about him?" He paused, somber realization creeping in his heart. "Did something happen between you two?"
  Sadly, Zenitsu slowly nodded his head. "You could say that.." He put the side of his head against Tanjiro's chest. "I'll be honest, I really didn't believe that demons could be helped, but your dream seems to be working. I'll...I'll give it a chance. I'll give him a chance." A sense of longing could be heard in his voice.
  Tanjiro understood this longing completely. Family was difficult to come by in this life and it was completely human to crave it. "Do you have anything of his? I could easily track down his scent if you do." Zenitsu nodded before standing up. He walked past his beloved, headed behind him, and went into the floorboard right against the back wall. There, Zenitsu lifted the board up with ease. A dull black and gold sword lay within the wood chips and nail.
  Blowing on the weapon, Zenitsu brought it over to Tanjiro. "This was his weapon. It's the last thing of his belongings." The Demon King sniffed the sword. Aspen flowers and a faint scent of peaches wafted in his nose. Now, he had the scent locked in his memory.
  Tanjiro stood up and huffed in determination. "Alright! Let's go get him!" Zenitsu gently took the Demon King's hand as Tanjiro opened the door. The couple then walked out into the vast hallways and corridors of the Infinity Castle. Sniffing the air, Tanjiro led the way. An invisible trail of Aspen and peaches guided them to a darkened area of the castle.
  The home of the half-demons was vast and like its name "Infinite", so it was no surprise that they ended up in an uninhabited spot. This didn't stop chills from creeping down Zenitsu's spine. "Don't worry, Zen." Tanjiro lightly squeezed his hand. "Nothing can hurt you."
  The scent built up in an empty room that had barely any light. Tanjiro was able to sense the red particles that floated around him. Blood splattered on the floor as he cut his arm open. A red light emitted from the ashes as they were drawn to the blood. Zenitsu hid behind Tanjiro as the ashes slowly formed the body of his estranged brother.
  "Oof!" Kaigaku fell to the floor with a thud. He rubbed the back of his head and winced in pain. Zenitsu shook and trembled behind his boyfriend. Kaigaku looked up at the Demon King. "Who the fuck are you?" Kaigaku hissed and backed away like a scared animal. "I'm the new Demon King, Tanjiro Kamado." Tanjiro spoke in a formal and stern voice.
  Kaigaku widened his eyes as his ear flattened. His body started to tremble. "Wha-what do you want from me?" His voice was much softer and submissive. "I'm just here to give you a second chance. I won't hurt you. No one will." Tanjiro's tone turned warm and gentle. Still, Kaigaku's heart pounded in his chest. "You have no use for me."
  "Maybe not, but he does." Zenitsu peeked out from behind Tanjiro when he said that. Kaigaku's jaw dropped when he saw the young boy. "He..he wanted me? He wanted me to come back?" Any hostility and fear melted from his voice. Kaigaku stood up with shaky legs. "He does, Kaigaku. Zenitsu informed me about you."
  Looking down at the floor, Kaigaku fiddled with his hands. "But why? That doesn't make any sense.." Tanjiro nods and hums understandably. "Does it matter why? He just wants you back." Kaigaku huffed and scoffed. "He's just a softie.." A contradicting scent hit Tanjiro's nose. "I know you don't mean that." Kaigaku hissed in a defensive manner. To retaliate, Tanjiro growled and victoriously snarled. Thus, making Kaigaku tremble and look down at the ground.
  Pain swelled in Zenitsu's heart. He prayed that their relationship wasn't hopeless and unmendable. "Let that fierce act disappear." Tanjiro spoke sternly. "Be honest and you will have love. No one likes a liar." Kaigaku pawed at the ground, staying silent.
  "Zenitsu wants you to be better and I believe you can reach that goal." Tanjiro looks down at Kaigaku. "Question is..Are you willing to put in the work to be better?" Kaigaku looked up at him. He turned to look at Zenitsu.
  It was truly hard to believe that Zenitsu wanted him back. After all he's done...Why? Why did he want this? Not to mention, Tanjiro was able to read him like a book. Must be able to smell the fear. "I..I can try." Kaigaku said weakly. He wasn't sure if he could. Breaking through the cage is incredibly difficult and Kaigaku wasn't sure if he would be strong enough to.
  "Try your best, Kaigaku. Follow me. I'll lead you to your new room." Tanjiro turned around with Zenitsu walking in front of him. Kaigaku's legs shook as he followed behind them. He looked around him, examining his surroundings. Everything had changed since he was gone and it terrified him. Fear filled him as he slowly followed behind him.
  Eventually, they stopped at an empty room in the warmly lit area of the castle. "Here's a good space." Tanjiro spoke as he opened the door. "I'll bring a futon in and you can get whatever decorations you want." Kaigaku nodded and walked inside the room. "Thank you. It's surprisingly spacious.."
  "It's no problem. We eat our meals in the dining room. Take a left at the next turn and head straight. You'll get there. If you need any help, let me know." Tanjiro spoke with warmth. Kaigaku just nodded his head and huffed. "Alright..I'll find my way."
  Tanjiro then walked away, yet Zenitsu stayed behind. Instead, he went up to his adoptive brother and presented the sword to him. "Here. I believe this is yours, Kai." Kaigaku widened his eyes and gently took the sword. "Thank you.." Zenitsu nodded and turned. "Please...make the right choice this time."
  Those last words rang in Kaigaku's head as Zenitsu walked away. He looked down at the symbol of shame in his hands. This was completely unbelievable. Why did Zenitsu still care for him? Why did he still want him? Kaigaku might never know the reason, but he had to accept it. He held the sword close to his chest. Maybe..just maybe...He could change.