"Shut up! I was going to say I missed you, but now you don't deserve it, you old fart!"
"I'm not old!" He playfully digs his knuckles into your head and jabs your side. "You little brat! You should be speaking to me with more respect!"
"But you star...
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With Uzui and Inosuke gone to track down the demon, you were left with Zenitsu, Makio, Suma, and the civilians still unconscious around you. You quickly turned around and gripped Zenitsu's shoulders, giving him a firm shake.
"Zenitsu, can you hear me? Wake up! We have to get these people out of here, but I can't stay for long, or else something terrible is going to happen!" Your voice was urgent, the gravity of your vision weighing heavily on your chest. "I had a vision, and I don't think the demon is working alone. Tanjiro and Nezuko are in grave danger. I have to find them and warn the others."
Zenitsu's eyes remained closed, his face eerily calm and expressionless in his sleep-like state. You weren't sure if he could hear you or not, but time was of the essence. You trusted him—despite his usual anxiousness, Zenitsu had shown time and time again that he was capable of protecting others when it mattered most. Even if he wasn't conscious now, you knew the moment something threatened the civilians or anyone else, he would be quick to act. And with Uzui's wives, Makio and Suma, here as well, you felt confident everyone would be safe.
"I have to go now," you sighed softly, a small smile tugging at your lips despite the tension of the situation. Leaning forward, you pressed a chaste kiss to Zenitsu's cheek without a second thought, feeling the coolness of his skin. Then, wrapping your arms around him in a brief hug, you mumbled, "I don't know if you can hear me, but thank you for saving me once again, Zen. Please take care of the people and then come find us, okay? I'll see you later."
As you pulled away, Zenitsu's hands twitched ever so slightly, his fingers trembling as if his subconscious was fighting to react to your words. His face showed the faintest hint of movement, his brows furrowing in the barest sign that some part of him had heard you. But there was no time to wait. You turned toward Makio and Suma, who had been tending to the civilians as they slowly regained consciousness. They were strong, resourceful, and determined—just like their husband. You gave them a thumbs-up, and they returned the gesture with smiles and waves, assuring you they could handle things from here.
"We'll be fine! Go find your friends and Tengen!" Makio called out, her voice steady despite the chaos surrounding you.
"Good luck! Be careful!" Suma added with a warm smile.
You nodded in gratitude before sprinting off into the night, your mind racing with thoughts of Tanjiro and Nezuko. You had no time to lose—your vision had shown you enough to know that their lives hung in the balance. The weight of responsibility and the fear of what you might find gnawed at you, but you pushed forward, determination burning in your chest. Behind you, Zenitsu's fingers clenched slightly, a quiet whisper escaping his lips as if his body was reacting in his sleep.
"Y/n..."
You raced through the darkened streets, the wind whipping through your hair as your heart pounded in your chest. The distant sound of destruction echoed through the Entertainment District—Tanjiro and Nezuko were out there somewhere, fighting for their lives, and you needed to reach them before it was too late. Each step felt heavier than the last, the memory of your vision playing over and over in your mind. The eerie feeling that the demon wasn't working alone gnawed at you, and you couldn't shake the ominous sense that something far worse awaited you and your friends.
