MY DESTINY | Demon Slayer | Tankana

Chapter 21 - I can make this right

"I- I shouldn't have shouted at you. There's no need to ask for my forgiveness."

"You should've. You should show your emotions no matter what. Even if you are mad at me. Especially when you're mad at me. If you don't forgive me it's alright. I'll work hard to make it up to you."

"I do forgive you...I'm just worried. You were out cold for quite a while and my heart couldn't take to see you like this." she returned the hug, it was nice to see him back at his feet after all. It was nice to be close to him.

"I'm sorry I broke my promise."

"What? It's alright. Blowing bubbles is not important. All I really cared about is for you to wake up."

"I promised to stay safe. This is what I haven't kept."

"...It doesn't matter. You did an amazing job."

"What have you heard?"

"Everything. Nezuko told us and Shinobu explained everything to Master. He's waiting for us to send a letter after you wake up."

"...are they alright?"

"Nezuko, Zenitsu and Inosuke are back training. They even went on solo missions a couple times. They've rebuilt their self-esteem in no time."

"And Rengoku?"

"Still in coma...but his state is stable."

"I see..."

"But you're the reason he's alive Tanjiro! If you haven't joined him then I don't know what would've happened!"

"Kanao. I know that after what you heard you might think I did a good job but I really didn't. I know that you don't want to listen how I blame myself but I just... I can't accept defeat..."

"No one can. I felt the same way after you saved me. But I know that you will push through. I was trying hard so that you will see me growing stronger. They're trying to grow stronger too so you won't have to save them every single time. I know that you think you can do everything by yourself but we want to help as well. Just go rest and take slow steps. I'll be there to help you no matter what and I know that you can be the strongest. I bellieve in you. We all do. But you will use that, as you call it, 'failure' to get back on track in no time. But before you do that, please, just go back to your bed."

His gentle smile was back on his face. He moved back to show her that he's going to smile against the odds. He can't afford to hurt them like this ever again.

"If you promise to go back to sleep."

"I won't until I see you sleeping on your bed."

"Fair enough."

*****

Somewhere else some time after the Infinite Train fight:

"How pathetic can you be, Akaza?"

"You couldn't kill any of those demon hunters, Akaza."

"Not a hashira, not that boy with hanafuda earrings. How weak are you?"

"That boy was a hashira as well, Master Muzan."

"What difference does it make?! I told you to target him specifically but you wasted time fighting the other pillar! You let him regain his strenght and fight on equal ground in such a miserable state! And that's what Upper Three had to offer?! Words can't desribe how dissapointed I'm with you! Get your dirty blood out of your worthless head already!"

"It's not my blood, Master. He was insane enought to hit me with his bloodied head. It belongs to him."

{He looks just like Yorichi...maybe there's going to be some clue in his blood. Maybe he's going to be special enough... to finally achive my dream.} "So that's all you bring me? I will take that blood and then I want you out of my sight!"