Forbidden Love | 炭治郎

16| scars

Mission successful, but injuries: not really. Everyone had cuts and bruises on their bodies, mostly me. Ever since I betrayed Muzan, all his "henchmen" are coming after me by his commands, so instead of Tanjirou, their target is now me. We were all now camping out, tents set up and a fireplace crackling a bright orangeish-yellow.

"(Y/n), please stop hurting yourself just to protect us..." Zenitsu sighed as he helped wrap bandages on my arms. "We're all concerned about you..."

"I know, I know, but..." I clenched my teeth a bit. "I can't let anyone get hurt because of my mistakes..."

Something stung my cheek. Zenitsu had tears forming in his eyes. "YOU'VE LOST SO MUCH BLOOD FROM BEING SO SELFISH, (Y/N)-!! WHY CAN'T YOU LET US BE THE ONE TO PROTECT YOU FOR ONCE-??"

"You don't understand..."

"UNDERSTAND WHAT? WHAT CAN WE UNDERSTAND FROM YOU KILLING YOURSELF?"

"I'M DOING THIS FOR YOUR GUYS'S ON GOOD! MUZAN ISN'T JUST A REGULAR DEMON OR ANY OF THE TWELVE MOONS! HE CAN KILL YOU AND I AM ALMOST EXACTLY LIKE HIM!"

"What-"

"He will kill you and everyone else, but I can fight him." I grip his hand. "He made me his favorite, making me almost exactly like him with everything. I can kill him, but if he, nor any other demons that go under his commands touch any of you, I can't ever forgive myself for the harm I brought to all of you..."

He went silent and stood up. "I... need some time to cool down..."

He walked away as I sighed, continuing the bandages he started for me. It felt so strange to have someone care for me that much just because I was trying to protect them, despite getting injuries.  I rip the bandage and tied it off before something wrapped around my waist. Immediately, I knew it was only one person who would do that.

"You know I'll never forgive myself if you or Nezuko were to disappear, right?" Tanjirou said softly as he rested his chin on my shoulder. "I promised myself to change you both back to humans..."

"I know you did, but please don't change me back until after we defeat Muzan, alright?"

"But how are you going to change back?"

"I won't."

"I-I'm sorry?"

"I'm not going to change back."

"Wh-What? Why not?"

"I..." I bit my lower lip, looking down as my hair fell. "I don't deserve anyone's affection towards me; especially yours. As long as I live, I'd rather stay a demon."

Tanjirou's grip around my waist loosened a bit. "But everyone deserves love, even you..."

"Tanjirou..."

"Y-Yes?"

"After we defeat Muzan, please use your Nichirin blade to kill me." I turned my body to look at him, his eyes widened in shock and horror. "Even if Muzan is defeated, he also lives inside me, so he won't be fully dead until I die..."

"But, I-"

"Please, Tanjirou. I know you love me with all your heart and you may find it hard, but this is the only way if it means Nezuko can become a human again..."

"Then, if you're going to die by my hands," He cupped my hands in his, "please allow me to make your time with us wonderful." 

I smiled at him. "Alright, I'll allow that if it means I can spend time with everyone a while longer..."

He smiled in relief and brushed his lips against mine before pulling me into a sweet, gentle kiss that washed our worries away.

"I'm sorry for breaking your heart like this..."