Heart Of Fire; Veins Of Ice | Kimetsu No Yaiba Fanfic (Kyojurou's POV)

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Kyojuro has no words. Nothing to offer her but silence and quiet companionship. It is a lot to take in, but now he understands. He understands why she is who she is, why she acts as such. He feels sorry for her, and he feels...he does not know what to feel. There are no words to describe what has become of her, and she knows this as well. He knows that her story is tragic, painful and yet...none of them.

She gives him a small, sad smile.

"You need not say anything for me. There is nothing you can do for me, not now, and perhaps, not ever." Her words are reserved, but in them held traces of emotion, so rarely had he seen her, exhibit them, even in her own past. It was a descent into madness, a spiral into insanity, and yet it was not. She had simply lost her own purpose in life. It is now he realises no one else would understand her but him.

As a demon, she was so focussed on surviving, because her life had been filled with fear, the fear of death, failure to protect, and this weighed down on her so much that as soon as she did not have to fight to survive, her purpose had disappeared along with it. But it did not give her reason to hurt him as she liked.

Here, he realises he must come to terms, reach a conclusion with this demon. There had to be a way for them to coexist, and yet, he wanted to live as himself as well. He hoped she would understand this fact, because he too wanted to live and survive. Their goals were aligned, but Kyojuro had what she did not. Purpose. Her own motivation was fuelled by revenge and justice that she had created and orchestrated, as she looked at him, watching him with a neutral stare. He knows she can sense his thoughts, and yet he cannot sense hers.

But he had purpose. He wanted to live so that he could protect those he loved, protect innocents, with the strength that was bestowed upon him. And just like his ancestor, Seijuro-san, perhaps they could reach a truce. Here, they were not bound by being a demon or a human. They were both, and they were one, yet separate.

"Why can't we just coexist?" He asks, as he watches her sip her tea. He can feel the temperature around them get colder, as she sets the cup down on the table.

"We are human and demon. Our strengths are our very weaknesses. Does it seem like a sustainable arrangement?" She poses to him, and he clenches his fist.

"We lived like this for the past month, so why can't we try? I...I want to go back to my family, but it is also my duty to hunt down demons. I will help you kill your allies, if that is what you wish. You can take over my body during the night, or when we are facing them down. But I want to be myself too. I want to live, not as you but as myself." He returns to her. He hopes she agrees. He is at a disadvantage here. He hopes he voiced out the correct things to say to her, as she stares him down. He knows, he knows the things she has gone through, but he has his own desires as well. He wants to achieve both, and he knows he is greedy to achieve both, but there had to be a way.

Because she deserved a peaceful life as well.

"Perhaps...I can show you what living truly is like..." He speaks, softly, as he keeps his gaze focussed intensely on her own eyes, and her gaze flickers. Momentarily. It is something, but it is enough. He knows he has convinced her, and he wants to help her. He wants to show her what more lies beyond life as a demon, wants to show her the joy experienced by humanity.

She reaches out, and places a hand on his cheek. It is gentle, kind, and...warm. She can feel his determination, his will, his unwavering optimism and kindness. She admires all he stands for, even when she is his complete opposite. He is kind, to think of her as well. Being human has made her weak, but she does not doubt that humanity has its strengths. Perhaps all she had needed was a reminder, of passion, desire, and warmth.