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"Nezuko-chan," Zenitsu said quietly.
She looked back, her hands out stretched to the sun. She had become immersed in running outside ever since she had overcame the sun. Zenitsu smiled at her warmly, his eyes glistening in the sun. Nezuko trotted up to him, realizing that his eyes were golden - just like the sun! A small smile surfaced to her face as she looked at him with anticipation. She wondered what he was going to say this time. He always said the nicest words.
"This might be the last time I am able to go on walks with you," he said softly.
The time was coming. A time where he couldn't avoid everything anymore. He was scared, again, but he knew he couldn't just run away again. Zenitsu looked down at Nezuko. "Maybe I'm phrasing it a little too hard, I have to go somewhere, Nezuko-chan," he said again. "And I might be gone for a long time, so long that... that you might forget me." He smiled bitterly. He patted her head. "Nezuko-chan, it's alright if you forget me... stay safe, alright?"
Kibutsuji Muzan. He made Nezuko into a demon. The sole thought made Zenitsu's whole body tremble with rage and fury. And the time was nearing, the time where they would all have to get together to put an end to him. Zenitsu wasn't the most optimistic person, even though he may have the brightest personality. He always thought of the worst in the situations because... because that how his life had been this whole time; the worst.
He questioned everything. He was scared. He was worried. What if? What if he died? What if Tanjiro died? What if the pillar died? What if they failed to defeat Muzan? The worst made him paralyzed, it always did. And his only wish was that when everything was over, Nezuko would still be safe.
"Z-Zen... Zenitsu," Nezuko said quietly. "Zen... itsu."
"Yes, Nezuko-chan," Zenitsu responded warmly.
Nezuko tilted her head to the side, momentarily puzzled. Then she carefully started, "Is... Zen-Zenitsu leaving... me?"
Zenitsu looked at the child-like expression on her face. He smiled, "I have to."
Her expression shifted a little. Her eyes blinked twice. Then it glistened little and turned glassy. "Zenitsu is... is abandoning... me?" Her eye brows knitted together, her lips were pouted. Zenitsu felt his heart fall a little. He frantically waved his hand dismissively.
"No, no, no," Zenitsu rushed. "Of course I'm not abandoning Nezuko-chan, how can I?"
"Then... why Zenitsu leaving me?" Nezuko pointed out.
Zenitsu used the sleeve of his haori to wipe her tears. "Because... I want Nezuko-chan to be safe. I'm leaving for a while so that when I come back, you can live in a peaceful world." He tried his best to smile. "Nezuko-chan, when I leave, I might not come back." He saw the worst in himself and his future. "And if I don't come back, please don't be too sad. And don't get the idea that I left because I didn't want to see you again. I will try my best to come back to you."
"Promise?" Nezuko breathed.
Zenitsu nodded. "I promise."
At that, the girl smiled and Zenitsu felt his heart melt. He continued, "When I come back, I'll take you on all the walks you want. I'll buy you everything you want. Okay? So please, please be safe and be happy until I come back. Even if... I don't..." He didn't want to imagine it. "Still, be happy." He cupped the little girl's face. "I'll make sure I protect Tanjiro at all costs, so don't worry about him. Even if... I don't come back, I'll try my best he does."
Nezuko looked at him, confused.
"You don't have to understand everything I'm saying," Zenitsu shook his head slowly. "Just know that there's someone out there who really cares about you."
Nezuko nodded.
"Alright, shall we go back? Your brother will be waiting."
Nezuko gave her hand to Zenitsu and he squeezed as they walked back. Maybe this will be the last time he'll see her. Maybe this will be the last. He tried to rethink all the moments he shared with Nezuko and the things he said. Did he ever regret any of them? No. Then it was all fine. It was good. Maybe she'll remember him after everything, maybe she won't. It didn't matter. It didn't matter as long as she was happy.
Zenitsu smiled, knowing it will be the last time she'll see him.
He breathed vigorously. He gasped for life. Zenitsu felt his whole body tremble. He felt the cold seeping into his blood. He felt like he was drowning in his own blood. The red spread across everything around him. He exhaled and looked up at the sky. Light was spilling. It was morning. It was light. Zenitsu couldn't move at all, it was as if he was paralyzed tot he spot. The intense pain was slowly started to fade away.
He couldn't hear anything anymore. He couldn't hear the people, he couldn't hear the morning.
He was dying.
Zenitsu felt life leave his body. He felt the last electricity fade away from his sword and he could hear his heart stop pumping.
- i will try my best to come back to you.
- i promise.
He couldn't keep his promise. But, it didn't matter. Nezuko would soon forget him, because he was just that kind of person - forgettable. And she would live on perfectly fine, become friends with numerous people that will love her so much. The only regret he ever had was that he wouldn't be alive to see her do that. He would've liked to see her age a little longer, he would've liked to see her a little longer.
If only, he could see her smile one more time.
Zenitsu closed his eyes. A ghost of his smile etched on his face.
Maybe in his next life.