Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

  We were young. Too young. Perhaps that was the reason why our hearts were so pure, to the point of us being willing to die for people we didn’t even know, all in the name of humanity and the greater good. The demons we fought had no mercy for anyone while we were weighted down by our sympathy, however small it was for these creatures, because we all knew they used to be human just like us at one point. Who were we to judge them, who were we to say they had been monsters even before they physically turned into ones?

  Maybe that was why so many of us became numb to their own feelings over time, ruthless killer machines that lost their humanity somewhere along the way as they hunted down the man-eaters. But as their ears turned deaf to the demons’ screams and eyes blind to their tears, the Slayers themselves became something less than human. Two sides of the same coin as someone might say, bloodthirsty killers fighting one another, split into two teams. Some of us started enjoying the suffering of our enemies… that was the turning point that made them the same as those they hunted and loathed. And if one day there were no more demons to hunt, who knows, maybe people like them would start slaying other humans because of that unsatisfied bloodlust.

  All of that because we were all raised with a sword in our hands, forced to grow up too fast when our mentors threw us into war when we were still only children. Children aren’t supposed to fight to death with monsters twice their size, they aren’t meant to get eaten on a wisteria surrounded mountain where they have been left by adults to prove themselves. No one should be punished for failure by something as severe as death. But we never even questioned their motives, we just took it as our reality because that was what our mentors taught us and because we were young. Way too young.

  And we grew up to be adults just like ones that raised us. After all, that was all we knew. That was our world, its rules applied all the same. So we, just like them, sent children to die for the greater good and told them it was the right thing to do.

  “Hey! What are you thinking about?”

  “W-What?” the young woman almost jumped up to her feet, surprised by the loud voice.

  He smiled at her, bright and positive as always, and sat down next to her. How could she have not noticed him sooner?

  “I asked what you were thinking about! You were so lost in your daydream that you ignored me the first two times I asked you.” the man chuckled.

  “Oh… Sorry, Kyojuro. I was just… I don’t even know. I guess I’ve been feeling a little lost lately,” she shook her head as if to clear her mind, “I know there is nothing other we can do but is it really okay to send those kids to fight? They’re all so young… I know we’re not much older but it feels like decades separate us. I feel like we’re responsible for all of those that die. Like it’s our fault.”

  His smile fell a little and suddenly, his red and golden eyes were no longer bright like the sun, but sad and dark like embers burning out. Of course, he sometimes felt that way too but just like she said, there was nothing else they could do. Demon Slayers didn’t live long, all of them knew that. And children learn the fastest, they can be molded to be perfect fighters before they form habits out of something else. It was heartless, but they were their best choice.

  “They are too young. And it is partly our fault they die… but we cannot be everywhere. This is the best we can do. In the end, it’s the demons’ fault that they have to fight at all. That any of us has to do that.”

  It was the dark reality. They both knew it was true but there was nothing they could do to change it. Wind blew by, softly ruffling their hair and picking up fallen cherry blossom petals from the ground. It was beautiful. In rare moments like this, world seemed to stop for a few fleeting seconds. Perhaps it was because they needed every bit of beauty and peace they could get. There wasn’t much time for things like that in their world. They were silent for some time, just watching the petals dancing on the ground and in the air like little pink butterflies.

  “Kyojuro?”

  “Yes?”

“Can you promise me something?”

  “Depends, what is it?”

  She turned to face him, eyes filled with an emotion he couldn’t understand, sadness and something more.

  “Promise me you won’t ever loose sight of who you are. I know it’s hard, but try not to forget that even the demons used to be human once. Promise me you won’t ever enjoy killing them.” she pleaded quietly, almost a whisper.

  The smile he gave her wasn’t the energetic one he showed to most, it was soft and caring, vulnerable, melancholic even.

  “It is our duty to kill them but I can never see myself liking it.”

  “That’s good…” the woman nodded.

  “What’s going on with you? You almost sound like you’re leaving and not coming back. Don’t worry too much, the mission isn’t that hard… You’ll be fine!”

  “Anything could happen, you know it as well as I do. Maybe this time won’t be when I go but people like us die young.”

  There was nothing he could say to that. Because his friend was right, just like she usually was. They were young but the chances of them ever growing old were lower than just low. Maybe this would be the last time they’d see the sakura petals fall. Perhaps it was the last time he would see her alive.

  They were just 19 years old. Someone could say they were young, too young to die.

  “I guess we’re not that young anymore, are we?”

  Inside, it felt like they were old. Nearly too old to be alive.

Chapter Text

  On a quiet night, I met a boy to whom everything's just become even quieter. His hair colored like fire, he was without a doubt the son of the Flame Hashira. But was it really fair to send a boy, no matter of what origin, to fight a demon this strong on his first mission? He won... but at what cost? Became hard of hearing at only 13 years old.

- From the diary of (L/N) (Y/N)

***

  It was a day like any other. Why, someone may ask? Well, every story starts on a day like any other, because every day is a day like any other until something unusual happens. And even then, it could still be described as a day like any other, since the sun still goes up in the morning and sets in the evening. And if it didn't, it couldn't be called a day at all.

  However, for young Rengoku Kyojuro, it was a day that was so, so much different from all the days before. It was the day he had defeated his first ever demon as an official Demon Slayer but... Why did it not feel like a victory as much as it should have? Nine bodies were lying motionless on the stone stairway where he cut the monster's head off and there was nothing he could do to bring them back. Some were more intact than others, some torn to shreds, all of them gone because of that beast. He avenged them, saved the little girl who was now crying in his arms but...

  He, too, would have died there if it wasn't for the sign one of the deceased managed to leave him, his unmoving cold hand pulled into a signal indicating the demon's ability. The young Rengoku was smiling, of course. So he could be a shoulder to lean on for that girl, so he could be the hero he wanted to be - the one he had to be. But inside it hurt. That boy was so brave, so selfless. Their first meeting was at the Final Selection... Kyojuro wished they could have met for the second time under different circumstances than as a living boy and a dead body.

  A loud rumble of thunder made the hair on the back of his neck stand up despite the sound being strangely hollow and almost muted. It was a starry night, so why and where did it strike? How could there be a lightning from such a clear sky? Why was there electricity dancing in the air and on his skin, ticklish and neither warm or cold?

  There was a voice somewhere closeby but he couldn't understand any of the words it was saying. The syllables melted into one another, muffled and indistinguishable. But even if he couldn't understand it, he didn't feel any demon nearby. It had to be a human... or a demon he had no chance at defeating anyway.

  Kyojuro lifted his head, only to meet a pair of worried (E/C) orbs staring at him as the girl was saying something quickly, eyes darting from him to the gory scene around and back again. He didn't catch a single word. Must have been because of his crushed eardrums. He gave her a bright smile to signalize that he was okay before trying to speak to her. He could still talk, he just couldn't hear well.

  "I broke my eardrums so I can't hear you!" he exclaimed loudly.

  At least he could somehow hear his own voice if he shouted... The girl nodded sharply before crouching down and talking to the child who he rescued. Instead of the worried frown he saw on her at first, she wore a soft and caring smile that immediately made the little girl calm down. The child took the girl's hand as they both stood up.

  She motioned for him to follow, so he did. After all, she was dressed in a Demon Slayer uniform just like him and had a sword strapped to her hip. She has probably been sent there to help him... or try to kill the demon in case he failed. Did they expect him to die? She wore a deep red haori with a cream white lining at the bottom, slightly reminding Kyojuro of the one his father would wear in his hashira years. Only it had the colors switched and the lines were straight instead of flame-like. Strange that she was wearing one, it was rather warm outside.

  After getting to a house and handing the little girl over to who he assumed was her incredibly worried grandmother, the two were left together in the middle of a dark street. It was funny how he considered the victim a child despite being only 13 years old himself. The female Slayer next to him couldn't be much older than that either.

  Without saying anything, she just smiled that reassuring smile at him and nodded at him to follow her. They soon got out of the village and headed somewhere. She was probably taking him to one of the Wisteria Houses he's heard about... Suddenly, the girl stopped and turned around to face him. Kyojuro tilted his head at her in confusion.

  She took a deep breath before shouting.

  “CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!"

  It was still muffled but with the sheer volume, he could tell the words apart. So he shouted back at her with a bright smile.

  "Yes!"

  He could understand why she didn't try this in the village, she would wake everyone up. And the people certainly wouldn't be too happy about that.

  "WHAT'S YOUR NAME!" she shouted again, a slight grin on her lips.

  "Rengoku Kyojuro! And you?"

  "(L/N) (Y/N)! TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED THERE!"

  So he proceeded to explain the night's events to her while she just listened as they made their way to the Wisteria House. How he came there to find everyone dead including the boy from Final Selection. How the same boy left him a sign that helped him defeat the demon. How he destroyed his own eardrums to escape the same fate as the people lying dead there. And how the disgusting monster enjoyed the suffering of others.

  (Y/N) was listening intently, nodding at times, seemingly not minding his shouting at all. He didn't have to be so loud but when he didn't hear himself speak, he felt uneasy. The girl didn't comment on it.

  When he finished his story, she gave him a careful and slightly shy pat on the back in an effort to comfort him. Kyojuro wasn't feeling bad, but he wasn't doing great either. Not no mention that as the adrenaline wore off, his ears started to hurt like crazy.

  Finally, they arrived at the house and an old lady ushered them inside. The boy watched as (Y/N) talked to her, smile long gone from her face and replaced by a neutral and serious expression, which could even be described as cold. Her eyes have been warmer when she was talking to him out in the forest, but they still held a softness to them that was rare to see. When their conversation ended, the girl finally smiled at the lady again and he could feel himself relax. He liked it better when she wore an expression like that, the one before made her seem... too grown up, too mature. And the reasons for kids like them to act like adults at such a young age were almost never pretty.

  The old lady led him to a room and gave him some clothes to change into. Meanwhile, (Y/N) disappeared somewhere deeper into the house after giving him one last wave of her hand.

  A doctor soon came into the room to do a check-up on him, assuring him that the damage to his ears wouldn't be permanent. And after that, off to the dining room he went, only to find the girl who led him here already seated in front of her food, waiting.

  Only when he sat down next to her did (Y/N) mumble something, probably a "thanks for the food" and dug in. Kyojuro followed her example, alas, a bit less graceful.

  He noticed her (E/C) gaze on him after around the fifth bite. Probably because of the loud "Umai!" that followed every swallowed piece of food. He expected many things. A weirded out expression wasn't uncommon at this behavior, sometimes it was almost disgusted or just plain annoyed. What he didn't expect was a curious smile as she looked at him, the food in her chopsticks and back at him.

  "Am I bothering you!" was the first question that came to mind.

  Surprisingly, she shook her head vigorously and resumed eating. She looked at him again soon, noticing the slightly disbelieving look he gave her and the sudden absence of his cheerful voice.

  With a determined look the girl took another bite.

  "UMAI!" she shouted, loud enough for Kyojuro to hear before looking back at him and giving him a toothy grin that he couldn't help but return.

  She was so nice. What a shame that they couldn't really hold a normal conversation because of his current condition. The girl appeared to be the quieter type and he didn't want to make her uncomfortable by making her shout all the time. Her throat could grow sore! It made him a little sad tho, he felt like if they could actually exchange words with each other, they could become friends.

  Maybe his ears would be a little better the next day. Maybe then they could talk.

***

  But Kyojuro never got to see (Y/N) the next day. The old lady let him sleep in because of his injury and when he finally woke up, he learned that the girl has already left early in the morning. Apparently she was going on another mission.

  He could just hope she would be okay. After all, he might never see her again after this. He didn't even know what breathing style she used. Then again... he thought back to the way thunder rumbled under a clear sky and how strings of electricity slithered over his skin. Maybe she didn't have to really say it for him to know.

  Upon entering the now quiet and lonely dining room, he found a folded piece of paper lying at the spot where he sat the night prior. Curiously, he picked it up and started reading.

  To Rengoku Kyojuro

  I apologize for leaving without a goodbye, Kyojuro-kun, but duty calls. You know how the world is, chances we won't ever meet again are high, so I won't bother with an "until next time". It was nice meeting you.

  I wish you good luck and a quick recovery.

  Take care of yourself

  (L/N) (Y/N)

Chapter Text

  Blood painted the street, a gas lamp's flame flickering on one of the walls illuminated the carnage. But could it really be called carnage if all those arms and legs came from one single body? A demon was standing in the mids of it all, desperately trying to make his arm grow back for what felt like the 100^th time as he watched the demon slayer approaching with slow but all the more terrifying steps. How did it come to this? He was Lower Six of the Twelve Kizuki, he had the number to prove it! How come he was trembling in fear as a little girl, just a child, made her way towards him!?

  She looked like something out of a nightmare to him. Drenched in blood that all came from his body, only one single scratch on her soft cheek, still chubby with remains of baby fat. She couldn't be more than 15 years old! And yet, her burning (E/C) eyes were stabbing into him like the coldest of blades, nailing his feet to the ground. And, unlike when this fight started, it horrified him. How could a kid have eyes this cold and unforgiving? He watched her hand on the hilt of a nichirin sword, cold and painful, always cutting, cutting, cutting!

  When she first arrived, he tried attacking but only lost limbs before even noticing she moved from her spot. It was only barely that he managed to avoid getting his neck sliced when she attacked again. He couldn't turn his back and run, that would mean death. One look away and the girl would move at the speed of lightning and finish him off. He could only observe her closely and try to avoid the fatal blows, still getting cut and slashed in the process. Damn it, she didn't even give him enough time to use his Blood demon art! It was such a bad matchup, if only he could make her slow down, stay still for a few seconds! His fighting style was heavy but strong and this tiny creature was so quick and agile that he couldn't hope for enough time to land a hit.

  It has been going on for forever. And now, she was closing in slowly and he knew that every step she took was one step closer to his death. If he moved to try and attack, she'd used that momentary distraction, loss of focus on her figure, to decapitate him before he'd notice. There was no escape from her blade, from the white lightning that followed her steps and made sparks dance on the surface of the pools of his blood.

  She stopped and his body tensed up, anticipating the twitch of her feet before she attacked. He had to dodge, dodge and disappear from sight before she could turn around. But she just looked at him with those big (E/C) that softened just the tiniest bit and the corners of her mouth pulled into the tiniest of sympathetic frowns.

  "I’m sorry. It's nothing personal."

  "What-?"

  Suddenly, the world moved. His head was tumbling to the ground and he could see his own body fall down, knees giving out under its weight. The girl was standing next to it. He didn't see her move at all. She couldn't have! There was a slightly ticklish and prickly sensation on his skin, white and yellow sparks of electricity dancing on it like tiny flames.

  With a delay, the sound of thunder rumbled and it felt as if it shook his very soul. So final, signaling that there was no changing what has already been done. Her sword guard clicked as she put her sword back into its sheath. A white shiny blade, like pearls, one that he wished didn’t exist.

  Was this really it? It couldn't be. He didn't even see her move. She was so little. Supposed to be so weak! He was a member of the Twelve Kizuki, he couldn't just die a pitiful death like this! He didn't even eat that many people yet! He could still be of so much use to master Muzan if only she never came along!

  "You little bitch, how dare you?! How dare you-"

  He was once again interrupted by the girl crouching in front of him and looking at his slowly disintegrating head with a semblance of quiet pity but also void of even an ounce of mercy for him.

  "I hope you'll find your human memories at the far shore." she whispered and her lips curled into a small smile, a soft one, one a human would give another human.

  And with that, it was over. Darkness overtook everything and the demon was gone.

***

  Steps sounded from behind the corner as someone arrived at the bloody battle scene. (Y/N) was not really in the mood to deal with some civilian and having to explain why she was standing there with a sword in the middle of a street literally painted red with blood. Couldn't they have come after the sun came up and got rid of it? Never the less, there was nothing she could do about it now. She was so tired after fighting that demon... The Lower Kizuki were easily replaceable for Muzan but they were still so different from your average demon. If she gave him even one single chance to attack, who knows how it would have ended. Actually, she knew the possible outcome more than well. One hit and it could have been over for her. One single hit and it would be her blood painting the walls, body lying broken on the ground.

  She was supposed to be happy about this victory, killing a Kizuki was an easy way to climb in ranks and become a hashira. But the (H/C) haired girl knew it was by pure luck that this matchup gave her the upper hand in the fight, she would be dead if it was any other of the Twelve. Actually, even a stronger demon that didn’t yet belong to the Kizuki could kill her. She was nowhere near a hashira's level of skill and she knew it pretty damn well. Hell, a hashira could probably kill this demon in one hit even if they didn't have the obvious advantage in fighting style like she did. And Oyakata-sama had to know it too, there was no way he would make her a Pillar after this, even if she fulfilled one of the two possible conditions for it. And if he did want her to become one, she would make him understand. She couldn't fight on that level, she would be dead before she blinked. The thought of becoming a hashira was much scarier than the demon she just killed.

  “Hey!"

  Damn it, she really didn't want to talk right now. But why was that voice familiar? Forcing a polite smile, (Y/N) readied herself to face whoever found her here.

  "I see you finished fighting the demon without needing my help! Admirable!" boomed the loud cheerful voice of a boy.

  The girl finally looked at him, immediately realizing who it was. The loud fiery boy she ran into over half a year back, the one who ruptured his eardrums and shouted instead of talking. Rengoku... Kyojuro, was it? Anyway, a fellow demon slayer who was also her age and quite nice, very friendly in fact.

  "Kyojuro-kun." she gave him a tired smile, much less tense than the one she had on her lips before.

  Her stiff shoulders relaxed at the sight of the boy, just as energetic as the last time she saw him. Well, the behavior he displayed after they left the village at least. A sparkle of recognition ignited in his fire colored eyes as his grin got wider, if that was even possible.

  "Ah, (Y/N)-san! So it really is you!"

  "Yes. How is your hearing?" she queried, noticing that while his voice was a little quieter than back then, it was still very loud.

  "My ears have completely healed a few weeks ago! I now hear perfectly! Thank you for your concern!"

  The boy's seemingly endless supply of energy didn't cease to surprise her. Guess he was loud in nature even before his ears went bad for a while. It somehow suited his personality tho, making the usually annoying trait endearing in her eyes. (Y/N) chuckled a little before rolling her shoulders and stretching her back.

  "We should get going. You wouldn't believe how many people assume you are a crazy murderer when you stand in a bloody street with a sword in your hand." she gave him a slightly mischievous smirk.

  "That is very dark humor (Y/N)-san!"

  "It really happens tho!" she defended herself before adding, "there's a Wisteria House about a day of traveling on foot from here, we should be able to get there before the sun sets again."

  The sun was slowly but surely rising so that meant it was about time to leave the village. The demon was gone and the villagers would be none the wiser, soon going on with their lives as if nothing's ever happened. And that was for the best. It was better if people didn't know that they should fear for their lives every single night. It's not good for one's health.

  Once the young pair of demon slayers left the village, Kyojuro immediately started a lively conversation with her.

  "Are you hurt anywhere!"

  "Not really. Just a few scratches but that's nothing." she smiled tiredly.

  She was so tired, if only the Wisteria House was closer.

  "Amazing! The crow told me it was one of the Twelve Kizuki, is that true?"

  "Yeah..."

  "So you are becoming a hashira then! Admirable! I want to be like that!" he laughed mirthfully.

  "Actually... I don't think I will be becoming a hashira anytime soon." she said with a moment of hesitation, almost sad to burst the boy's bubble.

  "Why!"

  "Well, I am definitely not ready to become one. They are on a different level of skill completely, they've trained for years to get where they are. That's what I admire about them. But me, I just had the luck to find a demon who was very weak against my particular style of fighting. I killed it thanks to that luck, not because I could kill any demon of that level. Quite the contrary, I would probably die before landing one single hit." she explained.

  “That is a very noble way of thinking! Not taking the easy way in!" Kyojuro beamed at her.

  How come he was so nice? It was as if he could only see the good things in what she was saying, as if she was doing something in consideration of others. And, while it was because of that partly, the real reason was completely and utterly selfish.

  "I think you see me as a more noble person than I actually am, Kyojuro-kun," she chuckled, "Yes, it would be the easy way in but it would also be getting a one way ticket to my grave. And I don't wanna die when I don't have a reason to."

  (Y/N) looked up at the boy curiously, interested in what his reaction to it would be. Would his admiration for her be shattered? He seemed like someone who valued one's morals above many things. He was almost too bright, too positive and just... But it was a breath of fresh air to be honest. Most demon slayers were dark and broody, melancholic and expecting death every night. It was nice to see someone who could still look at the bright side of things, it made her want to do the same. His smile was contagious, making her want to smile wider than usual.

  His red-golden eyes studied her face for a second before he nodded, a sparkle of determination shining in the fiery irises.

  "That is good! You can kill other demons and become stronger before killing stronger ones! Yes! If you die, you can't be a demon slayer anymore!"

  It was too much. He was too energetic, too good for the world he lived in. Too pure. For the first time in years, there was something that made (Y/N) want to become a better person. If he could be so bright, why couldn't she? It wasn't right. She wasn't just a weapon designed to kill, she was a person too. And if there was a way to like living the way this boy did, she wanted it. Just talking to him made her feel happier, if only she could be like that too. She didn't want to be exactly the same as him, she didn't wish to become a someone other than herself. But maybe looking at the world from a different perspective would be a good idea. Maybe she could become someone she'd be proud of being.

  "You're too nice." she grinned at the boy.

***

  She was so strong, brave and just, he wanted to be like that. Her calm demeanor but soft and calming smile made him feel like he was talking to someone much more experienced with life. It made sense, what she said about being a hashira. He wouldn't have thought of it... and maybe, if he is one day in a similar situation, he will now know what to do. It would be meaningless to die a hashira at such a young age when you could become one later and actually stay alive. Yes, that was a good way of thinking! Very mature.

  Kyojuro knew it probably came from experience but it was still amazing that someone of such a similar age could be so far ahead in their way of looking at things. They were so different, he definitely looked up to her.

  He saw how she cut that demon's head off. It was like time stopped for her. One moment she was there and the other, she was elsewhere. Not even his heightened and focused senses could catch how she did it. There was a gust of wind that followed her attack, knocking him back into the alley he came from. The deafening thunder and electrified air reminded the boy of their first meeting. How could someone so small and fragile-looking be this strong? It was amazing.

  "What rank are you, (Y/N)-san?" he blurted out after a short moment of comfortable silence.

  "Tsuchinoe."

  "Already?! How old are you, (Y/N)-san?" he shouted with wide eyes.

  The girl walking next to him chuckled and lightly bumped her elbow into his side.

  "You're not supposed to ask girls their age, Kyojuro-kun," she giggled, "but I'm 14."

  "I am sorry if I offended you! I am also 14 years old!" he answered in the same tone as always but inwardly, he was cursing at himself.

  Get it together Kyojuro, mother taught you better! She told you this! Hopefully (Y/N) wasn't angry with him. It didn't appear like she was, she was actually still chuckling to herself, mood apparently much better than when he ran into her after she killed the demon. There were dark circles under her eyes but when she laughed like that, she looked much less tired.

  Rengoku decided he liked when she laughed. It was delicate and soft, just like her calming smile. (Y/N) was, without a doubt, a rather level-headed person. She didn't get offended or angry, was very kind and mature and kept her composure at all times despite obviously not sleeping for more than a full day. Maybe he should take a page of her book and try to be a little more level headed sometimes. People would surely take him more seriously.

Chapter Text

  The two of them met again only two months later, running into each other on the road. They were on their way to the same mission. It was quite a surprise for the young Demon Slayers but they were far from wanting to complain.

***

  "Heeey! Kyojuro-kun! Wait up, wait up!" sounded an all too familiar voice from a distance, one he's last heard almost two months ago.

  It was strange, how they kept running into each other despite never being assigned to a mission as a team. Kyojuro's seen it before, how a group of Slayers meets somewhere and the crows then start sending them to missions together. They don't even have to meet while fighting a demon, it could be in a Wisteria house! To be honest, both the times he crossed paths with (Y/N), he felt a little down when she left alone to go somewhere on her own again, the crows seemingly not even considering them possibly teaming up.

  Was it because she was too far ahead of him? Did they think he would just get into the more experienced Slayer's way? Maybe he would... that was why he decided to train even harder, try even more than he used to, so he could catch up to her. As sad as it was, he felt like despite only meeting twice, she was the closest thing to a friend he had among the Demon Slayers. It would soon be a whole year since he joined the corps and everyone from his final selection was dead. There were little to no people his age around and the ones who were still alive either thought of him differently because of his bloodline as a Rengoku or they already had their own friends and didn't need a new one. It felt lonely. He felt lonely.

  And that was exactly why his face lit up with the brightest of smiles when he saw the girl running in his direction, one arm raised above her head, waving at him. He stopped and fully turned around, waiting for (Y/N) to catch up. It didn't take her long and despite the distance she's obviously ran, her breathing was only slightly heavier than usual. If she used a breathing technique, she could have been there much faster tho.

  "Hi, Kyojuro-kun. Didn't expect to run into you here, what a nice surprise!" she gave him a smile.

  "(Y/N)-san! What are you doing here? And how did you know it was me, you were so far!"

  The girl chuckled lightly, starting to walk while continuing the conversation.

  "Well, I am on my way to a mission and a little bird told me that a newly appointed Kanoe would be joining me on it. I assume that is you so congratulations, you sure are climbing the ranks quite fast! As for how I knew it was you, not many people have hair like you and I would like to think I can tell you apart from your father." she shrugged, Kyojuro only nodding along.

  "Why did you run? Can't you move faster with your Breathing techniques?" the boy continued his questioning, unable to subdue his curiosity.

  "Healthy body, healthy mind, no? I use my Breathing techniques when I need to get somewhere fast but some good old fashioned exercise is always good when I'm not in a terrible hurry."

***

  It was a happy encounter, to meet up again, like old friends would. It took them three days to get to their destination, during which they finally had the chance to get to know each other a little better. Like both of the teens expected, they got along right from the start. Kyojuro was energetic and happy-go-lucky while (Y/N) liked to take a little more time to make decisions, her feet firmly planted to the ground. They made for a good team, making up for what the other didn’t have and the other way around.

  The mission itself wasn’t all that difficult but Kyojuro and (Y/N) were more than happy to have someone watch their back. Even in fighting, their skills complemented each other perfectly, like they were always meant to be a team. Rengoku’s Flame Breathing was very strong but a little slow while the thunder of his friend relied much more on speed. She always had his back when he needed to unleash a powerful attack and in return, the boy took on and blocked the heavy blows she would be unable to counter.

  They came out victorious of the fight and with a new partner that they knew they could always rely on.

***

  The crow kept sending them on missions together after that. It was nice to have company after traveling Japan alone for so long. The friendship between (Y/N) and young Rengoku only grew as days, weeks and moths passed, the two of them soon becoming best of friends. No words were needed to be exchanged while fighting anymore, they came to know each other’s style so well that they could predict the other’s movements easily. Or at least to not get in each other’s way.

  When the young girl found out her friend had basically taught himself all that he knew from a book, she couldn’t help but be impressed. Later, when he confided in her that not all of his techniques were working like they were supposed to, she volunteered to study the pages alongside him and try to give him some insight. It did work quite well, they were able to find and fix the mistakes Kyojuro had been making, but he was in for a surprise when he found her outside one day, executing the exact steps and movements he practiced the day before.

  “You never know, maybe I’ll need it someday.” was all she said to him.

  That was how (Y/N) (L/N) became a Flame Breathing user as well. She still much preferred Thunder but at times, she did switch styles when situation called for it. Of course, the girl never reached the level Kyojuro was at. Apparently, she just didn’t click with fire the way he did. At least she claimed that was the case.

  (Y/N) found it extremely easy to be partners with Rengoku - he was cheerful, reliable and fun to be around, she couldn't imagine anyone else she'd rather have as a partner in her demon slaying. Sadly, some people didn't share her sentiment. Many villagers the pair encountered were unnerved by his big golden-red eyes, his constant smile and loud booming voice that never let go of its upbeat tune. Even some other Slayers they ran into called him weird. He said it didn't bother him but she could see his smile grow a little tense every time someone insulted him. He was way too good for many people he crossed paths with, way too pure, way too forgiving. But at least she made it clear to him that she wouldn't trade his company for anything in the world. The boy felt the same way about her.

  Both of them trained and fought tirelessly for years, steadily climbing the ranks. It was only days after (Y/N) turned 17 that a crow knocked its beak on the window of the room she was staying in for the time being – a guest room in the Rengoku estate. While Kyojuro’s father never tried to get to know her over the years she’s been friends with his son, it was a whole another story with young Senjuro. The boy idolized her almost as much as he did his brother, alas, in a slightly different way. She took on a sort of motherly role for him during her stays, teaching him how to cook and many other things. They sometimes trained together as well, Kyojuro always felt a warmth in his heart when he saw the two of them laughing while swinging their wooden swords in the air, (Y/N) correcting the youngest Rengoku’s posture every once in a while. Their happiness made the once cold estate feel like home.

  But back to the crow. It came with an order to come to the Ubuyashiki estate, a place (Y/N) has never visited until then. When she came back, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She has been appointed to become the new Thunder Hashira. Kyojuro was overjoyed for her, enough to convince his father to allow a small celebration in the estate. It was one of the happiest evenings in the new hashira’s life. But with the title, the two of them knew that there would soon be responsibilities the girl didn't have before. It was the last evening when she was allowed to be a careless teenager and the fact that she could spend that moment with Kyojuro by her side made it a hundred times better.

  With her new duties, they started seeing each other a lot less. As a hashira, she had to travel the whole country to aid with the worst of demons and more often than not, Kyojuro wasn’t there to guard her back. She could manage… but she never felt as safe as she did when he used to be there, not even when she had someone else assigned to her as a partner. Often, she would go on missions with the Sound Hashira - Uzui Tengen. They worked well together and easily became friends. The man was a bit older than her, often energetic and positive in a similar fashion to Kyojuro but it wasn’t quite the same. She knew the longer time apart wouldn’t change how close she was with the young Rengoku, but she still missed her fiery friend. In her loneliness, she started using Flame Breathing techniques more often than before. The flames’ presence reminded her of him. The fire made her feel safe.

  Kyojuro became a hashira almost exactly a year after (Y/N) did - the same gap that was between the time they passed the Final Selection. It was to be expected that a Rengoku would take that spot but no matter what anyone said, the girl knew that he didn't become the Flame Hashira just thanks to being born into the family. He worked harder than anyone else, learned almost everything on his own without guidance and even managed to teach her a few moves in the meantime. He was the most admirable person she's ever met. But she felt at ease now that he was there with her again. Maybe, they could see each other more often now that they were both hashira.

  The two of them started going on more missions together again. Not long after Kyojuro became a hashira, they ran into a slightly younger girl on their way back home. She had bright pink and green hair and one of the bubbliest personalities around. Despite having no training, she was impressively strong and wished to become a demon slayer. While being only a year younger than the two hashira, with her innocent and cheerful character the age gap appeared to be even bigger. Kyojuro saw potential in her and offered to train her and teach her. (Y/N) knew that meant they would see each other a lot less again but that was okay. Mitsuri was a darling and in many ways, she and Kyojuro were similar. He was no longer the small boy she felt the need to protect because of her longer experience, he was a hashira now. He could take care of himself.

  But she was worried for nothing. Kyojuro and (Y/N) still saw each other rather often and they even went on some missions together despite him now having the responsibility of training Mitsuri. It was as if a great weight fell off of her shoulders. He was the only constant she had in her life, her light that never burned out. Mitsuri and (Y/N) became friends soon and the younger girl would often fantasize about love. The Thunder Hashira wondered, was what she felt towards Kyojuro love? As in romantic love? Surely it wasn't. It couldn't be because there was no time for love in their line of work. And no time for broken hearts when someone died.

  A lot has happened during the following two years. Misturi passed her final selection with flying colors, using her own modification of the Flame Breathing - Love Breathing - and was doing better than ever. She actually managed to become a hashira after only one year of being an official demon slayer. The late Flower Pillar's younger sister became a hashira herself, but an Insect one this time. An extremely skilled young boy appeared out of basically nowhere and took the spot of the Mist Hashira at just 13 years old. (Y/N) got along with most of her coworkers but only ever went on joined missions with Kyojuro and occasionally Mitsuri and Tengen. It was because their styles were a good match. Maybe she would have been a good match with Shinazugawa as well but the man was way too fiery and reckless and they would just get in each other's way.

  (Y/N) still spent a lot of her free time in the Rengoku estate, either with Kyojuro or, if he was out on missions, taking care of the house with young Senjuro. It was strange, how her friend’s house has become much more of a home to her despite having an estate of her own. But that estate was empty and lonely, while here, she could see all the people she loved the most.

  One day a hashira meeting was called. The Kakushi brought in a strange pair, two beat up children. Siblings, a demon slayer and a demon traveling together. Kyojuro said they should kill them because they violated the conduct. He was right but it didn't sit right with (Y/N), she wanted to know their reasons. It was the first time she and Kyojuro ran into each other after more than three months. She rarely saw him these days. And she didn't want blood of children on his hands, he would never forgive himself if it turned out to be a mistake. Sometimes, she wished they could be like all the normal people she saw when traveling to slay demons. Life would have been so much easier… and she wouldn’t have to debate whether they should execute a pair of kids.

Chapter Text

  It was a few months after the Mount Natagumo incident when two Kasugai crows landed on a tree in the Rengoku estate garden. Down in the courtyard, Kyojuro was sitting on his home's engawa, watching (Y/N) as she patiently corrected his brother's stance for what felt like the 100th time in the last twenty minutes. Neither of the two seemed deterred by the fact tho, Senjuro's face bright and determined to get it right while the older girl just smiled at him softly. Just like an older sister would.

  It was at times like this that (Y/N) wished they lived in a completely different world, one where they could be normal without having to put their lives on the line every day. In a world like that, she could tell Kyojuro all about the things she has been feeling, maybe he'd tell her the same thing and maybe, they would one day get married and she really would become an older sister to Senjuro. He already called her 'onee-san' anyway. And she would get to spend the rest of her life with the Flame Hashira, one in which they wouldn't have to be scared of losing the other at any moment. She wished time would just stop and let them stay in this moment forever so they could pretend they lived in a world like that.

  And that's when the spell was broken by the screeching voices of the two crows.

***

  It sounded like a normal enough pair of missions, yet both the hashira couldn't help but feel uneasy about them for some reason. Maybe it was because, once again, they wouldn't be going together. It has been getting more frequent that Oyakata-sama sent them alone, obviously because of the fact that there weren't nearly enough Slayers in the corps. He just couldn't afford to send two hashira to one place when there were so many demon problems the Pillars were needed to solve. And still, it didn't sit right with (Y/N) and Kyojuro this time. But what could they do?

  Rengoku was to go all the way to the Mugen station so he could investigate a train on which all passengers disappeared during the ride - it sounded like there could be one of the Kizuki, perhaps even one of the stronger ones. Meanwhile, the Thunder Hashira was to walk to a town where people started changing into demons recently. There had to be someone making them because new ones appeared every night. That probably meant an Upper Rank or maybe even Muzan himself. The two stayers couldn't understand why only one hashira would be sent to a place like that but orders were orders. They trusted Oyakata-sama... they had to believe he knew what he was doing.

  (Y/N) had an inkling feeling she knew why it was only her going. She was one of the longest serving of the current hashira, therefore one of the longest surviving ones. That probably gave her higher chances than some of the others... and even if it didn't, losing one Pillar is easier than losing two, isn't it? Perhaps it was a suicide mission, who knows, but someone had to go and try to save that town anyway. And if she had to die in order for those people to live... she would. Not that she wanted to, of course, she would also try her best to stay alive.

  Meanwhile, Kyojuro came to the same conclusions and wished desperately that they could switch places. But he knew they couldn't.

  "(Y/N)?" he asked, uncharacteristically quiet.

  "Hm?"

  "I'll rush over to you after I get rid of of the demon on Mugen Train... so you have to hold up until then!" he gave her a grin and switched back to normal.

  It was no use being sad over it, there was nothing they could change. So at least these moments had to be happy, just in case they would be the last time they saw each other. They couldn't be. They very much could be.

  "Are you underestimating me, mister?" (Y/N) teased and jabbed her elbow lightly into his ribs, "I'm technically your senior, have some respect!"

  And so, they sat on the engawa together for some time, laughing and joking around as if it was just another easy mission that would take no time to finish and come back home. Because it should be, right? How was this different from any other time they had to split ways for work? They ignored the uneasy feeling that told them something was wrong, that something much more evil was waiting at their destinations... because they wanted to think, desperately hoped, that they'd see each other again.

***

  "So... me and your brother will be gone for some time again, Senjuro-kun. If you want to get better with that sword of yours, try out the exercises I showed you today, yeah?" the Thunder Hashira smiled at the younger boy before leaning closer with a mischievous smile and whispering to his ear, "but if you prefer cooking or something else, there is no one who could catch you slacking off with your training."

  The youngest of the Rengoku household looked slightly taken aback before smiling widely and nodding. Suddenly, that happy expression was replaced with a frown and sad eyes once more as his gaze switched between her and Kyojuro.

  "Do you really have to go?"

  "You know it as well as we do..." she sighed with a comforting smile, "We'll be back before you know it, I promise."

  "Don't worry, Senjuro! We always come back, don't we!" added Kyojuro in an attempt to lift his brother's spirits.

  The boy's frown only deepened as he looked at his feet and nodded, something else obviously on his mind.

  "You're right. Just... I have a bad feeling about this. I feel like the two of you should go together on just one of those missions, they both sounded so dangerous..."

  "I know... but we'll be fine! I'm sure we will."

  After that, both the hashira hugged the younger boy and said their little goodbyes to him, reassuring him again and again that everything would be alright. Then, they set off, his figure getting smaller and smaller as the distance grew.

  When he disappeared from sight, (Y/N)'s smile fell off her lips as well and her expression grew serious.

  "He's not the only one with a bad feeling about this, you know."

  Kyojuro nodded, his smile almost gone as well, more melancholic than anything else. He agreed with what she said.

  "Senjuro has always had a keen nose for trouble."

***

  "So, I guess I won't be seeing you for a while." noted (Y/N) when they reached the crossroads where their paths would split.

  "So it seems!"

  "Watch your back, I won't be there to do it for you."

  "Same goes for you! Don't let those demons sneak up on you."

  They both chuckled.

  "It might be months before we see each other again so... take care, Kyojuro."

  "Don't you worry, (Y/N)! After all, we always end up running into each other one way or another, don't we?" he smiled brightly.

  The girl remembered all those time they met by chance, the meetings that led to them becoming friends and partners. It was true. They always ended up at the same place again.

  "You're right."

  Before parting, they shared one last hug, one that for some reason felt much more meaningful than it was supposed to be. Neither wanted to let go but they knew they had to.

  "I'll see you around!"

  "I'll be looking forward to it!"

***

  As the first houses came into view, (Y/N) didn't have to be told that she's arrived at her destination. The air seemed denser here, full of something evil and rotten to the core, hiding in the dark. And it would not take long for it to crawl out as the shadows were growing longer by the second. She was supposed to meet up with a group of lower ranking Slayers, so she willed her feet to move faster. She had to reach them before the sun fully set... otherwise, there was no way for her plan to work. It had to be put into motion the same day she arrived.

  It has been a week since her and Kyojuro parted ways an she had a lot of time to think about how she should approach the mission. Crows kept coming, carrying the latest news from the Slayers stationed in the town, scouting the area according to the orders she sent back over the birds. They haven't found the demon responsible for the terrible situation yet, but she wasn't even hoping they would. It had to be an Upper Rank Kizuki or Muzan himself and none of those would let themself be found by the corps. No, they just had to map out where demons appeared every night, kill them before they could cause too much damage and as secretly as they could... prepare the citizens to leave.

  There was no other way around it. No matter who it was wreaking havoc in that town, fighting them will leave it destroyed. People had to get out of there before the worst of the battle even started unless they wanted to suffer immense losses. And it surely would start... most probably the same night she arrived. As for the Thunder Hashira, she was ready to face any demon that dared come after them. Human lives held the priority, killing the demon came second. She would make sure those people escaped, all the other Slayers would go with them. And if she was to fall before sun came up again, pairs of Slayers would wait at given checkpoints in case the demon got through (Y/N) and do their best to stop it from pursuing the villagers, should it try.

  Yes, she wasn't hoping to defeat it. It would be nice, but her main objective was to slow it down. Save the people. She wasn't naive, no one has killed an Upper Rank in what felt like forever, the best course of action was defense. And if she could, if there was any luck left for her... she wanted to send that crow for reinforcements come the morning. Or... just return back home.

  She was finally reaching the town square, where a group of four was waiting for her. Four? There were supposed to be seven of them. Damn it.

  "(L/N)-sama!" they all bowed in respect as she approached.

  "Is everything ready? Where are the other three?" she asked after just giving a nod in greeting.

  They were running out of time and fast. If there were only four of them, it meant one checkpoint would have to stay unoccupied.

  "Yes, the preparations have been done. As for Ame, Jirou and Haruka... they haven't survived yesterday's attacks." the man who was probably the leader of the group grit his teeth in frustration.

  "It knows something is coming." (Y/N) noted.

  None of the attacks managed to take down three demon slayers in one night. Hell, not even two! The demons appearing were usually not too strong so that either meant an anomaly or the ringleader was involved. And if it got involved, it might be aware of something brewing.

  "You," she looked at the leader, "stay here, we have to go over the strategy one last time. The rest, ring the bells and start the evacuation."

  "Yes, ma'am!" they chorused.

  "And one last thing!" she stopped them and put on what she hoped was an encouraging smile, "I wish you all good luck tonight. Let's all see another day's sun rise!"

  The three ran in different directions, soon a bell would ring above the town to alert the citizens to exit the safety of their houses and move to the eastern gate. To the east they shall go, where the sun will shine first come the morning.

  "Now," she turned to the leader, "you aren't the Jirou-san I have been receiving messages from, are you?"

  "Correct, (L/N)-sama... Jirou died yesterday. My name is Murata."

  "I see. Say, Murata-san, was any of the three deaths yesterday different in some way?"

  "I... I think one was. Jirou-san looked like someone killed him with a sword. It was a demon attack for sure, but not one like the others."

  "I see... So it uses a sword, doesn't it? Never mind that, we have to go over the plan. We lost one pair and one person who could have guarded the people so we need to change the formation. You will pass the first checkpoint without leaving anyone there. On the second, leave only one person, on the third, leave two. Seeing as you now take the position of the leader, you will stay with the villagers. Choose who stays on which position as you see fit. As told before, when the sun comes out, the rear guards will go and catch up to your group. You are not to wait for them under any circumstances... there is a chance you would be waiting for a corpse and the demon could catch up to you.

  Is everything clear?"

  "Yes. (L/N)-sama, if I may ask... is it really that bad? I mean, you are a hashira, do you really expect it to get through you and start killing us?" he questioned, fear evident in his eyes.

  Her own eyes softened as she smiled at him reassuringly.

  "No. I am confident I can keep it here until the sun comes up and call for another hashira to join me if I do not manage to take it down myself. But as a hashira, I feel responsible for the lives of everyone here. The villagers, your teammates, you as well! So I want to make sure that even if something unexpected happens, if I fail to hold it back... you will all have the highest chance of survival you can. I'm sure you understand, you are now a leader too. You have to expect the unexpected, count on the worst possible scenario. Because if you do, there is no way those demons can win!"

  Despite her encouraging words to Murata, (Y/N) didn’t trust what she said. It was a lie to make him more confident. Scared people panic. Panic causes mistakes. She couldn’t afford to let them make mistakes.

  "I see... Thank you, (L/N)-sama."

  "Don't mention it. And now go, be a hero and get these people to safety! I want you all out of the town's gate before the sun sets completely!"

  "Yes ma'am!"

  "And good luck!"

  And then, she was alone once more. People were told to hide in the houses closest to the eastern gate so no one was left at this side of town, just distant chatter and sounds of a crowd in the distance. Eight crows stood perched on a roof, the ones belonging to the deceased haven't yet left.

  "Show me where Jirou-san was found!" she called out and one of the birds immediately spread its wings and took flight.

  The woman followed it to an alleyway, one that looked like many others in the area. There wasn't anything special about it except the dry blood and lines in the walls, as if the blade of a sword nicked them during the fight. A sword... not many demons used weapons of that sort. Most relied on Blood Demon Arts or their own claws and teeth. A sickening feeling made its way into her stomach. It could easily be a demon slayer who decided to join the enemy side at one point and lost his humanity along the way.

  Golden light of the sun was getting scarce so the woman decided to head to the east gate, seeing as she found nothing which could hint to where the demon was hiding. Not that it would change anything. She wasn't going to look for it, hunt it. She wasn't even going to fight with the priority to kill it. She had to focus on staying alive as long as possible, be it thanks to continuously attacking or just staying on defense. As long as she was fighting it, it wouldn't go after the others. Hopefully.

  Tomorrow night. Tomorrow night she would go in with the sole purpose of killing it.

***

  Kyojuro was sitting down in the Mugen train, eating a delicious bento - one of the many he bought from the girl selling them at the station. Exclaiming a loud "Umai!" after every bite, he felt the strange looks people around gave him. But he didn't really care all that much. Three younger boys joined him a few minutes ago, one of them the young Kamado with his demon sister in a box on his back. Rengoku was starting to like the jolly bunch of kids already.

  It's been a week since he's parted ways with (Y/N) and he just hoped she would be slower to reach her destination than him, if only by a day. He just had to get it over with the demon on this train tonight and then he could hurry and get to where she was. He was so worried about her having to fight an Upper Rank alone with just a few lower ranked Slayers... but then again, she always cooked up some smart plan and managed just fine. She would be fine like she always was... Still, he would catch a train to the east first thing in the morning and he'd be there in just a day!

  Tomorrow night. He hoped she wouldn't arrive in that town today, but tomorrow night, when he could be there and have her back once again.

Chapter Text

  It's been two hours. Two full hours have passed since sun set completely and the villagers still haven't left. Why? Why couldn't they be more mindful of the danger that was after them?

  Apparently, they were more than willing to leave before but now, verbal fights started after many doubts have been voiced. The demonic presence in the air was getting stronger by the minute and (Y/N) could see her plan crumbling right before her eyes. Whatever was lurking in the shadows was about to come out and seeing as all the villagers were out here, it couldn't attack anyone unnoticed. It would make its entrance in front of all those people.

  Could she protect all of them? No, if real hell broke loose, attacks would surely get even not intended targets. They had to start moving. Now.

  "LISTEN UP!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, back to the crowd, (E/C) eyes locked on the darkness of the town's alleyways, "I know what all of you think! Are those really demons coming to kill us at night? Are we supposed to leave our home just because of some fairy tale!? And I understand your worries, I really do! But remember what made you pack up your things and be ready to leave in the first place! Weren't those torn apart bodies and disgusting bloodthirsty creatures a proof enough!?"

  She could hear the arguments behind her stopping, soft murmurs filling the air instead. The demonic presence was getting stronger. She had to scare them enough to get them moving. Make a show out of it. And she had to do it fast.

  "All of you know the evacuation plan! If you don't leave the town, it won't only be your home you will be losing! It will be your loved ones' lives and your own too! We, the Demon Slayers are here to protect you but we cannot do it if you don't cooperate! So if you want to stay alive, head east right now. Because a storm is coming! And when it gets here-" she drew her sword, using a breath technique despite it not being against any enemy.

  Electricity crackled through the darkness, yellow and white sparks adding light to the villagers' lanterns, tickling their skin eerily. And with just the smallest delay, a rumble of thunder echoed through the night.

  "-when the storm gets here, there will be no running away for anyone anymore!"

  She could hear the horrified gasps coming from the crowd, a child started crying. But if this made them leave, she didn't regret it one bit. (Y/N) wished she could be like Kyojuro, tell them she could protect them all and not to worry. But she couldn't. All she could do was make them so afraid that they would listen, there was no time left for being charismatic. She tried the positive approach until now, it didn't work. They could fear her and hate her for all she cared. If they got out of here alive, it was a price she was more than willing to pay.

  Shuffling and authoritative voices of the four Slayers she was sending away with the townspeople sounded from behind. They were starting to move. Finally.

  But it could still be too late. The demonic presence was overwhelming, so strong that she had to put all her will into controlling her body or her muscles would instinctively freeze and not move at all. The pressure was terrifying. The crowd was only meters away from the gate, still far too close for her liking. 2 hours and 23 minutes since nightfall. They were supposed to be at least a few kilometers away at this point.

  It was more of an instinct than a conscious decision when she dug her feet into the ground and lifted her sword in front of her to block an incoming attack. Steel clashed against steel and she was pushed a few steps back by the power of the blow alone. Her eyes were wide as she looked at the figure in front of her, stood proud in all his monsterous glory. It was a man, long burgundy hair tied into a ponytail, dressed in black and purple, a sword in his hand. It was the ugliest katana she has ever seen, eyes and veins on the steel as if the weapon itself was a living demon. And it probably was, a part of him at least. But the most unnerving thing about him were the eyes, red sclera and yellow ochre irises, six eyes on the face of one man, one pair having kanji in them that made the world stop.

Upper Rank One

  (Y/N) (L/N) wasn't one to tell lies to herself. She was only one woman, only one hashira, not even the strongest one of the bunch. This was the strongest demon in all of Japan aside from Muzan. No one who has encountered him has lived to tell the tale, no one in the corps even knew what he looked like. No one in the whole history of Demon Slayers had been able to take this one down. And she knew they were stronger than her, that she wouldn't be the first one to overpower this monster. She was going to die here.

  For some reason, it lifted a weight off of her shoulders. There were no 'what ifs', just the cruel reality. She would have to break her promise to Kyojuro, her promise to Senjuro as well. Maybe that's why she suddenly felt like it was easier to breathe, she knew she did the right thing. She never told Kyojuro she loved him, not even when she felt uneasy about this mission. So when she died, it wouldn't be that hard for him. Surely Kyojuro would be fine on his own mission, he had the Kamado boy and his friends with him and while they were quite the troublemakers, they had a lot of potential. So she didn't have to be too worried about him.

  She just had to continue the plan now. Survive as long as possible. Hold the beast back until the sun comes up. And she would. Even if it was the last thing she'd ever do. Because it was the last thing she'd ever do.

  "Let's fight and see who's stronger, you and I." she gave the six-eyes demon a soft smile.

  A smile unfit for a warrior. But she wasn't angry or sad, no. She was okay with what was to come, she made her peace with it. So why should she not smile?

***

  A man was walking through the train, checking tickets. He just entered the cart they were in when a crow knocked its beak on the window next to Kyojuro. He opened it and the bird just dropped a note into his lap before flying out once again.

  The Flame Hashira curiously opened it and as he read the words on the paper, his smile widened. Gyomei and Sanemi just finished a mission quite close to where (Y/N)'s destination was and upon Oyakata-sama's orders, they set off there to help her out. If those two were going there, she would be alright. He didn't have to be worried about her that much anymore. They would run into each other again soon enough, he was sure of it now.

  His smile was softer and brighter when he realized she would be fine. The conductor chipped his ticket with a thanks and walked on, further into the train. In his daydream, Kyojuro didn't even realize he was slowly falling asleep. And blissful dreams awaited him.

***

  Metal against metal, houses were falling as blades like moon crescents hit their wooden walls, thunder rumbled in the air, creating sounds reminiscent of a vulcano erupting. A never stopping, earth trembling noise. Fire burned through the night, aggressive and electrified, shining in hopes of burning the demon just like the sun would.

  Kokushibou was baring his teeth at the annoying little Slayer that somehow managed to dodge and block everything he threw at her. She was almost always on the defensive but she was doing pretty well for someone who has been fighting Upper Rank One for more than 3 hours now. Irritating, so irritating, like an itch he couldn't scratch!

  It was admirable how she blocked his first blow, he was sure she would be dead before she even noticed him. The smile which lit up her face afterwards gave him the chills, it was so serene and content, he couldn't understand it at all. Now, it was long gone, replaced by a neutral, concentrated, yet still somehow peaceful expression.

  Of course, he knew who the woman was. The Thunder Hashira, fastest of the bunch, capable of also using some of the Flame Breathing techniques. The demon both loved and hated fire users. Loved because watching them die was satisfying, hated because it was so similar to the Sun Breathing. The one he could never achieve. Moon Breathing was the closest to it, but it didn't look the same. This one did. And with the neutral expression the woman wore, her inhuman speed and endurance and the flames dancing around her, she reminded him of his younger twin. Disgusting. He would wipe her off of the face of the earth.

***

  Why was I here again? Oh, I was reporting to Father that I became a hashira! thought Kyojuro before putting on his best smile.

  "So what? It's pointless if you become a pillar, it doesn't matter." his father grumbled, not even bothering to turn around and look at his son.

  Well... he kind of expected that answer but it still hurt. But he knew it would happen... As he walked away from the room, it was difficult to keep up the strong and happy expression he was so used to maintaining. But when Senjuro peeked out from behind a door, he immediately started pushing the negative feelings away.

 "What did he say? Was he happy? Maybe when I become a Pillar too one day, he will also acknowledge me." the smaller boy smiled.

  It hurt to think that his brother had it so hard. He didn't even have memories of their loving mother, he felt like he always had to prove something to Father so he would love him. And yet, their parent stopped showing any sort of care long ago. He had to tell him the truth tho... Kyojuro wasn't a liar.

  "To be honest, he wasn't happy. He said it was pointless. BUT!" he grinned widely, "I won't be disheartened by that! My passion won't die and the flames in my heart will never disappear! And you're different from me, Senjuro! You have an older brother who believes in you!"

  The younger Rengoku's eyes were filled by tears at this point. He was always so sensitive, so empathetic. It was so sad that he never got the love he gave to his father back. He hugged the boy tightly.

 "You'll be a wonderful person no matter what path you choose! With a burning passion in your heart. So do your best to live, even if you get lonely!" but at least he had a brother who would support him.

  "You talk like he could get lonely with you and me around." sounded a familiar voice from behind, a slightly teasing edge to it.

  He turned his head slightly and found her leaning against a wall with a small smile on her face.

  "(Y/N)-neesan..." choked out the still teary Senjuro.

  "You know, Senjuro-kun, it's not only your brother that supports you. I'm always here too! But Kyojuro is right, you'll be a wonderful person no matter what you do. You already are one after all!" she walked over and ruffled the boy's hair.

  "Thank you..." the boy sniffled and hugged the young woman so he could hide his teary face.

  She returned the hug, tracing small circles into the boy's back before turning to Kyojuro.

  "I wanted to come congratulate you personally. I know I was at the ceremony but still... good job becoming a hashira." she grinned at him.

  It was moments like this that made him want to stop time. So they could just stay like this forever. Happy and together... like a family.

***

  The dark sky was getting lighter, the sun would rise in less than one hour. Just one more hour and she will have won. Lights of lanterns have long disappeared in the distance, they were far. Not far enough if she lost now but she could still fight. They would all make it. They had to.

  (Y/N) was battered and bruised, but still standing. Her defenses were getting worse as she tired out but the stubbornly refused to go on the offensive. If she lost focus on blocking for just a moment, she would die. It was a good thing that the demon was so enraged with her that he decided not to leave until she was dead.

  It was a short time after that that her left arm got hit by a stray crescent. Severed above the elbow, the limb fell to the ground with a hollow thump. As fast as her legs could carry her, the Thunder Hashira rushed away in order to buy a little time to tie something around her arm and slow the bleeding. It wasn't a blade but a kick that hit her next, surely breaking a rib or two as she was launched to the side. She did manage to do what she wanted to tho.

  The sky was getting lighter. She was getting hit more often as minutes passed. While the wounds weren't fatal if they had been alone, the sheer amount of them was starting to significantly slow her down. Her defenses were crumbling little by little. She just hoped they'd hold up until sunrise.

  I am so sorry Kyojuro. I don't think I'll see you later. I hope you can forgive me.

***

  Enmu, the Lower Rank One, has been defeated and no one died, just some injuries to a few passengers but nothing fatal. They did it! They really did it!

  Suddenly, a demonic presence hit Kyojuro like a train. Upon the trainwreck, a short yet sturdy man was crouched down, eyes glowing with a red kanji.

Upper Rank Three

  "Hi, I'm Akaza! I have a proposal for you. How about you become a demon?"

Chapter Text

  As the sky was quickly brightening up and the sun peeked out from behind the horizon, both the warriors present knew it was over. It was finally over. The sounds accompanying the clashing of swords grew more frenzied before stopping completely, one figure jumping as far away from the other as possible.

  The first rays of sunlight hit her face and the warm gold spilled over the ground, separating the Thunder Hashira and Kokushibou for the first and also the last time. Like a wall between the two swordsmen that created a border which held death on the other side, neither dared cross it. But while the Upper One was angry that she got away, the woman bathed in golden light was smiling. She made it. She was in the sun that reminded her of someone she loved. She managed to protect the others and herself for long enough to be out of reach for the demon, none of them could be eaten by him now. Not even her herself.

  But both (Y/N) and the demon also knew that it wasn't only the ever shrinking shade with a monster within that held death for her. It didn't matter on which side of the border she was, if she was in the sunlight or not. Humans don't heal like demons do. Her wounds were too deep, have been bleeding for too long... her left arm was long gone, forgotten somewhere on the battlefield they left behind, blood spilling on the beautiful fresh green grass under her feet, glistening gold in the morning sun. It was a miracle that she was even still standing. Yet she was smiling. Why was she smiling?! He hated it, hated it so much!

  This woman reminded Kokushibou too much of his brother when he was but a child. The soft and calm smile, the selflessness, the will to sacrifice herself for others...

  Onii-chan, you want to be the strongest samurai in the world, right? I want to be like you. I will be the second strongest samurai.

  Get out of my head, he wanted to scream. He didn't want to see Yoriichi and his stupid smile. He didn't want to be reminded. He felt so uneasy around that smile and hers gave him the same disgusting feeling. He wanted her gone.

  Even without a Sun Breathing mark or a red nichirin blade, he was sure she was born different, special, just like his younger twin. An excellent swordswoman at such a young age, the brightly burning light in her eyes, the way she could fight him and keep up despite the centuries long head start he had on her, the fact that she could master two breathing types at the same time. The fire she breathed, the dance she oh so gracefully performed with sparks of electricity crackling in the air and on his skin, so close to his brother's grace and elegance that it made the line separating the two tauntingly thin. Thinner than the one between him and his own sibling. He despised people like that. Good people that were born special.

  He had to take more steps backwards to escape the light but for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to fully leave - not yet. He wanted to see her die. To watch her realize it was really over, to see at least some semblance of despair in her eyes. But even as she wobbled, sword stabbing into the ground so she could heavily lean on it, blood pooling around her feet and shiny droplets glistening on blades of grass, she held his gaze with that goddamn smile. So soft and gentle, so unfitting for a warrior, so damn similar to the one Yoriichi used to give him when they were young children... and even when they grew older.

  "Why are you still smiling!?" he couldn't hold the frustrated question in any longer.

  He had to know before he left. He had to see her broken, sad and crying at least, since he didn't get to eat her after obviously winning their fight. He was stronger, better, but he still felt uneasy about her for some reason.

  "Because I did it. I won." she looked at him with eyes slowly but surely dimming as her life force was spilling out of her.

  "You're dying! I am still standing without a scratch, how do you call that a win!?" he growled.

  "The villagers are safely out in the sun and will move away from here for you to never see them again. Most of the younger slayers are alive and someone new is sure to take my place, becoming even better - good enough to defeat you one day. And even if I die here, and I know I will, you don't get to eat me and gain strength from eating a hashira. I call that a clear win." she gave him a weak grin.

  He wanted to say something, ask another question, but since he's been walking backwards during this whole time, he knew he wouldn't hear any of her words anymore. She was too weak to shout and he was too far. And yet, she was smiling. He had to leave, soon there would be nowhere to escape to from the sun. She was right. He killed her but he was the Upper One of the Twelve Kizuki. He should have been easily capable of annihilating all of them. Instead, he ended the life of just one single Hashira. It was so frustrating. He hated it. He hated her. He hated the memories she brought to the surface with her skill and smile. He hated everything. He hated the world. And, most of all, he hated his brother.

  So, with that last thought and a wish for her to burn in hell, Kokushibou turned around and, like a phantom, disappeared before the sunlight could reach him. The hashira could only watch him, knowing that soon, she would be gone as well. But, unlike him, she would never return. She just hoped no one would cry for her too much. She hoped Kyojuro wouldn't cry... he seldom did and she didn't like the idea of him spilling tears over her. She wanted for him to keep on smiling even if she was no longer there. And poor little Senjuro... he will be broken for sure, but his brother will be there for him. If only she could turn back time and say goodbye properly.

  When the demon was safely out of sight, no longer a witness to her weakness, (Y/N)'s knees finally gave out under her and she ungracefully tumbled to the ground. Her hand was still gripping the hilt of her katana tightly, the only reason why she was able to at least still sit upright. Wind rustled though the field of grass as she turned her head in the direction the villagers escaped. There was nothing to be seen tho, just the forests and mountains they disappeared in. Now they would be free of the fear that they would be the next one to get turned into a man eating monster. After some time, this nightmare will be forgotten and they'll live a normal life again. Just like ordinary people who aren't in the demons slaying world always do. Just like all of them should.

  The young woman leaned back a little so she'd be steadier and let go of her weapon. She wouldn't be needing it ever again anyway. So this was the end, huh? It was so beautiful out here, the grass seemed greener in the sunlight and the red liquid on it would make a breathtaking contrast if only she didn't know what it was. Where it came from. But it was lonely. It was a good decision to not let any of her juniors stay, they wouldn't last a second against Kokushibou, but that meant she would be dying here without any company. Without even having anyone to hear her last words. Maybe it was better this way.

  She smiled, tilting her head so the warm sunlight could caress her face for the last time. Warm and brilliant sun, its touch almost felt like Kyojuro's hand was on her cheek instead. But it wasn't... and it never would be again. She once told him he was like a sunflower… but that was a lie. It was her who was the flower, always turning around to follow the brilliant light of the sun that was him. There was no need for Kakushi, there was no saving the Thunder Hashira. She lost an arm and despite the pressure she managed to apply to it, she has lost a lot of blood. There were deep cuts all over her, multiple bones broken and she was almost certain that a broken rib pierced one of her lungs. This was the end.

  A Kasugai Crow landed on the bloodied hilt of (Y/N)'s chipped katana with a quiet caw. The way it tilted its head at her, the look it gave her, it was almost as if the bird was sad about her departure. If only its black beady eyes could actually express emotion, maybe then she would have believed it. She wouldn't have smirked bitterly at the bird, laughing inwardly at herself that she had to assume a crow to have feelings so she wouldn't feel so alone in her final moments.

  "Don't be sad, it's alright." she smiled reassuringly at the animal, pretending it was the same as talking to a person.

  Maybe at least that way she would have someone to tell her last words to. Perhaps it would give her some peace of mind to know at least the bird was listening. It knew words and could talk, that would have to be enough. At least there was someone to say goodbye to. It had the decency to stay silent and not interrupt her. She wanted to lift up her remaining arm to pet its soft head but her limbs felt all too heavy to move. Her vision was growing slightly blurry.

  "Can you do something for me, please?" she croaked out, taste of iron on her tongue intensifying.

  The crow nodded its head, eyes like glass beads staring at her intently. The slightest tremble in the bird's body... she must have imagined it.

  "I don't have much time, so I have only two things I want to say. I want you to deliver a message to someone."

  It nodded again.

  "Tell Rengoku Senjuro that I'm sorry for not keeping my promise. And tell the Flame Hashira..." she slightly trailed off, head spinning and vision going even darker than before.

  Her life was burning out fast, she knew it. Like a dying flame of a candle in the wind, barely holding on. But there were so many things she wanted Rengoku to know. So many words left unsaid. So many moments she now knew they'd never have because she was dying. So many feelings and so, so little time.

  "Tell Rengoku Kyojuro to keep on smiling." she finally whispered with the last smile that would ever grace her face, "tell him not to let me dying here stop him from being the amazing and bright pillar of light he is for everyone. Tell him... that I wish he would always be happy."

  She wanted to say she loved him but if she did, it would just break his heart. It would make him feel even more guilty that he couldn't save her, it would make him blame himself. She could never do that to him, he didn't deserve it. So with that, her eyelids fell closed over those once bright (E/C) eyes, now dull as a doll's glass ones, the smile relaxed into a neutral expression and her chin gently rested itself on her chest, no longer having any strength to keep herself upright. The deep breaths she took in, so used to always maintaining Full Concentration Breathing, grew shallow and quiet for the first time in many years until the last one sounded, delicate as a snowflake… and melted just like one as well. A deafening silence fell upon the sunny field. The only sound remaining was the slow, irregular and quiet dripping of her blood on the red surface of the same liquid spilled all around her.

  If only she could have seen Kyojuro for one last time, there would not be a single regret in her heart when she died. But at least it was in the sunlight that reminded her so much of his radiance.

  The air was deathly silent. When, only minutes later, Sanemi and Gyomei finally arrived, they found a bloody figure sat hunched over in the sun with a sword glinting in front of her, stabbed into the ground like it was there instead of a gravestone. A figure of a dear friend they've come to aid in her battle, alas, too late. Upon the hilt, a black crow stood perched above the woman, staring into her face solemnly, maybe even hoping her eyes would open once more. The once cream lining of her red haori soaked up the blood and was now darker than the rest of it, sharp morning sun reflected from the crimson liquid forming droplets on the lush green grass. Like teardrops, red morning dew glistening gold on the grass of a green field - beautiful colors, but such a heartbreaking scene. And before either of them could say anything, a gust of wind ran over the grass, creating a wave reminiscent of a water surface and hit the Thunder Hashira.

  The woman's limp body swayed and, no longer having any will of its own, tumbled on its side. While the sword stood tall, chips adorning its once perfectly sharpened blade, the wielder has fallen. And then, just as the horrified men neared what they still desperately hoped was not a corpse, the crow cawed the fateful words that would make it way too real. Set into stone, unchangeable.

  "(L/N) (Y/N)! Deceased fighting Upper One of the Twelve Kizuki! The Thunder Hashira is now deceased!"

***

  The sun was coming up. Kyojuro refused to let go, he had Akaza right there, in front of him! It didn't matter that the wound left after his arm in the hashira's torso would never heal, that it would kill him. He had to hold on. He had to cut his head off or hold him long enough to allow the sun to burn him to death.

  The demon writhed, screaming and panicking at the sight of the light at the horizon. Like an animal with it's leg in a trap. But an animal will bite its own limb off to escape and so will a demon. With one last scream, Akaza tore his own arm in two, breaking Kyojuro's sword in half as he shot up into the air. It was over. He couldn't move anymore, he couldn't follow him. But at least he achieved what he came here to do. He protected everyone on the Mugen Train.

  The Flame Hashira only watched as young Kamado ran after the Upper Three and launched his sword at the fleeing demon. It wouldn't kill him but it was still admirable. Such a brave young boy. If only they have met sooner.

  "DON'T RUN AWAY YOU COWARD! DON'T RUN AWAY!!!" the boy screamed into the woods where Akaza has disappeared.

  "WE DEMON SLAYERS ALWAYS FIGHT YOU AT NIGHT WHERE YOU HAVE THE ADVANTAGE! OUR WOUNDS DON'T HEAL LIKE YOURS DO! SO DON'T RUN AWAY YOU COWARD!! COMPARED TO THE LIKES OF YOU, RENGOKU-SAN WILL ALWAYS BE MORE AMAZING! HE'S STRONGER THAN YOU! HE DIDN'T LOSE, HE DIDN'T LET ANYONE DIE!!! HE IS THE WINNER, NOT YOU!" Tanjiro shouted so loud that his voice started to grow hoarse.

  It was of no use, of course Akaza wouldn't return. Even if he did, Kamado wouldn't stand a chance. Not now. But maybe, when the two of them would cross paths again, it would be different. There was so much potential in that boy. He would surely surpass him one day. It didn't matter that he wouldn't have his guidance with the Hinokami Kagura, (Y/N) could teach him with her own knowledge of Flame Breathing and maybe his father and brother could help too. The youngster reminded him of her slightly, with how good of a person he was and with the way he managed to use two different breathing styles.

  She will cry when she finds out he died. She always cries, even when he comes back with only a broken bone. He just hoped she would keep on smiling after her tears eventually dry.

  Crying. The boys were all crying. But there were still things Rengoku wanted to say.

  "There's no point in shouting so much now." he smiled at the red haired boy, "I have an open hole in my stomach and your injuries aren't minor either. If you die here, it will be my loss. But come here... let's have a final chat."

  He told the boy of what he remembered in the dreams of his past. He told him about the books his father would often read, that they might contain something about Hinokami Kagura or Fire Breathing. Kamado tried to stop him from talking, but there was no point in keeping quiet. He was going to die and he knew it. At least he could talk while he still had the chance.

  "I want you to tell my brother Senjuro that he should walk down the path his heart chooses and do the things he thinks are right. Tell my father to take care of his body. And tell (Y/N), the Thunder Hashira..."

  He would say he loved her but if he did, she would never stop crying. She would be crying until she died, he knew it, he knew her too well. He didn't want that for her, he loved her too much to cause her such suffering. So he wouldn't say it. He would leave it there, with other words left unsaid and with all the moments they could have had if only they were born in a different time.

  "Tell (Y/N) that she shouldn't cry too much. And to always keep on smiling." he smiled.

  Tanjiro was trying to hold his sobs in but there were hot tears rolling down his face at every word.

  "And Kamado, my boy... I believe in your sister. I saw her protect humans despite bleeding out on that train. Anyone who risks their life to protect people from a demon is a Demon Slayer, no matter what anyone else says. Live with your head held high. If you get knocked down, set your heart ablaze! And don't be sad that my path ends here. It's only natural for a hashira to protect his juniors.

  Kamado, my boy. Inogashira, my boy. Golden boy. You all have ways to grow. And next time, it will be you who will take the place of pillars and hold up the Demon Slayers. I believe in you. I truly do."

  Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone. Looking over Tanjiro's shoulder, Kyojuro set his eyes upon something he never thought he'd see. His mother was standing there, glowing and transparent, like a ghost.

  Mother, did I do everything right?

  And for the first time in forever, even the memory of her strict face was melted by the beautiful smile she gave him.

  You did a wonderful job.

  And that was all he needed to hear. The smile he had remained on his face even in death, content with what he was able to do. If only he could see (Y/N)'s smile for one last time... that was his only regret.

  And as the last spark of light burned out, a crow cawed the words everyone dreaded hearing but knew would come.

  "Rengoku Kyojuro! Deceased fighting Upper Three of the Twelve Kizuki! The Flame Hashira is now deceased!"

***

  There was black nothingness all around (Y/N) and light somewhere far in front of her. Her wounds didn't hurt anymore and when she checked herself, she didn't see them either. So this was it, huh?

  As she walked in the direction of the light, she could only think of him. Of the man who shone brighter than the sun. The man she loved so much. Thoughts rushed through her head, of all the words left unsaid and the moments they didn't get to have. It was so bright there, where she was going, but nothing could ever compare to the radiance of his smile.

  Everything was dark, light in the distance. So it really was 'light at the end of the tunnel', huh? Kyojuro knew his mother would be waiting there for him when he arrived. But no matter how happy he was that he would see her again, there was only one person on his mind.

  Would the bright light at the horizon really be enough when his sun was not there? He didn't want her to be there of course, he was much happier to know she was alive. There were only thoughts of her in his mind. And all the things left unsaid rushed through his mind as he walked through the darkness.

  Maybe I should have told the crow to tell Kyojuro I love him

  Maybe I should have asked young Kamado to tell (Y/N) I love her

  But that would just make losing me harder

  But that would make her grief even worse

  So I won't say it out loud, I know he'll be okay

  So I won't say it out loud, I know she'll be okay

  Because he's one of the strongest people I know

  Because she's one of the strongest people I know

  And I just want you to keep on smiling even when I'm gone

  They don't say it for nothing, that if you love it, you should let it go

  And I've loved you with all my heart for the longest time

  But with demons in the world, love wasn't possible for the likes of you and I

***

  Neither of them was alive to hear a crow arriving with news of another hashira passing away that morning. Till the end, they believed the other was still alive and would be for a long time after that. They didn't know that even if they did confess their feelings to their messengers, the words would never reach their destination in time. Neither of them knew that their last words for each other would have been the same.

  And maybe it was better that way. Because the heartbreak of knowing the truth would have made their victory seem so useless and bitter. Because it didn't matter that they never said it out loud, they knew that the love they shared was mutual. That they were made for each other. They died happy, content with what they achieved. Content with knowing the other one was alive, safe and would remain a beacon of light for the other Demon Slayers, guiding them towards a better tomorrow.

  Even if it wasn't true. Even if they died at the same exact moment, last waking seconds of their minds dedicated to thoughts of each other.

***

I know all this love wasn't one sided

It's what everyone, including me, could see

We have been surely made for each other

But in this world, we just weren't meant to be

I hope in the next life, your soul will be carried back to me

Chapter Text

  People say that every soul deserving of it is reborn into a happier life one day. It might not be at the same place where they lived, they might not have the same name but they will have the same beautiful heart they once had. They return in order to enjoy the happiness they were denied in their previous life, the life they deserved but didn't get to live, the one they sacrificed for something bigger and better or just lost it too soon.

  It was a day like any other. Why? Because every single day is a day like any other until something unusual happens. And even then it could be called a day like any other because the sun still rises in the morning and sets in the evening... And if it didn't, it couldn't be called a day at all.

  And so, on this warm summer evening, a young woman was walking through a festival. Stalls full of delicious looking food, booths with games and paper lanterns lighting up the edge of the park by an old shinto shrine. To be honest, she wasn't even sure why she came here in the first place. None of her friends wanted to tag along so she was completely alone in the crowd, feeling lonely and out of place.

  It wasn't like she didn't like festivals, quite the contrary actually, but what fun was it if there was no one else to enjoy it with her? And yet, for some strange reason, she couldn't bring herself to leave. Her (E/C) eyes searched the starry sky for answers but none came, only giving her a strange empty feeling, just as always. Just like when she was training in the garden of her dojo in the early morning with a strange feeling that something was missing. Like when she bought sunflowers that morning because they reminded her of someone... but she didn't know who.

  The 20 year old tugged her haori closer to herself, feeling a little chilly. Her friends always told her she got cold way too often, even when it was warm outside, but she couldn't help it. Maybe it was because her body got used to the temperature it had when she was training and didn't like it when she wasn't moving as much. Who knows, not like it was important anyway.

  She bought a box of sanshoku dango from a nice lady with pink and green hair - just like the sweets she sold her. Strange, how even that lady who she's never seen before and her quiet husband with heterochromatic eyes seemed familiar. The portions from their stall were enormous, enough to feed three people with just one of them, but who cared if the (H/C)-ette was planning to eat dango for three all by herself? Not like she had anyone to share it with. And she felt the desperate need to eat something in order to force down all those nonsensical feelings of nostalgia.

  The girl left the main area of the festival and walked a bit away from it to sit down on a grassy hill under a big tree. It had wisteria flowers hanging down from it, their color so brilliant that they appeared to be glowing. As she leaned back on the tree bark, she looked up at the sky again.

  What was it trying to tell her? Why has she felt like she's been searching for something all her life but hasn't yet found it? Why did she feel the need to smile and cry at the same time every time she saw sunflowers? And who did they remind her of anyway? Why did thunder and lightning bring a feeling of deja vu to her? And why was even the damn wisteria above her so familiar?

  There had to be something wrong with her. She knew many young people like her were struggling to find themselves, to figure out who they were, some even dealt with impostor syndrome. But it wasn't like she didn't know who she was. She did know it, eerily well actually, but she never got the answer to why she was that way. She knew sunflowers were her favorite flowers. That she liked looking into the fire in her fireplace during long winter nights. That training with a sword at night gave her thrills and made her adrenaline rise. That she liked when lightning struck during a storm because it felt like an old friend. Like she knew it. Like if she could touch it, it would tell her answers to all those questions she kept on asking herself. She knew her name was (L/N) (Y/N). But she still felt lost.

  "Oh, (Y/N)-san!" said a familiar voice next to her, making her wake up from her daydream.

  "Sumihiko-kun? Good evening, I didn't think I'd run into you here." she smiled at the burgundy haired young man who was standing next to her.

  Sumihiko Kamado was his name. He was one of those people who were strangely familiar from the very first moment she saw them but now, he was familiar because she actually knew him. The boy lived in a university dorm close to her home and often crossed her garden when he was running late to classes. Which was almost every day. He eventually turned up at her door to apologize for always taking the shortcut over her property and they became friends quickly. He was bright, positive and smiled a lot, qualities she could appreciate in people.

  “Are you alone here? Or waiting for someone?" he asked with an innocent smile.

  "Just me." she returned the smile with one of her own, "...and my giant box of dango."

  His eyes strayed to it and it was obvious that he was holding in a chuckle. Luckily, he refrained from commenting on it.

  "Then would you mind if me and my friend joined you?" he inquired hopefully.

  Not like she wanted to be all alone anyway so why not.

  "Sure, go on. I'll even share the dango, it tastes better when more people can enjoy it together anyway."

  “Great! Tojuro! Over here!" the boy shouted and waved someone over.

  Quick footsteps approached them and another young man around their age appeared with his hands full of different boxes of food. But the sight of him made (Y/N)'s breath hitch in her throat. He also seemed to freeze, studying her face intently. His hair was bright blond with red tips, eyes big and friendly, golden and red just like his unruly locks. And on his face was a blindingly bright smile, a warm smile that without a doubt could make anyone's day better. If she was to compare him to something, it would be the sun...or perhaps sunflowers.

  So strangely familiar.

***

They say that souls are reborn into this world

And maybe that's why some faces are familiar like you've seen them before

Maybe that's why you feel so complete when you hold a sword

Maybe in another life you died a swordsman, fighting in a war

Maybe that's why so many things remind you of people you never even saw

Maybe there is someone you loved who was also born anew

And maybe, over space and time, their soul was carried back to you

***THE END***

Chapter Text

  People say that every soul deserving of it is reborn into a happier life one day. It might not be at the same place where they lived, they might not have the same name but they will have the same beautiful heart they once had. They return in order to enjoy the happiness they were denied in their previous life, the life they deserved but didn't get to live, the one they sacrificed for something bigger and better or just lost it too soon. They will find their purpose and get all those moments they didn't get to live before, in their previous life.

  It was a day like any other. Why? Because every single day is a day like any other until something unusual happens. And even then it could be called a day like any other because the sun still rises in the morning and sets in the evening... And if it didn't, it couldn't be called a day at all.

  And on this particular morning, a young woman was on her way to the university she worked at, ready to give her first lecture of the semester. It would be with the first years. She wondered, would there be any memorable faces, perhaps someone with an exceptional talent? Who knows.

  She wasn't in a hurry, her class didn't start until an hour later and she was almost at the campus. That is why she didn't mind stopping by a small flower stall to examine what they had on display. There were many pretty flowers, but one kind caught her eyes much more than any other could. There, in a bucket of water, were freshly cut sunflowers. Their blossoms were bright yellow, just like the sun in the sky. She's always liked sunflowers.

  Someone bumped into her back, making her turn around in surprise. There was a pair of young boys, probably highschoolers, running away. One of them turned around, running backwards for the short moment he locked eyes with her. There was a bright smile on his face, distinctive eyebrows furrowed a little guiltily.

  "I'm sorry miss, we're late for school!" he shouted before turning back to face where he was running and catching up to his burgundy haired friend who got ahead of him.

  She couldn't help but chuckle to herself. She kind of missed being a kid. She watched as the two rounded a corner, disappearing from her sight. Was dyeing your hair allowed in high schools these days? There was no way that the boy's bright yellow hair with red tips was natural. Oh well, not that it really mattered at all.

  She turned back to the flower stall to find the owner already looking at her. Or maybe he was looking at the person who’s suddenly appeared next to her.

  "Let me guess, will it be sunflowers today, (L/N)-san?" the newcomer asked in a slightly amused tone.

  “And how did you come to that conclusion, Shinazugawa-san?”

  “You always get them when they’re in season.” the white haired policeman smirked.

  While she’d like to say she wasn’t that predictable, he was right. She always had this strange pull to the flowers, like they were more than just something pretty to decorate your room with or let grow in your garden. She could never really explain why she liked them so much, except maybe for the fact that they brought warmth to her chest when she looked at them. Some would say that was because they reminded her of the beauty of the sun. That was partially true but she knew that wasn’t all there was to it. But she could never quite explain it.

  “Fine, you’re right…” she sighed.

  “Knew it. I’ll take seven sunflowers, please.” the man said to the store owner.

  “Wait, what?” (Y/N) looked at him in bewilderment.

  There were only seven sunflowers in the bucked! Was this some sort of a joke? She’s known Sanehiro Shinazugawa for quite some time now, actually she met him for the first time when she was studying at university. He was a regular in the cafe where she worked a part time job at the time. Came in so often that they eventually started sharing a bit of small talk every once in a while. Now, even tho she didn’t work there anymore, they still greeted each other when they crossed paths. Which was quite often as his sector was the area where she both worked and lived.

  The store owner handed the policeman the flowers, giving her an apologetic smile. The (H/C) haired woman directed a glare at the man standing next to her, examining the flowers with a mischievous smirk on his face.

  “That’s not very nice…” she grumbled.

  “Oh, really?” he looked at her with a strangely cheerful sparkle in his eyes before casually thrusting the sunflowers in her face, “I thought you said you wanted them.”

  “I di- wait. What?” she looked at the flowers dumbly.

  “Are you feeling okay, (L/N)-san?” he teased, “I thought teachers were supposed to be smart.”

  “It’s professor (L/N) to you.” she pouted.

  “Oh? But I distinctly remember you not addressing me as ‘officer’ earlier, (L/N)-san. Also, can you just take the flowers? My arm is starting to ache.”

  The girl snatched the sunflowers from his hand, a light blush coating her cheeks. The nerve of this guy!

  “You know, I think I met the boys you keep on complaining about. They bumped into me before you came here.” she noted.

  “What!?” he shouted, immediately enraged.

  He was so easy to rile up, at least when it came to those little troublemakers.

  “They went that way.” she pointed in the direction the two ran off in.

  “I’ll see you later!” the man shouted, already sprinting after them.

  No way he’d catch up to them now, but whatever. Before her could disappear behind the corner, she remembered the sunflowers in her hands.

  “Thanks for the flowers!” she called after him.

  His white hair glinted in the sun for one last time before he disappeared from sight. Just like the yellow and red hair of the boy earlier. She felt a painful pang in her heart at the memory. That bright smile of his, those wide eyes and crazy hair, it reminded her of something. Something she loved. And then it hit her.

  She looked down at the sunflowers she was holding, golden in the sunlight and smiled. Sunflowers. He looked like sunflowers, evoking the same feeling in her as the flowers did. Funny. She said goodbye to the flowershop worker and resumed her walk to the university. Maybe she’d swing by the cafe later, to thank Sanehiro for the flowers again and maybe get him a coffee. He was still a regular there. And so, the young professor made her way to the campus, the memory of the boy from the morning soon slipping from her mind. After all, he was just another kid in the town, nothing special.

***

  People say that every soul deserving of it is reborn into a happier life one day. It might not be at the same place where they lived, they might not have the same name but they will have the same beautiful heart they once had.

  That is true.

  They also say that they return in order to enjoy the happiness they were denied in their previous life, the life they deserved but didn't get to live, the one they sacrificed for something bigger and better or just lost it too soon. They will find their purpose and get all those moments they didn't get to live before, in their previous life.

  That is a lie.

  People live according to words that have already been written, they move like puppets on strings, following the lines prepared for them in the book of fate. So there are no mistakes to be fixed, it all went the way it was supposed to go. And so, when a soul is reborn, it is only by a new chapter of fate that they might meet another that they knew before. Their previous connections to each other are irrelevant, they become new people with a new path written for them. Perhaps it is one of happiness this time but it might be in a completely different way than how happiness looked like in the life before this one.

  So they had no hope from the start. Kyojuro and (Y/N) were always destined to fall in love, to find the greatest happiness in the world only for it to always be out of reach. They were meant to meet and become each other's whole world, to never admit it to each other until their last breath. They were once each other's fate… And they were made to be each other's tragic ending.

  But in a new life, their destinies have parted ways... And they became strangers who were no longer meant to be.

***

They say that souls are reborn into this world

And maybe that's why some faces are familiar like you've seen them before

But perhaps that's just because you've already seen so many people, young or old

Maybe it's the same as when the horizon seems the same from world's every shore

Maybe that's why some things give you feelings that you don’t even know

Or maybe there was someone you loved who was also born anew

But if fate says so, they will never make it back to you

 ***THE END***