Chapter Text
'Do they hate me?'
That was a thought that plagued Zenitsu's mind. 'Do friends usually leave their friend by the roadside? Why couldn't we have talked it out?' Zenitsu thought about it for a moment. What if Tanjiro, Inosuke and Kirameki had actually stayed behind to talk him into coming with them? He decided that he would have come compliantly if they had just encouraged him. He sighed and rested his head on his folded arms. Being left behind like this hurt.
The sound of rustling leaves caught Zenitsu's attention. It sounded close. His head shot up and his eyes widened in fear as he began to shake. Irrational thoughts of it being a demon and dying washed over him. From the bushes emerged a figure. Zenitsu put an arm up in front of his face and began to scream.
"Oi, you know I have trouble hearing you when you screech like that.." A familiar voice called out. Zenitsu's shrieks died down as he realized who it was.
"KIRAMEKIIIIIII! DON'T SNEAK UP ON ME L-L-L-LIKE THAT!! YOU COULD HAVE GIVEN ME A HEART ATTACK! OR MY HEART COULD HAVE JUMPED OUT OF MY THROAT!!" He whined, tears slipping down his face.
Kirameki chuckled and stepped up to him. He held out a hand. Zenitsu took it and was pulled into a standing position. "Why are you here anyways, Kirameki? I thought you went with the others?" He questioned the fuschia-haired boy.
"I did."
"So why are you here now?"
Kirameki looked off to the side, tsking.
"No reason."
Zenitsu stared back at him for a moment.
"You came for me?" He asked.
Kirameki froze in his spot. His eyes darted to Zenitsu before he tilted his head down enough to cover his eyes from view.
"...you should come with us. We could use an extra pair of hands."
Zenitsu turned his gaze to the mountain. Just the sight of it gave him bad vibes. He felt a hand touch his shoulder. He snapped his head in the direction the hand had come from.
"I would want you to come."