Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc "Kyojuro and Akari"

BY: RENEE PHYLLIS

FANFICTION

Chapter Five

"The Confession"

Months had passed and Kyojuro still hasn't confessed to Akari. His love for her only grew and grew, but he couldn't mess things up for the both of them. H was worried, it would ruin the relationship they have right now. They also grew closer with each day that they have been sharing their lives. Akari started to outgrow her aggressive behavior and began to be a little calm. When Akari got back from her mission, Kyojuro invited her for a midnight stroll. Akari gladly accepted, because she wanted a change of scenery other than the blood spilled by the demons she killed. She got ready wearing a simple sage green kimono with printed white flowers. She wore slippers with long white socks and her hair was tied in half. She pinned the rest of her bangs on the side of her head. Kyojuro called out for Akari and asked if she was ready. Aoi and the three girls waited outside of her room, along with Kanao who remained quiet as usual. "I'm ready", Akari announced and closed the door behind her as she steps outside of it. Kyojuro's eyes grew big and he looked at Akari as if she was a diamond shining. Akari smiles at him. He wore his black kimono that had the same print as his haori. Shinobu looks at both of them and smiles. "Are you going on a date?", she asked. The three girls squealed and teased them. Aoi remained suspicious of Kyojuro's intentions, she simply loved Akari too much. Kanao just smiled. "Oh no, we're just going for a midnight stroll", she said and blushed. Shinobu nodded and they said their goodbyes. "Sayonara", Shinobu says.

They walked through the streets of the busy town. They went from food stall to food stall ordering different kinds of food. They were pretty full after. They walked and walked, until they have reached the hilltop they've been on before. Kyojuro remained an inch away from her, he didn't want to get too close because he might explode. Akari did not mind, for her, this was just a normal stroll with a friend she didn't like at first, but grew closer as they hung out more. She sat in the same position as the first time they went into the hilltop where the lights were like the sea. Kyojuro took a deep breath, he was finally ready to confess. He had thought that he will be free once the confession is made. And maybe he was right. Not second-thinking his decision, after a minute or so of silence, he looked at Akari and said, "Akari". She slowly turned to face Kyojuro who seemed nervous and anxious. "I like you", he plainly said, smiling in awkwardness as his head turns away in embarrassment. Akari was surprised, her eyes turned into dots with this confession. He was very straightforward. She had felt millions of butterflies in her stomach and her eyes twinkled as she stared at the sunset-haired boy who was now so red, she thought he was going to explode. Akari had remained silent for a second, before she put her hand on his shoulder. Kyojuro turns his head back facing her and she kissed him in the cheeks. The now red flame hashira was burning in excitement and happiness. "I like you, too", the phoenix hashira said and smiled. She never thought she would be able to like someone nor love them like this. He never thought he would see such beautiful eyes that made him feel like he was on top of the world. As they stared at each other, he could feel his heart pounding and she could feel her mind screaming in her head how happy she was feeling with both her and Kyojuro's hand intertwined with one another. She puts her head on his shoulder and they held hands as they looked at the town lights below. She didn't fall asleep; she was too happy. When it was time to go home, he walked her to the Butterfly Mansion. He told her jokes that weren't really that funny, but the way he told them sent Akari laughing hysterically. As they reached the Mansion, she said goodbye to him and kissed him again in the cheeks as he kissed hers. She froze in her spot, redness taking over her face. Kyojuro laughs and walks away. She turns around to see Shinobu waiting for her. "Well?", Shinobu asked the blushing red girl in front of her. She told Shinobu all the details of their walk right up to the confession. Shinobu was so happy that Kyojuro was finally able to confess. Akari was confused. Shinobu laughed at her cluelessness. She had told her that a few months ago, Kyojuro was out and about asking for advices from the guys and had failed. Akari laughed at her story, because of Sanemi's reaction to Giyu's remark. But she felt a sweet sensation on her heart as Shinobu told her that Kyojuro had been planning on confessing, but was scared. Shinobu also called Akari more blind than Gyomei. She got mad of course, but her little sister was right, she was indeed more blind than Gyomei. "Well then, you are more blind too if you don't notice how sweet you are with Giyu, even with your insults", Akari said and Shinobu smiled furiously like she was about to kill Akari. They both laughed after a second of silence. "I'm happy that you're happy", Shinobu says as she holds Akari's hand. They went to bed together, and had slept peacefully.

In the morning, things weren't awkward between them, but they remained professional in their job. Tengen had noticed something, a change in Akari's behavior, and he knew that something was going on between the flame hashira and the phoenix hashira. But he never questioned them both, he was sure that they had their reasons.

As time passed by, Muzan had grown his numbers. Their missions have been harder than before, but as hashiras, it hasn't stop them from defeating every demon that comes their way. Akari would sometimes help Shinobu in her experiments with poison and other medicinal concoctions. She brought along some of the poison and medicine in her missions. It was truly helpful. If they didn't have missions, Akari and Kyojuro would spend some time training. Just to prove that Akari is more talented than Kyojuro. He smiled as she kept beating him up gently, but not going easy on him. They both made each other stronger. She also helped in training Mitsuri some more and eventually she becomes the love hashira. Their number grew as Muichiro Tokito and Obanai Iguro became hashiras. Muichiro being only 14 and in just two months, he became the mist hashira. Obanai was saved by Kyojuro's father which greatly explains his immense respect for Kyojuro and his family. He was taken good care of and when he became a demon slayer, he worked hard and became the serpent hashira. Akari loved Kaburamaru so much, they were friends. All of them were called the 10 Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps and they were greatly respected by many. They were assigned to each region and protected those regions with their lives on the line. They kept getting stronger and stronger with everyday spent as training and killing demons. In time, Muzan's demons decreased in number, but he kept growing back, not backing down. Hashira or not, the demon slayer corps never backs down from a fight. A lot was killed, but they were given recognition for being brave warriors.

Jump to a few months later, Kyojuro went to the hilltop after he had finished a mission. Akari knew exactly where to find him. The sun was about to set. "Aren't you tired? You just got back", she said to the man looking at the bright sun setting down. "I never get tired", Kyojuro said in such a loud tone, proud and true. She smiles softly and sits down at his right side. "Well, if you're not tired, then I am", she said and puts her head in his right shoulder. They have been dating for months and would occasionally hang out if they were done with their assignments. "I love you, Akari", Kyojuro said which caught Akari by surprise. They have never said those words to each other, although they have been constantly reminding each other of their love. She looked at him while he looked at the sunset, smiling so widely. He looks at her when he noticed Akari face inches away from him. "I love you too, Rengoku Kyojuro", she said and smirked at him graciously. They stared at each other's eyes for so long, it felt like they have known each other for eternity. Her hand was inside his arm and her other one touching Kyojuro's chest. They slowly leaned in, putting their foreheads together. She puts her head back in his shoulders. At long last, they were now together. She couldn't wait to tell Shinobu and the others, she was excited. But now comes the problem. There was no rule that hashiras aren't supposed to have lovers, Tengen even has three, but will this effect their performance, their job and oath to always save lives and put theirs in line? She seemed worried, but she knew that Oyakata-sama would understand. She enjoyed her time with Kyojuro as they watched the sun sets. She truly loved the man she was holding and to think he hated this guy. He truly loved the girl who was beside him and to think he fell in love with someone so stubborn and easily-annoyed. But he loved her for her and not for anything else. He loved her even if she hated him. He loved her even if she hadn't realized he did. He loved her so much that she thanked the gods above for giving him someone like her. And honestly, who would have thought that Akari would fall in love.