Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc "Kyojuro and Akari"
BY: RENEE PHYLLIS
FANFICTION
Chapter Six
"Who would have thought?"
Morning came and a hashira meeting was held. Each hashira reported the findings and situations with each mission they had and how was the region they were protecting. Akari was anxious, but Kyojuro remained calm as an unbothered spirit. She looked at him many times, signaling him that she was nervous about what she would say and how she would say it. Kyojuro never looked at her back, but he felt how anxious she was and held her hand. Oyakata-sama smiled. Kagaya Ubuyashiki is one-of-a-kind or maybe it was passed down to family. It was believed that he can foresee events that will happen in the future. When Kyojuro held Akari's hand, Tengen looked at it, shocked. Kyojuro stood up and pulled Akari with him. She was definitely red as a tomato. "Oyakata-sama", Kyojuro started. All of them looked at the couple. Akari covered her face out of embarrassment. "Yes, Kyojuro?", Kagaya asked, but the look on his face said it all. "Akari and I, are together", Kyojuro looked at her, she was still covering her face, but had the courage to show it without turning red. Kyojuro smiled as Akari looked at him smiling. They both waited for Oyakata-sama's response. "I accept and give you my blessing", he said and the two lovers sighed so loudly in relief. The hashiras were all happy. Shinobu hugged her best friend/sister. "I'm happy for you, Nee-chan", she said and Akari's eyes were forming water droplets. Kyojuro was congratulated by Tengen. Mitsuri had teased them endlessly, reminding Akari of how she used to hate him and now, they were together, romantically – Kyojuro might have mentioned a few things about Akari to Mitsuri. Shinobu also teased her, saying the exact words that Akari used when she said she was going to kill Kyojuro. Kyojuro heard what Shinobu said and he looked at the girls, confused. Akari just laughed awkwardly. Tengen out of nowhere just deliberately gave relationship advice to Kyojuro in which they both laughed hysterically. "Love her, flamboyantly", Tengen said, with all the 'flamboyant' words flying out of his mouth. He loves that word so much. "And do not hurt her, or I swear, you will see how flamboyant I fight", he threatened in the most not-obvious way possible. Gyomei cried in tears of joy, while he prayed for both of them, to have a fruitful romance. He looked at the girl he practically raised and patted her in the head. "You're all grown up", he said and the tears Akari were holding back, came out as she hugged Gyomei and thanked him, calling him "Onii-chan" for the first time. Sanemi was a little heartbroken for the fact that he also admired Akari, but he respected the decision and was happy for them. He grew to love her, and he does, he was close to her as she was close to him. Sanemi congratulated her and she hugged him too, catching him off guard as he blushed and smiled. Giyuu did not make any sound or big deal about it, but Kyojuro knew that he was also happy about Akari and him being together. Muichiro not saying any word, just looked at the happy faces, the others were making, and mostly to the clouds above the sky. Akari knew he was more annoyed with Mitsuri with her bickering and squealing as she kept teasing her master/sensei about having thought of Akari every single day since the day he met her. Kyojuro surely was now redder than Akari and he scratched the back of his neck in awkwardness. Mitsuri kept shaking him, screaming in excitement. Obanai was just happy that Mitsuri was happy – and nothing else. Akari went to Oyakata-sama and bowed down as low as she could and said thank you. "Did you foresee this would happen?", she asked him. "I only saw you being happy", he said and she smiled back. She was, she was very happy. She was so happy that she thought killing demons would be a piece of cake. Even in the happiest moments, she thought of killing demons – she truly is something else. The hashiras celebrated the day joyously and with no sadness. Akari and Kyojuro held hands as they were dismissed by Oyakata-sama.
Later that evening, Akari spent the night at Kyojuro's house. It was the first time she would be spending there and it wouldn't be the last. As they were both getting ready to sleep, Akari stood up and opened the door, revealing the big bright moon. "Is something wrong?", asked Kyojuro who stood with her and they sat together, her staring at the moon like she was enchanted. "Nothing's wrong. I just can't seem to sleep", she said as she held Kyojuro hand. Instantly, Kyojuro blushed like an idiot. Ever since meeting her, he couldn't stop himself from turning all red and it was embarrassing. Luckily for him, she loved every embarrassing thing about him, even his red face. She chuckled just looking at Kyojuro. They stayed awake until Akari felt the need to sleep. They went to bed facing each other, as they drifted off to sleep, smiling their hearts out.
Years have passed and they both remained happy and content with each other. Although, ever since the news about a demon slayer carrying a demon got out, everyone was shock, including Akari. "That's impossible, right?", she asked Kyojuro just before they were called in a meeting. Kyojuro thought to himself, "It might be, but we're not so sure now", a scout called them from the Butterfly Mansion. Akari knew that Giyu and Shinobu were dispatched in a location where there might be a lower moon demon – still one of the 12 kizukis. When Akari and Kyojuro walked towards Oyakata-sama's house, she saw Shinobu and immediately, she smiled greeting her little sis. She looks at the corner to see Giyu not acknowledging them. Surely, he was disappointed of himself, or embarrassed. Whatever reason for his direct disobedience of the law, Akari knew it was personal. But she didn't resent him for that. After all, they're just human beings with feelings and feelings can get in the way of work.
When Tanjiro opened his eyes, seeing the hashiras standing in front of him, Akari could see his amazement, but he was also worried. Maybe because of her sister, Akari thought to herself. If she was Tanjiro, she would be a lot more worried about her sister than herself or than anybody else for that matter. Shinobu greeted Tanjiro. "Before we start the trial, I shall state the crimes you've committed against-", Kyojuro interrupted her. "I don't think we need a trial. Protecting a demon is obviously against the rules, we shall behead them together", he said, arms crossed. Akari, standing beside him raises her eyebrow in disbelief. Can't we at least let him explain? She thought. "I shall behead them flamboyantly, no one can do it better than I do", Tengen said and now Akari is holding her forhead in annoyance. Each hashira made their remarks, but Akari plainly said "hello" and approached the scout that was beside Tanjiro. Tanjiro smiled awkwardly at the girl who told the scouts to be gentle with him. She was a bit taller than him and her smile was pretty, Tanjiro thought. She was so gentle, her voice seemed so pleasingly calm. She stood beside a man with yellowish-orange hair with red tips. Tanjiro looked at them and they seemed to be… together. "Let's kill him", Gyomei says. "Yes, let's kill him flamboyantly", Tengen says and Kyojuro agrees. Akari was now at her limit. "Enough, I've had it with you and your flamboyant face, and Kyojuro, really?", she looks at her lover and Kyojuro freezes at his spot. She rolls her eyes and waits for Oyakata-sama to begin the trial. Tanjiro stood looking for Nezuko and his friends, Zenitsu, Inosuke and Murata. "Let's put this aside, what are we going to do with Tomioka?", Obanai questions as he sat on a tree nearby. They all turned their heads from Obanai to Giyu, who was still in the corner away from them. "He came here willingly, let's think about him later", Shinobu says. Seriously, everyone here is giving me a headache. Akari couldn't wait for Oyakata to come out. Besides, he's the only one who can stop them from making such decisions.
A discussion has been made regarding the existence of a so-called 'good demon'. Each hashira said some rather mean things like they should both be executed. Akari understood their opinions, but for her, they deserve to have their explanation. "Why don't we let him explain himself?", Kyojuro was stunned. Akari is known to jump into conclusions and be direct with orders. If you're a demon, good or bad, you kill it. That was the Akari that Kyojuro knew and although she was changed a bit by Shinobu, Kanae and Kyojuro's perspectives about the demons and the world itself, she was still the same girl who had killer instincts – saying it in a good way – but now she was direct to what she feels. "The boy deserves to explain himself; we can't just execute them without a proper reason", she strongly said. "He broke the law, isn't that enough of a reason?", Tengen countered. "Akari-san, we have rules for a reason", Shinobu says. Tanjiro thought that they were fighting with each other, although they seemed to be, they aren't fighting. They're having a normal conversation. Suddenly, Sanemi enters the conversation and in his hands was the box, Nezuko was in. Tanjiro got so angry, but he was stopped. Sanemi slashed his sword into the demon inside the box and Akari heard a groaning sound, much like what someone would sound like if they were hurt. "Sanemi, I suggest you stop or else-", she was interrupted when Tanjiro jumps high, smashing his head in Sanemi's forehead, headbutting him. It made quite the impact. The hashiras were astounded for a moment. Mitsuri tried to not laugh, but failed and Akari wanted to laugh with her. She didn't mean to be a little rude, but that was just plain hilarious. She saw how Tanjiro protected his sister despite having injuries all over his body. Now she understood, if she was indeed in his position, she would kill whoever dares touch her sister. It was the sole duty of a big brother or sister to protect the little ones.
Oyakata-sama has finally arrived and all hashiras got down in one knee and bowed down. Sanemi pinned Tanjiro's head down as he got down in one knee. "It's good to see you in good health, Oyakata-sama", Sanemi says in his calm tone. "Oyakata-sama, we are pleased to be in your presence", Akari smiles. "Thank you, Sanemi and Akari", Oyakata-sama's voice has never been not so calming to hear. It was as if the birds are singing and everything is at peace. "Regarding Nezuko and Tanjiro's situation has my approval, therefore, I hope everyone of you can accept them", he said which dazed the hashiras. Akari accepted his request and so did Mitsuri, but the others still needed more than his words. So, Sanemi did the unthinkable and challenged the demon in the shade of Oyakata-sama's house. Tanjiro was now pinned down by Obanai, filled with anger as Sanemi continues to hurt her sister. "Sanemi, stop!", Akari shouted, but then, Kyojuro held her hand and he stopped her from coming towards Sanemi. She was also fuming with anger, upon seeing Tanjiro hurt and Nezuko getting hurt. The memories of her sister came back flashing like the waves of despair. She questioned herself again. What if she heard the demon? What if she could have helped her sister? Her parents? What if she died with them? She felt sorry for the Kamado siblings. When Nezuko had proven herself, Akari smiled and Shinobu requested to take care of the both of them. She sighed so loud and deep. After the semi-annual meeting, she left, not looking at Kyojuro. She's a bit angry for why he stopped her from coming to a child's rescue.
Kyojuro had found her on the hilltop. "Are you mad at me?", he asked. "I was, but it seemed pointless, so now, I'm not mad", she said and stared at the sun. "I'm sorry for stopping you. All of us needed to know if we could trust them", he said a little loud, but just the right kind of loud. "I know. And I forgive you. I just- I remembered my sister. If I was in Tanjiro's position, I would have killed you and everyone who dares touch her", she said, teasingly, trying to scare Kyojuro. Which he was a little scared, not because she might have killed him, but because she will kill him, if she ever was in that situation. She was true to her words and she was trustworthy, so everything she says she will do, just know she will do it. She laughed at Kyojuro's reaction. They went back down after some time.
