Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc "Kyojuro and Akari"
BY: RENEE PHYLLIS
FANFICTION
Chapter Twelve
"A life without Kyojuro"
Every single day, was hard for Akari. In the 2 years she had with Kyojuro, it was hard not having him around or at least seeing him. Akari would find herself dreaming about him. She would often go to their favorite spot up the hills. With her growing stomach, she had a hard time doing things on her own, luckily, she's got friends and family by her side. Tengen, Gyomei and Sanemi would visit her more often. She had her daily counseling with Amane and Kagaya. Shinobu is always by her side. And she had time for Senjuro. She also honored the Rengoku family tradition, where the pregnant women would 'supposedly' stare at a burning fire in the course of their pregnancy. This is absurd, she thought. But she did it anyway, and did every tradition Shinjuro throws at her.
Four months have passed, and yet, the pain had stayed with her in all of the course of those months. I guess there is really no escape from this. She sometimes would find herself crying out of nowhere. She sighed, looking at the big bright moon, just outside of the Butterfly Mansion. "A long time ago, I would look at the moon, thinking of Kanae. Now, I'm looking at it, thinking of the both of you", she mumbled under her breath, in a form of a whisper. She was alone. "I thought I'd be naming our baby, Kajuro. I didn't know I'd be naming two", she chuckled at what she said. She had a box on her side and a diary on the other. She had kept a diary since the day Tanjiro had insulted her – in a nice way – and recorded every emotion she's feeling and every single thing that happened in the days of her life. Sometimes, she would just write down random things, like what had happened on her first date with Kyojuro, because it was a moment she would never forget. On the other side, where a box made of soft wood – resembling a bento box – has been sitting on, she opened it and there she found a ribbon that belonged to her sister, Koji. She kissed the ribbon with tears on her eyes. "Why do I keep losing people? Why?", she said to herself while crying. She deeply missed those who have passed on. "How will I ever get back up? I feel like I'm cursed", she said to herself, letting herself down. Then, a breeze brushed against her face, more like a touch of someone she holds dear. She stops from crying. She felt hands on her shoulders, it seemed like someone was comforting her. It wasn't Shinobu, she's quite busy. It wasn't Tanjiro, Inosuke or Zenitsu, they're asleep. It wasn't Kanao, Sumi, Naho, Kiyo or Aoi, they're asleep as well. "Who are you?", she found herself asking. The breeze had continued coming, the flowers dancing. She felt a hand touch her hand and a hand on her stomach, a kiss on her cheek. "Kyojuro!", she turned around to see no one. But she felt it. She knew she felt it. Am I going crazy? She thought to herself, but that's was impossible, for she was sure that she felt something. Looking back at the moon, she smiled. "I love you, too", she said to the moon that shined even so brightly that it did before. She blew kisses and calmed herself. She set the ribbon down to its box and brought both the box and diary with her as she went to bed. This was the start of her life without Kyojuro. If only things were different, but there not. And as soon as her head touch the pillow, she fell asleep, happily smiling.
*After Entertainment District Arc
Another few months have passed and everything went smoothly for Akari. Well, in the time of 'Tengen's kidnapping', she scolded him so hard for taking girls from the Butterfly Mansion without her permission and for slapping Aoi on the butt. "You are such a pervert", she said to him, but never meant it the harsh way. She told him to apologize to the girls. "You should thank me for scolding you, instead of Shinobu, you know she's much worst than me", she said. "No one's worst than you", he replied with a smirk and she slapped him on the side of his arm, laughing. "Whatever", she smirked as well. But she didn't just scold him for that, but also for endangering Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke and Nezuko's life, including his wives. "Seriously, you should really be more careful and those kids are only half your age", she said angrily, but playfully. "You know, for a pregnant woman like you, you surely like scolding people and being so mean", she gave him a cold glare and eyed him, narrowing her eyes as she raised her right eyebrow. "Just telling the truth and nothing but the truth, the flamboyant way", she laughed. She laughed so hard. First time in forever, where she laughed like herself, when she hasn't lost Kyojuro or Kanae. "It's good to see your stomach getting so big", he smiled at her. She sighed deeply. "Yup, the two of them being all grumpy inside of there. Sometimes, I think I'm having a little Kyojuro inside me. I'm always hungry", she said chuckling, looking at Tengen. "He'd be proud of those three idiots and of his sister", he said, gesturing to Tanjiro and the others. "And I know he's happy, just being with you, even if not physically", she could almost cry, but she gathers all the courage not to. "You really want me to cry, don't you?", she said and eyed him again, but this time, playfully. "The amazing Akari has gone soft. My, my. Kyojuro has done his work well", she laughed with him. "It's a good thing a piece of you is with him. Literally", she joked and he was hysterical, but then stops from crying his eyes out of laughter and stares at her, seriously. "I'm just joking", she added after laughing so hard that she almost choke. All was quiet after their jokes and story-telling. They both felt silent, but it was enough for them. Tengen lost a great friend, but he knows that no matter where Kyojuro is now, he is looking out for them.
*Hashira Training Arc
After the discover of Nezuko's new profound power, being able to walk in the sun, the demon slayer corps has initiated an all-out hashira training for all of the demon slayers to participate. Preparation of the possible attack that Muzan will eventually do, because what he has longed for will soon be in place, because of Nezuko. Each slayer will train with each hashira and then go to the next if they are permitted so by the current hashira they are training with. Akari wanted to participate, so she was permitted do to lesson training, strategy and other training that won't require her to move too much because she might endanger her pregnancy. She was glad that Kagaya said yes to her. She was the first level of the hashira training, call it level one or the easy level if you may. But, to be honest, if she weren't pregnant, she'd probably be more aggressive than she is right now. She gave each slayer a lesson, technique, asked them to show her their moves and those that she thinks has a strong suit will be permitted to go, those who does not have a strong suit, she'll right the mistakes they're doing or at least give them advice on how to use it more properly and effectively. She was able to get things right and teach the slayers on how to do things. "She's so amazing and sweet", a slayer said as Tanjiro had approached them. "Mitsuma-san!", he called out and Akari was so surprised that she ran to him for a hug. "Well, he's lucky to get to hug her", another slayer said, being all mesmerize by Akari's beauty. She was graceful and kind, teaching them, but if they only knew how she really trains, they wouldn't give such wonderful compliments. "Tanjiro-kun, I'm so glad", she greeted him and hugged Tanjiro like her own little brother. Tanjiro hugged her back – though it was hard to hug her fully, her stomach was on the way. She began training with Tanjiro. His issue was when he uses his Hinokami Kagura, but could not control his breathing. She wasn't very knowledgeable with his breathing style, but she still was able to give him advice that will teach him how to master them. "Breathing styles, techniques if you ma, are also part of our emotions. It nearly depends on how we feel. Sometimes, when we are angry, we can't think clearly, therefore, messing up our breathing which messes up our styles", she said to her students who were sitting. "Imagine water, water users are known to be calm, because that's how water is. Let your emotions flow, goals, dreams, nightmares, worries. Let them all flow like water and let them go, accept them as part of you and use it as a weapon", somehow it made sense, especially to those who uses water breathing. "Fire or flame, suits are strong emotions. Love, passion, compassion, even hatred, anger and despair. Fire is the epitome of my existence. I've felt pain and turned into rage, which was where I originally discovered Phoenix Breathing. To control fire is to not feed it a lot of emotions, but to rather feed it as slow as time needs to be, control and bring it out", Tanjiro looked at her with such amazing expression. It was like Akari knew what to say to him that would allow him to learn. "The flame hashira as you all know, was my boyfriend. I'm pregnant with his children and somehow, even if he's gone, I can feel him with me", she says as she touches her stomach. "He once said to a 15-year-old boy to set his heart ablaze. To always be strong even if he can't. To stand for those in need. Now, I'll tell you the same. The hashira training is going to be hard, harder than anything you've ever encounter. And therefore, I say to you, walk to the path you feel is right and set your heart ablaze. Burn brighter, be brighter. Be the light that will vanquish the demon in which he calls himself powerful. You all, are great warriors", she smiled to all of them. "Be proud of yourselves, because honestly, I never lie to anyone. If deemed necessary, I might", she said as she laughed, but everyone seemed so nervous now and serious. "I'm kidding, but take my lessons with you for it will help you achieve greatness", she said, sincerely, her tone was firm and clear. She then bows to all of them. "Uh, Akari-sama, you don't have to bow", a slayer said in the background. "Mitsuma-san, we will take your lessons with us, but you don't have to bow like this", they insisted she stand up, but she was still on her knees, as she bowed down to all of them so low that it was quite embarrassing for all of the demon slayers there to see a hashira bowing to them when they should be the one bowing to her. But somehow, all of them felt her gratitude and her sincerity, her way of words was truly inspiring. They felt proud and true. "Thank you to all of you for risking your lives for the people of this world", she started to cry which made her students feel uneasy again. "Mitsuma-san, please stand up", Tanjiro stood before her, offering his hand. She gasped lightly and took his hand as she looked at him with shocked eyes. When she stood up, all of the slayers bowed to her as Tanjiro bowed first and said, "Arigato Gozaimasu, Mitsuma-san". They all bowed down, one-by-one. Akari was really shocked by this gesture. She put her hand on her mouth, covering some parts of it, her tears forming in her eyes.
"Thank you, Akari-sama".
"Arigato, Mitsuma-san".
"Arigato Gozaimasu, Akari-sama".
"Akari-sama, you are amazing".
There was so many compliments coming from the demon slayers who bowed to her. She cried in happiness as she was overjoyed to see such a gesture. She smiled and they continued their training with such enthusiasm as they trained hard.
