Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc "Kyojuro and Akari"
BY: RENEE PHYLLIS
FANFICTION
Chapter Thirteen
"Is this Goodbye?"
The preparation has begun for the final battle to commence. The others might not have known it, but Oyakata-sama called forth Akari to his house for a briefing. Akari knew she will not be of help, so she was a little skeptical as to why she was called. When she knew about Oyakata's plan, she was deeply devastated. She would lose yet another family member of the family she grew to love. "Tengen and Shinjuro will be taking care of Kiriya, Kuina and Kanata. You, Akari, will be with the others, protecting the only person that Muzan wants, Nezuko. I say this with sadness, but you mustn't say anything to the others. I will be the one to say it to them. My sacrifice, my wife's sacrifice and my daughters' sacrifice will not be in vain, I know it. Just hold on to hope", Akari could not help but cry as Kagaya told her of what will happen to them. But in order to calm her down, Kagaya had put his hand on Akari's hand and smiled so peacefully and calmly like water ever calm. "I'm sorry for making you cry", he said and Akari could only shake her head. "No, I'm sorry Oyakata-sama, for not being of much help, because of my situation. If only-", she was cut off immediately as to stop Akari from saying something stupid – she was known to do so, especially when she's in a vulnerable state.
"Your children are a gift. A symbol of love that you and Kyojuro have. Being strong and brave for them is already a help to us, to all of us. Bring them to a world without demons, Akari", his soothing voice had made Akari stop crying so much. She smiled, reassuring Kagaya that she will indeed bring them to a world without demons. She could not control herself, and hugged Kagaya as their last goodbye. She hugged Amane as well as Kagaya's daughters, who will be sacrificing themselves. Then, she spoke to Amane. "You have been like a mother to me. And for that, I thank you from the deepest depths of my heart. Amane-san, you are a remarkable woman", she hugged her again as Amane hugged her back with tears on her eyes.
Akari had left the house and went to the Butterfly Mansion, to her room, to pick up a few things for Nezuko to be comfortable with. When she came to, she had found a letter on the table and read it. Shocked to her core and crying, the letter said:
Dear Oneesan,
I will be doing something I cannot say right to your face and therefore, I do this in a letter. I'm sorry. After my sister's passing, you took the liberty to be my eldest sister. You took care of my well being as well as trained me to become a better version of myself. You became not just my oneesan, but also my mother and became the head of the Butterfly Estate, even though it was left for me. I will regret leaving you, but you must know that I am doing this for all of you. For Kanao, Aoi, Naho, Kiyo, Sumi and for you, Oneesan, for your children. I have consumed wisteria flower and I know if I am to defeat an upper rank demon, it will lead me to my death. I will avenge my sister, our sister, Kanae, for that I assure you. I will avenge her death. I will take my sword to the demon's head, but if not, I will let the demon consume me to ensure his death. Oneesan, please understand. I am thankful to everything you have done for me, to everything you have become for me. I have already told Kanao, but I couldn't bring myself to tell the others, so take care of them for me. I am thankful for having you, because you, Akari, are the reason I wanted to live after losing our sister. I love you, Oneesan. And I know, we will meet again, someday. Live your life, Oneesan, for your children. Become a mother you aspire to be. Goodbye, for now.
Love, Shinobu.
She covered her mouth as if covering the sounds of her cries. She immediately ran to Shinobu, she needed to at least say that she understood and that she will carry her with her. She needed to say that she loved her, too. She ran out of her room and looked for Shinobu, only to find her almost leaving through the backyard, where all the pretty flowers bloomed. "SHINOBU!", she shouted. Shinobu turned around only to be met by a hug. Akari was crying as she hugged the person she treated as her sister, after Koji's passing. "I understand. I love you, too. We shall meet again", Akari whispered in Shinobu's ear. Shinobu buried herself in Akari's chest and cried as she heard her speak those words. When Akari lets go of the hug, she looks at Shinobu's crying face and wipes her tears away. "Don't worry. I'll tell my children what an amazing woman, my sister, Shinobu, has become", she bent a little to her height and smiled as she kissed Shinobu on the forehead. "Be strong, Shinobu. For Kanae and for me", she said and that was their last goodbye. Shinobu wiped her tears away as she got ready for the final battle that will be happening.
Akari went back to her room as she got what she needed for Nezuko. She went to Nezuko and she was hugged by Makio. "I really never thought you'd be a mother, besides, you're a scary person", she said as she hugged her and greeted her. They laughed about it – Akari had remembered a conversation she had with Makio, where she said she will never have a family, because it was too much of a burden; look where she is right now. Suma and Hinatsuru greeted her as well. "Akari!", Suma exclaimed as she hugged her like a little child, Makio glaring at her with death stares. "Hi, Akari!", Hinatsuru said with a hug too. Tengen and Shinjuro was already with Kagaya's three children. Senjuro was left home and guarded for his safety. Urokodaki was already with Nezuko. "We haven't officially met, Akari Mitsuma", Akari offered her hand for a shake and Urokodaki shook it. "I've heard about you from Giyu and Tanjiro. You surely are an amazing woman. I can tell", he said and Akari smiled. "Thank you for the compliment, Urokodaki-san", she said and bowed down a little to show respect. Akari gave Nezuko a blanket that would keep her warm during her transition of becoming human again. Tamayo and Shinobu had concocted an antidote that will make Nezuko human again and although they weren't sure that it would work, they were confident with what they have discovered.
All Akari could do is pray and wait. She couldn't bore the thought of losing more of her family, but it was inevitable, she knew that. God of the heavens above, please take care of my family. Please be with them always. Take care of Sanemi, Shinobu, Giyu, Iguro, Muichiro-kun, of my Niichan, Gyomei, of Mitsuri-chan, of everyone that I hold dear and love deeply. Of Tanjiro-kun, because his sister will need him when she wakes up. Of Zenitsu-kun and Inosuke-kun, take care of them, because they're just children who needs growing and to live their lives. Of all those slayers that will be sacrificing their lives, lead them to a peaceful place. Never leave them. Please. This is the only thing I could ask you, the only I can do. Please.
