Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc "Kyojuro and Akari"

BY: RENEE PHYLLIS

FANFICTION

Chapter Fifteen

"We shall all meet again"

More deaths have come their way, more tears were shed, especially by Akari. She felt sorry for those demon slayers that she has taught and for those she has befriended. She was concerned for all of them. She felt sorry for everyone, because she wasn't there to help, but she reminded herself, that everything happens for a reason and that their sacrifices will not be in vain and not forgotten. As more death came, the sun was nearing. Please, be careful all of you and lead us to victory. She prayed to the heavens above, she pleaded. She was desperate. She was now outside of the room she was in, outside the backyard as the sun was rising. She was praying. She was crying. She opened her eyes and saw that her crow had come back, she thought it was good news – in a way – but she had shed more than she already did. She just found out that both Genya and Muichiro had died in their battle with the upper rank demon 1. The two boys she had already claimed as her little brothers. Genya and Akari had bonded over the years. She was like a big sister, she trained him as well, before Genya even trained with Gyomei. She was there to comfort him whenever Sanemi would be too much of a hard-headed Onichan. Muichiro, even when he was hard to please as to his personality being blunt and simple – because of his memories being lost – she treated him as an equal and a remarkable swordsman than her. She was stunned to even get the news of someone becoming a hashira in just 2 months and at such a young age. Both were her family and now both were gone.

Not only were Muichiro and Genya lost, Iguro, Mitsuri, and Gyomei had also lost their lives to the battle. Akari could not help but hold her chest, because the pain was too much. Iguro was her friend, even if he never really interacted with her personally. He was always with Mitsuri. Mitsuri was her little sister, that she would always eat with, because her appetite was crazy and she kind of like the company. Especially when training her, Akari would laugh when Mitsuri's stomach would growl and Kyojuro would look at them with food on his hand – even if he was the first one to eat. And Gyomei, her big brother. Gyomei, who saved her, Shinobu and Kanae that night when losing her parents and sister. Gyomei, who trained her to become a better version of herself, who trained her to become a hashira alongside him. Gyomei, who was caring as he was strong, loving as he was tall, and compassionate as he was an amazing big brother to them all. "Ho-how could this be?", she said, holding her chest, her arm supporting her body, laying on the wooden floor. She cried and cried and cried without stopping. Her crow could only look at her. "Have I lost everyone?", she was having mix emotions, but then she felt a hand on her shoulder. No, it wasn't just a hand. It was pair of hands on her shoulder. She felt the presence of the deceased. She looked at the back of her. Nobody was there. Then a breeze brushed against her face. She gasped slightly, quietly. And a soft smile formed on her lips. She smiled and her heart was lifted. She let her crow rest. "You've done quite enough. Thank you, Hana", she said and kissed her crow on the forehead.

Alas, victory was theirs. Only, it wasn't theirs yet, when Tanjiro became the Demon King, but oh well, that was solved rather immediately by Kanao and the others. Especially, Nezuko. Her crow left abruptly after the defeat of Muzan.

A few months have passed and the twins were born. Kajuro and Kyori. Akari has now built a house of her own for her children, just near the Butterfly Estate and the Ubuyashiki Estate, so she can visit both Kanao and the others as well as Kiriya and her sisters. They've won against evil and everything was normal and at peace. Tanjiro, Inosuke, Zenitsu and Nezuko have lived together in one roof, back at Tanjiro's hometown. Sanemi has decided to live his life, working and helping other people as well as visiting Akari and his baby niece and nephew. Giyu does the same, in which he visits with Kiriya and Akari. He's Kyori's second favorite uncle – according to her, because her first one's Sanemi and the third is Tengen, though her most favorite of all favorite is Kiriya. Tengen has live his life with his wives and now they have a child of their own. The other demon slayer who had lived has their own lives free now. Yushiro was now a close friend of Akari – it was hard to approach him, because since the death of Tamayo, it was hard for him to live. Even if Akari wasn't close to Tamayo, she surely has done a lot for Yushiro and therefore Akari understood why Yushiro was having a hard time looking for a purpose, but gladly, he had found a purpose – even if it was a bit… well. Yushiro had learned painting and has kept on painting for years to come.

Everything was going well. Every night, she would tell Kajuro and Kyori about the great stories of Kyojuro Rengoku, The Flame Hashira and the stories of the greatest organization in the world, The Demon Slayer Corps. Although gory, she never left any details. She told them a lot about their father as she once promised to herself. And when her kids turned 2, she decided to celebrate it in Kyojuro's resting place. She insisted all of her family rest in one place. Kanae, Shinobu, Kyojuro and the others. Her parents and sister were also there as ashes. They were cremated and put in a jar. She had kept them and when Kanae died, she decided to put them with her.

"Mama, is papa really here?", Kyori asked. "Yes, dear. He's here resting as well as all of our families", she smiled at her daughter who was tracing her finger in the stone. "In the dirt? Isn't that dirty? Does papa like dirt?", Kajuro asked and Akari was weirded out at the bluntness of her son. "No, dear. Papa's somewhere enchanting and beautiful. Your father is in the skies above", she said and Kyori was amazed. "Wouldn't he fall from there?", Kajuro asked again, looking at the clouds. Akari could only laugh, but it seems like Kajuro was serious. "You know what, we should just eat", Akari said as she set down the covered food in the blanket they were sitting on and Kajuro had sat down with her. Kyori was still playing around the stone, running around the tree. "Mama, look, I can fly, just like Papa", Kyori said and she smiled so happily, ear to ear, but was ruined by Kajuro. "No, you can't fly. That would be impossible", he said and Akari looked at him as if she has seen a ghost. Where does he get these words? She thought to herself. Is this from Kyojuro's family or mine? Maybe he got it from me? I do recall something about being like this.

*Flashback to 19 years ago*

Akari was a bit of a blunt child. She was difficult to deal with and therefore she was having difficulties making friends. When people would ask her something, she would answer them bluntly, which could sometimes lead to rudeness. It wasn't that she couldn't lie, she just didn't like to lie. One time, when she was with some kids, a girl had approached them with a new bow on her hair. It was yellow and bright. The girl had asked if it was good and beautiful, but then Akari, a weird 5-year-old kid, said that it was too bright to even get notice by anyone, because every human being who would see it, would look away, and its shape was a little bit crooked. She said it wasn't pleasing enough that it was hurting her eyes, because of how bright it was. The girl surely cried and that was the end for Akari, for making friends. Though of course, Kanae was there. She was the only one, the only friend of Akari's. They have been friends since they were 3 years' old. Akari would still be blunt with Kanae, but Kanae wouldn't take it seriously and would laugh about it. Akari eventually learned how to be playful and a little kind – but still she was blunt. That was what Kanae liked about her, she was honest, unlike most people. And therefore, their friendship grew into the love of sisters. When Akari became a big sister, she was a lot careful with her words and she was a protective, loving and caring big sister to Koji.

Kyori cried, approaching her mother and scratching her eye. "Kajuro, that's not nice to say", she said as she glared softly at her son. Akari seemed angry, but in truth, she was quite proud of Kajuro having her personality. Well, I'm a little too much sometimes, so I shouldn't be happy about that. Right? She tried calming Kyori down and saying that whatever she puts her mind into will surely come true. She comforted her daughter and when Kyori finally stopped crying, they all ate and celebrated their birthday together. As Akari lit the candle for the twins, she felt a hand on her shoulder and that made her cry a little bit. Kyojuro, you're here, aren't you? She was happy and Kajuro looked at her smiling softly. She smiled back to her son and she sang a happy birthday as the twins blew the candle. "I miss papa", Kyori said looking down. "Me too", Kajuro said, looking down as well. "Me three", Akari said setting the cake down, putting her hands in both Kyori and Kajuro's shoulder. "But you know, he's always watching over us, even if that's impossible, he is here with us", she said to lift up the spirits of both her children. Just then, someone came to offer their respects and to say happy birthday to the twins. "Of course, he's here. My brother is a food lover after all", Senjuro says and smiles at the two as they saw their uncle. "Uncle Senjuro!", the two greeted and ran for a hug. "Senjuro, I'm glad you came", Akari stood up for a hug, too. "Neesan, of course. I wouldn't miss my niece and nephew's birthday", Senjuro rubbed his hand in Kajuro's head and brushed his finger against Kyori's face. "How's your schooling?", Akari asked. "Okay, I guess. Although I'm having a hard time with some of the lessons, but I can do it", Senjuro sat down on the blanket that was set and Akari sat also. "Any hug for me?", Shinjuro had arrived and the two kids ran as fast as they could jumping to him. "Grandpa!", Shinjuro laughed along with Kyori and Kajuro, who hugged him too tightly. "Shinjuro-san, I thought you were needed for work?", Akari asked and tilted her head a bit. "I can miss a day, besides, I can't simply miss my grandchildren's 2nd birthday", he set the two down as they ran to hug their mother and sat down in the blanket as well. Akari just smiled and nodded. They were all seated in the picnic blanket that was set on the ground, near a big tree that covered them from the heat of the sun and the graveyard of the demon slayer corps. "Oi, Kyojuro. You've done it, son. I'm proud of you", Shinjuro said as he looked at Kyojuro's gravestone and smiled, raising a cup and waving it in the air. Senjuro suddenly looked at him and wiped a tear away. Akari did the same. Akari gave Shinjuro and Senjuro a plate and they all ate pieces of the cake together. "Hmm. Umai! Umai! Umai!", Kyori exclaimed with the first bite of her cake. Akari just stared at her in pure shock, as well as Shinjuro and Senjuro. Akari's eyes were getting watery. "Neesan?", Senjuro called her out. "I'm fine", she wiped the tears away and smiled at her daughter. But not a minute too soon, Kyori kept saying "Umai!" with every single bite and every single contact of food in her mouth. She and Kajuro just looked at Kyori with an annoyed expression plastered in their faces. "Kyori, dear. That's enough food for you. You might get a stomachache", Akari said and basically snatched the plate away from her as she was chuckling at her excuse. Shinjuro chuckled as well, remembering his son. Senjuro looked as if he was about to cry. "But Mama, why? It was truly delicious", Kyori pleaded.

They stayed there until the sun had set, just telling stories, both embarrassing and sad. The kids had played with each other – though Kajuro couldn't help but get bored and make Kyori cry again. Shinjuro had mentioned that Kajuro seemed more like Akari and Kyori more like Kyojuro. Kyori even has the same favorite word with Kyojuro, which made Akari scared, first time hearing it. She thought Kyori had been possessed by Kyojuro. That wouldn't be possible, would it? She was saying ridiculous things inside her head that she suddenly laughed out of nowhere. Kajuro looked at her weirdly. After getting home, Kajuro had immediately slept, because of boredom and tiredness. Akari had cleaned the house a bit and washed the dishes that was used on their little picnic. Kyori was outside the backyard where the flowers bloomed and smelled so sweet. Akari was still a big fan of strong-scented flowers and somehow, Kajuro did not inherit that kind of hobby, because he gets nauseous when smelling the smell too much. "Kyori? What're you doing here?",she asked seeing her daughter, sitting down and looking at the sky. "Mama, what's it like losing… losing someone?", she was stunned by her question. Seriously? Where are they getting these words? She stared in disbelief. "Well, dear. It's painful. But even it is, there's no point in thinking about it, you just got to have to accept things", she was a little puzzled with what she just said, but Kyori understood it perfectly. "What was it like losing… Papa?", she sighed deeply and looked at the moon. "Losing you father was like… it was like losing a piece of my heart. But then, you and your brother were born and somehow, holding you two for the first time, that piece was given to me back", she turned her gaze to her daughter whose eyes were sparkling. "I saw him once", Kyori mumbled. "Saw who, dearest?", she asked. "Papa".

"I saw Papa, in a dream. I was up in the hills and there was a huge tree on the edge of the hill, edge of the mountain. Papa was sitting there and he was brushing my hair using his fingers. Then, I heard someone call my name. When I turned around, there was people. A tall girl, who looks a lot like Aunt Kanae. Then, the girl beside her, Aunt Shinobu. A girl with pink and green hair smiled at me, introducing herself as Aunt Mitsuri. And then, there were two boys smiling at me. Aunt Mitsuri also had someone with her who was covering his mouth and he said hi to me. I turned to the side and there was a huge man that put his big hand in my head. Oh, Oh. I also saw Grandma. She whispered something to me, but I couldn't hear clearly. They all said goodbye and disappeared. I called out to them, but they were gone. Papa calmed me down, because I was getting scared and then someone ran to hug me. It was Aunt Koji, I knew it was her, she looked exactly what you showed me in pictures. Then I think Papa said that I had another grandma and grandpa. Mama's parents, he said. The three of them hugged me and I hugged them back. I was really happy. I wanted to stay with Papa, but he said that you were calling for me to wake up and when I did, it was already morning and you were shouting, because you messed up breakfast and Niichan was demanding food", Akari had her mouth open and then closed it. She was crying the whole time she was listening to her daughter talk about meeting her family. All of her family. Then Kajuro came out of the room, rubbing his eyes. "I've dreamt the same. Papa laughed at me, because he said he reminds me of Mama and that Mama was also hard-headed like me", he said as he approached his mother and sister. Akari wiped her tears away and her two children had sat beside her, on each side. "Come here, you two", she said and both Kyori and Kajuro laid down their heads on Akari's lap. "I love you both, my babies", she said kissing their foreheads and Kajuro immediately fell asleep. Kyori was only falling into sleep.

Akari sighed deeply and looked at the moon. How are you all up there?

Years have now passed. Kyori and Kajuro after doing school, has their own lives now. Kanao married Tanjiro. Zenitsu surely married his crush, Nezuko and she seems super happy about it. Aoi, who's only good side was seen by Inosuke has now fallen in love with him and their officially married, although it was kind of a hard process, because Inosuke needed to learn a lot. The three has families of their own. Kiriya lived on his own, but still with the guidance and protection and love of Akari as well as Senjuro who permanently lived with her, after the death of Shinjuro. The Rengoku Family home was preserved as well for the sake of future generations. Tengen and his family surely grew in number. Sanemi has chosen to have a family of his own. Giyu has chosen to be alone, but near family and it was comforting for Akari, now that Giyu's been opening up to her about how he feels and he talks more than he does. Akari was growing old by the day. Kajuro and Kyori as well, growing day by day and living their lives, and the world had started to get modern, but they remained the traditional way of their life.

Of course, as Akari grew older, there were new deaths coming her way, but at least, these were the deaths that did not involve brutal demons and had actually died of natural occurrences.

Like any other person who grows old and gets married, after school and having her own work, Kyori had met the love of her life, Hiro Masamichi. They got married when Kyori had turned 26.

And just like Kyori, after a few years, Kajuro had met his own lover, Mirai Natasuga, and they got married. Kajuro being 29 and Mirai being 26.

And like any other person, Akari's time had come to pass and it was time for her to ascend and also be with the person she'd been waiting. Be with the person he'd been waiting.