Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc "Kyojuro and Akari"

BY: RENEE PHYLLIS

FANFICTION

Chapter Seventeen

"Kajuro and Mirai"

Kajuro and Mirai has a rather different love story from Kyori and Hiro. You see, Mirai was supposed to get married at the age of 16, when her parents sold her to a rich neighborhood. But Mirai was a strong-willed person and wanted to explore the world. She didn't want to be stopped by a marriage and she didn't even have an ounce of love for the guy, and so, at the day of their supposed marriage, she ran away and never came back from her home, from her hometown.

It was hard lifting herself up after what she did. But growing up in a household, full of bad people, she wanted to be free of those who oppressed her. It was truly hard, but in the end, she received help from the people that surrounded her, after she ran away. She was kind, beautiful and an angel to the eyes of the town she ended up in.

Kajuro met Mirai when he was roaming around a town. Kyori ended up as a doctor, while Kajuro ended up as a traveler and a photographer. He had the eyes for the simplicity of the world. He walked around town, flashes of camera with him, but then, he heard someone call for help. "Get off me, asshole", a woman had said in an alleyway, in town. "If you don't want to get hurt, I suggest you get off of her, right now and run away", Kajuro approached them and tried to scare away the man that was pining Mirai against the wall. Of course, the man was confident and tried to challenge Kajuro. But you shouldn't underestimate a simpleton, let alone the son of two former hashiras. The man tried to punch Kajuro, but in a blink of an eye, Kajuro appeared behind the man and he hand-slashed the man's neck, rendering him unconscious. "You're safe now. Bye", he said and went his way. "Wa-wait, just a minute!", Mirai shouted, running after Kajuro. "I… I never even got to say 'thank you' to you", she said, pleading for the guy in front of her to stop. "You just did. So, you're welcome", he said in a hurry and went on his way, not even giving a second to ask her if she was okay. She looked down and seemed saddened by Kajuro's way of communication. "Well, thank you anyways", she said in the softest voice, but filled with what seemed like despair. What was she feeling sorry for? What was she sad for?

Kajuro heard what she said and in the bottom of his heart, he felt as if, he needed to at least comfort her. She just experienced a traumatic event and yet, he was ignoring that. He gripped his hold on his camera and turned around slowly. "Hey, um… would you like to go somewhere?", he asked her – him, looking down as he was embarrassed of being such a snob. "Yeah. I would love that", she said, her eyes glimmered in happiness. Kajuro stared into those eyes and seemed to have been enchanted by them. Those eyes, they look so… majestic. Mirai followed him to a nearby restaurant and ordered some food for each of them. As they were eating, Mirai couldn't stop looking at Kajuro. "What are you staring at?", Kajuro asked, annoyed as usual. "Oh, I- well, I was just wondering, what's your name?", she stuttered like a child learning their first word. It was cute, though Kajuro didn't think so. "Kajuro, Rengoku Kajuro", he said and she smiled, those same eyes looking at him, glimmering like stars in the night. "Nice to meet you, Kajuro-san. I'm Mirai", she offered her hand, but Kajuro didn't shook it. He looked around the people of the restaurant and then decided to take a picture of them. Mirai, on the other hand, decided to continue eating her food. What am I doing? I feel so weirded out. Mirai looked outside of the restaurant, gazing at the people laughing. Seeing a couple hold hands and smile at each other. Seeing a child, run to her mother's arms. The world is filled with laughter, though, maybe it's only my perspective. She wanted to have what others could get so easily. And even though, she already has love from the people that helped her and became her second family, she wanted the love of someone special.

She was startled by the flash that came from Kajuro's camera. She looked at him, eyes widen and cheeks flustered, but Kajuro just looked at her with his usual expression. The unbothered expression he had when they first met. "You look beautiful here", he looked at his camera and then back to Mirai who was now redder than an apple. "Are you okay?", he asked her, looking at her red face. She nodded, replying with an agreeing sound. She still stared at him.

The day ended with Kajuro taking her home. He felt obligated to take her, even though he said 'goodbye' when he stepped out of the restaurant. Mirai couldn't sleep after the day she had. She met a handsome boy – though his manners and communication skills could use a little bit of nudge and fixing. He clearly wasn't from here, so maybe I'll never get to see him again. She was now feeling down. She fell asleep, looking sad as ever. Is this true? Did I just experience, a love at first sight?

The next day, Kajuro went roaming once more to a new route. He was determined to get some good pictures for his collections. He was also determined to get to all the landmarks and explore more about the town he went to. His original plan was to stay for just a few weeks, but then, he changed his mind and now, he's staying for exactly a month, before moving to the next city. He happened to have bumped into Mirai, but he happily and I mean, happily ignored her as he kept on taking pictures. Mirai was flustered again, seeing him, but then annoyed as he ignored her. Little did he know, that if he was a determined-person, then so is Mirai. The following days were of Mirai bugging Kajuro wherever he goes. It was weird at first, but then, Kajuro concluded that he was being followed and that Mirai was actually stalking him. He didn't mind. He has no care for her, though, that's what he thought when all of a sudden, his hands reacted and pulled Mirai near him when a vehicle almost hit Mirai. "Be careful. You might die", he said, letting go of her hand. His grip was strong – like someone holding something or someone that has of value. He walked away and took pictures. Mirai was stunned, but decided not to follow him. She stayed where she was and just looked at the sunset. "The air from here is so refreshing", she said and sighed, grinning so widely.

Kajuro continued to walk, but noticed that Mirai wasn't bugging him anymore. He might not admit it, but he kind-of felt worried, so he went looking for her and found her under a Sakura tree and staring into the sunset. He smiled. He took a picture of her, sun-kissed and hair flying. The left side of her hair resembled the color of the Sakura tree she was standing on. She was beautiful. "It looks so peaceful", she said, basically talking to herself. "Yeah, it is", he replied and she was shocked to her core that she jumped away from him. He laughed a little and Mirai was left in awe of what she just witnessed. "Wow. That's the first time, I saw you smiling since the day we met", she said approaching him and turning her gaze to the sun setting. "I guess so", he said and turned his gaze as well. "It's a beautiful sight", she said and he turned to her, getting flustered. The wind blew against her and with every Sakura petal that flies pass her, she seemed like an angel, full of life and color.

From that day on, they formed a friendship. Kajuro was very much still like what he usually was, but he began to hold a deep affection for Mirai. He was moved by her and he was always worried. He cared for her. But all days come to an end and when Kajuro was about to go, she stopped him. "I want to come with you", she said. "Mirai, we've talked about this yesterday. You said you wanted to come, but are you sure?", Kajuro held both her hands. "It's not just because I want to come with you. Kajuro-san… I- I want to be with you", she said rather abruptly. Kajuro was just… amazed at her honesty. He was silent for a moment. "Then, what are you waiting for?", he said to her and she was the happiest girl in the world. First, she packed everything she needed. Then, she went to say goodbye to the people she loves – all of them liked Kajuro, but maybe, just because he's a handsome young man.

Kajuro and Mirai explored the world. Mirai met a lot of friends, and became familiar with others. She eventually would meet Kajuro's family and Akari loved her so much. She also met Kyori, who was so happy to finally meet her and Kyori would call her 'my future sister', just to tease her twin brother. She also met Kyori's husband and was even on her wedding day. She eventually became an aunt. Kyori would bug them about marriage, but that was a hard topic for Mirai and it was even more a hard topic for Kajuro, because when he heard that she ran away at her wedding day, he didn't want to experience the same. Of course, Kyori, being Kyori, she told Mirai what Kajuro thought and they both laughed about it. Mirai and Kajuro had a deep talk about the situation and then, it was decided. But Kajuro had a condition. Kajuro wanted Mirai to make it up to her family, because even though, family is a little bit complicated, it's still family.

They went back to Mirai's hometown to announce their engagement. Well, her family was astonished to see her again, but they were thankful that she was alright after all those years of being away and being alone. In the end, she made it up with her family. Her supposed husband-to-be, unexpectedly, became a chef and has a fancy restaurant that he owns in town. Mirai met up with him and said sorry for running away. He forgave her quickly than her family. Turns out, he didn't want to get married, because he didn't like girls, instead he much prefers guys. All is well and everything in Mirai's life started to get clearer and clearer.

Kajuro and Mirai married each other – Kajuro, being 30 and Mirai, being 28. After the 6 years of friends, love and partnership, they got married and became so happy with each other. They bore two kids; Akira Rengoku, their eldest daughter and; Kenjuro Rengoku, their youngest.

Both Akari and Kyojuro's kids have their own lives now. They've got their dreams and goals accomplished and even has kids of their own. Akari is happy for them. Akari will always support them no matter what. Akari, became the mother she wanted to be, the mother she aspires to be and the mother that her kids needed her to be. She even became the best grandmother to her grandkids.

And even if Kyojuro was never physically with them, he still became a part of their lives, a piece of their souls was Kyojuro. He was never forgotten, even with the years to come. Kajuro and Kyori vowed to pass down the stories of their parents to their children and to the next generations to come. Their heroic acts, legendary acts will never be forgotten. But like every legend, it has an ending. And that was Akari's. The twins both knew that one day, they would lose their mother. But they were never sad about it, because at least, now their mother gets to be with their father and be happy together. That was their wish for their mother on her birthday, every single time. Dad, take care of mom. She was your light and became ours, but now, that light has dimmed and it's time to say goodbye.