Kagami and Tanjiro disobeyed the orders of Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, and fled the Butterfly Mansion. They were supposed to rest and heal their wounds in bed back at the hospital but they didn't want to. Their bodies had been swallowed up by despair, the latter's smile almost nonexistent, but their hearts lifted in their chests when a familiar black Kasugai crow showed up at the window. It was Mr. Rengoku's crow, and he was going to show them the way to his former master's home. Neither of them wasted any time in changing out of their patient wear and back in their Demon Slayer Corps uniform. As Tanjiro hefted Nezuko's box over his shoulders, Kagami raced out of the mansion and on to the street. Then, they followed it.
The crow flew calmly up above them making sure they were able to keep pace with it. They ran and ran without stopping even when their legs felt like falling off. The bustling small city filled with people raced by them. Tanjiro clutched his side painfully where the conductor had stabbed him with an ice pick. It had not fully healed yet, and Naho was ordered to make sure he rested in bed. Even though Tanjiro protested he needed to keep training, Naho was adamant. If that young, feisty girl were to find out what he was doing, running and possibly reopening his wound, she would throw a fit.
Suddenly, heavy beating wings sounded above them forcing a gasp out of their mouths.
They gazed upwards, expecting a large bird to fly overhead, but instead met familiar white wings and yellow eyes. She glided calmly against the crystal blue clear sky dotted with cotton ball clouds. "Kamado, Yamato," Angela Tenshi, the Angel Hashira, spoke from above their heads. "Going somewhere?"
"Miss Tenshi-! It's you!" Kagami choked out almost faltering in her step.
"How long have you been back? Everyone's been so worried about you!" Tanjiro added still wincing and groaning holding his wound softly.
When her feet touched the ground and furled her wings behind her back, she easily kept pace with them. Not a single speck of sweat creased her fore-head or eyes. With her hands folded behind her back, she maintained steady eye contact but... there was something off about her. Kagami could've swore the first time they met there was light yet pure aura surrounding the angel. Now, it seemed to have all but vanished. Tension and darkness have replaced it. She could even see dark circles creasing her eyes and fleeting across the once sparkling, yellow irises.
"I have been busy with missions. They've sent me far and wide, places my wings could easily reach. I've been taking care of demons pillaging villages and destroying families," Tenshi finally spoke almost nonchalantly with her eyes boring into theirs.
Kagami almost couldn't keep eye contact with her. Last time they spoke they told Tenshi Mr. Rengoku's last dying words to her. It has been an honor he had said. Since then Kagami can't bear to look at the woman in the eyes for fear she might find anger, despair, or disappointment. Instead there was neither and nothing.
Tenshi looked down the path they were running and mumbled, "You're visiting the Rengokus."
Kagami and Tanjiro exchanged a nervous glance. "Yes, how'd you know?"
The angel didn't speak any more. She stopped in her tracks but kept her eyes on the dirt road in front of them. Soon, Tanjiro couldn't run any longer. He braced himself on his knees, hefting and wheezing in painful breaths, but Kagami's eyes landed on someone in their path. They began to burn slightly at the small figure standing alone and silently gazing into the ground in front of a home. Fiery golden hair with red streaks, black forked eyebrows, and sad yet blazing eyes of red and yellow... he looked exactly like Mr. Rengoku.
"Are you Senjuro?" Kagami asked softly stepping forward.
The boy, Senjuro, turned to her with a small gasp. His eyes shook as she, Tanjiro, and Tenshi slowly approached him. They bowed their heads in respect and Tanjiro gently said, "I take it you know about Mr. Rengoku. I'm so sorry. Before he died, he asked for some messages to be delivered to you and your father. We've come to pass them on."
Senjuro, who looked to be a few years younger than them, already looked worn out. His eyes were puffy and bags creased his bottom eyelids. He seemed to be holding back a few tears at the mention of Mr. Rengoku. "From my brother? Thank you, but I'm already well aware of what happened to him," He replied with a small but shaky voice clutching the broom tightly in his hands. His eyes then lingered on Tenshi beside them. "It's... good to see you again, Angela," He said with a trembling voice.
Tenshi bowed her head once more. "I wish it were under better circumstances, Senjuro, but... it is good to see you too."
Senjuro looked as if he wanted to smile but the thought of Mr. Rengoku almost brought him to the brink of tears once again. Quickly, his face changed to one of extreme concern. "What's wrong? Your faces... it looks as pale as a ghost," He gasped staring at Kagami and Tanjiro.
Kagami didn't even realize she was shaking and holding her breath. She clenched her fists to steel herself but wasn't given the chance.
"Knock it off! Whatever message he left means nothing anyway!"
A rough voice bellowed out from inside the property of the house. It was slurred and almost incoherent. Kagami, Tanjiro, and Senjuro gasped and turned their heads to see a man, who held the same familiar features as Mr. Rengoku and Senjuro, in a wrinkled and haggard blue kimono holding a large gourd of classic barley shochu sake. The man... he was the father, but he was a belligerent drunk! "Why would he become a swordsman when he had no talent to begin with?! It's no wonder he died! He's worthless! He was a fool of a son from the start!"
A father... talking down his son's sacrifice and calling him trash? Something that shouldn't be regarded highly? Kagami couldn't understand why he would do that. Mr. Rengoku wasn't worthless! He was amazing!
"A person's potential is determined the day they're born. Only a mere handful have any talent. The rest are just dregs of society. You're either born a genius or someday killed by one!" The father continued to growl before taking a large, sloppy swig of his sake. "It's clear which one Kyojuro was. He had no future to begin with. No surprise he got killed."
Kagami angrily watched as Senjuro's face twitch and eyes burn with fresh tears. They began to well up and he was trying his best not to have them spill over his cheeks.
"Give me a break! The funeral is over, Senjuro! It's high time you move on with your damn life!"
Tenshi stepped forward and her eyes, that once held nothing but darkness, roared to life with anger. "As their father, you may hold the right to speak whatever atrocities you believe about your deceased son but you also have the right to allow your living son to mourn!" She growled loudly clenching her fists. "I've never seen such behavior from a man who learned he just lost his eldest son. A true father grieves but is proud of the sacrifices his son made, but you...! You...!"
The father didn't seem to like Tenshi butting in with her raging emotions. A snarl spread across his lips at the mere sight of her, and her words made him angrier. "Well, if it isn't the "Angel Hashira". I thought I told you I didn't want to see your face around here anymore! You're just as worthless as him if you believe he was a worthy enough man to love," He scowled at her pointing an accusing finger.
Tenshi's face darkened and her growl deepened at his words.
"No, Miss Tenshi has a point," Tanjiro huffed stepping protectively in front of Senjuro. "Don't you think you're being a bit too harsh? Please show some respect for your son."
The father's angry, yet clouded eyes of a drunk man then fell on Tanjiro. "And just who the hell are you? Answer me or get off of my property!" He huffed.
"We're with... the Demon Slayer Corps!" Kagami roughly answered him stepping forward with a large glare.
Suddenly, the father's eyes widened in a mixture of terror and wrath. The gourd of sake fell from his twitching hand to the ground and shattered into a million pieces, spilling the harsh-smelling liquor all over the dirt. His mouth fell open and trembling shudders spilled from inside. His hands clenched tightly at his side and his eyes moved quickly back and forth between the two of them. "I get it now," His low voice mumbled out. His face instantly clenched in rage then shifted his finger at them instead, screaming, "You're a Sun Breathing User, and you're his Dragon, aren't you?! Am I right?!"
Sun Breathing? Kagami was baffled. She and Tanjiro exchanged confused glances. Neither one of them understood what he meant. From one look this man was able to tell she was a Dragon Breather, but Tanjiro's? What is that supposed to mean? What even is a Sun Breathing User?
"What do you mean by that?" Tanjiro quickly asked him.
In the blink of an eye, the father dashed forward. Tanjiro quickly whipped out a hand to stop him but instead was caught in the father's grasp. He twisted Tanjiro's arm behind his back and face-planted him into the ground, keeping his other hand tightly wrapped at the back of Tanjiro's neck. Her friend couldn't struggle or even breathe! It looked like it hurt him! Kagami had gasped out in horror at the sheer quickness of the man but recognized those were no mere amateur moves. He knew what he was doing!
Senjuro ran forward and held onto his father's shoulder, begging tearfully and fearfully, "Father, please stop! Take a good look at his face! Can't you see he's in pain?!"
"Keep your mouth shut!" The father screamed. He whipped out his hand and backhanded Senjuro across the face, sending him flying multiple meters!
"Senjuro!" Kagami screamed.
Senjuro's body didn't hit the ground. Instead, he was quickly caught in Tenshi's arms whose wings menacingly flapped in the air. She landed softly on the ground and set Senjuro on his feet but kept her wings protectively furled around him like a feathery shield. She waved a gentle, white glowing hand over his cheek that was beginning to burn with a bright red hand-print. In a few seconds, it was as if Senjuro was never assaulted by his father but the fearful tears in his eyes became a terrible reminder that this wasn't the first time-and wouldn't be the last time-and Tenshi knew it. Her blazing yellow irises held unfathomable anger. Not at Senjuro, but at his father.
Even though she was pissed, Tenshi looked to be holding herself back-but Kagami won't!
Kagami turned with her core on fire. Fury tainted her veins and she screamed, throat burning with rage, "Don't you dare lay a hand on him, you monster!"
In a flash, she ripped the father's hand from Tanjiro's arm allowing her friend to twist around and kick his attacker's face away. Helping him to his feet, Kagami and Tanjiro faced off against the father. His figure easily towered over them but they weren't going to back down! "Why are you acting so hostile like this in the place?" Tanjiro gasped out clutching his wound once again. "Insulting your own child who lost his life? And striking your son? What's the matter with you?!"
The father didn't seem fazed by his words, or by the thought of striking his own son as well insulting Mr. Rengoku. Instead, his eyes were still fixated on the two of them, muttering with a low growl, "Despicable. You intend to mock us after everything we've been through?!"
"What makes you say that?! We don't know what you're talking about! We're here to help!" Tanjiro screamed in exasperation.
"A Sun Breathing User and his Dragon would never help people like us. I know all about those earrings and that sword of yours! It was in that book," The father growled pointing a finger at both Tanjiro's hanafuda earrings and Kagami's Nichirin sword. "The Sun Breathing technique, not only is it the first one ever to be created, it's the most powerful one as well. Every technique, no matter how diverse, came from Sun Breathing. Which means all the others are just cheap imitations of Sun Breathing. They can try to copy the original, but they'll never be as powerful. Fire, Water, Wind, all of them! Not even the power of the dragons, the so-called kings of the world, can rival that of the sun."
Kagami listened with baited breath as sweat creased her hands and fore-head. "The dragons knew their end was coming. They were getting slaughtered by the thousands. The harbinger made a pact with the first Sun Breathing User to protect their power's bloodline. In exchange, their permanent servitude. The Dragon Breather must always protect their Sun Breathing User until their untimely death. If they refuse, their bloodline and power will end with them."
She and Tanjiro exchanged horrified glances at one another. It's written... in her blood to protect the Sun Breathing User? All those times their power connected, back at the Final Selection, Mount Natagumo, and the Mugen Train... it was because her bloodline was fulfilling a contract her ancestors forced upon her, her mother, even before she was just a mere thought? No, no, no. It's wrong! It couldn't be right! She protects Tanjiro because she wants to, not because her ancestors are forcing her to! He is her bestfriend and he had earned her undying loyalty through battle!
"Don't get cocky just because you're a Sun Breathing User with his pet Dragon to protect him! I can still put you in your place!" The father screamed the words that would break the camel's back.
Tears burned their eyes, hands clenched so tight blood seeped from their palms, and they laid their fury on the man who dared called Mr. Rengoku worthless! "How can I be cocky after all that's happened?! I would give anything at all for strength like that, but I'm burdened by my own weakness! So shut up!" Tanjiro screamed through the lump in his throat.
"You think we want to be praised for who we are?! What we are?!" Kagami added with a loud shriek whipping her hand out angrily through the air. "We've barely touch the tip of our potential! If we had enough energy, if we just had the smallest, sliver of power, strength, and courage Mr. Rengoku shown... I'd give anything for it! How dare you say such vile things about him when he sacrificed his life to save not just us but the innocent civilians in Japan who would've been the Twelve Kizuki's next target! You don't deserve to be called his father! You... You... bastard!"
Kagami and Tanjiro were so furious and so full of rage they quickly ran forward with their fists raised high and breaths leaving their mouths in harsh seethes. They ignored the warnings being shouted across the clearing from Senjuro. Kagami couldn't recognize his words until it was too late.
"Be careful! He's a former Hashira!"
Her eyes flew wide open seeing the father side-step her punch and tightly grasp Tanjiro's arm. In an instant, he brought the heel of his foot down painfully on her back. A cry of agony choked out of her throat when her body slammed into the rocky earth. He kept one foot on her back to keep her from getting up and dug his heel even further in her spine. Then, he brought his fist forward and rammed it into Tanjiro's face. Blood spewed out of his nose and his body flung backwards from the force of impact.
"Leave him alone!" Kagami screamed at the top of her lungs through her burning throat. The father wouldn't stop punching him. He did it over, over, and over again. Even though Tanjiro braced his arms in front of his face, she could tell every punch was agonizing.
Without warning, Tanjiro freed his arm from the father's grip and pushed himself forward. She cringed seeing Tanjiro struck his head against the father's in a mere moment. An unpleasant sound of what sounded like two boulders slamming against one another pierced her skull and rattled her brain forcing the goosebumps on her skin to rise even higher. Even Tenshi and Senjuro winced at the sound and the sight of both the father and Tanjiro crash-landing to the ground.
Kagami slowly rose to her feet, rubbing the pain in her back, and stared at the father's unconscious body and Tanjiro's delirious face.
She slowly turned to Senjuro with a sheepish smile. "Um, is it alright we come in for tea?"
Angela didn't think she'd ever find herself sitting in the home of the Rengokus again. Her eyes calmly and slowly scanned the nervous Yamato gazing outside through the open doors sitting beside the delirious Kamado. It was quite a spectacle seeing the two young Demon Slayers confront and face Shinjuro Rengoku, Kyojuro's father and former Flame Hashira. Angela would've joined them, she should've joined them, but she had two codes to follow; The Order of the Angel and the Demon Slayer Corps. The Order of the Angel forbade her from harming any human who had never taken a human life and the Demon Slayer Corps forbids any altercation between Demon Slayers. He may have been a former Hashira but the man is still her better, even if he doesn't act like it.
Although, she knew of another reason that was higher than any of the two. When she gazed upon the golden locks streaked with red, golden blazing irises, and black forked eyebrows, she couldn't help but see her beloved in her mind. Shinjuro is his father and... she wouldn't forgive herself if Kyojuro were to know she struck against him. No matter how much Angela wanted to defend Senjuro, she couldn't. She was paralyzed from the thought of Kyojuro's disappointment.
Kyojuro... His name echoes in her head but her eyes can't bring themselves to tear up. Not a single speck of water fell from her eyelids, not even a heart- or gut-wrenching feeling pierced her body, when she received the news of his death. All she could think about, at that moment, was killing as many demons as possible. The moment she took off from the Butterfly Mansion she went in a silent rage. She traveled far and wide, slaughtering demons as she went, until her muscles cramped and her wings failed her. Her hand shakily held her turquoise-blade splattered with the disintegrating blood of demons. It had gone on for weeks. Her thirst for demon blood was never quenched but she flew back to her master, on her hands and knees, to beg for forgiveness. When he granted it, she wanted to see the young Demon Slayers.
Now, she finds herself in the old home of her beloved and his brother, Senjuro.
"I feel like I've made a grave mistake," Kamado groaned under his breath keeping his chin tucked low to his chest and hands clenched on his lap.
Yamato placed a tender hand on his arm. Senjuro gently placed three cups of tea on the ground for them all. "Please, have some tea," He softly spoke gesturing to the steaming mugs.
Kamado lifted his face to reveal embarrassment. "Thank you very much," He weakly spoke with a timid smile, "I hope you can forgive me for head-butting your father and all. He's okay, right?"
Angela picked up her mug and blew softly at the steaming, orange-colored liquid. "I checked him before we came inside. He'll be alright," She spoke almost nonchalantly and took a small sip. He would have a concussion, and minor bruising on his fore-head, but for the most part he would be okay. She just wishes he took a lot more damage to make sure he would never lift another hand to Senjuro again. The anger she felt seeing it... It was unlike anything she ever felt. The emotion itself, when she forced herself to feel none, just burst forth from her.
Senjuro gave him a kind smile. "He's back to getting sake already," He spoke with a slight exasperated sigh.
"What a relief," Kamado sighed.
Then, Senjuro gave them a bow. "You have my thanks. For standing up to him. I was too scared to, even when he badmouthed my brother like that," He added with that same kind smile turning to one of despair. Staring at him, gazing at the sweet boy, made Angela wish she intervened more. "Tell me, what were my brother's last moments like?"
Angela quietly, patiently, listened to Yamato and Kamado retell the story of Kyojuro's passing. How he bravely fended off Upper Rank 3, Akaza, from killing the civilians in the Mugen Train, and the young Demon Slayers. How his main goal, even on the brink of death, was to keep them all safe. Sacrificing himself to give them all a fighting chance to survive, to put an end to the demon through the rising sun, and ultimately let them thrive. He died with a smile on his face. At least he died peacefully... and happily.
"So he was brave to the end. Thank you for sharing," Senjuro softly said bowing deeply with his hands on the ground.
Yamato and Kamado gasped at the grand, respectful gesture and quickly returned it. "No, please, don't thank us. We... We want your forgiveness," Yamato shakily said. "We weren't enough to help Mr. Rengoku and we're... deeply sorry."
When Senjuro lifted from the ground, there was no frustration, disappointment, or even anger. Instead, the same gentle, kind smile widened and lit up with new, fresh tears spilling down his cheek. "There's no need to blame yourself," He chuckled lightly through his quivering voice, "It's not your fault, and he knows that too."
Their eyes quivered at his words. Kamado gulped down a lump in his throat and Yamato fought to keep her face from scrunching up.
Senjuro slid a red book, the stem bounded together by string, with the title reading Record of the Twenty-First Flame Hashira. "What you said reminded me of something in a book my father often read. I'm fairly certain this is it. Let me know if what you're looking for is in those pages," He said with a smile.
Yamato and Kamado gasped, eyes widening at the thin layered book, and exclaimed, "Thank you very much!"
It was curious as to what they wanted to know. Neither of them knew anything on the topic of Sun Breathing and Dragon Breathing. For Shinjuro to know more than the two current wielders was curious. It was baffling to hear the two were connected by an ancient contract made over 1,000 years ago. To see and hear it still active after such a long time has passed was interesting, but frightening to the two young Demon Slayers. They were ignorant on the topic, but so is Angela. She wondered if Kyojuro knew anything about it.
"What?" Yamato suddenly gasped in horror.
Their eyes stared down at the red book in Kamado's hand. Angela and Senjuro joined their side and even a confused gasp fell from her lips. The pages of the book were completely shredded. Only a few kanji were discernible but the rest were beyond recognition. It was as if a savage animal with sharp claws ripped through it. Whoever did it must've not wanted anyone to know what information was written inside.
"Was it like this when he got it?" Yamato asked staring down at the book they could no longer read.
Sweat beaded down Senjuro's face. "Not at all. That's not even possible. The Flame Hashira Chronicles are stored with the highest degree of care. Which means... it must've been my father who tore them." He looked ashamed and even embarrassed at the thought. "I hope you'll forgive me."
Kamado placed the book down and gave him a smile. "Don't worry. It's not like it's your fault, Senjuro, so don't beat yourself up over it."
"But you traveled all this way for it, didn't you? The secrets of Sun Breathing and Dragon Breathing, I thought for sure I had the answers for you, but I was no help," Senjuro sighed sadly.
Yamato smiled brightly at him in an effort to cheer him up. "You've already helped so much. This confirmed what we thought we needed to do. We just need to... train harder." She looked down at her hands and gave a small sigh. "I was given a book my mother wrote as her time as the Dragon Hashira. She wrote all her techniques, power, and life story up until she died. Her death was never revealed to me but... Lower Rank One spoke of how a young mother died protecting her husband and child. My mother died protecting her family. I'm not sure if he was the one that killed her or... All I know is I need to get stronger in order to be worthy of Mr. Rengoku's blessing."
"While I know how to perform the dance, when it comes to Hinokami Kagura, I still haven't managed to master it," Kamado began to speak and faltered slightly. "When using Hinokami Kagura with Total Concentration, I can't yet move my body the way I want. But it's my own fault. Right now, my body can't keep up. I've improved thanks to Total Concentration, Constant, but it's not enough. Maintaining Constant should allow me to gradually improve my stamina with each passing day, so I won't get stronger overnight." Something glossed over in his eyes and he choked out, "That day, I felt utterly weak. I longed for there to be a way to instantly become strong enough to save Mr. Rengoku. I tried to find one... but no such remedy exists. No shortcuts to be taken. That's reality. Even so, I'll keep moving forward, keep training... no matter how grueling or frustrating things might get."
Kamado's fists tightened on his lap. "Mark my words. I will become a powerful Hashira just like Mr. Kyojuro. That's a promise."
The two of them stared at Senjuro determinedly with tears in their eyes. The glint of courage and bravery was seen sparkling in their eyes among the sadness and grief that still lingered beneath. Kyojuro inspired so much in those two... She could see him in their eyes and manner. The way they held themselves up despite the feeling of failure. The way they speak of his memory despite knowing him for a small amount of time. Angela could almost...
Senjuro's sad smile turned and he began to gaze out into the garden. "You know, my brother didn't have a Tsuguko. Normally, I would have followed in his footsteps and become his Tsuguko, which would mean training as a Hashira reserve. Unfortunately, my Nichirin Sword failed to ever change its color. I was well aware that they don't change color until you've acquired a certain level of sword skills." Angela, Kamado, and Yamato turned their sad eyes on him, watching as he began to break down into tears. His hands clenched at his pants on his lap and tears dripped onto his knuckles. "Yet no matter how much training I underwent, nothing happened. Not everyone can be born talented. So I'm going to forget about becoming a swordsman and find another way to be useful. I know this will break the line of Flame Hashira and damage its long history, but I'm sure if he were still here, that my brother would forgive me."
Angela, in a state of impulsiveness, reached over and wiped the small tears from his face. He looked at her, baffled and shocked, but gave her a sad smile nonetheless.
"Walk down the path that you know to be true," Kamado spoke sternly with a hardened expression, "And if anyone gives you grief about it, then I'll head-butt them!"
Angela raised an eyebrow at him with Yamato and Senjuro gazing at him apprehensively.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
Kamado gazed at them back with his own look of tearful embarrassment.
As the sun began to set below the horizon, streaking colors of red, yellow, and orange across the once lit blue sky, all four of them stood outside the property of the home. "The Flame Hashira Chronicles, I'll restore them myself, and I'll look for other books as well. My father might know where to look. If anything turns up, I'll send word through our Crow," Senjuro explained with a small nod then bowed. "I'm glad I got to talk with you. Thank you for coming all this way."
"Please, we should be thanking you," Yamato spoke as the three of them bowed.
Senjuro's face lit up slightly remembering something. "Oh, there was one more thing." He reached inside his yukata and drew out something wrapped in a black cloth. They gasped seeing the familiar red flame that adorned Kyojuro's sword. Angela's heart twisted seeing the ornament of her beloved, one she had gotten used to seeing over a period of 3 years. "It's my brother's Nichirin Sword guard."
Yamato and Kamado immediately pressed it back into Senjuro's hand, gasping nervously, "No, we can't accept this!"
Senjuro's kind smile never faltered or fell. Instead, it grew warmer. "No, I want you to have it," He chuckled, "Someday, I know it'll protect you. Both of you." He then put one hand of each on the guard and held it between them. Kamado and Yamato stared at the guard between them and slowly nodded their heads.
"We'll... cherish it," Yamato lightly said with a grin.
Senjuro then turned his gaze to Angela. "I know my brother always fought to protect the weak and innocent. It was all he really devoted his time to but... he really did love you," He spoke gently. A lump so thick suddenly swelled in her throat and she almost couldn't breathe for a moment. "He loved talking about his beloved and how you inspire him to be a better man. So, I want to give you this," He added pulling out Kyojuro's signature haori.
Angela, who realized she hadn't spoken within the last couple hours, softly said, "I can't take that from you, Senjuro. It was your brother's."
"I know how much my brother meant to you. I want to thank you for taking care of him. Please, take it."
She tenderly reached out and let her fingers brush against the smooth fabric. She imagined Kyojuro wearing it once again and standing in front of her, gazing down at her with those strong, yet comforting eyes. She then let her hand wrap around it and brought it close to her body, holding it against her chest, laying her face gently against it. She suddenly felt the tremble in her arms, legs, and eyes feeling the fabric that still smelled like him. As she held the haori, she realized it was all she had left of him.
Senjuro then held something shiny in his fingers. "You gave this to my brother as a gift. You can have it back."
It was the silver necklace she gave Kyojuro before he left for his mission, the symbol of Michael the Archangel. They must've given it to Senjuro. Now, he's giving it back to her. It was supposed to protect Kyojuro. To show she will always be there with him, to help him, through anything and everything. For her to have it back in her position would be numbing. Angela quickly pushed out her hand and wrapped fingers around it. "You keep it, Senjuro. Keep it as a reminder that I will be here for you no matter what. I wasn't there for your brother, I wasn't there to help him when he needed me, but... I will extend that promise to you and I intend on keeping it."
Her voice, that once held nothing, sounded like a plead. Like she was begging. Her voice wavered and she looked frantic in Senjuro's eyes. They shook at her promise and more tears spilled when his grip on the necklace tightened. He then smiled brightly. "Thank you, Angela."
When Yamato and Kamado left, Angela stayed behind.
She sat on one of the pillars out of sight. With one leg pressed against her chest and the other draped over the edge, she wrapped herself with Kyojuro's haori like a blanket. She stared down at the white but flame decorated sheet and let it touch her cheek lovingly. Keeping her back to the home, she listened intently to what came next.
"Excuse me. Are you feeling better?" She heard Senjuro's voice speak. "It seems our visitors left."
"Shut up!" She immediately heard the rough scowling of Shinjuro and Senjuro's frightened gasp. "I don't give a damn! Get out!"
"B-But... what about Brother's message?"
"It's worthless!" Shinjuro scoffed in a drunken slur. "It's probably just his final complaints about me. I can already guess... Now give me some peace and quiet!"
"Very well, Father."
Angela's blood raged. Her hands tightly clenched and crinkled the haori of her beloved. Just listening to Shinjuro berate his sons, whether living or dead, still made her furious beyond belief.
""Please take care of yourself." Those are the only words he chose to leave behind for you Father," Senjuro suddenly but quietly said above the deafening silence of the world around them before leaving and sliding the door closed.
It has been an honor were Kyojuro's last chosen words for her. For anyone, it would've been a sweet gesture from a man to the woman he loved. But it was more than that. Kyojuro was the strongest and kindest man she had ever met. She remembered the moment she first laid eyes on him when she became a Hashira. Among everyone she had met, she thought he was the loudest, most boisterous, and quite arrogant at times. Never in a thousand years would she think she'd ever fall in love with him. But there they were in a large green valley that spanned for miles decorated with red, pink, purple, and white tulips. With her hands gently held in his, looking up at him through shining eyes and a nervous beating heart, he gazed down at her lovingly.
"Miss Tenshi, it would be an honor if you were to become my beloved," He asked in a strong, confident voice that held an underlying tone of hope. And, after all that time, it truly had been an honor... for both of them.
She heard a sound that resembled a choke. Slowly turning to look over her shoulder, her eyes widened and a gasp fell from her lips. Shinjuro had roughly grasped the gourd of sake and moved to take a long drink but immediately stopped himself from putting his lips on the rim. A large growl fell from his mouth and he slammed the gourd down. When he tilted his head to the ground, his shoulders began to shake violently and his hands clenched tightly at his sides. Sobs, sobs from a defeated, broken man, spilled out in waves as large droplets of tears stained the floorboards beneath him.
"Kyojuro!" He softly cried out to no one and nothing.
Oh, Kyojuro... Even your father, the man who supposedly wished you were never born, misses you too much.
"Kyojuro," Angela whimpered placing a hand to her mouth. She tried to steady the quivering of her lips, the shakiness in her hands, and the trembling of her eyes. Her vision began to go in and out, her body beginning to vibrate uncontrollably, as a large lump rose in her throat. She needed to get out of there before she lost control.
She didn't know where she landed. A dark forest full of tall green trees loomed all around her. Her turquoise-blade glowed and lit up the darkness around her. She was all alone just like Kyojuro was with that filthy demon. He fought with no one at his side. To think they could all live among each other peacefully... was an insane, stupid idea. Why did she ever believe it could happen? Why did she believe all demons deserved mercy and forgiveness? They're all nothing but monsters who fight to eat and eat to kill! She never should've let herself believe that! If she didn't, Kyojuro may still be alive!
"AHH!" She screamed ferociously, feeling her fury light up in her core, before slicing not 1, not 2, but 5 trees at once with a single slice of her sword.
Her breathing heavied and her hands clenched tightly around her sword. For what felt like hours, Angela fueled her unquenchable rage for revenge on the poor trees that did nothing but bloom in the darkness. Splinters of wood flew in the air, the sound of tree falling to the ground with a loud groan was all she could hear, the color red blinding her vision, but nothing else occupied her mind except for the name of the demon that killed Kyojuro.
"Akaza... Akaza!" She growled slicing a tree into tiny bits with just a few single moves.
"Do you plan on deforesting this entire area?"
Angela whipped around and saw Giyu standing at the edge of the man-made clearing she made. Nothing but dozens of stumps and fallen logs surrounded her. She turned away from him and focused on another tree in the distance. "What are you doing here, Giyu? I was told you were given an assignment," She huffed between gritted teeth walking away from him.
"My assignment was tracking you down. You've gone rogue," She heard of him scowl and his footsteps slowly approach her.
Angela scoffed harshly. "I don't understand how slaughtering and wiping demons plaguing the streets and villages from existence is defined as being "rogue.""
"We haven't heard anything from you or seen you since Rengoku's death. There had been no communication since then until now. Your Kasugai crow has been worried sick, not to mention the master. He wants to know if you've had a proper time to grieve," Giyu explained suddenly right behind her.
"The time for mourning or grieving was never upon us-upon me! I must find the demon that killed Rengoku in cold blood. I need to before any more blood is spilled! Those who I cherish above all else in my heart." Angela whipped around brandishing her blade at him. It shined and shimmered under the moonlight menacingly. "Unless you're here to spar, and nothing more, you don't have the ability to sway my mind from going after the demon Akaza. I will devote my life to making sure it doesn't breathe another breath of air again."
Giyu lifted his blade and laid it threateningly against hers. He was just as stubborn as her.
"You're emotional," He spat, "You are going to get yourself killed, nothing more! If you keep going like this, you will be nothing more than a liability to the Demon Slayer Corps. I can't have you throwing your life away after training and working so hard to get to where you're at right now. You're strong and hard-headed, but right now you're being reckless. You can get through this if you just admit to yourself Rengoku's death is not your fault!"
"Why would I admit a lie?!" Angela suddenly cried out.
His stern eyes stayed on her and even when she dropped her blade he didn't drop his. "Explain."
Angela growled lowly at herself and turned around to pace. "The mission, the Mugen Train, my desire to be at his side was great but I allowed myself to become careless. Even though I wished to join Kamado, Yamato, Agatsuma, and Hashibira, I thought nothing of it. I believe if another capable swordsmen, a Hashira with my capabilities, had been there, Kyojuro would still be at my side. Two Hashira against an Upper Rank Demon would've-should've-been enough to destroy it. The demon would be nothing. Not even a trace of ash from its corpse would linger in the skies."
"Or, you both would've been killed and the Demon Slayer Corps down two Hashira instead of one!" Giyu snapped at her.
"A chance I would've taken without hesitation if it meant being there for his dying breath!"
"Except you weren't. He had Kamado, Yamato, Hashibira, and Agatsuma with him to deliver his final words," He huffed and finally sheathed his sword. "Arguing about what has happened is pointless. The past is the past now. You can't dwell on it any longer. Doing so would taint his memory. He did what he was trained to do; protect the weak and innocent. Being reckless, hunting down demons with no regard for your life, is a terrible way of thanking him."
Angela's vision of Giyu suddenly began to blur. "But Giyu... I-" She tried to speak but found she no longer could. Her voice was weak, shaky, and the lump that grew in her throat was so thick she could barely breathe.
He reached forward and grasped her hand. "Be angry. Be sad. Be whatever you need to be at this moment. I will not judge you for screaming, for crying, for cursing God. Someone you loved and cared about is dead. But don't allow yourself go down a path your brother and Rengoku wouldn't want you to be on."
Her hand trembled in his strong, steady grip. His hand was smooth but calloused, warm, comforting, yet stern and protective. Their fingers slowly laced together and it gave her the courage to slowly gaze up at him. Staring into his unwavering eyes, she softly, nervously, spoke, "I'm... terrified to fall apart even more."
Giyu held her gaze and his hold on her hand tightened. "You have my word that I will put you back together."
Suddenly, the weight of the world, of everything, fell heavily on her shoulders. The feeling of nothing and emptiness she felt hearing the news of his passing. Allowing herself to become the unfathomable rage that spiraled her into an endless cycle of killing. How she lusted for the death of Akaza with no regard for her life. The haori that once belonged to the man she loved wrapped around her neck choked her. The memory of relinquishing her necklace, a gift to Kyojuro, to Senjuro, Shinjuro crying out for his son, the memories of her and Kyojuro's adventures, and his final words all came crashing down on her.
She never got to say goodbye. She never had the chance to tell him she loved him. It was stupid to assume they would always see each other at the end of their assignments. She believed he would return to her. Please come back to me, she pleaded. Now, Angela, will never see him again.
Her sword fell to the ground with a loud thump. Her shoulders shook violently. Her long, platinum hair was tousled all over her head. Her heart squeezed, squeezed, and squeezed. She couldn't breathe. Her breaths were shallow, wheezy, and her throat burned with every choked inhale.
She thought she was going to lose control again. Fear almost took over.
That was until Giyu wrapped his arms around her and cradled her to his body. He was strong, firm, and didn't shake at all. He was willing to act as a tether, help keep her grounded and keep her from flying off this earth. When she didn't have any strength, he gave her his. When she didn't have courage, he helped her find some.
Clenching her fists around his uniform, around the stitched together haori, wave after wave of sobs erupted from her chest. She dug her face deep into his shoulder and held tightly onto him. Tears of waterfalls spilled from her eyes and stained his uniform, pooling into ground beneath them, but he didn't seem to care. Not even when Angela's legs could no longer support her weight. They buckled violently until she finally collapsed to her knees bringing Giyu with her.
For hours, he held her tightly as she cried, wailed, and screamed for her beloved to come back to her. To fulfill his promise of seeing her again. When she couldn't breathe or cry any longer, her bone-crushing hold on Giyu never faltered, not even as sleep, pure exhaustion, overtook her body. She let her breathing steady, her heart to lift just slightly, as she melted in his embrace.
She dreamnt of being with Kyojuro again. One day, maybe, she will see him again.