Author's Note: Hi guys! Sorry for the long wait! Lost inspiration again and got busy with school. Anyway! Back with renewed energy! This is a short one this time. Also, I lost the whole story in my Google Docs! I deleted it, thinking I wouldn't get back to this story so I had to quickly go by memory for this chapter.

IMPORT: Artists who want to draw out my chapters I'm sorry but I have to decline. I am not making money at the moment so I wouldn't be able to pay you properly! But if you still like to without pay, please go for it! I would also love to see my story come to life! If you want to contact me I do have Instagram: vanessa_neuvillettelover and Discord: Vanessa Valdez.

Please, continue enjoying this story!

Chapter 19

Akaza sat near crumbled home, trying to regenerate. He was regenerating slowly. Often he kept looking in all directions, trying to find where Rengoku could be hiding and waiting to strike him again.

When he was healed, he stood up and cautiously walked out from his hiding spot. It was quiet. Too quiet. Suddenly, he felt heat rising from behind him. Eyes widening, he looked behind him to see Rengoku blazing towards him, sword raised over his shoulder, ready to strike him down.

Akaza leaped out of the way, partially tumbling onto the ground. He slowly got up, seeing Rengoku slowly head his way. He was afraid. Akaza was truly afraid and he wouldn't deny it this time.

Then with a scream, Rengoku went to strike Akaza. Akaza raised his arm, ready for the blow.

"RENGOKU!" screamed out a voice.

Tengen Uzui suddenly rammed into Rengoku. They both tumbled to the floor, Tengen pinning Rengoku.

"Rengoku! Snap out of it!" Uzui screamed at him.

Rengoku then bit down hard on Tengen's shoulder. Tengen screamed in pain. Damn it! He bit me! If any of my blood gets into him, it's over!

Sorry for this Rengoku. Tengen kicked Rengoku into the air, knocking the breath out of him as he went airborne.

"Run! Get out of here!" Tengen yelled at Akaza.

What!? He's saving me? Why? Akaza didn't stay long to ask. He raced off, not looking back.

Tengen looked back to Rengoku who was now lying on the ground, coughing.

"Rengoku, please, don't make me fight you too." Tengen said.

Rengoku stood up, not picking up his sword.

He didn't pick up his sword! Tengen then saw blood dripping from Rengoku's mouth. Oh no. No!

"Rengoku!" Uzui cried out as Rengoku rushed towards him, claws and fangs reaching out for him.

Uzui then used the handle of his sword to have Rengoku bite down on but he couldn't do anything about the claws that pinned him down to the ground.

"Rengoku, you can control this! You're better than this!" Uzui spoke to him. The claws dug deeper into Uzui's shoulders, into the bite wound that began to hurt more. Rengoku could only growl as Uzui tried to push him away from the blood that was spilling from his wounds.

"Rengoku... buddy... remember who you are. You're my friend. You're the Flame Hashira. Remember your family! Remember those three who helped you on your mission!"

Rengoku growled in reponse.

"Rengoku..." Uzui's eyes began to water with tears. He didn't want to lose his best friend this way. His voice softened, his eyes lowered to a soft look. "Remember the words you always tell me. The words you always tell to others. Set your heart ablaze."

Rengoku stopped struggling, his eyes widening at the sound of those words. Memories of his fellow Hashira, his family, and memories of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Nezuko appeared in his mind. His eyes teared up as he slowly let go of Uzui's sword and slowly transformed back.

Uzui sat up as he saw his best friend return to normal. He smiled as he placed his hand on Rengoku's shoulder.

"Rengoku."

Rengoku looked up at Tengen, eyes wet with tears. Tengen then pulled him in a hug, crying as well. Rengoku was surprised, never seen this side of Tengen before but he then accepted the embrace.

"I'm just glad you're back." Tengen said.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"It's not your fault. I tried to get here as fast as possible."

"Your wounds!" Kyojuro said, finally noticing his shoulders.

"This? It's nothing! Though you demonized flashingly!" Tengen said.

"Can you forgive me?" Kyojuro asked.

"Course I forgive you. Now," Tengen stood up, looking in the direction he's been heading. "I need to go help Kamado and the others. You stay here til you're healed."

"Alright. Be careful, Uzui." Rengoku said.

"I will." Tengen was about to head off but was stopped by Kyojuro.

"Tengen!" Tengen turned around, first time hearing Rengoku say his first name.

"Thanks."

Tengen smiled. "No problem, Kyojuro."

With that, Tengen vanished, leaving Rengoku alone to heal.