The room was dimly lit, the soft flicker of candlelight casting long shadows on the walls. Tanjiro stood by Kuri's bedside, his hands gripping the edge of the wooden frame so tightly his knuckles turned white. His forehead was furrowed in frustration and worry, his thoughts swirling with guilt and helplessness.

"Why is it that this always happens?" he muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with suppressed emotion. His hands began to glow faintly, a result of the heat building within him as his frustration boiled over. "She's out again. It can't always be her! Why is it always Kuri? Why does she always have to bear the burden?"

Reiko, standing quietly at the edge of the room, stepped forward. Her green eyes softened as she placed a calming hand on his arm. "Tanjiro," she said gently, "she's alive. That's what matters right now."

"But what's within her…" Zenitsu whispered from the corner, his voice shaky as he looked at Kuri's still form. Her body radiated a faint, otherworldly glow, an unnatural light that flickered and pulsed like a heartbeat.

"She took the power of the All into her body," Reiko explained, her voice calm but laced with concern. "That's not something a mortal body was ever meant to hold."

Tanjiro turned to her, his desperation evident in his wide, pleading eyes. "There has to be something we can do! She's stronger than anyone I've ever known, but this—this is too much."

Nezuko, seated silently beside Kuri's bed, reached out and gently touched Kuri's hand. Though her face remained calm, her glowing pink eyes shimmered with worry.

Zenitsu swallowed hard and looked at Reiko. "She's not like you, Reiko. She doesn't have the same control over magic or the elements. How is she supposed to survive this?"

Reiko hesitated before answering, her gaze fixed on Kuri. "She wasn't made to control this much power," she admitted quietly.

XXX

Tanjiro's heart sank at her words. He looked to Reiko, then back at Kuri, her peaceful face a stark contrast to the battle raging within her. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. "There has to be something we can do," he whispered. "Something I can do. She saved all of us—I have to save her."

Reiko shook her head slowly. "It doesn't work that way, Tanjiro. This isn't something that can be taken away or fixed. It's inside her now. The only one who can fight this is Kuri herself."

"Then I'll help her fight it," Tanjiro said, his voice firm despite the fear in his eyes. "Whatever it takes, I'll stay by her side. I won't let her do this alone."

"You don't need to," Reiko replied, her voice softening. "You already are."

XXX

As they spoke, the faint glow surrounding Kuri began to flicker. The air in the room grew heavy, the oppressive energy suddenly dissipating as the light dimmed. Tanjiro's breath hitched, his attention snapping back to her.

"Kuri?" he said, his voice trembling. He leaned closer, his hands hovering just above her, afraid to touch her fragile form. The faint glow faded entirely, leaving her looking pale but peaceful. For a moment, the room was utterly still.

Then, her eyes fluttered open.

"F-Firebug…" Kuri's voice was weak, barely above a whisper, but the sound was enough to send a wave of relief crashing over Tanjiro.

"Kuri!" he gasped, his emotions spilling over as tears welled in his eyes. He knelt beside her, gently cradling her hand in his. "You're awake. You're okay. You're—"

She offered him a faint, tired smile, her eyes filled with warmth despite her exhaustion. "I'm… still here," she said, her voice soft but steady. "You don't… have to worry so much."

Tanjiro let out a shaky laugh, his tears falling freely now. "How can I not worry? You always do this—you push yourself so far to protect everyone else. You scared me, Kuri."

Her smile widened slightly, though her eyelids drooped with exhaustion. "Sorry," she murmured. "I guess I… made a habit of that."

XXX

Reiko stepped closer, her expression softening as she observed the scene. "I told you she's stronger than you all give her credit for," she said, a hint of pride in her voice.

Zenitsu exhaled sharply, slumping against the wall as his tension finally eased. "I don't know if I can take much more of this," he muttered. "One of these days, you're going to give me a heart attack, Kuri."

Nezuko reached out, placing a hand gently on Kuri's arm, her silent gesture full of reassurance and relief. Kuri turned her head slightly to meet Nezuko's gaze and smiled faintly.

Tanjiro brushed a strand of hair from Kuri's face, his touch featherlight. "You don't have to carry everything on your own," he said softly. "We're here for you, all of us. Please don't forget that."

Kuri's gaze softened, her eyes meeting his. "I know," she whispered. "And I'll try to remember."

For the first time since the battle, Tanjiro's heart felt lighter. Though the road ahead was uncertain, the fact that Kuri was awake and alive gave him hope. He tightened his grip on her hand, silently vowing that he would never let her face her burdens alone again.