#zentisu

As you walked home from the cemetery, you started wondering how you could ever be happy without Kyojuro. He was the first person you opened up to, the first person you let into your heart, and you didn’t mean to but you couldn't help but crack at his infectious smile.

Just thinking of his smile made you smile, made you put yourself in a short state of delusion that told you he’d be waiting at home for you. It never lasted long enough though. You’d always snap out of it before getting to the place your mind told you he would be.

“I just wanna see you again, Kyo. Please come back.” You said while sliding down the door in the home you once shared with Kyojuro.

Kyo once told you that was the point of having memories. 

“If you’re ever feeling sad about not being able to see someone, just remember all the good times you had with them. That’s what memories are for, right?” You remember Kyojuro saying with a smile.

“The good times, huh?” 

Many years ago

You were very quiet as a child. Afraid of most things even though you were next in your family to be a Hashira. Your mother and Rengoku’s father were both Hashira at the same time. You were both part of legacy families. The Rengoku family has a Flame Hashira in the Demon corps for most generations and The L/n family has a Blood Hashira. Since your families were always close, your parents decided to let you train your combat and sword skills with each other. You met Kyojuro when you were both just 8 years old before his mother had died. You were amazed by him.

“Y/n.” Your mother warned and you stood behind her.

“Is she always that shy?” Shinjuro asked with a smiling boy by his side.

“Not always. It just takes a while for her to open up. She is a fantastic fighter though. Very strong.” Your mother bragged.

You looked up at Shinjuro who slightly nodded his head at you. You lightly flinched and looked at the boy. You grew a confused look on your face as you realized Shinjuro was holding him back. 

“Why are you holding him?” You asked Shinjuro quietly.

They all looked at you for a second. Surprised that you talked.

“Kyojuro gets very excited and I don’t want him to frighten you. I’ll let him go if you want me to.” He said.

“You can.” You whispered.

The next thing you know, Kyojuro is standing in front of you with a contagious smile on his face.

“Hello, new friend! What’s your name?” He asks.

Did he not hear your mother say your name?

“Y/n.” You said lowkey.

“That’s a pretty name! My name’s Kyojuro!” He said while putting his hand out for you to shake.

You stared at his hand for a few seconds before grabbing it and shaking it. You look up at his face, feeling his smile start to infect you.

“Thank you, Kyojuro.” You say looking at him with a warm smile on your face.

“They’re cute.” Your mother whispered to Shinjuro.

Shinjuro looked at her and rolled his eyes.

“We’re trying to raise the next generation of Demon Slayers, not play matchmaker.” Shinjuro said.

“All I said is they’re cute.” Your mother said, holding her hands up in defense.

Shinjuro looked over to you and Kyojuro to see him talking your ear off about something random. You stood there listening to him with a slight smile on your face. Most kids his age never listened to him and it sometimes made Kyojuro sad. Shinjuro and Ruka had to tell him that it wasn’t his fault or the fault of the other children, it’s just that most children couldn’t keep up with him. Until you. You may not have been talking but Shinjuro could tell that you were listening to him. You two were kinda cute.

“I know you agree with me.” Your mom said while nudging Shinjuro on his side.

“You’re insufferable.” Shinjuro said while shaking his head.

“You’ve been saying that to me for our whole lives and yet we’re still best friends.” Your mother said with a smug look on her face.

“Is she doing better?” Your mom asked Shinjuro as she stopped joking.

“Not any better than before but she hasn't gotten worse lately. Tell me, is that enough for me to have hope?” Shinjuro asked.

“I think you should always have hope. Can we go see her?” Your mom asks.

“Sure.” Shinjuro said before turning around and walking into his home. Your mom followed behind him until you stopped her by grabbing her kimono.

“Where are you going?” You ask slightly concerned. 

“We’re just going to see my wife. No need to worry.” Shinjuro said.

“Oh. Sorry.” you said while letting go of your mother.

“Can I take Y/N to see mom too?!” Kyojuro asked excitedly.

“Of course, you can. I don’t understand why though.” Shinjuro said, confused.

“I want mom to meet my first friend.” Kyojuro said, smiling. 

You’re his first friend? How doesn’t he have any friends? That’s surprising.

“I’m your first friend?” You ask him.

“Well if you don’t count my mom, my baby brother, and my dad then yeah you’re my first friend.” he said smiling.

“You’re my first friend too.” You said, smiling back at him.

“Come on you two.” Shinjuro said to you.

The four of you walked toward the back of the house. You were confused as to why everyone was making a big deal out of seeing Kyojuro’s mom. As we reached the door to her room Shinjuro turned around.

“Kyojuro I know you’re excited but please try to be calm.”

“Of course, Dad.” Kyojuro said.

When Shinjuro opened the door you saw a beautiful woman sitting on the floor with a small boy laying on her lap

“M/n, it’s been so long.” The woman said, smiling at your mother.

“Hi, Ruka. It really has been too long.” Your mom said, smiling at her.

You see Ruka turn toward you and Kyojuro. She looks at you with a smile.

“Hi, Kyojuro. You look happier than usual.” She says to her son.

“I am really happy, Mom. I have a new friend.” He says while grabbing your hand and gently pulling you toward his mother.

“Hello. You must be Y/n. I’ve known your mother for a long time and I’m really happy to finally meet you.” She said, smiling at you.

“Thank you, ma’am.” You say lowly.

“I’m happy that you’ve made a new friend, Kyojuro.” Ruka says while looking down at mine and her son’s hands intertwined.

“Y/n and I are gonna slay all the demons!” He shouts putting your joined hands in the air.

“I’m very happy to hear that but please keep it down, your brother is sleeping.” Ruka said while stroking the small boy’s head.

“Oh sorry mom. Sorry, Senjuro.” Kyojuro said, whispering.

Senjuro slowly started waking up and when he did he looked at you with wide eyes.

“Hello.” You whispered to the boy before he started smiling at you.

“He’s cute, isn't he? He’s only two so he’s really tiny.” Kyojuro said as he watched his brother reach out to you.

“He’s so cute.” You whisper as Senjuro grabs your hand.

“All three of us will be best friends. And the best demon slayers.” Kyojuro said, smiling at you.

“Okay, Kyojuro.” You say smiling at him.

Five Years Later

You had been training for this your whole life, but the last year had been filled with hellish training. It was like your mother became a different person to train you for this week. You didn’t feel any love, care, or concern from her over the past year. You knew that she loved you and that your grandmother had probably put her through the same things to get her ready. It’s been necessary to join the Demon Slayer Corps for hundreds of years. The horrible mentally and physically draining training is always needed to get past “The Week Of Hell” that many people call it. It's all starting today, Final Selection. 

“Are you sure you’re ready?” Kyojuro asked as he walked beside you.

Shortly after Ruka died, Shinjuro changed for the worse. He stopped training Kyojuro and never plans on training Sanjuro, he started drinking and abusing both of his children, he often told Kyojuro that he’d never be anything. Yet even after all of that, Kyojuro kept a smile on his face. You just didn’t know if it was real anymore. Kyojuro mostly trained himself but he sometimes trained with you when your mother was teaching combat and sword skills, but he had to master his breathing style on his own since your mother's specialty was blood breathing and not flame breathing.

“Is any normal person ever ready for this?” you ask.

“I’m ready.” Kyojuro said.

“That’s why I said, normal person.” You said looking at him.

“Am I not normal?’ He asks you with a confused smile on his face.

“You’re very far from normal. You’re like a walking ball of sunshine. Like a piece of the sun just fell out of the sky one day and decided it wanted to be a person.” you said before turning to look at him.

When you turned you noticed that he stopped walking and you saw him standing there with a confused expression. His face was beat red and when he saw you looking at him he slowly started walking again.

“Is that a bad thing?” He asks, looking at you with a small smile.

“No. Of course not. It’s a great thing, I think that's the reason I became your friend in the first place. I apologize if I made it sound like an insult.” You said looking over at him with sincere eyes. 

“No need to apologize, Y/n.” He said smiling.

“Even when we’re fighting demons in the night, as long as you’re there it’ll be like having the sun with me.” You said looking up at him with a genuine smile.

He stood still again, just looking at you before he pulled you into a large hug.

“I love you so much, Y/n.” He said as he held you close.

“I-uh, I love you too, Kyojuro. You’re my best friend.” You said as you hugged him tighter.

You heard him let out a small sigh at your words. You started to wonder if you’d said something wrong but as you were about to lift your head he started to rub your head.

“Let’s stick together in there, ok?” He says before slowly letting go.

“Of course.” You say smiling at him.

Three Years Later

You were about to officially become a Hashira. Your mother had finally decided to retire after being the blood Hashira for over 20 years.

“Please rise, my children.” Master Ubuyashiki says as you and your mother bow to him.

“You have been here longer than I have been alive yet you have always respected me. It’s not surprising to see that you’ve raised your daughter very well.” He says smiling at you and your mother.

“I’m glad that my daughter and I have made you proud, Master.” Your mother says.

“While I am very sad to see you go, I know that Y/n will live up to your name. You deserve to rest and live the rest of your life in peace.” He says to your mother.

“I promised myself that I wouldn't retire until Y/n was ready, and now that I know she is I’ll truly be at peace. Plus it makes me feel old fighting around all these young people knowing that I’m way past my prime.” Your mother says.

“And all of those young people will miss you very much. You’ve been a great mentor to them.” He says smiling at your mother.

“Y/n?” He says turning to you.

“Yes, Master?” 

“You have mastered all seven forms of blood breathing and your swordsmanship is amazing. You are more than ready to take your mother's place. Do you wish to do so?” He asks.

“Of course, Master!” You say confidently.

“Well then, Y/n… You are now the Blood Hashira.” He says.

You heard your mother sigh in relief before she dropped to her knees and started crying. You got down and hugged her.

“You’ve fought long enough, Mother. It’s my turn now.” 

“The next Hashira meeting is in a month, Y/n. It’ll be a delight to see you there, but please don’t hesitate to come to see me sooner if you need to. The same goes for you too, M/n. Please keep in touch.” He says.

“Of course, Master.” You and your mother speak at the same time.

“You’re both dismissed.” He says.

A few days later

You and Kyojuro were now both officially Hashira. Kyojuro had become a Hashira before you because you had to wait for your Mother to retire. Kyojuro on the other hand was not considered to be his Father’s Tsuguko since Shinjuro had stopped training him years ago, Kyojuro became a Hashira because of his talent. You weren't envious of him for becoming a Hashira on his own. You were beyond proud of him. He had asked you to meet him in the Wisteria flower field this morning but he wouldn’t tell you why. You turn a corner to see him standing peacefully looking at the flowers.

“Kyojuro?” You ask lightly standing behind him.

“Y/n.” He says before turning around to look at you, but when he sees you his heart skips a beat and he’s at a loss for words. 

You were wearing a black kimono with red roses embroidered into it. It was made for you by Kanae a couple of months before she passed. She had originally planned on making it for your mother, but your mother insisted that she make it for you instead since she’d be retiring soon. When Kanae had given it to you and said that she couldn’t wait to fight by your side. You wish you two could have had the chance.

“Do you like this kimono? It’s my first time wearing it.” You ask with a smile, pulling him from his thoughts.

“It’s beautiful, Y/n. Just like you.” He says with a smile.

“Thank you so much, Kyo. You look handsome as always.” You say smiling up at him.

“So what did you want to do today? I’m fine with just going on a walk, especially in this place.” You say look up at the beautiful flowers.

“Let us start with a walk. I have a surprise for you.” Kyo says with a smile.

“I can’t wait to see what it is.” You say with a smile.

You and Kyo walk next to each other in comfortable silence, taking in the beautiful scenery. You wished that this could be more than just two friends spending time together, but you knew Kyo didn’t like you like that. Ok, so you didn’t know for sure that he didn’t like you but Kyo is a very open person who always speaks his mind and shares his feelings so you feel that if he liked you, he would’ve told you by now.

‘You’re overthinking something again, aren't you?” Kyojuro asked with a smirk on his face.

“Shut up.” You say as you roll your eyes.

“You're not gonna tell me what’s bothering you?” Kyojuro said.

“It’s not important, Kyo. Please don’t worry.” You said to him.

“So you do have a problem. Please tell me what’s wrong. You’re my best friend, you know I’d help you with anything.” He said while putting his hand on your shoulder.

“Please don’t make a big deal out of nothing.” You said.

“Anything that bothers you is an important problem that we need to solve.” He says looking you in the eyes.

“Kyojuro, I love the fact that you want to solve my problems, but please let me handle something’s on my own.” You say giving him a pleading smile.

“I’ll leave it  alone for now, but only because we’re almost at our destination.” He said smiling.

“Thank you, Kyo.” You said before grabbing his hand and letting him lead the way.

Maybe you should just tell him. You knew that even if he didn’t feel the same way, he’d try not to hurt your feelings. You knew that if he rejected you that he wouldn’t let things get awkward and that he’d fight for your friendship. 

“Sorry if I was too pushy.” He says with an apologetic smile.

“It’s fine. It just shows how much you care.” You say smiling.

You two walk hand in hand, in silence again, but it’s still comfortable. You could never be angry at him. Slightly annoyed, yes, but never angry. You loved the man so much that it was almost unbearable to feel his large hand engulf your smaller one, to feel his thumb slightly rubbing the back of your hand.

“We’re here, Y/n.” 

You look up to see a picnic set up in a beautiful part of the flower forest that you’d never seen before. 

“Kyojuro, this is beautiful. What’s the special occasion?” You ask.

“I wanted to celebrate us both becoming Hashira. I’m so proud of you.” He says while pulling you into a hug.

“I’m proud of you too, Kyojuro.” You say as you feel yourself tear up.

Kyojuro plants a kiss on your forehead before pulling away. He notices your teary eyes and smiles before caressing your cheek.

“I love your happy tears, Y/n. Now let's go eat.” He says.

“Okay.” You say smiling.

After Eating

“You’re always going to be my best friend, right? No matter what happens?” Kyo suddenly asks you with a hopeful smile on his face.

“Well, of course. Why wouldn't I be?” You ask while whipping your hands with a cloth. 

“What if we were something else on top of being best friends. Would you be ok with that?” Kyo asked.

What the hell is he talking about? 

“Depends on what that something else is.” You say nervously, putting your food down.

He doesn't know if he’s making the right decision. What if you don’t feel the same way? He shouldn't just assume that you do. What if he scares you away? He won’t let you go, even if you don’t feel the same, but life Is too short to let his love for you go unsaid. 

“I love you, Y/n.” 

He’s said that to you many times before but this time felt different, you knew that it was different but you still didn’t want to take any chances. You wanted to know for sure.

“I love you too, Kyojuro. More than anyone else.” You say putting your hand on his.

He looks down at your hand on top of his and smiles.

“I truly don’t understand if we’re on the same page, so I’ll say it a little clearer.” He says before gently grabbing your chin and looking you deeply in your eyes.

“I am deeply in love with you, Y/n. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want you to be mine.” 

Tears start to well up in your eyes as you feel the weight of his words. You need him. You need more.

“You want me to be your what?” You ask in a shaky voice.

“I want you to be my everything. My Partner, My Best Friend, and My Wife but I don’t want to ru-”

“Ask me.” 

He looks at you confused for a moment until a large smile appears on his face.

“Y/n L/n, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

As soon as the words leave his mouth, your lips crash into his. Your arms wrap around his neck to pull him closer. His hands roaming your clothed back while trying to pull you closer. The kiss was rough and sloppy, you two had no idea what you were doing, but it was the best thing you’d ever felt. You both pulled away staring at each other before you quietly spoke.

“Yes.”