Chapter 21

“Rengoku-san,” said Tanjiro, breaking the silence, “Do you remember my sister?” Nezuko stepped forward and Kyo’s eyes turned to her and just as fast went back to Tanjiro, “You probably don’t, but she used to be a demon like you.”

“What do you mean by that?” asked Kyo baffled.

“There is a cure to turn demons back to humans,” said Akaza. Kyo looked down at the pink-haired demon whose face was still buried in his chest, as he tried to make sense of what he heard.

“Yes,” said Tanjiro, “Yushiro-san continued Tamayo-san’s work and there is the possibility to turn back.”

“You knew about this?” asked Kyo after a long time. He tried to push Akaza away and look him in the eye instead, Akaza wrapped his arms around Kyo and just nodded against his chest.

“That’s ridiculous,” said one of the men, still wielding his sword, “Why would someone want to turn demons back? Every demon should die.”

“I was a demon,” said Nezuko, “Now I’m a human. Do you still think I should die?”

The man stuttered with his words and no exact answer came out of his mouth. Nezuko turned to Kyo and smiled gently, telling him that if they wanted to be turned back that she would speak with Yushiro-san. Kyo’s eyes jumped from person to person, each with their thoughts on the matter, but he didn’t know what to think nor what to say.

“We will be leaving this town the day after tomorrow,” said Nezuko after a while, “Give us your answer tomorrow night.”

“You better show up,” screamed Inosuke while being dragged by Tanjiro, as the group walked away. The five men also turned around, they knew they couldn't win against an Upper Rank demon, and despite their anger, they decided to walk away.

Once they were left alone Kyo and Akaza began walking towards the middle of the town trying to find a place to stay. Akaza’s tears had dried out and his whole body was tense and unreadable as he lead the way. Kyo on the other hand focused on Akaza’s heartbeat for peace of mind, ignoring everything else, while still trying to process the information.

“If we take one out,” whispered the man without an arm, “Then the other will kill at least one of us, and if that happens then Tanjiro and his sister will have to admit defeat and go after them.” Before any of the other men could say anything, he turned around and started walking back.

Minutes later the man had caught up with Kyo and Akaza, behind him his four companions. He knew the second he closed the distance between them they would hear him, so he unsheathed his sword and dashed as fast as he could launching at Kyo’s neck. Before the man’s sword came even close to Kyo’s neck, Akaza blocked the attack and grabbed the man by the neck.

“You all talk big about demons,” said Akaza tightening his grip, “But in the end, you jump at the opportunity to stab someone in the back.”

Kyo, who barely reacted to the situation, turned back and watched as the man clawed at Akaza’s hand trying to get himself free, his face paler by the second. The other men stood behind, swords wielded ready to attack, however, Kyo still detached from reality didn’t move.

“I’m going to kill this man,” said Akaza staring at the man, while his nails sank into his neck and blood began dripping. Moments later, Akaza threw the man against his friends and glared at Kyo.

‘You didn’t even try to stop me.’ thought Akaza.

As the man gasped for air, Akaza walked away from them and past Kyo without a word. Kyo looked with pity at the group of men that were left bewildered, and a tinge of guilt poked at his heart, from the disappointment he felt when Akaza let the man live. After walking past a couple of streets they finally found an inn and booked a room.