Chapter 23

Akaza remained seated, watching Kyo leave, his tears falling again. He was still angry at Kyo for leaving and at himself for letting him go a second time. Akaza was even angry that a cure existed. However, he didn’t move from his place. He just turned his eyes to the window, watching the sunlight bathing the village. After all, what right did he have to stop Kyo from returning to his life? Once the sun set, Akaza walked toward where they were supposed to meet with Tanjiro and his group, hoping that Kyo would show up.

“I should’ve kept the letter,” murmured Akaza, slowing down until he stopped in the middle of the street, “Why didn't you come back? Stupid Kyo.”

“Why do you keep pushing me away?” Said Kyo stepping behind him.

“I…,” Akaza turned sideways and stared at him, his fists clenched to his sides. His mouth moved around as he tried to find the right words until he gave up and looked down.

“Your very soul is still human,” said Akaza looking at him again, “I just robbed you of it for a few months.”

“Is that what you really think?”

“You were human! You are human!” said Akaza, stepping closer to Kyo until they were face to face, “You yearn to be bathed by the sun.”

“Say something!” said Akaza, seconds later when Kyo didn’t reply, “You can go back to your family. I can’t do that! I’ve been a demon for ages. I’ve eaten and killed humans just for fun. I know I don’t have a place in the world as a human… But you do.”

Kyo closed the distance between them and embraced Akaza. He opened his mouth as he brushed the pink hair, but the words struggled to come out.

“I’m sorry for avoiding you,” said Kyo a few minutes later, “I thought you were sick of me since I wouldn’t eat humans. And when I saw you with that man, I decided you would be better off without me.”

“If you run away again without saying anything, I’ll kill you,” said Akaza stepping back and looking Kyo in the eyes.

“I’m surprised you didn’t.”

“All I thought about the way here was beating you up to a pulp,” said Akaza, his rage threatening to bubble up again.

“You kind of did it.”

“Be glad I didn’t rip your limbs apart.”

“They would grow right away anyway,” said Kyo, smirking. “I missed you.”

“Me too,” murmured Akaza, breaking eye contact.

“You too what?” Teased Kyo. Akaza stared at Kyo, pouting, hoping he wouldn’t press it any further by pulling the ‘cute’ card on him.

“I did most of the talking until now,” pressed Kyo, “Don’t I deserve something back?”

“I missed you too,” murmured Akaza turning his back to Kyo, his cheeks bright red. Then just as fast, he turned back to Kyo, grabbed his collar, and pulled him in for a kiss, “I’m sorry too for avoiding you.”

Before Kyo could answer or return the kiss, Akaza strode away, leaving Kyo baffled by his reaction. He barely expected him to say ‘I miss you’ much less a kiss. As he followed Akaza, he couldn’t help but smile despite the clawing at his heart.

Tanjiro and his group were waiting for them when they arrived at the agreed spot. Akaza and Kyo listened to what happened after Kyo was turned and how Muzan had been defeated.

“Weaklings!?” Said Inosuke, ready to brawl after Akaza taunted them about how such weaklings could win against Muzan, “Let’s fight. I will clean the floor with you.”

“You think you can win against me? You!?”

Tanjiro and Kyo quickly stepped up and calmed down their little beasts so they could continue with a civilized talk.

“Yusuke-san said that as long as he gets the ingredients, he can make more doses of the cure,” said Tanjiro.

“But…?” Said Akaza, eyeing Tanjiro with hostility.

“But,” continued Tanjiro, “The longer the individual has been a demon, the harder it is to turn back to a human.”

“Meaning,” said Akaza, “He can turn into a human, and I may die in the process.” Tanjiro nodded, unable to utter any words, his fists clenched as he looked down. A few seconds later, as the heavy silence remained, Nezuko stepped up and asked if they wanted to change back.

“I need some time to–” started Kyo.

“There’s nothing to think about,” said Akaza, ”You are going to take it.”

“Did you hear what he just said?” Asked Kyo.

“Yes. You can turn back, and I may die.”

Kyo stared at Akaza, waiting for him to explain or look back at him — anything for him to grab on. But Akaza was set on his decision. He looked at Nezuko and Tanjiro with a nonchalant expression, like it was just another day. Kyo felt his loud heartbeat in his ears. The clawing at his heart turned into shredding as if someone was making mince meat out of his heart. In the end, he could do nothing besides clenching his jaw. There was no point in reaching out if the other person didn’t try to meet him halfway. Or worse, put up walls like Akaza was doing.

“It will take some time until we meet Yusuke-san, so you’ll have time to think about it,” said Nezuko.

“You don’t mean we will go together as a group, right?” Asked Akaza.

“Why not? We are going the same way,” said Nezuko smiling convincingly.

Even though Zenitsu and Akaza complained, there was nothing to do but follow along. For the next few days, they traveled to where Yusuke was. During the day, Kyo and Akaza hid from the sun under the carriage and led the way according to Tanjiro’s directions at night. Despite the strange arrangement, nothing major happened during the days they traveled together. Inosuke and Akaza kept picking fights with each other whenever their eyes met. At the same time, Zenistu avoided both demons at all costs, and Kyo stared into nothingness, trying to reach a decision.