⚜ Demon Slayer One-Shots ⚜ Requests Open ⚜

Art of Torment

The moment Uzui had heard the news, there had never been more tension then that single moment. His footsteps shook the earth as his anger flushed off him in an unbreathable air. He had gone out without aid. Without backup. There was no need. His anger was so dense, so thick, that he was sure he could forge a blade from it. In the end, his anger rocketed higher the closer he got. Those screams that broke the silence had led him to the location. The moment the screams stopped, he'd nearly thought his heart shattered. He pretty much had believed the worst, not that the truth was any better. Those bloody hands and the unconscious body of the blond he cherished so dearly being held so poorly by foreign hands. It only deepened the rage the Pillar had. 

He did not hesitate to strike the Demon, who avoided quickly. They had sensed the bloodlust. The danger. Their expression shifted, leaving the smirk on their face to fuel the fire. Uzui narrowed his gaze, the veins growing on his face as he clenched his teeth. The faint heartbeat was leaving the time gap short, but he'd be damned if he'd let his cherished pupil suffer such a cruel fate. To be starved of everything to meet the end of a Demon art that was foul. So he attacked again, ignoring the voice of the Demon who had signed their own death. Those words that were laced in ice were brushed away as Uzui only crept closer to killing the dreaded monster. He'd make them pay. 

Each swing only grew closer, until it eventually connected. The fear was ignored as their head was taken off. Uzui simply scowled, letting them whither away before he turned his focus to Zenitsu. Or where the blond should have been. What the Demon art truly did was impossible to tell, but the fact the injured youngster was gone, only drew deep panic. He instinctively put his swords away, searching the area before sounds came from the shack. After the fight, his hair was slightly disheveled. Even so, he ignored the strands that broke into his view. Pulling the door open, he slowly entered. The room had fallen silent, the dim lighting leaving it hard to see. 

He heard those raspy breathes, slight cries and whimpers. It broke his heart, especially the closer he got. 'His' Zenitsu was resting in a corner, oblivious to his presence. Where the other would take notice, he never snapped his attention upward. It was like he was there, but not. It brought a heavy dread that only got far worse the moment he had taken notice. Those once serene eyes that would shed tears from the smallest things, bore something wild. He was no Demon, but also resembled one. The markings had become visible on the exterior once more, coiling his entire body. He wanted to call out, but before his voice could leave his lips, he was startled as the blonds gaze became so cold. So wild. He dashed at the Pillar, who in turn should have defended, but didn't. He couldn't. 

The two toppled to the floor as Uzui did his best to avoid major injury. Those lifeless eyes peered into him, hands attempting to tear at the other. It made the Pillar feel so helpless seeing the others state. He felt partially to blame with this outcome. His stupid promise was a jinx in his eyes. He's made the other promise something that only fate decided. With the effects of the mark, Uzui was aware of one defining fact. Zenitsu wouldn't survive. It had sank in too far. Even if it was removed, the damage was too vast. He'd let him down. 

Uzui was never one to cry, but those tears were genuine. It felt like his heart had stopped with each second. He'd got a grasp of Zenitsu, his hulking form in comparison locking the blond in his lap. His arms held his tightly, hugging the struggling body. Those tears had stained the others head before the warmth seemed to bring the blond slightly back. Those raspy breathes died down before those all too familiar cries reached Uzui's ears. 

"I'm s-sorry... I'm so s-s-sorry..." Uzui felt so broken hearing those words. He leaned his chin on the other's head, shushing the blond. Trying to ease the pain that the other still felt. He had felt the blond shift where he sat, allowing him to turn around. His legs rested above, wrapped around the others waist as that pained expression brought a scowl to Uzui's features. He hated this. Seeing someone he cared for in so much pain. Seeing those eyes lose life every second. How long Zenitsu had, he wasn't sure. 

Reaching out, he pulled the blond into a tight embrace, sinking his nose into the crook of the others neck. Even with their cries and the fact he would inevitable die, he wanted to help. To stop the pain. To give the other a better end than this worthless one. To give him freedom from the suffering. But truth be told, Uzui knew only one way. It left him wondering if he was willing to give up everything!?

What a stupid thought was his own mind's response. Zenitsu was his world. Sure, he had wives, but they were happy living lives they saw fit. Zenitsu was the only one who brightened his world entirely. Without him, what point was there. He didn't need to doubt, only act. He and the blond were together, until the end. That was a promise their hearts had made. It connected them. So he did the last thing anyone would have saw him do. He took the pain from the blond. 

His tooth had tore a spot on his tongue as he positioned the blond, forcing their mouth open. He connected his lips, forcing the kiss as the blond took a moment to grasp the situation. He wanted to pull back, but Uzui refused. He could feel the slight sensation of something shifting along his tongue, slithering about, but he ignored it. He was merely happy to see those pained expression cease. Even if it was their final kiss, he felt joy in his heart once the kiss broke. Those eyes had gained slight life before that voice he so desired spoke out. The tone, while harsh, was laced in concern.

"WHY? Why did you do that? You're going to-" Uzui smiled, tracing his fingers along the blonds jaw. He could feel that burning. The pain. But he was good at masking it. The sweat tracing his features was the only proof he was indeed hurting. But it was fine. He pulled the other close, holding him. "Why did you join me in my fate?"

"Because, my world has you in it." Zenitsu felt tears run over his dried ones, his hands clenching at the clothes as he snuggled closer. His heartbeat was already faint, signaling he only had so long. His eyes felt heavy as he breathed a sigh, whimpering slightly. His sobs only drew a chuckle from Uzui, who bit back the surge of pain as the mark hit his heart. "You're such a crybaby."

"Shut up..." There was a long silence, Zenitsu relaxing. "I'm sorry I broke our promise."

"We both broke it now, Zenitsu. Don't go all soft on me at the end!" The blond scowled before getting comfortable. He was leaned into Uzui's firm frame, who was leaning along the shacks wall. He could feel his mind grow hazy, his vision blurring. He instinctively relaxed completely, his voice straining to leave him.

"I'm not... Y-you i-idiot..." That short release of air made Uzui's heart drop entirely. He held him closer, feeling his eyes sear with water. He bit against his tongue, masking his sorrows as he simply waited. He'd not move a muscle. They were together. The though alone sided in a smile cresting his features as he closed his eyes, letting his body slink more into the wooden walls. His expression while slightly happy, still showed his pain. It was unbearable at points, even for him. He had to show Zenitsu acknowledgment. How he'd lasted as long as he had, Uzui would never understand. The amount of suffering would drive anyone mad. In the end, it made him love the male more. Even while his other senses and his body were crumbling, he was content knowing his heart was left untouched. His love and value for the blond never faltering. He shifted his head ever forward, letting his chin hit the others head as he felt his own organs succumb. There was a moment of peace, a time when he felt weightless. How that had been a blessing. Even if he couldn't hear his own voice, he spoke those words that were from his heart, even if no one heard. 

"Maybe in another life... We can be together again... Maybe fate will give us this one thing... I... Hope..."

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Hope you've enjoyed. Gonna go cry in a corner now! Leave feedback and sorry for the heart break of this one-shot! (ಥ _ ಥ)