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Chapter 32

My eyes flood with tears, and I feel a flame ignite deep down within me.
"You're the hope of this world, Y/N."

Immediately, my eyes shoot up to the source of that voice.
My tears only flow harder as I stare down at the woman before me, millions of words I want to say getting stuck in my throat.

My mother stood proudly, her arms open for me.
"Come here."

I rush up into her arms, surprised as I feel the warmth she gave off.
It really is my mother...
My words finally come out, but only as a loud, pitiful sob.

She tightly embraced me, her rough, yet delicate hands brushing my hair.
"I'm proud of you."

My words couldn't form coherent sentences, just sobs echoing from me as I hold her tighter than ever, gripping her haori for dear life.
"Shh, don't cry, don't cry. It's no use crying for me, Y/N."
Softly, she hums to ease my sobs, rubbing up and down my back.
"You're a wonderful swordswoman, Y/N."

All my mother did was smile, not a shred of disappointment or pity in her eyes as she gave me something to hold on to.
"Use this. Become as bright as the Morning, and as wise as the Night."

"Learn Sky Breathing. Bring back the balance of the world."

I nod, feeling myself fade out.

《•|•》

"/n-! Y/N! Y/N!"

My eyes flicker open, and I see everyone gathered around me.
Tanjiro was the one calling my name over and over, Zenitsu crying with worry by the foot of my bed, Inosuke pounding at my leg to wake me up, and Lady Kocho pressing the cold towel against my forehead.

"You woke up! We were so worried!"
I could see the small tears in Tanjiro's eyes, and he gripped my hand so tight his knuckles were white, but he smiled with relief.

"Y/N WOKE UP?! Y/N, WHY WOULD YOU SCARE US LIKE THAT?! HUH?!"
Zenitsu cried harder, Inosuke hitting him in his gut for screaming so loud.

"Shut up, Monitsu!"

"IT'S ZENITSU-"

Lady Kocho looked worried, her usual smile forced to stay on her face, but her eyes didn't lie, and neither did the tone of her voice.
"Y/N, how are you feeling?"

I'm made aware of the tears rolling down my face as she wipes one away.
My breaths feel like I'm inhaling fire and exhaling needles, but even so, I'm still doing Total Concentration Breathing, somehow.

My eyes feel weak as they're unable to adjust to the bright light overhead, so I close them, startling everyone. Tanjiro inhales to call my name again, but he stops when I hold his hand just as tight, mumbling.

Lady Kocho understood and spoke.
"You've been asleep for three days. First we assumed you were simply tired, but after day one, you broke into a fever, and your tattoos began to glow. You were unresponsive up until now, when you began to cry before waking up."

I sigh, smiling as I feel my energy going back up.
"Forgive me."
I move up, Tanjiro trying to stop me.
Has it really been three days? I feel like it's just been a few minutes.