3rd ENDING
Aged up, because- y'know.
Requested by: RenaKavon
"Guys!" Senjuro comes running towards us from afar, balling his eyes out. He jumps up and wraps his arm around both of us. "I thought you guys were never coming back andohGodI'mlosingmybreathohmygoodnessdidyoudoitdidyouwinIthinkImightneedtotakeamomenttobreatheorelseI'mgoingtodie-"
I pat his back. "Okay, okay. You'll get lightheaded if you continue. Take a moment to breatheeeeee..."
"huhuh-uhuhduh-fisuheif-udhfuh-suhdfsuhdfufus-hudfhus.... okay I'm good now." Senjuro sighs. "You guys did it? Is there any injuries?"
"Kyojuro got some injuries but we checked with Aoi. He'll be okay in a few days." I reply.
"Let's get inside." Senjuro says, but stops. "Father has been waiting for you guys to get home."
"Father?" Kyojuro tilts his head. "Why would he-"
I nudge him. "Hey, that's good news!"
"Right." He chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Senjuro, get off of Yasu."
"Oh- I'm sorry!" Senjuro apologizes, jumping off.
"It's fine, it's fine." I shake my head, walking inside to the flame hashira's yard.
We become silent, and only the crunching of dirt and rock could be heard.
"Kyojuro?" The thick voice of Rengoku-san comes from his room. "Come in here, I need to talk to you."
Kyojuro glances over at me and I shrug, gently pushing him towards the room. He takes one deep breath and heads in.
---
"...and that kind of summarizes all that happened!" I finish, slapping my hand down on my knees.
"Whoa!" Senjuro exclaims, clapping his hands. "So we just need to kill off the remaning demons, and we're good?"
"Yep! Peace forever from now on." I sigh, laying down on the floor.
"So will the breathing styles be cut off too?"
I stare at the night sky. "I- I guess so. At least we don't have to deal with those stupid demons anymore, right?"
"..yeah. But-" Senjuro scratched his chin. "Many slayers that stopped by after the battle said that they're kind of.. upset. They liked the interesting and dangerous life they were having. Of course, I'm glad that this is all over."
"I guess it was an adventure." I rest my hand on my forehead. "When is Kyojuro coming? It's been hours."
Senjuro shrugs. "I guess they're having a deep talk."
-
"I'm sorry for taking so long!" Kyojuro comes out, smiling. "I-"
Senjuro was asleep, and I was right next to him about to drift into dreamland.
"How was the talllk?" I saw drooly, blinking slowly.
"You're sleepy!" He laughs, crouching down.
I frown. "No I'm noooot.."
"Come on," He lifts me up bridal style, heading into my room.
"But I want to talk with youu.." I groan, hitting on his arm.
"Tomorrow." He simply replies, laying me gently on my futon. "Sweet dreams!"
---
Kyojuro standing by a pond
Walking up to him
Hugging him tightly
Him spinning me round and around
Sun shining down our backs
Laughter filling the open space
---
I squint my eyes at the sun shining down my window.
Pulling myself up, I frown. Why did I have such dream? It's not like we're in a relationship. It was so.. weird of me.
The spinning part was fun, though. At least that's good.
"Yasu! Are you awake?" Kyojuro's booming voice startles me, and my face becomes hot for some reason.
Maybe because I was just thinking about my dream.
"I'm up!" I shout, scurrying to my feet and bursting out the door.
"Whoaa!" He balances the tray of food in his hands and looks over at me. "Are you feeling alright? You look ill..."
"I'm alright!!" I nod fast, too fast, and head straight to the bathroom leaving the flame pillar question what just happened.
No, no, no.
I've lived with him for so many years, and this has never happened to me once.
I'm going crazy.
I head outside to the river and splash my face with the cool water. Maybe that'll kick my brain into the right place.
.
.
.
Nope.
"Ugh!" I hit the water, which made it splash everywhere. Spoiler alert; that did not make me feel any better.
I sigh as I head back inside, where Kyojuro is setting up plates.
"Hey," Kyojuro looks up. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything's okay." I reply, smiling weakly.
He makes his way over, and rests his hand on my shoulder. I flinch at the sudden contact, flushing all over again. "Feel free to tell me anything."
"Yeah, yeah! Of course!" I say, maybe a bit too happily.
He shakes his head, laughing. "You're one of a kind, Yasu!"
My eyes are tearing up due to the heat on my face. Breathe, Yasu. Breatheeeeeeeeeee..
"Umm, excuse me for a second.." I manage to mumble, heading out to the front yard.
"Hey, Yasuuu!" Senjuro greets me, and I look up to see him practicing his breathing style. "Father said I'll be able to come with you guys tonight to slay demons!!"
I smile, opening my arms to take the small child in. "That's great!"
He lets go of me, and jumps off. "You're burning."
"I am, aren't I?" I sigh, smacking my head. "I need to cool off. Practice more of your position. You need slight improvement."
-
"Are we ready?" Kyojuro comes out of his room, sword on his belt. "Let's get going!"
"I'm readyyy!!!" Senjuro comes dashing out, carrying a sword also.
"Finally!" I exclaim, getting up. "Let's go, go, go!!!"
We dash out, making sure that Senjuro is okay. A few hours later, we stop by an udon shop and gobble down some noodles before heading out again.
"There's a nearby forest here," One village lady mention when we ask her. "It's just over there."
"Thank you!" Us three bow before heading to the forest. The forest is one place demons like the most, because it shields them from the sun.
We arrive in the forest, looking around. I ask Senjuro if he's tired and he says not at all. Strong boy.
I feel a presence around, a strong one. It must've been chosen to be the follow-up of an uppermoon. I gulp.
"Kyojuro.." I mutter.
"I know." He whispers, grabbing Senjuro by the wrist. The little boy looks confused.
"Well, well." A demon with 3 eyes, really tall comes into view with paper and brush. "What do we have here?
My foot slides back, getting into fighting position. The action rises some dust, making the demon narrow his eyes.
"Let me guess," I place my hands on my sword, "You're, or you were trying to become one of the uppermoons?"
The demon claps slowly. "You're smart, I'll give you that. But it won't be soon until another demon arises as demon king."
I ignore him, narrowing my eyes at his paper and brush. That must do something with his blood demon art.
He sees me glancing, and holds them up. "Oh, these? If you're wondering, yes, this is my blood demon art. Anything I draw comes to life."
That's one strong one. Anything he draws will come to life?
"Senjuro," I whisper to the little boy. "I think you better get out of here. This one is strong."
Kyojuro agrees, slightly pushing his little brother behind the trees. "Stay here."
Senjuro tries to protest, but backs up. He hides himself behind the trees, peaking out only so slightly.
When I see him go behind the tree, I get ready to charge.
Sun breathing, first form; Dance
I charge with my sword, getting ready to slice its head off. But the demon quickly draws something on his paper, making a 2D circle appear before my eyes, popping itself into 3D a second later. The black hole swallows me in, and spits me out on the other side again.
I see Kyojuro charging, avoiding all the sharp knives flying towards him. My eyes drift onto the demon, whose hand is moving so fast that I can't even see.
Suddenly, the ground below me begins to rumble.
"Huh-"
Before I could process what's happening, the ground below me strikes up, making me lose balance and fall backwards.
My eyes widen, and I glance behind my shoulders. 2D shaped sharp icicles started to form, soon popping out into their 3D form.
I swear I feel my pupils shrinking in fear.
I squeeze my eyes tight, waiting for the pain. There's nothing I could do.
But the pain doesn't come. Instead, I feel a steady arm wrap around my back, securing me from falling.
Opening my eyes slightly, my eyes adjust to the blurriness.
"Are you okay, Yasu?" Kyojuro asks in a concerning voice, his arms getting tighter around me.
My eyes widen once more, and I can feel my heartbeat thumping up to my face.
I've completely fallen for the flame pillar.
-----
Sorry for the veeeeeeeery late update! I-..
I had no motivation. :')