Previously on Chapter 12

"Zenitsu! You're being disrespectful! That's still our superior!!" Tanjiro said, while pulling onto Zenitsu's haori. I let out a nervous laugh at their interaction. But I'm really happy that I finally able to call the three of them my friends. And it was at this very moment that I realize what's happening. Mama...

I'm not alone anymore...

-It's Already Hard Enough!-

Y/N P.O.V

After a few days of resting. I'm finally fit enough to walk around. But Aoi made sure that I didn't do any sort of training until I'm fully recovered. I'm only allowed to get the stretching session after laying on the bed for days.

I stand up once my body felt flexible enough after the stretching. I turn to the three girls and smiles at them. "Thank you... my body felt a lot better now" I said. They smile brightly at me. I gently pat each of their heads. I turn around and make my way outside.

I walk towards the training ground and take a seat at the porch. Since I'm not allowed to train yet until I'm fully recovered. So I'm just gonna observe Tanjiro and the others do their training sessions.

I notice Rengoku-San's movements are not as sharp as before. I slowly stand up as I make my way to him. "Rengoku-San... you seem to be having a problem. Your movements aren't as sharp as you used to before the incident" I said. He drops his stance and turn to look at me.

"Yeah... I noticed it too. I'm not sure what's going on" he said. I place my hand on my chin as I think about it. Was he affected after he drank my blood?

"Hey, Rengoku-San. Why don't you sit down. Let me have a check..." I said. He blinks his eyes at what I said. But he did as told. I walk to stand behind him and lift both of my hand, letting them hovers above his head. I close my eyes as I activate my demonic power. I try to look into Rengoku's aura.

My eyes snap open when realize what had happened. I drop my hand and stumble back. I drop on my knees as I stare at the ground in disbelief.

"Y/N-San? What's going on?" Someone said. I turn my head to see Tanjiro and the others. A few fellow Hashira's are also here. I focus my attention on Tanjiro who stares at me with a worried gaze. I slowly turn my head to look at Rengoku. Tears starts to roll down my cheeks.

"I-I'm sorry, Rengoku-San. But... y-you c-can no longer use your Breathing Techniques. You're alive because of me, because you drank my blood. But seems like it had damaged your breathing control pattern, preventing you from using your techniques. I'm s-so s-sorry..." I said.

I wince when someone grabs me the collar of my shirt. I hold onto the arm that's holding me, suspending me in the air. I realize it's Shinazugawa.

"You bastard... you finally showed your true color, huh? You did this on purpose, didn't you?? I knew you were bad news! There is just no way that a demon like you would help out!" He said, as he glares at me. Tanjiro rushes over and grabs onto one of his wrist that's holding me.

"That's enough, Shinazugawa-San! She didn't know it would happen. She was only trying to help Rengoku-San!" He said. Shinazugawa push him aside which makes him fall on the ground.

"Stay out of this!!" He yelled. He turn his head to look at me again. "You demon... you would never fit in!! You're a disgrace! You're not a human... you'd never fit in!! You are such a misfit!!" He yelled at me. My eyes widened at what he said.

You're such a misfit! You'll never fit in!! A voice echoed in my head. That's exactly the words that they said to me. All those horrible people that always tormented me and my mother.

"I didn't ask to be like this... I never would have wanted this if I had the choice!!!l" I said. I kick Shinazugawa on his abdomen, causing him to drop me. He doubled over and on his knees in pain. I land on my feet as I glare at Shinazugawa. "I've been living my life despising the way I am! Hating what I am!! And it was already hard enough that I have to endure those horrible people hating on me all the time!" I yelled.

"I'm only trying my best to help Rengoku-San's life. If I had known that this is what's going to happen. I wouldn't have attempted it! But if I do nothing at all... he would have died!! I never meant for any of this to happen to him!! I HAVE TRIED MY BEST!!!" I yelled out angrily, heavy tears streams down my cheeks. I look down as my body starts trembling. "I don't want to live like this..." I cried out. I turn around and runs off. I hear Tanjiro calling out for me but I just keep running.

Tanjiro P.O.V

"Y/N-San!!" I yelled out. But she didn't stop running. My eyes saddened at the look of pain reflecting in her eyes. I can smell sadness coming from her as well. I clench my hands into tight fists and turn to look at Shinazugawa-San. "Why would you say that to her?!" I yelled out.

"Thats the truth! Demons can't be trusted. They can turn their backs on you anytime!" He said, trying to prove his point. I shake my head at what he said. I won't let him talk down on Y/N-San like that.

I feel a hand on my shoulder before I can say anything else. I turn my head to see it's Rengoku-San. "Settle down, Kamado..." he said. He turn his head to look at Shinazugawa-San.

"I don't blame L/N. Not even a little bit do I feel upset with her. As a matter of fact, I'm really grateful that she saved my life" he said. I just stare at him as he focus his attention on Shinazugawa-San. "Maybe it just meant that my time as a Demon Slayer has come to an end... so you can stop blaming the girl now, Sanemi... you can see how hard it's been for her" he said, while smiling at him.

Shinazugawa-San just clicked his tongue in annoyance. "We all know that she's only pretending. What a fake little sh*t" He spat. He turn around and walks away. I growled angrily at what he said. I was about to chase after him when a hand appear in front of me, stopping me from chasing after the Wind Hashira. I turn my head to see it's Rengoku-San.

"Forgive him, Kamado... he'd come around. Just go and focus on comforting her..." he said. I just look down and nod my head. I hear a chuckle and feel a hand on top of my head. "I can tell from the look in your eyes that you feel something for L/N, and you have my full support. Help her see that not all human are bad, alright?" He said.

My head snap towards him, with my eyes widening. He winks at me, making my cheeks growing warm at what he had said. Was it that obvious? But I can't deny the fact that I had indeed fallen for the h/c haired girl.

*to be continued*

A/N: Rengoku is alive, but he had lost his ability to generate his breathing techniques. I wrote this story this way to make some people blame Y/N like what Sanemi did. So it will make it harder for Y/N to keep acting kind to people. So keep reading and find out whether Y/N will be able to keep going with her mom's last wish or whether she'd actually turn her back on people. I hope you're enjoying yourself! See ya~