Previously on Chapter 52

He turn his head to look at the village and sniffs. He shakes his head as he turn to look at me. "No... it smells pretty normal to me" he said. I furrowed my eyebrows at what he said. How can this village smells normal with such a powerful demonic aura? What is going on in here?

-Overwhelmed-

Y/N P.O.V

I stare at the village in front of me with a troubled gaze. I don't have a good feeling about this village. How can this village smells normal to Tanjiro when I can feel such a strong aura from the place.

"Y/N?" Tanjiro called out. I turn my head to look at him. He stares at me with a worried gaze. "Are you okay? You look so pale..." he said, worriedly.

"Am I?" I asked, placing my hand on my cheek. He nods his head lightly, while still giving me a worried gaze. I smile and move my hand from my cheek, placing it on his. "I'm fine, Tanjiro" I said, smiling softly at him. His face shows doubt as he seems to still be worried about my well-being. Ever since I nearly died, Tanjiro's been very protective of me.

"If you feel any discomfort... do let me know, okay?" He asked. I smile softly at his caring nature and lightly nod my head. He smiles softly at me. He lift his hand, gently placing it on top of my head. He gently caress my hair as I smile at him. "We should get going, don't you think?" He said.

"Yeah... the faster we get this mission done. The better" I said. He nods his head in agreement. He moves his hand from my head to my hand. I turn to look at Nezuko who have been silent the whole time. "Let's go, Nezuko" I said, smiling softly at her.

"Yes, Nee-San!" She said. I smile softly at her response. Slowly, she's learning more words. It makes me happy to be able to hear her voice. I wish we can just cure her so she'd be a human again. Slowly but surely, we'll get there. We'll cure Nezuko and she'd be a human. I'm sure of it.

The three of us slowly make our way ahead. The deeper we go inside the village the heavier the feeling. It almost feels like it's weighting me down. I feel a drop of sweat running down the side of my head from the pressure. It's also starting to get pretty hard for me to breathe.

My knees starts to buckle as I fall forward. "Y/N!!" I hear Tanjiro yelling out my name. I turn my head to look at him as he kneels down next to me. "What happened?" He asked.

"The demonic aura around this area is getting too strong for me to handle, Tanjiro..." I said, staring at him with a weak gaze. He stares at me worriedly. I turn my head to look forward. "Something evil is lurking around here... and it feels different from my father's aura" I said. I lift my hand, placing it on my chest as it starts to hurt.

"Okay, I need to get you out of this village. Come on, Nezuko" he said. He gently places his hands behind my knees and on my back. I wrap my arms around his neck. He stands up and takes me a little away from the village.

Once we're quite far from the village, he gently sits me down on a small boulder. He kneels in front of me as he gently holds my hands in his. "How are you feeling, Y/N?" He asked. Nezuko sits next to me as she also looks worried.

"I'm fine..." I said, smiling softly at the two of them. He didn't look convinced at all. I turn my head to look at the village. "Where did all that aura came from? I've never felt anything like it..." I said.

"This mission clearly isn't good for your well-being, Y/N... let me handle the rest, okay?" Tanjiro said. I turn my head to look at him. I shake my head, letting him know I can't let him handle the mission that is meant for me. "Please, Y/N. Look at you! You have to think about your condition! You can't get near that village without collapsing! Just let me handle this mission for you, okay? Nezuko can stay here to look after you" he said.

"No, Tanjiro... this mission has been given to me. It's my job to complete it" I said. He stares at me sadly. I lift my hand, gently cupping his cheek. "I'll be fine, Tanjiro..." I said. I move to stand up, but my knees still feel a little weak. Tanjiro quickly wraps his arms around my waist, before I could fall over.

"You're clearly not fine, Y/N. Please don't be stubborn" he said. I gently pat his chest, trying to get him to calm down. He guides me to sit back down on the boulder. I turn my head to look at the sky as the sun slowly starts to set.

By the time the sun disappears from the horizon, the aura of the demon gets even stronger. It so strong that it's feels suffocating. I grit my teeth as I try to hold in the pain. I don't want Tanjiro to know how much it affects me. He'd be restless and will continuously insists that I stayed back.

"Y/N... I'm serious. If you force yourself, it's not going to end well for your health" Tanjiro said, still trying to convince me that I should stay out of the mission. I turn my head to look at him. I slowly move to stand up. His eyes widen as he keeps his arms outstretched, just in case I might fall over.

"I'm fine..." I said, while breathing heavily. Tanjiro just stared at me. He's not convince at all because my action shows otherwise. "Let's go" I said. I walk forward while trying my best to keep my body stay upright, without falling over. I hear Tanjiro's frustrated sigh behind me. I just ignore him and keep pushing myself to move.

Tanjiro P.O.V

Seriously, Y/N... why do you have to be so stubborn? It is clearly shown that you're not doing well. I let out a sigh. I have to make sure she won't push herself too hard. I don't want her to ended up injuring herself or worse... no! Definitely not going to let that happen! I refuse to lose her again.

By the time we're near the village. I watch Y/N's body language. Her lower lips is tucked between her teeth and she is sweating quite a lot. It's obvious that she's trying her best to hold the pain in.

I stare at her with a sad gaze. Why do you have to act you're strong, Y/N? Why can't you just rely more on me? I'm here with you, Y/N. Please don't try to push yourself too far. I don't wanna lose you... not again.

*to be continued*