Rengoku x Fem! Dying! Reader: Angst

Requested by: monosora

Hey there, hope you enjoy~

Don't own that picture up there! ^^ he pretty, though...

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[P A S T]

"Hey, hey, Kyo!" a girl a lot shorter than him ran up to the male, beaming brightly as she clasped her hands behind her back. "Guess what I got!" 

This girl, was you.

"[y/n]?" he asked, looking down at you as you smiled brightly. "Shouldn't you be resting?" 

It was painfully obvious, the way he was worried for your quickly diminishing health. You seemed paler and weaker every single day but your smile never seemed to falter, not even one single bit. You shone brightly like fire, like the sun. You were always so bright and he loved you for it.

You shook your head, smiling up at your fellow demon slayer once more. 

"Of course not, silly!" you cheered, and he was even more concerned. "There're lots and lots of demons out there to cut, and besides!" you suddenly cut yourself off, and thrust something into his hand. "I got you something!"

As Rengoku opened his hand, his eyes widened at the pendant that laid there. Made and carved beautifully, the fire shaped pendant shone in the sun because of all the jewels embroidered on it. Attached to a long silk ribbon, it was the definition of beauty. 

"Wow.." the flame pillar was left stunned, and you smiled happily before taking it out of his hand and sliding his sword out of its sheath. "It's really nice."

You took the silk ribbon, and attached it onto the end of his sword, the light breeze blowing it sideways and letting it glint. 

"Now, you can bring it with you wherever you go!" you cheered, and then suddenly looked downcast. "Think of it as a blessing when I get too weak to be your partner for missions.."

Ah, yes, you were his usual partner, despite how different your breathing techniques were. Shadow breathing, unfortunately, took a toll on your health.

"Thanks!" Rengoku grinned, sheathing his sword once more. The two of you walked side by side until nighttime, and along the side of the forest as the stars came out from behind the clouds. 

"Hey, Kyo," you muttered, and he turned to see you looking longingly up at the starry night sky, a rueful smile on your face. "Just remember, that when I pass, I'll be amongst the stars looking down as you become stronger!" 

Rengoku nodded, looking at your smiling form.

He didn't get it, how could you be smiling? How could you smile, when your very life force was getting weaker and weaker, and would eventually go out completely? 

He didn't understand it then, but he would, one day.

The two of you were still relatively new to the art of slaying demons, and had become hashira only recently. 

The ying yang, they all called you.

Light and dark, fire and shadow, merged together perfectly into an almost invincible force that stuck to each other like glue and was the perfect mixture of happiness and smiles. You and Rengoku were unable to be separated, that is, until your body began to sink under the burden of your very own technique.

Rengoku nodded, looking up at the sky with you, watching as the stars blinked and shone brightly, the moon half hidden behind wisps of clouds. 

"Okay, I'll remember."

[P R E S E N T]

 Rengoku still held onto that pendant you gave him.

It still hung from the hilt of his sword, swinging in the breeze whenever he drew his weapon and shone in the sun. Catching the eye of a demon, it would be the last thing the demon would see, sometimes.

It had your presence that went with it, despite your body being confined to the butterfly estate with Shinobu doing her best to keep you form slipping into another world.

He would keep it clean, keep it from harm, despite not being able to do the same for you.

But as long as you lived, no matter the fact that you couldn't fight with him, he was content and happy and smiled brightly. 

Imagine his face, when you were reported to have a few hours to live.

One of the strongest hashira, broken and worn down by no demon, by nothing, except for herself. Broken down from the inside. 

Now, Rengoku was rushing back from a mission, the fierce wind howling in his ears and his bright hair tousled. His usual smile had changed into a firm, straight line, his eyebrows furrowed as he prayed to god that he would make it back in time.

As time ticked by, you coughed up more blood and you wheezed more, fighting to stay awake. You'd fought demons, you fought so many things and won, so you'd have to win, just one more time.

Just one more time.

"Hey, you-" Shinobu tried to tell you to go to rest. To slip, to fall into an eternal sleep that would put an end to your suffering. You rose up your dominant hand, your [e/c] hues piercing her own as you covered your mouth before coughing again. 

"No worries!" you grinned, and they all wondered how you could smile. "He'll come, I'm sure! I can hold out for a little more."

Just a little more.

As if on cue, a certain flame pillar burst through the door, covered in grime and sweat, specks of dried blood splattered on the edged of his haori. 

"Hey, Kyo!" you greeted, and he rushed to your side, eyebrows furrowing further and worry filling his bright gaze. "You're finally here!"

He didn't get it, either.

Why were you still smiling at a time like this?

No, how were you smiling at a time like this?

"Hey, [y/n]," he muttered, and several of the hashira filed out of the room to provide space and privacy to the two of you. "I'm here.."

You kept smiling, eyes drifting onto the pendant that hung loosely from his sword. Opening your mouth to speak, only a string of coughs came out and you doubled over, blood dripping from in between your fingers. 

"You kept..that?" Rengoku nodded his head quickly, helping you lie back. You closed your eyes, sighing. "I didn't think you'd keep that."

"Of course I'd keep it!" he exclaimed, and another smile broke out on your face. 

"Keep it for a long time then, okay?" you asked, and he nodded. Your fingers slipped from his and Rengoku could feel himself panicking. "Grow strong, Kyo, I'll be watching you from amongst the stars." he nodded, tears welling up.

"I will." he muttered, keeping his gaze down. 

"Hey, Kyo, look at me," you said, he lifted his head to stare directly into your [e/c] gaze. You smiled brightly, eyes closing. Your hand pat him on the shoulder. "Don't be sad, I'll always watch over you."

Rengoku nodded once more, and you let out a content sigh. 

"Go to rest, [y/n], you're tired," the fire pillar murmured, and you inhaled. 

But you never exhaled. Your body grew cold, and the fire pillar felt the tears spill. Rengoku Kyojuro, the one whose flame never went out, cried for the first time in years. 

Then, he knew why you always smiled, sun or rain, no matter the situation.

It dulled the pain, even if it was only by a little bit.

But that little bit was enough, for he knew he'd meet you when the time came.

He'd meet you, amongst the stars that shimmered brightly. 

So now, he would wear your smile until it was time. 

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Uhhhhh..idk if this is good it seems kinda rushed I swear to god-

word count: 1271

thanks for reading my work..