I've been testing the waters in my writing style, so forgive me.

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"I promise you: I'll never die."

—Theo McIntyre, History is All You Left Me

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• (Y/N) (L/N) •

"CHU! CHU!"

Just hang in there. Don't die. I'm almost there.

I had finished slaying the demon of the hour. I watched in pity as the its remains crumbled and dissipated into thin air.

Finally, some alone time with my one and only boyfriend, Zenitsu.

I put my Nichirin blade back to its place inside the scabbard. I was about to turn and went back to the Butterfly Estate when the very familiar sparrow appeared in the dead of the night.

"What are you doing here?"

At first, I thought you, Zenitsu, were sending me a letter like you always do. I became overly confused why your sparrow doesn't have its usually tied paper on its claw.

My confusion was replaced by anxiety at the moment of understanding your situation. I dropped my thought of going back to the Butterfly Estate in hopes of aiding you.

What if I didn't make it in time? What kind of demon is he up against? Zenitsu doesn't need backup to the point he's sparrow is sweating its water out and tiring its wings out from repetitive flapping. He isn't weak person, despite his endless rant about it.

I swore I felt my heart stopped for a moment at the second my eyes landed on Zenitsu's unconscious and battered body.

A demon that looks almost the same age as us has its eyes on Zenitsu, ready to end his life with one finishing blow. I watched from the sidelines as it prepared to kill Zenitsu. My breath got caught up in my throat and my chest tightened. I was glued on the ground like a statue as I watch helplessly.

Move.

Damn it, body! Move your fucking limbs.

"Huh? Another Demon Slayer?"

I was so focused on making myself move that I hadn't noticed I finally gained its attention. This demon haven't done anything but the intimidating aura radiates from it in ginormous waves. My body doesn't want to move! It also doesn't want to fight.

The demon turned itself fully to me. I moticed now the character engraved on its left eye.

Lower Moon Three.

Fuck.

I haven't confronted a Lower Moon demon before. Crossing paths with one is very low. I heard from the rumors going around the Corps of their strength compared nothing to a Pillar. But, why? Why can't my body move under the intimidation pressure? Just calm your nerves and hold out until backup arrives. I have to stay alive until Zenitsu recovers, so he can escape.

With a deep breath, I hold the katana with my trembling hands.

I just need to stay alive.

I pulled out the blade from its sheath and aimed it at the demon, which now stood bored.

"Why don't you just run away like a coward and live your life in shame?"

"Get your hands off my boyfriend."

***

"You did great surviving that, (Y/N)-chan."

"I don't even remember anything that happened, Shinobu-san."

A hiss escaped my lips when she dabbed the cotton on one of the cuts in my face. I gave her a glare, but her ever-present smile is still there. That smile of hers is irritating with the sudden sting of the cut.

While treating my wounds, Shinobu-san said, "I guess that's a side effect of having a head injury. Crashing into a tree head first can lead you to death, you know."

"I'll have to thank my skull for protecting my useless brain."

A chuckle emerged from her lips. "You're brain is not useless, (Y/N)-chan."

"I'm not asking if that is genuine or sadistic."

Shinobu-san remained silent and simply focused on treating my injuries . Silence ensued in her office. As a close acquaintance of her, I'm glad she's often the one who treats me herself when I come crashing here with injuries.

I asked, "How is he?"

I haven't been able to see Zenitsu after that confrontation with Lower Moon Three. I just woke up in Shinobu-san's office while she's in the middle of treating my wounds. She explained to me that I manage to survive the fight with average injuries. She told me that Zenitsu and I were lucky because Mitsuri came just in time. Mitsuri freaked out when I fainted on her.

"He's recovering. Although he hasn't regained consciousness yet," answered Shinobu.

"I see." Then, it's going to be a long wait.

***

"If I see you again here because of staying with Zenitsu-kun, I''ll definitely kick you out of the Demon Slayer Corps."

Those words still sends shivers down in my spine. She somehow found out I was always by Zenitsu's side whenever I can. Whoever that person will suffer my wrath.

But, in doesn't mean I have to leave Zenitsu for long, right? I mean, Shinobu-san told me she'll kick me out if I got sick because of staying with Zenitsu the whole time. She only meant I need to take care of my body since I'm still recovering. I can still say I'm still recovering because of the often headaches that will haunt me out of nowhere.

"We're visiting at the same time, (Y/N)-chan!"

My hand halted from sliding the door open. I looked to the side and saw Tanjirou-kun beaming at me. I gave him a smile and opened the door. I said, "It's nice to see you again, Tanjirou-kun."

"Hai! I hope you're doing well. I'm really glad you were there." Tanjirou-kun points at his head, indirectly telling me of the bandages that were still present in my head. I give him a wave as we both welcome ourselves to the ward.

Damn, I'm not used to Zenitsu sleeping for so long.

I bite my lip. It's not normal for Zenitsu to sleep for so long. It isn't not the same sleep he was having—where he can still moves and becomes so cool—and it frustrates me. Every time he arrived at the Butterfly Estate unconscious, he would wake up hours or a day later.

Not a week after.

I feel a pat on my shoulder. I look to the side and see Tanjirou-kun giving me one of his assuring smile. It reminds me of one of the very rare instances Zenitsu smiles at me softly. He only often rants at me whenever we're together.

I shuffle to Zenitsu's side and bring your hand to my face, whispering, "Please wake up soon."

Just, what in the world did that Lower Moon Demon do to you?

***

Great. I can't even sleep in my own room.

Ah. Where's the spirit of sleep when I need it? I can't even sleep in oeace when my thought are flooding with thoughts of Zenitsu not well.

It has been a habit, really. It's like an instinct that only exists for Zenitsu. I'll be able to feel if something is wrong with him. If that situation comes around, I'll be bothered to no end until I see him safe and sound and that is the only thing that will stop me from being bothered. It is just so unfortunate that instinct is kicking me like a soccer ball right now.

I stand from my sitting position on my futon and walked over the rack where my Demon Slayer uniform is hanged up. I effortlessly put them on, as it is always part of my morning routine, and go out to visit Zenitsu for the fifth time today. Wait, is it fifth? I think I've lost count from the second visit today.

"WHY ARE THERE BANDAGES WRAPPED AROUND ME?! AM I GOING TO DIE?!"

Upon arriving at the very familiar sliding door, I open it with the slightest creak I can get, only to fail miserably. My plan of quietly having a sneak visit goes down in ruins when I open the door and see you there, freaking out while Aoi-chan and Shinobu-san are present.

Oh shit. Shinobu-san won't like it.

Nonetheless, the thought of being punished by her didn't last a second. I immediately rush to Zenitsu's side, not affected by the headache(The bandages are gone, if you're wondering). I wrap my arms around Zenitsu and hold onto him like he is my lifeline—at some point, he really is. I nuzzle deep into his shpulder and close my eyes tight, the tears slipping out of my eyelids despite my efforts of stopping them.

"What if you didn't wake up? What if you keep on sleeping like a corpse? I..." my voice cracks. Finally, I cry.

I mumbled, "I was so scared you're going to die."

Zenitsu miraculously stopped freaking his heart out. I feel his arms wrap itself around me. His chin rests on the top of my head and I somehow feel the smile radiating from him.

Based on Aoi-chan's complaints, Shinobu-san dragged Aoi-chan out of the room.

"You know, crying will only make you ugly. But, you still look beautiful when you're crying."

I laugh at his attempt of saving his poor wording.

I pull away from the hug and take a good look in his eyes.

Yep, they're still his. And he's still the Zenitsu I love.

Zenitsu cups my cheeks and smiles at me. "Didn't I tell you I'm not going to die?"

Thank you, spirit of sleep, for not visiting me.

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