Chapter One

Pain and grief swirled around inside Akaza as he turned his own anger and anguish onto himself. There was only one person who deserved his strongest attack. None of those he'd hurt...none of those he'd killed...had deserved what he'd done to them, but there was nothing he could do to make things right. There was no way to atone.

There was only one path left for him to take.

He was barely aware of Tanjiro pulling Giyu out of the way. His focus wasn't on the demon slayers. Not anymore. They weren't his enemy.

"Why won't you just die?!" His head had fully reformed, in spite of being cut off. For the first time, he hated his own stubborn spirit. He hated the part of him that still clung on so tightly to some semblance of life, even after having lost everything.

"Stop fighting," he whispered, as his own fists dove towards his torso and his head.

Fire suddenly erupted all around him, golden flames leaping up high.

Akaza's eyes widened and he looked around for the source of the fire. It surrounded him from all sides, the flames arcing high...too high for him to see over. But he couldn't feel any heat.

In front of him, the flames parted, revealing a familiar figure that made Akaza's eyes widen and caused him to take a step back. "You're dead."

Rengoku, formerly the Flame Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, strode towards Akaza. The flames on either side of him didn't exactly seem to part for him. Rather, it was as if they were bending to his will...brushing against his sleeves as he moved to stand right in front of Akaza.

"Why are you in Hell?" Akaza whispered weakly.

There was a smile on Rengoku's face. Unlike the last time Akaza had seen him, he was whole. Standing on his own two feet, his skin was free of the wounds and injuries that had killed him. The wounds that Akaza had dealt him were gone, as if they'd never existed.

"We're not in Hell," Rengoku stated.

Akaza's eyes darted past Rengoku. On the other side of the flames that surrounded him, he saw the familiar walls of his dimension. Giyu and Tanjiro were on the other side of the flames, supporting each other's weight. Perhaps they would have fallen, if the sight of Rengoku...alive and unharmed...hadn't frozen them in place.

"I rose from the ashes, just like a phoenix." Rengoku smiled as he came to a stop right in front of Akaza.

"That's impossible. Not without you becoming a demon yourself." And Rengoku wasn't a demon. If he was, Akaza would have sensed it. Even beneath the illusions, a demon couldn't hide from another demon.

Rengoku laughed, as if the very idea of him becoming a demon was absurd. "My soul is my own. I am not a demon."

Akaza couldn't argue. He didn't understand how it was possible, but that wasn't the immediate problem. "Did you stop me because you want to kill me yourself?" His voice was flat. Emotionless. He couldn't think of any other reason for Rengoku coming here instead of joining the rest of the Demon Slayer Corps.

"No." Rengoku took a step forward, moving into Akaza's space, looking into his eyes and not looking away. "I'm here to offer you a choice."

"A choice?" Akaza echoed. What choice could Rengoku offer him? He hadn't received any choice when he'd been made a demon. It had occurred against his will...but afterwards, he'd embraced it wholeheartedly, allowing the memories of his human life to fade under his demonic nature. Surely he deserved whatever fate lay ahead of him...even if that fate was death and an afterlife spent alone and in constant torment.

Rengoku's eyes were shadowed with something like pain or grief. Slowly, he held a hand out to Akaza, palm up in invitation. "My whole life, I've believed that demons are evil and beyond redemption. When we fought, I did so with every intention of killing you. Of defending people against your evil."

Akaza flinched at the words, as if Rengoku had struck him. Now that he remembered everything, he couldn't blame the demon slayer for seeking revenge for what he'd done.

It didn't really matter whether Akaza died at his own hands or at the hands of another. Now that he'd accepted death and eternal torment was all that awaited him, he was through fighting and through resisting. He could only hope that those he'd loved in his human life would receive second chances to live full lives.

Akaza stepped forward and angled his head to expose his throat to Rengoku's blade. "Do it," he whispered, voice shaky but firm. "I'm not going to fight. Not anymore. If you want my life...it's yours."

Rengoku's hand landed gently on Akaza's shoulder and he squeezed it; not hard, but firm enough for his grip to be felt. "You don't have to die."

The laugh that escaped Akaza's throat at those words was harsh and bitter and hurt his throat. Tears pricked at his eyes, but he'd already cried enough with the emergence of his memories and the monster he'd become. He didn't have any tears left to shed. "There's nothing left for me. Only death."

"Death would be too easy," Rengoku disagreed. His golden eyes seemed to pierce through to Akaza's soul...or perhaps the place where his soul had been...as he said, "You can have a second chance."

Akaza opened his mouth, though he didn't know what he was about to say.

"Rengoku-san..." Tanjiro took a shaky step forward, moving closer to the flames, raising an arm to shield himself from the heat. "He is a demon."

Rengoku finally looked away from Akaza, glancing towards Tanjiro. "So is Nezuko."

Tanjiro flinched visibly at the words, but he didn't argue further. Instead, he gave a sharp, jerky nod and turned to Giyu, offering the other demon slayer his shoulder to lean on. "We need to keep moving..."

Rengoku turned back to Akaza, hand still resting on his shoulder. "You don't need to die," he whispered. Akaza took a step back, but Rengoku's hand only tightened its grip on his shoulder, not allowing him to pull away. "If you want me to take your life, I will. But that would be the easy way." He took a step closer to Akaza, closing the distance between them. "What is your choice, Akaza? Death at my hands...or a second chance at redemption?"

Akaza stared at the demon slayer. "How can you...?"

"How can I offer you a second chance?" Rengoku's fingers gripped tighter for a moment. "I hated demons. My whole life, I have been taught that your kind are nothing but monsters. But before I died...I saw a demon fight alongside a demon slayer and against her own nature. Now that I have a second chance, there's no reason not to offer you one."

"I killed you." Akaza whispered the words, moisture filling his eyes. Before, he would have gained enjoyment...even pleasure...out of the memory of killing the Flame Hashira. Now, with his memories returned to him, all he could feel was guilt...and pain. "How can you offer me a second chance after that?"

Rengoku didn't say anything. Instead, he let go of Akaza's shoulder and took a step back. Once more, he extended his hand, palm open in invitation. But his other hand settled on the hilt of his sword, prepared to draw it; prepared to offer Akaza a quick death, should he choose to take it.

Akaza's eyes were drawn once more to Tanjiro and Giyu, who were preparing to move...to continue going. Despite their pain, despite their exhaustion, they were still prepared to move forward. They were ready to continue the fight.

"What happens...if I accept the second chance?" Akaza whispered.

Rengoku didn't smile, but his eyes softened. "I won't lie to you. The path of redemption is not an easy one to walk. You will fight against your very nature every second of every day, and you will be forced to confront the things you have done and those you have harmed." His fingers curled slightly...beckoning Akaza. "I will push you further than you've ever been pushed before. It won't be easy."

Perhaps that was what decided Akaza. If Rengoku had told him it would be easy, he wouldn't have believed him. After all. How could any path worth walking be easy? But Rengoku's words made another thing clear.

He wouldn't be walking this path alone.

Slowly, Akaza reached out. He hesitated, just for a second, before he placed his clawed, scarred hand into Rengoku's. "Yes," he whispered. His voice faltered, though it was only for a second, before he forced himself to sound more certain, more confident. "Yes. I want to live," he whispered.

Rengoku's fingers curled around Akaza's hand, gripping it tightly, as the flames soared high for a second...then died down to nothing. He smiled at Akaza, eyes lighting up, and whispered, "I'm glad to hear it." Then, he was moving, following Tanjiro and Giyu...heading further into the castle's depths.

High above his head, Akaza heard crows cawing...calling to each other; or perhaps to the demon slayers in this world, as if Akaza concentrated hard enough, he could almost hear them talking.

"Upper Rank Three...defeated. Upper Rank Three, defeated by Giyu and Tanjiro."

Akaza stood frozen for a few moments, staring after the three demon slayers as they ran...trying to find Muzan's location. Defeated? Defeat meant death...at least, it had done after he'd become a demon. But as a human...defeat had meant something entirely different.

He shook his head, taking a deep breath, and then ran after the three of them. High above his head, the crows continued to wing their way through the air, cawing...delivering information; repeating over and over again.

Rengoku glanced sideways at Akaza as they ran alongside each other and nodded to him. "Good to have you on our side," he said simply.

Akaza didn't have a chance to respond, as in front of them, Tanjiro suddenly came to a stop, breathing hard, eyes landing on two figures in front of them. "Zenitsu..." he whispered.

Immediately, Giyu stepped protectively in front of Tanjiro, raising his sword protectively.

"Giyu-san...he is on our side," Tanjiro whispered, placing a hand on Giyu's arm.

The Water Hashira stiffened slightly, looking down at Tanjiro, then took a step away from him...though he didn't lower his sword. "Our mission is to kill demons."

Akaza's eyes went to the demon who was crouched protectively in front of Zenitsu. "Yushiro..." He frowned.

The other demon's eyes went to Akaza, and he tensed up visibly before looking at Giyu. "You've allied with one of the Twelve and you're planning to attack me?"

Giyu's eyes narrowed. "This is not my choice, believe me."

Rengoku stepped forward, but unlike Giyu, his eyes went to Zenitsu's body. "Is he still alive?"

Yushiro glanced towards Rengoku. His tense posture relaxed slightly and he nodded. "He was wounded in battle against Upper Rank Six. I've treated his wounds to the best of my ability, but there's still a chance that his wounds could kill him."

"Zenitsu..." Tanjiro whispered, his voice low and worried.

Yushiro straightened to his full height, eyeing Giyu's blade warily. "There's no point in wasting your energy fighting me. You look like you can barely stand on your own two feet as it is."

Giyu narrowed his eyes, but apart from that, he showed no other reaction. "I can still kill one more demon."

"Giyu-san..." Tanjiro said.

"He is not our enemy...not our true enemy," Rengoku said. "Even before I died, I saw the same thing you did. That there are demons who will work with and even fight alongside humans. I have a second chance. There is no reason not to offer one to someone else."

Giyu turned to Rengoku, finally lowering his blade...though he didn't put it away. "You are offering a second chance to the very demon who killed you." He looked towards Akaza.

Akaza stiffened slightly, prepared to defend himself. He might have already accepted death, but Rengoku had reached out and offered him a second chance. It felt churlish to just stand by and let another kill him...Water Hashira or not.

Rengoku gave a small smile and inclined his head to Giyu, not even trying to argue. "That is my decision," he agreed. "I do not expect others to understand it. And I expect most will not accept it. But I will not change my mind," he said firmly. "And I also do not believe that you will refuse to understand or accept my decision."

Giyu didn't say anything, but he looked away for the briefest instance.

Rengoku pressed his advantage. "Our true enemy lies deep in the heart of this castle. He is the one who turned those like Akaza into demons. Because of him, many good people have suffered. And I'm not just talking about death." Once more, his gaze moved towards Akaza.

Akaza shifted slightly. He didn't know just what Rengoku knew about his history...about his past...but there had to be a reason why the Flame Hashira had chosen to save him; to give him a second chance. He couldn't hold eye contact with Rengoku and had to look away as he muttered, "So what do you intend? Recruit as many demons as possible so that we will fight for you? Use us as cannon fodder against Muzan?" Even as he said the words, he regretted them. Death would be easier than recruitment...and when they'd fought against each other, Rengoku had never given the feeling of deceit or dishonesty.

"You can't say that to Rengoku-san!" Tanjiro exclaimed. "He chose not to kill you...to give you another chance. He wouldn't just throw your life away on a whim!"

Rengoku didn't seem offended or upset by the words. Instead, a tiny smile touched at his lips, even as his golden eyes only showed how serious he was. "You do not have to come with us."

Akaza flinched. "What?"

"Neither do you." Rengoku's eyes moved towards Yushiro. "You can remain here, and I will collect you once the battle is over."

Yushiro shook his head and turned back to Zenitsu. "You'd be better off leaving him here...to recover." He looked at Akaza and nodded. "We will join you if he recovers."

Tanjiro's body tensed. "If?"

"I'm not Tamayo." Yushiro looked at Tanjiro. "I have learned skills from her, but I have done all I can. The rest is up to Zenitsu."

Giyu looked at Tanjiro, then at Yushiro, before his gaze shifted to Akaza and then to Rengoku. "I'm not prepared to trust demons at our back, even if you will not kill them."

Akaza stepped forward, standing by Rengoku's side. "I will not be at anyone's back. I will fight alongside you." His voice faltered as guilt speared him. In his mind's eye, he could see them all. Those from his human life, who he'd disappointed and let down. If he'd thought he could be reunited with them in death, perhaps he would have told Rengoku to kill him.

Maybe if he did enough now to remove the stains on his soul, he would earn his place in the afterlife with those he'd lost.

Rengoku clasped Akaza's shoulder, squeezing lightly. "Then that is our plan!" he declared. "We will find Muzan, and we will do battle with him." He nodded to Yushiro. "You will stay with Zenitsu and protect him. If he wakes, you will join us."

Yushiro frowned. "I never agreed to that."

Giyu's jaw was tight as his gaze moved from the demon and the demon slayer he was protecting, looking further ahead. "The crows are still mapping out the infinity castle." He looked towards Akaza, then to Yushiro. "Can either of you tell us where we can find Muzan?"

"I've avoided him for my whole life," Yushiro said. "I have no desire to be his puppet or his tool...and I won't let him make me hurt anyone, human or otherwise."

The statement wasn't exactly directed at him and it didn't even sound accusing...but it still made guilt flare to life inside Akaza once more.

As if sensing Akaza's inner turmoil, Rengoku gently squeezed his shoulder and whispered, "You have another chance. Help us defeat Muzan, and you can devote the rest of your life to making amends for the evil you have done."

"Or I will die in battle," Akaza whispered.

Rengoku laughed, and something twisted inside Akaza's gut. It wasn't pain. It wasn't even discomfort. It was a kind of warmth that spread out from the centre of him...his heart, or where it had once been when he'd been human.

"Rengoku-san..." Tanjiro's eyes widened. "How can you laugh?" he whispered. "You have already lost your life once. I don't..." His fists clenched at his sides and he blurted, "I don't want to see that happen again!"

"I am sorry, Tanjiro." Rengoku's laughter faded and he gave a gentle smile. "I didn't mean to make light of my death, or the pain it caused you. But dying in battle against the very first demon would be a very good death indeed."

Akaza lowered his head and whispered, "I'm not sure I would call your death good...no matter the cause."

Rengoku was silent for a few moments, his golden eyes lingering on Akaza's face before he smiled. "Of course, I have no intentions of dying again. Or of allowing anyone else to die. I will do everything within my power to ensure we all survive this final battle."

"Then we need to keep moving," Giyu said shortly. "The crows have yet to find Muzan's location, but the longer we linger here, the stronger he will become. No matter how many demons we kill." With a glance at Akaza and Yushiro, he added, "Or how many demons are converted to our cause."

Tanjiro nodded, but his eyes were fixed on Zenitsu, narrowed in worry. He reached out a hand to his friend. "Zenitsu..." he whispered.

"Go," Yushiro ordered. "I will stay with him, and if he recovers...we will join the fight."

Giyu looked at Yushiro, his gaze considering, then nodded. "Look after him." He began to run, heading deeper into the infinity castle.

Akaza looked at Rengoku, but the Flame Hashira was already running...moving swiftly after Giyu, just as if he'd never been dead at all.

Tanjiro took one last look at Zenitsu, whispering, "Hang in there, Zenitsu." Then, he took off running after Giyu and Rengoku.

Akaza hesitated, but it was only for a split second. Then, feeling hope surge through him for the first time since long before he'd been turned into a demon, he began to run after the Demon Slayers.

Finally...finally...he could fight a battle that would actually mean something.