Summary: Nezuko realizes her feelings for Zenitsu. Nezuko's POV.
Author's Note: This fanfiction takes place between chapter 204 and chapter 205 of the manga. Also this is my interpretation of Nezuko's personality as a human. This is my first fanfiction, If anyone has any suggestions of how I should improve my writing, feel free to suggest.
I reach up for the large jar of salt to restock the salt in the smaller one which is for everyday use... It's almost lunchtime... as I try to reach for it, it is placed way back in the top shelf making it harder for me to reach...
"Hold on Nezuko-Chan, I've got this"
I look over my shoulder to see Zenitsu hurriedly approaching me and then reaching for the jar, with a little effort he gets it for me and hands it to me...
"Here" he gives me the jar with the sunniest smile he can manage.
I thank him and resume to making lunch, he smiles and stands next to me making small talk, asking me what I am making, how I'm making it and what I'll be making tommorrow giving me suggestions as well.
I continue to answer him and after a while he leaves, I begin to think how this man is always looking out for me, not trying to do anything that would displease me in any way. Just a few days ago I wanted to eat strawberries and by evening he got them for me, hunting for them in the woods.
A few days back as we were strolling in town my eyes caught a pretty little hair pin, he quickly bought it for me and even though I denied,he however insisted that I have it. He would try to draw out my opinion in every conversation and would compliment me too every now and then... As a girl I was honestly flattered.
Even the faint memories I have of my demon form, I remember this man to be always putting me first, I was a demon at first instinct any demon slayer would be afraid of me, would want to kill me... but he didn't,rathern,he kept stating I was beautiful even back then...Regardless of any situation that would befall him I would be his main concern and even during the time when Tanjiro Ni-san turned into a demon. Zenitsu was concerned about me still.
I try to dismiss these thoughts by thinking that he would do this for any other woman...Any other woman... why does my heart feel wounded when I think about him with another woman or complimenting one...I make a sour face and think that I will confront him about this...
Later that evening I see him sit in the veranda looking out towards the sky at the setting sun with a soft smile coloring his features. I sit down next to him and he immediatly looks towards me
"Everything is fine, can't I sit here?" I reply
"No, of course you can.."he speaks with a blush and begins to look at his feet...after a while he says " Umm Tanjiro is back from the town if you were looking for him"
"I wasn't looking for him, I want to sit here with you" I reply " What were you looking at?" I ask him about the fact that he was looking at the sky with nostalgia a while ago,and also as an attempt to ease the awkawardness in the air.
" You'll laugh if I tell you" he speaks with a soft laughter.
"No, I won't, let it out" I press.
" Well the thing is" he stops looking at me and looks at the sky which is beginning to get dark now " I would often watch the sky intently waiting for the sun to set so that I could look at you once it was night, since you know you were a demon and all" he speaks a little shyly.
" Why were you so eager to look at me and expectant of my company?" I ask him, trying to turn the way of the conversation in the direction of my questions.
"Well..umm..I..I really liked you back then...not that I don't like you now, you're still quite beautiful as you were back then "
"So, what if I weren't beautiful,then?" I ask with an eye brow raised.
"There is no woman who isn't beautiful, some from the outside, some from the inside and some both" as he says so and deeply looks in my eyes, was he always this good looking?
" So which category am I?" I ask him, what is the answer I'm expecting?
" The last one" he smiles
"What if You meet a woman more beautiful than me? Will you choose her over me?" I mock him, okay when did this trun into him choosing another and why does it anger me so much, I'm not a selfish person, I've always shared things with my siblings but why do I want him to stay mine, his feelings to be for only me, him to compliment only me, that affectionate gaze for only me?
"Well, at first I thought of that too, might've done so as well, but.." he is almost whispering , The moon is up in the sky now...
"But, I didn't realize when my feelings got so strong that I couldn't see anyone but you, think of anyone but you and steadily you became the center of my universe" He looks deep into my eyes and places his hand on top of mine "I love you Nezuko-Chan, dearly and I know I can't show you how much right now or ease your doubts regarding me right now but I promise that If you were to allow me to love you for the rest of this life and any other we might have, I will love you so that there will be no room for doubt or fear regarding my love or loyalty for you" he squeezes my small hand in his callous big one.
My face begins to burn and by now I am sure that a crimson blush is staining my cheeks..
"I will not use any poetic words to woo you, I have laid my feelings in front of you with all honesty as how they are and any answer you have I will happily accept it, in fact If you like another,I'll even help you out " He contiues to look deeply in my eyes and smiles. The smile looks so broken, so pained that it breaks my heart, The smile is one of a dejected and lonely man, who has seen no joy,no peace, no love in life, a smile of a man who has seen nothing but betrayal... A smile of a man that I want to craddle in my arms and give him all the love in this entire world.
Love... Loving him...why does my heart feel so ease at that thought...Am I in love with him?
I look deeper in his eyes and I can only see myself reflected in them and that is when I realize, I'm in love with him...when did that happen...how did it happen... I might've even loved him the first time I saw him, I know not but one thing I know for sure that the man in front me right now has the most purest and tursting heart ever.
I squeeze his hand back , he looks towards that and looks back at me his eyes open wide in shock...I don't know what takes over me in that moment but I lean forward and gently place my lips to his. They are so soft, just like his eyes, After a little peck I move back, he didn't kiss me back, He looks so shocked, poor boy.
"I hope you do fulfill your promise Zenitsu-Kun" I whisper with a smile and after letting go of his hand, I stand up and go inside, I hear him speaking in the background
"I won't let you down Nezuko-Chan" with his goofy lovey dovey voice...
