Chapter Text
How do you know whether you had an fulfilling life or not? Is it measured by the trophies on your shelf or maybe by the number of friends you managed to get? What if it came down to Children and grandchildren? It was hard to tell what exactly made a life fulfilling. To be honest, it was outright impossible for you to do so.
Yes, you had a long life. Different to your friends, you made it past your twenties. You saw a new era of peace begin as your friends drew their last breaths. Somehow you managed to stay alive during the final battle - yet losing your arm in the making. Thus, it was hard for you to find a husband. Not like you wanted to marry anyway. Maybe it was stupid, but you couldn't get over your teenage crush. The bittersweet feeling never left your heart as you missed your dear friend wholeheartedly even now after so many years.
Rengoku Kyojuro, the Flame Hashira stole your heart even before you realized it. Who would have guessed that his life would be so much shorter than yours. Sometimes, his younger brother checked in on you. Senjuro was a good guy who was expecting his second child by now.
Why are you feeling so sentimental all of a sudden? You were happy with your life after all. You made it to old age. Your hurting bones should make you proud as the graveyard was your usual hangout place. As long as you could, you made sure to bring flowers for your fallen comrades. On special occasions, even Sanemi would show up and offer you some sake. He was the only one who understood you - at least to some degree.
A warm feeling spread through you as you remembered your friends. All those happy smiles and laughter. Of course, you still cherished the memory of Rengoku's voice. If only you could speak to him once more.
As you laid there in bed, a smile at that small and wrinkled face, you knew your life was over and it was time to leave this place. You knew you had to journey from the life of which you knew. You were not sad nor happy. You felt as if you were about to start a new adventure. And maybe, if there is a god, he’ll let you see Kyojuro again. For you it wasn’t important in which form. It would be funny to be reincarnated into the future as a school girl.
I wonder how the future will look like. I hope, I’ll get to see my friends again. They deserve a happy and fulfilling life. Please, they waited long enough for me. There is so much I have to tell them. I sure hope live does not end here.
This were you last thought as you closed your eyes to embrace the warm kiss of eternal sleep.
Little did you know, you woke up again after what felt like barley a second. At first, you did not pay much attention to it as you figured, your time hasn’t come yet. Slowly, stretched your sore libs when suddenly you felt weird. Your sword arm… How comes you can feel it when it got cut off by Muzan?
Suspicious, you lifted your arm to look at it and to your surprise, there it was. Not only could you move your fingers, but they also looked much younger. In place of your old and wrinkled skin there was young and vibrant one. Your nails were freshly made. Surprisingly it was the color Mitsuri lend you once.
“Oh, you’re awake! Great! Aoi will be happy to hear that.” You heard a familiar voice and as you turned your head your eyes were glued onto Sumi. The young and innocent Sumi. Wait. What was going on?
The girl noticed your confusion and scooted closer to you, putting her small hand on your forehead. “Oh! You still have a fever. I’ll bring you some cold water. Oh, you should probably know that a letter came in for you today.”
Déjà vu – that’s all you could feel right now. Suddenly, your memories felt more like a foggy dream. That’s right. You fought a demon who used toxins. That was your first solo mission as a Hashira and let’s say, you had to be carried back unconscious. How long have you been asleep for? It felt like YEARS! You even saw your whole life in front of your eyes. Were you close to your end? Was that what people see before they die? A possible future they are missing?
“It’s alright Sumi. Thank you so much. A glass of water would be nice.” You anwered with a smile. Suddenly, an urge rolled over you. Your through felt so sore and it was hard to talk as memories of a funeral filled your brain. Even if it was all just a dream, it felt so real. You just had to ask. “Sumi… Is everyone okay? Mitsuri, Shinobu? Are they alive? Is Kyojuro alive?” you asked with a shaken up voice.
The girl giggled with her hands in front of her mouth. “I didn’t know you and Rengoku are on first name basis! I’m so happy for you~ Yes, as far as I know they are all doing well.”
Wait, no… You and Kyojuro were best friends.
Don’t tell me I only dreamed about it… Could I have imagined everything? Or Maybe… Maybe this is the second chance I asked for?
In the past I hope to find my freedom again, to get my Kyojuro back. You may think that’s an odd thing for a time traveler to say? Surely, the future is here today, if I want it to be? Well, time travel doesn’t work like that. It’s far more complicated than you think, and currently the only guide I have to follow is myself.