~Y/n pov~

"Oh no, the train's leaving." Zenitsu exclaimed.

I laughed, "It'll be fine."

Sprinting towards the train, I jumped onto the back part of it.

Tanjiro and Inosuke followed.

"Wait for me!" Zenitsu yelled, running towards us.

I reached my hand out and grabbed his, pulling him up.

"Oh thank god." Zenitsu sighed in relief.

I gently patted his head, "I told you it'd be fine."

We started walking through the carriages, looking for the flame hashira.

~*~

"Delicious... delicious..." someone chanted.

We followed the voice and saw Rengoku happily eating.

"Excuse me.." Tanjiro asked.

"Delicious!"

The passengers around him were staring at him with tired expressions.

"Is that the Flame Hashira guy?" Zenitsu asked Tanjiro.

Tanjiro smiled nervously, "Yeah."

After eventually gaining Rengoku's attention, the boy sat next to him.

I sat down on the opposite site of the train.

"And you're the kid from that day at the Master's." Rengoku stated.

Tanjiro nodded.

I sighed, watching Inosuke laugh as he tried to climb out of the window.

Zenitsu was yelling at him angrily and trying to stop him from jumping out of the window.

"I'm Tanjiro Kamado." He introduced himself to the Hashira and then introduced us as well.

Inosuke eventually flopped down on the chair opposite me.

Zenitsu sighed and sat down next to me, resting his head on my shoulder and leaning onto me.

Smiling, I gently combed my fingers through his hair.

"We're here on a mission." Tanjiro told Rengoku, "We were told to join you on this mission."

"Yes! I understand." Rengoku beamed.

"Also, there's one more thing." Tanjiro turned to look at the Hashira, "Something I wanted to ask you, Rengoku."

The Flame Hashira nodded in response, "What is it?"

"About my father..."

"What about your father?"

"Well he was really frail."

"Was he really?"

I watched as Inosuke jumped up and banged on the window.

Zenitsu sat up and yelled angrily at him.

"But even if it was cold enough to freeze your lungs, he could still perform a kagura dance in the snow." Tanjiro told Rengoku.

"Well, I'm glad to hear it!" He nodded enthusiastically.

"The thing is..."

"What's up?"

"Himokami Kagura..." Tanjiro trailed off, "Dance. I suddenly found myself doing the kagura that I'd seen as a child. If you know anything about that, Rengoku... I was hoping you'd tell me."

"Right. But I know nothing!"

Tanjiro had a shocked expression as he heard the blunt answer.

"I've never heard of that dance before."

~*~

I sighed lightly, leaning back in my seat.

Inosuke had sat down and whenever he went to get back up I would glare at him.

Safe to say he didn't get up again.

A tired Zenitsu was curled up against me, almost falling asleep.

"You never know when a demon might appear." Rengoku stated.

At this, Zenitsu shot up.

"You're kidding, right? Demons show up on this train?" Zenitsu panicked.

"They sure do!"

"Noooo! I don't wanna die." He whimpered, curling back into a ball and muttering to himself.

I wrapped my arm around him tightly and pulled him into a side hug.

He relaxed after a few moments, though he was still visibly shaking.

I rested my head on his and hummed gently to cry and calm the boy.

The conductor came and punched holes in our tickets and then left as abruptly as he came.

My head perked up as I heard a growling sound and then screaming.

"That noise..."

Tanjiro looked around startled, sniffing the air.

Before I could react, Rengoku sped off.

We all quickly followed him and saw a demon.

Rengoku quickly took it down.

I could still hear the screaming.

We followed as Rengoku walked into another carriage.

There was a demon holding a passenger.

Inosuke charged into the fight but Rengoku pushed both him and the passenger out of the way and to safety before killing the demon.

I could understand why he was a Hashira now.

He beamed at us as we praised him, "Become my apprentices."

~*~

I blinked, rubbing my eyes.

Where was I?

"Y/n?"

I turned my head and saw Zenitsu beside me.

It was then I realised I was in bed.

He smiled as I turned to face him, "Morning love."

I smiled back, "Morning."

He placed a loving hand on my cheek and placed a kiss on my lips.

I felt his warm lips pressed against mine in a loving kiss for a few moments before he pulled away and smiled at me.

Zenitsu jumped up and left the room.

I'm confused. Something doesn't feel right.

I got up and got dressed.

My eyes widened as I walked out of the room and saw a familiar face.

"S/n?" I asked, my eyes searching her face with confusion.

Tears dribbled down my cheeks as I started sobbing.

"Y/n? Are you okay? Why are you crying?" She started to panic, "Did Zenitsu do something to upset you? I swear I'll make him pay!"

"No. He didn't do anything. I'm fine." I smiled, "I'm just so glad to see you."

She gave me a confused look before smiling and pulling me into a tight hug.

We both went downstairs.

Zenitsu was cooking in the kitchen and my parents were sat at the table.

I frowned. Somethings wrong.

I sat down at the table and made small talk with my parents.

Was I having a really bad dream earlier?

Why was I so emotional? This is normal... right?

Zenitsu placed plates down on the table and sat beside me.

We all smiled and laughed as we ate.

But still, something felt off.

My instincts were screaming at me to figure it out.

I stood up abruptly.

Everyone gave me a look of confusion.

"Ah, sorry. I'm just going for a walk." I stated.

Zenitsu stood up too, "I'll come with you."

~*~

We walked down the path, hand in hand.

I looked at all the pretty flowers.

"Are you okay? You seemed a bit off earlier." Zenitsu asked, concerned.

I gave him a small smile, "I must've had some sort of nightmare but I'm fine now."

Zenitsu looked unsure for a few seconds before he smiled, "If you say so. I love you!"

I smiled and responded before I realised what I was saying, "I love you too."

It was true I loved him but this whole situation felt weird.

Zenitsu gently kissed my forehead and squeezed my hand gently, pulling me along the path.

I paused as I saw movement over by the trees.

Who or what was that?

"Y/n?"

"Sorry. I need some alone time."

"If you say so." Zenitsu walked way, glancing back in last time before disappearing into the distance.

Before long, I found myself on a bridge that was overlooking the lake.

I stared down into the water, my reflection staring back at me.

What was wrong with me today?

"Y/n?"

I snapped my head up, looking for the person who said my name.

"Down here, dummy."

I glanced down in confusion and noticed my reflection staring back at me.

But she wasn't me.

She was wearing some sort of uniform and had a sword.

Why would she need a sword? Life is so peaceful.

"Wake up. You're dreaming. You need to wake up."

My eyes widened as it started coming back to me, "Wait... I'm on the train. Are the demons attacking? Is this their power?"

What was I meant to do?

Before I could figure out what to do, pink flames engulfed my wrist.

I panicked slightly although it didn't hurt.

I wasn't getting burned at all.

And then, everything went black.

~*~

I woke up with a start.

The train. I sighed in relief at the familiar surroundings and then noticed the train had a strange appearance.

It was fleshy.

Is the demon the train?

Everyone was fine except me and Zenitsu.

Nezuko's box was also here.

I heard a growl.

Whipping my head around, I noticed Nezuko slashing away at the demons flesh as it tried to harm innocent passengers.

I quickly assisted her, slashing at one that was aiming for Nezuko.

She nodded in thanks making muffled noises.

Snow breathing first form: collapsing frostbite

We continued to protect the passengers but as time went by I felt myself becoming tired.

My hand was suddenly caught. I tried to free it but my other hand was caught to.

Nezuko noticed and tried to race towards me but she was too occupied protecting herself and some passengers.

Thunder breathing first form: thunderclap and flash

Zenitsu stood in front of me.

Of course, he was asleep.

We all worked as a team and protected everyone.

I was assuming the others were defeating the demon.

The flesh suddenly exploded and the train went off the rails.

I quickly grabbed Nezuko and pulled her towards me.

Zenitsu grabbed me and held me close, pushing my head into his chest to protect me.

I braved myself for the impact but it was softened by Zenitsu.

Groaning, I looked up and noticed both Nezuko and Zenitsu were unconscious.

I placed Nezuko back in her box and placed Zenitsu beside her.

Then, I started placing the unconscious passengers outside.

I noticed Inosuke doing the same.

~*~

I lifted Nezuko's box onto my back and lifted Zenitsu into my arms.

All the passengers were outside and safe.

I walked towards the others.

And placed Nezuko's box down, placing Zenitsu beside it again.

Inosuke was stood near me.

I noticed Rengoku on the ground.

He was covered in blood and had a hole in his torso.

Tanjiro yelled into the forest after a demon that was running away.

"Don't run away! Don't run away you coward!" Tanjiro yelled angrily, "Don't run away! The Demon slayer corps is always fighting you demons in the dark of the night where you have the advantage! That's right, us flesh and blood humans!"

Tears filled my eyes as I watched Tanjiro yell after the demon that was probably long gone because the sun had now risen.

"Our sounds don't close up that easily! And we cannot regenerate a limb once lost! Don't run away, you bastard!" Tears streamed down Tanjiro's cheeks as he started to cry, "Rengoku is way more amazing than you! He's stronger! Rengoku didn't lose! He didn't let anybody die! He fought to the end! He protected them to the end! You're the one who lost!"

Rengoku smiled gently, "Tanjiro, come over here."

Tanjiro sniffled and slowly made his way over to us, sitting in front of Rengoku.

"There's no way to heal my wounds. I'm going to die. So, I want to talk with you one last time."

Tanjiro sniffled and stared at the Hashira with tears in his eyes.

I gently wiped away my tears.

Rengoku told Tanjiro about the books he had about Flame Hashira and how they might help him.

"Tell my little brother Senjuro to follow his heart and to walked down the path that he feels is right. One more thing. I believe in your little sister. I accept her as a member of the Demon slayer corps. I saw her bleeding as she protected the humans inside the train." Rengoku continued to smile, even when he was staring death in the eyes, he smiled, "Anyone who risks their lives fighting demons to protect humans... is a rightful member of the Demon slayer corps no matter what anyone else says. Go ahead and live with your head held high!"

Tears freely flowed down my cheeks now, no matter how hard I tried to stop them.

"No matter how devastated you may be by your own weakness or uselessness... set your heart ablaze. Grit your teeth and look forward. Even if you stop and crouch down, the time won't wait for you.. don't feel bad that I'm going to die here. I believe in you. I believe in you all."

I watched as the light left the Flame Hashira's eyes and he slumped over.

~*~

Mother.... are you proud of me?

Yes.

~*~

Zenitsu looked at Rengoku's dead body with a scared expression, tears started escaping his eyes as he stared at his smiling face.

I hugged Zenitsu tightly as I cried.

He hugged me back just as tightly.

Somehow... we'd make it through this.

~*~

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2081 words

A/n ngl I've been crying the whole two hours while writing this chapter not to mention I've had a horrible day so I feel like shit