THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM — CHAPTER #25 — LITERALLY JUST FLUFF

As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the room, you were abruptly awakened by the sound of  Tanjiro's crow boisterous cawing. Startled, you sat up, rubbing the sleep from your eyes. Inosuke, always quick to react, jolted awake, his senses on high alert. Zenitsu, on the other hand, groaned in his half-awake state, still grappling with the reality of the early morning disturbance. Tanjiro stood up, going for some stretching.

Confused and disoriented, you addressed his crow, who had perched himself on your head. "What's all the commotion about?" You asked, your voice laced with curiosity and mild annoyance. The crow had flown into the room through the open window, bearing urgent news. Its repetitive cries hinted at the gravity of the situation. With a sense of foreboding, you strained to comprehend the words it was trying to convey.

"The casualties from the Mugen Train incident are rising!" He squawked, its voice carrying a note of urgency. "More than 40 individuals are now missing, and the situation demands immediate action. You have been assigned to join Rengoku Kyojuro at the site. Head west without delay!"

The weight of the mission suddenly sank in, and a surge of determination coursed through your veins. You knew that time was of the essence, and the thought of Rengoku's life hanging in the balance compelled you to gather your resolve. "This is it..." You whispered to yourself, an unwavering resolve blossoming within you. "If I want to ensure Rengoku's safety, I must give it my all."

Little did you know, (Y/N), that this mission would be the catalyst for a chain of events that would test your strength, resilience, and unravel secrets hidden in the shadows.

———————————————

You, (L/N) (Y/N), a young 18-year-old girl, found yourself deep in contemplation about the choices you had made in your life. Something had triggered this introspection, but the details of what had transpired were yet to be revealed.

...

a Kakushi entered the room and greeted you. "Hello, Miss (L/N)!"

"Hello! What brings you here?" You replied curiously.

"I heard that you're embarking on a new mission, is that correct?" the Kakushi inquired.

"Yes." You confirmed.

"As a new demon slayer, I realized you might not have a uniform yet..." the Kakushi remarked.

"Oh, right! I completely forgot about that!" You exclaimed.

"I have one for you. It's in perfect condition!" The Kakushi offered, handing you the uniform.

"Thank you so much!" You expressed your gratitude, beaming at him. The Kakushi left, and you proceeded to change into the uniform.

...

Life had taught you not to be too naive. As you tried on the new uniform, you didn't expect anything out of the ordinary. However, to your shock, you discovered that your chest and legs were completely exposed.

"AAHHHHHHHH!" You cried out, reflexively covering yourself, even though there was no one else in the room. It appeared that you had been tricked into wearing the same revealing uniform as Mitsuri. "Oh no! What is this? I mean... I don't look bad, but I'm exposing way too much. I can't use this! I refuse to wear this uniform!" You frantically considered your options. Since you had no spare clothes in the room, your only choice was to somehow go unnoticed by everyone and seek out Shinobu or Aoi to get a normal uniform.

"Okay, (Y/N)! It's not that hard! Just act like a spy. I'm sure I won't encounter anyone on my way... I hope I won't encounter anyone..." You muttered to yourself, attempting to boost your confidence.

Just as you were about to make your way out, you felt something land on your head. "Hmm? Is that you, Ukogi?" Yoi wondered aloud, picking up the object. When you looked at it, your eyes widened in surprise.

"Ahhhh! What is this?!" You screamed, clutching your chest in shock. In your hands was a small, adorable, squinckly, black crow. "Awww! Who are you, little cutie? Why are you so cute?" You cooed at the crow.

"Caw! I'm Dodo! Caw!" The crow chirped, giving a little jump. "I'm your new crow, Master (Y/N)!"

"Dodo, you're my new crow?! This is the best day of my life!" You exclaimed, hugging Dodo tightly as the crow rubbed his head against your cheek.

"Okay, Dodo!" You said, placing the bird back on your head. "We're on a super special mission, and you're going to accompany me, okay?"

"Caw!" Dodo cawed in agreement.

"Alright, let's go!" You whispered, sneaking out of the room as quietly as possible. Avoiding any encounters, you ran on your tiptoes, getting caught up in the excitement of feeling like a spy. However, in your distraction, you completely forgot the primary objective: not getting caught by anyone.

Inevitably, you collided with someone's chest/head, causing you to stumble back.

"Ouch! Ow!" You groaned, rubbing your forehead as you looked down/up/in front of you.

To your astonishment and dismay, you realized it was none other than Genya.

...

Shit.

"G-G-G-G-GENYA?!" You stammered, realizing your mistake.

He stared at you momentarily before his face turned as red as Elmo.

"I-I'm sorry-" You tried to apologize, but he beat you to it.

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I'M SO S-SORRY!" Genya stammered, bowing awkwardly. The poor boy was overwhelmed with embarrassment and nerves, even breaking out into a sweat. Your revealing outfit was clearly too much for him to handle. He wasn't accustomed to being around pretty girls. "I-I-I'm really sorry! Goodbye!"

"W-Wait! Don't go!" You called out, attempting to reach out to him, but he had already disappeared from your view. He moved faster than Sonic the Hedgehog.

"DAMN IT!" You cursed, punching the wall in frustration. "I can't believe I met Genya in this state! It's so embarrassing! I'm done!"

As you stood there, frustration coursing through your veins, you took a deep breath and reflected on the situation. It dawned on you that perhaps this was an opportunity for personal growth and a chance to challenge your own insecurities. You realized that you had come here with the intention of changing the story, and now, it was time to change your attitude as well.

With a newfound determination, you made a decision. Despite the undeniable embarrassment and discomfort caused by the revealing uniform, you chose to keep the top part. The thought of exposing so much skin still made you cringe, but you were willing to embrace a small measure of vulnerability for the sake of personal growth.

In place of the skirt, which you couldn't bear to wear, you found a pair of comfortable big large pants that matched the uniform. They provided a sense of security and allowed you to move freely without the constant worry of exposing too much. Tying a white belt around your waist added a touch of contrast and broke the monotony of the uniform's color scheme.

Besides, you had a loyal companion in Dodo, the adorable crow perched on your head. Dodo had become an unexpected source of comfort and encouragement throughout this ordeal. With every step you took, the little bird chirped and fluttered its wings, as if reminding you that you were not alone.

———————————————

Now the difficult part began.

Saying goodbye to the butterfly girls proved to be a challenging task. It weighed heavily on your heart because the reality of this mission hit you hard. There was a significant possibility that you might not return alive, and so it became imperative to bid a proper farewell to each of them. You decided to start with Aoi, who was busy doing laundry outside. With determination fueling your steps, you called out to her.

"AAAAAAOOOOOOIIIII!" You exclaimed, tackling her from behind. She turned around, only to have her face turn fifty shades of red upon seeing you in your revealing outfit.

"(Y/N)! W-What is that outfit!?" She stuttered, clearly flustered by the amount of skin you were showing.

"Like it? It's cute!" You spun around playfully. "Don't you like it?" Aoi struggled to maintain eye contact, her embarrassment palpable. Undeterred, you approached her and enveloped her in a tight hug. As your bare chest pressed against hers, Aoi's face turned even redder, but she managed to suppress her discomfort.

"(Y/N), please don't surprise me like that!" She said, though she held onto your hands, reciprocating the hug. "Are you really leaving already?"

You pulled away slightly, looking into her eyes. "Yes, I'm saying goodbye to everyone, starting with you."

"With me, huh?" Her voice carried a hint of sadness as she looked down and sighed. "Although it was only for a short period of time, I'm glad we got to spend so much time together. You've become someone important to me, so take care and good luck." She turned back to her laundry, trying to hide her emotions.

"Aoi, I can never truly express how grateful I am to you." You said earnestly. "Thank you for everything you've done for me. I'll never forget it. I've learned so much from you. You're truly the best."

Aoi's smile wavered slightly, and she didn't turn around. "No, you don't need to thank me. After all, I survived the Final Selection only by pure luck. And even then, I was too afraid to engage in battles. I'm just a coward."

You closed the distance between you and hugged her again. "Oh, Aoi, you're such an idiot."

"Huh?" She looked puzzled.

You stepped back, holding her cheeks gently. "Luck or not, the fact that you were able to pass the Final Selection is incredible. It pains me to see you think so little of yourself. I hope that one day, you'll see yourself the way I do. To me, you're someone wonderful and strong."

"(Y/N)..." Aoi gazed at you, her eyes filled with adoration. Without hesitation, she flicked your forehead gently.

"Ouch!" You rubbed the spot where she had hit you. "What was that for?" You pouted.

"It's nothing. I'm just thinking about how you're always helping everyone and being so kind. You're very adorable..." Aoi softly smirked.

"What?! Don't tease me! What do you mean by 'adorable'?" You asked, genuinely surprised.

Aoi averted her gaze, her face turning slightly red. "Um... I mean, the part of you that acts like a child but is always caring and loving. It's refreshing to be around someone like that. You're always open about how much you love and adore everyone here. I appreciate how you're always smiling, ready to help others. It brings a sense of calmness. But, please don't misunderstand. I'm just rambling, so you don't have to take it seriously..."

Your heart fluttered at Aoi's compliments. It was rare for you to receive such sincere praise, and it warmed your heart. Blushing, you struggled to find the right words. "T-Thanks..." You stammered, feeling a mix of delight and embarrassment. Sensing that it was time to leave and not wanting to make a big deal out of it, you tried to hide your blushing face from Aoi's perceptive eyes. "Well, I hope to see you soon! Bye-bye!" You waved cheerfully, your smile masking the deeper emotions within.

"...Bye-bye, (Y/N)." Aoi replied, waving back, her voice filled with a mixture of fondness and longing.

———————————————

"WAHHHHH! Master (Y/N)!" Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho cried out, tears streaming down their faces as they tightly embraced you. Their small arms clung to you, not wanting to let go.

"Awww! Please don't cry! I won't be gone for too long." You reassured them, your voice filled with warmth and affection. "The maximum time this mission can take is like, two days! It's really nothing!"

"But still! We've gotten so used to having you around!" Kiyo sniffled, her voice quivering with sadness.

"Yeah! And if you're not here, who will give us our daily hugs and kisses on the cheeks?" Naho whimpered, her lower lip trembling.

"It feels weird without you here! We're going to miss you so much!" Sumi pleaded, tears streaming down her rosy cheeks.

Trying to comfort them, you wiped away their tears gently. "Come on, now. First, it's just one night mission. Second, Kanao, Shinobu, or Aoi can give you hugs and kisses. And third, I'll miss you three a lot, but I'm a demon slayer now. I need to do this! So please stop crying." You pleaded, your voice filled with determination and love. "I promise I'll come back before you even realize it!"

"Mhm! Okay, Master (Y/N)!" Kiyo sniffled, finally giving in and trusting your words wholeheartedly.

"...Fine! You better come back safe!" Naho said with a mix of worry and affection in her voice.

There was a momentary silence as you looked at Sumi, hoping she would stop crying too. The room filled with anticipation.

...

"Sumi~?" Finally, Sumi let out a defeated sigh, releasing her tight grip on you. She looked up at you with teary eyes.

"...Okay, I give up." She mumbled, a small smile forming on her face. Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief, knowing that Sumi had finally accepted your departure. However, the atmosphere remained heavy with emotions.

"..." The three girls continued to gaze at you, their eyes filled with a mix of longing and sadness.

"Fine!" You exclaimed, opening your arms wide. "You can have another hug!"

"YAY/YES/YEAH!" They cheered in unison, running back to you for another round of heartfelt embraces.

———————————————

"Oh~? (Y/N), what brings you here?"

"Shi-no-bu!" You hugged her. "I'll be going now and I want to say, thank you for everything! You're very important to me and I adore you very much!"

"Aw, (Y/N)... Thank you!" She whispered, her voice filled with tenderness as she embraced you, her head resting against your shoulder. "You're very important to me too. I hope your first official mission as a demon slayer goes great! I know you'll do fine."

"Hehe, I hope it does! I'll miss you a lot! And again, thank you for everything you've done for me." You said, your voice filled with gratitude and sincerity. As you pulled away slightly from the embrace, you looked into Shinobu's eyes, wanting to express your heartfelt appreciation.

She blushed at the closeness but maintained her composure, her gaze fixed on you as she smiled softly. "Always." She replied, her voice barely above a whisper. You couldn't help but smile back, feeling a rush of warmth and affection in that tender moment. However, her gaze seemed to wander down your body, making you slightly flustered as you noticed her intense scrutiny.

"W-What's wrong?" You asked innocently, your cheeks turning a shade redder as you felt her gaze on you.

"That uniform... Are you comfortable in it?" She asked, concern evident in her voice. "I can help you get another one and burn this one if it's causing you any discomfort."

"No! It's okay. Actually, I kind of like it!" You replied, trying to reassure her.

Shinobu's eyes continued to study you, and she couldn't help but let out a soft smile. "Okay, as long as you're comfortable. But I must admit... It's difficult to remain calm when you look this beautiful." Your face turned even redder, and you found yourself at a loss for words. Her laughter broke the moment, and you couldn't help but join in, feeling a mix of embarrassment and delight.

"Anyways, before you go, I have a present for you, dear (Y/N)!" Shinobu exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

"Really?!" You exclaimed, your eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Yes! It's something I made a few days ago, just for you." She said, disappearing momentarily to retrieve the gift. "Ah-ah-ah! But you have to close your eyes first!"

"Ehh? Do I?" You asked, unable to contain your impatience.

"Yes, now close your eyes!" Shinobu insisted.

"Okay..." You replied, closing your eyes obediently. You felt Shinobu's presence drawing closer, and then something gentle being placed in your hair.

"Aw! Is this your new crow, by the way?" She asked, curious about your companion.

"Yes, it is!" You replied cheerfully.

"And... done! You can look at yourself now!" Shinobu handed you a small pocket mirror as you opened your eyes.

You gasped as you caught sight of your reflection. Adorning your hair was a delicate butterfly pin, its design resembling that of Shinobu and Kanao's patterns. However, this one had a (F/C) border with (F/C) little points, and the inside was filled with your favorite color, creating a beautiful contrast.

"Haha! Do you like it?" Shinobu asked, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"I love it!" You exclaimed, overcome with excitement. You grabbed both of her hands, your expression filled with genuine appreciation. "I love it so much! It's incredibly pretty, and I can't thank you enough!"

"(Y/N)! I'm so glad you like it!" Her smile grew wider, her eyes shining with happiness.

"I'm going to treasure this from the bottom of my heart! I'll do anything for you!" You declared, your voice filled with sincerity and determination.

"Oh~? Anything, you say?" Shinobu asked, her curiosity piqued by your statement.

"Yes! Anything!" You replied without hesitation, wanting to convey the depth of your feelings.

"Well, well! Will you be so kind as to give me a kiss, then?" Shinobu's mischievous tone caught you off guard, causing your face to turn a deeper shade of red.

...

"(Y/N)! I'm just teasing you! There's no need to look so embarrassed-" She reassured, her voice filled with gentle amusement. Gathering your courage, you gently took her left hand in yours. Overwhelmed by nervousness, you hesitated for a moment before giving her hand a delicate peck. Now, it was Shinobu's turn to be surprised.

...

You took a few steps back, your gaze avoiding her eyes as your face remained flushed with embarrassment. With a small wave, you bid her farewell and disappeared from her sight. Shinobu stood there, her hand still held to her chest, as if trying to comprehend what had just happened. A deep blush spread across her cheeks, and her knees felt weak, unable to support her weight.

———————————————
Little note:
You can use the butterfly pin wherever you want.
———————————————

'I can't believe I just did that! What was I thinking? What if she's mad at me now?' You were filled with regret and worry, questioning your impulsive actions. 'Well, there's no point in feeling bad about it now. I need to find Kanao and say goodbye before I leave for my mission.'

"Kanao!"

"Mhm?"

"SURPRISE HUG!" You threw yourself at her, enveloping her in a warm and tight embrace. The joy and satisfaction in that moment made it all worth it.

"Hello, (Y/N)."

"Hello, Kanao!" You greeted her with a wide smile, feeling a surge of affection for your dear friend.

"What do you need?" She asked, her voice calm and composed as always.

"Well..." You looked at Kanao earnestly, your eyes filled with gratitude. "I'm going on a mission, and I wanted to say goodbye, express my thanks, and let you know how grateful I am for everything you've done. You're truly amazing!" You spoke quickly, your words pouring out without pause.

"...I'm... awesome?" She tilted her head slightly, a hint of confusion in her voice.

"Yes, super awesome! Without you, I wouldn't have been able to learn the Total Concentration Breathing technique. And you've taught me so much more than that. You've become an important person to me, and I will always cherish you in my heart. Thank you for everything, Kanao!"

Her heart started beating faster, her emotions stirred by your heartfelt words. "...Thanks. I'm grateful to you too..."

"Seriously?" You couldn't hide your surprise, your eyes widening in disbelief.

"Yes... Ever since I can remember, I've relied on this coin to make decisions because nothing else really mattered to me. But lately, I've felt something... something different. In a good way. I find myself wanting to make choices on my own, without relying on the coin. And I'm sure that's because of you."

"Aw, really? You think that?" You felt your heart swell with warmth and happiness.

"I don't think so. I'm sure of it."

"Well, I'm glad to have been able to help you! Take care, Kanao!" Just as you were about to pull away from the hug, you felt her grasp around your waist tighten slightly. "...Kanao?"

...

"Uhm... can we stay like this... for a little longer?" She looked down, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush. "...Please."

"..." You couldn't help but find Kanao's request utterly adorable. "Of course! I'd love to." You both remained in that warm embrace, savoring the closeness and comfort of each other's presence.

...

"Um... (Y/N)..." Kanao's voice trembled, her face red as she gathered the courage to say what had been on her mind for a while.

"Yes?" You looked at her, your eyes locked in a tender gaze.

"Your uniform..." She struggled to maintain eye contact, her words coming out in a slightly shy and hesitant manner. "You look... very... gorgeous." She bit her lip in embarrassment, her cheeks flushing even deeper.

"Eh?! Really? Thank you so much!" You beamed with joy, your smile lighting up the room and surprising Kanao. But before you could react further, she abruptly separated herself from the hug, turning her back to you. "Is everything all right?"

"N-No..." Her voice wavered, her back still facing you. The truth was, the sight of you had taken her breath away. You were so incredibly cute, pretty, beautiful, and stunning that it felt like her heart was about to burst from her chest. She clutched her chest, trying to calm herself down. It was as if she thought she might actually die from the overwhelming emotions you stirred within her.

———————————————

Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and yourself stood in front of four large gourds, ready to tackle the challenge of exploding them. The task was taking a toll on your energy and enthusiasm.

"You can do it! You can do it! You can do it!" Naho, Kiyo and Sumi cheered simultaneously, their voices echoing in encouragement.

*BRMTGMTOG!*

Finally, the gourd burst open!

"Yay! Congratulations! Take these as a present!" They handed you a box of onigiris. "Please go out and defeat tons of demons!"

"Food!" Inosuke exclaimed, grabbing three onigiris in a flash.

"You idiot! Don't eat them yet!" Zenitsu scolded him, attempting to stop him by choking him.

"Thank you so much!" Tanjiro expressed his gratitude.

"YAYYYY!" You cheered, jumping up and down in excitement. You couldn't contain your joy and wanted to share it. Approaching the nearest person, you called out to Tanjiro. "TANJIROOO!!"

"(L/N)?" Tanjiro responded, slightly bewildered. You jumped and raised your hands, signaling for a high five. Oddly enough, Tanjiro stared at your raised hands, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

...

"Tanji?" You tilted your head, keeping your hands raised. Finally, Tanjiro snapped out of his trance and gently, almost shyly, high-fived you. You were glad he did, but his unusual behavior left you concerned. "Tanjiro, what's wrong?" You moved closer to him, trying to assess the situation. To your surprise, he quickly grabbed your shoulders, maintaining a close yet somewhat distant position. You locked eyes with him, blinking in confusion. He was doing the same, never breaking eye contact. The truth was painfully obvious, though not to you. He was flustered because of your uniform. It revealed more than he was used to seeing, and you looked stunningly beautiful. However, his embarrassment prevented him from articulating his thoughts and praising you as he wanted to.

This peculiar exchange caught the attention of Zenitsu and Inosuke, who observed the scene intently. "What the heck is that forehead bug doing?" The blondie deadpanned, perplexed by his friend's behavior. Inosuke, on the other hand, approached you, standing in front of your figure. You and Tanjiro regarded him with suspicion and utter confusion. Inosuke smirked, placing a hand on his own chest.

"MY CHEST IS BIGGER! I WIN, MINION!" He declared triumphantly, laughing like a maniac.

"...WHAT?!" You exclaimed, instinctively covering your chest.

"HEY! STOP THAT!" Tanjiro snapped out of his flustered state, scolding Inosuke.

"What the hell are you saying?! Don't you dare compare yourself to an angel like (Y/N)!" Zenitsu joined in scolding, though Inosuke paid little attention to their words.

You turned your gaze and noticed Giyuu standing nearby. "Tomioka!" You walked over to him, prompting him to face you. His stoic facade wavered for a moment.

...

"Tomioka?" You inquired, concerned by his lack of response. Your curiosity was piqued when you noticed a box in his arms. "Hey, what do you have there?"

"..." He sighed and glanced to the side. A faint blush tinged his ears, but he quickly regained his composure. After a brief silence, he handed you the box.

"Eh...?" You blinked, tilting your head in confusion.

"...This is for you..." He replied, his voice soft. Seeing your surprise and lack of response, he swiftly removed the gift from the box. It was a short white haori, similar to the one worn by Sanemi and the one young Shinobu had before her sister's passing. He carefully placed it over you, partially covering your exposed chest.

"What is this?"

"...A present..."

A blush crept onto your cheeks, and you couldn't help but tease him. "You're blushing~!" You pointed it out playfully.

"I'm not." He denied quickly. "Anyway, (L/N), are you heading on a mission?"

"Yeah!"

"Well, good luck then. Be careful and don't get yourself killed."

"Aw, always so kind!" You beamed at him. "Thank you for your words! I'll be careful!"

"...No problem. Goodbye." And just like that, he disappeared in the blink of an eye.

'How does he disappear so fast...?'

"HEY, MINION! WHY ARE YOU TALKING TO YOURSELF? ARE YOU SCHIZOPHRENIC?!" Inosuke shouted at you.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP, YOU DUMBASS! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT WORD MEANS!" Zenitsu retorted, annoyed by his comment.

Tanjiro laughed at the banter and signaled that it was time to move on, regaining his usual demeanor. "Okay, you guys! We're heading out now!" You all bid farewell, with you and Zenitsu holding hands momentarily, as the yellow-haired boy was feeling down after Naho, Sumi, and Kiyo jokingly said they wouldn't miss him too much.

As you two were walking, he seemed to fumble with his words, his voice coming out in a shaky whisper. "W-Wow, (Y/N)... you... you look... absolutely incredible!"

You couldn't help but giggle at his nervousness. "Oh, Zenitsu, you're too kind. Are you okay? You seem a bit flustered."

He blushed furiously, his words tumbling out in a rush. "N-No, I'm not okay! You're just... so beautiful! I mean, you're always beautiful, but this uniform... it's like it was made for you! It makes you look so pretty... YOU TRULY LOOK LIKE A GODDESS!"

You playfully raised an eyebrow, teasing him further. "Oh, is that so? So, my uniform is making you lose your cool, huh?"

Zenitsu's face turned even redder, and he stammered, trying to regain his composure. "N-No! I mean, yes! I mean... ah, forget it! (Y/N), you're amazing, and this uniform just proves it. You're like a shining star, and I'm... I'm just lucky to be in your presence."

Your heart swelled at his genuine admiration, and you couldn't help but feel a blush creeping onto your own cheeks.

———————————————

"Hey! Hey! Hey! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS CREATURE?!" Yelled Inosuke while looking at the train. "I'M FUCKING SURE THIS IS THE MASTER OF THIS LAND! THE RULER OF THIS PLACE!"

He ran to Tanjiro, Zenitsu and yourself. "See how long it is (🤨)?! So intimidating! No mistake! It's sleeping right now but i can beat him down!"

"Uh, no you dumb bitch. It's a train. Haven't you ever seen one before?" Zenitsu was done.

"HOLD YOUR TITS AND SHUT UP! I'LL KILL HIM-"

"Hold up Inosuke!"

"HUH?!"

"You silly dumb-dumb! You never know, it might be the guardian spirit of this land!" Tanjiro sounded so confident and sure of his answer.

"Apart from stupid you're deaf. Didn't you hear me? It's a train."

"Aw, Tanjiro! You're such a country bumpkin, hahaha!" You hugged him by the shoulders while rubbing your cheek against his in an affectionate manner. His face heating by your intimiate actions. "It's a vehicle for transporting people!"

"Exactly! (Y/N) is a foreigner and she has more brain than you two!"

"Hmh? A train? So, is that what the crow was talking about?" Asked Tanjiro while holding your arms to support the hug.

Zenitsu was going to respond but out of sudden, Inosuke went nuts and headbutt the shit out of the train.

"STOP IT! THIS IS EMBARRASSING!"

For the commotion that Inosuke created, the police came. "What are you doing?! Hey you! THESE GUYS HAVE SWORDS!! EMERGENCY!"

"AH- CRAP! CRAP! CRAP!" Zenitsu grabbed everybody's hand and went running to a more secret space.

"Thanks to you, we went through hell, Inosuke! Say you're sorry!"

"In the first place, WHY THE FUCK DO WE HAVE TO RUN FROM THE POLICE?!"

"We the Demon slayers aren't officially recognized by the government! We can't really walk around in broad daylight with our swords! They wouldn't believe us, even if we explained about the demons, and it would only confuse them."

"Damn... even if we're working our butts off?" Said Tanjiro sadly.

"It can't be helped. For now, let's hide our swords on our backs."

Inosuke laughed viciously as he put his swords on his back.

"You fucking oaf, we can totally see them. Put some clothes on."

"I don't have a haori/long haori to hide my swords with! What I'm going to do!?" You asked worried.

"Ah- don't worry wifey! I'll just hide it with mine!!"

"What did I say about calling her your wife?!"

———————————————

The train's departure was imminent, and the urgency was palpable. "Crap! The train's leaving! Are the police still around?!" Zenitsu's voice quivered with anxiety.

"We'll have to go, even if they are!" Tanjiro's determination cut through the tension.

"HAHAHA! I'M TAKING YOU ON, MASTER OF THIS LAND!" Inosuke grabbed your hand and dashed forward, his grip firm and determined.

"W-Wait! My stamina is still very- AHHHHH!" You stumbled and tried to catch your breath.

"Hey, you idiot!" Zenitsu scolded Inosuke, but there was a hint of worry in his voice.

"We should go too!" Tanjiro urged, his eyes filled with concern.

In a rush, Inosuke hoisted you up, holding you like a sack of potatoes, and swiftly boarded the train. "INOSUKE! Goddammit! Be more gentle!" You exclaimed, trying to catch your breath.

"Gentle?! What's that?! Do you eat it!?" Inosuke's reply came amidst his laughter.

"AHHHHHHH! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!" Zenitsu's panicked voice echoed as he raced towards the train.

"Zenitsu! Hold my hand!" You called out, extending your hand to him. Without hesitation, he gripped your hand tightly, allowing you to pull him inside. Finally, the five of you were safely aboard the train, taking a moment to catch your breath and survey your surroundings.

"(Y/N)..."

"Hmh?"

"Why did you become a demon slayer...?" Zenitsu's curiosity mixed with Tanjiro's genuine interest prompted the question. Inosuke was preoccupied with an imaginary adversary, engaged in a fierce battle of his own.

"..." You turned to face them, a warm smile gracing your lips. With a loving gesture, you embraced them and affectionately ruffled their hair before refocusing your gaze forward. "There's someone who isn't here anymore, someone I really want to make proud... And my second reason is that I have many important people I need to save from demons!" Your words carried a sense of determination, a firm resolve to protect those dear to you. It was clear that your definition of "people" extended beyond civilians, encompassing the fate of the entire Kimetsu characters.

"By someone... you mean your mother, right?" Tanjiro asked softly, his voice filled with empathy.

"Yup!" You replied, a mixture of sadness and determination in your eyes.

Tanjiro smiled warmly and placed a gentle hand on your head. "I'm sure she's already proud of you..."

"..." You were momentarily speechless, your eyes meeting his in disbelief.

"She must be! Who wouldn't be proud of you!?" Zenitsu interjected, wrapping his arms around your shoulders in a protective embrace.

"Zenitsu! Stop being so touchy-touchy with her!"

"Like you're one to talk!"

"HAHAHA! YOU TWO ARE FIGHTING?! LET ME JOIN!" Inosuke's boisterous laughter interrupted the moment, his energy contagious. You couldn't help but laugh along with them, the warmth of their camaraderie filling your heart. As you gazed out at the passing scenery, a mixture of hope and determination welled up within you.

...

...

...

'I hope everything goes well...' You silently whispered, a silent prayer to hope that everything will go smoothly tonight.

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Important question,
What do you think (Y/N)'s breathing style would be??

Xoxo, azamishomie.