十

Today I had a mission and I was going with Rengoku and the Kamaboko squad on our mission since there has been rumors about a demon boarding this train.I started walking towards Rengoku estate to pick him up,and the moment I arrived he was already outside with his younger brother.

I didn't want to interfere with their conversation so I quietly walked back waiting for him by his entrance.Then soon enough after waiting for a couple of minutes I heard footsteps behind me so I turned around to see Rengoku."[Y/N]-san,it is a pleasure for you pick me up!" he said while I nodded and started walking with him beside me.

"Say [Y/N]-san,since your fast and strong we would be able to defeat the demon quickly!" He said while that smile was never wearing off his face.I could only sigh and just rub my temple at what he said "I wouldn't get my hopes too high Rengoku-san" she said before stopping making him also stop to face her "We never know what might happen" she finished and proceeded to walk again.

Rengoku had stood there still behind her staying quiet and he just stood there still before catching up to her "Even so what if we did!" he said once again while [Y/N] just blinked in silence"I suppose you are correct" she said firmly.

Soon enough both the flame pillar and star pillar had arrived at the train and went inside sitting down.As the two of them sat in silence she suddenly had sensed a presence of three humans and a demon.When the door opened it had revealed Tanjiro,Zenitsu,and Inosuke plus Nezuko who was inside the box that Tanjiro was carrying.

I was about to speak but was cut off by Rengoku when he started saying "Umai!" out loud while eating his food in the box and I sighed at this while looking out the window."Rengoku-san,[Y/N]-san" Tanjiro said making me turn to him and that he was smiling while he sat next to Rengoku.

As the two of them were talking about Hinokami Kagura  I sensed the conductor coming towards our way.I noticed that his emotions and aura were basically anxious which made me confused by this.By the time he was done punching everyone else's tickets he started to come closer to us looking drowsy.

I didn't know what was going until I thought about some few things 'If people have been suspecting a demon on this train then..it's obvious that there is a demon here already this whole time..' I thought before getting up looking around for a bit.Then there it was a presence of a demon which made me go towards them,but soon enough I stood still with my hand on my blades handle.

"Breath of the stars First Form:Shooting Star" [Y/N] had moved at an alarming speed cutting off the demon's head in a swift while the fading light of sparkles had disappeared.Then she sensed some few people behind her making her turn around to see Tanjiro and the two other boys with him.

"[Y/N]-san! That was amazing!" he said while I sighed and started walking back towards our seat until I thought about some few things 'If this demon is here then there has to be more since it was weak' I thought until Rengoku had spoken.

"That was very brave of you [Y/N]-san!" he said as I nodded and looked out the window for a few while.It's been quiet throughout the whole ride for now until my eyelids were getting heavier all of a sudden.It's not time to sleep yet though.[Y/N] just shook her head and opened her eyes wide but it just got heavier until she closed her eye but opened them fast again.

Her shoulder was getting weighted on by Zenitsu who had his head on her shoulder which led her to be more confused.Her eyes scanning through the room to see Inosuke also asleep and then looked at Tanjiro and Rengoku also asleep.Why were they all asleep at this time? Did they forget that there is a demon that were supposed to be getting rid of?

She looked up at the ceiling of the train sensing some power coming from top of the train and she tried getting up,but soon enough she grew tired and soon her eyes had suddenly shut closed.A demon on top of the train making the humans sleep to devour them.Well most of all..to kill Tanjiro Kamado.

Lower Moon one also known as Enmu who was standing on top of the train was just smiling while standing there still.

"Nothing will make me happier than to die as I dream!"

The conductor was making his way towards him and then kneeled down before him begging him "I punched their tickets and put them to sleep just like you said.Please put me to sleep soon too.Please let me see my dead wife and daughter."Please...I beg you..."

"Sleep now..and meet your family in your dreams"

Just like that the conductor had felt something inside him and then he fell to the floor laying there.It turns out there four people that were under this hands command to do something which had to deal with killing.

"It doesn't matter how strong the demon slayers are.Human motivation comes from the heart,from the spirit.you just have to destroy their spiritual core.Do that and they become living corpses that are easy to kill.All human hearts are the same-fragile and weak like glasswork."

As everyone was asleep Zenitsu was dreaming about him and Nezuko being together walking around until there was a river and they couldn't cross through so Zenitsu had carried her in his back jumping from place to place to the ground.Inosuke dream was about him and Nezuko being in a cave until 'Chuitsu' and 'Ponjiro' had arrived and turns out Inosuke was the boss of him and they were his 'underlings'.

Rengoku dream took place in his home and his father was laying down on his bed while he sat down in front of him.Then he just went back to his younger brother chatting with him for awhile before hugging him.

Tanjiro had open his eyes to see himself back in his hometown seeing both of his younger siblings standing right there before him.He quickly ran to them and just hugged them apologizing over and over again.In reality tears were streaming down his face while the four people had tied each of their hand to each of the demon hunters.

[Y/N] on the other hand didn't really have anything in her dream to be fair the only thing you could see was pitch black except there was a mirror.One of the four people had tied their hand to [Y/N] hands and soon fell asleep to destroy her spiritual core.

He was confused by why the dream of [Y/N] was all black and there was just a mirror and then his reflection changed into [Y/N] who was giving him a death glare from the other side of the mirror.

"Who are you?" she asked while he stayed silent not responding to her question,but instead he kept walking around the girls dream searching for her spiritual core.Soon he found it but..his eyed had widened at what he was seeing.

Her spiritual core had already shattered to bits making him confused at this and soon enough he turned around to see the [H/C] girl who was glaring down at him with her [E/C] eyes."I'll ask you again..who are you?"

In the reality world [Y/N] was able to sense another presence so she got up while sleeping still,but tightly gripped the boys throat while he was choking.He tried getting out of her grip but had no strength to get out of such strength at this.He was turning blue and then 'snap' she cracked his head while he dropped the floor.

Laying there dead.

Soon enough in her dream she just watched his body fade away and then she grabbed her sword close to her neck while she sighed.

She sliced her head off and opened her eyes to see herself in the train still along with the others there 'So it did work' she thought before getting up and looking at the boys who were still asleep.Then Nezuko had came out of her box to see [Y/N] staring at her and then she held her hand following her and soon they saw Rengoku gripping the girls throat while she was struggling.

Nezuko had noticed Tanjiro and went to him holding onto his hoari shaking him while [Y/N] just stared at her and Rengoku.Nezuko had bonked her forehead on his and she was bleeding while tears were coming out of her eye and [Y/N] just widened at what she was doing.

"Ne-" but was cut off when she just cried even more while shaking him still and soon enough [Y/N] sighed before holding Tanjiro hand and Nezuko hand."Tanjiro..your sister Nezuko is counting on you" she spoke while looking at him still.

She then held Nezuko and stepped back with her and soon enough he gasped and got up and held his neck.Nezuko had burned the rope that was attached to each of them while Tanjiro had tried waking up Zenitsu and Inosuke.

Soon enough Rengoku had stopped gripping the female's neck and sat back down still asleep and the girl had tried attacking Tanjiro but missed.[Y/N],Tanjiro,and Nezuko were all surrounded by the three people that were holding onto some sharp needle.

[Y/N] sighed and closed her eyes before opening them again and soon enough the three of them had passed out when she hit their vital point around their neck.

"Tanjiro..I want you to follow me" she said while he nodded and the both of them climbed on the window and jumped up on top of the train.There stood Lower moon one who just smiled and waved at the both of them.

"Oh,your awake? Good morning,you both should have stayed asleep."

Enmu just kept smiling while looking at the both of them "I was showing you such a good dream.you should thank me-I could've shown your family being slaughtered."Tanjiro had his eyes widened while [Y/N] stayed quiet glaring at him.

"Next time,shall I show you your Father coming back to life?"

[Y/N] then sighed making Enmu turn his attention to the [H/C] girl still smiling at the both of them "Oh! it's you,I heard about you" he said.

"you can't go stomping around inside people's hearts!you won't get away with this."Tanjiro said "Water breathing Tenth Form:Constant Flux!"

"Blood demon art..."

"Whispers of Forced Unconscious Hypnosts!"

"Go to sleeeep.."

Suddenly Tanjiro had fell asleep again while [Y/N] was still awake and she grunted then slapped the back of his neck and he suddenly woken up again.No matter how many times the hand would say "sleep" Tanjiro just wouldn't fall asleep.

Enmu had shown Tanjiro a nightmare.Inside the nightmare,Tanjiro's family criticized him."Why didn't you save us?""What were you doing when we were killed?""Why are you here? you're useless.""You should have died.How dare you live on without a care!"

This nightmare of his didn't do any better instead it just only enraged him more."My family...would never say that!! Do not insult.."

"MY FAMILY!!"

Then with that Tanjiro had sliced off his neck but then the moment he turned his head his eyes had widened at what he was witnessing.

"I truly understand how the master felt when he ordered me to kill you..in addition to a hashira"

"Your very existence...grates on my nerves!"

[Y/N] had held out her arm stopping Tanjiro from taking another step towards the demon was attached to the train. "Your the train itself aren't you?" [Y/N] asked while glaring at him.

"Ah so you realized!"

Tanjiro couldn't help but just stare at the demon neck along with its head being attached to the train while Enmu smiled at his expression."There it is! That's the expression I wanted to see!" he said as he kept laughing "you want me to tell you why I didn't die even though you cut off my head,right? very well,I'm in high spirits right now"

"It's so simple even a baby could understand"

"Because that was not my main body! The same goes for what's talking to you right now.It looks like my head but it isn't!.While you were deep asleep...I fused with this steam train!"

This had made both Tanjiro eyes widened even more while sweating,but [Y/N] on the other hand had enough of this.She seemed like she was about to murder someone like how she has never done before.

"This entire train..has become my blood,flesh and bones! heh heh heh! your face! Good,good! Are you starting to understand? In other words...the 200 passengers on this train are all food for strengthening me further! They're my hostages.can you protect them..by yourself?"

"All of the humans squirming from end to end on this train...won't you just leave them for me to eat later?"

This made Tanjiro even anger raise up and so he leaped forward trying to slice off the head,but instead it just went down not being able to be seen anymore."Rengoku!Zenitsu!Inosuke! This is no time to sleep!! wake up!please!!" he shouted while [Y/N] just looked down at the train observing some few things and then Tanjiro had shouted again "Nezuko!! Protect the people who are asleep!"

Then there were some few noises down inside the train that was seemed to response back to him.Before the two of them knew it Inosuke had busted through the train and just shouted "Follow me,minions!!"

"Head long rush! Lord Inosuke's comin through!!"

[Y/N] just couldn't help but sigh at what he just said "Inosuke! there's no safe place on this train! Protect the sleeping people!!" Tanjiro shouted while [Y/N] nodded before opening her mouth to also speak "This whole train is the demon itself" [Y/N] said to him.

Then Inosuke had saw the people inside the train all fast asleep,but there was something on them and so he sliced them all "Beast Breathing Fifth Fang:Crazy Cutting!!!"

As Inosuke was slicing off all the demon parts that were on the humans Nezuko had also helped him by slashing them with her sharp nail.Then Nezuko was caught which meant she wasn't able  to move around anymore until Zenitsu had shown up in front of her "Thunder breathing First Form:Thunderclap and Flash Sixfold!!!" with that they all were gone.

"I will protect you Nezuko"

Nezuko had looked at him in awe until he just went back to his normal self again making her confused at this.Then [Y/N] and Tanjiro were slashing all the parts too until Rengoku had shown up "So this is what happened while I was dozing? I can't believe it! Some hashira I am! If there were a hole...I'd hide in it!!"

Then 'Bam' the train had snapped making Tanjiro fall over to the floor "Kamado!" Rengoku called out to him "Rengoku!" 

"This train has eight cars.Rengoku go and defend the back five,Zenitsu and Nezuko will defend the remaining three and Tanjiro and Inosuke will keep an eye on them while you both search for the demons head!" [Y/N] said while Rengoku nodded but Tanjiro had a frowny face on.

"It's head?! But right now,this demon is-"

"Tanjiro,as long as it's a demon then it has to have a vital spot somewhere,I'll go and look for it as I fight now go!" she yelled while he nodded but by the time he did both Rengoku and [Y/N] were already gone.

As [Y/N] had went out slashing all the demon hands and parts that were coming at her out of nowhere the train had snapped again.'Tanjiro and Inosuke must have killed the demon' she thought to herself while slashing the demon still.

The lower moon one whose head was sliced off was busy thinking at this time 'I never used my full strength! I didn't eat a single human! My plan to fuse with the train and eat everyone has failed.Now look at me! After all the time and effort I put in! This is all..HER FAULT!' he thought while having an image of [Y/N] glaring at him.

'I took hundreds of hostages but she still..cornered and pinned me down that's the point of a hashira! the yellow haired boy he was too fast...even without undoing my spell!' he thought while imaging Zenitsu 'And that girl...she's a demon! What's up with that?! A demon working with a demon slayer?! Why hasn't lord Muzan killed her?  Damn it all! anyway..It all started to go wrong when that brat broke my spell! it's really his fault!

If nothing else I want to kill that kid! and that boar too!yeah! I would have killed that kid...If that boar hadn't stopped me.He as great intuition.He knew where I was looking! Is it over? Am I going to die?AAAAAH what a nightmare!

It's always us lower level demons that the demon slayer kill.The upper rank demons..their ranks haven't changed for a hundred years.They've buried mountains of slayers even put hashira's in their graves.Their strength is out of this world.' he just kept thinking of of the upper rank demons while he was slowly fading away.

'Even after receiving that much blood I still couldn't match the upper ranks.I want another shot!I want to do it over! What a pathetic...night..mare.' and with that the lower moon one demon had finally died not existing anymore.

[Y/N] and Rengoku had found Tanjiro lying on the ground then Rengoku had his head over him while [Y/N] just looked down at him."It looks like you can do total concentration constant! I'm impressed!"

"Ren-goku..[Y-Y/N]-san.."

"That's the first step to becoming a hashira!"

[Y/N] sighed "But that's just the first of 10,000 steps yet to come!"Rengoku said once again as Tanjiro was trying to catch his breath before speaking "I'll do my best." then [Y/N] looked down at his stomach to see blood oozing out "Your stomach is bleeding,Tanjiro" she spoke.

"Concentrate more,improve the accuracy of your breath.Focus on every inch of your body."

Tanjiro just kept huffing as [Y/N] looked down at him "There are blood vessels..broken blood vessels." she spoke as Tanjiro kept huffing."Concentrate more" Rengoku said again while looking at him and soon enough Tanjiro's stomach had stopped bleeding.

"That's it..Hemostasis.Stop the bleeding"

Then [Y/N] had pointed at his forehead sighing before speaking "Concentrate..Tanjiro,you can do it" Tanjiro had kept huffing over and over until the bleeding that was still dripping a bit had finally stopped.

"That's it,no more bleeding" Rengoku said.

"There are more things you can do if you can master your breathing technique,but..that doesn't mean you can do anything though..instead you'll be much stronger than you were yesterday.." [Y/N] said as she looked down at his eyes and removing her hand from his forehead.

"...yeah" Tanjiro said while looking at [Y/N] [E/C] eyes in awe then [Y/N] just smiled a little at this and so did Rengoku "Everyone's safe! A lot of injuries,but no deaths.No need for you to overdo it." Rengoku suddenly said but loud.

Then [Y/N] got up standing straight until she sensed something powerful much more powerful then Lower moon one.When she turned around there was a loud 'Boom' which caused both Rengoku and Tanjiro to face the loud sudden noise.

By the time they did turn around Tanjiro had sensed [Y/N] emotion all of a sudden which was worriedness.What he saw before them was another demon..upper rank three.

[Y/N] eyes had widened at this but didn't move or say anything Tanjiro couldn't help but think 'upper rank...three? What's he doing here?!'

Then all of a sudden the upper rank three had appeared before Tanjiro about punch him "Flame breathing Second Form:Rising Scorching Sun!" Rengoku had saved Tanjiro from being hurt while the demon jumped away facing the three demon hunters.

The upper rank three had licked the blood that was oozing all over his arm while speaking " Nice katana" 

"Now why would someone powerful as you attack the wounded first?" Rengoku questioned at the demon."I thought he might interrupt the conversation..we're about to have"

"What are we going to talk about? this is our first meeting,but I already hate you."

"Of course.I also hate weak humans when I see weakness,my skin crawls"

"You and I have very different values"

"Aha..then I have a great idea..why don't you become a demon?"

"Hmm..no,thank"

"I can tell your strength by looking at you,your a hashira right? you developed your fighting spirit..to the edge of perfection"

"I am the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku,and this is Hishiro [Y/N] the Star Hashira"Rengoku said but the moment he introduced you to the upper rank three he just looked behind him to see you standing right there unfazed by what was going on and he suddenly smiled while walking towards you,but was stopped by Rengoku who had stepped in front of you.

"I..am Akaza let me tell you Kyojuro,why your power will never truly reach perfection,it is because your human and because you are aging and eventually you'll die so become a demon Kyojuro if you do...you can train for hundreds of years and keep getting stronger"

Tanjiro started panicking and was looking all over the place for his sword wanting to help"Growing old and dying..is what gives meaning and beauty to the fleeting span of a human life its precisely because we age and die..that our lives have value..and nobility strength is not a word that means much in regard to the flesh..this boy isn't weak.Do not insult him so I'll say it again..you and I value different things I have many reasons for not becoming a demon"

"I see..well then"

[Y/N] had stood in front of Tanjiro not wanting him to get hurt and soon enough Akaza had got in his stance "Technique Development Destructive Death:Compass Needle!"

"If you won't become a demon,then I'll have to kill you"

"First Form;Unknowing Fire!"

Tanjiro tried getting up but was held back down by [Y/N] who shook her head "Tanjiro..I'm sorry but please stay here and rest up"

"I'm going to go and help Rengoku-san-"

"But [Y/N]!! what if you get hurt?!"

[Y/N] just smiled at his words before giving him a head pat and standing up "That's part of a pillar's job...is it not?" and with that she had disappeared into the thin air.

"Destructive Death Air type!"

"Fourth Form:Blooming Flame Undulation!"

As Akaza was about to land another hit on Rengoku his technique was blocked making his eyes widened at this and so did Rengoku.[Y/N] was standing in front of Rengoku with her sword out while she just glared at Akaza.

"[Y/N]!! Go ba-"

"Rengoku-san..your in need of help don't you think?"she spoke not turning her head or body to face him but stood there still facing Akaza.Rengoku left eye was bashed and he just kept huffing while looking at [Y/N] back that was facing him.

Then both Akaza and [Y/N] had moved at such alarming speed which was fast and [Y/N] didn't use all of her full speed yet."Star Breathing:Tenth Form:Starlit Eyes of Divination!" the moment she had swinged her blade at him she felt a great..great amount of pain rushing through her body all of a sudden.

Blood was spilling from her mouth and so she looked down to see Akaza's arm pierced through her stomach with more blood oozing out.Even Akaza couldn't believe what he had done..to his old friend..

[Y/N] just coughed out blood "[Y/N]!!" Rengoku called out to her and tears were forming in the corner of Tanjiro's eye.

"[Y/N]..become a demon" Akaza said while [Y/N] shook her head breathing heavily "No..I won't"

Then both Rengoku and Tanjiro had attacked him while Akaza had jumped away with his arm sliced and soon dawn was breaking so he was panicking and started to run away.Tanjiro had threw his sword at the demon and it hit his chest,but then when Akaza turned his head around to see Tanjiro running towards him his eyes had widened.

"Where are you going,you coward?! Don't run away!"

"The demon slayer corps are flesh and blood humans! Our wounds don't close quickly! Lost limbs don't grow back! and yet you'll only fight us in the dark of night when you have the advantages! So why are you running away?! you jerk! Coward! you're afraid to admit..that you haven't won today! [Y/N] and Rengoku hasn't lost! Rengoku is much stronger than you! Both him and [Y/N] didn't let anyone die! He saw the fight through the end! [Y/N] and Rengoku protected the rest of us! this is your defeat! And the victory belongs to [Y/N] and Rengoku!"

As Tanjiro was catching his breath from the whole speech he said as he started crying "Don't cry so hard,kid"Rengoku told him which made Tanjiro turn his head to face him."you're hurt pretty bad too y'know.That cut in your belly will open up,and if you died,me and [Y/N] wouldn't have our victory anymore.Come here [Y/N] want's to see you.."

The moment he mentioned [Y/N] name Tanjiro had quickly ran up to you while you were laying down on the ground with your hand over your open wounded stomach."[Y/N]-san!!" he called out to you as tears were escaping his eye."Tanjiro.." you spoke getting his full attention.

"I'm sorry for..being s-..so..stupid.."

"[Y/N]-san! you're not stupid!"

"Hah.."

Those [E/C] eyes of yours that were always cold looking and dull had finally became shining again for once.Then you grabbed both Rengoku and Tanjiro hand while smiling with eyes open still "I never thought death would arrive early for me..listen Tanjiro..you and your sister Nezuko are incredibly amazing"

"[Y/N]-san! Please don't speak anymore! Isn't there any way to stop the bleeding?!"

"..I'm afraid not.."

"B-but! We need you!! I need you [Y/N]-san!"

[Y/N] just couldn't help but smile at this and sat up straight sitting in front of Rengoku and Tanjiro "I hope that the special girl accepts your feelings towards her" she spoke while he cried even more then she gave the both of them a head pat while smiling with her eyes closed.

"Gomen'nasai and Tanjiro..stand tall and be proud.."

Then her hand slowly started falling to the ground while her head was hanging down low and before they both knew it she was dead.

Quiet not making any sound,noise,nor any movements at all.

She was dead.

Gone.

Her time seemed to be up now..

"[Y/N]-san?..[Y/N]!!"

"....."

Tanjiro just couldn't believe it [Y/N] had died right here and right in front of him and same with Rengoku.He couldn't help but shed tears and just blame himself for being weak.

Soon enough the news of Hishiro [Y/N] death had been spreaded to Ubuyashiki and then the rest of the Hashiras.

Shinobu couldn't believe what she was hearing she started crying up and just looked down in shame while Kanao just stood there still with tears falling to the ground from her eyes."Farewell..[Y/N]-san.." "[Y/N]-san.."

Mitsuri had her face covered by her hands and soon enough tears were dropping down from her eyes to the ground and didn't want to believe it."[Y/N]-chan!...[Y/N]-chan.."

Muichiro who was walking had suddenly stopped when he heard the news and he looked down and didn't even notice that he was crying."[Y/N]..died?"

Uzui didn't shed tears instead he just felt horrible for not being there to help her defeat the demon."Rest in peace...[Y/N]"

Obanai who stood on top of the roof just sighed and looked down in shame "Mitsuru is probably crying over her death right now.."

Gyomei sat there crying while praying with Genya who just looked down and his hand curled up into a fist.

Sanemi just stayed silent before speaking "I will annihilate all of the demons"

Giyuu who just stood there with the crow on his shoulder eyes had widened at what he was hearing "[Y/N]-san..you should have let me tag along.."

Oyakata sama had stood outside with his wife and kids "Not one of the passengers died? Hishiro did struggle but..she did live a good life"

"I am not forlorn.I cannot live much longer.Soon,I will go the other world where Hishiro and the rest are"

Hishiro [Y/N] wasn't supposed to die at this time now was she?

No.

Maybe Katsumi Tsukino can do something about it.

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Hai Hai,don't worry this isn't the end of this story in fact the reader [you] will be alive,but you'll have to wait and find out what happens next in the next chapter.I also wanted to say thank you for so much reads!! Have a wonderful day everyone and stay safe!!