(~Demon Train Arc~)

"Flip a coin; and when the coin is in the air, you'll know exactly which side you are rooting for."

This was a huge mistake.

Well, technically it wasn't one since I hadn't done anything yet, but it didn't change the fact that I was going to do a huge mistake.

If I even could, that is.

'Who am I kidding here,' A shiver went through my body as I glided my swords in a circular motion, the moonlight shining down on the blades making them seem almost magical, 'Changing the plot is not that easy.'

Not to mention that I only had a few days to change the course of the plot— and to save people.
Again, if I could, that is.

I shook my head as I straightened up and took my stance to do the third form again.

It has been a day since the whole 'friendly' sparring with the twins, and I sure got my work cut out for me as performing my forms on the swords turned out to be harder than I expected them to be.

A shiver wrecked through my body again as the cold wind blew through— the forest was extra cold today for some reason, and that didn't help my training at all. Not to mention, I felt like I was wasting my time— me struggling with the swords was pathetic enough, to say the least, and I couldn't even go to anyone since my breathing technique was still pretty new.

'Should I even get involved?' the thought crossed my mind for the thousandth time, making me frown as I swung my swords even harder.

I can't afford to indulge in any self-doubt right now— my involvement could very well jeopardise many people's lives than the original plot already accounted for, and even if I can't protect them all, I have to give my all.

Not to mention, the ripples of my presence were already large enough; shying away from them now may not only cause more deaths but will also make me stand as a hypocrite and increase my ever-growing list of regrets.

'If I'm going to regret and feel guilty anyway,' I huffed, standing back up as I looked down on my swords in frustration, 'Then I should feel so after giving it a shot rather than not doing anything, right?'

The look on the dead bodies I had seen during the mountain mission flashed before my eyes, making a strange heaviness settle in my lower stomach as I rubbed my neck to warm up my cold frame a bit.

I couldn't save many of them there— and there was no guarantee I could do so even now. What if I did more harm than good? Would it still be worth the try?

'Is my existence really worth the lives my very presence jeopardizes?' I sighed and shook my head; this was not the time for all this.

Rubbing my neck and sighing again, I decided to take a break and note down my progress— which, honestly, wasn't much as I was struggling to maintain forms with my swords all because of my inadequate practice.

'Blue Blood, Third form— can be done on both swords and fans.' I mentally readout as I wrote down in my journal, planning and working through the forms I had been vaguely outlining for the past whole week, 'Nice. Now, all I have to do is name my other attacks...'

I grimaced as I noticed about four more spots still left open for the names— deciding on my attacks or giving them forms wasn't that hard; however, naming them sure was.

I sighed and shook my head again as I racked my brain for some badass names— no one would mind if a more than a few of the names were not on blood, right? I mean, I didn't have any more creativity left in me to name them, so...

I sighed again, finally closing my journal and flopping it onto my white satchel.

'I'll worry about them later.' I nodded to myself as I took out my swords again, 'Names are not technically necessary in fighting; not to mention, I do have the attacks down, so it shouldn't be an issue.'

Not that I was worried... much. Maybe?

I mean, how the hell did Inosuke come up with his own attack names so easily?! It took me hours to even name the first few and when I was finally done outlining all my forms and numbering them, I realized I was more than five names too short!

'If only I had Google here.' I thought wryly as another gust of wind blew through me, wrecking my body in shivers again while the trees bristled through the night.

'God, it's fucking cold for a summer ni—' I yelped as an aura crashed onto my conscious, the speed of its arrival disabling me from assessing who it may be as I swirled in my form to take a defensive posture.

It was then that I noticed blue eyes blinking owlishly at me, making me retract my swords as a sheepish smile stretched on my lips.

"Good evening, Tomioka-senpai." I greeted him breathily as the blue-eyed Hashira approached me from the cluster of trees, "You scared me there for a moment, you know— wait, is that... is that Shiori sitting on your head?!"

"Sorry." He softly apologized as Shiori took off and landed on the ground before me, surprising me as I sat down beside her, "Did I... disturb you?"

"Eh? No, no, you didn't." I answered honestly as he eyed my swords while sitting down in front of me on the forest floor, "I was just... well, training. Or trying to. What about you? Did you need anything from me?" I asked bluntly, knowing he won't mind it.

And that's what I liked the most about him— lack of formalities wasn't much of an issue with him and he never asked any prying questions, giving me the liberty to explain things at my own pace.

'Did she lead him here?' I thought absent-mindedly as I felt a yawn coming while I softly stroked the white-feathered creature's head, 'What did you do, you little mischief?' I mused as my eyes started drooping.

Tomioka shook his head slightly as his brows creased while he focused on the swords in my lap, "Swords?"

"Mm? Oh yeah, got them, uh, yesterday morning." I replied sleepily as I willed myself to get up or else I'll fall asleep with his warm aura completely enveloping me, "Have been training with them for the while since I've apparently lost my touch."

"I thought you used fans?" How did he— oh wait, yeah, he did see me fight demons a lot many times before. And maybe the Hashira meeting too.

"I still do," I admitted, "In fact, they are my primary weapons."

He simply tilted his head, making me sigh as I turned towards him while answering the unasked question, "I know I could have just went through with my fans alone, but the swords are kind of my backup plan? I mean, my fans are a bit delicate and I can't exert much force with them; so, I thought maybe a pair of swords will be smart?"

The water Hashira nodded at my unsure reasoning, making me feel strangely relieved that he approved of it.

"Are you training here?" He asked briskly as he readjusted his position on the ground, "What's your breathing technique?"

I blinked in surprise at my senpai's sudden interest; his intense blues zeroed all his attention on me, making me shiver (for an entirely different reason, as opposed to my previous ones) as I turned to hide my blush.

'What the fuck, Miyasha! It's not the time to fangirl over his pretty eyes—'

"Yes, I'm training here." I replied after clearing my throat, "I, uh, I didn't take any breathing style... just, um, made my own?" I admitted unsurely as he nodded, "I call it 'Blood Breathing'— yeah, I know, very original. I actually had thought initially that I would just, um, fight with my blood and be done with it, you know? Especially since breathing techniques take a lot more effort and time to be perfected, so I thought just using my blood might suffice."

He nodded along when I looked at him as I explained, "But, well, I couldn't do that. I mean, I would have to use properly planned attacks to use my blood in an effective way too— so, I decided why not just customise a breathing style that may help me fight alongside using my blood?"

"Well," I stated after a beat of silence as he stared at me with a strange eagerness, or maybe it's just my own wishful interpretation of his almost non-existent expressions? "It turned out to be even more troublesome than learning an already existing breath style." I deadpanned, sighing as I heard the Hashira stand up from his position on the ground.

"You are," he looked at my weapons on the ground before turning to me, "Having trouble?"

"In a way?" I scratched the back of my neck as I sheepishly looked at him, "I mean, besides naming the forms and practising them on the swords, I am almost done with them."

I shrugged shyly as he stared at me, "What? As I said earlier, fans are my primary weapon— I know how to execute my forms on them perfectly, but, uh, well, swords are a different thing." I explained gingerly as I picked up the offending weapons, making Shiori hoot and jump away to my satchel, "It's been ages since I trained with them; so, I'm still rusty."

I looked jealously towards the white ball of feathers, who had apparently nestled onto my satchel — after somehow pushing my fans aside — and was now napping there.

"Can you," Tomioka started, making me snap back to him as he stared at me intensely, "Show me?"

"I— What?" I stupidly replied, "Oh wait, my forms?" He nodded intently, "Um, why not? Though, they are not that practised—"

"With your swords." He added as he noticed me reaching out to my fans.

"Oh."
Fuck. This is gonna be embarrassing.

'Okay, so which one should I perform?' I mused as I felt his eyes following my every move, 'Okay, okay, breathe in, Miya, breathe in. Maybe I can—'

"Blood Breathing, Tenth form," I muttered as I kneeled slightly for the form, "War Dance." I flipped the swords in my hands into a circular motion before twisting my body into a swift, but easy dancing position as I continued to flow through the motions of the form.

This was one of the easier forms to do on swords, which was one of the main reasons why I chose to do it for the first performance.

"Miyasha," His soft voice called out, making me freeze as I suddenly felt his warm hands on my shoulders, "Loosen your shoulders."

My heart skipped as I followed his words, "Position your right sword lower than your left." I did so again, after which he nodded and signed me to continue.

I continue performing my form, finding it much easier to do by letting my right-hand lead downwards.

"Give more space between your swords." Tomioka suggested as I followed through with my form, his voice echoing through the quiet forest while I practised.

I quietly changed forms and continued performing them for him while he pipped up with his corrections and suggestions, occasionally brushing his fingers on my arms or touching my shoulders as he corrected my posture.

However, it didn't bother me much— I know it should, but he is just too innocent for that. Not to mention, his touches were so light and soft that I absolutely couldn't mind.

"Swing your swords harder and faster in the end instead of the beginning." Tomioka commented after a good while of watching, his eyes following my blade as I followed his instruction. He nodded as I performed the form more fluently; his guidance helping me with my awkward stance while smoothing out the forms.

After what felt like hours, (and maybe it was too?) I flopped down on the ground near the tree my satchel was under, resting my back against the bark as I closed my tired eyes to rest them.

I could feel myself shivering as the cold wind blew through my kimono, cooling my sweating body which was honestly a bit gross but I couldn't care less about it as I was still high on the feeling that I finally made some significant progress with my swords.

And that was all thanks to this sweet, silent angel.

"Oh Lord, senpai," I breathily chuckled as the Hashira carefully sat down in front of me, his hand softly nudging a flask of water towards me as I smiled at his unexpected consideration, "Thank you so much for your help! You have no idea how much this actually helped me."

He nodded gingerly as I gulped down the water; his soothing aura made me feel so relaxed and comfortable that I could feel the drowsiness crawl back into my body.

"Senpai," I started again once I returned the bottle to him, "Why are you here, if you don't mind me asking?"

Tomioka shrugged off-handedly as he replied, "Mission."

I blinked in surprise at his... well, very expected answer. I really should have guessed that that was the case— after all, he was a Hashira and they were given way more missions with even fewer time intervals than the normal slayers.

"Oh," I finally said out loud, "I'm so sorry for keeping you here then! You must have wanted to rest and I just kept you here to help me ins—"

Tomioka shook his head vigorously, making me pause at his adorableness, "I am here because I want to. Don't apologise."

"I—" I honestly stuttered as I felt a blush creep up to my cheeks; he was so precious, oh my Lord, "You're too kind, senpai." I finally managed to squeak out as he tilted his head again.

"You have no idea how much this means to me, senpai." I added after a beat of silence as my blush finally died down; I was still in disbelief that he would go so far out to help me and honestly, it made me feel so damn special and privileged that I just can't express, "You are the sweetest, you know?"

Tomioka tilted his head again, making me chuckle lightly and lean back onto the tree bark.

"The boys have almost completed their training, you know?" I started once again, feeling the strange urge to share it with him, "In fact, all they need at this point is Shinobu-san's approval over their physical conditions... That's why I was feeling a bit, left out, I think? They made a lot of progress in so little time, and I didn't want to drag them back with my inadequacy, you know?"

Tomioka nodded as I readjusted my position to look at him— his pretty blue eyes looked even more angelic under the moonlight, I swear.

'Such a precious being...' an involuntary smile stretched on my lips as he readjusted his position to face me completely as well.

"But thanks to you, I think I'm back on track!" Tomioka just nodded again, making me laugh as I jokingly replied, "You are supposed to say 'you're welcome' when someone thanks you, senpai!"

"You're welcome." He parroted after me with a sweet nod of understanding, which made me chuckle even more.

"Oh, senpai..." I shook my head at his adorkable-ness, "What am I gonna do with you?"

"Was it wrong?" He innocently asked, making me chuckle again as I reassured him that it wasn't.

I closed my eyes as another wind blew by, making the leaves rustle through the quiet night. It felt strangely nice with him here— this comfortable silence... I never thought I'll be able to share with anyone else again.

"Tanjiro—" he suddenly spoke up, "Is his jaw better now?"

"Oh, yes it is actually." I replied without opening my eyes, "All three of them have recovered well— um, Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke, is what I meant. In fact, they had been vigorously training too; Tanjiro had finished earlier than the other two since he started early too, but the other two were not far behind! It was a bit funny to see them so worked up to catch up to him, if I were to be honest."

I could imagine him nodding as he spoke up again, "Nezuko?"

"Oh?" That surprised me a bit, "Um, she's still asleep, I'm afraid."

"Asleep?"

"Yes, asleep." I explained reluctantly— there shouldn't be any harm in telling him, right? "Since she doesn't eat human flesh to grow or replenish her power, she substitutes it with sleep instead."

"So, she's recovering?"

"In a way?" I admitted as I finally opened my eyes to look at him, my heart skipping a beat as my eyes met his instantly, "She, uh, it's not that severe, don't worry. She's fine, I assure you."

He nodded again before getting up; my eyes following his hands as he kept his flask back... somewhere in his haori?

"Tomioka-senpai," he looked down at me as I looked at him curiously, "How many things do you carry in your haori, again?"

"Only necessities." He replied simply, making me smile at his straightforwardness, "Do you train in here daily?" He bluntly asked me back.

"Well, I just started last night?" I admitted as I tried getting up as well— unfortunately, my wrist didn't cooperate as I got a sudden ache in the said joint, making me unceremoniously fall back onto my back.

Tomioka — bless his soul — immediately kneeled down and reached out for me, helping me get up as I gave out a few embarrassed chuckles.

"Thank you for the help, senpai..." I rubbed my wrist sheepishly as he stared at my hands for a few seconds before looking up at me questionably, "It's, um, I kinda have a pain in my wrist...?"

"Miyasha..." I winced at his stern tone; not only was it new for me, but it was strange hearing his deep monotone actually filtering some emotions in.

"I'm not pushing myself, trust me!" I defended myself as he cautiously took my wrist into his own hands to investigate, "I just, it's kind of a permanent pain. I do exercise a bit daily to help with it, but it won't get any better than this."

"Medicines don't help?" He asked genuinely as his warm (and absolutely huge) hands encircled mine and rubbed my hands gingerly.

"N-No." How the hell was his hands so huge?! "It's, uh, permanent?" I cleared my throat and started again, "I mean, it doesn't pain like a... normal injury or sprain. It's a muscle-damage issue I have, and the worst it can do is give me brief pain at times. That's it."

"Does it pain when you fight?"

"Not usually, no." I frowned as I tried remembering if it ever did, "At least not till now. It does pain here and there a bit, but I can ignore it most of the times. And I think my adrenaline rush helps me deal with it when I fight, I guess?"

"Don't ignore if it pains." He advised as he squeezed my wrist once before leaving it, making me blush slightly at the intimacy of the act, "It can become worse if you don't let it rest."

'When did he... become so comfortable with my touch?' I absent-mindedly thought as I nodded along to him.

"Will you train again, now?" He asked bluntly, making me blink as I replied honestly, "I can't. I mean, I don't want my wrist to get worse, so..."

He nodded as he finally stepped away from me, "Will you train here tomorrow?"

"I guess?" I replied unsurely, feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything right now, "I'll wait till my wrist's pain lessens and start training again. Why are asking about it, senpai?"

"I'll help you train." He stated firmly, making me question if I heard him right, "I'll wait here tomorrow night."

And then he left.
Just like that.

I took a deep breath as I rubbed my hands on my face— I'm too damn tired to understand what is going on; so, I'm just going to roll with it.

'What harm can it do, anyway?'

"You know," I huffed as changed forms, the motion much smoother than it was a week ago when Tomioka started training me, "You are a pretty good teacher for someone who talks quite less."

Tomioka simply hummed as he stood against a tree; his eyes silently watching each of my movements as I performed all my ten forms back-to-back— just like any other night, at this point.

Since that day here in the forest a week ago, I met Tomioka every night (a few times, even in the evening!) to practice my breathing style. I simply performed my forms and he corrected my posture and suggested his corrections to make my attacks more effective.

Which, as it turned out, was exactly what I needed— not only was I now fluent with my swords, but also felt very confident with them! Admittedly not as much as my fans, but all that'll need to tackle down is repeated practice.

Not to mention, Tomioka and I grew a strange kind kinship through these training of ours— he grew more and more comfortable 'talking' with me and I slowly got more used to reading him like I did others.

And the more I understood him, the more I realized just how socially stunned this poor fella was; and that the only thing he truly needed is someone to push him out of his comfort zone a bit.

"So, what now?" I asked off-handedly as he offered me his flask again, "Should I repeat the forms or are we done for the night?" Tomioka stared at me silently till I took the flask from his hands. "Okay, okay, I'm drinking, I'm drinking!"

Goddamn this stubborn, single-minded bastard.

"Your forms are better now." He finally commented when I returned him his flask after drinking.

"Mmhm?" I raised my brow when he looked away from me.

"You just need to practice now."

"Oh..." Does he mean he has nothing left to correct now? "That's great then!" I exclaimed happily— before noticing how strangely down Tomioka looked.

"Would you like to continue training—" he suddenly asked, his blue eyes gazing intensely into mine, "—with me?"

Oh my Lord, this precious little bean... did he really think I would abandon him after all the help he did?

"Of course I will, senpai!" I chuckled in embarrassment as I engaged myself with sheathing my swords, "As you said, I still need practice, right? I hope you won't mind sparring with me a bit then!"

My heart skipped a bit when I noticed him visibly perk up, his starry eyes almost making me coo as this precious little bean nodded like an innocent little child.

'Oh Lord, this cinnamon bun...'

I took a deep breath as I started chuckling again— it's surprising to see him act so adorable and it low-key made me want to pat him and pull his cheeks... which I didn't think he would allow, despite how comfortable we both have gotten to each other.

'It's still bizarre to see how comfortable and open he is now... as opposed to before when we first talked.' I thought off-handedly as I sat down beside him, his eyes following my frame silently as I smiled up at him, 'Did he always stare this intensely—?'

"I have to go tomorrow." He suddenly declared, making me look at him in bewilderment as he further explained in his own typical Tomioka-way, "Mission."

"Oh!" I shook my head at his simple explanation, "I wish you luck then! Travel safely and don't forget to take some food and water with you, yeah?"

An involuntary smile stretched on my lips as I felt him nod while I closed my eyes and leaned my head on the tree bark— the silence was calming between us, and even though I knew this was most likely the calm before the storm of the demon train mission, I couldn't help but want to savour this.

'If only this could last forever...' I mused sleepily as drowsiness started creeping back in— which was nothing new at this point since Tomioka's aura really made me feel warm and safe. Though, it was only when he suddenly touched the side of my head did I noticed how sleepy I actually was.

But, before I could say anything, Tomioka swiftly positioned my head on his shoulder and gently caressed my head.

"You should rest more..." I heard his deep voice whisper near me as I felt his warm breath on my forehead, "...Miyasha." I felt myself shiver from how softly he said my name— which only resulted in him scooting up closer to me, thinking I was feeling cold.

My heart warmed as I felt his aura simmer into a strange warm yet quivering wave, making me feel warm and fuzzy.

'I should leave and prepare for the demon train mission.' I thought absent-mindedly, feeling wary all of a sudden, 'Tanjiro should be getting his medical done by tonight, right? He did say his jaw was all better now... that means I don't have any more time left to dilly-dally either—'

But I swear to Lord, I couldn't make my body move. I didn't even want to, in fact. I'm most likely wasting my as well as senpai's time here, but goddamnit, it felt too good to move.

I wanted to savour this peaceful moment here for one last time before moving onto the real-life issues— I'm tired of worrying about things and what to do and what not to do.

I know I'm on a time limit and many lives depend on me but... just for once in my life, I wanted to forget and stay. At least for a little while.

My heart skipped as I felt Tomioka's head gently press onto my own; his rhythmic breathing giving away that he fell asleep as well.

'Just... for a little while.' I took a deep breath and calmed my nerves, gradually giving in to the sleep that has been luring at the back of my conscious.

"Ohayo, Itsu-kun!" I ruffled the blond slayer's hair as I entered the Estate through the yard that morning, my body feeling extremely light just like my mood.

"Ohayo, Aneki," Zenitsu rubbed his eyes tiredly as he watched me enter from his position on the porch, "Where did you go?"

"Oh, I was training, dearie." I replied off-handedly, "I needed to practice with my swords too, since I had lost my touch."

"Oh," he yawned again as he turned to me leaving, "Are you gonna join me here or...?"

I smiled sadly at him as I shook my head softly, "Sorry, dear, but can't do today either."

"No, no, it's okay..." he tried his best to not whine, which was admirable— and noticeable too, unfortunately, "Although, I hope you're sleeping properly, Aneki."

My heart warmed as his worried brown eyes met mine; since we came here, Zenitsu had been keeping me company (most of the times when he wasn't training) till I fell asleep on the porch, until very recently.

"I am, Itsu-kun." I smiled warmly as I softly padded towards him and caressed his head while he attempted to hug me, "Oh dearie, I'm all dirty right now! Please don't hug me." I smiled softly as he looked up at me with his puppy-dog eyes, "I'll hug you later, okay? Right now, I need to clean up, dearie!"

I chuckled as Zenitsu very much pouted, "Besides, didn't you have your final training today? Or are you done with it already?"

"No, we haven't had our medical last night; so, we are waiting for that." He shook he head as I tilted my head in obvious confusion, "It got delayed. We'll have it today in the afternoon."

I nodded gingerly, wondering if this ever happened in the manga.
'Who knows what did, what didn't at this point...'

"What about your training?" I inquired, "Three of you ready to finish your concentrated breath training?"

"Yes!" He nodded enthusiastically as his eyes sparkled up at me; he looked rather young and adorable sitting there on the porch, "We just need to break those huge gourds and we'll be done!"

"That's amazing!" And concerning, since that means the mission should be given to them any moment now, "Do tell me when you do that, yeah? Since I'm done with my own training, I'll love to be there to cheer you three on!" I replied as I waved and left the room, a soft smile stretching on my lips as I heard Zenitsu enthusiastically yelling that he would.

'Such a sweet boy,' I chuckled under my breath as I sprinted up to my room— if my calculations were right, then I didn't have any time left now; and that means, I should pack my bags and prepare as much blood as I can for the fight.

'Would I even be called to this mission, though?' I mused as I changed into a simple yukata and collected my dirty clothes, 'Well, if I don't, I can just hijack it anyway, consequences be damned, right?'

How bad could it be, anyway— I was already changing the plot, so why fucking not, right?

Well, turned out, I didn't have to worry much about it anyway.

"So, you're leaving?" I raised an eyebrow at the three stooges, trying my best to keep the panic out of my voice as I turned to them, "Already got your mission?"

"Not really," Tanjiro looked at me sheepishly as he sat down beside me on the floor while Inosuke head-dived into my bed, making me snort at his antics and Zenitsu yelled at his lack of manners, "It's just that our treatment's done and we've been cooped up here for about a month, so..."

"W-What?" What the hell is happening?

"Exactly!" Zenitsu pitched in as he sat on the edge of the bed, right across from me and my open satchel on the floor, "Please tell Tanjiro how annoying his plan to meet the Flame Pillar is! We can wait for him to return from this mission, but no! He doesn't even want to listen."

'Was this... is this because I'm here?' I thought absent-mindedly as I turned to Tanjiro who was trying to defend his motives, 'Didn't they got called for the demon train as a mission? Wasn't it in the anime too? What is this even—'

"—and Shinobu-san suggested that I talk to Rengoku-san about it!" Tanjiro ranted as he looked at me sincerely, "She said Rengoku-san has gone on a mission right now! We can catch him from the train station in—!"

"Wait, wait, wait," I interrupted his rant, "You... you want to go after a Hashira who is on a mission, as of now?"

"Yes." He answered honestly as he sat up straight, "I have questions to him regarding my father's... fire dance!"

I took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of my nose as I tried to evaluate the situation I was in.

Like, what the fuck?

"Are you sure you can't wait for him?" I asked after a beat of silence, feeling my heart squeeze as the image of their battered selves flashed before my eyes, "It may not be safe to just follow him like that, you know?"

"Hah!" Inosuke suddenly huffed and turned to look down on me, "Why, are you scared?!"

"For your well-being? Yes." I admitted honestly, "I don't want you three to put yourselves into any more danger than you already do."

'Especially if it's avoidable.' I added to myself as I sternly stared the three of them down. If this was not a mission, then maybe I can cut them off the trouble and go myself? Maybe even call in the twins? Would it better?

"We won't, Aneki!" Tanjiro confidently replied as his eyes noticeably softened, "Trust in us!"

Zenitsu groaned audibly as he rolled over on the bed, making Inosuke yell at him while Tanjiro completely ignored them, "Please come with us, Aneki!"

'Wait, what?'

I didn't realize I said that out loud till Tanjiro scooted near me and looked at me sincerely, "Please come with us!" He repeated as he smiled, "Having you with me gives me confidence!"

My heart stuttered as he looked at me absolutely sincerely, his reddish-brown eyes peering into my own as he smiled patiently.

"Of course, I will." I huffed as a laugh escaped me, "Can't leave you three to just fall into your death now, can I?"

Tanjiro jumped up in excitement while Zenitsu groaned again, complaining how much of an idiot we all were been.

These boys are gonna be the death of me one day— and I'll gladly give up my life for them, even if they begged me not to.

"When are you planning to leave then?"

"Tomorrow morning," Tanjiro replied as he moved Zenitsu's feet away to prevent them from hitting me, "After we blow into the biggest gourd to see if we can make them shatter!"

I chuckled and patted him as he enthusiastically started telling me how they had been training for this for the past few weeks; even Zenitsu and Inosuke sat up to pitch in and add their own perspectives as I took a chair and listened to them rant about their adventures.

'I just I hope I didn't fuck up the timeline too much though.' I thought absent-mindedly as Inosuke interrupted Zenitsu for the third time, 'I just... I just hope Rengoku is okay. I mean we didn't get any news on him either so—'

I shook my head at my line of thought, making the three boys look at me in confusion as I smiled at them and told them to continue.

No use thinking about things that ain't in my hand— if it was meant to be then it will, and if it wasn't, then there's no use worrying over it.

...right?

1) In the manga, they were not given any mission to go with Rengoku— Tanjiro had taken it upon himself to go follow him because he was feeling particularly impatient and cooped up.

2) 2021 has been a wild ride I was not prepared for and my schedule's fucked.

3) Went into a strange depressive-burn out kinda phase the whole past month due to all the exams and assignments and shit.

4) Have somehow managed to type out a few chapters, so will be uploading them one by one after editing, please have patience.

5) Sorry for not replying to your reviews in this chapter. I'll try my best to so in the next or so chapter.

》TaishouSecrets《
Miyasha's favourite Hashira in her past life was Shinobu and Rengoku— the former more than the latter though. As for Giyuu, she liked him enough but somehow felt his character trope overused and thus, didn't had any particular preference for him.

And that's it for this chapter, folks! Please review if you want to— I love reading from you guys, and honestly, it motivates me like no other :D

Stay safe and stay healthy!