Rengoku Kyojuro
He was going to die.
Rengoku was no fool, he knew his inevitable death was fast approaching.
No matter how much extremely positive person he was, he knew that he could not win this fight. It was quite evident that Upper Moon was just toying with him for the sake of prolonging the battle and enjoying every moment of it. Right from the beginning.
His skills as swordsman. His speed. His strength. And all the more were not enough to defeat such foe.
Said foe was merciful enough to give Rengoku time to catch his breath and plan his next move.
The wounds on his body were showing themselves making it hard to breath for him. As his opponent said he had several broken ribs, internal bleeding, and Rengoku was sure that one of his kidneys was smashed. Not to mention his pulped eye.
For him it felt like his whole body was on fire, and that someone was boiling his whole chest from inside, while also harshly rubbing his every bone in his body. Not the pleasant feeling he may say, as much how flamboyant it sounded for a Flame Hashira to actually ignite.
Uzui must be proud of him.
Rengoku coughed up blood.
Well, if he doesn't die from his enemy, he surely will perish from his injuries.
The knowledge of inevitable death didn't affect his fighting spirit, nor his attitude. In fact, Rengoku will gladly give his life if it meant others will survive this night.
Rengoku glanced to the left and spotted young Kamado clutching his wound with young Boar Head near him. Both of them closely observing their battle, ready to intervene should he call for it. Young Kamado was talented to some extent – not as much as Muichiro-kun of course – as well being hardworker, and before the appearance of Upper Moon Rengoku was ready to offer him to become his Tsuguko. He truly placed his confidence that young Kamado could've gone through his harsh but effective training regime, not to say he was impressed with Hinokami Kagura and it's potential. Besides Rengoku believed that they had formed some sort of bond between them.
No need to tell him now of course.
In the distance Rengoku could spot silhouette of Yellow boy helping civilians with Nezuko on par. Shame creeped inside of him for the words he said and idleness he showed about month ago. He had seen girl risking her life in the train in order to protect the people. He will have to apologize if he ever had a chance.
His thoughts unconsciously went towards his family, but he quickly dismissed it. He couldn't face his regrets right now, not when so many lives were still in danger.
Finally casting his gaze ahead, Rengoku glared at his foe. Across the clearing they had been fighting Upper Moon Three – Akaza – stood perfectly still, his head slightly tilted to the side, mocking smile plastered on his very pale face. The injuries he had already healed – not a trace of them – while Rengoku was in a very sorry state. The perfect image of careless demeanor, but he could tell by slight narrow of eyes and set of his jaw – his opponent was watching him like hawk – Akaza was still cautious of him.
As he should be! Even though it was hours before the dawn, Rengoku still had a card upon his sleeve. The special form that may take his foe with him to the afterlife. After all he had promise to uphold.
"Last chance, Kyojuro. Become a demon and we will fight for an eternity."
Rengoku ignored his words, instead focusing on his breathing. He needed all the concentration to execute the next form of Flame Breathing. The form he created himself and named after his family, all to make his father proud. Had he been less enthusiastic person he may have shed tears at his father's reply back then.
Taking his battle stance Rengoku once again locked eyes with his opponent.
"I will fulfill my duty! I won't allow anyone here to die!" He screamed at him, but it more was directed to his juniors. Words to make them have faith in him, and not to lose any hope to win this fight.
He will have to damage this demon's body as much as he could in an instant, and try to cut his neck in the succession of swings. Rengoku took a deep breath and released it in a preparation of next attack.
Flame Breathing: Esoteric art…
He released not only an air, but also his aura. Aura expanding in a form flames and casting upon the field they were battling, only those who could sense or see aura could actually take notice of it. And judging by the growing wicked grin on demon's face, his opponent was one of such.
Upper Moon was repeatedly trying to convince him to become a demon, but Rengoku ignored it once again.
Go beyond your limits! Set your heart ablaze!
"I am the Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyojuro! …Ninth form: Rengoku!"
With such battle cry Rengoku dashed forward. His sword held high and ground scorched beneath his feet from his overwhelming aura, said aura taking a form of Flame Dragon around him.
Just when he closed the distance between them, his foe lunged forward punching the air with such force that it created shockwave capable completely overthrowing his attack. It didn't stop Rengoku though.
Taking a swing Rengoku aimed at demon's neck, demon tried to block with punch only for his arm to be cut in two. He took another swing at demon's other side of the neck, demon once again punched his katana and redirected it. This time downward. Cutting most demon's torso in two, Rengoku changed direction of his swing upwards, vertically cutting demon's body in a desperate attempt to cut his neck.
However, it was all for naught.
Rengoku failed to behead the demon and he could already see the blow that was going to went through his chest.
Shinobu
Shinobu cursed.
Hoping from one tree branch to another Shinobu cursed again.
Inwardly of course. Such a cute lady like herself couldn't go around and curse like a sailor. The image she perfectly built up didn't use those type of lexicon after all.
Half an hour ago she received a message carried by Kasugai Crow that apparently Rengoku and already infamous gang of three were battling against one of Upper Moons after the crash of the train. The speed she organized special detachment of Kakushis specialized in the first aid was outstanding, and the speed she was pushing her body now was absurd.
For someone might seem absurd, but Shinobu was having none of that. She needed to be faster. The sheer prospect to encounter Second Upper Moon was lifetime chance for her, and Shinobu was not going to miss it.
Demon Slayer Corps code stated in situation of spotting any of Upper Moons, Hashiras must engage them at least in pairs, while any slayers with rank lower than Hashira should wait for said Hashira to arrive.
Shinobu scoffed at that. Ridiculous rule. Should opportunity arise to face killer of her sister, she will not be waiting for anyone.
Albeit Shinobu was following mentioned rule – Rengoku being Hashira, and her going to his aid – she totally forsook the other no less important one. She left dozens of Kakushis unprotected behind. Not totally unprotected she may say in her defense, Kanao was more than enough to take care of them in case of something.
Her hands were shaking, half from the excitement - half form the dread. Excitement that she will finally have a chance to avenge her sister; Dread that she will be late, miss her chance to battle Kanae's murderer, lose more people to demon's clutches.
Kanae – her sister – was too good for this world, sweet, patient, kind – everything Shinobu herself had never been – finding goodness in anything, even in demons. Even in her final moments Kanae felt sorry for her murderer, sorry that he was empty and couldn't feel emotions.
Shinobu had been enraged ever since. She wanted to blame her sister for being too naive, that she would've been alive if she was less kind, and more vicious, but she just couldn't make herself to do it. Shinobu always loved her sister the way she was, and always will.
Instead she blamed the world, the demons, and herself. World for being unjust and cruel, not deserving her sister in the slightest; demons for their animalistic nature and their part in murdering everyone she ever cared for. Herself for being weak, having no power to protect anyone important to her.
She promised herself that she will kill the demon which killed Kanae, no matter what she has to sacrifice for it.
Oh, and it will not swift painless death. No, Shinobu will torture this son of a bitch for eternity, inflect horror in him so he will tremble in fear just from her shadow or name, main him until he becomes unrecognizable, torment him until he begs for death.
And only then Shinobu – being sweet person she is – will grant it, with angelic smile on her face.
What a sweet fantasy…
She was not delusional – Shinobu knew she was weakest or second weakest one amongst the Hashiras – her chances to avenge without any external help were close to nonexistent.
And she loathed that fact.
Now her whole body was shaking and reason was anger. Boiling fury was scorching her whole existence and she couldn't have this. Not right now.
Breath! You can't distract yourself.
Taking a deep breath and Shinobu continued her journey, trying to focus on only what lies ahead.
Emerging from the woods to the clearing she could already spot the derailed train in the distance. Shinobu stopped for a second, her keen eyes already scanning for any signs of battle, desperately hoping she wasn't late.
She was already moving when she spotted them. Rengoku-san was furiously cutting through demon's midsection towards it's neck, but she already knew attack was going to be futile.
In the corner of her eye she could make out Inosuke and Tanjiro-kun, both of them too injured or stunned to move she guessed. Maybe both.
She saw the counter-attack – the punch – demon going to pierce Rengoku's abdomen. The fatal wound by any means, if she didn't stop it somehow. Her sword already out of sheath, it's insides full of deadly wisteria poison, ready to stab and infect the demon with it.
She couldn't make it. The gap between them was too big.
Shinobu was too far.
She could only watch in dread how hand was getting closer and closer, and when she thought that Rengoku was going to have his chest stabbed through, faster than a blink of an eye, someone appeared between them, catching demon's wrist. And for a mere moment was there was stillness between them, all the attention was on this new arrival.
The newcomer didn't spend much time maintaining it and lifted demon's wrist, as well it's full body to an air, jumping himself and performing spinning kick to demon's face. Propelling it toward the woods as a result. Not giving a demon a chance to react.
Several trees cracked and fell as a result.
Fast.
She halted in her steps, taking in the new incomer who now stood protectively in front of the Flame Hashira, facing the direction he kicked the demon. Because of her position Shinobu could see only his left side, and there wasn't much to see cause of tattered light brown poncho covering most of his body, leaving his sandals, and outline of dark grey outline of his pants barely visible. He was male, about 6ft tall, making him a little taller than Rengoku-san, and obviously much taller than her, wearing sort sash on his head – if she had to guess to keep his raven locks fairly intact – and dark bandages were wrapped around his right hand, now holding a blade. Not katana, but chokuto.
His attire, his demeanor and all of him was just screaming that he had no affiliation with Demon Slayer Corps.
Time to announce herself.
"My, my, Rengoku-san, you don't look well at all!" She chirped out, gaining the attention. Flame Hashira visibly brightened spotting her. "And what do we have here? Are you Rengoku-san's acquaintance mayhap?" She said turning to the person who just saved her comrade.
"…"
Maybe he hadn't heard her?
"Greetings! I am Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho. Nice to meet you! That was incredibly swift kick there, Stranger-san!" She greeted him, louder this time. "The person you just saved is Flame Hahira, Rengoku Kyojuro. Both of us are Demon Slayers." She said gesturing to her colleague.
"…"
"Hello! I am grateful for saving my life!" Rengoku-san greeted in his own way.
"You have our gratitudes!" She peeped up nodding along.
"…"
Putting open palm close to her mouse Shinobu tried once more.
"~Hello! Helloooooo! H-e-l-l-o." She repeated.
"…"
Still no answer.
"My, my, you must be shy, aren't you?"
"…"
"Perchance, you're foreigner, hm?"
"…"
He gave no indication that he heard her and Shinobu's temper was already slipping.
"Stranger-san, perhaps you don't know, but it's really rude to ignore a young lady." She humphed.
"…"
Vein bulged on her temple, this guy was worse than Tomioka-san, and that was saying something.
Shinobu was already on her way ready poke him, considering that he maybe deaf or mute. And if not…
Without warning giant tree was thrown their way with incredible force. In a blink she grabbed obviously injured Flame Hashira moving him out of projectile's path, when she noticed that this stranger was not moving. Shinobu cursed, hurling Rengoku aside, dashing towards the stranger. When she was just about to grab his poncho and pull him aside, the stranger moved.
Forward!
This Imbecile dashed towards thrown tree with great speed, halfway his blade started to sparkle with blue lights, and when he thrusted his blade in a tree, blue currents enveloped the tree, and it exploded to a thousand pieces.
Shinobu's eyes widened.
Bluish Thunder Breathing? Branch form of breathing derived from Thunder breathing?
It was pretty long time since she saw a decent user of Thunder Breathing aside from Zenitsu-kun, who could only use its first form. But Shinobu knew Thunder Breathing focused on swift movements, almost all the forms she had seen in her short life were utilized with immense speed. Almost all users were focused in ending a battle as quick as possible.
With the speed Stranger-san showed…
And atop of that this stranger was wielding an actual element. The level of mastery needed to produce and apply the named element in a fight was extreme, talented users trained for whole life just to generate a whimper of element, and Stranger-san was showing complete mastery over it. The only other person she knew who could boast with the same thing was Sanemi Shinazugawa, Wind Hashira. But not to the same extent as Stranger-san.
Her earlier assumption about his affiliation to Corps was wavering, being the only reason her letting him fight their battle.
Shinobu wanted to ask(force him to answer if continued to act deaf), but the laughter coming from woods indicated that she will have to wait.
She was never patient person.
Demon emerged from the trees, manic grin on crossing his face. And Shinobu could have a good look on her enemy. Demon was shorter than Rengoku-san for an inch or two, pale-greenish skin covered with blue thick lines, short pink hair, gold-blue eyes and more importantly what was itched on them.
Upper Moon Three.
Shinobu cursed.
She adjusted her position beside apparently Thunder Breath(?) user and spoke seriously to him.
"Stranger-san, I specialize in poisons, if you give me an opening I can tr-"
"Strong!" Upper Moon howled, interrupting her. "You're strong! Stronger than Kyojuro. Not like those weaklings" Demon said pointing in a direction of Inosuke and Tanjiro-kun, completely ignoring her. "I am Akaza. What is your name? Tell me."
There was long moment of silence, and Shinobu from her previous experience with Stranger-san, was sure it was going to stay that way.
"Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke." Stranger-san – now known as Sasuke Uchiha – answered.
Shinobu's head snapped in his direction, her eye almost twitched.
"Why don't you become a demon, Sasuke? Your speed, your moves are marvelous. Just imagine what heights will you reach once you become a demon, not having any human restrictions." Demon suggested, offering his right arm to take.
"No."
"You will have your arm back. Demons are able to regenerate any limbs in matter of a seconds. Sasuke, you'll not be cripple." Upper Moon said, causing confusion among the others. "With both hands, I am sure you could take Forth or maybe mine rank among the Twelve?"
As on clue, the wind blew, waving his tattered poncho, to show that left sleeve of his high-collared black shirt was bouncing as well.
"I could've replaced it, but choose not to." Uchiha-san answered, causing great puzzlement to her. "It serves as reminder to me."
Replacing, or reattaching limbs was not unheard in medical world, but it was always a theory. Of how accurate nerves must be connected, how much time have to pass for those nerves die down in severed limb. Every limb had to have its own countdown and so many more questions without answers. Was it clean amputation or not. In what condition was a stump or severed limp. Could limb be replaced with other foreign object if nerves were connected, for mentioned object to move as an actual limb.
So many more questions.
Great amount of Slayers in Corps had to retire after losing limb making her stumble upon this subject. Of course, slayers could not regenerate lost limbs, but if it was possible to replace or reattach it…
Certainly, it would not have closed the gap in power between demons and slayers. But reduce the expanse between them? For sure.
Shinobu had studied this subject for many months, reading works of local and foreign doctors. Going as far to experiment on some patients.
In the end she gave up on an idea, her experiments were getting too violent even for her sadistic nature. Poking every nerve in volunteer's bone, flesh and circular system brought great deal of pain to them. More so when she tried to actually attach it.
Couple of them died by her hands. Neurogenic shock.
So for Shinobu to hear that such thing was possible, made her a little bit curious.
Demon made humming noise as if accepting the answer, then it took a battle stance. Bending both knees in a half-crouch, extending right arm with open palm and bending left arm in a fist.
"Blood Demon Art: Technique Development. Comp-" That was as far as he got.
As light-blue lines started to appear under Akaza, Uchiha-san moved. In a split-second he was next to him, this time his blade literally burning with black flames, cutting Demon's neck in a swift motion. Beside her Rengoku-san gasped spotting the flames. Akaza hadn't got time to react as his head rolled over the ground and his whole body started to burn in a black flames.
Not a Nichirin sword.
All this time Shinobu and others didn't properly see face of Uchiha-san, his courtesy by completely ignoring them. But now him being on the forest line and finally facing them, she saw it. He certainly was handsome. High cheekbones, angular jaw, thin lips and mismatched eyes. It was the eyes that made her gasp, and tighten her hold on a sword. They were glowing, each one. Left one hueing whole eye purple with multiple circular patterns with many comas, and the right – red one with less quantity of comas in it.
A Demon? No, in that case Upper Moon wouldn't offer him to turn into one. But with abilities he showed…
"He's not." Rengoku-san said next to her. "He doesn't have any demonic aura or scent around him." He continued answering her unvoiced question.
"I answered your questions, now is your turn." They heard Uchiha-san say as he kneeled beside fallen head. Flames were eating demon's head, but Akaza gave no expression of feeling it. "Muzan Kibutsuji. Where I can find him?"
"You won, Sasuke. I respect power, but I am loyal to my master." Upper Moon Three said before the flames burned his head.
Shinobu stood there, fighting an urge to loudly curse for being useless in a fight.
Author's note:
So how was it? Bad portation of Rengoku on my part I think, but I really liked writing Shinobu.
Actually, when I thought to write Naruto x Demon Slayer crossover, I was thinking about sending other character to Demon Slayer world prior about couple years to canon, shipping them with Kanae or Makomo, but in the end I was like 'nah, Sasuke will do'. Next chapter in his pov btw, not entirely though.
About romance, I am not sure about the ship or should I even add one. I am open for suggestions! This Sasuke is post-Shippuden, pre-The Last, him being about 19-20. So giant NO for any Nezuko suggestions, and Kanao too! She is with Tanjiro. And Uzui's wives stays with him.
Story was inspired by 'In Caring Arms' written by CrimsonTale(u should totally check it out)
Open for any suggestions and criticism!
Don't forget to review.