Argentum: Here's yet another chapter! Hope you enjoyed the last one because we're about to show the aftermath!

Zenitsu: I kicked butt last chapter!

Argentum: Eh more like you played the perfect support role.

Grel'Slyfer: What you get for only have one form of attack.

Zenitsu: Oi! That's rude!

Nezuko: I think you did wonderfully~.

Zenitsu: Thanks Nezuko Chan!

Ozaki: Are they always like this?

Argentum: More or less.

Ozaki: Huh.

Grel'Slyfer: Well without any reviews we don't really have anything else to go over. Until we re-edit this if we do get one.

Nezuko: Which means we don't have shadow to spice things up.

Grel'Slyfer: Grateful for that one.

Argentum: Yeah we all know of your hatred for one another. For now… Ozaki! Could you start the chapter off please?

Ozaki: Oh! Uh sure! Ahem we here at the Dark Guard productions own nothing but OC's and Reality building concepts. Everything else belongs to their respectful owners. Now without further ado…

Everyone: Here's the story!

Hello= Regular talk

Hello= Thoughts

[Hello]= Radio

(Hello)= Telepathy/Mind reading

Chapter Thirty Six: How we talked about history or… How I described just how lucky we are…

After what was frankly the hardest fight of our lives, we had all slept all the way through to the evening. With those who didn't fight watching over us, even Shura was looking out for us from the shade of the trees. Unfortunately even after almost a day of being unconscious, Tanjiro was still completely out of it. Everyone else was marginally better by then, though Inosuke was still a little sluggish from over using his magic. Shinobu was a bit better since she had way more, and could recover it much faster. Honestly if I would put a list down for our groups magic users, Shinobu would be fourth. Underneath Me, Mukago, and Aoi but still higher up than Kanao and Tanjiro. Inosuke would have to be put at the bottom of the list.

Adjusting the sleeping sun breather on my back I looked up at the sky. The stars were shining brightly as we all walked back to the Hashira estates. I could just tell that we were going to have an interesting meeting later. Walking next to me was Shura and to her side was Mukago. On my left side was of course Kanao who was both worrying over Tanjiro, and also glaring at the spider demoness. She didn't quite like how the latter was looking at her boyfriend.

And I'm caught up in the middle. Looking up front I could see Giyu helping Shinobu walk, though it was more or less just him walking with an arm wrapped around her shoulders. Yeah… don't like each other huh? The two while still arguing, were now acting a lot closer with each other. Before I could see something between them, now there was a bit more than just something. This trip was crazy! Behind me Zenitsu was helping Inosuke who was bragging.

"HAHAHAHA! And so the great Inosuke Sama and his minions have defeated an upper moon! Avenging his mother and Shinobu's sister! That battle was a piece of cake! And that Doba guy is dead! Good riddance to the worse demon ever besides Buzan!" That got me to pause for just a moment. I could feel myself become a little annoyed, though I could understand this was just Inosuke's way of coping. He not only fought a tough battle, but he also learned a pretty horrible truth about his mother. So trying to be gentle, I quickly decided to give an accurate account of our battle.

"Inosuke?" He turned to me along with everyone else behind us. I even saw Shinobu and Giyu pause for a second to listen in. "Let me make something clear right now. We were beyond lucky in that fight."

Tilting her head Nezuko questioned me. "What do you mean? We literally threw everything we had at Doma, but I would like to think our combined skills won out at the end of the day. Magic also played a huge role in keeping us uninjured." I really didn't want to burst the girl's bubble; however I felt as if this needed to be said.

"Look while our combined skill helped, that's not why we won. I can count on one hand the factors that led to our victory. The biggest of which was Shinobu San's poison, a poison she just barely developed with help I might add." Up front Shinobu shrugged as if to agree. "The second most important factor was our element advantage. We literally won by sheer fire power, without that he would've frozen our lungs." That got everyone to rethink the battle with a grimace. "Third we overwhelmed him with numbers. Fourth we were lucky Tomioka and Tanjiro unlocked whatever those marks are. And finally! The fifth reason we won was because of our discovery of the red nichirin blades."

Mukago spoke up at that point. "Michael Sama has a point. After this I have no doubt that any upper moon you fight will not underestimate you. If it's Daki for example, she might decide to simply kill you before any of you could gain any momentum in the fight. You will all need to become stronger as to even survive against the others. Though even I admit that you might be able to take on Daki at this point."

That got everyone to think. Hmm… upper moon six huh? That's our limit right now then. We need to up our training. Looking around I could tell that everyone else was also thinking of training. In fact Murata and Ozaki looked to be contemplating more training as well. That's when Inosuke started shouting.

"More training eh? WELL! I the great Inosuke Sama will train until my arms fall off! Then I'll reattach them and train some more! I'll become the strongest demon slayer of all time! And then protect everyone!" I couldn't help but smile at that, it was a nice sentiment from the otherwise wild boy. "Just you wait! I'll surpass you in no time half and half Haori man!" All of us couldn't help but snort as Giyu sighed.

Looking at his haori he spoke. "I actually made this from the remains of my sister's kimono, and my friend Sabito's kimono." Those of us who knew who Sabito was couldn't help but let our eyes widen.

Unfortunately Kanao couldn't help but ask a question. "You knew Sabito?" That got him to pause and look at her with a confused expression.

"Yes… he was my best friend; we were both trained by Urokodaki. How do you know him?" Those of us in the know looked at each other nervously, with Kanao looking at us apologetically.

Deciding to just get it over with I spoke up. "Well… there's no easy way to say this. But we met his ghost back up on Urokodaki's mountain. Trained Cassandra and Tanjiro for a bit even." That got everyone to look at us in shock, not that I blame them. We did just say that ghosts existed.

Giyu was silent for a moment before asking another question. "Just to be sure… what did he look like? This ghost that you met?" After I described Sabito to the best of my ability he looked up. "I see, so the dead do watch over us after all. In a way it's comforting to know he's doing well, even if he's no longer amongst us." After a moment of silent contemplation Nezuko spoke up.

"I guess I wasn't imagining things then." We looked at her she elaborated. "During the fight with Kokushibo I heard my mother's voice telling me I had a lot more strength to give. She told me that she believed in me and that's when I felt my flame for the first time. Makes me wonder what the afterlife is really like, if the spirits of the dead can speak to us so easily." All of us thought on that, I myself could only think of Aqua and how my death was like.

Seems like whoever is in charge of this lands dead is doing a much better job than that useless goddess. Yeah my view on the afterlife was a little skewed at this point. "I guess that just means that the dead can talk to us if they see that we really need help then." Everyone nodded at that, deciding to accept what I said as a plausible truth.

At that point Mukago spoke up. "If that's the case it's no wonder the demon slayer corps has survived for so long. We literally have the dead helping us from time to time." Everyone chuckled at that and nodded with acceptance. It was good to know we always had some back up, even if most of the time they couldn't directly interfere.

Come ye come ye! The meeting between line breaks!

It took a few more days of traveling to reach our destination, on the third day in particular Tanjiro had woken up. He was then quickly smothered in a hug from Nezuko, Kanao, and much to Kanao's annoyance Shura. I mean looking at it I could tell that Shura didn't like Tanjiro as Kanao did, no based on what I could see in her eyes. She simply looked up to him as her savior, which was fair. He did kill the two who abused her the most. Unfortunately Kanao didn't see it like that and was jealous of the spider demon.

Speaking of Shura, now that she didn't need to worry about Rui she kept to her true form. Though during the day we had to put a specially made blanket over her, if only to make sure she didn't burn up in the sun. Tanjiro being the nice guy that he was decided to carry her during the day. This only inflamed Kanao's jealousy, something the rest of us noticed but didn't comment on. At this point it was Tanjiro's issue that he needed to deal with. It was all part of growing up after all.

Speaking of Tanjiro, though he did speak with all of us, he mostly kept quiet during our trip back. I could see that he was thinking on a great many of things. What those things were I couldn't have guessed. His quiet demeanor worried everyone; even the "great Inosuke Sama" was worried. In fact he was the first to ask him what the matter was, even giving the kid a handful of acorns. Saying that those would make him feel better.

That got a smile out of all of us, even one from Tanjiro as he thanked the wild good boy. Though I for one was wondering where he got the acorns in the first place. Thankfully by then everyone was recovered enough to not need help walking, so our pace was faster than before. However Shinobu and Giyu didn't change how they were walking together. Much to everyone's exasperation when they said they were only helping each other. Everyone even Inosuke could see that they were fairly in love at that point. The two were just too stubborn to admit it to anyone, much less themselves.

I for one decided to let it be for the moment, they were both adults and therefore could deal with their own issues. I myself had my own problems to deal with, mainly the reactions of my own girls. Yeah they weren't too pleased about my letters, especially how we had run into yet another upper moon. While they were glad we made it out more or less unscathed. They did berate us on our terrible luck and our reckless behavior. Shinjuro however only wrote about how cool we all were. Kyojuro's little brother was quickly becoming my biggest fan. When we finally arrived we were greeted by Kagaya's children.

Bowing to us his oldest daughter spoke. "We are pleased to see that you've arrived safely. For those who fought the upper moon Doma we have a special meeting with all the Hashira. For those who didn't we thank you for your hard work and support. For now rest up before you receive another assignment. As for the rescued demon and Mukago San, Tamayo Sama is waiting for you both." Nodding we all separated and left to each other, with Mukago and Shura wishing us good luck. I for one knew that we would need it.

Following the two white haired twins we eventually made it to the regular meeting room. As they opened the doors and walked in I saw for the first time all the Hashira. I recognized half of them, with Mitsuri waving at us and Kyojuro nodding proudly at us. Sanemi looked ready to kill all of us, a kid with a rather vacant look ignored us, a fairly large man looked to be praying, and a man with a snake, heterochromia eyes glared at us. His white bandaged mouth only partially concealing it. There was also a white haired man who was simply looking at us while rubbing his chin.

I wasn't too worried however as Kagaya spoke up. "Ah, we've been waiting for your arrival; the Kusugai told us when you were near. Now we can commence the meeting. Please take a seat and tell us about your encounter with the upper moon two." Doing as we asked everyone blinked in surprise as Shinobu and Giyu sat a bit closer than usual. Well all but the giant of a man who I realized was blind, and the kid who was looking at the ceiling for some reason. But seriously the giant was actually a foot taller than I was, making me the second tallest in the room for once. Made me realize just how tall I was getting.

As we all settled down my group all looked towards me. Quickly did I realize that they wanted me to recount what had happened. Once again solidifying me as the leader of what I call, the kamaboko squad. A name affectionately taken from Inosuke pronouncing Tanjiro's last name wrong.

So taking a breath I started speaking. "Well first I suppose I should start by simply saying that the mission started off well enough. We managed to save the demon Shura who is now with Tamayo San and Mukago San. She was more than willing to be a test subject for a demon cure." Most in the room except seemed to accept that with simple nods. Sanemi and the snake Hashira narrowed their eyes at me, but said nothing. "Tanjiro here even killed the lower moon five however! I will say seemed to be even stronger than the former two and three we killed. Best guess is that Muzan decided to empower the remaining moons even further."

Everyone looked apprehensive at that and the white haired man spoke up. "While I don't mean to doubt you, seeing how you're little squad has flamboyantly killed a number of moons. However I want to ask if you're sure Muzan has strengthened them?" I only nodded and he went back to rubbing his chin. "I see… that could prove troublesome with the rest of the moons. Please continue you rather flamboyant account now!"

Nodding while ignoring his flamboyant quirk I continued where I left off. "After killing the moon we met up with Tomioka and Shinobu, before heading back to basecamp. There we were planning on resting for the night before heading out in the morning. That was when Doma the upper moon two showed up. He spoke about how Tanjiro and I had become targets on Muzan's hit list. My best guess as to why is because I'm a dragon, and Tanjiro knows sun breathing. Speaking of which, Tamayo has confirmed that sun breathing was used to almost kill Muzan a few hundred years ago." That got everyone's attention.

The man with a snake was the first to speak up. "Sun breathing was used to almost destroy Muzan?" I nodded at that, as he thought of something. "Maybe that's why he targeted Kamado and his family…"

This time Nezuko shook her head. "While I still don't remember everything, I think we just happened to be a family he came upon. Living way up in the mountains like we were… well even I'll admit that with what I know now. Our family was an unfortunate yet rather easy target." This got looks of sympathy from everyone as Tanjiro and Nezuko looked down sadly.

The largest Hashira spoke up at that point. "What poor souls you are, I express both my sincerest sympathies for your loss. As well as my thanks for never giving in, young Nezuko in particular. Your feat of never giving into your demonic desires is one to be admired. I am grateful that my fellow Hashira have confirmed your strength." She smiled at the blind man, quietly giving thanks. I could see that Sanemi wanted to refute the large Hashira's words, yet refrained from doing so. I guessed that even he had to admit that Nezuko's perseverance was one to be admired.

Nodding myself I decided to continue. "Yep! Nezuko's strength of will is certainly to be admired. Now to continue where I left off I'll simply go with the highlights of the fight." Everyone turned back to me as I told them about how the fight went.

Come ye come ye! The meeting between line breaks!

It was a few moments after I finished when Obanai Iguro, the man with the snake asked Giyu and Tanjiro a question. "So you two unlocked some secret power? How?" Tanjiro gave a hesitant shrug, something I decided to talk to him about later as Giyu spoke up calmly.

"I will admit that I don't have much idea on how. However I can describe the feeling of using it." Obanai nodded at this as Giyu described his experience. "First off my heart felt as if it was beating extremely fast. Over two hundred beats per minute, secondly I felt extreme heat. As if my whole body was burning beyond thirty nine degrees Celsius. So it is no wonder that I collapsed after using it." None of us knew that about the mark at that point and we all looked between Tanjiro and Giyu.

Shinobu was the first to speak up grabbing his hand in worry. "You do realize that isn't exactly healthy for a human body right?" The water Hashira grimaced yet still nodded. "I propose that they only be used in emergencies then. A human can't sustain such blood flow and temperature for long periods of time." Tanjiro said something he really shouldn't have at that moment.

"Well… what about me and Nii San? The two of us aren't exactly human; think we could use it safely?" At that point his sister, girlfriend, and probable future sister in law glared at him. He quickly withered in submission. "I mean… yes! Only to be used in emergencies!" Everyone even Sanemi gave him looks of pity for that one. I on the other hand, thought his idea had some actual merit. We just needed to increase the strength of our bodies to withstand the marks effects.

First I have to get one myself. Thinking more on it I asked another question, one I hoped someone had an answer to. "Well the marks are a good back up if nothing else. How about how Nezuko's blood art can turn our swords red? Anyone have any idea on how we can do that without her help? Because that would be a whole lot safer than having our hearts almost explode." None of the Hashira had an answer to my question, thankfully our wonderful leader did.

"As the head of the corps I have access to many different documents." Respectfully we turned to Kagaya as he continued. "When I was younger and could still see, I peered over them many times. You will be happy to note that I do have knowledge on both the marks, and the red or crimson nichirin blades." I couldn't help but hum in anticipation. "First the marks also known as demon slayer marks. No one is quite sure where they've come from, only that they appear every so often to give strength to those who use them. In fact they are so rare that many considered them a myth. What we do know however is that when they appear, the mark usually spreads to others."

That got me thinking. "So there's a chance all of us might get them? Or at least those of us who use breathing techniques?" Kagaya nodded as I hummed. "Interesting." I could see a number of the others agree before Kagaya moved on.

"As for the crimson nichirin blades, only the strongest and most talented of demon slayers can naturally make their swords red. Though I have read that one may be able to also do so by super heating the blade, or clashing them together with another nichirin blade." That got all of us to think heavily on the matter. I could tell that all of us knew that there was something missing from the information given. Though seeing how this information is old enough to be considered a myth. It was understandable, and it would fall to us to try and learn how to use the mark, and the red nichirin blades.

Kyojuro chuckled before clenching his fist. "Then we only have one path for us to take!" I couldn't help but grin as he gave his big smile. "We'll simply have to train harder! To keep pushing forward!" His enthusiasm seemed to lift everyone's spirits, except for the long haired kid who didn't even look like he was paying attention. That's when he turned to our group. "The rest of you don't worry! Though I may not have the mark myself. I'll train all of you up so we can use the red blades and the mark!"

I for one was excited for more training from Kyojuro. "I'll be looking forward to it Kyojuro Sensei." He nodded and we all turned back to Kagaya as he spoke once more.

"I am happy to hear all of this. I truly believe I've assembled the greatest swordsmen since the golden age of demon slaying. I ask all of you to train hard and continue to save lives." As one we thanked Kagaya and bowed our heads.

""""Hai!"""" With that the meeting ended and we all left to go our separate ways. Though about four of the Hashira came with us. We decided to meet up with Mukago and the others, at the butterfly estate. As we all ate dinner together we told the others what we've learned. Like expected Tamayo gave Tanjiro the stink eye.

"You better not try to use the mark unless we give you permission to do so." As he laughed nervously Shinobu gave the same look to Giyu who turned away.

Mukago sighed before looking at us seriously. "We aren't trying to hamper you, but as your doctors we are trying to keep you alive." Us guys couldn't help but sigh as we nodded in understanding. Though the only one of us who seemed to not be disappointed was Zenitsu. Kanao also looked a bit disappointed but accepted the doctor's orders easily enough. "Alright… first let's get some of Tomioka San's and Tanjiro Kun's blood~. Maybe we can find some kind of difference in their blood from before? We might be able to find a safer way of using the marks~!." All four doctors looked at the two hungrily at that.

Looking at each other Giyu and Tanjiro quickly decided on a course of action. They jumped up and started running.

Aoi jumped up and pointed at them. "Get the new material!" With that our four primary care givers ran after them. The rest of us simply continued to eat, at least all of us besides the three demons with us. Instead Yushiro was assisting in the chase, Nezuko was laying her head on Zenitsu's lap, and Shura was only watching the scene in confusion.

Kanao spoke to her kindly at that point. "Don't worry you'll get used to us soon enough." Shura looked like she didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. So instead she nodded her head in acceptance. "By the way… just to throw this out there… I am in a relationship with Tanjiro." Poor Shura didn't seem to understand what she was implying and instead smiled.

"I'm happy for you then~! he both a very kind and strong man~." I could only sigh as Kanao's right eye twitched. Deciding to not touch that, I turned to the remaining two Hashira.

"So how do you want to do this? I know we still have missions to go on, but how do you want to spend our time in between?"

Kyojuro chuckled before starting on his training plan. "Well we'll be continuing with what we were doing before for one. However we'll be continuously sparring together! I will tell you now everything will be magnified tenfold! No a hundredfold!" Zenitsu looked a bit panicked while Kanao and I looked determined.

"Is that so? Well bring it on! We can handle anything that you throw at us!" As Kyojuro laughed in exuberance, Zenitsu was trying to keep it together, if only to save face in front of Nezuko.

Mitsuri was grinning and brought her fists up in joy. "Awesome! More training with Kyojuro San! It's been so long since we've trained together!" Even Zenitsu couldn't help but smile at her rather infectious attitude. She would've also said more when we heard shouting from the yard behind us.

"Get back here! You're precious research material now!" Turning around we saw Tanjiro and Giyu still being chased by the doctors. Sighing Kanao put a hand to her forehead.

"All of you may have helped me tremendously. However! I also know that you have all been a bad influence on not just me… but everyone else in the butterfly estate." We, the rest of the Kamaboko squad, couldn't help but laugh sheepishly at that. She was absolutely right after all.

Come ye come ye! The meeting between line breaks!

Argentum: Alright! Another chapter down.

Grel'Slyfer: And we'll have more training chapters after this…

Tanjiro: We do have a lot of those.

Argentum: We did.

Kanao: What do you mean did?

Argentum: You'll just have to see next chapter.

Obanai: That's fair I suppose.

Grel'Slyfer: As long as we can get to more fighting I'm fine with that!

Tanjiro: Of course you are.

Grel'Slyfer: Are you still surprised?

Kanao/Tanjiro: No.

Argentum: Well I guess that's it, Obanai please end the chapter.

Obanai: Sure. This has been a Dark Guard production now signing off.

Everyone: Goodbye!