I have never written Demon Slayer content before, so I hope I get all the details right! Please enjoy this story!

Kyojuro's POV

"I was in so much pain. I could feel every inch of the arm that Akaza had torn off, that was stuck in my abdomen. Ironically, it was the only thing keeping me alive right now, as it was stopping the blood flow.

Young Tanjiro was yelling at the fleeing Upper Moon, declaring that I was the true victor of our battle. If he kept on like that, his wounds would reopen. That would be a true tragedy.

I gave a gentle smile.

"Don't work yourself up like that," I said gently.

A still sobbing Tanjiro turned to me in slight surprise.

"You would reopen your wound, and that would be very bad. You dying, my young Kamado, would truly spell my defeat.

Tanjiro stepped towards me.

"Mr. Rengoku..." he said in despair.

"Come here, lad. Let us speak one last time."

I could barely speak as it is. I needed to say what I had to say, before it was too late.

Tanjiro slowly rose and walked over to me, plopping down on his knees.

It was then that I began to tell him what I had remembered when I had been put to sleep by Lower Moon One.

"When I was dreaming of the past...there was something I remembered," I began. "My old residence...you should go pay it a visit. There are notes left by the previous Flame Hashira there. I recall my father used to read them often. But I'm afraid I don't know their contents myself."

As I spoke, the sun continued to rise, until it finally overcame the shadow of the train. The arm keeping me from bleeding out began to turn to dust. Although the pain increased with every breath, I had to keep going.

"Within these notes... you may find the dance you mentioned. The Hinokami Kagura."

Once the arm completely melted, Tanjiro could keep his peace no longer.

"Please! Mr. Rengoku...enough of that! Just think about yourself now. Can you heal up with a breathing technique?"

Although he wasn't quite sobbing at the moment, tears were still coming down his face, and his tone was full of desperation and despair.

I couldn't lie. Lying would only bring more despair.

"No," I said simply. "Very soon I'll be dead."

Tanjiro let out a terrified and horrified gasp.

"Before that happens, I need you to hear me out."

Tanjiro still had a look of horror and terror, but he seemed to accept my request, as he refrained from interrupting.

It was getting even harder to force the words out. But I needed for my last words to be passed along.

"I have a younger brother named Senjuro. Please tell him to follow his heart, and walk down the path he feels is right."

Even the seemingly-tough young boar was upset. He stood next to me, his arms, which still held his swords, were shaking.

"And tell my father...that I want him to look after himself."

The blood from my wound had flowed to the hard ground, staining it red, along with my uniform.

"And lastly...about your sister...know that I believe in her."

Tanjiro was getting more and more emotional as I continued to speak, but he never interrupted me.

"I accept her as part of our ranks. Your sister shed blood to protect the people inside that train from demons. And anyone who does that, regardless of what's said, on the contrary, is a rightful member of the Demon Slayer Corps. So hold your head high."

My mind flashed back to sight of the demon girl flying throughout the train cars, protecting the people the best that she could.

Tanjiro started sobbing again. His expression now included grief and gratitude.

"I you are feeling disheartened, that you are somehow not enough...set your heart ablaze. Dry your eyes and look ahead. You may feel like digging your heels in, but the flow of time waits for no one. It won't patiently stand by as you grieve."

Speaking of the flow of time, I knew it was almost my time.

"Don't feel bad that I'm going to die. As a Hashira, it's natural I'd protect you all."

The blood was soaking my knees...

"The young buds must be allowed to bloom. Any other Hashira would have done the same as I."

It was almost impossible to speak now, but I had to keep going.

"Young Kamado..." Tanjiro was still crying, on his knees.

"Young Boar..." the boy was still shaking next to me.

"Boy of Yellow..." the boy wasn't paying as much attention, but was putting Nezuko back into her box, to protect her from the sun.

"... you must continue to grow. And eventually you will lend your aid by becoming the next Hashira. I believe...in each and every one of you."

At that moment, Tanjiro lost his composure. I gave him a small smile. I had said what I needed to say.

I was ready to go home...

Tanjiro's weeping figure began to get blurry, as a light shone behind him. I looked, and I lost my smile for a moment, and my remaining eye widened. It was my mother, who looked exactly how she did the day she died, except she was clothed in a halo of light. I couldn't believe it... my mother was here for me...

"Mother..." I thought. "Did I do well? The responsibility I took upon myself to fulfill...was I successful?"

My mother didn't say anything for a moment. She just looked at me as I stared back at her.

Then, she smiled gently.

"I'm so proud of you, my son," she said.

If I was physically capable of crying, I might have. Instead of that, I gave an open-mouthed smile. My eyes closed, and I felt myself begin to fade away. My head gently fell to my shoulder, my expression permanently morphed into a smile.

I drew my last breath as I was enveloped by a blinding glow...

I thought that was the end.

I thought I would finally be with my mother. And I was, but only for a moment. I walked over to her, leaving my body behind. She was still smiling, but there was a troubled expression in her eyes.

"Mother..." I said, embracing her.

I felt her sigh and embrace me back.

Then, she pulled away from me, and cupped my face.

"My son... I am so proud of you. You have done well. You deserve to rest. However, there is one more task for you to do among the land of the living. There is another universe that is quite different from the one you have known. There is a certain quest that you must join. You will be given two years to complete this task. After that, you will return here. You will be given six months before the task to familiarize yourself with the land. Then, you will have 18 more months to finish the task. Will you accept this work, or do you wish to decline?"

My mother's face was impassive. I couldn't tell which one she wanted me to choose.

Do I go to another universe, where everything will be foreign to me, or do I stay here, with my mother? As I thought, I already knew my answer. I straightened my shoulders.

"I will accept this task!" I declared.

My mother smiled.

"I knew you were the right choice. You will appear there in a moment. Unfortunately, it is required that you lose the red tips in your hair, as they would draw too much unwanted attention. Do not be alarmed if there are other changes to your body."

I nodded tightly.

My mother embraced me again. As she did, I felt myself being pulled away.

"I'll see you soon..." she said

Everything was a messy blur after that, until I finally passed out.

When I awoke, I was lying on the ground. It was slightly wet, from dew.

I raised my head to see a beautiful forest. The air was clear, cool, and fresh, and the trees were green. I was lying in the middle of a worn path, the kind you would see going through the mountains. It was not paved, nor were there set stones. It was lovely.

Remembering what my mother has said, I started to examine myself for any differences. My sword was still there, thankfully, but my clothes had changed. I was now wearing worn, brown trousers, with a dark grey shirt. Under the shirt, there was a shirt of chain mail, the likes of which have not been used by demon slayers for centuries. Over that, I was wearing a worn brown cloak. I was also wearing black combat style boots.

There was a pack on my back as well, which I unloaded. It contained a sleeping roll, an extra change of clothes, a bag full of coins, and a water bottle, made of an animal's hide. This place must truly be primitive, if this is what I needed to blend in.

I looked around, trying to use my senses to determine which direction I should go, for I assumed I should follow the road I had been placed on. I chose a direction, and began to walk. I didn't want to use my normal speed here. This was new territory, and there were, no doubt, unknown dangers.

I soon came upon the quaintest and most interesting place I had ever seen. The houses had been built into the hills. There was also a bustling market in the middle. The people themselves, strangely enough, were only about three and a half feet tall. They also didn't appear to wear shoes. Most of these creatures were also quite well-fed.

I made my way to the market. Hopefully, someone could point me in the direction of a place to style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I got many odd and wary looks as I passed by. I suppose they didn't many visitors. I was approached by a short man wearing a red waistcoat.

"Greetings, Master! I am Bilbo Baggins. Is there anything I might assist you with?" he inquired pleasantly.

I smiled at him.

"Greetings, friend! My name is Kyojuro Rengoku. As a matter of fact, I am looking for a place to stay, as the night approaches. I don't suppose you could point me in the right direction."

Mr. Baggins gave me a considering look.

"The nearest inn is on the other side of the Shire. We don't get many visitors, you see. However, I would be happy to put you up in my house for the night."

I blinked, surprised at the hospitality. This man just met me, and he was inviting me to stay for the night! Mr. Baggins smiled at my surprise.

"We Hobbits pride ourselves on our hospitality. I'd be the scorn of the Shire if I didn't at least offer," he explained.

I gave him a bright smile.

"In that case, I would be happy to accept you offer!"

And thus my task began.

I really hope somebody out there reads and enjoys this!

❤️Soundwave's Wife❤️