Chapter 31: Mugen Train
In the dark of night, a train blows its whistle as it prepares to leave the station.
Kaoi had taken his seat across Rengoku. Prepared for whatever danger faced him and his master. Soon four more would be joining them.
A boy with hanafuda earrings and a wooden box on his back hides with his two companions. A nervous blonde lad and a shirtless boar-headed man.
Nervous Blonde: Let's hide our swords and get on the train.
The train then blows its whistle one last time as it makes its way.
Nervous Blonde: Oh no! The train is leaving! Are the police gone?
Boy with Hanafuda Earrings: Even if they're still here, we still have to get on the train.
Boar Headed: All right! I'm takin' you on, Master of the Land!
The Boar-headed man exclaims with such gusto as he runs after the train.
Nervous Blonde: Wait, you idiot!
Boy with Hanafuda Earrings: Let's follow.
The boy with the hanafuda earrings said as he also makes a run for the train. While the nervous blonde gasps at his two friends.
Nervous Blonde: Huh? Hey, wait for me!
The boy with hanafuda earrings and the boar headed man jumped onto the back of the train as the nervous blonde ran after them. Crying out to them as he grabs onto the rails.
Nervous Blonde: Wait up you guys! Tanjiro! Inosuke!
Tanjiro: We got you!
The demon slayer now identified as Tanjiro and Inosuke pulled their friend in.
The trio makes their way from the train car to train car. The nervous blonde had to drag Inosuke along. For the wild man was so captured with the machine they are in.
Nervous Blonde: This Rengoku, he's a Hashira, right? And we're meeting his tsuguko also? You sure you'll recognize them?
Tanjiro: Yeah. At least Rengoku. Along with his fiery hair, I remember his scent, too. I'll tell you when I sense him.
As Tanjiro opens the door, the train is shaken by a pair of booming voices.
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
Tanjiro/Nervous Blonde: [gasp]
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
The train car shakes again as the trio of demon slayers enters the car.
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
The pair then opens their next boxes. Tanjiro and the nervous blonde stood still in shock.
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
The Nervous Blonde then whispers into Tanjiro's ear.
Nervous Blonde: That's the Flame Hashira and his Tsuguko?
Tanjiro: Uh-huh.
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
Nervous Blonde: Not some random pair of gluttons?
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
Tanjiro: Uh-huh.
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
Tanjiro: uh,'scuseme, sirs.
Kaoi/Rengoku: Tasty!
Tanjiro: R-Rengoku-san?
The disciple and master finally face their newcomers.
Kaoi/Rengoku: TASTY!
Tanjiro: Yeah, we heard you… the first 50 times.
After eating their last boxed meal. The servers came and gathered the wooden boxes.
Kaoi was momentarily saddened as their uniforms reminded him of the two maids left alone in the mansion.
Rengoku: It's you. You were at the mansion.
Tanjiro: Yes. I'm Kamdao Tanjiro. This is Agatsuma Zenitsu, and this is Hashibira Inosuke.
Kaoi: So these three are the demon slayers that fought those spider demons at Mount Natagumo. Then that means inside that box…
Rengoku: Isn't there one in that box?
Tanjiro: Right, my sister Nezuko.
The demon that was pardoned by the leader of the corps himself.
Rengoku: Yes. I remember that demon. Since the Master accepted her, I will keep my peace.
Kaoi: You won't have anything to fear from me also.
Tanjiro: Thank you very much Mister…?
Kaoi: My name is Kaoi. No last name.
Tanjiro: Pleasure to meet you, Kaoi-san.
Rengoku then taps the seat next to him.
Rengoku: Sit down, won't you?
Tanjiro took his place next to Rengoku while Zenitsu and Inosuke sit on the other side of the train. Tanjiro places the box containing Nezuko next to Kaoi. Inosuke was making a scene however as he slams his hands onto the window.
Inosuke: Incredible! I'm actually inside of this titan!
Zenitsu then grabs the boar mask to reel him in.
Zenitsu: Would you calm down?! You're gonna break the glass like that!
Kaoi: So what brings you three here?
Tanjiro: We were ordered to join you for a mission. We received a message from a crow which let us know that casualties on this train were on the rise.
Rengoku: Ah! That's why you're here. Understood.
Tanjiro: Sir… there was one more thing.
Tanjiro explained how he used his family dance, called the Hinokami Kagura in his breathing style. He was wondering if Rengoku knew anything about it. Unfortunately, he did not.
Tanjiro: Kaoi-san?
Kaoi: Sorry, but I never heard of a fire dance, either.
Rengoku: Then there's nothing more to say about it!
Tanjiro: H-Hang on! Are you sure you can't think of-
Rengoku: You should become my Tsuguko! I'll look after you!
Kaoi: Here he goes…
Tanjiro: Not so fast! Isn't Kaoi-san already your Tsuguko?
Rengoku: Then you'll become my second Tsuguko!
Kaoi: Don't worry about it. He gets overzealous like this from time to time.
As Rengoku goes into the fundamentals and history of breathing style. Kaoi just looks out the window. He doesn't know why but for some reason he feels like he is forgetting something.
Zenitisu: You can't be that stupid, can you?!
Kaoi was broken out of his thoughts as Inosuke tried to jump out the window while Zentisu tried to reel him in.
Rengoku: I wouldn't. Who knows when a demon might appear?
Zenitsu: Wha?
The three demon slayers froze at Rengoku's words.
Zenitsu: Wait. Demons show up on this train?
Rengoku: They do!
Zenitsu: Seriously?! No! I thought we were meeting up with them, not trapped with them![wails]
Kaoi was wondering how Zenitsu pass the final selection if he was this scared of demons.
Kaoi: Did he somehow outrun every demon?
Rengoku: Over 40 people have gone missing from this train in a short period of time.
Kaoi: Several demon slayers were sent and all of them vanished. That's why we are here.
That did little to comfort Zenitsu as he screams in fear. A very large amount of fear immediately gave Kaoi a headache. Turns out his empath powers can be affected by the trial.
The cowardly demon slayer starts panicking as the train conductor appears to the group.
Conductor: May I… see your… tickets, please?
Tanjiro: What's happening?
Kaoi: He is just going to check our tickets. To see if we paid to ride this train and not stowed away.
One by one the demon slayer gave their tickets to the train conductor. Who then hole-punched them. Kaoi wondered why he is sensing guilt and desperation from him.
However, he would not find out as he and the rest mysteriously fell asleep.
Atop The Train
Standing near on top of the train car, Enmu is in great glee as his plan goes into action.
Enmu: To die while in the rapture of a dream, a blessing indeed. It doesn't matter how powerful a demon hunter you are. The spark that drives these beings comes from the heart, the human spirit.
Soon his hand comes back and reattaches to his arm.
Enmu: All you have to do is stamp out their spiritual core. You can kill them just like that. All human hearts work in the same fashion. Like a delicate glasswork, they're so pitifully fragile and weak.
Echidna: Well… you're not exactly incorrect.
Standing behind the demon is the Witch of Greed herself. Although Enmu doesn't seem to register her presence much less even hear her.
Echidna wouldn't normally be viewing a trial like this but she couldn't be more impressed with her work than now.
How the trial would standardly work is that the magic would look into the trial taker's desires and create a possible present where those desires are satiated. A dream that the trial taker has to reject in favor of reality.
However, Echidna never predicted that the trial could create a possible present based on another world. She honestly expected the trial to simulate a present where Kaoi is back at the mansion. Having fun alongside his "friends". Maybe even be in a romantic relationship with that Oni that betrayed his trust.
Oh, how Echidna could laugh at the thought. She sees how infatuated the Oni is with her student and how far she is willing to go for him. It was simply improbable the two would be together.
Nevertheless, Echidna couldn't be more grateful to Kaoi. For giving her the opportunity to learn more about this world. She thinks enthusiastically as she examines the demon ranked as Lower Moon One.
Yet in all honesty, Echidna found the demon to be dull. What he can do, Echidna had done before and better.
In essence, his demon blood art works similarly to her trials. She was intrigued to learn that normal humans could enter these dreams using a special rope. Where they can access a person's subconscious realm and thus their spiritual core. To which they can destroy it and kill the person the core belongs to.
She briefly wondered if this method could give access to one's gate without needing any other spiritual or magical power. However, it was not a question in her mind worth pursuing.
But she knew that sooner or later, Echidna would gain something of true value and great possibility.
So for now Echidna will play her role as the silent examiner.
Timeskip
Unbeknownst to Kaoi, Tanjiro had managed to escape from his prison and knock out the human accomplices of the demon who entrapped them. He left his sister in charge of waking the rest up while he confronts the demon atop the train.
Enmu had tried putting Tanjiro back to sleep but now Tanjiro has a method to counter that attack. He then put Tanjiro into a nightmare where his dead family berated him but…
Tanjiro: Don't put words in the mouths of my family! They would never say that! Your visions… they insult their memory!
Jumping high into the air, Tanjiro lands one clean slice on Enmu's neck. Fully decapitating him.
Meanwhile
Kaoi's eyes snap open as he wakes up from his dream prison.
Kaoi: Huh? What! What's happening?
?: [muffles]
Kaoi: Huh?
Looking to his side, he sees a small girl with long black hair and red tips. Wearing a kimono that seems too big for her and a bamboo muzzle over her mouth.
Kaoi: You're Kamado-kun's sister right? Kamado Nezuko?
The little girl nods in agreement.
Nezuko: HmHmmm…
Kaoi: Thank you for waking me up then.
All of a sudden Kaoi senses hunger. The kind of hunger he usually senses from demons but more extreme. Instead of coming from a single direction. Kaoi is sensing it all around him.
Soon a flesh-like matter grows on the walls of the train. Soon fleshy tentacles start to appear.
Wasting no time, Kaoi draws out his blade and makes quick work of the tentacles.
Kaoi: I don't know what's happening! But I know I can't let these things hurt the passengers! Kamado-chan! I'm going to take care of the cars in the back! I see you have already woken up your brother and the boar-headed guy. So please, wake up Rengoku-sama next!
Nezuko: Hmhm!
The little demon nodded yes. Satisfied Kaoi makes his way to the rear train cars. Slicing any tentacles in his way. However, the combined efforts of Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Kaoi were not enough to deter the demon moon.
Enmu: [chuckles] I feel you scurrying around inside me like a loathsome parasite. Flail all you want, but I'll just keep regenerating. And then once all your energy is wasted, I'm going to enjoy dining on the passengers here like an exquisite banquet.
Nezuko, having had enough of the sight before her, grew to her regular size and formed her nails sharp. As the tentacles approach, she kicks them away and then tears them apart with her claws.
However, the tentacles were able to catch her off guard and wrap around her limbs. It seems like this was it for the Kamado sister.
[Electricity Cracking]
But the blonde demon slayer rushes to her rescue. With the speed of lightning, he runs to her location and slices apart the tentacles holding her in an instant.
Nezuko: [gasps]
Zenitsu: Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!
In a split second, Zenitsu takes out the rest of the tentacles in the car.
Zenitsu: Sixfold. Nezuko… I will protect you.
Nezuko is in awe at her brother's friend.
Zenitsu: [woozy] Protect you. I… [snoring]
But it was not last as Zenitsu is still asleep.
Kaoi: That sounded like thunder. Was one of them a thunder breath user?
Kaoi did not have time to contemplate that question as he focuses on protecting the three rear cars from Enmu's grasp.
In another car, a certain Flame Hashira takes the scene before him.
Rengoku: Hmm. It would appear that a lot has gone on since I was napping. What an ugly mess. If the other hashira were here… to see what I let happen…
Rengoku readies his blade over his shoulder.
Rengoku: I'd be ashamed!
In a single motion, Rengoku utterly destroys every flesh tentacle in his way. Making the train car jump a bit off the rail.
Enmu: [gasps] What happened?
After feeling the train shake, Kaoi could only stop and smirk.
Kaoi: Finally.
Moments later, Rengoku arrives to Kaoi's train car.
Kaoi: Rengoku-sama!
Rengoku: Kaoi! The demon has fused its body with the train. I will take it from here. You are to join young Kamado and the boar-headed lad to search for the demon's head. Travel on the roof. You will not face many obstructions that way.
Kaoi: Yes Master!
Exiting the train car through the back. Kaoi climbs up to the roof of the train. Running along its flesh terrain. He runs quickly to the only source of emotions not emanating from the train car.
Soon arriving near the front of the train. Where he comes across the train engine car. Jumping over the coal car, Kaoi grabs the attention of his underclassmen along with the train engineer.
Kaoi: The two of you okay?
Tanjiro: Yeah, we're fine! Kaoi! Inosuke! The demon's head is under here!
Inosuke: Don't order me around! I'm the leader, remember?!
Tanjiro: Then what's next?
Inosuke: Just you both watch.
The wild demon slayer jumps high in the air.
Inosuke: This is Beast Breathing, Second Fang!
As falls to the ground, Inosuke swings his swords in an x formation.
Inosuke: Slice!
Exposing the giant neckbone under the metal floor.
Tanjiro: [gasps] This is… his neck bone.
Kaoi: Now, Tanjiro!
Tanjiro: Water Breathing! Eighth Form, Waterfall Basin!
Kaoi: Flame Breathing! Third Form, Blazing Universe!
Together they swing their blades full force at the giant spine but to no avail. As Enmu morphs his flesh to form a protective shield at the last second.
Kaoi: It deflected!
Malformed fleshy hands then spouted. Everyone jumped to get out of the way with Tanjro grabbing the engineer while Kaoi and Inosuke jumped onto the other car.
Meanwhile the car heals itself while transforming into a bowl shape.
Kaoi: It healed so fast. Despite our combined strength we couldn't go all the way.
Tanjiro: Inosuke! Kaoi-san!
Tsuguko's attention was grabbed by his comrade.
Tanjiro: Let's synchronize our attacks! Slash at the flesh! This will allow me to strike at the bone!
Inosuke: You wanna know somethin'? That's not half-bad!
Kaoi: Excellent thinking, Kamado-kun!
Tanjiro: Thank you!
All three demon slayers took their positions.
Tanjiro: Let's do it.
The moment they moved, the care morphed into a blob of flesh and eyes.
Enmu: Eyes of Forced Unconscious Sleep.
Tanjiro: Insouke! Kaoi-san! In your dream, slice your own neck! It'll wake you up!
Kaoi: Thanks for the advice Kamado-kun but…
In a split second, Kaoi closes his eyes.
Enmu: Dream.
Narrowly he manages to avoid Enmu's attack. With the swift movements of his blade.
[Slick!]
Slices one of the giant eyeballs in half. Kaoi and Inosuke found their way inside the morphed car. Barely making it in time for the boar man to stop Tanjiro from slicing his own neck.
Insouke: You're not dreaming right now. Don't go falling for his damn trickery.
Kaoi: It's okay Kamado-kun. We're with you.
Inosuke simply cackles as he slices apart another flesh blob.
Inosuke: I'm wearing the hide of the Mountain God on my head. I bet he's too scared to look me in the eye!
Tanjiro: Then how did Kaoi-san…?
Kaoi: I simply closed my eyes. Don't worry the more you train the better you can be in split second actions.
Insouke: Now we just gotta cut this thing to pieces!
It was then that Kaoi felt the presence of someone in desperation. Suddenly the train engineer drops down and charges Inosuke with an awl.
Tanjiro: Inosuke!
The young kamado yelled as he ran to intercept the attack.
Train Engineer: I won't let you take away my chance to dream!
Kaoi: Shit!
Moving as fast as he could, Kaoi manages to move Inosuke and Tanjiro out of the way while he is barely able to grab the man's hand. Twisting for a moment to make him drop his weapon. That was apparently all the strength he had as he immediately passed out.
Kaoi: Are both of you, okay?
Tanjiro: You were so fast…
Kaoi: Like I said. The more you train. Now go doing more reckless actions like that. We can't afford to be injured now.
Tanjiro: Right sir, but first…
Tanjiro got up to pull the train engineer away.
Insouke: Forget about that bastard!
Tanjiro: I can't just leave him to die.
Kaoi: While I don't agree with the boar. There are more pressing matters at hand.
Tanjiro: I hear you. Let's hurry then.
[Play Tanjiro and Inosuke vs Enmu Them]
Soon giant flesh tendrill took form as fleshy arms sprouted out to attack them. With impeccable speed, the three dodge each attack while cutting some in the moment.
Kaoi: It's now or never! Once we've synchronized our breathing, we'll cover you!
Tanjiro: Right!
The three cut their way out to jump onto another train car to prepare their attack. Each of them makes sure to match each other's breathing. They jump high in the sky before a giant flesh pillar attacks them.
As they began to fall down, more flesh tendrils rose to attack but it was pointless as their blades made their way through the hands of Enmu. Insouke cut with the ferocity of a beast. Kaoi slices with the burning passion of flames. Tanjiro moves swiftly like a river. As they get closer to the neck, the four remaining meat pillars sprout eyes once again.
Insouke: Not today.
Inosuke exclaims as he jumps from pillar to pillar cutting the eyeballs apart.
Inosuke: Follow the leader!
He jumps down!
Insouke: Beast Breathing, Fourth From…
Accelerating at fast speeds, Enmu morphs his hands tightly around his neck bone. Only for them to be slices to bits. Exposing the bone.
Insouke: Slice 'n' Dice!
Following Inosuke's lead Kaoi prepares one final attack.
Kaoi: Flame Breathing, Seventh Form: Ring of Inferno!
In a single horizontal strike, the remaining flesh pillars with eyes fell like they were trees.
Now Tanjiro is left. He changes his breathing to that of his family dance.
Tanjiro: Father, please guide my blade. My chance to sever the bone with one strike is now! Hinokami Kagura!
In a single circular swing of his black blade.
Tanjiro: Clear Blue Sky!
The young Kamado severs the neck!
Kaoi witnesses this with awe. The Hinokami Kagura was like nothing he had seen before. It was as if Tanjiro was embodying the power of the very sun itself! As the force he uses derailed the front cars of the train!
Enmu: [shrieking]
In one last desperate bet, Enmu tried killing his hostages but Rengoku set them all asunder with his strikes.
Kaoi grabs hold on what he could as the train is starting to tip over.
Tanjiro: Inosuke! Kaoi-san! Are you two alright?!
Kaoi: Worry about yourself right now!
Tanjiro: It's alright, but we have to protect the passengers…
Tanjiro was interrupted as the train car hit the ground making him and the train engineer fly off.
Kaoi: No!
Author Notes
And that is where we will end this chapter. So sorry this one took so long. There had just been stuff going on. I do hope to finish this arc before I go into another unannounced hiatus. Anyhow, what do you guys think of this chapter? Feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments!
Omake:
Kaoi: Now you're sure that you are going to finish this arc?
TokuJensen: Yes, I'm sure.
An unconvinced Kaoi stands over the author as he types away at his laptop.
Kaoi: I just saw you start a new file on Pokemon Omega Ruby the other day.
TokuJensen: Look I just needed time to cool down.
Kaoi: Before that I saw you play Pokemon Scarlet, then White 2, then X and then Red on the virtual console.
TokuJensen: I needed a long cool down. Look I have everything planned out I just needed to iron out one specific element of it all. Who knew creating ocs would be so time consuming.
Kaoi: Uh huh…
TokuJensen: Look how about this. I promise not to work on anything else. I will be sorely focused on this when I'm not doing school work or something else. The other stories can wait.
Kaoi: I guess that's fine.
TokuJensen: Good. You think Beatrice might be mad at me for putting her spin-off on hold?
Kaoi: It's okay. This is basically her arc anyway.
TokuJensen: If you say so.
Kaoi: Good. See you for the next chapter, Rengoku's Last Smile.
TokuJensen: See yah.
After Kaoi left, Midna called TokuJensen over the comms.
Midna: Toku, there's someone here to see you.
TokuJensen: Who is it?
Midna: American Mcgee's Alice.
TokuJensen: …crap.