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Chapter 34

"Tanjiro!"

"Y/N!"

We stare at each other, catching our breaths.
"You did it too..."

"We're alive..."

Looking at us from behind the chair was Nezuko, who we both quickly worry about.

"Nezuko! Are you okay?"
She mumbles, and we're both relieved.

Zenitsu is asleep, so is Inosuke and Rengoku-San!
Rengoku-San is holding a girl up by her throat, but he's still asleep.
And there's other people too.

"Their wrists are tied together. But why?"
I ask.

"Rope..."

We both look at our wrists to find the burned rope.
Nezuko burned this rope, didn't she?
"It has such a dreadful aura... Tanjiro, is there a scent on the tickets, too?"

He takes his ticket and smells it.
"There's also the faint scent on a demon on it. We were probably hypnotized when the conductor cut our tickets."

We both get up and go to inspect Rengoku-San, and I hold Tanjiro's hand before he grabs his sword.
"I don't think we should use our swords for this..."

"Then maybe it's best to burn it?"

I nod.
"Nezuko, please. Help the others by burning the ropes for us, ok?"
She was quick to do so, and we got to shaking everyone awake.

"Inosuke! Inosuke, wake up!"

"Zenitsu! Wake up, quickly!"

Neither of us were able to get them to even mutter a sound. Nezuko grabbed at our sleeves, mumbling loudly as she finished her job.

We both turn around and pat her.
"Good job, Nezuko."

"You're doing really well."

I sigh.
"They still aren't waking up. What do we do now?"

"Rengo-"

"Watch out!"
I shove Tanjiro out of the way, a girl nearly slashing both our faces with some sort of long needle.

"What are you doing?!"
Tanjiro held Nezuko, concerned.

Is this girl controlled by a demon? Why else would she attack us so suddenly? She has the aura of a human!

"Don't try to stop me! I blame you people for coming here! For stopping me from having a good dream!"

The other two people woke up too, all holding the same needles in their hands.

She suddenly turned to yell at someone else.
"Why are you two still in a daze?! I don't care if you're sick or whatever, if you don't do things well, I'm going to tell that- Tell him not to let you dream! Did you hear me?!"

The two stood up.
Were they the ones tied to us?

They're both gravely ill. I can feel it.
This demon... I won't forgive it. Using people like this...

"We're sorry. We have to leave you right now."
He nods, and we both quickly knock them out.

"I also wanted to stay in my dream..."
Tanjiro mumbled, his aura full of sadness.

I put my hand on his shoulder, Nezuko running and hugging us both. I turn my attention towards the other two, who had yet to harm us.
"Are you two alright?"

One of them smiled, his tired eyes now gentle.
"Thank you. You must be careful."

We nod.
"Got it. Nezuko, come on!"

We ran through until we got outside, the heaviness of the air settling in.
"The scent got stronger."

"The demon's upwind. I can feel the dread flow through the air."

He nods, and we help each other up on top of the train.
"Nezuko! Don't follow us! It's dangerous outside! Stay inside and help the others!"

We start running, stopping when we see a figure. He turns around, his awfully calm voice greeting us.
"Oh? You're awake. Good morning~"

He lowered his hand, revealing it to have a mouth.
"If only you had stayed asleep."

"Why wake up? I gave you both such wonderful dreams... If I felt like it, I could also give you dreams of your families being murdered. Would you prefer that kind of dream? I don't think so. It's too painful."

We both ready ourselves and hold our swords tightly.

"Well I'll let you have it. I like to see human beings in pain. Their distorted expressions... Seeing those crushed with pain... It's fascinating."

His smile dropped as he watched us, and we're both prepared to fight.
He's Lower Moon One, so we have to be extremely careful.

"Don't you want to have pleasant dreams? Have the dreams you've always wanted?"

I hold out my sword, feeling my blood boil.
"You have no right to enter someone's heart without permission! How dare you take advantage of those weaker than you?! You disgust me!"

"My, my... And here I thought airbenders were peaceful people... How unfortunate that you have such a sharp tongue."

"There is no peace until there is justice! I'll make sure the last thing you ever see is my blade!"

《 •|• 《♡》 •|• 》

End

● Chapter 34: ●
● "Sweet Dreams" ●