"Percy! Inoskue! This entire train has been turned into a demon! There isn't anywhere on it that's safe!" Percy blinked in surprise, before subconsciously stomping the train's roof, 'Taking anger out on objects just became real' "So we have to protect the passengers! I repeat the train is a demon!" Tanjiro shouted. Inoskue jumped a bit hearing Tanjiro's words. "What do you know? I was right all along. Talk about having absolute killer instincts as a leader huh?" Inoskue turned around and pointed at the hole he had made, before jumping in. "Beast breathing, 5th fang! Crazy Cutting!"
Percy looked up at Tanjiro, "I have to save the others, if Inoskue's handling those cars, I should go on ahead" But just as Tanjiro spoke those words, Percy felt the demons aura spike, as flesh began to seep from the cracks in the cars. Percy shivered in disgust at the flesh, "that's messed up, Tanjiro!" Percy shouted, catching the attention of his fellow slayer. "Rengoku, Zenitsu, Nezuko, and I will protect as many carts as we can, meanwhile you and Inoskue will find the Demons neck, search the front of the train!" Percy shouted, "It's still a demon, so it has a neck!" He added seeing the hesitation on Tanjiro's face, before turning around and jumping down into the Cart where Inoskue was, drawing his Katana he said, "Go with Tanjiro, search the front of the train for the neck now!" Percy shouted at the slayer, Inoskue nodded and jump back up.
Looking behind him Percy could see the flesh of the demon already building once again. Clenching his jaw, water began to flow from his blade as Percy shouted, "Water breathing, 10th form. Constant Flux!" and as the water took form, it roared, as Percy sliced through flesh after the flesh, running back and forth between the carts.
-------------------------------------------------------
Tanjiro stood in front of the train door, frowning, 'I can't pick up on the scent because of the strong winds, but I trust Percy's judgment and Inoskue's senses.' "Is it around where the coals loaded?!" Tanjiro called, "That's right!" Inoskue's voice came from above, "Got it!" looking to his right, Tanjiro leaned out the train, "Inoskue ready?! Let's go!" With a grunt, Tanjiro jumped onto the roof of the train. 'Rengoku's protecting 5 carts, Inoskue's found the enemies weak spot, Percy, Nezuko, and Zenitsu are fighting too, I have to do my part in all this as well, I'll see that everyone is safe!' Tanjiro thought when suddenly several large metal plates were flung above him, ducking Tanjiro looked up, and ran forward. For a moment, Tanjiro's eyes widened, as he saw Inoskue struggling to break free from several arms made of flesh.
"Water breathing, 6th form, Whirlpool!"
"NNAAAAAAHHHHH" a high-pitched shrieking came from the train below, no doubt the demon itself. Looking back at Inoskue Tanjiro asked, "Are you all right Inoskue?", the slayer huffed, "It's not like you came to my rescue okay?", "I'm sorry" Tanjiro apologized before he smelt something. Kneeling down Tanjiro looked at the floor of the train, 'It's here, right below, I can smell it, there's no doubt in my mind' looking back at Inoskue Tanjiro said, "Inoskue, the demons head is under here" Inoskue frowned, at least, Tanjiro was pretty sure he did. "Don't order me around! I'm the leader remember?" "Then what's next?" Tanjiro asked. Without another word, Inoskue jumped high into the air "Just you watch, this is beast breathing, 2nd fang" Then descending to the ground Inoskue shouted, "Slice!"
A sharp wind erupted from where Inoskue cut the floor, and as Tanjiro looked at the split metal he gasped, "This is his neckbone" he said, before raising his Katana, 'water breathing 8th form, waterfall basin!' Water erupted from his katana, but when it dissipated, Tanjiro's eyes widened, flesh had grown to stop his strike! 'it deflected' quickly the flesh grew, not wasting any time, Tanjiro grabbed the Conductor, and jumped away from the neck, landing on the nearby coal cart. As Tanjiro watched, the flesh grew and changed, forming a large bowl around the neck. 'it's healing so fast, the wound's already closed up. just exposing the bone took everything I could muster, I have to sever it.' looking up to Inoskue Tanjiro said, "Let's synchronize our attacks! You'll slash at the flesh, which will allow me to strike at the bone!" "You wanna know something? that's not half bad! Good thinking" Inoskue called in response. "Thank you", readying himself into a fighting stance, Tanjiro said, "Let's do it" but as he took his first step, flesh erupted from the neck, and in an instant, an eye was in front of Tanjiro. 'A blood demon art' Tanjiro thought. A flash of blue erupted from the demonic eye, 'he got me, I'm already falling asleep' "Inoskue! In your dreams Slice your own neck! It'll wake you up!"
As Tanjiro fell into the world of dreams, he didn't hesitate, bringing his Katana up to his own neck, and he sliced it.
Opening his eyes Tanjiro thought, 'It's all right, I'm still able to break the spell' But no sooner had he opened his eyes, did the demon open its own.
'Idiot, when you wake up, keep your eyes closed or you'll just fall asleep again.'
Again he cut his own neck and woke up.
'Okay, I'm awake' he thought, looking down, he jumped up over the bowl of flesh and towards the neck. But several large demonic eyes opened, and again he fell asleep.
And Again, he severed his own neck.
'Damn! The moment I wake up I can't help but look directly into one of those demon eyes! I've got to make sure that when I wake up, that I keep my eyes shut!'
Bringing his blade to his neck, Tanjiro sliced it. Opened his eyes, and looked straight into one of the demon eyes. 'Again! when I wake up, wake up!' with each thought, Tanjiro sliced his neck, and opened his eyes, to fall asleep once again. 'Your neck, slash it! Wake up this is a dream! there's no time left wake yourself up!' but as Tanjiro brought his sword to his neck, he suddenly heard the sound of cutting flesh, and someone grabbed his arm. "You're not dreaming right now, Don't go falling for his trickery, you wanna look like a damn fool?" Inoskue asked, Tanjiro's eyes widened in surprise, as Inoskue picked up his katanas, and sliced the mass of Eyes and flesh before them, "I'm wearing the hide of the mountain god on my head, I bet he's too scared to look me in the eye! I'm right aren't I?" Inoskue said, as he cut more flesh, and Tanjiro stood up gripping his sword. 'Or, it's having a hard time telling which way Inoskue's looking' Tanjiro realized. "All right, now we just got to cut this thing to pieces!" Inoskue called behind him.
Suddenly, Tanjiro heard footsteps behind him, turning around his eyes widened as he saw the conductor running at Inoskue, a needle readied to stab him. "Inoskue!" Tanjiro shouted, running at him. "I won't let you take away my chance to dream!" The man shouted as he plunged the Needle into Tanjiro's stomach. A flare of pain filled Tanjiro, quickly, Tanjiro hit the man on the neck, knocking him out. "Did he just stab you?!" Inoskue shouted, "I'm okay," Tanjiro said, before grabbing the man and dragging him to the side, "Forget about that bastard!" Inoskue shouted angrily. Looking at his companion Tanjiro said, "I can't just leave him to die", Inoskue grunted, and sliced a flesh hand, "If we don't chop this things head off soon, the others won't make it" Inoskue warned, looking back Tanjiro said, "I hear you, let's hurry then"
The scent of blood spiked, as the flesh around, grew, looking around Tanjiro watched in shock as multiple tendrils of flesh appeared, and hands shot forth. Dodging them, Tanjiro jumped back, as he and Inoskue began to run around the bowl, slicing flesh quickly and commonly. Stopping in front of the place where they had revealed the neck, Tanjiro said, "Inoskue, Let's combine our strength, once we've synchronized our breathing, we'll attack as one!" Inoskue's only response was a nod, together they jumped up to the coal cart, dodging several arms as they did. Again the scent spiked, as a large pillar of flesh grew. Jumping up, Inoskue and Tanjiro watched as 5 more pillars grew, with a nod as he looked at Inoskue, they descended into the bowl, ducking, weaving, and slicing the flesh as it raced at them.
But as they fell closer to the neck, the columns around them grew eyes, and Tanjiro's eyes widened. 'Damn it! If we fall asleep now' "Not today!" Glancing up, Tanjiro couldn't help but grin as he saw Inoskue cut through the demonic eyes, "Come on! Follow the leader!" then Inoskue leaped down towards the neck, "Beast breathing 4th fang! Slice and dice!"
Lifting his Katana above his head, Tanjiro switched breathings, 'father, guide my blade, my chance to sever the bone, with one strike, Is Now! Hinokami Kagura! Clear Blue Sky!'
The Flames from Tanjiros Blade erupted, slicing not just the bone, but the entire head. "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" The Flesh around the train grew instantly, expanding to many times their previous size. Within moments the train derailed and was thrown across the ground. "Careful! the train feels like it's about to completely tip over!" Tanjiro shouted at Inoskue, before feeling a sharp flare of pain in his stomach, "Am I alright? you're the one still bleeding" Inoskue said. "It's fine, Inoskue, protect the passengers" But as Tanjiro spoke the train suddenly lunged, and the conductor was thrown up, 'I can't die, I don't want him to live with his hands stained with blood, I have to live, I won't let anyone die!' Tanjiro thought as he was thrown from the train and stretched his hand out to the conductor.
As the ground came up to him, Tanjiro grunted, as he ragdolled across the ground. "AAAAHHH" Inoskue screamed as he bounced around on the train, before landing on the ground as well, "Sentaro! Are you all right?!" Tanjiro heard footsteps as Inoskue ran up to him, then he felt Inoskue' hands on him, "Pull yourself together! You see me bounce off that demon's flesh just now? Wait what am I saying?! You got stabbed, right? How's your stomach?" Inoskue lifted Tanjiro up, "I'm all right, what about you?" He asked slowly, "I've never felt better! Not a scratch on me!" Inoskue responded proudly. Tanjiro tried to move, but he couldn't the bleeding was too great, "I don't think I can move now, can you go help the others? See if anyone's hurt? That engineer, is he all right?" He asked, Inoskue was silent for a moment, before shouting, "Let him die for all I care!" hearing Inoskue's harsh words, Tanjiro winced, "We can't", Inoskue gave a loud, "Huh? Did you somehow forget he's the one who stabbed you in the first place? But if you really want to know, he's laying shattered, he can't walk anymore, just let him rot.", A flash of relief filled Tanjiro, "Then, he's already suffered enough don't you think? help him Inoskue... For me" Inoskue growled at Tanjiro's request, but sure enough, he laid Tanjiro down "Fine! But only cause you asked. You are my underling, it's the least I can do as a leader, and after I've rescued him, I'm going to pluck out all of his hair!" As Inoskue gave a triumphant shout, Tanjiro muttered, "You really don't have to do that last part"
'It's almost dawn... take control of your breathing, focus your thoughts, to save the injured on this train' Slowly Tanjiro opened his eyes, 'think of Nezuko, Zenitsu, Percy, Mister Rengoku, I'm sure the four of them are safe, you just have to believe'
Suddenly Rengoku's face appeared above his own, "You've mastered total concentration constant, that's quite impressive" Tanjiro blinked, "Mister Rengoku? how is everyone else?" Tanjiro asked, a flash of concern crossed Rengoku's face, "Inoskue, Zenitsu, and Nezuko are fine, but Percy is currently trapped by a train cart, he's fine mind you, but trapped nonetheless, either way you're one step closer to becoming a Hashira, that's one step out of ten thousand mind you." Gulping Tanjiro said, 'at least everyone is okay' "I'll do my best" Rengoku leaned back, "You're bleeding from the gut, regulate your breathing take full control of it, picture your nerves reaching all through your body, can you see it? the torn blood vessel?" Tanjiro tried to focus, but he couldn't, "Concentrate harder" Closing his eyes, Tanjiro pictured a maze of red, blood vessels among his flesh. In an instant, he saw it, and his eyes shot open. "That's it, now stop the bleeding," Rengoku said. Grunting Tanjiro tried to control his blood, but it continued to ebb from him, feeling a finger press against his forehead Tanjiro gasped, "Focus" Closing his eyes, Tanjiro calmed himself, before with a grunt of exertion, managed to top the flow of blood. "Good, you succeeded, mastering your breathing, it will open many doors for you, now it won't solve everything, but it will help. You will continue to grow stronger" Rengoku said, eyes wide Tanjiro said, "thank you" and Rengoku smiled, "as for the others!" he suddenly shouted, making Tanjiro jump, "There are many who are injured by they're safe for the time being, so don't strain yourself, make sure to rest up" Smiling Tanjiro said, "Thank you, I will", "Good"
Suddenly, the earth shook, and what sounded like a meteor landed nearby. A foul yet powerful scent filled Tanjiros nostrils, and he looked over at the source in horror, as a pair of glowing eyes made themselves visible.
Rengoku Turned, to look at the demon that crouched there. 'Those eyes, he's upper three!'
-----------------------------------------------
Percy was not having a great day.
First, he had to save Tanjiro from a murderous Hagenezuka,
2nd, he fell into a demon's trap, and fell asleep, helpless like a baby.
3rd, he had to protect hundreds of people from a train demon.
And now, he was stuck beneath a train cart, unable to move.
He grunted as he tried to throw it off him, but he couldn't, it refused to budge.
Why was he trying to move a Cart that didn't threaten him in any way at all?
Well, it had everything to do with the immensely powerful Demonic Aura he was sensing, clashing with Rengoku's own. He couldn't see the battle, so he wasn't able to tell who was winning, but he could sense Rengoku's aura flare, again and again, climbing higher and higher.
"Percy!"
Freezing, Percy could hear Tanjiro's voice, it was nearby, "Tanjiro! What's happening?" Percy called, "Percy, It's upper moon 3 Akaza! He's fighting Mister Rengoku!", Percy's eyes widened, upper three? that was unexpected, he half expected to fight upper 6, then 5, then 4, and so on. "How's Rengoku?!" Percy called, "He's doing all right, But I don't know how long he can keep this up!" Frowning, Percy clenched his jaw, and redoubled his efforts, 'Come on! I need to help him!'
-----------------------------------------
Tanjiro could only watch in horror, as Rengoku battled Akaza "I am the flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku!"
Both Tanjiro, and Inoskue were in absolute shock, as they watched the explosion of fire erupt from Rengoku and Akaza. 'Where is he?' Tanjiro thought, As the dust settled, Tanjiro saw Rengoku, "There, did he win?" Tanjiro muttered to himself, when another shadow appeared, Akaza. Tanjiro's eyes shot open, as with horror he saw Akaza's arm. In Rengoku's stomach. "AAAHHH!!" Tanjiro screamed in anguish seeing the scene before him. "Tanjiro?! What's happened?!" Percy's voice shouted hearing his scream, "Akaza his arm... It pierced Rengoku's stomach completely!" Tanjiro yelled, dread filling his body like poison. When suddenly, a pressure-filled the air, and a scent, like none Tanjiro, had ever smelled before, filled the air. And softly, yet with an air, unlike anything Tanjiro had ever heard from Percy, a voice growled.
"...What?"
And the train exploded.
A/N
Because I want this to be a cliffhanger, I'm going to publish it up to here. Then once I'm done writing the next chapter, I will release it, this is going to be the only time I do this. Now, what will happen? What are your thoughts?