Brothers Through Ashes(Complete)

The Infinity Train

Tanjiro had caught wind of some demon activity happening on a train heading out of town. He decided it would be a fantastic learning experience for his students, including Inosuke. "Gonpachiro-sama! Is this the lord of the land?" He asked hostility. "It's a train, ya dumb ass. People are getting lazy and inventing new ways of getting to places. This metal beast is made from metal and powdered by coal."

"Kamado-sama, is this 'train' thingey safe?" Kyoka queried. She's from the mountains, like Tanjiro, but not exposed to more modern exploits. "Yes Kyoka-chan, it's safe... For us at least."

Tanjiro looked around and saw some law enforcement. "Hide your swords. Quickly."

They all covered their swords amongst their clothing. "Kyoka, search the train. Inosuke, stand at the last car's railing. Zenitsu... Be yourself."

Inosuke nodded obediently and snuck to the last car.

They then stepped onto the marvel of human engineering. As they travelled down the halls, they got stares. Mainly at Kyoka. Tanjiro held her hand, pretending she was blind. She felt around to sell the illusion when I'm actuality, she was using her superior sense of hearing. "I don't hear anything. I only head and sense humans. No negativity either."

They continued down the hall and heard a weird yet enthusiastic calling. "Tasty! ... Tasty!..... Tasty!"

"Great," Tanjiro mumbled. He travelled ahead to a seat where piles of bento boxes were stacked. "Kyojuro! Would you shut the hell up?" Tanjiro exclaimed. "Ah, Tantan. I didn't think you'd be here." He greeted. "I'm not that little boy anymore. We're both Hashira so please stop calling me that."

"You are still my little brother! And I will address you as such!" He rebutted with a laugh. "That wasn't the deal."

"Well, I have altered the deal. Pray, I do not alter it further."

Tanjiro deadpanned as his students began giggling. "I seriously hate you." "Me too ya prick."

A worker came and cleared the boxes. "Zenitsu, get Inosuke and tell him to hide the boar head."

He nodded and was on his way. Tanjiro sat beside his brother and Kyoka sat across from them in a different seat. "Any information?" He asked. "No, but if a demon is behind these disappearances, we will find it," Kyojuro responded. "Shall I patrol the halls?" Tanjiro queried. "I wouldn't mind if you don't. We don't know if there are more than one. Plus, they may get agitated." Kyojuro dissuaded. "Fair enough. Anyway, how's Mitsuri?"

"She's okay. Obanai's kinda pissed that 'took' his girl though. Poor soul." He sighed. "Well, you gotta do what you gotta do. You're a grown-ass man for crying out loud." Tanjiro laughed. "Yes, it would seem so."

"And how is my niece?" He queried. Tanjiro sighed. "A couple of weeks ago, we went to visit Shinobu's parents... Well, her brother almost killed Ruka." He answered. Kyojuro held his sword. "Name. Age. Location. Status." "Kanojo Kocho, 20 something, XXX village, dead."

"You killed him?"

"The idiot challenged me to a deathmatch. I pounded his head into the road."

"I swear, I don't know how you became so violent."

"Says the one who was about to go murder someone."

"Oh, shut up... Tantan." He teased. "Ok, Kyo-chan." "mhm yeah, you--- listen here you little..."

"Ahem, there are children here," Tanjiro noted. pointing to Inosuke, Zenitsu and Kyoka. "Mhm, whatever. You should be setting a better example." Kyojuro bickered. "Ha! We all know I got my habits from you and Shinobu. If we're being honest, Tengen-sensei was the most wholesome influence on my personality." Tanjiro commented. "The same man who tortured you and called it training." "Screw you."

After some fraternization, one of the train staff went to every train car. "That man coming, checks the tickets. I suggest you have them out in full view." Kyojuro stated. The collector stopped at their respective seats. "Tickets please."

They handed over their tickets. When they were punched, Tanjiro felt his eyes grow heavy. He immediately fell asleep on Kyojuro's shoulder. "Just like the old days." Kyojuro laughed. "Master... looks cute when he sleeps." Kyoka complimented. "Yeah, he doesn't have that look in his eyes."

"What look, Zenitsu-Kun?" She questioned. "He always has this... sadness in his eyes. Plus, he looks like he's carrying the world on his shoulders." He said.

"There is a reason for that. Tanjiro was about 14 or 15 when his family was murdered. A few years before that, he became the man of the house when Tanjuro, his father, died. And a few years after that, we lost our mother. He blames himself for what happened. Never once has he said, 'That demon will die for what he did' or 'I hate all demons.'" Kyujuro croaked, "Furthermore, he used to stand in front of a mirror and blame himself for what happened. A few times he tried taking his own life. He harmed his body during training and would never rest. Nothing mattered more than him punishing himself." He added.

Inosuke, Kyoka and Zenitsu then had downcast faces. "So, how did he over it?" Zenitsu asked. "It's simple. Tanjiro is a man of focus. Commitment. And sheer fucking will."

Eventually, they all began sleeping. Kyoka was upright, beside Zenitsu while INosuke was sprawled over them, with his legs in Kyoka's lap. All the while they began dreaming. 

Tanjiro Dream(the rest are canon):

He was in his uniform and just reached his home. "Tanjiro's back!" Shouted a smaller version of him. "Takeo!?"

"Who else big brother! C'mon, Everyone was waiting for you to come home." He was dragged inside. There he saw Kie, Tanjuro, Nezuko in her uniform, his mother Ruka, Hanako, Shigeru and Rokuta. Tears came to his eyes. "Y-your all... alive."

"Why wouldn't we be, son?" Asked Ruka. "No-no-no. You died when I was 10. After Senjuro was born! And you, Dad. You died when I was 13! And the rest of you expect for nezuko died when I was 15. How are you alive!"

They all wore stunned expressions. "I think your job of being a Hashira has deprived you of sleep, my boy." Tanjuro chuckled. "Do you take me for a fool? I was on a train just now! How am I home! How are you all alive!" He shouted. "Big brother?" said Hanako.

"Tell me this. Who is Shinobu Kocho."

"Your wife. She's at the mansion nursing Tankuro and Senkuro." Kie answered. "This is a dream."

Tanjiro turned his back and stomped out of the house. "Tanjiro! Wait!"

"DON'T FOLLOW ME! YOU'RE NOT REAL! I convinced myself many years ago that you were dead. No mere dream will stop me from fulfilling my duties." He spoke. Ruka walked up to him. "Son, what are you saying?"

"I want this to be real, but it can never be so. My dream is that you are lived and I died. I've had this dream so many times. And each time, you watched me take my life."

"Son... wait! Don't!"

"We will see each other again. Soon."

Tanjiro unsheathed his sword and kneeled with booths legs folded under him. He appointed his sword to his chest and plunged it into his chest.

This was the first death, of the Ash Hashira.

Words 1191

Posted 6/5/2021

Okay I got everything planned. Less go