~𝘓𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳~ // 𝘚𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘻𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘸𝘢 𝘹 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

- 𝕏𝕏𝕀𝕏: Himejima Hell -

This chapter, and the chapter following this one, got deleted, so I send my sincerest apologies for any scatter-brained activity that may or may not ensue.

"Himejima." You greeted, bowing to the strongest Hashira in the Corps. Tanjiro and Agatusma were with you, also bowing.

"Ah, I was wondering when you'd arrive. Young Kanao just departed. How terribly upsetting for you, yes?"

You smiled kindly. "It's not a big deal, though I do appreciate your concern."

Himejima briefed you on his training. All you had to do was sit under some cold waterfall, carry some logs, and push a bolder a little ways... as in one cho... but that's no problem!

"I'll catch up with you later, Tanjiro! See ya!" You waved to him and watched as he threw Agatsuma into the river. Obviously, the blonde boy screamed.

The hardest part for me will be the freezing cold mountain water. My muscles are almost as dense as Mitsuri, so I'm pretty strong. I wonder how Kanao passed. She's so small, pushing that boulder that far must be impossible! Oh well! If she can do it, so can I!

You dunked your head under the freezing water and clenched every muscle in your body. You sat under the waterfall and forced yourself to stay. You watched as Agatusma refused to get in the water, screaming his head off, as usual.

You shivered and after thirty minutes, you scrambled out from under the water. Shivering, you reported to Himejima, who nodded and urged you to continue.

Still chilled to the bone, and the wind slicing through you with ease, you gathered your logs and hoisted them onto your back. You felt your knees buckle when further weight was put down on it.

"I apologize." Himejima said. "I've added a fourth, and a fifth log to your pile. You are an honourable tsuguko, so expectations have increased."

You smiled, though a little ticked off. "Okay! I'll do my best! Just watch! I can go all the way over there!" You pointed to a sharp bend in the river that was at least two hundred yards away.

"Your enthusiasm is admirable."

You adjusted your grip on the straps of the backpack-like holder that held the five logs and began to jog, keeping an even pace as to not exhaust yourself too quickly.

Even just halfway there, you felt your feet begin to ache, but you pushed foraward. Think about... Mitsuri! And Sanemi! They're both at the end, and if you don't make it, they'll kick your ass!

You wiped the sweat from your brow and laughed at the notion of Mitsuri scolding you so seriously.

You reached the end and set the logs down, huffing and puffing. "Himejima! I did it!" You waved to him. He lifted his hand gracefully and motioned for you to come back.

It was easier to run the distance without two hundred pounds on your back, that's for sure. You got back to him much quicker than you did the river, and he rested his hand on your head gently.

"Well done. You've completed more than half you're training in under a day. It would be highly beneficial if you took a rest. The last thing we would want is you getting hurt, because you over-exerted your body and strength. The people you came in with are just over there." He lifted his hand and pointed to Tanjiro, Hashibira, and Agatsuma. They were joined by a fourth, who you didn't recognize.

"Thank you, sir. I will take your advice gratefully." You bowed and hurried off to sit down.

"Oh! Hey Y/n!"