Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hinokami Flames

Chapter 23: Sweetest of Dreams

(Tanjiro's Dream)

Under a blizzard in a forest, Tanjiro walks feeling unaware of his surroundings. 'This forest feels familiar, but at the same time, it feels completely different. Never mind just keep yourself prepared for any danger.' 

"Are you alright?" Tanjiro suddenly hears a voice, and he grabs his sword ready to fight. He looks around as the blizzard clears and he then sees the man he visioned when he fought Rui. "You seem troubled. Are you feeling alright Sumiyoshi?" Tanjiro looked down and realized his appearance changed and he looked older. "Yes. Just having some memory problems." "Did you even forget my name?" Tanjiro in this 'Sumiyoshi's' body smiled saying yes. "Well, let me help you remember. It's Yoriichi. Yoriichi Tsugikuni." Tanjiro happily smiled. "Thank you Yoriichi." 'Now that that I think of it, his family name somehow feels familiar.'

(Zenitsu's Dream)

Zenitsu was back in his village still at his current age, and his hair normal black. Everyone that was killed is right in front of him. He was very happy, but he thought something was missing. "Hey, Zenitsu!" He looked to see some kids calling out to him. "The peaches are ready!" "Coming!"

As it sets into dinner, he sits alongside his mother and father. "Son, are you alright?" his father asked. "Yes faither. I just had a bad dream last night, and I didn't want to disturb you." "What was it about?" his mother wondered. "Our entire clan massacred by demons and I the only survivor." Zenitsu began to grow tears in his eyes, but then his father hugged him. Zenitsu rest assured, that we are going nowhere. We love you too much to leave alone." Zenitsu couldn't be anymore happier.

(Inosuke's Dream)

Inosuke was in a cave leading his friends who looked like anthropomorphic animals. "Hey boss! Boss?!" "Underlings 1 and 2! What is it?" "I can smell the monster's odor over there!" They look to see the Mugen Train that had a near appearance like a centipede. "That's our beast right there. Sic him underlings!" "Of course, Bossman!" But dream Nezuko was distracted. "Underling 3, what are you doing?! We have the beast right where we want him! Come on! I'll give you these yummy acorns!" Nezuko's eyes glimmered in excitement. "Let's get'em!!"

(Rengoku's Dream)

Rengoku finds himself at his residence in front of his father. 'Why am I here? What was I doing? That's right. I'm here to report to my father on becoming a Hashira.'

"So, what if you become a Hashira? It's just pointless. None of that matters. You'll never amount to nothing. Like I never did."

Leaving his father alone, he sees his younger brother Senjuro. "Brother! What did father say? Was he happy? If I become your successor to the Flame Hashira, do you think he'll acknowledge me?"

Rengoku kneeled down giving off his smile. "If I'll be honest. He wasn't happy. He said that it was pointless. Regardless, my passion will never be extinguished. My blazing heart will not die out! I'll never lose faith in this cause. Senjuro, I want you to hold this close to your heart. You have a older brother who believes in you. Whatever path you may take, even if you follow in our ancestors' footsteps like I did or the path that destiny choses for you, you're going to be a fine young man. Just keep that passion burning within your heart." Senjuro tears up hearing that his brother fully supports him and hug Kyojuro. "Just do your best and live. Even if it's a lonely life."

Meanwhile, the girl who entered Rengoku's Dream spies on the two brothers. 'I'm inside of his dream. I'm actually in!' She then runs from the Rengoku Residence. 'I need to hurry and find the edge!'