The Crystal's Whisper and The Wind's Embrace

Chapter 37: Gleaming Crystals, Shattered Dreams

The midday sun cast a warm glow over the bustling streets as Tsukiyo made her way to her favourite lunch spot. As she turned a corner, she nearly collided with a figure dressed in the distinctive uniform of the Demon Slayer Corps. 

It was none other than Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, with his intense gaze focused ahead.

"I'm sorry, Rengoku-san. Are you okay?" Tsukiyo asked, bowing respectfully.

Rengoku smiled warmly, his vibrant aura filling the space around them. "No need for apologies, Tsukiyo. Where are you heading?"

"Just grabbing lunch before heading back," Tsukiyo replied, straightening up. "What about you?"

Rengoku's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I'm on my way to embark on a mission. We've received reports of numerous people missing due to a demon. I've been tasked with hunting down this demon and putting an end to its rampage."

Tsukiyo, still recovering from the poison from her previous mission with Giyu, had been eager to contribute her parts once more. "That sounds dangerous. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Rengoku regarded her thoughtfully. "Have you fully recovered from your previous mission?"

"I have, Rengoku-san. I am fully recovered! " Tsukiyo affirmed.

Rengoku nodded approvingly. "Very well. Let's seek Master's approval for you to join me on this mission."

With their decision made, Tsukiyo wasted no time in seeking Kagaya's approval. The master of the Demon Slayer Corps listened intently to her request before granting his consent, recognising the potential for growth in this unexpected partnership.

The train hissed with steam as Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke boarded the Mugen Train. They were assigned to assist Rengoku and Tsukiyo on this mission. Excitement and anticipation buzzed in the air as they looked forward to the task ahead.

Rengoku had already taken his seat, his bright presence lighting up the dimly lit carriage. Tsukiyo sat beside him, amused by how Rengoku always enjoyed his food with such energy.

"Hey Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke! It's been a while," Tsukiyo greeted warmly.

"Tsukiyo-san, Rengoku-san! What a pleasure to see you. We have so much to learn working alongside you both," Tanjiro replied, his eyes gleaming with warmth and respect.

Rengoku nodded to the younger Demon Slayers, his friendly demeanour putting them at ease. "Let's protect these people together."

As the train chugged along, the group soon found themselves lulled into a deep sleep.

Dreams filled their minds, vivid and deceptive. Tsukiyo found herself in an unfamiliar scene, reunited with the parents she had never met. Her parents, smiling and unharmed, stood before her.

"Tsukiyo, you have grown so well," her father said, his voice calm and peaceful.

"I am so glad to finally meet you, Tsukiyo! How have you been?" her mother asked, eyes brimming with happy tears.

"Father? Mother? Is that you?" Tsukiyo couldn't believe she was meeting her parents, who had passed away in a demon attack before she was born.

"Of course it's us, dear. Come over, let us take a closer look at you," her mother called out, pulling Tsukiyo into a family hug with her father.

Tears welled up in Tsukiyo's eyes as she felt the warmth of her parents' embrace. She wished this moment could last forever, to be real. However, her strong, resilient mind steeled her resolve. "This isn't real," she whispered, determination hardening her voice.

Using her Crystal Breathing technique, she conjured shards of crystal that shattered the dream around her, waking herself and the others.

Tsukiyo turned to see Nezuko unaffected by the Demon Art, diligently trying to wake the others. Noticing Tanjiro struggling against his dream despite Nezuko's efforts, Tsukiyo stepped in to help.

"Tanjiro, break free! This is an illusion," she urged, her voice slicing through the haze of dreams. Her crystal shards glowed, guiding him back to consciousness.

Tanjiro gasped as he jolted awake. "Tsukiyo-san, thank you! We need to find the demon responsible."

"Yes, but first, let's wake the others. Nezuko is already waking Rengoku. You wake Zenitsu, and I will wake Inosuke," Tsukiyo explained.

With everyone awake, the true enemy revealed himself — Enmu, the Lower Moon One.

The train suddenly lurched as the flesh of the demon Enmu began to merge with the train itself. His voice echoed throughout the carriages, filled with malevolent glee. "Welcome to my domain! You cannot escape!"

Rengoku quickly assessed the situation. "I'll protect the passengers with Zenitsu and Nezuko. Tsukiyo, bring Tanjiro and Inosuke along to find the source of Enmu's power!"

"Alright, let's go! We'll cut through this demon train!" Inosuke yelled, charging forward with his dual blades.

As Tanjiro and Inosuke hacked through the demonic flesh, Tsukiyo advanced towards the engine. Enmu's laughter echoed, mocking their efforts. "You think you can defeat me? I am the train!"

"Crystal Breathing, Fifth Form: Prism Piercer!" Tsukiyo channeled her breath into her blade, transforming it into a multi-colored spear that pierced through the demonic flesh with intense refractive force.

Though her attack tore through the demonic flesh, Enmu was relentless. Tendrils of flesh surged towards them, attempting to ensnare the Demon Slayers.

Tsukiyo swiftly deflected with razor-sharp crystal edges. "Crystal Breathing, Seventh Form: Emerald Edge!" Her barrier refracted the light, disorienting the tendrils and causing them to miss their targets.

"Impressive, but not enough!" Enmu taunted, his voice filled with malice.

As the battle raged on, Tanjiro and Inosuke reached the engine room. "We need to find Enmu's core and destroy it!" Tanjiro urged.

"There! At the front!" Inosuke pointed, his keen senses detecting the source of the demonic presence.

"Enmu, your reign of terror ends here!" Tanjiro shouted, his sword blazing with resolve.

"Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux!" He spun his blade in a continuous flow, cutting through the demonic flesh towards the core.

Meanwhile, Tsukiyo faced a concentrated assault from Enmu. "Crystal Breathing, Eighth Form: Crystal Barrier!" She enveloped herself in a radiant shield, increasing her defense, before pushing forward with unwavering determination.

"Crystal Breathing, Sixth Form: Diamond Drill! This is over!" Tsukiyo focused her breath into a crystal-tipped drill, drilling through Enmu's defenses and attacks with unstoppable force.

With a final, coordinated strike, Tanjiro and Inosuke reached the core. "Now, Inosuke!" Tanjiro commanded.

"Beast Breathing, Eighth Fang: Explosive Rush!" Inosuke's attack landed with brutal force, shattering Enmu's core.

A deafening scream echoed as Enmu's form disintegrated. The train came to a screeching halt, and silence fell. The passengers began to stir, the nightmare finally over.

Panting, Tsukiyo and Rengoku regrouped with the others. "We did it," Tsukiyo said, her voice filled with relief.

"Good job, everyone! Now, let's find the injured and provide assistance," Rengoku smiled.