fractured blade

chapter 12

Chapter 12:beyond the limits
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Rengoku's father couldn't bring himself to attend the farewell ceremony or visit his son's grave, overwhelmed by grief and unable to confront the reality of his loss. However, his younger son, Rengoku's little brother, was there, clinging to Rengoku's haori (the Demon Slayers' uniform) and weeping uncontrollably.

The scene is heart-wrenching, with the little brother's tears and anguish echoing through the crowd. The father's absence is palpable, a testament to the depth of his sorrow and regret. He can't bear to face the truth, leaving the younger son to say goodbye on his behalf.

The somber atmosphere lingers, as the weight of Rengoku's passing continues to bear down on the Demon Slayers. Kagaya, their master, called a meeting, his voice laced with sorrow, despite his physical absence due to illness.

The room was shrouded in an aura of despair, the usual camaraderie and banter replaced by an oppressive silence. The Demon Slayers gathered, their faces etched with grief, their eyes red from crying.

No words of encouragement or comfort could ease the pain, as they struggled to come to terms with the loss of their brother. The air was heavy with sorrow, making it hard to breathe, hard to think.

Kagaya's voice, weak but resolute, broke the silence, "We must continue our mission, for Rengoku's sake, and for the sake of our duty. We cannot let his sacrifice be in vain."

The room remained silent, as the weight of his words sank in, each Demon Slayer lost in their own thoughts, their own grief.

Kagaya's voice cracked with emotion as he continued, "I know you all are willing to risk your lives to protect our people, but I implore you, do not throw your lives away. We cannot afford to lose another strong Hashira like Rengoku."

He paused, collecting his thoughts before speaking again, "Your lives are precious, not just to me, but to the entire Demon Slayer Corps. We need you to continue fighting, to keep our hopes alive."

The Hashira's faces remained resolute, their eyes burning with determination. They knew the risks, but they were willing to face them head-on.

Mitsuri spoke up, her voice steady, "Master, we understand your concerns, but we cannot falter. We must protect the innocent, no matter the cost."

Obanai nodded in agreement, "We are Hashira, Master. We will not hesitate to give our lives if it means saving others."

Sanemi's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched, "We will not let kyojuro's sacrifice be in vain. We will continue to fight, and we will triumph."

The other Hashira nodded in unison, their resolve unwavering. Kagaya's eyes welled up with tears, pride and sorrow mixing in his heart.

"I know I can count on you all," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But please, be careful. We cannot bear to lose another one of our own."

The room fell silent once more, the weight of their duty and the memory of Rengoku hanging heavy in the air.

Weeks had passed since the meeting, and the Demon Slayers had scattered to their respective missions. The weight of Rengoku's passing still lingered, but they knew they had to press on, to become stronger and more resilient.

The Hashira's solo training sessions intensified, each one driven to surpass their limits.

Sanemi and Giyuu continued their routine, unaware of the subtle tension between them. Their interactions were laced with a deep-seated familiarity, yet they couldn't quite put their finger on it.

Sanemi's sharp tongue and Giyuu's stoic demeanor masked the genuine concern they held for each other. They had grown accustomed to their banter, but beneath the surface, a quiet understanding had blossomed.