𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐌𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 | 𝑺.𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒛𝒖𝒈𝒂𝒘𝒂

𝟓𝟎 | 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭

~*~

The sunrise was so beautiful, yet this moment was painful.......

The sound of Tanjiro's cries of frustration was mostly from exhaustion, as he took it all out just before towards that damn demon. He was hunched over while I go over to Rengoku to aid him out of concern, collapsing to my knees to analyse his wound. My breath hitches in response realising how fatal it was, that I'm surprised he's still keeping himself up. My hands hesitantly goes to apply some pressure to prevent him bleeding out, but I didn't know where to. 

How could I? What would Big sister do in this moment? Please, I gotta know......

"It's pointless, young Igarashi......" Rengoku advises, with a deep and gentle voice. ".......I've lost too much blood, so my fate ends here........"

"But......but I....." I utter out, my jaw clamping shut as my teeth grind in frustration.

"Don't work yourself up like that," Rengoku turns to Tanjiro, with a voice so mellow and warm. Despite his injuries he was concerned for us instead, "You would reopen your wound, and that would be very bad......you dying my young Kamado would truly spell my defeat........come here lad, let us speak one last time....."

Tanjiro picks himself up and walks over to us and kneels down beside me, as I rest a hand upon his back for support knowing this must be hard for him. Seeing someone so important and strong, finally dying from a battle that we weren't prepared for.

"When I was dreaming of the past, there was something I remembered," Rengoku began, in realisation and reminisces. "My old residence, you Tanjiro.....should go pay it a visit. You too Igarashi if you wish.......but for Tanjiro, there are notes of the previous flame Hashira there. I recall my father used to read them often, but I'm afraid I don't know their contents myself....."

The demons arm that was torn and embedded into his abdomen, slowly evaporates into thin air the moment the sun peaks.

".....within those notes, you may find the dance you mentioned," Rengoku grimaces slightly, his voice becoming gravelling and hoarse. "The hinokami kagura......"

Tanjiro was silently crying with large tears, "Please, Mr Rengoku.....enough of that!" he raises his hands, trying to be considerate of the hashira as his voice trembles. "Just think about yourself now, can you heal up with a breathing technique?"

Rengoku gives him a subtle smile, "No, very soon......I'll be dead," He replies, rather morbidly. "Before that happens, I need you to hear me out.......I have a younger brother named Senjuro. Please tell him to follow his heart, and walk down the path he feels is right.....and tell my father that I want him to look after himself......and last....about your sister......know that I believe in her. I accept her as our ranks, your sister shed blood to protect the people inside that train from demons....and anyone who does that, reagrdless of what is said to the contrary is a rightful member of the demon slayer corp. So hold your head high........"

Tanjiro tries to stifle his sobs, whilst I tried to keep myself strong for him though I was on the verge of tears.

"......if you are feeling disheartened, that you somehow not enough," Rengoku continues. "Set your heart ablaze......dry your eyes, and look ahead. You may feel like digging your heels in, but the flow of time waits for no one. It won't patiently stand by as you grieve, don't feel bad that I'm going to die........as a hashira it's natural I'd protect you all. The young buds must be allowed to bloom.......any other hashira would've done the same as I.....Young Kamado, Young Igarashi, Young Boar.....Boy of Yellow.......you must continue to grow, and eventually you will lend your aid and become the next hashira. I believe.....in each and every one of you.............."