Luminous (KNY X READER)

Thirty-Six

You stand in front of Shinobu, blade strapped to your hip and haori on over your uniform. It's been a few weeks since you all arrived at her estate and all of you have finally been cleared to return to missions. Just a short while ago your crow informed you of your mission- meeting with the Flame Hashira on Mugen Train.

Now, you're giving your thanks to Shinobu for her hospitality and for helping you and your friends. She waves the thanks off, simply telling you to stay safe on your mission. The Insect Hashira would never admit it, but you were her favorite patient. You were significantly easier to care for than your friends and were always extremely polite when speaking to her.

Saying your goodbyes, you head off towards the front gate where you'll be meeting with the others. You have to admit that you're quite glad you are all once more going on the same mission together. You're still not very confident in your abilities, making you fear the thought of being forced to go on a mission by yourself.

You've caused nothing but trouble on every mission thus far and believe you'd fail miserably if on your own. Of course, you still worry about causing problems for the others once again. But, you know that all of them would simply reassure you, claiming that you never cause them problems and that they want you to go on missions with them.

Pushing the worries from your mind, you quietly greet the others as you all begin to make your way to where you need to meet the Flame Hashira. It doesn't take long at all for all of you to make it to the train station, the steam whistle sounding especially loud in your ears. It makes you wince slightly, scrunching up your nose in discomfort. You've never been on or even seen a train before so you weren't expecting it to be so loud. Hopefully inside of the train is a lot more quieter.

As the train starts pulling away, you're unexpectedly lifted off of your feet as Inosuke scoops you up into his arms. He chases after the departing train with the other two boys following after him, jumping just in time to land on the outer platform of one of the cabins. He sets you down carefully before turning to help Tanjiro pull Zenitsu up onto the train.

Tanjiro slides open the door, leading you all inside of the cabin. You follow after him, completely ignoring the other two boys as Zenitsu tries his best to keep Inosuke from doing anything crazy. You're not at all surprised when Tanjiro stops just to help a woman put her luggage in the over head racks, him being far too kind to simply ignore him and continue on with what you're all there for.

"This Rengoku, he's a Hashira right?" Zenitsu questions as he drags an excited Inosuke along. "You sure you'll recognize him?"

"Yeah, along with his fiery hair, I remember his scent too." Tanjiro answers, completely unbothered as to how that would sound to anyone that doesn't know him. "I'll tell you when I sense him."

This, of course, doesn't matter since as soon as Tanjiro opens the door to the next cabin you're all met with a loud voice calling out 'umai!', the word making you falter just slightly. The statement is repeated, getting louder and louder the closer you get to who you assume is the Flame Hashira. Having not paid attention at all during the trial, you have no clue what he sounds like but you're almost certain it's him.

"That's the Flame Hashira?" Zenitsu whispers towards Tanjiro. "Not just some random glutton?"

Tanjiro tries his best to get the Hashira's attention but it takes a few tries before he's finally acknowledged. Tanjiro politely introduces you all before you all take your seats, you somehow ending up next to Rengoku with Tanjiro across from both of you, the other two getting a booth of their own. As you sit next to Rengoku, you mumble a surprised 'thank you' when a bento is gently pushed into your hands.

After listening to him shouting it so many times, you can't help it when a soft 'umai' falls from your lips the second you take a bite of the food. Rengoku glances towards you, a smile on his face as he hears the word, enjoying that you appreciate food as much as he does even though you're much more subtle than he is. You continue to enjoy the meal as Rengoku and Tanjiro talk, your friend trying to ask if Rengoku knows anything about the dance his father used to do.

You only begin to pay attention once more when you hear Rengoku mention a demon appearing. Zenitsu, being his usual self, freaks out upon finding out that demons appear on the train. Rengoku ignores his screeching, simply continuing on as he explains. "Over forty people have gone missing from this train in a short period of time. We sent in several swordsmen. However, they have all vanished, and that is the reason I am here."

You set your bento down at this, no longer having an appetite. Several other swordsmen- people more than likely much more talented than you when it comes to killing demons- have all failed at eliminating the demon. What chance could you possibly have against whatever demon is on this train? Why on earth did they send four barely experienced slayers to help a Hashira? What if you get in his way? What if... What if he fails because of you?

"May I... See your... Tickets, please?" A man comes walking into the cabin, making his way down the aisle as he snips everyone's tickets. Despite very much not wanting to be on the train anymore, you pull your ticket from your chest pocket and hand it over, allowing it to be snipped.

There's a slight buzzing sound, but you're unable to see the lights beginning to flicker overhead. Standing up, you press yourself towards the window as much as possible in order to stay out of the way as Rengoku moves into the aisle. There's an intense heat as he prepares to attack whatever demon has made an appearance, and you momentarily consider removing your bandages in order to be able to somewhat see what's going on.

Rengoku tells everyone to come with him after he kills the demon, heading into a cabin where a second demon has appeared. The others follow after him as you stay still, choosing to stay behind with Nezuko rather than attempting to go with them where you might end up unknowingly getting in the way.

Shortly after they all return to their seats, you find yourself growing quite tired. Your head bobs up and down as you try your best to fight off sleep but it inevitably takes over, forcing you to pass out while leaning against Rengoku. If only you knew that falling asleep would be the cause of one of the worst days of your life.

You would've tried harder to stay awake.

——————
🔆TAISHO SECRETS🔆

🔅This is the first time you've said 'umai' while eating in years

🔅You usually enjoy sleeping as it allows you to dream. Dreaming is the only time you can see clearly, so you like sleeping more than being awake

🔅Shinobu didn't expect you to say goodbye to her when leaving for your mission, nor did she expect you to thank her

——————
For bonus chapters, early access, exclusive stories, and more, consider checking out my Patreon!