Tension was high in the training room of the Butterfly Mansion.
The watchers felt it formally in the air that this was a monumental moment.
Yua felt how sweat dripped down her forehead, but she didn't dare to wipe it away.
Across from her stood honourable Insect-Hashira, Kocho Shinobu, smiling eerily calm.
Shinobu-Sama was the only person who didn't feel this tension, even quiet Kanao played with her coin. Aoi was biting her lips, while the four little girls held onto each other.
Tanjiro fidgeted a bit, Zenitsu played nervously with his hands, and Inosuke jumped up and down from excitement.
They all waited for the showdown between Shinobu and Yua.
The day had started like normal, with rehabilitation training against Kanao.
For Yua, it was now a child's play to beat Kanao; it was the tsuguko who struggled.
Who else made incredible progress was her beloved Tanjiro. Out of 20 times, he could win 10 against Kanao.
This was impressive, and for Yua, so hot seeing her boyfriend flourish.
In her eyes, he just got sexier any day, and if she couldn't jump him soon, Yua would just poof explode from her ovaries.
Done with his training, Tanjiro stepped happily to his girlfriend and the other boys.
"Let's go for a run. Are you up to it?" he chirped.
"Always, babe," Yua answered, enjoying Tanjiro's cute blush, hearing one of his pet names.
Zenitsu sighed.
Not only because he was far away from his true love, Nezuko, making him jealous seeing Tanjiro and Yua so effortlessly together, but also because of Tanjiro's suggestion.
"You mean while doing Total Concentration, Constant?"
"Yeah."
Friendly Tanjiro slapped Zenitsu's stomach.
"Keep this up the whole time?" Zenitsu whinnied.
Suddenly, Inosuke ripped his shirt open and shouted loudly: "Monjirou!"
Angry Zenitsu hit the boarheaded boy's abs, which Inosuke didn't even feel, making the blond declare him all muscles and no brains.
Amused, Yua takes Tanjiro's hand, waving at the other boys.
"Come on, guys. We are wasting delight.", she reminds.
But before they could go outside to continue their training, Shinobu joined them.
First, everyone thought she just wanted to check on the formerly injured Demon Slayers and their progress, but surprisingly, she had turned to Yua, saying: "I heard from Aoi-Chan and Kanao-Chan how fast and strong you got, Yua-Chan. I would like to see for myself."
So here Yua was, ready to play tag with a Hashira. The midnight blue-haired beauty didn't need her aura-senses to guess that this was a test.
What else could it be?
Surely, Kocho-Sama should scout out if Yua is worthy of becoming a Hashira.
How long had the Moon-Breathing User waited for this moment?
How much sweat, blood and tears did she shed?
It seemed nearly unbelievable that this was happening.
Yua wouldn't lie.
After what had happened at home with her grandfather, a part of her wanted to pull a Noritaka and just leave the corps.
Another part wanted to show the old bastard who called himself her Grandfather how she could become a Hashira!
Also, she didn't want to leave Tanjiro, Nezuko, Inosuke and Zenitsu hanging.
They were a team now.
She would feel like a traitor if she left the Demon Slayer Corps now.
If this truly was a test to see if she was worthy to be a Hashira, Yua would give her all against Shinobu!
Calmly, the Mochizuki took a deep breath, focusing on the task. She couldn't let her thoughts wander, not when she was about to go against a Hashira.
Shinobu's calm smile didn't reassure her; it only made her more nervous.
When they started their game of tag, Yua felt the tension in the air increase.
She had to catch Shinobu as fast as she could!
The boys and the four little girls were cheering her on from the sidelines, while Aoi and Kanao were watching intently.
The Kinoto couldn't help but feel grateful for their support.
They were more than just teammates, they were family now.
And she wouldn't let them down!
Shinobu was quick, but Yua was determined. She dashed left and right, trying to predict Shinobu's next move. Sweat dripped down Yua's forehead, but she refused to give up her chase.
This was her chance to prove herself.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of running and dodging, Yua succeeded in tagging Shinobu.
For Yua, it had felt long, for the one who watched, well, they only saw two blurry images running around the room, before they came to stop, with Yua holding tight a part of Shinobus haori in her hand.
The watchers all let out loud celebration screams, and even Kanao couldn't help but smile a bit on her own will.
Yua had all impressed!
The Hashira smiled even wider and patted Yua on the back.
"Well done," she chirped. "You have great potential."
The 17-year-old felt relief wash over her as Shinobu walked away with Aoi and Kanao following behind her. She looked at Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu before she was suddenly stormed by Ema and her friends.
The little girls were all hugging her.
"That was amazing, Yua-Nee/Lady Yua!" they shouted.
Laughing, Yua hugged each girl tightly before she felt someone pick her up, twirling her around.
It was Tanjiro.
"You were incredible!" her boyfriend praised her, proud.
This made her laugh even more, hugging his neck tightly, leaving kisses on his head.
The girls cooed, while Zenitsu mumbled to Inosuke: "Lucky Bastard. He has her amazing breasts in his face."
"What's so special about this?" wonders Inosuke.
Breasts were there to feed the young and nothing more.
In disbelief, Zenitsu made a facepalm.
"I'm surrounded by stupid virgins!"
For that, Inosuke hit him over the head.
"I have no idea what ya talking about, Monjirou, but I have a feeling I have to hit you!"
The blond faceplanted hard on the floor, and only pathetic and hurt sounds came out of him.
(*)
Since they weren't any more patients of the Butterfly Mansion, but guests, the four Demon Slayers were moved into one of the guest rooms.
Tanjiro and Yua liked to share their futons, the girl often spooning her younger lover.
For both, it was the best sleep they had had in ages.
Still it sucked major that they had to share the room with Zenitsu and Inosuke! Yua had a feeling Shinobu gave them the room intentionally.
The Hashira was cockblocking her!
She couldn't get intimate with her boyfriend, because you bet Zenitsu, the pervert, would enjoy watching them, and Inosuke didn't have any tact at all.
Only innocent cheek kisses and cuddling and nothing more!
Frustated was an understatement of what Yua felt! They have been together for a good two weeks now, and Tanjiro had told her he wanted to go slowly, which she accepted, but not even french kissing?!
Yeah, the Hashira was cockblocking her!
Which was stupid because Yua drank the special tea, all female Demon Slayers drank, to prevent pregnancies.
Uurgh, she was so on the edge and horny!
Stupid hormones!
Anyway, their peaceful sleep was interrupted by Kaguya, flying into their room.
"Morning, children, morning Yua-Chan.", the female crow cawed.
Sleepy Yua raised her head from where it was buried in Tanjiro's soft hair, as her boyfriend sat up.
"What the heck?", Inosuke shouted pissed.
"Huh? What's going on?" Zenitsu wondered while he sat up on his futon.
Yua turned on her stomach and held out a hand for Kaguya to sit on.
"Morning, my princess." She kissed Kaguya on the head, which made the bird caw happy. "I assume you have a mission for us?"
"That's right. The casualties of the Infinite Train are increasing. More than 40 are now missing. You are to join Rengoku Kyoujurou on-site. Head west at once!"
Smirking, Yua turned to her boys.
"Looks like we are back in the game, boys!"
(*)
At the same time, one Kocho Shinobu talked with Oyakata-Sama about how she had recommended Tanjiro and his friends for the mission on the Mugen Train.
Also, about the Sun Breathing, Tanjiro had learned from his father, but did not know anymore about it, besides the little he and Yua had found out in the Mochizuki Archives.
Hopeful, the Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyoujurou could help shed some light on the matter.
"Now, my child, about the favour I asked you about.", Oyakata-Sama said in his calm voice. "What do you think about Mochizuki Yua?"
"Her strength and abilities are on Hashira Level, no question.", Shinobu answers truthfully. "Like you asked me, Oyakata-Sama, I tested her and she could beat me without problems. I also sensed a change in her behaviour thanks to entering a relationship with Kamado Tanjiro. Both complement each other nicely, caring for each other but never forgetting their other important people."
"This sounds all very good. She may be ready."
"You mean master?"
The master nodded.
"I will wait to see how Kyoujurou is going to evaluate young Yua in this mission, but we may have finally found a new Hashira."
(*)
Of course, none in the Butterfly Mansion knew what was happening in headquarters.
No, the four Demon Slayers were more occupied preparing for their mission.
Yua had already said her goodbyes, so she had taken Nezuko with her.
They took a bath and then in Nezuko's room, they got ready.
After so long, wearing her Demon Slayer uniform made Yua happy. It was such a part of her...maybe she was forced into this life, but...leaving it?
The only situation Yua could imagine to leave this life behind was when there wouldn't be any more demons, which made the corps useless anyway.
Could they reach this objective in her lifetime?
Yua didn't know; she just knew she would marry Tanjiro in the future, but under no conditions would she birth children in a world full of demons.
No, she and Tanjiro's children should have a real childhood, without fear of what lurked in the shadows.
Sighing, Yua braided two thin braids on each side of Nezuko's head and then fixed them together with a cherry blossom hair clip.
Wishful thinking wouldn't help anyone; they needed to try to end this war against the Demon King once and for all.
Nezuko cooed softly, touching her new hairstyle in wonder.
Gosh, her future sister-in-law was such a cutie!
Yua couldn't resist and peppered Nezuko's adorable face with kisses. This made the demon girl giggle sweetly, hugging Yua tightly.
The two girls ended up cuddling, which was how Tanjiro found them.
"Hello, Lovely." Yua greeted him lovingly. "Said goodbye to the others?"
"I did, Sunshine.", he answered, which as always made Yua smile. She liked it that Tanjiro associated her with the sun, her the daughter of the moon. "Did you know that Kanao needed a coin to decide what to do? I hope I could help her make now alone decisions."
This made Yua sit up, while Nezuko still embraced her. She stroked the younger girl's hair.
"Yeah, I know it. We all just rolled with it. From what Aoi-San told me, Kanao-San did not have the best childhood. You are amazing, you know that. Always so helpful, I'm a disaster at these things."
"Don't say this." Tanjiro tutted, stepping towards them.
He petted his sister's hair while he kissed his girlfriend on the forehead.
"You have your way of helping, you are kind and gentle and don't try to deny it, I can smell it."
Huffing, Yua patted his cheek.
"Won't say a thing. Now get dressed. We need to go."
Tanjiro nodded and gave each of them a kiss on the cheek.
Soon, the four Demon Slayers and one Demon in a Box were outside the Butterfly Mansion with Ema and her three friends.
Yua stood beside the little girls and watched as Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke blew into the big guards.
They all cheered them on till the boys managed to make them explode!
This made the girls cheer louder.
"Amazing boys, you did it, I'm proud of you!" their Senpai congratulated them with a lovely smile.
The boys blushed under her praise.
It's then that Kiyo holds out a basket of rice balls to the four.
"Here you go."
Tanjiro thanks her, and Inosuke reaches for a rice ball, but Zenitsu stops him.
"Don't eat it now!", Zenitsu shrieks.
The four little girls chorus: "Please go out and defeat tons of demons."
"We'll do our best.", Tanjiro promises, as he sees the Water Hashira Tomioka Giyuu running up to him, while Zenitsu and Yua try to stop Inosuke from eating the Rice Balls.
"Boarhead, stop it!" Yua shouts.
"I told you not to eat it now!", Zenitsu shrieks again.
Inosuke only tells them to shut up.
An angry mark forms on Yua's head and faster than lighting she hits Inosuke on the head and catches in the some moment the basket with the rice balls.
Inosuke is just a whimpering flat form on the ground, a little crater formed around him.
Zenitsu's mouth meets the floor, and the little girls are in awe.
"Yua-Nee/Lady Yua is amazing!"
What strength! Zenitsuthinks scared to the bones. Yua-Senpai was strong when we met, but now she is a force of nature! I hope you never forget any anniversary, Tanjiro, or she will kill you!
Soon Tanjiro rejoins them, wondering where Inosuke got a new bump from, Yua innocent standing there with the basket, and Zenitsu being terrified.
The red-haired boy can just smile.
Yeah, these are his precious people.
And he would do anything to protect them and Nezuko!
The Demon Slayers say goodbye to the little girls and make their way to their mission.
(*)
At sundown, they reach the train station.
It's been a while since Yua has been in the more modern parts of Japan, but she is excited to drive on a train for the first time.
Her excitement gets a bummer as she sees how Inosuke is freaking out about the train.
"Hey… Hey! Hey! Wha… Wh-Wha… What the hell is this creature?! I bet this is that thing! The master of this land! The ruler of this land! See how long it is? So intimidating! No mistake! It looks like it's asleep right now, but don't let your guard down!"
"Uh, no, it's a train.", Zenitsu deadpans at him, and Yua, the queen of deadpanning, is a tiny bit proud. "Haven't you ever seen one before?"
"Shush! Calm down! I'll lead the charge!"
Inosuke prepares to fight the train.
"Hold up, Inosuke!", Tanjiro stops him.
At least her boyfriend isn't some country bumpkin.
"Huh?" Inosuke grumbles.
"You never know, it might be the guardian spirit of this land. Also, you shouldn't attack all of a sudden."
Yua takes it back...and are these sparkles around Tanjiro?
"Tanjiro, babe...", she says exasperated, rubbing her forehead. "A train is a vehicle for transporting people. It's not gonna eat us."
(A sentence she would regret later)
"Both of them are country bumpkins, Yua-Senpai.", Zenitsu huffs with crossed arms.
Well, she can't say anything against it.
It makes her feel dirty.
"Huh? A train?" Tanjiro repeats, surprised. "So is that what Kaguya was talking about?"
Suddenly, Inosuke walks toward the station building, while his friends stare at him in confusion.
What is he planning now?
He charges the train and headbutts it!
"Stop it! Talk about embarrassing!" Zenitsu and Yua scold together.
Of course, two station attendants saw all this and ran up to them. They start to shout for the police when they see all of the group's katanas.
"MOVE IT GUYS!" Yua commands.
Fast she throws Tanjiro over her shoulder, while Zenitsu drags Inosuke by the arm away. They managed to hide from the station attendants and police.
The moon is raised as Zenitsu gives it to Inosuke: "Thanks to you, we went through hell, Inosuke! Say you're sorry!"
"Huh?! In the first place, why did we have to run from the police?!" he asked.
It's Yua who answers him, hands on her hips. "The Demon Slayer Corps isn't an officially recognised organisation by the government. Walking in broad daylight with our katanas out is dumb; it only gets us in trouble. We can't tell the normal mass about demons, they would think us mad and probably look us up somewhere."
"Even though we're working so hard?" Tanjiro says, a bit sad.
His girlfriend rubbed his shoulder.
"It can't be helped, Tanjiro. It's how it is. People don't wanna know the truth about what lurks in the dark. Being ignorant is a blessing."
"For now, let's hide our Katana's on our backs.", Zenitsu adds.
The three hear how Inosuke giggles, then the wild boy stands up and shows them his back... where you can see his katana's clear as daylight.
All three are deadpanning. Yua feels again proud.
"You can see them. Put on some clothes, idiot.", Zenitsu advises, still deadpanning.
However, they don't have time to look for clothes since the train starts to drive away!
"Oh crap, they are driving away without us!" Yua shouts.
"Are the police still around?" Zenitsu wonders.
"We'll have to go even if they are." Tanjiro points out.
Like the maniac wild boy he is, Inosuke jumps out from their hidey hole and challenges the train to a race.
"Oh, Tsukuyomi, that guy!" Yua yells, racing after him and the train. "Guys, let's go!"
Inosuke, Yua and Tanjiro jump on the train while Zenitsu trails behind. He calls for his friends, and the three manage to pull him onto the back of the train.
"Haha! Man, it's fast!" Insouke laughs excitedly.
"I know what you mean.", Yua agrees, her five long braids dancing in the wind "That's my first time on a train, too."
Zenitsu turned to Tanjiro, asking him if it was right to bring Nezuko with them, if she would be safer at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. Tanjiro tells him that it was fine and that no one would separate him and his sister.
A familiar and beloved hand, Yua's, takes hold of Tanjiro and squeezes it.
Without words, Tanjiro knows what his girlfriend, his future wife, wants to say with the gesture.
I will be on your side too. Always.
He squeezes with the same feeling back.
And so the Mugen Train rolls into the night, none of them the wiser about the nightmares they would encounter on it.
(*)
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