28. Mugen Train

The soft morning light slipped gently through the window, spilling over Hana's sleeping face. Her breaths were slow, peaceful until a familiar caw broke her slumber.

"It's morning! Wake up!" her crow screeched from the window frame.

Hana groaned and turned on her side, burying her face in her pillow. "What's wrong..." she mumbled groggily, rubbing her eyes.

The crow hopped closer, voice sharp and urgent. "Casualties on the Infinite Train have increased! More than forty people are missing! Travel to the scene and rendezvous with Kyojuro Rengoku!"

Hana blinked, her sleepy mind catching only a few words. "Rengoku-san?" she repeated quietly, recognizing the name.

"Head west at once!" the crow finished before taking flight, feathers flashing in the morning light as it disappeared into the sky.

"...Infinity Train, is it?" she murmured, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She quickly dressed, tying her hair back and strapping her sword to her waist.

When she stepped out of her room, she spotted Tanjiro waiting outside.

"Hana," Tanjiro called, his tone carrying both excitement and seriousness. "The mission-"

"I know," she interrupted gently, already understanding from her crow's message. Her eyes softened at her younger brother's determined face. Even when things got difficult, he never wavered. That made her proud and anxious at the same time.

Before they could say anything more, footsteps echoed through the corridor. A tall boy appeared, walking straight toward them. Without slowing, he bumped shoulders with Tanjiro.

"Huh?" Hana's brows furrowed as she looked up at the boy. He seemed familiar.

'Isn't that the guy from the Final Selection?' she thought, recalling the mohawk-haired boy who had been loud and arrogant that day. He had grown taller, his body looked stronger -but his scent... it was strange. Something about it unsettled her.

"Long time no see! It's good to see that you're doing well!" Tanjiro greeted brightly.

The boy didn't respond. He just kept walking, his expression blank, his steps steady.

Tanjiro's shoulders slumped slightly, a small pout forming. Hana gave a nervous laugh and patted his back. "Don't mind him." she said softly.

They walked outside to meet Aoi. "So, you're leaving," she said. "Although it wasn't long, it has been a pleasure spending time with you. Please do your best and be careful on the road."

"You were so busy, but you still took care of us," Tanjiro replied sincerely. "Thank you very much. Thanks to you, we can fight again."

Aoi shook her head. "Don't thank me. I was lucky enough to survive the Final Selection. After that... I've just been a coward who can't fight because of my fears."

Hana's expression softened. She and Tanjiro exchanged a glance, sharing the same thought. Then Tanjiro stepped closer, his tone gentle. "That's not true. You already became a part of me because you helped us. You gave us strength."

Tanjiro gave her a soft smile. "We'll carry your will to the battlefield, Ms. Aoi."

Hana smiled at her little brother's words. "If I get hurt again, I'll have to trouble you," Tanjiro joked lightly as they turned to leave.

----

While walking, Hana spotted Giyuu standing near the courtyard. She told Tanjiro to wait for her before stepping toward the Water Hashira.

"Tomioka-san," Hana greeted with a soft smile.

He turned, and his expression relaxed a little when he saw her. "Morning, Hana." he said quietly.

"Good morning." she chirped.

"I heard you're going on a mission," he said, voice even but thoughtful.

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Hana," Giyuu said. His eyes softened a little. "Be careful."

"I will," she assured. Then, teasing lightly, "You sound worried, Tomioka-san."

"I am." he admitted quietly.

Hana's eyes widened, then she smiled warmly. "Thank you, Tomioka-san. Promise I'll be fine."

He nodded. "Good."

They stood there for a short while, a calm silence passing between them. The morning breeze stirred the leaves nearby. Finally, Hana waved lightly. "See you when I get back."

"I'll be here," he said, watching her go, the faintest smile touching his lips before he turned away.

Finally, she joined Tanjiro outside, where Inosuke, Zenitsu, and the three little girls from the Butterfly Mansion
Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho were gathered.

There were four large gourds placed before them. "You can do it! You can do it! You can do it!" the girls cheered as the group blew into the gourds with all their strength. After a few seconds of determined effort, the gourds burst.

"Hooray!" the girls cheered, throwing their arms up in celebration.

Kiyo handed Hana a basket. "Please take this," she said brightly. "It's filled with rice balls."

"Thank you so much." Hana said warmly, accepting the basket.

"Please go out and defeat tons of demons!" the three little girls cheered.

"Take care, you guys!" they called as the group prepared to leave.

Zenitsu wiped at his eyes dramatically. "You're all heartbroken to say goodbye to me, aren't you? I can stay behind if it upsets you!"

Kiyo frowned. "Master Zenitsu, please try to learn how to be considerate and respectful of girls."

Zenitsu stiffened, nodding quickly. "Right! Of course!"

Hana sighed as Zenitsu began rambling again about how Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho should at least look a little sad that he was leaving. Tanjiro chuckled quietly beside her while Inosuke yawned, clearly bored.

"Okay, guys. We're leaving now!" Tanjiro called. The four of them waved goodbye as they began their journey toward the station.

---

The moment they arrived, Inosuke's wild energy took over. He stopped dead in front of the massive train, eyes wide. "Hey... hey! Hey! Wha- wha- what the hell is this creature?!" he shouted, pointing dramatically. "This is it, right? The master of this land no, the ruler of this land! This length and this feeling of oppression! There's no mistaking it!"

"Uh, no. It's just a train," Zenitsu deadpanned.

Inosuke turned sharply and smacked Zenitsu across the face. "Silence! I'll attack first!"

"No, calm down, Inosuke!" Hana snapped, stepping forward.

Tanjiro raised a hand, his expression thoughtful. "You know, it might be the guardian spirit of this land. It might not be appropriate to attack it."

Hana looked at him, dumbfounded. "Seriously?"

Zenitsu threw his hands in the air. "No! I told you! Didn't you hear me? It's just the steam train! It's a vehicle for transporting people, you damn bumpkins!"

Tanjiro's eyes lit up. "Ah! So this is what the Kasugai Crow meant!" he said, realization dawning.

Inosuke puffed up his chest and suddenly head-butted the train. "INOSUKE!" Hana whisper-shouted. "Stop that! You're embarrassing us!"

A loud whistle shrieked from the train, and two men rushed over, alarmed. "Hey, they've got swords! Call the police!"

"Oh no crap, crap, crap!" Zenitsu yelped, grabbing Inosuke while Hana seized Tanjiro's arm. "Run!"

They bolted, darting between crates and walls until they found a quiet corner behind the station. Hana pressed her back to the wall, panting slightly. "Thanks to Inosuke, we're in trouble now," Zenitsu grumbled. "Apologize! Now!" he demanded.

"What?! Why must we run if the police are here?" Inosuke huffed.

"Because the Demon Slayer Corps isn't recognized by the government," Hana explained.

Zenitsu nodded. "Exactly! We can't walk around in public with our swords in view. Even if we explained what demons are, they wouldn't believe us it would only cause chaos!"

Tanjiro frowned thoughtfully. "We're risking our lives to protect people from demons..."

Zenitsu shook his head. "Doesn't matter. We have no say in this. Anyway, hide your swords on your backs."

Inosuke laughed, slinging his swords across his shoulders. "Put on a shirt! We can still see them!" Zenitsu groaned.

"No way! The train is leaving!" Tanjiro suddenly yelled, eyes gleaming.

"I wonder if the police are still here," Hana said anxiously, watching the steam puff from the train's chimney. "We still have to go."

"Let's have a showdown the owner of this land!" Inosuke declared, charging forward.

"You idiot!" Zenitsu facepalmed running after him. Hana couldn't help but grin, shaking her head as she and Tanjiro ran after them.

The four of them sprinted across the platform, ignoring the shouts of the men behind them. "You four!" someone yelled, but they didn't stop. One by one, they leapt onto the back of the train, helping Zenitsu up last.

"It's so fast!" Inosuke exclaimed, eyes wide with wonder.

"Hey, Hana, Tanjiro," Zenitsu said quietly after catching his breath. "Is it really okay to bring Nezuko along? Keeping her at the headquarters would've been safer..."

Hana looked up at the darkening sky, her voice steady but gentle. "It's fine. No matter where we go, me and my siblings will always be together. We're never going to be apart again."

Her words lingered in the air, carried by the sound of the train's whistle as it began to move. The wind whipped through her hair as she stood beside her brother, looking at the calm sky..