Scattering into the darkness

"You should go...to visit House Rengoku, where I was born. There you'll find the writing of past flame hashira. My father read them often...but I didn't...so I have no idea what's in them. They may contain records of the hinokami kagura that you mentioned...netsu can help you…"

Akaza's arm had disintegrated.

"That's enough...isn't there a way to stop your bleeding? Can't you use your breathing?" Netsu asked.

"No...I'm gonna die soon. But i have to say something...so listen...tell senjuro to take the path he feels is right. And to follow his heart...and tell father to take care of himself...and...tanjiro...i believe in your sister. I consider her a member of the demon slayer corps. On the train, I saw her shed her own blood to protect humans. If she risks her life to fight demons and protect people...she's a member no matter what anyone says! Stand tall and be proud. No matter how weak or unworthy you feel...keep your heart burning, grit your teeth and move forward. If you just curl up in a ball and hide, time will pass you by. It won't stop for you while you wallow in grief. Don't worry about my death. I'm a hashira. It's my job to shield you junior members...Now it's gonna be Netsu's job soon. Any hashira would do the same...we can't allow...the young buds to be plucked. Tanjiro...Netsu...and friends...you all keep learning and growing. Someday you guys will become hashira and be pillars of the demon slayer corps. That's what I believe. I believe in you both."

Then Kyojuro stared at the distance.

Then smiled.

His eyes closed, and his head bowed down.

Netsu started crying again.

"When he went off the train tracks...rengoku used a bunch of techniques...to minimize the damage on the train cars" Zenitsu said.

"Oh...it's only you...I know he did…" netsu said, through sobs

"I can't believe he's dead...was there really an upper rank demon?" Kage asked.

He had the box that carried nezuko on his back

"Yes…" tanjiro answered

"Why did it come here? Was it that strong?" zenitsu asked

"It was…" kuki said

"This is all so frustrating...everytime i learn something new...I learn just how much more there is I don't know. These awesome people are fighting with such skill and power...and I'm still so far behind them. I feel like I'm falling before...can i...can I ever become anything like rengoku?"

Then everyone else started to cry.

"This is all my fault...if i just intervened a bit earlier...none of this would have happened…"

It was quiet…

For a while…

"DON'T DWELL ON SUCH WEEK THOUGHTS! YOU CAN OR CAN'T IT DOESNT DO YOU ANY GOOD TO SIT THERE WONDERING ABOUT THE MAYBES HE SAID HE BELIEVED IN US...SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN LIVING THAT UP! EVERYTHING THAT DIES RETURNS TO THE EARTH...CRYING WON'T BRING ANY OF THEM BACK! NO MATTER HOW FRUSTRATED YOU FEEL, DON'T CRY!! EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU'RE WRETCHED AND UNWORTHY...YOU MUST KEEP LIVING!" inosuke yelled

Kage stood up

"YES LET US NOT WALLOW IN SADNESS, IT WILL NOT AVENGE HIS DEATH, KILLING AKAZA SHALL!!"

"B-but you're crying too...your tears are flowing out of your mask…" hoshi said

"I'M NOT CRYING" inosuke headbutted hoshi

"WE ARE RELEASING ALL THE PAIN VIA WATER" kage cried

Then inosuke ran over to netsu.

"COME ON, WE HAVE TO TRAIN!" he yelled.

Then he started to hit her on the head.

And they all continued to cry