(This is a little something that I wanted to make after I watched a video of Tanjiro vs Rengoku in Hinokami Chronicles. So I'm doing it with my own twist. Hope you enjoy.)

After the ferocious battle that came about on the Mugen Train and the death of the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, the Water Hashira, Kanba Kenshi, monitored the recovery of Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu in the hospital. But after a small meditation session to himself, he found himself in a dream like mindscape, with a special someone waiting for him.

(Kanba): *Gasp* "What...? What is this? Am I still meditating? Or am I dreaming?"

(Kanba picks up Tamonowo from the floor in front of him and puts the scabbard on his back using the cloth sling wrapped around it before standing up, going to check on the three young Demon Slayers, only to discover they aren't in their hospital beds)

(Kanba): "They aren't here. Then I really must be dreaming."

(He exits the front door of the hospital and finds himself standing out the Demon Slayer headquarters, rightfully confused about the circumstances)

(Kanba): "The headquarters? I was just at the hospital. How can this...?"

(He halts his thoughts when he looks to his right and sees the Flame Hashira, Rengoku, standing only a few yards away from him and his body facing away from Kanba, then Rengoku turns around to face him)

(Kanba): Rengoku...? But, I thought you were killed.

(He approaches him before Rengoku held his hand up towards Kanba, as if telling him to stop, and the Water Hashira stops dead in his tracks, then Rengoku pulls his Nichirin Blade from it's scabbard and taking a stance)

(Kanba): "That stance. Is he...?"

(It takes him a moment to process the situation, but it becomes clear eventually, softly nodding before taking up Tamonowo in a similar stance)

(Kanba): Very well, I accept your challenge, Kyojuro Rengoku!

(The two Hashiras fly at each other, then exchanging blade clashes and Breathing Techniques, both of them being equally matched in their own rights)

(Kanba): "His techniques, endurance, strength, speed, everything...! It's all impressive! But I won't give up, your words fill me with vigor, and your enthusiasm keeps my head up through the most dire situations!"

(After some well placed hits on Rengoku, Kanba manages to make him fall to the ground, but he gets back up and Kanba jumps back a little bit to give him some room)

(Rengoku): "I'll use every ounce of my strength!"

(Rengoku unleashes his Surge, ready for the final bout)

(Kanba): "He's going all-out." Very well, let this be our final battle, no holes barred!

(Kanba unleashes his Surge, and the final battle begins as they both flew towards one another once again, this time their strength and speed are increased, ten fold)

(Kanba): "This dream, this battle, seeing Rengoku for the last time. I understand what it all means now!"

(Kanba & Rengoku): "Face Forward! Grit your teeth! Set your heart ablaze!!"

(The battle rages on, the elegance and power between the two were unrivaled, and after they clashed their blades again, it creates a shockwave which sends the two backwards, but once they touch the ground, the moment of truth comes, as Rengoku takes his ultimate stance)

(Rengoku): "Flame Breathing, Esoteric Art... Ninth Form!"

(Kanba): "Water Breathing, Tenth Form...!"

(They both fly at each other with the final clash, Rengoku's flames taking the form of a dragon, and Kanba's waves taking form of a dragon as well as he raised his blade)

(Rengoku): "Rengoku!"

(Kanba): "Constant Flux!"

(Their blades connect as the flames take the formation of a firey tornado and tidal waves that are 5 stories high circle around the flaming cyclone, as the Hashiras continue to clash in the epicenter of it all)

(Kanba): THIS IS IT!!! LET'S GO!!!!

(Kanba's longsword slides off Rengoku's katana as he prepares the final blow)

(Kanba): Water Breathing! 2nd Form! Spirit Roundhouse Slash!

(Kanba swings his blade around 360° with water flowing from the blade, as he tries to strike Rengoku with the attack but the Flame Hashira blocks it)

(Kanba lets out a war cry, and with all his might, he knocks Rengoku's Nichirin Blade out of his hands, and the battle comes to a close)

(Kanba sheaths his blade before falling to his knees, exhausted from using so much energy during the battle, and using the scabbard to help keep his body from falling)

(Kanba): "What a battle... After everything I threw at him, I could only knock his blade out of his hand... He's unremarkable, unbelievable..."

(Rengoku walks up to his ally as Kanba looks up at him and offers him a hand, which Kanba accepts and stands up)

(Kanba): Thank you, my dear friend.

(He then felt something in his hand and he looks at it, revealing to be the handle guard of Rengoku's katana)

(Kanba looks at Rengoku, only to realize that he's gone, with the handle guard being the only momento that remained of him, as Kanba clasped the handle guard and silently cried in solemn joy that he got to fight him, one last time)

(In the real world, he awakens from his meditation and looks around, realizing that he has returned to the mortal realm, but when he looked down at Tamonowo, he saw Rengoku's handle guard in front of the blade, picking up both items before standing and going to check on Tanjiro)

(He enters the room and saw the boys in their beds, Nezuko sleeping with his brother, as he smiles lightly before walking toward Tanjiro's bed on the left-hand side, and gently shaking him to wake up)

(Kanba): Young Kamado, awaken. There is something I must show you.

(Tanjiro groans a little bit before waken up, looking over to his left to see the Hashira kneeling in front of him before sitting upright and petting Nezuko)

(Tanjiro): Kanba sir, good morning.

(Kanba): Good morning to you as well, are you feeling better after the incident?

(Tanjiro): A little, but I'll be fine.

(Kanba smiles at his reassurance)

(Kanba): I am glad to hear that, young Kamado.

(Tanjiro): Anyway, you said there was something you needed to show me?

(Kanba): Indeed. Open your hands to me.

(Tanjiro held out his hands to Kanba before he places the handle guard into his hands, Tanjiro gasps and his eyes widened upon seeing it)

(Tanjiro): Is this...?

(Kanba): Rengoku's handle guard. I had a feeling he would want you to have it, seeing as to how far you all have come. It would've been disappointing if he had seen you all fall at the Mugen Train.

(Tanjiro's eyes start welling up with tears before he hugs Kanba and cries into his shoulder, but Kanba didn't really mind as he gently pats him on the back)

(Kanba): It's okay, young Tanjiro. Take your time.

(After Tanjiro finishes crying, he dries his tears before Kanba speaks up again and stands)

(Kanba): Get changed, and take up your weapon. We must continue training you for the long journey ahead.

(Tanjiro): Y-Yes sir!

(After getting changed and taking his weapon, Tanjiro and Kanba stands together in the forest not too far from the hospital)

(Kanba): Are you ready to begin training again?

(Tanjiro): Yes sir.

(Kanba): Excellent. And remember what Rengoku told us all.

(The two take their blades out as they begin training)

(Kanba): Face forward.

(They take their respective stances)

(Tanjiro): Grit your teeth.

(They fly at each other, swinging their blades to one another)

(Kanba & Tanjiro): Set your heart ablaze!!

(The End)

(I really hope you guys like this. It takes a lot of creative inspiration to make these and I'm sure you all know that too. Anyway, have a good day or night.)