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Like most pillar meetings, it was short and to the point. They all understand their roles as the highest ranking swordsmen and they all trusted Ubuyashiki with his decisions, even if they didn’t wholeheartedly agree. None of them stuck around the estate once dismissed, most retreating to their own estates or already heading for their next missions. Some of them, however, remained at the estate, which was free for them to use at their own leisure between missions.
Having just returned from a mission, Giyuu took advantage of this perk and headed to his designated room. He hoped to sleep and wake up before he could run into anyone, most specifically, another pillar.
He shouldn’t have been surprised, however, to see the silver haired scarred man waiting for him.
He stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed and waiting. His eyes were narrowed and cold, alerting Giyuu that he was in trouble.
From the moment they’d arrived at the estate and he’d seen Tanjirou lying unconsciously on the floor and no sight of Sanemi amongst the other pillars, he knew the possibility of this outcome. He’d tried his best to interfere before things got too physical but to no success. He should’ve done better to mediate between the two parties, but he knew in the moment, there was nothing he could’ve done. He had to trust Ubuyashiki to handle the situation and hope he understood.
He knew Sanemi better than anyone, the moment he’d appeared with that murderous look in his eyes, he was reminded of painful wounds and the mental scars he carried with him to be so hateful. He didn’t blame him for how he acted or even question his motives, after all, Giyuu was not innocent either. He too had stabbed Nezuko in their first meeting and had swung his sword to kill before he even got the chance to hear Tanjirou out. At the very least Sanemi had let Nezuko prove herself, even if he was expecting her to attack. Giyuu would’ve never thought to let her prove herself. Had Nezuko not protected Tanjirou as fast as she had, he was certain he would’ve beheaded her before Tanjirou could even wake.
He knew the wind pillar was angry and confused by the way he glared. Giyuu tried his best not to cower as he began undressing for the night.
“You’re here.” He softly acknowledged.
“Cut the bullshit Giyuu. We need to talk about earlier.”
Giyuu sighed, he was exhausted from the overnight mission and the emotional toll of the meeting, arguing with Sanemi was not what he wanted to do right now. He didn’t even know where to begin explaining what the fuck was going on.
“Are you angry with me?” Giyuu muttered worriedly,
“Try absolutely fucking pissed.” Sanemi walked towards him, making Giyuu walk backwards until he was pressed to the walls. “Why the fuck are you taking responsibility for that brat and his demon? Why are you protecting the very creature that took your sister and my whole family away? Did you lie to me when you said you wished every demon would just die? Were you just faking the nightmares that wake you up at night, that shake you to the very core I need to hold you? Was my comfort all for nothing.”
“Of course not.” Giyuu replied hurt at the accusations, “I meant everything I’ve ever said about demons. I hate them. I wish they’d all die. Nothing could erase that hurt and pain.” He clenched his shaking fists. “But Nezuko is no regular demon. You’ve seen that.”
“One act of defiance does not prove shit. She very easily could’ve sensed the danger she was in and did what would save her life. Demons are all lying bastards.” Sanemi growled.
“It’s not just one act.” Giyuu whispered tiredly. They were just rehashing the same conversation from earlier at this point. He had to explain and make him understand. “I’ve seen her, when she was just turned, I was sent to kill a demon in the area when I came across them. I didn’t hesitate when I swung my sword to kill her. But Tanjirou saved her before I could. And when I knocked him out to kill her, she defended him, and fought me. But it wasn’t out of hunger. It was protection.” Giyuu locked eyes with the glaring wind pillar, hoping his words were working. “I hate demons. I hate them with my whole being. But I truly believe the answer for the end of demons lies with Nezuko and Tanjirou. That’s why I’m willing to risk my life for them.”
Sanemis glare didn’t let up with Giyuus words, he could tell that nothing he said was going to change his mind. There was no middle ground for them this time.
“You’re a fool.” Sanemi spat the words out and turned on his heel and headed to the door, “I’m not going to sit back and watch you die. As long as you’re on their side, we’re through.”
Those were Sanemis last words before he slammed the doors behind him.
Giyuu locked away the pain in his heart along with his other scars and went to sleep.
He didn’t sleep well at all and there was no one to hold him through the nightmares anymore.