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The Water Hashira stepped out of the gate, shutting it silently behind him. The annual meeting had ended later than usual, and so he decided to stay at the Butterfly Mansion for the night. He tucked his hands back underneath his haori before walking swiftly down the dirt path.
The other Hashiras decided to go out for dinner together, Mitsuri had offered an invite for him to join, but like every year, he declines, choosing to eat back at the Mansion before retiring for the evening.
The large wooden fence line came to a stop as he came to a tall archway, littered with pretty purple and pink flowers, butterflies fluttering about on them despite the late day. He saw a few of the Mansion’s healers walking about, chatting with one another as they ended their long day’s work.
A few noticed him, giving a bow before moving along. A certain Tanjiro noticed him as well. The young Demon Slayer watched the Water Hashira disappear seamlessly into the Mansion.
“Tomioka-San is here today?” He asked nobody in particular. Zenitsu looked up and around and then shrugged his shoulders before entering the Mansion as well.
Giyuu made his way up the steps and down to the kitchen area. It was empty of course by this time of day. Dinner had already been finished so anybody who wanted food would have to make it themselves. The black haired male unattached his sheath from his belt, leaning his Sword against the wooden counter before finding something to eat.
He ended up finding some bento boxes stored in the cabinet. It was still warm so he didn’t have to bother with making anything.
He stood, leaning against the countertop as he ate from the box quietly, lost in his thoughts.
Then he heard soft footsteps, sliding across the wooden floors. Tanjiro appeared seconds after. He had a smile on his face, bringing a cheery attitude no matter where he goes. “Oh, hello Tomioka-San!” He greeted. The Hashira merely nodded before resuming his meal.
“I didn’t know you would be at the Mansion tonight,” Tanjiro added, shuffling through the cabinets for the food. Giyuu simply stood silently, which didn’t seem to bother Tanjiro as he continued talking.
Tanjiro found himself a bento box to his liking and ate as well. The two stood there, eating quietly for a moment.
“Tomioka-San, I have to thank you for recruiting me that day.” The younger one said finally. Giyuu looked up, shaking his head before poking at his food again. “It was nothing special, I saw skill and talent in you.” He replied.
Tanjiro shook his head stubborn, placing the now empty box on the table. “That’s not true, I wouldn’t have had anything if you didn’t step in and give me a reason and a way to help my little sister.” Tanjiro said. “You brought yourself here, I simply gave a push.” Giyuu simply answered.
“You asked Urokodaki to give me a chance to be a Demon Slayer, none of that would’ve been possible.”
“You got your own self through the Selection and became what you are now yourself, I didn’t do anything.” Giyuu bluntly said.
“It wasn’t just myself! You, Urokodaki, Nezuko, Makomo, and Sabito helped me get through!” Tanjiro replied. The Water Hashira froze, slowly putting down the box before looking Tanjiro in the eyes.
“Who?” He asked, quietly calm. Tanjiro blinked a few times before repeating the names again. “It’s quite odd how I didn’t notice that your haori has the same pattern as Sabito’s kimono.” He added.
“You couldn’t have met Sabito.” Giyuu whispered. The boy frowned, tilting his head slightly. “I do not understand Tomioka-San.” He replied.
“Sabito died, years ago.” The Hashira said. The scar-marked male’s eyes widened before he shook his head. “That’s not possible, he came to me when I was training for the Selection. He trained me to be better.” Tanjiro protested.
Giyuu shook his head, grabbing his sword before leaving the kitchen, ignoring the calls from Tanjiro. He made his way to his room, dropping his Sword on a chair before plopping on the neatly made bed.
It couldn’t be. His best friend had died back during their time in the Final Selection. He was the only one to not return from the test. And it was all–
“Tomioka-San?” A small voice called out. Giyuu jumped, turning around to see the face of one of the nurses. He blinks at her silently, making her curl back. “T-Tanjiro wanted to know if you’re alright.” She quickly mumbled.
The black haired male nodded, telling her to leave before flattening against the pillow again. He tucked himself into the haori, hiding away from the rest of the world, even if it was just for a moment.
~
Giyuu woke up early the next morning, his crow cawing loudly. He silently got up, taking the small basket left by the workers and going to the wash area.
It was silent in the morning, a majority of the Mansion was still asleep, so he had time to himself before he could leave. He washed his face and himself before dressing again. As he turned to leave, he saw Inosuke and Zenitsu chasing each other into the bath. Tanjiro followed a few steps behind, smiling as he watched his friends banter.
The young male saw Giyuu, his eyes widening as he quickly walked to the Hashira. “Tomioka-San, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable yesterday,” he apologized, his eyes downcasted in guilt.
“It’s fine,” Giyuu dismissed before turning to leave. “I-If you need anything, like someone to talk to, I am always here!” Tanjiro called out as Giyuu left.
~
Giyuu sat by the lake, legs crossed and his Sword left on the grass by his side. He juggled a few pebbles in his hand, every so often he would skip them across the body of water.
A memory surfaced up, pushing out for space to gain attention.
~
“Come on Tomioka! Urokodaki-San won’t notice if we sneak to the river for a little!” Sabito complained. Giyuu sighed, staring at his best friend. He didn’t want to endure anymore scolding by their somewhat of a foster father. Being scolded once today was enough for him to last forever.
But he hated seeing Sabito disappointed. The black haired boy nodded finally, allowing the peach haired boy to grab his hand and run out to the fresh stream nearby.
They gathered pebbles of all sizes in their hands before sitting cross-legged by the river, competing to see who would skip the pebble the furthest. After they ran out, the pebbles now sunken at the bottom of the shallow river, they talked and joked.
“What do you think about the Final Selection?” Giyuu asked, curious.
Sabito grinned proudly. “I think we’ll do great! We’re unbeatable together!” The peach-haired boy exclaimed. The other boy smiled back.
~
Giyuu coughed, spitting out small bits of blood, as he struggled to get up onto his feet. His sword was clenched tightly in his hand. There was an oozing bloody wound on his arm from being hit by the demon.
Sabito had vanished from sight, but yells and roars could be heard in the distance. One of a feral creature and the other of his best friend. The seventh night was about to end, bringing the eight morning, they could leave soon.
The nights have been dark and terrifying, barely getting a moment of rest before another blood-lusting monster pounced. Sabito had been ready every time to cut down the beast. Giyuu strayed behind, telling other students to get out of reach before turning back to Sabito.
He felt bad for not putting in as much effort, but Sabito had promised he was doing great as well.
“Tomioka! Get up! Let’s get out of here!” Sabito yelled, sprinting towards him. The peach haired boy winced at the bloody sight on his friend’s arm, gently tugging him up on his feet. “Let’s go!” He exclaimed, breaking for a run.
Giyuu followed closely behind, but then he heard soft tremors run through the earth. Sabito didn’t catch Giyuu stopping and continued to run. The black haired boy flipped around, his hands tightly holding his katana. The stomps grew louder and louder before a giant creature with many large hands came into view.
The demon gave a cheery laugh that sent shivers down his spine. “Another fox mask? Urokodaki must’ve sent me another Water student for a meal then!” He chuckled, shooting his arms out.
Giyuu’s legs froze, he was paralyzed. His eyes widened as he saw the hands stretched out to him. Time seemed to have slowed for a single second.
Sabito jumped in, slicing off the demon’s hands with such swiftness. “Tomioka! Run! I’m right behind you!” He yelled. Giyuu nodded shakily, turning to sprint to the entrance.
As the wisteria covered entrance came into view, Giyuu slowed down. “Sabito! I found-” He turned, finding nobody there. Sabito wasn’t right behind him. Giyuu broke into a run, but one of the Demon Slayers caught him around his waist, dragging out the fighting boy.
“SABITO!” He screamed, thrashing and shoving the hands away. Two Slayers ran in, searching for the last boy or anything revealing his demise. Giyuu was left, sitting on the ground, sobbing.
One of the Slayers slowly walked out again, lowering herself to Giyuu’s eye level. He looked up, hoping to see something in her eyes, telling him that Sabito is fine. “I apologize for your loss,” she said softly, handing the black-haired boy a ripped piece of Sabito’s kimono.
Tears formed in his eyes as he sobbed again, screaming his friend’s name, hoping to bring him back.
~
Giyuu began his trudge back up the mountain, back to Urokodaki’s small hut. The trainer stood out, his silhouette boldly visible against the fading sunset. The boy looked up for a moment, seeing his trainer’s tengu mask for a second before looking back down in shame.
“Where is Sabito?” He asked. Giyuu could only cry, giving the older man his answer.
~
Giyuu felt a few small tears slip down his face. He sucked in his breath, trying to calm himself down. He heard soft footsteps come from behind. “I know you’re there Tanjiro,” he said, blinking away the remaining salty tears.
“I’m sorry, I just wanted to check on you,” the boy said, “are you okay?”
Giyuu sat silently before slightly shaking his head. “Does this have to do with seeing Sabito?” Tanjiro asked. The Hashira simply gave a nod, staring at the lake.
They sat in silence for a while. A few hours passed by and the sun was beginning to set again. Giyuu built the nerve to speak, to allow the words to spill from his tongue.
“His name was Sabito. He was my best friend. And it’s my fault he died.”