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His feet slid back in the wet mud and he silently cursed the rain once more. He adjusts the bandages on his face which keep loosening due to the wetness from the rain. Gods, the rain was such an annoyance. It was not only soaking his and Sanemi's clothes and making the fight more difficult as well, but also wasting the fresh bandages he put on before leaving his mansion just earlier.
Sanemi and Obanai were on a regular mission, which had a simple, four step plan: Find the demon, kill the demon, don't die and return as soon as possible. This had proven slightly more difficult upon finding out said demon is quite strong.
He snapped out of his thoughts and dodged the demon in question lunging at him. He turned quickly and made a move to cut at one of the demon's multiple arms. He succeeded and the demon now only possesses three of its original six arms. The demon is, quite obviously, angered, the adrenaline kicking in again. It takes a cut from Sanemi's blade before making another try at Obanai. This time, it's much quicker about it, and Obanai reacts just in time to avoid getting his entire face clawed up. However, his bandages weren't so lucky. They were already vulnerable from the wetness of the rain and even though the demon's claws barely grazed them, they couldn't hold themselves together. Obanai's bandages fell to the ground in pieces as he forced the demon back away from him.
It took him a second to process it, but once his cheeks and lips felt suddenly cool, he instantly realized and his blood runs cold.
He stumbles backwards and immediately reaches his arms up to use his sleeves to cover his face. For a second, he's out of it. He's just there, like he's watching his own body from someone else's perspective, yet it's still his own. He's barely breathing, and barely comprehending what's going on. He wanted to scream and let tears fall but nothing came out of him.
He hears his heartbeat in his chest and his breath against his sleeve. He didn't notice when he fell, but he realized when his behind gave a small feeling of pain at the fall. His katana laying weakly in his hand, Obanai feels Kaburamaru poking lightly at him. He is sitting with his back against a tree on the further side of this clearing in the forest. The demon seems to have noticed Obanai's sudden falter, and is charging up power to strike at one of the Demon Slayer Corps' nine most powerful members. Kaburamaru's poking gets slightly more agitated and Obanai looks up just in time to see the demon suddenly get flung off of its course towards him, Sanemi's katana piercing through its side. He's tackled it to the ground and before it can react, he slices its head off. Effortlessly and roughly.
There is a pause for a second, things are quiet. Then, Sanemi sheathes his katana and turns to Obanai. The person in question has both his hands covering his face, his katana discarded at his side. Sanemi can hear him trying to quiet his breathing. Sanemi feels he should say something; Obanai is one of the few people whose company Sanemi tolerates, perhaps even enjoys. They are friends, so he should say something, but what?
"Er, Iguro, I.." He starts, but the words seem to get caught on his tongue. Actually, more like there were none to begin with. He has no idea what to say. As he sees Obanai's small form on the ground, curled up, he feels sad rather than angry (which he usually is when his co-workers-.. friends.. are hurt.)
Sanemi stands there for a bit, still not sure what to do. But he doesn't want to see Obanai hurting.
He approaches Obanai slowly, and now that he's closer he notices Obanai trembling slightly.
He directs his gaze to the ground, to silently show he respects Obanai's privacy. He helps him stand up and then brushes off as much dirt as possible from his clothes. He picks up Obanai's katana and sheathes it for him. He then carefully takes Obanai's wrist and begins to lead him back to the nearby town.
As they walk through the town towards the pharmacy where they could buy some bandages (he assumed Obanai didn't bring any,) people stared at them. Partially because Sanemi had (demon-) blood all over him, partially because, well, two hashiras walking through their little town? That's not something you see every day.
As they were about to enter the pharmacy, Sanemi can't help but feel kinda happy that Obanai trusts him so much as to let him lead him through half a forest and the town while Obanai can't see. And even though, technically, Obanai could've just covered the lower part of his face, and walked on his own, one would suppose the sudden loss of his protective (bandage) bubble made him overwhelmed.
They haven't spoken at all since Sanemi tried to speak back in the forest's clearing. Sanemi purchases some bandages from the worker behind the counter who, in fear of the hashira in front of him, offered the bandages to them free of charge, but Sanemi just took them, dropped the money on the counter and left.
Sanemi and Obanai went outside of the town, not too far but just far enough that nobody could see them. The breeze in the air was chilly and the rain had stopped some time when they arrived in the village. The grass was wet but drying. As they both sat down on the ground, leaning on a high wooden fence, Sanemi closed his eyes and grabbed Obanai's hand, putting the bandages in them. He then turned away, letting Obanai put them on on peace.
As Sanemi sat turned away, he simply relaxed. Heard the chatter of the people out and about in the town (despite the fact it's relatively late evening,) smelled the rain (somehow) and watched paths weave around in the grass. He heard Obanai shuffling around with the bandages meanwhile.
After a minute or two, Obanai tapped him on the shoulder, signaling for Sanemi to turn around.
"I'm done, Shinazugawa. You can turn around." Obanai says quietly. Sanemi turns back around and the bandages he purchased are shoved into his hands. He moves to put them away, probably have them hanging on his belt.
"..Thank you." Sanemi hears the other one say. Obanai's gaze is directed at the ground, his face seems diferent but Sanemi can't seem to put his finger on it. Hmm, is it.. slightly redder? Why?.. Wonders Mr. Sanemi 'I'm oblivious' Shinazugawa.
"Right, no worries.." Sanemi trails off. For a second they make eye contact but Sanemi feels embarrassed and looks away. Wait, what? He feels embarrassed? Why?! He's not some young maiden who just made eye contact with some handsome man! Snap out of it, Sanemi!
Obanai suddenly coughs, and says:
"Well, uhm. We should probably get going back to the Ubuyashiki Estate. Master wanted us back as soon as possible."
"Right, yes, of course." Sanemi stands up swiftly and reaches his hand out to Obanai. The other man takes it and Sanemi pulls him up.
To avoid letting awkwardness rise, they begin walking back.
Sanemi, being the loud and lively man he is, ended up becoming quite restless. Luckily Obanai notices.
"Hey, Shinazugwa.." Sanemi makes an acknowledging noise, urging for him to continue. The dirt makes, uhm, dirt noises beneath their feet and Obanai grins under the fresh bandages.
"..Wanna race?" Sanemi is slightly surprised at the suggestion, but quickly replies:
"Do I wanna race..? Is that even a question?! Hell yeah, of course I wanna race!" After Sanemi finished speaking, Obanai immediately starts sprinting.
"Hey! You cheater!" Sanemi yells, he starts running as well. After a bit, he catches up and they race the entire way back.