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One swing, then another, shift weight, move foot.
Repeat.
Tomioka Giyuu doesn't know why he is still practicing. He just can't seem to sit still for very long without getting restless. Demons have been perished from the earth, there was no need for him anymore.
He'll die soon, anyway. The date drawing nearer and nearer.
Still, he moves through the rhthmic motions of his katana. Water Breathing: Fourth Form. Striking Tide.
The last training dummy falls with a creak, blowing up dust around it as it impacts the ground, leaving Tomioka's harsh breathing to fill the otherwise silence.
He always thought of himself as a man who prefers no company, a life in solitude is better than life being betrayed by others.
But, it's too quiet now, and he doesn't like it one bit. His past would have genuinely laughed at that, and he never laughs.
He misses everyone, his friends, or at least he thinks of them as his friends. He is grateful for Tanjiro, Nezuko.
It's just not the same.
"Still out here I see."
But there is someone left, someone who had stuck with him, probably against his will, but stuck with him regardless.
Tomioka turns around to the voice, and a faint glimmer of a smile appears on his features before it is masked once more.
Sanemi raises an eyebrow, strolling over nonchalantly and examining the mess of the field before him, his expression going through confusion to irritation to that classic angry face that Tomioka is so accustomed to at this point.
Tomioka doesn't know how to explain their relationship. It felt more in-depth than a casual friendship, but it also felt so far from love. They care about each other beyond words, but their actions either succeed each other or fail.
"You better clean this up."
"I will."
Now it is Sanemi's turn to frown. He rarely does, but he can't but feel like something's wrong. He pinches the bridge of his nose, heaving a deep sigh, his gaze turning up to the cloudless sky. The sun is beating down, reflecting the sweat beading on their foreheads.
"Why are you still out here all the time?"
The question has been asked and left unanswered time and time again. Sometimes he forgets that Sanemi doesn't have anyone else, either.
It is about him as much as it is about Tomioka.
"They shouldn't have died."
Sanemi's face tightens, and he turns away, his hands balling to fists at his sides.
Shit, he must have angered him.
"That's not my question."
But he already knows that it is an acceptable answer. Both of them wish more than anything to bring back their loved ones.
And now, with both of them having unlocked their mark in that dreaded battle, their time is cut short too.
Any day, now.
"When I die too, will I see them again?"
That makes Sanemi falter as he turns around, those light purple eyes widening in surprise. It's not exactly a surprising question coming from Tomioka Giyuu, but still.
A rising heat of panic floods up his throat, and he swallows it down thickly. Why is he even thinking about that?
He debates between slapping some sense into him or just leaving.
But, in two quick strides he is close to him, hands on his shoulders and gripping them tightly and staring Tomioka straight in the eye.
"When I die, will I see you again?"
"Stop asking shitty questions."
"Sorry."
His grip relaxes, and for a moment, Tomioka thinks that that was it, until he feels those same arms wrap around his body, pulling him closer.
"Of course you will. I'll make sure of it."
The words should sound like an empty promise. He has heard so similar time and time again. But now, they don't. They sound so real, so determined, that at this point Sanemi might as well fight through Muzan and the entire Twelve Kizuki by himself for it to happen.
"Listen to me, Tomioka.
You did your best. It is not your fault our comrades have died. But they died determined, they died strong, they died knowing that they did their best. You don't need to keep training like that'd bring them back. They are at peace now, and we will be soon."
The sun blazes down, but neither of them move to shade. They stand in the middle of those grounds, bodies melting into one.
Tomioka wasn't sure of his relationship with the other last Hashira was. Was it a friendship? Was it love?
It changed everyday. Neither will completely know.
But now, he is sure of one thing.
That they are and always have been each other's anchor in the endless ocean and wind.