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Chapter Text

Giyuu slowly opened his eyes. He didn’t want to be awake this early but knew he couldn’t get back to sleep. The faint smell of sandalwood incense reached his nose. Sighing, he lowered his focus from the ceiling to the wall, then sat up. He lifted his sheets and realised he was still wearing his uniform trousers. His hair poked at his eyes. Giyuu shook his black hair out of the way of his deep, mesmerising, ocean blue eyes. He looked down at his tight figure, hovering for a second before standing up. Giyuu groaned as his legs dragged him to his copper mirror. He stared blankly into his reflection for what felt like hours. He grabbed his belt and put that on, along with his sword hilt. He took a hair tie from the shelf and tied his silky hair up. Giyuu picked up the folded uniform top from the same shelf. Giyuu engulfed his top half with a white button up and then his black uniform shirt. Yawning, he grabbed his haori from the side of his futon and put it on. Memories of Tsutako and Sabito flashed into his mind. Slipping on his shoes and placing his sword in the hilt, he sighed. He thought glumly:

'Time for another day...'

Sanemi blinked open his pale purple eyes. His usual expression was on his face, an angry and intimidating look. He sat up and stared down, contempt with his look. He stood up and sauntered over to his warm folded uniform and slipped on his trousers first. He wrapped his belt around his waist, and slid his sword hilt into place. (Author's note: Ik that every uniform has the white button up underneath but after looking at Sanemi properly, it seems he doesn't wear one) After that, he put on an ironed, black, uniform and of course, being Sanemi, he didn’t button it up. He then found his white haori and put that on. Sanemi then went to his mirror. He ran his big hands through his short white hair. Sanemi placed his shoes on the floor and slipped his feet into them. He put his sword in his hilt. Sanemi thought:

'Time for another day.'

Giyuu slid open his door and stepped out into the courtyard. The soft breeze played with his hair. The courtyard consisted mostly of gravel but about a quarter was a small hill of grass. It had some boulders around it and a lovely wisteria tree, which hadn’t fully bloomed yet. The grass swayed, creating this gentle rustling sound. The gravel crunched on his shoes like cracking knuckles. Tomioka reached the main door. Opening it, he found Sanemi. His hand was up, about to knock. Sanemi jumped.

“Oh hey Shinazugawa.” Giyuu’s words sounded so light and airy. Sanemi snarled. Giyuu, confused by that reaction, replied "Did I do something?"

"Yes actually, You exist,” Shinazugawa snapped, “But, the master sent me here to say we have a meeting in an hour.”.

“Ok, thanks.” Giyuu said, slipping past him, which caught Sanemi off guard. Giyuu went off to the waterfall, his favourite place to go. Just listening to the sounds of it made him forget all about his bad thoughts. The water flew off the cliff like a bird looking for its prey. Foam swarmed the bottom. The willows swayed in the wind. Giyuu sat down on the grass and took off his shoes. He dipped his feet into the river below the cliff. For a while he sat in silence, looking around or closing his eyes and listening to all the lovely sounds.

“So this is where you go every morning huh?” Giyuu turned around, “pretty nice” It was Sanemi.

“Yeah”

“Can I sit with you?” Giyuu's eyes widened. ‘Is this a prank? No one would want to sit near me, dare even next to me!’ He thought.

“Sure I guess,” Giyuu replied, “But why do you want to sit next to me? You guys all say I’m a pain to be around.”

“Shut it about the others!” Sanemi blurted. Giyuu jumped at the sudden aggression. For a while they sat in silence, going back to admiring the beauty of the place.

“We should go to the meeting soon,” Giyuu pointed out.

“Ugh fine!”

He grabbed his shoes and off they went.

***

As they arrived at the Ubuyashiki Mansion, Giyuu realised Sanemi probably didn't want to be seen with him.

“Shinazugawa.”

“What now?” Sanemi rolled his eyes and turned to look at him.

“I’m guessing you don’t want to be seen with me?”

“Um what…” He whispered, “I mean, obviously!”

“Okay, you go in now and I'll go in a bit since we’re early.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.” He muttered before leaving.

Sanemi spotted Obanai walking in. He had an idea.

“Iguro! Wait up!” Obanai stopped. His black hair flew in his face as he turned and his heterochromatic eyes looked for the voice. His yellow and turquoise eyes flew from Sanemi to Giyuu and back to Sanemi.

“Hey Shinazugawa! What’s up?”

“After the meeting can we talk?”

“Sanemi Shinazugawa wants to open up, wow I’m so lucky” Obanai said sarcastically before bursting out laughing.

“Shut uppp.” Sanemi groaned. With that, all the Hashiras entered the mansion.

***

Sanemi waited for Obanai at the doors of the mansion. He lent on a wall, crossed armed, drowning in his thoughts.

“Sanemi!” Iguro shouted from just inside the mansion. He walked through the doors and stood next to Shinazugawa.

“Finally,” Sanemi said, “I’ve been feeling all weird around Tomioka lately.” Obanai smiled under his bandages, he knew.

“Describe,”

“My heart beats faster, I sweat more and when I’m not around him I want to be or I think about him.” ‘I knew it!’ Obanai thought.

“Seems like you have a bad case of Lung cancer.”

“WHAT”

“I’m kidding,” Obanai paused, “I’m as straight as my haori but, I think you're in love.”

“That's even worse than lung cancer.” Sanemi replied before Obanai laughed.

“Ooooohhhh. Shinazugawa’s in looovvveeee!”

“SHUT IT. Someone might hear you.”

“Not denying it though,” Obanai smirked. Sanemi and Obanai parted ways to go to their mansions .

***

Giyuu went back to the waterfall as it turned night. The moon ran over him. Stars looked down, smiling like he never could. He slumped back on the grass and sat there for a bit. He stared at the beautiful night sky. ‘I could never be as beautiful as this view.’ He thought. Giyuu suddenly sensed a demon. He stood up.

Demon blood splattered across where Giyuu had just sat. He flicked off some blood from his face.

“Tch, show off much.” came a voice.

“Shinazugawa?” He hadn’t noticed him at all which made him worry a bit.

“I’ve been here for some time now, you know.” Sanemi lent on a tree just across from him. He walked over to Giyuu.

“Wait. Why are you here Shin-” Giyuu stopped his words. He felt suddenly dizzy. He wobbled.

“Huh?” Sanemi looked confused. Everything became quieter and blurrier. And quieter. And blurrier. Giyuu opened his mouth to talk but his speech slurred.

It all went black for Giyuu. Water went everywhere as his unconscious body fell directly into the river. Giyuu's body was cut on the sharp rocks of the riverbed. 

“Tomioka? TOMIOKA?!”

Chapter Text

Giyuu Tomioka woke up. He felt cold, damp and dizzy. Not to mention the searing pain in his back, where he had been cut by the rocks. Warm crimson blood trickled down it.  His head rested on something soft even though he was lying on the floor. Giyuu sat up, a quick, sharp pain ran through his back. He groaned. He turned around to see he was lying on Sanemi’s folded shirt. As he looked around, he noticed this wasn’t his room. ‘Is this Sanemi’s room?’ he thought. He also noticed some blood on the wooden floor. He turned back around.

The door creaked open once again.

“So you're finally awake. Took you long enough.” Sanemi was walking through the door. He had no shirt on, obviously. Giyuu could see more of his scars now. He felt another sharp pain and whimpered. He went red out of embarrassment and lay back down.

“Shinobu - chan said that,” He paused, “the demon blood was a poison.” Giyuu’s eyes widened.

“Aoi - san is washing the futon mattresses so I had to lie you down on my shirt. I had to take off your shirt to look at your wounds, that's being washed too.” He continued, “Kanao is bringing some medicine and bandages as quickly as she can.” Sanemi took a seat next to Giyuu’s resting head. Giyuu felt himself go back to sleep.

Giyuu woke up at the sound of a knock.

“Yes?” His voice was shaky. The door slid open, it was Kanao. Her lowered dark black hair swayed. Her hair was completely down. Stray strands poked up and Kanao’s gorgeous purple eyes turned to look at Giyuu. Kanao walked over to him and knelt down. She placed a tray down next to him. “Here’s your medicine, I brought some okayu.”

“Thanks”

“Drink up, It’ll help a lot.” She paused, "Sit up for me." Giyuu, to avoid a lot of pain, slowly sat up. She picked the bandages and sterile pads up. She shuffled around, picking a spot best suited for medical stuff. She cut up the pads and placed them onto the wounds. She held them there with her finger while she wrapped his waist in bandages. While wrapping she apologised "Sorry, we wanted to take you to the butterfly mansion, but Shinazugawa - san refused." Giyuu's face contorted into a look of confusion. She tucked the end of the bandages into the rest, securing it tightly.

Kanao shuffled back to her space before. Giyuu picked up the cup from the tray. He sipped it. The medicine tasted like if you put green peppers, salt and caramel into a blender. Giyuu’s face scrunched up. He was just about able to drink it with the help of the okayu. 

“Can you ask Aoi - san if she’s done with Shinazugawa’s mattress, he needs to sleep.” Tomioka asked.

“I think Shinazugawa - san is picking it up now. But you should be worrying about yourself. Shinobu - senpai said you might get a fever at some point. Finish eating then get some sleep, ok?” With that, Kanao left.

Giyuu picked up the bowl of okayu once again. It tasted really good. He put the bowl to the side and lay back down. The door slid open again. It was Sanemi.

Seeing Giyuu like this reminded him of the talk with Iguro and he blushed profusely. He turned his head away to hide it.

“Oh, hey Shinazugawa, are you okay?”

“I’m fine but Aoi - san said she couldn’t find my mattress.” Sanemi looked back and walked over to him. He stared at the bandages covering his waist. He had the urge to rip it off just to see him fully shirtless. He shook his head, intending to shake that thought out of his mind.

“I’ll sleep here,” he continued. He lay down next to Giyuu. Giyuu closed his eyes and let sleep set in.

***

Giyuu woke up suddenly. He was sweating and felt immensely hot. He had the horrible fever Kanao was talking about. Hot breath ran down his neck. And his back hurt like hell. He looked down to see an arm wrapped around his torso. He recognised the scars. ‘Sanemi? I- I don't know what to do. Shit. Just, don't wake him up.’ He thought as his face turned red. He could hear Sanemi waking up, he pretended to be asleep. He could feel Sanemi’s heart beating faster though he didn’t move as well. After both freaking out for a bit they finally went back to sleep.

Chapter Text

Giyuu's eyes fluttered open. This time it's the morning. He still felt dizzy and still felt pain from his back but the fever was gone. Giyuu turned to his side. His face turned red even though he knew what was there. He wrapped his arm around Sanemi's waist, his eyes were droopy and regret filled. A minute later, Sanemi opens his eyes. 'I should probably get up,' Sanemi thought to himself as he moved his head down. His eyes locked onto Giyuu's open ones. Giyuu's sleepy eyes were looking straight at Sanemi, his face completely red. Sanemi immediately closed his eyes. Though he knew that Giyuu saw him with his eyes open. 

Sorai (Sanemi's crow) flew in through the window and sat on the windowsill. They both didn't seem to notice him. He soon realised what's going on and quietly shuffled back out of the window again. He immediately goes to find Urara. Sorai has a treaty with Mitsuri's crow, Urara, to always tell each other what happens. (Author’s note: for the plot, not cannon) Urara was flying and guiding Mitsuri back to her mansion after a mission. Sorai flies up, matching her pace. Urara turned her head, shuffling her headband a bit. Sorai gives her that look. The type that immediately tells you something is going on. 

"Urara, guess whattttt."

"More drama, hell yeah!"

"Tomioka and Sanemi are cuddling right now!"

"Oh my god, no wayyyy”

Unfortunately for Sanemi and Giyuu, Mitsuri overheard this conversation.

***

Back at the mansions, Mitsuri ran over to take a look in Sanemi's room to see if Sorai was right. Sure enough, there lay Sanemi and Giyuu. Sanemi spotted Mitsuri and scrambled to his feet still shirtless He chased after Mitsuri saying “Mitsuri, you get the fuck back here!” Giyuu was startled by the change in mood. He sat up and got dressed. Then he went to talk to Aoi about the futon 'mix up'.

Mitsuri managed to get Tengen's house before a fight started. She knocked on the door with much urgency. Hinatsuru answered the door. She looked at Mitsuri, who was catching her breath for a bit before Mitsuri was able to say 

"Hi Hina, Can you get Uzui - san!" She paused "Quickly please"

“Tengen - Sama!” Hinatsuru shouted.

“Yes Honey!” 

“Mitsuri - Senpai is here!” Tengen rushed down the stairs. His long white hair flew behind him. The wine coloured kimono he wore flapped and ruffled. He adjusted the strap on his eyepatch and walked up to Mitsuri.

“What's wrong Mitsuri?” Suma said.

“Sanemi - kun,” she huffed, “I saw something he didn't want me seeing and now he's chasing meeee!” she wailed.

“Oooooo drama, what did you see Mitsuri?” Tengen said. He bounced up and down like a dog about to go for a walk.

“Be prepared, Uzui - san. So, I saw Sanemi - kun snuggling with... guess who!” Mitsuri was definitely hyping him up.

“who!”

“Tomioka - San!”

“No way. Do you think it was... that kind of thing?”

"I don't know, Maybeee. Kyaaaaa!"

A bang on the door commenced. And another. Tengen ushered the girls to the kitchen, far away from the door.

“OPEN UP TENGEN!”

After a while of back and forth, Sanemi eventually left. Tengen walked back to the kitchen. The girls were having fun baking a cake. Laughter echoed across the room. Sugar and flour was strewn across the wooden counter. The girls were all gossiping about what had happened and all of them became avid 'SaneGiyuu' shippers. They were talking about plans to make them get together. Then, Mitsuri accidently cut herself with a knife. BANG. The door was knocked down and Obanai was there with a plaster.

"Here, a plaster. And a kiss to help it heal." Obanai kissed Mitsuri, gave her the plaster, was about to go and then realised what they were talking about. 

"Wait.. Are you talking about Sanemi and Giyuu?"

"Yes, Why?" replied Makio.

"Did something happen!?"

"You didn't hear? Shinazugawa - san was caught cuddling with Tomioka - san on the floor!" said Mitsuri.

"It worked!"

"What" the girls said in unison.

"I told Aoi - san to 'suddenly lose Sanemi's futon' so they slept next to each other and it worked"

"Why? Are you a SaneGiyuu shipper too?" Said Hinatsuru.

"Yes," Obanai responded, "In facttttttt, Sanemi already likes Tomioka."

"Seriously! OMG!" They all continued gossiping and baking until the afternoon.

Chapter Text

They all had baked an incredible chocolate cake by lunchtime. It was a two tier cake and the top one was smaller than the base. Chocolate flakes protruded, icing and modeling chocolate was all around the edge. “So girls,” Makio continued, “What if we get Obanai - sama to help him ask Tomioka - san out!”

“No,” Obanai interrupted.

“Pleasee Obi, For meeee” Mitsuri responded.

“Okay fine.”

“Hina, do you know his favorite flower?” Suma asked.

“No, Mits?”

“Yes I know. It’s blue Hydrangeas. There’s some in his room.” Mitsuri said.

“We can go to Shinobu - sama for the rest, since she does his medical work and knows a lot about him!” Hinatsuru pointed out, “In fact, let's go now! Come on girls.. And Obanai - Sama!” They all scurried off to the butterfly mansion.

***

Sanemi finally gave up and walked back to his mansion. He wondered if Giyuu would still be there. He slid open the door to his bedroom. Giyuu was gone. So he sat down on a chair and started sharpening his blade. Hours went by. His door suddenly slammed open. It was Obanai, with what looked like 4 different girls behind him. Tengen’s wives and Mitsuri. Sanemi put down his blade. Obanai panted, catching his breath before standing up properly. Makio pushed Obanai into the room. Then she closed the door most of the way, peaking in. 

“Hey, Sanemi.” Obanai started.

“What is it, Iguro?”

“It’s about Tomioka.”

“Did something happen?” Sanemi stood up.

“No, I-” Obanai turned and whispered to the girls, “-we are here to help you ask him out.”

“Oh for fucks sake.” He placed his thumb and index finger on the bridge of his nose and shook his head.

***

Giyuu went to the butterfly mansion. It was calm. Butterflies swarmed effortlessly around him. He walked around the outskirts of the mansion until he found Aoi.

“Aoi - san. Good morning.” Giyuu said.

“Oh, good morning Tomioka - sama.” She was hanging up some linen like usual.

“So, what happened to Shinazugawa's mattress?” ‘shit’ she thought.

“Oh yeah, I found it this morning. Do you want to tell him to come and pick it up?” Aoi said in quick recovery, after realising that she was in the clear. 

“Thanks Aoi - san. I’ll go now.” Giyuu spun on the balls of his feet and trotted off to Sanemi’s mansion. Aoi sighed and went back to hanging up the linen.

***

The girls, Obanai and Sanemi were sitting in a circle chatting about Giyuu. They all sat cross-legged in the middle of Sanemi’s bedroom. The girls had seemed to have scrapped the idea of just Obanai talking to him and had brought the cake with them. Mitsuri was happily chomping on a slice of cake while Suma, Hina and Makio were excitedly talking to Sanemi. Sanemi had a cup of coffee in hand and was sipping it to avoid responding. Obanai sat there, really not knowing what to say. He did not know anything about Giyuu at all.

“I guess, just go at your own pace and do it when the time is right.” Hinatsuru suggested. Sanemi found this advice to be the best, because it meant he didn't have to do anything any time soon. He nodded, sipping his coffee.

Chapter Text

A knock came from the door. They all stopped talking and Sanemi stood up and walked to the door. He slid it open. Sanemi sipped his cup once more. It was Giyuu.  

“Hi Sanemi I-” Sanemi nearly choked on his drink. His black hair was flowing in the wind and he had this look in his eyes Sanemi couldn’t properly figure out. Giyuu looked around the room. He noticed the large number of people. 

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m probably interrupting something. Well, I was sent to tell you to pick up your mattress. She found it this morning.” Sanemi set down his cup.

“You can do it, Sanemi - sama.” Hina whispered just loud enough for Sanemi to hear, but not Giyuu. They all stood up and left the room. ‘So much for going at your own pace’ Sanemi thought. Sanemi and Giyuu were left alone now. “Thanks.” He said. He turned back. Giyuu was smiling. Sanemi flushed a bright red. ‘His smile is so cute.’ He thought. Giyuu turned to go.

“Wait! Um, I have something I need to talk to you about.” Giyuu turned back to face Sanemi. Sanemi looked nervous, an emotion Giyuu had never seen on Sanemi. Giyuu walked back in and stood in front of Sanemi.

“What is it?”

“Well, uh…”

Chapter Text

Sanemi paused. He stood up and walked to one of the windows. He unlocked the latch and opened the window as wide as possible. The wind found its way inside, tossing Sanemi’s hair in different directions. He looked out. Beautiful, large willows swayed. He could hear the faint squawking of a crow. The overgrown grass and dandelions moved gracefully according to the wind. Sanemi picked up the hydrengas from the desk. Sanemi walked back to where Giyuu was standing. Silence stabbed at them like daggers. Cold sweat beaded down his neck. 

“Um,” Sanemi broke the silence, “ I like you, okay!! ” Sanemi shoved the flowers into Giyuu’s hands and ran out of the room in embarrassment. The door slammed loudly, almost breaking it.

Giyuu stood there, dumbfounded by the words that just came out of Sanemi’s mouth. He looked down to the flower bunch in his hands. It was his favorite, Hydrangeas. He smiled at the thought Sanemi had put into this. He then decided he should probably go after Sanemi. He ran out, the flowers still in his hands. The wind hit him hard, hair flying everywhere. He instinctively ran out of the Mansion and down the path. Rocks and gravel flew from beneath his shoes. Some petals fell off the flowers and onto the gravel path. He chased his instinct, running aimlessly around the place, looking for Sanemi. When it seemed like he wouldn’t be able to find him, he started to slow. He was walking around the place, his head darting in different directions. He sighed in defeat.

Giyuu decided to go to the waterfall for the rest of the day. Giyuu slowly walked down the tiny path and to the edge of the river. He took off his sandals and dipped his feet into the water. It was cold but refreshing. His feet hurt from running. A shade of pink engulfed the sky as the sun started to retreat. The wind had died down a bit into a nice, warm breeze instead. Giyuu looked at the flowers again. His face grew hot. He finally processed what had happened a few hours ago. His ears pricked up, it was footsteps. Giyuu turned his head, expecting a Demon. Instead, his face flushed a deep red in the presence of Sanemi. Giyuu opened his mouth to speak but Sanemi got there before him “Quiet.. Quiet please.” His voice was soft and tired. Giyuu was surprised to hear the word ‘please’ come out of Sanemi’s mouth, of all people. However, he nodded. Sanemi sat down next to him. He took off his shoes and placed his feet into the river, copying Giyuu’s previous actions.

For a while they just sat in silence. It felt calm and comfortable, not what Giyuu had expected. The sky slowly turned into a navy colour as time passed. Stars appeared as moonlight shone onto both men. Sanemi plucked up the courage and said: “How’s your back?” Sanemi whispered in this delicate, sincere voice that made Giyuu’s heart skip a beat. “Better, but it still hurts.” He whispered back. Giyuu stood up. Sanemi’s eyes followed his face. Sanemi stood up afterwards. “What is it?” Sanemi asked.

“Sanemi” Sanemi blushed at the sound of his first name on his soft lips. He brought his hand up to Sanemi’s cheek, stroking it slowly, “Sanemi, I like you too.” He smiled warmly. Sanemi stuttered, his face slowly turning red. Giyuu stepped closer to him. He put his hands up to Sanemi’s bare chest. His lips pressed against Sanemi’s. It’s soft and sweet. He closed his eyes and Giyuu mirrored. Sanemi wrapped his arms around his small waist. Giyuu reached his tongue into his mouth, tasting every inch. Sanemi copies, interlocking their tongues. He groaned into Giyuu’s mouth.

Slowly, Sanemi pulled away. “Giyuu-” Sanemi started. Giyuu brought his hand up to Sanemi’s face and placed his index finger on his lip, silencing him. Giyuu, still looking straight into Sanemi's lavender eyes, pulled out his sword and sliced off a demon's head.

Chapter Text

Giyuu smiled warmly at the face of Sanemi. Their hair tossed and flowed with the wind. His eyes reflected the stars. The moon shone, placing a shine in both of their eyes. He smiled as it started to rain. Giyuu looked up and into the sky. Then he looked back to Sanemi. He took off his haori, folded and placed it next to his shoes. Giyuu gestured with his head for Sanemi to do the same. So he did. It started pouring, drenching both of them. Giyuu loved the rain. He ran around the grass patch, laughing. Sanemi’s eyes widened and a small amount of blush appeared on his face, he was laughing. He stopped and twirled. Then continued.

He stopped running and stood in front of him. He smiled and stuck out his hand. “Let’s dance, Sanemi.” At this point, Sanemi didn’t care anymore. 

He laughed and said: “Sure, why not?” He placed his hand in Giyuu’s. They danced. They danced like they were in a ballroom. Step by step, every hand movement, every twirl. For the first time in a long while, Giyuu felt.. Good. He felt happy, he felt like he really wanted to be on this earth. He felt like he didn’t care anymore, like he was beautiful, pretty, attractive, charming, divine, elegant and most of all.. Happy. They danced in the rain for a while, laughing, chatting, and smiling. Sanemi leant down and tipped Giyuu. Sanemi held Giyuu from falling as he fell back into his arms. He lifted one leg up and closed his eyes. 

Rain patted down on them both. Giyuu slowly opened his eyes as his hair dripped with rain water. They regained eye contact. Love sparkled in the eyes of one and other. Sanemi’s drenched hair fell down, covering his face from outside view. He stared at the wet uniform that clung to Giyuu’s body. He tore his view off of his chest and looked back up. Sanemi looked into the shining, ethereal, deep ocean blue eyes that belonged to the man before him. He used his spare hand to tuck a stray piece of hair away from Giyuu’s face. Giyuu started to laugh. Sanemi joined in. Giyuu was dipped backwards laughing loudly with Sanemi. When the laughter died down, he slowly brought Giyuu back up to standing. They continued to dance until the moon was fully above them, marking midnight. They both stopped, too tired to dance much longer. Sweat and rain water beaded down Sanemi’s face and chest. Giyuu sat down and Sanemi walked over to his side and sat down too. Giyuu grabbed his hand and pulled it down to the floor, which made them both lie down. They both now were next to each other, holding hands, on the wet grass, rain still pouring down rapidly. They simultaneously smiled sweetly at each other.

“We are definitely doing this again.” Giyuu whispered. Some of his drenched hair fell onto his face.

“Yeah.” Sanemi replied in the same whisper. Giyuu shone in the moonlight as the rain fell onto his soft, wet face. Giyuu brought Sanemi’s hands up to his lips, softly kissing them. 

“How about tomorrow?” Sanemi continued.

“Same time?”

“Of course, beautiful.” Giyuu flushed red. 

He turned to face the stars. Giyuu moved his hand to find Sanemi’s and interlocked it with his own. He closed his eyes, and heard everything around him. The rain crashing down onto them, the sweet swaying of trees and grass, the fast flow of the river; every breath Sanemi took, every crash of the waterfall. Giyuu felt as relaxed as he ever was. He opened his eyes and stared into the mesmerising night. The moon was full and bright. The stars covered the navy sky like a blanket. Some green appeared. It started as just some dots, and grew to full lines.

“The northern lights, Sanemi.” Giyuu pointed upwards with his spare hand. It covered the sky in these beautiful strips of emerald green and pink. Sanemi turned to the sky. More strips showed up. They moved and flowed like water. It covered the land and them both in a thin blanket of colourful light. 

Chapter Text

After a few hours of chatting in the rain, they decided to go back to their mansions.

Giyuu slowly walked back to his mansion, which was pretty close. He finally had the time to process all that had happened. ‘I always thought Sanemi hated me, glad to know that’s not true.’ He thought. Giyuu finally had something to be happy about. But, being Giyuu, he thought: ‘ I need to protect Sanemi. I can’t be immature, I can’t let him die like Sabito and Tsutako.’ He started to tear up. By the time he arrived at the mansion, Tears streamed down his face and his dead companions flooded his mind. He wiped his tears with his sleeve but they just kept on coming. He took his futon out of the cupboard and lay it down. He took off his haori and shirt and lay down. Giyuu wiped his tears again and closed his eyes. Sleep took over. 

Giyuu woke up. He sat up quickly. He was sweaty and hot. Giyuu’s eyes were red and puffy from crying. He had a nightmare about Sabito. He started to cry. ‘I want Sanemi,’ he thought. He wiped his tears, although that did almost nothing. Normally he just sat there crying his tear glands dry. But now.. He finally had a shoulder to cry on. He stood up. Giyuu threw on some random clothes. He started to go to Sanemi’s house, almost like a kid who had a nightmare going to their parents. Once he arrived he let himself in and walked over to Sanemi’s bedroom door. He pulled his forearm up to his face, trying to wipe his tears again. He sniffled and knocked on the door.

Sanemi was sleeping, when something woke him up. He sat up. Someone knocked on the door. He groaned and stood up, rubbing his eyes. He opened the door. It was Giyuu, standing there, crying. His eyes were red and screamed of tiredness. His clothes were rushed and dishevelled. Giyuu slumped into Sanemi’s arms. Sanemi was startled, his arms frozen in place.

“What’s wrong?”

“I-I’m useless. I c-couldn’t even save my best friend.” He said between sniffles. Sanemi couldn’t process what Giyuu had said immediately. He was looking down at the top of Giyuu’s head, which was nestled in his chest. He didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around the man. Sanemi gave a caring smile and pulled his hand up to Giyuu's head. He put it on top and ruffled his hair gently.

“You were never useless, Beautiful.” He put his hand onto Giyuu’s arms, pulling him off him. He looked into the man’s red, puffy eyes. Giyuu looked up, their eyes met. Sanemi tilted Giyuu’s head up. He lent in and placed his lips onto Giyuu’s. He could taste Giyuu’s tears. He didn’t care though. He closed his eyes and they kissed for a while longer. Sanemi’s soft lips disconnected from Giyuu’s. Sanemi smiled.

“Come inside. You can stay with me tonight.” He took Giyuu’s hand and led him inside. Once Giyuu was inside, Sanemi went over to the door and closed it. He went over to his futon, sitting on it. His legs were extended and slightly apart; his hands were back to support him. Giyuu wiped his tears and walked over to Sanemi.

“Can I?” Giyuu asked. Sanemi nodded. Giyuu sat down, in between Sanemi’s legs and lay on his chest. He smiled slightly before dozing off. Lying down on his futon, Sanemi also let sleep kick in.

Sanemi cradled Giyuu like he was the most precious thing in the world, that's because he was to him. As light crept into the room, it highlighted both of the men warmly. Giyuu was curled up like a baby, Sanemi held him calmly. Sanemi had forgotten to pull up the sheet over them last night. The way they breathed sounded like a cat purring. Sanemi wore a grey yukata while Giyuu wore a navy one. The sleeves of Sanemi’s clothes were baggy and rested on Giyuu. A smile tugged at his mouth. 

Giyuu slowly woke up. His view consisted of: Sanemi, Sanemi and Sanemi. His cheeks were coated with a small amount of blush. He took in Sanemi’s smell; it made him feel calmer. He slowly convinced himself that he should wake up the man.

“Hey, Sanemi,” He whispered, “ wake up please.” Sanemi stirred. His eyes fluttered open.

“What is it, Beautiful?” He whispered back. 

“I just thought I should wake you up. I mean, remember what happened last time we slept with each other.” Sanemi went red. Giyuu followed after he realised what he just said.

“Not like that..” He sighed, “You know what I mean. You probably wouldn’t want to get caught again.” Giyuu laughed awkwardly. 

“Not this time Beautiful. I wouldn’t mind it since, you know.. What happened in the rain.” He smiled, “Plus, half of the Hashiras know already.” He sat up, pulling Giyuu onto his lap, facing him. Awkward silence.

“Sorry, I should have asked.” Sanemi apologised.

“It’s okay.” Giyuu responded.

***

Giyuu told Sanemi that he was going to get changed back at his place.

“Alright, well.. do you think you could come back afterwards? I like your company. Stay safe, beautiful.” Sanemi replied. Giyuu smiled. “Sure, and thanks.” He walked through the door frame and closed it behind him. Sanemi laughed to himself. ‘God I love that man.’

As soon as Giyuu left, Sanemi had the thought of getting him some flowers. So he did. When he got back ten minutes had passed since Giyuu had gone. Sanemi had changed and was sitting on the floor, lost in thought. Then the door slowly slid open. Sanemi lit up as the man he loved stepped in.

“You're back!” Sanemi said standing up. He smiled. Giyuu smiled back. He tilted his head.

“You act like I’ve been gone for long.”

“It feels like you have.” Sanemi gave him a quick kiss.

“I was thinking; maybe we could just stay with each other today. Like, do something together.” Sanemi continued. Giyuu’s gaze softened.

“Sure. I’d love that.” Giyuu responded.

“That reminds me…” Sanemi turned and walked over to a desk. He picked up a bouquet and walked back over to Giyuu, “I got you these while you were gone.” Giyuu took the flowers from his hands.

“Thanks, where can I put it for now?”

“On the side will do.” Sanemi replied.

Chapter Text

“Shit. Shit shit shitshitshit. I’m so stupid. Of course he didn’t love me.” Giyuu said to himself. Giyuu was curled up in his room. His hair was messy and down from its usual ponytail. His tears streamed down his face and onto the floor. Giyuu’s arms wrapped around his legs. His head rested on his knees. He had closed the shutters and locked the door. His vase was shattered and broken on the floor; he had thrown it earlier. Anything and everything reminded him of the man he loved. The man who toyed with him. The man who didn’t love him. He never did.

(𝓯𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓱𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴)

Giyuu placed the flowers on the varnished, maple table. He walked to the wall beside the door and leant on it. Sanemi walked over to the door and closed it. He then went to Giyuu.

“So, what did you have in mind for stuff to do?” Giyuu asked.

“What do you want to do-” Sanemi paused. He lent over to Giyuu’s ear and whispered in a low, suggestive voice: “-cause I have something in mind~” Giyuu went red. ‘He’s not suggesting what I think he’s suggesting, right?’ He thought.

“Eh? Not like that. Just-” Sanemi responded. He grabbed his wrist, pressing it against the wall. Sanemi lent in and kissed Giyuu. Now Giyuu understood. Giyuu kissed back. Sanemi tasted bittersweet, just like his personality. His lips were as soft as pillows. They paused. Giyuu wrapped his arms around Sanemi. He looked into Sanemi’s lavender eyes. The knot in his chest tightened.

They had just got back to kissing when a knock came from the door. They paused. Giyuu gestured that Sanemi should get it. Sanemi sighed and opened the door. Obanai stood just in front of the door.

“Iguro?” As Obanai peeked in, he noticed a flustered Giyuu just next to Sanemi. His eyes narrowed as a look of suspicion grew on his face. 

“Hey, I just wanted to talk to you about something,” He paused, looking at Giyuu, “in private preferably.”

“Sure, we can go in the courtyard. Giyuu, stay here. I promise we won't be long.” Giyuu nodded in response. 

Sanemi took that as an ‘okay’, he walked through the doorway and into the courtyard. Obanai followed behind him. Giyuu slid down the wall and sat on the floor. The door slowly closed. Because of the thin walls, Giyuu started to catch a bit of their conversation. He caught words like “…So then…” and “…funny, right?…”. From Giyuu’s point of view, it sounded like it was just Sanemi telling a story about someone to Obanai. ‘So why would Obanai ask to talk if Sanemi is mostly the only one talking?’ Giyuu wondered.

5 minutes -

10 minutes -

20 minutes -

30 minutes -

60 minutes -

Why did this conversation take this long? ‘He lied. He said he won’t be long. He lied.’ Giyuu thought. As his ears caught another “…bullshit…”, Giyuu decided to ask Sanemi to wrap up the conversation. He stood up and walked over to the door. 

He slid the door open. ‘This conversation is taking way-’ Giyuu’s thoughts were cut short though.

“…Giyuu is stupid piece of shit, he doesn’t deserve to be a Hashira. He should resign. He’s so pitiful…” Obanai looked Giyuu’s way. He looked back quickly. He slowly looked back. His face changed to a look of horror as he realised Giyuu was there.

“Sanemi!” Obanai whisper-shouted.

“What?”

“Oh. Oh.” Giyuu said. Sanemi turned to Giyuu. He turned back to Obanai.

“I think he heard you saying.. ya know, what the-” Obanai whispered. Giyuu couldn’t make out the rest of the sentence. ‘No no no nonononono. Shit. Shit.’ Giyuu thought. Tears brewed in his eyes. His hands shook.

“Wait no, Giyuu you’ve got everything wrong. It’s not like that.”

“  SHUT.   UP.  ” He said with gritted teeth. Giyuu started to go.

“Giyuu-” Sanemi stretched out a hand.

He turned his head around to face Sanemi. “I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU WOULD PLAY WITH MY HEART LIKE THAT! I HATE YOU!” Giyuu shouted. He turned his head back. Tears swelled out of his eyes. He ran. His heart screamed. His whole body was shaking. He scrunched his hands into fists. His shallow, jagged breaths echoed through the courtyard as Giyuu slammed the front door to the mansion open with his hand. He ran through it. Giyuu pulled his wrist up to his left eye, wiping it free from tears. But that didn’t last a second as more tears came streaming down his wet cheeks.

Giyuu ran and ran till his legs ached.

After what seemed to be hours, he got to his house. He kicked open the door to the courtyard and slammed his back against it, which closed the door, sliding down it and curling up into a ball on the gravel. He decided that he didn’t want to see anyone for at least half a month. No Tanjiro. No hashira meetings. And definitely no Sanemi.

He stood up and locked the door to the courtyard he was just leaning on. He walked over to his room and went in. He locked the door and closed the shutters.

Rage. 

Giyuu slammed his right hand into the blue vase on the table, making it fall onto the floor. It didn’t break. The flowers Sanemi had given him yesterday fell out of the vase. Giyuu lent down and picked up the empty vase. He put it above his head and threw it across the room. It shattered into pieces. He smashed his foot into the flowers over and over, stomping it as hard as he could. He took off and threw his haori to the side. He went to the mirror and pulled off his hair tie. His hands were in a fist and shaking more than ever. His nails dug into his bleeding palm. Giyuu struck the wall to the left of the mirror with his fist. It left a significant dent. The mirror swayed. He kept on hitting the wall, again and again. He didn’t care. He just wanted to feel something other than rage. Something other than hopelessness. Something other than agony. His fists stung. Just like his heart. An eruption of resentment and tears followed. Giyuu fell to his knees. He screamed; wailing and banging against the wooden floor. You could hear the hurt and anger in his voice. 

Giyuu needed something to take his anger out on. 

So he chose himself.

He raked at his face, below his eyes. It left deep scratch marks. His warm crimson blood mixed with the stinging tears pouring out his eyes. He tilted himself to the left, falling on his side. He lay down on the floor, while he bled and cried. He couldn’t stand anyone anymore. Not even himself. Giyuu helped himself up and curled into a ball; his head rested on his knees and his arms wrapped around him. “Fuck.” His voice was broken and quiet. He lifted his head up and rubbed his face with his hands. Giyuu shivered. 

***

Giyuu heard a faint knock. He groaned and stood up. He walked out of his bedroom door and went to the main door. 

“What.” He snapped, without opening the door.

“Tomioka - san? It’s me, Shinobu. I’m here to give you something for your wound.” Shinobu said from the other side of the door.

“Which one?”

“That rather implies there are more than one. And last time I checked there weren’t.”

“Yeah, well now there are.”

“What do you mean, did something happen Tomioka - san?”

No reply.

“Can I come in?” Shinobu continued.

“No.”

“Tomioka - san.”

“No.”

“Come on, Tomioka - san.”

“I’ll open the door, but you can’t come in.” Giyuu was surprised he said that, considering he was a complete mess. His hair was down and knotted, tears still fell down his cheeks, not to mention the giant scratch marks across his face. But nevertheless, he grabbed his keys and unlocked the door. He opened it.

“Tomioka - san, what happened!?” Shinobu put her hands to Giyuu’s face. Giyuu turned his head away.

“This is why I didn’t want you to come in.” He wiped his tears with his wrist.

“Let's get you cleaned up at the butterfly mansion. Come on.”

“I’m not leaving this house, Kochō.” 

“Fine. I’ll bring the medical supplies to you, petty man.” Shinobu turned to leave. She said one last thing: “I hope a demon didn’t do this to you, nor do I want you to do that to yourself, Tomioka - san. I’ll see you in a bit.” She waved and walked away. Giyuu closed and locked the door. He swore he saw Sanemi for a second. ‘I hope I didn’t see who I thought I saw.’ He thought to himself. Dry tears stained his face, which was thoroughly disfigured from the scratches. Giyuu sighed, he was tired. 

***

He decided to change out of his uniform and into a nice clean blue yukata inside.

He brushed himself off. Now that his rage and heartbreak had passed, a new ‘emotion’ washed over him. Numbness. His heavy eyes, void of emotion, looked to the door to the court. He walked out just in time. A heavy knock came from the front door. 

“Kochō?” 

No answer. ‘No, that’s not Kochō’s knock.’ He thought. He walked up to the front.

“Who is it.” His voice was monotone and slightly broken, “I’m not opening this door ‘till I know who this is. In fact, if it’s not Kochō; I’m not opening the door at all. Whoever it is, I don’t want to see you. Go away.” They sighed. Giyuu heard footsteps, getting quieter and quieter. Giyuu’s shoulders relaxed. He couldn’t deal with people today.. though he was glad Shinobu was helping him.

Chapter Text

SANEMI POV VERSION OF PREVIOUS CHAPTER (Starting from the start of the flashback of chapter 9)

***

I watched as Giyuu placed the flowers on the varnished, maple table. He walked to the wall beside my door and leant on it. I walked over to the door and closed it. I then went to Giyuu.

“So, what did you have in mind for stuff to do?” Giyuu asked. 

I didn’t know why I didn’t say this earlier; to be honest I was holding back for a while: “What do you want to do-” I paused. I leant over to Giyuu’s soft, red-tinted ears and whispered in a low, suggestive voice “-cause I have something in mind~” I watched as Giyuu went an ungodly shade of red. ‘Wait no that- Not that idiot.’ I thought.

“Eh? Not like that. Just-” I forgot to finish the sentence with a ‘-kiss me, Giyuu’. Oh well. I grabbed his wrist, pressing it against the wall. I leant in and kissed Giyuu. He kissed back. He tasted perfect. I couldn’t help but stare into his eyes. He pulled away and wrapped his arms around me. Giyuu stared back at me.

We had just got back to kissing when a knock came from the door. We paused. Giyuu tilted his head in the direction of the door, non-verbally telling me to get it. I sighed and opened the door. Iguro stood just in front of the door.

“Iguro?” I say. Iguro peeked in. His eyes narrowed as a look of suspicion grew on his face. He looked back at me.

“Hey, I just wanted to talk to you about something,” He paused, looking at Giyuu, “In private preferably.”

“Sure, we can go in the courtyard. Giyuu, stay here. I promise we won’t be long.” I can’t really promise that considering I’m pretty sure what he’ll ask me about. Giyuu nodded in response.

I took that as an ‘okay’, I walked through the doorway with Iguro.

***

“So what did you want to talk to me about? I’m pretty sure I know though.” I say.

“Tell me everything. What happened after we left yesterday?” He asked. I roll my eyes. I knew it.

“Okay,” I take a deep breath, “So, I kinda confessed-”

Iguro interrupted: “What did he say?!” I tilt my head, looking straight at him.

“If you let me speak, I can tell you. Why are you so eager anyway?”

“Mitsuri asked about it.”

“Makes sense.”

“Wait- HEY. You're avoiding the topic!”

“I seriously wasn’t. Right. Okay. I was a bit embarrassed so I maybbeee.. ran away.” I said. Iguro facepalmed.

“Yeah, Mitsuri said she saw you running. But why, man.” He responded.

“So then later I found him at the edge of a waterfall, the one he loved to go to. Of course he was there. I mean, we didn’t talk for a bit just sitting with our feet dipped in the river, funny, right? And then he stood up and…” Everything became a blur as I explained the whole story.

Then Iguro brought something up: “Yeah so, when I was coming here and I passed some random girls. But they were speaking SHIT about all the Hashiras. Especially Giyuu. I can’t remember exactly what they were saying though.”

“Bullshit. What, were they like ‘Giyuu is stupid piece of shit, he doesn’t deserve to be a Hashira. He should resign. He’s so pitiful’ or something.” Iguro quickly looked away. He looked back at me. Then he slowly turned his head again.

“Sanemi!” Iguro whisper-shouted.

“What?” I reply, thoroughly confused.

“Oh. Oh.” Giyuu said. I turned to Giyuu. I turned back to Obanai.

“I think he heard you saying.. ya know, what the girls sa- your impression of those girls.” Obanai whispered. I looked at Giyuu. His hands shook.

“Wait no, Giyuu you’ve got everything wrong. It’s not like that.” I say quickly.

“  SHUT.   UP.  ” He said with gritted teeth. Giyuu started to go, turning to the door. ‘I fucked up REALLY bad. Shit.’ I thought.

“Giyuu-” I stretched out a hand.

He turned his head around to face me. “I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU WOULD PLAY WITH MY HEART LIKE THAT! I HATE YOU!” Giyuu shouted. He turned his head back. I couldn’t think properly; ‘ He… hates me? He hates me. He hates mehe hates mehehatesmehehatesme’ filled my mind. Tears fell gently out of my eyes as Giyuu started to run. His shallow, jagged breaths echoed through the courtyard as Giyuu slammed the front door to the mansion open with his hand. He ran through it. ‘I ruined it. I was doing so well.’

“Shit man, are you okay?” Iguro placed his hand on my shoulder.

“DOES IT LOOK LIKE I’M OKAY-” I paused. ‘Too aggressive. Calm down.’ “Sorry.” Iguro walked, standing in front of me. 

“Look, I have an idea,” He paused, “Let’s go to Mitsuri-” I interrupted him:

“Now is not the time to go hangout with your girlfriend, Iguro.”

“She can cheer you up and figure out what to do.”

“Fine.” I snapped.

Chapter Text

After meeting with Mitsuri, we decided I should check up on Giyuu.

“But what if-” I started.

“No thank you Shinazugawa - san. Shinobu - senpai said she was going to go check up on him in about an hour, if you don't want to speak with him directly then just spy on them. Now you have no excuse!” Mitsuri said, cutting me off. I sigh, regretting talking to Mitsuri as I shove the very good idea to the back of my mind. Though it pops right back up.

“Ugh fine.” I groaned.

***

My paper white hair was messy and dishevelled as always. My hilt was poking straight into my side. The ground, littered with sticks and leaves, was dry and gritty under my shoes. I glanced down to see that dirt was already strewn across my uniform. Sitting in the forest outside Giyuu’s mansion wasn’t exactly comfortable. It was a weird idea but I guess it worked. ‘This sure is creepy for someone who doesn’t know the situation… And for someone who does if I’m being honest; I look so creepy right now, regardless of the perspective.’ I thought. I sighed, I stared at that wooden door for what seemed like hours.

Noise.

Footsteps.

Shinobu’s here.

I shifted slightly, moving just a bit to make sure no one could see me. ‘Fuck fuck fuckkk, don’t mess this up. Don’t let him see me – He hates you, remember?’

// I HATE YOU! //

No, I could never forget that. Never.

I snapped back to reality when a knock came into listening distance. I shook my head, then focused my eyes on the short, purple lady a few metres in front. I heard faint footsteps from inside slowly get louder.

“What.” Giyuu’s broken voice angrily snapped, though he didn’t bother to open the door.

“Tomioka - san? It’s me, Shinobu. I’m here to give you something for your wound.” Shinobu said from my side of the door.

“Which one?”

“That rather implies there are more than one. And last time I checked there weren’t.”

“Yeah, well now there are.”

“What do you mean, did something happen Tomioka - san?”

No reply.

“Can I come in?” Shinobu continued.

“No.”

“Tomioka - san.”

“No.”

“Come on, Tomioka - san.”

“I’ll open the door, but you can’t come in.” The noise of keys rattling and the unlock of a door followed. It slowly opened.

A blur. Time was a matter unwanted; left out in the cold, not useful, not moving. It seemed to stop in the eyes of Sanemi Shinazugawa, me. ‘What happened to him!? Oh god! – It’s your fault.’

Large, deep scratch marks ruled Giyuu’s deformed face. No, they were far past just scratches, gouges or gashes maybe. Warm crimson liquid oozed quietly out of each deformation called a scar. Specs of dirt accumulated inside them, slowly making sure it got infected. The skin around them all was ripped and uneven. (To be clear there are eight scratch marks, four on each cheek.) Tears seconded, slowly pooling into the injures and most likely making it hurt even more. This was no longer Giyuu's face. But his eyes. His eyes were what crushed me the most. I didn’t even think they could look deader before. They were hollow, dark, cold and traumatised. I thought that I was slowly helping the shimmer in his eyes come back. ‘ – And to think it was all your doing. Wow, he’s never going to speak to you again is he? You did this. He hates you.’

// I HATE YOU! //

– You did this.

– It’s your fault.

// I HATE YOU! //

// I HATE YOU! //

// I HATE YOU! //

– You did this.

// I HATE YOU! //

// I HATE YOU! //

– It’s your fault.

– He hates y—

My… thoughts were interrupted by Time pressing the play button.

“Tomioka - san, what happened!?” Shinobu put her hands to Giyuu’s face. ‘Don’t touch him.’ Giyuu turned his head away.

“This is why I didn’t want you to come in.” He wiped his tears with his wrist, staining it with blood.

“Let's get you cleaned up at the butterfly mansion. Come on.”

“I’m not leaving this house, Kochō.” 

“Fine. I’ll bring the medical supplies to you, petty man.” Shinobu turned to leave. She said one last thing: “I hope a demon didn’t do this to you, nor do I want you to do that to yourself, Tomioka - san. I’ll see you in a bit.” She waved and walked away. Giyuu closed and locked the door.

He saw me. He definitely at least caught a glimpse of me. ‘Fuck.’ I take a deep breath, trying to calm my thumping heart. ‘Maybe I could try to talk to him. – No point. Don’t even bother. He hates you.’

// I HATE YOU! //

That recurring memory will probably haunt me forever. ‘No. I will at least try.’ I thought. I stand up, hitting my head on a branch. “Auh, fuck.” I mutter. I climb out the edge of the forest and up to his door.

And I just… stood there. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know when to knock. I was so anxious. That voice kept on telling me to give up and that he could never forgive me. Finally, I plucked up what little courage I had left and knocked on the door. Heavily at that.

“Kochō?” 

I wanted to answer. I opened my mouth but no words came out. I couldn’t answer. So I just listened. I heard footsteps coming closer.

“Who is it.” His voice was monotone and slightly broken, “I’m not opening this door ‘till I know who this is. In fact, if it’s not Kochō; I’m not opening the door at all. Whoever it is, I don’t want to see you. Go away.” I sighed. ‘Fuck. Obviously this was going to happen. – Of course. I can’t seem to stress enough that he hates you.’

// I HATE YOU! //

‘I KNOW! I KNOW I KNOW! SHUT UP! – Then why do you still have hope? He hates you.’

// I HATE YOU! //

‘SHUT UP! Shut up! .. Shut up.’

“Shut up…” I subconsciously mutter as I slowly walk away with no destination in mind. I needed to wander. I needed to go for a walk.

Chapter Text

He’s…

It wasn't…

How do you 

put pain on a page?

Chapter Text

– He’s dead.

No he's not.

no. NO. NO NO!

Chapter Text

A few hours into my wander, a crow's cry engulfed my ear. I looked up. Sorai flew gracefully in the sky just above my head.

“CAW CAW! NEW MISSION FOR SANEMI SHINAZUGAWA AND GIYUU TOMIOKA! HEAD WEST NOW! CAW!” Sorai squawked. I sighed. Great timing. I slowly followed Sorai.

“CAW! TWO DEMONS HAVE BEEN SPOTTED AROUND THERE! BOTH RETIRED LOWER MOONS! CAW CAW!”

Eventually, my crow slowed to a halt. The forest rings of livelihood. Birds sang to their hearts content, insects chirped, grass swayed. But, it was also eerie in some way. The looming trees taunted me. The fog made it so I couldn't see far. The darkness was a weakness I wasn't ready to admit; it wasn't that bad but I couldn't shake the feeling of something watching me. I cautiously started to walk around, hand on my sword ready to pull it out.

A twig snapped. I spun around, unsheathing my sword. Oh. It’s just Giyuu. He’s got bandages all over his face. I shiver at the thought of the deformed face I saw before.

“Uh-” I start, putting my sword back. Well, this was awkward.

“Let’s- Let’s split up, try looking for the purple kunai demon. I’ll look for the other one.” Giyuu said.

“Oh. Okay.” I responded. I started walking north.

Huh? What was that? Is that someone just lying on the ground? What the fuck? I sped over to the man on the ground. Turns out it wasn’t exactly a man. It was Genya.

“What the actual fuck are you doing on the ground?!”

“Aniki! Thank god your he- Wait. Wait. NO-” Genya shouted, before a woman- no… demon gracefully swept down from a branch just in front of us. 

The woman looked like a kitsune but also surprisingly humanoid. She had purple skin and hair along with seven fox tails and fox ears. She was barefoot with red and white ribbons covering every limb and her neck. Talking about red and white, she wore this beautifully crafted, silk patterned red and white kimono. Her hair was in a bun held up by an intricate red hair pin. Her red eyeshadow complimented her deep red eyes, with her left having a crossed out kanji engraved on. It read "four". 

I had failed to notice the kunai piercing Genya’s hand and keeping him on the floor so I said: 

“Genya get the fuck up!”

“I can’t, I’ve got a goddamn knife through my hand! Aniki, just help me up!”

“Don’t call me that-”

“Aniki? Such a lovely audience we have today!” She smiled creepily, “Haha~ Let us play for a bit don’t you think?” With that, her left hand glowed a dark purple and two kunai materialised from the fur of one of her tails. They moved to be floating just in front of her face. They also glowed purple, her blood demon art was all about her kunai, info I got from Sorai. She could control weapons made from her fur, specifically kunai.

“Hello, welcome to the show! My name is Hijōshikina, you can call me Hijō or Kina; I really don't mind~” ‘Doesn’t her name mean insane?’ “Now, I have reason to suspect that you are a Hashira. That means-” Before she finished two daggers slammed away from her face and straight into something behind me. “-that I’ll play with your Otōto (little brother) here first.”

“Not if I help it, Bitch.” I unsheathe my nichirin blade and aim straight for her neck. She dashed to the right, dodging my attack, she’s fast.

“Agh! Shit!” A vicious amount of pain washed over my right leg. I look down to see a kunai lodged in it.

“Such disrespect! We’re just playing!” Another two kunai wizz past me. A stifled cough fills my ear.

“Wind breathing, Fourth Form: Rising Dust Storm..” I mutter. I bring my sword up and slash horizontally at her neck. The sound of wind gushes next to my ear as a whirlwind of slashes embed themselves on her neck, one slicing her head right off. I sheath my sword. Before she gives up, another kunai makes its way to my left shoulder. The sting had me trapped. I bring my right hand up to my shoulder, holding it.

I turned to Genya.

“Genya. Get up.” No response. “Genya?” I walked closer to him, limping from the pain. Blood trickles out his many wounds and open mouth. His black hair was messy and blood stained. His eyes were closed. His whole body was limp. His head was turned to one side. He looked pale and sickly. Five kunai were lodged in painful places. One in the stomach, one in the hand, one in the neck and two in the legs. 

“Genya!” I knelt down. “Wake up. We beat her.”

“Wake up idiot!” I shook him lightly.

“Genya. Genya! Genya wake up you can’t do this to me!” Tears form in my tired eyes.

“Oh god. No. Genya you have to be alive! Genya please! I’ll call you Otōto, just please wake up! Wake up!” I shouted, salty tears poured out of my eyes.

‘ – He's dead.’ A familiar voice said. I kept my eyes on Genya.

“NO. SHUT UP! NO HE CAN’T BE DEAD! GENYA PLEASE!”

“Sanemi.” Someone came into view. My view was blurry and spotted.

Blue.

Black.

Bandages.

Giyuu?

Chapter Text

“Sanemi.” Giyuu whispered gently. He looked down at Sanemi and knelt in front of him. Sanemi was supposed to be looking straight at Giyuu but it felt like he was looking through him. His eyes looked darker and duller, but also softer and tired. Tears continuously poured from them.

“Sanemi?” No response once again, “Nemi?” Nothing. “Nemi.” Giyuu brought his hand up to Sanemi’s face, cupping his jawline. Giyuu smiled gently.

“Let’s get you home, Nemi.” Sanemi stood up. He looked down at the floor, his arms rested by his side. Giyuu followed, standing up in front of him. Silence followed for a few minutes. It took a while before someone finally spoke:

“Genya. Bring Genya.” Sanemi whispered, Giyuu almost didn’t hear it. His voice was sad and quiet. Giyuu bent down and picked up the lifeless, bloody body before him. His head and limbs fell loose.

Giyuu slowly led Sanemi back to Giyuu’s house. Giyuu placed Genya down and unlocked the door to his estate. ‘I’m surprised Sanemi actually followed me, I would have held his hand, but I was carrying Genya.’ He thought. The door creaked open.

“Go in first, I’ll be there in a second.” Giyuu said, turning to Sanemi. He nodded slightly and walked through the door and into the courtyard.

Giyuu picked up the body and walked in, placing it on the grass. Then he walked back to the door and closed it. He walked over to the Guest room, sorting things, making the bed, eccetera. After he was done he went to talk to Sanemi.

“Rest, I’ve just made your bed in the room to our left. I’ll be back, I need to talk to the master.” He nodded slightly. Giyuu took his hand and led him to the room. ‘He’s shaking.’ Giyuu thought.

He let go of my hand and lay down on the futon.

“I’ll wake you up for dinner.” Giyuu murmured, leaving Sanemi to sleep.

***

Giyuu knelt in the presence of Ubuyashiki Kayaga as he walked to him.

“Master, I’m here to report something.” Giyuu started.

“What is it, Giyuu?” Kayaga responded.

“Just a few hours ago, in a recent mission, unfortunately Sanemi Shinazugawa’s brother Genya passed away. I came to inform you and to ask for time off on behalf of Sanemi.”

“That is terrible, thank you for informing me, Giyuu. I will allow three months off for Sanemi. I will inform the other hashiras. He can still come to hashira meetings, if he is up for it. And, I will also ask for you to take care of him for now, You will also get time off.”

“Of course I will take care of him, but I really don’t need the time off-”

“My child, If you are to take care of Sanemi, I want you to always be with him just in case. That is final.”

“Thank you master. I shall take my leave now.”

As Giyuu opened the door to his place again, it was quiet and serene. He closed it and immediately went to the room which Sanemi was in. He slowly and quietly opened the door to the room. Sanemi was sleeping on the futon in the middle of the room. Giyuu closed the door behind him and trod warily over to him. He sat down next to Sanemi’s resting head. Giyuu placed his hand on Sanemi’s head, slowly stroking his hair while humming a calming tune.

A few hours later, at around six in the evening, the faint sight of Sanemi waking up filled Giyuu’s view. He didn’t know how long he had just sat there, comforting Sanemi’s resting body. Sanemi’s eyes opened. He stared at Giyuu, in front of him, humming a lovely tune with his hand on his head. Normally he would shout at the man in front of him, but he didn’t have the energy to. Giyuu stopped humming.

“You’re awake. Great. I’m going to the kitchen to make food, you can come with me if you want.” Giyuu whispered, pulling his hand off Sanemi’s head. Sanemi sat up.

“Mm hm” Sanemi mumbled. Giyuu devised this as a ‘yes’ and stood up. They walked together to the kitchen.

“Do you like salmon daikon with miso soup?”

“Mm hm”

***

After eating, Giyuu walked Sanemi over to the guest room once again. He wrote a quick letter and passed it onto his crow, Kanzaburo.

“This letter is going to The Serpent Hashira's mansion. It’s next to Sanemi’s.” He said to Kanzaburo before tying it onto his leg and sending him off. He turned to Sanemi.

“Do you want me to stay for the night or go back to my room to sleep.” He shook his head horizontally.

“Stay.” He whispered.

“Okay. First I’m going to get changed.” Giyuu said, walking out the room.

Sanemi was all alone for the first time since the incident. He didn’t like it. He sat down on the futon, his arms resting on his knees and his head resting on his arms. Sanemi could hear his heartbeat. His eyes darting around, his body starting to shake. He really didn’t like it. His breath hitched and slowly got faster, almost hyperventilating. ‘ – He’s dead.’ The voice sounded spoken, like there was a physical form saying it. His head started to hurt. ‘ – He’s dead. You're alone. And it’s your fault.’ Those words echoed through his mind. ‘I can’t be alone. No. Not alone. Please.’ His hands gripped his head. His jagged breath turned into gasps for air as his anxiety spiked.

“Hey, hey! Nemi!” Giyuu ran in, kneeling in front of Sanemi. “Nemi, look at me! I’m here.” Sanemi slowly calmed. He takes a deep breath, moving his hands to his sides. Giyuu pulls him in for a warm embrace. “Shh.” Giyuu whispered, stroking Sanemi’s hair until he fell asleep.