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He felt something brush against his arm; he sat up and opened his eyes. Huh. He was surrounded by grass, and behind Giyuu stood a tree, casting shade over the Hashira. Where was he? He didn't remember lying down to sleep.
He glanced to his side, and when he turned left, he saw the familiar Flame Hashira lying comfortably, looking serene. Right—how could he have forgotten? They had walked for a while and grown tired from the scorching sun, so they had sat down in the shade of that beautiful tree. It was odd that they had both fallen asleep, but that didn't matter.
Giyuu lightly nudged his arm, yet Kyojuro’s eyes remained closed. Ah, he was a heavy sleeper. It was only natural that he wouldn't wake up so easily. He then placed his hands on the shoulders of the man beside him and gave him a shake.
…
Was he still asleep? That was strange. Perhaps he was in a deep sleep.
A deep sleep?
Despite Giyuu’s efforts, his beloved remained in an eternal sleep. Eternal... sleep? Ah, yes. Kyojuro was gone. How could he have forgotten that? The person he adored most had left him. Again.
Not that it was a surprise; after all, this sort of thing always happened to him.
Tsutako had died protecting him. Sabito had died because he hadn't been strong enough. And now... Kyojuro was dead too. All because he hadn't thought two Hashira would be necessary for that mission.
He was dead. He would never return to hold Giyuu in his arms. He would never again shower his face with kisses, making him laugh. Kyojuro would never hold him close again. Kyojuro would never again be able to say he loved him.
And he, too, would never again be able to say just how much he loved him.
Because of that damned Upper Rank Three.
He would avenge Kyojuro, even if it cost him his life.
He would do whatever it took to kill Akaza.