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Tanjiro's case has been adjourned. Although most of the pillars didn't agree with the thought of a demon living amongst them, they had no choice but to agree with Ubuyashiki's final word. Tanjiro was sent to the butterfly estate to get his wounds treated, along with Nezuko. Giyuu was relieved that Ubuyashiki trusted Tanjiro with this and gave both of the Kamado siblings a chance. The water pillar scanned the estate, his eyes landing on the wind pillar who looked back at him with a disappointed look.
As soon as they made eye contact, Sanemi excused himself and took his leave going back to his estate. He looked back at Giyuu one last time and shook his head as he disappeared. Giyuu could feel his anxiety crawling inside his thoughts.
It's been a long time since he has felt this feeling.
Sanemi always assured him whenever he felt anxious and uneasy. He wanted Sanemi to comfort him, but judging from the look he just gave him, that wasn't going to happen. The water pillar said his goodbyes and took his leave as well, chasing after the wind pillar.
The two pillars had been in a relationship for a while now. Both of them wanting to keep it a secret, only letting Ubuyashiki know about them. Said man could feel the tension between the pair, sensing something was up. He hoped that the couple could talk it out.
Giyuu finally arrived at the wind pillar's estate. He hasn't even stepped foot inside the estate, and he already could feel dread right next to him. He sighed and slid the door of the estate open. Sanemi's back was facing him, breathing heavily, obviously disturbed from training. The tension was even thicker now.
"What the fuck do you want Tomioka?"
The water pillar cringed. The wind pillar's voice was deep, his tone harsh and bitter. It was as if they were back on square 1. Strangers.
Giyuu was silent. Sanemi tilted his head to look at him, glaring. "You know, if you're just gonna stand there, you should just leave before I fucking rip your pretty head from your body." His tone still the same.
"I'm sorry,"
Sanemi turned his body, eyes twitching and veins looking like they're about to pop. "Sorry? You dumb fuck, you let a fucking demon live! Even vouching for it! What the fuck are you gonna do when that demon gives in to its nature and eats an innocent human being. Huh, shithead, you're gonna slit your fucking stomach when the damn thing does what it's supposed to do!?" Sanemi was fuming, face filled with rage. He couldn't imagine losing his beloved to a shitty demon who succumbed to its nature.
Giyuu still managed to maintain a blank expression, even though inside he wanted to cry.
"Nezuko's different from the rest. If you only saw what happened two years ago you'd say the same." Giyuu tried to reason with the man in front of him. Sanemi walked forward until his sword bumped with Giyuu's chest. "Listen to me you shithead, She's a fucking demon. She sensed that she was in danger and tried to get herself out of that situation. They've mastered the art of deceiving people. Who knows when she'll snap and kills someone." Sanemi applied pressure to the sword on Giyuu's chest.
The water pillar stayed quiet for a while, then met his partner's gaze, "I promise you, she's different just give her a chance. Her bond with Tanjiro is unbreakable. Two years ago when I was sent on a mission to kill a demon terrorizing a village on the mountainside, I found those two. I tried to kill her, Tanjiro protected her with everything he's got, even almost killing me. Nezuko did the same, protecting him when I hit him. That's when I saw she was different. She had the opportunity to devour him, but she didn't, opting to protect him. She proved herself once again on Natagumo Mountain, fighting alongside her brother against lower moon five." Giyuu was determined to change Sanemi's mind.
Sanemi only 'tsked' at Giyuu's attempts. He retrieved his sword and just stared at him. "You know, if you're going to continue being delusional about this, I think this is where we part ways."
Pain filled Giyuu's chest.
"You can't be serious?! You're breaking up with me over this-" "Yes I am. How could you give that demon a chance knowing damn well she has the opportunity to betray as at any moment. Have you forgotten her kind was the one that took our loved ones from us" Sanemi was in pain as well, he didn't want it to go this far but Giyuu wasn't making any sense to him. Those demons brought them pain and grief and gave one of them a chance because he saw something different in them. pathetic.
He truly did love Giyuu, this was difficult for him too, but his heart ached from the thought that he's siding with the demons rather than his kind.
"It seems like our conversation has come to an end. You should leave Tomioka."
That night, Giyuu finally let out the tears that were bottled up inside of him.
--
It's been 3 weeks since their breakup. The wind pillar was doing well, acted as if they were never an item. The same couldn't be said for the water pillar.
Ever since the breakup, he couldn't get any proper sleep. The nightmares keeping him awake. When they were still together, Sanemi would comfort him and hold him through the night whenever he woke up sweating and crying from the nightmare.
Now he's back to dealing it by himself.
The bags under his eyes grew darker, his hair messy and unkempt. He was in such a bad state that even the other pillars took notice, whenever they bumped with one another and were worried. Even Obanai was worried about the water pillars well being, which says a lot as the snake pillar usually hates his guts. Every time they ask, the normal response they'd get would be, "Yeah, don't worry about me."
A pillar meeting was held that week. To their surprise, Giyuu showed up. Not only did his presence surprised them but his appearance as well.
His cheeks were more hollow, it looked like the boy hasn't eaten any proper meals. His hair was untied, complexion pale and eyes dull. He looked like he could pass out at any moment now.
Giyuu didn't say anything and sat down beside the fire pillar, waiting for Oyakata-sama to arrive. He arrived quite early, only Gyomei, Kyojuro, Obanai and Uzui were there.
A soft yawn left the water pillars mouth, he wanted to take a nap whilst waiting for the meeting to start.
His body was starting to give up.
Kyojuro heard the yawn, "Tomioka, you can rest on my shoulder for a while, I'll wake you up when Oyakata-sama arrives." Giyuu was a bit hesitant with the flame pillars offer but eventually gave in when he felt his eyes drooping. He leaned on Kyojuro's shoulder and closed his eyes.
When the wind pillar arrived at Ubuyashikis estate, it was the first time he saw Giyuu since their breakup. Seeing him leaning on Kyojuro's shoulder didn't sit well with him but he couldn't do anything about it, they're no longer dating, he reminded himself. He took in the other's appearance, his heart was crushed at Giyuu's state. He couldn't help but think if this was because of him. Before his thoughts could wander off, the remaining three pillars and Ubuyashiki arrived.
Kyojuro waked Giyuu up, signaling him that the Ubuyashiki has arrived. They said their greetings and the meeting began shortly after.
The meeting was brief, only talking about Muzan and his whereabouts. They dismissed earlier than expected, but Ubuyashiki asked for the wind and water pilar to stay behind. Now, he may be blind, but he certainly did feel the shift of atmosphere when it was only them who remained amongst the pillars. He could only assume that their talk three weeks ago didn't go smoothly.
"My children, there have been reports on demons appearing and terrorizing the town on the southern mountains, exterminate the demons and come back here safely. You may leave tomorrow morning." Ubuyashiki instructed them with a calm voice.
The two pillars didn't understand why it had to be them but didn't question Ubuyshiki regardless. "As you wish." Both of them bowed. They were dismissed and both pillars took their leave. The two were silent as they walked together.
Before they parted ways, both of them going to their respective estates, Sanemi turned to Giyuu, "Get your shit together for tomorrow, don't want you dying on the mission tomorrow." He then disappeared. Giyuu took in what Sanemi said and forced himself to eat and sleep once he arrived at his estate.
It was now the next day, both men were running at their full speed. Both of them wanting to arrive at the village before it gets dark. They were still quiet with each other, just focusing on the mission given to them. There was tension between them. The two couldn't point out what kind of tension it exactly was but they could feel the presence of the tension between them.
They arrived at the village just as the sun was about to set. The two sent on separate ways to scout the village, gathering information about the events that occurred along the way. It was now night time. Both of them were perched on the roof of the villages' shrine. It was the tallest building in the area, making it easier for them to spot the demons. When scouting the village earlier, they could feel the presence of three demons roaming around the village for the past days. It wasn't long until the pillars spotted the three demons lurking in the shadows. Both pillars positioned themselves, Giyuu was waiting for Sanemi's signal on when to attack. It had always been that way when the two were on missions together, Sanemi leads and Giyuu follows. One of the demons went to an open field in the village, hiding amongst the tall grass. There were still people roaming around so the demons could attack any moment. Sanemi's eyes followed the second demon, moving its way to the open field as well.
Something was off. The two demons haven't moved from their position. There were lesser people now, most of them already retiring to their homes. The third one was missing, they both thought. As soon as they realized they felt a presence behind them. Sanemi wasted no time and launched an attack on the demon, debris and dust filled the air. Once it started to clear up, the pillars saw what type of demon it was.
The demon had a number etched in its eye.
Lower moon six.
They were facing the weakest of the 12 moons. Although it was the weakest, they didn't let their guards down, it was still a moon, making it stronger than a regular demon. Then the battle began.
It wasn't long until they've managed to kill the demon. The battle was like child's play, considering the demon was up against two pillars. The pair went down to the open field to annihilate the remaining demons. They couldn't sense the demons anywhere near the field anymore. A blood-curdling scream was then heard, it was coming from the forest. The pillar chased after the sound as more screams were let out. They stopped when they found the two demons, carcasses of bodies everywhere, the green grass now red from the blood oozing out of the bodies. The demons stood up and faced their opponents, both also bearing a number in their eye, however, the bigger demon had its number crossed out.
"Ah took you two long enough, didn't think Kamanue could hold you two back for long," The bigger demon said, it was a former lower moon.
The duo didn't think they took that long but it seems like lower moon six was just a distraction for the other two demons to eat.
"Thanks to him you two, we got to eat. The humans here are delicious, especially the females." The smaller demon said, liking his blood-stained lips.
The demon was lower moon three.
The demons looked at the pillars with malicious intent. "I wonder what a pillar tastes like, I guess today's the day I get to taste one." Lower moon 3 smiled wickedly, the former lower moon just looked at Sanemi, his mouth-watering, "A pillar who's a marechi, what a delight." The demon picked up a decapitated head from the ground and ate it in one bite. "Now then, shall we begin?"
The battle began shortly after that.
Lower moon three's blood demon technique wasn't strong but his speed made up for it. The opposite could be said for the former kizuki. He was strong, even stronger than lower moon 6, his strength probably doubled as he just ate. The battle was tough, it had been going for hours now. Wakuraba's (they later found out this was lower moon three's name) attacks got stronger, using blood demon techniques that were reminiscent of ninja attacks.
"Blood demon technique: Raining shuriken!" A cloud appeared from above and released tiny shurikens. "Total concentration, water breathing eleventh form: Dead calm" The attack just passed the two hashiras. Shock was displayed on Wakuraba's face, wondering how his attack did nothing to them. "Breath of wind, First style: dust whirlwind cutter" Sanemi rushes to the lower moon, seeing an opening. "Blood demon technique: Paralyzing roots," Moruko's (they also found out the former moons name mid-battle) blood demon technique caused the ground below Sanemi to erupt, roots bursting through the ground. "Breath of water, Seventh style: Piercing raindrop" Giyuu slashed through the roots, eliminating the attack.
Sanemi sliced Wakuraba's head from his neck cleanly. The demon's body and head falls to the ground, slowly disappearing. The only demon left now was Moruko who seemed to have been getting stronger the longer the battle went on.
Only an hour is left 'till the sun rises again. Fatigue was slowly creeping up to the two pillars. The only thing they've managed to deduce from fighting Moruko was that his attacks revolved around nature, meaning that his energy also thrives from being so close with nature, making his attacks more powerful and deadlier. There's nothing the pillars could do about this as everywhere they'd go nature would still surround them. They just have to finish this quickly or kill time until the sun is up.
The demon's neck was incredibly strong as well. They found multiple openings to slice the demon's neck but it was just too hard, especially since right after their attempts to attack, Moruko would unleash another attack. The pillars decided that one of them should distract the demon while the other goes for the kill. Sanemi told Giyuu that he should distract the demon while he goes for the kill, Giyuu just nods at this. Both pillars were giving it they're all now, ignoring the pain and fatigue coursing all over their body.
Sanemi finally found an opening thread while Giyuu distracted Moruko. He went in for the kill, moving faster now. Too focused on making the kill, he didn't hear the demon casting another attack, "Blood demon technique: Final resort." The braches behind Sanemi molded into shapes of spears. "SANEMI!" Giyuu yelled as Sanemi quickly sliced off the demon's head. He braced for the attack Giyuu warned him about, but it never came. He could hear blood squelching from behind him. His heart dropped as he saw Giyuu's body impaled from the spears. Two on his chest one on his leg. The spears retracted and went back to normal as Moruko's body dispersed. Sanemi caught Giyuu's body before it could make contact with the ground.
Tears filled Sanemi's eyes.
"Yuu, fucking stay with me, don't close your eyes."
Sanemi's voice was shaky, tears now running down his face.
"Yuu, I'm sorry"
He repeated it over and over as he pulled Giyuu even closer. "I'm gonna be fine Nemi. The bleedings stopped, see." Giyuu grabbed one of Sanemi's hand and brought it over to the spot where he had been impaled.
It was true, the bleeding did stop. Giyuu let go of the wind pillar's hand and brought his hand up to his cheek, wiping the tears that were still falling. Sanemi leaned into Giyuu's touch.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't protect you."
The water pillar just gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm fine. Let's go home, yeah?" Giyuu said softly. Honestly, he couldn't care less if he was going to die. He was just happy that he was in his beloveds embrace once again.
The sun was starting to rise.
Sanemi picked Giyuu up bridal style and carried him to the butterfly estate.
When they arrived, Shinobu dropped what she was doing and quickly started treating Giyuu's wounds. Giyuu passed out on the way from the amount of blood he lost and fatigue. Sanemi answered all of Shinobu's questions. Once she was done she asked Sanemi if he needs to be patched up too. He declines her offer, worrying over Giyuu's state more than his own.
"Well too bad, I'm still gonna patch you up. You probably have some broken ribs." Shinobu said, Sanemi glaring at her but complied nonetheless. She was right, he did have some broken ribs. She sat him down on the bed next to Giyuu's and did her job. Once she was down she left the room, giving the two men some privacy.
Sanemi looked at Giyuu's sleeping state. He was topless, bandages covering his torso and leg as well. Sanemi held Giyuu's hand and brought it up to his lips.
"I love you so much Yuu please wake up soon."
Sanemi didn't sleep that night, he just watched over Giyuu throughout the day.
--
Giyuu woke up a week later.
He felt warm, he was in Sanemi's embrace. Giyuu started to cry.
He missed this feeling, he missed being so close to him. Giyuu's soft crying woke Sanemi up, startling him.
"Yuu, baby, why are you crying?"
Upon hearing this, Giyuu cried even harder.
Baby.
God he missed hearing Sanemi call him that. He missed everything about this. He missed Sanemi the most. Sanemi just pulled him closer and rubbed his back comfortingly.
"I'm here, baby, I'm here. I'm sorry for all the stupid shit I said that day. I'm sorry that I caused you all this pain." He could feel his chest getting wet from Giyuu's tears. "Baby I'm sorry for breaking the promise I made,"
Giyuu remembers the promise.
When he agreed to be Sanemi's boyfriend, Sanemi promised him that day he would never hurt him. "Nemi, it's fine. I'm fine." Sanemi was now crying as well.
"No, you're not. If I wasn't being an asshole-"
"You're not an asshole Nemi."
Giyuu looked up at Sanemi who turned away, "Nemi, Sanemi, look at me" Sanemi didn't listen, he didn't want Giyuu to see him being so pathetic.
"Baby, look at me."
That seemed to work, Giyuu thought. Sanemi was now looking at him, tears still running down his cheeks. "You're not an asshole, Nemi. I understand why you broke up with me." Giyuu spoke slowly as to not choke on his tears and hiccups. Sanemi just looked at him, starstruck.
"I really don't fucking deserve you."
Giyuu was his entire universe.
He was an idiot for breaking up with him over something that could've been resolved if they just talked.
"Yes, you do. You deserve me, all of me. You're such a strong person, Nemi, mentally and physically. You stayed strong when you lost your family, stayed strong for Genya and continued staying strong when you lost Kumeno. You were in pain for the entirety of it, you could've given up yet you chose to stay strong." Giyuu placed his hand on Sanemi's cheek, wiping the tears from his face, just like he did the night he was impaled. Sanemi just cried and buried his face on Giyuu's hair.
"I love you so much Yuu, I really fucking do." It was muffled but Giyuu heard it perfectly.
Giyuu shifted his position, pulling Sanemi in a soft kiss. It was quick, Sanemi, who stopped crying already, pressed their foreheads together.
"I love you too."
They looked at each other's eyes. Anyone could see the love and adoration they had in their eyes. "Does this mean we're together again?" The water pillar asked tenderly, Sanemi gave him an Eskimo kiss.
"Yeah, you fucking idiot." They laughed and just enjoyed each other's embrace.