Giyuu x Shinobu AU Collection

Shinobu's letter

(At the Butterfly Estate)

"Tomioka-san, how long will you be asleep? it's time to wake up." Shinobu's voice cause him to stir,

"You have to wake up now Giyuu." Another familiar voice appeared, causing his eyes to snap open,

"Onee san." He whispered to himself,

Giyuu groaned at the pain of his still healing arm, or at least what was left of it.

His usual routine for the last month and a half; was to get his wounds checked, bandages changed and assistance to dress himself till no chances of them reopening were confirmed. He hadn't really left the room much to begin with,  passing by anywhere would bring back memories of his fallen comrades along with many others he didn't get a chance to speak with. Which was why he preferred to stick himself in a special private room assigned to hashira's only. Giyuu got visits from Urokodaki, Uzui and his family, some with Sanemi Shinazugawa including Nezuko, the rest were Tanjiro's friends and other staff.

When the wisteria tree began to bloom, he started to sit outside on the patio. For hours at a time, just having tea and hearing the stories of passing servants. Sharing the reports of all the demons that were successfully vanquished, was this ache and pain worth it? The sacrifices made, could they all have peace? He had no answers. Once he heard that Tanjiro's condition was improving he called for a servant to have Urokodaki visit him. After a few days, the old man of the mountain had arrived.

It dawned on Tomioka, several weeks had passed since their final battle with Muzan. He knew full well, their loss was heavy, but the victory was finally achieved, he needed to weigh the pros and cons of everything in order to stop beating himself up. But he couldn't do it alone, which was precisely why he called for his old master.

"You seem troubled Giyuu." Urokodaki said as he handed the black haired man a cup of tea,

Giyuu thanked him and reached for the tea. His eyes widened in surprise, then a silent shame could be seen in his dark blue orbs. He pulled back his severed arm, and hid it in his haori,

Urokodaki whispered a light apology as he placed the tea besides Giyuu's other arm. Urokodaki sat down next to his former student, both of them were watching crows sit in the wisteria trees that surrounded Kochou Shinobu's home. A home that had been passed down to Kanao, Aoi and three young girls. All to be maintained by that same staff of people in black, the very same ones that remained since before Kochou Kanae had died.

After a long silence; Giyuu spoke at last, "Do you think that there is an afterlife? Or are we all just reborn instantly?" He asked without facing his former master,

Urokodaki made a small sound, was it of curiosity? Of sympathy for this young man who is now crippled? Tomioka Giyuu was never one to think so deeply in matters such as this. And although it was strange, he felt obligated to at least comfort this person who was a child no longer. He coughed before answering his question to the best of his ability,

"I don't think that we are reborn right away... I think that we will be given time to experience a paradise of no pain and fear. We should be able to reunite with lost loved ones for a time. We might even choose to return, I am not sure of it. I do believe we have a way of saying something after death." The older man stopped,

"I see... So they must be happy." Giyuu nodded,

"I'm sure they are at peace. You should pray for them, I believe they will hear you." Urokodaki finished,

"I can try to do that." Giyuu faked a smile,

Urokodaki spent some time with him, testing the grip strength of the one armed hashira. He proceeded to monitor his breathing techniques along with his muscle control, reflexes and mental exercises about swords and water breathing. After this was all finished Giyuu had become worn out, Urokodaki had taken his leave as Giyuu was brought back to bed.