At some point, Saburo had left. Neither of the two questioned it. Truthfully, the Demon was simply happy to be left alone. Minus the addition of him following the younger male around. Something about the maroon haired boy was appealing, stirring his emotions to life when they should have been torn away. As a Demon, feelings were pointless. But the boy had somehow eased him from those reigns. The delightful taste of the blood was like alcohol, making him desire more from the way it made him feel. The old pull on the Demon shattered with the boy's voice, as if he was a key that unlocked the chains surrounding the taller male. It was was truly intriguing.
The boy had gotten from the snowy ground, his shivering growing greater. There was a moment of hesitance, but the Demon acted. He pulled his own haori from his shoulders, casting it over the kid. Those gentle maroon eyes softened, that breathtaking smile reaching the other. There was no denying the way his heart fluttered at such a gorgeous view. The tasty and delicious blood, plus the adorable nature and pure heart made him all the more valuable. Something the Demon was desiring to hold onto. It was a fruit ripe for the picking and he'd be damned to let another set of hands touch it. Whether it was a selfish reason, or something dormant, he cared little.
"I should head back... Bury my family. I remember old man Saburo calling you a Demon, but you seem rather nice. Thank you for the help, honestly." The Demon felt once more a smile drift over his features, which of course was noticed. "Oh! Call me Tanjirou. Tanjirou Kamado. Might I know your name?"
"Hm... Call me Giyuu. Tomioka Giyuu." Tanjirou's gaze lit up as he nodded, his joy painfully obvious. Even though Tanjirou rambled, Giyuu listened intently. He had nothing better to do. He was a Demon, which took him off the reigns of being a Hashira. Instead of one burden, he was given a different one with heavier drawbacks. Even so, he couldn't deny it brought him toward Tanjirou, a human far to kind. That gentle nature seeped from the individual.
"You are free to follow, if you'd like. I really should bury them before the bodies decay." Giyuu simply nodded, noticing the thick clouds and heavy snowfall. Tanjirou himself was struggling, the cold leaving his leg sore. Each step strained his body worse then before until eventually his legs gave way. Giyuu had noticed in time, steadying him before pulling him onto his back. The smaller male slumped against the other, his face pressed to the Demon's back. Words were said in a whisper, the breath casting heat onto his neck. "Thank you, Giyuu-san... Sorry to make you carry me."
"It's fine. You're tired and frostbite is surely hitting. Take it easy and I'll get you back to the house." Tanjirou hummed, his arms wrapping around the other's neck gently. Those soft breaths allowed Giyuu to know the other had welcomed sleep as he tracked through the thickening snow. Even in the silence, he didn't feel alone. It was odd, finding someone so trusting of a Demon. It was strange, but also warming. He officially saw both sides, of the Demon Slayers as well as Demons.
Word had spread at the estate quickly of Giyuu's disappearance. Shinobu was the worst affected. She treated him poorly, but that was just her. She'd never meant those harsh things. Having Giyuu gone only made her heart ache more. To make matters worse, a meeting had been called with new information. Scouts had gone out and picked up word from a villager who was highly concerned and scared. It peaked the interest of Kagaya. Shinobu entered the main area, taking her spot as the rest filed in. Most had been on mission, deciding to cancel them for now. It was a serious matter when a Hashira vanished. The Hashiras had never spoke openly to Giyuu, but he was still considered their family. He was important. It only made them wish they'd reached out sooner. Welcomed him more.
Once everyone took their seats, they bowed upon the words of Kagaya approaching. The male rested on the porch like area, his smile ever present. His words were soft, yet held a stern air. One of order. He was the master for then, just as Muzan ruled Demons. The only difference was intentions. Kagaya looked for the good and the better outcome. A better world. Muzan sought to ruin it. To crush all beneath his foot as if mere sand and pebbles.
"I am glad to see you all well. I am sure you've all become aware of this meeting and the topic it will cover. As you've heard, Giyuu, our water Hashira was sent on mission. He never returned on time and his crow lost visual. After sending others to the location, they came back negative on Giyuu. That being said, I've heard word a Demon still remains in the area. Not much was said by the villager, beside the fact the Demon was strange. His story told that the Demon is in contact with a boy, the eldest of the family that was killed." Most were silent, doubting those words. They had never heard of a Demon befriending a human. It was impossible. Sanemi was the only one daring to speak, not that anyone didn't already expect that.
"You can't be serious! A Demon does not know kindness. They feast and kill, simple as that!" Kagaya quieted him before speaking up once more, his mouth rising higher. He was quite interested in both the Demon and human male.
"I will make my orders clear. Bring the boy here, including the Demon. Those two are different, so I believe. Should the Demon try to harm you, killing it is within jurisdiction. So long as it remains passive, no harm shall come until a trial. I would like to view this, to see if maybe times are changing." Most of the Hashira were confused. Demons were to be killed, yet Kagaya sought to see if a 'bond' was there. It was highly troubling, but they could not refuse. It was an order. Most remained bowed, Kagaya dismissing them as they left the yard and gathered in the garden. They were mainly deciding who would go. Sanemi had been vetoed instantly, due to his hatred for Demons. That said, Shinobu counted herself out. She wasn't ready to go there and risk finding a truth that would only hurt her more. The thought of Giyuu dead already haunted her. In the end, Kyoujurou, Gyomei, and Uzui were assigned to go. The three gave a short goodbye, hoping to make it by nightfall. If they got there soon enough, the Demon would be unable to run. Daylight was their mortal enemy, so they'd use the sun to ease the mission to a success. Shinobu watched from the back as the three left, her gaze falling as she left silently. Not a soul heard her, minus Mitsuri, who had been aware of most. She knew better than most the pain the butterfly pillar was baring. She wanted to mention it, to ask if the other was okay. But she also knew time was important. Shinobu needed space, so she remained put.
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Hope you've enjoyed the chapter. Planning to involve more GiyuTan moments, so look forward to it. Leave me your thoughts, since it's always appreciated! (✿◠‿◠)
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⚔ His Protector - Demon Giyuu X Tanjirou ⚔
Fanfiction(Images in Cover are not mine. Only did the editing.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Giyuu had always valued his job, his duty. Arriving at the Kamado residence on time cost him everything. Part of him wished he'd been late, but it was too late...
