Low Tide (Rengiyuu)

Chapter 2

"It's all my fault, It's all my fault, It's all my fault, It's all my fault, It's all my fault, It's all my-." Kyojuro cupped my face.

"It is not!" He said somehow still keeping his upbeat mood.

"But it is! I suggested this idea. Now it's my fault if you get hurt!" I said on the verge of tears.

"Giyuu." He said, "It is no one's but the demon's fault." He said wiping away my tears.

"Awwwwww, you guys are so cute." A voice called out to us.

"It's here." I whispered wide-eyed. Kyojuro was still calm even in this situation.

"No keep going! Pretend I'm not even here." The demon said right behind me. I froze. How could I be such a coward? Am I really nothing without my sword? Am I worthless without the corps? Or am I worthless even with the corps.

"You guys are so dumb. You really thought I wouldn't recognize you just without the swords? I even took the liberty to destroy them!" The demon said giggling. "One small move and I'll kill your boyfriend." It said with sharp nails to Kyojuro's throat.

"What do you want?" I pleaded.

"Hm, what *do* I want?"

I started to feel dizzy.

"Oh yeah, I forgot! I may or may not have put a little something in your ramen. But since you gave some to your little *boy toy* I guess both of you will die." It said waving to us while leaving the alley. I could barely stand. It's all my fault. He's gonna die because of me. They all died because of me, Tsutako, Sabito, and now Kyojuro.

"We. Have. To. Call. Another. Hashira." I said, I could barely let out the words.

"We can't, not even Mitsuri would make it in time. It'll be okay! Just use Total Concentration Breathing!" He said. I know he was suffering too. Not as greatly as me but he was.

"I'll be right back." He said and started running off. Leaving me, in an alley, alone.

"No! Please don't leave me!" I tried to called out, but my voice was raspy and I was about to topple onto the floor.

I finally fell, I clutched my stomach and curled into a ball. I'm so pathetic. Now I can't even save myself, I deserve everything, except for Kyojuro. I don't deserve him, he deserves better. Maybe it'll be better if I just die. I started to cry.

"Wow." The demon said to me, "You really are pathetic. Should I put you out of your misery?"

I didn't speak, My throat was basically closed up. I could barely breath.

The demon picked me up by my collar and stabbed me in the leg.

"Can't talk?" It teased.

It threw me to the ground. I felt so weak. I've never felt this weak since Sabito died.

It dug it's claws into my back and started scratching. I could the blood dripping down my back. The only thing keeping me off the ground is the demon holding me by my collar. It threw me into the main town square. Everyone could see how pathetic I looked, well not really as soon as they saw my back filled with gushing blood they all fled. Where's Kyojuro?!

"Hm, where's the fire guy?" It said looking around.

"He. Has. A. Name." I managed to get out.

"Shut up." It kicked me in the chest and I was unconscious for a good minute.

I opened my eyes and heard his voice. And I saw him. Only for a quick second though, I quickly passed out after. But he had a sword with him, how?

When I woke up I was at the main mansion. In a bed next to Kyojuro's. He had more battle wounds than poison wounds. I got up to make sure he was okay when someone pushed me back to my bed. It was Shinobu.