You Took My Place // ShinoMitsu

You Took My Place

I shouldn't have done this. I shouldn't have told Mitsuri anything, of course she'd do this. I couldn't help but sprint over to my fellow Hashira, besides Mitsuri, all grouped up ready for the announcement of Mitsuri's condition, waiting for their most loved friend's condition to be presented. My most loved friend.

I told Mitsuri about everything, my plan to sacrifice myself to Douma. Me and Mitsuri always had a 'close' relationship, even though I saw it completely platonically Mitsuri didn't feel the same way. She cared about what we had blooming. Why didn't I care? Maybe if I did care more or cared a bit less we wouldn't be in this situation. I'm so careless.

"Where is Mitsuri-san? How is she?" I tilted my head as I tried to hold back all the emotion from my voice. I sounded like I cried for hours on end, I hated it. I didn't wanna seem so weak for her, but I am. I'm too weak for her, weak enough to let her slip into such a dangerous situation. She fought Douma for me, on her own. At least she tried, how isn't she dead?

I fidgetted my hands behind my back and masked my face into a cool expression as the rest of the Hashira looked at me with cold eyes that hid an inferno of emotion, worry and fear. "Gyomei-san, how is she?" Himejima coughed, seemingly ignoring me "Gyomei-san?"

Gyomei stayed silent, he and Mitsuri were good friends so I gave him a reassuring nod, I understood. "She isn't doing well." Muichiro said plainly, he seemed unamused, unfocused or lacking care. "Of course she isn't doing well-" Aggression clearly spiked in my voice, I ran my hands over my haori "She's going to die." Sanemi growled, "Because you can't keep your mouth shut."

I froze, turning my head to the white haired man, I will admit that hurt more than anything Sanemi ever said to me. Mitsuri was too strong to die though, I wanna see her. But I can't do anything for her, nothing helpful in her situation. "What the fuck?" Iguro seemed tenser than before, grabbing the other by his shirt pulling him forward "I'm not gonna lie to her! You all wanna keep secrets and shit, can't even answer honestly to a grown woman." And then the bickering began, pure venom being spat back and forth.

"I understand, no need to defend me Iguro-san. He didn't lie. I should've thought about how emotionally controlled Mitsuri could get, I'm glad she was able to defeat him at least. She wouldn't..." My heart squeezed, it felt like it might pop. I couldn't even avenge my sister, I had to let another do it for me. "...die in vain." Iguro and Sanemi could only spare me a glance, right back to bickering. The dread was thick in the air.

I felt a hand placed on my shoulder, turning around I realized it was Giyuu. "You should leave." His voice was flat, "The others aren't pleased with what you've done." I scoffed, brushing his hand off my shoulder "Mitsuri went there on her own accord. I will admit she knew where and what to do because of me but I won't be put down by someone like you."

"Kocho, you've been with her for almost a year. You knew she would've done anything for you." I felt no malice from him, he was honest, always was. "I didn't KNOW, 'she asked and I gave her a response. We've been friends for long enough that I thought she'd understand."

"She loved you." Tears began to build up in my eyes as I shove him away "Doesn't mean I loved her." I growled right back, then the bickering went silent suddenly. Giyuu no longer stared at me, he stared behind me. The main nurse who has been caring for Mitsuri for a few days walked out, a somber look on her face. "Love Pillar, Kanroji Mitsuri, has passed away only a few minutes ago. Caused by the Upper Moon Two, Douma."

My heart dropped, I shook. The tears began to fall. She died because of me, she died for my sister while I couldn't myself. It should've been me. Everyone else stood there, why weren't they reacting? Iguro stepped up to the nurse, he seemed tense, like his bones were sticks. Then I saw his own tears streaming down his face.

I almost fell to my knees but Giyuu held me up, wrapping his arms around me. Comforting me. "Why'd she leave me if she loved me Giyuu-san?" I never exposed myself so much to the blue eyed male till now. "You know that wasn't her intent. I know how it feels, let it out." He rubbed my back, holding me like I was a lost child. I was just a lost child. "She did it for you, you'd have done it for her, it's okay to love too late."

I closed my eyes, sobbing into the others shoulder, I should be dead but here I am. I allowed another to take my place, I was stupid. She was stupid. We were both so stupid. Except one of our stupidity let the other die, Mitsuri I wanna talk to you once more.