The Swimming Butterfly (Giyushino Fanfic)

Chapter 30

Disclaimer: spoilers from the manga, but if you read this far, I probably already spoiled it a bit anyways lol

𝙺𝚘𝚌𝚑𝚘 𝚂𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚘𝚋𝚞

We immediately started sprinting towards the destination our crows informed us of. Despite following two pillars, Tanjiro only lagged behind slightly, falling behind by 10 meters after running for hours. 

Our muscles ached as we moved, screaming for a break. Ignoring our pain, we kept on running through the pitch-black forest which seemed more ominous than usual. All three of us had a hand on our swords, observing every minuscule detail to make sure we wouldn't get ambushed. 

Giyu was especially wary, running with his sword out just in case of a surprise attack. I could make out the grim expression he wore through the darkness, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. 

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The final few hundred meters leading up to Ubyashiki's residence was well lit up by a series of torches, revealing the wisteria plants hanging off to the side of the path. At the end of the trail were our comrades, all of them wearing expressions of pain, hatred, determination, sadness, revenge, and other feelings of grief. 

Most importantly, Ubuyashiki was absent, leading me to the conclusion that he was the reason for the bitter feelings the Pillars and other Demon Slayers were experiencing. 

Shinazugawa had a barbarous smile on, the trail of dried tears staining his face, an odd sight I never thought I would see. 

"A bit late to the party aren't you lovebirds?" He mentioned sarcastically, but without the same bite as usual. Taking another glance at the scene, I finally noticed that the familiar mansion was on fire. Plumes of smoke flew up into the darkness, looking like the souls of those who had passed on early during the final battle were moving on, watching us from above. 

It was an oddly beautiful scene, unbecoming of the gruesome battle that was about to occur. Pulling me off to the side before the fight would begin, Giyu pulled me in tight, pressing my body against his. 

One firm arm was placed around my waist while the other held the back of my head, pressing my face against his chest. He had an almost desperate look in his eyes, revealing his fear and anxiousness despite his stony face. 

"Promise me Shinobu," he said in a raspy voice, a frantic urge in his words. His heart pounded against his ribcage as he spoke, with such vigor that I could feel it thump even without a stethoscope or touching his bare skin. 

Finally letting go of my head and waist, he pulled back slightly, placing his hands on my shoulders. His grip tightened, but not enough to hurt me, as he stared into my eyes. His blue eyes which usually reminded me of a calm pond now resembled that of a stormy sea, torrents of rain pouring down, crashing against the roaring waves. 

"Promise me you'll come back alive. Please live..." 

I couldn't bear to look at Giyu in the eyes. "I... Giyu. I can't promise anything. We're Pillars, the protectors of humanity. Several Pillars losing their lives during this battle should be expected, but each death plays a significant role. It's an honorable sacrifice we should all be prepared to make, not something we should fear or stray away from." 

Steeling myself to stare into his storm raging in his eyes, I looked up as tear began to stream down my face. "Or at least, that's how I felt for the longest time. To die while fighting demons, I was never afraid of that. My sister died that way while protecting me. And I've always thought that was how I was going to go out too, and I embraced that fact for the longest time. Until you came. Giyu, it was you, who changed my whole entire life. I suddenly had a reason to live, a reason to wake up everyday other than to kill, kill, kill. It's because of you, I'm scared. I'm scared that you're going to die, that I'm going to die... I'm scared Giyu!"