⚔ His Protector - Demon Giyuu X Tanjirou ⚔

⚜ ~ 29 ~ ⚜

Tanjirou could feel a thick layer of warmth on him, along with a gentle calm. No noises that broke the serenity of the room. From the smell of Wisteria, though weak, he could only assume he was in the medical wing. It assured him that he was not dead, which he noted as a plus with the outcome that he was expecting. There was no denying the amount of poison he'd ingested and inhaled, so breathing at all was worth a medal. Most anyone normal would have been dead long ago, nearly instantly. But he'd survived. 

Sitting up, he shifted the covers before noticing the bandage over his eyes. He clearly remembered the burning feeling, along with the blood that fell from them. Biting at his cheek, he carefully felt for the end. Once found, he undid the pin as the fabric unfolded and slowly fell to the floor. His eyelids, though sore, were roughly opened. There was a tinge of pain, but nothing in comparison to the previous eve. 

Truthfully, Tanjirou wasn't sure what to expect. He'd suffered massive damage. The fact his smell still worked was something he was thankful for. Of course, the fight did leave him with a major flaw. It had a drawback, all the poison and blood that got into his eyes. While his right eye was perfect, or near that; his left was pitch black. He'd become blind in the end, if only in a single eye. It not only made his vision seem so much stranger, but getting up costed him some time. With half his sight, his balance and depth perception were taxed. Luckily, his slight stumble granted enough noise that someone came in to check on him. It was simple to catch a whiff of who it was, though there was a heavy odor of anxiety. Firm, yet gentle hands aided Tanjirou. Glancing upward, the maroon haired Demon Slayer gave a friendly smile. One Giyuu struggled to give back. 

"Thanks for the help. Where is everyone?" Giyuu remained silent, trying to get Tanjirou back into bed. Of course, it was pointless. Tanjirou fought it, pulling free from Giyuu's hold before he made his tone stern. "What is going on, Giyuu? How long have I been sleeping?"

"Please just get back into bed. You might not be fully recovered!"

"GIYUU! Answer my question already!" The Demon flinched at the sudden tone, his gaze narrowing the moment another joined in the room. Rengoku was at the doorway, his smile gentle, but also saddened. It only made Tanjirou more concerned. Of course, he finally got the answers he sought, even if it wasn't from Giyuu and the news made him feel worse. 

"Everyone is in the courtyard, waiting. Once you woke, Kagaya-sama called a meeting about your mission. To dish a punishment to the guilty party if seen as such."

"Guilty party? Who would be considered guilty?" Rengoku frowned, looking into Tanjirou's gaze. 

"Shinobu is being suspected of attempted murder. No one knows what happened at the mission, only that you had endless poison in your body. We were lucky to save you and it nearly costed Giyuu his life. He had to risk everything and be locked up until your blood was clean. Once given some, he was let out." Tanjirou glanced to Giyuu, who nodded. He gently pressed a finger to the blind eye that Tanjirou closed. 

"I had to try to repair your eyes. At least one of them made it..." 

"Shinobu is not guilty of anything. It was a Demon that harmed me..." Rengoku sighed, leaning on the doorframe. 

"I understand, but tell that to Kagaya-sama. He's waiting for your presence, now that we know you're awake. This trial is to decide Shinobu's fate. Most regard her a traitor and some knew her old feelings for Giyuu. They simply assume it was out of spite." There was a long silence, Tanjirou taking in a deep breath. 

"Let get going then. I'll be damned to let her take a fall because some Demon corrupted her mind. She wasn't the one in control, so I'll not let her blood touch the ground for a event she could not stop." Rengoku nodded, Giyuu offering a hand. Tanjirou studied it, taking hold as he pressed his weight more into Giyuu. The trio turned before heading out, aiming for the courtyard. 

To put things lightly, the amount of silence was palpable. No one said a word upon seeing Tanjirou, who's gaze was dripping with a slight rage. He had spotted Shinobu, who met his gaze. She wanted to speak, but was silenced by Uzui. The tone only made Tanjirou snap.

"Let her speak. No one is to push her down like a dog! Not until this trial is through..." Uzui fell silent, looking elsewhere as Tanjirou approached. He took the spot beside her, giving a soft smile. "I know you didn't poison me, not intentionally. I'll make this right, okay?"

"Tanjirou? I'm so sorry... For everything." Tanjirou chuckled, Shinobu's gaze falling over the blind eye. She wanted to apologize over and over again, but kept silent when Kagaya's presence was announced. As the Master walked in, he took a seat on the cushioned spot before sighing gently. Giyuu had sunk into the shadow, to avoid the countless eyes. He trusted Tanjirou more than anything and he had Rui to calm down. The other had been trapped for two whole days.

"Now then, I hear Tanjirou has awoken. Welcome back and glad to have you in somewhat pristine health. Now, onto matters at hand. I have been asked to hold this trial for the main topic of Shinobu's traitorous actions. While some have dished evidence to me, none know what went on. So I ask you both, Shinobu and Tanjirou, explain the events. Do not leave a single piece of evidence from me." Both agreed as Shinobu was motioned to speak first. Tanjirou could only wait. Only pray the other's would not remain conceited to their own beliefs. Even if Shinobu had her issues with Tanjirou, she'd never stoop to murder. Simple as that. He only prayed their words would aid their side. Prove that Shinobu was innocent.