⚔ His Protector - Demon Giyuu X Tanjirou ⚔

⚜ ~ 33 ~ ⚜

What's up meh readers! Here to break hearts~~~

Hope you enjoy the chapter and please do leave feedback. Always appreciated (〜￣▽￣)〜

Either way, let the waterworks begin!~ （〃｀ 3′〃）

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Giyuu resurfaced a bit away, his hand holding the wound that healed slowly. Having not taken a real meal recently, he felt the drawbacks. He clawed at the ground, grinding his teeth at everything. How he had been too weak. He'd failed Tanjirou, watched him be taken. The tears that fell seared his skin, burning with his internal rage and unsteady wave of regret. His attempts to stand were fruitless, leaving hopelessness to engulf him. He felt like a coward, running from the fight. Leaving Tanjirou in that bastards hold. 

Seconds felt like an eternity before the wound had finally sealed. Beyond the stains of his own blood, he was perfectly fine. He knew better then to assume Tanjirou was the same. He heard the scream. The sound of a bone shattering. That sound lingered in his mind as he rose from the ground, teeth chewing into his lip. His movements were short and exhausted. The injury was taxing, but he had to get to the others. To warn them and alert them. But every step felt pointless. Each minute felt empty. At some point he lost his footing, his knees hitting the ground as he fell face first. His eyelids were heavy, similar to the first encounter with Tanjirou. 

Thinking back on everything, Giyuu had always been appreciative of the other. How they kept him close even as a Demon. It was something Giyuu cherished. That support and love from a Human and Demon Slayer, the same profession he once shared in common. Everything that had happened felt pre ordained. He never once questioned it. Lingering onto his promise felt taxing, knowing he'd fallen short. He'd promised to protect Tanjirou, but failed. His love and devotion had not been enough to keep him standing. 

Pressing his hands into the soil, Giyuu sighed. His breath shook, heart sinking quickly. Exhaustion rocked his core, urging him to simply close his eyes. Even though he fought against it, the urge and messages of his body made it harder. His eyelids felt heavier than any rock. It brought darkness at times, when his eyes fell closed. He laid there, lingering between the realm of reality and a dream. A dream where Tanjirou was still beside him. A dream that felt a reality until it fell bleak and forgotten. Warm tears rolled down his face at that image, his breath falling short as he succumbed to the darkness. Let it take him in. It felt peaceful to him. Not a single thought leaving him with an emotion beyond his imagery of Tanjirou. His ever lit flame of passion for the other. 

How long had passed? How many hours had ticked on by? Those were questions Giyuu did not have answers to by the time he awoke. His gaze was blurred, struggling to accurately portray his situation. The room was so cold and dark, his soft movements earning a slight rattle that brought his heart to life. Brought his consciousness to reality as he shifted his gaze to the cold metal that bound him to the floor. The hard floorboards that were left with a bit of dust and the occasional bug that found entrance to the space. He tugged lightly at the metal, feeling his strength give way as a low sigh rolled from him. The silence around the space made every movement louder, no doubt drawing attention of those beyond the doors. Though he wasn't sure who to expect. The place was familiar, no doubt the mansion where Kagaya presided. But that only brought more questions and concerns. 

"Oh, you're awake. We weren't sure when you wake up after the wound..." Shinobu's soft voice came as the door was opened, her eyes showing her worries. It made sense, after all, Giyuu was alone. Without Tanjirou.

"How long have I been out?" She gave a short silence before speaking, her back leaned on the wall as she closed the door once Kyoujurou entered. That golden hair swayed, questions showing in his gaze. 

"You've been out for nearly two days. We found you in the woods hours after you vanished. What happened?" Giyuu lowered his head, chewing his cheek. 

"I failed him... Muzan was at the village and took Tanjirou, not before seeking my head as payment." Both seemed to fall silent, as if their fears came to reality. It made Giyuu catch wind of something Shinobu mentioned. His gaze widened, concerns showing as panic laced his voice. "Wait! You said two days? He's been with that bastard for two whole days?" 

"Giyuu, I-" Shinobu fell silent, Kyoujurou frowning. 

"We had no leads. You have to understand, most assumed you'd hurt him." Giyuu gave a look of disbelief.

"I'd never! You two should understand that most!"

"We did! That's why you're in her and not burning. They wanted to just blame you!" A heavy silence rolled through as Giyuu spoke softly.

"The cowards..." Shinobu sighed, crouching down. 

"They said you'd remain here after we fought them on the execution. No one was sure how you'd react once waking..." Giyuu groaned, his gaze narrowing as he spoke with venom. 

"You mean they feared I'd eat them! I'm not a fool, nor am I hopeless. I want to be let go and find Tanjirou before that asshole lays a hand on him!" Kyoujurou rubbed his face, sighing.

"I'll see what can be done, but two days isn't hopeful. There is a chance Tanjirou is not with us anymore, as much as I don't want to believe that..."

"Then DON'T!" Giyuu felt his rage boil. His anger was explosive and the other two knew that. "I believe in Tanjirou and his strength. He'll survive, no matter what. I'll save him, that is a promise. A promise we share together." 

Neither of the other two said another word, getting the hint when to leave. Shinobu was the first out of the space, Kyoujurou taking another glance back. He bore witness to the shock. The fear and worry. Giyuu had spoken from his heart, that much Kyoujurou knew. But the Demon also took consideration to the other words. It was a possibility Tanjirou was dead. Or worse. But he desperately clung to his hopes, something Kyoujurou wouldn't step on. If it kept him sane, he'd let the other live a hopeless lie. He wouldn't watch the other suffer once more. Not again.

Closing the door, he took a glance to Shinobu who looked on the verge of tears. It made him react, an arm pulling her close as he attempted to comfort her. She clenched her jaw, words so soft yet like vinegar. So bitter and pained. 

"Tanjirou didn't deserve this... Giyuu either..." Kyoujurou sighed again, a normal response for him recently. 

"I know. All we can do is back Giyuu and try to solve this. We owe them that much." His words left a lingering sorrow. Truthfully, the words seemed plain and weak willed. But he meant every word. The two owed the duo much. He'd be damned to watch them fall apart and be forgotten, as if a memory taken with the wind. Left alone and abandoned in the expanse of world around them.