DEMON SLAYER ONESHOTS

Promise ➵ T. Giyu x K. Shinobu

Major Manga Spoilers‼️

"Hey, Tomioka.." The young pillar started, her voice lowering into a whisper. War had begun between the upper moons and demon hunters; the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji, finally revealing himself.

She could feel her death lurking in the darkness, it was inevitable. As she ran her way towards the Ubuyashiki estate, Shinobu could only feel the possibility of death increase with each step. For once, she was afraid.

She didn't want to die. Not yet.

"We can't talk now! Master is in danger!" Giyu yelled, his voice cracking in between due to panic. Shinobu's eyes widened at his sudden outburst—she knew he was right—but, that wasn't enough to silence her. Words that were only once expressed through a meaningful gaze was just not enough.

"Please, Giyu. I need to tell you something." She pleaded, her voice cracking as water droplets clouded her vision. Giyu stopped in his tracks, turning around to face her with a blank face. His expression nearly wavered at seeing her vulnerability. He could sense it. Her sadness. Her fear.

Shinobu forced down the nonexistent lump in her throat and tugged on Giyu's haori, practically asking for a hug to which the older responded by gently wrapping his arms around her tiny figure. She choked out a shaky laugh as she said, "I can't believe that I'm being vulnerable at your hands. You!"

Giyu scoffed, his lips gradually curling into a small smile without his notice. "Yeah, yeah."

"... I'm scared, Tomioka. I could see my death from afar. With each step, I could feel it.." Shinobu whispered, her tears staining her cheeks. Giyu could feel them against his uniform, it made his heart clench with agony. It pained him to see the girl, whom he loved for the past year, break down.

"We're demon hunters, Kocho. Death will always wait around the corner, ready to bite at any moment. But with our deaths, we know we've done good to the world. This battle can determine the future." Giyu paused for a moment, lifting Shinobu's chin to meet her lavender eyes. He caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb and smiled, his eyes filling with tenderness. "You're a wonderful woman, Kocho. Hell, you're smarter than I am. So, let's walk with our heads up high and hope for the best.."

"After this hell of a war, I promise.. I will give you the life you deserve. So don't die on me, alright?"

Shinobu stared at him, wide-eyed and extremely flustered. After what could seem an eternity, her laughter filled the dark, empty forest—the lovely sound ringing inside Giyu's ears. "I've been wanting to confess for so long. You don't know how happy I am right now. It's ironic, isn't it?"

Suddenly, the smell of fear and sadness had vanished and he was glad he could be reason why.

"Very." Giyu said before inching closer and planting a chaste kiss against her soft pink lips, taking the younger pillar by surprise. As he pulled away, he took the moment to softly laugh at her red colored face. He turned around, hand on his katana, ready to infiltrate the estate. However, Shinobu's voice had spoken up once again, stopping him in his tracks.

"Please.. don't die on me, Giyu. Be careful and let's find our way to each other afterwards. And.. if one of us were to die, let's meet again in the afterlife, yeah?"

Giyu remained silent for a brief moment before responding, "Yeah.. Let's. I promise, Shinobu.. I'll come back to you. Can you promise me that too?"

"I promise, Giyu." And with that, the two pillars went their separate ways, taking the route they found shorter to the estate. Their hearts were filled with determination, a boost of confidence. Shinobu could no longer feel death near. Her plan had vanished within the empty air, her mind looking for other possibilities instead.

She wasn't going to die. Not yet.

  Not after Giyu had promised her a life with him.

_____

  "CAWW! DEAD! KOCHO SHINOBU IS DEAD!"

   A static filled Giyu's ears, his eyes wavering at the crow's announcement. His body grew numb as his knees bucked; he couldn't begin to grasp the idea that Shinobu had fallen before Upper Moon Two. His fated partner was no longer with him.

  "Tomioka! Are you alright?" Tanjiro yelled, running beside the Water Pillar. Giyu's dull and stoic face returned, the determination in his heart only increasing tenth fold. He couldn't allow himself to mourn over Shinobu's death for time would not stop and mourn with him. Either way, the butterfly pillar wouldn't have wanted that.

  "Yes, I'm fine. Let's go Tanjiro."

  'In another life, Kocho..
  I'll find my way back to you.'