❤ ~ The Greatest Gift ~ ❤

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A heavy rain had begun to flow above as Giyuu hurried through the woodland area. With the sudden rise in storm, he'd lost the sounds of Urokodaki calling for them. The distance between the safety of a home had grown further, leaving him only one ultimate thought. The woods gathered heavy rains quickly, leaving flooded regions and danger along the nature and pathing. It left Giyuu worried for the other. Demon or not, Tanjirou was still at risk and the idea of losing him to a crack that would ultimately flood made his blood run cold. So he pushed further, ignoring the moments his feet slid slightly along the muddy floor. Sticks and leaves laid no real foundation, making every step risky. Even as he fell from time to time, he climbed back to his feet and took off once more. He was only thankful footprints were still visible. 

He had gone into a further part of the woodlands, labeled as off limits by Urokodaki himself. The older male never scoured those lands, but Tanjirou had willingly slid through. Taken refuge in unknown territories. While Giyuu had hold of a katana, Tanjirou was without weapon and with the night beginning to loom over them in the horizon, time was beginning to be cut short. It was dangerous at night. The raven gripped the sword further as he began into the thick woodlands, noticing how the sun began to lack reach in the region. It left a heavy shadow that was layered in thick drops of water. The sounds of thunder rumbled in the sky, followed by flashes that were left without entrance to the forest. It was a dense place, leaving Giyuu's vision lacking. Of course, he'd not let that hinder him. He took this chance to figure the other had slowed his attempts to run as well. 

Nearly an hour had gone by before the sun vanished entirely, casting the area in a dark shade. It made every step a bigger risk of nothing being beneath where his foot might land. It left his other sense trying to make up the difference, not that it did much good. He had a steady footing, but nothing was guaranteed. As his sandal landed on an uneven patch, he found his balance shift. His arms gripped the sword tightly, holding it close as his body tumbled along the slope, sending him rapidly spinning until he came to a sudden stop. The brunt force of his body hitting something solid left him gasping for air as he felt the pain when he breathed. His eyes gathered tears, but he pushed them back as he struggled to find his focus. Slowly he sat up, feeling his body tremble from the bitter cold that ate at him from his now wet clothes. The thunder left every other moment complete silence, startling him every time the sky gave a chime. Gave a single sound through consistent stillness. Very slowly he climbed to his feet, feeling the mud seep into his haori. It left a dreadful odor, though the rainfall washed it a bit away. His gaze scoured the area, attempting to catch even the slightest notion of where he was. Of course, he'd not entirely been expecting much. At least not in the terms of light. The only semblance of a sight was the slight white of eyes that peered through the dark. It made the raven freeze entirely, panic hitting him as his lungs choked on the air. He was in the complete dark and no longer alone. It made a realization Giyuu hated to think on. The single thought that it might just be his end. Pulling the sword from the sheath, he held it in a trembling grip as his voice broke with his desperate words. 

"Stay back! I will attack should you get closer!" Silence followed the words as those eyes seem to vanish for a second, leaving Giyuu in desperation to find them once more. He may be fourteen, but this event was traumatizing. He truly feared death in that moment. Hearing slight footsteps behind him, the raven spun quickly. The slick ground sent him back into the muddy embrace as he lost grip on the blade. It fell from his reach as those footsteps grew louder, making Giyuu clench his eyes close. Fear ate at him as hands reached out, pressed to his body as he shook and let the tears fall. 

"Giyuu?" The words forced the raven silent as he pried his gaze open. Those eyes that once were far away seemed so familiar, leaving Giyuu to breathe a short breath of relief. His own shaking never stilled, but he felt a slight joy swell in his  heart. He'd found Tanjirou, even if his condition was the worst it had ever been. "What the heck are you doing here? Why did you follow me?"

"I- I uh, didn't get to say my side on the matter." Giyuu grit his teeth, finding the strength to push Tanjirou. The other fell against the mud as Giyuu found anger seep from him. His words were venomous, but also revealed his own feelings of betrayal. "Who said I would hate you? Who allowed you to simply run away? You didn't give me a chance to speak, you imbecile!"

"I- I thought you'd hate me after knowing what I was..."

"I should hate you! I should! But I don't, Tanjirou! You just ran without hearing me out and now we're in this situation!" Giyuu folded his arms, feeling himself breakdown. It was the first time in Fourteen years he'd finally snapped. That he'd felt such a wave of distress beyond when his sister passed. 

"I'm sorry..."

"You should be! We had a promise, Tanjirou... It hurts knowing you never trusted me, otherwise you'd not have ran for it." The raven wiped at his face before hearing movement. It drew his gaze before he felt arms wrap around his torso. 

"I'm so sorry, Giyuu... I-" Tanjirou's cries filled the space as Giyuu settled his own emotions. He pressed a singular arm to the other, his tone low. 

"Promise to never do it again." A heavy silence followed as Giyuu felt Tanjirou hold onto him tighter.

"I promise. I'll never make you worried again! I'll trust you, I promise." A sigh fell from the raven as he felt the cold drops roll along his face from the rainfall. He'd never have seen himself in his current situation. He'd always hated Demons. While that hatred remained, he could hold no anger toward Tanjirou. The demi-Human and Demon was something special to him. Feeling himself release a short breath, he brought the other arm around Tanjirou, simply basking in the warmth the other offered. Giyuu's voice was low as he spoke calmly, assuring the other heard him. He had meant every word.

"I expect you to keep that promise. Never will I abandon you, Tanjirou. That is something I place my life on. Even if no one accepts you, remember I always will. Never will you be alone."

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Hope you've enjoyed the chapter and be sure to leave feedback. Always is appreciated! (✿◡‿◡)