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Tomioka Giyuu wasn't aware of where he was heading, but once he took notice of his surrounding, a familiar tombstone stood in front of him.
Why?
He stared at the stone, eyes focusing on it alone.
Why?
His hands curled, his body shook slightly as a current memory finally hit him.
Kocho...no,
Shinobu, why?
Why didn't you tell me?
He could've been blessed to live without knowing the fact that Kocho Shinobu planned her own death. She told the other Hashiras about it -- all except him.
" Kanao told me." The former Water Hashira finally found his voice. " She -- she wanted me to know...because she thinks that I was close to you.."
His voice began to shake.
" If I was, I would have known about your plan. You would have told me."
His knees gave out, letting him fell to the ground with a thud.
" Why didn't you?! " Unable to hold himself back, his voice rising. " Why didn't you tell me?! That you planned your own death?! I -- "
Giyuu hung his head down, bitting his lips.
" I... didn't get the chance to say goodbye to you..." He shook his head, the words came out as whispers now, " How long...have you planned that? How long did you want to die? "
He knew that as Hashiras, they needed to prepare themselves for death. They were ready for death. But the fact that Shinobu planned her own didn't sit right with him. He didn't know why. Ironically, wasn't he the one who used to think that he didn't deserved to live? Yet he survived and she didn't.
Tomioka-san, raise your head.
Remember that you were once the Water Hashira.
His blue eyes widened. The man snapped up his head, looking around to detect the voice. The sweet, soft, familiar voice.
You asked me why didn't I tell you.
Look at you now.
That's my answer.
The silence returned even after he waited for more few minutes. Giyuu looked back to the tombstone. His eyes caught a flickery of see-through image of a woman with butterfly wings patterned hoari, in dark purple uniform, hair tied up with a butterfly pin.
Shinobu looked upset with him.
Her? Upset? He should be the one to be upset -- she didn't tell him anything -- he thought they were supposed to be friends --
You are my friend, Tomioka-san.
There were times that you were more than that.
She glared at him.
But you have no rights to decide what I should do.
I know that you hate it, but it was my decision.
Who are you to interfere with my decision?
" I was your friend, " Giyuu choked out, tears brimming inside his eyes, " I am your friend. I...cared so much about you...I just wish that..."
That I would told you about my plan?
She managed a sad smile.
Tomioka...Giyuu, look at you now.
I am glad that you care about me,
But we both know that you'd have tried to stop me.
" I wish I did."
Then I would never forgive you for that.
Giyuu, the need for revenge on that demon was too deep for you to stop at that time.
He killed Kanae. I was given hints of that bastard. I wouldn't let him off the hook.
If you were in my shoes, don't you think you would have done the same?
And let's face it, I couldn't even decapitate a demon, what chances did I have to survive in the last battle?
" I just wanted you to live! " Giyuu cried out. " I didn't express it much before, but I cherished you so much! I would have traded my life for you If I could! "
Shinobu went forward and wrapped her arms around him. It was odd, he thought it would've been cold, but he only met with comforting warmness from the hug. He just wished he could hugged her back.
Don't say that.
Your life is just as precious as others.
But I lose mine and you still got yours.
You have to continue living.
" Don't leave me, Shinobu." Giyuu mumbled, eyes locked with Shinobu's as she pressed her forehead against his.
Shinobu smiled, eyes fluttering close. Giyuu closed his eyes too, following her movements.
Only if you don't forget about me.
When he opened back his eyes, Shinobu was gone.
A soft sigh escaped his lips, " How could I forget? "
Standing up, he took one last look on the tombstone, a small smile on his face. His eyes traveled to the dark night sky, seeing small stars and the shining moon decorating it.
" The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it? "
A soft giggle was heard and his smile widened.
Giyuu's heart felt lighter as he left the cemetery.
