❤ ~ The Greatest Gift ~ ❤

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By dawn, Giyuu was beginning to wake. He opened his sea-colored eyes, crested in a midnight glaze; viewing the scene before him. Tanjirou was laid along his side, head placed along his chest. Every breath shifted the maroon, yet never woke the male. It gave Giyuu time to observe the finer details. The way those long lashes were at rest and how those cheeks were slightly pressed against his own figure. It made him smile lightly, bringing his hand toward Tanjirou. He traced his finger along those air cheeks, edging the other to wake. It took a bit, but soon enough those maroon orbs fluttered open. To put it loosely, it was always mesmerizing to Giyuu. Tanjirou was by far the best in appearance, without a single moment to argue. 

"Good morning Tanjirou, it's reached dawn already." The other male blinked a few times, rubbing his head of hair along Giyuu. The long ponytail had come undone in his sleep, leaving a mess of hair spread everywhere. Still, it never ceased to bring joy to Giyuu. After all, he'd be able to fix it, allowing more time with Tanjirou.

"Morning... I'm beyond tired, Giyuu!" The raven nodded, running his hand along the maroon hair. He shifted it a bit from the face of Tanjirou, leaving the male to peer up toward Giyuu. "Can't we just rest longer?"

"Unfortunately, no. We need to head out to make our destination by dusk, not to mention; we're making Shinobu wait on us." Tanjirou frowned, but conceded. He sat up slowly, his hair falling over his shoulder as he stretched. His gaze lingered on Giyuu, who climbed from the bed's comfort to his feet. 

"Did you even sleep?" The raven nodded, fixing his clothes as he snagged the ribbon that once held Tanjirou's hair from the floor. The other noted it, turning enough to allow Giyuu reach. As fingers slid through maroon hair, the two could hear footsteps headed toward their room. By the volume, it was easy to tell the origins. Without a single sound, the door was opened.

"Do you ever knock, Kyoujurou?" Giyuu peered over his shoulder, viewing the other's expression. It once was so cheerful, but now tinted in an apologetic display. Placing his hands up, he bowed his head a bit.

"Apologies! I wasn't sure whether you two were up, so I figured I'd check." Tanjirou chuckled, feeling Giyuu tie the ribbon. His hair fell along his back as he spun on the bed, facing Kyoujurou.

"Good morning to you, Rengoku-san. How was your rest?" The golden-haired male hesitated before he smiled, a genuine warmth falling from it.

"It was pleasant. So, when are we to head out?" 

"Within the hour, no later. The residents of the village will wake here soon, so it's best we get moving." Tanjirou nodded to Giyuu's words, rising from the bed. He stretched once more, snagging his weapons that had been placed beside the bed. Placing them along his waistband, he offered Giyuu his own weapon. It left Kyoujurou peering between the two, along with an endless string of questions. 

"I was wondering, but how long have you guys known each other?" Giyuu was the one who answered, his gaze never once landing on Kyoujurou. It avoided the contact.

"I've known him since he was eight, when my master found him. It's been near six years? Or to my knowledge." Tanjirou shrugged. After so long, he stopped counting.

"Wait! Found him? He was lost?" The sudden mention of the past made Tanjirou hesitate, Giyuu catching wind of it. He scowled, narrowing his gaze toward their new comrade. "What? I was curious, that's all!"

"I understand, but sometimes there are things not to be mentioned. If he ever feels able to tell you, he will. Until then, drop the questions." Kyoujurou sighed, admitting defeat. He fixed the white cape along his shoulders, red etched into the bottom like fire. He brushed his hair a bit aside, lowering his gaze.

"I understand, Giyuu. I will once more apologize, Tanjirou." The maroon shook his head, offering a partial smile.

"No worries. But he'd right. Give me time to know you and someday I'll openly share some facts on myself. After all, we don't all have a perfect life like we desire." Those words clung to Kyoujurou, who chewed his lip. His own words fell coldly, but not toward anyone within the room. They simply held a large amount of hatred for a single individual. His own father.

"I understand that all too well... Tanjirou..." He cleared his throat before standing straighter, wiping the dark expression away as he replaced it with a large smile. Such a stunning smile that was so bright and captivating. "Any who, shall we begin our travels? I figure a break will be taken near noon, so the faster we leave, the easier fitting a break is." 

The other two nodded, guiding the way from the room. It left Kyoujurou in the back, watching them. Viewing how they respected the other. How they cared for the other and had such a strong bond. It honestly made him wonder if he'd ever be able to fit in. If he could truly create a bond of his own, a way to guard himself from his own father. Seeing the two laughs, it stung him deep; and neither saw the pain that etched itself into his own expression. Or so he'd thought. Little did he know that the two before him knew better than most what real pain was. They knew full well Kyoujurou was wounded within his own heart. 

That was the undeniable truth of the world. All suffered. But from that pain, came a freedom and strength that would become a blossoming light in the darkness of the world around them. 

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The chapter is a bit short, but hope you are enjoying it. This one was a bit to bring up Kyoujurou's own past. Since he's the other ship, from here on, the relationship will begin to grow. Let us see if Kyoujurou can truly be released from his own pain! 

Any who, leave feedback. It's always appreciated!

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