Anime Short Stories

Dance In The Rain

(Warning, this story contains spoilers for the first season of Demon Slayer.)

𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓭𝓼: 𝟖𝟔𝟖
𝓣𝔂𝓹𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂: 𝓗𝓾𝓻𝓽/𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓽

                 Giyu took a look outside to see that it had begun to rain. He didn’t mind the rain, staring outside as the drops passed the window and fell to the ground. He turned to look back inside the home. Urokodaki stood somewhere else, preparing dinner for him and his guest. The water hashira was glad that he could spend the night with the man. He was basically like a father to him. He looked back to the window and placed his arms on the windowsill to lay his head on. He continued to look out the window for a long time, his gaze fixed on the little specks of water. He remembered playing in the rain with people from his past. In particular, people he met in this very household.

                 “Come on! I wanna go outside Giyu!” Sabito yelled as he pleaded with the other boy. “It’s raining. Why would we go outside?” Tomioka asked his friend. “To play in the rain, duh.” He explained as he dragged the black-haired boy outside with him. Giyu didn’t fight him, instead going with the flow as usual. He always did let Sabito lead. The rain was cold, but refreshing. Sabito laughed as he used his foot to push some water onto Giyu. “Hey…!” He responded, kicking water towards the other boy. Soon the two were exchanging shots at one another, laughing the whole time. Giyu stopped firing for a moment to look up at the sky, his hand out to catch some rain. “What are you doing?” Sabito asked curiously. “It’s peaceful… I like it.” He answered, never taking his eyes off the grey clouds above. “Well, when we’re both demon slayers, and we kill Kibutsuji, then we can have all the peace we want!” Sabito grinned at the thought. The idea of that freedom, of a world with no demons… That was the world Giyu wanted. “Boys! Come inside, you’ll catch a cold out there!” Urokodaki shouted from inside the doorway of the home. They looked at each other with a smile, and raced inside before their father figure could scold them further. 

                      “I’m going outside…” Giyu shook himself from his thoughts. “Okay, but be in soon.” Urokodaki called to the man. Tomioka slid the door open, the sound of the rain growing louder the moment he did. He stepped out and closed the door behind him. The hashira walked over to the area of the memory, thinking of what had become of Sabito. The water began to soak his Kaori, seeping to his skin. He looked at the ground, then to the green and yellow fabric that made the left side of his Kaori.  “It should have been me…” He told no one, even if it was angled towards Sabito. The boy in question was at rest. His soul had finally moved on once Tanjiro had destroyed the demon that had murdered him. “You would have made a great hashira…” He said sorrowfully. He felt the overwhelming guilt he lived with. He averted his eyes from the fabric and looked up. Now the drops of water hit his face as he stood there. 

                 He spread his arms out to welcome the water. By now it had soaked him down to the bone. He spun a little, his gaze still fixed on the sky and the clouds that filled it. A small smile escaped as he thought of those warmer memories with Sabito. Making a bonfire against Urokodaki’s wishes, dancing in the rain, playful banter, even training with him. He felt he was there, kicking water at him as he stared up. “Why you?” He asked, even if it pained him to even say the words. A tear began to form in his eye, but he ignored it. These were happy memories, even if they were painful. Even if they hurt, they were his memories with Sabito. “Thank you Sabito… for saving me that day…” The tear spilled out of his eye and onto his cheek. You would never be able to find it in all the rain. 

                He finally pulled his arms back to his side, and his eyes left the sky as it started to rain harder. He looked at the puddles near him. In Sabito’s honor, he kicked one. The water splashed instantly, directed at where the other boy would’ve stood. He turned to head inside, the rain crashing down now. It pelted the ground in a way that would make someone think it was angry. He reached the door, sliding it open once more. “I’m back.” He alerted the other person in the household. “Alright. Dry off now Giyu, and don’t get too much water inside.” Urokodaki instructed. “Dinner is ready when you want it. I made your favorite, simmered salmon with daikon.” Tomioka smiled as he took off the kaori for it to dry. “Thank you very much.” He told the older man as he placed the Kaori on a chair near the door. He was in a place he could call home, and he was happy to be there. “Thank you.” He thought again. “For allowing me this moment.”

A.N. Hello everyone! Here's the first installment of these short stories! If you have any requests, feel free to put the in the comments.

Till next time,
Aspen