❤ ~ The Greatest Gift ~ ❤

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How long had Tanjirou been out cold? It was a mystery, even for him. All he was aware of was the chatter that filled his empty mind. He could feel skin pressed to his own body, along with the movement that was slow and steady. It left him knowledgeable of a few things, along with the memories of the past situation. He had been pulled under the water's surface and while he remembered nothing more than a black abyss, he could still make out feelings etched into his body. The way hands had pulled him close, along with a faint feeling that lingered along his lips momentarily. A feeling he wasn't able to place as he felt his consciousness begin to welcome reality. 

The moment his eyelids began to peel open, he took the opportunity to adjust to the light of the sun. To take note of where they were walking, along with where he was currently. It left him spotting that raven hair he knew well, a small smile tugging over his features as he leaned more into the comfort he was beginning to feel. "Tanjirou... You're awake."

There was a silence as Tanjirou took a moment before speaking. Took the chance to breath and settle the pain the was still present in every breath he took. "I just came to. Where are we now, Giyuu?"

"We're at the forests edge that leads into a town where we'll be staying for the night. I sent a letter toward Shinobu's location to let her know what happened as well as the possibility we may be late by a couple hours." 

"I see. What exactly did happen, if I might ask?" Giyuu was silent for a time before a sigh ripped past his lips, his hands along Tanjirou's legs seeming to tighten briefly.

"You were dragged into the pond by a demon and nearly drowned. It doesn't matter anymore, since you're safe..." Those words were laced in a sorrow that clung to Tanjirou, leaving him to frown before he dragged his fingers through that raven hair. Listened to how Giyuu instinctively took a breath and his shoulders relaxed briefly. Of course, he wasn't the only one stressed. Tanjirou could hear the footsteps in front of both, leaving his gaze to linger toward the back of Rengoku's head. Whether the other hadn't realized Tanjirou was awake, or he was aware and just leaving space, it didn't mean a thing to Tanjirou as he spoke louder to grab Rengoku's attention.

"Rengoku-san." Those bright eyes seem to shift as the other stilled his pace, turning to face Giyuu. It left the other with a calm expression when he noted Tanjirou's gaze, that smile tugging along his features. 

"Glad you're awake, Tanjirou. You truly gave us both a scare." Those words made Tanjirou raise a brow before he shifted along Giyuu's back, motioning Giyuu to let him down. While the raven wished to argue, he still listened to what it was Tanjirou wanted. 

Landing on his feet, Tanjirou stretched his body momentarily before he saw the worry that crested Rengoku's vision. Noted the concern that both were wearing like some sort of perfume. It only made Tanjirou feel better, knowing that the two before him cared for him so dearly. He was always aware of the connection Giyuu held with him, but Rengoku's outlook had also shifted after the accident. "How are you feeling, Tanjirou?"

"I'm fine, just dealing with my lungs being a bit tight. It's like a lingering burning that seems to only become something annoying." Rengoku nodded, slipping beside Tanjirou as Giyuu spoke up.

"You really did give us both a scare..."

"How so? I thought everything worked out in the end." Giyuu chewed his lip before Rengoku spoke this time. While it made Giyuu bristle slightly, the other simply couldn't hide the truth from Tanjirou.

"When Giyuu got you to the surface, you weren't breathing. You were most definitely dead for a few seconds." Tanjirou widened his eyes, feeling his nerves spike momentarily. In the end, he forced a smile.

"But I'm alive in the end, so what does it matter?" For the first time Rengoku felt his anger seem to boil as he ground his teeth, his tone rising.

"It matters more than you seem to think, Tanjirou. We both nearly lost you! Think more of your life, since we only have one!" Those eyes gathered a look of hurt as Rengoku turned on his heels. He stayed silent, marching ahead toward the town as Tanjirou remained silent, only shifting focus once Giyuu spoke up into the silence that had gathered. A silence that felt heavy.

"He's right, you know. You may be special and different from us, but you only have one life. You're still human, Tanjirou. Try to preserve your life better, not just for me; but for Rengoku as well." There was a long silence before Tanjirou spoke softly, his words low and a hushed whisper.

"I said something stupid, didn't I?" Giyuu pondered an answer before he took a few steps forward, his eyes glancing back as he smiled softly.

"Maybe, but it only means you have to apologize. Everyone makes mistakes, Tanjirou. The words said can't be erased, after all." Tanjirou nodded, taking those few steps to stay beside Giyuu, his eyes shifting toward the sky momentarily.

"I not only owe him an apology, but a thanks as well... I'm making quite the errors recently." Giyuu carried on walking, his shoulders rising before they fell.

"You might be, but that will always prove you're human. We're imperfect in the end."