Burnt Out || Rengoku Kyojiro x Tomioka Giyuu

[8] Preparation

For the love of god people beware the spoilers-

It had been weeks since the incident at the main headquarters.  It was still unsettling without Master Kagaya but his son is doing very well.  He brings us together just as his father, and ancestors did before him.  All of us are very proud of him and his sisters...  We can't imagine how awful it must feel to 8 and 5 year olds to have to run an entire organization.  An organization set on slaughtering the demons.  An organization fueled on lost lives from our close comrades...  Built on blood spilled from innocent people.    The burden is great even for the adults in the slayer corps... What those children must be feeling is probably far greater than any anguish we feel.  Yet they hide it so well.  They are always calm and collected.  Even when relaying devastating information.  We all admired them for their bravery.

We were all getting ready, for the biggest and hopefully final battle against Muzan.  Two additional trust worthy demons were here with us.  Finalizing an antidote to being human.  Tamayo, the brains of that operation.  She was fairly attractive but definitely not my type.  We talk often as she plans to give Kyojiro a portion of this antidote.  All I can do is pray it works... I want my lover back to normal.  She's kind and reassuring whenever we discuss matters involving Rengoku. 

Tamayo had an assistant.. who was rather rude and almost more of a guard dog to her than her assistant.  He was extremely protective of her and I had to constantly watch what I said around him.  He was like a ticking time bomb of over-protectiveness. 

Both of them were preparing with us (the demon slayer corps) for the battle against Muzan and his ranks.  Most of the lower ranked slayers were being put through extensive training in order to be sure the know how to protect themselves and fight in this battle.  Our amount of Hashira meetings have upped from once every 6 months to be about once every week.  It's a smart decision on Kiriya-sama's part though.  We must all be in constant contact to keep each other updated on the rapidly approaching war at hand.

The fate of human kind rested on this 'Final War', Rested on the shoulders of the demon slayers, rested on the hashira... Rested on Kiriya-sama.  A very very intelligent leader at only 8 years old.  He was at the center of all of our moves with his younger sisters Kuina and Kanata there to help him through.  We were all nervous to see how he'd take the pressure of telling everyone what to do, which could in the end lead to loss of life.  But deep down we all know that he is so much more than capable of getting us through this.

I was sitting at the edge of a pond that was near my estate, gazing into the clear, glassy surface.  I was caught up in my thoughts, sitting out in the sun, wondering about what will happen to us during this war.  I felt a slight pang of guilt.  I have to protect Tanjiro and his friends... They've become.. like friends of my own.  I couldn't really say the same about some of the people I've been working with for years.  Then there was Kyojiro.. He as well was training to fight in the war along side the demon slayers..  

I was worried sick.. What if he got hurt when he turns back to his human self..?  I couldn't bare to see any harm come to him.. the thought alone proved to much for me to handle.  I shook my head to clear my thoughts until I thought of the possibility of loosing him in the war... no.. I would not let that happen.  Never in a million years will I let him slip from my grasp like he did mere months ago.  All of that was behind us.  Things were okay.  We were okay.

I ran a finger into the surface of the pond, watching the gentle ripples as it glided along the surface.  I watched the ripples I made until they faded out.  It reminded me of myself.  I make small impacts in people's lives.. then I fade from their memory.  But I always held onto those I care deeply about..  Even if they don't cherish me I will always cherish them.

I shook my head to try and clear away the negatives.  This was one of the only times that I was able to relax and calm myself without worrying about training and the upcoming battle.  I laid on my back beside the pond, gazing up at the blue sky, scattered with fluffy clouds.  It's peaceful.  And calm, I've never felt more at home.  But with the clouds coming now... There's only a higher chance of rains coming.  But I'm okay with that.  When it rains.. The sky sheds tears that I have been unable to shed for years.

Okay so like- mini filler chapter... Next chapter will take place AFTER the final battle because I honestly don't feel like doing fight scenes.  Thank you for all the votes though guys!  It makes me happy that you are all enjoying the story!!