The Mission | Sanemi X Giyuu | Demon Slayer

25

Giyuu's pov.

All the Hashira turned to see Giyuu, and especially Shinobu in her rough shape. A few of them were worried, and some seemed to care little about it. If they were worried, it didn't show on their faces. Immediately, Oyakata-sama ordered that she be escorted to the Butterfly Estate. Giyuu gently handed her over to the two worried Kakushi who came into view. They then carried her hurriedly, but carefully, back to her home.

Headquarters was closer than the Butterfly Mansion...

He slowly walked towards Sanemi whose eyes were filled with sorrow which he tried not to show. Giyuu gave him a gentle smile, but didn't receive one back. Sanemi knelt down in silence, looking him up and down when he noticed he'd recovered his ruined mismatched haori. Giyuu knelt beside Sanemi at the end of the line, his gaze turned away from Sanemi to Oyakata's presence.

Sanemi... I'm glad he's safe.

"Giyuu, I am glad you have arrived. I will need you to tell us about what happened with your encounter with the Upper-Rank Two. Sanemi has provided us with his story. Please us what had happened after he became unconscious." Oyakata-sama said gently.

"I was very injured and became very weak. Kocho came prepared and told us to flee the scene. I have concluded that she had never left the area that day when she had come to visit me at my estate. I brought Shinazugawa to an inn in the nearby town to treat his wounds. The next day, I tried to find Kocho in the forest, but found that she was not there. On my way, I find several crows dead. A demon had been cutting off communication between Corp's members. I hadn't realized until then that I haven't spoken to a crow in a very long time. I keep searching and four days later, I found Kocho back in the same forest, almost dead in front of the Upper-Rank Two's dissipating body in the rising sun."

"I must thank Shinobu for her great bravery in defeating an Upper Moon demon. This is one step closer to deteriorating demons and getting to Muzan! Thank you Sanemi and Giyuu for also getting us towards our goal." Oyakata smiled with genuine gratitude. 

"Thank you for your kind words Oyakata-sama," Sanemi said.

"Thank you Master," Giyuu said as well.

"Now, as for the crows, there now must be more reports that are missing and dead. Please keep in mind where ever you are, look out for the crows and protect them. They are our valued source of communication."

"Yes, Master," All the Hashira replied together. 

"You are all dismissed. Except... come here inside... Sanemi, Giyuu." Oyakata-sama softly orded.

As they arose from their positions, they slowly made their way inside the house. Both knelt in front of Oyakata-sama in a small meeting room, awaiting for what was next. Giyuu glanced over at Sanemi and met his gaze. It was difficult to tell what was going on in his head because he was unreadable.

"Sanemi... I wondered since our last encounter at our meeting, have you been able to get along with Giyuu now? Are you two friends? I was hoping the pairing I had arranged from the begining had all worked out." 

"Yes, Master. The pairing you have arranged between Giyuu and it has quite worked out. In fact,  may not be just friends..." Sanemi said with a smug smile. 

Sanemi... should you be telling this to Master?

"Is that right? I am delighted with this news. So then, are you two close or best friends?"

"No," Sanemi said as he reached out his hand over to Giyuu's and laid them on top. He slid his fingers under and tightly held Giyuu's hand. 

 "Sanemi! Giyuu whispered-yelled as he panicked, looking for Oyakata-sama's reaction. 

"I would say... he's my boyfriend," Sanemi stated with much confidence. 

Giyuu's eyes opened widely, his body temperature rising, and his face turning pink. He had not expected Sanemi to say anything about them, but he did recall saying "I love you" back to Sanemi. He had meant that when he said it. 

"Oh? Hmm... that's very unexpected! Well, there shouldn't be much say, except that I am very happy that you two are together."

"Thank you Master," They both said.

"Ah... my two Hashiras are finally together... my plan worked...looks like I was right about them." Oyakata-sama whispered to himself, disregarding the fact, that both Pillars could hear him. 

"Master? What did you just say? Giyuu asked politely. 

"Nothing..." Oyakata-sama said with slight embarrassment. 

So, he planned for this all along? I- Well, that's very unexpected from him...

"Now... I must tell you another matter. Because the both of you have done such amazing accomplishments, I will allow a break." Master said and then abruptly coughed and spat out blood onto his hand. 

"Master!" Sanemi and Giyuu shouted out with concern. 

"I-I'm fine. Just, keep my words. A crow w-will tell you when you both are needed for a mission. You both are d-dismissed."

The both of them watched pitifully as their master retreated back into his room. They stayed inside until his heavy footsteps could not be heard anymore. Now with just the two of them, they locked their eyes with each other. Sanemi held Giyuu's hand even tighter. Giyuu felt Sanemi's other hand glide its way up to his cheek, caressing his soft skin with gentle touches. Sanemi leaned his face into Giyuu's ear and whispered. 

"Let's go somewhere else... more private."