His last words

The start of healing

Giyuu slept soundly for the first time in five days. He didn't know why. He remembered someone knocking and speaking to him softly... but after that is was all black. He curled deeper into the warmth next to him.

He felt whatever it was breath slowly, showing that they were asleep. Arms were wrapped around him gently from multiple spots.

He groggily opened his eyes. Silver hair. Black hair. Black and blonde. He was at Uzui's house? His eyes widened. In their bed?!

He easily slipped out of their hold to see the rising sun. Dawn. He didn't leave the room, just limped over to the windowsill and sat down, watching the sunrise.

"It's beautiful isn't it Tomioka?" A voice spoke. He jumped and turned to see Uzui standing next to him, smiling sadly. He hesitantly nodded, unable to meet his eyes.

Uzui looked down at the man who held shame in his eyes. He gently picked him up, ignoring the minor protests.

He merely walked to the kitchen and sat at a chair with Tomioka in his lap and a plate of food in front of him.

He grabbed the chopsticks and grabbed a small amount of rice, holding it up. "Eat." Tomioka turned his head away.

"I'm not hungry." He lied.

"I said eat, Tomioka. I can hear how empty your stomach is. I'm not letting you die unflamboyantly of starvation. Please." Uzui pleaded gently, toning down his usual loud voice a bit.

Tomioka looked him in the eyes before he let himself he fed. Uzui smiled softly as he finished the food. His hand gently rubbed Tomioka's side.

"There you go. Come on now. I wanna talk to you." He easily lifted the man, who in turn buried his face in Uzui's neck out of embarrassment.

They settled down on the couch with Uzui resting his head on the armrests and his body laid across the couch. Tomioka was settled on top of him, head head on Uzui's chest.

"W-what did you wanna talk about?" Tomioka asked weakly.

"... what I'm going to ask might set you off." Uzui warned. Tomioka's hands grabbed onto Uzui's shirt in fear.

Uzui gently hugged him. "D-did someone... rape you?" Tomioka took in a sharp breath as his memories began to replay.

Tears fell uncontrollably as he cried. He tried to break free to run away but Uzui held him down and rubbed his head.

"It's going to be okay Tomioka. Shhh." He began to hum a tune. His mind was conflicted. So it was true; Someone had managed to take advantage of Tomioka. Strong, noble Tomioka. He heard his wives begin to wake.

Their footsteps were slightly sluggish at first before they began to come out for their morning routine of hugs, 'good morning's and coffee.

Their eyes landed on the now gently crying water pillar and quickly walked over. Hinatsuru bent down and tilted his head so their eyes met.

"I'm so sorry Giyuu-San. It'll be okay... I promise your that." She whispered as her own tears fell. They ended up all dog piling on the couch. Tomioka had calmed down though. Suma was between Tomioka and Makio while Hinatsuru was on the other side of Makio.

Tomioka gazed out of a window nearby. "I have work soon." He mumbled, going to stand. He was yanked back down.

"No you don't. The master was informed of what happened." He sucked in a breath, panic shooting through him. "He said that you are relieved of being a hashira but he wishes you the best in life."

Tomioka began to cry. "H-he's giving m-me up s-so e-easily?" He questioned. The girls got up as fast as possible as Uzui hugged him again.

"No Tomi-. No Giyuu." Uzui corrected himself. "He's freeing you from the stress. He still wants you around. We all knew that you never really liked demon slaying anyways." He chuckled as Tomioka began to calm down once more. "I wonder how they others will react to the sudden resignation."

Tomioka's mind flew to Sanemi, Shinobu and Obanai at once. They would be mad. That was a fact. Rengoku and Mitsuri a bit sad, Gyomei disappointed. And Muichiro.... would just be Muichiro.

They would be here soon to demand answers. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair out of habit. He winced as it snagged harshly. Uzui winced.

"Yeah you need to take a shower. I'll help get the hair unmatted." He spoke, setting his cup of tea down. He showed Tomioka the bathroom.

"I'm going to stand outside and give you half an hour. If you need anything, just raise your voice." Tomioka nodded slowly.

He settled into the wat and began to wash his skin. His hair came next. It was still very tangled, but not as much now. He looked at his arms.

They were littered with little time white lines, some faint and pink, some prominent and red. On his wrists there were still the handprints of his rapists. He began to freak out, wanting the shapes gone.

He began to scrub at his skin until it was raw, a few drops of blood falling in some spots. He didnt hear the concered calls from outside the door. He didnt hear the door open. But he did see the hand pull the soap about of his hand and felt the worried look he was getting.

"Giyuu calm down. I know it hurts." Uzui whispered into his ear as he gently lifted the sling man out of the tub. He caught sight of deep indentations on his hips that were shaped like hands. His mind was fueled with rage.

He gently washed the blood off of Tomioka's stomach and arm, inspecting the little white lines with worry. They were old. The pink were not as old, quite recent really. But the red ones were fresh.

He took Tomioka's hand, feeling the man staring in confusion. He twisted his arm and placed a gentle kiss on some of the scars, making Tomioka flinch.

"Look me in my eyes Giyuu." Giyuu slowly looked up, seeing the unshed tears. "Promise me. Don't cut. Please. Baby don't cut...." he whispered the last part.

"..... I..... I'll try...." Tomioka mumbled, feeling oddly happy that someone was concerned enough to do this for him.

Uzui smiled gently. "Let's get you dressed."