Blood in Flame and Water

Tears

It was a stalemate of locked gazes as a figure inhumanly tall stood before Tomioka, blocking out the light of the moon and shrouding the Hashira in complete shadow. The sense of unease, trepidation, and fear squeezed Tomioka's lungs when telltale antlers that grew and sprouted from the creature's head became all too recognizable. He remembered hearing the man from the previous village, Tan, mention the demon that terrorized Mizūmi to have deer like antlers on its head. Everything that man had mentioned was right there in front of Giyu. 

With bated breath, Tomioka's left hand dropped to his hip in search of his nichirin sheath but found nothing but fabric and air. His hand made an aborted motion to grab at something that wasn't there. Sucking in a large breath of air, Tomioka glanced down at his hip in fearful realization that he had left his blade back inside when he participated in cleaning around. 

Eyes snapping back up towards the demon, a silent and forced exhale left Tomioka as he was made to back up by the sudden close proximity between him and the demon. The oni had crouched closer, close enough from Tomioka the male could feel every exhale breathed his way. The faint sound of the wind chimes and beads strapped to treelike antlers clinking solidified the fact that this indeed was the demon they were searching for. 

Being this close, Giyu could see the marked kanji for 'Upper Three' written into the pupils of the tall oni. Black hair as dark as the night sky surrounding them that ended in blood red tips cascaded down over its shoulders and down its back. Red markings typical of any demon glistened starkly against its moon pale skin. Two large and sharp fangs stuck out from its lower lip. 

Snapping out of his daze, Tomioka opened his mouth to try and call for Rengoku, but all that came from his mouth was a weak whisper and a gust of air. The oni leaned ever closer and sniffed the air around Giyu,...wait sniffed? Tomioka raised a brow as the demon hummed low in its chest as he scented the air around the Water Pillar. Tomioka half expected the demon to lick its lips at how thoroughly it was taking in the air around him. Hackles rising just briefly, Tomioka scooted back towards the still open shutter door. 

"You certainly smell odd-. " The demon muttered. 

Pausing, Tomioka stared up at the demon in disbelief. Rubbing its chin in thought, the oni stared Giyu down in contemplation. Seeing Tomioka's confused expression, the oni tilted its head and the wind chimes rang with the motion, "You smell odd to me, human. 

"You smell of rain and rivers, rushing spring water at the highest peak of the mountains. Yet you smell of the sweetest bakery at sunset. You are a man, are you not? " The demon inquired. 

Tomioka gulped, lips pressed into a thin line as he wondered frantically how exactly the demon knew, or at least had enough to question Giyu. But right now, he wouldn't even be able to cough up an answer. The demon however seemed to answer its own question inside its twisted head, "Yet it is so thin. Most women's blood smells thick with flowers, perfume, and incense, but not yours. Yours is faint, barely there, covered by the storm clouds and rolling thunder. " 

Giyu could feel his hands shaking against the engawa wood. Unkempt wood splintered and poked at callused fingertips and soft palms. He could feel his mouth become dry, like someone had stuffed his mouth full of sand and cotton. 

Barely surprising the flinch that nearly sent Tomioka reeling into the shutter door behind him, Tomioka felt a large hand cup his chin. Within the grip of the surprisingly gentle demon, Giyu felt as his head was tilted up so his eyes would meet the gaze of the Upper Moon in front of him. He had expected malicious intent deep within those sickly sweet honey eyes when Tomioka looked into them, instead, he only saw curiosity. 

The sharp yet careful prodding of talons poked against Tomioka's cheek, intent to remain caressing yet not puncturing. Giyu's diamond eyes flitted and shuddered when a breath was puffed across his face, "You certainly are odd. Mitski would like you. "