We'll protect each other (SabiGiyuu)

15

The first week of school is over!
Sorry for not updating in a while.
School has kept me busy.

TW: slight swearing, thoughts of sh

At the same time as the last chapter started.

Giyuu's POV:
I set down my sheathed sword, leaning it up against the side of the couch in my living room. My head throbbed with the most annoying of migraines as it clattered down onto its side, and I cringed away from the sudden noise.

Sighing heavily, I rubbed my aching temple gently as I bent down to set it up again. I waited a whole ten seconds before standing back up and walking slowly over to the kitchen. I set down the small box of onigiri, courtesy of Mitsuri, on the low table. My eyes lingered on the package for a few moments before opening it and taking one out.

I'm not that hungry.

I took a small bite of it and headed back to the couch, flopping down onto the soft cushions. The small disturbance sent my sword back to the wooden floor, and I groaned and slammed my head back onto the hard edge of the armrest.

"Damnit!"

I sat up and rubbed the back of my head in pain, reaching forward with my other hand to grab my sword. Just as I wrapped my hands around the hilt, my heartbeat pounded in my skull. Shit shit shit shit! I dropped my sword and grit my teeth, squeezing my eyes shut.

My headaches had been on and off for about a month or two. They interfered with my ability to train, fight, and do whatever little interaction was asked of me. Not that I would let anyone see my pain. Especially not Kocho. She'd find some way to insult me about having no friends or thinking I'm 'better than everyone else'. As if.

I let out a relieved sigh as the ache subsided to a dull throb. I'm the least powerful hashira here. If- if Sabito was still alive, he'd be the water hashira instead of me. I laid back slowly and turned onto my side, facing the empty wall. He'd be good friends with the other pillars. Hell, he would probably even get along with Kocho. I covered my face with my hands, only to feel small tears in the corners of my eyes.

Fuck... I can't think about him without starting to cry. I lowered my hands to clutch my sides.

"Why..."

I shook my head.

"No. I am not going down that rabbit hole."

I let out an explosive exhale, dragging my eyes to look at my covered blade. It seemed to say 'I could take all those depressing thought away. Drag me across your skin, and I can help you not think about your late boyfriend.'

I thought of the cold steel tracing the pale scars on my wrists, warm blood flowing down my arm and soaking into my sleeves. Pressing deeper into the veins and arteries, pain spiking through my nerves. Small trickles of blood turning to a steady flow, red pools collecting on the-

A knock at my door broke me from my thoughts. I glanced down at my katana one last time before pulling myself to my feet and walking over to the door.

Please don't be Kocho, please, anyone but her.

I slid it open, looking down into the eyes of Iguro Obanai. He was just standing there with his arms by his sides, and a 'I don't want to be here' look on his face.

"Did you... need something?" I asked quietly in a monotone voice.

"Your crow has been trying to get in your house for the past few minutes, Tomioka." As he spoke, my kasugai crow rocketed into my chest, flapping around confusedly for a moment before I caught it by it's wings. I let it perch on my arm before looking back at the serpent hashira. "Next time, let it in. He could have an important mission for you, or be bringing you a time-sensitive message," he said coldly. With that, he turned on his heel and left.

I sat back down, slipping one nail under the seal of the tiny pack on the crow's back. I popped it open, pulling out the two small pieces of parchment. Both were addressed to me, one was from Urokodaki, and the other was from Tanjiro Kamado. I smiled faintly for a brief second, stuffing it away as soon as I noticed.

I slid the pack off of the crow, and it shook out it's feathers contentedly. "You can go to sleep now, Kanzaburo. Thanks for bringing these to me." I pat his head, unfolding the first note from Urokodaki as I did so. I read through it, most of the letter consisting of a report on how he, Nezuko, and Tanjiro were doing, although a bit was just about random things he had noticed around the mountain.

Next, I opened Kamado's letter.

Dear Tomioka-san,

How are you doing? I'm doing well. Not much has changed here since I last wrote to you. I still haven't made any progress on my boulder, and I would really appreciate any tips you'd be willing to share. But I know you won't write back.

...

I did meet someone, though.

It's late, and I'm too tired to keep writing.
I only have energy for watching MCYT twitch streams right now 🥲
Good night, y'all!