❤ ~ The Greatest Gift ~ ❤

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Not long after those words made presence, Tanjirou released his hold. Allowed his hand to return to his side as many bodies made way into the open. It left Giyuu closing his hand as he took a calming breath. Let his palm land along his chest as he smiled lightly as his gaze watched Tanjirou's movements. How every step was with grace and without hesitation. Tanjirou was truly beautiful in that moment; words that Giyuu himself would cherish, but never say. A small melody of a whisper played into the growing noise that rose up. "I'll always offer you, my trust. Until the very end, Tanjirou."

Settling his heart, he took a place with the other's, who were brimming with excitement. Some seemed doubtful, but the few differing seemed entranced. Seemed hopeful. As for Tanjirou, he found his place in the middle of the gathering among the wisteria. Viewed how Sanemi still seemed unsatisfied. It ultimately left those maroon eyes to land along Kagaya, who seemed to be waiting patiently. "Before I begin, I feel this situation does not please Sanemi-san..."

Kagaya seemed to ponder the thought before such calming words pressed outward, drawing all gazes as a soft breeze rustled the flowers that danced above them all. "Is that the truth, Sanemi?" 

"It is..." Sanemi seemed to allow his expression to fall, whether from shock or something more. In the end, the other was a bit grateful, as Tanjirou could pick up from his smell. A small joy that circulated the air of arrogance. "I just desire that I be allowed to witness the techniques of each myself. To see the capabilities of them. In my opinion, a blow that I can withstand is no weapon to rely on." 

"I see. Does everyone else agree to this statement?" The other's seemed to trade glances before some nodded. Only Sabito seemed unwilling to agree. However, he was the minority in the instance. It left Kagaya to speak up once more, a smile tugged along such peaceful features. "Then I see no reason to oppose. I will allow this to be a trial of worth. Should Tanjirou's words be a lie, or fail to uphold the desired outcome, he will be allowed to leave with the shame of offering false words. However, should he overcome this, I pray all welcome him warmly. That he is treated as an ally. Does this appease you, Sanemi?" 

The other seemed to nod, his gaze rolling along Tanjirou with a sneer the other merely ignored. If there was one thing Tanjirou was good at, it was never allowing others to affect him. In the end, he preferred a calm and clear mind. 

"Since there seems to be no refusal, I will allow this trial to commence." With those words, the world seemed to hover in a silence as Sanemi took his place opposite. As his sword was held at the ready to block anything. It left Tanjirou to take a long breath. To steady his heart as his mind fell to emptiness. As his lungs began to move with the rhythm desired. 

Of all the breathes, Tanjirou preferred to begin with the weakest of his selection. While water breathing is calm, fast, as well as precise; it lacked much. It left him readying his stance as he took in a deep breath. Felt how his lung expanded and burned calmly within. How his body felt weightless as he took one step. One single motion that allowed his body to seem rapid. One step seemed to meld into multiple as water seemed to appear under every step. Brought a sound to the present as his slashes seemed to bring with them a current of water, tethered and dancing around Sanemi. All of which were blocked in succession as Tanjirou came to a stop after full circle. He took a few steps back, readying his sword once more with a few simple words. "That was Water Breathing. The next I'll show is Sun Breathing."

Without another moment, Tanjirou took a heated breath. One that seemed to flare into a fire, seemingly burning his lungs with an endearing touch. It left him moving with a swift motion as distance seemed to vanish. It seemed to startle Sanemi, who was a bit ill prepared for the swift movement that was near impossible to see. It left his sword brought to the front, held outward as he viewed Tanjirou's strike. Watched the poise as the other's sword of black color seemed to glimmer red as something like fire engulfed the blade. It brought a scorching heat as it was pressed down toward Sanemi, his sword greeting the blow with ease. At least at first. In a single moment, he watched his situation fall from him as the strike seemed to offer him a small cracking sound that rang out. 

However, he withstood it all as Tanjirou's attack seemed to fade. As the other took the same spot, readying once more. It left Sanemi viewing the cracks that had begun within his weapon. That left the blade chipped in places. However, what Sanemi noticed the most was the small tremble in his fingers. How his grip was laced in sweat as he focused back on Tanjirou, who had not waited for the other to prepare, just as any Slayer should. Waiting would only bring you defeat in Sanemi's mind, leaving him barely able to block the strike that delt the final blow. A strike that brought with it crescent shapes that seemed to bring the trial to a close as Sanemi's weapon finally gave way. As it snapped in half, the blade falling to the ground as the impact of the strike left a wave of wind that sent Sanemi tumbling. 

He only stopped feet away, his body shifting to view where Tanjirou's sword tip rested. A small crater presenting itself as Sanemi felt silence suffocate him as shock seemed to rise up. As the other Hashira seemed to gather with content. 

However, Sanemi felt his gaze fall to Tanjirou, who stood before him. Who had sheathed his weapon, offering a single hand outward. A few words that brought the moment together. Words that seemed to cause Sanemi to offer the faintest of smile. One that only Tanjirou himself could see. "I hope this places our troubles behind us, Sanemi-san." 

Sanemi peered to weapon, broken and useless, tossing it to the side as he nodded. As he brought his hand forward and allowed his hold into the other. Allowed aid to his feet as he felt the confused glances of the others. "I would be ill mannered to hold resentment for someone capable. So long as you are no dead weight, I see nothing but neutral ground between us."

With that, Sanemi took his place among the others, Kagaya bringing his hands together as he spoke with sincerity. Brought the whole matter to a close. "Tanjirou has proven his word true. From this point on, he will be an ally to rely on. This fight amongst Demon's is no easy feat but believe in one another. You have each other in the hardest of times. Hold no hatred, am I understood?" 

Everyone agreed as Tanjirou felt Kagaya's gaze. Saw the small smile as the other rose to his feet with the help of his aids. He offered a small bow before taking his leave, the space seeming to bustle as Tanjirou joined up with Sabito and Giyuu. Felt how Sabito pulled him close, ruffling his hair as Tanjirou couldn't help but laugh. 

Even with the unfortunate past that had been held as secret, he truly had much in the present. He felt content. In the end, even though he'd lost his family long ago, the world had offered him another. He'd finally found a place to truly call home. 

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I wanted to end this chapter on something wholesome, so here you are! Glad to finally be writing this once more. I've missed the stories and all my reader's. Hope this chapter has made many people's days/nights! <3

Much love from Author-Nim~ <3 ~ <3 ~ <3